The Keurig Ant Challenge

So we love our Keurig and coffee pots that hold water for a quick cup of hot coffee.
As pest control technician I have found they are a magnet for ghost ants. Most of the time the customer is totally unaware there are ants floating around in the reservoir.
Once I started tracking difficult ant infestations to the water being held in the reservoir we were able to eliminate these pests.
After placing bait near the coffee pot I give the ants time to choose the bait and start returning to the nest. Important steps to follow are to rinse out the coffee pot and relocate for a few days.
Once the ant s are eliminated the customer can keep the reservoir filled with water and continue to enjoy the convenience of the Keurig.
Cindy Reynolds
Certified Operator and Technician
Bugs On The Run LLC
772-283-3338

Tracking a pest invasion is Green!

Tracking ants then treating as close to the pest entry or nesting area will help keep your green goal on track.  It will take the pest control technician a little more time but the end result will be more successful for the customer and pest control company.
The other day I tracked a ghost ant infestation to a bagel that was laying behind boxes by the staircase. The invasion started in the tv remote that was located on a table and using a flashlight to see the ants easier I was able to track the ants  across the floor, baseboards, rug and finally there it was...a bagel swarming with ants.
Inspecting and searching for pests will result in using less chemical, solving the pest issue and keeping your lifestyle Green.
Cindy Reynolds
Bugs On The Run
bugsontherun@yahoo.com

Pest Control Tips for Home Owners

The summer is ending and "Florida" Fall is in the air. We will see fewer general pests as the weather gets cooler and pests are a lot easier to manage.
The cooler air makes it easier for  homeowners to check on a few things to help eliminate pests.
Trimming shrubs, keeping plants and tree limbs  away from the house will be easier with the cooler weather. If you leave 2 -3 feet around the perimeter of your home it allows your pest control technician to treat the perimeter with easier access.
Sealing  up cracks with caulk ,replacing  the strips along the doors and garage will help
keep pests out of your home.

For pest control tips visit my blog at
 wwwpestcontrolbyawoman.blogspot.com

Cindy Reynolds
Owner/Certified Operator
Bugs On The Run LLC
General Household Pest & Rodent Control

Roaches

Even the tidiest home can end up with a roach problem. It's how quickly you respond that will make the difference between a one time sighting and a problem.

If you saw one cockroach  you  may see offspring  weeks or months later. The  female German Cockroach can carry up to 40 eggs and can produce 300-400 offspring in a life time. Roaches can create problems for children and adults with asthma and they carry bacteria.

 
Part of integrated pest management and "green lifestyle" is inspecting the property and looking for areas that are conducive to pests. Dampness, dark areas such as under cabinets make perfect conditions for roaches and other pests.

Don't disregard a sighting call  your pest control specialist and ask them to inspect your home.
at the first sighting.

Cindy Reynolds
Owner & Certified Operator
Bugs On The Run LLC
772-283-3338

My relationship ....with bugs!

As I was tracking a infestation of weevils in a customers home, she asked me if I always liked bugs
After answering," No not really", we laughed and I continued my search for the dry goods that brought these little creatures in her home.  Searching through the pantry with my flashlight we eventually found the cat food that started a nightmare infestation.
 As I drove home I thought about her question. Did I always like bugs? Interesting how life takes us on journeys we never expected.  It makes me think about how important teachers are in our lives.  Not only our childhood school teachers but the mentors in our lives.  The boss, coworker, piano teacher, softball coach that inspires us to strive towards a rewarding career. 
After some soul searching if I am ever asked that question again I would answer "No I didn't always like bugs, it was something that was developed later in life by someone that inspired me."

I was researching green news this morning and stumbled across a lot of do it yourself pest control.
Some were harmless and kind of cute and funny for example; laying sliced cucumber around your house to hopefully ward off ants. Keeping a spray of soap to spray ants when you see them n your counter. The idea behind the soap is to get rid of the scent trail so ants do not follow.  Good idea but  is very short lived. Where are the ants coming from? What is creating the environment that is hosting the ants?  Taking a integrated pest management approach by inspecting, looking for areas that are conducive and receiving tips to correct the situation from a professional is a environmentally friendly approach.
If you call a professional pest control company they can track the pest and get to the source of the problem. Also if it turns into a more serious pest problem they have the resources and the knowledge to share to help make a more informed decision.
Remember there are different shades of green and each shade have a place and a purpose.

Newbee Greenie

Simple lifestyle changes  can make a difference. Example yesterday on my website www.pestcontrolstuartfl.com  I wrote about my challenges using my own cloth bags for grocery shopping as a alternative to the stores plastic bags.  After collecting 4 cloth bags they would wind up in my kitchen and only used for planned trips to the grocery store, I decided to keep at least one bag in my truck for last minute errands.  After I empty the bag I immediately take it back out to my truck or lay it by my purse as a reminder. Keeping one in my truck for last minute errand shopping has been helpful and cuts back on the usage of plastic bags. 


