Flea Diseases in Oakland

Generally speaking, the greatest discomfort resulting from the presence of fleas, is their bite and the intense itching that this causes. In most cases, the itchiness and red bite marks slowly disappear without any long term effects to your health.

However, because fleas are recognized disease and parasite vectors and can cause allergic reactions in more sensitive people or pets, it is important to know about the different possible diseases they can transmit.

If you think your home or property has a problem with fleas, contact your local Pest Control Expert company.

Diseases transmitted by fleas

In the U.S. the number of flea-borne disease cases is relatively minor. However, due to increased international travel and expected rising temperatures, diseases spread by flea species can now potentially affect more U.S. citizens than ever before.

Bubonic plague
The most well-known flea transmitted disease is the Bubonic plague. In the 14th century, the bubonic plague (known as the “Black Death”) became an epidemic and killed 25 million people - up to 50% of the European population.

Murine typhus
This is a rare disease in North America, but a few cases of Murine Typhus are reported each year and mostly originating in southwestern states. This disease occurs in rat-infested areas, where fleas become infected by rats.

The most common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, chills, weakness and nausea but treatment is available and patients often respond quickly.

Tungiansis
This disease is rarely diagnosed in North America but due to international travel originating from tropical regions, like the West Indies, Caribbean, and Central America, where it is indigenous, it is worth knowing about this illness.

This disease is transmitted by the burrowing flea (Tunga penetrans), which is also commonly known as a chigger flea or sand flea (amongst others). It usually affects the feet, where the flea anchors itself into the skin and burrows into the epidermis. Travelers are often advised to wear shoes (not sandals) when walking across sandy areas in affected regions.

Tularemia
Tularemia is a potentially serious illness that occurs naturally in North America. It is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis and found in animals like rodents. It can be transferred to humans by an infected flea or tick bite.

Common symptoms include sudden fever, chills, diarrhea, joint pain and gradual weakness.

Tularemia is not infectious but medical attention is required to treat the illness and antibiotics are offered as treatment.

Flea associated allergies
Flea saliva can cause skin dermatitis in humans, which usually appears on patches of skin as itchy bumps or a rash.

Some people can have asthmatic-type reactions when they inhale flea feces.

Pets can also react to flea bites and will commonly develop a flea hypersensitivity or flea-bite dermatitis. As a result, animals may develop crusty lesions and may constantly scratch at their skin, often leading to fur loss.

Fleas as parasite vectors
Fleas are known to transmit parasites, such as tapeworm, which primarily affect pets. Adult fleas infected with tapeworm may be accidentally ingested by cats or dogs during grooming.

Tucson Mosquito Control

Late summer and early fall mark Tucson’s mosquito season.  The season coincides with our monsoon weather.  The excess moisture provides breeding sites for many mosquito species.  In Arizona we have 40 different species of Mosquito.  Some of the major species of importance include Aedes Aegypti, Culex Tarsalis, Culex Quinquefasciatus.

The importance of these species besides the obvious transfer of vector diseases is that all three will readily reproduce near and around homes.  Aedes Aegypti in particular can reproduce in vary small amounts of water including flower pot bases, an old tire, cans, gutters, or any small collection of water around the home.  Diseases associated with these species include Encephalitis, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, and West Nile Virus.  Mosquitoes can also be a threat for pets.  Dogs often can contract heartworm, a disease that impacts your pets circulatory system.

Diseases transmission and breeding habits are part of the Mosquito’s life process.  Mosquitoes go through complete metamorphosis similar to a butterfly.  The difference is that water is a key element in the life cycle.  Eggs are laid in water, on the sides of containers or on damp soils depending upon the species.  The eggs hatch and larvae emerge living in the water feeding upon microorganisms or decaying matter.  The larvae will pupate at the waters surface utilizing a respiratory trumpet to breath air.  The final stage is the emergence of a mosquito.

Adult mosquitoes have a piercing, sucking mouth part, basically a needle like mouth designed to pierce the skin and suck blood from people and animals.  This is the key element in disease transmission.  Mosquitoes can transmit disease during the blood meal feeding.

