FLORIDA WOODS COCKROACH

FLORIDA WOODS COCKROACH

The Florida woods cockroach is a large roach up to 1 1/2 inch long with an oval shaped body. This roach prefers to live outdoors in debris and decaying vegetation. It often can be controlled by removing its resting places and debris.  It is a dark brown to black with very short
wings and also has lines on its abdomen.  When disturbed, this large roach secretes a sweet, undesirable odor.

Call, 239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control today for a free estimate and a complete explanation of any of our services, or look us up on our web site at www.collierpestcontrol.com  Don't let unwanted pests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with insects!

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CAREER OPPORTUNITY:

CAREER OPPORTUNITY:

CAREER OPPORTUNITY:  Collier Pest Control is S.W. Florida's pest authority because of our knowledge, experience and ability to service Naples, Bonita Springs, and South Fort Myers for over 21 years.  Our success has been to the strength of our highly trained dedicated employees. 

We are now looking for a qualified candidate 

to join our team as a pest control technician.  Collier Pest 

Control offers a benefit package to its employees which includes an above 

average income, medical insurance, retirement plan, vacation and sick leave, 

holiday pay, end of year bonus, paid uniforms and shoes, and vehicle usage.

If 

you're a well groomed professionally minded person wanting a new career, we'd 

love to meet you!  No experience is 

necessary; but you must have a clean valid Florida driver's license and be able 

to speak and read English fluently with no visible tattoos or body piercings.

Call 

our office, 239-455-4300, or Email us at phil.hadley@collierpestcontrol.com

to set up an appointment time for an interview.

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ELONGATED TREE ANT

ELONGATED TREE ANT

The Elongated Tree Ant is an isolated species of Southern Florida.  This wasp-like in appearance stinging Mexican ant species is about half an inch long and an attractively colored orange and black. 

It darts quickly around branches of trees and bushes.  The biggest complaint about the Elongate Tree Ant is that they fall out of tree and other plants onto people and give a painful sting when trapped between clothing and skin.  This species known locally as the "neck biter ant" appeared in Florida in the 1960's and quickly spread throughout the southern 2/3 of Florida.

The Elongated Tree Ant has single queen small nests that contain few individuals.  The nests are usually located in hollow twigs and dried grasses barely wide enough for two or three ants to pass one another.

Seldom seen inside the Elongated Tree Ant, Collier Pest Control can successfully control this ant with our exclusive outdoor perimeter and lawn treatments.


Call,239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control today for a full explanation of the Elongated Tree Ant or any of our services, or look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com  Don't let unwanted pests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida's lifestyle.  Remember Florida does not have to be shared with insects. 

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CAREER OPPORTUNITY:

CAREER OPPORTUNITY:

CAREER OPPORTUNITY:  Collier Pest Control is S.W. Florida's pest authority because of our knowledge, experience and ability to service Naples, Bonita Springs, and South Fort Myers for over 21 years.  Our success has been to the strength of our highly trained dedicated employees. 

We are now looking for a qualified candidate to join our team as a pest control technician.  Collier Pest Control offers a benefit package to its employees which includes an above average income, medical insurance, retirement plan, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, end of year bonus, paid uniforms and shoes, and vehicle usage.

If you're a well groomed professionally minded person wanting a new career, we'd love to meet you!  No experience is necessary; but you must have a clean valid Florida driver's license and be able to speak and read English fluently with no visible tattoos or body piercings.

Call our office, 239-455-4300, or Email us at phil.hadley@collierpestcontrol.com to set up an appointment time for an interview.

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FLORICOLA OR DESTRUCTOR ANTS

FLORICOLA ANTS  or  DESTRUCTOR ANTS

These two ants look similar to each other and are often misidentified.  The Floricola Ant is a small ant with a distinctive dark colored head and gaster (the rear section), leaving the thorax and legs a lighter reddish-brown. 

The Destructor Ant can be identified by the top of their head and thorax, which has fine transverse wrinkles and a dark colored gaster, leaving the head, thorax, and legs a lighter color.

The Floricola Ant may be found inside structures, compared with the Destructor Ant which is found most often outside buildings.  Both of these species are found here in Southwest Florida and naturally occur outdoors.  Their colonies grow quite large containing many queens, which are considerably larger than the worker ants. The colonies of these ants are quite mobile and they will readily move to other locations, if disturbed.


The Floricola Ant nests above ground in twigs, branches of trees, as well as under the bark of trees, compared to the Destructor Ant that is primarily found outdoors in the soil.

Eliminating these ants can be accomplished by placing commercial baits in areas where foraging ants can encounter them, usually inside a structure.  Appling the proper residual insecticide around the perimeter of the structure, and drenching the colony, if found, can also be an effective control method.

For the proper identification of these two types of ants, or any insect, call Collier Pest Control.  Call today for a complete explanation and a free estimate on any of our service. Don't let unwanted guests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with insects!

The Destructor Ant can be identified by the top of their head and thorax, which has fine transverse wrinkles and a dark colored gaster, leaving the head, thorax, and legs a lighter color.

The Floricola Ant may be found inside structures, compared with the Destructor Ant which is found most often outside buildings.  Both of these species are found here in Southwest Florida and naturally occur outdoors.  Their colonies grow quite large containing many queens, which are considerably larger than the worker ants. The colonies of these ants are quite mobile and they will readily move to other locations, if disturbed.

