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insects termites

Top 10 termite Hotspots for 2016

Termites pose a significant threat to the value of your home by targeting its wooden infrastructure; if they aren’t detected and eliminated early, irreparable damage can be done. Prevention and early detection are key to protecting your home, so it’s critical for you to be at least one step ahead of this destructive insect. The following list presents the 10 highest profile targets and access points termites will be looking for around your home:

  1. Foundation cracks: Any opening along your foundation that gives termites an easy access route to the wood they seek should be addressed immediately
  2. Water damaged/rotten wood: Termites will take the path of least resistance if possible, and old soft wood is much easier to chew.
  3. Eaves and overhangs: There can be gaps where the wall meets the roof; weather might not come in because the roof covers the opening, but termites don’t need much space to get through.
  4. Wood that touches the ground: Wooden siding, beams or supports that make contact with the ground are likely to absorb moisture and provide a softer target for termite jaws.
  5. Crawlspaces: We might not like to go into them, but they can be a treasure trove of wood debris to attract termites.
  6. Landscaping: Untreated wood chips and mulch can make an attractive base of operations for termites as they plan their next attack on your home.
  7. Moisture from leaks, floods, or foundation issues: Not only does water damage make wood easier for termites to consume, but sources of water are also needed for their colony…excessive dampness can make your home attractive to them.
  8. Plumbing: Look out for entry points wherever you have pipes coming out of your exterior wall, such as garden hose spigots. Termites might be attracted looking for water, and discover a way inside.
  9. Windows: Even a tiny crack will allow termites access, and it isn’t your living room they’re after but the wooden framework inside your walls. Look for cracks around the outside of the window frame where it meets your siding..
  10. Woodpiles: Everyone loves a nice fireplace, but don’t stack wood against the side of your house, as it could both attract termites and conceal their point of entry into the house proper.

Use this list as a starting point for planning your defense against these invasive pests. The cost of protecting your home is much cheaper than the cost of repairing the damage termites can cause, or the loss of resale value on your family’s biggest investment.

Copyright © 2016 David Winkler-Groschen CC-BY-SA-4.0

Categories
ants insects

5 Steps to Ant Management Success

 

Ants are one of the world’s most common household pests. Despite their tiny stature, the total weight of all the ants in the world is greater than the total weight of all humans on the planet. Considering how outnumbered we are, it’s no surprise that often ants end up invading our homes, offices, and other personal spaces in an attempt to find food, shelter, and water. Although it is inconvenient, many times ants are a potential sign of other issues in the home or local ecosystem, and their presence should not be ignored. There are a number of ways of successfully managing ant populations to ensure they don’t become a nuisance in your daily life. The most important things to remember are identify, inspect, sanitize, and bait.

The first step in managing an ant infestation is identification–figuring out exactly what kind of ants you are dealing with, and learning about their eating habits. There are over 12,500 species of ants that have currently been identified. Each species has different living, eating, and travel habits. Once you’ve identified the species you’re working with, it will make it easier to come up with a prevention plan that works best for your home. You can utilize the internet to identify the ant; type a description of the creature into a search engine and there should be a fair number of photos and text descriptions to help with positive identification. For instance, one might type “ants with stripes” in order to learn that their infestation is being caused by carpenter ants, which do not eat wood as their name suggests, or “red furry ant” to learn about velvet ants, which are not ants at all, but wasps.

Once the ant species is identified, the next step is inspecting your space to find the entry point. The best way to do this is to find a line of ants, and follow the line until you discover the weak spot. Alternatively, you can find a straggling ant who is searching for a food source, and monitor its movements until you find the original line. Typically infested areas include moist, dark spaces, areas under sinks and around plumbing, cracks in walls, and windows with small open spaces that are convenient for the ants to explore. Household plants that produce sweet honeydew are also very attractive to ants. Make sure to keep any such plants in the ground a few inches from the foundation of your home. If you keep them inside, check the pots regularly for ant life.

The next step is the most important: Sanitize your space to make it unappealing for any future ant explorers. Caulk cracks and crevices around building foundations, and especially in food storage and service areas. Make sure there is no pet food open. Try not to throw partially eaten food in the trash without properly sealing the package. Wash all soda cans before putting them in the garbage or recycle bin. Once you’ve figured out where the ants are forming a nest, remove the nest and item they are creating it on or in. Clean the item with insecticide, and clean the area where it was with warm, soapy water. Check the area around the item to make sure there are no weak spots where ants can get in, and if you find any, clean then caulk them.

