miscellaneous Archives - Southern Pest Control

A Pest Free New Year’s Resolution in 2022

admin — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 19:59:13 +0000

Making a New Year’s resolution is a tradition, however most are broken by mid February. This is one resolution you will want to keep and we are giving you a few tips to make it easy!

Declutter
Pests love nooks and crannies and fun places to hide among your clutter. The holidays typically bring a massive amount of clutter into the home and outside of it. From gift boxes to wrapping paper, packaging to recyclables to food waste, and more, your property can become a haven for pests of all types. Roaches and rodents love clutter, so getting rid of breeding grounds is key.

Inspect
Another way to facilitate holiday pest control is by inspecting things that come into your home over the holidays. From bedding to boxes, pests can hitch a ride straight into your house on lots of different things especially if those things were being stored outside before they got to you. Cracks, holes and crevices make perfect entryways for unwanted visitors. Be sure to check your home regularly for these passageways and block them or fix them to prevent pests from coming in. Don’t forget, doors, windows and chimneys should be checked as well.
If you happen to find a bug or other sign that your home has pests, it’s time to bring in the professionals. Call Southern & Sovereign Pest Control and take care of that pest problem now (833) 952-1599.

Organize and Repair
During the colder months, pests are seeking shelter from dipping temperatures. Some of the most bothersome pets in January are rodents, and cockroaches – none of which you want to take up residence in or around yours.

Store your garbage in sealed containers and dispose of it regularly. Don’t keep stacks of broken-down cardboard laying around garages as this makes the perfect home for an opportunistic pest looking to get in out of the cold. Also, be sure to store your firewood at least 20 feet away from the house or any structure and 5 inches off the ground to avoid an infestation.Store your garbage in sealed containers and dispose of it regularly. Don’t keep stacks of broken-down cardboard laying around garages as this makes the perfect home for an opportunistic pest looking to get in out of the cold. Also, be sure to store your firewood at least 20 feet away from the house or any structure and 5 inches off the ground to avoid an infestation.

Since rodents and other pests can enter your home through the smallest of spaces, be sure to repair fascia and soffits. If they’re rotted, pests can access these areas and enter your home quite easily. Once pests, like rodents, get inside your home, not only will they seek out food, rodents can also chew through wiring, insulation, sheetrock and many other areas of your home.

Benjamin Franklin famously advised fire-threatened Philadelphians in 1736 that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Clearly, preventing fires is better than fighting them. As is the case with most things which is why the saying has stood the test of time.

It is more more cost effective to prevent an infestation. Southern & Sovereign Pest Control can help you eliminate an infestation or stop one before it starts.
Call SPC today! (833) 952-1599

The post A Pest Free New Year’s Resolution in 2022 appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

Clean Sheets, Hot Blooded Meals, and 5-Star Sleeping Accommodations

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 20:37:06 +0000

Welcome To Our Home

When opening up your home to travelers for lodging, not all guests are polite. One of the most common unwanted guest is the Ctenocephalides felis, or better known as the cat flea. With measurements about one-eighth of an inch long and the ability to leap upward at least 12 inches, the adult cat flea is capable of gaining access into your home or yard in many ways. In addition, an adult flea spends most of its time residing on the host pet consuming 10-15 blood meals per day. Unlike a bed-and-breakfast, a flea infestation is not luxurious, relaxing, or pleasant.

The adult cat fleas’ eyes and antennae are utilized to identify carbon dioxide, heat from warm blooded animals, floor vibrations produced by an approaching person or pet, and changes in air currents, all in an attempt to find a hot meal. Only minutes after jumping onboard, fleas use their slender proboscis (beak) that extends forward, to pierce the skin and begin feeding. Once fed, the female and male mate. Within two days the female flea starts laying eggs in the fur of your pet.

