5 Fascinating Facts About Rats

You are probably familiar with rats because they live pretty much everywhere. But here are 5 facts you DIDN’T know about our furry rodent friends!

Pest Control: The What, Why, and How of Finding Reputable Services in Your Area

Insects and wild animals contribute to the spread of disease-causing bacteria that can be harmful to the health of your family. Pesky critters can also cause serious, expensive structural damage to your home. Protect your family and your home by employing a reliable pest control service and scheduling regular maintenance inspections.

Benefits of Inspections

Pest control experts provide a range of services. If your home hasn't had an inspection in a while or if you need extermination services for a specific nuisance, you'll need to call a provider for a primary inspection and request an initial estimate. Many service providers will do their primary inspection for free. After the primary inspection, your exterminator will work with you to rid your home of natural intruders. Once your home is clean, continue to have regular maintenance inspections to keep it that way. Regular building inspections can also protect your home from other structural threats such as dry rot, which occurs as a result of a fungus.

Types of Pests

Exterminators can rid your home of various nuisances, including cockroaches, termites, bees, ants, fleas, wasps, flies, and ticks. Many also provide wildlife management services for the removal of dangerous wild animals. In addition, inspections can also protect your family pets by deterring harmful fleas and ticks. Rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels can nest in your walls, and you need an exterminator's trained eye to determine the best way to protect your home.

Signs You Need a Specialist

Bugs and animals leave evidence that is easy to spot if you know what to look for, so if you notice any of the following in your home, contact a pest control specialist as soon as possible:

- Droppings or entry points
- Dead insects or insect wings
- Live insects or insect nests
- Gnaw marks or holes in wood
- Dried blood spots on bedding from bed bugs

Finding the Right Company

To find an exterminator, ask your peers for recommendations and do some online research. Online search engines can be helpful when searching for providers and comparing prices. Select an exterminator with an established reputation and good reviews, and remember these important factors when selecting a pest control company:

- Make sure the company you select is a member of a national, state, or local pest management association.
- Before entering a contract, understand the seriousness of any problem infestations. Costs can increase once an exterminator gets into the removal process and uncovers the extent of the problem.
- If your provider offers a guarantee, make sure you understand the terms and hold up your end of the agreement. Infestations can be tricky to get rid of, so make sure you're covered.

Use these tips to aid in finding the right exterminator. If you believe you have an infestation, begin contacting and comparing providers today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9154414

Pest Control - Find Out How to Prevent Infestations

If you are considering getting pest control services for your house, you should first think about what may have caused the bugs to be attracted to your home in the first place. Sometimes you can't help it, perhaps because they are just common in your area, or maybe close neighbors in an adjacent apartment have an infestation that carries over to yours. However, there are usually risk factors that you can prevent so that you are less likely to get bugs in the house.

You probably already know that garbage attracts unwanted visitors often. However, most people assume theirs is safe when it is put away, such as under the sink. If you have no lid or leave it open, though, you may still get pests like roaches, flies, ants, and more getting into it because they can smell it and have easy access to it. This may also lead to pests under your sink, eventually coming into the rest of your house. Try to cover your garbage to avoid this.

Make sure your house is sealed up well. Crawl spaces that are not well sealed, such as attics, and tiny holes in other areas of your home can invite bugs in. Some structures have holes or gaps that you cannot see because they are hidden down low under shelves or in linen closets, so inspect your house to make sure this is not the case. You will not only save money on pest control this way, but you may also save cash on your utility bills since less air will be coming in or leaving through the gaps.

Get rid of any wood piles or collections of old branches and shrubs, as pests can hang out in them. Carpenter ants and even termites may feel right at home in such areas, and can end up entering your residence or causing extreme damage to it from the outside. If you need to keep piles of lumber to build a fire, store them away from the structure to avoid making it easy for insects to enter.

In general, you can avoid spending money on pest control by following these tips. You may end up having a problem anyway if there are circumstances not in your control, such as an infestation before you moved in, but you will know you at least tried. Such tips can also help you in the future after you get any current infestations taken care of.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton

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5 Pest Control Myths

If you have recently become aware of a potential pest control problem in your home or business, you do not have time to waste with repellents or trap ideas that don't work! Taking quick action to deal with the problem and guarding your home or business against further invasion is essential in preventing a larger infestation.

Unfortunately, there are many old wives tales and ineffective DIY methods spread across the internet and social media. To help put some of these misconceptions to rest, here are top five pest control myths that tend to mislead consumers.

MYTH: A cleanly kept home will not have mice or bugs

Although keeping an immaculate home is an important way to reduce the risk of vermin challenges, it does not guarantee it. Bed bugs, for example, can be found everywhere from upscale homes to low-end hotels. The reason for this is that they are not drawn to dirt, clutter, or garbage - they are attracted to blood. Where ever people are living and sleeping, so too might bedbugs!

