Common types of Bees and Wasps in the Northeast
When the sunny weather comes around, it is primetime for bees to start buzzing. Many people wonder; what type of bee is it? Will it sting me? Are they just a nuisance or can they harm my home? This article will describe the common bees/ wasps you will most likely see in the Northeast.
Carpenter bees: Carpenter bees are the pests you have to worry about destroying your home. This type of bee is ½ to 1″ in length that had a black body with yellow hair, two wings and six legs. Carpenter bees are attractive to moist wood. Carpenter bees will drill out wood, not eating it, and nest there. You will see saw dust where there is activity and if not treated, there can be a lot of damage to a home.
Yellowjackets: Yellowjackets are the type of wasp that stings the most. Yellowjackets are 3/8 to 5/8″ in length. They have two wings, six legs, and a black and yellow stripped body. Most yellowjacket nests are located under the ground, but occasionally they will build their nest on the side of homes or trees. When a human disturb the nests, yellowjackets feel threatened and will sting. The sting can be very painful. This wasp can sting many times, so one you get stung try to leave the area or move indoors. The wasps feed on larvae and then in the summer switch to fruits and garbage.
Whitefaced hornets: Closely related to yellowjackets, whitefaced hornets are black and white in color. They are usually 5/8 to 1″ in length with two wings and six legs. Like yellowjackets, these hornets can sting multiple times so if you get stung, move away from the area. Their nests are usually located in elevated areas, like bushes or trees. They are attracted to human food.
Paper wasps: Paper wasps look very similar to yellowjackets; yellow and black stripped body with two wings and six legs. They need a branch or twig to start their nests, so there will usually live in bushes or trees. Like the whitefaced hornets, the nests are usually disturbed while people are doing yard work around the yard. People can be allergic to either bees or wasps, so in you get stung and have an allergic reaction, get medical help immediately.
Bees and wasps are a nuisance to humans. They can harm people if disturbed and cause damage to homes. JP McHale Pest Management is a Westchester pest control company that serves in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area. We are a family business that has run over 30 years. We offer home solutions that are safe and effective in the prevention of pests in and around homes. Our services cover bee and wasp extermination, so please contact us with any questions or to get an estimate for your home.
JP McHale Pest Management is a Westchester pest control company that serves in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area. We are a family business that has run over 30 years. We offer home solutions that are safe and effective in the prevention of pests in and around homes. Please contact us with any questions or to get an estiate for your home.
Article Source
Cat Flea Free Feline
Underneath the fur of your pet feline are fleas, tiny parasites that suck their blood. Most cats found at home are the hosts of these cat fleas although they are also seen to infect other animals like rabbits and dogs. Fleas are a common occurrence in a dog’s or cat’s body although in very few amounts. Make sure that it does not develop into Flea Allergy Dermatitis which is a precursor of more serious problems with regards to the skin. An increase in the number of fleas however may lead to a severe loss of blood, causing the host to be anemic. Fleas are also notorious for being carriers for several other parasites such as tapeworm and other organisms.
What are the signs to check if your pet cat has a flea infection? First and most obvious sign is frequent biting and scratching of their fur as if something is irritating them. Since cats normally scratch their fur, it is also vital that you actually take a closer look at your cat’s skin to check for the presence of dark brown crawling insects. It would be quite hard to see if your cat has dark fur so it is also suggested to inspect their beddings as well.
Whenever cats are scratching their fur, these pesky fleas fall off. Another way of checking of the presence of these blood sucking-insects is to rub the fur lightly while they are standing on a big sheet of white paper. Apply a demister afterwards. The presence of dark brown marks with red stains on the paper is a positive indicator of the existence of fleas on your feline.
Removing the fleas from your cat is not quite easy to do since they are found to react quite sensitively to chemicals. There are some products available on the market to help eradicate this problem and leave you feline flea free.
A flea collar is the most common form of a cat flea removal product. Poison is found on these collars in enough quantities to kill those adult fleas on and in the vicinity of the neck and head region. However, the fleas existing on the lower part of the body are not affected.
Another product is the flea shampoo that contains chemicals that can exterminate the fleas. Extreme care must be used to avoid irritating the skin of the cat and causing them much discomfort.
A chemical free technique to get rid of these cat fleas, especially the adult ones is by using a flea comb. Be prepared with a bowl of water with a bit of detergent mixed into it to put the gathered fleas in to drown. Putting a dollop of petroleum jelly on the flea comb can help catch the fleas by letting them stick on the comb easily.
Flea powders may also be utilized but not frequently to avoid drying and irritating the fur and skin of your pet feline.
Oral medicines may be mixed with their food which will be taken up into the blood. When the fleas feed on the blood, it will act by preventing the maturation of their eggs. This method is best used in combination with another method that effectively kills the adult cat flea.
Application of topical creams and ointments may also be effective, depending on brand and the degree of flea infestation. It is usually applied once every month until the cat is free of fleas.
For a successful management of these cat fleas, the area where the cat usually stays is treated as well. These fleas frequently hide in carpets, curtains, beds, and anywhere conducive to its existence. For a total eradication of these cat fleas, it is a highly suggested to have the whole house cleaned and treated from top to bottom, indoors and outdoors. Other pets are also included in the flea free program.
Lastly, it is always recommended to consult with your neighborhood veterinarian first before using any flea removing product to make sure that both you and your feline is safe and on his way to becoming flea free.
Article by Sven Ullmann, who runs My Lovely Cat – Useful information about cats. Read more about How to get rid of Cat Flea.
Article Source
