Study finds stink bug habitat could expand

Brown marmorated stink bug. (Photo: United States Department of Agriculture)

A recent study from Washington State University found that changing weather patterns could increase suitable habitat for the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in the U.S. by 70 percent.

The study, published in Pest Management Science, draws on data from a three-year stink bug monitoring effort in 17 states, as well as several potential climate scenarios. Whether the insects will thrive in new places depends on the conditions of each area and potential mitigation measures.

The study found that overall, there is likely to be a northward shift in stink bug-friendly conditions. Regions that may be particularly affected include the Mid-Atlantic, areas surrounding the Great Lakes, and the valleys of the West Coast, such as the Sacramento Valley in California and the Treasure Valley in Idaho.

The BMSB is a generalist herbivore — it is known to feast on nearly 170 different plants including crops and ornamental plants. Originating in Asia, this stink bug species first appeared in the U.S. about 20 years ago and has since spread coast to coast. It’s been detected in 46 states and considered a pest in 15 of them.

Homeowners may recognize BMSBs because they like to overwinter indoors. In fact, the study found that proximity to populated areas appeared to help the insects get established in new places, but once there, they did not need to be near people to proliferate. Other factors like availability of water mattered more for their abundance.

People are likely inadvertently transporting these stink bugs in vehicles or farm equipment to areas that would otherwise be hard for them to reach by flying alone. That’s according to Dr. Javier Gutierrez Illan, a WSU entomologist and the study’s lead author.

Research Assistant Professor   Areas of Interest I am a researcher and conservation biologist interested in the effects of environmental changes on biodiversity. My major research deals with the wh…

Stink bugs dislike cold winters, but the rising temperatures brought by climate change are not necessarily a good thing if the land becomes too dry. They need water, so the researchers said that changing patterns of precipitation will likely influence where the stink bugs will thrive.

In some states, including Washington, officials and researchers are employing  samurai wasps (Trissolcus japonicus) to control stink bugs. The wasps lay their own eggs inside stink bug eggs. This not only destroys the affected eggs, but when the wasp larvae hatch, they eat other developing stink bugs. Measures like these might help prevent or minimize stink bug spread into new areas, Dr. Gutierrez Illan said.

His Toyota Prius loaded with tiny wasps, Josh Milnes is about to make life very difficult for an invasive stink bug threatening Washington fruit growers.

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Sacramento CA

Can you price a contents job by the square foot?

This edition of Ask Annissa tackles the question of whether or not it’s possible to come up with square foot pricing for a content restoration job.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Ensystex: Rodenthor PestWorld Special

IMAGE: ENSYSTEX

The Rodenthor line consists of rodent block bait, soft bait and rat bait stations. Both baits contain the advanced anticoagulant, single-feeding active ingredient bromadiolone, at a concentration of .005 percent. Take advantage of Ensystex’s PestWorld promotion from Oct. 1, 2022, through Nov. 11, 2022: Option 1: Purchase four cases of Rodenthor Bait Stations and receive 50 percent off a bucket of bait or Option 2: Purchase two buckets of Rodenthor Soft Bait and receive a free case of Rodenthor Bait Stations.

Ensystex.com

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Sacramento CA

Study: Bed bugs produce large amounts of histamine

Photo: Mainely Photos/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, Food and Environment entomologists found in a recent study that bed bugs produce large amounts of histamine that might pose risks to humans.

Histamine is a chemical compound the human body naturally produces that may cause inflammation and alert the immune system of any threats. Normal reactions to histamine production include allergic reactions with side effects like rashes or respiratory problems. A previous study showed links between excess histamine, especially in patients with a histamine intolerance, and health effects such as headaches, gastrointestinal issues, irregular heart rate and asthma.

Dr. Sudip Gaire, post-doctoral scholar in the UK Department of Entomology, and Dr. Zach DeVries, assistant professor of entomology, led the study looking at histamine excretion levels of bed bugs across the bugs’ different life stages, different populations and varying lengths of time, and the effects that feeding on blood had on the pests’ histamine production levels. The UK-based team also collaborated with scientists from North Carolina State University on the project.

The Journal of Medical Entomology recently published the study that showed bed bugs can produce large amounts of histamine with a single bed bug producing greater than 50 micrograms of histamine in just one week. Researchers found that in hypothetical infestation of 1,000 bed bugs, the bugs could produce up to 40 milligrams in a week. That adds up to more than 2 grams of histamine per year — without even considering natural population growth or the larger infestations that often happen in the real world.

“That’s an amount you can actually see, and we don’t see that with any other containment,” Dr. DeVries said in the news release. “When we talk about pesticides, allergens, any other thing in our home that some invading organism is producing, it’s always on microscopic levels, not something where you could actually hold it in your hand.”

Another important discovery was the role that bed bug diets play in histamine production. Researchers compared histamine production across three different diets including blood-fed, saline-fed and starved bed bugs. Researchers found that blood-fed bed bugs produced “significantly higher” amounts of histamine compared to the other groups.

“Blood is the primary factor for histamine production, but we don’t know how exactly they are producing the histamine,” Dr. Gaire said in the release.

While bed bugs are a common problem in households across the globe, scientists typically don’t consider them a great risk to human health, aside from their bites, because they are not known to carry any pathogens. However, the issue of high-level histamine production raises a new potential risk from the pest.

While scientists don’t know the specific health impacts of histamine produced outside of the human body like bed bugs produce, Dr. DeVries, Dr. Gaire and their fellow entomologists do suspect that bed bugs’ high level of histamine excretion may have negative clinical effects. The effects of such close, often direct, exposure to histamine, commonly seen in bed bug infestations, are also unknown, Dr. DeVries said.

“It’s not only the fact that they’re producing histamine, but they’re producing it right next to where you spend the most time, generally speaking, within our homes, which is in our beds or sleeping areas,” Dr. DeVries said.

Dr. Gaire said close exposure to histamine isn’t only a concern for humans, but it could also affect the agriculture industry. Poultry houses are a common place for bed bug infestations, with beg bugs living near chickens in infested facilities, Dr. Gaire said. In previous studies, researchers found histamine negatively impacts egg production, but Dr. Gaire said finding the specific impact bed-bug-produced histamine plays in egg production requires more research.

Dr. DeVries said that the research also has social justice implications.

“Anybody can get bed bugs, but it’s only those who have the means and resources who can actually get rid of the problem. There is a significant portion of the population who either don’t have the money or the resources to do this, and so they’re left to deal with bed bugs on their own,” Dr. DeVries said. “So, we have disadvantaged communities, who are not only having to deal with bed bugs, but maybe dealing with the health ramifications of them as well.”

