Rodents| Last Friday of the Year| Fun Fact

The last Fun Fact Friday of 2012!  It is the last Friday of the year, the last fun fact of the year, how's that for pressure?  Just kidding, no pressure here, after all this is FUN fact Friday, and last time I checked fun did not really really involve pressure or stress.

Because rodents are a big problem this time of year, today's fun fact is on rodents.  Rodents' front teeth never stop growing.  Is this fact important? YES!  It is very important and answers some questions people have regarding rodents and pest control.

One question this answers is: "How do rodents cause electrical fires?"  The answer to this question?  They chew on wires.  Why do they chew on the wires?  They chew on the wires because their front teeth never stop growing and they must gnaw on things in order to keep their teeth filed and sharpened.  When rodents gnaw on wiring, they cause holes in the casing and sparks from the electrical current of the exposed and damaged wiring can ignite flammable materials on or around the wiring.

Another question answered, "Why are there bite marks on wooden surfaces where rodents are nesting?" Again it is the teeth constantly growing and the gnawing is used to keep the length of the teeth in check.  Right along side this question is "Why have rodents chewed on my (non food item) stuff?"  And the answer is the same.

It is important to deal with a rodent infestation, not only because they chew on things (including wiring) and potentially cause fires. They also carry diseases that can be transferred to humans, urine and feces can contaminate food/food prep areas, they destroy and contaminate duct work, insulation as well as personal items.

I looked for a youtube video about rodent teeth and came up with some videos that completely grossed me out (like someone letting a rat clean their teeth- no joke).  So instead of rodent teeth, here is a video about the night life of rats.



For all of your rodent and pest control needs, Peak Pest Management has a solution.  If you are having trouble with rats, mice or other pests please give me a call and I will be happy to help you out.

Micah Wood
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com
Pest Control Portland 503-998-4322
Pest Control Vancouver 360-607-1933
Pest Control Seattle 206-790-8285

Grasshoppers and Crickets: Fun Fact Friday

For fun fact Friday today, we have grasshoppers and crickets!  While I don't get called out to treat for these bugs here in Portland, OR or Vancouver, WA.  I still think they are interesting.  One reason (which happens to be our fun fact for the day)?  Some grasshoppers, katydids and crickets actually have ears on their front legs.  The ears are located in the knee joints.  If people were crickets I bet they'd be really careful about what they whispered into an ear.  A knee-jerk reaction would really hurt!

Crickets, grasshoppers, katydids and locusts can really be a problem in some places though.  Here's a video about katydids, called Mormon Crickets, in Colorado, done by National Geographic.



While I don't deal with these bugs, there are plenty that I do take care of.  If you are having pest problems in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR, Seattle, WA and the surrounding area, please give me a call!  I'd be happy to help you out.  Bedbugs, mice, rats, spiders, ants, whatever the pest, we'll develop a custom pest control plan for you.

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com
Portland 503-998-4322
Vancouver 360-607-1933
Seattle 206-790-8285

Roaches Again | Fun Fact Friday | Pregnant for Life

First of all, I want to give you this little gem: There are cockroaches in Central and South America that are 6 inches long. 1/2 a foot.  I'll let that sink in for a moment before I move on to today's fun fact.  Not all cockroaches are pests, in nature they serve important roles (otherwise why would they exist? right?).

Okay, moving on to today's fun fact.  In some (I didn't check this for ALL) species of cockroaches, females mate once and then are pregnant for life.  That's right. Pregnant for life.  I can't pretend to understand this, but I know that my wife would not enjoy being pregnant for life.  It's not that they WHOLE process was miserable-- there were miserable moments to be sure.  It's just at the end of 9 months she was ready to be done.

Cockroaches don't get that (although let's be realistic, they also don't have all of the feelings and emotions that people do).  But nevertheless, they have some babies and then are STILL pregnant, with the next batch of cockroach babies.

Here is a video about the topic of cockroaches:


If you are experiencing a cockroach infestation, I understand that cockroaches are not a laughing matter.  Cockroaches and transfer a number of diseases that are harmful to people, by contaminating food sources.

These speedy pests can be really upsetting.  I am not just going to throw this information out there, if you are having a problem with cockroaches and would like some help, I'd be happy to help.  Peak Pest Management offers a wide range of pest control services for all of your pest control needs.  Cockroaches, mice, rats, fleas, ants, carpet beetles, and bedbugs are just a few pests that we see and help people get rid of all the time!

Give us a call, we'll help you out.

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com
Pest Control Portland- 503-998-4322
Pest Control Seattle-  206-790-8285
Pest Control Vancouver- 360-607-1933

Pheromone Trails | Pest Control | Fun Fact Friday

Have you ever wondered why ants march in a line?  How bees remember which hive belongs to them? How wasps know to swarm when someone or something has been stung? Why rodents and other pests need to be treated regularly and a "one-time" treatment won't be effective? How animals and insects find mates?

The answer (or at least part of the answer) to these questions is pharomones.  By origin, pheromone can be translated to mean to bear (or transport) hormones.  Pharomones are used by many insects and animals including many social pests, including ants, rats, mice, bees, termites as well as many other pests.

Pharomones can be used to mark a trail to food.  With ants it is particularly noticable because they literally march in lines from their nest to a food source.  The trail that the line follows is marked with pheromones.  Rodents such as mice and rats will also leave pharomone trails from the nesting area to the food source.

Another use for pharomones is alarm.  Bees and wasps make the alarm pharomone easy to recognize.  When one bee or wasp stings a potential threat, they also release pharomones to attract other bees and wasps to join them in the attack.  This is especially true if a sting happens near a nest.

Furthermore pharomones are used by many insects and animals to attract a mate.  If you've ever wondered why there is an icky swarm of mating bugs, the answer is pharomones.  They are attracted together by pharomones.

Pharomones have other functions that I am not including in this post, but I just wanted to detail why pharomones are important and give some "fun" facts about them.  If you have ever heard a pest control professional refer to pharomones or pharomone trails and wondered what on earth they were talking about-- here is a pretty good basic idea of the function of pharomones.

This video has a very visual way of showing how ants communicate using pheromones.


For all of your pest control needs, Peak Pest Management has a solution!  If you're having issues with pests please give me, Micah, a call.

Micah Wood
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com
Pest Control Portland 503-998-4322
Pest Control Vancouver 360-607-1933
Pest Control Seattle 206-790-8285
We have similar information on our website blog.  Click here to check it out.

Cockroaches | Fun Fact Friday | Creepy Factor Upped

Cockroaches gross you out?  You're not the only one!  In fact it is a rare person who is not put off by roaches.  A cockroach infestation in a restaurant, school, or hospital is a serious problem-- cockroaches can carry and transfer bacteria and contaminate food and cooking utensils. 

Many people find the way they scurry for cover when the lights flip on creepy and disgusting.  But that is not our fun fact today!  Our fun fact today ups the creepy factor and rates right up there with Zombie Ants.

Cockroaches can live for weeks without their head.  Not hours, not days, but actually WEEKS!  Entomologists have actually done labs where they decapitated a cockroach and waited to see how long it lived.  The head of the cockroach is not immediately essential for survival.  They breathe through spiracles along the sides of their body and they can survive for weeks without food.  So a cockroach can move the legs and respond to stimuli without a head.  Because of the type of circulatory system that cockroaches have, their blood clots and they do not bleed out.  A decapitated cockroach will usually either become dehydrated or mold-- and that will be the actual cause of death, not the fact that they are missing their head.

Fair warning: This is NOT a Mickey Mouse video and not for those with a weak stomach/gag reflex!



If you are having an issue with cockroaches in your home or business and need help, please call me, Micah, at Peak Pest Management!  I'll help you get rid of cockroaches and/or other pests.

