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| Suggestions For other pages |
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http://unexco.com/roach1.html This is not a suggestion but a cry for help! I am a social worker and I see many families who have roaches. However, this week I enrolled four new families - all of whom have cockroaches. I am terrified of bring them home to my family. I live in NY so its cold now. I never bring my purse in with me, but I must wear a coat. I keep it on when I'm in those homes and I sit on the "edge" of a chair, sofa, etc. I never lean back and get comfortable...who could be comfortable??? What can I do to protect myself from bringing those cockroaches/eggs into my own home? Any help would be appreciated. A.L. P. (email address omitted) |
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My Comment: What can you do? Not a whole lot... My own wife has the same problem, she visits families
like this down here in Camden, NJ. I will say this, she hasn't yet brought any home, however she has
only been doing this for a couple of years. She too, leaves her regular purse at home and carries a
"special" purse, more like an attache case, which she uses for whatever possessions she needs to take
in with her. I would advise you to try and use a "hard" chair rather than upholstered furniture, as there is now also a danger of bedbugs. You can give the excuse that you have a "bad back" and can't use a soft chair. Put your coat in or on your attache case while you're there. Use a light coat you can easily fold up, wearing a sweater (or some such) underneath for warmth when you need it. It is good to remember that "cold" doesn't really affect roaches, but heat does. So if you suspect your attache case has been affected, an overnight stay in a warm oven (at least 125-150 degrees) will kill any insect. With clothes, a wash (or dry clean) will kill insects also. Make your wash in HOT water, not cold, and use powdered soap, not liquid, powdered soap is more powerful. That's about it! That should reduce your chances to just about zero. |
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http://unexco.com/roach1.html After my apartment has been sprayed is there any reason why I can't use the Roach Baits or Buttons,Glueboards to keep on with this on-going battle? |
| My Comment: You can use them AFTER a spray treatment. Tell your exterminator you are doing so, so he knows what's up. |
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http://unexco.com/roach1.html Re: Roaches Your information is very helpful; however, I don't really understand one statement regarding the different treatments: 'Any or all may be used on your problem'. Do you mean it would be okay to Roach Buttons and/or Roach Baits after my apartment has been sprayed? I live in an apartment complex where roaches are a major problem. The whole complex was sprayed last month. Several of us have had him back twice since. (Will they ever go away?) I'm thinking using the Baits and/or Buttons might keep them out of my apartment at least?? Thanks, MJ |
| My Comment: Answered above. |
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http://unexco.com/roach1.html Thank you sooooo much for making this information available! If you had a branch in Santa Fe NM i would love to use your services. This website really helped me. |
| My Comment: Santa Fe? It's on my list.... |
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http://unexco.com/Decks.html I loved this article. I'm from Curacao (of the coast of Venezuela) and surfing the web to find info on how to build a deck. I'm so happy to have found this website. So much information and so easy to understand. Even for a someone that doesn't speak English every day. Thanx alot |
| My Comment: Glad you got something from it! |
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http://unexco.com/carpants.html My sister in NJ has been finding aunts in basements sometimes up stairs never more than one or two. Sure their carpenter aunts due to their size. Neighbor has them in wooden retaining wall between their properties. Have spraved mest for two yrs including my sister foundation. Nest next door from my estimation is the home nest. Area I spraved in that wall seems to have ben elimatted. I waited till dark and continually sprayed. I think I did not do right as they seemed to have moved. this weekend I found Sat after dark a mew new spot in the wall about 3 yards aqway two sizeable sawdust piles about 4 inch apart. After spraving in the morning I noticed another inch had been added to the top of the previous sawdust piles. This seems to tell me this is a rather large and seasoned nest? There is a wooded area between my sister house and the houses on street behind her house that is a city owned Bird Sancyuary. Found ants in my sister house may only be out looking for food, I hope. What do you suggest? People across the street have just had their house treated by propfessionals. Your listing is the only one that made sense to me when I read it. John NYC |