Dr. DeVries and Dr. Gaire said that while their study answered important questions, scientists need to do more research before sounding the alarm. To answer some of the remaining questions, Dr. DeVries, Dr. Gaire and others in the UK entomology department plan to continue research on the topic looking at things like histamine distribution, bed bug histamine production mechanisms, the clinical relevance of histamine and mitigation strategies in homes. Dr. DeVries received funding for the study through his 2019 National Institute of Health Director’s Early Independence Award, which will fund similar future studies through 2024.

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Sacramento CA

Insects Limited to host SPP conference in June

The 14th Insects Limited Stored Product Protection Conference will take place June 13-14, 2023, at Purdue University’s Beck Agriculture Center in West Lafayette, Ind.

The conference, formerly called Fumigants & Pheromones, was started in 1993 in Lubeck, Germany, by Insects Limited’s founder Dave Mueller, a Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer (Class of 2019). Its purpose is to gather like-minded companies together under a common cause: Sharing through education.

Since the first Insects Limited conference in Germany, there have been biennial meetings in Bologna, Italy; York, England; Valencia, Spain; Copenhagen, Denmark; Thessaloniki, Greece; Adelaide, Australia; Chicago, Ill.; Monterrey, Mexico; Bremen, Germany; and Indianapolis, Ind.

In 2020, the conference was canceled in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since 1993, this conference has brought together over 3,000 people from 60 countries and six continents. Some past attendees have formed business partnerships and lifelong friendships with other attendees.

The full program details are available on the website. People who want to attend can also register for the conference now.

About Insects Limited

Established in 1982, Insects Limited researches, tests, develops, manufactures and distributes quality pheromones and trapping systems for stored product insects throughout North America and in more than 60 countries worldwide.

Before the U.S. methyl bromide phaseout began in 2005, Mueller and his team worked tirelessly to find alternatives, so that food commodities could be protected for public health. This now-retired businessman, entomologist and Eagle Scout spent his career looking at ways to provide successful pest management and prevention with fewer chemicals.

Today, the company continues to specialize in a niche of pest control that has developed into a business that provides products and services that are mainstream in protecting stored food, grain, museum collections, tobacco, and fiber worldwide.

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Sacramento CA

Mold Awareness Month Officially Ends, But Mold Awareness Continues

EPA designates September as a time to increase awareness of the threat to indoor air quality.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Pest Control Insulation: Intec Vortec Twin Turbo

IMAGE: PEST CONTROL INSULATION

Eliminate bag change downtime at attic insulation cleanouts with the Twin Turbo: Simply place vacuum bags on both outlets; divert all product to one outlet until the bag is full, then divert product to the other outlet while changing out the first bag. Features include powdercoated steel construction, 6-inch inlets/outlets, a slide gate with gasket to open and close the desired port, and one top and two bottom handles.

TAPInsulation.com

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Sacramento CA

Words of Wisdom from Gene White

Gene White, BCE, was a 2022 Pest Management Professional Growth Summit attendee, who shared his decades of industry experience and advice for PMPs. Here are just a sampling of the insights he shared with us during the event, which took place in late March. White, 64, died suddenly Sept. 20 while attending an industry conference in Hawaii.

Read more about White and his career here.

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Sacramento CA

How economic change may affect the pest control industry

Scarlett Nolen

The world has had multiple waves of change over the last few years. In fact, forecasters are already projecting the next wave will be one of economic change. With our country and greater parts of the world poised for a recession, where does this leave pest management professionals (PMPs) and other home service providers?

Often, pest control is labeled as a recession-proof industry, but that does not mean we are immune from the impact — both on the customer and employee sides. Recent inflation, higher interest rates, and the impending recession may have homeowners and businesses alike rethinking their purchasing habits.

We have already seen the housing market slow due to the aforementioned interest rates. While demand in most states remain high, particularly for multi-family homes, affordability may slow the movement on the market considerably. PMPs and other providers who rely heavily on new homeowners’ business should watch the trends in their markets and adjust accordingly. As the saying goes, “cash is king” (or queen), in the upcoming years, as interest rates will likely continue to climb.

Providing a service that customers see value in will be more critical than ever. As customers review their monthly bills over the winter and into spring, they will be looking to cut expenses where they no longer see value. It has been proven that in a financial crisis, including the Great Depression, people’s innate fear of insects will prevail over an economic crunch. However, this is a great time to re-sell the value of your service and “check-in” with your customers’ satisfaction.

From a talent-recruiting standpoint, economic downturns can be advantageous for our industry. In order to navigate inflation and meet their margins, some industries are already cutting their most expensive talent. This gives other industries that are projecting growth, like pest control, to capture this talent. Furthermore, businesses that will have to scale down their broad workforce like the housing industry may find themselves looking for a more desirable, steady industry. Pest control companies should think about how they can creatively capture talent outside of our industry —  especially in this low unemployment market.

The bottom line (no pun intended): Any possible economic downturns can absolutely be a large opportunity for a PMPs, provided they are properly prepared.

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Sacramento CA

1-800 Water Damage Adds Location on Long Island

New franchise serves the easternmost part of New York.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

A deeper dive into the world of termites

Photo: cturtletrax/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

Pest Management Professional magazine (PMP): Some time ago, we interviewed a guest termite who gave us a lot of good information about subterranean termites (see “Callback Cures” of PMP’s September 2021 issue). That information made us thirsty for more information about this cryptic, yet fascinating insect. Today, we are going to catch up with our previous guest termite who agreed to return. Welcome back to PMP!

Termite (T): Thank you, and I am glad to be back. I mean, I am really glad to be back. Since our last interview, I was able to avoid termite baits, soil treatments and wood treatments, and I didn’t even get tricked into going into a monitoring station. Besides that, I survived blistering heat — even underground — and flooding in my native area.

PMP: Well, we’ll give a free pass to one termite, I think. Because you are so helpful, I am sure our industry won’t mind that you made it back.

T: Thank you. Yeah, this spring I watched a bunch of our swarmers fall prey to hungry birds. Geez, every turn seems to have a danger.

PMP: Let’s get to it. You mentioned heat in the soil. In general, people believe that the warmer the soil, the more active you are. Is that correct?

T: Well, it is hard to define “active.” But there was one report by a researcher who monitored the temperature of the soil and control using a popular soil termiticide. The theory was that more control equated to termite activity.

Greg Baumann

PMP: Interesting. What did they find?

T: Surprisingly, effectiveness or efficacy was best just under a soil temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. As the soil cools, uptake was less; hotter soil meant that we slow down.

PMP: Wow! That will be news to a lot of readers. Let’s shift gears and talk about reproductives. While many people believe a termite colony has a single queen, are there instances where there are multiple queens?

T: That’s a matter of definition. Most colonies have a single queen and king; however, depending on the species, there may be multiple royal couples — or at least, many other reproductives in the colony. These secondary reproductives may even produce more eggs than the queen. Their functions are the same, but the designation “queen” usually is reserved for the original queen that started the colony. So technically, there might be one queen, but there also are several producing reproductives there, too.

