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The Zombie of All Pests: The Flea

. Posted by in , • Orlando

Fleas are among the most resilient insect species. They can survive without food for a year. They are mobile enough on their own, capable of leaping 10 to 13 feet in a single bound, and small enough to hitch a ride on pets and people to populate new areas. Fleas are resistant to most pesticide use because they undergo four life stages, each requiring a different extermination strategy.

Secret Life of Fleas

Adult fleas are capable of reproduction once they have fed on blood. Eggs are laid on a host animal but fall off quickly as the animal moves around. These eggs will hatch and turn into larvae between two and 14 days. Larva feeds on organic substances, including the blood meal, dropped by adult fleas as feces. With enough nourishment, flea larvae develop into the pupa stage, from which the adult flea emerges when stimuli such as heat and vibrations indicate … Read Full Post »

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Avoid Your Own Episode of “Kitchen Nightmares”

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth

As a restaurant owner, your worst nightmare is making a customer ill with your food and that’s exactly what could happen if just one disease-carrying cockroach or rat gains entry into your establishment. Almost every episode of “Kitchen Nightmares” features a horrifying scene of Gordon Ramsay pulling a refrigerator or grill away from the wall to reveal a sticky film of grease, rodent droppings and hundreds of cockroaches. The restaurant owners on the show often react with shock, but if they had been keeping up with basic sanitation practices and other preventive measures, the infestation never would have happened. If you suspect that you have a pest problem or want to prevent one, ABC Home & Commercial Services can ensure that your next health inspection doesn’t result in your restaurant being featured on television for all of the wrong reasons.Preventing a Pest Problem in Your Restaurant Kitchen

To prevent pest infestations … Read Full Post »

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The Southern Pine Beetle

. Posted by in , • Orlando
southern pine beetle does immense damage to trees

Photo by Fabio Stergulc / Università di Udine, Bugwood.org

The southern pine beetle is a highly destructive pest that can devastate pine trees in forests and urban settings. At maturity, this diminutive pest is scarcely more significant than a grain of rice. Yet, it causes a tremendous amount of damage to pine trees in Florida and across the southern United States. Typically, the beetle invades older trees, has suffered an injury, and has trunks less than 6 inches in diameter. However, the pest will also begin attacking healthy trees during severe outbreaks. The southern pine beetle prefers to invade loblolly, Virginia, pitch, and shortleaf pine trees.

Because the southern pine beetle attacks trees internally, most people are unaware of the problem until significant damage has already been done. Female beetles are responsible for determining what tree to live in, and they begin boring holes at the base of the trunk. After mating … Read Full Post »

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Could Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs Be Headed for Dallas?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth

With only one confirmed sighting in Texas, the brown marmorated stink bug has yet to become a pervasive presence in our great state, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t encounter one in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the near future. As expert hitchhikers, these non-native insects have already invaded several states and left a number of ruined crops in their wake. ABC Home & Commercial Services wants you to know the facts about this pesky insect.Origins of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs

The first North American sighting of brown marmorated stink bugs was in Pennsylvania in 1998, and since then, they have spread to several East Coast states and as far west as California and Oregon. They are native to Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea, but researchers have yet to discover how they managed to hitch a ride to the United States. Experts do know, however, that they made their recent … Read Full Post »

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Detecting Hidden Pests

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth

Some pests are obvious and leave clear signs of entry. However, the less conspicuous pests lurking in the cracks and walls can still cause problems for homeowners.How Do These Pests Get Inside?

Regardless of size, home-invading critters can utilize the smallest cracks and the narrowest holes to enter the home. For example, rodents only need an opening large enough for their skulls, a hole that can be as small as your fingertip.Additional Problem Areas

  • Door sweeps
  • Door and window casings
  • Baseboards
  • Seals where utility lines enter the home
  • Loose wallpaper

Careful home maintenance can prevent many major pest-related problems. For more information on how pests can physically enter the home, visit the University of Kentucky’s guide to pest-proofing a home.

Signs of a Hidden Pest Invasion

Even the most secretive of pests will leave some indication of their presence. A thorough inspection of the house can reveal the pest problem.

