The Friendliest Bed Bug Inspection by Man’s Best Friend You Never Knew About
Bed bugs hide in your mattress seams, in furniture, or behind baseboards waiting for you to act as their host. They emerge at night searching for food, which is human blood. Once they detach from your body, they leave you feeling itchy and with red welts. Doesn’t that sound like a creepy, crawly nightmare?
Although bed bugs don’t carry any known disease, no one wants an infestation. Bed bugs can be a menace in your home or office since they thrive even in the cleanest of places. Bed bug issues are very complex because it is not easy to spot them. But now, there is a solution to that! Pest experts are using bed bug dogs to sniff them out and eventually get rid of these distressing bugs.
What You Get from K-9 Bed Bug Inspections:
Bed bug dogs are highly trained and come with these benefits:
Accurate results
Dogs have a much higher sense of smell compared to humans. Their excellent sense of smell helps them sniff bed bugs from their hiding places effortlessly.
Highly Trained
The K-9 bed bug dogs are highly trained service dogs from some of the best canine academies. These dogs have some of the best temperaments, energy, and drive to serve their masters. These dogs go for continual training and testing in controlled areas to ensure that they don’t lose their effectiveness in sniffing out bed bugs.
Fast Detection
If you have bed bugs in your home or office, you want them detected immediately so that they can be eliminated. Bed bug dogs can detect these bugs faster than humans, which helps speed up the treatment process, allowing you to get back to normal and be at ease.
Less Preparation
Generally speaking, inspections by a dog require less preparation than a human inspection that relies on more closely visually inspecting areas.
The Bottom Line
If your home or business is being affected by an infestation of bed bugs, get in touch with us for immediate help. Our pest specialists are highly skilled technicians and are well versed in treatment methods. Along with Anchor, our bed bug canine, they make up our formidable bed bug detection team. Contact us today for all your bed bug solutions and meet the friendliest bed bug specialist around!
Help, I have ladybugs in my house!
Why are ladybugs in my house?
It seems that ladybugs might be attracted by houses that are lightly colored, and they can easily enter homes that aren’t properly insulated. For a bug that small, it is quite simple to creep in from even the smallest cracks or door gaps. Ladybugs are coming in because they are merely seeking for a warm place to spend winter and hibernate. You might see a lot of them because they often hibernate as a group.
Why do I see them in the winter
While they normally love to spend winter tucked away into a tree bark or hidden under rocks in the forests, ladybugs might find their way into your home and choose it as a location to hibernate and get through the cold season. This is the reason why some homeowners see more ladybugs during the winter. It is very likely that the ladybugs you see might be coming from under the sliding of your house or apartment, and since your house is warm inside, the confused ladybugs wake up from their winter hibernation and take a walk around in your place!
Do ladybugs eat anything in my home?
The good news is that ladybugs only eat aphids, small insects that feed on plants. They won’t spoil your food or ruin any fabric, paper or plants. Ladybugs love humidity, and this is why you might see them often trying to get close to water residues in your bathroom or kitchen sinks.
It’s becoming a problem, how can I get them out of my house?
Ladybug control might be a challenge for you, but thankfully, there are many ways to get rid of the irritating bugs once and for all. For starters, you can collect ladybugs with a shop vacuum and release them outside. If the problem is quite severe, you can buy specialized products, such as ladybug houses or traps. You can even plant mums and winterize your home for an added effect against these bugs. Many old-fashioned homeowners still love to rely on old-fashioned remedies, including certain scents that are supposed to scare ladybugs away.
Are they poisonous?
Ladybugs are not poisonous to humans, so don’t sweat it!
Anchor Pest Control's Most Popular Posts
Anchor Pest Control's Most Popular Posts
Each month we continue to share information based on questions we receive from our clients and trends in the Pest Control industry. From homeowner and property manager tips, to product recommendations and safety information, our blog covers a wide variety of topics. Here are some of our reader's favorites!
