Do We Recommend D-I-Y Extermination?
We’re not adamantly opposed to do-it-yourself extermination in some cases, but most pest problems call for a great, licensed pest control professional. Home owners, restaurateurs, and commercial real estate managers can get easily frustrated and wind up in more trouble, spending more money than they had imagined. There are several reasons why:
- Pests found their way into your home and business somehow. It’s not just about treating the affected space and putting out poison, it’s about figuring out how they were able to get there in the first place. Our technicians know how and where to look for places that are vulnerable to pests. If you don’t find the entry points, you’re just going to have the problem keep coming back. And each time a pest returns, the damage typically grows.
- Chemicals for pest control can impact your family and pets. Some chemicals have great potency but don’t last long, ensuring the pest is exterminated without leaving behind a problem that could impact your household or business. Store-bought chemicals may not have the quality and effectiveness of commercially available treatments. And every chemical requires special care for handling and how it’s disposed of.
- Experience is worth the investment when it comes to pest control. Our technicians are trained, licensed, and experienced. Without experience, D-I-Y extermination often doesn’t last, can produce more costly problems down the road, and may even cause you to get sick when working with the treatments.
- Education on treatments and pests is ongoing. Our relationship with Purdue keeps us knowledgeable of regional issues and our partnership with the National Pest Management Association keeps our technicians knowledgeable of treatment changes, new methods, and any other issues that could arise.
Investing in a reputable pest control company will often have a great return on investment instead of attempting to do-it-yourself. Not a day goes by that we hear from a customer, “We tried…” and the customer spent time, funds, and frustration in dealing with the problem. Give us a call and we’ll get you taken care of.
How to Keep Mosquitos Away? Prevention, Natural, and Chemical Remedies
Did you ever wonder what bug kills the most humans? We got your answers, right here.
Mosquitos are responsible for over 1 million human deaths, according to the World Health Organization. Mosquitos are the number one human killer to fly across this earth. With over 3,000 identified mosquito species, there is nothing small or innocent about the mosquito family. But the mosquito isn’t what’s killing humans, it’s the diseases they carry with them, such as malaria.
Luckily, here in Indiana mosquitos aren’t a deadly problem. In fact, between the years of 1957 and 2015, only 63 cases of malaria outbreaks due to mosquitos were reported in the United States.
Just because we are no longer at risk for these dangerous diseases doesn’t mean we don’t want to prevent these pesky mosquitos from biting. As family summer fun begins, so does the mosquitos fun. Here are some tips to avoid being bit during your next vacation or summer hang.
How to Keep Mosquitos Away
The best action is always preventative action! Clear any puddles or containers from your land that can fill with water. Mosquitos lay their eggs in stagnant water or very moist soil… and those eggs hatch when under water. A single female mosquito with a lifespan of 42 to 56 days can lay up to 300 eggs every few days!
Male mosquitos last about 10 days… so you can see how quickly a population of mosquitos will grow given the right weather and a damp place to hatch.
People often believe that all pest management professionals do is spray chemicals to treat their homes. This is simply not true anymore. Many pest management professionals today use an Integrated Pest Management approach. IPM controls pests by getting rid of the three things they need to survive: food, shelter, and water.
How to Avoid Being Bit By Mosquitos
- Avoid sweating – mosquitos are attracted to warm bodies and sweat, so try to stay cool for the summer. Mosquitos can even detect blood type and are often attracted to pregnant women because they produce more carbon dioxide than men do.
- Wear mosquito repellant – The most effective mosquito repellents tested by Consumer Reports contained a variety of ingredients, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, chemicals called IR3535 and 2-undecanone, as well as a variety of plant oils, such as cedar, citronella, geraniol, lemongrass, and rosemary.
- Refresh your repellant – every four hours or per the instructions on the bottle.
What is DEET?
DEET (/diːt/) or diethyltoluamide, is the most common active ingredient in insect repellents. It is a slightly yellow oil intended to be applied to the skin or to clothing, and provides protection against mosquitos, ticks, fleas, chiggers, leeches, and many biting insects.
DEET continues to be the most effective mosquito repellent there is. When applying any repellent containing DEET be sure to protect eyes. If DEET gets into your eyes, it may cause irritation and watery eyes. If you accidentally get DEET into your eyes, be sure to rinse your eyes out for 10-15 minutes immediately upon exposure. After rinsing out your eyes, rest for a while. If irritation and redness continues, call poison control. DEET may cause some skin irritation if left on the body too long, however, it’s rare. If irritation does occur it may be that you’re allergic to DEET.
Are there Natural Remedies to Protect Yourself from Mosquitos?
