May 21, 2021 | Pest Control
One thing we look forward to in the summer is warmer weather which lets us spend more time outdoors. Unfortunately for some, this also means summer pests come out full force to ruin your outdoor plans. Some of the most common summer pests are flies, ants, mosquitoes, roaches, gnats, ticks, rodents, and stinging insects like wasps and hornets.
There are five major reasons these pests become more prominent in the summer months. The first is temperature. The temperature outside can affect both the behavior and development of pests. Many of these creatures favor the warmer temps, increasing their activity. Other pests, however, will make their way into your home in an effort to escape the heat. Moisture also contributes to pests invading in the summer. Most pests need water to survive and will thrive in moist environments. The increased humidity and summer rain showers provide ideal conditions for pests to thrive during this season. During times of drought, they will make their way indoors in search of water.
Summer also means longer days and shorter nights. More daylight means more time for pests to stay active in their search for food. Food is another motivator for summer pest activity. Grass and other vegetation grows in abundance in the summer months, providing a literal feast for many pests. This also provides them with an ideal place to hide out. Finally, for many pests summer is one of the busiest seasons of their life cycle. They reproduce at a rapid rate during these months in order to grow their populations before the slow down of the winter months. Many also go in search of food to store away for their upcoming winter hibernation or brumation.
Summer pests don’t have to ruin your good times. Here are some Dos and Don’ts of summer pest control.
Do:
- Remove any sources of standing water like bird baths, buckets, and toys.
- Keep drainage areas and gutters clear and freeflowing.
- Consider installing gutter guards.
- Make sure rain water is diverted from foundations.
- Repair loose mortars around foundation.
- Keep your yard tidy and grass cut short.
- Replace weatherstripping around windows and doors.
- Keep counters clean and floors swept.
- Keep food and pet food put away in sealed containers.
- Keep basements, attics, and crawlspaces well ventilated and dry.
- Consider crawlspace enclosure.
- Throw away overripe fruits and vegetables.
- Use trashcans with tight fitting lids and clean them regularly.
Don’t:
- Leave pet food and water bowls out overnight.
- Let garbage pile up.
- Leave dirty dishes in the sink.
- Store firewood or other materials up against the house.
- Ignore cracks and openings in your home’s exterior.
- Let sprinklers spray toward foundations.
- Store piles of newspapers or other materials.
- Use cardboard boxes for storage; use plastic when possible.
If you have a problem with pests this summer, contact your local pest control company who can evaluate your home, identify the type of pest you are dealing with, find how and where they are getting into your home, and provide you with the best treatment and prevention plan for your situation.
You May Also Be Interested In:
Watch Out for These Stinging Pests
Mosquito Control For Warmer Weather
Preventing Common Wildlife
The Summer Big Three: Roaches, Mosquitoes, & Termites
Summer Without Bed Bug Worry
Sep 29, 2017 | Pest Control, Wildlife
What’s the difference between a mouse and a rat? Identifying the type of rodent you have is the first and most important step in controlling your rodent problem. What works to control mice won’t necessarily work to control rats. Here are the differences between mice and rats along with some tips to prevent and get rid of them.
MICE:
The most common mouse found in the United States is the house mouse.

What Do They Look Like?
- Small size, usually 1-4 inches long.
- Adults weight about 0.5 ounces.
- Small head, small feet, pointed snout.
- Large ears with some hair.
- Light brown body with some gray shading and dark tail.
- Larger ears and longer tail compared to their body size than rats.
- Musky odor
- Color blind
- Droppings shaped like rods
Where Do They Live?
- They usually live on the ground or in nests in burrows.
- Will build nests near food source.
- Will use nearly any soft material or finely shredded paper to build their nest.
- Can be found indoors or outdoors, in cities or rural areas.
What Do They Eat?
- They prefer to eat cereals but will feed on almost anything.
- They tend to seek food in the same place everyday.
- They don’t need to drink water but will if it is available.
How Do They Move?
- They can climb, jump, and swim.
- They can jump up to 13 inches.
- They can run along wires, cables, and ropes.
- They are nocturnal and most active from dusk until dawn.
- They are curious and will come out to investigate.
- Mice can enter buildings through openings as small as 1/4″ in diameter.
