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Box Elder Bugs and Asian Lady Beetles – Keep Them Out  |
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 Box elder bugs and multicolored Asian lady beetles are a common nuisance on the side of many homes in the fall, but did you know that the same bugs you see in the fall will show up in the spring after spending the winter snuggled up inside your home? Not a very appealing thought!
While treating for these insect pests is something that some homeowners consider doing in the fall, the key to keeping insects out of your home and keeping their populations down throughout the year requires a little effort during the spring, summer and fall.
Here’s a simple guide for keeping these insects out of your home year round:
First, prevent the bugs from entering the house in the first place. Repair or replace screen windows and doors and caulk any cracks around them. Also, check for cracks in your foundation. Make certain that your siding is properly sealed – apply new caulk if necessary (box elder bugs and lady beetles like to hide behind siding). Be sure to check and seal where the wall/siding meets the foundation as many bugs make entry here. Your eaves and soffits are also popular entry points.
Once you’ve reduced the possible entry points to your home, apply a non-staining insecticide to the foundation, siding and around the eaves where bugs will attempt to enter the home. Spraying once in the spring and again in the fall will usually do the trick. There are safe and effective insecticides that you can apply yourself by simply using a pressurized pump sprayer. One such product is new Buggslayer Insecticide (www.buggslayer.com) specifically for box elder bugs and Asian lady beetles. Simply dilute the concentrate in your sprayer and spray the siding and foundation where pests congregate. The product is water-based, odorless and non-staining so it won’t harm your home’s exterior.
Using this two-pronged approach that includes sealing off entry points to your home and using an approved insecticide is the best method to keep your home bug-free. Including these tasks in your spring, summer and fall home chores is a good way to remember to do them as well as help reduce the population of these annoying pests.
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