- Commercial Pest ControlThe most effective ant control is to find the nest and treat it with insecticide. An alternative is to use the workers to carry an insecticidal bait back to other colony members. In the home, extensive, undirected insecticide treatments, such as ant trail treatments or total-release aerosol fogs, are usually unsatisfactory because they kill only a few workers and often do not greatly affect the colony, the source of workers. Using surface applications on ant trails actually can make Pharaoh ant colonies divide and make the infestation worse! When home control attempts fail, seek help from a licensed commercial pest control operator.
- AntsRed imported fire ants infest the eastern two-thirds of Texas. They build hills or mounds in open areas where the colonies live, although colonies occasionally occur indoors and in such structures as utility housings and tree trunks. When a mound is disturbed, worker ants mount a rapid defense, quickly running up vertical surfaces.
- SpidersBasic treatment will warranty roaches, ants and silverfish. We will treat the immediate perimeter and inside of the structure/home including the attic, where accessible. We have several add on services that can provide control for spiders,ants in the yard,rodents in the yard and/or structure. We can also tailor a pest control treatment to meet the special need of your particular situation.
- TermitesJul 11, 2022 | Drywood Termites, Pest Control, Termites We’re back with another termite blog entry! Previously, we discussed subterranean termites and their habits. This time, we’re shifting our focus to drywood termites. These insects thrive on hard, dry wood in homes. Structural and decorative timbers are...
- Bed BugsThe Common Bed Bug definitely is “back”, and daily there may be dozens of news media articles related to this blood feeding parasite. From its rare occurrence into the 1990’s the bed bug now is routinely reported throughout the United States and Canada, and in such locations as theaters, schools, busses, offices, and upscale clothing stores. Because it is now so widely recognized it is logical that a great deal of misinformation is going to be spread about it. This article in BugInfo is intended to help you understand some of the Myths and Realities of the bed bug.
- FleasAdults are small (1/8 inch), dark brown, wingless insects with a flattened body and hind legs modified for jumping. Larvae are whitish, legless and worm-like and grow to almost 1/4 inch. Eggs are white and round. Female fleas lay eggs after consuming host blood. Eggs fall to the ground in the near vicinity where hosts spend time and rest. Whitish larvae hatch from eggs in 2 to 3 weeks. Larvae develop over 9 to 15 days under optimum conditions, but depending on the temperature may take up to 200 days. Fully developed larvae spin cocoons of silk that becomes encrusted with soil particles and debris, making them hard to detect. The pupal stage lasts from 7 days to a year before adults emerge. Under optimum temperature and humidity conditions development can be completed in 30 to 75 days.
- CockroachesAdults 3/4″ long, tan with 2 black, longitudinal marks on pronotum (shield-like plate on top of head). Average 30 eggs per capsule which is carried by female until ready to hatch. Only 3 months to the mature adult. Most common structural cockroach, a non-flyer carried into structures by man. German cockroaches are most commonly found in homes and commercial establishments. They are usually detected in kitchens, bathrooms or areas with daily access to water. They do not migrate into buildings from the outside, but are usually brought in with packages, groceries, etc.
- SilverfishBasic treatment will warranty roaches, ants and silverfish. We will treat the immediate perimeter and inside of the structure/home including the attic, where accessible.
- BeesMay 9, 2022 | Bees, Insect Control, Pest Control It’s important to be aware of carpenter bees because of their habit of boring into wood. If untreated, carpenter bees can cause damage to the structural wood of homes and businesses. Unlike other bee species that live in colonies, carpenter bees are solitary...
- Wasps
- TicksTicks grow from the egg to the adult by what is called simple metamorphosis, meaning their appearance does not change much. They emerge from the egg as a tiny tick, shed their skin some months later to become the second stage and a slightly larger tick, and then shed their outer skin one last time to become the adult tick, at which time males and females mate and large numbers of new eggs are laid. The life cycle of ticks, from egg to adult, generally takes around 2 years.
