Our New Site

We have a new blog! We will be moving our blog to our new site which can be found here! http://davespestcontrol.net

September 30, 2011

Springtails aka Snow Fleas

Certain species of springtails are referred to as “snow fleas” when found in winter, but they are not fleas at all. Springtails are found year round, but because of a special protein that acts like anti-freeze, this type of springtail is able to survive in cold winter temperatures. Springtails don’t have wings, instead they get around by jumping, using a unique catapult system. Their jumping is especially noticeable in winter when they are contrasted against white snow.

Springtails are very common around pools with nearby vegetation, around air conditioning condensate drain lines and other moist areas. In winter, snow fleas emerge on sunny days and gather in large numbers around bases of trees where snow has melted. Because of their small size, they look like flecks of pepper or ashes on the surface of the snow. Snow fleas feed on decaying plant matter and prefer t live in damp soil, leaf mold, decaying logs and fungi.

They do not cause any structural damage and should not be of concern to homeowners. In addition, snow fleas are not a threat to family pets as they are not a flea at all. Their sole diet consists of rotting plant food.

If you're concerned about insects 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

September 28, 2011

Worcester Home Show Raffle Winner

Congratulations to Debra Reddick, our lucky Worcester Home Show Raffle Winner!

Debra won a 2011 Dave's Pest Control Guardian Protection Plan which will protect her home from damaging and unhealthy pests all year!

Want to learn more about Dave's Guardian Protection Plan? Visit our web site!

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

September 26, 2011

Yes, Spiders Can Jump

"Jumping Spider," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Photo by:
Stephen Dalton/Photo Researchers, Inc.
Meet the Jumping Spider...

The common name comes from their jumping ability and habit which they use 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.

Jumping spiders do not construct snare webs. Tehy build web retreats which are loosely woven, sac-like, 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.

Retreats may be built under furniture, in drapery folds, between books on bookshelves, in cracks found in wood floors, around door and window molding, etc. Outside retreats may be found under loose bark, between leaves, etc. Indoors, spiders will usually be found hunting around windows and doors because more insects are attracted to these areas and their vision is best in sunlit areas. Outdoors, jumping spiders are commonly seen running over tree bark, under stones and boards, on bushes, fences, decks and the outside of buildings, especially sunny areas.

While jumping spiders can bite, they are not considered dangerous.

If you're concerned that you have carpet beetles 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

September 24, 2011

About Bald-Faced Hornets

This atypically large black-and-white relative of the yellow jacket gets its common name from its largely black color but mostly white face. It is named a hornet because of its large size and aerial nest.

Bald-faced hornets are social insects, although not true hornets. They live in colonies that may contain between 100-400 members at their peak. They usually appear in late summer.

If you're concerned that you have hornets 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

*Answers to Name That Bug (from 9/22/11 post)
1. Bald-Faced Hornet
2. Brown Recluse Spider
3. Deer Mouse
4. Silverfish

How good did you do? Let me know!

September 22, 2011

Name That Bug!

#1

#2

#3

#4
*Answers will appear in my next blog.

If you're concerned that you have bugs or 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

Reference: www.pestworld.org

September 20, 2011

About Dave's Pest Control

To my new readers, here's a little background on our family business. 

Dave's Pest Control has been in business in the Worcester area since 1972. My father, Dave Penttila, Sr. started the company with little more than a handshake and a prayer. Today, Dave's Pest Control is still family owned and operated.

My vision has brought the company to a new level by implementing new and improved technology in combatting today's pest control challenges. We remain committed to providing the same superior customer service and products as always.

Many of our current regular service clients are original customers from the early years, who refer their friends and family to us regularly. Residential and commercial clients enjoy prompt, personal service that only an independent operator can consistently provide.

We provide pest control services throughout Central Massachusetts, Worcester and Hampden Counties, including Sturbridge, Spencer, Southbridge, the Brookfields, Charlton, Leicester, Shrewsbury, Rutland, Holden, Oxford, Webster, Dudley, Brimfield, Holland, Palmer, Worcester.

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

My family protecting your family...since 1972.

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

September 18, 2011

Warning! Bed Bugs Feeding...

Bed bugs typically take about five minutes to feed. Here, in a time-lasped video from the National Pest Management Association, you can see a bed bug filling with blood as it feeds.



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

September 16, 2011

More Pest Facts!

  • About 400 people in the U.S. contract typhoid, a fly-borne illness each year. 75% of these cases are associated with international travel.
  • The Madagascan Hissing Cockroach is one of the few insects who give birth to live young, rather than laying eggs.
  • A rat can swim for 3 days before it drowns.
  • The most common pest of stored products found in the home and in grocery stores in the U. S. is the Indianmeal moth.
Dave's Pest Control
A Central Massachusetts Pest Control Company
1-800-400-6009
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

September 14, 2011

Pest Quest Videos For Kids

Here is the new season of Pest Quest Videos for kids (and young-at-heart adults, too!).

Episodes include:
  • Menacing Mice
  • Tree Bees
  • Zombie Lunch
  • Dirty Rats
  • Moths and Lights

...plus Pest Commander Pete's Head Scratcher Quiz and more!

