Latest news with #pests
The Sun
7 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Gardeners told to use 22p kitchen staples for ‘vampire trick' which can banish slugs from your garden for good
A GARDENING expert has revealed a 22p hack to banish slugs from gardens using a very common kitchen staple. Now that summer is finally here, many Brits will be looking for ways to spruce up their outdoor spaces - including getting rid of any nasty critters. 1 Slugs and snails are notorious for wreaking havoc on gardens, in particular during rainy patches when they come out in their swathes to feast on crops and plants. Over the years, experts have come out with a whole host of - often ineffective - methods to combat these garden pests. From splashing beer and sprinkling eggshells on crops to surrounding veg patches with copper tape. But one savvy expert believes they have found a cheap, store cupboard hack that could rid gardens of these pests once and for all. Gardeners have been urged to introduce garlic to their gardens as a means of deterring the slugs. And at just 22p a bulb, this could be the cheapest hack yet. Garlic wash involves boiling two whole bulbs of garlic in two litres of water until they soften, then pulping them to make a juice. After removing the garlic skins, the concentrated liquid should be diluted with water and put into a spray can which can be used over plants. The liquid should then be sprayed on plants across the summer right into October. A gardening expert wrote: "We use garlic wash as a slug deterrent on the nursery. 6 ways to get rid of slugs and snails "Please find below the recipe that we use and find very effective. The quantities aren't exact and you can always alter them as you wish." If the smell of garlic is too pungent Homes & Garden writer, Thomas Rutter, suggests using cucumber instead. Stopping slugs and snails using the cucumber hack is surprisingly simple. While it may not eradicate these pests, it can help gardeners control their numbers. Rutter said: "First, raid your fridge drawer and retrieve a cucumber, before slicing it thinly. "Don't worry about the quality of the cucumber here, in fact, it is best to use those that are past their best." Rutter then advises to place the slices near your more vulnerable plants in the evening. Slugs and snails will be lured to the scent and moisture of the cucumber. Then, after a few hours or the following morning, you can collect the pests and dispose of them. It's not too dissimilar from companion planting or trap plants for pest control. But what's better is that it's a chemical-free approach, safe for pets and requires almost no effort.
CTV News
20 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Tips to deal with summer pests around your home and backyard
We tell you how to deal with some common summer pests Ottawa residents have to deal with near their homes. While you may want to spend a lot of time outside during the summer months, the weather can result in some unwelcome visitors in your backyard and inside your home. Bugs, rodents, raccoons and mice like to come out and play during the warmer months. Jason Costantini of Orkin Pest Control Canada dropped by CTV Morning Live with tips to deal with pests and animals in your backyard and inside your house. 'We want to manage and mitigate as best we can,' Costantini said Thursday. 'There's something that all homeowners can do to help and then if your neighbours get on board with that and make it a team event, then everyone's going to be more successful for it.' Backyard Costantini says there are a lot of things you can do to mitigate and 'even prevent pest infestations' in your backyard, noting wildlife and insects can be lurking outside your home. 'Most important is basic sanitation. Obviously, you want to declutter as much as you can,' Costantini told CTV Morning Live 'With the decluttering and so on, you're going to want to keep the grass short as you can because everyone is worried about ticks; it's a harbourage area for mosquitoes.' Costantini offered a few tips for your backyard: Remove dog bowls and standing water to eliminate mosquito breeding areas Keep shrubbery and grass as short as you can and away from the house Purchase devices that emit an ultrasonic sound to keep skunks, raccoons and other wildlife away. Patio/decks 'You want to make sure the decks and fencing are in great condition,' Costantini said. 'Maybe the wood is treated because any rotten wood you're getting into carpenter ants and old mould eating insects.' Costantini recommends painting or staining untreated wood to keep wasps and other insects away. There are plants you can use to keep bugs away, including lavender, citronella, marigolds, basil, mint and chrysanthemums. Costantini also recommends using a fan if you're outside at night to keep the bugs away. Around the house 'The most important thing is exclusion because it prevents it from happening to begin with,' Costantini said. 'This is where you need to be very diligent. What you want to do is go around the exterior, use your bug eyes and you basically look for any cracks or crevasses in the foundation. There's different products that it be used to seal.' Costantini says Orkin Canada has a team of professionals to address issues around the home. In the basement Costantini says if pests or insects enter the home, there are things you can do to address the issue. 'If you are concerned, there's monitoring that can be done,' Costantini said. 'Use of sticky traps; it doesn't eliminate an issue but it kind of gives you an indication of something there.' He says there are traps that can be deployed to deal with mice. One thing that you can do to eliminate centipedes and spiders in a basement is the use of a dehumidifier. Costantini also recommends looking for leaking pipes to address moisture and sealing baseboards. 'Proper sanitation, decluttering – it all goes hand in hand,' Costantini said.
