Rodent Control - Dangers of Rodents

In this video learn about some of the different dangers of rodents.

Facts About Bed Bugs That Will Make You Want to Burn Your Mattresses

You might think you know all there is to know about bed bugs. Creepy? Yep. Icky? You bet. But the truth about these creatures might just be more horrifying than the notions you have about them. Warning: reading this article may make you want to immediately stop and clean, or even burn, your mattresses.

Many people believe they're only active at night which is a common misconception. They are known to stay out of view during daylight hours when humans are active. What draws them out from their hiding places of box springs, mattresses, or even behind wallpaper is the scent of carbon dioxide that we breathe out while we sleep.

But they're even sneakier than that. The reason that many people sleep right through the night when bed bugs feed is because their saliva actually numbs the skin around where they bite, and so the feeding process is nearly painless. Often, you won't know you have an infestation until you wake up and see the telltale bites, generally in small clusters or in a row. On top of that, bedbugs can go extended periods of time without needing to feed, meaning death from starvation is uncommon. In fact, they can survive for up to a year without feeding once.

Bed bugs are also perhaps one of the most well-traveled insects. The ones that may be crawling around in the mattresses in Georgia may have originated from a motel in New York or a bed and breakfast in Colorado because they are easily transferred in clothing or suitcases. But they are extremely well-traveled within houses as well, and will find just about anywhere to call a home including your coffee maker, your toaster, or even your alarm clock can become where they decide to take up residence.

But there is good news when it comes to bed bugs. Even though it seems like it, they aren't the all-powerful and evil creature they seem like they are. Although it's extremely hard to starve them to death and despite the fact that they don't even die out in the cold winter months like others of their house-dwelling cousins, bed bugs are not indestructible. There are some simple and obvious precautions to take to avoid infestations, such as regularly cleaning your mattresses.

If you do get an infestation, you should be more afraid of the scams surrounding them than of the bugs themselves. For example, because of the way the industry is regulated, a number of products claim to be effective against bedbugs without proof, so be wary of certain labels. Likewise, insect foggers are ineffective against bedbugs and can pose more danger because of the chemicals and residue they leave in your house, or may even cause bed bugs to disperse, making your problem worse. The best way to deal with bedbugs crawling in your mattresses is the tried and true method: arming yourself with a fly swatter and calling pest control.

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Pest-Proofing Tips From Professionals

Spotting an unwanted pest in your home can ruin your day and cause unneeded stress in your life. Is it time to call in a professional at the sight of a spider or cockroach? It could be, but at a minimum it means you need to do some further inspection.

Depending on what you find, it is either time to call in a pro or for your to pest-proof your home. The following are the top pest control tips from professionals to get you started!

Keep Pests Out of Your Home

Your best defense is keeping them out in the first place. Your goal is to make it difficult for pests to find an entry point into your home. Check screens for holes, and repair if you find any. Check around your doors and windows for gaps, and replace window stripping when needed.

Here's a great way to inspect your home for entry points that you may not have noticed. At night, turn on all the lights in your home and inspect your home from the outside. Light shining through indicates where undesirables could potentially enter. Any openings will need to be sealed with a sealant appropriate for the surface it will be applied to.

Keep Your Kitchen Clean

A few innocent looking crumbs here and there on your kitchen counter or floor is more like a feast to ants and other insects. Be vigilant about kitchen clean up - wipe counters, sweep floors and remove the trash often and put food away immediately after eating.

Another place in the kitchen that can attract vermin is the recycling bin. Make sure to wash out all food containers before placing in the recycling.

A drawer used for storing pots and pans is yet another spot that crumbs tend to gather - make sure this is kept clean. A little extra attention to cleaning in the kitchen goes a long way towards prevention.

Reduce moisture in and around the home

Pests thrive in areas where moisture is present, so by reducing moisture around the home, you will be limiting the opportunity for them to invade the home. Some moisture reducing actions: clean out gutters, grade soil properly so that water moves away from the foundation, ventilate crawl spaces, and seal cracks in the foundation.

