The Answer Man

Howdy, neighbors! The Answer Man here. August in Missouri is a unique beast. The summer heat is still hanging on tight, the dust in the driveway is thick, and the insects are out in full force. Combine that with those sudden afternoon thunderstorms that roll through the Ozarks, and your barn, workshop, or machinery shed can take a real beating.

Late summer is the ideal time to do a quick sweep of your outbuildings. Getting ahead of the dust, pests, and structural wear now will save you a ton of hassle when fall harvest rolls around and the days start getting shorter.

Here is your late-summer outbuilding prep guide, featuring simple fixes and gear you can find right here at C&C Farm and Home.

1. Winning the Late-Summer Bug Battle

By August, fly and wasp populations reach their peak. Flies stress livestock and horses, while wasps love to build nests right above shed doors and inside equipment cabs.

• Wasp & Hornet Spray: Keep a few cans of long-shot wasp spray near your barn doors. Spray early in the morning or late in the evening when wasps are dormant in their nests.
• Fly Traps & Baits: Hang sticky traps or reusable liquid fly traps away from main entrances to draw flies away from your animals and work areas.
• Barn Foggers & Sprays: For heavy infestations in enclosed barns, auto-dispensing fly misters or premise sprays keep pest numbers down without daily effort.

Answer Man Tip: Use a stiff-bristle broom to knock down old cobwebs along rafters and corners. Webbing traps dust, holds moisture, and gives pests a cozy place to hide!

2. Tame the Dust and Grime

Dry August weather means dirt and dust settle on everything, which can ruin electric motors, clog air intakes on tractors, and create fire hazards near wiring.

• Blow It Out: Use a leaf blower or air compressor to blow dust and chaff off overhead rafters, workbench tops, and out of power tool housings.
• Pressure Washer Power: For concrete floors, alleyways, and wash racks, a quick washdown with a pressure washer removes caked-on dirt and manure, keeping odor down and sanitation up.
• Disinfectant Cleaners: Spray down feeding troughs, stalls, and tack rooms with livestock-safe disinfectants to keep bacteria at bay in the heat.

3. Storm-Proofing & Securing the Perimeter

Late-summer pop-up storms bring high winds and heavy downpours that test your structures.

• Check Latches & Hinges: A loose barn door swinging in a 50 mph gust can tear right off its tracks. Swing by our hardware aisle for heavy-duty latches, drop rods, and replacement hinges to keep doors secure.
• Inspect Roof Fasteners: Check metal roofing for loose screws or backed-out rubber washers. Replacing a few roof screws now prevents a major leak over your dry hay or machinery later.
• Tarp Up Open Bays: If you have open-sided equipment sheds, protect your gear from blowing rain with our heavy-duty canvas or poly tarps and rubber bungee straps.

4. Gear Up for Shorter Days

It might feel like mid-summer, but sunset is already creeping earlier each week. Working in a dark barn with poor lighting is a recipe for tripped toes and lost tools.

• Upgrade to LED Barn Lights: High-efficiency LED shop lights and exterior dusk-to-dawn floodlights brighten up dark corners while pulling a fraction of the electricity.
• Check Outdoor Fixtures: Replace broken bulb covers or corroded outdoor switches before the wet fall weather sets in.

The Answer Man’s Late-Summer Prep Checklist

Before you head out to the barn this weekend, stop by C&C to grab these basics:

1. Wasp/Hornet Spray & Fly Traps
2. Heavy-Duty Outdoor Brooms & Pressure Washer Soap
3. Gate Latches, Drop Rods, & Door Hardware
4. Heavy-Duty Tarps & Bungee Cords
5. LED Shop Lights & Replacement Fixtures

Visit C&C Farm and Home

A little maintenance today keeps your barns dry, clean, and bug-free all through the season’s end. Stop by C&C Farm and Home in Bolivar or Lebanon. I’ll help you pick out the right pest controls, find the perfect hardware for your gates, and make sure your outbuildings are ready for whatever the Missouri weather throws our way!