Home Alone? Not the Case When It Comes To Pests

residential pest solutions

As much as we don’t want to admit it, pests are as much a part of the fabric of a home as is the furniture or drapes. That’s not to say your home is infested with pesky mice or disease transmitting cockroaches but a recent survey from the Entomological Society of America tells us we are definitely not alone.  The study evaluated the biodiversity of arthropods in homes and found that humans share their houses with more than 500 different kinds of arthropods such as insects, spiders, mites, and centipedes.

Matt Bertone, an entomologist at North Carolina State University and a researcher on the study, says homeowners think their homes are sterile environments but that is not always the case.  “Our homes host far more biodiversity than most people would expect,” says Bertone. “We share our space with many different species, most of which are benign. The fact that you don’t know they’re there only highlights how little we interact with them.”

Which pests are most likely to be your roommate?

Researchers went room to room in homes collecting living and dead arthropods and found 579 different arthropod morphospecies (animal types that are easily separable by morphological differences) from a total of 304 different families.  On average, homes in the study played host to nearly 100 different arthropod species belonging to between 24 and 128 distinct families. What pests topped the charts when it came to infesting homes? According to the study, the five most commonly encountered pests were:

1. Flies
2. Spiders
3. Beetles
4. Ants
5. Book lice

While the number of creeping, crawling and flying pests may look threatening to homeowners, the reality is most of these pests are merely wanderers who inadvertently gained access to your house through an open window or door or brought in with flowers, plants or packages, and don’t constitute a full-blown infestation.  Another point researchers wanted to emphasize was most of these unwanted pests are not equipped to live inside and die off fairly quickly. To read the complete report visit http://bit.ly/1ZKpbIa

For pests such as mice, bed bugs or cockroaches that decide your home is a suitable place for an extended stay, the residential pest management experts at Griffin Pest Solutions have proven solutions for giving them the boot once and for all.

If you have questions on pests call or e-mail Griffin Pest Solutions at 888/547-4334 or callcenter@https://www.griffinpest.com/.

Invasive Species Reporting – Be a Citizen Scientist

Invasive Species Reporting – Be A Citizen Scientist

When it comes to preventing nuisance and threatening pests from becoming a problem in and around homes and businesses in Michigan, the best defense is a good offense.

The Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) is a regional effort to develop and provide an early detection and rapid response resource for invasive species that threaten public health, structures or crops.

Led by researchers from Michigan State University, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the program’s goal is to assist both experts and citizen scientists in the detection and identification of invasive pest species to support successful management strategies.

Whether you are a pest management professional or a citizen scientist with an interest in pests and the environment, MISIN is right up your alley.

To report invasive species you must complete the no-charge registration process on the MISIN website – www.misin.msu.edu or download the MISIN app on your mobile phone.

Once registered you can report invasive species sightings in your area and have the ability to interactively map targeted invasive species occurrences. The MISIN mapping service allows users to navigate the project area and screen digitize species occurrences with the aid of statewide digital imagery.

Contributors can select from various search types including by date, species, geography, project or contributor. Search results will be displayed for both the state of Michigan and across the United States.

Not sure exactly what type of invasive pest you have spotted in your backyard or in the kitchen of your restaurant? Not a problem. The MISIN website offers registered users more than 40 online species identification training modules to help budding pest sleuths properly identify the insect they have encountered.

The invasive species education modules will help you become more comfortable with identifying these species in the field and are recommended before contributing information to the database. Each module, which takes about 15 minutes to complete, includes a short ten question quiz at the end to help you assess your newly acquired knowledge.

Participating in the MISIN program will help prevent and eliminate harmful invasive pest species from threatening residents, crops and structures across Michigan. The information gathered helps the participating agencies identify trouble areas and work with the appropriate experts – including the professional pest management industry – to develop and execute control programs when and where they are needed.

If you have questions on the MISIN program visit www.misin.msu.edu or call or e-mail Griffin Pest Solutions at 888/547-4334 or callcenter@https://www.griffinpest.com/.

Facts About Rodents, Fleas and the Bubonic Plague

Some Facts About Rodents, Fleas and the Bubonic Plague

The recent news that a resident of Marquette County in Northern Michigan has been diagnosed with bubonic plague has certainly raised eyebrows and prompted questions. It has not been determined where the woman contracted the disease – she recently visited an area in Colorado where plague activity has been reported – but it serves as a reminder of the dangers pests can present.

Plague is an infectious disease that affects rodents, certain other animals and humans, and is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people most commonly acquire plague when they are bitten by a flea that is infected with the plague bacteria.

The infected fleas can be transported on rodents (rats and mice) and domestic pets, especially those who roam outdoors, that have come in contact with another infected animal. Cats are more prone to infection since they hunt rodents.

