The reality of the West Nile Virus (WNV) is that the disease was first found in the United States in 1992 and since that date horses, birds and humans have been infected sometimes with catastrophic results. While the first outbreak was in New York City, the disease has spread to 40 or more of the states. Approximately 5% of those infected have died. Over 15,000 cases in horses have been confirmed and over 4300 horses have been euthanized.
Mosquitoes are the carriers with four species been the most prevalent carriers. The common horse mosquito (c.pipens) is the mosquito that transmits the disease to horses. The mosquitoes bite infected birds and can carry the disease for upwards of ten days. Infected mosquitoes, as all mosquitoes do, bite multiple times; each and every time they bite they leave potentially infected salvia behind.
There are four phases of life for the mosquito. All mosquito eggs are deposited on water or in places likely to be flooded with water. The key to mosquito control is to eliminate as much standing water as you can. The first phase of the mosquito life is an egg, followed by larva, pupa and adult. The eggs generally hatch within 48 hours, enter the pupa stage, have the exoskeleton harden and then fly. Only the female mosquito can bite since they require a blood meal to be able to lay eggs. A typical female mosquito will live several weeks. The reproductive cycle is very fast and if standing water is left alone the quantity of mosquitoes present will be very high in quantity.
If you see dead birds, especially crows, report this information immediately to the health department.
If you have a mosquito problem or are very concerned contact us and we can provide the professional service you expect from BOG Pest Control.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Gypsy Moths
Early spring through mid to late May is the time frame for Gypsy moths. The moths emerge as caterpillars and feed on the tender leaves of hardwood trees. Severe infestations can and often do result in complete defoliation of trees, sometimes conifers. Trees can usually survive a defoliation of one season while conifers seldom survive defoliation.
Gypsy moths are very close to being the number one pest for leaf defoliation in the United States, costing in the area of $50 million per year in the eastern United States into Canada. We are right in the affected area. The caterpillars feed at night and start at the top of the trees and work downward.
The moths are very light and move easily in the air. However, female GM’s cannot fly. The caterpillars will continue to feed for about 8-12 weeks going through a molting phase 5 or 6 times. Be aware that a mature caterpillar can eat 1 square foot of leaves per day. At the conclusion of the feeding stage in late
June to early July the caterpillar will pupate into moths by late July. As moths the Gypsy moth does not eat but searches for a mate. Each female will lay a single buff colored egg mass consisting of 100-1000 eggs. The female cannot fly in spite of having large well developed wings.
Identifying the moths is relatively easy. As larvae, or caterpillars, the Gm is rather large with distinctive markings. At a size of 2 ½" with yellow marked black heads and having 5 pairs of blue bumps followed by 6 pair of red bumps down the back the moth is easy to identify as a caterpillar. The pupa of the moth will be found hanging upside down motionless, suspended in place with a few strands of silk.
Be on the lookout, especially if you have oak or ash trees. Contact us if you thing you have found the distinctive caterpillars on your trees. The next 6-12 weeks are critical. We can determine the type and will notify the appropriate agency. We can and do take corrective action.
Gypsy moths are very close to being the number one pest for leaf defoliation in the United States, costing in the area of $50 million per year in the eastern United States into Canada. We are right in the affected area. The caterpillars feed at night and start at the top of the trees and work downward.
The moths are very light and move easily in the air. However, female GM’s cannot fly. The caterpillars will continue to feed for about 8-12 weeks going through a molting phase 5 or 6 times. Be aware that a mature caterpillar can eat 1 square foot of leaves per day. At the conclusion of the feeding stage in late
June to early July the caterpillar will pupate into moths by late July. As moths the Gypsy moth does not eat but searches for a mate. Each female will lay a single buff colored egg mass consisting of 100-1000 eggs. The female cannot fly in spite of having large well developed wings.
Identifying the moths is relatively easy. As larvae, or caterpillars, the Gm is rather large with distinctive markings. At a size of 2 ½" with yellow marked black heads and having 5 pairs of blue bumps followed by 6 pair of red bumps down the back the moth is easy to identify as a caterpillar. The pupa of the moth will be found hanging upside down motionless, suspended in place with a few strands of silk.
Be on the lookout, especially if you have oak or ash trees. Contact us if you thing you have found the distinctive caterpillars on your trees. The next 6-12 weeks are critical. We can determine the type and will notify the appropriate agency. We can and do take corrective action.
Army Ants
Sometimes it is just plain interesting to find learn about some of the more exotic insects in the world. This is especially true if the insect is not in the area where you live.
