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insects

Can dry ice be used to kill insects?

As an attractant Arthropods looking for warm-blooded creatures that transmit CO2 through breath are pulled into this gas. Dry ice is a strong type of this gas can be regularly obtained locally from organizations that offer packaged gas and welding supplies. While setting it on the ground on a surface like a board, gas radiated will draw in ticks. At the point when hung in a work pack in a Malaise trap, CO2 is appealing to gnawing flies like steed and deer flies. As an anesthetizing operator CO2 in pressurized barrels can be utilized to immobilize creepy crawlies. The gas can be utilized when sorting live examples from field-gathered junk and is perfect for use in close-up photography in indoor settings. Presenting bugs to CO2 too long will, be that as it may, execute them.

As an executing operator, putting a piece of dry ice in a Styrofoam cooler makes a thought field cooler that can slaughter creepy crawly examples promptly. Pheromones Chemicals those arthropods create that behaviorally affect different arthropods are called pheromones. Some of these are presently monetarily accessible to be utilized as a part of traps to draw in creepy crawlies. A large portion of these are sex attractants which are delivered by one sex to draw in the other sex. Some are nourishment attractant aromas, for example, botanical fragrances. Traps regularly fuse a stick material to trap creepy crawlies for populace observing purposes, however aromas can likewise be utilized as a part of live traps to gather quality examples. We can utilize pheromone fascination without purchasing artificially fabricated items, as well. On the off chance that we are sufficiently fortunate to bring a silk moth up in imprisonment, keep the females in a screen enclosure to draw in extra male examples.

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insects

What is the Schmidt Sting Pain Index (SSPI)?

In the mid 1980’s Justin Schmidt and his friends decided to do research about painful stings. Slightly more than 78 different types of hymenopteran species were used for recording data on intensity and duration of the pain.

Justin created a scale based on the pain of a sting which consists of 5 points from 0 to 4 and it doesn’t penetrate into the human skin if it is 0 . Whereas the most painful sting scale level is 4 and is very dangerous too.

The pain level rating 1 species is Sweat bee and it characteristics are light and fruity. It’s tiny barb is the size of a single hair in our arm.

The pain level rating 2 is Fire Ants and it’s pain duration is from 2 to 5 minutes. The characteristics of this sting is sharp, mildly alarming and easily reaching the light switch.

For even more information on the Schmidt Sting Pain Index please see the resource at http://www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/The-Schmidt-Insect-Sting-Pain-Index.pdf

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Categories
insects mites

The Varroa Mite:  Why it’s bad and what you can do about it.

The Varroa Mite is a parasite that attacks bee colonies, honey bees to be more precise, it weakens bees by sucking the fluid from them that would be considered their blood.  This effects the bees in ways that can cause them to have deformed wings, and various other issues.  However, a bad infestation in a bee colony can lead to the death of the entire colony.  This has effected he beekeeping industry in various parts of Canada and the United States.

To counter a Varroa Mite infestation there are several options available.  There is the option of using chemicals in the form of miticides, these can be found in both naturally occurring or synthetic chemicals.  One example of a synthetic chemical is Fluvalinate, which is sometimes packaged as strips that resemble bookmarks that are saturated with the chemical.  These strips are then hung in specific chambers of the hive so the bees will easily come into contact with the chemical.  An example of a natural occurring chemical is powdered sugar, yes the same kind of sugar found on funnel cakes at the state fair minus any added corn starch.  To accomplish using powdered sugar you simply dust the bees with the substance.

There are also non-chemical ways to control Varroa Mites.  Such as having a mesh floor in the hives, mites sometimes fall off bees and if the mesh is the right size they will simply fall through and be unable to climb back up and infect another bee.  There is a method that uses heat, the hive is heated to a specific temperature for some time, this results in the mites falling off the bees, this method is good to combine with the mesh floor.

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bees insects

When should a beekeeper be called during insect control and why?

