It's been ages and ages but.....
I have a cute video for you to watch!
This video shows just how determined rodents can be to get the food in your home (and how they will eventually succeed!). Watch and learn!
Friday, November 1, 2013
It's been ages and ages!
It's been ages and ages but.....
I have a cute video for you to watch!
This video shows just how determined rodents can be to get the food in your home (and how they will eventually succeed!). Watch and learn!
Friday, August 16, 2013
Weird but True... Bees Edition!
How exciting... We have a bee obsession this month!
Next up in our bee posts? Weird but true facts!
1. Male bees only live to mate with the queen bee. If there is a lack of food, the female worker bees kick out the male bees!
2. When the males mate with the queen they die afterwards. Their abdomen's rupture.
3. Honeybees can be trained to recognize faces!
4. Honey can never, ever spoil.
5. Bees can fly at an average 15 mph.
Find these facts and others at http://discovermagazine.com/2007/mar/20-things-you-didnt-know-about-bees#.UgJfvW0pgXc
Next up in our bee posts? Weird but true facts!
1. Male bees only live to mate with the queen bee. If there is a lack of food, the female worker bees kick out the male bees!
2. When the males mate with the queen they die afterwards. Their abdomen's rupture.
3. Honeybees can be trained to recognize faces!
4. Honey can never, ever spoil.
5. Bees can fly at an average 15 mph.
Find these facts and others at http://discovermagazine.com/2007/mar/20-things-you-didnt-know-about-bees#.UgJfvW0pgXc
Friday, August 9, 2013
Wasps and Hornets!
As promised, here is my wasp/hornet post!
Just like last time, if there is a wasp/hornet you would like more information on, leave a comment and I'll do a whole post dedicated to them!
1) Yellow Jackets
These are the wasps that cause the most sting injuries. They are able to sting repeatedly and will most often be around when there are a variety of meats and sweets available to them. This food is fed to their young. They can nest in the ground or above the ground in paper nests.
2) Bald Faced Hornet
These are black hornets that have white markings on the head (like the one in the picture) or at the base by the stinger. These hornets can be extremely aggressive. They build huge paper nests where they rear their young and the female hornets will fly outside the nest and sting repeatedly when attacked. There are around 400 wasps inside each fully formed nest.
3) Organ Pipe Mud Dauber Wasp
These wasps are among the "best" type to have around. The males will stay inside the mud tube that they've build to live in. The females will go around collecting spiders. These wasps will never sting unless they are squeezed, at which point they sting only in self defense. They keep spider populations down.
Hope you enjoyed! :)
Just like last time, if there is a wasp/hornet you would like more information on, leave a comment and I'll do a whole post dedicated to them!
1) Yellow Jackets
These are the wasps that cause the most sting injuries. They are able to sting repeatedly and will most often be around when there are a variety of meats and sweets available to them. This food is fed to their young. They can nest in the ground or above the ground in paper nests.
2) Bald Faced Hornet
These are black hornets that have white markings on the head (like the one in the picture) or at the base by the stinger. These hornets can be extremely aggressive. They build huge paper nests where they rear their young and the female hornets will fly outside the nest and sting repeatedly when attacked. There are around 400 wasps inside each fully formed nest.
3) Organ Pipe Mud Dauber Wasp
These wasps are among the "best" type to have around. The males will stay inside the mud tube that they've build to live in. The females will go around collecting spiders. These wasps will never sting unless they are squeezed, at which point they sting only in self defense. They keep spider populations down.
Hope you enjoyed! :)
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Wow...
....It's really hard to keep up with blog posts during the summer! Who knew?! I feel like no one told me that and it's upsetting. Summer is supposed to be the time that I can write a whole ton of blog posts on all the annoying pests that show up... Not my time to work and do other exciting things. Weird.
Anyway, lets do a post on bees shall we? We'll look at a few different kinds of bees and do some quick info on them. Make sure you comment here or on the facebook page to let me know if there's a specific bee you want more information on!
1) Bumble Bee
Bumble bees are very social and they collect pollen and nectar in order to feed their young. Queen and worker bees can sting and they will sting if provoked. These bees can sting you repeatedly!
