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Posted on May 4, 2012 at 10:12 PM

Updated yesterday at 10:22 PM

Scott Satchfield / Eyewitness News Email: ssatchfield@wwltv.com | Twitter: @satchfield

John Sullens didnt quite know what to think Thursday night, when a termite swarm descended on his Metairie home.

"I had never seen anything like it before, I thought we were getting attacked," Sullens said. "Wings everywhere and then the next thing I saw were all these insects crawling around the inside of the door jamb, up the glass and all over the outside light."

At Jason Lynch's house in Destrehan, it was more of the same.

"They're hitting you in the face, and you feel 'em flying around. You think they're mosquitoes, but they're not. Then I come inside, go to wash my hands and this is what I find," Lynch said, pointing to several dead termites near his kitchen sink.

Viewer photos of termite swarms have been rolling in from across the metro area.

Friday, local pest control companies were swamped.

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Experts say termite swarm doesn't necessarily spell trouble for homes

Those thick swarms of termites appearing nightly throughout South Mississippi wont eat your house for dinner, authorities said.

The mass of winged varmints -- called swarmers -- are most likely Formosan termites, one of three species of termites found on the Coast. The non-native, invasive species first made its way to the state in the mid-1980s and is spottily distributed in the lower half of Mississippi, according to a report by Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Eastern subterranean termites can be found throughout the state and southeastern drywood termites dont venture far from U.S. 90.

JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALD Dead termites can be seen inside the globe of a light fixture of a Bilox house on Tuesday. Formosan termites swarm early May to early June, which is their mating season.

The swarms of Formosans mean the bugs mating season has begun, said Bobby Ware, president of Terminator Pest Control.

Typically, young swarmer termites attempt to pair up with a member of the opposite sex from early May to early June, fall to the ground together, shed their wings, mate and find a protected site in the ground to begin a new colony, he said.

Swarms around a house dont necessarily mean the home is infected by termites, but seeing the buggy mass should serve as a reminder to have the home inspected, Ware said.

Nothing beats a thorough inspection, he said.

Ware said several pest control companies on the Coast offer free home evaluations.

He warns that homeowners should use only certified inspectors and make sure to see proof of damage and activity before purchasing services.

Read more:
Termite swarms are signs of mating season

HICKORY --

Dratted bugs! They flit, bite and sting. They creep, crawl and gnaw. Theyre everywhere, and way too soon for most people.

The good news is we dont have more bugs because of the warm winter and a hot spring, they just woke up early.

Thats the consensus of agricultural and entomological experts.

The natural cycle is about two months early, said Bruce Beerbower, lead naturalist at Catawba Science Center.

Beerbower gets a lot of calls about insects and he said everything from bugs to pollen is out early this spring. Butterflies are fluttering ahead of schedule.

Last Sunday night, I saw fireflies that normally I dont see until May, Beerbower said. He told of a Mountain View resident who saw a snapping turtle. Cooters (thats a nickname) doesnt usually appear until June. And there was a call about a swarm of bees in a house.

Thats a problem, Beerbower said. There isnt a lot you can do on your own about a swarm thats inside. They shouldnt be stirring yet, but they are.

Jeff Carpenter, Cooperative Extension agent for Catawba County, said climate doesnt have much effect on insect populations. He pointed out that Canada has bitter cold weather, but that doesnt stop clouds of insects from breeding in warm summer months.

We wont have more insects, Carpenter said about the mild winter, theyre just out earlier than were used to.

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More pest? Not really, they're just early in the Hickory area

NEPTUNE CITY, N.J., March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Cowleys Termite & Pest Services, which has been proudly serving the pest control needs of central New Jersey for two decades, is now a certified installer of TAP Pest Control Insulation. The latest in multi-purpose insulating technology for homes and businesses, TAP is a cellulose fiber insulation that is treated to produce insulation that is fire-retardant, environmentally friendly (87% recycled newsprint), and that provides an effective pest control barrier. TAP Pest Control insulation is the first product in the building materials market that augments the proven benefits of stabilized cellulose insulation with a unique pest control component.

