Are Boxelder Bugs Bad: Should You Be Eliminating Them?

Are-Boxelder-Bugs-Bad-Should-You-Be-Eliminating-ThemMost people don’t want to see any bugs in their homes. It’s understandable, you come home to relax, unwind, and enjoy life. The last thing you want to be worrying about is bugs, whether they are carrying disease and if they are likely to walk over you or bite you during the night.

That’s why, if you’re dealing with boxelder bugs you should contact a reputable specialist in pest control and get the problem sorted.

The Boxelder Bug

The boxelder bug originated in North America and is often seen on the boxelder tree; hence the name. It also likes to target ash and maple trees. The bug is approximately 12.5mm long, which’s half-an-inch. It’s dark brown with red markings on the wings.

They are meant to feed on the developing seeds of the boxelder, maple, and ash trees. However, they are also known to eat fruit, you’ll notice where they have been by the dimples and scars on the fruit.

Boxelder bugs enjoy the sunshine. They are known to group together in the summer in warm spaces and simply sit there. Of course, their love of heat does mean they need to search for warmth during the colder months. That’s when they are likely to enter your home.

They will hide in cracks and gaps around your home. However, your heating will warm the space, encouraging them out in the search of food. You may find they are nibbling at your fruit and house plants. They also tend to leave stains on carpets, curtains, and even your sofa. That can be difficult to remove.

Is Elimination The Right Answer?

If you notice these bugs living in your home then you should find out more info from your local experts. It’s a good idea to eliminate them from your home for your own peace of mind. However, you should be aware that when these bugs feel threatened they release a foul odor.

The aim of the smell and the fact it tastes bad is to keep predators away. But, the smell can linger for an extended period of time. That’s why you don’t want to simply squash the bugs, you’ll be reminded of them for some time via the scent.

Instead, you should vacuum them up as you see them. This won’t give them the opportunity to release the smell. At the same time, you should go around your home and seal u any cracks and gaps you find. Pay particular attention to areas around the doors and windows. Sealing up gaps will prevent the bugs from getting in.

Remember, that while boxelder bugs aren’t harmful, dead bugs will attract other bugs, such as the Dermestid beetle which is considerably more destructive. That’s why it’s important to remove all traces of the boxelder bugs as soon as possible. Simply re-homing them outside isn’t enough unless they are a good distance from your home and you have blocked all potential entry and exit points.

The Main Reasons To Install New Professional Appliances

Using-professional-appliances-to-maximize-your-energy-use-to-help-to-reduce-your-environmental-impact-on-the-worldAs the owner or manager of a professional operation that requires you to carry out large amounts of cooking, washing or laundry, you should consider the various appliances that are currently in place in your establishment. Indeed, you should be aware that by installing new professional appliances your business operations can be streamlined while you could also take the opportunity to install energy-efficient appliances.

Regardless of whether you are a private individual, a business owner or a manager, you should think about installing energy-efficient appliances as you could potentially save a considerable amount of money, especially when compared with traditional appliances. Furthermore, you should also be aware that energy-efficient appliances can help you to reduce your carbon footprint as well as provide an environmentally friendly way of solving the climate crisis which is currently the ongoing start of the 21st century.

  • Maximize your energy use – One of the most important reasons that you should consider installing new appliances in your commercial or residential property is that you can help to maximize your energy use. Indeed, a number of professional appliances have benefited from the implementation of modern technology, which means they can operate at a high level of efficiency at all times. Furthermore, the functionality of professional appliances means you can enjoy a high level of durability with a low amount of energy use.
  • Save money on your energy bills – Another considerable advantage that you should think about if you are looking to install new professional appliances in your business premises is that you could potentially save money on your energy bills every month. This could also help you to generate more profit while you could also create a smaller carbon footprint for your business. For more information about the various professional appliances that are available, you should think about navigating to electroluxprofessional.com/au/ where you can learn more about the various technological advancements and increased levels of efficiency that these appliances can bring to your business.
  • Reduce your carbon footprint – Furthermore, you should also be aware that installing new professional appliances can also help to reduce your environmental impact on the world. This is especially pertinent given the increasing level of climate change around the world as businesses are being encouraged to be more environmentally friendly. In addition, you should also be aware that if you operate a hospitality or laundry business, professional appliances can create higher efficiency regarding your use of water.
  • Create more efficiency – However, you should also be aware that given the technological advancements that have occurred in the manufacture of professional appliances, you will still be able to enjoy a high level of functionality and quality by using the various appliances that are available on the market. Lastly, it is also important to understand that by using modern technology in your business processes, you could become more efficient and streamlined.

Therefore, in conclusion, if you are the owner or manager of a hospitality or laundry business, you should think about installing new professional appliances to maximize your energy use and potentially reduce energy bills while you could become more environmentally friendly which is an important element for every business to consider at the start of the 21st century.
[…]
How To Make Your Home Energy Efficient in 5 Steps
The Main Reasons To Install New Professional Appliances
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Ways to Lower the Electric Bill

Ways to Lower the Electric BillGoing green can be an overwhelming concept, so starting small is never a bad idea. One place to cut down on overall waste is in the home. A benefit of reducing usage is that the electric bill becomes lower, too. Check out these easy ways to lower an electric bill, and remember to consult an expert for major inquiries or electrical repairs Chattanooga.

Heat and Cooling

The biggest way to cut down on energy is in the heating and cooling system in the home or apartment. In the colder months, make sure that there are a few drafts in the house as possible so that it is easier to maintain a warm temperature. A regulated thermostat can also help to keep a steady temperature. Conversely, in the warmer months, there are ways to cut back on cooling appliances that require quite a bit of energy. Try a little flexibility on the preferred temperature — even five degrees can make a difference. Wearing looser clothing can often help offset summer heat. Consider a smaller fan in the spring and late fall before turning on a full cooling system. When it comes to apartments, particularly if an older apartment only has window units instead of central air, keeping these units off when not in the home will help lower the bill significantly.

