Pest Control Community

honeybees,bees,epa

06/22/2009: EPA Launches Protection Team to Explore Widespread Bee Deaths

June 19 — Learn about the bug that carries its own light. Hear a firefly story, play a game and see the bugs dance in the night with their lights all a glow. Firefly Friday - McKeldin area, 8:20 p.m. - 9 p.m. Meet at the McKeldin area Parking Lot near the contact station. For ages 5 and up. 11676 Marriottsville Rd., Marriottsville MD 21104. Cost: $2 per person. Details: 410-750-0674 or 410-461-5005.

The McKeldin Area is located in the southeastern corner of Carroll County, approximately 12 miles from the Baltimore Beltway. From the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), take I-70 west for nine miles. Exit north on Marriottsville Road and travel three miles. The park entrance will be on your right. From Columbia Pike (MD Route 29), go north to I-70. Go west on I-70 for four miles and follow directions above.

Printable map of McKeldin area.

TAGS: firefly, beneficial garden insects, McKeldin, Patapsco Valley State Park

 I guess it’s the luck of the draw that I have Acrobat ants.  Fortunately, for the ants (and not so much for me) they do actually balance quite well on a tight wire - in my case, the cable wire that passes through the leafy foliage of the Dogwood tree in my front yard.

Although I don’t plan on leading a team of circus ants anytime soon, I do take a serious interest in knowing what insect pests I have harboring this spring.  Some of them can stick around, like the praying mantis’ and lacewings in my garden and the assassin bugs (cool names huh?) in my Bee Balm - these are definitely one of many “good” bugs to have on  my side of the fence - others, well, I can really do without.  And so can you.

Recent client questions posed quite a bit of interest in the identification of the most common household ant species,  I put together a couple of quick ant identification guides on two species we find often enough here in Maryland.  Please comment if you find this type of information useful - and I’ll post more like it.  And if you’re really geeky about bugs, you can also go here for a more technical look at some of our indigenous invaders.

Odorous House Ant

vs

Carpenter Ant

TAGS: Acrobat ants, Prince George’s County, Maryland, Pest Control, Inspection, Montgomery County,  american pest management, MD, pests, bee, npma, insect identification, carpenter ant, odorous house ant,

NPMA - National Pest Management Association, urges homeowners to take action against mosquitoes.  Read the full article below:

In Wake of Foreclosures, Mosquitoes Pose Serious Issues | RISMedia

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TAGS: mosquitoes, Prince George’s County, Maryland, Pest Control, Inspection, Montgomery County,  american pest management, MD, pests, bee, npma, treat for mosquitoes, treat pool for mosquitoes

Pardon the language but “Bed Bugs Suck” 

I was reminded of that particular entomological fact last week at the EPA Bed Bug Summit…a governmental meeting sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency that brought together Government  bureaucrats, university researchers and Pest Management Industry leaders to discuss the growing ‘bed bug problem’.   At the Sheraton Hotel in Crystal City, VA, over three hundred stakeholders assembled for a day and a half to develop recommendations geared towards finding a solution to the ever-increasing pandemic of bed bugs that is sweeping through the country’s urban centers.   Bed bugs have become such a topic of conversation that even Jay Leno paid homage to the scourge that now plagues many of our hotels, apartments and even private homes, after having disappeared for nearly fifty years. 

The long time host of The Tonight Show joked in his monologue on April 15th… ”in Arlington Virginia the EPA is holding something called the National Bed Bug Summit so health officials will offer advice as to how to combat the growing problem with bed bugs and it’s being held at the Crystal City Sheraton Hotel.   See…that’s when you know the economy is bad…when the Sheraton Hotel is thrilled to be hosting the bed bug summit”.  “Hey”, Leno quipped…”Be sure to come back in June for the big head lice symposium…you don’t want to miss that. “ 

But I digress.  Despite the warning that we heard our parents and grandparents say time and time again as we readied for bed, “Sleep tight…don’t let the bed bugs bite”, bed bugs don’t bite…they suck.  Oh sure, I know we all think having an infestation is unfortunate and you might have heard a frustrated tenant or a homeowner at their wits end say that bed bugs ‘suck’.  I think most of us agree that having an infestation of blood sucking ectoparasites invading the innermost sanctum that is our bedroom really stinks.  But I’m speaking very technically about what happens when a bed bug feeds…they don’t bite…THEY SUCK.  Insects of the order Hemiptera to which bedbugs belong have piercing-sucking mouthparts, and inject a straw-like proboscis into our skin through which they suck blood, in contrast to insects with chewing mouthparts that can actually bite. 

Bed bugs are such a current public issue that Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., has introduced a bill in Congress to expand grant programs to help public housing authorities cope with infestations. The bill will be called the “Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite Act” but I think more correctly it should be called the “Don’t Let the Bedbugs Suck Act”.   

So the next time you tuck your little ones into bed, remember that a bed bug does not truly bite…it sucks…but if you are technically correct, the bedtime rhyme will never be the same.  “Oh yuck…don’t let the bed bugs suck”…just doesn’t have same ring to it. 

