• Termites have been found across 70 percent of the world and have survived environmental changes for more than 250 million years, adjusting to most any climate.

• Termites are found in every state in the United States except Alaska.

• Termites feed on cellulose, which can be found in high moisture wood.

• Americans spend more than $7 billion every year treating for termites and repairing the damage they cause.

• Termite damage can go undetected for years.

• Termite damage is not covered by most homeowners’ insurance policies.

• Some termite species need only a space one-sixteenth of an inch wide – the thickness of a piece of paper – to enter a home.

• Signs of a termite infestation include wood damage, such as small holes in wood; crumbling drywall; sagging doors; swarms of termites (usually occurring in spring); and piles of discarded wings.

• There are five major types of termites throughout the United States: Eastern Subterranean termites, Western Subterranean termites, Desert Subterranean termites, Formosan Subterranean termites and Drywood termites.

• The Termite Institute™, online at www.TermiteInstitute.com (see link above), features an interactive map with localized information on termite prevalence by state. Simply click on any state to find out what types of termites are active.

1. What are termites? Termites are wood-destroying insects. Their presence dates back to the dinosaurs. While they play an important role in nature, experts estimate they cause $7 billion of property damage each year.

2. Are there different kinds of termites? Yes, the three major kinds of termites in the United States are dampwood, drywood and subterranean. Dampwood termites commonly live in heavily forested areas of the country as they prefer wet wood; while, drywood termites, much more rare in the United States, prefer extremely dry wood. Subterranean termites require moist environments, live mainly in the soil and are the most destructive species.

3. How do you recognize termites? Depending on your geographical location, termite swarms should be visible in the early spring. Termite swarms can be confused with flying ants. Telltale signs of termite infestation include soft wood in the home, mud tubes in the interior or exterior of your home (often near the foundation), and darkening or blistering of wood structures.

4. How much damage do termites cause? The truth is there are two kinds of homes: those that have had termites and those that will get them. Termites work 24 hours/7 days a week at damaging the wood in and around a structure. And, while they cause $7 billion in damage each year, there is no reason to think that termites cannot be controlled.

5. When does a homeowner see termites? Termites swarm in the early spring, depending on their geographical location.

6. What can a homeowner do to prevent termites? The most important thing is to remove the conducive conditions termites need to survive. Termites love moisture; avoid moisture accumulation around the foundation of your home. Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Prevent shrubs, vines and other vegetation from growing over and covering vents. Be sure to remove old form boards, grade stakes, etc., left in place after the building was constructed. Remove old tree stumps and roots around and beneath the building. Most importantly, eliminate any wood contact with the soil. An 18-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building is ideal. It doesn’t hurt to routinely inspect the foundation of your home for signs of termite damage.

7. Does homeowners insurance cover termite damage? Homeowners insurance does not cover termite damage.

8. What is the most effective type of termite treatment?  Castle termite specialists are committed to providing highly effective treatment options for all pest issues. The most effective type of treatment depends upon the severity of the infestation, the species of termite, and the location and construction of the home or building. Our trained and licensed pest control operators can assess each infestation separately and recommend a rigorous treatment plan that will effectively control the termite population.

9. How difficult are termites to treat? Termites are nearly impossible for homeowners to treat on their own however, Castle’s pest control professionals have the training, expertise and technology to eliminate termite infestations.

10. How much does a termite treatment cost? They can range anywhere from approximately $200 to $1,800 dollars, depending on where you live, the construction of your home, severity of the infestation, and the type of treatment recommended. Castle will provide you with a free estimate.

11. Are these products dangerous to kids and pets? All professional pest control products have been registered for use by the EPA. When they are applied according to label instructions by technicians who have been trained and licensed to use them, they pose virtually no risk.

12. Why should someone hire a professional instead of attempting to control their pest problems by themselves? Just as you wouldn’t prescribe medicine for yourself or drill your own cavities, you shouldn’t attempt to control termites or other pests on your own. The products and the expertise offered by Castle's trained professionals far surpass what a homeowner could do on their own. Leave it up to our experts for peace of mind. Why risk it?

