Moisture In The Air
August 10th, 2012
It appears we are moving into monsoon season as the air yeilds more humidity and we are blessed with a thunder shower here and there. I am originally from Minnesota and no stranger to humidity or rain, but when it rains here, unlike back in Minnesota, I am at my happiest. I’m sure a number of you also welcome the rain due to the vicious heat that plagues us through the summer, but my happiness also involves a pest related aspect. All that moisture welcomes to the surface our little buddies, the termites. Well, likely not YOUR buddies, but I can’t help but cheer for them a teeny bit. This installment will touch on termite biology, some of their habits, and conditions that promote their population.
A termite colony is divided between three castes; workers, soldiers, and reproductives. The role of the workers is to nourish the remainder of the colony, care for the young, groom, construct tunnels, colony repairs, and will help defend the nest. The workers are the caste that eat the wood or any other material that contains cellulose, such as cardboard and newspaper. They then digest the wood, and break it down into nutrients that the soldiers and reproductives feed on by way of secretions from either the mouth or anus.
The soldiers are a relatively small group within the colony, not nearly as numerous as the workers. They are called soldiers because their duty is to defend the colony. Visually, they are much different than the workers, having a large head and large mandibles. They depend on the workers for food.
The last caste are the reproductives. They continually reproduce and directly promote colony population. They also rely on the workers for food. A termite colony will have a King and Queen, both are called primary reproductives. However, if one or the other dies, secondary reproductives can take his/her place. Secondary reproductives are also responsible for the high rate of population growth in a colony. When environmental conditions are right, a colony will populate itself with alates. Alates are primary reproductives that leave the colony to establish a new one. These are what create termite swarms. Once they leave the existing colony, survival is not likely. I have read that maybe 1% of the tens of thousands in the air live to attempt a new colony.
Keep in mind that termites are very soft bodied. That means they are affected by temperature and exposure. If it’s too hot or too cold, it will destroy the insect. That is why in the summer here termite activity is relatively low. When it becomes cooler, termites come to the surface to feed more readily. Higher temperatures also mean less moisture, and moisture is absolutely essential to termites. Since the valley is so dry, termites have to stay further under the soil during the toasty months to retain adequate moisture.
So keep a keen eye on your homes from September through the end of the year and be sure to look for the mud shelter tubes that subterranean termites create. Often times you’ll find them on the stem wall of your home just beneath the lip of stucco. Other problem areas are any expansion joints in your garage. Also, look at your interior walls, behind paintings and any large furniture that you keep against the wall like an entertainment center or armoire.
I’ll touch more on termites and identification of activity in the next posting. And yes, I am well aware that I was late with this one…tsk, tsk. To make up for it, I’ll try to squeeze one in even before this month is over. Thanks for stopping by, I’ll speak with you soon.
Yours in Small Business
Nathan
It appears we are moving into monsoon season as the air yeilds more humidity and we are blessed with a thunder shower here and there. I am originally from Minnesota and no stranger to humidity or rain, but when it rains here, unlike back in Minnesota, I am at my happiest. I’m sure a number of you also welcome the rain due to the vicious heat that plagues us through the summer, but my happiness also involves a pest related aspect. All that moisture welcomes to the surface our little buddies, the termites. Well, likely not YOUR buddies, but I can’t help but cheer for them a teeny bit. This installment will touch on termite biology, some of their habits, and conditions that promote their population.
A termite colony is divided between three castes; workers, soldiers, and reproductives. The role of the workers is to nourish the remainder of the colony, care for the young, groom, construct tunnels, colony repairs, and will help defend the nest. The workers are the caste that eat the wood or any other material that contains cellulose, such as cardboard and newspaper. They then digest the wood, and break it down into nutrients that the soldiers and reproductives feed on by way of secretions from either the mouth or anus.
The soldiers are a relatively small group within the colony, not nearly as numerous as the workers. They are called soldiers because their duty is to defend the colony. Visually, they are much different than the workers, having a large head and large mandibles. They depend on the workers for food.
