Raccoons - Signs Of Their Presence

Raccoons are fairly large animals. They range in size and weight from 12 - 36 pounds and their bodies can range from 26 - 38 inches long, including an on average 10-inch tail. Raccoons can be found in great numbers in both urban and suburban environments. In urban areas, for example, raccoons can reach densities of 100 or more per square mile. They are highly adaptable and will eat whatever is available, such as fish, birds, insects, worms, crops, acorns, fruit, seeds pet food and garbage in garbage cans/dumpsters. It's little wonder that more home owners are having encounters with them.

Raccoons are not territorial; they make homes in a number of areas covering a distance of about one mile in diameter. If there is a good feeding area though, they will fight to establish dominance. Some places they make their home are up in trees, tree cavities hollow logs, rock crevices, sewers, abandoned autos and burrows. Often they make their way to residential properties such as chimneys, attics, crawlspaces, porches, sheds, and garages. So how can you tell if its raccoons in or around your home?

                                                                 

                                                Signs of Raccoons                   

Here are a few things to look for to determine if you have raccoons in and around your property:

• Visual sightings - if you are seeing them walking about in or around your yard, they may be nesting in or on your property, or may be dining on garbage, bird seeds or pet food left outside.

• Feces(scat) - feces are usually dark, tubular 2.75-5.9 inches long with blunt ends. Often it can be found on lawns, base of trees and on the flat part of a roof or in the valley of the roof. If found on the roof its usually in front of where they're entering the structure.

• Tracks - like people, they are flatfooted. All four paws have five abnormally long toes. Their tracks are generally described as miniature human footprints with the exception of abnormally long toes.

• Lawn damage - in their efforts to find and eat grubs, worms, snails and other insects, raccoons  roll up large areas of grass, damaging many sections of the lawn. If raccoon traffic is heavy a trail will be left in the grass.

• Crop damage - if you grow corn, you'll find plenty that are partially eaten as well as broken stalks. Watermelons too will be damaged in the form of holes in the rinds as raccoons will eat the seeds and flesh of the watermelons. Blueberries, blackberries etc. are also on the menu.

• Sounds - sounds include hisses, grunts, barks, and growls. When attacked they make a series of piercing snarling screams. The young pups especially make lots of noise; their cries are often mistaken for birds. Home owners often report loud thumping and banging sounds in the attic which is due to the raccoons movement, fighting or playing.

• Fish ponds - they love fish and have been known to raid fish ponds. The raid generally occurs at night often resulting in damage to plants in the ponds when raccoons struggle to catch the fish.

• Garbage cans - home owners also report that their garbage cans are knocked over and garbage is found all over the ground.

                                                                Call the Pros

If you experience any of these signs, then you have raccoons. They may appear to be cute and friendly, but remember they are wild animals and can be very aggressive. They are the primary carriers of rabies and roundworms. The feces can harbor the eggs of Baylisascaris procyonis, a dangerous species of roundworms.

If you have any encounters with raccoons, or suspect you have them anywhere in your home or on your property, call EM Pest Control immediately at 516-455-6742. We safely and humanely remove them from your property. At EM Pest Control, we don't kill the animals we capture, instead we move them five (5) miles from the captured site and release them, safe and sound.

                                                                             
                                                                             

For more information on wildlife or any other pests visit our website www.empestcontrol.com

If you're buying a home and need a home inspection to determine the condition of the house and possible wildlife issues visit www.closerlookpi.com 

How To Get Rid Of Mice

A common question among home and business owners is 'how can I get rid of mice?' It's a common question because mice infestation is on the rise, not only in inner cities, but also in suburban areas. Besides houses rodents are found just about everywhere, such as schools, restaurants, deli's, nursing homes, movie theaters, warehouses, subways as well as open fields just to name a few. With a number of factors involved, it appears this problem will only get worse.

In addition to being a nuisance by suddenly running across a room and hearing them in walls and ceilings, house mice can damage/destroy building materials like drywall because of their need to gnaw and their ability to make nests in wall cavities. They pose a fire hazard as well because they often chew electrical wires. Just as important, however, is the fact that house mice are carriers or vectors of disease. One way they transmit diseases and food poisoning like Salmonella and tapeworms, is by contaminating stored food via droppings and urine. Research shows that mice defecate wherever they travel, but mostly where they feed and up to 50 times a day!


