How To Inspect for Bed Bugs

Bed bugs may be tiny creatures, but they can cause a large problem if you don’t catch them early on. Unfortunately, they can be hard to spot and identify. It’s easy to mistake other creepy crawlies like ticks, carpet beetles and baby roaches for bed bugs. It also doesn’t help that bed bug bites look similar to other insect bites and skin conditions like fungal infections and eczema. The longer you take to detect them, the more time they have to spread to other parts of your home.

Below is a guide on how to inspect for bed bugs. Learn about the most common signs of an infestation, what they look like, where they like to hide and how to prevent them from invading your space. If you have confirmed their presence in your home, it’s time to contact pest control professionals for help. It is hard to manage an infestation … Read Full Post »

Where to Sleep if You Have Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are unwanted house guests that can quickly take over the place in your home that is meant to be a sanctuary: your bed.

Most homeowners want to sleep in a different bed until the infestation is gone. However, that will only lead bed bugs to other areas of your home. The best thing to do is to continue sleeping in the same bed and contact a pest control specialist.

Reactions to bed bug bites vary from person to person, and they do not always show up right away. Monitoring your bites and knowing when to seek medical help is important.

Lastly, dry cleaning will kill bed bugs, but it is not an effective bed bug treatment. Working with a professional who can identify bed bug hiding places is the best way to kick these pests out of your home.

Where to Sleep if You Have Bed Bugs

As soon as you see a … Read Full Post »

Getting Bitten at Night But No Sign of Bed Bugs

January 19, 2023. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Bed Bug Control, Pest Control • Dallas-Fort Worth

closeup single bed bug crawling on mattress

Have you noticed red spots on your skin but you aren’t sure where they came from? It’s possible that you were bitten by a bed bug while you were sleeping.

For some, bed bug bites cause no reaction; however, others experience itchy red spots and symptoms of an allergic reaction.

If you suspect your bites are from bed bugs but haven’t noticed the signs of an infestation, it’s possible that they snuck in under your nose. Bed bugs are tiny insects that are excellent at hiding and can go unnoticed for a long time. Understanding the signs of an infestation and the side effects of bed bug bites can help you identify your problem.

There are several suggested home remedies for bed bugs, such as spraying them with rubbing alcohol, but most of them do not work. The most effective and thorough way to deal with a bed bug infestation is to call … Read Full Post »

Signs of a Few Bed Bugs Versus an Infestation

January 18, 2023. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green in Bed Bug Control, Pest Control • Orlando

If you have ever woken up with itchy, red bumps on your skin, you might write it off at first. But if the bites continue or you receive a lot of the bites at once, your thoughts might turn to bed bugs as the cause. Anyone can suffer from a bed bug infestation, no matter how clean they keep themselves and their home.

Bed bugs are parasites that rely on the blood of human or animal hosts for the food they need to survive. You can get the bites anywhere on your body. However, you are most likely to be bitten anywhere your skin is exposed while sleeping, such as on your arms, back, face, neck and legs.

It can be hard to tell the difference between flea or spider bites versus bed bug bites. Generally, the bites will have a dark red center and a small blister in the center. and … Read Full Post »

How Long for Mosquito Eggs To Hatch?

January 13, 2023. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Mosquito Control, Pest Control • Tyler

Are mosquitoes causing problems for you and your family? These pesky insects can quickly become troubling because some species can lay hundreds of eggs in the span of a few weeks.

It’s important for homeowners to understand the life cycle of mosquitoes so that they can treat them at each stage. The best way to reduce populations of mosquitoes is to control mosquito eggs along with treating for adults.

Mosquito eggs typically hatch into larvae within a few days of being laid; however, some will remain in their eggs to wait out cold weather. Mosquitoes hatch in water and go through the stages of larvae and pupae before becoming adults. Once adults, they fly and mate.

They are thousands of mosquito species, and one problematic species are the Aedes mosquito. Aedes mosquitoes are known as “ankle biters” because they prefer to bite human ankles. They can also live and mate indoors, which makes … Read Full Post »

What Do German Roaches Look Like?