13. Are termites active above ground and/or below ground in the winter months? Termites are less active in the winter but are still present in the soil. They actually move lower in the soil to avoid the colder temperature at grade or turf levels. If termites have already gained access to a home, they will continue to forage for cellulose but at a slower pace during colder periods of the year.

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Pest Control

 1. I have roaches in my home and have tried sprays and “bombs” and these don’t seem to be working. What else can I do? Cockroaches can be very difficult to control as so many things can contribute to their survival such as food, water and shelter. Aerosol bombs are not very effective in controlling cockroaches however proper placement of the other materials is the key to success. Castle professionals can assist in controlling cockroaches as well as other pests.

2. I’m seeing bugs in my house and they have lots of legs. What could these be? It sounds like the insects you are seeing could be millipedes. They come from outside and sometimes during heavy rains they will simply come in to escape the rain. Having a professional pest control company treat the outside of your home and eliminate nesting sites, when possible, as well as possibly targeted applications inside are the best ways to control these insects.

3. We have bugs in our house. Can I get something to spray that is “child friendly” but will get rid of the bugs? In order to control and/or eradicate the insects you must first eliminate their food sources, nesting areas (if any), entry points, etc. Sometimes this helps without having to use any insecticides. If insecticides must be used it is important to choose the least toxic material and use the product in full accordance with the products label. You must know the characteristics of the insects that you are trying to control in order to know where to apply the materials.

4. I have bees drilling holes in my house. What can I do and will they sting? The bees you are describing sound like carpenter bees. They bore into wood to nest and lay eggs. They are not very aggressive, and the male (white spot on face) does not sting. There isn’t a lot that can be done to prevent this from happening however it is important to treat the holes and then seal them as the bees will reuse the holes each year.

5. I am a current (name left intentionally blank) customer.  Does your quarterly service control fleas and ticks? The materials that we use would have some impact on fleas and ticks, however the places that we apply these materials may not be where the ticks or fleas are located or nesting. Though service can be modified to include treating for fleas and ticks when necessary.

6. I have roaches but I keep a clean house. Why do I still see them? Having a clean house will not eradicate roaches entering your home since they are looking for food, shelter and water to survive. If it is a larger cockroach you are seeing, they are coming from the outside to the inside, through windows or doors that might not be sealed properly when shut, or through attics, basements, etc. If it is the smaller German cockroach, they can be brought in on groceries, bags, furniture, etc.

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 Ants

Pharaoh Ants / Odorous House Ants / Thief Ants
We have many types of ants in the United States.  People refer to them as "sugar ants", "little tiny ants that you can barely see" or "piss ants".   Nuisance ants in North America are abundant and persistent.  Many species exist and to the untrained eye, they all look the same. Some common species include Argentine Ants, Odorous House Ants, Pharaoh Ants, Thief Ants, Acrobat Ants, Rover Ants, and Small Honey Ants.  They invade homes, apartments, town houses and any structure which has food or available nest sites.   It is important to understand three very important facts when dealing with ants:

 Bedbugs

The most common infestation today occurs in some type of hotel or motel. These establishments house world travelers which bring the bedbugs with them. Once unpacked, clothing and sleep linens shed eggs, young or adults which are always looking for a good place to live. It only takes one female which has fed to start a local infestation. Once the visitor is gone the pregnant female gets busy laying eggs which in turn hatch and allow an infestation to get established.

Bedbugs find their way into homes by hitching a ride in luggage and clothing during vacations. A single female brought home is able to cause quite a problem in few months. Since bat bugs and bird bugs are just as likely to move inside following the migration of their original host, infestations by these species can be quite abrupt and generally appear out of nowhere. Hosts, the people being bitten during the night, may or not have adverse reactions to the bite. The bite itself is not really a bite; it is more of a puncture. The bed bug is armed with a needle like tube which bends in a couple of places. This tube is pushed into the host’s skin and blood is extracted. During this process some saliva from the bed bug will pass into the host. The bed bug will grab the host’s skin using it front legs for leverage. All of these factors could lead to some sensation on the host’s skin. Clearly the most common way people find out they have a problem is because the bite is leaving a mark or some other skin discomfort leading to further investigation. However, it is estimated that as many as 50% of people who are bit have no reaction so it would reason to say that many infestations of bedbugs are able to exist for many months if not years before someone learns of their presence.  People who have reactions are generally reacting to the insect’s saliva. Such reactions include an itching sensation, a burning feeling; swelling, red marks much like a flea bite and described most commonly as a welt. If you are having skin conditions which are similar, you cannot conclude that you have an active bed bug infestation. Our treatments start at $250 a room. Allot of co-operation from the home owner is necessary to get the situation under control.

