Cricket-Free Cottage: Safe, Non-Toxic Strategies for a Lake Erie Getaway

A family renting a Lake Erie cottage each summer battled crickets and light-attracted insects, wanting to avoid harsh sprays around their puppy and grandchildren. The long-term fix is sealing the structure—caulking gaps, repairing screens, and installing door sweeps—which also improves energy efficiency.

For immediate relief, switch to plant-based botanical aerosols like EcoEXEMPT KO, which are effective yet far safer than conventional pyrethroids. Outdoors, replace white lights with yellow "bug lights" to reduce insect attraction. Neither the crickets nor the night-flying insects pose a health risk—they're simply part of the lakeside ecosystem.

These steps protect both the family and the environment while keeping the cottage comfortable.