Termites Are Swarming

Background about why termites swarm.

Thousands of winged termites swarm from their nests that are underground in the spring. They have one goal: to find a mate and build a nest, and then to establish a new colony. Huge numbers of males and females are produced in underground colonies in late winter and early spring. They are placed in specific locations in the nest (near the soil surface) and remain there until the time is right to leave. They may wait for several weeks, and have to be fed and groomed by nestmates. This same scenario is played out in other colonies in the Memphis area – that’s important.

The purpose of swarming is for colonies to ‘exchange’ females and males for mating. Weather conditions are used to synchronize the release of these reproductive members of the colonies. The termites wait for very calm winds (less than 6 mph) and overcast days that follow a spring rain. Termites don’t want a big wind to blow away the insects before they find their mates. Wet soil helps the new couples to build their first nest, and the extra humidity helps them to survive. Not all swarms occur outside. Sometimes the colony misjudges the release point and thousands of winged termites are released inside of your home or business. Regardless of the placement (or lack of exchange with other colonies), the pairing, shedding of wings, mating and potential founding of a new nest all proceed without a hitch.

Colonies typically produce swarms once they have reached a certain size, which is based on the total number of workers in the colony. The common colony produces swarms most every year, but the number they may release will vary. The release usually takes a few days. There may be a large ‘first’ swarm, followed by smaller second and third swarms. Termites have a lot of swarming experience, and seem to make it work.

By adminMWL|2017-08-20T21:18:00+00:00April 10th, 2017|Memphis Insects, Memphis Pest Control Firm, Termites|Comments Off

Wasp Season Is Here

Wasp Season is Here in Memphis!

It’s wasp season in Memphis, TN and surrounding areas. This is the time of year when they begin swarming and searching for a place to nest. Last fall’s newly hatched queens are ready to get to work and keep the wasp population growing. Be sure to seal up any places in the home or roof where they can enter the home or attic to nest. It’s also advisable to spray the exterior thoroughly to steer the searching wasp to other greener pastures. Wasps can be dangerous and often sting as a group so for the allergic person or dog, their sting can be quite serious. Children are at a particularly high risk with multiple stings. Katie Fox, our technician will come and inspect your home and treat the exterior for this invasive and dangerous pest.

By adminMWL|2017-08-20T21:20:29+00:00March 30th, 2017|Dangerous Insects, Memphis Insects, Memphis Pest Control Firm, Wasps|Comments Off

Spring Pest Control Specials

Pest Control Begins Early in the Spring in Memphis

This year with an early spring in Memphis and surrounding areas, early treatments are more important than ever. Pests are already on the move and early treatments can help tremendously in keeping the population under control. There may still be a few days of freezing temperatures but spring does seem to be coming early this year as evidenced by all the early blooming and budding trees and shrubs.

Package plans make monthly pest control easy and affordable. Save $25 Now!

We offer several plans that include all forms of pest control. We also offer mosquito spray plans to keep your yard comfortable all summer long. We are having a spring event for a limited time for new customers. Sign up for our monthly plans and receive $25 off of your first treatment!

By adminMWL|2017-08-20T21:25:42+00:00March 8th, 2017|Dangerous Insects, Memphis Insects, Memphis Pest Control Firm, Mosquitoes|Comments Off

Warmer Temps Bring Out Early Pests

Warmer than normal temperatures are causing early pests in Memphis.

Temperatures are warmer than normal in the Memphis area this spring. We are already seeing mosquitoes and other pests awakening from their dormant state. The best advice is to spray early and regularly. A mosquito spray includes covering the shrubs and turf as well as french drains and other areas where mosquitoes breed and hide. Our prices vary according to the amount of area we have to cover but we guarantee our prices are some of the best you will find in the Memphis area. Need a free analysis and estimate? Click this link and fill out the very brief form and we will contact you asap. Happy spring to you and we would love to be at your service to help you enjoy being outside this spring!

