All posts in “books”

Silverfish / Firebrats

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Silverfish / Firebrats

Silverfish / Firebrats can infest various and obscure places, this one was is in an outside rodent station. Usually found within structures and notorious for eating books, book bindings, papers and old documents. The quickest and easiest way of transporting them into your home is by way of old storage boxes or materials which they love to infest. Silverfish are usually uniformly silver, while Firebrats are mottled gray-brown color. They are usually associated with damp areas, active at night and hide during the day. Mainly nuisance pests, usually causing little damage. They do not cause disease and they don’t come up drains. The best method is reduce the dampness and they will usually disappear.

I think if you have a crawlspace and/or attic, this would be the first place to check. Those areas are noted for undisturbed and dampness, depending as well on geological areas of the country. I would then check areas of bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchen and basements  and don’t forget to check stockpiles of books or magazines. I also think baits work best on getting rid of the little pests.

So here are a few tips:

  1. Fix any leaks.
  2. Caulk any opening in wall and any areas where they could slip in.
  3. If you see 1, take action. If your system doesn’t get rid of them – Call a Pest Management Professional such as ProBest. 480-831-9328

Silverfish / Firebrats

Silverfish attic – book pests

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Where do silverfish live? My books are being eaten by something, what could it be?

How many people do you think bring in boxes into the house during Christmas or other occasions without thinking about pests? That pest, mouse or squirrel may have been living in that box all winter until it found itself within your home and all heck breaks loose. The silverfish may be eating the paper, glue or any binding on a book it can find. That mouse or squirrel may have set up to give birth in that warm and comfy attic space away from all the hub bub. Check out Bob Vila’s Top 5 Spring Pest Proofing Tips.

silverfish

silverfish

 

All I can think about is “Christmas Vacation” where that squirrel jumps out of the Christmas tree. Boy wouldn’t that give you a start?

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVWUhkPuU4Q[/embedyt]

 

 

How do plants and bushes affect termite treatments?

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probestpestmanagementIMAG1122

I truly wish everyone who builds or does work on homes would talk to one another. Here is my list of things I would want to talk about, not in any order:

  • Don’t plant anything under the roof dripline, it is impossible to stop roots from heading toward your foundation.
  • Leave the bottom shelf loose when building cabinets in the garage, this way I can see the expansion joint and treat it. Since the bottom shelf just sits there, is there a reason to secure it?
  • Don’t install water drip or irrigation systems to close to the home, have you ever seen the inside foundation wall just corroded and calcified.
  • Bear in mind that anything wood or carboard that sets on the expanion joint in the garage could be attacked by termites and that includes books.

Those damn termites………

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Those damn termites………

 

     

If you live in the South you should be familiar with termites, Subterranean termites live in the ground and make their way into your home or structure in a manner of ways including the first picture above. Once they are inside they will forage and look for food, that could be the studs in your home or books like the second picture above. Termites are always looking for food and they will eat anything that contains cellulose. Never store books or papers in the garage on the expansion joints or above any crack in the slab. I recommend a yearly inspection for termites and I also suggest that you walk around your home monthly to take a quick glance at the structure.

ProBest Pest Management offers Free Termite Inspections (this offer doesn’t include WDIIR or Wood Destroying Insect Infestation Reports needed to sell your home)

My favorite books…

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My favorite books…

I enjoy history and geography, so my tastes lean to this genre…

“The American Plague” by Molly Caldwell Crosby – Yellow Fever the epidemic that shaped our history

Another favorite is “The Jungle” mainly due to history about the meatpacking industry and it lead to the FDA (thank goodness). Have you ever noticed bugs in your cereal?

I also enjoy reading John Grisham, Dan Brown and Clive Cussler.

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