Worldwide Pest Control Blog

There are many environmental conditions that contribute to mosquito infestations, and some of them can be addressed. If the area is humid and warm during certain parts of the year, mosquitoes will tend to appear, for example. In addition, these pests gravitate towards stagnant bodies of water, which are common in certain regions and territories. Understanding the top signs of a mosquito infestation can help you to take the necessary precautions. Top Mosquito Symptoms Mosquito bites can be painful, and in some cases they can cause illness. Some mosquitoes carry diseases, so you will have to be alert to this particular danger. Always check with the local health agencies and disease prevention service organizations to determine if there is a mosquito infestation in your area. If a mosquito bites into the skin, they can leave marks behind; however, this can happen without the bite victim being aware that a mosquito is......

When it's time for kids to go back to school, bed bugs are not something that you want them to take to class in their bags or on their clothing. Whether they are in elementary school or college, there are a few ways that you can check for bed bugs to keep them from spreading to other people and to see if they are in your home after some time of being back in class as this can be an indication that the pests have been brought home from someone else. If your child goes to someone else's house or brings someone home, you need to check all bags and clothing after the visit to ensure that there are no bugs present. If a child takes bed bugs into the classroom, the bugs can quickly spread from one person to another, resulting in an infestation with all the students. It would......

Scorpions belong to the same insect family as spiders and ticks. These are known as arachnids, and there are many different species. This means that an infestation of scorpions will require the pest control expert to have experience in correctly identifying the particular species of scorpion. The tail of the scorpion gives it a bad reputation, and there is a good reason for people to fear this pest. Although most scorpions do not have the ability to poison their victim, the sting from a scorpion’s tail can be traumatic. Many people compare the scorpion’s sting to the sting of a wasp or a bee. However, if the scorpion happens to be poisonous, the victim could suffer serious injuries. Top Three Facts, Scorpions Preventing a scorpion infestation can help you to guard against the potential dangers of encountering a poisonous scorpion. Keep the area free from debris and trash as an important ste......

Bed bugs are one of the toughest pests you can encounter. They get everywhere, almost before you know it, and the steps to get rid of them are long and labor-intensive. Their range throughout the Austin area is wide and ever-growing. During the Austin City Limits Music Festival this year, which is being held October 5th to the 7th, and October 12th to the 14th, there will be people from all over coming together. While there will be plenty of fun to be had thanks to Paul McCartney, Shawn Mendes, and many more, there will also be plenty of time spent in hotels nearby. Bed bugs love to stay in places such as hotels, and we are here to help visitors leave bed bug free. Take a look below at some bed bug tips so you can be prepared for your trip to Austin City Limits. What Attracts Bed Bugs? The......

You might be a little freaked out if you see a scorpion scurry across your kitchen or even your driveway. Although they're nocturnal predators that mainly feed on insects, they can be harmful to some pets and people if they feel threatened. Since scorpions have some similarities with other arachnids, it's helpful to know how to identify them in case you need scorpion control services. Appearance Scorpions are very distinguishable by their appearance. Two eyes are in the middle of their heads, and a few more sit on the sides. Scorpions also have a set of claws or pincers, eight legs and a long, segmented tail. At the tip of the tail is a larger segment with a barbed stinger. In Arizona, the striped bark scorpion is the most common to invade homes. This species is yellow with two dark stripes down the body and a slender tail. They only grow......

Those who spend enough time outside will feel the familiar sting of a bee or wasp at some point, and the situation can cause sharp pain, redness and mild skin irritation. The symptoms of a sting usually last for a few hours but can persist for a few days in some cases. If you think you or someone you know might get stung, learning to treat stings is a smart move that you won't regret. When you use the proper plan and keep a few tips near the top of your mind, you can reduce the pain and speed up the recovery process. Treating bee stings does not need to be complicated, and learning what to do won't take too long once you understand the basics: Remove the Stinger The first step you will take after a sting depends on the type of insect that stung you. If a honeybee was......

The Fourth of July should be a time of celebration and fun. When you’re firing up the barbecue, splashing around in your pool, or savoring a spectacular fireworks show, you shouldn’t have to worry about pests. What are some of the steps you can take to keep this special day pest-free? Mop up spills, and minimize standing water. Puddles of fruit punch and stray drops of juice are powerfully attractive to yellow jackets, flies, ants, and other pests. A kiddie pool or a pet’s water dish left standing for hours will draw mosquitoes and roaches. Perform quick clean-ups throughout the day. During parties or other holiday activities, trash accumulates rapidly. Don’t leave all the cleaning up for the end of the day. On a regular basis, remove used plates and cups. Sweep away crumbs and other food particles. With less trash building up, fewer pests will arrive. Keep your food covered. Minimiz......

