Jun 9, 2022 | Mosquito
If you plan on spending any time outside this summer, there is a good chance you will get a mosquito bite. Once mosquitoes bite, they cause a minor allergic reaction. Most often, the skin will raise and turn red. The itch itself comes from the allergic reaction to the saliva. It’s an anticoagulant that the mosquito injects while sucking your blood.
So, how do you treat a mosquito bite?
- Wash the affected area with soap and water. You can also use rubbing alcohol to remove any excess saliva that is still on the skin.
- Apply ice to the bite as soon as you become aware that you have been bitten. The ice can help alleviate the pain and swelling.
- Avoid scratching. This will only aggravate the itch and prolong healing. You can apply an anti-itch medication to the area of the bite to keep you from scratching. You can also try home remedies such as applying toothpaste, baking soda, or Epsom salt.
Make sure to keep an eye out to make sure your bite doesn’t get infected. You can tell a bite is infected if it appears red, feels warm, or has a red streak spread outward from the bite. If your symptoms worsen, please see a healthcare provider. Also, if a bite causes a fever, vomiting, or shortness of breath, call 911 or get to an emergency room as soon as possible.
May 19, 2022 | Pest Control
Household pests are any undesired animal that has a history of living, invading, causing damage to, eating food from, acting as a disease vector for, or causing any other harm to a human habitat. While many are just considered a nuisance, some household pests can become dangerous as they pose a risk to health, property, and lifestyle. Also, household pests aren’t just limited to insects. They include arachnids, rodents, and wildlife.
While household pests can be found year-round, some are more common in the summer months. Here are four of the most common summer pests and how you can prevent them.
Mosquitoes
Mosquito season peaks during the summer months. Mosquitoes are able to reproduce in large numbers due to the warm weather and humid environments that accelerate their life cycle. If you have standing water on your property, you will most likely see mosquitoes since this is where they lay their eggs. Mosquitoes can be dangerous to humans as they carry pathogens that can cause serious diseases such as Zika and West Nile virus.
Mosquitoes can be prevented by:
- Wearing clothing that covers your arms and legs
- Eliminating areas of standing water
- Repairing or replacing torn window screens
- Applying insect repellent
Ants
Ants hibernate in the winter and come out in full force during the summer. Ants are usually seen indoors during the summer because they’re searching for food and water as these can become scarce for them. They are also building up their reserves for the fall and winter months.
Ants can be prevented by:
- Keeping your home clean, especially the kitchen
- Not leaving pet food and water bowls outdoors
- Sealing cracks and holes in your home’s exteriors
- Keeping trees and shrubs trimmed away from the house
Termites
Termite swarming season is in the spring, but these newly established colonies grow exponentially in the summer. Termites can go long periods of time undetected. This allows them to cause significant damage to your home. It’s important to keep an eye out for signs of termites so you’re able to catch them early.
Termites can be prevented by:
- Eliminating wood to soil contact around foundations
- Keeping plants a few feet away from your home
- Fixing leaks and eliminating any other sources of excess moisture
- Having an annual termite inspection performed
Flies
Flies invade your home in the summer months to escape the heat. While they only reproduce during the hotter months, getting indoors allows them to do so even more prolifically.
Flies can be prevented by:
- Keeping windows, doors, and vents sealed
- Using garbage cans with tight fitting lids
- Storing food in airtight containers
- Not leaving dirty dishes out
- Turning off outdoor lights at night
Don’t let these common pests ruin your summer. If you have a problem with any of these pests, contact your local pest control company. They will be able to help eliminate them safely and prevent them going forward.
Apr 13, 2022 | Mosquito
Just the thought of mosquitoes can be enough to ruin a nice day outside. They are known for being a nuisance. With spring here, taking the necessary steps to avoid mosquitoes is extremely important. Mosquito control treatments performed by professionals can help reduce these pests by targeting adult mosquitoes and larvae throughout your property. There are many factors that determine how beneficial these treatments are in helping protect you, your family, and your property.
Mosquito season typically runs from April until October. Warm season is a major factor when it comes to their activity. They are highly attracted to standing water and will usually lay their eggs there for survival. This is common for mosquitoes because they only need a small amount of water to do so. Once these eggs hatch, it can be difficult to try and control them.
