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Mistaken Moths – A Material Menace

Wonder why you are finding holes in your “securely” stored wardrobe? I just may have the answer you’re looking for…. Clothes moths!

Clothes moths are a notorious wool-munching monster. What many people do not know is that these moths will eat a variety of fibers aside from wool including hair, felt, and fur. Watch your leather and feather as well, because they will consume many of your animal-based material possessions. Items commonly targeted by clothes moths include jackets, blankets, sweaters, carpets, and down pillows and comforters.

There are two types of clothes moths, one is called a webbing moth and the other is called a casemaking moth. The webbing moth is a solid pale color with a patch of hair on their head. The case-making moth, on the other hand, is a bit darker with spots on their wings. This type of moth is a particularly weak flier and therefore commonly hides in dark closets and storage areas, right where you would store all of your cherished clothes.

Clothes moths are often mistaken for Indian meal moths; a type of moth that will linger in your kitchens and pantries. They feed on herbs, nuts, flour, and various other stored food products. The two look-alikes can truly be distinguished by their size and color. Indian meal moths are larger and darker in color; they also have dark brown tipped wings.

Clothes moths are generally no larger than 5 cm and are rarely seen by the human eye, as they avoid light. Females and webbing moths normally travel by either running or hopping; the moth you found flying around was most likely a male. One interesting detail you probably didn’t know is that adult clothes moths do not feed, in fact most of them do not live longer than a month or so; therefore they are not the pests destroying all of your precious clothing and material. It’s their kids! That’s right, the eggs that adult clothes moths produce eventually hatch into fabric-eating larvae. The length of time that the larvae feed can vary from several weeks to a couple of years, depending upon their environmental surroundings. Factors impacting their length of feeding include temperature, humidity, and even the quality of their food (yes, the material and quality of your clothes!). Once the larvae are full grown they spin a silk casing and transform into an adult moth. Once broken out of their encasement, adult moths almost immediately begin laying eggs; which means more larvae to destroy your belongings (www.ext.colostate.edu).

Ok.. so let’s get down to it. You want to get rid of these guys don’t you? Following are some tips on protecting your materials and taking care of your moth problem.

1)- Controlling your infestation requires a thorough inspection. It is recommended that your hire a licensed professional to facilitate the process and locate all potential sources of your infestation.

2)- Store your clothing and fabrics in tightly packed containers.

3)- All items that have been infested should be either disposed of or dry-cleaned.

4)- Vacuuming and cleaning will help remove and kill larvae that are already present in your home. Be sure not to forget the quiet, dark areas that moths prefer (e.g., closets and cubbies).

5)- Periodically brush off and expose materials to sunlight.

An effective Pest Control company, such as Positive Pest Management in Whitestone, Queens, can help you with the administration of chemical treatments (be sure to remove all clothing prior to application) and the use of high temperatures. Extended exposure to high temperatures, reaching over 110 degrees Fahrenheit, will effectively disinfect materials (Caution: See a licensed professional.

Call 1(800)294-3130 for more information and an inspection in your home.

Author: Christina
-Positive Pest Management
http://www.positivepest.com
1(800)294-3130

References:
1) http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef609.asp
2) http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05599.html

Tags: casemaking moths, clothes moths, indian meal moths, meal moths, Pest Control, webbing moths, wool

Home Remedies To Repel Mosquitoes

If you are the type of person who just seems to attract all the mosquitoes to yourself, there are some home remedies to repel mosquitoes to help you be more comfortable outside. This will help you not be bit so often so that you can feel better about being outside.

If you are just on a porch or sitting outside, have a fan blow some air on you. The mosquitoes don’t like the strong wind and are less likely to bite you.

Go get a cheap spray bottle and fill it half and half with mouth wash and water. Spray this to repel mosquitoes. If it doesn’t seem to be working, use less water. Some suggest mixing this with beer as well since it’s such a strong smell mosquitoes don’t like.

Use a fabric softener sheet. Wipe down your skin with the sheet and carry it with you. Be sure to do a test first on your skin to make sure that you aren’t allergic to it as some are. You don’t want to break out on accident because you are reacting to the sheet.

