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Pest ID
Please click
here to
visit the U of A Entomology Arthropod Museum web site for
pest identification.
Press Releases
Recent Media Coverage of
Wilson Pest Control
- Process Brings Relief To Allergy Sufferers, The Leader,
December 29, 2004
- We're Under Attack, The Leader, December 15,
2004
- New Hygienitech Process Brings Relief To Allergy Sufferers,
Cabot Star-Herald, October 11, 2004
Other Articles of Interest
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![[New!]](images/ant.jpg) Pest-Proof Your Home
This Winter
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this article for
details. After reading this article, you may click the "BACK" button on
your browser to return to our News page.
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 Creepy
Crawlers
- See
this
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click the "BACK" button on your browser to return to our News page.
FREQUENTLY ASKED GENERAL PEST QUESTIONS:
ANSWERS TO GENERAL PEST QUESTIONS
What are the most common household pests and what steps
can I take to help keep my home pest-free?
Common household pests include insects such as ants, cockroaches, termites,
flies, pantry pests and wasps as well as urban wildlife such as rodents,
raccoons, bats, and birds. Remember, most pests need food, water and a place to
live. Eliminating any one of those elements will help significantly in
controlling the pest. With that in mind, there are a number of steps homeowners
can take to help keep their homes pest free:
- Clean regularly and reduce clutter inside and outside of your home.
- Keep foods such as flour, cereal, spaghetti and pet food in re-sealable
containers with tight lids.
- Keep kitchens, dining rooms and other areas where food is eaten clean and
free of crumbs.
- Sweep and vacuum often (especially in eating areas) to help eliminate food
sources for some pests.
- Keep garbage areas clean and store garbage in sealed containers that are
picked up regularly.
- Seal cracks, crevices, and other gaps especially around doors and windows.
· Make sure all windows and doors are screened and fit the screens snuggly in
their frames.
- Many pests need moisture to successfully live and reproduce inside your
home, so limit their access to water or moisture sources by sealing any cracks
and leaks in pipes and faucets.
- Outside your home, keep trees, shrubs and flowerbeds well maintained and
avoid having them touch the house.
- Store firewood away from the house and at least 5 inches off the ground.
- Clean gutters regularly and direct water from downspouts and drains away
from your home.
- Seal any gaps where utility wires or pipes come into your home.
- Make sure that basements and attics are well ventilated.
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What are the best sources
of information about common household pests?
On NPMA's website you can find excellent information about common household
pests. After going into the
consumer website, under Help I've Got a Pest Problem, click on the bug and
go to technical excerpts from
NPMA's Field Guide to
Structural Pests. You can also find information about common household pests
in your area from your local cooperative extension office. The Internet is a
great place to find information about common pests, however, the information is
not always correct. Another good source for information are colleges and
universities with entomology departments (entomology is the study of insects).
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Every now and then I see what appears to be winged black
ants all over my living room floor. I assumed I had termites but a friend of
mine said that carpenter ants look very similar. What is the difference between
ants and termites?
Ants typically have elbowed antennae and the midsections of their bodies have
"pinched waists." Termites have antennae that are not elbowed and the middles of
their bodies are thicker and not thin or narrow. If wings are present, the front
and back wings of ants will vary in shape and size, while the front and back
wings in termites are very similar in shape and size.
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The apartment building where I live is infested with
cockroaches. A pest company comes and treats our kitchen and bathrooms only if
we request it, but even with treatment, the cockroaches are still there and they
can get really bad about two or three times a year. After the pest management
company has treated our apartment, is there anything that I can do to keep the
insects from returning?
Controlling cockroaches in apartment buildings can be difficult, but not
impossible. To be effective, though, all residents need to work together to
curtail any infestations. Here are a few things you can do in your apartment to
minimize the number of critter visits.
- Use sticky traps (you can get them at a home hardware store or the pest
management firm that treated your apartment maybe able to supply them). Place
the traps in areas where you have seen roaches. Sticky traps can help pest
management professionals identify what type of insects are present in your
living space, locations of current pest infestations, and may indicate how
certain insects are gaining access to your apartment.
- Use caulk or other sealants to seal up cracks and crevices around areas
such as wall joints, where pipes connect to walls, or around the bottom of
your toilet.
- If any faucets are leaking, get them fixed as soon as possible.
- Cover voids in cabinets or under sinks with duct tape. Make sure that you
do not cover any vents.
- Do not let dishes sit for long periods of time in the sink or dishwasher,
and frequently vacuum and sweep areas where food is consumed.
- Consider hosting meetings among residents to talk about the cockroach
situation.
The pest management firm employed by the apartment building or a local
cooperative extension office should be able to provide you with more helpful
information on how to reduce cockroach infestations in your living situation.
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Around springtime each year, I find ants in my home,
especially in the kitchen. I have used a spray that I buy at the grocery store,
but it's only good for about a week. The ants just keep coming back. What can I
do to keep the ants from returning?