Pest-proof Storage Areas

Cluttered storage areas make attractive homes for mice, spiders, cockroaches and others. You can keep them away by regularly cleaning and reorganizing your basement, garage and other storage areas. Avoid using cardboard boxes - instead use durable plastic totes that cannot be chewed through.

Store Your Firewood Properly

Termites and ants are attracted to wood piles and can easily find their way from your firewood to your home. Firewood should be stored on racks above the ground and as far from your house or shed as possible.

Use Outdoor Lighting That Does Not Attract Insects

Did you know that the type of outdoor lighting you use can reduce the attractiveness of your home to insects? It's true. Sodium vapor bulbs will reduce the attractiveness of your home to insects and in turn reduce the number of predators that feed on insects such as spiders and bats.

Know When To Bring In A Pest Control Professional

Sometimes by doing it alone homeowners can mistreat a problem and make it worse. When a problem seems to be getting worse, it's time to call in a professional. Considering how important your home is for your family's wellness and safety, knowing you have an expert protecting your home is invaluable.

There are a lot of things a homeowner can do to prevent vermin around the home. Whether you choose to do it all on your own or hire a professional pest control service, keep these tips in mind to keep your home safe.

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Don't Let Your Bug Problem Get Out of Hand, Hire the Best Pest Control

Do you suspect that your home is playing host to unwanted guests? Insect infestations can spell serious trouble for your property and your health, so don't delay calling in a professional pest control service to exterminate and completely eradicate the infestation at the source. Not only are infestations unsightly, but they can cause you and your family serious health problems and complications. Vermin are notorious disease carriers and spreaders. Let's take a look at some of the vermin that could plague your home.

Ants

These little bugs are the most common house invaders. They come looking for food and moisture, and if they find a sustainable amount, they set up shop. Ants enjoy food particles, rotting wood, moisture, and other dead insects. Their size allows them to slide through cracks around doors and windows. Store bought ant traps are decent, but if you want to completely eradicate these vermin from your residence, it is essential that you properly identify what kind of ants you're dealing with. A professional exterminator is adept at doing just this, and they will deploy an extermination plan that will finally rid your house of these little guys once and for all.

Bed Bugs

These tiny insects draw blood from humans and cause itchiness and red marks. Luckily, bed bugs are not known to carry any diseases. They are often found in mattresses, but they are also commonly found in couches and other places that people sit or sleep. The key to eradication of a bed bug infestation is thoroughness. If you miss just one bed bug during extermination, the infestation will likely come back. A female bed bug can lay 200 eggs at once. Recently, bed bugs have shown a resistance to previously successful insecticides, so it is more imperative than ever to contact a professional for successful removal of these vermin.

Mosquitoes

Most people just consider these insects a harmless nuisance, but mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths per year than all other insects combined. These vermin are effective disease carriers, so it is important to always wear bug spray and be cautious in muggy summer months. If you have a serious infestation in or around your home, call pest control before someone in your family is taken seriously ill by one of these little insects. You can't always see or feel them, so extermination is vital.

Don't live in constant fear in your own home; call in the professionals.

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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.

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The Four Most Important Pest Control Tips to Protect Your Home

Many animals and bugs that a person finds around their home may be classified as undesirable pests. Several examples include ants, spiders, termites, wasps, roaches, and some rodents such as rats. A person that notices these creatures around the home should not take their presence lightly as they can be more than just a nuisance. These uninvited houseguests, while small in size, have the potential to cause extensive damage to property and can also cause diseases and allergies that can be life-threatening.

This is why it's important for a homeowner to consider several pest control practices to prevent an infestation. Critters will be less likely to be attracted to the home if garbage is properly closed off to them and disposed of regularly. A person can keep unwelcome animals from entering the home by sealing any cracks and gaps. As some creatures are attracted to water and moisture, a person should keep the home dry, cool, and free of any standing water.

