[Problems & Solutions] Answers To Your Tough Pest Questions

SPIDER SERVICES

Q We are seeing a lot of spider infesta-
tions in and around structures in our area. We are also in an area where brown recluse spiders are fairly plentiful and often we have to treat these accounts with special services. Do you have any hints as to what we could be doing to reduce our spider calls?

A This kind of control starts with the perimeter of the structure. Spending a few minutes more on the initial inspection may help spot the sometimes-overlooked aspects of the job.

We have to remember that spiders are there for a reason. Arthropod feeders, such as spiders are, for the most part, present around structures because of food. For some spiders, like orb weavers and other web spinners, they are there predominantly for flying insects. Therefore, we have to look for the reason the flying insects are there. There could be lots of reasons for this, but early in the year the reason is probably warmth at night and possibly lights attracting the insects. Often we initially think of exterior lighting, but don’t forget that inside light, coming out of windows, will also attract insects (and then spiders).

Other spiders are hunters, running or jumping on prey as it crawls by. Jumping spiders and wolf spiders probably make up the majority of these calls. They are found naturally around the structures and insect pests like ants will attract them, as will earwigs, sow and pill bugs and centipedes. Gardens with mulch, moisture problems and dense vegetation all contribute to a build-up of these arthropod populations.

Then there is the brown recluse. These spiders move into residences in large numbers. They are attracted to the exterior for the same reasons the hunting spiders. Due to their reclusive nature, they move to hidden areas along eaves of structures, cracks and other openings in the foundation. Any small opening will allow them to harbor and move inside.

They do build small webs but they really hunt for their prey. Indoor insect problems may also be attractive once the spiders are inside. Look under and between furniture for dead insects or other arthropods. And don’t forget the crawlspace (if there is one). Place sticky traps in these areas and I bet you’ll capture some brown recluse spiders, and perhaps their prey.

This brings us to "special services." The reason for the special service is because we have to knock down and monitor the spider problems as soon as possible. If someone has been bitten, if there are children or older and possibly infirm people then we have to be increasingly vigilant. How do we do that in an account that is probably under a monthly or quarterly service contract? The answer is increased monitoring. Use more sticky traps and place them in area these spiders may enter or harbor, i.e., in garages, around doors leading outside, attics, storage areas and closets. (One suggestion is to use a bait station to house the glueboards because you don’t want a customer to stick their hand on a glueboard covered with spiders or place a piece of clothing on top of one.)

Another possibility is to use an inspection worksheet during the initial inspection and show the homeowner where they can help by caulking or sealing or fixing moisture problems. Such a worksheet will assist in your communication with the customer. They are also an asset for your technicians, gently reminding them there are some places to inspect around structures that can alleviate pest problems that may not be related to the particular job at hand.

WHERE ARE THE PESTS?

Q What do I tell customers when they say they don’t have any insect pests
because the weather is too cold? I tell them that the chemical I applied must be working; they roll their eyes and say, "Yeah, right." What are your thoughts?

A This is probably the extension of another question: "Why do I need your services if the bugs are gone?" But my question for pest management professionals who are experiencing this complaint is this: Did you spray during cold weather? But, I also wonder if the pest management professional sold his or her service based on chemical application and not pest management, monitoring, inspection and maintenance. Then I thought that maybe this pest management professional is only performing perimeter applications in which case — during cold weather — the customer has a point. But on the other hand, the pest management professional must be doing a good job since the customer is probably satisfied during the warm months. There are lots of thoughts here, but maybe just one answer.

My short answer is that you should explain to the customer that more than 85 percent of infestations inside a structure are from pests that have found their way inside. Inspections of the interior of the premises during cold weather will ensure that some insects have not "set up shop" inside for the winter. Ants can do this, mice are notorious for this and then there is always the possibility of fruit flies, cluster flies, lady beetles, stored product pests and other insects that once inside could care less if it is cold outside.

Maybe what should happen is that this company’s service should change a little during cold months so they don’t spend so much time on chemical applications. Instead, the company should spend its time and money on inspection and monitoring.

The author is president of George Rambo Consulting Services, Central, S.C. Fax questions to him at 864/654-2447 or via e-mail at grambo@pctonline.com.