Africanized Honey Bees

Africanized honey bees defend their nest with more vigor and in greater numbers than the common European honey bees. When any bee defends their colony, they target furry and dark-colored objects that resemble their natural enemies such as bears and skunks. The Africanized Honey Bee is manageable. Look for bees and colonies on or near your property, do not allow a wild colony to continue on your property. Contact a bee keeper, a pest control professional if you discover one. Do not confine animals or people where bees might be nesting. Keep pets and children indoors when using motorized weeding equipment, hedge clippers, tractors, power mowers, chain saws, and other noisy tools. If you are stung by a swarm of bees, douse yourself or your companion with a shower of soapy water. A mixture of common dish detergent and water knocks bees down. Mix the soap so that it foams and forms a large amount of bubbles. Do not use fire or pesticides not formulated for this exact purpose. Because individual reaction to bee sting varies, always consult your health professional on first aid.

Fleas

The secret to controlling fleas is understanding life cycle and using sanitation. Fleas infest and irritate man and domestic animals worldwide. Infestation populations can and are often found to be extreme even when the host is not available. Fleas are small wingless insects averaging two to four millimeters. The body is compressed latterly to permit unobstructed movement between hairs and feathers. Adult fleas have piercing-sucking mouth parts. As adults, they can jump eight inches vertically and 16 inches horizontally. Fleas have a metamorphosis. Egg, larva, pupa, and adults can usually all be found during the infestation. The adult flea lays her eggs on the host or in the bedding or rest areas of the host. Note, the eggs are not attached to the host and will fall off into the resting location; such as a large arm chair. The several hundred eggs laid by the female flea will hatch within several weeks or as soon as two days. The larva stage usually appears crawling worm-like in the 'salt and pepper' litter, associated with heavy flea populations. The larva feeds on detritus including blood rich feces from the adult fleas. Recent research has strongly suggested that some fleas must feed on the feces of adults in order to mature. The pupa flea is the resting stage wherein the worm-like larva changes into the jumping, blood sucking biter which leaves the painful marks we associate as fleas. Modern insect growth regulators are often used to arrest the development of an individual flea at the pupa point. Control of fleas occurs during the larva stage. The larva cannot bite and is usually unknown to the people who he or she is about to infest. Larvacide and insect growth regulators are applied to larval foraging sites. The flea feces, shed skins, and organic detritus must be vacuumed up or swept up often. It is recommended that carpets and stuffed furniture be deep vacuumed daily.

Roaches

Today, roaches are known to spread disease, and many people are so sensitive to dust from the feces as to suffer unbearable allergic symptoms. Not all of the 3500 species of roaches directly impact man, however the half dozen that do, cause tremendous harm and suffering. In addition to the allergies and food poisoning, roaches are known to eat away the eyebrows of children and contaminate clothing, dishes, and food! 49 percent of the asthmatic children tested for allergies were allergic to cockroach dust. Allergy medicines appear ineffective on cockroach allergies. Keep you home, particularly the kitchen, impeccably clean. The health impact of the roach is considered second only to the dangers of Flies and Mosquitoes. Unfortunately, roaches can be found in the cleanest and finest homes. They are nothing to be ashamed of, but they must be taken care of. Clean up spilled food, cosmetics, and hair. Outside eliminate decaying vegetation such as palm frond and leaves. If you find it necessary to use pesticides, read, and carefully follow all precautions and instructions. A roach problem that appears small is usually really a big problem or will be shortly. Some types of roaches live primarily out of doors and only occasionally find their way indoors, other types primarily live within our homes.

Rodents - Diseases

As man first began civilization, rodent control was the first order of business. Rodents interfere with man in two major areas to make them enemy number one. First, rodents consume and contaminate food. Second, rodents and hundreds of bacterial and viral diseases are closely associated. Recently the Hantaviruses have been in the national news. These viruses are know in Asia to cause hemorrhaging related to kidney disease. This is considered rare in the Unites States. But protection from Hanta is also valid for many other diseases associated with rodents, their droppings, urine and nesting habits. Rodent borne disease is thought as something found only in poorer sections of society, however, rodents don't read the social register. Rodents take advantage of human comforts, and their survival success is the result of human successes. Repair construction faults around and in buildings, keep storage areas clean, and establish a rodent control and maintenance program. Rodent baits are often used, but have inherent disadvantages, such as non target toxicity or that dead rodent often becomes smelly after dying within a wall. Traps work best but must be checked and maintained frequently. As always, consult your medical professional on health needs, and use a professional pest management specialist for rodent control.

Termites

Many home owners have lain awake in the quiet hours of the night hearing, or believing they're hearing, termites eating away large portions of the wooden equity in their home. You can hear termites tearing away at the insides of their crypto biotic tunneling through your home, but usually you need to be very close to the wood or use a sound amplifier. Termites are often found after a rain when the young adult termite has swarmed searching for a mate and the ideal newly wed home. Termite types vary in their method of attack on your home. Subterranean termites start out in soil and build mud tubes up through or over foundations to feast on structural lumber. Drywood termites fly right to the wood which they will live in and feed upon. Formosan termites build a nest within the structure, this nest is built from soil and the chewed wood. They may come from the soil or, if the wood is moist, build their nest right inside the home without first starting in the ground. The first thing to look for with termites are the condition that allow and encourage the termite to pick your house for their home or dinner. Examples of termite inviting conditions include; Earth to wood contact, excessive cellulose debris, excessive moisture, faulty grade, inaccessible areas, and broken or missing screens or inadequate ventilation. These conditions are conducive to termites and are the first thing a building owner should look for.