Rainy Season Pests

With the start of the rainy season well under way I've seen  and heard an increase of toads and frogs.  They are a natural attraction to snakes.  In the past few days we've seen a number of snakes around the garden.

The snakes we've seen so far seem to be young snakes.  Older snakes don't return, probably remembering the welcome they receive.  

I spray them with a mixture of watered down chlorine and they make a quick retreat to the open fields and standing water

Album photo Apr 23, 2009	Photo by Bob Wilson Apr 19, 2007
Album Photo Apr 22, 2009	Album Photo May 20, 2011

Crawlers like ants, spiders and roaches are also on the move looking for dry homesteads.  I spread talc such as baby powder around the house.  Talc is also effective on bedbugs and fleas.  Avoid inhaling the powder.  Talc tends to harden with moisture (humidity), becoming less effective. Simply loosen the powder with a brush of brom. 

Alternatively citronella oil is equally effective against most bugs