Ants, Cockroaches, General Pest Control, Gophers, Mice, Pest Control, Rats, Silverfish, Spiders, Uncategorized, Wasp
Springing Into Cleaning (AND Pest Control)
Spring is officially underway. For many people, that means the long arduous task of “Spring Cleaning.” Most of us will spend a weekend or two cleaning the house of old, unwanted clutter. For other people, it means (FINALLY) putting the Christmas tree/lights away. But aside from a tidier home when guests arrive, spring cleaning can be excellent for your home when pests arrive.
Often, the miscellaneous clutter that we accumulate (and leave forgotten in a nook, corner, or box) makes prime real estate for pests to move in. Low-traffic areas, such as attics, garages, and closets, can become safe havens for rodents and insects to move in and stake their claim.
At Pro Pacific Pest Control Escondido, we’re big supporters of pest prevention over pest extermination. We’ve mentioned it several times before, but it’s far easier (and cheaper) to prevent an infestation than it is to evict one. Here are three handy tips for your spring cleaning efforts to keep the bugs at bay:
1) Drain the Tub… And Everywhere Else.
“I’ve had a very ruff day.”
Moisture creates an ideal spot for many bugs, and often entices them to set up shop wherever they can find standing water. Rodents (such as shiprats and sewer rats) will often find sources of water and decide to set up shop nearby — often within the walls or even in the attic of your home! Mosquitoes use stagnant puddles for reproduction and can often swarm nearby as a result. Silverfish LOVE moist, cool, dark places, and you’ll often catch them scurrying away if you flip on the light in a crawlspace that is not properly sealed. reptiles and other pests will also seek out similarly cool, damp places. Eliminating these sources of water can go a long way to not only preventing the hassle of insects, but it can also prevent disease such as dengue, malaria, and others that are carried by mosquitoes and their kin.
As you’re doing your annual cleanse, check your home to make sure you don’t have a leaky faucet or pipes. Although Southern California doesn’t have to worry about pipes freezing over the winter months, pipes which have not been used in a long time or are in disrepair can be the catalyst for a full-blown invasion!
2)Dust Those Bunnies!
Cleaning in furs. Lucy has always been a class act.
Ever run face first into a spider web? NOT a fun feeling! The flailing, spit-takes, and panicked shuffling that results can be embarrassing, to say the least. One way to avoid such nestings is to sweep and dust nooks, crannies, and eaves inside and outside the house. In some homes, it is harder to reach these areas because a ladder is needed.
This is a prime task for your friendly neighbourhood pest control company! After all, who wants to drag a ladder out of storage, put it up, sweep, climb back down, and repeat the process all the way around (and inside) the house? Pest control companies often have the equipment to do these task quickly and efficiently.
Basically, though, you want to target all those “low traffic” areas in and around the home. Corners, closets, and eaves are prime spots for spiders to set up shop.
3) Don’t Be A Packrat.
“Eat your heart out, chipmunks.”
We get it, some things are just too cool to get rid of, or there’s something “nostalgic” about them, or… well, we’ll admit that maybe we’re just being lazy at times. But keeping those odds-and-ends, scrap materials, or “vintage” goods from the local flea market can cause you more headache than you realize.
Keep your home clear of clutter. If you have a shed or workstation in your backyard, be sure to clean (or at the very least organize) any discarded pieces of wood or tools. Rodents love to nest in piles like those and it can ALSO be a prime location for bees and wasps to form nests. In fact, we’ve seen a bee’s nest between two garbage can lids that hadn’t been moved in months! Clearing out spaces like these can go a LONG way to helping your pest control efforts, and a little bit of effort on the “front end” can keep your cost down in the long run.
___________________________________________________________
Of course, we offer FREE inspection/estimates for pest control and can identify potential trouble spots and offer ongoing solutions to keep your home safe (and beautiful) throughout spring and into summer.
Ants, Bees, Cockroaches, Featured, Fleas, funny, General Pest Control, Silverfish, Spiders, Ticks, Wasp
Buggin’ Out! Pop Goes Pest
This week we’re taking a slight detour as we look at popular bands who have used their musical talents to immortalize insects. Previously, we touched on artists who were bitten by “the love bug”.
There have been, of course, a plethora of bands with pests in their names (The Beatles, Adam and the Ants, the Scorpions, the Rats, etc). We could compile multiple playlists just based off their names! For today, though, we’re jumping into the songs themselves, looking at 10 artists who have “immortalized” insects in their music. As before, you can follow this playlist on Spotify… So sit back, turn the speakers up, and enjoy!
