Ants, Bees, Birds, FAQ, Featured, Fleas, food, General Pest Control, General Rodent, Pest Control, Spiders, Ticks, Uncategorized, Wasp
A Bug-Free BBQ
The countdown has begun! One of our favorite holidays has to be the Fourth of July! It’s a perfect time to spend with family and friends, enjoying each other’s company and commemorating the birth of the nation. Many Americans choose to celebrate with pool parties, BBQs, and major events. But just like every other outdoor activity, Pests can strike without warning! Let’s face it, bugs are JUST AS American as mom, baseball, and apple pie… in fact, bugs are worldwide!!! This year, though, we’re going to help you avoid those flying,crawling, and squirming party crashers. Below are our top tips for having a bug-free Fourth!
1) Stay Away From Water
“One if by land, two if by sea!” doesn’t just apply to Paul Revere! Given the chance, insects will come from any direction possible… Land, sea or air! Stagnant bodies of water are particularly popular with insects… in fact, that’s where many insects breed and lay their eggs.
As picturesque as having your outing by the lake may seem, consider moving the festivities (or at least the food) a bit further away to cut down on insect presence.
Also, be sure to scout out the area before setting up. If you notice there there is already a heavy insect presence, then BY ALL MEANS don’t set up shop there! Remember, prevention is ALWAYS easier and far less hassle than dealing with it after the fact!!!
2) Cover Your Food
Let’s face it… in a lot of ways, insects are just like us… they love, love, LOVE sticky sweets. And with that fine spread out on the table (hot dogs, potato salad, watermelon, and cobblers), it acts like a big target sign to attract bugs looking for a meal. The best way to stop them? Cover up! Use Tupperware containers for an eco-friendly solution, or cover your food with plastic wrap or tinfoil.
3) Put the Off ON!
Bug repellent comes in many forms, most notably in lotions (or sprays) that you can apply directly to your skin. This is useful for kids especially, as they are often unaware of potential “bug zones” and these lotions may assist in providing a barrier as they play.
If you’re averse to the idea of putting repellent on your body, there are other methods available. Some people swear by pest repellent candles or citronella “torches.” Another alternative (and not quite so “eye-grabbing” is to use insect-repellent incense. Incense can come in the form of small sticks, or in a spiral shape that slowly burns down and repels most insects (notably mosquitoes).
4) Clean Up!
Just like setting up shop near a lake can be ideal, it can also be tempting to put the trash receptacle very close to the table or close to where everyone is congregating. After all, who wants to walk away from the action just to throw food away? Well, aside from obvious health concerns about having garbage in the midst of activities, the trash can also be a HUGE attractant to wayward insects. They just LOVE the smell of fresh food! Walk a few extra steps to throw away trash and it can help you eliminate the need to swat flies or wasps while eating!
Sure, these methods won’t guarantee 100% bug eradication, but they’ll definitely reduce the amount of unwelcome visitors at your Awesome 4th of July celebration! Have additional tips or tricks you’d like to share? How about a favorite BBQ recipe? Let us know in the comment section or Tweet us so we can share it with the Pro Pacific Community! Call us today for all your pest control needs!
Bees, FAQ, Featured, General Pest Control, Pest Control, Wasp
Down And Dirty Guide to Bee and Wasp Control
Due to the warmer climate of Southern California, many businesses and homeowners find themselves housing unwanted tenants: Bees and wasps!
Though bees (and even wasps) can be helpful to the ecosystem due to their pollination habits, many people consider them to be a potential health hazard. It’s estimated that 2 million Americans are allergic to bee stings. Even if you’re not allergic to bee stings, the stings are painful and can lead to discomfort days later in some cases.
Bees also release a hormone that acts an attractant which causes other bees to swarm the area (that’s why bees know which threat to target if a hive is in danger).
By late summer or early fall, bees and wasps have often reached their population peak. Reproduction slows down over the winter months, but the population (and the hive) can continue to grow indefinitely if left alone. Fortunately, their are many pest control companies who offer extermination services. We even offer LIVE bee relocations to reduce the ecological impact that a removal can have!
So what should you look for if bees or wasps are a concern? Below is a quick guide to 5 common bees and wasps to help you as the weather starts to heat up:
1). Yellow Jackets are very versatile in their home selection. usually they prefer to build a nest (often football shaped) high in a tree or under eaves of houses. If those spaces aren’t available, though, they’ll sometimes choose to set up shop in wall voids, tree stumps, attics and other places.