If you are concerned you are allergic to mosquito repellent or just wish to avoid it, there are other natural ways to protect yourself from mosquitos:
- Skip the floral clothing and fragrances – wear light or neutral clothing without floral scents so that you’re not mistaken as an animal of foliage that will attract mosquitos.
- Wear loose clothing that covers up as much of your body as possible, providing less skin to land and bite on.
- Use Citronella plants, torches, candles, and lotions were once widely known for keeping the mosquitos away.
- Lemon Eucalyptus oil can be used to repel mosquitos.
- Rubbing baby oil or imitation vanilla extract on your skin also repels biting insects.
- Rubbing on Apple cider vinegar is also reported as a way to keep those pests off you. Incorporating apple cider vinegar in your everyday diet may also help!
These natural remedies have been known to work. However, DEET is known to work more effectively than any other remedy. If you’re worried you may have irritation or an allergic reaction, try applying the DEET on a small patch of skin and waiting it out for an hour. If no irritation occurs you may be alright!
PS: Did you know the plural of mosquito is either mosquitoes or mosquitos? We didn’t until we researched this article!
Can You Die From Bed Bugs?
Get ready to get the itchies… yes. Bed bugs aren’t typically carriers of any deadly disease, but their bite can lead to complications and even death. Don’t believe us?
Medics rushed Mary Stoner, age 96, to the emergency room just two days after being removed from her caretaker’s home in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Ms. Stoner passed away; her body covered in a rash. The rash led to an autopsy that revealed Ms. Stoner developed a sepsis infection.
Sepsis is a blood infection caused by a body’s immune system working overtime to fight other infections. In a worst-case scenario, sepsis can result in death due to a life-threatening drop in blood pressure.
Ms. Stoner’s infections were caused by bed bug bites – a result of a massive infestation of insects throughout the home, including bed bugs. The caretaker was charged in this case with manslaughter. An officer who visited the house reported insects crawling on the walls and bed in the room where Ms. Stoner was staying. Another disabled adult in the home was covered in bugs as well. Yikes. In the event you have a problem, there’s no time to waste.
Because bed bug infestations are becoming more commonplace, some bed bug species are becoming more resistant to typical pesticide treatments. The caretaker stated that she tried to rid the house of the bugs but was unsuccessful and could not afford an exterminator. It’s critical that you contact us immediately so we can put an end to the infestation.
So, although quite uncommon, complications from a bed bug infestation could lead to life-threatening conditions!
If you travel frequently, be sure to read our article on how to prevent bed bugs from hitchhiking home with you. We provide details on how to check your hotel room, what kind of luggage to purchase, and what to do when you get home. And, given the chance that you have brought them home, you can download our bed bug pre-treatment checklist and give us a call.
How to Prevent Bringing Hitchhiking Pests Home
Vacation may be the highlight of your year, but humans aren’t the only species you can find boarding flights and sleeping in hotel rooms. Every year, 488 million people in the United State travel, with 1.8 million of those people traveling to cities like Chicago, London and New York on business. With pests like bed bugs found in all 50 states, the risk of picking up an uninvited guest is significant. Learning more about the life cycles, appearance and signs of an infestation can help you keep these tiny hitchhikers out of your home upon returning from your next business trip or vacation.
The Pests That Come Home With You
The most common types of pests you find in luggage, or in items you buy new or used, are bed bugs, fleas, cockroaches, and ants. Each of these pests has unique characteristics and habits that can help you identify an infestation early.
- Bed bugs are tiny bugs that usually live in mattresses and bedding. The signs of an infestation include itchy welts upon waking and dark spots on your bedding caused by waste products or crushed bed bugs. Bed bugs can also live in appliances, inside drawers, and behind electrical outlets, and the bugs can survive for months without food. These pests often enter the home on your luggage or clothing.
- Cockroaches also enter the home by hiding away in virtually anything you bring into your home, including cardboard boxes, clothing, and luggage. These pests are also found throughout the world and can find hidden food and water sources in the home easily. Fast treatment is usually recommended if you see even one cockroach in your home.
- Ants are attracted to the scent of food. To reduce the risk of an ant infestation, seal all foods in resealable plastic bags before leaving your destination and check the food when you arrive home. Sweet foods are particularly attractive to ants, but these pests eat a variety of foods and are most commonly found in vehicles, including buses, trains and personal vehicles, where food is eaten during long trips.
- Fleas are small, jumping insects that cause itchy bites in humans and furry pets, like cats and dogs. These insects are commonly found on clothing or in luggage after you stay in a hotel or rental cottage that is infested with the insects. The insects may initially cause only minor problems like an occasional bite, but the infestation usually worsens over time even if you don’t have pets.
