INSECT REMEDIATION
INSECT REMEDIATION
If we treat a property for pest infestation, we need to verify that the problem has been completely taken care of. Do not assume two treatments will resolve the issue.
Checklist for Treating a Property for Bug Infestation
The above link will take you to the checklist for treating a property for bug Infestation, Make sure to print this each time you use it, because we may have made updates to the checklist since you last printed it.
If you need further instruction on bugs that are NOT addressed in this manual, go to domyown.com and ask for help
WE CAN ALSO SHIP THESE TO YOUR HOUSE FROM AMAZON.COM OR FROM DOMYOWN.COM
MISC. INFO
We prefer to get chemicals from Ryan's Agri Sales on Versailles Rd in Lexington unless there is a compelling reason to order from Home Depot. The chemicals at Ryan's are better, and you can describe your situation, and they will advise you on what you need.
BED BUGS
Prevention:
Inspection: Regularly inspect mattresses, bed frames, and other furniture for signs of bed bugs, especially when traveling or purchasing second-hand furniture.
Cleanliness: Maintain cleanliness by washing and heat-drying bed linens, bedspreads, and clothing that touches the floor regularly. Use a high-heat setting in the dryer.
Vacuuming: Vacuum frequently, especially in the bedroom, and dispose of the vacuum cleaner bags in a sealed plastic bag.
Encasements: Use protective covers for mattresses and box springs to reduce the number of hiding places for bed bugs.
Decluttering: Reduce clutter in your home to minimize hiding spots for bed bugs.
Travel Precautions: When traveling, inspect hotel rooms for signs of bed bugs and keep luggage off the floor and bed. Upon returning home, wash all travel clothing immediately.
Bed Bugs: Overview and Prevention
Overview:
Appearance: Bed bugs are small, oval, brownish insects that live on the blood of animals or humans. Adult bed bugs have flat bodies about the size of an apple seed. After feeding, however, their bodies swell and are a reddish color.
Habitat: They typically hide in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards where they have easy access to people to bite at night.
Life Cycle: Bed bugs can live several months without a blood meal. Female bed bugs may lay hundreds of eggs, each about the size of a speck of dust, over a lifetime.
Signs of Infestation:
Bite Marks: Often the first sign of bed bugs is bites on the skin, which are usually itchy and appear in a line or cluster.
Blood Stains: Small blood stains from crushed bed bugs or their feces may be found on sheets and mattresses.
Eggs and Shells: Bed bug eggs and their shed skins can often be found in the crevices of mattresses and furniture.
Odor: A musty odor can sometimes be detected in infested areas.
Temprid FX Insecticide:
Once sprayed, wait until the treated area is dry and ventilated before re-entering, which usually takes 1-2 hours
Temprid FX
Temprid FX is an insecticide that can be used to treat bedbugs. Here's a general guide on how to use it:
Preparation: Before using Temprid FX, you should remove all bedding, linens, and clothing from the infested area and wash them in hot water (at least 120°F). Vacuum the area thoroughly, paying close attention to seams, crevices, and cracks where bedbugs may hide.
Mixing: Temprid FX comes in a concentrate that must be diluted with water. Read the label carefully to determine the correct mixing ratio for your situation. Typically, you'll need to mix 8 ml of concentrate with 1 gallon of water.
Application: You can apply Temprid FX using a pump sprayer, a trigger sprayer, or a hand-held sprayer. Be sure to shake the solution well before each use. Spray the solution directly onto bedbugs and their hiding places, such as bed frames, headboards, box springs, and baseboards. Apply a light mist to these areas, making sure not to oversaturate.
Safety: Wear gloves and eye protection when handling Temprid FX. Keep pets and children away from the treated area until the solution has dried completely.
Follow-up: Bedbugs can be difficult to eliminate completely, so it's important to follow up with additional treatments if necessary. You may need to treat the area again in 7-10 days to ensure that all bedbugs and their eggs have been eradicated.
It's important to note that Temprid FX is a powerful insecticide and should be used with caution. Always read and follow the label instructions carefully, and consider seeking professional pest control services if you are unsure about how to use the product safely and effectively.
CIMEXA
Cimexa is a silica-based insecticide dust that can also be used to treat bedbugs. Here's how to use it:
Preparation: Before using Cimexa, you should remove all bedding, linens, and clothing from the infested area and wash them in hot water (at least 120°F). Vacuum the area thoroughly, paying close attention to seams, crevices, and cracks where bedbugs may hide.
Application: Cimexa is best applied using a hand-held duster or a paintbrush. You should apply a light dusting of the product to the areas where bedbugs are likely to hide, such as the seams and tufts of mattresses and box springs, bed frames, headboards, and baseboards. Be sure to apply a thin, even layer, and avoid over-applying the product.
