It is that time of year again, the time to look out for wintertime pests in Atlanta.  While you might think that the winter is a time you are free and clear from bugs and rodents, think again. In fact, winter is the time when pests decide to hunker down and make their homes--inside your home.

Mice and spiders are the most common pests that you will find in your home this winter. Just ask an Atlanta pest control expert if you are uncertain.

MiceMice will look for a way into your home as soon as it gets cold.  Once they get inside they will destroy food, leave droppings, and keep you awake at night.

Mice will leave signs of where they have been in your home, such as they pathways they take in and out. Follow these clues to figure out where they are living (and how to get rid of them).

When trying to figure out if you do have mice or not, look for droppings, urine trails, chewing, rub marks and small holes in your walls. 

 To get rid of mice, call Brookhaven pest control.  Additionally, eliminate clutter.   Mice love to nest in dark, quiet areas. They prefer things that have gone unattended for a while. This is why they love areas like the basement or the attic.   

You will also want to seal up any holes that could give mice access into your home.  Secure the bottoms of doors that lead to the outside.

Keep leftovers in airtight containers, and try not to leave anything on a counter that they can gnaw through.  

SpidersWhile most of the spiders that you will find in your home are harmless, they are still not pests that most people welcome.

Spiders are just like any other pest, they do not like the cold and will come inside during winter.   Typically you will encounter wolf spiders, jumping spiders, and cellar spiders.

The best way to get rid of, and prevent, spiders in the house, is to vacuum.  Vacuum any areas where you typically find spiders.  Make sure to vacuum areas that are harder to reach. These areas are often overlooked so spiders can make their homes here.  This also includes under furniture. 

Also make sure to check your firewood when you bring it in. Spiders often make their homes in the wood, and then you transport them inside without noticing.

Afraid of seeing spiders or mice this winter?  Contact Brookhaven pest control!

For anyone considering Atlanta pest control, it is good to know that there are a number of benefits when it comes to professional pest control.  Pest control does matter.

When using professional pest control services, residents can rest easy knowing that the company they choose has experienced, trained technicians who understand exactly how and where to treat in order to get rid of any type of pest, be it an insect or rodent. 

Plans

One way that pest control can really pay off is in purchasing an annual plan. This ensures that the professionals will be there several times a year, to keep the pests at bay.  This also means that homeowners can rest easy, knowing that their homes are safe from termites. If termites or carpenter ants were to go unnoticed, it could results in thousands of dollars worth of damage to the home.  Pest control costs are very small in comparison. 

Safety

Pest control technicians know how to safely use their products and exactly where to put them inside and outside of a home.  This keeps families and pets safe.  Oftentimes, when one does pest control himself, harmful chemicals can be put in the wrong places.  Professional pest control offers peace of mind that no hazardous chemicals will affect people or pets.

Time and Flexibility

Most pest control companies work on homeowners' schedules, making it easy to have treatments or retreatments done when they are needed. 

Additionally, when a professional is involved, they will remember to monitor and report whenever it is time to retreat the home.   Homeowners who choose to do it themselves often do not know the correct times to retreat or re-spray for bugs, and it is only when they see more pests that they do something about it. 

Risks

Using the wrong elimination method can have consequences.  If homeowners are not sure how to treat the problem at hand, there could be consequences (such as swarming bees, more ants, etc).  With a professional on hand, there will never be any question. 

Pest control really matters when it comes to the health of one's family and pets. Calling a professional means never wondering what to do. 

Calling Atlanta pest control also means saving time and money as the professionals guarantee their services. They will rid the home of insects and rodents.  

It's that time of year again, stinkbug season.

As summer starts winding down, the insidious stinkbug is already scouting out places to spend the winter, and your house looks pretty darn inviting. That is why an Atlanta pest control company is waiting for your call, to eliminate this pest. 

In case you're wondering why your mother never warned you about stinkbugs, it's because she didn't need to. Stinkbugs have only been around for about two decades, after arriving in the U.S. in crop shipments from the China, Taiwan and Korea.

But you needn't panic if you discover your home or apartment infested with stinkbugs; you just need to show these pests who the boss is.

The culprit's technical name is the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), but green stinkbugs can be found in the southern states. You can spot a stinkbug due to its shield shape, and it can be anywhere from half-an-inch to an inch long.

Why Are Stinkbugs Such A Nuisance?

Although stinkbugs can't cause structural damage to your property, as termites can, and they don't sting or bite people, they are still a significant problem in your home.

For starters, they stink, hence the catchy name. The smell emitted by a crushed stinkbug  has been described as ranging from the acrid smell of rotten almonds to the stench of stinky feet.

How Do Stinkbugs Get Into My Home?

