Dead bug walking

Posted on May 26, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

Years ago my service manager made a statement to a customer that still sticks with me to this day. It was a roach complaint and from my ‘newbie’ perspective she had a lot to complain about. Roaches were everywhere and it seemed as if we hadn’t sprayed at all even though we were just there a few days earlier.
He said
“it takes about a half an hour of sitting in the dried material for the roach to absorb enough to die, It’s not a nuclear bomb.”

Of course he went on to explain the process of our treatment in greater detail and assured her that with a little time her problem would subside and the roaches would all eventually die. He also pulled out some appliances and showed her the hundreds of dead roaches that she otherwise wouldn’t have seen. He was a really good manager and I learned a lot from him during my training.

Now with today’s products and new application tools you would think we’ve surpassed the old technology of the 80’s. Surely a pest control professional in the 21st century could wipe out an infestation of German cockroaches with just a few sprit’s of this and a couple of dab’s of that. It shouldn’t take any time whatsoever to rid any unwanted pest from anyone’s home. Not hardly.

In today’s ‘politically correct’ world we really have lost some tools that gave us such a devastating blow to insect colonies. In times past you could simply put your B&G sprayer on fan spray and wipe out all sorts of bugs right in front of your eyes. A lot of those were being phased out just as I was getting into the industry and the newer ‘safer’ products were a lot slower in their knockdown power. We used things like a drop of soap in the tank mix to help adjuvant the chemical but nothing really matched what we had previously. Aerosols were still relatively untouched at the time but soon key ingredients that used to send the bug into a tizzy were being replaced and a much more ‘moderate’ effect was all we could muster.

No other part of the industry was hit harder I’d say than termite treatments with roaches and ants a close second. Even with chlordane we would get tons of complaints every year of swarmer termites in the same spot they had been last year and the year before. Now with Dursban as the replacement we got even more and when that was taken off the market it seemed that all was lost and the termites had won. I know of a man in my town that has done termite work for 35 years at the time who simply stopped renewing any termite work and walked away from that end of the business.

Still it seems that history has begun to repeat itself somewhat in the pest control world. Our products now may not have the instant knock down as in the past but with some; it’s only a matter of hours before 100’s of thousands of ants, termites or the like crash with 100% mortality rates. Baits for roaches not only kill the first time through a roach’s gut but the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and so on down the line as others eat the waste of the first or the dead body and thus get their lethal dose. What used to rely on the thoroughness of the technicians ‘good spray coverage’ now simply uses the insects habit patterns to spread the material into the places that not even the smallest applicator could reach.

Even with all these great advancements it seems at least on the outward appearance that nothing has changed. It still can take months to rid a home of German roach’s and we still get a few termite retreats albeit very few. In today’s service we no longer rely on the broad application of the chemical but the pin point treatment to areas that we know the insects are or will be. We’ve replaced ounces and gallons with grams and syringe sized dots in our war with these 350 million year old foes.

As if in a flashback I stand in front of a customer and basically drown a roach at the base of the cabinet and we both stare in amazement as he scratches and claws his way out of the puddle and seeks a crack nearby to dry off and ‘lives to see another day.‘ I think back to how my manager handled things over 25 years ago and begin my explanation to the client as to what she can expect. I still explain that it takes time for the roach to die but I’ve added my own wrinkle to his words that maybe someday a technician that I’ve trained will use when he is on his own too.

“Sure, I exclaim, he may have escaped for now, just think of him as a ‘dead bug walking’ but he needs to do some work for me first.”

No real puddle was made nor drowning of any insect, these claims were to illustrate a point and no actual roach was hurt during the writing of this article.
Posted in Roaches | Leave a comment

The Lonely Mailbox

Posted on May 26, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

I’m sure most of you are familiar with the ‘postman’s motto’ which is most popularly remembered as; “Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds”.

The original saying is a little different and it’s really not the official motto of the U.S. Postal service. In fact they don’t have one.

“Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these courageous couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”

The motto originally was coined long ago during the war between the Greeks and the Persians about 500 BC. Herodotus, a Greek historian wrote about the postal couriers of the time noting their diligence and perseverance to deliver letters and packages even as war raged all around.

Today’s mail carriers have it a bit easier I’d say but perils still loom and for some it can be life threatening. Mail boxes are a great place for bees, wasps, scorpions, spiders, roaches, snakes and any assortment of pests to call home. It provides protection from the weather, the box heats up during the day which is always good for egg and larvae development and most have pretty flower arrangements or plantings that provide ample food supply and water every time the sprinkler hits. Except for the one or two disturbances per day (Excluding Sunday’s, and federal holidays) I’d say the mailbox is the ideal place for just about any pest to call home.

As part of any normal pest control service, most pest techs do a thorough job inside and out trying to place a barrier around that will keep nasty bugs out of their customer’s home. I’d venture to say that 99.9% of the time no one ever bothers to look in the mailbox for insect infestations until the homeowners are dive bombed by an angry paper wasp or find a scorpion tucked in between the light bill and the letter from Publishers Clearing House stating they are a multi millionaire.

I’ll admit that on our routes we don’t always look in the mailboxes but it is something we do try to remember. It’s brought up at meetings but the lonely little box at the end of the drive is so easy to overlook and forget about that it may only be when the customer reports of a problem it gets treated. Still I’m sure that bug men everywhere pass up this hidden little fortress allowing the colony of insects to thrive and get ever larger.

There are other places that get equally ignored but if they are near the perimeter of the home you can bet a good technician will be checking. These spots like the mailbox offer safe harborage for pests and if left unchecked can present a danger to an unsuspecting person.

  • swingsets
  • tree houses
  • well tanks and coverings
  • patio furniture
  • chimes or bells on porches
  • exterior lights
  • lawn statues
  • behind ‘welcome’ signs
  • bird feeders or baths

The list could go on and on and each home will have its own unique set of harborage places that I’m sure most technicians find and treat. Still, sometime between signing the receipt, saying goodbye and packing up our technician pulls away from the home and drives right by the mailbox and the pests inside don’t even bother to hold their anxious breath anymore.