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

Reference: www.pestworld.org

September 12, 2011

Pest Facts

  • As many as 100 people die as a result of bee and wasp stings each year.
  • An ant can lift 20 times its own body weight. If a 175-pound man had the comparative strength of an ant, he could lift four tons.
  • There are 1,830 different kinds of fleas known throughout the world.
  • The brown-banded cockroach often hides her egg capsules, containing up to 18 eggs, in furniture.
If you're concerned that you have ants, cockroaches, or other insects 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

September 10, 2011

About Bora-care

What is Bora-Care? Used in Green Pest Management, Boracare is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate. It’s a fancy way to say “DOT”, Bora-Care’s active ingredient.

More simply stated, Bora-Care is a combination of the naturally found mineral borate and a patented mixture of glycol-based components that easily absorb into the porous fibers of wood and draw the borates with it. And since borates don’t break down, the protection from termites and their ability to tube over wood and cement remains for the life of the wood.

In addition, this patented product provides you with a low toxicity solution. And that means that Bora-Care can be used with confidence in and around homes, apartments, schools, hospitals, kennels, farm buildings, trailers, warehouses, non-food areas of supermarkets, restaurants and food processing plants.

If you are lloking for a green solution to pest control for 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

September 8, 2011

Bed Bug Basics: 10 Tips to Protect Yourself

Join us on a fast-paced, educational trip through the history of bed bugs and the recent resurgence. This video will teach you how to be vigilant to minimize your risk of encountering bed bugs and how to effectively deal with this resilient pest if you have an infestation. Please share this with others. Public awareness is key in controlling bed bug infestations. Copyright 2011. The National Pest Management Association.



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

Reference: www.pestworld.org

September 6, 2011

5 Steps of Green Pest Management

Green Pest Management (GPM) is an integrated, multi-step approach that works on a different principle than the familiar chemically oriented pest control, which depends totally on the use of chemical applications that are sometimes toxic to people and their surroundings. GPM combines prevention and monitoring techniques with a prudent approach to pesticides (using products like Boracare) to render a more responsible, yet highly effective solution.

The Five Steps of Green Pest Management

1. Inspection.
This is a critical first step that, when performed correctly and with diligence, can get your GPM program on track. In this phase, your Pest Management Professional will assess your home's risk of infestation. The PMP will identify any existing pests and note cracks, crevices and other points of entry into your home. He will uncover potential food sources, the presence of water sources, and look for signs of existing pest activity. From this your PMP will develop a prevention plan that can drastically reduce your home’s susceptibility to invasion.

2. Removal of food and harborage. In a chemically oriented approach to pest control, all other steps to discourage and control infestations are ignored in favor of introducing large amounts of pesticides into the environment. In an effective GPM program, however, pests are first discouraged by creating an environment unsuitable for them. This means removing food and water supply sources (including leaky pipes), compost sites, general yard debris, accessible pet food, garbage and other food sources.


3. Exclusion. During the inspection process, your Pest Management Professional will identify specific areas of vulnerability to pest invasion and create a customized plan for controlling and eliminating any problems without introducing unnecessary chemicals and hazards. Your PMP will maintain a vigilant effort to remove or seal points of entry into your home and keep them sealed. He will help you identify situations such as high moisture areas, overhanging branches or debris piles – which could attract pests or provide pathways into your home. This ongoing service has a major impact on keeping your home from becoming an attractive living site for insects, termites and other pests.

4. Judicious usage of pesticides. Even after a thorough assessment of conditions, development of a management plan and creation of a “pest proofing” program, there may be the need to eliminate an existing infestation. Because in GPM, pesticide product application is just one part of an effective multi-faceted program, it can be performed with restraint and focus. This means only those pesticides necessary to address your specific problem will be used and only in the locations and quantities necessary. And as much as possible, these products will be specially selected for lower toxicity to people, pets, nontarget pests and the environment in general.


5. Monitoring. The final part of GPM is an ongoing monitoring program to ensure that your home maintains conditions that discourage pests and to identify the presence of pests before they become full-blown infestations.

September 4, 2011

Pest Control Goes Green!

Dave's Pest Control offers a wide variety of earth-friendly pest control solutions. Get rid of those pesky critters while doing your part to save the environment.

Green Pest Management (GPM) is the heart of any green solution to pest management issues. It is the smart choice for anyone who wants to minimize the use of chemicals in and around the home while maintaining an effective diligent pest control program.

GPM is an integrated, multi-step approach that works on a different principle than the familiar chemically oriented pest control, which depends totally on the use of chemical applications that are sometimes toxic to people and their surroundings. GPM combines prevention and monitoring techniques with a prudent approach to pesticides (using products like Boracare) to render a more responsible, yet highly effective solution.

In my next blog I will detail the five steps of Green Pest Management.

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

September 2, 2011

Bed Bugs On The Move

Bed bugs are elusive and transient creatures. Watch here to see how quickly they can move. Courtesy of the National Pest Management Association; PestWorld.org.



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