Unfounded Fear Of The Brown Recluse

February 1, 2012 — Dr. Doug Asher

When it comes to fears of being bitten the brown recluse reigns supreme. It’s not that this pest is large and so the bite would be very painful or cause an immediate open wound. In fact most people aren’t even aware that they have been bitten until a few hours pass by and the swelling and other symptoms begin to set in. The fear with the recluse bite is not the initial bite, it is the aftermath and the on going progression of the wound that people fear most. The only other bites that folks fear as much would be snake bites or one from a black widow spider. It is the recluse however that comes with ready made stories about gaping wounds that never heal and even the extreme of cutting off hands or limbs to stop the poisons. This only half truth has spread through out the nation as everyone is at risk when in reality only a moderate region of the United States in documented to having the brown recluse as a native pest.

Recluse spiders have been found outside of their range but this is attributed to its habit of hiding in things like furniture or clothing. If these items are moved so is the spider. So when something is shipped or taken on vacation it takes with it a recluse and indeed the spider has been found in places it is not normally known to be. However the spider doesn’t fair very well at all in these areas and it is very rare that it becomes established. It is far more likely to find a dead recluse in the states its not known for than a live one. The range of the recluse includes states from north Texas and Oklahoma across to western Georgia and up to parts of Kentucky and as far up as parts of Iowa down to the Florida border. The states in between have healthy stands of the spider and that is where you’ll find them most.

This shy and tiny spider gets its moniker because of its habit of tucking away in quiet undisturbed places. They steer clear of human activity as much as possible and only venture out at night in which to find food. They do live very comfortably inside your home but because of their secrecy one may seldom have any clue. Exterminators who service homes for spiders often report killing hundreds of the recluse in a single home that they were just there to service for an ‘occasional’ sighting. The recluse lair or nest is usually nondescript with only a small amount of unorganized webbing around the entry. More silk can be found inside that secures the females egg sacs but no tell tale orb or other web is present. The spider prefers to return to its nest each morning but at times it finds the need to find a temporary day time nest. This can be a shoe or in some clothing where it thinks it will be undisturbed and this often where contact with humans is made.

It is common for homes to have large numbers of this arachnid since the occupants don’t realize they have a infestation. Pest professionals often report of killing a hundred or more brown recluse in a home that has never been sprayed. This large number takes time to build up because recluse females do not produce hundreds of babies at a time and only lays her eggs sacs once or twice per year. Even in homes with many recluses it is far more likely to find a dead one in the normal course of a day than it is to see live ones scurrying up the wall because of the nature of this spider. The recluse also does not need to eat or drink every day as is the case with other bugs. They can last six months with nothing and so they simply wait patiently to find food. They are also durable in that they can survive the hot attic temperatures in the summer or cold rooms in a home such as the basement.

Doctors far to often perpetuate the horror stories of the recluse. Without an actual specimen it is impossible to diagnose a recluse bite with any accuracy. It’s far to easy apparently to blame the recluse without taking in the many other possibilities. Actually the yellow sac spider is reported far more often as a biting spider and its venom is much like the recluses. No one wants to be bitten by any insect for sure but if indeed a bite occurs the proper identification is crucial so that correct treatments of the wound can be made. Passing off every single bite as a recluse or spreading their sphere of territory through horrible stories just flames the fire of people fears. If were up to the recluse he would probably ask you to live quietly and in in peace one with another just as the recluse does with you.

No other spider causes such fear of not only its bite but its painful aftermath. Myths and half truths rule the day but not for those who choose to be informed and trade in their fears, for these people therecluse is a manageable problem and one that won’t rule their lives.

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Fruit Fly Control

February 1, 2012 — Dr. Doug Asher

Drosophila is the scientific name for something you might know better as a fruit fly. This tiny pest only measures about 1/8 of an inch but it might as well be 3 feet tall when it comes to getting rid of him. Fruit flies are also called the red eyed fly, pomace flies and vinegar fly. This pest is found throughout the world and can make it’s home inside or out. This versatility makes it hard to get rid of in sensitive places like hospitals, restaurants or wineries. Building often offer many places for this fly to thrive and especially larger ones such as mentioned above.

The fruit fly is often mistaken for just another gnat or even the phorid fly but this is a mistake to give such a cavalier ID. The best way to identify this pest is by its red eyes which can easily be seen with just a little magnification. Knowing any pest ID is important so you know how to treat and where to look and this especially important fotr the fruit fly.