There are some remedies that don’t work.

Don’t use garlic on the skin. This doesn’t work very well and it stinks. Even a few days later the garlic residue on the skin will make your sweat smell horrible. In double blind studies eating extra garlic didn’t repel mosquitoes either meaning that it’s not something that you want to try.

Some suggest having more vitamin B1, but this doesn’t seem to actually repel mosquitoes either. There is nothing wrong with getting more, but it’s not going to help a mosquito problem.

Be aware that no mosquito repellent actually protects you from mosquito illnesses. Repellents can fail in certain circumstances so be sure to always protect yourself if you live in areas with mosquito illnesses.

Ellen Meiers loves to write about topics that she feels passionate about. You can view her newest website at http://retractablebabygate.net which provides information and help on choosing the right child safety gate or pet gates for your home.

Tags: repel mosquitoes

Bed Bugs and Their Ways

The issue of bed bugs has been a regular thing from as long as man walked the earth and the modern one’s of today keeps growing with the population. This is because of the number of houses and beds for them to hide in. Getting rid of these pest is a number one factor of the people as scientist have created many inventions but have not found the right thing to kill these pests.

But despite this they are very small and this maybe why they can’t find a solution for them as yet. And in these modern and technological times you can now get rid of bed bugs from out of your house but the price for it is very awesome. These creatures are very small in size and they almost look like a tick but have a more oval shape, the particular color of the insect is reddish brown and it does not carry any type of wing. These attributes make it very easy for them to hide in small cavities and places like beds, floors and even in some kinds of chairs.

Anywhere that they hide it’s the same place they make there eggs which have a kind of whitish cream color, the thing about these bugs and their population is that they never stop reproducing and they can produce up to a five hundred babes within one year which is also the length of its life span. Without wings they are still dangerous as they can locate humans through the air we exhale and also going through wall to land on victims.

Colin Scott is a sleep apnea specialist. For more great tips on chair backrest visit http://www.BedBackRest.net/.

Tags: bed bugs, small cavities

Bed Bug Control – Don’t Let the Beg Bugs Bite

Do you remember when you mom or dad tucked you into bed and left the room gently reminding you, “Don’t let the bed bugs bite, honey.” Soon after creates a vast shore of paranoia. Constantly and repeatedly looking left to right in the dark, you realize how vulnerable you are to any potential threat during the night. All you have for defense is just a thin sheet of cotton. Too timid to move out of your fetal position, you try to grasp what an actual bed bug looks like. From my experience, I always pictured a huge, spiked, canine sized insect with fangs as long as a prehistoric saber’s patiently waiting under my bed and savoring the meal to come. After that long night of sweat and nightmares, I decided to confront my fears and look up this so called “bed bug.”

I realized how foolish and imaginative I was after initial research. However, the more pages I turned, the more fear regained in me. Bed Bugs are considered one the worst pests out there. Just the thought of them creeping and biting all over you during the night can give you a feeling of discomfort and disgust. In addition, they are one of the most difficult insects to control. According to some sources, these bugs actually do carry some diseases. It is possible that progressive feeding by insects can potentially lead to anemia and may even cause anaphylactic shock in a minority of people. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean the spread would affect the hosts. The EPA indicates “there are no known cases that bed bugs can pass disease between humans.”

So it’s safe to say you can sleep comfortably during the night. Eh, who are we kidding? I’m still mesmerized and fearful of these creepy crawlers. And I’m sure you are as well. Who can ignore a mass invasion of tiny, close to invisible pests trailing towards you with one thing on their mind…your blood. These pestiferous creatures will not stop and will continue to multiply, adding more problems and headaches for you and your family.

Only one bed bug is needed to start an infestation in your home. You might be carelessly walking through the woods and one might just latch on your shirt. Upon arrival, you change into another shirt never noticing the pest’s quick getaway to your bed post. However, bed bugs can come from plenty of other sources. Even your guests and visitors can potentially bring in these pests without knowing. If you have pets, they could also contribute to their entrance.

