Dec 22, 2023 | Pest Control
Dec 15, 2023 | Pest Control
The holiday season in Georgia brings joy, warmth, and festive cheer. However, it also marks the arrival of unwanted guests – holiday pests that can disrupt your celebrations. As temperatures drop, pests seek refuge indoors, making pest-proofing your home a crucial step in ensuring a pest-free holiday season. In this guide, we’ll explore common winter and holiday pests, along with effective tips for holiday pest proofing and elimination.
Common Holiday Pests in Georgia
- Rodents: Mice and rats are notorious for seeking shelter in warm, cozy homes during colder months. They can squeeze through tiny openings and cause havoc in your pantry.
- Cockroaches: Cockroaches are resilient and can survive harsh conditions. They are attracted to warmth and food, making your home an ideal destination during the holidays.
- Spiders: While most spiders are harmless, some can pose a threat. They often enter homes in search of prey and shelter.
- Ants: Even in winter, ants can be a nuisance. They may venture inside seeking water, warmth, or food sources.
Pest Prevention for a Joyful Holiday Season
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for any cracks, gaps, or openings. Use weather stripping and sealant to close gaps around windows, doors, and foundations. Pay special attention to areas where pipes and wires enter your home.
- Proper Food Storage: Keep food items in airtight containers to deter rodents and insects. Clean up crumbs and spills promptly, and store garbage in tightly sealed bins.
- Outdoor Maintenance: Trim trees and shrubs away from your home to eliminate pest highways. Regularly clean gutters and remove debris to prevent pest harborage.
- Inspection and Monitoring: Regularly inspect attics, basements, and crawl spaces for signs of pests. Set up traps and monitor them to catch any intruders early. Inspect decorations and other holiday items before bringing them indoors.
- Professional Pest Control: Consider hiring a professional pest control service for a thorough inspection and treatment. Professionals can identify potential problem areas and implement effective pest prevention strategies.
Eliminating Holiday Pests with Expert Pest Control
If you find yourself facing an infestation despite your best efforts, it’s crucial to act promptly. Our expert pest control services are tailored to address the unique challenges posed by holiday pests. We utilize advanced techniques and environmentally friendly treatments to ensure a safe and pest-free home.
Don’t let holiday pests dampen your festive spirit. Take proactive steps for holiday pest proofing and enjoy the season without unwanted visitors. Contact your local pest control company today for a free pest control quote, and let our experienced team safeguard your home for a joyful and pest-free holiday season.
Wishing you a happy and pest-free holiday season!
Nov 17, 2023 | Pest Control
Georgia is home to a variety of fascinating arachnids, including the intricate orb weaver spiders. While these eight-legged creatures play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, encountering them in and around your home can be a cause for concern. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of orb weavers, exploring how to identify them, where they commonly reside, and essential tips for prevention and control.
Identifying Orb Weaver Spiders: Nature’s Web Artists
Orb weavers, members of the Araneidae family, are renowned for their distinctive circular webs, meticulously crafted to capture unsuspecting prey. Recognizing these spiders is key to effective pest control. Key features include:
- Web Structure: Orb weavers construct spiral-shaped webs with a hub at the center, creating a classic orb shape.
- Coloration: These spiders come in a range of colors, including brown, black, and vibrant yellows and greens. Some species may have intricate patterns on their abdomens.
- Size: Orb weavers can vary in size, with some species having small bodies, while others can reach sizes of up to an inch or more.
Common Habitats of Orb Weavers in Georgia
Orb weavers are adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, both natural and man-made. In Georgia, you may encounter them in:
- Gardens and Yards: These spiders often take residence in gardens, where their webs can capture flying insects like mosquitoes and flies.
- Wooded Areas: Orb weavers thrive in wooded environments, using trees and shrubs to anchor their webs.
- Around Buildings: Structures with outdoor lighting can attract insects, providing a perfect hunting ground for orb weavers.
Prevention and Control Strategies
While orb weavers are generally beneficial, their presence near your home may cause discomfort. Here are some practical tips for prevention and control:
- Regular Cleaning: Keep outdoor spaces tidy by removing debris, such as leaves and tall grass, which can attract insects and subsequently orb weavers.