The last caste are the reproductives. They continually reproduce and directly promote colony population. They also rely on the workers for food. A termite colony will have a King and Queen, both are called primary reproductives. However, if one or the other dies, secondary reproductives can take his/her place. Secondary reproductives are also responsible for the high rate of population growth in a colony. When environmental conditions are right, a colony will populate itself with alates. Alates are primary reproductives that leave the colony to establish a new one. These are what create termite swarms. Once they leave the existing colony, survival is not likely. I have read that maybe 1% of the tens of thousands in the air live to attempt a new colony.
Keep in mind that termites are very soft bodied. That means they are affected by temperature and exposure. If it’s too hot or too cold, it will destroy the insect. That is why in the summer here termite activity is relatively low. When it becomes cooler, termites come to the surface to feed more readily. Higher temperatures also mean less moisture, and moisture is absolutely essential to termites. Since the valley is so dry, termites have to stay further under the soil during the toasty months to retain adequate moisture.
So keep a keen eye on your homes from September through the end of the year and be sure to look for the mud shelter tubes that subterranean termites create. Often times you’ll find them on the stem wall of your home just beneath the lip of stucco. Other problem areas are any expansion joints in your garage. Also, look at your interior walls, behind paintings and any large furniture that you keep against the wall like an entertainment center or armoire.
I’ll touch more on termites and identification of activity in the next posting. And yes, I am well aware that I was late with this one…tsk, tsk. To make up for it, I’ll try to squeeze one in even before this month is over. Thanks for stopping by, I’ll speak with you soon.
Yours in Small Business
Nathan
Cockroach Treatment Ensures Safety for Your Family
June 14th, 2012
Cockroaches…yuck. I cannot name one customer that thinks cockroaches are cool. Truthfully, they are pretty fascinating, but there is no doubt they incite fear and can exacerbate unsanitary conditions and lead to severe infestations due to high egg survival rates. Fortunately for our customers, they have us to keep cockroaches at bay.
Most of the pain associated with cockroaches comes from the assumption that if there are cockroaches, it is unsanitary. Many homeowners are concerned about diseases associated with the pests. Most commonly, cockroaches are associated with allergens that affect humans. Severe cockroach infestations can trigger asthma in people susceptible to cockroach created allergens. Here in the Mesa, AZ area we often encounter American cockroaches within our customers’ homes. And to be honest, seeing one American roach in the home does not warrant an infestation. In fact, it’s possible the homeowner doesn’t even have a problem. American roaches will find their way into the home through windows and doors quite often and at night. However, should a regular sighting of live roaches go untreated, the homeowner puts the home at risk of becoming infested.
Professionally treating cockroaches will ensure the safety of the customer by designing a specific treatment method utilizing very deliberate applications and safe products. Homeowners put themselves at risk by frequently setting off bug bombs that can expose them unnecessarily to heavy amounts of pesticides by simple inhalation or drifting of the insecticide to food prep surfaces. Using these products continuously will not control the problem and can be potentially harmful. Most of these bug bombs are only contact kill insecticides and will only kill what pests it comes in contact with at the time of release, there is no residual. Professional treatments implement safe procedures with the proper residual and a plan to address the problem at its core.
Homeowners can alleviate cockroach pressure by removing excessive moisture and food sources and, of course, maintaining a sanitary environment. Pet food and water, leaky pipes, infrequently used drains are all areas of potential activity. Addressing these issues with the proper application of baits and residual products will yield extremely positive results in cockroach control.
Cockroaches…yuck. I cannot name one customer that thinks cockroaches are cool. Truthfully, they are pretty fascinating, but there is no doubt they incite fear and can exacerbate unsanitary conditions and lead to severe infestations due to high egg survival rates. Fortunately for our customers, they have us to keep cockroaches at bay.
Most of the pain associated with cockroaches comes from the assumption that if there are cockroaches, it is unsanitary. Many homeowners are concerned about diseases associated with the pests. Most commonly, cockroaches are associated with allergens that affect humans. Severe cockroach infestations can trigger asthma in people susceptible to cockroach created allergens. Here in the Mesa, AZ area we often encounter American cockroaches within our customers’ homes. And to be honest, seeing one American roach in the home does not warrant an infestation. In fact, it’s possible the homeowner doesn’t even have a problem. American roaches will find their way into the home through windows and doors quite often and at night. However, should a regular sighting of live roaches go untreated, the homeowner puts the home at risk of becoming infested.