| My Comment: John purchased some Advance ant bait from us and reported that it did the trick. |
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http://unexco.com/gallery/frdrain.html also don't forget to advise the inquirer about building a small curb, if the foundation is as low as the floor coming up about a foot and a half above the foundation. This method is used on older houses that were built without a cement floor and then one was later installed. |
| My Comment: Well, that certainly sounds reasonable. But since I'm only an exterminator, I can't comment more than that. |
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http://www.unexco.com/storprod.html Your site is so fun, well written and informative I browsed through pest control solutions that I didn't even have need for just for fun!! Great job and very generous! Thanks! |
| My Comment: Well, I certainly appreciate your compliments! Come anytime. |
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http://unexco.com/gallery/oops.html try using termidor. it's the greatest!!!! |
| My Comment: We agree! However, Termidor wasn't available at the time, this job was one done in 1999. We switched to Termidor as soon as it came out, in 2000 and haven't looked back. |
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http://www.unexco.com/fleas.html For fleas, just sprinkle baking soda over everything and leave it there for a day or so. This is very effective. I don't know if they eat it or what but it sure eliminates them and its cheap. Then just vacuum it up. |
| My Comment: Well, technically, almost any dry formulation of anything (even common sand) might work to some extent. They work because the granules are abrasive, and break down the chitin of insect exoskeletons. Some, such as diatomaceous earth works much better. But the size of the individual granule is very important, and there is no residual. Hey! If it REALLY worked, I would use nothing but. |
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http://unexco.com/gallery/makebait.html I think it would be helpful to include some basic safe handling instructions for baits. ...for instance, would you be able to use the pictured bowl and spoon for your Cap'n Crunch after washing it? Great site, by the way! Barry P (email address omitted). |
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My Comment: I don't know, Barry, I'm a Trix or Frosted Flake kinda guy.... Seriously, just a run through the dishwasher is enough, these baits go by body weight, and I'm almost two hundred pounds. That means I gotta CONSUME pounds of it, have you ever tasted the stuff? Me neither, but I do know it has a bittering agent mixed in, one the mice don't detect as we do. It is not radioactive. |
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http://unexco.com/fleas.html Hi, You state on your page that more than 50% of your clients are people without pets but on this page you do not mention wht measures they must take to get rid of these blood sucking creatures. IF you could either write back or tell me what I can do I would most greatly appreciate it. thank you. you can email me at (email address omitted) Please do not sell or pass on my email address to anyone. thank you |
| My Comment: You generally need a pro to take care of fleas. |
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http://unexco.com/pub/Q&A.html I'm in the pest control business and it appears that you have the impression that we are out there to rip people off, that's far from the truth. I know for a fact that when a person has termite in close prox to there home its just a matter of time before the termit find a route in. I'll love for you to tell that person in a few year why they have termites and why we didn't tell them sooner. Yes, it is treue that we can't see through wall , but we are trained in telling what area have the proper condition to develope termites. |
| My Comment: ‘Close proximity to their home?' You mean like maybe in the garden? Depends on where that garden is, in relation to the house. If I find termites butt-up against the house, yes, I might well recommend termite control. As long as it isn't just ‘termites in the mulch.' But away from the house? Well, if it's away from the house, it's away from the house. And I would consider that normal. After all, you can find termites almost anywhere, at least here in New Joisey... So with termites in a fence or in RR ties, we wouldn't ordinarily recommend treatment. And it isn't every exterminator that tries to rip people off, I know lots of guys that wouldn't do that. I also know lots of guys that would. |
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http://www.unexco.com/badboys.html I am in Texas and we just discovered a "swarming termite" issue in a master bathroom. Anyway, while doing Internet research - came across your site and just wanted to say how great it is. I really appreciate the time and effort you have spent in putting together a site with real information on it. Also, on this particular page, you have a misspelled word in the last sentence: "...obviously hightened vigilance". "Heightened" is what you're looking for, I bet. Best regards, Alberto Dallas, TX |
