Pest Health Threats - Part 1

Pests and rodents can affect your health, that's why it is important to fully understand the dangers stemming from insect and rodent infestations.

Did you know that some of the most common pests in homes are cockroaches, rodents and ants? It is disconcerting enough to realize that we share our homes with these critters and crawlers, particularly because of the serious threats they pose to our health and our families health.

Over the next few blog entries, I'll offer a more detailed overview of the health risks associated with some insects and rodents.

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
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

What's That Buzz...

It's a lovely summer afternoon and your planning a nice luncheon out on the porch with friends. All is going well until...You hear them coming, like a squadron of kamikazes....

House flies get their name from being the most common fly found around homes. Adult house flies can grow to one-quarter of an inch long and usually live between 15 and 25 days. They tend to stay within 1-2 miles of where they were born; however, they have been known to migrate up to 20 miles to find food.
House flies can only feed on liquids, but have the ability to turn many solid foods into a liquid for them to eat. House flies taste with their feet, which are 10 million times more sensitive to sugar than the human tongue.

These insects have been known to carry over 100 different kinds of disease-causing germs, which makes them very bad house guests.

Here are a few tips to keep house flies at bay:

• Be vigilant about sanitation
• Remove trash regularly and use well-sealing garbage receptacles
• Clean up pet waste immediately
• Use fine mesh screens on doors and windows to prevent fly entry

Of course, you can always give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

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

Cat Vs Mouse

Of course, if you do not own a cat, your best solution is to call Dave at 1-800-400-6009!

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

Earwigs

Earwigs, sometimes called pincerbugs, have the characteristic pair of forceps-like pincers on their abdomen. These nocturnal insects often hide in small, moist crevices. c tables, compost and waste bins, patios, lawn furniture, window frames, or anything with minute spaces can potentially harbor them.

Earwigs are primarily scavengers, but some are omnivorous or predatory. During their nighttime activity they feed on a wide variety of insects and plants. Plants that they feed on include clover, dahlias, zinnias, butterfly bush, hollyhock, lettuce, cauliflower, strawberry, sunflowers, celery, peaches, plums, grapes, potatoes, roses, seedling beans and beets, and tender grass shoots and roots; they have also been known to eat corn silk, damaging the corn.

Earwigs are harmless to people. There is no evidence that they transmit diseases to humans or other animals. Their pincers are commonly believed to be dangerous, but cause little harm to humans. It is a common urban legend that earwigs crawl into the human ear and lay eggs in the brain. Finding earwigs in the human ear is rare, as most species do not fly and prefer dark and damp areas rather than typical bedrooms.

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

Thinking About Hiring A Pest Management Professional?

If you're thinking about hiring a pest management professional (PMP) there are a few things you should know. I'll be detailing some of the questions and concerns in upcoming blogs.

One important item is to ask the PMP to outline their plan for dealing with your pest problem. Have the PMP describe why and where the pesticide applications will take place. Ask what products will be used for each application. If you do not understand the information they are presenting, ask them to further explain the procedure.

You may want to review the labels of pesticides and discuss techniques the applicator intends to use. Ask if lower-risk pesticide alternatives are available. Note special safety concerns in the contract, such as family members with allergies and health problems, infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and pets. The choice of pesticides and/or other methods must reflect these concerns.

Also, inquire about special instructions you should follow to reduce your exposure to the pesticides that will be applied.

• Should you be out of the house, building, or office during and after the application?
• For how long?
• What about drying time or ventilation?
• What should you expect after the application?
• Will there be any odors or visible residues?

Always ensure that the service representative and the PMP holds a commercial pesticide applicator's license. Although the applicator of pesticides is required to hold a license, it is wise to have someone trained and certified to make the appropriate recommendations for pesticide use.

If you're concerned about pests in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009. We've been providing homeowners and commercial property owners with complete pest control services throughout the Worcester County area for over 35 years.

