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How Much Does Pest Control Cost?
September 1, 2021
With the restriction of movement, thanks to the COVID 19 pandemic, many professionals have been forced to work from home…
With the restriction of movement, thanks to the COVID 19 pandemic, many professionals have been forced to work from home while students undertake online classes from home. It, therefore, implies that the house should be as comfortable as possible. Not only do pests destroy your property, but they also pose a health hazard to the inhabitants. Many homeowners experiencing problems with pests have to contend with unprecedented repair costs and health bills. They then ask themselves, “How much is a pest control service?” Well, the cost of pest control depends on several factors. It is essential to look at such factors before you choose a pest control method.
Pest Control Is Highly Dependent On The Size Of The Home
A home consisting of a compound, a few trees, and an organic fence implies that there will be many unwanted guests. Hence, higher pest control costs. This is because there is a lot of work to be done. For instance, slashing grass, trimming hedges, and other pest control activities. The scope of work is even greater when a big house like a mansion is involved.
There are many rooms to scan for the pests; thus, heftier pest extermination costs. However, the pest control services are worth the money as such a large setting tends to house many problems compared to an apartment. Pest control services in a smaller home, say an apartment, are restricted to the interior as such pest control costs in such set-ups are minimal.
Geographical Location Also Affects Pest Control Costs
So, how much is pest control when taking into account your geographical location? Well, for instance, a home next to a river, forest, or bushes is highly susceptible to pests that stray away from the woods and the bushes. As pests increase in the forest habitat, they gradually creep on nearby human settlements, seeking shelter even inside people’s homes. In these kinds of environments, homeowners incur higher pest control costs. In contrast, urban homes experience relatively lower pests’ invasions, hence lower pest control costs.
Types Of Pests Also Matter
The price of pest control depends a lot on the type of pests. Some pests like bed bugs require mainly chemical control. The investment in chemicals for controlling bed bugs implies higher pest control costs. Other pests such as ants need physical engagements; hence more labour is required while relying less on the chemicals. Therefore the lower pest extermination costs. Pests like wasps and bees require the expertise of a professional pest exterminator, of course, dressed in safety gear. In some areas, this kind of expertise is only the preserve of elite pest extermination companies.
These companies charge exorbitant prices for their services, hence a higher pest control pricing list. Also, different pests deal different types of damage hence the variance in the pest control prices list. For instance, carpenter ants deal significant damage as they cut “galleries” into the wood in the house. Apart from the fact that they can be confused for termites, their habitat makes it difficult to exterminate them. As such, special equipment may come in handy.
In this case, the price of pest control may be high. Also, pests such as ticks have high endurance, as they can stay up to 500 days without food. Thus, these types of pests may prove challenging to exterminate. Pests such as crickets and cockroaches are very destructive as they can eat almost anything available. While considering the factors mentioned above, people still ask why pest control is so expensive. Overall, pest control costs are still high, and it is vital to look at the reasons why pest control is costly.
Transportation Is Not Cheap
The cost of gas is ever soaring, so is car insurance. These items are enormous expenses, hence the need for increasing the pest control services prices. Additionally, the exterminators may inadvertently end up in an accident. Thus the resulting cost has to be factored into the pest control pricing list. Traffic snarl-up in the cities is also a contributor to high fuel usage; this results in higher operational costs, which must be included in the pest control prices list to mitigate losses.
Besides, the job of pest extermination can take you to any part of the country, from the leafy suburbs to urban homes and rentals to remote ranches. In the case of remote farms, the roads there are poorly maintained and have many potholes. These potholes destroy the fleet vehicles; thus, they impose additional operational costs in car repairs and maintenance. These transportation costs contribute to the already soaring pest control costs.
Quality And Experience Are Valuable
When searching for pest control experts, it is vital to remember that you are not just paying for the chemicals; you are paying for the expertise. Anyone can head to the local store and buy chemicals. Anyone can walk around with spray and throw poison around; it’s not that hard. It is true; spraying these pests on your own indeed saves you money. There is also the fulfilment that comes with dealing with the pests yourself; you feel productive and quite unstoppable, right?
Well, pests are a very stubborn lot. They don’t just go away. And some like spiders are dangerous to deal with. The issue is not entirely about having the right chemicals and gear; the problem is that we do not know how to use these chemicals and toxins effectively. As much as we may be productive, we are ineffective; we lack the pre-requisite knowledge to use the chemicals correctly. Professional pest exterminators have studied and trained hard to get licensed.
Even after licensing, these professionals still have to continue training to cope with the highly dynamic nature of pest control and how to use advanced equipment. Pest control is not an easy job; it is a practice. A pest control professional should have accumulated some years behind the position to get an accurate idea of being effective. Therefore, while calling that premium pest control company, remember that these guys have worked hard to attain their licenses; they mean business.
Everyone Cannot Afford Continuous Certifications And Licenses
A pest control business must be registered and licensed by the state for them to operate. Besides, the exterminators themselves have to be licensed separately. Additionally, pest control professionals must attain set points annually to maintain their certification. There are set objectives they must achieve for them to maintain their charter. These objectives are usually quality-oriented; emphasis is placed on the quality of delivery and customer satisfaction rather than the number of customers served.
Aside from quality delivery, some insurances and bonds are necessary for a pest control business to qualify for the requisite licenses. The pest control profession takes itself seriously; it is a serious business to use all those chemicals and toxins around humans and pets. Every signature in those insurance policies and certificates has a price tag attached to it; the more the certifications, the longer the pest control pricing list.
Summary
Pest control management is an earnest business just like medicine, law, and engineering. The pest control industry is more than just sprays; there is much more into pest control than meets the eye. As such, homeowners should be aware that they are not just paying for the chemicals and the right gear; they are paying for the knowledge and experience. While generating the pest control prices list, pest control professionals have to consider many factors beyond crude labour.
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How Wasps Build Their Nests And How To Get Rid Of Them
September 1, 2021
You probably find yourself wondering how wasps or hornets build their nests. If so, then you're in luck because you…
You probably find yourself wondering how wasps or hornets build their nests. If so, then you’re in luck because you are about to find out. Wasps are solitary insects with a colony structure of many individual females who work together to raise the larvae.
How Do Wasps Build Their Nests?
They use paper-like materials from dead trees or plants and chewed up woody fibers from leaves and stems to build their colonies. The queen wasp builds the nest with help from her daughter workers. Once the nest has been constructed, it becomes a nursery for larvae, eventually becoming adults when they emerge from their cocoons.
When it’s time to start a new wasp nest, the queen wasp will find somewhere dry and warm. Often, she starts her new home near an old nest to use them as shelter from the rain while she builds her next royal palace. Once she has found a good location for their new home, the first thing that they do is build themselves some comfy tiny cells in which to lay eggs. They are called hexagonal cells because of how their shape – six sides like a hexagon!
Common Places That Wasps Love To Nest
Wasps are pesky insects that can ruin your outdoor party. They enjoy living in dark, moist spaces and will often build nests outdoors where they’re not wanted. In this post, we’ll explore some places wasps like living outside of the home. Different places that wasps might reside include:
- Shrubs and trees
- In the garden shed
- Your garage
- In the attic and lofts
- Window and door frames
- The eaves
- Wall cavities
- Old logs
- Abandoned birdhouses
Wasp nests are a big problem for homeowners with allergies, outdoor pets, and small children. The best way to avoid wasps is by removing their homes. If you can’t find the nest, call an exterminator!
How Many Wasps Can Reside In A Single Nest?