| My Comment: Fixed. Thank you, sir! |
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http://unexco.com/gallery/epilog.html Your site is not only extremely helpful, it is sometimes hilarious - as in the peacock catching story. Thanks for the info - and the laughs. I wish you all lived out here in Illinois. I could use a great trapper (squirrel infestation). Do you know anybody out here, about 35 miles west of Chicago, you could refer me to? Thanks, Diane at (email address omitted) |
| My Comment: Diane, sorry, I don't have a specific name for you. Generally, I direct people to stay away from the biggies and pick a trusted, local independent, someone with a physical office in your own calling area, someone that deals with nuisance wildlife. |
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http://www.unexco.com/gallery/window.html As far as firemen go and windows: When firemen enter a structure to fight fire and to possibly rescue victims, they make entry with large amounts of protective clothing including a 30 pound SCBA or air tank. The reasons surrounding the larger windows are that if something goes wrong for the firefighters inside they are able to escape without dying. The larges amount of gear adds much girth to even the smallest man. Also, if it so happens that one of your family members is a victim in the basement, firemen may be able to extricate you from that window. It may be just be the only egress! |
| My Comment: Yeah, I know... I was just having a bit of fun... And, as I said, I LIKE the new window. I just didn't like paying for it! |
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http://www.unexco.com/mail/mail05.html About pyrethrum - Excellent synergists are Piperonyl Butoxide and/or N-Octylbicycloheptene but they disqualify for organic foods. Pyrethrin in pyrethrum are natural / organic. Synthetic versions called pyrethroid are not allowed in organic. So synergist are vegetable oils like saseme or canola oil. Best combination is Neem oil + Pyrethrum crude or Pyrethrum extract. TO John, I am struggling to get pyrethrum seeds to grow for my personal use. Can you help me? Thank you. My email is: (Email address omitted) |
| My Comment: Unfortunately, I do not know of a place you can purchase these seeds. There are specific varieties for pyrethrins, and some varieties are better producers. And then, even with the best producers, you need an awful lot of flowers to get any useful amount of pyrethrin. And to grow the plant(s) requires specific provisions, best carried out on a large-scale basis, like wheat. However, on a large scale there is a definite market. Africa's exports have been dismal. |
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http://www.unexco.com/mail/mail38.html er, from other websites, it seems to me that the ones mike sent are subterranean ones: check this out http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pni7415-1a.html could you explain it to me? (email address omitted) |
| My Comment: The soldiers of each termite specie look much different from the other castes. The picture Mike sent is of dampwood termites, alates, (swarmers) and not dampwood soldiers as pictured on the link you sent to me. |
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http://www.unexco.com/mail/mail24.html This isn't a suggestion, another question , but I wanted to know if there is anything i can use around the window sill ants (i have same problem- no flying ones) but i wanted to get something that was safe for my kitten. I want to get rid of these ants while at the same time not getting rid of her :( thanks for any help! |
| My Comment: My suggestion, if you worry about your pet(s), would be to use a professional. He will have the experience necessary to use the right product in the right circumstances, so that they will not be harmed in any way. |
| http://UnExCo.com/popups/noraid.html | |
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| My Comment: Mr Brown, I'm afraid I can't answer that... I am sure that there are some insects that might well be ATTRACTED to citronella! And I thank you for your compliments! |
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http://www.unexco.com/mail/mail36.html I have a problem with mice and was told to have the house fumigated. However when I visit various site they speak of fumigating for termite and not mice. Is it possible to fumigate for mice as well? (email address omitted) |
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My Comment: Fumigation for mice is silly. For mice, you bait or trap. You are being misled, get
another exterminator. See if any of the IPCO guys are near you. http://IPCOnetwork.org/ ---John |
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http://unexco.com/mail/mail28.html We had the same problem. This stench does go away, but burning incense helps ALOT. The odor is almost gone. Time: 10 days of hot S. Cal. weather |
