Ants, Cockroaches, Mice, Pest Control, Rats
Why You Should Continue Your Pest Control Service In The Winter
Gloomy skies and dropping temperatures have many homeowners in San Diego, Riverside, & Orange County putting their guard down on pests. Residents have concluded that pests have been kept at bay and are no longer a threat to their household.At this time of year, the activity for common pests in our region has reduced significantly – making a discontinued pest control service seem like a sensible choice.
But all is not what it may seem…unforeseen bugs and vermin are lurking within the vicinity for a stealthy opportunity to invade an unsuspecting home.
Here are a few reasons why you should not withdraw from your pest control efforts in the winter. And possibly even giving your current pest control plans a boost at this time.
Winter Pests
Surprisingly, not all pests are hibernating or remain inactive during the winter season. Rodents, roaches and ants are common winter pests. Rodents will seek shelter indoors to remain protected from outdoor elements. Ants and roaches work year round collecting food.
A regular pest control service will help deter these winter pest infestations.
Prevent A Pest Problem
Pests are furtive and often difficult to spot when infesting your property. The problem has sually grown too large before it is noticed. That’s where your pest control technician comes in!
With every service, your technician provides a thorough inspection and identifies any potential pest problem before they begin. Any possible nesting grounds on your property are located and are monitored closely to make sure your home remains pest-free.
Be Prepared For Pest Primetime
Regular pest control treatment provides your home with perpetual protection from pests around your property. This barrier of protection keeps bugs and insects at bay year round.
Letting your guard down for any period of time significantly increases your chance of pest infestation. You won’t need to worry about the disease and problems associated with pests with an effective pest control plan in place.
Continuing your pest control service is not only a logical decision, it’s a great way to save money by not having to spend on ignored pest problems that have grown uncontrollable and created costly repairs.
And if you don’t have a pest control service in place, call us today for a free inspection & recommendations for a pest-free property around the clock!
Ants, Cockroaches, Mice, Pest Control, Property Managers, Rats, Silverfish
Properly Stowing Christmas Items To Prevent Pests
The joyous season has come and gone and our living rooms are left with the remnants of shredded wrapping paper and wilting trees. Soon Christmas decorations and memorabilia will be collected and put away in attics, sheds, or closets until next year.
But before you confine what was displayed in your home for the holidays into storage space, there are preliminary steps to perform to optimize your pest control efforts.
Piled up boxes with wrapped trinkets and strings of lights inside are ideal nesting areas for rodents and other pests. Here are some tips to keep nuisance vermin and pests away so your holiday collectibles are perfectly intact and preserved for next December.
– Clean Storage Space – Dust and sanitize the area where you plan to store Christmas boxes. Rodents and insects prefer a dingy area to nest since the accumulated dust particles represents a location with low activity. Removing the dirt particles and odorous scents will make pests feel less comfortable and discourage them from nesting.
– Use Plastic Containers – Although cardboard boxes are ubiquitous and economical after Christmas, they are not impenetrable to rodents. Rats and mice can gnaw through garbage bags or cardboard boxes, making nesting materials of the ornaments and packaging inside. Secure plastic containers prevent pests from accessing your storage boxes.
– Do Not Store Edible Items – If Santa didn’t finish his cookies, don’t save them for next year. Popcorn string and garlands made of fresh, edible material must be disposed of properly. Storing these items with the rest of your collectibles will keep the persistent pests around.
– Store Holiday Candles Separately – The scent from a candle can attract unwanted guests. Placing the candles in an area that is not exposed to extreme heat (e.g. attics or sheds) will resolve this problem. Wrap candles in cellophane to prevent them from melting together or transferring color in warm conditions.
– Store or Dispose Of Tree Properly – Fake trees conveniently fit into their boxes. Make sure the box is sealed so rodents cannot enter. Real trees should be chopped up or taken to a Christmas tree collection or recycling center. Contact your city for details on recycling and collection. Placing your tree curbside is not recommended as this can attract rodents.
Putting away all your decorations and ornaments may not be the most exciting part of the holidays but it sure does pay off doing it the right way. You will avoid attracting unwanted pest infestations and be able to maintain your Christmas décor.
Now you are that much more protected from invasive winter pests and rodents – Happy Holidays!
Ants, Cockroaches, Fleas, Mice, Pest Control, Rats, Silverfish, Spiders, Ticks
The Complexities Of Pest Control For Apartment Complexes
The complexity of exterminating bugs in apartment complexes stems from a pest’s ability to easily move to other units. When treatment is applied in a specific area bugs can avoid baits by moving to other areas. Common or thin walls with shared plumbing and electrical wires are a pest control company’s kryptonite and a pest’s escape route.