2) Carpenter Bee
Carpenter bees look like bumble bees but the most major difference is that the yellow on their body is ONLY by the head, not lower by the stinger and in bands. They build burrows in dead wood. These bees are solitary and contrary to popular belief, they do not eat the wood, just move it to the side so they have a place to live.
3) Sweat Bees
Sweat bees are those tiny little annoying bees that buzz around you and don't seem to do much but annoy you. They are usually a 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and are black, brown, red, or metallic green. They are attracted to the salt in human sweat and will sting if squished against your skin.
Next blog entry we'll look at wasps! Yay!
Anyway, lets do a post on bees shall we? We'll look at a few different kinds of bees and do some quick info on them. Make sure you comment here or on the facebook page to let me know if there's a specific bee you want more information on!
1) Bumble Bee
Bumble bees are very social and they collect pollen and nectar in order to feed their young. Queen and worker bees can sting and they will sting if provoked. These bees can sting you repeatedly!
2) Carpenter Bee
Carpenter bees look like bumble bees but the most major difference is that the yellow on their body is ONLY by the head, not lower by the stinger and in bands. They build burrows in dead wood. These bees are solitary and contrary to popular belief, they do not eat the wood, just move it to the side so they have a place to live.
3) Sweat Bees
Sweat bees are those tiny little annoying bees that buzz around you and don't seem to do much but annoy you. They are usually a 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and are black, brown, red, or metallic green. They are attracted to the salt in human sweat and will sting if squished against your skin.
Next blog entry we'll look at wasps! Yay!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Oh New Jersey...
....aren't we the lucky ones?!
Just when you thought you were home free of the dreaded cicadas, there's a new bug in town! What is it you ask? Will it make loud noises at dusk? Will there be strange recipes for us to use it in? Will we find them all dead on the ground in piles?!
Who knows!
What we do know is that the Asian Mosquito is moving on in!
This mosquito is really quite bothersome. It lives in New Jersey (as well as many, many, MANY other locations) and is known to carry quite a few diseases including West Nile and Yellow Fever. This mosquito is very different in appearance compared to others: it is black with white patterns on the body. The most major difference between these mosquitoes and others is that they will attack at any time of day, not just at night like most other mosquitoes.
So how about we talk about where these insects hang out? The females will lay eggs near (not next) to stagnant water. This means that if your neighbors have a pool and the house is empty, thus creating stagnant water in the pool... be on the look out! Any man made ponds that don't have any kind of movement.... Definitely a danger zone!
If you think you have a mosquito problem and are noticing some issues, please make sure you contact your local pest control business right away (that's All-Way Pest Control if you're in New Jersey)! You could have a problem that leads to severe health issues! Also, please support small, local businesses... They are the bread and butter of where ever you live!
And some humor for your viewing pleasure.... Comic!
Just when you thought you were home free of the dreaded cicadas, there's a new bug in town! What is it you ask? Will it make loud noises at dusk? Will there be strange recipes for us to use it in? Will we find them all dead on the ground in piles?!
Who knows!
What we do know is that the Asian Mosquito is moving on in!
This mosquito is really quite bothersome. It lives in New Jersey (as well as many, many, MANY other locations) and is known to carry quite a few diseases including West Nile and Yellow Fever. This mosquito is very different in appearance compared to others: it is black with white patterns on the body. The most major difference between these mosquitoes and others is that they will attack at any time of day, not just at night like most other mosquitoes.
So how about we talk about where these insects hang out? The females will lay eggs near (not next) to stagnant water. This means that if your neighbors have a pool and the house is empty, thus creating stagnant water in the pool... be on the look out! Any man made ponds that don't have any kind of movement.... Definitely a danger zone!
If you think you have a mosquito problem and are noticing some issues, please make sure you contact your local pest control business right away (that's All-Way Pest Control if you're in New Jersey)! You could have a problem that leads to severe health issues! Also, please support small, local businesses... They are the bread and butter of where ever you live!
And some humor for your viewing pleasure.... Comic!
Friday, May 31, 2013
Weird but True: Cicadas!
Yay for my first weird but true post! This is going to focus on cicadas because, well, there is plenty of stuff out there that makes you stop and go "Wait.... Really?" And this blog is here to show that yes! It is true!