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Can I Prevent Stinging Insects from Nesting Around My Home?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio

San Antonio is home to a number of stinging insects. Local homeowners must contend with yellow jackets, paper wasps, and carpenter bees. Such insects have the potential to deliver painful stings and cause allergic reactions. Some species can also damage the exterior of a home. It’s best to prevent them from nesting in the first place.

Homeowners can take steps to eliminate food sources and desirable nesting cavities. Stinging insects prefer to build nests in protected areas that shield them from rain and hail. When possible, it’s helpful to fill or block access to these cavities. Do not attempt to do this until a San Antonio exterminator has removed any existing nests.

It is also beneficial to store empty beverage cans and household trash in a solid container with a tight lid. Garbage and unwashed soda cans can attract various species of stinging insects according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. They … Read Full Post »

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Cockroach Hitchhikers

. Posted by in • Orlando

From planes to cars, cockroaches seem to be everywhere. How do these resourceful pests find their way into places that humans would prefer they stay away from? Cockroaches are programmed to find a way into any sheltered area with a water and food source.

Cracks, Crevices, and Holes

As with any household pests, cockroaches (also known as Palmetto Bugs) can most often find a way into a building by locating small cracks or holes that lead to a warm, sheltered place to live. A nearby food and water source is another big draw. Sealing up cracks can keep cockroaches from coming into a home, but these pests are known for their resourcefulness and ability to find a way to survive.

Skilled Hitchhikers

Even if a property owner ensures that no cracks or holes can encourage pests to enter a building, cockroaches are adept at finding a way to hitchhike into a building. Clothing and … Read Full Post »

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Critters Can Get Through Tiny Cracks!

. Posted by in , • Austin

When most people hear about homeowners finding beehives or rodent colonies behind the walls, they assume it is a rare horror story that is not likely to happen to them. However, these occurrences are more common than most people think. Rodents and other pests are very good at finding ways to sneak into homes.

How Much Space Do Pests Need To Sneak Into A Home?

According to the CDC, mice can squeeze through a hole that is the same size as a nickel. If a hole is as large as a quarter, a rat can fit through it. Insects can squeeze through nearly any size crack, gap or hole. Rodents are one of the biggest problems during colder months. They often sneak into homes to keep warm and take up residence behind walls, in basements or in attics. Unfortunately, some can spread serious diseases such as hantavirus and leptospirosis.

How Can Homeowners Inspect … Read Full Post »

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How to Keep Brown Recluse Spiders at Bay

. Posted by in , • Houston

It’s a fact that all Houston homes and businesses have spiders lurking in their walls, attics, and other hiding places—even in winter when they tend to seek shelter indoors. Most of them are harmless, and their presence is helpful because they keep insect populations under control. However, one spider, in particular, can be very dangerous when it comes into contact with humans: the brown recluse.

Identifying the Brown Recluse

These non-hairy spiders range in color from tan to dark brown and, once they reach adulthood, are usually the size of a quarter with their legs extended. The brown recluse’s most distinctive feature is a violin-shaped marking on its back. Brown recluse spiders can be found outdoors under piles of wood or debris and indoors in cluttered, dark places such as garages and attics.

The Dangers of Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown recluse spiders rarely wander out into the open unless searching for food so these … Read Full Post »

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Insects Can Still Present Problems in Winter

. Posted by in • Austin

Once the first hard freeze hits Austin, you may think that your pest problems are over for a few months, but do you know where the insects actually go? Some insects migrate to warmer climates, while others are designed to tolerate the colder temperatures by overwintering, which is a type of hibernation process. When bugs hibernate in the soil or under leaves, rocks and logs, they do not affect humans at all. However, many insects are likely to seek shelter in your home rather than under a log during the winter months and that’s why you need year-round Austin pest control tips.

Insects That Thrive Indoors

Finding flies or ants in your home during the summer months is a common occurrence, especially if you leave doors and windows open, but spotting just one of these pests in the winter could be a sign of an infestation. Adult insects usually lie dormant in … Read Full Post »

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