Have you seen a rat or mouse scurrying around inside your home? If so, there’s a chance you have a rodent infestation. It’s important to call an exterminator if you suspect a rodent infestation, because it only takes three weeks for a female to give birth to more than a dozen young. For effective rodent control in Pleasanton and surrounding areas, call Performance Pest Management.

Tracks
Use a flashlight to check the dusty areas of your house for footprints or trail marks. If you notice tracks, look closely at them to see what type of rodent you have in your home. Mice have feet that measure about 3/8 inch or less, while rat tracks are usually between 3/4 and 1 inch. Rats drag their tail on the ground, so you may see a mark in between tracks if you have a rat problem.

Rodent Noises
If you hear squeaking, rustling, or scampering around your home, chances are you have a rodent problem . Noises are typically more apparent at night, when you’re going to bed and they are starting to wake up.

Urine, Grease, and Droppings
Rodents produce a prolific amount of waste. You will probably see small mounds of dirt, urine, and droppings around the house if you have a rodent infestation. You may also notice grease marks—this is the oil and dirt found in a rodent’s coat.

Nibble Marks
If you see small holes or gnaw marks in your food packaging, there is a good chance you have a rodent problem on your hands. Rodents do this to keep their incisor teeth sharp. You may also notice gnaw marks on wood, electrical wires, and even dog food.

Nests
Rodents build their nests from materials such as shredded paper, twigs, grass, furniture stuffing, and fabric. Nests are commonly found in dressers, behind appliances, and inside machinery such as computer cases.

Did you know that 56% of homeowners surveyed reported having an ant problem in the past year? Ants are just one of the common pests that can invade your home, causing you to need to call an exterminator in Pleasanton, California . You might be surprised to learn that you can get fleas in your house even if you don’t have any pets. If you have signs of any kind of pest problem, don’t wait to do something about it. Many pests reproduce quickly—in fact, house mice can have as many as six babies every three weeks. Rodents, ants, bees, fleas, and other invaders can affect your quality of life along with your health. Take a look at this infographic to learn more about common household pests. Please share with your friends and neighbors, and do your part to keep your home pest-free.

Many people are afraid of spiders, which is why spider treatment is one of the most popular services offered by residential pest control companies. Spiders are not only creepy, but their bite can be painful or even dangerous to your health in some cases. At Performance Pest Management, we offer effective pest treatment near Pleasanton and other cities in the Tri Valley Area. Read below to learn more about some of the spiders you could find in your California home.

Tarantula
Large, hairy, and infamous, the tarantula is found throughout California. They tend to reside in tight, dark spaces such as pool filters and burrows in the ground. In the fall it’s common to see male tarantulas wandering—outdoors as well as indoors—for female tarantulas to mate with.

Calisoga
Also known as the False Tarantula , the Calisoga spider is smaller than the tarantula. The Calisoga is smaller and it is unable to climb smooth surfaces. They live in burrows and are found frequently in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially in the Oakland hills. Calisoga spiders vary widely in color and form. Just like male tarantulas, male Calisoga are the ones you are likely to see wandering around looking for a female.

Daddy Long Legs
Also known as the cellar spider, daddy long-legs make disorganized, irregular web tangles to catch their prey. The daddy long-legs native to California are small, while the synathropic cellar spiders most common in California are actually an invasive species from Europe.

Black Widow
This is the only spider that you are likely to see in California whose venom is dangerous to human health. You can recognize a black widow by the blotch of coloration on its abdomen, which can be red, yellow, or orange. Many people refer to this blotch as being hour-glass shaped, but this is not always the case. Males and immature females are not solid black, and oftentimes have marble-like patterns on their abdomens.

Getting Rid of Mice in Your House

Having mice in your home can be a serious problem. If you would rather deal with the problem yourself than call an exterminator or residential pest control service in Pleasanton , there are a few methods you can use. Watch this video for tips on getting rid of mice in your house.

A common practice in ridding your house of mice is setting mousetraps. If you have seen mice in certain areas, those should be the first to be targeted. Entice them with chocolate or peanut butter, and set them liberally. After a while, rearrange your furniture and set new traps in different areas. Make sure that doors leading to the outside of your house have sweeps to prevent access by mice.

If you cannot get rid of mice using strategically placed mousetraps, talk to a pest treatment and removal service to make sure that you deal with your mouse problem efficiently.

Media Summary

http://youtu.be/wM9DAil4eKE

Top Reasons for an Ant Infestation

Ants are common pests, and they do a good job of keeping Pleasanton residential pest and rodent control employees at work. There are a few factors that may lead you to enlisting the help of a commercial or residential pest exterminator. Keep reading to take a look at the top reasons for an ant infestation.

Food

It is no secret that spare food can lead to an ant problem; ants are known for their ability to ruin a good picnic. When there is food to be consumed, ants make it their mission to find and consume the free meal. If you are not always motivated to take out the trash, consider the heaping pile of reward that that looks like to a colony of ants. These pests are particularly attracted to sugar foods, so be sure to clean up your snacks when you are done with them. Make sure your refrigerator and cabinets are all sealed properly so that ants cannot make their way in.

Ideal Habitat

Like most pests, ants gravitate towards very specific environments. If they find an area that has appropriate amounts of moisture, shelter, and food, then they will do their best to make themselves at home. Make your home as unwelcoming as possible to ants. Use a dehumidifier and clean up spills immediately, and make sure that you look after your food. Take your garbage out regularly and call an exterminator or pest control specialist at the first sign of infestation.

Access

Ants tend to follow the path of least resistance. If you provide them with easy access to a building, they will graciously accept the invitation. Make sure that any vegetation outside of your house or building is not doubling as shelter and an access point for ants. Seal your doors, windows, and any other gaps.

If you are worried about an ant infestation, make sure that your home is not suitable for the pests. Do not leave food around, control moisture, and prevent ants from easily accessing your home or building. Call a commercial or residential pest treatment specialist if you sense an infestation.

How to Tell If You Have Fleas in Your House

Residential pest control in Pleasanton is not only important when it comes to humans; fleas will continually harass their furry counterparts. The removal of these pests is only possible, however, once you are aware that you have them. Here is a look at how to tell if you have fleas in your house.

Pet Bedding

If you suspect that you may have fleas, take a look at your pet’s bedding before calling up your residential pest treatment specialist. These pests are only a fraction of an inch large and are typically black or brown. Make sure you inspect your pet’s bedding thoroughly, lifting up any cushions or fabric seems. You should also be on the lookout for flea eggs, which are even smaller than fleas and may resemble salt and pepper. If you have fleas in your house, there is a good chance you will find evidence in the pet bedding; since they do not have wings, fleas can only travel crawling and hopping distance.

General Carpeting

You or your exterminator may find fleas in your carpeting. Fleas can be very difficult to detect due to their small size and their ability to blend in with the colors and fibers of carpets. You can find out if you have fleas by placing a bowl of soapy water and a lamp on your carpet; if you return to a bowl full of dead fleas, it is time to call your pest treatment expert.

Pet Fur

Fleas are a nuisance for your pets, and they will react accordingly. If you notice your pets scratching at their fur or skin more often than usual, this may be due to fleas. Look through the fur to see if you notice any flea feces, flea bites, or fleas themselves. If you find any evidence of flea activity, talk to your exterminator about solutions.

If you have fleas in your home, they may be hiding in several locations. Check your pet’s bedding or area where they typically sleep, the carpeting in your home, and your pets’ fur and skin themselves. Schedule a visit from your exterminator if you suspect that you have fleas.