Lovebugs

June 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Contrary to urban myth, lovebugs, also known as the honeymoon fly, kissing bug, or double-headed bug, are not a result of a University of Florida genetics experiment gone wrong, but a result of their migration into the southeastern states.

During and after mating, adult pairs remain coupled, even in flight, for up to several days.  Lovebug flights usually occur first in late spring, then again in late summer, and extend over periods of four to five weeks.  They are usually restricted to daylight hours, reaching peak activity at 10 am, and can number in the hundreds of thousands.

Lovebugs do not bite or sting, but they can be a nuisance to drivers.  When left spattered on a car, lovebugs can leave damage to the finish of the car.  Soaking the lovebugs in water for several minutes will help with the removal, and to make future removal easier, apply a light film of baby oil over the front of the hood, above the windshield and on the grill of the bumper.

Barry Teubert
bteubert@callnorthwest.com

Northwest Exterminating
830 Kennesaw Ave Marietta, GA, 30060 USA 
 • 888-466-7849
 
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Know Your Red & Black Bugs

June 7, 2013 by 2 Comments

Spring is a time when everything comes to life, blooming into an array of lovely colors. You’ll see flowers that are pink and purple, baby bunnies that are tan or gray and insects that are red and black. Just like every other little life form emerging this time of year, insects can also be a variety of colors and it’s important not to get them confused. Some bugs you might spot frequently are of the Georgia Bulldog variety – red and black spots, stripes and even a combination of both.

If any of these insects or other pests become too much of nuisance, Northwest Exterminating has the expertise and knowledge to take care of your bug problems.  Our Director of Pest Services Adam Vannest has provided some information about these bugs that will help you know the difference and what measures to take against them.

Lady Bug

Ladybug  – Beneficial insect

-  Overwinters

-  Feeds on aphids

- Control Measures: exclusion and vacuuming for long-term prevention. When necessary, chemical contact treatments can knock down a population

Box Elder Bug

Box Elder Bug

-  Overwinters

-  Female: Box Elder trees and Silver Maple trees serve as the primary host plant

-   Control Measures: Exclusion and a contact/residual application around the foundation and base of host plant

 

Milkweed Bug

Milkweed bug  – Found in gardens on Milkweed plants or around shelled sunflower seeds

- Control Measures: Over-the-counter garden insecticides

 

Leaf-Footed Stink Bug

Leaf-footed stink bug

-      Feeds on a wide variety of host plants

-       Besides birds, they do not have too many natural predators due to their taste and smell

-       Control Measures: Over-the-counter insecticides for garden areas. Outside of the garden, any contact or residual product labeled for stink bugs

Wheel Bug

Wheel Bug

 

-       Semicircular cogwheel-like crest on its thorax

-       Feeds on a wide variety of insects including caterpillars, beetles, aphids

Control Measures: Prevention is the key! All plants should be inspected before they enter the home. Exclusion should be performed for long-term prevention. All vegetation should be trimmed away from the home, at least one foot. Pesticides are rarely needed

 
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Be The Match Registry Event

June 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The Northwest Family would like to reach out to our clients, friends and community in order to support a dear friend of ours, Steve Ferguson. Steve Ferguson is a non-Hodgkins victim who has undergone several rounds of medical treatment in the last 16 years. Having exhausted all remaining options, Steve continues to fight, but his true chance of survival will come from someone like you! Steve needs a bone marrow transplant. Successful treatment will result in him being given the opportunity to continue being the amazing and loving person that he is to his friends and family.

Be the Match Flyer

                You can become a bone marrow donor directly or provide financial support to all people who require Bone Marrow transplants by joining the Be The Match registry. There is no cost for registrants between the ages of 18 & 44, but a $100 cost for those 45-60.

We know that members of the Northwest Family are caring, kind-hearted people who are also surrounded by like-minded people. If you or anyone you know cares to help please join the registry. There is an event at Grace Community Church on 770 Kennesaw Avenue in Marietta, Georgia this coming Saturday, June 8th from 9a-1p. Please come out and show your support!

