Mosquitoes and the Cooler Weather

Over the next few weeks, we’ll continue to discuss pests that can be controlled with home maintenance since this is the time of year when people are usually working on the exteriors of their homes.  We wanted to take a break now, however, to answer a question that has been popping up the last few weeks.  The people of East Tennessee want to know whether a cold snap in the spring will lower the summer bug population, particularly for mosquitoes.  This week, we’ll take a look at that question and also cover some fun facts about mosquito life cycles (and by “fun,” I mean “upsetting”).  Next time, we’ll provide more information about mosquito breeding habits and give you some practical advice to lower the mosquito population in your yard.

May of 2011 was a month of extremes.  The Knoxville area had temperatures in the 90s by early May, which were unexpectedly followed by a cold snap that saw highs in the 50s and 60s.  The mosquito population is definitely affected by the weather; we typically see their numbers start to rise around mid-May when the nights are consistently above 50 degrees.  Unfortunately, however, an abrupt cold spell may lower the mosquito population at the time, but it won’t curb their numbers for the season.

Insects are masters of adaptation; they are hard-wired to make up lost ground when the weather deals them an unexpected bad turn.  For instance, we have found that after exceptionally cold winters when you might expect the termite population to suffer, the following springs are often full of termite swarms.  The reason is not because the cold weather was good for the termites.  Rather, the colony recognizes that lives were lost during the bad season, so instinct tells them to begin a population explosion to protect the strength of their species.  Mosquito populations can work the same way.  If some died because they could not find shelter during that chilly week, the surviving pests will be geared to reproduce at a higher rate to protect their population.  And, when you consider that the strongest mosquitoes are the ones who survived the cold, you must also consider that their young will carry all of those strong traits; there will be few sickly mosquitoes to weaken this year’s population

Feeding Mosquito, photo by James Gathany

Many people are not aware that mosquitoes aren’t primarily blood-feeders.  In fact, their preferred meal is flower nectar; only the females drink blood when they’re preparing to lay eggs.  This is the upsetting part.  Female mosquitoes around here lay 200-300 eggs at a time.  That means that for every mosquito bite you get, 300 new mosquitoes are hatched somewhere nearby!

In light of this bad news, here are a couple of tips to protect yourself; we’ll get into more practical details next time.  First, consider the mosquito’s schedule when making your plans.  Some species are only active during the day while others are only out at night.  That’s why outdoor activities at dawn and dusk are so unpleasant; you’re getting attacked by every species at the same time.  Avoid being outdoors then if you can.  Also, bear in mind that mosquitoes are normally attracted to flowers.  If you’re going to be outside in the evening, you may want to skip the sweet-smelling lotions or colognes that day so that you don’t draw them to you.  The National Pest Management Association also indicates that using a pest repellant containing DEET on exposed skin can keep the mosquitoes off; read the label of your insect repellent to see if it contains DEET and to be sure you’re using it safely and correctly.

This gets us through the basics about mosquitoes and the cold weather.  Next time, we’ll work on lowering the population in your yard to keep you safe and comfortable this summer.  Call us at 865.584.8549 with more questions, or post a comment on this page.

The Always Active Sentricon System: Termite Protection 201

Last time, in Termite Protection 101, we discussed two well-known, reliable options for termite treatments.  Today, however, I want to present something that is exciting in the pest control industry because it’s ground-breaking and new.  If you read the last post, you may have noticed that I mentioned a “regular Sentricon System.”  Now, it’s time to tell you about the newest type of Sentricon protection called Always Active® from Dow AgroSciences.  Let’s go over the differences between a regular system and an Always Active System.

• In a regular Sentricon System, the stations are pre-baited with wood to intercept the termites before they reach the house.  The Always Active System gets its name because it is baited with the product that eliminates the termite colonies all the time.  This is possible because Dow AgroSciences has developed denser, more long-lasting bait that can endure long periods underground with no problem.
• Perhaps you were wondering how long it can be underground?  The answer is at least a full year.  A traditional Sentricon System is monitored every three months, but an Always Active System requires just one yearly visit.  Our technician monitors the stations and inspects the house all in one annual appointment.

If you’re also wondering which features are the same, I can tell you those, too.

• The Always Active System is still made by the same people who won the Green Chemistry Award with the first Sentricon System.  All Sentricon Systems are well-respected because they eliminate the need for hundreds of gallons of products to be put around the home.  Bait is only removed from the locked stations when termites eat it or take it to the colony.  Always Active works with the same strategy in mind.  The bait is designed to affect the termite growth cycle and not to affect other living things around it.
• Something else that remains the same is the warranty.  Both Sentricon Systems come with a damage repair warranty, meaning the repairs are on us if the termites get past our defenses.
• The cost of the Always Active System remains very comparable to the standard system.  It may cost slightly more to install because more product is used up front, but the annual renewal fees run in the same price range of $280-$380.

Is the Always Active Sentricon System for everyone?  No, it’s not necessarily.  Some people like to have that quarterly check-up to hear from their technician that everything is all right.  The traditional Sentricon System is a fabulous product and is not in any way outdated or declining.  But, there are some people who could really benefit from a yearly service.  If you have dogs that need to be put up any time a technician is around, Always Active could be for you.  That would save you four days every year of rearranging your schedule to get the dogs put away.  People who live in gated areas often appreciate the convenience of a single service so they don’t have to leave their property open multiple times a year.  Rental property owners might feel the same way.  There are any number of small, personalized scheduling issues that could make this system the right choice, and the presence of bait 365 days a year makes the upgraded system a popular change, even if scheduling isn’t a problem.