January 10, 2023. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green in Pest Control • Houston

There are around 4,500 cockroach species worldwide, of which 70 are in the United States. One of the most common types is the German roach. German roaches need human activity to survive and thrive. These roaches usually infest people’s homes, ruining food and spreading diseases.

What do German roaches look like? Here is a guide to help you identify this type of cockroach. We cover its appearance, where it comes from and how it invades. You’ll also learn about steps you can take to address German roach infestations.

How Do You Distinguish German Roaches From Other Species?

German roaches are an aggressive species despite their small size. They are usually no bigger than a penny, measuring only half an inch long. Aside from being smaller than American, Oriental and other cockroach species, they are also not as dark. Adult German roaches are light brown or tan, with the females sporting a darker hue … Read Full Post »

What To Do About Termites in Your Soil

January 9, 2023. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Pest Control, Termite Control • Dallas-Fort Worth

Most homeowners have heard about the horrors of termites in their homes. These small pests build colonies numbering in the thousands or even millions. They feed on wood and can cause major property damage as they chew through houses, garages, decks, fencing and more. But what if you notice termites in the soil somewhere on your property? Should you be worried?

Unfortunately, if you find termites in the soil, they are likely to be subterranean termites—one of the most common and destructive termite species in the United States. These pests build their colonies in the ground near the wood that they feed on. If you see them in the soil, this is a sign that there is an active colony nearby.

Termites in the soil can also indicate a water leak or drainage problem. The reason subterranean termites build colonies in the soil is that they require damp conditions. Broken sprinkler lines, … Read Full Post »

Subterranean Termites Versus Drywood Termites

January 6, 2023. Posted by Holt Myers in Pest Control, Termite Control • San Antonio

Do you know the difference between subterranean termites versus drywood termites? These termite species have several similarities in their appearance and behavior, but there are also key differences that can help you tell them apart.

Identifying which type of termite is infesting your home is the first step in controlling the termite colony. The most important thing to remember is that all types of termites can cause severe structural damage to your home and need to be dealt with quickly.

Not all termites fly, but each species has a type of termite that has wings. They are called swarmer termites, and it is their job to fly away from their current colony to reproduce and form new colonies. These termites discard their wings after mating, and homeowners often spot them around their houses. Discarded termite wings are a sure sign that a mature termite colony is nearby.

It’s important to take the right … Read Full Post »

Do Bed Bugs Jump?

January 2, 2023. Posted by Holt Myers in Bed Bug Control, Pest Control • Corpus Christi

Bed bugs are annoying and unwelcome pests. These small, oval, brownish insects feed on the blood of humans and animals. An adult bed bug is about the size of an apple seed and tends to swell and turn reddish after feeding.

Unlike ants or bees, these pests don’t build nests but hang out in groups in dark, out-of-the-way hiding places. These often include mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards.

In time their numbers can increase as they seek other hiding spots, including other nearby rooms. Bed bugs can be found almost anywhere there’s potential for a suitable host.

Do Bed Bugs Jump?

Bed bugs make use of anyone traveling from place to place. These unwanted hitchhikers will hide in the creases and folds of just about any mode of transport, including suitcases, backpacks, bedding and furniture.

Unlike fleas, which can jump great distances, bed bugs have no jumping abilities and must instead crawl across … Read Full Post »

Do Mosquitoes Die in the Cold?

December 29, 2022. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Mosquito Control, Pest Control • Dallas-Fort Worth

There are many nice things about cooler weather. Arguably one of the best things about cooler temperatures is finally getting a break from mosquito activity. For lots of us, this is a big relief after months of warm weather when mosquitoes are active and bite us every time we step outside. But, does the absence of mosquitoes mean that mosquitoes die in the cold?

The unfortunate truth is that many types of mosquitoes do not die when it gets cold out. Instead, they go dormant until temperatures start to rise again. Other types of mosquitoes do die, but not before laying their last batch of eggs near a water source. Then, when temperatures rise again, the eggs start to move through their life cycle and a new generation of mosquitoes is born.

Mosquitoes are cold-blooded, which means they can’t regulate their body temperature when outdoor temperatures get hotter or colder. These pests … Read Full Post »