Aug 23, 2018 | Pest Control
Fall is the perfect time of year to prepare your home for winter. While prepping your yard and storing away your summer things are usually at the top of the list, don’t forget to protect your home from pests this winter also! Fall is prime time for pests to make their way into your house in search of food, shelter, and warmth over the cold winter months.
Rodents will make their way indoors in search of a warm place to shelter for winter. Flies will often be found on the south and west facing walls of your home in search heat. Many stinging insects like yellow jackets, bees, and wasps will become more hostile in the fall as their food supply dwindles. Cockroaches are attracted by the moisture found in and under your home. Other pests like ants, stinkbugs, ladybugs, and box elders will come inside looking for a place to overwinter.
Now that you know what kinds of pests to expect this fall, what can you do to protect your home from these often unseen invaders? Check out these 6 tips to prevent pests this fall.
- Keep Them Out. Inspect the inside and outside of your home for possible entry points that pests can use. Seal any cracks and crevices on the outside of your home with caulk and steel wool, especially around utility pipes. Screen your attic vents and install chimney sweeps. Screen any other openings to the outdoors like mail slots and pet doors. Repair loose mortar around your foundation and windows. Check screens for holes and repair or replace them as needed. Check for any gaps around doors and windows. Install or replace weatherstripping as needed and install door sweeps.
- Keep It Clean. Wipe down your counters and sweep your floors often. Clean up spills immediately. Take out your trash on a regular basis. Don’t let fruits and veggies get overripe on your counters. Keep food, including pet food, stored in airtight containers. Avoid leaving pet food dishes out for prolonged periods of time.
- Dry It Out. Mosquitoes breed in standing water and cockroaches are attracted to moisture. Walk your property on a regular basis to check for any standing water. Be sure to check your gutters and rain spouts for clogs and consider installing gutter guards to help prevent them. Check for leaks near your air conditioning unit. Pick up any toys from your yard that may hold water. Keep basements, attics, and crawlspaces dry and ventilated. Consider enclosing your crawlspace. Use dehumidifiers in attics and garages.
- Don’t Forget Outside. Maintain your landscaping and keep grass trimmed and mowed. Trim any bushes and shrubs away from your home. There should be at least 2 feet between any landscaping and the walls of your house. Rake up any debris from your yard and be sure to pull weeds. Store firewood at least 20 feet from your house and store it in racks above the ground.
- Inspect Before Bringing It In. Thoroughly inspect any items like boxes, packages, and even grocery bags before bringing them indoors. Thoroughly inspect luggage after traveling before bringing them into your home and store them in plastic bags or in external buildings like sheds or garages instead of in your home.
- Call The Pros. Call a professional pest control company who can provide you with a thorough evaluation and comprehensive treatment and prevention plan.
Aug 9, 2018 | Pest Control
Any type of pest infestation is cause for a headache and panic, but no infestation is more difficult and stress-inducing than that of a German cockroach. They amass inside homes in large numbers, making them difficult to contain.
There are plenty of questions homeowners have when dealing with a possible invasion: “How do I know if this is a German roach?”; “Why are they in my home?”; and “What can I do to get rid of them?” Let’s take a moment to answer these questions.
How do I know if this is a German roach?
Adult German Cockroach Nymph German Cockroach
German cockroaches are among the smaller of the cockroach species, measuring anywhere between ½” – 5/8” in length. Oval-shaped and light brownish, almost tan, German cockroaches have two identifying, almost parallel, dark lines that run down their back just behind their head.
Why are they in my home?
German cockroaches are very good at hitchhiking and can make their way in to your home by way of grocery bags and cardboard boxes. They prefer dark, warm places where they can hide. While they can be found anywhere in a home, they are primarily found in bathrooms and kitchens.
What can I do to prevent or get rid of them?
