Statistically speaking, tick-borne diseases are one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in America. Ticks are a form of ectoparasite, meaning that they must feed on the blood of a host to survive. Ticks are a transmission vector for numerous infectious diseases, the biggest of which is Lyme disease. Other tick-borne diseases include Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Colorado tick fever.

There are thousands of different species of tick worldwide, but in America there are only a few species that we need to worry about. Of those few, the one species that primarily carries Lyme disease is the Black-legged tick, also known as the Deer Tick. Ticks often lay eggs on the ground, and can lay up to 5000 eggs in their lifetime. They are active in warm weather, like in the summer months. Ticks travel from one place to another by climbing up on tall blades of grass and attaching themselves to passing humans or animals. They then travel with the host, feeding on it’s blood and can move to another host when finished. Ticks often find their way into your home via pests like mice, specifically the white-footed mouse, and can attach themselves to pets like dogs and cats.

Checking for ticks in your yard can be a difficult thing to do because of their size. Full grown ticks are difficult to spot with the naked eye and the larva are next to impossible to detect without the use of specialized tools. Since they attach themselves to tall blades of grass, it’s best to cut grass short, especially around the edges of your lawn. Insecticides that kill ticks are also available and can be used on lawns, but usage of these chemicals are controlled. They tend to thrive in unkempt areas, like uncut fields with overgrown vegetation. If you or your pets visit places like these regularly, you should inspect your clothing regularly for ticks, and have your vet conduct a tick-check at every pet examination. Insect repellent for ticks can be applied to clothing, but care should be taken when using it on pets. If you need help determining if your lawn or home is infested with ticks, contact a local pest control specialist for assistance.

Carpenter ants are one of the more common species of ant found in America. They are known for their tendency to destroy wood by tunnelling into them, and along with termites, account for much of the wood damage done by pests in America. They are often mistaken for termites due to their largely similar appearances, but can be distinguished by the shapes of their bodies.

Carpenter ants have waists narrower than those of termites, and they have three distinct body segments. Despite appearances, they do not eat wood. The remains of their drilling and tunnelling are known as “frass”, and consist of sawdust mixed with fecal matter. It is dumped outside the tunnels, and are a telltale indicator of carpenter ant infestation.

The tunnels and galleries they create form colonies, of which there are two  kinds: the parent and the satellite colony. The parent colonies are usually built in damp, decaying wood, since both the queen and the eggs require a certain level of humidity to survive. Satellite colonies are usually built nearby, and are staffed with worker ants that provide food and water.

These satellites can be found in areas with less moisture, since they don’t house any eggs, although they may house pupae that grow into mating females. The tunnels and galleries they create are very unique since they are so smooth, well-sanded, and very clean. Worker ants travel from the satellite to the parent colony through these tunnels, carrying food and water.

Carpenter ant swarms are generally active at night, usually immediately after sundown, and are attracted to a variety of foods. These foods typically include sweets like honey, or the dew produced by aphids, and certain protein-rich meats as well. They follow the chemical trail left by certain foods, and create well-beaten paths to food sources that are used repeatedly.

These patterns are often observed in carpenter ants that have infested a home, but are not always an indicator of carpenter ant infestation. If you believe that your home has been infested with Carpenter Ants, call a local pest control company today for assistance.

Every homeowner’s worst fear is a termite infestation. For some, the very thought that your home is being destroyed from the inside out by a swarm of insects is terrifying. Termites cause several hundred thousand dollars worth of damage each year, and can cost thousands more to treat an infestation, depending on how severe it is.

Carpenter ants, however, are often mistaken for termites and it is important to be able to distinguish between the two. Carpenter ants and termites both prefer different climates. Carpenter ants are often found in cooler climates such as those in coastal cities, whereas termites favor warmer climates, especially in areas where the annual average temperature is higher than 50 degrees.

Both insects are similar in appearance, but with a few crucial differences. Both species have winged variants, however, carpenter ants are often pointed, with the hind wings that are shorter than the front wings. Termite wings are paddle shaped, of equal length, and are much larger than their bodies. Physically, carpenter ants have a narrow waist and have 3 distinct body segments, while termites have broader waists and only two distinct body segments.

