THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 19, 1995 TAG: 9503170072
SECTION: HOME & GARDEN PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
THE WONDERFULLY warm days last week were good not only for you but for thousands of insects, lurking in the mulch, ready to attack your garden.
Unless there is severe weather in the next 30 days, be on the lookout for more insect problems than ever, warns Peter Schultz, director of the Hampton Roads Research Center in Virginia Beach.
The makers of Dursban insecticide offer these good suggestions on how to keep pest invasions outside, rather than inside, your home.
Keep the areas around your house debris-free and dry. Insects flee when the shelter and water supply in an area are scarce.
Move wood piles or cinder blocks. Pests love to hide in those damp, dark areas and often venture inside the home in search of food and water.
Trim off excessive plant material. Large amounts of foliage near a home, especially near windows and doors, serve as a superhighway for insects to move into the house.
Seal off access points. Check and caulk points where pests enter, such as door and window frames, cracks in foundation and siding, utility entry points, attic vents and around the house's foundation.
Use downspout hoses to drain water away from the house. Downspouts that effectively keep the area dry discourage insects, because bugs leave areas that lack moisture.
Quickly remove any garbage around the foundation of your home. Insects forage through garbage looking for food and will go in your home looking for more.
If these suggestions don't do the trick, treat the perimeter of your home with an insecticide such as Dursban. Such treatments stop insect pests by providing a barrier before they get inside the house.
A thorough ``perimeter treatment'' consists of treating three areas: The ground around the building 6 to 10 feet out; on building surfaces 2 to 4 feet high; and around door and window frames and other entry points.
When applying around the perimeter, use granules or a liquid formulation. For application on the building, you'll need a liquid, available for pump-up, hose-end or backpack sprayers. When using a liquid, back away from the treated area to ensure an even distribution. Spray all surfaces thoroughly but take care to avoid excessive runoff. Avoid applying on a windy day.
If you follow the suggestions above, you probably can keep most insects out and avoid chemicals. If necessary, however, read and follow all label directions. Dursban and other insecticides are available at home and garden centers. by CNB