 
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June Pest of the Month: Bed Bugs

June 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment

bed bug

Brief description:

  • Mahogany to re-brown in color
  • Flat, broad when unfed; swollen and elongated when fed
  • Ranging in size from 1.3mm to 7mm in length depending on the age
  • Females can lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime
  • Bed bugs feed on the blood of warm bodied animals
  • Consume a blood meal every 5-10 days but can survive a whole year without eating

Habits:

  • Bed bugs harbor in cracks and crevices during the day and come out for blood feedings at night
  • Hence their name, they are often found in beds among the mattress, box springs, rails, frame, headboard, and footboard
  • They are excellent hitchhikers.  They hide in luggage, purses, bags, and other belongings to travel from place to place

Different species:

Threats:

  • Bites are painless but can cause an allergic reaction which triggers small, red bumps on the skin

Prevention:

  • Inspect bedding for bed bug skins and blood spots
  • Change linens often
  • Inspect rooms when traveling.
  • Do not set luggage on the floor or on bed when traveling
  • Inspect luggage, clothing, and linens when you return from traveling
  • Inspect second hand furniture before bringing it into your home
  • Seek professional pest control company to address a bed bug infestation

Other pests to look out for:

 

 
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Protecting Your Dog and Home from the Brown Dog Tick

May 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Each warm season brings questions from homeowners and pet owners regarding ticks.  We worry about our furry family members and ourselves if we plan on spending time outdoors, especially in or around wooded areas.

The brown dog tick is one species of tick that should be cause for concern, especially for those who have dogs.  Although they feed on a wide variety of mammals, dogs are their preferred host.  These ticks are unique in that they can complete an entire life cycle indoors.  They feed on the host for about a week before dropping off and laying their eggs…up to 5,000 eggs!!  After she’s done laying her eggs, she dies.  The full life cycle of a brown dog tick lasts just over two months and generally are long living creatures.

Tick Life Cycle - Source

Tick Life Cycle – Source

A brown dog tick infestation can develop in high quantities and very quickly.  Oftentimes, ticks go unnoticed on dogs until the ticks are spotted throughout the home.

To protect your home and your dog from brown tick infestation, here are some brown dog tick control tips:

  • Good house and lawn maintenance goes a long way in keeping ticks and other pests from getting into your home.
  • Take trash out of your home on a regular basis and put in a tightly sealed container outside of your home.  Make sure this container is emptied regularly.
  • Regularly schedule pest control will help to keep ticks and other pests away from your home.
  • Treat your animals, dogs especially, with a tick treatment.   Your veterinarian is a good source of information on the best products for your dog.
  • Regularly check your dogs for ticks and other pests like fleas.
  • Use DEET or other insect repellant when going outdoors.

For more detailed information on the brown dog tick, visit http://www.entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/medical/brown_dog_tick.htm.

 

 

 

 

 

 
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The Common House Spider

May 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SpiderThe house spider is a common problem that we’re seeing in homes lately.  We’ve had lots of calls and concerns about the tiny little pests hanging around.  The most effective way of getting rid of spiders is to prevent them from ever coming into your home.  Spiders, like most insects, come into your home in search of food.  By ridding your home of other insects (regularly scheduled pest maintenance) your home will be useless to the spider.

Ways to Prevent Spiders from coming into your home:

  • Seal cracks and crevices around the perimeter of your home that can be used as entry points into your home.
  • Use screens on doors and windows.
  • Use a vacuum to suck up spiders and their eggs (they often escape if a broom is used).
  • Spider survival is low in homes with low humidity, few insects, higher garages, sheds, barns, warehouses, etc.
  • Spider webs are often built in corners and angles of walls and windows so web brush often or ask your pest professional to do it while they are treating your home.
  • Spiders build webs by trial and error which explains why there may be multiple vacant webs around your home.
  • Keep your home clean.  Clutter is good for spiders because it gives them a place to hide.
  • Ensure that bushes and other plants are trimmed back from the outside wall of your home.
  • Make sure mulch is kept a few inches back from the foundation of your home.
  • Use plastic storage boxes instead of cardboard. Spiders love cardboard.