Tucson Mosquito Control

The best defense for homeowners is to try to limit mosquito populations.  There are many common remedies like the use of citronella candles or insect repellents like DEET.  The best remedy is to eliminate all water breeding sites.  A simple walk around after storms or watering your plants to reduce water sources is ideal.  Suggestions include removing containers that can trap water, emptying water trays beneath pots, flushing out desirable water sources like bird baths or fountains.

Often these practices need to be community oriented since mosquitoes can travel significant distances.  In some instances water sources can’t be drained such as drainage ponds.  In these situations larvicides can be introduced to the surface water preventing mosquito development.  In addition, insecticidal applications can be used to knock down large adult populations.

If you have a mosquito problem Pest Control Expert can help.  Call for an inspection and we can provide a solution.

6 Things to Expect From Your First Pest Control Service Visit

Keeping your home pest free is important for many reasons. Most importantly, no one likes the thought of creepy crawlies invading the home. Additionally, insects such as termites can cause damage to your home from the inside out. Because of this, it is vital to make a connection with a reputable pest control company in your area.

If you are considering pest control service for the first time, you may wonder what to expect from the initial visit. Once you know what to expect, the process is a bit less worrisome. We put together a list of six things you should expect from the first pest control visit.

A Professional Introduction
Your professional should arrive on time and come dressed in a uniform. He or she should introduce themselves to you upon arrival. You should feel comfortable with his or her presence in your home since the pest exterminator will need to move around both inside and outside. Therefore, make sure to ask any questions or voice any concerns now. Then, you'll be able to relax and the exterminator can do his or her job.

Entry Point Inspection
One of the most vital places the pest control representative will check is entry areas. This means checking around pipes, windows, doors, attics, garages, and crawlspaces. These are all areas where insects, rodents, and other pests enter the home. An inspection of these areas takes some time, as the pest control professional will need to look for cracks and find hidden areas that could allow pests to enter.

Yard Examination
Another important step is inspecting your yard and the rest of your property. In checking the outdoor spaces, he or she may find areas of concern for future pest issues.

Moisture Check
The exterminator will most likely check moisture in and around your home. A moist area is more likely to attract and harbor pests than one that is dry. He or she will use a flashlight and tools including a moisture meter to find areas that may pose a problem.

Review and Report
There’s a good chance that your exterminator will need to take a few minutes to put together his or her findings. Some pros put together an "official" report too. Expect the professional to spend a few moments in his or her car or at a table going over the information found and creating a plan for future treatments. Allow the pro to work alone during this time as it can be quite a challenge to put all of the information together in an easy-to-read format.

Discussion
After your professional has all the data put together, he or she will sit down with you to discuss the findings. The idea is to inform you of exactly what is going on in your home. You should learn what he found, and what steps you need to take to remedy any current problems and prevent future ones. This is also a great time to ask any questions you may have about the inspection or future services. You may wish to ask if you need to use any precautions around pets, or if you need to do any follow-up care on your own.

If you need Pest Control Contact Pest Control Expert for get rid of pests in Boston. Pest Control Expert is a pest control services company that provides professional pest control services in USA.

Cockroaches in house

There are few sights as disquieting and disgusting as walking into a room, flipping on the light and seeing cockroaches scurrying in every direction. The mere thought is enough to make your skin crawl. And for every cockroach you see there are usually dozens more hiding just out of view.

People often blame a cockroach problem on poor housekeeping. While cleaning floors, kitchens, and bathrooms is useful and very important to reduce food sources used by cockroaches, they may get inside and cause an infestation for other reasons. These pests can hitch a ride on infested items brought inside, get indoors via cracks and gaps in the home’s exterior, enter through drains or sewer pipes and a few species of cockroaches can fly inside when attracted to lights.

Check for leaks beneath sinks, under the dishwasher and behind the refrigerator. Fix any dripping faucets. Before bed, empty pet water bowls or move them outdoors. And get into the habit of wiping up any water spilled onto countertops, around the faucet deck, and in all sinks and tubs. It doesn’t take much water—just a few drops—to attract a thirsty cockroach.

