As you walk out into the fresh air you can smell it everywhere.  It’s the time when trees begin to bud and the birds let us know that the time has come to enjoy the great outdoors.  The long awaited start of spring is finally here (I guess you can tell I’m not a winter person).  Nature awakens from its winter slumber, bringing us the activity of wildlife looking for love.

A sure sign that spring is here, you can smell it in the air; that distinct smell that only a Striped Skunk can emit.  They emerge periodically during warm spells looking for that special someone (late February through March).  Interestingly, they are not true hibernators but will sleep deeply for up to three and a half months and as the weather warms, they become more active (as our noise will agree).

But, they are not the only ones that have heard spring’s alarm to awaken.  Woodchucks or Groundhogs (true hibernators, they sleep when the first heavy frost hits through spring) begin their quest for love (February through March).  They are most active in the early morning and evening hours.  Here is a cool fact you may not have known about these interesting creatures: they have been known to climb trees as high as 20 feet, although they will usually stay anywhere from eight to 12 feet from the ground.

Another animal making an appearance this spring is the masked Raccoon.  Their nocturnal behavior may lead us to believe that they have been hibernating during those cold winter days.  However, they will only sleep during the coldest days and are active on milder days.  Raccoons have been busy mating during January and February and begin birthing during March through May, with late breeding females between June, July and August.

During this resurgence of activity is when unwanted confrontations may occur as these various critters search for new dwellings.  You may be wondering what you can do to assure that their love den is not your home.

The following steps will assist you in achieving that goal.

• Find their means of access: utility lines, drain pipes, uncapped chimneys, overhanging tree limbs as well as open attic and basement vents
• Trap and remove them from the site
• Exclude their entry points by installing Cat-Guard

You can smell it in the air. The fresh sent of spring is everywhere and as you begin to enjoy the great outdoors, remember you’re not alone.

As the days draw longer and warmer, what parent hasn’t heard the phase “can I go out now?” from their children. When cabin fever kicks in our children are not the only ones eagerly anticipating the great outdoors. Their annoying buzzing and swarms at times has become an indicator that spring is near. No, I’m not referring to the anxious children longing to play outside, but rather to Cluster Flies.

Normally they are quite happy to be in the great outdoors until the weather begins to get cold. Then, like us they pursue a warmer place to overwinter. This migration begins in the latter part of August to the early part of September. They usually work their way into our attics, wall voids, behind baseboards, behind draperies, under carpets as well as into cracks and crevices.

Cluster Flies are nature’s way of letting us know that spring is near. Those first warm days will bring them out of hibernation and as they emerge, they are in essence asking “can I go out now?” You will find them making their way to your windows or doors. At this time they are not very alert but rather sluggish and can easily be caught or vacuumed. If they appear in large numbers it may require that your cracks and crevices be treated. By the way, you will also notice the Asian lady beetle (most call them lady bugs) emerging, this is also an indicator that you have Cluster Flies. Since Asian lady beetles are considered a beneficial insect there is no treatment prescribed for them other than removing their food source – other insects.

The most effective control for these pests is to treat the perimeter of the structure (especially the sunny side) prior to their migration indoors in late summer, early fall. The timing of course is crucial if control is to be achieved. This would also include pest proofing your home by sealing cracks and crevices along the areas used to gain entry into your home (eaves, windows, doors and where the siding meets your foundation). However, the reality is that once you have Cluster Flies, it becomes an annual occurrence that will be reduced only with regular treatments, reducing their numbers year after year.  If you follow my recommendations, the only ones you will be hearing asking “can I go out now?” will be your children.

Many of us enjoy their humorous antics as they chase each other around our lawns.  Some folks enjoy them so much (after all they’re so cute), that they encourage them to visit by placing feeders on their lawns and yards.  Yet, you have others that view them simply as rats with fuzzy tails.  As you have guessed, Im talking about squirrels.  These tree squirrels include the common grey squirrel, the red and the flying squirrel as well as the fox squirrel.

In their natural environment they are a wonder to watch and enjoy.  Squirrels normally inhabit wooden areas (hence the term tree squirrels) where they will construct their nests.  But, as it usually happens, we enjoy the same locations for the same reasons they do.  We build our homes in what use to be their home turf and that invasion at times causes a conflict.  To the squirrel, our home is simply a strange looking tree with many new opportunities.