PMP: That’s fascinating. At one time, the industry used to say “Gotta get the queen,” but that’s not really true. A termite colony is somewhat like a society, isn’t it, with the haves and have-nots?

T: Um, that might be why we are called social insects, right?

PMP: Fair point. Here’s something else we want to know: Some people believe termites can “smell” slightly rotted wood, and that is like a dinner bell for the workers. Is that correct?

T: Believe it or not, a researcher where subterranean termites are very common took some rotted wood and extracted what he thought might be a chemical to see whether the termites were attracted to it. What he found is that termites don’t have a sense of “smell,” but when they encountered the extract, they did follow that trail.

PMP: So that means that perhaps someday, the extract could be produced synthetically and used as a lure.

T: Perhaps, but of course, we termites hope not.

PMP: This is the last question. Some work has been done using termites as biofuel. Have you heard of that?

T: That’s disgusting, from my point of view! But yes, I did hear about that. It could show promise, but that’s a lot of termites for a gallon, don’t you think?

PMP: Well, all great accomplishments start as just an idea.

T: OK, I’ll concede that.

PMP: Thanks. Might we expect you back for a future interview?

T: Hmm. Your industry just keeps getting better and better at termite control, but if I can avoid the baits, the liquids, the wood treatments and the monitors, I’ll be back.

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Sacramento CA

Fox Pest Control ranks on Utah’s 50 fastest-growing companies list

Fox Pest Control was ranked No. 22 on Utah Business’s annual list of the 50 fastest-growing companies in the state.

“Making the Fast 50 is very exciting for all of us at Fox Pest Control,” shared Mike Romney, co-founder and co-CEO of Fox Pest Control. “The growth it takes to appear on the Fast 50 list is nothing short of amazing. It’s an honor to be recognized for our successes and we’re grateful for everyone who helped get our company to where it is today.”

Founded in 2012 by Mike Romney and Bryant White, Fox Pest Control is headquartered in Logan, Utah. The company operates more than 30 different branches, bringing pest control services to homeowners in 13 states. Currently, Fox Pest Control employs more than 1,000 individuals and has helped more than 385,000 homeowners eliminate and protect their home against pests.

Fox Pest Control’s growth has earned the company several prestigious recognitions in 2022, including the No. 13 spot on the list of Top 100 Pest Control Companies; ranking No. 40 on the third annual Inc. 5000 Rocky Mountain list; and a second-consecutive appearance on the Inc. 5000 list.

“At Fox Pest Control we focus on our people, helping build up the leaders of tomorrow and have established a network of amazing professionals that look at the bigger picture,” shared Bryant White, co-founder and co-CEO of Fox Pest Control. “By focusing on people, and ensuring that they are not only capable, but strong, talented leaders, we’ve been able to grow quickly and without hesitation. Knowing that you’ve got the best team, makes doing everything else in business a whole lot easier.”

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Sacramento CA

ISSA Partners with Howie Mandel to Promote Cleanliness Awareness

Celebrity germaphobe will star in a series of videos on the topic.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Arrow Exterminators: Merger Opportunities

IMAGE: ARROW EXTERMINATORS

Atlanta, Ga.-based Arrow Exterminators has grown to become the second-largest, family-owned pest control company in the United States. As a third-generation, family-owned business, Arrow respects the hard work that goes into building pest management companies and understands the value of providing a solid foundation to structure mutually beneficial agreements. Arrow strives to be a partner that’s involved at every step along the way, providing a smooth transition for your customers and your team. Whether you’re ready to sell or just exploring options, call 800-281-8978 or visit arrowexterminators.com/mergers.

ArrowExterminators.com

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Sacramento CA

When I see a clothes moth

Webbing clothes moth adult and larvae. Photo: Dr. Mohammed El Damir, BCE

The commonly encountered clothes moths in a structure are the webbing clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella) and case-making clothes moths (Tinea pellionella). In the Midwest, webbing clothes moths are more frequently found indoors than the other species. These moths are about a quarter inch long with a light brown body and gold/reddish hair on the head. For untrained eyes, they may look identical, except that the case-making moth has darker wings with three dark dots on the forewings and gray-brown hair on the head. Clothes moths are known to breed in wool clothing, fur, hair, skins, feathers, silk, and other animal products. They also dwell in rodent dens as well as nests of birds or wasps. Fortunately, they do not infest cotton. The larvae of these little moths can be destructive pests in the museum, taxidermy places, and where expensive natural fabrics are found. Treating the adult moths alone will not provide control. To be successful, locating and destroying the larval breeding is a must along with monitoring.

Like usual, start with proper identification of the encountered bug before treatment; otherwise, liability, unhappy customers, as well as loss of profit and reputation are a few of the consequences. Once the identification is confirmed, find and remove the larval breeding source(s). Since clothes moth larvae feed on animal-made fiber, carefully inspect all cracks and crevices near or on carpets and rugs, furniture, mounted animals, and dark, undisturbed areas such as closets and attics. Once the source is found, it should be removed and treated.

Case-making clothes moth adult. Photo: Dr. Mohammed El Damir, BCE

Infested items that cannot be cleaned need to be sealed tightly in plastic bags and properly discarded in a trashcan/dumpster outside the building. If clients elect to keep these items, another option would be to place them in a hot dryer for 30 to 60 minutes; it is the responsibility of the customer to determine whether the heat can damage the articles that need to be heated. Clothes moth larvae and pupae can tolerate extreme cold. According to Chauvin and Vannier (1997), the super-cooling point (remaining unfrozen) for larvae and pupae is -13 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, if cold treatment is the only option available, place clothes and small fabric in polyethylene bags, squeeze all air out to minimize condensation, and then deep-freeze the materials for at least two weeks at temperatures below -13 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, you can advise the customer to thoroughly vacuum and clean rug pads, under heavy furniture, and carpets, especially around the edges. Vacuum contents also need to be carefully discarded in the same way as the infested items mentioned above.

Once the larval breeding source is located, before using pesticides, make sure that clothing and personal belongings are removed from the area to be treated. Use a mixture of residual insecticides with an insect growth regulator (IGR) or a chitin synthesis inhibitor to treat all cracks, crevices, and voids in closets, under baseboard and molding, walls, and dark secluded hiding places. Apply spot treatments under heavy furniture, and under the edges of carpeting. Infested stuffed furniture and other similar commodities can be fumigated or treated with heat.

Monitoring after treatment is important to evaluate the treatment’s success. Setting realistic monitoring expectations requires an understanding of the life cycle of a webbing clothes moth, which relies extremely on the temperature, humidity, and nourishment conditions. For example, the development from eggs to adults may last 50 to 60 days, in optimal settings or up to four years when things are not suitable for growth (Smith and Whitman, 2007). Larvae hatch during the late summer and do not become adults until the following spring (Back, 1935). Pheromone traps that are specially designed for webbing clothes moths or case-making clothes moths can also be used to monitor the infestation or to evaluate the treatment. Note that webbing clothes moths’ pheromone traps do not attract case-making clothes moths unless the trap’s manufacturers confirm that the pheromones are made to attract both species; otherwise it will not work. These traps should be placed indoors in closets, floors, and areas where woolen, silk fabrics, furs, or items with feathers are stored. It is not unusual to catch webbing clothes moths in a pheromone trap up to nine weeks after treatment (the egg-to-adult development window).