TAP insulation can be used in both new construction and retro-fit applications. If your existing insulation is not damaged, TAP can be installed right on top of your existing fiberglass or cellulose insulation giving an added layer of protection as well as to block convection loops associated with fiberglass insulation. "We are so excited about adding this new service to our business offerings and to be able to help customers reduce pests in their attic as well as save money on energy bills," said owner Bill Cowley.

TAP offers three benefits of insulation in one new, safe, and effective product: Thermal Benefits (T); Acoustic Benefits (A); and Pest Control Benefits (P). The fundamental job of any insulating product is to keep the warmth in during winter and the cool in during the summer. Often, the insulation pays for itself within a year or two from reduced monthly utility costs. Your heating and air conditioning systems become super-efficient with the right insulation. TAP also offers significant acoustic benefits, dampening outside noise.

But the benefit that makes TAP insulation unique on the market today is pest control. TAP provides a solid shield of treated insulation that is a deadly poison to many insects including cockroaches, termites, and wood-boring insects. The active ingredient in TAP is boric acid, which was first registered as an insecticide in 1948 so its safety has been established for more than half a century. Boric acid kills many insects on the spot, but is harmless to humans and pets. Since it is non-organic, it won't fade and will remain permanently deadly to insects coming into contact with the insulation.

Cowleys Termite & Pest Services is a certified installer of TAP Insulation throughout New Jersey. For more information or to receive a free attic inspection, contact Cowleys at 866-9-COWLEY. Cowleys Termite and Pest Services, founded in 1991, has been helping New Jersey homes and businesses resolve a full range of pest infestation and dangerous moisture issues. Cowleys also offers nuisance wildlife removal and crawlspace encapsulation in NJ and Bird Control Services throughout the mid-Atlantic. For more information, visit http://www.cowleys.com.

Photo: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/Cowleys-TAP.jpg

For more information, contact:

Bill Cowley Cowleys Pest Services 38 West Sylvania Avenue Neptune City, NJ 07753-6733 732-897-9553

This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

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Cowleys Termite & Pest Services Is Now a Certified Installer of TAP Pest Control Insulation

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

With our very mild winter coming to an end and all the exciting activities of spring like baseball season underway, it is time to think about some of the not-so-nice effects of the warmer weather as well. Termites are beginning to swarm in a big way and Arrow Exterminators urges homeowners to learn more about them in an effort to protect their homes. Estimated to cause more than $5 billion in structural damage each year, most of which is not covered by homeowners insurance, termites are very treacherous spring pests. Subterranean, drywood and Formosan termites, the most common termites in the south, become active in the spring, flourishing as soon as temperatures begin to heat up, and continuing through the summer. Given the mild winter we experienced, termite colony populations are expected to be at an all-time high this year. Once inside a home, termites can chew 24 hours a day through concrete, wood, carpeting, floors and wallpaper.

Swarms occur when termites seek to expand their territory and form new colonies. Not surprisingly, this is usually the first time a homeowner becomes aware of a potential infestation in the home, however termites are most often present in a home before they swarm. Other evidence of a termite infestation includes mud tunneling in, over and under wood structures; the darkening or blistering of wood; and/or damaged wood becoming extremely thin. In all circumstances a pest professional should be contacted immediately. Additionally, Arrow recommends that homeowners have their property inspected by a licensed professional annually to protect their families and their investment.

Once a termite infestation begins, it can quickly cause significant property damage so its imperative that homeowners get an inspection early, says Shay Runion, Arrow Pest Expert. Many homeowners believe that termites dont exist simply because they cant see them. However, the absence of typical 'swarming' signs doesnt mean there is no termite activity happening below the surface of a home.

When it comes to termite control, Arrow Exterminators hits the ball out of the park and offers these tips to help prevent a termite infestation this spring:

Arrow protects homes from termites and other pests with the STEPS Total Protection System, an industry-leading process that utilizes Integrated Pest Management. STEPS includes a full home and property evaluation to pinpoint pest control issues; identification of not only the pest, but the true cause of the problem; and treatment in the most environmentally responsible way to alleviate current issues and to help prevent future recurrences.