When bed bugs are discovered, in most cases, the infestation is already overwhelming. You could always use regular bug sprays to the get the job done. However, majority of these aerosol sprays at your local stores only temporarily get rid of your problem. Not a lot of people are aware of what they have access to online. Thanks to online pest control stores, we can get a hold of pest control products that professional exterminators use daily. No second guessing whether or not we’ve gotten rid of our problem. Rest assure when using professional pest control supplies your infestation will dissipate for good.

This article is written by S.E. Seoh and brought to you by PestMall.com, a Trusted Online Store for Pest Control Products. They specialize in pest control supplies and equipment at unbeatable prices. Visit them online for more information about bed bugs.

Tags: bed bug control, bed bug spray, bed bugs, bedbugs, beg bugs bite, pest control products

Eliminate Fire Ants and Keep Children Safe From Painful Stings

The fire ant is a stinging type ant that, given the opportunity, will damage gardens, vegetable plants and lawns. The fire ant has a copper brown head and dark abdomen. One way to identify their presence is from the fine soil craters that surround a nest opening.

4 stages of ant life:

There are four stages of life for the ant. The first is the egg, which then develops into the second stage known as larva. From there, it becomes a pupa, and then finally an adult, which is the forth and final stage of life.

Fertilized eggs hatch into female ants, while unfertilized eggs produce male ants. All ant eggs are oval-shaped about one millimeter long, except for the queen’s that is noticeably larger.

During the larvae stage the ants do not have legs or eyes, and they rely on food spewed by adults. As they mature and grow in size, they shed their skin and spin a silk-like cocoon. Pupation takes place until they reach the adult stage. Once adulthood is reach, it last up to ten weeks before life ends for the ant.

Real damage is caused beneath the surface where their tunneling disturbs plant and grass roots. Eventually what happens is the soil dries-up causing the lawn to thin out and die.

Method to get rid of ants:

Using a hand held scoop and an effective fire ant killer, seek out mounds and spread the granules according to the package instruction. An additional step is to use the drenching method a month after ant killer was spread. Basically, you take boiling water and pour it over the mound. Garden centers have liquid drenching solutions especially for fire ants. MaxForce, made by Bayer is a good product for eliminating fire ant problems.

Steve Habib is gardener and researcher on growing and caring for different kinds of plants. You can find more insight and groundbreaking research on how to become a better gardener at: Plant and Gardener Blog To discover more about stopping the ant visit the — Fire Ants page

Tags: eliminate fire ants, fire ants

Myths About Cockroaches

Many myths go around about killing cockroaches and cockroach behavior. Don’t believe everything you read about killing roaches since quite a bit of it is not true. You can better deal with your cockroach issues if you actually have a better understanding about the truth.

Myth: If you use more poison, it will be more effective.

It is pointless to try to use extra poison. You can’t overkill a cockroach. Extra poison around the house just means that there is more of a chance of a pet or child to later come in contact with residual poison. Use the appropriate amount for the problem at hand. This practice of using too much is wasteful and doesn’t give you any advantage at all.

Myth: Since cockroaches are self-cleaning they are clean bugs.

The reality is that cockroaches are extremely dirty. They go in disgusting places and will defecate and urinate in their food as well as yours if they get into it. They are a health hazard regardless of the fact that they can clean themselves.

Myth: Cockroaches are afraid of light.

This has to do with the idea that when you switch on a light, the cockroaches scatter quickly. What actually happens is that the cockroach falls asleep in the dark. The sudden light turning on scares them awake and they seek out the darkness all over again to fall back asleep.

Myth: If you step on a cockroach, the eggs can get stuck to the shoe and breed in your home.

This is most likely untrue although it has been debated both ways. If you do step on a bug, it’s a good idea to clean the shoe. It’s better to not take the chance of bring in hundreds of cockroach eggs into your home. It is to your advantage to get rid of the cockroaches if you see them, versus letting them get away to breed and cause you a problem later.

Liz has been a freelance writer for over four years. Come visit her latest website over at http://walkietalkie-radios.com/ which helps people find the best deals on all types of walkie talkie radios, including Motorola walkie talkie models.