Because prevention is better than cure, people at risk of webbing clothes moth infestations need to make sure that all animal-derived fabric materials and any items susceptible to the infestation by these pests are dry cleaned, laundered, or placed in a hot dryer for at least one hour before being stored for a long period. Additionally, keeping the relative humidity at or below 40 percent, as well as sealing all cracks, crevices and holes in the building, will generally create hostile environments for fabric pests and reduce their numbers indoors. Prevent wasps, birds and rodents from settling in or around the building, as these can be alternative sources of clothes moth infestations. Finally, keep monitoring. Inspect pheromone traps frequently and replace them every nine weeks to maintain protection.

REFERENCES

Back, E. A. 1935. Clothes moths and their control. Farmers’ Bulletin, USDA No. 1353 (revised), 29 pp. Google Scholar

Chauvin, G., Vannier, G., 1997. Supercooling capacity of Tineola bisselliella (Hummel) (Lepdioptera: Tineidae): its implication for disinfestation. Journal of Stored Products Research 33, 283-287.

Smith, E. H., and R. C. Whitman. 2007. NPMA Field Guide to Structural Pests, 2nd ed. Fairfax, Va: National Pest Management Association.

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Sacramento CA

Owners of Restoration Firm Earn Entrepreneurship Honor

Newspaper recognizes couple for helping other local businesses grow.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

NPMA releases fall and winter 2022 Bug Barometer report

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) released its semi-annual Bug Barometer forecast that has experts expecting a pest-packed winter due to bitter cold temperatures.

The seasonal project of the pest pressure and activity Americans can expect to see in their respective regions of the country based on weather patterns, long-term forecasts and pest biological behaviors.

According to the group’s entomology team, a mild, dry summer season could cause increased pest activity throughout much of the U.S. as forecasts show looming predictions for below-average temperatures and increased snow this winter.

“Weather patterns across the U.S. were quite mixed this summer. Some areas experienced quite normal, mild climates while others like the South were met with record rainfall and historic drought in the West,” said Dr. Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist for the NPMA and Pest Management Professional magazine’s “Callback Cures” columnist. “This weather mix has allowed pest populations to thrive and the impending cold spell for much of the U.S. will likely send pests into homes in search of food and shelter this winter.”

Increased pest pressure comes with some serious health risks as ticks, cockroaches and rodents can transmit dangerous germs and diseases to humans.

“Prevention is key this time of year, especially as it pertains to keeping cockroaches and rodents out of your home,” Dr. Fredericks said in the news release. “Mice and rats invade an estimated 21 million U.S. homes each winter seeking respite from the bitter cold and snow, so be sure to eliminate any areas of moisture found in the home and be sure to keep your kitchen clean, storing food in airtight containers to keep pests out.”

Based on this analysis, the NPMA fall and winter 2022 Bug Barometer is forecasting an increase in pest pressure across the entire U.S. this season:

Northeast and New England
Expect relief from mosquitoes and stinging insects when cooler fall temperatures move into the region. However, average fall temperatures could allow tick activity to remain high into the early winter months. Look for rodents to begin moving indoors in search of shelter and resources as temperatures continue to drop.

Southeast
If fall and winter temperatures are colder than average as predicted, expect rodent activity to increase sooner than usual as rodents look to find shelter indoors.

Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Midwest
Prepare for overwintering pests such as stink bugs to begin invading structures as average fall temperatures move into the region. Average temperatures and precipitation could also allow tick pressure to remain high throughout fall. Significantly below-average temps predicted this winter will likely drive rodents indoors early.

North Central U.S.
Below-average fall temps could drive occasional invaders like boxelder bugs into structures early in search of shelter. Similarly, prepare for an increase in mouse activity sooner if temperatures drop earlier this fall.

South Central U.S.
Warmer-than-average fall temperatures could allow ant and cockroach activity to persist well into the fall months. This region should also prepare for tick activity to remain high until temperatures drop below freezing.

Southwest U.S.
If warm fall temperatures persist, expect insects such as cockroaches and centipedes to remain active well into fall. As cooler temperatures finally settle into the region, prepare for an increase in rodent activity.

Northwest U.S.
Despite the prediction of a mild winter in this region, expect to see mouse activity increase this fall as rodents look to homes, sheds, and even vehicles for shelter ahead of winter.

“With the help of our Bug Barometer, Americans can better prepare for increased pest populations as we head into the late fall and early winter months,” said Dr. Fredericks. “Be sure to seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home and store boxes off of the floor to prevent pests from residing in undisturbed areas.”

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Sacramento CA

BASF: Termite Bait Solutions

IMAGE: BASF

Flexibility is key when choosing the best termite service for your customers. BASF offers two powerful termite baiting options to ensure you have the right tools for every job. With Advance Termite Bait Stations (ATBS), the active ingredient is added only when termite activity is detected. Because of its station design, termites find the Advance stations fast. For residential accounts that prefer the ultimate peace of mind, Trelona Annual Bait Stations are preloaded with the active ingredient before installation. Trelona ATBS provides you with the complete freedom to operate: You maintain ownership of the equipment and the accounts. Plus, the flexibility of an annual inspection label translates to time and labor savings.

PestControl.basf.us

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Sacramento CA

Cook’s Pest Control names new construction sales specialist

Trevor Richard

Cook’s Pest Control announced that Trevor Richard accepted the position of new construction sales specialist. His new role will be effective Nov. 1.

Richard relocation to the home office of Cook’s Pest Control in Decatur, Ala., in February 2022.

“Since that time, he has done an outstanding job as a member of our training staff. We are confident that Richard will continue to be a valued employee in his new role,” said the news release from Cook’s Pest Control.

He has been a certified pest control operator since 2011.

The announcement comes after another recent Cook’s Pest Control personnel announcement for Britany Stroup, who recently  joined the company’s human resources department as its second recruiting specialist

About Cook’s Pest Control

Cook’s Pest Control was founded by John L. Cook in 1928 as “North Alabama Termite Control.” After his death in 1950, his son, John R. Cook, took over the company and changed the company’s name to Cook’s Pest Control. John R., a Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer (Class of 2015), helped Cook’s Pest Control become the eighth-largest pest control company in the U.S. at the time.

Cook’s Pest Control serves homeowners and businesses across the Southeast. The company offers services in pest control, termite control, mosquito control and bed bug removal. All Cook Pest Control technicians and inspectors receive comprehensive computer-based, classroom and field training. In 2015, the company opened an employee training facility in Decatur, Ala.