Consumers interested in protecting their homes from pests may obtain additional information at http://www.arrowexterminators.com. Additionally, consumers can contact Arrow for a free whole home evaluation at 1-888-462-7769.

About Arrow Exterminators

Family owned and operated since 1964, Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators is the eighth largest pest and termite control company in the United States, ranked by revenue. Arrow boasts a modern fleet of more than 700 vehicles, more than 67 service centers and revenues exceeding $100 million. With QualityPro Certification by the National Pest Management Association, the company offers innovative and environmentally responsible services to protect homes and businesses of customers in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Visit http://www.arrowexterminators.com for more information.

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Termites Swarm in Like a Fastball This Spring

14-03-2012 17:42 http://www.hometermitecontrol.com.au Altriset from Dupont is an Environmentally Friendly treatment for termites. Altriset Termicide stops termites eating in 2 to 4 hours. Safe to use in homes. Requires no personnel protective equipment. Call Brad from Home Termite Control for a Pest Inspection or Treatment of active termites in your home. Check the website for testimonials and more videos. http

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Environmentally Friendly Home Termite Control | Sydney Pest Control - Video

14-03-2012 08:32 http://www.hometermitecontrol.com.au Altriset from Dupont is an Environmentally Friendly treatment for termites. Altriset Termicide stops termites eating in 2 to 4 hours. Safe to use in homes. Requires no personnel protective equipment. Call Brad from Home Termite Control for a Pest Inspection or Treatment of active termites in your home. Check the website for testimonials and more videos. This property is on the Northern Beaches of Sydney Australia overlooking Freshwater Beach near Manly

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Termite Damage Treatment Sydney Australia | Home Termite Control - Video

You might be seeing more pest control trucks out on the road this time of year, because exterminators said they are busier than normal and the weather has something to do with it.

Several companies across the state said the mild winter and lack of moisture has some insects coming out sooner, and they are also seeing an increase in certain insect populations for this time of year.

Terminix has seen a 20 to 30 percent increase in new customer business over January and February of last year, and Cahill believes it has something to do with the mild winter. The hard freeze we typically get that kills off a lot of pests did not really happen this year.

"Keep the mulch down from around your house, said Cahill. You can make sure your gutter extenders are pushing water and moisture away from the house, make sure trees are trimmed so they're not hanging over the house. You don't wanna give the pest an avenue to get in. Also, make sure your cracks and crevasses along the foundation of your home and in the walls are sealed."

He said most reputable pest control companies offer an inspection of your home and property free of charge. They can tell you what you have, find the source of where they are coming from and take care of them for you.

As for mosquitoes, the winter weather does not really have an effect on populations. Marion County Mosquito Control said we may be seeing them sooner, but not necessarily more of them.

Heavy spring rains are typically the cause for an increase in mosquitoes in the spring and summer.

Link:
Mild winter means more bugs, bigger business

This article is the fourth (see the first, second and third articles here) in a miniseries of six articles (yes, I added one) that will be posted over six days about civilization, fungus, and alcohol. The first four articles are already determined, but just how this series finishes up will be chosen by the comments and ideas of readers.

Several years ago my friend Kenji Matsuura discovered termites have balls. It took careful inspection, but they were there. Now, along with his student, he has published a new study revealing more of the story of said balls.

I should explain. What Kenji discovered were tiny, hard, round, egg-shaped fungal structures inside termite nests. The fungi were there, he revealed, to steal rotting food from the termites. They did so by mimicking the eggs of the termites (which involved producing hardened sclerotia composed of fungal hyphae)1. They were the exact width and even firmness of termite eggs, just, in other words, like mother makes. They also produced a chemical the termites use to recognize the eggs, lysozyme. This subterfuge is elegant and, although only recently discovered, it turns out, common. It occurs, for example, in termite species in United States such as Reticulitermes virginicus. Kenji traveled to the U.S. to discover termite balls here, on our behalves, which is to say that we have become a country that cannot find its own, well, I digress

