Pest Newsletter Spring 2013 - Chem

Newsletter No. 34
Spring 2013
CHE M - W I S E
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Pest Profile: Springtails Dale Leifheit, Branch Manager - Aurora Office
I’m sure everyone remembers just how hot and dry the 2012 summer months were. The inclement
weather left many people’s gardens and lawns ruined. As if this wasn’t enough of a problem, the
lack of rain caused the intrusion of thousands of springtails into many people’s homes. This can be
quite frightening since they generally are encountered in large numbers. The good news is that
they cannot cause any harm or damage to anyone or anything. Springtails are tiny gray or black insects that are usually
less than 1/12th inch long. Most would guess that the
name “springtail” comes from the fact that they are
mostly active in the spring. This may hold true to some
extent, but they actually get their name due to the fact
that when they jump they tend to “spring” into the air. This is due to a forked appendage called the furcula
which is folded forward under the abdomen when the
insect is at rest and can be moved away from the body
suddenly causing the springtail to jump.
Springtails can only survive in an environment that is moist or high in humidity. They are often found
in large numbers outside the home living in mulch beds and other damp areas. Since they feed on
algae, fungi, pollen, and decaying plant material, they usually cannot live indoors for longer than a
few days unless one of those sources is available to them. For this reason treatment on the inside
of a home is almost never necessary. The key to eliminating them inside the home is to lower the
humidity and eliminate any moisture inside the home. In many cases this can be done by simply
using a dehumidifier or fan to eliminate the moisture.
Most often if the springtails have made it inside the home it means there is a well-established
population outside the home and Chem-Wise needs to perform an exterior treatment. A homeowner
can also help minimize the activity by cleaning out window wells, below decks, and underneath
bushes and shrubs making sure to remove all leaves and debris. It is also a good idea to make
sure all windows and doors are sealed with caulk.
Treatments for springtails are included with you regular Tri-Annual services. If you continue to note
excessive activity. Please call our office at (d)236-1600 or (847)577-0740.
630-236-1600
www.chem-wise.com
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In this Issue:
- Pest Profile: Springtails
- Don’t let Mosquitos Ruin
your Summer
- Pesticide Safety; Consumer
Information
- Turf Care
- Spectrum
- Ask Super Dave!
- Backyard Solutions
Chem-Wise’s Referral Program
Refer a new customer to Chem-Wise
and you’ll receive $20.00 in Funny
Money to use on your next service,
and they will receive $20.00 off
their first service.
Make sure they give us your name
when scheduling service.
Find us on
847-577-0740
Newsletter No. 34
Spring 2013
CH EM- WI S E
Don’t let
mosquitos ruin
your summer!
Spring is Near!
Spring services are right around the corner. As always,
you don’t have to be home for us to perform perimeter
treatments. However, if you need interior service, please
call us to schedule an appointment time that will be
Chem-Wise Ecological Pest Management can safely and
effectively reduce mosquito activity on your property.
Chem-Wise applies a larvicide to mosquito breeding sites for
convenient for you.
longer term control. Shrubs and trees, decks, fence lines, and
Weird Bugs
the perimeter of your property are treated with a residual
There are millions of species of insects, and even
material. This controls adult mosquitoes and the health risks
more that haven’t been studied or even found.
associated with them.
Some insects are very common to us in Illinois,
however, some that may be normal to others would
be very weird to us!
The Longest Insect
The Borneo Walking
Stick, from south east
Asia can grow up to
Treatments should begin in late May or June and would
continue monthly through September.
Chem-Wise uses EPA registered materials for the reduction of
mosquitoes.
12.60” long, with another
5.51” if you measure the legs stretched out! Even
though they are large, you might not see one due
630-236-1600
847-577-0740
to the close resemblance to a tree branch.
The Biggest Insect
www.chem-wise.com
Goliath Beetles, found
[email protected]
in African tropical
forests are the largest
insects in terms of
*Foggings are also available for special occasions
bulk and weight.
They can reach over 4” long, which may not
such as outdoor parties and weddings.*
sound like much, that is until your holding one
in your hand!