Safety: Wear gloves and a dust mask when handling Cimexa. Keep pets and children away from the treated area until the dust has settled.
Follow-up: Bedbugs can be difficult to eliminate completely, so it's important to follow up with additional treatments if necessary. You may need to reapply Cimexa after several weeks to ensure that all bedbugs and their eggs have been eradicated.
It's important to note that Cimexa is a desiccant dust that works by dehydrating insects, including bedbugs. While it is generally considered safe for humans and pets, it can cause respiratory irritation if inhaled in large quantities. Always read and follow the label instructions carefully, and consider seeking professional pest control services if you are unsure about how to use the product safely and effectively.
CimeXa Insecticide Dust: Since this is a dust, it doesn't have a re-entry period like aerosols. You can re-enter as soon as the dust has settled and proper precautions (like avoiding inhalation)
Bellow Hand Duster: This is a manual dusting tool used to apply dust insecticides like CimeXa. No re-entry period is necessary as long as the dust is not airborne.
TERMITES
Prevention:
Reduce Moisture: Termites are attracted to moisture. Fix leaks in pipes, roofs, and gutters. Ensure proper drainage around the foundation.
Wood and Soil Contact: Avoid wood-to-soil contact around your home. Maintain a gap between soil and wood structures.
Proper Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation in crawl spaces and attics to reduce humidity levels.
Regular Inspections: Conduct regular inspections of your home’s foundation, windows, and doors for signs of termite activity.
Seal Cracks: Seal cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation and walls to prevent termites from entering.
Wood Treatments: Use treated wood for construction and apply termite repellents and treatments to vulnerable wood structures.
Remove Debris: Keep your yard free of wood debris, including firewood, lumber, and tree stumps.
Termites: Overview and Prevention
Overview:
Appearance: Termites are small, pale insects that resemble ants but are white or light brown. They have straight antennae and a broad waist.
Types: The three main types are subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites. Subterranean termites are the most destructive.
Habitat: Termites feed on wood and can cause significant structural damage to buildings. They live in colonies that can house thousands of individuals.
Life Cycle: A termite colony has a caste system, including workers, soldiers, and reproductive individuals (kings and queens). Colonies can last for many years and produce new swarmers annually.
Signs of Infestation:
Mud Tubes: Subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel between their colony and their food source.
Wood Damage: Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer of wood or paint on the surface. Hollow-sounding wood when tapped is a sign.
Swarmers: Winged termites, or swarmers, emerge to mate and start new colonies. Discarded wings near windows or doors are a common sign.
Frass: Drywood termites leave behind small, pellet-shaped droppings known as frass.
For Termites, use Termidor SC
Termidor Foam Termiticide: You should wait for the foam to dissipate and the area to dry, which may take around 1-2 hours
Termidor SC (Suspension Concentrate): Typically, you should wait until the product dries completely before re-entering, which can take 1-2 hours.
Termidor SC (Suspension Concentrate) is a popular termiticide that is commonly used by professionals to treat termite infestations. It contains fipronil, which is a highly effective insecticide that can eliminate termites both through direct contact and by ingestion.
Termidor SC (Suspension Concentrate) is a professional-grade termiticide that can be applied as a continuous barrier around the perimeter of your property or in targeted areas where termite activity has been observed. Here are the general steps for applying Termidor SC:
Prepare the Termidor SC solution: The recommended mixture for Termidor SC is 0.8 fl oz of product per gallon of water. Measure the appropriate amount of Termidor SC and add it to a clean bucket of water, and mix it thoroughly.
Dig a trench: Using a shovel or trenching tool, dig a trench around the perimeter of your property, exposing the soil to a depth of about 6-8 inches. The trench should be wide enough to allow for the application of the Termidor SC solution.
Apply the solution: Using a low-pressure sprayer, apply the Termidor SC solution to the trench, thoroughly saturating the soil. The solution should be applied to the soil at a rate of 4 gallons per 10 linear feet of trench.
Backfill the trench: After the Termidor SC solution has been applied, backfill the trench with the soil that was removed. Make sure to pack the soil firmly to ensure good soil-to-wood contact.
Treat targeted areas: If you have identified specific areas of termite activity, you can apply Termidor SC directly to those areas using a foam applicator. The foam applicator should be used to inject the product into termite galleries or other areas of termite activity.
Use Termidor Foam if you need to SPOT TREAT termites or get a foam inside of a wall or area that you otherwise do not have access to. THIS WILL BE A RARE USE that must be approved by Jeff.
ROACHES
Prevention:
Cleanliness: Maintain a clean home by regularly cleaning floors, counters, and other surfaces to remove food and water sources.
