The Year of the Flea

According to the Chinese calendar, 2008 is the Year of the Rat - a good year, according to custom, to get married or start a new job - a "good luck" year. But here in San Diego, it is shaping up to be the Year of the Flea - a good year to clear your yard of rodent harborage and treat your pets against these blood sucking pests. Fleas have been problem pests in Southern California for as long as there have been people or animals around for them to feed on. These pests multiply and thrive in our mild climate. Nevertheless, reports of flea infestations were on the decline a few years ago. Part of the reason was the development of new topical applications for use in controlling fleas on dogs and cats. Much more effective than flea collars or dips, these products helped cut flea infestations nearly in half and almost convinced us fleas were on their way out. So why have they returned with a vengeance? Here are a couple of theories.

First, we need to consider where the fleas that torment our pets come from. Usually, dogs and cats pick up fleas when they are outdoors, either in a yard or on a walk. As you can see in the highly magnified picture above, fleas have tiny, velcro-like spines on their legs that help them hitch a ride on Fido or Fluffy. Although dog and cat fleas prefer these animals, they are also carried by rodents, raccoons, opossums and other urban wildlife. If the increase in our flea population is due to an increase in wildlife hosts, the best protection for homeowners is an inspection of yard areas for possible harborage. Keep grass areas well-trimmed, clear out that unattended corner of the yard where weeds grow, remove or trim back overgrown bushes and vines. Look around the yard and determine where rats and squirrels may want to hang out - and clear those areas. Ironically, the Year of the Rat may be the cause of the Year of the Flea.

Another possible explanation for the increase in local flea populations is the question of the effectiveness of those flea treatments we have come to rely on. If you found the application your vet recommended did the trick last year, you  may be using old product or need to revisit the issue with your vet. Have fleas grown resistant to your regular control method? Ask the vet to recommend a product that is appropriate for your pet. Then  be careful to apply the medication according to label directions for best results. These flea controllers can be very effective, but don't always solve the whole problem. Because fleas can lay up to 40 eggs per day, and those eggs easily fall off the host animal, frequent vacuuming is also essential to flea control. If the problem persists, contact your pest professional. Tomorrow we will continue with a discussion of the life cycle of the flea and how different chemicals work to combat these pesky invaders.

Science Tidbits

Two items in yesterday's San Diego Union-Tribune are worth passing on. In the science section, a request was forwarded from the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, asking for photos of local wetlands plants and animals for its website. Specifically, as it applies to bugs, the conservancy is looking for pictures of sand wasps and spittle bugs. Although neither of these are home invaders, spittle bugs can do damage to yard and lawn. Their identifying characteristic is the foamy masses of "spittle" they produce as a way of creating their own moist environment and protecting themselves from predators. 

Female sand wasps burrow in the ground. Again, these are not pests you might encounter at home - but they are out and around San Diego County, and their image is being requested. If you encounter either of these bugs and have a camera handy, send your photo to photos@sanelijo.org or email questions to ralph@sanelijo.org

The other item in the Quest section of the paper that relates to entomology is an anecdotal story about the late great scientist, Charles Darwin. Although we are not in the habit of passing on information we cannot substantiate, this was too good to pass up. The story goes that Mr. Darwin saw a beetle as he was taking a walk, paused and picked it up. He spotted another beetle he wanted for his collection and put that specimen in his other hand. As luck would have it, he saw a third beetle. Not wanting to leave it behind, he put one of the insects in his mouth so he could collect his new find. The beetle in his mouth promptly "emitted a noxious spray," causing Darwin to spit it out and drop the other two beetles. According to the article, "Darwin went home beetleless." Sounds like a good idea.

Next week: The Year of the Flea.

Slithering Silverfish

Silverfish (pictured above) are one of the oldest of insects - older even than cockroaches! They have survived so well because they commonly live about three years, eat just about anything, and can go up to a year without food or water. These slithering pests are survivors. Although they are not harmful to humans, they can do damage to books, papers, some fabrics, and can infest cereals and flour. They are distinguished by their long antennae and a distinctive three-pronged tail appendage. Since they typically hide during the day, we most often see them if they become trapped in a sink or container and can't get out. 

These resilient pests can travel long distances to find food, but once a source is located they usually stay close by. Favorite foods include the sizing on books and paper, and the glues and pastes used on wallpaper and labels. They like warm, moist locations - indoors and out. Reducing moisture in suspected or infested areas can make it less habitable, so be sure there are no leaks in sink or tub areas, keep laundry rooms and shower stalls clean and dry. Caulk any holes around pipes that come into the house. Occasionally, move book or magazine collections - checking them for infestation. Keep food in containers with tight-fitting lids. Outside, clean out damp mulch areas . Sanitation is helpful, but won't eliminate these pests once they have established themselves, so the best way to deal with silverfish is to avoid getting them in the first place. If  you do find a population of silverfish indoors, use a household bug spray that is labeled for use against this particular pest directly in the area where you find them. Foggers are not very effective against these survivors. For more help, call your pest professional. 

Termites R NOT Us

It seems like a no-brainer: you think you may have termites, so you call your pest control company. But termite control is a separate industry, requiring different licenses, insurance and equipment. Many pest control companies do include termite divisions or subcontract their termite work. At Centurion, we do neither. So why are we blogging about termites? Because we often get questions from concerned homeowners and would like to help. 

There are at least 17 different varieties of termites in California. And in case you are wondering, as Noah is in the illustration above, why they are necessary - they make many positive contributions to the world's ecosystems. In fact, they are critical to the survival of the Sahara Desert, where they help reclaim soils damaged by heat and wind. But they don't help the ecosystem of your home if they decide to move in. So here are a few tips and places to go for more information.

