How to Get Rid of Spiders

Spider Extermination – How to Get Rid of Spiders

The Poisonous Brown Recluse is commonly found in homes in the Midwest

If even after regular thorough cleanings, you still see a good amount of spiders in your home it is likely you may be afflicted with some type of spider infestation. Spiders love to hide in warm, dark places waiting for their next meal to unwittingly saunter by. These hiding places can be found in any nook or cranny large enough for the spider to crouch into, even inside shoes and clothes. As spiders flee the outdoor elements, especially in winter, they are able to find ways into warm buildings to start making themselves at home in your home.

Spiders are different from other pests, and a spider infestation should not be treated lightly. Spiders are arachnids, not insects, and hunter spiders often carry poisonous venom released through fangs. Even if a spider’s poison is not life threatening, as some are, spider bites are painful and can trigger allergies or other health concerns. Products labeled to kill spiders available in stores will, most often, only do so if sprayed directly on the spider. Spiders walk high off the ground on their eight feet which makes them difficult to kill on contact, and residual chemicals and baits often do not work well.

Keeping the outside of your home clean will help deter new spiders from coming in, but will not do much by way of ridding you of spiders already inside. A good practice you can employ in your home is to weep away dust and web build-up in the eaves and around windows and the corners of any room. Also, fill any holes you find and make certain all your windows and doors are properly sealed. Remember, a spider can enter your home through the tiniest gap or hole. If you suspect spiders in and around your home may be poisonous, be sure to wear heavy gloves and clothes that cover your arms and legs while cleaning. If you are bitten by a dangerous spider, or are unsure of the danger of a bite, seek medical attention at once. It is much safer to err on the side of caution concerning spider bites.

Professional spider exterminators are equipped to handle all aspects of a spider infestation. Not only must the spiders be eradicated and their hiding places flushed out, but spider eggs and the spiders’ food sources (other bugs) must also be killed to prevent them from coming back. You may wish to talk with your local exterminator to determine what steps are necessary to avoid infestation in the future. Also, ask your exterminator about types of spiders common in your area so that you will be able to determine the danger posed by the next spider you come across.

Click here to get a Fast, Free Spider Extermination Quote Today!

from → Pest Control, Spiders

Bugs Begone!

By Erik Braunitzer, and courtesy of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, agents for New York City Apartments.

With summer right around the corner, there are plenty of good times in store. However, there are also plenty of bugs on the way, and whether you have had problems in the past or you have never had issues before, this is a matter that needs some thought. The truth of the matter is that though bugs can be a big issue, preventing them does not need to be. Taking the right steps goes a long way towards keeping insects out, so check out these easy tips for keeping your house as a no-fly zone for creepy-crawlies of all types. Whether you are in the middle of a bug infestation or not, check them out!

Check it Out

When you want to prevent bugs from getting in your home in the future, it is important to know what you are dealing with. Check out where the bugs occur and what kind of methods they are using to get in. In some cases, you’ll find that there is a crack in the kitchen or the bathroom that doesn’t get looked at very often and that is now they are crawling in. In some cases, a small amount of caulk is all that is necessary to stop the invasion. The more you know about how the bugs are getting into the house, the more likely it is that you are going to be able to stop them from getting a foothold in the home.

Tidy Up!

When you want to make sure that you don’t move something and see a scuttle, make sure that you keep up your cleaning. Bugs of all kinds need cover, and you’ll find that if they can hide in a place, they will. This doesn’t mean that you need to become a neat freak and you don’t need to disinfect every surface before and after you use it. All you need to do is to wipe down the surfaces in your home on a regular basis and to pick things up of the floor. The more time that you spend cleaning your home, the less fun it will be for bugs to live there.

Speak to an Expert

When it comes to bugs, exterminators are the professionals that you need to talk to. They can help you assess your position, and they can also help you figure out what kind of solution that you need. In many cases, you can even get a free assessment from an exterminator just to see what needs to be done. Even if you can’t, however, you’ll find that some problems certainly warrant a professional eye. This is something that is entirely worth it, particularly if you are feeling paranoid about your bug situation this year.

Click here to get a Fast, Free Pest Control Quote Today!

from → Pest Control

What do Exterminators do for Ants?

Ants can infest a home quickly.