Crazy, Man!
With their distinct sound, the B-52s definitely stand out from the other artists included in this list. Though most people can sing along to their most popular song “Love Shack,” in a rousing bout of karaoke, most people would be hard-pressed to offer the same performance for “Junebug.” It just doesn’t get the same airtime. Nevertheless, this song still delivers the classic B-52s vibe that fans have come to associate with the band… as well as all the free lovin’ that the band espouses.
Serious about those weevils!!!
There are numerous versions of “Boll Weevil” out there, but perhaps the most iconic is the rendition done by Old Lead Belly. A definite “throwback,” this song is reminiscent of an older time in music… The haphazard, casual intonations definitely give this song the feel of a laid-back evening on the porch, belting out old folk songs for the fireflies to hear.
Tom Waits: a look to match his voice…
This entry isn’t so much a song as it is narrated speech over music. “Army Ants” is very reminiscent of a National geographic documentary meets the grind of a seedy nightclub mixed with the delivery of Mitch Hedberg… a scattered offering of “one-liner” facts related to insects. Waits’ gravelly voice also amps up the “creepy” factor of this piece, which is quite fitting, considering it’s about insects.
Miriam Makeba: International Songstress
“Qongqothwane” has been described as a traditional wedding song from the Xhosa people of Africa. As native English speakers do not have the linguistic ability to pronounce some of the sounds, it became commonly referred to as “The Click Song.” “Qongqothwane” is a song about where the village’s witch doctor can be found. Though his physical appearance is just like everyone else (not the stereotype that most people think of when they picture witch doctors), he is compared to a “knocking beetle,” which (in local folklore) leads the way home. The witch doctor leads the newlywed couple to a new future together in the same way that the beetle leads children home to where they belong.
photo courtesy themysticmangos.com
In this peculiar song, Ava (and her mangos) chronicle the journey to becoming an entomologist. Ava starts off by catching her bugs in the “local salad bar” (eww!) Catching, cataloguing, classifying, and displaying insects for others to see. Not necessarily an exciting life, but it was interesting enough to earn its own song. Now if we could just find our own “pest control” ode.
Audioslave: like a moth to the flame?
Like Kid Icarus, Audioslave gets too close to the sun in this song. A much lesser known single by a superb band, the lyrics truly capture the disillusionment that failure can cause. Notable lyrics: “I was a king, I was a Moth with painted wings made of cloth / When did the flame get so high and get so hot?”
Blake has quite the sweet tooth!!!
The only country music offering in the list, Shelton’s “Honey Bee” is a self-aware tune, and he even admits in the lyrics that the song “comes out a little country.” The song basically likens him and his girl as two complimentary parts in a couple (at least, that’s the intent… we’ve never heard of mixing wine with whiskey, but who are we to judge?) The song is, as most love songs are, stereotypical, but a good guitar riff and a catchy chorus make that fact easy to overlook.
Coral Necklace? Check! 90s Pose with Sunglasses? Check!
Arguably the most popular entry in our list, The Dave Matthews Band (“hardcore fans call him Dave“) offers up “Ants Marching,” which is one of their most recognizable hits. Horns are on loop through the background under Dave’s vocals, adding to the lyrical idea that nothing is ever changed, much like the “ants marching” from the title.
The Wire (the band, not the TV show)
This English rock band offers a peculiar piece. the lyrics are not deep at all. In fact, on may suggest that Colin Newman (lead vocals and guitar) channels Randy Newman based on the simplicity of this song. There is no story arc provided, but simply a song that is easily played in the background as you go about your day. This UK band sets up an anthem of sorts within the song — “I am the Fly” becomes a chant which begins to crescendo over a “clap-track” until its sudden end.
They had to use a stand-up for the cover, as the boys were getting their beards washed.
The Bearded Ones came up with their own ode to the common black fly. It starts off with the typical ZZ guitar riff, then continues into a song that, while lyrically not too deep, is fun to play air guitar to. This song contains all the innuendo that is to be expected of a ZZ Top song, while the guitar drives the momentum and keeps it moving forward.
__________________________________________
BONUS TRACK:
OK, obviously this song does not have insects in the title itself… but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to include the King of Parody in our list… Perform This Way earns him a spot based on its lyrics: Weird Al dons a suit made of bees (and poking fun at Lady GaGa in the process).