New Discovery–These balls were named by Kenji because of their physical resemblance to, say, soccer balls or basketballs. Kenji has come to see these egg-shaped fungal structures as a great mystery in need of explanation and so has dedicated much of the last ten years to their study. He may well be involved in every study of termite balls ever published. Now, Kenji, in a paper led by his student Toshi Yashiro like Kenji a very clever young scientist (though a terrible driver) reports on new details of the relationship between the termites and these fungal cheats.

eggsballs

[Image 1: Termite eggs (long, translucent shapes) and their mimics, termite balls in a species of Reticulitermes termites. Photo: Current Biology. Volume 19, January 2009, Pages 30-36.]

Yashiro, Matsurra and one of Matsurra s postdocs, Tanaka, studied termite balls all over Japan as well as in the United States. They lifted termites carefully and looked all through their nests. They became, as they searched, experts in this quarry. They then came back to the lab and compared the versions of the genes of the termite balls (all species of the fungus genus Fibularhizoctonia) in different termite nests. What they might have expected to find is different fungus species in each termite species, at least if specific adaptations were required to deal with the unique chemistry of different termites. Instead, what they found, put simply, was different termite species had different termite ball species and individual nests often had more than one species of termite ball dependent upon them.

Termites are Easy–It seems as though many different fungi can trick many different termite species, using lysozyme (Matsuura can paint the lysozyme on glass beads and the termites will care for them too). That, along with a vague resemblance to an egg is enough. The termites are easy. It is a small wonder more species don t trick them. They remind me of humans.

Once in the termite nest, the fungi have it made. The termites take care of them as if they were their own real eggs. They clean them (see movie here). They move them to the best spots. They are other the best hosts in the world or the worst parents. In some nests, more of the eggs being cared for in the nest are termite balls than are actual eggs. Based in part on Yashiro’s new work, these fungi appear to be able to get nest to nest and even reproduce on their own outside nests, but they like the free ride they can get inside a nest. Its cheap and easy living when the world outside is rough.

From a distance, it seems clear, the termites are being had, but measuring who is winning and who is losing is complex. When Matsuura compared the fitness of termite eggs in nests with termite balls to those without, the termite eggs actually do as well when the termite balls are present. But there must be a cost to workers of tending so many extra “eggs.” Maybe there is also a benefit. Maybe this Trojan ball had a silver lining. Perhaps compounds produced by the fungus work as an antibiotic and, in doing so, help the young termites to stay pathogen free. The termites may benefit from being duped, but the benefit seems incidental, not a reason to let the fungus in, but perhaps the reason stronger defenses against the fungus never evolved.

Matsuura has big ideas for what is next. He would like to try to take advantage of the termite s graciousness (or lack of guile) to kill them. As Matsuura put it in a recent paper, “Dummy eggs filled with pesticides could be introduced into the royal centre of a colony, destroying the entire colony with only a small amount of pesticide.” The truth is, Matsuura doesn t really want to kill termites. He really likes them, but other people do and those people like to fund research or build wooden houses.

In and of itself, this story is fascinating, a rich detail of the natural world that would be inconceivable had evolution not already conceived it. But, in the context of the story of humans and alcohol this story seems like something a little more.

If the termites were to tell their own story, much as we tell our own story when we write about alcohol, what would they say? They might describe the day they brought in the termite balls into their nests as a noble and useful one, a day in which they figured out how to harness fungi in order to control pathogens, much in the way in the last article I described the benefits of alcohol. But it seems clear enough the termites are being tricked.

What if yeast, that fungus that makes our beer, wine, bread and more, is tricking us? What if, in looking to the yeast, we are able to convince ourselves of its benefits, but from the yeasts perspective, we are just another dumb termite? After in, don’t we bring it in out the wild, make sure it is safe and fed and help it from one food source to the next, always sure to keep it neither too hot or too cold. What if that is the story of alcohol, fungus and civilization, a story in which we feel good about ourselves but are not really in control?