Food Storage: Store food in sealed containers and avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
Waste Management: Dispose of garbage regularly and use trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
Moisture Control: Fix leaks in plumbing and ensure proper ventilation to reduce moisture in kitchens and bathrooms.
Sealing Entry Points: Seal cracks and gaps in walls, doors, and windows to prevent roaches from entering.
Decluttering: Reduce clutter in your home to eliminate potential hiding spots for roaches.
Baits and Traps: Use roach baits and traps to monitor and control roach populations.
Overview:
Appearance: Cockroaches are typically brown or black insects with flat, oval bodies, long antennae, and six legs. Some species have wings but are not strong fliers.
Types: Common species include the German cockroach, American cockroach, and Oriental cockroach.
Habitat: Roaches prefer warm, humid environments and are often found in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
Life Cycle: Cockroaches undergo incomplete metamorphosis, including egg, nymph, and adult stages. They can produce multiple generations in a year.
Signs of Infestation:
Sightings: Seeing roaches during the day can indicate a large infestation, as they are typically nocturnal.
Droppings: Small, dark droppings that resemble ground coffee or black pepper are common signs.
Egg Cases: Roaches produce oothecae (egg cases) which are often found in hidden areas.
Musty Odor: A strong, musty odor can be present in areas with a significant infestation.
Damage: Roaches can chew on packaging and leave behind damage on various materials.
Suspend SC
Suspend SC (Suspended Concentrate) is a liquid insecticide that can be used to control a wide range of pests, including termites, ants, cockroaches, and spiders. Here are the general steps for using Suspend SC:
Dilute the Suspend SC: The recommended mixture for Suspend SC is 0.25-1.5 fluid ounces per gallon of water, depending on the type and severity of the pest infestation. Measure the appropriate amount of Suspend SC and add it to a clean bucket of water, and mix it thoroughly.
Fill a sprayer: Fill a handheld sprayer with the diluted Suspend SC solution.
Spray the targeted areas: Spray the diluted Suspend SC solution onto the targeted areas where you have observed pest activity, such as baseboards, cracks, and crevices. Be sure to apply the solution evenly, but not to the point of runoff.
Reapply as necessary: Depending on the severity of the pest infestation, you may need to reapply the Suspend SC solution every 7-14 days to achieve full control. It's important to always follow the product label instructions for proper reapplication.
It's important to note that Suspend SC is a pesticide and should be handled with care. Always wear protective gear, such as gloves and eye protection, when handling and applying the product. Additionally, it's important to store the product in a safe and secure location, away from children and pets. If you are unsure about how to use Suspend SC or are unsure if it is the best treatment for your specific situation, it's recommended to consult with a professional pest control company for advice.
Suspend SC (Suspended Concentrate): Like most sprays, you should wait for the treated area to dry before re-entering, usually 1-2 hours
We suggest using SOLO brand sprayers. If you want one, we can purchase one on amazon.com on your behalf and reimburse from your next pay check. It will be shipped to your house. We also suggest getting a nozzle assortment for spare parts.
BUG BOMBS
(roaches, bedbugs and fleas when doing demo)
As a rule of thumb, the number of bombs should be based on the square footage of the house and the number of floors. The number of rooms should also be considered.
Note that the room and closet doors should be open to achieve the best possible outcome when treating the property for bug infestation.
Pro Control Plus Total Release Aerosol Insecticide and Precor Plus Fogger are both aerosol insecticides that are designed to control a variety of pests, including fleas, ticks, ants, and cockroaches. Here are the general steps for using Pro Control Plus Total Release Aerosol Insecticide and Precor Plus Fogger:
Prepare the area: Before using either product, remove all people, pets, and plants from the room or area being treated. Cover or remove any food, dishes, utensils, and food preparation surfaces.
Activate the product: Remove the safety tab on the canister and place the canister in the center of the room or area to be treated. Press down on the nozzle to release the product.
Leave the area: After activating the product, immediately leave the room or area being treated and close the doors and windows.
Allow the product to work: The product will continue to release and distribute itself in the air and settle onto surfaces, killing the targeted pests. Follow the product label instructions for the recommended amount of time to wait before re-entering the area.
Ventilate the area: After the recommended time has elapsed, open the doors and windows to ventilate the area. If the odor is still too strong, wait a while longer before re-entering the area.
It's important to note that Pro Control Plus Total Release Aerosol Insecticide and Precor Plus Fogger are both pesticides and should be handled with care. Always wear protective gear, such as gloves and eye protection, when handling and applying the products. Additionally, it's important to follow the product label instructions carefully and not to use the products in a way that is inconsistent with the instructions. If you are unsure about how to use these products or are unsure if they are the best treatment for your specific situation, it's recommended to consult with a professional pest control company for advice.