One interesting fact about carpenter ants is that they do not eat wood. They eat things rich in sugars and protein, and only tunnel through the wood to make galleries. Termites, on the other hand, feed on substances rich in cellulose, not just wood. They have been known to eat paper, carpet, and even certain plastics used in construction once they have finished feeding on the wood

The galleries built by carpenter ants are usually smooth and tunnel-like, and are often surrounded by piles of ‘frass’, a substance consisting of sawdust mixed with insect parts. Worker termites require a certain level of humidity to survive, so their “galleries” are often covered in mud, and take on a rough, jagged appearance.

Finally, termites do not actually live in the wood, they only eat it. They travel towards the wood via custom built shelter tubes made of mud and various organic materials. The presence of either of these two, shelter tubes, or frass, will often determine the type of pest that is infesting your home.

If you believe that your home or business is suffering from a termite or carpenter ant infestation, contact Horizon Pest Control today for assistance.

Intro
Stinging insects are one of the toughest types of pests to deal with. Anyone who has ever been stung by a wasp, hornet, or bee can tell you it is quite painful, and can even be fatal for those who are allergic to it. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common stinging insects, how to identify them, and what to do if you have them.

Bees
Bees are very common in America, and there are several different species of bees, all of which are capable of stinging. Carpenter bees and bumblebees are the most commonly encountered, but they are very docile compared to hornets and wasps. They will only usually sting if the nest is threatened, or if they are confronted directly.

Bees, hornets, and wasps tend to vary in color, but you can differentiate them by where they tend to fly. Bumblebees are often found near flowers, since they require pollen, and are usually more interested in the pollen then they are in you. They build their nests just about anywhere, and prefer to nest in ‘loose’ material, like piles of dry grass clippings.

Their nests are more like colonies due to the somewhat small size of the nest cavities. The nests usually last only a few months, and they don’t bother preserving them for the winter. Bumblebees are docile, and generally don’t bother anyone. If their nest is getting in your way, you should seek professional assistance before trying to move or destroy it.

Wasps
Wasps are a category of insect that can be described as anything that isn’t an ant or a bee. They vary in size, shape, and color but share a number of common characteristics that are easy to spot. First, most wasps have two pairs of wings. The female wasps always have stingers, which can deliver powerful venom and makes wasp stings one of the most painful stings out there.

There are many species of wasp out there, each of which with their own preferences as to nesting sites and building materials. They can be built anywhere from holes in the ground, to under a house, or higher up in lofts or trees. The nests they build tend to be large, shaped like upside-down footballs and are made of paper pulp.

The type of wood used varies with species, and tends to give each nest a unique color and look. They also incorporate materials found in the nesting site into their nest, for example, bits of plastic pool for a nest near a house. The nests start out small, about the size of a walnut, and have been known to grow as big as beach balls.

Wasp nests should be dealt with very carefully, as wasp stings are more painful than bee stings thanks to the high concentration of venom present in their stings. It causes intense pain and swelling, and can even be fatal if a person is allergic. When dealing with wasp nests, special protective gear should be worn to minimize risk.

Hornets
Hornets are also part of the wasp family, and are some of the largest wasps around. They feed on substances rich in carbohydrates, such as tree sap, and prey on other insects as well. Of the three present, hornet stings are the most painful, and unlike the other two, they are capable of stinging you more than once.

Their nesting habits are similar to those of other wasps, but they favor outdoor places for their nests. They build on trees, high in the leaves, and under porch decks as well. Hornets are very aggressive, and will not hesitate to attack if they feel that the nest is threatened, and can call out the entire nest to attack by releasing a special “attack phermone”

Hornets are also physically powerful, and can sting through several layers of protective clothing. They can even squirt venom through protective visors if they hit hard enough. Care must be taken when dealing with wasp nests, especially hornets, since the combination of powerful venom and the threat of an entire hive attacking you can be fatal.

Conclusion
It’s easier to identify bees, wasps, and hornets by their nesting habits and flight patterns, rather than by looking at physical characteristics. Dealing with an infestation by any one of these three is best left to professionals, as protective equipment, and special chemicals are required to handle the nests properly.