We have recently been seeing a lot about army ants. Ants, ants and more ants: key term as it is estimated that there are 10,000 trillion ants worldwide, weighing more than all mankind. Ants are the number one predator of other insects and are the principal scavengers of small dead animal bodies.
Just what makes army ants so interesting? To start with the army ant travels in very large numbers. Many colonies of these ants have around 1,000,000 in the colony. A good analogy of the method of attack is very similar to what mankind has done for centuries: a direct front movement using very large numbers. It is not uncommon for an attack of army ants to use over 200,000 in the attack. The best bet for anything in the path of the army ant attack is to get out of the way. Small animals do not have a chance. The perimeter of the army attack contains the specialists: the larger soldiers that have pinchers and will protect the flanks of the advancing army. Birds will actually follow behind the army and pick off insects as they attempt to get out the way. This army will kill small lizards, snakes and frogs if they fail to
move out of the way. Small ponds and streams are not a problem: the army will morph into a large ball and cross the water.
Being on earth for over 140 million years one thing is certain: they outlasted dinosaurs and if we as humans fail the army ant will be here for many millions of years. I for one am happy that the army ant is not in the United States. Good thing: the army ant will move its nest in the never ending quest for food.
When the nest is not moving: watch out the queen is very busy laying eggs around the clock and when those eggs morph into soldiers and infertile workers the army will go in search of food.
We have recently been seeing a lot about army ants. Ants, ants and more ants: key term as it is estimated that there are 10,000 trillion ants worldwide, weighing more than all mankind. Ants are the number one predator of other insects and are the principal scavengers of small dead animal bodies.
Just what makes army ants so interesting? To start with the army ant travels in very large numbers. Many colonies of these ants have around 1,000,000 in the colony. A good analogy of the method of attack is very similar to what mankind has done for centuries: a direct front movement using very large numbers. It is not uncommon for an attack of army ants to use over 200,000 in the attack. The best bet for anything in the path of the army ant attack is to get out of the way. Small animals do not have a chance. The perimeter of the army attack contains the specialists: the larger soldiers that have pinchers and will protect the flanks of the advancing army. Birds will actually follow behind the army and pick off insects as they attempt to get out the way. This army will kill small lizards, snakes and frogs if they fail to
move out of the way. Small ponds and streams are not a problem: the army will morph into a large ball and cross the water.
Being on earth for over 140 million years one thing is certain: they outlasted dinosaurs and if we as humans fail the army ant will be here for many millions of years. I for one am happy that the army ant is not in the United States. Good thing: the army ant will move its nest in the never ending quest for food.
When the nest is not moving: watch out the queen is very busy laying eggs around the clock and when those eggs morph into soldiers and infertile workers the army will go in search of food.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Pest Alert: Indianmeal Moth!
Have you ever opened the pantry, picked up a bag of flour and seen moths scatter? Or worse yet have you opened a box from the pantry and found what looks like maggots in the product?
If you have found this you probably have an infestation of the Indianmeal moth. These pests can and will infest a variety of dry foods. The foodstuffs are vegetable in origin from sunflower seeds, cereal, rice, flour, rice and pasta. Sometime these moths will be found in cocoa beans, coffee, and chocolate. It is not a pretty sight as the food infested will look like it has been webbed together.
Well if you find evidence of an infestation, you now have two opportunities: a wonderful time to clean out the pantry or an OMG moment. Now, after the throw away of everything, just what do you do? All of the aforementioned foodstuffs need to be stored in tightly sealed containers. Why do this? Simple: these critters are hard to get rid of! If you see the moths flying around the entire pantry will need to be emptied because they can infest other places in the house.
With vacations looming, and the temperatures rising you could easily place your home at risk. This is especially true if your foodstuffs are not in sealed containers. High temperatures, high humidity are perfect for the Indianmeal moth. If you need help - contact us, we can help find where the moths are and we have the expertise to control the situation.
If you have found this you probably have an infestation of the Indianmeal moth. These pests can and will infest a variety of dry foods. The foodstuffs are vegetable in origin from sunflower seeds, cereal, rice, flour, rice and pasta. Sometime these moths will be found in cocoa beans, coffee, and chocolate. It is not a pretty sight as the food infested will look like it has been webbed together.
Well if you find evidence of an infestation, you now have two opportunities: a wonderful time to clean out the pantry or an OMG moment. Now, after the throw away of everything, just what do you do? All of the aforementioned foodstuffs need to be stored in tightly sealed containers. Why do this? Simple: these critters are hard to get rid of! If you see the moths flying around the entire pantry will need to be emptied because they can infest other places in the house.