If your dog or cat spends time outside, they may end up bringing home a pest or two. Fleas, ticks and other pests can cause skin irritation and put your pet's health at risk. Following a few tips can help prevent pests from taking up residence on your furry friend. Keep a Clean Home If your home is an easy target for pests, your pets will come into contact with these disease-carrying critters. Help dissuade pests from lingering by eliminating hiding places, including piles of clutter and garbage. Vacuum your carpets thoroughly and regularly to eliminate pest eggs, and wash your pets' bedding in the washing machine frequently. Make sure that your home doesn't have any easy access points for pests, such as gaps in the seals around your windows. Drive Pests Away from Your Yard Most backyards are full of things pests need to survive, including food, shelter and water.......

Your Memorial Day BBQ is a great way to spend time with family and friends, but the warm weather brings with it a rapid increase in the local bee population. Bee colonies also become increasingly likely to swarm from mid-March to early July. When you put these two things together, your BBQ might be courting disaster. Therefore, it's necessary to take action before your guests get stung. 1. Seal All Potential Nesting Spots Are you aware bees only need an access point the size of a quarter in order to move in and begin building their hive? If your home provides easy access, they may even become unwanted roommates inside your walls or attic. You can eliminate this risk by using caulk and metal screens to fill up every possible entry point. 2. Dissuade Ground Nesting Bees from Your Lawn Ground nesting bees look for a dry area to build their......

If asked to name a destructive insect with a fondness for chewing through wood, what would you say? Did you think of carpenter ants? Are termites the terror that popped into your mind? Either of these answers would be correct. With their ability to cause extensive property damage, both of these pests are bad news, but they do have their differences. How can you tell if carpenter ants or termites are bugging you? Antennae, Waists and Wings There's a fairly strong resemblance between carpenter ants and termites, but there are physical traits that can help you differentiate between them. To start from the top, carpenter ants have bent antennae that appear segmented; termites have straight antennae that look beaded. Their waists are also quite different. Carpenter ants have tiny, nipped-in waists, and termites have a more rectangular shape. Finally, when carpenter ants have wings, the front pair is bigger. When termites......

Frass is excrement from the digestive system of various pests. This material contains what the insect has been eating, and the term is often associated with wood-eating pests like termites or carpenter ants. Insect frass is a visible sign of an infestation, but there are different types of frass. They can appear similar to the untrained eye, but there are significant differences. The insect may also have a unique method of disposing of frass, and this can also help the pest-control professional to correctly identify the insect. What is Insect Frass The frass might be liquid, pellet-shaped or a soft clump of mixed materials. Frass will be located relatively close to the source of the infestation, and this is useful information. Common places for piles of frass include the attic, basement, garage areas and other places in the home where wood materials are used. Frass can also be used by some......

Bats are an important part of the ecosystem, but the animals can become a nuisance if they invade your attic. Like all wildlife, bats look for a comfortable place that is safe from predators and near a source of food. Your dark, secluded attic can provide the ideal location to set up a colony. If left unchecked, the animals will roost in large numbers. Bats can travel through the walls to other areas of your home. Bat droppings, also known as guano, can stain ceilings, attract other pests and pose a health risk. The waste matter also encourages the growth of a fungus that causes respiratory infections. You can take the following steps to keep these pests from invading your home. Home and Attic Inspection Begin the process by conducting a full inspection of the exterior of your home, including the roof, soffits, fascia and air vents. Look for holes, cracks......

Running a business in Texas comes with many challenges, and pests can create a lot of problems when they invade. Having a pest issue can harm your reputation and discourage your customers from returning because they won't want to be exposed to the creatures. Many of them will go to your competitors and never come back through your doors, which will impact your bottom line. Also, a pest control problem can prompt the health department to issue fines and citations, and they could even shut you down until you contain the threat.  Rodents Learning about rodents is a good step in the right direction when you want to uncover the most common pests that you are likely to encounter. When mice, rats or other rodents get into your building, they will cause a lot of destruction and create several safety hazards. Rodents that decide to chew on your wires can put you at......

