Bed Bug Monitoring Options

If you think you may have bed bugs...call a professional today. Whether it's All-American Pest or someone else. It doesn't matter... what matters is early detection and action. Currently, the industry offers very few effective bed bug monitoring options. Many creative, problem sloving, sleuths are out there trying to invent or develop an effective solution for bed bug prevention, monitoring and control, and I'm hoping some game changing products or devices or on the horizon.

Our freinds at Cooper Pest Solutions and Bed Bug Central, have spent hours of research to determine which monitoring options actually help to detect bed bug infestations at ultra low level infestations. Most all bed bug monitoring and detection devices work when there are 100 bugs. The question is which bed bug monitoring device works when there are only 5 bugs and the occupant is still unaware there is a problem.

We have found three physical devices to be particularly helpful in detecting the low level infestations. We define levels of bed bug infestations in three categories. A low level infestation is 1-20 bed bugs, a moderate level infestation is 21-100 bed bugs, and a high level infestation is over 100 bed bugs.

Mattress and Box Spring Encasements

Mattress and Box Spring Encasements are essential for bed bug control and monitoring. We recommend Protect-A-Bed mattress and box spring encasements with BugLock. Mattress encasements protect your bed and box springs from future infestations and drastically reduce future bed bug inspection/detection time. Not all encasements are created equal, it is important that you use Protect-a-Bed and/or MattressSafe encasements.

 Interceptor Devices

An interceptor device is a very simple device that can play a very important role in the battle against bed bugs. We recommend ClimbUPs. The device is a pitfall trap that is placed under the legs of a bed or furniture used for sleeping or resting. Bugs in other parts of the home or dwelling will travel in search of a blood meal and can be intercepted and trapped as they attempt to gain access to the beds or other furniture that is used for sleeping. For interector devices to work, remove bed skirts and blankets that touch the ground and pull you bed at least 3 inches from the walls.

NightWatch Bed Bug Monitor

NightWatch is an active bed bug monitor that is intended to detect bed bug infestations early. The device employs three distinct bed bug attractants, emitting both heat and CO2 to mimic a sleeping host as well as a chemical attractant that is effective with both immature and mature host-seeking bed bugs. This monitoring device is particularly helpful in vacant dwellings, pre-move  inspections, and environments where hosts are not sleeping on a regular basis. The crew at Bed Bug Central tested this device extensively, and it is essential to run the device for a minimum of 4 consecutive nights.

A visual bed bug inspection by a person is often not cost effective and sometime near impossible when hunting for an ultra low level bed bug infestation. Bed Bug Dog Inspectors is another option and a musch more viable option for ultra low levels than a human visual inspection. Dogs and handler teams have their drawback as well.

If you want a proactive approach to bed bug detection and/or you think you may have a problem, call today! 615-883-8526 We'll be glad to come out and help you to determine your risk level, prevent options, early detection options and/or develop an elimination plan, if needed.

Are you afraid of spiders?

The fear of spiders is the third most common fear… just behind death and public speaking. Here in Middle Tennessee we find 6 very common spiders. These spiders include the House Spider, Hobo Spider, Wolf Spider, Cellar Spider, Jumping Spider, Black Widow Spider and Brown Recluse Spider.

Our customers find that our Perimeter Pest Control program and/or our Green Choice Pest Control program are effective treatments to get rid of spiders. With both program, you get superior exterior treatments to stop spiders before they get inside your home. We create an invisible barrier by treating the foundation of your home, window sills we can reach, splash blocks, garbage cans, garage door openings, and door openings. Both the Perimeter Pest Control and Green Choice Pest Control program, provide you with additional protection for up to 47 different Middle TN pests including…

 

• Ants
• Crickets
• Firebrats
• Earwigs
• Silverfish
• Flies
• Roaches
• Fleas
• Wasps
• Clovermites
• Pillbugs
• Sowbugs
• Millipedes
• Centipedes
• Mice
• Rats
• Food Infesting Pests
• Beetles
• Weevils
• Fungus Gnats
• Spring Tails
• Lady Bugs
• Moths
• Boxelder Bugs and
• Carpenter Bees

Due to the nature of Brown Recluse Spiders, we recommend a bit more thorough process to reduce brown recluse spider populations. The process starts with a 2 week evaluation period to determine best treatment approach for your home and level of brown recluse activity.

If you need services for general spiders and/or brown recluse spiders, connect with us by phone, email or by filling out our Home Evaluation Form on our website.

Five Fun Facts about Ants

In Tennessee there are over 50 different species of ants.  Ants are everywhere.  To an ant, everything is a team effort - they grow and flourish in a team atmosphere.  Ants are strange little creatures and here are five facts about ants that prove it!

Fact #1 - Ants can lift over 20 times their own body weight.  We've all marveled at a solitary ant carrying off a leaf 100 times it's physical size.  Can you imagine if you or I could just pick up our cars and walk off with them?  Every ant IS a super hero!

Fact #2 - In an ant colony, every individual has a role through a caste system.  Some are workers, some are soldiers and a select few are queens.  Worker ants provide for the day to day maintenance of the colony and the queen, while soldiers provide the defense.  Queens have the big responsibility of laying eggs to keep the colony thriving.  Each ant knows it's role and sets out every day to perform it's assigned task, making an ant colony one of the most efficiently run organizations in the natural world.