TAGS: Bed Bugs, EPA Bed Bug Summit, American Pest Management

          Did you know that the residue left behind by rodents can cause diseases and in some cases death? Well just in case you didn’t here is some very important information that you must know. Rodents are known to leave behind droppings and urine after parading through those areas you frequent the most such as, your home, yard and work place. The traces these rodents leave behind are not only annoying, but they are very dangerous.

         According to the Center of Disease Control & Prevention, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a disease caused by infected rodents through urine, droppings or saliva. This disease is transferred by the cleaning up of contaminated dust after disturbing or cleaning rodent droppings, or simply by living or working in rodent infested areas.  This disease can make a person become very ill and in some cases it can be fatal. If you have been exposed to rodents or rodent infested buildings and have symptoms of fever, muscle aches, and severe shortness of breath, see your health care provider immediately. Inform your health care provider of possible rodent exposure so that he/she is alerted to the possibility of rodent-borne diseases, such as HPS. If you are currently being exposed to rodents and are not experiencing any of these symptoms, it is vital that you get the area professionally treated as soon as possible.  Waiting too long could end up being a matter of life and death. 

TAGS: American Pest Management, Pest Control, Mice, Rats

            Spring is definitely my favorite season of the year.  The weather is getting warmer.  The trees are beginning to blossom.  The days are getting longer.  What a wonderful time to enjoy the great outdoors.  But, there is just one thing about the spring that many people, particularly home and property owners are not too fond of, …distinguishing the difference between swarming ants and swarming termites, also known as alates.

            Before I get into differences between swarming ants and swarming termites, let me tell you a little something about termites.  Reticulitermes flavipes (in laymen’s terms, Eastern subterranean termites) are the most common form of termites in our area.  Termites are the #1 cause of wood damage to homes in the United States.  They are social insects that use a caste system in their colony, consisting of worker termites up to the king and queen.  The king and queen are the primary reproductives that start a colony.  The workers are the ones that go out looking for food, feed the colony members, and may eventually grow into the reproductive termites, the alates.  Typically when the weather goes from cold to warm, i.e. spring, the swarmers emerge from the nest.  Many times, you may see tunnels of mud on wood in your home with holes broken into them.  These exit holes are often where swarming termites emerge.  After they land on the ground, the wings break off, and they search for a mate.  These two alates become the king and queen of the new termite colony.

            Swarming ants are very similar in activity to swarming termites, but your average person wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the two, especially since swarming ants and termites are the same size.  But it is possible to distinguish the difference between them with the naked eye.  Let’s start from the top.  The antennae of swarming ants and termites are noticeably different.  Termites have straight antennae, while ants have bent (or elbowed) antennae.  Still not sure what you have flying around your home?  No problem, let’s work our way to the wings.  Termites and ants have 2 pairs of wings.  While termites’ wings are equal in size, ants’ wings are not the same size with obvious venation.  If you still aren’t sure, there is one more major difference between the two insects.  The difference in abdomen size in a key indicator.  A termite’s waist is broad and straight.  An ant’s waist is pinched and thin, similar to that of a wasp.  So let’s recap: antennae, wing size, and waist size are the three major differences in swarming termites vs. swarming ants.  The next time you see a swarm on your property, take the time to capture a sample of the insect and study its shape.  When you make that phone call to American Pest Management to solve your tough pest problem, you will be able to provide a detail explanation of what pest problem you are dealing with.

TAGS: American Pest Management,  Termites, Pest Control, Ants, Swarming

                It’s February 2^nd, 2009 and Punxsutawney Phil just saw his shadow. He proclaimed to us that there will be six more weeks of winter.  Now not that I have any doubt in Phil’s prediction, but just in case, I’d like to mention what a difference a longer winter or sooner spring can make around your house and what you can do about it.

                A longer winter can mean your winter house guests are still hanging around, you may hear them in the attic or find them in your pantry, either way, they’ve made themselves quite at home the past few months and you are looking forward to a change. Unfortunately as the cold comes to an end, the busiest season for pests is just beginning: Spring. The transition from winter to spring can be an eventful one for the life outside and inside our walls. It’s a time when bees start to buzz, ants start to invade, termites begin to swarm, and spiders are making their appearances again.  The air outside is suddenly filled and in motion again, and not just with the wonderful scent of spring flowers and sunshine. At this time of year, knowing and preparing can be half the battle. As plants begin to grow and bloom again, make sure to keep them trimmed and clean from the foundation of your home.  Be aware of bees and wasps that may be building their nests against exterior walls, overhangs, or in wall voids. Don’t leave fruits or sweet drinks out in the open as they will attract insects from all over.  Keep up with the news around your neighborhood - if you know someone down the street is having a problem with one pest or another, chances are you could too. And, it’s usually a good assumption that if you see one, more will follow (especially with ants and mice!). Remember the best action you can take is a preventative one, stopping a problem before it can start!

                So, whether you’ve already noticed a problem or you just don’t want to, don’t hesitate to call and we can work out the best option to keep your home pest and stress free this season.  And just to keep in mind, the National Climatic Data Center has stated that the overall predictions accuracy rate on Groundhog Day are around 39%, which means spring may be here before you know it!

