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Quick Tricks for Identifying Pests and Learning Bug Control Pt. 2

Your Pest Identification and Bug Control Guide

There are many pests you would rather not come in contact with. But if you do, or suspect you might, it’s good to know exactly what they look like and what to do if you see them. Below you will learn bug identification and get rid of ants, flies, carpet beetles, and mice.

Pest Identification: Ants

There are more than 700 species of ants in the world. Fortunately (or maybe not so fortunately) only about 25 of those species commonly infest homes. Ants will eat any type of food, but they are especially attracted to sweets. If you see a trail of ants anywhere in your home, immediate bug control measures are called for!

As far as bug identification goes, ants are easy to identify. They all have three distinct body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. They also have 2 antennae. Other than that, ants vary in size and color. They can be small or large and black, brown, or red. Ants with wings are on a mission: to mate and begin a new colony. You don’t want that in your home!

Ant Control

So, you’ve completed your pest identification and determined you have an ant problem. First, make sure you clean all surfaces in your house thoroughly and fix leaky faucets. (In addition to food, ants come into your home for water.) One bug control method that works on ants is Terro PCO Ant Bait Stations. Just place the convenient bait stations anywhere in your house that you see ants entering or living including cracks and crevasses, around doors, windows, baseboards and sinks, and under cabinets, dishwashers, refrigerators, and stoves.

Bug Identification: Flies

Flies are not only a nuisance, but they also transmit diseases by contaminating food. Bug control for house flies is important because they can transfer more than 100 pathogens, including malaria, salmonella, and tuberculosis!

Most people probably don’t need bug identification tips for common house flies. Adults are 5-8 mm long with the normal insect parts (head, thorax, and abdomen) and one pair of wings.

Fly Control

Bug control for these common pests starts with cleaning. Keep counters and surfaces clean, take out garbage regularly, and clean up after pets. Also, keep window and door screens in good repair. Glue traps are a good solution for flies, but hanging strips of flypaper with dead or dying flies on it ruins the ambiance of a kitchen. One product that is effective for bug control of flying insects without having to look at the carcasses is Catchmaster Window Fly Traps. Double-sided tape secures the base to any surface so you can easily place them out of your general site so nobody has to see dead bugs all day!

Identification: Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles are the ones that put holes in your wool sweaters and furs. That can be an expensive nuisance! They eat carpets, woolen fabrics, dead insects, furs, hides, horns, hair, silk, and bones. They are NOT good houseguests.

Here is some bug identification information to help you decide if you do have these annoying pests. Carpet beetles, sometimes called varied carpet beetles, are small (about 1/16 inch), round insects with 6 legs. Their backs have black centers with white, brown, and yellow patches in an irregular arrangement.

Carpet Beetle Control

Let’s talk bug control. The first thing you should do is to vacuum regularly, since “dust bunnies” contain the things these beetles love to eat. Next, you should always store wool and fur garments in plastic containers, and if storing them for a long time, dry clean them first. After that, try Bedlam Plus Insecticide Spray for bug control. This convenient aerosol spray does not need to be mixed, just remove the lid and spray. Spray cracks and crevices and spots where you have seen these pests. You can also spray carpets and furniture you think they might be living in. Allow spray to dry before using treated areas.

Identifying Mice

Mice might be cute in cartoons, but nobody likes them in their homes. House mice are the most common rodent pest in most parts of the world. They can breed rapidly; a female mouse can give birth to a half-dozen babies every three weeks! Enough said.

Pest identification for mice isn’t necessary for most people. They are small (2 ½ to 3 ¾ inches long), gray, furry rodents. Look for droppings and shredded nesting materials, such as paper, cotton, packing materials, wall insulation, and fabric. If you have a problem, you’ll likely see mice darting around.

Mouse Control

Once your pest identification is complete, it’s time for pest control. Glue boards such as Pest Pro Mouse Glue Boards are most effective. Just remove the protective paper and set the traps in places where you’ve seen mice or evidence of them. Be sure to place them flush against the walls since mice tend to run along walls. When you catch a pest, simply fold the glue board and dispose of it.

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Quick Tricks for Identifying Bugs and Learning Bug Control

Your Bug Identification and Bug Control Guide

There are many house bugs and other pests you would rather not come in contact with. But if you do, or suspect you might, it’s good to know exactly what they look like and what to do if you see them.

Bed Bugs

I don’t like the idea of sleeping with bugs, especially bugs with a habit of feeding on humans while they sleep in their beds. If you see any of these bugs or feel their bites, you need to take immediate bug control measures.

So, here’s some bug identification information. Adult bed bugs are flat, oval, and mahogany colored when they are unfed. They become elongated, red-brown, and swollen when fed. They are about ¼ inch long. The nymphs are almost colorless and much smaller, 1-5 mm long. Bed bug bites can become red, itchy welts.

One bug control chemical that works on these house bugs is Suspend SC. You will need to mix the concentrate with water in a hand-pressurized sprayer. Then remove all bedding and wash it. Apply the treatment to mattress folds and edges and the interior of the bed frame until moist. Be sure to spray anywhere you see little black specs, as these could be bed bug excrement.

Cockroaches

These house bugs are infamous for being nocturnal which makes them hard to spot unless you are often awake during the night. Even worse, they are known to cause allergies and trigger asthma attacks and can spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria! If you see them, get going on bug control immediately.

But first, let’s do some bug identification. Cockroaches can measure up to 2 inches in length! They have 6 legs, 2 antennae, and some have wings, although they are really not very good at flying. They are usually a brown color, although the shade depends on the species. These house bugs also emit a bad odor at times.

Now let’s talk bug control. The first thing you need to do is inspect your residence for cracks and seal them up as well as all entrances around utility pipes. You can also treat the perimeter with an insecticide. Then you need to clean your kitchen and vacuum everywhere to eliminate their food sources and egg sacks. Once you have those things done, you can use bug control bait such as Advion Cockroach Gel Bait. Just put several dots of the gel in places where you’ve seen roaches and wait. They don’t die immediately, but when they do, other roaches eat their carcasses, and they die too.

