Termites

It's Termite Swarm Season !!

While working around the yard be sure to watch for signs of termite activity. These include mud tubes on foundations and also damaged wood. Also look for small wings on window sills or doorway threshold. These are evidence of termite activity. Be sure to not allow any structural untreated-wood to come in contact with the soil. Even treated wood should be inspected periodically for signs of activity especially larger dimensional lumber used for support piers.

Mature termite colonies start new colonies by means of swarming, which is the colony's release of alates (winged reproductive termites) in great numbers. Colonies usually take several years of development before they will actually swarm. During this time before first swarms, they focus on building their colony. An indoor swarm means that the termites are likely infesting the structure. It's a good idea to get the building inspected and make a determination of whether or not a treatment is necessary. While working around the house, keep an eye out for mud tubes on the foundation or hollow sounding wood, don't let your guard down just because you haven't had a swarm. Infestations can also start from roof areas where conditions permit alates (swarmers) to start a colony.

The best preventative measure is to have your home inspected annually by a professional. Today's termiticide treatments provide a shorter period of protection lasting only three to seven years but pest control companies have many new effective tools at their disposal to combat this menace that causes over $2 billion dollars in damage per year in the United States alone. 

Again, the most important measure for structural protection from termites is detection which simply involves having a professional annual inspection of your property. As Dr. Waldvogel, Urban Entomology Specialist with NC State University recommends, "Termite control, whether it is through the use of liquid or bait products, is best performed by a licensed pest control professional".

An introduced species of termite, the Coptotermes formosanus, has been found in several areas of our state. A particularly serious infestation appeared in Spindale about ten years ago. It was thought to have been controlled but has evidently spread in that area. The NC Structural Pest Division issued a news release concerning formosans in the Spindale/Ruth areas of Rutherford County on July 1, 2003 and has now updated that release with the following warning on June 14, 2004. In 2000 formosans were found in Rock Hill, SC and they have been infesting structures in Charleston, SC for many years causing millions of dollars in damage. These termites do considerably more damage in a much shorter period of time than native species. It's best to take action when they are found. Formosans can swarm year-round but swarms usually occur in the evening which sets them apart from our native species which swarm in the morning. Should you see termites swarming in the evening it would be very prudent to take samples and have them identified.

These structural invaders are searching for food and moisture around homes, and inside too.  Think of them as nature's army - constantly patrolling and searching. Many pesticides merely scatter and/or splinter their nests or colonies creating an even more difficult situation to control them.  We often hear of homeowners getting so frustrated with ants that they try remedies which are downright dangerous.  It's crucially important to fully understand the specific species of ant you have in order to control them. Call in a professional to safely eliminate these pests.

Roaches

Outdoor roach activity will increase with warm temperatures and wet weather. Usually sightings will be on the exterior surfaces of buildings at night. These usually occur around lighted areas especially around front doors and porches. This roach is the smoky brown cockroach which are very capable at flying and are attracted to lights at night time.

Indoor roaches are problems at all times of year should you have an infestation in your property.  What you may see as a few roaches is normally less than ten percent of of the actual infestation.  These insects are incredibly prolific. To achieve control takes a thorough understanding of the type of roach being dealt with and a disciplined approach. Leave a few and they will quickly rebound. Sanitation plays an important role in both elimination and stopping a new infestation.

Spiders

These structural invaders are setting up their webs in protected areas around homes, and inside too, to capture their prey.  Knocking webs down alone won't deter their persistence.  A properly placed application will stop them and their prey from gaining access to your home.

Bedbugs

Bedbug infestations are on the rise. Pest control companies have reported a tenfold increase in bedbug service calls in Florida since 1999 and NC State also reports an increase in these insects being sent to them for identification. Bedbugs have been associated with filthy conditions but this isn't so and even upscale hotels can have infestations. The increased use of Integrated Pest Management techniques in pest management are thought to be the cause. Practices such as the use of insecticidal baits, which target specific pests like the cockroaches, leave secondary pests in the ecosystem uncontrolled, allowing them to flourish.

Mosquito

Warm temperatures and wet weather will have mosquito populations proliferating.   There are many steps you can take to help reduce their populations.  Here is a link to the NC State information web site. Many Pest Control Companies also have mosquito control programs. For those looking to control mosquitoes on their own, here is a word of caution from the University of Florida which NC State also says much of the same holds true here, "Recently, there has been a number of products advertised as mosquito traps. One type generates carbon dioxide to lure the mosquito and then sucks it into a bag. Other derivations use octenol as an attractant. The devices range from a few hundred to fifteen hundred dollars in cost. Gas and octenol must be replaced at various intervals. Researchers are currently investigating the efficacy of these units. However, one might want to keep in mind that there are 77 different species of mosquito in Florida, and each of these varies in what host they bite, the time of day they feed, and how far they can fly. One of the species which is a primary biting pest for homeowners is the Asian tiger mosquito. This species is not attracted by carbon dioxide or octenol. At this point, no evidence exists that these traps can play a noticeable role in the decline of mosquito populations".
Note: The FTC has something to say about these devices also --> FTC News Release

EPA Information on Outdoor Residential Misting Systems