Ever seen a nest of wasps and wonder how many live in there? The answer is probably more than you think – like thousands! So if you’re wondering how to get rid of them or just want to know how many might be in residence, then this will give you a reasonable estimate. Since wasps are so tiny and their nests are typically hidden, it can be challenging to know the size of a nest. It’s also hard to tell how many wasps live in a nest or if they are aggressive towards humans until you’re right up close.
A single wasp nest can house as much as about 2000 to 3000 individual wasp—this number fluctuates with the availability of food. When food is in abundance, the number can spike up and go down when the food gets scarce. What’s inside a wasp nest is usually the queen and daughter wasp, who maintain a working relationship in the hive and protect the hive from intruders who can accidentally be you.
Do Wasp Nests Die Naturally?
Definitely you’ve seen wasp nests before. They are those large, black and white structures that adorn many trees in the summertime. You might have even had a picnic lunch under one without ever realising what they are. Well, it turns out that these natural structures do not need to be exterminated by humans in order to die off as they can do so on their own. If you leave them alone for the winter season, they will naturally die off due to cold weather conditions and lack of food sources from insects or other animals living nearby.
How Dangerous Are Wasps?
Are wasps dangerous? Yes, they can be, especially paper wasps, which are creatures that release an attack pheromone when they feel the nest is threatened and gang up against you with deadly stings. However, the sting is only deadly if you are allergic to wasps or if they sting you more than once. And then there’s the pesky fact that wasp stings often lead to painful swelling and itching for days afterward.
The Asian giant hornet can fly so fast at a top speed of about 40 kilometres per hour. If wasps attack, you can’t outrun them. Even an average wasp with an average speed of about 7 to 8 kilometres per hour will be futile to outrace them. Therefore, it will be wise to use your arms to protect your face, especially your eyes, from their painful stings.
What To Do If You Are Stung By A Wasp
Wasps are pesky little creatures that buzz around and fly into your hair, land on your food, or sting you when they feel threatened. It’s an awful feeling to get stung by one of them. Below you will find tips that will allow you to familiarise yourself with the first aid for a wasp sting.
If someone gets stung by a wasp, the first thing to do is remove the stinger as quickly as possible with tweezers without using bare fingers (lest they also become infected). Then it’s essential to flush out the area with water (or better yet, some products are available at pharmacies) and use ice packs until the swelling goes down. The most important thing after getting stung is to be alert of signs of anaphylaxis.
When Are Wasps Most Active?
Wasps are most active in the summer and fall. The best way to avoid wasp stings is to stay away from their nests. If you’re allergic to wasp venom, head for a doctor immediately after being stung.
The Inside Of A Wasps Nest
If you have never seen the inside of a wasp nest, it is not something that you want to see. It’s dark, damp, and full of dead bugs. And if you’re allergic to wasp stings or have ever been stung by a wasp, it will be one of the worst experiences of your life.
Things That Can Repel Wasps
In the summer, wasps are attracted to sweet things like soda and watermelon. However, they can also be repelled by a few other things that you might not expect! If you’re reading this, you may be experiencing a little bit of wasp trouble. The good news is that it’s manageable, and there are plenty of things to do if these pesky insects try to ruin your day. Don’t be caught in the DIY craze when faced with wasp trouble. Yes, these repellants might be helpful for a while, but expert extermination is sure to deal with them very well.
If you want someone else to take care of your problem for you (and who doesn’t?), call up an exterminator right away! They’ll come out and spray your property with approved pesticides so that no more wasps can live there anymore. And if you are looking for other ways to repel wasps from your home, here are some ways that you can do so:
- Seal your trash cans
- Fill up wall cracks
- Plant marigolds or pennyroyals in your home garden
Take Immediate Action
If you see wasps or hornets in your home, yard, garden, meadow, or other outdoor spaces, it is time to call a professional exterminator. They will be able to provide the best advice for getting rid of these pests, and they can also help with any yellow jacket problems you might have.
You don’t want to try DIY methods because this could lead to an even bigger infestation problem if not done correctly. Luckily, professionals use many different types of products, like baits and traps, which work great at eliminating nesting sites so that homeowners won’t see any more wasp activity around their property anytime soon.
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Get The Facts About Bed Bug Infestations
September 1, 2021
A bed bug is a wingless reddish-brown bug that is bloodsucking and parasitic to birds and mammals. Bed bugs infest…
A bed bug is a wingless reddish-brown bug that is bloodsucking and parasitic to birds and mammals. Bed bugs infest houses, beds, and household furniture like sofas which serve as their breeding spots. A bite from bed bugs can cause skin rashes, allergic reactions, and psychological effects like stomach-wrenching fear of bugs and sleeping disorders. The bite of a bed bug is characterised by redness of the bitten area, prominent blisters, and itchiness.
Although bed bugs are not known to transfer diseases to the victim through their bites, frequent and numerous bites from bed bugs can lead to systemic poisoning. Bed bugs tend to feed on their human host at night.
How Do Bed Bug Infestations Come About In Your Home Or Office?
To understand the origin of bedbugs, you need to know that bed bugs like staying in hidden places, including under the carpets and beneath wallpapers, in tiny cracks of walls, in joints of furniture, and beddings. Their small body frame enables them to fit into these hidden places and makes it difficult for you to spot them. Here are various ways that you can get them into your place.
1. Frequent Travel
Bed bugs are great hitchhikers that can easily latch onto your clothes, baggage, and backpacks when you visit and settle on bed bug-infested surfaces during a trip. Moreover, sitting on bed bug-infested public taxi seats and lodging in bed bug-infested guest rooms and hotels can get you exposed and vulnerable to bed bug infestations.
These bugs love warm surfaces, which makes the human body their perfect target. They latch onto your clothes; you take them home without knowing; they feed on you, reproduce and start an infestation in your home. This is referred to as cross-infestation. One pregnant bed bug is enough to launch an infestation in your home.
2. Lounging On Public Sofas
Soft sofas made of fabric material, primarily dark red or black, serve as a hotspot for bed bug infestations. This type of sofas are often found in public lounging areas and pose a risk of a bed bug infestation because people from different places sit on them. Among the many people that could sit on those sofas, some might be individuals that lodged in bed bug-infested guestrooms, have bed bug infestations in their homes, or sat on bed bug-infested public transport seats.
They could unknowingly have a few bed bugs latched on their clothes and belongings. They then deposit these bed bugs on the sofas while sitting on them and when you sit on the same sofa, a few of the bed bugs latch onto you, and you unknowingly take them home with you. After that, you begin to experience a bed bug infestation in your home or office.
3. Visiting Infested Places
Most people have a bed bug infestation in their homes without knowing as bed bugs are tiny and not easily spotted, and your friend or a family member can be among such people. Simply visiting a friend whose place is bed bug-infested or working in a bedbug-infested office can cause a cross-infestation from such a place to your home.
4. Contacting Infested Second-Hand Furniture
Some pieces of home furniture serve as a breeding ground for bed bugs. If these types of furniture have bed bugs and are put up for sale or donation by their unsuspecting owners, it can lead to a cross-infestation to the new home or place. Most of us buy the idea of using vintage and second-hand home decors for our new homes as they are considered durable and affordable. However, purchasing second-hand pieces of furniture significantly increases the chances of you taking home bed bug-infested furniture.
Common Signs Of A Bed-Bug Infestation
Below you will find some common signs that can help you detect bed bug infestations in your home.
- Red Bite-Like Spots On Your Skin
A red bite-like spot is the most noticeable sign of a bed bug infestation. These bites are small, can be itchy or even look like blisters, be on any part of the body, and usually appear in a straight line pattern across the skin. The bites are painless and occur on the part of the body exposed at night during sleep. However, not everyone shows a physical reaction to these bed bug bites or knows the difference between a mosquito and bedbug bite. If you fall under that category, it might be challenging to catch a bed bug infestation early in your home.
