Two of the most common cockroach predators are toads and frogs! Both of these amphibians are known for eating insects like flies, but they also gladly welcome cockroaches. Because both frogs and toads tend to live in shady, moist environments, they frequently encounter cockroaches that also love the dark and damp. Many homeowners purposely include small water features in their yard to encourage insect-eating amphibians to live nearby. 931-707-9073
“Mud dauber” is a common name for wasps that construct their nests out of mud. Various species, such as open pipe and black-and-yellow mud daubers, are commonly found throughout the United States. Mud dauber are solitary wasps, meaning they do not live in colonies. However, there may be more than one mud dauber nest in certain suitable environments. Adults feed on plant nectar, honeydew and spiders. 931-707-9073
Chikungunya virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms of infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In late 2013, chikungunya virus was found for the first time in the Americas on islands in the Caribbean. There is a risk that the virus will be imported to new areas by infected travelers. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. When traveling to countries with chikungunya virus, use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens. 931-707-9073
The bald-faced hornet gets its name from its largely black color and mostly white face. They live in colonies containing between 100 and 400 members and are most visibly active during the day. This species usually appears in late summer and, unlike other stinging insects, will not reuse the same nests season after season. Instead, new colony members build new nests each season. 931-707-9073
Which Blood Types Do Mosquitoes Prefer? People with Type O blood are more than universal donors. They're also “tastier” to mosquitoes. In fact, according to a study, certain species of the insect landed on the skin of people with Type O blood almost twice as often as they did on the skin of those with Type A.
Natural repellants such as clove oil, citronella, lemon grass, eucalyptus, castor oil, peppermint, lavender and cedar oil all work to a limited extent, but almost all of them are less effective than the synthetic repellant DEET and they need to be re-applied more frequently. 931-707-9073
Whether it is a snack during a movie or dinner while watching the family’s favorite show, pests like ants and house flies are happy to join in as well and finish off any leftovers. Argentine and pavement ants have been known to eat meats, bread, oils and fats, while odorous house ants prefer sweets. House flies are a little less picky, feeding on a wide variety of human foods and liquids.
Cockroaches have been long despised by homeowners due to their creepy appearance. Cockroach pest control and management are important for health and safety reasons, because cockroaches are known to cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma attacks, especially in children. They also spread nearly 33 kinds of bacteria including E. coli and Salmonella. 931-707-9073
Other occasional invaders like ladybugs, carpet beetles and stink bugs can make their way into living rooms, which are typically located on the first floor, near the front door and tend to have multiple windows and other entry points. Ladybugs and stink bugs can usually be found nearby windows and doors, while carpet beetles will venture further into living rooms to dine on pet hair, dead insects and woolen fabrics.
Bed bugs, despite their name, can also be found in living room furniture. Known for being skilled hitchhikers, these bugs can catch a ride on clothing or personal items, traveling from places like schools and hotels right into living rooms. Once hidden within the couch cushions, bed bugs will wait to feed on anyone dozing off during a late-night movie. Remember, it is a person’s steady stream of CO2 that draws them out and indicates a meal is nearby.
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Camel crickets, named for their humpback appearance, will often invade structures such as garages when the weather gets too hot and dry for them. Camel crickets are also able to traverse environments using their jumping abilities and can wreak havoc in garages by damaging fabrics and clothing, no matter how high of a shelf they are stored on.
Known to infest almost all parts of the house, silverfish are particularly fond of garages. They either gain entry by sneaking under doors or by being brought in via infested items like cardboard boxes. Once inside, these fast and agile pests will feed on paper items, glue, clothing, and food such as flour, meat, and even other silverfish. An infestation can quickly grow, as females can lay up to three eggs per day, hiding them in cracks and under objects.
During the winter months, deer mice will seek shelter from the harsh conditions in garages. While these invaders will build nests in storage boxes and wall voids, they can even sneak into cars for extra warmth. Plus, cars have an abundance of chewable items – from food crumbs to wires – making garages even more enticing to them. Able to squeeze through holes as small as a pencil, deer mice can easily make a home out of any garage that is not properly sealed.
There are many signs of a flea infestation but the most common include scratching, hair loss and red bumps. You may also notice small black specks, which is usually flea feces, scattered throughout pet beds, carpets and rugs. Flea larvae is harder to find and is usually located in more secretive locations like behind furniture or inside the cracks of floors. These eggs are deposited on your pet by the female adult flea, allowing them to fall off of your pet as they move and dispersing them throughout the areas your pet lives in.
Feeding on smaller insects, house spiders have a difficult time surviving in modern day homes that employ effective pest control methods. As a result, they migrate to areas of the house that are more susceptible to pests, such as garages, in order to feed themselves. Once inside, they will get started spinning webs and laying eggs.
