FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS IT TRUE THAT CENTIPEDES ALWAYS HANG OUT IN PAIRS?
No. Centipedes are predators. They eat live insects, lizards and sometimes each other. The presence of one centipede in the house may indicate that environmental conditions on the outside of the building could favor more of the same. Successful control usually requires exterior treatment.

WHAT IS THE LARGEST CENTIPEDE YOU HAVE FOUND?
We possess, unofficially, the largest Brown Centipede in the State of Hawaii. It's 7 and 3/16 inches from the tip of its head to the last body segment. If you find a bigger one, drymount it or freeze your sample. We'll pay $100 for a larger specimen. No stretching allowed! All entries become property of Mokihana Pest Control.

I SEE DROPPINGS AND WONDER, ARE THEY FROM A GECKO OR A MOUSE ?
Typically for most birds and reptiles, Gecko droppings are characterized by a white sediment attached to the dropping tip. Mice droppings do not have that characteristic. ok

IS THERE A WAY TO GET RID OF THESE GECKOS?
Exclusion by way of caulking will help with this problem. The backs of cabinets should be caulked as well as along exterior walls where eaves meet the wall, especially with open beam ceilings. Any opening or gap in walls or ceiling should be caulked to exclude gecko harborage.

IF WE SEE ONE MOUSE, DOES THAT MEAN THERE IS AN ENTIRE FAMILY?
No, however mice are prolific breeders so the indication of one mouse usually means that the environmental conditions are capable of supporting others. Hint: After catching one mouse, keep your traps out to continue monitoring the situation. Don’t assume there is just one mouse after catching it.

I HAVE DROPPINGS THAT I THINK ARE TERMITES. IS THERE A WAY TO TELL?
There are 2 types of termites. Normally droppings are more indicative of the drywood termite. Their fecal pellets are unique in that they are very sand like in consistency but even more uniform in size and shape than sand. They are so hard and dry that they cannot be crushed when placed in the palm of your hand and vigorously rubbed with your other thumb. The color will vary from light to dark earth tones depending on the wood they have eaten.

WE ARE BEING BITTEN BY SOMETHING WE CANNOT SEE. COULD IT BE SAND FLEAS?
No. Most incidences of insect bites are caused by organisms that are visible to the naked eye. Fleas require a host such as a dog, cat or rat. As such the most common flea that bites people is the cat flea. They do not spontaneously appear in sand without some connection to a host animal. For more information about the cat flea, visit: http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/urban/site/catflea.htm

IS THERE SOMETHING I CAN DO TO CONTROL FLEAS ON MY OWN?
For information on non chemical management of fleas, visit this site. http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/urban/site/catflea.htm#MANAGEMENT or go to our cool links page

I HAVE ANTS. DOES THAT MEAN I WON’T HAVE TERMITES?
No. Although ants are predatory on termites, under normal conditions they do not share the same environment . Infestations could occur simultaneously with both insects never meeting.

I HAVE FLYING TERMITES. DOES THAT MEAN I MUST TENT FUMIGATE MY HOUSE?
No. All species of termites have winged (flying) reproductives. Fumigation is only for drywood termites. Since subterranean termites also fly, it is critical to identify the particular termite so the proper treatment can be done. Collect and save the samples for a professional to ID.