Bugaboo Pest Control, LLC
ANT CONTROL NW
HOW
DOES BUGABOO TREAT FOR ANTS?
Our methods vary, depending on the type of ant that is present. However, our main objective is to destroy the colony and queen, not just wipe out a few of the workers. Here in the Northwest, home owners are plagued with either carpenter ants (See carpenter ant picture) or the little tiny pesky sugar ants.
Q & A about our service
WHAT TYPE OF MATERIAL DO YOU USE?
What do carpenter ants look like?
What are these little tiny ants?
How much does it cost for carpenter ant treatment?
How much does it cost to treat for little tiny ants?
WHAT AREAS DO YOU TREAT?
The
areas we treat differ between carpenter ants and other little tiny ants.
But in either case, our objective is to kill off all colonies in and around the
structure. Therefore, in many cases our focus will be on the most likely areas
where ants build their nests. For example, many homes in our area have
crawl spaces. This is prime location where ants nest. Also, areas nearby the
structure such as trees, landscaping wood, fences, should be treated. Basically,
any place where there is earth to wood contact, it should be treated. In many
instances, a wall void injection may be necessary. This procedure should always
be carefully evaluated by a technician before proceeding, due to the various
types of covering used and homes today. Materials such as "Hardy Plank" and
other concrete fiber siding may have their warranty void by drilling holes into
them.
WHAT TYPE OF MATERIAL DO YOU USE TO TREAT WITH?
TERMIDOR We use a Varity of non or low toxic materials that are non-hazardous to humans and pets. One such product that has proven to be very affective is "TERMIDOR" with its active ingredient Fipronil. Unlike conventional pesticides, Termidor is a non-repellent material that ants cannot detect. Consequently, they track it back to their nests. Within a few days, the colony is obliterated.
diatomaceous eartH Another all natural product we use on occasion is diatomaceous earth. This product is is not a poison. When insects come into contact with diatomaceous earth, the sharp edges lacerate the bugs' waxy exoskeleton and then the powdery absorbs their body fluids causing death from dehydration. Diatomaceous earth is a remarkable, all-natural product made from tiny fossilized water plants.
PYRTHRINS Occasionally we use Pyrethrin based products in the a crawl space area. We do this by means of a “Thermo-Fog” machine. The “Thermo-Fogger” uses a mixture containing deodorized mineral spirits and Pyrethrin. We usually hook up our machine to the outside foundation vents and fog the entire crawl space. Because the fog is heated, it rises upward, penetrating underneath the insulation.
BAITS
We also we baits. Baits
are not very affective on carpenter ants, but work well on little tiny ants
in combination of a non-repellant material. By use of this
system we use carefully selected baits injected into strategic locations that
your ant will love to death. We
accomplish this without yucky sprays or toxic bombs.
We have special injection tools that put this material out of you way
(Under sinks near plumbing, inside wall voids, under dishwasher, etc.) When an
ant finds this material he ingests much more than he personally consumes.
As he takes it back it marks his trail with a pheromone which signals his
fellow workers "Hey follow this trail and you'll find good food".
Consequently the unsuspecting colony becomes contaminated and passes
away on to ant heaven. (assuming
that they were good little ants). One
such bait is "Albert's
Gel Bait Syringe"
/ A thick no-drip
formula for easy baiting of
sugar ants. This syringe loaded material controls sugar feeding ants –
The active ingredient is 1%
Boric Acid
The Inert Ingredients is a sugary attractant that ants
can’t resist. Uncle Albert's is 100% effective and the unique. It is
non-hazardous with a delayed kill formula is a great advantage for
elimination of entire ant colonies. Ants take it
back to the nest and infect the entire colony!
See label for more information
See MSDS
HOW
SAFE ARE THESE PRODUCTS?
While we strive to use the safest products available, we realize that all
chemicals potentially pose a threat to some degree. That is why caution is
always needed, even with the most conscientiously environmental designed
products. Click here to find out more about what products on the market are
safe and unsafe products. Many people
are surprised to learn that many over the counter products such as
Raid®
pose hazards to some people.
The products we use are the lowest in toxicity available.
DO NEED HAVE TO LEAVE OUR HOME?
