The Flying Squirrel…No, not the dive!

The flying squirrel isn’t just a dive you do off the diving board!  It’s a real tree squirrel that is present right here in Georgia and the Southeast.  The flying squirrel is a tree squirrel that can glide, rather than actually fly, over 80 yards!  These are only considered pests once they enter your home.  Once inside your home they can cause damage and odor with their urine.  They are nocturnal creatures so they will surely keep you up at night but all in all, they are of minor medical concern to humans.

Flying squirrels are very similar to your everyday squirrel with their brown bodies and white bellies.  However, the flying squirrel will have a loose fold of skin between the front and hind legs.  These squirrels are the smallest of the tree squirrels and are the only ones that are nocturnal.  They eat nuts, berries, insects and even meat when it is available.  Flying squirrels are agile creatures that can turn mid glide and change their angle of decent, lightly landing on all fours.  As graceful as they are in the air, they are clumsy creatures on the ground.

The flying squirrel favors the woodpecker by nesting in small holes in a tree.  They may also find a home in your attic.  During the winter, you may find 20 or more living together.  Exclusion is the key to squirrel removal from your attic.  It is best to call a professional animal removal service that can safely remove the squirrels, find the points of entry and seal any holes.  For more information, visit us HERE!

Signs of a House Mouse

Have you ever woken up to the sound of scurrying across your floors or tiny little squeaks?  Maybe it’s just an overactive imagination…or maybe not!  House Mice are a common problem in homes.  Although they are generally harmless, we must not forget that mice are a nuisance and a threat to the health of our home.  Mice are known to cause damage and carry diseases.

Here are some signs that you may have an unwanted visitor in your home:

  • Gnaw marks – Check for tooth marks and wood shavings around doors, baseboards, and cabinets.  Mice will also chew on food containers to get access to food.
  • Droppings and/or urine – Look for droppings about the size of a grain of rice along walls, storage areas and next to objects.
  • Tracks/footprints – Look for footprints.  The front foot will have 4 toes and the back foot will have 5 toes.
  • Rub/Grease marks – When mice are traveling along walls, pipes, etc, they leave greasy smears as dirt and oil from their fur rub off onto the surfaces.
  • Burrows – They often create nests in materials such as insulation.
  • Damaged goods – Because of their constant chewing, droppings, and urination they are known to damage wood, electrical wiring, insulation and other items around the home.
  • Nests – Check areas of the house for nests built of debris.
  • Sounds – Listen for squeaks and squeals at night when the house is quiet and the mice are most active.
  • Sightings – Mice are very inquisitive so be on the lookout.

If you find a mouse or signs of a mouse in your home, call Northwest Exterminating for mouse control.

Strange Pest Facts

Pests are incredible creatures.  Here are some little known facts about pests!

  • According to studies, half of all known animals are pests.
  • The majority of insects use their antennae to search for food.
  • All insects have 3 pairs of jointed legs.
  • An ant can lift 20 times its own body weight.
  • There are 4,000 kinds of wasps in the United States.
  • A typical mattress can contain tens of thousands of dust mites.
  • Stink bugs were not reported in the US until the late 90’s after originally being found in East Asia.
  • Certain moths have a natural anti-freeze that keeps sharp ice crystal from breaking their cells. This allows them to stay active in freezing weather.
  • The total weight of all the termites in the world is more than the total weight of all the humans in the world.
  • An adult rat can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter.
 

According to studies, half of all known animals are pests.

The majority of insects use their antennae to search for food.

All insects have 3 pairs of jointed legs.

An ant can lift 20 times its own body weight.

There are 4,000 kinds of wasps in the United States.

A typical mattress can contain tens of thousands of dust mites.

Stink bugs were not reported in the US until the late 90’s after originally being found in East Asia.

Certain moths have a natural anti-freeze that keeps sharp ice crystal from breaking their cells. This allows them to stay active in freezing weather.

The total weight of all the termites in the world is more than the total weight of all the humans in the world.

An adult rat can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter.

 

 

 

Northwest's Realtor Relations Team

In this housing economy, Realtors are more important than ever.  We know that you take your job seriously and want to do what’s in your customer’s best interest at all times.  That’s why Northwest Exterminating has a whole team that is specifically devoted to serving Realtors!

We offer you peace of mind and treat your customers as our own.  Although termite letters are no longer required in the state of Georgia, we all know that having a professional termite inspection and peace of mind is worth the time and effort.  A termite letter is a great selling tool that gives a buyer comfort in knowing the house is free of termites.

We assist real estate agents in the buying and selling process by providing:

To schedule your FREE termite inspection CLICK HERE!  To find out more about our Realtor Services CLICK HERE!

Little Known Facts About Cockroaches

They are one of the most feared pests in homes and businesses.  Not only are they a nuisance but they are also capable of carrying diseases as well as causing allergic reactions.  Here are some little known facts about cockroaches.

What is the most common species of cockroach?
There are 4,000 species of cockroaches, 70 of which can be found in the United States.  Among the most common are the American, Australian, brown, brown-banded, German, oriental, and smokybrown.  The German cockroach is the most common.

Do cockroaches fly?
Most cockroaches do not fly.  However, the brown-banded and American cockroaches do.

How long can cockroaches live without food or water?
Most small species can live up to several weeks without food, and a week without water.  Larger species can go a bit longer.

How long can a cockroach live without its head?
Depending on the species, a cockroach can live anywhere between 1 week and 1 month without its head.  The cockroach’s nervous system and organs are not centralized which enables them to survive.  When decapitated, they usually die due to dehydration and starvation.

Why do cockroaches die on their backs?
When a cockroach is treated with certain insecticides it can affect the roach’s nervous system.  This causes tremors and muscle spasm that cause the cockroach to flip on its back.

What color is a cockroach’s blood?
Cockroaches
do not have red blood because they do not use hemoglobin to carry oxygen.  They do not carry oxygen in their blood stream either.  Most cockroach’s blood is colorless.

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