Ants, fruit flies, mice & more: How to get rid of (and prevent) common household and backyard bugs and pests

Yahoo

2 days ago

From flying insects like fruit flies and bees, to creepy crawlers such as ants and spiders, there are a whole range of pests that could come knocking at your door this summer. While some visitors may have arguably cute faces or pose non-serious threats, there are some that could cause major damage to your property or even impact your health.
If you're lucky enough to have some green space around your home, it's important to keep things well-maintained as we head into the warmer months. On top of watering, mowing and general landscaping, it's a good idea to ensure your property doesn't become a hotspot for local critters to gather — whether that's out in the grass or within the confines of your living space.
As you prepare your home and yard for summer, read on to learn more about the best methods to prevent or get rid of unwelcome guests. Below are also some top-rated products that can help ensure you have a healthy home — and mind — this season.
Ants are one of those most common household pests that aren't typically dangerous to be around, but can certainly be a nuisance throughout the season. Orkin Canada notes there are more than 100 species of ants across the country, including common ones like black carpenter ants, pavement ants, thief ants and pharaoh ants.
Identifying the species of any you're encountering is very important to figuring out how to control these insects. For instance, black carpenter ants are the largest in size and are the most common cause of structural damage, while tan-coloured pharaoh ants are attracted to foods high in protein and sugar.
Avayda Pest Control notes it's a good idea to understand why you might be having an ant infestation in the first place. Food sources are a common culprit, meaning you might often find ants in your kitchen. Leaky pipes, pet water bowls or damp areas may also provide ants with the moisture they need to survive. Ants will also release pheromones after finding food, allowing other ants to find the same source.
To avoid attracting ants into your home, it's best to keep a clean kitchen where your food is also tightly sealed. Start by cleaning surfaces and floors regularly, while also making sure you take out the trash often. Natural remedies can also help prevent ants from entering your home. For instance, using lemon juice on surfaces or sprinkling ground cinnamon along baseboard may deter ants; spraying water mixed with either vinegar or peppermint oil around doors and windows may also help.
If you're looking for a strong method, one of the best ways to get rid of ants is by using ant baits. Avayda Pest Control advises to avoid spraying ants directly with insecticide. Instead, use products like gel baits where ants are most active or liquid ant bait stations to slowly kill off colonies.
Flies are common flying critters that quickly ruin your peace of mind, whether they're house flies, fruit flies or cluster flies. Sometimes, they can even pose health risks by spitting out germ-loaded saliva, walking all over food or transmitting pathogens they latch onto from feces.
To prevent flies, it's important to maintain your garbage cans. Flies will feed on decaying organic material and waste, including kitchen garbage and pet waste. Ensure you're emptying garbages regularly and using tight-fitting lids, especially if you're collecting compost. Moreover, keeping a clean environment is necessary, where it's essential to keep a clean kitchen drain, tidy up spilled foods and thoroughly clean appliances.
Before opting for household products or professional methods, you may want to try planting garden plants that repel flies, like lavender, mint and bay leaf. DIY traps can also be created for pesky fruit flies, using mixtures of apple cider vinegar and dish soap in a container covered with plastic wrap. Otherwise, try using sprays, zappers and sticky traps to control these bugs.
Ticks are some of the most pesky critters that no one enjoys seeing. There are more than 40 species across Canada, and they can cause ailments like Lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis. According to Orkin Canada, the best way to prevent housing these arachnids is by keeping on top of proper landscaping. That includes regular mowing, removing leaf litter and trimming tree branches.
If you're entering an area that's known to have ticks, it's a good idea to make sure you're prepared. Wear long-sleeved clothing, keep shirts buttoned and tucked into pants and put on proper footwear. Tick repellents may be a good idea to use, as well, and it's important to check both yourself and your pets for ticks after coming back inside.
If you're facing a serious tick infestation, you can also consider using insecticidal treatments that contain an active ingredient called DEET or picaridin. You can also contact a tick control specialist if you're experiencing an uncontrollable problem with these critters.
Mice and rats may be considered pets to some rodent lovers, but it's important to note that any living in the wild could carry disease or damage property. According to Health Canada, the deer mouse is the most common carrier of the deadly hantavirus. Three other species of rodents also cause the most issues in Canada, including the Norway rat, the roof rat and the house mouse.
Since mice and rats are prolific breeders, it's important to stay ahead of an infestation. Some signs you may have a rodent problem include:
Scampering or scratching sounds in the walls of your home at night
Signs of gnawing or chewing
Damaged food packages
Droppings and urine
Burrows or holes in and around foundation walls
