Bug 101: Don’t let bugs rule your summer
Insects are the worst kind of unwanted guests. Nearly all of us have experienced the horror of finding roaches in the kitchen or fleas on the family pet. Learning more about these common critters, and how to prevent them from invading the yard and home, will help bring peace of mind to the entire family.
The top four most unwanted pests in the home and yard:
Roaches: Cockroaches are often considered one of the most undesired household insects. They consume food products in the pantry and contaminate the area with saliva and excrement. Five species of roaches are considered significant pests throughout the United States. Cockroaches prefer warm, moist places with available food sources, so eliminating those attractive environments can help prevent infestations. Store food in tightly sealed plastic, glass or metal containers, clean up crumbs from counters and floors, cover trash cans with snug lids, eliminate standing water or other moisture sources and seal cracks or openings around the home foundation.
In addition to these preventative measures, treat baseboards, doors, windows, and the perimeter of the house with Ortho Home Defense MAX Perimeter and Indoor Insect Killer, which provides up to 12 months protection indoors against listed bugs. For another option from Ortho, try Elementals Ant and Roach Killer Aerosol that has an active ingredient of 100 percent natural soybean oil. This product is non-staining and safe to use around kids and pets for direct treatment of the roaches you see. See label for listed insects.
Fire ants: Fire ants are medium-sized, red or black ants ranging from 1/16 to 1/4 inch long. An invasive species, fire ants build large mounds - sometimes up to 2 feet high-and forage in the lawn, looking for food or new nesting sites. New sites are hard to kill, because they are typically hidden from sight. These pests are aggressive and fiercely protective of their nests. When fire ants sense the nest is in trouble, they will just move to another part of the yard, making treatment even more difficult. Here's how you can take back your yard from fire ants. Step 1: Kill and destroy the mound with Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer. Step 2: prevent new mounds from forming for up to six months with Ortho Max Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules.
Bed bugs: Once considered a pest of the past, these little blood-suckers have made a comeback. Bed bugs are reddish brown, oval-shaped insects about 1/4 inch long and are not easily found during the day. At night, bed bugs emerge from hiding places to feed on people while they sleep. Should you notice bites upon waking up in the morning, look for bed bugs on your bed and in the surrounding areas. Bed bugs can be brought home by hitching a ride on clothing and furniture. To prevent an infestation, thoroughly inspect all new and used furniture, clothing and fabrics before bringing them into the home. Clothing and fabrics can be placed into a dryer on high heat to kill any bed bugs before washing. Furniture and mattresses can be inspected and treated with Ortho Home Defense Max BEDBUG Killer. If bed bugs are found in your home, this product may be used on baseboards, floors, wall cracks, bed frames, box springs, side tables, picture frames and nearby window treatments. Be sure to let the treated areas completely air-dry before using, and all affected bedding should be placed in the drier on high heat before washing and re-use.
Fleas and ticks: Fleas thrive in warm or humid weather, and can lay up to 50 eggs each day. One of the first signs a pet has fleas is "flea dirt" - black flea droppings left on a pet's coat. See a veterinarian for proper treatment. Ticks are most often found around a dog's neck, in the ears, in the folds between the legs and the body and between the toes. Ticks are capable of spreading infectious diseases like Lyme disease, so prompt removal of ticks is important. Treating dogs for fleas and ticks is a good start, but what about the area where dogs and children play? A lawn can harbor a significant number of fleas and ticks that can be tracked into your home. Treat the lawn with Ortho Bug-B-Gon Max Insect Killer for Lawns to kill harmful bugs, including fleas and ticks, and keep them out for up to three months, allowing your family to make the most of your back yard.
Controlling insects and keeping them out of the party is not as difficult as it seems. Just a few precautions can ensure a summer that is more enjoyable, both inside the home and outdoors.
For more help with these and other pests, use the Scotts Pest Problem Solver.
