| Black Widow Spiders |
Black Widow Female (She's the one with the dangerous bite.) "Come into my parlor said the spider to the fly," is an often quoted saying. Whoever originated it may have had this creature in mind. The mere thought of the Black Widow causes most of us to pause and even strikes fear in the hearts of some folks. 
Black Widow Male
(Harmeless to humans)
Contrary to urban legend, Black Widows do not agressively come out to bite us. They are shy creatures. which prefer to avoid contact with us or any creatures that may pose a threat to them. If disturbed, as with any spider, Black Widows will flee to a sheltered area and wait until whatever caused it to flee has passed. They tend to inhabit secluded areas, usually low to the ground, where, they are likely to avoid detection. It is this habit, however, that is the main problem. Bites usually occur when unsuspecting humans put their unprotected hands, bare feet, etc. in secluded areas, such as wood piles, shrubs & ground cover plants, rarely used boxes, occasionally used personal articles, like boots shoes stored in dark places, etc. Children's play equipment can harbor Black Widows too: Things like sand boxes, swings, play houses, etc. can have areas where these spiders may hide. Be sure to wear gloves when working in areas where Black Widows may harbor. Check footwear, that hasn't been used for some time, prior to wearing it. Periodically check children's toys and recreational equipment to minimize the chance of an unfortunate encounter. It is the female that poses the threat when she comes in contact with humans. The bite of the Black widow may initially inflict a sharp pain or, in some cases, may not be noticed at all. However,as the venom spreads through the body, it wreaks havoc and causes debilitating pain. Although the venom is not fatal for most people, the very young, the very old and those with hypertension can be at risk. It is important for anyone who has been bitten, regardless of age or health, to seek immediate medical attention.
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Greetings!
As Summer approaches we all begin thinking of fun things like back yard barbecues, boating, camping, fishing, baseball, picnics and walks in the park with that special someone. But Summer also brings other things that we don't like thinking about...Things that are of definite concern to you, your customers and tenants. I'm talking about pests like Paper Wasps, Yellowjackets, spiders (especially Black Widows), ants and other creatures that are almost certain to invade your indoor and outdoor spaces. These pests can infest commercial and multifamily communities just as easily as suburban and rural ones and can comprise liability concerns when someone on your property comes in contact with them.
In this issue we will briefly discuss some of these pests, what you can do and how a professional may be able to help.
Sincerely,
Harry Case
Pest Control Center, Inc.
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Yellowjacket or Paper Wasp?
 Every year they show up. A nuisance that can't be ignored. Yellow Jackets and Paper Wasps. To many people they appear the same, but there are key differences: Yellow Jackets, sometimes called, "Meat Bees," build their nests in cavities such as gopher burrows, hollows in trees and buildings and other places, such as rock walls. They are agressive and will attack readily, with little provocation, to defend themselves and their nests. 
Paper wasps, on the other hand, are fairly docile and attacks on humans are rare. They can become a problem, however, when they build their familiar, umbrella shaped paper nests near the entrances of structures used by humans.
Another social wasp which many of us are familiar with is the Bald-Faced Hornet. A non-agressive cousin of the Yellow Jacket, this wasp is somewhat larger than the Yellow Jacket and Paper Wasp and is black and white in color. The colony builds the familiar oval shaped nest, which hangs from a tree, shrub or structure. Like the paper wasp, the Bald-Faced is not prone to attacking but will defend its colony, when threatened, so respect and caution are warranted.
 The Mud Dauber Wasp, though somewhat menacing in appearance poses no threat to humans. Mud daubers are black and yellow, thread-waisted, solitary wasps that build a hard mud nest, usually on ceilings and walls, attended by a single female wasp. They are not social wasps but may be confused with them. They do not defend their nests and rarely sting. You can safely remove the nests without spraying. For more information on all of these and other wasps see the UC Davis article at this link: Yellow Jackets and Other Wasps If you must control wasps yourself caution is the order of the day with most species; particularly with Yellow Jackets. Use a product registered for control of the target insect. Treatment should be done during a time when temperatures are low and the insects are somewhat lethargic, such as early morning. Follow label directions exactly. All that being said, control of wasps, especially Yellow Jackets, is best left to the professionals. Call Pest Control Center at the numbers listed above or go to The Pest Control Center Inc. Contact Page to request a quote or schedule a visit by your pest control professional.
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| Burrowing Vertebrates
Burrowing vertebrates can cause extensive damage to landscapes in California and Oregon. Their burrows and tunnels not only damage the investment you've put into your buildings' landscapes, but can, at times present a hazard to humans and animals. They are a real factor where liability issues on your properties are concerned.
 California Voles, sometimes called Meadow Mice cause extensive damage to fruits, vegetables and flowering plants. They also feed on tree bark, ornamental plantings, turf grasses and Dichondra. They damage plants from a few inches above ground to a few inches below ground. Their feeding can be fatal to your valuable landscape plantings and cause unsightly damage to your lawns.
The California Ground Squirrel is a cute, furry little creature, but don't let it's appearance fool you. It is a serious landscape pest. Strictly a ground dweller, it makes its  home in burrows below ground. The species' tunneling activity can cause significant damage to the roots of plants (including large trees) and foundations of structures. It is mainly herbiverous and will feed on turf, new seedlings, fruits, vegetables, leaves and seeds. Ground Squirrel feeding can cause extensive damage to valuable landscapes. They will also gnaw on irrigation equipment, with obvious, expensive consequences. Occasionally Ground Squirrels will feed on the eggs of ground dwelling birds. Their open burrows are often of sufficent size that a human or large animal stepping into one could end up with a sprained ankle, broken leg or some other injury.
This is a face only a mother could love!  Moles can make you crazy! They have driven more than one gardener to total distraction. They build extensive tunnel systems to live in, raise their young and in their search for worms, grubs and insects upon which to feed. This activity causes considerable damage to lawns and valuable plantings. The shallow feeding tunnels they build are not always visible. Stepping on one and having it collapse could cause a person to lose balance and fall. Moles can be difficult to control. However, newer baits available to professionals offer improved potential for saving your landscape from these critters.
If you saw the movie, "Caddy Shack," You might think of Pocket Gophers as amusing little creatures, but there's nothing funny about the millions  of dollars in damage they do annually on Golf courses, lawns, sports fields of all kinds, not to mention residential and commercial landscapes. Gopher mounds are crescent or horseshoe shapped. The opening is off center and usually plugged with a soil plug. The mounds can range in size from a few inches across to a foot and a half, or more. A large infestation can make a landscape look like a mine field. Gophers generally feed on roots and fleshy portions of plants which they encounter during tunelling. Occasionally they will feed up to a body length from a burrow opening. They will occasionally chew on sprinkler lines, diverting water down their burrows and causing erosion.
Pest Control Center is experienced in the methods of controlling these nuisance animals and is one of very few pest control companies still offering solutions for tunneling and burrowing vertebrate pests. Why not give us a call and give yourself the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you, your customers and your landscape are just a little safer.
Click here to schedule your free quote. |
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Sacramento & Surrounding Areas: (916) 344-4400