With vacations looming, and the temperatures rising you could easily place your home at risk. This is especially true if your foodstuffs are not in sealed containers. High temperatures, high humidity are perfect for the Indianmeal moth. If you need help - contact us, we can help find where the moths are and we have the expertise to control the situation.
ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! Tent caterpillars
Have you noticed the caterpillars? They are Eastern Tent Caterpillars. On the plus side the tent caterpillars will help you to identify wild cherry trees. Wild cherry trees are the preferred targets of the tent caterpillars. Initially you will notice the silk webs (yes, silk!). You also will see the tents on crab-apple and apple trees. There are thousands of the caterpillars in the tent; they will emerge and feed on the new buds and leaves. What can you do?
Well, May is the month of highest activity. Best management practices are to prune out the egg masses in the fall or early spring and destroy them. All you need do, is to pull the egg masses off of the tree and drop the entire mass into a bucket of soapy water. Unfortunately, the best predator for the egg masses, birds, cannot penetrate the mass. Do this in the evenings during the month of April. If the tents cannot be reached, give us a call.
If the situation with the tent caterpillars is beyond your control, contact us, we will be happy to take appropriate action with the correct product for the job.
Well, May is the month of highest activity. Best management practices are to prune out the egg masses in the fall or early spring and destroy them. All you need do, is to pull the egg masses off of the tree and drop the entire mass into a bucket of soapy water. Unfortunately, the best predator for the egg masses, birds, cannot penetrate the mass. Do this in the evenings during the month of April. If the tents cannot be reached, give us a call.
If the situation with the tent caterpillars is beyond your control, contact us, we will be happy to take appropriate action with the correct product for the job.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Stink Bugs
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB). They are a nuisance, they smell horribly and there are many, many of them. Where did these bugs come from? What do I do? Will they cause any damage? Will they bite or sting? Are my children and pets safe?
All very relevant questions! The stink bug is a relative newcomer to the United States. The first ones found in the US were discovered in 2001 in Allentown, Pa. Last year, with all of the snow followed by a hot and dry summer presented ideal conditions for the stink bug to really increase in numbers. Large numbers of the stink bugs have been found in Washington County in Western Maryland. Right now
the entire state of Maryland has large numbers of stink bugs. Next fall it looks like the stink bug will exponentially increase. The stink bug came to us via Asia. The threat that stink bugs presents are tocrops, plant leaves, buds and fruits.
The stink bug will not: bite, sting, suck blood, bore into or eat wood. In the spring the stink bugs want to get out of your home where they have overwintered. Once out of your home they will mate. What do you do, as a homeowner? Find and seal all possible entry sites into your home (always the best bet for keeping most insects out of the house). Torn screens need to be repaired or replaced. All obvious entry points need to be sealed especially around entry points for power, phone and cable lines.
Contact us, we can begin getting all entry points sealed and we will take other preventive measures to reduce the problem next fall. The BMSB problem will go away from the inside of your home very soon, but trust us the stink bugs will return next fall as the nights begin to cool. These critters do not like any temperatures below 40 degrees. The stink bug got here from Asia and we have to cope and deal with
them. BOG Pest Control uses an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach to controlling all insects.
Let BOG Pest Control "Protect Your Pad".
All very relevant questions! The stink bug is a relative newcomer to the United States. The first ones found in the US were discovered in 2001 in Allentown, Pa. Last year, with all of the snow followed by a hot and dry summer presented ideal conditions for the stink bug to really increase in numbers. Large numbers of the stink bugs have been found in Washington County in Western Maryland. Right now
the entire state of Maryland has large numbers of stink bugs. Next fall it looks like the stink bug will exponentially increase. The stink bug came to us via Asia. The threat that stink bugs presents are tocrops, plant leaves, buds and fruits.
The stink bug will not: bite, sting, suck blood, bore into or eat wood. In the spring the stink bugs want to get out of your home where they have overwintered. Once out of your home they will mate. What do you do, as a homeowner? Find and seal all possible entry sites into your home (always the best bet for keeping most insects out of the house). Torn screens need to be repaired or replaced. All obvious entry points need to be sealed especially around entry points for power, phone and cable lines.
Contact us, we can begin getting all entry points sealed and we will take other preventive measures to reduce the problem next fall. The BMSB problem will go away from the inside of your home very soon, but trust us the stink bugs will return next fall as the nights begin to cool. These critters do not like any temperatures below 40 degrees. The stink bug got here from Asia and we have to cope and deal with
them. BOG Pest Control uses an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach to controlling all insects.
Let BOG Pest Control "Protect Your Pad".
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