5 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Stink Bugs

Stink bugs don’t bite or spread disease but they damage plants and are super annoying—plus, yeah, they stink, too. The next time you spot these intrusive pests, skip the toxic stuff and try these natural approaches instead.

Prep Your Yard

The following guidelines reduce outdoor (and therefore indoor) stink bug populations:

• Limit potential hideouts by keeping grass and shrubbery trim, and promptly removing any overgrowth like weeds.
• Create space between exterior walls and any small trees or bushes. Stink bugs use these as bridges to move indoors.
• Healthier lawns are less prone to stink bug issues. Maintain a vibrant lawn by watering, fertilizing, and aerating as needed, and treating your lawn for pests monthly with PCO Choice.

 

Soap & Water

Simple and effective, a bucket filled with several cups of hot water and ¾ cup natural dish soap is excellent for disposing of stink bugs.

Place the bucket below individuals crawling on walls and other surfaces and knock them down inside using a garden tool

 

Reach for a Vacuum

Vacuums are one of the easiest options for removing stink bugs indoors.

To avoid a stinky mess, use a vacuum with a disposable bag or repurpose a used stocking to prevent bugs from entering the bag. Simply wrap the stocking around the vacuum tube, secure it with a rubber band, and push it down inside the tube. Then simply dispose of the stocking when you’re finished.

 

Flypaper

Stink bugs tend to accumulate all in the same areas, namely walls and entry points with access to warmth or sunlight.

A few strips of fly paper applied to these spaces can do wonders for reducing their numbers.

 

Diatomaceous Earth

Made from crushed algae fossils, diatomaceous earth is an awesome natural pesticide, killing any stink bugs that come into contact with it.

Spread the chalk-like powder along entry points like window sills and doorways, and wherever else you commonly spot stink bugs. Dusting them directly works, too!

 

Thoughts, suggestions, have your own tips to add? Comment below or head over to our Facebook page to let us know what you think!

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What is The Fall Crawl

Overall bug populations might surge in the summer, but many pests peak in fall. As the weather cools, bugs like fleas, ticks, ants, stink bugs, and wasps move indoors. This is often called the Fall Crawl. Want to enjoy a bug-free holiday season? Below are 3 steps to get you ready.

 

What Bugs Peak in the Fall?

Fleas:

In most areas, fall is actually the worst time of year for fleas. As temperatures drop near 70°F and precipitation increases, flea populations explode.

Ticks:

Think ticks die in freezing temps? Think again. Not only can ticks survive the cold, some species, like blacklegged ticks and winter ticks, are most active in winter.

Ants:

Some types, like fire ants, become worse in fall. Others, which usually hibernate underground in winter, often sneak inside for food or shelter.

Stink Bugs:

Fall means stink bugs. These annoying and odorous pests move into homes throughout autumn, sometimes by the thousands.

 

How to Keep Bugs Outside: 3 Easy Steps

Spray doorways, windowsills, baseboards, fixtures, and other potential entry points with Cedarcide Original weekly. Seal any holes and cracks you find in the process.

Kill and repel bugs before they make it inside by applying PCO Choice to your lawn each month, including shrubbery. For larger pest problems, start with two applications, two weeks apart, then monthly after that.

Protect your family and pets from harmful tick & flea bites by applying pet-safe Cedarcide Original before outdoor activities. Need deep woods protection? Choose extra strength Tickshield (only for use on pets over 20 lbs.)

 

Thoughts, suggestions, have your own tips to add? Comment below or head over to our Facebook page to let us know what you think!

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5 Ways to Deter Flies Without Harmful Chemicals

Make Your Own Natural Fly Trap

A quick and easy fly trap can be made by adding a few drops of natural dish soap to a saucer filled with apple cider vinegar.

The vinegar attracts the flies, the soap makes it so they can’t escape after landing. Simply place the trap in fly trouble areas and leave overnight.

 

Seal Your Home

If you’re commonly spotting flies indoors, chances are they’re getting inside through something other than just your front and back doors. The usual culprits are gaps around doors and windows, faulty screens, poor weather stripping, old caulking, etc.

Finding these potential entry points and sealing them is often enough to substantially reduce a serious indoor fly problem.

 

Eliminate Fly Attractants

From dirty dishes and spills to unsealed trash cans and pet waste, our homes and yards are filled with items that attract flies. Being diligent about household cleanliness is arguably the most important factor when it comes to fly control. At the minimum, consider the following:

• Never leave dirty dishes in the sink
• Clean up food and drink spills immediately
• Seal all food in tightly closed containers
• Avoid leaving pet food out after feedings
• Clean up pet waste as soon as possible
• Cover and seal all trash cans, both inside and outside
• Remove sources of standing water outside, such as leaky faucets, buckets, etc.

