Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are one of the most problematic pests that homeowners will ever encounter. These bugs bite humans and pets living in the home because they solely feed on blood. It does not matter if your home is immaculate, you can still end up with bed bugs in your bed, on your furniture, and even on your clothes. Many pesticides that were once used to kill bed bugs are no longer considered legal and have been banned, making it harder to remove them. Because of their exoskeletons, most pesticides do not work efficiently enough to kill these bugs.

An even bigger issue is the fact that bed bugs spread quickly. The females can lay hundreds of eggs within a short period and those eggs can go unnoticed until they have hatched, leaving plenty more bed bugs lingering all around the home. Because they are so hard to remove and because they can take over a person’s life while making it hard for them to sleep, sit, or do anything without worrying about a bug crawling on them, it is important to hire a professional pest control company to help with getting rid of these bugs. Heat treatments and special insecticides are often used to completely eradicate all the different cycles of these bugs.

Rats

While you can set traps and seal holes to keep mice away, the same thing does not always work well for rats. If you have a rat in your home, you should never attempt to take the do-it-yourself approach because these rodents are extremely smart. They know how to avoid traps and get into all kinds of different buildings. If there is no hole big enough, they will work on creating a hole of their own to get into a home or building.

The worst thing about rats is that they carry all kinds of diseases and they do bite. Imagine trying to sleep at night when a rat suddenly bites you! It would be such a traumatic experience to deal with, which is why it is better to have a pest control professional inspecting the home and setting up a plan of action to get rid of any rats.

There are certain pests that are difficult to deal with and difficult to get rid of, including bed bugs and rats. If you have these pests in your home, you should rely solely on a professional pest control company to help you get rid of the pests.

The Removal Process

Step 1: Observe the ants

When dealing with ants, the key is to be patient. While ants can be gross and you might be in a hurry to get rid of them, don’t rush. You need to understand the colony’s behavior, the trail they take as well as the queen. And this is only possible if you are patient and observant. Ants look for food sources and once they find a source, they transport the food back to the queen in the ant nest. Observing the ants will make sure that you have a clear target on your scope and once you take the shot, rather than kill worker ants, you can take care of the entire colony.

Step 2: Use ant baits

Now that you have a clear target, it’s time to prepare for the kill. Use ant baits. Place bits on the trails as well as near the nest. As usual, the workers will set out looking for food, but this time, they will find your bait, take it back to the nest for the queen and voila! You’ll take care of the queen and future populations.

Step 3: Bring in the big guns

If you find that you are dealing with a hard-to-reach below-ground nest, then consider that as your cue to use the big guns – insecticides. Make it rain in the nest with an approved insecticide. However, before you start spraying everything in your house, make sure that you locate and target the nest. Otherwise, you’ll only be getting rid of the workers, and soon after, you will be dealing with the same problem. For a safer and toxic free home, make use of eco-friendly insecticides.

How To Keep Ants Away From Your Home

There are several types of ants including pavement ants, odorous ants, carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, grease ants, ghost ants, fire ants, etc. To make sure that you prevent your home from becoming a harbinger of any ants, after adequately getting rid of the ants:

– Seal all possible entry points in your home to help keep these unwanted guests out.
– Keep your home clean by cleaning all surfaces, and don’t leave foods unsealed or uncovered.
– Get rid of shrubs and trim the trees in your backyard.
– Remove all decaying wood from your property.
– Plant ant repellent plants such as lavender in your garden.

By following the above simple steps, you can rest easy knowing that not only have you removed the ants, but you’ve also prevented ants from invading your home again.

1. Know Your Foe
A pest infestation can be one where you are dealing one type or invasion such as termites, or you may be dealing with more than one as is the case with having rodents, roaches, and mites. Whatever the problem your home faces, it is wise to know your foe so that you can identify which type of pest exterminator to call. For instance, you may have an annual garden pest problem where termites invade at a particular time of the year, every year, like clockwork. Or it could be wild animals that seek refuge or new places to call home at certain times of the year. Knowing your pest problem is the first step towards finding a lasting solution.

2. Do Your Research
While whipping out your smartphone to do a quick online search for a reputable pest control company near you may yield great results, it is no replacement for doing extensive research on the contractor to hire. The first resource to leverage in your search should be your colleagues or neighbors. Ask them for recommendations, especially from those who have dealt with pest invasion before. The local media is also another option; where you can check for ads on the TV, radio, or local newspapers to find professionals that offer the services you seek. Also, consider checking the local directory.

3. Inquire About Their Treatment Techniques
The pest control industry has different service providers. Some have the experiences and resources to deal with any pest problem while others specialize in only one to two types of pests. Moreover, the different providers may apply varied treatment methods when dealing with the unwelcome home invaders. However, any experienced pest control service provider will always start with inspecting the home to know the pest issue, assess the extent of the problem, and recommend the best treatment. They will take the time to explain the products and techniques they will use to rid your home of the pest problem.

4. Above Reproach
The most experienced service provider will often be of good repute regarding their line of work. However, you still need to dig a bit to affirm that you are hiring an experienced pest control contractor of excellent reputation. You can know this by using the internet as a tool to research on the pest control company; to do background checks and to fish for testimonials that help convince you that you are hiring the right candidate for the job.

5. License & Insurance
Lastly, the exterminator you hire should be registered with the local pest control authority and have a valid license of the trade. The contractor should also have the required insurance. A pest control company that has these and will show them to you as proof is likely to provide quality services with long-term results.