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
Micah@peak-pest-management.com
www.peak-pest-management.com
Vancouver 360-607-1933
Portland 503-998-4322
Seattle 206-790-8285

Mice | World's Most Famous Mouse | Fun Fact Friday

The world's most famous mouse is none other than Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse.  Mickey Mouse was first introduced in 1928 after a less than amicable break up of the first Company Walt Disney was a part of founding.  With a handful of loyal employees Walter "Walt" Elias Disney bounced back creating Mickey Mouse and his famous crew of companions with the help of Ub Iwerks.

Walt Disney originally named the character Mortimer Mouse and was convinced by his wife to change the name to Mickey Mouse.  I think this was a wise move.  I can't imagine a mouse as famous as Mickey with the name Mortimer.  But who knows, maybe we all would have loved Mortimer just as well-- after all he was the same design.

Mickey Mouse was the first animated character to receive a Hollywood star of fame, which happened in the 70's.  Mickey mouse has been the character of comic strips, comic books, movies, short films, books etc.  One of the main character attractions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, as well, is the world's most famous mouse.

Why the Mickey Mouse post on a pest control blog?  Because it came up as I was searching for fun facts about  mice and because I have kids, I thought it was interesting.  Also worth noting?  Mickey Mouse's voice was done by Walt Disney for his first couple of decades.

And because this was about Mickey Mouse, here is a classic Mickey Mouse clip instead of the usual National Geographic clip.



Although I would never try to oust Mickey Mouse, I am a pest control professional and would love to help you get rid of other less famous (and considerably less entertaining) mice and/or other pests.

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management
Seattle 206-790-8285
Portland 503-998-4322
Vancouver 360-607-1933
web www.peak-pest-management.com
email micah@peak-pest-management.com

Box Elder Beetles | Nuisance Pests

Sometimes in my profession I learn about trends in pest control on the job.  Sometimes a trend is obvious in my every day life aside from my profession like this weekend. We attended a birthday party at a family friend's home.  When we got there, I noticed a few box elder beetles around.  Then, the back door had 20 or so box elder beetles on it.  Because pest control is what I do, I asked about them.

Come to find out, at times during the day there are literally thousands of them that come and cover one side of the house almost entirely.  Our friend said "Yeah, they are a real nuisance!"  I hear this statement often.  Not only about box elders, but ants, spiders, mice, rats etc.  I think this is why there is a whole category of pests in pest control called "nuisance pests."

Box elder beetles outside, in warm months, often go unnoticed.  They don't cause problems for people outside and during the summer.  However, as the temperatures drop, box elder beetles often try to move indoors-- in homes and businesses to overwinter.  Typically they move in such large numbers that they can actually cause damage by staining things like curtains and walls etc. with their excrement.

Box elder beetles don't bite or cause structural damage.  It is often the fact that they collect in such large numbers that causes concern.  A huge mass of box elder bugs moving in to overwinter just in time for the holiday season in typically not the type of guest most people welcome!

Along the same line of trends in pests, I have also noticed it seems to be a big year/season for spiders. Spiders are a pest that I help people out with year round.  People often ask me to take care of spiders at the same time as other pests.  If I'm out for another pest whether it is ants, mice, rats, fleas etc, I will give a good discount for taking care of spiders at the same time.

Micah Wood
360-607-1933
503-998-4322
206-790-8285
micah@peak-pest-management.com
www.peak-pest-management.com

Mice | Fun Fact Friday | Mouse means:

The English word for mouse is derived from a Latin word that is derived from a Sansrit word... or so I've read in multiple places.  I'm not going to bore you with the details. For one thing, I like people to read my blog.  Another? Oh, I don't really remember the details because it was kind of boring to read through. But I waded through boring word derivitives all to bring you this:

The word mouse means theif.  Why yes, this is in gold!  Why?  Oh because I thought this little nugget of information was golden!  Or because I wanted to spice things up by changing the color of the text for a little while.  I heard somewhere it helps keep people interested in what you're saying...  How's that working for you?

Anyways, yes, mouse means thief.  It is a very fitting name for a mouse, because they get into things, steal food, steal materials to make their nest etc.  Perhaps the worst thing they steal? Sanity and peace of mind!  Okay maybe not really sanity, but peace of mind? Yes!  Mice are disconcerting little creatures that cause people, who otherwise behave normally, to shriek and jump onto chairs... And not only in cartoons or on tv...  This happens in real life too, I have witnessed it.  And no it was NOT me.  I do not shriek and jump onto chairs-- in my line of work (you know, helping other people deal with these and other pests), that would probably not go over well.  I may or may not have family members who shriek at the sight of a mouse... and they may or may not also sprint away as fast as they possibly can.

Mice in the home cause people to lose more than a little peace of mind because they can contaminate food, ruin clothing and materials, carry fleas and disease and scurry quite quickly under doors and furniture.  A mouse nest in my home would not be well tollerated and not just because pest control is my profession.

Just for fun here is a National Geographic clip on rats. 1 mating pair can have up to 15,000 decendents in a year.  This video is from India, where most people will not kill rats...  But still, undisturbed, this is how rats multiply!



For trouble with mice, or rats, give me a call.  I'll help you out.

Micah Wood
Vancouver 360-607-1933
Portland 503-998-4322
Seattle 206-790-8285
www.peak-pest-management.com
email me micah@peak-pest-management.com

Rodents of Unusual Size | Fun Fact Friday

The idea of rodents of unusual size (or ROUS) from The Princess Bride did not originate in the imagination of film makers.  There are in fact rat like rodents of unusual size.  These rodents are called nutria, or coypu, beverat (beaver rat), river rat, ragondin or castorino depending on where they are seen.  In North America we refer to them as nutria. 

Nutria are found around the world and mostly near water.  They are herbivores-- eating mostly stems and wasting large portions of the plants they feed on.  Although nutria are not the only rat like large rodent, they are possible the most widely known.

These rodents can be up to two feet long (not including the tail which can be as long 18 inches) and weigh in at 20 pounds!  While they don't compare to the gigantic rodents in the movie The Princess Bride, I can't say I've met a lot of people who would be comfortable around a 2-foot-long-20-pound rodent.

Nutria have been a pretty big problem in the Northwest because they are non native and invasive.  There have been issues with nutria in urban areas and parks-- and the issue is some times exacerbated by people feeding the nutria.

It is best not to feed or try to take care of nutria as they pose a risk to natural wildlife, water quality and can be a danger to people in situations where people have been feeding them.  Here is a short clip on youtube about nutria.



I don't really see a lot of nutria here in Portland and Vancouver or up in Seattle, and because they don't typically invade homes and businesses-- they are outside of my area of expertise.  I do deal with a full range of rodents that do infest homes and businesses in our service areas.  For pest control for Rodents in the northwest, give me a call, drop me an email or check out our website for coupons.

Micah Wood
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com
360-607-1933
503-998-4322
706-790-8285

Beetles | Fun Fact Friday | So Many Beetles!

There are more types of beetles than there are types of plants.  In fact, beetles make up 1/4 of the known species of plants and animals!  Incredible? I think so!  These beetles range from harmless to helpful and cute to down right creepy!  Below is a youtube video of the more creepy type!



Carpet beetles are another creepy one as are powder post beetles.  Carpet beetles will destroy your clothes and materials made of organic matter.  Powder post beetles will destroy wood (like parts of your house).  If you are dealing with creepy beetles in your home, please give me a call.  I'd love to help you out.  At Peak Pest Management we offer a full range of Pest Control Services for beetles and other pests.

