Archive for the ‘Prevention’ Category

Newer Entries »

Bed Bug Prevention Tips

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Bed bugs are sneaky little insects. Many times people will not realize that there are bed bugs inside their home until they start getting bites while they are sleeping. Of course bites can occur while watching TV at night and or falling asleep on the couch, but overall they appear after being in a bed or on furniture during the night. Once a person realizes they are getting bit at night, it is best to inspect your home for any bed bugs. Bed bugs can be found in many areas of the home, here is a more detailed description of where bed bugs live within a home. When checking for bed bugs in your home be extremely thorough, the tiny insects like to hide. It is best to call your local pest control service to come out and inspect your home further. The professionals know all the hiding spots and how to treat the bugs once they have been located.

There are many things that can be done in order to prevent bed bugs. Some of these tips can also be used if bed bugs are found, and then prevent bed bugs from coming back. There are several do-it-yourself preventative tips to help protect your home from bed bugs, as well get rid of them. Here are a few:

  • Keep your box springs and mattresses in a secure plastic wrap. There are bags made just for bed bug prevention, or even a bag meant for storage can be used.
  • Apply double-sided tape to the legs of your bed. The bugs will get stuck when trying to climb at a vertical angle.
  • Spray rubbing alcohol in high risk areas (see the high risk areas) of where bed bugs live here.
  • Keep sheets and other items of bedding clean. Make sure to wash in hot water and dry on very high heat (120º F) is recommended.
  • Keep bed skirts and any other piece of bedding from touching the floor.
  • If items are either in high risk area or have been infected with bed bugs and cannot be washed, the best thing to do is wrap the item in plastic and set it out side in direct sunlight. The heat will kill any bed bugs that might be on or in the item. Leave it outside for 24 hours.
  • Extreme heat is great for getting rid of bed bugs, but not in the case of a hot house. DO NOT TURN THE HEAT UP IN A HOUSE TO TRY TO GET RID OF BED BUGS. IT WILL NOT WORK!
  • Vacuum thoroughly carpets, under beds, small crevices between the floor and walls, and corners. Make sure to dispose of the vacuum bag properly.

There are also some preventative tips for traveling. Many times bed bugs get into peoples’ homes after traveling. Whether you stay in a hotel or at a friend’s house, you can bring bed bugs home with you. Here are a few tips of what to do while traveling to keep bed bugs from hitching a ride home with you:

  • Look over the bed and bedding for any signs of bed bugs.
  • Another sign of them, other than physically seeing them, is the detection of feces. The feces is usually light brown to black in color and has a peculiar smell similar to coriander.
  • Do not leave clothes on the floor or lying out on your bed. Put your clothes in the closet, dresser drawers, or keep them inside your luggage.
  • Keep your luggage zipped up at all times, with or with out clothes inside.
  • Keep luggage off of the floor. Put it on a luggage stand, a chair or in the closet.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Arizona Pest Control, Bed Bugs, Information, how-to, and things about pests, Pests, Prevention | 8 Comments »

Spiders: Black Widow Spider Prevention Tips

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

In general, spiders are a little harder to get rid of than your typical pest. Because spiders do not absorb things through their legs and feet like other pests, you can not just spray pesticides to keep them off your property. However there are some things that can be done to help prevent black widows from getting near your home.

With do-it-yourself-pest-control, the best remedy is fast action when you see a black widow. Pesticides will work if sprayed directly on the spider. If the spider is disturbed it may try to attack, so be cautious and keep your distance as you spray. Also, be ready to chase it if it starts running away. Another at-home remedy is leaving sticky traps around your property. This way you can trap them with out physically being around, which proves to be very helpful since they are nocturnal.

Having a professional pest control company service your home can help to prevent black widow spiders from getting near your home. That’s because black widows tend to live near their food supply which consists of other insects.  So, if your house is being maintained to keep other insects away it will not be as attractive for a black widow to make its home there.

Whether you’re having a professional exterminator come out to your home or you’re using do-it-yourself pest control, there are some additional preventative measures you can take to keep black widows away. Keep in mind that black widows like dark places and usually make their web close to the ground. Whether you’re inside your home or outside, keep your eye out for their tangled-up webs. Here are some tips to keep in mind for the inside of your home:

black widow spider prevention

A box against a wall is a black widow hot-spot.