Spraying many over-the-counter pesticides will only kill ants present at the
time you sprayed. Most ants live in colonies and only a small fraction of them
leave the colony at any one time to search for and bring back food. If the main
colony is not found, eliminated or prevented from gaining access to you home,
the ants are likely to return again and again. There are many types of ants that
regularly invade homes and other structures and accurately identifying them is
often necessary for successful control. A pest management professional can
locate where the ants may be coming in or nesting, identify infesting species,
monitor their activity, and apply treatment if necessary.
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I have so many mosquitoes outside of my house that I no
longer like doing anything outdoors. The mosquitoes often get inside as well. Is
there anything I can do to keep them out of my home and reduce their populations
outside?
Mosquitoes are likely getting into your home through open doors and windows.
Make sure that any windows and doors are screened and that the screens fit well,
with no holes or gaps in or around them. Reducing mosquito populations that may
be breeding on your property may also reduce the likelihood of mosquitoes
getting indoors. Make sure that your gutters are cleaned regularly and are not
collecting water. Also, make sure containers like flowerpots, old tires,
birdbaths etc. are not holding standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
Different types of mosquitoes have unique behaviors and can be active at
different times of the day. Check and see if there is a mosquito control agency
or prevention program in your area. Often these agencies have information on the
types of mosquitoes that are or might be breeding in your areas. They can tell
you what you can do to avoid being bitten and give you additional advice on how
to prevent these mosquitoes from breeding on your property.
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I have a problem with fruit flies in my kitchen. What can
I do to control these pesky flies and how do I keep them from coming back?
Fruit flies are attracted to and breed in fermenting materials like ripening
fruits and vegetables, beer and cider. They are also attracted to moisture and
food that has accumulated in wet sponges, mops, and slimy areas around drains.
Fruit flies often come in on infested fruits and vegetables and are small enough
to get through regular window and door screens. Discard any overripe fruits and
vegetables and place new produce in the refrigerator. Garbage should be kept in
plastic bags and in containers that are kept closed. Discard old sponges and
rags and keep drains, sinks, dishrags, and sponges clean by washing them with
hot water and soap frequently.
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Help, I've found mice in my house! What's the best way to
get rid of mice now without using pesticides or poisons and how can I keep them
out?
Snap traps can be used with or without bait to capture mice. Place the traps
in areas where you have seen mice, their droppings or near any suspect holes.
Glue-type traps may also be used if you are comfortable using them. Look for
small holes and openings near the ground, around the roof, and behind bushes on
the outside of your home. Also, examine where wires, drains, and other utilities
come into and out of your home. If you notice any openings, try to seal them up.
Mice are very clever and can gnaw through a variety of tough materials. You may
have to add fixtures like door sweeps, metal screen, or other sealants to keep
them out. Inside, look for evidence of droppings, gnawing, and other chewing
damage. You can also consult a pest management professional that has the
expertise and tools for rodent monitoring and baiting. Just ask your pest
management professional to install traps that use no poison. Keep in mind,
enlisting the aid of a professional will likely save you both time and money.
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I've recently noticed annoying silverfish in my house. Is
there anything I can do to get rid of them and keep them out of my home for
good?
Silverfish are very difficult to control in most structures. Most silverfish
feed on starches or mold and thrive in a moist, moderately warm environment,
usually in attics, crawlspaces or basements. Try reducing the relative humidity
in parts of your home where you are seeing them to less than 60% or 50% for a
long period of time (maybe a month or so). Vacuums can be used to remove live
silverfish, but only if you're quick enough to catch them. Very small amounts of
inorganic dusts placed into cracks or crevices by a trained pest management
professional are also effective in controlling silverfish. A professional will
then seal off dust-treated cracks and crevices.
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At various times of the year, ladybugs seem to invade the
inside and outside of my house. I know ladybugs are considered beneficial
outside, but can anything be done to remove them from my home permanently?
The best time to take preventive measures is during the summer when most
over-wintering lady beetles should have left your home. Try to seal up as many
cracks and crevices inside and outside of your home as you can. Place weather
stripping around doors and windows and place door sweeps on doors, if necessary.
Vacuum as many of the beetle up as you can. The most successful treatments are
applied on the outside of your home in the fall when the beetles begin to
congregate on the sunny side of the house. Pest management firms are familiar
with the Asian lady beetle problem and can treat your property when necessary.
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I often see what I thought were bumblebees hovering
around my deck. My daughter says they are chewing on our wood deck. Can you tell
me if any bees are harmful to wood?
Most likely these bees are not bumblebees but carpenter bees. Carpenter bees
are large bees that have a slight metallic sheen and shiny, relatively hairless
and smooth abdomens as opposed to bumblebees that have hairy abdomens. In
spring, female carpenter bees prefer to burrow and lay their eggs in exposed,
typically unfinished wood on buildings, decks, and fence posts but they will
also burrow into painted and stained woods as well. Large numbers of the
carpenter bees can cause significant damage to decks, posts and other wooden
structures. If you believe that you have carpenter bees consult with a pest
management professional. They can successfully treat your carpenter bee problem
and tell you how to protect your deck against further infestations.
