Mosquito Problems, Decorate with Geraniums
I have a severe mosquito problem at my home. Only outside, thankfully, but that's where I like to spend all of my time. I don't have any standing water that I'm aware of but my lot is surrounded by pine trees. What can I do to get rid of them? I am getting anywhere from 3 to 50 bites (yes, that many) every time I walk outside for more than 5 minutes. I'm miserable. Please help!
Controlling Spiders and The Biology of Spiders
Spiders are familiar to almost everyone. They are found virtually everywhere - from mountaintops to caves. They are commonly associated with water, soil, leaf litter, and low, dense plant growth. Only a few of the over 2500 U.S. species (over 500 species native to Michigan) may be found in human habitations.
Sprinkle a little borax around the corners of your cabinets in your kitchen and bath to repel insects.
Bird and mammal mites are often encountered as household invaders during the late spring and summer months. Mites (order Acarina) can be distinguished from their insect relatives by the two body regions (cephalothorax and abdomen), sucking mouthparts, lack of antennae, and four pairs of legs (as adults).
Be careful when going to get your mail from your mailbox if you have rural delivery. Now that it's warmer weather, watch out for all those little critters that are trying to find refuge from the sun. Just a few days ago, my husband found a wasp in our mailbox. Look inside to make sure you're not getting more than just your mail, when you put your hand inside.
Recipe for Repelling Bugs on Outdoor Plants
Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of Dr. Bronner's LIQUID peppermint castile soap in 1 quart of water. Fill a spray bottle and use on your outdoor plants. Will not harm plants. Dr. Bronner's liquid peppermint castile soap can be purchased in health food stores.
To get rid of rats, leave out a dish of carbonated soda. Rats cannot expel gas.
To have a snake or two in the garden is good. Non-poisonous snakes, such as the common garter snakes, are beneficial creatures because they eat pest insects, mosquito larvae, slugs, snails, crickets, rats, mice, voles and even other snakes which may be poisonous.
Clean up spills in your cabinet quickly. Store food in air tight plastic, glass or metal containers. Clean food storage areas at least once a year and inspect packaging for leaks. Get rid of any packages that appear to be contaminated by insects.
My son is a PhD chemist. 8 years Duke University, 8 years Federal government, now employed with a private firm. More money was offered I guess. He travels extensively for his employers, travels worldwide.
Have Your Home Inspected Termites
Have your home inspected annually for pests such as termites, etc. Most insurance companies will not pay for damage to your home caused by pests so it is worth the money to have an inspection done so you can find a problem and fix it before it's too late and major damage is done to your home. By Robin
Cloves work as well as mothballs on your stored garments. The smell is nice and fresh. Put them in cloth bags and put them in the pockets of garments and into bags holding garments while they are in storage. By Robin
Make a wooden box from scrap lumber found at Home Depot. Drill a hole in each end. Place rat poison inside and set it in your crawl space. Only the rodents can get inside and eat the poison. By Jill
Spray flying pests with a solution of 1/3 rubbing alcohol, 1/3 vinegar and 1/3 water. This is the same solution I use to clean my hard floors. Spraying flying creatures with windex or hairspray also works. By Lynn
They love to hop in when you open your door! Buy the sticky mouse strips and place near doors exiting your home. When full toss in the trash. By Syd
Keep ants out of your kitchen, use some lemon juice on windowsills and doorways. By Rhonda
I lost the battle to ants this year - I couldn't beat them so I joined them! I "fed" my ants all summer and they left me alone. I took an old plastic butter container lid poured pancake syrup, or sugar syrup on it and placed it on the floor beside my dishwasher and out of the way. As long as this was there the ants stayed off my counters and out of my stuff. I knew it needed refilled when I would see them again. Sometimes I'd mix in yeast with the syrups, but that only took care of the big ones, the little sugar ants just hung out at the lid. I think this idea is basically what the little ant hotels are. By Melanie
I am allergic/chemically sensitive to a almost all bug sprays. I had a friend tell me this tip and have used it ever since. Fill a used squirt bottle (mustard or ketchup bottles, cleaned and washed work really good) with the hottest strongest ground cayenne you can find. Find every hole you see a ant come thru and fill with the cayenne. Seems to work for me. By Leila78238Enter teaser before activating
I have used this idea for the past several years and it works well for me: scatter bay leaves around on window sills or anywhere else flat you can place them. It keeps them away. The next fall I do it again. I haven't been bothered since. If you have ever been bit by one of these buggers, you're willing to try anything. They are NASTY.