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
206-790-8285

Rats, Bedbugs, Fleas, Bees | A Day in the Life

A Day in The Life of a Pest Control Technician

 

Any given day can hold endless possibilities of the various pests I'll run into on the job.  I'll tell you the truth, I like variety in my day.  If I didn't, this wouldn't be the job for me.  There is nothing mundane or boring about driving out in my pest control truck and saving the day.  Yes, that's right, saving the day.  Not in the same way as a super hero, or law enforcement, doctors, emergency workers and military, but still-- I do save the day.

 

On a relatively busy day I might go out on up to seven or eight calls. Sometimes in pest control I'll have a trend for the day-- like 3-4 of the same sort of job and maybe one or two other pests.  But other times my day is completely varied.  Because typically I might see four or five different pests on a busy day, I'll run through a list of pests that I see regularly.

 

• Rats and mice are a common call. This is the call I most often take early in the morning and late at night. People do not like rodents! Understandably so, because rodents can carry a number of diseases as well as fleas. Rodents can really contaminate a home or business and people are often anxious for a solution when they see one.  Often I will fill my early morning time slots with rodent jobs.
• Bees (well, really mostly wasps and yellow jackets but the call is often for "bees") are kind of a specialty.  Up until I said to a customer "I almost never get stung,"  it had been a really long time since I was last stung.  The day I said that I got stung 6 times.  I'm not really complaining, it's just a hazard of the job-- from time to time stings happen.  When I don't get stung, I can take care of a basic "bee" call pretty fast.  During the summer and early Autumn I can have 3-4 calls in one day-- all for bees and wasps.
• Bedbugs are another call that can come in the middle of the night or early in the morning.  Bedbugs creep people out.  The thought of being bitten while you sleep can cause a person to lose more than a little sleep.  People who call in about bedbugs and end up having a flea infestation are some of the happiest and most relieved customers I have ever met.  Although the number of bedbug cases I see is on a steady rise, I do encounter many people who suspect bedbugs but are relieved to hear it is something else.  Although bedbugs and fleas are very different, both bite and I do see both bedbugs and fleas on a regular basis.
• Fleas and pets go hand in hand.  It makes sense that customers with a flea infestation in the home are often concerned about the health and safety of their pet.  At Peak Pest Management, we are also concerned about the health and safety of the pets and people in the home.  We choose the safest and most effective products available.
• Spiders are one of the pests that make me feel like I'm saving the day.  Spiders are a very real fear for many people and although we do have relatively few poisonous spiders here in the northwest, the ones we do have (namely hobo spiders) can be aggressive.  A happy customer is a customer who no longer has to worry about spiders invading their home.
• Ants and termite calls come in on a regular basis as well.  Ants can be a nuisance, or they can be a structural pest depending on the type of ant.  Carpenter ants and termites (not an ant) are structural pests that cause real and expensive damage when left untreated.  People sometimes confuse carpenter ants, termites and even powder post beetles.  All three cause structural damage and it can be hard for a person to differentiate which pest is causing problems.  A Pest Control Professional, like myself, is trained to recognise the differences in these pests, not just by what they look like, but by other evidence that is left behind by structural pests.

Because I am just talking about "a Day in the Life," I won't go into detail about these pests or list out everything I have ever treated for-- or even everything I've done this week.  Honestly that would probably be pretty long and it would eventually get boring.  Maybe another day I'll write about my experiences with ridiculously smart squirrels and funny and unusual calls.  But for today, there's just a sampling of what I might do in a day-- at this time of year.

 

I'm here, any time, for all of your pest control needs.

 

Micah Wood

Peak Pest Management

www.peak-pest-management.com

micah@peak-pest-management.com

503-998-4322

360-607-1933

206-790-8285

Fun Fact Friday : Mice and Many Babies

As I was fact checking, this is the number I came to: A SINGULAR female mouse can give birth to between 8 and 19 litters of pups per year.  An average litter is between 8 and 12 meaning a single female mouse can have up to 228 (or more even) babies in a single year. 

Even if the female mouse were to have 8 litters of 8 babies, that is still 64 baby mice in one year.  Female mice can begin to reproduce at 12 weeks of age.  So a small population of mice can become a very large population of mice in a very short period of time.  The gestation period for mice is between 19-23 days.

And here is a little youtube video I found for you.  No worries, it's not graphic. At all.



If you're having an issue with mice, or rats or other pests, please give me a call, I can help you out-- with more effective methods than snap-trapping.

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com
360-607-1933
503-998-4322
206-790-8285

Fun Fact Friday | Fireflies | How And Why Do Fireflies Light Up?

Fireflies are interesting and intriguing to adults.  To children they seem down right magical.  So, is there a scientific reason that fireflies light up and glow?  According to a six year old I know it is a combination of faith, trust and pixie dust but that has more to do with Tinkerbell than science!

The chemical process that gives fireflies their glow is called bioluminescence. 

"When oxygen combines with calcium, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the chemical luciferin in the presence of luciferase, a bioluminescent enzyme, light is produced." (www.scientificamerican.com).
 

Basically when reading I found that the fireflies have a gene called LUC gene.  And the presence of a substance called Lucifrase in their cells.  These drive the chemical process, using oxygen and/or nitrous oxide, that produces light.

An interesting fact about fireflies is that the light they produce is "cold" light.  Their organs would not sustain the heat involved if fireflies produced "hot" light.

Here is a youtube video of a firefly caught by a spider.



And here is a video of fire flies in action.


Because it is fun fact Friday we're not focused on pests in our writing today!  But, as always I am available for pest control services for all kinds of pests including, spiders, ants, fleas, termites, cockroaches, mice, rats, bedbugs and more!  Give me a call if you need pest control service in  Portland, Vancouver or Seattle.

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
206-790-8285
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com

---

Branham, Mark: Ask The Experts "How and Why Do Fireflies Light Up?" Scientific American 5, September 2005 http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-and-why-do-fireflies

Environmental Science "How do fireflies light up?" How Stuff Works 1998-2012
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/zoology/insects-arachnids/question554.htm

Genetic Science Learning Center. "What Makes a Firefly Glow?." Learn.Genetics7 September 2012 http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/dna/firefly

Fun Fact Friday | Moths | Why are moths attracted to light?

We went camping and of course when you camp with kids you get questions.  One of the questions was, "Why are there so many moths flying around our lantern at night?"  I was hoping to come up with a definitive answer but instead I found theories. 

Here is what seems to be the consensus.  Moths are not actually attracted to the light, but distracted by it.  In their nocturnal flight they use the moon to triangulate and position themselves and fly.  They also use the light of the moon reflecting off of flowers to detect food sources.  So whatever the source of light that moths are fluttering about...  It seems more to either distract or confuse than attract.

Once they get too close to the light, it is difficult or impossible to triangulate their position in their flight path with regard to the moon, so in their confusion they flutter around the light source until they become tired and then rest near the light.  Some also say that they rest because the artificial light source (or flames of a fire) tricks them into "thinking" the sun is out-- so being nocturnal, they settle down to sleep.

The reason moths move towards light also has to do with photo taxis.  Photo taxis is the insects automatic response either to move towards or away from light.  While moths move towards light, other nocturnal pests (like cockroaches) automatically move away from light.  Photo taxis is the reason cockroaches scurry when the lights come on-- the response is automatic.

It's not definitive, but at least something better than "Well... I really don't know!"

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
360-607-1933
503-998-4322
206-790-8285
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com

---

"Why are moths attracted to light?" How Stuff Works 1998-2012
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/zoology/insects-arachnids/question675.htm

Stevenson, Alexa: Research Penn State, Probing Questions:"Why are moths attracted to light" 20 October, 2008 http://www.rps.psu.edu/probing/moths.html

NPR Transcript Elliot, Debbie: "Why are moths attracted to Flame?" All Things Considered 18, Aug 2007 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12903572

Termites | Bugs People Eat | Fun Fact Friday

Around the world there are bugs that "eat" people.  Mosquitoes, bed bugs, ants (yes really), etc.  But what might be less well know is that around the world, people eat bugs- sometimes as a dietary staple.  Here in the United States, it is less common, although people do eat bugs as a joke, on a dare, or by accident-- generally speaking though, bugs are not a common ingredient in our food (yet).

Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines Entomophagy:

Entomophagy : the practice of eating insects
 

 Because bugs are very nutritious and take very little effort or resources to raise, the practice of eating insects (or entomophagy) is being encouraged amoung young people and environmentally concious people.  Here are some commonly eaten bugs:

• Grasshoppers
• Cicadas
• Ants
• Termites
• Aquatic Insect Larva
• Wax worms
• Dragonflies
• Wasp Larvae
• Moth Pupa
• Palm Weevil Larva
• Cirina forda Westwood larva
• Damsel Flies
• Crickets
• Compost Beetle Larva

Bugs are eaten around the world. They are fried as a snack or appetizer, used in soup or stirfry as a protein, boiled, boiled and dried, and even eaten raw.  There you have it.  For fun fact Friday, around the world, and increasingly in the united states, people are eating insects as a regular part of their diet.

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
206-790-8285
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com

---

Merriam Webster Online Dictionary: "Entomophagy" www.merriam-webster.com

Mott, Maryann. "Bugs as Food: People Bite Back." National Geographic News. 16 Apr. 2004. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/04/0416_040416_eatingcicadas.html.

Unger, Lana. "Bug Food: Edible Insects - Insect Snacks from Around the World." The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. 26 Jan 2009. http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/dept/bugfood2.asp

Termites | Oregon | Pest Control

Termites | Oregon | Washington

Are Termites a Pest Control Problem in the Northwest?

 

Termites are a problem infesting homes in the northwest.  Subterranean termites are common in Portland, Vancouver and Seattle.  We at Peak Pest Management LLC are trained to look for the signs of termite infestations.

 

Some facts about termites:

• Termites are a structural pest.  This means that they are a real threat to the structural integrity of a building because they digest and destroy wood.
• Termites are generally white- light brown.  Although termites are NOT ants, they are often refered to as "white ants."
• When there is a termite infestation present in a building, you may or may not notice the telltale signs of mud tubes depending on their location.
• Termites digest wood.  Unlike Carpenter Ants, who excavate wood to build nests and trails, termites actual food source is wood.

Some myths about termites:

• Although I am not able to pinpoint the source of this myth, there are people who believe that termites cannot survive in the northwest.  This myth is unfortunately not true, termites are alive and well and causing problems in the northwest and the rest of the united states.
• Termites and carpenter ants are one and the same.  Termites and carpenter ants are very different.  Although both are structural pests, they are completely different.  Termites are not an ant.  Biologically, termites and ants are very different.  One key difference is that termites eat wood and carpenter ants excavate.
• Termites have short lives.  A royal couple can live upwards of 50 years.  And a termite colony can grow to over one million individual termites.  Although, most worker termites do have much shorter lives than the queen and king.

Termite Treatments

If you suspect that you have a termite problem in your home or business, Peak Pest Management LLC has a custom, affordable pest control plan for you.  At Peak Pest Management we strive to have the latest research and information on effective treatments for termites and other pest control issues.  If you're having an issue with termites or other pests please feel free to give us a call.  Our service areas include Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA and Seattle, WA and surrounding areas.

 

 

Micah Wood

503-998-4322

360-607-1933

206-790-8285

micah@peak-pest-management.com

www.peak-pest-management.com

High Flying Bugs : Fun Fact Friday

For fun fact Friday I'm straying away from pests like ants, bees, spiders, wasps etc.  To bring you a fact about one of the most beautiful insects.  The butterfly!  Here it is:  Some butterflies have been observed flying as high as 20,000 feet altitude.

Here is a youtube video on mutant butterflies from near Fukushima.  Scientists believe that when insects are strongly affected by radiation, humans will be even more affected.  Insects are highly resistant to the effects of radiation.


If you are having trouble with pests like mice, rats, ants, bees, fleas, wasps, termites or other pests and need pest control service in Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA or Seattle, WA.  Please give me a call!

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
206-790-8285
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com

---

Encyclopedia Smithsonian: Most Incredible Insects www.si.edu

Fun Fact Friday | Featured Photographer | Spiders, or Rather Spider Webs

Okay, I am so excited about this blog post for Fun Fact Friday!  Not only because I get to share a fun fact or two about spider webs, but because I get to share this amazing photo by our family friend Susan Estes.  Water drops on a spider web is incredible to see in person. You don't often find a photo that captures it, but this photo is an exception.  Enjoy!  And then keep reading below for some interesting facts on spider webs.

Spiders and their webs baffle people; scientists and everyone else.  Here are a few fun facts about spider webs:

1. Spiders' silk, while still inside the spider is a water soluble liquid.  Once the spider pulls the silk, it becomes a non-water-soluble solid. As you can see in the photo above, the water droplets do not saturate the web, but bead up on it.  Scientists do not think that the change takes place as a reaction to air.  They rather speculate that as the spider pulls the thread it changes the molecular structure.
2. Spiders do not become entangled in their own web.  The reason for this is attributed to a number of factors.  Including claws on the end of their feet and the fact that spiders use more than one type of silk to build their web.
3. Spiders silk being researched because of the incredible strength and ability to absorb impact.  The strength of spider silk is compared to steel and Kevlar.

Micah Wood

Peak Pest Management

503-998-4322

360-607-1933

206-790-8285

micah@peak-pest-management.com

www.peak-pest-management.com

---

References and Credits:

How Do Spiders Avoid Getting tangled in Their Own Webs?, Every Day Mysteries
Fun Science Facts From The Library of Congress. www.loc.gov

Susan Estes, Water Drops on a Spider Web

Notes:

If you have an interesting photo that is relevant to this blog and would like to have it featured, please email submissions to micah@peak-pest-management.com.

Wasps, Bees, Yellow Jackets, Hornets! Stinging Summer Pests

I've been up on rooftops a lot lately!  Not just because it's fun either!  I've been taking care of yellow jackets and paper wasps!  We've also been taking care of ground nests and nests that are not high up in the eaves of houses.  Bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are some of the least favorite and most feared pests of summer. 

I have been asked a number of questions regarding pest control for bees, wasps, yellow jackets and hornets.  Here are a couple of the questions and my answer.

• How do you manage to avoid being stung?  I have, but often do not use, a special bee suit.  Mainly it is a matter of knowing the pest, knowing my products, timing and method of treatment.  I manage to avoid stings most of the time.  I do occasionally get a sting which I treat with benedryl (if there is significant swelling), baking soda mixed with water to help draw out the venom (or the membrane of an egg if baking soda is not available).  If ever I were to have trouble breathing after a sting, I would dial 911.  I had to add that because for me, most bee and wasp stings are a minor irritation, but for some, bee and wasp stings present serious allergic reactions that require immediate emergency medical attention.

• What is the worst time for bees?  Late summer and early autumn are the time of the year here in the northwest when bees and wasps are most aggressive.  This is the time of year that bees are more inclined to sting and aggressively defend the nest. 

And to close, here is a video by national geographic on paper wasps.  I think this particular video takes place in Costa Rica, but it was really interesting to see.  I hope you enjoy!



I'm here for all your pest control needs!  Give me a call or send me an email.

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
206-790-8285
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com

Fun Fact Friday : Bees

Bees are fun right?  Generally, no they are not, especially with kids (and I have 3 kids). Bubble bees are relatively harmless and cute, but with kids everything gets "lumped" together as a bee, whether it is a bubble bee, honey bee, wasp, hornet, yellow jacket, Africanized honey bee (killer bee), whatever.  If it flies and has a stinger, or even looks like it has a stinger it is, to a child, a bee.  In fact most flies are considered bees by my younger daughter-- even fruit flies.