The eggs resemble tiny white pearls (oval shaped). Most of the eggs fall off the host pet and hatch in the surrounding environment (furniture, dog bed, carpeting, and wherever else the host pet sleeps or spends time). Hatching may occur within two to five days under sufficient conditions of warm temperature and relatively high humidity. The entire life cycle of cat fleas usually is completed in 14-28 days under suitable conditions.

Description and Characteristics

Fleas also like breakfast in bed
Females require blood for the development of eggs
Newly hatched young adult fleas usually feed right away
Adult cat fleas can survive weeks indoors without feeding
Since cat fleas do not have wings, they are unable to fly
Fleas can also transmit tapeworms and bacterial infections
Adult cat fleas are reddish-brown with a laterally flattened body
Female cat fleas tend to be slightly larger than their male counterparts
An adult cat flea’s body is divided into three parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen
Adult fleas have three pairs of legs with the back pair greatly enlarged for jumping ability

Since fleas reproduce rapidly, and with the capability of laying 30-50 eggs per day for a total close to 2,000 eggs that develop into more breeding adults over her lifetime, treating the host pet’s environment is critical when attempting to control and prevent flea infestations. Vacuuming is critical to managing a flea infestation.

If You Think You Have a Flea Infestation

VACUUM – Vacuuming will suck up many of the developing pupae, larvae and eggs before they hatch. In addition, vacuum beneath furniture, cushions, beds, and throw rugs. Since vacuuming picks up various stages of the flea’s development, it helps reduce the population. But beware, fleas continue their life cycle in the vacuum bag. When done vacuuming remove and seal the vacuum bag in a garbage bag preventing escape. Place in an outdoor trash container.

Fleas will gather at the base of the tail, back of the legs, neck, and shoulder blades of the host pet. Be sure to groom your pet with a flea comb, removing all fleas. Have your pet treated by a veterinarian. Clean your home and wash all linens especially pet bedding.

A homeowner should see a significant reduction in flea population if the various methods listed above are applied. Eliminating flea infestations requires knowledge, attention to detail and perseverance.

About Southern Pest Control & Sovereign Pest Control:
Southern Pest Control & Sovereign Pest Control offer a full line of pest control, termite, exterminating, and mosquito management services for residential homeowners in Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia homeowners – serving over 40,000 annually. Unwanted pests can pose a huge risk to your home or business on multiple levels. SPC provides qualified, experienced, and licensed pest control professionals prepared to resolve any pest issues that homeowners or business may be experiencing. Southern and Sovereign Pest Control respects their customers’ time and strives to make it convenient when scheduling service. For your convenience, SPC schedules EXACT TIME Appointments. A dedicated dispatch, GPS, and routing system, along with on the hour appointments, enables SPC to cater to their customers’ schedules. All field personnel are state registered or certified. SPC services over 40,000 residential homeowners. Contact Southern Pest Control at (800) 627-0577 to schedule an inspection. For a list of complete services and locations please visit www.southernpestcontrol.com. Southern Pest Control can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/southernpestcontrol).

The post Clean Sheets, Hot Blooded Meals, and 5-Star Sleeping Accommodations appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

Little Tick Big Problem

admin — Mon, 03 May 2021 16:22:26 +0000

May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month

As the temperature rises, ticks are creating problems for pet owners and their pets. Tick diseases like Ehrlichia, Lyme’s and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are serious health concerns. The potential damage to internal organs and joint pain can be attributed to Lyme disease contracted through tick bites.

“We hear so much about Lyme disease, but Rocky Mountain spotted fever has increased sharply. This can be frightening since ticks are small and their bites are usually painless. The host may be unaware of a bite,” says Dave Clayborn, Vice President of Operations for Southern Pest Control.

