Learn about some different types of New England bugs and ways control them. Prevention solutions, advice on pesticide.
Carpenter Ants
Anyone living in a country environment knows that carpenter ants can be the hardest to control. Carpenter ants love moist wood and make their nests well hidden in hard to reach areas. Most of the time it takes a professional to find these pests, however a keen eye can help you discover the nests on your own. Carpenter ants bore into moist wood and while doing so leave the evidence behind. Finding a pile of sawdust in an unusual place is a pretty good tell tale sign that you may have a carpenter ant problem.
Treatment of carpenter ants in not a very easy job and most times will require a professional. You can help prevent infestation of carpenter ants by clearing away any favorable conditions like diseased or decayed wood from the area. If you do discover an infestation, you can try to eliminate them by using an over the counter pesticide. You will need to purchase a good product, which specifically targets the removal of carpenter ants. Spray the infested area with the pesticide. The ants will travel back to the nest and infect the rest of the nest, hopefully killing the queens and any other ants they come in contact with.
Ladybugs and Boxelder bugs
We all know how irritating it is when in fall our homes are infested with these critters. You can prevent them somewhat, from getting inside by spending some time during the summer months sealing up the crevices in your home.
Install door sweeps on all your exterior doors
Caulk around windowsills and cracks outside your home
Seal the bottom track of your sliding glass doors with ½ to ¾ inch foam insulation
Consider spraying the exterior of your home with a pesticide
Striped Cucumber Beetle
This beetle attacks cucumber, melon, squash and pumpkin. They feed on new plants from early spring to fall and are most destructive in the springtime. The larvae bore into the soil and begin to feed on the newly germinated plants and in the fall the beetles chew holes in the rind of the fruit. Here are a few things you can do to help control the destruction these beetles can cause.
Heavy mulching may help prevent beetle attack
Planting radishes or marigolds have been known to protect plants from the cucumber beetle
Dusting the plant with charcoal or soot and repeating after it rains
Spray the plant with wood ash and hydrated lime
Flea Beetles
Flea Beetles attack the leaves of fruits and vegetables as well as other parts of the plant. They are black in color and when disturbed, they jump like fleas. The beetles hibernate in the wintertime under leaves, grass and debris and in the spring begin to feed on new plant foliage. They lay their eggs on the base of the plants and in 5 to 8 days the eggs hatch and the larvae feed on the roots. In about 2 to 3 weeks the larvae enter into the adult stage and by midsummer the cycle is repeated. The following steps may help control these pests.
Control the weeds around the plant and remove any excess trash or debris where the beetle can hibernate during the winter months
Flea beetles like the sun, plant tolerant plants in the shade
Plant seeds thickly and thin out once the flea beetle season has passed
Spray foliage with a garlic repellent
Sprinkle wood ash at the base of the plants
