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Sod Webworms

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It is only July and at Frontier Exterminating we have started receiving phone calls about Sod Webworms.  Due to the extent of yard damage Houstonians suffered over the 2016 late summer months many homeowners are keeping a watchful eye on their grass this year and asking how they can be better prepared this summer.

According to “lawn experts” cited in an abc13.com article from September 2016 “its been at least three decades since they've seen this many yards, this devastated. They are seeing this occur all across the greater Houston area.”  Many customers are determined to not let Sod Webworms sneak up on them in 2017. Frontier Exterminating recommends you know what to look for so you can catch the Sod Webworms and act quickly.  In 2016 many people weren’t aware of their issue until they started seeing low flying moths around the yard.  And in many cases people waited until they were seeing a lot of moths around the yard.  It is actually the larval stage of the moth which is destructive to our grass.  GardenLine’s Randy Lemmon “The first signs of sod webworm damage are areas of unevenly clipped grass and patches of brown or closely clipped grass. The larvae remain active for several weeks, and then pupate. Adults appear about a week later. Their life cycle is completed in 5-6 weeks with several generations per year.” Frontier Exterminating offers full yard treatments as both a preventative option and to treat yards affected by Sod Webworms.  If you are in the Houston and surrounding suburbs give Frontier Exterminating a call with any questions, concerns or inquiries. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/ORN/TURF/Tropical_sod_webworm.htm http://abc13.com/news/webworms-turning-green-grass-brown-across-houston/1519714/ http://ktrh.iheart.com/onair/gardenline-with-randy-lemmon-25172/sod-webworms-and-cutworms-are-very-15060183/

Watch Out Houston - Termites Are Coming!

Subterranean Termites (viewed here) after picking up landscape pavers alongside the slab of a home in Katy, TX on February 17th, 2017.  With Houston’s unusually warm winter, even by Houston standards, we are already experiencing our first Termite swarms.  Around the Houston area we typically see “swarmers” (winged primary reproductives) in March and April on a warm sunny day following a day or two of rain.

It is not uncommon for Frontier Exterminating to receive phone calls from homeowners returning home and encountering 100’s of what appear to be winged ants in their home typically around windows.  The black “swarmers” as seen in the video are indicative of a mature subterranean termite colony of at least 2-4 years old.  If you experience this encounter this spring do not hesitate to give Frontier Exterminating a call.  Frontier Exterminating offers a free assessment to confirm the presence of Termites.

Texas A&M and their Entomology Department is a great resource for more information on Subterranean Termites: (http://extentopubs.tamu.edu/e-368.html).

Expert Tips for Checking Your Home for Rodents

Houston and its suburbs are known for our bayous and residential ponds.  Some areas around the city are popular for their tall grass areas.  Ponds and natural grass areas provide peaceful scenery for morning and evening strolls.  However, they also contribute to a growing rodent population; a growing rodent population who also needs shelter.  Below are a few tips to keep in mind around your home in order to ensure rats and mice do not decide your attic, garage, or place of business would make the perfect nesting place for their growing family this winter.

If you have any suspicion, do not hesitate to call Frontier Exterminating for a free rodent assessment on your home.

  • Check the exterior perimeter of your home for openings. Common entry points include the Air Conditioner Line where it enters your home, holes or spaces in soffits and trim pieces, garage door corners, and points where different roof elevations meet.  There could be a number of other possible points of entry specific to your home or business.
  • Look for rub markings around possible entry points. Rodents often travel the same path repeatedly, leaving greasy markings behind.
  • Check the attic for signs of nesting. Signs include droppings, tunneling through attic insulation, and gnaw marks on insulated pipes, wires, boxes, and papers.  Around the holidays many people have to climb into the attic at least once, providing the perfect opportunity to scope it out for any of the signs mentioned above.
  • Check the garage for droppings. Rodents linger mostly out of sight but they leave an ample amount of evidence behind.  Droppings are typically found around the walls of the garage (check behind items that are rarely moved), the corners of the garage, and on shelving.