Pests can congregate to only a few particular units within a complex because of accessibility and abundance of food and water supply. Small crumbs and leaking pipes are a perfect meal for nuisance pests like German roaches or mice. Inspecting pipes for leaks and thorough daily cleaning can lower your risk for pests invading your apartment unit.
But in most situations as the pest population grows within the complex, the infestation becomes more evenly distributed. Pest exterminators typically take one route to handle bug problems in multi-unit buildings.
A one-time treatment in the vicinity with a heavy pest infestation does not offer a lasting solution. As stated previously, bugs are able to avoid treatment by evacuating the treated area through shared walls. Only bugs in the immediate area will be eliminated, but the bugs that escape will eventually return.
To effectively eliminate bugs from each individual unit, the perimeter and outdoor areas must be treated first. This will eliminate bugs nesting outside the structure and in the landscape. The residue from the treatments will also help eradicate insects when they venture outdoors.
As the pest population thins out, the exterminator can narrow down the possible locations of the pest problem. The focus will be shifted to apartments still experiencing pest problems after exterior treatments. Affected units will receive indoor treatments and are inspected to identify potential pest entries. Sealing up the cracks and crevices with durable materials will prevent pests from entering your home. Your apartment home will be like a sealed box, unaffected by outside elements like bugs.
Remember, simple routine tasks like dusting and vacuuming go a long way in pest management. Pest control professionals are not the only ones that can prevent bugs from invading your home. You can contribute to not only keep bugs out of your home but also the homes around you.
Ants, Cockroaches, General Rodent, Mice, Pest Control, Rats
How To Have Thanksgiving and Unpack Holiday Boxes Without Attracting Pests
With all the foot traffic and holiday cooking in homes for the festive season, pests can easily invade properties unnoticed. Ants, mice, rats, and pantry pests are the most common pests during this time of year in San Diego, Riverside, & Orange County.
Here are a few simple pest control techniques to ensure a pest-free holiday season:
1. Inspect pantry and storage boxes
Before the preparation of your Thanksgiving feast, thoroughly inspect your pantry for any signs of pests. Also, examine storages boxes containing Christmas décor for chew marks from rodents or unnoticed pest infestations. Remember to open boxes outdoors. Pack decorations in sealable, chew-proof plastic containers. Knowing the source of a pest infestation is the first step to a pest-free home!
2. Don’t buy damage food or gift products
During the holiday season, products are flying off the shelf. Pests can travel far with an expedited transfer from the manufacturer to its final destination: your home. Avoid purchasing products with damaged packaging from the grocery store or retailer. Invasive pests can nest inside the packaging and conveniently flourish when brought inside your home. Common items that attract pest infestations are flour, powdered milk, dry dog food, corn meal, cereal, and macaroni.
3. Cleanliness is next to pest free-ness
Discarded and leftover food items attract pests. Bugs and rodents can live off the smallest crumbs so it’s important to thoroughly clean areas where food is prepared, cooked, or eaten. Wash dishes and vacuum or sweep kitchen and dining areas after every meal. Throw out any food waste in a secure trash receptacle. Without being able to access a food source, pests will look elsewhere.
4. Seal holes or crevices on exterior or home
Colder weather causes rats and mice to seek shelter indoors, with your attic being a desirable nesting location. Sealing holes or crevices on the exterior of your home creates a shield that rodents can’t penetrate. Rodent prevention is the best technique to keep rats and mice off your property!
Pro Pacific Pest Control wishes you and your family a joyous holiday season. Follow these tips to leave you enjoying the holiday fun without worrying about pest infestations. Bring in the holiday spirit while keeping pests away!
Ants, Cockroaches, General Pest Control, Mice, Pesticides, Rats, Spiders
Protect Your Home In The Fall With Defensive Pest Control
With colder temperatures and shorter days occurring in San Diego, Riverside, and Orange County, your home needs a strong defensive pest control strategy to keep invasive bugs out. Nuisance pests like roaches, spiders, and crickets are attracted to your home in the winter months because of the warmth and lights.
The best defensive pest control technique is entry prevention. Seal all entries that pests can potentially enter to invade your home.
But effectively guarding your home from pests will not be an easy task. It requires a thorough inspection, ample time, and the ability to think like a pest. Identifying and sealing any crack, crevice, or opening in the exterior of your home is the first step.
Search every inch of your home for small cracks or large holes. Openings where pipes or electrical wire enter your structure should be plugged with caulk, cement, urethane expandable foam, or steel wool. Areas on the foundation where outdoor faucets, clothes dryer vent, and telephone cable wires enter can be overlooked. Pests and rodents will surely not miss these opportunities to enter your home.
Obvious entrances for bugs that are often overlooked are the entrance we use. Front doors and garage doors need a seal to exclude ants and other small insects. Exterior doors should have door sweeps. Make sure the bottom corners form a seal when closed. Garage doors need a rubber seal on the bottom.