By adminMWL|2017-08-20T23:35:33+00:00February 24th, 2017|Memphis Insects, Memphis Pest Control Firm, Mosquitoes, Pest Control Memphis|Comments Off

Do Bugs Hibernate In The Winter

Yes! Insects Winter in a Variety of Ways

In general, insects can make it through winter’s cold temperatures the best when the temperatures are stable, not changing drastically through thawing and re-freezing. Many insects will seek shelter and nourishment through the winter in a mixed variety of tiny-habitats. Some of these tiny bug homes are under the dirt, inside the wood of fallen logs and trees, and even in outgrowths of plants. A certain kind of fly is known by fishermen to be present in certain galls in winter, and the fly larvae are smartly used to bait fish. Layers of snow are very beneficial to insects because snow insulates the soil and turf and keeps the temperature surprisingly consistent. Honeybees have been found to remain partially active in hollow trees through the generation of bee body heat. They can consume up to 30 pounds of accumulated honey over the winter months which makes this feasible. This heat energy is made by the oxidation of honey, and moved freely in the hive by the wing fanning of worker bees. Insects that are inactive during the winter months undergo a state in which their development, maturation and actions are temporarily delayed, with a rate of metabolism that is elevated enough to make sure they stay alive. This dormant situation is called diapause. In contrast, when vertebrates go through hibernation, they have minor activity and actually add tissues to their bodies.

Bugs in Memphis May Not Have a Layer of Snow to Hibernate In.

In Memphis, insects may not get a layer of snow to help them stay warm throughout the winter. Insects will seek shelter where they can find it, even inside your home. Rosie’s Pest Control will provide you with a free inspection for your peace of mind.

By adminMWL|2017-08-20T23:37:02+00:00January 25th, 2017|Mosquitoes, Rosie's Pest Control, Termites|Comments Off

Affulent Homes, Do They Have Less Pest Problems?

Bigger Homes Do Have More Bugs!

In a survey of indoor arthropods, the most common house spider (arthropods) was a common and repeat tenant. Now, the scientists report that wealthier areas have a wider variety of arthropods.

In wealthy neighborhoods, the houses have a varied palate … of spiders and flies. The interiors of these homes are populated by a more diverse array of arthropods than those in less prosperous neighborhoods, a new study indicates.

The explanation for this abundance actually lies in the exterior of the home. Typically, nicer neighborhoods are also richer in species. Scientists have discovered this “luxury effect” before, in plants and outdoor animals such as lizards, bats and birds. For plants, the connection is very direct; affluent tenants have more funds to direct to landscaping, or live in lusher communities. In turn, a diverse collection of plants offers more food and habitats for animals.

Previously, the team explored 50 houses in and around Raleigh, North Carolina, and determined that more than 100 arthropod species dwell within the average home (most of these tiny occupants aren’t pests). Using data from this “arthropods of the great indoors” survey, the scientists have now investigated how landscaping and socioeconomic status can affect indoor bug diversity.

“There is a general perception that homes in poorer neighborhoods are refuge to more indoor arthropods,” the team wrote August 2 in Biology Letters. Their work indicates that this perception is off-base.

Most arthropods that show up inside are actually outdoor species that made their way in by accident. The majority of indoor arthropods were flies, spiders, beetles and ants, although the scientists also unearthed some more human-dependent critters such as dust mites. Houses in neighborhoods with an average annual income of about $33,000 had denizens from about 74 arthropod families. In neighborhoods with an average yearly income of about $176,000, a given house was likely to carry arthropods from 105 families.

The entomologists expected to find more types of arthropods in big houses with more surrounding plant cover and diversity. But in affluent neighborhoods, even houses with sparse vegetation carried a wide variety of arthropod families; simply being near other, more verdant homes gave them a boost.

Though intriguing, the survey doesn’t represent bug diversity everywhere; the scientists only sampled freestanding houses in one city. But it does show how connected the interiors of our homes are to the world outside. “The management of neighborhoods and cities can have effects on biodiversity that can extend from trees and birds all the way to the arthropod life in bedrooms and basements,” the team concluded.

If worries about insects living inside your home have you down, contact Rosie’s Pest Control for a free evaluation of your needs.

By adminMWL|2017-08-20T23:38:26+00:00January 5th, 2017|Memphis Pest Control Firm, Pest Control Memphis, Rosie's Pest Control, Southaven Pest Control Firm|Comments Off

Common Christmas Tree Pests

While a lot of trees carry microscopic insects, most of them are harmless. Some Saw flies may hatch from their cocoons when they get moved inside. Saw Flies have a short lifespan so this is not too much of a threat. Preying mantis pests can also hatch out in large numbers. Bark Beetles can be embedded in the trunk of the tree as well. Most of these pests don’t pose much of a risk, just a nuisance. Vacuum up these critters and their cocoons when visible.

Happy Holidays from Rosie’s Pest Control!

By adminMWL|2017-08-20T23:40:41+00:00December 5th, 2016|Pest Control Memphis, Rosie's Pest Control, Southaven Pest Control Firm|Comments Off

Protect The Bees

Bees are dying off at an unprecedented rate. Some report that our country is losing 30% of it’s hives each year.