Tags: killing cockroaches

Mosquito Control Spray System Tips

During an installation of a sprinkler system mosquito control it is important to consider many factors. It is important to ensure all animals and people are safe. By following these guidelines, it will ensure the sprinkler system mosquito control method you use is effective.

The most important factor to consider when you want a mosquito control spray system installed in your home is the company you choose to perform the job. Always use a business that complies with the license, certification, and registration requirements of your local state. You want a job done legally so you are not in trouble later. In addition, a professional installation will ensure the system is calibrated properly so it will only apply the maximum application listed on the pesticide label, as guided by the EPA. Spraying too many pesticides in the yard can cause you to harm your pets, animals, and even children if they play in the yard.

When a mosquito control and sprinkler system are installed it is also important to pay attention to the nozzles. The nozzles should not be more than 10 feet from the ground. If you are trying to get a bigger application and think that placing the nozzle high above the ground will do the trick, this will only create a chemical drift. A chemical drift can affect your neighbors and it may not even be effective for the area you are trying to target. Nozzles should spray directly toward a targeted area. If the kitchen window is facing the yard you are targeting, you should ensure the chemicals do not get inside. Areas you should not spray near include eating, cooking, swimming, or even fishing ponds.

Another consideration during the installation of a timed misting system is children. Children will play and mess around with a mosquito control spray system. These systems do come with locks to make them inaccessible to children. Never assume children will not mess with yours. Poisoning can occur and you don’t want to be responsible if a child is poisoned from your system on your property. Sprinkler system mosquito control options also allow you to install motion detectors on them so when people or pets are present, an inadvertent application will not occur. This is a very good idea to ensure people are safe and out of the way. These pesticides can be harmful if too much is breathed in. Also, never let your children play in the yard while the mosquito control and sprinkler system are on. Many children like to run through the sprinklers. This is not a good idea.

There are many factors to consider when installing sprinkler system mosquito control in your home. These factors include children, how close the nozzles are to the ground, where the nozzles are pointed, and hiring the right professional for the job. There are laws about using pesticides and you must be sure you are complying with them. Pesticides are dangerous when they are used incorrectly. Always follow the directions and the state regulated guidelines.

His dad was a shipping magnet and because of that, Marc and his family had to travel with him constantly.He gained a lot of knowledge through that. With his dad’s influence he went into importing and exporting and this kept him on the road. He is settled in one place now and find it most fulfilling in writing articles. View more articles at http://www.mosquitocontrolhelp.com.

Tags: bathroom chandelier, bathroom chandelier lightening, chandelier lightening

Bedbug Control – How to Get a Bedbug Infestation Under Control

Having bedbugs in your house can be one of the most frustrating experiences you can undergo and finding the best bedbug control is not easier. These are very intelligent creatures and will only attack you when you are deep in your sleep. They will bite you in a way that you won’t even realize until the next day when you see bumps on your skin and feel itchy all over your body. Many people will give you different stories concerning their experience and how Bed bug control is difficult.

“Climex lectularius” is the scientific name given to bedbugs. They cannot fly as they are wingless but they can cause a lot of damage. Researches show that bedbugs originally came from Asia but now can be found in every section of the globe. They are mostly found in areas with warm climates but have managed to spread all the way to northern regions of the world

These bugs are small, measuring 1/4 to 3/8. They will however grow huge after a heavy feasting. A young bed bug will grow into an adult in just a month but all depends on how much they feast.

These bugs become nagging when they are hungry for blood. They will usually stay in their holes and only come out when they are thirsty. They are usually attracted by warm bodies but can’t sense food that is 4 – 10 centimeters away from their hiding place.

Bedbugs have developed mouthparts that allow them to easily suck their victim’s blood taking in the most they can. It can suck one’s blood for almost seven minutes taking in seven times its body size. They only go back into hiding when they need to lay eggs.

Once a person has been bitten by a bedbug, they should avoid scratching the affected area and instead wash with water and soap. This is because, unlike a mosquito bite, scratching a bedbug bite will leave bigger spots on your skin which will be more irritating the more you scratch.