RATS:
The two most common rats found in the United States are the brown rat (Norway rat) and the black rat (roof rat, ship rat).
Brown Rat (Norway Rat)

Black Rat (Roof Rat, Ship Rat)

What Do They Look Like?
- Brown rats have a heavy, thick body, a blunt snout, and short ears with dark hair.
- Brown rats have brown bodies with black shading and shaggy coats.
- Brown rats have tails that are dark on top and pale underneath.
- Adult brown rats weigh about 11 ounces.
- Brown rat droppings are shaped like capsules.
- Black rats have light, slender bodies, pointed snouts, and large ears with no hair.
- Black rats have gray bodies with black shading and smooth coats.
- Black rats have dark tails.
- Adult black rats weight about 7 ounces.
- Black rat droppings are shaped like spindles.
- Rats have longer body lengths, measuring about 8″ in body length with another 9″ of tail length.
- Rats have larger feet and heads compared to body size than mice do.
Where Do They Live?
- Rats will dig under buildings, along fences, and under plants and debris.
- The brown rat usually lives on the ground or in burrows.
- The brown rat is usually seen in buildings, sewers, and outdoors.
- The black rat is usually seen in buildings around ports and in ships.
- The black rat will nest high up in roofs, attics, and trees.
What Do They Eat?
- Brown rats prefer cereals.
- Brown rats tend to seek food in the same place everyday.
- Brown rats drink about 2 ounces of water a day.
- Black rats prefer moist fruits.
- Black rats tend to seek food in different places each day.
- Black rats drink about 1 ounce of water a day.
How Do They Move?
- Rats can enter a building through a hole as small as 1/2″ in diameter.
- Rats are strong swimmers and can live in sewers.
- Rats can enter buildings through broken drains and toilets.
- Rats will climb to get food, water, and shelter.
- Rats follow regular routines and paths everyday.
- Rats usually stay within 300 feet of their nest or burrow.
- Rats are nocturnal.
- Rats have poor eyesight.
How Do You Get Rid Of Rodents?
Now that you know the difference between mice and rats, what can you do to get rid of them? Check out these 7 tips for getting rid of both mice and rats:
- Know The Signs. Signs of both mice and rats include droppings, gnaw marks, tracks, and burrows. These signs can especially be seen around food sources.
- Keep It Clean. Mice and rats will come into your home in search of food. Store food in airtight containers. Don’t leave food or dirty dishes out overnight. Wipe crumbs off the counters. Sweep and vacuum floors regularly. Secure your garbage. Don’t leave pet food out overnight and store it in airtight containers, also.
- Don’t Let Them In. Eliminate any entry points into your home. Seal any cracks in your foundation. Seal around any openings in the walls, especially around utility pipes and vents. Use weather stripping for gaps in doors and windows.
- Don’t Forget Outside. Remove debris from around your home. Keep your yard mowed and weeded. Trim shrubbery away from the sides of your home. Keep woodpiles away from your home.
- Use Your Pets. Cats and even some dogs will hunt rodents. Use them as a ready made form of pest control.
- Use Traps. There is never just one moue or rat so it is best to use several traps at a time. It is also a good idea to use different types of traps. Use whatever food the pests have been feeding on as bait in your traps. Place traps perpendicular to the walls and near where you have seen signs of their presence.
- Call The Pros. If you suspect a mouse or rat problem in your home, contact a pest control professional. They will be able to evaluate your home, identify what kind of rodent you have, and set you up with a comprehensive treatment plan.
Sep 29, 2017 | Pest Control, Wildlife
What’s the difference between a mouse and a rat? Identifying the type of rodent you have is the first and most important step in controlling your rodent problem. What works to control mice won’t necessarily work to control rats. Here are the differences between mice and rats along with some tips to prevent and get rid of them.
MICE:
The most common mouse found in the United States is the house mouse.

What Do They Look Like?
- Small size, usually 1-4 inches long.
- Adults weight about 0.5 ounces.
- Small head, small feet, pointed snout.
- Large ears with some hair.
- Light brown body with some gray shading and dark tail.
- Larger ears and longer tail compared to their body size than rats.
- Musky odor
- Color blind
- Droppings shaped like rods
Where Do They Live?
- They usually live on the ground or in nests in burrows.
- Will build nests near food source.
