The holiday season means more time with family and friends entertaining, which means more eyes on your home. While you’re busy planning gatherings and decorating, don’t forget about your outdoor spaces. As you are planning menus and sprucing up the guest room, remember to check your DIY pest control supplies. Creating a pest-free home is just as important for making your guests feel welcome.
To prepare, November is a good time to bring your pump sprayers and hose-end sprayers into your local Bug & Weed Mart for a complimentary tune-up. When your equipment is not working properly or is used incorrectly, bugs and weeds around the home can quickly become overwhelming.
For more than four decades, Bug & Weed Mart has helped Arizona homeowners eliminate unwanted bugs and weeds while getting the job done for pennies on the dollar. One of the first steps is owning and then properly maintaining the equipment. To get ready for a pest-free holiday, let’s take a look at some of the essentials you will need.
Pump Sprayer: Your Reliable Workhorse
The pump sprayer is one of the most important tools for DIY pest and weed control. The one-gallon pump sprayer is large enough for home use. This pump sprayer provides the option to set it on fine mist or a direct stream and to easily adjust depending on the job.
Below are the steps to start using your pump sprayer:
- Remove the plunger and fill the tank with product and water to the one-gallon line and add product as directed.
- Close the lid and pump 5-6 times to create pressure.
- Start spraying targeted areas around the perimeter of the house and yard as needed.
- When spraying is complete, rinse out the tank with water to get rid of any remaining chemicals.
Following these few simple steps is all it takes to use a pump sprayer and to get results that last season after season. Keeping a pump sprayer clean and depressurized after each use helps avoid damage and ensures it is always ready for the next application. If your sprayer isn’t building pressure, it may be time to replace the O-ring or clean the nozzle, both quick fixes will keep your tool performing at its best.
Hand Spreaders: Even Coverage Every Time
When applying outdoor granules, such as insecticides or pre-emergents, a hand spreader is the most efficient tool for ensuring even product distribution. At Bug & Weed Mart, we recommend a hand spreader with a sturdy design that is easy to use. For optimal use of your hand spreader as you look to apply granules in your garden, here are tips to keep in mind:
- Grab the hand spreader and add in the granules.
- Use built-in wrist guard, which helps with fatigue in the wrists while spreading granules.
- Adjust the dial to setting 2. At this setting, the door opens just enough to release the right amount of product.
- Squeeze the trigger and start spreading.
Proper use of equipment helps ensure even coverage to avoid patchy results and spots where weeds sneak through or areas that are over-treated. A hand spreader also helps users get the most out of every bag of product while protecting the health of your lawn and garden. For best results, apply granules when the ground is dry and then water the area lightly afterward to activate the treatment.
Hose-End Sprayers: Fast and Effective
Hose-end sprayers are designed to allow quick, large area coverage and to make applying liquid products faster than using a pump sprayer.
The hose-end sprayers are especially handy during the busy holiday season when time is limited and results matter. Whether you’re applying pesticides, weed prevention products or lawn treatments, a working hose-end sprayer makes the job fast and hassle-free.
Tips for use:
- Check for the small black O-ring inside the attachment, this ensures a tight seal and prevents leaks
- Attach directly to your garden hose for easy setup
- Add chemicals into equipment
- Turn hose on to distribute pesticides or weed control products evenly and efficiently across your lawn
With a functioning hose-end sprayer, you’ll save valuable time while achieving thorough coverage — making sure your outdoor spaces look their best when your guests arrive.
Hosting Made Easy
The holidays should be more about enjoying time with loved ones, and less about worrying if weeds are overtaking the lawn and ants are invading the patio. If you check and service your equipment in advance and learn how to use it properly, you can get your home ready for the season. Before the first guest arrives, visit one of our Bug & Weed Mart stores to stock up on weed and pest prevention products and get your equipment checked.
Our experts are here to not only help you find and use the right equipment, but also provide the tools and knowledge you need to take care of your home properly.
FAQs
They’re at their most active, hunting and mating during warm nights.
Yes. Sensory hairs pick up subtle temperature changes and vibrations.
Often. Monsoon rains flood their hiding spots and send them into homes and yards.
A mix: seal entry points, use perimeter insecticide, and check indoors with a UV light.
Moisture, available insects, and dark, undisturbed hiding spots like firewood piles or cluttered closets