Commercial Bee Services - Bee Treatment on a Roof

Commercial Bee Control 

When Beneficial Insects Become Structural Pests

If you know how we feel about bees, then you know that we consider them an important part of the pollination process for essential crops. Bees are a mostly beneficial insect, however, in this routine bee service, bees were invading and nesting inside a structure, making them a nuisance and a structural pest.

We received a call from a commercial building completing some remodeling work. The work crew was unable to paint because of the large number of bees flying in and out of the structure. The client reported that the bees were aggressive, which behavior was confirmed by the technician who treated this structural pest problem. Most likely, their agitated behavior was due to their defensiveness. 

The bees were on the roof, which always presents an added challenge when a technician has to suit up in a protective bee suit, use a ladder and navigate the roof to treat the problem. In this case, our fabulous technician, Nic, even took some pictures and managed to shoot the below video.

In this case, chemical treatment was the recommended method of control. Opening up the roof was not in the client's budget or scope of work they wanted performed. It is difficult to perform live removal of a hive. Mostly because in order to remove the bees, a decoy queen must be used and this is beyond the ability of most pest control companies. If the queen is damaged or unable to be removed, the rest of the hive will likely wane in 3-5 days.

Bee control can be dangerous and is best left
to a licensed pest professional.

Chemical control methods of bees are sometimes necessary.

Bee Control Video

Caste of Bees

Did you know that honey bee colonies operate under a caste system? The caste system consists of the queen, the workers and the drones. There is a single dominate queen in each bee colony and she is in charge with reproducing. Most of the bees in a hive are workers, which include non-fertile females that forage for food and water, groom the queen and perform other hive duties. The male drones are responsible for mating with the queen. Male drones do not have stingers and therefore cannot sting.

Temporary vs. Permanent Bee Swarms

European Honey Bees swarm about once every year. They tend to swarm when they colony is becoming too large. Sometimes bees will form a temporary cluster while they are in transit to selecting a new hive location. This cluster is usually temporary and the bees will move on to a new location within 1-2 days. If the bees haven't moved on within that time frame or are starting to establish themselves permanently and going in and out of wall voids or attic eaves, please give us a call and we will go over your options with you.

Pigeon Exclusion {Before & After}

Getting Rid of Pigeons

As we showed you in this case study, birds can become a nuisance when they start roosting on window ledges and eaves. Pigeons, considered rats with wings by some, leave droppings (guano) on building surfaces which can stain and discolor structural finishes. They build nests and cause noise right outside your windows. Bird droppings also can also contain diseases and ectoparasites and birds can also carry fleas, mites, lice and ticks.

Pigeon Control Methods

We use a few different methods to prevent birds from roosting in hard-to-reach areas. For this property, our bird expert Nic, used metal flashing to construct a bird barrier that created a slope. The malleable flashing was bent and made to fit and blend in perfectly. Nic painted the metal to match the exterior of the structure. This uneven surface is now impossible for the birds to land on and they can no longer perch on the structure.

Pigeon Exclusion Services

Birds are no longer able to nest in the space between wood members and the stucco on the house.

Metal Flashing Bird Barriers

As you can see, you do not have to live with the birds that have decided that your residence is their home too. These pigeons quickly learned that there were no more flat surfaces for them to comfortably rest upon when they returned to the house. Every surface that they had claimed is now protected with bird resistant barriers. When they try to land on these 45 degree metal angles, they slip and slide and cannot maintain a grip like they used to before.

Rid Your Home of Birds

If you have unwanted birds nesting on your home, please give us a call. We will take a look and offer you a quote to exclude these nuisance birds from your residence. We can also provide decontamination and clean-up services for those unsightly bird droppings that are left behind.

We can be reached by calling (951) 652-0505 or by submitting a request online at our website. We look forward to taking care of all of your bird exclusion and clean-up needs!

Are Rodents Eating the Bait?

Why So Many Rodent Droppings?