- Will use nearly any soft material or finely shredded paper to build their nest.
- Can be found indoors or outdoors, in cities or rural areas.
What Do They Eat?
- They prefer to eat cereals but will feed on almost anything.
- They tend to seek food in the same place everyday.
- They don’t need to drink water but will if it is available.
How Do They Move?
- They can climb, jump, and swim.
- They can jump up to 13 inches.
- They can run along wires, cables, and ropes.
- They are nocturnal and most active from dusk until dawn.
- They are curious and will come out to investigate.
- Mice can enter buildings through openings as small as 1/4″ in diameter.
RATS:
The two most common rats found in the United States are the brown rat (Norway rat) and the black rat (roof rat, ship rat).
Brown Rat (Norway Rat)

Black Rat (Roof Rat, Ship Rat)

What Do They Look Like?
- Brown rats have a heavy, thick body, a blunt snout, and short ears with dark hair.
- Brown rats have brown bodies with black shading and shaggy coats.
- Brown rats have tails that are dark on top and pale underneath.
- Adult brown rats weigh about 11 ounces.
- Brown rat droppings are shaped like capsules.
- Black rats have light, slender bodies, pointed snouts, and large ears with no hair.
- Black rats have gray bodies with black shading and smooth coats.
- Black rats have dark tails.
- Adult black rats weight about 7 ounces.
- Black rat droppings are shaped like spindles.
- Rats have longer body lengths, measuring about 8″ in body length with another 9″ of tail length.
- Rats have larger feet and heads compared to body size than mice do.
Where Do They Live?
- Rats will dig under buildings, along fences, and under plants and debris.
- The brown rat usually lives on the ground or in burrows.
- The brown rat is usually seen in buildings, sewers, and outdoors.
- The black rat is usually seen in buildings around ports and in ships.
- The black rat will nest high up in roofs, attics, and trees.
What Do They Eat?
- Brown rats prefer cereals.
- Brown rats tend to seek food in the same place everyday.
- Brown rats drink about 2 ounces of water a day.
- Black rats prefer moist fruits.
- Black rats tend to seek food in different places each day.
- Black rats drink about 1 ounce of water a day.
How Do They Move?
- Rats can enter a building through a hole as small as 1/2″ in diameter.
- Rats are strong swimmers and can live in sewers.
- Rats can enter buildings through broken drains and toilets.
- Rats will climb to get food, water, and shelter.
- Rats follow regular routines and paths everyday.
- Rats usually stay within 300 feet of their nest or burrow.
- Rats are nocturnal.
- Rats have poor eyesight.
How Do You Get Rid Of Rodents?
Now that you know the difference between mice and rats, what can you do to get rid of them? Check out these 7 tips for getting rid of both mice and rats:
- Know The Signs. Signs of both mice and rats include droppings, gnaw marks, tracks, and burrows. These signs can especially be seen around food sources.
- Keep It Clean. Mice and rats will come into your home in search of food. Store food in airtight containers. Don’t leave food or dirty dishes out overnight. Wipe crumbs off the counters. Sweep and vacuum floors regularly. Secure your garbage. Don’t leave pet food out overnight and store it in airtight containers, also.
- Don’t Let Them In. Eliminate any entry points into your home. Seal any cracks in your foundation. Seal around any openings in the walls, especially around utility pipes and vents. Use weather stripping for gaps in doors and windows.
- Don’t Forget Outside. Remove debris from around your home. Keep your yard mowed and weeded. Trim shrubbery away from the sides of your home. Keep woodpiles away from your home.
- Use Your Pets. Cats and even some dogs will hunt rodents. Use them as a ready made form of pest control.
- Use Traps. There is never just one moue or rat so it is best to use several traps at a time. It is also a good idea to use different types of traps. Use whatever food the pests have been feeding on as bait in your traps. Place traps perpendicular to the walls and near where you have seen signs of their presence.
- Call The Pros. If you suspect a mouse or rat problem in your home, contact a pest control professional. They will be able to evaluate your home, identify what kind of rodent you have, and set you up with a comprehensive treatment plan.
