Fall Newsletter

ANTS

They're everywhere. They eat almost anything! They have few natural predators. Ants. Those pesky creepy crawlies that produce bone chilling screams in homeowners are among the most difficult to control pests in the world.

The national Pest Control Association says pest control experts list 27 common varieties of house infesting ants in the US. In most cases, ants are merely a nuisance, but some species can cause damage. This damage includes contaminating food, destroying seeds, damaging plants, and attacking and injuring (sometimes killing) animals, including humans. Fire ants, common throughout the south, attack and produce a painful sting.

Structural damage by insects is not limited to termites. Carpenter ants can damage structure sometimes to a greater extent than termites. They can excavate wood and create smooth flowing tunnels, weakening a structure.

Ant control in a home depends on the species since their behavioral patterns, likes and dislikes often differ. Various insecticides and baits are available over the counter, however, their effectiveness is limited. Professional pest control techniques use trained technicians that know and understand the complex art of ant control.

Cluster flies can cluster in homes

Fall arrives. You open the windows to let the sweet air into your previously closed home, and alas upon lifting the window you find what appears to be several hundred "dead" flies. But wait, a few of them are beginning to move. They are not dead! You slam the window, hoping that none escape into your home!

What are these flies and why are there so many? And why do they appear to be coming alive?

What you see are known as Cluster flies and they become pests of homes, schools, hospitals and commercial buildings throughout much of the US. Cluster fly larvae parasitize a small earthworm known as Allolobophore rosea during the summer. Near fall, the adults emerge from the soil and look for a nice, warm place to hibernate, like your attic or window sills. These crafty little insects will travel over a mile for suitable hibernation site.

Cluster flies over-winter and emerge from hibernation in the spring to breed and lay eggs on the soil surface near the small earthworms which the young infest.

Hibernation habits of Cluster flies are the most troublesome because of their sheer numbers. Stimulated by warm weather, they begin to become active again in early spring and seek openings to return to the outside.

If you notice Cluster flies in your home, call us and we'll most likely apply an exterior perimeter treatment which will help keep them out in the fall when they tend to look for likely spots to hibernate. In the meantime, you can sweep or vacuum the flies from the window or attic and dispose of them. If you use a vacuum, remember to empty the bag when you are finished!

Tips for keeping mice out

You may notice signs of mice in your home during the fall when they naturally enter to escape cooler weather. You can take several precautions to prevent mice from entering your home.

• Be sure all screens and doors fit tightly and that there are no gaps. Check the space under the door as well. A mouse can enter a hole only 3/8" across!
• Eliminate any grain materials from your storage area or house. This includes fall door decorations containing wheat or corn that you may have stored.
• Keep shrubbery and vegetation trimmed away from the house to remove natural pathways into your home. Plants serve as shelter and food for these culprits.
• Seal up any holes on the outside of the building that may allow mice to enter. This includes points where utility lines enter the structure such as conduits for water, electricity, air conditioning, drain pipes and vents.

Call us today to help eliminate rodent problems from your home.