The Floricola Ant nests above ground in twigs, branches of trees, as well as under the bark of trees, compared to the Destructor Ant that is primarily found outdoors in the soil.

Eliminating these ants can be accomplished by placing commercial baits in areas where foraging ants can encounter them, usually inside a structure.  Appling the proper residual insecticide around the perimeter of the structure, and drenching the colony, if found, can also be an effective control method.

For the proper identification of these two types of ants, or any insect, call Collier Pest Control. 

Call, 239-455-4300, today for a complete explanation and a free estimate on any of our service, or look us up on our web site at www.collierpestcontrol.com  Don't let unwanted guests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with insects!

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CAREER OPPORTUNITY

CAREER OPPORTUNITY: We are  now looking for a qualified candidate to join our team as a pest control  technician. 

Collier Pest Control is S.W. Florida's pest authority  because of our knowledge, experience and ability to service Naples, Bonita  Springs, and South Fort Myers for over 21 years.  Our success has been to the strength of  our highly trained dedicated employees.  Collier Pest Control offers a benefit  package to its employees which includes an above average income, medical  insurance, retirement plan, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, end of year  bonus, paid uniforms and shoes, and vehicle usage.

If you're a well groomed professionally minded person  wanting a new career, we'd love to meet you!   No experience is necessary; but you must have a clean valid Florida  driver's license and be able to speak and read English fluently with no  visible tattoos or body piercings.

Call our office, 239-455-4300, or Email us at phil.hadley@collierpestcontrol.com to  set up an appointment time for an interview.

Posted via OnFast - http://www.OnFast.com

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

CAREER OPPORTUNITY:  Collier Pest Control is S.W. Florida's pest authority because of our knowledge, experience and ability to service Naples, Bonita Springs, and South Fort Myers for over 21 years.  Our success has been to the strength of our highly trained dedicated employees. 

We are now looking for a qualified candidate to join our team as a pest control technician.  Collier Pest Control offers a benefit package to its employees which includes an above average income, medical insurance, retirement plan, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, end of year bonus, paid uniforms and shoes, and vehicle usage.

If you're a well groomed professionally minded person wanting a new career, we'd love to meet you!  No experience is necessary; but you must have a clean valid Florida driver's license and be able to speak and read English fluently with no visible tattoos or body piercings.

Call our office, 239-455-4300, or Email us at phil.hadley@collierpestcontrol.com to set up an appointment time for an interview.

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HOUSE FLIES

HOUSE FLIES

Collier Pest Control is Southwest Florida's Pest Authority, including the common House Fly.  The House Fly is of the most common of all insects.  It is worldwide in distribution and is a pest in homes, barns, poultry houses, food processing plants, dairies, and recreation areas. The House Fly has a tremendous breeding potential all year in Florida and can produce a generation in less than 2 weeks. House Fly eggs can be laid in almost any type of warm organic material, such as fermenting vegetation, manure, or garbage. House Fly eggs hatch within 24 hours into tiny larva called maggots. In 3 to 6 day these maggots migrate to drier areas and cocoon themselves just like a butterfly.  A House Fly can complete its life cycle, (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) in Florida in 6 to 10 days, living a life span of about 30 days.

House Flies digest their food outside their bodies. They excrete a fluid on their food to digest it and then draw this fluid, with the digested food, up through their sponging sucking mouth part.  This is why House Flies can vector or spread diseases such as dysentery and diarrhea.  Flies can be a problem here in Southwest Florida all year round, but the strongest activity is from May through July. 

Collier Pest Control has many ways to help you combat flies and their annoying problems.  We have put together some items that can offer help with continuing fly problems.  First, try to eliminate excess food sources such as open garbage cans, unused pet food, excess pet excrement, open drain covers, broken sprinkler heads, uncleaned mops and brooms.   Eliminate any item a fly could use as food.  Second, repair or correct all openings to your home or business a fly could enter such as broken screens, open doors, non sealing weather stripping, and open construction cracks in the building.  Finally, Collier Pest Control can assist you in mechanical fly control.  We can provide you with fly bait for quick easy control, electronic fly traps for inside or outside control, thorough broadcast treatment of insect controlling materials to help give you a quick control, and expert assistance from manufacturers, distributors, and educators.


Call, 239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control today for a free estimate and a complete explanation on any of our services, or look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com  Don't let unwanted guests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with insects!

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CAREER OPPORTUNITY

 CAREER OPPORTUNITY

CAREER OPPORTUNITY:  Collier Pest Control is S.W. Florida's pest authority because of our knowledge, experience and ability to service Naples, Bonita Springs, and South Fort Myers for over 21 years.  Our success has been to the strength of our highly trained dedicated employees. 

We are now looking for a qualified candidate to join our team as a pest control technician.  Collier Pest Control offers a benefit package to its employees which includes an above average income, medical insurance, retirement plan, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, end of year bonus, paid uniforms and shoes, and vehicle usage.

If you're a well groomed, professionally minded person wanting a new career, we'd love to meet you!  No experience is necessary; but you must have a clean, valid Florida driver's license and be able to speak and read English fluently with no visible tattoos or body piercings.