If mosquitoes have hatched and are roaming your property, they can find their way inside your home. They are small which allows them to easily fit inside of holes or gaps leading into your house. It’s essential for windows and doors to have screens that are in good condition to help keep them out. If they make it inside, mosquitoes will search for a perfect place to lay eggs.
Female mosquitoes will bite and feed on humans and animals. This is because they require a blood meal to lay fertile eggs. The bites they leave can become red, itchy, and irritating for both humans and animals. Mosquito bites are also dangerous because they can spread viruses such as West Nile or Zika. To avoid mosquito bites, you should take precautions when you know you will be outside during the peak season. You can use EPA-registered mosquito repellants or wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
With mosquito treatments, a pest professional can inspect your property to identify the resting and breeding areas. This will allow them to eliminate these pests more effectively. These services are recommended monthly during peak mosquito season to help you have a bite-free spring and summer! If you are concerned with mosquitoes on your property, contact your local pest control company for a free inspection!
Feb 14, 2022 | Pest Control
Cockroaches are attracted to food, water, and warm shelter, all of which can be found in your home. They can multiply quickly and adapt to just about any environment, which makes them extremely difficult to get rid of. Cockroaches are dangerous to humans as they’re known to carry and transmit serious diseases, trigger allergies and asthma, and contaminate food and surfaces in your home. In order to keep roaches out of your home, the goal is to make it as unattractive to them as possible. Below are 3 tips to help prevent roaches.
Keep it clean
Roaches are attracted to dirt and filth because they provide a source of food for them. Keeping your home clean helps eliminate these food sources by making them go elsewhere in search of something to eat. Wash your dishes and put them away after meals, clean up any crumbs and spills, empty the garbage before going to bed, clean grease from your stovetop, and sweep, mop, and vacuum on a regular basis. Also, make sure you seal any leftover food in containers and don’t leave pet food out overnight.
Clear it out
The less clutter in your home, the less places roaches have to hide. Besides that, cockroaches love to breed in newspaper and cardboard. Keep your home as clutter free as possible. Make sure you dust regularly and use plastic storage bins instead of cardboard boxes when possible.
Seal it up
Roaches are able to squeeze through the tiniest of holes. They tend to get in through cracks around windows, doors, roofs, foundations, in attics and crawlspaces, and through vents and holes used for electric and plumbing. Inspect your home for any possible entry points and seal them up. For smaller holes you can seal with caulk, and with larger holes you can seal with steel wool or foam.
If you are overwhelmed and can’t get roaches away from your home, call your local pest control company. They can provide you with a thorough inspection to help identify what type of pest you’re dealing with, the most likely points of entry they’re using, and the most up-to-date treatment and prevention options available.
Feb 1, 2022 | Pest Control
Stink bugs are harmless insects that release a powerful smell that can overwhelm the senses. They are usually brown and get up to 1.7 cm in length. While they are not poisonous and don’t pose any serious health threat to humans, stink bugs can be a smelly nuisance for homeowners. The smell is often compared to dirty socks, and if a stink bug feels threatened in your home, it may release that smell and make your home much less inviting.
These pests often enter homes and other structures during the winter in search of food, water, and shelter. Luckily, they don’t do much damage to homes and will not breed inside. They do, however, tend to invade homes in high numbers. Once they make it inside, they may become terrified, especially if you get near them. If this happens, it will cause them to release their stink into the air.
Below are a few of the best ways to prevent a stink bug invasion:
- Seal cracks around windows, doors, electrical outlets, ceiling fans, and light switches.
- They are attracted to lights, so it’s recommended to keep outdoor lighting to a minimum.
- Repair damaged window screens and install door sweeps on exterior doors.
- Properly ventilate basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces to eliminate harborage points. Also, consider using a dehumidifier in these areas.
- Install screens over the chimney and attic vents.
- Keep branches and shrubbery well-trimmed, and make sure to store firewood at least 20 feet away from your house.
If you think you may have a stink bug problem, contact your local pest control company. They can help you identify any entry points they may be using and can help eliminate them.
