• What Is Attracting Cockroaches to My Home?

    Realizing you have a cockroach infestation in Dublin is uncomfortable, so you and your pest control team should work on a solution quickly. Then you can get back to being comfortable in your home, knowing that it’s safe and free of pests. If you want to make sure the cockroach infestation doesn’t come back, you should know what draws the roaches to your living space. Continue reading to learn exactly what is attracting cockroaches to your home.

    Food

    If you rarely clean your kitchen, you shouldn’t be surprised when you find yourself with a pest control emergency on your hands. Every living being needs some kind of sustenance in order to survive, and cockroaches are happy to feast on the crumbs and scraps that they find in your house. That’s why it’s so crucial that you clean up food and drink spills in your kitchen—and anywhere else in your house—and make sure you store your food properly. Put your leftovers in airtight containers before you put them in the fridge, and don’t leave trash bags with food scraps sitting around.

    Moisture

    In addition to food, cockroaches need a source of moisture to stay alive and create an infestation. Homeowners also need moisture to do the dishes and wash the floors. When you’re finished with your chores in the kitchen, make sure you do a good job of drying up all the excess moisture. You also need to be concerned with your plumbing appliances. All it takes is a small puncture in one of your pipes to create a leak that causes mold growth and invites cockroaches and other pests.

    Clutter

    When there are a lot of places for bugs to hide, it’s harder to notice that there’s an infestation. Cockroaches know this and take full advantage of it. Clean your living space regularly so you will notice the presence of an infestation immediately.

  • Easy Ways to Keep Sowbugs Out of Your Home

    Although sowbugs are unattractive creatures, they’re no more than a nuisance when they enter the home. They don’t bite, transfer disease, or typically even eat living plants, so there’s no reason to freak out if you find one inside. You will still want to get rid of these unwelcome guests, however, by calling for a residential pest control service serving Pleasanton. You can even avoid the need for pest extermination by knowing what sowbugs look for and how to make your living space unappealing to them .

    Since sowbugs are unable to keep moisture in their bodies, they spend as much time possible in damp environments and even dry out and die when they spend too much time away from moisture. You can make your home less desirable by controlling your moisture and taking away any potential hiding spots for these pests. Additionally, you should seal up any access points that the bugs might use to gain entry to your home. Fix any holes in your screens and glass panes right away, and keep your doors and windows tightly closed.

  • What Makes Spider Silk So Strong?

    Some people are scared of them, others are fascinated by them, and many feel both ways about spiders. There’s more to spiders than simply being a reason to call pest control near Dublin, and learning about them might make you less afraid. Watch this video to find out what makes spider silk so strong.

    You’ve probably walked through a spider web in the dark before, and you might have noticed that it doesn’t just snap and fall apart all at once. These webs are very ductile, which means they stretch out rather than break immediately. First the thread is pulled, then its proteins unfold and the thread stiffens before gradually breaking apart. Hydrogen bonds repeatedly reform in an attempt to keep the thread together, and watery droplets make the spider silk more elastic and thus better able to resist breaking.

  • Reasons Why Homeowners Should Avoid DIY Pest Control

    It might be tempting to save a few bucks on professional pest control services in Pleasanton, CA. Unfortunately, it’s a costly mistake that you’ll likely regret. When you’re facing an unpleasant problem like a cockroach infestation, you need it cleared up effectively and quickly. Taking a DIY approach to pest control will only waste your time and energy, and it’ll be quite frustrating when you discover that it didn’t work.

    Different pests require different control strategies.

    The average homeowner probably doesn’t know the differences between a silverfish and a firebrat. And sometimes, the specific type of pest is impossible to identify because the homeowner only sees the secondary signs of its presence. The problem with this is that different pests respond differently to pest treatments. A professional can quickly and accurately identify the type of infestation, and determine which treatments will be most effective for clearing it up.

    DIY pest control is often ineffective.

    Homeowners who try DIY pest treatments may be successful at treating part of the infestation. It’s easy to assume that if a homeowner doesn’t actually see any bugs, there aren’t any in the building. This creates a false sense of security. Even if the homeowner eliminates an ant trail, for instance, this doesn’t eliminate the underlying source of the infestation. An insect control specialist knows how to track an infestation back to the source, and how to eliminate all traces of the pests.

