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Discussion Forum

what do ya know about pest control?

Mark | Posted in General Discussion on July 15, 2007 09:17am

I live in Florida,  everyone I talk to tells me you absolutely must have some sort of pest control in place or your house will become over-run with bugs.

We’ve lived in this house a little over a year and sure enough,  we seem to be getting more and more bugs in the house.  Mostly ants which are more annoying than disturbing,  but I’m thinking how far behind are the roaches and termites?

Here’s my dilema…

Not long ago, one of our cats had a seisure. (Unrelated, but that’s a long story ending in his untimely demise).  As we were seeking veterinary treatment for him trying to determine the cause, the first question we got from three different vets was “Have you recently had the house sprayed for insects?”

This alarms me!  And it really makes me reluctant to introduce any sort of poisons into our house.  However, what other options do we have with the bug problem?

Are there “good” insecticides out there that possibly won’t harm pets and or people?

Are there any sort of alternative pest control methods that don’t involve blanketing the house in toxins?

I am from an area of the country where for the first 40 years of my life, bugs in the house just simply were not an issue.  The only bug you might get in your house was maybe a cockroach, and as long as you kept the house clean, that never happened so it wasn’t even an issue.  So, I have basically no experience or knowledge regarding any of this

Anybody out there got any sage words of advice for me?

Thank you… Mark (starting to go buggy in the sunshine state)

” If I were a carpenter”
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Replies

  1. rayww | Jul 15, 2007 10:12pm | #1

    diatomous earth

  2. Danno | Jul 15, 2007 10:14pm | #2

    This won't really help you a lot, but many years ago I was visiting a friend in Florida and I saw a little lizard on the kitchen wall and sort of freaked out and my friend said, "Oh, don't worry about the gecko, it'll eat the roaches." Other than such "all-natural" means of pest control, I think some sort of chemicals will have to be used--many are used on the outside perimeter (od the foundation) though and shouldn't be a problem and those that are used inside would be more of a problem for curious pets and things close to the ground (maybe crawling children?). I'd think that if it were a serious issue, lots of people in the south would be dying. I won't make any disparaging remarks about IQ and such! ;-)

  3. BUIC | Jul 15, 2007 10:49pm | #3

      What about having the treatment done while your away for a few days.

      Give it a chance to soak in and the "fumes" to dissipate?  buic

  4. User avater
    IMERC | Jul 15, 2007 10:50pm | #4

    mkove...

    it's a lot less hassel..

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!
    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

  5. User avater
    IMERC | Jul 15, 2007 10:52pm | #5

    liberal sprinkling of of raw grits often...

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!
    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

  6. florida | Jul 15, 2007 11:21pm | #6

    You don't have to have pest control unless you have a problem. The insect problem is vastly over rated. Get your house inspected for termites every now and then and get a gallon of do-it-yourself spray. I've lived here 35 years and never had a professional pest control application except for termite tenting.

    1. Mark | Jul 15, 2007 11:46pm | #7

      what in the heck is "Termite tenting" ?!!!!?

      I'm imagining erecting a tent over the house and pumping the tent full of insecticide....

      Please tell me this isn't something that people actually do....

      I gotta tell ya... if it weren't for the unendurable winters,  there's something to be said for an environment where there is literally no such thing as termites." If I were a carpenter"

      1. peteshlagor | Jul 16, 2007 01:53am | #10

        "what in the heck is "Termite tenting" ?!!!!?

        I'm imagining erecting a tent over the house and pumping the tent full of insecticide....

        Please tell me this isn't something that people actually do...."

        You got a pretty accurate imagination.

        They pull these big tarps over the house (they like striped ones) and connect each one with clamps forming an enclosure over the whole place.  Throw sandbags along the bottom.  They do have a zippered door to get in and out.

        They use a gas.  Chloride somethin'.  It sterilizes the place by permeating into the studs and everything.

        You gotta get your perishibles and goldfish out before.  They give you these special plastic bags to pack your edible stuff in.  And you stay out for three days.

        Happens routinely just about everytime someone moves anywhere down south.  We northerners have evolved beyond such needs.

