When it comes to camping, there’s nothing like the outdoors. Sometimes it’s an escape from the modern world, from the noises and buzzes. The outdoor, no doubt, is the perfect place to breathe again, and to reconnect with yourself, loved ones, and nature.

But…

Being in nature doesn't mean you're going to be alone. There are tons of creatures like yourself that enjoy the outdoor too. Wild and untamed, and quite unpleasant to behold - bugs.

For a fun camping trip, you might have to seek ways to keep these bad buggies away.

Below are methods you can use to keep bugs away while camping.

1. Homemade essential oil repellent

There is a lot of essential oil with bug repelling properties, and you can use it to keep bugs away while camping. Although the essential oil is commonly sprayed on the skin, it's advisable to spray on clothes to avoid irritating your skin, especially if you have a sensitive skin.

2. Vinegar

Another way to keep the bugs away is to combine both white vinegar and apple cider vinegar to act as a bug repellent. Insects are not fond of the strong overpowering scent, so they quickly move away when they perceive this homemade repellent.

You can apply it directly to your skin or your cloth. As long as you're comfortable with the strong scent, you're good to go.

3. Bug repellent bracelets

If you can’t stand spraying things on your body or clothes, this could be a viable option to keep bugs away while camping. You can wear it on your wrist, or perhaps fasten it into your belt or anywhere else you prefer. If you have kids, it's also a good option.

4. Bug repellent diffusers and coils

Some well-known bug repellent brands now sell diffusers that can repel bugs while you're camping. These diffusers emit a pesticide known as metofluthrin, a component that scars bugs and mosquitoes away.

Some diffusers include a battery and could last as long as 12 hours while offering 80 -100 percent protection. Similar to diffusers, pyrethrum-infused coils are great repellents, and bugs will instantly hate you upon scenting these coils.

5. Foods that little buggies hate

You might not know this, but some foods are the least favorite of these bugs - like garlic, onions, citrus fruits like lemon, and oranges. Believe it or not, bugs can’t stand them. For them to work, you might need to eat a whole lot of them, while rubbing some on your skin. 

It also doesn’t hurt to cook with these ingredients, as they could also be beneficial to your body while helping repel these nuisances as you enjoy your camping trip. If you believe you’ve been besieged by bugs, give us a call (718) 550-7483 asap and we’ll get in touch form.

Are you prepared for another resemblance of the biblical locust plague? Well, it isn't a plague per se, but the sound of an emergence sends cold shivers down your spine still.

Cicadas are part of the superfamily, Cicadoidea. And are non-venomous, so you have absolutely nothing to worry about except from their ear-piercing buzz.

Some species of Cicadas emerge annually, while an exclusive species to North America, Magicicada, which spends most of its lifespan thriving underground as nymphs emerge every 13 to 17 years.

Periodic Cicadas emerge annually in a large swamp numbered in billions with a loud, buzzing sound. You may have noticed this occurrence in previous years, but everyone is talking about the Brood X Cicadas. 

This species of cicadas' last emergence was in 2004, and if you have your numbers right then, it's about time we expect another emergence. That leads to the question: Are Cicadas Coming In 2021?

Before emergence, the periodical Cicadas spend most of their time in their underground abode sucking tree saps from roots before going above ground.

When will the Cicadas emerge?

Talking to the New York Times, Matt Kasson, a West Virginia University biologist, said, "They are ready but waiting for the soil to be warm enough. The ideal soil temperature for cicadas is about 64 degrees [Fahrenheit]. For the Mid-Atlantic region, that usually comes by about the third week of May, but it could be sooner. Usually, you have stragglers on either side.”

One thing is certain; this phenomenon can never go unnoticed as they will signal their arrival with loud mating calls once on sight.

What people are saying

With reports from citizen scientists showing the emergence of the Brood X Cicadas, reports come in from people who have sighted these supernatural creatures in their yards. And the most reports coming from Tennessee, Bethesda, Ohio, Washington DC, Maryland, etc. The emergence has already begun! 

If you stay close to these areas and haven’t sighted these creatures yet, then you should very soon.

Should you be worried about the emergence?

Unlike locusts which feast on our crop fields, you have absolutely nothing to worry about as these creatures are harmless to humans and crop fields. However, they may be a little destructive to slender tree branches that they utilize as a nesting ground to lay their eggs. 

The cicada's emergence will last over the next few months. In the coming months, you should expect billions of these creatures to cloud the woods and neighborhoods in most U.S states. 

However, you can always find new reports on sightings and tips on handling the emergence with our 24/7 expert environmental services. You can go ahead and give us a call right away or better still, fill out our contact form.

Noticed redness and itchiness on your skin as well as small, raised bumps? This could mean one of many things, or the most common, a bed bug infestation! 

Being faced with a bed bug insurgence might seem obscure to the eyes as these little creatures can easily hide and thrive in upholstered furniture and belongings unnoticed.

How do you get rid of these nocturnal bloodsucking creatures?

Well, for starters, it will mean making use of pesticides, but how effective is this? Research has shown this creature to develop some kind of resistance to pesticides.

Speaking on this, the lead author and research assistant professor at the Purdue's Center for  Urban and Industrial Pest Management says, "The longer you use any product for the control of a particular pest, the more resistance issues you are going to have.”

Of course, this info will not go down well with people who depend heavily on these fighting agents to stop a teaming bed bug infestation. But do you know what works? Alcohol! Sounds easy, right? 

Does alcohol kill bed bugs? To some extent, Yes! Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) has shown to be effective at killing bed bugs and their eggs but doesn’t stop an infestation.

How does it work?

According to research, the bed bugs' epidermal layer houses pesticide-resistant genes, which may be responsible for slowing or stopping altogether the toxins that pose a threat to these creatures. 

So how then does alcohol kill these creatures with such defensive factions? It's simple, the alcohol eats up the layer, which is one way and then finally induces a drying out effect, which should be enough to kill bed bugs and their eggs.  But utilizing alcohol to get rid of bed bug infestation isn’t a 100 percent strategy against killing these creatures.

Why people don’t depend on alcohol to kill bed bugs

1. You will have to apply alcohol directly on the bugs

Bed bugs are barely visible to our eyes, making applying alcohol directly on them more challenging. These creatures are “stealth” veterans and will hide in cracks and crevices, which makes the task of eliminating them more difficult, and in most cases, impossible.

2. Running alcohol isn't an all-round effective tool in killing bed bugs

Alcohol has shown some positive results in eliminating bed bugs but isn't overly effective at wiping out its entire population. Hiring a professional extermination service is the right measure to take against bed bug infestations.

A bed bug infestation is totally avoidable when you follow the right measures. If you ever feel like you’re under a bed bug siege, we’ve got you covered with our 100% effective bed bug elimination services. You can go ahead and give us a call or fill out our contact form.