1.  Has there really been a resurgence in bedbugs in the U.S.? There HAS been an increase in bedbug infestations.  Maybe you’ve read about them in the news yourself, but Bedbugs Are Back. After a 60 year virtual absence in the U.S.

2.  Where have you been finding the bedbugs? These pests are not limited to any one specific type of dwelling. Pest control companies have been reporting the infestations in multi-family housing, apartments, hotels, college dorms, airplanes and even hospitals.

3.  What states have been affected? There has been reported bedbug activity on a national scale. Bedbugs are being found from the East to the West Coast; and everywhere in between.

4.  Why are bedbugs so hard to treat? Bedbugs should NOT be equated with filth or sanitation problems -- in hotels or in homes, for that matter. Bedbugs are VERY elusive, transient and nocturnal pests. They are often found in other areas besides the bed. And they are hardy. They can live for a year or more without eating and can withstand a wide range of temperatures from nearly freezing to almost 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Bedbugs CAN be controlled with vigilance and constant inspection and treatment by a professional pest control company.

5.  Are you saying they are too hard to control? No. They simply require the expertise and constant attention of a pest control professional.

6.  What can a consumer do to protect themselves from bedbug infestations? To prevent bedbug infestations, consumers need to be vigilant in assessing their surroundings. When returning from a trip, check your luggage and clothing. If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, contact a pest control professional. This is not a pest that can be controlled with do-it-yourself measures. If you think you may have bedbugs please call us today.  We can identify the pest and treat if required.

7.  Why are bedbugs an issue for hotels, visitors, and homeowners? Bedbugs leave itchy, bloody welts on human skin. Adult bed bugs can live for a year without eating, making them especially hard to control. Once inside a hotel or home, bedbugs spread rapidly from room to room - through pipes, in vacuum cleaners, on clothing and luggage. In a hotel, bed bugs can even spread to neighboring rooms, since guests may end up moving to another room.

8.  Are bedbugs just in beds? Bedbugs are not just in beds. They can be in chair cushions, sofas, behind electrical outlets, cracks and crevices around baseboards, or even behind picture frames. In other words, they can be live pretty much anywhere.

9.  How does one control bedbugs? Any effective bed bug control strategy should start with a careful, thorough inspection by a pest control professional of all known and suspected spots where the bugs may be harboring. This is not a pest that can be controlled effectively with do-it-yourself measures. As they are discovered, the pest control professional will develop a treatment and control strategy with the customer depending on the extent of the infestation.

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Mosquitoes 

Mosquitoes are a pest that are capable of running a great day at the park, a romantic evening on a deck or even spending time in the garden. People will do anything to avoid being bit. They will wear long pants during the summer, use hats with screen veils and even spray themselves with everything imaginable hoping that no mosquito will find them. However, mosquito populations are more active today than ever. If you enjoy the great outdoors, get used to dealing with mosquitoes. They are here to stay. There are over 150 species of mosquitoes in the United States. Some are able to fully develop from eggs in less than a week. Most take 10-14 days to reach maturity but what is important is they grow rapidly.

