We’ve Moved!

Hello, friends of the Russell’s Pest Control blog.  You may have noticed that it’s been quite a while since a post was updated, and you might be waiting for the conclusion of the series about mosquitoes.  We’re sorry to have left you hanging for so long, but big changes have been happening around Russell’s.

Our blog has now been integrated with our updated website.  You can visit us at our new home page or go directly to the blog.  The mosquito piece is already up, and we are posting about other interesting summer pests as well.  Please pay us a visit and save the site to your bookmarks if you want to continue to read updates about pest activity and treatment options.

Thanks for being faithful readers; we truly appreciate you.

Mosquitoes and the Cooler Weather

Over the next few weeks, we’ll continue to discuss pests that can be controlled with home maintenance since this is the time of year when people are usually working on the exteriors of their homes.  We wanted to take a break now, however, to answer a question that has been popping up the last few weeks.  The people of East Tennessee want to know whether a cold snap in the spring will lower the summer bug population, particularly for mosquitoes.  This week, we’ll take a look at that question and also cover some fun facts about mosquito life cycles (and by “fun,” I mean “upsetting”).  Next time, we’ll provide more information about mosquito breeding habits and give you some practical advice to lower the mosquito population in your yard.

May of 2011 was a month of extremes.  The Knoxville area had temperatures in the 90s by early May, which were unexpectedly followed by a cold snap that saw highs in the 50s and 60s.  The mosquito population is definitely affected by the weather; we typically see their numbers start to rise around mid-May when the nights are consistently above 50 degrees.  Unfortunately, however, an abrupt cold spell may lower the mosquito population at the time, but it won’t curb their numbers for the season.

Insects are masters of adaptation; they are hard-wired to make up lost ground when the weather deals them an unexpected bad turn.  For instance, we have found that after exceptionally cold winters when you might expect the termite population to suffer, the following springs are often full of termite swarms.  The reason is not because the cold weather was good for the termites.  Rather, the colony recognizes that lives were lost during the bad season, so instinct tells them to begin a population explosion to protect the strength of their species.  Mosquito populations can work the same way.  If some died because they could not find shelter during that chilly week, the surviving pests will be geared to reproduce at a higher rate to protect their population.  And, when you consider that the strongest mosquitoes are the ones who survived the cold, you must also consider that their young will carry all of those strong traits; there will be few sickly mosquitoes to weaken this year’s population

Feeding Mosquito, photo by James Gathany

Many people are not aware that mosquitoes aren’t primarily blood-feeders.  In fact, their preferred meal is flower nectar; only the females drink blood when they’re preparing to lay eggs.  This is the upsetting part.  Female mosquitoes around here lay 200-300 eggs at a time.  That means that for every mosquito bite you get, 300 new mosquitoes are hatched somewhere nearby!

In light of this bad news, here are a couple of tips to protect yourself; we’ll get into more practical details next time.  First, consider the mosquito’s schedule when making your plans.  Some species are only active during the day while others are only out at night.  That’s why outdoor activities at dawn and dusk are so unpleasant; you’re getting attacked by every species at the same time.  Avoid being outdoors then if you can.  Also, bear in mind that mosquitoes are normally attracted to flowers.  If you’re going to be outside in the evening, you may want to skip the sweet-smelling lotions or colognes that day so that you don’t draw them to you.  The National Pest Management Association also indicates that using a pest repellant containing DEET on exposed skin can keep the mosquitoes off; read the label of your insect repellent to see if it contains DEET and to be sure you’re using it safely and correctly.

This gets us through the basics about mosquitoes and the cold weather.  Next time, we’ll work on lowering the population in your yard to keep you safe and comfortable this summer.  Call us at 865.584.8549 with more questions, or post a comment on this page.

Carpenter Bees: A Guide to Treatment and Prevention

Knoxville, Maryville, Lenoir City, and many other parts of the greater Knoxville area took a beating from the recent storms.  Our thoughts are with our neighbors, and we hope that the cleanup work is coming along.  We thought that, since many people are doing work around their houses, our readers might appreciate information about a pest that can be treated with some simple home repair work.  Today, let’s look at carpenter bees.