At first, no one knew why. In the last few years scientists have complied compelling evidence that points to a class of insecticides called neonicotinoids. These chemicals are widely used in commercial agriculture but can have lethal effects on bees. Some other farming pesticides are also adding to the toll. So are invasive parasites and an overall decline in the quality of bees’ diets.

It’s clear that the combination of factors poses a pretty serious problem for anyone who likes to eat, since bees—both the domesticated kind and their wild bumblebee cousins, both of which are in decline—are the main pollinators of most major fruit and nut crops. The problem is so severe that this spring President Obama released the first-ever national strategy for protecting the health and life of bees and other key pollinators.

Rosie’s Pest Control is committed to doing our part to help save the bees. When we get a call about an annoying and threatening bee colony, we take every effort to relocate the bee hive. We have been working with David Glover from the Bartlett Bee Whisperer to save this vital species.

By adminMWL|2017-08-20T23:43:19+00:00November 5th, 2016|Memphis Pest Control Firm, Pest Control Memphis, Rosie's Pest Control, Southaven Pest Control Firm|Comments Off

Memphis Ranks #1 For Roof Rats

Fall is the most common season for roof rats due to their outdoor food source being reduced. Even when our region is experiencing warmer than normal temperatures, natural food sources are drying up. Memphis is ranked number 1 for infestations from this invasive species.

They are much easier to distinguish from some of their rodent relatives because of their long and scaly tails.

According to Andy Long, director of Rosie’s Pest Control, roof rats usually stay out of plain sight but even one spotted is very often times a sign of a serious infestation.

Long also said they are usually active at night and often leave smudge marks as result of dirt and oil. You can also find evidence in droppings around active areas.

Roof rats may enter buildings and structures via holes, soffit vents, cables entering buildings and turbine and box vents on roofs. Inspections by a professional can help identify these entry points so needed repairs and preventative maintenance can be done. Contact Andy Long or Katie Fox with Rosie’s to get your free home or business inspection before the weather gets any cooler.

By adminMWL|2017-08-20T23:42:11+00:00November 3rd, 2016|Memphis Pest Control Firm, Pest Control Memphis, Southaven Pest Control Firm|Comments Off

Protect Your Home From Roof Rats

Tips to keep roof rats away

1. Starve them out

• Citrus, figs, acorns, and various other locally grown plants are a source of food and water for roof rats. Pick fruit, even if it’s not ripe, and pick up any that falls to the ground.

• Don’t leave pet food out overnight, and pick up dog feces.

• Limit use of bird feeders. Either stop filling them altogether or only provide the amount birds will eat in a day. Sweep up any spilled food before sunset. Store bird seed in sealed, rat-proof containers.

• Indoors, store bulk food in sealed, rat-proof containers.

• Keep garbage containers tightly covered.

2. Clean up your yard

• Rake under trees and shrubs.

• Prune fruit trees so the ground under them is visible.

• Remove wood and brush piles. If you have to store wood and lumber, keep it at least 18 inches above the ground and 12 inches from walls.

• Trim or remove dead trees. Roof rats nest in the skirts of old palm fronds, in piles of debris and in hollow trees.

• Thin out bushes so you can see daylight through them. Roof rats like to nest in oleanders in the summer.

3. Seal your home

• Roof rats can enter through openings as small as a nickel, so be diligent sealing cracks and crevices. Use stucco diamond mesh, which is available at building material suppliers, to seal holes and vents. It is easy to cut and mold, but for rats it’s like chewing razor blades.

• Check for holes in exterior walls and near water heaters, washers, dryers, dishwashers and under sinks.

• Caulk cracks, screen the sewer stacks on the roof and stuff air-conditioning lines that run from outside into the attic with steel wool or copper mesh to prevent rats from entering.

4. Be strategic with traps

• Set traps baited with a little peanut butter in areas such as the laundry room or garden shed.

• Place traps away from places they can be found by pets or small children.

• Roof rats can be skittish about unfamiliar objects, so leave the traps in place for at least a week before moving them.

5. Be careful with poisons

• Bait stations are protected places for rats to feed without being accessible to non-target animals. Call Rosie’s Pest Control to set you up with these bait stations. They are professionals and will know the best places to put these stations for maximum effectiveness.

• Don’t wire poison bait blocks directly to tree branches. That could lead to accidental poisoning of cats and birds.

• Make sure your home is sealed before putting out poison bait so the rats don’t enter the house and die, creating a stench it might be hard to get rid of.