Spiders

I am not a fan of spiders in general, but I especially dislike them if they are poisonous. Two species that get a lot of press are black widow and brown recluse spiders. Both of these house bugs like to live in wood piles and other piles of debris outdoors, and can easily be carried in when you bring in wood for the fire. Be sure to wear heavy gloves! Once inside, they like to hide in shoes or piles of clothing on the floor, so be sure to shake things out before wearing them!

Here is some bug identification information to help you figure out if you really have these poisonous pests. Black widow spiders are shiny and black and have a red hourglass shape on their bulbous abdomens. Brown recluse spiders aren’t quite as easily recognized because there are other brown spiders. Some identifying marks that can rule out it being a brown recluse is if there are stripes or other pigments on it’s legs, if there are more than two pigments on it’s body, or if the legs are a darker brown than the body. One bug identification clue for the brown recluse is that most (but not all) have a violin-shaped marking on their backs that starts from the head and points down toward the abdomen. To be absolutely sure the spider is a brown recluse, you have to count its eyes under a magnifying glass. Brown recluse spiders have only 6 eyes, instead of the 8 eyes found on all other spiders.

Now for bug control; how can you get rid of these nasty house bugs? Since spiders don’t “infest” your house like other house bugs (e.g., cockroaches and bed bugs), using a spray isn’t as effective on them. But you can use glue traps, such as Pest Pro Glue Boards. Remove the protective paper and place them in areas you expect the spiders might be hiding, such as behind firewood holders or in closets or laundry rooms. These will trap any spiders or other insects that walk over them and they will eventually die.

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Mouse Traps- Pest Pro Glue Boards Product Review

When a Snap Trap Didn’t work, a Glue Trap Did!

I have a history of trouble with mice sneaking into my home. I live in the country surrounded by fields so I was expecting them. But that doesn’t mean I like them. I have tried many different remedies over the years without much success so I really wasn’t looking forward to the cold season this year.

For years we have owned cats, specifically for the purpose of keeping mice and rats out of our house. They are supposed to be walking mouse traps. But they become pets (not the outside barn-cat types) and they simply don’t help out that much. Maybe we should stop feeding them…J But that’s not going to happen.

I have used traditional snap-type mouse traps or rat traps every year, trying different bait to see what they like. I’ve tried several different types of cheese, peanut butter, oat cereal, and a bit of lunch meat. I’ve rarely caught a rodent with those. It seems like rodents can nibble the treats I set out for them without springing the traps. Either that or they just don’t want what I’m offering.

My Last Resort: A Glue Trap

When I was looking around online, I found something I hadn’t tried before. Pest Pro Mouse Glue Boards! I bought 12 Pest Pro Mouse Glue Boards to try them out. And they’re pretty cheap, so I won’t be spending much more than I usually do on traps. They are WAY cheaper than hiring an exterminator, which I was thinking about as my next step. Then I found out that a glue trap is used by exterminators anyway, so why not do it myself?

Who knew a glue trap would work so much better than a snap trap? They are different from all of the other remedies I’ve tried. I love them and I’ll tell you why. They really work!

When they arrived, I removed the protective paper and set a glue trap in every place where I’ve seen mice in the past. I found the best place to put a glue trap was behind my refrigerator or stove. I know mice tend to run along walls so I thought I would catch more when the glue trap was flush against the wall. Other places I found also worked well were inside cupboards, the pantry, and the basement. I also baited some of the traps with chocolate, which was suggested by the manufacturer.

I’m kind of crazy during “rodent season” so I put out all 12 traps. I read on the instructions that Pest Pro mouse and rat traps can be laid flat or folded into open-ended boxes. In my experience, they work better when laid flat. I set out a few in the box configuration and then found two of them moved several feet away from their original locations. I figured rodents can push them around without stepping on the glue when they are folded into boxes. And the point of a glue trap is to have the rodents step on the glue, so I laid them all flat.

One note of caution here: a glue trap of this type is VERY sticky, so I made extra sure to put them in places where our cats and our 3-year-old wouldn’t find them.

I caught the first mouse on day 1! I heard a scuffling noise and checked the glue trap, and there was a mouse stuck to it. So I folded it up and threw it away. The season isn’t over, but I’ve already disposed of 3 mice.

And Pest Pro Mouse Glue Boards come with a built-in bonus. They also catch spiders and other creepy crawlies that come in contact with them! So I managed to rid our house of more than just rodents. I will definitely buy a larger glue trap package next year. I definitely recommend Pest Pro Mouse Glue Trap!

They Even Catch Snakes!

#Pest Product Reviews

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What to Do About Pesky Pantry Moths

Getting Rid of Pantry Moths and Other Pantry Pests

Pantry pests can be a real pain to deal with but it’s not an impossible situation to rectify. I recently had a problem with bugs in my flour. I don’t use flour very often, but I had bought some because I wanted to make bread. It sat in my cupboard for about a month before I opened it and when I did, it was full of bugs… little moths and beetle looking things. Of course I didn’t use it and I just threw it out.

I cleaned out the cupboard. Then I went out and bought another bag of flour. The same thing happened a second time! Both times I bought name brands well within their recommended shelf life. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do to keep these pests away.

What Are Pantry Moths?

Pantry pests are insects such as moths and beetles that eat stored food products. There are hundreds of

different kinds of them. And they multiply quickly, several generations in one year! They especially like food stored in paper containers that is left unused for long periods of time. Like flour, pet food, and dried fruit.