Ants can damage plants and vegetation as well as invade homes and buildings, contaminating food with their waste products. The common pharaoh ant is a suspected carrier of dangerous bacteria such as staphylococcus and salmonella, and carpenter ants can cause significant structural damage to homes, resulting in expensive repairs. Red imported fire ants inflict painful stings which can cause severe allergic reactions in hypersensitive persons, while Argentine ants can colonize an entire backyard. So, it is important to know how to get rid of ants in and around your home.

Because ants encountered inside the home are typically foraging for food, it is important to keep dishes clean, remove open foods and place them in well sealed containers, wipe counter tops and sweep or vacuum kitchen floors regularly. Also, it is a good idea to store trash containers away from exterior walls and caulk cracks and crevices around doors and windows. The good news is that preventive measures like these may help. The bad news is that ants, due to highly developed and complex patterns of behavior, are one of the most difficult pests to control. If an infestation is present, ant extermination can be a complex, lengthy and frustrating process for the homeowner, and the wrong type of treatment can often make matters even worse.

Different types of ants require different methods of ant extermination. Ants possess a sense of smell and can detect the presence of certain insecticides. They colonize in remote or hard to reach places like attics, wall spaces and air ducts. They are prolific breeders. A single queen can live as long as thirty years, producing millions of offspring, and there may be multiple queens in a single colony. Ant extermination may involve the use of liquid sprays, granules, dusts, fogs, baits and traps; however, correct identification of the type of ant involved and effective elimination of ant colonies are crucial elements of any successful and long term solution.

When preventive or simple in-home measures fail, it is recommended that you contact a professional ant pest control service. Trained, licensed exterminators know how to get rid of ants. Through accurate identification of the type of ant infestation, they can develop an appropriate and effective response. Professional exterminators know how and where to safely apply the right chemical products for a particular ant species, and they possess the equipment required to both access and permanently eliminate ant colonies.

Click here to get a Fast, Free Ant Control Quote Today!

from → Ants, Pest Control

How to Get Rid of Beetles

Get Rid of Beetles Before They Take Over Your Home

Beetles Devouring a Rose

Beetles make up the largest class in the insect world with approximately five million species. Some groups can cause structural harm to residences and businesses. Other types are more of a nuisance as they congregate in swarms in rooms, windows, or on walls.  Below we will give you some basic tips to prevent infestation and how to get rid of beetles.

Lady bugs, also known as the Asian lady beetle, are seen in every state.  These well known beetles help control small insects from harming trees in the summer; however, they become irritating pests in the summer and fall as they congregate in sunny areas. Lady bugs do not cause any structural damage but will leave a smear and odor if crushed. They also do not reproduce indoors. Carpet beetles are similar to lady bugs in appearance only. These insects are found in carpets, rugs, clothing, and areas like attics. They reproduce quickly indoors by laying one hundred or more eggs at one time. Like lady bugs, they also gather in sunny areas.

Other common beetles include wood boring beetles such as furniture, powder post, deathwatch, and ambrosia beetles. The larvae of these type of beetle are known as woodworms and can also cause damage. There are also long horned, ground, and larder beetles. Cereal or grain beetles are tiny, black bugs that enjoy infesting cereal, macaroni, flour, and crackers in kitchen cupboards.

Helpful tips to keep beetles out of the home include sealing all gaps, cracks, and holes in and around windows, doors, roof, and siding. Planting trees to provide shade to sunny areas of the porch, home, garage, and other structures will decrease infestation. Routinely vacuuming carpets inside the home is also recommended. Other methods include spraying insecticides or setting traps similar to Japanese beetle traps placed outdoors.

Although beetles do not carry diseases or parasites, they do reproduce quickly and become overwhelming to control. Many insecticides for home use are not very effective when dealing with a serious beetle infestation. It is also important to consider the affect of pesticides on pets and children. Beetle traps can help decrease the population, but do not remove the root of the problem.

Professional pest control or extermination companies are knowledgeable in how to get rid of beetles including the larvae which will take care of the problem for good.  These professionals address the insect and the point of entry to prevent future infestations so homeowners can enjoy their home without tolerating a wall of beetles beside them.

Click here to get a Fast, Free Beetle Control Quote Today!

from → Beetles, Pest Control

Do Termites Come Out When it Rains?