Whether it is a snack during a movie or dinner while watching the family’s favorite show, pests like ants and house flies are happy to join in as well and finish off any leftovers. Argentine and pavement ants have been known to eat meats, bread, oils and fats, while odorous house ants prefer sweets. House flies are a little less picky, feeding on a wide variety of human foods and liquids.
Little black ants are common in wooded areas. In yards, they nest under rocks, in rotting logs, and under piles of bricks or lumber. Indoors, nests are located in woodwork, wall voids, decaying wood, masonry, and behind facades.
Bed bugs, despite their name, can also be found in living room furniture. Known for being skilled hitchhikers, these bugs can catch a ride on clothing or personal items, traveling from places like schools and hotels right into living rooms. Once hidden within the couch cushions, bed bugs will wait to feed on anyone dozing off during a late-night movie. Remember, it is a person’s steady stream of CO2 that draws them out and indicates a meal is nearby.
Other occasional invaders like ladybugs, carpet beetles and stink bugs can make their way into living rooms, which are typically located on the first floor, near the front door and tend to have multiple windows and other entry points. Ladybugs and stink bugs can usually be found nearby windows and doors, while carpet beetles will venture further into living rooms to dine on pet hair, dead insects and woolen fabrics.
Did you know that rats and mice have teeth that continuously grow? They use their pearly whites (or maybe yellows!) to chew up various items for nesting purposes and to wear down those chompers. Books, papers, wiring, cement, brick, wood, and lead pipes are often prime targets for their destructive chewing. 931-707-9073
We hope everyone has a safe and wonderful weekend. 931-707-9073
This is probably the most interesting fact about rodents: they physically cannot vomit or burp. They have a powerful barrier between their stomachs and esophagus, and therefore don’t have the muscle strength to overcome and open this barrier by force - which is necessary for vomiting. On the flip side, one of the main functions of vomiting for humans is to rid our bodies of toxic substances. Rodents don’t have that same ability, and that is why poison is the most effective at killing them. 931-707-9073
Many people might not know this, but mice and rodents can swim, and a rat can tread water for up to three days. They can survive being flushed away or down the toilet, and can even return to the building via the same route. So if you have ever thought of flushing one down the toilet, just don’t. It won’t help you very much and you may just be clogging your toilet. 931-707-9073
Rats and mice are prolific when it comes to reproducing. Mice can have litters of five or six babies every three weeks and rats can produce litters 15 times per year. While these pests don’t live long, they don’t have to when they reproduce as much as they do. A single pregnant female rodent invading a home can create a large rodent invasion in no time.
To prevent stink bug infestations, experts at NPMA recommend the following:
-Seal as many exterior openings as possible using caulk
-Screen vents in crawl spaces and attics
-Use weather stripping to seal gaps under exterior doors
-Homeowners should also look to certified pest professionals for assistance with an infestation 931-707-9073
Although stink bugs don’t pose any health threat to humans, they can be a smelly nuisance for homeowners when they get indoors. 931-707-9073
EVER WONDER WHY YOU ARE CONSTANTLY SEEING EVIDENCE OF MICE OR RATS?? THIS 2 MINUTE VIDEO WILL HELP YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW THEY ARE ENTERING YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. GIVE US A CALL IF YOU NEED HELP FROM A PROFESSIONAL. 931-707-9073
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How Do Rodents Get Inside?
Skunks are extremely adaptable and thrive in many different habitats, as long as food and shelter are available. Because they rarely travel more than 2 miles from their established dens, a skunk will typically settle down within 2 miles of a water source. 931-707-9073
Believe it or not, mosquitoes do not simply die off during the colder months. Exactly how a mosquito survives the winter can differ by species. The mosquito responsible for transmitting Zika virus, Aedes aegypti, overwinters in the egg stage. As temperatures begin to fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, adult females deposit their final batch of eggs in water-holding items containing as little as a half an inch of water. The adults will eventually die, while the newly deposited eggs enter a state of diapause, a process that suspends their development during the coldest months. 931-707-9073
Competition among males to breed with a single female is commonplace, and breeding occurs usually twice a year: December-February and May-June. Often, but not always, squirrels bring nesting material into the attic. It's usually leaves and other plant matter. This is a good place to find a nest of baby squirrels. Look for chewed wood, and play close attention to electric wires, to see if they have been chewed and constitute a fire risk. 931-707-9073
Perhaps the most famous characteristic of the opossum is its tendency to play dead in front of predators. When the animal experiences intense fear in the face of danger, it seizes up and flops to the ground where it can remain for hours staring blankly ahead and sticking out its tongue. It’s an impressive defensive mechanism, but its effectiveness can’t be chalked up to the possum’s acting skills. Possums have no control over when they play dead or for how long they do it: The comatose-like state is an involuntary reaction triggered by stress. 931-707-9073
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A picture of a possum playing dead doesn’t really do it justice. To get the full experience, you need to be standing over to it to smell the putrid odor it emits when pretending to be a corpse. The smelly substance it secretes from its anus is just one more reason for foxes and bobcats to look for their dinner elsewhere. 931-707-9073
Dens are made in tree hollows, hollowed out logs, brush piles, abandoned animal burrows, and underneath porches and other structures. Skunks will occasionally dig their own burrows underground if no other shelter options are available. 931-707-9073
Once crumbs are scattered and food storage containers are left exposed and open, ants see this as an invitation inside of your home. Another word of advice is to carefully store sweet items such as syrup and honey. Be sure to remove any leftover, sticky mess from the exterior of the containers as well.
