Most of us enjoy a lot of things about summer: the warm weather, the opportunity to enjoy many fun outdoor activities and the chance to spend lots of time at picnics, sporting events and other gathering with family and friends.

But there is one big thing that most of us don’t like about summer—and that’s dealing with the different types of insects and other pests that arrive with the hotter weather. You don’t want to spend the entire season fending off these annoying pests, so you need an effective way to deal with them. And you want a fast and easy solution—because, after all, you want to be able to focus on all of those fun things you will be doing.

Image via: Jeanette Lunde

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Fortunately there are some great options available that will help you banish these pests quickly—so you can enjoy your summer in peace!

Here are some quick tips for dealing with the most common summer pests:

Flies: One of the best things about summer entertaining is food. Unfortunately, that’s also one thing that can really attract flies—annoying pests that can spread all sorts of unpleasant germs. If you don’t want to spend the entire season armed with a fly swatter, you need a better method of fly control. One option is fly bait, which is made from a combination of chemicals that are known to be attractive to flies, even those that tend to resist other types of insecticides. This bait kills quickly but also has residual effects so it keeps on killing flies for at least several weeks.

Fleas:

The summer heat tends to make fleas more active and plentiful—which can create an uncomfortable and unpleasant situation for you and your pets. To fully eradicate fleas, you need to take a two-pronged approach to flea control. First, use a contact spray which works quickly and is easy to apply to furniture, bedding and other materials where fleas may be living. Next, you need to address the issue of eggs that are likely hidden away in these same areas of your home. Otherwise, you will soon be infested with the future generation of fleas. That’s why you will want to use an insect growth regulator to keep any eggs from developing. (As a bonus, these same products are also usually a good way to get rid of bed bugs and other pests.)

Spiders:

One of the most creepy types of insects, spiders can also be a problem because some have bites that can be painful (and, in rare cases, dangerous). One of the best options for spider pest control is a spray insecticide product, because it kills quickly and—a big plus—you can apply it from a safe distance away from the spider. Most insecticide sprays also have a residual effect, so they will continue to protect treated areas from spider activity for a period of time after the initial spray.

Image via: Claudia Martin, ASID

Ants:

Like flies, ants also like to enjoy the items on the menu of your summer gatherings. Fortunately, ant control is a fairly easy process, if you use the right products. For a quick solution, a spray will help you kill the visible ants on contact (and also has some residual effects). However, you really want to destroy the entire colony—which is where ant bait can be such a valuable tool. When ants take the bait back to their colony, it destroys a large population of ants, eventually causing the colony to die out.

Roaches:

For most people, roaches are among the most dreaded—and disgusting—of all household pests. As soon as you spot any sign of roaches, you want to act quickly. You will probably want to start with a spray, to get quick results. However, roaches like to hide in dark places, so you will also need to combat the ones you can’t see. For small roach control, a roach control kit is an effective choice. It contains roach stations (which contain roach-attracting pheromones) that can be placed under cabinets or other spots where roaches tend to gravitate. The control kit also contains tubes of gel bait that can be easily applied into cracks and crevices.

Mosquitoes:

These pests have bites that can be very itchy, but the bigger problem is that mosquitoes can spread viruses and serious—sometimes deadly—diseases. One important way to cut down on the mosquito population is to prevent them from multiplying. Be on the lookout for puddles or containers of standing water, as mosquitoes breed in water. (That’s why it’s a good idea to empty wading pools at the end of the day.) After that, you need to use effective products to kill mosquitoes before they have a chance to bite you. A spray that kills on contact can be an instant solution, but can require constant effort on your part. For a low-maintenance alternative, a mosquito trap can be a good choice.

Author: Monica Bird

Monica’s compassion for her customer’s struggles with pest control issues and passion for pest control stems from over 10 years in the industry. With a master’s degree in entomology, she uses her knowledge and experience in chemistry, insects and pests to educate her customers

For more maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! How are you doing this winter with bringing in plant inspiration to your home? Last week, Stagetecture showed you how to make a terrarium and today we show you how to start a balcony garden! Depending on the climate of your home will dictate if you can start your balcony garden now or wait until spring. Either way, you can start planning for an oasis on your garden patio.

Image via: Amber Freda

Watch a video on using old planters for a new stacked container garden and then see helpful tips for creating a balcony garden this season.

You Tube video – How to Make a Container Garden Tower

Link to video –> How to Make a Container Garden Tower

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How to create a balcony garden

How do you feel about waking up to something green on a chilly winter morning? Growing plants in the window sill or balcony is a great option to survive these drab, nippy days. Plus, the good thing about a balcony garden is that you can grow anything in it – flowers, vegetables, or herbs.

