But homeowners also get a daunting reminder of potential problems which loom in the form of termite swarms each year around this time.  And this May, like many before, residents all over the metro area are seeing swarms of Formosan termites looking for food in the form of wood.

New Orleans has a long and difficult history with termites; even Katrina couldn’t remove them from the city. They plague our homes and cause billions of dollars worth of damage every year; and springtime is when they come out in full force and sometimes cause the sky to fill with swarms of insects.   Those unfamiliar with termites are amazed at the speed in which they can spread when swarming.  For instance, a home that one day has just a few termites in it might have thousands in just a few days.

How to Identify Termites

There are primarily 3 types of termites native to southern Louisiana.  They are:

• Native subterranean termites (reticulitermes) are found state wide and are the species that is the target of most termite control jobs.
• Formosan termites (coptotoermes) are presently found in the southern most part of the state, especially in the New Orleans and Lake Charles areas.
• Drywood termites are seldom found in our area in numbers compared to native and Formosan types.

If you go out around dusk and see a swarm flying around a light post or your back porch, those are most likely Formosan termites.  Here are a few signs that termites may be around your home or business:

• You see swarms of insects near your home or property between April and July.
• You see signs of damage around your home such as wood damage.
• You find mud trails in or around properties; if you can follow this trail, it’s likely to take you to a nest.
  

Dealing with the problem

The good news is that extensive research over the past decade is opening the door to new treatment options. Many local universities and even the New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control offices are dedicating tremendous resources to research that monitors termite activity and tests new control methods.

Predicting the severity of each termite season is difficult, but this makes it all the more important to always be vigilant in your efforts to keep your property in peak condition to make it less appealing to termites.  A few tips include:

• Maintenance – Leaking faucets should be fixed; rotting wood should be replaced, and trees and shrubs should be kept trimmed and away from the house.

• Attention – Watch for signs of mud or bug trails, even slight property damage or swarming. All are signs of activity and should be reported and investigated further.

• Prevention – Annual inspections with a professional pest control agency, such as Dial One Pest Control, should be scheduled to ensure prompt detection.  If you wait until there are obvious signs of an infestation it may too late to treat the problem without incurring major expenses.  But regular monitoring and inspections can help catch problems before they become severe.

Photo Credit:  Scott Threlkeld/The Times-Picayune

http://www.nola.com/northshore/index.ssf/2010/06/swarming_termites_cause_a_stir.html

Raccoons often chose warehouses and industrial sites over residential neighborhoods as they are usually in somewhat less populated areas and are sometimes near forests or protected areas. And unfortunately, all too often raccoons find themselves stuck in machinery or even electrocuted when trying to find a quiet place to nest inside an industrial facility such as a power plant.

Raccoons in Louisiana

Fortunately for most nature lovers, raccoons are very common critters in Louisiana. Raccoons seek out our warm climate, close proximity to water and have even become accustomed to living in the shadows of humans.

One of the reasons they thrive, especially in Louisiana, is that raccoons have learned to adapt our habitat to suit their needs. For example, raccoons are commonly found living underneath houses in the space under raised houses or in large docking warehouses – of which there are many in south Louisiana. Anywhere sheltered, close to a food source (which could be something as simple as an opened trash can) and reasonably quiet (though not essential) will suit a raccoon perfectly. Warehouses, industrial sites and places of work are especially susceptible due to the limited hours of human contact.

The Importance of Pest Control in Industrial Situations

It is vital that companies with plants, factories and warehouses take the necessary precautions to prevent damages from raccoons, pests and other nuisance wildlife from occurring for humane reasons, as well as to prevent the interruption of business. With the assistance of a pest control company such as Dial One Franklynn Pest, businesses can put a trapping program in place which will catch pests like raccoons before they cause a problem so they can be safely and humanely relocated to a safe environment.

We recommend that business and plant managers make a commitment to assessing and preventing the risk of an animal damaging your invaluable industrial equipment and operations. A few pieces of advice we can offer include:

• Secure the parameter to your property to ensure wildlife stays outside.
• Set up regular maintenance schedules to check for signs of raccoons in or around machinery.
• If you find signs of wildlife inside, call Dial One Pest control to eliminate the problem immediately.
• Never attempt to catch or trap wildlife on your own.

Should you, or one of your staff, find yourself confronting a raccoon face to face, please remove yourself from the area and call a professional. While raccoons may appear small and furry, they have been known to bite humans and carry a range of diseases including the rabies virus. If you are bitten by a raccoon, please seek medical aid immediately; otherwise, call one of our fully equipped members of staff to remove the raccoon safely for you.