In 2016, Cook’s Pest Control opened a new office in Pensacola, Fla., which is the company’s first office in Florida. The company now serves customers in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee with 40 offices.

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Sacramento CA

Take advantage of new bird control opportunities

Erick Wolf, CEO, Innolytics

In these economically challenging times, PMPs must recognize new opportunities — especially ones that will differentiate their service packages from the competition. Many PMPs increasingly abandon or do not take advantage of bird control opportunities, thinking the jobs are too complicated or require too much investment of time and resources. Instead, they will simply refer bird control inquiries to a local company doing bird work. They’re letting lucrative opportunities go to waste. Fortunately, though, there are bird control options that are easy to use, effective and as equally profitable as general pest control.

For example, pigeons reside in territorial flocks, a social unit, and pairs mate for life. These are among the many reasons why a contraceptive program in this species is so effective. When eggs cannot hatch, the population of pigeons gradually and predictably declines. A contraceptive approach can be used as both a population management tool and long-term maintenance program.

With a life span of just two to three years, pigeons are short-lived. Within a few seasons of population management, bird numbers can decline to a level where they no longer represent a pest problem for the business or community.

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Sacramento CA

BluSky Names VP for Southern New England Operations

New executive grew up in the restoration business.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Bell Labs: Pulse Rat iQ

IMAGE: BELL LABS

Bell’s Pulse Rat iQ, Powered by Bell Sensing Technologies, is the first rat bait station with a fully integrated Bluetooth sensor to detect and timestamp rodent activity. With the same benefits of time-savings and rodent knowledge as the current iQ products, this device was designed to ensure that pest management professionals have the tools they need to provide top-notch rodent control in any situation. Bell’s Pulse Rat iQ holds eight 1-ounce bait blocks, two Mini-rex mouse snap traps, or one T-Rex rat snap trap.

BellSensing.com

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Sacramento CA

Encircle Unveils New Features to Make Restoration Process Easier

Contractors and project managers can now call up floor plans, monitor equipment.

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Fox Pest Control awards student scholarship

Angelina Amato was awarded Fox Pest Control’s namesake scholarship. PHOTO: FOX PEST CONTROL

Fox Pest Control named Angelina Amato as the recipient of a $2,000 scholarship that recognizes and rewards exceptional students making a difference in their communities.

In her application, Amato shared about her personal experience with a disability that led her to create a non-profit to ease access to educational resources for military kids with special needs, according to the news release.

Diagnosed with severe dysautonomia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) her freshman year of high school, Amato was bedridden for two years and told that only remedial courses were available for students learning from home.

Having a love for learning, Amato wanted to more than what she was being offered. She knew that honors classes would benefit her pursuit to become a neuropsychologist. To increase her own educational resources, Amato began working directly with her school district and the military base where her father was stationed to improve access to public education offerings.

Her journey led to the creation of the Military Kids Special Needs Education Alliance, a non-profit that works with individuals, school districts and advocates of change to ensure that all levels of education are accessible to students, regardless of their abilities.

“Angelina is a remarkable young lady,” said Rory Anderson, chief of staff at Fox Pest Control. “First, she advocated for herself. Then she built a resource to help others facing a similar situation. She’s paved the way for others to get the education they want and need to achieve their dreams. The impact that Angelina has made will go far beyond anything she ever could have imagined.”

Because of Amato’s time and dedication to ensure that no one is left out, more than 100 military kids have received the education resources they deserve.

“It only takes one person to make a difference,” Amato said in the news release. “And, this time, that one person was me. I am proud of the legacy that I have built and I look forward to continuing to help others.”

Amato will be a student at Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass.

Fox Pest Control received an overwhelming number of scholarship applications this year, making it difficult to choose just one winner. To recognize the hard work and philanthropic efforts of another remarkable individual, the Fox Pest Control Scholarship Team decided to award an additional $1,000 scholarship to Eniola Ayo-Gbenjo for her development of free, virtual dance classes for kids in underserved communities.

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Sacramento CA

PuroClean Continues Relationship with CNA

Partnership started after Hurricane Irma in 2017.

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Native Pest Management named 2022 Neighborhood Favorite

IMAGE: NATIVE PEST MANAGEMENT

West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Native Pest Management has been named the winner of Nextdoor’s sixth annual Neighborhood Favorites.

The awards program that recognized local businesses committed to helping their neighborhoods thrive. The 2022 Neighborhood Favorites were determined based on the number of neighbor recommendations a local business receives on Nextdoor across various categories.

With more than 55 million business recommendations from neighbors, Nextdoor connects
neighbors with each other and everything nearby, according to the news release.

“Local communities are incredibly important to us,” Luke Lewis, President of Native Pest Management, said in the news release. “As a fairly new company–started in 2015–it’s an honor for an established city like Margate to consider us a Neighborhood Favorite. We care about our customers and we want them to know it.”

In July, Native Pest Management was also named a Platinum winner of the ninth annual 2022 Florida Community Association Journal (FLCAJ) Readers’ Choice Awards in the pest control category.

In May, the company was named a 2022 Gator100 business, ranked at No. 18. The Gator100 announced the 2022 winners in January and recognized the recipients at an award ceremony on April 22 at the University of Florida campus.

About Native Pest Control

Since 2015, Native Pest Management has been providing pet and environmentally friendly pest
control, termite control, mosquito control, rodent control, and lawn care to residents in Florida.

As a family-owned business with deep roots in the local community, and as third-generation West
Palm Beach, FL natives, the team at Native Pest Management are experts at identifying and
preventing the many pest issues unique to their service area.

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Sacramento CA

Liphatech: IGI CO2 Powered by Liphatech

IMAGE: LIPHATECH

IGI Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is now available in California, as well as Baltimore, Md.; New York, N.Y.; Philadelphia, Pa.; and Washington, D.C. The IGI CO2 system, which also includes and must be used with The Eliminator Injection Device, is specially designed to kill burrowing rodents such as rats, ground squirrels and pocket gophers, where they live. IGI CO2 is verified to comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Standards (7 CFR Part 205).

Liphatech.com

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Sacramento CA

Rotobrush Introduces BrushBeast DR, Its Latest Duct Cleaner

Latest machine offers more vacuum power and more control .

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Plans to prevent geese from returning in the spring

Dan Kramer

Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are creatures of habit and are philopatric, which means they tend to use the same nesting sites every year. Before they return to their preferred nesting area, you need to develop a plan to make the area less inviting to them. The time to develop a plan is well before the geese appear in the spring.