Pantry moths and beetles can be hard to spot at first because they are small and are usually the same color as the food they are living in. Generally, the immature pantry pests look like small caterpillars or grubs and the adults look like small flying moths or beetles. The easiest way to spot the moths is at night time when the adults are flying around. Occasionally, you will also find small webs spun on the lips of jars or containers. This is a sign of pantry moths.

How do they get in my food?

These pests can get into your food in several different ways. They can be transported into your home inside packaged foods. Pantry pests can also sneak in from outside sources or connected housing units. And they pass easily from package to package.

There are some prevention methods you can take.

Remove pantry foods from their paper containers and store them in containers with tight-fitting lids.

Clean pantry shelves regularly.

Don’t mix new foods with older foods.

Clean containers before refilling them.

Keep storage areas dry because pantry pests like moisture.

There is a way to test foods for pantry moths or pantry beetles if you’re not sure. Put some of the food you are unsure about in a zip lock bag and seal it. Then watch. If you see an accumulation of pantry pests, discard the rest of that product. You should keep food items you are unsure of in sealed plastic bags for at least a month to be sure.

Getting Rid of Pantry Moths & Beetles

A lot of times, prevention methods don’t always work for a couple different reasons. You were already infested before you took the measures or food you brought home was infested. The best way to get rid of pantry pests is using an insecticide. There are many insecticides that are safe around food after they dry. First remove all food from the infected area. Then you can use a crack and crevice spray such as Cy-Kick Aerosol. Follow the directions carefully and make sure the spray is dry before putting food items back.

Another simple and cost-effective product is moth traps. These moth traps work by using pheromones to lure the insects to a sticky strip where they get caught and can’t escape. Most of the time the males are lured, therefore interrupting mating and in return controlling the problem. These will work for most kinds of pantry moths along with Cigarette Beetles.

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Suspend SC Application Indoors & Outdoors

Preparing Suspend SC for Application

So you’ve decided to use Suspend SC as a form of do it yourself pest control in order to help you solve a pest problem but you’re not sure how to use it. Whether you have ants, spiders, fleas, bed bugs, or any of the other 50 pests that Suspend SC kills, you will be pest free soon.

You will need three things:

a hand-pressurized sprayer (1 gallon size is recommended)

water

Suspend SC Concentrate

Mix the solution by first adding water to your sprayer until it is half-full.

Then add the amount of Suspend SC you need. You can find this information on the Application Rates table on the label. Look in the far right column titled “Dilution Rate” for the type of pest you are trying to get rid of. If spiders are your problem, look in the third row: for spiders you need 1.5 fl oz of Suspend SC per gallon of water. Shake the solution to mix it.

Finally, add the remainder of water to fill your sprayer. Add this water slowly to avoid excess foam. Once you have all of the “ingredients” in your sprayer, shake or agitate it thoroughly to insure proper suspension of your mixture.

Then all you need to do is pump your sprayer up to build up air pressure. Follow the sprayer manufacturer instructions for this. Now you’re ready to go.

Indoor Application of Suspend SC

Suspend SC can be used indoors as a crack and crevice, spot, or general surface treatment. It can be applied to floors, ceilings, in and around cabinets, between, behind and under equipment and appliances, around floor drains, window and door frames, around plumbing and sinks; basically any place you think pests might be hiding.

If you are treating a kitchen area or an area where food is stored (e.g. a pantry) make sure all food and food-handling equipment is covered before you spray. Be sure to wash all food-handling equipment and surfaces following the application. Once the spray is dry, about 30-45 minutes, you can put away the food-handling equipment.

For bedrooms and beds (as a bed bug spray, etc.) remove bedding and wash before reusing them. Apply to mattress folds and edges and the interior of the bed frame until moist. When using as a bed bug spray, be sure to spray anywhere that has little black specs. That is most likely bed bugs or bed bug excrement. Allow the spray to dry before remaking the bed. Pay particular attention to dark corners of rooms and closets. For indoor application the residual lasts approximately 3 months so that’s how far you should space applications.

NOTE: Keep humans and pets away from the treated areas until the spray is dry. Do not allow dripping or run-off to occur.

Outdoor Application

You can use Suspend SC as a perimeter treatment around houses, as a residual spray to porches, screens, window frames, eaves, or patios, or as a broadcast application to lawns, grounds, and ornamental plantings.

To prevent pests from entering your house, spray entrances and areas where you have seen them. Spray Suspend SC around every window and door frame so that they die before ever entering your home. This works especially well for spiders and ants.

For fleas and ticks, spray areas where they are most likely to be found such as dog houses and kennels, crevices in sidewalks and paths, and in shaded, moist areas such as under plants and shrubs.

If you have a fire ant problem, you should drench the surface of each mound and the surrounding area to a 2-foot diameter. This is best done in the early morning or late evening hours.

Suspend SC should be the go-to do it yourself pest control solution. It kills a wide variety of adult pests and has a long indoor and outdoor residual. As an added precaution, it is recommended to mix an IGR, such as Gentrol, in with the Suspend SC in order to prevent the eggs from hatching. By doing this, you are preventing repeat infestations and solving your pest problem for good.

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How To Get Rid Of Rats & Other Rodents Using Snap Traps

How To Get Rid Of Rats – Learn More About Snap Traps

Nothing can be better than rat traps when your mind is set on getting rid of these creatures easily and without much hassle. These traps are also preferred by many who have kids and pets at home, since these are normally safe. Snap traps are quite popular and used in getting rid of mice and rats easily. These are easy to use and quick to set up. Still, you need to know a few things to use mouse traps properly so that you get things right from the beginning and catch those mice as soon as possible.

Normally a plastic, wooden or a metallic trap that has a powerful snap hinge is referred to as snap trap. These kinds of traps are highly popular because they kill rodents instantly. They use bait, which lures the rat towards the trap and then triggering a snapping mechanism to break their neck. Victor rat traps are quite popular and often used in homes to catch rats, as they are effective and simple to use. This trap is strong, sturdy and kills the rat instantly. The enhanced version of this trap is called Victor Rat Trap Professional and has an improved bait pedal and an effective level which can be set in environments where vibrations are high. Victor Mouse Traps are also quick and has highly sensitivity which does not allow the trap to snap due to any kind of vibration in the environment.