Simply “abuzz” about Weird Al’s fashion sense!
Well played, sir.
___________________________________________
So there you have it: 10 songs (plus a bonus track!) about common pests.. some of these songs hit pretty high on the charts, too! What do you think? Are there any we missed? Leave a note in the Comments section or tell us via Facebook or Twitter
Bees, Cockroaches, Mice, Pest Control, Property Managers, Rats, Realtors, Silverfish, Spiders, Ticks, Wasp
Are Foreclosed Homes Causing Pest Problems?
An ideal nesting spot for pests is an enclosed space that offers a nearby food source and has low foot traffic. You may consider these conditions all in one place a rarity but this type of environment commonly exists within residential neighborhoods and densely populated areas. They are typically referred to as foreclosed homes or abandoned properties – Yes; these are a pest’s paradise.
Pest problems within a foreclosed home can significantly increase the risk of pest infestations to adjacent properties. The pest population can outgrow the abandoned house and begin to overflow to other homes in the neighborhood.
Common Pest Infestations In Foreclosed Homes
Mosquitoes breed in pools and bird baths that have stagnant water from the lack of cleaning and rainfall. Rodents use unoccupied structures to nest and hide during the day, then travel to neighboring properties for food at night. Eventually the rodent population will become too large and will be forced to seek shelter elsewhere – possibly your home.
If conditions are right, honeybees will invade any home. It is possible to have a hive of thousands of bees neighboring your house. Be cautious of beehives and nests of other stinging insects during spring and summer months since this is when they are most active. The slightest noises or motions can disturb the nearby colonies.
Ticks can thrive in lawns that are unmaintained and contain high grass and overgrown weeds. Rodents or pets that run through these lawns are subject to become a host for these parasitic creatures, thus indirectly spreading them to your home. Keep your pets away from lawns that are not groomed.
Defend Your Home From Neighboring Pests
If a home near you is not maintained, you should contact the property owner. For foreclosed homes, the party responsible for the property is often banks or managing real estate companies. If no action is taken by the party you contacted, advise the municipal animal control services.
In the meantime, get regular pest control treatments to provide a preventative barrier protection around your property. Most pests will be unable to migrate into your home with bi-monthly treatments.
Applying weather stripping to doors and pest repellent screens to vents and windows is a great preventative measure to keep pests away. Also, seal any exterior hole the size of a quarter or larger on your home with gnaw-proof materials, including steel sheeting, hardware cloth, galvanized steel and concrete.
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, 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, Cockroaches, Fleas, Pest Control, Silverfish, Spiders, Ticks, Wasp
How Often Should I Receive Pest Control Service?
Endless questions arise in a homeowner’s mind when a pest infestation occurs. How did the pesky bugs get in? Will they go away on their own? Can I remove the pests myself? Should I call a pest exterminator? Which pest control service should I get?
We understand…there is lots to ponder to ensure you effectively remove the bug problem while spending the lowest possible price. And we’re here to tell you there is actually a happy medium with effective pest control & pricing. Our regular pest control service keeps bugs away all year at a price you can afford.
The most cost-effective pest control is a bi-monthly pest control service. A pest control technician will provide treatment every other month and thoroughly inspect every corner of your property for potential pest problems. You’re fully protected from pests!
Why the bi-monthly service, you ask?
Well, a one-time treatment is a temporary solution. Sure, we guarantee our one-time pest control services for 30 days, but what about after that? Then, you’re in the same susceptible position as before for trails of ants and a mess of cobwebs & spiders.
After the first few services on the bi-monthly pest control plan, all nuisance pests in your home will be eradicated & a more preventative approach is taken. Our technicians will continue to treat targeted pests & areas but put a heavier emphasis on identifying potential pest problems. And usually at this point, pest problems can be controlled from the exterior of your property.
We also recommend service every other month because pest control products will generally remain effective for two months. After two months, the pest control products should be reapplied.
Another great feature of our bi-monthly pest control service is free re-treats between services. If you notice bugs on your property between service, a technician will come out promptly to eliminate the pests – at no additional charge. Basically, a bi-monthly pest service gives you pest control whenever you need it.
What about your other pest control options?
You can also buy pest control products from a hardware store. But you are buying products available at a consumer-level. Commercial pest control products, only available to licensed pest control applicators, are more effective and targeted.
Are you willing to put in the time, effort, and money into do-it-yourself pest control products? You may end up purchasing multiple products before you find one that effectively treats your pest infestation.
