Home Health = Home Hygiene

Take charge of your home!

There are many things you can do to prevent pests from getting into your home. Here are some key suggestions and recommendations especially for homeowners:
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Indoors *

1.Make sure all doors to the outside are well sealed. If light can be seen from around or under a door, then insects can gain access into your home.

2.Keep air-conditioning filters clean and thermostats properly adjusted. Mold and mildew build-up attracts tiny insects.

3.Check for plumbing leaks, and seal off gaps around plumbing pipes behind cabinetry. Don’t let water accumulate anywhere in or around your home.

4.Check grout around bathtubs and toilets. A good caulk seal will keep out small insects, such as silverfish and ants.

5.Check the attic for water in the drip pan, unnecessary clutter and screened gable vents. Seal or remove cardboard boxes to prevent insects from nesting inside.

6.Store all open food containers in tightly sealed containers or in the refrigerator.

7.If you have a pet, don’t leave pet food or water out overnight.

8.Check for pests hiding in grocery bags, packages and boxes before carrying them inside your house.

9.  Run Water in any Bathrooms ,Flush Toilets to Ensure Drain has not Evaporated,  * Alternative*-Apply Painter's Tape over Drains in any unused Bathrooms; if Running Water is not  Timely treatment.  Drains are Easy Entry Points for Roaches.

Outdoors *

1.Repair or replace any torn screens to keep insects from getting inside. {Exclusion ] Insect/Rodents or Animals

2.Seal around Soffits, Facia and  Vents to make sure rodents and insects can’t get into the roof or attic space. [ Exclusion ]

3.Seal around  All Conduits and Plumbing /Piping where it enters your house. Many Insects and Rodents follow Power lines or climb Conduits and Pipes to get inside. [Exclusion]

4.Check all Gutter Downspouts/Drains to make sure that Water is diverted away from your house. The base of each Gutter should drain water away from the foundation to discourage moisture from building up next to your house.

5.Remove all accumulated leaves and debris from rain gutters and the roof to prevent ants and other insects from breeding under the build-up.

6.Caulk all cracks and crevices (for example, under window frames or around pipes entering the side of your house) to prevent insects from entering. [Exclusion]

7.Keep garbage cans clean and lids sealed to prevent ants, roaches and flies from feeding and breeding in the garbage.

8.Keep the Garage Door closed, and make sure the weather-stripping along the base of the door is in good repair. [Exclusion]

9.Prune any excess plants or trees touching your house, especially on eaves and the roof. These create an insect and/or Rodent Highway directly into your house.

10.Remove debris, clutter or woodpiles away from your home’s foundation. This discourages Rodents/Rats from nesting or Insect infestations around your home.

11.Check your sprinkler irrigation system to be sure there is no puddling near the foundation or water spraying onto the house.

12.If you have air-conditioning window units, divert the drip line at least 2 feet away from the foundation of your home.

Rodent http://www.mcdonaldpestcontrol.com

Florida's Newest Subterranean termite Species

The University of Florida has confirmed an infestation of the West Indian subterranean termite in Loxahatchee – the first one in the state outside of a single Miami neighborhood.
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The University of Florida has confirmed an infestation of the West Indian subterranean termite in Loxahatchee – the first one in the state outside of a single Miami neighborhood – an indication that this species is moving to the north. A  technician found the termite infestation during an inspection .

Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species of termites and are the species most frequently found throughout Florida. They can collapse an entire building, meaning possible financial ruin for a homeowner. In the United States, about $4.5 billion is spent each year to control subterranean termite infestations and repair damage they cause.

“This species of subterranean termite is found in Jamaica and the Grand Cayman, and it was 1995 when it was first discovered in this country in Miami,” said Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, the professor of entomology who confirmed Hulett’s findings. “The termites were most likely transported to Loxahatchee a number of years ago in a potted plant from the Little Haiti neighborhood where it is common.”

The West Indian subterranean termites are small, brown and swarm during early summer evenings. They look similar to drywood termites, but getting rid of an infestation requires a different treatment protocol. That’s why it’s critical to understand what type of termite is infesting the area.

“It’s easy to misidentify the West Indian subterranean for drywood termites and spend hundreds of dollars on treating the wrong species,” said Tim Hulett, the company’s president and CEO, and an entomologist. “The wasted money is bad enough, but if left untreated the subterranean termites can cause extensive damage that will be much more expensive to treat and repair later on.”

Since the West Indian subterranean termite has demonstrated its ability to successfully establish colonies in South Florida, Scheffrahn expects it to continue to spread over time. They nest in soil and can attack any structure through mud tubes they build to connect their nests to wood. Since they’re either underground or hidden in wood, they are hard to find and identify.
Tampa bay and the St.petersburg, Clearwater Area will Probably experience thi West Indian Termite soon.

Alate (swarmer). (All photos c/o Hulett Environmental Services)

 Pct Magazine Aug. 5 2012