1 in 5 Americans either has had bed bugs, or knows someone who has. And the problem isn’t going away. It’s actually getting a lot worse.
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
7 Things You Should Know About Bed Bugs
1 in 5 Americans either has had bed bugs, or knows someone who has. And the problem isn’t going away. It’s actually getting a lot worse.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
How to Tell If You've Got a Rodent Problem
Older houses are most vulnerable to rodents, but it's possible for them to crop up in just about any neighborhood. There are often large rodent populations in the city, but apartment owners typically rarely see them since their landlords will typically take care of building maintenance, including unwelcome visitors. Rodents are more problematic to the average suburban homeowner. Here are some signs to look for to see if rodents are living in or around your house:
Sounds:
Rats are typically active at night. You might hear such indicators as the patter of paws, squeaks, or climbing sounds in the walls. Mice may also emit a little whistle.
Odors:
Rats and mice lairs give off a noticeable pungent smell.
Droppings:
Look for rodent droppings near your food supplies, i.e. kitchen cupboards or countertops. A variety of sizes may indicate an established colony with both older and younger animals.
Gnawings:
Look for freshly gnawed wood, indicated by a paler coloring than the wood around it.
Excited Pets:
Dogs and cats are sensitive to the sounds and smells of rodents. If your pet frequently paws or sniffs at the wall or floor in one particular spot, especially near kitchen cabinets or storage areas, it may be an indicator of rats or mice.
Actual Sightings:
If you actually see a live rodent, it's a good indicator that you have a problem. Rats are secretive and are usually only out at night, so if you see one in the daytime, it probably means there are enough to have forced that individual out. Assume there are at least 10 more rats in the general area for every one you see. It is important to note that mice are naturally active during the day, so a mouse sighting doesn't necessarily mean there is a colony in your house.
Sounds:
Rats are typically active at night. You might hear such indicators as the patter of paws, squeaks, or climbing sounds in the walls. Mice may also emit a little whistle.
Odors:
Rats and mice lairs give off a noticeable pungent smell.
Droppings:
Look for rodent droppings near your food supplies, i.e. kitchen cupboards or countertops. A variety of sizes may indicate an established colony with both older and younger animals.
Gnawings:
Look for freshly gnawed wood, indicated by a paler coloring than the wood around it.
Excited Pets:
Dogs and cats are sensitive to the sounds and smells of rodents. If your pet frequently paws or sniffs at the wall or floor in one particular spot, especially near kitchen cabinets or storage areas, it may be an indicator of rats or mice.
Actual Sightings:
If you actually see a live rodent, it's a good indicator that you have a problem. Rats are secretive and are usually only out at night, so if you see one in the daytime, it probably means there are enough to have forced that individual out. Assume there are at least 10 more rats in the general area for every one you see. It is important to note that mice are naturally active during the day, so a mouse sighting doesn't necessarily mean there is a colony in your house.
Thursday, January 23, 2020
How to Get Rid of Pantry Pests
Learn how to get rid of pantry pests in your kitchen using nonchemical methods.
Monday, January 20, 2020
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
Friday, January 17, 2020
The Advantages of Hiring a Pest Control Company
Pest control is of great significance in the United States and around the world. It is overall protection against having harmful insects in your home. To prevent costly damages, you should consider hiring an exterminator to get rid of these insects. When people hear about pest control and pest management, their first impression is the elimination of ants, fleas, cockroaches, or spiders. Pest management is more than that. It is a way to safeguard your food and your health. It is a significant way to control pests for your overall safety.
Call a Professional
It is important, then to hire a professional pest control company and not to try to do this yourself. These professionals have the knowledge, expertise and skill to control and manage spiders, termites and rodents. These companies are equipped with the appropriate resources, which includes trained technician and tools to handle pest infestation. If you want to protect your home against pests, especially if you have lived in your home long enough or you are moving to a new home, you should call a pest control company to be on the safer side of things.
Customized to Your Needs
Where you live is your castle and so it is vital to protect it from critters and invaders that try to jeopardize your safety. Call for the pest control army to take back your house. These pest control specialists will offer a specialized plan that is customized to your specific needs. The exterminator will take several things into consideration when giving you an estimate. They will look at the size of the home, the solution for long-term prevention and the intensity of your infestation. If you have a newly constructed home, you can have pre-treatments done to the perimeter of the home to keep pests at bay.
Maintenance
You can have regular maintenance done to the home as well to improve the chances and likelihood of termites and other pests taking over your home. The termite or pest control company will know precisely what to look for and save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
No Hazard
Trained technicians from these pest control companies are aware of the environmental safety of your property and health. Therefore, most of them are using the kinds of products that are safe inside and outside of the home. However, never assume that the company you call is doing just that. Be sure to ask the pertinent question to prevent any exposure to harmful chemicals in your home.
Conclusion
Of course, you can purchase bug sprays for use in your home, but most of them are hazardous and don’t do quite as good of a job as a professional pest control company would. Therefore, it is in your best interest to call an exterminator to provide guaranteed and professional services that you need, eliminating pesky invaders from your home.
Article Source: https://www.insectekpest.com/the-advantages-of-hiring-a-pest-control-company/
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
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.
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.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Common Myths About Rodent Pest Control
Rodents have been a pest control issue for as long as humans have lived in houses. Mice and rats can enter a home through small holes in the structure and take up residence in air-duct systems, crawl spaces and other dark, undisturbed areas. They're attracted to the food sources human beings provide and can contaminate a family's food supply with various diseases.
