News Releases

MILWAUKEE/NARI PROVIDES ADVICE TO MAKE OUTDOOR AREAS PEST FREE
June 10, 2010

MILWAUKEE, WI – June is officially the start of summer and national Great Outdoors Month, a celebration of the important events, activities, and benefits of active, outdoor fun. Spending time outside and enjoying nature safely is everyone’s goal, but often pesky wasps and other flying and crawling insects can put a damper on festivities. While wasps, hornets, and bees provide many important benefits to the environment, including eating harmful insects and helping to pollinate flowers, wasps are also highly aggressive towards humans and can sting many times, causing pain or even more serious injury to people allergic to their venom.

Members of the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., the area’s leading home improvement and remodeling industry resource for more than 48 years, offer these suggestions to homeowners on how to keep their events safe and their yards free from the summer’s pests.

Be Prepared
“Wasps and hornets build their nests in dry, safe places so look around your property and observe where the wasps and hornets are flying,” said Larry Krawczyk, president of Lindenwood Lawn and Landscape Service in Oak Creek. “Soffit areas of your house or garage and air conditioners are locations these insects love.” Krawczyk suggests using traps to eliminate the pests.

“Using a small piece of meat or fish as a bait will make the trap irresistible to the insects,” he stated. “Place the trap in an area away from the general walking path of people and pets for about a week before a special event and you will eliminate many wasps in a short period of time.” He cautions homeowners to read the instructions on disposal carefully before opening the trap.

Night Time Spraying is Best
Wasp and hornet sprays should be used after carefully reading the instructions, Krawczyk advises. Spraying after the sun goes down is the most effective way to eliminate the entire colony. Maintain a safe distance and spray the nest completely. “Use caution near any wasps that are stunned but alive on the pavement,” he warns. “They can still sting in this condition.”

Keep Tempting Aromas Indoors
Stinging insects are drawn to floral perfumes as well as food and beverages. Wasps like sweet aromas and food high in protein and are using their natural instincts to find food to take back to the nest. Food items should be kept indoors or covered until ready to cook or consume. Soda and beer cans should also be covered to avoid any serious situations. Avoid wearing perfume and hair sprays when outdoor activities are planned.

Remedies for Other Insects
Wasps and hornets aren’t the only bugs that can aggravate people outdoors. Common sense and common house and garden remedies can reduce the impact of ants and flies on an outdoor event. “Boric acid crystals applied to the soil can keep many varieties of ants from invading a picnics and barbeques,” Krawczyk said. “You can purchase this at a pharmacy, department or hardware store.” He also recommends a natural crystal-like product called Diatomaceous earth, which is known to dehydrate insects, and Big Stinky Fly Traps, as effective pest control. Both of these products are available at garden centers or online.

The Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council was chartered in July 1961, as a Chapter of the National Home Improvement Council. In May of 1982, the National Home Improvement Council merged with the National Remodelers Association to form NARI – the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

The Council’s goals of encouraging ethical conduct, professionalism, and sound business practices in the remodeling industry have led to the remodeling industry’s growth and made NARI a recognized authority in that industry. With over 900 members, the Milwaukee Chapter is the nation’s largest.

For more information or to receive a free copy of an annual membership roster listing all members alphabetically and by category, and the booklet, “Milwaukee/NARI’s Remodeling Guide,” call (414) 771-4071.