Author Archives: Frank Barbas
SilverFish
Silverfish can be very difficult to control, especially in those homes which have wood shake (shingle) roofs. Shakes hold moisture and permit surface molds to grow which serve as food for silverfish. Shake roofs are also very difficult to treat completely — to reach all the areas where silverfish can possibly live. In addition, silverfish often live in the soffits and behind the fascia board behind gutters. Individual silverfish then invade the interior of the home from this “reservoir” site. Compounding the problem in attics is blown-in insulation that prevents a professional from safely venturing into the attic to look for silverfish harborages. A professional should be consulted when silverfish are a regular problem. Areas that may require treatment include: SilverFish Voids where plumbing is located. Voids behind electrical outlets. Molding around windows and doorways. The attic, crawl space and basement. The soffits.
Odorous House Ant
Odorous House Ant This ant can be difficult to control because it establishes multiple subcolonies and may nest in such a wide variety of sites. The keys to control are to find the colonies and subcolonies and treat them directly. Ordous House Ant Where the colonies cannot be found, baits may be attempted; however, several baits may be required before positive results are seen. Regular inspections and service are necessary to find and treat new colonies as they move in from neighboring properties. Eliminate piles of lumber, bricks, or other debris that could serve as a nesting site for ants. Keep landscape mulch less than 2 inches thick and at least 12 inches away from foundations. Ensure the sprinkler system does not spray directly onto the foundation. Seal as many cracks in the home’s exterior as possible. Keep tree and shrub branches trimmed to prevent them from touching the building. If you need more help, consider talking to a pest control and exterminator for other methods.
Brown Recluse Spider
DESCRIPTION The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles spp.)c. It is about 1/2 inch in length, has a violin-shaped marking on the thorax (mid-section) and is sometimes called a fiddleback spider due to the unique markings. Brown Recluse Spider While most spiders have 8 eyes, the brown recluse has 6 (3 pairs). The brown recluse spider received its name because of its color and reclusive behavior. These spiders make an irregular and sticky web that is used for shelter rather than for trapping insects. BIOLOGY There are seven species of brown recluse spider that are a health concern in the United States. Though active throughout the year, they often go unnoticed because of their reclusive habits. Adults may be found in dark, secluded indoor places that are dry, cluttered, undisturbed and contain a supply of insects for food. They are most commonly found behind baseboards, under tables and chairs, in the basement, crawlspace, attic, infesting cedar shake roofs, and in garages and sheds. Another common hiding place for a brown recluse is in garments that are left hanging undisturbed for some time and in the linens of beds that have been unoccupied for a long while. Bites often occur when the [Read the full story …]