Termites House: It's Not The House That Jack Built

By Don Rodriguiez

Although thee are three types of termites in the United States, this article will discuss termites house of only two of them: subterranean and dry wood. Formosan will be left for a later discussion. The reason you need to know which termites have infested your home is because there are different treatments for termites depending on the kind of infestation your property has.

Subterranean termites live beneath the ground. They dig tunnels into the soil where they build their colony and then gnaw out tunnels to reach the ground for food which comes from wood. These are the type of pests you are faced when when the exterminator talks about drilling holes in your foundation or walls and pumping a pesticide through the hole and down through the tunnels to reach (hopefully) the colony.

No doubt, particularly if you live in California, you have seen the giant tents covering houses and businesses and signs posted around the structure warning you to stay away as "fumigation" is in progress. This is a sign of a dry wood termites infestation. These insects make their home in dead and dying wood and even furniture made of wood or wood products. Since they actually live in the wood, the worker termites have to push the waste of the colony out of their living quarters.

Subterranean and dry wood termites have a sophisticated social order which is divided into a number of classes such as worker, alates, queen, and so on. They also have army or warrior pests who defend the colony against invading ants which is their fiercest rival.

Alates is the class of termites shared by all three categories. These are the pesky pests who sprout wings in early spring and swarm. This is the ritual participated in only by alates who look for a mate and then go off to start a new colony. This strict social order of termites house is not the house that Jack built. - 30446

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Bedbug Spray Treatment

By Renee Garcia

Do you have bedbugs at home? If you do, you must first identify the site of infestation. How can you do this?

In identifying the infestation site, you must take note of the time and place that you get bitten by the bedbugs. Does this happen when you slept on your bed? Or did it happen when you slept in the guest room? You can now identify the specific area in your house that is infested. Next step is to look for the insects. Check the specific furniture that you slept on. If it is the mattress, look for cracks and holes. After that, you must check anything that is close to the mattress. Look for cracks and holes where bedbugs usually live.

Adult bedbugs are 4 to 5 mm in length and are reddish-brown. Their bodies are flat, oval, and have a banded appearance. These insects are wingless.

The nymphs are lighter in color and translucent. Once you have seen these, its about time to call a professional exterminator or purchase a bedbug spray.

There are pesticides designed to kill bedbugs. These pesticides can be bought in dust form or in sprays. There are also pesticides that are eco-friendly and less toxic.

In purchasing a bedbug spray, you must be sure that the product you are buying can be sprayed on the infested furniture. For instance, certain bedbug sprays can only be used on mattresses and there are some sprays that can be used on wood. You can also purchase a bedbug spray that ca used on just about any material.

Before spraying, you must scrub and vacuum all the infested furniture. In disposing of the vacuum bag, put this inside a plastic bag to contain the bedbugs there.

After scrubbing and vacuuming, you can apply the bedbug spray on infested furniture. Just remember to read and follow the instructions carefully. You must also check if re-treatment is needed. There are many different bedbug sprays that can be bought in the market today. Examples of there are Tempo, Malathion, Pyrethrins, and Allethrin. - 30446

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How to Do Bedbug Extermination

By Renee Garcia

Whenever a homeowner finds out his house has bedbugs, calling a professional exterminator is the usual answer for getting rid of them. But if you want to do it on your own, you can also do so. It is only important to remember that in bedbug extermination, patience is very much needed.

There are many ways with which you can do bedbug extermination. First, you can simply expose your mattress or sofa under the extreme heat of the sun. Dont forget to scrub and vacuum it before getting it out in the sun. And after vacuuming, put the vacuum bag in a plastic container to stop any bedbug transfer.

Another effective method is steam cleaning. The only disadvantage with this method is that not all materials can withstand it. Therefore, before using this method, you must be very sure that the furniture will not be destroyed.

Another natural method is the use of diatomaceous soil. This is composed of single-celled algae. The soil particles have jagged edges which can kill bedbugs. Leave the soil around the infested areas for a few days. To remove the soil and the dead bedbugs, vacuuming is done. Remember to discard the vacuum bag properly by sealing it inside a plastic bag. You need not worry about the soil particles harming you or any animal because these are too small.

Another effective method for bedbug extermination is the use of bedbug insecticides. When using insecticides, you must read the instructions and product label first. You must follow the instructions for application properly. And you must remember to handle the insecticides with care at all times.

If only your mattress is infested, using a mattress cover can be effective as well. You can buy one that is made of fabric or vinyl. These mattress covers come with zippers on the sides for you to seal the mattress in. This way, no bedbug can get out of the mattress.