People can also become infected from direct contact with infected tissues or fluids while handling an animal that is sick with or that has died from plague. Finally, people can become infected from inhaling respiratory droplets after close contact with animals and humans with pneumonic plague.

While bubonic plague is a rare occurrence, this is the first confirmed case in Michigan history; there have been 14 reported cases in the United States in 2015, mainly in Colorado, Arizona, California, New Mexico and Oregon.

Griffin Pest Solutions does not want to unnecessarily alarm our customers about pests; our goal is to be your go-to source for pest information and to protect your family from pests and pest-related diseases that can do you harm. Plague is treatable with common antibiotics, but outcomes are better with earlier detection.

How to avoid flea bites

Flea bites are the primary transmitter of the plague and if you are planning on traveling to one of the Western states where plague activity has been reported we offer the following tips to limit your exposure:

  • Avoid direct contact with rodents or ill domestic pets that might have been exposed to flea bites.
  • Wear long pants when camping, hiking or working outdoors.
  • Use insect repellent on clothing and skin to repel pests.
  • Do not feed small rodents in plague-endemic areas.

The health threats posed by rodents and other pests including cockroaches, birds, mosquitoes and stinging insects are very real and should be taken seriously. Griffin Pest Solutions team of highly-trained technicians use the latest products and service techniques to effectively eliminate harmful pests that threaten you and your family.

If you have questions or concerns about harmful pests call or e-mail Griffin Pest Solutions at 888/547-4334 or callcenter@https://www.griffinpest.com/ for more information.

Ants Awareness – Annoying Trail Blazers

Ants top the chart when it comes to being the number one annoying nuisance pest in Michigan and across the entire country for that matter. According to a survey from the National Pest Management Association, more than half of consumers list ants as their top pest concern.

Ants are a persistent bunch and are aggressive foragers when in pursuit of food and water. They typically find their sustenance “oasis” on the exterior of your home along sidewalks, under stones and in landscape beds. However, if the great outdoors can’t offer them what they want ants will blaze a trail for your front, back or side door.

Ant Awareness – which ones are a problem?

The most commonly encountered ant species in Michigan and the ones Griffin Pest Solutions receives the most calls on are the carpenter and pavement ant. Michiganders may also encounter the acrobat, thief, pavement, and odorous house ant trying to set up shop in their yard or home.

While all the above mentioned ants species are annoying with a capitol “A”, the carpenter ant presents a threat to the structural integrity of your home. Carpenter ants excavate wood – they do not eat it – in order to build their nests; this “hollowing” can compromise the structural soundness of the wood.

Where do you find most ants?

On the exterior of your home carpenter ants – which are 1/8 to ½ inch long and black in color – nest in hollow trees and stumps. Indoors you can find them setting up shop in enclosed spaces that are consistently damp or wet.

Carpenter ants are attracted to excessive moisture conditions around windows, doors, showers, bathtubs, dishwashers, leaky pipes and drains, and under leaky roof shingles or roof vents. They have also been found in dry areas such as hollow-core doors and false beams, and foam insulation.

The pavement and other ants we mentioned earlier are typically found in kitchens, pantries, closets and bathrooms. This reinforces the fact that pests, ants included, are attracted to easy access to food and water sources. On the outside these ants are commonly found on driveways, patios, sidewalks along with flower and shrub beds.

What can you do about these ants?

Although ants can be difficult to control once they have entered a home, the following preventative measures will help you keep ants from bugging you:

• Wipe up crumbs and spills immediately
• Store garbage in sealed containers and remove from the home frequently
• Keep food packages closed or sealed and store products in air-tight containers
• Avoid leaving food on counters or pet food bowls on the floor for long periods of time
• Repair holes or gaps in window and door screens
• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home including entry points for utilities and pipes
• Store firewood away from the house
• Keep tree branches and shrubbery well-trimmed and away from the house
• Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around basement foundation and windows
• Visit http://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/ants/ for additional ant awareness tips and info

Now that you’ve got “ant awareness”, you’re next step is “ant protection”.  If you have questions or concerns about ants in and around your home, call or e-mail Griffin Pest Solutions at 888-547-4334 or callcenter@https://www.griffinpest.com/ for more information. You can also get an instant, no obligation estimate online at www.https://www.griffinpest.com/.

Don’t let the bed bugs bite when college kids’ return

As parents and siblings look forward to returning college kids across the country, they need to do a little preventive maintenance that wasn’t so common just a few years ago.

A few extra steps to prevent a bed bug infestation will save you time, money, and trauma. College students tend to live a cluttered, communal life-style, giving bed bugs the upper-hand in hiding places and the ability to transfer and spread.
Don’t rely on your students to tell you if they have bed bugs or not, these pests can hide in the bindings of a borrowed text book, a cd-case, in objects that don’t even belong to your student. Just follow these simple tips to prevent bed bugs from taking up residence with your family this summer.

