We talk about DIY pest control from time to time and while this can be a successful way to control pests, it’s not always the most efficient and environmentally friendly answer to the problem. Doing your own pest control can be quite the investment of time, energy and sometimes even money.

Here are 10 reasons why you should hire a professional pest control company instead of treating the problem yourself.

1. Pest control companies have the knowledge plus years and years of experience in identifying pests.

2. Pest management professionals use pesticides that last at least 60 days as opposed to pesticides purchased in local stores which can have residual effects that may only last 30 minutes.

3. Using a professional company will allow you to get on a maintenance schedule to prevent any reoccurring pest infestations.

4. Many companies are so confident in their work they’ll offer a guarantee for a certain period of time.

5. The pesticides used by professional pest control companies are regulated for consumer protection. Plus, a company will know the safe but effective amount of pesticide to use.

6. Some companies are licensed to do research with their findings; this research helps to improve pest control treatments.

7. Pest control companies must be licensed. In the state of California, the Structural Pest Control Board is the regulating body.

8. Professionals know the safest way to treat the problem. Bees and wasps can be dangerous if they’re not handled properly.

9. Chances are, an experienced pest control company has seen a similar pest problem and if not, they’ll figure out how to fix it. Professionals have specialized equipment and knowledge, which comes in handy for pests such as termites.

10. It’s not uncommon for pest control companies to offer free quotes and/or home inspections. Take advantage of these and don’t hesitate to get a second opinion.

Hiring a pest control company may seem costly but it’s worth the investment. Because of experience and the latest technologies, professionals can safely handle your pest infestation in a timely manner. When you pay a pest control company you’re paying for the pesticides but anyone can spray a baseboard; you’re also paying for knowledge and experience.

What is it?

Sudden Oak Death, also referred to as SOD, is caused by the oomycete plant pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. The pathogen can kill a variety of oak species and can sicken other varieties of plants including the rhododendron and the huckleberry.

What are the symptoms of SOD?

-Dark sap “bleeding” from the base of the tree (see picture to the right)

-Leaves rapidly change from green to brown

-Fine dust from beetles boring through the bark and the wood

The above are just symptoms and can be associated with other tree diseases. The only way to be sure a tree is infected is by culturing the pathogen in lab. Also, the above symptoms are those found with species of oaks with the disease. Symptoms for other species of plants and trees may vary. View list of SOD host plants.

Where is it?

It seems the plant pathogen is localized to central coastal California but has also been confirmed in southern Oregon. A similar species has also been discovered in the UK and Europe.

Phytophthora ramorum may be influenced by climate including humidity and temperature which may prevent oaks in southern California from becoming infected.

How is passed from tree to tree?

It is not known how the pathogen is spread but there is some speculation. Other species of  Phytophthora are transmitted via air and water but many researchers think the pathogen for SOD can be carried on shoes, by pets and even vehicles. Commercial nurseries may also be a source transmission.

How can it be prevented?

Isolating any known infected areas is crucial to control. Be sure to clean your feet, your pet’s feet, camping gear, tools, etc… when moving from an area known to have the pathogen to an area that is not infected.

Also, minimizing damage to the tree trunk and large branches as well as pruning only during dry summer months when beetles and pathogens are least active can make the tree less susceptible.

How to treat it?

There is no known control for SOD. While some treatments are being used and showing slight signs of effectiveness, there isn’t a proven treatment. There is hope as other species of Phytophthora have been controlled with various fungicides.

This is just a brief overview of sudden oak death. For more information, refer to any of the credible resources below.

California Oak Mortality Task Force

Washington State Department of Agriculture – Sudden Oak Death

University of California  – Sudden Oak Death in California

Integrated Pest Management, commonly referred to as IPM, is actually a program or a group of steps adopted to effectively control pests.

IPM is important because it looks for the best (and most cost effective) way to manage pest problems with the least possible damage to the environment, people and even property.

Elements of IPM:

• Prevention – as we’ve mentioned many times, prevention is key to pest management. Prevention also fits well with IPM because it is often inexpensive and there is little to no harm to people and the environment
• Control – the use of pesticides are of course part of control but there are other methods, and many of these methods are considered before pesticides. Trapping is one example of a mechanical method for control.
• Identifying Pests – properly identifying pests is one of the most important steps in IPM … some pesticides work better for some pests than others and IPM helps to keep unneeded pesticides out of the situation. Being able to properly identify the pest also helps to understand the life cycle which is very important to successfully treating the problem.

IPM can be used in a variety of environments from commercial buildings to homes and even in agricultural settings. Schools are the ideal place for IPM; it’s a safer and cost effective solution to pest control.

If you’d like more information, check out the University of California’s website for their statewide integrated pest management program; the site is full of valuable information on managing and identifying pests in California.

On a side note: Have a thing for ugly bugs? Vote in the 2009 Ugly Bug Contest…the cockroach and the paper wasp are just two of the 10 insects up for the prestigious title.

Mosquitos are not just annoying pests; they can carry deadly diseases such as West Nile, malaria, dengue, etc… For years humans have been trying different substances to repel mosquitos but bug spray wears off and citronella candles aren’t very effective for the patio.

Well things may be changing. At the end of August several articles were published about mosquito research being performed by Anandasankar Ray PhD and his assistant Stephanie Lynn Turner at the University of California Riverside. A new, more effective and environmentally friendly mosquito repellent may be on the horizon.

Researchers have discovered mosquitos and other blood sucking flying insects are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale. So this new repellent is based on that principle. Fruit flies were the beginning in this study. Researchers were curious why fruit flies used carbon dioxide as a danger sign but were attracted to ripening fruit even though it emits carbon dioxide. It turns out odors released from the fruit blocked the fruit fly’s carbon dioxide receptors; the same holds true for the mosquito.

So far Ray has discovered two compounds, 1-butanal and 1-hexanol, that mimic food odors and show some promise in blocking those receptors that lead mosquitos to humans.

Possible benefits of the new mosquito repellent:

• Small amounts of the chemical proved effective
• Chemicals used for the repellent are easy to manufacture
• The chemicals may be used to repel mosquitos from entire backyards

Of course this new repellent is in the beginning stages but Ray hopes to see a marketable repellent in five years; some say it will take as long as a decade.

Are you a magnet for mosquitos? Some researchers are saying genetics may play a large part in why mosquitos seem to favor some people over others.