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How do I keep wasps from nesting near my home? I am
worried about my children's safety.
In early spring, most social wasps come out of hibernation and look for ideal
places to start their nests. They will be less likely to nest on your property
if you make it less attractive to them. Make sure that garbage placed outside is
kept in clean, tightly sealed containers. If you have fruit trees in your yard,
consider removing them or regularly removing fruits that have fallen and begun
to rot on the ground. Keep screens tightly secured on windows and doors and make
sure that they do not have gaps or openings in them. It is a good idea to hire a
pest management firm to remove any old nests and check for wasp activity. They
can monitor and prevent wasps from successfully constructing new nests on your
home. A pest manager will also be able to advise you on other changes that may
be needed to reduce wasp activity on your property.
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I continually find small moths in my closet and I've
recently noticed holes in some of my sweaters. What are they and how can I get
rid of them?
It sounds like you may have a clothes moth infestation. In order to get rid
of them you will have to try to locate the source of the infestation.
Infestations can come from floor and ceiling crevices and any hair based
accumulations under floors and behind baseboards. Infestations can also come in
on many different types of garments, upholstery, and other fabrics and padding.
Vacuum thoroughly (get rid of the bag after every use) and clean your rugs and
garments. Dry cleaning or washing garments in hot water and detergent should
kill most fabric infesting insects. Consider separating seasonal clothing such
as sweater and coats when not in regular use or those that are more susceptible
to infestation such as furs and woolens and place them into plastic bags or
boxes, cedar chests, metal cans, or similar containers. You can add a few moth
flakes, mothballs, or cedar balls to each container to help keep moths out in
the future. Again, consulting with a pest management professional may be a good
idea. They can identify the type of moths you have and advise you on monitoring
and treatment, and offer tips on how to avoid future infestations.
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I recently opened my pantry door and found moths flying
around the food. Are these insects dangerous and what can I do to get rid of
them?
There are several moths that are considered pantry pests. The moths are not
dangerous but are a nuisance especially when they breed and their larvae infest
various foods such as cereal, flour, and grains. Larvae will feed on food in
protected areas and then move away from the food to pupate or rest until
emerging in their adult forms as moths. The best way to eliminate an infestation
is to thoroughly clean the infested area. Seal infested food in plastic bags and
discard it in the trash. Seal similar food items in clear plastic bags as well,
especially if they had been stored near any infested products for very long.
Vacuum all cracks where grains might have spilled. A pest management
professional can accurately identify the type of moth in your pantry and
prescribe a treatment that is tailored to meet your specific needs.
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How can I be sure that the pesticides being used in
either over-the-counter products or by professionals are safe for my home and
family?
Pesticides (which include disinfectants and other household cleaners as well)
are intended to be safe to consumers and the pest professionals that use them.
Before being approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a
specified use against a target pest, pesticides must undergo stringent
controlled tests and studies. After approval, pesticides are subject to strict
laws, regulations and controls to ensure that they are used correctly and
according to approved labels. In addition, pest management professionals are
required to attend pesticide safety and applicator certification at least every
two years in most states. All legally registered pesticides that are approved by
EPA have a registration number on their label which also contains detailed
instructions to ensure that when a pesticide is used according to these
instructions it will not harm you, your family or your home. Since any substance
can be harmful if used incorrectly, before using an over-the-counter pesticide,
read the entire label and follow all instructions.
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Are there any safe and effective alternatives to spraying
pesticides?
There are several effective alternatives to spraying pesticides. All pests
require access to water, food and shelter to successfully survive. If most of
these factors are eliminated, there may be no need to use a pesticide. Pest
management professionals can offer valuable information and advice to homeowners
to solve their pest problems and to minimize the likelihood of an infestation
returning. Once pests are correctly identified, pest managers will advise you on
the steps to eliminate them. They can work with you to reduce the chance of any
future infestations and suggest ways to keep pests from successfully surviving
inside or outside of your home.
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What is Integrated Pest Management?
Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is a broad approach to pest management
that focuses on addressing the reason that the pest problem exists rather than
on just the pest itself. IPM accomplishes this by eliminating the three things
pests need to survive: food, water and shelter. There are five common steps
involved in practicing IPM. They include inspection, pest identification, the
establishment of pest tolerance levels, implementation of an effective control
strategy (such as caulking cracks in sidewalks or walls, moving dumpsters away
from buildings and appropriate pesticide applications), and an evaluation of
effectiveness. To be acceptable, the pest management measures must be both
environmentally compatible and economically feasible. The National Pest
Management Association and its members support and advocate the use of IPM.
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Why should I hire a pest management professional?
Professional pest managers are specialists that are educated, trained, and
certified to handle pest management issues. Qualified pest management
professionals have the necessary experience and tools to provide protection
against irritating and destructive pests. Modern pest managers practice
integrated pest management (IPM) where they first identify and monitor the
offending pest and then design an effective program to control, manage or
eliminate the pests from your home while protecting the safety of you, your
family and your pets.
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