It’s called “yellow *jacket*” but you’ll never find it exploring in cold weather…
2). Paper Wasps are large, dark and have long legs, and build open nests, often in sheds or unused structures. The queen lives through winter months and continues to build at the same location, which can lead to very large nests and very large populations.
Paper wasps should NOT be confused with paper boys. One will bring you the news, the other can cause you to be IN the news
3). Mud Daubers build the nests you see that are mud stuck on the side of a structure, usually under the eaves or in an attic. The nest has to be kept dry, so they are usually found in very hard to reach locations.
If aliens exist, we imagine they would probably look like this!
4). Honey Bees are most known for their honey hoarding, but they also help a lot in pollination and plant reproduction. They have stingers that detach from the body once used (which, incidentally, kills the bee). Honey bees often nest in trees and produce nests which, if left alone, can grow quite large!
“Eat, Sleep, Gather Nectar, Repeat”
5). Bumble Bees are larger than their cousins, the Honey Bees. Though both have very similar characteristics, their hive structure varies. Bumblebees have a very “messy” hive, and prefer to nest in areas that have plenty of shade.
“I’m not fat, I’m just big-exoskeletoned”
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So do you have a bee hive or wasp nest? Or maybe you’ve spotted a swarm that’s looking to take up residence at YOUR residence? We do exterminations, live bee relocation, and hive removals! Give us a call now for your FREE estimate!
FAQ, General Pest Control, News, Pest Control
Why Should I Choose Pro Pacific Pest Control?
Recently in the PPPC Blog (as well as on our Twitter and Facebook pages), we’ve taken a look at major problems that have impacted the country, and even looked at rising pest problems. We’ve covered the benefits of choosing a professional pest control service VS DIY, and even taken a look at the safety and efficacy of materials used.
Without a doubt, pest activity is on the rise… especially now as we move from winter to spring and into summer. Insects and rodents who remained more or less dormant during the winter will soon become more active, and as a result, they’ll look for food and shelter… will they find an ideal environment in your home?
Pests can be a huge hassle, and they can interrupt and inconvenience you and your hectic schedule, which is all the more reason to use a professional pest control service to protect your home and family.
With so many pest control companies out there, and with the threat of infestation looming it can be hard to decide which company is the best.
- Why Should I Choose PPPC?
There is a plethora of reasons why you should choose PPPC for your pest control needs. We’ve listed ten of the best reasons, but to truly “get” why our services are so awesome, you absolutely HAVE to experience it for yourself!
1 — At Pro Pacific Pest Control, we hold ourselves to a higher standard: all our technicians are trained to handle the most up to date technologies and are recognized by the Pest Control Operators of California.
2 — Our technicians are true professionals: from conduct to uniforms to punctuality, they strive to be the best representatives around.
3 — We have more than ten years of experience serving residents of Orange, San Diego, and Riverside Counties.
4 — We always seek to help the environment while we protect your home: We’re working to reduce our carbon footprint via paperless billing, up to date equipment, and fuel efficient vehicles!
5 — We utilize the latest in pest management programs to provided precise, targeted care for your home.
6 — We’re open Saturdays, and can often arrange same-day visits to fit your busy schedule.
7 — We’re engaged in all phases of pest management: pest control, rodent control, bee removal and bird abatement. We offer preventative services and targeted “one-time” services. Though we specialize in residential/home application, our highly-skilled technicians can also offer effective pest control solutions for your business
8 — Our services are guaranteed! Many one-time services have a 30 day guarantee, and if you have an ongoing subscription service but a problem arises, we can often come out and solve the problem with no additional cost to you!
9 — We do everything we can to keep our services as low cost as possible. Go ahead, ask around… you’ll find that we offer the best services for the price. It’s quality service that we proudly stand behind.
10 — We listen! Our number one focus is YOU! we tailor our treatments and services around your busy schedule, providing the best possible solution for your needs! We do all the work, so you don’t have to!
- Is your company locally owned?
We get it. It can be intimidating to have some corporate entity come to your house. Fortunately, small businesses like ours are still thriving… and we’re able to do so because of our close relationships with our customers. We live in the communities we serve, and we’re proud of that fact!
