What methods will be used to treat each insect?
The specific treatment depends on the type of insect, stage of its development and location of the nest. In most cases some insecticide
application will be required and the entire nest will be removed in order to prevent secondary problems such as odor or attraction of other pests. If the nest cannot be located, we will not spray. For more details visit
the Services page and read the Treatments section. If wasps or bees are entering the house, what should be done?
Call us immediately. Explain that the insects
are coming inside, so we can schedule the visit promptly. Emergency service is available. In the meantime, close off the room and place a towel under the door to prevent them from spreading throughout your living area.
DO NOT TRY TO SEAL THE POINT OF OUTSIDE ENTRY. This will only serve to trap the insects indoors. DO NOT SPRAY. This will probably aggravate the insects and your situation. Disturbing access to the outside will only
force the insects inside. I think there may be bees or wasps in the walls of the house. How can I tell?
It is far better to be safe than sorry in this situation. If you notice a yellowish stain on
your wall, this is a good indicator that you have a nest of stinging insects and they may be close to chewing through the wall. Call us immediately for emergency service. If you don't have visual evidence, stand close
to the wall and listen. You will probably be able to hear a low buzzing noise, and possibly chewing, if there is a nest behind the wall. You might also look for an outside entry point if it's a sunny afternoon, but
please be careful! Make a wide circle around the section of the house you believe to be inhabited. Binoculars may be helpful. Why should we call for service rather than try to handle the problem ouselves?
To truly alleviate a stinging insect problem, one must go to the source - the nest. Dispatching one or a few stinging insects is not the same as facing a nest of defensive, stinger-wielding wasps, hornets or bees.
Many species are extremely aggressive in defense of their nest and may specifically attack an intruders face. Bald-faced hornets, for instance, may target the eyes with a spray of venom that can cause discomfort. A
sting directly in the eye will cause permanent blindness. Spraying large quantities of insecticides is not the anwser. Not only is this likely to leave a lot
of individuals unaffected by the poison but aggravated by the attack (colonies can have hundreds to thousands of workers), the propane propellant in these sprays is flammable. It is not intended for such a large application nor for indoor use, and insurance companies are unlikely to compensate you for fire damage under such circumstances. Also consider that you, your family and pets will not benefit from breathing poisonous chemicals. Today's homes are very well insulated, which compounds these potentially damaging effects.
"Eradicating nuisance nests outdoors, or nests within walls, can be tricky and is best left to a pro." - Consumer Reports, 6/97 Will the insecticides used be harmful to my family or pets or to the environment?
Every precaution is taken to ensure the safety of you and your entire family. Insecticide applications are limited to a fairly localized area and we use the minimum quantity possible that will still provide
effective treatment. Pyrethroids are most often used. This type of insecticide is considered to be one of the safest for the environment and is widely recommended for extermination and agricultural insect control.
How can future problems be prevented?
Not all insects look for the same conditions when locating their nests. A "problem" with stinging insects usually results from a nest located in or near your home.
- Look for the chinks in the armor of your house - gaps or cracks around windows, under eaves, in the foundation or openings under your porch are inviting entry points. Usually, a good job of caulking your home
will prevent wasps, bees and hornets
from building a nest too close for comfort. Outbuildings are another common location for nests. They are more likely to offer easy access and are probably subject to less activity. The same precautions apply.
- Rarely used machinery and automobiles should be started regularly or sprayed with a hose as thoroughly as possible. Be cautious, however, in case a wasp nest has already been started.
- Vespas
(wasps) in particular are attracted to food. Keep garbage in sealed containers, wipe off outdoor eating areas and pick up fallen fruits from under trees.
- To discourage carpenter bees, paint raw wood and be sure to plug former nest holes. This will not prevent carpenter bees from boring into wood, but it helps to discourage them.
- If you have experienced difficulty with ground nesters, such as cicada killers or mining bees, seed your lawn and try to maintain a dense growth of grass. Again, this is not guaranteed prevention, but
should discourage your unwanted visitors.
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