Pest Of The Week: True Chinch Bug

The True Chinch bug is a small insect, native to the United States, and quite common in the Mid-western States.

Adults may vary in body color, ranging from dark red to brown, with white wings; and red legs. Due to their small size, reaching about 4 millimeters in length, the True Chinch bug is hardly noticeable. As such, they can become a pest control problem for unsuspecting homeowners. True Chinch bugs are notorious for devouring the stems of delicate turf-grass.

In most cases, an effective pest control strategy against the True Chinch bug will include the application of a pesticide, and/or the introduction of pest-resistant grasses. Furthermore, because this pest prefers hot, dry, and sunny conditions, the true chinch bug population is sharply reduced in moist, warm, and humid climates; especially when heavy rains are present.

Weekly Pest Control Links Round-Up

Chinch Bugs Causing Brown Lawn Spots? 

If you are seeing brown spots on your lawn this year, there may be a chance you have chinch bugs. These pests (our pest of the week) feed on grass and can eventually kill it. More…

One Man’s Clutter Is A Pest’s Home 

There are several different kinds of pests that love clutter. Organizing and cleaning can go along way in helping to control spiders, mice, and bed bugs. More…

Pest Control Marketing Tip #2 – Homeless Man Learns Powerful Marketing Lesson! 

Pest Control Marketing guru Hal Coleman shares a true story about how a homeless man was able to dramatically increase the $$ people gave him by simply changing the wording on the cardboard sign he held. Click here to watch the video.

Prevent Bed Bugs from Going Back to School 

The new college semester has just begun, and there are a few steps you can take to prevent these tiny blood-sucking bedbugs from infesting your college dorm; a heavily populated place that bedbugs like to frequent. More…

Bulwark Awarded Angie’s List Super Service Award 

Bulwark Pest Control’s Las Vegas branch got some good news this week as they discovered they received the Angie’s List Super Service Award. To learn more about what it all means, click here.

A Brief History of the War Between Humans and Bed Bugs

The world has been battling bedbugs for centuries, and has discovered several different ways to eradicate these tiny pests over the years. To learn of their history, click here.

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Anthony Ball

Pest Of The Week: The Wheat Weevil

 Wheat Weevils

Also known as the grain weevil, wheat weevils occur all over the world, and are considered a common pest in many places. This species of weevil is approximately 3 to 5mm in length, with an elongated snout and chewing mouthparts.

Female wheat weevils can cause problems for farmers, when they lay their (between 36 and 254) eggs in wheat, oats, rye, barley, rice or corn. In most instances, the female will only deposit one egg, in each grain kernel and seal the hole with a gelatinous secretion. However once inside, the wheat weevil’s larvae will feed on the grain until pupation, and then bore a hole out of the grain, and emerge.

Researchers estimate that a single pair of wheat weevils can produce up to 6,000 offspring per year, creating a serious pest control problem for farmers. This often results in significant damage to harvested grains; and drastically reduced yields.

How To Get Rid Of Wheat Weevils

There are many ways to attempt to get rid of the wheat weevil. There are pesticides, different methods of masking the odor of the grain with unpleasant scents, and introducing other organisms that are predators of the weevils.

Inspection and sanitation are the two solutions to stop wheat weevil infestations. Grains need to be kept in containers with secure fitting lids, inside your fridge or freezer. For best results, buy grains in smaller quantities. If you suspect you have wheat weevils, cautiously inspect your grain for the adult insects (or holes in the grain kernels). You can also submerge your grain in water. If you notice any insects floating to the surface, you obviously have an infestation. Even if you identify an infestation early, disposal is the safest and most effective solution.

All stages of the wheat weevils can be killed by either super heating or cooling. Heat your dry grain in the microwave for 5 minutes, or freeze at 0 °F for 4 days to get rid of them.

Weekly Pest Control Round-Up: December 21, 2012 

Pest Control Tips for Fall and Winter 

Here is an excellent PowerPoint slideshow about keeping pests away during those fall and winter months. Click here to watch the slideshow.

Warning: Bugs Hiding Inside Your Christmas Tree 

Christmas tree bugs may be an unforeseen present waiting for you underneath your tree this Holiday, and this present could be a nightmare. More…

Don’t Yelp Unless You Mean It 

Managing your customer review sites is a daily responsibility for pest control operators. What do you do if you get a bad review? If the review is fictitious, you can sue… You just may be awarded $750,000. More…

California Bed Bug Control 

Here are the three keys to a successful heat treatment for bed bugs, complete with informative infographics.

Your Guide to Common Lawn Pests 

When it comes to pest control, most homeowners concern themselves first and foremost with pests that invade their home. While bugs and mice can cause damage and pose health concerns inside the home, there is a host of pests that can wreak havoc on your lawn as well. More…

Should I Be Worried About Chinch Bugs? 

What’s a Chinch bug? Where do they live? Are they dangerous? Chinch bugs can be better understood by clicking here.

Professional Pest Control Among Fastest Growing Occupations, NPMA Reports 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which projects the number of pest control workers to increase by 26.1 percent from 2010 to 2020. Read more…

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Anthony Ball