Archive for the ‘bugs’ Category

You never know where bug activity will spring up, I believe this is Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico

I love hanging out in New Mexico and of course you all know I love my bugs, so its wonderful when they just happen to be active and nearby. Carpenter ants are my nemesis and should not be dismissed as just another set of bugs. While not eating wood, they can damage it by making their home inside of it. I have run across these ants only one time so far in Phoenix and that is OK by me.

Don’t Let those Bed Bugs Bite!

Dr. Faith Oi from University of Florida, Director, Pest Management University at University of Florida

What are some ways to discourage insects trying to enter your home?

One of the things that Pest Management Professionals try to utilize are IPM or Integrated Pest Management techniques. These basic ideas include using non-chemical methods to reduce the bug population around your home.

• This can be as simple as removing firewood from close to your home to maybe next to a block wall and making sure its not directly on the ground.
• Trimming trees to prevent ants and other crawling pests from just walking right on it.
• Using yellow lighting or sodium vapor lights on structures or businesses will help to reduce flying insects.
• Keeping stone or dirt away from the stucco of your home so you can clearly see the foundation.
• Sealing up any cracks and crevices where bugs love to hide, this may include those block wall bump-outs.
• Keep trash cans away from doors where people come and go often.
• Check your property often and stay ahead of the insects.

If you store lots of firewood a device like this can keep it off the ground and you can always cover it with a tarp.

What did they use in the older days of bug control?

From dusters to moth devices that could be placed within closets or dressers to rodent repellers. These products were for the DIY or Do It Yourselfers and some worked very well and others didn’t. Did any of these work for you? Comments please!

Have you ever wondered why fleas can jump so far?

They can jump due to their very strong back legs and from pads of a rubber-like protein called resilin. Some fleas can jump up to 150 times their own body length. What would that be to a human – a 100 story building.

Fleas caused the Bubonic Plague back in 1358 and are found throughout the U.S. We normally don’t have much of a problem here in Arizona, I think mainly due to the lack of humidity.

Flea control is really a four-step process: Stop wild animals from coming into your yards and absolutely making sure they cannot get into your home, the pet should be treated, indoor and outdoor control. This process can also be used on ticks, which we do have issues with in Arizona. Don’t confuse Ticks with Bed Bugs.