May 17, 2013 | Uncategorized
Take Back Your Yard!Don’t let mosquitoes suck the fun out of your Summer!
HABITS
- Breed in stagnant water such as ponds, marshes, drainage ditches, etc.
- Can be found in almost every type of landscape on Earth except deserts and the Arctic.
- Bite most often at dusk and dawn.
THREATS
OTHER PESTS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
PREVENTION
- Eliminate areas of standing water around the home such as flower pots, bird baths, etc. Mosquitoes only need about one half inch of water to breed.
- Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
- Wear long pants and sleeves when outdoors whenever possible.
- Use an insect repellant that contains DEET.
- Call Northwest Exterminating for a professional inspection and treatment plan for breeding sites.
Enjoy your yard this Spring and Summer. Call Northwest Exterminating for more information on our Green Mosquito Program!
May 15, 2013 | Uncategorized
We’ve gotten a lot of questions and phone calls regarding the ladybug larva. So here’s a quick run down for those of you that are experiencing ladybug larva around your property.
Ladybug Life Cycle
The female ladybug will lay her eggs on the undersides of leaves where there is a lot of food (aphids). The eggs will hatch three to five days later.
When you think about what a baby ladybug might look like, you probably think of a small cute version of the adult, right? Well, lets just say that a baby ladybug (larva) lives up to the saying “A face only a mother could love”. Baby ladybugs (ladybug larvae) are long and black with orange markings on its back, a little spikey looking and some say that they resemble alligators, but a whole lot smaller of course! I don’t see that but you can let your imagination go…
Baby ladybug
For more information on ladybugs or ladybug larva, call the experts at www.callnorthwest.com.
Adam Vannest
Director of Pest Services
Northwest Exterminating
May 13, 2013 | Uncategorized
Tinkerbelle is no longer just Peter Pan’s fairy sidekick. Recently, scientists discovered a new fairyfly that they aptly named Tinkerbella nana in Costa Rica.
Tinkerbella nana
According to Science Daily, fairyflies are just one of 18 families of insects called chalcid wasps. Fairyflies are found all over the world except in Antarctica and feature the tiniest insect in the world called the Kikiki huna.
Kikiki huna
You probably have never noticed a fairly, not only because of their literally microscopic size, but also because of their life cycle .Most of the insects actually begin as parasitoids of the eggs of other, larger insects, usually found plants. This said a specific host of fairyflies remains on known. In order to find the new Tinkerbella nana, researchers had to sweep through rain forest litter.
If you would like to learn more, read the Science Daily article here.
Sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130424103050.htm
May 10, 2013 | Uncategorized
Q: Is a Termite Letter Required to Sell A Home?
A: Technically, according to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the termite letter is not required. However, it does depend on several other factors:
- Does the lender require it? (VA, FHA, etc. Some lenders do.)
- Based on the F13, “Protect Yourself When Buying A Home”, it is recommended that a termite inspection be performed. This is referred to in the F-20 or Purchase and Sale agreement.
- Under the Due Diligence Period, in the F20, it is the buyers responsibility for any and all inspections.
As a Realtor or home seller, a termite letter gives you a marketing advantage! The warranty for the initial termite inspection is transferable to the homebuyer with the first year free!
For more questions, contact our Realtor Relations Team. This team is dedicated to the needs of Realtors. If you are interested in obtaining a clearance letter CLICK HERE.
May 8, 2013 | Uncategorized
They don’t call him Man’s Best Friend for no reason. Dogs, and cats (we can’t forget our beloved cats) are truly part of the family. We treat them and take care of them just as we would any other member of the family. That’s why it is important that we protect them from outdoor pests that can cause serious health risks to our furry friends. Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are all predicted to make a heavy appearance this season as the weather warms up.
Ticks are most commonly found on our pets. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and cause tick paralysis.
Fleas can cause itchy, red bumps that cause animals to scratch. Fleas are also easily brought into the home where they can invade your living space and reproduce. Fleas can cause anemia, skin issues, and even tapeworms for our pets.
Heartworms and West Nile Virus are some of the more serious issues that come along with mosquitoes. A bite can manifest into a full heartworm in 6-7 months in a dog, and 8 months in a cat.
Keep your pets healthy by following some of these tips to controlling ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes:
- Regularly scheduled pest control service in and around your home will help keep pests away that can cause risks to your pets. (Call Northwest Exterminating for our NorPest Green Pest Control service. Our program is kid and pet friendly while keeping the bugs away. Our Green Mosquito Program also keeps mosquitoes away while using Earth friendly solutions.)
- Check your dog and cat on a regular basis. Check for excessive scratching, bumps, fleas, and ticks.
- Keep vegetation cut and trimmed.
- Bathe pets regularly.
- Remove standing water in yard where mosquitoes breed.
- Vacuum frequently.
- Ask your veterinarian about Flea and Tick prevention and heartworm prevention.
Contact Northwest Exterminating if you think you have a problem with fleas, ticks, or mosquitoes. Keep your pets healthy!
Take Back Your Yard!Don’t let mosquitoes suck the fun out of your Summer!