Image via: Pamba Boma

Restrict Your Choices

Balcony is not a good place to nurture straggly plants. De-clutter the place as much as possible and bring those plants that you cannot resist coddling. It would be better if you have planned earlier about which plants to include and which not. You can either grow different types of strawberries or choose a combination of red, blue, and yellow flowers. It will be easier for you to exercise creativity if you can restrict your choices. You can take the help of design books or your favorite novels to pick a theme.

The Elements to Start With

As a beginner, you should start your garden with just a handful of elements. A small garden will be easy to handle like a jewelry box. The plants that will be suitable for a balcony garden are strawberries, bougainvillea, chives, lime trees, rocket, and passion fruit climbers. Orchids are another excellent choice for winter garden given that they are available at different types, flower for months, and survive for years. What else you will need are pots, organic potting mix, some liquid fertilizers, and a trowel. If you want to add some relaxing elements in your balcony, set up a table and a chair. Additionally, you can keep aquatic plants and goldfish in a big, decorative vessel.

Image via: Home Klondike

Consider the Balcony Direction

You should pick up the plants considering the direction your balcony is facing. For example, east-facing balconies are good for growing herbs and salad greens as they get gentle morning sun and are shaded from the high summer sun. So, notice which type of balcony you have before picking up the plants.

Pest Control

Pests are not a problem during the wintertime but they will arrive as the weather starts warming up. So, you’d better be prepared for that and make some pest control arrangements beforehand. Instead of chemical insecticides, organic elements like beer, vegetable oil, soap blend, or bridal tulle would be appropriate for a small balcony garden. Beer is a death trap for yeast-loving snails, soap blend traps gnats and other tiny insects, and bridal tulle keeps birds away from juicy fruits.

Image via: Smart Money Guide

Winter is the perfect time for a beginner gardener to start a garden in balcony. It is the time to buy fruit saplings at cheap costs, cultivating some greens for salad before the arrival of spring bugs, and for growing roots before the scorching summer heat.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

How to Listen In & Call-In!

January 16, 2013 at 12:00pm- 12:30pm EST

On Stagetecture Radio — > Listen here: or go to https://stagetecture.com/episode11

Want to call in and ask me a question? (713) 955-0779(713) 955-0779

Did you Miss the Show? Listen Here:

Topics for Episode #11

“Protecting your Winter Home”

Protect your winter home and family from pests with helpful tips for keeping your family safe from intruders such as rodents, bugs and more. I interview “Do My Own Pest Control” and learn green tips, and essential information to keep your winter home comfortable for all! See their guest blog on Stagetecture – Protecting your home from unwanted pests here.

111 Simple Tips Ebook: All tips are highlights are for saving time and money are in the book.

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Follow Pinterest Board – Stagetecture Radio Show

Want to see all of the great inspiration for today’s show? Follow my Pinterest board for each episode to lend inspiration you can do at home to complete the look

Pinterest —> See pictures here: or go to https://stagetecture.com/Pinterest

How to Download from iTunes

Did you miss the show, or want to download on iTunes so you can listen to again? You can look for Stagetecture Radio show every Wednesday after the show and download my episode or any of the other shows.

If you love the show – please leave a review in iTunes

iTunes —> Download podcast here: or go to https://stagetecture.com/itunes

All ideas are highlights from 111 Simple Tips Ebook – get your copy here!

Can’t wait to have you join me. See or “talk with you” then!

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

Sometimes, it’s not until we see a commercial for termites that it even crosses our mind to think about them in relationship to our own houses. However, reportedly, there are approximately 25 percent of homes that are infested with termites. That’s certainly enough reason to make sure that you know what the telltale signs are of having termites in your own home.

Image via

If you’re not sure what to look for, that’s OK. We have some clear indicators listed right here:

1. Small holes.

The thing about small homes in a house is that you don’t really think to look for them until you see bugs or rodents in your house. In your quest to do your own termite inspection, look around the wooden spaces of your house for small, elongated holes. That is a clear sign that you may need to call an exterminator.

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2. Wood dust.

Termites have to eat just like we do and something that they tend to thrive off of is cellulose. So, if there are places in your house where there is dampened wood (which also means that you could potentially have mold, so it’s a good idea to have that checked as well), dead plants or lots of paper, it’s a good idea to see if there are also piles of wood dust nearby. Termites could be treating your home like a full-course meal.