Use caulk, expanding foam sealant or pieces of sheet metal to seal up and close off all holes, cracks and seams found in and around cabinets, floors, walls and windows. Pay particular to spaces around plumbing pipes and electrical cables; cockroaches can squeeze through gaps as narrow as 1/8 inch.

Eliminating the food source is most challenging because cockroaches eat just about anything, and can survive on very little food; an entire colony can subsist on nothing more than a steady supply of crumbs. Start by emptying and reorganizing all food-storage cabinets, including the pantry.

Wipe clean all shelves and discard old, expired food items. Canned foods are, of course, safe from cockroaches, but anything else is vulnerable, especially dry food stored in boxes or bags, such as cereals, crackers, cookies, chips and flour. Keep opened bags tightly sealed with binder clips or, better yet, place open bags and boxes inside of airtight food containers.

Once you’ve made your home as inhospitable to roaches as possible, don’t expect them to immediately crawl away. Cockroaches can survive several months without food and two weeks or longer without water. You’ll have to move on to the next step: search and destroy.

However, don’t make the mistake of simply spraying a cloud of cockroach spray all over the house. While the poisonous spray will kill roaches, most will simply scurry away unfazed only to return once the spray loses its effectiveness.

Instead, try one or more of all of the following roach-killers: boric acid dusting powder, boric acid tablets, bait stations, and sticky glue traps.
If these tricks not working then you should hire a professional pest control expert. Best quality services provides Pest Control Expert in San Jose, USA. We’re more than a pest control company, we’re your neighbors—Call us old-fashioned, but we believe in taking care of our community.

That’s why Pest Control takes pride in making you happy and comfortable in your own home. We do this by waging war against the spiders, bugs and other uninvited guests that live in your home. We aim to evict your pests with a custom plan that’s based on your specific needs, so you can get back to living in peace and comfort. And, we do it in a way that is always clean, clear, and consistent. In short, we’ll help you feel at home in your home again.

Diseases from Cockroaches

Cockroaches are insects that are identified by their long antennae and legs. They kind of look like beetles and may come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. There are about 30 different species of cockroaches, though only 4 are known to be pests.

Cockroaches are synonymous with filth and poor hygiene. Their feeding and nesting habits mean they can accumulate a range of pathogenic organisms which they transmit to food and surfaces where they feed and crawl.

Cockroaches thrive best in warm conditions, particularly in areas where the temperature exceeds 70° Fahrenheit. They absolutely love humid and dark places. Cockroaches run away from bright light, which means you are unlikely to find them crawling out in the open on a sunny summer day. Even if there are a lot of cockroaches in one room, when you turn on a light, they will scatter.

Wherever cockroaches go, they leave behind traces of their existence. Signs that you have a cockroach infestation include feces, saliva, and parts of their bodies that they shed or that fall off. Similar to dust mites, these parts of a cockroach contain specific proteins or allergens that may cause allergies or can even trigger asthma symptoms.

Transmission occurs indirectly, from consumption or contact with items which have been contaminated by cockroaches.

Cockroaches can transmit the following diseases:

Salmonellosis
Typhoid Fever
Cholera
Dysentery
Leprosy
Plague
Campylobacteriosis
Listeriosis

You have probably heard legends of cockroaches surviving everything, including any apocalypse the world can imagine going through. Cockroaches may be tough to beat, but they are certainly not invincible.

If you suspect you have an infestation, your best bet is to hire a professional pest control technician to come and examine your property. The technician should be able to confirm whether or not you have an actual infestation. If you do have an infestation, your home will likely need to be treated by the pest control company. Contact Pest Control Expert for best pest control services.

To prevent a cockroach infestation, it helps to have covers on your drains through which cockroaches cannot climb. You should also try to keep your floors and counters as free of food crumbs as possible. Roaches are also attracted to food that is in trash cans.

Dangerous Spider Species in USA

The Brown Recluse Spider
A shape of a dark violin can be spotted on the topmost leg area with the tip pointing towards the abdomen. This gave rise to the brown recluse spiders’ nickname, Fiddle Back.

