Over the years we have accumulated some things that homeowners do, or fail to do, that make their home and property conducive to pest problems. We hope you can find something of use for your home and family. As you read on, keep an open mind because we may not exactly describe your situation. You may have to use your imagination to apply it to your home. We hope some of these are helpful.
1.
Moisture
is one of the prime causes of pest infestations. Not only is it required for survival by many pests, it causes
decay, mold & fungus growth that are food for many small insects. These
small insects are food for larger pests, etc. To give you an idea moisture and
dampness attract Carpenter Ants, Termites, Earwigs, Sow Bugs, Fungus Gnats,
etc., which attract Spiders, Centipedes, Mice, etc. I think you get the idea.
Moisture can also rot portions of your home and cause the paint to peel.
2.
When
planting or pruning existing shrubs, keep the foliage about two feet from the
structure. This will not only allow
the area by the foundation to dry out, it will give birds and other predators a
“killing zone”. Few birds will
go into thick shrubbery next to a house for the fear that one of their predators will be laying in wait. Use natures “pecking order”
to your advantage.
3.
Although
dense ground coverings such as pachysandra and ivy may have their benefits and
look pleasing, placed around a foundation they create a perfect habitat for many
pests that usually migrate into the structure and of course they cause dampness.
4.
Plant
flowers and flowering shrubs away from frequently used pathways and walks and especially
children’s play areas. These
attract bees and wasps and more people than you realize are allergic to stings.
If you don’t know what to do should someone have an allergic reaction, check
with your doctor or pharmacist.
5.
At one
time or another all homes have some type of pest problem.
There is nothing wrong with trying to do it yourself, but if you can’t
solve it within a week or two, get help. Most
pests are on the lower end of the food chain and wouldn’t have survived this
long unless they were prolific breeders. Unless
“nipped in the bud”, most pests will “outbreed” your attempts.
6.
There are
three pests that the homeowner should
not try to handle without professional help.
They are;
a.
Termites—you
need special equipment, pesticide and training to eliminate a termite
infestation.
b.
Bald
Faced Hornets—[black & white hornets] these are very aggressive and
protective of their hive.
c. Pharaoh Ants—these are very small [about 1/3 the size of pavement ants] and amber colored. Unlike other ants, if the wrong type of material is used or used improperly, they can “bud” and divide into many colonies.
7. If
you have Spiders or Centipedes, these are predators, you probably have another
pest that is their food source and the real problem. As many pests are nocturnal
and/or secretive, you may be unaware.
8.
Keep garbage cans covered and wash down any food spills in your
yard. If you do this, when you’re sitting out in your yard or barbecuing, you
won’t be as apt to have flies and bees hovering around your food. You won’t
have a resident population to annoy you.
9.
A word about lighting. Insects
are mainly attracted to the actual light [bulb].
So if they cannot actually see the light, fewer insects will fly toward your
house. Some examples of changes you can make are;
a.
Use splash lighting on the exterior, that is lamps that shine at
your home, usually placed in shrubs and directed at the home.
b.
When you position lamps inside your home, don’t place them in
front of a window or where they can be seen readily from the outside.
10.
In the spring we often get calls from people who have birds flying
and smashing themselves on to closed
windows. In New Jersey it is often
Cardinals. The reason for this is usually because the species is
territorial during mating season. On
sunny days, the windows act like mirrors, the
males see there reflection and think it’s a rival male and attack it.
You can remedy this by either pulling down a light colored shade
or
11.When you have woodpeckers actively pecking on your home, keep in mind their diet consists of insects. Stopping woodpeckers from pecking and normally waking you up at 6:30 on a Saturday morning, is a matter of removing the food they are trying to get at. This can be several types of insects, I find in the New Jersey area, it is usually Carpenter Bee larvae. Keeping them away from your home without removing the reason they’re coming, is an exercise in frustration.
12. If you use any pesticide, make sure you read and follow the product label exactly. If you are not sure, don’t use it.
For hints on specific pests, click HERE.
THIS IS AN ONGOING WORK IN PROCESS, SO STOP BACK TO SEE
MORE HINTS. OF COURSE IF YOU NEED
HELP I HOPE YOU CONSIDER US.
HAVE A NICE DAY!