                                                                             

                                   
                                            Mice droppings and hole behind stove

 It's important to find where activity is happening within a structure. Do an inspection, look behind appliances such as your free standing stove. If possible pull out the refrigerator from the wall. Look under kitchen sinks where plumbing is introduced through the floor or wall. These are areas where you will likely find evidence of an infestation in the form of droppings, gnawed holes or both at the bottom of the walls or floors. It makes sense to look in these areas because mice will find food around them, plus like roaches they like the warmth that refrigerator motors give off. These areas are also dark and undisturbed which is ideal for their survival.

                                                When Activity Is Found

When activity is found, such as shown in the picture above, sealing holes tightly with steel wool or repairing the walls with metal plates and Joint Compound found at the local hardware store will help reduce the mice route of travel and harbor-age.

The use of snap traps is very helpful in quickly eliminating an infestation and is considered a humane way of killing mice, however proper placement of snap traps is critical for success. Placing a small amount of bait such as peanut butter, cheese, chocolate,or bacon securely to the trap with the trigger facing the wall, as shown in the picture to the right will produce results because mice mostly travel along the perimeter of walls.  Use as many snap traps as needed, but placement should be on, or about 4 to six feet apart.

Glue boards are also useful. Like snap traps glue boards should be baited with a small amount of bait placed in the center. Remember mice are nibblers and don't require large amounts of food.

Finally keeping all areas of the interior clean, free of clutter and food properly stored away, such as in plastic containers will increase the chances of mice being attracted to the bait on the snap and glue traps.

Mice treatment, when done properly, will make your home or business comfortable and safe.

                   

Carpenter Ants - How to Prevent an Infestation

Carpenter Ants (Camponotus) are the largest ants found throughout the United States. They range in color, from black to brown, or a combination of both. Black carpenter ants are commonly found in the Northeastern side of the U.S. They have 6 legs, elbowed antennas, a slender waist and the size range from 1/4 of an inch, to 1/2 an inch for a worker ant, and 3/4 inch for a queen. Black Carpenter ant swarmers emerge from a mature colony usually beginning in early spring (May) through the summer. The carpenter ant swarmer's has 2 pair of wings, but the second pair are shorter than the first.
 Carpenter Ants can cause serious damage to wood inside and outside your home. Unlike termites that eat wood, carpenter ants excavate galleries and build nests to rear their young. This is especially harmful in wood support members such as sill plates, floor joists, rim joist, posts and beams, to mention a few. They can be found in logs, firewood, moist damp wood, and tree stumps. Though they can be found in dry wood, carpenter ants prefer wood with a high moisture content. The longer the colony stays in the wooden structure, the more damage they will do to your home. Over time any structural wood they attack can be weakened, resulting in unlevel, or sagging floors, bulging walls, or worse.
 Debris that carpenter ants produce from excavating wood, such as saw dust like shavings mixed with body parts of dead ants, is a clear indication of a nearby nest.

Prevention

Carpenter Ants are usually found near moisture, and rotting or decaying wood. Home owners should make sure their gutters and downspouts are functioning properly. If holes or leaks exist in the gutter system, that can allow rain water to accumulate around the home, thus attracting carpenter ants. Replace all dysfunctional gutters and downspouts. Adding downspout extensions, or splash blocks is also helpful in keeping water from accumulating around the structure.
The grading around the structure should slope slightly to allow rain water to drain away, instead of toward the structure, or from settling around it.

Where wood is in contact with soil, these areas should be closely examined. If nests are discovered, replace the infested wood if seriously damaged. Exterior steps, posts, or railings should rest on concrete pads instead of in, or on the soil.

Stopping water from entering the home is very important. Repair all roof leaks and replace missing shingles if needed. Have the flashing on the roof inspected, especially roof penetrations such as plumbing vents and chimney flashings. Clean gutters of leaves and dirt to prevent them from overflowing.
Caulk and screen any potential entryway ants may use to gain access, like doors and windows, and outside water connections. Ventilate areas where moisture accumulates, or where high humidity exists, such as crawlspaces, attics and storage rooms.

Vegetation in the form of bushes, hedges and tree branches should be trimmed back at least one foot away from the exterior walls, and tree branches overhanging roofs should be cut back. When vegetation is in contact with exterior walls, or roofs, this is conducive for pest infestation.

While wood mulch is good for plants, it also attracts wood destroying insects, including termites. If you have wood mulch, or plan to have some put around your home, many pest control professionals strongly recommend having the mulch treated to prevent the infestation of wood destroying insects. Wood mulch can be sprayed, or granular bait can be applied.