Call our office, 239-455-4300, or Email us at phil.hadley@collierpestcontrol.com to set up an appointment time for an interview.

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THE FLORIDA MIDGE

MIDGES

The Florida Midge emerge from
lakes in astronomical numbers, covering walls of homes, and forming heaps of
wispy corpses under outdoor lights.  They
are sometimes called blind mosquitoes because when their multitudes are
disturbed in their resting places on lake shore sedges, they rise up with a
mosquito-like whine and fly clumsily away among the vegetation, as to recognize
a good meal when it walks into their back yard. 
Actually, Midges do not feed during their short life of a day or two.  Since they do not feed they do not bite as
adult mosquitoes.        

 This is time enough for myriads of them to
vanish down the gullets of swallows, dragonflies, and fish.

The
larva of the Midge lives in the mud of lakes and low water areas where each
constructs a small open-ended tube. Through which they draw a little stream of
water from which they remove algae and microscopic debris.  They act as the filter for our lakes and low
water areas.  90% of all Midge activity
takes place just before sundown.

            Control of the Midge is limited to reducing the lights
around lakes and low water areas, stocking bodies of water with carp and
goldfish, adding insect growth regulators to bodies of water, and light traps
around the same bodies of water.

            Collier Pest Control is also limited to controlling the
source points of the Midge, but we have had very good success in controlling
Midges at homes around Southwest Florida. 
We can treat your home with a special material in all areas that Midges
would rest such as, front foyers, eaves, soffits, windows, doors, lanai areas,
pool cages, and the garage.  When Midges
rest on areas where we have treated they will be controlled within a few
minutes.  It is very effective!

            Call, 239-455-4300, Collier
Pest Control today for a free estimate and a complete explanation on any of our
services, or look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com Don't let unwanted pests spoiling your beautiful Southwest Florida
lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not
have to be shared with insects!

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OTHER WOOD DESTROYING ORGANISMS

OTHER WOOD  DESTROYING ORGANISMS

OLD HOUSE BORER

The name "Old House Borer" is really misleading as this insect is most commonly found in newer homes.  This beetle has a life cycle of three to twelve years depending upon environmental and nutritional conditions.  The Old house Borer is a beetle that during the larval stage, feeds upon seasoned softwood, such as pine.  The larval stage feeds upon the wood and can do extensive damage before it is seen.  The Adult emerges from the wood and can lay eggs to continue the life cycle.  The adult creates an exit hole that is oval and 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch in diameter.  If the infestation is very limited the old house borer can be controlled by replacing the infested wood.  In most cases, tent fumigation treatment of the structure is required to achieve control.

POWDER POST BEETLES

Powder Post Beetles normally will infest hardwoods, such as ash elm, oak, pecan, and walnut, as the large open pores of these hardwoods are needed for egg-laying by the female.  In this area, they are most often found in bamboo or wicker furniture, although they have been seen in hardwood door frames.  The adult beetle is rarely seen, rather, the damage left by the adult emerging from the wood is often noticed.  The exit holes left by the adult are small, 1/32 of an inch to 1/8 of an inch in diameter.  Around the exit hole is a very fine talc like powder.  This is usually the first indicator of an infestation.  The adult can only re-infest the structure if there is unfinished hardwood., in which the female can lay it's eggs.  Control of the Powder

Post Beetle, depends upon the source of infestation.  If the source is in furniture, or other
removable items, the item ca be removed and treated.  In some instances, the entire structure must be fumigated.

WOOD DECAY FUNGI

Some people term this a "dry" rot.  There is no such thing a "dry rot".  All wood must have moisture of over 20% in order for wood decay fungi to attack.  There are three types of fungi that we have in this area.  White Rot:  This gives the wood a white bleached appearance.  The wood eventually turns spongy and is stringy when broken.  Brown Rot:  This rot give the wood a brown appearance and the wood breaks into cubical shapes pieces when broken.  Water conducting fungi:  (Poria) This rot is not very common in this area, but when seen, looks like a white fan with dirty white to black roots that can conduct moisture back to the wood up to twenty five feet away.  The control of wood decay fungi is to find the source of moisture and correct it.  Then the decaying wood can be replaced.  The most common area for wood decay in a home is at the bottom of a wood door frame of an exterior door.  Once the paint starts to fail, water invades the wood, and as soon as the moisture content exceeds 20% the wood decay fungi begins to grow.

Don't run in fear about insects damaging your home!  Call, 239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control for a complete explanation on Termites and other wood damaging organisms or any other of our services, or look us up on our web site at www.collierpestcontrol.com  Remember Florida does not have to be shared with insects!

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PETS AND FLEAS

PETS/FLEAS

Most pet owners, at sometime, will be aware of problem fleas.  Without warning small insects will be on either their pet or biting themselves.  Here is some information and helpful hints to stop those unfriendly invaders before they take over in your home.

Fleas are small, wingless insects, well adapted to their environment.  The first step toward effective control of fleas is recognition of 2 important factors.  The insect's life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) and the fleas population must be controlled everywhere at the same

time, on the pet, in the yard, and in the home.  Plan a complete treatment program to rid yourself of fleas.

First, start with the pet and either shampoo, dip the pet yourself, or send them off to the vet. 