The truth is that most of us will never catch an alligator ourselves, much less jump in the water with one.  But here in south Louisiana alligators are everywhere, and they can be quite dangerous when they come in close contact with people, livestock or pets.

Important – It is illegal in the state of Louisiana to harass, kill or attempt to re-locate an alligator without proper permitting.  If you have concerns about a nearby alligator, contact The State of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries office nearest you as the state is the ONLY organization that can legally remove an alligator.

What is a “nuisance” alligator?

Just because an alligator is in the area does not make them a “nuisance” alligator.  In New Orleans we often live near the water or enjoy activities on the water such as boating and fishing and may eventually come in contact with alligators.

For an alligator to be classified a nuisance, it must meet the following criteria:

Nuisance alligators are usually over 4 foot long

• Alligators under 4 foot long tend to be naturally scared of humans and larger wildlife.
• Alligators under 4 foot long may be displaced from their nests during mating season by larger alligators and will move on quickly by itself within a week or two; thus not categorizing itself a nuisance.

Nuisance alligators display extra signs of confidence around humans

• Feeding alligators can increase their human contact and encourage their nuisance behavior.
• If an alligator hisses, it is a sign of defense – move back from the alligator immediately.
• If an alligator leaves water and walks directly to you – it is a nuisance alligator.

Nuisance alligators pose a threat to animals, pets and livestock

• Alligators are intrigued by any items which mimic their natural food source and are curious.
• If an alligator moves toward fishing equipment, boating equipment or an inanimate object in your area it may not be a nuisance alligator – simply move back or remove the item from view.
• If an alligator leaves water and moves directly toward you – it is a nuisance alligator.

Did you know about nuisance alligators?

• They are responsible for over 2,200 complaints to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries each year!
• They are often harvested or relocated to safer areas. Over 3,000 alligators are re-homed annually!
• They have a dedicated program committed to minimizing alligator and human conflicts.

Alligator safety tips

There are several key points to remember if you encounter an alligator, nuisance or otherwise:

• State Law prohibits the killing, harassing, molesting or any attempts to move alligators.
• State Law also prohibits the moving or keeping of alligators as pets or for other intentions.

If you encounter an alligator, please remember these ‘do not’ tips:

• Don’t allow small children to play in or around water unsupervised.
• Don’t swim at dusk or dawn as this is when alligators predominantly hunt.
• Don’t feed or entice alligators.
• Don’t leave meat or other food or fishing remains near water.

The best action you can take when dealing with an alligator is to call your nearest LDWF office.  Local pest control companies such as Dial One Pest Control are not licensed or staffed to handle alligator removal.

Enjoy Louisiana wildlife – but safely!

So go on, get outside and enjoy the rich wildlife we are so lucky to have in south Louisiana!  Feed the ducks, go fishing, go for a walk in the park, but if you come across an aggressive alligator make your first call to Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries!

While enjoying this wildlife is a part of life for Louisiana residents, it not as much fun when it enters your yard, home or business.  Raccoons and opossums can tear up your house or injure your pets, armadillos will root up your garden, snakes can be dangerous and a coyote might harm your small pets.

When the wildlife ceases to be something simply to be enjoyed and starts invading your daily life, you will begin to understand where the phrase “nuisance wildlife” comes from.

Safety First When it Comes to Wildlife

The best way to stay safe is to become educated about the types of wildlife in your area, especially before entering areas where wildlife is known to habit.  Please remember, while you may consider these animals fun to watch or have around, they may potentially be dangerous, especially if they become scared or become cornered and are prevented from escaping.

This is also the primary reason why we suggest calling a nuisance wildlife professional rather than trying to capture or remove these animals yourself.  Safety is paramount at Dial One Pest Control and we provide fully qualified staff to help resolve any wildlife conflicts you may encounter.  In fact, our own Marcus Azzarello is one of only a handful of NWCOA Certified wildlife Control Experts in the state of Louisiana!

Safety tips for nuisance wildlife in Louisiana

Two of the most important legal tips to remember are as follows:

• It is against Louisiana State Law to remove a protected animal without a permit.
• It is against Louisiana State Law to kill a protected animal without a permit.
• Protected animals are those such as raccoons, opossums, squirrels, certain snakes and alligators.

Following these laws; please remember the following when in an area with known wildlife:

• Never feed wild animals!! Feeding wild animals can cause serious complications.
• Always use trash services provided at fishing spots, marinas, campgrounds or other similar areas.
• Practice extra caution around areas where dangerous animals are known to be found such as bayous and canals.
• Never try to capture or remove a wild animal on your own.