 Carpenter ants have their place in nature, however, we don't want them in and around our homes. With careful planning, and good home maintenance and repair, we can reduce the use of pesticide and co-exist with the insect world.

Where Do Fruit Flies Come From?

Fruit Fly

Fruit flies are a common nuisance pest that usually invade orchards, breweries, restaurants, supermarkets, hospitals, canneries and homes. Adults measure about 1/8" in length and range in color from dull tan to brownish yellow or brownish black. Their eyes are usually bright red, but can also be very dark red or brown. They are found world wide and throughout the United States.

 Not only are they a nuisance pest, fruit flies may also act as disease vectors. In addition to this, adult females can lay up to 500 eggs that hatch in about 30 hours! That being the case, it is extremely important that integrated pest management (IPM) measures are taken to prevent, or at the very least, limit their breeding sites.

                                                                     Fruits & vegetables

Fruit flies are primarily attracted to fresh fruit and vegetables - nearly any material that is fermented by yeast. They are also attracted to decaying organic matter and can be found around fermenting water from refrigerators. In restaurants they are commonly seen in sink and floor drains where decaying food scraps are found. Dirty or sour mops and rags, and fermenting pet food are common breeding areas.


                                                                         Control Measures


 Eliminating all breeding sites is the key to controlling fruit fly infestation. In restaurants when floors are mopped and food preparation areas, such as counter tops are wiped down, accumulated food particles are often found in cracks and crevices where it ferments, thus providing ideal breeding conditions. Cracked, missing and loose floor and wall tile and missing grout should be repaired or replaced to eliminate food scrapes from accumulating. The use of  microbial floor cleaners is very effective for floors. Mops should be cleaned and/or replaced when dirty. Food can also be found under baseboards, so if it doesn't sit flush on the floor, sealing any gaps will greatly help eliminate breeding sites.

If you discover these pest are coming from outside, reducing the screen size (mesh) can be helpful since some species can easily penetrate ordinary screens. Floor drains should be cleaned with foam drain cleaners to break down the build up of biofilm.

 If problems still persist give us a call and a friendly and knowledgeable Pest Control Professional will conduct an inspection in and around your business or home, find any breeding areas and eliminate the problem for you. Call us.

 Service - Solutions - Satisfaction, Guaranteed!

EM Pest Control
www.empestcontrol.com
516-455-6742
516-850-8926

How To Get Rid Of Ants In Your Home or Business

     

One of the most successful life forms on earth are ants, in fact according to many pest management professionals ants are at the top of the list when it comes to structural pests. What makes them so successful is their efficiency, tenaciousness, resiliency and numbers. It's a good thing that most ants live outdoors, however, some make their nest in or around structures and therefore can become a nuisance, get into food, attack humans and/or cause structural damage. In order to successfully get of ants, properly identifying the type of ants and why they are drawn to the structure is key.                                                                                                                                                        

Types of Ants     

There are many different types of ants. Identifying these type of ants that are invading your property is huge because each species are drawn to different foods and environments. There are 3 types of ants that are commonly known to invade your house or place of business. Those 3 are Carpenter Ants, Pavement Ants, and Argentine Ants. Let's take a look at Carpenter Ants. Carpenter Ants are drawn to wood, but not just any wood. They like to nest in wood that has a high moisture content and suffered water damage and has been softened up by decay. High humidity is essential for the development of carpenter ant eggs and larvae. They do however have the ability to create an environment of humidity and can thus spread into sound wood.

        Pavement Ants are commonly found in commercial buildings. They get their name because of nesting under the pavement and sidewalks. They are known for making soil mounds commonly seen in sidewalks, pavement cracks, around foundations and decorative stones. Anything that provides a protective cover you can find pavement ants. Inside structures they can be found nesting inside walls, in wall insulation, and under floors. This species of ants particularly likes to be near heat sources. Indoor swarms can happen if they are found under slabs.

                                                            

Argentine Ants are seen above when indoor nests near moisture sources such as water pipes, sinks, and potted plants. When conditions outdoors are unfavorable, such as too wet or too dry, they can invade buildings in large numbers. Because they crawl over refuse, sputum, and carrion to mention a few, they are responsible for spreading disease organisms.