    Infestations often reoccur.

    One of the problems with pests is that they are everywhere. Even if you keep a clean home and have sealed up points of entry, it’s inevitable that insects will re-enter your home. It’s necessary to call in the professionals for continued pest management. An experienced technician can identify your home’s unique needs, and formulate a long-term control plan to keep your family safe from troublesome insects.

    DIY pest control can put your health at risk.

    Yet another reason why DIY pest control isn’t a good idea is because it can put your health at risk. Many people have allergies to insect stings and bites, and to cockroaches. Exposure to your allergen is unpleasant at the very least, and potentially life-threatening in the worst case scenario.

  • How Do Bugs Live Through Winter?

    One of the perks of the return of chilly weather is that it provides natural insect control. But where exactly do insects go during the winter? Watch this featured video to find out. Clearly, not all insects die when colder weather strikes. Otherwise, residential pest control companies in Pleasanton, CA wouldn’t be so busy in the spring and summer. It turns out that different species of bugs have their own methods of coping with the dropping temperatures.

    A few insects fly south for the winter. These include some species of butterflies and dragonflies. Other insects brave the cold by burrowing into soil or leaf litter, and entering a type of hibernation. In fact, some bugs can pump alcohols throughout their tissues, which work like antifreeze. Other bugs, like crickets, reproduce in the fall and then die, leaving the eggs or larvae to grow into the next generation.

  • Your 2017 Pest Forecast for Fall and Winter

    In the fall and winter, many families end up needing pest control in Dublin as insects and other pests make their way indoors to find food and shelter. Watch this video to see the National Pest Management Association’s Fall/Winter pest forecast for 2017.

    Factors like flooding in some areas and heat waves in others are projected to increase pest activity nationwide. This fall and winter, mice are anticipated to be a bigger problem than usual in the Pacific Northwest. As for the Southwest and West Coast, hot temperatures are expected to promote more ant and cockroach infestations. In the Midwest, mild weather has led to increased rodent populations that will look for shelter indoors as winter approaches. Finally, the Northeast can anticipate seeing stink bug, ladybug, and mice problems this year, and the Southeast can expect increased ant, termite, and mosquito activity.

  • FAQs about Silverfish Infestations

    When the conditions outside are less than ideal, some bugs—known by pest control companies as occasional invaders—will make their way into homes. One of these pests is the silverfish. Keep reading to learn the answers to common questions that pest control services near Pleasanton hear about silverfish infestations.

    Why are silverfish in my home?

    Silverfish may be in your home due to unfavorable weather conditions outside. Or, considering that these bugs thrive in damp environments, things like high humidity levels or plumbing leaks may serve as invitations for silverfish to make your home theirs. Because they need to be in a moist environment to survive, you are most likely to see these bugs in areas like basements and bathrooms.

    Are silverfish infestations dangerous?

    Silverfish are not a threat to humans. However, because they like to feed on paper items, they can end up causing damage to items like wallpaper and books. Silverfish might also get into and contaminate food in your pantry.

    How can I prevent a silverfish infestation?

    As with any pest, one way to help keep silverfish out of your home is to seal up any gaps or cracks that they might use to get inside. Besides creating barriers to keep them out, you can help discourage silverfish from entering your home by removing sources of moisture. To do this, repair any roof or plumbing leaks that you may have, better insulate damp attics and crawlspaces, remove rotting wood, use a dehumidifier, and run your bathroom fans after showers and baths to help control moisture. Lastly, remember to keep your dry goods in bug-proof containers and clean up pantry spills right away.

    How can I get rid of a silverfish infestation?

    Implementing the preventive steps listed above is a good pest control strategy that might take care of your silverfish problem. However, if they continue to be a nuisance in your home despite taking these steps, then consider hiring a residential pest treatment company for professional insect control services.