Rodents nibble often on their food sources, which means they also defecate frequently. Combine this with a fast metabolism and you have quite a lot of rodent droppings. Rats and mice defecate where they feed and also while they are traveling between their nests and food sources. Rodent urine and rodent feces contain a pheromone that attracts other rodents. 

Which Rodent Control Method is Right for You?

There are different options when it comes to rodent control. Some residences and commercial buildings are good candidates for traps and/or glue boards, while others are effectively controlled by single-feeding baits placed in tamper-resistant bait boxes. Other situations are able to be rodent-proofed by excluding entry points that are accessible to rats and mice. Rodents can gain access to a structure pretty easily and with just the smallest of openings.

A pair of House Mice can produce up to 18,000 droppings in a 6 month period. One Roof Rat can produce 30-150 droppings in one day. 

Rodent Nesting Sites

In the below case study, rats have been using this water heater to build a nest. Notice the droppings on the top of the water heater unit. The droppings have rounded ends instead of pointed ends, meaning that these are Norway rats.

How to Tell if Rodents are Eating Bait

You can see that the rats have been feeding on the bait. Each side of the bait blocks have been gnawed and shaved down. Most importantly, the rodent poop is colored, which confirms that this rodent (or rodents) is feeding on the bait and should have received a lethal dose. A second-generation anti-coagulant bait should produce dead rodents within 4-5 days.

Rodent Baiting Programs

A successful baiting program for rodents requires the help of our customers. For example, pet food must be stored in tightly sealed containers and empty bowls picked up after pets are finished eating. Rodents are attracted to pet food and prefer this as a food source. All other food sources need to be removed In order for rodents to be interested in feeding on the rodent bait and to avoid competing food sources.

Rodents can be controlled by a variety of methods. AmeriGuard Pest Defense is available to answer all of your rodent questions and concerns. We can recommend a control program based on your rodent problems. We can provide trapping services, glue boards and/or a baiting service. If you are in Southwest Riverside County, give us a call today at (951) 652-0505 for a free rodent estimate.

Drywood Termites - Evidence, Biology, Habit, Treatment

According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause an estimated 5 BILLION dollars in damage each year.

Most homes are constructed from wood materials and the diet of a drywood termite is just that...WOOD! It's a match made in heaven for the termite, but a horrible headache and expense for a homeowner that has discovered evidence of drywood termites. Fortunately, a licensed and experienced termite inspector AmeriGuard Pest Defense can help navigate the entire process from start to finish and take some of the stress away from you.

Drywood termites are different than their subterranean counterparts. Drywood termites do not need a moisture source or contact with soil to survive. Rather, drywood termites feed on dry wood that is above ground, namely the framing materials, eaves, rafters, roof tails, window sills and any other wood found in a structure. 

DRYWOOD TERMITE EVIDENCE

Evidence that drywood termites are feeding on the cellulose material in your home can come in some different forms.

• Drywood termite swarmer

• Drywood termite pellets

• Drywood termite wings

• Drywood termite kick holes

• Drywood termite damaged wood

DRYWOOD TERMITE SWARMERS

After several years when a drywood termite colony matures, pairs of swarmers take flight to establish new colonies. Drywood termites swarm when there is a rise in temperature. Drywood termites are not great fliers and often travel short distances with the help of wind currents. 

DRYWOOD TERMITE WINGS

Once the swarmers settle, they shed their wings. Homeowners sometimes report finding wings on exterior window screens or interior window sills.

DRYWOOD TERMITE PELLETS & KICK HOLES

Drywood termites produce pellets, which is simply drywood termite fecal matter. The pellets are then expelled out of their galleries (hollowed out portions of chewed wood) through kick holes. These pellets collect in piles or scattered about if the distance below is great.

Drywood termite pellets have fallen to the bottom of a subarea floor
from the floor above in this home with a raised foundation.

Drywood termite pellets are expelled from kickout
holes. 

Drywood termites chew wood creating
hollowed out galleries.

New drywood termite pellet evidence
is being collected directly from the kickout holes

DRYWOOD TERMITE WOOD DAMAGE

Drywood termites chew wood and create hollowed out galleries, which threaten the integrity and support of the wood. 

