The Everything Guide to Living Off the Grid (38 page)

Asian Lady Beetles

The University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture Entomologists Michael F. Potter, Ric Bessin, and Lee Townsend fact sheet on Asian lady beetles stated:

During the 1960s to 1990s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture attempted to establish the Asian lady beetle to control agricultural pests, especially of pecans and apples. Large numbers of the beetles were released in several states, including Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, California, Washington, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Maryland… .

Large numbers of lady beetles (ladybugs) infesting homes and buildings in the United States were first reported in the early 1990s. Ladybugs normally are considered beneficial, since they live outdoors and feed on plant pests.

One species of lady beetle,
Harmonia axyridis
, can be a nuisance however, they would fly to buildings in search of overwintering sites and end up indoors. Once inside, the Asian beetles crawl about on windows, walls, attics, etc., often emitting a noxious odor and yellowish staining fluid before dying.

Unfortunately, Asian lady beetles appear to lack natural enemies, although cold weather and freezing temperatures will kill some of them.

Asian lady beetles will start migrating into your home when autumn approaches. Swarms of lady beetles typically fly to buildings from September through November, depending on locale and weather conditions. These swarms are heaviest on sunny days following a period of cooler weather, when temperatures return to at least the mid-60s. Asian beetles tend to congregate on the sunnier, southwest sides of buildings illuminated by afternoon sun. Homes that are shaded from afternoon sun are less likely to attract beetles.

Multicolored Asian lady beetles are beneficial insects. Their natural control of aphids in pecan orchards has decreased insecticide use against those pests. Additionally, they have controlled aphids on some ornamental plants. Still, these lady beetles are unwelcome guests for many homeowners.

Once the beetles land on your home, they begin to look for crevices and protected places to spend the winter. They often gather in attics, wall cavities, and other protected locations.

Asian lady beetles generally do not injure humans and are mainly a nuisance. However, although Asian lady beetles do not transmit diseases, recent studies suggest that infestations can cause allergies in some individuals, ranging from eye irritation to asthma.

There are several things you can do to rid your home of Asian beetles.

• Vacuum. The easiest way to remove them is with a vacuum cleaner.
  
• Caulk and seal entry points throughout your home.
  
• Place some glue traps on your windowsills. The Asian beetles will flock to the windows, get stuck on the traps, and die. You can simple replace the traps as they fill up.
  

Japanese Beetles

Just when you were getting used to Asian beetles, a new variety of beetle appeared on the scene in the United States, Japanese beetles. These bugs
attack plants both as adults and as grubs (larvae). The adults eat the leaves and fruits of several hundred kinds of fruit trees, as well as ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, and crops, leaving behind large holes in the leaves.

As they develop, grubs attack the roots of trees and feed on the roots of various plants and grasses. Grubs have been known to destroy turf in lawns, parks, golf courses, and pastures.

Female adult beetles burrow about three inches into the ground and lay their eggs. One female can lay up to sixty eggs. The eggs hatch by midsummer, and the young grubs begin to feed, destroying the roots of the surrounding plants. When autumn is nearly over, the grubs will burrow into the soil and remain dormant until the following spring. In the spring, the grubs return to the turf and continue to feed until they change into pupae. Within two weeks, the pupae become adult beetles and emerge from the ground. Then the cycle begins again.

Although chemical insecticides are an option for killing both the beetle and the grub, you should consult with your county Extension agent to determine what is allowed in your area. The most common way to eliminate Japanese beetles is to use commercial traps. Traps for adult beetles operate primarily with two chemical lures. A combination of a pheromone, or sex attractant, and a floral lure attract both male and female adult beetles to the trap. Then, as a result of their clumsy flying and the design of the trap, they end up caught in either the bag or funnel portion of the trap.

What you need to understand as you place your traps is that the pheromone in the trap will attract beetles from all around, so if you put the trap in the middle of your orchard you are increasing your problem, not decreasing it. The best thing to do is find an area far away from your garden and orchard and hang the trap. Remember to check the trap to empty the bag, and then be sure to eliminate any beetles that are still alive.

Wasps

A wasp’s stinger is not barbed like a honeybee’s stinger, so a wasp can repeatedly sting its victim. If you are stung by a wasp, wash the area with soap and water, take an antihistamine, and apply ice to the sting. If you are stung by a wasp on more than one occasion, you can develop a dangerous allergic reaction to the sting. If you are allergic to bee stings and are stung by a wasp, seek medical care immediately. Also, if you are allergic to bees
or wasps, ask you doctor about a prescription for the EpiPen, which you can carry with you.

