Tips To Keep Your Pets Safe During Pest Control Services
pest control company to help them get rid of these uninvited invaders quickly. In order for our exterminators to do their job efficiently and effectively, before their arrival, you may be asked to prepare a few areas of your home, such as removing all items from under sinks and from the shelves in pantries and cupboards and pulling furniture and other items away from baseboards. One thing you may forget to mention in your frenzy to schedule your pest control service is that you have pets and on the morning of your scheduled service, you are in a panic wondering; will Rover, Tweety and your other lovable friends be safe? With American, the answer is yes, but here are a few things to remember to keep your pets safe during your pest control services
understand that an unexpected pest problem can be stressful and that you may forget to mention your plethora of pets; don’t worry, we’ll ask. Fortunately most pest control techniques are safe for homes with pets, but if possible you should take a few minutes to talk to pest control professional about what pets are in your home, where they will be when he/she arrives and any special precautions you may have to take after they leave.
Like children, pets are curious and may be overcome with the need to investigate the new sounds and smells in their home and as “man’s best friend” they may take a minute to make friends with professionals. Don’t be fooled, love your pets, but their curiosity can bring them entirely too close to the materials use during pest control services. It is best to keep your 4-legged friends in a kennel or pet carrier.
If one is not available, close them into an area of your home not scheduled for service, such as the garage, basement or bedroom. Although most treatment solutions for common household pests are confined to targeted areas where pests travel (i.e. behind baseboards, wall voids, and beneath counter tops), treatment for fleas and bed bugs will require special consideration for pets as well as preparation
Feathery And Fishy Friends
Fish, birds and reptiles may require a little special preparation in advance of indoor treatments for pests such as fleas and bed bugs. Cover up their tanks and cages with a blanket or towel to prevent any overspray, air-borne mist or droplets from getting in. Depending on what species of bird you may have, you may want to make a quick phone call to your veterinarian for advice. Many birds have a sensitive respiratory system and may be more susceptible to problems
Natural Pest Control Methods
I have had SO many people asking me through email and Facebook lately about how to keep pesky pests at bay this summer….I decided it was time for a full on attack! First of all…..the best way to control pests is to not invite them inside in the first place. Most bugs are attracted to food and water, so keeping your kitchen clean, taking out the garbage regularly, and storing food and drinks in tight containers will deter most insects, and other pests. Removing water sources will also go a long way towards solving your bug problem, as will sealing off their point of entry.
The PEST I have had the most questions/concerns raised about is ANTS! For being such a TINY little thing…ants sure can be a nuisance!!! Here are some tips to keep them out of your house and away from your picnics
ANTS
KEEP IT CLEAN FOLKS! Keep your kitchen counters free of crumbs and sticky spots, cover the sugar and honey jar. Wiping down surfaces can go a long way toward keeping your home pest free!
CUCUMBER Set out cucumber peels or slices in the kitchen or at the ants’ point of entry. Many ants have a natural aversion to cucumber.
MINT Leave a few tea bags of mint tea near areas where the ants seem most active.
BLOCK THE ENTRY Trace the ant column back to their point of entry. Set any of the following items at the entry area in a small line, which ants will not cross: cayenne pepper, citrus oil (can be soaked into a piece of string), lemon juice, cinnamon or coffee grounds.
LIGHT IT UP Leave a small, night light on for a few nights in the area of most ant activity. The change in light can disrupt and discourage their foraging patterns.
BUILD A MOAT If ants are attacking your pets’ food bowls, clean the floor thoroughly with hot, soapy water to eliminate the ants’ trail, then keep them from finding the food dish again by placing the food bowl into a shallow pan of soapy water.
DE Diatomaceous Earth (often referred to as “DE”) is a talc-like powder that is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. When sprinkled on a bug the fine powder absorbs lipids from the waxy outer layer of insects’ exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate.
CORNMEAL Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it ‘home,’ can’t digest it, and expire. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don’t have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!
HOMEMADE ANT BAIT Dissolve 1 teaspoon of boric acid and 6 tablespoons of sugar in 2 cups of water. Soak cotton balls in this bait solution. (Boric acid is a low-toxicity mineral, but do keep it away from children and pets because it can cause skin, mouth, stomach, and eye irritation.)
MOSQUITOES
BLOCK THEM Mosquitos are most active in the early morning and early evening. They seek areas of still air because they are hampered by breezes. Close windows and doors on the side of your house which are opposite the breeze.
REMOVE WATER The most important measure you can take is to remove standing water sources. Change birdbaths, wading pools and pet’s water bowl twice a week. Keep your house gutters clean and well-draining. Remove yard items that collect water.
COVER THEIR TRAIL Ants leave a scented trail so other ants can find their way to food. Routinely wash away these invisible trails with a vinegar-based cleanser made from 1?4 cup vinegar, 2 cups water and 10 to 15 drops of peppermint, clove, eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil.
BBQ HELPER If you’re using the barbecue, throw a bit of sage or rosemary on the coals to repel mosquitos.
GARLIC An effective natural bug repellent, mix one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a small spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray lightly on exposed body parts for an effective repellent lasting up to 5 – 6 hours. Strips of cotton cloth can also be dipped in this mixture and hung in areas, such as patios, as a localized deterrent.