Termites Eating Wood

One of the most common questions consumers ask about termites is “do termites come out when it rains?” The answer to this question is yes. Of course, the termites won’t be swarming around the house while the rain is falling, but once it stops, they are often seen in thick swarms. The best place to look for termites is any area of the house where there is little light, especially areas that never receive direct sunlight. Termites prefer shady, damp places.

The reason termites prefer wet wood instead of dry wood is because it is easier for them to chew on. To put the idea into perspective, wood can be compared to cereal. Most people prefer to eat cereal with milk instead of dry cereal – it is much easier to chew. Termites do not necessarily need rain to make an appearance. They can be found even during the direst times of the year. Those who live in climates with defined seasons varying in temperatures will notice termites more often in the spring or summer. Termites may choose an area near an outdoor faucet, fountain or any shady area that often has lingering dew.

Prevention is the key to avoiding termite infestations. There are a few simple things that can be done that will not attract them. For example, treat all wood surfaces with termite-proof and waterproof coatings. This is especially important if the wood is exposed to moisture continually, such as under an outdoor faucet that drips. Try to keep outdoor areas dry. Do not set sprinklers to saturate the surface of any wood structures or a house on a regular basis. Termite treatments are a good preventative tool against termites. Be careful about what type of chemicals are used, though. Many commercial treatments are more harmful than helpful. Some may be dangerous to pets or small children; they may also be harmful for vegetation.

The best and easiest solution to get rid of termites thoroughly is with the help of a professional termite control company. Do-it-yourself kits, chemicals and treatments may be less expensive, but the damage they cause may cost more than simply hiring a professional in the first place. Termites spread when they’re not exterminated quickly. They may also hollow out wood beams and cause extensive, irreparable damage to a home. When termites are noticed, contact a reputable pest control professional immediately.

Click here to get a Fast, Free Termite Control Quote Today!

from → Termites

What Are Sugar Ants?

What Are Sugar Ants?

Sugar Ants on Candy

There are several different species of ants that are commonly referred to as sugar ants. True sugar ants come from Australia. However, pharaoh ants and pavement ants are also called sugar ants. This is due to their preference for sweet foods. These two types are common in North America. All of the species called sugar ants are small in size. They are also all known for infesting houses.

Sugar ants live in colonies and can make very small nests. They prefer to live in warm, dark places such as beneath stones, in between walls and beneath floorboards. They have the potential to create health hazards because they journey from unsanitary places such as bathrooms to kitchen cabinets. They have even been known to make nests inside of food.

How Can Sugar Ants Be Prevented?

Essentially, sugar ant prevention boils down to cleanliness. Sugar ants are attracted to food scraps left out; they are even drawn to residues, such as the sticky coating left behind from spilled fruit juice. It’s important to thoroughly clean your kitchen each night, removing any remnant of food from sinks, counter tops and floors.

Bleach is a powerful weapon in the battle to prevent sugar ants (as well as other insect pests). This cleanser should be used on your counter tops as well as on your floors. Sugar ants communicate with each other and navigate by leaving trails of pheromones. Bleach disrupts these trails; it also eliminates any traces of food.

While the kitchen is the main area of focus, it’s best to keep your entire home clean and sanitary. Sugar ants are skilled scavengers with an omnivorous diet; they’ll find any bit of food anywhere they can. Be sure to vacuum regularly, even in areas that no one sees, such as beneath your couch. It’s also important to be attentive to your trash cans. Sugar ants (and other pests) can be drawn to the food that’s sitting in your trash bags. It’s also easy for residue to collect on the sides and bottom of a trash can.

How To Get Rid of Sugar Ants?

While keeping your house clean is something that you can do yourself, actually exterminating a colony of sugar ants that is firmly established in your home can be quite a challenge. Various home remedies are not nearly as effective as professional ant control and elimination.  The techniques used by trained and licensed ant control professionals is the best method for getting rid of sugar ants for good.

Click here to get a Fast, Free Sugar Ant Control Quote Today!

from → Ants, Pest Control

What are Roof Rats?

What Are Roof Rats and How To Deal With an Infestation

A common roof rat

Roof rats are a species of rodent that cause severe damage to homes and transmit diseases and harmful parasites to people and animals. This is the rodent responsible for spreading the plague during the Middle Ages.  Homeowners discovering evidence of one roof rat are often surprised at how many have actually invaded their home.

