Oct 16, 2013 | Uncategorized
October’s Pest of the Month – Spiders
Don’t Let Spiders Hang Around Your House
Is it the rain or do spiders instinctively know that it’s Halloween because they are everywhere!
Photo courtesy of NPMA
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
House spiders are the most common spiders found indoors. They are usually more of a nuisance rather than a threat.
- Yellowish brown to dirty white in color
- Spotted abdomen
HABITS
- Web sites are chosen just beyond air currents in places like behind doors and in the corners of hallways.
- If no prey is found they abandon their site.
- They do not survive long in low humidity homes.
- Higher survival rates are in areas such as garages, sheds, barns, basements, crawl spaces, and other areas where humidity is higher and there is more prey.
- They can be found indoors in upper corners, under furnishings, closets, window frames, basements, and crawl spaces.
- They can be found outdoors around windows, under eaves, and near light sources which attract their prey.
THREATS
House spiders typically carry no threats.
SPECIES
- Black Widow
- Brown Recluse
- Wolf
- Cellar
- Hobo
- Jumping
- Sac
- Orb Weaver
PREVENTION
- Seal cracks and crevices around the home that spiders could use as entry points into a structure.
- Use screened windows and doors.
- Vacuum frequently to remove any spiders, eggs, and webs.
- Reduce available food.
OTHER PESTS TO LOOK OUT FOR
- Kudzu Bugs
- Stink Bugs
- Stored Product Pests
Oct 14, 2013 | Uncategorized
We recently had the wonderful opportunity to have Bernadette McClelland, CEO of Bernadette McClelland Consulting, speak to our sales team. It was an honor to have someone with her accomplishments speak with our team.
In a recent blog post , Bernadette tells about her experience speaking at Northwest Exterminating and mentions what it was that really stuck out to her about our company. We are thankful for her kind words and think that she was able to capture the culture that we are so proud of here at Northwest Exterminating.
We’d like to say thank you again to Bernadette for taking the time to pass along some of her knowledge and expertise. She certainly did “rock Atlanta”!
For more information on Bernadette McClelland and her accomplishments, you can visit her website at http://bernadettemcclelland.com/. You can also read her full blog about Northwest, Bernadette rocks Atlanta???
Oct 11, 2013 | Uncategorized
The recent rain has kept more than just human beings inside…it’s caused lots of pests to head indoors as well. You may have seen an increase of bugs in and around your home or office where they are entering to seek shelter from the rain.
Easy steps to keeping pests out:
- Eliminate possible entry points. Check doors, windows, foundation, attic, and/or basement for places that could be used to gain entrance to your home. Insects can enter into the smallest of spaces.
- Seal cracks and crevices in and around the foundation and around pipes and electrical boxes.
- If you don’t have screens on your doors or windows then it’s best to keep them closed.
- Keep outside lights pointed away from your home. Most species are attracted to light.
- Clean up any spills immediately.
- Seal and take trash out on a regular basis.
- Check items brought into the home for pests.
- Hire a reputable pest management company to do regularly scheduled services that will help in preventing insects, pest, and rodents from entering your home or office.
Oct 9, 2013 | Uncategorized
The latest app in pest control is SEEDN or Southeast Early Detection Network. SEEDN allows you to report infestations by collecting data and submitting pictures right from your mobile device. The report is then emailed over to local and state verifiers. According to the site:
Now you can submit invasive species observations directly with your smartphone from the field. These reports are uploaded to EDDMapS and e-mailed directly to local and state verifiers for review. (http://apps.bugwood.org/seedn.html)
According to the site, non-native invasive species of pests and plants cost the US over $120 billion each year. Pest infestations and damage to plants and crops can cause issues for our health and economical issues. The SEEDN app allows us to report infestations quickly and gives a better chance at preventing other potential infestations. It also provides a helpful ID guide.
For those in the pest management field, this is a great tool to have on your mobile device. SEEDN is available for Apple products and Androids.
Oct 4, 2013 | Uncategorized
Termites are some of the hardest working pests in the business. 24/7 they are in search of food which is oftentimes the wood from our homes. Termites are responsible for an estimated amount of over 2 billion dollars worth of damage to home in the US each year.
One of the first signs of a termite infestation is spotting termite swarmers. Swarmers are winged termites that are often mistaken for flying ants. Swarming (flying) termites have only 2 body segments, straight antennae, and 2 sets of wings equal in length. Flying ants, on the other hand, have 3 body segments, bent antennae, and 2 sets of wings that differ in length. Mud tunnels or tubes along the foundation are also signs that termites have found their way to your home.
The best action against termites is to be proactive.
- Divert water away from the foundation of your property.
- Reduce humidity, especially in areas like attics, basements, and crawlspaces.
- Keep all wood at least 20 feet away from your home and at least 5 inches off the ground. Termites are known to travel in tunnels underground.
- Keep mulch at least 15 inches away from the foundation.
- Call Northwest Exterminating at the first sign of termites. Termite infestations need immediate action by a licensed pest professional.