For more green tips visit my website www.pestcontrolstuartfl.com or join me on Google Plus
Thank you for joining me on my journey to a greener way of life.
Cindy Reynolds
Bugs On The Run Pest Control
772-283-3338

 

Rain and Pests

The has been a tough summer, Floridians have been not only fighting the humid weather but lot of rain.  The mix of humidity, rain & pests have made  outdoor summer fun, not so fun. 
If ants have made their way into your home take a look around the outside  Make sure shrubs & limbs DO NOT touch your home.  Taking time to  keep flowers, shrubs & palm branches from touching the structure of your home is time well spent. By doing this you decrease the chances of pest entry saving yourself the frustration of the ant invasion.  Also  make sure you do not have last winter wood pile close to your house it's a great place for ants to nest.
Hopefully we only have a few weeks of the rainy season left and we will be able to enjoy cookouts again without swallowing gnats with our burgers.
Have a great summer.
Cindy Reynolds
Bugs On The Run
772-283-3338

Different Shades of Green

When it comes to a green lifestyles  I have found my green lifestyle varies in shades. For some people especially if you are single it is a little easier to keep on track. One of my friends called me the other day frustrated about the lack of cooperation in regards to recycling and purchases her family makes
 When it comes to kids it makes it easier to start at a very young age.  If you are dealing with preteen and teenagers it can be a little more challenging.  Think about the things that get thrown away  old computers, video games, makeup, hair supplies, clothing and the toys that are left in the corner of the room and closets no longer to be used.  Your home can become a landfill before you know it.  Remind your children that when they throw something away that "away" is a place.  Being a role model and reflecting your shade of green to the family and having  household have to's (rules), will help you reach your personal green goal .  Even if the family stays a lighter green for a long time it's still a step in the right direction.
Lighter shades of green might only be recycling or stopping to think before you buy something. Growing into a medium shade of green might be noticing if the items you purchase including the food you eat and the packages that come in.  When you go into deeper shades of green you are thinking about energy, packaging, foods, purchases and the future of others. In the meantime my shades of green blend and overlap from time to time and so will yours but don't beat yourself up.  We're on the right path and taking steps towards a better future.
Cindy Reynolds
Bugs On The Run Pest Control
772-283-3338

Going Green

We are bombarded with the words "green" "environmentally friendly" "organic"
on tv,magazines and the internet. Going Green is a way to describe how
a person wants to run their business or their choice of lifestyle  It can be overwhelming
at first but choose one thing and after it is a habit add another thing. Not every aspect of
your life has be be "green" right away.
Visit my Bugs On The Run page for helpful hints on how to get started.  Don't
take on too much as one time or you might give up. Start with recycling your plastic
bottles. After a few weeks purchase a water filter for under your sink or pitcher and
ease into a greener way of life.
For more helpful hints visit
Bugs On The Run green tips page on Google +

Gnats/Drain Fly/Drain moth

Have you ever seen what looks like tiny moths flying around your tub or shower drain?   They are drain flies that are a non biting gnat. They are usually a temporary problem created from standing water. If there is a  shower or bath tub not being used in your home running the water once a week for a few seconds should help.  If the problem persists for a few weeks then there might be a breeding ground. Drain fly larvae need moisture and can live any where water sits and accumlates for a week or more. The base of a toilet, drain pans, toilet tanks and floor drains.It is important to find and eliminate the breeding ground.  Breeding grounds can develop outside too in drain gutters,air conditioning units and low wet areas. If you have difficulty recognizing and eliminating the source call a pest control professional. 




drain fly



Bugs On The Run Pest Control page on Google + recently discussed ways to make yourfootprint smaller on the earth.  The first step was to use the recycling containers provided by your local county waste management company. Everytime you start to throw away a plastic or glass container stop RETHINK  REUSE your RECYCLE bin.

You are moving  towards a greener lifestyle.

So this week let's try to add another step towards a greener lifestyle.

Walk or ride your bike somewhere that you would normally drive too.

  The post office, fruit market or a friends house.  With gas prices  rising 

you not only help the environment but you will $ave another kind of green.

Thank you for changing your way of life. 