Read the label – All rat traps have a label which carries important information on how to effectively use the trap. Ensure that you have gone through the information thoroughly before you set the trap.

How To Place Mouse Traps

You need to place snap traps in areas where there is the highest activities or where rodents take shelter. You just need to inspect the different areas of your house to figure out where the rodents are coming in and where they hide. Look for rodent signs like grease marks, fecal pellets, gnawing or holes in the wall. The most common areas where you can place the traps are along the walls, in dark corners, behind appliances or under furniture. You can place multiple rat traps, spaced at least 10 feet away from each other for more effectiveness. If you believe there is a severe infestation, you can space the mouse traps just 6 feet away from one another. This way your targets will never be missed.

Set Traps In The Best Position – Once you have decided the corner to place the mouse, you need to set the position correctly. You need to ensure that maximum number of rodents pass through the position so that they get trapped. The best position is to extend these traps from the wall at ninety degrees with the set trigger end. If you are using more than one trap, you can position these parallel to the wall. The triggers need to position in such a way that they intercept the rodents when they are walking by or are coming for the bait.

Occasionally you can run into the problem that in spite of all your efforts you find that the rodents are avoiding mouse traps or maybe are narrowly escaping. When this happens, you need to camouflage a bit and set the trap in a pile of straw or sawdust. Placing baits is also important in such a case – you can place 2-3 small food pieces on top the sawdust or straw covering the trap and keep some more hidden inside the trap. This should not raise any flags for the rodents and they will fall into your trap. Hopefully this answered all your questions on how to get rid of rats and mice, as they can be some tricky suckers to catch sometimes!

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Learn Proper Flea Control and Treatments

Getting Rid Of Fleas for Cats Or Dogs

One of the worst fears of pet owners is flea infestation! Fleas on cats and dogs can be really disheartening and one of the most difficult problems faced by pet owners. Getting rid of fleas from your home is extremely important when you have pets and you really care for them. Flea treatment should be done throughout the year and not just restricted to one particular season, as these can strike anytime now a days and it is imperative to keep them away throughout the year.

Why Flea Treatment Is Necessary

Fleas spread very quickly and can cause immense discomfort to your pet. A flea bite causes lots of itching, allergies and irritation. In severe cases it leads to skin infections, inflammation and even hair loss which can get out of control if flea treatment is not done immediately. Pets can also get hypersensitive to flea saliva when accumulated on their coats.

Flea control is a long process – you need to free your pet from fleas and take many steps to ensure that they do not get infected again. Give regular warm water soapy wash and brush your pet gently to remove any possible fleas clinging on to your pet. Simultaneously you need to take steps to free your indoors and outdoors from these pests, as your pets will move all around and get infested once again.

Getting Rid Of Fleas

With Products – Fleas should never be taken lightly and have to be controlled on time. There are many ways to control their spread before the damage is too much. Several flea products are available today which are very effective in flea control. There are products which kill the eggs and prevent them from hatching so that their life cycle breaks while other products kill only the adult fleas. Suspend SC Insecticide is quite effective in getting rid of fleas. It contains deltamethrin which is a high power poison that destroys the central nervous system of the flea and kills it. This can be easily diluted with water and then used through a sprayer. This spray is quite deadly for fleas and is recommended for use outdoors as well as indoor crevice and crack use.

Gentrol IGR is another effective product used by many to kill fleas in a home. The concentrate travels easily into deep crevices, cracks and cavities where fleas are present in large numbers or where they lay eggs. This spray ensures that future infestations are avoided by preventing the eggs to hatch. Spray it in all possible spaces where fleas might lay eggs or where they cling onto in your home.

Cleaning Your Home – Flea control is not possible without cleaning your indoor and outdoor environment. Wash all bedding in warm soapy water, especially if your pets spend plenty of time on the bed. Carpets should be vacuumed and the vacuum bag needs to be thrown away totally. Steam cleaning is also good for cleaning larvae which might be present in the carpet and infect your pet.

Once you have cleaned your home, you need to ensure that you maintain this level of cleanliness so that your home never gets infested again.

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Winter Rodent Control Methods

Effective Mouse & Rat Control Tips

Every winter more than 21 million Americans face rodent invasion in their homes and do everything possible to get rid of these creepy creatures. Why wait for the winter to arrive when rats begin to seek warmth and invade your home before you think about rodent control? It is good to be proactive and be vigilant and prevent these rodents from taking control over everyone’s home. Rat control should be started early to be the most effective and so you don’t have to tackle the problem throughout the entire winter season.

Rats should be controlled as quickly as possible as they spread some real nasty diseases and can chew our clothes, feast on our food and damage important papers.

Rat Control Methods In Winter

Get rid of cardboard boxes – These are the happy hunting grounds for rats who love to hide in these boxes. Get rid of all cardboard containers and boxes and store your important things in plastic sealed containers and boxes. Your home will stay clean and rat control will also be possible.

Store Your Food Safely – Rats love to feed on food scraps and leftover food, so when you are trying to get rid of rats, do not leave your food scattered here and there. This is not just unhygienic and unsafe but will also encourage rodents in your home. Rats might nibble into your food which remains unattended and uncovered. If you have rats at home and trying to control them, just ensure that you keep your food in air tight containers or in sealed boxes, so that rats do not find them.

Stop Feeding The Rats – We don’t even realize that we are actually feeding rodents. Open garbage, bird seeds, dog manure and pet food are all food for rodents and they are never going to leave your home, until you stop supplying them regular food. So, simply cut off their food supply. Do not accumulate compost piles in your garden or leave food scraps in the table or your household garbage tin uncovered.

