• Exterior Risk Factors for Interior Pest Infestations

    Has your home required pest treatment in the past? If so, then you may be wondering what you can do to help prevent future bug problems. One area that is often overlooked when it comes to pest control in Dublin is the area outside the home. Keep reading to learn what exterior risk factors can lead to indoor bug problems. bug - home

    Debris

    If you or someone in your family tends to lean objects against your home’s siding or pile materials like compost, firewood, and lawn debris around your exterior walls, then you may be inviting pests into your home. First, objects propped up against your walls give bugs easier access to your home. Second, many insects view firewood, yard waste, and compost as shelter or food. After colonizing a pile of debris, the bugs may make their way into your home.

    Moisture

    One of the surest ways to make your home more attractive to pests is to have excess water on your property. Make sure that you have no dripping faucets and clean up any containers that may collect rain water. Also, if your yard remains soggy after a storm, then you should consider improving your property’s drainage system.

    Garbage

    If you store food waste in garbage cans in your yard, then this can serve as a food source for bugs and lead to roach and ant infestations. Ideally, trash cans should be stored in a secure shed or garage where bugs can’t get to them. If this isn’t an option, then inspect the bins for holes, including on the bottom, and ensure that their lids close tightly. Finally, store your trash cans as far from your home as possible and empty them regularly.

    Foliage

    The final factor to consider when evaluating your exterior risk factors for a bug infestation is your lawn care habits. Grass that is allowed to grow too tall, for example, provides shelter and shade for insects. Also, tree branches that make contact with your roof give bugs easy access to your home. For these reasons, consistent lawn maintenance should be a part of your pest control strategy.

  • How to Create an Effective Pest Control Strategy

    Have you noticed strange noises, unpleasant odors, damaged furniture, or droppings around your home? If so, then you may have a pest problem on your hands. If you want to minimize the damage to your property and prevent the problem from growing, then it’s important to take action at the first signs of a bug infestation. Keep reading for tips on creating an effective strategy for pest control near Pleasanton . pest - control

    Find out what you’re dealing with.

    Properly dealing with a pest that has infiltrated your home requires that you learn what type of bug it is. For this reason, the first step to take when it comes to creating an effective pest control strategy is pest identification. There are a number of ways of doing this, such as laying traps, finding tracks, looking for dead bugs, visually recognizing the pest, and examining droppings. Because your exterminator should be able to identify the insect after an assessment, there is no need to worry if you’re unsure what type of pest you have.

    Determine the right solution for your pest problem.

    A worthwhile pest control strategy involves eliminating the pest from the home and taking steps to prevent recurring infestations. Once you know which pest has invaded your home, it’s time to find an insect control strategy that will be effective against it. Some examples of pest control approaches that your exterminator may suggest are laying traps, sealing off points of entry, physical removal, lawn and perimeter treatments, or a combination of these options.

    Think about the needs of your family and property.

    The final consideration when it comes to developing a pest control strategy is to think about your specific needs. For this reason, your exterminator will assess your situation and speak with you about your pest control options. Some of the factors that your exterminator may consider are whether you have kids or pets, if you have landscaping or a garden that you want to protect, and your concerns about safety and long-term success. Following these steps, you and your exterminator can develop an effective pest control strategy.

  • See How One Couple Dealt with Brown Widow Spiders

    Spiders are an important part of the ecosystem, but infestations of these arachnids can pose a danger to people. If you’re dealing with a spider problem and wonder if you need pest control services in Pleasanton , then watch this video to learn about one family’s experience with a brown widow infestation.

    A couple in rural Florida was fighting a losing battle against brown widow spiders that had infested their yard. After several failed DIY attempts at exterminating the pests, the family gave in and contacted a professional pest control company. The pest treatment kept the spiders at bay for a few days, until the homeowners realized that the spiders were around their windows. After replacing their home’s windows with new, tight window frames and scheduling several lawn spraying pest treatments, the brown widow spiders were finally under control.