What makes brown recluse spiders unique is they have a pair of six eyes instead of the usual eight. Spider bites from a recluse may cause significant cutaneous injury with tissue loss and necrosis.

The Black Widow Spider
The black widow is responsible for more than 2,500 visits to poison control centers every year in the U.S. It is one species that can be found from the United States and parts of Canada through Latin America and the West Indies. The most common member of Latrodectus in North America, it makes its home in a variety of settings, such as woodpiles, burrows, or among plants that serve as supports for its web.
The female is shiny black and usually has a reddish to yellow hourglass design on the underside of the spherical abdomen.
Its bite, which may feel like a pinprick on the skin, often produces severe muscle pain and cramping, nausea, and mild paralysis of the diaphragm, which makes breathing difficult. Most victims recover without serious complications. Although the bite is thought to be fatal to very small children and the elderly, no deaths have been attributed to bites by widow spiders in the United States.

Redback Spider
The redback is another cousin of the black widow L. mactans; however, this species is not as widespread. It is native to Australia, but it has spread to New Zealand, Belgium, and Japan through grape exports. (The spider often builds nests and webs on grape leaves and inside bunches.) The species is widespread throughout Australia, living in all of the continent’s varied environments, except for its hottest deserts and frigid mountaintops.
Redback spiders are not aggressive and are more likely to play dead when disturbed, but a female spider defending her eggs is very likely to bite. Bites also occur when the spider climbs into shoes or clothing and becomes trapped against the victim’s skin when he or she is dressing. Both male and female redbacks are venomous, but most envenomations primarily result from female bites.

Red Widow Spider (Latrodectus bishopi)
All the rest of their bodies have a reddish-brown color. Typically, their underside has one or more tiny red marks.

They create spider webs in rosemary, palmettos, scrub oak, and other shrubs, mostly in central and southeast Florida’s sand-pine scrub territories. Only the females bite and its venom, being a neurotoxin, leads to muscle spasms.

The Hobo Spider
Adult hobo spiders have several chevron-shaped markings on their abdomen. They have a brownish color and can reach a body length of about half an inch.

The males’ mouth area has two large boxing glove-like parts. Females, meanwhile, have bigger abdomens.

A hobo spider lives anywhere in the following areas:

Oregon
Washington
Wyoming
Idaho
Colorado
Montana
Utah
Spider bites from hobos form a blister after 24 hours. The blister breaks open later and turns into an ulcer with liquid oozing out after a day or two.

Brown Widow Spider
Brown widow venom is considered to be twice as powerful as that of the black widow; however, the species is not aggressive and only injects a tiny amount of venom when it bites. Still, brown widow bites were associated with the deaths of two people in Madagascar in the early 1990s. (These victims they were in poor health and they were not treated with antivenin.)

The Wolf Spider
An adult wolf spider may reach up to an inch or more in length. It has brown to grayish speckles and a distinct impression of a Union Jack on the upper stomach area.

When laying eggs, the female spiders carry the egg sacs around, as they are attached to their spinnerets. Newly hatched spiders ride on their mother’s back for several days.

Like most spiders, wolf spiders prey on insects, but the bigger ones prey not just insects but lizards and frogs, too.

Wolf spiders are nocturnal ground dwellers. When they feel threatened, they run away swiftly and have burrows lined with silk to retreat into.

These all spiders are dangerous. If you want professional spider control services in US. Contact Pest Control Expert. Pest Control Expert prides in making you happy and comfortable in your own home. We do this by waging war against the spiders, bugs and other uninvited guests that live in your home. We aim to evict your pests with a custom plan that’s based on your specific needs, so you can get back to living in peace and comfort. And, we do it in a way that is always clean, clear, and consistent. In short, we’ll help you feel at home in your home again.

Termite and Pest Control Company in El Paso, TX

Pest Control Expert is a Texas pest control company. Pest Control Company started operations in 2018, from a home office and serviced originally out of an Tracer hatchback that looked like you needed a tetanus shot to get into. After a year, Pest Control Company has not changed our values or beliefs even though we have grown up as a company to service all El Paso county and beyond.