- Seal Entry Points: Ensure windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent spiders from entering your home.
- Outdoor Lighting: Use yellow-toned outdoor lights, which are less attractive to insects and, by extension, orb weavers.
- Professional Pest Control: If orb weavers become a persistent issue, consider seeking the expertise of a professional pest control service. Trained technicians can assess the situation and implement targeted solutions.
If you find yourself caught in the web of orb weaver spiders, don’t hesitate to take action. Our experienced pest control team is here to help. Request a free pest control quote today to safeguard your home from unwanted arachnid visitors. Let us weave a plan to keep your space pest-free and comfortable.
Nov 10, 2023 | Pest Control
Centipedes, with their numerous legs and speedy movements, are not exactly a welcome sight in any home. As common household pests, centipedes can be a nuisance, but understanding what attracts centipedes to your home is the first step towards effective pest control. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the basics of centipedes, how they find their way indoors, signs of infestation, and crucial tips for prevention and elimination.
Basic Information about Centipedes:
Centipedes are arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda. Despite their name, centipedes do not have a hundred legs; the number varies depending on the species but typically ranges from 15 to 177 pairs. Known for their long, segmented bodies and swift movements, centipedes are carnivorous, preying on insects and spiders.
How Centipedes Invade Homes:
Centipedes are attracted to homes for several reasons. Understanding these factors can help you take proactive steps to keep them at bay.
- Moisture: Centipedes thrive in damp environments. Excess moisture in basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms creates an ideal habitat for them.
- Food Source: Centipedes feed on other insects, so if your home has an existing insect problem, it might attract centipedes seeking a meal.
- Cracks and Crevices: Centipedes can easily find their way indoors through small cracks and openings in the foundation, walls, or around windows and doors.
Signs of Centipede Infestation:
Identifying a centipede infestation early is crucial for effective pest control. Look out for the following signs:
- Sightings: If you frequently spot centipedes in and around your home, it’s a clear indication of an infestation.
- Shed Exoskeletons: Centipedes shed their exoskeletons as they grow. Finding these shed skins in hidden corners or areas with moisture suggests an active centipede presence.
- Increased Insect Activity: Centipedes are predators, so an increase in other insect activity could attract them.
Tips for Prevention and Elimination:
- Reduce Moisture: Addressing moisture issues is key. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas, fix leaky pipes, and ensure proper ventilation.
- Seal Entry Points: Seal cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation, walls, and around doors and windows to prevent centipedes from entering.
- Remove Hiding Places: Declutter basements, attics, and storage areas to eliminate potential hiding spots for centipedes.
- Regular Cleaning: Regular cleaning helps eliminate the insects that centipedes feed on, reducing their attraction to your home.
- Professional Pest Control: If a centipede infestation persists, it’s wise to consult a professional pest control service. They have the expertise to assess the situation and provide effective solutions.
Don’t let centipedes take over your home. Take proactive steps and ensure a pest-free living environment. Our expert pest control team in Georgia is ready to assist you. Request a free pest control quote today and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a centipede-free home.
Remember, early detection and preventive measures are crucial in keeping centipedes and other household pests at bay. With the right approach, you can enjoy a comfortable and pest-free living space in Georgia.
Oct 26, 2023 | Pest Control
With the holidays nearing, now is the perfect time to ensure you don’t have pantry pests in your Tennessee home. Pantry pests are insects that like to invade your stored food products, often laying their eggs to reproduce and causing a full blow infestation. Let’s go over common pantry pests you can find in your home and how you can further prevent them.
Common Pantry Pests in Tennessee
Indian Meal Moth
The Indian meal moth is known for feeding on several types of food found in our pantry, including dried fruits and vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, candies, and pet food. You can identify these pests by their two-toned wing pattern with a tan to copper oval-shaped body. These pests are highly attracted to light and anywhere they can find food.
Merchant Grain Beetles
This pantry pest has a dark brown body, six legs, and six saw-like teeth on each side of their bodies. Their narrow oval body shape allows them to crawl inside of packaging to eat, live, and reproduce. They prefer to feed on cereals, cake mixes, macaroni, and cookies, even though their names suggest they like grain!
