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Just like flowers and plants, insects and other bugs seem to flourish in warm weather. Insects and bugs can be carriers for disease. Some insects and bugs bite as other can spoil food in the pantry. The Mid-South has many species of pests that can invade our environment, both inside and outside of our homes. Fleas and ticks are common backyard pests that can enter homes on pet coats and on clothing. Mosquitoes are a particular problem for people and their pets in the Mid-South. Mosquitoes are a carrier of many diseases. Many people treat their dogs in the summer months to prevent heart worm disease, which is carried by mosquitoes.
Many home and building owners are very cautious about spraying insecticides and poisons to protect health and good insects. Insects, worms, and other organisms around our homes have important jobs to do that help plants and humans. Anyone treating an area with insecticides must be very careful. Our governments are also working to ensure that unsafe insecticides are taken off the market. DDT is an example of an effective but dangerous insecticide that was banned a number of years ago.
There are many ways to prevent household and yard pests without using dangerous chemicals. Prevention can be as simple as removing water and food sources for pests. Many people are learning to use organic methods that create an environment that is unfriendly to pests. Carpenter ants, which are often black, can often be seen in Mid-South Kitchens, exterior rooms and gardens. They might have a nest in your walls, roof, or wood patio. They damage and eat wood.
Inside homes, bedbugs are making a comeback in Tennessee. As people travel more to distant places, they can pick up the bugs in their suitcases and bring them home. The bugs might be seen more in places with many people, such as apartments, hotels, and dormitories. Some pest management firms are unfamiliar with bed bugs and fail to treat homes for this problem.
Secure all pesticides to prevent children and pets from being poisoned. Use extreme care with spray, power and wet insecticides. Wear gloves and masks and follow the label instructions carefully. Consider baits rather than sprays to control roaches and ants. Keep baits away from pets and children.
For big problems, hire professional pest management experts. Experts can help you to avoid unnecessary and unsafe pesticide use and cost. Their treatments are also likely to be more effective.
Be sure to look for your pest risks. Develop strategies to get rid of pests and avoid them. Look for flying insects with stringers, which can be very dangerous to someone allergic to strings. Spiders eat other insects; lots of spiders might indicate that you have a lot of other insects. Meal worms and weevils in your pantry call for some new tactics to catch and kill moths and beetles around your kitchen.
Reduce mosquito breeding by removing standing water around your home. Keeping debris out of your gutters, which can dam up water. Empty and remove pans, old tires, toys and wading pools that might be a perfect place to breed mosquitoes. Clean your bird bath regularly, and refresh it with clean water.
Observe your pets. Are they constantly scratching due to fleas or ticks? Pests who bother your pets can harm them and also invade your home and infest your carpets and upholstery. Reduce hiding places for mosquitoes and other bugs; mow your lawn and trim bushes during warm weather.
Fix leaky sinks, toilets, dishwashers and other places that might make wood, floors and walls attractive to carpenter ants and other pests. Remove dampness and yard waste that might attract insects through your walls and windows. Seal up cracks in your masonry. It does not take a big gap for insects to enter your home.
Check your thresholds for holes that can invite critters into your home. Clean up and don't leave food around, sinks filled, etc. Don't give insects and spiders food, water and nourishment. Wear insect repellent before gardening or other activities outdoors, especially in the morning and evening.
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