This should rid the fleas from your pet.  Second, prepare to spray and treat your home and furniture.  Pick up all of the pet's toys and other objects off the floor; turn up all furniture cushions on chairs and sofas so a thorough treatment can be applied to these areas.  Third, if your pet is infested, the area they inhabit outside will need treated. 

All stages of a flea's life cycle can be controlled except the pupa stage.  This stage will not

be controlled with regular spraying treatments.  After a flea treatment on your home you may experience fleas biting or on your pet within a few days.  This is a result of adult fleas emerging from the pupa stage.    This pupa stage of the flea can stage inside the pupa for up to one year if not stimulated to emerge.  Heat, vibration, and carbon dioxide will all stimulate the adult flea from the pupa.  To speed up the fleas out of the pupa, you can vacuum your carpet daily.  You can put mothball granules inside the vacuum bag to kill off any adult fleas you may vacuum.  Washing the hard surface floors daily will pick up and eliminate flea pupa.  Clean your pets bedding and do not forget about the car if your pet takes trips with you. These helpful aids can be done until all the pupa has emerged and your home is flea free.

Fleas can be an extreme problem in the spring and fall here in Southwest Florida.  Call, 239-455-4300, today for a complete explanation and a free estimate on any of our services, or look us up on our web site at www.collierpestcontrol.com  Don't let unwanted guests spoil your

beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember Florida does not have to be shared with insects!

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CAREER OPPORTUNITY

CAREER OPPORTUNITY:  Collier Pest Control is S.W. Florida's pest authority because of our knowledge, experience and ability to service Naples, Bonita Springs, and South Fort Myers for over 21 years.  Our success has been to the strength of our highly trained dedicated employees. 

We are now looking for a qualified candidate to join our team as a pest control technician.  Collier Pest Control offers a benefit package to its employees which includes an above average income, medical insurance, retirement plan, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, end of year bonus, paid uniforms and shoes, and vehicle usage.

If you're a well groomed, professionally minded person wanting a new career, we'd love to meet you!  No experience is necessary; but you must have a clean, valid Florida driver's license and be able to speak and read English fluently with no visible tattoos or body piercings.

Call our office, 239-455-4300, or Email us at phil.hadley@collierpestcontrol.com to set up an appointment time for an interview.

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PLASTER BAG WORMS

PLASTER BAGWORMS

The Plaster Bagworm is similar in appearance and closely related to clothes moths.    This unique looking creature is easily seen on light colored walls.  Close examination of the house may reveal bagworms attached to the underside of chairs, bookcases, and other furniture.  They are often found along the edge of rugs, near baseboards, or on the lower edges of walls.  Bagworms are quite common in garages and underneath buildings.  This larva mainly feed on spider webs; however, they will also feed on fabrics made of natural fiber

The larva of bagworms lives in a flatten gray, watermelon seed shaped case about 1/2 inch long.  The case is constructed of silken fiber and sand particles, lint, paint fragments, and other debris attached.  The case has a slit like opening at each end, and the larva is able to move around and feed from either end. 

Control of the Plaster Bagworm Larva is similar to control of clothes moths.  Good housekeeping is important, especially the removal of spider webs.  Sweep down and remove any spider webs and Plaster Bagworm casings.

Call, 239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control, for a complete explanation on Plaster Bag Worms or any of our services, or look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com  Don't let unwanted insect guest spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle!  Remember Florida does not have to be shared with insects.

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SELF HELP TO RODENT TRAPPING

Self Help Rodent Trapping Notes

The first thing to do when you think you may have a rodent problem is to determine if you are having a rat or mouse problem.  A thorough inspection of the entire structure for rodent entry points, and identifying signs to identify what type of rodent you may have a problem with in your home.

Look around your air conditioning pipes from condenser going up wall covered by metal covering.  This is a common way
rodents get into a house.  Look up under the soffit, at the roof where the valleys join together, look at the vents on the gables, even the chimney of the fireplace can be an entry area.  Look around the weather stripping of all doors.  Any hole larger than a dime or 3/4 inch can let a rat in and any hole larger than 1/2 inch can be an entry area for mice.

              
 You need to look for rub marks on the sides of surfaces to see how much activity you may have around your home.  Looking in the attic could tell you where the rodent is hiding and if there is any droppings left in the attic you can tell by the size of the dropping what type of rodent you may have in your home.

               
If the dropping is large about a 1/2 long and pointed at the ends you have a roof rat.  If the dropping is smaller about a 1/4 of an inch and pointed you have mice.

               
Once you have determined what type of rodent you are dealing with, now you can successfully start to eliminate it from your home.

               
If you have mice you can use either an old fashion spring trap for mice or a glue board to catch the mice.  If you have root rats you need only use a spring trap for rats.

               
When placing the traps to catch a rodent you can place them in the attic and other areas where the rodent has be active.  But, be careful not to set the traps where any person or pet could get in contact with the trap.  Place the traps on firm surface so it will work effectively.  Use some kind of bait to lure the rodent to the trap.  Maybe what they have been eating already in the house or peanut butter, soft candy, chocolate, or dried meats will work effectively. 