3. Discarded wings.

If an exterminator in San Francisco or some termite control Houston came to inspect your home, something that they might look for is discarded wings from termites. If they find some, that could be pretty serious because what tends to happen is that when people who aren’t professional exterminators see tiny bugs with wings, they oftentimes assume that they are looking at flying ants when sometimes it’s little “body parts” that termites leave behind.

Image via

4. Hollow and cracked wood.

Do you have furniture that’s made of wood? If so, make it a point to look around for cracks and/or seams in it. Also, if you have real wooden beds or tables, or walls made of wood, it doesn’t hurt to periodically knock on them from time to time. If you tend to hear a hallow sound, that can also be a sign that termites are eating at the wood in your house. You definitely don’t want to overlook these two blaring warning signs that real injury could have taken place.

5. Structural damage.

Of all of the signs that we’ve discussed, perhaps the most telling (and potentially dangerous) indication that termites have infested your home is if you have noticed any structural damage. When things like pillars, posts, windows, doors or panels seemed to be either decayed or severely weak (especially if you’ve noticed over a relatively short period of time), your home may be in a vulnerable position, which means that its structure is not as reliable as you need it to be. This is when you shouldn’t hesitate to call a local professional exterminator and make an appointment before you know the true meaning of termites “eating you out of house and home”.

For more maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Once thought of as near extinct, bed bugs surprised the entire world by making a huge comeback and wreaking havoc in an increasing number of bedrooms in hotels and homes across the country.

The problem with these pesky and miniscule crawlers is that they can run undetected in even the most guarded and luxurious of hotel rooms leaving you with more than just beautiful memories to take home.

Bed bugs are creatures of the night that prey on your blood as you lay soundly asleep. With their saliva acting as a natural anesthetic, they are silent pests that would leave you bit to pieces without even knowing it.

Image via: My Foot Print Store

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Bed bugs can spread from home to home at an alarming rate and while you can take all the necessary precautions to keep them off, these cunning creatures can leave hundreds of eggs behind and the whole cycle begins. Thankfully, a new breed of repellents that are safe and effective are likewise taking over the market. Manufactured with natural ingredients coming from herbs and plants that are known to be toxic to pests but completely safe to humans, these natural bed bug products will help you re-gain back control over your home.

Here we round up 3 of the best and most trusted names in bed bug extermination.

1. Best Yet

Rated by far as one of the most effective in controlling bed bugs, Best Yet Insect Spray is probably just that, the best defense against these cunning crawlers. Manufactured by CedarCide Industries, Best Yet has a lasting effect in managing both adult bugs and the larvae they leave behind.

Primary created with melted quartz rock and cedar oil, Best Yet is extra powerful in hunting down even the most persistent of unwanted guests but as they are made from natural resources, you can rest assured that it won’t harm the rest of your household.

The active ingredients in Best Yet Bug Sprays can work well on almost any surfaces, from your mattresses to hardwood floors. What’s more this natural pesticide can also eliminate other unwanted visitors in your home such mosquitoes, ticks, lice, flies and mites.

2. Bed Bug Patrol

If you want them down quick and easy then Bed Bug Patrol is the right product for you. Guaranteed to kill these pesky blood suckers in minutes, this fast acting pesticide is chemical free and eco-friendly. Crafted from essential plant extracts, the formula contains a potent combination of Mentha Piperita, Euginia Carophylla, and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate that will leave pests gasping for their last breath.

Image via: Pottery Barn

3. Kleen Green

Specifically designed to eliminate bed bugs, Kleen Green utilizes the potency of natural enzymes to bring down the reign of these bed-infesting pests. As opposed to poisons that targets an insect’s nervous system, Kleen Green causes insects to die instantly without giving their body enough time to resist it.

While it may not boast of long term effects, Kleen Green prides itself with being the safest and most cost-effective. Together these three make up the triumvirate of the best natural products to put a stop to bed bug infestation.

Carla is a writer for Bedbugs.org. You can find more information on natural bedbugs spray by visiting us anytime.

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

For many of us, our homes simply do not have enough storage space. If you are lucky enough to have a shed or exterior storage space, the last thing you want is to find your stored items over run by bugs and spiders or ruined by mice or rats.

This can happen in storage areas outside of the home and with storage areas in the attic, crawl space, or basement. The goal is to store it safely so that when you go to use the item it is there and undamaged.

Image via: My Home Ideas

No matter how well protected your storage area appears, rodents and insects seem to have no problem infiltrating these areas. At times, these pests can invade your home itself.