Looking to do some DIY Pest Control? Check out these tips.
There is a lot you can do to keep your home and yard from being a hangout for unwanted squatters. You can search the internet for a collection of tips and tricks, or check out a quick list that we put together right here.
What You Need to Know if You See a Raccoon During Daylight
There is a tradition that if you see a raccoon during daylight hours, it has rabies. This makes sense because everyone knows that raccoons are nocturnal creatures. Nonetheless, it is not necessarily true. Although they are nocturnal creatures, raccoons do normally move around during the day, just not as much. If they wake up hungry, they will go out and forage. This is particularly true for nursing females who need more energy to sustain themselves and their young.
Managing Another Summer With Mosquitos: 10 Ways to Avoid Them
When Noah put two of each animal on the Ark, why did he decide to keep mosquitos? We may never know, but we can handle it. Mosquitos are more than annoying; they are the world’s number one killer, carrying diseases in every part of the world. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with these buzzing little pests.
5 Pest Control Products Every Home Should Have on Hand
The worst part about household pests such as ants, roaches, and mice, is that they can show up at any time. There is no warning. Very often, their presence has nothing to do with anything that you can control. While your proximity to woods for example, may make it more likely for pests to invade your home, sometimes even location doesn’t matter. These pests are looking to get out of the harsh environment outdoors and into the comfort of your home. It can be very important to be prepared for this eventuality. There are some great over-the-counter products that can help to keep a minor infestation from turning into a major problem.
Favorite Midnight Snacks for Pests – How to Keep Critters Out, by Not Inviting Them In!
Everyone knows that insecticides and rat and mouse poisons are, well, poisonous. They aren’t only poisonous to the creatures they are sold to eliminate, but they are also poisonous to humans and pets. The famous phrase, “If you build it, they will come,” has an opposite phrase too, “If you don’t build it, they won’t come.” In the case of pests, you want to avoid building a Home Depot and grocery store for them.
Integrated pest management (IPM) is a concept whereby a home owner or pest control professional look for and eliminate the food and bedding items that tiny invaders love. If you eliminate what is a attracting them, you will be more likely to be able to eliminate the pests. Here is a list of different household pests and some of the things that they find most attractive.
Favorite Midnight Snacks for Pests – How to Keep Critters Out, by Not Inviting Them In!
Everyone knows that insecticides and rat and mouse poisons are, well, poisonous. They aren’t only poisonous to the creatures they are sold to eliminate, but they are also poisonous to humans and pets. The famous phrase, “If you build it, they will come,” has an opposite phrase too, “If you don’t build it, they won’t come.” In the case of pests, you want to avoid building a Home Depot and grocery store for them.
Integrated pest management (IPM) is a concept whereby a home owner or pest control professional look for and eliminate the food and bedding items that tiny invaders love. If you eliminate what is a attracting them, you will be more likely to be able to eliminate the pests.
Here is a list of different household pests and some of the things that they find most attractive:
Things That Attract Mice
Cotton: These furry little creatures love cotton as bedding, particularly the females. They will attack clothing in order to make a warm, soft nest for their tiny babies. Keep stored clothes off of the ground and in gnaw-proof containers.
Pet food: Many pet owners store their animals’ food in garages, closets and other places that humans don’t go very often. This turns into a Vegas-style, all-you-can-eat buffet for rodents. Put pet food in metal containers with tight lids.
People food in garbage: We throw away a lot of food in this country and around the world. Mice are all too happy to recycle that food into mouse food. Keep your trash cans covered tightly. Metal cans are the best choice, but very heavy duty plastics can be a pretty good deterrent.
Things That Attract Ants
Food: Nearly everything you eat, ants are willing to have some. They especially like sugar and fruit since it gives them lots of energy for not a lot of work. All of your food should be in sealed containers. Make sure that everything is in plastic or metal and that they lids are on tightly. Ants aren’t great at getting into tightly sealed containers, but the smallest opening is fair game.
