November 2021

3 Ways to Keep Pests Out of Your Home

Residential Pest Control / / ,

Pests can cause a lot of problems for homeowners. They infest our gardens, spread diseases to our pets, and try their best to find ways into our homes.  There are a variety of pests that you may encounter. Some, like the woodworm beetle, are beetles that lay eggs in the wet wood of a home or another building. Others, like the rat or mouse, will live in your garden and feed on your vegetables as well as any other food they can find.  It doesn’t matter what kind of pest it is it doesn’t belong in your home.   To find the best pest control Grand Rapids has to offer, check the reviews and call a couple of different companies for commercial quotes before making a final decision. Here are 3 ways to keep pests out of your home.

3 Simple Steps for Preventing Pest Infestations in Your Home Forever

Pests are a big problem for homeowners. If you have a pest infestation, it could mean that your home is not safe to live in. To prevent pests from coming into your home, follow these 3 steps:

Step 1: Seal up all cracks and crevices in the walls and windows with caulking or silicone to stop bugs from entering your home

One way you can prevent bugs from entering your home is by sealing up any cracks or crevices in the walls and windows with caulking or silicone.  This is effectively shutting the front door and locking it so that insects or rodents stay outside where they belong.

Step 2: Get rid of any clutter or food that can attract bugs in your kitchen and other areas in the house

Bugs and other pests love clutter and you’ll want to eliminate it as soon as possible. Pests can carry disease and they love leftover food. Make sure to take the trash out every day and wash out containers and jugs that are going in the recycling bin. You can also buy a bug zapper or traps that use chemicals to kill bugs.

Step 3: Apply a layer of repellent around the perimeter of your house to keep pests from getting inside

Insects are constantly looking for a way to get inside your house. You can use an outdoor insect repellent like OFF to apply around the perimeter of your house to keep these pests from getting inside.  A better option is to get an exterminator to come out regularly and spray to make sure that your home stays safe.

The old saying is true “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.  It is far easier to prevent pests from getting in your house than it is to deal with them once they have taken up residence.

3 Ways to Keep Pests Out of Your Home Read More »

Getting Rid of Roaches

Getting Rid of Roaches

Pests / / , , , , ,

Roaches have been around since the dawn of time and they undoubtedly have their place in the ecosystem, but that place isn’t your home.  Roaches are nocturnal insects and you won’t see them running around in the light of day.  The most common roach is the German Roach, and if you have ever found a roach in your home that is the species.  Roaches can hide anywhere, under your floor, behind and under appliances, in the walls and a bunch of other inaccessible spaces.  Roach infestations can be really hard to detect and getting rid of roaches can be even harder.

Preventing Roaches in Your Home:

  1. Keep it Clean: Keeping your home clean isn’t just for appearances it keeps bugs away.  Keeping food containers sealed, cleaning counters of crumbs and food, clean the floors and take out the trash.  All of these will help keep roaches away.
  2. Seal Your Home: Older houses have cracks between walls, pipes, windows and doors, all of that gives roaches the opportunity to enter your property. Grab some sealant and get rid of the cracks.
  3. Get Rid of Packaging: Roaches can come in on food packaging or boxes that get brought into your home.  Break them down and put them in the trash or recycling bin immediately.
  4. Get Rid of the Damp: Many insects, including roaches like damp spaces.  That’s why you frequently find them in the bathroom or the kitchen.  You can get a dehumidifier or products like Damprid to take the moisture from the room.

Signs of an Infestation:

  1. Musty Smell: When you have roaches they leave behind droppings that emit a pheromone meant to attract other roaches. That pheromone typically smells musty.
  2. Eggs: You may find roach eggs that are light-colored and oval-shaped.
  3. Movement: When you first enter a room and see movement out of the corner of your eye, it could very well be roaches.
  4. Roach Shells: Roaches shed their exoskeletons a couple of times throughout their lives and you can find the leftover skins throughout your home.
  5. Damages: Roaches aren’t as bad as rats or termites but they will eat just about anything so you may find evidence of roaches

Dealing with a Roach Infestation

Roaches need to be taken seriously even if you only see one of them.  One roach can produce thousands of roaches over a year.  Roaches can transmit diseases, contaminate your food and they can trigger asthma attacks.  Call an exterminator the minute you see the first roach, where there is one there is undoubtedly more.

Getting Rid of Roaches Read More »

Rodent Pest Control

Pests / / , , ,

There is nothing worse than being in your kitchen and seeing something out of the corner of your eye only to discover it’s a mouse.  Most of us let out a shriek and throw something at it, although that does little or nothing to get rid of it.  Once you regain your composure then you grab your phone fire up Google and start looking for someone to call and get rid of it, someone with experience in dealing with rodent pest control.

Sealing Off the Entrances

You can take measures to eradicate the rodents in your home but it won’t do you much good if you don’t stop them from coming into your home.  One of the things that a good exterminator will do is inspect your entire home to find out just how they are getting in.  Then they will either seal off the entrance or advise you on how it needs to be done to keep further infestations from happening.

Methods for Getting Rid of Mice/Rats

There are a couple of different methods that can be used to get rid of mice or rats, depending on your preference.  Traditional methods include traps and poisons but if you have pets or kids neither of them may be viable.  First, you need to determine what type of pest you’re dealing with, is it just one little mouse or lots of them.  Do you have rats or have squirrels invaded your attic?  This is why you need expert help, make sure the company you deal with is fully licensed and experienced in removing rodents.

