5 ways to fend off bug infestations in Kansas and Missouri

Creating a bug-resistant environment in the Midwest involves multiple strategies to safeguard homes and gardens from insect invasions.

Seasonal changes, such as cooler temperatures, often drive insects like hackberry psyllids and Asian lady beetles to seek refuge indoors. Homeowners can mitigate these infestations by ensuring windows and doors are sealed properly and by being mindful of light sources that attract pests.

For garden-specific issues, manual removal of pests like Japanese beetles and squash bugs, coupled with timely chemical treatments, can effectively protect plants. Preventative measures, such as keeping homes clean and using suitable insecticides, also play a crucial role in deterring ants, fruit flies, and other household pests.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Ants crawling inside of home on the floor By DZM

NO. 1: ARE THE ANTS MARCHING INTO YOUR KANSAS CITY HOME? HERE’S WHY AND HOW TO GET RID OF THEM

It’s not you, it’s the Kansas City weather. | Published May 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

Squash bugs wreak havoc on the garden this time of year. Take steps to eradicate them and save your gourds.

NO. 2: READY TO SQUASH THIS GARDEN PEST? TAKE STEPS TO BANISH THE BUGS, SAVE BELOVED GOURDS

One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is crop rotation. | Published June 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Reardon

If your roses are suffering from an onslaught of Japanese beetles, it may be time to grab a bucket of soapy water.

NO. 3: JAPANESE BEETLES CHEWING ON YOUR PLANTS? HERE’S WHAT WORKS, AND ONE ‘REMEDY’ TO AVOID

The metallic green and brown insects are known to feed on more than 300 species of plants, including roses, ornamental trees and vegetables. | Published July 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Reardon

Fruit flies on squeezed lemon slice; see other similar images: By Drbouz

NO. 4: DO YOU HAVE A FRUIT FLY PROBLEM DURING MIDWEST HEAT? HERE’S HOW TO GET RID OF THEM

As KC experiences one of the hottest weeks of the year, fruit flies are more likely to show up. Here is what you need to do to make sure they don’t infest your home or get you sick. | Published July 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

Hackberry psyllids are responsible for creating nibble galls on the leaves of hackberry trees.

NO. 5: WHAT IS THAT CREEPING ON YOUR WINDOW? A GUIDE TO THE INSECTS INVADING YOUR HOUSE

So how does a homeowner deal with Asian lady beetles and these other bugs? | Published November 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Markis Hill

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.