It is so hot, not even Tarzan likes it this hot!

Finally we have a normal heat wave! What does this mean in the insect world?

It means insects will be reproducing at a very fast rate. Multiple generations of box elder bugs, earwigs and yes, mosquitoes. It also means my calendar fills up fast.

I normally try to get to all my service request with in a day or two. I am now booked pretty solid about four or five days out. Depending on your location, I am still able to respond to wasp and yellow jacket calls fairly quickly.

There are a few things you can do to reduce the impact of insects in your home. Make sure common gaps are sealed up.

My top five are......

1. Central air coolant line seal is dried out

2. Dryer vent flaps are stuck open from lint. A good time to have the line brushed out. Either get a kit from hardware store or contact your HVAC repair.

3. Mortar joints in foundation have popped out. Even a #2 pencil sized hole will be inviting to yellow jackets and carpenter ants.

4. Door sweeps. Common to have a gap at the bottom of doors. The bristle type sweep is best.

5. Over hangs with water damage or flashing pulled back. Between birds and bugs, these are hot spots often over looked due to inaccessible without a tall ladder.

Bonus. Bird baths, gutters and any other area where standing water can remain for days or weeks. Mosquitoes love these spots.

All our services include a thorough pest proofing inspection.

Be sure to fill out a service request today.

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

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!