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6 Tips to Keep Your Home Safe from Pests During Hurricane Season

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 17:52:54 GMT

With forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting a 75 percent chance of a near- or above-normal hurricane season in 2018, it is important for homeowners to ensure their homes are prepped for the damaging effects of these natural disasters. While reinforcing windows and bunkering down ahead of extreme weather are top priorities, other risks (in the form of pests) still lurk long after storms have passed. Downed trees and standing water force many species of insects to seek higher ground and safe shelter – oftentimes in our own homes. To fully prepare for and combat a probable spike in pest populations in the days and weeks after a hurricane, follow these six pest prevention tips. And, for those of you who live on the East Coast, take heed through November 30, which is the Atlantic hurricane season!

1. Amp Up Your Pre-Storm Pest Control Efforts

Before reports of a potential hurricane start to roll in, you can help prevent hurricane season pests by conducting both interior and exterior inspections of your house to identify and address any structural issues that may be worsened by the impending storm. Cracks should be sealed with a silicone-based caulk, any existing water damage should be fixed, and the household property should be sloped so that water flows away from the foundation rather than towards it. Furthermore, potential pest breeding sites such as garbage cans and mulch should be placed relatively far from the house in order keep pests away.

2. Drain Standing Water to Prevent an Influx of Mosquitoes

Though it may seem that the flooding and heavy rains associated with storms would effectively eradicate any existing mosquito populations, the standing water left behind serves as an ideal breeding ground for these biting pests. Mosquitoes need only a bottle cap full – half an inch – of water to breed. As a result, homeowners should assess and address sources of standing water if possible, which can be found in obvious places where flood waters collect, but also in birdbaths, clogged gutters, flowerpots, grill covers, garbage cans and lids. By draining and emptying these water receptacles, you can prevent the development of a mosquito population in your own backyard.

3. Get Rid of Tainted Food and Damaged Debris to Avoid Flies and Rodents

Spoiled food caused by extended power outages during bad weather can invite flies into your home. Flies breed in rotting food, potentially exposing family members to disease. Deposit any spoiled food in a sealed trash bag outside of the house to avoid attracting flies. Food waste and clutter can also entice rodents that are displaced by the storms and seeking food and shelter. For this reason, ensuring that discarded food is picked up by sanitation workers in a timely manner is critical. These workers usually prioritize dealing with common garbage over construction debris in the aftermath of a natural disaster, so homeowners should separate these materials to ensure that trash is quickly picked up and organize debris piles away from the home.

4. Identify and Assess Any Water Damage to Stop Termite and Ant Infiltrations

Rotting wood, caused by water damage, may attract troublesome termites – a pest that can silently chew through your home’s wood joists and flooring, etc., and inflict thousands of dollars in damage over time. Additionally, excessive moisture around your property can oversaturate soil and cause insects living underground, such as ants, to seek higher ground and shelter inside your house. To mitigate these threats, remove rotting debris that could harbor pests, fix any damaged pipes that could be leaking, and make sure your property slopes away from your home to prevent water from pooling around the foundation of the structure.

5. Check for Any Openings Caused by Structural Damage

High winds, rain and hail caused by storms can damage houses, as well as displace surrounding wildlife. This unfortunate combination encourages larger pests such as rats, mice, raccoons and squirrels to seek shelter in homes. Damaged roofing, siding and soffits can serve as welcoming entry points for these and other small animals that are on the hunt for a refuge. Look for any signs of damage on the exterior of the home and fix it as soon as possible. Additionally, seal any openings around windows and doors with caulk and steel wool to further barricade against pests during hurricane season.

6. Contact a Pest Control Professional for a Home Inspection

If you suspect or experience a pest infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest control professional to conduct an inspection and work with you to develop a treatment plan. A professional assessment can help identify any issues before they get out of control.

When dealing with pests nothing less than Complete will work. Complete Pest Control Services is your family owned, Pittsburgh- based complete pest management company. We offer same day 24/7/365 service. Contact us at now at 412.318.4547

Ants: A Colonized Creep

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 17:52:43 GMT

Ants are a familiar pest. They’re on sidewalks, pushing through blades of grass, crawling up stone walls in search of fresh food and new places to call home, and have even starred in movies . Because of this, they have a habit of being everywhere. And sometimes, that also includes places they’re not wanted, like your home. They can climb, burrow, and eat through most household items, and once they’ve created a colony within your house, it can be a pain to remove them completely. We’ll go over some preventative tips here, along with steps you can take to keep your house and belongings safe from an ant infestation.

What Exactly Are Ants?

While ants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, most ant species retain the same general look. They have six legs which allow them to crawl all over, as well as two antennae which help them “see” around their environment with the aid of two compound eyes. There are three kinds of ant in an ant colony: queen, worker, and male.

Queens are larger and fertile females; there is only one per colony. The queen’s role is to reproduce often to create a larger workforce. Workers are infertile females that build tunnels, tend to larvae, defend the nest, and scavenge for food. Males are winged are are primarily focused on reproduction with the queen.

