March 2014 | Page 2 of 2 | Northwest Exterminating

Spring Wildlife Prevention Tips

Mar 14, 2014 | Uncategorized

Head Into Spring With These Helpful Wildlife Prevention Tips

The South (and a greater portion of the country) is making its way out of a treacherous winter. During the recent cold months its likely that pests or wildlife may have taken shelter in your home. Since Spring is approaching it’s a good time to get in the habit of checking around your property for areas that could have been used or could be used as entry points for wildlife.

chipmunk

Wildlife and pests come in all different shapes and sizes. Some are relatively harmless while others can cause potential health threats. Illnesses can be contracted by breathing in contaminated air with spores that develop from fungus grown in animals’ fecal matter. The elderly, children, or those with compromised immune systems can be at high risk for contracting these illnesses.

If you hear scratching or scurrying in your walls, don’t ignore it or try to solve the problem on your own, call a professional wildlife removal team. Guessing or attempting to get rid of the animal on your own could result in costly damage and even danger. When hiring a trusted wildlife removal company, like Northwest Exterminating, the first order of business is to inspect the property and assess the situation. They can identify the issue based on where you’re hearing noises, openings, droppings, gnaw marks, or nests. Once the pest is identified a customized plan can be established.

As we say here over and over again, the key is PREVENTION. Some wildlife are bound and determined to get into your home regardless of the steps you take, however, there are ways you can deter them.

Wildlife Prevention Tips:

Bring pet food and water indoors and keep in a tightly sealed container.
Trim trees back from the roofline.
Although they are fun to watch and enjoy, bird feeders should be removed. They can attract squirrels and other animals to your home.
Clean out gutters.
Keep outdoor trash in a tightly sealed container.
Caulk & seal entrances around the home.
Hire a trusted and knowledgeable wildlife expert to remove wildlife from your home.

Selling Your Home This Spring? Start Preparing Now.

Mar 12, 2014 | Uncategorized

Thinking About Selling Your Home This Spring? Start Preparing Now!

Spring is a popular time for listing your home. The yard is in pique performance, you have ample time before the kids are out of school for the summer, and people seem to enjoy getting out in the beautiful weather to search for their potential new home. Are you looking to sell your home this spring? Here are some tips on selling your home this spring:

Find a Knowledgeable Realtor – Having a good Realtor on your side can make a big difference. Their expertise in marketing your property, showing your property, and working with other agents can make the selling process easier on you. Interview Realtors or ask for recommendations from friends, family, and neighbors.
Take Care of General Maintenance – Cleaning out gutters, changing air filters, and having the HVAC system checked are all ways you can keep your home running efficiently. This will aid in the purchasing process and have huge benefits while you’re living in the home as well.
Make Small Improvements – Replace old fixtures, re-caulk the bathroom, change the doorknobs, all of these are small improvements that can make a big difference in the look of a home.
Complete Any Large Home Improvement Projects – While small projects are encouraged it is recommended to finish any large projects before listing your home. Paint, carpet, new landscaping are all things that you want completed before potential buys come to look at your home.
Spring Cleaning – Spring cleaning can knock out the winter blues that may have sprung up in your home along with getting a deep clean. Need a spring cleaning checklist? Click here.
Clean Out Storage – Take time to go through storage closets, basements, attics, and garages and throw out or donate any items that you no longer need or use. Not only are you making more room but you’ll also have less to pack when you move.
Remove Clutter – Remove clutter from around the house. Potential buys don’t want to see bills lying around, laundry, or even extra knick knacks. The less clutter, the more eye appealing it is to a potential homeowner. This will also help you to clean up quicker when those last minute showings pop up!
Research the Market – Know what else is out there. This will go hand in hand with Tip #1 because your Realtor should provide comparibles for you to view when choosing an asking price. It’s good to know what other homes are offering in the area and how your home stacks up.
Get a Termite Letter – Although termite letters are no longer required according to the Purchase and Sale Agreement it may be required based on other factors. It’s also a great selling tool! Northwest Exterminating provides a warranty for the initial termite inspection that is transferable to the buyer with the first year free. For more information click HERE.

For information on Northwest services you can visit our website at www.callnorthwest.com. Realtors please visit https://www.callnorthwest.com/builder-realtor-services/realtor-services/

New Research Finds New Ways to Control Mosquitoes

Mar 11, 2014 | Uncategorized

New Research is Helping Us Find New Ways to Control Mosquitoes

A mosquito’s ability to target humans seems a little mysterious, right? Not really. They are programmed to look for three things when looking for a blood meal to go lay their eggs: carbon dioxide, heat, and odor. Humans give off all three of these but the mosquitoes really only need two of these to decide we are a good meal.

Researchers have found that carbon dioxide is the most important cue for a mosquito choosing a blood meal. The researchers created mutant mosquitoes that could not detect carbon dioxide and when the mosquitoes were put in a situation with just heat or skin odor they would not bite.

The researchers took the experiment a step further and put a bunch of “regular” mosquitoes and some of the mutant mosquitoes, who could glow in the dark, in a greenhouse and then counted how many of each type landed on the humans. The mutants were still successful in finding a target, but not as good as the “normal” ones. When put in the room with a mouse the mutants really did not do well.

The mouse gives us some important information, the mosquitoes don’t want to waste their time on something that may not help them to lay eggs. This is important to us because it gives us a clue on how to make a better repellant for mosquitoes and control mosquitoes.

This is important to us because it gives the Pest Management industry a clue on how to create more effective products and treatment protocols for mosquitoes. The good news is Northwest Exterminating has an Integrated Mosquito Management program. IMM is an environmentally friendly way of managing mosquito populations at your home or place of business. Please visit the website under the Pest Control tab, or give your local Northwest Exterminating office a call to learn more about this program.

Kate King
Northwest Exterminating
[email protected]

Experts Say Severe Winter Won't Slow Down Georgia Insects

Mar 5, 2014 | Uncategorized

Severe Winter Temperatures Won’t Stop Georgia Insects

UGA Extension entomologist, Elmer Gray, recently wrote an article explaining why the severe winter weather that we’ve experienced in Georgia, and surrounding states, won’t slow down the insect population. In fact, he explains that spring temperatures and moisture conditions will have a far greater effect on insect populations than winter weather. Some insects will die due to the severe weather but most will survive.

Gray explains that insects, having been around for over 300 million years, are adaptive creatures. They are highly adaptable to their surroundings and can survive in extreme conditions. Many insects also overwinter. In the case of insects, overwintering is basically how they survive during the winter months (or how they receive their basic needs). Many insects go through physiological changes that help them survive cold temperatures.

The main concern for insects is that they avoid ice crystals to form inside of their body.

To read the full article, click HERE.

Northwest Attends WNCW's 2014 Community Association Legal Forum

Mar 4, 2014 | Uncategorized

Northwest Attends WNCW’s 2014 Community Association Legal Forum

We recently had a team participate in the 2014 Community Association Legal Forum & Expo at the Cobb Galleria. The event was put together by Weissman, Nowack, Curry, & Wilco Attorneys at Law for community associations and managers.

The event, Learning from the Movies, used memorable moments from Hollywood movies to teach community leaders about current topics and trends in communities.

For more information on how Northwest Exterminating can help with your community management needs visit HERE. Check out some of our pictures from the event.