Time to 'pest-proof' your home
By
John Grimes-
We received some much-needed rain earlier this week. It may a case of “too little, too late” for most farming enterprises, but it will help with water supplies and late season pasture growth.
Farmers continue to make excellent progress toward harvest completion with yields generally meeting or exceeding expectations.
Time to pest-proof your home
One of the best ways to limit unwanted intrusions by insects, mice, squirrels, raccoons and other pests is to deny them entry- a procedure known as pest proofing. Many pests seek refuge in homes and buildings in response to changes in weather, such as extended periods of rain or drought, or the onset of cool autumn temperatures. Taking steps to deny their entry before they end up inside can greatly reduce the chance of future sightings.
Outlined below are tips for pest proofing one’s home or business. Steps 1-3 will also conserve energy and increase the comfort level during winter and summer. Equipment and materials can be purchased at most hardware or home improvement stores.
Install door sweeps or thresholds at the base of check for light visible under doors. Gaps of 1/16” or less will permit entry of insects and spiders; 1/4”-wide gaps (about the diameter of a pencil) are large enough for entry of mice; 1/2” gaps are adequate for rats. Pay particular attention to the bottom corners as this is often where rodents and insects enter. Garage doors should be fitted with a bottom seal constructed of rubber (vinyl seals poorly in cold weather). Gaps under sliding glass doors can be sealed by lining the bottom track with 1/2 to 3/4 inch-wide foam weather stripping. Apply sealant along bottom outside edge and sides of door thresholds to exclude ants and other small insects.
Seal utility openings where pipes and wires enter the foundation and siding, such as around outdoor faucets, receptacles, gas meters, clothes dryer vents, and telephone/cable TV wires. These are common entry points for ants, spiders, wasps, rodents and other pests. Holes can be plugged with mortar, caulk, urethane expandable foam, copper mesh (like the material in pot scrubbers), or other suitable sealant.
Seal cracks around windows, doors, fascia boards, etc. Use a good quality silicone or acrylic latex caulk/sealant. Although somewhat less flexible than pure silicone, latex-type caulks clean up easily with water and can be painted. Caulks that dry clear are often easier to use than pigmented caulks since they don’t show mistakes.
Buy a good caulking gun. Features to look for include a back-off trigger to halt the flow of caulk when desired, a built-in ‘slicer’ for cutting the tip off of new caulking tubes, and a nail for puncturing the seal within. Hardware stores sell caulking guns with these features for less than $10. Prior to sealing, cracks should be cleaned and any peeling caulk removed to aid adhesion.
For a professional look, smooth the bead of caulk with a damp rag or a moistened finger after application. A key area to caulk on the inside of basements is along the top of the foundation wall, where the wooden sill plate is attached to the concrete foundation. Ants, spiders, and other pests often enter through the resulting crack.
Repair gaps and tears in window and door screens. Doing so will help reduce entry of flies, gnats, mosquitoes and midges during summer, and cluster flies, lady beetles, and other overwintering pests in autumn.
Certain insects are small enough to fit through standard mesh window screen. Install 1/4-inch wire mesh (hardware cloth) over attic, roof, and crawl space vents in order to prevent entry of birds, bats, squirrels, rodents, and other wildlife.
If not already present, invest in a chimney cap to exclude birds, squirrels, raccoons and other nuisance wildlife. Raccoons, in particular, are a serious problem throughout Kentucky. Many chimneys become home to a family of raccoons which, in turn, are often infested with fleas.
Consider applying an exterior (barrier) insecticide treatment. While sealing is the more permanent way to exclude pests originating from outdoors, comprehensive pest-proofing is laborious and sometimes impractical. For clients needing an alternative, pest proofing can be supplemented by an exterior treatment with an insecticide. Homeowners will get the most for their efforts by applying longer-lasting liquid formulations containing pyrethroids (e.g., Bayer Advanced Home/Garden™ Multi-Insect Killer, Spectracide Triazicide™, Ortho Home Defense System™). Such products are sold at hardware and lawn and garden shops. For better coverage, it’s often best to purchase these products as concentrates so that they can be diluted and applied with a pump up sprayer, hose end sprayer, etc. Treat at the base of all exterior doors, garage and crawl space entrances, around foundation vents and utility openings, and up underneath siding. It also may be useful to treat around the outside perimeter of the foundation in a 2 to 6-foot-wide band along the ground, and 2-3 feet up the foundation wall.
Source: Dr. Mike Potter, University of Kentucky Entomologist
Ohio Department of
Agriculture offers $2 million
in revolving loan funds
Business owners can now apply for their share of $2 million in low-interest loans funded by the Ohio Department of Agriculture through a newly created Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund. The department will partner with the Ohio State University South Centers and Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District to facilitate the loan process, which will use state funds made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund will make loans available for the creation and expansion of businesses and industries that support agriculture and rural Ohio that focus on aquaculture, food processing and biofuels in Ohio. Other projects will also be considered.
Loans will range from $10,000 - $100,000, and the revolving loan fund will finance up to 90 percent of the total project cost.