               
Check the traps daily.  If you don't the trap could be tripped and not able to catch the rodent or if you did catch your rodent you will start to smell the decaying rodent soon.  If you do catch a rodent in a trap, we suggest throwing the rodent and the trap away together.  If any blood gets on the trap from the rodent another rodent may be very couscous not to feed off the trap.

               
If may be necessary to control these rodents from the outside of your home with rodent bait stations placed up against your home and trees.  These baiting stations will let the rodent eat rodent killing bait outside and then go off and die somewhere else.  This is much easier to handle than throwing away a trap with a rodent in it.

               
After you have caught all the rodents in your home and you know where the rodents are coming into the home, you need to seal up those entry areas with mortar, steel wool, wire mesh, or some kind of material that the rodent cannot eat through again.  Do not seal the holes up with foam filler. The rats will chew through it quickly again.

               
If you do not wish to deal with a rodent problem in your home or business yourself or do not have the time, call us to handle all the elimination of the rodent problem for you.

               
Call, 239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control today for a free estimate and complete explanation on any of our services, or look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com  Don't let unwanted pests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with pests!

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TERMITE OR ANT WHICH IS IT

WHICH IS IT? TERMITE OR ANT

Identifying most ants is relatively easy.  Some reproductive winged ants also resemble reproductive winged termites.  Since ants also are often seen swarming in and out of buildings, it is important to distinguish between the two types of insects, otherwise, the appropriate control method cannot be recommended and applied.

There are 4 characteristics to positively identify reproductive winged ants from reproductive winged Termites.

1.      Ants have a very thin waist between the thorax and the abdomen, while termites are broad wasted.

2.      Termites wings are all the same size and shape, where the forewings of the ants are larger, longer and of different shape than the hind wings.

3.      The termite wings are not clear and have a milky translucent appearance with rounded tips.  Most ant wings will appear quite clear when held up to the light and are pointed on the tip.

4.      Termite antennae are straight, while ant antennae are elbowed

Once you have determined which insect you have identified, you will know how to select the type of control treatment needed to eliminate this unwanted pests.  If still in doubt about which insect you have, save the samples, and call us to help you identify your samples.

Call Collier Pest Control today for a free estimate and a complete explanation on any of our services.  Don't let unwanted pests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with insects.
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WHAT IS TOXIC

WHAT IS TOXIC

Today's modern convinces include many natural and manmade products to give us a higher standard of living.  When purchasing these products, there is a personal responsibility to pick and choose the product that combines proper safety and environmental protection for the usage needed.  Most people are not aware of the level of toxicity a product has when using it.  The general public also is not aware that the government has given us a standard code of toxicity on which each product is measured.  The level of toxicity must be put on the front of the label on any non food product produced.

The level of toxicity each product measures are found on the label of the product in the form of a SIGNAL WORD.  This SIGNAL WORD indicates how potentially dangerous this product is to humans and other animals.  Knowing the product's level of toxicity can help you choose wisely and take the proper precautionary measures for handling and using the product.

The SIGNAL WORD must appear in large letters on the front panel of the label, immediately following the statement "Keep Out of the Reach of Children", which also appears on all product labels.

These are the four levels of toxicity and the SIGNAL WORDS for each level.

            DANGER      This word signals that the product is highly toxic.  A taste to a teaspoonful
of the undiluted product, taken by mouth, could kill an average sized (175 lb.) adult.  Any product which is highly toxic, orally, dermal or through inhalation, or which causes severe eye and skin burning will be labeled  DANGER.

            WARNING    This word signals that the product is moderately toxic.  As little as a teaspoon to an ounce of the undiluted product, taken by mouth, could kill an average sized (175 lb.) adult.  Any product which is moderately toxic orally, dermal or through inhalation, or
causes moderate eye and skin irritation, will be labeled WARNING.

            CAUTION     This word signals that the product is slightly toxic.  An ounce to a pint of the undiluted product, taken by mouth, could kill an average sized (175 lb.) adult.  Any product which is slightly toxic orally, dermal, or through inhalation, or causes slight eye and skin irritation, will be labeled  CAUTION.

            NO SIGNAL WORD     The absence of a signal word indicates that the product is almost non toxic, less than lightly toxic.  Much more than a pint of undiluted product, taken by mouth, would be needed to kill an average sized (175 lb.) adult.  This also indicates that the product has little or no toxicity to dermal or inhalation poisoning and does not have much or any eye or skin irritation.

Check your storage closets, and when you shop look at the labels for the toxic level, SIGNAL WORD, for products that meet your safety and needs.  Collier Pest Control uses the most effective materials available, in the caution level or less, when servicing your home or business.  We take your safety and our environment very seriously in choosing products that is why we offer our Enviro-Care Pest Control Service.  This service offers you complete pest control service without any open pesticide spraying.  Only natural products are placed in cracks and crevices to give you comfort and protection.

If you have concerns or questions on interpreting any product you may be using.  Call, 234-455-4300, Collier Pest Control today for a complete explanation on Signal Words or any of our service, or look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com  Don't let unwanted guests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not have to shared with insects

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HEAD LICE IS NOT JUST FOR KIDS

 HEAD LICE

Collier Pest Control is your Southwest Florida Pest Authority in all areas of problem pest.  Head Lice can be a nuisance especially if you have school age children. Since the source of all Head Lice is on the human body, we cannot treat the source of the problem.  But, we can help you resolve the problem quickly, with less effort and in areas you might not consider treating.