- An Unpleasant And Musty Odour
If you notice an unfamiliar unpleasant and musty odour within and around your home, that might be a sign of bed bug infestation. This musty odour is a result of the pheromones and droppings produced by the bed bugs. This smell tends to become more detectable months after an infestation and when the bed bugs increase in number. The odour is said to smell like coriander or spoiled raspberries.
- Blood Stains On Your Bed Sheets
As stated before, bed bugs painlessly draw out blood from their victims during sleep. Humans tend to roll over while sleeping and as a result, a few bugs could get squashed in the process leading to bloodstains on your bed sheets, skin, and pyjamas. If you wake up to such, it could be a definite sign of a bed bug infestation in your home.
- Shells And Skins Of Bed Bugs Around The House
Bed Bugs shed off their skin and shells as they grow. These shells and skin can get stuck on the mattresses, under the furniture, and sometimes in the cupboard. The presence of these shells and skin is an indication that their breeding spot is just around.
- Dark And Rusty Coloured Stains On Walls, Fabrics, And Mattresses
Bed bugs often leave faecal stains around their area of infestation that appear as dark spot stains on these areas. These dark stains are prominent in places where the bed bugs gather in large numbers. Keep an eye out for these dark coloured stains in and around your home.
- Incident Of An Infestation Nearby
If your neighbour has a bed bug infestation, the odds are that you have some or might soon have an infestation problem because the possibility of a cross-infestation is very high. Thoroughly investigate your home and its surroundings for signs of a bed bug infestation.
Treatment Of A Bed Bug Infestation
Getting rid of bed bugs requires a lot of patience and effort. A small bed bug infestation can be easier to control and might not need professional help. However, a large infestation takes a longer time and extra effort to treat. The following steps can help in the treatment and control of bed bug infestations in your home.
Step 1: Look For The Infested Areas
Bed bugs are not easily detected, but early detection of a bed bug infestation helps solve the problem. You can either search for the bed bugs yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. In case you decide to search for the bugs yourself, search for them in places like:
- Furniture joints
- In the crack of bed cots
- Beneath sofa and couches
- In the ceiling seams
- In electrical outlets
To get results, use a flashlight and a magnifying glass during your search because these places are tiny and hard to reach, which means you could miss them. Ensure that you pay attention to corners with dark stains and bug shells.
Step 2: Trap The Bed-Bugs
Containing and controlling the spread of bed bugs in your home is just as important as looking for the areas of infestation. The best way to trap the bed bugs is by running a vacuum cleaner over the identified areas of infestation. After that, seal up the vacuumed content in a plastic bag and set it aside. Ensure to give your vacuum cleaner a thorough cleaning afterward to prevent further infestation. If infested furniture is difficult to clean out, ensure that you get rid of such affected pieces of furniture with the warning sign “bed bug infested” inscribed on them. Moreover, avoid taking things from the infested room to any other part of your home.
Step 3: Get Rid Of The Bed Bugs
There are two methods for achieving this, the chemical and the non-chemical method.
- Non-Chemical Method
Bed bugs get easily killed with a high heat of 46°C(115°F) and intense cold of less than 0°C(32°F). You can get rid of bed bugs through the following steps.
- Soak any bed bug-infested bed sheets, clothes, and fabrics in a bowl or bucket of hot water for 30-45 minutes or wash them at the highest temperature for close to 30 minutes in the washer.
- Dry the washed materials in the sun for close to 30 minutes or dry them in a dryer on the highest heat setting for 30-45 minutes.
- Use a steamer on the infested surfaces like mattresses, couches, and other surfaces that can not be washed or soaked. Also, use the steamer on all the bed bug hideouts.
- Put any zip lock bags containing the trapped bed bugs in the freezer at a temperature of 0°F and leave them there for several days. You can also put all infested items into black garbage bags, leave them out on a sunny day of about 95° or leave the same out in the cold. However, in the cold season, it might take months to get rid of the bugs.
- Chemical Method
This method uses chemicals like pyrethrins, pyrroles, desiccants, and other pesticides to kill bed bugs. Some of these chemicals can be potentially toxic to humans. However, some bed bugs have developed resistance to chemicals like pyrethrins and pyrethroids.
Step 4: Keep An Eye Out For The Infested Areas
To ensure that the bed bug infestation is gone completely, you should monitor the affected area because most bed bug infestations are challenging to get rid of even after treatments. Retreat the infestation if you want to prevent the recurrence of infestation.
Step 5: Get Professional Help
If the infestation persists after all your efforts, it is time to seek professional help. Pest control companies have the advantage of having access to chemicals that are unavailable to you and treatment methods unknown to you.
These chemicals can kill bed bugs on the surface and those inside the cracks where other pesticides would not reach. Moreover, these companies have equipment that helps to make bed bug treatment easier and utilise effective techniques. Contact any of your local pest control companies for bed bug infestation treatment.
Useful Tips To Prevent A Bed Bug Infestation
In order to prevent a bed bug infestation in your home or office, you should follow the tips below.
- Clean and get rid of paper, clothes clusters and ensure that you do not leave them lying around on the floor.
- Seal up all cracks and crevices around the walls and electrical outlets to prevent bed bugs from crawling into your home.
- Move your beds and pieces of furniture away from the walls.
- Use zip-up anti-bedbug covers to protect your bed.
- Wash your bed sheets and curtains thoroughly and vacuum every corner of your home regularly.
- Ensure to thoroughly inspect and clean every second-hand piece of furniture you purchase before bringing them into your home.
- Inspect your hotel rooms and guest rooms for signs of bed bugs whenever you travel.
Bed bug infestations have become common household incidents these days. As demonstrated above, the infestations are sometimes hard to identify but can be controlled, treated, and prevented.
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What Bed Bugs Are, How They Live And How To Control Them
September 1, 2021
Bed bugs can turn out to be a real problem for you and your family. From the person who has…
Bed bugs can turn out to be a real problem for you and your family. From the person who has to sleep in an infested mattress, to the business owner who is losing money because of them, these pests are no joke! No one wants to be dealing with bed bug bites. Chances are that you probably don’t know how they got into your beddings or how you can get rid of them, right?
This article will explain everything you need to know about bed bugs by discussing what they look like, where they live, their habits, allowing you to understand these tiny bugs better. You will also learn about effective ways that you can make your home less hospitable for bed bugs and prevent future infestations from happening. Lastly, you will learn simple steps, that you can take at work that could help keep your employees happy too.
Where Do Bed Bugs Stay?
When bed bugs infest your home or building, they stay close to their food source which is you. They feed every five minutes by sucking blood from human hosts and/or animal hosts. As weird as it sounds, this is where they get the energy needed for life. If left untreated, bed bug populations can increase very quickly in your residence; with some infestations numbering in the thousands!
However, there are ways to effectively control them without setting off an alarm or resorting to chemicals treatment on your own. It is advisable to ask a professional to help you get rid of them.
How Do Bed Bugs Occur?
Bed bugs are small, flat insects that live in the folds of sheets and mattresses. Their bites can cause an itchy red rash on human skin. However, they don’t transmit any diseases or pose a public health risk. There are tiny bed bugs that are difficult to see with the naked eye because they blend into their surroundings; you’ll probably need a magnifying glass for inspection purposes!
The only surefire way to detect bed bugs is by looking for tiny black dots around your bed frame. This is because these little guys leave droppings wherever they go so be on high alert if you notice anything like this at home (or anywhere else). Bed bugs have become more prevalent over recent years due to travel as people visit different places all across the world.
What Attracts Bed Bugs To Your Home Or Business?
