I just recently moved into a home in the woods and we are having a problem with spiders and other misc bugs that are now drawing in things that eat spiders, like scorpions. I've tried just regular bug spray (like RAID, etc), but I feel like I'm just treating the surface problem, because they always return.
Short of calling a professional, anyone have any particular suggestions of what to use? I want something that isn't going to keep my family out of the house for days or hurt any of my pets. I've never had this problem before, so any suggestions/remedies would be appreciated. Please be specific.
2007-08-29 09:09:33 · 3 answers · asked by Lunar Sarah 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
My favorite is boric acid. This is sold as a bug powder or roach powder, and you can get it in the 99Cent store. You have to look on the list of ingredients, as the brand name doesn't say what it is. It only harms creatures with an exoskeleton, such as insects, spiders, and scorpions too. It damages the exoskeleton so that the bug loses moisture and dries up. It doesn't hurt mammals, birds, or reptiles. It comes in a plastic puff bottle, you puff a very light layer of powder wherever bugs may be, even in your bed, because it's not harmful. You can brush it into a carpet or pet bedding.
For a specific insect, you can mix some boric acid with their favorite food and they will eat it up.
I started using this because I had numerous pets, including lizards, which are very sensitive to pesticides.
2007-08-29 10:22:57 · answer #1 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stopping up the cracks and pathways insects, etc. use to get in can go a long way to keeping them out of the house. Spray foam insulators and tissue paper can do this fairly well.
Eliminating any food sources that may attract the pests helps as well as removing any lumber or wood piles and other resident areas for pests nearby, but outside the home.
I used to get cloradane and apply the straight 'out of the bottle' liquid (NOT diluted with water) with a paint brush around door jams and any other entry areas. I don't know if you can still get cloradane 'over the counter,' but it sure worked wonders for me.
I have lots of pets of several kinds and never had a problem with toxin exposure.
There are some insecticides called 'Barrier,' which I haven't tried but look like they might work for what you need.
As long as you are living in the woods there are going to be a few bugs but you should be able to get it down to a tolerable amount.
2007-08-29 16:29:01 · answer #2 · answered by mindoversplatter 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call a pro if you want it dont right
2007-08-29 16:37:59 · answer #3 · answered by Brittney S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