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

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

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

 

Local Pest Control: 7 Benefits of Choosing a Small Local Business

When choosing a company for pest control needs, there are several benefits for YOU when you go with a local business.  These benefits include better customer service, great attention to detail, more qualified employees, often on-call service, a business relationship, personal service, area specific expertise.  These things are important when it comes to a service that protects your home from pests and potential pest related damage.

1. You will get better customer service.  Customer service is important in the pest control industry because people have questions about services, products, pet and family safety, etc.  When you choose a small local company, not only do you usually reach a live person (as opposed to the frustrating push button menu) but you also have a higher likelihood of talking to someone who is actually a pest control expert and potentially even the same expert who will be coming to your house or business to perform pest control services.
2. Great attention to detail is something you can expect with a local small business.  A local company cannot afford to make the same mistakes that a larger company can absorb, so you are much more likely to have a pest control professional who is paying close attention to what he/she is doing throughout your service.  This means a lesser likelihood of property damage as well careful attention to the proper product measurement and application.
3. Small companies often hire and individually train employees.  Often they seek employees with more expertise and higher qualifications because the services need to be done well-- the first time.  Because of the higher qualifications and individual training, the pest control professional at your door is often highly knowledgeable and in tune with both the pest problem and the needs and wants of their customer.
4. Often with a local company you can get on-call service during hours when more corporate centered companies close the office.  Many local companies are more flexible with business hours and more understanding of your schedule and willing to work around it so that you can have quality pest control service when it is convenient for you.
5. With a local company, you can build a business relationship.  A local company is more likely to remember you when you call for another service.  A local company is also more likely to build a mutually beneficial business relationship with other local companies.  Some local pest control companies know and call local bee keepers for some jobs, as well local pest control companies often work with local construction companies, property management companies, vacation rentals, etc.  
6. Local companies are able to offer a personalized service.  To a small local company, each customer is important.  Often when you call a local company you will reach a live person who is happy and able to answer your questions and concerns.
7. It is also likely, with a local company, that training is completed locally and on the pests that are most common in the area they service.  It is also likely that the owner of the business (who is required to have specific training, education and testing) may be one of the Pest Control Professionals who goes out on service calls.

When it comes to personal, quality, affordable service-- generally a local pest control company is going to be your best solution!  Choosing local when it comes to pest control is about more than supporting the local economy through shopping local businesses.  Choosing local pest control is about choosing the service that will best suite your needs.