All posts in “pest control”

Self Storage pests issues

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“Why self-storage operators should use Professional Pest Management services“. Excellent article from the National Pest Management Association on the truth and myths of storage facilities. Here are few ideas that I had in regards to this topic:

  • I’ve actually used a few storage facilities over the years and I must say that the ones I have used have been extremely clean and well kept. But with that being said you never know what someone can or will bring in.
  • If the building is older – when was the termite work done. Termite treatments don’t last forever and something popping in and damaging someone’s personal possessions can account for some serious agony.
  • Each unit is maintained by the person storing the stuff and each person is different in how and what they see or don’t see. I’m sure you’ve seen the hoarders, so sometimes they may or may not see the problem until it spills out into another unit.

So my advice if you are using a storage unit, keep an eye out for possible pests and advise management if or when you see something strange. Maybe it won’t be anything and then on the other hand it may be something serious.

26_Earwig

Photo by PPMA

 

Roly Poly or Pillbugs, I’ll bet you didn’t know?

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As a kid I always heard of them called Roly Poly bugs, but did you know they are really crustaceans ? They are really not insects but are more closely related to shrimp or lobsters. They are considered by the pest industry to be occasional invaders, but sometimes their number just explode.  There are two varieties Pillbugs and Sowbugs and about the only difference from what I can see is that the Sowbug has two small appendages which stick out from the rear of the body and the Sowbug can’t roll into a ball. They both tend to be outside pests in gardens but occasionally get into homes, they have mouth parts to grind up decomposing matter. They also have gills, which I didn’t even know!

So if they get into your home, what do you do? They will probably die from lack of moisture and they don’t do any damage. They don’t bite or sting and are not considered harmful. I’ve seen them basements and others areas of home high in moisture, which should also get you to think about how that moisture is getting into your home. Moisture can be far more dangerous to wood and your health if it is allowed to grow into mold or mildew.

 

The Puzzle of Pest Management.

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I love those shows on TV about crime, I always try to solve it before the end. Probably why I enjoy Pest Management – “the attention is in the detail”, right?

How did those termites gain access into the ceiling?

There is a mouse in the house and how did it get in?

There are moths flying in the pantry, did we bring them home?

Did we pick up our fruit or did we encourage rodents into our yard?

So become a detective and stop those pests from getting into your home, home-sealing is a must plus it will help save money on heating/cooling. Put the puzzle together and solve the buggy issues.

Photo by PPMA

Photo by PPMA

A little Puzzler of bug terms

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Blood feeder – recent issue – 6 letters?

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What killed 2/3’s ? population in Europe in or near 1350? 4 letters

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Cockroach skins or feces can cause this – 6 letters?

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Major roach pest in U.S. 6 letters?

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Soaks up pesticides in restaurants, making it difficult to control pest – 3 letters?

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Very small eight legged parasite – 4 letters?

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answers-etim, lio,namreg,amhtsa,aelf,gubdeb – Good Luck

Do you remember my #1 pest tool, how about #2?

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duster grn

My all time most useful tool is the compact Bellows Hand Duster, I still believe I could solve most issues with this handy tool. The next best tool in my opinion could be the Insider (see below).

insider01     insider02

Not everyone within the Pest Industry has any idea of these but I keep them on hand for those hard to reach jobs or places where I like to dust from time to time.

Remember it’s not just killing the bugs, who have to use tools which work the best for the customer.

What kind of service is right for you?

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What kind of service is right for you?

I often think about service and what is really necessay to control the pests in and around our homes. Every home is different and with that in mind every treatment is or could be different. So what is right for you Monthly, Every other Month or Quarterly? So here are a few questions with this in mind:

  • What is the pest pressure?
  • What time of year does the pressure increase?
  • What kind of pests are you encountering, scorpions?
  • Do you water by drip irrigation or flood irrigation?
  • Scorpion activity is different from cricket activity, why does that matter?

 

We try to customize each visit with those questions in mind, sometimes it is essential to change pesticide formulations and or change frequency but we will always discuss options with you.

SERVICE MATTERS!

service

Urban Myth – maybe so on Praying Mantis

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You thought having bugs was a real pain, the mating process is a lot tougher on those bugs  involved. The Black Widow, well we know how she got her name and the Praying Mantis often get their heads chopped off my one or the other in that mating ritual. So now we have the ultimate answer, or maybe not. “Do Female Praying Mantis always eat the males?”,  Published in Entomology Today and video from the Smithsonian Channel.

Movie to hit the BIG screen – “Big Ass Spider”

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I know what you are going to say and I’m probably saying it myself but you know I’m going to see it. Big Ass Spider is set to be released to DVD on January 7th and included above is the first 3 minutes. So judge for yourself, will you or won’t you see it? If you do please post some comments below.

Big Ass Spider
Big Ass Spider

Not a creature was stirring… facts about mice

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Not a creature was stirring… facts about mice

Creature – Lets start with a few facts:

  1. A family of six mice can grow to 50 – 60 mice in only 90 days.
  2. Mice can just about live anywhere from the tropic to the cold regions.
  3. They love to nibble and again will just about nibble on anything.
  4. Urinate as they run, so not only eating things but damaging or contaminating as well.
  5. Mice can use cardboard as nesting materials.

A few tips to stop them from getting in and staying in.

  1. Home-seal, no holes – mice only need a hole the size of a dime.
  2. Always use gloves when transferring boxes from attic or garage.
  3. Make sure your garage door is sealed.
  4. Make sure your screen are in place and in good condition.
  5. Don’t leave pet food out, if storing please put in containers.
creature

Photo by Univar

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