630-236-1600
www.chem-wise.com
847-577-0740
Newsletter No. 34
Spring 2013
CH EM- WI S E
Pesticide Safety; Consumer Information
Kevin McClernon, Branch Manager- Rolling Meadows Office
Chem-Wise Ecological Pest Management is a firm believer in "less is best" to keep your family safe and preserve the
environment. All of our materials are carefully considered before incorporating them into our regimen of pest control
treatments. Our goal is to provide the safest, most effective pest control program that is available.
Our technicians take great pride and care when performing services to ensure our customers are safe and happy. In
order to minimize the use of pesticides inside your home or business, Chem-Wise performs preventative exterior barrier
treatments. The materials we use are water-based, and mixed at a very low level of concentrated insecticide. This material is mixed, on
average, at 8 ounces of concentrate to 50 gallons of water, and because it is water-based there is no oily residue left behind once it is dried. Typically, there may be less than 10% of active ingredient in the materials that are used. When properly mixed, amounts as low as 1/10 of an
ounce of pesticide may be used to treat the entire perimeter. So, as you can see, very small amounts of materials are used.
Other materials that Chem-Wise frequently uses are ant baits, liquid insecticides for general insect prevention, and rodent bait. To put this information in perspective think of things this way;
· Gel bait is contained in cracks and crevices, but if a member of your family does happen to contact it there is only .05% of active
ingredient within that material, the remainder is inert ingredients. · Material sprayed for general insect & spider control in the unfinished portions of your home is odorless and has an active ingredient
concentration of .1% in the finished product.
· Rodent bait used to resolve a mouse infestation within your home is a 2nd generation anti-coagulant with an active ingredient
concentration of .0025%. A small dog (4 lbs) would have to consume 14.5 cubes of bait at once to consume a lethal dose. On average
there are usually 10-12 bait cubes placed throughout your home, in tamper-resistant stations. What are some of the things that can go wrong when using over the counter products rather than allowing a professional to perform the
service? Well, here are just a few examples of situations that have occurred when the homeowner tried to take the matters into their own
hands.
Published April 20, 2009- In Butte County, California a man used a salt shaker to apply insecticidal dust on his dog for flea control. Later, he
thought the salt shaker contained garlic salt and sprinkled the insecticidal dust on a bowl of chili. The man realized his mistake because the
chili tasted strange and the beans were a gray color. He experienced some stomach discomfort and went to a hospital for treatment. (CDPR,
2009)
Published April 20, 2009- In Sacramento County, California a teenage girl saw a mouse in her home and decided to use gopher bait to control
the problem because she had seen her parents use it effectively against gophers in the yard. She said she read the label, but did not
understand it. She poured about a handful of pellets into a corner of two bedrooms and waited in another room. Within two hours, she
experienced a sharp pain behind her eyes, and tightness in her chest when she breathed in. She was taken to an emergency room for
evaluation. (CDPR, 2009)
Published September 13, 2009- A 65-year-old woman in North Carolina who died in 2010 after she complained to her husband about bed
bugs, the CDC report said, he saturated the interior of their home, including the baseboards, walls and the area around the bed, with the
insecticide Ortho Home Defense Max. He then applied a different product, Ortho Lawn and Garden Insect Killer, to their mattress and box
spring. Neither insecticide is registered for use against bed bugs, the CDC said. That day, the couple also released nine cans of Hot Shot
Fogger in their home. Two days later, they reapplied the insecticides and unleashed nine more cans of Hot Shot Bedbug and Flea Fogger. The
woman then applied the pesticide Hot Shot Bed Bug and Flea Killer directly to her arms and chest, and doused her hair with it before covering
her head with a plastic cap. Two days later, her husband found her unresponsive. She was taken to the hospital where she remained on a
ventilator for nine days until she died. (Melnick, 2011)
As you can see, it’s best to leave pesticide application to licensed professionals. Chem-Wise technicians are fully trained in how to apply safe
materials in a safe manner.
630-236-1600
www.chem-wise.com
847-577-0740
Newsletter No. 34
Spring 2013
CH EM- WI S E
TURF CARE SERVICES
Chem-Wise offer 2 basic services for optimal
care of your lawn. First is our ‘Green Plus’
program and the other is our ‘Pure Organic’
program, both consisting of 5 individual
treatments. Along with granular fertilizations
Random Bug Facts
- Some ants sleep seven
hours a day!
