Pests can be a major nuisance. From ants in the kitchen to mites in your bed, it’s no fun sharing your home with these unwanted creatures.
Prevention is the key to getting rid of pests. This usually involves a lot of cleaning and strict household rules. Cleaning up crumbs eliminates one potential food source for pests, and caulking any gaps stops them from sneaking in.
Mosquito Traps
Whether you like backyard barbecues with friends or a relaxing lawn-chair session with a good book, warm weather fun is best when mosquitoes are not pestering you. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep these blood-sucking insects away from your yard. Besides mosquito repellent, traps can help you control mosquito populations by killing newly-mated female mosquitoes before they lay eggs.
Mosquito traps are a type of container that lures mosquitoes using a chemical bait and then either sucks them in or they become stuck on the surface of the trap. Some traps are self-contained and use a battery-powered fan to attract mosquitoes, while others require that you provide your own fuel (food). Most traps rely upon carbon dioxide, which mimics human breathing, as the bait to capture mosquitoes, but there are some that also make use of lactic acid. This chemical is produced in humans by exercising or eating foods containing salt and potassium, and has been shown to be attractive to anthropophilic mosquito species such as Aedes aegypti.
Most commercial mosquito traps require that you replace the bait every four days, and are powered by an electric motor or propane. The units are typically set up in a dark, shady spot that is out of direct sunlight and wind. They may be freestanding or portable, or they may be attached to a house by means of a long wire. These devices can be expensive, especially if they are professionally installed and maintained by a pest control company.
Homemade mosquito traps can be constructed from a variety of materials, including plastic containers, mesh, a drill and glue, a long black sock, and an old soda bottle. Some use yeast, which is fermenting, as the bait, and a small cup of vinegar to produce carbon dioxide. The trap is designed to mimic a breeding habitat, so mosquitoes can’t escape once they are attracted to the bait. Once a mosquito becomes trapped, it is either sucked inside and killed or it is caught on the surface of the trap, which makes it easier to dispose of.
Ant Traps
Ant traps are easy to use and typically much more effective than spraying insecticide. The key to using ant traps is to understand that they are designed to lure ants into the trap, not kill them directly. Once inside, ants become trapped on a sticky surface or in a pool of liquid insecticide and will be unable to escape.
For this reason, ant traps are most effective when used at the beginning of an ant infestation, rather than after a colony has established itself in your home. In addition to being easier to set, ant traps are also safer for children and pets than traditional insecticide sprays.
In order to be successful, ant traps need to use bait that is attractive to the specific type of ant you are targeting. This can be a challenge because different species of ants prefer different types of food, from sweet to protein-based foods. The type of ant bait you choose will also depend on the location of your ant problem and any other competing food sources (such as your pet’s feeding dishes or dumpsters).
The best ant traps will include a combination of attractants and a slow acting insecticide that will gradually eliminate the entire ant colony. Most ant traps work by luring the ants into the trap with a food source, such as honey or peanut butter. Once the ant enters the trap, the insecticide will disrupt the ant’s nervous system and ultimately kill it. By allowing the ant to bring the bait back to its colony, the ant will spread the poison throughout the colony, eventually killing the queen.
Some ant traps are designed as pre-made containers that require only the application of a bait and some insecticide. Others are granule-based, which can be applied in your yard just like any other lawn treatment. The easiest way to apply these granule-based ant traps is with a broadcast spreader you would normally use to spread grass seeds.
Many homeowners turn to DIY ant traps because they are usually inexpensive and fairly effective. A popular recipe involves mixing equal parts of confectioners’ sugar and baking soda to create a trap that will lure ants into the trap, where they will be slowly poisoned. Another easy, DIY ant deterrent is ground pepper. This is a good option for kitchens, where ants tend to be most common, because ants dislike the smell of pepper.
Bug Bombs
Foggers, also known as bug bombs, are a popular choice among people looking for quick and easy solutions to their pest problems. They are touted as being a great alternative to professional fumigation services that can be costly. While the claims are often true, using bug bombs is not without risk. These airborne chemicals can have a harmful effect on humans and pets if used incorrectly.
When a fogger is activated, it releases a spray of pesticides into the air that lands on surfaces around the home or apartment. The chemicals are supposed to kill bugs that happen to be out in the open at the time of the fogger’s release. However, these vapors do not penetrate crevices or cracks where most insects hide. Foggers also tend to not work well in areas that are covered with a blanket or other object, such as the inside of a closet or under furniture.
People who use bug bombs must take extra care to read and follow the product’s instructions. This can include recommendations to remove flammable items, cover delicate objects and furniture, and store away food and other perishables. It is also usually recommended that occupants evacuate the premises during the fogging process and wait at least two hours before re-entering the home or apartment. This time is necessary for the chemicals to dissipate. Failure to do so can lead to breathing issues and may even be fatal for children or elderly adults who inhale the fumes.
Once a fogger is activated, the room must be completely ventilated before returning to the space. Any uncovered surfaces should be deep cleaned, especially those where food is prepared or consumed. In addition, the occupants should wipe down toys and other items that children or pets might touch with their mouths. Finally, any unused bug bomb residue should be disposed of according to the canister’s instructions.
People who have experienced adverse health effects after using bug bombs have reported respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments, as well as rashes and eye irritation. These symptoms are believed to be caused by inhaling the fumes or touching the chemical residue that remains on surfaces. Considering these risks, it is important to find other pest control methods that do not involve contact with chemicals or require evacuation.
Natural Pest Control
When pests like flies, mosquitoes and rodents invade our homes, they can spread diseases and make living miserable. Using chemical-formulated insecticides to control these pests can be dangerous for kids and pets, and can damage the environment and your home. Fortunately, there are natural pest control options that work just as well, or better.
Eliminate the attractants that attract pests by cleaning your home regularly and eliminating the places where they live. Regularly washing clothes, bedding, towels and rugs keeps them fresh, which helps deter pests from seeking refuge in these items. Thoroughly cleaning seldom used cupboards and storage areas several times a year also helps keep them pest-free.
Regularly pruning and trimming shrubs will help keep them healthy and pest-free. Overgrown bushes can become a habitat for rodents and other unwanted pests. Flies, ants and bees love to hang out around rotting produce, so put a lid on your garbage cans. Flies, mosquitoes and cockroaches breed in unsanitary conditions where food is kept and stored.
Many plants have properties that naturally repel insects, and can be a great alternative to chemical pesticides. Marigolds, for example, repel nematodes and whiteflies and add color to the garden while keeping pests at bay. Similarly, dill is effective at repelling mosquitoes and flies, and it attracts beneficial insects to the garden that help control harmful bugs.
Other natural pest control products include neem oil, which eradicates multiple kingdoms of organisms and works as a multifaceted plant disease control and insecticide. You can use it as a spray to treat fungal diseases in the garden, or in household products like scouring pads. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is another natural product that can be used as an all-purpose garden and household insecticide and deodorizer.
If you do decide to resort to chemical pest control, be sure to follow the instructions on the label. If possible, opt for baits rather than traps because they are less likely to harm children or pets. Also, never apply chemicals near a water source as they can run off and poison wildlife or poison your home.