| My Comment: Ten days, eh? You made out good! Most people can smell them longer than that... Of course, the hotter the weather, the quicker it goes. |
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http://unexco.com/fleas.html What to do when the fleas are on human skin |
| My Comment: Well, they don't attach themselves, a hot shower will get them off... |
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http://www.unexco.com/mail/mail29.html THIS ONLY HELPED A LITTLE BIT WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CARPENTER ANTS OR TERMITES ,AND WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEMSELVES,BECAUSE WHO WANTS TO GET RIPPED OFF BY THESE EXTERMINATORS. WHICH ARE ALL A RIP OFF TO BEGIN WITH THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE WHICH IS WRONG. CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR. THAN K YOU VERY MUCH. (Email address omitted) |
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My Comment: Well, Rory, sometimes it just can't be done by yourself.... Sometimes it can. I detail
how you can do it on my carpenter ant page. You can probably get all the supplies you need, locally. So if your inclination is to "do it yourself," that's exactly how I set up the carpenter ant page. Best of luck! |
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http://www.unexco.com/mail/mail08.html what do you do if mouse droppings are in your pots and pans |
| My Comment: Wash them (the pots and pans, not the droppings) with hot, soapy water.... |
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http://www.unexco.com/mail/mail28.html I have a dead rat in my attic and it's been at least 2 months. The exterminator came out and baited my attic and the rat took the bait and died above the A/C vent in the master bedroom. I still smell an odor that seems stronger on some days and seems that it is gone on others. I keep the ceiling fan on all day and leave a window open during the day. I have also gone as far as buying a air cleaner but I can still smell a some kind of stench. It just doesn't smell fresh in the master bedroom like all the other rooms. I long before the odor is completely gone? I have heard any where from two week to two months. What can I do about it? I have had a friend go to the attic to see if he could find anything but all he found was a lot of droppings in the area where the stench is coming from. The attic has that blown in insulation so it is really impossible to find the dead rodent. Any suggestions would be greatly appreicated. Thank you, Lizzi Please send a response to (Email address omitted) |
| My Comment: It kind of depends on how many rats (body weight) you have. It WILL go away, it just takes some time. The smell won't hurt you, it's just objectionable. Keep going with the fans and you'll be ok. And it's often difficult to find the carcass - they hide pretty good! |
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http://www.unexco.com/mail/mail31.html I LIVE IN PHOENIX AZ. CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE I CAN BUY THE BATE ??? THANKS , RAY |
| My Comment: Almost any hardware store, Ray. |
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http://www.unexco.com/gallery/window.html The size requiement is not due to "fat firemen" but rather because of the gear worn by firemen (air tank, ect) |
| My Comment: That's true. And I have to admit that I knew that all along. It's just a little bit of parody that I sometimes slip in to. And to be fair, the same fire company also opened my locked car door for me one time and wouldn't take a dime in payment! Great guys, plus they DO save lives. |
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http://www.unexco.com/pretreat.html I am currently building a home and the architect has listed the mandatory use of Dursban DT to pretreat the foundation. What are the health effects of this pesticide? (email address omitted) |
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My Comment: Dursban DT? Never heard of "DT." I think he means "TC." Don't believe they ever manufactured
a "DT." But, what the heck, he's only an architect.... As a matter of fact, you're going to have a tough time getting any exterminator to use a product containing chlorpyrifos - an organophosphate and the primary active ingredient in Dursban. He's WAAAAY behind the times! Frankly, in most places it has been taken off the market. You can find some information on chlorpyrifos right here: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/chlorpyrifos.htm If you're going to pre-treat, (and I think you should) the best product would be Termidor, by far. |
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http://www.unexco.com/gallery/index.html#ppb How do you treat power post beetles? |
| My Comment: Well, it depends on where you live and how bad an infestation you have. Most of the time, in the temperate zone, it's only a spot treatment with a topical application of the proper insecticide. It would be best if you contracted this out to a licensed exterminator. |