Water Temperature

Interestingly, even in a building or complex where water is covered, certain appliances have higher energy outputs when it comes to water temperature. Running appliances like the dishwasher or laundry units on cold water will help save quite a bit. Along the same vein, taking shorter showers will help decrease the amount of hot water usage. This will, in turn, decrease the electric bill. Make sure that appliances are running smoothly because damaged appliances will sometimes overcompensate and end up exerting more energy than necessary to get the job done.

Power

Of course, at the end of the day, all-electric usage comes down to power. One hack that isn’t widely spread revolves around fully unplugging cords on items that aren’t used very often. Sometimes, even when an item is not being used, it will still be draining power from an outlet. Unplugging something as simple as a phone charger can make a difference. Using dimmer switches will also help to not use more power than necessary because a lighting fixture will use less energy when not set to full brightness. Newer and greener light bulbs will help create the same effect. With all of these tips combined, the electric bill is sure to decrease.
Related:
What Appliance In Your Home Use The Most Electricity?
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Bats in the Garden: Gardener’s Best Buddy

Who hasn’t seen “The Dark Night Rise’s”. There is this part where he goes down the cave behind his mansion and embraces his lifelong fear of bats. Then he ends up being a bat-man himself.

            What an impressive superhero that was for Gotham. Have you ever wondered how a bat is useful for our ecosystem?

There are almost 1240 species of bats – subdivided into two categories as Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera. Except for the Arctic and Antartic regions and some other cold islands, bats are found everywhere in the world. In some places, you can find hundreds of species.

But the question still remains; what use our nature can have, for a ‘Bat’. Well, here are some important features of a bat that makes it vital for many ecosystems.

When we lived in San Antonio, there is one of the largest bat caves in the United States, they estimate when the bats come out to feed in the evening there are approximately 20 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats, they roost in the cave from March until October. Its quit a site, check our the video.

Bats of all kinds are good for our ecosystem
Source: Pinterest Bats of all kinds are good for our ecosystem

There are almost 1240 species of bats – subdivided into two categories as Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera. Except for the Arctic and Antartic regions and some other cold islands, bats are found everywhere in the world. In some places, you can find hundreds of species.

But the question still remains; what use our nature can have, for a ‘Bat’. Well, here are some important features of a bat that makes it vital for many ecosystems.

Impact of bats on the environment

Bats have various feeding items with their varying species. Some feed on fruits and vegetables while others feed on pollen, nectar or insects.

The bats who feed on pollen and nectar are very useful for plants. Just like bees, bats are also a source of pollination hence providing food for other herbivores. In fact, some plants depend fully on bats for this purpose, so some plants have developed special glands to produce nectar to attract bats.

Some houses build a small wooden house to attract bat in the garden. According to Pet Comments, a good bat house that may attract bats is one that’s built to have an open bottom, as a way to prevent bat droppings from accumulating inside it and also avoid birds from nesting there.

Almost 500 species of flowering plants rely totally on bats for pollination as the pollens tend to stick to their furry bodies, so these plants open their flowers at night.

For some fruit plants, bats serve as a way of dispersing seeds. Some tropical plants depend entirely on bats for such services. This service is very vital in areas where trees are continuously being cut down.

Insects are the favorite midnight snack for many bat species. Bats consume a large number of insects for their size. According to an estimate, insectivorous bats can eat over 1.5 times their body weight.

Many bats feed on vertebrates like lizards, snakes, and frogs. Especially the Fringe-lipped bat is skilled at catching frogs. As most bat species use echolocation to locate their prey so they can hear the mating calls of many animals and the feed on them via their location – hence decreasing the need of insecticides and pesticides and save farmers from spending millions of dollars on these pesticides which are in fact harmful for the ecosystem itself.

Many bats feed on mosquitoes and according to some numbers; bats can eat a massive number of around 1200 insects in an hour of feeding hence decreasing the source of diseases like Malaria and Dengue.

Bat dung also known as Guano, is mined from the caves where they are found in abundance and is used as fertilizers – hence providing farmers with a cheap alternative of packaged fertilizers. It has a positive effect on crops compared to your regular ammonia fertilizers.

Guano has 10 % nitrogen and 3 % phosphorus, so it avoids N&P poisoning for your plants.

Fossilized Guano is sold at very high prices in the black market because of its rarity.

Some cultures around Africa and Asia, take large populations of bats as a sign of prosperity for their harvest.

You can also make your garden, a bat-friendly environment as they can help you in pest control around your house. They don’t need any attention and would do you no harm – as who would dare to go out in dark to disturb them, and why?

How to set up a bat house

Many species of bats have gone extinct due to hunting and habitat destruction. In this scenario, many organizations and people around the world have started to set up bat roosters.

You can also put up a roost, but there are some things you need to keep in mind.

  1. Firstly, the bat house should be small, but not so narrow that it cuts off the air flow. Bats like a narrow space just like the space between a tree’s barks.
  2. The bat’s house should have a near water reservoir. Bats require a lot of water, as they can lose 50% of their body weight without frequent water intake.
  3. Bats also like a small garden. These attract nocturnal insects which are any bat’s favorite midnight snack.
  4. You should also consider the proper location of the roost as it should be a way you’re your house and should be in a location where it stays warm, as bats tend to like warmth.

Related:
Bracken Bat Caves
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Garden Series: Prepare Your Garden Soils With pH Testing 
I picked out my favorite feathered friend feeders I use and I might receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking an affiliate link at no cost to you.

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