May 31, 2013 | Uncategorized
Each warm season brings questions from homeowners and pet owners regarding ticks. We worry about our furry family members and ourselves if we plan on spending time outdoors, especially in or around wooded areas.
The brown dog tick is one species of tick that should be cause for concern, especially for those who have dogs. Although they feed on a wide variety of mammals, dogs are their preferred host. These ticks are unique in that they can complete an entire life cycle indoors. They feed on the host for about a week before dropping off and laying their eggs…up to 5,000 eggs!! After she’s done laying her eggs, she dies. The full life cycle of a brown dog tick lasts just over two months and generally are long living creatures.
A brown dog tick infestation can develop in high quantities and very quickly. Oftentimes, ticks go unnoticed on dogs until the ticks are spotted throughout the home.
To protect your home and your dog from brown tick infestation, here are some brown dog tick control tips:
- Good house and lawn maintenance goes a long way in keeping ticks and other pests from getting into your home.
- Take trash out of your home on a regular basis and put in a tightly sealed container outside of your home. Make sure this container is emptied regularly.
- Regularly schedule pest control will help to keep ticks and other pests away from your home.
- Treat your animals, dogs especially, with a tick treatment. Your veterinarian is a good source of information on the best products for your dog.
- Regularly check your dogs for ticks and other pests like fleas.
- Use DEET or other insect repellant when going outdoors.
For more detailed information on the brown dog tick, visit http://www.entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/medical/brown_dog_tick.htm.
May 29, 2013 | Uncategorized
The house spider is a common problem that we’re seeing in homes lately. We’ve had lots of calls and concerns about the tiny little pests hanging around. The most effective way of getting rid of spiders is to prevent them from ever coming into your home. Spiders, like most insects, come into your home in search of food. By ridding your home of other insects (regularly scheduled pest maintenance) your home will be useless to the spider.
Ways to Prevent Spiders from coming into your home:
- Seal cracks and crevices around the perimeter of your home that can be used as entry points into your home.
- Use screens on doors and windows.
- Use a vacuum to suck up spiders and their eggs (they often escape if a broom is used).
- Spider survival is low in homes with low humidity, few insects, higher garages, sheds, barns, warehouses, etc.
- Spider webs are often built in corners and angles of walls and windows so web brush often or ask your pest professional to do it while they are treating your home.
- Spiders build webs by trial and error which explains why there may be multiple vacant webs around your home.
- Keep your home clean. Clutter is good for spiders because it gives them a place to hide.
- Ensure that bushes and other plants are trimmed back from the outside wall of your home.
- Make sure mulch is kept a few inches back from the foundation of your home.
- Use plastic storage boxes instead of cardboard. Spiders love cardboard.
Again, regularly scheduled pest control from a professional pest management company will keep out the spiders and their food sources.
May 27, 2013 | Uncategorized
As some may have noticed, snakes are showing up everywhere. Why? Simple, the seasons are changing from cold to warm. Snakes are cold-blooded and require sun light for heat. This time of year also starts breeding season for snakes.Want to know more about these slithery creatures?
Habitat: Snakes are found in areas of heavy foliage where they hide and may attract rodents for food. They look for areas of sunlight early to help replenish heat lost during the night (driveways,street,patio,etc.). As the day heats up, look for snakes to seek shade and water (under decks,shrubs,creeks,ponds,etc.).
Most snakes are not venomous, but my best advice would be to leave them alone. Try and understand why he wants to be there. Does your property consist of any of the things mentioned above? If yes, try altering as much as possible to the property.
Treatments: There are monthly treating options during peak months. This is used with a liquid product that upsets the sharp senses in a snake when tasting the air when moving. When you call our wildlife control team, we will inspect your property and discuss habitat alteration as well.
Call us with any questions you may have regarding snakes and their habitats.
Sean Gilbert
Wildlife Manager
[email protected]
May 24, 2013 | Uncategorized
Northwest Exterminating is proud to announce that we have been selected, once again, as one of the Top Workplaces in Atlanta by The AJC! We were ranked #7 in the midsize company category! This is an honor that we are pleased to accept!! Our employees are the driving force behind the success of this company and our customer’s satisfaction.
More than 1,000 companies were nominated for Top Workplaces recognition. Workplace Dynamics, a partner with The AJC, then sent out surveys to employees at the nominated companies. Based off of those survey results, the top companies were selected.
To view our page, click here.
We were also selected in 2011 as one of the Top Workplaces!
May 20, 2013 | Uncategorized
Looking for a job where you can enjoy the great outdoors? Pest Control may be just the answer that you’re looking for. Fox Business recently released an article with the Top 8 outdoor jobs that are “growing or are poised to grow”.
Seeing as how pests are everywhere…it’s a pretty stable business to be in. Pest Management Technicians, as well as, Termite Service Technicians both made the list. To read the full list click HERE.
Interested in a career in pest or termite control that will allow you to enjoy the great outdoors? Visit our Careers page to see our career opportunities.
Did we mention we were recently named #7 of the Top 100 Top Work Places for medium sized companies by The AJC?!?!
