How to Correctly Identify Your Insect

How to Identify Your Insect

Carpenter ants in the United States are some of the largest ants and there can be several different types of carpenter ants infesting one home or business at a time. You will want to look for a black or red black in color and and they are typically about 3/8 to ½ inch in size. And you will typically see worker ants.

Carpenter ants are polymorphic meaning that the same species can have multiple sizes of workers. One of the best methods of identifying carpenter ants from other ants, is to look for their specific characteristics. They will have a waist with only one node and a thorax with an evenly rounded upper surface.

You want to correctly identify your ant, because some ants the resemble a carpenter ant are not wood destroying ants an can easily be mistaken for one.

Another confusing thing occurs when people see what they refer to as winged ants, you may have termites or you may have carpenter ants, so you will want to know the difference between the 2 and how to identify them correctly.
The difference between the 2 is that carpenter ants have dark colored bodies and narrow waist line, they have a definite segmented body where a termite will not. The Carpenter ant will have elbowed antennae and the hind wings will be shorter than their front wings.
Is it a Ant or Termite

Termites on the other hand are have light colored and not waist, they will have straight antennae and the wings are of equal length.

Carpenter ants eat forms of protein and sugar and outdoors the carpenter ants will feed on living and dead insects. Carpenter ants are also very attracted to honeydew which is a sweet liquid produced by aphids and scale insects. Indoors, carpenter ants feed on meats, as well as syrup, honey, sugar, jelly, and other sweets. They can switch from eating a sweet to a protein source at specific times of their season and also based on the food source that has been available to them. Carpenter ants are not eating the wood, they are only removing the wood as they create their galleries and tunnels.
Carpenter ants typically forage at night in between the sunset and midnight during the warmer months if summer. Most foraging is done at night between sunset and midnight during spring and summer months. Sometimes workers travel up to 100 yards from a nest in search of food.

Carpenter ants will build their nest in moist wood including rotting trees, tree roots, tree stumps, and logs or boards lying on or buried in the ground. They are also attracted to areas that are moist and contain decaying wood. Areas in your home that maybe water pools or the gutter leaks in that particular site are all good places to look for termite or carpenter ant activity.

Nests have been found behind bathroom tiles; around tubs, sinks, showers, and dishwashers; under roofing, in attic beams, and under subfloor insulation; and in hollow spaces such as doors, curtain rods, and wall voids. Carpenter ants may also nest in foam insulation.

The Carpenter ant causes damage to wood by excavating and creating their galleries and tunnels. How much damage depends on how long a colony has been there in that particular piece of wood.

Most people start seeing carpenter ants during the spring months, and if you can determine if they are coming from outside to the inside or if you have an interior nest that would be great. It is not always that easy, and the use of baits and non repelling insecticides will make it less necessary to know where they are living. If you are seeing them in late winter it is most likely that they have a active colony inside the structure.

Reproductive ant swarms are usually seen in early spring when temperatures and moisture levels are ideal for starting a new colony. Carpenter ants will produce large numbers of queens and males during late summer. They emerge from nests the following spring for their nuptial flights. After mating, queens search for suitable sites to begin new nests. Once they land, their wings break off and each queen attempts to construct a new nest.

When carpenter ant nests are indoors, mating swarms become trapped inside. Finding large numbers of winged ants indoors is a sure sign that an indoor nest exists and may give the approximate location of the colony.
It is important to remove any source of moisture conditions that will attract the carpenter ants to an area, when doing an inspection look for areas that are consistently wet. A moisture meter may be of some use and are relatively inexpensive.

Remove stumps and store wood away from the structure that you are trying to protect from Carpenter Ants or really any ant for that matter that might fine this to be a great harborage area.

If the nest is exposed or you can identify the areas that the ants are trailing then you can spray a non repelling insecticide on the exterior of the structure. They cannot identify the chemical as being present so they continue about their daily routines moving in and out of the chemical. Firponil is a good choice of chemical and it is contained in the product, Carpenter Ant Kits that continue both option for food source, you can text your ants by putting them both out at the same time, if they aggressively pick on food source up say the maxforce carpenter ant bait which is a honey dew formulation, then continue to apply that particular bait until you no longer see ants. If they pick up Advance Carpenter ant bait which is a protein based product continues placing this out daily. Always place your bait in areas that the ants will come in contact with, never spray an insecticide in the area where you are trying to get them to pick up the bait. Be Patient! It can take a couple of weeks to eliminate a colony.”>Termidor, by BASF.

Sprays on surfaces where ants travel or congregate, such as along baseboards or in holes or cracks in the walls and floors, may reduce the frequency and number of ants you see, you would want to also use a non repelling chemical something like Phantom, which is also available in an aerosol formulation to make easy application.

