Indoor & Outdoor Pests

Please Note: All recommendations are for central Maryland.  Time frames shift two weeks earlier in Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore and two weeks later for Western Maryland.  Check publications for further information.

To jump to a month, click on a link below.

JANUARY

• Don’t store firewood inside your home. Only bring in enough to burn at one time. Bark and other wood boring beetles may emerge inside the home.

• Fruit flies can be a problem when fruits and vegetables are allowed to sit for long periods on kitchen counters. Use up your produce quickly.

• Store leftover nuts from the holiday season in the freezer and store dried fruit in your refrigerator to avoid pantry pest problems (HG 67). Indian meal moths are a common problem of grains and grain products, cereals, bird seeds, dried pet food, etc. You may see adult moths flying, larvae crawling or webbing. Remove the source of the infestation and clean all jars and containers that are affected. Always check bulk foods prior to purchase for signs of meal moth infestation. Do not use insecticides to control these pests. Grain mites are very small, 8 legged creatures that are light colored and resemble dust. They often feed on pet foods and treats and may come into the home on any type of milled food product. Discard infested products and vacuum and clean the area around the infestation with soapy water.

• Crickets, lady bird beetles, boxelder bugs, cluster flies, elm leaf beetles and other innocuous insects may appear in your home this winter. They can merely be swept up or vacuumed. See HG 41.

• Ticks are active as long as temperatures are above freezing. Check yourself, your children, and pets closely for ticks after hiking or camping. Deer tick populations are especially high around the Chesapeake Bay.

• Cluster flies resemble large houseflies and may suddenly appear around window or lamps in the fall, winter or spring. They occupy attics or wall voids and become active on warm, sunny days. They are sluggish flyers and do not eat garbage. Prevent their entry by sealing up all small holes and cracks around the outside or your home. (HG 26 Flies in and Around the Home)

• Bait stations are very effective at controlling indoor ants. Read HG 7 Ants and Their Control

• Check with your county/city recycling office to learn about amnesty days at local landfills for household hazardous wastes including pesticides. Check pesticide containers for leaks and cracks. Also check containers that are old, have been stored improperly or were exposed to extreme temperatures. Call the manufacturer’s phone number on the container for assistance with these types of problems or contact the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at 1-800-858-7378. 

• Avoid storing pesticides over the winter in sheds and garages. Cold temperatures can cause these materials to become ineffective. If you have questions about the efficacy of your pesticides call the manufacturer, using the phone number listed on the label.
  

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FEBRUARY

• Often in late February termite reproductives start swarming. A swarm seen indoors could mean that a colony is directly under the house and feeding on its lumber. (EB 245)

• Fleas are often a problem in homes even when there are no pets. The most likely source is an animal living in the attic, crawl space, chimney or some other sheltered area connected to the inside of the home. The offender is often a raccoon. First remove and exclude the animal from re-entry, follow up with frequent vacuuming of the house to collect the adult fleas and their larvae. Over time the flea problem will cease. (HG 27)

• Don’t store firewood inside your home. Only bring in enough to burn at one time. Ants, wood boring insects and spiders are often hiding in firewood and will disperse inside your home.

• Fruit flies can be a problem when fruits and vegetables are allowed to sit for long periods on kitchen counters. Use up your produce quickly and the flies will gradually die off. (HG 26)

• Indian meal moths are a very common pest of stored grains and grain products, cereals, bird seeds, dried pet food, etc. You may see adults flying throughout the house, larvae crawling on pantry shelves or in packages along with their silk webbing. Discard the source of the infestation and clean all jars and containers that are affected. Store foods in insect proof containers. Always check bulk foods prior to purchase for signs of meal moth infestation. There is no need to use insecticides to control these pests. (HG 67)

• Grain mites are minute, 8 legged creatures that are light colored and resemble dust. They often feed on dry pet foods and treats and may come into the home on any type of milled food product. Discard infested products and vacuum and clean the area around the infestation with soapy water.