Useful ways to secure your home against nuisance wildlife

• Make sure the perimeter of your home is securely sealed so that animals may not easily enter the home.
• Keep grass mowed to prevent animals from nesting.
• Do not store logs or mounds of dirt as animals can use this to build homes.
• Do not leave domestic animals outside or in weak shelters.
• Routinely check your home for signs of animals nesting in the area.
• Maintain strict control over potential food sources such as pet food, garbage cans, etc. to ensure they do not attract wildlife.

Resolving wildlife conflicts
Dial One Pest Control is fully committed to resolving wildlife conflicts in southeastern Louisiana. Should you identify a nuisance animal that you are unable to safely deal with yourself, please call one of our professionally trained members of staff who will be able to remove and relocate the animal to a safer environment on your behalf.

Please call a professional today to minimize the risk to you and your family should you have an open conflict with a nuisance animal.

But where do you draw the line with things you do yourself versus those you hire a professional for?  Do you cut your own hair, handle your own taxes, or re-roof your own house?

How about pest control ?  Our customers often tell us that they’ve unsuccessfully tried to handle pest control on their own before calling us.  So let’s take a look at the common issues we find with trying to manage pests on your own.

What is DIY Pest Control?

DIY pest control is simply pest control that you can carry out yourself, using items purchased in local store or online. These products promise a long array of solutions for problems that you can manage yourself such as:

• Bait stations, poisons and traps for rodents, mice, roaches, etc.
• Bed bug kits and sprays
• Mosquito control chemicals and misting systems
• Ant control products
• Termite control  sprays

These DIY pest control methods are advertised as “easy,” “safe,” and “cost-effective,” but are you really sure what these products do and where you should be placing them in your home?  Secondly, do these products actually work as advertised? And lastly, do you really save money with these products if they don’t fix the problem or cost you time and money to deal with them?

Problems associated with DIY pest control

DIY pest control sounds like a great solution – it seems to be affordable, you can treat when and where it suits you and it looks easy enough. However, there are some dangers and questionable success rates that other companies might not inform you about.

Please understand that we do not wish to alarm anyone or cause undue stress.  However we do wish to inform our clients that applying chemicals in or around a household environment takes special training as well as an understanding of what the products do and how they are intended to work.  Our technicians go through extensive training in this area.  So before you spray something in your home, please understand that it may not be quite as simple as it sounds on the product label.

Potential concerns with DIY pest control products:

• Misidentification of the pest or use of inappropriate control methods
• Using harsh or abrasive chemicals which can be harmful to your family or pet’s health.
• Failure to fully eradicate the insects.
• Missing signs of further infestations from the same or other insects.
• Not solving fundamental problems such as closing the entry points pests are using to enter your home and eliminating their potential food sources will cause the pests to return.
• Incurring additional expenses when an infestation spreads or further damage occurs, especially with termites.
• DIY Pest Control solutions are much less effective than industry standard solutions.
• DIY Pest Control solutions may not be Eco-friendly and could damage the environment.

Why call a professional?

The most common complaint we hear with new customers is that they have tried these DIY pest control products and ultimately been unable to fix the problem.  Thus, the failure of DIY methods is always a good reason to call a professional.

Dial One Pest Control offers a wide range of solutions to meet every individual requirement. Whether you are a homeowner, tenant or a commercial property manager, we have the right solution for you.

Dial One Pest offers:

• Affordable services – Professional doesn’t have to mean expensive and Dial One Pest will work with you to create a custom package that doesn’t break your budget.
• Qualified staff – Reduce the risk to family, staff and pets by using a highly trained pest control professional. This also eliminates the risk of misuse of chemicals and other risks.
• Experience – Dial One Pest has been in the industry for over 40 years and has a long history of meeting pest control needs.
• Board Certified Entomologist – Dial One Pest has the one and only board certified entomologist in Louisiana serving the pest control industry
• Guaranteed Service – We work n the problem until it is solved and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee

Most humans naturally fear snakes and most urban residents can’t readily distinguish a poisonous snake from a non-poisonous snake. There are farmers and ranchers in rural areas who encourage certain non-poisonous snakes to take up residence in a barn, for example, to keep the rodent population down. But most people would prefer to get a cat instead!

As harmless as some snakes can be, most people don’t want them around and in that case they are a nuisance, and removing a snake from your property can be a dangerous proposition.

When you have a problem with snakes

The truth is that non-poisonous snakes are not a problem. Some handlers have been bit hundreds of times with no adverse effects. The harm done by a non-poisonous snake largely involves creating fear and maybe stress on the part of the victim; however, bacterial infections can occur at the site of the bite.

