Posts Tagged ‘pest control’

Keeping IPM Tools Available

Thursday, April 4th, 2013

Written by: Bobby Kossowicz, mother of two, Branchburg, New Jersey

Having spent 15 years in the pest control industry I am a bit more on guard when it comes to pests than your average mom. I have talked to moms devastated by Lyme disease and homeowners stricken with unrelenting bills due to pest damage, and I understand that pests can cause asthma in children and that rodents can transmit disease through their droppings. I also believe strongly in the availability of pest control products to help reduce our risk from pests and rodents.

Risk-reward analysis
The risk verses reward of pesticide use is a hot topic in the media today. Pest control products, when used properly, protect us from disease, keep our public places clean and provide us with healthy, disease-free fruits and vegetables in great abundance. With proper training, responsible use of pesticides through an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach is beneficial to our overall health and wellbeing. Here are some examples of how pest control products can play an important role in protecting you family and community.

Dodge Lyme disease devastation
Lyme disease can be debilitating, particularly when it goes untreated. Living in New Jersey, we have one of the highest reported incidences of Lyme disease in the country. In fact, earlier this year and just miles from my house a new tick-borne disease was discovered in a woman who tested negative for Lyme disease. Additionally, click here to read more about how one mom was devastated by Lyme when her entire family contracted the disease. One of her children is still feeling the effects today, 10 years after her initial diagnosis. As a mom of two I take the risk of Lyme disease very seriously. And I feel very fortunate that I have pest control products available to help me control ticks around my property and lower my family’s risk.

Prevent West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus (WNV) is another disease of concern. According to WebMD, you are most at risk for being infected if you spend time outdoors and are active. WNV causes flu-like symptoms with the possibility of developing encephalitis or meningitis, which raises your chances of dying from the disease. Controlling mosquitoes can be tricky but not impossible with the products available today. As a second line of defense, I am always sure to apply an insect repellant on my family when we spend time outdoors.

Big impact from small steps
You don’t have to contract a disease from an insect for it to have a major impact on you. It has been estimated that termites cause $5 billion worth of damage each year. These destructive pests can be very difficult to detect as they live inside walls eating away on the wood of your home. Our family witnessed firsthand just how destructive termites can be when a neighbor had to reconstruct the entire front of their home due to termite damage. To protect my largest investment, I installed a termite control system around the perimeter of our home. I feel more secure knowing that I took measures to stop this destructive pest.

Calling for balance
I believe we are in need of balance. This means we should consider not only the risks, but also the rewards when it comes to the use and availability of pest control products. As a mom, I feel strongly about protecting my family, and my home and pest control products play an important role in providing that security for me. I encourage you to find out what you can do at home and in your community to promote responsible use and an integrated pest management approach to controlling pests.

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Trivia Thursday: How much do you REALLY know about bed bugs?

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

Bed bugs are pestering people across the U.S. While you may think bed bugs lurk in unfamiliar hotel beds, they might be unnerved to know bed bugs are infesting more places, such as movie theaters, schools, college campuses, and even commercial spaces, such as offices and waiting rooms. How much do you REALLY know about bed bugs and their habits?

Image courtesy of CDC/ Harvard University, Dr. Gary Alpert; Dr. Harold Harlan; Richard Pollack Photo By: Piotr Naskrecki.

Image courtesy of CDC/ Harvard University, Dr. Gary Alpert; Dr. Harold Harlan; Richard Pollack Photo By: Piotr Naskrecki.


I don’t travel very often, so there’s no way I’ll have to deal with bed bugs. True or False?


False. The adage, “Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite,” is giving many people the wrong impression, as bed bugs are increasingly expanding their horizons. The Center for Disease Control reports bed bugs can go long periods of time without feeding, making them perfect castaways on cruise ships or stowaways in movie theaters. Bed bugs are non-discriminatory in their lodgings, as long as they can find a nice, dark crevice to snuggle into during the day. They easily can be transported from one location to another, so always keep a lookout when settling into high-traffic areas such as hotels, movie theaters, dorm rooms, libraries, public transportation or apartments.