Carpenter bees are very large, and they have the unpleasant habit of hovering near their nest sites and chasing anyone who comes too close.  You probably started to notice them zinging by your head in mid-March when the weather started to warm up.  Still, they are rarely aggressive and will only sting if threatened.  Unlike their bumble bee cousins, carpenter bees are not hive creatures.  They build solitary nests by drilling through wood and creating a cavity in which eggs and larvae are protected.  These bees do not eat the wood as termites do, so a common indicator of carpenter bees is small piles of sawdust on your back deck or on the porch below your wood siding.

If you want to treat for carpenter bees, here are some tips to consider.  Using an over-the-counter product in the holes is a start, but it won’t eliminate your problem.  If possible, use a flashlight and treat the holes at night when the bees are inactive.  If that idea is not practical in your case, bring a spray can with a product that you can use to knock down and kill the adults so you don’t get stung while you work (I have a friend who uses a wiffle ball bat for this portion of the work, but I don’t recommend it).  Then, use a product that leaves a residue in the holes so that your treatment lasts longer.  Remember, most of the spray cans for bees and wasps are only for immediate contact use; they will kill a bee that you spray but will not leave lasting protection against the bees.  Many over-the-counter products are labeled to last up to three months, and you’d be better off trying one of those in the holes.  Always use products that are labeled for the pests you’re treating, and only use them in ways that the label allows.  Also, remember to position yourself carefully if you’re treating high places; you don’t want the product that you use to fall back down on you while you work.

Treat the holes in early spring and again in summer to make sure you’ve contacted all the bees with the product.  Then, in the fall, fill the holes with wood putty.  The bees won’t want to chew through the putty and will not be able to re-use the same holes.  Finally, if you are doing some home repairs in the coming weeks, we recommend that you put a coat of paint or varnish on the affected wood.  Pressure-treated wood is still vulnerable to carpenter bee attack, but a coat of paint will frustrate a bee’s chewing efforts and may make it think twice about sharing living space with you.

We get many calls about carpenter bees because they can be tough to treat.  Their nests are often hard to reach, so many homeowner’s don’t want to deal with the trouble.  At Russell’s Pest Control, carpenter bee treatments are done with a large sprayer or blower that can more easily reach the affected areas to alleviate the problem.  Sound like a service you could use?  You know where to find us, and you can always call 865.584.8549 for more information.

The Always Active Sentricon System: Termite Protection 201

Last time, in Termite Protection 101, we discussed two well-known, reliable options for termite treatments.  Today, however, I want to present something that is exciting in the pest control industry because it’s ground-breaking and new.  If you read the last post, you may have noticed that I mentioned a “regular Sentricon System.”  Now, it’s time to tell you about the newest type of Sentricon protection called Always Active® from Dow AgroSciences.  Let’s go over the differences between a regular system and an Always Active System.

• In a regular Sentricon System, the stations are pre-baited with wood to intercept the termites before they reach the house.  The Always Active System gets its name because it is baited with the product that eliminates the termite colonies all the time.  This is possible because Dow AgroSciences has developed denser, more long-lasting bait that can endure long periods underground with no problem.
• Perhaps you were wondering how long it can be underground?  The answer is at least a full year.  A traditional Sentricon System is monitored every three months, but an Always Active System requires just one yearly visit.  Our technician monitors the stations and inspects the house all in one annual appointment.

If you’re also wondering which features are the same, I can tell you those, too.

• The Always Active System is still made by the same people who won the Green Chemistry Award with the first Sentricon System.  All Sentricon Systems are well-respected because they eliminate the need for hundreds of gallons of products to be put around the home.  Bait is only removed from the locked stations when termites eat it or take it to the colony.  Always Active works with the same strategy in mind.  The bait is designed to affect the termite growth cycle and not to affect other living things around it.
• Something else that remains the same is the warranty.  Both Sentricon Systems come with a damage repair warranty, meaning the repairs are on us if the termites get past our defenses.
• The cost of the Always Active System remains very comparable to the standard system.  It may cost slightly more to install because more product is used up front, but the annual renewal fees run in the same price range of $280-$380.

