Oct 24, 2012 | Insulation
We’re all looking for ways to save money. We’re cutting back on unnecessary items, thinking twice before we spend our money, and looking for ways to save on necessities. One way to save is to install TAP Insulation in your attic.
Attic Before TAP
Tap Insulation saves in two ways: saving on your energy bills and energy savings (along with many other benefits). When your attic has the right r-value, resistance to heat, then your HVAC system runs more efficiently. Less work for your HVAC means less money each month on the bill. Our highly trained professional will evaluate your current r-value and bring your insulation to the Department of Energy recommended r-value of 49, with a minimum of 30.
Attic After TAP
It’s typical to see a 20-38% savings on your energy bills after you’ve had TAP Insulation installed. This will benefit your home in both the cold winter months and the warm summer months because it keeps your home at a consistent temperature throughout the season which gives your HVAC system a break. Lastly, TAP Insulation is a GREEN solution for your home. It’s another great way to save green while going green!
Other benefits of TAP Insulation:
- Insulation made of recycled newsprint.
- Permanent Pest Protection in your attic.
- Fire Safety
Oct 22, 2012 | Pest Control
The German cockroach is the most common species of cockroach and can be found all around the world. They are most often found in kitchens and bathrooms due to their preference for warm, humid places that are near food and water sources. But you won’t always see them out in the open because they like to live in the cracks and crevices around homes and commercial buildings. In fact, they spend 75% of their time in the cracks and crevices.
Environment of German cockroaches:
- Cosmopolitan in distribution and will live anywhere humans build heated structures
- Usually found in kitchens in secluded areas
- Behind and under appliances
- In cracks and crevices behind backsplashes
- At counter edges
- Behind and under cabinets
- In void areas around plumbing
- Backs of drawer wells
- Will infest warm areas around appliance motors such as refrigerators and dishwashers
Not only are German cockroaches a nuisance pest but they are also a health risk. Studies have shown that German cockroaches have been linked to illness and allergic reaction in humans, especially children. They can spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, six parasitic worms, and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. They pick up germs while crawling around and transfer them as they crawl on our food and surfaces. They spread allergens as they crawl, and deposit droppings, secretions, cast skins, and dead bodies.
Health threats of German cockroaches:
- Will invade your home and leave fecal matter and other debris in and around food and food preparation areas
- Can enter homes when boxes or products are shipped moved from one location to another
- Reproduces at a high rate, completing a life cycle in 30 to 45 days
- Produces 30-48 eggs at a time
- Can generate 3 to 4 egg cases in a lifetime
- Difficult to eradicate because they can infest so many areas and can be very difficult to contact with an insecticide
Contact a professional pest control company if you think German cockroaches have taken up residence in your home. Trained personnel know where to look for harborage sites and what products to apply to achieve fast and effective results. It is much easier to eliminate a German cockroach problem when it is newly established and small, rather than when the population has time to build.
Oct 19, 2012 | Wildlife
Rodents are mammals that are distinguished by a single pair of constantly growing teeth known as incisors in both their upper and lower jaws. These incisors are kept short by the constant gnawing that the animal does on wood, food, predators and unfortunately in and around homes. About 40% of mammals are classified as rodents, compromising the majority of these species. Common rodents include mice, rats, squirrels, porcupines, beavers, guinea pigs and even hamsters. Contrary to popular belief bats, moles, and weasels, despite common associations, do not belong to the rodent family.
Many rodents have had an adverse effect on humankind. For instance, rodents cost billions of dollars in lost crops each year and some carry diseases such as bubonic plague, typhus and hantavirus. The best way to prevent human exposure to rodent disease is rodent control. This includes eliminating food sources such as open garbage bags, sealing entries to the home and trapping rodents in and around the home.
Northwest Exterminating’s Wildlife Team specializes in the exclusion, removal, and control of wildlife nuisances. A Wildlife Services Representative will inspect your business or property for evidence of wildlife and will determine the points of entry being used by these critters to access your building. A customized plan will be developed to get the immediate nuisance under control and to seal off any known points of entry. If you have more questions, please give us a call at 1-888-466-7849.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodent
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mammal/rodentia/rodentia.html
http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/
https://www.callnorthwest.com/commercial-services/commercial-wildlife-control/
Melissa Brown
[email protected]
Oct 17, 2012 | Pest Control
The fear of insects is normal. For some, the fear can be so severe that it can be diagnosed as entomophobia, a fear or aversion to insects. This fear can confine people to their homes without the ability to enjoy the great outdoors and interfere with the quality of life. Experts say that 1-2% of adults in the US has some degree of entomophobia.
But not all bugs are to be feared. We speak a lot about the harm and damage that pests can do to your health and home but we also want to point out that not all insects are bad. The preying mantis is pest control in itself. Preying mantis’ are predators that catch and feed on other insects. Although termites can do thousands of dollars of damage to a structure they are beneficial for the eco-system. Termites help break down decaying trees. Termites can break down wood on a massive scale and prevent trees from piling up and killing the forest. Ladybugs are another natural pest control. Ladybugs eat other insects that do not have a too hard shell.
Although some bugs can be beneficial it is still very important to protect your home. Continue your pest control service to keep bugs in their natural environment instead of your home.
Check out our blog 5 Bugs to Love
Oct 12, 2012 | Pest Control
We talked on Wednesday about the return of the stink bug. We had so many questions that we thought we would continue our conversation about these pesky pests.
Stink bug
You may have noticed these six legged creatures in and around your home lately. The brown marmorated stink bug, also simply known as the stink bug, originated in parts of Asia. It first showed up in the American mainland in parts of Pennsylvania. At some point, these insects migrated to all parts of the Southeast and have a penchant for fruits, vegetables and other plants.
Stink bugs get their names from a defense mechanism located under their bodies that is triggered when threatened by predators such as birds or lizards. Nevertheless, simply handling the bug, injuring it or attempting to move it can trigger it to release an odor.
Damage done by a stink bug to an apple
As the seasons change, these bugs tend to seek out people’s homes as overwintering shelter from September to the first half of October in order to go into a state of hibernation. Adults can live anywhere from several months to a year. Typically, these bugs enter the home through cracks under or behind baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust fans or lights in ceilings. Sealing these openings will prevent the insects from entering.
If you find that you are having trouble keeping these bugs at bay, call Northwest and our experienced technicians will provide you with a service that protects your homes, lawns and gardens. For the best – Call Northwest!
Melissa Brown
[email protected]
