‘Structural Pests’ Archives
Valley Carpenter Bees and Homeowners (A Love-Hate Relationship)
When my wife and I moved our family from the Seattle are to northern California I was intrigued by what looked to me like large black hairless bumblebees, flying around flowers in the area. It wasn't until a few years later, when I entered the structural pest control industry, that I learned they were female Valley Carpenter Bees. Both [...]
House Centipedes
We’ve all seen them scurrying across the floor or up a wall and we have to admit that the sight of them can be un-nerving. And the feeling is justified. House Centipedes, Scutigera cleopatra, can defend themselves. If pinched or squished they can inflict a bite that ranges from a pricking sensation to being downright painful. The site of [...]
Bed Bug Misconception Number Seven
“Bed bugs can’t survive temperatures over 115° Fahrenheit” It may seem like I’m making a mountain out of a mole hill here but that five degrees is really important if you’re trying to get rid of an infestation. According to the University of California IPM website’s bed bug page, the actual temperature is 120°. This is why a hot [...]
Bed Bug Misconception Number Six
“Bed Bugs Don’t Carry Disease” It is fact that bed bugs have never been proven to act as disease vectors. That is to say they have not been shown to actually transmit any disease from one host to another. But another fact is that they have been observed carrying disease organisms in their mouthparts and bodies. My concern is that, [...]
Bed Bug Misconception Number Five
“The Bed bugs of today are the descendants of those who survived DDT” One misconception that is so commonly bantered about and has taken on the air of being indisputable fact is the idea that the current bed bug upsurge is comprised of the descendants of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) survivors. It’s a fact that bed bugs have a [...]
Bed Bug Misconception Number Four
“Climate change is responsible” Today I deal with the fourth bed bug misconception, the idea that global warming, or climate change as it is alternately called, is somehow responsible for the bed bug epidemic sweeping North America. I find myself skeptical of anthropomorphic climate change, but even if it is real, one thing is certain. It [...]
Bed Bug Misconception Number Three
“We don’t know why they are returning.” This is the third in a series of articles discussing seven commonly held misconceptions regarding bed bugs. In today’s article I address three main reasons for the recent resurgence of bed bugs. The Fact is that we do know why they're returning: DDT and other organophosphates are no [...]
Bed Bug Misconception Number Two
“Bed bugs are resistant to most pesticides.” Yes, bed bugs do exhibit resistance to some pesticides and recent studies show that they can change their genetic makeup, enhancing the ability of their nervous systems to remove toxins. However, chemical controls are still effective if employed properly and if customers do their part by [...]
Common Bed Bug Misconceptions
As I peruse the Internet to stay abreast of the latest pest issues I am frequently confronted with misinformation regarding Cimex, lectularius, also known as the Common Bed Bug. Over the course of seven short weekly articles, this one being the first, I will discuss each of the commonly held misconceptions, one-by-one. Misconception Number [...]
Termite Swarms Begin in Northern California
Photo by: Gerald J. Lenhard, Lousiana State University Across our region termite control experts are seeing an increase in calls from homeowners, alarmed by the emergence of termite swarms. Some of these swarms are occurring outdoors, away from structures, but many emerge from the floors and interior walls of homes and businesses. According [...]
Got Springtails? You May Have a Moisture Problem
Occasionally we get a call from a frantic customer, complaining of a huge mass of tiny hopping creatures either on the ground near their home or indoors in a bathroom, kitchen or garage. When our technicians arrive they quickly identify them as Springtails. Springtails are creatures of the order Collembola. They are tiny (up to 1/8 inch [...]
With Dry Weather Expect More Pests
This winter’s dry weather brings concerns about our water supply and the prices we may end up paying for that precious commodity. But humans aren’t the only creatures affected by lack of water. Pest organisms such as insects and rodents that typically are able to survive off of natural food and water supplies in open non-irrigated portions [...]
How to Control the Common Clothes Moth
Webbing Clothes Moths aka. Common Clothes Moths, Tineola biselliella, are pests of natural fibers such as wool, silk, feathers, animal skins and other animal products containing keratin, usually preferring articles that are in dark, secluded areas that have not been disturbed for some time. They do not fly toward light sources. Females with [...]
Ants Invading In Winter?
Shouldn't they be hibernating? The short answer is no. In California, like other mild winter states, ants continue on with reproduction, scouting, foraging and all their other activities, albeit at a slower pace. Driven by a need for food and warmth some species of ants move into human habitations, where they take up residence. It isn't [...]