Again, regularly scheduled pest control from a professional pest management company will keep out the spiders and their food sources.

 
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Where Are the Snakes Coming From?

May 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment

As some may have noticed, snakes are showing up everywhere. Why? Simple, the seasons are changing from cold to warm.  Snakes are cold-blooded and require sun light for heat. This time of year also starts breeding season for snakes.Want to know more about these slithery creatures?

Habitat: Snakes are found in areas of heavy foliage where they hide and may attract rodents for food. They look for areas of sunlight early to help replenish heat lost during the night (driveways,street,patio,etc.).   As the day heats up, look for snakes to seek shade and water (under decks,shrubs,creeks,ponds,etc.).

Most snakes are not venomous, but my best advice would be to leave them alone. Try and understand why he wants to be there. Does your property consist of any of the things mentioned above?  If yes, try altering as much as possible to the property.

Treatments: There are monthly treating options during peak months. This is used with a liquid product that upsets the sharp senses in a snake when tasting the air when moving.  When you call our wildlife control team, we will inspect your property and discuss habitat alteration as well.

Call us with any questions you may have regarding snakes and their habitats.

Sean Gilbert
Wildlife Manager
sgilbert@callnorthwest.com

 
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Top Work Places by The AJC

May 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment

2013 Top Work PlacesNorthwest Exterminating is proud to announce that we have been selected, once again, as one of the Top Workplaces in Atlanta by The AJC!  We were ranked #7 in the midsize company category!  This is an honor that we are pleased to accept!!  Our employees are the driving force behind the success of this company and our customer’s satisfaction.

More than 1,000 companies were nominated for Top Workplaces recognition.  Workplace Dynamics, a partner with The AJC, then sent out surveys to employees at the nominated companies.  Based off of those survey results, the top companies were selected.

To view our page, click here.

We were also selected in 2011 as one of the Top Workplaces!

 

 

 

 
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Keeping Snakes Away From Your Home

May 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The weather is warm and the snakes are out.  There aren’t a lot of snake lovers out there, us included.  We don’t like to think about snakes being in or around our home but they are a reality and there are steps that we can take to keep snakes away.

  1. Use a snake repellant.  It is said that home remedies like moth balls and lemon grass are great deters for snakes but have also been said to be unreliable.  There are other snake repellants available at your local hardware store.
  2. Keep the clutter out of your yard.  Keeping grass cut and vegetation trimmed down reduces areas for snakes to hide.  Remove any wood piles, leaves, or other debris where snakes can hide.
  3. Pest control.  Regularly scheduled pest control keeps insects and rodents out of your yard that snakes use to feed on.  By keeping these pests out of your yard…you have a better chance of keeping snakes out too.
  4. Check for gaps and cracks in your home.  Snakes can enter homes through any open gaps or holes that may be present.  Use weather stripping under doors and seal all cracks and crevices.  This will assist in keeping out pests and keeping in the cool air.
  5. Don’t forget about the shed.  Sheds can become cluttered and perfect places for snakes to hide.  De-clutter your work space.
  6. Call a professional.  If you have a snake in your yard or home, call a professional team that specializes in removing snakes and other wildlife.  Don’t handle these on your own.

Northwest Exterminating has a highly trained wildlife team that specializes in the exclusion, removal, and control of wildlife including snakes.

 
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Pest Control Among Top 8 Outdoor Jobs

May 20, 2013 by 4 Comments

Looking for a job where you can enjoy the great outdoors?  Pest Control may be just the answer that you’re looking for.  Fox Business recently released an article with the Top 8 outdoor jobs that are “growing or are poised to grow”.

Seeing as how pests are everywhere…it’s a pretty stable business to be in.  Pest Management Technicians, as well as, Termite Service Technicians both made the list.  To read the full list click HERE.

Interested in a career in pest or termite control that will allow you to enjoy the great outdoors?  Visit our Careers page to see our career opportunities.

Did we mention we were recently named #7 of the Top 100 Top Work Places for medium sized companies by The AJC?!?!

 
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