Store Garbage Properly

Of course, a large portion of what you'll find in a garbage bag is leftover food and table scraps that were discarded after dinner. Unfortunately, animals such rats and ants are attracted to the leftover food, and they will shamelessly dig through garbage bags to scavenge for free and easy food. Keep garbage bags inside a sturdy a trash can, and keep it tightly latched with a secure lid. Trash should be kept a safe distance away from the home.

Seal Cracks and Holes in the Home

Unwelcome critters can easily sneak into the home through cracks and holes. Alternatively, if they find an opportunity to get inside the home through the doorway, they'll be able to search for holes to hide inside. There, they'll create a new home and breeding ground without the knowledge of the homeowner. As a result, creatures such as termites will cause damage to property and thousands of dollars in repair work.

If a person wants to achieve pest control to preserve their home or business, he or she should regularly check for gaps and holes. The cracks found on the outside of the home should be sealed. Any crevices around cabinets and baseboards can be sealed off with caulk, which can be purchased at a hardware store. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, steel wool can be used to fill spaces around pipes.

Prevent Standing Water and Moisture in the Home

Pesky critters are not so different from humans when it comes to basic needs. Like humans, they require water to stay alive. Termites are not only attracted to wood, but they also thrive on dampness and moisture. This is why it's highly crucial for a homeowner to eliminate any standing water, humidity, and moisture for maximum pest control. Homeowners should never hesitate to repair a leaky pipe. Basements, attics, and crawlspaces can easily become humid and moist, so remember to keep these areas dry and ventilated to prevent a potential breeding ground for ants, termites, rats, and roaches. Additionally, a dry and ventilated home can prevent mold.

Cleanliness is a Preventative Measure

A person can never go wrong with keeping the home organized and clutter-free. Need another reason to organize the basement or garage? It'll keep the pests away as it'll create an unfavorable environment for the unwelcome guests.

Animals love clutter. A person may see stacks of boxes and stacks of old newspapers and unused junk, but a rat would see hiding places and a potential spot to raise a family. Once they start to breed in these hiding spots, it will be hard to locate them and get rid of them effectively.

These four basic steps go a long way toward protecting a home against infestation.

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Your Guide To Choosing A Reliable Pest Control Service Provider

Being an owner of a commercial building requires many tasks. You need to ensure that the quality of the building is maintained. Damages and other ruined items or areas in the establishment must be fixed or replaced to ensure safety. You also need to make sure that commercial buildings are pest free since pests may affect the durability of your building and harm many individuals' well-being. With this said, it is important to hire experts in commercial pest control. And to help you in choosing the best and the most reliable service provider, check out the following:

· Experience. It is important to determine their expertise. This is needed since pest control services when done wrong may worsen pest infestation. Therefore, you need to be sure that you hire experienced experts. One way of knowing their skills is to visit their website. A reliable pest control expert has a page review of where previous clients can share their experience about the experts' services.

· Equipment. You also need to assess their equipment. Surely, there are a lot of effective equipment available in the market. However, you also need to consider the chemicals they use to eliminate pests. Some experts make use of organic pest chemicals to ensure that your establishments are safe. In addition, it can also protect the health of the individuals in your building.

· Availability. You also need to ask about their schedule. Some pest control companies only provide services from Monday-to-Friday, which can affect your business performance. With this said, you need to ask about their schedule and get a reservation as early as possible.

· Price. Finally, you need to ask about their rates. Luckily, there are companies that offer discounts for senior-citizens or military personnel. With this discount, you can obtain the best pest control service at lower rates.

These are important factors you should take note of before you book for the services of a pest control expert. Although there are a lot of options to choose from in your area, it is always best to go with someone with experience, has the right tools and equipment, always available and offers a reasonable price for the services offered. Getting rid of different types of pests either at home or in the office can be really stressful and challenging but with the help of the right people, it can be an easy job, cost-effective and with great results.

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