When Should You Call An Exterminator?

Here are a few common questions people ask us...


How do I know if I need extermination? The answer to this question is pretty simple. If you see just a few ants or just one mouse, those few ants or one mouse have a whole bunch of buddies; lurking where you can't see them. If you have even a slightly visible problem then you have a problem. Left untreated, you could have a crisis.

I have a whole bunch of pests and a lot of them. Do you have a solution? If you have a feeling one treatment isn't enough to keep your house pest free, we offer a couple of different options. The service technicians at Dave's Pest Control will come to your home or business, assess the situation, and offer a solution that will fit your needs and your budget.

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

Japanese Beetles Are Active

At this time of year, we see a great amount of activity from Japanese beetles. The Japanese beetle, although native to Japan, was first found in the United States in 1916 in a nursery near Riverton, New Jersey. It is thought that beetle larvae entered the United States in a shipment of iris bulbs prior to 1912 when inspections of commodities entering the country began.

During the larval stage, the Japanese beetle lives in lawns and other grasslands, where it eats the roots of grass. During that stage, it is susceptible to a fatal disease called milky spore disease, caused by a bacterium called milky spore.

Japanese beetles feed on a large range of hosts, including leaves of plants of the following: strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, grapes, hops, roses, cherries, plums, pears, peaches, raspberries, blackberries, corn, peas, and blueberries.

If you're concerned that you have Japanese beetles at 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

Our Website Has A New Look!

Over the past few weeks we have been revamping our Dave's Pest Control web site, working to bringing you more information, FAQs, and tips about insect and rodent control and pest extermination options.

We've been providing both homeowners and commercial property owners with complete pest control services throughout the Worcester County area for over 35 years. We offer a number of pest control programs, such as Guardian Commercial Protection Services and Guardian Residential Protection Services.

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

Dave's Pest Control
A Central Massachusetts Pest Control Company
www.davespestcontrol.net

Cockroach Trivia

Did you know...

• Cockroaches have been around since the time of dinosaurs!
• A cockroach can live almost a month without food.
• A cockroach can live about two weeks without water.
• Some female cockroaches only mate once and stay pregnant for life!
• A cockroach can live for up to one week without its head!
• Cockroaches can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes!
• Cockroaches can run up to 3 miles an hour.

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

Dave's Pest Control
A Central Massachusetts Pest Control Company
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Assassin Bug vs. Bat

Think there's nothing scarier than a vampire bat? How about the bug that sucks it's blood? Courtesy of National Geographic.



Dave's Pest Control
A Central Massachusetts Pest Control Company
www.davespestcontrol.net
Call Dave at 1-800-400-6009.

Termite Season

The warm spring weather urges trees to bud, flowers to sprout, and termites in search of "new" housing, particularly winter weathered homes.

This past winter brought record snowfall and spring is bringing records rains, leaving many homes with damage to walls, ceilings and insulation, and creating moisture that attracts termites.

Termites are known as “silent destroyers” because of their ability to chew through wood, flooring and even wallpaper undetected. Swarmers, looking to start a new colony, are typically the first sign of termite season as these winged-pests show up inside homes in early spring. It’s important that homeowners do not mistake swarmers for flying ants, as the two species look alike to an untrained eye. Discarded wings near windowsills and doors are often a sign that swarmers have already found their way in.

The National Pest Management Association offers these tips:

• Inspect perimeter of a home for rotting wood and mud tubes.
• Avoid water accumulation near the home's foundation.
• Never bury wood scraps in the yard. If the home is newly built, remove any remaining grade stakes.
• Keep mulch at least 12 inches from the foundation.

If you suspect an infestation in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
A Central Massachusetts Pest Control Company
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

More Bed Bug Precautions

Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers. Learn how to unpack the correct way to avoid bringing these pests into your home.



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

Dave's Pest Control
A Central Massachusetts Pest Control Company
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Bed Bug Precaution

Now that the summer travel and vacation season is upon us, I think it is worthwhile to review this video on bed bug precautions when traveling.



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

Dave's Pest Control
A Central Massachusetts Pest Control Company
www.davespestcontrol.net

Spider Bites

Meet the brown recluse spider, also called,the 'fiddleback spider' or 'violin spider' due to the dark violin shape on its head.

The brown recluse spider bites in defense and does not bite humans instinctively. They will bite humans when the clothing they are hiding in is worn.  They have a  bit of a bad rap because their bite can produce an open, ulcerating sore and cause severe tissue necrosis at the bite site.

Brown recluse spider bites often go unnoticed initially because they are usually painless bites, producing minor burning that feels like a bee sting. Symptoms usually develop two to eight hours after a bite; you may experience severe pain at the bite site after about four hours, as well as severe itching, nausea, vomiting, fever, and muscle pain

If you think you have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, see a doctor immediately. If possible, bring the spider to the doctor's office for proper identification of the spider is very helpful in making the correct diagnosis. If you are unable to be seen by a doctor that day, go to a hospital emergency room.

To avoid brown recluse spiders, keeping clothing off of the floor. Store clothing and shoes inside plastic containers, and shake out all clothing that has been in a hamper before wearing or washing.

