Are Yard Pests Keeping You Indoors?

With summer in full swing, everyone is outside enjoying their yards:  The pools are filled and the grills are going.

And the yard pests are active.  Insects such as chiggers, fleas, ticks and mosquitoes make it difficult for you to enjoy spending time outdoors.

Here is some information on these lawn pests:

• Chiggers: Chigger bites itch intensely, and they can take weeks to go away. Since chiggers go for the thinnest skin on our bodies, the bites tend to cluster in places that are already delicate and sensitive. On top of that, it’s rare to get just one chigger bite — chiggers seem to travel in groups. The bites often have a red or white spot in the center. Along with the long-lasting discomfort, these spots often lead people to believe that chiggers are physically imbedded in their skin. This idea that chiggers burrow into people’s skin may be the most common misperception about them.

• Fleas: Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of any warm-blooded body. The most common species is the cat flea, which often feasts on cats, dogs and humans. Although newly emerged fleas need to find food within a few days, adults can go for a couple of months without a meal.

• Ticks: Although ticks are commonly thought of as insects, they are actually arachnids like scorpions, spiders and mites.  Ticks are among the most efficient carriers of disease because they attach firmly when sucking blood, feed slowly and may go unnoticed for a considerable time while feeding. Ticks take several days to complete feeding.

• Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are insects that have been around for more than 30 million years.  Mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide and lactic acid up to 100 feet (36 meters) away.  Mammals and birds gives off these gases as part of their normal breathing. Mosquitoes can also detect heat, so they can find warm-blooded mammals and birds very easily once they get close enough.

Ace Exterminating can help you take back your yard!  Ace Exterminating offers yard services to help with these lawn pests. Call us today!  615-876-7185

Moisture and Wood Decaying Fungus

Some fungi merely discolor wood, but wood-decaying fungi can change the physical and chemical properties of wood, thus reducing its strength.

Many insect pests are encouraged to take up residence in wooden structures by excessive moisture conditions. Termites, particularly subterranean termites, require moisture in their living quarters.

Subterranean termites provide moisture for themselves by bringing moisture and soil up from their subsurface colonies and placing it within the wood as they feed on it or around the outside of wood to form their enclosed runways. In some cases, subterranean termites may be found separated from soil contact when sufficient moisture, in the form of water leaks, is found inside a structure.

Some causes of excessive moisture are:

_ Water vapors from the combustion of natural gas that improperly vent into the attic or other enclosed areas.

_ Condensation on windows flowing down onto and into sills.

_ Moisture from crawl spaces and the dirt below (up to 100 pounds/day/1,000 square feet).

_ Absent or improperly placed drain pipes, downspouts, etc.

_ Leaking roofs.

_ Poor side wall construction.

_ Improperly sealed foundations, basement walls.

_ Direct contact of wood with soil or concrete, allowing “wick” action that pulls water into wood.

_ Improper drainage of water away from structure or out of crawl spaces.

_ Improperly fitted flashings at roof lines or shingles with improper overhang.

_ Improper moisture barriers under stucco, shingles.

_ Sweating water pipes.

_ Improper exterior grade that allows water to drain toward the structure and remain in contact with it.

_ Dripping air conditioners or swamp coolers.

_ Leaking plumbing, appliances, toilets, shower stall pans.

_ Improper seals or caulk around bathtubs and showers.

_ Lack of vents or windows in bathrooms that allow moisture from baths and showers to accumulate.

_ Plugged or leaking downspouts from roof gutters.

In recent years, the shift in building practices to larger homes that are more airtight has led to additional condensation problems. Energy conservation practices have increased the airtightness of buildings. Also, emphasis has been placed on the installation of humidifiers in heating units to create a more comfortable environment. The also increase the likelihood of moisture problems in wood. Finally, improperly installed insulation may contribute to moisture problems.

There are numerous sources of water vapor in buildings:

Mopping floors, washing clothes, cooking, baking, and so forth introduce an estimated 1 pound of water per day into the air of an average home. A poorly ventilated crawl space may produce up to 100 pounds of water per day per 1,000 square feet. These moist environments are favorable for the reproduction and survival of decay fungi, termites, and other moisture-loving insects.

Bed Bugs – Are They Sharing Your Bed?