First up: The man who made music to the sound of cicadas. His name is David Rothenberg. Here is his wikipedia page. Followed closely with his personal website which you can find right here! Now for a quick overview. David graduated from Harvard and Boston and now teaches Philosophy and Music at NJIT! He is a jazz musician and apparently loves putting bug sounds to music. Now for what you really want to hear:
Click me now! Click me RIGHT NOW!
Next up: Are you into cooking? Do you enjoy trying out fancy new dishes? Does your taste palette need expanding? Well I have the recipes for you!
Yummmmmmmmmy!
Yummy! How about some cicadas in your soup? A lovely cicada sandwich perhaps? Or if you only like chocolate, a decadent cicada peanut butter cup?
And for those of you who are unsure about this whole process and who are grossed out by them:
First up: The man who made music to the sound of cicadas. His name is David Rothenberg. Here is his wikipedia page. Followed closely with his personal website which you can find right here! Now for a quick overview. David graduated from Harvard and Boston and now teaches Philosophy and Music at NJIT! He is a jazz musician and apparently loves putting bug sounds to music. Now for what you really want to hear:
Click me now! Click me RIGHT NOW!
Next up: Are you into cooking? Do you enjoy trying out fancy new dishes? Does your taste palette need expanding? Well I have the recipes for you!
Yummmmmmmmmy!
Yummy! How about some cicadas in your soup? A lovely cicada sandwich perhaps? Or if you only like chocolate, a decadent cicada peanut butter cup?
And for those of you who are unsure about this whole process and who are grossed out by them:
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Cicadas
It's been a good long time don't you think? Life certainly does get in the way.... but no worries! I'm back and we're going to spend this blog talking about cicadas!
Did you know that this is the year of the 17 year cicadas? If you didn't, I will explain:
Cicadas only show up every 17 years. 17 years ago, the cicadas emerged from the ground in this area. They swarmed with all the males wanting to find a female partner (it always seems to be for that reason huh?). They find a mate, do their thing, and then promptly die. The females then lay their eggs in the trees where they hatch and then go into the ground where they hang out there for another 17 years.... Only for the cycle to start all over again. Sounds like fun right?
Not so much.
Cicadas are quite the nuisance. They are loud and when they die, they are all over everything. Not only that, but we're not talking about a few buzzing around the yard. We're talking about hundreds of these bugs. These bugs can be so loud when in a group, they can reach 100 decibels.
For more information on the 17 year cicadas, click here: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/05/16/cicadas-east-coast-march/
To see a video with a cicadas as the star and to hear the noise you'll hear (keep in mind this is ONE) click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mah26og11ms
More soon! :)
Did you know that this is the year of the 17 year cicadas? If you didn't, I will explain:
Cicadas only show up every 17 years. 17 years ago, the cicadas emerged from the ground in this area. They swarmed with all the males wanting to find a female partner (it always seems to be for that reason huh?). They find a mate, do their thing, and then promptly die. The females then lay their eggs in the trees where they hatch and then go into the ground where they hang out there for another 17 years.... Only for the cycle to start all over again. Sounds like fun right?
Not so much.
Cicadas are quite the nuisance. They are loud and when they die, they are all over everything. Not only that, but we're not talking about a few buzzing around the yard. We're talking about hundreds of these bugs. These bugs can be so loud when in a group, they can reach 100 decibels.
For more information on the 17 year cicadas, click here: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/05/16/cicadas-east-coast-march/
To see a video with a cicadas as the star and to hear the noise you'll hear (keep in mind this is ONE) click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mah26og11ms
More soon! :)
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Carpenter Ants, 2.0
Alright, here comes our second post on carpenter ants. Everyone, stop what you're doing and listen up! Carpenter ants are a big deal!
First of all, carpenter ants swarm in the spring. This is because this is when they are mating and looking for a new place to live. When the queen ant (who is winged) lands in a place they want to nest, they almost immediately lose their wings and start to burrow (NOT EAT!) the wood they are going to be living in.
Carpenter ants are most active at night (as with most insects) and can be found anywhere in your house that has damp or weak wood. Sometimes when you spot ants you are able to follow them to their nest in the house, therefore making it easier to eliminate the problem.