Safer Methods for Dealing with Rodents

If you don’t really like the idea of traps snapping or putting poison around the house there are actually other methods to get rid of rodents.  Your exterminator can use a live trap and then release the rodent far away from your home.  Another alternative to less humane means of ridding yourself of rodents is to use an ultrasonic device.  These devices emit sounds that rodents can hear but not humans and it keeps them away from your home.  Bear in mind that ultrasonic devices aren’t as effective as live traps but they are a lot less work.

Rodents aren’t a pest that you can ignore, that cute little mouse isn’t harmless.  Rodents carry diseases, they can chew up drywall and the wiring of your home and they need to be dealt with immediately.  If you have a number of mice/rats or you simply aren’t comfortable dealing with the issue yourself then call an exterminator in to handle the situation for you.

Rodent Pest Control Read More »

The Complete Guide to Pest Control for Bed Bugs in Your Home

The Complete Guide to Pest Control for Bed Bugs in Your Home

Pests / / , ,

Bed bugs are a parasite that feeds on blood and live in bedding, couches, and upholstery. They were once considered rare but now they’re an issue for many people. They inject an anti-coagulant so the host can’t clot their blood, which is how they get their food source.  If you find any signs of bed bug infestation, it is best to call an exterminator immediately because these parasites reproduce at a fast rate and can cause plenty of damage if left untreated.

Bed bugs can be difficult to detect because they are small and often go undetected until the infestation is severe. They also have a tendency to hide in secluded areas during the day such as mattresses, bedding, furniture cracks, and baseboards. The most common signs of an infestation are bites from these small creatures that will usually show up in a row or cluster on a person’s skin.

Common places where bed bugs are found in your home

They are usually found in places where people sleep or stay for a prolonged period of time. Bed bugs can be found in various locations, including planes seats, movie theaters, hotels, public transportation, and other shared spaces, which then get brought into your home. These insects have the potential to infest your home if you don’t take preventive measures to protect it. They are attracted to warmth and dark spaces so you need to make sure that they don’t have access to these things in your home.

Bed Bug Bites and How to Identify Them

Bed bug bites usually appear as small itchy bumps on your skin, but they may also look like blisters or pimples. If you think you have bed bugs, inspect your bed and other furniture for brown spots or tiny black insects crawling around in them.

How to Treat a Bed Bug Infestation

A trained exterminator will first examine the bed bug infestation and precisely identify the signs of bed bugs, such as small blood spots on sheets or small dark spots on the mattress. Then, they will use a non-toxic insecticide to kill them on contact or use heat treatments to eliminate all stages of bed bugs’ life cycle. Heat can also be applied using a specialized tool called a steamer which helps to get rid of these pests by releasing steam at very high temperatures that kill both eggs and live bedbugs.

Preventing Bed Bugs from Returning After Treatment

Bed bugs can be difficult to get rid of. But there are a number of things you can do to make sure they don’t come back. The first thing you should do is vacuum the area thoroughly and dispose of the bag or container. You should also wash all sheets and blankets in a washing machine set on hot water. Use a detergent with bleach instead of a fabric softener.  Bear in mind it may take more than one treatment to rid your home of bedbugs for good.  Stay vigilant even after the home has been treated.

The Complete Guide to Pest Control for Bed Bugs in Your Home Read More »

How to Keep Your Home Safe from Bugs

How to Keep Your Home Safe from Bugs

Residential Pest Control / / , ,

Bugs are disgusting and creepy. They seem to appear out of nowhere. It is hard to control them or get rid of them,  but you just can’t wait for them to go away on their own. But why do bugs come into our houses? And how can we stop them?

The problem is that there are so many bugs in the world, and they are always looking for new places to live. It’s inevitable that they’ll find your house eventually. They also come in when you haven’t properly sealed the windows or doors, or by not cleaning up after yourself in public areas where there are insects like ants or mosquitoes.

Which Insects Can Harm My Home?

When we think about insects in the home, we usually think of cockroaches and ants. While these types of bugs can certainly harm your home, they are not the only insects that can do this.  There are many different kinds of insects that can be found in your home. Some might be harmless and others might be harmful. Here is a list of some common insect pests that you could find in your home:

  • Cockroaches: They live in moist places like bathrooms and kitchens and can take up residence in walls and inside furniture. They feed on any type of food, but they prefer meat products like chips or bacon to sugary foods like cookies or candy bars. These insects can create an allergy to certain foods which cause itchy skin or a runny nose.
  • Termites: Termites can seem harmless at first, but they can cause a lot of damage to your home. It’s important to take preventative measures and inspect for termites regularly.
  • Bedbugs:  While bedbugs aren’t dangerous to your home itself they are very dangerous to the residents in your home.

These are the most common insects that can infest the average home but there are many other insects that present a danger to the wood in your home.  Here is a closer look at what you need to be aware of and the signs you need to pay attention to.

Calling a Pest Control Company

Pest control companies offer various services to help you stay safe. They can eliminate pests, protect against infestations, or educate you about pest prevention.  At the first sign of a possible infestation that is when you need to call a pest control company.  You can also opt to have someone come in an spray your property on a regular basis to keep unwanted guests away.

How to Keep Your Home Safe from Bugs Read More »