If the nest cannot be located, baits are a effective alternative. The carpenter ant baits work by combining an attractive food source with a slow-acting toxicant. The ants consume the bait and return to the nest to share the bait with the rest of the colony. Carpenter ants have complex food preferences, and that is why we recommend purchasing the Carpenter Ant Kits that continue both option for food source, you can text your ants by putting them both out at the same time, if they aggressively pick on food source up such as the Maxforce carpenter ant bait which is a honey dew formulation, then continue to apply that particular bait until you no longer see ants. If they pick up Advance Carpenter ant bait which is a protein based product continue placing this out daily as well.

Always place your bait in areas that the ants will come in contact with, never spray an insecticide in the area where you are trying to get them to pick up the bait. Be Patient! It can take a couple of weeks to eliminate a colony.

February 3, 2012  Tags: , , , , , , ,   Posted in: Ant control  No Comments

Mole Control

Moles are notorious for the amount of damage they can cause to a lawn, golf course and sod farms. Knowing a little about the mole, its habitat and diet will help you be more successful in your control and elimination projects.
With constant digging and tunneling in the search for their food source turf grass insects and earthworms, moles can do quite a bit of damage before you even know they are there.

The most common mole and the one that is known to cause the most damage is the eastern Mole.
There are two common methods for controlling moles in your lawn, Physical / mechanical control and chemical control.
Included in physical and mechanical control is habitat modification, which is attempting to resolve mole tunneling with turf grass insecticide to remove their food source. This often fails because mole also eat earth worms which will not be effected by the professional insecticide.

Exclusion of moles by using a barrier fence is somewhat effective but not always available to homeowners or large facilities. It is recommended to use ½ inch mesh hardware cloth or sheet metal and bury it to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.

Live trapping of moles using pit fall traps can be constructed of large coffee cans or other similar containers and buried in planting beds along frequently used surface runs. The traps must be deep and steep-sided to prevent the mole from escaping once inside. Bell laboratories manufacture a new mole trap that is effective and easy to use. This is a lethal trap and is similar to scissor jaw traps.

Chemical control of moles, the use of toxic baits can be very effective in mole control. New Anticoagulant mole gel bait (Kaput Mole bait) does work very effectively. New products that are in the shape of earth worms that are placed in the moles active run have reached the market that are creating very effective mole control, Talprid Mole Bait.
It can be very difficult to control moles in your lawn, but you should not give up the fight and beautiful mole free yard is worth the effort.

February 2, 2012  Tags: , , , , , ,   Posted in: Mole Control  No Comments

Seasonal Guide To Ant Control Food Type Selection

SPRING

Ants search for protein to nourish the brood. Capitalize on this ant craving by selecting Maxforce Granular Insect Bait and/or Maxforce Bait Stations.

SUMMER

Ants forage for sweet honeydew, which is typically found on plants and ornamentals. Choose a bait that is high in carbohydrates, such as Maxforce FC Ant Killer Bait Gel.

FALL

Honeydew-producing insects begin to die off naturally so sweet-feeding ants will prefer Maxforce Ant Bait Gel. Maxforce Granular Insect Bait is also effective because it contains a balanced diet.

WINTER

When it’s cold outside, ant activity indoors indicates a colony has located inside the heated environment. This normally means that the ants are feeding on the same foods we eat, so a balanced bait or combination of protein and sweet Maxforce Baits will work best.

February 1, 2012  Tags: , , , , , , , ,   Posted in: Ant control  No Comments

How to Deal with Squirrel Pests

Squirrels can cause quite a bit of damage or become a simple nuisance to the homeowner when the squirrel decides to use the facility or house for their nest. Squirrels commonly will gnaw their way into attics and floor joists for food storage or to take up residence, moving into spaces in between walls and floors. They can gain access through vents, broken windows, knotholes, and construction gaps under eaves and gables. On occasion they may gain entry through the chimney and fireplace.
Squirrels have an incredible ability to gnaw and destroy wood and can cause large amounts of damage at times, especially in season homes, when they may be left for months on end unnoticed to do their bidding. In an occupied home, a squirrel usually does not go unnoticed for very large. Homeowners usually will hear their activities during the day time. A flying squirrel on the other hand is nocturnal and may go undetected.

In yards and landscaped areas squirrels can cause damage by digging up vegetables and flowers primarily looking for sees and bulbs.

Tree squirrels can be difficult to control, but there are a few options that will add in your success. Pruning tree branches at least 6 feet from buildings and homes, anything under 6 feet is considered and easy jump for the squirrel.

Do not feed the squirrels! By feeding and coaxing them to approach a home you are almost inviting them to come and stay.

Applying exclusion techniques (rodent Proofing) your house is really the best and most permanent method of preventing squirrels from entering your structure. When you are closing all entry routes, remember not to trap them inside.