Jul 14, 2017 | Fire Ant, Mosquito, Pest Control
Summer is in full-swing here in Georgia, the heat is rising, and the bugs are coming out to play (bite!). Here are 5 common summer pests to be on the lookout for and tips on how to prevent and get rid of them:
Chiggers
Chiggers (sometimes referred to as mites or red bugs) are so small they’re hard to spot. But you’ll know you’ve been bitten after an itchy, uncomfortable rash develops. While they don’t pose serious health risks, they can ruin outdoor fun and leave behind irritated skin that you’ll want to scratch. To prevent chigger bites this summer, limit time spent in areas prone to chiggers – woods, grassy areas, near lakes, ponds, streams & rivers – keep arms and legs covered when outside, and wear insect repellent with DEET. If you get bitten by chiggers (most commonly on legs and waist with red, itchy skin), take a bath or shower immediately to get rid of chiggers that may remain on your body, wash the clothes you were wearing in hot water, and then apply a itch-relief lotion or ointment to the affected areas – like hydrocortisone or calamine.
Mosquitoes
Mosquito bites, on the other hand, can be more serious since they carry multiple diseases, viruses, and parasites. The best way to minimize your risk of contracting mosquito-born illnesses like Zika, encephalitis, West Nile, dengue fever, and malaria (some of the most common) is to prevent mosquito bites by limiting travel to well-known, affected areas, keeping arms and legs covered in light-colored, loose clothing when outdoors, wearing insect repellent with DEET and reapply often, and controlling mosquitoes around your home with professional mosquito treatments. You can also reduce mosquitoes by eliminating breeding sites – any areas with standing water.
Fire Ants
Fire ants can be dangerous for the whole family, including pets. They’re aggressive and cause painful bites, often with severe allergic reactions, which can be especially harmful to small children and pets. The best way to prevent and control fire ants around your home is with regular yard treatments, specifically targeting fire ant mounds, by a professional exterminator. Treatments are usually applied in granular form and get rid of fire ants in as little as 72 hours.
Bees & Paper Wasps
Bees can be a threatening summer nuisance and often cause painful stings if threatened. One of the most common summer bees is a paper wasp. Paper wasps will form nests on or in almost any horizontal surface, resembling an umbrella attached by a small stem. They vary in color but can be brown and yellow striped or red with blackish wings. They’re most likely to sting when their nest is disturbed, which can happen accidentally when nests are hidden. Paper wasps can be highly aggressive and cause severe pain and allergic reactions so it’s recommended to leave nests undisturbed if posing no serious threat or contact a bee exterminator to access the situation.
Ticks
Ticks are dangerous for both humans and animals as they spread infectious diseases – like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, through bites. Take steps to protect yourself from tick bites while outdoors by avoiding areas where ticks are prevalent, like wooded areas and in tall grass, and use an insect repellent with DEET. You should also treat pets with tick repellent products to reduce their risk of tick bites.
Click here for tick removal tips from the CDC.
Sep 2, 2016 | Pest Control, Wildlife
While we’re enjoying more time outdoors this fall, pests and wildlife are making their way indoors looking for warmth and shelter to survive the winter. Here are 15 easy ways prevent a pest invasion this fall:
1. Thoroughly inspect your home for gaps around windows and doors and fix any areas in need of repair
2. Wildlife commonly enter your home through the attic which you can help to prevent by screening attic vents and chimney openings
3. Eliminate excess moisture by fixing leaking pipes and correcting drainage issues
4. Keep gutters cleaned and clear of debris
5. Seal any crack and crevices around your home’s exterior with caulk and steel wool, especially around utility pipes
6. Install door sweeps on any exterior doors and replace window & door screens that have been damaged
7. Keep a clean home – wipe up spills immediately, don’t leave food out, store leftovers in sealed containers, and take the garbage out daily
8. Store garbage in sealed receptacles away from your home’s exterior
9. Don’t leave pet food out, inside or outside your home
10. Replace weather stripping and loose mortar around basement foundation and windows
11. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home’s exterior
12. Keep shrubbery and trees trimmed
13. Avoid bringing in boxes or storage containers into your home; instead, go through them outside and bring in what you need after inspecting the items for pests
14. Use yellow bug lights around exterior doors; while they don’t deter bugs, they also don’t attract them like standard white light bulbs
15. Pest control and wildlife control from a professional exterminator – preventative treatments, usually on a quarterly basis, are the best way to eliminate current pest problems and prevent future infestations