Professionally treating cockroaches will ensure the safety of the customer by designing a specific treatment method utilizing very deliberate applications and safe products. Homeowners put themselves at risk by frequently setting off bug bombs that can expose them unnecessarily to heavy amounts of pesticides by simple inhalation or drifting of the insecticide to food prep surfaces. Using these products continuously will not control the problem and can be potentially harmful. Most of these bug bombs are only contact kill insecticides and will only kill what pests it comes in contact with at the time of release, there is no residual. Professional treatments implement safe procedures with the proper residual and a plan to address the problem at its core.
Homeowners can alleviate cockroach pressure by removing excessive moisture and food sources and, of course, maintaining a sanitary environment. Pet food and water, leaky pipes, infrequently used drains are all areas of potential activity. Addressing these issues with the proper application of baits and residual products will yield extremely positive results in cockroach control.
6 Factors that may Lead to Ant Infestation in your Home
June 12th, 2012
Out of approximately 12,000 identified species of ants, there are relatively few species that are considered pests. However, of these pest ants, there are ants that can cause damage to infrastructure, spread disease, and bite and sting. Arizona has been environmentally accommodating to many ant species, and only a handful which are determined invasive. Most commonly, we get calls for ants invading patios and ants finding their way into the home. Beginning in May, ant populations in Fountain Hills and surrounding areas begin to stir and they become much more active in growth. Some species will interconnect colonies creating very large infrastructures. Such large numbers can be difficult to control in short periods of time. Ant species may also change their feeding habits depending on the time of year and the short term goals of the colony. This can pose a challenge for pest management professionals when previous baits were desirable to the colony, but now seem to be ignored.
According to the Tenth Edition of the Handbook of Pest Control (2011), these factors contribute to ant populations:
1. Poor Sanitation
2. Excessive moisture and the resulting damage
3. Cracks in the foundation of the structure
4. Excessive mulch
5. Stacked tile, lumber, bricks and various debris
6. Ornamental plants infested with homopteran insects (honey dew secreting insects that ants tend to for food)
Homeowners should be aware of these factors and they should be addressed accordingly. Rectifying these issues will aid in the control when coupled with a professional treatment.
Out of approximately 12,000 identified species of ants, there are relatively few species that are considered pests. However, of these pest ants, there are ants that can cause damage to infrastructure, spread disease, and bite and sting. Arizona has been environmentally accommodating to many ant species, and only a handful which are determined invasive. Most commonly, we get calls for ants invading patios and ants finding their way into the home. Beginning in May, ant populations in Fountain Hills and surrounding areas begin to stir and they become much more active in growth. Some species will interconnect colonies creating very large infrastructures. Such large numbers can be difficult to control in short periods of time. Ant species may also change their feeding habits depending on the time of year and the short term goals of the colony. This can pose a challenge for pest management professionals when previous baits were desirable to the colony, but now seem to be ignored.
According to the Tenth Edition of the Handbook of Pest Control (2011), these factors contribute to ant populations:
1. Poor Sanitation
2. Excessive moisture and the resulting damage
3. Cracks in the foundation of the structure
4. Excessive mulch
5. Stacked tile, lumber, bricks and various debris
6. Ornamental plants infested with homopteran insects (honey dew secreting insects that ants tend to for food)
Homeowners should be aware of these factors and they should be addressed accordingly. Rectifying these issues will aid in the control when coupled with a professional treatment.
Pet Friendly Pest Control in Phoenix and Across the Valley
November 7th, 2010
In the cupboard, carpet, or air; every house has unwanted pests and invaders. Pesticides are available to control pests, but these chemicals may be more harmful to you and your pets than your pests.
Some things you can do to control pests:
- Keep a clean home, this is the best way to keep pests away
- Clean up food and drink spills right away
- Remove clutter to reduce the places for pests to hide
- Seal food containers properly and put your pet’s dishes away overnight
- Keep trash in a closed container
- Ensure there are no water leaks
- Seal cracks and holes around baseboards, shelves, sinks, and bathroom fixtures
- Use roach baits properly and only if necessary. Good spots for baits are next to walls, baseboards, under sinks, in cabinets and near plumbing fixtures.
