Pests are organisms that invade our homes and other buildings, contaminate food or spoil other property. They often carry diseases that can affect humans and other animals.
Pest control is the effort to minimize the number of pests and their damage through monitoring, sanitation, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of non-chemical controls. Pesticides are also used when necessary. Visit Our Website to learn more.
Insects are small reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed. They are wingless and feed by sucking blood through their snouts (noses). Bed bugs hide during the day, but become active at night to seek hosts for food. These pests may travel up to 20 feet from their harborage to find a host, and they tend to target areas of the home where people sleep or rest, such as bedrooms.
Bed bug infestations can be difficult to control because these insects are very mobile and have a wide range of hiding spots. Occupants need to cooperate during treatment by affording the pest controllers access to the areas of the house that are infested. In the case of multifamily housing, this often means separating infested units from non-infested ones to allow effective treatment throughout the entire building.
In addition, occupants can help by putting away clothing, books and personal items that are likely to be infested. Excess clutter also needs to be eliminated, as this allows bed bugs more places to hide. The use of dish-shaped traps under beds and sofas can be helpful in revealing bed bugs that are wandering around.
The most important role that residents can play is to prepare their homes for bed bug treatments by separating treated and untreated furniture. This will require moving all the furniture in a room to one side and vacuuming the area thoroughly, using a nozzle attachment to reach into seams and crevices. Vacuum contents are then sealed in plastic bags and thrown out in an outdoor trash container. Purchase a mattress and box spring protector to keep the bugs from crawling inside, and encase pillows in a protective cover as well.
Professional pest controllers can apply insecticides as liquids, powders or aerosol sprays to the cracks and crevices where the bugs are hiding. Over-the-counter products that have bed bug control written on the label are not recommended, as these products may not be strong enough to penetrate the bugs’ hideouts and can be harmful to occupants.
After professional treatment, occupants should monitor for bed bugs daily and continue to reduce the number of hiding places by limiting clutter and regularly vacuuming previously infested areas. They should also use protective covers on mattresses, boxes springs and pillows, and wash all linens in hot water to kill any remaining bugs and eggs.
Termites
Termites are a year-round threat in many parts of the country, and they can do significant damage very quickly. They eat cellulose, which is found in wood and plant matter. Wood and paper products are particularly vulnerable to termite attack. A common sign of a termite infestation is wood that sounds hollow when tapped, mud tubes on the ground or in walls, and a temporary swarm of winged termites.
Luckily, there are some things homeowners can do to slow the advance of termites and prevent future problems. One of the most important is to have a professional pest control company perform regular home inspections. A full inspection includes an attic, where the colony may be hiding.
The company can then suggest ways to help keep termites away from the house. There are a number of traditional methods, including soil-applied barriers like Termidor. These are usually injected into the ground around the foundation, and they can last up to five years.
Liquid termiticide treatments can also be sprayed on the surface of a structure. These are often less invasive than barrier treatments and can be very effective.
Another option is to use diatomaceous earth, which works by penetrating the exoskeleton of a termite and dehydrating it. This can be sprinkled on the surface of a building, but it is unlikely to affect the entire colony.
If a homeowner suspects a termite problem, they should interview two to three professional pest control companies to perform inspections and suggest a treatment plan. Before making a decision, ask about the company’s history and qualifications, and read their pesticide product labels carefully.
Avoid doing DIY termite control, because most of the time, these techniques are not as effective as the services offered by a professional pest control company. The best way to avoid termites is to make sure your roof and gutters are in good repair, so water flows away from the house. Remove dense vegetation up against the foundation, and have a professional remove any rotting debris that might attract termites. Keep mulch a few inches away from the house, and if you have it, thin it out to a very shallow layer.
Ants
Ants are fascinating to observe as they work together to form complex, synchronized colonies. But their activities can be disruptive in the home or business when they become too numerous or attracted to certain food sources. For this reason, an integrated pest management (IPM) approach is usually the best way to deal with ants. This may include sanitation, exclusion and insecticide treatments.
Ant activity indoors can often be reduced by removing readily available food sources, such as spills and improperly stored foods. In addition, removing moisture sources, such as water seepage or condensation, can discourage the ants from colonizing indoor areas. Indoor ants may also be deterred by wiping foraging trails with a kitchen cleanser or mild detergent, but it is important not to disturb these trails since ants will follow them back to their nests. Sealing obvious ant entry points and trimming away shrubs or other vegetation touching the building can also help.
Outdoors, ants are attracted to many of the same materials that attract them inside, including fruits, seeds, nuts, fatty substances and sugary foods. They are also scavengers and will feed on honeydew excreted by plant-sucking insects, such as aphids.
Invasive ant species, such as the red imported fire ants and crazy ant, are an increasing problem in the United States. These ants are aggressive and will defend their nests by biting. They are most commonly found in warmer climates.
Because of their small size, ants can enter structures through the smallest cracks or crevices. It is important to regularly inspect for ant activity indoors and outdoors, looking for the presence of large ant trails or straggling ants (scouts) in search of food or nesting sites. Look for ant entry points such as holes in the foundation or walls, cracks around venting, drains and electrical wires.
Neem oil, available in spray or gel forms, can be used to repel ants and other insect pests. Use full-strength neem oil, not diluted products, and apply as directed. Insecticidal baits can also be useful in ant control.
Rodents
Rodents are animals that live in burrows, crevices, trees and other places where they can get shelter and food. They are omnivorous and herbivorous, and some species are predators. Rodents are a huge source of economic and environmental problems. They eat crops, contaminate agricultural fields and destroy animal habitats, and they transmit human diseases like typhus and bubonic plague. They also eat paper, wiring and drywall.
Rodent species include rats, mice, squirrels, hamsters, gophers, porcupines, gerbils and woodchucks. They are found worldwide and make up over 40% of the mammalian species. They are characterized by their highly specialized dentition, which is highly suited to gnawing. The front and lateral surfaces of their incisor teeth are covered with enamel, but the posterior surface is not. During gnawing, the incisors grind against each other and chisel away the softer dentine beneath. They have a well-developed pterygoid region of the skull, an elongated gleno id fossa with no postglenoid process (allowing the lower jaw to move freely forward and backward), and primitive feet with digits 2-5 that are sometimes 5-toed.
These small mammals are capable of climbing, jumping and digging. They are also great swimmers. Rodents have a maximum lifespan of five years and can produce many offspring in that time. The majority of the rodents are herbivores, but some such as mice have a strong preference for meat and cereals. They also have a strong tendency to nest in sheltered locations such as walls and attics.
They have a large ocular gland called the harderian that produces lipid- and porphyrin-rich secretions. This lubricates their eyes and acts as a pheromone marker for social interaction. These secretions also appear as tears under ultraviolet light.
Rodents are opportunistic, and they adapt quickly to changes in their environment. They can survive in both rural and urban areas. In the wild, they can find food in a wide variety of sources, including garbage, bird droppings and pet foods. Rodents are often able to access indoors through holes in the walls and roof, as well as gaps around doors and windows.