Go to Pests in the News

Spiders

These structural invaders are searching for protected areas around homes, and inside too, for an over-wintering area.  Knocking webs down alone won't deter their persistence. 

Rodents

This is the time of year when rodents, including squirrels, also look for a more hospitable environment to over-winter.  They certainly prefer your home over living outdoors.  Steps should be taken to seal entryways and preventatively prepare for their invasion.  Rodents can also do serious damage to wiring and other important items of your home or business.  Pest management companies are prepared and knowledgeable in dealing with these pests.

Lady Beetles

Question - What are more numerous and more obnoxious than a roomful of California gubernatorial candidates?

Termites

While working around the yard be sure to watch for signs of termite activity. These include mud tubes on foundations and also damaged wood. Also look for small wings on window sills or doorway threshold. These are evidence of termite activity. Be sure to not allow any structural untreated-wood to come in contact with the soil. Even treated wood should be inspected periodically for signs of activity especially larger dimensional lumber used for support piers.

Mature termite colonies start new colonies by means of swarming, which is the colony's release of alates (winged reproductive termites) in great numbers. Colonies usually take several years of development before they will actually swarm. During this time before first swarms they focus on building their colony. An indoor swarm means that the termites are likely infesting the structure. It's a good idea to get the building inspected and make a determination of whether or not a treatment is necessary. While working around the house, keep an eye out for mud tubes on the foundation or hollow sounding wood, don't let your guard down just because you haven't had a swarm. Infestations can also start from roof areas where conditions permit alates (swarmers) to start a colony.

Unfortunately, in South Carolina we have a more damaging termite spreading through the state. This termite is the formosan (Coptotermes sp.) while our native species is the Eastern Subterranean (Reticulitermes sp.). In 2000 formosans were found in Rock Hill and they have been infesting structures in Charleston for many years causing millions of dollars in damage. They also have spread into North Carolina in the Spindale/Ruth area of the state. These termites do considerably more damage in a shorter period of time. It's best to take action when these are found. Formosans can swarm year-round but they usually occur in the evening which sets them apart from our native species.

The best preventative measure is to have your home inspected annually by a professional. Today's termiticide treatments provide a shorter period of protection lasting only three to seven years but pest control companies have many new effective tools at their disposal to combat this menace that causes over $2 billion dollars in damage per year in the United States alone.

There have been recent improvements in both termite baiting systems and in termiticide tools. A new termite baiting system is being introduced by Whitmire Micro-Gen which nearly eliminates termite disturbance in the baiting process, a problem most systems incur. It also has a greatly improved station design which provides for an overall more effective system. 

Again, the most important measure for structural protection from termites is detection which simply involves having a professional annual inspection of your property.

Bedbugs

Bedbug infestations are on the rise. Pest control companies have reported a tenfold increase in bedbug service calls in Florida since 1999 and NC State also reports an increase in these insects being sent to them for identification. Bedbugs have been associated with filthy conditions but this isn't so and even upscale hotels can have infestations. The increased use of Integrated Pest Management techniques in pest management are thought to be the cause. Practices such as the use of baits, which target specific pests like the cockroaches, leave secondary pests in the ecosystem uncontrolled, allowing them to flourish.