Preventing Pests Before Your Hotel Check-In
Preventing pests is the simplest way to avoid taking them home with you. Hotel reviews are a simple way to get insider information on hotels in cities around the world. Avoid any hotels that have recent reviews indicating pest problems, and avoid hotels with room prices that seem too good to be true. Sometimes, the hotels with the cheapest rates are those that skimp on necessities like regular inspections from pest professionals. Other ways to prevent hitchhiking pests before your check-in include the following:
- Check the Bed Bug Registry to see if your hotel has had an infestation and how long ago.
- Choose luggage that reduces the risk of pest infestations. Opt for washable luggage, like a duffel bag or hard-shell suitcast, whenever possible.
- Before entering your room, leave your luggage in the hallway with your family and examine the room carefully. If you’re by yourself, place the luggage on a counter or on the luggage rack (typically found in the closet). Bed bugs are easiest to spot by examining the crease between the headboard and mattress but can be found anywhere on the mattress or bedding. The insects look like small black dots during their nymph stage, so make sure to use bright lighting while checking your room.
- During your stay, do not put dirty laundry on the floor. Bring your own plastic bag or use the dry cleaning bag left in the room.
- Ants and cockroaches are commonly found under sinks, around plumbing fixtures, and near food preparation areas. Examine these areas carefully for live insects or insect waste, which may look like pieces of dirt.
- Both fleas and bed bugs live in carpeting and on soft furnishings like beds and sofas. Fleas may not be noticeable until you feel an itchy bite. Examine your exposed skin for tiny, dark brown spots that suddenly jump away to identify fleas.
- Bed bugs usually do not bite until you are sleeping unless the infestation is severe, while fleas bite at any time. You should be able to identify a severe bed bug infestation almost immediately if you examine the bedding and mattress after checking in.
If you see any signs, contact the front desk, switch rooms or hotels immediately. If it’s a bed bug infestation, report it to the Bed Bug Registry. Infestations are not often passed from room to room.
Preventing Pests from Hitchhiking Home With You
Chances are that you may not even notice that you have friends stowed away, so follow these steps to remove the risk of letting them into your home.
- To prevent an infestation, or as a cautionary measure, seal your luggage in a garbage bag before you put it into your car. If you are taking a taxi home, seal the luggage outdoors or in the garage after you unpack. It is better to toss luggage if you have confirmed the presence of bed bugs in your hotel, as these pests are difficult to exterminate once they have an established nest in your home.
- If you have confirmed bed bugs at your hotel, leave your luggage sealed for up to six months after removing your personal belongings, or toss the luggage and purchase new bags. If is often easier to buy new luggage than to treat an infestation of bed bugs. If your bag is washable, wash it in hot water and dry it on high heat to eliminate the risk of infestation.
- You should also leave your shoes on the porch, or in the garage, for at least 24 hours to eliminate insects like ants. Seal your shoes for up to six months if you suspect bed bugs may be on your clothing or luggage or have the shoes professionally cleaned before taking them inside.
- After sealing your luggage, change into clothing from home, and wash all the clothing from your trip in the hottest water possible. If you don’t want to wash clothes that are clean, put the clothes in a dryer set on high heat, and let the clothing go through the full drying cycle. The high heat cycle is hot enough to kill all common pests.
With some basic research and a few precautionary measures, you can prevent bringing pests back from your vacations and business trips. If you do find an invasion of hitchhikers in your home, a simple call to a professional pest control company is enough to send any insect packing.
What Do Pantyhose and Stink Bugs Have In Common?
It’s that time of year again where we begin to find stink bugs. Stink bugs live in trees for the most part until this season where they make their trek indoors. If you’ve got a drafty house, chances are that you’re going to find a few here and there. If you’ve got an infestation, we can help dispose of them and find ways to prevent them from making their way in.
Stink bugs… well… they stink when they’re crushed. Even if you vacuum them up, you may have a stinky mess on your hands. Even if you have a powerful Shop Vac, you’ll find that it stinks over time as the bugs die in the filters. The trick is to get rid of them without squishing them.
How to Dispose of Stink Bugs
If it’s just one bug, you can carefully pick it up with a tissue or a water bottle.
If it’s more, here’s a trick that works well. Using elastic bands and pantyhose, make a mini-net to catch them on your vacuum’s intake hose. Don’t use so many layers that you burn up your vacuum… just enough to catch the bugs. Suck them all up, remove the pantyhose, and dispose of them outside.