Difference between revisions of "Do Pest Control With a Vacuum Cleaner"
m (importing article from wikihow) |
m (Text replacement - "== Video ==" to "") |
||
| (6 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | If you own a vacuum, you can become your own pest controller for the pennies it takes to run your vacuum, with the advantage that this is a non-toxic method for removing pests from your home. Your vacuum is the secret to removing and breaking the ongoing cycle of spider and insect populations in the house. Here are a few pest-by-pest tips. | |
| − | [[Category:Pest Control]] | + | [[Category: Pest Control]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
# Vacuum where your pets are fed. If you feed your pets inside, keep in mind that a major source of pantry pests is [[Read a Pet Food Label|dry pet food]] and bird feed. | # Vacuum where your pets are fed. If you feed your pets inside, keep in mind that a major source of pantry pests is [[Read a Pet Food Label|dry pet food]] and bird feed. | ||
#*Be sure to vacuum pet feeding areas and pet food storage areas often. | #*Be sure to vacuum pet feeding areas and pet food storage areas often. | ||
| − | # Fight [[Get Rid of Roaches|cockroaches]] with your vacuum.<ref>Eartheasy, Natural Pest Control, http://eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm</ref> There are several types of cockroaches that may like your home. The first cockroach gets there through various means - flying through open windows, walking in the door but the most notorious the German cockroach has to be transported via your grocery bag, the cute little dresser from the garage sale or even in that sugar you borrowed from the neighbors. As a general rule, cockroaches lay about 30 eggs in what is called an ootheca or egg purse. Upon nearing maturity, these are dropped anywhere the roach might be.<br><br> | + | # Fight [[Get Rid of Roaches|cockroaches]] with your vacuum.<ref name="rf1">Eartheasy, Natural Pest Control, http://eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm</ref> There are several types of cockroaches that may like your home. The first cockroach gets there through various means - flying through open windows, walking in the door but the most notorious the German cockroach has to be transported via your grocery bag, the cute little dresser from the garage sale or even in that sugar you borrowed from the neighbors. As a general rule, cockroaches lay about 30 eggs in what is called an ootheca or egg purse. Upon nearing maturity, these are dropped anywhere the roach might be.<br><br> |
#*Due to airborne particulates from the cockroach fecal matter, the cockroach exoskeleton and various body parts left behind cockroaches can be a direct cause of respiratory ailments. A non-HEPA vacuum may exacerbate the problem, so only use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. A vacuum cleaner is particularly useful in the control of roaches because the ootheca is readily visible and quickly vacuumed up. | #*Due to airborne particulates from the cockroach fecal matter, the cockroach exoskeleton and various body parts left behind cockroaches can be a direct cause of respiratory ailments. A non-HEPA vacuum may exacerbate the problem, so only use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. A vacuum cleaner is particularly useful in the control of roaches because the ootheca is readily visible and quickly vacuumed up. | ||
#* Look for the ootheca in drawers, on shelves, under cabinets or anywhere cockroaches my be living. Vacuum roaches, ootheca, and all. | #* Look for the ootheca in drawers, on shelves, under cabinets or anywhere cockroaches my be living. Vacuum roaches, ootheca, and all. | ||
| − | #*After vacuuming, wash the area with strong soap.<ref | + | #*After vacuuming, wash the area with strong soap.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Dispose of the bag or contents direct into a trash can outside that is going to be collected shortly, so that you don't re-introduce the pests. | #*Dispose of the bag or contents direct into a trash can outside that is going to be collected shortly, so that you don't re-introduce the pests. | ||
# Vacuum up stink bugs. If you've had an invasion of stink bugs in your home, the vacuum is a great way to collect them quickly without getting the stench all over you from accidental squashing. Simply vacuum them up from wherever they're resting (usually walls and windows), and dispose of appropriately.<br><br> | # Vacuum up stink bugs. If you've had an invasion of stink bugs in your home, the vacuum is a great way to collect them quickly without getting the stench all over you from accidental squashing. Simply vacuum them up from wherever they're resting (usually walls and windows), and dispose of appropriately.<br><br> | ||
#*Stink bugs can also be vacuumed off [[:Category:Exterior Walls and Roof|exterior walls]] if your vacuum cleaner extends that far. | #*Stink bugs can also be vacuumed off [[:Category:Exterior Walls and Roof|exterior walls]] if your vacuum cleaner extends that far. | ||