Well here is a fun fact about BEES, real bees.  A bee may fly up to 60 miles in a day while gathering food.  That would be the equivalent to running more than 2 marathons through the grocery store while gathering food in one day.

That is all I have for Fun Fact Friday, but here is an interesting video clip by national geographic about killer bees in the amazon rain forest. 



If you're having a problem with bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, paper wasps, etc. in or around your home please give me a call.  I'd be happy to help!

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
206-790-8285
micah@peak-pest-management.com
www.peak-pest-management.com

---

Department of Systematic Bilogy, Entomology Section, National Museum of Natural History, Bug Info Sheet Number 177.  www.si.edu

Ants are the Prey of Doodle Bugs | Fun Fact Friday

Ever heard a person call a baby doodle bug as they wiggle, crawl, and wriggle around a room?  There is a reason for that!  Doodle bugs, the larval form of ant-lions (or antlions), make a path that looks like a doodle in the sand (or soil) where they crawl while searching for a suitable spot to dig a pit and wait for prey (small insects and arthropods-- usually ants) to fall in.  The path that babies use when they first start moving is similar to that of a doodle bug.  So that some what common nickname (I've heard it more than a few times), is a reference to an actual bug!  The funny path is pretty much the only thing doodle bugs and babies have in common!

Doodle bugs are actually a pretty fierce predator, babies are not.  Doodle bugs are NOT cute, babies are cute. Etc. Etc. I could go on, but you get the point!
I found a blog with an incredible photo succession post for an ant-lion (doodle bug) in action. Click here to see it.  The blog is done by biologist and photographer, Alex Wild.  I was hoping to find a picture I could put in this blog-- these photos are better than what I was hoping to find!

Even Better?  I found a video on youtube by national geographic.  Originally I intended to write a nice post about how the antlion "doodles" in the sand, but after more research and watching these videos-- I found that writing about them as a fierce predator was much more interesting!



The adult antlion looks similar to a dragonfly, and may eat pollen and nectar, but some adult antlions stick to the diet of their youth.

Have a problem with ants?  You could employ the doodle bug!  But a faster, more effective route to getting rid of ants would be calling Peak Pest Management for ant pest control service!

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
www.Peak-Pest-Management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com

Pets, Fleas, Flea Medication, Flea Free Home

In the spring and especially summer months pets tend to spend more time outdoors.  Being outdoors creates the possibility of bring in fleas.  Many pet lovers treat their furry family members for fleas and then experience an influx of fleas inside the home.  This is normal.  Because the flea medicine protects the pet from fleas, the fleas that would normally be on the pet are now in the house and occasionally jumping on and biting people.

Many people are embarrassed to call about fleas, thinking that people can "have fleas."  Fleas will not infest a person like they infest a pet, but they will bite and rapidly multiply in a home.  Flea eggs take a few days to hatch and are often in carpet, pet bedding etc. not just on the pets. Flea larva are blind remain hidden in dark areas while feeding on organic matter (including dead insects, plant matter and fecal matter).  After various stages as larva, fleas will move into a pupa stage and finally emerge as an adult flea.  It is only after a meal (of blood) that this parasitic insect is able to lay eggs.

Fleas are nothing to be embarrassed about.  Fleas are all over the place, and our enviroment during the spring and summer months is pretty much the perfect climate for fleas to thrive.  If you treat your furry family members for fleas and then start seeing larger numbers of fleas in the home, it might be a good time to call Peak Pest Management for an affordable, pet and kid safe flea treatment for the home.

Besides fleas, the warm summer months also tend to bring out the ants, bees, spiders, mice, rats, wasps and yellow jackets! If you're having pest problems this summer let me help you out! I'll get rid of your pests so you can enjoy the great weather while it's here!




Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
www.Peak-Pest-Management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com

Bugs! 41 States Have A "State Insect." Fun Fact Friday

I was checking out the Encyclopedia Smithsonian (tons of great info).  I am going to be honest, I was just paging through reading because I enjoy learning more about bugs-- pest or not!  I came across a page there listing state bugs!  Only 41 of the 50  have state bugs.  I was considering assigning pests to those states that have not chosen one.  Several states share the Monarch Butterfly (and why not, it is a beautiful insect!), several states have honey bees (again-- a great one).  I was thinking maybe Rhode Island, who hasn't chosen a state insect would be interested in the termite?  Surprisingly (OR NOT SURPRISINGLY AT ALL!), no state has claimed it!  No state claimed the bed bug, carpenter ant, carpet beetle, or paper wasp either!

Okay, joking aside, it is really interesting what insects states have chosen.  Here is a link to the complete list on the Smithsonian website. But I thought for our Oregon and Washington and Florida readers, I'd list yours!
Oregon- Oregon Swallowtail Butterfly
Washington- Green Darner Dragonfly
Florida- Zebra Longwing Butterfly (Florida is in here because it's where my mom lives-- if you read the blog and live in another state and wonder why I included it and not yours, that's why!)

---

"State Insects" Encyclopedia Smithsonian Web. 04/04
Department of Systematic Biology, Entomology Information Sheet 158
www.si.edu

Bed Bug Pest Control Has Been Improved Because Of Research By Urban Entomologists

At Peak Pest Managment we consider it very important to keep researching and learning.  Some of our research for pest control involves reading materials produced by leading urban entomologists, like Michael F Potter of the University of Kentucky. We recently posted an article on our website about how he and other urban entomologists shape the way that pest control companies do pest control.  Here is a link to that post (click here to read it).  His area of expertise is bed bugs which have recently made a resurgence in the US.

We are really thankful for urban entomologists and others who study entomology and make it possible for us to continue to learn and grow as pest control companies.  As we read research papers and documentation we are able to grow in the way we understand and apply pest control.  Their continued research allows us to become more enviromentally friendly, even more pet and family safe, and more effective at the same time.

Pest control companies are often given credit for the whole process of pest control research through extermination.  And pest control companies do end up learning and growing on the job, but the bulk of the research comes from the years and years of focused study on specific pests by entomologists.

Caterpillers, Moths and Jumping Beans | Fun Fact Friday

Have you ever seen a little novelty item box of jumping beans for sale and wondered what the trick is that gets them to jump around in that little box?  No trick needed.  Inside of the beans are actually the caterpillars of bean moths. 

So if your kids are begging for pets and you're just not ready to get them one, you could go with a pet bean.  You could even ease your way into jumping beans by starting with a regular old every day bean (provided that your children are either quite young--or old enough to laugh about it.)

That is all for Fun Fact Friday today!  Hope everyone has a fun, safe, pest free weekend.  If it isn't pest free and you'd like it to be-- give me a call!  Spiders, bees, ants, fleas, mice, wasps or any other pest control need-- give me a call!

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management
360-607-1933
503-998-4322
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com

Pest Control | Fruit Flies | It Was Once Widely Believed That They Spontaneously

Fruit flies are a very common kitchen pest.  Fruit flies are probably more common than ants, spiders and mice.  Fruit flies can come in on fruits and veggies from the local supermarket, farmers' market, farm or anywhere else you might get fruit!  Because fruit flies are so prevalent in produce, it is no wonder that it was once commonly believed that fruit flies spontaneously generated in overripe produce!  Another reason for this belief might be related to the amount of time fruit flies spend in various egg/larva/pupa stages vs the time they spend actually living as a fly.  The average fruit fly lives 12-15 days. Only 1 or so days of their lives are actually spent as a fly.

Fruit fly eggs/larva/pupa can be hidden in moist areas with ready food supply.  Pantries and kitchens boast plentiful places for fruit flies to breed, grow and infest.  There are a number of ways to prevent or minimize fruit fly infestations in your home or commercial kitchen and pantry.

