TOXIC POISONS WHAT IS TOXIC COLLIER PEST CONTROL SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

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, 239-455-4300, 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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TERMITES GOT TERMITES COLLIER PEST CONTROL SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

GOT TERMITES ??

            How can you tell? It is very difficult. Termites, by their very nature, remain hidden.  They avoid open areas and remain buried deep in the wood that they are eating.  Often, they are noticed only AFTER damage has been done to the structure.  Consider this:         

      ONE IN THREE HOMES THAT SHOW NO SIGNS OF TERMITES,    

 HAVE ACTIVITY WITHIN TWO FEET OF THE FOUNDATION!

                        TWO OF THREE HOMES BUILT SINCE 1987 WILL HAVE

                        A TERMITE INFESTATION WITHIN FIVE YEAR

                        IN MULTIPLE BUILDING SITUATIONS, EVERY BUILDING

                        WAS BUILT THE SAME, USING THE SAME TECHNIQUES AND                          MATERIALS. WHEN TERMITE PROTECTION FAILS IN ONE                           BUILDING, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE

                        REST WILL FAIL ALSO.

            Collier Pest Control now offers a diagnostic tool to help answer the question,

                                                 "Do we have termites?"

            We will install 8-10 termite monitors around each building.  In 90 days, we will check each monitor, and report to you the location of any monitors that have termite activity.  This will help show you, if and where you may have termite activity close to your foundation making your home a high risk account.

This helpful tool is available to you, at NO CHARGE, only with Collier Pest Control.

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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TERMITE SPOT TREATMENT COLLIER PEST CONTROL SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

TERMITE SPOT TREATMENT 

Sometimes a thorough inspection indicates only a small number of termite infested areas, such as a door casing, windowsill, or piece of furniture.  If the infestation appears to be limited and accessible, a localized (spot) treatment may provide satisfactory results.  Such treatments are less costly and more convenient than whole-structure treatments (tenting).

Wood injection or drill and treat applications have been used since the 1920's to treat Drywood, and other types of termite infestations which are accessible and detectable.  This is the simplest and most direct method of treatment.

Once an area is determined, the infested wood is drilled with small holes directly into the galleries of the termite colonies.  The number of holes drilled depends on the extent of the infestation.   Controlling materials are then injected into the holes so as to kill the termite galleries.  Dusts, liquids, foams, and baits are now available for this purpose to be injected into the drilled holes to come in contact with the termites in the galleries.

Collier Pest Control offers free termite inspects to determine if you have a termite infestation in your home or building.  Call, 239-455-4300, for more information on termites and how to protect your home against them, or you can look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com, filled with information about all of Florida's problem pests.  Remember Florida does not have to be shared with insects.

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ANTS FIRE ANTS IN FLORIDA COLLIER PEST CONTROL SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

FIRE ANTS IN FLORIDA

THE LITTLE FIRE ANT

                The Little Fire Ant gets its name from its very painful sting.  However, it is not closely related to the true fire ants which belong to the group of fire ants from Central and South America.  Here in Florida it is located in Central and South Florida.  These ants do not seem to form definite underground nests but instead appear in clusters beneath objects and in crack and crevices.  New colonies are started by budding where workers and inseminated females leave the parent colony and wander off, but remain part of the super colony. Little Fire Ants tend to eliminate competitive ant species within their territory.  The Little Fire Ant is less aggressive than The Native Fire Ant or The Imported Fire Ant.  They may be crawling on you for some time without being disturbed or stinging.  Since they do not have distinctive mounds a person may not realize they are standing in a Little Fire Ant area and be stung without warning. The Little Fire Ant is recognized by its light to golden brown color with the abdomen slightly darker.  It has a pair of spines on its pedicel instead of a distinctive node.  It also has very large mandibles, a robust body for its size, and a stinger at the end of the gaster.

THE NATIVE FIRE ANT

                The Native Fire Ant or sometimes call the Southern Fire Ant was the original fire ant to the South and Florida for years.  It nests in the ground but does not build the large mounds like the red imported fire ants does.  The Native Fire Ant is less aggressive than its exotic sister the red imported fire ant.  This ant builds mounds that are irregular craters consisting of scattered soil with multiple, obscure entrances.  These nests are in the open under objects such as boards and stones, sand sometimes in woodwork or masonry.   A person may not be aware that they are standing in a Native Fire Ant area and have Native Fire Ants on them before they realize the stinging.  The Native Fire Ant is omnivorous with a distinct preference for oily meat and nuts and other high protein foods.  They will chew on clothing, kill young poultry, feed on various plants and seeds, gnaw into vegetables and fruits, and remove the rubber insulation from around telephones wires.  These ants are recognized by their body color is highly variable with the head and thorax yellowish red and the gaster dark.  Some eastern forms have a brownish to black head and thorax.  They have a two segmented petiole instead of a node, and a stinger at the end of the gaster.  The larger mandible and clypeus has two distinct teeth on their robust body. 

