Some people are scared of them, others are fascinated by them, and many feel both ways about spiders. There’s more to spiders than simply being a reason to call pest control near Dublin, and learning about them might make you less afraid. Watch this video to find out what makes spider silk so strong.

You’ve probably walked through a spider web in the dark before, and you might have noticed that it doesn’t just snap and fall apart all at once. These webs are very ductile, which means they stretch out rather than break immediately. First the thread is pulled, then its proteins unfold and the thread stiffens before gradually breaking apart. Hydrogen bonds repeatedly reform in an attempt to keep the thread together, and watery droplets make the spider silk more elastic and thus better able to resist breaking.

Tree diseases can be tricky to spot and difficult to eradicate. Prevention is preferable, but you should also know how to spot the warning signs of common infections. If you do notice anything, you can help save the tree or prevent the disease from spreading by promptly calling in a pest control expert for professional tree disease treatment in Dublin, CA.

Know how to identify common tree diseases.

You’ll likely need the help of a professional for a proper tree disease diagnosis. However, you should know the basic red flags that indicate it’s time to call for pest control.

• Photinia leaf spot: Indicated by small, circular dark spots on leaves, stems, and fruits.
• Foamy bark canker disease: Affects California’s live oaks. It’s indicated by foamy liquid and reddish sap protruding through beetle holes in the bark.
• Asian citrus psyllid: Indicated by yellow mottling and green patches on leaves.

Maintain ideal growing conditions.

Perhaps the best defense against these common tree diseases is a holistic one. Give your trees the right growing conditions to keep them healthy and vigorous, and they will be much more likely to effectively resist pests and diseases. Since different species require different growing conditions, defer to the tree’s specific needs regarding soil type and quality, drainage, irrigation, fertilization, and rootstock selection. In general, fruit trees do best in fertile soil with good drainage. Over-fertilizing isn’t recommended, as too much nitrogen can leave the trees more susceptible to diseases. A soil analysis is a good investment for orchard owners.

Follow good pruning practices.

Regular pruning is essential for encouraging air circulation. After the rain, or even the morning dew, the increased air circulation in the tree’s canopy allows it to dry more quickly. The faster the tree dries, the less of a chance a fungal infection will affect it. If you lack experience with pruning, consider calling in a professional, since making mistakes with this task can actually make your trees even more susceptible to diseases. One of the most common mistakes is making a cut flush against the trunk. This eliminates the branch collar, which is a small bump of matter that contains specialized cells, which enable the tree to heal better from the cut. If you slice off the branch right next to the trunk, the gash in the trunk will allow diseases and pests to attack the tree.

It might be tempting to save a few bucks on professional pest control services in Pleasanton, CA. Unfortunately, it’s a costly mistake that you’ll likely regret. When you’re facing an unpleasant problem like a cockroach infestation, you need it cleared up effectively and quickly. Taking a DIY approach to pest control will only waste your time and energy, and it’ll be quite frustrating when you discover that it didn’t work.

Different pests require different control strategies.

The average homeowner probably doesn’t know the differences between a silverfish and a firebrat. And sometimes, the specific type of pest is impossible to identify because the homeowner only sees the secondary signs of its presence. The problem with this is that different pests respond differently to pest treatments. A professional can quickly and accurately identify the type of infestation, and determine which treatments will be most effective for clearing it up.

DIY pest control is often ineffective.

Homeowners who try DIY pest treatments may be successful at treating part of the infestation. It’s easy to assume that if a homeowner doesn’t actually see any bugs, there aren’t any in the building. This creates a false sense of security. Even if the homeowner eliminates an ant trail, for instance, this doesn’t eliminate the underlying source of the infestation. An insect control specialist knows how to track an infestation back to the source, and how to eliminate all traces of the pests.

Infestations often reoccur.

One of the problems with pests is that they are everywhere. Even if you keep a clean home and have sealed up points of entry, it’s inevitable that insects will re-enter your home. It’s necessary to call in the professionals for continued pest management. An experienced technician can identify your home’s unique needs, and formulate a long-term control plan to keep your family safe from troublesome insects.

DIY pest control can put your health at risk.

Yet another reason why DIY pest control isn’t a good idea is because it can put your health at risk. Many people have allergies to insect stings and bites, and to cockroaches. Exposure to your allergen is unpleasant at the very least, and potentially life-threatening in the worst case scenario.

One of the perks of the return of chilly weather is that it provides natural insect control. But where exactly do insects go during the winter? Watch this featured video to find out. Clearly, not all insects die when colder weather strikes. Otherwise, residential pest control companies in Pleasanton, CA wouldn’t be so busy in the spring and summer. It turns out that different species of bugs have their own methods of coping with the dropping temperatures.

A few insects fly south for the winter. These include some species of butterflies and dragonflies. Other insects brave the cold by burrowing into soil or leaf litter, and entering a type of hibernation. In fact, some bugs can pump alcohols throughout their tissues, which work like antifreeze. Other bugs, like crickets, reproduce in the fall and then die, leaving the eggs or larvae to grow into the next generation.