Drywood termites cause damage by eating wood,
which threatens the structural integrity of buildings. 

Most homeowners do not realize that they have a drywood termite problem until they see the warnings signs mentioned above. Evidence of swarmers, missing wings, kick holes, piles of pellets and hollowed out wood members are all quite obvious signs of termites. Unfortunately, these signs are not usually visible until a termite colony has been well established for quite some time, usually a number of years. 

AmeriGuard Pest Defense is experienced and licensed to perform several different termite treatments depending on the findings of each individual home that is inspected for wood destroying organisms. If you see termite evidence or suspect a termite infestation, do not hesitate to call your termite professionals for an inspection. We offer free limited inspections to residential homeowners. Full inspections are recommended and available for a nominal fee. Once the inspection is completed, you will receive a Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Report with all of the Section I and Section II item findings as well as recommendations that fit your unique situation. Local treatment options may be available to you instead of a fumigation. 

For more information and additional pictures of fumigations and termite treatments, please visit us on Facebook.

Argentine Ants - Effective Ant Control

Effective Ant Control

According to the NPMA Field Guide to Structural Pests, ants are one of the most successful group of insects. These social insects live in colonies with nests usually located on the ground. Ants usually make their way indoors looking for shelter, water and/or food. While ants will feed on most foods (meats, eggs, oils and fats), most ants are attracted to sweets and come inside looking for such. 

Ants in Southern California

The Argentine ant is well-established in the Southern California landscape and is the ant species that is treated for most commonly in residential locations throughout Southwest Riverside County. 

Why Do Ants Come Inside?

Ants need water to survive and moisture is a contributing factor to what makes an appropriate nesting site. Argentine ants can enter residences when outside conditions are either too dry or too wet. It is at these times that they can be found nesting indoors near plumbing access lines under bathroom and kitchen sinks and sometimes come pouring out when a homeowner turns on the bathtub spout. 

Ant Supercolonies

Argentine ants are not aggressive toward other Argentine ants and will often join together to create huge supercolonies. This behavior helps Argentine ant colonies survive. Argentine ants begin to build up colonies in the spring, which die off in the fall only to resume their numbers again the following spring. 

Ant Trails

Argentine ants can be identified by their continuous trails, which Argentine worker ants follow when they are scouting for food and water.

Ant Satellite Colonies

Argentine ants can be a difficult ant species to control for a variety of reasons. First, Argentine ants are highly adapted to living with humans. These ants set up satellite colonies connected by trails. The advantage of establishing multiple subcolonies is that the colony as  a whole is not eliminated if one satellite colony is eradicated. 

Ant control can be achieved with the help of our customers. It is essential that certain conditions contributing to the ant infestation be corrected and treated to achieve optimum results. 

Tips to Avoid Ant Infestations

Ants That Won't Go Away

Just when you think you have eliminated your pest problem by ridding your pantry of ants, they can come back. It could be that you were successful in your battle against a satellite colony invading your sugar, but another subcolony is nesting in a nearby wall void and is now coming out of the electrical outlet and plumbing fixtures in your kids' bathroom. AmeriGuard Pest Defense uses top quality products specifically for ant control. The ants will not even realize that they are trailing over the product and unintentionally carrying it back to the nest where they share food and groom each other. Termidor has a plague-like effect and will travel back to the colony where the nest is.

If you are tired of fighting what seems like a never ending battle, call your pest professionals at AmeriGuard Pest Defense at (951) 652-0505. A One-Time Ant Control Service will come with a 30-Day Guarantee. If you decide you need monthly or bi-monthly services to cover all of your general pest needs, you will have a year-round guarantee as long as regular services are kept up. No contracts required! 

Earwigs in Your Ears or Your Yard?

Earwigs, also known as pincher bugs, are considered an "occasional invader" into a structure, choosing to nest outdoors in large groups. Earwigs are active at nighttime (nocturnal) and hide in undisturbed areas during the day in moist shaded locations, usually under stones, rocks and dead organic matter such as mulch or grass clippings.  

