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!

The one time a year that everyone looks forward to, summer, is also when all the pests come out to fill our homes and pets with their babies. Atlanta pest control companies are here to help. So, how do you keep these unwanted pests like fleas, flies, and other pests out of your home and off your pets?  

House pests

Many little things fly around looking for any way into your home, house flies and fruit flies are among the most annoying of these. Flies seem to come in looking for food, and multiply before your eyes, so what do you do? If you want to do it yourself, here are a few tips:

*First, you must clean anything that may attract them. This can be one of the most difficult steps, as flies can feed on anything. 
*Try to find any areas in your home that they can get in, including window screens, open doors, or any other tiny areas that lead outdoors.
*If the flies are a big problem you may want to get some fly traps, this will at least catch the ones flying around to cut back on their reproduction.

When you can't get rid of these flying pests it's time to call a professional. What can they do?

* Help you identify and understand the type of fly, identify areas where the flies reproduce, and come up with ways to prevent them in the future.
* Additional insecticides are readily available to them. Each type of fly is different, and not all can be removed using the same treatment.

Pet Pests

While we all love our pets, they can be a huge culprit to many pests like fleas and ticks. Once they hitch a ride inside, it can be a huge problem for you and the well-being of your pets. Prevention is always number one, but if that's not enough here's what you can do:

*Due to an increased risk of Lyme disease, anemia, along with skin rashes, always get a vet involved if your pet's pest problem isn't solved with regular treatment.
*During/after any pet pest issues, you should wash and treat all places that your pet comes into contact with.

No matter what type of pest problem you have, prevention is the key, but when that fails a professional may be necessary. They can help

Flea and tick control is one of the most important tasks that pet owners have; it is also one of the most difficult as infestations are usually hard to combat once they are in full swing. Atlanta pest control professionals can help.  Like bed bugs, cockroaches and other household pests, fleas and ticks can survive in a variety of different environments. Fleas in particular are capable of living outdoors in grass and cracks in concrete; inside a home, they can survive in a carpet and in crevices in a hardwood floor. Fleas, ticks and other parasites can cause pets to become seriously ill in addition to causing serious discomfort.

About Fleas
Fleas can be found in most places and can cause diseases like flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). FAD can cause severe allergic reactions like itching and inflammation. The itching an inflammation may cause extreme chewing and scratching that result in the pet damaging their skin and losing hair. Fleas can also transit parasites like tapeworms to humans.

About Ticks
These arachnids are extremely irritating and can transmit a variety of diseases. Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and anaplasmosis are among the diseases that ticks can carry; these diseases are serious and can even be fatal for both human and animals. There are over 80 different species of ticks in the United States, including some that are able to survive in extreme temperatures.

Preventing Flea and Tick Infestations

• Pets should be combed frequently with a flea comb; these combs can remove both fleas and their feces from the pet's fur.
• Homes should be vacuumed regularly and the bag or canister from the vacuum cleaner should be discarded or emptied after each use.
• The home's lawn should be mowed regularly.
• Cats should be kept inside.
• The pet's old bedding should be discarded.
• Both the home and yard should be treated with commercially available treatments which can effectively kill fleas and ticks.

Flea and tick products may be used on a pet, but should be carefully administered; some ingredients are potentially dangerous and an owner should commit to some research before choosing a particular product. Owners should also read and follow the instructions on the products carefully.