We don’t like bugs, snakes, or random critters crawling around the house or barn. Between the East Texas humidity, the timber, and the pond, there’s always something trying to move in. #waterbugs
Luckily, our electrician Willie came out to fix the pond pump (side note: keep your old parts—he fixed it with pieces from the old one and saved the day). While we were talking, he asked if we had kids and dogs. When we said yes, he shared a tip he wished he’d known sooner: hit the house with a good perimeter spray and push it out into the yard a few feet at a time.
So we did. Here’s the straight scoop on what we used and how it went.
The Product: Permethrin SFR
We picked up a gallon of Permethrin SFR (36.8% concentrate). It’s a professional-strength termiticide and insecticide labeled for perimeter treatments around homes, barns, lawns, and more. It takes down a wide range of pests—ants, spiders, ticks, roaches, scorpions, you name it.
It’s not some gimmicky snake repellent. It’s the real deal for building an insect barrier that can help reduce the food supply that draws in other critters.
How We Applied It (Willie’s Method)
- Mixed it according to the label (dilute properly—don’t guess).
- Started at the foundation and worked our way out, spraying the base of the house and a band into the yard.
- Kept moving section by section so we weren’t standing in wet spray.
Early Results & Ranch Reality
Already seeing fewer crawlers near the house. Combined with regular mowing, clearing debris, and the work we’ve been doing on the front 33 acres with the Mahindra 6075, it feels like we’re getting ahead of it. However, almost stepped on a rat snake on the porch so not sure. And said rat snake went in the corner and laid by the moth balls so you tell me.
Pro Tips from the Ranch
- Clear tall grass, woodpiles, and mulch right up against the house.
- Seal cracks and gaps.
- Reapply after heavy rain as needed.