Therefore, whether your place is amazingly clean or overflowing with clutter makes no difference to a bed bug. Bed bugs can be brought home from hotels, nursing homes, libraries, movie theatres and more. You might be shocked and surprised by the top 10 bedbug infestation spots.

The only reason a dirty household would be more susceptible to a bed bug infestation would be due to clutter hiding early warning signs of a problem.

Mice are another undesirable that can be found in clean homes but they will need a food source before they will attempt to make your home theirs. So with this one, it does help to keep the home free of clutter and to eliminate all possible food sources.

MYTH: Professional control treatments are dangerous

The use of harsh chemicals is a thing of the past for responsible companies. Where stronger treatments are needed, the health and safety of the residents can be adequately planned to ensure there is no unnecessary risk. The majority of treatment options today, however, are completely safe for you, your family, and the environment.

Some companies are even offering green options for pest control that are less toxic to humans and, as an added benefit, are often less costly than traditional options that include pesticides. The focus of these types of treatments is on preventing rodents and insects from getting into your house in the first place, rather than eliminating them once they are already present. For example, a door sweep, which covers up the hole between the bottom of your door and the floor, can be added to a home to block off the tiny space that a rodent can easily utilize to enter a home.

MYTH: bedbugs are not visible to the naked eye

In fact, adult bed bugs are easily seen with the naked eye. The challenge is that they are nocturnal and they are good at staying hidden during the day.

MYTH: Ultrasonic repellents as deterrents

Ultrasonic devices are designed to use ultra-high frequency sound waves to drive vermin away. It seems like a great idea, but the problem is that manufacturers of these products have yet to support their claims with scientific evidence.

MYTH: Consult a professional expert only when there is a serious problem

Thinking that a problem will clear up on its own is a mistake. By the time you notice the first signs of pests, your home or business could already be infested. Don't wait until you have a serious problem before you take action.

If you suspect even the slightest pest control problem, contact a professional to get advice immediately.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9724953

Largest Spider in the World - GIANT Tarantula | National Geographic

The largest spider in the world is on the hunt. But is it as dangerous as it seems? It depends on who it's after.

See How Termites Inspired a Building That Can Cool Itself | Decoder

How do you cool a building without air conditioning? Using an approach called biomimicry, see how architect Mick Pearce harnessed the ingenuity of termites to design a natural cooling system for the largest commercial building in Zimbabwe.

What Can an Exterminator Do for You?

An exterminator is a professional to call when you are dealing with pests of any sort. The fact is any type of infestation can go from being a nuisance to being a long-term problem if you do not take care of it right away. The good news is that there are plenty of options available to help you with this. You should not put off getting the help you need to bring the infestation back under control, or even to get rid of it altogether. Do you think you need a professional? If you think you can just handle the problem yourself, think again. It may be more of a problem than you realize.

Find the Source

One of the most important things that an exterminator will do is to find the source of the problem. If you have ants in your home, they may be coming from the neighbor's yard. They could be coming from the woodpile outside your home. Once the source is located, the next step can begin. That is to get rid of the pests at this location so that you stop the infestation from occurring.

Pinpoint Damage

Did you know that many types of pests do more than just annoy you? Some of them carry diseases and can be deadly to come in contact with. Others actually do damage to your home. If you are like many people, you don't crawl around in your attic often and you may not realize that the mice have destroyed the wiring or the raccoons have gotten into the insulation. A professional can spot all of the potential problems so you can take care of them properly. Some situations, such as termites eating away at the wood structure of your home, can be extremely serious if left untreated.

Treat the Problem Safely

There are both eco-friendly and chemically based products on the market for dealing with pests. It is up to you and your exterminator to determine the best possible solution for getting rid of the problem. One thing is for certain, though: with the aid of these professionals, you can cut down on the risk of your children or pets getting sick because of the chemicals you are using. They will also handle the problem safely so that pests are kept away from you and your family.

No matter how large or small the infestation is, it is a good idea to call a professional to manage it. An exterminator can help you to get rid of the problem and find a long-term solution, and ultimately can give you your house back.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7373379

Why Cockroaches Are So Hard To Kill

Cockroaches are one of the most widespread and resilient creatures on this planet. They are practically everywhere around us, hiding in the walls, sewers, and perhaps your cupboard. They are also one of the most hated creatures by humans. If you are like most people, you will become determined to kill all of the roaches when you see them in your house. Despite such hatred towards them, how do cockroaches manage to thrive all around the globe?

Bed Bug Tips | Consumer Reports

These pests are more common than you think. Consumer Reports’ expert explains how you can protect yourself against a bed bug infestation.

How to Prevent Pantry Pests | Pest Control

Learn how to prevent pantry pests in this Howcast video featuring expert Jeff White.