Have Rodents Come Home for the Holidays? Know the Signs.
Despite the cold, the winter brings activities designed for comfort: snuggling under the covers during a holiday movie night, making hot cocoa and cookies, and roasting marshmallows over a fire. As much as we enjoy the creature comforts of winter, other creatures do the same. Disease-carrying mice and rats will chew their way through walls and windows or flatten their bodies to crawl through any tiny crack or crevice to get inside in search of warmth, shelter, and food.
Having rodents in your home (or business) is a serious problem. Not only do common species of mice and rats wreak havoc on a building’s structure, they also carry dangerous bacteria that can put your family, friends, and coworkers at risk for allergies and infection.
Here are the signs that rodents have come home for the holidays:
- Droppings – Since mice and rats leave droppings where they eat, you’ll often find this proof where you keep most of your food. Look for small, dark pellets in cabinets, pantries, cardboard boxes, and under sinks.
- Nests – If you see shredded paper, cotton, fabrics, or packing material lying around, you could have a pest nesting.
- Gnaw marks – Mice and rats will chew through nearly any type of material to get to food and water quickly, including plastic and lead pipes.
- Grease marks – Rats are dirty pests and their fur leaves dark grease or dirt marks along walls. Shine a flashlight onto areas of suspicion to see if any pests have found their way in.
- Noises – If you’re hearing bumps and scratches in the middle of the night, it’s likely nocturnal rodents scurrying between walls.
- Rodents themselves – Rodents are rapid breeders. Mice can get pregnant between five and 10 times a year, and rats can have up to six litters a year. If you actually lay eyes on just one of these sneaky pests, there are likely dozens of others around.
How to handle a rodent infestation:
You may think that over-the-counter rodent treatments are a good idea, but they fail to address the source of the infestation, and many contain chemicals that can be harmful to pets, children, and people with respiratory conditions. For safe and fast removal, you need to have a professional inspection performed by a pest control expert to determine the source of your problem, seal off the rodents’ point of entry, and remove the pests from your property.
With Command Pest Control’s advanced treatments and trained technicians on the case, your property is guaranteed to be protected. Our pest control experts create custom solutions that combine effective rodent extermination treatments with long-lasting preventative care. For the best pest control services in Arkansas, contact us today and receive a free estimate.
Common House Spiders: Friends or Foes?
As fall creeps in, you may notice some creepy crawly spiders around your home. These friendly, or not-so-friendly, eight-legged friends can hide in the nooks and crannies of your home or yard. With 40,000 known species of spiders worldwide and 3,000 calling North America home, learning the difference between friend and foe is crucial. Here’s a list of everything you need to know about common house spiders in Arkansas.
1. You may have seen these creatures, also called Harvestmen, walking around on your porch or near your home in wooded areas during the fall. Daddy Longlegs have eight long, skinny legs that extend off of a tiny, round body. It’s actually their round body, sporting only two eyes, that lets us know they’re actually not spiders at all. Although these critters are one of the creepiest looking on this list, they are harmless and contain no venom.
2. While you may not like to think about it, the American House Spider is very common in the south – recognizable by their small and gray size, often smaller than a nickel. You may notice them in tight, dark corners, inside closets and cabinets, or along the windows, and this species can live for years after they mature. These spiders are harmless at least, and an annoyance at worst.
3. Like most spiders, Brown Recluses like to hide in out-of-the-way spots. You might find them underneath furniture, in small corners, in the basement, in closets, and inside clothing. As the name suggests, they are brown and have a violin-shaped marking on their back. A single bite from this creepy crawler can lead to symptoms such as fever, chills, serious pain, nausea, necrosis at the site of the bite, and can be life-threatening.
4. Black Widows have a characteristic bright red, hourglass shape on their undersides, and if you see one, stay back! One bite from this venomous spider can cause serious pain, muscle stiffness, and nausea. If these spiders get into your house, they’ll mostly stay in dark, hidden areas. However, you might see them in corners as well.
5. Hobo Spiders are most noticeable in the fall when their dew-covered webs are visible in the morning hours. They will build their webs in a variety of places including windows, doorways, and cellars. While reactions vary from person to person, Hobo Spiders are considered nontoxic to humans.
6. Yellow Sac Spiders use their silk to construct tent-like coverings in low corners. They hide behind these structures during the daytime, resting up for nocturnal hunting. These pests vary drastically in coloring and are sometimes confused for other spiders due to their varying characteristics. Keep your distance from these spiders, as their venom contains cytotoxin that is toxic to humans.