Interesting Facts

Ticks have 8 legs
Ticks are not classified as insects
Ticks require a blood meal to survive
Lyme disease affects people of all ages
Ticks can live 200 days without food or water
Ticks prefer to hide in grass, shrubs, and wooded areas
Ticks can carry the bacteria which causes Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Ticks do not fly or jump they simple latch onto (process called questing) a passing host (animal/human)

Protect Yourself from Tick Bites

Health officials warn that with such a wet winter the tick population has increased.
Taking precautions can help reduce the risk of infection related to serious diseases carried by ticks. Be aware of grassy landscape, wooded or brushy areas to reduce the risk of tick bites.
Some prevention tips include removing all brush and leaves, maintain and mow lawns short and have pesticide treatments applied in the spring or early summer along the edges of wooded yards and trails.
Wear light colored clothing when you are outside. Tuck your pant legs into your socks.
Smaller than adults and difficult to see or feel, tick nymphs the size of a poppy seed can carry the same harmful diseases as adult ticks. After outdoor activities be sure to perform tick inspections of one’s entire body.
To avoid potentially severe complications, seek medical care if you develop symptoms including, but not limited to, joint pain, muscle aches, fatigue, fever, headache, rash and or swelling.

Prompt removal is important since ticks typically require 24-48 hours of feeding before they can successfully transmit infections like Lyme disease.

How to Properly Remove a Tick – https://youtu.be/QyP40spVkdM

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Hobo Spiders

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 20:11:33 +0000

Coming to a City Near You

Arriving from Europe, the Hobo spider was first discovered in the Pacific Northwest United States in the 1930’s. With the help of railways and hitching rides with humans along major highways, the Hobo spider has migrated eastward, as well as some southern states.

The Hobo spider is a member of the funnel-web spider family. These spiders are known for creating (overlying strands of silk) funnel shaped webs to entangle prey preventing escape before attacking. Hobo spiders seek areas that support tunnel formation such as, holes, cracks, or crevices.

Since the male Hobo Spiders substantially wander about seeking a mate from early July to October, they are responsible for more bites than the females. Shortly after mating the male dies. The female hobo Spider lays its eggs in September and they hatch during late spring. The female Hobo Spiders also dies shortly after laying her four egg cases (capable of producing over 400 eggs). The juvenile spiders hatch in June.

Interesting Facts

Hobo spiders have extremely poor vision
An escape tunnel is built in the back of the web
Hobo spiders do not attack humans (they prefer to flee than fight)
Hobo spiders are poor climbers and rarely found above ground level
Hobo spiders are fast runners, up to 3 feet per second, when moving from place to place.
Webs may be found in low, out of the way, dark places such as basements, window wells and crawl spaces.

Current evidence and findings conclude that hobo spider bites cause only mild pain and redness (blisters and skin problems have also been documented). Spiders in the United States that have toxic venom dangerous to humans include the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider, but not the hobo spider.

Spider Prevention

Repair screens on all doors and windows
Be sure to inspect interior of stored shoes before wearing
Store clothing, shoes, and other items in secure storage bins
Repair and seal any access points such as cracks in the exterior foundation of the home
Remove all debris (leaves, woodpiles) from around exterior of home
Contact a pest professional

When performing outdoor chores (gardening, yard work) or cleaning out the attic, wear a long sleeve shirt, long pants, gloves, and boots.

The post Hobo Spiders appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

Thorn Bug

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 19:22:51 +0000

Master of Disguise – Thorn Bug

An elongated ornate shaped horn, pronotum (slightly curved spine), appears on their backs. This horn is used as a deterrent for predators. It also acts as camouflage allowing the thorn bug to appear as a thorn, thus blending with the plant’s foliage.

Female thorn bugs are known for being great caregivers. Since the adult females guard, and tend to their brood, the nymphs have an astonishing 50% survival rate. Adult and juvenile thorn bugs are active all year, especially during the cooler months.

Thorn bugs are known for their unique ability to create multiple sounds for communication. Adult male thorn bugs fly from plant to plant attempting to find a mate using certain sounds as a courtship call. Other communication consists of warning signals (vibrating noises) announcing the arrival and the location of any predators.

