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TERMITE SWARMS BEGIN IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
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Photo by: Gerald J. Lenhard, Lousiana State University |
Across our region termite control experts are seeing an increase in calls from homeowners, alarmed by the emergence of termite swarms. Some of these swarms are occurring outdoors, away from structures, but many emerge from the floors and interior walls of homes and businesses. According to Pest Control Center's Termite Department Manager, Dennis Kleiber, the changes in temperature and humidity that occur in spring, signal subterranean termite colonies to begin their annual emergence and mating flights. Mr. Kleiber says the late rains may cause termite colonies to swarm for a longer period. In response to the large amounts of outdoor moisture seeping into the ground, the swarms are less inclined to emerge outdoors, preferring to move toward the drier soil, adjoining structures. From there they can travel up through mud tubes and exit either in crawl spaces or indoor living areas. Don't be too alarmed if you see them indoors. It took them years to get there and 90 percent of the time they are easily controlled.
According to information on the UC Davis IPM website, "Because of the serious damage they can cause to wooden structures, termites are among the pests most feared by homeowners. However, swarms of flying termites do not always mean your building is infested." Pest Control Center's experts agree with that assessment. "If you suspect that your building has been colonized by termites you should get a thorough inspection of the structure to confirm whether or not there is, in fact, an active infestation." The swarm may be coming from an outdoor source. There is also a chance that the swarm may not be termites at all. They could be reproductives from an ant colony. There are key differences between flying ants and flying termites. Consulting a licensed termite expert is the best way to find out which one you are seeing. He or she can make a positive identification and recommend the best course of action. |
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HONEY BEE
MOVING DAY
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Honey Bee Swarm, Video By: Harry Case |
If you come accross a swarm, such as the one shown here, don't be alarmed. It's only moving day for a colony of Honey Bees. When a hive becomes too large the queen lays eggs in special brood cells and workers begin feeding the new larvae a special, pollen rich food, called Royal Jelly. This causes them to grow into new queens. One of these queens will become the new mother of the colony. The old queen will leave the colony, with thousands to tens of thousands of workers, and move to a new location to start a new hive. Prior to departure scout bees will look at a number of potential new hive sites. Along the way, they will rest in a cluster like the one shown here. This clustering aids the colony in temperature control and protects the
queen, who is located somewhere near the center. While they are here the colony will make the decision as to the final location of their new home. Bees preparing to swarm will engorge themselves with honey and nectar. This and the fact that they are tired from the journey makes them somewhat lethargic and less likely to sting. (This photo was taken from less than 5 feet away. It was one of several stills and a few series of videos that I took. All the while, the bees were flying around me yet I was not stung even once.) Swarming bees are vulnerable to temperature changes, starvation and predators, so a new location must be found quickly for the hives survival. Therefore, a swarm will not remain in one place for long. They will move on in a day or two. You can leave them alone and let them move along in their own time or call a local beekeeper to take them to a hive. (Some beekeepers are happy to expand their hives and will happily remove the swarm at no charge.) Honey bees are among the most efficient plant pollinators and are essential to agricultural production. Without them to pollinate our crops we would experience severe food shortages and starvation would result. Honey Bee numbers are already suffering due to mite infestation and other stresses, not yet identified which causes failure of some hives. Predators, such as Yellow Jackets are also responsible for losses. These insects need all the assistance and encouragement we can offer for their survival. Extermination is an extreme, last resort measure that is, in the vast majority of cases, completely unnecessary. Try to avoid it if at all possible. Unfortunately, some colonies that have taken up residence in human structures can't be safely removed and must, sadly, be destroyed. | | |
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Greetings!
This issue of addresses problems and concerns that range from frustrating to downright scary. Read on and learn the truth about Termite and Honey Bee swarms as well as House Centipedes, moles and gophers. Spring is the time to tackle broadleaf weeds in your lawn and we've included them in our lineup too.
Folks who like to do their own pest control can now shop at our Online DIY Store and have professional grade products shipped directly to their homes or businesses in all of the Contiguous 48 Lower States.
If you enjoy our newsletter please take time to and recomend that they subscribe to receive their own copy each and every quarter. Sincerely, Your Friends at Pest Control Center, Inc. |
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HOUSE CENTIPEDES
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Image By: Joseph Burger, Bugwood.org |
We've all seen them scurrying across the floor or up a wall and we have to admit that the sight of them can be un-nerving. And the feeling is justified. House Centipedes, Scutigera Cleopatra, can defend themselves. If pinched or squished they can inflict a bite that ranges from a pricking sensation to being downright painful. The site of injury can become red and swollen. For the most part however, they're beneficial, preying on other household pests such as flying insects, bed bugs and other unwanted arthropods.
These non-native predators, originally from Mexico, are now common throughout the United States. They prefer warmer climates, but in colder regions they have adapted to live and thrive in climate-controlled human habitations where they find ample prey to feed their voracious appetites for protein. The House Centipede is elongated and flattened, having one pair of legs per body segment. It has long legs that enable it to move quickly in pursuit of its prey or escape potential predators and long antennae that enable it to navigate in darkness and has excellent eyesight. If grabbed by a predator it can detach one or more squirming legs, leaving the predator confused. The legs will regenerate with the next molt.
Though not wanted indoors, their presence is welcome in the garden as another biological means for controlling harmful landscape pests. Centipedes generally do not warrant control measures unless populations rise to nuisance levels. Control measures begin by eliminating moisture in damp areas and sealing up openings in exterior walls and gaps around doors and windows as well as around wires and pipes to prevent entry. Chemical means of control are seldom needed and should be applied by a licensed professional for the safest means of application and the best results. |
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MOLE OR GOPHER?
To the novice, mole and gopher damage looks pretty much the same. But there are key differences and knowing those differences will be of significant benefit as you try to gain control and minimize damage.
Moles
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Adult Mole - Photo by: Didier Descouens |
Moles can make you crazy! They have driven more than one gardener to total distraction. The unsightly mounds they build at burrow entrances, commonly called mole-hills, are round, with a depression in the center. They build extensive tunnel systems to live in, raise their young and 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 and having one collapse beneath your feet could cause you to lose balance and fall. Moles can be difficult to control. Trapping them requires specific techniques and can be hit-or-miss. However, newer baits available. These baits are placed in the animals' burrows, beyond the reach of pets and offer improved potential for saving your landscape.
Gophers
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Adult Pocket Gopher - US Government Photo |
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 shaped. 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 tunneling. 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. Several methods are used to control gophers. They range from traps to baits and gas pellets. Believe it or not, some professionals use a specially manufactured device to flood gopher burrows with a mixture of propane and oxygen, then detonate the mixture; an exciting process, to put it mildly. |
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BROADLEAF
WEED CONTROL IN TURFArticle Headline 
Spring is the season when broadleaf weeds begin to grow at an accelerated rate, competing with desireable turf grasses for water, nutrients and sunlight. If left unchecked they will continue to grow, multiply and overtake the lawn, resulting in an unsightly quality of turf, which will guarantee that you and your lawn will become, "the talk of the neighborhood." Yikes!
The most effective broadleaf weed control begins with prevention, in the form of good turf management practices.
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