It is said that Bee stings are the largest killer of humans in the United States, and people of many age groups become victim of bee venom and every year not less than a 100 people die every month due to venom from various insects and bees. Apparently many do not take precautionary measures nor do they call the pest control for proper steps to clear off for safety. But one more important thing is to be kept in mind is to have a beekeeper around to manage and to properly guide as to how bees can be controlled. A beekeeper is a professional in Apiculture and even knows deep about many bees and their details as to how good their honey is and also about its venom and to know if it is deadly or is potential to take human life. If the bee which is to be controlled of a good breed and can be accumulated in a area to be bred in Apiculture methods it could be mutually beneficial to the person and to the beekeeper. When bees are disturbed they often become angry and can sting whatever comes near them so a beekeeper is very necessary to be around in order to properly guide which poison or as to how to distract the bees and control them in order to not destroy their existence nor get a sting in return.

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Categories
insects rodents schedules

Importance of regular pest control inspections

Controlling pests has always been a matter of paramount importance since the beginning of colonial life. People have always been keen to keep their home free from a variety of pests including roaches, spiders etc. There are a variety of reasons for this being an obsession. Aside from the damages done to properties and resources, pests also spread deadly diseases including the deadly malaria and any disease that has an insect as the vector. In a year more than 5000 people are hospitalized in USA alone following insect stings. Pests are the bane of human existence since the medieval times itself where the spread of plague were rampant. Pests contaminate everything including the groceries and kitchenwares which is not very easy to recognize and prevent.

This is where regular pest inspections come into play. By regularly inspecting our surrounding through professional help, we are saving ourselves from a lot of worry and suffering when the problems actually surface. As pests also degrade wood and timber, it also saves money as only a fraction  of the repair cost would be needed to prevent the pest problems than actually curing it.Inspections should be done either every six months or once a year. It is something most of the people overlook and considered a waste of money. As the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure

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cockroach insects

What are commonly used roach baits and which has the highest degree of safety?

Most commonly used roach baits are in liquid, gel and solid forms. These are used indoor and out door. Though adult cockroaches are eradicated, eggs are not destroyed and eventually hatch. While chemicals are used for killing these pests, the safest way kill them is the century old method of using Boric acid, which is the most effective of the lot. It is also odorless and contains no volatile solvents. For best results, apply in thin layers and never in heap. This is safe and effective compared to hard chemicals.

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Categories
cockroach insects

Limiting Food Sources for Competing Cockroaches: Why it’s a good idea

Cockroaches are difficult to control. First you need to identify where the infestation is coming from. Cockroaches thrive in warm moist environments. This is why you might see them crawling out of drains or lurking in cabinets. Next you need to limit their food source. Sprays don’t always work. While bait traps are effective, they also provide a food source for cockroaches. To get the best results from traps you need to limit the food source.

You’ve tried sprays. You’ve set traps. However, you’re still finding cockroaches in your cabinets. What should you do? First, you need to identify what species of cockroaches are infesting your home. German cockroaches are the most common. Once you identify the species, identify their hiding places.

Cockroaches are found in many places. These include baseboards, cabinets, and anywhere else you suspect cockroaches. They leave evidence wherever they roam. Wherever you find cockroach feces, casings, or dead cockroaches assume there are live ones. A flashlight is helpful when identifying cockroaches as well.

After identifying the cockroaches’ hiding places, eliminate any sources of food or water. Next clean and sanitize your home thoroughly. Limiting the food source is essential. If you don’t, cockroaches will continue infesting your home.

Once you’ve cleaned your house and eliminated food sources, you can set traps. This increases the effectiveness of the traps. As I mentioned sprays aren’t recommended. They’re toxic to humans and animals, and only work temporarily. Ultrasound devices that plug into walls aren’t effective either.

When setting the traps, place them where you suspect an infestation. By doing this, cockroaches are most likely to find the traps. Once set, check the traps each day. This will allow you to check the effectiveness of the traps. Usually most of the cockroaches will die within a day.

After several days cockroaches find the traps intimidating. Once you feel the infestation is under control, seal the traps in a plastic bag and throw them out. Continue monitoring your home for signs of cockroaches. Keeping your home clean during this process will help too, as it limits food sources.

Though traps will eliminate most of the problem, you still need to limit access to food sources. During the day cockroaches live where it’s dark. Sometimes they hide in cabinets or in the stove. They also live in outdoor gardens. At night they prefer kitchens.

