Bed Bugs
Bed bugs have largely been thought of as being a problem of the past. The truth, however, is that bed bugs are making a strong comeback. Bed Bugs can be found in your suitcases, and in fine hotels and homes.
One of the major reasons for such a strong reappearance is because of international travel. Bed bugs get into clothes and luggage and then are brought home. You could have picked them up from your hotel room, or even from your suitcase on the plane!
A bed bug does not actually live under your skin, but will simply drink a few drops of blood while you are sleeping. You cannot feel its bite, even though it is actually piercing the skin. Although some saliva will get into the bite, bed bugs are not known to pass on any diseases to humans.
The different species of bed bugs have different feeding preferences. Some prefer human blood while others prefer bats and birds. Bed Bugs primarily reside in their target’s nests or nesting areas.
While many bed bugs hide in mattresses, some may also hide in a sofa or chair, or behind wall paper or pictures. Thoroughness is the only real way to get rid of Bed Bugs. Every corner and crevice needs to be searched. As you might guess, this means that simply getting rid of an infected mattress will not totally solve the problem.
Bed Bug bites often cause redness and some swelling. Antihistamines and corticosteroids may be given to help relieve the itching. Approximately 50% of Bed Bug victims do not show any evidence of bites.
These little blood suckers are about 3/8" long and are visible to the naked eye. Amazingly, though, they are able to go a long time without any food if necessary; sometimes, as long as a year. When they are gorged with blood, the females will lay eggs- two hundred at a time.
Since their reappearance, researchers have found that the new Bed Bugs are much more resistant to chemicals that have previously been in use. Insecticides that are often used for roaches and similar insects do not work on Bed Bugs- which is another reason they are at large again.
If you think you might have an infestation of Bed Bugs, call now and let us help you quickly get rid of the problem. We know how to identify, reduce, and eliminate your Bed Bug infestation.
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Ants
Ant infestation is the most common pest problem reported. These tiny scavengers will enter your home or business looking for moisture and an accessible food source. Sometimes, rotting or damp wood that has mold damage can also attract ants. These tiny insects also feed on sugar, cheese, meats, vegetables, grease, peanut butter, and dead insects.
Ants often enter a home through cracks around windows or doors, but they can find numerous entrances to your home or building. Once inside, the growing ant colony can become a problem quickly, as ants mature from juveniles to adults within a matter of days.
There are thousands of species of ants, but only four are commonly found species in the United States. It is necessary to properly identify the ant species that you have before an effective means of extermination can be used to eradicate them.
Carpenter Ants: are about 5/8" long, make burrows in damp wood, but can go from there to damage solid wood. They do not eat the wood, but simply remove it for nests.
Red Imported Fire Ants: vary in size from 1/8" to 3/8", make large mounds for nests; and give a painful sting.
Pavement Ants: are about 1/8" long; make their nests in cracks in pavement; and can infest a building.
Pharoah Ants: are about 1/16" long; commonly found in hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, apartment buildings, etc.; and are capable of transmitting Staphylecoccus and Psuedomonas infections in a hospital setting.
Ants with wings can often be mistaken for termites - which may lead to a wrong treatment. Ants have a very narrow thorax (mid-section), while termites' bodies are more uniform.
Treatment is most effective when it is performed near the nest. We are ready to evaluate the extent of your ant infestation and give you a free estimate. We use the minimum amount of the correct treatment designed for a particular type of insect - to give you the fastest and best results possible.
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Beetles
Beetles make up the largest category of insects in the world, and they account for approximately 25% of all life forms on earth. In fact, there are more than 5 million different species of beetles.
Beetles are easily identified by their hard outer shell, which covers their wings. The wings they use to fly are exposed only during flight. A beetle’s body consists of three sections; a head, a thorax, and an abdomen.
Several types of beetles feed on wood. This can cause a lot of damage in wood structures primarily because while the wood is being eaten, the beetles remain unseen. This is true of Powder Post Beetles, Old House Borer Beetles, Bark Beetles, Citrus Long-Horned Beetles, Asian beetles, and other species. Powder Post Beetles, amongst others, grow from eggs that are laid in the wood. Another species of beetle, the Citrus Long-Horned Beetle, was introduced into the United States as recently as 1999, and is currently without any natural enemies. Although not known as yet, the damage they will create is expected to be extensive.
Adult beetles do not eat wood, only the beetle larvae do. When you see holes in either structural wood or in furniture, it is because the larvae have already left and you are seeing the exit holes. This means that there is in insect infestation somewhere near. Generally, they will seek the same kind of wood from which they came.
Other beetle species feed on garden plants, such as the Colorado Potato Beetle, the Boll Weevil, the Rose Chafer, the Western Corn Rootworm, and many more. Each of these beetles can cause millions of dollars in damage to crops of many different kinds. The presence of just a few beetles usually indicates that more exist, and quick action is needed by a qualified Pest Control agency.
Some beetles, such as the common Ladybug, are actually advantageous to have around. They are known to keep down the population of other insects, so you should not attempt to destroy them, or any other beneficial beetle species.
Treating for beetles requires proper knowledge of the type of beetle species you are trying to eliminate. Wood eating beetles, for instance, cannot be effectively treated using sprays because they are located deep within wood. If you have a beetle infestation, we are ready to help you.
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Cockroaches
Just about everyone knows what a cockroach looks like; they are everywhere. While it is often jokingly stated that if anything could survive a nuclear war, a cockroach could- the idea is clear - they are real survivors.
Once there is a cockroach infestation, it can be very hard to get rid of them. Cockroaches multiply very quickly, and they also adapt quickly, too. This makes it imperative to work with a pest control agency quickly if you see them in your home or business.
There are over 4,000 different varieties of cockroaches, but only about thirty of them can comfortably live with humans. This number can be further reduced to include only four varieties; the main species that cause problems in homes and businesses in America.
The four main species are the American, German, Asian, and Oriental cockroaches. These vary in size from about 1/2" (German), up to 2" (American). In America, the specie that is most common in homes would most likely be the German variety.
Cockroaches increase in population at a very rapid rate. The German cockroach female lives about 200 days. Each egg case that she lays includes thirty to fifty eggs. In her lifetime, she will produce between four to six egg cases. German cockroaches are clearly able to thrive.
Once cockroaches infest a home, they often are rarely seen. Cockroaches are nocturnal and also tend to hide. They can live up to a month with little or no food, but can also survive by eating book bindings, furniture glue, soap, dead insects, shoe linings, and more.
The presence of cockroaches can lead to a definite impression of uncleanness- especially if your guests see them. The truth is that it is not necessarily uncleanliness that will produce a cockroach manifestation. However, uncleanliness will cause it to be much more difficult to get rid of them. The presence of cockroaches can also lead to health problems- including asthma in children.
If you have seen cockroaches around your home or business, you should eliminate them as quickly as possible. Remember that they increase in numbers very fast. Chances are, if you see one or two, there may be a hundred more that you have not seen yet.
Call us today for a free estimate about removing your cockroach infestation. We know how to get rid of them - and the sooner you let us start - the sooner your problem will be gone.
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Pest Library