Close All Openings – You need to seal every entrance of your home from which rats can enter. Once you have started rat control treatment at home, your task is also to ensure that these creatures are prevented from entering your home. If there are cracks and holes outside, seal all of them permanently so that they do not enter.

Mouse Traps For Controlling Rodents

Mouse traps are the most effective ways of rodent control and can be used throughout the year to catch mice and rats. In fact as winter approaches and you slowly feel that its time for rodents to enter start placing these at strategic places of your home. You can place mouse traps in all places where rodents might hide, especially near holes, vents or any where you feel rats can enter your home. These traps are available in a number of sizes and designs for whatever type of rodent you are trying to get rid of.

Follow all the above methods and your home will be totally free of rodents. Winters will no longer be bothersome due to a lack of rodent control.

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Apartment Bed Bug Treatment and Control

Bed Bug Treatment

Bed bugs are common and controlling them can really take a lot of time and patience. Bed bug treatment involves the use of chemical treatments which are very effective to help kill bed bugs. There are many effective pesticides available, which help in getting rid of bed bugs and prevent their occurrence.

To get rid of bed bugs you need to first find out what causes bed bugs. To know this, you need to first inspect the areas of infestation as well as the living spaces. Try to find out what is attracting the bugs? Is the place dirty which is becoming a favorite habitat for the bugs? Keep a record of where these are found mostly and dates for your future reference so that you know what brings these bugs back and how you can control them.

How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

Keep Your Apartment Clean

One of the main reasons for bed bugs is dirt. When you are starting your bed bug treatment, start by cleaning your apartment first. Clean all areas where these bugs are and eliminate all their habitats so that they never come back again. You need to physically remove these bugs and ensure that none are left.

Use Bed Bug Spray

There are several pesticides available in the form of sprays which help in killing bed bugs. Bedlam Insecticide Aerosol Spray is specially designed for controlling bed bugs and other insects. This special bed bug spray can be used in beds, headboards, floorboards, baseboards and even on the walls to kill these bugs. This spray is water based and does not irritate the user in any way. This bed bug spray can be sprayed on the mattresses for getting rid of bed bugs and helps to kill the bugs instantly.

Use Insecticides To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

Bedlam Plus is manufactured to kill even the toughest of bed bugs and under any circumstances. The special feature of this insecticide is that it kills the bugs instantly and it gives them no chance to escape or hide somewhere. The best part of this bed bug treatment is that it kills the eggs too. This is a great combination of residual control and quick kill which has proven to kill even the most resistant bugs. This is stain proof and can be used on wooden furniture, carpets and mattresses.

Once you have effectively treated bed bugs, you need to ensure you prevent these bugs from coming back time and time again. All bedding and clothing which is infected by these bed bugs should be cleaned at very high temperature to kill these bugs. These bugs do not get killed by a simple wash. You need to heat the infected things up to 45 degree C to kill any remaining bugs. Remember the higher the temperature is, it is easier to kill them and once you get rid of them, to ensure that they do not come back again.

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Controlling Japanese Beetles In Your Vegetable Garden

Controlling Japanese Beetles

Gardeners are quite familiar with the problem of Japanese beetle and the harm it can cause to flowering plants. These beetles are especially fond of roses and grapes and have the ability to completely destroy leaves and kill plants in a short time. The larvae of this insect is dangerous too as it feeds on the roots of grasses and organic matter. If you do not control these, these can completely destroy your organic soil, grasses in the soil and can completely ruin your lawn.

You can control the infestation and damage caused by these Japanese beetles and grub worms in many ways, depending on your situation and the extent of infestation.

Preventing The Spread OF Japanese Beetles

If Already Infected – If you find Japanese beetles sticking all around in your plants and garden, just pick them off and put them in a bucket of soapy water. You can invest in a pack of parasitic nematodes which feast on the larvae or grub worms, helping to prevent the birth of new beetles. These nematodes can be applied to the soil which needs to be completely moist all the while.

Another great way to tackle Japanese beetles and grub worms is with Pyganic-Evergreen Dust 10oz Btl. The main ingredient in this dust is Pyrethrin which has a fine texture, is white in color, has low odor and is extremely effective in killing these beetles and other insects. This dust works by cutting into the exoskeleton of the beetle which causes it to lose moisture and kills by dehydrating the beetle or worm. The dust is safe and can be used anywhere, even if you have pets at home. It can also be used in feed areas and in food handling.

Kill Them Quickly – Once you notice that your garden is infested with Japanese beetles, you shouldn’t waste time and begin control methods immediately. These beetles are known to release chemicals which attract other beetles. If you don’t quickly eliminate these beetles, they will be sending invitations to other beetles to destroy your garden.

Stop Japanese Beetles From Getting Attracted Towards Your Garden

Use Non Attractive Plants – It may help to reduce your beetle population by planting all non attractive plants, if you suffer from a regular beetle problem. You can deter these Japanese beetles by planting lilac, magnolia, hemlock, red maple, balsam or carnations which are not at all liked by these beetles. If you do not control the entry of these beetles, all your gardening efforts will simply go down the drain.

Next Year – Once you have controlled the spread of Japanese beetle this year, you need to be careful so as to prevent its spread and attack in the next year. The best option is to cover all garden vegetables using floating row covers which will keep them protected from Japanese beetles.

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How To Get Rid Of House Flies For Good

How To Get Rid Of Flies

Flies love indoors and can be attracted into your home due to a number of factors which includes food, fruits and warmth inside the house. House flies enter through open doors and windows, buzz around your home and often annoy us with their constant buzzing sound, especially when there are fresh fruits around like bananas and oranges. Sometimes when there are too many flies around it can be really disturbing and homeowners start looking for ways to get rid of flies.

