BUG OFF! Are Termites Eating You Out of House and Home? because they swarm at the same time. Termites have straight antennae, straight waists and equal-length wings. Apart from swarmers, there are other ways to identify termite problems. Mud tubes leading from the soil up the side of a foundation, raised mud mounds in the soil or hollowed-out wood along the grain are all signs. Termites can infest a building in several ways:
miticide is applied to the soil to create a continuous barrier. The best way to treat termites is to prevent them from arriving in the first place. Here are some ways to do so. * Remove stumps, roots, rotten wood, and similar materials from a property promptly. * Keep the building woodwork structure from touching the soil.
* Ventilation in foundations should keep the soil dry and unfavorable for termites. * Any wood that does touch the soil, such as fencing or deck posts, should be pressuretreated lumber. * Annual inspections can identify termite signs before they get out of hand.
* Wood-to-ground contact; * Foundation cracks; * Debris beneath the house; (MS) - Because termites do damage while inside of walls or other out-of-sight areas, homeowners often do not know they have an infestation until it's too late. Identifying signs of termites and getting situations under control early can save you money and structural damage. Termites are insects with six legs and three segments to their bodies. They generally feed on wood, paper, insulation, and even filtration materials. Termites are voracious eaters and will take down a living tree rela-
tively quickly. Termites develop in different stages from larvae to winged creatures. Subterranean termites burrow in tunnels beneath the ground or create raised mud tunnels. Drywood termites spend their time tunneling and eating through wood. Termites generally modify their surroundings to suit their preferences in temperature and atmospheric conditions. They'll remain in burrows or in tunnels until the time is right. This is why many termite problems go
unchecked --termites are good at keeping themselves hidden. It's only during termite swarms, when the winged subset of the species take to the air, that they are discovered. In nature, termites swarm to disperse and start new colonies. Triggered by warmer temperatures and rainfall, the winged termites emerge from the colony and fly into the air. The termites then drop to the ground, shed their wings and attempt to mate. Ants and termites are generally mistaken for one another
* Joints between porches and foundations; and * Pipes and the insulation around them. It often takes the keen eye of a professional to identify termite infestation. Even so, because of their cryptic nature, termites can go undiscovered for year -or until wood or drywall is uncovered. Termite treatment often requires the help of a professional exterminator. A chemical ter-
Use A Professional To Remove Pests
How to Protect Dogs From The ‘Dog Days’ of Summer (MS) - Few things can be as refreshing as a quick dip in the pool on a hot summer day. Summer humidity can get to almost anyone, including the family dog. But while most members of the family can dive into the pool or take a cold shower to cool off, man's best friend isn't so lucky. Keeping dogs cool in the summer should be a priority, as Fido certainly can't ask for the air conditioner to be turned up. Recognizing the need to cool down dogs during the summertime, the American Animal Hospital Association offers the following tips to protect pooches throughout the summer months. * Keep dogs out of the car. Temperatures inside a car can quickly reach 120 F, even on relatively mild summer days. So while your dog may be a great companion when running er-
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rands in the spring, winter or fall, leave him home in the summer. * Keep dogs well groomed. Long hair should be trimmed and keep hair mats clipped to help dogs survive the summer heat. However, don't shave down dogs to the skin because they may burn in the sun. * Build a dog house. While many homeowners now invite the family dog into the house, there are still some who prefer man's best friend live outdoors. Dog owners who keep their dogs outside should build adequate shelter that helps dogs survive midday heat and sun. Outdoor kennels should be well-ventilated and placed in a location that provides sufficient shade throughout the entire day, not just in the early morning or evening.
(MS) - Just as people seem to come out of dormancy when the temperature rises, so do all of the bugs that share our indoor and outdoor spaces. Many of the insects people encounter are relatively harmless and are more than content to stay out of individuals' ways. That doesn't negate the fact that there are plenty of people who are extremely skittish when it comes to bugs --especially when they are inside the house. Therefore they seek out any and all ways to rid bugs from the premises. Here are some methods to
consider. Call an exterminator: If bugs are a major issue, the choice is available to call in a professional exterminator. He or she will assess the insect problem and make a recommendation for a type of treatment. While many insect repellants have become much safer over the years, the potent products the exterminator uses may not be the best idea for houses where there are young children or pets, or you may have to stay out of the house for a few hours. The exter-
minator will be able to better inform you of the risks/benefits to treatment. Try greener approaches: There are products on the market today that attempt to control insects in a way that is safer to the environment and the residents of a home. Substances like
diatomaceous earth, boric acid, pyrethrin, and others may be safer for use if you're concerned about chemical applications. Many of these items serve as a descicant, drying out an insect to extinguish it. Others repel insects with a smell or taste.
Fleas Don’t Have to be Frequent Foes (MS) - If you have a pet or are frequently around pets, chances are you will experience one or more brushes with fleas in your lifetime. Fleas can quickly overrun your life, and knowing how to effectively and safely treat your pet and living spaces for fleas is essential. While there are no concrete statistics indicating how many cats, dogs and other pets are afflicted by a flea infestation every year, there is research that indicates fleas account for more than half of all dermatological conditions requiring veterinary assistance in pets and people. Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. They are not finicky as to where they arrive at their warm meal. Consequently, it's
not uncommon to find that anyone in a household where fleas are present can become game for the hungry flea. The parasites use this blood meal to produce eggs -- as many as 50 per day. In general, fleas are more nuisance than nemesis. Their bites inflict itching and redness. In hypersensitive individuals and animals, the irritation can be very intense. To understand how to win the war on fleas, it's important to learn about their behavior and preferences. Warm, moist weather is a haven for fleas, which is why many people equate the summertime with flea season. However, in areas where the mercury rises above 60 degrees earlier in the year, fleas may be more than just a
summertime concern. Treating both the animal and the environment is key to getting rid of fleas. However, many products are geared at treating one or the other. Typical flea carpet powders contain harsh, toxic chemicals, which cannot be used on animals and should be ap-
plied when people are not around. Flea collars and other medicinal applications are good for keeping fleas off of animals, but don't address fleas in the environment. Plus, both of these types of products are virtually ineffective at tackling fleas outdoors.