Bed bugs spread disease. True or False?

False. Today there is no evidence to support the idea that bed bugs transmit any diseases, although they have been found to carry 24 known pathogens. However, bites from bed bugs can be pretty irritating and painful.  In susceptible individuals, their bites can cause allergic reactions and the bites often become red and inflamed several days after contact. Here are some helpful tips to help you avoid becoming a bed bug’s midnight snack:

Keep your home uncluttered. Bed bugs love to hide in small cracks and crevices. The more clutter around your home, the more opportunities those bed bugs will have to find a nice place to hide.

Regularly wash and heat dry your bedding, blankets and any clothing that touches the floor. Items on the floor make for great opportunities for bed bugs to make new homes. Make sure all bedding and clothing is washed regularly and heat dried to kill any bugs that may have crawled in. Bed bugs also can make their homes in laundry bins and baskets, so it is important to clean those regularly, as well.

Don’t panic. If you are confronted with a bed bug problem, there is no reason to panic. First, treat bites with an antiseptic cream, take an antihistamine and avoid scratching the area, as too much scratching could cause a secondary infection. Second, contact a pest professional to discuss your options. It is important to realize that infestations are treatable, so there is no need to immediately throw out all of your possessions.

For more tips on how to avoid bed bugs on the road and at home, also check out a previous post, “Don’t Bring Bed Bugs Back as Souvenirs,” by guest blogger and research entomologist, Robin Tabuchi.

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Top 10 Resolutions to Make 2013 Pest Free

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

Written by: Bobby Kossowicz, mother of two, Branchburg, New Jersey

Editor’s Note: Bobby Kossowicz is a mother of two from Branchburg, New Jersey, who has past personal experience with pests and the importance of controlling them. Before becoming a full-time mom, Bobby worked in the pest control industry, and she combines her professional experience with her perspective as a mom to share the importance of understanding pests and how to protect your family from them.

Everyone has encountered a pest problem from time to time. An infestation can be inconvenient, embarrassing and, at times, a serious danger to our family’s health or property. So while we resolve to make 2013 healthier, wealthier and wiser, let’s consider what we can do to also make it pest-free! Here are the Top 10 ways to make 2013 a pest-free year.

1. Inspect your attic. Take a few extra minutes when returning those holiday decorations, and at least a few more times a year, to inspect your attic or storage area. Have you heard any strange noises or scratching in the attic? Look for visible signs of squirrels, raccoons, rodents or other wildlife infestation by inspecting the perimeter of the room for droppings and nesting material. Depending on the type of critter, droppings can vary in size but are typically dark in color and in the shape of a pellet. Check your walls for droppings as well as these could indicate a bat infestation. Look in narrow crevices for roosting bats in attic walls. Also, inspect for broken vents or holes which would allow wildlife to enter the attic from outside. When not in the attic, simply listen and inspect at the first sign of any strange scurrying or scratching noises coming from the attic.

2. Trim trees and other brush away from your home. Overgrown trees and brush around your home offer a highway into it for wildlife and pests. Walk around the outside of your home regularly and cut back tree branches that are growing too close. Branches can promote bat infestations with their shade and literally create a bridge into your home for squirrels and other wildlife. Shrubs and other brush can encourage pest infestations around the outside of your home. Plus, insects will enter through tiny gaps around your foundation, windows and doors.

3. Caulk windows and doors. After trimming back trees and brush, thoroughly inspect the inside and outside of your windows and doors. Caulk any gaps or openings. This is primarily how insects enter the home and, as the old saying goes – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

4. Do a perimeter spray. Your home offers the necessary elements an insect needs to survive: food, water and shelter. Create a barrier around your home and you will see a dramatic decrease in common household pests such as spiders, ants, silverfish and more. If you are a “do-it-yourselfer,” visit your local home and garden store to inquire about a perimeter pest control spray. If such work is too much for you, contact a local pest management professional and inquire about using a quarterly service plan to protect your home from pests.

