pest 12/19/23 – gtg
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Pest Control – Use These Methods To Control Mosquitos
When you think about mosquito control with netting, you can break it down into individual control and public control. Although some cities, states and countries might provide some sort of regulated mosquito control, you will probably also want to get rid of the pesky critters that plague your surroundings. Mosquito netting is a great solution also. Government pest control agencies may use pesticides in areas where there is a heavy population of mosquitoes, but that may not be enough to deter these insects. The bottom line is that you need to protect yourself from these little skeeters. Mosquitoes are, in fact, flies that will bite human beings and animals, leaving itchy red welts that can bother you for days.
For your own personal mosquito control, you might want to purchase insect repellent that contains DEET to restrain the bugs from biting. You can acquire repellants in sprays, creams, sticks, and liquids. Another common type of mosquito maintenance is the burning of citronella oil. The smoke from these candles or burners can keep the mosquitoes away, but in heavily windy conditions, the citronella may prove to be useless in keeping the mosquitoes away. More options are to spray your camping gear and clothing with Permethrin, which is also an insecticide.
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Do termites really eat wood?
Yes, termites actually eat wood. Using bacteria, protozoa and microbes that live inside their stomach, they are able to digest cellulose, the main constituent of wood.
Can termites make their way through concrete?
Termites cannot go through solid concrete, but they can get through a crack only 1/32 of an inch. Openings this size or bigger often occur where two pieces of concrete are joined together and around pipe openings.
How quickly can termites infest a house?
If a residence has been treated and there is no evidence remaining of termite infestation, how soon could they reappear? Subterranean termites can infest a structure during its construction phase if they are present in the soil. Conventional soil barrier treatments to control subterranean termites do not eliminate the termite colony; they block potential entry points into the structure. Soil treatment zones are intended to control termites for extended periods of time. However, they may be breached due to physical disturbance (landscaping, construction, erosion, tree roots, etc. ) and natural degradation of the termicide.
My kitchen is inundated with small- and medium-sized ants. They seem to cluster in my dishwasher. I’ve used ant traps and boric acid, and nothing works. What should I do?
It is important to identify the ant involved before trying to control it. Some ant species can be controlled using ant baits, while others cannot. The key to success is following the ants back to their colony and treating the colony directly (except when dealing with pharaoh ants).
How effective are bait traps for controlling cockroaches?
Bait stations may be effective in controlling cockroaches if placed properly. However, they rely on every cockroach in a population to feed on the bait before the infestation can be eliminated. Bait stations should be combined with other control efforts such as crack and void treatments.
Is it possible to get rid of cockroaches and keep them from coming back? Cockroaches can be eliminated from a home, but re-infestation can occur depending on the particular species involved and where the home is situated. Outdoor cockroaches, like the large smoky browns in the Southeast or Oriental cockroaches in the Northeast and Midwest, may continually try to enter a home from the outside. Regular exterior service, in addition to sealing outside cracks, will limit such infestation.
How do I get rid of mice? Mice are best controlled by using traps, either snap traps, live traps (e.g., Tin Cat), or a combination of the two. When using snap traps, use different baits (chocolate, peanut butter, etc… ) on the traps and place them where the mice are active but where children and pets can’t get to them. Also, seal exterior cracks and holes and put weather-stripping on doors to prevent new mice from entering. Mice only need 1/4-inch in space to enter. Numerous mice indicate a more serious problem and should be dealt with by a professional.
Is it possible to get rid of rats?
It is possible to eliminate rats, but it takes a lot of effort. Traps are often best for controlling them because the bodies can be easily removed. In some cases, baits should not be used because rodents will die inside a wall and will quickly start to smell. In many cases, both traps and baits are needed.
What is the best mouse/rat bait and how should I use it in my traps? Contrary to popular belief, cheese is not a good bait for mice. Peanut butter and chocolate work well as long as you don’t put too much on the trap. Work the bait onto the trap’s trigger so that it is hard for the mouse to get it off, and it will be forced to climb onto the trigger.
I have moths in my clothes and have indoor pets that may get into mothballs. What are my alternatives?
The first step is to clean the affected clothing and other clothing items that were stored with it. Next, thoroughly clean the closet, dresser, or storage area. Cracks in these areas may also be treated using a properly labeled indoor pest control product. Pheromone traps are available to monitor for moth activity.
I have discovered small, worm-like bugs that are tan-colored and taper at one end to a darker brown color. They are living in the carpet and area rugs. What are they? How can I remove them?