Is the Always Active Sentricon System for everyone?  No, it’s not necessarily.  Some people like to have that quarterly check-up to hear from their technician that everything is all right.  The traditional Sentricon System is a fabulous product and is not in any way outdated or declining.  But, there are some people who could really benefit from a yearly service.  If you have dogs that need to be put up any time a technician is around, Always Active could be for you.  That would save you four days every year of rearranging your schedule to get the dogs put away.  People who live in gated areas often appreciate the convenience of a single service so they don’t have to leave their property open multiple times a year.  Rental property owners might feel the same way.  There are any number of small, personalized scheduling issues that could make this system the right choice, and the presence of bait 365 days a year makes the upgraded system a popular change, even if scheduling isn’t a problem.

We have discovered that people have a lot of questions about this new treatment option, and we are happy to discuss those at whatever length is needed.  Please leave me a comment or contact us at 865.584.8549 if you want the scoop on Always Active.  You can also set up an inspection on our websiteif you’d like to hear more about coverage options.

Types of Termite Protection: Termites 101

Last time, we discussed what you should know about termite swarms so that you’ll be aware if a band of hungry neighbors moves in.  This time, we should probably discuss your options if you do encounter termites or if you want to prevent the encounter from happening.  Today, we’ll consider the top two types of termite treatments.

The stand-by treatment that most people are familiar with is a liquid treatment.  This method involves treating the soil around and under the foundation of the house with a product that kills and/or repels termites.  If termites approach the property from underground, they will want to avoid the area because of the liquid perimeter.  There are many products that can be used for this type of treatment, and the type of product will control the price.  At Russell’s Pest Control, we usually use Termidor® to rid a home of a termite infestation.  Here are some things you should know about a Termidor treatment from Russell’s.

• This is one of the most trusted products on the market, and, depending on conditions around the home, can reliably protect a home for up to ten years.
• When we complete a liquid termite treatment, we warranty the property for a year.  If a building owner finds termites again during that time, we’ll eliminate those termites at no additional cost.
• After the first year, the homeowner can choose to extend that warranty.  We’ll continue that same control warranty for a low annual rate (usually $150-$250,* depending on the size of the home).
• We’ll also conduct yearly inspections so that you can be sure a professional is on the lookout for signs of termite activity around your home.

Liquid termite treatments are good, but they’re no longer the premier choice for termite coverage.  Now, the number-one option is called the Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System (which is trademarked to Dow AgroSciences).  That’s a long name for a cleverly simple system, so let’s break down how the Sentricon System works.

• In a regular Sentricon System, bait stations containing some tasty wood are placed around the outside of the building.  Those stations are monitored every three months by our technicians for signs of termite activity.  This perimeter is important since the goal is to intercept the termites before they get to the house.
• When termites are found, the wood is replaced with a type of bait that termites absolutely love.  The termites begin to gather the bait and share it with the colony since it tastes better than wood.  Once the bait is brought home by the food-gatherers, the whole colony is eliminated as they feed.
• The Sentricon System comes with an upgraded repair warranty, which means that if termites are found in the home while it’s protected by Sentricon, Russell’s Pest Control will eliminate the termites and pay for any damage that they caused. The homeowner continues the monitoring and warranty by paying an annual renewal fee (usually $280-$380,* again depending on the home’s size).
• Again, Russell’s will conduct yearly inspections for termite activity.

This concludes Termite Protection 101, but there’s still lots more information we could share.  If you have questions about termite treatments, ask them before you make treatment decisions.  I can handle questions through replies, or you can reach us at our website or 865.584.8549.  Free inspections have no obligation; you can get the answers you need without a big fuss.

*These prices are for average-sized homes, so obviously very large homes are going to cost more.  However, all termite pricing from Russell’s is based on linear footage, NOT square footage.  This means we care about the footprint around your roofline, no matter how many levels you have.  We will not penalize you for having a multi-level home.

Termite Swarms in Tennessee, Part 1

Even though it’s only March, reports are already coming in:  Termites are swarming in East Tennessee.  Swarm season started early this year because of the recent mild weather, so we decided to do a series of articles about termites so that residents in the area can be on their guard.  Understanding termites is crucial for people living in the South where these little invaders do millions of dollars of damage a year.  So, let’s take some time to study the enemy.  In this post, we’ll discuss swarms and how they affect homeowners.  Next time, we’ll cover practical ways to prevent and eliminate termites.