Other common pest and rodent entries include windows, chimneys, and roof vents. You can prevent unwanted guests from entering these areas by installing wire mesh screens. Screen with the smallest gap is best.
Now that your home is protected, you’ll want to prevent pests from living on the exterior of your property.
Wood piles should be stacked neatly and stored away from the base of your home. Knock off bark on firewood before bringing indoors. Pests can hide within the wood blocks.
Also, wash out syrup and liquid from recyclables and don’t let the pile build up for too long. Unsealed cans or bottles provide shelter for roaches, ants, and flies. Clean out gutters from excessive debris as well to prevent obstructing the flow of drain pipes and providing harborage for insects.
Effective defensive pest control takes time and is a continual process to ensure new entries or unexpected pest infestations have formed.
A professional pest control service pairs best with defensive pest control. A pest-free home is a healthy home. Enjoy the refreshing feeling of living in a home without bugs or rodents.
Contact for effective pest control services & guaranteed solutions. Free inspections & estimates in San Diego, Riverside, & Orange County!
bed bugs, Cockroaches, General Rodent, Mice, Pest Control, Rats, Spiders
Haunted Houses & Spooky Activity Caused By Pests
Ghost hunters, paranormal investigators, or people fascinated by the supernatural would love to pin a definitive culprit to the spine-chilling events in haunted buildings. But with minimal proof of lurking spirits being the reason for the terrifying events, a more substantial explanation should be accepted: Pests!
A thriving pest population on your property can make your home easily resemble a haunted house. And bugs and rodents are the best at hiding so they can’t be seen – just like ghosts. Their unnoticed behavior can easily be translated into a false haunting.
Here are some occurrences that may seem like paranormal activity but are really pests making your home feel eerie this Halloween:
Disappearing Food On The Counter – It can be strange leaving some perishables on the counter and the next morning they have vanished. This mysterious happening can be attributed to rodents.These furry creatures are nocturnal. Most of their activity is done at night while you’re sleeping. If you are hearing scurrying in your attic or objects falling over, the culprit is probably a rat or mouse. So, don’t be alarmed if fruit you left out on the table is gone – blame it on the rat!
Blood Spots On Your Bed Sheets – Nothing is more spookier than waking up to find small blood spots on your bed sheets. But before heading for the hills, there is a logical explanation for this finding. The most common cause of this type of occurrence is bed bugs. Blood spots can be created on your mattress from rolling over bloated bed bugs in your sleep. This rapidly reproducing insect is creepy by itself. But an overlooked bed bug infestation can be even creepier. So, you don’t have to contribute this shocking find to vampires. To identify these blood-sucking pests, inspect bed seams or around the tags on your mattress.
Cobwebs In Every Corner Of Your Home – If you didn’t set up any Halloween decorations, then you have the real deal. Spiders are active around the Halloween season and they could be making their home in yours. These dual-fanged arachnids hide in the dark corners of your home. And while they don’t cause much commotion, the webs they spin definitely insinuate a haunted house appearance. Plus, what can cause more of a cringe than walking directly into a spider web. Dual bite marks and ghoulish webs are most likely caused by a spider infestation, unless you have up your seasonal decor.
Bacteria Lurking In Every Crevice – Although you may not be able to see it with the naked eye, it still does exist – creepy, huh? Bacteria is all around us, but cockroaches seem to spread it around like wildfire. The diseases and filth that a roach can possess will intimidate even the most vile zombie. A roach can probably spread around harmful bacteria faster than any other living (or dead) creature. Stop the zombie apocalypse by eliminating roaches from your home.
Noises In Your Attic– Have you ever awoke to scurrying or high-pitched squeals coming from your attic? While this seems like almost a guarantee that your place is haunted, again there is an easy explanation to all the ruckus. Bats, opossums, raccoons, or rodents of all types can be attributed to the disturbance from above. Although this doesn’t leave you at ease, we can now definitely rule out paranormal activity. If you are squeamish, a pest management professional can help “exorcise” the problem. Bat, often compared to vampires and Dracula, these flying rodents have a laundry list of myths stated about them. Although, bats do hang upside down and some feed on blood, it is unnatural for a bat to attack a human. However, bats can roost in your attic and are nocturnal mammals like rodents so any commotion you hear at night can be bat, rodent, or wildlife activity.
Hopefully this article provides some explanation and relief for the disturbing things going on in your home. Maintaining a pest-free home will not only reduce the scare factor in your home but create a healthy environment.
Ants, Bees, Birds, Cockroaches, Fleas, Mice, Pest Control, Rats, Silverfish, Spiders
Pest Control Tips To Maintain A Pest-Free Home
Keeping pests away from your home doesn’t have to be rocket science. You can prevent pest infestation with a few simple steps & household products.
If you already have a severe pest infestation, you may want to consider a professional pest control company. But if you’re looking to maintain and prevent pest problems, you can do this yourself!