If you need to reduce the population of squirrels live trapping is almost always the best method of choice. Using a sturdy Havahart Squirrel trap will make this job easier. Live catch traps should be 24”x8”x7”. If the squirrel is entering from trees and power lines, then putting the trap on the roof is idle. For squirrels that may seem trap shy, pre bait and make sure the door will not snap for a few days, this will help coax them inside. Baits that work well are peanuts, walnuts, pecans, acorns, sunflower seeds, and raisins. Check your traps once a day as a caged squirrel will not survive long.

January 31, 2012  Tags: , , , ,   Posted in: squirrel control  No Comments

How Can You Save Money on Termite Control? Taurus SC is the Answer!

How can you save money on termite control? Taurus SC is the answer. The generic version of the well known product Termidor. Taurus uses the same chemical compositions at a much lower price point. Compare for yourself at ePestSolutions.com. Where we guarantee the best prices on the web and we ship fast and free (within the continental US)!

Taurus SC Available size 20 oz bottle New Taurus SC is a water based suspension concentrate of 9.1 % Fipronil for pre and post termite treatments. Only recently released on the market Taurus SC termiticide and insecticide can help homeowners save even more money so do it yourself termite control. New Taurus SC with 9.1 % Fipronil compared to Termidor SC which has 9.1 Fipronil the same active ingredients. Taurus SC is a non-repellant insecticide labeled for termite treatments, ant treatments and for home perimeter treatments for other pest listed below.

Taurus SC will eliminate termite colonies as quickly as 3 month.

When used for ant control Taurus SC can eliminate and exterminate workers and a colony in only a few weeks after application. Please read and follow all label instructions.

Target Insects: Termites, Ants (Acrobat, Argentine, Big-Headed, Carpenter, Crazy, Odorous, Pavement, Pharaoh, and Thief), Asian lady beetles,

Darkling beetles, Cockroaches (Australian, Oriental, Smoky Brown), Black widow spiders, Brown recluse spiders, Cellar and Hobo spiders,

Box-elder bugs, Pill bugs, Brown and dog ticks, Centipedes, Cluster Flies, European Earwigs, House Crickets, Millipedes, Paper Wasps, Silverfish, Yellow Jackets.

January 28, 2012  Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,   Posted in: termite control  No Comments

Will a Warm Winter Mean More Pests?

January 27, 2012  Tags: ,   Posted in: videos  No Comments

Got Fleas? Find Your Solution with Precor at ePestSolutions.com!

Check it out at ePestSolutions.com! As always, the best prices and free standard shipping in the continental US!

January 26, 2012  Tags: , , , , , , ,   Posted in: flea control  No Comments

DRYWOOD TERMITES-Everything You Need to Know!

Read this thorough and well written article about Drywood Termites for UC Davis. Click HERE.

If you need pest control help for DryWood Termites, go straight to www.ePestSolutions.com! Our prices can’t be beat!

January 24, 2012  Tags: , , , , , , ,   Posted in: termite control  No Comments

How to Keep BedBugs from Coming Back!

Bed bugs can be a difficult pest to kill. The fact that they can live for up to a year without a meal makes them hard to completely rid yourself of. In this article, we discuss methods to kill bed bugs and to keep them from coming back.

Common signs that can indicate that you have a bed bug problem are:
• Finding blood stains on your mattresses or furniture.
• If you see “bed bugs” or their skin casts.
• Unexplained bites on you or your family

Any of these signs can signal a bed bug problem. There are now inexpensive “traps” that will lure bed bugs through temperature and CO2 so that you can monitor for bed bug activity if you are still uncertain after review the common signs.

What do you do after you are sure that you have bed bugs?

Well initially, treating all carpet, furniture, baseboards and bedding with high temperature steamer will kill any that it comes in contact with. Then vacuum those same areas and empty the canister into a sealable bag to be sent to the garbage bin.
There are bed bug kits that can be purchased from an online pest control supplier that have been specially formulated to address specific bed bug issues. Following this initial treatment protocol listed on the chemical agents should kill any bed bugs that are currently in your home.

But, being that bed bugs are able to live for up to a year without a meal, how can you protect your family from a reemergence of bed bugs?

Once you treat your living areas, bed bugs may retreat to walls or crevices where they can avoid becoming a pest statistic. One good way to address this bed bug problem is to access your inner walls and treat that area with a dust that specifically treats bed bugs. Dusts are extremely effective at holding their killing power. If you are able to, drill small holes behind baseboards or in areas that will not be visible due to furniture placement. If you have gaps in your ceilings, you may also wish to apply dusts in those areas as well.

Be sure to inspect your home at fourteen days for signs of any activity. Keep your bedbug monitors up to date, so that if there is ANY bed bug activity, you have immediate knowledge and can keep the bed bugs from becoming an infestation, and only an annoyance.

January 23, 2012  Tags: , , , , , , , , ,   Posted in: Bed Bug Control  No Comments

Advance Termite Bait Stations HOW TO Video

 

 

Get yours at ePestSolutions.com today!

January 20, 2012  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: termite control  No Comments