What PESTS are in your area?
@western_valleygirl (1363)
United States
February 9, 2007 1:34pm CST
Don't get me wrong, I am a "clean freak." I love to have my home looking clean and organized. And, it usually is spotless. That doesn't mean I don't have the occasional article of clothing lying around (either mine or my hubby's), but other than that, I feel more comfortable being in clean surroundings than total chaotic messes. However, we have pests, as I am sure many of you do also, and no matter what we do, they just keep coming back. I am interested in knowing what other people have to deal with, and if they actually do not have any. Back when I lived at home, with my family, it was ants. This is due to all the greenery and lushness around. We always had the exterminators, and did a lot of work ourselves. Now, in my new home, with my husband, I have learned all about crickets. They are big, and brown...like cockroach wanna-be's with skinny legs and antennae. And they can really jump. I get annoyed by them, and they are loud at night, out in the backyard. But, it is when they come indoors that is really annoying. My husband always cringes in distaste (it is funny, because he is grossed out more than I am). And, what is really gross, is that they crunch when you kill them (yucky), so I have to spray them, but I hate the smell involved because it gives me a headache. Now, that spring and summer are on the way, we will be seeing more crickets, and my husband is determined to battle them...it will be extremely funny to see, I think he is going to get an exterminator this year, because he has had enough.
2 people like this
4 responses
@AskAlly (3625)
• Canada
10 Feb 07
We had drought a couple of years ago. It was not as bad in our area, but we were feeling the effects. The grasshoppers to the east of us were visible in clouds and were streaming across the highway. Again we were lucky not to take the full hit.
I hated the ones we did have. They could stick to anything, especially bare flesh. Argh it makes me cringe to remember them. There were so many stuck to all the structures and on the animals. The chickens thought they were in an all you can eat heaven.
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
10 Feb 07
Man, and I thought my crickets were terrible...they were sticking? Wait till I tell my hubby, he will really cringe. I can so sympathize with you, and I am glad that you get what I am talking about. Wow...I can just imagine how I would feel if we had swarms of crickets, so far, they are coming out sparingly...but droves? Somebody save me...
@Sawsen (793)
• United States
9 Feb 07
lol yeah that does sound funny. Sometimes I have a few ants here and there, but nothing major. I did call the pest control though to come and spray inside just to be on the safe side. Anyway, let me know how it goes with the exterminator.
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
11 Feb 07
That is a good idea, because you never know when there could be an outbreak or something.
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I think the best plan of attack is to hire an exterminator. If you have tried to rid your home of any pests and they keep coming back, call in an expert. I don't have any problems with pests, even in the summer. Once in a while some kind of bug shows up, but nothing major.
Sometimes the foundation your house is on can make a difference. If you are on a slab, you might have more problems. If you are above ground, as in a crawl space, you might not have nearly as many bugs inside. Ants are the most usual because they might be seeking food or water. Any crumbs can attract them, but if you keep your house clean, maybe they are seeking the warmth.
The can sprays are good for limited control, but if you are seeing continued migration into your living space, have a professional come in. I have never heard of anyone having problems with crickets, but cockraoches, yes. You might want to wear ear plugs when you go to squash the crickets...lol.
1 person likes this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Yes, I think they crept inside for the warmth. I had been mopping at the time, the latest two fiends entered, so it was definitely not food guiding them...since my floors were squeaky clean. It isn't bad (thankfully), but if there is some sort of outbreak, we will hire someone. I think that after the work in my backyard is done, that is when the issue of the crickets is going to really make a difference, because I am hoping to have a garden, and I want to see what effect they will have. I've come to realize they are a part of the flora and fauna...very strange really.
@poohandchocolate (348)
• United States
10 Feb 07
I haven't noticed any around our house. We have squirrels outside lol. Over seas where we live, there's so many yucky pests outside. Like roaches, different bugs, little lizards, and even little snakes. Then there's bees and little spiders in the summer. I never seen all of them at once lol that would be scary.
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
10 Feb 07
Yeah, that would be. And you're right, when I travel overseas, I see that I am attacked by mesquitos, and come out looking like I have a rash, or chicken pox...Squirrels are cute...and they are unlikely to come indoors, so that is a bonus. If I had more than crickets, I would be very upset.
