House & Garden 2024, November

Do you see stains on the mattress, bedspread and pillows? These are caused by bed bugs. To be more precise: these are the bloodstains and feces left by these parasites that feed on you at night. Does that sound pretty worrying to you? Well, don't worry.

Pet owners have found that apple cider vinegar is a good tick and flea repellent, making it a great alternative to chemicals. Its sour taste is unwelcome to parasites, so if you regularly spray your dog's or cat's fur with this liquid, you can prevent these insects from taking over.

Spring is in the air… and there are swarms of bees looking for new homes. Despite the benefits they bring to the environment, most people don't want a beehive close to home (even if insects don't think about anything other than their wax!). So read on to learn what to do with these little pollinators if they decide to settle on your property.

A small bed bug infestation can quickly turn into a nightmare. Preventing it isn't enough - the only way to get rid of it is to kill all the adult insects and eggs in your home. You can try some do-it-yourself treatments, but in severe cases, you need to go to an exterminator.

Getting rid of a cockroach infestation is not easy. Crushing every single one may seem like an insurmountable or even a very cruel undertaking. You should therefore look for a method to handle the problem without getting your hands dirty. A trap is a great alternative to insecticide sprays and definitely costs less than getting a professional to kill the bugs for you.

If mosquitoes have invaded your home, you can reduce their numbers by turning a simple plastic bottle into a trap that will attract and eliminate these insects. The liquid inside the trap will be effective for about two weeks, at which point you can easily replace it.

Carpenter ants are very common, but also extremely destructive. If you don't control them, they can quickly infest an entire structure. For this reason it is important to identify and exterminate them as soon as you notice them, to avoid serious structural damage that is very expensive to repair.

When flies enter your home, they are a real nuisance and, by contaminating food and other surfaces, they risk spreading disease. Some species, such as lipoptena (deer fly) and horseflies, can even bite! Show who's in charge of the house by using traps, repellents and spray solutions.

Carpet dermestides are annoying parasites that lurk in the home and which, if neglected, can rapidly multiply and cause damage to clothing, carpets and wool rugs, upholstery and other fabrics. A good cleaning is the main defensive measure against a carpet dermestide infestation.

Flies can be annoying insects - they buzz around, lay down on food, and are typically quite annoying. They can be a talking point for some people, while they are food for other creatures. Whether you want to catch them to feed other animals or just to get rid of them, there are several methods you can try.

Having a bee in the house can be a cause for concern, especially for children and those with allergies. You may be tempted to spray her against large doses of toxic repellent or to kill her with a newspaper. However, there are far better and less violent options.

The mosquito is perhaps the annoying insect par excellence, especially in summer. Depending on the geographical area, mosquitoes can be considered a simple nuisance or a real calamity, being able to carry even serious diseases. If you want to minimize these kinds of risks or simply find relief from bites, you are surely looking for ways to get rid of as many mosquitoes as possible.

Bedbugs are small, harmless insects that emit a horrible smell when squashed. They can be a huge annoyance, but there are many ways to keep them at bay. Gently pick them up or use a few traps to keep them from releasing their unpleasant odor into the house.

Here's an inexplicable but effective way to keep flies and mosquitoes away from most things. Discovered in Brazil, this method will help you keep your dog's eating area free from insects. Steps Step 1. Get a small transparent or zippered sandwich bag It must be clear and small;

Periodically or randomly, it can happen that you find yourself struggling with an invasion of ants, especially in the kitchen where there is food and water. Ants, in search of food, venture into the house, passing through small cracks and crevices:

Bees are adorable creatures with a sting that inflicts painful stings; Sometimes, however, it is necessary to catch one of these cute but dangerous insects. Whether it's a science school project, having to take one away from home or for any other reason, catching a live bee could be a potentially painful and risky experience;

Unfortunately, the bed bug populations are increasing in North America, Europe and Australia, and reaching epidemic proportions. Considering that any climate below 48 ° C provides a thriving environment for bed bugs, your home may be the next to be infested with them.

Fleas are annoying insects that can cause problems for pets and people alike. If you've spotted them in your home but are concerned that insecticides may be harmful, try some natural remedies. You will have to fight the infestation on several fronts, so clean your house, brush your furry friend and take the necessary steps to eliminate them in the garden.

Getting rid of bed bugs isn't easy. There are many products on the market that claim to get rid of bedbugs quickly and effectively. But STOP and THINK before buying them. What do they contain and how toxic are they? It is possible to get rid of bed bugs completely without using chemicals.

