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By Debbi Spiegel Published: June 04 2013

Summer brings lots of bugs!

Many news outlets have reported that this summer would be one of Long Island's buggiest. Yet another thing to blame on Superstorm Sandy.  Along with the good of summer (long days, holiday weekends and lush, green landscapes) comes the bad (humidity, beach traffic and bugs). 

Until cooler weather returns bees, and the usual gang of fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes will take over with their usual massive offense. This year cicada bugs will emerge from their 17 year hibernation.  Do you remember that sound?  A great swarm of cicadas will bring their noise and funk to backyards. The roar is indescribable, like white noise pumped through dozens of concert speakers, like a football stadium packed with fans going out of their minds.

Here are a few steps you can take to defend against the invasion of any pests.  Good old-fashioned citronella candles are only effective when burned nearby.  New iPhone apps like Mosquito Repellent, Sonic Repeller, and Bug Spray claim to repel mosquitoes by emitting a supersonic sound so high as to repel mosquitoes. Most store-bought sprays like OFF! and Repel are effective. Make sure to spray in nooks and crannies, like behind your knees and inside your socks.

Here are some natural insect repellents:

Do you have any tride and true pest deterrents?  Let us know on LongIsland.com's Forum.

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