Ants create large colonies and scout the area around them for food. If they find places with better access to resources, they’ll eventually move or start a new colony at that improved site. Oftentimes, this ends up being someone’s home or apartment. This can become a problem both for the health and the state of anyone’s living space.

Ant Infestation: First Signs

There are some simple but effective signs of an active ant infestation in your living space.

Live ants: One ant here or there typically isn’t what we’re talking about, although if you see a random ant roaming around, it can’t hurt to search the rest of your house. If you begin finding multiple ants that look the same roaming around, that’s a decent first sign of an ant colony in or near your home
Ant mound: Most people have seen these mounds of dirt and sand in sidewalk cracks and in their lawns. Ants can bring the fun inside your home too by creating colonies anywhere they can. Different ant species’ colonies look different, too. Some use sand and dirt, while others will dig into wood.
Ant pathways: Ants typically communicate through pheromones. If they find a consistent source of food, they’ll lay down a pheromone trail for other ants to follow. While you might not find dozens of ants at a time walking the same path, noticing ants consistently walking around the same path might be an indication that they’re finding something in your home that makes them want to keep coming back.

Problems From Ant Infestations

While an ant infestation might just seem annoying at first, they can create a lot of havoc that you’ll want to deal with as soon as possible. A few issues that can come about from ant infestations are:

Food Contamination: Ants bring in a lot more than just their colony friends. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi from outside will end up contaminating anything they touch. And if they get into any food that you might have lying around or not properly contained, then all of those germs will end up growing on your food. This can lead up to anything from small bouts of food poisoning to mold, mildew, and chronic illness.
Structural Damage: When colonies pop up in your home, there’s a good chance that there’s been some structural damage already done. Some ants, like carpenter ants , can actually form colonies inside the wood frame of your house, creating hollow spots that can more easily snap, rot, and ruin its structural integrity. They can even cause your home to become structurally unsound, if left long enough.
Bits and Stings: Some ants are a bit more nosey than just rummaging through the snack drawer. Ants can bite or sting depending on the species, and each carry their own unique venom. While not nearly as deadly as some spider or snake bites, ant bites can still be irritating and sometimes require hospitalization. Some people are also hypersensitive or allergic to ant bites, which might cause someone to go into anaphylactic shock and possibly die if not treated immediately.

Ant Prevention

The best ant prevention is understanding your surroundings and your house’s vulnerabilities. A free inspection by Complete Pest Control Services can both reveal any possible current ant infestations while possibly highlighting any specific issues your house has that could leave you more prone to a future infestation. Keeping open food containers properly sealed, properly cleaning food spills, and doing checks of the foundation once a year can help prevent an ant infestation before it goes out of control. And if it does? Complete Pest Control Services can get your house back to normal.

Top Tips To Keep Wild Animals In The Wild

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 17:52:24 GMT

When the fall season rolls in, squirrels, raccoons and opossums are more apt to move indoors in preparation for the colder months. Unfortunately, our homes often provide the perfect refuge for these and other types of nuisance wildlife because they have easy access to food, water and warm shelter from the elements. As such, it’s important to animal-proof your property before Old Man Winter blows in. Here are some helpful tips to ensure that no curious critters sneak in through the attic, basement or other susceptible areas of the home.

Once inside, wild animals are not only difficult to eradicate, but they can also pose serious health risks by carrying diseases like rabies and biting if they feel threatened. If you encounter nuisance wildlife on your property, it’s extremely important to contact a local wildlife control specialist or pest control professional instead of attempting to trap and remove the animal on your own.

1. Screen vents

Raccoons and squirrels often find their way into homes via uncapped chimneys, broken vents and other openings along rooflines. Ensure that these items are fully screened to prevent wild animals from making your home their own.

2. Cover the trash

Many types of nuisance wildlife, especially raccoons, are attracted to piles of trash left outside. You should store all garbage bags in plastic containers with sealed lids to make it difficult for animals to dine on your leftovers.

3. Cut back vegetation

Squirrels and other small wildlife are known to use tree branches to gain access to rooflines, where they can then find a number of ways to move indoors. Be sure to cut back any tree limbs or branches that hang too close to the foundation. A good rule of thumb is to keep vegetation at least 6 to 8 feet from the roofline.

4. Clean up the yard

Do not leave brush, leaf piles or other debris accumulate in the yard, as these materials make the ideal harborage site for small animals. Also, make sure that firewood is stored at least 20 feet from the house during the cooler months.

5. Keep bird feeders out of reach

Ensure bird feeders are only accessible by birds. Squirrels, raccoons, opossums and even bears are drawn to birdseed. Homeowners should also place birdbaths where small animals cannot reach them. Birdbaths and fountains may attract wildlife to the property, especially in areas where water is scarce.

Gutter Cleaning

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:47:01 GMT

Prevent Damage With Regular Gutter Cleanings

At Complete Pest Control Services we understand to standing water attracts insects. A clogged gutter can lead to an increase in mosquito populations, cockroach intrusions, or ant and termite problems. Clogged gutters also increase the chances of mold or leaks and cracks in your building. Complete Pest Control Services can help you eliminate potential problems by cleaning clogged gutters and disposing of any harmful debris. COMPLETE is in our name because we help to completely eliminate the problem (412) 318-4547.

