Carpenter Bees Are Here
With the recent change in weather most homeowners are seeing the emergence of Carpenter Bees. These large Bees cause great panic but for the most part are harmless to you but not to your wood.
A Carpenter Bee swarm indicates there is a nest nearby. Carpenter Bees nest in wood such as guard rails , decks, chairs, stair railings and eves.
Carpenter Bees are scary but won't sting you
A general pest spray from your local hardware store just won’t cut it. The area needs to be dusted by a professional company with pest products such as: Tempo 1% or Drione Insecticide. A licensed pest company will carry these products and one strong treatment should last approx 3-4 months.
Unless you are prepared to change the infested wood, expect an emergence every year.
PestPlus is happy to provide this service for you. We can be reached at 732-777-6857 or visit our website at: www.pestplus.net
If you haven’t had a chance to do so, feel free to check out our March 2010 addition of our newsletter. http://www.pestplus.net/pdf/March2010-Newsletter.pdf
Dr. Changlu Wang Ph.D-Rutgers Urban Entomologist talks about Bed Bugs
Approx 1 month ago I had several customers come up to me and say “hey, did you see the research they are doing with Bed Bugs at Rutgers” it was just on TV.
I had to admit, no! And didn’t know what they were talking about. Research was being determined to see if Dry Ice was a fix for Bed Bugs. The pubic ALWAYS gets it wrong! I heard from the horses mouth today that the research from Dry Ice is being used as an attractant for monitoring levels of Bed Bug infestations. The research showed great results in case studies.
Today I interviewed Dr. Changlu Wang Ph.D, the leading Urban Entomolgist at Rutgers University in NJ. I would like to share this interview with you. Take note on what Dr. Wang has to say: http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=KksCDl7_6ng
I hope you greatly benefit from this information.
Scott Linde, Expert
Are you prepared for termites?
In a month from now (hopefully if it’s warm) we are going to see an emergence of termites and Carpenter Ants arise. Termites are very sporadic and can emerge in any part of the structure.
Know the difference
One of the things you can do is to make sure you don’t leave any old pieces of wood lying around the exterior of your home or under your deck.
Some believe that if a piece of wood is weather treated it will be resistant to wood destroying insects. However this is not the case. Any wood to soil contact will create decay in the wood leaving it vulnerable to insect infestation. Over this winter between the rain and the snow the wood has experienced major rot and is now an issue as we move into spring.
Another big NO NO is tree stumps! Tree stumps are a welcoming invite for Carpenter Ants and termites. You MUST remove this and the longer you leave this on your property the more threat it poses for a termite infestation to appear. I’m going to be honest it’s going to cost you a lot less $$$ in making these corrections then waiting until it’s too late and calling in a professional.
Another pro-active approach is to call us or your local pest professional in to inspect your property for current or potential threats of wood insects. The cost is minor and the benefits are hugs.
While I welcome your business I also welcome the idea of you taking a pro-active approach.
Call my office if you need us- 732-77-6857
Scott Linde, Expert
Everybody is an expert or are they?
A customer calls me up a week ago because she is replacing her new bed with a more comfortable one. I give her a discounted price on a new sized cover for her bed. She tells me “that’s crazy” that the guy in the bedding store told her she don’t need one. She said the guy in the store had one for $30.00 that would do that same job.
I told her “bullshit” why would she take advice for a sales person in a bedding store as opposed to a Bed Bug expert?
I have to admit stupidity makes me mad. The next time you have a heart issue go ask your butcher what he thinks you should do.
Get my point? Opinions are like noses everybody has one and everybody you ask whats to give you theirs. Protect yourself don’t ask everybody their opinion when it comes to Bed Bug and insect issues.
If/when you should have a Bed Bug issue, please ask only a Bed Bug expert and not your neighbor.
Hope this helps- if it doesn’t I feel better venting!!
Until next time……
Scott Linde, Bed Bug Expert
You Must Purchase The Correct Bed Bug mattress & boxspring covers
Two weeks ago I had a new customer who was looking to save money by purchasing Bed Bug covers other than the ones I suggested (Protecta-Bed). She did purchase our covers for her bedroom and her guest room but for her kids she went to a well know store with the initials B&B.
It was the 1st time I got to experience these other covers 1st hand. I was surprised about the money they paid for these covers and the lack of quality they offered, let me explain:
1. The size twin was a 1 size fits all rather than a thickness such as 6″,9″,11″, etc. I do not agree with this as the goal is to get the cover snug around the actual bed. The woman had a 6″ mattress and the cover fit quite big allowing Bed Bugs to hide. I was not impressed with the zipper system which did not include a locking mechanism.
