Bugs - The Creepy Crawly Kind

Avoiding the anual bug invasion

[Nick_W]

Oh boy, just got in from a little walk with my dog (bailey who will be 1yr on Friday) <-sad case..... and my legs are red raw with bites!

I never should have gone through the long grass in shorts of course, I have only myself to blame :(

I really don't want the anual invasion of Nicks living room this year so how about sharing some tips to keep the little buggers away?

Nick

[weblamer2]

what part of the world are you in?

i'm in florida, and this place is bug central.

not much to do with the bugs outside. if i walk through tall grass and get bit up, i declair it my own fault...

its when they start to come INSIDE that it starts to bother me...

[mivox]

Borax powder at thresholds and any spots along the walls where they creep in. Works wonders on some of them.

Pouring baking power all over the carpet and rubbing it in is supposed to help with fleas...

(I'm thinking "non-toxic" here, since you never know where a young dog's noe -- or tongue -- may go!)

If you have a house/yard set up, surrounding the house right up against the outside wall with a generous dose of diatomaceous earth is supposed to stop ants.

[miles]

Nick if you are just looking to prevent it while you are at home the have these one deals you set up in your yard that puts out ozone. Bugs hate it, thats why you generally dont see bugs before a storm.

If you want to do what I do sometimes get some raid and a lighter and toast them in the air.

The two cheapest ways would be wear pants or bug spray if your not a fan of jeans.

[tedster]

My property borders on a wetlands preserve, so I get a regular menagerie of teeny critters every growing season.

In a telescope supply shop, I picked up a small, solar powered keychain device that emits high frequency sound. When activated it keeps away bugs in a 10 foot bubble and it works pretty well so far.

I've also seen plug-in versions that are more heavy duty for inside the home, and there are websites selling this kind of device (even Amazon).

But depending on your hearing acuity, you may be able to notice the sound it puts out, even though it's supposed to be outside the human frequency range. I know I can hear it, and it is a bit bothersome. So I'm limited to using my little device in only more extreme situations.

I could see putting something like this on a dog collar so Bailey would have some help battling the bugs. They "claim" that dogs and cats are not bothered by the sound either.

Although so far I'm pleased with the results - there is a US Government claim [ftc.gov] that these devices don't work as advertised...so caveat emptor.

[Nick_W]

Well, I like the high pitch thing but some of the others I'd be a bit worried about the dog with.... ;)

Just keeping them out of hte bedroom while I sleep is the main concern. Generally I leave the balcony door open all day and then when it gets dark, close it. They all go and mostly stay out if you only open the door again if you have the ligghts off. Not ideal but workable.

Thanks for all the interesting remediies!

Nick