When To Call an Exterminator

As a homeowner, you may struggle with the decision to deal with pests on your own or call an exterminator when you see bugs or rodents. These signs will tell you when to call a professional instead of trying to handle it on your own.

Potential Danger

Some pests can be dangerous to try to capture or kill without the necessary knowledge and equipment. Examples include poisonous spiders, stinging insects, large rodents and more. Others, such as termites, can cause damage to your home if the problem is not addressed. If there is any change that your safety may be put in jeopardy, it’s time to call an exterminator Staten Island NY.

Children or Pets

Certain chemicals are more hazardous to children and animals than they are to adults. Attempting to rid your home of pests on your own could put your kids and pets at risk. A professional will know what chemicals are safe to use.

Lots of Pests

If you are seeing high numbers of insects in your home or trapping a higher than average amount of rodents, you may have a serious problem. It is wise to call an exterminator to quickly address the problem before it gets worse.

Fear of Insects

If you are terrified of bugs or absolutely hate mice, you may want to call for help. There’s no need to work up the courage to kill each individual spider when you could just have a professional come and routinely spray your home to prevent unwanted pests from entering.

If you feel that you are putting yourself in danger by handling the situation on your own, you have children or pets, you’ve seen a lot of pests in the house or you are afraid of insects, it is probably best to go ahead and call the exterminator.… Read more

Three Things You Need to Know About Bed Bugs

Three Things You Need to Know About Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are not something you ever want to see crawling in your bedroom or on your bed and truth be told it is unlikely you will see one there. However, there has been a resurgence of bed bug outbreaks across most metropolitan areas in the United States due to changes in pesticide use, changes in pest management in residential areas and increased international travel. Here are three things you should know about bed bugs to protect you and your loved ones from an infestation.

Prevention of Bed Bugs

Whenever you travel or visit a hospital or another person’s residence, inspect the mattress and box spring carefully for any signs of bedbugs. The bugs are tiny and are typically red after a feed or more translucent when babies or without a feed. They also can molt and have eggs that can be visible to the eye. Another telltale sign of bed bugs are tiny blood stains on light sheets from the bites they make on their source of blood. When there are signs of bites on your body they are often in a line or in clusters.

Bed Bugs are Hard to Find

Many times, bed bugs Salem OR go undetected for months or even years because they can find a home virtually anywhere and can go long periods of time without a food source of blood. They are tiny and can hide very easily and only come out in the middle of the night to eat. Often times the bites may not cause a reaction at all on people. They can attach themselves to any fabric or material like luggage, clothing or furniture or even the screw-head of a TV.

Extermination

Generally, the preferred treatment for exterminating a bed bug infestation is heat treatments or structural fumigation. These treatments can be costly and time consuming but produce the best results for complete elimination. Another challenge regarding treatment is when there are multi-family units in apartments or condos or townhomes where the spread is very easy and can be hard to eliminate unless every single affected unit is treated.… Read more

Problems You May Encounter When Buying a Home in the Country

If you have dreamed of settling in the countryside on acres of land with sprawling lawns all around, you aren’t alone. As more jobs allow for remote working and telecommuting, the decision to move into rural areas is becoming more common. A recent study showed a 30 percent rise in home-based workers, and a rise in productivity and job satisfaction as work hours became more flexible. Before you buy that home that stands in the rural countryside, consider these three problems you may encounter when buying that home.

Road Maintenance

If you have never lived outside of town, you may not realize that the road linking country homes to the main street is the responsibility of the homeowner. That can include street cleaning, snow removal, pothole repairs, and de-icing. Many country services will let homeowners pay a monthly fee to keep roads clear, and the service can be well worth it in heavily snow-laden areas.

Septic System

There is no sewer system that takes your refuse away to a major city artery when you live in the country. Instead, there are septic tanks and drain fields to deal with. You may have to learn to take shorter showers, use a new type of detergent, or even start a compost heap. The use of septic tank Orlando FL is very different than when you could pour anything you wanted down the drain.

Power Problems

When big storms hit, the power frequently goes out, and it may stay out for days. That is why most rural homeowners have a backup power source available. Some choose a firewood burning stove with a cooktop or a full propane underground tank with a propane generator. Staying warm, having the ability to cook, and heating water are all vital when your power is out for several days.

If your dream is to live off the main road, then go for it! But make sure you know what you are getting into before you make that dream come true. The three tips listed above will help.… Read more

Ways to Prepare for Summer in Texas

Summers in the southwest United States can take a toll on its residents. Here are some steps to take before the summer months hit, to make sure you are best prepared for the rising temperatures.

Invest in Insect Screens

With the weather heating up, there is always an uptick in bug activity. Purchasing a bug screen to ward off these critters can provide relief while cooling off on an outdoor porch or deck.  Depending on your specific needs and budget, there are a wide variety of screen types to choose from. If you own pets, you can also look into screens that will be able to withstand dog paws and cat claws.

Check Your Air Conditioning System

When the temperatures soar, sometimes it is worth the added cost to have an air conditioning unit in your home. If your home does not have air conditioning, or you are interested in getting your air conditioner repaired or updated, it can be a better idea to take care of it before the weather gets too warm. Find a company near you with an internet search. If you live in Magnolia, search for air conditioning magnolia tx to find air conditioning installers near you.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

Although it may seem rather obvious, almost 80% of Americans do not drink enough water to keep their bodies out of a state of dehydration. During summer, it is even more imperative to drink water to compensate for sweat cooling down your body. Make sure to have several glasses per day, and add water-rich foods to your diet, such as watermelon and cucumber, for an extra boost.

Although looking toward the midyear temperature increase can seem dismal, it does not have to be difficult to deal with the heat. Using these solutions is guaranteed to help keep you cool and feeling good all summer long.… Read more

3 Signs That You Have a Termite Problem

Being a homeowner means keeping a watchful eye out for any problems that can have devastating effects on your home. One of the most important things to keep an eye out for is signs of termite damage. Termites live in dry wood such as door and window frames, or even in the foundations of your house. Here are three signs that you may have a termite problem. If you notice any of these things in your home, it’s important that you research professional termite treatments Fort Myers FL right away.

Flying Termites

If you are vigilant, you may be able to see the termites flying around your home before they infest the wood. These are termites that have left a nearby nest in order to build a new colony. Discarded wings are another sign of potential trouble, as termites shed their wings after finding a mate.

Hollow Timber

An area that has termite damage will sound hollow when knocked on. If the damage is severe enough, your finger or hand may even go right through the wood. This is because termites devour wood from the inside out, which leaves only a thin covering of wood behind.

Strange Sounds

Although termites are small, you can actually hear them working if you press your ear to the walls! They are noisy eaters, and you may be able to hear a rustling or munching sound as they work. If soldier termites feel that they are in danger, they will bang their heads against the wood to create a rattling sound in order to warn the rest of the colony.

If you suspect that your home has termites, its best to get control of the problem before serious structural damage occurs. Reaching out to to an exterminator early on can avoid costly repairs down the line.… Read more