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Don’t let the bed bugs bite, as the expression goes. But if you don’t want to let the bed bugs bite, you also need to know where it is likely that bed bugs could be in your apartment or house.

Bed Bugs Detection: Where Are The Bugs?

According to research by Dr. Michael Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky, the name ”bed bugs” actually does indicate where the insects may most likely be located. Around 70% of all bed bugs in homes are found in beds. That is not surprising, given that the bugs feed off of human blood, and often go after their unwitting victims in the middle of the night, when they are asleep.  So that means that in order to reach their prey, the bed bugs go to where the people are, which in this case can mean beds.

However, that is not the only place where bed bugs have been found. In 23% of the cases, bed bugs are found in couches and chairs. That can be in your home, or in businesses, like at a movie theater, restaurant, or library. Again, bed bugs go to where the people are, and that includes all sorts of businesses and places you may not expect bed bugs to be.

In addition, bed bugs can travel and hitch a ride on people and their stuff, whether they are leaving their home, or coming back to their home. One example where you might find bed bugs is when you travel, and stay in a hotel room that has the unwanted pests. All it takes is one critter or two to jump into your suitcase from the hotel bed (note: never put your luggage on that bed) and you could have a bed bugs problem when you return. And because female bed bugs can lay eggs as frequently as every five days, it could be a massive problem for you in no time.

Bed Bugs Detection: Other Places The Bugs Are Found

According to the University of Kentucky study, 7% of bed bugs are found in other places besides beds, couches, and chairs. These can include: dressers and nightstands, as well as on walls, ceilings, and house moldings. In addition, here is a scary thought: like roaches, bed bugs can burrow inside things, including books, clocks, coffee makers, radios, telephones, and televisions. Basically, bed bugs can potentially be any place where humans are, and that humans touch. Yikes!

If you think you might have bed bugs in your home, click here to find out what to do next.

Featured images:

•  License: Image author owned

Lisa Swan writes for sites like Bed Bug Finders LLC.

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Termite Damage

Termites are a nightmare to homeowners, because of their talent of hiding and destroying homes and other wooden structures undetected. These tiny creatures usually hide underneath the soil or wood surfaces and in mud tunnels making it easier for them to invade homes. They can enter our homes from the soil surface and then forage in the wood materials used to build our houses. Unfortunately, termites are very difficult to control when the infestation is severe, so extensive efforts to prevent and control termite infestations must be done once termite infestation is suspected.

The Common Entry Point Of Termites

Termites usually infest a home through the soil along its foundation. They can find their way into the house through utility conduits, cracks in the slab, plumbing connections and expansion joints. If there are wood structures in your home constructed in direct contact to the ground, such as decks and patios, you can expect problems as they are a warm invitation to termites. Since termites live in colonies in the soil, early detection can sometimes be very difficult.

Signs Of A Termite Infestation

Some believe that detecting a termite infestation early is impossible. However, there are three easy ways to indicate that you are dealing with unwanted visitors.

1. Mud Tubes

These tubes are actually foraging tubes that extend from the ground to the infested wood, which also provide shelter for termites. The mud tubes can be distinguished by their muddy appearance and flattened tubes having a width of a pencil. Unfortunately, the tubes are not easily seen because they are often located underneath flooring, along cracks and behind base boards. Sometimes, they can also be found extending over concrete foundations as well as other surfaces that are exposed.

2. Wood Damage

Another sign of termite infestation that is common in infested homes are the dark areas of blisters located in the wood flooring. Such damage is not always seen immediately as termites feed on the spring wood and not the grain and exterior surface. To check for any termite damage, the wood can be tapped on every inch using the handle of a screwdriver. The damage can be detected when you hear hollow sounds or when the screwdriver breaks through the wood because of the damage inside. In the event that the infestation is still active, you may find termites working inside.

3. Swarmers

You can also tell if you have a termite infestation, when there are winged termites emerging from swarming tubes located near the house. Since these termites are attracted to light, you can find them swarming around windows, lighting fixtures, vents and doors. When you find plenty of tiny termite wings left behind on windowsills and floors, you can be certain that you already have an infestation.

Termite infestation is sometimes caused by poor construction practices, as they provide termites with a certain amount of access into the structure. They can also create living conditions for termites as a sufficient amount of moisture is applied. As such, termite infestations can be prevented during construction and after the house has been built through treatments. When you detect termite infestation in your home, have it treated immediately before it can be severely damaged.

Citations:

• Photographed By: Jeltovski.

Featured images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://mrg.bz/KneJQb

Valerie Adams is a mother of four and freelance writer specializing in safe pest control methods of InsightPest.com and termite control. She also provides homeowners with vital information as to how termites infest homes and how their infestation can be detected.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

English: a yellow jacket wasp (Photo credit: Wikipedia) 

Yellow Jackets 

Yellow jackets are a species of predatory wasp that are common in the Tulsa, OK area. Yellow jackets are most commonly black and yellow in color, but are sometimes black and white and even have red markings. All female yellow jackets are able to sting multiple times. These stings will cause unbelievable pain, and have even caused death in a few rare instances.

Yellow Jacket Nests 

Yellow jackets will build their nests in shrubs or trees; but prefer the protection of man-made structures such as hollow walls or flooring, attics, sheds, porches, and eaves of houses. A fertilized yellow jacket queen will take shelter in these protected areas during the winter months, and build begin building a new nest and laying eggs when the weather warms.

With summer just around the corner, now is the time that those stinging yellow jackets start looking for places to build their nests. Most homeowners will not notice a yellow jacket nest until late summer, when the wasps have had time to grow the nest and flourish on your property. From spring to summer a wasp colony expands very rapidly, reaching a maximum size of 4,000 and 5,000 workers.