Fruit flies have a complete metamorphosis so they go from eggs to larva to pupa to adult. Up to 500 eggs are laid by each female which are very tiny and seldom seen. She lays these eggs in or near what you and I might call scum. Rotting vegetable matter or build up grime in a sinks drain are two of the most common sites. The eggs hatch in just over a day and the larva feed for about 6 more. Moving to a drier location larvae begin to pupate and emerge as an adult a few days later. The whole process can be in as little time as 8 days total. This quick life cycle can lead to explosions in numbers of the fruit fly in a very short time.

Fruit flies easily follow air currents and usually have several breeding places in any building. Do not assume that all of your breeding sources are indoors; fruit flies will wander in from nearby dumpsters, outdoor garbage cans or even damp compost piles where fruits and vegetableshave beendisposed of. After the source of attraction and breeding has been removed, a pyrethrum-based insecticide may be used to kill any remaining adult flies in the area.

Once the source is removed spraying with an aerosol pyrethrum can kill remaining adults for quick relief. Traps are also common and can be home made. A small jar or glass with either cider, wine or old banana at the bottom will attract the. Making a funnel from construction paper and placing the small end in the container will allow the fly in but they won’t be able to find their way back out. This very simple trap will help you greatly in getting rid of the adult flies and hopefully before they’ve laid more eggs.

Getting to the source is the best way to deal with fruit flies but having a trap to give you much needed relief in between will definitely cut down on the frustration of dealing with this pest. Find out how to make a do it yourself gnat and fruit fly trap here

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Eliminating Bedbugs

January 31, 2012 — Dr. Doug Asher

Cimex lectularius, which are found in the northern temperate climates of North America, Europe, and Central Asia, are parasitic insects that are small and elusive. Commonly called bedbugs they have several different names, including the wall louse, mahogany flat, chinche, redcoat, crimson rambler and heavy dragoon. For Floridians they most likely are Cimex hemipterus bedbug that is more commonly found in tropical climates like Africa, Asia and semitropical areas.

They come from the family Cimicidae. That term refers to species that feed preferentially on human blood. All bugs in the Cimicidae family feed exclusively on warm blooded animals and humans. The name bedbug has been given to this particular bug because of its habit to infest houses, particularly beds, couches and any other common areas a person might sleep. Bedbugs are mainly nocturnal, and are able of feeding unnoticed by their host. The Bedbugs were largely destroyed in the 1940′s by powerful insecticides such as DDT. But bedbugs have resurged since about 1995 and have become more and more prolific.

The common bedbug is the best adapted species to human environments. It can be found in temperate climates throughout the world. Bedbugs can survive in a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. However, bedbugs cannot survive however in high concentrations of carbon dioxide for very long.

The way a bedbug eats is by perforating the skin of its host, with a pair of hollow feeding tubes. One tube will inject its saliva, which contains anticoagulants and anesthetics, while the other draws up the blood of its host. The bedbug only feeds for about 5 minutes, and then it will return to its hiding place. Bedbugs often hide unnoticed in dark cracks, and eggs can be nestled in fabric seams, carpets, and bed frames. Aside from bite symptoms, signs of an infestation include: fecal spots, blood smears on sheets, and molts.

Eliminating bed bug infestations require persistence, elbow grease and a thorough cleaning and possible disposal of beds, couches, and infested items. Because they hide in many tiny places, inspections and treatments must be very thorough. Infested bedding, clothing and other items will need to be laundered. And a proven effective, efficient way is to place clothing, shoes, backpacks, and toys in a clothes dryer on high heat for 10-20 minutes. This will kill the bedbug in all stages.

The name bedbug has been given to this particular bug because of its habit to infest houses, particularly beds, couches and any other areas a person sleeps. Bedbugs are mainly active at night, and are capable of feeding unnoticed by their dinner victim. The Bedbugs were largely destroyed in the 1940′s in the developed world by powerful insecticides such as DDT. But bedbugs have resurged since about 1995 and have become a major nuisance.

Professional Bed Bug Tips and how to’s…

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The Top Reasons To Place Surveillance Cameras Around The Property

January 17, 2012 — Eric Stonebred

There are many reasons why you should install surveillance cameras around your home. Most people don’t understand how important they can be. The truth is, this is an exceptional way to protect all members of the home as well as valuables.

For those who haven’t noticed, the world is a very different place. Crime rates are constantly increasing, especially with regards to theft. And the way that thieves operate have also changed. In the past, they only went to homes that were vacant, when people were out shopping or working. Now, they don’t have to wait.

Many prefer to just invade. They wait and wait until someone opens the front door, for whatever reason. So, if the proper surveillance cameras and equipment are not installed, one would never know what is waiting on the other side of that door.