Tracks on dusty surfaces
If you're dealing with a rodent problem, you may turn to traps that should be set up according to the manufacturer's instructions. Bait and poisons should also not be the only method used to control mice and rats. The BC SPCA also shares four methods to rodent-proof your home, focusing on tacking the root problem and making your space less attractive to these pests.
Remove attractants: Watch out for accessible food and shelter, like convenient hiding spots around your home, loose garbage and food that's not stored in tight containers.
Find entry points: Search for gaps, open vents or other entry points, and remember that mice can enter holes the size of a dime.
Exclude and repair: Close off these entry points by using products like 16-gauge wire mesh, vent covers or expanding foam sealant.
Maintain: Rodents have strong teeth that can chew through almost anything, so it's important to make prompt repairs when necessary.
These flying insects may remind people of bad memories from when they were stung as as child, but it's important to note the differences of each one — and how to best remove them from your home.
In Canada, there are more than 700 species of bees, including bumble bees, mason bees and leaf cutter bees. The Ontario Beekeepers' Association urges people to avoid spraying bees, as swarming is a natural process that lets bees reproduce, typically only for a few days until they leave to find a permanent home. If you come across a honey bee swarm or nest, some beekeepers will even help with relocation for free if the bugs are easily accessible.
For other species, it's best to contact a pest control specialist for help with removal. Otherwise, there are some natural methods you can use to help deter bees or push them to flee your home. Those include using strong scents like smoke, citronella, cinnamon or garlic, all of which are scents that bees dislike.
When it comes to wasps, hornets and yellow jackets, it's best to contact a professional. But if you choose to take matters into your own hands, consider using wasp traps or sprays in well-ventilated areas. Remember to avoid using aggressive movements and never try to swat a nest down.
There are more than 3,500 mosquito species known worldwide, and at least 82 can be found in Canada. Luckily, most species of mosquitoes don't target humans — but they can still be a nuisance.
One of the most effective ways to prevent mosquitoes is to eliminate any standing water sources. It only takes a week for a mosquito to go from egg to adult, according to Ortho. So, emptying water that has collected in items like children's toys, plant pots, buckets or wheelbarrows is essential.
According to The Home Depot, mosquitoes will avoid plants such as catnip, feverfew, citronella, tulsi, rosemary and lemon thyme. In addition to planting these near your home, you can blend natural oils — like peppermint, camphor and citronella — with water and spray the mixture to repel these bugs. Otherwise, mosquito or bug repellent in the form of spray, cream or patches can help.
Earwigs might have a terrifying appearance, but don't be scared — these insects aren't directly harmful to humans. Some of the best physical control methods include cultivating soil, trimming vegetation around your home's foundation, repairing leaky taps and keeping your lawn free of excess debris.
When it comes to the inside of your home, you may encounter earwigs in areas where there's water, such as the kitchen or bathroom, and in damp places like basements, according to Ortho. In addition to maintaining the outside of your home, consider indoor prevention methods, such as putting a dehumidifier in your basement and sealing cracks in the foundation of your house.
For homemade solutions, spraying a dish soap and water solution can help prevent their presence. A rubbing alcohol and water solution can also work, as well as a trap created using an equal blend of oil and soy sauce.
While slugs and snails might not a be life-threatening creatures, they can certainly be pests that can cause major damage to your gardens. According to Health Canada, these molluscs eat up to 40 per cent of their weight in a day. They're typically active from April to October, and will leave their shelters in search of food once dusk falls.
Although labour-heavy, handpicking is one method of reducing slug or snail populations. In the evening, you can use a flashlight and dislodge these pests into a container full of soapy water or rubbing alcohol to kill them. You can also create traps for these pests, or attract and drown them in stale beer. Products like chemicals and baits can also be used, as well as a light dusting of a powder called diatomaceous earth on areas where these critters hide.
Spiders can help control other household pests, and may eat insects like mosquitoes and flies. But it's not uncommon to want these arachnids out of your sight. Luckily, The Home Depot notes the majority of spider species in North America don't bite unless threatened, nor do they cause structural damage or health threats.
However, two species are known to be dangerous to humans, including the black widow and brown recluse spiders. If you suspect you've been bitten by one of these, you'll need medical attention immediately.
According to Raid, keeping a keep outdoor area is essential to the fight against spiders. That includes removing spider webs, tidying up trash or piles of building supplies, trimming foliage that's close to your home and ensuring entry points to your house are sealed. Indoors, it's best to tidy up any clutter where spiders may like to hide, as well as clean up any food sources or spills that may attract these critters.