Since 1995, Command Pest Control has been providing Arkansas property owners and commercial managers with exceptional services to help safely eliminate pests. Our exterminators can diagnose your spider issue and determine the best solution for your home or business. With our advanced treatments, those unwanted pests will be gone in no time! Protect your family from dangerous home invaders like these poisonous spiders when you book an appointment today at https://commandpest.com.
How to Keep Your Pantry Pest-Free
Summer marks a time of picnics, fresh produce, and sunshine. This season also brings all types of insects, from ants to mosquitos. Command Pest Control knows the importance of keeping your home pest free, and we have some tips for specifically keeping your pantry pest-free this summer.
1. Use Proper Storage
The first step in preventing pests is to use airtight containers to store food in your pantry. Since some insects are small enough to squeeze into tiny spaces, you should always look for containers with an airtight seal. Instead of storing cereal or rolled oats in an open box, transfer the contents to a sealed plastic container with a convenient pouring lid. For a more sustainable option, use mason jars! They are durable, don’t absorb odors, and are infinitely reusable.
2. Keep Your Kitchen And Pantry Clean
Since pests are attracted to food sources, the importance of proper sanitation cannot be stressed enough. When messes happen, clean up any crumbs, debris, or liquid as soon as possible – and dispose of trash regularly. Also consider seasonally cleaning your pantry with soap and water to eliminate any bugs or larvae that may be hiding.
3. Set Out Bay Leaves/Cinnamon
Placing dried bay leaves on your pantry shelves can ward off bugs like ants, fleas, cockroaches and moths. Bay leaves also contain no harmful chemicals or toxins and are safe if children or pets accidentally ingest them.
For further prevention, consider cinnamon. Sprinkle a line of cinnamon across the entry of your pantry or spice cabinet, and ants won’t cross it. You can also place cinnamon sticks in with your perishable and nonperishable items to both prevent pests and keep your kitchen smelling great!
3. Hire Command Pest Control
Sometimes DIY efforts simply won’t work for infestations. That’s when it’s time to call the professionals who can evaluate your entire home and properly apply treatments to eradicate problem pests. Contact us today at https://commandpest.com/residential for a free estimate today.
Where Do Mosquitos Go In the Winter?
The life cycle of a mosquito is much more complex than we may think. Although they can’t regulate their body temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, mosquitoes are still very much alive throughout the winter months. Here’s what you should know about mosquito life cycles and why these pests seem to disappear in the winter.
- Adults lay eggs and die in winter
Typically, each life cycle begins when temperatures reach below 50 degrees fahrenheit. Female mosquitoes find a collection of water, sometimes less than ½ an inch deep, and lay their final eggs for the season. Both the adult males and females eventually die due to the cold while their eggs that were laid enter a state of diapause – a process that halts their development during the coldest months.
- Eggs hatch in spring and begin feeding
When temperatures begin to warm during spring, the eggs come out of diapause and begin to hatch. These new mosquitos begin developing into full adults and typically seek out blood to feed on.
- New adult mosquitoes become dangerous to your family
When mosquito larvae hatch during the spring, offspring of infected mosquitoes may be carrying Zika Virus, and other dangerous diseases, making them not only a nuisance, but a threat to the safety of your family. One preventative measure to protect your family from mosquitoes is to eliminate bodies of water around your home – including flower pots, bird baths, and clogged gutters. Also consider drilling holes in other vessels which may accidentally catch and store rain – such as wheelbarrows and trash cans.
- Command Pest Control saves the day!
Sometimes, it takes more than preventative measures to handle a problem as rampant as mosquitos. Command Pest Control exterminators have the extensive training and specialized equipment required to quickly get rid of mosquitos on your property. To learn more about Command Pest’s extensive expertise in mosquito control, visit our Mosquito Control page and schedule your appointment today.
Tips for Keeping Fall Pests Out of Your Home
Fall is arguably one of the better seasons of the year- cool weather, spooky holidays, and pumpkin spice- what’s not to love? One downside of the changing season is the fall pests that can cause problems within your home. Luckly, we at Command Pest Control are experts in pest control and have some advice for preventative maintenance for your home during Autumn.
1. Locate any open vents
Open vents can be a welcome mat for unwanted pests, especially during cooler weather. Chimneys, attic vents, or pet doors in your home can all be overlooked entries for bugs, rodents, or other pests. For items that cannot be sealed, use a screen to protect them from unwanted pests.