A safe alternative to traditional pest control is integrated pest management (IPM), which Cummings Pest Control uses to remove pests, like cock-roaches, mice, and rats from a home. IPM aims to:
Deny pests food, water, shelter and a way to enter the home
Use baits and powders, such as gel baits and traps
IPM is safer and does not use as many harmful pesticides as traditional pest control. Pesticides can contain long lasting, toxic chemicals or lung irritants. IPM strategies apply pesticides only as needed and use the least hazardous pesticides to control pests.
Integrated pest management is better than traditional pest control at keeping the roaches and other pests away for long periods of time. IPM works by addressing the cause of the problem and taking along-term approach to reducing pests.
In the cupboard, carpet, or air; every house has unwanted pests and invaders. Pesticides are available to control pests, but these chemicals may be more harmful to you and your pets than your pests.
Some things you can do to control pests:
- Keep a clean home, this is the best way to keep pests away
- Clean up food and drink spills right away
- Remove clutter to reduce the places for pests to hide
- Seal food containers properly and put your pet’s dishes away overnight
- Keep trash in a closed container
- Ensure there are no water leaks
- Seal cracks and holes around baseboards, shelves, sinks, and bathroom fixtures
- Use roach baits properly and only if necessary. Good spots for baits are next to walls, baseboards, under sinks, in cabinets and near plumbing fixtures.
A safe alternative to traditional pest control is integrated pest management (IPM), which Cummings Pest Control uses to remove pests, like cock-roaches, mice, and rats from a home. IPM aims to:
Deny pests food, water, shelter and a way to enter the home
Use baits and powders, such as gel baits and traps
IPM is safer and does not use as many harmful pesticides as traditional pest control. Pesticides can contain long lasting, toxic chemicals or lung irritants. IPM strategies apply pesticides only as needed and use the least hazardous pesticides to control pests.
Integrated pest management is better than traditional pest control at keeping the roaches and other pests away for long periods of time. IPM works by addressing the cause of the problem and taking along-term approach to reducing pests.
New Avenues
August 10th, 2010
In an effort to reach out in a more personal fashion to our customers, I have decided a regular posting written by myself would be a good way to go. It gives me an opportunity to address pest issues in a more casual tone and hopefully becomes an exciting forum for you to visit from time to time. Well, “exciting” might be a stretch, let’s go with “enjoyable.” You can expect to read facts that will no doubt prove facinating, though you may never actually find an opportunity to fluidly include them in everyday conversation. However, that shouldn’t stop you from trying. For example, one in every four species of animal on this planet is a beetle, given there are an estimated 400,000 species of beetles. Okay, now run and throw that into your next conversation at dinner. And if you’re extremely bold, try tossing it into conversation on a first date.
You can expect to see a new post on a monthly basis here at Pest Talk. This post is just the first of many that I invite you to allocate a bit of your time to reading. I’ll update this post at the beginning of each month. The post you are reading now is merely an introduction and, quite frankly, me learning my way around the infrastructure of the blog. A test run, if you will. I’d imagine the following posts will likely include pictures, tables, graphs, and so on as I become more comfortable with this social networking technology. Thank you for swinging in and I look forward to writing for you again soon. Let’s plan on September 1st for a new posting.
Yours in Small Business,
Nathan
In an effort to reach out in a more personal fashion to our customers, I have decided a regular posting written by myself would be a good way to go. It gives me an opportunity to address pest issues in a more casual tone and hopefully becomes an exciting forum for you to visit from time to time. Well, “exciting” might be a stretch, let’s go with “enjoyable.” You can expect to read facts that will no doubt prove facinating, though you may never actually find an opportunity to fluidly include them in everyday conversation. However, that shouldn’t stop you from trying. For example, one in every four species of animal on this planet is a beetle, given there are an estimated 400,000 species of beetles. Okay, now run and throw that into your next conversation at dinner. And if you’re extremely bold, try tossing it into conversation on a first date.
You can expect to see a new post on a monthly basis here at Pest Talk. This post is just the first of many that I invite you to allocate a bit of your time to reading. I’ll update this post at the beginning of each month. The post you are reading now is merely an introduction and, quite frankly, me learning my way around the infrastructure of the blog. A test run, if you will. I’d imagine the following posts will likely include pictures, tables, graphs, and so on as I become more comfortable with this social networking technology. Thank you for swinging in and I look forward to writing for you again soon. Let’s plan on September 1st for a new posting.
Yours in Small Business,
Nathan