5. Properly collect and store firewood both inside and outside the home. Your state likely recommends or requires that you buy firewood locally, ideally within 50 miles of your home! Doing so helps to minimize the spread of invasive species. Firewood pests can include beetles, carpenter ants, bees, rodents, termites and more. Do your best to store firewood at least 20 to 30 feet away from your home so as not to invite termites and other insects to take up residence. Dry your firewood quickly and keep it dry. Raise the wood off the ground and keep it covered from the elements once it is dry. Always shake firewood rigorously before bringing it indoors to remove any insects that may be living on it.

6. Don’t bring bed bugs home from a trip. The best way to avoid a bed bug infestation is to travel wisely. When at a hotel, pull back the fitted sheets and inspect the mattress for signs of a bed bug infestation.  Immediately change rooms if you find blood stains or bug casings in the folds of the mattress or box spring. Store your luggage on hard surfaces and away from fabrics while in hotel rooms. Leave your luggage in the garage upon returning home. Launder all clothing immediately upon returning and dry at a high temperature to kill any bed bugs or eggs that may have hitched a ride home with you. Read “Don’t bring bed bugs back as souvenirs” for some additional tips on how to avoid bringing bed bugs home.

7. Clean your gutters! Not only will clogged gutters cause damage to your home, but they also are inviting to insects. Mosquitoes and other insects are attracted to the water in clogged gutters, plus birds and squirrels may even nest in them! Experts recommend cleaning gutters at least twice a year to keep them free flowing and pest free.

8. Put a tight seal on pet food! Many pet owners don’t realize how inviting pet food is to rodents and insects. Eliminate the food source by storing in a rodent- and pest-proof container with a tight seal. Take up your pet’s food bowl when meal time is finished.

9. Perimeter spray your yard to keep ticks at bay. Lyme disease is all over the news these days and can be quite serious causing long term effects if it goes untreated. Protect your family by doing a tick check on each member, including pets, every night, especially during the height of tick season (typically April through September).  Have your lawn perimeter treated by a pest management professional, or do it yourself with products from your local home and garden store to reduce the number of ticks. Read my previous post about the dangers of Lyme disease, “Lyme Disease Danger Gets Personal.” You also may want to check read other posts on Lyme disease here.

10. Keep a clean house. Regularly vacuuming your carpets and sweeping floors can help reduce the number of pests. Declutter your home and always try to quickly dispose of garbage to keep your home free from bugs. A clean and tidy home is a healthy home, and it’s probably the easiest step to take to stay pest-free in 2013.

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Trivia Thursday: How much do you REALLY know about the Asian longhorned beetle?

Thursday, October 18th, 2012

Adult Asian longhorned beetle. Image and cutline courtesy of USDA National Agricultural Library Image Galleries. Photo by Michael Smith.

Adult Asian longhorned beetle. Image and cutline courtesy of USDA National Agricultural Library Image Galleries. Photo by Michael Smith.

Asian longhorned beetles (ALB) recently have been infesting and killing trees across the country. After being introduced to the U.S. from Asia, experts now consider the beetle to be one of the most destructive invasive insects. The pest is most active in the summer and early fall, and ALB infestation has resulted in the death and removal of more than 30,000 trees. Do you know how to look for signs of an ALB infestation? Do you know the tips on how to save the trees at risk? Keep reading to help stop the beetles from destroying your trees.

The Asian longhorned beetle is harmful to humans, pets and trees. True or False?

False. The ALB is extremely harmful to trees, but not humans or pets! These beetles are about 1 inch in length. They have long antennae banded with black and white, as well as shiny black bodies with white spots and six legs. They can be found on tree branches, walls, outdoor furniture, cars and sidewalks. During the winter months, the beetle chews holes into the tree bark and lays an egg. Once the eggs evolve into larvae, they tunnel deeper, feeding off the trees they infest. When winter is over, the adult beetles chew their way out of the tree, leaving dime-sized holes. The beetle’s lifecycle can harm trees, resulting in fungal growth, structural weakness, disruption of vascular tissues, and ultimately, tree death.

