We are now officially in the peak season of wasp, hornets and yellow jacket season. So far yellow jackets appear to be down from last year. Bald Faced Hornets have picked up the slack though. Even though the bald faced hornet is called a hornet, it is actually a yellow jacket, which a wasp. Confused? Don't worry.... All wasp and hornets are wasp, but not all wasp are hornets. Yellow Jackets are a social wasp with a single queen. Bald faced hornets are also known as a black yellow jacket. They are called a hornet because their hive looks like a hornets nest. Which is an aerial hive made with a paper machete "bag" enclosure.
Then there are what we call paper wasp, which some think Bald Faced Hornets are paper wasp. Paper wasp nest look more like an umbrella, hence their common name of umbrella wasp out east and in parts of Europe. What should you do if you see a Bald Faced Hornets nest in a tree? if high enough up? Not much. As aggressive as they may be, they typically will leave you alone if not bothering them. Unlike the common German Wasp, which is the "picnic bee" see this time of the year. Bald Faced Hornets can see you from over 20 feet away! The German wasp, which is a yellow jacket, can only see clearly a few feet away. Hence the reason why you do NOT want to swat them or flail your arms around. This only helps them zero in on your location. If you disturb either wasp nest? RUN! Fast and in zigzags around objects that they cannot see around. Bald Faced nest in lower bushes or near play areas can be a real threat. Any loud noise or vibration will excite them enough to attack. We do not recommend treating these your self unless you are very familiar with their behavior. Even at night, if you use a flashlight to see where the entrance of the hive is, they may go after the light......and the hand holding it! Yellow Jackets are void nesters, their nest is actually the same as a Bald Faced Hornet except usually either in a hole in the ground or a void such as wall void or hollow tree trunk. ******NOTICE****** If you see yellow jackets entering a hole into your house? DO NOT seal it up or treat with a liquid spray or foam until you confirm where the hive actually is. If the entrance to the hive in not the same as the entrance into your home? No matter how much chemical you use, it will not kill the hive. You will simply either trap them indoors or divert them to another exit point. This time of year their hive is now in excess of 500 wasp. Nothing like 500 plus wasp buzzing around in your basement or living space. Spectrum Pest Control uses a method they developed over 13 years ago that does not agitate or trap the hive indoors. Even in cases where we cannot find the exact location of the hive. Just like the plumber adage. If you call us first it is "this much" If you try to treat it first and fail? It is "this much more". If you want to help me treat? Well....... lets just say, I never need help.......... Contact us today at www.KenoshaPest.com
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NOAH weather is predicting above average temps and lower than average precipitation this fall and early winter. This means mice will be late entering our homes this fall. It also means the abundant Asian Lady Beetles and Box Elder Bugs will likely enter our homes gradually instead of all at one time. Only to reveal their intrusion mid winter on sunny days. The best time to prevent these pest from entering is with a good defense come late September into October. For the box elder and lady beetles you will want to have your perimeter secured before an Indian Summer spell, which typically hits around Columbus Day weekend. Mice and other rodents will need to be serviced for by the first weekend of November, including pest proofing. We will have our thermal camera by then, which means I can detect openings such as air leakes and openings big enough for mice to enter. I will also be able to see cold spots where moisture damage may be occurring. This is helpful in finding potential carpenter ant and termite activity as well as risk for mold. Book your fall button up service now for a discounted price. With the recent cool snap, many are wondering if summer is over with? Does this mean the bugs will soon be moving in for the winter? Not yet. Box elder bugs are still in the Box Elder tree, Asian Multi colored Lady Beetles are still hunting aphids. Mice are still expanding their litter sizes. What triggers most pest to enter our homes and businesses is a good frost and official Indian Summer spell. This typically occurs around The middle of October. When is the best time to have a fall prevention service performed? For Box Elder Bugs? Now! Lady Beetles? Mid September. Mice? Mechanical pest proofing should start now. Once they enter your home? Then some of the financial resources that could have been used for repairs will be diverted to pest control. Spectrum Pest Control does more pest proofing work than anyone else in Kenosha/Racine Counties. Best time to book your service? Today! Beware