Ways To Get Rid Of Flies

Keep Your Home Clean - To get rid of flies permanently you need to have a clean home always. Ensure that there is no uncovered food left around, fresh fruits should always be covered or else flies will hang around them. Cut fruits, cakes and cookies, garbage cans, or leftovers in kitchen sinks or unwashed dishes attract house flies. Keep all bins and compost buckets well covered.

Prepare Anti Fly Potpourri – This arrangement works as a fly repellent and is considered an excellent way to revert flies. To prepare this arrangement you need a bowl of cloves, eucalyptus, clover blossoms and bay leaves. This mixture can be hung in net bags, especially where house flies buzz around. This bag should be crushed occasionally to help release the essential oils and repel the flies.

Use Sprays – There are many types of sprays available which help to get rid of flies.Gentrol Aerosol is one such spray which is very effective in controlling fruit and drain flies which can cause real problems at home. The spray uses a ready to use formula. It is easy to use and can be sprayed directly on spots and areas which are infested by flies. The dissipating foam from the spray helps in reaching even difficult corners and crevices.

Fly Traps Work Best To Get Rid Of Flies

There are many types of fly traps available which help in eliminating flies from your home. SilenTrap Electric Flying Insect Trap works excellently to trap fruit flies, black flies and general house flies. This trap works wonderfully in kitchens, in bedrooms, an your picnics, enclosed porches and bedrooms. If you have pets at home, you can still use this fly trap, as it is completely non toxic and safe. It uses a UV light to attract all types of flies. These traps are suitable not just for house flies but for other types of insects too.

Besides just catching flies, glue boards will catch a plethora of insects including spiders and pretty much anything else that crawls into your home. Catchmaster provides very reliable glueboards that only must be replaced when they are full and no more flies can be stuck to them! Use any combination of the above methods and get rid of flies from your home in no time.

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Avoid Rodent Transmitted Diseases Using Proper Pest Management

Rats and mice are responsible for causing several ailments worldwide, mainly due to poor pest management. More that 35 diseases can be caused by direct contact with urine, saliva and feces of rodents. Rodent diseases can spread indirectly too through fleas, mites and ticks which often feed on infected rodents and then transmit the infection quickly. This is one of the main reasons why timely rodent control is crucial before things get out of hand.

Rodent Control To Prevent Spread Of Diseases

Unfortunately we don’t all have a cat to catch our mice for us…

Rodents spread several diseases and some of which can be life threatening. Hantavirus is a life threatening disease found mainly in the feces and urine of rodents. If in direct contact with humans it can cause life threatening illness. Common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, dry cough, shortness of breath, chills and fever. Lassa Fever is another viral illness which causes severe infection and more than 5000 deaths every year in South Africa. Salmonella is another bacteria food borne illness which is transmitted by rodents causing cramps, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis is another viral infectious disease which causes several types of neurological problems such as meningitis and encephalitis. Homeowners are at high risk as meningitis is spread mainly by home mouse. Pest management using mouse traps is highly recommended for catching mice, before it gets too late.

Rats need to be driven away from homes and prevented from entering the premises. There are many effective ways of controlling these and can be used as per convenience of homeowners. It is often quite challenging tocontrol rodents, since they are very instinctive and tend to get wary of anything new in the environment, especially mouse traps set to catch them. Here are some quick and easy ideas to control them.

Pest Management With Indoor and Outdoor Sanitation

Rodents need enough food and shelter for surviving. As a pest management measure you need to removeboth these factors to prevent all rodent problems. This should be done outside as well as inside your premises. Indoor sanitation is necessary and can be done by cleaning areas under the stoves, dishwashers, refrigerators and counter tops. All dry food, food for pets and birdseed food containers should be kept in sealed containers. Pet bowls should be cleaned always. Keep lawns and gardens clean and free from clutter especially food scraps and garbage where rats tend to take shelter. Remove all kind of debris such as old equipment and rock piles. Trim all overgrown vegetation and shrubs which are visible. Remember to keep firewood away from home.

Mouse Traps as A PestManagement Tool

The preferred choices of homeowners to control rats are the mouse traps. Though there are several varieties of trapavailable in many designs and styles, the most popular rodent control trap is the Victor snap trap which can be placed just along the wall runaways. Peanut butter makes great bait as mice are quite fond of this and are often attracted towards it. This trap has a large bait pedal which is quite like cheese, helping to attract mouse. Mouse traps with sensitivity settings are ideal for catching rodents as they do not snap with any kind of vibration and help in killing rats instantly.

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The Overabundance of Ticks and Lyme Disease Brought By Fall Weather

Tick Removal Is Possible

Although fall is by far my favorite season, here in Michigan, it is also one of the more annoying times of the year when it comes to irritating pests and having to deal with rodent and tick removal. When the weather starts to change drastically fast from being hot to being freezing cold in a matter of weeks, pests start to panic. Mice, rats, ticks, and spiders are just some of the few pests that may begin to invade your home at a faster rate in late fall. When it starts to get cold out, these pests just follow their instincts and try to find the warmest place possible so they can survive. Unfortunately for us, that warm place they make their new home is usually already our home.

Rats and mice may be pretty irritating to have living in your home with you, but ticks are by far the worst to share your house with. When a tick senses our your warm body, they jump onto you and begin to burrow themselves into your skin and then continually feed off of your blood. Blood is the only way for ticks to get the nutrients they need to survive. The only way to get them to stop eating your blood is to dig them out of your skin!

Contracting Lyme Disease

Most of the time, ticks only feed on rodents and animals, including your pets, but in the unfortunate case where they end up on you, they will not hesitate to start sucking your blood! Typically, ticks are most present in warm weather, but when they happen to find their way into your warm house, it’s a never ending battle. In recent years, ticks have become more of a year long problem, versus just a summer problem. With warm weather, comes ticks, and with ticks, comes diseases. Multiple different types of fevers, along with Lyme disease are the more common ailments that are passed by a tick bite. Most of these illnesses do not have long term affects but in rare occasions, there is lasting damage done.