Bed bugs are not always looking for dirt to hide in, they often look for the heat and smells that people give off. The worst place you can be is an area with a lot of clutter since bed bugs will have more places to crawl into or around rather than just hiding under your couch cushions where it’s dark.
Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt and grime, but they love the warmth of your blood. They can detect carbon dioxide from as far away as 10 meters. Unfortunately for you, their sense of smell is much more acute than ours. As a result, they will be able to find you even in beddings that have recently been washed with soapy water or diluted bleach. It doesn’t matter if the light is on at night, either. A bright room only means that it takes them longer for their eyes to adjust before they can charge towards you.
The Life Cycle Of Bed Bugs
In the space of just 37 days, a bed bug can go from hatching to adulthood. Once they get there and reach maturity, it’s time for the mating season. This cycle will repeat over and over again until death takes out these little bloodsuckers. Some nymphs won’t make their way into this phase as they’ll die before reaching adulthood.
Signs Of Bed Bugs Infestation
You may not be able to see bed bugs, but you can tell if they’ve been at a particular place. When a group of these pests takes up residence in your home and decide that it’s time for dinner, bloodstains on your sheets or pillowcases are one sign that something is wrong.
Dark or rusty spots of bed bug excrement on sheets and mattresses could also indicate an infestation. The more obvious fecal spotting from their scent gland is found near their feeding place along with eggshells amid shed skin. This is an indication that they have marked their territory.
Other signs that may indicate bed bugs have take residence in your home or businesses include:
- Pungent musty odour present
- Bloodstains on your beddings
- A few live bed bugs crawling around your bedding
- Dark bedbug excrement spots
- The tiny eggshell casings
- Bite marks on your skin
Bed Bug Vs Mosquito Bites
One common misconception is that mosquito bites are bed bugs’. The symptoms of mosquito bites include itchy welts and a fever of 101 or higher Fahrenheit. Other pests like lice and ticks also give off icky-looking marks on your skin but you should never confuse them with the perfectly circular red markings caused by bed bugs.
Body Lice Vs Bed Bugs
Bedbugs and lice are two different types of bugs that affect people in very different ways. Both live on the body, but bedbugs generally hide out near mattress seams while lice make their home closer to your head so they can feed off your scalp. Bedbugs have a much larger size than lice – about as big as an apple seed. Lice also come in varying sizes, from really tiny ones that can barely be seen with the naked eye to large ones that are visible if you close one eye.
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs can cause serious infestation too. Fortunately, there are many ways to get rid of them for good. Here’s what you can do:
- The first step is to simply wash your sheets and blankets in hot water with soap. Ensure that you wash the duvet cover as well.
- Next, vacuum all areas where bed bugs might be hiding – baseboards, cracks between walls, and floor moldings near furniture legs on both floors. You should also take apart headboards or other items that could have been brought from elsewhere. This is because these items may also harbor eggs if you do not clean them thoroughly before moving them into your bedroom area.
- Finally, use an approved drying agent as it helps kill any remaining nymphs. Repeat this process every 2-4 weeks until you get rid of all the bed bugs.
Wrapping Up
The most common way to get bed bugs is by bringing them home from a hotel or an infested apartment. Bedbugs are attracted to the warmth of your body, so while you sleep they climb on and bite any exposed skin. Unlike flea bites that have a red spot in the center, bedbug bites come with no warning because they can be painless at first but later turn into itchy welts within 24 hours after being bitten.
If you notice any of the signs of bedbugs, contact professional pest control ASAP! Just remember that a single female bedbug can lay hundreds of eggs in your home, and if they do hatch and reach adulthood, then you will have yourself a bedbug infestation to deal with.
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What You Need To Know About Preventative Termite Treatment
September 1, 2021
Finding termite nests in your home can be pretty frustrating. However, if you have never come across a termite nest,…
Finding termite nests in your home can be pretty frustrating. However, if you have never come across a termite nest, you probably have many questions as far as they are concerned. What are termites? What are the signs that your house might have a termite infestation? How badly will it affect your health and accommodation if it is not handled? This article will cover some of the most frequently asked questions and provide you with a holistic view of this topic.
What Are Termites?
A homeowner must identify termites to avoid mistaking them for any other insects. Termites are often referred to as “white ants”; with small bodies measuring 25 millimetres, consisting of a wingspan of 76 millimetres. There are thousands of termite species in the world. There are more than 360 classified species in Australia, drywood species being the most invasive ones in the country. Underground termites travel through the soil to evaluate the size and quality of food sources a process that is economically damaging to human beings.
What Are The Consequences Of Termite Infestation?
Industry surveys claim that termites attack an average of 7.2 million households, and the average termite prevention treatment costs are estimated at $650 million per annum in Australia. Though people usually associate termite attacks with residential homes, commercial-buildings owners also suffer in the event of a termite infestation.
Another critical consequence of a termite infestation is the effect it has on your health. If you live in a home infested by termites, you will likely suffer from allergic reactions because of their saliva or droppings. Moreover, a termite infestation could further aggravate asthma attacks.
If you do not acquire enough knowledge on pesticides, you could end up misusing them to eradicate the termites, which could, in turn, lead to other serious health problems. Therefore, protection strategies are practical solutions to prevent financial losses and protect our health.
How To Identify A Termite Infestation In Your Household
Even though a vast number of termites might be taking over your household, it is difficult to spot them from just a slight glimpse. Fortunately, you can start with careful observation. Moist soil, punk wood, and damp environment are termites’ favourite shelters because of their richness in nutrients. Start by checking every corner of your home: the attics, all cracks and joints, and fuse boxes.
The evidence of a termite infestation will be different with each household, but there are tips to identify that your house is under a termite attack, including:
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A Knock On The Wood
This sounds as easy as a folk game, and that’s because it is. You simply have to knock on wood and listen to the sound if it is hollow or soft. To further ensure, press a screwdriver against the wood. If it goes in easily, there is a high chance of termite inhabitancy in there.
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Clicking Sound
Just like any other insects, termites have their way of communicating. When termite soldiers sense a threat, they bang their heads against the wood and shake their bodies to signal to their mates. If you happen to hear a strange clicking noise from inside the walls, you could have encountered termites signalling to each other.
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Evidence Of Wings Lying Around
Termite wings have a long thin shape and are white or transparent in colour. When they are ready for a new colony, termites will shed their wings in swarms. Therefore, you will see bunches of wings scattered in your household.
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Mud Tubes
When digging inside woods and walls for food, some termite species will leave a long “highway” made of soil or wood with a width of about one to two centimetres. Encountering these mud structures means that there are termites in your building. However, this occasion is not universal as some termite species such as drywood termites do not dig their way into the wood and create mud tubes.
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Peeling Paint On The Wall
To make their way into dry, hard walls, termites will moisturise them. As a result, it may create bubbles and make the paint wet, and thus it peels off easily. Though this sign is not as apparent as the ones mentioned above, you can consider searching for multiple clues at once since termites never leave one evidence at a time.
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Encountering Live Termites
Termites often gather swarms. Therefore, you may have a chance to see them moving on the ground or flying in the air. Either way, ensure that you distinguish them from flying ants since there are similarities in their appearances.
Be sure that you deal with a termite issue in your construction by seeking appropriate solutions to this problem and soon as possible.
Some Of The Best Ways To Deal With A Termite Infestation
The best way to deal with termite infestations is to start preventing them before your builders complete the building. If they finish constructing the building before you have sought the services of a trustworthy pest control service, the process of exterminating termites would be much more complicated. However, that does not mean that it is impossible. The termite treatment for new construction requires distinct methods and collaboration with a pest control company and the construction team.
