Pest Prevention Articles

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:

It's finally here - sweet, sweet summertime at last! But has your time outside already been rudely interrupted by swarms of pesky bugs trying to take a stab at you? This season, let's say no more to swatting, slapping or clapping at these insects who seem to be tormenting innocent outdoors enthusiasts every year. Fortunately, the solution isn't as chemical ridden as you might think. As it turns out, some of your favorite scents are insects least favorite.

Not every creature that visits your property is a dangerous nuisance. Many animals actually offer a number of benefits that keep your yard healthy. Predatory animals, in particular, actually offer natural pest control. Here are five common suburban creatures that can help keep more difficult or annoying animals at bay:

The customer is always right, and this is especially true if he or she is complaining about seeing a mouse or cockroach. Pests have no place in your organization, as bugs and rodents will turn away potential business or even lead to a possible lawsuit. Keeping your company protected requires a proactive approach. Work with a pest removal specialist to identify the best ways to stop creatures from infesting your business. Here are just a few ideas for successfully mitigating and preventing any issues:

You might see an influx of rodents at this time of year, because as the weather cools mice and rats seek warmth anywhere they can find it. Unfortunately, that often means inside residential homes. Many homes may experience rodent infestations at this time of year more than any other. Whether they're getting into your garage, basement or kitchen, it's important to put a stop to them before the problem becomes too serious and requires the intervention of a professional pest control agency.

Summer is almost here and before you head out on a family trip or even if you travel for work, consider doing a little research so you become familiar with bed bugs. This will help you identify them quickly and it could keep you from bringing them home unknowingly!

With the promise of summer also comes the promise of bugs. Homeowners have to stay vigilant, lest they find ants - or worse - rifling through their food.

You might've heard that cockroaches can survive a nuclear blast. If the worst should happen and the world succumbs to nuclear war, the cockroaches would reign supreme as the one and only organism left on earth. This hardly seems fair - consider how much time humans have spent trying to control cockroach populations. You might've chased one of them out of the bathroom this morning! So, if they really can withstand a nuclear blast, what chance do we have of managing cockroach infestations at home?

As the weather turns warmer, you may start to pack up cozy winter sweaters and unveil summer clothing. Retailers will unveil the latest trends - but as they unpack their stock rooms, they may encounter closet moths. These pests can affect consumers and retailers alike. The damage moths can do can affect the quality of the clothing and depress sales for retailers. Want to learn more about these moths? Check the tips below and find out how to keep them away:

For many first-time homebuyers, they are transitioning from living in an apartment building or a rental property. As a result, responsibilities that fell to a landlord now are under their purview. That can leave buyers scrambling and unsure of how to handle pest control. Here is a breakdown of new responsibilities homeowners have when transitioning out of an apartment:

Pests can be attracted to a residence for a number of reasons. In some cases it's because of the local environment - such as how close the home is to woods. In other cases it might be because of refuse or trash near the home - garbage cans and spilled food can be big attractors of insects and rodents. But did you know that your plumbing system can also attract pests if not properly maintained? Damaged or poorly installed plumbing fixtures can lead to spilled water and mold, which can seem like flashing neon signs to the local pest population. Read on to learn how to check your home's plumbing and about what to look out for.

One of the exciting facets of a being a first-time homebuyer is unveiling your deck and backyard to friends and family during the summer months. You can relax outside or host a barbecue - but many first-timers don't know how to get their decks and patios protected against the pests of summer. Here are the pests to watch out for this upcoming summer:

If you're dealing with a rat problem in your home or business, you can take comfort in knowing you aren't alone with this issue. Rats are among the world's most successful pests, and since the age of exploration have managed to settle in every corner of the globe.

Restaurants rely on walk in coolers to preserve the freshness of their ingredients. With proper cleaning and maintenance, they can serve as a sanitary way to have prepped ingredients on hand for busy lunch rushes and dinner services. Neglecting to clean the cooler can lead to problems, however. Despite the colder temperature, pests will still be attracted to the smell of spoiling produce and meat. Because insecticides cannot be used in preparation areas, only a solid integrated pest management strategy will keep the area insect free.

