How to Keep the Occasional Pest Out!

Often times we find that the seasonal temperature and moisture changes may also bring with it, an insect pest that is not our usual house pest. In this article, we will discuss ways to minimize this occurrence and keep occasional pests out of doors. Examples of common types of ‘occasional’ pests are earwigs, centipedes, box elder bugs, crickets and lady bugs.
When conditions become unfavorable to their propagation out of doors, these insect home invaders will look for anyway possible to move into a better situation. Cracks in foundations, poorly sealed doorways, and poorly kept window screens can offer easy access to the insect invader. They may be searching for additional moisture or food sources, so it is important to keep moisture levels in your home low, and minimize any other insects that might be possible food for the occasional invader. It is necessary to seal as many insect entry points as possible.
The next step is to modify the habitat surrounding your home by minimizing plants, mulch and lighting directly around your home. You can extend gravel or rock beds to a distance of at least 12” around your home, and begin plant beds out from there. Use low wattage yellow bug lights or sodium vapor lights near your home, which are much less attractive to insects.
Mechanical methods of control include vacuuming regularly to remove pests that have already moved into your home to stop them from spreading. Sticky traps are inexpensive and can be placed near insect entry points to monitor for insect access to your home. If only one or two are noted on the sticky trap, you can rest a little, but if you notice that numerous insects are being caught by the trap, stronger control measures may be warranted. Another mechanical option is a fly light trap that can attract the insect away from your home, instead of into it.
The next step would be to enlist chemical methods of control, which would be a perimeter spray directly onto the ground surrounding your home. This will create a ‘barrier’ of protection to reduce the numbers of insects that cross from the outdoors into your home. Insecticide spray’s that contain a pyrethroid are a good option. You can use a nozzle type sprayer to get directly into the homes cracks and crevices.
For the interior of your home, be sure that you do not have excess moisture levels in any rooms or under sinks. Use an insecticide rated for indoor use along base boards, under sinks, and across entry ways. This will help with other insects as well, that may be food sources for your occasional invaders.
Make sure that anything that is sprayed with an insecticide has dried completely before allowing children or pets back into the area.