• Many hibernating insects wake up during spells of mild weather in February. Elm leaf beetle, leaf-footed bugs, Asian ladybird beetles, boxelder bugs, cluster flies, stink bugs and other species may appear both outdoors and indoors in large numbers. Although a nuisance indoors they are all harmless and can be vacuumed or swept up. Prevent the entry of these invaders by sealing up all small holes and cracks around the outside of your home. No chemical controls are recommended.

• Cluster flies resemble large houseflies and may appear around windows and lamps throughout winter but become more active in February. During the winter they hibernate in attics or wall voids and become active on warm, sunny days. They are sluggish flyers and do not eat garbage. Prevent their entry by sealing up all small holes and cracks around the outside or your home. (HG 26)

• By this time in the winter ants may start appearing in the house. The largest is the carpenter ant which is attracted to water soaked wood found in bathrooms, kitchens and sometime attics. The smallest and most common household ant is the small black pavement ant. In most cases bait stations work well to control minor infestations. (HG 7)

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MARCH

• In March, several species of insects are waking up from their winter dormancy. The earliest ones are the Asian lady bird beetle (photo), marmorated stink bug (photo), elm leaf beetle (photo), cluster flies, leaf-footed bugs, ants, and boxelder bugs (photo). Early in the season they all seem to want to come inside your home. No chemical controls are recommended. They are harmless and can be swept up or vacuumed. Prevent their entry by sealing up all small holes and cracks around the outside of your home.

• When ants come indoors, bait stations are very affective at controlling them (HG 7). Carpenter ants are attracted to wood that has been damaged by water. (HG 115)

• Termite swarms are also becoming active. If you have a swarm, it may mean that there is a colony living under or very near to your home’s foundation (photo). To learn more about termites refer EB 245.

• Indian meal moths (photo) are a common problem of grains and grain products, cereals, bird seeds, dried pet food, etc. You may see adults flying, larvae crawling or webbing (photo). Remove the source of the infestation and clean all jars and containers that are affected. Always check bulk foods prior to purchase for signs of meal moth infestation (silken webs in the product). Do not use insecticides to control these pests. (HG 67)

• Later this month is the beginning of deer tick season when temperatures are above 50 degrees F. Check yourself, your children and your pets closely for ticks after hiking, or working outdoors. Deer tick populations are especially high where there are a lot of deer.

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APRIL

Indoor Pests

• Winged forms of termites and ants are actively swarming inside and outside many houses. The termites are dark brown, about ¼ inch long with 4 long wings of equal length and a fluttery flight habit. See our fact sheet on termites for additional information. For control of ants try using bait stations or liquid baits to control minor infestations. See HG 7, “Ants and their Control” for additional information.

• Fleas are sometimes observed in homes even where there are no pets. The most likely source is an animal such as a raccoon living in the attic, crawl space, fireplace chimney or some other sheltered area connected to the inside of the home. Fleas are 1/16 to 1/8 inch long, brownish black in color. They are wingless but strong jumpers and they bite. (HG 27)

• Pantry Pests - Indian meal moths are a common problem of grains and grain products, cereals, birdseeds, dried pet food, etc. The Indian meal moth is about 5/8 inch long with outer wings that are reddish-copper colored. You may see adults flying, larvae crawling or webbing. Remove the source of the infestation and clean all jars and containers that are affected. Store food in airtight plastic or glass containers, or in the freezer. Also inspect stored bird seed, pet food and dried foods for infestations. Vacuum the shelves and then wash the cupboards with warm soapy water. Do not use insecticides to control these pests. (HG 67)
  

Outdoor Pests

• Ticks are very active now. Wear light colored clothing and get in the habit of checking yourself, your children and pets closely for ticks after spending time outdoors. Repellents are also effective at keeping ticks at bay. Deer tick populations (also known as Black legged ticks) are especially high around the Chesapeake Bay.

