Cool weather means that it’s time for outdoor chores to be completed and winter is upon us. It also calls for pesky insectsTo go indoors to find food and warm places for hibernating, What can a smart homeowner do to make their home more comfortable?
Experts claim that record-breaking summer heat is causing a boom in the number of bugs. David Denlinger, Ohio State University’s entomologist, predicts that there will be a bumper crop of bugs. “If the warmth stays into the fall, insects will continue to do well until frost comes.”
Fall party crashers are often unwelcome guests, such as silverfish and spiders, earwigs (flies), flies, and ants. In the late 1990s, a new pest was discovered: the brown marmorated smell bug. Stink bugs have been found in 38 states since their first detection in Pennsylvania.
“In September and October, when plants are harvested and food sources dry up, stink bugs switch gears and seek shelter indoors,”Dr. Qing He Zhang, the lead scientist and director for research at Sterling International (makers of eco-friendly RESCUE!) says: You can also use insect traps. “It’s important to break the lifecycle now so they don’t survive the winter months.”
These eco-friendly tips will help you protect your home against pesky insects. Industry experts have some simple suggestions.
1. Keep brush clean and remove mulch and firewood piles from your home to prevent insects and critters from settling in.
2. Caulk and weather stripping are used to seal cracks, crevices, and holes around pipes and utilities. Roof tiles and screens can be repaired. Repair any mortar that is missing from basement and windows foundations.
3. Clear out all food from open shelves.
4. Stink bugs can be found in warm and dark areas like ceiling tiles, baseboards, exhaust fans, ceiling tiles, drapes, and ceiling tiles. Grab the stink bugs with a tissue and flush them down the toilet. Stink bugs can be dangerous and emit a foul-smelling odor so get rid of any vacuum bags as soon as possible.
Zhang explains, “Once you see the bugs clinging to the side of the house or screens, this is a signal that they are ready to get indoors, and more may be coming. The RESCUE! Stink Bug trap uses non-toxic pheromone attractants that lure stink bugs, intercepting them before they reach the house.”
5. Try herbs if ants are a problem. Briscoe, an herb expert and owner The Growers Exchange says that bay leaves and cinnamon repel ants. For a natural barrier, place crushed herbs around windowsills, doors, and cabinets. Peppermint and spearmint are also effective in repelling moths.
Visit this site for more information on fighting bugs www.rescue.com.