THE IMPORTED FIRE ANT 

                The Imported Fire Ant is the most aggressive fire ant for its sting and destruction of property. This ant is found from Southern Florida west to Texas and as far north as Virginia.  The Imported Fire Ant has an omnivorous diet and opportunistic feeding habits, and they feed on any plant or animal they encounter.  In heavy infestations coexisting species of ants other invertebrates and vertebrates suffer and are sometimes eliminated.  The Red Imported fire ant has been known to kill live stock, like cows out in a pasture. The painful sting which they are able to inflict in unison after crawling up the legs of an unwitting victim is the basis of their reputation.  The venom of the Red Imported Fire Ant contains piperidines, which cause a burning sensation, and proteins, which can cause life threatening anaphylactic shock in a small percentage of the population.  The Red Imported Fire Ant is recognized by its body color is an almost uniform dark reddish brown.  They are 1/8 to 1/4 inch long and have a two segmented petiole and a stinger at the end of the gaster.  The large mandibles and clypeus has three distinctive teeth on their robust body.

There is no reason to be suffering from annoying biting insects any longer.  Protect your family and friends from Fire Ants that are around or near your home or business.  Choose one of these convenient methods to eliminate Fire Ants around your home.

                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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ANTS ACROBAT ANTS COLLIER PEST CONTROL SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

ACROBAT  ANTS

Acrobat Ants get their name from the habit of holding their abdomens above their thorax when disturbed.  There are several different species of these ants found throughout the United States.  They are not normally found inside homes, but many wander inside form time to time in search of food or when there is moisture damaged wood in a building.

                The primary contributing condition involved in Acrobat Ant infestations inside or outside are dead wood and areas of high moisture.  Any water leaks which are present must be corrected.  Clogged gutters can attract Acrobat Ants.  Soffit areas that are poorly ventilated may need additional vents installed to increase ventilation.  Acrobat Ants also may be found in decayed or partially decayed wood beneath stones, in stumps, in hollow cavities, under leaf litter, around door and window frames, wall voids, woodwork, skylights, etc.  These ants sometimes use tree limbs or power lines to enter your home.  In recent years, Acrobat Ants have been found building nests in the foam insulating board, called sheathing, located behind the siding of homes.  Any construction flaw will allow this tiny, .017 inch ant long, light brown to black ant access to your home.  In fact, these ants will nest in wood already damaged by other insects.  In one case, these ants were found trailing along the sidewalk, 100 feet from a tree, to an office building.  These ants then crawled up six floors of the building and entered on each floor.  When Acrobat Ants are allowed to grow large colonies the workers are more aggressive and sting you, or animals, if disturbed.  But, when the Acrobat Ant colony is small the worker ants are timid and don't usually sting when disturbed.

                Acrobat Ants feed on a wide variety of foods including live and dead insects and the sweet honeydew produce by insects such as aphids.  Inside buildings, they will feed on sweets as often as they will feed on foods containing protein.

                Eliminating the Acrobat Ant takes a combination of removing the moisture hiding areas where they are nesting and treatment of traditional pest control techniques with injection spraying and baits.

                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 guest spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with insects!

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WOOD DESTROYING ORGANISMS COLLIER PEST CONTROL FORT MYERS FLORIDA

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.

Call, 239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control for a complete explanation on termites, wood destroying insects, wood decay fungi, or any of our services, or look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com.  Remember Florida does not have to be shared with insects.

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OCCUPATIONAL DISCOUNTS ON PEST CONTROL COLLIER PEST CONTROL FORT MYERS FLORIDA

OCCUPATIONAL DISCOUNTS

10% OCCUPATIONAL DISCOUNTS

Collier Pest Control wants to be supportive of our community and the people that make it work!  Collier Pest Control thinks very highly of all people that offer their life to the betterment of our community with their life work.  This is why we are a m offer OCCUPATIONAL DISCOUNTS to all public service people of our community.  The following are eligible for our occupational discounts.

• All active and retired law enforcement employees, from any department.  Sheriff, State, City, Dot, Fish & Game, Federal, If you work for a law enforcement department your entitled to our discount.
• All active fire department employees and their E.M.S. employees.
• All active and retired military personnel.
• All active and retired school system employees
• All hospital and medical employees

            Those who work in any of these occupations are entitled to a Collier Pest Control10% discount on any service they may receive.  Thank You for your service to our community!

Call, 239-455-4300, Collier Pest Control for a full explanation on how you can receive one of these valuable service discounts on one of our pest control services, or look us up on our web site at collierpest control.com.  Remember Florida does not have to be shared with insects.

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