Fact #3-  Ants follow trails left by scout ants to find food.  If a route is blocked off, ants will attempt to go around the blockage to find the shortest route to the source.  Once a route is found, an ant lays down pheromones to notify the other ants of the easiest route.  Not only that, but ants actually use their antennae to smell these trails to get to that food!

Fact #4 - With the exception of the Australian Bull Dog Ant, most species of ants have poor eye sight.  Ants, like most insects, have compound eyes.  Meaning that each of it's eyes has multiple lenses.  Some species of ants are even completely blind, sensing the world through other means. 

Fact #5 - Ants "talk" to each other.  Ants use pheromones to do more than just make a trail to the nearest food source.  They can alert other ants to a predator and confuse other colonies of ants to get them to fight amongst themselves.

Ants are pretty amazing creatures that have existed for millions of years.  They have been found in amber fossils and are on every continent except Antarctica.  You can start to understand why once you learn what these amazing little creatures are able to do.

 If you have an ant problem in your home we have a few options on how you can get rid of them within your home. One of our best services is our Perimeter Pest Control service. Check it out. We can take care of them for you.

Nashville's Biggest Pest Problem... ANTS!\

Ants are the New Termite

Perimeter Pest Control Service

Quick Tips for Checking Hotel Rooms for Bed Bugs

 
Bed Bugs are our new reality, but no bug is going to keep me from traveling. To keep bugs away, I recommend a simple, quick inspection when you first arrive in your hotel room. Quick Tip #1: Check the headboard!  The headboard in a hotel is the bed bugs favorite place. Why not the bed, you ask? The coming and going of the hotel house keeping, frequent bed linen changes and mattress flipping encourages the bug to snuggle up in the less disturbed head board. To check a head board, it's best to have a partner to help you lift it off the wall. Look for bugs and spotting (small brown dots). If you see something that looks like spotting and you're not sure there is a simple test. Quick Tip #2: Take a wash rag and wipe over the suspect spot- if it smears it's likely a sign of bed bugs. 

If you find bed bugs or evidence of bed bugs, go tell your hotel staff. They should inspect and get you a new room promptly. Quick Tip #3: If the hotel responds promptly with sincere earnest, forgive them! I promise hotels do not want bed bugs anymore than you do! They want you as a repeat customer. Hotels face a particularly difficult (and expensive) challenge when it comes to bed bugs due to the fact that daily, new visitors may bring bugs with them.

For practical, honest bed bug information, email Erin Richardson. For a 7 Step Program that Eliminates Bed Bugs, call today!

 

Nashville's Biggest Problem Pest... ANTS

Ants, ants, ants... Ants are Nashville's biggest problem pest. Even do-it-yourself folks fall short when attempting to eliminate these pesky, persistent little creatures. 

Ants are social insects, live in colonies, and enter your home to find food. Ants will feed on practically every kind of food, but the ones entering your home are primarily looking for sweets and protein. If you have had an ant problem in the spring in Middle TN, chances are you felt frustrated and overwhelmed in trying to get rid of the problem. Ants can get the best of even the most seasoned, knowledgeable professional.

One of the most time intensive (and elusive), but important part of the treatment process is the inspection. It's imperative to study the ants. Put on your Crime Scene Investigation gear and look for trails, patterns, water sources, water damage, leaks, food sources. Depending on where the ant problem area is in your home, you may want to pay special attention to possible nesting areas including electrical face plates, waterlines, door frames, window panes, AC vents, crown molding, baseboards, dishwashers, and food containers, On the outside of your home, pay close attention to trailing and nesting under splash blocks, landscape and mulch beds, trees, firewood, porch columns, fire place base, cracks in brick and wood, weep holes, etc.

As far as treating for ants, at All-American Pest, we usually get our best results with baits. We use a combination of materials to zap the persistent household ant. But, in Nashville, our weapon of choice would be a bait. 

All-American's Perimeter Pest Control Program To learn more about our Perimeter Pest Control Program, click here.

No Hassle. No Pests. All-American’s perimeter pest control program targets ant problems and then sets up an invisible barrier outside your home that keeps pests from getting back in. To schedule a free home evaluation, Give us a call!

More Pesky Pest Info from All-American:

• Ants are the New Termite
• What does a Fire Ant Mound Look Like
• What do I do about FLEAS!

                                  

Students love bugs in Nashville, TN

Jim Bilbrey, our entomologist at All-American, loves to visit classrooms to talk about his favorite subject... bugs!  Here's are some sweet notes from some of the students along with some fabulous artwork:

Dear Mr. Bilbrey,

Thank you for coming to our school. I liked seeing the bugs a lot. I had a great time. When I grow up I want to work were you do if I can. I hope you can come back soon.
Sincerely,
Jena

Dear Mr. Bilbrey,

I like when you bring out the butterflies. It was cool. And I want to be an etymologist like you and your wife. Why do you put butterflies in a refrigerator? I just want to know. It looked cool to me. Sometimes I look at insects in an insect book sometimes.
Your friend,
Jillian

Dear Mr. Bilbrey,

Thank you. I love bugs. Can you bring me some bugs? I would really appreciate it. I have a lot at home. These are the living bugs I have... 3 worms, 5 beetles, 5 ground worms, 6 ants and 1 wasp. I love bugs.
Love,
Andrea