Jun 12, 2013 | Uncategorized
If you’ve spent any time in Savannah, Ga in the spring or fall, you know all about sand gnats, or as locals call them….the state bird. The sand gnat is not just the mascot for the Savannah Sand Gnats minor-league baseball team, but just like the baseball team, they’ll sting you, draw your blood and defeat you on the field.
In the low country, the sand gnat is more of an issue than mosquitoes or fleas. Sand gnats live along waterways, such as the ocean, lakes, rivers, ponds, and marshes. They fly, bite, and suck your blood just like a mosquito, leaving behind
red, itchy bumps on the skin. Although blood has no nutritional value to the sand gnats, they need it so their eggs can mature prior to laying. Carbon dioxide draws sand gnats from up to 30 yards, they stay in a 300 foot zone where they breed around your home, fly less than 25 feet high and most adult females live for 2-3 weeks.
It is not unusual for the effects of a sand gnat bite to be more intense for a longer period of time than a mosquito bite. Unless you want to cover yourself from head to toe in the sweltering Savannah heat, be proactive. Commercial repellents with Deet can be useful to prevent biting, or you can try a local remedy such as taking garlic pills – that is, if you don’t mind smelling like garlic. However, a more “user friendly” remedy such as rubbing your arms with baby oil will prevent the sand gnats from biting as it provides a protective layer to your skin that the gnats can not penetrate.
For sand gnat treatment at your home or business, Call the Mouse! 888.466.7849 or visit online at www.callnorthwest.com
Barry Teubert
[email protected]
May 17, 2013 | Uncategorized
Take Back Your Yard!Don’t let mosquitoes suck the fun out of your Summer!
HABITS
- Breed in stagnant water such as ponds, marshes, drainage ditches, etc.
- Can be found in almost every type of landscape on Earth except deserts and the Arctic.
- Bite most often at dusk and dawn.
THREATS
OTHER PESTS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
PREVENTION
- Eliminate areas of standing water around the home such as flower pots, bird baths, etc. Mosquitoes only need about one half inch of water to breed.
- Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
- Wear long pants and sleeves when outdoors whenever possible.
- Use an insect repellant that contains DEET.
- Call Northwest Exterminating for a professional inspection and treatment plan for breeding sites.
Enjoy your yard this Spring and Summer. Call Northwest Exterminating for more information on our Green Mosquito Program!
May 3, 2013 | Uncategorized
Spiders often get a bad reputation. They are creepy, crawly creatures and we fear their bite. They are often blamed for skin irritations but the fact is that 80% of presumed spider bites are actually due to some other insect bite or skin infection. Most spider bites are harmless and done by accident. However, there are spiders that can cause real harm (black widow, brown recluse). Not only can the bite be painful but the spider’s venom can cause pain as well. Non-venomous spider bite pain will typically last 5 minutes to an hour but a venomous spider bite can be painful for longer than 24 hours.
So when should you be concerned about a spider bite?
Seek medical attention if:
- pain at the site of the spider bite lasts for longer than 24 hours
- spreading redness around the site
- puss draining from the bite site
- increase in pain
- numbness
- tingling
- discoloration around the site
In rare situations, spider bites can cause allergic reaction. In this case, you should seek immediate medical attention.
If you are concerned about spiders in or around your home, call a professional exterminator to identify the problem and develop a customized plan to rid your home of spiders.
SOURCE
Apr 26, 2013 | Uncategorized
Ants have been making their presence known in homes as of late. Ants are one of the most common pests that homeowner’s and pest professionals find in and around homes. Common ant species are fire ants, carpenter ants, Argentine ants, acrobat ants, and odorous house ants.
Ants have a wide range of habits. Some ants build mounds in the ground, others are found in homes near cracks and crevices, on counters, in kitchen sinks, pantries, and even bathrooms. Knowing the different species of ants and their habits and preferences is key in controlling an ant problem.
Most ants are simply a nuisance pest. They cause little damage but will invade and ruin food and some ants bite. Generally speaking, there are no diseases associated with ants.
A licensed pest professional can identify the type of ant that you are experiencing and develop a customized plan to get rid of ants. With this process, you are using the least amount of chemical possible (if any) while also coming up with a plan that will deter ants from returning. If you are one of the many homeowner’s experiencing ants right now, call Northwest Exterminating at 888.466.7849 or visit www.callnorthwest.com
Jun 25, 2012 | Fire Ant
Fire ants are a common problem for homeowners in Atlanta and other southeastern cities. They can be found in the yard and should be a concern for homeowners. Fire ants can be difficult to get rid of once they have moved onto your property and have built their colonies. They are an aggressive species and will bite and sting if they feel that they, or their colony, is being threatened. A fire ant’s bite or sting can be painful and cause serious health risks to you, your family, and pets. You and your family should be able to enjoy your yard freely without the concern of stumbling across a fire ant mound.
Because fire ants can be difficult to get rid of and carry a health risk, Northwest Exterminating recommends using a professional exterminating company to ensure the fire ant colonies are treated effectively. Northwest Exterminating’s Fire Ant Control program reduces fire ant colonies within 24 to 72 hours. Our treatment even targets the colonies located underground. Other products used by companies take up to 30 days to control fire ants, require immediate irrigation to work, can be harmful to your family and pets, and may require over 80 pounds of product to be effective.
In the summer, you don’t have 30 days to spare to enjoy your yard!
Benefits of Northwest Exterminating’s Fire Ant Control Service:
- We use Dupont’s AdvionTM, the fastest acting fire ant bait on the market.
- The bait is ingested by the fire ant, controlling the colony within 24-72 hours.
- Entire yard is treated to wipe out all colonies, even the ones underground.
- Application is environmentally friendly to your family and pets.
Have you had a run-in with a fire ant mound?
