When you have a bug problem, the first step is to accurately identify the bug. Learn about the bug’s unique characteristics. What does it eat? What are its behaviors? Where is it getting in or nesting?
To address an indoor pest problem, think prevention. Evaluate household conditions that might attract that particular pest. Good hygiene and sanitation can stop an infestation.
- Eliminate crumbs.
- Clean cabinets and drawers and around and under the refrigerator.
- Eliminate clutter.
- Keep all food in tightly sealed containers.
- Seal cracks and caulk crevices where they might be getting in.
If you have carpenter ants, look for moisture or dampness, condensation or other wet areas that might contribute to punky wood that needs replacement. Fix the source of the moisture such as a leak or outside drainage problems that allows water to pond around the foundation of the house. No so-called treatment or product will solve a pest problem if the conditions that have invited the pest are not corrected.
A good resource for additional information is the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides. See their website for information on common pests like ants and carpenter ants.
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