This challenging species has tremendous potential for swift dispersal, survival in a variety of structural and natural habitats across a broad geographic range, and decisive economic impacts.  There is a sense of urgency to act now to halt and hopefully eradicate this exotic species because if it spreads further and becomes irreversibly established in the United States, it could become a powerfully damaging, expensive, obnoxious, and permanent pest.

What should I look for to identify a Conehead Termite infestation?

Three features of this species enable swift identification:

1. TUNNELS: Coneheads build extensive networks of narrow (usually half-inch wide or less) brown “tunnels” or termite highways on the sides of trees, houses, walls or almost any surface. Around homes, the galleries often track along lines such as mortar joints between layers of brick, or the junction between a house wall and the roof eaves. Termites are busy under these covered galleries, marching 24/7 to and from food and water resources.  Often these tunnels are the first sign of an infestation.  Other termites in the U.S. build tunnels too, but Conehead gallery networks are lengthy and prominent, and if you remove a short section, amazing insects will run out, as described below.

2. CONEHEADS: The soldier form of this termite has a very distinctive, dark “conehead” or teardrop-shaped head. If you break open an active tunnel, termites each about the size of a grain of rice dash out, including the odd-looking conehead soldiers which comprise up to 20-30% of the individuals in a colony.  No worries – these termites will not bite or sting.

3. NEST: This invasive termite builds conspicuous dark brown nests, usually in the shape of a large ball or watermelon with a crisp, bumpy surface. Nests may be on, in, or by a tree, shrub, or structure, or sometimes sitting on open ground. Young colonies remain hidden for several years while they build population size before their “big reveal” when they construct a visible nest. The initial phase of construction creates a nest about the size of a tennis or softball, but healthy colonies rapidly expand their home such that a nest the size of a basketball or even larger may grow within a few months, and produce swarmers (alates) within a year. Because only older colonies build nests, however, foraging tunnels are found frequently without an apparent nest, which is still very important and we urge you to report the discovery.

To report a location of Conehead Termite activity, even if you’re not sure but would like it checked (free inspection and treatment), please call Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) at 850-617-7997. 

How are Conehead Termite infestations treated?

Because the goal is to evict this species from the U.S., any live Coneheads must be treated, whether they’re in a house, yard, or even in an abandoned lot where they’re munching on items no one seems to care about. 

Florida’s new overall treatment protocolis to remove and destroy (by incineration) accessible nests, and use termiticides to comprehensively treat activity centers such as foraging galleries, infested wood and other dense aggregations of termites. This aggressive combination of strategies should kill many colonies, and reduce overall population size, health and integrity of any surviving Conehead societies enough to drastically reduce swarmer production and dispersal, thus substantially slowing and hopefully halting expansion of the infested area.

► These termites don’t bite or sting, but do not try to treat them yourself because the colony may move rather than die.  Call the state hotline number above, or a certified pest management professional.

► Conehead attempts to “hitchhike” to colonize a new area, in another part of Florida or beyond, must be foiled by preventing transport of trees and shrubs, wood debris and furniture out of the infested and surrounding (high risk) locations, and by keeping vigilant watch to quickly notice – and immediately treat – any new infestations.

Acting quickly and decisively now, and committing to treatment and inspection vigilance for many years ahead, will be key to eliminating the current Conehead Termite infestation and preventing future established populations.

Thanks for helping to stop the spread of this destructive, invasive bug!

All photos ©Barbara L. Thorne.

Kissing bug.

Kissing bugs, (Triatoma spp.) are true bugs in the family Reduviidae, are approximately 25mm/1 inch long.  While there are a variety of species, they are all generally brown or black with a red, yellow, or brown mark on their abdomen. They are related to the South Americanbarbeiro, or conenose. These bugs feed on blood at night, generally from small mammals and birds but as noted above, sometimes humans as well.  The nymphs require a blood meal to support their growth and maturation. It is worth noting, kissing bugs are not associated with bed bugs, a pest more prominent of late for feeding on human hosts. 