We have discovered that people have a lot of questions about this new treatment option, and we are happy to discuss those at whatever length is needed.  Please leave me a comment or contact us at 865.584.8549 if you want the scoop on Always Active.  You can also set up an inspection on our websiteif you’d like to hear more about coverage options.

Types of Termite Protection: Termites 101

Last time, we discussed what you should know about termite swarms so that you’ll be aware if a band of hungry neighbors moves in.  This time, we should probably discuss your options if you do encounter termites or if you want to prevent the encounter from happening.  Today, we’ll consider the top two types of termite treatments.

The stand-by treatment that most people are familiar with is a liquid treatment.  This method involves treating the soil around and under the foundation of the house with a product that kills and/or repels termites.  If termites approach the property from underground, they will want to avoid the area because of the liquid perimeter.  There are many products that can be used for this type of treatment, and the type of product will control the price.  At Russell’s Pest Control, we usually use Termidor® to rid a home of a termite infestation.  Here are some things you should know about a Termidor treatment from Russell’s.

• This is one of the most trusted products on the market, and, depending on conditions around the home, can reliably protect a home for up to ten years.
• When we complete a liquid termite treatment, we warranty the property for a year.  If a building owner finds termites again during that time, we’ll eliminate those termites at no additional cost.
• After the first year, the homeowner can choose to extend that warranty.  We’ll continue that same control warranty for a low annual rate (usually $150-$250,* depending on the size of the home).
• We’ll also conduct yearly inspections so that you can be sure a professional is on the lookout for signs of termite activity around your home.

Liquid termite treatments are good, but they’re no longer the premier choice for termite coverage.  Now, the number-one option is called the Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System (which is trademarked to Dow AgroSciences).  That’s a long name for a cleverly simple system, so let’s break down how the Sentricon System works.

• In a regular Sentricon System, bait stations containing some tasty wood are placed around the outside of the building.  Those stations are monitored every three months by our technicians for signs of termite activity.  This perimeter is important since the goal is to intercept the termites before they get to the house.
• When termites are found, the wood is replaced with a type of bait that termites absolutely love.  The termites begin to gather the bait and share it with the colony since it tastes better than wood.  Once the bait is brought home by the food-gatherers, the whole colony is eliminated as they feed.
• The Sentricon System comes with an upgraded repair warranty, which means that if termites are found in the home while it’s protected by Sentricon, Russell’s Pest Control will eliminate the termites and pay for any damage that they caused. The homeowner continues the monitoring and warranty by paying an annual renewal fee (usually $280-$380,* again depending on the home’s size).
• Again, Russell’s will conduct yearly inspections for termite activity.

This concludes Termite Protection 101, but there’s still lots more information we could share.  If you have questions about termite treatments, ask them before you make treatment decisions.  I can handle questions through replies, or you can reach us at our website or 865.584.8549.  Free inspections have no obligation; you can get the answers you need without a big fuss.

*These prices are for average-sized homes, so obviously very large homes are going to cost more.  However, all termite pricing from Russell’s is based on linear footage, NOT square footage.  This means we care about the footprint around your roofline, no matter how many levels you have.  We will not penalize you for having a multi-level home.

Termite Swarms in Tennessee, Part 1

Even though it’s only March, reports are already coming in:  Termites are swarming in East Tennessee.  Swarm season started early this year because of the recent mild weather, so we decided to do a series of articles about termites so that residents in the area can be on their guard.  Understanding termites is crucial for people living in the South where these little invaders do millions of dollars of damage a year.  So, let’s take some time to study the enemy.  In this post, we’ll discuss swarms and how they affect homeowners.  Next time, we’ll cover practical ways to prevent and eliminate termites.

Normally, termites do not have wings (check out the photo on the side from the pest experts at Univar).  They are tiny, pail insects that almost look like grubs with legs.  However, when the warm weather arrives, termites begin to focus on expanding their colony and growing their numbers.  Colony members spend most of their lives underground (hence the name “subterranean termites”).  But, when it’s time to expand, certain termites will develop wings.  Termites with wings are capable of reproduction (which is usually left to queen).  When the temperature and humidity are right, the winged termites will burst out of colony above ground.  They are scattering themselves so that they can start new colonies with the original winged termite as the new queen.  Since they are poor flyers, they leave the nest in a crowd so that even if predators take down many of the colony-builders, some are likely to survive.

Knowing about termite swarms is important for homeowners for a couple of reasons.  The presence of the swarm indicates that new neighbors are trying to move in, and they’re going to need food fast.  A swarm near a building indicates that the new colony will be foraging in that area.  Many features of the home will be appealing for the buffet line, including support beams behind the walls, hardwood floors in the den, and cabinets in the kitchen.  In addition, the presence of a swarm also indicates that a large, healthy colony is already nearby.  Most of the members of an existing colony will not grow wings and scatter, which means that if you see hundreds or even thousands of swarming termites, there are many more underground throwing the goodbye party.  A swarm near a building could indicate that termites are already feeding on the structure and causing damage.

A termite swarm will only last for a few minutes, which means you could easily miss the big event around your home.  Be on the lookout for small groups of wings lying on your porch or around your foundation.  The termites shed their wings after flying, and the lost wings are often a good indicator to homeowners that trouble is nearby.  If you see a swarm, try to keep a couple of the dead bugs in a bag or jar for identification.  We suggest that you call an exterminator immediately for a full inspection.  Most companies, including Russell’s Pest Control, will inspect for free, allowing you to rely on an expert to identify whether your home is in danger.  More information about termites can be found here, and you can call 865.584.8549 to request an appointment or just click here.  If you want to see what a swarm looks like, check out this video on our Facebook page of some swarmers that we encountered last year.