Yet, even those who know that the world has changed still will open their front doors to all kinds of strangers. This puts them in grave danger. However, if the home is properly secured with equipment, there would be no need to worry or put anyone at risk. Thankfully, these things are not just for the rich any longer.

The fact is, they are much more affordable pieces of equipment. So, there is no reason why an average homeowner or renter wouldn’t invest in these. It’s a matter of protection, not for just valuables, but for the most important part of life, family members. People can check in on their properties no matter where they are, at any time of the day or night.

Certainly, this gives a sense of security to those who have this installed like nothing else. It is through the help of the Internet that all this is possible. And with these little hand-held electronic devices, peace of mind can be had by anyone. There are different types of system setups that allow for different types of surveillance.

Furthermore, there are different grades of security equipment that are within reach of all budgets. It’s important to look at what type of security you are interested in to provide you that security you want. From there, it’s easy to deter people who have less than honorable intentions with this manner. And just like that, it can give anyone the peace of mind knowing that their families are well protected and safe from harm.

Get exclusive inside information on good reasons to install surveillance cameras around your home now in our complete review of all you need to know about how and where to find the best residential security system .

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Bellevue chiropractor gives some tips to prevent gardening injuries

January 11, 2012 — Dr. Michael Weir

Its almost that time of year again! Time for the sunshine to come out and for the flowers to start to bloom. This means getting out into the garden, and with that comes gardening injuries. Digging, bending, twisting, and pulling are all vigorous physical activities and they are all a huge part of gardening, and yet we rarly consider gardening a physical activity. “Many people think gardening as an innocuous activity, but it puts the body in positions it hasn’t been in for months-bending, sitting on the ground, stooping, working on all fours,” says Dr. Hancock, DC of Chicago.

To prevent gardening injuries, Dr. Hancock recommends thinking about gardening as you would going to the gym. “To warm up, walk for five to 10 minutes to get your heart rate up While you garden, divide your activity into thirds- (movements affecting the body) below the waist, between the waist and shoulders, and above the shoulders, doing each for 10 to 15 minutes,” he says.

Before and after a gardening project, Kathi Casey, ERYT, CPI, a health coach and trainer practicing in Massachusetts, recommends a complete stretch and flexion of the spine for a minute or two before and after a gardening project. “Sit tall in a straight chair with your feet on the floor. Inhale deeply as you slowly arch your spine; then exhale slowly as you curl. Avoid straining your neck,” she says.

For those of you who are going to take on bigger gardening projects like diging trenches, Debbie Mandel, MA, a fitness and stress management expert and author of Addicted to Stress: A Woman’s 7-Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life, recommends undergoing some strength training to prepare. “To strengthen upper extremities, she prefers triceps extensions and wrist curls with dumbbells. To strengthen shoulders for overhead movements, use two dumbbells in a military press and shoulder raises. “Remember to hold your abdominals in tightly to support your back and recruit core strength, and to exhale on exertion,” she adds.

All in all, make sure that you are physically prepared to garden this summer. I have seen far too many gardening injuries and would like you to stay strong and healthy this gardening season.

Michael Weir, D.C. is a practicingBellevue chiropractor. He can be found at Back in Action Chiropractic at 1940 116th Ave NE #101, Bellevue WA 98004, or by calling (425) 635-0495.. Check here for free reprint license: Bellevue chiropractor gives some tips to prevent gardening injuries.

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Spice Up Your Life by Growing Basil

November 16, 2011 — Beulah Finkley

If you’re hesitating in starting your own garden, hesitate no more. Owning your own garden can take not only your health, but the money you manage to save in a month to a whole new level. Imagine you want a salad, and all you have to do is walk outside, grab your ingredients and have a blast.

If you grow your own produce you eliminate the fear of not knowing what is in your fruit or vegetables. Many of the grocers get their produce from commercial farms. In the effort to grow more produce and faster some products used might pose a health risk for you.

The chemicals sprayed to kill pests and weeds might be effective in ensuring the produce grows well and healthy. However, some of these chemicals might sip into the products. When consumed over long periods, you might find yourself sick more often. In addition, most of the products sold are perishable. If shipped form other parts of the world, they have to be preserved using chemicals or refrigeration. The chemicals might not be too safe if consumed for long periods. In addition, once the chemicals wear off, the produce will get bad easily.

Not all grocery stores get their produce from places that do these things, but enough do so your better of knowing what you put on them, and being able to control what goes on them. That way you know that everything you’re putting into your body is healthy and good for you.

When you start your garden, try to find what grows during which season. This way, you are assured of a great harvest. Also, try to grow what you will need each day like spices and vegetables. If you want to grow produce that’s not in season, grow it indoors under controlled conditions.