• Boxelder bugs that over-wintered in your home are trying to get out now. They are red and black insects that are harmless and can be vacuumed or swept up. Prevent their return to your house next fall by sealing up all small holes and cracks around the outside of your home. No chemical controls are recommended. (HG 10)
  

Organics, IPM, Beneficials

• You may see praying mantid egg cases in your garden. They are light brown masses that are glued to twigs around the landscape. If there are many in one spot you should spread them out in your yard because they are cannibalistic and will eat one another when they hatch. Don’t attempt to rear them indoors.

• It’s not necessary to purchase ladybird beetles or other beneficial insects at this time. There are no pests for them to eat or parasitize this early in the season they will simply disperse. It is much wiser to attract native beneficial insects by planting a large variety of flowering plants especially in the mint, dill and aster families. These flowers will provide nectar, pollen and cover for beneficials. Birdbaths and pans of water will provide the necessary water to keep beneficials from leaving your yard.

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MAY

• Before applying an insecticide be sure that you have correctly identified the cause of your problem. Have you tried other solutions to the problem? Is an insecticide application warranted? If yes, select the least toxic pesticide; spray it only at the targeted pest on the affected plants. Spray early in the morning or at dusk to avoid harming pollinators and other beneficial insects.

• Avoid mosquito and midge problems later this summer by turning over any pots, lids or saucers that might collect water and create a breeding site.

• Mining bees are active now. They are solitary bees that nest in underground burrows, fly low over the ground and make ¼ inch holes in loose soil. They are not aggressive and the males have no stinger. (HG 104)

• Wasps and bees are also very active. Carpenter bees (photo) cause concern at this time of year. They make clean, round holes about ½ inch in diameter. They usually will not bother wood that is freshly painted or stained. They can be a problem in weathered and untreated wood. Contact a pest control professional if you’re having a serious problem with carpenter bees. (HG 29)

• Fleas are sometimes observed in homes where there are no pets. The most likely source is a wild animal such as a raccoon living in the attic, crawl space, chimney or some other sheltered area connected to the inside of the home. (HG 27)
  

• The tick season is in full swing now. Wear light colored clothing and get in the habit of checking yourself, your children and pets closely for ticks after spending time outdoors. Repellents are also effective at keeping ticks at bay. Deer tick populations are especially high around the Chesapeake Bay. (More info...) 

• Termites (EB 245) and ants (HG 7) are actively swarming this month. Ants have a pinched waist like a wasp and termites have a straight waist. Ants have elbowed antennae and termites have straight antennae. Ant forewings are longer than the back wings and on termites they are the same length. Different types of ants may appear in your home. Try using bait stations to control minor infestations. Liquid and gel formulations are usually quite effective. (Read more...)

• Attract beneficial insects to your landscape by planting a wide variety of flowering annuals and perennials that will bloom over the entire growing season. Good choices are plants in the following families: daisy (marigolds, daises, asters, mums), carrot (dill, fennel, anise, yarrow, parsley) and mint (all mints and thymes.)

• Praying mantid egg cases are light brown masses that are glued to twigs around the landscape. Leave them alone and don’t attempt to rear them indoors.   (Read more...) 

• Lady bird beetles that found their way inside your home should be escorted outside.

• Plant food plants this spring for butterfly larvae. Fennel and parsley attract swallowtails and butterfly weed attracts monarchs.

• Slug populations are high. They can be controlled with a directed spray of full strength vinegar, with traps and baits and, of course, handpicking.

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JUNE

• Avoid mosquito and midge problems by turning over any pots, lids or saucers that might collect water and create a breeding site. Use B.t. dunks in ponds that have no fish in them. The B.t. dunks are safe with fish, but when fish are present they alone will take care of mosquito larvae.

• Hornets and wasps, including yellow jackets, are active building nests now. Bees are also very active. Carpenter bees cause concern at this time of year. They make clean, round holes about ½ inch in diameter. They usually will not bother wood that is freshly painted or stained. They can be a problem in weathered and un-treated wood. Contact a pest control professional if you’re having a serious problem with carpenter bees.