Trash: Your trash is again a great place for ants to find a meal. Keep your trash cans clean on the outside and sealed tightly. You don’t want to be known as the ant restaurant in your town.
Things That Attract Termites
Paper: Everyone knows that termites eat wood, but most people don’t think that termites eat things made from wood. Be very careful about leaving magazines, newspaper, and cardboard boxes where the termites can get to them. This is especially true in basements and garages where they don’t have to travel far to get a bite to eat.
Things That Attract Pantry Bugs
Snacks: There are a number of bugs that love to stop off in your pantry for a bite. There are countless types of creatures that will show up in your kitchen cabinets for a late night snack. They are very mobile, most of them can fly, and they are especially interested in the snacks that you bought! Nuts, crackers, flour, and sweets are all delicious for these unwanted guests. Keep cabinet doors closed and every sealed up tight and you can keep from feeding a flying army.
Knowing what pests like to eat and take from your home is one of the easiest and safest ways to keep these critters at bay, without the use of pesticides and poisons. There are pests everywhere, from the heart of the big city to a country farm house. With a little bit of vigilance, you avoid having uninvited house guests snacking in your cabinets, pantry, and garbage cans.
3 Smart Tactics to Keep Rodents Away from Your Property This Winter
Bait Externally
Stop inviting the rodents inside of your property! Keep rodents on the outside by installing external bait stations and having them maintained. You may need to install multiple bait stations and always ensure they are baited regularly.
Exclusion
When was the last time you had a complete rodent inspection? Sealing rodent entry points to your property is the most important part of rodent control. Have doors adjusted properly, holes and visible crevices secured, and door sweeps installed wherever possible.
Contain
If you know that rodents will inevitably find their way into your building, limit their access between dwelling areas. Have an inspection and secure any pathways, common areas, unnecessary holes and visible crevices throughout your property. Additionally, you should remove anything that may be a food source to the rodent. They will be extremely vigilant in entering your property if they are aware of sustenance. Keep in mind that good sanitation is critical!
Rodent issues do not always appear overnight, they are symptoms of issues that most likely can be prevented. Receive regular reporting from your pest control company on the condition of the units that are being treated and address any potential issues in a timely manner.
10 Ways to Keep Animals Out of Your Garbage
They show up the spring, summer, fall and winter... raccoons, cats, and other animals hunting around in your trash looking for a free meal. Oftentimes, this situation can be controlled, and it s not too hard to do. Here are 10 easy tips that you can use to keep furry creatures out of your trash right now.
Minimize the amount of food waste in your trash
If you can, use the garbage disposal on your sink or put food into your trash bins only on pick-up day.
Keep lids on your trash cans secure
Many of the older metal cans have lids that clip on tightly. Today, the new plastic cans which can be picked up by garbage trucks have lids that blow open fairly easily. A bungee cord can keep the lids closed without much hassle.
Move your trash indoors
If you have a cold garage or shed, you can keep your trash inside. Keeping trash indoors will keep the creatures out.
Cover up the smell of food.
One way is by spraying bleach, ammonia, or vinegar. Raccoons, cats, and squirrels find your trash by smell. Masking the smell of the food with a strong scent will make it much harder for them to seek food.
Stake down the garbage cans
The wind can knock your garbage cans over. Run a rope over the top of the cans and stake them down to the ground.
Wash your trash cans frequently
The build-up of delicious smelling food runoff is irresistible to our furry little diners. Keeping the cans clean will reduce the smells and make them less attractive to animals.
Keep food scraps in the freezer until garbage day.
Freezing them will keep them from smelling bad while you are waiting for pick up day.
Christmas lights can keep animals out.
Christmas lights scare raccoons and other animals, so they are perfect to keep critters out. You can put out a small wooden or metal frame or simply hang lights on the garbage cans to keep everyone out.