• Wash fruits and veggies before bringing them into the kitchen.  A garage wash basin is a good place to do this.  At the very least wash produce in the kitchen before putting it away.
• Store produce in the refrigerator whenever possible.
• Keep fruit that is left out covered.
• Ripen unripe fruit in a paper bag on the counter.  This aids in the fruit ripening while also helping to prevent fruit flies.
• Compost or throw away overripe or rotten fruit immediately.
• Frequently take out the trash.  Also wash garbage cans and make sure not to leave moisture and or potential food sources in the bottom of the garbage can.
• A little household bleach (NOT TO BE USED WITH ANY OTHER PRODUCTS) down the drain with hot water will help keep it from becoming a breeding ground for fruit flies.  also giving drains a good scrub with a brush to clean out any built up residue that could serve as food source is a good idea.
• Do not leave dishrags in the sink.
• A cup of water with fruit scented dish soap suds will also help control fruit flies.
• Running a fan near garbage cans or fruit that is out can help prevent fruit flies from landing on fruit and or garbage cans.

A little prevention goes a long way!  If you find that you have persistent fruit fly problem there are a number of areas to check.

• Drains.  Check the drains for nof fruit flies and also for build up.
• Garbage cans.  Garbage cans that are not regularly washed can be a major source of fruit fly infestations.
• Under damp mops.  Any time there is moisture and some place that might have a ready food source (like a kitchen, or pantry) it is important to be thorough in checking for all stages of life of fruit flies.
• Under things-- boxes, totes crates...  Anything on the floor should be moved, checked, cleaned or thrown out as needed.
• Be thorough in checking for fruit fly larva because larva become flies and lay eggs.  If you can find and get rid of the larva, your chances of clearing up the infestation improve greatly!

There are things that pest control professionals, like myself, from Peak Pest Management can do to help restaurant, commercial and residential kitchens and pantries control fruit flies.  Often when working along side a pest control professional to clear up a fruit fly problem will make task move along much faster.

For all pest control needs whether, fruit flies, house flies, mice, ants, silverfish or any other common pantry pest (or other household or business pest) please give me a call!

Micah Wood

Peak Pest Management

360-607-1933

503-998-4322 

www.Peak-Pest-Management.com

micah@peak-pest-management.com

House Flies | Tasty Feet | Fun Fact Friday

House Flies are obnoxious!  Open the doors during summer to let in a breeze and you're almost certain to get one or two (or even more) flying through your house!  NOT FUN!  Okay but there is a fun fact about flies: 

Flies can "taste" with their feet.  Their feet are 10,000,000 times more sensitive to sugar than the human tongue.

Seriously!  I read this information at http://www.pestworldforkids.org/flies.html which is kept by the national pest management association and also cross checked it on the website of the Smithsonain Department of Systematic Biology.

So...  Now that you have the fun fact, you might be thinking, awesome.  Great!  So glad they can taste with their feet, Micah, now HOW DO I AVOID OR GET RID OF THEM?!?

Tips to Avoid Common House Flies:

• Use mesh screens on windows and doors.
• Take out the trash regularly.
• Clean up pet messes immediately (as these are a major breeding ground for flies).
• Keep a clean home.

Tips to Get Rid of House Flies:

• Follow the "tips to avoid."
• Find, clean and sanitize areas where flies are known to be.
• Eliminate food sources for flies, which is anything warm and damp.  Disgusting as it is, flies are particularly drawn to pet waste because of the strong odor.
• For common house flies in homes, rarely is it necessary to use professional pest control, unless it is an extreme infestation.

For any pest control questions or for pest control service for flies, or other pests (common summer pests include ants, bees, wasps, fleas, yellow jackets, hornets, mice and rats) please give me a call!

Micah Wood

Peak Pest Management

503-998-4322

360-607-1933

www.Peak-Pest-Management.com

micah@peak-pest-management.com

 

Ants? This Pest Control Coupon for Portland is for YOU!

After all of the time spent eating outdoors, sitting on the lawn, enjoying the beautiful and uncharacteristic for the northwest 4th of July weather, I realized (ok truthfully I already know but for the sake of the blog, it's more of a second realization...) it is high season for ants.  If you noticed any ants marching away from your backyard picnic with bits of chips or watermelon (or just marching along checking out the spread),  What better way to celebrate ant season then with a seasonal pest control coupon for ANTS!

Need to get rid of ants? Go ahead, send those ants packing and marching down around and through the town looking for a new home with this coupon!  Indoor ants? Not a problem!  Outdoor ants?  I've got you covered!  Both?  Ask me about a discount for both indoor and outdoor- I've got one for you too.  

Portland, Vancouver, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, St. Helens, Battleground, Aloha, where ever there are ants, we'll be there (well, if you call us and let us know)!

Micah Wood

Peak Pest Management

360-607-1933

503-998-4322

www.Peak-Pest-Management.com

micah@peak-pest-management.com

Carpenter Ants | Bees | and Carpenter Bees?

I was making coffee: I do this every day, some times more than once (french pressed, dark roast, 100% arabica for those of you who share my love for coffee).  I looked out the window while I was making it to see a large, bright yellow, fuzzy bee.  At first I thought,"It is a honey bee..."  But a closer look revealed that it was not.  Then I had settled on bumble bee-- specifically the Bombus Mixtus.  But I wasn't convinced because of the size and then I remembered another fuzzy bee--  The Carpenter Bee.


After a quick look though photos of carpenter bees and another glance back at the Bombus Mixtus pictures, I decided it was probably a (click the link to see a picture) Bombus Mixtus.  Fuzzy bees don't bother me, they are less inclined to sting than others (I'm including wasps, yellow jackets, hornets and anything with a stinger as I'm thinking about creatures that sting). Fuzzy pollen carrying bees are highly beneficial to my garden and other plants and really they are kind of cute (at least that is what my wife and daughters say).  Anyways I enjoyed my encounter with the Bombus Mixtus Bumble Bee but I got to thinking (so now I'm writing) about carpenter bees.


I wanted to talk a little bit about Carpenter Bees though, because they are really quite interesting as well.  Much like carpenter ants, they are a potential structural pest.  Carpenter bee females "drill" holes in the wood, by chewing through it.  Unlike termites, they do not digest they wood.  They excavate, more in line with carpenter ants (which probably explains the similar name).  They drill about 8-10 inches down and then they build the nest area.  Carpenter Bees tend NOT to move into pressure treated and/or painted woods, so in many cases, homes will be left alone in favor of more natural wood.


Carpenter Bees can nest in areas like fence posts, barns, unpainted wood, trees, etc.  They are beneficial to plant pollination.  Females have stinging apparatus and are able to sting, while males often lack the stinging apparatus and do not sting.  I read on an entomology blog that some entomologists refer to the male carpenter bees as teddy bears because of their yellowish brown fuzzy appearance and lack of the ability to sting.  


There are many types of bees that can do damage to your home by nesting in areas where they should not, but carpenter bees are actually able to drill into the wood, set up colony and damage structure, while still being beneficial in other ways.  The carpenter bee is a real multi-tasker!  For suspected structurally damaging pests whether bee, ant, beetle, or termites-- Peak Pest Management is ready to develop an affordable, custom pest control plan to suit your needs and budget.


Hope you've all had a great monday!  And Enjoy the holiday!  Happy Fourth of July everyone!  So thankful for all of the men and women over the years who have served our country and paved the way, defended, and upheld the freedoms we all enjoy!


Micah Wood
Peak-Pest-Management.com
Micah@peak-pest-management.com
503-998-4322
360-607-1933

Flies in Space | NASA | Fun Fact Friday

Flies in Space!  Sounds like another movie title, but it's not!  NASA actually used/uses fruit flies to do studies in space!  Here is a link to the home page for flies in space : FLIES IN SPACE. This part of the site is fun and built for kids, so if you want a fun summer science lesson for your kids (because hey why not learn in the summer) check it out.  There is quite a bit more than I am going to share in this blog post!

