Squirrels - Cute Creatures or Maniacal Miscreants?

Whether you fancy the four-legged furballs, with their bushy tails and puffy cheeks, or devise ways to keep the devious evil-doers off your property, one thing is certain: squirrels love to chew on lead roof flashings.

One would think the toxicity of the lead would lead to positive death, but alas that doesn't seem to be true for the toothsome terrors. The lead flashings attract squirrels, just like honey attracts flies. The edges of the flashings are perfectly molded and entice the squirrels to chew and chew and chew until your lead flashing deteriorates and resembles a piece of swiss cheese. Once they have gnawed all your lead flashings to nubs and scraps not worthy of recycling, they'll move on to other nefarious acts.

What could be worse than having your roof flashings eaten to non-existence? How about hosting a party in your attic and walls for all the neighborhood pests? How about turning your attic into a pool? Although slight Johnny and Susie may jump for joy at the hope of having a new pet (or hundred) and they would probably love having their very own indoor pool (bragging rights!), you may not be so happy. When the lead flashings are gnawed to nubs and your roof penetrations are left unprotected, you run the risk of causing major damage to your home.

Unprotected flashings allow water to seep into your home. Water damage stinks, literally. When you have a slow leak in your home or attic, it could take weeks or months to consideration any signs of water intrusion. During that time, the water is gently working its way into your attic, insulation, framing, and walls and causing all sorts of destruction. Do you suffer from allergies? Then you categorically won't like the mold, fungus, and bacteria that will multiply and spread rampantly straight through your house. Do you cringe at the notion of inhaling the fumes of a dirty gym sock? Then you will hate the dank aroma that will jab every room of your house.

If you aren't a fan of unexpected water intrusion, then how about playing host to hundreds of pests? That's exactly what will happen if your flashings are damaged and unprotected. Ants, spiders, termites, cockroaches, snakes, mice, rats, squirrels, and other unwelcome houseguests will intrude upon home; turning your personal sanctuary into a bug and rodent infested resort. They'll start out in your attic and swiftly spread out in hopes of seeing food and shelter. When your house-crashers are feeling comfortable, they will start multiplying...like rabbits.

If you are sufficiently creeped out and wondering if your lead flashings are squirrel bait, then continue reading and you'll learn how to safe your home from intrusive water and pests.

Flashings come in two options: lead and neoprene. As you've discovered, squirrels love lead flashings. However, they turn their noses up at neoprene flashings. If you have lead flashings, don't fret. You have a merge of options to deplete your squirrel smorgasbord.

First, you can categorically replace your lead flashings with reasonable neoprene flashings. Neoprene flashings can be found at most home correction shop or roofing provide stores. The only type of lead flashing that cannot be replaced is a power flashing. (Neoprene and electrical lines just don't mix.)

Second, you can retrofit your lead flashings with a plastic cover. There are many options available and they come in a collection of sizes and colors.The covers are reasonable and easy to install. Most roofing provide shop carry a collection of lead flashing covers.

If you are concerned about your lead flashings, you should have them inspected by a licensed roofing contractor. After inspection, the roofing contractor will tell you which options are best fine for your home and will install your preferred choice. Then you can rest assured knowing that your roof is no longer a buffet for squirrels.

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How to Detect Bed Bugs on Your Own

Insect infestations can not only be a nuisance any way there can pose important health risks. As such, it is advised that insect infestations of any type should be dealt with immediately. One of the worst types of infestation to have to deal with is a bed bug problem. These insects are more difficult to get rid of than ants or roaches. They are also harder to spot because the nocturnal nature of the parasite and therefore it is imperative that you escort a suitable inspection must in order to determine the nature and scale of the problem.

In order to confirm that the insects are in your house or apartment, you should know what bed bugs are and what they look like, as well as their habits. These parasites are small, reddish-brown, flat insects that hide in mattresses, dressers and electrical outlets. The insects need human off animal blood to survive. Their bites consequent in red welts that are ordinarily in a pattern of three or four bites. The insects like to feed on parts of the body such as the outer upper arm, torso, and ankles. discover your body for bites, and make sure anyone else that resides in the house or apartment is checked for bites and welts on their bodies as well. The process of removing these parasites is very difficult since they rarely make their presence known while the day.

Examine the sheets and covers for blood spots. Be sure to flip the mattress and box spring. Thoroughly discover the corners of the mattress, as this is where the parasites like to hide. This introductory inspection must be careful, and you will need to return again after treatment and re-inspect just as completely.

Remove bedding together with mattress pads, pillows and quilts in every bed in the house or apartment. Put all bedding, together with clothes in closets and children's stuffed toys, into plastic garbage sacks. The goal of this is to detach the infestation. The most productive treatments are ones that make usage of high temperatures. High temperature higher forty-five degrees kill bed bugs instantly. By exposing all beddings elements to high temperature you will be able to eliminate alive beg bugs and their eggs.