Basil is a great spice to grow. It can be grown outside or indoors. In addition, it can be used as flavoring in almost any meal. If you enjoy eating meat, then adding basil will take your meats to a while new level.

Basil does not do well outside during winter. The best thing to do is dry it and grind it to powder. However, you can grow it indoors during winter if you like it fresh. To use it when fresh, just wash it and add it to your meal.

There are many Easy To Grow Herbs which will be beneficial in many aspects like saving money, handy at any time and freshness of product. Grow Your Own Herb so you can enjoy all these benefits.

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How To Decorate Your Room With Art Wall Decals

November 9, 2011 — Thelma Mieler

With all the constant influx of new trends, fashion, media hype and crazes, kids in this day and age are really fickle. Their opinions change with the newest character on television, trends and styles. This could make decorating your child’s room look like an nearly impossible activity.

A style you give their room this year could possibly be ‘so outdated’ in a 12 months or so. Luckily, there is a fast and easy approach to transform a room instantly and wall decals are the solution.

Thanks to this groundbreaking new item, gone are the days of time wasting wallpapering, or mural painting to give your kid’s room the effect they want. Vinyl wall murals can help resolve your decorating dilemmas.

These simple to apply children Wall Stickers really are a fast and effortless method to transform a room, without mess and no fuss. All you’ve to do is simply peel a wall decal from the backing sheet and put on to the preferred region, smooth over and there you’ve got it!

Some wall decals may be utilized to walls, furnishings, windows, mirrors or perhaps bathroom tiles.

It really is best to pick a brand where the wall stickers are cleanly removable, changeable, re-stickable, splash-proof and washable. This enables you to transfer them all around; if you are not pleased with the placement you have positioned them in, or if your kid gets bored of the placement.

As your kid grows older, they might want to have a new design and style; these wall stickers can be taken out without leaving a trace, reapplied to your backing sheet and utilized yet again for a younger kid or perhaps a friend’s kid. There is such an exhaustive assortment available, which includes princess, cartoon, sport, space and animal theme wall decals to point out several.

These wonderful artwork wall murals enable you to change the theme of your kid’s room quickly and cheaply.

For those who want to really add a personalized touch to designing bedrooms, there are a range of artwork wall decals that may really bring a room to life.

Thelma Mieler is an author who enjoys writing about tree wall decal and other topics.

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A Quick Overview To Landscaping With Stone Veneer

November 7, 2011 — Stephen Mieler

Imagine yourself coming home from a long day and spending just a little time unwinding in a sanctuary that’s your very own – dining outdoors on a delicious meal cooked in your own outdoor kitchen or chilling by the fireplace in an outdoor living space. If it sounds too good to be true, think again.

It is possible to build lovely outdoor living spaces by building and landscaping with stone veneer. Of course, it is not a load bearing material, but it’s gorgeous, practical, and less difficult to work with than natural stone. Let’s discover more about it.

Plenty of us are trying to find methods to personalize our houses, so they reflect our personalities more accurately and act as comfy places to unwind. Nonetheless, plenty of projects, like complicated brick and stonework, are much more effort than most of us wish to put in, plus they require lots of specialized training.

That is why stone veneer, produced from polyurethane, is such an excellent idea. These faux panels are made from a heavy duty form of polymer sheeting that has a durability you might not associate with polyurethane, and they look just like actual stone.

You’ll be amazed at how realistic they truly are. It’s hard to tell unless you’re extremely close to the piece of veneer. Typically this faux veneer is made between five eighths of an inch thick to more than three inches thick, depending on texture as well as the use to which it is to be put.

Stone veneer type materials are far more versatile than you may think, and they’re less difficult and quicker to install, too. You’ll save a lot of time and money just by making use of it.

Stone veneer is incredibly versatile. Many people think about just utilizing it as exterior home siding, nevertheless it can do a lot of other stuff.

Use stone veneer to coat outdoor tables, bars or lower walls that build the boundaries of your outdoor living spaces, for instance. Use it within, or as a landscaping component.

You’ll find so many possibilities with faux stone panels, especially if you take it into your outdoor space. It looks fantastic, adds texture and color to your property, and increases perceived value and curb appeal.

Stephen Mieler is a full time writer and loves writing about stacked stone and related topics.

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Garden Tool Sheds Are More Than Simply Storage Units

October 29, 2011 — Roger S. Shelter

Many individuals understand that garden sheds and storage go hand in hand, however do you understand that there are actually many additional uses for your gardening sheds? Garden sheds are well liked for housing gardening equipment, lawnmowers, and such. But they are also versatile, and people are beginning to understand them as useful for other reasons as well.

