May 23, 2012 | Wildlife
There’s nothing like jumping in the pool on a hot summer day (well, a day that feels like summer anyways)! So that is exactly what my family and I did on Saturday. We went to my in-laws’ house and jumped right in the pool. We had just begun to cool off and enjoy the water when we noticed we weren’t alone. There was a mole in the pool!!!
The mole was quickly removed without incident and the fun continued but of course my mother-in-law had lots of questions about what it was doing in her yard, how did it get there, what is was looking for, and how does she get rid of them. So mother in law…this is for you!
Moles are mammals that live underground and occasionally come to the surface. Above ground, they breathe in oxygen and are able to re-use it to survive in low-oxygen environments such as underground burrows. When they surface, they cause damage. Mole damage is divided into two types: burrows and mounds. Burrows occur when moles search for food near the surface, causing soil to be raised in ridges. Mounds are created when moles burrow deep or tunnel under solid objects such as tree roots or sidewalks and push the soil to the surface.
Mole's runway system
Moles’ bodies and front claws are ideal for digging. Their hands are quite large for their bodies and include an extra thumb and multiple joints in other fingers. There are situations where mole damage is mostly visual, but in other situations they can destroy root systems in your yard, eventually killing the grass.
Damage caused by moles:
- Interference of mowing and planting
- Create weed invasion
- Damage plants
- Damage drainage systems and watercourses
The best way to get rid of a mole is by trapping or baiting the runs. The trick to mole extermination is to find the feeding tunnels vs. the travel tunnels. A professional animal removal service provider can distinguish between the two and can humanely remove the moles from your yard. Call Northwest Exterminating for mole removal.
What is the craziest thing you ever jumped in next to?
May 11, 2012 | Pest Control
How can something as small as a flea be such a huge pain? Pet owners are all too familiar with the annoyance of fleas because they make us AND our pets miserable. Fleas attach themselves to warm-blooded animals (pets and humans) and feed on their blood. A flea bite can cause discomfort, painful, itchy red bumps and can lead to an allergic reaction. In some cases, they can even transmit diseases like the bubonic plague, murine typhus and transfer tapeworms in pets.
To prevent fleas from becoming a pest in your home, clean and vacuum frequently. A clean home is a healthy home and will aid in the prevention of other pests as well. Cleaning will help to remove any fleas and their eggs. Maintaining a clean yard is just as important, especially if you have pets that go outside often. A well kept lawn with no debris or pet droppings will reduce the flea population around your home. Bathe pets regularly and apply a flea and tick treatment. Most importantly, call a professional exterminator if you have fleas in your home. A flea infestation can be very difficult to get rid of and is best left to the professionals so the problem does not continue to grow.
Interesting Flea Facts:
- The largest recorded flea measured almost ½ inch!
- Fleas consume 15 times their weight in blood each day. That is like a 140 lb. woman eating 8,400 burgers in one day!
- Fleas are the number one cause of allergies in cats and dogs.
- Fleas can live for about 100 days.
- Fleas don’t fly, they jump.
- A pair of fleas can produce 400-500 offspring in their lifetime.
- A flea can jump up to 8 inches high or 150 times its own height.
Got a flea problem? Call Northwest Exterminating for professional, effective flea control.
May 11, 2012 | Pest Control
How can something as small as a flea be such a huge pain? Pet owners are all too familiar with the annoyance of fleas because they make us AND our pets miserable. Fleas attach themselves to warm-blooded animals (pets and humans) and feed on their blood. A flea bite can cause discomfort, painful, itchy red bumps and can lead to an allergic reaction. In some cases, they can even transmit diseases like the bubonic plague, murine typhus and transfer tapeworms in pets.
To prevent fleas from becoming a pest in your home, clean and vacuum frequently. A clean home is a healthy home and will aid in the prevention of other pests as well. Cleaning will help to remove any fleas and their eggs. Maintaining a clean yard is just as important, especially if you have pets that go outside often. A well kept lawn with no debris or pet droppings will reduce the flea population around your home. Bathe pets regularly and apply a flea and tick treatment. Most importantly, call a professional exterminator if you have fleas in your home. A flea infestation can be very difficult to get rid of and is best left to the professionals so the problem does not continue to grow.
Interesting Flea Facts:
- The largest recorded flea measured almost ½ inch!
- Fleas consume 15 times their weight in blood each day. That is like a 140 lb. woman eating 8,400 burgers in one day!
- Fleas are the number one cause of allergies in cats and dogs.
- Fleas can live for about 100 days.
- Fleas don’t fly, they jump.
- A pair of fleas can produce 400-500 offspring in their lifetime.
- A flea can jump up to 8 inches high or 150 times its own height.
Got a flea problem? Call Northwest Exterminating for professional, effective flea control.
May 7, 2012 | Pest Control
The allegheny mound ant is a common ant found outdoors. They feed on small insects or arthropods that are found outside so they rarely have a need to make their way into a structure…but that doesn’t mean you will never find them inside.
Identification:
- 1/4″ long
- red bodies and black abdomen
- most often identified by the large mound that they build
The Mound:
The allegheny mound ant is known for the large mounds that they build. This is the easiest way to identify the species. Their mounds are made up of built up soil that can go up to 4 feet above soil and extend 3 feet deep into the ground. A 5 month old mound can be about 2 feet wide and 8 inches tall. A two year old mound can be up to 3 feet tall. These large mounds are mostly found in unkept grassy areas, pastures, nurseries, and turf.
Allegheny mound ants produce formic acid that can damage bushes, plants, and gardens. Formic acid can kill small trees and shrubs within 40-50 feet of a mound and the grass of your lawn that is located around a mound. Most new mounds are made in late May and early June. This can cause issues if you spend time in your lawn because the mound ants will bite if they feel like their colony is being disturbed.
Protect yourself and your lawn by hiring a professional exterminator that can eliminate ants around your home and prevent damage and harmful bites. Call Northwest Exterminating to get rid of your ant problems.
May 7, 2012 | Pest Control
The allegheny mound ant is a common ant found outdoors. They feed on small insects or arthropods that are found outside so they rarely have a need to make their way into a structure…but that doesn’t mean you will never find them inside.
Identification:
- 1/4″ long
- red bodies and black abdomen
- most often identified by the large mound that they build
The Mound:
The allegheny mound ant is known for the large mounds that they build. This is the easiest way to identify the species. Their mounds are made up of built up soil that can go up to 4 feet above soil and extend 3 feet deep into the ground. A 5 month old mound can be about 2 feet wide and 8 inches tall. A two year old mound can be up to 3 feet tall. These large mounds are mostly found in unkept grassy areas, pastures, nurseries, and turf.
Allegheny mound ants produce formic acid that can damage bushes, plants, and gardens. Formic acid can kill small trees and shrubs within 40-50 feet of a mound and the grass of your lawn that is located around a mound. Most new mounds are made in late May and early June. This can cause issues if you spend time in your lawn because the mound ants will bite if they feel like their colony is being disturbed.
Protect yourself and your lawn by hiring a professional exterminator that can eliminate ants around your home and prevent damage and harmful bites. Call Northwest Exterminating to get rid of your ant problems.