When stinkbugs want in, they are hard to stop. They gather on the outside walls of your house at the end of summer, and soon start crawling into your home through any cracks and crevices they can find.

While they are primarily a nuisance pest, an infestation of stinkbugs can be quite unnerving and overwhelming when the pests appear in large numbers. However, there are tried and true ways to keep stinkbugs out.

What Can I Do About Stinkbugs?

The best defense against stinkbugs is to close all their entryways into your house by sealing and caulking all cracks and crevices. Make sure your door and window screens are intact, and pay attention  to openings in your home's exterior where pipes, wires and cables enter the house.

Don't use commercial insecticides, which are not recommended for stinkbugs, and NEVER try to get rid of them by stepping on them - they'll stink up your house.

Instead, you can get rid of the stinkbugs you see by vacuuming the area thoroughly, and call a professional exterminator to finish the job properly.

It is a commonly heard myth that earwigs crawl into the brain through the ear to lay eggs. There is no scientific evidence of this. Yet, we still choose to stigmatize these insects. Let's analyze this particular leaning and delve into the truth behind the question, "are earwigs harmful?". 

The first concern most people will have is the potential harm to people. Allow me to first dispel any illusion that you may believe about earwigs being dangerous. These insects are actually quite harmless in regards to their relationship to humans. They do not bite, sting, or invade the human brain via the ear, regardless of previous preconceptions. It is said that they may have the ability to pinch with their pincers if provoked or irritated by picking them up. Basically, in terms of being physically harmful, they're a simple case of "leave them alone and they'll leave you alone". 

The second, and frankly most valid, concern is the environmental harm that could be inflicted by these menacing little pests, it is the more likely reason for one to call an Atlanta pest control company. This is an area in which earwigs truly do pose a potential threat. While they are generally scavengers, some are omnivorous or even predatory. Strangely, the "dangerous" ones in this scenario are the omnivores. They would be the ones responsible for feeding on any produce which may be out in the open. The other concern would be for any potted plants that may be on display throughout the home. These plots of soil are a perfect breeding ground for earwigs to lay their eggs, as they are only interested in laying eggs in such locations. This is where the potential for infestation lies. 

Infestation: a word any homeowner dreads. This is the main reason to take any and all preventative measures. While earwigs may not be particularly harmful in terms of physical injury, they can still stir quite the commotion if allowed to infiltrate and nest. So be sure to take precaution this summer. Do your research and determine the most effective and efficient ways to prevent earwigs from coming into your home or alternately, find out the quickest way to be rid of them if they've already found their way inside. 

Thinking of looking for Atlanta pest control, but not sure if you have termites?  There are two different kinds of termites in Atlanta, the subterranean termite and the drywood termite. Both can do a great deal of damage to a home. 

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites are so named because they live underground, and they need contact with the soil.  They love both the temperature and moisture of the soil, and these two things help keep them alive.

Subterranean actually means 'underground' and this is where you will find their colonies.  These termites are the most widely spread type in this country, and are responsible for most of the damage to homes in the United States. 

Sometimes, you will find Formosan termites in Georgia, too, but they are not common.  This is actually a type of subterranean termite, and is the most aggressive of all termites.  They do a billion dollars worth of damage to homes in the US every year, but again, are not common in Atlanta.

 If you see flying swarms of termites, or mud tubes, these are most likely subterranean.  These can be controlled through several measures; calling a pest control specialist at the first sign is important.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites are most commonly found in the southern states, such as Georgia.  These termites are typically bigger than the subterranean termites and do not typically live in the ground. You will usually find these termites living in whatever they are feeding on, be it a tree, your front porch, or even your hardwood floors. 

When you see swarms of drywood termites, you will know that you have an infestation. However, it is important to note that swarms of these termites are actually small, so do not overlook them. 

Signs of Termites?Make sure to look for Atlanta pest control today if you have any of these termites, or fear that you do.  Termites can do expensive damage to a home, and quickly. Call today!

Roaches in the south are nothing to play with. Because of the more temperate climate, a few roaches skittering about at night can soon become a rampaging horde, actively foraging in broad daylight. A few invading roaches can typically be dealt with effectively by the average person. If a colony gets established well enough that roaches are seen during the day, bringing in an Atlanta pest control professional is often the most effective solution.

Roaches prefer dark places and tend to be nocturnal. When seen in significant numbers during the day, the population typically has become so large that the dark places they prefer can no longer contain them. There are always more than you see, and they breed fast. The over-the-counter pesticides sold in retail stores may prove ineffective against larger numbers, and can even make getting rid of roaches more difficult. That is because the roaches can develop resistance to chemicals that are used frequently or improperly.