Federal law protects Canada geese. It is illegal to harm geese, their eggs or their nests in the United States without permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Geese may be harassed or scared away, however, without a permit as long as the geese, goslings, eggs and nests are not harmed. (Source: “Solving Problems with Canada Geese. A management plan and information guide,” Humane Society of the United States, 2019)

Among the most effective goose control measures are chemical irritants that are applied to their preferred source of nutrition: grass and turf. When the geese feed on grass and turf treated with a product featuring the active ingredient methyl anthranilate (MA), for example, they experience an unpleasant sensation that, with repeated exposure, will convince them to move to an untreated location. While MA is non-toxic and used in many foods for human consumption, geese hate both the odor and taste.

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Sacramento CA

Mastering Fire Restoration Estimation Part 1

The first phase is gathering data on what emergency services were involved.

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Nature-Cide: Pest Management X2 Concentrate

IMAGE: NATURE-CIDE

Nature-Cide Pest Management X2 Concentrate is made from all-natural ingredients, including 75 percent of pure essential oils, and leaves a light, pleasant aroma, the manufacturer says. Each 64-ounce container can treat up to 16,000 square feet when applied with a pressurized sprayer. The repellency lasts for 30 to 45 days. A sticker/adjuvant and insect growth regulator (IGR) can be added to enhance the benefits, and is recommended when treating exterior for the control of fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. The product is also labeled to repel snakes, rodents and all types of bird life, as well as killing on contact ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, stink bugs and more.

Nature-Cide.com

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Sacramento CA

Belfor Honors First Responders Before Baseball Game

Event is part of ongoing effort to celebrate this group.

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Justin McCauley named NPMA president

Justin McCauley

Justin McCauley, of McCauley Services, has been inducted as the president of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

He succeeds Scott Steckel, director of strategic development at Plunkett’s Pest Control, Fridley, Minn., who becomes NPMA’s immediate past president” up in the lede

McCauley Services is a family-owned and operated pest management company headquartered in Benton, Ark.

“I’m excited to work with the NPMA to help ensure that every pest management professional across our industry has access to the resources, training and experience they need to consistently elevate the quality of their work on behalf of clients,” said McCauley. “This is an incredible opportunity to share the strong family values and high-quality standards we hold ourselves up to at McCauley Services with my colleagues across the country.”

McCauley’s father, Mike, founded the company as The Bug Man in 1983. Today, McCauley and his brother Zac work alongside their father to continue the family tradition of serving the pest control needs of the communities it serves.

The company has built a pest control team equipped with high-quality products, advanced equipment and extensive training necessary to address the most persistent pest problems. That includes training 60 to 90 days of training for every McCauley Services professional as well as completion of an urban entomology course through Purdue University.

McCauley Services has earned the prestigious QualityPro Certification, which less than 3 percent of U.S. pest control companies receive. The certification is awarded to those who go above and beyond to adhere to the highest standards in professionalism and results. In addition to Central Arkansas, McCauley Services has grown to serve both residential and commercial clients from Tulsa, Okla., to Memphis, Tenn., and Fort Smith, Ark., to Shreveport, La.

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Sacramento CA

Institutional Investor Buys Interest in Autority Brands

Parent of Stop Restoration and other home service franchises gets more money to expand.

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When you need help finding help

Jerry Schappert

Although clichés can be 100 percent accurate, they’re so overused that they tend to water down the impact of what’s said.

So, when someone says, “You just can’t find good help anymore,” the listener automatically dismisses it and usually responds with yet another cliché, like “No one wants to work nowadays.” The conversation then tends to roll on about just how difficult it is to find workers, and often, no helpful direction is shared.

While it’s true that finding help in today’s current economic climate is a struggle, able-bodied folks are out there. Job seekers simply have more choices and better offers than in the past. They are — wait for the cliché — in the driver’s seat.

WHERE TO FIND HELP

Internet — There is no shortage of ways you can get the word out online. Of course, there are pay-to-play sites, and those work great. I get quite a few job candidates this way. But you also can end up sifting through a ton of applications and many an interview you wish you did not have to endure. Networking groups such as Business Network International (BNI.com) can quickly get your job opening out to hundreds of prospective candidates. Typically, these are more targeted options, and they will work in your favor.

Social media — Think of all the different communities you are a part of, including Facebook Groups. A quick post and who knows, you may just get a call.

Personal encounters — When my wife and I are out, we often notice a person who seems to exude the service personality we are seeking. Perhaps it’s a restaurant server who is super good at her job, and when we engage in a bit of conversation, we find out she’s very proficient in computers and would like to put those skills to use. At the end of our meal, we tip well but also give her our card and ask her to call to schedule an appointment to see whether what we offer just might work for all of us.

Staff referrals — Your team is already out wearing your brand and running into many people who may not know of your job opportunities. A proven strategy is to offer bonuses for staff members who find someone for you. You can get creative here and offer half the bonus amount upon hiring the prospect and then provide the rest after six months. Hey, why not offer a signing bonus for the new hire, too? Lately, this seems to be the new wave in recruiting, so it’s something to consider.

HOW TO SEAL THE DEAL

Now — cliché alert — for the elephant in the room: How do you entice workers to not only entertain your offer, but get them to sign on? I couldn’t possibly list all the offerings you could present, but suffice to say, good pay and benefits go a long way.

Still, it seems today’s applicants are looking for more. A stable atmosphere are what job candidates seem to want most. So perhaps what fits here is not so much of a cliché as it is an overused quote: “There’s no place like home.” Give your employees a home, and your house always will be filled.

---

The Pest Cemetery crew

“I am hiring techs in pairs now to increase my odds of at least one working out long-term.”
— Brett Stevenson, Owner, A-1 Exterminators, Salt Lake City, Utah

“We offer hiring and referral bonuses. Both are based on someone actually staying for a certain amount of time. The past few months, our company has doubled the referral bonus.”
— Jason Heiser, Senior Service Team Lead, Sherrill Pest Control, Manchester, Tenn.

“Consistently interviewing people, even if you don’t need anyone. Always have a backup plan to keep a full staff.”
— John Perry Cunningham, Pest Control Service Professional, Stark Exterminators, Georgetown, S.C.

“I constantly network and recruit. You never know when you may have an opening, so you must always have a plan.”
— Edward E. “Tug” Passen, ACE, Region Operations Manager, RK Environmental Services, Westwood, N.J.

“Attract workers with updated equipment, new vehicles, bonuses and more family time.”
— Vincent Grato, Management, Ashland Pest Control, Buffalo, N.Y.  

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Sacramento CA

LIPCA: Owned by Pest and Lawn Pros

Since 1985, LIPCA Insurance has been 100 percent owned by pest and lawn professionals and their families. Its sole insurance program is completely focused on pest and lawn businesses and their exposures. LIPCA specializes with GL, Property, IM, BPP, CYBER and Excess/Umbrella coverages. It has access to Workers Compensation (W/C) and Auto coverages in most states. The firm will also work with any agent you choose. In addition, LIPCA has free pest, termite, bed bug and other contract templates available for its insureds.