  • Benefits of Commercial Pest Control

    No matter what kind of business you own, maintaining a clean and comfortable facility is important for promoting the health of the people in the building and supporting your workforce’s satisfaction. Besides this, depending on your industry, adhering to regulations regarding facility cleanliness can mean the difference between keeping your doors open or not. For these reasons, many business owners hire commercial pest control near Pleasanton when they notice the first signs of an infestation in their building. Clip art

    Whether you’re dealing with an ant issue, a cockroach infestation, or some other type of pest problem, you have several good reasons to consider taking advantage of commercial pest control services. By acting immediately and calling in a professional, you can tackle your pest problem before it becomes a bigger one. Also, eliminating infestations from your property can help promote the health of you can your team, as many bugs can spread germs as they crawl from one surface to another. Finally, commercial pest control can help make your building more comfortable to work in by ridding it of unwanted pests.

  • How Cockroaches Can Affect Your Family’s Health

    For many people, just the sight of cockroaches is disturbing enough for them to call a pest control company. However, these bugs can be more than unsightly. If you’ve seen some of these pests in your home and you’re unsure if you should call for cockroach extermination in Dublin , then keep reading to learn how these vermin can affect your family’s health.

    They Can Spread Germs

    The feeling of disgust that many people feel when they see a cockroach is not unjustified. These insects are known to spread a variety of human pathogens, such as salmonella, E. coli, and giardia. Cockroaches typically spread germs by crawling around in unsanitary areas and collecting bacteria and parasites on their legs. Then, as they crawl across tables and countertops at night, they can leave behind pathogens that may later be contracted by people.

    Insect

    They Can Trigger Allergies

    It’s bad enough that cockroaches can spread a variety of germs and diseases, but there is another health threat for you to consider. Cockroaches can trigger allergy symptoms in sensitive individuals, and they can also exacerbate asthma symptoms. The allergen trigger can be found in cockroach saliva, droppings, and decomposing bodies, and it can be particularly problematic for children. For these reasons, contacting a professional pest treatment company about your cockroach infestation can be a smart way to protect your family’s health.

    They’re Hard to Get Rid Of

    Unfortunately for many homeowners, cockroaches are incredibly resilient, rendering many amateur attempts at extermination unsuccessful. If you have a cockroach problem that you want to eliminate as soon as possible, then consider calling a local pest control company. To help make your home less hospitable for cockroaches in the future, seal up all possible entryways, such as drains, light sockets, and gaps around your home’s exterior. Also, remove sources of moisture, such as leaky pipes and dripping faucets. Finally, maintain a clean home by washing food dishes immediately, cleaning crumbs from eating surfaces, and vacuuming regularly.

  • What Pests Are Dangerous to Your Pets?

    Residential pest control services don’t just protect your family from the dangers of disease-carrying insects. They also help to protect your pet. Talk to your pest control services provider in Dublin to make sure your pet is protected from these common invaders. dog - bee

    Fire Ants

    Fire ants cause painful stings in humans, but for animals, they can be dangerous. Cats are vulnerable to fire ant stings. That is because fire ants leave their stingers behind, and the stingers can continue to release toxins. The toxin can be overwhelming to cat’s bodies, especially when a small cat receives a large amount of toxin. Likewise, some cats are allergic to fire ants and go into anaphylactic shock after being stung. Your pest control specialist can help you get rid of ants on your property to keep your animals safe.

    Spiders

    Spiders can be dangerous for humans and animals alike. Pets are more vulnerable to toxins from spiders because of their smaller size. Even bites that don’t cause serious health symptoms can cause pets a significant amount of discomfort. Black widow and brown recluse spiders are the most dangerous to pets. If you notice any of these poisonous spiders near your property or an increase in the amount of spiders near your home in general, discuss your options with your pest control specialist.

    Wasps and Bees

    Bees and wasps are scary for all members of your family. For pets, bee and wasp stings are painful and can cause serious allergic reactions. Pets that have been stung once are actually more likely to have a dangerous reaction on subsequent stings. Although bees and wasps are dangerous to your loved ones, don’t ever try to remove a nest yourself. Nest removal can cause the bees or wasps to attack you and any of your family members who are nearby. Let a professional pest control company handle the removal for you, as they have the proper training and safety equipment.