• Ticks are active year-round. Wear light colored clothing, apply repellent, and get in the habit of checking yourself, your children and pets closely for ticks after spending time outdoors. Repellents are also effective at keeping ticks at bay. Deer tick populations are especially high around the Chesapeake Bay. Keep grass and weeds mowed and move bird feeders to the edges of your yard to minimize tick problems. The seed dropped from bird feeders attract mice which are the first host for ticks.

• Pantry pests, like Indian meal moths, grain beetles, cigarette beetles and carpet beetles, may be found around windows trying to get out of your home. These pests can be swept up or vacuumed. Carefully check all opened packages, throw out infested foods, wash infested storage containers, store cereals and grains in closed containers and vacuum and thoroughly clean pantry shelves and floors. No chemical controls are recommended.

• Many different types of ants may be found inside and outside the home. The largest ant is the carpenter ant. Carpenter ants tend to nest in wood that has been previously damaged by prolonged exposure to moisture. They build their nests in outside wood piles or structures. You must locate the nest to control this pest. Try using bait stations to control minor infestations of indoor ants. Indoors they are most often found in kitchens and bathrooms.

• Mining bees are active now. They are solitary bees that nest in underground burrows, fly low over the ground and make ¼ inch holes in loose soil. They are not aggressive and the males have no stinger.

• Termites and ants are swarming inside and outside houses. See our termite publications for further information.

• Beneficial insects, including ladybird beetles, lacewing larvae and syrphid fly larvae are actively feeding on aphids. Look for signs of these beneficials before using a water or soap spray against aphids. It is usually not worthwhile to purchase and release beneficial insects, except in the case of predatory mites for controlling spider mites. Beneficials will come into your landscape if you plant flowers that bloom throughout the summer, like zinnias, yarrow, asters, mint, thyme, nasturtiums, goldenrod, daises, dill, fennel etc. To encourage butterflies, consider planting butterfly weed, milkweed, parsley and fennel. Birdbaths and pans of water will provide the necessary water to keep beneficials from leaving your yard.

Pesticides

• Check pesticide containers for leaks and cracks. Also check containers that are old, have been stored improperly or were exposed to extreme temperatures. Call the manufacturer’s phone number on the container for assistance with these types of problems or contact the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at 1-800-858-7378.

• Check stored products for expiration dates and signs that pesticides have separated or changed texture or color. If a material was exposed to freezing temperatures it may no longer be effective. If any problems are suspected contact the manufacturer by telephone. If you’ve misplaced the booklet or label that came with a particular pesticide call the manufacturer for a replacement label.

• Keep pesticides stored in a cool, dry location, like the basement in a locked cabinet out of reach of children. The heat that builds up in outdoor sheds can damage pesticides.

• Buying the smallest quantity of any pesticides that you anticipate needing this summer. Buy and maintain a separate sprayer for herbicides. Do not apply fungicides or insecticides with a sprayer previously used for herbicides.

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JULY

• Mosquitoes are always a summer time nuisance at any outside activity. There also are important health concerns, especially with the Asian tiger mosquito. To reduce all mosquitoes, eliminate their breeding sites. Prevent water from standing around your yard. Change bird bath water frequently, and turn over buckets, lids, garden furniture and toys, etc. after rainfall. The Asian tiger mosquito requires very little water for breeding. Back yard ponds stocked with fish or moving water (fountains or filters) should not contribute to a mosquito problem. However, to be certain, B.t. dunks can be used.

• Mining bees are active now. They are solitary bees that nest in underground burrows, fly low over the ground and make ¼ inch holes in loose soil. They are not aggressive and the males have no stinger. If they become a nuisance you can discourage their activity by setting up a lawn sprinkler.

• Earwigs are dark brown insects, about ¾ inches long with a pair of pincers at the end of the abdomen. They can be found both inside and outside the home in moist areas and are most active in the evening. They are predators of insect pests, like aphids, and also eat seedlings and chew holes in large plants. They are a “nuisance pest”, causing very little damage to plants.