Controlling house flies isn’t an easy task. A good starting point is storing food in the refrigerator in covered containers. Washing dishes immediately after meals rather than leaving dirty dishes pile up in the sink is another proactive control method. 931-707-9073
Termite colonies in homes can be difficult to locate because most homes or businesses have wooden frames hidden behind sheetrock. This can allow termites to feed on wood structures for months or years without interruption or detection. 931-707-9073
The hiding spot may depend on the type of spider. Some spiders like moisture and are most often found in basements and other damp areas of the home. Others prefer warm, dry areas in attics, upper corners of rooms, or air vents. Either way, they prefer to hide in dark areas and feed on insects and other spiders they can subdue. 931-707-9073
Signs of bed bugs include:
Empty bed bug skins
Blood spots on bedding, mattresses, furniture or walls.
Prevention:
Beware as you travel. Check your beds in Hotels.
Wash and dry clothing before putting them away.
Inspect luggage before storing.
If bed bugs are suspected then place items in a plastic bag and place in sun for the day.
Bed bug covers can be purchased specifically for bed bug prevention or treatment. 931-707-9073
Mosquito bites can be quite irritating and very itchy. However, it is not just the itch you need to worry about; mosquito-derived diseases can make you, your family, and even your pets extremely sick. Spring is the time to start combating mosquitoes and reclaim your yard! Depending on seasonal temperatures, mosquito activity can last into October. We can help with professional mosquito treatments tailored to your home or business. 931-707-9073
When the sun comes out, carpenter ants seek food and shelter. These pests can cause structural damage to your home because carpenter ants make colonies in walls. Carpenter ants will travel far away from their nests to find food. If you do have an infestation, you may notice rustling sounds inside the woodwork or within the walls. You may also notice piles of wood shavings underneath wooden items. 931-707-9073
The sting from a Southern Devil scorpion isn’t lethal but it is painful. The venom is injected from the tip of the scorpion’s abdomen or “tail” as most people perceive it. The site will become red and sore and this can last for days. If you allergic, it can be a much bigger medical problem. Normally this sting is used to subdue prey like spiders and large insects but it’s also a pretty effective method of getting a person or domestic pet to back off as well. 931-707-9073
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There’s a long list of pests that can live in an overgrown lawn, from fleas and ticks to ants, snakes, and chiggers. Keeping your lawn cut to the height that’s best for your type of grass lets air and sunshine in, which helps keep the pest population down. 931-707-9073
Though rats are active year-round, their spring breeding is from April to June, and again in October and November. Rats can be a serious problem for both homeowners and business owners. Not only are they off-putting and disturbing animals to have crawling around your home or business, but they can also harbor and transmit a number of serious diseases. 931-707-9073
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE ARE HIRING A CERTIFIED CATEGORY 7 PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN. PLEASE DROP OFF YOUR RESUME TO OUR OFFICE OR YOU MAY PICK UP AN APPLICATION. MUST BE CERTIFIED CATEGORY 7. 931-707-9073
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE ARE HIRING A CERTIFIED CATEGORY 7 PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN. PLEASE DROP OFF YOUR RESUME TO OUR OFFICE OR YOU MAY PICK UP AN APPLICATION. MUST BE CERTIFIED CATEGORY 7. 931-707-9073
Characteristically, termite swarming happens during the daytime, especially during the morning of a day following warm, rainy weather. 931-707-9073
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE ARE HIRING A CERTIFIED CATEGORY 7 PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN. PLEASE DROP OFF YOUR RESUME TO OUR OFFICE OR YOU MAY PICK UP AN APPLICATION. MUST BE CERTIFIED CATEGORY 7. 931-707-9073
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE ARE HIRING A CERTIFIED CATEGORY 7 PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN. PLEASE DROP OFF YOUR RESUME TO OUR OFFICE OR YOU MAY PICK UP AN APPLICATION. MUST BE CERTIFIED CATEGORY 7. 931-707-9073
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE ARE HIRING A CERTIFIED CATEGORY 7 PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN. PLEASE DROP OFF YOUR RESUME TO OUR OFFICE OR YOU MAY PICK UP AN APPLICATION. MUST BE CERTIFIED CATEGORY 7. 931-707-9073