         

        1. BillBrennen | Jul 16, 2007 04:37am | #15

          Yes, tent fumigation is big here in coastal San Diego county, too. The fumigant of choice is sulphuryl fluoride, known by the brand name Vikane. Once aired out, it leaves no residue because it is a gas, not a liquid, at room temperature/pressure. And it kills everything, bugs, plants, spiders, fish, birds, mammals.It is typical to do a frame house here every ten years. Few builders use Boracare on their frames here, but everyone ought to. That plus good water detailing makes for very cheap insurance.Bill

          1. JohnSprungX | Jul 17, 2007 03:40am | #22

            >  And it kills everything, bugs, plants, spiders, fish, birds, mammals.

            My bug guy tells me that Vikane doesn't kill all kinds of spiders.  It will, though, take out much of what they're eating.  Methyl Bromide would do spiders, but has been outlawed by the EPA.

             

            -- J.S.

             

          2. BillBrennen | Jul 17, 2007 03:57am | #23

            That is interesting. I wonder which ones survive Vikane? All the ones I saw after we tented were dead. witnessing that impressed me, as spiders seem to be resistant to most poisons that target insects. All the weeds right next to the building were also dead.Bill

          3. JohnSprungX | Jul 17, 2007 04:01am | #24

            He specifically said that Black Widow spiders could hold out for a week in Vikane.

             

            -- J.S.

             

          4. BillBrennen | Jul 17, 2007 04:10am | #25

            A whole WEEK??? Dang! Aliens among us.Black widows are the only spider I make it a practice to exterminate on sight if in/near a house. Never seen a recluse, but it'd get the same treatment as a widow if I did. Killing things isn't my preference, but those critters are just too deadly to allow in our living space.Bill

      2. karteberry | Jul 16, 2007 01:55am | #11

        Yes, That's exactly what they do. If you have ever seen a termite swarm in your house, you would understand.

      3. florida | Jul 17, 2007 03:20am | #20

        Exactly what they do. They use heavy vinyl tarps locked together with spring clamps. The exterminator opens all your windows and then opens a large cylinder of a chemical called Vikane. It kills everything.

    2. Mark | Jul 15, 2007 11:50pm | #8

      By the way... where in Florida are you?  How's the construction environment there?

      It seems like every day here in Tampa brings me closer and closer to flipping burgers..." If I were a carpenter"

      1. florida | Jul 17, 2007 03:21am | #21

        I'm in Fort Myers and willing to go in with you on a burger joint.

  7. MtnBoy | Jul 16, 2007 01:28am | #9

    There's stuff out there. Do a google search for "least toxic pest control". Right away comes up a bunch of things to do from Univ. of FL. They oughtta know:

    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG105

    Another idea is to go to some of the better veterinarians in your area. Cats are very sensitive to toxins, so where they go, you might go next! Our vet, last I checked, with all his pets and kids, used Sears. They use a boric-acid type indoor treatment he was happy with.
    Check for indoor roach baits; try places like Planet Natural online.

    I did read that cockroaches are becoming resistant to a lot of the chemicals that have always been used. (Just like bacteria is getting resistant to antibiotics, I guess.) Still, I'd call a few local pest control outfits and ask what they're using that's less toxic--on the outdoors it's mostly the bait systems like Sentricon.

    Those things down there are like small birds! It's seriously one of the main reasons I didn't want to move down there. Steel toed boots are good too.

  8. User avater
    FatRoman | Jul 16, 2007 02:13am | #12

    With ants, a remedy depends on what type of ant(s) you've got. But I've had very good results with boric acid gel like this http://tinyurl.com/2ejdxa

    You can also pick a similar version up at HomeDepot. Instead of spraying, which only winds up making the problem worse, the boric acid acts like little shards of glass on the insides of ants. They are attracted by the sweetness and take samples back to the nest to share.

    No need to order the bait stations. I've used them, but had just as much success with a plastic tub (like the one margarine comes in). Cut 3-4 holes in the sides of the tub (fairly high up so the gel doesn't ooze through them), pour some gel in, put the lid on and place them outside near ant trail. Your cats, birds, kids, etc are fairly well protected since the tub is sealed.

    Hope that helps.

