I am a member of Tweeters because of my interest in bird nests. However as a
25 year veteran of the pest control industry in Tacoma, a PhD entomologist,
and chairman of education for the Washington State Pest Control Association
I'd like to make several points in regard to the flicker discussion.
The primary carpenter ant pest in this area is Camponotus modoc and
it is not dependent on wet wood to invade a home. In much of the US,
carpenter ants are limited to wet rotten wood, but not here. In my experience
I have never seen flickers attacking homes for bugs, the purpose has always
been drumming behavior. I have never seen decoys scare flickers away
permanently. My best luck has been with a sticky material made as a bird
repellent that resembles tanglefoot. When placed where the bird pecks it gets
on their beak or feet and discourages them from coming back.
Any pesticide that kills ants is also lethal to spiders. If the
spiders aren't dying maybe its because they haven't been sprayed. Finally,
pest control operators are indeed required to give MSDS's to customers who
ask. The problem is MSDS's are based on concentrates and the products being
used are highly diluted.
For any who disagree with me, or if you would like more information
feel free to e-mail me directly. Meanwhile, I am interested in bird nests, if
you have access to some see my website below.


Terry Whitworth
2533 Inter Avenue
Puyallup, WA 98372
wpctwbug at aol.com
See my Website at
www.birdblowfly.com