• Fruit flies are numerous now and are attracted to fresh fruits and vegetables and kitchen scraps. Don’t leave fruit on the counter for more than a day or two and thoroughly rinse recycled containers.

• Slugs continue to thrive even in the heat of the summer. They are very destructive to herbaceous annuals, perennials and vegetables. They can be controlled with a spray of vinegar and water directly on the slug, with traps and baits and, of course, handpicking. Look for them at night when they are out feeding on your plants. Another control method is to sprinkle used coffee grounds in the garden around the plants to be protected.

• Ticks are active year-round, especially now. Wear light colored clothing, apply repellent, and get in the habit of checking yourself, your children and pets closely for ticks after spending time outdoors. Repellents are also effective at keeping ticks at bay. Deer ticks that can carry Lyme disease are especially high around the Chesapeake Bay.

• Many different types of ants may be found inside and outside the home. Carpenter ants are very large ants that tend to build their nests in outside woodpiles or structures that have been previously damaged by wood rots or insects. You must locate the nest to control this pest. Seeing many carpenter ants inside your house could mean that there is some wood decay in your house. Usually this is in the kitchen or bathroom. Try using bait stations to control minor infestations of indoor ants. Granular insecticides or bait stations labeled for outdoors use on ants are also available.

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AUGUST

• Populations of pantry pests, like Indian meal moths, cigarette beetles and carpet beetles can build up over the summer because most people do less baking and infested products go unnoticed until the fall and winter. In late summer these insect are often found around windows trying to get out of your home. No chemical controls are recommended. These pests can be swept up or vacuumed. See our fact sheet on pantry pests for additional information.

• Do not spray pesticides in your garden unless you’ve observed a particular serious pest and the damage caused by the pest. Follow all label directions. Always select the shortest residual, least toxic insecticide to avoid killing beneficial insects.

• Avoid mosquito and midge problems by turning over any pots, lids or saucers that might collect water and create a breeding site. Also check clogged house gutters another favorite breeding place for mosquitoes and midges. Many people use corrugated drain pipe attached to downspouts to help move water away from their homes. The corrugations hold water and are a prime place for tiger mosquitoes to breed. To avoid the problem, use a smooth drain pipe or securely attach the corrugated drain pipe to the downspout and cover the open end with a piece of pantyhose secured with a rubber band. This will keep adult female mosquitoes and midges out of the drain pipe.

• Try to ignore hornet, bee and wasp nests found outside, especially if they are located in a tree. These are beneficial creatures that will not sting unless disturbed or provoked. However, if a hornet’ or yellow jacket nest is a threatening nuisance such as under your deck or next to your door you can destroy it with labeled sprays at night. Do not spray during the day or all you will do is to make them really mad because they cannot get back into their nest.! Contact a pest control professional if yellow jackets are nesting inside the walls or attic of your home.

• You may notice the European hornet stripping the bark off shrubs (especially lilac) and trees (photo). This stripping of the bark is usually minor and does no real harm to a shrub or tree. The European hornet is a large yellow and brown hornet (photo) that nests in cavities in trees, stumps, wood piles, sheds, etc. and feeds on insects. Unlike most other wasps and hornets this one is a night flyer.

• Ponds - If mosquitoes are breeding in your pond and you have no fish to control them, try using a mosquito control product such as “mosquito dunks”, which contain B.t., an effective microbial insecticide. Avoid spraying pesticides around your pond. Aquatic plants and animals are very sensitive to chemical sprays. Gambusia is a good fish to introduce to your pond for controlling mosquitoes. Goldfish, golden orf, rosie minnows and koi can also be added to the pond. Pond fish are also good at eating the eggs of the pond snail, a destructive pond pest.