The Pest Control Expert Team considers it a great responsibility, blessing, and honor to serve the communities of EI Paso County and surrounding areas, exterminating pests and restoring the people’s peace of mind. If there is one attribute that I think we are most known for, it would be our understanding and compassion to our customer’s needs.

We perform all kinds of  Pest Control services in EI Paso including Ants, Spiders, Mosquitoes, Roaches, Bed Bugs, Termites, Fleas, Ticks or even Wildlife like Rats, Mice, Squirrels, and more. In short Pest Control Expert, is a Pest Control Company, a Termite Control Company, a Wildlife Control Company and a Bed Bug Control Company all in one.

Pest Control Company
Pest control is rather large topic and a Pest control company can be broken into several categories. Not every pest control company will treat for Termites Wildlife or Bed Bugs as examples. What Pest Control services are for is residential pest control, commercial pest control and lawn pest control around structures. This includes Bed Bugs, Ants, Roaches, Spiders, Mosquitoes, Fleas and Ticks just to name a few in this category.Pest Control Expert is certified, licensed, and insured for Structural Pest Control services through the TDA and EPA.

Termite Control Company
Termite Control can be a very scary topic for most people, one thing we are very proud of is that Pest Control Company in EI Paso is known to take the fear out of termite control. Pest Control Expert is certified, licensed, and insured for Structural Pest Control services through the TDA and EPA as a Termite Control Company.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PEST CONTROL SERVICES

pest infestation occurs even in the cleanest and tidiest place.  There are no product naturally and/or synthetically made that can fully eliminate all the pests in your homes, offices, and even lawns. As a matter of fact, some pest control products can eliminate a certain pest but has ingredients that are favorable to other pests.  Unless you are fully trained in pest extermination, self-reliance is not any more effective enough to get the job done.  Thus, there is always a need to employ the help of professionals from pest control industry.Here are some guidelines to narrow your options in selecting the best pest control company.

It is important that a pest control company has been in the industry for a much longer period than any other company. The length of their stay in the industry is a proof of loyal base of clientele which are most probably because of their utmost customer services and their expertise gained from many years of services is incomparable.  Similarly, their expertise has been known especially in dealing with pest infestation because your property will also be at greater risk in case of failure in the procedure.

Highly-trained Professionals

Highly trained professionals in a pest control company are the next thing to be considered. These professionals will be the one to be dealing with pests in your home, offices, and even lawns so they must be trained enough to handle the necessary procedures while taking precautions in everything inside and outside of your property.  These will inhibit you from having spoiled food, broken furniture, and damaged things that are common sight in pest extermination procedures.  Most importantly, these professionals must be trustworthy enough because they would be entering your property and you will become vulnerable to strangers.

Effective Pest Control Method

While we know that pest control is not an easy job, it is imperative that a company has an effective pest extermination method so that pests can be fully eliminated from your homes, offices, and lawns.  The company must have a better solution in dealing with various pests so as not to overlook their ability to survive.  Their method must be effective enough to get a wider target and uphold a very seldom repetition of the treatment.

5 Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away

Get rid of stagnant water.
Make sure there’s no standing water anywhere — on toys left out on the lawn, plates under your flowerpots or garbage in an open can. Ponds, kiddie pools and improperly drained yards can also attract mosquitoes.

To avoid a catastrophe at your next picnic, do your best to drain any standing water in the yard, empty kiddie pools or buckets and keep your guests away from ponds or other permanent fresh water sources. One watery area you don’t have to worry about, though, is your swimming pool — as long as it’s chlorinated and the filter is working, mosquitoes will buzz right on by.

Hire a pro to check hidden spots.
An exterminator can inspect areas such as gutters, which can collect water and become a prime breeding spot. While you’re at it, assess your window screens and replace any that are ripped, broken or not fitting properly — especially if you live in a humid southern state.

Make natural repellents part of your landscape.
Some plants actually produce defensive chemicals to deter hungry animals (like deer) that will also ward off insects. But, these repellents aren’t usually released unless the plant is actually harmed. So if you fill your yard with species like citronella, make sure to rough ’em up before your next party. Or if you have a deer problem, let the deer feed!

