Something's Buzzing at Brownstoner

Photo by Gowanus

At the Brownstoner forum, readers are comparing notes about bug issues in their homes — and they've been some ugly reports of "swarms of ants trying to get into the house via the back door," "a plethora of blood sucking mosquitoes," and "arms and legs covered in mystery welts." (Gross!) One poster, who grew up in the Australian bush, recommends sucking up bugs with a hand-held vacuum cleaner...

Another poster is having some success will the usual bug-fighting weapons — such as sticky fly-catcher strips, flying insect Raid, and citronella candles. But who needs Raid when you can just use Rave? Our favorite anti-insect home remedy comes from Stacy, who writes, "I dont know of any spray that is good to use around pets and children so I have been spraying them with hairspray and it seems to be working."
Flies [Brownstoner]

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For ants, I dabbed the ant trail with vinegar and haven't seen them since...

Posted by: Anonymous at August 3, 2006 1:59 PM

"Plethora of blood-sucking mosquitos." Oh, yes, at least here in Flatbush near Prospect Park. We see bats (like Hunter Thompson), but they are useless. For the second year in a row, and I do NOT know why, but it's keeping us from going out in the garden at night.....grrrrrr!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at August 3, 2006 6:30 PM

for roaches, borax or diatomaceous earth usually does the trick, if you need something pet-safe. they're not quick killers--they take about 2 weeks to reduce the population--but you only need to reapply it every few months.

Posted by: liz at August 4, 2006 6:34 PM

Infallible Bye-Bye Bug Method: Get silicone caulking (clear or colored) and a caulking gun and fill-in every nook and cranny on wall joints you can find. Especially at floor level. Make it all air-tight. Caulk, cement or otherwise seal-off any openings around the pipes under the sinks in bath & kitchen. Go around the edges of every room looking for openings or slights cracks that might allow bugs thru and caulk it. Check around, under, above and inside all kitchen cabinets and do likewise.

There's a rubber thing you can put on the bottom of your streetdoor that fills-in any gap and leaves the door flush with the ground (keeps out rainwater too!).

Get it.

You MUST have screens on every window.

NOW use the bugs sprays & related crap to exterminate the suckers that got "locked-in". Distribute traps. Vacuum the carpet very well.

Now all you need is a minimum of personal hygiene and you're on your way.

Enjoy.

Posted by: Ben Dover at August 4, 2006 8:51 PM

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August 3, 2006

Something's Buzzing at Brownstoner

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