So, that racket you hear in the attic could mean that you have unwanted visitors staying with you.  The average tree squirrel will have two litters of young each year, in the spring and late summer.  Depending on the species, the number of young may range from three to eight.  At this point theyre not so cute, since they can cause serious damage to your home.  From ectoparasite problems as a result of nesting sites to electrical damage caused by their gnawing, to bites that result from a close encounter of the unwanted kind.  Youre wondering what you can do to assure that you keep them out of your home.

The following steps will assist you in achieving that goal.

• Find their means of entry; utility lines, drain pipes, uncapped chimneys, overhanging tree limbs as well as open attic and basement vents.
• Trap and remove them from the site.
• Exclude their entry points by installing Cat-Guard.

They’re so cute when they play on your lawn and stay out of your home.  So, if youre hearing something in your attic, give us a call and we will let you know who is visiting.

They freak you out.  As you watch them slither away they appear to be slimy.  Regardless of their appearance, many of you will shout get them out of here!  Some may say that theyve been given a bad rap and that they are misunderstood.  If you havent guessed by now, Im referring to the occasional snake invader.  This invader reminds me of that line in the Indiana Jones movie why did it have to be snakes, I hate snakes.   My daughter-in-law would agree with Indiana and many others who would not tolerate any type of snake around their homes.

Whats interesting is that most snakes found in the United States are harmless (as if that made a difference).   Never the less, on occasion poisonous snakes do invade homes in rural areas near their normal habitats.

They are actually really cool when you take a close look at them (although I dont think so).  Take for example the poisonous snake.  Its fangs are modified teeth in the upper jaw that fold back onto the mouth when not in use (just like a switch blade), pretty cool.  Another helpful fact to keep in mind is that they are predators eating a variety of animals, from frogs to rodents, and they will hibernate in dens during the winter, sometimes in large numbers.

At this point, all you want to know is how to keep them from getting into your home.  Generally it is impossible to eliminate snake populations in a given area, nor would it be wise to do so.  The site will still attract other snakes if it continues to provide them with food and shelter (as well as maintaining the ecological balance).

The most effective way to control snakes is to remove their food and harborage.  First you need to identify potential harborage sites, such as woodpiles, rock piles and other debris which may invite them to your home.  Then elevate these woodpiles off the ground.  Close mowing of grass and other vegetation will also reduce their visits.  The other key element is to remove their food source (remember they are predators).  An effective rodent program is essential along with sealing the entry points by using the CAT-GUARD EXCLUSION SYSTEM.  Though repellents have been used in the past, none have proven to be effective.

So the next time you hear or say the words get them out of here, remember to remove the harborage sites and seal up your home with Cat-Guard.

Several years ago I was called upon by a large supermarket chain to solve an ongoing rat problem in one of their stores in Cape Cod. The manager informed me that they’d been dealing with a rat problem for over 2 years and had been using a local pest control company. He thought the situation was under control until one night they noticed the rats had eaten the centers out of 20 watermelons.

As soon as I entered the store it was obvious there was a rodent infestation as it had the distinctive odor of rodent urine and feces. The store personnel had grown so used to the smell that they didn’t realize how big of a problem it was. I did a thorough inspection of the interior and exterior to gauge the extent of the situation and locate the entry points. Rat droppings were present under the base of most shelving units, especially the dog food aisle and under produce cases. This is typical, as rats harbor close to their food source. My exterior inspection revealed holes in the black top behind an open dumpster along the back of the store. Rodent rub marks around the openings verified that this was the highway into the store, and that the rats were entering via the pipes that went through the slab beneath the produce and freezer units. But where was such a rodent population coming from in this affluent section of Cape Cod? As I walked along the perimeter of the store, I noticed a line of 8 foot high hedges dense with foliage. Curious, I walked around the hedge row only to find a pig farm! That’s right, a pig farm, and the source of the rat population.

Our plan of attack was to seal up the entry points and place traps inside, under and outside the store. The pig farmer went on a rodent control program as well. It took the better part of a month to repair the openings, clean and sanitize all areas of the store. We trapped over 250 rats inside, plus a few on the exterior traps. This proves that no matter where you live, once rats find an entrance and food, they will make that neighborhood their home.

