Earwigs: No QTips required!

March 29th, 2010
Sugar Land Earwigs

Earwigs protect their nests.

There are more than 20 species of Earwigs in the US, but only about three commonly become pests in buildings.  All earwigs have some sort of forceps-like device on their rear end, usually straight-sided on the female and curved on the male.  They may look scary, but the forceps are generally used to defend the nest, capture prey, probe into cracks or crevices.  Some can pinch a little if they are picked up.  Earwigs live outside, feeding on dead insects and old plant materials.  They are usually found in and near damp areas around your home or office.  Often hiding under mulch, rocks or other materials.  While hiding during the day, they will feed at night.  

Occasionally homeowners will find earwigs inside, especially if it is very dry outside.  They may come in through cracks, holes, under doors, etc. attracted by moisture and are often found around sinks and bathrooms.  Once inside, earwigs, may feed on sweet, greasy foods as well as houseplants.  During the day they will hide under furniture, baseboards and in cracks and crevices. 

The key to solving this occasional pest is pretty straight foward, but requires and understanding of their biology and habits.  

  1. Have a professional treat the exterior perimeter of your home and eliminate hiding places near the foundation. www.advancedpest.com
  2. Move woodpiles, debris, compost piles and leaf litter away from the edge of the home.   �
    1. If you have a deck, it should have good air flow underneath so that it can remain dry and uncluttered. 
    2. Make sure gutters and downspouts drain away from your home
    3. Avoid heavy organic mulch next to the foundation.
    4. Make sure soil levels are below the brick weep holes.  This helps eliminate easy access for earwigs as well as many other insects.
  3. Earwigs are attracted to light, so make sure outdoor lighting is reduced around doors and windows or use types of lighting that is not attractive to insects.

Have any questions, comment on this posting, email us at info@advancedpest.com or Call us at 281-494-8900.  Or visit us at  www.advancedpest.com

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Honey (Africanized) Bees Swarm in March. 5 Ways to Protect your Home Now.

March 24th, 2010
Houston Texas Honey Bees This honey bee swarm is getting ready to enter the wall void
Memorial Bee Hive Bee Hive in siding

March Madness is about more than Basketball.  In the Houston and surrounding areas like Sugar Land, Katy, Richmond, Missouri City, Pearland, Honey Bees begin swarming early to mid March and look for new places to make a home. 

Now is the time to Inspect the exterior of your house or office and seal those areas where Honey Bees can enter and make a new hive.  Not only can the bees be a dangerous stinging problem for people and pets, but if you are allergic to bee stings it can be deadly.   Because of the high percentage of Africanized bees in Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Brazoria Counties this is not a “fix it yourself” problem once the bees have made a home in your home.  For additional information: http://www.advancedpest.com/bees.html 

1.  Especially vulnerable is the area where brick and siding meet.  If you can stick the tip of your little finger into a hole….Caulk It!

2.  Caulk around window frames and door frames.  Especially attractive areas include those “Bay Windows”.  The area underneath the window is generally hollow and an great place for bees to make a hive.

3.  Warped siding or facia boards should be replaced.  Once bees get in and set up home, we have to cut or remove a portion of the siding and remove the bees and hive.

4.  Be sure your dryer and stove vents are in good condition.  If they are missing slats, replace them.

5.  If you have ever had bees before living in your walls, now is the time to make sure those areas are especially well sealed.  Honey Bees leave a pheromone (scent) that is very attractive to other bees and they will be drawn to the same spot. 

If the worst happens and bees have moved in, don’t try to solve the problem yourself.  Call a specialist.  Getting stung is not fun and if you disturb an Africanized Bee hive, they are much more aggressive and you may receive 100s of stings.

Have any questions, comment on this posting, email us at info@advancedpest.com or Call us at 281-494-8900.  Or visit us at  www.advancedpest.com

Thanks

Richard

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10 Critical Actions You Should Take Now To Minimize Termite Problems!

March 18th, 2010

1. Slope landscape beds and fix gutters so water drains away from your home.

2. Keep mulch in beds next to your foundation about 12 inches away from the structure.

3. Do not add fill dirt or garden soil around the foundation or under porches or steps without contacting a pest control/termite company for retreatment.

4. If your home has already been treated for termites, do not disturb the chemical barrier at the base of the slab or around pilings by digging into the dirt or grass during landscape preparation.

5. Promptly remove all scrap wood and wooden debris near your home.  Do not leave wood for your fireplace piled up next to the house or garage.

6. Pine straw appears to be the mulch that is least attractive to termites.  Avoid using wood chips to mulch beds adjacent to your home, garage  or other structures.

7. Use metal edging, decorative bricks or border plants to edge beds.  Avoid landscape timbers, railroad ties or other wooden materials that may serve as food for termites.

8. When watering, avoid spraying water against the foundation of the house.

9. Leave at least 2 inches of space between the house and a deck or other wooden structure outside.  Build decks and other structures on concrete pads and so the pads and posts can be treated.

10. Do NOT allow clinging vines, such as English ivy or creeping fig, to grow on the wall or your home.

Posted in Termite Tips | 1 Comment »