2. Maintain your outdoor space
The cooler weather means more outdoor events like cookouts with friends and family. With outdoor spaces such as gazebos or firepits, the best preventative maintenance to prevent rodents and other pests is to dispose of your outdoor waste properly, including firewood and food waste. Clogged gutters can welcome rodents, so be sure to maintain these as well.
3. Seal cracks around your home
Use caulk or other insulation tools to seal any cracks in the exterior of your home. Bugs can inconspicuously slip through these cracks, seeking the warmth of your home during cooler months. By taking preventative measures to close off these entrances, you will help to protect your home from these unwanted fall pests.
4. Watch for signs of infestation
Rodent droppings, nests, and burrowing can all be indicators of rodent or pest infestation within your home. The best course of action if you suspect you have an infestation is to call our professionals at Command Pest Control at 1(877)596-1026 or visit us online to schedule an appointment at https://commandpest.com.
Can A Cat Fix A Rodent Problem?
Time and time again we’ve seen homeowners come to the same conclusion after discovering a rodent problem – it’s time to get a cat. Felines are natural hunters, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that introducing a cat to a home with a rodent problem will result in a few dead rats and mice. But as far as a cat being an end-all solution to your rodent problem, we’re still not convinced.
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How To: Relieve Bug Bite Itches
Command is here to help prevent you from being mosquito bitten in your home or workplace or any other residential / commercial place you visit that is a customer of ours. However, we understand being outdoors automatically ups your risk of being bitten by these pesky bugs, especially at night when you are grilling and watching the stars. There’s nothing more appetizing or romantic than a red, itchy bug bite, right? If you don’t happen to have one of those nifty Benadryl roller sticks, here are some at-home ways to ease the pain.
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America’s Most Wanted: Garden Killers
Whether they were caught red-handed or you only know they’re there because of the damage caused to your plants, we have an entomological crime on our hands. We’ve rounded up the usual garden-gutters, but can you solve the case as to which one’s responsible for your flower bed’s failure?
4 Signs Termites are Taking Over Your Home
Spring has officially sprung, complete with chirping birds, blooming flowers, and unfortunately, very hungry termites. Although they’re tiny, these pests pack a mighty appetite and can cause extensive, pricy damage to your home if untreated.
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Spring Cleaning for Pest Control
Along with plenty of beauty— sunny days, greener lawns and budding flowers— spring welcomes a lot of bugs. A lot means tens of thousands of hungry termites and ants with one thing on their minds…finding food. To help you put out an unwelcome mat at your home, we’re suggesting a few extra activities to add to your spring cleaning list.
Clean Out Your Gutters
It’s hard to find a better hangout for bugs than damp and dirty gutters. A big step to making your home bug-free this spring is to clean out your gutters*. And, while doing this, be sure to make sure all your downspouts are draining away from your home. You do not want water pooling close to the structure. Along with structural issues, providing a regular water source around the foundation of your home can lead to serious pest problems.
*If cleaning your gutters is difficult and/or dangerous, we suggest hiring a professional.
Clean Out Your Crawl Spaces
What do bugs do when you start your spring cleaning? They hide. And their favorite spots are those places in your home that you spend the least time in…like your crawl space. It’s dark, empty and often full of unwanted junk that makes the perfect shelter for pests. To make this area of your home less appealing to creepy-crawly visitors, take some time this spring to clean out your crawl space. And, just as important, make sure that this area is well ventilated.
Trim Bushes And Trees
Though not as easy to notice during the winter, the trees and bushes around your home grew a lot over the last year. Come Spring, those plants will need trimming*. It’s best to keep bushes and trees at least a foot away from your home’s structure to prevent easy access for pests such as ants, mice and spiders. If you have flowering bushes such as azaleas, you will want to wait a few weeks until they are no longer flowering to do the trimming.
*To make sure you do not harm your plants, we recommend consulting a professional landscaper before doing any major trimming,
If you encounter a pest problem that you can not get under control, call us at 1-800-GOT-BUGS. Our team of professionals has been serving residents in Northwest and Central Arkansas for 25 years. You can depend on Command Pest Control to send your pests packing…for good!
Serving your pest control needs with two locations in the state: Little Rock (10401 Colonel Glenn Road) and Springdale (833 Jerome Drive).
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