Cold treatment is also can be used to kill these parasites. This is really non-toxic formula of getting rid of bed bugs. This approach can be used even in areas that experience with food and other home activities proceeds. Now that you have detected and confirmed on your own that you have these distractive insects, you can take the valuable steps to get rid of them.

How to Detect Bed Bugs on Your Own

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How to control Termite Infestation

Termite infestation can be a very hazardous question for homeowners. It is highly alarming for those who live in wooden constructions. Termites are like ants. They build a colony and eat the wood that supports the house causing damage to the infrastructure.

There are various ways to address termite infestation and forestall them from advent back.

· Chemicals-Some chemicals meant to kill termites can be sprayed on wood to stop and kill the termite infestation. This technique may last for up to some years. Chemicals though can be very harmful to small children as it saturates the wood and the soil to which it has been sprayed.

· Poison- Wood sprayed with poison can be used to kill termites. The ensue is not well instantaneous. It is designed to be like this so as to let the poison change to the other termites once the termite stricken with poison returns to the colony.

· Sodium Borate-Coating wood with a layer of sodium borate is a preventive means for termites advent back again. The liquid coating repels the termites and lasts for some years.

· Termite tenting or Fumigation- It is done by trapping to toxic fumes into the home and fog the termites therefore eradicating their colony. This process is used to kill drywood termites. It is very high-priced and costs colse to three to five thousand dollars but is the most efficient means of eradicating termite colony.

The eradication of termite infestation involves the use of chemicals that can be very harmful for the health. It is important that they be done conscientiously and cautiously.

How to control Termite Infestation

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The Dangers of Pesticides and the Epa's Harrowing Plan to Test Them on Kids

Pesticides are a ubiquitous toxin in our environment. We spray them liberally on ants and spiders in our homes, use them in our gardens and on our lawns, fog our streets with them to kill mosquitoes-even spread them on our own bodies to keep bugs away.

Farmers use 1.5 billion pounds of pesticides every year-and most have been found by the Epa to be carcinogenic.

But that's not all. American farmers use 1.5 billion pounds of pesticides each year-that's 1.5 billion pounds of pesticides sprayed onto the food that we, and our children, eat. And it's not just fruits and vegetables; meats consist of pesticides too because the animals eat feed that has been heavily sprayed.

Plus, pesticides are used in many buyer products, together with paints, cosmetics, food packaging, fabrics, carpets and practice mats. And they're used extensively in parks and other recreational areas-golf courses are some of the biggest offenders; in one year they use seven or eight times the pesticides used on a comparable sized area of agricultural land.

The U.S. Environmental protection group (Epa) has registered close to 900 pesticides, which are formulated into over 20,000 products, according to the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides.

Some 60 percent of herbicides, 90 percent of fungicides and 30 percent of insecticides are known to be carcinogenic, says the Epa, and these pesticides contaminate our groundwater, our air and the very food we eat.

What Are the condition Effects of All These Pesticides?

Animal and human studies on individual pesticides have shown that they conduce to an alarming estimate of condition problems like:

* Cancer

* Fertility problems

* Brain tumors

* Childhood leukemia

* Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

* Birth defects

* Irritation to skin and eyes

* Hormone or endocrine system problems

* Nervous system damage

Children are especially at risk from the toxic effects of pesticides. Their bodies are still developing and immature, production them susceptible to such damage. In fact, studies by the National Academy of Sciences and the Environmental Working Group have found that children exposed to carcinogenic pesticides are at a high risk of time to come cancer and other studies thought about that pesticide use was associated with an increased risk of childhood malignancies.

Knowing this information, think, then, just how outrageous it is that we shampoo our children with pesticides to kill head lice.

But all of these negative effects have been found largely from studies that typically focus on one individual pesticide. Who, then, is learning the cumulative effects on the body of all the varied pesticides we're exposed to, and that we consume, over years?

The Epa's Testing Pesticides on Kids?

That kids are so vulnerable to pesticide exposure is legitimately why the Epa chose them to study, and back in October 2004, they were given .1 million to do just that. Who were the granters of this large sum? The American Chemistry Council, a chemical business front group with such big wigs as Monsanto, Exxon and Dow.

The two-year study-called the Children's Environmental Exposure explore Study (Cheers)-would monitor infants in low-income families to decide how chemicals can be ingested, inhaled or absorbed by babies to children up to age 3, as well as the condition effects they would cause.

Families in the Epa's Cheers pesticide study would receive a t-shirt, video camcorder, bib, calendar, framed certificate, newsletter and 0.

