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Bugman Bites, Lesions May Be Tied To Morgellon's Disease
TO ERADICATE BAT PROBLEM, YOU NEED A SPECIALIST Termites, Mice Will Remain Active in the Winter |
Saturday, October 30, 2010
To Eradicate Bat Problem, You Need A Specialist
By Richard Fagerlund
For the Journal
Q: We have been having a problem with bats. One even got into the house. We have learned that our neighbors have also had problems with them and are taking measures to evict them. I, however, think that they will return by making new holes. I have found an electronic pest control product on the market that you plug into the electrical outlet and it emits an electronic interference to the pests. Do they work? — B.L., Placitas
A: None of the miracle electronic pest repellers works. They are absolutely useless. Solving bat problems takes a professional who knows something about bats.
There are several species of bats in New Mexico, and some are protected by law. Some bats leave the area in winter and come back in the spring, while other species stay in the area.
A bat specialist can learn which species you have by checking the bat droppings, or if you are lucky enough to get someone who really knows bats, they can actually measure the pitch of their ultrasonic squeaks ... and identify them that way.
If you live in an area where there are lots of mosquitoes, you might even consider installing a bat house on a tree nearby.
Q: I have positively identified black carpet beetle larvae invading my house. I do not have carpet, rather wood flooring and have ascertained that they are emerging from cracks between the floor boards (I have seen them come out while washing the floor).
The building I am living in is approximately 90 years old. I have inspected all clothing, furniture and area rugs and have had my floors treated with a pesticide. Unfortunately, I am unable to remove the flooring to treat underneath.
I have been finding dead larvae throughout the past week, but am interested in what my chances are for a thorough reduction/elimination of the infestation in light of my inability to directly treat under the floors. Please help! Thanks! — H.J., Albuquerque
A: Adult carpet beetles fly freely, feeding on pollen and nectar on flower heads during the summer months. The larvae need a high animal-protein diet and occur naturally in dry birds' nests.
They appear in domestic situations, infesting carpets, clothes, animal furs and skins (including stuffed specimens) and are often associated with bird nesting activity in eaves and roof spaces.
The female beetle lays the whitish eggs in or on a suitable larval food. Continuously feeding, the larvae grow by moulting several times before pupating inside the last larval skin.
They will damage the fibers of carpets, bedding and clothing, animal fur, skins and leather and sometimes the heads of sweeping brushes and mops. In other situations they will frequently eat and damage stuffed animals and dead insects.
If materials are heavily infested, they should be removed and destroyed. Infested areas should be cleaned thoroughly using a nozzle vacuum cleaner concentrating on removing debris and larvae from cracks and crevices.
An application of a natural non-toxic insecticide should then be made to the area, concentrating on treating cracks and crevices.
A good non-toxic pest product is available on greenadvantageorganics.com.
Q: You frequently mention the names and websites of companies where we can buy products to use to control pests ourselves. However, you never mention the names of any companies that we can hire to do the work. Can you name some in the Albuquerque area? Thank you. — C.F., Albuquerque
A: I never have mentioned any pest control companies that I recommend, but I can. I have been in Albuquerque for more than 30 years and know most of the companies. I won't mention any that I can't recommend.
The best company in New Mexico in my opinion is Preventive Pest Control (975-2582). I have known them for 15 years and have never gotten a complaint on them.
Another excellent company is ABC Pest Management (294-6601). They are a smaller company but they are very good. Real Pest Solutions in Rio Rancho is also an excellent company.
Dear Readers:
This is my next-to-last column for the Albuquerque Journal. I want to thank Dan Herrera at the Journal for letting me write the column close to 10 years ago and all of my editors. I have enjoyed writing the column.
I am not going away. I will be writing the column in a number of smaller papers around the state. I am also going to set up a Facebook page for just answering bug questions. If you have questions, you can contact me at richardfagerlund@yahoo.com or 505-385-2820 or through my website at askthebugman.com. It was a pleasure writing for the Albuquerque Journal. My final column will appear Nov. 13.
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