Pro Pacific Pest Control is a local, family-owned business. For over a decade, brothers Ben and Shane Hoy have been involved in every aspect of pest control, serving residents throughout Southern California. The Hoy family strongly believes in both integrity and superior service, and Pro Pacific Pest Control has been shaped according to those standards. PPPC is always searching for ways to improve customer experience while keeping prices down. Under the guidance of Ben and Shane, PPPC has explored new technologies designed to be safer and more effective, while still providing the expert, personalized care that is so essential to our clients.
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All of us at Pro Pacific Pest Control are proud of the work that we put into serving our customers. If we haven’t had the pleasure of serving you yet, give us a call and experience what the “buzz” is all about!
FAQ
Pest Control – Is It Safe
Often, our clients have questions about the materials used for pest control; mainly due to children or pets being on the property. Safety is ALWAYS a primary concern when loved ones are involved (after all, that’s probably why you’re looking into pest control in the first place), so this time we’ll be looking at some commonly asked questions in regards to the materials used in pest prevention/extermination.
- Will the Stuff You Use Harm My Pets or Children?
Materials used in professional pest control services are strictly regulated by both Federal and State laws. As such, our highly-trained technicians make sure that any application is in accordance with those laws. The treatments are applied in such small concentrations that it should pose no threat to your loved ones.
If it is still a concern for you, however, it should be noted that the biggest boon to pet and child safety is to simply make sure they do not come in contact with any treated areas until the surface is dry. The material that is applied in treatment is in such small quantities that it does not remain in the air for very long, so the likelihood of breathing in the material is very low. Plus, the concentration used is designed to be applied at very low levels… after all, a mosquito is MUCH smaller than a human. Thus the quantity of materials used in a general pest prevention service poses no real threat to animals or humans.
On larger services, such as for fleas, we may inform you of additional precautions that may need to be taken. For example, bed bug services do require you to vacate the premises. That is the exception, though, not the norm.
- Does the Product Smell?
Most of the materials we use during our services have no scent at all. Some of our clients opt for botanical methods to be used, which may have a citrus, or wintergreen scent, depending on the botanical used. Otherwise, our customers often cannot smell any “aftereffects” of the service.
- Will the Materials Stain My Carpet, Curtains or Flooring?
Our technicians have been trained to use materials that won’t stain your valuable decor. We know you want to get rid of unsightly pests, we don’t want to add any problems to your busy schedule! Some materials do leave a slight residue, but those materials are often for outside use. Our technicians will vary the materials used to avoid leaving any residue and ensure that your drapes, carpets, and flooring are as clean as when we arrive!
- Do We Have to Leave Our Home for the Service?
For general pest control services, you don’t have to go anywhere. Our preventative services are designed to control pests before they enter your home. That means you can enjoy the benefits of pest control from the comfort of your living room. If you decide that you would like us to treat the inside as well, it’s not a problem! We do suggest that you avoid touching any treated areas until after it dries. In rare cases, extenuating circumstances may dictate that it would be beneficial to leave the premises for a short period of time while the treatment dries (i.e. if a client uses oxygen), but in a typical service you don’t have to do a thing!
We recognize that no one really wants to take time off for service, and we realize that you are very busy! Our services are designed to save you time, not cost you time! We are willing to work around your schedule and find a time that is convenient for you. That is why we have designed strategies that give you the “full effect” but do not require you to leave your home.
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So as you can see, pest control, when done properly, can be a safe and effective means to keeping pests out of your home. The best part is that it requires little to no time commitment… our awesome technicians take care of everything for you and make sure you and your family are safe at all times!!!
Have questions? Comment in the section below or drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter! Of course, we’re open Monday through Saturday for all of your pest control needs!
FAQ, Featured
Pest Control – “How Often” & “How Much?”
This week, we’re taking a look at some common concerns when looking into pest control: time and money. We already know that hiring a professional pest control company can save time, money, and effort. In this post, we’ll dive a little deeper into the subject and examine how quickly you can see results, and how often you should have your home treated to protect it from recurring pest problems.
- How long does it take to see results?
NOBODY likes to play “The Waiting Game!”
No one likes to wait…. and we definitely understand where you may be coming from with this question. The amount of time needed to completely eradicate any infestation can vary according to the pest involved and the severity of the infestation, but modern pest control methods are designed to deliver the quickest and longest-lasting results possible. Some pests, such as fleas and roaches have different life cycles, so multiple visits are scheduled in order to ensure that any eggs that were laid are also exterminated.