Surprisingly, the Epa chose to name the entirely serious study a flippant "Cheers." Study participants would receive 0, a t-shirt, a bib for their baby, a calendar, a newsletter, a framed certificate of appreciation and a video camcorder.

While the study does not wish participants to change the level of pesticides in their home, nor does it expose them to any additional chemicals, it does wish that they demonstrate a use of these toxic products in their home. Opponents are involved that low-income families will up their pesticides use just to be complicated in the study.

They also noted that since the study is partially industry-funded, it represents a friction of interest. Most effects of pesticides are seen in the long-term, so it is unlikely that adverse effects will be seen during the short-term study. The follow would be that the chemical business could then claim an Epa study found their pesticides safe and push for looser regulations for their use.

Said Epa Pesticide Scientist Troy Pierce, "This does sound like it goes against all we recommend at Epa concerning use of [pesticides] associated to children. Paying families in Florida to have their homes routinely treated with pesticides is very sad when we at Epa know that [pesticide management] should always be used to safe children."

In November 2004 the study was postponed, largely because of the communal controversy that arose around it, for a "final review" but is scheduled to resume in spring 2005.

It is legitimately a step in the right direction that the Epa is taking strides to study the effects of pesticides that we're all exposed to. However, their proposed "compensation" for participating in this very serious study includes some gimmicky items: a free t-shirt, bib and calendar? And it even has a gimmicky name (Cheers?), which may illustrate why the communal was so alarmed when it appeared an industry-funded study was seeking to draw in low-income families to monitor their use of chemicals that the government already knows are toxic.

What's the Good News?

There is good news in all of this, and that is: It is potential to reduce your exposure to pesticides (though, admittedly, you probably can't reduce it to zero). The top ways to do this include:

*

Buy certified organic fruits, vegetables and meats (be sure to wash produce, particularly commercially grown produce, thoroughly before eating using a diluted soap solution)

*

Avoid the use of toxic pesticides in your home and yard (opt for natural pesticides that you can find in your local condition food store instead)

*

Don't use pesticides for aesthetic purposes like dandelions in your lawn

* Don't use chemical bug repellants or lice shampoos

The Dangers of Pesticides and the Epa's Harrowing Plan to Test Them on Kids

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Termite Treatments Used in Sydney, Australia

There area number of termite treatments available, but which are the most cost efficient and what works the best to stop termites in their tracks in Sydney, Australia?

In Sydney, the proper termite treatment involves applying termiticide as a continuous barrier in the soil nearby the house, termite baits, installing continuous termite shields at the top of the foundation, and/or termite reticulation systems. Other termite treatments contain termiticide foam, using crushed granite (trade name Granitgard) or steel mesh cloth (Termimesh) as a corporeal barrier, moisture control, and wood elimination. A mixture of methods are used for "integrated pest management," as many times a single technique is not enough.

Termite Baits

Termite baits are a great indicator of the nearnessy of termites and are an efficient way to kill the colony causing the problem. Sentricon makes such a system. Fmc makes FirstLine, a termite baiting center using an insecticide stomach poison in a cellulose matrix. Fmc is modifying their stock to concentrate untreated stations that last longer than treated bait stations. The bait is a cellulose food treated with termiticide, a toxic substance and/or insect increase regulator. The food is wood or laminated-texture cellulose, which is favoured by termites. Termites eat the treated food and carry it back to the nest, reducing the size of the colony. The termiticide in the bait works gently enough that termites have a chance to go back to the nest instead of dying near the bait, because dead termites repel other termites.

It's not recommended by this firm as a standalone treatment, unless it is confident where the termites are advent from. Well settled baits are a frontline indicator of termite action and often used to supplement soil barrier treatments. We prefer to use Termidor for termite treatments in most circumstances, as it is a low toxic alternative which termites stray through treated areas at random and pick up poison to take back to the nest. Unlike high toxic repellents, it does not wish a continuous barrier nearby your home. Termite baits may be used a supplement for efficient termite control.

Why are termites a qoute in Sydney?

Termites (often incorrectly called 'white ants') feed on wood and serve an leading function in nature by converting dead trees into organic matter. Unfortunately, the wood in buildings and other structures such as wooden power poles is equally appetising to termites, so they can cause serious damage which may be very high-priced to repair.

There are many species of termites in Australia, of which about 20 species can eat sound wood in buildings; those causing most damage to buildings are communal insects that live in subterranean colonies that may contain up to 200,000 individuals.

Bushland is a feature within most suburbs of our most populous capital city, and many of these trees have been removed to make way for housing development.

In order to articulate humidity and to protect themselves from extreme weather conditions, a colony (or nest) of subterranean termites may be up to 6-7 metres below the soil exterior and have wide tunnel networks that can enlarge up to 100 metres from the nest.

How can buildings be protected against termites?

