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Roberts Termite and Pest Control
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Fleas and Ticks - Meet the Culprits
Fleas are pests of humans and domestic animals all over the world. Most fleas prefer non-human hosts, but many can and do feed readily on humans when infestations are heavy or when other hosts are not available. Fleas are small, wingless insects, which average 1/12 to 1/6 inch long, but can vary from as small as 1/25 to 1/3 inch long. Fleas generally require warmth, and humid conditions in order to develop substantial infestations, either indoors or out. Thus, flea problems seem to peak in the spring, summer, and fall seasons. However, the "flea season" can be year round in many regions, and especially in the South.
To control flea infestation, flea management in and around homes typically requires a carefully organized and executed program. An important factor of this program will be cooperation of the homeowner in maintaining proper sanitation and continued flea control of the pet(s).
Roberts Termite and Pest Control
Friday, October 1, 2010
Bed Bugs a Problem? We can get rid of Bed Bugs.
Most householders of this generation have never seen a bed bug. Until recently, they also were a rarity among pest control professionals. Bed bug infestations were common in the United States before World War II. But with improvements in hygiene, and especially the widespread use of DDT during the 1940s and '50s, the bugs all but vanished. The pests remained fairly prevalent, however, in other regions of the world including Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. In recent years, bed bugs have also made a comeback in the U.S. They are increasingly being encountered in homes, apartments, hotels, motels, health care facilities, dormitories, shelters, schools, and modes of transport. Other places where bed bugs sometimes appear include movie theaters, laundries/dry cleaners, furniture rental outlets and office buildings. Immigration and international travel have undoubtedly contributed to the resurgence of bed bugs in the U.S. Changes in modern pest control practice - and less effective bed bug pesticides - are other factors suspected for the recurrence.
Bed bugs are active mainly at night. During the daytime, they prefer to hide close to where people sleep. Their flattened bodies enable them to fit into tiny crevices รข€” especially those associated with mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards. Bed bugs do not have nests like ants or bees, but do tend to congregate in habitual hiding places. Characteristically, these areas are marked by dark spotting and staining, which is the dried excrement of the bugs. Also present will be eggs and eggshells, the brownish molted skins of maturing nymphs and the bugs themselves. Another telltale though less frequent sign is rusty or reddish blood smears on bed sheets or mattresses from crushing an engorged bed bug. Heavy infestations may have a &buggy& smell, but the odor is seldom apparent and should not be relied upon for detection.
Roberts Termite and Pest Control
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