The Sun
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
The 20p hack that makes flies turn around and fly back out of your house – they hate the smell & it lasts for weeks
SOAKING up the sunshine is one of the best parts of summer, but with the hot weather comes a whole host of pests to deal with. One of the more common pests households deal with are flies, which can take over gardens and homes. 2 2 Luckily, you don't have to spend a fortune on gadgets to try and get rid of them, this simple trick will work wonders. It was shared by This Morning pro, Nancy Birtwhistle, and at just 20p you can't go wrong. Her hack is perfect for keeping bugs at bay, and better yet, it's an eco-friendly option that won't harm the environment. First, Nancy warned to keep food away from areas flies might gather, including waste in bins, which can be covered with a lid. "They [flies] hate the smell of citrus and they hate the smell of cloves," she said, explaining how easy it is to keep them at bay. With this in mind, she suggested creating a DIY method to deter the pesky insects. All you need to do is cut a few lemons in half and then stick the cloves into the juicy part. Although the fresh scent is lovely for us humans, the flies can't stand it and will find somewhere else to go. "They just hate it," the pro said as she explained how she keeps a just one in her conservatory, and in other rooms around her house. "My husband just didn't believe this until he saw a fly come in, see this, turn around and fly out," she added. 6 ways to get rid of slugs and snails After around a week, the lemon scent will begin to fade, so you can take the cloves out and reuse them with fresh lemons, to keep your home smelling fresh and keep the flies out. And since a bag of lemons from Asda will set you back just 99p, as will a bag of cloves, this back works out at just pennies. If, like most people, you like to leave windows and doors open during the warm summer months, you could also stick one of the clove lemons there too, to deter them from coming inside. "But two easy solutions can be to regularly pour hot water down your drain (every three-five days) which will effectively clean the drains and kill the eggs, larvae and any adult flies." What are house flies? House flies got their name by being the most common household fly. With their hairy black bodies and translucent wings, these insects can be found worldwide. They generally live for between 15 and 25 days and can survive without food or water for two to three days. What causes a lot of flies in the house? House flies are highly attracted to manure, and can often be found around farms. They generally stay within a mile or two of their birthplace, but they have been known to travel up to 20 miles. House flies enjoy being in the sun, and will perch in sunny spots around your home. Bright lights at night can also attract flies. IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know. Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay. Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent. Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents. Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Bagworm outbreak threat growing in Ohio, OSU warns
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW)— The Ohio State University Extension is warning people in the state to be on high alert for bagworms. The stealthy and destructive pest can severely damage trees and shrubs. More than 80 shots fired at Cleveland block party; 1 killed, 5 injured According to OSU Extension entomologists, bagworms — the larvae of Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis — are hatching now. These caterpillars live inside silk bags camouflaged with pieces of their host plant, which can make them hard to spot in early stages. 'Bagworms are one of the sneakiest general defoliators in Ohio landscapes,' the warning reads. 'By the time damage is visible, infestations may already be significant.' Bagworms are known to feed on a wide range of trees and shrubs, OSU extension said. Each female bagworm can produce between 500 and 1,000 eggs, creating the potential for sudden population booms and widespread outbreaks. The caterpillars often spread via wind. Lottery ticket sold at local Walmart hits top prize OSU recommends inspecting trees now, especially by looking for bags left from last season. Eggs overwinter in the female's bag and hatch in sync with the full bloom of northern catalpa trees (Catalpa speciosa), according to OSU. While insecticides can be effective in controlling young bagworms, the Extension cautions against indiscriminate spraying. Beneficial arthropods — including those that naturally control mites, scale insects and even bagworms — may also be harmed. 'Careful monitoring and early detection are key,' experts said. 'Targeted treatment is the best strategy to reduce impact and protect surrounding vegetation.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Creepy crawlies: Top 10 bed bug-infested cities in the US
A city in Georgia has landed on a list no city wants to top, the top 10 bed bug-infested cities in the U.S. The study, by Terminix, is based on the number of bed bug control services across the country. With Atlanta consistently near the top, experts say residents and travelers alike should take extra precautions to avoid them. Here is more. According to the study, Atlanta takes the No. 6 spot, making it the most bed bug-prone city in Georgia. Philadelphia New York Cleveland-Akron (Canton) Los Angeles Dallas - Ft. Worth Atlanta Houston Washington, D.C (Hagerstown) San Francisco - Oak - San Jose Indianapolis Bedbugs are tiny pests capable of causing significant disruption with just one infestation. These small, brown, oval-shaped bugs spread rapidly. Adult females produce 200-500 eggs over their 6-12 month lifespan. Bedbugs were eradicated in the middle of the 20th century but made a triumphant return as the human population began to travel more, according to the UC Riverside Center for Invasive Species Research. Today, they can be found in dark, tight, hidden spaces. Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your belongings against infestation: Reduce clutter Vacuum frequently Keep your belongings away from others' Seal cracks Check and clean secondhand furniture and clothes Other than checking for the live bugs themselves, look for signs of: Reddish stains from bedbugs being crushed Dark spots from bedbug excrement Eggs, eggshells and shedding skins Wash bedsheets, clothing, linens and curtains in hot water. Then, put them in the dryer on the hot setting for at least 30 minutes. Use a stiff brush on mattress seams to remove bedbugs and their eggs. Vacuum your bed and the surrounding area. Place the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag and put it in a trash can outside. Encase your mattress in a bed bug mattress cover and keep this on for at least a year since bed bugs can survive up to that long without feeding. Repair cracks in walls or plaster and glue down peeling wallpaper to limit hiding places. Get rid of clutter around the bed. While these tips can help, using chemicals is the most effective way to exterminate bed bugs. WebMD suggests hiring an experienced exterminator for the best results. Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: What city in Georgia is the worst for bed bugs?