of that little hole in your siding. Those yellow jackets are not simply exploring new territory. They are already staking claim to your home. That hole is the doorway to their new home. A home they have been working on since late spring. They have grown rather fond of their new home and will defend it. Unfortunately they will do so without blinking an eye and sting you as well. When you see wasps entering a hole, do not plug it up until you know for sure they are dead. Did you know that yellow jackets build a paper mâché encasement over their nest? It is this protective membrane that will prevent most chemicals from reaching the queen. Liquids, aerosols and foams will not reach the core unless you have a direct shot in. If not, more often than not. The hive will simply be driven indoors. Spectrum Pest Control uses a non agitating method that ensures there will be no "accidental" intrusions into your home. Contact us today! This is a black yellow jacket nest, otherwise known as a Baldfaced Hornet. The common yellow jacket makes this same kind of nest in protected voids in structures or underground I have had the honor of being told by many of my clients and peers that I am the Best Exterminator on Earth. Ha! I dont know about that, but I am pretty darn good at what I do. I am humbled by the members I have met through Pestcemetery.com on FB. A great think tank of pest professionals from all over the world.
Being the best exterminator on earth requires an incredible amount of knowledge on not only the chemicals one uses but the biology of the target pest as well. A common characteristic of the Best Exterminator on Earth is the willingness to share your knowledge even with your peers. Maybe that is why I have been referred to as the Best Exterminator on Earth? I don't know, maybe being called the MacGuyver of pest control is better than Best Exterminator on Earth? What do you think? I don't know about you, give me a plate full of snickerdoodles and I am in heaven. Gingerbread men? Now we are talking!
When making the perfect cookie, a good cookie cutter is essential. Unfortunately, cookie cutters do not make for a good pest service. Far too often bigger service providers take such a close look a their bottom line, they don't see their customers through the zero's and commas. When ever I meet up with a peer from another company, the first thing we do is talk shop and share thoughts about what cool products and equipment is available now days. The conversation usually deflates faster than a Brady foot ball when they find out I have their dream products in my truck. It always amazes me when a company claims to offer customized this or prescription that and only give their technicians a half full tool box. When shopping for a pest control service, don't be shy. Ask them about their equipment and what products they like to use. If they only have one "sprayer" and couple of "chemicals" to choose from? Chances are, they will not resolve your pest problem in as timely of a manner as their prompt appearance implied. When I say "best equipped in the area", I am not kidding. I have all the best tools available and the experience of knowing when to use what and how. Next time carpenter ants, termites or even a lowly wasp nest gives you trouble? Remember Spectrum Pest Control Eco Tech really is Kenosha's best equipped choice. Boy are we getting slammed with calls and website inquiries!
As a policy I do not take calls, text or emails while driving or with a client. Who would ever think I would have to have such a policy? Far too many people are doing this though. Please avoid doing business with individuals who do not care enough about you to not follow such a reasonable policy. The last thing I ever want to go through is what several of friends of mine have. To bury a loved one because a distracted driver had no clue there was a someone in front of them. I make every effort to return calls as soon as I can. Because most understand and value my policy to not conduct business behind the wheel, they will go to this web site and communicate via email. This method fills my schedule fast. If I receive an email request to simply call? It will still take several days to get back. Via email or text? Usually same day. How soon can I see you? In most cases I am able to come out with in 36-72 hours. If by phone? It may take a week. I do all my own work, this includes fielding all calls etc. My 30 years experience assures you, even if it takes me a day or two longer before seeing you? The results will still be sooner than anyone else! Very few pest services offer warranties. Instead they require maintenance contracts. REALLY? Why? Most pest issues can be resolved with one or two visits with results lasting all season long. Why pay to have someone come every two to three months year round? Who has time for that? For all your pest control needs in all of Kenosha County as well as Racine County and the Lake Geneva area. Contact me Brent Towle. Thank you Brent Did you know we have termites in Kenosha?