However, with a few simple precautions, you can safely store your items away.

Use Common Sense When Storing Items

The first thing to do is make sure that you do not store anything that will attract bugs and rodents. Make sure that any opened bags of grain, seeds, or other similar items are stored in airtight, plastic containers or not stored in this area at all.

Keep in mind that pests are attracted to items that have an odor. Either do not store these items or protect them from infiltration by placing them in airtight, plastic containers. Make sure to properly close the containers before leaving the storage area. What they cannot smell cannot attract them.

Consider Using Bait Traps & Insecticides Pro-Actively

Be prepared. Just because there are no pests when you placed your items in the area doesn’t mean that none will ever enter the space. Therefore, you should go on the offensive and place contained insecticides such as ant baits or roach traps to catch these pests. You should also consider placing mousetraps as well. There are mousetraps that do not require that you place any food in the trap as bait.

Image via: My Shed Plans

When storing kitchen appliances, make sure that you have thoroughly cleaned them first. Small kitchen appliances are notorious for hiding small food particles that are sure to attract ants, roaches, and mice. A thorough cleaning of these appliances will also rid them of any lingering food smells as well.

You should wash any clothing, curtain, blankets, etc., before storing them. If you do not have any airtight storage bags or containers for these items, be sure to store them with mothballs to protect them from pests. Be sure to read the instructions before using.

Natural Pest Repellents

Herbs such as lavender, tansy, and mint repel many pests. If the thought of using commercial products because of potential side effects, then these herbs are a natural and safe way to protect your belongings.

Finally, yet importantly, no not forget that you have items in storage. Even the best system is not foolproof. You should periodically check on your stored items to be sure that they are still safe. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. To further protect yourself, be sure to have an inventory of what you have in storage. Doing so will add an additional layer of protection for your belongings and you won’t forget what you have stored away.

• By Evan-Amos (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Aaron Garcia is a DIY expert who has completed numerous home improvement projects. He has experience in remodeling home interiors, landscaping front and back yards, as well as building and installing aluminum sheds and storage space.

For more pest control ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

With the falling temperatures of fall, there are certain challenges that should be on the mind of any person maintaining a lawn or garden. Many people might think of lawn and garden pests as a strictly summertime worry, however this could not be further from the truth. There are several pests that will hibernate underneath your lawn and lay in wait to cause you some serious headaches come spring. By being proactive and treating for them during the colder months you can ensure that there is one less thing to worry about once the weather warms up again. This is particularly important during milder winters, as the insect population will likely skyrocket more quickly once the temperatures rise.

Image via: Lawn Barber

1) Chinch bugs

This bug is so notorious that their name has even become synonymous with pest in Spanish. These bugs do most of their actual damage during the spring and summer, however they will hibernate in the deeper portions of the soil underneath your lawn over winter and this would be an ideal time to head them off at the pass and treat the lawn with a topical herbicide.

2) White grubs

These insects are actually the larval stage of the scarab beetle, but can cause some serious damage to your lawn before the next stage of their life cycle. They will relentlessly attack the roots of your turf grass, and provided the weather is not too cold will not hibernate until later in the winter, giving them ample time to destroy your lawn from the inside out. Much like chinch bugs, it is best to treat for these bugs early, before they have a chance to cause much havoc.

Image via: bhg

3) Termites

This constant pest makes itself known in many ways, and although it usually causes most of its damage to the interior of your home, it also has the capacity to tear up the lawn you’ve worked so hard on during the summer. Their tunnels and colonies can be a severe eyesore, and also will tip you off that as its getting colder, they’re looking for a warm place to hide which is usually your home. The best approach is to treat the lawn several times a year with appropriate termite bait.

By taking a few easy steps during the early winter, you can cozy up next to the fire with a warm mug of hot chocolate and rest assured knowing that you won’t have to worry about bugs tearing up your lawn before spring comes.

If you’d like to learn more, visit this DIY pest control site, at www.domyownpestcontrol.com.

Fore more winter home maintenance on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! As the weather gets cooler, the focus towards your interior home becomes more important. The interior of your home that you physically see is one area, but what about the part you can’t see? Termite damage, especially in wood framed and older homes is a common challenge.

Image courtesy of Rexo Home

Today’s Guest Blogger gives tips for protecting your home and a You Tube Video shows you tips for protecting your home against termites as well as what to do if you find damage.