Head Lice are transferred from person to person by direct contact or by several people using the same combs, brushes, or bedding.  Head lice are not found on animals or household pets and are not transmitted from pet to humans.

Head Lice infestations are normally found on children, but can also be spread to adults. The head louse is not considered to be a serious vector of disease.  The eggs or head lice

are usually glued to hairs of the head.  The favorite areas female head lice like your head infest are to glue the eggs near the ears and back of the head. Fe the eggs to the back of ears
and infest the back of your head.

The female head lice lay 6 to 7 eggs per day and may lay a total of 50 to 300 eggs during her life.  Under normal conditions the eggs will hatch in 5 to 10 days.  The young lice which hatch from the egg and must feed with 24 hours or they will die.  The nymphs, or baby stage, and adults all have piercing-sucking mouth parts.  Normally a young louse will mature in 3 to 5 weeks to an adult.  This means by the time you realize there is a problem; the problem has been there for a few weeks. People experience little irritation from the louse?s first bites.  After a short time individuals may become sensitized to the bites, and may react with a general allergic reaction. 

Head Lice should not be solely associated with uncleanliness, since they may be easily transferred from person to person.  Chemicals are available as prescription or non-prescription drugs to control lice.  Shampoos are preferred for control of Head Lice.  Some eggs may survive the first shampooing, it may be necessary to retreat once a week for three weeks to insure complete control.  Once the eggs, called nits, are killed they can be removed by combing them off the hairs with a very fine toothed comb or nitpick.  All clothes should be washed in hot soapy water, temperature greater than 125 degrees, for 10 minutes.  Pillow cases, sheets, and blankets should also be washed to kill the lice and their eggs.  When it is impractical to wash, articles can be put into clothes dryer at temperatures of 125 degrees for 10 to 20 minutes to kill all adult Head Lice and their eggs.

Because nymphs and adults sometimes fall off the host onto areas such as school lockers, closets, furniture, automobiles, or any active area people frequent. These areas should also be chemically treated with contact sprays to kill off all Head Lice activity before they could contact themselves to another person.  If the Head Louse does not receive a blood meal within 24 hours they will die.

Complete control of Head Lice is impossible to accomplish without a thorough treatment of the host that is infested.  Please contact your physician or pharmacist for further assistance if needed.

Call, 239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control today for a free estimate and a complete explanation on any of our services, or look us up on line at collierpestcontrol.com  Don't let unwanted guests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not

have to be shared with insects.

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EARWIGS DO NOT GET INTO YOUR EARS

EARWIGS

Collier Pest Control is your Southwest Florida Pest Authority including Earwigs.  This pest is one of the most common outdoor pests seen here in Southwest Florida.  These nocturnal dangerous looking pests do slip into your home through small construction cracks and crevices foraging for food.  Earwigs are identified by their pincer like appendage at the end of the abdomen (call forceps).  They are brownish in color, with very short wings, and about 1/2" to 1 inch long. The forceps are used to trap prey and protect themselves, but are not strong enough to hurt anyone.

Earwigs hide during the day in moist shady places under stones, logs, mulch, dead foliage and any high moisture area.  These scavengers feed on live or dead plants and insects.

The common name "Earwig" comes from an old European superstition that these insects enter the ears of sleeping people and bore into the brain.  This is entirely unfounded since earwigs are harmless to man.

Earwigs can be difficult to control.  The key to effective Earwig control is removal of any non-essential mulch and plant debris or anything that could hold moisture such as boards and stones around your home.  The purpose of this is to establish a low moisture zone around your home that is disagreeable to Earwigs. Collier Pest Control can help eliminate these creatures with our "Collier Complete" pest control service.  We will treat all the cracks and crevices inside your home and broadcast spray the eaves, soffits, mulch beds, flowerbeds, entryways, and 5 to 10 feet perimeter outside your home.

Call, 239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control today for a free estimate and complete explanation on any of our services, or look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com  Do not let unwanted guests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with insects!

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DUST MITES ITCH YOU TO SCREAMING

HOUSE DUST MITES

If you think our modern, well insulated house is a safe haven from all allergenic alarms, think again.  That average six room house accumulates an average of 40 pounds of dust per year.  That dust is home to millions of unseen, but troublesome Dust Mites.

The North American and European House Dust Mite is a little known and rarely mentioned group of mites.  Wherever humans and their pets live Dust Mites will be presents.  These Dust Mites will feed on skin dander deposited in beds, furniture, and carpeting.  When there are large populations of Mites are in a home.  Skin fragments and Mite fecal material become

airborne causing allergic reactions like asthma and rashes.  Research has shown that the most prevalent allergen in a home is dust produced from Dust Mites.

Dust Mites are extremely small, .04 millimeters, making identification by sight impossible without the use of a microscope.  You can fit as many as 7000 on a fingernail.  They are globular in shape, and creamy white in color.  Mites have 6 legs as larva and 8 legs as nymphs and adults.  The adult female Dust Mite lays about 25 to 50 eggs a day for 30 days.  The eggs hatch and develop to adults in about one month.