Apply repellent, then do it again.
A lotion or spray containing DEET (it’s safe, even for kids, when used as directed), picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon or eucalyptus is your best bet for keeping mosquitoes away, but it will wear off after a certain number of hours.

Cover your feet.
Skeeters love sweat and bacteria, making your toes a prime blood-sucking spot. Use repellent and consider wearing high-top sneakers or high socks.

Dress for even more success.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothes that hide your arms and legs. “Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors,” Scott explains. So relegate black and navy to the back of the closet and embrace those on-trend summer whites and pretty pastels.

Eat indoors when possible.
Scott points out that while most mosquitoes found in the U.S. bite in the evening, the types thought to carry Zika feed during daylight hours. Especially if you live in the South, which is more likely to see Zika-carrying mosquitoes, enjoy that Cobb salad inside.

Tent the patio.
If you’re having a small get-together, it may be easiest to tent the area where guests will be eating. This will eliminate any concerns of food accidentally being sprayed with repellents and keep out other unwanted guests like bees and flies.

Set out candles or lanterns.
Provide mood lighting — and keep guests comfortable — with bug-deterring luminarie. For a sophisticated get-together, try a lantern like Thermacell’s mosquito repellent patio lantern, which can be hung or placed on a flat surface.

How to Keep Mosquitoes Away

1. Get rid of stagnant water.
Make sure there's no standing water anywhere — on toys left out on the lawn, plates under your flowerpots or garbage in an open can. Ponds, kiddie pools and improperly drained yards can also attract mosquitoes.

2. Hire a pro to check hidden spots.
An pest exterminator can inspect areas such as gutters, which can collect water and become a prime breeding spot. While you're at it, assess your window screens and replace any that are ripped, broken or not fitting properly — especially if you live in a humid southern state.

3. Make natural repellents part of your landscape.
Some plants actually produce defensive chemicals to deter hungry animals (like deer) that will also ward off insects. But, these repellents aren't usually released unless the plant is actually harmed. So if you fill your yard with species like citronella, make sure to rough 'em up before your next party. Or if you have a deer problem, let the deer feed!

4. Apply repellent, then do it again.
A lotion or spray containing DEET (it's safe, even for kids, when used as directed), picaridin, or oil of lemon or eucalyptus is your best bet for keeping mosquitoes away, but it will wear off after a certain number of hours, depending on the formula, says Fredericks.

5. Cover your feet.
Skeeters love sweat and bacteria, making your toes a prime blood-sucking spot. "Aedes aegypti, the mosquito most likely responsible for spreading Zika, tends to bite on the lower part of the body," says Thomas Scott, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology at UC Davis. Use repellent and consider wearing high-top sneakers or high socks.

6. Dress for even more success.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothes that hide your arms and legs. "Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors," Scott explains. So relegate black and navy to the back of the closet and embrace those on-trend summer whites and pretty pastels.

7. Eat indoors when possible.
Scott points out that while most mosquitoes found in the U.S. bite in the evening, the types thought to carry Zika feed during daylight hours. Especially if you live in the South, which is more likely to see Zika-carrying mosquitoes, enjoy that Cobb salad inside.

8. And if you are entertaining outside, spray the day before.
If you're hosting a large outdoor soirée, we suggest trying Off!'s Backyard Pretreat. Simply attach the bottle to a hose and spray down the area you are planning on using at least 24 hours in advance.

9. Tent the patio.
If you're having a small get-together, it may be easiest to tent the area where guests will be eating. This will eliminate any concerns of food accidentally being sprayed with repellents and keep out other unwanted guests like bees and flies. Many companies make canopy tents with mosquito net accessories, or even nets that attach to outdoor umbrellas.

10. Set out candles or lanterns.
Provide mood lighting — and keep guests comfortable — with bug-deterring luminarie. For a sophisticated get-together, try a lantern like Thermacell's mosquito repellent patio lantern, which can be hung or placed on a flat surface.