• Ants - Many different types of ants are very active this month inside and outside the home. The largest is the carpenter ant, some are ½ inch long. Carpenter ants tend to nest in wood that has been previously damaged by wood rots or insects. You must locate the nest to control this pest. Try using bait stations to control minor infestations of indoor ants. Granular insecticides or bait stations labeled for outdoor use on ants are also available. See our fact sheet on carpenter ants for additional information.

• Earwigs (photo) are unique-looking insects that are reddish-brown, about ¾ inches long. with a pair of pincers at the end of the abdomen. They can be found inside and outside the home in moist areas and are most active in the evening. They are predators of insect pests, like aphids, but may also eat seedlings and chew holes in large plants. They are a nuisance pest, causing little damage. (HG 4)

Hazardous Household Wastes and Pesticides

• Check with your county/city recycling office to learn about amnesty days at local landfills for household hazardous wastes including pesticides. Check pesticide containers for leaks and cracks. Also check containers that are old, have been stored improperly or were exposed to extreme temperatures. Call the manufacturer’s phone number on the container for assistance with these types of problems or contact the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at 1-800-858-7378.

• Spraying pesticides when temperatures exceed 85 degrees may produce leaf burn. Drought-stressed plants are also susceptible to pesticide burn. If you must use pesticides, first identify the pest and severity of the problem then select the proper product. Always read the pesticide label carefully and only use a pesticide on the particular plants and pests for which it’s registered. Always pay special attention to harvest intervals. Most pesticide manufacturers have toll free numbers you can call for information or answers to specific questions.
  

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SEPTEMBER

• Different nuisance pests, including centipedes, crickets, and spiders are more noticeable inside the home with cooler fall temperatures. Sweep them up, but it is not necessary to treat with pesticides.

• Over the summer, indian meal moth may have been breeding in pantry products such as flour, cake mixes, cereals, bird seeds, dried pet food, etc. Remove the source of the infestation and clean all jars and containers that are affected. Do not use insecticides to control these pests.

• Its early fall - prepare for the invasion of insects! Crickets, ladybird beetles, boxelder bugs, stink bugs, cluster flies, elm leaf beetles and other innocuous insects will attempt to enter your home this fall for protection. Caulk, weather strip and seal up all cracks and entry points around your house foundation, vent openings, windows and doorways to prevent these critters from coming indoors.

• September is also the time when various species of flies try to come indoors. Keep screen doors tightly closed, when flies get indoors the best defense is not a spray but the fly swatter . Flies are always attracted to sunny windows, hang fly paper strips in windows to trap them.

• Ticks will continue to be active throughout the fall and winter. Deer tick populations are especially high around the Chesapeake Bay. Be sure to check yourself and loved ones after working in the yard or hiking in natural areas.

• Outdoor yellow jacket nests can be treated with a wasp and hornet spray at night. Nests in high or unobtrusive locations should be left alone. Nests in wall voids should be evaluated and treated by a professional pest control company. Yellow jackets are killed by a hard freeze and will not return to last year’s nest.

• Try to ignore hornet, bee and wasp nests found outside, especially if they are located in a tree. These are beneficial creatures that will not sting unless disturbed or provoked. You may notice the European hornet stripping the bark off shrubs and trees. This surface bark stripping usually does no harm.This a large yellow and brown insect that nests in cavities in trees, stumps, wood piles, sheds, etc. and feeds on insects. It is a night flyer.

• Box elder bugs are congregating on box elder trees and may be seen in large numbers on house siding, sheds, shrubs or ground covers. The nymphs are bright red. The box elder tree is a weedy, native species. It has compound leaves with three leaflets and resembles poison ivy. The female tree has large clusters of winged seed pods. The box elder bugs congregate on the female trees from the base to the canopy.

• Check with your county/city recycling office to learn about amnesty days at local landfills for household hazardous wastes including pesticides. Check pesticide containers for leaks and cracks. Also check containers that are old, have been stored improperly or were exposed to extreme temperatures. Call the manufacturer’s phone number on the container for assistance with these types of problems or contact the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at 1-800-858-7378.

