Tag Archives: pest problems

Preventing Silverfish

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silverfish

Silverfish-a pest commonly found in bathrooms http://www.flickr.com/photos/blodgett-esq/3860389034/

Maybe you’ve heard people refer to the common household pest silverfish, but many people only recognize the pesky bugs that look kind of like tiny scorpions.  Silverfish have a long body that thins toward the end and two long antennae.  These critters are wingless and are a grayish silver color. Silverfish prefer moist areas, which is why they are often found in bathrooms and basements.  Though they are generally harmless, if not controlled, certain areas of your house could become infested with these pests.  Silverfish can live for long periods of time without food, which helps them survive in your home.  They also will feed off of many materials inside your house such as book binding, furniture glue and starch and grain products. Continue reading →

Copperhead Caution

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copperhead snake

copperhead snake http://www.flickr.com/photos/ga-kayaker/7236330594/

As I was walking along a neighborhood sidewalk today, I stopped dead in my tracks when I noticed something slithering along a few yards ahead of me. Having some knowledge of snakes in the area, I immediately recognized it as a copperhead and knew to stay back until it was out of sight.  Because this snake is so common and responsible for a large number of snake bites in the US every year, it’s important to be aware of them and know how to recognize and avoid these critters. Continue reading →

Don’t Forget to Check for Ticks

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American dog tick

American dog tick - known for transmitting Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkirkhart35/3514239511/

As I was enjoying the Easter weekend along the beaches of North Carolina with my family, I noticed a tiny, dark brown bug on my leg. Being early April, I was surprised when I looked down to find a tick crawling up my shin. Fortunately, it wasn’t stuck and I easily flicked it off and away from the area. However, it got me thinking that we may be seeing ticks out a little earlier than normal this year because of the unusually warm weather we’ve experienced throughout much of the US this winter.  Most tick bites occur between April and September.  These pests go dormant if and when the temperatures drop low enough and reemerge in the warmer months.  Ticks can be more dangerous than just a painful bite.  These pests are known to carry serious diseases.  Continue reading →

How to Prevent Termites

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worker termites

termites http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnilenkov/6880327102/

Last week we gave an overview of how to detect a termite problem in your home, but the best practice for any home is to try to prevent these destructive pests from ever occurring.  It probably does not come as a shock to hear that termites can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home.  Therefore, it’s important that you aren’t giving them easy access to your house. Once they set to work devouring your wood, you’ll have a huge mess in no time. Termites are attracted to moist wood and this idea is the basis for the majority of our prevention tips.   Continue reading →

Tips for a Mosquito-Free Patio

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mosquito problems

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailyinvention/33941672/

There are few pests that could be considered as irritating and bothersome as mosquitoes.  Especially as the temperatures rise along with the humidity, these bugs will be out in full force.  Most people experience small, itchy, red welts when bitten, but some individuals respond much more dramatically to a mosquito bite.  Apart from the uncomfortable bites they deliver, mosquitoes can carry many diseases, which they can transmit with their bites. Pest control experts can provide you with safe and effective chemicals to repel and eliminate mosquitoes, but there are also a few tricks you can try on your own to relieve your mosquito problem. Continue reading →

Tips for Safe DIY Pest Control

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Any major pest problems in the home warrant professional help, but with some minor issues you may find it useful to try some at-home remedies.  There is an abundance of pest control products available to the public, but it’s very important to understand what is in the products you are using and how to use them safely.  The EPA offers many resources regarding pesticide use, and before you get started, we’ll give you a brief breakdown of the basic rules to follow when using these products.

  1. Only use products for the pests they are intended to control: This may seem like common sense, but a lot of homeowners try to cut corners or save a few bucks and turn the one bottle of pesticide in their cabinet into the solution for any bug they see.  Continue reading →

Protecting Against Household Plant Pests

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household plants

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinkmoose/3960343553/

As we approach spring, a time when people are commonly purchasing plants or even receiving them as gifts for occasions such as Valentine’s Day or Mothers’ Day, it’s important to know how to handle and treat these plants to avoid introducing new pests into your home.  There are a range of different pests that love to feast on plants commonly found in homes.  Some of the most common offenders include mites, spring tails, mealybugs and gnats. Continue reading →