For some, the garage is a primarily a storage unit. If your household is one that keeps its vehicles parked in the driveway, you may have considered clearing out the garage or at least organizing it so that you can better locate your things. Another good reason to do so it because a cluttered garage makes it easier for pests to hide. In the summer months, pests might invade the space looking for some shade. During winter, rodents may take shelter from the cold. Perhaps worst of all, a swarm of bees or wasps could decide that an open wall is the perfect spot to build a nest. For these reasons alone, you should consider cleaning out your garage and inspecting it for pest damage. Read on to learn how:

With autumn in full swing, chances are you're spending more time outside, enjoying the changing colors. Hikes through the forest and walks through the park are great ways of enjoying the outdoors before the cold months of winter come. These activities are so much more enjoyable when you can take your beloved canine company with you. But when you do, you have to be wary about ticks and fleas. These parasites can spread disease at worst and make your pet very itchy at best. Keep reading to learn how to keep your pets pest free.

Dangerous encounters with wild animals aren't always violent affairs. Some of Mother Nature's most fearsome creatures are capable of administering real harm while going almost completely undetected.

With autumn right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about how to prepare your lawn for the cold weather ahead. Doing so now could mean fewer pests come next spring, and you'll have a better shot at having the best looking lawn in the neighborhood. Make use of these final weeks of warm evenings, so you can sit back and relax when the winds get chilly. Here's how:

Resort hotels have an increased risk of pest infestations because there are several potential points of entry. The surrounding environment, food shipments and the guests themselves can all bring pests into the facilities. A solid integrated pest management strategy is important for keeping these pests from becoming a costly problem. Here are a few tips for controlling pests at hotel resorts:

At home, pest control and lawn maintenance can go hand in hand. When you take proper care of your lawn and landscaping, you'll likely see fewer instances of insect infestations. This is because your lawn will drain properly, thus limiting the amount of breeding ground for insects. It's also because you'll be paying more attention to the foliage around your home and will therefore spot problems before they get too big.

Moths may be small, but they can cause real damage around the house. Some species may infest your kitchen and living room area, while others are notorious for their ability to ruin your favorite clothes. Even in the winter, these flying insects can be a serious nuisance and demand action from homeowners. Here's what you need to know about the different ways moths can infest your home and what you can do about it:

In a world where a few bad reviews online can spell the end of a business, pest control is more important than ever for hotels and resorts. Bed bugs are the most talked about problem for the hospitality industry, but there's more to pest control than simply washing the sheets thoroughly. Without an system in place, one instance of a pest infestation can easily get out of control. Here are a few tips for managing pests at hotels and resorts.

While your mice and rat problems might disappear during the cold months of winter, they could return when the weather warms up. Worse still, a rodent problem can easily multiply in the summer, as these pests are more likely to breed when the weather is warm and food sources are more plentiful. If you notice the signs of rodents in your home - chewed packages, droppings, etc. it could be time to improve your rodent control methods.

Although these two insects can be considered one in the same, knowing the difference between bees and wasps is essential for home and business owners. It's the first step in selecting the right pest prevention solution and is especially critical when dealing with possible allergic reactions.

Autumn is a fun season because the leaves are changing color, the big holidays are right around the corner, and there's all kinds of new treats to try. But it's also the time of year when more pests may try to invade your home. As they look to escape from the chilly nights, pests might see your home as the perfect hideaway. Be prepared for some of the season's top pests by reading the tips below:

Rats are sneaky creatures that love to meddle in apartment buildings. However, tenants usually aren't fans of them. You may feel paranoid for several nights as you listen to skittering above your head. Yet after a while, you know something is there. Here are a few indicators that you've got a rat problem in your apartment.

People may think of coffee grounds and envision a cafe, a perfume store or an easy way to decorate. After the grounds have been used, many people will just throw them out.Yet this may not be the smartest idea. Coffee grounds can also be used to keep pests out. Consider these ways that coffee grounds can prevent pests.

If you have a bed bug infestation and you trace it back to your mattress, you may go into an initial panic. Many people may blame their mattresses for the problem, and immediately throw them out. However, bed bugs are sneaky pests and may show up in other areas, such as your curtains, your rugs and even other pieces of furniture. So tossing your mattress may be the wrong move. Consider these tips if your mattress has beg bugs.

Owners of housing and apartment developments as well as property managers have to be on the lookout for any potential pests, not just because they may make tenants and residents uncomfortable, but because they can cause serious damage as well. An added difficulty is that, unlike a home, you don't have complete control of what people bring into the dwellings, which can lead to infestations.

You just rented a house that sits directly on a lake for the summer, and you're ecstatic. However, within the first few weeks you notice several ants coming and going, especially on your porch. Through a little research, you come to learn that these are carpenter ants, which can be a major issue in a home, especially one that isn't yours. Consider these tips to keep carpenter ants away from your summer home.

