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.
Jun 26, 2023 | Pest Control
Being a pet owner in North Carolina means you’re probably familiar with the annoyance of fleas and ticks. These pesky pests can not only cause discomfort for your furry friends, but they can also transmit diseases to both pets and humans. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep fleas and ticks at bay. Here are some tips:
- Keep Your Lawn Trimmed: Fleas and ticks thrive in tall grass and vegetation, so keeping your lawn trimmed is an important step in preventing their presence around your home. Make sure to mow your lawn regularly and keep any bushes or shrubs trimmed.
- Use Flea and Tick Preventatives: There are many flea and tick preventatives available on the market, including topical treatments and collars for pets. These can be highly effective in preventing flea and tick infestations. Make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging and apply the preventative as directed.
- Check Your Pets Regularly: Even with preventatives, it’s important to check your pets regularly for fleas and ticks. Look for any signs of fleas, such as excessive scratching or small black specks in your pet’s fur. For ticks, make sure to check areas like the ears, between the toes, and under the tail.
- Vacuum Your Home: Fleas can lay eggs in carpets and other areas of your home, so vacuuming regularly is an important step in preventing an infestation. Make sure to empty the vacuum bag or canister outside to prevent any fleas from escaping back into your home.
- Keep Wildlife Away: Wildlife, such as deer and rodents, can carry fleas and ticks into your yard. Make sure to keep any food sources, like bird feeders, away from your home and use fencing to keep larger animals out.
- Hire a Professional Pest Control Service: If you’re struggling with a flea or tick infestation, it’s best to call in the professionals. A pest control service can help you identify the source of the problem and develop a plan to eliminate the pests.
Jun 19, 2023 | Pest Control
Ants are a common household pest that can quickly become a nuisance if they enter your kitchen or home. Not only are they a nuisance, but they can also contaminate your food and surfaces.
There are many different types of ants, but some of the most common ones found in kitchens include Argentine ants, carpenter ants, and odorous house ants. Argentine ants are small and brown, while carpenter ants are larger and can cause damage to wood structures. Odorous house ants are small and black and emit a strong odor when crushed.
Here are some quick and easy ways to prevent ants from entering your home:
Keep Your Kitchen Clean
The first step in preventing ants from entering your kitchen is to keep it clean. Ants are attracted to food crumbs and spills, so be sure to wipe down your countertops and sweep or vacuum your floors regularly. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight, as this can also attract ants.
Store Food Properly
Ants can easily access food that is left out in the open, so be sure to store your food properly. Keep your food in airtight containers, and store sweet or sticky foods such as honey and syrup in the refrigerator. Clean up any spills or crumbs immediately to avoid attracting ants.
Seal Entry Points
Ants can enter your home through small cracks and gaps in your walls, floors, and windows. To prevent ants from entering your kitchen, seal any entry points using caulk or weather stripping.
Use Natural Remedies
There are several natural remedies that can help deter ants from entering your kitchen. Consider sprinkling cinnamon or cayenne pepper around the perimeter of your kitchen to repel ants. You can also use vinegar or lemon juice to wipe down your countertops and floors, as the acidic scent will deter ants.
Call a Professional
If you have tried these do-it-yourself methods and still have an ant infestation in your kitchen, it may be time to call your local professional pest control company. These professionals can identify the source of the infestation and use safe and effective methods to eliminate ants from your home.
May 24, 2023 | Mosquito
Mosquito season is here, but it’s not too late to get prepared! Besides being annoying, mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases to both humans and pets. Here are some quick and simple DIY tips to get prepared for mosquito season.
Clean your Gutters
With all this rain and wind happening lately, it’s probably safe to say you have accumulated some leaves and sticks in your gutters. Even those with guards in place can accumulate debris. It’s important to get all debris removed from gutters as it can cause the drainage to slow leaving enough standing water for mosquitoes to breed.
Remove Standing Water
You’ve handled the standing water in your gutters, but have you checked throughout your yard for any other potential trouble spots? Here are some common areas and items standing water can be found in your yard:
- Pet bowls
- Old tires
- Low-lying ground
- Plastic sheeting
- Trashcan lids
- AC drip pans
Use Mosquito-Repelling Plants
There are certain plants and flowers that can help deter mosquitoes. You may already have some in your garden, but if not, here are some that you can add:
- Citronella
- Lavender
- Marigold
- Basil
- Rosemary
Fighting mosquitoes can seem like a never-ending battle, even after you’ve placed preventative measures around your home. Consider reaching out to your local pest control company for more information on professional mosquito control services.
May 10, 2023 | Pest Control
Cockroaches are one of the most common household pests found in homes. They are known for their hardiness and ability to survive in a variety of environments, making them difficult to get rid of once they’ve invaded your home. Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of cockroaches found in our area.
Types of Cockroaches Found in North Carolina Homes:
- American Cockroach: These are the largest of the common household roaches, measuring up to two inches in length. They are reddish-brown and have wings that enable them to fly short distances.
- German Cockroach: These are the most common household roaches, measuring up to half an inch in length. They are light brown with two stripes on their backs.
- Oriental Cockroach: These are also known as water bugs and are typically found in damp environments. They are black and measure up to one inch in length.
- Brownbanded Cockroach: These are smaller than German roaches, measuring up to a half-inch in length. They are light brown and have distinctive brown bands across their wings.
Prevention and Treatment:
- Keep a Clean Home: Roaches are attracted to food sources and moisture, so keeping your home clean and dry is key to preventing infestations. This means regularly cleaning your kitchen, wiping down counters, and keeping food in sealed containers.
- Seal Entry Points: Cockroaches can enter your home through small cracks and gaps. Seal these entry points with caulk or weather stripping.
- Eliminate Moisture: Fix leaky pipes and faucets and use a dehumidifier to keep your home dry.
- Use Bait Traps: Place roach bait traps in areas where you have seen roaches. The bait attracts the roaches, which then take the poison back to their nest.
- Call a Professional: If you have a severe infestation, it’s best to call your local professional pest control company. They can help identify the types of cockroaches you have and provide targeted treatment to eliminate the infestation.