Below are some of the best ways to deal with a termite infestation in your building:
- Soil Treatment Using Conventional Liquid Termiticides
The foundation of this preventative treatment method relies on the biological behaviour of the termites. As soon as the builders complete all the stages of construction, the exterminators will pour these liquid termiticides down the soil layer of your building. This method is done in both the interior and exterior of your building. The process requires effort, exact measurement, and collaborative techniques. Therefore a thorough extermination job can only be accomplished by a qualified pest controller.
- Wood Treatment Using Conventional Liquid Termiticides
This treatment method is an alternative to the one above. Instead of applying liquid termiticides into the ground, this chemical is used on wood to prevent termites from building mud tubes inside the wood. However, this process contains a chemical that can intoxicate the users if you do not handle it carefully. Therefore, you should contact a trustworthy and skilled termite control service team to be responsible for this project.
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A Detailed Guide On What Exterminators Do To Get Rid Of Mice
September 1, 2021
Mice invade people's homes in search of food, shelter and water. Mice infestation is a common household problem, difficult to…
Mice invade people’s homes in search of food, shelter and water. Mice infestation is a common household problem, difficult to manage and a nuisance. Mice are notorious for wreaking havoc like stealing food, chewing on electrical wires and fabric, eating paper and documents, contaminating your food, spreading diseases and littering the whole place with their excretion and urine that contains bacteria and viruses.
Mice breed fast and are hard to get rid of once their population grows bigger. Mice can infest offices, hospitals, and abandoned buildings as long the said place offers food, shelter and warmth to them. Now let’s discuss the tips to get rid of mice and ways to prepare for mice extermination.
Useful Tips To Getting Rid Of Mice
These are common ways to get rid of a mice infestation without the help of a professional mice exterminator. These tips are more effective for getting rid of small infestations. Below you will find a list of tips that you can use to get rid of mice.
Seal Off Openings And Tiny Holes
Mice can squeeze themselves into a building through tiny holes and cracks on walls, windows, and doors. Sealing off these entry points with aluminium foil or duct tape can help to keep the mice out. Always keeping your doors and windows close can also help keep the mice out.
Use Essential Oils
The smell of essential oils like clove oil and peppermint oil acts as a natural repellent to mice. Place cotton balls soaked with these essential oils in places mice frequent in your home like drawers, cupboards, food storage units and near the entry points. Please note that this method is not 100% effective but can go a long way to help you get rid of mice.
Set Mice Traps
Traps help to capture mice while they are still alive. Set traps at areas that mice frequent at night and ensure to check your traps every morning. Place delicious treats like peanuts and cheese close to the traps to attract mice. When your trap catches mice, release the captured mice miles away from your residential area. Take care not to touch the mice as they could be carrying diseases.
Use A Cat
Cats and mice are natural enemies. Cats will always hunt and kill mice. If no one in your house is allergic to cats, you should consider getting a cat as it is one of the most effective ways to get rid of mice. The presence of a cat will help to keep mice away from your home.
Professional Extermination of Mice
In case your residence has a severe mice infestation or you experience difficulty trying to get rid of the mice in your home, contacting a professional mice exterminator would be a good option. Professional mice exterminators are licensed to use certain chemicals and employ effective techniques. When you reach out to any local pest control company like Pest Aid to help with your mice infestation, there are a few things you should expect:
- Mice extermination experts from the pest control company come over to examine your house and determine the kind of mice infestation you have.
- Next, the experts create an extermination plan tailored down to your mice infestation problem.
- They give you price quotations, explain the techniques they will employ to get rid of mice and give you an estimate of the period the extermination process might take.
- Finally, they tell you how to prepare your home for extermination.
How Exterminators Get Rid Of Mice
Mice exterminators follow carefully laid down procedures to get rid of mice. They adopt techniques that are effective for different species of mice and degrees of infestation. Let’s take a look at the procedures they follow.
Through The Elimination Of Entry Points
This is the first step that a reliable pest control company will take. A mice exterminator will examine the interiors and exteriors of your home, identify the entry points and seal them up with sheet metal, wire mesh or hardware cloth. The exterminator will ensure they properly secure the seal to prevent the entry or exit of mice. These entry points can include pipes and vents.
Setting Up Of Traps
Next, the mice exterminator will place traps at strategic places in your basement, kitchen, attic, bedroom and bathrooms. They use different types of traps like glue traps, snap traps and other live capture traps. This method helps to control a smaller population of mice infestation. In the event of a large infestation, this technique will help to reduce the population of mice.
Using Bait Stations
Bait stations are similar to traps but kill mice, unlike traps that capture them alive. Bait stations utilise the technique of providing accessible poisoned treats for the mice to eat and die. The mice exterminator returns after some days to remove the bodies of dead mice to prevent hygiene-related problems and bad smells from plaguing the home. This technique reduces the population of mice and gets rid of mice faster.
Fumigation
Fumigation is a pest control method that is also effective for getting rid of mice. It is the last resort method used by mice exterminators when all other extermination techniques fail to get rid of mice. This technique is expensive, dangerous and might require you and your family to vacate the house for several days or weeks. Magnesium Phosphide, Aluminium Phosphide, Carbon Dioxide and Methyl Bromide are some chemicals exterminators use for fumigation.
In case your home is booked for fumigation, here are some of the things to do to prepare for it:
- Start by making arrangements for a place to stay during the fumigation period as your house will be full of poisonous gases which are unsafe for you and your family. The mice exterminator will notify you when it’s safe to return to your home.
- Next, put a call across to your gas company and notify them about your home fumigation so they can cut the supply of gas to your home. Cutting off your gas supply will help avoid explosions that could result from the gas reacting with the corrosive chemicals used for fumigation.
- Seal up all your food and consumables in an airtight storage unit. Do not forget to remove the canned and non-perishables in your fridge and store them too.
- Ensure to unplug all your electrical appliances like air conditioners, heaters, and freezers before leaving your home. Also, pack up your plates, clothes and store them in a safe place.
- Leave all doors leading to the bedroom, attic, basement and kitchen open because this gives room for the chemicals to spread to every part of your home and get rid of all the mice. A closed-door will hinder the gas and provide a haven for the mice.
- Finally, leave a copy of your house key with the mice exterminator to provide unhindered access to your home. It also makes the extermination process easier.
Summary
Mice infestation is difficult to manage and can take months to get rid of the mice. A small infestation is inexpensive and sometimes might not require the services of a professional mice exterminator to solve. However, do contact your local pest control company to help you solve your mice infestation issues.
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What Features Differentiate Wasps Vs Bees?
September 1, 2021
Wasps and bees are so similar and closely related that sometimes it's hard to differentiate between the two. In this…
Wasps and bees are so similar and closely related that sometimes it’s hard to differentiate between the two. In this article, we will look into their different features and how to tell the two apart.
A wasp is a winged insect with a tiny waistline, a slender body with yellow and black stripes, that is neither an ant nor a bee. There are two main types of wasps:
- Social Wasps: This type of wasps lives in colonies.
- Solitary Wasps: They live and take care of their offspring alone. Hornets and yellow jackets are commonly known examples of wasps.
On the other hand, a bee is a winged insect similar to a wasp that plays a vital role in the pollination of flowering plants. Bees are known for their secretion and production of honey and beeswax. Examples of bees are a honeybee and a bumblebee. Both wasps and bees sting.
Features Of Bees Vs Wasps
1. Physical Features Of Bees Vs Wasps
Bees possess hairy bodies and legs and that, in turn, makes them ideal pollinators. The hairs on the legs and bodies of bees allow them to pick up pollen grains which cause cross-pollination as they move from one flower to another.
Unlike bees, the bodies and legs of wasps are very smooth. Bees possess flat and wide legs whereas, the limbs of wasps are round and waxy. Moreover, bees have a circular abdomen while wasps have a cylindrical midsection.
