Apr 14, 2014 | Uncategorized
Mazda recall due to spiders
Mazda is recalling 42,000 Mazda6 sedans from 2010, 2011, and 2012 due to spiders. This is the second recall Mazda has made since 2011 for the same spider issue.
According to USAToday.com, tiny spiders “can weave a web in an evaporative fuel hose, blocking it and causing executive negative pressure to build up in the fuel tank. Too much pressure…and a fuel could crack and leak. Fuel leaks can lead to fires.”
After the 2011 recall, Mazda thought they could prevent the problem by installing a spring inside the fuel line. But in some cases the spring wasn’t enough which has resulted in this latest recall.
The latest recall is for Mazda5s made from September 14, 2009 – May 2, 2011, and come with a 2.5-liter engine. Mazda plans to run an inspection that will show if a spider web is present. If so, they will replace the canister vent line. For more information on the Mazda recall visit http://www.usatoday.com/story/driveon/2014/04/09/mazda-spiders/7494105/
Apr 11, 2014 | Uncategorized
Checking for Ticks
The weather is warming up which means it’s prime time for outside activities. Among the fun that can be had in the great outdoors there are also some concerns. One being TICKS. Ticks are found in high vegetation areas, usually in tall grass. They await a host (human, dog, deer, etc) that they can latch on to and consume a blood meal. Checking for ticks is important if you’ve recently spent time outside.
Ticks have 4 life stages, egg, larva, nymph, and adult. To go from one life stage to another they have to get blood from a host. Most ticks need 3-4 hosts to complete their life cycle.
Once a tick is fully engorged, weighing 200-600 times what it did before the meal, they drop off the host, digest, molt, and then find another host to feed off of.
Ticks bites can cause irritation to the skin of people and pets. In some instances they can cause allergic reaction, transfer Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If you, your kids, or your pets have spent time outdoors it is important that you thoroughly check for ticks on the body, especially the hair.
For more information on ticks:
https://www.callnorthwest.com/learning-center/identify-your-pest/ticks/
https://www.callnorthwest.com/tag/ticks/
Dr. Goo's Corner: Ticks
Tick Prevention from the EPA
Apr 9, 2014 | Uncategorized
What is a paper wasp and will it sting?
You may notice a long, skinny wasp flying around the windows inside of your home looking a bit “lost”. That’s usually a paper wasp that is looking for their way out. Although they have no interest in stinging you, they will sting…painfully, we might add, if someone is near their nest.
Paper wasps mate in the fall and are now searching for a good place to start a new colony. Nests can typically be found under eaves, around outdoor air conditioning units, mailboxes, decks, swing sets, attics, and window sills. A paper wasp nest houses less paper wasps than a yellow jacket nest or hornets nest but there may be more paper wasp nests per property.
The nest of a paper wasp is easily identifiable. It looks like an upside down umbrella hanging from a small stalk. The nest has many visible tubes and looks like it’s made up of brown and grey paper.
It’s important to be able to identify a paper wasp nest so you can steer clear. Paper wasps can deliver a pretty painful sting when their nest is approached. Don’t risk your health and safety, or those of your family, by trying to get rid of the nest on your own. Call Northwest Exterminating to professionally remove the paper wasp nest from your property!
Apr 8, 2014 | Uncategorized
Tawny Crazy Ant, An Aggressive Ant Species, Marches Through South
Photo courtesy Joe A. MacGown/Mississippi Entomological MuseumSource
Fire ants have long been a threat in the southern United States, but another aggressive ant species known as the tawny crazy ant is taking over in many areas of the region. These ants can invade structures in extraordinary numbers and Northwest Exterminating wants to advise homeowners to take preventative steps to protect their properties from infestations.
Unlike fire ants, tawny crazy ants don’t sting, but they can become a nuisance once inside. They are highly adaptable, nest everywhere and are even known to damage electrical equipment, so it is important for homeowners to take steps to curb their activity.
Crazy ants enter homes in the autumn or after rainfall because both conditions reduce their supply of honeydew. Once inside, crazy ants usually nest underneath floors or in wall voids. Outdoors, their nests are commonly found in soil under objects or next to foundations.
To prevent crazy ants from gaining access to a structure, experts at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommend the following tips:
- Trim vegetation away from the home to prevent pathways inside.
- Seal all cracks and crevices on the outside of the home, including around doors and windows.
- Clean up food spills and other potential attractants as soon as possible.
- If an infestation is suspected, contact a licensed pest professional to treat the problem.
SOURCE: PPMA
Apr 4, 2014 | Uncategorized
Northwest Exterminating encourages public awareness of termites during the spring season
Source – UGA entomology
As temperatures continue to increase across the country and the ground becomes warmer, winged termites will emerge in search of a suitable spot to create a new colony, often in residential settings. We want to take this opportunity to educate homeowners about the threat of termites and the possible signs of an infestation this spring.
Termites feed 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the cellulose found in wood and paper products. They are known as “silent destroyers” due to their ability to compromise the structure of a home without being noticed until it’s too late.
Termites are very destructive and the damage inflicted can be quite costly if left untreated. Each year, termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage, so it’s important for homeowners to be on the lookout for signs of these wood-destroying pests in and around their property.
Here are a few clues that termites may be present in a home:
- Mud tubes (used by termites to reach a food source) on the exterior of the home
- Soft wood in the home that sounds hollow when tapped
- Darkening or blistering of wood structures
- Cracked or bubbling paint
- Small piles of feces that resembles sawdust near a termite nest
- Discarded wings near doors or on windowsills, indicating swarmers have entered the home
- If homeowners notice any of these signs, they should contact a pest professional who can best determine the extent of the problem and recommend a proper treatment plan
For more information on termites, please visit https://www.callnorthwest.com/termite-control/.
