Redwine Pest Control Blog

Bed Bug DIY?

predwine — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:38:33 +0000

Many bed bug control DIY methods have produced some harmful results. According to this Consumers Digest article, “bedbug sprays and consumers’ misuse of them caused 111 illnesses . . .One case resulted in death.” Additionally, “The report blamed illnesses on overuse of the insecticides . . . Pyrethroids and pyrethrins, which are two compounds that are found in most sprays, were implicated in 99 of the illnesses.”

There are many DDIYs (Don’t Do It Yourself’s) that are best left up to professionals, namely, certain pest control methods including bed bug control. Read more at BedBugBoys.com . . .

Centipede Control

predwine — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 19:30:18 +0000

House Centipede – Photo courtesy of Gary Alpert, Harvard University, Bugwood.org

Centipedes, or “thousand-leggers,” as many have called them, are not welcome in many homes because of their intimidating nature. They prefer moist, damp locations inside and outside the house. They can be found in many areas of the home, most notably in basements and other areas where moisture is present, such as bathrooms and kitchens. They like sump pump areas, drains and cardboard boxes. Outside, they are found in areas such as mulch, under boards, wood, concrete slabs, inside walls, and other areas that may hold moisture.

Some house centipede control measures:

Eliminate as many moisture issues that you can.
Exclude centipedes by filling in/sealing cracks and crevices where centipedes may harbor themselves.
Dehumidifiers may help in reducing centipede populations.
Take caution when using pesticides. Be sure to follow all label instructions. Sprays and dusts can be used in helping to control centipedes.
One non-chemical option to help control centipedes is placing several glue boards in the areas where centipedes are found.

For more information:

House Centipedes, Penn State University College of Agricultural Sciences
Centipedes and Millipedes, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Millipedes, Centipedes and Sow Bugs, Colorado State University Extension

Are Insect Growth Regulators Effective in the battle Against Bed Bugs?

predwine — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 08:53:29 +0000

Are Insect Growth Regulators Effective in the battle Against Bed Bugs? Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) are used to control a variety of pests, inhibiting their growth from one stage to the next. IGRs are used effectively against termites, fleas and roaches, as well as many others.

We already know that the fight against bed bugs is an up-hill battle, making the insect the most difficult to eradicate. Therefore, one proposed arsenal in the war is against the pest is insect growth regulators.

This article, Shedding Light on IGRs and Bed Bugs, shows that IGRs have little to no effect when controlling bed bugs. The finding’s bottom line: “Based on these studies, [of such IGRs as] hydroprene and methoprene seemingly should have minimal effect on bed bug reproduction and development when used at label concentrations.”

Cicada Killers

predwine — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:47:52 +0000

Cicada killers are wasps that live up to their names, hunting down and killing cicada. They fly around, looking for their victims, initializing a paralyzing sting into the cicada. The female then carries the cicada back to her underground burrow. While her sting can be quite painful, the cicada killer rarely stings humans. In most cases, you can walk among them while they are working without being stung. It is only when they feel threatened that they would sting.

Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org

The photo taken by Ronald F. Billings, shows the female cicada killer in action. For more information:

Watch Out For The Cicada-Killer! – NC State University
Cicada Killer Wasps – University of KY Entomology
Cicada Killers – Purdue University