Earwigs, sometimes called pincerbugs, are recognizable by the pair of forceps-like pincers on their abdomen. These nocturnal insects often hide in small, moist crevices, picnic 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.

If you're concerned about earwigs 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

Leaf Cutter Ants

With remarkably strong and rapid movement jaws, the leaf cutter ant is amazing!



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

Preventing Fleas and Ticks on Dogs, Cats and Other Pets

As a pet owner, you have a responsibility to protect your pet from health risks, such as those posed by pests. Ticks and fleas can make your pets - and you - sick and can lead to infestations in your home.

Pets that spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in wooded areas or tall grasses, are more susceptible to ticks. However, other animals can carry ticks into yards, allowing pets to pick them up without ever leaving your property. Ticks can then hitch a ride into your home on your pet, where they can bite humans and other pets. In dogs, symptoms of Lyme disease can include fever, decreased appetite, swollen, painful joints, lameness or limping, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes. In serious cases, pets with Lyme disease can develop kidney disease. Fleas are another common pest that can affect pets.

Flea bites can cause itchy, red bumps that lead to excessive scratching. Fleas can also cause conditions such as anemia and flea allergy dermatitis and can transfer tapeworms. Adult fleas lay their eggs on their host, where they hatch and reproduce. Eggs can also roll off onto nearby surfaces such as carpets, couches, pet bedding-usually anywhere a family pet has access to and particularly likes to lay.

Fleas can be particularly hard to find since they are so small and move very fast along the surface of the skin. In addition to being hard to find, they breed fast. One adult flea can lay as many as 20 eggs per day and the eggs typically hatch within 2 to 14 days. As a result, a flea infestation can grow quickly. A large infestation of fleas can be difficult and time consuming to eradicate. A flea infestation in your home should always be left to licensed pest professionals to handle.

If you're concerned that you have ticks or fleas 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

Meet The Termite Queen

At the heart of the nest lives the termite queen.

Trivia! The termite queen will produce almost 165 million eggs in her lifetime!




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

Protect Yourself (and Your Pets) From Ticks

Ticks are so small they can be easy to miss, especially if they've latched themselves onto your dog or cat, or the top of your head or on your back.

Ticks are more prevalent in tall grass and wooded areas inhabited by large animals, such as deer. If hiking through the woods, remember to walk in the center of trails to avoid ticks. While most people may be aware of deer ticks, which carry Lyme disease and are found in the Northeast region of the country, it's important to remember that different species of ticks are found across the U.S. and that they carry a variety of other diseases.

Before heading out, dress in long sleeves and pants and consider tucking pant legs into socks, especially if you will be walking in tall grass or wooded areas. Also, use a tick repellant containing DEET, following the manufacturer's instructions. For prolonged outdoor activities such as camping, look for clothing and camping gear that is treated with permethrin.

As soon as you get home from a walk through the woods, time in the garden or camping, it's important to perform a thorough tick check - from head to toe. If you find a tick on your body, remove it with a slow, steady pull so as not to break off the mouthparts and leave them in the skin. Then wash hands and bite site thoroughly with soap and water. Flush ticks down the toilet or wrap them tightly in tissue before disposing in a closed receptacle.

If you suspect a tick bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

If you're concerned that you have ticks 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

This Year's Tick Season Might Be the Worst in Years

The National Pest Management Association has release a news report regarding this year's tick season.

"Health and insect experts are calling it a perfect storm of conditions coming together to create a tick population explosion - lack of acorns and the mild winter. Specifically, the mild winter has allowed ticks, much like other insects to thrive and emerge earlier than usual. As for the acorns, oak trees produced an extremely large acorn crop in 2010, which led to a boom in the white-footed mouse population last year.

"As a result, the blacklegged (deer) tick population also increased because ticks had an abundance of mice to feed on when they hatched. However, this spring those same ticks will be looking for their next blood meal and since mice will be in short-supply, the ticks will turn to the next best thing - humans!"

In my next blog, I'll talk about preventative measure you can take to limit your risk to tick exposure.

If you're concerned that you have ticks 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

Meet The Redback Spider

Although indigenous to Australia, worth noting.



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