When you have fleas in your home, it isn't just annoying for you - it can have the worst effects on your dogs. According to the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, fleas are the cause of more than 50 percent of all canine dermatological trouble. But just as fleas can bother dogs, dogs are often the reason why families need to call in home pest control.
Although pest management firms can save the day and help you eliminate the biting pests from your home, the best method may be to dodge the problem altogether. Here are a few tips on how to prevent fleas from invading your home.
Whether you have one dog, several puppies or a puffy haired outdoor cat, he, she or they are likely the reason why you have a flea infestation. Fleas spend most of their time on pets and can lay as many as 50 eggs a day, UK explained. Although the fleas may want to stick to their warm host, many of the eggs fall onto the carpet and furniture where they can transfer onto people. The best method for preventing fleas from making your home their home is to eliminate them on your pets.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals advised that people look out for excessive scratching and licking from their pets, as this can be a sign of fleas. Hair loss, scabs and pale gums are other warning signs of fleas. The ASPCA advocated veterinarian aid in flea prevention rather than store-bought formulas because different dogs can have negative reactions to certain chemicals. However, bathing and combing your dog are helpful and safe options as well.
Your pets may be picking up their pests from your own yard. Like ticks, fleas prefer long, moist grass. So, regular yard maintenance may be your best defense. Try to keep your lawn cut short and don't water more than you need to. You'll also want to avoid providing shade and other vegetation that can breed fleas. Keep everything trimmed and sleek.
While your main focus is keeping fleas away from your home, it's also smart to follow best practices to keep rodents from approaching your home. Rats and mice may be carrying fleas, so it's extra important to keep your trash secure and unappealing.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