People shed about 1/5 of an ounce of dander (dead skin) per week.  One gram of skin will feed thousands of mites for months.  Actually, 80 % of what you see floating in a sunbeam through a window is skin flakes.  To Dust Mites this is a Thanksgiving dinner.  Dust Mites eat skin flakes both human and animal.  Skin flakes have a fungus growing on them which is especially attractive to Dust Mites.

Dust Mites bite you and cause you to itch; they also produce allergens to which some people are very sensitive.  The Dust Mite feces contain 15 different proteins, and many people are allergic to the combination of these different proteins.

House Dust Mites inhabit damp places that are occupied by people and pets.  The House Dust Mite thrives in high humidity of 70 to 80% and warm temperatures from 68 to 84 degrees.  They are found in mattresses, pillows, in stuffed furniture, rugs, draperies, and any crack or crevice.

Dust Mites produce an allergic reaction that causes symptoms similar to asthma.   Headaches, respiratory problems, eye irritation, fatigue, and depression are other allergic reaction which can be linked to Dust Mite feces.  A 15 year old pillow could have a third of its weight in Dust Mite feces.  One ounce of dust can hold as many as 42,000 Dust Mites.

Unfortunately, studies have shown that Dust Mites can never be completely eliminated from an area, but can be suppressed for a short time.  Dust Mite populations can be reduce with a little personal effort by washing  bedding and other items in hot (130 degree) water weekly, putting your pillows in the dryer on high for 15 to 30 minutes, and do thorough household cleaning regularly. This may mean that you vacuum your furniture, draperies, and mattresses weekly and spray them with disinfectant.  Vacuuming with most conventional air bag vacuum cleaners can works against you in Dust Mite elimination, they vent dust out the exhaust and into the air again.  The use of a water trap vacuum will collect the dust in the water where it stays.  Don't use dusters, mops, or brooms because they all merely rearrange the dust and the Dust Mites.  In extreme cases wrap your mattress and pillows in plastic and remove the draperies from the bedroom area.  Wash and clean window blinds weekly, professionally cleaning the carpet regularly or remove it all together, then wash the hard surface floors weekly, and cleaning the heating and air conditioning dusts will give added benefit.

You can help reduce House Dust Mites with a higher rated heating and air conditioning filter.  Drain treatment systems are available for your air conditioner to help stop bacteria, molds, and fungus growing from the drain pan.  Use of dehumidifiers to keep the humidity less than 50% will kill off most molds and fungus and starve the Dust Mites.  Ozone producing machines are available to kill off the fungus on skin flakes and dust to starve out Dust Mites, also.

Collier Pest Control can help you control Dust Mites with our Dust Mite Service specially

designed for Southwest Florida.  We can thoroughly broad cast spray all of your flooring, furniture, draperies, mattresses, and air conditioning ducts.  This treatment will kill all existing Dust Mites in your home and keep them from re-infesting your home for up to 60 days. This specialized treatment for Dust Mites kills the fungus on all treated areas and keeps killing fungus to keep the Dust Mites from re-infesting our home.

Don't suffer another day with annoying Dust Mites.  Call, 239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control today for a free estimate and a complete explanation on any of our services, or look us up on line at www.collierpestcontrol.com  Don't let unwanted guest spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with insects.

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DRYWOOD TERMITES WILL EAT YOUR HOME

DRYWOOD TERMITES

Drywood Termites as well as other termites dwell in Florida.  Drywood Termites infest dry
wood and do not require contact with the soil.  Other types of termites need to nest in the soil in order to survive. 

Drywood Termites are a social insect that live in colonies.  The colonies are composed of kings, queens and soldiers.  There is no worker caste of termite as in other types of termites. The work or foraging for food is done by the immature termites before they become adults.  These nymphs, the immature termites, which are most numerous castes, are white and wingless.  Kings and Queens Termites perform the reproductive function of the colony.

They are light to dark brown and 1/3 to one inch in length.  The Soldiers guard the colony against invaders such as ants.  They are white and wingless with large brownish heads and jaws.  The soldiers and immature remain inside the wood at all times.

Drywood Termites are more common along coastal areas, although they are also found

inland.  Drywood Termite food consists of cellulose obtained from wood.  Infestations of Drywood Termites may be found in almost any product containing cellulose.  They are most commonly found infesting attics, window sills, door frames, woodwork in buildings and
furniture.

Detecting Drywood Termites infestations may be noticed in several ways.  One way is during the early months of the year.  Drywood Termite Kings and Queens emerge from the colonies as swarms.  The purpose of these swarms is to establish new colonies.  The appearance of winged termites in the home is an indication of probable infestation; however, they may have come in from outside.  Swarming termites are attracted to light.  Swarming termites may be found around window sills or lights.  Shortly after emerging from the colony, swarming termites land and lose their wings.  If the swarming termites do not find a suitable nesting area, they will die.

A common way to detect Drywood Termites is that Drywood Termites unlike other types of termites excrete pellets of partly digested wood.  These pellets are straw-colored to reddish brown and about the size of sand.  The pellets are pushed from the galleries and found on are surfaces beneath the infested wood. 

An experienced eye can detect Drywood Termites in an advanced stage of infestation from surface blistering.  Drywood Termites sometimes tunnel close to the surface giving the wood a blistered appearance.