Furthermore, the bedbugs cannot bite you anymore. It has been found that within 6 months, bedbugs die because of starvation.

All these methods are effective in bedbug extermination. You do not have to hire a professional exterminator after all. - 30446

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Do You Know What To Look For In Termite Services?

By Don Rodriguiez

Selecting termite services is sometimes as difficult as the problem you are trying to eradicate. But the selection process does not have to be so troublesome. There are some things you can do as well as some things to look out for which can help ease the burden of this process.

Retaining the services of a competent and caring professional inspector is always a necessary first step because if the inspector determines that your home is infested with termites, then the inspector will recommend a suitable treatment process. Such professional should be able to share with you the specific type of pest which has invaded your property and what the available treatment programs are and then s/he should recommend one and tell you why.

You should be concerned if your inspector recommends a specific company to you to employ to do the exterminating. Instead, if the inspector should give you a list of reputable firms and leave it up to you to decide which three you will invite to come out and give you a bid or estimate of the cost of their services. Should the inspector not give you such a list, then there is no need to worry. Just check with your local agricultural extension office or state pest control board. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau.

Avoid doing business with anyone who just happens to be in your neighborhood or just by chance stops by your home. Likewise, anyone who comes to your home uninvited and claims to have found termites in nearby houses or areas should be disregarded.

Another sign is lack of a listed telephone number which means the person or company lacks experience or is too cheap to afford a phone or is working out of their vehicle. Do not do business with anyone who does not have a listed telephone number and even then you want to verify the number. Also, avoid anyone who drives a vehicle other than a pest control truck with its state license duly visible on the truck. - 30446

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Trouble with Aphids in Your Greenhouse?

By Betsy Woodworth

Aphids have a tendency to settle into your greenhouse as summer closes and fall settles in. Vegetation in your greenhouse provides an appetizing alternative to the outside garden. Aphids are a common greenhouse problem, and not the easiest to combat.

The first step in dealing with aphids in your garden greenhouse is to make sure you carefully monitor plants you choose to transplant into your greenhouse. Plants selected for your greenhouse should be healthy and vigorous. In addition, you should spray them down with your garden hose to knock off any hitchhikers. If the plant has an obvious insect infestation, do not bring it into your greenhouse without more drastic measures. You can spray it with an insect control spray, or enclose it with a plastic bag in which you place an insecticide strip for two or three days. After taking your plants out of the treatment bag, hose them down before transplanting them to your greenhouse.

Minimal measures - Aphids can sometimes become established no matter how careful you are. If this happens there are several alternative paths you can take. If you do not want to use any insecticides in your greenhouse environment, you have a couple options. Hosing down infected plants with a powerful stream from your garden hose can be effective for a while. This may be the best option If you plan on closing down your greenhouse soon. Some hobby greenhouse gardeners choose to shut their greenhouse down for anywhere from 2-4 months in the winter allowing nature to take its course and freeze out insect pests. Diatomaceous earth is effective if you want a little more aggressive natural control. Sprinkle this powder on and under leaves of effected plants. This can be an effective control if you catch the problem early and have isolated insects in one part of your greenhouse,

Another way to control your aphid problem is to use a fast acting insecticide that is safe for using on vegetable gardens. There are several varieties out there that are "garden safe." Check your local garden center or hardware store for alternatives. Most of these involve an organic insecticidal soap that takes care of aphids, or at least significantly reduces their number. You can also make your own version of this by mixing a tablespoon of liquid dish detergent with water in a quart sprayer. The soap coats the aphids and reduces their numbers. You have to spray every day for best results, paying particular attention to the underside of leaves of infected plants.

Eat or be eaten - biological controls - another alternative to aphid control are biological controls, such as lacewings, ladybugs and midges. Several companies provide these predators for your greenhouses. If using this approach, be sure to limit your use of insecticidal spray, as it will kill off your predator population, as well as your pests.

There is never a foolproof control for aphids, but using a combination of the above controls should help you enjoys your greenhouse through fall and winter. - 30446

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Bugs Problems? Get Some Help From A Professional

By Clark Harrington

Your house is your castle, or so it's been announced. It may not be as grandiose as a castle, but it is perhaps your greatest fiscal asset and a sanctuary for you and your folks. Uninvited pests lurking in hidden corners , however , have marred this idyllic picture. First it was actually the bugs in a bag of flour that had been forgotten on the high shelf of the cupboard. Next, you end up keeping an extra shoe close to hand to crush the house crickets and roaches. And now, the scorpions that lived in the yard have moved in and taken up residence in the guest room.

