Épisodes

  • When Flour Twitches: A Calm, Photo-Ready Plan to Beat Pantry Pests

    When Flour Twitches: A Calm, Photo-Ready Plan to Beat Pantry Pests
    Jan 12 2026
    A homeowner texts in a photo: a handful of flour dust that seems to twitch when disturbed. Mikey uses that image to open a short, reassuring episode that turns alarm into action. Listeners get a clear, photo-first identification walkthrough for pantry moths, weevils, and grain beetles, plus a prioritized inspection checklist that fits on a phone. We include a 60-second recorded listener vignette with a housing-manager who solved a recurring infestation, showing the value of exclusion and container upgrades. The XTERMIGATOR Pantry Photo ID Checklist in the show notes bundles: 12 visual ID snaps, the four immediate safe steps to contain and dispose, and vetted storage container links. The episode balances quick myth-busting, red flags that demand a pro, and a friendly safety-first tone so listeners can act confidently without chemicals.
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    6 min
  • Down the Drain: Telling Sewer Roaches from Kitchen Invaders and Stopping the Comeback

    Down the Drain: Telling Sewer Roaches from Kitchen Invaders and Stopping the Comeback
    Jan 14 2026
    A property manager reports roaches sighted near sinks and floor drains at night. Mikey walks listeners through the subtle clues that separate sewer-associated roaches (oriental/american) from kitchen-adapted species (German roaches): location patterns, droppings, grease smear placement, and behavior around drains and pipes. Dana explains why plumbing, dry traps, and shared drains create recurring entry points and how sanitation, moisture control, and exclusion interrupt that cycle. The episode’s IPM Playbook focuses on inspection of drains and traps, non-chemical cleanup, targeted sanitation of drain surrounds, sealing penetrations, and monitoring—plus clear red flags that require a pro or plumber. The XTERMIGATOR DIY Report lists 3–5 safe weekend actions listeners can do without pesticides. Tone stays practical and non-alarmist, giving renters, homeowners, and facility staff a clear route from confusion to prevention while reminding them when to call licensed help.
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    7 min
  • Eaves & Nests: Field ID, Proofing Fixes & an Entomologist’s Take

    Eaves & Nests: Field ID, Proofing Fixes & an Entomologist’s Take
    Jan 15 2026
    A homeowner wakes to a low, insistent buzz outside the bedroom and the hosts open with a 20–30s sensory vignette—porch floorboards, cautious footsteps, a gray papery nest tucked into an eave—then pivot into a calm, safety-first field clinic. Dana guides listeners through clear, photo-ready ID cues (nest silhouette, flyer behavior, activity timing) while Mikey cues ambient sound to help people ‘hear’ typical activity without approaching. A 60–90s cameo with an urban entomologist adds a concise myth-busting explanation of aggressiveness and nesting logic. The episode translates that into an IPM playbook with specific, safe specs listeners can use: 1/8-inch (≈3 mm) vent mesh, stainless or aluminum screening, warm 2700K or amber “bug” LEDs, plus prioritized weekend tasks. Show notes include a downloadable photo-ID cheat sheet and a secure form to submit nest photos for an expert Q&A slot. Tone is reassuring, checklist-driven, and focused on safe choices and when to call a licensed pro.
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    8 min
  • Ants on the Move: Why Satellite Colonies Turn a Kitchen Crawl into a Building Problem

    Ants on the Move: Why Satellite Colonies Turn a Kitchen Crawl into a Building Problem
    Jan 16 2026
    A homeowner notices fresh ant trails appearing in the kitchen after a brief renovation. Mikey opens with that quick field vignette and Dana walks listeners through how small satellite colonies form away from a main nest and why that changes your approach. The episode teaches clear, repeatable ID cues for common house-invading ants (where to look for trails, timing of activity, size and recruitment behavior), explains access points—wall voids, utility penetrations, and landscaping-to-foundation corridors—and shows how moisture, resident food habits, and temporary construction disturbances encourage new satellite sites. The IPM playbook prioritizes inspection, exclusion, sanitation, habitat reduction, and monitoring; the XTERMIGATOR DIY Report lists 3–5 safe weekend moves listeners can do immediately. Listeners leave with a calm, practical plan to stop expansion, clear red flags that require a pro, and a safety-first mindset that favors prevention over panic.
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    8 min
  • Stop the Buzz: Pest-Proof Your Compost

    Stop the Buzz: Pest-Proof Your Compost
    Jan 19 2026
    A neighbor texts a photo of a soggy, buzzing bin and a small gnawed hole—Mikey opens on that sensory vignette (the wet, sweet hum of flies) and Dana plays a 20-second clip from a municipal compost technician who describes the most common homeowner mistakes. The episode quickly identifies pest culprits—fruit/filth flies, soldier fly larvae, springtails, and rodent sign—and explains the ecological causes: too-wet scraps, improper food choices, poor airflow, and unsecured lids. The heart of the show is a concise, IPM-first DIY plan: three to five clear weekend moves you can do without chemicals, plus a 15-second low-resource option for balcony dwellers and tenants. Listeners leave with a one-line checklist to remember—“Cover fresh scraps, no meat/dairy, dry/turn, secure lid, monitor”—and an offer to download a printable one-page checklist and photo-submission guide. Tone is practical, non-judgmental, and safety-first so listeners can compost confidently without inviting pests.
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    8 min
  • Laundry Room Lurkers: Protecting Clothes from Moths, Beetles & Other Textile Pests

    Laundry Room Lurkers: Protecting Clothes from Moths, Beetles & Other Textile Pests
    Jan 20 2026
    A renter texts a photo of tiny holes in a favorite sweater; Mikey opens with that relatable moment and Dana goes full detective on what’s actually chewing fabric. This episode gives clear, photo-ready ID cues for common textile pests (webbing clothes moths vs. carpet/beetle larvae), explains their feeding habits and preferred harbors (closets, laundry baskets, stored wool, lint traps), and shows why laundry and storage routines matter. The IPM Playbook prioritizes inspection, sanitation, exclusion, humidity control, and monitoring; the XTERMIGATOR DIY Report lists 3–5 safe, non-chemical weekend actions listeners can do now to stop damage and protect seasonal wardrobes. Red flags (widespread damage, delicate heirlooms, multi-unit spread) and when to call a licensed pro are highlighted. Tone stays practical, non‑alarming, and respectful—helping listeners save favorites, reduce repeat problems, and know the next best move without risky advice.
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    7 min
  • Plant Detective: Rescue Case — ID & Gentle Fixes for Common Houseplant Pests

    Plant Detective: Rescue Case — ID & Gentle Fixes for Common Houseplant Pests
    Jan 21 2026
    A tenant texts the show a grainy photo of sticky residue on a fiddle-leaf fig and a dust-like webbing. Mikey opens with the scene; Dana becomes the plant-detective and sets the case file. We play a short, 20-30 second clip from an entomologist at the city conservatory to confirm photo-ready cues for mealybugs, scale, spider mites and fungus gnats, then translate integrated pest management into a prioritized, non-chemical rescue plan. Listeners hear three safe weekend actions—isolate and inspect, targeted rinse/wipe/scrape, soil-surface drying and repot basics—plus sticky-trap tactics and a clear decision flowchart for when to call a pro. Show notes include annotated ID photos, a printable one-page cheat-sheet, repotting step-by-step, sticky-trap purchase links, a sample script and certification keywords to bring to a technician. Tone: calm, reassuring, detective-sharp and action-focused so listeners leave with a step-by-step rescue they can complete in a day.
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    7 min