Over the years, many myths have developed about pest control for mice and rats. However, it is important to be able to differentiate between fact and fiction in order to properly apply rodent pest control methods. For this reason, here are some of the more common rodent myths -- and the truth behind them.
Myth: The only pest control you need for rodents is a cat.
Fact: While cats and dogs do chase and even occasionally kill mice and rats, most rodents can easily escape them by fleeing to small spaces where the larger animal can't fit. By traveling in air duct systems or hiding in crawl spaces, mice and rats can continue to infest a home, despite your pet's best efforts. In some cases, a pet can even attract rodents to your home. Mice and rats can feed from a pet's dish, or from food the pet has spilled.
Myth: Good sanitation will keep rodents away from your home.
Fact: Because mice can survive in small spaces with limited access to food and shelter, good sanitation won't necessarily eliminate them. It does, however, make it difficult for rodents to thrive in large numbers. When practiced in conjunction with baits or traps, good sanitation reduces the amount of food and shelter available to existing mice and can help enhance the effectiveness of regular pest control or pest prevention measures.
Myth: Cheese makes the best rodent bait.
Fact: While cheese can be used as bait for rodents, it's not as alluring as the media portrays it to be. Mice actually prefer fruit and seeds over cheese, and professionals from a pest control service will also use peanut butter, meat and even chocolate. In a dry climate, it's best to use a moist food as bait for mice, as they get most of their water from their food. Even cotton balls, which rodents use for nesting, can be used effectively.
Myth: The worst a rodent can do in your home is chew.
Fact: Many homeowners focus on the property damage mice and rats can cause, but this is not the most compelling reason to eliminate a rodent infestation. Mice and rats carry diseases and can contaminate food in your home with their urine, droppings and fur.
Myth: Rodent bait is the most effective pest control method.
Fact: Rodent bait is not typically considered as effective as trapping and rodent-proofing a home. Most rodent infestations can be dealt with by eliminating all openings through which mice and rats can enter the home and by employing traps to deal with the remaining population. Baits can be used to supplement these methods, but those who are interested in green pest control should keep in mind that rodent baits are poisons.
Myth: You can eliminate rodents by making your own bait.
Fact: Because rodent baits are poisonous, health experts caution against buying or using baits that appear homemade. Only use baits that are clearly labeled and have been registered with the EPA. Always follow the instructions precisely.
Because so many fallacies exist around rodent pest control, it's important to do your research and consult a professional pest control service. By working with an exterminator and taking a multifaceted approach, it is possible to eliminate rodents from your home.
Over the years, many myths have developed about pest control for mice and rats. However, it is important to be able to differentiate between fact and fiction in order to properly apply rodent pest control methods. For this reason, here are some of the more common rodent myths -- and the truth behind them.
Myth: The only pest control you need for rodents is a cat.
Fact: While cats and dogs do chase and even occasionally kill mice and rats, most rodents can easily escape them by fleeing to small spaces where the larger animal can't fit. By traveling in air duct systems or hiding in crawl spaces, mice and rats can continue to infest a home, despite your pet's best efforts. In some cases, a pet can even attract rodents to your home. Mice and rats can feed from a pet's dish, or from food the pet has spilled.
Myth: Good sanitation will keep rodents away from your home.
Fact: Because mice can survive in small spaces with limited access to food and shelter, good sanitation won't necessarily eliminate them. It does, however, make it difficult for rodents to thrive in large numbers. When practiced in conjunction with baits or traps, good sanitation reduces the amount of food and shelter available to existing mice and can help enhance the effectiveness of regular pest control or pest prevention measures.
Myth: Cheese makes the best rodent bait.
Fact: While cheese can be used as bait for rodents, it's not as alluring as the media portrays it to be. Mice actually prefer fruit and seeds over cheese, and professionals from a pest control service will also use peanut butter, meat and even chocolate. In a dry climate, it's best to use a moist food as bait for mice, as they get most of their water from their food. Even cotton balls, which rodents use for nesting, can be used effectively.
Myth: The worst a rodent can do in your home is chew.
Fact: Many homeowners focus on the property damage mice and rats can cause, but this is not the most compelling reason to eliminate a rodent infestation. Mice and rats carry diseases and can contaminate food in your home with their urine, droppings and fur.
Myth: Rodent bait is the most effective pest control method.
Fact: Rodent bait is not typically considered as effective as trapping and rodent-proofing a home. Most rodent infestations can be dealt with by eliminating all openings through which mice and rats can enter the home and by employing traps to deal with the remaining population. Baits can be used to supplement these methods, but those who are interested in green pest control should keep in mind that rodent baits are poisons.
Myth: You can eliminate rodents by making your own bait.
Fact: Because rodent baits are poisonous, health experts caution against buying or using baits that appear homemade. Only use baits that are clearly labeled and have been registered with the EPA. Always follow the instructions precisely.
Because so many fallacies exist around rodent pest control, it's important to do your research and consult a professional pest control service. By working with an exterminator and taking a multifaceted approach, it is possible to eliminate rodents from your home.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
What's Inside An Anthill?
When you look at a fire ant hill — or mound as it’s properly called — you’re actually seeing just the top of an enormous underground structure: the ant’s nest. Inside, a vast network of tunnels and chambers plunge up to 2 meters into the soil. Ants ferry their young up and down these tunnels to keep them at the best temperature to grow.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
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
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Top 10 Massive Insects That Are Actually Real
Do you like big bugs? Neither do we. But unfortunately, there are lots of big insects in nature. Whether it’s the Goliath Beetle, the Tarantula Hawk or the Giant Water Bug, these giant bugs are so big they’re scary! WatchMojo counts down ten of the largest insects we can’t believe exist in nature.
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