Similarly, rats are very intelligent, and very wary of new elements in their environment. They may avoid a new trap initially, and it takes time for them to lower their guard and attempt to get the bait inside. The biggest boon to exterminating rodents is to eliminate other sources of food to make the bait seem even more enticing.
In most cases, you will see results almost immediately. For particular trouble pests such as roaches, rodents and fleas, it may take a little longer… thus, secondary visits will be scheduled to ensure that the treatment has eradicated the pests and their offspring.
Sometimes, the key to success is patience. Infestations generally do not happen overnight, so sometimes eradication will not, either. Nevertheless, we want the pests out of your home as much as you do, and focus our efforts to make that happen as quickly as possible!
- Why Does It Take More Than One Treatment For Fleas, Ticks And Bed Bugs?
Fleas, ticks and bed bugs have different life cycles than other targeted species. During certain phases of their life cycle they are highly resistant to pest control methods. For example, fleas have a stage in which they are wrapped inside a cocoon… that cocoon shell can protect the flea pupae from the toughest of pest control defenses!
Targeted efforts are necessary to keep fleas and other pests from coming back after the initial treatment.
Knowing this, pest control companies schedule treatments to optimize efficacy of the methods used and ensure that the pests in question won’t return!
- How much is this going to cost me?
Every service is priced a little differently depending on the size of your home, the type of service, and the type of pest. Normally, our highly-trained team can give you a very good idea of pricing just by listening to your description of the situation. In some situations, we may request to send an account manager or technician to do a free inspection and estimate so that we give you the best deal possible.
Another factor that will dictate the cost of the service would be frequency. A one-time service is priced differently from our recurring services… but that’s because they are also designed to address different issues. One-time services are generally meant to eradicate a pre-existing infestation, while our ongoing services are designed to prevent infestations from occurring.
One mouse or ONE HUNDRED mice…. Which do YOU think is easier to get rid of?
The best option is, of course, preventative pest control. An recurring visit from your trusted pest control technician can save you THOUSANDS of dollars in the long run; termites and carpenter ants can cause structural damage to your home, potentially putting you (and your family) at danger. Other pests, such as rodents and cockroaches, can lead to severe sanitation issues (rodents will often nest in certain types of insulation, leaving food and feces all over the place and creating a breeding-ground for disease). Of course, this infested insulation would need to be removed (and replaced), which drives up the cost — all of which could be avoided by ongoing protection.
At Pro Pacific Pest Control, we strive to keep consumer cost down, and believe that we have the most valuable services at the most competitive prices!
- How Often Should I Have My Home Serviced?
Again, the frequency of services needed/recommended will be dictated by various factors, including home size, frequency of pests, and proximity to pest “hotspots.” For example, a house with a large yard that is in close proximity to a grove of trees has a higher likelihood of pests visiting than a house that has a very small yard and no trees around. Other determining factors can be nearby bodies of water (lakes, rivers, streams); nearby structures, and environmental factors.
Controlling pest infestations takes time, and using the right pest control products at the right time is key to successfully protecting your home. If you try to do it on your own, you will, in all likelihood, forget when to retreat. We monitor each residence and make sure to schedule treatments for maximum efficacy. The best part is: if, for some reason, you have a new onslaught of bugs appear between your regularly-scheduled services, Pro Pacific Pest Control will return and retreat at no additional cost!
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Fortunately, pest control companies know exactly what to look for, and have the equipment to best handle the pest problem at hand. These targeted efforts keep the cost to you down, and thus the cost of preventative service is mere pennies compared to repairing and sanitizing the results of prolonged pest damage.
Sometimes you need a Weapon of Mouse Destruction
Of course, in addition to one time services, Pro Pacific Pest Control ALSO has affordable monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly plans; all designed to save YOU money and address your pest problems… and all covered by our excellent service guarantee!
Book Your Free Consultation Now!
FAQ
Why Should I Hire Pest Control? Can’t I Do It Myself?
In the age of Pinterest, Etsy, and Instructables, it’s tempting to try DIY methods to achieve results we want: whether baking delicious snacks, cleaning your house, or making kids’ playsets out of boxes… but is it feasible to try and get rid of pests that pop up at home on your own?