  9. john7g | Jul 16, 2007 02:40am | #13

    I'm of the belief that it's easier to keep bugs out than it is to move them out.  If you wait 'til you see 'em it's too late. 

    I don't know exactly what stuff my bug guy puts down 1/4ly but he explains it as a catalyst.  it's something that will only react when it come in contact with the bugs body.  the chemical is only in the bug and triggers the catalyst to react with the bug resulting in death.  supposedly this catalyst is totally harmless to humans & pets since it only reacts with the chem in the bugs.

    1. brownbagg | Jul 16, 2007 03:36am | #14

      you know ants will not cross talicum powder, spread a little in your window sill and you done, no chemicals.

  10. User avater
    Jeff_Clarke | Jul 16, 2007 06:52am | #16

    Get a rubber bulb syringe and dust boric acid powder (Roach Prufe) into crevices.

     

    Jeff



    Edited 7/15/2007 11:53 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke

  11. jigs_n_fixtures@icloud.com | Jul 16, 2007 07:34am | #17

    An old entomologist, told me how to get rid of ants and roaches. 

    Make a butter cream frosting with real butter, and substitute boric acid for 1/4th the powdered sugar.  Ant's are highly attracted to sugar and/or animal fats (butter, lard, or chicken fat, all work).   Roaches, they like both. 

    Any way, just make the "frosting" and set it out as bait.  I use old pill bottles with a 3/8 hole drilled in the caps, and put them on in the "child proof" orientation.   

    Also, sodium cyclamate, (when it was available), worked on some of the ants and roaches.  They could sense the sweet, and would starve to death eating it. 

    1. renosteinke | Jul 16, 2007 11:32pm | #18

      As you might guess, your local climate has a lot to do with your critter problems. For example, no one in Reno has to worry about finding a gator in the yard :D Now, for some ideas to consider: When you build a house, in many ways you are creating a bug / vermin haven, a place where they can find food, shelter, and safety. Your first step ought to be to remove these advantages. Bugs getting in openings? Seal the openings. Mice nesting in the fiberglass? Replace with foam. Roaches and ants? Remove the food. Mosquitoes? Bet there's some standing water nearby. These simple measures will be a big help. As an example, I had regular ant infestations ... until the repair of a leaky buried sewer line led to the ground becoming too dry for the colony to thrive. Sometimes you have to think a bit. Basement overrun with spiders? You've got a problem ... and it's not a spider problem! Your problem is whatever the spiders are eating! Eliminate that, and the spiders will go away. When it comes to poisons, simple chemicals and drastic measures like tenting are a last resort. Such methods are often harmful to many 'good' bugs, as well as the bad ones. They may also be deadly to you and your pets. A good pest control firm will tend to use products that are 'bug specific,' and are not, strictly speaking, poisons at all. For example, there are ant baits that don't harm the ants ... but will keep eggs in the nest from hatching. No eggs, no new ants. Remember, most insects have lives measured in days - not decades. Another advantage to these sorts of treatments is that Fido and Fluffy won't die if they manage to eat them ... or bugs that have! Indeed, the vets were asking about bug poisonings, because the non-professional application (including mis-use and home formulas) are famous causes of sick pets. Many a cat has died from poison that the mouse ate. Finally, not all bugs are bad. That wasp nest just might be keeping the fly population under control....

      1. Mark | Jul 17, 2007 02:41am | #19

        Thank you all for your responses / information / advice/ suggestions!!!!!!!!!!

        I now feel quite informed enough to proceed with whichever path I decide to head down.

        Gawd I love this forum!!!

        Now if you folks could just tell me how to go about singlehandedly stimulating the building business around here I'd certainly appreciate it...     ;-)" If I were a carpenter"

  12. rajivsharma1014 | Jun 27, 2024 09:23am | #26

    Hi,
    To control roaches, keep your home clean, store food in sealed containers, and dispose of garbage regularly. Seal cracks and fix leaks to prevent entry. Use baits, traps, and insecticides in common hiding spots, and consider professional help for severe infestations. For termites, reduce moisture around your home, use treated wood, and install physical and chemical barriers. Use termite bait stations and apply insecticides to affected areas, with regular professional inspections for effective management. Early detection and integrated pest management combining these methods are crucial for both pests.

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