When working with an Atlanta pest control specialist to get rid of roaches, a multilevel approach is most effective. First, the roaches will be chemically flushed out of their hiding places and killed. Then, the stage can be set for the extermination of the next generation, the eggs and nymphs left behind, such as with poisoned bait. However, scrupulous attention to cleanliness on the part of each member of the household will be required to complement your Atlanta pest control professional's extermination efforts.

Preventing roaches is far easier than getting rid of them. A Brookhaven pest control specialist can be a valuable partner in prevention. A professional consultation can point out vulnerabilities around the home, such as water leaks inside or underneath the dwelling, cracks in the foundation that roaches can crawl through or potential nesting spots, such as in the hollow space underneath the floor of a lower kitchen or bathroom cabinet. Professional help is commonly the fastest, most effective way of dealing with roaches.

Mosquitoes tend to be summertime’s biggest nuisance, and often top the list for the most requested service for Atlanta pest control. With more than 3500 different species, it's challenging to get rid of these pesky invaders because of the adaptations of their life cycle, and the large number of eggs they lay. Homeowners tend to kill off the adult mosquito, while unhatched eggs lay in wait.

Besides being a relentless invader, mosquitoes are disease-carrying voracious breeders, generally laying more than 200 eggs. The majority of adult females laid their eggs in stagnant water, without being fussy about the location. While most homeowners typically look out for places mosquitoes populate like casual puddles or flowerpots, or discarded bottles, these insects also breed in ingenious locations.

Aquatic plants, temporary puddles, located inside of hollowed tree trunks, and anywhere along the tiniest water’s edge, making it challenging to shut out the trespasser - but not impossible.

Here are three effective methods to kill off mosquitoes;

#1 Insecticides. 
The best weapon and the most effective remedy you have against mosquitoes are insecticides. The chemicals kill the mosquitoes and their eggs. However, these chemically-combined substances can be toxic, and not always the best solution for every family. When you consider allergies, children, and pets, chances are you'd rather not blanket the indoors with chemicals, therefore, try more natural solutions. With that being said, insecticides used outdoors, where mosquitoes lay their eggs, can undoubtedly cut down on a summer invasion. While this solution presents its own hurdles, it’s the most effective remedy. When in doubt, allow a Brookhaven pest control expert to perform an analysis and provide recommendations.

#2 Vinegar and Sugar. 
The most common home remedy to kill mosquitoes is with a solution of sour or sweet components. Mosquitoes are attracted to the smell. Use a shallow bowl and pour enough vinegar to cover the bottom. Cover the top with clear plastic, and punch holes in the top. This allows mosquitoes to enter, but unable to find their way back out. When the container has accumulated many mosquitoes or vinegar has lost its smell, change it.

Mosquitoes are also attracted to sugary sweet smells. Switch the vinegar with a cup of sugary soda or fruit juice and prepare it the same way as the vinegar and the insects will become trapped inside the cup.

#3 Plants that Repel Insects. 
Marigold, lemongrass, mint and rosemary all have a harmonious smell for homeowners, but mosquitoes find it unpleasant. All attractive in gardens, and require very little water, and the pungent smells keep mosquitoes at bay. For the indoor environment, homeowners can place plants nearest doors and windows to combat any invaders from sneaking in. The pungent smell of fresh cut lemongrass, near open windows can also be a great deterrent.

Admittedly, the plants won’t kill off mosquitoes but it can help control them. These remedies can be surprisingly effective, but for those instances where you’re losing the war, its best to allow an Atlanta pest control professional to evaluate your situation and rule out infestation.

Twice a year, swarms of Lovebugs cloud the skies of the Southeastern US, including Atlanta, Georgia. For the most part, Lovebugs are harmless to people. They don't bite or carry infectious diseases, and they don't invade homes or bother pets. In fact, in some cases, the Lovebug is actually beneficial. However, during the late Spring and late Summer, car owners need to be aware of the presence of Lovebugs and the potential harm they pose to automobiles.

Lovebugs are a type of March Fly originally native to Central America, which have migrated up the Gulf Coast and farther eastward. For the most part, we rarely see Lovebugs in Atlanta, GA, because it spends most of its life as a larvae underground. There it plays a vital role feeding on decaying vegetation and aerating soil. Surprisingly, this is where Lovebugs are most vulnerable. When Lovebugs migrated, they originally appeared in much greater numbers because they'd escaped the species that limited their population in Central America. Eventually, those species caught up with the Lovebugs, mostly certain kinds of fungi that infect their larvae. During the months of late April to May, and again in August through September, the adult Lovebugs, now flying insects, erupt from the ground to mate. This is generally when we see Lovebug swarms and where they become problematic to car owners.