A bite from a poisonous snake is a different thing. It will cause swelling, turn tissue dark blue-black, and cause tingling and nausea. A pit viper bite, from copperheads, rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths like those that make their homes in southern Louisiana, show two fang marks. Poisonous snake bites can also cause death but that danger is probably exaggerated in the minds of most people; however, side effects can cause long term disability or possibly loss of limb.

How to keep snakes away

The best way to get rid of snakes is to take away their habitat. Outdoors this might mean removing shelter from wood piles or raised structures like patios and decks. Snakes can also reside in heavy vegetation so keep your gardens neat and trim if possible and the grass cut.

Snakes also like to get indoors when conditions are suitable, especially if they are attracted to rodents and insects which are the major sources of food for snakes. Snakes often like cool, dark, and damp areas associated with buildings.

You have to close off all entry points to keep a snake out of a house or building. That includes openings 1/4 inch and larger. Places to check are corners of doors and windows, and around water pipes and electrical service openings. Holes in masonry should be sealed with mortar, and holes in wooden buildings can be sealed with mesh, hardware cloth or sheet metal.

If none of these methods work, or you just don’t have the time or patience to manage this checklist, it is time to call a professional.

Safely removing snakes

If you are one of the many people that can’t tell a poisonous snake from a harmless one, do not attempt to deal with your own snake problem. However, if you are brave enough to try a “do it yourself method” there are several brands of snake traps and repellants on the market.

But ultimately the best way to deal with a snake problem is catch and removal, and this should always be done by a trained wildlife control professional . Dial One Franklynn Pest Control uses humane catch and remove wildlife control methods, and is also a state approved wildlife removal company.

Raccoons have a wide range across America, and unfortunately, they have become used to living with and around humans. They do not fear us as a predator. Yet, we can certainly fear or, at least, be annoyed by their behavior when they’ve decided to take up residence nearby, sometimes even in our homes.

When you have a raccoon problem

You obviously do not want a raccoon problem. They can cause damage or just be a plain nuisance. When you note some unwanted to damage to your property or even a problem with a pet, you often can identify raccoons as your problem by their distinctive tracks.

While few New Orleans area residents keep poultry, raccoons can wreak havoc on them in more rural areas such as the NorthShore. They’ll kill young poultry and steal eggs from a nest, eating them on the spot.

Raccoons can also destroy the nests of your favorite song bird or even a wood duck nesting box. They’ll damage your vegetable garden or destroy your backyard watermelon patch. They’ll steal your pet’s food and scare and annoy that pet.

Worst of all, they may invade your home, the attic or even the chimney, and use the space for their new home. They’ll tear up your attic and it will be become their personal outhouse. It is not a situation that you can tolerate for very long. They’ll tear open the fascia to get into the attic. They’ll even tear up a screen door to get to that pet food.

Of all the wild animals you encounter, the raccoon is the most likely one to carry rabies, which is 100% fatal in humans if not treated.

How to prevent and control damage

The best method to prevent and control damage is to keep raccoons out when possible. Use tightly covered doors and windows on buildings when you want to keep them out. They are good climbers and are capable of bypassing many fences.

You also have to eliminate their food source, which means keeping your garbage cans equipped with tight fitting lids that will defeat the animal’s efforts to get in. Also if you have pets and store the food in the garage, make sure it’s stored within a metal container or one that’s difficult to open.

You can also cap and screen your chimney to prevent access to the attic, and you can remove overhanging limbs that enhance a raccoon’s access to your roof.

Trap and remove

Trapping is the preferred method for getting rid of raccoons but it’s not quite as easy as it sounds. Raccoons are crafty animals and very comfortable around humans. As such, they are often trap-shy and hard to catch. What’s worse if you could potentially trap the wrong type of animal such as the neighbor’s dog or cat! And even if you do capture the animal, you should bring it at least 10 miles away to release it – and be careful when you do!

If yourraccoon trapping efforts fail and you aren’t successful with trapping on your own, it’s time to call a professional. Dial One Franklynn Pest Control uses trap and remove nuisance wildlife control methods, and we are also a state approved wildlife removal company.

Opossums are found throughout most of America, except the western plains states, and usually resemble big gray rats. They are mammals usually about the size of a house cat. They can and often are a nuisance animal in human areas. They have prominent canine teeth, which are just plain fangs.

Opossums can live in a variety of habitat, from wooded areas to open fields. They like to be near water. They take shelter in the burrows of other animals, tree cavities, brush piles and under other cover. They can become a nuisance near humans.

When you have an opossum problem

The biggest problem for humans is an opossum takes shelter in attics or garages. When they do so, they cause a horrible mess. Near humans, they’ll get into garbage, bird feeders, and pet food. They’ll destroy poultry, game birds and their nests.