Normally, termites do not have wings (check out the photo on the side from the pest experts at Univar).  They are tiny, pail insects that almost look like grubs with legs.  However, when the warm weather arrives, termites begin to focus on expanding their colony and growing their numbers.  Colony members spend most of their lives underground (hence the name “subterranean termites”).  But, when it’s time to expand, certain termites will develop wings.  Termites with wings are capable of reproduction (which is usually left to queen).  When the temperature and humidity are right, the winged termites will burst out of colony above ground.  They are scattering themselves so that they can start new colonies with the original winged termite as the new queen.  Since they are poor flyers, they leave the nest in a crowd so that even if predators take down many of the colony-builders, some are likely to survive.

Knowing about termite swarms is important for homeowners for a couple of reasons.  The presence of the swarm indicates that new neighbors are trying to move in, and they’re going to need food fast.  A swarm near a building indicates that the new colony will be foraging in that area.  Many features of the home will be appealing for the buffet line, including support beams behind the walls, hardwood floors in the den, and cabinets in the kitchen.  In addition, the presence of a swarm also indicates that a large, healthy colony is already nearby.  Most of the members of an existing colony will not grow wings and scatter, which means that if you see hundreds or even thousands of swarming termites, there are many more underground throwing the goodbye party.  A swarm near a building could indicate that termites are already feeding on the structure and causing damage.

A termite swarm will only last for a few minutes, which means you could easily miss the big event around your home.  Be on the lookout for small groups of wings lying on your porch or around your foundation.  The termites shed their wings after flying, and the lost wings are often a good indicator to homeowners that trouble is nearby.  If you see a swarm, try to keep a couple of the dead bugs in a bag or jar for identification.  We suggest that you call an exterminator immediately for a full inspection.  Most companies, including Russell’s Pest Control, will inspect for free, allowing you to rely on an expert to identify whether your home is in danger.  More information about termites can be found here, and you can call 865.584.8549 to request an appointment or just click here.  If you want to see what a swarm looks like, check out this video on our Facebook page of some swarmers that we encountered last year.

The Importance of Foundation Vents

The weather is starting to warm up, but the spring pests are still held at bay for a while.  We thought that while the season is still a bit chilly, we could discuss another important aspect to home maintenance that pest control companies find very important.  Today, we’ll take a look at the importance of foundation vents for crawl spaces. 

If your home is on a crawl space, then you’ve likely noticed vents around the foundation, even if you weren’t sure how they work.  Vents are important because, in East Tennessee, there’s plenty of humidity, particularly in the warmer months.  That air moisture gets into your crawl space as it comes up from the damp ground.  If your crawl space isn’t vented correctly, the moisture will likely lead to major problems under your house, ranging from standing water to mold or fungus on your support beams.  Crawl space mold is a common problem in this area, and one that will make your home quite difficult to sell.

Foundation vents help to improve crawl space conditions by allowing the humidity to get out from under the house in the warm months and by holding good dry heat in during the cold months.  There are three types of foundation vents.

1.  Manual Vents – These are your basic models that are probably installed on most houses when they’re built.  They are fairly inexpensive, and you can purchase newer models or replacements at any home improvement store.  They are fairly simple to install yourself.  The disadvantage is that you are responsible for remembering them throughout the year.  You should close them in the winter to hold in heat (which could lower your bills significantly) and open them as soon as the cold weather starts to break.

2.  Temperature Vents – These vents are an upgrade from the manual version.  They are still easy to find at a retail store, and you should be able to install them yourself if you don’t mind spending some time in the crawl space.  Their greatest advantage, however, is that they have a temperature-sensitive coil at their center that tells them when to open and close.  Then, you don’t have to remember, and they can react to day-to-day weather conditions.  Of course, they will cost a little more than manual vents.

3.  Power Vents – These are for crawl spaces that have major problems with moisture.  If you have standing water under your house, you likely need a power vent.  They don’t just allow air to move in and out naturally; they have an attached fan that sucks fresh air in and, consequently, forces moist air out.  The fan is controlled by a humidistat, which tells the unit to run when the air in the crawl space is too moist.  You can buy these, but they will be much harder for you to install alone.  They often require special duct work to keep the air flowing effectively, and you will need an electrician to install a power source in your crawl space to run the fan.  These are obviously the most expensive of the three types, but fortunately, even particularly damp crawls are likely to need only one or two of these in addition to standard vents.