Yes, we have them. In some locations they are or were in virtually every home. We have Subterranean Termites. These guys live underground and tunnel through the soil to their food source, which is the cellulose of wood. Unlike Carpenter Ants, they eat the wood, not simply nest in it. Their tunnels are lined with mud. This helps keep them from drying out. The workers are creamy white in color. The winged reproductives are similar to winged ants, black bodied with silvery wings more than double their body length. Ants wings are barely longer than their body and more of a brown or amber color. The inner wings are close to half the length of their outer wings, where termites are both of equal length. How can you tell if you have termites? The most common discovery is their damage. Typically where the wood of the house comes in contact with the soil, penetrate the foundation or where it sits on the foundation ie sill plate. The second most common discovery is their mud tubes they make on the surface of the wood or foundation. These are their "subway system". Lastly will be their reproductive swarm's. They will congregate in windows trying to find their way outdoors. Spring to early summer is the most common times. Spectrum Pest Control can find termites through careful inspections where we use a combination of modern technology including moisture meters and fiber optic scopes. We will soon be adding Ultra sensitive Thermal Cameras to our tool box....... I am asked where termites have been found in Kenosha. The Lincoln Park Neighborhood is the heaviest , Columbus Park area as well. Simmons Island has them as well as the neighborhood due west along 5th Avenue to just west of 7th Avenue. North to 40th St and expanding every year. Along the lake front north of Carthage College . We also have pockets north and south of 75th Street from 25th Avenue to just west of Roosevelt Rd. A new area on the North Side of Kenosha has popped up, West of 22nd Avenue around 24th St in a four block radius . Are Termites Native to Kenosha? NO! Soil far all the DNA test have shown they are from southern Illinois. Likely imported with lumber and rail road ties used to shore up lake front sea walls, land fill and in the case of Lincoln Park, a former Lumber Mill burned down around 1920. Should you have a Wood Destroying Organism inspection before buying a home in just these locations? No but yes! Not just in these locations, definitely in these locations. Do not forget Carpenter Ants are still Kenosha's Number one ant complaint. Termites, Carpenter Ants and Power Post Beetles all require full disclosure one your home sale. Failure to do so, could cost you thousands of dollars or even the sale of the house. Even if the last termite or carpenter h's not been seen for decades. Please contact us if you would like more information on termites. 5. The bed bug is fast climbing the ladder of pest complaints in Kenosha, both the city as well as the county. Years ago, lower income homes and apartment buildings were the most vulnerable. This has changed. Hotels, middle and upper middle class homes, and clinics are starting to occasionally see bed bugs as well as lower income apartments and homes.
Why the continued increase even though chemistry and alternative methods have been "perfected"? Chicago has the honor of being in the top three of several surveys of most bed bug infested cities. Number one in the most recent surveys. Many are moving out of these Chicago neighborhoods into Wisconsin. Kenosha as expected is seeing the highest number of these new residents. Even those who are literally leaving everything but the clothes on their backs, are still inadvertently bringing bed bugs with them. As the economy improves, so does our abilities to travel to exotic locations. Many are bringing back more than those cheesy souvenirs or T Shirt's. For more information on what to look for and how to prevent stow away? Go to http://www.kenoshapest.com/bed-bugs.html 4. The German Roach is still a major pest issue in Kenosha, more so in the inner city than single family homes. While the pest control product manufactures were spending lots of money developing better chemistry and technology for roaches, bed bugs have now received equal to even higher priorities. Before bed bugs, roaches garnered some of the top funding in research. This has given us the tools to eliminate roach populations normally considered impossible to even get a hold on. How do we get roaches if we do not live in or near high risk neighborhoods? Buying anything used will increase chances. This new fad of repurposing old furniture has also driven up roach problems in homes. Not to mention again those pesky bed bugs. Yes, bed bugs will soon knock roaches down another notch in "popularity" Small specialty food stores can also increase your chances. Fortunately we can eliminate most roach issues with one or two visits using low to non toxic baits. 