Lovebugs in Atlanta, GA, swarm around highways and other roads, which is where they come in contact with cars. Compared to other flying insects, these guys aren't huge, averaging about a third of an inch long, but when they swarm, their numbers make up for their size. When they collide with a car, which is likely to happen, they obviously don't do any immediate damage; However, if they're little bodies are left on a car too long, say a day or so,  problems can occur. Normally a Lovebug's body has a neutral pH, meaning it's between acidity and basicity, kinda like water, milk, or even our blood. Lemon juice is an example of an acid, and bleach is an example of a base. You probably wouldn't want to leave either one on your car, right? Well, the same goes for Lovebugs because as they decompose, their bodies become more acidic.

Dead, acidic Lovebugs left on cars can pit and scar paint jobs and chrome. Newer cars are probably less susceptible to acid damage from bugs, but you still don't want to let these little buggers leave their marks. Besides ruining paint jobs, Lovebugs, like other flying insects, can clog a car's grill, preventing the proper ventilation an engine needs to run properly.

How should you prepare for Lovebugs in Atlanta, GA? Combating Lovebugs with insecticides is futile if not counterproductive. They can easily avoid poisons, whereas other, beneficial flying-insects like honeybees might be harmed. Fortunately, there are a few things car owners can do to protect their cars from Lovebug damage. First, Lovebugs have a pretty regular life cycle, so you can count on them appearing sometime in April to May and August to September. Prepare before hand by waxing your car. This helps protect your paint job, but it also makes it a lot easier to clean those guys off. Second, mating Lovebugs are primarily active during the day, so plan your trips in the early morning and during the evening. Reduce your speed to limit the number of bugs splattered. If your car does hit a swarm, try to wash them off before they're exposed to too much sunlight. The longer a bug sits on your car, the more likely it is to acidify. Should you have more questions, please contact your Atlanta pest control provider at 678-553-4521

Lyme disease is not a joke. 
If left unchecked, Lyme disease can become a chronic illness.  Lyme disease is passed by ticks that draws blood from its host in order to survive.
The CDC recommends using a professional to get rid of tics in your home.
Atlanta pest control companies are everywhere.
Preventing Lyme disease is your best bet for keeping it at bay.  Pacific Pest Solutions is one such company that will protect your home or business from Lyme Disease and the ticks that carry them.


Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Rash where tick bites you
Stiff neck 
Chills 
Fever
Swollen lymph nodes 
Headaches
Fatigue 
Muscle aches 
Joint pain


Treatment for Lyme Disease

Immediate attention using effective antibiotics usually results in rapid recoveryAntibiotics include: doxycycline, cefuroxime axetil, amoxicillin
If you are afraid you have waited too long, click here for more info

Pests are a reality of life whether we like it or not. Termite or carpenter ant infestations can cause major damage to your house and end-up costing you a bundle of money to repair. No one enjoys sharing their food and kitchen with cockroaches or ants. Face it, pests can drive you up the wall and cost you a lot of money to eradicate.

According to Atlanta pest control experts, pest infestations and eradication methods and were able to gain a lot of insight into the ongoing battle against pests.

Did you know that fire ant infestation is a problem in 14 states within the southern portion of the U.S.?

There are many reasons why you should be thankful for pest control. Here are 3 of the main reasons to be thankful:


1. Pest Control Saves you Money
Eradicating pest infestations can be costly and the repair of damage caused to a property can run into the thousands of dollars. When using a professional pest control service, such as Kennesaw pest control services, the monthly costs are minimal compared to the cost of possible damage to your home.

Professional pest control services make use of chemical pesticides that are only available to licensed professionals. They are trained in the effective use of these chemicals and know how to manage the prevention of pest infestations.

2. Pest Control Protects your Family
Pests can carry diseases into our homes and threaten the health of our family. The Hantavirus is a viral disease that can cause death and it is spread by Rodents. Allergic reaction to cockroaches can lead to an increase in asthma related sicknesses in children and adults. Flies can carry diseases such as E.coli and leprosy into our homes.

Professional pest control services can schedule regular treatments to prevent pests from making themselves at home in your house. They have the knowledge, training and equipment to provide you with the best possible protection against pests.

3. Pest Control Gives you Peace of Mind
Prevention is better than cure when you are dealing with pests. If you use a professional pest control service to provide regular pest control treatments, you can rest assured that your home and family is protected.

Professional pest control services, are able to provide inspection, pest identification, pre-treatment, scheduled treatments and elimination services or advice. 

It is important to prevent pests from invading your home by using a professional pest control service to provide you with advice and assist you whether you are busy building a new house, moved into a new house, live in an older house or are in the process of remodelling your house. Do not wait for one of your family members to fall ill or for an infestation of rodents or cockroaches before you act.