Preventative measures for the Drywood Termite is limited at best.  Any opening to windows and attics should be screened.  Any cracks or voids should be caulked or filled with wood filler.  The use of termite resistant woods such as Redwood, Bald Cypress, Mahogany, Spanish cedar, and commercial pressure treated wood will resist Drywood Termites for several years until weathering makes it susceptible to infestation.

Drywood Termites require a completely different control method; therefore the infestation must be correctly identified first.  If detected in the early stages and damage is localized, a Drywood Termite colony may be controlled by removing and replacing the damaged wood or by the

application of a termite labeled insecticide.  If the infestation is too extensive and advanced for local treatment, it will be necessary to tent and fumigate the entire building.  This method can be costly and leaves no residual protection; it is usually the only alternative when many large termite colonies are present.

We live in a sea of Termites here in Florida.  It's not if you will get a termite problem, It is when will you get a termite problem.  The University of Florida states that, 2/3's of all new homes in Florida will have a termite problem within 5 years.  To protect your home, have a FREE TERMITE INSPECTION performed yearly from Collier Pest Control.  Then consider one of our economic protective termite services to protect your valuable home form unwanted damage and stress.

Call, 239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control today for a FREE TERMITE INSPECTION and a complete explanation and free estimate on any of our services, or look us up on line at www.collierpestcontrol.com  Don't let unwanted guests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with insects!

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PAPER WASPS ON YOUR HOUSE

PAPER WASPS

The Paper Wasp gets its name from the paper like material of which they construct their nests. This wasp is recognized by its 5/8 to3/4 inch brownish to black bodies with yellow or red markings.  The Paper Wasps hang their comb nests under twigs and branches of trees and shrubs which can cause concern when ornamental shrubs and hedges are trimmed or fruit is being picked form trees.  They also like to hang their nests from porch ceilings, the top member of window and door frames, soffits, eaves, attic rafters, deck floor joists and railings, play ground equipment, almost any protected place imaginable.  If the nest is contacted or disturbed, the Paper Wasps on the nest at the time will defend the nest vigorously and the offender of the nest will probably get stung.  If in a breeze or wind when the Paper Wasps get disturbed, stand still and the wasps will fly around but will not follow you.  If you run, the vacuum of wind from your movement will lead the wasps to you and you will get stung.  These wasps are beneficial insects by helping to control many types of insect pests.  If you need to control these wasps, it is essential that you control and kill the adults early in the morning or at night when all the wasps will be tending to the nest, then remove the nest. Call, 239-455-4300, for an explanation on how to control Paper Wasps or on any of our services, or look us up on line at collierpestcontrol.com.  Remember Florida does not have to be shared with insects.
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BEES

BEES

Honey Bees
get their name from the sweet yellowish to brownish fluid they make from
the nectar of flowers and use as food. 
Honey Bees not only provide honey and wax, but as pollinators are of far
greater importance.  They are responsible
for a large share of insect stings, although many stings blamed on bees are
actually done by yellowjackets.  More
people die of allergic reaction to Bee stings than of rattle snake bites each
year.  Bees can only sting you once.  When stinging them pull away and leave the
back half of their abdomen, with the poison sack and the stinger imbedded in
your skin.  This action kills s the
insect that stung you.  This poison sack
can continue to inject poison into your body for a few minutes after the
sting.  They are best controlled at night
using dusts and contact sprays.  Queen
Bees lay as many as 1,500 to 2000 eggs per day, and may live as long as 5
years.  Worker Bees only live 5 to 7
weeks in the summer and shorter during the winter. At different times of the year or when disturbed Bees will move their hive.  When this happens large amounts of Bees will be seen in a ball or swarming in one area.  Do not try to kill or move them yourself! Call, 239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control and have us explain how to control these unwanted visitors, or look us up on line at collierpestcontrol.com.  Remember Florida does not have to be shared with insects.

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BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS CAN BE STOPPED

SOUTHERN BLACK WIDOW SPIDER

THE SOUTHERN BLACK WIDOW SPIDER is the most wide-spread widow Spider here in Southwest Florida.  They are identified by their very shiny jet black bodies and their famous red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen and another red spot at the tip end of the abdomen.

The Southern Black Widow Spider is usually found outdoors in protected places, such as under rocks and boards, and in and around old buildings, window shutters, garbage cans, screen enclosures, playground equipment, and stored bicycles or cars.

The bite of any widow Spider usually feels like a pin prick. The initial pain will disappear and back usually begin within 15 minutes to 3 hours.  If severe pain to the abdomen, nausea, sweating, or difficulty in breathing occur, seek medical attention immediately.

Outside Spider control could involve sweeping down Spiders and webs or pressure cleaning the exterior of your home.  Keeping outside lights turned off will eliminate attracting insects
which will draw Spiders to those areas.

Collier Pest Control's Spider treatment will eliminate unwanted Spider problems and their webs for a period of 6 months.  We will treat all the areas Spiders will cling and make webs such as; the eaves, soffits, doors, windows, gutters, garage, construction d?cor changes in the
walls, and your pool cage.  We can keep your home as pristine clean as the day it was build.

Call, 239-455-4300, today for a complete explanation of our exclusive spider prevention service or any of our services, or look us up on line at www.collierpestcontrol.com.   Remember Florida does not have to be shared with insects.

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