Brown Recluse: Insects

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2012年9月17日星期一

Pest Control Is Seasonal But You Can Do-It-Yourself If You Know What Insects To Watch For And When

Spring is the season when we see the biggest armies of bugs marching against us.

They spent all winter hibernating. They all gathered in their nests, and colonies, staying warm. They slept with dreams of all that food we humans carelessly leave laying around for them to feast on.

Then suddenly the weather turns warm, and those bugs wake up. Next thing you know they come out of the nests and colonies all at once. It's like a cloud of pests that fills our air.

As they start moving about, and get busy with their food collecting activities, the swarm spreads out. Those bugs head out in different directions, and return to their homes separately. Their numbers seem smaller for a while.

Then the eggs start hatching. The insects start growing their families. Next it's summer, and the bugs are everywhere.

The first warm weather invaders are the ants. They crawl all over your kitchen counter, and through your cabinets, leaving their pheromone trails in your food.

You easily handle an ant problem if you use the right baits, and put those baits in the right places. A couple weeks to a month, and the ants disappear for two years or so.

The insect that pesters me the most is the fly. Especially those big black bottle flies. You know the ones that constantly buzz around your head when you're trying to concentrate.

They fly so slow that you think they're easy to knock out of the air - until you try to hit them. Seems like every time you reach out for that fly swatter it turns away, and buzzes off just out of reach.

You'll easily handle most of the warm weather invaders with sprays. Look for the bugs around windows and doors. The light streaming in from outside attracts them. Get a good spray with the insecticide suspended in the liquid. It lasts longer.

With summer come the mosquitoes too. Those bloodsuckers can ruin your cookouts all summer long. Using fans placed around the perimeter of your party area helps because mosquitoes are weak flyers. They have trouble flying against the flow of air from a fan.

As fall comes on the insects start thinning out. Cooler weather starts driving them back toward the nest. They're on their way back to another hibernation period. Except for the cockroaches, and the spiders. Those pests are with you all year.

You can't get rid of roaches with a spray. You need baits for those guys or they'll keep coming back.

Spiders are tricky. Some are good guys; they help keep the other insects from bugging you so much. But the Brown Recluse is so abundant in homes these days that you can't know if you're safe or not. Learn to identify the recluse, and you'll feel more secure. Just squirt him with a spray, and leave the friendly spiders alone.

Fall is when you get that new attack from the mice and rats. When cold weather comes, they move from their burrows in the yard to the nice warm walls of your home.

Dealing with rodents is a matter of personal choice. You have your choice of many techniques from glue boards, to traps, to baits. Which technique you use depends on how much mess you want to deal with, and how much smell you can endure.

Insects and rodents are creatures of habit. They don't change their ways, and they invade your space at their own times of year.

Learn to identify the type of pest that's invading your home. Learn what times of year each pest invades, and watch for the seasonal invaders. Learn how to best treat for the pest that's troubling you.

When you do that do-it-yourself pest control is a cinch.

Joseph Jackson is an experienced pest control technician and author of BUG RIDDANCE a how to guide for performing do-it-yourself pest control for controlling a variety of insects, mice, and rats.

For more books about different pests, and how to control them, visit http://www.bugsmiceratsnomore.com

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The End of Summer Means Pest Control Adjustments For Year-Round Insects and a New Rodent Attack

Most of those insects that pester us during the hot summer days are snug in their winter homes here in the Midwest. I noticed a couple fruit flies buzzing around over the last few days, but I know they'll disappear soon enough.

That doesn't mean freedom from your pest control efforts though. You just need a change to pest control tactics that battle the cold weather visitors you don't want invading your home.

Pest control requires your attention 12-months every year, not just when it's warm.

You still must watch out for a couple of insects that stay active no matter what the season, though they slow down their activities when they're cold. Then there's that little 4-legged guy, and his bigger cousin, that likes the warmth you make available when the out-of-doors atmosphere loses its comfort.

Beyond your usual inspection for cockroaches and spiders, cold weather means an additional pest control procedure for checking along your walls (especially in the corners) for those little calling cards that alert you to the arrival of the rodents.

Most spiders don't bother you except for the unsightly cobwebs they weave in the upper corners of the walls. Use a broom for that, it works well for handling cobwebs.

I see the population of brown recluse spiders constantly growing around my place here in Indiana. Every year I find more of them in my house, and in my storage barn. I advise you study some pictures of these highly poisonous spiders until you know what they look like from a distance. You don't want to get to close to these guys.

Once you recognize them at a glance from three feet or so just spray them with an insecticide. You must constantly be on the watch for them all 12-months of the year. Those sprays only last so long, and once the potency disappears new brown recluse move right back in.

At least that's my experience.

Cockroaches make their home in your walls, venture out mostly after the house is dark, and then usually only visit the inside spaces of your cabinets where they find food, or under your sinks, running along pipes where they get their drinking water.