 

Use Fly-Deterrent Plants

Lavender, basil, lemongrass, mint, and rosemary are all said to repel flies.

Place these fragrant plants and herbs near windows, doorways, other fly hangouts, and where you and your family spend the most time outside.

 

Good Old-Fashioned Flypaper

It’s not elegant, it’s not pleasing to the eye, but it works.

It’s simple: Hang flypaper in the areas around your home with the most fly traffic. Replace as needed. This approach alone won’t solve a fly problem completely, but it will greatly reduce the number of flies you see indoors.

 

Thoughts, suggestions, have your own tips to add? Comment below or head over to our Facebook page and let us know what you think!

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6 Natural Ways to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard

For the most part, snakes are beneficial allies in our lawns and gardens, helping keep destructive insect and rodent populations to a minimum.

However, if you’re concerned about the safety of your family and pets, or regularly spot venomous snakes near your home, it might be time to give them the boot. Here are 6 natural approaches for keeping snakes out of your lawn.

 

Remove Clutter

Because snakes are ambush predators, they require hiding spots to successfully hunt. By removing clutter like and unused equipment, you’ll remove these potential hideouts thereby limiting your lawn’s snake population.

 

Install a Perch Pole in Your Yard

Perch poles help attract birds like hawks and owls, which are natural predators of snakes. For best results, install the perch in an area that provides birds with the best, most wide open view of your lawn.

 

Remove Their Food Source

Snakes feed on everything from insects to rodents to small birds. It’s simple: If you remove these food sources, you’re not going to encounter many snakes in your yard.

Start with general pest control measures like limiting outdoor garbage and applying a non-toxic insecticide to your lawn each month. Bird feeders and pet food bowls can also attract rodents and bugs which in turn will attract snakes, so consider feeding your pets indoors and removing or moving bird feeders farther from your home.

 

Landscape with Snakes in Mind

Tall grass, mulch mounds, rock beds, and water gardens make for excellent snake habitats, providing them ample space to hunt, breed, and hide. Avoiding these lawn features and keeping your grass relatively short is essential to keeping snakes away from your yard.

 

Try Cinnamon and Clove Essential Oils

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services reports that cinnamon oil and clove oil are effective at deterring some types of snakes.

To apply: Mix a few drops of each essential oil per gallon of water, and spray potential entry points, known trouble areas, and throughout grass and shrubbery.

 

Reach for A Water Hose

The next time a snake wanders into your lawn or garden, avoid killing it and reach for a water hose instead. Typically a few quick sprays with a hose is all it takes to get a snake to leave your property. This non-lethal approach is not only more humane but also safer, as you can remove the snake without having to venture too close

 

Thoughts, suggestions, have your own tips to add? Comment below or head over to our Facebook page to let us know what you think!

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Easy, Natural Rodent Control: 4 Steps

Rats and mice spread disease, contaminate food, damage property, and can even cause fires by chewing electrical wiring.

Conventional traps are hazardous to children and pets, and rodenticides harm wildlife all the way up the food chain, not to mention leave dying rodents in your walls. So, the next time you suspect mice or rats are scurrying about your home, try this natural and effective 4-step approach instead.

Prevent Them

This is the single most important step to rodent control.

Using spackle or caulk, patch all holes larger than the size of a dime both inside and outside your home, paying special attention to foundations and walling. Ensure baseboards are secure as well. For best results, use weather stripping on all doors and windows, too.

Stop Feeding Them

If there’s nothing to eat, rodents will vacate your house.

Starve them by storing all food (including pet food) in airtight containers. Wash dishes, wipe counters, and sweep daily to avoid crumbs. Empty trash cans often, too.

Repel Them

Because peppermint irritates the nasal passages of rodents, it can help keep these pests away from your home.

Simply place a few drops of peppermint essential oil on several cotton balls and strategically place them around known entry points and trouble spots like garages, attics, and kitchen cabinets. Replace every 5-7 days.

You can also deter rodents by encouraging natural and domestic predators. Rescuing or fostering a cat or terrier is the cutest option. Building an owl birdhouse just outside your home also works.

Catch Them

A humane trap that captures a rodent for later release can be helpful when all else fails. These can be found at hardware stores and sometimes acquired from your local animal control dept.

Thoughts, suggestions, have your own tips to add? Comment below or head over to our Facebook page to let us know what you think!

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Top Cute Puppy Names

Your puppy needs a cute name to match their equally cute appearance. Whether your dog is a small cute breed such as a Pomeranian, or a larger but equally cute fluffy dog such as Bernese Mountain dog, we’ve rounded up some of the best names out there for you to take your pick from. 

