Rodent Control - Dangers of Rodents

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

Five Signs It's Time To Call An Exterminator

Most homeowners have dealt with minor pest problems in the past. The stray spider, the trapped fly, even the errant rodent are relatively easy to outwit. But when these unwanted guests join others of their ilk, they can prove a formidable foe. Whether insect or critter, any kind of infestation requires professional attention. Here are five unmistakable signs you need an exterminator ASAP.

1. Daytime Visits

Because most pests are nocturnal, they rarely venture out during the daylight. If you should spot a mouse, cockroach, or termite when the sun is up, there's a good chance your residence is infested. This goes double when the trespasser is an insect, such as an ant or cockroach, since rogue insects are often scouts searching for food; and where there are scouts, there's often a colony nearby. You might even be able to follow them back their home, which is often in a moist area like underneath the refrigerator.

2. Scratching Noises

Even if you don't believe in ghosts, scratching noises at night can give anyone a fright. More often than not, however, mice and other rodents are to blame for nighttime noises in your walls and ceilings. As we mentioned, these pests are nocturnal, which means they search for food at night. So all of that scratching and scurrying you hear is nothing more than hungry critters. Because rodents can multiply at incredible rates, it is important to contact an exterminator the morning after you hear nighttime scratching sounds.

3. Excrement

It should come as no surprise that pests have lousy bathroom habits. They leave their dropping wherever they please, hoping you won't find them. When it comes to insects, you might need to pull out your magnifying glass to spot them on your carpet or floor. Roach droppings, for example, are quite small and look a bit like ground pepper. Much easier to track are mouse dropping, which are, individually, about the size and general shape of a grain of rice. Because mice go number two several times a day (or night), their droppings should be easy to spot.

4. Strange Smells

If your home suddenly stinks, there's a good chance a rodent has died in some inaccessible space like the walls or heating ducts. The foul odor will not go away until the dead critter is removed by an exterminator. An insect infestation may also produce strange smells that can be overpowering in small spaces. Depending on the size of the colony, the smell may be somewhat musty or oily.

5. Bite Marks

If you have itchy red marks on your body after a good night's sleep, there's an excellent chance you're sleeping with several thousand guests. Bedbugs are pesky parasites that will feed on your blood for as long as you let them. Pest control professionals can easily eliminate these unwanted bunkmates in no time.

If you observe any of the aforementioned warning signs, contact an exterminator immediately.

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10 Pest Control Tips to Keep Pests Away This Summer

Nothing ruins a picnic like a line of ants. Nothing ruins a barbecue like a swarm of mosquitoes. And nothing ruins a morning like spotting a spider, cockroach, or mouse somewhere in your house.

Keep bugs and critters away from your home and yard this summer with these 10 best pest control practices.

1. Block Their Entry to Your Home
Your first line of defense is to make it difficult for pests to even find an entry to your home. Check all your screens for holes, and repair if you find any. Check around your doors and windows for gaps, and replace window stripping when needed.

2. Clean Your Kitchen
A pile of crumbs on your counter or floor is like a treasure chest to ants and other insects. Let them find treasure elsewhere - outside and far away from your home - by making sure you offer no treasure to be found in your own kitchen. Wipe your counters, sweep your floors, put food away immediately, and take out the trash regularly.

3. Get Rid of Standing Water
Getting rid of standing water is the first step to control mosquitoes. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and a big, fat invitation for mosquitoes to start a family. It’s easy to miss standing water sometimes, so regularly walk your property to check for it. Look in rain spouts, check for leaks near your air conditioning unit, and pick up toys left scattered throughout the yard.

4. Maintain Your Yard
Keep your landscaping maintained to avoid overgrowth that is perfect for pests and their nests. Trim bushes and trees that are near the house, rake up debris, and yes - you’re also going to have to weed.

5. Eat Your Fruits and Veggies
Don’t let fruits and veggies get overly ripe on your counter. If you do, the fruit flies will invite themselves in for a spell and eliminating fruit flies is a headache you don’t want.

6. Store Your Firewood Properly
Don’t give termites free access to your home. If you store firewood, keep it away from your house or shed. As far away as possible, actually. Five feet should be the minimum distance, but if you can store it even farther away, you’ll be in better shape. Also, store it in racks above the ground.

7. Don’t Throw Meat Outside Too Soon
Try not to throw meat scraps in your outside garbage unless the garbage will be picked up in the next 48 hours or so. The combination of rotting meat and summer sun could bring unwanted pests to your yard alarmingly fast.

8. Inspect Swings and Outdoor Furniture
Regularly check the chains and corners of your swing sets and outdoor furniture for spider webs and egg sacks. Remove them when you see them.

9. Don’t Bring the Outside In
Keep outside toys outside and inside toys inside. If you have to bring in a toy, chair, or table, thoroughly wipe it down first.

10. Use a Pest Control Service
Hire a local pest control service to come to your home and regularly spray for bugs and rodents common to your area. “As pest control experts, we can take inventory of your issues and create a personalized plan to keep pests away”, says Jason Revill with Spott Pest Prevention in Austin, TX. “A professional pest control company can provide more protection than you can on your own, and the peace of mind you’ll receive knowing you have an expert protecting your home is immeasurable”, says Revill.