Good morning! This week we wanted to share with you a special story about Catseye. This year we introduced the first annual Catseye Cares for Kids campaign, where we raised money to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York. Wed like to say thank you to our customers who made a donation on our behalf. It is with your support that we were able to deliver a strong message of community and family and to help make a childs wish come true. Please read the press release below covering the check presentation and watch us on YouTube!

Catseye Pest Control Presents Giant Check To Make-A-Wish Foundation Of Northeast New York

CASTLETON, NY, Jan. 28  The first annual Catseye Cares for Kids campaign has come to a close and Catseye Pest Control was pleased to present Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York with a giant check on Wednesday.

For the past two months, Catseye has been collecting donations from customers and tallying up new services in order to donate a portion of sales, all to benefit the local chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation. The campaign, which ran from November 1st to December 31st, raised over $2000 to help make a childs wish come true. On Wednesday, representatives from Catseye Pest Control joined the Make-A-Wish staff at their office in Cohoes to present the final donation, an oversized check.

Make-A-Wish is a wonderful organization and were happy to be able to donate to a local charity. Were excited that our efforts will help grant the wish of a local child, said Nick Brooks, VP of Operations. Wed also like to thank our loyal customers who supported this campaign.

Catseyes mascot, Caddie, was also present during the event.

How many times have you heard that? You don’t understand, it can’t be that bad, “it was only one”. It may not sound like much to you but in the pest management industry it’s the first clue that something else is going on. It starts out innocent enough, you ask your client a few questions; where is the problem, when did you see it last, (and the big one) how many? It’s at this point that they respond with “it was only one”. If they inform you that they have seen it running in the kitchen during different times of the day, you can rest assured that it’s not only one. This truism comes to mind, “they are never single, they are all married and have plenty of children”.

Take rodents for example. They reproduce quickly. The House Mouse may have up to 5 litters per year with as many as 5-10 young per litter. The Norway Rat may average 4-6 litters with 6-12 young per litter. You can see that if the environmental conditions are right, instant population explosion will occur as well as the health risk associated with it.

Interestingly, by creating an environment that is unwelcoming it will assist in the management of the population by natural means. The stress caused by increased competition for food and territory will result in mortality to many within the colony. This therefore reinforces the importance of applying the key elements of our rodent program.

1. Eviction by performing approximately 5 days of consecutive trapping.

2. Cleanup, sanitize and disinfect those areas contaminated by rodent activity.

3. Seal the entry points by using the CAT-GUARD EXCLUSION SYSTEM.

To assure their elimination regular monitoring is performed, making it the most extensive rodent program in the industry.

This fact remains true: the most effective program is the one that prevents the problem from developing. By taking a proactive approach rather than a reactive one, you’ll be assured that those married with children will not be visiting your home or business. So you can see when it comes to pest issues, it’s never “only one”.

There may be times when not knowing something is better than knowing. However, that’s not the case when it applies to what’s going on in your crawl space. The “out of sight, out of mind” philosophy is a dangerous one to have. Why? There are a number of things that may inhabit the space, such as radon gas, toxic mold, airborne allergens and unwanted pests (after all, they don’t call it a crawl space for nothing).

By nature, crawl spaces are damp with moisture levels exceeding 70% humidity during certain times of the year. This creates the perfect environment for toxic mold and wood rot as well as conditions conducive for wood destroying insects like termites and carpenter ants. The current standards of venting crawl spaces reveal a flaw in their approach. Studies have shown that ventilation systems contribute to the very condition they are supposed to address. Adding to the problem is the loss of heat and cool air, increasing your energy costs. So, what’s the solution?

Research data strongly recommends encapsulation of the crawl space. This process encompasses various stages that when applied correctly, will remove the environment that caused the unfavorable condition.

