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Poison Free
 
         
We're going green! 
       
  
  
Bugaboo® Pest Control, LLC Ants No More!  Vancouver (360) 695-2847 Camas (360) 834-5244 Portland (503) 289-0576 WASHINGTON PEST CONTROL LICENSE 7472 OREGON PEST CONTROL LICENSE AG-L0108139CPA
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Quick Links to insects and pests information See recent article about us in The Columbian 
......... How does Bugaboo treat for ants? The key to getting rid of carpenter ants is focus on the colony. The colony (or colonies) can be located in several locations throughout a structure. Our experience enables us to evaluate the overall situation and investigate as to why the situation is there. We take the time to find the source and eliminate it.
WHAT AREAS DO YOU TREAT? Since carpenter ants can live in many locations, it is important to treat comprehensively.
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. Generally speaking, we treat the interior, exterior, crawl space area, and outside such as trees, landscaping wood, decks, and fences.
Drilling and injecting material into the wall voids is a common practice in the industry for the treatment of ants.
While we still use that method as a part of our procedure, we do not always find it practical to do so in every instance. Materials such as "Hardy Plank" and other concrete fiber siding may have their warranties void by drilling holes into them. This procedure should always be carefully evaluated by a technician before proceeding.
At times specific areas
such as know infestations around doors and window may require a wall void
injection. We have found that exterior treatments with
Or you might say it's; "ants on meth". Healthy ants work hard and are productive members of their society. But ants on drugs (or fipronil) are a real menace. They infect each other, without the smallest of concern of what they have done.
Ants are into sharing. When you see ants walking around, they don't seem to pay much attention to each other. But back in the colony, it's a different story. You might say they on the "friends and family plan". They are touchy feely and contaminate each other in the process.
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.
PYRETHRUMS Occasionally we use Pyrethrin based products in the a crawl space area. We do this by means of a “Thermo-Fogging” 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.
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.
DO WE NEED 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-Fogging” 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 need to make repeated visits? Not usually. In most cases one visit will eliminate your pest problem. However, we do guarantee so if for some reason we need to return, there is no charge for repeat visits during the guarantee period.
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. We offer guarantees of various time periods for the treatments that we perform. Our guarantee is a no hassle money back satisfaction. If your not happy we're not happy.
Pyrethrums or Pyrethrin products are an extract of the Chrysanthemum plant
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 and Phantom 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. When insects come into contact with this product, they have not only contaminated themselves but their friends back home. Once contaminated, ants stop grooming themselves and attending the colony. Consequently the colony dies of neglect. Or you might say it's; "ants on meth". Healthy ants work hard and are productive members of their society. But ants on drugs (or fipronil) are a real menace. They infect each other, without the smallest of concern of what they have done.
Ants are into sharing. When you see ants walking around, they don't seem to pay much attention to each other. But back in the colony, it's a different story. You might say they on the "friends and family plan". They are touchy feely and contaminate each other in the process.
Actually most ants have wings during their early development and mating. However most ants that you notice are wingless. From spring to summer, ants that do have wings are seen flying in the air and swarming around the lights in our homes and other places. Find out more at http://ant.edb.miyakyo-u.ac.jp/BE/Kingdom/0405/0405e.html
SWARMING ANTS WITH WINGS No need to panic
If you have seen carpenter ants inside your home on persistent basis, who should plan to get it treated in the near future. But in some instances, the presence of a few flying ants is more of an annoyance than an immediate danger. Be careful not to get talked into expensive treatments that are not warranted. Perhaps just a preventative treatment may be all that is necessary.
Why do I see big black ants with with wings? Who are these guys? What does this mean? What does it cost to have it treated?
When a colony gets very large (six- to ten-years-old and has more than 2000 workers), it may produce winged reproductives, called swarmers. They are often produced during the summertime and may overwinter in the colony. In our local area, we have people reporting swarms of black carpenter ants right now. The males often emerge first and are smaller than the females.
The swarmers are potential reproductives. The reproductive period is called swarming since the male and female reproductives all leave the nest at the same time to fly off and find a mate from another colony. After mating, the male dies, and the newly inseminated female or queen selects a nest site. If your home is suitable, they may decide to stay. If not, they just die or go someplace else.
Once a suitable site has been located, the new queen will break off her wings, excavate the site to her satisfaction, and begin laying eggs. The queen raises this first brood through the larval stage, but once they pupate and emerge as adults, these workers take over the functions of foraging for food, further nest excavation, and brood rearing. The queen's only responsibility from this point on is to lay eggs. Once the colony is well established, the queen will begin to produce some reproductives as well as workers
It means that carpenter ants are in your area. It does not automatically mean that they are in your structure; they could have simply came by for a visit to see if you have a nice home for them to live in.
Do I need an exterminator? Perhaps, but not always. If you have been seeing carpenter ants in your home for several weeks prior to the swarm, there is a good chance that the swarmers came from your structure and you should have it treated. On the other hand, if this is the first time they have showed up, they could have just traveled in from the neighbors tree or distant backyard area. If that's the case, you may want to monitor the situation to see if their activity persist for a few weeks after the swarming season.
Can I do this myself? Do it yourself products sometimes resolve the problems in the short run; but not always. We provide some do it yourself products to our customers who prefer to do their own. However, they do not always work. Having the right tools and experience are more important than just having the right product.