Apart from the house fly, one of the most common pests in America is the fruit fly. Certainly, everyone in America knows what they are and have encountered them at least once in their lifetimes. Like their name implies, they are often found near over ripe and/or rotting fruits and vegetables.

This is because they are attracted to the alcohol that is produced when the food is allowed to ferment. Although they are not disease transmission insects like mosquitoes, they do spread bacteria and are really annoying in large numbers.

If your office kitchen is plagued by fruit flies, follow these simple steps to control and eliminate their presence.

1. Avoid storing fruits and vegetables for an extended period of time.  Overripe fruits and veggie should be discarded or eaten.
2. If you must store fruits and vegetables in the office, wash them in  clean water and store them in covered containers in the refrigerator.
3. Liquids such as vinegar, Sriracha sauce, and any kind of alcohol such   as wine or beer should be kept in sealed bottles.
4. Food scraps should be stored in covered bins, separate from regular trash.

Once an office has been infested with fruit flies, extreme care must be taken to locate and clear any and all potential breeding grounds, since fruit fly eggs can be laid even in small puddles and hatch within hours. If your office kitchen is already infested with fruit flies, follow these simple steps to create a trap that gets rid of them efficiently.

1.  Take a piece of paper, form it into a funnel shape and use some tape  to hold it together.
2. Take a small jar or bottle and fill it with a small amount of vinegar, wine, or beer.
3. Place the funnel into the opening of the bottle or jar, and set it in the area infested by fruit flies.

The trap works by using the scent of the alcohol to lure fruit flies in, once they’ve feasted on the liquid inside, the funnel will keep them from getting out. Once the trap is set, it may take a little while for the liquid inside to ferment properly, but once that is done it should kill a great deal of fruit flies. If this doesn’t work completely, call your local pest control company for a thorough treatment to rid them once and for all.

Now that Spring has sprung, we all must be more vigilant about bed bug control. As we’re all leaving our homes to enjoy the warmer weather, we’re exposing ourselves to others who may have been in contact with bed bugs and thus making it much easier to transport these nasty little creatures back to our homes.

This small oval shaped pest invades homes silently and will nestle into beds, sofas, chairs, jackets in your closet or anything else that provides warmth and protection. The bed bug’s ability to make many different man-made things it’s home is a big part of the reason for it’s increased population.

Another big contributing factor in bed bug outbreaks is how our lifestyles as humans have evolved. Most people commute to work daily, and many on public transportation. And with the number of people using the same public transportation every day, it only takes a few bed bugs (living in someone’s coat perhaps) to spread throughout that commuter line to the end destinations of those travelers. Thus spreading bed bugs even further.

Also, traveling during spring break on airplanes or trains and staying in hotels exposes us to bed bugs from the past guests.

Yet, even under the threat of bed bugs, we still must live our lives. So the key is not living in fear of bed bugs, but knowing how to limit our exposure and identifying if they’ve latched on to you as soon as possible. Early detection is the key, because if you can eliminate a few before they breed and settle into your home, you can avoid the effects.

Here are some tips to avoid exposure to bed-bugs

• Wash all travelling and commuting clothes in very hot water. Heat eliminates bed-bugs, When you have travelled, wash your entire luggage and have your clothes laundered.
• If you have bought some second furniture in a garage sale, have it treated and cleaned before bringing it inside your house.
• Be careful when you visit public places like theatres and restaurants. All these places are high risk areas as far as bed-bugs are concerned.

As the name suggests, stink bugs refers to little creatures that are capable of producing a particularly repulsive smell when threatened or attacked. Stink bugs have a distinctive triangle on their backs and comes in several colors ranging from brown to green. The bugs use this as a defence mechanism to discourage predators. The odor emitted actually comes from a fluid that is stored in glands and dispensed under threat or contact. (This is why it’s super important not to sweep away stink bugs – you’ll smear the scent everywhere).

Farmers use stink bugs to keep away other bugs as they feed on other pests. But stink bugs have the potential to be a pest to crops; as they like to feed on fruit and vegetable crops. This can make your home garden a target for stink bugs, which can subsequently make your home a target as well.

Steps to avoid stink-bug infestations:

Step1: Check weather stripping and insulation as well as window frames for any small openings and gaps that may allow stink-bugs in. Stink-bugs may even get in through pencil sized holes.