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

Do Not Watch This Before Bedtime!

If you're concerned that you have bed bugs in your home, hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

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

Yellowjackets...Bee or Wasp?

Yellowjackets are frequently and mistakenly called bees, but they are in fact part of the wasp family. Workers yellowjackets are sometimes confused with honey bees, especially when flying in and out of their nests. Yellowjackets, in contrast to honey bees, are not covered with tan-brown dense hair on their bodies and lack the flattened hairy hind legs used to carry pollen.

Yellowjackets have a lance-like stinger with small barbs and typically sting repeatedly. Occasionally, the stinger becomes lodged in the victim's skin and pulls free of the wasp's body. The venom is primarily only dangerous to those who are allergic, unless a victim receives a large number of stings.

Nests are built in trees, shrubs, or in protected places such as inside human-made structures (attics, hollow walls or flooring, in sheds, under porches, and eaves of houses), or in soil cavities, mouse burrows, and such. Nests are made from wood fiber chewed into a paper-like pulp.

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

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

About Bora-Care

Bora-Care is essential in Green Pest Management. Bora-Care. It 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.

Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate, or DOT, is Bora-Care’s active ingredient. 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're interested in a "green" pest control solution for your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

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

Termite Damage Is Serious

Termites are wood-destroying insects that, according to experts estimates, cause about $5 billion of property damage each year.



Depending on your geographical location, termite swarms should be visible in the early spring. Termite swarms can be confused with flying ants. Telltale signs of termite infestation include soft wood in the home, mud tubes in the interior or exterior of your home (often near the foundation), and darkening or blistering of wood structures.

Termites are nearly impossible for homeowners to treat on their own. On the other hand, pest control professionals have the training, expertise and technology to eliminate termite infestations.

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

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

Understanding Envirocare™

Our envirocare™ program is the heart of any green solution to pest management issues. Here's how it works:

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, we'll assess your home's risk of infestation and identify any existing pests and note cracks, crevices and other points of entry into your home. We will uncover potential food sources, the presence of water sources, and look for signs of existing pest activity. Based on this inspection, we'll 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, we 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. We'll maintain a vigilant effort to remove or seal points of entry into your home and keep them sealed. Dave's team 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.

For complete details on Dave's Envirocare™ Green Pest Management Program, call 1-800-400-6009 to speak to a customer service representative.

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

We're NPMA QualityPro Certified!

QualityPro is an initiative designed to increase professionalism in the pest management industry. This dynamic program certifies companies based on comprehensive standards. Known as “the mark of excellence in pest control,” the QualityPro designation can be achieved by ensuring that all employees voluntarily ascribe to a set of standards far above what is required by state and federal regulations.

Reserved exclusively for member companies of the National Pest Management Association, QualityPro companies are a distinguished group that continue to act as leaders and pioneers to better serve consumers across the country. Therefore, it is with great pride that Dave's Pest Control is now a QualityPro designee.

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

Don't Be Afraid, Be Informed

• Did you know cockroaches trigger asthma? 
• Have you heard that termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage every year in the U.S.? 
• Were you aware that rodents and ants contaminate food? 
• Have  you  heard about mosquitoes and West Nile Virus, ticks and Lyme Disease… 

The threats that household pests cause are very real. But, they should only scare you if you are uninformed about these pest-related health and property threats. From insights on integrated pest management to tips on seasonal pest proofing, visit Dave's Pest Control web site for the latest information on household pests and how to get rid of them.

Of course, you can always give Dave a call too! 1-800-400-6009. We serve Central Mass and all of Worcester County.

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

Crazy Ants

The Crazy Ant is part of the family Formicidae (Ants). These ants are known as Crazy Ants because of their characteristic rapid and erratic movement. The worker ants have extremely long legs, making them relatively easy to identify.

