Keeping the bugs out

We are less than two weeks from the beginning of fall, and as temperatures continue to cool off, we are going to be seeing bugs migrate indoors to seek shelter from the colder weather.

The bugs you could find indoors could be anything from ants and cockroaches to wasps and hornets. Most insects locally are harmless. Spiders, in particular, are much less harmless than some of the ones found in the Southern U.S. or South America.

Although, according to local pest experts, most calls coming in recently have been for the most harmful insects: hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets. It does not help that they are more aggressive this time of year with them about to go into hibernation.

“Most people get the yellow jackets in their house because there was a hole that wasn’t sealed up,” said Sean Francis, owner of Francis Pest & Animal Control.

Wasps and yellow jackets can fit in a hole the diameter of a pencil. Other insects can fit in holes even smaller. Bob Hansen, or as he is more commonly known, Bob the Bug Man

“A/C Inlets, natural gas inlets, any of those type of things where they put a hole through the wall. Look at your border of the house and cracked blocks,” said Hansen.

Copper and stainless steel are both recommended for blocking these holes with a silicon seal. Bob the Bug Man says not to use steel wool as it will degrade over time. There are other entry points that people may not even think of.

“They left the windows open cause it was gonna be a nice, cool day and get some good, fresh air; if they’re tiny little bugs, guess where they’re gonna go? They go right through the screens. They go right through the doors,” said Hansen.

As for when you’re traveling, it is recommended that you want to either leave your suitcase by the door or the bathtub or just bring in the clothes you need for that night as that will lower the risk of seeing any bugs crowded around your bed.