blogger.com 2:28 PM The Pests World: February 2016

Saturday 20 February 2016

Why You Should Consider Humane Removal of Wild Animals

As a homeowner, it’s pretty likely that at some point you will be forced to deal with a wild animal intruding into your domain. Some smaller animals are easily removed and displaced through the use of humane traps. Larger unwanted guests, however, warrant the assistance of a trained and experienced professional to execute a humane removal.

Raccoons and opossums may be cute, but there is really no such thing as healthy cohabitation with them. They will eventually wreak havoc if sharing an abode with humans. These animals can cause a surprising amount of structural damage. Stronger than you think and very determined, they can easily tear holes into roofs and weak point of walls if they decide your attic or crawlspace looks like a suitable home. Aside from the near-constant nighttime noises your family will face if these nocturnal animals move in, there are countless diseases and disruptions that can arise from the presence of only a few critters. They may be cute, but they are very sloppy and destructive houseguests.

Unfortunately, most people don’t have a good handle on just how strong wild animals can be, or how capable they are of inflicting injury. Because of this, it is inadvisable for the untrained person to set a humane trap. Once an animal is caught in a live trap, it still needs to be carefully removed to a safe environment far away from your home. The traps, equipment and removal vehicles all require specialized devices that will protect both the animal and the human from harm and disease.

You probably know that raccoons, foxes and other local wildlife can carry rabies. This is a very serious disease that can be deadly to you, your family and your pets. A professional wildlife removal service will have the training and expertise to spot signs of infection. Aside from rabies,diseases such as roundworm, giardia and leptospirosisare commonly spread through the droppings left behind. A qualified individual can locate any leftover excrement and assist you in its safe removal.

Keep your family and pets safe from disease, and your home safe from chewed up cables and insulation. As soon as you think you may have a furry visitor, call a pest control specialist to allow you and the animal to go on with your lives in peace. To learn more about humane animal trapping in Raleigh and to speak to a professional, click this link.

Bed Bug Facts

Bed bugs have become a common problem throughout homes and businesses across the country. The insect can be tricky to remove and their bites are a painful, itchy nuisance. When bed bugs bite, then it’s time to call the professionals. 


The Benefits of Removing Roof Rats



Roof rats are common pests that get their name from their tendency to nest in high places. These rats can be identified by their dark fur and small, sleek forms. If you see these rats on your property or evidence of their nests, it is beneficial to have them removed for a number of reasons.

The Risk of Flea Infestation Is Reduced

Roof rats carry fleas that can quickly infest your home. These insects feed on humans as well as animals if given the opportunity. Removing roof rats will also lower the risk of a flea infestation, which is extremely difficult to eradicate.

Your Home Will Not Suffer Further Damage

Not only do roof rats hoard food and leave droppings in your attic, they also cause other types of damage around your home. Roof rats can damage:

·         Insulation and wooden beams in your attic due to chewing
·         Power lines and cables
·         Gardens and trees (especially citrus trees)

Removing roof rats sooner than later will mean less money spent on repairing the damage they cause.

Pets Will Be Safer

While your dog or cat may catch and kill roof rats, this is a dangerous practice. Rat bites can cause serious bleeding and transmit disease to your pet, and rats nesting in trees or in piles of wood can become extremely aggressive when defending young. Removing the rats will create a safer outer environment for your pet.

Removing roof rats from your home protects it and your family. However, because these pests can be dangerous, it is best that they are removed by a professional. To find out more about roof rat removal in Garner, visit this website


EPA Releases Preliminary Risk Assessment for Imidacloprid

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said a preliminary pollinator risk assessment for the insecticide imidacloprid shows the chemical can threaten bees… read more

5 Ways Bed Bugs Harm Your Health

Much like fleas, ticks and mosquitos, bed bugs are pesky insects that feed on blood. However, the presence of these bugs can have long-term effects on your health. In fact, there are five ways that bed bugs can harm your physical, emotional and mental health.

1. Skin Rash

Bed bug bites can cause rashes and blistering. Those who are more sensitive to the bug’s saliva may experience intense itching that causes rashes to spread. Deep blisters may lead to permanent scars.

2. Infection

The intense itching that bed bug bites cause often results in constant scratching. When skin is damaged by scratching, this may lead to infection. Infections caused by scratching can be especially dangerous to the elderly and children.

