Many of the pests most commonly associated with Mississippi and Louisiana are attracted to lawns where the vegetation has become overgrown, and where there are plenty of places for them to find shelter. You can remove all of these habitats and potential feeding grounds simply by keeping your yard well maintained. Here are a few easy tips to get you started.

1. Remove or Treat Any Standing Water on Your Property

Standing water can create a source of nourishment and a place for pests to hatch eggs. It is very common for homes with a lot of standing water to have problems with mosquitoes, which can pose serious health risks. If you have intentional sources of standing water such as birdbaths or fountains, you can keep these as long as you empty and replace, or circulate the water somehow, or use safe pest control treatments.

There are many other sources of standing water that people often do not notice. These can include clogged rain gutters, empty gardening containers, overturned tires, or any other containers located around the yard. Perform a quick assessment of your yard to ensure that you do not have any of these manmade pools present. Any drainage problems that create standing water around the foundation of the home should also be addressed as soon as possible.

2. Clear Away Any Fallen Leaves and Debris

Raking leaves may be associated more closely with the fall, but that does not mean that your yard will not have some leaves and other debris this spring. Fallen leaves, branches, and fruit that gather around your yard become a major attraction for many pests including ants, millipedes, and beetles. It only takes a few minutes to clear these items away from your house, and it can make a major difference.

3. Trim Weeds and Overgrown Vegetation

Not only is it important to mow the grass frequently, but it is also crucial to keep weeks, shrubs, and other vegetation trimmed as much as possible. If you do not have time to completely trim all of the plants around your yard, you can focus primarily on the vegetation closest to the foundation and entryways of your home.

Weeds, long grasses, and overgrown shrubs become a great habitat for pests such as fleas, ticks, ants, and many others. Some of these pests will use the placement of these plants to latch on to people or animals that leave and enter the house. The plants concealing the foundation of the house could also be hiding signs of moisture or pest damage, and can make it more difficult for inspectors to assess the property.

4. Store Wood Away From the House

If you keep any type of fire wood, or even wooden gardening supplies, adjacent to the house, relocating these items can be a good spring cleaning project. Having these items right next to the house creates opportunities for termites, ants, and other insects to nest and potentially invade your house. You can protect your home by creating a storage area for wooden items as far from the house as possible.

Unfortunately, springtime in Louisiana and Mississippi also usually means large populations of insects, many of whom are looking for a new home. Spring is when many different species of insects, including termites, have large newly hatched populations that are on the hunt for food sources. Those food sources could, unfortunately, become your home if you are not careful. Fischer Environmental is here to help you prevent this from happening in many different ways.

Using Exterior Pest Control Treatments to Block Infestations

The first step is to set up a strong line of defense outside your home. While we will treat the entire perimeter of your home, we also create targeted strategies that are specific to your home. In particular, we aim to treat areas where pests would be attracted to sources of moisture, and try to find entry into your home.

The spring season is known for its many rain showers. This means a lot more water and moisture will accumulate around your house, particularly around gutters and downspouts, and any other areas that are naturally prone to facilitating pooled water. Our pest control technicians target these areas more heavily because we know that insects will be attracted to the sources of water, and their next step will be to try to enter your home.

Thanks to a treated barrier that will be created and maintained by Fischer Environmental, any insects that do try to make their way into your home will be greeted by very effective insecticide. Many of our pest treatments cause affected insects to become carriers of the insecticide, and will then affect any pests that the carriers come into contact with as well. The result is a structure that is virtually impenetrable for insects and other common Mississippi and Louisiana pests.

Making Pests Wish They Had Not Entered Your Home

With such a huge explosion of aggressive and voracious pests in the springtime, there is a chance that pests may manage to somehow break through the exterior defenses and make their way into your home. However, with Fischer Environmental on your side, these few insects that make it through will soon wish that they had stayed outside.

Inside your home, the Fisher Environmental interior pest prevention system will be at work. As the pests begin to scout and scrounge for food, they will find themselves facing challenge after challenge, including targeted treated areas and pest baits. Every variety of pests will soon learn that they are much better off hunting for food outside than trying to brave the elements inside your structure.

Taking a Comprehensive Approach to Spring Pest Prevention

Spring is one of the most demanding seasons when it comes to pest prevention, especially along the gulf coast. Half-hearted attempts at controlling insects and rodents will not be enough to keep the infestations at bay. That is why Fischer Environmental provides pest control strategies that tackle potential pest problems from every single angle.

During a spring inspection with a Fischer Environmental pest control technicians, homeowners have the advantage of receiving expert advice from professionals that have worked in this industry for many years. We not only provide external and internal pest control treatments, but we also provide valuable recommendations regarding how homeowners could make changes within their homes and lawns that would further reduce the risk of a springtime pest infestation from happening. Our goal is to help you enjoy the beautiful spring season without worrying about any pest problems.

Formosan termites are a form of subterranean termite, which are known worldwide for their destructive behaviors. These pests, which consume wood and cellulose extremely rapidly, are known for being a common problem throughout Mississippi and Louisiana. The best way to control Formosan termites is to make your area less attractive for their colonies in order to diminish their spread. Here are just a few ways that you can reduce the distribution of Formosan termites in your region.

