• How to Keep Pests Out of Your Office Kitchen

    When you share an office kitchen with coworkers, chances are that not everyone is going to have the same attention to cleanliness as you. That means that your space could be even more vulnerable to a pest infestation than your kitchen at home. Fortunately, you don’t have to fear a pest invasion in your office kitchen, even if you have that one coworker who never cleans up. With a commercial pest control plan in your Pleasanton office, your kitchen at work can become a no-go zone for bugs. Try these strategies to get rid of ants, cockroaches, and more in the communal office kitchen. kitchen - pests

    Set Some Ground Rules

    Your coworkers go in and out of the office kitchen all day to grab snacks, water, and coffee, and they may not always have a lot of time on their hands. That can set up a situation in which no one really cleans up after his or herself. Set some ground rules for the shared space that involve throwing away your trash, cleaning off counters you’ve used, and tidying up tables after lunch. Pests love food that is left on the counter or tables that are covered in crumbs. Make following the rules part of your office’s culture so that your kitchen is less appealing to pests.

    Maintain a Pest Control Contract

    Commercial pest control is a must for offices. Make sure your company has pest control services at regular intervals. Having these kinds of maintenance pest control treatments prevent infestations from ever getting started. If you do notice an increase in pests in the office kitchen at any point, make sure your pest control company knows, so that they can give it extra attention.

    Look Outside the Kitchen

    Despite your best efforts in the kitchen, if the other areas of your office are welcoming to pests, they will find their way in. Don’t let old cups of tea or coffee sit on your desk, and reduce eating at your desk as much as possible. Clutter attracts pests, so keep your office’s overflowing papers to a minimum.

  • How to Create an Effective Pest Control Strategy

    Have you noticed strange noises, unpleasant odors, damaged furniture, or droppings around your home? If so, then you may have a pest problem on your hands. If you want to minimize the damage to your property and prevent the problem from growing, then it’s important to take action at the first signs of a bug infestation. Keep reading for tips on creating an effective strategy for pest control near Pleasanton . pest - control

    Find out what you’re dealing with.

    Properly dealing with a pest that has infiltrated your home requires that you learn what type of bug it is. For this reason, the first step to take when it comes to creating an effective pest control strategy is pest identification. There are a number of ways of doing this, such as laying traps, finding tracks, looking for dead bugs, visually recognizing the pest, and examining droppings. Because your exterminator should be able to identify the insect after an assessment, there is no need to worry if you’re unsure what type of pest you have.

    Determine the right solution for your pest problem.

    A worthwhile pest control strategy involves eliminating the pest from the home and taking steps to prevent recurring infestations. Once you know which pest has invaded your home, it’s time to find an insect control strategy that will be effective against it. Some examples of pest control approaches that your exterminator may suggest are laying traps, sealing off points of entry, physical removal, lawn and perimeter treatments, or a combination of these options.

    Think about the needs of your family and property.

    The final consideration when it comes to developing a pest control strategy is to think about your specific needs. For this reason, your exterminator will assess your situation and speak with you about your pest control options. Some of the factors that your exterminator may consider are whether you have kids or pets, if you have landscaping or a garden that you want to protect, and your concerns about safety and long-term success. Following these steps, you and your exterminator can develop an effective pest control strategy.

  • See How One Couple Dealt with Brown Widow Spiders

    Spiders are an important part of the ecosystem, but infestations of these arachnids can pose a danger to people. If you’re dealing with a spider problem and wonder if you need pest control services in Pleasanton , then watch this video to learn about one family’s experience with a brown widow infestation.

    A couple in rural Florida was fighting a losing battle against brown widow spiders that had infested their yard. After several failed DIY attempts at exterminating the pests, the family gave in and contacted a professional pest control company. The pest treatment kept the spiders at bay for a few days, until the homeowners realized that the spiders were around their windows. After replacing their home’s windows with new, tight window frames and scheduling several lawn spraying pest treatments, the brown widow spiders were finally under control.

  • Facts That You May Not Know About Spiders

    No matter how you feel about spiders, they are interesting creatures. Aside from being the cause of a call for residential pest control serving Dublin , spiders have some characteristics that you might not expect. Certain kinds of spiders are vegetarians, and not all the Daddy Long Legs you come across are even spiders. They can also jump significant heights. Before you call for pest removal services, keep reading to learn about some facts that you may not know about spiders. spider - facts

    Some Are Vegetarians

    To those who have dealt with pest control issues in the past, a spider might just be a spider. There are actually many species, however, and they have different characteristics. In fact, one of these species is vegetarian. Bagheera kiplingi is a species of spider that mainly eats vegetables, which means you don’t have much of a reason to be scared of them. This type of spider is indigenous to Central America, and they like trees that have plenty of protein in their leaves. While Bagheera kiplingi spiders are mainly vegetarians, they become carnivorous when the dry season comes around.