- CricketsThere are likely to be many more myths about bed bugs, but this is a good sampling. These are not invincible creatures, but they can be very tenacious once they become established in a room or business. This is due in part to the fact that they are so small and thin they can hide in the tiniest of crevices, and easily move through wall voids to infest neighboring rooms or apartments. They cannot be treated in the same manner you might treat to eliminate an infestation of crickets or roaches or fleas or any other pest. If you suspect you have bed bugs you should contact a Qualified, Licensed, Professional pest management company that has experience with bed bug control. Your cooperation and involvement are critical elements in the successful eradication of The Common Bed Bug.
- MosquitoesJun 17, 2022 | Insect Control, Mosquitoes, Prevention Having mosquitoes and other pests invade your home is an unpleasant experience. They can ruin an otherwise perfect backyard barbecue or pool party. Not only that, but mosquitoes also transmit various viruses and diseases such as malaria and West Nile Virus. Pest...
- Flies
- MothsMosquitoes undergo a life cycle called a “complete” life cycle. This means that the female lays eggs, the eggs hatch to larvae, the larvae grow and then turn into the pupae (like a cocoon in moths), and the adult mosquito subsequently hatches from the pupa to fly off and do its daily chores. The larva of any species of mosquito is an aquatic organism, and it must spend its time as the larva in water, where it actually serves some benefit by eating other tiny organisms in the water as a scavenger. So, female mosquitoes search for water sources in order to lay their eggs, and they can be pretty ingenious about it. The water may be large, visible sources, such as canals and swamps, or rainwater collections in ditches alongside the road. Or, it may be small sources of water that are more likely to be found in your backyard, and these are the ones you can control.
- MitesPest birds harbor ticks, fleas, mites and other ectoparasites. Parasites transfer disease in the following manner. The parasite bites an infected animal and suck in blood containing the germ. When the bug bites its next victim it passes along the germ to the new victim. This occurs because parasites inject some of their saliva into the host when feeding. Over forty types of parasites often live either on the birds, their nests or in the places the roost. They are responsible for the transmission of several hundred viral and bacterial agents. These diseases include plague, encephalitis, pox and meningitis. Control of these parasites is a crucial phase of the bird control project. Paradoxically, this threat can be aggravated when bird control products are installed. When birds are excluded from a site, the parasites must b exterminated by thoroughly cleaning the site with a hospital-grade disinfectant, otherwise the mites, fleas, ticks, etc., will seek a new host – often the human inhabitants. Therefore, a proper bird control project will always include parasite extermination.
- AphidsForaging worker ants in the home can be a nuisance. Carpenter ants usually nest in dead wood, either outdoors in old stumps and dead parts of trees and around homes (in fences, firewood, etc.) or indoors (between wood shingles, in siding, beams, joists, fascia boards, etc.). Ant colonies are often located in cracks and crevices between structural timbers, but the ants can also tunnel into structural wood to form nesting galleries, although this is less common in Texas. They seem to prefer moist, decaying wood, wood with dry rot or old termite galleries. However, damage is often limited because these ants tunnel into wood only to form nests and do not eat wood. Galleries excavated in wood to produce nesting sites can weaken structures. Occasionally carpenter ants, particularly Camponotus rasilis, nest under stones or in other non-wood cracks and crevices. Foraging worker ants leave the nest and seek sweets and other foods such as decaying fruit, insects and sweet exudates from aphids or other sucking insects. Nesting tunnels when produced by carpenter ants usually follow the grain of the wood and around the annual rings. Tunnel walls are clean and smooth. Nests can be located by searching for piles of sawdust-like wood scrapings (frass) under exit holes. These piles accumulate as the nests are excavated and usually also contain parts of dead colony members.
- GnatsAnother thought to keep in mind is to make sure you actually are dealing with mosquitoes, before you set about releasing chemicals into your home or yard. There are many other kinds of little “gnats” that resemble mosquitoes but which themselves do not bite. These may be midges, mayflies, fungus gnats, or the huge Crane Flies that people mistakenly believe are “mosquito hawks”, and believe will eat mosquitoes for us. Unfortunately, they do not.
- Midges
- BatsIn Texas these are species of bats that are protected by laws or local ordinances, and you need to check on this status within your local area. Good contacts may be the Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, or a university biology department. In Florida two species are classified as “endangered species”, so obtaining a proper identification of the bats you are dealing with can be important.