When comparing DIY to professional services, there are four factors to consider: Money, Time, Knowledge, and Safety.
It’s All About The Washingtons, Baby!
At first glance, DIY seems to save money over professional services. With those professional services, though, comes specialization… Technicians have undergone extensive training and certification to be able to provide top notch services to their clientele. Techs will assess the situation (taking into account the size of your home and severity of the infestation) and then set up plans that are specific to your needs. A good technician will do everything he can to prevent infestation… DIY, however, is often a reactionary response to an existing problem.
It’s common to not even think about pest control until insects and rodents start to pop up… it’s certainly an instance of “out of sight, out of mind.” The best pest control, however, is proactive, not reactive. Often, by the time you notice ants, termites, or rodents in your house it’s TOO LATE. Pests don’t show up one at a time, either… they bring their friends to share in the wealth! Their presence, which could have been EASILY prevented by a regular service could now cause thousands of dollars in structural damage. Additionally, rats and other rodents often leave large deposits of feces from their activity inside insulation, walls, and crawlspaces, which need to be removed, sanitized, and repaired or replaced. These additional services can run into even more money, depending on the severity of infestation. So running to a hardware store to pick up generic chemicals may seem cheaper up front, but in the long run it could cost you thousands.
And sometimes the DIY method itself causes damage to your home… over the years, we’ve had people try their own pest control methods before calling a professional… in the end, they ended up damaging their own floors, walls, and shelves (which required extensive repair) AND the pests were STILL THERE!
Time: How Much Is Yours Worth?
Like the old adage says, “Time is money.” When most people consider DIY projects, the perceived time investment is “Just a couple minutes.” In actuality, it often involves much more time and effort from the homeowner… especially in pest control efforts. What starts as “a couple minutes” ends up taking more time… from leaving the house and battling traffic to buy supplies, to time doing research on methods, to application, to cleanup afterward… that time can add up. And that’s if everything goes RIGHT. If something goes wrong at any time during that process, it can tack on a significant amount of time to rectify problems. And in the end, all of those efforts may have little or no effect in any case (see above).
In the case of professional services, technicians strive to prevent infestation. The goal of preventative pest control is to stop the pests before they are able to get access to your home. Bugs thrive in nature. It’s where they’re born, where they breed, and (hopefully) where they die. Professional pest control is designed to stop pest issues before they reach your home. As a result, you’ll sleep more soundly knowing that you and your family are safe… Plus it’s convenient because most pest targeting methods don’t even require you to leave your home during treatment!
…You relax while the tech does the work? How’s THAT for a time commitment?!?
Knowledge: Knowing is Half the Battle
Yo, Joe!
Most people who try to do DIY projects use the internet as a knowledge resource… which can be a two-edged sword. Internet searches have become a part of our daily routine… we’ve even turned “Google” into a verb. Wikipedia has become a go-to resource. Information is abundant…
…but not all of that information is sound. Many information resources have turned to “crowd-sourcing” to collect information. In some cases, anonymity allows people to post without fear of consequences for distributing incorrect information. Incorrect information (or information that does not apply to the specific scenario at hand) can be another factor in whether or not your treatment is successful.
Professional technicians have gone through extensive training in order to handle an enormous variety of pest control situations. From tight spaces to awkward nesting areas to trouble zones, technicians have been “through the wringer” to make sure that they are knowledgeable in the field… and are rewarded by certification attesting to this fact.
Coupled with this knowledge, certified pest control technicians are trained to use the most up-to-date equipment available, increasing efficiency in pest treatment!
Safety: It Doesn’t Happen By Accident
WARNING: Exposure to pest control chemicals does NOT give you superpowers.
Not only do techs know where to target for best results, technicians are also trained to handle chemicals efficiently and safely. There are federal and state regulations concerning chemical usage. Technicians receive certification to handle these chemicals and make sure to follow these regulations very closely. They also take into account the overall safety of your family as well. Technicians will ensure that sprays and baits are performed in a way that you and your family don’t have to worry about exposure. Even your pets are safe! A can of spray can’t look out for your family’s safety like that!
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So to sum up; with DIY, any number of things could go wrong from planning to execution and cost you time AND money… But with trained technicians comes GUARANTEED safety and peace of mind… the value of which CANNOT be underestimated! Pro Pacific Pest Control has plenty of technicians ready to serve you TODAY at prices to fit any budget!