The insect’s feces can contain the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi which causes Chagas disease. Contact with infected feces, through an open wound, or through the eyes or mouth, can result in disease transmission. For most people who are bitten by a kissing bug, the contact is not a memorable one. In fact, most people who are bitten do not recall the bite and even fewer show any type of reaction.  Some, with particular skin sensitivities or allergic reactions to the bug’s saliva, will exhibit signs of itching, site swelling, etc. 

Symptoms of Chagas disease include fever, fatigue, body aches, headache, a rash where the parasite entered the body and swelling around the eyelids. With treatment by a medical professional these symptoms usually fade, but cardiac issues, intestinal problems, and other more serious complications can sometimes develop. 

The primary recommendation for preventing kissing bugs is exclusion – that is, remove entry points from your home:

• Seal cracks and holes, both indoors and out.
• Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around the basement and windows.
• Ensure there is no gap underneath your door; if you can see light from the exterior under a door, insects can fit through the opening into your home.
• In addition, outdoors remove nesting areas and food sources for nuisance wildlife that could serve as hosts for kissing bugs. Debris piles should be regularly removed from your yard. Firewood should be stored at least 20 feet from your house. 

There are many closely related bugs that look similar to kissing bugs. If you are concerned that you may have kissing bugs in or around your home, contact a trained and licensed pest professional who can inspect, and if necessary, treat the problem. According to the CDC, the likelihood of contracting Chagas disease in the United States is low, even if bitten by an infected bug. However, if you fear that you may have been bitten by a kissing bug and are concerned about disease exposure, consult a medical professional.

How has this pest spread so rapidly?

Due to its penchant for hiding in sheltered locations to pass the winter, this pest often invades recreational vehicles and campers. One vacationer reported driving hundreds of miles away from a home in Pennsylvania, opening the camper, and unwittingly releasing BMSB in a new location.

What kind of damage do stink bugs cause?

While noted as an occasional pest of crops in Asia, in 2009 we heard dire reports from growers in the middle Atlantic region who sustained significant losses to peaches, pears and apples to stink bugs. The next year was even worse, with regional losses to apples alone exceeding $37 million. This development was particularly disagreeable from a pest management standpoint.

Much to our dismay, it has become abundantly clear that BMSB are more than just a pest of fruits. Over the past few years damaging numbers of stink bugs have been seen in soybean fields across the region. This rascal has spread to more than 20 counties in Virginia, leaving a broad swath of damage to soybean along the way.  In 2010, we witnessed record numbers of stink bugs in fields of sweet corn. By plunging their sturdy beaks through the corn husk, they remove the nutritious contents of developing kernels. In some cases, so many kernels were damaged that the ear of corn failed to fill out.

Stink bugs are not just problems for conventional vegetable growers. With fewer options for insecticidal control, organic vegetable growers in the region have been overwhelmed where stink bugs are common. Community gardeners and homeowners have been vexed when hordes of stink bugs lined ripening tomatoes, poking holes in the skin and draining the juicy tissues below leaving speckled, puckered, and pockmarked fruit. Similar injury has been reported on peppers and many other vegetables.

Although populations of BMSB cropped up in new states in 2011, in general, stink bug populations were lower throughout our region and this trend continued through the spring and summer of 2012. The reasons for the decline have been attributed to weather, better management by growers and greater activity of natural enemies of stink bugs, but the exact cause or causes remain a mystery.

For many urbanites, stink bugs in apple orchards or corn fields probably seem like a remote problem. However, the nuisance potential of BMSB is almost without equal. In 2011, a homeowner in western Maryland captured more than 26,000 BMSB from January through June as they moved about his home seeking egress from their overwintering refuge. That’s a lot of nuisance!

Why do stink bugs enter homes and man-made structures in the first place?

Many folks incorrectly believe they enter to be warm for the winter. Bear in mind that millions of years ago when BMSB evolved, there were no mansions or man-made structures to invade. In chilly locations where winter halts the growth of deciduous trees and shrubs and withers herbaceous plants, food for the plant-eating stink bug all but disappears.