Interesting Facts

Greatest predator – the wasp
Thorn bugs are harmless to humans
Mature thorn bugs are roughly ½ inch in length
Thorn bugs diets consists of various legumes and fruit trees
Thorn bugs reside in Florida, Southern Texas down to Central America.
The adults and juveniles both feed on the nutrients of the same trees they reside
Adult thorn bugs are green or yellow with reddish lines and brownish markings
Adult males and females of the same species can sometimes have quite different pronotal shapes or colors
Thorn bugs utilize their piercing beaks to penetrate plant stems, thus allowing them to feed on the nutrients (sap) within a plant (legumes and other ornamental and fruit trees)
Female thorn bugs embed their group of cream-colored fertilized eggs in the tender bark of trees. After 20 days the eggs hatch. They will breed four generations annually.
The female thorn bugs pass on a chemical deterrent to her offspring, thus making them distasteful to potential predators
The adult females guard their eggs and remain as protector and caregiver throughout their development which may take up to several months

The post Thorn Bug appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

Fish Out Of Water?

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 17:52:25 +0000

You guessed it. They get their name for their likeness to fish. Drawn to moist areas, silver metallic color like scales of a fish, and side to side movements that replicate a fish’s tail through the water. These wingless nocturnal creatures do not bite or spread disease. They are harmless to humans.

CHARACTERISTICS

Silverfish have six legs
Silverfish have threadlike antennae
Silverfish are known as good climbers
Silverfish move extremely fast on flat surfaces
Silverfish measure about ¾ of an inch in length
Silverfish are oval with a round head and have an elongated abdomen area

DID YOU KNOW

Silverfish females can deliver one to three eggs per day. Hiding the eggs in cracks throughout the home, including the attic, for protection. The life expectancy for most silverfish is about three years. Silverfish thrive in moist, humid environments throughout the United States. Due to their compound eyes’ sensitivity to light, silverfish prefer dark undisturbed places. They prefer to hide or rest in tight cracks or crevices during the day.

Silverfish are drawn starches and sugars. In addition, they prefer natural materials, fabrics, paper, wallpaper, magazines, envelopes, and books made with glue.

PREVENTION

Keep food items such as pasta, rice, cereal, flour, sugar, and pet food in tight containers.
Minimize or eliminate clutter and junk stored items. Store items in airtight hard plastic containers, not cardboard boxes.
Keep high-humidity areas such unfinished basements, garages, crawl spaces, and attics moisture free by circulating the air with fans and/or using dehumidifiers.
Silverfish will enter homes to avoid extreme weather. Inspect for and seal entrance around window and door frames, utility pipes and vents. Repair leaky pipes and drains. Eliminate or repair any moldy or wet wood.

If you see a sign of a silverfish infestation, contact a Southern & Sovereign Pest Control today. One of our pest experts will assess and determine the most effective methods of extermination for your specific problem. Call 1-800-627-0577 for more details or to schedule an appointment.

About Southern Pest Control & Sovereign Pest Control:
Southern Pest Control & Sovereign Pest Control offer a full line of pest control, termite, exterminating, and mosquito management services for residential homeowners. A dedicated dispatch, GPS, and routing system, along with on the hour appointments, enables SPC to cater to their customers’ schedules. All field personnel are state registered or certified. SPC services over 40,000 residential homeowners. Contact Southern Pest Control at (800) 627-0577 to schedule an inspection. For a list of complete services and locations please visit www.southernpestcontrol.com. Southern Pest Control can also be found on social media websites: facebook.com/southernpestcontrol

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Time Sure Does Fly

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 20:10:57 +0000

There are two basic categories of cicadas, named accordingly, annual cicadas and periodical cicadas. The annual Cicadas are present from July to September and, depending on the species, periodical cicadas emerge in early summer after 13 to 17 years as nymphs.

The nymphs, after growing underground and when ready, will build mud tubes to burrow out of the ground. Millions of nymphs will emerge at the same time seeking a place to molt into an adult and find a mate. Once an adult, the males will woo a mate with a loud, high-pitched clicking sound that may be heard up to one mile away. Only the males produce this sound. After mating, the adult periodical cicadas only live another two to four weeks.