• Avoid storing pesticides over the winter in sheds and garages. Cold temperatures can cause these materials to become ineffective. If you have questions about the efficacy of your pesticides call the manufacturer, using the phone number listed on the label.

• Follow all label directions when using pesticides. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves. Avoid spraying on windy or hot days. Dedicate a separate sprayer for herbicides.
  

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OCTOBER

Indoor

• Its fall, and many insects such as crickets, stink bugs, Lady bird beetles, boxelder bugs, cluster flies, elm leaf beetles and other innocuous insects will attempt to enter your home this fall for protection. Caulk, weather strip and seal up all cracks and entry points around your house foundation, vent openings, windows and doorways to prevent these critters from coming indoors. Sweep them up or vacuum large populations, but do not treat with pesticides.

• The brown marmorated stink bug is the pest of the year for Marylanders. In the fall they congregate in large numbers to catch the season’s last warm rays of the sun on buildings, trees and even parked cars. They will overwinter as adults in attics, inside walls, basements, garages, tool sheds and other suitable protected structures. Be sure that windows and doors shut properly and that gaps around frames are caulked, these will help to keep them out of your home. (video) Vacuum them up from inside the house and from areas where they are accumulating outside the house.

• Hornets and wasps, including yellow jackets, will remain active until we have a hard freeze. Yellow jackets are especially aggressive this time of year. If you must destroy a yellow jacket nest in the ground, mark the location with a stick or rock during daylight and return on a cool night with a can of wasp and hornet killer and a flash light. Direct the insecticide into the opening of the nest. If necessary you may need to repeat the process the following evening. Nests in high or unobtrusive locations should be left alone. Nests in wall voids should be evaluated and treated by a professional pest control company.

• Ticks remain active as long as daytime temperatures are above freezing. Keep grass and weeds mowed and move bird feeders to the edges of your yard to minimize tick problems. Check yourself and loved ones closely for ticks after hiking or camping.

• Carpenter ants tend to nest in wood that has been previously damaged by wood rots or insects. You must locate the nest to control this pest. Try using bait stations to control minor infestations of indoor ants. Granular insecticides or bait stations labeled for outdoor use on ants are also available.

• Now that you may be bringing in bountiful harvests from the garden and orchard, fruit flies can be a problem in kitchens where fruits and vegetables are stored on counters.. Keep compost bucket lids covered.
  

• Check with your county/city recycling office to learn about amnesty days at local landfills for household hazardous wastes including pesticides. Check pesticide containers for leaks and cracks. Also check containers that are old, have been stored improperly or were exposed to extreme temperatures. Call the manufacturer’s phone number on the container for assistance with these types of problems or contact the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at 1-800-858-7378.

• Avoid storing pesticides over the winter in sheds and garages. Cold temperatures can cause these materials to become ineffective. If you have questions about the efficacy of your pesticides call the manufacturer, using the phone number listed on the label.

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NOVEMBER

• Stink bugs, ladybird beetles, box elder bugs, house flies, elm leaf beetles and a few other critters may be observed in large numbers congregating inside your home. The ladybird beetles are actually beneficial insects that will not breed or survive for very long indoors. Simply vacuum or sweep up any unwelcome guests. The stinkbugs and the other invaders will do no harm indoors except to be a nuisance. It is the cooler fall temperatures that’s driving them indoors. Escort these invaders out of your home or vacuum but resist the impulse to spray an insecticide. You can also prevent pests from coming into the house by caulking openings around window and door frames and not storing firewood inside the house. (video)

• Cluster flies (HG 26) resemble very large, hairy houseflies. They are slow flyers and move into homes in the fall to escape cold weather. They are very active in November but as weather continues to get colder their activity will greatly decrease. Caulk, weather strip and seal up all cracks and entry points around your house foundation, vent openings, windows and doorways to prevent them from coming indoors.

