From NatGeo Assassin Bug Vs. Bat

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

It's Enough They Crawl, But Jump?

The Jumping Spider get its name from its jumping ability used to capture prey. They are an occasional nuisance pest indoors, and some colored species may cause concern when people mistake them for Black Widow spiders. About 300 species of jumping spiders are found in the United States and Canada.

Compact with relatively short leg, jumping spiders are usually black, although sometimes brown, tan, or gray, with pale markings of white, gray, yellow, red, blue and/or green. They are typically covered with hairs or scales, often brightly colored.

Jumping spiders do not construct snare webs but do build web retreats which are loosely woven, saclike, composed of several envelopes and usually have two openings. Unlike most spiders, jumping spiders are active during the daytime and seem to like sunshine.

They are hunters and have the keenest vision of all spiders, being able to detect and react to movement up to 18” in distance; however their night vision is very poor. They can rapidly move both sideways and backwards for short distances. As their name implies, they are excellent jumpers.

If you're concerned about spiders in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Bed Bug VS Stink Bug

The news media may have been nearly obsessive in its coverage of bed bugs this year, but when it comes to insect nuisances, the stink bug is giving bed bugs a run for the money.

The brown marmorated stink bugs, although native to Asia, are increasing in number, particularly in the Middle Atlantic states, damaging fruit and vegetable crops. And while they don't bite, they so gross people out. They drop from doorways, can creep into virtually any space, and make the mistake of crushing one...and you'll think you've run over a skunk.

First found in Allentown, PA in 199, the stink bug seemingly has no natural enemies here. Researchers are working earnestly to understand why the bugs reproduced at a faster rate this year, and come up with a way to protect vegetable and fruit crops from this invader.

If you're concerned about stink bugs invading your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Disneyland Castle Lights at Christmas Time

Merry Christmas, everyone...and may you have a blessed New Year....

And now, child-like Christmas joy from the wonderful world of Disney....



Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

A Game For Kids

Mysterious and exciting, the world of pests challenges us to understand what attracts them to our homes and yards. Test your pest knowledge and skills with these learning games! For kids of all ages, and especially for those in third through fifth grade.

Archibald Ant is a very fussy odorous house ant who must find food for his colony and stay out of harm's way. Help Archibald complete his mission to locate and plunder the legendary sugar bowl on the far-off kitchen counter. And he needs, help, too, because he would much rather stay outdoors and avoid the unknown dangers indoors.
Click here to play!

Dave's Pest Control
http://www.davespestcontrol.net
Call Dave at 1-800-400-6009.

Keep Your Pets Pest Free

We all love our four-legged creatures great and small. Here's a nice little video on keeping your pets pest free.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Make Holiday Treats with Love, Not Bugs

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) offered the following tips to prevent common insects from invading your kitchen, especially while doing your holiday baking.

Beware of the “pantry pests!” Those pesky little creatures can take the sweetness out of holiday baking if you don’t guard against them.

What exactly are pantry pests? They are insects that tend to gather around food often stored in pantries and cabinets such as flour, dry cereals, spices, candies and chocolate. Common pantry pests include several types of beetles, earwigs, Indian meal moths, pillbugs, stink bugs, silverfish, centipedes, millipedes, and house crickets.

“People love making fresh baked treats during the winter and the appearance of even a single pest could put a damper on that tradition,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Taking some relatively simple steps and preventative measures against pantry pests can make all the difference in making sure families enjoy their holiday baking all season long.”

How can you prevent these unwanted guests from crashing your holiday cookie exchanges and baking marathons? The NPMA suggests the following tips:

• Immediately wipe up any crumbs or spills from countertops, tables, floors and shelves
• Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles
• Only purchase food in sealed packages that show no sign of damage
• Add a bay leaf to canisters and packages of dry goods like flour, rice and other grains- their pungent scent repels many pantry pests
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens
• Check expiration dates on baking ingredients before use
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains

If you're concerned that you have Pantry Pests in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

That Chill In The Air Drives Pests Indoors

Are you aware that you may be sharing your warm, cozy home with some squatters-pests? Indian meal moths, ants, mice, spiders and termites may all be nesting indoors. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), when temperatures begin to fall, an estimated 21 million pests head inside every year because their food sources are less accessible and they cannot adapt to the cooler weather.

More than a nuisance, these household pests can trigger allergies and asthma attacks, spread diseases, transmit bacteria and contaminate food. They can also compromise the value of a home by gnawing through electrical wires that can create fire hazards, as well as chewing through support beams and drywall, risking structural stability.

Pests find ways into your home by hitching rides on the items brought in, such as firewood, packages, and even on Felix or Fido. They also gain entry through small cracks and crevices in the structure’s exterior. Fortunately, there are ways you can prevent these unwanted guests through effective pest-proofing measures.

The NPMA offers the following tips on pest-proofing your home:

• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens
• Screen vents and openings to chimneys
• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home, using caulk and/or steel wool
• Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly
• Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains, that provide the perfect breeding site for pests
• Inspect items such as boxes, grocery bags and other packages brought into the home
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery trimmed and cut back from the house

If you're concerned that you have squatter-pests in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

WARNING.... You may never eat rice again....

Okay...let's be frank...there are microscopic bugs everywhere...so think of this as a little added protein...



Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

When Should Termite Work Be Done? - Part 3

Sellers who have a presale inspection done just before listing their home for sale usually wait until the home sells to have the work done. Homes don't show at their best while work is in progress. Also, some buyers would prefer to take a monetary credit at closing for the termite repairs and complete the work themselves after closing.

The buyer's lender may require a notice of completion from the termite company indicating that the property is free of any active infestation or damage. If this is the case, the termite work can be done after a buyer for the home is found but before the sale closes.

The Closing: Homeowners are advised to have termite inspections completed every couple of years. Periodic repairs should be completed so that minor problems don't turn into major defects.

Don’t Let Pests Come Home for the Holidays

The National Pest Management Association shared these suggestions for avoiding infestations during the holiday season.

(Fairfax, VA) — With the arrival of the holiday season, people all across the country are eagerly anticipating festive decorations, giving and receiving gifts and gathering with family and friends around a roaring fire.

“Between spiders and mites in Christmas trees, Indian Meal Moths and mice nesting in boxes of decorations and rodents and spiders making homes in firewood piles, homeowners need to take a few extra steps to prevent these pests from making their way into the home,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the NPMA. “Holiday preparations are busy enough without the added hassle of dealing with pest infestations, too.”

In order to protect homes from these unwanted holiday guests, the NPMA offers the following tips:

• Inspect live Christmas trees, fresh wreathes and garland for spiders and insect nests or eggs before purchasing
• Shake trees outdoors to remove any pests before bringing the tree inside
• Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home and on a raised structure such as concrete blocks or poles
• Pack decorations in airtight containers that pests can’t chew through
• Unpack decorations outdoors so any pests aren’t released into the home

If you're concerned that pests have entered your home or place of business this holiday season, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Deer Mice

The deer mouse makes its home outdoors in sheltered areas such as hollow tree logs or piles of debris. On the rare occasions the deer mouse comes indoors, it prefers undisturbed areas such as attics. You may also want to check under the hood of your car. Deer mice love to build "winter condos" there.

The deer mouse transmits the potentially fatal Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. The disease can be transmitted through contact with mouse carcasses, or by breathing in aerosolized urine droplets of infected deer mice.
Prevention:

To keep mice and other rodents out, make sure all holes of larger diameter than a pencil are sealed. Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a nickel. Seal any cracks and voids. Don't overlook proper drainage at the foundation and always install gutters or diverts which will channel water away from the building. Use heavy gloves and protective breathing gear when working in an area populated by deer mice.

If you're concerned that you have deer mice in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

When Should Termite Work Be Done? - Part 2

Home sellers are wise to order a termite inspection report before they market their home. Select a termite inspector the same way you would any contractor. Ask several people who recently had termite work done if they would use the inspector again. If you had your home inspected fairly recently consider using the same contractor, unless you had a bad experience.In some states, termite inspectors don't contract to do repair work. In other states, most structural pest control companies do both the inspecting and the repair work. If you're using the same company to do the inspection and the work, be sure to talk to several people who had work done by the company.

A good inspector might not have the best work crews. In this case, you might want to use one company to do the inspection and another to do the repair work. If you're having trouble getting good recommendations, ask an experienced local real estate agent.

Make sure to use a termite company that specializes in your area. "Termite" problems tend to vary from one area to the next. So you should rely on a pest control contractor who is an expert in your location.Sellers who are not planning on selling immediately should consider having termite repairs completed before they market their home for sale. Sometimes completing the termite repairs in advance will have the added benefit of improving the home's appearance -- if a deck is rotted or a bathroom linoleum floor is shot. The house will show better and you'll have a clean bill of health from the termite company to pass along to the buyers.

Pest Proof Your Holiday Decor

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Congressional Bed Bug Forum Brings Together Experts to Address National Scourge

On Thursday, November 18, 201, members of Congress, representatives from federal agencies, academic bed bug experts, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), other industries and victims of bed bug infestations will gather at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. to participate in the “Don’t Let Bed Bugs Bite” Congressional Forum organized by Representative G.K. Butterfield (D-NC). The event will be held from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.

NPMA will offer insights from the professional pest control industry about the extent of the bed bug problem, what the industry is doing to combat it and what the federal government can do to assist Americans whose lives are impacted by this pest. The pest control industry is in a unique position to offer its expertise as its members are seeing the extent of the bed bug problem first-hand.

The Forum’s panelists will discuss the medical, emotional and financial impact of bed bugs, treatment methods and the federal actions needed to deal with this nationwide pandemic.

“As an organization, whose members are on the front lines of this problem, NPMA is pleased to be part of today’s event and to work together with our public and private sector partners to help find solutions to this growing problem,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the NPMA.

“Bed bugs are no longer a pest of the past or characters in a nursery rhyme, rather they are a real and serious problem. They have invaded not only residences, but public places as well. While our industry is committed to effectively eliminating the bed bug problem, federal intervention is also necessary. This Forum is a crucial first step,” added Henriksen.

A 2010 survey conducted by NPMA and the University of Kentucky found that 95 percent of professional pest control companies in the United States have encountered bed bug infestations in the past year and 76 percent of pest professionals said that bed bugs are THE most difficult pest to treat.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org