Property owners can prevent infestation and help save trees. True or False?

True. Taking steps to prevent the spread of the ALB is extremely important. Here are the best ways to prevent the ALB from attacking your trees.

  1. Purchase firewood where you plan on burning it. This means the wood was cut within 50 miles of where you will build your fire. Moving firewood can cause the ALB to be transported to new sites. Even wood that appears clean and healthy can be infested, so it’s best to always leave firewood at home.
  2. Diversify the trees you plant. If you’re in a regulated or quarantined area for the beetles, it’s best to avoid planting ALB host trees. These include maple, birch, horse chestnut, polar, willow, elm, ash, mimosa, hackberry, sycamore, mountain ash and London plane. You should inspect your trees regularly to look for signs of infestation, which may include dime-sized holes or sawdust-like material, called frass.
  3. Report any signs of ALB activity and allow officials to perform surveys on your property. Reporting signs helps officials collect many data points and informs them as to which trees should be removed to prevent further infestation. To eliminate infested areas, some jurisdictions opt to cut and chip and some choose to burn the infested trees. Additionally, the use of the insecticide imidacloprid has been shown to decrease ALB populations and also has been used to prevent the spread of ALB. The insecticide is injected into the tree trunk or soil, with supervision by the USDA, and targets the tree’s active growth area where the beetle feeds and lays eggs.

For more information on ALB, contact your local tree service professionals — http://beetlebusters.info/

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Day 5 of NIAP Week: Treating Pest Problems

Friday, October 5th, 2012

Today is the final day of National Inspect and Protect Week. So far this week, we’ve covered all but the final step of the INSPECT (INvestigate, Study, Prepare, Eliminate, Clean, and Treat) process. Today we’re going to share more about how to treat and manage your pest problems.

The INSPECT process is a comprehensive method that works best when all the steps are accurately followed. Treating your pest problems without first investigating or studying only will allow for continued and reoccurring problems. Dedicating time and effort to each step will yield the most beneficial results in safeguarding your home from adverse health effects and costly structural damage these pests can cause.

There are multiple pest management options available, and many can be combined for the most effective results. Combining multiple methods is also known as Integrated Pest Management or IPM.  If you choose to apply a pesticide to rid your problems, make sure you have properly identified the pest and use only the appropriate pesticides and amounts for treatment. Reading and following the label when using any pesticide product is the law. Following label instructions ensures the pesticide is used in a safe manner and that the product is the right one to treat your specific problem. Familiarizing yourself with the problems at hand and available treatment procedures will make sure you’ve found the best product for your situation. If you ever have questions or can’t make the application yourself, contact pest or lawn care professionals for support.

Learn more about purchasing a pest control product here, and watch extension specialist Janet Hurley’s video for inside pointers on treating your home. Remember to follow the INSPECT (INvestigate, Study and Prepare, Eliminate, Clean and Treat) process for taking strategic approaches in identifying, controlling and preventing against unwarranted invaders.

For any information you may have missed or for additional tips, visit Debug the Myths to help you solve those unwanted pest problems.

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Breaking up with bad bug habits

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

Written by: Robin L. Tabuchi, Research Entomologist, University of California, Berkeley.

Valentine’s Day has come and gone.  Although love is still in the air, a much-needed breakup is on the horizon. I’m talking about breaking up with bad “pest” habits. Follow these tips to kick a sour relationship with everyday pests to the curb.

Kiss pantry pests goodbye.  Ah, the distant memory of the holidays. A time to visit with loved ones, relax and feast on many holiday goodies. If you hosted any sort of holiday party at your house, you likely have accumulated cookies, candies, nuts and other food items. Now is the time to take inventory and clean out your pantry. Make sure food items are properly sealed and stored, inspect for pests, and dispose of expired or infested items. Even unopened food packages can be invaded by unwanted rodents, ants, beetles or moths.

Get up close and personal with gutters. Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to overflow in unwanted places. This water can saturate structural wood and create the perfect habitat for termites — not to mention a whole handful of non-pest related problems, such as mildew, mold and dry rot.