LIPCA.com

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Sacramento CA

Pest control companies rank on 2022 Inc. 5000 list

The 2022 Inc. 5000 has released the ranking of the of nation’s fastest-growing private companies.

The annual Inc. 5000 list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment — its independent small businesses. Recognizing the fastest-growing companies in the country, Neighborly ranks with well-known brands including Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many others with national exposure as honorees in the list.

Neighborly was ranked on the Inc. 5000 list for the fourth consecutive year, according to a news release.

Neighborly has grown to more than 30 brands and 5,000 franchise units collectively serving over 12 million customers in six countries, focused on repairing, maintaining and enhancing homes. The Inc. 5000 ranking follows other major recognitions the brand has received this year, including 15 Neighborly brands ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 and Mike Bidwell, president and CEO of Neighborly, recognized as the “Central Plains Entrepreneur Of The Year” by Ernst & Young.

“I’m honored that Neighborly has once again been recognized in the prestigious Inc. 5000 list, alongside some of the fastest-growing and most innovative organizations in the country,” said Bidwell.

Ruskin, Fla.-based All U Need Pest Control was ranked No. 1,057 on the Inc. 5000 list. The company has grown by an average of 205 percent per year, according to a news release.

“It is amazing to see what can happen when you have an employee-first culture,” Sean Hearn, director of business development at All U Need Pest Control, said in the news release. “Our main priority is making sure our team is happy and they feel empowered to make a difference. When you have a happy and motivated team, they will naturally go above and beyond for the customer and the rest just falls into place.”

In addition, the Inc. 5000 list included Logan, Utah-based Fox Pest Control for the second consecutive year. With three-year revenue growth of more than 250 percent and the addition of more than 450 team members between 2017 and 2020, it ranks No. 2333.

“Securing a spot on the Inc. 5000 List is a huge accomplishment for the entire Fox team,” Mike Romney, co-founder and co-CEO of Fox Pest Control, said in a news release. “To be honored for a second-consecutive year is incredibly humbling and a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our team members.”

Other pest control companies on the list include:

• No. 1,744: Charlotte, N.C.-based Aruza Pest Control
• No. 1,869: Phoenix, Ariz.-based Moxie Pest Control
• No. 2,398: Round Rock, Texas-based Alta Pest Control
• No. 2,690: Seattle, Wash.-based Insight Pest Solutions
• No. 3,230: Highland, Utah-based Ardent
• No. 3,279: Thibodaux, La.-based LaJaunie’s Pest Control
• No. 3,283: Provo, Utah-based Aptive Environmental
• No. 3,988: Post Falls, Idaho-based Pointe Pest Control
• No. 4,026: Lowell, Ark.-based Natural State Pest Control
• No. 4,040: Milwaukie, Ore.-based Axiom Entities

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Sacramento CA

ISSA Announces Newly Elected Board Members

Board installation will take place at the group's event in Chicago.

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Using lasers to control birds

Gregg Schumaker, director of business and product development, Wildlife Control Supplies

Many bird control projects can be greatly enhanced with the proper use of professional lasers. Keep in mind, of course, that there is a big difference in using professional equipment and procedures vs. lasers not specifically designed for birds and using them haphazardly.

Once you find the right laser for the situation, consider these tips:

• If you can, install automated lasers before birds are causing damage or nesting.
• Move your laser steadily, about the pace of a fast-walking human.
• Use zig-zag motions.
• Repeatedly treat roost sites at dawn and dusk.
• Never point lasers at people, aircraft or vehicles.
• Always follow all laws and regulations, including those from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

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Sacramento CA

Rockwell Labs: InVade Bio Foam

PHOTO: ROCKWELL LABS

InVade Bio Foam eliminates scum, odors and organic build-up in commercial kitchens. It is the ultimate green cleaner that works more effectively than simple chemical cleaners. Bio Foam contains premium, natural microbes, foaming agent and natural citrus oil. The powerful microbes actually digest organic matter. The microbe spores activate when in contact with their food source (fats, oils, grease, protein, carbohydrates, cellulose and urea). The foam provides an extended contact time for the microbes to work. InVade Bio Foam is diluted with water at a rate of 1 ounce to 1 quart or 4 ounces to 1 gallon, with the easy tip-n-measure 16-ounce bottle or 1-gallon jug with pump top. InVade Bio Foam is designed to integrate with the Foamer Simpson Pump-up Foamer (all models) or a power foamer for application.

RockwellLabs.com

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Sacramento CA

5 tips for fall invaders

Editor’s Note: A version of this column first appeared in an in-house newsletter for Adam’s Pest Control, Medina, Minn., and is being reprinted with permission from Dr. El Damir.

During the cooling-off season between late summer and throughout the fall, the change from warm to cold weather triggers some insect species to look for warm overwintering sites. Often, this means they seek shelter in the wall cavities of our homes or commercial buildings.

In Minnesota, at least, foreign grain beetles (Ahasverus advena) are the first insects to be noticed indoors, followed in order by cluster flies (Pollenia rudis); females (queens) of yellowjackets and paper wasps; boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata); harlequin beetles (Harmonia axyridis); and western conifer seed bugs (Leptoglossus occidentalis). The order of fall invasion, of course, varies depending on the species, temperature, and geographical distribution of insects.

The selection criteria of overwintering sites are not fully understood, but it is quite possible that the shape, color or location of the structure could be factors that attract certain pests to a particular site. Once indoors, fall-invading pests are not only annoying, but they also can:

• stain light surfaces when crushed;
• trigger asthma attacks due to the odors of their carcasses; and
• attract hide beetles, larder beetles, carpet beetles, carpenter ants, and other insects that love to feed on them.

Because the proper identification of the pest is the first step in its management, the following are brief descriptions of six common fall-invading pests:

1. Boxelder bugs
   

   Boxelder bug. (Photo: Dr. Mohammed El Damir, BCE)

   • Adults are about 0.5 of an inch long.
   • Black with three red stripes on the pronotum.
   • The primary host plant of the boxelder bug is the female (seed-bearing) boxelder tree where they feed by sucking plant juices from leaves, twigs and seeds.
   • The bugs also been observed on male boxelder, ash and maple trees, and occasionally on strawberries, grasses, and various other plants, but they usually are incapable of full development on these hosts.
   • From mid-July through mid-September, they congregate on the trunks of female boxelder trees and the ground near these trees.
   • From mid-September to mid-October, they migrate to homes and other types of buildings for overwintering. Only fully grown adults overwinter, while immature stages die by the onset of harsh weather.
   • They first congregate on the sunny sides of the building (west, south), and then they hide deep in wall/ceiling voids, cracks, crevices and other protected areas throughout the winter.

