The key to effective and long-term pest treatment is to develop a comprehensive pest control strategy that addresses your specific needs. When developing a pest control strategy for your home or business, an exterminator will perform an evaluation of your property and the pests that are causing problems. The right pest control solution is contingent upon the type of pests you are facing and mitigating factors such as whether you have children and pets or run a commercial business or facility that handles food.

If you want to keep pests at bay for good, schedule a consultation with a pest control provider in San Francisco to develop a comprehensive and unique pest control strategy. Only a trained pest treatment provider can come up with the most comprehensive plan to remove current pests and prevent future problem by addressing the factors unique to your residential or commercial property.

Managing pests on your own can take a lot more time and cost a lot more money than simply hiring a pest control expert in San Francisco . From roaches and spiders to bees, wasps, and flying jackets, there are a number of pests that can make your life less comfortable. The aim of professional pest control is to eliminate these pests and prevent future problems to make your home a safe, comfortable, and healthy environment. To make sure your pest control service goes smoothly, prepare your home for the arrival of the exterminator. Here’s how:

Put Dogs Away
If you have dogs, put them away before the exterminator arrives. If you are dealing with a pest problem inside your home, put your dogs outside while the technician applies treatment inside; vice versa, put dogs in a bedroom or bathroom if the exterminator will be spraying or setting traps outside. Ask your pest control provider about treatments that are safe for pets if you worry about your animals ingesting the spray or powder.

Clean Up
Cleaning your home doesn’t impress the exterminator as much as it helps with the application of pest control treatments. Moving boxes, dirty laundry, dishes, and trash can get in the way of treatment and make it harder for the technician to effectively treat the problem. Cleaning up your home will also make for a less attractive environment for pests, which can help prevent future infestations.

Move Furniture
Although you certainly don’t have to move all of your furniture, you can help your pest control provider by moving couches, chairs, end tables, and mattresses away from walls. This will give the exterminator more room to apply treatment in hard-to-reach areas where pests frequently harbor and take refuge. Of course you’re not required to move anything in preparation for pest control, but it can make treatment more successful.

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.

The first step in mouse-proofing your home is to perform a thorough inspection around your property and locate any entry points that mice could use to sneak into your home. Look for small openings around exhaust pipes, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment. Mice can squeeze through entry points that are no bigger than 1/4 ^th of an inch wide. Use caulking, weather stripping, or hardware cloth to seal up these entry points and keep mice at bay. Watch this video for more mouse-proofing tips.

Even with all the best prevention methods in the world, mice and other rodents can still find their way into your home. If you believe rodents are making themselves at home, contact a pest control provider in San Jose, CA to develop an effective strategy for dealing with rats, mice, and other types of rodents.

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.