#*Other bugs you can remove this way include Western conifer seed bug and the box elder bug. | #*Other bugs you can remove this way include Western conifer seed bug and the box elder bug. | ||
| − | # Remove [[Reduce the Dust Mite Population in Your Home|dust mites]] from your mattress using the vacuum cleaner. Vacuum the mattresses and pillows of all beds in the home to reduce the dust mite population.<ref | + | # Remove [[Reduce the Dust Mite Population in Your Home|dust mites]] from your mattress using the vacuum cleaner. Vacuum the mattresses and pillows of all beds in the home to reduce the dust mite population.<ref name="rf1" /> Dispose of the vacuum cleaner contents properly, in a sealed container. |
| − | # Vacuum carpets thoroughly to remove [[Kill Fleas in a Home|fleas]].<ref | + | # Vacuum carpets thoroughly to remove [[Kill Fleas in a Home|fleas]].<ref name="rf1" /> Be sure to vacuum under furniture as well as on the open [[Remove Cat Hair from Carpet Using Your Crocs|carpet]]. You might also wish to add flea powder to the vacuum cleaner bag or on the carpet if this won't cause problems for your cleaner.<ref name="rf1" /> Dispose of properly. |
| − | # Vacuum away [[Get Rid of Silverfish|silverfish]].<ref | + | # Vacuum away [[Get Rid of Silverfish|silverfish]].<ref name="rf1" /> Silverfish like damp conditions, so tend to be found in the kitchen and bathroom areas. Use the vacuum cleaner to remove food particles and silverfish eggs. |
# Remove ladybugs from your home. [[Take Care of Ladybugs|Ladybugs]] can congregate in numbers large enough to infest your home over the winter break. While they're beneficial insects in the garden, disturbed ladybugs can emit a bad odor and can cause [[Deal With Allergic Reactions|allergic reactions]] in susceptible people. If you're experiencing a problem with them, vacuuming them up in a fresh bag or vacuum container and then depositing them somewhere far away in the garden can be one way of getting them out of the house and back into being beneficial in the garden. | # Remove ladybugs from your home. [[Take Care of Ladybugs|Ladybugs]] can congregate in numbers large enough to infest your home over the winter break. While they're beneficial insects in the garden, disturbed ladybugs can emit a bad odor and can cause [[Deal With Allergic Reactions|allergic reactions]] in susceptible people. If you're experiencing a problem with them, vacuuming them up in a fresh bag or vacuum container and then depositing them somewhere far away in the garden can be one way of getting them out of the house and back into being beneficial in the garden. | ||
| − | #*After vacuuming, place cloves in window sills and anywhere else there are cracks that they might be attracted back to.<ref>I love India, How to get rid of ladybugs, http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/how-to-get-rid-of-ladybugs-1750.html</ref> You can also try wiping down with clove oil diluted with some water. | + | #*After vacuuming, place cloves in window sills and anywhere else there are cracks that they might be attracted back to.<ref name="rf2">I love India, How to get rid of ladybugs, http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/how-to-get-rid-of-ladybugs-1750.html</ref> You can also try wiping down with clove oil diluted with some water. |
# Vacuum up the slow-moving cluster fly. These flies tend to infest homes around August through to October and tend to cluster on high ceilings. | # Vacuum up the slow-moving cluster fly. These flies tend to infest homes around August through to October and tend to cluster on high ceilings. | ||
# In all cases of using your vacuum cleaner for pest removal, always empty your vacuum cleaner and tie up the bag immediately after vacuuming, putting the bag outside in the [[Take out the Trash|trash]]. If they're not trapped inside, the spiders and insects will crawl out wherever they're left. | # In all cases of using your vacuum cleaner for pest removal, always empty your vacuum cleaner and tie up the bag immediately after vacuuming, putting the bag outside in the [[Take out the Trash|trash]]. If they're not trapped inside, the spiders and insects will crawl out wherever they're left. | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
