One of summer's major bugaboos is the bug problem we encounter when these pesky pests are attracted to our outdoor light fixtures get trapped leaving a mess of winged bodies.
Bug lights can help to reduce a bug problem. A yellow light will attract fewer insects because bug's vision is drawn to the ultraviolet end of the light spectrum.
An energy-saving option comes in the form of fluorescent bulbs with a yellow lens. These use less energy, attract fewer bugs, and function at a cooler temperature.
Floodlights that are post-mounted or mounted on the sides of buildings keep cleaning to a minimum because a housing that traps bugs is not involved. Also, because floodlights illuminate an oven from a distance, bugs don't hover over you.
If you find yourself in the unenviable position of needing to seal a driveway and you've found that plenty of weed-filled cracks are begging to be tended to, I offer the following tips:
First of all, show no mercy. You want to be sure that you clean the joints out as well as possible. Have safety glasses available as the joints will expel things.
Use a pump sprayer with its nozzle set to a wisp-thin stream to place herbicide in the weed-filled cracks. Allow a day for the cracks to dry, and then work them clean with power and hand tools. For a relatively straight crack, you could use a string trimmer tipped on its side to eject weeds and dirt from the cracks. Have a good supply of trimmer string available as you'll work through it quickly.
Significantly more difficult to work are crooked cracks. You'll need a great deal of elbow grease to work them clear with anything from screw drivers and wire brushes to a pressure washer and compressed air.
Upon getting the crack clean, apply a liquid or caulk asphalt filler. For web-like cracks use the liquid and use the caulk for wider gaps. Finally, smooth the area with a metal putty knife.