How to Prevent Pantry Pests:
- Invest in proper storage. Utilize food storage containers with airtight locking. The best types of foods to keep in these containers are cereals, pasta, cookies, grains, and seeds.
- Inspect your groceries. The most common way of getting pantry pests is from the store. Inspect the packaging of the items you buy and make sure there are no tears or openings.
- Keep a clean home. On a regular basis, clean out your old pantry items after their expiration date and clean up any leftover crumbs or spills after each meal.
If you suspect pantry pests have invaded your pantry, give your local Tennessee pest control company a call for a customized pest control plan and a free inspection!
Oct 20, 2023 | Pest Control
Georgia’s diverse wildlife and lush greenery make it a picturesque place to live, but it also attracts various critters, including snakes. While many snakes in Georgia are non-venomous and beneficial, encountering them in your yard can be unnerving. To ensure your family’s safety and peace of mind, we’ll explore natural ways to keep snakes away using common snake repellent plants, discuss common snakes found in Georgia, and provide tips for prevention and snake removal.
Common Snakes in Georgia
Before we dive into snake-repelling plants, let’s get familiar with some of the common snakes you might encounter in Georgia:
- Eastern Garter Snake: Harmless and small, garter snakes are commonly found throughout Georgia.
- Eastern Rat Snake: A beneficial snake that helps control rodent populations.
- Copperhead Snake: One of the few venomous snakes in Georgia, identifiable by its copper-colored head.
- Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake: The largest venomous snake in North America, though encounters are rare.
Now, let’s explore some natural methods to keep these serpents at bay.
Repelling Snakes with Plants
- Lavender: Lavender’s fragrant scent is lovely to us but offensive to snakes. Plant it along paths and near entry points to your home.
- Marigolds: The strong odor of marigolds deters not only snakes but also a range of other pests.
- Rosemary: This aromatic herb is an excellent choice for snake repellent. Plant it around your garden or entryways.
- Onion and Garlic: Both onion and garlic plants can help keep snakes away due to their pungent scent.
- Lemongrass: Lemongrass contains citronella, which is a natural snake repellent. Plant it in your garden or keep it in pots around your outdoor areas.
Preventing and Eliminating Snakes
Aside from using snake-repellent plants, here are some additional tips to prevent and eliminate snakes from your yard:
- Keep Your Yard Neat: Trim overgrown grass, remove debris, and eliminate hiding spots like woodpiles and tall shrubs.
- Secure Your Home: Seal any cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation, windows, and doors to prevent snakes from entering.
- Control Rodents: Snakes are attracted to prey like rodents. Implement rodent control measures to reduce the rodent population in your area.
- Regular Inspections: Periodically inspect your yard for snake presence, shed skins, or nests.
- Professional Pest Control: If you’re dealing with a persistent snake problem or have concerns about venomous snakes, don’t hesitate to contact a professional pest control company. Request a free pest control quote from experts in the field.
Conclusion
Living in Georgia’s beautiful landscape also means sharing your space with wildlife, including snakes. By using snake-repelling plants, maintaining your yard, and taking steps to prevent snake encounters, you can enjoy the natural beauty of Georgia while keeping slithery intruders at bay. If you need help with pest control, request a free quote from a trusted pest control company to ensure a snake-free environment for your family.
Oct 16, 2023 | Pest Control
As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, we welcome the beauty of autumn. However, with the arrival of fall, we also welcome a different kind of guest into our homes – spiders. While most spiders prefer to stay outdoors, some decide to seek shelter indoors during the cooler months. Two common culprits are daddy long legs and cellar spiders. In this post, we’ll help you identify and distinguish between these two fall pests, understand their habits, and offer tips on how to keep them at bay.
Identifying Daddy Long Legs and Cellar Spiders
Daddy Long Legs (Pholcidae):
- Daddy long legs, also known as harvestmen, are easily recognizable due to their long, thin legs. They have a small, round body and often appear pale brown or gray in color.
- They are known for their distinctive appearance: an elongated body and exceptionally long legs, which can span up to 2 inches.
- Daddy long legs are commonly found hanging from their webs in corners or hiding in dark, damp areas of your home.