The description sounds like carpet beetles or cabinet beetles. These beetles feed on woolen items as well as dead insects, pet and human hair, and food items. They can be very difficult to control so it is recommended you consult a professional.
What can I do to keep spiders out of my home?
You can take the following steps to minimize spiders in your home or apartment: seal all cracks around windows and door frames and around light fixtures, vents and ceiling fans; seal all openings around pipes; place sticky traps designed for cockroaches near doorways; and regularly remove webs and spiders by vacuuming.
What is the best way to treat a flea-infested home?
Flea control requires the treatment of pets and the infested premises. Vacuuming removes soils and debris that might interfere with the treatment, removes adult fleas, and opens carpet fibers so the treatment can penetrate flea larvae and pupae. An insect growth regulator (IGR) should be used together with a product targeted at adult fleas. The IGR affects only the flea larvae and prevents them from molting into adult fleas which do the biting. It is important to treat pets the same day as the home is treated and to consult a veterinarian.
Are there really such things as bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, oval, reddish-brown insects that are approximately 1/4-inch long as adults. They live in cracks in beds and walls as well as in furniture near beds. At night, they will crawl into the bed and bite a sleeping person. The bite is usually not painful, and fortunately, bed bugs do not transmit any diseases. Bed bugs can prove difficult to control so a professional should be consulted.
We have several small, almost microscopic bugs around our windows and sliding glass door. They are reddish-brown; and when killed, they make a tiny red dot that looks like blood. What are they, and should we be concerned if they are increasing?
The description sounds like clover mites that live in the grass and invade homes during the spring. During the fall, the adults will deposit eggs in cracks in the outside of buildings. When these eggs hatch in the spring, the tiny, red mite larvae crawl up the foundation and find their way inside. This problem is usually remedied by treating the exterior foundation and the ground several feet out from the house.
I have these bugs with multiple legs and long, thin bodies like worms. They move slowly and are creepy. What are they and what should I do? These sound like they are millipedes which are related to insects. They live in moist areas outside and feed on organic matter in mulch, lawns, and leaf litter. When it gets too hot, too wet or too dry, millipedes may try to enter a home. You will need to seal cracks and holes in the home’s exterior walls. Keep mulch under 2 inches thick and try to keep it 10-12 inches from the foundation of your home. You may want to treat the foundation and ground around the home or call in a professional company.
How do I know if I have house centipedes? If they have very long legs, they are likely house centipedes that can breed indoors and feed on spiders and insects. Homes with house centipedes usually have a crawlspace or basement underneath where the centipedes harbor. You may want to consult a professional to inspect.
What harm can Earwigs cause, and how can they be eliminated?
Earwigs do not bite and are not dangerous. In order to control them, treat cracks in the home’s exterior and outdoor harborage sites (woodpile, landscape timbers, etc. ). A residual aerosol or dust insecticide labeled for indoor crack and crevice treatment should be used indoors. Outdoors, a suitable exterior household insecticide can be applied to areas where earwigs might live. If the infestation is large, hire a professional.
I’ve heard that silverfish are extremely difficult to control. Is this true? If so, what should I do?
They are difficult to eliminate because they often hide deep within walls or attics where treatments are difficult to apply. Apply a residual pest control dust product into all cracks and voids where activity has been seen and continue treatment for several months. Experience has shown that homes with wood shingle roofs typically have the most silverfish infestations.
What can I do to keep crickets from taking over the exterior of my home and office?
Crickets are attracted to buildings by bright exterior lights. Changing commercial lighting to sodium vapor lamps and home lighting to yellow bug light bulbs greatly reduces the number of crickets. In addition, limit heavy ground cover (such as ivy), especially next to the building. Remove any sites where crickets could harbor, such as piles of lumber and bricks. Additionally, seal exterior cracks and holes and make sure all doors have weather-stripping on the bottom.
I think I have a gnat problem, but I’m not sure. What should I do?
It is very important to identify these flies or gnats. If the fly is tiny and black, it may be a fungus gnat that lives in the wet soil of potted plants. Small tan flies with red eyes are fruit flies that breed in fresh fruit and garbage. The first step is to identify the type of fly.
I have a problem with flies in my house during the fall and winter. They are black and 1/4-inch in size. What type of flies are these, and what can I do about them?
If they hold their wings flat over their abdomens, they are likely cluster flies. These flies enter the walls and attics of homes in large numbers to survive the winter. On warmer days, they may crawl into the living spaces of the home. Once inside the walls, they are difficult, if not impossible, to eliminate. You need a professional to inspect the home and make recommendations for sealing cracks where flies could enter. Treatments can be applied that can greatly reduce the number of flies seen inside.
