Bats and Histoplasmosis
March 14, 2010 by Aaron Steen · Leave a Comment
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is a spore that can be found in bat droppings. When droppings are disturbed or cleaned up these spores can become airborne. If breathed in, the spores can develop a fungus in the lungs. This can cause breathing problems and make people very sick. Great care should be used when cleaning up bat droppings including wearing a respirator and gloves. Droppings can be sprayed with bleach and water to keep spores from becoming airborne.
Bats
March 8, 2010 by Aaron Steen · Leave a Comment
Bats that are staying in house attics and walls will remain inactive but can still move around on warm days. The more movement a bat makes the more energy they use which can kill them. Bats can actually mate during the winter if temps reach higher levels. Colonies can reach levels of 50 up to 1000. Young bats can reach maturity frequently in as little as 3 weeks. Mother bats can distinguish there own young by smell and sound.
Cigarette Beetle
February 27, 2010 by Aaron Steen · Leave a Comment
Cigarette Beetle
These pests got the name from the fact that they infest tobacco products. They are found all over the world. Cigarette beetle adults are about 2-3 mm long and brown in color. Females lay white colored eggs and adults will fly to reach food and breeding areas.
The cigarette beetle will infest such things as: coffee beans, cigarettes, pet food, paprika, and spices just to name a few. If discovered, all food or infested items should be discarded. Remaining food items should be placed in sealed containers. Grocery stores where products were purchased should be notified.
Live link to Bald Eagle Nest
February 26, 2010 by Aaron Steen · Leave a Comment
This is a really cool look at nature. It’s an active bald eagle’s nest up near the Decorah fish factory…. and as a today there is an egg! It’ s a great opportunity to teach kiddos (and adults) about the their world. Link below.
Daddy Longlegs, Cellar Spiders
February 18, 2010 by Aaron Steen · Leave a Comment
Cellar/Daddy Longlegs Spiders
Daddy longlegs have long legs about 2-8mm in length and are off brown colored. They are usually found along basement ceilings and front porches.
Daddy longlegs are harmless to people and feed on other insects and spiders. Pest control can be used to keep numbers down but homeowners can also remove webs and eggs to keep numbers down. They are the most common spider of homeowners in Iowa and many other states.
Ant control in iowa cornfield ants
February 12, 2010 by Aaron Steen · Leave a Comment
Ants and Ant control in Iowa Cornfield Ant
Brown to blackish and 2 to 3mm long. Feed on sweets and meat. Common nests are found in the lawn with large mounds. Cornfield ants are usually the main ant that invades picnic areas. Control in homes is not usually necessary but can be obtained with over the counter residual sprays and dusts. Cornfield ants will not cause any damage but simply are a nuisance. Treating large ant nests in the yard and then removing can help. Use boric acid or similar dusts
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Pillbugs
February 11, 2010 by Aaron Steen · Leave a Comment
Pill bugs
Pill bugs are found all over the world and in the U.S. When disturbed they will roll up into a ball and many people refer to them as “rolliepollies”. Pill bugs are about ¼ inch long and black colored. Pill bugs are not actually arthropods and not insects. They are confined to high moisture areas, thick vegetation, and under rocks, boards and structures. Pill bugs feed on decaying plant and animal matter and are harmless pests. Control can be achieved by removing grass clippings, mowing regularly, raking leaves and spraying on a normal basis.
bed bugs and roaches
February 3, 2010 by Aaron Steen · Leave a Comment
- Image via Wikipedia
Bed bugs and Roaches were on Verminators today. Interesting shows, killed the bed bugs with high heat and took several treatments to eliminate roaches in a restaraunt. http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/verminators/verminators.html
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Household Troublemakers
January 14, 2010 by Aaron Steen · Leave a Comment
In the state of Iowa there are a handful of ants that can become household troublemakers. The most famous are probably carpenter ants.
Carpenter ants will damage wood by chewing and excavating holes to make nests. Many times people will notice piles of “sawdust” which looks like someone just cut a board in the area. This is the wood they are getting rid of to make a nest.
Carpenters will swarm two or three times a year just like termites. When swarming, they fly and then drop their wings in an area they like. Hopefully, homeowners get them treated before they do damage to a wall or other areas of the home. The ants can reach large sizes even up to an inch long. They prefer to make the nests in softer, water damaged wood but this is not always the case.
New Spider Found
January 12, 2010 by Aaron Steen · Leave a Comment
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34810256/
A new spider species discovered in the Middle East is the largest of its type, but is reportedly endangered.