3 Places You Should Check for Rodents

Most people do not want to share a living space with rodents, or any wild animals. If you suspect uninvited guests of nesting in your house, check these three places first:

1. Along the Walls

If you think rodents may be living in your home, you have probably heard them, seen them, or seen their activity. Check behind furniture and along baseboards for rub marks, urine and droppings, and gnaw marks. This may help you find their traveling path and their entrance into your home.

2. Inside the Walls

After you have determined that rodents are living or nesting in your home, you must determine where the nest is. This will be an undisturbed place, like in an attic or garage. Often, mice or rats will find a way into the walls through an opening as small as 1/2” high. Removing a nest is a job best left to a professional, so do as much sleuthing as you can and let your pest exterminator tackle any face-to-face confrontation.

3. Outside

The best way to keep rodents out of your home is to seal off any entrances. Check the perimeter of your house for any cracks or holes. Also note that mice like to nest in piles of rocks, lumber and leaves, as well as debris and clutter.

An animal removal specialist can help get rodents out of your home and keep them out. Visit this website to learn more about rodent control in Lumberton.

Terminix Releases List of Top 15 Bed Bug Cities

Terminix released its sixth annual ranking of bed bug-infested cities. For the first time in four years, Philadelphia was outranked by Detroit, which stole the top spot… read more

Terminix Releases List of Top 15 Bed Bug Cities

Terminix released its sixth annual ranking of bed bug-infested cities today. For the first time in four years, Philadelphia was outranked by Detroit, which stole the top spot… read more

Reasons You Need an Annual Pest Control Service for Your Business

A clean and healthy home is free of pests. Having insects, rodents or even larger wildlife taking up residence in your home brings diseases and discomfort. There are quite a few reasons to schedule an annual pest control service for your home or business.

1. Remove Pests

First, your pest control professional will determine whether pests are currently living in the building. The provider will set up traps or poison as needed.

2. Find and Seal Entrances

After ridding the building of unwanted guests, the exterminator will walk around the perimeter of the building to check for openings. Pests can enter homes or businesses through cracks, pipes, chimneys or windows.

3. Repeat Yearly

Having a professional come to inspect your business for pests is the best prevention method. These quick “check-ups” are much less of a hassle than dealing with animals nesting in your building, which would require quite an effort to remove. Your animal control service provider can even spray outside the building to keep insects out during the summer.

Stop worrying about unwanted animals inside your home or business; schedule an annual visit from an animal control specialist. Give yourself the peace of mind, knowing that your business is guarded against pests. Visit this website to learn more about commercial pest control in Fayetteville.

Signs a Termite Population is Damaging Your Home

Termites will do just about anything to feed on wood. You may think that only wooden homes are at risk of termite damage, but these insects will feast on ceilings, floors, cabinets and furniture inside any home. Termite infestation, unfortunately, is usually not detected until damage has been done. Here are some signs that a termite population is damaging your home.

1. Look for Swarmers

Swarmers are small winged insects that look like flying ants. Finding these bugs and their discarded wings near your window in the spring is an early detection sign. Termite damage, however, occurs year round, and your next best bet is finding damaged areas.

2. Check Inside Your Homes

Termites can affect the walls, ceiling, floors, windows and doors. Your floor may feel spongy, walls may have unexplained cracks, and the ceiling may sag. Your doors and windows may be bent out of shape, so they will be difficult to open and close.

3. Check Outside Your Home

Check outside for signs that termites have damaged fence posts, roof tiles, and even trees. Homes without a concrete foundation and ones with crawl spaces may be susceptible to damage.

As soon as you think you may have a termite infestation, call a pest control service immediately. Your service provider can discuss options to removing the insects and protecting your home against future damage. Visit this website to learn more about termite control in Pinehurst.

Bloodsucker

Nothing ruins a day in the sun like a mosquito infestation. Luckily, there are several measures that can be taken to prevent these pests from crashing the party. 

Tips for Avoiding the Zika Virus this Summer

The Zika virus, a mosquito-borne illness, is spreading from Brazil through the Americas. The virus is thought to cause a birth defect, microcephaly, and Guillan-Barre syndrome. While scientists are learning more about the virus and what diseases it causes, people, especially pregnant women, are advised to not travel to areas with active Zika virus transmission. If travel is absolutely necessary, people should protect themselves against bug bites. Follow these useful tips to guard against the Zika virus this summer.

1. Protect Yourself Against Bites

• Use an insect repellant with a minimum of 20% DEET.
• Always apply insect repellant after you apply sunscreen.
• Treat your clothes and outdoor supplies with permethrin.
• Protect your skin by wearing long sleeved shirts and a hat. Also, tuck your pants into your socks and boots.
• If you must sleep outdoors, cover yourself with a bug net.

2. Protect Yourself Against Infected Humans

• Zika virus is spread through bodily fluids, so avoid contact with infected individuals
• Practice safe sex and avoid kissing or sharing eating utensils with strangers
• If you have the Zika virus, prevent the spread of the disease by limiting contact with others and ensuring that you do not get a mosquito bite.

If your summer travel plans must include areas of the world experiencing a Zika outbreak, use these basic tips to keep yourself safe. Find more information on avoiding diseases this summer, visit this website for mosquito control in Fayetteville.