There’s a number of things you can do to limit access to food sources. For example, store foods like cereal in airtight containers. Cockroaches are less likely to get into these as opposed to boxes. Also, inspect any food brought into your home. Sometimes furniture and appliances have cockroach eggs hiding in them. Inspect these items thoroughly and get rid of any eggs.

Garbage is another food source for cockroaches. Be sure to take it out regularly. Also, keep trash receptacles as far from your house as possible. To keep cockroaches outside seal any cracks in your home. Also, trim bushes and remove vines on your house. This eliminates both a hiding space and food source.

If you’ve followed these steps and still have cockroaches call an exterminator. Exterminators use special insecticides that are more effective than commercial sprays. They also use other tools like sticky traps and diatomaceous earth. Since you’ve eliminated most of their food sources, it’s easier for the exterminator to do their job.

Managing cockroaches can be challenging. But, if you want traps to work you need to eliminate their food. The fewer food sources cockroaches have, the easier it is to eliminate them. By identifying hiding places and food sources you can strategically set traps. It also helps to keep your home clean, seal any cracks, seal your food, and inspect everything that enters your house. By following these steps you will have the most success eliminating cockroaches. If you still have cockroaches after following these steps, call an exterminator.

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Categories
cockroach insects

How keeping a clean home keeps the roaches away

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night and wading through you pile of dirty clothes to try to get to the light switch. You turn on the light and see some sort of movement next to a large pile of dirty clothes that have been there for a week. With hesitation you lift it up and find a roach!

Cockroaches are nocturnal insects which means they are more active at night. Many people believe that cockroaches are accustomed to a certain area or region and that it is inevitable to keep them away or only very strong insecticides will deter them. While there is some truth to this, the biggest deterrent of all to cockroaches is keeping your house clean.

Roaches outside the home tend to reside in cracks in the ground and in rocks, under some leaves, or nestled into a nest. They also prefer warm conditions. With these traits in mind think about your home. In winter, your home is going to be warmer than outside. If you have things laying around for long periods of time, roaches will nestle themselves in, and make themselves comfortable. Without disturbance from humans, a warm environment, and some darkness, cockroaches will take up homes in your home if you are not properly cleaning your home.

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Categories
bed bugs insects

How can heat kill bed bugs?

Whether you are dealing with a few bed bugs, or a large infestation of these pests, bed bugs can quickly become a nightmare. When dealing with bed bugs, it’s best to act fast and be as thorough as possible to rid yourself of them. Bed bugs are pretty clever when it comes to hiding, so a thorough inspection of the direct problem areas and those close by is highly recommended. Though it may seem impossible to get these nasty creatures out of your life, don’t fret, you likely already have many of the tools right there in your home.

One of the best and scientifically proven ways to kill bed bugs, both adults and eggs, is to use a heat source. That’s right; heat will rid you of your unwanted house guests. But, how? Well, thermal deaths for a bed bug and their eggs can vary. How hot and how long you expose them to the heat are your primary factors when attempting to kill them.

While a temperature of 113 degrees Fahrenheit will certainly kill both the adults and eggs, that temperature will require constant exposure for at least 90 minutes to be fully effective. Whereas, a temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit will kill them with only 20 minutes of constant exposure.

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Categories
insects

What is a pollinator?

A pollinator is, in essence, a living creature that helps plants spread around a place. The term is, as far as the etymology is concerned, stems from ‘pollen’. Over one in every four American families is well-versed with the havoc that pollens can wreak, thanks to various types of pulmonary diseases and allergies that regularly affect younger members of families. But it would be wrong to think that you get exposed to pollens only outdoors when it’s very common that many people get affected in a passive way, despite not having any outdoor pollen exposure.

That is precisely why it becomes important to understand the role of pollinators in the context of American families. If you live in a place that’s not highly urbanized (a rural Midwestern town, for example), it’s very likely that a number of pollinators – right from rodents to wasps – already call your home their own. So, apart from the obvious trouble these ‘pests’ cause, secondary problems like pollen allergies, asthma or bronchitis can also be directly linked to them. As far as urban houses go, small pollinators like roaches tend to be more common than large rodents.

Pest control, in such a scenario, becomes of immense importance. Pollinators need not only be eliminated for their nuisance potential, but also be dealt a decisive blow for the huge long term ill-effects they can cause to your family.

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