A few alternatives that people have developed are the use of their gardening shed like a workshop, or even a greenhouse. This is facilitated by the amazing array of sheds available, in terms of both size as well as material for construction. A large plus is that it’s not required to go out trying to find a shed at local companies. It is rather easy to use your home computer and look online for the top deals in garden sheds.

As opposed to only using your gardening shed for storage you could use it as a greenhouse perhaps. This is a unique design and with the modern versions of these storage sheds it is very simple to do. Several people even like to put up their sheds as a mini workshop. This is a great method to manage anything you have and make your garden a great deal simpler and easier. Even though gardening sheds are synonymous with storage facilities, there are in fact other uses for them. If you happen to be considering getting one though, it is certainly worth thinking about your necessities before going ahead.

When you are considering buying a gardening storage shed, you will lean that they include 3 fundamental sorts of materials that are wood, metal, or plastic. Most people are informed about all natural wooden sheds in the garden. There is without a doubt that wooden sheds can seem attractive, however are moderately high maintenance regarding keeping up a high-quality appearance and keeping out water or rot.

A second form of shed to bear in mind is one created from metal sheets. You can’t deny the strength and resilience of sheds made from metal. Such metal constructions will not be as visually pleasing as wooden ones however they make up for this by lasting much longer. On the other hand, metal sheds need upkeep, since metal does rust.

The last type of storage building is a plastic one. Plastic garden storage sheds are becoming very popular as of late, and people are starting to realize the several benefits of plastic gardening sheds and storage. The majority of such storage sheds are built from molded plastics of high quality, such as polyethylene or PVC. They need almost no maintenance and are very sturdy. The biggest advantage is that they are usually cheaper than the equivalent size metal or wooden shed.

You can notice more about Gardening Sheds And Storage by having a look at Garden Tool Sheds for excellent information.

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Fire Ant Invasion!

October 27, 2011 — Dr. Doug Asher

The majority of fire ants found in the southwestern and southern U.S. are actually invaders, a non-native species that are the red imported fire ant (RIFA). They have several names that include the ginger ant or tropical fire ants and the fire ant belongs to a variety of stinging ants with over 280 species worldwide.

Unlike other ants, which bite and spray acid into the wound, fire ants will bite only to get a grip and then sting with their abdomen to inject a toxic alkaloid venom called solenopsin. It can be quite a painful, burning sting to a human, hence the name “fire ant”. If you are sensitive to the fire ant sting, it can be deadly. The really neat thing about the venom is that it is both insecticidal and an antibiotic. Researchers are convinced that ant nurse workers will spray their young to protect them from microorganisms.

The RIFA was accidentally introduced into the states via a South American cargo ship that came into port in Mobile, Alabama, in the 1930′s. The RIFA is estimated to cost $5 billion dollars annually on medical treatment, damage and in pest control of RIFA infested areas. They also cause an estimated $750 million dollars in damage to agriculture, this includes veterinarian bills, crop damages and livestock losses. It is estimated that between 30-60% of people living in fire ant infested areas are stung each year.

Unlike other ants, which bite and spray acid into the wound, fire ants will bite only to get a grip and then sting with their abdomen to inject a toxic alkaloid venom called solenopsin. It can be quite a painful sting to a human, usually a burning sensation hence the name “fire ant”. If you are sensitive to the fire ant sting, it can be deadly. The really neat thing about the venom is that it is both insecticidal and an antibiotic. Researchers believe that ant nurse workers will spray their young to protect them from microorganisms.

Getting rid of the fire ants is not as easy as it looks. Fire ants nest in the soil, often near moist areas such as river banks, pond edges, watered lawns and even highway edges. The nest will usually not be visible as it can be under objects such as timber, logs, bricks, rocks, paver stones and more. If there is no cover for the nest, you will see dome shaped mounds in open spaces, mainly in fields, parks and lawns.

To get rid of them you will need to locate their home or nest, so to speak. But be very careful they are aggressive and will bite you; you may have to contact a professional to help you eradicate these ants if you are unsuccessful in eradicating them yourself. One way to eradicate them is the Texas 2 step organic method of fire ant control; developed by Texas A&M University it provides suggestions for less toxic ways to remove the ants. A professional may use 3 different ways of eliminating the pest. Baiting, mound drenching and broadcasting of contact pesticides may be used. The best long term control products used by most professionals are Permithrin Pro, Talstar, Talstar Granules, and DeltaGard granules.

Quick Ant Removal

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