If you’re not sure what kind of vents you have or if they are venting your crawl space well enough, you can always contact us here or call 865.584.8549.  Russell’s Pest Control can do a free inspection and can purchase and install vents if crawl spaces aren’t for you.  We take crawl space moisture very seriously since dampness attracts all kinds of insects, particularly termites.  Need more information or clarification?  You can respond to this post and ask any questions you might have, or you can always give us a call.

Alternatives to Bug Bombs

We hope that everyone is staying warm and safe in the cold weather!  Unfortunately, the pests are considering the same concerns (because if they’re already inside, they’re only as cold as you are).

Recently, we’ve been getting calls from frantic homeowners who have major roach problems.  Roaches are the sort of pests that can get out of control pretty quickly.  They breed fast, and, being nocturnal, they tend to stay out of sight.  By the time homeowners see the roaches, they could already have a serious issue.

Sometime, we’ll do a full post on roaches, but today I want to talk about the use of foggers against such tough pests.  Some recent callers were extremely frustrated because they’d spent time and money on foggers or “bug bombs,” but the devices just hadn’t solved the problem.  In addition, the time wasted allowed the roaches to get a stronger foothold in the house.  So, let’s debunk the myth of the all-powerful bug bomb and look for some better alternatives.

Fogging for pests is outdated.  Professionals (including Russell’s Pest Control technicians) almost never fog, and they would only do so in extreme need.  Foggers may give homeowners a good feeling because they’ll see lots of dead bugs right away.  Unfortunately, the healthy, smart roaches and the eggs weren’t out in the open near the foggers.  They were in the walls, behind the cabinets, under the refrigerator, etc.  Most roaches stay tucked away in hiding places that fog will never reach.  If an infestation is completely out of control, a professional may fog to knock down the adult pest population quickly, but they’ll always follow up with more effective methods.

The best way to tackle persistent pests like roaches is with a two-fold attack.  One part includes a crack-and-crevice treatment, where product is applied into the small cracks that the bugs use for home-base.  The second part involves carefully leaving baits in well-hidden areas so that the roaches will encounter them.

These are some steps that you should consider if you’re trying to take care of a roach problem:

1.      Start by purchasing some glue boards and leaving them in those out-of-the-way places like in the cabinet under the sink.  This is an inexpensive way to determine if you really have a roach problem and, if so, where it is worst.  Always have the glue boards touching a wall since pests prefer to hang close to cover.

2.      If you have a problem and decide to treat for yourself, plan out how you want to treat.  Remember that many of the sprays you can buy over the counter are repellents, meaning they drive pests away from the area.  If you are using a repellent, don’t use baits in the same area.  You’ll contaminate the bait and make it undesirable for the roaches.  Read the labels of the products you buy to determine how to use them appropriately.  In general, it’s best not to spray around any bait that you use.

3.      Skip the bug bombs.  They won’t help much anyway, and they are very easy to misuse (a recent news article in another southern state indicated an apartment-dweller forced his neighbors to retreat to the ER after the fumes from his bug bomb leaked into their home).

4.      Ask for help before the problem gets out of hand.  If your over-the-counter products aren’t working, don’t wait until you’re overrun to get professional help.  Doing so will only cost you more in the long run because it will take longer to eliminate the problem.  Most exterminators (including Russell’s) offer free inspections and can give you some good advice and help if you feel that you’re in over your head.  If you do think you need some help, may I suggest a reliable pest control company?

They’re Only as Cold as You Are

After an unseasonably warm November, we are now faced with frequent snow flurries and temperatures in the teens.  Welcome to east Tennessee.  In the pest control industry, we start to hear homeowners and business owners saying that they don’t need to think about pests or termites until the spring because all the bugs die in the cold weather.  That belief is partially true; plenty of pests go dormant or die off in large numbers when it gets cold.  However, homeowners in east Tennessee need to know the whole story about pests in the winter so that they can continue to protect their homes from invaders year round.                                                           

There are plenty of spring-time pests that get into homes accidentally and probably wish they hadn’t.  If you find a wasp inside, both you and the wasp are probably pretty unhappy.  You’ll usually find the wasp trying desperately to get out of a brightly lit window just before you bash him with the fly swatter.  However, there are also quite a few pests that come inside because they like it there.  Maybe the food is better inside, or maybe there are few predators in your house.  If you think your home is comfortable, well-stocked, and warm, there are probably plenty of critters that agree with you.

