How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles, for Good.

Dear Home Ec 101,I’ve been noticing this micro tiny bug that is gray with black spots, it looks identical to a ladybug, but it is not the Asian beetle. It does have wings, I know that. They’re also very tiny, sometimes you really have to strain your eye to see them. Then sometimes you can …

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Pantry Moths in Pasta

I put my pasta in a new container to store in my pantry and still found moths. What did I do wrong and how can I prevent pantry moths in the first place?

Dear Home-Ec 101, I put my pasta in a new container to store in my pantry and still found moths. What did I do wrong and how can I prevent pantry moths in the first place? Sincerely, Bugged in Buckhead Heather says Unfortunately, pantry moths are a part of life. We can take a lot …

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The Ants Come Marching One by One

Terro Ant Bait for ants

Okay, so. I hate ants. Hate. Hate. My realistic side knows the fact that I have ants in my house right now has more to do with the heat, humidity and rain than my house being messy or full of crumbs (otherwise they’d be in my kitchen, right?). I have been using a spray that …

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There’s A[n Unwelcome] Party In My Plants

Dear Home-Ec 101, I have a dilemma in that I looked up the tiny flies that are strolling around my plant soil. I found that they are called fungus flies and live on the decaying soil matter. I’ve sprayed the soil with Home Defense both bug spray and soapy water (nope), put a dish of …

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Identifying Small Bugs Attracted to Lights

Dear Home-Ec 101, I noticed tiny, tiny insects on my sheer curtains about 3 weeks ago. Then I noticed one or two on my white tissue box holder. I decided to take the lamp shade off to see better and saw ALL these teeny tiny insects sitting under and even on the CFL bulb. I …

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What Are These Tiny Bugs in My Puzzle Box?

how to keep bugs out of puzzle

Dear Home Ec 101, I was putting a puzzle together with one of my kids the other day and noticed that some tiny little bugs were moving around while looking for a corner piece. I didn’t freak out. I want to know what they are and if there is a way I can get rid …

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Rubbing Alcohol Fumes, Bed Bugs, and Carpet Beetles

Dear Home Ec 101, I was wondering if anyone ever sprayed their vacuum (not the bag type, the cyclone type with plastic bin) thoroughly to kill any bugs. I’ve been professionally treated for bed bugs and carpet beetles (YUCK sign me mortified) and haven’t seen any, but am scared to death to use my vacuum or …

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How to Get Rid of Mealy Moths

Dear Home Ec 101, My fiance and I recently moved into our first home together, but it soon became apparent that we weren’t the only occupants. The previous owner apparently had a mealy-moth infestation, and she oh-so-thoghtfully left it for us. They’re everywhere. I kill at least 5-10 daily and each day it seems like …

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How to Get Rid of Ants in Compost

Dear Home Ec 101, Every time I have tried composting, it gets full of ants, and I freak out and spray the compost pile. That’s probably not so good, eh? Is it okay for a compost pile or bin to be full of ants? Signed, Scared There’ll be Ants in My Pants¹ Heather says: I …

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Mysterious Fly Invasions

Questions for Home Ec 101 show up in the strangest places. Sometimes I’m minding my own business on Skype and they pop out of nowhere. This conversation has been re-enacted with permission, the name was changed to protect the innocent. MarshaMarshaMarsha: Sometimes I hate living out in the country. One of the of the kids …

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