Pest management doesn't end at your front doorstep. It doesn't even end at the edge of your property line, or just past your flower garden and vegetable patch. If you want to live a pest-free life, you'll have to take some elements of your integrated pest management solutions on the road with you. Most people are already familiar with this - they bring bug spray with them when going outdoors for a while. Anyone who likes to go hiking or camping knows the importance of bringing some form of bug repellent.
But what about when you're not going to be sleeping under the stars? Even if you're traveling to a far away place and intend on staying in a nice hotel, there may be some ways that pest control can still help you.
Many bugs are looking for a ride elsewhere. According to the University of Hawaii, bed bugs are just as likely to exist on a beautiful tropical island as they are to back home in Calgary, Toronto or Montreal. The same goes for ants and cockroaches. So if you're heading south for some fun in the sun, you should know how to keep the bugs from following you home at the end of your trip. Every time you check into a new hotel, perform a quick sweep for bed bugs. According to Wired magazine, the quickest way to do so is to first put your luggage in the bathtub - to keep any bugs from crawling into it - then use your phone's flashlight to closely examine the bed sheets. If you see little clumps of brown or reddish stains, chances are good there are bed bugs in the vicinity.
Nothing ruins a trip faster than receiving an itchy bug bite. Instead of enjoying the scenery, you'll spend all of your time scratching and hoping it isn't an allergic reaction. To avoid this, bring along a bottle of repellent - a strong one if you're allergic to bug bites. If you're going to be spending time in a forest or jungle, try to wear a light long-sleeved shirt and a pair of trousers. If things are really bad, you may even want to wear a netted hat to keep the mosquitos from stinging your face and neck.
Don't let bugs ruin your well-deserved vacation! Take your knowledge of integrated pest management on the road with you.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