She also purchased a 17″ depth cover that went on a 9″ bed. It was the silliest thing I ever saw. After fighting with her she finally listened to me and we will install her remaining covers tomorrow.
Honestly not everybody is qualified to be an expert and know what is best for them. If you are faced with a Bed Bug issue your 1st step to get the proper covers on your bed. The proper covers for your bed can be found here: http://www.pestplus.net/catalog/
Protecta-Bed is not about selling covers! It’s about implementing a tool to assist you with battling Bed Bugs.
Do yourself a favor. Do it right the 1st time so it doesn’t have to be done over later on.
Scott Linde, Expert
Bed Bugs Continue To Grow At Rapid Speed
Bed Bugs are on the grow. I am amazed on how Bed Bug service calls continue to pour in. I am also amazed on how the 1st impulse is to throw out the bed and buy some can of cheap bug spray found in a store. Honestly the pesticides labeled “kills Bed Bugs” just do not work. Either does pouring a pesticide dust on your bed and sleeping on it.
Bed Bugs require professional assistance. It’s a series of treatments and inspections that determine the results of your Bed Bug program.
Before hiring ANY pest control company to take care of your Bed Bug issue you need to perform a proper interview. To find out the correct interview questions please visit our website at: www.pestplus.net and click on the Bed Bug educational Center.
Remember Bed Bugs are not a quick fix and not a cheap process. Rather then pay twice, do your homework and pay 1X. Also if the pest control company you interview does not give you a warranty don’t hire them!
I sincerely hope you benefit from this information!!!
Bug Begs Survive Well outside
Its been awhile since my last blog due to the amount of Bed bug work coming in. Last Friday we visited a location. The guy had (has) Bed Bugs and threw out his mattress and boxspring. He left it on his fence line until garbage was able to correct it.
We met the guy outside his apartment and inspected both pieces. To our and his surprise live Bed Bugs were all over both pieces. Keep in mind they have been outside for over 7 days and it rained 2X and the sun had been beating on the beds.
It’s another example how tuff these little insects are and how difficult they are to control.
Take a look, I posted the video….
Please tell me what you think……
Why Do So Many People Receive Bad Bed Bug Jobs!
I am truly amazed on how many Bed Bug calls I receive from people who need service because the original company they hired to do a Bed Bug job did not solve their problem and did not stand behind their work! I give 100% guarantee! My feeling is if your as good as you say you are why not guarantee it! Pest Control peoples have access to all of the same products.
It’s a matter of knowing how to combine products and procedures. You have to want to solve the problem. I am sorry to tell you, 1 pest control guy walking into an infested home is not going to fix anything. You need at least 2 techs and skills.
I find the customers who look to save money and hire based upon price end up not being happy and now have to call in another company and pay double.
I also have tons of people calling me from out of state. I offer advice but they don’t follow through. Why bother calling me if you are not going to listen.
You cannot fix Bed Bugs on your own. Throwing away your mattress is not going to do it!
The 1st step to solving your Bed Bug issue is to realize you cannot fix it by yourself! Visit my website at www.pestplus.net and click on the Bed Bug link. See how its done by watching my videos.
Good luck, I am always eager to solve your Bed Bug infestation!!
Termites & Powder Post Beetles Active or Not?
Today (Tues) was interesting. I inspected a structure in Monroe Township, NJ. I found extreme evidence of termites and Powder Post Beetles in the floor joists. The heavy infested beams were left there and sister joists added for support.
The buyer asked if the activity was active? good question, while I did not readily see termites walking around who’s to say they aren’t inside the wood or they were there just yesterday but left. The entomologists teach there is no way to determine when a termite nest was last active.
As for the Powder Post Beetles, the basement (unfinished) was full of dirt and dust; even if there was activity from the beetles it would not be readily seen. Among every infested floor joist was both termite and beetle evidence. Why the infested wood was not originally removed but supported in beyond me.
As far as the inspection goes, if I do not have paper history of treatment and/or a written warranty in place I consider the infestation active and call for treatment.
My job is to fact find not give opinions. When using an Inspector it is important you check credentials and ask questions. You don’t want to be in a position where something was missed!!
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Small Black Ants Invade East Brunswick NJ on a Sunday..What would you do?
It’s a beautiful Sunday morning (finally) and I just received a call from a customer who is panicking. Small Black Ants has invaded his kitchen and he feels helpless! So I am going to open this up to comments, I will reply to each one. What would you do if you were him? Please explain, TY
Would you pick up a can of raid?
Would you call an exterminator?
Would you use a vaccuum?
How would you act in a panic mode?