RATS

Yes, Rats!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No, I'm not talking about the two legged ones that might be loose here in the Village!!!


No, this is not just an exclamation of frustration.

I'm talking about the fuzzy, furry rodents with the long tail. Sometimes also know within the Village as attic rats.

Yes, they are here and apparently prevalent.

In the area where I live I have personal knowledge of at least five associations that have been inspected and four of them found evidence of or actual rats in residence.

They seem to especially like units that are empty and have been for a long period of time. In one unit that had been empty for about two years with no inspection process in place the rodents had made themselves and their extended family a home in the mattress and box spring.

What a mess. In this case the toilets had not been sealed and the water was turned off. The fixtures were all dried out and provided perfect passage from the sewer to the apartment.

In another unit holes had been gnawed to get into the unit from the walls. In both cases droppings were prevalent and rodents were caught in the traps that were set.

I'd like to suggest that Associations contact an exterminating company and get a price for an inspection. Hopefully you will get an all clear but if not it is better to attack the problem early rather than later.

When getting an estimate be sure to read and understand the process that is to be used if the creatures are found.

In my opinion, the rodents should be trapped and removed . Some estimates have suggested just putting out poison and killing the population. Don't forget--a dead rat stinks very, very badly. You will not be happy!

Also, rats have fleas and fleas do not remain with a dead rodent. You do not want to deal with an attic infested with fleas!

My suggestion is to investigate and inspect, get estimates if needed and do it sooner rather than later.

Any questions just call me at 683-4663 (home) or at UCO 683-9189.

FIG (FICUS) FLORIDA WHITEFLY PART TWO

Hi All,
Here is a current article on the very species of Whitefly in our area.
Please read it carefully and consider selecting a preventitive systemic approach.

While I believe that the Ladybug approach is best for the health of our residents, it is not catching on with the Unit Owners, I know not why.

Dave


http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/IAWG/FIG/The%20Fig%20Whitefly%20(2007)%20Fact%20Sheet.htm

LADYBUG AND WHITEFLY

Hi All,

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On the left above is a variety of Whitefly; on the right a subspecies of Ladybug called the Delphastus Beetle. (a variety of Ladybug)

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You are interested in this, why?

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Because the little Whitefly has the power to destroy every Ficus tree and hedge in CV at an alarming speed.

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This fly is spreading rapidly across Southern Florida.

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Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is to engulf our Ficus in a deluge of various pesticides, both granular and liquid, at significant cost.

A key factor mitigating against spraying is that these flys will in short order develop a resistance to whatever molecule is selected.

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As a card carrying member of the Sierra Club, I would like to suggest a "Green Solution" to this problem.

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Oh yes, the little Ladybug on the right destroys Whiteflys at a prodigious rate at the site of infestation. The one pictured above is busy eating Whitefly larvae which is deposited on the underside of the leaf

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Let's think about it before we start spraying.

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This would be a fine project for UCO to take up and coordinate; Do not ignore this problem, it is not likely to go away.

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Dave Israel

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REF: http://greenmethods.com/site/biocontrols/delphastus/

http://whiteflies.ifas.ufl.edu/wfly0002.htm

http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/Singhiella%20simplex.html

http://greenmethods.com/site/shop/buy-bugs/4/#BDCATA

Skeeters and Mossies

A helicopter will spray for mosquitoes starting at sundown Thursday 8/28, the Palm Beach County Division of Mosquito Control said today.
I hope they get the north Canal, the mosquitoes are very aggressive there, you have been warned.

wikiHow get-rid-of-ants

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Ants more than you ever needed.

wikiHow is a trip - wikiHow is a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. With your edits, we can create a free resource that helps millions of people by offering solutions to the problems of everyday life. wikiHow currently contains 43,152 articles — written, edited, and maintained primarily by volunteers.
http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page

Termite Season

Does anyone have recommended reasonable price coverage for drywood termites other than Hulett and Orkin? I would like to know what you pay for how many units. Does your contract include subterranean termites? Please send to elbr@comcast.net if you do not wish to go public. TIA