Treating a mailbox for pest control is usually a simple thing but since it gets neglected so often it may only happen after a nasty sting or bite. I could list a bunch of do’s and don’ts for you but a mailbox is usually the first thing people see so homeowners love to adorn the box with flowers and the like which attracts all sorts of insects.

Perhaps the best way to get your bug man to treat the mailbox on a regular schedule is to employ another very old adage that almost everybody knows. Sign their receipt, hand it back to them and say;

“The check is in the mail.”

Posted in Tech Tips | 1 Comment

We the jury find the Squirrel killer….?

Posted on May 24, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

In New Jersey a pest control company owner is charged with animal cruelty for the death of a squirrel. The company Critter Ridder owned by Kathleen Buck, was hired for the express purpose of eradicating this rodent because it was becoming a nuisance.

Apparently they used a ‘Hav-a-hart’ trap which catches the target pest alive and no one checked the trap for some time. The squirrel was caught in the trap and died on the roof from heat. The trap was set on Wednesday and the squirrel was found dead on Thursday according to Buddy Amato, Chief Humane Law Enforcement Officer.

Ms. Buck faces four counts of animal cruelty, including one that cites her for not providing the squirrel with adequate food, water and shelter.

Kathleen Buck says it was a misunderstanding, she says that usually when an animal is trapped, the customer calls them back. Oh well, unluckily for this squirrel, nobody called or checked. I guess they had more important things to worry about than to check and see if a squirrel had been caught in a trap on the roof.

Is this a misunderstanding? Should Ms. Buck be charged and punished for this alleged crime? Or are the people who are bringing the charges over reacting to a person with a license to perform pest eradication and who were hired for this specific Squirrel problem?

If you were on the jury and this was all the information you had what would you decide? Vote below and then enter your reason in the comments section below.

Posted in Pests in the news | 4 Comments

Recycled roaches-apartment # 204

Posted on May 22, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

Roach control in apartments can be one of the most difficult, frustrating, time consuming exercises in futility known to the common man. The odds of keeping an already infested apartment building free from cockroaches are next to nil unless a drastic and no nonsense approach is taken. Once roaches have invaded the walls and plumbing areas it can be a game of cat and mouse where all it seems you do is chase the critters from one apartment to the other.

Professional pest companies line up by the dozens around bid time to take their shot at landing these seemingly ‘prestigious accounts’ and I always wonder why. Is it the lure of a large monthly production number and exposing your company to other potential business? Is it the pride of the salesman as he posts his totals at the morning meeting? Whatever the reason, the luster of the shiny big number soon goes away when the complaint calls come rolling in and angry tenants besmirch your company’s good name because you can’t get rid of the roaches.

The problem with roach elimination in an apartment

Since apartments are connected on almost every side with walls, pipes, attic areas, some a/c work etc. that in and of itself presents a huge obstacle in creating an effective pest control barrier that covers all the harborage and travel points. This can make life so difficult for a bug man as the roach can go back and forth from home to home. Add to this the roach’s ability to detect insecticides, squeeze through the tiniest of cracks, follow the minutest air currents to help them find their way through even the most solid fire walls and you have a dilemma that can and often does turn into a reoccurring nightmare. Even with these two hurdles there is one problem that no amount of spray will ever be enough to get rid of roaches in an apartment setting.

The recycled roach

What I call roach recycling is actually from new tenants who move in and bring with them their own collection of filthy disgusting roaches. You may have worked hard to get a roach population down to even zero in a building or specific apartment while it was vacant and the maintenance men may have helped with a can of Raid in between your visits. Perhaps you fogged, baited and dusted every conceivable spot where a roach would even think about living. Both you and the ‘super’ scratched your heads amazed that these roaches could live so long in an empty place with all that treatment. Finally when the place is all cleaned up and ready for a new occupant, you pat yourself on the back but then your experience tells you not to hold your breath.

Of course the new tenant is not likely to divulge the fact that the place they last left was a roach haven or that while in between abodes they had their stuff in storage (for 2 years) where it became its own apartment complex for roaches, mice, earwigs and any number of pests. No, what the usual course of action is a call to the manager complaining about the bugs “that they’ve never had before.” The manager then calls you and exclaims there is a problem in # 204 and that you must have never gotten rid of the problem in the first place.

So now you are back to square one and instead of being able to treat an empty apartment where at least you had a chance, you now have to spray around boxes and furniture. Oh and of course the new occupant has a 30 year old exotic bird or asthma or is allergic so you can’t use any toxic pesticides.

So now you work and treat all over again trying to provide a pest free environment with your new set of circumstances in the same apartment. You brace for the calls and hope # 204 is somehow left off the list, you re-teach and educate to a usually unwilling student and all the while the manager is flipping through the yellow pages to line up next year’s bids which is sort of their own recycling program.

Meanwhile across town is a nice couple who are waiting for their one o’clock appointment with you in their single family home. They are always happy to have you, eager to hear about the kids or how your vacation was. They also can’t wait to say what a good job you’re doing and they have absolutely no bug problems to report. You met them last year and they had a severe roach problem that just never seemed to go away. They will never be without you now and where ever they move, you’re coming with them. They learned a lot from you and have implemented many of the things you told them about for pest free living. But perhaps the one thing that was most important they didn’t fully realize until the day they moved. That’s when they learned about roach recycling and how to prevent it when they packed up the last box and left, apartment # 204.