3. Spiders and centipedes are a common visited who knows no economic barriers. They love our damp environment. The closer to Lake Michigan or other body of water, the more spiders you will see. Why? They like to feed on the insects that thrive in these moist environments. Carpenter ants, mosquitoes, midges, earwig's, flies, box elder bugs, Asian lady beetles and more are all ideal food for spiders. YUCK! Controlling your environment around and in your home will naturally reduce the number of spider and centipede encounters. Moisture control: yes keep moisture to a healthy level. Run dehumidifiers during the warm months. Store items off the basement floors. Run exhaust fans while showering or boiling water. Keep mulch around exterior of house to no more that two to three inches deep. Turn mulch several times per season. Trim bushes and trees away from structure. Avoid plantings that will touch foundation. Make sure there is not a weed tarp with in the first foot or two from foundation. This gives extra shelter for critters as well as requires more chemicals in order to control pest attracted to these soil zones. Avoid bright lights shining on structure all night long. If using lighting for security, avoid mercury vapor lights. Use sodium vapor instead. Also have the light source off the structure shining towards building or home instead. Spectrum Pest Control exploits these surfaces and will apply a non staining odorless barrier where lighting shines, creating elimination zones. This reduces the over all volume of product used. 2. Wasp, Hornets and Yellow Jackets are our number two most common complaint call for service. The common paper wasp with are the ones with those paper cones that almost look like umbrellas hanging on your over hangs or behind shutters, just beyond your reach. Most of the season they are non aggressive. As their hive reaches the typical diner plate size, they do develop an attitude if you are active near their hive. There is a European species that like to build hives lower to the ground under deck railings and in children's play sets. Increasing the chances of multiple stings. The common yellow jacket, German wasp or picnic bee. Are primarily void nesting wasp. They build the same paper cone or comb that paper wasp build except they also build a protective paper machete "bag" around the hive. This protective barrier can make most over the counter chemicals ineffective at best and even dangerous. How can these make it dangerous? If the chemical sprays do not reach the interior of the hive, it can agitate the wasp or worse yet, block their main entrance into hive, causing them to chew their way out, thus right through drywall and into the living space of your home! Prevention is possible yet not fool proof. Sealing up as many holes and gaps in siding and overhangs will help. Pay particular attention to the foundation and siding juncture. In these spots mortar joint material will sometimes crumble or missed by the mason all together. Fortunately Spectrum Pest Control performs a free pest proofing inspection with all their services. 1. The top insect pest complaint in Kenosha County including Pleasant Prairie, Bristol, Somers, Salem, Paris, Trevor, Twin Lakes, Silver Lake, Paddock Lake, Camp Lake, Wheatland and others is......... The Carpenter Ant tied with the pavement ant! Many other ants are catching up as well. The Odorous House Ant, Rover Ant, Acrobatic Ant, Pharaoh Ant as well as the smaller Western Carpenter ant are trying to steal the show as well. Carpenter ant prevention relies heavily on moisture control. They prefer to nest in water damaged wood. Be it in the over hang where ice jams occur or window and door sills where the caulk has degraded . Railroad ties are also a hot spot, dead tree stumps including those that were ground down bellow the surface. Leaking toilets and tub enclosures also make friendly homes for at least the worker ants. Forgers and winged reproductive's love drier locations such as hollow doors and even curtain rods. These locations are referred to as satellite sites. Many of the other ants we deal with are also drawn to these locations, just less damaging. So there you have it. Kenosha's top five insect pest complaints. There are many honorable mentions that cannot be ignored. Mosquitoes, Asian Lady Beetles, Box Elder Bugs, and Fleas. Our number two pest complaint over all is MICE! |
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AuthorI am the owner and sole operator of Spectrum Pest Control. Hope you enjoy my helpful hints, predictions and fun stories. Archives
March 2018
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