And never try to corner or trap on opossum on your own as they can and will bite with their very sharp teeth!

How to prevent and control damage

The best method to control damage from armadillos  is to try and keep them away when possible. Step one is to remove the source of food, or contain it in a method that makes it difficult or impossible to get to for the animal. That may mean you have to store garbage cans with tight fitting lids that will defeat the animal’s efforts to get in.

Step two is to make it difficult for them to find shelter. A common hiding place in Louisiana homes is near a wood pile for firewood or underneath raised structures like decks or patios. It’s also a good idea to use tightly covered doors and windows on buildings when you want to keep them out. They are good climbers and are capable of bypassing many fences.

If possible, sometimes you can hot wire a fence with an electric charger and that increases the fence’s effectiveness.

Trap and remove

The good news is that opossums are not especially trap wary, and are relatively easy to trap and remove. You can avoid using kill-traps and you can also use bait that will appeal to opossums and not to cats or dogs, for example.

However, even if you catch one in a trap, releasing them is not easy as opossums can be dangerous when cornered as mentioned earlier. That is why we always recommend letting the professionals to set and remove traps for this large of an animal.

If exclusion efforts fail and if you can’t encourage them just to go someplace else, call Dial One Franklynn Pest Control. Dial One Franklynn uses trap and remove nuisance wildlife control  methods, and we are also a state approved wildlife removal company.

Armadillos are fairly small, weighing about eight to seventeen pounds. It is about the size of an opossum. It can roll its protective armor, covering its head, body, and tail, up into a ball.

Armadillos are burrowing animals and the damage they cause is related to the way they build their dens and look for food. They are used to humans and you often can find one living much too close. And unfortunately, they are becoming all too common near homes and businesses across southern Louisiana.

Armadillos may be cute, but they can cause problems

Just because armadillos appear cute and harmless does not mean you want them around your yard as they can not only be a nuisance, but they can also cause real damage to your property. They will root in your lawn, your vegetable garden and even your flower beds. They’ll dig up your yard looking for their favorite foods, grubs and earthworms.

Worse, they can undermine foundations, sidewalks, and driveways. Sometimes, they’ll even keep you awake at night, rubbing their shells against your house.

And never forget, armadillos may also carry bacteria that can cause leprosy. So no matter what you do, never try to handle or catch these animals yourself!

How to prevent and control damage

People usually turn to armadillo traps first to try and contain the problem. The traps must be large enough to allow the armadillo to enter as they may not be able to enter smaller traps with their large shells. However, successfully baiting these traps can be a problem as armadillos prefer worms which are not easy to keep in a conspicuous place.

The best method to prevent and control armadillo damage is exclusion, when possible. Armadillos can climb and burrow but you can use a fence to keep them out. You have to slant the fence outward to prevent climbing and you have to bury part of the fence to prevent burrowing. The cost of this type of exclusion can add up, and you may well not want to have an outward facing fence running all around your property line.

You can also discourage their residence close by with removing anything they can use for cover. They do not like having their burrows our in the open and will go someplace else to find cover.

Trap and remove

If exclusion efforts fail and if can’t encourage them just to go someplace else, it’s time to call a nuisance wildlife control professional. Dial One Franklynn Pest Control uses traps to humanely remove nuisance wildlife and relocate them to a more appropriate area. We are also a state approved wildlife removal company which means we have received special training and certifications in the safe and humane methods for dealing with animals such as armadillos when they get too close for comfort.

Spider Facts
All spiders have jaws. Some have large strong jaws; others have rather small unnoticeable jaws.
Every spider can bite, but only a few have the ability to cause serious health problems. The Brown Recluse and the Black Widow are the most notorious and should be taken very seriously. It is not recommended that an untrained individual identify these species for the purpose of control or medical treatment. Misidentification can lead to improper medical treatment and serious health complications.
Unsuccessful control of dangerous spiders is not acceptable!

Photo Credit: Flickr.com

Diagnosing spider bites

It is no surprise that many skin irritations are blamed on spiders. There is a vast misconception in the medical field of what constitutes a bite. Most diagnoses are made in the emergency room by over-worked doctors that have more pressing medical emergencies to handle.

Most physicians spend little academic time in the fields of entomology and parasitology. Therefore, a board certified dermatologist is best suited to make a proper insect or spider bite diagnosis. However, there are other multi-legged animals, especially in the South, that can inflict bites and stings that can be quite painful!

What should you do if you find spiders in your home or business?

If you think you have a spider infestation, call a pest control professional  to get a positive identification. If you receive a bite and suspect a dangerous spider may be responsible, get medical help and ask for a specialist.