Consider this: We are about two weeks into December, and already this month, we at Russell’s have had calls to start pest control services on homes and businesses for spiders, roaches, mice, and even traditional summer pests like ants and termites!  It sounds crazy, but it actually makes sense.  When they’ve got a house to live in, the pests don’t need to go dormant or die.  If they’re already inside, then they’re only as cold as you are.  There is a whole family of spiders called “house spiders” because they prefer to inhabit human structures.  German roaches are famous for being hard to get rid of because, unlike many other roaches, they would rather be inside.  A few weeks ago, we discussed in detail how mice are a major problem indoors this time of year (if you need a refresher, click here).

We hate to be the bearers of bad news about the reality of pest problems in the winter.  However, we want you to continue to be on the lookout for pest issues so that when your auntie comes over for the holiday feast, she doesn’t find an entirely different sort of ant competing with her claims on the pecan pie.  If you find some pests inside, don’t just assume they’re a fluke because of the weather.  Take the time to look for an entry point or to try to eliminate their food source.  Feeling too frazzled this holiday season to handle your auntie and a potential ant problem?  You know where to find us if you need us.

Keeping Your Home Secure, Bed Bugs Part 2

Hopefully, last week’s advice about avoiding bed bugs in hotels prepared you for holiday travel.  Now, we’ll discuss how bed bugs could affect your daily life and how you can work to avoid them.

Bed bugs are getting attention now because they are infesting unexpected places like movie theaters, department stores, and warehouses.  The media has created a frenzy by saying these pests are unavoidable.  Yes, bed bug numbers have drastically increased over the last 5-10 years, but that doesn’t mean that we’re powerless to fight them.  Homeowners can help protect themselves by being aware of their surroundings and acting quickly when they suspect a problem.

Remember that some environments are more prone to bed bug problems than others.  Some high-risk areas include emergency rooms or hospitals, airports, and movie theaters.  That doesn’t mean you should stop visiting those places.  It just means that you should pay attention to your surroundings when you do.  Many people forget that adult bed bugs are not microscopic; in fact, their size is comparable to an apple seed.  So, if you go to a movie theater, check your pant cuffs, jacket pockets, and other hiding places before leaving.  You’ll be able to see the bed bugs and notify the facility manager before you take hitchhikers home with you.  When you’re in a high-risk environment, keep your purse or bag on your lap instead of putting it on the floor or in the chair next to you.  By doing so, you protect a very desirable hiding place from bed bugs.

If you work in a high-risk career (including hospital personnel, school teachers, police officers, or social workers), you may want to consider a program to monitor for bed bugs.  At Russell’s, we can attach bed bug monitoring to a regular pest control service so that you are aware as soon as you have a problem.  That means the infestation will be easier to treat and, consequently, less expensive (click here to ask for more information about free inspections and monitoring).

Otherwise, use common sense to protect yourself from invasions.  For instance, if you see a nice piece of furniture sitting out for trash pick up, think twice before taking it home.  It was likely thrown out by its original owners for a reason.  If you go to garage sales or consignment stores, inspect your purchases for adult bed bugs or droppings before you buy them, and wash and dry them as soon as you get home.  We actually confirmed the presence of bed bugs in a home where a woman had clothes in piles because she was setting up a garage sale, and our results didn’t change her mind at all!  If you suspect a bed bug issue, call for help immediately.  Taking action early will save you a lot of trouble in the long run. 

There’s just one more thing to consider.  Bed bugs are often found in very clean environments; even the best house keeper could have an infestation (which means there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you do have a problem).  However, clutter offers options to bed bugs when they’re looking for secure hiding places, which could make even the most thorough pest control treatment less effective.  If you suspect a problem, call for help before you do anything else—don’t remove the mattress or use over-the-counter sprays, which could cause the bed bugs to spread throughout the house.  A professional can give you good advice about how to contain your problem so that your treatment is most effective.

As always, you can call 865.588.6365 or visit our website if you have questions about bed bugs or any other pests.