NOTE: PT Pro control plus - set off in basement or crawl space.
Here is the information on re-entry times for the products you've listed:
Pro Control Plus Total Release Aerosol Insecticide: After setting off the fogger, you must wait at least 2 hours before re-entering the treated space, followed by an additional 30 minutes of ventilation.
Precor Plus Fogger: Similar to other foggers, a re-entry period of at least 2 hours is required after activation, followed by 30 minutes of ventilation(
Bedlam Insecticide Aerosol: This product requires a re-entry time of about 2 hours to allow treated surfaces to dry.
RODENTS
Prevention:
Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for gaps, cracks, and holes. Seal any openings larger than a quarter-inch to prevent rodent entry.
Maintain Cleanliness: Keep your home clean by regularly sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming to eliminate food sources.
Food Storage: Store food in airtight containers and clean up spills immediately.
Garbage Management: Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids and dispose of garbage regularly.
Eliminate Clutter: Reduce clutter, both inside and outside your home, to eliminate hiding places for rodents.
Remove Food Sources: Keep pet food and birdseed in sealed containers and clean up after feeding pets.
Trim Vegetation: Keep trees, shrubs, and grass trimmed away from your home to reduce rodent harborage areas.
Moisture Control: Fix leaks and eliminate standing water to remove water sources that attract rodents.
Traps and Baits: Use traps and baits to monitor and control rodent populations. Place them in areas where rodents are active.
Overview:
Appearance: Common rodents include mice and rats. Mice are small, with large ears and eyes, and a pointed nose. Rats are larger, with a blunt nose, small ears, and a long, scaly tail.
Types: The most common types of rodents that infest homes are the house mouse, the Norway rat, and the roof rat.
Habitat: Rodents seek shelter in homes for food, water, and warmth. They are often found in kitchens, basements, attics, and wall voids.
Life Cycle: Rodents reproduce rapidly. A single mouse can produce up to 40 offspring in one year. Rats can have up to six litters per year, with up to 12 pups per litter.
Signs of Infestation:
Droppings: Rodent droppings are a clear sign of an infestation. Mouse droppings are small and black, while rat droppings are larger.
Gnaw Marks: Rodents chew on various materials to keep their teeth sharp. Look for gnaw marks on food packaging, wires, and wood.
Noises: Scratching, scurrying, or squeaking sounds, especially at night, indicate rodent activity.
Nests: Rodents use shredded paper, fabric, and other materials to build nests. These are often found in hidden areas.
Grease Marks: Rodents leave greasy smears along their paths, particularly along walls and baseboards.
Footprints: In dusty areas, you may notice small footprints and tail marks.
Amazon Link: D-Con No View, No Touch Covered Mouse Trap
Here's how to use the d-Con mouse trap
Trapping Rats, Raccoons, and Squirrels: Types of Traps and Tips
Rats:
Types of Traps:
Snap Traps: Traditional traps with a spring-loaded bar that snaps down on the rat when triggered. They are effective and inexpensive.
Glue Traps: Boards coated with a sticky adhesive that traps rats upon contact. They are less humane and not recommended for outdoor use.
Electronic Traps: Battery-operated traps that deliver a lethal electric shock to rats. They are quick and humane.
Live Traps: Small cages that capture rats alive for relocation. They require regular monitoring and humane release practices.
Tips for Trapping Rats:
Place traps along walls, behind appliances, and in other areas where rats travel.
Use bait such as peanut butter, cheese, or dried fruit.
Wear gloves when handling traps to avoid transferring human scent.
Regularly check traps and dispose of dead rats promptly.
Raccoons:
Types of Traps:
Live Traps: Large, sturdy cages designed to capture raccoons alive. They typically have a spring-loaded door that closes when the raccoon enters to reach the bait.
Tips for Trapping Raccoons:
Place traps near areas of raccoon activity, such as garbage cans, gardens, or attics.
Use bait such as canned fish, marshmallows, or fruit.
Cover the trap with a tarp or blanket to calm the trapped raccoon.
Check local regulations regarding the relocation or release of captured raccoons.
Squirrels:
Types of Traps:
Live Traps: Small to medium-sized cages designed to capture squirrels alive. These traps often have a single door that closes when triggered.
Tube Traps: Cylindrical traps that allow squirrels to enter but not exit. They are effective for smaller areas like attics.
Tips for Trapping Squirrels:
Place traps near entry points, trees, or bird feeders where squirrels are active.
Use bait such as peanut butter, nuts, or seeds.
Secure the trap to prevent it from tipping over.
Check the trap frequently and release captured squirrels far from your property.