If you want to discourage rats from entering your home, a good place to start is with your exterior vents. Install mesh backing on all of your vents, even those on the roof of your home.
When it comes to bed bug infestations, it s important to look for early signs so you can nip it in the bud. This includes checking your sheets and bedding for the bugs themselves or their exoskeletons, which they shed after molting.
Integrated pest management (IPM): Used by conventional and organic growers, IPM is a process that focuses on managing insects, weeds and diseases through a combination of cultural, biological and chemical measures.
To help keep your home pest free between treatments, take a few basic steps. Make sure windows fit tightly, caulk any gaps, seal all utility and pipe openings in the exterior walls and foundation, and screen or seal ventilation openings in the attic.
If you've inadvertently allowed a mouse to take up residence in your home, it doesn't mean you're a bad housekeeper. During inclement weather, mice like to stay where it's warm and food is plentiful. If your home looks accommodating, a mouse can fit through a quarter-inch crack or gap in a wall or foundation.
Cockroaches carry bacteria, but they generally don t bite. For many people, the most blatant threat comes from cockroach waste and shells that have been shed. They can cause allergic reactions and asthma-like symptoms in people who are sensitive.
If you already have a bed bug infestation, encasing your bed or mattress with a cover isn t going to help. While this can be a good preventative measure against infestation, if the bugs are already present, they will simply move to another location.
Bee stings can be both painful and itchy. However, if you have an allergic reaction, the sting can be much more serious. Signs of a bee sting allergic reaction include swelling and difficulty breathing. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical treatment immediately.
Carpenter ants are one of the most common types found in homes. Unfortunately, they also pose a serious threat, because they destroy wood and can cause thousands of dollars of damage. If you suspect a carpenter ant infestation, call an exterminator immediately.
Did you know that roaches with wings don t develop those wings until adulthood? The common American roach multiplies at a fairly prolific rate. The average female is capable of giving birth to about 150 offspring in an average year.
If you see a small number of bees around certain areas of your home or business, it is an indication that a hive has begun. Once a location is found, they begin creating the hive immediately and can begin producing honey within three days.
One common myth about bed bugs is that they are too small to see. Although they may be difficult to find because they hide well, bed bugs are actually big enough to be seen with the naked eye. They look similar to an apple seed in size and appearance and are orange/brown in color.
Can you guess which common variety of rat is considered a world traveler? That would be the brown or Norway rat. Because it commonly infested the storage holds on old sailing ships, the brown rat is now found worldwide.
Although bed bugs don t technically pose a medical threat to your health, their bites can still cause skin irritation. If anyone in your family already has sensitive skin, the reaction could be severe.
You probably already know termites cause extensive damage to buildings across the country. Care to guess the annual price tag for all that property damage? If you guessed $5 billion, you're right.
Did you know that adult bed bugs measure just under one-fourth of an inch in length and are relatively flat, nearly as wide as they are long, and oval? Their color varies from brown to reddish brown
Did you know that most chemical pesticides are nonspecific? This means that they affect a large number of species, pest and non-pest and can therefore do more harm to your family, pets and environment than good.
Why are bed bugs attracted to people? According to pest control experts, bed bugs are lured by the carbon dioxide that we exhale. The bed bugs feed on blood and often can fill up with blood while someone sleeps, leaving behind a red, itchy mark.
Do ants typically prefer meat, sweet snacks or a bit of both? If you guessed a bit of both, you're right. Because they're omnivores and will eat a wide range of foods, ants can be very difficult to discourage.
Bees swarm to find a new location for a hive when the old one becomes too crowded. The hive creates a second queen who leaves with the younger bees to start a new colony. A swarm is essentially a group of homeless bees, and because they have nothing to protect, they are not a problem.
Termites can be a big problem for homeowners because these insects can burrow into your home and eat through wood. Preventive applications work well, but it's important to first make sure you don't have termites in your home.
To lower your risk of attracting pests to the inside of your home, make sure you re not providing them with water to survive off of. Make sure your plumbing isn t leaking and that you don t have any standing water accumulating anywhere.