  • Getting to Know the Spiders of California

    Are you looking for insect control or pest extermination in Pleasanton because of a spider infestation? If so, and if you’d like to have a better understanding of what type of pest control you need, then continue reading to learn about some of the spiders that live in California. California - Spider

    Garden Spider

    The female garden spider can be easy to spot due to her significant size and distinctive black and yellow markings. The males of this species are less impressive, but also have some noticeable yellow on their bodies. These spiders build classic, round orb webs and are commonly seen in fields, forest edges, gardens, and orchards.

    Carolina Wolf Spider

    This species is the largest of the wolf spiders found in North America. The bodies of the females are 22 to 35 millimeters long. Males of this species may wander into homes during mating season. These spiders commonly hide in burrows during the day and hunt actively at night.

    Southern House Spider

    This spider is commonly seen where people live and builds its web from crevices and cracks on the exterior of barns, garages, homes, and other structures. Male southern house spiders are often mistaken for brown recluse spiders.

    Gray Wall Jumper

    In the United States, these spiders live almost exclusively on the exterior walls of structures. The gray wall jumper spider hides away in crevices at night and is an active hunter during the day.

    Spotted Orbweaver

    This is a spider species that can vary in pattern, but these insects usually have a golden orange or rusty red color. You’re likely to see a spotted orbweaver spider living on a large web that is constructed on buildings and other manmade structures, particularly outdoor light fixtures.

    Common House Spider

    As its name implies, this spider species is prolific and widespread, making it a frequent reason why people consider pest control. The common house spider is associated with manmade structures, creates brown egg sacs, and can sometimes be mistaken for a brown widow spider.

  • Pest Prevention Tips for Restaurants

    When it comes to commercial pest control near Pleasanton , restaurant kitchens can be more vulnerable to infestations that other locations, due to the amount of food and water that’s present. Watch this video for tips on preventing pest contamination in the kitchen.

    Cockroaches, flies, and rodents can spread germs and lead to contaminated food. For this reason, pest control must be practiced in all food-related areas to help keep customers safe. While pest extermination is essential for existing infestations, it’s best to prevent this type of problem in the first place. Also, keep in mind that pesticides should only be handled by licensed pest control applicators and when food is completely protected. To help keep your restaurant’s kitchen pest-free, repair any holes in the walls, keep trash cans covered, and clean up spills immediately.

  • Odor-Free Stink Bug Disposal Methods

    A common pest seen by companies that offer residential pest control in Dublin is the stink bug. As their name implies, these insects can make quite a stench. Stink bugs are most smelly when you squish them, so watch this video to learn some odor-free ways to remove these insects from your home.

    Using a tissue, gently grab the bug and then release it outdoors. Another option is to trap the stink bug inside of an empty water bottle and then dispose of the insect outside your home. For a host of stink bugs, try securing pantyhose to a vacuum, sucking the bugs into the trap, and then releasing them outside. If you have a more serious need for insect control, then consider calling a residential pest control company about pest treatment.

  • Spotting the Early Signs of a Bug Problem in Your Hotel

    Pest treatment and control can be a vital part of maintaining the cleanliness and good reputation of your business. If you’re wondering if your hotel may need commercial pest control in Pleasanton , then read on to learn about the early warnings signs of some common pest problems. infested - hotels

    Cockroaches

    When it comes to pests, few insects inspire the levels of revulsion that cockroaches can. For this reason, it’s important to be on the lookout for the early signs of this type of bug problem. Cockroaches are nocturnal, so you may have a better chance of spotting these bugs when searching at night. If an infestation is underway, then you will probably find their feces on the ground, which resemble coffee grounds or small, dark cylinders.

    Spiders

    Even though most spiders are harmless to humans, you can bet that your customers won’t be happy to spot one in the shower or see one dropping down from the ceiling. There are a few warnings signs that can indicate your hotel is developing a spider problem. Look for spider webs in and around the building while keeping in mind that webs come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Some smart areas to check are anywhere you find other insects such as ants and flies. Also, damp environments and places like closets, storage spaces, basements, and wall and ceiling junctions should be checked.