What do carpenter ants
look
like?
Where do they nest?
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.
DOES THE BORIC ACID SOLUTION KILL ANTS?While a few people claim they have had some success, most of our customers have told us that it did does not work. Why is that? First, if the solution is too strong, ants will ignore it, and if it is too week, they will not receive a toxic dose. But more importantly, if they colony is not adequately affected, they will return with a vengeance. This is true, even if a few do manage to make it back. The bottom line, it kills too quickly. Stronger is not better when it comes to getting rid of ants. Most household sprays just repel ants. That is why we use a verity 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.
A colony consists of the adult forms and brood. The adult forms include
a queen and workers of various sizes. Winged forms are produced in late
summer and remain in the colony until mating flights occur the following
spring. Activities of the workers include foraging, caring for the queen
and brood, and excavating nest galleries. Carpenter ants have complete
metamorphosis so brood will consist of eggs, larvae, and pupae. After
mating, a queen initiates the colony and cares for her first brood until
workers are produced. The new workers care for the expanding brood and
excavate wood for brood space. Winged forms are produced in older
established colonies.
Carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.) nest in wood and cause serious
damage when infestations occur in Colonies of carpenter ants can be a single unit, or the colony may consist of a main colony and several to many satellite colonies. Their nests are found in a number of locations. Some are totally contained in small areas such as within a single wall void or in a stump. Galleries of larger nests may encompass an entire structure with satellite nests in several locations. More importantly, parent colonies may be located outside the structure with satellites located within. The latter usually occurs when tree stumps are incompletely excavated or landscaping covers previously established nests in the lawn or adjacent areas. Also stacks of wood may be attractive to founding queens or to established colonies which immigrate to the wood, or a portion of the colony may establish a satellite nest there. Carpenter ants use chemical trails in their foraging activities and well-established trails may be readily visible in lawns. Trails also run underground and surface away from the nest. Trails are found along foundations, sidewalks, or flower beds and run under cement blocks, outdoor carpeting or layers of conifer needles. The number of foragers on trails is dependent upon temperature, time of day, season, and colony size. SUGAR ANTS & OTHER ANNOYING HOUSE ANTS Bugaboo Pest Control knows how frustrating "sugar ants" can be. Homeowners often tell us that even though they sprayed several times they just keep coming back. This is because spraying merely kills off the ones foraging for food in your kitchen. When the queen senses that these foraging ants aren't coming back with food she simply sends out another raiding party to invade your space.
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.
One of the most common questions we are asked is; WHERE'S HOME? Where's the nest? Home is back in Kansas. Or at least that's how it seems, since finding the nest(s) can be harder than finding a needle in a haystack. Some ants are invading from someplace outside, others might be hiding in a wall inside the structure, often with multiple nests and queens. Identifying the type of ant by the Bugaboo man will give a clue as to where look. It is very helpful to the Bugaboo technician if he can find some live ants when he arrives. By experimenting on these ants we can determine the feeding habits and appetite. Sometimes we bring along a experiment kit, with a smorgasbord of bait samples. When we find the right one, we’re off and running. Recently new products, better than bait, have been added to our arsenal; Termidor and Phantom 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 and Phantom 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.( See label and MSDS) When insects come into contact with this product, they have not only contaminated themselves but their friends back home. Once the nest has become in contact with Termidor and Phantom the ants stop grooming themselves and attending the colony. Consequently the colony dies of neglect. Or you might say it's; "ants on meth". They take it back to the nest and WALLA! the ants are gone. These ants are non-productive members of their society But ants on drugs (or fipronil) are a real menace to themselves. They infect each other, without the smallest of concern of what they have done.
WHAT DOESN'T WORK? We have found that spraying the house with insecticide has almost no permanent affect on getting rid of the ants. Our job is to destroy all the nest in and around the house. When using contact sprays and repellents the queen will just crank out a new army, once she senses that nobody is coming home with food for her little ones back home. And lets' face it most of us would prefer not to have our home spayed with stinky poisons. Bug bombs present even more unsatisfactory conditions since they put poison sediment on counters, walls, etc and have no residual effect. WHAT ABOUT BAIT STATIONS? Many of our customers have found that using bait stations, (small containers containing bait) sometimes work. But that only seems to be so if the trap contains the type of bait that the ants are found of that particular day. (Ants are finicky) Most often, however, the ants ignore it. Even when the the ants do eat front the trap, the poison is so strong that the ants don't make it back to the nest. Dead ones are often found near the trap, far from the nest. If the bait is too weak, the ants don't get enough poison bait back to the queen. Within a few days, the ants are back in force. Many people are surprised to learn that many over the counter products such as Raid® pose hazards to some people.
When the Bugaboo man comes there are five things to remember:
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BAITS
We also use baits. 
HOW
Why do some ants have
Contrary
to what some would want you to believe, these large flying ants are
not going to instantly eat your house up. Yes, there is a need for
concern, and they should not be ignored, but carpenter ants work
slow. 
structures. Runways and galleries are excavated in timbers with opening
or "windows" cut at intervals to expel sawdust. Galleries of carpenter
ants have a smooth, sand-papered appearance as opposed to those of
termites which are filled with debris. Carpenter ants also excavate
galleries in sheet-foam insulation and have been found in stacks of
shingles, newspapers, and in other types of insulation. Old and new
structures may be infested, and sound as well as decayed, wet wood is
attacked.
Odorous
House Ant (Tapinoma sessile) 
to
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