Choosing a name for your puppy is one of the first puppy-parent choices you’ll make, so make sure you pick wisely. 

Try to choose a name which suits their appearance and personality, but also keep it short enough so that you can call their name across the dog park with ease. 

Here are forty of the cutest puppy names out there. 

Top Twenty Cute Female Puppy Names

• Amber – Name your beautiful girl after a jewel, even better if she is the same color,  a warm honey shade. 
• Angel – Originating from the Greek word ‘angelos’ meaning messenger. 
• Annie – A beautiful woman’s name of English origin, meaning grace. 
• Bella – Relating to the French, Italian, and Spanish words for “beautiful.” Perhaps you’d prefer Isabella or Belle?
• Chloe – Derived from the Greek Goddess Demeter, Chloe means blooming or fertility. 
• Daisy – A pretty name after a white flower. This could be perfect for a cute white dog. 
• Ellie – A shortened version of Ellen or Eleanor, this name is of Hebrew origin, “el” meaning god and “or” meaning light. 
• Flower – Why not name your puppy after one of nature’s most beautiful creations: flowers
• Ivy – A really simple and charming name for a female puppy. The Ancient Greeks such to give newlyweds an ivy wreath to symbolize faithfulness – perfect for a faithful pup. 
• Kiki – This is a really cute name meaning new beginnings. It has French, Japanese, Spanish, and German roots. 
• Lola – Short for the Spanish name “Dolores,” which means “sorrows.” Lola is also short for the German name “Aloisia.”
• Mia – A shortened version of the name “Maria,” which has Latin origins meaning “mine” or “wished for child.”
• Minnie – Name your cute black and white pooch after the lovable Minnie Mouse, Mickey’s adorable sweetheart. 
• Molly – An Irish name meaning star of the sea. This would be a great name for a dog who loves to be in the water. 
• Nala – After Disney’s “Lion King” main female character. This name has multiple origins, African, Latin and Sanskrit. 
• Poppy - If you have a cute dog with red fur, this name would be the perfect match. Its Latin meaning is “red flower.” 
• Princess – A very sweet female name. If you want your pooch to be a pampered princess, this is the perfect name. 
• Rosie – This lovely name is of English origin meaning “Rose.” If you prefer the original name, why not name them after the beautiful flower? 
• Sugar – Is there possibly a sweeter name than “Sugar?” 
• Willow – Willow trees have a graceful appearance, which is why it’s a perfect name for a graceful dog. 

Top Twenty Cute Male Puppy Names

• Alfie – A really sweet boy’s name meaning “wise counselor.” 
• Bear – This boy’s name is of English origin and would be a cute name for a large teddy bear type dog. 
• Benji – Hebrew origin meaning “son of the right hand,” or “son of the south.”
• Charlie – This is an English boy’s name meaning “free man.”
• Chocolate – A cute name for a chocolate-colored dog such as a Lab. 
• Frankie – Short for Francis which was derived from the Latin word “Franciscus,” meaning “French,”  this would make a great name for a French dog breed. 
• Harry – This name is the medieval form of Henry, derived from the German world “heim,” meaning “home.”
• Henry – Perhaps you prefer Henry to Harry? This is an equally cute name for your sweet boy.
• Leo – Does your dog look like a lion? If so, Leo would make a perfect match for them as it is Latin for “lion.” 
• Louie – Does your pup have a spot of regal blood in them? If so, choose the name Louie – 18 French kings have had this name in the past as well as numerous saints. 
• Lucky – Meaning fortunate. Name your pup after one of the cute puppies from 101 Dalmatians.
• Oliver – From Latin origin, meaning “olive tree,” you could shorten it to Olly, which is equally cute. 
• Monty – A shortened version of the name Montgomery, which means “hill of the powerful one.” 
• Peanut – This is a really cute name for a small pet dog. 
• Rex – The Latin meaning of Rex is “King.” Ss your dog fit for a King’s name?
• Romeo – Does your puppy have a romantic streak in them? If they’re always giving you cuddles and kisses why not name them Romeo?
• Sammy – A cuter version of the name Samuel which is of Hebrew origin meaning “God heard.” 
• Simba – A boy’s name which is of Swahili origin meaning “lion,” also the name of the cute but fierce star of “The Lion King.” 
• Teddy – There are plenty of teddy bear dog breeds which you could give the name Teddy to. 
• Ziggy – This cute name would be a perfect match for any cute dog. 

We hope you’ve managed to find the perfect cute name for your new puppy somewhere in this list!

Author: John Woods www.allthingsdogs.com

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