Author Archives: Frank Barbas
Termites
Ant vs. Termite There is much confusion about winged ants. Carpenter ants, as well as other ants, have a stage of development known as the reproductive or swarming stage. Flying ant reproductive s are often confused with winged termite reproductive s. As a simple rule of thumb: if the body of the insect looks just like an ant with wings, it’s a flying ant, not a termite. Here is a comparison: Carpenter Ant Ants are defined by having three distinct body segments (head, thorax, abdomen), elbowed antennae and clear, pointed wings that are slightly longer than the insect’s body. Termite Termites have two distinct body segments (head & thorax), straight antennae and translucent, paddle shaped wings that are twice as long as the body of the insect. Inspection Clues Carpenter ants are very common in areas that have a high water table. They seek out high moisture areas in and around structures. Though not always the case, when carpenter ants are found in a structure, they are there because of a moisture problem somewhere inside or adjacent to it. Carpenter ants usually nest either in damp wood or close to it. They may also be found in hollow [Read the full story …]
Flea Pest Control
Controlling a flea infestation successfully requires three steps: Preparation for treatment. Treatment of pets. Treatment of the inside premises. Obviously, the pet is critical to minimizing flea infestations and regular grooming helps to limit fleas on the pet. For this reason, customers need to keep the pet groomed and treated with on-animal flea control products. Step One. Any flea treatment will be less effective if the home is not prepared properly by completing the following steps: Flea Remove all items, such as toys, clothes, and pet food from all floors. Remove all items from under beds and in the bottom of closets. Wash or replace pet bedding. Vacuum all carpets and rugs thoroughly, including beneath beds and upholstered furniture. Clean all wood, tile, and linoleum floors by sweeping and mopping. Clean concrete floors with soap and water in the garage,basement, or enclosed patio where pets rest or stay. Remove all pets including birds and reptiles. Cover fish tanks with a damp towel and turn off the air pump. Replace any pet bedding outdoors and make all shaded areas, crawl spaces, etc. available for treatment. Arrange to be out of the home for several hours until the treatment has thoroughly dried. [Read the full story …]
Domestic House Spider
The key for controlling the domestic house spider is to look for webs and remove them, making sure a treatment is applied into any crack associated with a web to be sure the spider has been killed. House Spider Steps that should be taken to prevent new spiders from entering include: Removing or limiting heavy, ground-covering vegetation near the building. Sealing cracks and holes in the building s exterior. Installing tight-fitting screens on all attic and foundation vents. Sealing holes around pipes indoors to prevent spiders from entering the living spaces of the home by following plumbing lines in basements and crawl spaces. Where numerous spiders are seen, a professional should be consulted to conduct a thorough inspection and recommend possible treatments.