• Remove the moisture source
• Separate the home from the environment producing moisture, the earth itself
• Encapsulate the crawl space with 20 mil thick polyethylene
• Install a dehumidifier as well as a sump pump
• Seal all openings to create an air tight space

Research indicates the following advantages to using this method:

• Greatly improves the indoor air quality of your home
• Reduces radon gas, musty smells, moisture and mold
• Protects the home from rot, wood destroying insects and other pests
• Reduces allergens
• Reduces your energy costs by insulating your crawl space
• Provides you with additional storage space

Where does all of this leave us? It leaves us with the question, when was the last time I went into my crawl space? Remember, the worst thing you should allow yourself to develop is the “out of sight, out of mind” philosophy. It is better to address the problem now before it gets worse.

After a hard day at work or school, our home is the place of peace and security we long for. However, it may not be as safe as we think when we take into consideration the current methods of construction. As we focused on making our homes and businesses energy efficient (air tight), we trapped contaminates indoors, lowering the indoor air quality. We forgot the very simple fact that our homes need to breathe in order to maintain healthy indoor air. “Home sweet home” may not be as sweet as we thought.

Doctors, health agencies and scientific researchers have concluded that indoor air may be one of the worst causes of health related problems. Why? Indoor dust is more dangerous than outdoor dust because it contains bacteria, pollen, skin flakes, decaying organic matter, fungi, hair, dust mites and fibers as well as chemical residues. Added to the health risks associated with contaminated indoor air is the billions of dollars spent each year to treat the symptoms of polluted air. Contaminated air also soils wall coverings, carpets, upholstery and clothing.

The last thing you would have imagined was that your home would become harmful to your health. If every time you walk into your home or business you start to experience headaches, weariness, nausea, malaise, sneezing, wheezing and rashes, it may be an indicator that it is making you sick. At this point you may be wondering if anything can be done to address this matter. The solution lies in the following questions. When was the last time you had your air handling system decontaminated? When was the last time you changed the filters? If you are having some difficulty providing these answers, it’s time you hired Catseye.

Catseye Pest Control is excited to announce a new service: Indoor Air Control, including air duct cleaning, odor control and fresh air filtration systems. What would such a procedure encompass? The air handler unit is thoroughly cleaned, deodorized and sanitized. Every vent register/diffuser will be removed, cleaned and reinstalled. Your entire duct system will be thoroughly cleaned, duct sealant applied, deodorized and sanitized. Once you have had your system decontaminated, you will notice that it is running more efficiently (saving on your energy cost), your furnishings are staying cleaner longer and you’re breathing fresh, healthy indoor air. It’s at this point that you will be able to say with confidence, “home sweet home”.

They enjoy our company, food, drink, homes and businesses. For centuries their existence has been largely dependent on our hospitality (sort of). Their population is closely related to the human population. Keep in mind that people have to eat and there lies the paradox. We generate tons of food related trash (someone’s trash is another’s treasure) and that is the case with rodents, like mice and rats. Understanding our connection (commensal relationship) to them will assist us in answering the question “why me”?

Industry renowned rodentologist Dr. Bobby Corrigan has studied the current issues related to the increase of rodent populations in various metropolitan areas, providing us with hands on insight in addressing the matter. His years of studying their behavior and biology as well as his knowledge of the advances in rodent management have made him the go-to guru on rodents. So when he speaks, we need to listen intently. The following facts stress the need to do so.

• Rodents reproduce quickly
• The House Mouse may have up to 5 litters per year with as many as 5-10 young per litter
• The Norway Rat may average 4-6 litters with 6-12 young per litter

You can see that if the environmental conditions are right, instant population explosion will occur as well as the health risks associated with it.

The key to any rodent management program consists of pest identification, sanitation, harborage elimination and pest proofing. The success of the program will largely depend on whether each of the key elements mentioned are addressed.

Interestingly, creating an environment that is unwelcoming will assist in the management of the population by natural means. The stress caused by increased competition for food and territory will result in mortality to many within the colony. This therefore reinforces the importance of applying the key elements of our rodent program.

• Eviction by performing approximately 5 days of consecutive trapping
• Cleanup as well as sanitize and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent activity
• Seal the entry points using the CAT-GUARD EXCLUSION SYSTEM

To ensure their elimination, regular monitoring is performed, making it the most extensive rodent program in the industry.

This fact remains true: the most effective program is the one that prevents the problem from developing. By taking a proactive approach rather than a reactive one you will be able to answer the question “why me?” with, not me.