    Not All Daddy Long Legs Are Spiders

    You should handle a pest control problem no matter what kind of pest infestation you’re dealing with, but what you call a Daddy Long Legs might not even be a spider. In addition to actual spiders, the term Daddy Long Legs has described harvestmen and crane flies. The only actual spiders that fall under the Daddy Long Legs category are cellar spiders, although harvestmen are in the arachnid family. Even though your pest control professional can offer you just about any pest treatment you need, sometimes it helps to understand what you’re dealing with.

    Spiders Jump

    If you weren’t scared of spiders before, you might be when you learn that some kinds can jump about 50 times their own length. This information might make you more likely to call for pest control sooner rather than later, but you don’t need to worry too much. Spiders typically only do this while they’re hunting or escaping a predator in the wild.

  • Signs That Your Warehouse Has a Cockroach Infestation

    Keeping your warehouse pest-free can be essential for maintaining a happy and healthy staff and protecting your goods from damage . If you’re wondering if you may need commercial pest control services for cockroach extermination in Pleasanton, then continue reading to learn about what signs can mean that these bugs are living in your building. cockroach - infestation

    Feces

    When a cockroach infestation is underway, you are likely to spot their droppings around your building. Large roaches produce feces that are dark and cylindrical. Smaller roaches leave droppings that resemble black pepper or coffee grounds. Seeing significant amounts of cockroach feces can indicate the presence of a large infestation or one that has been going on for a while.

    Odors

    There are many different cockroach species, and some of these are known for giving off odors. If you have picked up on a strong smell in your warehouse that has a musty or oily quality, then this may be a sign of a cockroach infestation.

    Egg Cases

    Have you found what looks like an oval shaped egg sac behind a stack of boxes or in a crack in the wall? If so, then you may have located a cockroach’s egg case. Referred to by experts as oothecae, these egg cases are typically between 5mm and 10mm in length and are frequently found in hidden areas of a building that has a cockroach infestation.

    Cockroaches

    Finally, one of the easiest signs to identify when it comes to cockroach infestations is a cockroach. If you find one or more of these bugs, dead or alive, anywhere in your building, then there is a good chance that there are plenty more that you can’t see. Finally, if you are spotting cockroaches during daylight hours, then it is time to call a commercial pest control company. These insects are nocturnal, so seeing them during the day can mean that overcrowding has forced them out into the light and that you have a serious infestation underway.

  • Signs That There Are Silverfish in Your Home

    Silverfish are a common reason why homeowners end up calling a residential pest control company for pest extermination in Pleasanton. Because most traps that consumers can purchase and common DIY pest treatment methods are ineffectual in the long-term, professional pest extermination is often necessary for these insects.

    Silverfish are quick, secretive, and nocturnal, meaning that an infestation of these insects can often go unnoticed. However, there are some indicators to watch for that can mean you have a silverfish problem. First, sighting 1 or 2 of these insects in a bathroom or basement is one sign of an infestation. Also, you might notice damage to your clothing, documents, and wallpaper that is accompanied by their feces, which look like ground pepper.

    These bugs can survive in a range of environments, but they prefer humid spaces and develop faster where there is more moisture. For these reasons, controlling the amount of humidity in your home is one of the best ways to prevent future silverfish infestations.

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  • What Do Silverfish Do?

    Many people have heard of silverfish, but they may not know much about this household pest. Due to the silverfish mating cycle, pest control experts are often working year-round to perform pest removal services serving Dublin . These annoying pests are not necessarily dangerous to humans, but they are very destructive and require prompt and effective pest extermination at the first sign of infestation. Here is a look at what silverfish do: silverfish - pest

    Destroy Paper and Linen Products

    The silverfish diet consists of mainly carbohydrates and starch. In addition to certain foods, carbohydrates can be found in paper and linen products. Silverfish can destroy any range of paper and linen products in your home. Often, you will find small holes and yellow staining left on items a silverfish has eaten. They can destroy your family photographs, important documents, clothes, and furniture. Silverfish have even been found to eat the glue in book bindings and wallpaper because it contains starch. If you find a paper or linen product with holes and staining on it, then call for professional pest control right away. If allowed, silverfish will continue to destroy your personal items.

    Destroy Pantry Supplies

    Since silverfish are attracted to carbohydrates, they tend to gravitate toward the pantry. They will look for foods that are high in carbohydrates, such as sugar, bread, oats, cereals, and flour. Once a silverfish has found its food supply, it will make its nest as close as possible. This means that much of your pantry could be at risk of contamination or infestation of silverfish.

    Live for Years

    Silverfish can live for several years, about 2 to 8, if the environmental conditions are right. Even if there are no food supplies, a silverfish can survive up to a year as long as it has access to a water supply. Within its lifetime, a female can lay up to 100 eggs. These eggs will hatch and eventually become adults within 3 to 4 months. Females can also lay eggs year-round, meaning that silverfish could appear at any time of the year.