Mosquitoes need water and high levels of moisture to sustain themselves. Although female mosquitoes may live for up to a year, most die in the season they were born. Mosquito populations are able to continue from year to year because one stage is able to overwinter and start their cycle again the next spring. It may be the adult, the pupa, the larva or the egg which is needed. Each species has different winter survivors. Some adult females don't need a blood meal to begin to reproduce. In general, male mosquitoes live a short time. Most mosquitoes lay several hundred eggs and are able to generate huge populations within a short period of time. Although standing water is the prime location for them to reproduce, there are many locations around the home that afford fertile egg laying areas. Such places include water in the bottom of planters, drainage streams, street sewers which don't drain completely, rain barrels, buckets of water, swimming pools, drain lines from rain gutters, old tires, mulch around the home, shrubs, trees, firewood, slow moving water, small decorative ponds for pet fish, bird baths, water accumulating around windows or doors, water accumulating from an automatic sprinkler system, pet water dishes, leaks around water spickets and just about anywhere water is used or is able to accumulate during the warm summer months anywhere in the country. Mosquitoes need water to reproduce. They will readily move to moist, shady areas under decks, around pools, in garages, in dense shrubbery or flowers, any kind of ivy, holes or nooks of trees, water in a clogged rain gutter or simply the water on a leaf of shrubs which are being watered during the hot summer months. Most people believe mosquitoes are coming from great distances to their yard in search of food. In fact, most mosquitoes migrate to a yard first and foremost because there is something about the yard which the mosquito finds attractive for living. In most cases, mosquitoes are finding a great place to live around the home and then take advantage of the free meals the homeowner or their children present when outside in the yard.

Mosquitoes don't migrate far from where they will find shelter and protection from the hot sun. Shade and moisture are two ingredients needed for their survival and can be found around any home. If your home is on a lake or pond, the mosquitoes could be breeding in the water. Generally, they will do so close to shore. Don't expect to find them more than 10 feet from shore. They like shallow water and will keep themselves close to plant life and wet lands if possible. Open deep water which is moving is not the kind of water they like for reproduction. Barns or sheds are another great location for reproduction or shelter. The underside of most decks which are built close to the ground offers great shady shelter and protection for weak mosquitoes susceptible to the hot sun. It is important to locate any area around the home where mosquitoes may be seeking shelter or using for reproduction. Many homeowners are creating perfect breeding and shelter conditions which are attracting mosquitoes. If you have any of the conditions described above, chances are you will have mosquitoes. Mosquitoes will stay where the breeding and shelter areas are best for them. If you are creating a moist shady area around your home, you will be luring mosquitoes. Once they find the shade and moisture to live, expect them to find you and your family for their food! Mosquito control is easy when we determine where they are living or breeding, and have any of the sights listed above, chances are mosquitoes are taking advantage of such conditions. We use residual products. These are insecticides which are applied with our power pump sprayer. Applied to the surfaces where mosquitoes like to land, the residual of these materials will kill mosquitoes as they enter and land on treated surfaces.  It affects mosquitoes in such a way they are not able to detect Co2 or octenol,  preventing them from being able to track a target.  This will help to reduce activity around your patio or outside living area so that you can better enjoy the outdoors for a picnic or summer pool party.  Typically one treatment will get you through the summer months. Starting at $150 and up depending on the lot size.

1.  What health risks are associated with mosquito infestations/Do mosquitoes carry diseases? Any insect that feeds on blood has the potential of transmitting disease organisms from human to human. Mosquitoes are highly developed blood-sucking insects and are the most formidable transmitters of disease in the animal kingdom. Mosquito-borne diseases are caused by human parasites that have a stage in their life cycle that enters the blood stream. The female mosquito picks up the blood stage of the parasite when she imbibes blood to develop her eggs. The parasites generally use the mosquito to complete a portion of their own life cycle and either multiply, change in form inside the mosquito or do both. After the mosquito lays her eggs, she seeks a second blood meal and transmits the fully developed parasites to the next unwitting host. Malaria is a parasitic protozoan that infects the blood cells of humans and is transmitted from one human to the next by Anopheles mosquitoes. Encephalitis is a virus of the central nervous system that is passed from infected birds to humans by mosquitoes that accept birds as blood meal hosts in addition to humans. Yellow fever is a virus infection of monkeys that can either be transmitted from monkey to human or from human to human in tropical areas of the world. Dog heartworm is a large filarial worm that lives in the heart of dogs but produces a blood stage small enough to develop in a mosquito. The dog heartworm parasite does not develop properly in humans and is not regarded as a human health problem. A closely related parasite, however, produces human elephantiasis in some tropical areas of the world, a debilitating mosquito-borne affliction that results in grossly swollen arms legs and genitals.