Cold brings movement and development of BMSB to a standstill. During this inimical season, BMSBs seek refuges to chill-out, protected from the harsh weather and dangerous predators. Until recently, these natural winter redoubts were thought to be rocky crags and piles of leaf litter. However, a new study revealed that the loose bark of large, freshly deceased but still standing trees may be a prime winter hideout for BMSB. However, for a BMSB leaving a senescing field of soybeans, the siding on a home might look like a mighty fine place to spend the winter.

What does the autumn of 2012 hold for BMSB?

Unlike the cooler, wetter summer of 2011, 2012 has been a year of record warmth and BMSB completed a full second generation in grand style. On a recent safari to a western Maryland, I collected almost a thousand BMSB in a couple hours of easy picking in soybeans and trees. Some scientists fear that we may be seeing a renaissance of stink bugs in the autumn of 2012 that could translate into a stink bug ridden 2013 similar to the watershed year of 2010. Only time holds the answer to this one. One thing is for certain, as BMSB continues to spread across our nation and as populations rise on regional and local levels, many more folks will learn the true implications of a bug that really stinks.    

Acknowledgments

I thank Doo-Hyung Lee, Doug Inkley, Tracy Leskey, Galen Dively, and other members of the BMSB Working Group for providing information and inspiration for this article. To learn more about the biology, ecology, and current research on BMSB, please visit the following websites.

• http://www.stopbmsb.org/index.cfm
• http://www.northeastipm.org/working-groups/bmsb-working-group/bmsb-information/
• http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/brown-marmorated-stink-bug
• http://pestthreats.umd.edu/content/documents/BMSBBulletin_10-2010.pdf

Watch this video to learn how to keep BMSB out and what to do when they get in.

Photo Credit: Mike Raupp

Although ants are seldom involved in disease transmission, their sheer numbers can be overwhelming to homeowners because they prefer to inhabit living areas with moisture such as bathrooms and kitchens and are readily visible to homeowners. The ants are often attracted to food items and become unwelcome guests in homes.

Carpenter ants pose additional concern to homeowners because these ants can be structurally damaging. They do not actually ‘build’ like carpenters but they will excavate wood and can be damaging over time if not managed. Carpenter ants like many ants feed on honeydew producing insects such as aphids. These ants will forage outside the structure and will find avenues to nesting sites within structures such as under insulation, in voids, in crawlspaces, or in attics. These ants do not feed on wood but will excavate space for nesting sites and trails to foraging arenas. A mature carpenter ant colony often includes a parent nest with the queen and brood plus satellite nest(s) with mature brood, workers, and often winged forms in preparation for the next mating flight. Parent nests are often located outside the structure and satellite nests are located within structures. There are a number of species of carpenter ants found in North America. These will vary in color but all have the same nesting behavior of excavating wood. Carpenter ants also have a variety of sizes within one colony but can be recognized in profile by the smooth thoracic dorsum.

Odorous house ants, an important nuisance ant, have colonies with many queens and many homes. These homes are often temporary and will be found under pieces of wood or debris in landscaping. Again, as with carpenter ants, these ants will forage on honeydew from aphids living in vegetation. If there are landscaping problems and trees, shrubs, or plants are in contact with the structure, this will provide an easy access between the structure and foraging arenas. Structures need to be completely free from any contact with vegetation where the ants can trail from the vegetation into the structure. With the multiple queen aspect of this ant plus its temporary nesting sites, this ant is difficult to control. Workers of this ant are all of one size. They do not cause structural damage but because of the large numbers that are often present they can be particularly obnoxious to homeowners. These ants are not known to bite and they do not sting.

Pavement ants also have many queens but these ants will nest under rocks or pavement. Homeowners are aware of these ants as they mine the sand and soil from under concrete slabs, patios, sidewalks, driveways, or in basements. Some refer to this ant as a mason ant because of its nesting behavior of moving the substrate. These ants are one size but do possess a stinger. A person is not stung easily unless the ant is caught in close circumstances such as resting an arm or leg over an infested area as in a lawn. These ants will also forage into structures on food items and will feed anything sweet or greasy. Because these ants next underground and have multiple queens, there have been problems with management.