NASA took flies into space to study a number of things.  The reason they chose common fruit flies is that they could transport and keep a population of thousands in a space as small as a hand.  The larger the sample size, the more accurate the findings from the study are. The short life cycle of the fly also makes it ideal for studying the effects of being in space on genetics.  

The life cycle of a fruit fly is :

• Egg - The egg/embryo stage is one day.
• 1 stage larva - The fruit fly is in this stage for one day and then molts.
• 2 stage larva - The fruit fly is in this stage for two days and then molts.
• 3 stage larva - The fruit fly is in this stage for three days and then molts.
• Pupa - Much like a butterfly the fruit fly enters into a pupa phase and stays there for about 5 days.
• Adult - After 10 hours the adult becomes a fertile adult and (if female) lays eggs.

The whole life cycle is less 12-15 days long.  The short lifespan of the fly makes it ideal for study in space.  There is much more information on the NASA page linked above.  Being Fun Fact Friday, I'll keep it short -- NASA studies or at least studied flies in space!

Pest Control Professionals use the same biological information as NASA to know how to best treat restaurants and homes for fruit flies.  Peak Pest Management can help you out with a fruit fly (or other fly) infestation in your home.  Peak Pest Management is here for all your pest control needs.  Please call any time if you have a pest problem we can help you with!

Micah Wood

Peak Pest Management

www.Peak-Pest-Management.com

micah@peak-pest-management.com

360-607-1933

503-998-4322

Yellow Jackets, Bees, Wasps, Hornets | Summer's Least Favorite Pests

Stinging pests are some of the most common pests that bother people during the summer.  Part of this is because people are outside more often in sunny (and partially cloudy but not torrential downpours) weather. Another part of this is that bees, wasps, yellow jackets and hornets tend to die off and/or overwinter and emerge again in spring and summer.

Bees and Wasps alike play important roles in their natural environment.  Bees help to pollinate plants and wasps help to keep down other insect population numbers.  They are, none the less, a pest when they enter into our living space.  Wasps and bees alike can sting and/or bite-- making them a pest that is most feared by children (and adults alike).

Often the behaviors of people who are afraid of these stinging pests encourage a sting.  Some good ways to avoid being stung include:

• Avoid slapping at bees, wasps, yellow jackets and hornets.
• Avoid flailing your arms trying to keep the stinging insect away, this actually encourages a sting.
• Avoid sitting at picnic tables that are right next to garbage cans where yellow jackets and other wasps tend to scavenge for foods-- especially if you are afraid of stinging pests and prone to slapping at them.
• Generally leave the bees and wasps alone and stay away from their nests.
• If there is a bee or wasp nest in or around your home call Peak Pest Management to help you out!

(If you have a bee allergy or suspect you have a bee allergy this advice does not replace any that the doctor has given, it is simply a list of suggestions based on observation.)

For bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets and other common summer pests (like ants, spiders, box elder beetles, fleas, flies and more) please give Peak Pest Management a call or email!  We will help you get rid of or prevent pest problems!

Micah Wood

Peak Pest Management

www.Peak-Pest-Management.com

micah@peak-pest-management.com

503-998-4322

360-607-1933

Ants Herding Aphids? Is It True? |Fun Fact Friday

Have you seen the moving Bugs Life?  Well, I have kids and work in pest control, so I have absolutely seen the movie with my kids!  And in the movie, the queen ant has a pet aphid. I know that there are several species of ant that eat honeydew, a sticky sweet secretion, produced by aphids.


I had heard that there are ants that "farm" aphids.  I went looking around to see what the research says and came across a really interesting article.  Apparently ants not only bite off the wings of aphids to subdue and keep them close, but they also have a chemical that is released from their feet.  This chemical was once thought just to mark territory, but the new research has found that it blocks aphid wing growth and slows them down-- allowing the ants to herd the aphids and keep their food source near by.


Here is a link to the article-- it's a little on the dry side, but if you can get past that, it is very informative. 


Herding Aphids: How 'Farmer' Ants Keep Control Of Their Food


Insects are very interesting!  For all of you gardeners out there, if you have ants and aphids together...  Now you have an idea of why they're both there!  The ants are keeping the aphids-- it's like an ant aphid ranch.


If you have plain old ants in your house that come in after rains to feast on your kitchen sugars because their aphid honeydew has been washed away, please contact Peak Pest Management.


Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management
peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
Text a Tech 503-369-4623

Mice | Little Bunny Foo Foo Hopping Through The Forest

Recently my wife was singing a song in the car with our kids that she says her mom sang with her...  It goes a little something like this,

Little Bunny Foo Foo hopping through the forest, scooping up the field mice and bopping them on the heads,Along came the good fairy and she said "Little Bunny Foo Foo, I don't want to see you scooping up the field mice and bopping them on the heads.  I'll give you three chances and then POOF, you're a goon!"

Anyways, I was totally relating with the bunny right?  Mice are pesky, they get into stuff, they eat your food and rip up your papers and ruin clothing and generally make a mess of things.  Also worth noting, what on Earth is a GOON? (To be fair, I did look it up.  It is defined as a stupid person, a person hired to take out enemies, or a low level gang member. I think it's safe to say that the definition of "goon" has probably changed.).

All that is to say, the song got me thinking about mice...  And since I was thinking about mice, I decided to blog about mice... Again.  Mice are a common pest control call all year, with a slightly lower amount in the summer.  Mice are a pest year round because they are attracted to food, water and nesting materials that are readily available where people are.

While there are a number of ways to treat for mice, I have found that the bunny's method (scooping up and bopping) in the song would be completely ineffective...  It would also be rather difficult since mice can be quick, squeeze into the teensiest tinesiest cracks and disappear just about as quickly as you can scream and jump onto a chair! Not that this is what I do when I see a mouse-- I have seen it happen though.

Such a small creature can create panic, make a huge mess, damage duct work and insulation, and cause a major problem with sanitation.  Mice are dirty, can carry fleas and diseases.  They can contaminate food supplies and destroy papers and clothing.  It is important to treat for mice.  There are a number of methods for controlling mice.  The integrated pest control approach takes into consideration the environment and other animals.  Pest control for mice has come a long way as far as baits are concerned.  While once mouse bait could make a cat, dog or child sick-- the newer products are specifically targeted for mice and their specific biological make up.  While it is still important to keep baits out of reach of children and pets, pest control has gotten safer.

If you're seeing mice around your house, inside, in the garage or in the crawl space, it is a good idea to have an inspection to talk about whether or not there is damage and the extent of it, exclusion work (closing off areas mice, rats or other animals can get in), and how to best treat or prevent an infestation.

Micah Wood
Peak-Pest-Management.com
Micah@peak-pest-management.com
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
Text 503-369-4623

Ant + information = Antformation| Fun Fact Friday!

If you want one fun fact, here it is: all three sets of legs on an ant are located in the thorax, which is represented in the green section of the diagram below.

For more information, please keep reading!

I am actually not a graphic designer.  Just in case there was any question about that-- the proof above is an ant diagram created in Microsoft Paint.  For fun fact friday, I thought we could diagram an ant.  And I looked for a fun diagram I could grab online and found that there really wasn't a freebie I could snag and use.  So, you get my amazingly unartistic funky but functional Ant Diagram.