Having the correct tool for the right job is essential. A giant part of your job is the protection of your folks and your home ; and for the problem of bugs and spiders, the correct tool is a trustworthy pest control company. Call in execs to help, it makes good sense.

- In your fight against the enemy, you have possibly attempted all of the ant baits and roach traps sold at the local convenience store, and the problem of scorpions has you scratching your head. Get the solutions you want with an expert pest controler : effective strategies to exterminate spiders and ants ; treatments that form a barrier around your place to keep scorpions out ; and an inspection to work out if termites are causing damage to your home.

- Picture your yard with less bugs and insects. Now picture the logical result : fewer pests within your house. You may notice that your house will be cleaner without the unwanted bug skins and droppings left behind and you will not have shoes with dead bugs squished on the bottoms.

- You know that scorpions can be poisonous. You may unknowingly be putting your folks in danger because some bugs and rodents carry illness and bacteria. A bug elimination company will use efficient and safe technologies to dump pests that could be subjecting your folks to E. Coli, salmonella, or varied allergens.

- Protecting your investment and ensuring its continued growth in value is an important side of home ownership. Rodents and termites can cause great damage to wood, plaster, and wire, often before you even realize they are in the house. A pro pest control technician is trained to go searching for hidden enemies and, if found, employ the best techniques to exterminate the problem.

When pests are attacking the castle and you've done all you can on your own, it is time to call in the professionals. The points spotted above are a selection of the proved results you and your family will shortly notice and enjoy. It just makes good sense to call a qualified pest controler! - 30446

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Get Rid Of Bed Bugs In Three Simple Steps Without Using Chemicals!

By Peter N King

People who have lost sleep due to bed bugs know how challenging task it is to get rid of them! It is really disappointing, annoying and very exhausting process to fight them. Also calling for help from pest control professionals can get very expensive! So people try several 'do-at-home' options to kill bed bugs.

If you are temporarily budget constrained, then don't worry. The three options we discuss today will cost you very little or nothing. Without further ado, here they are: Remove or eliminate them physically, Segregation or isolation and Water/Steam/High temperature control

Before we proceed, one note: It is not easy to get rid of bedbugs. You should combine several solutions for faster and long lasting results. The solution details are as follows:

Physical elimination: In this step we identify the bed infestations and remove them by using a vacuum cleaner, hard brush or a sticky tape. Like all other animals and insects, Bed bugs prefer to hide close to their prey. They are usually found in bed room furniture and sometimes even in living room furniture. Mattress, box spring, headboard, dresser, behind wall paper and under loose carpet, inside bed linen, behind curtains, picture frames, mirrors, under the chairs, couches etc. Examine all of them thoroughly. Examine the edges of box spring, mattress and bed frame. Turn over box spring and mattress and check underneath. Remove mattress and box spring from the bed frame examine the head board. When you find bed bugs, use a vacuum cleaner to collect them. If the infestation can not be reached with vacuum cleaner or its attachment, use a sticky tape. Press the sticky tape hard on them and then put it in a plastic bag. During your search, you may come across bed bug eggs. They are yellowish white sticky balls. They are very tiny about the size of a pin head. Scrub them off with a hard brush and put them in plastic bags. Remove the vacuum bag and seal it and quickly throw it in a dumpster. A large portion of bed bugs can be removed by this step.

Isolate the bed bugs: Let's accept it: It is difficult to get rid of bed bugs. So why not play defensively and protect what is most important for you? Store all the cloths and books in plastic bags or plastic containers. Isolate your bed so they can not reach you. Pull it away from the walls. Make sure that bed linens and cover do not touch the floor. Put double sided tape on the bed frame and the legs of the bed. Put legs of the bed, sofa and couch in a glass or small pots/pans/dish with very smooth surface. This will make it very difficult for bed bugs to climb up your bed.

Water/Steam/High temperature control: High temperature of above 120 F/50 C can be very effective in killing bed bugs. First identify all the items you can wash safely. This includes cloths, curtains, shoes etc. Use high temperature cycle to wash them. You may find some items can not be washed but can be put in dryer. Run them through hot dryer for two cycles at high temperature. You may want to dry them at a professional dryer as some of them reach to very high temperatures. You can use steam, to kill bedbugs hiding deep inside cracks and holes. Amazon has some fantastic collection of steamers. Buy a steamer and kill the bedbugs with steam. This can be very useful approach for killing bed bugs.

We wish you a speedy and long lasting elimination of bed bugs! - 30446

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