If you're concerned that you have 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

References: Copyright © 2009 National Pest Management Association
http://www.medicinenet.com/black_widow_brown_recluse_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

Ant Lion Deadly Trap

An ant lion sets a death trap, courtesy of National Geographic.

NatGEo

Dave's Pest Control
A Central Massachusetts Pest Control Company
www.davespestcontrol.net
Call Dave at 1-800-400-6009.

Ants and Property Damage

Besides ruining our fun at picnics, some species of ants can damage wood in and around homes. Carpenter ants, for example, like to make their nests in porches, roofs, windowsills, even telephone poles.

Ants are social insects that prefer nesting in wood. They commonly hollow out galleries or tunnels in trees, structures, wood, and foam insulation. Carpenter ants are often found in conjunction with moisture problems. An indication of possible infestation is evidence of sawdust, pieces of insulation, nesting materials, and winged adults, known as swarmers.

To protect your home against carpenter ants, a seasonal visit program may be the solution. This allows us to get to your home before the wood destroying ants do each year.

So, if you're concerned that you have an ant problem in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
http://www.davespestcontrol.net

Request An Inspection

There are two simple ways to request a pest inspection from Dave's Pest Control. Visit our web site and fill out a "Request Inspection Form," or just give us a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Our mission is to set the standard of superior service in the Pest Management Industry that exceeds customers' expectations, and provides an enriching, fulfilling and rewarding environment for employees while supporting the community.

If you're concerned about insect or rodent infestations in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009. Our family protecting your family since 1972.

Dave's Pest Control
A Central Massachusetts Pest Control Company
www.davespestcontrol.net

Preventing Cockroach Invasions - Part 2

Just like with rats, a clean home is the best way to keep cockroaches at bay. It's a good idea to sweep up the kitchen floor before going to bed to be certain there are no loose crumbs lying about to attract cockroaches. Don't forget to close any open trash bags under your kitchen sink as well.

The German cockroach is the most common type and is found all over the US. This particular variety drinks a lot of water so sponge up any standing water in the kitchen sink and don't leave out dirty dishes with scraps of food affixed after you go off to bed. If you have a leaky pipe, be sure to get it fixed as soon as possible because even the smallest thing like this can draw the cockroaches. Remember that by denying cockroaches the food and water they seek, you are taking a major step toward avoiding an infestation.

More than one individual has moved to escape a cockroach infestation that just couldn't be vanquished. Be very sure if you move that you aren't transporting cockroaches in any of your moving cartons. Keep a can of pesticide on hand and if you spot any, spray them immediately or you'll have brought the infestation with you to your new home or apartment. Moving again would be awfully expensive, so do all you can to make sure none made the trip with you to the new house.

Here are some good general rules to prevent a cockroach infestation:

1. Be certain to store food in tightly-sealed containers or in your refrigerator.
2. Sweep floors and wipe down kitchen counters every night before bed.
3. Never leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight are any bowls or plates filled with water.
4. Take out all garbage every night. Make sure kitchen trash receptacle is sealed.
5. Use caulking to seal up any small cracks in walls, baseboards, around pipes and anywhere else cockroaches might gain entry or hide.
6. Make sure you have weather stripping around doors and windows. This will keep cockroaches from entering.
7. Fix all leaks and keep areas under sinks clean and dry.
8. Clean up piles of clutter everywhere in the house but especially in the basement or close to the kitchen area.
9. Spray roach killer frequently under sinks, in the basement and around and under the refrigerator, washer and dryer. These are favorite cockroach hiding places.

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

Dave's Pest Control
A Central Massachusetts Pest Control Company
www.davespestcontrol.net

Preventing Cockroach Invasions - Part 1

Everyone detests the cockroaches and wants them to be dealt with swiftly and permanently. These insects have survived unchanged for millions of years. Cockroaches were rumored to have survived atomic bomb tests in Nevada. Be that as it may, cockroaches have been present virtually everywhere for longer than we have and they seem determined to stay.

Sadly, the cockroach is one bug that can be hazardous to your family's health. That is why it is so vital that you eliminate the threat as soon as you see they have moved in. Cockroaches are known to carry diseases, germs and bacteria and have also been linked to asthma and allergies. Thus, it is wise to take every possible step to prevent a cockroach infestation because once they are entrenched, it's almost impossible to completely remove them.

Cockroaches normally live outdoors, but can make themselves quite at home in your walls, under refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, under kitchen sinks and anywhere else they can hide. Normally, cockroaches stay well out of sight until after lights out, when they emerge to search for water, crumbs of food, and other edibles. It is also not uncommon to turn on the lights and open a kitchen cabinet in the wee hours, only to be met by cockroaches crawling over things inside your kitchen cabinets. These giant bugs will eat just about anything and by allowing crumbs, water (especially dripping water pipes), pet food and other things to be open and accessible, you are inviting an infestation.

I'll be writing more about dealing will invading cockroaches in my next blog post, so stay tuned!

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

Dave's Pest Control
A Central Massachusetts Pest Control Company
www.davespestcontrol.net