- Africanized honey bees
(aka Killer bees) will pursue
an enemy 1/4 mile or
more.
we can also perform services to control
weeds, insects, grubs, and diseases. In
addition, we also perform core aerations,
various grass seeding services, apply
topdressings and take soil samples. FLOWERBED CARE SERVICES
Similar to our turf care services
we can perform fertilization and weed control
treatments to your mulch or rock bed areas
on your property. We can also treat for
insects, grubs and diseases as well.
TREE & SHRUB CARE SERVICES
Our tree and shrub care consists
of 4 individual services where we perform a
mixture of various fertilizations and
insecticide treatments. We can also treat
micronutrient deficiencies and diseases. Many of our services utilize a trunk injection
system which is both a highly effective and
environmentally friendly service. - There are over 2000
species of fireflies living in
the tropical and temperate
regions.
- A ladybug female will lay
more than 1000 eggs in
her lifetime.
- One species of moth lives
entirely on cow tears.
- The house fly “hums” in
the key of F.
- The average spider can
travel up to 1/17 miles per
hour.
Ask Super Dave...
Q. Are the chemicals that you use to treat my house really safe?
A. Well, I hope you read our article in this newsletter that discusses
pesticide safety. When used according to label instructions, pesticides are safe
and effective. Many of the problems that have been associated with pesticides
are the result of improper use.
All chemicals, including pesticides and household cleaning products must
have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that describe the properties of that
substance. The level of toxicity is represented in the form of an LD50 value. The
higher the number, the less toxic the material is.
Examples:
P RO DUCT
LD 50 VA LUE
Nicotine
50
Caffeine
192
Aspirin
200
Boric Acid
2660
Table Salt
3000
Tempo 1% Dust
3084
Termidor
>5000
Windex Cleaner
>5000
Represents Chem-Wise’s Materials.
630-236-1600
www.chem-wise.com
847-577-0740
Newsletter No. 34
Spring 2013
CH EM- WI S E
Put the green in your spring carpet clean!
As a strategic partner with Chemwise, Spectrum Green Clean would like to take a
moment to talk about another important service in your home during spring- carpet
cleaning!
During your next visit to your local home improvement retailer or hardware store, go to
the paint department and count the shades of green. You might want to pack a lunchyou’ll be there all afternoon. You will find hundreds, possibly thousands, of shades, hues
and combinations to choose from. Similarly, when it comes to green cleaning, hundreds
of different interpretations are rampant. Today more than ever, concerns for the
environment and personal wellness are paramount. They touch everything from
wilderness preservation to human health, kids, communities, and employee health and
safety. Just like paint, green isn’t just one color or a simple choice.
Fortunately for us, the Carpet and Rug Institute has conducted extensive research for
a complete green cleaning line that provides superior cleaning results while meeting the
carpet manufacturers’ requirements. Starting in 2011, we began the transition to the
CRI-approved products in respect to the environment, personal health and wellness, and
the earth’s natural ecological balance. Spectrum’s green products are new and
innovative, environmentally friendly and offered at a cost-effective price. Most important,
they perform.
GET READY FOR SPRING
CLEAN 2 ROOMS &
GET THE 3RD
FREE
CALL NOW 630-898-3200
Green Clean Professionals
WWW. SPECTRUMRESTORATION.COM
630-236-1600
Have questions?? Want some more
info?? Feel free to call us for a
hassle-free conversation and quote
for your spring carpet cleaning
needs. Chemwise clients get an
extra 10% off all of our cleaning
services. Our friendly staff is
waiting for your call at
630.898.3200 in the suburbs and
312.236.3900 in Chicago, or visit
us online at
spectrumrestoration.com.
www.chem-wise.com
847-577-0740
Newsletter No. 34
Spring 2013
CH EM- WI S E
A Division of Chem-Wise Pest
Management
Backyard Solutions offers a wide array of services to make your home or business look fantastic! Our professional
services are fully insured and performed by reliable employees.
Services offered
Spring Cleanup
Gutter Cleaning
Snow Removal
Landscape &
Hardscape Services
Mowing & Trimming
Firewood
Pressure Washing
Mulch
http://www.facebook.com/BackyardSolutions
[email protected]
Find us on
“Environmentally Friendly Pest Control”
Aurora, IL 60502
PERMIT 3
US POSTAGE
2600 Beverly Dr., Unit 106
PRSRT STD
Chem-WIse Pest Management