It is important to note that carpenter ants are JUST AS DANGEROUS TO STRUCTURES as termites. Although carpenter ants don't eat the wood, they do destroy the wood. Here is an example of what carpenter ants do to wood:
In order to help control carpenter ants and make sure that they do not come in to your home, you can take a few precautions. Make sure that trees and other plants are not touching your home as the ants can use a tree they are living in as a bridge to your house. Also, make sure that you take care of any leaks within your house immediately as carpenter ants LOVE wet wood. Also, make sure that if you're storing firewood during the summer it is AWAY from the house and off the ground. Carpenter ants LOVE firewood.
As always, please call your local pest control company if you have or suspect you have a problem. If you live in New Jersey give All-Way Pest Control, Inc a call!! :)
First of all, carpenter ants swarm in the spring. This is because this is when they are mating and looking for a new place to live. When the queen ant (who is winged) lands in a place they want to nest, they almost immediately lose their wings and start to burrow (NOT EAT!) the wood they are going to be living in.
Carpenter ants are most active at night (as with most insects) and can be found anywhere in your house that has damp or weak wood. Sometimes when you spot ants you are able to follow them to their nest in the house, therefore making it easier to eliminate the problem.
It is important to note that carpenter ants are JUST AS DANGEROUS TO STRUCTURES as termites. Although carpenter ants don't eat the wood, they do destroy the wood. Here is an example of what carpenter ants do to wood:
In order to help control carpenter ants and make sure that they do not come in to your home, you can take a few precautions. Make sure that trees and other plants are not touching your home as the ants can use a tree they are living in as a bridge to your house. Also, make sure that you take care of any leaks within your house immediately as carpenter ants LOVE wet wood. Also, make sure that if you're storing firewood during the summer it is AWAY from the house and off the ground. Carpenter ants LOVE firewood.
As always, please call your local pest control company if you have or suspect you have a problem. If you live in New Jersey give All-Way Pest Control, Inc a call!! :)
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Carpenter Ants, Version 1.0
Hello! Today's blog: Carpenter Ants.
Why? Because this is the time of year you have to start worrying about them.
The Facts!!
1. There are 9 different types of Carpenter Ants that live in the United States
2. Each colony was started with just one queen ant. She stays in the nest and raises her baby ants by feeding them saliva (eww!)
3. A colony of ants can average around 2,000!
4. Carpenter Ants don't actually eat the wood! They burrow holes and use the wood in other places around the nest while eating other insects, meat, fats, and sugary foods.
5. Carpenter Ants usually enter your home or business through previously wet and damaged wood
More soon! :)
Why? Because this is the time of year you have to start worrying about them.
The Facts!!
1. There are 9 different types of Carpenter Ants that live in the United States
2. Each colony was started with just one queen ant. She stays in the nest and raises her baby ants by feeding them saliva (eww!)
3. A colony of ants can average around 2,000!
4. Carpenter Ants don't actually eat the wood! They burrow holes and use the wood in other places around the nest while eating other insects, meat, fats, and sugary foods.
5. Carpenter Ants usually enter your home or business through previously wet and damaged wood
More soon! :)
 | |
| http://www.pestworldforkids.org/ants.html |
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Signs of Termites
And we're back for round 2 of the posts about Termites!
This blog post will focus on how to recognize and identify a termite infestation in your home. This is not the easiest process and you should consult a termite or pest control specialist in your area (that would be All-Way Pest Control if you're from New Jersey or parts of PA! :) ) if you suspect an infestation or if you're concerned that one could occur. The following tips will help you identify if such a problem exists.
(All information is from http://www.termites.com/damage/detection-signs/)
There are many, many signs of termites but several of these could be and are usually overlooked by homeowners. They are mud tubes, droppings, bubbling paint, peeling paint, and hollow or damaged wood.
1) Mud Tubes
Mud tubes are very thin tubes that are, obviously, made of mud. They are most easily visible on doors. Unfortunately, these tubes can also be found under siding and in cracks of foundation. This makes the tubes much more difficult to find.