So just how can you get rid of these unwanted visitors?

Those who are traveling to warm parts of the world are more prone to infestations from these bugs. They will usually crawl into your luggage without your knowledge and you will end up taking them back home with you. You could also be invaded by these creatures through used furniture.

You could try using the many pesticides that are readily available for you in the market. Ensure that the area you are spending your time is bedbug free and if you are already carrying them, use bug sprays that will kill them. Another way is by regularly using pesticides on your house the minute you suspect you are being invaded by any pests.

M.L. Green is a staff member of Parsons Pest Management, a Dallas based pest control company. If you are struggling with bedbug control pay a quick visit to their weblog.

Tags: bed bug control, bedbug control, bedbug infestation, best bedbug, best bedbug control, bug control

You Need Pest Bird Deterrents

Homeowners, is your patio being rained on by bird droppings? Do you find yourself washing bird droppings off your BBQ every week? Are your rain gutters clogged with bird nests causing water to always overflow into unwanted areas? What about your pool or spa? Do friends and family avoid it because of bird droppings in the water? If the answer is yes to any one of these questions, it’s time you looked into a pest bird deterrent.

Boat owners, is your pride and joy covered with bird droppings? Does your beautiful blue canvas boat cover rip due to hardened bird poop? Are your antennas and masts covered and jammed up with droppings? Do people slip and fall on the slippery poop left by birds as they move about your vessel? If so, you need some serious pest bird deterrent.

Property managers, are pest birds destroying the businesslike atmosphere you’ve worked so hard to create. Are your air conditioning units and rooftop ventilators grinding to a halt? Are your solar panels and security cameras plastered with poop? Is your outdoor eatery losing customers due to bird droppings on tables and chairs? If so, you know what you need to do–get some bird deterrents!

If you run a day care center or school, is the outdoor play area covered with disease carrying bird poop? Are the outdoor lunch tables splattered with bird droppings? If so, read on. You need some pest bird deterrent ASAP.

Fortunately, for all those who have been putting up with pest birds, there are many highly effective pest bird deterrents to choose from. These are readily available, easy to install and safe for birds and people.

Let’s start with flash tape. This simple bird deterrent is often made of iridescent material that shimmers and reflects in the sunlight. Tape made of thin metal will crackle in the breeze. The combination of these audio-visual distractions work to disorient and confuse most pest birds. Ideal for indoor or outdoor use, flash tape is an ideal bird deterrent for use in barns, sheds, storage areas, warehouses, docks, farms, carports parking lots, homes, boats and boat docks.

A close cousin to flash tape is the Bird Scare Balloon. Often covered with looming reflective predator eyes or other bird-threatening markings, your typical bird deterrent balloon is about 16″ diameter when fully inflated. Pest birds see these balloons bobbing in the breeze and they will fly away. The best balloons are constructed of a U.V.- and weather-resistant vinyl. They are ideal for deterring pest birds from fruit trees, gazebos, boats, patio covers, and building overhangs. Balloons are also an ideal way to discourage geese and ducks away from pools. When filled one-fourth with water and allowed to float around the pool, birds will stay away.

Another bird deterrent that has proven itself to be effective in many applications is the Bird Spike strip. Armed with menacing looking spikes that discourage pest birds from landing, these simple devices have kept pigeons and other large birds from ledges, windowsills, rooftops, commercial signs, billboards, parapet walls, I-beams, and other open areas. Spike strips are currently available with flexible stainless steel spikes or rigid unbreakable polycarbonate spikes. The blunted spikes are harmless to birds and will not cut or injure people. They typically come in two-foot sections and are easily installed with screws or adhesive. Installed properly, their non-reflective metal finish makes them all but invisible from the ground.

Birds really can’t stand this next deterrent–Bird Gel. Easily applied using a caulking gun on virtually any flat surface, this stuff dries, but stays sticky. When birds land on it, they can’t wait to get their little footsies off. Safe for birds and humans, bird gel is ideal for ledges, rooflines, beams, signs, conduit, pipes and other problem areas. The sticky gel typically lasts up to 6 months outdoors.