Fleas – they cause problems for people both indoors and outdoors. They target people and animals, causing itchy bites as they feast on blood. Though 2,000 different flea species exist in the world, the cat flea is the most common here in our service area and the country. When fleas enter a home, it only takes a short while for them to spread out and to infest every room. 3 Facts About Fleas Fleas can survive for a long time without eating. It's difficult to starve fleas out of your home. In fact, these little pests can live for two or three months without eating. However, the females can't produce young until they've had a blood meal. Once a female draws blood, she will lay her eggs within one or two days. Flea eggs take a while to hatch. An adult female can lay as many as 1,000 eggs in her l......

Mosquitoes are a common threat in the summertime, especially in the South where it's hot and humid for much of the year. These blood-sucking insects are found throughout the Southeast and across the Southwest, including parts of the Northwest and the Northeast. Whether people live in the Midwest or along the Atlantic Coast, they can find mosquitoes in the same places on and around their own properties. Common Places to Find Mosquitoes Clutter If you have clutter on your property, you're inviting mosquitoes into your yard. They use clutter as a resting spot when they're not feeding during mid-day. Sometimes water collects in pools inside random clutter such as children's toys and old tarps. Female mosquitoes only need an inch of water in which to lay hundreds of eggs. It's best to reduce the clutter in your yard if you want to minimize the mosquito population. Water Sources Water sources draw......

Ants are common household pests. There are over 10,000 known species, and they are scattered around the world. Although they are tiny creatures, they have a number of fascinating characteristics. Here are some of the most surprising facts about ants. Ants Have Enormous Strength. Even though ants are tiny, they have the ability to carry between 10 and 50 times their body weight. Their composition allows them to produce great force. Since ants are small, they have a larger cross-section, which gives them a high amount of power. Ants Have No Lungs. An ant's small body does not allow it to hold a complicated respiratory system. Instead, ants breathe through spiracles. These are a series of holes on the sides of the body and are connected by tubes. Through movement, oxygen circulates inside of the tubes. Carbon dioxide is released here as well. Ants Have No Ears. Ants do not have......

To assess the financial impact of bed bugs on businesses, a major pest control leader looked into infestations and found that over the last year, eight out of 10 hotels have had to contact treatment experts for bed bugs. Along with this, about 40 percent dealt with the pests during the summer.  Determining the Cost of Pest Control  To conduct the study, the pest control company commissioned The Bantam Group, which is a market research firm. For the study, the research firm surveyed hoteliers across the country to determine how much bed bugs are costing the industry. The research shows that on average, hotels spend $6,383 for every bed bug incident reported. Treatment, replacement of furniture and linens as well as lost business are included in the amount that hotels spend.  According to the report, about half of the surveyed hotels faced litigation due to bed bugs, costing them an estimated......

A termite infestation is a serious problem that no homeowner looks forward to experiencing. These wood-eating insects are known for causing extensive amounts of property damage. Here are a few preventive measures you can take to help deter termites.  Get Your Home Inspected It is definitely a good idea to get an annual termite inspection. The extra peace of mind is well worth it. Your home could be sustaining thousands of dollars in damage without your knowledge. These destructive insects prefer to do their dirty work in dark environments, which often makes them hard to detect. By getting an inspection, you will be able to prevent the problem from worsening.  Keep Moisture Away from Your Home’s Foundation Moisture will surely draw termites to your property. Make sure that the area near your home’s foundation remains as dry as possible. These insects thrive in moisture-rich soil. To ensure that water is properly div......

Ant infestations can happen any time of the year. If the problem is allowed to continue, small infestations could quickly grow out of control. Noticing the early signs of an ant problem is critical. This can help you to prevent the problems associated with a major ant infestation. Although most ants do not carry diseases, some species of ants can make pets sick when they die and leave their corpses near food supplies. Small children may also come into contact with these small pests, and they often touch their mouth after being exposed to areas where ants have traveled. This includes counters and floors where ants might be looking for food or water. Early Signs of Ant Infestations Some ants will build their colonies within the home, but others migrate indoors after started their nests in the areas around the home. It can be difficult to detect an ant colony if......

If you run a business and want to protect your bottom line, taking steps to safeguard your business from pests is vital. Pest will cause a range of problems that you won’t be able to ignore if you allow them to get inside. They can taint your food, create safety hazards, spread diseases and ruin your reputation. If one of your customers comes to your business and sees a pest, the customer won’t be likely to return, but those who spot an infestation will also feel compelled to tell others about it online. Luckily, you can try several things to keep pests away from your business so that they won’t harm your profitability.  Pest Prevention Looking at the ways you can prevent pests from invading is a smart move when your mission is to keep your business out of harm’s way. Rodents and many insects will do their best to find a way ins......