While there are a lot of things you can do to try and prevent pests around your home, sometimes you just need to bring in the pros. Whether you choose to do it all on your own or hire a professional pest control service, though, keep these tips in mind to take control of your yard again and have a more pest-free summer!

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Proper Ant Control Is Essential For Their Extermination

When the weather outside begins to get warm, most individuals love spending time outside and enjoying nature with friends or alone. While this weather makes for nice outdoor experiences, most people are not interested in the little critters moving around indoors, especially in their own homes. With this change of season also comes the birth and hatching of new insects both large and small. In many homes and businesses residents and business owners are experiencing the burden of ant infestations and are relying on ant control specialists to help them get rid of these annoying little critters.

There are many different kinds of ants, some are small and some are large. Although ants are thought to feed only on sugar, they can also feed on many other things such as meats, dairy products and even dead insects and other dead animals. Once an infestation has been established it can be very difficult for the average individual to remove every last one of these pests. In the event of an infestation, it is critical for the homeowner to implement the proper ant control methods not only in order to completely exterminate all of the insects but also to ensure that they won't return again.

An interesting, and sometimes difficult to understand fact about ants is that they are a very communal type of insect which makes them capable of strategizing and working together as a team in order to do whatever it takes to sustainably survive in their chosen environment. Like all animals, they are attracted to water which means that almost any moist environment is an ideal place for them to establish where they will live, feed and also reproduce. Not only are they just annoying but they also attract other insects and animals such as cockroaches and even rodents. When preventing an insect invasion it is critical to keep in mind the potential places from which they can enter a home or any closed structure. Places such as doors and window seals are common spots for ants to access the interior of structures, as many of these places contain wood that may be damp and cracked. Although ants are small and seemingly harmless, many types are capable of biting humans, leaving behind annoying and even painful sores. They also have unique defense mechanisms and are capable of communicating elaborate attack signals. This makes possible their unique ability to swarm all over their prey, biting their victim together as a group which has the potential to even kill both animals and humans.

Like roaches, ants are highly resilient survivalists and they are able to sustain living in almost all conditions, even extreme temperatures. They are also capable of swimming in water and have highly durable exoskeletons protecting them from predators and enabling them to survive in almost any environment. The most effective ant control methods for the prevention of an infestation and for the extermination of an existing invasion are only available by licensed professionals.

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Best Ways to Prevent Pests

Nobody likes having intruders and that is what pests are. If it is found that your home or office is the source of easy food and a safe shelter where they won't be bothered, pests will have no problem making your space their home.

Pests are not only unpleasant to look at (after all since when is a rat cute or cockroaches pretty to look at?), they can cause significant and costly damage to your home or office and can cause unsanitary conditions that give rise to potential health issues.

The ongoing battle of keeping pests out is nothing new. Unfortunately, many people don't take any pest control measures until after they notice the damage or unpleasant evidence of pests. Sometimes, by that point, it can be too late and the damage already done.

Like other potential problems that can quickly get out of hand if not addressed, pest control is more effective and cheaper the sooner and quicker you take preventative measures.

A reactive approach to pest control can easily result in more time and energy than expected or desired. It is also more costly.

The reactionary approach to pest control also increases the reliance of unpleasant, sometimes expensive pest control chemicals and products. These products can have an unpleasant odor, cause serious injury and health problems if mishandled, accidentally eaten or used in an area without adequate ventilation. When used outdoors, it can kill or damage plants or grass.

Preventative Pest Control Measures

When preventative pest control measures are taken, there is a lesser need for harsh pest treatment chemicals.

Pest love to hide in areas in and around the home or office buildings that don't get routine, regular maintenance and upkeep. Occasional, thorough cleanings are the foundation in pest prevention.

Besides keeping the inside and outside of the buildings clean, here are some easy, additional pest prevention measures you can take:

· Keep the attic, basements and crawl spaces dry and ventilated

· Seal up cracks and holes along the outside of the home including those around pipes, utility entry points, around door and window frames and those in the foundation where it meets the ground or bottom of the house.

· Properly store and dispose of trash in a way that it is securely contained and keep it away from the house or office building.

· Keep trees, bushes and shrubbery well-trimmed and way from the building.

· Replace worn weather stripping around doors, windows and the basement foundation.

· Repair any worn or rotted building components such as siding, stairs or roof shingles.

· Store fire wood away from the house and make sure it is off the ground.

· Clean up food crumbs from off the counters, desks and on the floors. At home, don't eat in bed.

· Store all non-perishable food in a cool, dry place and keep it securely enclosed.

· Don't leave unused pet food sitting out and properly store any pet food that is not used.

If you are still concerned about your risk of bugs or rodents, you should contact a qualified, professional pest control team. They will be able to provide an assessment of your home or office and offer suggestions, advice and treatment if necessary.

Keeping your space clean, dry and well-ventilated, the landscaping well-maintained and secure storage of wood and trash away from the building are some easy and effective preventative pest control measures you can take. If you wait until you see pests, damage could already be done and you'll need to put in more time and costs into pest control than you would have liked.

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Bugs in Your Home? Tips from a Pest Control Expert

If you find a few ants marching along the wall in your kitchen, it may be time to call an exterminator. It can also mean that making a few changes to your environment will likely take care of your pesky issue.

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