Crazy ants were introduced to the United States from India. Their distribution is limited to the Gulf coast from Florida to Texas. They are easily identified by their long legs and their habit of erratically moving from place to place (hence the name "crazy"). Crazy ant trails are not readily obvious because of this erratic movement. The easiest way to find the nest is to look for workers carrying pieces of food or workers with swollen abdomens. These ants are carrying food back to the nest. By observing their movement, it should be possible to find the nest.

Crazy ants are highly adaptable and will nest in a variety of locations, from very dry to moist. They will nest under objects, in rotten wood or trash, in tree cavities, as well as in debris left standing in buildings for long periods of time. These ants feed on a variety of foods including grease, sweets, and other insects. In some areas they are considered a biological control agent for houseflies.

While crazy ants need moisture, elimination of water by itself will not get rid of these ants since they can survive under a wide range of conditions. Elimination of food sources and nest sites are equally important in the management of this ant. Crazy ants do not respond well to baits, so they cannot be relied upon for management of this ant. Surrounding buildings with vegetation-free barriers such as stone or brick (but not wood mulch) will keep ants from entering buildings to nest.

About Ticks

Ticks are relatives of spiders, scorpions, and mites. And like their counterparts, their survival is dependent on a host, specifically,  blood or body fluids. These blood-feeding parasites that are often found in tall grass and shrubs where they will wait to attach to a passing animal or person.

Ticks can't jump or fly, although they may drop from their perch and fall onto its unsuspecting prey. Some species stalk the host from ground level, emerging from cracks or crevices located in the woods or even inside a home or kennel.

(Photo of blood engorged tick.)

Changes in temperature and day length are some of the factors signalling a tick to seek a host. Ticks can detect heat emitted or carbon dioxide respired from a nearby host. They will generally drop off the animal when full, but this may take several days. In some cases ticks will live for some time on the blood of an animal. Ticks are more active outdoors in warm weather, but can attack a host at any time. Mature ticks are harder to see. Frequent grooming and chemicals for control may control the spread of seed ticks and adults.

How ticks feed....
A tick will attach itself to its host by inserting its chelicerae (cutting mandibles) and hypostome (feeding tube) into the skin. The feeding tube is covered with recurved teeth and serves as a hammer.

Preventing and controlling ticks around your home....

• Keep your grass mowed and keep weeds cut. 
• Clean up items that attract rodents which can carry ticks, such as spilled birdseed, and hiding places like old wood piles. 
• Free-roaming dogs and cats are much more likely to encounter ticks than those that are confined to the home or yard. If ticks are found on pets, contact your veterinarian for information about an appropriate tick treatment. 
• Remove the occasional tick found indoors by vacuuming, seal the vacuum bag and place it in the trash. Owners of kennels or homes infested with the brown dog tick may wish to contact a professional pest control company for assistance. 

If you're concerned that you have ticks in your backyard, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

In the coming weeks I'll be talking specifically about brown ticks and deer ticks....and the serious health issues these parasites can cause.

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

Photo: Image library database of the US Centers for Disease Control

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

Meet Dave's Pest Control

Want to learn more about Dave's Pest Control, a local company that serves all of Worcester County? Watch our video!

How Well Do You Know Your Pests - Take 2

Many of you enjoyed the quiz I gave you last month, so here's another one to test just how well you know your pests!

1. What pest can burrow straight into the ground?
2. What pest can live without drinking water?
3. Is the old rhyme "Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite" a myth?

Scroll down for the answers.
Dave's Pest Control Central MA
http://www.davespestcontrol.net

1. Rats! Rats are clever pests that are capable of digging three feet straight into the ground. They have also been known to chew through building materials such as glass, cinderblock, wire, aluminum and lead and climb inside pipes with diameters between one-half and four inches.

2. House mice do not need to drink water to survive. They get all the nutrition they need from food. These mice prefer eating nuts, grains and sweets and are not particularly fond of cheese!

3. Bed bugs are real insects that like to make their homes in human beds and feed on human blood at night. These tiny bugs hide in cracks in and around human environments and are very difficult to spot.

