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

Atlanta ant control issues are very real in our state.  However, there are measures you can follow to rid the ant problems in your home. Here is a real video from the home of one of our customers:

As you can see, ants can become a real big problem.  Sometimes you may be able to solve the problem on your own. However, if the problem is too big to handle an Atlanta pest control professional may be in order.  
Check back soon for the after our services video.

Of course it can be alarming to find scorpions in your home.  Although it is rare in the metro Atlanta region, it is possible.  Listed below are some facts worth knowing about scorpions. 

1. There are about 1,400 species of scorpions known around the world. The largest of which is the Emperor Scorpion from Africa.
2. Scorpions are nocturnal and hide in crevices, cracks, or under stones.  This may be why you sometimes find them in sleeping bags or tents. In other words, be mindful of this when you go camping.
3. Their venomous sting is located in the tip of the segmented abdomen.
   
4. Although there are many kinds, only about 25 species are harmful to humans.
5. Scorpions can live upwards to 25 years. If a colony is allowed to breed, they can quickly infest your home or business.
6. Scorpions prey at night, usually on insects.
7. Scorpions can glow under UV lights. This is one way to search for them.
8. Different methods are used to prevent scorpions from becoming a pest to your home or business.
9. A scorpions mating dance can last for hours.
10. Scorpions, unlike insects, lack antennae.

Like cockroaches, scorpions are the only animals known to survive nuclear blasts.  That being said, if you call on the right Atlanta pest control company, they can be eliminated.  

Have you ever been walking through your yard and found something that looked like it came from another world? Or maybe it was from a fictional city like Innsmouth. Or maybe it's late and you are taking out the garbage and you stumble upon something you have never seen before.  Never fear! Pacific Pest Solutions is here. 

Ok, enough with the old superhero routine, the point is, our Atlanta pest control company is here to help you, no matter the pest.  Even if you don't know what to call the critter, we will come out for free, identify the problem, and of course eliminate it.  It really can't get any easier, all you have to do is schedule a free inspection!

Our Norcross pest control location found this critter pictured above.  Scary looking, but it's just a catepillar on its way to becoming a moth.  

Living with rats or mice in your home is nothing desirable for any homeowner, and for a business owner it can be downright deplorable.  Our video above is rather short and informative, but here we will sum it up, just for you.

Mice and rats as we stated are not welcomed guests in most peoples homes or businesses. They can carry disease and really do some damage to your buildings, or customers.  While it is possible to take care of the problem on your own, it is time consuming and possibly not worth the time, money, and effort if you aren't successful. 

Enter Atlanta pest control professionals.  Pacific Pest Solutions and our team of professionals will eliminate your problem and offer ongoing service to make sure once and for all, rodents are not a problem.

Technically, a hornet is a wasp. However, a wasp might not be a hornet.  How is this possible, you ask? Well, let me explain. A wasp is defined as any insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita, excluding ants or bees. 

Which could be a hornet, or any number of other things.  So, begs the question, "What's the difference between a bee and a wasp?" 

For starters, Bees tend to be more social, have hairy bodies and subsist on a diet of pollen and nectar.  Wasps or parasitic, predators, or scavengers.  They feed off of other insects and have considerably less body hair.  For further reading and a better understanding, try this out! 

Hornets are the largest eusocial wasps. Hornets and wasps, unlike a honeybee, do not lose their stingers once they have stung you.  Meaning they can sting multiple times and continuously inject anyone or thing with their venom.

If you are experiencing hornets and any other type of wasp, please call on your local Atlanta pest control to do the job that needs doing. 

Mosquitoes in Atlanta, Georgia are quite the pest.  Not only can mosquitoes hurt when they bite. They can also carry deadly diseases like West Nile Virus or Malaria.  Below are ten other facts about mosquitoes.

1) Mosquitoes fly at speeds of up to 1 and 1.7 miles per hour. Not really as fast as it sounds, especially when you consider the whole insect kingdom.

2) Only female mosquitoes bite animals or humans for blood. They do this so they can procreate.

3) Males generally feed off of plant nectar.

4) Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water.  Atlanta mosquito control companies will tell you that ridding your home from items like buckets or pales or anything else that can collect water will reduce your number of pesky mosquitoes.

5) Mosquitoes may prefer beer drinkers. Especially mosquitoes with malaria.

6) Mosquito is Spanish for "little fly."

7) A mosquito can drink up to 3 times it's weight in blood.

8) There are over 2,700 species of mosquitoes.

9) Average lifespan is less than 2 months.

10) Males locate females by the sounds of their wings.

If you have any questions about mosquitoes, or are in the need of mosquito control in your area. Please call our Atlanta pest control team.  We are here to take your calls any day or time of the week. Or fill in the form, and get a free inspection scheduled today!!