 These are only three ants or groups of ants among many that are problems to homeowners. Many more ants are found in specific areas and can be more troublesome. The first step in ant management is identification. Knowing the biology and behavior is fundamental to application of the best strategy for control. Seek assistance for ants you cannot easily identify.

There are hundreds of tick species in the world that are capable of transmitting pathogens.  The pathogens transmitted by such tick species cause over 65 diseases, many of them serious. While Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are the most well known of the tick-borne diseases, other diseases include Colorado tick fever, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Southern tick-associated rash illness, Tickborne relapsing fever and Tularemia. Thus, ticks are considered to be a significant public health pest. The increased occurrence of Lyme disease, as well as other tick borne diseases, is raising awareness and concern about the impact of these diseases on public health.

Who's at risk?

Lyme disease historically affects people of two very different age groups. Children (5-9 years old) are at highest risk (boys more than girls), followed by older adults (60-70 years old). Reported cases peak in June and July. Spring is the season of highest risk because immature ticks are active, extremely small (the size of a poppy seed) and hard to find.  People are exposed to ticks through typical outdoor activities including hiking, playing games, golfing, horseback riding and even gardening.

An ounce of prevention

It is important to know about tick habitats and personal protection techniques because most people are exposed to ticks in residential areas. Here are a few ways to prevent ticks:

1. Keep the lawn mowed to make your property unattractive to ticks. Ticks are found in high grass, yards with trees and shrubs.

2. Keep backyard grasses set back from the woods around a home by eight feet. Place a three-foot wood chip, gravel or mulch border area between grassy edges and tick-prone zones. Ticks prefer moist areas like leaf litter and the edge of woods. Ticks don't like the sun and wait in shady areas on brush and grasses.

3. Practice personal protection. Personal protection involves using repellents, wearing appropriate clothing and checking for ticks on one's person, which is the most effective practice of all. In tick habitats, wear long, light-colored pants tucked into socks or boots, and long-sleeved shirts. This keeps ticks from reaching the skin and makes them easier to see. Ticks like places on humans that are warm and moist, most commonly the backs of the knees, armpits, the groin, the scalp, the back of the neck, and behind the ears. Attached ticks should be removed as soon as possible using fine-point tweezers since risk of disease transmission is increased the longer the tick is attached.

High risk areas for Lyme disease

The Blacklegged tick (also called the Deer tick) is found throughout the United States. The Yale School of Public Health published a map that shows a clear risk of Lyme disease across much of the Northeast, from Maine to northern Virginia. It also identifies a high-risk region in the upper Midwest (particularly in Minnesota and Wisconsin).

Why tick populations expand

Ticks can move over long distances by attaching to migrating birds. When they detach in the new location, they colonize the local area, feeding on deer, mice, squirrels and chipmunks.

Climate and the location of hosts determine where ticks thrive. If average temperatures continue to increase over the coming decades, the areas where ticks live will continue to expand northward. In the 1990s, blacklegged ticks were virtually unknown in Canada, but today they are sometimes found in large numbers. Suburbanization has increased deer densities by breaking up forests and reducing hunting. Loss of biodiversity has also been correlated to increased presence of tick hosts and infected ticks. 

Predicting tick outbreaks

Predicting tick outbreaks is still an emerging science.  University of Rhode Island entomologist Thomas Mather says that high humidity this June may lead to more ticks, more bites and more cases of Lyme disease. If the humidity is low, ticks dry out and die, reducing the threat. (TickEncounter Resource Center).

Experts such as Richard Ostfeld with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies are concerned that this spring may bring a "significant increase" in the number of cases of Lyme disease in the New York area. Looking at a cause-and-effect timeline from the past few years, the bumper crop of acorns in 2010 led to a bumper year for mice in 2011. Mice are a primary host for ticks.  In 2011, however, lower acorn counts meant fewer mice for 2012. Thus, the ticks will look for other hosts, including people.  Additionally, this year's mild winter temperatures mean an early arrival in tick activity. It should be noted, though, that caution and awareness are important during any year.

