How to Get Prepared for the Insect Season

The two that most individuals have been concerned about lately is ants and termites. Termites usually don't show up until early summer. However, because of the extra moisture they appear to be coming around earlier. Not a lot have been said about mosquitoes. With a lot of surface water just laying around, I am sure that there will be a lot of them soon.

Many pest control businesses have been very busy already. Many individuals are trying to get the jump on the insects by spraying early and in some cases often. Here are some ideas to help you protect yourself against these little creatures.

Ants; Sprinkle boric acid or borax powder around doors or entrances to your house. This will help to discourage them from exploring your house. Mix the boric acid with equal amounts of sugar or cornmeal. Place it in dusty areas where you can see the ant trails or tracks. Be sure to keep pets and children away. Remove all open garbage bags or trash cans. Regularly wash your kitchen floor keeping up all spilled foods and drink. If you use ant spray, spray in the same places that you would have put down the above poison.

Bees and Wasps; These creatures like to hang around open cups of food and drinks. Like ants, they like to go into trash cans. If you discover a nest, get a good spray from your local store and spray it from a distance. A day or two later, check it for activity. If there is none remove it to a plastic bag. The less you have around when you spray, the better. It is usually best to spray at night. they are less active and most of them are in the nest.

Mosquitoes and Flies; These two can carry more bacteria than any of the other insects. If you have areas where there is standing water, get rid of it. Look for unobserved places like old tires, water buckets, sprinkle cans, old soda or beer cans, left out lids that hold water, gutters are a great place for them to grow. Keep your grass cut short and weeds trimmed. Keep doors and windows closed to your home and garage.

Fleas and Ticks; Comb and bathe your pet regularly. Especially keep your pet's bedding cleaned. You may want to consider spraying your pets regularly. Check your pet closely for ticks. They are always picked up outside and brought in by pets as well as the clothes you wear.

Cockroaches and Silverfish; Tape up all cracks or plaster them closed in the wall area. Many times roaches are brought into the house when you bring in a cardboard box or paper bag. They tend to congregate in those. Pipes that come in from the outside of the home usually have holes big enough for them to enter. Plug the holes well.

Spraying the outside yard can go a long way in insect control. It should be done in the early spring and fall. Professionals can do this or you might do it yourself. It isn't as hard to do as you think. First spray all around the outside of your house from corner to corner. After doing that, just walk through your yard and spray in a mist form. Don't worry about the rain washing it away. Once it is down, it is usually there to stay. Please be sure to read and follow directions.

Comments (1)

carmen357 said:

	... Here at my house we have a Zoo hahaha and during the summer there are alot fleas and we have bathe our pets regularly and spray around the house for fleas! Great article very good points!
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April 19, 2011
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