Posted in Roaches | 2 Comments

How to make your own bug collector

Posted on May 20, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

Collecting insects can be a very frustrating endeavor, especially live ones. I can only imagine what’s going on in the tiny bugs mind as he runs for his life while I’m trying to scoop him up with my rudimentary spur of the moment collection tool. I’ve always wanted a more professional way to do this but the need didn’t arise enough for me to spend a lot of time thinking about it. So when I had to catch and bring a specimen back to the office for identification I would quick grab a ladle, tweezers, dust pan, coffee cup or anything handy. I even tried to delicately use my fingers if the bug didn’t have pinchers but I rarely had enough left to identify if I could grab him at all. That’s changed as you can see, now it is as simple as ‘drinking through a straw’ and I collect all sorts of bugs in one piece and alive.

Click on pics to enlarge

A couple years ago I was asked to be part of a termite survey by Matt Messenger, Ph.D. Research Entomologist and Project Leader for the New Orleans Mosquito and Termite control board. I was to collect and save termites found in my daily routine, place them in vials, and send them off with all the pertinent information including zip codes so that different species of termites could be mapped. It was a fun project for me and Matt was very helpful and would take the time to e-mail each time I sent a vial letting me know the exact species I had found. He was a really nice guy and was very excited about the survey he was doing in the states and even over in Hong Kong and would send pictures of his adventures there as well.

As part of the study I was sent inspection vials filled with an alcohol and water mix, survey questions and a ‘termite collection tool’. Plus there was the promise of a t-shirt at the end of the project so for me this was a win-win. (I love t-shirts) While I learned quite a bit with the survey I also kept my termite collection tool and use it to this day. It has the vague look of some strange kind of crack pipe and I get a raised eyebrow or two from curious customers which always turns into an ‘ah ha’ look when I would show them the little bug caught and running around the bottom.

In my line of work professional tools always add to my credibility and this little device is no different. Although this tool was made to collect termites, I use it all the time now to grab ants and other small bugs for identification or to just show my customer which always helps verify what I’m saying or helps close the sale. For the professional pest control operator or just the curious little kid who loves collecting bugs this is a must have and easy to make.

What’s needed

You’ll need about three feet of clear 1/4 inch tubing
6 to 8 inches of 3/8 copper pipe
Rubber stopper (size depends on bottle size you choose)
Clear plastic bottle or you can use a medicine bottle
Small piece of cloth for filter (so you don’t ingest your bugs)

Now mine was made for me so these directions are not official but it doesn’t look hard;

How to make and assemble

 

  • You’ll need to gently bend your copper pipe and it’ll be easier to do at full length. At one end measure approximately 3 inches for the center of your bend. Using a larger metal pipe or other cylindrical object place the copper tubing over the curve and apply pressure slightly rolling the pipe and bending the copper till it bends to that shape or close enough without kinking. If you can heat the copper all the better.
  • Repeat the process on the other end of the copper pipe but only measure about 1 inch for the center of your bend. (This is where the heat will come in handy)
  • Now you need a pipe cutter or small hacksaw to cut the pipe to get your two pieces. Just about half way in between the bends should do and that will give you one longer pipe (about 4 or 5 inches) and a shorter pipe. (2 1/2 to 3 inches)
  • For the stopper you’ll need to drill two holes for your pipe ends to fit through. A sharp drill bit and a vice would be best. The drill should go through easily so don’t apply too much pressure with it or the vice.
  • To assemble simply place the copper tubes with ends facing opposite direction in the holes of the stopper and have about 1/4 inch of tubing protruding from the bottom of the stopper. Slide the plastic tube over the shorter copper tube section and cut about 3/8 inch off the top. Take the cut piece and your filter cloth and slide both over the shorter copper pipe coming out of the bottom of the stopper. The small piece of tubing will hold your cloth filter in place.
  • Place the assembled stopper in your bottle and you now have a certified bug collection device guaranteed to get you car searched if you ever get pulled over for a ticket.

 

Simple enough and simple to use, just point the long copper end near your bug and suck in the tubing and ‘ta dah’, you have your bug alive and intact for the entire world to see.

If you want to catch bigger bugs you can make this tool with larger materials or if you are a professional pest control operator you can contact Matt to see if they are still doing the survey. I don’t think they are but it’s still worth the time to look at his web site and see all of the valuable information he was able to collect. Either way I think this little device is a great asset to have and makes the job of collecting bugs so much easier and fun to do.

Good Luck and Happy hunting!

Posted in Tools of the trade | Leave a comment

How to deal with pesky gnats

Posted on May 18, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

As I write this there is a tiny gnat flitting about my screen desperately trying to find a way into the world of light. This has happened almost every night for the past several weeks. It’s not the same gnat mind you because each evening I eventually get tired of the little guy and smoosh him somewhere against my 17 inch monitor.

It seems to be a banner year for flies and gnats as we have been getting many calls for these bothersome pests from a variety of areas and with all kinds of different environments. Established customers who rarely see a bug now have little dive bombers all over the cat food or around their dinner table. New clients that are at their wits end call for some sort of relief from these persistent flyers that twit about their nose and mouth. High end homes as well as some that aren’t kept up so well share in the torture that these winged terrorists engage in. Even my local chemical distributor is plagued with the pesky critter and that would be the last place I would expect to see them.

One key to flying pests and their control is identification, if you know what it is you’ll know what to do. Fruit flies can be dealt with by constructing a simple trap and then finding the source. ID Drain flies and you know you need to look at your plumbing areas or septic system. But what do you do if you can’t identify them? I’ll admit I have no idea what kind of gnat visits my screen every night. To id it after I’ve creamed him all over my Google search bar icon would take some sort of forensic science equipment and a team of entomologists I’m sure.

One thing that is common with all pest invasions whether it’s roaches, earwigs, mice or gnats is a common denominator. These bugs or vermin didn’t just fly across town and end up in my office by chance. Something has either brought them here or was neglected long enough to allow them to build up in numbers so that now they are intruding on the inside of my home.

