As winter rainstorms pelt portions of the U.S., particularly the Northwest, state environmental departments are reminding homeowners to check on any hazardous materials and chemicals, such as pesticides, that they have in storage to ensure that they are protected from the elements and secured, KCBY News reported earlier this week.

Pesticides can become "storm-driven debris" and, as the article notes, "even a small amount of toxic material can cause widespread damage and harm."

Additionally, storms can knock out cordless phones and cell phone service, making it difficult to impossible to get help should a poisoning situation arise.

Pesticides can be dangerous if improperly used or stored. At the least improper storage can break down the product and reduce efficacy, or even make the product completely ineffective.

When considering winter storage of pesticides, select a location:

• that is cool and dry, but retaining enough warmth that the product won't freeze.
• that is secure from children, pets and wildlife, as well as and any unauthorized people.
• away from foods and food storage.
• well-ventilated and well-lit.

In addition,

• Pesticides should be kept in their original containers.
• Any unused product and empty containers must be disposed in a safe, legal manner; see the product label for disposal instruction.

Tips from the University of Vermont include:

• Mark the purchase date on each pesticide container.
• Post emergency numbers in or near the storage area (Poison Control Center, ambulance, etc.)
• Read the product label for any specific storage requirements of each product

I recently received a question from a friend about the bugs that were cropping up in her home and office.  The bugs were appearing one by one, except in her daughter's room, where the slow-moving beetles were continually appearing on the inside of the window screen.

The first thought was that these were boxelder bugs, which are appearing in a number of homes as they seek the warmth of your home from their between-the-walls overwintering sites.  But they did not have the red lines that are characteristic of boxelders, and were much larger than the boxelder's typical 1/2-inch length.

A co-worker thought they might be Asian Longhorned Beetles. Although these are becoming a problem in the Northeast and some Great Lake states, it is not common for them to enter homes.

From her description, I pulled together images of a few of the more common home-invading beetles, and (tada!) they were discovered to be squash bugs. These beetles, like boxelder and stink bugs, will overwinter betweens the walls of structures and enter in search of warmth when the weather turns cold.

And like those bugs, control is best achieved through simple vacuuming or sweeping of the insects. But be careful not to crush them - they can raise quite a stink!

Photo by Scott Bauer, USDA/ARS

Introduced to the U.S. in the 1990s, the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) is continuing to be a destructive force as it moves across the U.S. infesting maple and other hardwood trees.

Because the beetle has no natural predators and kills trees that it infests, federal and state agencies ask that they be contacted if you find this beetle in your area.

Linked to the admonition "Don't Delay! Report ALB Today!", the University of Vermont has posted  list of state, national and Canadian contacts for reporting sightings.

Before making the call, however, you will want to check out the university's Look-alike page for a description and photos of ALB, along with those of other similar insects.