Pest Control and Wildlife Removal Blog

Cooler Weather Brings Mice & Rats Inside

Today is a cool, rainy day (in upstate New York anyway) and Fall is on the way. It's time for warm apple cider, pumpkins, apple picking... and rodents. That's right, when the weather turns colder, rodents will look for a warm place indoors to call home.

Rats and mice can get into very small openings in your walls and foundation. They bring in food or look for crumbs that humans have left behind. These rodents become a nuisance when they bring their friends to nest in your home, chewing their way to a comfortable spot. They also leave behind droppings and nesting materials that could be hazardous to your health.

Have you spotted mice or rats in your home? Many people experience one or two of these rodents each winter, however some get completely infested. Trapping and removing these pests is the first step to getting rid of the population. However, the entire structure needs to be sealed off to ensure that rodents cannot re-enter.

Call your local pest control company to hear about their process to evict mice and rats from your home. A successful elimination plan will consist of trapping the rodents and sealing off your home.

Bed Bug Facts

One of our pest control technicians came in to the office at the end of his day with a surprise for the office staff - Bed Bugs! He found them hiding in the window trim when applying the treatment and grabbed a few to show us, firsthand, what they looked like.

This reminded me of a few Bed Bug facts that everyone should know:

• Bed Bugs have been around for thousands of years. Their population was controlled in the 1950’s with the widespread use of DDT, which has since been banned.
• They get their name from feeding on humans while they are sleeping. During the day, these bugs hide in furniture, baseboards and other cracks and crevices.
• Bed Bugs are reddish-brown in color, oval and about ¼” long in their adult stage.
• Bed Bugs haven’t been known to transmit diseases but some people have allergic-like reactions to their bites.
• One bug can become thousands in a matter of months if left untreated.
• Females lay approximately 5 eggs a day and over 500 in their lifetime.

It is good practice to check mattresses, baseboards and window trim in your own home as well as in hotels when traveling. Looking for Bed Bugs as well as tiny dark brown spots (excrement) in these areas will keep you proactive in the fight against these blood sucking pests. If you find evidence of Bed Bugs, do not attempt to treat them yourself. Call a licensed pest control company to handle the situation correctly.

Bed Bugs are Here!

For those of you who doubted that Bed Bugs are here to stay, here’s the latest news out of New York City.  Renowned department store Bergdorf Goodman has hired a Bed Bug hunting dog to patrol its store to make sure they avoid the dreaded bug.  Their unique ability to hide in books, behind pictures and in cracks and crevices stresses the fear they can create in the heart of retailers (from Rent-a-Center to Wal-Mart).  Bed Bugs have also been discovered in movie theaters, public transportation, air planes, libraries and office buildings. 

The following example indicates why Bed Bugs are so difficult to eliminate.  Over the years, I have seen just about every location possible for Bed Bugs to hide but this one beats them all.  A client had a recurrence of them in a room that had been repeatedly treated.  Once again the reality of an insect’s ability to survive was made clear in this case.  As a pest management professional I can never overlook the obvious.  After close examination, we found the source of the re-infestation in this room.  Bed Bugs were in the client’s prosthetic leg.  Every time he placed it next to the bed when he went to sleep he was re-infesting the bed.  The other thing to keep in mind is that he was also taking the bugs with him wherever he traveled.

In an earlier Newsletter, I stated that the future “did not look good” as it related to the treatment and control of these nasty blood sucking pests.  There are many contributing factors; from a lack of effective residual materials to uninformed health professionals.  This stresses the importance of educating ourselves and our clients on the need of vigilance by both parties if control is to be achieved.  Incidentally, another contributing factor to the difficulty in dealing with this problem is the attitude many have today of instant gratification (there is no magic bullet).  Also, the idea that as a client, they play an important role in the process is unthinkable (after all, they are paying us). 