Build a chicken-wire box for your trash cans.
Anything that can keep the animals from being able to open the tops will prevent them from getting in.
Animal repellent is a simple solution.
There are several over-the-counter sprays that can be put on the cans and on the trash that will keep the raccoons and other creatures out.
One very important note: If you see a raccoon or other animals acting strangely, please call us at Anchor Pest Control right away. Raccoons and other mammals can carry rabies and give it to pets and family members.
If you find that you have a consistent problem with animals in your garbage, give us a call us we will come out to assess the situation. We have professional solutions that will keep your garbage in the cans when these DIY options may not help.
How to Tell if You Have a Termite Infestation
Termites are the worst nightmare for many homeowners. It’s unsettling to know that many bugs are lurking around in your home, let alone when you realize that they have the potential to damage prized furniture and household features. In the worst case scenario, termites could even create critical structural damage to the wooden section of your home, creating a possible safety concern. Do you think there might be termites in your home? Read on to learn about four signs of termite infestation and find out.
Visual Examination
There are many tale-tell signs of terminates to be on the lookout for. In some cases, you might discover “tunnels” in wooden items, meaning that termites ate their way through. You might also spot holes, as well as swollen ceilings, doors, and walls as an indicator of a possible termite infestation
Listen for Termite Sounds
In some cases, you could be able to hear rattling sounds generated by termites. When they feel threatened, these insects rattle their heads against tunnels, creating a very distinctive effect. You can also keep listening for clicking noises and rustling sounds, as they go through the wood.
Swarming Near Light Sources
During the day, most termites swarm, to detach from their “group” and finding new areas to colonize. Winged termites, which are common household parasites, are particularly keen to follow electrical light sources, including lamps. You might be able to easily spot them flying around a light bulb during the day, or even at night, depending on the type of termite.
Piles of Wings or Feces
Even if you might not see termites directly, you might be able actually to see what they leave behind. Termites wings and feces might pile up in the corners of your home, behind furniture and in other areas that are not as easy and immediate to access. Always make sure to inspect for these indirect signs of termites.
5 Myths About Termites in New Jersey
How often have you heard of a termite infestation? I’m pretty sure that most people are familiar with the threat of this pest in our area, along with the costly ramifications of not being prepared in advanced by monitoring your home for termites. While most people know about them, we find there's quite a bit of misinformation that exists.
Termite Infestation is Easy to Detect
This is one of the most famous myths you would come across because these infestations are never easy to detect. You can possibly detect them once you start hearing weird sounds from a wooded area of your home, see a swarm, or when you see visible wood shavings and that’s when it may be too late.
Brick Houses are Safe from Termites
Another myth is that brick houses would protect you from a termite infestation. Well, these bugs are capable of crawling through even small spaces in your brick walls.
My property was already treated for termites so I’m OK:
Absolutely not, this is a big red signal for you if you actually believe this. They can resurface anytime, anyplace, and there’s no way to completely prevent it, only monitor it, so be aware and have a monitoring service in place.
Termites are only a problem in the warmer months
This is just another one of those myths where you think it’s all well and good until winter arrives and you open up your home to find termite damage indoors.
DIY Treatment is an Option
Don’t fall for these cheap options, get some expert services to help you out. Trying DIY treatments could only make things worse for you as time passes and the problems persist.
Managing another Summer With Mosquitos: 10 Ways to Avoid Them
When Noah put two of each animal on the Ark, why did he decide to keep mosquitos? We may never know, but we can handle it.
Mosquitos are more than annoying; they are the world’s number one killer, carrying diseases in every part of the world.
Fortunately, there are ways to deal with these buzzing little pests:
Get rid of standing water
The number one reason there are mosquitos is that there is standing water around. It’s the only place where mosquitos can breed. They must have water to lay their eggs in. When most of us think of standing water, we imagine ponds and big puddles. However, mosquitos will even breed in a plastic cup of water left sitting out. The first thing to do to get rid of mosquitos is to go around your property and look for any standing water. This can be in children’s toys, puddles, water near garages, old trash sitting around, etc. No matter how little water there is, mosquitos will breed in it. Dump it all out.