Lyme disease is typically only transmitted to humans through a tick bite that is infected with the disease. If you begin to experience fever, headache, fatigue, or a skin rash after being bitten by a tick, it is likely you have contracted Lyme disease and should seek medical attention. The treatment only includes a few weeks of antibiotics and then you should be all set!

Tick Prevention Methods

There are a few different ways to prevent ticks and Lyme disease but the most common and effective method of tick removal is applying pesticides. Application must include the entire perimeter of the home, around the windows, near any openings, and also inside your house. Pesticides are my prevention method of choice because most of the time it doesn’t even give them the chance to get inside. When it comes to choosing which pesticide to use, Onslaught is typically a good choice. It seems to list every bug imaginable on the label and is incredibly effective in completely eliminating everything in it’s path! It is easy to mix and apply then you just get to sit back and enjoy not having to worry about ticks, or any other bugs for that matter!

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How To Kill Bees To Avoid 20,000 Bees Living In Your Home Like This Lady Did

Elderly Woman Finds 20,000 Bees Living Inside Her Attic

What would you do if you suddenly find out that you share your home with 20,000 bees? This is exactly what happened in a Florida home. Sevia Moore ( 98 year old ) could not believe what she was being told! Her granddaughter found a beehive just outside her home and inside her attic- little did they realize that this was just a trail to 20,000 honey bees which had made her home, their home.

When you realize that you are being invaded by bees, there may not always be time to get help and bee removal needs to be done just then. Removing honey bees can be a dangerous task and needs a lot of preparation but can easily be done without a professional bee removal exterminator. Here are some ideas on how to kill bees.

Easy Bee Removal Methods

Vacuum: Vacuuming is the best way to suck out the bees when these are present in huge numbers. Vacuuming helps in removing all the bees together, before the hive is removed. This also does not kill the bees, which means they can be released elsewhere and can continue to thrive and pollinate flowers.

Use Soapy Water: Bee removal is also easy using soapy water. You can pour soapy water in a garden sprayer or in a plastic bottle and use it to spray just outside your home. Soapy water helps to kill bees as it is surfactant, which makes water wetter. Soap creates a waxy layer on the bees and kills it slowly. However, it is important to cover yourself well when trying to kill bees all by yourself.

Drione Dust: This is available in powdered form and can sprinkle just on the entrance of the hive. This acts as a natural toxin and quickly spreads throughout the hive. The poison spreads across the bees and kills them slowly. This is easily the most effective way to get rid of bees and to keep them away. However, while using any dusts, it is crucial to wash your hands well and use gloves.

Use Pressure Sprayer: Using a pressure sprayer for bee removal is very effective and quite affordable. Honeybees have hard plates on their body, which is coated using a waxy substance which helps in keeping moisture in the bee and prevents their death from bleeding. When using pressure sprayer, the hot liquid saturates the wings and the body of the bees and they lose their capability to fly. It also cuts their wax coating and their plate joints leak which kills the bee instantly. A great way to kill a huge number of bees at once!

The easiest way to get rid of bees is spotting them before they are invading in mass numbers. When you have over 20,000 bees, it is probably best to hire a professional, but in smaller quantities, this is an easy job for a do it yourselfer.

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Rising Menace of Kudzu Stink Bugs

How to Kill Stink Bugs

If you thought that nothing can be worst than the brown marmorated stink bug, you haven’t heard about the most recent uninvited pest – the Kudzu bug. This bug is comparatively new and hadn’t really been heard about before, but it is now spreading like wild fire. It is small in size but is becoming a big menace across the United States.

Residents should know that there are plenty of similarities between the brown marmorated stink bug and the kudzu bug. Both these bugs are known to have Asian origin, can multiply in crazy numbers, they travel and spread rapidly and spew a really offensive scent when provoked. Many people are looking for ways to get rid of these stink bugs.

Damage Caused By Stink Bugs

These bugs can pose real danger to people, especially when they choose to invade their living areas. Their dangerous orange pheromone spray is very powerful and has the capacity to destroy metal screenings – think about the damage it can do to human skin when in contact. It can cause painful blisters and dangerous skin eruptions. They use their extreme piercing and sucking skills to damage the plants by extracting the nutrients, carrying tissues from host plants. Plants are weakened by severe loss of nutrients as well as moisture. The adult stink bugs feed on plant stems while the smaller nymphs usually destroy the leaves by feeding on veins.

A lot of research is being carried out so we can learn more about these bugs and how to slow their breeding and to control their rapid spread throughout the country. The bug is new to us and still a lot needs to be known about their origin, areas of breeding, and what we can do to contain them.

Getting Rid of The Kudzu Bug

Residents try to find every way possible to get rid of these stink bugs but it’s easier said than done. Another big problem is that you cannot handle these kudzu bugs with your bare hands as they will burn your fingers. These are known to multiply very quickly and just as you manage to successfully contain one swarm, the next swarm appears before your eyes. Figuring out how to skill stink bugs in such a scenario becomes a huge predicament but there are few tricks we have figures out.

Although it seems as if all natural and do it yourself remedies seem to be failing on these bugs, there are specialized sprays available, like Talstar P which are quite effective in killing these bugs with a few applications. This spray can be used both inside and outside, and pretty much anywhere these bugs can raise havoc. Do not miss spraying on cracks and crevices of your home, where these creatures can rush to hide when you are spraying and might just reappear when you believe that you have killed them all.

Spraying is the most effective, and pretty much the only way found, while researching how to kill stink bugs, that works. The best part is that it is not going to cost you a fortune, making it really affordable for the farmers also. As soon as you notice the bugs in your yard, house, or destroying your crops, make sure you spray generously in the affected area. It is easiest to get rid of these bugs when treated immediately, before it gets out of hand.