New York City leads the top 10 cities in North America on Insight Pharmaceuticals’ list of Bed Bug infested cities.  This highlights that for those in the Capital District of New York we have not yet seen the tip of the iceberg, as the calls coming in indicate that they are here!

Where Do Cluster Flies Come From?

You may have seen Cluster Flies migrating in groups around your windows. They are smaller than regular house flies and generally slower moving. During mid to late August, Cluster Flies begin to migrate indoors, through window cracks and door frames, looking for a warm place to overwinter. These pests don't pose a risk to homeowners, but become a nuisance when their numbers increase and they find their way inside. But, where do Cluster Flies come from?

 

Cluster Fly larvae develop inside earthworms living in the ground outside of homes. The larvae develop into cocoons before hatching into adult flies. The adult flies are attracted to the sunny side of homes in the fall, looking for ways to get inside before winter. Don't worry, Cluster Flies do not breed indoors. They are only looking for a warm place to overwinter, before emerging during the warm spring months.

 

If you've seen Cluster Flies around your home contact a licensed pest control technician. Pest proofing your home (sealing cracks and crevices along windows and doors) and treating the structure annually is the only way to get rid of these flying pests.

 

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No Place is Safe from Bed Bugs

You’ve heard about the latest Bed Bug appearance, right? A movie theater in New York’s Times Square! This is proof that no place is safe from a bed bug infestation.

Movie goers got more than they paid for at an AMC theater on 42nd Street after complaining of being bit while inside. The theater was shut down for a short time so that pest control professionals could treat the area. This recent outbreak comes after popular clothing stores in the city reported having bed bugs. Bergdorf Goodman has gone as far as hiring a bed bug sniffing dog to check the store each night as a precaution.

Web searches will reveal plenty of websites dedicated to the recent bed bug outbreaks, how to spot them and what to do if you’ve been infested. The NYC Department of Health has issued a few helpful guides for homeowners, tenants and landlords, hotels and other establishments. A Bed Bug Advisory Board has also been established in the city, with funds set aside to combat the bed bug pandemic.

For further information on bed bugs, ask our resident expert, Luis Pabon, or call Catseye Pest Control for an inspection.

Bed Bug Populations Continue To Rise

In a recent survey sponsored by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), bed bug exterminations have rised over 80% within the last decade, and over 50% just within the last five years.

There are a few reasons for the dramatic increase in bed bug infestations. One reason is that bed bugs have developed a resistance to many of the commonly used pesticides, as we’ve talked about in prior posts. Another reason is that people are traveling more. Bed bugs are hitchhikers and will hide in clothing and suitcases, waiting for their next meal. Bed bugs aren’t just found in apartment buildings and hotels. We’ve recently seen them emerge in clothing stores and office buildings, proving that bed bugs do not discriminate.

Did you know? Bed bugs can live up to a year without feeding!

Have you ever encountered bed bugs? Share your story below.

Clutter is the Enemy when Dealing with Bed Bugs

If you have had evidence of bed bugs you know how difficult it can be to eradicate them. Bed bugs are survivors. They’ve become less and less affected by the treatments previously known to eliminate them. They’ve also become very good at finding hiding spots, in all the likely and unlikely places. Because of these reasons, there are no guarantees that all of the bed bugs would be eradicated after a thorough treatment. Even though an inspector has years of expertise and experience in pest management, it is still difficult to uncover every potential hiding place.

Try de-cluttering your home. Clutter is your enemy when battling these pests. Their hiding places are more plentiful and clutter makes it difficult for the inspector and technician to inspect and treat.

Is Your Home Safe from Carpenter Ants and Termites?

Termites. Carpenter ants. Pest isn't nearly a harsh enough word for the minuscule wrecking machines that have the ability to bring down a house if they go undetected.

"I hope you have a good friend who is a general contractor. That's how bad it could get," said Catseye Pest Control technical director, Luis Pabon.

And that's why there are laws in New York State that apply to termite inspections when it comes to buying or selling a home.

