Watch Out For Wasps

It is that time of year when the bees and wasps are starting to look for lodging. That small paper wasp nest that formed in the spring time as grown to the size of a small city by now and yikes, they don't want you coming near them. When I say wasps, I mean one of the seven types of common wasps that can be a nuisance. Yellow Jackets, paper wasps, mud dauber wasps, hornets, potter wasps and pollen wasps, are all out making homes. Some are much more hot tempered than others, and they can cause some problems, so it is important to carefully consider whether you want to try to kill them yourself or hire a professional. There are many wasp and hornet sprays on the market that you can buy. Some are good and some are bad. What you don't want to do is buy a bad one, unless you can run like Forest. Some things to think about is how close is the nest and how large is it. If you have to climb a ladder and contort your body into a pretzel to get to a hornets nest the size of a basketball, you may want to call the pros. If it is a nest that is eye level and easy enough to get to, and there aren't a half million wasps living in the nest, then you may want to save the money and try it yourself. Whatever you do...be careful!

My Disclosure Policy

This blog is for entertainment purposes only, a place to get general information. It is not written by an entomologist. It is recommended that you seek the advice of a professional pest control  company before doing any pest control yourself or using any pest control poison or chemicals, as this can be deadly.

This policy is valid from 30 July 2012

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Kill Giant Bees

Have you ever gone out to your garden and notice what looks like sand soil dug out and wondered what was living in there? Then you notice it, the airplane of a bee hovering around the hole. Holy smokes! It's a flying cow. These bees that come out around this time are called cicada killers. A very large wasp that feed on nectar, but their young, the larvae, feed on cicada.
So what do you do? Well these wasps don't really hurt you if you leave them alone, but depending on where the holes are situated, you may need to eliminate them. I think the best approach is either to give a broad spray over the wasp and the holes, or dusting directly into the hole. Just use caution, and if you are nervous, call a pro.

German Roaches

German Roaches, food roaches, dirt roaches, however you call them, one thing is for sure, you don't want them in your home. These roaches do have a stigma attached to them, people often times think they are related to being dirty, this isn't so. Roaches can be brought into a home by an number of ways. Deliveries, shopping orders, visitors, infested neighbor houses can all be ways these roaches can find their way into your home. So what do you do once you see one?

Roaches can be easily treated if they are caught early. Using a good bait can be very effective. There are gel baits, stationary baits stations, powder bait. Baits like maxforce roach gel, advion roach bait stations, or avert roach powder are all very good to place out. One thing you don't want to do is spray pesticides and bait. You will cancel out the effectiveness of the bait.

Other products like victor roach pheromone traps are good to monitor your success. Another good product to use if gentrol. Gentrol acts by not allowing roaches to reproduce.

If you do decide to spray then I would advise reading the label carefully and using a product like Phantom, which is a product that is a non-repellent. You don't want to scatter the roaches, you want them to walk over the chemical without them even knowing it.

Lastly, what I would not advise, is using "bug bombs" or total release aerosols. These products often times drive the roaches deeper into hiding and makes the job to get rid of them even harder.

Become an Exterminator

So you have thought about starting your own pest control business and you are wondering if you have what it takes to be a professional. Well it's not as easy as filing the proper paper work and slapping a magnetic sign to your truck. There is so much that has to be learned in the field like chemicals, insects, local and federal laws, etc. Don't get me wrong, anyone can order the material from the Dept. of Agriculture and study what is nessassary to obtain your license. Once you have your licnese you need to apply for insurance and fill out the paper work for the state and bam, you are in business. I would not reccomend this path though, not unless you are truly dedicated to learning the trade. Maybe apply for a position with a pest control company first and then start the business.
Some things to think about would be do you wnat to specialize in just general pests, termites, wild life control, bed bug work, or all of the above? They are all good revenue streams, but again, it take learning.
Pest control is one of those businesses that is relative easy to start for a one man entreprenuer, but do ti the right way and you will be as successful as you want to be.