Cellar Spiders (Araneae):
- Cellar spiders are quite similar in appearance to daddy long legs, with long, spindly legs and a small body. They typically range from pale yellow to light brown.
- While they share a resemblance with daddy long legs, cellar spiders have a habit of creating disorganized, tangled webs in dark, moist locations.
Similarities and Differences
Daddy long legs and cellar spiders have their similarities but are not the same species. Here are some key differences and similarities between the two:
Similarities:
- Leg Length: Both species have long, delicate legs.
- Preferred Environments: They tend to seek refuge in dark, undisturbed areas of your home.
- Beneficial Predators: Both spiders are harmless to humans and can be beneficial as they prey on other household pests.
Differences:
- Web Structure: Daddy long legs have irregular, cobweb-like webs, while cellar spiders build messy, tangle-like webs.
- Body Shape: Daddy long legs have a round body, while cellar spiders are elongated and more cylindrical in shape.
Common Habitats
Both daddy long legs and cellar spiders are frequently found in similar environments, including:
- Basements: These areas tend to be cool, dark, and humid, which attract both species.
- Garages: Cluttered and dimly lit garages are another favorite hiding spot.
- Crawl Spaces: If your home has crawl spaces, you might discover these spiders hanging out there.
- Sheds and Outdoor Structures: They may also appear in garden sheds and similar outdoor structures.
Are They Harmful to Humans?
The good news is that both daddy long legs and cellar spiders are harmless to humans. They don’t pose any significant health risks or property damage. In fact, they can be seen as allies in your pest control efforts as they help control populations of other insects in your home.
Preventing and Getting Rid of Fall Spiders
To prevent and manage daddy long legs and cellar spiders in your home, follow these steps:
- Reduce Clutter: Clear away any unnecessary clutter in dark, damp areas, as this provides fewer hiding spots for these pests.
- Seal Entry Points: Make sure windows and doors are sealed properly to prevent spiders from entering your home.
- Reduce Humidity: Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels in basements, crawl spaces, and other areas where these spiders tend to thrive.
- Regular Cleaning: Regularly clean and dust your home to remove cobwebs and potential prey for these spiders.
- Professional Pest Control: If your spider problem persists, consider hiring a professional pest control service for effective fall pest control.
Request a Free Pest Control Quote
If you’re dealing with a fall pest problem in your home, don’t hesitate to request a free pest control quote from our experts. We specialize in handling all sorts of household pests, including spiders, and can provide you with the solutions you need for a pest-free autumn.
Don’t let daddy long legs and cellar spiders take over your living space this fall. With the right knowledge and actions, you can enjoy the beauty of the season without these uninvited guests. Contact your local pest control company today for your free pest control quote and keep your home spider-free all season long.
Oct 3, 2023 | Pest Control
As the fall season approaches in Georgia, homeowners may find themselves facing a variety of household pests, including the unsettling presence of house centipedes. These long-legged creatures can be quite a nuisance, but fear not – in this blog post, we’ll delve into what you need to know about house centipedes in Georgia, from identification and their common hiding spots to whether they pose a threat to humans. We’ll also provide practical tips on how to prevent or get rid of them with the help of professional pest control services.
Identifying House Centipedes
House centipedes are easily recognizable by their unique appearance. They have long, slender bodies that can range from 1 to 1.5 inches in length and are covered in numerous pairs of legs. Despite their name, they typically have 15 pairs of legs, giving them a creepy-crawly appearance.
Common Hiding Spots
House centipedes thrive in damp, dark environments, making your home an attractive habitat. You may encounter them in areas such as basements, crawlspaces, bathrooms, and even kitchens. They are agile hunters, preying on other insects like cockroaches, spiders, and silverfish, which is why they are often found in proximity to their prey.
Are House Centipedes Harmful to Humans?
The good news is that these centipedes are generally not harmful to humans. They are not known to transmit diseases or bite humans unless they feel threatened. However, their presence can be unsettling, and their appearance can cause anxiety for some homeowners. If you’d rather not share your space with these creatures, there are ways to keep them at bay.
Prevention and Pest Control
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for any cracks or gaps in doors, windows, and foundation walls. Seal these openings to prevent centipedes from entering.