Practicing good sanitation is the best prevention to a German roach infestation. Vacuuming often and looking throughout the home for possible entry points to seal are great preventative measures. A properly ventilated crawl space will help prevent the moisture that German roaches seek out. As always, if you suspect you have a German roach problem, contact your licensed pest professional to set up an inspection as soon as possible.
Aug 8, 2018 | Pest Control
We’ve all been there. You start cooking and open up the bag of flour only to find a bug staring back at you! Yuck! Stored product pests include both storage and pantry pests and fabric pests. Pantry pests are most commonly found in kitchens and food storage areas. Fabric pests are most commonly found in closets and rooms with a source of fiber, fur, or leather. These pests are often not spotted until they leave their food source to crawl or fly around your home. So what kind of pests are these and what can you do to prevent them? Check out these common storage and pantry pests and our 12 tips to prevent them.
Indian Meal Moths
Indian meal moths are one of the most common stored food pests. They are commonly identified by their two toned wing pattern with tan and copper colors. They have a 1/2″ to 5/8″ wingspan. Indian meal moths feed on dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, powdered milk, birdseed, dog food and grains. These moths are most often spotted on ceilings, walls, and countertops. Indian meal moths are usually controlled by removing the infested source of food.
Clothes Moths
Clothes moths are one of the most common fabric pests. Clothes moths are smaller in size then Indian meal moths. They are identified by their shiny golden scales. Clothes moths are very secretive in nature and are primarily nocturnal. They feed on protein based fibers like wool cloth, carpets, furs, pet hair, piano felts, and natural hair brushes. Infested fabrics can be treated with dry cleaning but this doesn’t prevent reinfestation. Dry cleaned items should be stored in either cold storage or sealed in airtight containers with fresh cedar chips.
Beetles
There are several types of beetles that feed on stored food and pantry items. Some of these include weevils, cigarette beetles, , saw toothed grain beetles, larder beetles, mealworms, and flour beetles. These beetles feed on a variety of stored grains, fruits, spices, powdered milk, dried meat, and dead insects. Beetles can be controlled by finding their food source eliminating it. Once eliminated, all non-infested food supplies should be stored in air-tight containers.
Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles are the most common fabric pest beetle species. They are small and round with black or mottled wings. Carpet beetles are often mistaken for bedbugs. These beetles will feed on any source of animal protein, fabrics, carpets, and even mounted animal trophies. Carpet beetles can be controlled by inspecting your furs, wool, feathers, silks, and carpets for their presence and treating with heat or cold.
PREVENTION
- Buy dried foods in quantities that can be used up in 2 to 4 months.
- Use up your older products before your newer ones.
- Inspect all packages before buying them or bringing them home.
- Store foods in tightly closed containers, preferably those made of glass, metal, or heavy plastic. This includes pet food.
- Keep food storage areas clean by cleaning up crumbs and spills immediately.
- Throw away any unused food products.
- Thoroughly clean cracks and corners of cupboards and doors with a vacuum cleaner.
- Check and clean areas where pet food and birdseed are stored.
- Regularly beat and air out wool rugs (once or twice a month).
- Clean baseboards of pet hair and dust.
- Remove old bird and rodent nests from your attic.
- Contact a pest control professional if you suspect you have an infestation of any of these pests.
Jul 27, 2018 | Pest Control
Nestled close to Lake Lanier is Cumming, GA where, during the summer months, many people come to visit to enjoy the lake fun. Cumming, GA also has many full-time residents and offers plenty of pest control companies to keep you and your family pest free all year long. We put together a list of three companies that received positive reviews in the area, in case you’re looking for pest or termite protection.
- Think Green Pest Control: A locally owned company that offers 4 options to protect your home from termites, pests, and mosquitoes.
- All Exterminating: Offering termite, pest, and wildlife services, All Exterminating received positive reviews and place a strong emphasis on customer service.
- Halliday Pest Control Services: A family-owned company, Halliday has provided pest services to Cumming, GA and the surrounding area for over 20 years.