Eliminating Formosan Termite Habitats From Your Yard

Like many other pests, Formosan termites are attracted to areas where they will find a large source of moisture and food. For these termites, this means damp wood. If your yard has wood littering the ground, this is a very appealing and appetizing invitation for the subterranean termites in your area.

When we mention wood on the ground around your home, this does not only mean piles of firewood or other substantial amounts of wooden material. This also refers to small pieces of wooden debris that could have fallen from trees on your property. You can reduce the risk of attracting termites if you keep these types of items cleared away from your home as frequently as possible.

Addressing Moisture Problems in Your Home

Formosan termites are often attracted to homes that have some type of moisture or drainage problem that has caused the wood and other materials within the walls to become moist. If these moisture problems persist, the brown rot can develop, which produces brown rot fungi. Termites are greatly attracted to these fungi, and having it present in your home can encourage the spread of Formosan.

Water damage problems can occur because of leaks in the roof, cracks in the foundation, ventilation problems, or damage to pipes. It can be difficult to detect a moisture issue until the problem has become severe, mold and rot are occurring, and termites could already be present. Pest control specialists, such as those here at Fischer Environmental, have state-of-the-art equipment designed to identify unseen damage caused by water and pests. Being able to identify and address these issues early could greatly discourage the infestation of termites.

Keeping Contaminated Items Away from Your House

When Formosan termites are not infesting your home, they are living in wooded areas that are located above a source of water. Any time that you use wood for any purpose such as building a file or any other reason, you have to realize that this wood could be contaminated with termites. Damp wood should especially be utilized with caution. Any wood that you need to store is best stored as far away from your home as possible.

In many cases, Formosan termites are able to spread throughout Mississippi and Louisiana when wood is salvaged and relocated after an old building has been torn down. This wood, especially if the house was not maintained, or if it was damaged due to flooding, could certainly contain termites. When these salvaged materials are taken to other properties, termites are easily able to disperse among a new area.

When using reclaimed wood, or rebuilding after a flood, it is best to use pressure-treated wood. This gives you the peace of mind that the wood is not going to be contaminated by Formosan termites, and these treated woods are resistant to rot and fungi that would attract infestations.

While termites can certainly pose a threat to your home at any time of the year, when you live around the Gulf Coast, you can expect termite populations to swell during April, May and June, and this is when it is crucial to stay on the lookout for signs of infestation. Fortunately, not only is springtime the most common period for termite problems to occur, but it is also a time when these pests are often the easiest to identify.

So, why is spring so important for termites? This is the time of the year when thousands of winged termites leave the colony. These winged forms of termites are the termites that have come of reproductive age and are ready to go out and start their own new termite colonies elsewhere.

Things to Know About Swarms of Winged Termites

We do have a bit of good news for you when it comes to flying termites. First of all, majority of these types of termites never make it to their final destinations because they are caught by predators, such as birds and reptiles that love to feed on termite swarms.

Secondly, new termite colonies require a large amount of moisture, soil, and a viable cellulose food source in order to be able to grow. Typically, the flying termites do not settle in and infest homes because they cannot satisfactorily meet all of the requirements that they need. However, if there are swarming termites flying around your property, this could be a sign that there is already an infestation that is present and has now released a swarm of termites.

Distinguishing Flying Termites From Flying Ants

Many homeowners do not realize that there is a swarm of termites nearby because they mistake the termites for flying ants; these two winged insects do look somewhat similar. However, upon closer examination, it is possible to tell the difference between a flying termite and a flying ant.

While both the termite and ant have the typical head, thorax, and abdomen, the body of the termite is roughly the same width throughout the entire length of the body, whereas the flying ant has a waist that is pinched, giving a very segmented appearance. Ants also have elbowed antennae, while termites have straight antennae. Lastly, flying termites have two pairs of large wings on either side of their body, and ants have one large and one small wing on each side of the body.  Click here to read more about Formosan termites.

If you identify the insects on your property as swarming termites, it is essential to seek termite inspection, and prevention as soon as possible. It is not necessary to panic, as seeing a flying termite does not necessarily mean that your house has already been damaged, but it is time to take preventative measures at the very least.

Do Not Wait Until You Have a Swarm of Termites to Take Action

If you do not see a swarm of termites around your home this spring, this is good news, but it does not rule out the possibility that you have a termite infestation. While termite swarms do often happen in Mississippi and Louisiana because the temperatures and humidity levels are ideal, not all termite colonies will produce a swarm every single year.

Termites do not generate swarms of flying termites until the population of the colony grows substantially. This means that a termite colony could be infesting your home for several years before you experience any flying termites. The best way to prevent this scenario from happening is to have your home thoroughly inspected and to implement preventative termite control strategies in order to make your home uninhabitable for any type of termite.

