For many people, summertime is Box elder bug time. Box elder bugs, as their name suggests, like
to hang out near box elder trees (as well as some other kinds of trees
too). The little red box elder babies
and their larger red and black parents don’t hurt people. But they are prolific, like to swarm, and
can stain carpet and siding if you squash them. If they get into your house, you can sweep or vacuum them
up. Apply a pesticide around windows
and doors to keep them out. Outside,
pesticides with Malathion as an active ingredient are pretty effective.
Drain Flies
You may also know these by the name “sewer flies.” They are tiny, with wings that may remind
you of a moth or butterfly. They hang
out in bathrooms, especially public bathrooms with floor drains. Even bathrooms that are kept clean can have drain flies if the drains are not regularly cleaned as well. They don’t bite or do anything nasty, but they are not much fun
to watch when you are busy doing your business.
The most effective way to get rid of drain flies is to clean
rotting, organic goo out of floor drains, sink drains, drainpipes and
traps. A stiff, long-handled brush and
a plumber’s snake should do the trick.
There are also special cleaners for this purpose, although many people
report success with pouring bleach or hot water down floor drains on a regular
basis. Just make sure anything you pour
down a drain is compatible with your septic system, and non-corrosive to your
pipes. And don’t mix chemicals; pouring
a couple different things down the drain at the same time is a recipe for
disaster, especially when the fumes threaten to kill off the inhabitants of the
building as quickly as the flies.