|
|
 People usually think of honey when they think of honey bees, but did you know that honey bees are also responsible for around 80% of all plant pollination? Around 1/3 of the human diet comes either directly or indirectly from insect-pollinated plants, thus conservation of honeybees is vital to our way of life. Interaction with bees is a necessary part of human life, so understanding what they are doing will go a long way towards helping us all get along! Below are answers to a few of the questions our clients most often ask about bees.
Where did all these bees come from?
 This is a common question during early spring, like right now, or late fall. There are very few available sources of nectar for bees during these times, so their foraging may be ultra-concentrated on the few flowering plants or sometimes even soda cans. Fortunately, foraging bees are rarely a threat, they are simply gathering nectar or pollen to take back to their colony, which could be miles away. If bees are frequent visitors to your garden, use these helpful tips to avoid being stung.
When should I worry about bees?
If you notice bees entering or and exiting a hole into your house or other structure, there may be a colony in that structure. Honey bees will aggresively defend their colonies. With as many as 50,000 bees in a colony and Africanized bees in our area (aka Killer Bees), it is best to contact a pest managment professional and avoid the area. 
Another time to be concerned is if you see a swarm on your property. A swarm is easily noticeable by the large number of bees stuck together in a tight ball. Swarms most often occur in late spring and can be found anywhere from on the ground to in a tree. Bees swarm to establish a new colony when their old colony becomes too large, or the queen's health or reproductive ability begins to deteriorate. The bees are non aggressive during a swarm, which lasts one to two days until they find a suitable place to build their hive.
You don't want a swarm to build a hive on your house, so it's best to contact a pest management professional. Venus Pest Company will usually re-locate swarms if possible. Unfortunately, swarms must sometimes be destroyed.
What if I am attacked by bees?
Although you are more likely to be killed by lightning than by honeybees, knowing what to do if attacked can greately reduce the number of stings.
o You are allergic to bee venom
o You are experiencing difficulty breathing
o You have been stung repeatedly
Remember, if you are unsure of what you are dealing with, always call a professional that has the knowledge and training to keep everybody safe.
 What do you do when animal control says they can’t help you? Who do you call when the shelter won’t come pick them up?
You call Venus Pest Company!
Recently we received a call from a panicked business owner in Downtown Bryan who told us they had been hearing a cat meowing in their wall all day. He called animal control, but they wouldn’t help because the cat was inside the building. He then called the local animal shelter and they told him they couldn’t help him either.
His landlord recommended he call a pest control company, and directed him to another popular pest control company in the area. What did they tell him? By his account, they laughed at him a bit and said they could not help. The next call was to Venus Pest Company and while we were apprehensive at first, we just could not leave a cat stuck in someone’s wall to starve. Plus, this presented a new challenge and appealed to our adventurous side so we decided to go check out the situation.
When we arrived, we were shown the area where the noise was coming from. Want to hear the best  part? The only way to access that area was through a small, we’ll say 18 inch by 18 inch hole. Oh, and it’s about 20 feet off the ground too! When we climbed up a ladder to get our first look, we could tell immediately that it was more than one cat, but luckily they were in the attic, not in the wall.
After going back outside to check the roof to see how they were getting in to the attic, we found some large open vent shafts. We weren’t sure at first if these were the actual entry points because we couldn’t see down inside them. At that moment, one of the cats actually jumped out of the vent and scared us so badly we nearly fell off the roof! Now it became a question of how to keep the cats from getting through these vents, and how to catch the ones that are in there and get them out?
At this point, it became a rodent job on steroids. The three components of a successful rodent control program (and now feral cat control program) are:
Exclusion
 Since Dr. Scott is second cousin to Andre the Giant (not really for those who don’t know him), it was not really an option for him to squeeze into the attic. Climbing through the tiny hole into the attic and maneuvering around the small space without falling through the ceiling was not an easy task. You can see my shoes sticking out of the hole in this picture. I was able, however, to block off the access points underneath the vents using hardware cloth (screen) and securing it so the cats could not disturb it. One of the cats had jumped out again, but I knew there was at least one other cat still in there. Ever been trapped in a dark attic, hardly able to move, knowing a feral cat is somewhere close to you and you have no idea what it’s thinking? It’s like an episode of fear factor!