As a landlord, you hold a lot of responsibility for your tenants. So, it can be stressful if something goes wrong with one of your apartment buildings. Pest infestations are one of those stresses. Though you try to prevent them, apartments are a pest's paradise. Cockroaches are some of the worst of the bunch. Consider these tips if you get a call from a tenant about a cockroach infestation.

You just moved into your new apartment, and you wake up itching and scratching. You realize that your apartment has bed bugs! It can be hard to determine the source of bed bugs at first. You may feel paranoid and wonder if you brought them or if the apartment already had them. Regardless, you've got a chaotic situation. Follow these tips if this has happened to you.

At last, you're finally on vacation. You set your bags down and can begin to relax during your time off. However, after the first night, you wake up itching. What's going on? You may have bed bugs in your rental home. Consider these tips if this has happened to you.

One of the world's most abundant pests, silverfish can invade just about any home, restaurant or business. These tiny insects are adept at surviving in seemingly inhospitable environments, and as such, can easily survive in a basement or storage room. Silverfish may be gray, dark brown or even blue in color. They also have two long antennae and several appendages on the rear that look like tails. Unfortunately, these bugs can scurry across the floor so quickly you may not see them at all. Here's a little bit more about these frustrating pests:

There are many situations where you can probably take care of a pest problem on your own. However, in some cases, it's better to call a professional pest control service before the problem gets out of control. Knowing when a pest invasion is too much to handle on your own is part of being a responsible property owner. That said, it can be tempting to handle every situation by yourself. Keep reading to learn how to tell when it's time to call in the professionals:

Having a pest problem is often an unsettling situation for most homeowners. You don't know whether hiring a pest control firm will end the insect and rodent issues or if you should expect a recurrence on a regular basis. Should you invest in a home protection plan that addresses a variety of potential pest intrusions or treat your home and outdoor area with a plan aimed at a particular pest?

Rodents can pose a variety of problems for restaurant owners. Not only can the presence of rats and mice be unsanitary and annoying, but they can also make your eatery develop a bad reputation that can be hard to recover from. Before you need to turn to your local pest control experts for help in ridding your restaurants of these rodents, try to understand why these animals seek out restaurants - possibly the places where people least want to see rats and mice.

A garden is a wonderful thing to have and enjoy. However, many gardeners may become sad when they notice that something is off - there's a white film on their plants' leaves, there are holes in flora or there are bugs everywhere. These three factors, whether together or alone, may indicate you have an issue in your garden. Regardless of whether you have an extensive plot or just a few small potted plants, baking soda may be the elixir you need. Consider these reasons why using baking soda can keep your garden at its best.

Pests can get a bad reputation sometimes. However, some organisms may actually be beneficial in your yard and will fight off other harmful pests. Consider these reasons why a few select pests may actually be good for your yard.

When it comes to eliminating pests, most people don't know what's actually used to destroy the pests - they just want them gone. Well, the truth is some chemicals used are incredibly dangerous, and could threaten the health and safety of your tenants. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that 90 percent of Americans have a mix of approximately 43 types of pesticides in their bodies. These pesticides are associated with cancer, reproductive health problems and even birth defects. Consider these reasons why green pest control may be the way to go.

Many folks may decide that the best way to deal with an animal intruder is to employ a family pet to save the day. After all, to a small wild critter, your dog or cat can be very frightening. Unfortunately, pest control services are best left to the professionals, as playing exterminator could end up being a dangerous job for your pet. Here's what you need to know:

Picture yourself as a diner at a restaurant where a mouse has just run under a table, or a customer in a dress shop who spots a spider weaving a large web in a corner of the store. What's your opinion of those businesses? It may be so negative that you feel compelled to leave, and more than that, to warn your friends not to patronize those places.

There's nothing worse than finding a worm crawling through a delicious apple. However, pests often end up inside food or infesting boxes of it, causing major product loss for corporations. Facilities that store and package food are ideal places for pests to get comfortable. These places have three things pests need: food, water and shelter. So, they don't mind making their way into a facility and staying for a while. Once they have arrived, they can be hard to get rid of and can make the business as a whole suffer. Sanitation is a major factor behind this problem. Consider these ways to keep the facility clean.

There are three pests that make themselves apparent each winter in homes as they forage for food and warmth. They are the most common pests to invade homes in the cold winter months and each year surprise homeowners when they are spotted them in the spring. These three pests are cunning and often have new and inventive ways to wiggle into a home. Consider these tips to keep rats, mice and squirrels out of your house.