2. Cluster flies
   

   Cluster fly. (Photo: Dr. Mohammed El Damir, BCE)

   • They are about 0.25 to  0.375 of an inch long, and are dark gray with uneven light- and dark-gray areas on the abdomen.
   • They have golden-yellow hairs on the thorax.
   • Larvae develop inside of earthworm bodies.
   • The life cycle of cluster flies is completed in 27 to 39 days, depending on the temperature. There are about four generations per summer.
   • Adults from late August to early September migrate for overwintering in protected areas, especially on the southern and western sides of a structure.

3. Harlequin beetles
   • At about 0.33 of an inch long, this beetle has several common names, including multi-colored Asian lady beetle, Halloween beetle and orange ladybug.
   • It can have multiple colors, with up to 19 black spots — or no spots at all.
   • A distinguishing mark is a W or M shape on the thorax.
   • They can pinch the skin and cause minor and short-lived discomfort.
   • In the U.S., adult beetles invade structures between late September and late October for overwintering.
   • They may bunch together in corners of porches, attics, wall voids, door or window frames, or other protected areas.
   

   Western Conifer Seed Bug. (Photo: Dr. Mohammed El Damir, BCE)

   • In the U.S., there tend to be two generations of harlequin beetles per year; healthy beetles can live up to three years.

4. Western conifer seed bugs
   • Brown in color, this bug is about 0.75 of an inch long.
   • Adults have an inverted white V marking toward the front of each wing, and large hind legs with a flattened, leaf-like area.
   • As their name implies, they feed mainly on the seeds of conifer trees.
   • They tend to enter buildings at the beginning of cooler weather in the late summer or early fall for overwintering.
   • They produce a strong odor when handled, and make a buzzing sound when flying.
5. 

   Brown marmorated stink bug. (Photo: Dr. Mohammed El Damir, BCE)

   Brown marmorated stink bugs
   • About 0.5 of an inch long, and dark mottled brown.
   • The last two antennal segments have alternating, broad, light and dark bands.
   • The exposed abdominal edges also have alternating dark and light banding.
   • Adults overwinter in houses and other protected places.
   • When disturbed, the bugs produce a foul odor.

6. Clover mites
   • At about 0.033 of an inch long, these mites are oval, reddish-brown to olive to pale orange; they are sometimes green-brown after feeding.
   

   Clover mite. (Photo: Dr. Mohammed El Damir, BCE)

   • They have a pair of very long front legs, extending forward at the head.
   • They feed and live in clovers, grasses, trees, shrubs, lawns and other plants around buildings.
   • Clover mites are considered cool-season mites. Eggs do not hatch below 40°F or above 86°F. Eggs enter a dormant stage during the hot summer, and hatch in early autumn when temperatures fall below 85°F. Adults live one to seven months, and are most active between 50°F and 75°F.
   • They infest homes from November through June to overwinter. Most mites overwinter as eggs, but all life stages can be present.

7. 

   Foreign grain beetle. (Photo: Dr. Mohammed El Damir, BCE)

   Foreign grain beetles
   • These beetles are reddish-brown and about 0.083 of an inch long.
   • They have a three-segmented antennae club, and a tiny knob or bumps on each of the front corners of the thorax.
   • They are attracted to light, and are mostly encountered indoors during the early fall.

8. Yellowjackets
   • Typical yellowjackets have black-and-yellow bands on the abdomen.
   • The patterns of these bands help to distinguish different species.
   • The size of yellowjackets varies depending on the species, but the queens are about 0.75 of an inch long.
   • When fertilized, yellowjacket queens seek overwintering sites, such as structures.
9. 

   Yellowjacket wasp, left, and paper wasp. (Photos: Dr. Mohammed El Damir, BCE)

   Paper wasps
   • These wasps are about 0.75 to 1 inch long, and are reddish -brown with a yellow circle.
   • They have longer legs and slenderer bodies than yellowjackets and hornets.
   • Their abdomens taper at both ends.
   • Mated queens are commonly encountered on the sunlit sides of a building in the fall before overwintering in wall voids and attics

TREATMENT TIPS

1. Be prompt. Timing for fall-invading pest control is very important. All pesticide applications and exclusion practices, such as replacing worn outdoor sweeps; sealing all pest entry points; tightening screens, windows and doors; etc., should be made early enough in the fall before fall-invading pests become present on or around a structure. If pesticide treatments are applied in late fall or early winter, customers will complain about live or dead bugs inside living places or overwintering insects already established inside deep wall voids, rendering the exterior pesticide treatment ineffective. However, encountering an extended summer or heavy rains may render the initial liquid treatment ineffective. Accordingly and if needed, another treatment may be needed and/or justified in late September to maintain protection. Retreatment because of weather conditions should be done on a case-by-case basis. Be sure to follow the retreatment intervals specified on the insecticide label.

2. Be efficient. Use a proven long-lasting insecticide with a “knockdown” capability. Residual liquid insecticides are usually used in preventive exterior treatments of fall-invading pests. Depending on the product, these products leave behind long-lasting residual effects for up to 30 days or more and kill fall pests before they make their way indoors.

3. Be thorough. Thorough coverage of pesticide applications is essential for effective fall-invading pests’ management and reducing callbacks. Apply the pesticide carefully, covering all sides of the building. Pay particular attention to the sunlit sides where pests usually congregate. Keep in mind that high entryways around soffits or rooflines provide fall-invading pests, especially cluster flies, access into the attic or crawl space. Accordingly, treat under eaves and all possible entry points under and around rooflines.

4. Be conscientious. Follow all restrictions and requirements on the pesticide label. It is illegal to treat in a manner inconsistent with the label directions. Always treat areas permanently protected from rain, such as under the eaves. If the side is above pervious surfaces (lawn, soil, mulch, etc.), you should treat the whole side, paying attention to entryways.

5. Be a communicator. Manage customer expectations. Let the customer know:

• Dead insects will be seen laying on the ground.
• Bugs do not die right away after treatment. The time needed to kill fall-invading pests depends on the time of the application, species, thoroughness of applications (coverage), rains, and temperature conditions. It could take up to 24 hours to provide 100 percent mortality of fall-invader pests. Therefore, customers should expect to see live bugs after treatment for up to 24 hours.
• Due to extended warm weather, live fall-invading pests can be still seen around the structure after treatment. This is because of the continuous movement of this pest from adjacent areas. However, if the treatment is completed before the bugs are already inside the wall voids, all bugs should die eventually due to exposure.
• If fall-invading pests are already hiding indoors by the time you arrive on the scene, insecticide treatments indoors will not eliminate overwintering pests because it is nearly impossible to treat every hidden area that may be harboring them. Insect light traps (ILTs) can help, but likely will not solve the problem.

In conclusion, to prevent fall-invading pests from entering a structure, apply all exclusion work and pesticide treatments early enough before the adults of fall-invading pests begin moving to the structure; otherwise, insecticide treatments indoors will not eliminate them. Be thorough, using a proven long-lasting residual insecticide, and follow the label directions. Communicate the treatment expectations to the customer.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2022/09/19/5-tips-for-fall-invaders/
Sacramento CA