Warmer weather and longer days in springtime tempt nature's creatures to awaken from their winter sleeps, and the carpenter bee is one of the first to respond. The bees are hungry when they emerge from nesting tunnels chewed in unpainted wood last fall, so they eagerly feed on plant nectar. That activity helps to pollinate the beautiful floral blooms of the new season, but within a few weeks they return to a more troublesome habit for homeowners - digging new tunnels in nearby wood.
Given several seasons to work and a large enough number of bees, this can spell trouble for thin wooden parts such as siding or fascia. The holes also invite damage from other eager natural neighbors, such as woodpeckers, carpenter ants and fungus.
Pest management experts say that carpenter bees are some of the most difficult pests to control. One reason is that they do not form concentrated hives, but rather spread out into their individual tunnels. People who try to chase bees with insecticide sprays would have just as much success with a fly swatter, and neither method will put much of a dent in a large population. Here's how to effectively handle these insects.
Spraying the exposed wooden areas of a house is only slightly more effective, since the liquid washes off within a few weeks. Even bees that tunnel through a sprayed surface seldom get a lethal dose, because carpenter bees do not eat the wood they chew. These bees excavate their round tunnels from 6 inches to a foot or more in length solely to create a safe place for laying eggs.
Spraying the exposed wooden areas of a house is only slightly more effective, since the liquid washes off within a few weeks. Even bees that tunnel through a sprayed surface seldom get a lethal dose, because carpenter bees do not eat the wood they chew. These bees excavate their round tunnels from 6 inches to a foot or more in length solely to create a safe place for laying eggs.
One of the few tools for discouraging carpenter bees from raising a family in your wooden walls is to locate every hole and treat it with an insecticidal dust. And that is just the first step. After dusting, determined homeowners then have to return to every hole and plug it with caulk or a small ball of aluminum foil. The dusting method can also be dangerous on windy days, easily spreading onto users' hands and clothing.
To make the job even tougher, experienced pest services workers also tell residents to approach the bee holes at night. That is wise advice, because it usually means the insects are calmer than during their frantic feeding hours. But it also makes it awfully hard to locate the 1/2-inch diameter holes.
Faced with all these challenges, some homeowners have been seen swatting at the large bees with a tennis racket. That may be satisfying, but a far more effective strategy would be contacting a commercial pest control service such as Abell Pest Control.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
