Pests like spiders, termites, ants, fleas, roaches and rodents can be annoying, and they often cause damage to homes and other property. Some pests may contaminate food or transmit diseases to pets or humans. Consequently, pest control in Southern California frequently includes elimination along with prevention. However, while most people prefer not to have swarms of bees in their back yards or buzzing in their walls, bees are beneficial and perform a valuable service for us. Bees pollinate crops in and to flowers, and provide us with honey all while acting upon their natural instincts. Unless disturbed, bees usually do not sting, but they may cluster in trees and shrubs, establish colonies inside walls. While some people find this annoying, recent events have made it important to try and live and work with bees, not against them.

Currently, the world is experiencing a mysterious phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder. Beginning in 2006, bee keepers began reporting unusually high losses, between 30-90 percent of hives. Many of the hives showed no signs of known causes of bee death. Today, honey bees are disappearing across the country, putting $15 billion worth of fruits, nuts and vegetables at risk., not against them. Companies like Lloyd are joining in the movement to save bees, and support the environment in the face of colony collapse disorder.

Sadly, a recent application of a pesticide to control aphids on flowering linden trees in Oregon caused the deaths of thousands of bees along with other insects. Because of that unfortunate incident, methods of pest control in southern California are changing to help protect fragile bee populations. Instead of offering bee extermination services, companies like Lloyd are joining in the movement to save bees, and support the environment in the face of colony collapse disorder.

Providing bees with new, rent-free living spaces in friendly environments protects our honey-producing pollinators, an important part of our ecosystem and economy. Since  Lloyd Pest Control strives to be an ecologically responsible company, we will be moving away from bee extermination. Whenever possible we will refer residential customers to beekeepers in their area, so that the bees can be taken alive and allowed to pollinate and continue their honey production. If you need assistance with other types of bothersome and dangerous pests, Lloyd Pest Control is still a premiere choice for bee removal in Southern California.

The post Pest control shift toward bee protection first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.

A new reality TV show on AMC, “Immortalized,” aims to showcase the creative side of taxidermy. One contestant in particular, Petaluma, California entomologist Kevin Clarke, takes taxidermy to level most of us have likely never considered: insects on motorcycles (hilariously titled “Weevil Knievel”).

While most people have heard of butterfly preservation, the preservation and articulation of other insects may come as a surprise. For Clarke however, the interest seems to have been with him since childhood:

I was very cruel to bugs when I was little. I had this dissecting table, and I would sit and poke at them with pine needles. Play doctor.

Who can blame him, though? We were all mean to insects when we were children. That seemingly inborn animosity for most of use carries throughout our lives, but some, like Clarke, adopt a different perspective.

Clarke’s work, which can be seen at BugUnderGlass.com, runs the gamut from whimsical to educational but remain consistently, dare we say, aesthetically beautiful.

But as beautiful as some insects can be, it’s important that insect and other bugs are controlled to prevent residential infestations. Once bugs – along with the diseases they carry and damage they cause – breech the perimeter of our homes, we must take serious action. That’s where Lloyd Pest Control comes into play. Call us for all of your Southern California pest control needs. Or, if you have some amazing Kevin Clarke specimens to show off, call us and invite us on a tour!

Call now! 1. (855) 533-8022

The post Beetles Riding Skateboards and Playing Banjos? first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.

Lloyd Pest Control has proudly supported the arts for numerous years. Whether it is music, painting, or film, we see beauty in all creativity. Recently we have had the great opportunity to preserve a tangible piece of art history. Unfortunately the Aztec Brewery in Barrio Logan fell victim to one of the most notorious fall pest infiltrations. As you may have read in our previous blog post, the fall season undoubtedly brings swarms of termites.

In the 1930’s the Aztec Brewing Co. was a popular spot for tasting. The extravagant decor filled the room, creating a sublime atmosphere. The physical bar at the Aztec Brewing Co. “is the centerpiece of a collection of furniture, murals and roof beams that the city has been storing for more than 20 years.” When one of the art handlers “pulled the wooden bar out of storage they found bore holes, remnants of mud, and weakened wood.” This posed a large problem considering the bar was to be moved to a conservation studio in L.A.. Because it was infested, we were asked this past weekend to fumigate the bar. The project was a success and we were able to save a piece of history before the termites were able to inflict more harm.