3. Anxiety

Bed bug infestations can have a negative effect on your emotional health. Ongoing bed bug problems can cause the onset of anxiety due to:

  • Fear of continued or increased infestation
  • Social stigma
  • Worrying about your family’s safety

Once you develop anxiety over a bed bug infestation, symptoms may linger for months and affect your personal and business relationships.

4. Sleep Depravation

Because bed bugs are more active at night, their biting may keep you awake. Over time, a loss of sleep may begin to affect your daily routine. In some cases, insomnia may lead to depression and a weakened immune system.

5. Allergic Reaction

If any of your family members suffer from allergies, bed bugs can make them worse. Bug excrement and dead bug carcasses can become airborne and cause an increase in allergy symptoms. Infants are especially at risk.

Dealing with bed bugs can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. However, there are effective ways to eradicate them. Visit this website to learn more about professional bed bug treatment in Garner.


How to Rid Your Home of Spiders

It’s not easy to relax when you see a spider running across your bedroom ceiling or worse yet, you see one dangling above your head. To help keep these scary, eight-legged visitors from getting inside your home, follow these tips.

1. Clear Outside Debris

Spiders like to hang out in dark places like woodpiles, mounds of grass clippings and empty boxes. If you have to keep these kinds of things around, try to keep them on the very outside perimeter of your home. Another way to discourage spiders from lurking is to keep the weeds cleared around the exterior of your home.

2. Remove the Webs

Use a vacuum cleaner or broom to remove spider webs both on the inside and outside of your home. Doing so will dissuade the spider who built the web from returning.

3. Seal the Cracks in Walls

Spiders can sneak into homes through openings and cracks in the walls. It’s a good idea to seal these spaces with silicone caulk. Add door sweeps to exterior doors to further block entry points.

When all else fails, call in the professionals. They can free your home of pesky spiders and restore your comfort and peace of mind. For insect removal in Raleigh, please visit the website.


Terminix Releases List of Top 15 Bed Bug Cities

Terminix released its sixth annual ranking of bed bug-infested cities. For the first time in four years, Philadelphia was outranked by Detroit, which stole the top spot… read more

3 Signs You Have Squirrels Living in Your Home

Squirrels are common visitors to urban areas and backyards everywhere. However, when squirrel populations increase, they may find a way to get into your home. Here are several signs that squirrels have taken up residence in your home.

Squirrels Using Power Lines as Highways

When squirrels have gained entrance to your attic, you may see them using your power lines as freeways and as a means to carry food back to their new nest. Loose or damaged lines may be visible as well. Seeing squirrels on power lines more often than in your trees may mean they are already in your home.

Seeing an Increase in the Population

If you start seeing squirrels on your roof, in the trees, and a gathering of them in the backyard where there used to only be one or two, this is a sign that they might be breeding in your attic’s insulation. Other signs include:

  • Scratching or scurrying on the roof, as this may be signs of squirrels fighting for new territory
  • Chewed bird feeders
  • Scattered seed and acorn hulls around the perimeter of your home

Most squirrels are active during the daytime, so you should try and monitor how and where they move around in the morning and afternoon.

Damaged Insulation

If you inspect your attic and find chewed or shredded insulation, then a squirrel infestation is more than likely. In this case, the next step would be to call a professional to confirm their presence and to have them removed humanely. If you need more information about squirrel relocation in Cary, visit this website.



Three Ways to Spot a Wasp Infestation

Wasp infestations can be difficult to detect because a wasp nest can be built into almost any tiny cavity, which keeps it hidden from sight. Here are a few ways, however, that will help you to identify a wasp problem.

1. Traffic Pattern

Do you see wasps coming and going?  A good indication of a nest is the regularity with which the wasps enter and exit the property.

2. Flying In and Out of Crevices

A sure sign that a hive is present is seeing wasps fly in and out of the gaps and cracks in your roof area. The only reason they have to enter these kinds of openings is to reach the hive.

3. Gathering in Great Numbers

When large numbers of wasps gather around trash or food, this is likely a sign of an infestation. The hive is probably nearby due to the high number of wasps that swarm the food.

An increased number of wasps around your home, indicates that they have traveled from a nearby nest. The closer they are to the hive, the denser their presence will be. Don’t follow the swarm to the hive, and don’t try to remove it yourself. For safe and proper wasp removal in Cary, please visit the website.