Make it breezy
Mosquitos are terrible fliers. They can’t handle wind at even 1 mph. If you can, sit in a breezy location. If you can’t do that, then simply put an electric fan blowing toward you and your group. Aim it at the ground. Mosquitos fly low to stay out of the wind, so create wind near the ground and they can’t get to you.
Wear lightly colored, tightly woven fabrics
During the day, mosquitos use sight to find victims. You can stop them by wearing light colors that blend in with the surroundings. Dark colors stand out from the horizon. Also, choose tightly woven cloth, as opposed to looser fabrics. Mosquitos can’t get through a tight fabric, so even if they find you, they have to fight to get to you.
Wear a DEET-based repellant
DEET has a bad reputation, but there isn’t a lot of scientific basis for it. Like everything else, don’t bathe in it and you’ll be fine. Most of us don’t wear insect repellant every day, so we won’t have a problem from the five times in a year we use it. DEET is pretty much the only repellant that has been proven to work against mosquitos and other insects. If you’re hesitant, think of it this way: What’s easy? Using DEET effectively or dealing with West Nile Virus? Use a DEET lotion or wipes, or simply spray it onto your hands and other body parts that will be exposed, like ankles and wrists.
Avoid dawn and dusk on the water
Dawn and dusk are the times when the wind tends to die down. That’s when mosquitos can get out and really do a number on you and your passengers. Avoid these times when the wind is calm or non-existent. If you must be out, be covered, even if it’s warm. The wind tends to come back again once it’s full day or full night.
Don’t scratch
Most people who get sick from mosquito bites in the United States get infections from scratching. Use calamine lotion or an anti-itch cream, but try not scratch. By scratching, you are introducing bacteria into your body by breaking the skin further.
Electronic traps aren’t enough
Even if you have a fancy bug zapper with lights and attractant hormones, it can’t kill all the mosquitos. You still need to take precautions against mosquitos. Many of these traps are effective, but they will never get all the mosquitos.
Citronella candles
This one depends on who you ask. The science is a bit sketchy, but so many people swear by these candles and torches that it seems like they might do something. There is evidence that says citronella candles can deter mosquito bites by 50%, which means you still need to take other precautions, like wearing light colored clothes and tight weaves.
Cut the grass
Long grass creates mosquito condominiums. The little critters will hang onto long grass while waiting for a warm, delicious mammal to run by. If you’ve ever seen a running dog wake up a cloud of mosquitos, it can be disturbing. Keep the grass trimmed and neat, especially around woodpiles and edges.
Clean your gutters
The gutters on your house can be one of the worst culprits for standing water. Get up there and clean them out. Take out leaves and debris so that you don’t have to worry about having a place where mosquitos can breed and terrorize your family.
While there are a few other things you can do, these solutions are among the simplest. Be defensive about mosquitos and they won’t ruin every event you attend outdoors.
Planting a Garden? Check out these Plants that can Help Control Pests
It’s true; there are plants that can help keep pests at bay. Many people know that marigolds can keep deer out, but there are plants that can keep out everything from ants to rabbits.
These plants have, in many cases, developed natural defenses that keep pests away. Whether it’s their smell, the way that they taste, or a chemical that they create, these plants can help to keep your vegetables and garden intact and less likely to become snacks for visitors.
The most important reason that this information is incredibly useful is that it can significantly reduce the need for pesticides. If a line of flowers or a specific vegetable can keep many pests out, you can avoid needing to put poisons onto your plants and into your environment.
Check out this list on Wikipedia that has a collection of pest repelling plants: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pest-repelling_plants
Try some of these out and let us know how they work for you. We are always interested in hearing about the experiences of our readers!