Here are some pest prevention tips to keeping nuisance insects, rodents & birds out of your home:
•Use Door Sweeps & Screens – Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
•Use Screens On Structure Openings – Apply screens on vents and openings to chimneys to make it impossible for pests to enter.
•Seal All Cracks & Crevices – Seal all holes (areas where electrical wiring and pipes enter structure) and crevices on the outside of the home.
•Put Foods In Secure Containers -Keep food concealed in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
•Thoroughly Clean Areas With Food – Kitchens and dining areas should be free of food crumbs and particles (food left on dishes are a perfect meal for rats)
•Inspect Structure’s Exterior – Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
•Fix Water Piping – Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.
•Keep Coverings Away From Base of Home – Maintain wood and mulch piles and keep them preferably 20 feet away from the house; keep shrubbery well-trimmed.
•Trim Overhanging Branches – Pest can easily climb from tree branch to your roof and gain access through roof openings.
Continue to thoroughly inspect screens and sealants for damage & keep an eye out for any signs of pests (droppings, smells, etc). Effective pest prevention requires including some of these tips into your daily routine.
Ants, bed bugs, Bees, Birds, Cockroaches, Fleas, General Pest Control, General Rodent, Gophers, Mice, Pest Control, Rats, Silverfish, Spiders, Ticks
Pest Control Solutions – Diagnose Your Pest Problem Today!
Click through the options below for pests that could be infesting your home. Each pest has Do-It-Yourself Pest Control Tips & Recommended Services. Some services link to a webpage that gives you more information. All recommended pest control services are performed by Pro Pacific Pest Control – And are guaranteed!
Get solutions to pest problems today!
Contact us for an inspection & estimate on any pest control service!
General Rodent, Mice, Rats
Does Snakes On My Property Mean I Have Rodents?
No…But maybe. While a venomous reptile slithering across your land is not a conclusive indication that a pack of rats are nesting in your home, it can very well be possible.
How so you may wonder? Well, basically rodents are a tasty part of a snake’s diet, and just like people, if there is a food source nearby and hunger cravings then we’ll probably snatch it for a snack.
Even the less severe rodent infestations can attract snakes to your home. Since a snake’s keen sense of smell will sniff out some of the most lonesome rodents on your lot.
While you may be blaming the stealthy, scaly creature for your recent stress or panic attacks, the culprit is probably a rodent infestation. Why not take care of the rodent problem to kill two birds with one stone?
With the rodents gone, your surely to see less, if any, rodents on your property. To completely keep fanged reptiles away from your home is to install a solid four-foot wall with an outward-angling lip. The bottom should be sunk into the ground, and gates flush against the ground.
But back to eliminating the rodent problem…first you must control the current rodent population by installing trap outs (T-REX Traps, glue boards, rat traps) to bring the population to zero. Then you must apply preventative rodent control techniques (bait stations & rodent proofs).
Other DIY techniques include:
- Putting all human & pet foods in sealed containers
- Trash receptacles should be secured
- Eliminate clutter or wood piles around home
- Clean food crumbles & drink spills thoroughly
Not only do these techniques help prevent rodents from being attracted to your home, they keep your home tidy & clean. You should include these in your regular routines.
Call Pro Pacific Pest Control for all your pest & rodent problems in San Diego, Riverside & Orange County!
Ants, Cockroaches, Fleas, Mice, Pest Control, Pesticides, Rats, Silverfish, Spiders
Spring Cleaning For the Pest Control Season
As the collection of dust & clutter becomes more noticeable in a place of living, this usually is a signal that the duster, cleaning gloves, a mop bucket, and some good ol’ elbow grease may be next on your to-do list. And by doing so you will not only be getting rid of clutter & dust…but maybe a few pests.
Pests feel comfortable in homes with the floor space diminished by furniture, appliances, boxes, etc. The items provide plenty of covering & hiding places for the pesky critters. So why not eliminate places for pests & rodents to nest in your home with a thorough cleaning.
Kill two birds with one stone: One, your place is rejuvenated to a more inspiring & habitable living space. Two, pests will have a hard time surviving by taking away their living space & cleaning thoroughly. And you are actually implementing effective pest control techniques in your home…Yup, pest control isn’t all about pesticides & rodent traps. Taking these actions will help resolve a lot of your pest problems.
Other tips to keep pests at bay include vacuuming carpets to pick up hidden crumbs & throwing out expired foods to remove food sources for insects & rodents. And once a year do a “spring cleaning” by cleaning behind and underneath furniture & appliances.
While heavy pest infestations may need to be handled by a professional pest control company, a little feng shui can provide you with a clean home, a happy family, & pest-free environment.
Pro Pacific Pest Control offers pest control solutions to residential & commercial properties in San Diego & southwest Riverside. We Put the Pest to Rest!