2.  Why do mosquitoes bite? Mosquitoes belong to a group of insects that requires blood to develop fertile eggs. Males do not lay eggs, thus, male mosquitoes do not bite. The females are the egg producers and "host-seek" for a blood meal. Female mosquitoes lay multiple batches of eggs and require a blood meal for every batch they lay. Few people realize that mosquitoes rely on sugar as their main source of energy. Both male and female mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, fruit juices and liquids that ooze from plants. The sugar is burned as fuel for flight and is replenished on a daily basis. Blood is reserved for egg production and is imbibed less frequently.

3.  Why do mosquitoes leave welts when they bite? When a female mosquito pierces the skin with her mouthparts, she injects a small amount of saliva into the wound before drawing blood. The saliva makes penetration easier and prevents the blood from clotting in the narrow channel of her food canal. The welts that appear after the mosquito leaves is not a reaction to the wound but an allergic reaction to the saliva injected to prevent clotting. In most cases, the itching sensation and swellings subside within several hours. Some people are highly sensitive and symptoms persist for several days. Scratching the bites can result in infection if bacteria from the fingernails are introduced to the wounds.

4.  Why are some people more attractive to mosquitoes then others? Scientists are still investigating the complexities involved with mosquito host acceptance and rejection. Some people are highly attractive to mosquitoes and others are rarely bothered. Mosquitoes have specific requirements to satisfy and process many different factors before they feed. Many of the mosquito's physiological demands are poorly understood and many of the processes they use to evaluate potential blood meal hosts remain a mystery. Female mosquitoes use the CO2 we exhale as their primary cue to our location. A host seeking mosquito is guided to our skin by following the slip stream of CO2 that exudes from our breath. Once they have landed, they rely on a number of short range attractants to determine if we are an acceptable blood meal host. Folic acid is one chemical that appears to be particularly important. Fragrances from hair sprays, perfumes, deodorants and soap can cover these chemical cues. They can also function to either enhance or repel the host seeking drive. Dark colors capture heat and make most people more attractive to mosquitoes. Light colors refract heat and are generally less attractive. Detergents, fabric softeners, perfumes and body odor can counteract the effects of color. In most cases, only the mosquito knows why one person is more attractive than another.

5.  How long do mosquitoes live? Mosquitoes are relatively fragile insects with an adult life span that lasts about 2 weeks. The vast majority meet a violent end by serving as food for birds, dragonflies and spiders or are killed by the effects of wind, rain or drought. The mosquito species that only have a single generation each year are longer lived and may persist in small numbers for as long as 2-3 months if environmental conditions are favorable. Mosquitoes that hibernate in the adult stage live for 6-8 months but spend most of that time in a state of torpor. Some of the mosquito species found in arctic regions enter hibernation twice and take more than a year to complete their life cycle.

6.  Where do mosquitoes go in the winter? Mosquitoes, like most insects, are cold blooded creatures. As a result, they are incapable of regulating body heat and their temperature is essentially the same as their surroundings. Mosquitoes function best at 80o F, become lethargic at 60o F and cannot function below 50o F. In tropical areas, mosquitoes are active year round. In temperate climates, adult mosquitoes become inactive with the onset of cool weather and enter hibernation to live through the winter. Some kinds of mosquitoes have winter hardy eggs and hibernate as embryos in eggs laid by the last generation of females in late summer. The eggs are usually submerged under ice and hatch in spring when water temperatures rise. Other kinds of mosquitoes overwinter as adult females that mate in the fall, enter hibernation in animal burrows, hollow logs or basements and pass the winter in a state of torpor. In spring, the females emerge from hibernation, blood feed and lay the eggs that produce the next generation of adults. A limited number of mosquitoes over winter in the larval stage, often buried in the mud of freshwater swamps. When temperatures rise in spring, these mosquitoes begin feeding, complete their immature growth and eventually emerge as adults to continue their kind.

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Rodents