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http://www.unexco.com/gallery/window.html I HAVE BEEN LOOKING A LONG TIME FOR A WEB SITE THAT WOULD GIVE ME A STEP BY STEP LOOK AT HOW TO MAKE A BASEMENT WINDOW LARGER..I WANTED TO GET MORE LIGHT IN MY BASEMENT PLUS BETTER VENTILATION. OF COURSE THE SAFETY THING WITH THE FIRE GUYS.. LOL YOU ALSO GAVE ME AN EST. ON THE COST.. THANK YOU SOO MUCH...NICE JOB BY THE WAY.. |
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My Comment: Why, thank you very much, sir! Glad it even helped you! I was originally going to take
the pictures just for the Fire Marshal, to show him how it was built. But two years after its completion,
still no Fire Marshal. Then I figured, "I'll turn it into a Web page and send ‘em the link." Well, I
did the page, but never sent them the link, of course. Some of my comments regarding Fire Marshals weren't
that complimentary.... They finally did come, the window was just fine, but they didn't like our fire extinguisher. Oops, sorry, it's the same one we've had for 20 some years, okay we'll pick one up on our next sojourn to BJ's. But the same Fire Marshal SHOWS BACK UP THE VERY NEXT DAY!!! Just walks in, notices we haven't replaced it yet. I told him I would get one "today." I did, and they haven't been back to check, and THAT'S been at least a year or two. |
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http://www.unexco.com/gallery/frdrain.html This is not a detailed explanation of the installation of a french drain. That is what I am interested in learning. |
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My Comment: Well, my own expertise is not French drains, so I better stay away from that, or the
French drain guys get mad at me. Just as I would if they gave out exterminating advice.... Seriously, I DO know enough to know that every job is different, and I have noticed, over the years, that the real pros do the best job. And if you have "special" issues, or problems, you'd best get that pro and leave the driving to him. |
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http://www.unexco.com/gallery/frdrain.html You should reccommend an exterior French Drain instead because it is much more effective!!! |
| My Comment: It's also much more expensive on existing homes, and improper digging around foundations can cause problems with the foundation. On NEW houses, it's best to use BOTH. |
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http://www.unexco.com/gallery/peacock.html i thought this web site was extremely helpfull and very interesting |
| My Comment: Why, thank you very much! |
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http://www.unexco.com/rwalinsp.html List inspection companies. |
| My Comment: List inspection companies? How 'bout me? |
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http://www.unexco.com/mail/mail24.html I was just wondering why NOT to use Raid! I have flying ants and a lot of them. I have used a lot of different things now and I still have them. I had an exterminator tell me to use Raid so I did. I now have used inside and outside treatments. Just about everything really. Thanks, Donna. (Email address omitted.) |
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My Comment: Well, Donna, just because it doesn't make any sense... They don't DO anything, they're
absolutely harmless. And the treatment for the flying ants is almost like termite control, so it's expensive
- and not entirely successful. Not only that, but Raid is just plain NASTY! Much better to use your vacuum cleaner - it's non-toxic! |
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http://www.unexco.com/mail/mail52.html u did not mention galvinized metal shields and are they worth installing? |
| My Comment: I don't believe that the type of metal is that important, but how it is installed really makes the difference. If the shields don't employ double lap joints, (and even if they do) termites will eventually be able to breach the shield. Also, once a nail or bolt goes through it, it has then been compromised. Pre-treatment AND shields would be best. A stainless shield would be the best. |
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http://www.unexco.com/mail/mail43.html please tell me what to do with worms that are in my clothes. they are about 1/4 th of an inch. they are brownand orange. |
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http://www.unexco.com/badboys.html My carpenter ants are coming in using our phone line and cable line. we put Vaseline on the lines and now they do not pass. We removed the nest using our shop vac. |
| My Comment: Hmmmmm. I imagine the Vaseline would work, at least for awhile, until it wears off. But don't underestimate the ants - they'll find another way in! |
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virgil@carolina.rr.com Tcontartesi@daviddrye.com |