How do care for farm land?

Question

How do keep rats, bugs, insects, spiders, etc from coming in my house. I have farm land, and I don't know too much about the "bugs" and "spiders"---Im from the suburbs. Tell me some ways to keep up my farm.

Answer 1

You will never keep them all out. We have field mice in the house quite often. Especially this time of year, they are looking for a warm place to spend the winter. Caulk any gaps where the can get in, mice can squeeze through a space 3/8" wide. Make sure that your window screens fit tightly and don't have any holes in them. Spiders, despite most peoples aversion to them, are actually beneficial.

As far as caring for your land, that's a very broad subject. How much do you have?
What are you using it for?
What was it used for?

Visit our website for more gardening ideas at-
http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.com/

Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!

Answer 2

Neil and Cathy's website is AWESOME. Especially the part with the useful hints.

I'm very impressed and I think their information will help you.

I'm the new owner of a farm too and I am 89% sure I have a mouse. Remember, the mice were living there for many moons before you ever showed up. If they could talk, they could argue that you are the one trespassing in their home. Be gentle with small creatures. Caulking the house up is better than poison.

Answer 3

You will have to put up with some insects in the house. Or you can spray poisons all the time but that is not healthy for you. Make sure your food is well packaged in either heavy plastic or glass with tight fitting lids. I store things like flour in the freezer.

Make sure you have no pipe leeks getting wood wet in the walls. Wet wood attracts a lot of insects such as ants and roaches.

Make sure you window and door screens are not full of holes and tears.

Get a couple of good mousers (cats). Don't leave grains sitting out in the open as this will attract in more mice and rats. Don't kill or discourage snakes if you have rats and mice as they are an excellent control.

Plug up all small holes around your foundation. Make sure any basement windows are not broken. Such holes are easy entry to rodents.

Put out traps inside of cabinets (especially under the sink), in your basement and other dark out of the way places. putting traps in small boxes can be very effective as the mice are attracted to the security promised by a small box with a small hole in one end.

Answer 4

Hi Connie, I came from the city also.
BUT, I went th the University of Massachusetts Amherst to be a farmer. GO FIGURE, you I guess married into????
Anyhow, Most things will go away if you package food in Tupperware. Pour out cereals,rice , pasta etc. into Tupperware type containers.
Do not store paper bags or boxes from the grocery store in your home. They may contain cock roach eggs.
Absolutely get a cat! Preferably female, especially spayed!!!!!!!!!
She will hunt for you! Hey get two from the local shelter.
Cats are grateful creatures.
Spiders......well....keep dusting the corners, and remember, As ugly as they are, they eat flies and mosquitoes!

As for flies and mosquitoes. Go to your google/yahoo etc.
type in key words...I.P.M. or beneficial insects. There you can explorer the natural way that predator insects keep invasive and dangerous insects at a low to zero population.
Good luck, from an old farmer to a young farmer!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Getting a little bit of the "Green Acres" syndrome - eh. It's always easier for country girl in the city than a city girl in the country. It can be a little overwhelming. Hopefully you have met some new friends to help you transition. Another source of all info country ,get in touch with your County Agent and explain your situation. These people are here to help and they're very good at it. RScott

Answer 6

One easy way is to get a cat for mice and other rodents.