Ugh. I hate summer.

Why? Because it bugs me. Literally. First I find a couple fleas on my strictly indoor kitty. Quick call to the vet will solve that. Then I look and wonder what she's snacking on from the rug. Ants. Winged ants. Definitely not termites, though. Whew. Went through that whole panic. And now that we're going to be having an 80° week here, I'm waiting for the attic flies to appear. So, other than move, does any one have any suggestions? I'm afraid to put ant traps out, since the little one thinks they're snacks. What can I use to safely get rid of them?

Argh...

Rogue and Zora thank you for your non-toxic advice.

I'm not too fond of the summer either! I hate the bugs...we get over run with crickers most years. I hate the heat and I hate that people hang out in their cars outside the house with the music so loud it vibrates the walls of our house!

Sorry I don't know any non toxic alternatives!

This year we seem to be getting more flies in the cold weather then the hot weather!

I hate creepy crawlies!

I've used the EcoZone Insect Powder from this website for the past few years to combat ants (about 2/3rds down the page):

http://naturalanimal.com/homegardenpestcontrol.php

It's worked really well on my yearly ant problem (as long as I stuff it down in the cracks where the ants get in).

Originally Posted by mssandora

Why? Because it bugs me. Literally. First I find a couple fleas on my strictly indoor kitty. Quick call to the vet will solve that. Then I look and wonder what she's snacking on from the rug. Ants. Winged ants. Definitely not termites, though. Whew. Went through that whole panic. And now that we're going to be having an 80° week here, I'm waiting for the attic flies to appear. So, other than move, does any one have any suggestions? I'm afraid to put ant traps out, since the little one thinks they're snacks. What can I use to safely get rid of them?

Argh...

Rogue and Zora thank you for your non-toxic advice.

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I know exactly what you're going through, and the climate here in Toronto is similar to yours. I had a problem last year (and looks like it's starting again) with the winged carpenter ants. Apparently May and June is mating season and this is when they carry wings, and I believe they lose them later. I believe they're quite harmless in small numbers, as long as you don't have an infestation on your hands. They're flying by the light outside my building and I think they come in on my clothes.

I know what you mean about the bugs. However, where I live fleas are not much of a problem, instead we get bombarded with mosquitos and ticks.

Originally Posted by stormy

I'm not too fond of the summer either! I hate the bugs...we get over run with crickers most years.

I hate the heat and I hate that people hang out in their cars outside the house with the music so loud it vibrates the walls of our house!

Sorry I don't know any non toxic alternatives!

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Ugh. The bass boost in cars. I know what you mean. We live right on Main Street and right across from a convenience store, so they run in and leave their radio going full blast. The cats go running when the windows start vibrating.

For any insects like ants or the attic flies you mentioned you need to determine how they are getting in the house. Sometimes its easy as applying some caulk to area so they cannot enter. Even though it might be costly initially you could contact an exterminator, explain your situation with the pets and together determine the best method on getting rid of the insects. The fleas could have been carried into your house by a human or a dog. Especially if you garden alot.

Originally Posted by GailC

For any insects like ants or the attic flies you mentioned you need to determine how they are getting in the house. Sometimes its easy as applying some caulk to area so they cannot enter. Even though it might be costly initially you could contact an exterminator, explain your situation with the pets and together determine the best method on getting rid of the insects. The fleas could have been carried into your house by a human or a dog. Especially if you garden alot.

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I've done some looking around, but with the ants, can't really tell where they're coming in. As for the attic, I've done some looking there, too. Problem is...we rent. We've been asking the landlord to check into this since last year and well...I think our best option may be to move...which we're planning on doing as soon as we can find a house we can afford.

I had a big flying ant problem once and you know what cured it? A flood.

No kidding. I found out they were coming in through a corner in my living room and nothing I could do was stopping them.

Then one day my friend and I are draining my fish tank. We forgot about it while moving furniture until we heard the "slop, slop" sounds of the bucket over flowing! Luckily it was HER house so I didn't have anything to worry about. And I lived in the basement. After we got everything cleaned up, amid laughter, I discovered later that I didn't have any ants anymore.... No powerful cleaning solution, no traps, just dirty fish water. Yuck, but it worked.

Originally Posted by stormy

I'm not too fond of the summer either! I hate the bugs...we get over run with crickers most years.

1.-I hate the heat and
2.-I hate that people hang out in their cars outside the house with the music so loud it vibrates the walls of our house!

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1.-
2.-Seriously Diane????? some of my neightborns are unconsiderates too!!!