Pest Posts
Pests brought in on Xmas trees
When I get calls about unusual indoor pests at this time of year. I consider Christmas trees, holiday wreaths and other fresh greenery as a possible source. There are two types of Christmas tree pests. The first are those that feed on Christmas trees in the field and are problems for the tree growers such […]
Read MoreMosquito and Tick Diseases Triple in 12 Years
If it seems like every time you turn around there’s a new warning about a brand-new disease being spread by mosquitoes. It’s true. www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/p0501-vs-vector-borne.html CDC, the Centers for Disease Control, has just released a report detailing reported illnesses from ticks and mosquitoes in the years from 2004 to 2016 in the U.S. and its territories. […]
Read MoreCarpenter Bees! Woodpeckers don’t help!
The spring activity of carpenter bees generates concern primarily because the bees are large, and the male can be noisy and threatening although he can’t sting. Carpenter bees, though, are solitary bees and are not part of a colony. The bees are usually seen in pairs although several pairs can be working the same area. […]
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Pressure Treated Wood vs Termites
People think that pressure-treated wood is protected from termites and decay, so they can use it with abandon. While that might be true in the short term, even pressure-treated wood is susceptible to termites in the long term. Construction codes in the U.S. state that pressure-treated wood is considered to be “termite-resistant”, not “termite-proof”. Pressure-treated […]
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Recognizing Termite Damage
Wood that has been damaged by subterranean termites will have a honeycombed or layered appearance when broken open. Termites prefer to eat the softer spring wood, leaving the summer wood. Galleries in the wood usually run parallel to the grain. They are messy, containing a mixture of solid and digested wood, and soil. Gallery walls […]
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Termite vs Ant
Termites or Ants? Termite reproductive and other large ants, reproductive are very similar and difficult for the untrained to tell apart. Both are black with two pairs of wings. The three main visible differences are in wings, waist, and antennae. Ants have a larger front pair of wings with a second smaller pair beneath. Termites […]
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Getting to know the Fruit Fly
Adult flies are tiny, about 1/8-inch (3-4 mm) long and rather chunky. They have short, 3-segmented antennae and a pair of large wings that overlap over the back and rest. The wings have a prominent cross vein that helps ID the fly. Eye color ranges from bright red to dark red. Body color ranges from […]
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Landscaping issues that can contribute to wood destroying inspects
When landscaping a property it is important to understand things that could cause unwanted insects or termites. Soil or Mulch Buildup – Excessive soil or mulch against brick walls or siding at the foundation provides a protected gateway for termites to enter a structure by bypassing the treated soil beneath. Raised Foundation Planters – Landscaping […]
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Fall Invaders
Occasional invaders is one term that we use to describe those pests that enter structures periodically, and only under certain circumstances. They are not permanent indoor residents that are able to successfully reproduce indoors. Most occasional invaders are normally outdoor pests. Some are foundation pests found in mulch, woodpiles, and plants around the perimeter of […]
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