                                                                              

These are just three species of ants commonly found in structures, but there are many more such as Fire Ants, Acrobat Ants, Thief Ants, Odorous House Ants and the Little Black Ants each with their own habits and preferences, so identification is a key to long term control. Identifying the problem ant brings us to the next key formula of getting rid of ants - Inspection

                                                        

Inspection and Treatment

There are three components to an inspection -  1) Finding the Nest, 2) Detecting Foraging Routes and 3) Spotting conditions conducive to infestations. Many people use over the counter gels or liquid baits to fight an infestation. Improperly placements of gels or liquid baits will do little good. Also used are over the counter sprays, but this only kills the ants that are seen or foraging for food. Locating the nest goes a long way if you are to eliminate ants for good. Sometime locating the nest is not possible, so looking for other conditions is helpful. Look for and repair broken seals around windows and doors, water damaged wood and cracks in foundation walls. Of course sanitation is very important inside as well as outside. Correct any moisture related issues inside and outside the structure. Keeping the perimeter of the structure dry and keeping vegetation growth at least one foot from the structure will aid in ridding your home or business from ants.                                                                                                        

If these tactics are ineffective call your local pest control professional. They have experience in locating and treating the nest, applying a barrier treatment, baiting and applying a residual that is safe and long lasting.

                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                       

                                                 

                                        

                                                                             

        

Solider and Worker Termites in Wood Monitor

Management of Blow/Bottle Flies

                                                                     

Blow flies and Bottle flies are common out door/indoor pest. The blue bottle fly is slightly larger than the house fly and is commonly seen in early spring. The green bottle fly which is about twice the size of the house fly is usually seen during the summer months. Both flies breed in decaying flesh such as rodents, animal waste, and garbage. Both flies are comparable to the house fly in that they present similar health hazards as the house fly.

Some of the diseases they carry can affect both humans and animals such as intestinal tract problems like Escherichia coli (Migula) and Shigella dysenteriae (shiga) which cause diarrhea and Vibrio comma which causes cholera. They also carry non - intestinal diseases tuberculosis.

                                                                   Management/Treatment

 If found out doors keep lids on garage cans sealed. Regularly clean and dry the interior of garbage cans to eliminate breeding. Remove any excrement around the property. Keep screens to doors, windows and vents in good repair. If found indoors check attic spaces, chimneys, dryer vents and other voids for carcasses of bats, raccoon, mice and birds. If voids are not accessible call a pest control professional who will then drill holes into voids and apply an insecticide which is effective in eliminating these disease carrying pest.

Carpenter Bees And The Damage They Cause

Termites and carpenter ants are the most destructive insects of wood in structures found in the United States. Yet another insect that must be addressed are Carpenter Bees. Although not as destructive as termites, or carpenter ants, carpenter bees can do their fair share of damage to the exterior of structures. During the summer months, Home Inspectors and Pest Control Professionals (PCP) will be attentive to the damage that results from an infestation of carpenter bees.

                                                                    Characteristics of Carpenter Bees

                                                                                   

Carpenter bees Closely resemble bumble bees in that they both have a stocky or robust build. The major difference in their physical characteristic is that the top surface of the abdomen of the carpenter bee is bare black and shiny, whereas the bumble bee has many body hairs and appears fuzzy. Carpenter bees have a dense area of hairs on the hind legs, bumble bees however have dense yellow hairs on the abdomen and large pollen baskets on the hind legs.

                                                                           Structural Damage

                                                                               

Carpenter bees do not eat wood, but the females bore circular holes, about 1/2 inch wide at a right angle for about an inch deep into the wood they infest. They begin to excavate galleries in the direction of the wood grain for about 4-6 inches and this is where they make their nest. They can nest in all species of dried seasoned wood, but they prefer softwood like cedar, redwood, cypress, pine, and fir. They will bore in wooden members on houses such as eves constructed with pine and on decks, fences and dead tree limbs.  It's these areas that home inspectors and pest control professionals will take a closer look to determine if any activity exist. Carpenter bees are known to return to the same wood year after year to drill nests and lay eggs. If left untreated the wooden members can weaken resulting in costly repairs.

                                                                                   Treatment

How can you determine if carpenter bees are nesting in structural wood on your property? If you see a number of bees hovering around the eves for an example, they're protecting the entrance to a gallery and will chase away any intruders, including humans. The males do not sting, however who wants to wait around to determine males from females? If you suspect you have carpenter bees, call a pest control operator. Many have found closing the holes with corks helpful. Painting the wood will not protect it from carpenter bees, but it is helpful since they prefer bare, exposed wood. Some pest control professionals as a last resort use a pesticide in the form of dust that's applied inside the galleries that acts as a residual and is effective in the control of carpenter bees.