Finally, the last step in managing an ant infestation is baiting the ants in order to poison and eliminate them. Bait is the best proven method in removing significant ant populations. The scent attracts worker ants, who then bring the bait to the rest of the colony, where it is passed around and eventually kills off the queen. There are a number of reusable bait stations that can be refilled with appropriate bait. There are also gels, pellets, and liquid solutions that work. To make the bait more effective, keep the area where it is being used free of any crumbs or items that might also attract ants.

With a combination of these four steps, you should be able to manage any ant population that attempts to invade your home, office, or any other space.

Copyright © 2016 Jessica Snider CC-BY-SA-4.0

Categories
fly insects

Should you be concerned about stoneflies (taeniopterygidae)?

Stoneflies (taeniopterygidae) as known as willow flies are relatives of the grasshopper and termite. Adult stoneflies are dark brown or black and can be found during the day or at night. Stoneflies can range anywhere from 5-50mm in body length. They tend to spend most of their lives as larvae, living at the bottom of rivers/streams, hanging onto rocks and other wooden debris.  Stoneflies are typically found in the winter season, while most other insects are hibernating. They primarily live near high paced streams, rivers, bridges and stones. Many other

pollutants in the air during the fall and spring, causes a reduction in oxygen levels for the stoneflies. So, winter becomes the most active time for stoneflies. Should you be concerned of stoneflies? None to say the least. Seeing Stoneflies in your local rivers/streams is a positive sign of a healthy environment as they thrive on the water quality within those waters. Streams and/or rivers with low oxygen levels and any signs of pollution do not support the growth and proper living conditions to stoneflies. Which is why Pollution Control Agencies love them…because they are so sensitive to water conditions, it helps the agencies get an idea of the river’s water quality within that area. Stoneflies need high amounts of dissolved oxygen from the rivers so, when the dissolved oxygen levels are low the stoneflies disappear. A rule of thumb is that typically if trout live in the water, it is more than likely that so are the stoneflies as they both tend to need the same environmental qualities.

Stoneflies are not like your typical house fly. They will not bother you when you are out on your family day picnic or surrounding your fish basket when you are out of the boat. Stoneflies are like dragonflies. You may see them and they may fly close, but never to eat anything on you or in your basket. Stoneflies are actually detritivores. Detritivores tend to eat broken down organic matter such as living or dead plant material. As juveniles, stoneflies feed of organic plant material or aquatic vegetation. However, as adults, stoneflies tend to stop eating vegan and have been known to eat aquatic insects as well as other stoneflies.The best time to catch some of these amazing stoneflies within your area, are during the winter time down by the streams when the streams are covered in snow.

Copyright © 2016  A32QAUGF2AIONO CC-BY-SA-4.0

Categories
insects termites

What can you do about the Eastern Subterranean Termite?

The Eastern Subterranean termite is present throughout North Eastern states such as Pennsylvania. This insect often creates damage to the structural timbers in buildings. By the time this damage is noticeable however, it has been the result of several years of infestation. In most cases, noticing the results of termite infestation, it is already too late.

There are several ways to recognize termite damage. Noticing termite swarms, or just their wings alone is a sign that termites are around. These termites are often confused with winged ants. Most of these species are only a nuisance, and do not create any structural damage. To identify wood that has been attacked by termites, there are tell tale signs. Look for grooves and pathways in the wood. These pathways will appear to have dirt glad to them.

Another sign of termites is the presence of termite tubes. Termites create these earth colored tubes for several different reasons. The primary reason is to protect themselves while in the runway. These tubes can also serve as exits for the winged termites. Places to look for these tubes include cellar walls, door, and window trim.

In states like Pennsylvania, most infestations occur in the basement. Wooden posts, steps, doorways, and trim are especially susceptible. When the infestation is severe, the flooring and framework can be damaged. Termites prefer areas near the furnace, chimneys, and hot water tanks.

So, how do we deal with termites once we notice an infestation? One of the first steps is contact at least three or more pest control operators. This is done in order to receive the best estimate for service. It is common for each individual controller to deal with termites in a different way. Places such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) can give advice on what operator to contact. The less suitable a place is for termites, the less likely an infestation will occur. There are several things you can do to prevent an infestation. One of the first things is to remove all of the wooden debris from the premise. Another step is to remove any damaged timber.

More steps include providing adequate water drainage in the basement. It is important that the water drain away from the building. Another step is to fill all visible cracks in the foundation.

Other methods also include the use of termite baits. These have become popular over the last several years. These are especially important where wells and springs occur.

Copyright © 2016  ARRM1JR8WDB49 CC-BY-SA-4.0