Next up is the utterly simple Bird Slope. These angled, slippery PVC panels prevent birds from landing. Their little footsies scramble and scamper like “Road Runner.” Pest birds soon give up and move on to more secure landing zones. Easily installed on ledges, eaves, beams and other areas, the best bird slopes are U.V. protected and sun and weather resistant. The panels provide anti-perching, anti-roosting protection against all types of birds, including swallows, starlings, pigeons and seagulls. Some panels have a “snap-on” extender, which allows them to easily adapt to wider ledges and coverage areas.

Still another effective pest bird deterrent–Bird Netting–has proven its worth in orchards, vineyards and other large areas. There’s heavy duty bird netting made of high strength polyethylene for really demanding applications–like air hangars, garages, factories, warehouses, eaves and canopies. Better bird netting is often made from a U.V.-resistant mesh for lasting durability. You can order netting in various mesh sizes and cuts to deter a wide variety of bird species and types.

To give pest birds a shocking reception, you might try the Electric-Track bird deterrents currently being marketed. Birds land on these and get a mild electric shock that persuades them to move on. Ideal for small and large pest birds, some electric tracks feature a low-profile design that’s barely visible from the ground. The tracks usually get their “juice” from an AC charger or solar charger.

Everyone knows you can scare pest birds away by clapping your hands. But do you really have the time and energy to clap them 24/7? The solution? Audio Bird Deterrents. Designed to scare pest birds from large open areas, these systems emit distress and predator calls. Some systems have a repertoire of as many as 22 bird calls. The sounds are repeated on a regular basis to remind birds that this is not a “safe” place to land or roost. Ideal for deterring pigeons, crows, woodpeckers, sparrows, starlings, swallows, gulls, grackles, cormorants and many other birds, some audio bird deterrents have the flexibility to add more speakers that will extend the coverage range up to six acres.

Bird-B-Gone products carry the longest guarantee in the bird control industry and are made in the United States. Our bird removal products are humane, effective and safe for the environment. We provide first-rate customer service and support, and measure our success by the success of our customers.

For more information on Bird-B-Gone visit us online.

Tags: bird deterrent, bird deterrents, bird droppings, pest bird, pest bird deterrent, pest bird deterrents

How to Control Pests

In past years, pest plague has been a huge concern to discuss. By this time, no country is free from this problem. They are testifying to be inefficient even respective governments are aiming seasonable steps. This may be cause of deficiency strict implementation of measures between vulgar people. To a person’s health, there might be harmful outcomes if the problem is left ungoverned. Controlling pests may be turns out to be essential because of these circumstances. The effect to the entire human race seriously is from a small concern in agricultural areas.

Steps in Controlling Pests

It is important to learn how this can be acted before repairing to implementation in a period of time scene in order to acknowledge the steps in controlling pests. Stopping their generation and advancement is the most effective way to control pests. Distinguish the places where their tightness is more. By the used of efficient killer, ruin the breeding grounds. One must have right drainage facilities for their environment in order to hold them under control. For efficient outcome, we need to clean water storage tanks and air coolers.

To prevent pests, implement a traditional step. Method that burning of the fields is commonly employed in rural areas. The thing that work initially is feeding pests with poisoned. In this method, it has proven that rats and other pests have acquired immunity against them. Hunting is a step in time consuming. The use of air guns has been tested as an important measure in anticipating the reproduction of pests, but to use ceaselessly might be dearer.

To control pests was meant to stop the infestation of pests are being practiced strictly in some countries like Philippines. Because of this, the pest concentration is very low there. But, still you can apply some traditional ways and mixed steps in preventing. Trapping them is also an efficient way. The best method is to spray by poison but it was considered as harmful so spraying fields is avoided. It is better to burn the areas and plants existing in that place.

Pest control measure implementation bear best answer in Australia. Control Pest Australia, you can approach them.

This article may be republished in any website or newsletter, provided the author bio is included.

Tags: cockroaches, control pest, flea control, Pest Control, pest control melbourne, termite treatment, wasps