As we move into the spring season and a more active time of year outdoors for many, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of doing tick checks. I’ve been following CDC data for years on the reporting of Lyme and there was a record number of cases of tickborne diseases reported for the year 2017.
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As a backyard gardener, and orchardist, I’m always interested in keeping up with new exotic insect species arriving and becoming established in the US, because sooner or later they’ll be showing up at my place. Two of the top four ‘most wanted’ (at least according to one researcher) are present in my yard. One is
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Essential Oils (EO’s) as biologically active (bio pesticides) have potential great promise as effective alternatives to traditional synthetic pesticides. Many essential oils have been shown to have insecticidal, fumigant, antifeedant, attractive, or repellent activities (Mossa: J of Environmental Science and Technology May 2016) There are 1000’s of these compounds that have been isolated and identified
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What evidence do I have to support that claim? One of my monthly accounts, a manufacturing facility, was alive with pavement ants (Tetramorium caespitum) the other day. It was a mild mid-winter day and activity was noted as ants were entering through expansion joints in the flooring of (you guessed it) the cafeteria. Overwintering insects
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February doesn’t seem to have a lot going for it. It’s that bridge month that comes after all the hoopla of the holidays but before the first true hint of spring. Fortunately, it’s a short month. Bet you didn’t know this about February – it’s also National Pesticide Safety Education Month. So, as pest management
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Are you one of those people who believes that the answer to all indoor pest problems is a good bug bomb, or two, or six? In the pest control business, we call them total release foggers (TRFs) and we’ve blogged before on the fact that they really do not work very well. Bug “Bombs” and
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One question with so many possible answers. Gel baits are the primary products used for indoor cockroach control and work well. Assuming that you purchased a reputable, EPA-registered product, the lack of results could be due to any one of these factors: Failure to follow the label directions– Always read the label thatwill tell you
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Well, it’s time to welcome 2019 and begin to speculate on what our primary pest problems will be in the New Year. Much of it depends on what happens in the remainder of this winter. WINTER TEMPERATURES AFFECT PEST SURVIVAL Our weather will have an effect on the numbers of mosquitoes, and ticks, and flies,
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Head lice can be scary for parents and students. After all, these creepy little insects suck blood, and cause itching and embarrassment. On the positive side, head lice can be eliminated and they do not transmit diseases. Once you know a little bit about head lice, you will understand why pest control companies do not,
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