Q. My son's fish Lollipop died today. While I was cleaning out the tank (for the last time!) I noticed a dead carpenter ant floating in there as well. I was wondering if that could have been what killed him and not just my neglect................. In my apartment they have put down some kind of pesticide. I find dying ants and some that are fine.

A. The ant itself would have been no threat towards the fish, in fact insects like this help to make up a wild Betta's regular diet. However, anything the nat may have come into contact with, could have contributed to the fishes death. Many insecticides are engineered to be slow acting, so the ant makes it back to the nest, delivering the poison directly into the hive/nest. However, if the betta's home was consistently dirty, the constant wearing of the ammonia poisoning his water, equals a slow death. In the future, a tank with a lid (the best option!), or even a simple mesh top can both help to keep things from the tank as well as help ensure the betta, whom love to jump, is kept safe inside. Best of Luck!

Q. What is the best company to control bugs in my house. Dallas area. I had some dude who owned his own company. He would come 2 times a year, spray, and I still had bugs . Mostly I have earwigs. or I think that's what they are. Black, long bugs with horns on their tail. any ideas how to kill them?? Thanks.

A. Mary try DE diatamaceous earth Household: Use Diatomaceous Earth for control of roaches, silverfish, ants, bedbugs, flies, fleas, box elder bugs, scorpions, crickets, and many other insects. Diatomaceous Earth can be used in and around the home, yard, animal housing, grain storage in silos and bunkers, etc. I live in cowtown next door to dallas and this is what we use Pets: Our best friends come in all shapes and sizes. Protect them with Diatomaceous Earth. When lightly rubbed into their coats it is very effective against fleas, ticks, lice, and other pests on pet dogs, cats, and their premises. It can also be used as an organic wormer and will kill any worms or parasites the pets may have. When using as a de-wormer, mix the Diatomaceous Earth into their food. Ask your vet how much for your size pet

Q. I need a answer to that and 5 examples of biological pest control and also why are the insects you mention in the examples are considered pests. I also need a comparison to the use of pesticide?

A. Letting bugs or bacteria or hormones to fight pests... like letting lady bugs eat aphids BTI is a bacteria that is used to keep mosquito larvae from becoming adults I think lacewing larvae eat ants....look that one up that's all I got. putting frontline on your dog would be a comparison

Q. I would like to get some basic cost for sprayed insulation for under my home. I do not have a basement and would like to add a layer of insulation to the floor space. Is there a cost per sq ft. that i could get an idea before calling a local company. Sometimes a gal can get a bad deal.

A. Hi Just, Ranger is absolutely, dead-on-correct about the sprayed (closed cell) insulation. Anyone who thinks fiberglass is the best choice for a cellar-less home better get used to freezing floors, insects EVERYWHERE and sleeping with mice every night. No other choice can even come close to the advantages of a spray-applied, seamless insulation. There are always pro's and con's with any choice, so here's how I see it: PRO's: -Value of your home will remain high or even increase, and VERY attractive to any knowledgeable buyers. -"Wildlife" will be DRAMATICALLY reduced. -Your comfort level will SOAR. -Because it's not being applied in an area where it must be "screeted" level with the face of the floor joists (like studs when sheetrock will be applied over it), it will mean MUCH less work for the applicators. This means it will cost less. Make SURE you discuss this fact with the guy or gal that comes out to quote the job so everyone will visualize the same job! CON'S: -Once applied, it makes changes/updates of the mechanicals (electrical/plumbing/HVAC) more difficult. Keep in mind though, that you can re-insulate the area(s) you've worked on with Great Stuff Insulation in a can. -Inspecting anything against the bottom of the home will be nearly impossible once covered. I suggest taking LOTS of HIGH QUALITY digital pictures of the under side of the floor before doing it, and mark important mechanicals well with long plastic wire-ties (White for cold water lines, Red for hot water lines and Black for electric) that hang below the insulation to make them easy to find/repair if and when it's needed. -

Q. I was quoted $500 to clean the air ducts in my 775 sq. foot condo. That seems high. Is it possible to do it yourself? If yes, how?

A. It does seem high, since they will do it in about 1 hour. Haggle with the guy, especially if he is the one doing the work. Tell him "I don't need a receipt, do you need $200?" There isn't any places that rent the equipment either. All they use is a vaccum, with a really long flexible hose and a 10 or 12 inch circular soft brush. You only need to do it if there is : 1. Mold 2. insects coming out 3. clogged (low flow of air) There are so many other factors to look at. Age of AC unit, type of ductwork, setup of coil and plenum.

Q. We have had gnats in our house for months now. Our exterminator has sprayed and fogged and is amazed by the number of dead bugs that gather on our window sills. After much investigating, we've discovered that the gnats are living in our vent system. They must be breeding down there. We've purchased felt vent covers as a temporary measure and are considering hiring a service to clean out the vents. Does anyone know if this will work? Why are the gnats living down there? These vents are under a slab and it is possible that there is a crack and some dirt got in--leaving a breeding ground for these bugs. If anyone out there has any ideas, it would be greatly appreciated. I can't stand living with these bugs anymore.

A. You say the ducts are under the concrete slab. If this is correct your ducts have moisture in the low spots that just sits there and breeds insects. Only thing I can think to do is have the ducts cleaned by a hvac company. If that's the problem it will happen again so have them cleaned often or have the duct work rerouted up the walls and thru the attic.

Q. My family and I have tried to exterminate a bunch of carpenter ants which have decided to infest my room. We are not sure where they are coming from, so if anyone has any ideas of how to track them and kill them for good, please let me know. Thanks.

A. Gas and a match

Q. I've found male winged-carpenter ants in one room in my house. I haven't seen any worker ants, but the winged ones come about 1 every 2 minutes. I'm wondering if there was a way to track them back to the nest. I've killed 7 in the last 30 minutes. Oh and would bait work on these ants?

A. This should be of help to you with more info on that. http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-get-rid-of-carpenter-ants-a228859