Eligible applicants include private, for-profit businesses and industries. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and 18 years of age.
For more information, visit www.agri.ohio.gov.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]
Farmers continue to make excellent progress toward harvest completion with yields generally meeting or exceeding expectations.
Time to pest-proof your home
One of the best ways to limit unwanted intrusions by insects, mice, squirrels, raccoons and other pests is to deny them entry- a procedure known as pest proofing. Many pests seek refuge in homes and buildings in response to changes in weather, such as extended periods of rain or drought, or the onset of cool autumn temperatures. Taking steps to deny their entry before they end up inside can greatly reduce the chance of future sightings.
Outlined below are tips for pest proofing one’s home or business. Steps 1-3 will also conserve energy and increase the comfort level during winter and summer. Equipment and materials can be purchased at most hardware or home improvement stores.
Install door sweeps or thresholds at the base of check for light visible under doors. Gaps of 1/16” or less will permit entry of insects and spiders; 1/4”-wide gaps (about the diameter of a pencil) are large enough for entry of mice; 1/2” gaps are adequate for rats. Pay particular attention to the bottom corners as this is often where rodents and insects enter. Garage doors should be fitted with a bottom seal constructed of rubber (vinyl seals poorly in cold weather). Gaps under sliding glass doors can be sealed by lining the bottom track with 1/2 to 3/4 inch-wide foam weather stripping. Apply sealant along bottom outside edge and sides of door thresholds to exclude ants and other small insects.
Seal utility openings where pipes and wires enter the foundation and siding, such as around outdoor faucets, receptacles, gas meters, clothes dryer vents, and telephone/cable TV wires. These are common entry points for ants, spiders, wasps, rodents and other pests. Holes can be plugged with mortar, caulk, urethane expandable foam, copper mesh (like the material in pot scrubbers), or other suitable sealant.
Seal cracks around windows, doors, fascia boards, etc. Use a good quality silicone or acrylic latex caulk/sealant. Although somewhat less flexible than pure silicone, latex-type caulks clean up easily with water and can be painted. Caulks that dry clear are often easier to use than pigmented caulks since they don’t show mistakes.
Buy a good caulking gun. Features to look for include a back-off trigger to halt the flow of caulk when desired, a built-in ‘slicer’ for cutting the tip off of new caulking tubes, and a nail for puncturing the seal within. Hardware stores sell caulking guns with these features for less than $10. Prior to sealing, cracks should be cleaned and any peeling caulk removed to aid adhesion.
For a professional look, smooth the bead of caulk with a damp rag or a moistened finger after application. A key area to caulk on the inside of basements is along the top of the foundation wall, where the wooden sill plate is attached to the concrete foundation. Ants, spiders, and other pests often enter through the resulting crack.
Repair gaps and tears in window and door screens. Doing so will help reduce entry of flies, gnats, mosquitoes and midges during summer, and cluster flies, lady beetles, and other overwintering pests in autumn.
Certain insects are small enough to fit through standard mesh window screen. Install 1/4-inch wire mesh (hardware cloth) over attic, roof, and crawl space vents in order to prevent entry of birds, bats, squirrels, rodents, and other wildlife.
If not already present, invest in a chimney cap to exclude birds, squirrels, raccoons and other nuisance wildlife. Raccoons, in particular, are a serious problem throughout Kentucky. Many chimneys become home to a family of raccoons which, in turn, are often infested with fleas.
Consider applying an exterior (barrier) insecticide treatment. While sealing is the more permanent way to exclude pests originating from outdoors, comprehensive pest-proofing is laborious and sometimes impractical. For clients needing an alternative, pest proofing can be supplemented by an exterior treatment with an insecticide. Homeowners will get the most for their efforts by applying longer-lasting liquid formulations containing pyrethroids (e.g., Bayer Advanced Home/Garden™ Multi-Insect Killer, Spectracide Triazicide™, Ortho Home Defense System™). Such products are sold at hardware and lawn and garden shops. For better coverage, it’s often best to purchase these products as concentrates so that they can be diluted and applied with a pump up sprayer, hose end sprayer, etc. Treat at the base of all exterior doors, garage and crawl space entrances, around foundation vents and utility openings, and up underneath siding. It also may be useful to treat around the outside perimeter of the foundation in a 2 to 6-foot-wide band along the ground, and 2-3 feet up the foundation wall.
Source: Dr. Mike Potter, University of Kentucky Entomologist
Ohio Department of
Agriculture offers $2 million
in revolving loan funds
Business owners can now apply for their share of $2 million in low-interest loans funded by the Ohio Department of Agriculture through a newly created Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund. The department will partner with the Ohio State University South Centers and Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District to facilitate the loan process, which will use state funds made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund will make loans available for the creation and expansion of businesses and industries that support agriculture and rural Ohio that focus on aquaculture, food processing and biofuels in Ohio. Other projects will also be considered.
Loans will range from $10,000 - $100,000, and the revolving loan fund will finance up to 90 percent of the total project cost.
Eligible applicants include private, for-profit businesses and industries. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and 18 years of age.
For more information, visit www.agri.ohio.gov.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]