2) Droppings
Termite droppings are called Frass and you will see a large pile underneath wood that has been infested. These piles appear because termites will clean out their nests and push the droppings out of the nest onto the floor (at least they take care of their living space).
3) Bubbling/Peeling Paint
Termites like moisture. As a result of this, when they build their nests in your wood they need to bring in moisture. When the moisture is brought into the nest, paint will bubble and peel from that moisture. This is a difficult way to look for termites because bubbling or peeling paint could also be a sign of water damage. If you see bubbling or peeling paint, first look for a water leak. If none is found, please call a professional to look into the situation as this could be the first sign of termites.
4) Hollow/Damaged Wood
Here are two pictures of what damaged wood from termites looks like. This first is less extreme damage than the second.
Hopefully this information has been useful. Again, call you local pest control company if you are concerned about a termite infestation as damage can occur VERY quickly (see previous post for the number of eggs laid by the queen a day). If you have any questions or comments leave a comment in the comment section or send us an email!
This blog post will focus on how to recognize and identify a termite infestation in your home. This is not the easiest process and you should consult a termite or pest control specialist in your area (that would be All-Way Pest Control if you're from New Jersey or parts of PA! :) ) if you suspect an infestation or if you're concerned that one could occur. The following tips will help you identify if such a problem exists.
(All information is from http://www.termites.com/damage/detection-signs/)
There are many, many signs of termites but several of these could be and are usually overlooked by homeowners. They are mud tubes, droppings, bubbling paint, peeling paint, and hollow or damaged wood.
1) Mud Tubes
2) Droppings
3) Bubbling/Peeling Paint
Termites like moisture. As a result of this, when they build their nests in your wood they need to bring in moisture. When the moisture is brought into the nest, paint will bubble and peel from that moisture. This is a difficult way to look for termites because bubbling or peeling paint could also be a sign of water damage. If you see bubbling or peeling paint, first look for a water leak. If none is found, please call a professional to look into the situation as this could be the first sign of termites.
4) Hollow/Damaged Wood
Hopefully this information has been useful. Again, call you local pest control company if you are concerned about a termite infestation as damage can occur VERY quickly (see previous post for the number of eggs laid by the queen a day). If you have any questions or comments leave a comment in the comment section or send us an email!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
It's been so long..... and Termites!
Wow everyone! So sorry for my lack of posts lately. Things have gotten pretty busy around here, especially with spring right around the corner! I promise to be much better about getting posts up weekly so that you have interesting and exciting information to read!
I figure that we will start off the Spring Series of posts with an exciting one: Termites!
Let's begin with facts about termites shall we?
1. Termites are not considered part of the ant family (although they are quite commonly called ants) but are actually part of the cockroach family.
2. Females can lay up to 2000 eggs a day!!!! (And you wonder why you have so many in your house...)
3. Males and females mate for life, which can be up to 45 years
4. Termites have specific jobs: worker and soldier termites work to do the Queen's bidding
5. The nests of termites are divided into specific chambers including a nursery for the hatching eggs and an area where water is collected
In our next post we'll talk about what to look for with termites and what happens when you find some!
I figure that we will start off the Spring Series of posts with an exciting one: Termites!
Let's begin with facts about termites shall we?
1. Termites are not considered part of the ant family (although they are quite commonly called ants) but are actually part of the cockroach family.
2. Females can lay up to 2000 eggs a day!!!! (And you wonder why you have so many in your house...)
3. Males and females mate for life, which can be up to 45 years
4. Termites have specific jobs: worker and soldier termites work to do the Queen's bidding
5. The nests of termites are divided into specific chambers including a nursery for the hatching eggs and an area where water is collected
In our next post we'll talk about what to look for with termites and what happens when you find some!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Silverfish
 |
| www.silverfishbugs.net |
So let's chat about silverfish.
Silverfish are scaly, usually gray insects that crawl around (or scurry really) around your home. They prefer damp areas such as the bathroom, basement, or areas of your kitchen that are wet (think: under the kitchen sink). As you can see by the picture, silverfish actually do kind of, if you squint, resemble a fish. They have scale like covered bodies and a rounded face. When they move, silverfish are incredibly fast and the shake back and forth, much like a swimming fish.