• Miscellaneous beetles, like long-horned beetles and bark beetles may emerge from firewood stored inside the home. These are nuisance pests; they are not a threat to the wood in your home. You can also prevent many pests from coming into the house by storing firewood outside the house.

• Ticks remain active as long as daytime temperatures are in the upper 30s. Keep grass and weeds mowed and move bird feeders to the edges of your yard to minimize tick problems. The mammals such as mice, squirrels, raccoons and deer attracted to the bird seed will also drop ticks in these sites. Check yourself and loved ones closely for ticks after hiking or camping. Dogs and cats sleeping on your bed can easily spread ticks to you so check pets frequently.

• Many different types of ants may be found inside and outside the home. Carpenter ants tend to nest in wood that has been previously damaged by wood rots or other insects. You must locate the nest to control this pest. Try using bait stations to control minor infestations of indoor ants. Granular insecticides or bait stations labeled for outdoor use on ants are also available. As the weather gets colder their activity will decrease. (HG 7)

• You may notice large, brown humpbacked crickets (photo) with long antennae that don’t chirp. These are camel or cave crickets and are attracted to damp, dark locations in the home, usually in the basement the garage or garden shed. Exclude them as you would other nuisance pests by sealing up openings around foundations, doors and windows. (more...)

Outdoor

• Praying mantid egg cases are light brown masses that are glued to twigs around the landscape. (photo) Leave them alone and don’t attempt to rear them indoors. These beneficial insects will hatch out next spring. Sometimes they are attached to houseplants brought back indoors from the outside.

Pesticides

• Now that it is getting colder, store all pesticides in a place where they will not freeze. Cold temperatures can cause these materials to become ineffective. If you have questions about the efficacy of your pesticides call the manufacturer, using the phone number listed on the label. Be sure that sprayers are thoroughly cleaned, including the nozzle tip and pump plunger.
  

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DECEMBER

• The brown marnmorated stink bug is settling down in nooks and crevices in houses and buildings for the winter. You may see several moving about in your home especially on warmer sunny winter days. Do not use insecticide sprays in your house to kill them, capture and dispose of them using your shop vac. The stink bug is likely here to stay for a while, but like all insects may display fluctuating population cycles.

• You may notice insects and spiders emerging from around your Christmas tree. They came in unnoticed on your tree. Simply escort them outside or vacuum them up.

• Miscellaneous beetles, like long-horned beetles and bark beetles may emerge from firewood stored inside the home. These are nuisance pests; they are not a threat to the wood in your home. You can also prevent pests from coming into the house by storing firewood outside the house.

• You may notice large, brown humpbacked crickets with long antennae and long back legs that don’t chirp. (photo) These are camel or cave crickets and are attracted to damp, dark locations in the home. Exclude them as you would other nuisance pests by sealing up openings around foundations, doors and windows – dehumidify basement if possible.

• Ticks remain active as long as daytime temperatures are above freezing. Check yourself and loved ones closely for ticks after hiking.

• Pantry pests, like Indian meal moths, cigarette beetles, and sawtooth grain beetles may be found around windows trying to get out of your home. No chemical controls are recommended for pantry pests. Discard infested products and vacuum and clean the area around the infestation with soapy water. (HG 67)

• Cluster flies resemble large houseflies and may suddenly appear around window or lamps in the fall, winter or spring. They occupy attics or wall voids and become active on warm, sunny days during the winter. Prevent their entry by sealing up all small holes and cracks around the outside or your home. Control them once indoors with a fly swatter…they are very easy to hit.

• Grain mites are extremely small, 8 legged creatures that are light colored and resemble household dust. They often feed on dry pet foods and dry goods stored in the pantry. Discard infested products, vacuum and clean the area around the infestation with soapy water.

Pesticides

• Avoid storing pesticides over the winter in sheds and garages. Cold temperatures can cause these materials to become ineffective. If you have questions about the efficacy of your pesticides call the manufacturer, using the phone number listed on the label, or call the National Pesticide Information Center 1-800-858-7378.
  

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