Professional exterminators are always on the lookout for common denominators whether they realize it or not. If out of the blue one of my clients develops German roaches I always ask if they have gone to a yard sale or flea market and bought anything lately. Oddly, 99% of the time they say no quicker than Google can retrieve all the information it has on gnats. Results 1 – 10 of about 1,280,000 for Gnats [definition]. (0.14 seconds). That’s pretty quick but I don’t give up because I know they weren’t there last service and so as I look around I may see a new dresser drawer or find out the daughter has just moved home from college or any number of things. The customer then has a light bulb click on over their heads and we investigate further. Most times that common denominator yields the answer and I can make short work of the cure.

For gnats and flying pests it isn’t always so obvious but the principle is still the same. Find the source and you can deal with the problem. Here’s a list of things you can check assuming you can’t identify your pest and with any luck you may end the silent attackers torturous ways inside your home.

  • Indoor plants, especially over watered ones or new ones delivered (like flowers)
    New mulch or really old matted wet mulch just outside your windows and doors
    Drains and sump pumps
    Refrigerator condescension trays
    Old forgotten sacks of potato’s or fruit
    Trash cans that have build up of scrap and food particles
    Under sinks for leaks
    Dead mice under stoves or furniture
    Dead mice, rats or birds in attic or crawl (even in garage behind storage)
    Kitty litter boxes or pans
    Mops
    Recycle bins or boxes (drink cans are notorious)
    Any new articles or furniture that has come into the home
    Water damaged walls such as in bathrooms
    Bath trap areas (you may need to cut one to access void under bathtub)

This is only a partial list but it covers what I initially look at when trying to solve a gnat problem. You most likely need to think outside the box and not limit these pests to what you think they need to survive. I’ve seen hoards of sewer flies (drain flies) come out of one small drain or crack in the floor. Fruit flies don’t need a whole banana to create generations of offspring but can get along just fine on just a small piece that fell in between the stove and fridge.

To eliminate the gnat once you’ve narrowed down the possibilities can be frustrating but chemical control is most likely not needed when you truly find the mother ship. Do your best to alter the source which usually involves cleaning, scrubbing and throwing the infected item away. Drains may need the grate or screen removed so you can get to the scum build up that is usually right there at the top. Mulch may need to be turned and allowed to dry out and screens may need to be refitted or shored up (some gnats are so small that screens are no obstacle). Not watering plants so much or setting them outside. Opening water damaged walls to allow drying or complete bleach cleaning of kitty litter boxes may be what are needed to cut off your source. Regardless you need to find source and you’ll be well on your way to gnat free living.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a gnat of my own to smoosh!

Posted in Flies and Gnats | 3 Comments

Pesticides don’t come with autopilot

Posted on May 16, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

This story comes from our good friends over at www.m0a.com ; a blog that I frequent often and he sent this to me knowing my keen interest in everything in the pest control world. I can’t verify everything in it but it does illustrate the point that we all need to be careful when dealing with chemicals.

En route from Arizona to California, the pilot became nauseous and began to vomit. The pilot advised air traffic that he was sick and radio contact was lost. The airplane had descended from 16,500 feet msl and was on an established course to his destination and level at 10,500 feet msl being flown by the autopilot. The last thing that he recalled was approaching his destination. When the pilot regained consciousness he looked outside the airplane to determine where he was. The surface was obscured in cloud cover. On his left side was a Navy F18 fighter plane, and they briefly communicated by hand signals. The F18 pilot indicated he should turn around towards land. The accident pilot determined that he was 186 nautical miles southwest of his destination and over the ocean. He reversed his course. The pilot attempted to contact air traffic without success; another aircraft relayed the pilot’s message to air traffic. The pilot declared a medical emergency and advised that because of low fuel he would not be able to return to land. Within 10 minutes the fuel onboard was exhausted and the pilot configured the airplane for the best angle of glide and ditching at sea. Subsequently, the pilot descended through low stratus and ditched the airplane in the ocean at dusk. The pilot exited the airplane with a hand held VHF radio, two flashlights, a cell phone, and a trash bag for flotation; he climbed onto the top of the fuselage to await rescue. At this time it was dark. After about 30 minutes a Navy S3B circled the downed plane until a rescue helicopter arrived and rescued him. While at the pilot’s Arizona residence he sprayed for bugs and insects using the pesticide ‘Dursban.’ During the process he opened the spray container to replenish the pesticide and the built-up pressure sprayed the vapor into his face. He cleaned himself up and then departed for the airport and the return flight to Palomar. He had bought food to eat during the flight, and shortly thereafter, he became sick in flight. The EPA as of June 8, 2000, has banned Dursban from the commercial market.

I’m not much of a pilot (yet) but it is my general experience that the people who fly are very meticulous and follow even the most mundane procedures to ensure safety in everything they do. Perhaps if this unfortunate flyer had even some simple training he could have avoided this near fatal accident.
Maybe this weekend you are heading out to treat the yard for weeds or going to dust off that old sprayer and tackle those pesky carpenter ants once and for all. Before you do, please do yourself a favor and read any and all instructions even though they seem mundane. You may or may not be planning to go for a flight later that day but one thing I’m sure you’re not planning is an emergency landing in the hospital E.R.

Posted in Safety | 1 Comment

Headless Zombie Fire ants

Posted on May 14, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

It the latest effort to rid America of the Fire ants, scientist are introducing a new weapon. Phroid flies that come from Brazil are being used in Texas to combat this important and costly pest. Fire ants are originally from that region so it stands to reason to bring a natural enemy in that may be more productive than many of our treatments have been.

“It’s a tool. They’re not going to completely wipe out the fire ant, but it’s a way to control their population,” said Scott Ludwig, an integrated pest management specialist with Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension Service in Overton, in East Texas.

Fire ants do over a billion dollars in damage every year and cause health risks by their bites and stings. This new approach lets nature fight back. The flies dive bomb the ants and lay their eggs inside. The larvae grow; eat out the brain and eventually the head drops off and the ant dies. During the time the larvae is doing his brain ectomy, the ant wanders aimlessly like a ‘zombie’ with no direction.