2. Feeding Patterns Of Wasps Vs Bees
Wasps tend to feed on insects like caterpillars and ants but also feed on nectar sometimes. The smell of human food like sugary beverages and beer attract wasps. Bees rely on pollen grains as their primary source of food. Moreover, nectar and water are a part of their diet. They are usually attracted to areas with flowering plants.
3. Behavioural Patterns Of Wasps Vs Bees
Bees do not get provoked easily if threatened. They sting to protect their hives or themselves. Bees have sharp pointy stingers that they only use once except a bumblebee which is capable of stinging multiple times. This is because, after an attack, a bee stinger gets stuck in the victim. A bee can die from a sting as it tries to pull out its stinger from the victim’s skin. The pressure produced by the pull causes the stinger to get ripped off from the fragile thorax of the bee, killing it.
On the other hand, wasps are predators and more aggressive than bees. Unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times, are easily provoked and have a smooth sting that does not get stuck in the victim’s skin after a sting.
4. Habitat Features Of Bees Vs Wasps
Bees are social insects and live in colonies in beehives. Each colony of bees consists of a queen bee, worker bees and drones. The interior of beehives is made from cells of beeswax and is known as a honeycomb. For the structural pattern of beehives, the upper part of a honeycomb is used to store honey. It is followed by rows used for pollen storage, then worker brood cells, drone cells and finally a peanut-shaped queen cell found at the lowest part of the honeycomb.
Wasps live in nests that are mostly paper-like structures made from wood pulp. Wasps gather wood fibres from weathered and dried trees, chew the wood to soften them, mix it with saliva and make a nest out of it. The type of nest made depends on the species of wasp and location.
Wasps Vs Hornets
As stated before, a hornet is a type of wasp. Like other wasps, hornets have bodies void of hair. They have a bigger body than other wasps, and have black and white striped bodies, unlike other wasps with yellow and black striped bodies. Similar to every wasp, hornets can sting multiple times and inject poisonous substances into the victim. Some examples of hornets include European hornets and bald-faced hornets.
The Asian Giant Hornet is another example of a hornet. This species is known as killer hornets because they attack honeybees and kill them by ripping off their heads. They resemble small birds in flight, and their stings are very painful to humans. They are responsible for up to 50 human deaths in a year.
Wasp Sting Vs Bee Sting
Both wasp stings and bee stings are painful, poisonous and can cause allergic reactions in humans allergic to insect stings. The stings are very poisonous and can prove to be fatal to you. Mild stings with mild reactions can be managed and treated at home.
Wasp and bee stings can cause similar symptoms and reactions but have slightly different treatment measures. Now let’s take a look at the symptoms, treatments, prevention and how to differentiate between a bee sting and wasp sting.
Wasp Sting
A wasp sting is very common and prominent during summer when people spend time outside for a longer time. It is very uncomfortable and poisonous.
Signs And Symptoms Of A Wasp Sting
If you are stung by a wasp, you will experience the symptoms below.
- Sharp burning pain at the spot stung, redness, swelling, itchiness are the common symptoms of a wasp sting.
- A tiny white mark can appear at the part of the body punctured.
- Nausea, vomiting and high fever can occur.
- For severe allergic reactions, the symptoms can progress to excessive redness and swelling of the punctured skin that can last for days. It is important to note that severe allergic reactions can result in Anaphylaxis, an extreme allergic reaction to antigens.
Other severe symptoms that might occur if you are stung include:
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty in breathing and wheezing
- Loss of consciousness
- Stomach cramps
- Hives and itchiness in areas of the body not stung
- Swelling of the face, lips, and throat
If you experience severe symptoms and allergic reactions, seek immediate medical attention and hospitalisation.
Treatment Of A Wasp Sting
If stung by a wasp, you can perform the steps below for a home treatment method.
- Start by washing the area stung with antiseptic and water to remove as much venom as possible.
- Now pour ice-cold water or place an ice block on the affected area to reduce the swelling and pain.
- Apply hydrocortisone cream or a calamine lotion if the itchiness becomes unbearable.
- You can close up the wound with a plaster or bandage if you want. This ensures that it stays clean and dry to prevent infection.
- Use over the counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen to manage the pain if it persists and consider getting a tetanus shot if you have not had any for over a decade.
- Get a shot of Epinephrine if you experience a severe allergic reaction (or) if you have a history of allergy to a wasp sting.
Bee Sting
A bee sting is a nuisance, likely to happen in areas with many flowering plants. Multiple bee stings can lead to severe symptoms and become life-threatening for people with bee sting allergies. Honey bees are the only species of bees that die after stinging a human. When bees sting, they leave poisonous substances that cause pain and other symptoms to the victim.
Signs And Symptoms Of A Bee Sting
- Sharp pain that will last only for a while, swelling, redness, warm sensation and itchiness at the area stung are the common symptoms of a bee sting.
- Severe allergic reactions
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness and rapid pulse
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty in breathing and wheezing
Treatment Of A Bee Sting
If you’ve been stung by a honeybee:
- Start by removing the stinger from your skin. Do this by scraping your fingernail over your skin. You should avoid picking on your skin or using a tweezer to remove the stinger.
- Now wash the stung area with water and soap, apply ice on the area affected to reduce the swelling and absorption of the bee venom.
- A shot of Epinephrine will help manage severe allergic reactions before medical help arrives.
The following home remedies for insect stings can help:
- Applying a paste of baking soda and water on the wound can help neutralise the effect of the bee venom, which in turn helps reduce the itchiness, pain and swelling. Apply the paste to the affected area and leave it for 15-20 minutes before wiping it off.
- Apple cider vinegar is another good home remedy that can help to neutralise bee venom. Place a cloth or bandage soaked with apple cider vinegar (diluted with water) over the affected area and leave it for a while.
- Applying honey to the wound can also help with the healing process, ease out the pain and itchiness.
- Aloe vera is known to have skin-soothing properties. Applying a fresh squeeze of aloe vera juice can help relieve the pain.
- Natural oils like tea tree oil help in the treatment of skin-related issues. If you apply tea tree oil to the wound, it can help reduce the swelling.
- Witch hazel is a natural antiseptic that has been proven effective in the treatment of insect bites. Apply it directly to the wound with a cotton pad.
How To Prevent Bee And Wasp Stings
- Avoid disturbing wasp nests or beehives.
- Keep an eye out for swarms of bees and wasps while jogging or hiking.
- Wear long clothes to cover and protect yourself while working in fields.
- When visiting areas prone to bee or wasp invasion, avoid wearing clothes with bright and floral colours.
- Ensure to dispose of empty cans of sweet foods like soda and cover your food when you’re not eating them.
- Do not wear sweet-smelling perfumes, hair and body products while on a picnic in a field.
Summary
Wasps and bees are closely related but different in so many ways. These insects have a painful and poisonous sting that can be life-threatening if ignored. Getting stung by these insects is a common incident nowadays and, being able to differentiate between their sting is just as important as administering treatment to a victim.
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Wasp Extermination – Get The Best Assistance From The Experts
August 18, 2021
We all want to enjoy our indoor and outdoor living spaces. Whether it is a sunny morning or a tranquil…
We all want to enjoy our indoor and outdoor living spaces. Whether it is a sunny morning or a tranquil evening, spending time in your humble abode means having quality time alone or with your family. However, this experience can be spoilt by troublesome wasps. With wasps present around your home, you will feel unsafe whenever you are at home. There are certain times of the year when the wasp problem becomes a menace in many homes. Thus, it would help if you detected the signs of infestations early on to avoid significant issues later on.