Silverfish will eat almost anything in your house or business that contains sugar or starch. This includes books, paper, sugar, coffee, and even clothing and glue! When a silverfish has been eating something of yours, it will often look like a caterpillar has eaten it instead: envision a hole in a leaf where a caterpillar has eaten and that's what your book or starchy food will look like.
It's hard to tell how many silverfish you have in your home or business because of how quickly they can multiply. If you find a silverfish, make sure that you move the items that it was eating to a dry area. These insects are nocturnal, so it's not very likely that you'll see them during the day unless you move something that they are living in.
If you suspect an infestation, call your local pest control company. If you're in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, visit www.allwaypestcontrol.com for more information!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Firewood Pests
Here's a fun tip. Pests can hide in firewood EXTREMELY easily. If you are someone who often brings in firewood for burning in your fireplace here are some easy ways to make sure that you don't have pests roaming around your home in a short time!
Information from pestcontrol.about.com/od/diyanimalcontrol/tp/10-Top-Tips-For-Control-Of-Firewood-Insects.htm -- Please visit the link for 6 more tips plus more information on the ones I've provided!
1. Store firewood off the ground
- If you keep the wood on the ground, pests are much more likely to crawl in to the wood. Easy access to warmth = easy home to live in for the winter!
2. Eliminate surface pests
- Eliminate by shaking the wood before bringing it inside, hitting it together, and looking at it. Do not spray the wood with any chemical!
3. Burn wood immediately
- When you bring the wood into your home, make sure that you immediately burn it. This way, if you miss anything after you've hit it together and shaken it, it'll burn in the fireplace!
4. Removal
- If you happen to miss or forget to do some of these steps and locate bugs in your house, do not fear! Most of them are just annoying, not destructive pests and you'll be able to easily eliminate them from your home. If, however, you fear that ants have been brought in to your home via firewood, call a professional immediately,,,, These could be wood-boring pests like carpenter ants that cause damage to your home.
Like I said before, please visit the pestcontrol.about.com link for more information.
Information from pestcontrol.about.com/od/diyanimalcontrol/tp/10-Top-Tips-For-Control-Of-Firewood-Insects.htm -- Please visit the link for 6 more tips plus more information on the ones I've provided!
1. Store firewood off the ground
- If you keep the wood on the ground, pests are much more likely to crawl in to the wood. Easy access to warmth = easy home to live in for the winter!
2. Eliminate surface pests
- Eliminate by shaking the wood before bringing it inside, hitting it together, and looking at it. Do not spray the wood with any chemical!
3. Burn wood immediately
- When you bring the wood into your home, make sure that you immediately burn it. This way, if you miss anything after you've hit it together and shaken it, it'll burn in the fireplace!
4. Removal
- If you happen to miss or forget to do some of these steps and locate bugs in your house, do not fear! Most of them are just annoying, not destructive pests and you'll be able to easily eliminate them from your home. If, however, you fear that ants have been brought in to your home via firewood, call a professional immediately,,,, These could be wood-boring pests like carpenter ants that cause damage to your home.
Like I said before, please visit the pestcontrol.about.com link for more information.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Hello Mr. Squirrel
Today's post is about the lovely Gray Squirrel. The gray squirrel is the most common squirrel found in the Eastern United States.
Here are some really cool squirrel facts!
1. Squirrels are blind at birth but develop perfect vision as adults
2. Squirrels have been around for over 35 million years
3. We mostly see gray squirrels in the United States, however there are also black squirrels as well as white ones (which are super rare!)
4. A squirrel can fall 100 feet and live to tell the tale!
5. Squirrels mate in the winter. You'll often see two squirrels chasing each other in the trees or in the snow. They are doing more than just playing....
Here are some really cool squirrel facts!
1. Squirrels are blind at birth but develop perfect vision as adults
2. Squirrels have been around for over 35 million years
3. We mostly see gray squirrels in the United States, however there are also black squirrels as well as white ones (which are super rare!)
4. A squirrel can fall 100 feet and live to tell the tale!
5. Squirrels mate in the winter. You'll often see two squirrels chasing each other in the trees or in the snow. They are doing more than just playing....
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