Although no one is saying this will completely eradicate the Fire ant population it may have promise. Maybe the whole reason the ants got on that boat in the first place was to avoid the Phroid flies so it may be worth a shot.

Posted in Pests in the news | 3 Comments

Conspiracy of Love Bugs

Posted on May 13, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

Few bugs found in the southeastern United States are as aggravating, clumsy, misunderstood and useless as the Lovebug. Their purpose is not an obvious one and it seems that the rest of nature does not care much for this slow flying Casanova. Birds won’t eat them and spiders cut them out of their webs letting them fall to the ground. Hungry lizards slither right by without so much as a second look and other predatory insectivores do the same. About the only winner with the Love bug onslaught that comes twice per year is the corner car wash.

Many people believe that the University of Florida invented this bug to combat the states Mosquito population and that experiment went way wrong. While there may be some doubt that the gator scientist invented the sports drink Gatorade, there is no truth to the Lovebug conspiracy being hatched in the secret labs of Gainesville. Go Gators.

The Lovebug is not even actually a bug but it is in the order of Diptera and is in the March fly family which make him a fly, so you could call them Love flies. It is also known as the honeymoon fly, telephonebug, kissybug or double-headedbug.

The Lovebug larvae (maggots) do serve a purpose as they eat dead vegetation usually in tall grass where the female lays her eggs. This stage can last up to 9 months so that can be a lot of recycling. Lovebugs come out twice per year, first in late April or May and then again in the late summer. The adults eat nectar and spend their days copulating continually even in flight. Soon after mating is finished the male dies but often stays attached to the female until she lays her eggs.

The range of the Lovebug is from Texas to Florida and as high up the east coast as North Carolina. The slow flight and the not yet understood propensity to hang around roads and highways make them a nuisance to motorists and riding a motorcycle quite an adventure. Some believe it is the emissions of the vehicles that attract the flies while others say it’s actually the sunlight that reflects off the carbon monoxide or asphalt. Their guts and egg sacs are acidic so they play havoc on a paint job if you don’t remove them before they dry on your hood or chrome.

There really is no control for Lovebugs and since they are harmless there is no agency that I know of working on it. There is a rumor that the LSU Tigers are working on training the Lovebug to fly in the face of Tim Tebow cardboard cutouts in hopes they can somehow stop him with next seasons game. For now though, that seems to be just another unfounded conspiracy.

Posted in Flies and Gnats | 2 Comments

Pesticide Poisoning

Posted on May 12, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

In my line of work I get a lot of people asking me; “Aren’t you afraid of poisoning?” or my favorite, “Aren’t you worried you’ll get cancer from all those chemicals?” While I’m sure there’s a smidgeon of compassion in their voice, most often what I hear is fear. Not for me but rather for them because I just treated their home.

Sadly there are a lot of misconceptions about pesticides and human health. To most, all chemicals are bad and eventually you will die from their use. Almost everybody I meet knows somebody who knows somebody whose uncle’s wife’s brother’s son had pesticide poisoning and DIED. This anecdotal hear say evidence is all they need to be convinced that I am spreading toxic poisons about the home and that breeds worry, doubt and fear.

No amount of reasoning will sway the minds of those who carry this fear to any degree and all they need is a 20/20 report on TV about ‘toxic waste’ or something for it to be burned into their psyche forever. You can’t sight enough statistics or point out the facts about the exhaustive research and development of today’s products and make any headway.

These same people with the elevated fears are usually the same ones with dozens of pest control products haphazardly strewn about their sheds or garages. For some reason that’s ok and they have little regard thinking these store bought products can’t possibly be as strong and therefore are nothing to worry about. It’s only when an exterminator with the fancy tanks and tool belt comes strolling up the sidewalk that these phobias kick in.

Now I’m not here to tell you that pesticides are totally harmless and you should have no fears at all while dealing with them. Quite the opposite is true; However I would exchange the word fear for respect and tell you that you should have a lot of that.

A quick lesson for anyone who is dealing with any pesticide may be all the difference between safely applying a product or someone who may get hurt or sick.

Read the label:

It may sound simple and almost condescending but you must take the time to read what you’re getting in to or you have no one to blame but yourself. In the label you will find what to wear to protect yourself, how much product to mix and or use and the different bugs it will control. You will also see one of 3 words which will help remind you what you are dealing with.
Caution: mildly toxic, more than an ounce would be a lethal dose for a human (less for children).
Warning more toxic, a teaspoon to a tablespoon is a lethal dose for an adult.
Danger (accompanied by the symbol of the skull and crossbones), highly toxic – a minute amount can kill an adult.

A quick read can help prevent you from becoming a statistic and your professional pest control operator has done more than 1000 reads if they’ve been in the industry for any length of time. When I first started in pest control 25 years ago I did not get the keys to my truck for 3 solid months. I read books, watched films, trained in the field and took proficiency tests before I was deemed ready to take on a route. While this may not always be the case I can assure you that this is at least similar to what the good companies do today. (I know mine does)

If you Google pesticide poisonings you would have to search a lot longer and harder than I to find exterminator related accidents. Most involved vehicle crashes or out of the ordinary circumstances. However I did find a common theme when it came to poisonings in the U.S. It may cause you to reorganize what’s under your sink and perhaps you’ll re evaluate doing pest control yourself.

Liquid dish soap is the leading cause of poisonings in the home for children under the age of six (over 2.1 million accidental poisonings per year). Most brands of liquid dish soap contain Formaldehyde and ammonia.

Of the chemicals found in personal care products: 884 are toxic, 146 cause tumors, 218 cause reproductive complications, 778 cause acute toxicity, 314 cause biological mutations, 376 cause skin and eye irritations

[Source: United States House of Representatives Report, 1989]

Out of 2,435 pesticide poisonings in a one-year period, over 40% were due to exposure to disinfectants and similar cleaning products in the home.