Carpenter ants play important roles in the ecosystem, in particular they favor the decomposition of decaying trees. But they can also infiltrate homes and other buildings, nest in damp, rotting wood, and cause significant structural damage. Being able to correctly recognize and distinguish carpenter ants from other species is an important factor in determining the right treatment to follow against infestation.

Black ants don't take too long to find food once they have settled in your home. You may leave a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter overnight only to find out the next morning that it has become covered in ants. Once the problem is identified, you can kill these insects with a bug spray, bait, or use common materials to repel them and take steps to prevent them from returning.

Subterranean termites represent a subclass of termites that live very long. They form numerous colonies and move to places where there is a lot of wood and metal available, especially to homes. These insects weaken the wooden structures of the house and even the metal supports;

The violin spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is a poisonous creature whose bite can cause severe symptoms in both adults and children. It is an easily identifiable spider because it has only six eyes (most arachnids have eight) and a violin-shaped spot on its back.

Each year, termites cause serious damage to structures and fields in the hottest and driest areas. Experts estimate that homeowners spend billions every year on infestations and repairing damage done by termites. Immediate detection is essential to limit the destructive capacity of a colony, but it can be difficult.

Ladybugs are not known to damage homes and gardens, but these insects can be highly annoying when they swarm your home. Thankfully, there are simple things you can do to get rid of it. Read on to learn more. Steps Part 1 of 4: Physical Removal Step 1.

If you own a vacuum cleaner, you can become your professional exterminator for the few cents it takes to power the appliance, with the advantage of using a non-toxic method to eliminate parasites from your home. Your vacuum cleaner is the secret weapon to eliminate and break the continuous cycle of spiders and insects that infest your home.

Flying ants are not a species unto themselves - these parasites are part of other ant species, and winged varieties emerge for a short time during the mating season. While a few flying ants here or there can be safely ignored, an infestation can be a bigger problem, one that you understandably might want to wipe out.

Termite infestations can cause severe damage to buildings and furniture. Most termite infestations stabilize before outward signs become visible; but being able to familiarize yourself with the marks left can help identify an infestation and initiate immediate treatment.

Wasps are beneficial insects for the ecosystem because they pollinate flowers and keep the proliferation of parasites under control. However, they can become bothersome and even dangerous for allergy sufferers. When a nest develops near your home or place where you work, you probably have no choice but to kill them or even get rid of the nest.

Head lice are small, wingless parasites that live on the scalp. It is not easy to see them because their body measures only 2-3 mm. The only way to verify their presence with certainty is to look carefully at the scalp and comb the hair very carefully.

Carpenter ants build their nests in wood, so it is quite easy for them to settle in and around houses. Unlike termites, these ants do not eat wood but only make their nests there, however they can penetrate the house and find food and water sources inside.

The woodworm is not a worm, as you might think, but a stage of the larvae of various families of common beetles, including the furniture beetle and the lyctidae. These insects lay their eggs inside the pieces of wood, which eventually turn into woodworms.

Termites can cause serious structural damage to homes and other buildings as well as wooden furniture. People usually only notice termites when the infestation is widespread. Termite colonies fall into several classes, and many of these insects only come out in the dark.

Generally, fly larvae need to feed for 3-5 days early in their development. During this time they are tiny and white in color. Despite their small size, it is not easy to get rid of them without the right tools. Fortunately, you can get rid of it by using a number of natural and preventative remedies and chemicals.

Having tiny ants in your home or garden can become a difficult problem to solve. If these insects start to bother you, there are some simple solutions you can try to remove them from your home or eliminate them completely. Steps Part 1 of 3:

Scorpions are fairly common pests. They are part of the arachnid family and are often found in warmer areas. During the day they love to be in the dark, but as night falls, their search for water and food begins. You can get rid of them by hunting them at night, removing their food sources and shelters, and using sprays.

Bed bugs don't just infest the squalid hotel rooms in the city's slums. In fact, they can be found anywhere, from the homes of the rich and famous to 5-star hotels. Bed bugs spread easily and you can take them home with you in your luggage, souvenirs, or even children's toys.

Mice are intelligent creatures that find their way into homes through tiny cracks and tiny holes. They can build burrows in unused corners and are able to feed on crumbs. You may not even notice the presence of a mice or two, but if you're not careful you may end up with an unmanageable infestation on your hands.

Ants are attracted to the availability of food and can usually find a good meal in the kitchen. You can get rid of ants by using something you habitually have in the kitchen as a bait and diligently cleaning the spaces every day. Get rid of ants by following these guidelines.

Fleas are parasites that multiply rapidly if not treated properly. The main treatments for killing fleas and their larvae are extremely expensive. The reality is that we love our pets and want to keep them, but we would like to live without fleas.