Avoid The Fall Rodent Invasion
With cool weather and rain returning, rats and mice will begin to seek shelter in homes and businesses, but don’t panic. There are a few simple steps that you can take to make your place as uninviting as possible to these would-be invaders: Remove food sources that might attract mice and rats. Be sure all fallen fruit is picked up and [...]
Thieves in Your Pantry – Stored Product Pests
They sneak into your home, in ways you wouldn't expect and steal from you quietly. At first you may not notice, but eventually you realize the loss; and when you do, you may discover that it's sizeable and that the infestation is well established. Your first indication will usually be an adult insect such as a small beetle or moth in your [...]
Earwigs
Contrary to folklore, earwigs, don’t crawl into peoples’ ears or bore into their brains. Nor do they attack humans with their forceps although they can pinch you if you pick them up. The forceps, which are curved on the males and straight on the females, can be used to defend the nest, capture prey, probe into cracks & crevices or [...]
Got Pharaoh Ants? Don’t Spray!
In the pest control world we treat all sorts of ant infestations. Of all the species commonly infesting structures occupied by humans, the Pharaoh Ant, Monomorium pharaonis, is probably the most difficult to control. According to Washington State University, this tiny invader is a problem for humans all over the globe. It can be found [...]
Six-legged Monster Hatches!
Here's some actual footage of a first instar bed bug (Cimex, lectularius) nymph hatching from an egg. I found this from an article on the site "All Bedbugs.com," Posted on October 25, 2010
So You Think You Know What A Bed Bug Looks Like?
This video appeared in a recent article by Teri Karush Rogers |10/19/10 - 11:47 AM on Brickundergroundny. It gives quite a bit of good information and is well worth watching:
Seven Common Bed Bug Misconceptions
As I peruse the Internet to stay abreast of the latest pest issues I am frequently confronted with misinformation regarding Cimex, lectularius, the Common Bed Bug. The purpose of this article is to discuss some of the more commonly held misconceptions regarding bed bugs. 1. Bed bugs only occur in filthy conditions. While cluttered [...]
Stink Bugs on the Rise
In a previous article I wrote about the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. This video from report, filed on Tuesday, September 21st, by Shirleen Allicot on ABC Action News 6 WPVI TV in Philadelphia, PA illustrates the fact that bed bugs aren't the only bug plaguing people this year. These little critters love to move into warm buildings [...]
Bed Bug Outbreak Reported in L.A. County
As I've said before, bed bugs are probably here to stay. Unless we're willing to take some more "radical" measures to get rid of them they will become just a fact of life. Watch this August 10, 2010 video report by Jaime Chambers at KTLA News, Los Angeles
Effective Techniques for Eliminating Common House Mice
There’s an old saying in business. “Build a better mouse trap and the world will beat a path to your door.” While this adage holds true when it comes to products and services that the public wants to buy, it doesn’t necessarily mean that we need better mouse traps for trapping real mice, because the secret isn’t so much in the trap [...]
NPMA’s Missy Henrickson Appears on the Today Show, Talks about Bed Bugs
Headline news: National Pest Management Association’s Missy Henriksen Appears on NBC Today Show Bed Bug Segment 7/29/2010 The bed bug problem is far more widespread than most people realize. According to some experts, it has reached epidemic proportions. This Video contains valuable information
CBS News, “The Early Show” Features Bed Bugs
This video From CBS News' "The Early Show," illustrates the extent of the problem in the United States. ?id=6698301n&tag=related;photovideo
Victoria’s Secret Invaded by Bed Bugs!
A Gothamist.com post By John Del Signore in News on July 16, 2010 11:03 AM tells the tale about the latest clothing store to be infested by bed bugs. They were probably brought in on a customer's clothing. Click here to read the article.
Myths about Rodents
I recently ran across this article, entitled "Myths about Rodents," in "Pest Management Professional," magazine. Posted 1 Mar, 2008 By: Dale E. Kaukeinen Pest Management Professional. Its a litte bit long but well worth the read. Its filled with facts that debunk many commonly held beliefs about commensal rodents. Here's the link: [...]
Coming to a Theater Near You, Bed Bugs!
On Monday, July 5th, 4:00 AM, an article at newyorkdailynews.com, by Simone Weischelbaum reported that bed bugs are now turning up in New York theaters. As one employed in the pest control industry and I hear and read reports of bed bugs turning up in all sorts of places. Some of them in the places you'd expect, hotels, homes and [...]