From one quick “pest control Cumming GA” Google search, you will come across the many pest control companies that service the Cumming, GA or Lake Lanier area. Pest control is an important aspect to any home or business because pests can spread diseases and cause unfortunate damage to your home. As you narrow down your list of companies from online reviews and your own research, consider the other items that may also be important to you, like convenience billing, the ability to bundle multiple services, or possibly a weekend appointment time to ensure that you choose a company that fits your needs.
Aside from reading online reviews and checking out the services that are offered, you can always check with your friends and family to see who they would recommend in the area. Our Northwest Exterminating office in Cumming, GA has been fortunate to service many homes and businesses in the area and offers services from bed bugs to fire ants and most pests in between. We hope as you continue your research companies that you’ll consider Northwest Exterminating as an option for you and your home.
Jul 27, 2018 | Pest Control
Intercepting Interstate 75 and Interstate 16 is the great city of Macon, GA. Over 90,000 people choose to call Macon home, with the city offering great schools, jobs, entertainment, and yes, pest control options. We rounded up some pest control companies who received good reviews to hopefully aid you in your search for the company that is right for you!
- Blitz Exterminators: Offering termite, bed bug, and other pest control, Blitz received positive reviews and has over 20 years of experience in Macon, GA.
- Macon Pest Control Pros: With a wide variety of services offered and a mission to keep prices transparent, Macon Pest Control Pros could be a good option for your pest control needs.
- White and Lavender: With residential and commercial services, White and Lavender can care for your pest and termite control needs with their 50+ years of experience.
When we’re looking up great pest control options in the area, one of the first things we look at are the reviews that the company has received on websites like Yelp and Google. The reviews usually come from current or previous customers, which can give you a good idea of how it was to work with the company and the service that they provide. Another way for you to determine which company is best for you is by calling your top choices to see A) What services they offer and B) What plan they have for your home. Since every home is different, it is important to work with a company that understands what you need so that you’re not given a “one-size-fits-all” plan.
Our Barnes Exterminating office has been serving the Macon, GA area for over 30 years and recently joined the Northwest Exterminating family. The Barnes team members would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have or quote you on services that your home may need. We know how important it is to come home to a house that is inviting, not falling apart from termites or invaded by ants. Our team can help protect your home from pests, termites, mosquitoes, and more.
We hope one of the companies above will be able to help protect your home from pests and we also hope that you will consider Barnes Exterminating as you continue your research. If you have additional questions about what pests are bothering you and your home, take a look at our Identify Your Pest page for more information or give our Barnes office a call today.
Jul 25, 2018 | Pest Control
Summer is winding down and parents are getting ready to send their kids back to school. While finishing summer reading, stocking up on school supplies, and getting new haircuts are first and foremost on our to do lists, one thing we might not think about is preparing for head lice! August and September are the busiest months for head lice. Kids are coming back to school after a summer of play dates, camp, and sleepovers which significantly increases their chances of picking up head lice before school starts back. In fact, more than 12 million kids each year get head lice. While they can definitely be a nuisance to get rid of, head lice haven’t been shown to spread disease. So what should you do if you get the dreaded note from school that someone in your child’s class has head lice?
- Check everyone in the household, not just the child in the affected class but only treat those who have active infestations.
- Wash any hats, scarves, clothes, bedding, pillow cases, stuffed animals, towels, etc in hot water and dry them on the hottest setting.
- Any items that can’t be laundered should be dry cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks.
- Don’t share hats, brushes, combs, or towels that come in contact with the hair.
- Vacuum your furniture and floors.
- Soak brushes and combs in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
- Follow the instructions on your lice treatment medication closely.
- Do not use conditioner or a shampoo/conditioner combination product before using lice medicine.
- Don’t rewash the hair for 1-2 days after treatment.
- Check the head carefully after treatment. If you don’t see any dead lice 8-12 hours after treatment the medicine may not be working. You should contact your health care provider for more treatment options.