    Ants

    Ants are a common type of pest, and they show up in a variety of environments. One of the first indicators that you might see at the beginning of an infestation is the presence of anthills around your building’s exterior. Also, you may spot a few stray ants here and there inside of your hotel. These wandering ants shouldn’t be ignored because they are probably hunting for food sources for their colony. To help avoid a major problem, consider calling a commercial pest control company at the first indication of an ant infestation.

  • Answering Common Questions About Fleas

    Having fleas in your home can be a major nuisance for both people and pets. Are you looking into residential pest control services in Dublin because of a flea problem? If so, then you might benefit from knowing more about these biting bugs. Continue reading to learn the answers to common questions about fleas. flea - extermination

    When should I consider professional pest control for fleas?

    Washing fabrics and vacuuming your floors and furniture can help control fleas in your home, and using over-the-counter flea treatments can also reduce their numbers. However, over-the-counter flea control products are not as powerful as professional ones because they are designed to be safe for consumer use. If your efforts to eliminate your flea infestation have been unsuccessful, then you should consider calling a professional pest control company, so you no longer need to live with these biting insects in your home.

    What is the professional pest treatment process for fleas?

    Before the day of treatment, you will be provided with a list of steps to perform in advance that may include tasks like vacuuming, moving your pets out of the house, and preparing your home for the insecticide. Your exterminator will probably recommend the use of a residual flea control product that will kill adult fleas as they emerge and inhibit the growth of young ones to put a halt to their reproductive cycle. People and pets will need to evacuate the home for several hours during the treatment.

    How effective is pest extermination against fleas?

    When you choose to work with a professional pest control company to get your home’s flea problem under control, you can expect to see immediate results following the treatment. However, 1 to 2 weeks later you may see more fleas emerge who were in the pupal stage at the time of treatment, but these bugs should die quickly after making contact with the residual insecticide in your home. Vacuuming your floors each day and following the treatment can help minimize the number of fleas that emerge later.

  • Spotlight on Earwigs

    Due to their unusual appearance, earwigs are among the most feared insects that can invade a home. While earwigs may look scary, they are relatively harmless towards humans. However, if you are starting to notice lots of earwigs throughout your home and garden, you will want to set up residential pest control serving Pleasanton. A technician that specializes in insect pest control and eco friendly pest control can provide you with a safe and effective solution for your earwig problem. To help you plan your insect control procedure, here is a look at what you need to know about earwigs. earwig - control

    Appearance

    Perhaps one of the most striking characteristics of the earwig is its appearance. These small, brown insects can be identified by the large pincers that rest on either side of their heads. Earwigs are typically between 5 and 25 mm in length, and most adults have a set of wings. When an earwig is frightened or on the defense, it will secrete an unpleasant odor that is designed to deter its predators.

    Behaviors

    Earwigs are nocturnal, so you will typically see these creatures during the nighttime hours. These secretive insects prefer to live and nest in dark, out of the way places, such as under logs or rocks. Since earwigs are attracted to bright lights, they may find their way to your home if you leave a porch light or other outdoor light illuminated at night. While you may see signs of earwigs in your home, they typically prefer to live outdoors.

    Treatment

    Your pest control professional can recommend several different treatment options for your earwig problem. One of the best strategies for eliminating earwigs is to remove any places where they may like to nest and hide. Along with cleaning up logs and debris in your yard, you may also want to make sure that your outdoor lights are not attracting earwigs indoors. A serious infestation may require other professional pest control strategies.

  • What Are Sowbugs?

    If you have started to notice flat, oval shaped creatures roaming around your home and yard, there is a chance that you may have a sowbug infestation. The sowbug, which is also referred to as a wood louse, is a very common creature that can be found across the United States. Despite its name, the sowbug is not an insect, but is instead a land dwelling crustacean. A company that specializes in pest control near Dublin can help you eradicate a sowbug infestation on your property.

    As you are planning pest control services to help you deal with your sowbug problem, your exterminator may recommend that you take action in the yard surrounding your property. Removing a sowbug colony’s nesting areas is a highly effective method of pest control. If simple exclusion and habitat removal methods do not succeed in eliminating the sowbugs, your technician may recommend targeted pest extermination methods.

    sowbug - removal