More Pest Control Tips & Facts from RID ALL

Covered below are some facts and tips about common pests and pest control. Enjoy.

• A great bait for a mouse trap (live or snap) is a stretched out cotton ball placed on the trap trigger

• A great bait for a mouse trap (live or snap) is a piece of chewing gum foil wrapped around the trigger

• A great bait for a mouse trap (live or snap) is a piece of frayed hemp twine tied onto the trap trigger

• Male mosquitoes feed primarily on pollen while only females take blood meals

• Scorpions are easily caught or collected at night by searching for them with fluorescent lights since they glow or fluoresce under the bulbs

• Backyard bug zappers actually attract far more insects to your yard than they kill and the resulting “splatter” from electrocuted insects can travel over ten feet

• Many ant species actually tend and protect aphid populations in order to harvest the honeydew produced by the piercing-sucking insects

• Flea pupae can remain “dormant” for over one year until a suitable host comes into range

• Some beetle species have life spans of over twenty years

• Roof Rats can climb trees, fences, gutters, or even walls as easily as squirrels

• Termites will forage over 250 feet from their colony for food

• House mice do not have to drink free water because they receive their water from their food

• Rats must drink free water every day. If a rat problem exists, find the water source and the problem is much easier to manage after the water is shut off.

• Storing broken grain products (flour, cornmeal, pasta) in sealed containers greatly reduces your chance of a stored product pest problem.

• Bird seed is a tremendous source of Stored Product Pests such as Cigarette beetles, Indian Meal Moths, and Weevils. Always store bird seed in a sealed and airtight container to avoid a serious problem.

• House Mice rarely travel more than 15 feet from their nest while rats can travel as far as 150 feet from their nest or burrow.

• A German Cockroach ootheca (or egg case) can hold 25 to 35 nymphs which emerge white in color until their exoskeleton “tans” or darkens

• Insect exoskeletons are made of Chitin – the same substance your fingernails are composed of

• Eastern Subterranean Termites (the species most found in North Texas) can easily live above ground in your home if they find an adequate moisture source such as a roof leak, leaking pipe in a wall, or plugged condensation lines.

• Texas has a species of leaf cutter ants called Atta texana whose underground colonies can extend for acres. These ants are farmers and feed on the fungus spores they cultivate on the leaf pieces they cut.

• Eastern Subterranean Termite queens can live up to 25 years and produce over 60,000 eggs during her life span.

• In a typical year, termites cause more property damage in the United States than fires, floods, or storm damage.

• Trimming trees and shrubs at least twelve inches and preferably eighteen inches away from the home can greatly reduce the likelihood of numerous pest problems, but especially carpenter ant infestation

• Every home owner should inspect and maintain gutters and downspouts at least twice a year. Check for blockages and excess leaf litter which can lead to moisture problems, termite problems, or carpenter ant issues.

>> Contact RID ALL today about questions or problems with a particular pest