Category: Stinging Insects

Is Your House Under Attack

Ants are one of the most common household pest invaders and often one of the hardest to get rid of. Here’s why:

There are over 12,000 species of ants worldwide and about 1,000 here in the U.S. They’re social insects so they live in large colonies, some with millions of ants depending on the species. Ant queens can survive for several years and have millions of ant offspring, compared to many other pests that tend to have shorter lifespans and lower reproduction rates.

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With summer on its way out, many homeowners may think their pest problems will wane, too.  In fact, with a new season comes different pest challenges to face and another round of pest proofing to do for the home. Pests like mice, rats, cockroaches and spiders will look for shelter in warm homes as the weather grows cooler, which is why PermaTreat Pest and Termite Control encourages homeowners to integrate pest proofing into their routines for the fall season.

 

Each season poses different opportunities for pest invasions, yet one thing remains the same—no one wants these critters entering their homes where they present property and health threats. Fall pests can contaminate food and damage drywall and electrical wires throughout a home. Cockroaches can trigger allergies and asthma, especially in children. These pest implications are far from desirable, which is why we must combat them.”

 

To help homeowners battle pests all year round, including in the fall, PermaTreat recommends these pest-proofing tips for the fall season:

  • Screen attic vents and openings to chimneys.
  • Eliminate moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.
  • Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home using caulk and steel wool. Pay close attention where utility pipes enter the structure.
  • Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
  • Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
  • Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house; keep shrubbery well trimmed.
  • Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens.
  • Inspect items such as boxes of decorations and grocery bags before bringing them indoors.

 

Pollinator Health

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Creating a Pollinator Garden is a great way to help the local native bee population by providingthem with easy-to-find and diverse sources of pollen and nectar. PPMA, NPMA’s consumeroutreach arm, offers some tips below for creating the perfect Pollinator Garden, along with a list of flowering plants that are especially attractive to bees and other important pollinators.

Tips for Pollinator Gardens:
• Re-plant flowers from pots rather than germinating from seed to ensure that flowers in
your Pollinator Garden bloom this summer.
• Choose a variety of flowers and flowering plants that are native to your region as local
pollinators are particularly adapted to these. If you are unsure what options are best,
consult with a local gardener or nursery.
•Plant a variety of flower colors and shapes to attract different pollinators. Yellow, blue
and purple flowers are especially attractive to bees.
•Plant flowers in clusters to make them more easily noticed and accessed by pollinators.
•Consider including some exotic plants in your garden. They are particularly valuable as
some can produce a lot of nectar.
•Plant a garden that will offer blooms in different seasons. Again, if you are not sure what
choices to make in your community, seek advice from experienced gardeners.
•Consider plants that bloom at night to attract moths and other pollinators active
in the evening.
•Avoid hybridized plants that often offer less pollen.
•These gardening choices will welcome pollinators that are passing through your yard on
their routine foraging missions.

 

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