NasuteImms

[Image 2: Drawing of a termite of a species of Nasutitermes. The soldiers of these termites have long "nose-cannons" out of which they expel turpentine-like compounds in defense. They also have the biggest balls. Image from Imms, A. D. (1931) Social behaviour in insects. Methuen.]

The Other Ball Drops–Recently, Matsuura and Yashiro made one more discovery. In studying a tropical termite of the genus Nasutitermes they found giant termite balls. These giant termite balls were totally unrelated to normal termite balls. They had evolved independently to take advantage of the termites predictable weakness.

nasute_termites

[Image 3: Nasutitermes, photo by Alex Wild]

The giant termite balls are, as their name suggests, larger than the normal termite balls, probably because the eggs of Nasutitermes species are larger than those of Reticulitermes termites and so the fungus must follow suit. These larger balls beg the question. They beg the question of what our predictable weakness is, if we have one. In the context of the beer, wine and wine made by our yeast, the answer that seems most obvious is that our predictable weakness is we like to drink. Maybe yeast first prospered by sneaking into our societies in the guise of a Trojan beer. That we wanted to get drunk and kill pathogens meant we let down our guard and now, for as long as our weakness remains alcohol, they are in.

termite_balls

[Image 4: Termite balls, photo by Alex Wild]

Tomorrow, I will return to this possibility, in light of the kingdoms of the ants, kingdoms whose relationship with fungi seems even more like ours.

~~~

Table of evolutionary contents: Here you can skip ahead or backward to the other chapters in the story of the other species in our daily lives, whether they bethe cow, the chicken, the hamster, bacteria (on Lady Gaga, on feet, in bathrooms,as influenced by antimicrobial wipes, as probiotics, in the appendix), pigeons and urban gardens, house sparrows (to be published next week, stay tuned), predators,diseases, dust mites, basement dwellers, lice, field mice, viruses, yeast, the fungus that produces penicillin, bedbugs, houseflies, or something more.

Or for the big picture of how Rob thinks these stories come together to make us who and who we are, check out The Wild Life of Our Bodies. Rob Dunn is a writer and evolutionary biologist in the Department of Biology at North Carolina State University. Find him on twitter at robrdunn. Find him in person somewhere in Europe with his family while they are all on sabbatical.

1-Matsuura K., Tanaka C. and Nishida T. 2000. Symbiosis of a termite and a sclerotium-forming fungus: sclerotia mimic termite eggs. Ecol. Res. 15: 405-414

Follow Scientific American on Twitter @SciAm and @SciamBlogs. Visit ScientificAmerican.com for the latest in science, health and technology news.
© 2012 ScientificAmerican.com. All rights reserved.

Read more:
By looking carefully, Japanese scientist discovers the secrets of termite balls

27-05-2011 13:03 termite Inspection CALL 213-928-7721 Our Termite removal specialists are Insured -- Licensed CALL 213-928-7721 NOW. losangeles-pestcontrol.com Call 213-928-7721 Termite Inspections If you suspect you have termites in your home or business call us immediately. Termites have a unique ability to conceal the damage they're doing for a long time. Many times homeowners ignore the issue because, at first glance, there doesn't appear to be much damage but many times there is already an advanced infestation. With an inspection we can identify if any damage has been done and quickly and completely remove them. Termites cause huge damage to your home, and in most cases termite damage is not covered under your homeowner's insurance policy. Call the professionals for a FREE estimate. We have affordable rates backed by years of extensive experience. Call 213-928-7721 for Your FREE Estimate maps.google.com pest control, rodent, bed bugs, termites, fleas, carpenter ants, termite, how to get rid of ants, termite extermination, how to kill ants, pests, how to kill bed bugs, get rid of ants, getting rid of ants, termite treatment, getting rid of bed bugs, termite inspection, how to get rid of roaches, how to get rid of spiders, garden bugs, how to kill fleas, kill ants, killing ants, how to get rid of carpenter ants, kill bed bugs, carpenter ants extermination, how to get rid of rats, how to get rid of wasps, western exterminator, getting rid of mice, mice infestation, how to get rid of ...

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Termite Inspections hollywood, 213-928-7721, Treatment, sherman oaks, encino, - Video