Termites swarm in large numbers in warm months, especially early in the autumn here in San Diego. They look very much like flying ants. If you get close enough to examine them, you can distinguish a swarming termite from a flying ant by looking at some key elements. Flying ants have elbowed antennae, thin waists and wings with very few visible veins. Termites' antennae are straight, they have a thick waist and many small veins in their wings. If you see termites swarming near your house, you may want to call in a termite company to do an inspection.

Another sign of possible termite infestation is the appearance of termite droppings inside the house. Often the droppings are on window sills or by door posts. When you see a pile of material that looks like sawdust, clean it up, then find it again in the same place - call in a termite company to do an inspection. If it is addressed quickly localized treatment may be all that is necessary. To learn more about termites here in San Diego County, click here or here. For a referral to a local company we recommend, click here. As a note of interest, the US Department of Energy, in their search for sources of cleaner energy, have done research on using termites to replace fossil fuels through a process called metagenomics. Termites could be more valuable than any of us knew!

Earwigs, Away!

When Lewis Carroll coined the term "slithy toves," he might have had earwigs (pictured above) in mind. These semi-slimy pests slither and "gimble" through San Diego yards and homes in increasing numbers during the spring and summer months. According to Dr. David Kellum, a County Entomologist, "The rainy winter has caused a lot of plant grownth, and that means there is more food for bugs." Earwigs are easily distinguished from other bugs by "pinchers" near their abdomin. Contrary to the old wive's tale about earwigs entering the brain through the ear canal, these bugs are neither dangerous nor poisonous and can be helpful in the garden as a natural enemy to aphids. They can, however, become a pest control problem if they wander indoors. Here are a few tips for controlling these creepy but mostly harmless bugs.
Earwigs like a moist, dark environment and live on vegetation, like overgrown weeds, fruit dropped from a tree, or some varieties of roots and flowers. They also eat smaller bugs. Clear your yard of wood piles, rock piles, dead leaves and grass clippings. Keep the yard trimmed and the soil cleared, especially within two feet of the foundations of the home. Earwigs love marigolds - so do not plant these next to the house. If you find a large population in one area of the yard, leave a damp, rolled up newspaper near that area. They will often crawl into the newspaper during the heat of the day. In the evening, seal the paper in a plastic bag and dispose of it. Should earwigs invade your home, you may need the help of a pest professional, although they usually die indoors because there is little for them to eat. For earwig control outdoors, check with a good garden shop. They may look creepy, but these southern California pests are not out to get you!

West Nile Warning

San Diegans love the outdoors. Our temperate weather, beautiful landscapes, and proximity to nature's best venues draw us out - especially at this time of year. But last week the Union-Tribune reported two more cases of West Nile Virus here in San Diego County, and a recent online article posted by the County warns about the arrival of this summer's most unwanted tourists, the mosquitoes that carry this disease. These warnings shouldn't drive us all indoors, but may give us the tools we need to protect ourselves and our families.

West Nile Virus is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Although it is potentially dangerous, only one in 150 people who are infected develop severe illness. Most at risk are the elderly and people with impaired immune systems. Eighty percent of people infected will show no symptoms at all. Symptoms can include fever, head and body aches, nausea, and swollen lymph glands. More serious indications include convulsions, disorientation, vision loss, and even coma. A local West Nile victim shared her experience here  in hopes of educating the public about the disease and its effects.

The County's West Nile Virus website gives information on the Vector Control Program's monthly larviside applications at area parks and open spaces where mosquitos are known to breed, as well as listing ways we can protect ourselves against the disease. The first thing homeowners can do, as touched on here in a previous post, is to inspect yard areas for mosquito breeding sources. Drain standing water in unused pools, buckets, flowerpots, bird baths, etc. You  might be surprised at the sources in your own backyard. Make sure windows and doors are properly screened, and that the screens are in good repair. If you have an ornamental pond, consider stocking it with Gambusia, or Mosquito Fish. The County advises we limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, use insect repellant, and avoid sleeping outdoors unprotected when camping. Vector Control also encourages county residents to report dead birds. For more information on the Vector Control program, call (858)694-2888 or visit the California West Nile Virus Website.

Mystery Bug Week, Part V: Of Words and Worms

Fly larva
Moth larva

The mystery in this last Mystery Bug Week post is two-fold. The first mystery is more etymology than entomology. We find our customers would rather say they have "bugs" than "roaches," rather have "mice" than "rats," and rather have "worms" than "maggots." No one wants maggots. We can't blame them! In fact, what most people report as "worms" are some kind of larvae. Doesn't that sound better? 

The second mystery is how to tell what kind of larvae they are. In the larval state, most common flying bugs look remarkably similar. There are variations in size, of course, but it is nearly impossible to tell fly larvae (maggots) from moth larvae (see photos above). One simple way to solve the mystery is to take notice of any increase in populations of the adult bug. Have you seen flies or moths buzzing around the house or in the yard? Identifying the adults those worms will turn into is critical in controlling the problem. We have discussed pantry moths in a previous post. They are a stored product pest, so if you consistently see moths in the house the chances are good they are coming from the kitchen or pantry. Find the source, eliminate it, and the problem is solved. House flies are less localized. They could be coming from anywhere - so a bit of detective work is needed to solve the mystery of where they are breeding. Flies need moisture, and usually breed in some kind of decaying matter. Check grass clippings and mulch piles outdoors. Inside, check house plants to see that they are drying out between waterings. Indoors and out, follow your nose. If there is a dead rodent in the wall void or a potato behind the fridge, these would be great sources for breeding flies. Whatever you choose to call the larvae that invade  your home, they are a problem that can be solved with a bit of detective work.