Baiting
Of course we can’t use any kind of poison bait to solve this type of problem. Using some dog food the owner had and a bowl of water, we set up a scenario we thought would work.
Trapping
We set up a live animal trap that we usually use for squirrels or other small animals using the dog food as bait. Like other animals and rodents, theory holds that if they are trapped and only have one food source, chances are they are going to eventually have a go at it.
Well, we caught the cat the very next day and are so thankful that the animal shelter agreed to take the cat when we delivered it over there. Sorry we didn’t have our camera when we caught the kitty or I would have posted it here.
Situations like this are why I love working for Venus Pest Company. When everybody else turned them away, or laughed at them, we were able to solve their problem and make some new friends (and clients) in the process. It’s amazing what you discover when you’re able to say “Yes, we can help!”
Rob Jones, CMO Venus Pest Company
 Our society's ever increasing environmental awareness has driven a booming desire for green products and services, and the pest control industry is no exception. A green product or service is defined as one that protects or improves the environment. However, green should not be confused with organic, which infers that the product or service is natural. Natural does not necessarily mean environmentally friendly either, especially if the end result of going organic is a greater use of energy. Venus Pest Company was originally founded as Venus Organic Company as Dr. Scott Lingren saw the growing need for environmentally friendly services. Although we have expanded to become Venus Pest Company with many options available, doing our part to protect the environment is still at the heart of everything we do.
You can find many theories out there regarding natural or organic pest control and some will actually work, although most will leave you scratching your head. Even still, remedies that will actually kill pests on contact often do not truly eliminate a pest infestation and offer no residual, or long term control of the pests. Here is a review of a few organic or natural methods of pest control that we have come across. We want you to know which methods can be effective, but would also like to leave you with some realistic things to consider about them. Our Bee GreenTM pest control service was developed to satisfy both the need to control pests in your home or business and the desire to protect your families, pets, coworkers, and the environment. For more information on each, read The Truth About Natrual, Organic, or Green Pest Control.
- Plant Oils - Rosemary, Citrus, Thyme, Pyrethrum, Basil etc.
- We use citrus oils on occasion when we need a quick knockdown kill and cannot use any insecticides, like on an fire-ant mound at a day care while children are playing.
- There is no residual, or long term control offered and they usually have very strong odors.
- They act fast and dissapate fast. Spraying a wasp nest will kill any wasps currently there, but within minutes other wasps that were away from the nest can land safely.
- Diatomaceous Earth - Made up of the remains of tiny sea creatures.
- This abrasive material is supposed to control insects by scratching their waxy under belly and causing dehydration.
- It claims 48 hours to 1 week to control cockroaches, but we haven't seen that. It is so slow acting that we would argue that it doesn't work at all.
- Don't waste your time on this one.
- Spices - Cayenne Pepper, Cinnamon, Peppermint, Mint Tea Bags, Cucumber Peels etc.
- Some insects will avoid things like cayenne pepper and will not cross a line laid out in front of an entry point, like ants coming out of a wall into your kitchen for instance.
- It is nearly impossible, and probably not a good idea, to leave piles of spices or tea laying around if you have pets or children.
- The insects may avoid one spot, or multiple spots if you want to spread cinnamon all around your house. But you still did nothing to control them, they're still in your walls foraging for food. How long before they find a new entry point somewhere else? Don't forget insects are excellent climber
- Soapy Water
- Soapy water will have similar benefits to plant oils or spices. You can achieve some mortality, and soapy water won't last in the environment.
- Moderate efficacy and no residual, or long-term control, meaning increased applications and energy use.
- Rice for Ant Control
- The theory holds that if you spread rice around an ant mound they will take it in, eat it, and die when they're stomachs explode from the expanding rice.