You will also need to know where to apply the DIY products. There are techniques to attracting pest to the products and effectively exterminating the problem. Our pest control technicians are licensed and trained on how to strategically treat targeted areas and pests.
Get on a bi-monthly pest service today
Receive bi-monthly pest control at only $69 every other month. You will receive effective pest control treatments & a knowledgeable pest control specialist. We’ll be like your very own personal pest control technician.
Get answers to anything about pests, have your pest control requests fulfilled, and enjoy a pest-free home!
Ants, Birds, Cockroaches, Fleas, General Pest Control, Pest Control, Pesticides, Silverfish, Spiders, Ticks
What Professional Pest Control Does For Your Home?
Pest control is not a luxury service. In fact, pest control is like insurance protection for your home & family. Pests can deteriorate the structure of your home and even spread diseases to inhabitants. By eliminating pests effectively with professional pest control services, you are prolonging the life of your house & guarding the health of family and guests.
Not only that, a home without bugs creates a comfortable living atmosphere that is enjoyed by you and guests alike. To prevent pests from establishing an unpleasant atmosphere with their waste & nest material, a pest exterminator should be utilized.
Here is what a pest exterminator will do for your home:
- Prevents Pests – Pest control has two parts: extermination & prevention. Once the bugs are gone, you will want to continue keeping them out of your home. Our techniques create three barriers of protection so it is virtually impossible for bugs to enter your property.
- Eliminates Diseases – Pests can easily transmit disease through droppings, bites, or saliva. Indirect transmission by leeching pests, such as bird mites on birds, can also be a possibility. Eliminating the source of diseases is the most effective method to preventing diseases.
- Effective Solutions – Keeping your home tidy & eliminating food sources is a great pest prevention technique but with an establish pest infestation, you’ll need the pros. Carelessly distributing store-bought pesticides can be dangerous. A licensed pest control tech will efficiently apply pesticides to maximize exposure to pests but eliminate health issues to people.
- Saves Time & Effort – Many DIY can be effective but are temporary solutions. Our techniques have lasting effects that will effectively eliminate pests as if it was just applied. You won’t have to continue to run to the store buying ineffective pesticides – get your problem resolved now with one phone call.
- Protects Your Home – Pests damage homes. Period. They can weaken structures, stains sidings, and reduce the appearance of a home or building. Professional pest control offers protection from those possibilities
Treating for bugs and vermin in your home is a shield to the structure of your home and the health of your family. Contact Pro Pacific Pest Control for solutions to your bug problems.
Receive a free inspection & estimate, with no obligation to service when you call today!
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!
Ants, bed bugs, Cockroaches, Fleas, General Pest Control, Pest Control, Pesticides, Silverfish, Spiders, Ticks
Is Eating Bugs Considered Pest Control?
While stuffing your stomach full of bugs is not a technique we use or recommend to get rid of bugs, the tactic could technically be labeled as pest control. And possibly a more accepted approach in other parts of the world. (Note: Nausea or illness may occur while eating insects.)
Pest control is defined as the regulation or management of pests in designated location. So, controlling the bug population on your property by means of ingesting bugs does in fact count as a form of regulation.
However, in the United States having a pest exterminator apply pesticides to infested areas is a more effective & popular approach to eliminating bugs. But this is not the only way to keep bugs out of our homes.
As stated above, pest control is the regulation & management of pests, so controlling pests is not all about sprays & traps. More accurately, pest control is the elimination of bugs and their food, water, and shelter sources. Considering all of these elements when attempting to eradicate pests will strengthen your efforts & make for a successful pest control plan.
Getting rid of the food & water sources for bugs alone will make your property a significantly less desirable place for insects to nest. Depleting pest living spaces hinders reproduction & furtiveness thus reducing the pest population.
Here are a few techniques you can use to accomplish these goals:
- Remove mulch, brush, grass, or wood piles
- Tidy garden areas & pick up dead leaves, flowers and fruit
- Clear any standing water in yard & clean out gutters
- Thoroughly clean areas with food
- Clean up all liquid spills & food crumbs
- Keep food & waste in secure containers
This way pest will be gone for good & having a pest smorgasbord will not be necessary regardless of what part of the world you live.
We exterminate your current pest infestation & your pest control efforts will assist in keeping bugs gone for good.
Call Pro Pacific Pest Control today for effective pest control service at the right price!
