Oct 25, 2013 | Uncategorized
Spiders have caused Toyota to recall 870,000 vehicles. 2012 and 2013 Camrys, Venzas, and Avalons have been recalled due to spiders creating issues with the air conditioner that could cause the air bags to deploy. This could also cause a loss of power-steering. The spider webs can create a blockage in a draining tube from the AC that causes water to drip onto the air bag module, then causing the module to short circuit. In some instances the air bag light has come on and could even cause the driver’s airbag to deploy.
This isn’t the first time that spiders have caused problems by building webs inside of cars. In 2011, Mazda recalled 52,000 vehicles when spiders built webs in a vent line.
Toyota owners effected will be notified by mail.
Source: CNN.com
Oct 23, 2013 | Uncategorized
It’s not fair that humans get to have all of the Halloween fun. Don’t forget to dress up your family pets this Halloween for a little Trick-or-Treating! Here are some bug related costumes for our furry friends!
Skunk
Bee
Lady Bug and Bumble Bee
Lady Bug
Butterfly
Bumble Bee
Love Bug
Spider
Oct 18, 2013 | Uncategorized
Spiders have a bad reputation! Maybe it’s the eight legs, the webs they weave, or even the way they capture and eat their prey. What people don’t usually realize is that humans are rarely the intended prey of spiders. In fact, 80% of “spider bites” aren’t actually from spiders at all. Most spiders are too small to bite into humans and when you do get a spider bite, their venom is too weak to be a danger.
Spiders can bite when they feel threatened but lots of times it is purely by accident. There are two spiders in the US that cause concern when it comes to biting: brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders.
Brown Recluse
So what should you do if you have been bitten by a spider?
If possible, capture the spider. By capturing the spider you can bring it into your local pest control company or doctor so they can identify the species. Applying a cold compress to the site of the bite will help to reduce any inflammation. Elevate the body part where the spider has bitten. If you start to experience symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, or headaches seek immediate medical attention.
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???