- How do you get the ants to eat the rice? Ants are not naturally attracted to eat rice, so you have to somehow trick them with a different ingredient to eat the rice.
- Finding the right way to make this work is not worth the effort when extremely effective baits are available.
These methods of attempting to control pests naturally or organically will often lead to less than desirable results. But not to worry, there are other environmentally conscious options that are more effective. Below are examples of green pest control methods that we regularly practice and should be incorporated into a good pest management program. For more detailed descriptions of each of these, please visit The Truth About Natural, Organic, or Green Pest Control.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - In this 2002 study, Green & Breisch described IPM as the central technological paradigm for achieving pesticide reform and demonstrated IPM strategies reduced pesticide use by more than 90%. Be sure that any pest control company you hire can clearly define IPM and how they use it.
- Bait - Unlike cayenne pepper and other things that might repel insects from a particular location, baits will be taken back and shared throughout the nests, eventually gaining complete control of the pests.
- Boric Acid - Sounds scary, but this naturally occurring insecticide dust has been used for almost 100 years. It is slow acting, but has a very low toxicity to humans and animals, and is very long-lasting.
- Indoxacarb / Dinotefuran - These are two recent synthetic insecticides that have received fast track registration from the EPA because of their low environmental risk. Showing great promise for the future of green pest management, we began using Indoxacarb in 2009 as part of our green service offerings.
- Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) - Bacillus thuringiensis is an insecticidal bacteria that is so specific that certain strains of it only kill one species of insect. It is invaluable against mosquito larvae because it can be applied directly to water and will ONLY kill mosquito larvae, commonly called mosquito dunks.
- Spinosad / Abamectin - Derived from bacterial fermentation, these two natural insecticides are used mainly in baits against ants or cockroaches and in animal applied products for controlling parasites. Spinosad is the active ingredient in some flea medications for your pets.
It can be difficult to filter through all the information floating around regarding natural, organic, or green pest control. After extensive research, field trials, and experimentation with various control methods, our Bee Green service was created. Bee GreenTM pest control service is the best solution available to protect your home or business from pests while reducing the reliance on pesticides and minimizing harmful effects on the environment.
Oh, and if you're one of those that the plastic bag full of water over the door works for warding off flies, you are lucky and in the minority!
 Bed bugs are becoming a serious problem everywhere. Even here locally, infestations are on the rise. Sanitation is usually not an issue so being clean doesn't mean you won't get attacked. They are usually brought into your home or business in someone's bag or clothing where they were picked up at a previous location.
Even Jay-Z and Rihanna are susceptible as their studios in New York had to be shut down because of bed bugs!
Here are some tips on how to check for bed bugs and call Venus Pest Company if you feel you have an infestation or would like an inspection.
 You all know by now that inbreeding in the animal kingdom often yields less than desirable results in offspring. Well, the same rule applies to insects. When it comes time to mate and reproduce, even insects must leave their homes in search of a suitable partner. Each kind of insect does this in their own way, but today we’re talking about how carpenter ants accomplish this feat, what to look for, and how to protect yourself and your property. While carpenter ants do not eat wood for food, they do nest in wood. They build galleries by cutting tunnels through soft wood, attracted by rotting or decaying wood. As their colony grows, they must cut through more wood to make room for a larger population. Because of this, they are classified as wood destroying insects and considered a major threat to homes and businesses.
Swarming Carpenter Ants
· Once a colony reaches a certain size, they begin to produce “winged” males and females capable of reproduction. You can see one with wings in this picture.
· When conditions are right and typically after a rain storm, usually February to March in Texas, these winged ants will take a coordinated flight in search of a mate.
· If a mate is found, the new queen carpenter ant will search out a proper place for a new colony, remove her wings, and begin laying her first round of eggs.