If you eliminate the wasp’s nests now, while they’re small and still being built, it will prevent the likelihood of a more serious problem later this summer.

Controlling Yellow Jackets 

If you are seeing yellow jackets near the garbage cans of your home quite frequently, or near picnic areas and hummingbird feeders, it is a sure bet that there is a nest nearby. The first step to controlling yellow jackets around your property is to determine where their nests are. Open a can of chicken-flavored cat or dog food and place it near where you are seeing yellow jackets. They’ll soon find the food and you can follow their flight as they take it back to the nest. Now you’ll know if the wasp’s nest in on your property.

Once you have located a yellow jacket nest, it needs to be treated. While this can be done by injecting a pesticide into a hole drilled into the nest, or dusting the nest with a pesticide powder, it’s best to leave treatment to a professional. Attempting to spray the yellow jackets with an aerosol pesticide can result in numerous painful stings during the process. I repeat it’s best to leave the process to pest control professionals.

If you are going to attempt to exterminate the aggressive wasps on your own, opt for a “quick-freeze” aerosol product to eliminate stirred-up wasps near the entrance of the nest. Remove the nest completely after all of the yellow jackets are dead, so another colony will not make it their home in the future.

Pest Control In Tulsa 

Many homeowners will not take action against yellow jackets until somebody is painfully stung. Obviously by then it is too late. Take action now and properly eliminate yellow jacket nests around your home and property. Get pest control!

Wasp & Bee Control 

General Pest Control 

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Published by Bulwark

How To Prevent A Hornet Infestation

What is the scariest insect that you can think of? Chances are that it wouldn’t even occur to you that hornets are very menacing. Yes, they sting, but that just makes them as scary as bees. Do you really think so? First of all, there are several species of hornets. Some are the run-of-the-mill hornets that you expect to become aggressive when disturbed. But there are some that will rival even the most frightening creature that you can think of. An example is the Japanese giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica), which kills more people in Japan than the average bear. Yes, this type of hornet is one of nature’s most awesome and menacing predators. It spews venom that can easily melt the skin. Just imagine how painful that is, and how people have died because they did not get emergency treatment.

Not all hornets shoot skin-melting venom. But it is still better to have a home that’s hornet-free, most especially if you have children around. You can get rid of these creatures through the following methods:

Pest Control without Using Pesticides

1. Entrapment

A vinegar mixture, as well as meats, can be used to create a homemade trap. Check YouTube for how-to videos about creating your own device. Some traps are designed to draw in hornets in general, but others are especially made to ensnare the queen. These kinds of traps are more complicated. Raw meat is often used here, and it’s actually better to get the queen first because without it, hornets will find it more difficult to establish a colony.

2. Cleanliness

Since hornets eat protein-rich foods, you should make it a point to properly dispose of your garbage, especially leftovers. Put food items in a trash bag and seal this before throwing. Make sure that your bin also has a tight cover to prevent hornets and other pests from scavenging.

Getting the Most Out of Insecticide Sprays

3. Spraying

You can also use insecticide sprays to kill hornets. But be sure to have at least 2 cans of Raid ready before you start your assault on these nasty stingers. Get a spray that’s specifically made for hornets. Furthermore, be sure that you don on the proper attire. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and boots. Tuck your pants inside your socks to prevent flying hornets from crawling inside and stinging your legs. Use a bee head net, also known as bee veil or bee hat, to protect your head from the creatures. Since you’ll also be spraying a whole lot of pesticide, you should also wear a mask so that you won’t inhale all those bad fumes.

The best time to attack is during early morning or dusk, when the tiny stingers are just getting ready to start the day or sleep. You’ll get most of them that way. Soak the hive in insecticide, and spray all visible holes. After you’re done and you’re satisfied that the hornets are either dead or dying, very carefully remove the nest. Put the nest in a trash bag and throw away.

Citations:

• MinivanNinja. “Hornet Nest”. July 13, 2006. Online image. Flickr. February 11, 2013.

Claire Norton is a freelancer who frequently blogs about insects and their effects on health. Many of her materials have been published by http://www.interstatepest.com/ and other websites that feature insects and household pests.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

Valentine’s Day is on Thursday, so there is still time to either make a few last minute preparations for the big day. Or, if you’re like the rest of us, then there is still time to start making preparations for the big day.

You might be more of a do-it-yourself kind of person who doesn’t believe that making reservations truly comes from the heart. The only real way to show how you truly care is to march yourself down to the market, hand pick each ingredient with extreme detail, wake up early on Valentine’s Day at about 5am and prepare the main course which requires a slow cook time 10 hours.

Or, if you’re like the rest of us, you have babysitters already scheduled, and you have a 6pm reservation at the place for which you have a $10 gift certificate. That means that will either help cover the tip or you can splurge with your own individual desserts.

Here are some of the nicer restaurants around town.

The Melting Pot. If you don’t mind a little bit of adventure and some variety on Valentine’s Day, then try The Melting Pot. You’ll get a four-course fondue dining experience that is guaranteed to delight. Also includes private tables, fine wines and first class service.

Flemings. Do you and your valentine like steaks? If so, then go to Flemings. You won’t be sorry.

Garlic Rose. Italian restaurants are the easy choice for any Valentine’s Day dinner date. We’re far from Rome here in Tulsa, but if you want to try something particularly tasty, then reserve a table at Garlic Rose. The breaks, desserts and pastas are all homemade and as a personal recommendation, consider the Rosemary Crusted Filet.

From all of us at Bulwark Pest Control, have a happy Valentine’s Day… just don’t let this happen to you.

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Published by Bulwark