- RaccoonsRaccoon Behavior: Raccoons are talented animals, and very well-adapted to live in almost any setting with ample food and water sources – including urban and suburban areas. Raccoons have a variety of skills that allow them to exhibit a variety of behaviors, most revolving around the basics: foraging for food and seeking shelter. Regarding the former, raccoons are omnivores, and opportunistic. They will eat food from the garbage(which they open the lids of or tip over) and dumpsters (which they sometimes get stuck in), and they will often steal pet food. Dog or cat food left outside is pretty much an open invitation to a raccoon, as the animal has no fear of any dog or cat, or oftentimes, human. If the pet food is indoors, the crafty raccoon will still get to it – they will rip open a screen to get inside the patio where the food is laid out, and will often find the food storage, and break into that as well. I’ve frequently observed raccoons entering pet doors and eating the pet food inside the house. In one case, raccoons were entering the pet door, going through the kitchen, down the hallway, across the living room, into the parlor, and up on the piano to the cat food bowl. Amazing! Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, so most of this mischief happens at night.
- Snakes
- Wildlife
- BirdsInfection occurs when a worker or resident gets fecal dust or droppings in an open wound or cut. This most commonly occurs when handling old razor wire products covered with bird feces. The wound site becomes red, puffy and pus-filled. Antibiotics are often needed to cure the infection. In some rare cases, infection of the blood (Septis) or internal infection can also occur causing serious illness or death. Proper attire and care must always be used when cleaning a bird site or installing bird control products. If a cut or injury occurs, thoroughly wash and disinfect the wound and cover with a sterile bandage to minimize risk of infection.
- WoodpeckersAdditionally, larvae developing in nest tunnels can attract woodpeckers, often causing more damage to the tree or structure where the carpenter bees have chosen.
- SparrowsFortunately, human interaction with most bird species is minimal, thus drastically reducing any health threat from most birds. However a few bird species have successfully adapted to our urban environment. The pigeon, starling and house sparrow have learned to thrive living in our buildings and eating our food. Their adaptation to our communities has brought them in close proximity with humans. These three non-native birds often conflict with humans in our cities and suburbs as well as potentially posing a health risk.
- PigeonsUsing our understanding of how nuisance birds play a role in disease transmission, we can develop a few guidelines when dealing with bird infestations. First and foremost, bird infestations are to be taken seriously, but not irrationally. When evaluating a health risk potential, look for the following: droppings or nesting materials inside air vents, birds around food or beverage production facilities, or large amounts of droppings in enclosed areas. These are the types of situations where disease can be spread. Remember, pigeons walking around your park bench is not necessarily cause for panic, but twenty birds living in the roof top air ducts of a restaurant could pose a serious health concern requiring action. Second, pest control professionals and other installers must take the proper precautions when tackling bird control projects. Respirators, goggles and protective clothing must be used when cleaning up bird sites, particularly enclosed areas out of the sun with large amounts of droppings and nesting material. Finally, it is not enough to remove the birds. It is crucial to exterminate all the ectoparasites and thoroughly disinfect the site.
- RodentsRodents damage buildings by gnawing at doors, window casings or almost any point where entry is attempted. Gnawing damage is also serious on-board ships and planes, where numerous cables, communication and navigation systems, water-tight compartment gaskets, food lockers and other materials are susceptible to damage.
- MiceThe roof rat’s eyes are larger and set farther forward than the Norway rat’s. The Norway rat’s body is heavier and stockier when compared with the roof rat which has a pointed muzzle and a slim body. Juvenile rats are distinguished from adult house mice by their larger feet, heads and tails.
- RatsNorway rats burrowing under building foundations, walks, driveways and streets frequently cause stress cracks and breaks. Paper and wood merchandise containers are attractive to rats. Feed contaminated by feces and urine is an economic loss to the owner and a health hazard to livestock.
- SquirrelsNests and food caches These can sometimes be found when cleaning garages, attics, basements, closets and other storage places. Roof rats, as well as other rodent species (i.e., squirrels and packrats), often store food in attics. Roof rat nests may be exposed when dense vegetation is pruned or removed from an infested area.