Best Pest Control Expert Services

We have built a solid reputation for our service, expertise and building life-long connections with our customers. Our primary goal is your satisfaction.We improve the quality of life for our customers, team, and community.We’re more than a pest control company, we’re your neighbors — Call us old-fashioned, but we believe in taking care of our community.

Best Pest Control Expert Services

Our homes contain all sorts of appealing micro-environments for rodents, spiders, cockroaches, and other pests. The best pest control service works with you to create a plan of attack that exterminates the existing population and deters future ones. As such, it should have efficacy guarantees written into the contract. We homed in on five solid providers with a broad range of services, holistic pest management tactics, and communicative customer service.

How We Choose the Best Pest Control Services

We looked at leading pest control service providers that do business in 15 states or more. These are the companies that turn up on the first few pages of Google and populate your ad space after you run a single search. This helped to ensure that the companies’ practices are standardized (and published online) and that their services are available to a large swath of readers. Combined, the five companies that made this cut bring pest control services to some states.

10 Pest Control Tips to Keep Pests Away This Summer

Nothing ruins a picnic like a line of ants. Nothing ruins a barbecue like a swarm of mosquitoes. And nothing ruins a morning like spotting a spider, cockroach, or mouse somewhere in your house.

Keep bugs and critters away from your home and yard this summer with these 10 best pest control practices.

1. Block Their Entry to Your Home
Your first line of defense is to make it difficult for pests to even find an entry to your home. Check all your screens for holes, and repair if you find any. Check around your doors and windows for gaps, and replace window stripping when needed.

2. Clean Your Kitchen
A pile of crumbs on your counter or floor is like a treasure chest to ants and other insects. Let them find treasure elsewhere - outside and far away from your home - by making sure you offer no treasure to be found in your own kitchen. Wipe your counters, sweep your floors, put food away immediately, and take out the trash regularly.

3. Get Rid of Standing Water
Getting rid of standing water is the first step to control mosquitoes. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and a big, fat invitation for mosquitoes to start a family. It's easy to miss standing water sometimes, so regularly walk your property to check for it. Look in rain spouts, check for leaks near your air conditioning unit, and pick up toys left scattered throughout the yard.

4. Maintain Your Yard
Keep your landscaping maintained to avoid overgrowth that is perfect for pests and their nests. Trim bushes and trees that are near the house, rake up debris, and yes - you're also going to have to weed.

5. Eat Your Fruits and Veggies
Don't let fruits and veggies get overly ripe on your counter. If you do, the fruit flies will invite themselves in for a spell and eliminating fruit flies is a headache you don't want.

6. Store Your Firewood Properly
Don't give termites free access to your home. If you store firewood, keep it away from your house or shed. As far away as possible, actually. Five feet should be the minimum distance, but if you can store it even farther away, you'll be in better shape. Also, store it in racks above the ground.

7. Don't Throw Meat Outside Too Soon
Try not to throw meat scraps in your outside garbage unless the garbage will be picked up in the next 48 hours or so. The combination of rotting meat and summer sun could bring unwanted pests to your yard alarmingly fast.

8. Inspect Swings and Outdoor Furniture
Regularly check the chains and corners of your swing sets and outdoor furniture for spider webs and egg sacks. Remove them when you see them.

9. Don't Bring the Outside In
Keep outside toys outside and inside toys inside. If you have to bring in a toy, chair, or table, thoroughly wipe it down first.

10. Use a Pest Control Service
Hire a local pest control service to come to your home and regularly spray for bugs and rodents common to your area. "As pest control experts, we can take inventory of your issues and create a personalized plan to keep pests away", says Jason Revill with Spott Pest Prevention in Austin, TX. "A professional pest control company can provide more protection than you can on your own, and the peace of mind you'll receive knowing you have an expert protecting your home is immeasurable", says Revill.

While there are a lot of things you can do to try and prevent pests around your home, sometimes you just need to bring in the pros. Whether you choose to do it all on your own or hire a professional pest control service, though, keep these tips in mind to take control of your yard again and have a more pest-free summer!

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