Earwigs are sometimes also called pincher bugs
because of their long cerci or pinchers

Earwig Superstition?

Earwigs are called such because of the old European superstition that they crawl into your ears when you are sleeping and go into your brain. Eek! There is nothing to worry about - fortunately this is just a myth!

Earwig Habitat

Earwigs feed on leaves, flowers, fruit, mold and other insects, such as spiders. They are easily identified by their long cerci or pinchers, which are NOT harmful to humans, but do eat other insects. 

Earwigs occasionally make their way indoors through small openings and cracks in the foundation. 

Reduce Earwigs

To reduce an earwig problem in your yard, it is important to practice the following tips:

• Remove damp logs, mulch and grass clippings

• Reduce the amount of stones, rocks and boards near the home

• Get rid of cardboard, stored newspaper and relocate stacks of wood away from the structure

Keep Earwigs Out

• Seal cracks and entry points around windows and door thresholds

• Fix or replace screens or vents that are broken

If you need additional assistance in earwig control, don't hesitate to contact AmeriGuard Pest Defense. We can be reached between the hours of 8-5pm Monday-Friday by calling (951) 652-0505. 

Noises in the Attic - Rodent Exclusion

Rodent Noises?

If you are hearing noises in your attic or walls, chances are it is not just your imagination. Mice and rats are common visitors in home attics, especially in the colder fall and winter months when they venture indoors looking for food and shelter. Your attic insulation provides a warm, comfortable and secluded nesting location for rodents. Rodents are likely to be undisturbed in your attic and wall voids.

Since rodents are nocturnal, you might start hearing sounds at night just when you are laying down to go to sleep when all is quiet. Since mice and rats produce offspring rapidly, chances are that the sounds you are hearing above are not just from one rodent. One mouse can produce up to 60 offspring a year.

Once it is confirmed that you have rodents invading your structure, you will want to lure them out of the home. Most likely, the rodents are traveling between the inside and outside of your home where they return to their nesting location. Rodents will take the same pathway, which will be worn and marked by the body grease trapped in their fur. Rodent bait boxes should be placed strategically to draw the rodents out of the structure, if possible. 

Rodent Control Program

An effective rodent control program should be combined with an exclusion or rodent-proofing service. A free exclusion quote will be offered with each scheduled rodent service. Rodents are getting in to your attic through some means.  A small hole the size of a 1/2" in diameter (approximately the size of a quarter) is all that is needed for a rat to gain access into the structure. Mice need even less of an opening - about 1/4" in diameter or the size of a dime. 

Rodents can also invade sub areas below a house, especially in a crawl space under a home with a raised foundation. 

This sub access area was providing access for rodents to burrow 

under a home with a raised foundation. 

Sub areas beneath homes are perfect secluded
harborages for rodents.

Our wood repair and rodent experts constructed this new sub access cover. 

Rodent proofing your home is a necessary step to
preventing a rodent infestation.

Rodent Exclusion

As you can see, a rodent control baiting program may be only half the battle against controlling rats and mice on your property. If you have never had a rodent issue before, a one-time rodent control service may be sufficient to rid your house of unwanted mice or rats. However, if you have been battling rodents for some time and live near fields or vacant land, we recommend combining a rodent service with an exclusion job as well as maintaining a rodent control service on a regular basis until effective control is achieved. Preventing rodents from entering your structure requires a cooperative effort from our customers. For example, an overhang of a tree branch in close proximity to the residence provides the perfect opportunity for a rodent to gain access to the structure via the roof. If there are missing screens or vents, the likelihood of a rodent infiltrating your home increases. Rodent control is usually successful with the implementation of the following:

Each rodent control baiting or trapping program comes with a free inspection at the initial service. The technician will inspect for entry points and provide an exclusion quote for any work that needs to be done to secure the property against rodents. The technician can also provide a quote for a decontamination service to disinfect, sanitize and treat for viruses in areas where there is evidence of rodent droppings and urine and/or dead rodents.

