Insects From Abroad - Part Two

Earlier I shared some information on foreign invasive species from an article by Missy Henriksen for Pest World. Here are a few more highlights.

Some invasive species pose threats to American homeowners and families. Formosan termites, for example, is one of the most destructive termite species of the more than 2,000 termite species known to science. Originally from China, Formosan termites were brought into the U.S. through military cargo shipments after World War II.
They pose a greater threat than their native counterparts because they form larger colonies and tend to be more aggressive, thus consuming more wood at a much faster rate. Formosan termites are heavy contributors to the $5 billion in annual U.S. property damage caused by all species of termites.

Another problematic invasive pest is the red imported fire ant (RIFA). This ant, native to Brazil, was first introduced to the U.S. in 1933. Today, they can be found throughout the South and in parts of California and other western states.

RIFAs get their common name from their ability to inflict painful bites and stings, which form into raised welts that become white pustules. RIFAs will attack humans who disturb or threaten their nests, and often a person stung by a RIFA receives multiple painful stings from more than one of the ants. Those allergic to insect stings will react more severely. Red imported fire ants and their telltale mound nests should be carefully avoided.

If you suspect an invasive pest infestation contact Dave at 1-800-400-6009 right away. Our trained professionals will be able to identify the species and recommend a course of treatment to control the infestation before it becomes a major problem.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net Reference: www.pestworld.org

Common Ant Myth

Another common myth is that seeing one ant indoors does not equal a full-blown infestation. Although this can be true, ants leave an invisible chemical trail for other ants to follow once they locate a food source.

If that food source is in your home, you can count on ant colonies developing. And while most ants are considered harmless, there are those - such as fire ants, which sting and carpenter ants, which damage wood - that can pose threats to your family's health and property.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net  
Reference: www.pestworld.org</

About Stinging Insects

Stinging insects are most active in the summer and early fall when their nest populations exceed 60,000. Some 500,000 people are sent to the hospital emergency room every year due to stings from insects such as yellow jackets, honeybees, paper wasps, hornets and fire ants.

"Stinging insects pose a major health concern for families around the country, and these are the months when you are at the greatest risk," says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. "It is important to take certain precautions to ensure that you are not their next victim."
Experts at NPMA offer numerous tips for preventing stinging insects and treating stings:

• Hire a trained pest professional to destroy hives and nests around the home.

• Eliminate standing water and other sources of moisture in or around the home.

• Keep trashcans covered and sealed.

• When dining outside, keep food covered until ready to eat.

• If approached by a stinging insect, remain calm and quiet. Avoid swaying or swinging, as this may provoke an attack.

• Avoid wearing dark colors and floral prints, loose-fitting garments, open-toe shoes and sweet-smelling perfumes or colognes.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net  
Reference: www.pestworld.org

Ants, Ants, Ants

Am I driving you buggy about ants yet?

• Fire ants first entered the United States in the 1920s through the port of Mobile, Alabama.
• Ants are the #1 nuisance pest in the United States.
• A majority of homeowners report being concerned about ants.
• 56% of homeowners surveyed said they have had a problem with ants in the past year.
• More people in the South and West report having problems with ants.
• Odorous house ants may be difficult to control because they don't feed much from baiting stations.
• While their name may be misleading, pavement ants can also be found inside the home.
• 32% of households that experienced ants called a professional.

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

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control
Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

More Facts About Ants

Did you know all this about ants?

• If crushed, the odorous house ant worker gives off a rotten coconut odor, hence it's name.
• 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.
• African weaver ants can haul prey weighing more than 1,000 times their own weight up trees to their nests mainly through the aid of large adhesive pads on each foot.
• Odorous house ants are common in California north to Washington and are the most common pest ant in the mid-south region of Arkansas and West Tennessee. They may be encountered occasionally throughout the Midwestern United States.
• Fire ants currently infest 14 states in the southern portion of the U.S.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control
Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Test Your Knowledge About Fire Ants

Did you know . . .

• Fire ants currently infest 14 states in the southern portion of the U.S.
• Fire ants continue to move and infest more and more of the country. The entire pacific coast is ripe for infestation
• Large numbers of fire ant stings can result in death.
• A small portion of the population is allergic to fire ant stings and should see medical treatment immediately if stung.
• Fire ants appear to sting all at the same time. This is because they are sensitive to vibration or movement and tend to sting once they object they are on moves. Fire ants swarm onto a body part and when one ant stings, the body party moves causing all other ants to sting in response.

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

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control
Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Beware the Ant Hoarde

Beware the Ant Hoarde



If you're concerned about any colonies around 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

Fire Ants

Fire ants live in fields, woodlands, open areas, and in dry-to-moist soil. Their range extends from Florida and Gulf states to the Pacific Coast, north to British Columbia. Other members of this common genus are found throughout North America but the range of individual species is more restricted.
Reports of devastating battalions of fire ants are well known in the South and Southwest. Although these ants often damage young plants, they rarely destroy established crops. Some people even consider this species a beneficial predator of insect pests.

The fire ant society contains 2 or more worker castes of different sizes between 1/16" and 1/4". Their coloring is usually a dull yellow to red or black, they have large heads and incurved jaws that usually lack teeth. Their body contains a 2-segmented "waist" (pedicel) between thorax and abdomen, and fine hair mostly on the head and abdomen, and long legs.

Their food consists of other insects, seeds, poultry, fruits, honeydew, vegetables, and flowers. Females excavate nests close to shrubs for protection from burrowing ant-eating animals, spreading large mounds of waste earth. Sometimes nests are built in rotting logs or under stones.

Warning! Stings from fire ant produce a painful, burning sensation.
Dave's Pest Control Central MAhttp://www.davespestcontrol.net
1-800-400-6009.

Photo sources: http://fireant.tamu.edu/img/ants/img0018_med.jpg