BUILD A BAT HOUSE Some bat species can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour! You can attract these beneficial bug eaters by installing a bat house in your yard.
NEEM OIL Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil extracted from the Neem tree in India. The leaves, seeds and seed oil of the Neem tree contain sallanin, a compound which has effective mosquito repelling properties. Neem oil is a natural product and is safe to use. Just add a few drops of oil to your favorite lotion and apply the mixture to your body.
PLANT MORE FLOWERS! Plant some catnip (Nepeta cataria) in your garden; not only will it repel mosquitoes, but you’ll get some pretty flowers, too. Other mosquito-repelling plants include rosemary, marigolds, citronella grass, and lemon balm.
LIGHT A CANDLE Make your own mosquito-repelling candles using a mixture of essential oils and melted wax. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce of essential oil per pound of wax.
How Long Does Pest Control Treatment Normally Last?
It is normal to wonder how long pest control treatments last. After all, you are spending good money on having a professional come in to take care of your pest problem. Unfortunately, there is no universal answer to this question.
The truth is, how long pest control treatments last is largely contingent on the type of pest you have in your home. General pest control treatments typically last a few months. This type of treatment usually targets common insects found in most households, such as roaches, spiders, moths, silverfish, and woodlice (roly-poly), among others. However, they do not target pests like termites (which will be covered later).
General pest control treatments usually involve a technician spraying high-grade pesticides to the baseboards of your home. Sometimes, they will also spray the exterior of your home. Exterior sprays help prevent insects from entering your property.
While general pest control treatments can last a few months, one treatment does not guarantee lifetime defense from typical household insects. It is best to have the treatments done regularly over a scheduled period. Most companies recommend quarterly visits. To ensure your house is protected year-round, it is best to consult a pest control professional.
Note: Pest control companies offer varying guarantees on how long their services will be effective so you can always check for and take advantage of these.
It depends on the kind of pest you are dealing with. However, in general, pest control treatments that target common insects around the house can last a few months. These include pests such as roaches, spiders, moths, and the like.
Expert Pest Control Resources You Can Trust
Facts about Bugs, Insects, and Pests from Trusted Experts
official consumer education website of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). In addition to pest control information and facts, you can search for exterminators in your area, browse insect pictures, and find detailed information on specific household pests to help you prevent infestations.
your main resource for credible information on bugs, rodents, pest control, and the growing professional pest control industry. Browse the latest pest news, read facts about insects and bugs, or find pest control professionals in your area. Get the most up-to-date pest control resources straight from the experts
Common Kitchen Bugs & Insects
For most of us, the kitchen is the heart of the home, filled with love and delicious food. While the appetizing aromas that come from this room can bring together the closest of family and friends, people are not always the only ones that you might find gathering in the kitchen. Pests – including ants, cockroaches, rodents, house flies, fruit flies and pantry pests – can all be found in this part of the house. Learning how to get rid of insects in the kitchen is key to your family’s health and safety.
Ants in the Kitchen
If ants are found marching one-by-one across the kitchen counter, they are most likely odorous house ants, Argentine ants or pavement ants. All three species have ambitious appetites and are attracted to food and moisture, making kitchens an ideal gathering spot. Odorous house ants prefer sweets, while Argentine ants and pavement ants have been known to eat meats, bread, oils and fats. Commonly nesting near moisture sources, ants can be found in wall voids near water pipes and beneath leaky fixtures, including those under the sink.
Cockroaches in the Kitchen
Cockroaches are one of the most common kitchen insects and health code violations in restaurants and other commercial kitchens, but they frequently infest household kitchens, too. These skilled hitchhikers can make their way into the heart of the home via cardboard boxes, grocery bags and beverage cartons.
What to do after Pest Control Sprays
Can I clean after the application of pest control sprays?
Pest control comes in all sorts of varieties, and the way in which you can clean depends on the type. For example, dealing with rodents often involves mechanical traps or solid, poisonous bait. But managing insects typically calls for liquids, gels, fogs, or sprays — treatments that depend on adhering to a particular surface to work.
Is food safe after pest sprays?
In order to make sure that breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea-time grub stays safe, make sure to put it away in a cabinet or cupboard prior to a treatment. Afterward, wipe down any place where your food might touch with soap and water or your preferred cleaning product. If you follow these steps, your food should stay safe.
Monitor your (and your pet’s) health
Most of us will know if we’ve come into contact with a pesticide or similarly caustic chemical. Symptoms may include:
Burning eyes
A persistent cough
Breathing difficulties
Changes in heart rate
The above symptoms are rare, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Most in-home pesticides aren’t particularly dangerous for humans. Unfortunately, the same isn’t always true for pets. Some residential pest control companies may use chemicals or solutions that could potentially be dangerous to pets
Follow-up & check for continuing signs of pests
One of the advantages of current-generation pesticides is that they’re less potent, meaning they put you and your pets at less risk. The flip side is that they can take longer to work. After a spray, expect anywhere from four to six weeks to pass before your pest problem vanishes