There’s nothing fun about being stung by pests. The stings from pests can cause immediate skin reactions. These reactions can range from a mild itch to severe pain. Some people are also allergic to certain stings, such as bee stings. In fact, approximately 40 people per year die in the United States due to an allergic reaction to bee stings. If you are in the Atlanta area, then you should also contact an Atlanta pest control company in order to put a stop to pest problems in and around your home. Below is information on some of the common pests that sting that you should be on the lookout for:

Bees: Bees are found globally and there are more than 20,000 recorded species. Some bees are solitary, although species such as bumble bees and honey bees are extremely social. Bees can be a big problem if they build their hive around or even in your home.

Hornets: The only species of true hornet located in the United States is the European hornet. It is yellow and brown in color and measures about an inch and a half in length. The hornet is known to inflict a very painful sting and this is why you want to be sure you control the number of hornets around your home by calling an Atlanta pest control company.

Yellow Jackets: Yellow Jackets are named after their appearance. Although most are yellow and black, some appear to be mostly black. A colony can have 1000 yellow jackets, making them a big potential problem. Although they are not quick to sting a person, they will defend their colony and just one will be capable of producing many stings.

Wasps: Most wasps have two sets of wings and a thinned out waist. Some wasps are aggressive and can carry out multiple stings. If you notice wasps around your home, you should contact an Atlanta pest control company for assistance.

Scorpions: Scorpions have an erectile tail and are related to spiders and ticks. Some, but not all, scorpions are poisonous. However, they can produce a very painful sting and an Atlanta pest control company should be called out if you find scorpions in or close to your home.

These pests are everywhere and this means you should take necessary precautions when you are going to be outdoors and call out an Atlanta pest control service for your home.

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!

Carpet beetles can be a big problem if you live in Georgia. These pests can take over your home before you know it. They will eat the wool out of your clothing, blankets, jackets and sweaters. You may have thought the holes in your belongings were due to moths, but they may very well be from beetles. You can be in especially big trouble if you have wool carpet in your home. If you find beetles in your house or business, then you will want to call an Atlanta pest control  service to help you get the problem under control before it gets worse.

These beetles are about an eighth of an inch in length and can be black or dark in color. Along with being destructive to the wool items in your home, the beetles can also be a threat to your food. They have a preference for cereal, pasta, and nuts. These beetles are also one of the few creatures in the world that digest keratin, which is the main component of hair. They prefer dirty clothing that has body oils on it. This is why it’s always a good idea to make sure your clothing is laundered before you pack it away. If you start finding these beetles in your home you should call an Atlanta pest control company to help you get a handle on the situation.

Another common beetle you can find in your home is the lady beetle, also referred to as the lady bug. You may find them near your windows and doors. In the winter months they may appear to be dead, but will actually be dormant. They can destroy your roses and other plants once the weather heats up and they spring back to their active routine. One word of caution about lady beetles is not to crush them; they can actually stain the surfaces of your home when crushed.

Due to the small size of beetles, it can be difficult to keep them from coming into your home. They can fit through extremely small spaces which make it hard for you to protect your home from them. Since they can also fly, it means they can come into your home easily through windows and open doors as well. An Atlanta pest control company will be able to help you rid your home of beetles if you have a problem.

Silverfish are blue, brown and grey small serpentine bugs that are quite unsightly. They typically hide in dark, damp spaces around the home. These bugs can survive in the majority of climates but usually congregate in basements, bathrooms, kitchens and in attics. People have also found them in boxes in moist and dark areas.





Why Silverfish Are A problem

While silverfish look fairly harmless, they can in fact damage your home. They will eat at wallpaper glue to the point of causing hundreds to thousands of dollars worth of damage. Aside from wallpaper, silverfish also love to eat foods in boxes. They'll even leave their eggs in such food boxes, providing an unpleasant surprise for the person who planned on chowing down. 

These bugs are especially drawn to foods with sugars, starches and carbohydrates. Silverfish also enjoy munching on house plants so much that their feasts can cause plants to wilt and eventually die. Beyond foods and the home itself, silverfish will also feast on your clothing. They eat cotton, synthetic fabrics and silk materials. They'll even eat away at shampoo, book glue and linens.

Identification And Extermination

Silverfish are usually about 10-20 mm in length with 3 bristles on the rear.  They can lay clusters of 20 eggs at a time, making an infestation a huge problem. If you see small black bits that resemble pepper in your basement, bathroom or sinks, you've likely discovered silverfish feces. This is in an indication that you have an infestation and you'll have to trap and repel the bugs. To prevent silverfish from venturing into your food sources, keep your boxes and bags of food tightly closed and sealed. They tend to squirm around the home during the night, so they are a bit difficult to catch and eradicate.

There are also insecticides and traps available for purchase in stores that will kill individual silverfish. Yet this does not address the larger problem. Do It Yourself (DIY) methods prove to be ineffective in the long run. The best decision you can make is to hire a professional who will tailor a unique approach to your home's silverfish problem. By hiring an Atlanta pest control expert, you'll have a professional on your side who can accurately assess your home's unique infestation and develop comprehensive methods for silverfish removal.

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