Flat Roofs Are Perfect For Pests
 

Columns - Technically Speaking
Dr. Gerry Wegner, BCE | February 27, 2012

Typically, older commercial buildings have flat roofs comprised of some combination of wood (decking) and metal, covered with rubber, tar and gravel. Such roofs are penetrated by drains, stacks, ventilators, utility lines and access hatches.
Usually the roof perimeter is capped with metal crown flashing and the roof may be undercoated with a spray-on insulation containing cellulose. All of these elements work together effectively...for a while. Then the cumulative effect of sun-baking, rain, freezing (and thawing), ice and snow takes its toll on the integrity of flat roofs, making them vulnerable to a host of pests.
Invariably, cracks and tears occur and seams open up in the rubber surfacing of flat roofs. When this happens, moisture seeps down into underlying wood and insulation, where it is retained. Over time, mold and various fungi begin to spread throughout the decaying organic structural components. Such situations are ideal breeding sites for fungus gnats, fungus beetles (including the foreign grain beetle), springtails, psocids (a.k.a. barklice and booklice, and even termites and ants (e.g., odorous house ants, carpenter ants and acrobat ants). The winged reproductives (alates or swarmers) of termites and ants can be wind-blown up onto roofs by updrafts during breezy springtime days; from there, colonies of these social insects can develop from the invasion of just one fertilized female (queen).
Although the crown flashing may appear to be fastened tightly to the edge of the roof, gaps of only 1/5 inch width are sufficient to allow invasive insects into the sub-roof void. Mass invasions occur mainly in late summer/early autumn, when insects like lady beetles, cluster flies, bluebottle flies, boxelder bugs, leaf-footed bugs and female paper wasps seek out sheltered crevices in which to overwinter. Once indoors, these insects follow sources of light and warmth, which leads them through gaps in the false ceiling panels and into the work space of the top floor.
Oftentimes large AC condenser units are located on flat roofs and when the water that drips from these units is drained improperly, the resulting puddles of standing water can become breeding sites for chironomid midges (small flies with aquatic larvae) and mosquitoes. These flies continue to breed during the warm months and find their way indoors through air intakes, loading docks, delivery entrances and other outside doors.
The essential steps that building maintenance can take in order to avoid the above situations from occurring are: 1) twice annually, thoroughly inspect the roof — once in the spring, and again in autumn — to locate and repair rips and tears in the rubber surfacing; 2) dry out or replace wet areas of roofing, following the recommendations of structural engineers; 3) properly drain water from AC condenser units on roofs; 4) correct low areas on roofs to avoid standing water; and 5) use metal fasteners and silicone sealer to close the gap between the crown flashing and top edge around the roof perimeter.
If these steps are followed, indoor pest situations will be greatly reduced,

10 Ways to Guarantee You'll Get Mosquito Bites

 

1. Keep breathing.
Mosquitoes detect carbon dioxide in the air, so the more you breathe, the more likely you are to become a blood meal. Carbon dioxide clues the mosquitoes in to the presence of a living, breathing, blood-pumping animal nearby. Once they sense it, mosquitoes usually fly in a zigzag pattern through the CO2 plume until they locate the source.

2. Skip the shower.
That's right, bring on the B.O. The more you stink, the easier it is for a blood-seeking mosquito to find you. Drop the deodorant, skip the soap, and get ready to start slapping skeeters.

3. Run around.
Mosquitoes first locate potential victims using their sight, and anything moving will be deemed worthy of a second look. Go outside and flag them down. Mow the lawn. Take a jog around the block. Jump up and down and shout "pick me, pick me!" The mosquitoes will pick you, for sure.

4. Sweat a lot.
Perspiration is the perfect combination of mosquito attractants – moisture and odors. Head outdoors on a hot, sticky summer evening, and work up a sweat. The mosquitoes will thank you.

5. Stay warm.
Think of mosquitoes as heat-seeking missiles. The warmer you are, the quicker they'll find you. Though mosquitoes can't sense your body heat from a distance, once they get within a few yards, your warmth will lure them in.

6. Dress in dark colors.
Research shows that mosquitoes respond best to dark colors, especially blue. Put away the khakis and white shirt; instead, don your jeans and a black t-shirt. You'll shine a spotlight on yourself that allows the mosquitoes to come in for a quicker landing.

7. Wear perfume or cologne.
If you just can't bear the body odor approach, do the opposite – bathe yourself in the strongest perfume money can buy. Floral scents are especially attractive to mosquitoes.

8. Use alpha hydroxy products on your skin.
Lactic acid, which our bodies produce naturally, is a big draw for mosquitoes. It just so happens that many skin care products contain lactic acid, too, and so might help boost your chemistry with these blood-seeking bugs. Look for lotions and creams labeled "alpha hydroxy," which provide the most lactic acid.

9. Don't change your socks.
Yes, this is based on actual scientific research. Mosquitoes love smelly feet. Entomologist Daniel L. Kline experimented with using dirty socks as a mosquito lure, and found his 3-day-old socks were irresistible to them. Specifically, it's the bacteria that grow on human feet that seems to draw a crowd.