  • Removing Pests from Your Attic

    Pests can hide in many different places on your property, whether inside or outside your home. Attics are areas that commonly require pest control treatments. Read on to learn more about the process of removing pests from your attic and why you should leave this service in the hands of a pest control company in Pleasanton, CA .

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    Find Out What Type of Pests You Have

    In order to form a proper plan of attack for pest control and removal, it’s important to identify your enemy. Are the insects easily recognizable? For example, are you dealing with ants, cockroaches, or spiders? Or perhaps you have flying and stinging pests, like bees, wasps, and yellow jackets. You may even have an infestation of insects that are less familiar—fleas, earwigs, sow bugs, or silverfish. Do some research to find out who your main pest extermination target is so you can hire the right company for the job.

    Contact a Professional

    Contact a professional pest management service and explain your pest control problem. They’ll likely set up a time to come by your home or business and investigate the infestation in your attic. Then, they’ll choose the appropriate measures to take based on the type of infestation and its precise location in your attic. If you’re hesitant to contact an extermination service because of environmental concerns, remember that many pest management companies offer eco-friendly pest control that is safe for you and your family as well as the environment.

    Work on Prevention

    Prevent a future infestation by ensuring that bugs and other pests don’t find themselves in your home or business again. Take some time to inspect the exterior of your home for small holes or cracks, which are vital portals for pests of all kinds. Even the smallest holes can grant pests access to your home’s walls and foundation. Check for these crevices in the roof flashing, behind gutters, and in your home’s vent screens. Finally, keeping trees, shrubs, bushes, and other plants a good distance away from your home—8 to 10 feet should do the trick—can deprive pests of hiding spots so that you can more easily spot their trail in the future.

  • Tips for Avoiding Pests in Your Pantry

    Even in the most immaculate of clean kitchens, pests can still find their way into your pantry. No matter how clean your kitchen is, there are still certain precautions you can take to avoid the inevitable pest in your pantry. While pest extermination near Dublin is your best bet in riding your pantry from bugs; there are some things you can do to keep your pantry pest free. Keep reading for some helpful tips on pest control in your kitchen.

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    Know What Pests to Look Out For

    Knowing what types of insects or pests are attracted to food and items stored in your pantry can help you know what you are up against. Certain bugs are attracted to the food and drawn into the pantry, and others can show up in food purchased from the grocery store. Since insects can reproduce year round and have many different life cycles, it may be hard to determine what is where. Indian meal moths are one of the most commonly found pests in pantries. They are able to lay hundreds of eggs at a time near food. Other popular culprits include different types of beetles.

    Prevent Pests in Your Kitchen

    In addition to pest removal services, your best line of defense against these critters is prevention. Many times you can eliminate pests in your food by avoiding bringing them home in the first place. When shopping for food, especially packaged items such as sugar or flour, you should be sure to check that it is properly sealed and the container has not been damaged.

    Learn the Best Way to Store Food

    Once food is in your pantry, proper storage can help keep unwanted pests out. For best results, using airtight containers can prevent bugs from getting into food. Be mindful of expiration dates on food, and use older items before opening new ones. Of course, when in doubt consult a local pest extermination expert for tips on pest control.

  • Preparing Your Property for the Spring

    Springtime means many things: warmer temperatures, blooming flowers, and a reprieve from the winter. Even though Spring means mostly good things, it also brings about many unwanted pests and critters. Depending on the type of pest, many different areas of any property can be affected. From trees to lawns to a freshly planted garden, pests can easily destroy your landscape. Pest removal services can be used to prevent such damage, all while being minimally invasive to your yard. With proper preparation and pest control near San Jose, CA however, your property will be just as beautiful as ever come springtime. This article will provide you with some helpful tips to get your yard ready for the spring—and the pests that may arrive as well.

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    Know What to Expect

    Certain pests or bugs may be attracted to certain things. When planning your springtime planting, do a little bit of research to help you figure out what you might be bringing into your yard. A simple Internet search can help identify what plants or trees are attractive to unwanted visitors. This will also help in removing them from your property.

    Take Extra Steps in Preparation

    Lawn spraying or other types of preventative measures can make it much easier to rid your yard of pests. Pack rats are a common infestation in many yards, so be sure to close off any areas where they can make a habitat. Using a fencing material to cover any holes around the property can keep pests out.

    Hire Professionals

    In most cases, hiring professionals is the best way to ensure that your property will be ready for the spring. Businesses that offer pest control services are the leading experts in knowing what you and your property might be up against. You can be assured that no part of your property will be vulnerable to pests come springtime when hiring local professionals to take care of all your pest control needs.