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Invasive species, or insects of foreign origin, can cause major issues for American homeowners during the summer months. Hulett Environmental,  a pest management company servicing  South Florida, urges vigilance against invasive species including red imported fire ants (RIFAs), Asian tiger mosquitoes, brown marmorated stink bugs and Formosan termites as the weather continues to warm.

Most people are aware of the risks posed by common summer pests like ticks, mosquitoes and bees. However, invasive species can also cause property damage and, in some cases, injury to humans.

Experts at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property from household pests, encourage homeowners to also be on the lookout for the following invasive species this summer:

Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) – RIFAs were brought to the United States in 1930 from South America and are mainly found in the southern region of the country. When disturbed, they are known to swarm and sting humans, often causing painful welts on the skin.

Asian Tiger Mosquito – Originating from Southeast Asia, the Asian tiger mosquito is now found throughout the eastern, Midwestern and southern states. This mosquito species can cause an irritable bite and spread several diseases, including Dengue fever, West Nile virus and Japanese Encephalitis.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug – Likely introduced from Eastern Asia, stink bugs are most prevalent in the northeast. While stink bugs don’t pose any health threats, they can produce an unpleasant odor when crushed.

Formosan Termite – Originally from China, Formosan termites are the most aggressive subterranean termite species. They are capable of consuming wood at rapid speeds, posing a serious structural threat to a property if left untreated.

Due to the health and property risks posed by invasive species, homeowners should frequently inspect the home for signs of an infestation and contact a licensed pest professional to treat any potential pest problems.

For more information on invasive pests, please visit www.bugs.com

• Wipe up crumbs and spills immediately
• Keep food in sealed containers and dispose of garbage regularly
• Keep pet food and water dishes clean and remove any spilled food
• Seal any cracks and holes on the outside of the home with silicone caulk
• Repair holes or gaps in window and door screens
• Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around basement foundation and windows
• Keep tree branches and other shrubbery well trimmed and away from the house
• If you see signs of an ant infestation in the home, contact a licensed pest professional promptly.

may not be on the guest list, but many pests including ants, flies, mosquitoes and other stinging insects are likely to disrupt outdoor festivities this summer. Hulett Environmental, a pest management company servicing South Florida, encourages party goers to take precautions to prevent pests from putting a damper on summer fun.

There is nothing more bothersome than trying to enjoy a delicious plate of BBQ fare while a buzzing bug is flying around your food.  Unfortunately, plenty of pests are attracted to our food, so they tend to frequent our outdoor cookouts, but there are ways to prevent these uninvited guests from crashing the party.

Hulett Environmental, offers these tips to help pests from ruining your summer gathering:

• Prior to the party, check screen doors and repair any holes.
• Remove sources of standing water in your yard, including birdbaths, wading pools or garden ponds.
• Have insect repellant containing an EPA-registered active ingredient like DEET or Picaridin available for you and your guests.
• Adorn your deck or patio with citronella candles that can help minimize the presence of mosquitoes.
• With guests coming in and out of your house, make sure the doors close behind them.
• Plan to serve food and beverages indoors, and reserve outdoor space for eating and entertaining.
• Keep food sealed in containers whenever possible, and wipe tabletops frequently.
• Clean trash, spills and crumbs immediately from tables and other surfaces.
• Bring utensils and dishware indoors shortly after the meal.
• Rinse all beverage bottles and cans, and dispose of them in tightly closed garbage containers.

If pests become intolerable, you may have a larger problem and need professional assistance. Sometimes, pest pressure can get out of hand. For example, if homeowners notice large mounds of ants or stinging insect nests around the property, they’ll want to contact a professional to help them safely remove these infestations as they can be a threat to our safety.

For more information or to speak with a pest a professional about common summer pests, visit www.bugs.com

Experts at Hulett Environmental propose several tips to avoid termite infestations:

• As most termites are attracted to moisture, avoid water accumulation near your home’s foundation.  Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks.
• Quickly repair house damage from a leaky roof or window as termites can thrive in this moisture.
• Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard, especially near the building.  Remove old tree stumps and roots around and beneath the building.
• Most importantly, eliminate any wood contact with the soil.  Maintaining a 1-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building is ideal.

Recognizing the destruction termites can cause, it is important to be aware of infestation warning signs:

• Swarming of winged forms in the fall and spring – termites can easily be confused with flying ants.
• Evidence of mud tunneling in, over and under wood structures
• Wooden structures exhibit darkening or blistering
• Damaged wood becomes extremely thin and can be easily punctured by a knife or a screwdriver

“As termites are known to cause over $5 billion dollars in damage each year, virtually all experts recommend calling a pest professional to protect one of your most important investments, your home, from termite infestation,” says Missy Henriksen, NPMA vice president of public affairs.

Professionals offer the specialized skills necessary to rid a home of termite infestation: knowledge of building construction, an ability to identify termite species and the knowledge of applicable methods of termite control.

For further information, visit pestworld.org and www.bugs.com

Missy Henriksen with the National Pest Management Association provides tips for how to prevent pests and insects at summer picnics, cookouts and BBQs.

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A new type of ant is terrorizing the United States, and they are invading electronics at businesses and homes across parts of Florida. Most recently, they’ve been spotted in Palm Beach County.

CBS12′s Lynn Gordon explains what is being done to get rid of them. Click Here

Internet bloggers and people from various parts of the world have come up with their own reasoning for the rat on mars. One the popular conspiracy theories is that NASA is running secret animal experiments on mars and one of the animals has escaped. Cory S. with Discover Blogs had a great response to this theory, “If scientists want to know how animals react to thin air and cold temperatures, they could easily do that experiment in the lab and save a billion dollars. Like most conspiracy theories, the fun of it lies entirely on the idea that somebody has a secret. Logic is not required.”
So what do you think? How did this rat end up on mars? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!

Pest proofing and home improvement projects are often designated to the spring season. Now is the perfect time of year to remind homeowners to take the necessary steps to protect their greatest investment from costly damage.  Because termites aren’t often detected until it’s too late, we advise consumers to arrange for annual termite inspections from a qualified pest professional.

Termites feed 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the cellulose found in wood and paper products. They can silently chew through structures undetected and cause more than $5 billion in property damage every year, an expense that isn’t typically covered under homeowners’ insurance policies.

Hulett offers the following prevention tips for homeowners to help guard against termites:

• Carefully inspect the perimeter of the home for mud tubes and rotting wood.
• Repair fascia, soffits and rotted roof shingles.
• Keep basements, attics and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
• Maintain a one-inch gap between soil and wood portions of the home.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and check it for pests before bringing it indoors.
• Divert water away from the home through properly functioning downspouts and gutters.

To learn more about termites and look for  information on termites, please visit https://www.bugs.com/termite_control_services/termite_control.asp?type=termite