Dec 21, 2022 | Pest Control
The holidays are winding up, with many of us getting our decorations out of storage for the season. Hopefully, your storage boxes were able to avoid pests this year! If not, then we have some holiday pest control tips to have better luck next year!
- Use Plastic Containers: Cardboard boxes are easy for bugs and rodents to chew through, so they aren’t the best method to store items for the year. If you’re in a pinch, you can store smaller cardboard boxes wrapped in a plastic bag.
- Store Scented Items Separately: Any candles or other holiday-scented items should be stored in their own plastic container since they can draw in pests or rodents.
- Check for Pests Before Clean Up: Before putting items into boxes, look them over for any hitchhiking pests, especially if they are used outdoors. These items can include garlands, wreaths, and string lights.
- Dispose of Food Items: Gingerbread houses, popcorn garlands, or any other décor made from edible items will need to be thrown out rather than storing them. It’s better to remake the food-based decorations on a yearly basis.
Another quick tip for when the holidays are over is if you have opted for a real tree, make sure that you dispose of it quickly, and don’t let it sit on your curb for multiple days. It can become a home for rodents.
If you discover a pest problem after the holidays, then give your local pest control company a call, and they’ll be able to assist you with a customized plan to help rid your home of unwanted guests!
Nov 23, 2022 | Pest Control
It’s the season for cold weather, good food, and quality time spent with family. Don’t let pests ruin this special time, especially on Thanksgiving! Pantry pests are known to infiltrate dry goods that are key ingredients for this food-crazed holiday. Here are some tips to make sure pantry pests, or other insects, don’t sneak in to ruin your holidays.
- Check Expiration Dates. Utilize the first-in, first-out method to ensure none of your dry goods don’t expire. The older the package of food the more likely it is to be discovered and consumed by grain and flour beetles. Be sure to check any open packages before using.
- Inspect Items at Grocery Stores. Sometimes food packages can accidentally be cut open or damaged, without knowledge and this can create a good opportunity for pantry pests to find their way inside. Be sure to do a visual inspection of dry goods for any openings – just to be sure.
- Keep Dry Items Sealed. It’s not only aesthetically pleasing to have airtight plastic containers in your pantry, but they also provide a protective barrier against pantry pests for opened packages of food. Cardboard, plastic bags, even rice bags, can easily be chewed through by pests, so be sure to put anything opened into a sealed container.
- Clean Up Any Spills. Crumbs are likely to happen while baking or cooking; just be sure to clean up after yourself to deter any type of pest. Wipe down countertops and sweep up any fallen food crumbs to have a pest-free Thanksgiving.
If you see an increase in pest activity this time of year, call your local pest control company so you can have peace of mind during the holidays.
Nov 16, 2022 | Bed Bug
Typically, when temperatures begin to drop, that means many bugs go into a sort of hibernation mode. This isn’t necessarily the case for bed bugs. Being predominantly indoor pests, they tend to survive the colder months. It’s also a big time for them to spread because of all the holiday travels, so always be aware of any pests that could ruin your holiday fun.
There are many ways that bed bugs can spread from one location to another. They will climb into our belongings and can lay their eggs in them. We will then carry these items from a location of infestation to a new location. Even if your bags or items are left outside, it will take a while for them to be harmed by the cold, as they are more resilient to the cold than they are to the heat. And since they will be hiding in our items, they will be protected from the wind and cold air.
Here are some tips to follow while travelling, so you can prevent bed bugs from home with you.
- Don’t put your clothing or luggage directly on the bed. This will allow any present bed bugs to climb into your bag.
- Use metal luggage racks at all times, since bed bugs find it more difficult to climb metal surfaces.
- Use small plastic bags to pack clothing.
- They can also be found on airplane and train seats, so be aware of your surroundings while travelling.
If you believe you have picked up bed bugs while on your travels, be sure to call your local pest control company and they will be able to assist you with a customized plan of action.
Dec 15, 2021 | Pest Control
The holiday season is a time to enjoy family, eat delicious food, and not worry about pests! Unfortunately, overwintering pests such as spiders, rodents, ants, ticks, and more are looking indoors for food, water, and shelter. During the holiday season, Christmas trees, wreaths, firewood, decorations, and storage boxes provide the ideal opportunity for these pests to hitchhike inside.
Check out our top 3 pest prevention tips for holiday pest control.
Check Your Decorations
Attics, basements, and garages provide perfect storage spaces for our holiday decorations. These areas in your home are dark and secluded, making them the perfect place for pests to invade. Stored decorations provide an undisturbed hiding place for pests such as mice, rats, spiders, and more. These creatures will often crawl into the storage boxes you put away last season, contaminating and destroying your decorations.
To ensure that you do not bring these pests into your main living space, inspect and unpack these items outside first. After the holiday season has ended, pack your decorations like foliage, potpourri, and Indian corn in air-tight containers to help prevent pests for next year.
Check Your Firewood
With colder weather here, many homeowners start utilizing their fireplace, bringing in more firewood from outside. However, it’s crucial to inspect firewood before bringing it inside the home. Pests like spiders, termites, and ants are often found on firewood. Consider placing the firewood outside 20 feet from your home and on a raised platform.
Check Your Christmas Tree & Wreaths
If your family celebrates Christmas, you might opt to buy a real Christmas tree and wreath. While both can showcase the authentic look of Christmas, they also tend to carry pests such as spiders, moths, mites, and even squirrels!
To prevent these unwanted pests from hitchhiking indoors, inspect both items outside and then shake them. Also, check these items for any droppings, gnaw marks, or other damage before bringing them inside.
If you suspect that you have a holiday pest problem, consider reaching out to your local pest control company. These professionals will be able to inspect your home, provide the best pest control plan, and recommend prevention techniques for your home.
Nov 17, 2021 | Bed Bug
With the long-awaited holiday season approaching, many of us plan to travel and visit friends and family. Unfortunately, bed bugs are notorious for hitchhiking their way into hotel rooms, rented houses, family houses, and college dorms. Check out our top tips for preventing bed bugs before you travel this holiday season.
Inspecting Your Room
Before bringing your luggage into the room you are staying in, check thoroughly for signs of bed bugs. It’s more common for hotels to have issues with bed bugs, so it’s important to check each room. Inspect all furniture such as sofa cushions, chairs, and around mattresses corners. One sign of a bed bug infestation is seeing small, dark-colored stains on bedding and the skin shells they’ve shed.
If you suspect a bed bug infestation, ask to be moved or consider another place to stay.
Unpacking Luggage
Bed bugs are small and nocturnal, often allowing them to go unnoticed. Even after inspecting your room without finding any signs of bed bugs, continue to be cautious when unpacking your clothes. It’s recommended that you use the luggage racks instead of placing bags and suitcases on furniture or tables.
Returning Home
Once you have returned home, don’t bring the luggage and bags you traveled with inside. Instead, unpack your items outside the home and thoroughly inspect them. After inspecting your items, wash all your clothes immediately, making sure to run them through a high-heat dryer cycle, as bed bugs cannot withstand high temperatures.
After you have unpacked and washed your clothes, store your suitcases in your garage or storage closet. To be extra cautious, you can also seal your luggage in large, plastic storage bags before bringing them inside.
If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your home, it’s best to contact a professional bed bug control company to assess the situation. A trained professional can help determine the best plan of action, treatment, and prevention plan for your home.