If you suspect rodents in your attic based on noise, droppings and/or damaged items, contact AmeriGuard Pest Defense to set up a rodent control service by calling (951) 652-0505. We often have same-day services available. 

Fungus Damage - Wood Destroying Organism

You might not think that fungus would be important to a Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Report. However, a WDO report isn't just for findings such as drywood or subterranean termites. A WDO Report includes all Section I items that are wood destroying organisms, which includes fungus, water damage and dry-rot.

What is Fungus?

Fungus or dry rot are organisms that attack wood and other organic matter. Moist areas support growth of fungus and dry rot. 

Fungus damage on the underside of a patio roof

What Causes Fungus or Dry Rot?

Rain, sprinkle systems and other moisture contributors can cause fungus or dry rot.

Water damage has contributed to fungus
and weathered wood members

How to Prevent Fungus and Dry Rot?

Make sure your roof is kept in good condition. It is important to keep all exterior wood primed, painted and properly sealed and caulked. 

Fungus damage is a Section 1 item

If you are a homeowner and suspect fungus or dry rot, contact your fungus specialists at AmeriGuard Pest Defense to set up an inspection by calling (951) 652-0505. AmeriGuard will then recommend all the fungus treatment options available for your situation. If you are a Real Estate agent, all Section I items will be covered on the Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Report when you order a termite inspection.

Subterranean Termite Inspection & Evidence

Suberranean Termite Inspection & Control

Southwest Riverside County

There are a couple of different reasons why AmeriGuard Pest Defense is called out for a termite inspection.

1. Termite Evidence
2. Escrow Inspection required by the bank when selling or refinancing real property

In some cases, a homeowner finds evidence of subterranean termites. Subterranean termites live underground in the soil or in moist secluded areas aboveground. Subterranean termites construct enclosed tunnels or mud tubes that allow them to travel and find food sources without being exposed to air. 

These subterranean termites were using books on a bookshelf as a food source. Since books are made out of paper, they fit right into the subterranean termite's diet of cellulose material. The homeowners had no idea that mud tubes existed behind their collection of old library books. Once they moved the books and found the termite evidence, they called AmeriGuard Pest Defense for a termite inspection.

Subterranean Termite Evidence

Subterranean Termites build mud tunnels called mud tubes.

Subterranean Termite Mud Tubes

Mud tubes at a garage expansion joint.

Subterranean termites can lurk in inconspicuous places where you least expect to find them, but as you can see above, this species of termites need moist soil to survive and are usually found in damp conditions near cellulose material, such as the wood members of a structure. 

Based on your unique subterranean termite situation, AmeriGuard will recommend a solution based on the termite findings in your structure. A WDO Report will be issued and the work performed promptly and by a licensed pest control applicator. Once the work is completed, a completion report will be generated. All termite work comes with a guarantee.

Contact AmeriGuard Pest Defense at (951) 652-0505 to set up a convenient WDO Inspection. Our licensed termite inspector will go over all of the findings with you as well as thoroughly explain any primary and/or secondary recommendations available for your termite situation. 

Spider Problems, Control and Safety

Spider Problems

There are over 35,000 species of spiders throughout the world, including 3,000 occurring in North America. 

The most common spider found indoors is the House or Domestic spider. This spider is a nuisance pest, mostly because of the webs it spins. It constructs webs in garages, corners, sheds, barns, etc. 

Common house or domestic spider.

Two species of spiders are of special importance and considered dangerous to humans, namely the widow and recluse spiders.

Black widows are easily recognized by the red hourglass shape found under the abdomen. Despite popular opinion, after mating female black widow spiders do not eat their mate. Black widows construct webs usually near ground level and in protected and undisturbed areas like boxes, wood piles and eaves. Black widows enter residences through transportation of boxes and wood to the interior of a structure. Black widows are dangerous to humans, especially the elderly and children, because of their venomous neurotoxin. A black widow spider bite can cause extreme pain.

This black widow was found hiding in a rodent bait feeding station

during a routine rodent control service.Our technician, Nic, snapped this great photo.

Black widow spider venom is a neurotoxin.