Signs Your Home Has Wasp Infestation
Here are sure signs wasps have infested your property:
- Flying Insects – Long wings and slender yellow bodies characterise wasps. You can quickly note them swarming a particular area.
- Chewed Wood – Wasps build their nests by chewing up on wood. If your home is infested, you will notice holes burrowed into wooden materials. Keep in mind that this may also be a sign of other pest infestations, besides wasp infestation, requiring immediate attention.
- Visible Nests – When you spot a wasp nest, this is a clear sign that wasps already infest your home. The nests may be made of mud or wood particles, depending on the type of wasp. The most common areas to locate a wasp nest include behind the shutters and along roof eaves.
Instead of trying to find a solution on your own, you need to hire the best local wasp exterminator to either control or remove the wasp nest. Qualified wasp exterminators offer long-lasting solutions to any wasp problem. So, how does an exterminator wasp service help?
1. Say Goodbye To Wasp Stings
Wasp stings are really painful and can lead to severe infection, depending on your immunity level. If you do not possess the skills to eliminate wasps, you may end up getting stung in your quest. With a wasp-free home, there is no one time you get a wasp sting. And with a professional wasp exterminator, you can say goodbye to wasp stings while at home. They help eradicate wasps and also carry out regular inspections to ensure your home is all clear. Subsequently, this guarantees that the wasp problem never occurs again in your home.
2. Wasp Extermination Protects Your Home From Damage
If you allow your home to be infested by wasps, you should be ready to incur high costs repairing the damages caused. Wasps can damage walls, tables, seats, and other wooden items in your home. Hiring wasp exterminators near me ensures you do not incur unnecessary repair costs and your dwelling is safe from unwanted pests. Professionals detect wasps early and keep them away before they cause any havoc.
3. Wasp Exterminator Promotes A Safe Home Environment
No matter where the wasp nests are on your property, they affect your lifestyle in one way or another. With wasps around, your home no longer offers the level of comfort desired. A professional exterminator wasp service applies techniques explicitly designed to eliminate the wasps by first determining the root cause of infestation. The safety of your family members and pets will consequently be guaranteed at all times. Experts take full responsibility for ensuring that you live in a pest-free, safe and comfy living space.
4. Wasp Extermination Service Has All Tools Required
When you work with a pest control wasp service, you do not buy anything. The wasp exterminator comes equipped with all the tools and protective gear required for the job to be completed successfully. They have Personal Protective Equipment needed to eliminate the nests belonging to wasps. The protective equipment allows them to move near the wasp nests, thus removing them more effectively and safely. The protective suit also protects them from painful wasp stings.
5. Highly Skilled Wasp Professionals
Exterminators have vast skills and the proper knowledge of eliminating insects like wasps from your home without posing any risks. They practise suitable safety measures to ensure no one is at risk from the dangerous creatures being combated. The experts determine the high stakes involved in the wasp extermination process by checking the nest size. They then create a fully customised plan of action that they follow to implement the extermination work flawlessly. They also develop both long and short term wasp control plans specific to your budget and residence.
6. Pest Control Wasp Service Helps Save Money
Most homeowners avoid hiring experts to eliminate wasps from their properties, fearing a costly affair. However, this is never true. Working with an excellent exterminator wasp service helps you save a lot of money in the long run. If you try DIY extermination, you may purchase the wrong pesticides, which will not offer the desired results. You waste money since the wasps remain all over your home. Experts also come equipped will all the necessary tools and other essentials needed to complete the job effectively. So, you do not have to buy any requirements, thus saving money in the process. Besides, they ensure your home is free of wasps for better living.
7. Apply Approved Wasp Extermination Techniques And Products
Performing DIY wasp extermination is bound to result in substandard work. Hiring wasp exterminators leads to great results since they apply proven products, environmentally friendly methods, and ideal pest management techniques. Their strategy generally focuses on handling the actual cause of wasps in your home. The exterminators prevent future infestations by addressing the reasons the wasps may be present on your property. Besides, they also make use of approved pesticides and only do this when necessary. High-quality and long-lasting wasp solutions are what you get from professionals.
8. Provide Quick Wasp Elimination
The other primary reason you need to rely on an exterminator wasp service is to get an instant solution to the infestation. With expert skills and state-of-the-art tools, you can expect the pros to get rid of the wasps entirely within a short time. Since they have dealt with other massive wasp infestations before, you can rest easy knowing that no job is too big or too hard for them. In case of any form of emergency, wasp exterminators are always there to help you out.
Bottom Line
For the best wasp extermination results, make sure you work with the best exterminators. Check if they have vast experience, the proper training, and a good reputation. Also, consider the cost too, but avoid the cheapest wasp exterminators since they may not offer excellent results.
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Different Types Of Roaches And How To Identify Them
August 18, 2021
If cockroaches have never infested your home, you should count yourself lucky. It is both frustrating and stressful to experience…
If cockroaches have never infested your home, you should count yourself lucky. It is both frustrating and stressful to experience a cockroach infestation because of the many problems cockroaches cause. Add to this that there are different types of roaches to deal with, making it challenging to identify and subsequently eliminate them. Studying roach pictures makes things easier. But there is so much more about roaches than just knowing what they look like. Before we delve into cockroach diversity, let’s look at the two main groups of roaches.
- Domestic Roaches
Domestic cockroaches live exclusively indoors. Never will you find them outdoors.
- Peridomestic Cockroaches
While peridomestic cockroaches are accustomed to living around people, they are not necessarily homebodies. They only come inside when it gets too hot or dry outside.
Difference Between Roach And Cockroach
There is absolutely no difference between a roach and a cockroach, just that the terms sound different. Roach, primarily used in America, is the shorter version of cockroach.
Different Kinds Of Roaches
Within the two groups are several types of cockroaches, all with different characteristics. Want to know what differentiates brown banded cockroach vs german cockroach or german roach vs american roach? Here’s a detailed roach identification guide:
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German Cockroach
German roaches measure half an inch long, have a tannish or light-brownish colouration, and feature two black stripes behind the head. Adult German cockroaches have wings, but they do not fly. Nymphs are wingless, plus smaller and darker than the adults.
Where They Hide
German cockroaches prefer living in warm and moist areas, particularly bathrooms and kitchens. You will find them in cracks near pantries and cabinets. And also under dishwashers, stoves, and fridges.
How To Control Them
The best ways to manage German cockroaches include using baits like hydramethylnon and applying commercial or homemade insecticides to their hiding places.
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American Cockroach
Also known as a palmetto bug, American roaches measure 1 to 2 inches in length. They have a shiny reddish-brown body featuring a yellow stripe at the back of the head. Adults have wings and will fly at times but prefer scurrying.
Where They Hide
American cockroaches are ever present outdoors but can infest your house searching for a warm and humid place. Though they prefer inhabiting moist environments, they can still thrive in drier areas as long as the water is available. American cockroaches also focus on areas of food preparation and storage. They are a nuisance in the kitchen. You can spot them in basements and crawl spaces too.
How To Control Them
Caulk all crevices in your house and clear old mulch and dead leaves away from your compound. Alternatively, apply repellants to entry points, particularly doorways.
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Oriental Cockroach
Oriental cockroaches have wings and a dark brown/black body. They usually feed on decaying material and disposed of garbage. Additionally, they emit a pungent smell that makes it easy to notice an infestation by them.
Where They Hide
Oriental cockroaches are more of water bugs since they prefer living in damp, cool, and dark areas. You will see them in cellars, sewer drains, basements, and crawl spaces. Other places you will find them include under sinks and refrigerators and near leaky faucets and pipes.
