Biting & Stinging Pests

DO IT YOURSELF PEST CONTROL

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Worldwide there are over 1,900 known species of fleas, but only a few of these are actually a pest to man.The flea that attacks man and animals the most is the Cat Flea.A popular myth is the sand flea is the worst flea enemy of man but believe it or not there is no such flea as the sand flea.
The flea is a parasite which lives off different hosts feeding on blood. The most common complaint from people concerning fleas is flea bites, usually around the ankle and legs. Different people may vary in how sensitive they are to the bite of the flea, therefore it is possible for 6 people to be living in a house and only 3 or 4 complain of being bitten. One person in the household will usually be the secondary host and may be bitten continuously while other members of the house are not bitten at all. This occurs when the host animal is not available for the fleas to feed on.A flea bite usually has a small red puncture wound surrounded by a red ring. Within a day the bites start to itch which can cause scratching. Sensitive dogs or cats bitten by fleas may lose hair in the area of the bites or repeated scratching can lead to open sores and infection.
Fleas are also a public health problem as vectors of diseases such as Typhus, Tapeworm, and Bubonic Plague. It was the flea feeding on rats by the Cat Flea that harbored the Bubonic Plague during the Middle Ages that is estimated to have killed 25 million people.
Controlling fleas in someone's home could be difficult because of the life cycle of the flea.Understanding the Biology and living habits of the Cat Flea is primary to controlling the pest. The life of the flea has 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. It is the pupa stage or cocoon that creates the biggest problem. The fleas remain in this stage for 5 to 7 days under ideal conditions. They emerge from the pupa stage when they feel vibrations in the area that tells them a suitable meal will be coming by. If there are no vibrations in the area such as when someone moves or goes on vacation the flea can remain in its pupal stage for 6 or 7 months.
This explains why when people return from vacation they are attacked when they come through the door(That's why if a structure has been vacant for a long time its wise to create activity in the structure before treating it that way the pre emerged adults will emerge and contact the pesticide when you apply it).
The best way to prevent fleas in your home is to check your pet once or twice per week in the spring and summer, look for adult fleas crawling between the hairs of your pet. Small black to reddish brown specks on the animal are flea feces. If these are found your pet should be taken to a veterinarian or grooming parlor. You can even treat your animal yourself if you use a spray with an insect growth regulator. If you find fleas in your house vacuum the rugs and floors, then remove the vacuum bag, place it in a trash bag and throw it away. Then treat your property with a chemical such as Empire 20 and Ultracide Igr according to label directions.When treating for fleas it is important to note that the larvae only stay in shaded areas(This applies to the house and yard) Therefore treating areas that are exposed to sunlight is futile.Outside treatment for fleas can be accomplished with a long lasting granule such as Diasinon Granules or a Liquid such as Empire 20.

What I am calling wasps (Vespidae) are what you might also call Hornets or yellow jackets. Mostly yellow and black (though a very common one, Polistes, yellow-brown) you know these as insects to avoid. If you are allergic to bee and wasp venom, then do avoid them. Remember that individual wasps can sting you multiple times and when they sting you. Both wasps and bees leave a chemical :sting me" sign attached to you when you get stung. Thus it is best not to be around bees and wasps for a while if you do get stung. Unlike bees ( the ones you will see anyway) wasps are looking for nectar for themselves and "meat" for their kids (well usually for their siblings since the ones you will see are not reproducing). The meat often comes in the form of a caterpillar.Watching a wasp catch and subdue a caterpillar will be a real treat. They are also attracted to strong odors like perfume and sodas and rotting fruit
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Bees,Wasps, Hornets,Yellowjackets, Cicada Killers, All can be controlled by using Wasp Freeze directly on the on or in the nests according to label directions.Wasp freezes the insects instantly and immobilizes them so they cannot sting and then it kills them while they are helpless.
Another excellent tool for wasp and bee control is Delta Dust. This high powered quick killer is perfect for injection into ground or wall nests made by Yellow Jackets, Cicada Killers, and Honey Bee's. Since it is a dust it leaves a long lasting residual that keeps bees & wasps away for a long period of time.

Cicada killer

Mildly aggressive.Solitary insect Lives in small burrows in the ground.Approximately 1' to 1 1/2' long.Use Delta Dust or Wasp Freeze directly in the burrows.

cicada killer wasp

YellowJacket

Extremely aggressive.Social insect.Lives in the ground,walls,trees,attics,rodent burrows etc.Apply Delta Dust or Wasp Freeze directly to the nests according to label directions.

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Honey Bees

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Extremely aggressive.Lives in trees,Walls of houses etc.Can be a major problem when they choose to make your wall their home.

Treatment

First find the location of the hive in the wall by listening(with a stethoscope if available) then drill a small hole making sure the hole is small enough to prohibit bees exiting to the room. Drill the hole into the wall closest to the hive.Then according to the label directions pump the Delta Dust into the hole you drilled in the wall.

Note: If the hive is a big one there may be an odor as the honey bee air conditions the honey and when the colony is gone the honey may sour.You may then need to open the wall and remove the unoccupied hive.