                     Forecastor Phil wishing you a very happy Groundhog Day!

TAGS: Ground Hog Day, Pest Control, American Pest Management, Termites, Ants, Spiders, Bees, Wasps, Mice

               I’m not talking about the ones that you’ve invited in to share your home this season, I’m talking about the four, six, and eight-legged ones that can make your home their own before you may know it. But whether you know it now or later, you will soon find out just who you may have been living with all winter.  Mice.  Bees.  Various beetles and moths.  These are all creatures that most would consider ‘pests’ if found harboring inside your home. Chances are, when you’re sitting by the fire or gazing out your window at the frozen ground, you’re not thinking about the multiple life forms that would love to be inside warming up with you!   Each winter as the cold creeps around our homes, I begin to receive calls about the family of mice that just moved in, or moths that have made your favorite winter coat their own. Here are a few basic tips to help keep nature in, well….nature.

                 1.  Seal any cracks or holes. This is important year around but especially in early fall when the air turns cold and pests start to make their way indoors to avoid the loathed wintry weather.

                2. Keep lawns and gutters around homes free of large piles of leaves or shrubbery. Insects and other small creatures will harbor and reproduce here until they find your home within walking distance.

                3. Make sure basement, crawl spaces, and spaces prone to accumulating moisture are kept dry and well ventilated.

                4. Keep your garbage cans and recycling bins a good distance from your home. Food sources are much scarcer during winter months and can attract pests from all over the neighborhood. You don’t want your lawn to become the local watering hole.

                5. If you do notice a problem in one area or another, don’t let it linger, your houseguests will probably not leave on their own and may even invite their friends.

                And lastly, pest prevention works best when maintained year-round.  Every season brings its own handful of pests and environmental concerns to your door.   If you have any questions about what your home needs we are here for you year-round!

TAGS: Pest Control, American Pest Management, Bees, Mice, Rats, Moths

“Back to school”—the little three word phrase that means so much to so many: Vacations are over. Parents can breathe a sigh of relief in the fact that they no longer have to scramble to figure out what to do with the kids for the summer, as they settle back into their routines. Yes, the new school year has begun. Children all over the country anticipate new friends, new teacher(s), and new scholastic challenges. Back to school is more than an event, it’s a ritual that families with school-aged children go through each and every year.
But, amidst all of the excitement looms an ugly, scary reality. Each year, usually during the first month of the new school year and often along with the emergency contact information requests and school supply lists, comes the dreaded memo that brings fear and trepidation to most parents: The head lice outbreak memo. Parents are warned that there has been an outbreak of head lice and are urged to check their children’s hair and head weekly for the parasite. You know—the one, “A case of head lice has been discovered in your child’s class. Please do your part to prevent the spread of this communicable condition. Check your child(ren) daily for the next few weeks, and on a regular basis thereafter. If you should find a case of head lice, or if you need assistance, please contact the school nurse. Thank you for your cooperation,” (signed by the principal).
Unfortunately, these school system notices don’t provide any or adequate information about what to do to eliminate this pest once it has shown up in one’s family.
The World Health Organization lists head lice as the most prevalent human parasite in the U.S. and Europe. Here’s some background on these creepy critters: Head Lice are about the size of sesame seeds. They have six legs and are clear in color when hatched, but develop a reddish-brown color after feeding on human blood. Head lice are crawling, wingless insects and cannot hop, jump or fly. Female lice lay eggs called nits, “gluing” them tightly to the hair shaft very close to the scalp. Nits are small yellowish-white, oval shaped eggs which, once laid, take about 7 to 10 days for a nit to hatch. Off of the human body, lice survive for only about 24 hours.
Head lice are spread via direct contact of the head or hair with an infested individual, pillow, headrest or infested hats, towels, hair brushes, etc. Schools, particularly elementary schools are susceptible because there are a large number of children in close contact with each other. And, despite common belief, head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene practices. In fact, lice prefer clean hair. In addition, head lice do not discriminate when it comes to socio-economic status.
There is much controversy, recently, over the safety and efficacy of treatment today. Most of the over-the-counter and prescription shampoos that are sold to kill head lice have been proven to be carcinogenic and/or toxic. Additionally, it appears that head lice are becoming resistant to a number of these shampoos. One of the safest and most effective methods for controlling head lice is to wash the hair with regular (or an olive-oil based) shampoo and comb the (wet) hair with a good lice comb (one with 3 or 4 rows of closely-spaced metal teeth). In addition, wash all towels, bed linens and clothing in hot water and dry them on the hottest automatic dryer setting. Finally, be sure to vacuum upholstery (rugs and furniture,) pillows, and stuffed animals to be sure to get any hairs that may have fallen.
No need to panic when (notice that I didn’t say “if”) you get the memo this year. As a mother of adult children (my youngest graduated from college this past May) I can honestly attest to the fact that one day, the “scary memo” will be but a distant memory. For now, just take the required precautions and you and your family should be fine.

TAGS: Pest Control, American Pest Management, Biting Insects, Lice, Head Lice