Step2: Cut away foliage and shrubbery that is growing too close to your house. Stink-bugs like feeding on plants, especially tomato plants.

Step 3: You could consider using a safe organic pesticide on your home garden. Stink-bugs are fond of the sunlight (unlike other pests) and tend to infest the sunny side of your garden area.

What do you do if you encounter stink-bugs?

DO NOT squish them as that will release the stinky odor all over the house. Try using a vacuum cleaner to suck them up. This is a temporary solution compared to calling pest control but it does help. If you think you have stink bugs in your home, call us for a free inspection to thoroughly remove the bugs forever.

Termites break out predicted for 2012!

Newspapers in New Jersey recently reported that termite colonies had increased state wide and given this fact, termite infestations are much more likely to occur in 2012. Experts estimated an explosion of termite infestations in March and increasing into Spring due to abnormally warmer winter temperatures.  March is usually the time when termites begin looking for fresh nesting places, but the lack of a sustained thaw is enabling populations to increase much quicker in the season.

New Jersey and termite infestations:

Termites are partial to warm and moist climates like that of  The Garden State and our climate encourages breeding and nesting capabilities for termites. Resulting with a far higher probability of  termites infestations than states farther north or dryer in the southwest.

A second threat we face in NJ is the vulnerability of older homes and buildings. Though we had a building boom in the last decade, a lot of the structures here are older. Older homes and buildings have cracks and more worn roofs that can provide an entry for an insect like a termite. Once they’re inside, they will nest and grow.

Most people find out they have termites a year or more after the insect has invaded their home. At that point there is termite damage that will need to be repaired. So with the warmer weather and the increase in termites in the area, the smartest move you can make in April is to get a Termite Inspection. All inspections are free of charge and conducted by a trained professional. If you haven’t had a Termite Inspection in the last year, call us today to protect your home and family.

Termites can have a devastating effect on the resale value of a house. Imagine this situation: You have a termite infestation in your house that you knew nothing about. You house is appraised at a decent price and you feel this is the time to sell. A prospective buyer gets a termite inspection and find an infestation in your framing and drops your asking price immediately.

Now it is unlikely you’ll have a full blown termite inspection and not know about it. There are signs of dirt hills and sawdust around wooden fixtures in your house. But the point of that story is that you can’t always see termites until it’s too late. So it’s important to get termite inspections, or even better is to sign on yearly service with Horizon or your local pest control company. Having trained and professional eyes on your property will identify any issues before they become problems.

This year is expected to see a heavy termite season here in New Jersey. Horizon Pest Control has 40 years of experience and two offices in the state to provide the most thorough termite inspection possible. If you suspect you have termites or your someone in your neighborhood has recently had termites, call us today to schedule an inspection. It’s better to be sure then surprised with a big problem on your hands.

Cleaning the gutter is not exactly a chore that people wake up in the morning and feel inspired about. Yet it is an important job that has much more to it than merely a clean home. Gutters tend to accumulate more dirt than we usually imagine. Dirty and rotting leaves, dust and small twigs- all these sit together and rot. After a freezing winter when it is practically impossible to clean out gutters, spring is the best time to get going.

Why should you clean out gutters anyway?

Gutters are built to take off excess rain water that falls on the roof. It is a simple mechanism that is structured to keep your house dry. But there is one problem that goes unnoticed by house owners. Dirty and clogged gutters form a perfect place for mosquitos to nest and lay eggs to hatch out in the spring. Mosquitos require stagnant water to lay eggs, and a clogged gutter provides just that in addition to protection from in climate weather. So if you neglect cleaning out your gutters, your house is likely to receive the unwanted attention of mosquitoes that bred in the safety of your gutters. So cleaning out your gutters gets rid of prospective mosquitoes in the making. After all, who wants to be bitten by mosquitoes?

How to clean your gutters?

Each house owner will have their own way of approaching this matter depending on proximity of trees etc. The best way is to place a ladder firmly against the side of your home and use a gutter scoop to get out the leaves, mud and dirt. Collect the debris in a pail or in a handy garbage bag. Regular cleaning of the gutters will prevent the nesting of mosquito eggs which in turn will discourage mosquito infestations. All leading to a bug bite free spring and summer.