Here at Lloyd Pest Control, we are the only ones in San Diego County to have a special fumigation chamber that is used for certain items such as valuables, antiques, or even vintage bars like that of the Aztec Brewery. It is unique because the customer can bring anything from as small as a stamp collection to as large as a couch or armoire and have it treated professionally. It is a safe way to fumigate single or multiple items without tenting your entire home. We also provide this service in the Anaheim area as well.

The post Fumigation Preserves Historical Bar first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.

I first became interested in entomology while working a summer internship at a state agricultural research facility in South Carolina. After finishing my bachelor’s degree in biology I went on to earn both a M.S. and Ph. D. in entomology from Clemson University.

What does your average day look like?

Some days I am in the field, perhaps a new territory. While out in the field I am really in problem solving mode…identifying local pests, trying new products, and analyzing our treatment techniques. Other days, I work from the office and identify rare bugs that a customer or technician may have found. Other days, I am training our service staff, perfecting our treatment protocol or even making house calls.

What are the biggest and most common pests in San Diego?

Ants, rodents, and roaches in that order.

What are the biggest and most common pests in Orange County?

Ants, rodents, and roaches in that order.

Fire ants are also a problem in Orange County.

What are the biggest and most common pests in Palm Springs?

Black widow spiders, crickets and scorpions are very common pests in Palm Springs.

Is Pest Control safe for humans and pets?

Absolutely. In fact, I use the same products in my own home and I have a young child and a dog. Lloyd follows professional EPA standards and everything is thoroughly tested.

Does every pest control company have an entomologist?

No, most companies don’t have an entomologist. That’s why Lloyd Pest Control  is on the leading edge of pest control in Southern California (and in the country). The company has made education, research and training a priority – which has contributed to its success over 80 years.

The post An interview with Dr. Eric Paysen: Lloyd Pest Control Entomologist first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.

The post “Find Your Voice” features Endoxi at University City High School first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.

1)       Bake three round 9″ cakes.  Chocolate is best.  But you probably already know that.  Maybe you prefer lemon, but that would be wrong here.  Cherry?  You are twisted.  Please send us a photograph of your finished product.
2)      Assemble the three cakes end-to-end in a straight line.  Regardless of your cake flavor, chocolate frosting is required.  We used dark chocolate frosting because we are very  health-minded and have heard that dark chocolate has antioxidants.  Seriously.  It’s true.  We read it on the internet.  As we were eating dark chocolate.  Trying to find out what “˜antioxidant’ means.

3)      Line up six sticks of thick black licorice.  We use Red Vines black licorice.  I know… we just blew your mind.  Red Vines are red.  But they also make black ones.  Use the black ones.  Do not use Twizzlers, because Twizzlers are terrible.
4)      Using a really tiny band saw (or a butter knife), cut half-way through the middle of each licorice stick.  This is so that you can bend the legs away from the cut, so that they appear segmented.  What?  Did you really think we would make a morphologically errant ant cake?  We are professionals here.

5)      Frost the licorice sticks.  It’s a little tough, but the darkness of the licorice is forgiving.
6)      Take your chocolate-frosted Red Vine black licorice sticks and stab them into the middle round cake as indicated in the illustration.

7)      Use thin black licorice whips as antennae (Don’t frost them.  It ruins the reception.)
8)      MOST IMPORTANT:  Serve the ant cake on a red and white checkered vinyl tablecloth.  This is for authenticity, and to make the cake taste better.  Children find it delightful.  Grandmothers find it disconcerting.

That’s it.  The whole ant-chilada.  You are now an ant cake queen.  Please send us pics of your cake being enjoyed.  And send us ideas for other bug-related food stuffs.

Bon ant-etit!

The post How to Make an Ant Cake first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.

Most recently, a Find Your Voice event at Farb Middle School featured local artist David Ryan Norgen and The Socialists, along with a student ensemble from the school, playing in front of family, friends, neighbors and supporters to encourage students to forge their own path and find their own voice.

How can you help AND enjoy the music of local, award-winning artists? Purchase a Find Your Voice CD for just $5, available online. 100% of the proceeds go to the San Diego Unified School District’s Visual and Performing Arts Department.

The post Find Your Voice Supports Visual and Performing Arts first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.