10. Drink beer and eat limburger cheese.
Studies show people who've had a few beers score the most mosquito bites at the barbecue. Snack on some limburger cheese while enjoying a beer, and you will open yourself up to an all out assault. Limburger cheese is made with the same bacteria that makes your feet stink.

from (http://insects.about.com/od/flies/a/how-to-get-mosquito-bites.htm)

Subterranean Termites
 

Richard M. Houseman
Department of Entomology

There are approximately 2,500 species of termites worldwide. Most are found in tropical areas, while relatively few live in colder climates. Only about 45 species are found in the United States, and most of these are located in southern states. Four species of termites are reported to occur naturally in Missouri. All of these species are closely related and belong to the genus Reticulitermes.
Termites are generally grouped into categories based on the habitat in which they live. Drywood and dampwood termites live inside wood of varying levels of decay and moisture content. Subterranean termites live in the soil and wood that is in contact with soil. All of Missouri's native Reticulitermes termites are subterranean. Subterranean termites are found throughout most of the continental United States, while wood-dwelling species occur in the coastal and southernmost tier of states. Wood-dwelling termites can be introduced into other locations of the country through the transport of wood products, although they normally do not spread or become established in these locations.

In natural ecosystems termites are considered beneficial because they help release nutrients from dead wood and other cellulose materials into the soil. In human environments, they are considered serious pests. Due to their widespread distribution, subterranean termites are responsible for most of the termite damage caused annually in the United States. Approximately $4.5 billion is spent annually in the United States to control subterranean termite infestations and repair damage they cause.
 

Biology

Termites are social insects like ants, bees and wasps. Social insects live in large groups, share a nest and share important biological roles among individuals within a colony. In termite colonies, important biological roles are divided among physically distinct termites called castes. Termite castes include eggs, larvae, workers, soldiers, nymphs and reproductives (Figure 2). The percentage of the colony in each caste is regulated by chemical signals, which vary between different species and groups of termites.

 

Figure 2
Life history of subterranean termites (Reticulitermes spp.). After hatching, termites may pass through many, but not all, of the stages shown here. These stages are

1. Eggs
2. Larva
3. Larva
4. Worker
5. Worker
6. Soldier
7. Nymph
8. Swarmer
    

Reproductives
This is the adult caste that produces offspring. There is always at least one male and one female in an active colony. Primary reproductives are shiny brownish to black in color. They are produced in mature colonies and emerge at certain seasons of the year to make dispersal flights. During the period they are called swarmers (Figure 2). Swarmers are seldom produced until the colony is more than three years old.
In the case of the eastern subterranean termite, swarming flights occur in Missouri during the spring months, usually on a warm, sunny day following rain. Sometimes, termite swarmers are confused with ant swarmers during this time, but the two are easily distinguished from one another (Figure 3). After flying away from their home colony, termite swarmers shed their wings and pair up. Each pair starts a new colony by constructing a protective cell in the soil adjacent to wood or other food source. Mating and egg production begin in this cell. These activities constitute the beginning of a new subterranean termite colony.

Figure 3
Differences in body form between winged termites and winged ants. Winged termites are distinguished by

• Four cloudy-white, equal-sized wings
• Straight antennae
• A waist equally as broad as the rest of the body

Winged ants are distinguished by

• Four clear, unequal-sized wings
• Bent antennae
• A waist that is narrower than the body
   

Eggs
Subterranean termite queens lay clusters of eggs (Figure 2), which look like small, translucent jelly beans. The reproductives care for the first batch of eggs, but thereafter, worker termites care for the eggs, keeping them clean from bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms in the soil.
Larvae
These are small termites that have just hatched from the egg and have not molted more than once (Figure 2). They are characterized by their small size, soft head capsules and mouthparts, and their absence of coloration. They are dependent on worker termites to feed them.
Workers
Also called pseudergates, these termites are creamy white and soft bodied, with a darker head and hardened mouthparts (Figure 2). Workers are the most common caste in a termite colony and are responsible for many of the activities in the colony. Workers locate and consume wood, feed and groom the other castes, and build and repair tunnel systems. Because subterranean termites are susceptible to drying out when exposed to open air, the nest-building activities of the worker caste are critical for colony survival. In addition to tunneling, subterranean termite workers build shelter tubes to serve as protected passageways from the soil to aboveground food sources.
Even after reaching maturity, workers continue to molt periodically throughout their lives with no increase in size. After every molt, workers get a new set of mouthparts. If isolated, individual workers may molt into a stage that is capable of reproduction. Workers that go through this change are called tertiary reproductives.
Soldiers
Relatively few soldiers are found within a colony. They are responsible for colony defense. Their enlarged heads and long mandibles are adapted to plug holes in the tunnels and inflict a painful bite on invading enemies (Figure 2). Soldiers rely on the worker caste to feed them.
Nymphs
Termites in this caste are preparing to molt into fully winged termites and leave the nest to start new colonies (Figure 2). If isolated during this stage, individual nymphs can become capable of reproduction. Nymphs that go through this change are called secondary reproductives.

Reference : University Of Missouri

Cockroach Infestation

Her Majesty, The Queen Termite