Getting ready for Homecoming
Put all “soft” materials in plastic garbage bags and close/secure tightly. – clothes, bedding, stuffed animals, pillows, anything made of cloth.
Seal backpack in plastic garbage bag. If he/she wants to use items on the way have them take out and wash thoroughly, but keep the backpack in the sealed garbage bag.
Discard used vacuum cleaner bags in an outside dumpster before putting it in any vehicle for transportation.
Put all small items like books, cds, game players, papers, and files in plastic garbage bags and close/secure tightly.

Upon Arrival
Do not bring items into the house all at once! In an orderly fashion –
Open the “soft” plastic garbage bags one at a time and launder, it is the dryer – not the washing – that will kill the insect and eggs – so you must put the contents in the dryer for 30 minutes at the highest setting for the fabric. Do not skip this step.
Inspect bags with items that can’t be easily laundered. You can place them in freezers for at least 5 days – books, papers, cds. Remember to leave them inside the bags.
Electronics are trickier, you need to inspect them carefully before bringing them inside, as bed bugs are small enough to crawl inside many devices. Once inspected, you should wipe them down. If you find they are infested, do not bring them inside. Return them to a sealed bag and contact a professional to see about treatment options.
Continue Inspecting for Several Weeks
Unfortunately, these insects can be elusive and they’re eggs are almost invisible.
Look for small darkish brown/red spots on the edges of bedding, live bugs, or empty bug shells. Some people, though not all, will also begin to show reaction to bites.
Don’t panic, if you end up with bed bugs, and the reality is that bed bugs are going to be a part of our life for a long time to come, there’s help available. Call 888-547-4334, click, or live chat with one of our agents right now. We’re here to help.

Cockroaches cause allergies

In a survey of allergists from across the United, 97% of respondents said they believe a pest-free* home is an important step in preventing asthma and allergy symptoms.

The survey, conducted jointly by the National Pest Management Association and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, revealed that aside from dust mites, cockroaches are the most problematic household pest for patients suffering from asthma or allergies. Rounding out the top three allergy-inflaming pests are rodents and stinging insects.

First reported back in the 1940s, cockroach allergies are most common urban areas. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates 23% to 60% of urban residents with asthma are sensitive to the cockroach allergen.

Cockroaches are one of the oldest and most adaptable pests Griffin Pest Services is called up to eliminate from homes. In Michigan customers are likely to encounter one of five species – German, Oriental, American, Brown-banded and Wood cockroach.

These disease carrying pests can be found both inside (German, Brown-banded) and outside (American, Oriental, Wood) structures and thrive when they have access to food, water and a dark, out-of-the-way harborage location.

A cockroach’s food tastes can be described accurately in one word – all-encompassing. Cockroaches eat just about anything including decaying matter such as food, garbage, feces and the like. They also enjoy strength in numbers; did you know a female German cockroach can produce over 30,000 little cockroaches in one year.

The allergens these filthy pests leave behind in homes linger in the air or settle in house dust. They become airborne when the air is stirred up by movement like children playing or running through the house.

Diagnosing to determine if a person with persistent asthma is allergic to cockroach can only be made by a skin test. A doctor will scratch or prick the skin with cockroach extract and if redness, an itchy rash or swelling appear then it is likely the person is allergic to cockroaches.

Griffin Pest Solutions has years of experience effectively eliminating cockroaches from homes and businesses. Based on our work in the trenches, we offer you the following Eight Simple Steps to Keeping Cockroaches out of your kitchen cupboards, laundry room, basement or pantry:

1. Cockroaches can sneak in with paper products, packaging and used appliances. Inspect bags or boxes of groceries brought into the home; remove clutter to make cleaning easier and to get rid of hiding places for cockroaches.
2. Regularly vacuum or sweep areas that might attract cockroaches.
3. Seal cracks and openings around or inside cabinets, caulk cracks along floors, add screens to floor drains, and paint cracks in cabinets to seal them.
4. Store food in sealed containers. Never leave food, crumbs or trash uncovered anywhere.
5. Clean up any food debris or spills right away; do not leave uneaten pet food to sit out overnight.
6. Dry up wet areas and repair leaky faucets or drains that create moisture.
7. Use trash cans with tight fitting lids. Avoid placing trash under the sink. Empty trash cans often. Put garbage in closed plastic bags.
8. If you live in an apartment or condominium, ask your neighbors to do what you are doing to their living areas to help keep cockroaches out.
If you have questions or concerns about pest allergens in your home and Griffin’s new Asthma and Allergy service, call or e-mail Griffin Pest Solutions at 888/547-4334 or callcenter@https://www.griffinpest.com/ for more information and a free estimate.