Hearing the words “bed bugs” is enough to make most people shiver.  Bed bugs are nocturnal insects that feed on blood.  Although they do feed occasionally on other animals, such as birds and mice, their favorite blood meal is humans.  They are attracted to the warmth and carbon dioxide we emit when we exhale.

Adult bed bugs are approximately 1/4 an inch in length with a brown to dark red (if they’ve just fed) exoskeleton. Bed bugs like to travel.  They hide in suitcases, boxes, shoes etc. and hitch a ride to a new home.  Once in your home, they can hide in a variety of places, such as behind baseboards, behind electrical switch plates, cracks and crevices, behind picture frames, even behind wallpaper.

They hide during the day and come out at night to feed.  They have 2  hollow tubes: one injects anti-coagulants (to keep the blood flowing) and anesthetics (so the victim won’t feel the initial bite).  Feeding only takes about 5 minutes, then they return to hiding.  After feeding, a bed bug will triple in size.  A well fed bed bug can live 4 – 6 months without feeding again.  A dormant bed bug can live up to 18 months without a meal.

Female bed bugs can lay 1 – 5 eggs a day, up to 500 in her lifetime.  It takes approximately 10 days for bed bug eggs to hatch.  The baby bed bugs are called Nymphs.  Nymphs usually cannot be seen by the naked eye on the skin when they venture out for their first blood meal.  It takes about 5 weeks for a nymph to become an adult.

Due to their ability to hide, bed bugs are very hard to get rid of.   It is recommended that you hire a professional pest control company. They will know where and how to look for bed bug infestations and will have the equipment required to remove the critters. Homeowners should get rid of any clutter (boxes, clothing, papers and junk) in order to help the process.  Please be advised that additional inspections and treatments are usually necessary.

Here are some things you can do to help prevent bed bugs:

• Vacuum suitcases after returning from a vacation.
• Check your bedsheets for tell-tale blood spots.
• Consider bringing a large plastic trashbag to keep your suitcase in during hotel stays.
• Carry a small flashlight to assist you with quick visual inspections.
• Bed bugs are elusive creatures, so it is imperative to seek professional pest control to address an infestation.

Click here for additional information on bed bugs.

It’s Termite Swarming Season!

Spring is the time for termites to leave their current colonies to start new colonies of their own.   Colonies, at maturity, number from several hundred to several million individuals.  A typical colony contains nymphs (semi-mature young), workers, soldiers, and reproductive individuals of both genders, sometimes containing several egg-laying queens.   This allows colonies to develop quickly, and potentially cause a lot of damage to unprotected homes and buildings.

Often swarming termites are mistaken for flying ants.  If you think you have either in your home, your best option is to have an inspection by a trained professional to determine if you have termite swarmers.

Ace Exterminating offers FREE INSPECTIONS!  Call today to schedule yours.

Mice & Rats – Are you protected this winter?

It’s winter time and that means all those pesky rodents are going to be looking for warmer more sheltered places to call home.  Here are a few signs that you have rodent activity in your home:

1. Droppings are the most common indication of rodent presence and provide valuable clues where to place control devices.
2. Runways / Rub Marks from their daily routes when scrounging for food.
3. Burrows alongside buildings, fences and under bushes and debris.
4. Gnawing Marks
5. Urine – Rodent urine will fluoresce under black light
6. Sounds – Rodents make sounds when gnawing, feeding, fighting or moving around.
7. Visual Sightings
8. Nest and food caches
9. Pet Excitement

Along with proper sanitation, the best way to avoid rodent problems in buildings is to prevent their entry.

Mice can squeeze through an opening the diameter of a pencil (1/4 inch) and Rats the size of a quarter (1/2 inch).

Facts About Mice

Winged Termites or Winged Ants?

Do you know the difference in winged termites and winged ants?  Here are some physical characteristic comparisons:

Winged Termites:

1. Straight antennae
2. Thick waists
3. Four long, fragile wings of equal size and shape

Winged Ants:

1. Elbowed antennae
2. Wasp-like body shape (narrow waist)
3. Two front wings that are larger than the two hind wings

Termidor – America’s #1 Termite Defense

Bed Bugs

I received a call today from a customer that went on vacation and found unwanted room guests…Bed Bugs. 

Click on the link below for information on how to recognize Bed Bug bites.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM02568

Termite Buzz – Nashville

Did you know that termites never sleep?  They eat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Pest World For Kids

Nashville’s Pest Control Solution