Most of the time you won't even see these guys because they're shy and don't venture out into open spaces much. When you do see them they're usually in the kitchen roaming around your floors and countertops. Spotting roaches is often a middle-of-the-night thing when you walk into your kitchen, and suddenly turn on the light - and they all go scurrying for cover. Sometimes you find them before lighting up the room when you step down and feel them crunching under your foot.

When the population grows to the size that you see them running around in the open is when you know you have a large infestation of cockroaches. By then your job of eliminating them is difficult.

The variety of roach that infests your kitchen is most likely the German cockroach, and your best method for treating is bait placement.

Then there's that rodent I mentioned.

These pests don't venture out into the open much either. Sometimes you catch movement from the corner of your eye, and maybe catch sight of a mouse running along a wall. Most times you don't see them, but you know they're around because you find those droppings every day.

Rodents like to stay out of sight when they have the opportunity. They rarely run out into the middle of a room.

Cardboard tunnels with glue boards placed inside make great traps for mice and rats. They think the tunnel is wonderful place to hide, and become stuck on the glue. Mechanical traps capture rodents successfully when you place something tasty on the trigger.

Rodent baits are most effective for mice and rats. The problem with placing baits is the rodent eats the bait then crawls inside your wall to die. That means you live with a stink that lasts three or four days for most decaying mice, and one to two weeks for dead rats.

With awareness that new seasonal pests have different habits you'll still be in control. Just make those pest control inspection changes to address those new habits, and you'll keep the populations down.

Pest control is a process that requires your attention all year. Don't let your guard down just because the weather turns cold.

Joseph Jackson is an experienced pest control technician and author of RODENT RIDDANCE, a how to guide for performing do-it-yourself pest control for controlling mice and rats.

If you're looking for more do-it-yourself pest control techniques you'll find Joe's book that covers all his most problematic Pest Control Technician experiences at: BUG RIDDANCE, Rats And Mice Too!

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2012年9月14日星期五

Common Winter Pests and Insects

You've probably noticed that whenever the weather starts to turn cold, you see more insects and pests crawling around your home. The reason for this is that the colder weather drives insects and pests to seek refuge in a warm and dry place, like the conditions your home provides. Some pests and rodents will hibernate in your home while others will remain active, causing problems. The best way to prevent unwanted winter pests and insects is to take preventative pest control measures throughout the year for each season. Listed below are some of the most common pests and insects that plague American homes in the winter.

Wolf Spiders

One of the most common winter pests in American homes is the wolf spider. In many cases the wolf spider is confused with the nursery spider or brown recluse. But wolf spiders have two eyes out of eight that are large and prominent that set them apart from other spiders. In most cases, wolf spiders are harmless, but no one likes to have an infestation of spiders in their home.

Carpet Beetle

Although the name would suggest that carpet beetles prefer to live in your carpet, these invasive insects live in many different areas of the home. The problem with carpet beetles is what they feed on, which might include things like carpet, wool, hair, cotton, or even flour and cereals.

House Cricket

House crickets are annoying pests that are most often found in warm ducts and in the paneling behind heating installations. House crickets have a characteristic chirping noise that can go on for hours, which can become extremely irritating to homeowners.

White Knight Pest Control ( http://www.whiteknightpest.com/ ) The leader in pest control Austin TX. Ryan Coisson is a freelance writer.

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2012年8月23日星期四

Common Insects and Other Pests Indigenous to Las Vegas

If you live in Las Vegas or are planning to move there soon, you should know that in the southern Nevada desert, you're never really alone in your home! As in every other place in the country, every house has to deal with insects, spiders, and other pests of one kind or another; but in the desert, some of these nuisances can be downright deadly. Here is a snapshot look at some of the most commonly found pests in and around the Las Vegas area that are indigenous to this part of the country.

Oriental cockroaches

Cockroaches in the desert? Absolutely! Although these carriers of germs and disease are more commonly associated with highly humid areas, the oriental variety has carved out a little niche for itself in the southern Nevada desert lands. They are smaller than most of their cousins, but they still can contaminate food just as efficiently. Keeping your house clean and caulking small crevices to the outside are great deterrents.

Black Widow and Brown Recluse Spiders

Although the Black Widow is more common, Brown Recluse spiders are also found in the Las Vegas area. Both of these spiders fight against potential enemies with highly toxic venom, making their bites nothing to laugh at. The Black Widow's venom is 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake's, and the skin around a Brown Recluse bite will quickly degenerate and die, causing permanent scaring.

Africanized Honeybees (or Killer Bees)

Killer Bees have been in the Las Vegas area for about a decade, having moved northward from Mexico. Although they are hard to physically distinguish from their European cousins, it is their behavior that most often betrays their presence. They are highly aggressive and more liable to sting, and they've been known to chase people relentlessly for long distances.

Your best defense against these pests is to retain a good Las Vegas pest control specialist, and have him make regular visits to your home.