You Tube Video – Tips to Keep your Home Termite Free

Although there are many things that can threaten your house and cause significant damage to its structure, they often are easy to prepare for or at the very least are not hard to see coming. There is one major exception to this, in fact there is something that cause over $4 billion worth of damage to houses in the United States every year and can often go unnoticed until the cost of repairs has already skyrocketed into the thousands of dollars.

This problem, of course, is the termite; a small and highly social insect that lives in large and elaborate colonies and subsists by eating and digesting the very wood that your home is constructed from.

Image courtesy of Termites in Home

Knowing the Signs of Damage

Adding to the problem is the fact that it can often be hard to tell whether your home is infested, even if you know the signs, which few people do. The most common signals that your house might be the victim of a termite infestation are easily missed things such as a sawdust-like substance around the exterior wood of the house in addition to mud tunnels running underneath the home.

If either of these are spotted, it is well past the time that action should be taken to ensure the removal of these pests. Getting rid of termites can be a difficult proposition if you’re not well prepared for the steps involved. The first thing you should do is try to ascertain exactly how widespread the problem is and if any serious damage has been done.

If you’re lucky and are not looking at any significant damage, you can begin the process to eliminate the insects. The first step in this process is to research and purchase the proper termite treatment and control products, usually best accomplished by going online to a site specializing in these sorts of products. Many people may not be aware that they can effectively and thoroughly eliminate even a fairly widespread infestation by themselves, if they find the right products and apply them correctly both inside and outside the home.

Image courtesy of SA Property News

Termite Products

The best bet for complete termite eradication are products that have a two-fold action, the first quality a good product should have is to be odorless and colorless so as not to alert the insects to its presence so that they can avoid it. It should also be slow acting, so that the individual insects will take it back to their main colony unknowingly, thereby leading to the death of many more termites than if it just quickly killed the bugs that are already in the home.

By finding and applying the correct termite treatment and control products, you will save yourself and your house from the stress of having to deal with the widespread and severe damage that these incredibly prevalent and threatening insects can bring about.

Discover the most effective termite treatment and control products from Do My Own Pest Control. Visit them at www.domyownpestcontrol.com.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

Guest Blogger #97, Entry #555, June 14th

In the warm summer months, pest control for your home is a subject no one wants to think about… but you REALLY need to think about! As the warm weather sets in, pests seek cooler temperatures into your home and can lead to problems and a decreased enjoyment in you home life.

Today, our Guest Blogger gives tips for getting rid of pests organically. So your family stays safe and your home stays bug free.

___________________________

Pests are a living menace that can breed and proliferate rapidly in our homes. This makes it necessary for us as homeowners to prevent their growing numbers at the very onset before they become a full-blown infestation. Today, there are numerous pest control treatments that are available in the market. One of them being organic pest control. Compared to chemical pest control measures, organic pest control does not use harmful chemicals or synthetic substances that have an adverse effect on the immediate surroundings. True to its name organic pest control is natural and environmentally friendly.

Homeowners today, can choose from a wide array of organic pest control treatments that are available. These products are made out of fruit and plant based extracts that are natural pest repellents. Citrus oils derived from lemons and oranges are excellent mosquito repellent. Garlic and clove based products have been found to be excellent bed bug treatments and successfully eliminate an infestation from your home. Organic pest control products are available in an assortment of aerosols, pellets, liquids and sprays.

Mentioned below are some of the advantages of organic pest control

• Organic pest control methods are 100 % natural and pose no threat to your health or the environment.
• Organic pest control is made out of renewable natural resources such as plant extracts unlike chemical treatments.
• Organic pest control is a more effective means of pest extermination as it employs natural methods, which are in consonance with the laws of nature.
• Organic pest control is more progressive and result oriented, and eliminates even the biggest infestations.
• Certain insects and parasites have become immune to chemical pest control measures. Organic plant repellents however are highly adverse to insects and are able to eliminate them in large numbers.
• Compared to the single approach of chemical treatments, organic pest control uses a multi-pronged approach. There are several other organic pest control measures such as parasitism, predation and herbivore that have been known to exterminate some of the most resilient pests in creation.

For the average homeowner who has a problem with a bed bug infestation, employing the use of organic pest control methods would successfully exterminate this menace. Bed bugs for instance have developed immunity towards some of the harshest chemical treatments but are extremely vulnerable to organic bed bug treatments such as enzyme sprays. Whether be it the confines of your home or your garden, organic pest control treatments are the safest and most environmentally friendly methods of eliminating this menace.

Bed Bugs And Beyond provides bed bugs toronto pest control services in Canada.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.