  • Keep nothing underneath your bed.
  • Do not let your bed skirt touch the floor.
  • Try to keep your bed from actually touching the wall.
  • Keep any storage that is in your room away from the walls, it makes a perfect corner for black widows.
  • Keep your clothes and shoes in proper storage places, like hanging in the closet, dresser drawers, shoes boxes, or shoe racks.
  • When vacuuming get all of the corners, especially in dark areas, like behind and under furniture.
  • Check for any cracks or openings on walls, if present, seal them up.
  • Seal any openings in the door frame, and the threshold.
  • Check screens on doors and windows to make sure they are secure and do not have any holes. If they are not secure or have holes, replace them with new screens that fit properly and have no damage.

There are also things to do outside of your home that can help prevent black widows from settling on your property. Here are some tips for keeping your back, front, and side yard black widow free:

  • Keep grass, shrubs, and weeds trimmed; you do not want them getting too tall.
  • Keep trash, wood piles, plywood, storage and general junk away from the house (do not prop or pile against the exterior walls). Keep trash in a properly sealed trash can.
  • If you have a storage area or shed, check and/or shake any items from the shed before you use them. This is a hot spot for black widows.
  • Check and/or shake gardening equipment before using, especially gloves.
  • When doing yard work, make sure your hands are protected so they do not get bitten.

Picture from www.creativecommons.org

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Arizona Pest Control, Black Widow, California Pest Control, Colorado Pest Control, Connecticut Pest Control, Delaware Pest Control, Florida Pest Control, Information, how-to, and things about pests, Pests, Prevention | 1 Comment »

Rats: Prevent Roof Rats from Getting On Your Property

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Almost anywhere in a backyard can be a home for roof rats. Home owners just need to maintain their landscaping and keep a clean patio and they should be roof rat worry-free. Here are some tools to use to help keep these rodents away.

  • A popular spot is resting water; in the summer’s monsoon or storm season a lot of water is left on carports or on back porches. It is best to sweep the water into the gutter or into your grass, that way there are no puddles for rats to come drink from.
  • Don’t worry if you have a giant amount of resting water known as a pool, roof rats are afraid to swim! But keep plants that are next to your pool trimmed up.
  • Another great way to prevent roof rats in your plants is to put the planters on a rack so they are not resting on the ground.
  • A favorite of roof rats is dog or cat food, if there are food bowls left outside for your animal there is a high possibility roof rats will stop by.
  • A great way to keep roof rats out of your citrus trees is to put a rat guard on the tree. This is a piece of sheet metal wrapped around the tree to make sure the rats can not crawl up it.
  • Trimming all trees is important. Make sure they are not touching power lines or anything else as the rats will use those to get into the top of the tree. Also make sure no branches are too low as that will be a way to crawl up the tree.
  • With bushes, it is best to keep them pruned regularly, and having the bottom not touch the ground below is helpful.
  • With all shrubbery, bushes, and trees it is best to have them free standing that way their limbs do not overlap fences or worse yet, your house, which can make it easier for roof rats to make a home.
  • All stacks of wood or clippings should be kept at a higher level and not on the ground.
  • Keep any containers that are outside closed with a tight lid. Anything from a trash can to a plastic storage container. Especially a trash container otherwise it’s a roof rats paradise.
  • When trimming bigger plants like oleanders or bougainvilleas, make sure they are thinned out enough where you can see the sunlight through them. The thicker they are, the more appealing they are to roof rats.
  • Rats will eat anything so ensure to clean up thoroughly after parties on your patio.
  • Pick up fruit that has fallen from trees on a daily basis. If they can’t get in your tree then the next best thing is a free meal.
  • Pick up animal waste on a daily basis. Yes, as gross as it sounds that is another invitation for a rat to come feed.
  • Keep the bottom of your trees cleaned up as well, if you don’t have a rat guard. If the area is open many of the rat’s enemies could see it, so they tend to stay away from areas where they can’t hide.

Although the rats are not in the house, they are still close enough that they could have the opportunity to get in. In the spring and fall seasons the evenings can be cool, sometimes with a slight breeze; many people tend to open a porch door or some windows in the house to help with air flow. Even though the weather is nice this is a welcome mat for roof rats.

Double check these areas, as they are the most popular places for roof rats to live.

Posted in Arizona Pest Control, California Pest Control, Florida Pest Control, Information, how-to, and things about pests, Pests, Prevention, Roof Rats, Winter Pest Control Problems | 2 Comments »

Newer Entries »