The females lay their eggs in twigs on trees. When the eggs hatch after three months, a nymph falls onto the ground, where it will then burrow and start the process all over again to ensure their brood’s survival.

Cicadas do not bite or sting
Cicadas are 1 to 1 1/2 inches long
Cicadas have noticeably short antennae
Cicadas have prominent eyes set wide apart
Cicadas are greenish brown oval-shaped with black markings on the body
Cicadas have four wings with the first pair being much longer than their abdomen

About Southern Pest Control & Sovereign Pest Control:
Southern Pest Control & Sovereign Pest Control offer a full line of pest control, termite, exterminating, and mosquito management services for residential homeowners. A dedicated dispatch, GPS, and routing system, along with on the hour appointments, enables SPC to cater to their customers’ schedules. All field personnel are state registered or certified. SPC services over 40,000 residential homeowners. Contact Southern Pest Control at (800) 627-0577 to schedule an inspection. For a list of complete services and locations please visit www.southernpestcontrol.com. Southern Pest Control can also be found on social media websites: facebook.com/southernpestcontrol

The post Time Sure Does Fly appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

Do You Think Ticks Care About Social Distancing?

admin — Fri, 29 May 2020 17:10:27 +0000

Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock.

It is that time of year. It is beautiful outside. Plenty of time to do some gardening. Or spend time with family and pets in the yard.

Ticks thrive in high-humidity areas, with non-managed landscape, overgrown brush and leaf litter. They are known to climb grasses and shrubs then hitch themselves to a host passing by. The tick drinks the host’s blood until it becomes engorged. It is during this time that dangerous pathogens can enter the host’s bloodstream. Of all blood sucking arthropods, ticks transmit the widest array of diseases.

(Graphic provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Precautions can help reduce the risk of infection related to serious diseases carried by ticks

Walk in the center of trails
Remove ticks from your body
Shower soon after being outdoors
Maintain and mow grass frequently
Avoid tick habitat such as densely wooded areas
Use repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET
Remove any brush and all leaf litter around the home and edge of yard
Wear clothes that will help shield you from ticks, long-sleeved shirts and long pants
Protect your pets by inspecting them daily for ticks, especially after they spend time outdoors

American dog ticks are most numerous along roadsides, paths, old fields, marshy areas and trails in brushy woodlands or meadows with tall grass or weeds.

(Graphic provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Diseases that may be transmitted by ticks

Tularemia
Babesiosis
Ehrlichiosi
Lyme disease
Heartland Virus
Boutonneuse Fever
Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Tick-Borne meningoencephalitis
Crimean–Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
Typhus, Rickettsial diseases (spotted fever and Q fever)

Protect your home, family and pets from flea, tick and fire ant infestations.

About Southern Pest Control & Sovereign Pest Control
Southern Pest Control & Sovereign Pest Control offer a full line of pest control, termite, exterminating, and mosquito management services for residential homeowners. A dedicated dispatch, GPS, and routing system, along with on the hour appointments, enables SPC to cater to their customers’ schedules. All field personnel are state registered or certified. SPC services over 40,000 residential homeowners. Contact Southern Pest Control at (800) 627-0577 to schedule an inspection. For a list of complete services and locations please visit www.southernpestcontrol.com. Southern Pest Control can also be found on social media websites: facebook.com/southernpestcontrol

The post Do You Think Ticks Care About Social Distancing? appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

Virus, Health, Family, Neighbors, and Our Communities

admin — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 15:20:17 +0000

What is more important than the health of our families, our neighbors, and our communities?

With these current restraints regarding social distancing and stay at home orders to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 Virus, one silver lining that has emerged is family members reconnecting with one another.

Spending more time with family, especially outdoors in the yard during warmer weather, may increase the risk of mosquito bites. The question trending on social media is “Can mosquitoes transmit the coronavirus?” According to World Health Organization, mosquitoes cannot transmit coronavirus. “To date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose,” World Health Organization.