Control techniques for termites can essentially be divided into two types, arresting and treatment. Prophylactic measures are in fact applied while the building of new buildings, but some (eg. Stainless steel mesh, or a layer of granite chips) are not very favorable for existing buildings or structures.

Prevention of charge in Sydney, Nsw Australia

Building build can sell out the chances of termite damage. leading strategies contain reducing the number of timber used in buildings, a properly designed concrete slab with edges exposed for inspection for termite activity, or provision for easy under-floor inspections of timber floors. Premise of a reticulated principles under the concrete slab can also to allow chemical barriers to be applied and re-applied whenever necessary.

Chemical barriers

Chemicals that are used to kill termites are called termiticides. Termiticides have differing modes of action, and several methods are used to apply them.

For many new buildings, creation of a termiticide-treated layer of soil surrounding and under the building form an integrated barrier together with the corporeal methods described above.

The termiticide is applied to the soil under the slab and nearby the footings, pipes, conduits and other structures of the house while building to originate a vertical barrier. Added loosened soil nearby the perimeter of the house, together with nearby all pipes and aid facilities, is treated while and after building to from a horizontal barrier.

Timber intended for use in the building of houses, outbuildings, fences and other outdoor structures is often treated with chemicals by dipping and pressure or vacuum impregnation.

Treatment of Sydney infestations

Treatment of a termite infestation in an existing buildings in this area of Australia also requires an integrated approach, together with destruction of termites within the timber structures, measures to find and destroy the termite nest, re-establishment of a chemical and/or corporeal barrier, and regular inspections to detect any ongoing or new termite activity.

For existing buildings, where signs of infestation have been detected, chemical treatment is usually the best option for destroying termites and re-establishing a barrier.

Premise

Active Ingredient Imidacloprid a member of the relatively new class of chemicals called chloronicotinyls. It is used to originate a barrier or treated zone in the soil where it attracts termites, which die within the treated zone.

Brand - Premise, from Bayer

Type - Chloro-Nicotinyl (an insect nerve inhibitor)

Toxicity - Rated S5. "Practically non-toxic" both oral and dermal.

Odour - This water-based insecticide is almost odourless.

Longevity - The label claims "at least two years". Bayer propose us that they are intending to re-label claiming 5 years.

Bayer's printed data states "At Csiro test sites, Premise was efficient for a minimum of 2 years with more than 6 years operate achieve at some sites. Trial work in infested buildings has shown that more than 90 per cent are still termite free 5-6 years after treatment.

Bayer also claim that Imidacloprid has some indirect colony operate effect. In other words, it will kill termites without repelling them, and can have a negative consequent on the health and numbers of any colony infesting the immediate area.

Biflex

Brand - Biflex Aqua from F.M.C.

Type - synthetic pyrethroid water based termiticide

Toxicity - Rated S6, oral - "slightly toxic", dermal - "practically non-toxic".

Odour - This water based termiticide is almost odourless.

Longevity - the label claims "at least 10 years" when applied at maximum strength. In practical conditions nearby a typical home, due to water exposure, disturbance of orchad beds etc Stc recommends re-treatment each 5 years.

A characteristic of Bifenthrin is that it binds very speedily and strongly to the soil particles. This makes it a good option where moisture movement in the soil may be a factor. On the downside, for the same reason, it tends to be filtered out by the soil so that it will not seep through the soil and perforate some target areas as well as a stock like as Imidacloprid.

Termidor

Brand -Termidor from Basf

Active Ingredient Fipronil - Benzisothiazolin

Toxicity -Rated S6, oral-harmful if swallowed, dermal-may irritate skin, does not effortlessly perforate skin. Repeated exposure may cause allergic reaction.

Odour - has a minute vegetable oil smell.

Longevity - re-treatment each 5 years should be expected.

Termidor was launched in 2002 after some presentations from the Usa, where it is used extensively.

In Australia it was introduced shortly afterwards, speedily building up a reputation as "the best" termiticide. This is because of claims made that it has strong indirect colony operate effects. The effectiveness of Fipronil as a termiticide is beyond doubt. Fipronil is an very low toxic active insecticide. It is applied by spraying, trenching and soil rodding as a chemical soil barrier nearby existing structures, and may also be used to protect poles and fence posts.

Accordingly, A1 Pest operate regards this stock as "top of the range" and its cost premium is commonly worthwhile on jobs where a continuous soil treatment is unlikely to be achievable due to building characteristics.

N.B. - A1 Pest operate Pty Ltd cannot warrant that colony operate will occur, since this will depend on many factors together with the termite pressure nearby the single areas treated. The best protection is achieved by the formation of a continuous soil treatment in conjunction with a usually monitored termite baiting system.

Termite Treatments Used in Sydney, Australia

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