Signs of Infestation
· Live Carpenter Ants: Carpenter ants are some of the largest ants, and have a variety of species and colors. Workers can be 1/2 inch and the queens can be up to 3/4 inch long. Go to our Pest Identification page for examples of carpenter ants and how to spot them.
· Carpenter Ant Evidence: Piles of sawdust or “frass” will appear under openings into their nest where they remove any loose particles and also dispose of their dead bodies and other waste. It’s pretty gross to come across a huge pile of ant carcasses and other bug parts in a dark corner of a room you don’t go into very often!
· Conducive Conditions: Moisture damaged wood or limbs touching your house make it easier for carpenter ants to get started.
How to Protect Yourself
· Trim back all tree limbs and shrubs touching your home, and closely monitor power lines that are contacting your structure.
· Replace any rotten or decaying wood.
· Eliminate sources of high moisture.
· Have your house inspected for wood destroying insects (i.e. carpenter ants & termites) by a pest management professional at least once per year.
If an infestation is present, a carpenter ant control treatment may be necessary to eliminate the colony and prevent future outbreaks. Correcting a few simple problems could make the difference in keeping them out of your home or business.
Up to about a year ago, I would have laughed you out the door if you said I'd be writing in blogs and participating in social media! But hey, even I can see the allure and the value it can provide to our businesses. We recently spent a lot of time and effort researching what blogging really is, why it's useful, and the best approach for us to take for our own efforts. We learned tons of information from sites like socialsmallbiz.com, and began communicating with a few of them directly to help us get our social media strategy ironed out.
I became part of a panel of "experts" (term used loosely of course) at socialsmallbiz.com, where we discuss experiences and strategies for how to incorporate social media into our marketing plans. They liked one of my answers enough to post it as one of their guest posts regarding blogging. Check out my guest appearance, 5 Things To Remember When Starting a Blog.
Hope you like it!
Rob Jones, CMO
 Did you know that fleas have life stages just like a butterfly: egg, larva, pupa, and adult? Adult fleas make up only about 5% of the population at any given time, but they are the most visible and will be the only ones you'll find on your pets. The other 95% of the population exist as eggs, larvae and pupae. These flea stages can be hidden in the cracks and crevices of your floor, carpet, or outside in the soil.
If you have an infestation, you can sometimes find the white, worm-like larvae in floor cracks. These nasty little worms feed on the fecal matter of the adults. Think of the pupae as hibernating jack-in-the-boxes in your carpet. They remain as pupae, in suspended animation, until they sense carbon dioxide or vibration from a possible host when they pop out as hungry adults. Even worse, flea pupae are immune to insecticides. For a couple weeks after a flea treatment, you can still find new fleas hopping out of their pupal cases.
Use these tips below to help keep your house and pet flea free this year.
- Talk to your vet. To begin with, consult your veterinarian to find an on-pet treatment that best suits your needs. Don't just purchase a medication through the internet or over-the-counter. You may risk ending up with mislabeled packaging and non-regulated ingredients.
- Talk to your pest control company. Since most of the fleas are not even on the pet, you have to remember to treat the pet's environment. Most pest control companies don't think to treat the pet's environment until their clients call with a flea problem. Several years ago, we introduced a flea pre-treatment program that involves an outside only treatment using an insect growth regulator. We have had such good luck with this strategy that it comes with a 1-year re-treatment warranty. This type of treatment really compliments your veterinarian's on-pet treatment. In fact, your veterinarian may be a good place to get a recommendation for a pest control company.
- Keep it clean. Frequently washing your pet's bedding and vacuuming carpets and furniture can really help keep fleas from getting started. If a pest control company is coming to treat, you should also clear and clean all your floors, remove clutter, toys, pet food and water dishes from areas to be treated. After treatment, continue to vacuum frequently to get those last few hatching pupae. Remember to empty the canister or throw the bag away in an outdoor receptacle so there's no chance of them getting back into the house.
Treating your pet is just the beginning of an effective flea prevention program. It's also important to keep your home and yard flea free for the health and comfort of your furry friends and family.