- Check the hair every 2 to 3 days for 2 to 3 weeks to make sure all lice and nits are completely gone.
Jul 19, 2018 | Pest Control
Although summer may be coming to an end, that doesn’t necessarily mean that pest season is. In fact, as temperatures start to cool down, pests will start to look for places to hide indoors for the winter. Contacting a pest control company now can help you prepare your home for fall and winter pests. Here are a few pest control options in the Lawrenceville, GA area:
- Gwinnett Pest Control – With over 50 years of experience and 3 generations of family offering a full range of pest control services.
- Bulwark Pest Control – In business since 1999, this family owned company offers a wide range of pest control and termite services.
- Pyramid Exterminators and Wildlife Control – A family owned and operated company since 1999 offering pest control and wildlife management services.
- Divine Team, Inc – A family owned and operated company with 20+ years of experience offering a full range of residential and commercial pest control services.
How do you choose the best pest control company for you? You can rely on word of mouth, Google, Yelp, and Facebook reviews, and past experience to name a few. Research is your best resource when it comes to choosing a pest control company.
As always, we hope you will consider calling Northwest Exterminating for any of your pest problems if you’re in the Lawrenceville or surrounding area, as we have locations to service most parts of Georgia. However, our biggest goal is for you to find the right pest solution for you. Feel free to check out more on our website to identify your pests and to determine what pest solutions are out there for your home, or get started by calling (888) 466-7849 or filling out the Free Estimate form below.
Jul 16, 2018 | Company News, Pest Control
Barnes Exterminating, a division of Northwest Exterminating, received the 2018 Best Pest Control award for the Macon, GA area. This honor is voted on by the Macon community each year in The Telegraph’s Best of the Best Awards. Barnes Exterminating has received the Best Pest Control award for 2015, 2017, and 2018.
“Our team was honored to be recognized by the community as the Best in Pest Control for the second year in a row. Our company goal is ‘Customers for Life’, so we were thrilled that our community selected us as their best pest control choice. We just hope to continue to serve them well!” says Huey Hood, Service Center Manager for Barnes.
Barnes Exterminating has been serving the Macon, GA community for over 30 years and joined the Northwest Exterminating team in 2018 to continue to grow and better serve this area. Northwest brings years of industry experience and strong family values, so we hope to continue to improve our overall customer experience. We appreciate the Macon residents and companies for continuing to choose us as their exterminating provider!
Jul 11, 2018 | Pest Control
Summer is a busy season for most of us. Whether it’s traveling for summer vacation, planning barbecues, or just spending more time outdoors we tend to be a lot more active in these warmer months. The same is true for pests! Ants, mosquitoes, bed bugs, and lots of other pests are much more prevalent in the summertime. To enjoy summer to the fullest, it might be necessary to call in a pest control professional to eliminate these pesky pests. Here are a few options in the Roswell, GA area:
- ATA Family Pest Solutions – Offers a full range of pest control, mosquito, termite, rodent, and wildlife services with no contracts and a 100% guarantee.
- North Fulton Pest Solutions – A full service pest control company offering both commercial and residential services, as well as energy efficiency solutions for your home.
- Zone Home Solutions – A hometown pest control and heating and air specialist that is family owned and operated since 1996.
- Pure Defense Pest Solutions – A family owned company in operation since 2011 offering a full range of services and eco-friendly products.
Choosing a pest control company is a personal choice. Many factors go into determining the best fit for you and your family including personal experience, Google, Yelp and Facebook reviews, personal recommendations, and past experiences to name a few. Make sure you make the best choice by doing your research before choosing a company.
As always, we hope you will consider calling Northwest Exterminating for any of your pest problems if you’re in the Marietta or surrounding area, as we have locations to service most parts of Georgia. However, our biggest goal is for you to find the right pest solution for you. Feel free to check out more on our website to identify your pests and to determine what pest solutions are out there for your home, or get started by calling (888) 466-7849 or filling out the Free Estimate form below.