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Surviving Crickets Invading

Controlling The Spread Of Crickets

It is that time of the year for cricket invasions – don’t be surprised if you find these huddling around lights and moving just about anywhere in your yard and around your house! Previous dry weather and now rainfall and cooler weather – certainly the ideal time for crickets to raise havoc everywhere. Teams of crickets moving around, gathering in specific spaces and their incessant chirping all the while can be really unbearable, not to mention the damage they bring about.

One or two crickets are not bothersome but when this time of the year comes about, they are hardly in such small numbers. They feed on just about anything – they can nibble the lovely wallpaper, damage woolen clothes, eat silk, nibble at vegetables, eat fruits in your garden and can also chew fabric.

DIY Pest Control Methods

Keeping Things Clean - DIY pest control methods are very effective. They begin with finding the breeding grounds for these crickets. Crickets start breeding in garbage with the change in weather. A female cricket lays about 720 eggs at a time –if the infestation is not controlled from this stage, these can pose a real problem. They tend to hide in kitchens, basement areas, near fireplaces and also in cracks and crevices. Homeowners need to start by limiting their breeding spaces. Garbage should be confined and the house be cleaned regularly. Any and all gaps and crevices should be sealed or filled up. Crickets look for dark and damp places – remove excess moisture in dark areas, keep your lawn well trimmed and remove weeds.

Reduce Openings In Home – Another excellent DIY pest control technique is blocking the entry of these pests. Remove or reduce all openings in your home. Close your windows or at least put some screen so that crickets do not enter your home. Seal all cracks and crevices so that rain does not cause moisture accumulation and make your house become a breeding ground for pests.

Use Barrier Plants – There are several plants which crickets do not like and will never come around when these are there. Cilantro and garlic help in repelling several types of insects which include crickets. Nitrogen fixing plants like sweet peas and clover also work as barrier plants for crickets.

Reduce Outdoor Lights – Crickets are attracted towards lights! If you have lights or lamps in your lawn and garden, these need to be kept switched off at least for a few days. Crickets move towards light and the more lights you have – the more you will find them coming. Also, another possibility is switching the bulbs to LED which emit a less intense, light and do not attract insects as much.

Pest Control Supplies – There are various professional pest control supplies which are available to consumers. Insect traps, such as glue boards, are very easy to use and involve very little maintenance. Insect traps are ideally placed near lights or entry points for trapping the crickets. There are many pesticides available too which can be used to kill the eggs and adult crickets to help your home stay insect free.

These insects can be easily controlled if you start early so that their breeding does not get out of hand. If you start pest control too late after the infestation has begun, traps and pesticides will be an absolute must. Even if you do not have many crickets invading, but just some random insects here and there, glue boards are very convenient to keep around just to catch that stray pest every once in a while.

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The Damaging Effects of A Bagworm And What You Can Do About It

Typical Bagworm Bag

It is likely you have noticed odd little bags hanging off your trees and plants and wondered what those could possibly be. I also had this exact problem when I moved to a new house. At first I didn’t quite notice them; they blended in with the trees so well! Then one day I guess I just started looking closer and I realized that those aren’t supposed to be there. It took some looking around before I found out what they were, but this is what I have discovered throughout my research.

The bags hanging off of the trees are brown and spindle shaped in structure and are commonly called bagworms. They are covered with shrubs and tree particles, and are most likely on conifers. They are usually found hanging from the host tree and often poke their heads out so as to feast on the leaves. These do not have antennae, legs or wings and survive in the bags. Bagworms are quite common in Southern Pennsylvania and Eastern US and have the capacity of causing immense damage, once infested.

How a Bagworm Damages Plants

Bagworm larvae feed on the leaves and needles of plants causing immense damage. The young caterpillars happily cause damage to the upper epidermis of the host plants, often leaving small holes in leaves. Mature larvae are the ones that cause destruction to the evergreen plants which include willow, sycamore and other species of deciduous trees. The main concern is that bagworm infestation often goes unnoticed until complete damage is done. The large bags which are made by these insects are quite conspicuous. To treat such an infestation, early detection is necessary but involves scrutiny of host plants, to check for bagworm bags present in needles or leaves.

Bagworms can actually defoliate any tree which kills it, especially in case of smaller trees. Maples and other deciduous trees can survive the attack by growing new leaves, but it leaves them permanently weakened and susceptible to other diseases.

Controlling Bagworm – Do It Yourself Pest Control Measures

Damage from Bagworms

The best way to control the spread of these caterpillars is by their early detection. These can be tracked through different seasons, starting from spring when their eggs hatch. If there are plants or trees like conifers which are highly susceptible, you should start their inspection as early as possible and preferably in early spring or fall. If there are bags, it’s an indication that there are eggs which will hatch during spring. One of the best do it yourself pest control measure in this situation is to cut these bags off of the tree and burn them. Bagworm bags should be burned because if they are not destroyed, they will just hatch and re attach to a different tree. Do not give them a second chance and remove them completely. Though this manual control method works for shrubs and smaller plants, this method of control is not possible for larger trees.

Spraying insecticides is another option to tackle these creatures when burning the bags is not possible, in case of bigger trees. Smaller bagworms can be killed easily, but larger ones need spraying thoroughly. Spraying at regular intervals is necessary as larvae can hatch later too. Foliage need to be completely wet using insecticide spray to insure that the bags are completely covered and no area is left, where larvae can survive.

In my case with the bagworms, they invaded large trees so it wasn’t possible for me to go around and cut off every single bag. I opted to use the insecticide method and it worked incredibly well for me. I ended up buying a small 8oz bottle of Demand CS and completely soaked all the trees in my yard, (and ended up going around the perimeter of my house to prevent spiders as well!) Shortly later, I noticed my problem was pretty much gone. It worked great; I don’t have one bagworm in my yard and now I don’t have to deal with a bunch of dead trees.

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