I have wildlife in my attic. What should I do?
If a raccoon or squirrel decides to nest in your attic, or a group of bats is using your building for shelter, it is important to get them out as soon as possible. If left, they will multiply and eventually create health issues because of the fleas, ticks, mites and diseases they carry. They can also cause property damage, as these animals gnaw on wires causing fire hazards as well as computer and alarm malfunctions. Our Pest Control experts humanely remove these animals from your property. Once removed, they will seal the openings to prevent other pests from re-infesting the structure.
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Bed bugs were once a common public health pest worldwide, and recently, have made a comeback. Bed bugs are parasitic insects that live on a diet of blood. Feeding preferences vary among species, some being attracted to blood from bats, birds, or other warm-blooded animals while others are attracted to humans. In comparison to other insects, bed bugs are superior. They can go without food for up to 18 months and can live in many different places. That’s why every crevice and corner must be searched within 100 feet of furniture. Some bed bugs even live behind wallpaper or pictures.
Adults can be seen with the naked eye. They are about 3/8 long and are reddish brown. After feeding, the color and size of the bed bug change remarkably. Newborns are translucent and become browner as they age through the 5 molting processes. A single adult female can lay up to 200 eggs in a day. These eggs hatch 4-12 days later. It makes sense how an infestation can happen so fast.
The presence of bed bugs isn’t determined by the cleanliness or price of a home or hotel. Bed bugs are most often transferred from a place of infestation, such as clothing, luggage, or bedding, to an uninfected area. This could happen anywhere. Due to the increase in international travel, bed bugs have become a larger problem. This is probably due to the close contact between people in travel situations. Bed bugs are even being found in places thought to be immune to such infestations, such as expensive homes and fancy hotels. Once a bed bug infestation occurs, it’s difficult to get rid of. Since they can go for long periods of time without blood, not having a host simply forces them to move. However, how long is someone willing to not be around their home? When a bed bug feeds, they don’t burrow like other parasites do. Instead, they puncture the skin with two hollow feeding tubes. One sucks blood while the other pierces and administers saliva to the wound. The saliva contains anticoagulants and anesthetics. This is why when someone is bitten, they cannot feel it. It’s also why a red bump often occurs, followed by itching. Although there are 27 different pathogens that can be carried by a bed bug, there have been no cases of diseases being transmitted by bites. Bed bugs normally feed every 5-10 days and their peak feeding period is about an hour before sunrise. They are nocturnal insects, so while humans sleep, bed bugs are doing their work.
There are treatments for bed bugs, but the chemicals and insecticides previously used have been used for so long that many of the newer generations are immune. Recently, extreme temperatures have had success. Bed bugs cannot survive extremely hot and cold temperatures, specifically, below freezing and above 113 degrees Fahrenheit. With the use of advanced technology, we use a machine that disperses Cryonite in order to freeze and kill bed bugs. Cryonite is carbon dioxide snow. It’s the same substance as dry ice, sitting at a very cold temperature of about -108 degrees Fahrenheit. The Cryonite effect is rapidly freezing the bed bugs by using a specific mix of particle sizes and speeds in order to create a quick energy transfer. This is what causes the freezing. This is also why the snow is different from that of what you find in a fire extinguisher. A fire extinguisher would not kill bugs, just as a Cryonite machine would not put out a fire. The speed of the snow helps penetrate tiny cracks and crevices as well as getting them through long pipes maximizing the freezing effect through the infected area. The other reason speed and high energy are important is so that the freezing snow has a hard impact on the bugs, guaranteeing contact. Once contact is made, the Cryonite does its job by killing the bug. Freezing is the best method for bugs that are immune to pesticides and Cryonite is both environmentally friendly and hygienic. Cryonite is poison-free, meaning you can use it on any surface. It’s dry, so it can be used even in areas where moisture isn’t wanted, like electrical sockets and switch boxes, and it is residue-free, allowing for use in sensitive environments. It’s accurate and reliable, making an impact on the rise of bed bug infestations. The actual machine that delivers the Cryonite is a simple unit consisting of a trolley, hose, gun, earthing clamp conductor and additional tools. The trolley allows easy transportation for the cylinder containing 7-10 kgs of carbon dioxide gas as well as holders for all the other equipment. The gun holds the nozzle and is designed to help the user work with the machine as efficiently as possible. The gun allows for a larger reaching capacity than would be met by just the nozzle. This way, the user can get to difficult places like up high, nooks and crannies, and under and around furniture. The hose is about 4 meters long, allowing the user to work in a fairly large area before having to move the trolley.
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