[Source: State of California Study]

While fear of the dreaded insecticide reigns supreme it hardly registers with any statistical reporting service when it comes to pesticides. The overwhelming danger lies in homecare products or things we take completely for granted and use every day. Hypothetically if you could limit pesticide use to only trained professionals I doubt you would have very many accidents at all.

The death or harm to anyone from pesticides is tragic and I in no way wish to diminish its significance. But I believe most if not all of it could be eliminated with a little respect.

Posted in Safety | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The conscientious tech

Posted on May 11, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

Conscientious;

Main Entry: con•sci•en•tious
Pronunciation: \ˌkän(t)-shē-ˈen(t)-shəs\
Function: adjective
Date: 1576
1 : governed by or conforming to the dictates of conscience : scrupulous, conscientious public servant
2 : meticulous, careful, conscientious listener

A couple of things have been on my mind lately and that sparked this train of thought.

What do people really want from their pest control service provider?

Do they want a knowledgeable person who handles their bug problem with skill and efficiency?
Do they want the most effective service done in the safest manner?
Are they concerned with how he or she looks and what their bug truck looks like?
Or do they just want the peace of mind knowing that someone else is handling this chore and not them?

The answer is yes, yes and yes. But it is so much more that probably never gets noticed that makes all the difference. Much like a mechanic who has to change a simple gasket in your car but has to take half the engine apart to do so. There is unseen effort and training that goes into it but they make it look easy.

The definition say’s it all and that is what most people get when they hire a pest control professional, but it what you don’t see or the extra effort in solving a pest infestation that makes the difference.

When you call for wasps in the bathroom and your pest man crawls up onto the roof to treat the protruding vent. When ants are sneaking in from a floor vent and your gal enthusiastically crawls under the house with a flash light and a duster. On the 3rd trip out for some really stubborn German roaches you are greeted with a smile and an eager professional who’s willing to listen and work hard to solve your problem. Besides, he’s been thinking and talking to his peers about your situation and has brought a new bait product that looks promising. These are the times you know you have a conscientious tech.

With running a route comes so many responsibilities and different tasks that have to be done in any given day. The pressure alone of being on time when you have 10 other tickets on your route sheet is enormous. Each home or business to be treated is unique and the pest control pro has to be on top of their game to provide efficient effective service. Always searching for the root cause of an invasion of pests and working around or through difficult situations is the life blood of a great technicians mind. He or she cannot just spray and pray in order to eliminate unwanted bugs but must dissect each quandary and play the part of a detective or their efforts will yield unsatisfactory results.

These are the moments where the endless hours of training come into play. For the employees of larger companies they may sit through long hours of training classes each month while the one man operator has to self motivate to go online or read each article of the monthly pest control magazine he subscribes to. Every great tech also relies on what he’s learned in the past and what works well or what has failed him. Either way our industry is constantly changing and growing and in order to stay current and be more effective, the conscientious tech is always learning.

The job of pest control technician is truly a rewarding one. You see so many different things in one day and are exposed to many wonderful people all who live and work in the area you are in charge of. Conscientious techs take great pride in their work and tend to their customers like a Sheppard does his sheep. They’ll work hard, study and apply everything they know that will be the safest and most effective ways of reaching the goal of a pest free environment for them. If they lose a customer they feel they have lost a part of what was theirs and take the loss to heart. When customers are added they quickly bring them into the fold and give them the professional courteous attention that the hundreds of others on their route enjoy.

The conscientious techs job never ends as each day has to be a repeat performance at a high level. Anything short of that and the problems mount and service will begin to slide. They know that they are in a ‘complaint’ business by nature and any sub standard effort is easily spotted by the calls that come into the office. To be successful in the pest control industry there are a lot of things you must do right. Competition is high and there is always another service company that’ll be glad to take your place. Behind every successful pest business and growing route there is always one common denominator, the conscientious tech.

Posted in Tools of the trade | 1 Comment

What the Do it yourself store won’t tell you

Posted on May 9, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

If you ever pay attention to radio ads or print media there is one thing each ‘do it yourself pest control’ advertisement has in common. They all tell you to get rid of your bug man and save money. Now me personally, I am a DIY guy as much as possible but there are certain things I either stay way clear of or would rather pay a professional for because of the lack of knowledge or convenience alone.

Heart surgery is something I’ll never try again and I’m done changing my own oil. OK the heart operation was on a frog in my 7th grade science class but I truly am out of the oil changing business. While some enjoy 45 minutes to an hour getting greasy I don’t have the proper tools or time to whip through it in 20 minutes and I hate running the dirty oil across town anyway to be disposed of. My time is valuable to me and busting my fingers on a F150 under carriage and getting dirt in my eyes and oil down my arm is not my idea of effectively saving money.

What your friendly do it yourself store is suppose to offer you is a money saving product that will solve your pest control problem that saves you your valuable time. Unfortunately what I see more often than not is a new customer that has spent $ 30.00, $ 40.00 or even hundreds of dollars on a pest infestation only to have to call me in because they didn’t even make a dent in the problem. They are usually exasperated by that point and very often I am able to come in and wipe out their particular pest in short order. What I find fascinating is the price that they’ve paid for the products they bought which is usually 2 1/2 times the amount I paid. Another part of what’s not said by the DIY owner is that a professional can get rid of the pest problem quicker and more efficiently while offering a service guarantee. These factors should be taken in to account if you are truly looking to save money.

Now before you think I’m 100% against the DIY pest control store take a look around this site and see all the times I try to lead you through some simple steps so that you can do your own pest control. I think that these stores have their place and can be quite helpful in some circumstances but definitely not in all. I also warn you against certain remedies that simply don’t work and I always encourage you to seek a professional if you think you are in over your head.

Are DIY stores cheaper?

