Carpenter Ants are found throughout North America. These large black ants are called Carpenter Ants because they live in wood. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood. Carpenter ants are predators that feed mainly on small insects like aphids and inchworms. In temperate regions carpenter ant colonies hibernate in a state called “diapause” during the colder months. … [Read more...]
Ticks and Mosquitos
What You Should Know And What SHS Pest Control Can Do To Prevent Them! Ticks are more numerous today due to climate changes and increased urban development. Ticks become active in the spring and remain active until late fall. Tick prevention should begin as early as March. Based on the biology of ticks, the most effective control is achieved with treatments between March … [Read more...]
Prevent rats, mice and squirrels from destroying your home
Rodents (mice, rats and squirrels) find their way into structures for shelter, nesting and hoarding food. All of these things will cause damage to the building. Whether it is a mouse, rat or a squirrel, (yes squirrels are in the rodent family) their habits are very similar. This time of year they are storing food known as hoarding and rodents mostly store food with seed or … [Read more...]
Take the Sting Out of the Carpenter Bee!
It’s all right there in its name: Carpenter bee. This dastardly creature is the real thing. Complete with the ability to chain saw its way through structural woods. Who are they, what damage can they rain down, and what can you do about them? These are the questions of the moment. Other than for their nuisance factor, most bee’s pose little threat to us. Among the exceptions … [Read more...]
Mosquito Season in New England
We are in the middle of our mosquito season and with the unusually warm season and the recent rainfall they are abundant. This year, to date in Rhode Island, no mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis. West Nile Virus, while it hasn't been found in the state this year, is clearly in our region and has been recently isolated in Boston, … [Read more...]
Ticks: Understanding this Blood-sucking Arachnid
Published August 2009 : Pest Management Professional Ticks are generally despised by most people, perhaps because of their intimately vampiric lifestyle or their potential to transmit disease-causing pathogens. When ticks become a nuisance in patios and backyards or even in buildings, pest management professionals (PMPs) may be called to deal with the problem. Three female … [Read more...]
Ants: Carpenter Ants
We have several species of Carpenter Ants in the New England area and they can be red, black or a combination depending on their species. They enter homes from outside sources and can cause structural damage. These large ants will generally nest in dead trees, injured trees or old firewood depending on the species. They chew out clean galleys within the wood, dropping … [Read more...]
Ants: Odorous House Ants
Odorous House Ants invade homes and nest in cracks, wall voids and attics. They are a real nuisance to homeowners and will persist if not treated properly. It’s best to leave this pest to the professionals. They are known to have small numerous nests in and around the structure and if treatment isn’t done correctly the problem will get worse. Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma … [Read more...]
Bed Bugs
Bed Bugs like to hide in small cracks and crevices close to human environments. They come out at night or in low light for a blood meal. Found anywhere people are such as hotels, airplanes, trains, dormitories, movie theaters, office buildings and homes. These bugs are often transported when traveling. If you suspect you have bed bugs an inspection will be done to determine … [Read more...]
Bees: Carpenter Bees
Spring has finally arrived and as you sit on your porch or patio, the buzzing and chewing sounds of the carpenter bees working high up in the fascia boards dominate the quiet evening! Every spring brings the return of these large solitary bees. Every year they bore perfectly round, 3/8 inch holes into exposed wood surfaces, leaving piles of freshly chewed wood. Carpenter bees … [Read more...]
Beetles: Powder Post Beetles
The adult beetle is rarely seen but lays eggs in the wood after chewing through the surface. The larva feed off the interior of the wood for up to one year before becoming an adult beetle. The larva stage of the beetle is what does structural damage to buildings. A complete and thorough inspection is recommended. Powder Post Beetles (Lyctus brunneus) … [Read more...]
Centipedes
Centipedes are sometimes called "hundred-leggers" because of their many pairs of legs, but they can actually have anywhere from 15-177 pairs of legs, depending on the species. Interestingly, centipedes always have an odd number of pairs of legs. Habits Most house centipedes are nocturnal, and prey primarily on flies, spiders, and sometimes plant tissue. Habitat Centipedes … [Read more...]