Love doesn’t stink; garbage does. Give garbage and recycle bins a good washing especially before the temperatures rise. Buildup from spilled foods and drinks smells really tasty to pests like rodents, ants, flies and wasps.

Let spiders feel the love. While they aren’t beautiful butterflies or cute ladybugs, there’s no need to fear all spiders. Many, in fact, are good company around the house and certainly in the yard because they prey on other arthropod pests. Spiders skillfully construct webs to basically act as sticky traps for unwanted pests, such as mosquitoes and aphids.  Even spiders that don’t construct webs (like jumping spiders) are great hunters that keep pest populations in check.  Become familiar with the common spiders in your area and learn how to recognize the dangerous few (black widows and recluse spiders).

A cross orb weaver spider’s web

A cross orb weaver spider’s web. Photo taken by Robin Tabuchi.

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Some New New Year’s Resolutions

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

Written by: Robin L. Tabuchi, Research Entomologist, University of California, Berkeley.

Considering it’s February, I’m guessing many of you have already forgotten your New Year’s resolutions. Whether you vowed to hit the gym, learn to cook like Gordon Ramsey or finally clean your rain gutters, let’s make a few easy pest prevention resolutions that won’t break your back or your budget.

Search the perimeter of your house.  What are you looking for? Anything out of the ordinary, but pay specific attention to the things listed below. If you have kids, invite them to join you. Tell them you are going on a scavenger hunt and ask them to help you find:

  • Holes. Are there any potential rodent entry points? Rats can enter a structure through a ½ inch hole and mice can enter through a ¼ inch hole. They also are very good climbers and can gain access to a structure through pipes, along wires and from climbing trees or vines. Look for holes in the roof, around windows, doors and crawl space vents.
  • Mud tubes. Mud tubes are the pathways subterranean termites use to travel from their nest in the soil to food sources (cellulose material, “aka” wood) in your house. They are constructed of soil and held together with termite saliva. Pay specific attention to areas of higher moisture, such as rain gutter downspouts and walls adjacent to bathrooms.
  • Trees. Make sure trees adjacent to your house are not touching the structure. This creates an easy entry point for many pests, including rodents and ants.

Store firewood wisely. Even through it’s convenient to pile firewood alongside your house, it isn’t wise. You don’t want foraging termites to set up shop in your firewood and then move their operation next door to a more spacious site; your house. Move firewood away from the structure and stack it on top of concrete blocks. This limits the amount of soil-to-wood contact, and you can more easily see mud tubes, if they appear.

Harvest fruit trees. If you have fruit trees, especially citrus or pomegranates, harvest the fruit from the trees when ripe and try not to let it fall and sit on the ground. Fallen fruit attracts rodents and ants.

Check your buds. Search buds on flowering plants for aphids and scale insects. If you find them, treat them before the buds break to ensure the flowers and emerging leaves stay alive and healthy.

Following these resolutions will help you prevent common and potentially costly household pest infestations. What do you do if a pest still finds its way in? You can try tackling the problem yourself or contact a local pest control company. Lastly, visit UC Davis’s IPM online page for pest identification, biology and management information.

Robin L. Tabuchi is a research entomologist at the University of California, Berkeley. Currently, she manages a research lab on finding ways to prevent and control many household and structural pests, including bed bugs, subterranean and drywood termites and argentine ants.

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The Battle of the Bed Bug

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

You’ve all heard about them—bed bugs—those sneaky, near-microscopic bugs that hitch a ride into your home uninvited and cause all kinds of mischief.

This past year, bed bugs have taken up residence in homes, hotels, and businesses across the United States. Los Angeles and other west-coast metropolitan areas are no exception.

While New York City remains the nation’s bed bug capital, cities along the west coast such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco are becoming breeding hotspots because of California’s alluring temperate climate, significant population in inner city areas, and dense residential communities. All places beg bugs love to live!