To get rid of wasps, you first must locate the nest. Wasps not only build nests in elevated areas; they can also build nests underground. Your best clue is to watch for heavy wasp traffic during dusk or dawn, when wasps return to the nest. Wait for the sun to go down, as cooler temperatures impede the wasps’ movement. Dress in protective clothing, including long sleeves and gloves, and spray the nest with an insecticide designed specifically for wasps. These insecticides generally have projectile shooting abilities, so you don’t have to get too close to the nest. Spray liberally, but avoid inhaling too much of the poison. Most wasp poisons kill wasps on contact, but it’s best to be safe by slowly leaving the area, as sudden movements can attract the wasps’ attention.

Judiciously check the nest the next day to ensure that all of the insects have been killed. If not, repeat the process in the evening.

CHAPTER 20
Emergency Preparedness

As someone who has decided to move off-grid, you understand the world you live in has no certainties. The only thing you can do to protect your family is to be prepared for whatever eventually may happen. This chapter will suggest scenarios that will cause your family to rely on themselves and the emergency preparations you have made.

72-Hour Kit

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, FEMA used to encourage people to have a 72-hour kit for each member of the family, because it was assumed that within 72 hours, government agencies would be able to get to the scene of any disaster or emergency and bring aid. Katrina proved that when there is a disaster of large scale, or one that affects a large portion of the country, you might have to rely on yourself for more than 72 hours.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign is designed to empower and educate citizens to prepare for the potential of an emergency, whether a terrorist attack or natural disaster, by following some basic steps. The Ready Campaign requires three simple actions: supply yourself with an emergency kit; have a plan for your family; and understand the kinds of situations that you’ll need to prepare for, and how to react to them.

However, the idea of having a 72-hour kit or a “bug-out bag” is still good. If you need to leave your home quickly, whether in case of fire, flooding, or other natural disasters, each family member can quickly grab his or her 72-hour kit and have some supplies that will make being displaced a lot more tolerable. Each kit should be contained in something that is easy to grab and carry. It’s best to have a container that’s waterproof. Some people use five-gallon buckets for their 72-hour kits, and backpacks are also often used. The following section provides some ideas of things you could place in your kit. Be sure to customize the list in order to meet the needs your family.

Food and Water

You should have a three-day supply of food and water, per person, that requires no refrigeration or cooking. If you prefer, a small water filtration device can take the place of three days supply of bottled water, which can be heavy to carry. Some ideas for food include:

• Protein bars/granola bars
  
• Trail mix/dried fruit
  
• Hard candy
  
• Beef jerky
  
• Juice boxes
  

Remember to create the bags to meet the needs of your family. If you have infants and use formula, be sure to include formula and diapers in one of the 72-hour kits.

Not every emergency happens when everyone is at home. Have a contact number that all family members should call in case of emergency. Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.

Bedding and Clothing

Having warm and dry clothing and blankets are important during any emergency and can sometimes be the difference between life and death.

• Change of clothing: inexpensive sweatshirts and sweatpants are excellent choices—and don’t forget socks!
  
• Undergarments
  
• Raincoat/Poncho: small emergency ponchos work well
  
• Blankets and emergency heat blankets (the kind that keep in warmth)
  
• Cloth sheet: to place over you
  
• Plastic sheet: to lie on if the ground is damp or to shield you from rain.
  

Fuel and Light

The ability to heat food or water or to escape from a dangerous situation at night are only two reasons to have sufficient fuel and light. Another is to provide comfort in a scary situation.

• Flashlights
  
• Extra batteries
  
• Flares
  
• Candles
  
• Lighter
  
• Waterproof matches
  

Miscellaneous Equipment

These are some of the items that will make life much easier in case of emergency.

• Can opener
  
• Dishes/utensils
  
• Shovel
  
• Radio (with batteries)
  
• Pen and paper
  
• Axe
  
• Pocket knife
  
• Rope
  
• Duct tape
  

Personal Supplies and Medication

You can’t take your bathroom medicine cabinet with you, but you should be sure you have the life-sustaining medical supplies you need during an emergency.

• First-aid kit and supplies
  
• Toiletries (roll of toilet paper—remove the center tube to easily flatten into a zip-top bag—feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc.)
  
• Cleaning supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc.)
  
• Medicine (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, children’s medication, etc.)
  
• Prescription medication (for three weeks or more)
  
• Extra pair of glasses