Early warning systems are being developed that include but are not limited to: 1) field monitoring by governmental agencies; 2) pet data reported by veterinarians; and 3) collection stations for deer hunters

Additional Resources:

CDC tick and tick-borne disease information

Using Insect Repellents Safely

Parasite Prevalence maps for tick borne diseases in dogs and cats

Managing Ticks and Preventing Tick Bites

About the Authors:

Ed Brandt: A statistician and economist, Ed is the former leader of the landscaping and structural pest sectors in EPA's Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) within the Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. He led the PESP program promoting IPM to reduce Tick Borne Diseases the past 5 years, working with federal and state agencies as well as non-profit organizations.

Candace Brassard: As a senior biologist for the Field and External Affairs Division, Office of Pesticide Programs,Candy leads two working groups for federal and state and agencies as well as non-profit organizations. The goal of the working groups is to continue to promote IPM to reduce Tick Borne Diseases.

Candy and Ed have partnered for the past 5 years, resulting in a 25 member network, a federal partnership with 9 agencies, and a Tick Conference in March 2011.

The views presented in this article are the views of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the United States.

1. Curb Appeal

Whether you are having your home valued for a new mortgage, selling it or just want it to look its best at all times, keep in mind that the first thing most people see is the front door and front yard. Although the interior of your home is very important, the exterior should also make a good impression. Spend some time creating an attractive entrance to the home that won't take a lot of time to maintain. Consider a graveled area that looks tidy without needing extensive gardening skills to keep it looking great.

2. Repainting

A coat of paint on both on the interior and exterior of your home is one of the easiest way to give your home a fresh, well-maintained appearance for little investment. Several factors (such as climate and whether or not you have small children or pets) influence how often you will need to repaint your home's interior walls, but as a general rule of thumb it should be done every five years. Painting the ceiling can also brighten up a room quickly and make it look more attractive. A home's exterior generally needs to be repainted less often than the interior, perhaps every ten years or so. If you need to paint your home's exterior, consider whether the primer also needs to be repainted.

3. Update, not Upgrade

Many appliances in the home, as well as things like toilets and heating systems, should be replaced at certain intervals. If you have an older home or plan to live in your current home for a decade or longer, updating appliances will be necessary at some point. However, not every new purchase needs to be an upgrade. When you replace older items, don't feel pressured to purchase the most expensive model each and every time. Whenever possible, however, do try to choose energy efficient appliances that will reduce your energy bills each month and will be attractive to future potential buyers when you do put the house on the market.

4. Clean Regularly

Many homeowners save deep cleaning for the days leading up to a home inspection or even right before an open house. However, this can mean you are faced with a huge amount of work. Make things easier by cleaning regularly. Not only will a clean home have a higher value, but it will age better over time.

5. Protect Your Home From Termites

Termites are perhaps the worst enemy for a wooden structure. Many homeowners wait until the damage is already done by termites, preferring to deal with the problem instead of taking steps to prevent an infestation before it happens. Make life easier - and save time and money down the road - by working with a pest professional to have your home treated for termite prevention before there are any visible signs of termites on your home or property. This can help the home remain structurally sound and maintain its value for years to come.

6. Check Plumbing

One of the most common issues in an older home is the plumbing. Even high-end appliances and high quality plumbing work can cause in leaks and even floods after a certain number of years. To reduce the likelihood of plumbing issues and and help maintain the value of your home, be sure to check faucets, toilets, showers and pipes for leaks. Have a plumber look over your home's plumbing to detect any issues that need to be corrected in order to avoid a potential disaster in the home.

7. Roof Replacement

Replacing the roof on your home can be a big investment, but one that is important to maintain the value of your home and prevent issues like leaks. Your roof's lifespan depends on the material used. Expect certain roofs, such as an asphalt shingle roof, to last as few as 15 years. On the more durable end of the spectrum are metal and tile, which can last well over 50 years if properly maintained. In order to properly maintain the roof, be sure to check often for loose shingles and clogged gutters which can result in pooling water and eventual damage.

By keeping these seven important factors in mind, it is possible to maintain or increase the value of your home over several years rather than see its value decrease over time.

By Erik Braunitzer, and courtesy of Douglas Elliman Real Estate Company, agents for NYC Apartments.