For more on home inspections, insects and treatments visit us at:

www.closerlookpi.com

Difference Between Termite Swarmer and Flying Ant

 Termites that are most often seen by the general public are the winged reproductive adult termite also known as swarmers, alate, and flying termites. These termites have dark bodies about 3/8-inch in length. They are equipped with two pairs of gauzy wings identical in size and shape that extends beyond the body to twice its length. The antennae resemble a string of little beads.

Ants also have colonies that release winged reproductive,and because they swarm at the same time, (usually from March to July) flying ants are often mistaken for termites. Ant swarmers, like termite swarmers are dark in color. An example is the northeastern carpenter ant which is typically dark brown to black. Both species have wings that extend beyond its body. With both being similar in size and color and the fact they swarm at the same time, its easy to see why some mistake one for the other. Telling the difference between the two is very important for the purpose of an effective treatment.


                                                          Termite Swarmer vs Flying Ant 

                                        termite swarmer (left) and a flying ant (right) 

The termite has wings of equal size and cloudy.              Ant hind-wings smaller than fore-wings      

Many fine conspicuous veins through out wings            Very few dark conspicuous veins in wings

 Broad Waist                                                                      Constricted, slender Waist

Straight Antenna resembles string of beads                       Elbowed Antenna

                                                                      Inspection

If you suspect you have either one of these insects, or both contact a pest control company licensed in wood destroying insect extermination. Over the counter products cannot and will not get rid of these pest. A pest control professional (PCP) will conduct an inspection of your property to locate the nest(s), assess any damage, determine the extent of the infestation, ascertain conditions conducive for infestation and prescribe the proper treatment.                                    

               

Preventing Wooden Decks & Porches from Termite Infestation

  Wooden decks and porches if not properly cared for can be an all day breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet. Termites, the most destructive insect of wooden structures are opportunist with an unending appetite . They are masters of taking advantage of a neglected home. So how can home owners keep their outside recreational areas free from termite infestation? Well, there are three key ways.

First, it's important to give a visual inspection of all accessible components of your deck and/or porch. The illustration above gives the names and shows the areas of the components you should inspect. The posts, beams, joist and face-boards are the areas you want to especially examine because they are closest to the ground where subterranean termites emerge from. In these areas look for mud-tubes that termites construct to travel back and forth from their nest in the ground to the wooden members. Have with you an instrument with a pointed edge, like a knife, screwdriver, or ice pick. Gently but firmly probe areas of the wood. If the instrument goes through, likely there's termite damage. If you see a lot of cream colored insects, about 1/8 to 3/8's of an inch in length you have termites.

Check for loose rails, steps and balusters as well as columns. Probe them too because the outside of the wood may look fine, but could be hollow inside. If the wood is sound, then tighten them with nails, screws or bolts. Check the decking for damage such as splinting and loose deck boards. Walk across the deck to determine if any areas are weak or sinking. If possible check underneath the deck or porch, especially the undersides of all joist, beams and decking.

Second, make sure that you have good drainage. If you don't have a deck or porch cover make sure the deck boards are spaced so that rain water will not accumulate on the deck. The grounds around the house should be sloped so that water drains away from the house, not towards it. Post should be mounted on piers, not in the dirt or ground. Wooden steps should rest not on dirt, but upon a concrete base or apron that extends at least 6 inches above grade. Paint or stain all wooden members, including the undersides and cut edges.

Finally remove any wood debris from under and around the house and deck. Scrape wood, tree stumps, mulch, boxes and branches all attract termites to your home.
A visual inspection is the beginning of protecting your home from termite infestation.

 If you think you have a termite infestation on your porch or deck, call a pest control professional for an inspection and treatment options.

www.empestcontrol.com

Spring has SPRUNG which means Termites! These nasty little guys cause over 5 billion dollars in damage a year in the United States alone. Mature termite colonies contain about 60,000 to 1 million workers. Here are some of the signs to look for which may be an indication of termites:

-damage to wood (wood may be brittle or make a hollow sound)

-mud tubes (these long tubes are built to provide access from the soil to the food source. When exposed to open air termites die quickly )

-broken wings (typically termite swarmers lose their wings)