Don't blame your pets if your house gets fleas this summer. More than likely, they'll be among the unfortunate hosts for the pests and suffer enough before they're treated. But fleas can come inside your home on your clothes, on plants you bring in from the garden or anything else that will sustain them until they get to the carpets, furniture and countless fabrics that decorate your dwelling.
The key is to treat your yard just as you do your house. Since it may be a lot larger and more difficult to isolate the culprits there, it's best to call in a commercial pest control team from a company like Abel Pest Control. They can assess the scope of the project, come up with a treatment plan and rid your property of fleas and their larvae whether they've remained outdoors or infiltrated your home.
Good lawn care will keep fleas at bay. These insects are drawn to shady areas and long, moist grass. If the lawn is cut short and not watered any more than necessary, it will deter them. If you have other vegetation on your property, take the same precautions so they don't harbor fleas as well. Cut back tree branches that are low-lying and shrubbery that's overgrown and touching the house.
In addition, practice pest management that will keep rats and mice away from the premises. Keep garbage bins well-fitted with covers and placed some distance from the house. Seal any cracks in foundations and gaps around any pipes or cables going into the house. These steps will help you keep rodents, which are prime carriers of fleas, from getting into your home.
To stop fleas from developing habitats where they can lay eggs, remove debris and yard waste from your property. That includes any piles of lumber, bricks, stones and discarded plant pots. Any of these places may get damp and invite fleas to seek refuge there. Also, don't neglect the crawl spaces under porches and decks.
Finally, in spite of your efforts to remove fleas from your property, your dogs and cats may become infested with the insects. If they're seen scratching excessively, suffer hair loss or develop scabs, fleas are a likely cause. Over-the-counter remedies may not be effective, so a visit to a veterinarian may be necessary, in addition to bathing with flea shampoo and combing out their fur.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