The simple answer is no! Their radio spots etc. say they will save you money but tell me what is your time worth? When you spend $24.00 on an $ 8.00 can of X and still have the problem and need another can, what have you saved? Is the five minutes of advice on flea control going to replace the years of experience and field knowledge that your local technician can bring? Does the 1/2 pound of dust they sold you come with the duster so that you can apply just the right amounts to even the smallest cracks and crevices? That’ll be another $ 17.00 bucks.

There was an article in my local paper several years ago and they interviewed an area pest control company owner. They asked him about DIY stores and his response was very impressive. He said something to the effect and I am paraphrasing;

the state mandates 3 years of training before you can even take the test to become certified and yet DIY stores can sell many of the same products we use and the owner doesn’t even have to be a certified operator or licensed in pest control at all. What’s more many of us have been in the business for many years with real world experience and these people can give you a few minutes instruction and off you go with your bag filled of potentially harmful pesticides.

As I said I’m not against anyone’s right to offer DIY pest control products and if you look at your local bug man’s ads you’d be hard pressed to find one that disparages the DIY stores. It’s your choice of course but if you want the job done quickly and with the most effective tools and products than I would imagine you’d want to call in a pro. If you’re in my area I’d love to come out and help, just let me get this oil off my hands and I’ll be right over.

Posted in Choosing a pest control company | 2 Comments

Naturally confused

Posted on May 8, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

There are some things in pest control we cannot say; in fact in my state we are not allowed to use words like ‘safe’ or ‘non toxic’ in our yellow page ads or brochure materials. Still every year the advertisements are filled with words like 100% safe, eco friendly and won’t harm pets. The ‘cide’ at the end of any word means to kill. Homicide, suicide, herbicide, miticides, rodenticide and of course pesticide all refer to the killing of the noun which precedes the word cide. It may be different where you are as far as the laws referring to what a company can and cannot say but to claim that a pesticide application is completely safe and non toxic is not entirely true and is in my opinion irresponsible.

Other words that are not as regulated but equally misused and misunderstood are inorganic and organic pest control. It may surprise you to know that most pesticides are in fact, organic by definition. Since these products contain an element in their molecules known as carbon, they fall into the class of organic chemistry. On the other hand what we normally think of as organic or green products are really inorganic because they lack carbon. Additionally most of these are natural minerals such as diatomaceous earth, boric acid and silica gel which every ‘organic’ pest control company boasts of using.

Confused yet?

It’s easy to think that just because you use something that is naturally made that you are being as safe as possible however some of the most toxic known substances are from Mother Nature. Cone shell venom for example is 1 million times more toxic than the insecticide permethrin. Confusion seems to be the only constant in this new wave of pest control and sometimes the customer doesn’t get at all what he or she thought they were. To make matters worse many inorganic pesticides are approved as organic pest control products such as boric acid which incidentally has no antidote if you ever take in to much.

There are also many products such as pyrethrums which are nothing more than crushed chrysanthemum flowers, what could be safer right? Used in aerosols and liquids this flushing agent is many times not approved for use as an organic product. The reason is not the main ingredient for this and many other such chemicals but some of the inert ingredients. Pyrethrum is usually combined with another chemical “synergist” called piperonyl butoxide which aids in the products toxicity and because of that it cannot be listed as organic even if is only a very small percentage of the overall volume in a can or solution.

Another move in the pest control industry and this is maybe due to the confusion in the organic, inorganic debate is to “least toxic” or “minimum risk” insecticides. Most of these are plant based products and as such they are more acceptable to many customers. Schools now use this approach if for no other reason that it eliminates the requirement for ‘notification’ before treatments. Worried parents fears are also somewhat abated and maybe the school board will have to deal with one less alarmist Doctor or lawyer as well.

Of course as with everything now days the government is involved with shaping this framework of what is and is not acceptable. The NOP (National Organic Program) was established and in 1990 the Organic Foods Production Act was set up to create a list of what is considered organic and therefore approved. I’m not much for scientific speak but perhaps if you are you can check out the link which comes up as a pdf.

The main issue with all these “advancements” or “set backs” depending on where you stand is safety. No one wants to poison a child or family pet and the trend also is for helping the environment as well. It may be that you are looking through the yellow pages as we speak and want a “non toxic” solution to your pest control problem. The ad’s may state that they are 100% safe, organic and green but you should take some time to figure out what your definition is and see if the company your thinking of hiring matches up.

My guess is that you may not find all that you are looking for but perhaps one company may do enough to satisfy what your needs are. On the other hand you may investigate further trying to define your goals and end up like me, naturally confused.


Posted in Choosing a pest control company | Leave a comment

The illusive ‘White roaches’

Posted on May 6, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

What do all these roaches have in common? There are German roaches, Palmetto, Wood roaches, Surinam roach, Cuban roach, Oriental roach, American roach, Brown Banded roach, Asian roach, American roach, Australian roach and a termite. (Ok a termite is not a roach but he has this same commonality)

They all grow via ‘gradual’ metamorphosis meaning as nymphs they resemble the adult but what I’m getting at is they all are at one time or another white in color.

We’re all familiar with the ugly caterpillar story where nobody likes him and he’s not very attractive. He plods along in life inching his way around being ridiculed and then one day spins a cocoon. (Presumably to escape his tormentors) Time goes by and everyone forgets about the ugly caterpillar when one day the cocoon opens and he emerges as this beautiful butterfly. That is what is called a ‘complete’ metamorphosis where the young or larva stage looks nothing like the adults. In almost all insects who develop with complete metamorphosis the larva not only look different but they eat different foods, may only walk but then emerge as a flyer, are attracted to different scents or light situations, go from predator to passive and may be changed from nocturnal to active in the day or any combination of the above. Our little roach friends however start out and end up with much the same traits they were born with.

There is a stage however that most people don’t get to see, it’s the time of molting where the roach has grown too big for his exoskeleton. Think of insects as having their bones on the outside of their body and when they outgrow them the exterior shell spits open and the larger sized roach emerges. During this time a roach is perfectly white with the exception of his eyes.