Progressive Pest Control (http://www.progressivepestcontrollasvegas.com/) providing high quality L.A. pest control, specialized in bee hive removal, scorpion control, german roach flush out, pigeon control and bed bugs treatment. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

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A Look at Common Northwest Insects

Being in the Pacific Northwest is wonderful in the summer, when campers and hikers can relax in the cool shade of pine trees, listen to the sound of a trickling creek and enjoy the aroma of wild blackberries. What isn't wonderful, however, are the insects you encounter.

Prepare yourself for the dangerous insects you may encounter while hiking or camping in the Northwest with this guide to common outdoor pests:

Stinging Offenders: Bees and Wasps

Unless you're allergic to their bite or sting, bees and wasps are more annoying than they are dangerous. Good hiking safety practices include taking care around flowering flora, dead or hollow trees, and garbage cans. Do not tamper with hives or nests, as this may provoke bees and wasps to attack.

Avoid leaving food out in the open, as this will attract wasps. Some campers have found that laying out anti-static dryer sheets on a picnic table helps keep wasps away.

Itchy Offenders: Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are the insect people find most bothersome. Not only do their bites cause itching, but mosquitoes can transmit the West Nile virus. Wear a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and pants, especially if you're in an area famous for its pests.

Insect repellant is a must. Prevent bites to your hands and face by applying an insect repellant that's safe to use all over your body. Avoid areas with still water, such as ponds or small lakes.

Eight-Legged Offenders: Arachnids

While most of the Northwest's spiders are harmless, there are a couple of species to be aware of: the black widow and the brown recluse.

The black widow is recognizable by its black, glossy look and bulbous abdomen. The underside of its belly has an hourglass shape that's can range from red to orange or white. The black widow is a highly venomous spider - you'll instantly know if you are bitten by one.

The brown recluse spider is gray, brown or dark yellow in color. The top part of its body is bisected by a black line, giving the spider the appearance of a small violin. Although the brown recluse is shy, its bite can cause necrosis. It can take a couple of hours to feel the effects of this spider's bite.

Prevention is the best protection against spiders. One good camping safety practice is to use an LED flashlight when looking for items in the dark. Wear thick gloves when going through brush, collecting firewood or looking under rocks. Carefully examine your shoes and clothes before putting them on.

Blood-Sucking Offenders: Ticks

Ticks are nasty creatures that mostly live in trees. When these parasites see potential host, they jump on and bury their heads into the skin. Ticks can carry lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

The best chemical defense against ticks is an insect repellent containing DEET. In wooded areas, wear a hat, a long-sleeved shirt tucked into pants, and long pants tucked into socks or boots.

When all is said and done, insect repellent, the right clothes, good camping and hiking safety practices and a powerful LED flashlight are basic necessities for your Pacific Northwest bug-fighting arsenal.

~ Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2010

Flora Richards-Gustafson lives in Portland, Ore. and writes for Discount Lights and Knives.
Want to learn more about Northwest camping safety? Visit the DLK website to find out more about quality outdoor equipment like long-lasting LED lanterns, LED flashlights and survival tools.

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2012年8月20日星期一

The Insects Are Done For the Winter, But the Mice and Rats Are About to Move Into Your Home

The temperatures seem colder than normal for this time of year in Indiana. Do you suppose that's a prediction of a harsh winter ahead? The last couple of days turned nice with sunshine and warm air, and I spent the evening two days ago outside grilling a Mahi Mahi steak for dinner.

The experience was extra pleasant because it was pest free. Not one mosquito bothered me, and I heard no buzzing from bees or flies. I did see a centipede crawl out of a piece of my firewood, and run away from the heat.

Looks like maybe all the insects have moved into their nests and bedded down for their winter break. The spiders still crawl around their nests, but at much slower speeds now than they moved a couple weeks ago.

Re-arranging stuff in my barn doesn't disturb as many brown recluse spiders with the cooler air either. If you're a warm weather person like I am you'll view that as a benefit to cold weather, even if reluctantly.

We might see a little insect activity when Indian Summer comes, but I don't expect many bugs then, and that only lasts a week in Indiana normally around the beginning of November.

You can pretty much say goodbye to insects, except for the spiders of course, until spring if you live in cold weather states.

Now is the time to prepare for the cold weather pest invasion.

With this new season come the mice and rats as they leave the dens in the ground, under the outbuildings, and woodpiles where they enjoy the warm summer months, and move into your warm house to escape the cold.

If this winter turns as extreme as I suspect many households will serve as host to the rodents looking for heated spaces, and better living conditions.

Before they start moving in I recommend you do a thorough perimeter inspection of your home to bar their entry. Look for any holes or openings in the foundation, and close them off so the mice and rats can't get in. Check under cabinets and around pipes for possible access points too.

Remember that what looks like a very small space to us is a wide open door to rodents.

Take these steps now, and you'll minimize your in home rodent population this winter.

Joseph Jackson is an experienced pest control technician and author of RODENT RIDDANCE, a how to guide for performing do-it-yourself pest control for controlling mice and rats.

For a complete how to do-it-yourself pest control guide see: BUG RIDDANCE, Mice And Rats, Too!

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2012年7月15日星期日