The below Female Black Widow Spider was found during an inspection for spider control.

Brown Recluse spiders are recognizable by the dark brown violin marking on the back. Their preferred habitat is outdoors in debris and wood piles. Brown recluse spiders do not instinctively want to bite humans, but will bite in defense. However, brown recluse spiders are not native to California and are not a threat in Southwest Riverside County. Brown recluse spiders live in the central Midwest. 

Brown recluse spiders do not live in California.

Spider Control

AmeriGuard’s Pest Defense Service begins with a licensed technician providing a full inspection of your residence and property. During the inspection, the licensed technician will identify potential problem areas around your home or office. After the source of your problem areas have been identified, your technician will point out other potential spider harborages and steps you can take to reduce future spider infestations. 

Spider Safety

Spider safety is important when it comes to black widows. Here are some tips of caution when it comes to spider safety.

• Inspect and shake out shoes, especially when they have been stored in a garage

• Minimize undisturbed spaces between storage boxes

• Use caution when moving stored firewood, rubble piles and cleaning sheds and barns

• Look carefully under eaves and stucco and other dark outdoo hiding areas

• Inspect dark corners and voids in dark places, such as garages and corners

• Use caution when dealing with stored vehicles that have been parked and unmoved

Spider Problem

Are spiders making themselves too comfortable in and around your home or business? Contact your local and licensed pest control professionals at AmeriGuard Pest Defense by calling (951) 652-0505 or submit an online request by clicking here. 

Green vs. Botanical vs. Organic Pest Control

Organic vs. Botanical vs Green Pest Control

In an ever-changing world more and more consumers are becoming earth conscious and environmentally friendly and AmeriGuard Pest Defense is proud to offer services geared toward our customers that prefer this alternative method of pest control.

Organic Pest Control

There is a growing organic movement and we often hear about organic cotton, organic produce and organic farming. However, the term "organic" means something different in the pest industry. Organic chemicals are chemicals that contain carbon and hydrogen as their basic structure (Source: University of California). It is important not to become confused by pest control companies advertising their services as safe, non-toxic and organic. In fact, in California, it is illegal to advertise pest control services that are "safe", "non-poisonous", "harmless", "non-toxic" or "EPA-approved". 

Botanical Pest Control

Botanical pest control can also be misleading to consumers looking for alternatives to traditional pesticides. Did you know that the highly lethal strychnine is botanical? That's right - certain plants contain substances that are naturally poisonous to insects and other mammals. Chrysanthemum flowers produce pyrethrum and strychnine is produced from dried seeds from the strychnos tree in India. 

Just because something is labeled as organic or botanical does not mean that is what you intend to have used at your property to control your general household pests, such as ants, spiders, earwigs, crickets, beetles, fleas, etc.

AmeriGuard Green Defense

AmeriGuard offers a Green Defense program using low-impact botanical products with blends of naturally derived essential oils and pheromones specifically designed to take down target pests by blocking the insect's nervous system without impacting other animals. Examples of the botanical products used include wintergreen, rosemary among other essential oils.

As you can see, even products that come from nature and are botanical are not non-toxic or 100% "safe" and it is misleading to advertise as such. The best way to ensure that the pest populations are reduced at your home is to combine a reduced toxicity approach with Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Is the AmeriGuard Green Defense service right for you?

Reducing use of pesticides on your property is the first step. Great green service also relies on Integrated Pest Management (IPM). An IPM approach can be very effective at reducing pest populations at your property. Below are some strategies for minimizing pest habitats and reducing infestations within your home.

• Clean rain gutters 

• Keep tree branches trimmed back from roofs

• Store firewood away from the house to reduce rodent and spider harborage sites

• Keep trash in sealed containers

• Make sure windows are screened securely

• Seal window frames

• Seal any exterior cracks, crevices or holes

• Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed and back from the house 

Contact AmeriGuard Pest Defense by calling (951) 652-0505 to discuss your pest control concerns and schedule a botanical pest control service appointment today. We look forward to speaking with you about your pest issues and working toward minimizing pest outbreaks.