The Western Conifer Seed Bug

The western conifer seed bug is a nuisance, occasional invader that has been moving eastward from the West Coast. This insect feeds mainly on seeds and developing cones of conifers. It was first detected in Pennsylvania in 1992.  Its range now extends across the northern U.S. and into Canada.  Interstate commerce is the main factor thought to be involved in its spread.

This occasional invading nuisance pest must come inside to overwinter.  That's when people notice them entering homes and office spaces.  Much like other overwintering pests, the late fall is when they pests will move indoors through cracks and crevices, under eaves and doors, and through weep holes.  And like other occasional invaders, they will rest on the southwest side of the building in late summer months into the fall and work their way toward doors and windows.

The adults are about ¾ of an inch long and brownish on top.  The upper abdomen is orange with five transverse black stripes.  Eggs (2mm) are laid in chains on conifer needles.  Nymphs are reddish brown as they molt from stage to stage and there is one generation per season.  A distinguishing feature of this bug is the larger tibia portion of the leg common to leaf footed bugs.  Another of note is the loud buzzing noise it makes while flying - the sound resembles that of a bumble bee and can be startling to clients.  But, this insect does not bite or sting humans. 

To combat their entry you may want to offer to replace loose fitting screens, add door sweeps, caulk any gaps around utility pipe chases, caulk around chimneys and under fascia as well as screen chimneys, attic and wall vents.  Once inside, they will be more active on sunny days and they tend to harbor in voids on cooler or colder days throughout the winter.  When seen on active warmer days, you may recommend that they be vacuumed up and removed.  (The vacuum bag should be frozen first to kill them.)

In the spring they will attempt to get back outdoors to feed and lay their eggs on pineneedles.  They actually do a good bit of economic damage to the quality and viability of conifer seed crops and contribute to a substantial loss of Douglas fir seeds.  It is assumed they will also cause economic damage and impact over time to conifers native throughout the northern U.S. and Canada.

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

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

Reference: http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/western-conifer-seedbug

Subterranean Termites - Part 2

As the termite colony grows, specialized castes are produced for the different tasks required. The first caste of subterranean termites produced is the workers. The second caste is the soldiers. Soldier have an elongated head with pincer-like mandibles. The third caste is the reproductives.

There are two types of reproductives, primary and supplementary, and each has different functions. Supplementary reproductives have either no wings or very short non-functional wings. Primary reproductives have four wings of equal size. Primary reproductives start new colonies and are the termites most often seen in the open. They are commonly referred to as "swarmers." 

Although thousands of primary reproductives are produced each year, they all leave the nest. Primaries cannot become reproductive if they remain in their colony of origin. In a Formosan colony, the only primaries that reproduce are the original king and queen that started the colony. Supplementary reproductives, on the other hand, can become reproductive only in the colonies in which they were born. They take over reproduction when the primary king or queen dies or becomes separated from the main colony.

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

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

Photo source: http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/b-6080.html

The Ladybug

The ladybug or lady beetle belongs to the family of beetles known as Coccinellidae. These small insects, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are commonly yellow, orange, or scarlet with small black spots on their wing covers, black legs, head and antennae.

Coccinellids are found worldwide, with over 5,000 species described, more than 450 native to North America alone. A few species are pests in North America and Europe, but they are generally considered useful insects as many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places.

Duriing the winter months, ladybugs seek refuge indoors. If the little ladies have already entered your home, use a vacuum to remove them. It is important to dispose of the bag outdoors to prevent the insects from crawling out.

Ladybugs are known to secrete an oily yellow liquid when disturbed, and release an odor just before they die, so squishing them is not suggested. If you have a ladybug infestation, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Fun Facts:

• The Mall of America in Minnesota, for instance, releases thousands of ladybugs into its indoor park as a natural means of pest control for its gardens.
• A common myth is that the number of spots on its back indicates its age. 

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