- Reduce Moisture: House centipedes thrive in damp environments. Use dehumidifiers in basements and crawlspaces to reduce moisture levels. Fix any plumbing leaks promptly.
- Declutter: Remove piles of newspapers, cardboard boxes, and other clutter that can provide hiding spots for centipedes and their prey.
- Professional Pest Control: The most effective way to deal with house centipedes and other fall pests is to seek the help of a professional pest control company. They can assess the situation, implement effective treatments, and provide ongoing pest management.
While house centipedes in Georgia may seem unsettling, they are generally harmless to humans. However, their presence can be a sign of underlying pest issues in your home. To ensure a pest-free environment and peace of mind, it’s wise to consult a pest control expert.
Oct 3, 2023 | Pest Control
As the fall season settles in, many homeowners in Georgia are gearing up for the seasonal battle against fall pests. Among the various critters that make their way into our homes and gardens, orb weaver spiders are a common sight. While these eight-legged arachnids may appear intimidating, understanding their characteristics and behaviors is essential to maintaining a pest-free environment.
Identifying Orb Weaver Spiders
Orb weavers belong to the Araneidae family and are known for their distinctive circular webs, which they expertly spin to trap flying insects. These spiders come in various colors, shapes, and sizes, but they all share some common features:
- Web Patterns: Orb weaver spiders create large, intricate, and symmetrical orb-shaped webs. These webs are usually positioned horizontally in gardens, between trees, or near outdoor lights.
- Body Characteristics: Orb weavers typically have round or elongated abdomens and long, slender legs. Their coloration varies but often includes shades of brown, black, yellow, or green.
- Size: These spiders can range in size from as small as 1/8 inch to over 1 inch in body length, depending on the species.
- Distinctive Markings: Some orb weaver species have unique markings on their abdomens, such as zigzag patterns, colorful spots, or distinctive shapes.
Common Places to Find Orb Weaver Spiders
Orb weaver spiders are outdoor creatures, and you’ll most commonly encounter them in the following places:
- Gardens: They often build their webs among plants and shrubs to catch flying insects.
- Wooded Areas: Orb weavers thrive in wooded environments where they can find trees and bushes to create their webs.
- Outdoor Structures: These spiders may spin their webs near porches, decks, or outdoor lights to take advantage of the insects attracted to these areas.
The Benefits and Disadvantages of Orb Weavers
Before rushing to eliminate orb weaver spiders from your property, it’s essential to consider both the advantages and disadvantages they bring.
Benefits:
- Natural Pest Control: Orb weavers are efficient hunters and play a crucial role in keeping insect populations in check. They can help reduce annoying and potentially harmful pests around your home.
- Low Maintenance: Once their web is built, orb weavers require minimal attention and maintenance. They can be considered natural pest control allies.
Disadvantages:
- Aesthetic Concerns: Some homeowners find their large webs unsightly, especially when they are positioned in high-traffic areas.
- Fear Factor: Orb weaver spiders can be intimidating due to their size and appearance, leading to arachnophobia in some individuals.
Fall Pest Control: Preventing and Managing Orb Weaver Spiders
If you wish to minimize orb weaver spider presence around your home, here are some practical tips:
- Regular Cleaning: Regularly clean outdoor lights and remove debris from bushes and shrubs to discourage spiders from setting up shop.
- Seal Entry Points: Ensure that your home’s windows and doors are tightly sealed to prevent spiders from entering your living spaces.
- Professional Pest Control: Consider hiring a pest control expert for thorough fall pest control services. They can assess your property’s unique needs and develop a customized pest management plan.
- Reduce Outdoor Lighting: Reduce outdoor lighting during the night, as it can attract insects that serve as orb weavers’ prey.
Don’t let orb weaver spiders and other fall pests disrupt your peace of mind this season. Take proactive steps to manage and prevent their presence by reaching out to our expert pest control team. Request a free pest control quote today and ensure a pest-free environment for you and your family.
In conclusion, while orb weaver spiders can be beneficial for natural pest control, they may also pose challenges for homeowners. Balancing their advantages and disadvantages and taking preventative measures can help you enjoy a pest-free home during the fall season.
