Sep 14, 2023 | Bed Bug
You’ve heard the saying “don’t let the bed bugs bite”, but you don’t fully understand how these bugs can truly impact your life. Most bed bugs are found in man-made structures rather than in the wild due to needing a host to survive. This is why weather has no impact on where bed bugs are located. Let’s discuss bed bug identification and how to properly handle them if you discover an infestation.
What do bed bugs look like?
Bed bugs are small, apple seed-sized insects. They are flat and oval with horizontal ridges across their bodies. They don’t have wings but can move extremely fast. They can leave mosquito-like bites all over your body and can become an itchy problem.
How did I get bed bugs?
Bed bugs are known as “hitchhikers”. They can easily latch onto items and travel long distances. These pests are found where humans tend to congregate and spend extended time, including public transportation, libraries, and hotel rooms. This often can make travel season the perfect time for these bugs to latch onto your travel items and follow you home. They can also enter your home through secondhand furniture, mattresses, box springs, and couches.
How can I avoid bed bugs?
If you’re traveling, be cautious of the hotel room or Airbnb you’re staying in. Once you arrive at your destination, inspect places where bed bugs can hide, looking for live insects, blood stains, and eggs throughout your room.
When returning from your trip, unpack your luggage outside instead of bringing it inside. Wash your clothing right away and be sure to use the dryer. High heat will eliminate any potential hitchhikers.
I have bed bugs, what now?
If you’ve spotted signs of bed bugs or seen live bugs in your home, act fast to contact your local pest control company to get rid of them. These professionals will give your home an in-depth inspection and then implement the best treatment and bed bug control plan customized for your home.
Aug 29, 2023 | Uncategorized
While silverfish are harmless to humans, if infested, they can become a huge nuisance to your home! These pests are prevalent in North Carolina homes. Once they get inside, it’s hard to eliminate them as they can live up to 3 years and reproduce frequently. Learn more about these common household pests and how you can prevent silverfish below.
Why Silverfish Infest
These pests look to our homes mainly for food sources and a warm place to inhabit. They tend to eat sugary substances and will eat books, wallpaper, shirts, clothes, and even photographs! They will also look to lay their eggs in an environment they thrive in, seeking out dark, moist hidden areas of homes, such as our basements or attics.
How to Prevent Silverfish
Silverfish are known to rapidly reproduce, making it harder to get rid of if you do end up spotting these creatures inside. Luckily, there are some easy do-it-yourself preventative measures to place throughout your home.
- Keep dry food in your pantry with tightly sealed containers
- Dust your home often as certain particles can contain starches
- Store your clothes in a dry environment
- Utilize caulk to seal cracks, holes, or openings
- Consider investing in a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity inside your home
- Remove piles of brush, old plants, wood, and leaves
How to Eliminate Silverfish
Even after you’ve placed preventative measures throughout your home and they are still infesting, it could be time for some professional help. Your local pest control company will be able to set you up with a comprehensive treatment and prevention plan.
Aug 15, 2023 | Mosquito
This is the time of the year when you should be enjoying backyard barbecues, pool parties, and lazy afternoons spent basking in the sun. However, along with all the joys of the season, there’s an unwanted visitor that tends to steal the spotlight: mosquitoes!
Mosquito season in North Carolina typically runs from April – October, with the arrival of cooler weather. So, there are still a couple of months left to deal with these pesky pests. Let’s go over what you can do to make it through the rest of the season:
- Apply mosquito repellants: when spending time outdoors, apply a mosquito repellant containing DEET to any exposed skin.
- Consider fans for outdoor use: Mosquitoes are known to be weak fliers, so creating airflow with fans can make it difficult for them to approach you.
- Remove standing water: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so eliminating any potential breeding grounds is crucial. Regularly check your yard for any containers, such as buckets, flowerpots, or bird baths, that may collect rainwater.
- Consult professionals: If you’re dealing with a severe mosquito problem that persists despite your efforts, it may be worth contacting your local pest control company. They can assess your yard, identify potential breeding sites, and provide effective solutions tailored to your specific situation.
Jul 26, 2023 | Pest Control
North Carolina is home to a variety of stinging pests, including wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and fire ants. These pests can turn into a problem during the summer months, as they are more active and likely to sting. In this blog, you will discover the several types of stinging pests found in your area and the ways you can prevent them from stinging you!
Types of Stinging Pests in North Carolina:
- Wasps: Wasps are a type of stinging insect that can be identified by their thin waist and long, slender wings. They build paper nests in trees, bushes, and under the eaves of buildings.
- Hornets: Hornets are like wasps but are larger and more aggressive. They build paper nests that are typically found high up in trees or on buildings.
- Yellow jackets: Yellow jackets are a type of wasp that are easily recognized by their black and yellow striped bodies. They build underground nests and are often found near garbage cans or other food sources.
- Fire ants: Fire ants are known to sting multiple times if they feel threatened. These ants are usually found in large mounds in open areas like lawns and fields.
Preventing Stings from Stinging Pests:
- Avoid provoking stinging pests: The best way to prevent stings from stinging pests is to avoid provoking them. Try not to swat at them or disturb their nests.
- Wear protective clothing: If you are going to be in an area where stinging pests are common, wear protective clothing like long pants and sleeves, closed-toe shoes, and gloves.
- Keep food and garbage covered: Stinging pests are attracted to food and garbage. To prevent them from being attracted to your home, keep your food and garbage covered.
If you do experience a problem with stinging pests, consider contacting your local pest control company for an effective treatment.
Jul 19, 2023 | Termite Control
Subterranean termites are a common type of termite that can cause significant damage to your home if left untreated. These termites typically live underground and build their nests in the soil. There are several termite treatment options out there to help keep termites under control, including the Sentricon Always Active® system. Here is more information on subterranean termites, along with ways to prevent and eliminate them.
Signs of Subterranean Termites:
- Presence of mud tubes: Subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel from their nest to their food source, which is typically wood. These tubes can be found along your home’s foundation or walls.
- Damaged wood: Subterranean termites can cause significant damage to wood and other building materials. Look for wood that appears hollowed out or damaged.
- Presence of swarmers: Subterranean termites will often swarm during the spring or early summer months. Look for winged termites or termite swarmers around your home or inside your home.
Benefits of the Sentricon® Always Active Termite Baiting System:
- Effective at preventing subterranean termite infestations by using bait designed to attract termites. Once the termites consume the bait, it will be shared with the rest of the colony, leading to the colony’s demise.
- Creates a protective barrier around your home by being installed in the ground around your home’s perimeter and checked regularly by a pest control professional. If termite activity is detected, the bait will be replaced to ensure that the colony is eliminated.
- The baiting system is environmentally friendly and does not require the usage of harsh chemicals, making it family- and pet-friendly.
Remember to look out for signs of termite activity, such as the presence of mud tubes or damaged wood, and schedule regular inspections with your local pest control company to catch any infestations early.