How To Control Them
Fix all plumbing issues, especially leaks, immediately they occur. Use baits in their favourite spots like fridges and sinks. Also, caulk all cracks and install door sweeps.
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Brown-Banded Cockroach
Adult brown-banded roaches measure a half-inch long, feature fully developed wings, and have a light brown body. Adult males fly away when threatened, whereas the females scamper for safety. Females are also rounder and smaller compared to males.
Where They Hide
Brown-banded cockroaches prefer dwelling in dry and warm areas like inside closets, pantries, and dressers. You are also likely to spot them beneath tables, behind photo frames, under seats, and above cabinets. They are also the type you get inside light switches, radios, and TV sets. One unique characteristic of theirs is they are rarely found near water.
How To Control Them
Strategically place sticky traps where the roaches could be hiding. Think of near a fissure in the wall or the corner of a shelf. Otherwise, use baits containing boric acid, hydramethylnon, abamectin, or fipronil in such areas.
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Wood Cockroach
Wood roaches measure an inch long and have a flat oval-shaped body that is chestnut brown. They feature spiny legs, tan wings, and long antennae. Rarely are they found indoors, but they quickly get drawn to indoor lights.
Where They Hide
Being outdoor dwelling insects, wood cockroaches are common in woody and moist places like mulch and woodpiles. They also like living under decaying logs and loose tree bark. As they require moisture to survive, they do not live long indoors.
How To Control Them
Since wood roaches struggle to live indoors, you can use a vacuum cleaner or dustpan to get rid of them quickly. In addition, keep your window screen and screen door in good condition besides sealing cracks and openings.
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Asian Cockroach
Asian roaches are light brown with dark stripes behind their heads. They have extensive wings that enable them to fly as far as 120 feet. It is easy to mistake them for German cockroaches but their body is lighter and longer than that of their counterparts.
Where They Hide
Like wood cockroaches, Asian cockroaches prefer living outdoors in compost, leaf piles, grass, and mulch. When they are threatened or their habitat is disturbed, they scatter by flying. Though they are mostly found outside, they can invade homes through doors and windows when attracted by indoor light sources like lamps and TV screens.
How To Control Them
Dispose of plant debris and mulch in your lawn. Utilising insecticides is another excellent option.
Have You Found a Cockroach in Your Home?
Regardless of the kind of roach that infests your house – be it silver cockroach or brown cockroach – fast elimination should be a top priority. Cockroaches can damage your household items and make you ill. While you can perform DIY extermination, it is better to hire a cockroach control service for a permanent solution to cockroach infestation.
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How Long Does It Take For Cockroach Eggs To Hatch?
August 18, 2021
Cockroaches have existed for over 300 million years and are even older than dinosaurs. They have been able to survive…
Cockroaches have existed for over 300 million years and are even older than dinosaurs. They have been able to survive for that long due to their ability to withstand harsh living conditions. For example, they can survive without eating anything for almost a month and even stay alive after being frozen. Their long existence is also a result of their fast and high reproduction. Now that cockroaches live in our homes, it is good to understand how they reproduce to control them better. Knowing their breeding habits will help you quickly identify roach eggs and take the proper steps to discard them before cockroaches massively infest your home.
The Life Cycle Of A Cockroach
A roach has three major life stages – egg, nymph and adult.
The Period It Takes For Cockroach Eggs To Hatch
Different types of cockroaches have different breeding habits. Let us look at each type to clearly understand the duration it takes for roach eggs to hatch.
American Cockroach
Females lay their eggs in a hard capsule known as ootheca, which they produce a week after mating. They create a single ootheca monthly for ten months, with each capsule containing 16 or so eggs. Pregnant cockroach usually carry the egg case for several days before depositing it in a safe location. American roaches have a gestation period of about 44 days.
German Cockroach
A German roach lays more eggs per capsule compared to all other cockroach species. Each egg case holds about 30 to 40 eggs. Females carry the egg case until it is ready for hatching. To ensure the safety of hatchlings, German cockroaches hide before dropping the egg case. These roaches have a gestation period averaging 28 days.
Brown-Banded Cockroach
These lay around 16 eggs per ootheca. The female carries the ootheca with her for one day or two. Then it hides the capsule somewhere safe, like under a piece of furniture, on a wall corner or a rough surface, mainly cardboard. The gestation period lasts about 50 days.
Oriental Cockroach
About 16 eggs per ootheca is common among oriental roaches. Females usually drop the egg case in a warm area with plenty of food so that nymphs do not have trouble finding something to eat right after hatching. Their gestation period runs for about two months.
Cockroach Eggs Size
The appearance of roach eggs is a brown, tan or black pill-shaped capsule. American and German cockroaches lay eggs that measure 8 mm or one-third of an inch long. The eggs of smoky brown and oriental cockroaches are a bit longer, measuring up to 12 mm or half an inch in length.
How Do You Identify Cockroach Eggs?
Egg capsules differ in appearance depending on the species of cockroach. Capsules are small in size, ranging from 5 to 14 mm long. When they form, they are white, but with time they become darker and harder. Most types of roaches produce reddish-brown to dark-brown egg cases. Some of the egg casings feature ridges, for instance, those of German and brown-banded roaches. Others do not have any ridges and appear swollen like the ones produced by oriental and American cockroaches.
Where To Find Cockroach Eggs
The way cockroaches deposit their eggs varies depending on the type of cockroach. But one thing is for sure – they do not make it easy for you to find the eggs. Some cockroach species carry their eggs until they are ready for hatching. Most usually lay their eggs in safe places where they cannot be easily located and eventually harmed.
Some of the areas you are most likely to find cockroach eggs include attics, kitchens, basements and bathrooms. Cockroaches also leave ootheca (egg cases) near food sources. They do so for the nymphs to feed themselves after hatching as it becomes easier and faster for them to find food. Egg cases are camouflaged and glued to surfaces. Therefore, to remove them, you have to scratch the surface.
Nymph Stage Of A Cockroach Life
After gestation, cockroach eggs hatch into nymphs. Here is the process for different types of cockroaches:
American Cockroach
Nymphs and adults look alike. But the nymphs are wingless and smaller in size. Before nymphs become adults, they moult 6 to 14 times. It takes about 600 days for an American roach to go from egg to adult.
German Cockroach
The nymphs of German roaches have darker bodies than those of adults. There is also a tan stripe on their back. On hatching, they begin looking for food right away and can grow fast in favourable conditions. They moult or shed skin almost six times in the nymph stage. When they shed skin for the final time, they develop wings. It takes up to 103 days for a nymph to grow into an adult.
Brown-Banded Cockroach
Within a period of five to six months, nymphs moult up to 8 times. After the last moult, they start reproducing immediately. It takes about 276 days for them to reach adulthood after being laid.
Oriental Cockroach
Oriental cockroach nymphs thrive during spring and summer. Their lifecycle takes 300 to 800 hundred days, from an egg to an adult, depending on the season. Colder weather prolongs the process while warmer weather shortens it.
Steps To Take When You Find Roach Eggs
Vacuuming
When you identify cockroach eggs, you should discard them promptly. Get rid of the eggs by vacuuming. Use a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner to minimise roach debris from getting airborne and triggering allergic reactions.
DIY Processes
Apply boric acid around the area with the eggs. However, take great care as this compound can pose harm to your family and pets.
Call A Pest Control Company
The most effective and surest way to eradicate cockroaches and their eggs is to hire a pest control service. Professionals understand everything about roaches, including how to deal with eggs and nymphs. They know how to identify cockroach infestation and keep it under control by ensuring no more egg-laying and hatching in your home.
We have a local Adelaide and Gold Coast pest control service for all cockroach inspections & treatments, pest control inspections, pre-purchase inspections, termite inspections and more.