1. There is the head in the blue section of the diagram.
1. On the head there are antennae.  The thick end is called the club.
1. Antennae are bent, in constant motion and are used to sense, taste and smell.
2. There is also the mandibles, which in my diagram is that jagged angular area.
1. The mandible hides the mouth of the ant.  The mouth is used not just to eat but also to clean.
3. The large grey dot is called the compound eye.
1. Many ants have compound eyes made up of several lenses that form one picture in the ants brain.  Some ants have smaller compound eyes and those that spend most of their time in the dark may even be blind
4. The three tiny grey dots are the ocelli.
1. These are three simple eyes that sense light.
2. In the green section of the diagram is the thorax.  The thorax is made up of muscles.
1. Located in the thorax are all three sets of legs.
1. Ants legs are jointed.  You may be able to vaguely guess that from the drawing... MAYBE.
3. The purple section of the diagram is the petiole.
1. Some ants have one part here, others have two the second part is called the post-petiole.
1. The petiole allows ants to bend their gaster forward in order to sting or spray prey or in self defense.
4. The final portion of the diagram, in yellow, is the gaster.  The gaster contains the heart, digestive system, and protection/weapon. 
1. On the gaster in this picture I have shown a stinger, some ants can sting-- while others have a small opening and instead are able to spray acid.

This is a very basic diagram and break down of the anatomy of ants.  There are all kinds of things that could be added, but I figure if we are going to call this "Fun Fact Friday" this is just enough information to keep it from being information overload.  Each ant species is slightly different-- but you can get the basic idea of how ants function.

While ants may be interesting, they are not as fun and intriguing when they are invading your home, business, and other structures.  For help getting rid of ants, please contact me at Peak Pest Management LLC.  Carpenter Ants, moisture ants, soil ants, odorous house ants, sugar ants, ghost ants, and any other ants you might want to be rid of are well within our realm of expertise!  You can visit the website at www.peak-pest-management.com or give me a call at 360-607-1933 (WA) or 503-998-4322 (OR).

Sewer Rats-Pest Control Downtown Portland

Rats are very common in Portland, OR.  Some pest control experts suggest that where there are people-- there are rats.  This is because rats are attracted to the food and garbage of humans and their pets.  The most common rat in the Portland/Vancouver metro area is the Norway Rat.  Although the name might suggest otherwise, the Norway Rat origins trace back to China.  The Norway Rat is also referred to as the brown rat, sewer rat, common rat, street rat, among other names.  These rats are found on all continents with the exception of Antarctica and are concentrated in the same areas as humans.  

Some common Rat Questions and Answers:

• Can rats really come up through the toilet?  Rats can swim, live in sewers and often do come up through toilets.  As disconcerting as that might be, it is true.  Keeping the toilet lids down, if you are in an area prone to sewer rats can encourage a rat to go back down the pipes in to the sewer.
• How small of a space can rats fit through-- some rats are BIG?  A rat can fit through a crack that is slightly larger than 1/2 inch-- even though they can be up to a foot long and weigh in at just under a pound.
• How common are Rats in Portland?  Rats are very common in any area that there are people-- specifically urban areas.  It has been said of Portland, that you are never very far away from a rat.
• Are rats associated with diseases?  Rats are commonly associated with many diseases and commonly carry fleas which can host other diseases.  
• Do rats jump? Yes.  Not just in theory, I have seen rats jump.

Because Rats can be associated with various diseases and other sanitation problems when they are in areas where people live and eat, it is important to give proper attention to a rat infestation as soon as it is discovered. If you suspect rats in your home or business please give Peak Pest Management LLC a call or visit the website at www.peak-pest-management.comwww.peak-pest-management.com. 

Ants Can Lift Many Times Their Body Weight: Fun Fact Friday

Okay it's Friday!  Time for a fun fact.  I have scoured the internet and come up with no "exact" answer as to how many times their body weight an ant can carry.  The general consensus seems to be that ants can lift, over their heads at least 20 times their body weight.  Of course in "ant" scale it doesn't seem super impressive...  It's kind of like "Wow, that tiny ant is dragging a section of a leaf or something...."  That doesn't seem really impressive until you put it in human terms.

• It would be like walking down the street and seeing a 200lb guy walking along carrying a small-medium sized truck over his head.
• OR to make it even more dramatic, it would be like seeing a 50lb kid walking down the road carrying a compact car.  Now that would be impressive!
• Imagine a 100lb preteen carrying a compact car in each hand, over his/her head.

An ant's ability to lift is pretty incredible.  Some sites suggest that some ants can carry up to 50 times their weight.  So just one in human terms on this one.

• Two 200lb guys could carry a small (20,000 pounds) dump truck over their heads together.

If people had that kind of ability to lift, not only would we not need tow trucks, but can you imagine where some of the sports would be?  Olympic weight lifting for one?  Even though ants can be quite the nuisance, and even structurally damaging as a pest, they are some pretty interesting creatures.

On a more serious note, if you are having a problem with these heavy load lifting pests (or any other pest for that matter), feel free to give me a call for pest control services.  We're in the thick of ant season and they are out in force this year!

Termites-- Possible lifespan: Fun Fact Friday!

Termites are fun right?  Okay no, they are certainly not. But here is a fact that I ran across that I found very interesting.  Reproductive Female Termites may live up to 45-50 years! 50 YEARS!  Knowing this, it is no wonder that termite colonies can grow to include over a million individuals.  As a pest control professional I am constantly searching for information about the pests we encounter.  In that searching I came across some interesting information about one of the most dreaded wood destroying structural pests.

Not only do reproductive females live up to 50 years in favorable conditions, I also read that reproductive males can live up to 45 years.  Although the average lifespan for termites is 2-3 years, termites often live well beyond this predicted lifespan.  Termites are divided into three social castes.  Workers, which are responsible for building and maintaining the nest and feeding and grooming the other two castes; Soldiers which are responsible for defending the nest; and reproductive, which are responsible for procreation.

An interesting fact about the soldier caste of termites is that while their large head and jaw serve them well in defending the nest it makes it impossible for them to feed themselves.  Soldier and reproductive termites must rely on the workers to be fed.

Besides being known for destruction (here in the US), in some countries in Africa gigantic termite mounds (up to 9 meters tall) are actually tourist attractions.  And from the pictures, they are quite impressive!  Termites are very beneficial in the break down of decaying plant matter, as it is their food source.  However, when it comes to wood structures, like houses, business buildings, wooden play structures, etc.  Termites are a very detrimental pest as they eat through the wood in a structure they cause structural damage that (give ample time to eat) can be quite costly to repair.

What is Carpenter Ant Flushing? And Other Common Questions.

So, my wife brought to my attention that when I say "There may be some flushing," regarding ant treatments people who do not work in the pest control industry might not understand what I'm talking about.  Flushing refers to a part of the process with some ant products where ants come out of their nest and die.  It isn't a reference to ants using your bathroom or taking up playing poker with cards in your house.  Depending on the product used, flushing can occur with a variety of ants, moisture ants, odorous house ants, sugar ants, carpenter ants, etc.  Flushing sometimes gives the appearance that the problem is temporarily worse.  Flushing is a normal part of the process and a good sign that the treatment is working.

The next obvious question is-- If the ants are dying because of the pest control products and they are outside of the nest where my pet parrot, puppy, kitten etc can get to them and eat them, will my pet get sick?  With the products we use the answer is no.  This is because we use pet safe products.  The products we, at Peak Pest Management, use for Ant treatments are specifically targeted for ants.

What does specifically targeted mean?  Specifically targeted means that the products either are a natural poison to ants because of their biological make up, or the products are developed using the biology of the ant specifically to avoid poisoning animals and people.  Pest control has come a long way over the years- environmentally friendly pest control companies, like Peak Pest Management, are always learning and developing.  Continued learning is a crucial part of maintaining the highest quality pest control service.

At Peak Pest Management there is a desire to know the most current pest control issues.  We also make the effort to educate ourselves in the most current and most effective and safest products available.  On top of that we read research done by experts within the industry.