Since we strife to use very safe products and methods, you do not usually need to leave your home during treatment. However, some have preferred to do so when we perform the our crawl space treatment, when we use our “Thermo-Fog” machine. The “Thermo-Fogger” consists of a mixture containing deodorized mineral spirits and natural Pyrethrin based material. Because the fog is heated, it rises upward, penetrating underneath the insulation, where insects nest hide. Occasionally, a small amount of the material can rise up into the living space areas. Therefore it is preferable for the people to leave for a few hours. However, It is not always necessary to use this procedure.
DO YOU GUARANTEE YOUR WORK?
Yes; If at any time, you are not satisfied with the services that you have been provided, you may request a cash refund, by simply notifying Bugaboo Pest Control, in writing, stating the reason for your decision. Upon receiving such notice, Bugaboo Pest Control will present you with a cash refund , within 30 days, determined on a prorated basis, for the remainder of time in this warranty or, if you prefer, we will re-treat at no charge.
Pyrethrums or Pyrethrin products are an extract of the Chrysanthemum plant
-
They are the most widely used botanical insecticide.
- They are the active ingredient of many household sprays and home vegetable-garden preparations.
- They are often used them in flea dips for cats and dog and ointments for horses’ eyes.
The active ingredient in Termidor is fipronil and it works quite differently from other pesticides. Ants and termites avoid pesticides and will walk around it. But with Termidor they walk right through it and take it back to the nest. It is also kills termites. It’s been the most successful product we’ve used, with very few call backs. See label and MSDS. TERMIDOR, with its active ingredient fipronil, works quite differently from other pesticides. Ants and termites avoid pesticides and will walk around it. But with Termidor they walk right through it, and take it back to the nest. It is also kills termites. It’s been the most successful product we’ve used.
Fipronil
is the active ingredient in
FRONTLINE®
flea treatment for cats and dogs. When bugs come into contact with this product, they have
not only contaminated themselves but any other of their species. Once
contaminated, the ant (or other targeted pest) no longer grooms itself or feeds,
thus causing death.
What do carpenter ants
look
like?
Basically most are big and black.
But some can be as small as a ¼ of an inch.
A few have red in the middle thorax.
If they’re at least a ½ inch they must be carpenter ants.
A technician can make a determination by examining the middle section from a
side few to see how many nodes it has. (little sharp humps that sick up)
carpenter ants have one node. Some
other kinds have two nodes; i.e. The Little Black Ant.
Where do they nest?
Most Carpenter Ant species establish their initial nest in decayed wood,
but, once established, the ants extend their tunneling into sound wood.
There are three species of carpenter ants but only two in the Northwest.
Do carpenter ants eat wood?
No; carpenter ants do not eat wood but excavate into to
build the homes.
Carpenter Ants typically have a parent colony in outside.
But they soon setup satellite colonies in the house, often under floor
insulation or around widows.
If left undisturbed, they will eventually have several colonies.
That’s why spot treatments seldom work and why we offer no guarantees
to just treat outside or a portion of a structure.
The parent colony contains the
queen, young larvae and workers, while the satellite contains the mature larvae,
pupae, workers, and/or winged reproductives.
The ants move back and forth from
parent nest to satellite nest to feeding areas (in nearby evergreen trees and
shrubs such as Douglas fir, true fir and cedar).
Sometimes they can be seen
carrying mature larvae (white and grub-like) or pupae (papery cocoons).
Ants are generally most active
from April to mid-October.
We often find nests in wood and
stumps, railroad ties, fence posts, decks, and fir trees. All of which we treat.
The colony does not produce
reproductive (winged males and queens) until it is from 3 to 6 years old and
contains about 2,000 workers.
Carpenter Ants (Camponotus, spp.)
Description of Workers: Medium to large workers, 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch. Thorax evenly rounded. Colonies have workers that are not all the same size (polymorphism). Black carpenter ants are most common species in Nebraska.
Odorous
House Ant (Tapinoma sessile)
Description of Workers: Small workers, around 1/16-inch to 1/8-inch (2-3
mm); dark brown to black. Bitter odor when crushed - said to smell like rotten
coconuts.
Habits: Most frequent structure invading ant in Washington and Oregon; nests in a wide variety of places outdoors and inside. These ants commonly construct shallow nests in soil underneath objects, such as stones, patio blocks and debris. Inside, they prefer areas with moisture such as around hot water pipes and heaters. Odorous house ants have multiple queens. The ants forage when temperatures are cool, even down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Strongly trailing ant; it tends aphids for honeydew and prefers sweets in kitchens.
Control of Ants by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)
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