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	Ants are becoming a major problem all over the country. They can be difficult to control, but there are some things you should know about how ants' behavior can lead to big headaches for you and your home: Entry: Ants can enter through even the tiniest cracks seeking sweet or greasy substances in the kitchen pantry or storeroom areas.  Scent trails: Ants leave an invisible chemical trail known as pheromones for others to follow once they locate the food source.  Nest locations: They can nest about anywhere in and around your house; in lawns, walls, stumps, even under foundations.  Colony size:Can number from 300,000 to 500,000 and whole colonies can uproot and relocate quickly when threatened.  Nature's way of protecting the colony: With comparative freedom from natural enemies, a colony can live a relatively long lifetime. Worker ants may live seven years and the queen may live as long as 15 years.  Do-it-yourself ineffectiveness: Most do-it-yourself approaches only kill the ants you see, whereas a truly effective treatment will penetrate and destroy their nest to prevent them from returning. Also, home remedies don't account for the fact that different kinds of ant infestations require different treatments.
	Chinch Bug Dying or dead areas of a lawn can signal the presence of the Chinch Bug. Dry seasons tend to promote it's spread and damage to lawns. The chinch bug generally produces two generations per year after over-wintering in the adult stage in rubbish, crevices and thatch. The insect mates early in the season when the temperature reaches 70°F. The female lays eggs on roots, stems and leaves over a two to three week period. One female can lay as many as 500 eggs. The newly hatched bugs--tiny, wingless, bright red nymphs-- feed by sucking juices from roots near or at the ground surface. The young bugs turn black as they rapidly grow larger. After 40 to 50 days of voracious feeding, they reach the mature stage and develop wings. The adult chinch bug is shaped like a flattened black and white capsule and is capable of flight. It is about 1/5 inch. Adults of the first brood usually move to a new area before mating and egg laying. Chinch bugs do the greatest damage from mid-summer to early fall. The first generation starts to die in early fall. The second generation hibernates at the approach of cold weather in matted clippings and debris, or in loose soil near the root zone.
	Mole Crickets Mole crickets are the number one pest of turf in southern Alabama and Georgia, throughout Florida, and are spreading quickly along the Gulf Coastal region and Eastern Seaboard. Their damage appears as brown spongy areas within normal green grass. Upon inspection you will notice the grass has been eaten just below the surface, separating the plant from its roots. Mole crickets are especially fond of Bermuda and centipede grass, but have also been found in St. Augustine lawns in the Florida Panhandle and along the Alabama coast. Adult mole crickets are plump, winged and 1 to 1.25 inches long. They are seldom seen, because, like moles, they stay underground most of the time. They fly and mate twice a year, spring and fall. At this time you will find their exit holes of an inch or more. Mole cricket nymphs are wingless but look like small adults. The nymphs can become very numerous and cause great damage to your grass during the warm summer months.
	Cockroaches can wreak havoc on your home. To win the war against cockroaches, here's what you should know: Entry: Cockroaches can enter your home in many different ways, from the outside through cracks and crevices, vents, sewer and drain pipes, even in grocery bags. Ideal environment: Your home is an ideal breeding ground. With plenty of food, warmth, water and nesting sites, they can remain active all year round.  Reproduction: Cockroaches reproduce quickly. For every one you see there can be 200 more hiding and multiplying behind your walls.  Evasiveness: Because cockroaches are nocturnal, if you've seen one, you haven't seen them all. The few cockroaches you see by day were likely forced out by overcrowding; a possible sign of severe infestation.  Allergies: The dust created by cast-off cockroach skins, dead bodies and droppings can aggravate allergies, especially in sensitive individuals.  Do-it-yourself ineffectiveness: Cockroaches are better at hiding than you are at finding them, and their eggs are naturally protected from insecticides. Without special equipment, materials and know-how, it can be a losing battle.
	Sod Webworm There are several species of caterpillars called sod webworms that can be highly destructive pests. Damage to grass is caused by the feeding of the larval or "worm" stage. The adult moth does not cause damage to turf, other plants or clothing. The damage caused by sod webworms may first appear in early spring. The damage shows up as small dead patches of grass among the normally growing grass. The summer generation may cause general turf thinning or even irregular dead patches in late June into early August. Sod webworms prefer sunny areas and the larvae are often found on south facing, steep slopes and banks, where it is hot and dry. Heavily shaded turf is seldom attacked by the larvae. The most severe damage usually shows up in July and August when the temperature is hot and the grass is not growing vigorously.
	Spiders Few creatures are as maligned as spiders. Yet, for the most part, spiders are harmless, generally beneficial and bite people only when squeezed, crushed, or rolled on in bed. The bite of the Black Widow or the Brown Recluse Spider can be very dangerous however, and these spiders should be avoided at all cost.
	Since termites are a constant threat to your home, here are some things you can do during the year to help maintain the effectiveness of the Brooker Pest Control Termite Treatment Plan. What Can You Do to Help Protect Your Home? Small steps make a big difference. Start by eliminating food and moisture conditions around your home. These simple steps will deter termites, making your home a less attractive target. Eliminate Moisture Problems Repair leaking faucets, water pipes, and a/c units Divert water from foundation Keep gutters and down-spouts clean Ventilate crawl spaces Remove excessive plant cover and wood mulch Get rid of standing water on roof Keep all vents clear and open Seal entry points around water and utility lines or pipes Remove Food Sources Keep firewood, lumber, or paper away from foundation or crawl space Get rid of stumps and debris near house Place screens on outside vents Check decks and wooden fences for damage Wood on your home shouldn't contact the soil  Warning Signs: Some indications you may have termites include: A temporary swarm of winged insects in your home or from the soil around your home. Any cracked or bubbling paint or frass (termite droppings). Wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams, or in crawl spaces. Discarded wings from swarmers.