These resilient pests are excellent hitch hikers and easily ‘leap’ from one target to the next at hotels and/or public transit. These pests are often transferred from clothing to furniture, and once inside your home, these unwanted roommates begin venturing out to feed and multiply.

While they do not transmit disease, they leave evidence of their bites—large, itchy swellings on the skin similar to bites from mosquitoes, fleas, or spiders. In addition to welts, bed bugs may also leave bloodstains or droppings on linens where you sleep.

But don’t think you can easily spot bed bugs running rampant in your home. Bed bugs like to hide and because of their small size can do so just about anywhere—in clothing, furniture, electrical outlets, under wallpaper, mattresses, air conditioning vents, and in any crack or crevice.

As bed bugs become more pervasive, it’s almost impossible to know where they’ll show up next. Don’t let your home become their home too. Keep the pests at bay by staying vigilant and checking bedding, clothing, and material furniture.

Early detection is key. If you see signs of a problem, don’t waste time and money by trying to exterminate the bugs on your own. Hire a licensed and qualified pest professional to eradicate these pests. You can prevent infestations by:

  • Monitoring daily for pests.
  • Fully inspecting your suitcases prior to re-packing for a return home from traveling. Also, wash clothing and bedding at warm temperatures after returning from travel.
  • Purchasing mattress and pillow encasements. These bed bug proof enclosures are extremely affordable and provide a tight seal around your box spring, mattress and pillows.
  • Keeping children’s backpacks in plastic bags or closed storage bins. At minimum, do not leave backpacks in or near bedrooms.
  • College students should inspect dormitory mattress seams, particularly at the corners, for telltale stains or spots before putting sheets on the bed. Students should also thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking, including behind the headboard and in sofas/chairs. If anything suspect is found, immediately contact a university facility manager.

Inspect and Protect Week is just a week away! Be sure to check back each day next week for more tips on keeping your home pest-free.

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2011 Inspect and Protect Week is October 3-7

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Debug the Myths and RISE announce the second annual National Inspect and Protect Week, October 3-7, a week dedicated to helping homeowners better understand how to protect their homes, lawns and communities from insects, rodents and weeds that cause health problems and property damage.

Leading up to National Inspect and Protect Week, our blog will focus regionally, with weekly posts featuring hot-topic and common pest issues, such as Lyme disease watch outs in the Northeast, increasing ant problems in the Southeast, and the overpopulation of bedbugs in the West.  We’ll also introduce you to region-specific experts providing advice and insights on the pests particular to specific parts of the country.

Knowledge is power when trying to maintain a pest-free home, lawn and community. We look forward to you joining our inspecting and protecting activities. You can do so in many ways, including:

  • Share your pest concerns with us. Then, share what you learned with your friends.
  • Follow us on Twitter and friend us on Facebook. You’ll get new updates regularly about Inspect and Protect Week activities.
  • Download our children’s book or activities to educate young pest detectives, too.
  • View videos about what to look for in and around your home.

We look forward to inspecting and protecting with you this year!

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The final step: Keeping your doors, windows and screens in good working condition

Friday, July 1st, 2011

Mosquitoes have a tendency to make their way through even the smallest openings, flying right into your home. Keeping your doors and windows in good condition can be challenging, but is important to keeping your household healthy.

Step number five of The Five D’s is: DOORS and windows should be in good condition. Here are some general tips to keep your windows and doors in good condition:

  • Seal windows and doors the opposite direction of the wind.
  • Use caulk to fill cracks to help your windows stay sealed shut.
  • Install door and window screens instead of keeping unscreened doors and windows open.

Following the Five D’s this summer will keep your family and pets healthy in all your outdoor fun. The Five D’s from the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District, are:

  1. DRAIN all standing water
  2. Avoid DAWN and DUSK when mosquitoes are most active
  3. DRESS appropriately in long sleeves and pants
  4. DEFEND yourself against mosquitoes with an effective repellent
  5. DOORS and windows should be in good condition

Spread the word this National Mosquito Control Week, so that all your neighborhood friends and family can stay mosquito-free as well.

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