Cindy Reynolds

Bugs On the Run Pest Control

772-283-3338

Pest Control/Pantry Pests are Pesty little critters

Pantry Pests are little insects that can infest dried foods and are difficult to detect. They can be transported from processing plants to warehouses, grocery stores and your home. It is important to
check the date and store food otems properly. If  the food you purchased  still has pests then return the item to the store for a refund. 
If you have food items stored away for hurricane season check the dates when hurricane season is approaching.
Kitchen cabinets that are used for food storage should be cleaned out every 3- 6 months.
Cleaning the inside of your cabinets where syrups, baking items and cereals are stored will help prevent ants, roaches and will give you the opportunity to check dates on your food items. 
The elderly sometimes overlook checking the dates and may not see they have pests in their food.  If you have a relative that has trouble seeing offer to check their cabinets also every 3- 6 months. 

Sincerely,
Cindy Reynolds
Bugs On The Run Pest Control

Pest Control / Just a House Mouse!

Adult mice are about 3 1/2 inches long and their tail is close to the same length. They only weigh 1/2 - 1 oz. Mice can run along beams, pipes and wires and adapt to new places and foods easily.  They usually will not stray more than 12 ft - 30 ft from their nest.  A house mouse can climb well, are good swimmers and can jump 12 inches.  They can crawl through openings as small as a 1/4 inch wide.
If you decide to attempt to catch it yourself  please wear gloves when disposing of the critter. That "just a house mouse" is a rodent that carries diseases. You can refer to my blog " Rats & Mice "Oh My! for more information or rodent disease. 
Cindy Reynolds
Bugs On The Run LLC
772-283-3338
www.bugsontherun.net

Pest Control/Jensen Beach/Stuart/Palm City Bugs On The Run

Call Bugs On The Run for a free estimate

Pest Control for Jensen Beach, Stuart Fl Bugs On The Run

Pest Control in Jensen Beach & Stuart Fl is helpful due to the environment. Most homes encounter some sort of pest problem at some time.  A minor pest problem can become a bigger issue if pest managment is  not implemented.  In today's economy there are plenty of offers from companies for free estimates and coupons which is a great savings right from the start. Getting more than one estimate gives you the opportunity to hear a variety of plans and decide which one suits your needs. Soon you will be on your way to a pest free environment.

Cindy Reynolds
Owner & Certified Operator
Bugs On The Run
772-283-3338

Plaster bag worms .



Plaster bag worms

You can sometimes find plaster bagworms and their larvae sticking to the stucco on homes.
Plaster bagworms feed off soil, dust, spiders,hair, dead insects so simply vacuuming it off is sufficient to help eliminate this pests. Power spraying the exterior of your home will help eliminate their food source and keep your home fresh and clean.

Ants ... Do it yourself pest control?

So you see a trail of ants crawling up the side of your house. You run into the garage to grab the bug spray from the "do it yourself" store. WAIT!  It is important to know what type of ant you are dealing with first.  Your quick fix spray could create bigger problems. For example spraying a Big Headed ant or a Argentine ant could create sub colonies or budding.  Identifying  the type of ant, finding the source of the invasion and creating a plan to eradicate the infestation is best left to a pest control technician.    Even something as small as ants could become a huge  problem if not handled correctly.
Cindy Reynolds
Bugs On The Run LL
Owner & Certified Operator

Rats and Mice Oh My!

  Rats & mice enter Florida homes and warehouses searching for food. They contaminate
10 times as much food as they eat, with urine ,feces & hair spreading diseases and bacterial food poisoning.
  In Florida, Norway rats are common along canals and the coast.  They also can be found
where garbage is  not properly stored. They can survive on decayed food found in the trash. 
  Norway rats often dig under buildings, concrete slabs and in rubbish.  When they burrow they can create problems for the foundations of buildings, sewer lines and destroy landscape. Norway rats live about 1 year but reach maturity at 3-5 months.  They can have 8-12 young per litter and up to 7 litter in 1 year!
  Roof rats thrive in roof spaces, attics, palm trees and shrubs. If they get into your attic they could possibly create a fire by chewing on electrical wires.  Roof rats live up to 1 year and can have up to 6 litters in one year! 
  Skilled pest professionals will know rat behavior, recognize the signs of activity, sanitation and exclusion techniques.
A job best left to the professionals.

Rodent Control

Rats  are not only destructive to property but are associated with several human diseases.
Salmonellosis is a intestinal disorder that occurs from food being contaminated by rat urine or feces.
Murin Typhus, Leptospirosis, Listeriosis,and Trichinosis are other rat -transmitted diseases.
They can enter into a homes and building through holes as small as one inch. They may get in through broken windows, foundation vents,openings through walls for passage of electric, gas & water.
Once inside rats can chew through your electrical wires and build nests with the insulation. 
It takes special skills and knowledge to manage rodents to ensure successful rodent control.
Modifying the inside & outsideof the property, sealing and blocking holes and sanitation are just some
integrated pest management techniques used for successful rodent managments.