Using Insect Repellents Safely- Tips from the EPA

For the safe and effective use of pesticide products, always read the product label before using the product. Apply just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Remember these important points to use repellents safely:

• Follow the label directions to ensure proper use.
• Repellents should be applied only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use under clothing.
• Store insect repellents safely out of the reach of children, in a locked utility cabinet or garden shed.
• Do not apply near eyes and mouth, and apply sparingly around ears.
• When using sprays, do not spray directly into face; spray on hands first and then apply to face.
• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas. Avoid breathing a spray product, and do not use it near food.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin and clothes with soap and water.
• Do not use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals.
• Most insect repellents do not work on lice or fleas.
• Use other preventive actions to avoid getting bitten .
• Read more about active ingredients.

The number of people infected with the mosquito-borne West Nile virus in the United States continues to grow, but the pace of this year’s outbreak is slowing, federal health officials said on Wednesday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 4,891 people have contracted the disease, up from 4,725 a week ago. The virus killed four more people in the past week, bringing this year’s death toll to 223.

The outbreak appears to be slowing, with 166 new cases reported during the last week, down from 199 the week before, according to CDC data. The week’s death toll dropped to four, down from 36 during the previous week.

Just over half the cases reported to the CDC this year have been of the severe nueroinvasive form of the disease, which can cause meningitis and encephalitis. West Nile Fever, the less severe form, causes flu-like symptoms and is rarely lethal.

More than 70 percent of cases have been concentrated in 10 states: Texas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, South Dakota, Michigan, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Colorado.

Texas has been the hardest hit, accounting for more than a third of all cases, with Dallas-Fort Worth at the center of the outbreak.

According to the latest tally from the Texas Department of State Health Services, 1,718 people in the state have contracted the virus this year, and 78 people have died.

“We’re still seeing new cases, but we’re seeing the pace slow down quite a bit,” said Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services.

CDC officials said warm weather is a factor in a West Nile outbreak and colder weather suppresses mosquito activity. The worst year for West Nile-related deaths was 2002, when 284 people died as a result of the virus, the CDC said.

Where Do Fruit Flies Come From, Anyway?

Missy Henriksen- National Pest Management Association

One of my absolute favorite things about summer is the incredible fruit that’s part of the season. Without question, I do my part in supporting those who grow tomatoes and nectarines. Those same fruits that bring me so much delight, however, became my nemesis last night. I had hoped to get one more BLT out of the last locally grown tomato in the bowl and enjoy the last of a particularly good batch of nectarines but something beat me to the enjoyment of them – fruit flies!

In recounting my disappointment to a friend, she asked the question that I so often hear, “where do those things come from anyway?” Like my kids when I am trying to stealthily enjoy a candy bar, or my dog when there’s cereal milk to be had, fruit flies seem to emerge from nowhere! Contrary to popular belief, they do not come from the interior of the decaying fruit and are not spontaneously “born” from the rottenness of fruit. Rather, they detect the yeast produced by fermenting fruit from great distances. Once they have identified an intended target, they have little trouble getting to it as their tiny size allows them to enter a home through miniscule cracks and crevices. Even most window screens won’t deter them.

Here are a few things you should know to keep fruit flies at bay so you won’t find yourself in the same predicament I have:

1) If you keep fresh fruit on the counter, check it often for signs of over-ripening or decay. Over-ripe fruit should be disposed of in a sealed trash can, outdoors. A female fruit fly lays an average of 500 eggs on the surface of fermenting fruit. You don’t want those eggs hatching in your kitchen trash can!

2) Run your garbage disposal regularly. Fruit flies LOVE the decaying food matter that accumulates down the drain.

3) Wash or replace mops and sponges regularly. They also LOVE the old food particles these cleaning items gather.

4) Don’t keep dirty dishes around. Dirtied dishes gathered in your sink, particularly those with fruit remnants, and soiled dishes that sit for too long in an un-run dishwasher can also invite these flies.

Fruit flies, like many pests, can be prevented by following good sanitation practices. I know my children think I am just nagging when I remind them to put their dishes in the dishwasher but there really is a more important reason: pest prevention! I don’t want any other deterrents to interfere with my next BLT. Hear that girls?

Researchers at the University of Florida examined the feeding patterns of bed bugs — and the impact they can have on humans’ blood after several months. Their research was published in the journal Medical and Veterinary Entomology.

Researchers at the University of Florida examined the feeding patterns of bed bugs — and the impact they can have on humans’ blood after several months. Their research was published in the journal Medical and Veterinary Entomology.

The study shows that bed bugs will have a bigger or a smaller bloodmeal depending on when they last fed. For example, if bed bugs are fed every day, they have 1.5 times fewer instances of eating than those only fed occasionally, researchers found.

Researchers also found that production of bed bug eggs is linked with how much blood the bed bugs were able to consume the week prior.

“Longer and more frequent feedings increased egg production, which would allow a faster growth of bed bug populations,” they wrote in the study. “The increase in bed bug populations obtained with more frequent and longer feedings can be the difference between a population that barely survives at a location and a thriving population.”

Researchers conducted their study by letting bed bugs feed on chickens (both chickens and humans are known to be great “feeding hosts” for bed bugs).

Download the article at
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2915.2012.01057.x/abstract.