Alaskan Pests
“Pests in Alaska?” I can’t count the number of times we have heard this through the years! YES, we do have pests, and YES – even in winter. Realistically of course, our pest pressure is nowhere close to that of the lower 49 states. And, of course, the winter impact is quite small compared to their’s.
Some of the major pests of concern that we DO NOT HAVE are: Termites, Brown Recluse and Black Widow Spiders, Snakes, Scorpions, Common House Fly etc.
Some pests that we DO HAVE include: Carpenter Ants (big problem), Cockroaches (usually German), Bedbugs (including Swallow & Bat Bugs), Earwigs, Silverfish, Sowbugs, Cluster Flies, various “Pantry Pests”, Mice (along with native Shrews & Voles which occasionally enter), and Rats (in some harbor locations and other small pockets). There are some others which we deal with occasionally too, along with rare “imports” that show up from time to time, like Fleas & Ticks. In addition, our trees and shrubs are often attacked by Aphids, Leaf Rollers and Spruce Bark Beetles among others.
We are more than willing to identify your “new friend” either over the phone with pertinent questions, or in our Anchorage Office. For those we cannot ID, or for our rural branches with no office location, your local Cooperative Extension Service (division of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks) has very skilled people as well to assist you.
From time to time we deal with “invisible” pests, often a result of emotional or mental conditions which are as real to our clients as the nose on your face. We do everything we can to determine the reality of their claims, but we choose NOT to do placebo treatments, preferring to treat everyone with honest respect.
I was wondering have you read about that company in Newark that was treating bed bugs with pesticides that are not allowed for usage and they have been fined for 860,000 dollars? I could not believe how people do not take these bed bugs pesticides seriously. I found an article that is saying how you can treat bed bugs naturally and I will go with that solution. It is this article – What kills bed bugs is not harmless at all!
Yes, I read this information and was also discouraged that untrained persons were mis-applying pesticides. While I appreciate your view of alternative pesticides (even “natural” products that kill or mitigate a pest are pesticides), they too have limitations. In addition, there are many people trying to take advantage of people’s current fears and selling “snake oil” solutions. While I have not taken time to personally review the products you are selling, I am very aware of many things out there being sold. To any who inquire, please use ANY pesticide carefully and according to the label. Or, hire a well trained applicator with the proper credentials and experience to solve your pest problem – Bed Bug or other.
Thank you for the post, Hulda.
Here is a good response from Dr White: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=840sNQTlZXc
Thank you on your assist!
great post! I love it
have a sugar maple & northern red oak and have been getting leaf rollers,want to know more info about them,how they get in the trees,how to get rid of them naturally,I recently put lady bugs,but dont know if they will eat them,nematodes i think are for ground type bugs?anyway i planted sugar maple last year,its about 9-10ft tall 1.5inch trunk,oak is 15ft tall 2inch trunk planted this year. PLEASE HELP!!!
Shawn, there are a variety of insects (mostly sawflies) whose larvae are “Leaf Rollers”. Some lay their eggs in the fall, some in the Spring etc. Some overwinter as larvae or adults at the base of trees. Once the leaf is tightly rolled, usually a result of creating a metamorphic sack, there is little that can be done. If you catch it early, just as they appear, an insecticidal soap application may help, especially repeated ones. If you need professional help, a foliar application of a variety of available chemicals can be made. The predator attacks you are attempting (Lady Bugs & Nematodes) MAY work, but a lot depends on the “taste buds” of the LB & NTs.