The reason you don’t see this very often is that they are pretty vulnerable at this time so they may recede deeper into your walls or cabinets for safety while this process takes place. Often thought of as an albino roach people will scoop this little critter up in a jar and want to show others. A couple of hours later they meet up with their friend and present to them the white roach who is now completely brown or black.

Just like the butterfly who emerges from her cocoon and sits quietly on a twig moving his wings up and down to get the ‘blood’ circulating and the wings dried and ready for flight, the roach will spend a few hours in the dark as his body fluids fill this new larger exoskeleton and part of the process is the ‘color’ being pumped into what was once a silky white shell.

I first learned this lesson years ago while training on a bad German roach job with my service manager. We had roaches dropping from the ceiling and pouring out of every crack and crevice there was. When out from a crack came a ‘white’ roach, I became so excited and exclaimed that I had found an albino roach. I was so sure that I would get a raise and be recognized for finding this rare fluke of nature in only my first few days on the job. Instead my manager put me back on book duty for the next couple of days figuring I needed to do some more reading.

It’s kind of rare that the homeowner will ever see this stage of a roach’s life being that they tend to hide deeper in their environment until the process is complete but we do get calls from time to time. Callers ask if there is a new bug that’s invaded the town and they almost always seem disappointed when we explain what they’ve seen. I guess they would rather have some new exotic pest in their homes than just a plain old roach. Most parents that have called also ask if there is some way they can preserve the white color until the kids get home from school. “Short of putting it in the freezer, I guess you could always step on it” we reply but that’s usually followed with silent disgust and an awkward moment. We’re great at killing bugs but perhaps humor is not one of our long suits.

While no one I know is happy with any roach found in their home, they almost always make the exception and go out of their way to catch the ‘illusive white roach’ alive and well. When they find out it’s only a temporary color then your guess is as good as mine what they do to the poor insect who was only trying to grow.

Posted in Roaches | 21 Comments

The ‘Snowball’ Effect

Posted on May 4, 2009 by The Bug Doctor

In my line of work I come in contact with things that bite every day. I get fleas around my ankles, spiders and ants, an occasional snake, ticks, bed bugs and even No see em’s once in awhile. After 2 1/2 decades you kind of take things in stride and the occasional wasp that dive bombs you as you’re sweeping down her nest is no longer any real reason to hit the panic button.

There is however one bite I can never get use to, oh sure I play it off like it’s no big deal and always smile when I tell the homeowner that “it’s ok, I don’t think it broke the skin.” The dreaded bite to which I’m referring is from none other than the family pet. It almost always surprises me and the pain of a dog bite is not something that goes away quickly.

In almost every case it is never a big dog that sinks his canine teeth into my calf, it is 99% of the time a little dog, usually a white poodle type and more times than I can remember his name was Snowball.

Now I’m usually very good with animals and I always take time to talk with them and pet them. I fill up their water dishes on hot days (I think that’s all the water some of these poor guy’s get once every couple of months) and even throw a ball or stick. Almost every pet on my route loves to see me coming and that ol tail gets to wagging 100 times per minute. Still, there are a few and mostly on my new accounts that don’t give me any indication of a problem and then WHAM, right into my ankle or calf.

Even when I’m ready for it and I can see the dog doesn’t like me I am taken aback when it happens. Some little guys are habitual about it so the homeowner has them locked away till I leave. They say in surprise things like,”oh he’s never bitten anyone else.” I have to take them at their word I guess and I want to say please put him up or something but they usually leave him run free and now I have to be ready for strike two at any moment. I know I can’t be the only one in these situations, I mean they have a mailman and an occasional repair person come to the house besides me I’m sure. Still, the owner never admits to it and insists that Snowy is a good dog to everyone else and almost always blames my tools I wear.

One sure sign of trouble is when the house is filled with pictures of the little dog and even some very expensive looking paintings. The dog is posing majestically on a silk blanket with its head tilted to the side. Or lying in the green grass with a big red ball placed under one paw. I’m sure this purebred belongs in Westminster or Buckingham Palace but somehow got stuck in my little town in a 2500 square foot home and no butler or maid service. That could explain his disposition and his lashing out tendencies, at least that’s what the therapist’s receipt left on the kitchen counter says. His bowls are monogrammed with his name etched in silver or gold. The most expensive kibbles-n-bits are in the pantry and his toy box is in the corner with every chew toy imaginable. I even think I see a stuffed spray man at the bottom but I don’t dare reach in to get a closer look.

When I arrive the lady of the house usually lets me in and magically disappears leaving me and ‘Cujo’ alone. He barks insensibly and is forever trying to position himself in back of me. I try talking to him but that makes it worse and I end up carrying my sprayer down low and in between me and the Doberman wannabe. The crafty little villain does get a nip or two in on my pant leg so I increase my security measures and even start to walk backwards. I actually spray better under pressure but this is a bit extreme.

Thankfully when I’m done I leave the ticket on the counter next to the pet psychologists’ and head outside. Normally it’s too hot for this pedigreed animal and he’s left to chasing me from door to door and yapping at every window.

Whether it’s the uniform or my tool belt and spray equipment I’m not sure. But there are a few homes I dread because ‘Snowball’ is waiting and the homeowner is oblivious to her demon possessed cute little ball of fur. Finally when I’m packing up to leave there’s the cable repair man walking up the drive or maybe it’s the UPS delivery. Either way in most cases they’ll ask if the homeowner is home and if the dog is put up. I simply smile and say “he’s waiting,” and their worried look turns to a fearful glaze. That’s when I know it’s not all me and the dog from hell is terrorizing others as well. I know I shouldn’t smirk but it’s at least comforting to know that I’m not the only one who suffers from ‘the Snowball effect’ and in a way, that’s therapy for me.

Posted in Tales from the route | 2 Comments