"It's required by New York State law, and of course any mortgage company is going to require it. They want to make sure they're protecting their investment as well."

Pabon has been in the pest control business for decades.

While the most damning evidence of termite or carpenter ant damage is usually out of sight, there are some tell tale signs to look out for.

Pabon said, "If you have a crawl space or a basement, termites will usually run up a mud tube. They'll tap into your nearest floor joist, and from there they get right into the house. With carpenter ants, you're going to find that they have a frass. It looks like sawdust. That's another sign that they're in the house."

Everybody loves a nice landscaped, manicured yard. Everyone loves some shrubs around their house for privacy, but having landscaping and mulch right up against the foundation of your house is not advisable.

Pabon said, "That's one of the biggest issues I have. Some people think I'm anti-plants or flowers. No, I'm not at all. You really should have them away from the home for a number of reasons. If you put greenery, it gives them an avenue to get into the house."

Should you discover termites or carpenter ants in your home, Pabon urges you to contact a professional service.

Pabon said, "You might be able to get rid of the symptom, but the actual problem, you really need a professional to take care of it. They know what they're doing. They know what to look for and they'll be able to attack where the colony may be."

Pabon also reminds us that chemicals have come a long way. They're powerful and often require only one application. There are even organic compounds available, but, he cautions, that doesn't mean you can put it in your coffee. It simply means it's made to break down quicker and more naturally.

When Something Good Goes Bad. Bees.

Bees are the major pollinators of flowering plants and assist in the reduction of many insect pests.  This therefore makes them a very beneficial group of insects.  Bees are identified as either solitary (live independent of a colony) or social (live together in a colony).  Understanding their behavior, social or otherwise, will provide us with important information which may allow us to avoid a nasty encounter. 

Bees come in all shapes and sizes, from the 51 species of Bumble Bees to the Honey Bee, and as I stated earlier, they provide a valuable service.  These hard working insects are responsible for a major portion of our food supply.  Therefore, as part of Catseye’s protocol when dealing with bee calls, we make sure the insects in question are not Honey Bees (most of these calls actually turn out to be for Yellow Jackets or Wasps).  However, if they are in fact Honey Bees we advise the homeowner to contact a local beekeeper who will come to remove the bees with their nest, keeping everything in working order.  Pest management would only be under taken when the bees pose a threat to you or your pets. 

There are times when something good goes bad as the following information shows.  Of the 54 reported deaths each year from arthropod bites or stings, bees, hornets and wasps account for about 30 percent.  For example, the Africanized Honey Bee is extremely aggressive and will sting with little provocation.  They have been known to pursue intruders/victims for up to 328 feet.  Domestic bees on the other hand will only pursue intruders for up to 33 feet. 

Another interesting point to remember is that there are several groups of insects that mimic the appearance and behavior of bees, hornets and wasps as a defensive mechanism designed to protect themselves from predators. 

Am I giving bees a bad rap by providing you with this information?  Hardly.  I just want you to understand that at times we have to deal with something good that has gone bad.

Enter To Win $500 Worth of Pest Control!

Have you had an insect or rodent problem that you tried to take care of yourself and it went horribly wrong? Have you ever tried to trap a squirrel or repair damage left by nuisance wildlife and faced an even bigger problem than you bargained for? If so, we want to hear about it!

Send us your pest control mishaps for a chance to win $500 worth of pest control services from Catseye Pest Control. Tell us all the devastating details of your do-it-yourself pest project and don't forget to include pictures! Submit your stories via our website or send an email to info@catseyepest.com. Don't have a computer? Mail your story to our office at 31 Commercial Drive, Castleton, NY 12033.

*All entries must be received before July 31, 2010 at midnight, ET. One winner will be chosen on August 2, 2010. Winner must be homeowner and permanently reside in area serviced by Catseye. For a list of counties serviced visit http://www.catseyepest.com/. Catseye must first perform full inspection of the property before service can begin. Cost of service is TBD based on the needs of the home.