Summer Pest Control Is Critical

The hot and humid days of summers are here, and so are the fleas, ticks, ants, bees, wasps, and hornets. That's why we offer our customers seasonal pest control plans.
 
Beware Stinging Insects! Aside from yellowjackets, wasps, and hornets, predators of the insect world (scorpions, spiders, centipedes, etc.) follow their prey into our homes during this increased activity. They enter through cracks, crevices, damaged areas around our doors, windows, eaves, weep holes, plumbing penetrations, electrical/utility connections, etc. They are not seeking us, but interaction between people and these "stinging" insects is inevitable when we share the same living space.

If you're concerned about the summer 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

How To Identify the Pest, the Nest and the Threat - Yellowjackets

The Pest: Yellowjackets . . .

Yellowjackets have a yellow and black color pattern and are between 3/8 – 5/8 inches.

The nest: Yellowjackets live in nests constructed of paper carton, which can grow to be basketball-sized. One nest will contain a number of rounded paper combs, attached one below another and covered with a many-layered envelope. Depending on the species, the nest may be near the ground, such as on plant roots, logs or timber, or aerial and attached to shrubs, bushes, houses, garages or sheds.

The threat: Yellowjackets are slow to sting, unless their nests is threatened.Yellowjackets are considered beneficial insects because they control many pest insect species. However, if their nest is located near a structure, control is warranted.

Remember, it is not advised to attempt to remove a stinging insect nest on your own, and doing so can be extremely dangerous. Instead, work with a licensed pest professional to access your property and the nest to determine the best way to eliminate the threat to your family.

The above information was provided by Missy Henriksen, Vice President of Public Affairs, NPMA Executive Director, Professional Pest Management Alliance.

 If you're concerned that you have yellowjackets around 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

Inside A Yellowjacket Nest

This video features a hands-on look at the inside of a Yellowjacket colony. Yellowjackets are a common wasp, their life cycle is one of complete metamorphosis.

The video shows eggs, larva, pupa and adults in the colony.



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

Summer Insect Health Risks - Bees, Hornets, Wasps, and Yellowjackets

Over the next few blog posts I am going to share with you excerpts from an article by Dr. Jorge Parada for the National Pest Management Association on summer insect health risks.

Bees, hornets, wasps, and yellowjackets are really beneficial to the balance of nature. They pollinate plants and flowers and help give us fruits and vegetables. They also eat other harmful pests such as grubs and flies. However, they give us anxiety about being stung, particularly is you are one of the millions of Americans at risk for suffering severe allergic reactions.

Although typically a source of great anxiety for fear that they might sting you, in fact, bees and yellowjackets rarely do sting unless provoked. So, the number one rule is not to panic and swat at a bee when it comes for a visit. If it lands on your skin, just blow gently rather than smack at it.

More aggressive species such as wasps can sting in painful attacks if they feel threatened or if you wander too close to their nest. While painful, most insect stings usually result in a limited local reaction, with pain and swelling.

Unfortunately, about 3 percent of people have more widespread allergic reactions, with rash and hives. The most extreme cases of allergic reactions are called anaphylaxis and symptoms include tongue and throat swelling, wheezing, dizziness or even life threatening shortness of breath and drop in blood pressure. If these symptoms arise, call 911.

If you are allergic to stinging insects you should know how to use an epinephrine kit and carry it with you at all times. If stung and the stinger is still in place, first remove the stinger. Then clean the area with soap and cold water and apply ice. Benadryl and over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment may help calm the reaction. Consider taking a pain reliever as needed.

If you're concerned about bees, wasps, hornet, or yellowjackets  around 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

NPMA Annouces Photo Contest Winner

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has announced the winner in its first annual Pest Photo Contest, a national online competition that challenged photographers to submit images of common household pests, rodents and small wildlife.

Pete Elbert, Photag5345, has won the grand prize of $1,000 for his photo submission of a yellow jacket.

Pete found the female yellow jacket bothering guests inside a hotel lobby in West Virginia. Hoping to get a few good shots of the stinging insect, he captured the pest in a plastic cup and set it free on some shrubbery outside of the hotel. Luckily, he was able to snap about 10 to 12 photos of the yellow jacket before it flew off into the night.

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

Reference: www.pestworld.org

"Bee" Vigilant

There are several species of yellowjackets. These flying insects typically have a yellow and black head/face and patterned abdomen. Many say, the pattern resembles stripes. Signature to species, the abdomen pattern can help an entomologist or pest professional identify specific types of yellowjackets.

Yellowjackets nest in the ground or in cavernous areas such as eaves and attics. They feed on sweets and proteins and commonly invade outdoor activities.

These stinging bees can be found anyplace humans can be found. Check near recycling bins or other areas where sugars are common but keep in mind these pests also feed on protein.

Yellowjackets pose significant health threats to humans as they may sting repeatedly and can cause allergic reactions. Stinging insects send over 500,000 people to the emergency room each year.

Remain vigilant and call a Dave if you suspect yellowjacket activity. Control requires specialized equipment and safety precautions. Do not leave sweet drinks or meats in accessible areas. For example, clean up and remove food and trash after picnics and outdoor events.

If you're concerned that you have yellowjackets 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

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Massive Yellow Jacket Nest

Here is an amazing news video of an unusual above-ground massive, 6-feet tall yellow jacket nest!



If you're concerned that you have yellow jackets around 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

Yellow Jackets

In the spring, mated female constructs small nest and daily brings food to larvae until the first brood matures. Females serve as workers, extending nest and tending young.

In late summer males develop from unfertilized eggs and mate. When cold weather begins, all die except mated females, which winter among litter and in soil.

Throughout North America; various species more localized. They can be found in meadows and edges of forested land, usually nesting in ground or at ground level in stumps and fallen logs.

Yellow jackets can be pests at picnics, and they will carry off bits of food. If the nest can be found and its opening covered at night with a transparent bowl set firmly into the ground, adults will be confused by their inability to escape and seek food in daylight; they will not dig a new escape hole and will soon starve to death.

Adult yellow jackets eats nectar. Larva feeds on insects pre-chewed by adults. The Western Yellow Jacket (V. Pennsylvania) and Eastern Yellow Jacket (V. maculifrons) are similarly colored, except the first antennal segment of the latter is all black.

Description: 1/2-5/8" (12-16 mm). Body stout, slightly wider than head. Abdomen narrow where attached to thorax with short "waist" (pedicel). 1st antennal segment yellow, 2nd and subsequent segments black. Head, thorax, and abdomen black and yellow or white. Wings smoky.

Warning! Workers will sting repeatedly if they perceive you as a threat to their nest, otherwise, they are less aggressive.

Call Dave at 1-800-400-6009.

If you're concerned that you have yellow jackets around 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

Autumn Pests

As cooler weather becomes more routine and many insects species have reached their annual population zenith, we see significant surges of activity from fleas, ticks, crickets, ants, spiders, etc.

This is the time of year, too, where numerous instances of yellow jackets and hornets are sighted around homes. Any observed entrance and exit locations should not be sealed as this will trap them in the wall. They will bore holes through interior walls to escape and enter your home.

So, what's the best way to deal with this autumn pests? Call Dave at 1-800-400-6009.

If you're concerned that you have yellow jackets or hornets nesting near 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

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