Monthly Archives: April 2012

Bed Bug Awareness Week: Top 10 Bed Bug Facts

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bedbugs

bedbug nymphs http://www.flickr.com/photos/medilldc/5407193465/

Bed bugs are a topic that we have covered in the past on this blog and one we will continue to cover again in the future.  In honor of the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) Bed Bug Awareness Week, this week’s posts will be devoted to informing you and helping you fight these persistent pests. Bed bugs, which were once almost eradicated from the United States, have resurged as a major problem throughout the nation.  These pests plague homes, hotels, schools and even public transportation. As we approach summer, a prime season for bed bugs, it is important to be informed about these pests.  Here are our top ten bed bug facts.

  1. Bed bugs can produce a sweet musty odor, which can be a sign of them in your home.
  2. Bed bug bites may take as long as 14 days to appear visibly on your skin. Continue reading →

Venomous Spiders in the US

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Though spiders may seem ominous and are feared by most, the majority of arachnids in the United States are completely harmless.  However, there are two spiders commonly found throughout the country that are venomous and should be treated with extreme caution; the black widow and the brown recluse.

There are a few different species of black widows that can be found in the US. The southern, northern and western black widow are all prevalent.  These spiders are most frequently found in southern and western areas.

black widow spider

black widow spider-note the distinct red, hourglass-shaped marking http://www.flickr.com/photos/oakleyoriginals/4553249422/

When most people think about black widows they think of the red hourglass shape known to characterize these critters.  Continue reading →

Copperhead Caution

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copperhead snake

copperhead snake http://www.flickr.com/photos/ga-kayaker/7236330594/

As I was walking along a neighborhood sidewalk today, I stopped dead in my tracks when I noticed something slithering along a few yards ahead of me. Having some knowledge of snakes in the area, I immediately recognized it as a copperhead and knew to stay back until it was out of sight.  Because this snake is so common and responsible for a large number of snake bites in the US every year, it’s important to be aware of them and know how to recognize and avoid these critters. Continue reading →

Don’t Forget to Check for Ticks

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American dog tick

American dog tick - known for transmitting Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkirkhart35/3514239511/

As I was enjoying the Easter weekend along the beaches of North Carolina with my family, I noticed a tiny, dark brown bug on my leg. Being early April, I was surprised when I looked down to find a tick crawling up my shin. Fortunately, it wasn’t stuck and I easily flicked it off and away from the area. However, it got me thinking that we may be seeing ticks out a little earlier than normal this year because of the unusually warm weather we’ve experienced throughout much of the US this winter.  Most tick bites occur between April and September.  These pests go dormant if and when the temperatures drop low enough and reemerge in the warmer months.  Ticks can be more dangerous than just a painful bite.  These pests are known to carry serious diseases.  Continue reading →

Top 5 At Home Remedies for Insect Stings

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wasp

wasp and nest http://www.flickr.com/photos/26085795@N02/3949060020/

No matter how much effort you put into keeping away stinging insects, unfortunately, they are inevitable.  The spring and summer are notorious for bees, wasps, hornets and more. Most of us have experienced the unpleasantness of a sting before, but you may not have known any useful remedies for pain and swelling relief. If you have any sort of allergy to these insects, you should seek medical attention if stung; otherwise, here are some easy, at-home tips for insect stings.

  1. Tobacco: You don’t have to be a smoker to find a use for tobacco. Apply a pinch of tobacco onto a sting and cover it with a Band-Aid.  The tobacco will draw the poison right out, relieving pain and reducing swelling. Continue reading →

How to Prevent Termites

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worker termites

termites http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnilenkov/6880327102/

Last week we gave an overview of how to detect a termite problem in your home, but the best practice for any home is to try to prevent these destructive pests from ever occurring.  It probably does not come as a shock to hear that termites can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home.  Therefore, it’s important that you aren’t giving them easy access to your house. Once they set to work devouring your wood, you’ll have a huge mess in no time. Termites are attracted to moist wood and this idea is the basis for the majority of our prevention tips.   Continue reading →