However, mosquitoes are known vectors capable of transmitting parasites and viruses that cause West Nile, Zika, chikungunya, malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever. “Vector-borne diseases,” says the World Health Organization, “account for more than 17 percent of all infectious diseases.”

Did you know female mosquitoes can lay up to 300 eggs at a time? Female mosquitoes need protein to lay their eggs and get it by feeding on warm-blooded creatures. If a mosquito bites an infected animal or a person, then bites you, it can pass the disease into your blood through its saliva.

Did you know mosquitoes can breed in a container as small as a bottle cap?

Here is a list of preventive measures to mitigate the spread of mosquito-borne diseases by eliminating breeding areas and mosquitoes’ bites.

Keep grass mowed
Clean and drain all clogged gutters
Remove any old tires that allow water to collect
Remove all water puddles around the foundation of home
Replace or repair any torn window screens to prevent access
Ensure water leaking from air cooling systems does not puddle
Remove and drain all still water in fountains, ponds, and swimming pools
Remove all standing water from flowerpots, small jars, pet dishes, and bird baths

Apply mosquito spray that contains DEET
Limit daytime outside activity at dusk and dawn
Wear light long-sleeve clothing and pants (no exposed skin)

Read more about Mosquito Bite Prevention

The post Virus, Health, Family, Neighbors, and Our Communities appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

Pest Control – Keep Your Family Safe

admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:20:13 +0000

Pests and the Diseases They Carry

Pest Control plays an important role in the fight to stop the transmission and eliminate the spread of numerous viruses and diseases. Not to mention keeping your family and pets safe and healthy. Insects and rodents are vectors for carrying infectious pathogens and transmitting diseases.

Cockroaches – Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis A. Cockroaches can cause allergies and trigger asthma attacks, especially in children. Cockroaches need daily consumption of water. Don’t leave dishes in the sink with water in them. Repair any leaky pipes or dripping taps. Remove the water and humidity that pests, including termites, roaches and ants, need to survive.

Mosquitoes – There are many viruses of major public health importance that are transmitted by a variety of mosquitoes (Chikungunya Virus, Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, West Nile Virus and Zika Virus). Mosquitoes breed in soft, moist soil or stagnant water sources such as storm drains, old tires, clogged gutters and birdbaths. Female mosquitoes need protein to lay their eggs and get it by feeding on warm-blooded creatures. If a mosquito bites an infected animal or a person, then bites you, it can pass the disease to your blood through its saliva.

Ticks – Lyme disease, tick-borne meningoencephalitis, Crimean–Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Ttick-Borne Relapsing Fever, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, Heartland Virus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Typhus, Rickettsial diseases (spotted fever and Q fever), and Boutonneuse Fever. A humid spring creates conditions conducive for a tick outbreak in early summer. Increased humidity creates the ideal environment for ticks. American dog ticks are most numerous along roadsides, paths, old fields, marshy areas and trails in brushy woodlands or meadows with tall grass or weeds.

Rats/Mice – Leptospirosis, Rat-bite fever and Salmonellosis. Rats and mice transmit diseases, transport fleas, mites, ticks, and lice, trigger asthma attacks in children and cause significant damage to the home by gnawing through electrical wiring causing fires. Rodents can squeeze through spaces as small as a coin and create holes in the foundation for easy entryways.

According to the Department of Public Health for the City and County of San Francisco, and pursuant to their Order…Residents may leave to provide or receive certain “essential” services. Exterminator is listed due to necessary prevention and transmission of diseases. https://www.sfchronicle.com/local-politics/article/Bay-Area-must-shelter-in-place-Only-15135014.php

Remember, all it takes is two to start a colony. If you think you may have an infestation or would like an inspection, please call today to chat with a pest control expert. Get advice and recommendations for preventing future pest activity (best possible solutions to your pest problems).

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