Although this species is also known as black rats, they are more dark brown in color than black. These rodents have a gray or white belly and are 13” to 18” long from head to tail. They are different from other rats in that their tail is longer than their body. Weighing less than a pound, roof rats prefer warmer climates in states such as Arizona, Virginia, Texas, Florida, Arkansas, Washington, Oregon, and California. It is important to take preventative measures even when one rat is seen since they populate very quickly by having four to to six litters per year of four to eight pups in each litter.

Since these rodents need only a small hole to enter and exit, they prefer to live in storage boxes, attics, ceilings, and garages. Outdoor habitats include wood piles, shrubs, plants, and certain trees especially citrus trees. Although their main food is seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and grain, they have been known to eat meat.

Tips to keep these rodents out of the home include repairing any holes in window and door screens and sealing any holes or cracks in the attic. Fixing any leaky faucets prevents standing water which becomes a watering hole for roof rats. Trimming trees and bushes to keep them clear of the home will help prevent infestation. It is also important to keep lids tight on garbage cans and make sure no trash is lying around the yard. Leaving pet food and water outside at night also invites these nocturnal animals. Firewood should be stored above ground so these pests cannot climb in and nest within the wood pile.

Homeowners may try various methods to decrease the roof rat population in and around their home. It can be confusing to know which traps and bait to use, where to set them, and what to do with any rodents caught. Professional pest control companies or extermination services quickly and efficiently take care of any roof rat infestation. These experts determine and implement the best strategy needed for every level of infestation to the homeowner’s complete satisfaction.

Click here to get a Fast, Free Roof Rat Control Quote Today!

from → Pest Control, Rodent Control

Preventing & Controlling Mice Infestation

Mouse on a Kitchen Floor

Removing and preventing mice infestation is important when you own a home. Mice cause many problems when they are present in your house. They cause food poising with their fecal droppings, damage property in your house, and can deter people from feeling at home where you live. A house where mice run around would make anyone run away. This is why it is necessary for homeowners like you to exterminate mice once they cause problems in your household.

You may be wondering how mice infestation problems are prevented and controlled. You have to realize that there are many things involved in preventing and controlling mice from infesting your household. Not all of the preventative and control measures that can be taken should be done by you alone. In fact, the measures you can take on your own are limited in their effectiveness.

For example, sanitizing certain areas of your household seems like a good way to prevent mice from moving into your house. However, mice can survive with very limited amounts of food. A better way to prevent mice from getting into your house would be to have mice-proof construction.

You can’t construct your house to be mice-proof without help; a professional must do it. This is because you cannot foresee all the places where a mouse might be able to enter into your house. A professional can patch all areas of your house where mice may be able to enter. The professional can then secure these areas with materials that are resistant to the chewing or clawing of mice.

Also, keep in mind that most people aren’t even aware of how to effectively use poisons that will exterminate mice. This is especially true since mice take up to three weeks to die from the effects of poison. Effectively killing mice with poison is an active process that requires a professional to observe that the procedure is done right and can offer a permanent solution to your problem.

If you want to keep guests coming back to your house, then keep mice from moving in. Nothing keeps family and friends from visiting like a mice infestation problem. Trying to solve the problem on your own is ineffective, a waste of time, and a waste of effort. A professional is always necessary to prevent and exterminate mice the right way.

Click here to get a Fast, Free Mouse Control Quote Today!

from → Pest Control, Rodent Control

Dangerous Spiders

Arachnophobia, or fear of spiders, is a common phobia and for good reason. There is a large body of evidence about the dangerous effects of the bites of some spider species, as well as the fact that spider bites can be all too easy to come by, even while you sleep.

The most venomous spider species in the US Are the Black Widow Spider and the Brown Recluse Spider:

A Black Widow Spider

The black widow spider, found throughout the United States, has a neuro-toxic venom that causes intense pain spreading from the site of the bite to the abdomen, chest or the entire body. Other symptoms can include vomiting, loss of muscle tone, elevation of blood pressure, convulsions and, in some instances, death. Black widows are especially problematic in that they like to live in quiet places in garages and cellars, but also in furniture as well as in shoes and clothing that are not worn too often.  You must not try to deal with a Black Widow Spider yourself.  Please call a professional spider exterminator for advice and s