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.

No Obligation, Free Home Evaluation

There are many aspects to maintaining a healthy, safe, well-maintained home. It's not an easy job to keep the air filters changed, HVAC system checked twice per year, windows cleaned, lawn mowed, etc. I hate to add another item to your long to-do list... but it is important to have your home inspected by well trained professionals for pests and termites. Reach out and we'll coordinate a time that's convenient for you for a no-obligation, free home evaluation.

A Free Home Evaluation consists of a thorough look from a trained professional under, around, and inside your home. We're looking for visible termite activity, termite damage, water and moisture damage, evidence of pests, conditions conducive for future problems, and the condition of vents and ductwork.We provide a written report and upon request we'll provide an estimate for termite protection, pest control, mole control, mosquitoes, and fire ant yard treatments.

What is a Vole... yes, vole... not mole

It is still amazing the reactions I get when people find out that our company can in fact help with the small creatures that make big havoc of their yard. Moles are a hug nuisance in Middle Tennessee, especially to those folks battling to keep their lawn just right.

If moles are enough, we also deal with Voles! Voles, also known as field mice, are small rodents approximately 5 to 7 inches long. Their coats can be various colors from brown to gray and they have short tails, short legs and a thick furry coat. Unlike moles, voles create both above ground and underground passageways in the soil and they reproduce in large numbers. :Recently, we have found massive amounts of vole activity in Brentwood, Tennessee. Voles feed on vegetation, gnaw at your shrubbery, and cause damage to your grass and gardens.

Your solution to vole damage is quite simple. We will first come out for a no-obligation, free home evaluation. A trained professional will take a look at your yard to first identify and confirm the culprit. With voles confirmed, the treatment process included a two trips to bait.  Voles can return,,, our recommendation is that you bundle vole control treatments with either an on-going Mole Control Program and/or Perimeter Pest Control for general household pests.

Living with Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown Recluse Spiders are not agressive and most bites occur in response to pressure when a spider becomes trapped against bare skin. For this reason, bites are rare even in homes with severe infestations.

What can I do to avoid being biten?

• Keep items such as clothing, bedding, etc off the floor
• Shake out shoes and clothing before getting dressed
• Remove bed skirts and inspect bedding before going to bed
• If you store clothing, shoes, papers, etc use air tight containers and seal them with tape
• Reduce clutter and vacuum regularly under furniture
• Inspect and clean children's rooms often and keep toys in airtight storage containers
• Don't handle live spiders (not even glue board monitors)
• If you purchase a large item inspect it as carefully as possible before bringing it into your home
• If you will be using storage facilities have the unit treated before bringing items back into your homeI

If you believe that you have brown recluse spiders in your home or office, call us for an evaluation. We will come out to identify the spider, place 2-3 monitoring devices in each room, and return 2 weeks later to gather the results. Based on these finds we will customize a plan for your specific home or business. the plan will take into account type of construction, attic condition and use, number of spiders found, inaccessible areas, spider hiding spots, exterior type. While no one can guarantee elimination, All-American does promise that we will be very thorough and provide the best possible treatment to reduce the spider population.

For more information, reach out to us by phone or email.

 

 

 

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

Holy Moly!

Have you noticed raised mounds of soil in your yard? If so, you might have moles. It's been a while since we've talked about our mole program. We thought it was a good time to bring the subject up again. In Middle Tennessee, the eastern mole makes its home in tunnels underground and eats earthworms. They are rarely seen above ground.

They aren’t dangerous but they are a nuisance, especially if you work hard to maintain your lawn. Just like the comic in this post, most people keep trying to whack-a-mole, but the moles keep coming back. If you decide to inspect a run you think may be caused from a mole, take care not to sprain your ankle or injure yourself. People have been known to step in holes or collapse a tunnel of a mole.

If you think you have a mole problem, All-American's Mole Control program can help! The initial service involves three visits to your home where we inspect, map out the tunnels, identify the most active runs, bait, and reassess effectiveness.

We can get rid of the moles in your yard!. We'll create a treatment plan based on your specific needs and yard. We will even come back to reassess the situation and bait for new moles every other month. If you would like to learn more email or call.

Moles are a nuisance. We have heard lots of stories from clients about the trouble they have had. Let us know what you experience!

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!

 

Join Us for a Green Remodel Home Tour

The Home Builders Association Green Building Council hosts the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Remodel Tour

 

When:         Wed., Feb. 23rd @ 12:30 - 1:30 PM         

Location:   123 Clarendon Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205
                       
Who Should Attend?: Homeowners, Builders, Real Estate Agents

To register for the tour, please contact the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Home Builder's Association at:  [email protected]

Tour: Attendees will tour the home of Ward Cammack, one of the only NAHB Certified Green Remodel Homes in Middle Tennessee. The tour will consist of a 45 minute, four (4) stop tour that highlights the NAHB Green Remodel Program and Process, GeoThermal, Green Marketing from the realtors perspective and green interior upgrades.


About the Program: The NAHB Green Remodel Program can be applied to homes built before 1980. It is designed to demonstrate that during a remodel or renovation, at least a 20% reduction in energy and water usage is achieved. Additionally, the program emphasizes indoor air quality improvements. The Cammack household achieved an impressive 64% reduction in energy usage by upgrading the insulation and lighting packages and installing a geothermal heating and cooling system.

All-American Pest Control supports Green Building in Middle Tennessee. Erin Richardson serves as the HBA Green Building Council President. All-American Pest Control is an annual sponsor. 24% of all New Construction homes in Davidson and Williamson County were certified Green in 2010. All-American Pest Control offers three exceptional green services including Green Choice Pest Control, the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System, and Bora Care.

If you would like to sign up for a Free Home Evaluation, click here.

 

 

Termite Prevention Tips

Wow! There is a lot of really bad information about termites on the internet. I just did a quick search to see what is out there before writing this post and it's frustrating to me to read all the fear-based, scare tactics that companies use. 

Yes, termites are a concern and termites are difficult if nearly impossible for a do-it-yourselfer to tackle. That's why people like me are in business- we're here to help protect your home. But, no, you don't need to fear that your home is in imminent serious danger and you don't need to make a quick, fear based decision.

Here are three simple guidelines to help reduce risk of termites...

1) Keep Moisture Away from Your Home First and foremost, if you notice a water leak, moist door frames, soft wood, or standing water... don't delay, fix the problem.

2) Get rid of scrapwood, firewood, and old stumps around your home Check under your house to see if your builder left old 2X4s underneath your house, grind old tree stumps, and don't stack firewood directly on the ground. 

3) Have your house inspected regularly - at least once a year. It's a fact that there are termite colonies foraging in every acre in Tennessee. Regular inspections by a trained professional will help to detect potential problems early on. 

If you have more questions, give me a call or shoot me an email. 

All-American's Green Termite Protection To learn more about the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System, click here. 

Requiring only a few grams of bait (the size of a sugar packet), Sentricon is so effective that it has been recognized as a Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award winner for environmental responsibility! To schedule a free home evaluation, Give us a call!

More Pesky Pest Info from All-American:

HELP! I have termites!

Won't the termite go in between the stations and eat my house?