Dr. Scott Lingren, BCE
We are extremely proud to announce that we recently received a notice that we are now classified as "Favorite Place on Google." This classification was only given to 100,000 businesses across the U.S. and represents less than 1% of businesses listed on Google. It's a big deal for us to receive this classification coming from a small market like Bryan / College Station to still be able to achieve the level of traffic to our website to be noticed and rewarded.
Along with this designation, they sent this pretty slick window decal that has a bar code in the bottom corner. Customers are supposed to be able to scan that bar code with the cameras in their phones which will give them access to our business listing on Google. There they can read and write reviews, or add Venus Pest Company as one of their own favorites!
Oh how far we've come in such a short time! In 2009 we put a ton of effort into enhancing our web presence to put us at the cutting edge of technology. With tremendous help and effort from the crew at Agnitek, we completely redesigned venuspest.com. The result was a much more user friendly website with substantially more, even better formatted content than we ever dreamed of having before, which is one of the main reasons we are now receiving this designation as a "Favorite Place on Google."
Embracing the social media phenomenon has been challenging but rewarding undertaking for us this year as well. We believe that being more closely connected to more of our customers better enables us to respond to their needs, and do so in a more timely fashion. Sharing important pest related news, critical updates from Dr. Scott, special discounts, and other time sensitive information through social media outlets has also added tremendous value to our company and the services we are able to provide our clients..
Please join us on Facebook or Twitter by using one of the links below where you can have a chance at 50% off your next pest control service. Each month we will announce one winner from our Facebook and/or Twitter followers that will receive 50% off their next service. You have to be set up to receive messages from us or you might miss the announcement if you are selected the winner.
Thanks again to Agnitek, our hard-working employees here at Venus Pest, and all of our friends out there who have helped us achieve so much this past year. We look forward to our continued relationship with you and for a prosperous 2010 for everyone!
Partnering with a professional pest control company is a critical decision business owners and managers all face. For any business that regular interacts with customers inside a physical establishment, it is extremely important to present and maintain a clean environment, especially in regards to unwanted pests. Making mistakes in commercial pest control can result huge amounts of lost business. For example, local media outlets love to report on findings of rodents or insects in restaurants.
Commercial pest control services make up about 25% of an average pest control company's business. Although Texas does not require a separate certification, performing commercial pest control presents many different challenges than residential pest control. Responsible business owners and managers must ensure they are partnering with the right professional. Below is a checklist of important qualities to consider when selecting a pest control service for your business. This list is compl ...
Read the rest of entry »
The question is often asked, why is it important to perform pest control services during winter months when the pests seem to have died off? The keyword in that phrase is “seem,” because your home is still in danger of being invaded by unwanted pests even during the coldest months of the year.
1. Pests that live inside the walls of your home are not affected by the cold temperatures outdoors.
o Termites, carpenter ants, cockroaches, earwigs, and many other insects can thrive indoors as the weather is always pleasant inside!
o Attics provide harborage to other insects as well, such as wasps and spiders, as they search for place to escape the cold.
2. Rodents can find their way into your home if all entry points are not sealed off.
3. If left untreated, spider webs and egg cases can accumulate and create even more problems when they try to re-infest your home.
In Texas the coldest winter months are usually limited to December, January, and February. Therefore if you are signed up for quarterly pest control services, you should have one thorough winter service performed every year. Your winter service appointment should accomplish a number of important tasks.
4. Perform a meticulous inspection of your home, inside and out, to ensure no pest related issues are present and to identify any conducive conditions that might increase risk for future pest problems.
5. Treat entry points like doors, windows, and weepholes, to provide lasting protection and ready your home for the emergence of pests in Spring.
6. Remove spider webs, egg cases, wasp nests, and dirt dauber nests to prevent any of them from reemerging when the weather warms.
Remember, for the same reasons you want to be indoors during Winter, invasive pests do too! It is important to perform a comprehensive winter pest control treatment to ensure your home is protected year-round.
|
|
|
|