Quality Pest Management Services

Have you seen any of the following around your home or business?

Rodents

Most rodent’s teeth grow continuously over their lifetime. These teeth can gnaw through materials such as cinder block and lead sheeting. They’ll test their teeth on anything they can get their mouths on!

Termites

They don’t ever stop! Termites are one of the few creatures that doesn’t require sleep. These pests will be eating through wood, paper, and books day and night.

Carpenter Ants

While they don’t eat wood like termites, they do tunnel through wood. They create extensive tunnels, nesting inside the wood and coming out for food such as sweets, grease, meat and eggs.

Mosquito

These aren’t a recent problem. Mosquitoes have been biting animals since the Jurassic period, breeding in stagnant pools of water. An infestation usually signals that there’s a breeding ground nearby.

Dead Pest Do's and Don'ts

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:44:28 GMT

While living around nature is wonderful, it can come with some less-than-fun moments. One such is finding a dead animal, such as a racoon or opossum, on your property. They can become a haven for flies, maggots, and possibly other wildlife scavengers to come over and grab a meal. While Complete Pest Control Services only specializes in removing pests that are alive, we’ll share with you what to do when the pest is bereft of life.

Road Kill

If there’s roadkill in front of your house, your local government agency should be able to pick it up for you, especially if there’s an obstruction in the road. This website allows you to select what state you’re in, then lets you specify where in that state you live to grab the local government agency and their phone number.

On Your Lawn

If the animal is on your property and not in the road or obstructing traffic, you’ll most likely have to take care of the problem yourself. Here are a few different ways to do that.

Burial

If you choose to bury the dead animal yourself, you’ll need a shovel and gloves. A cardboard box to place the dead animal in would help as well with moving it around. When digging the hole, make sure to dig it at least two feet deep. This will ensure that no scavengers can properly smell or dig for the carcass themselves.

Cremation

While not everyone has easy access to a cremator, this can be a quick and clean strategy to eliminating your pest problem. Some local animal services might have a cremator, which can help remove the body in a clean and safe way.

Throw it out

Ask your local waste removal service if they allow dead animals into the trash. Most smaller critters, like field mice or voles, are most likely acceptable. Something larger like a racoon or a crow might not be allowed. Each service has their own rules and regulations on this, though, so checking before tossing is always a good idea.

Bring to Animal Services

Some local animal services will take in and dispose of a dead animal carcass. Always call ahead, though. Some places don’t take them, and some that do take them might have specific ways they want you to store and transport the body to them.

Preparing for Spring Pests

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:39:17 GMT

Winter is thawing, and that can only mean one thing: spring is on its way! With spring, though, comes a host of life that can bring more than just tulips to your kitchen counter. A whole host of pesky pests will be migrating, breeding, and looking for new homes. Sometimes, this means they’ll find their ways into your yards and homes, which is never the best way to start off your spring.

A lot of the time, these pests are preventable! And we want to help prevent infestations before they happen to you. We’ve got loads of pest prevention ideas to provide you so that you’ll be prepared for anything this spring can spring on ya!

1) Clean Out Your Closets

You’d be surprised what randomly falls onto your closet floors, only to be pushed into a corner and forgotten about. From old food wrappers and bits of food that will attract all kinds of pests to empty bottles that can provide safe places for pests to make home, anything can become a resource and a reason for a pest to linger longer in your home. Cleaning out your closet can help.

2) Replace Old Carboard Boxes And Inspect Old Paper Products

Cardboard and paper are slowly but constantly soaking up moisture from the air around us. As such, they’re slowly but constantly degrading. Keeping the spaces we store paper products dry can help this significantly. When these paper products become moist, not only do they grow mold and mildew, but they provide spaces and food for certain pests. Giving any older cardboard boxes a check to ensure they’re dry and decent can help prevent a lot of headaches in the future.

3) Inspect Your House’s Outside Walls

As the snow melts and the temperatures rise, it’s a good time to check the outside of your house. Especially look at the first few feet above the ground for cracks or holes. These can be easy ways for bugs and smaller critters to navigate their way into your home. Sealing these cracks will keep the outside creatures outside.

As well, checking your roof for any accidental openings can prevent bats and birds from nesting in spots where they shouldn’t be.

4) Inspect Food Containers

Sometimes, we forget about that box of Cheeze-Its we bought a few months ago. Sometimes, we forgot we even opened it and left it in the back of the snacks drawer. Sometimes, some ants will find out about this and will take it upon themselves to eat them for you.

This is an easily preventable infestation. Checking your food drawers every month or so can help remind you of something you might have forgotten you bought, or can help find something that got shifted farther back than you remember. Pests love places with easily accessible food, so throwing out old food, as well as better sealing opened food can help prevent a lot of future infestations.

5) Check For Wood Damage

While wood damage can be a sign of an infestation, it can also just be a sign of well-worn wood. However, wood that’s aged and damaged can be an easy target for bugs such as termite, carpenter ants, and horntails. While you might not be able to do the repairs yourself, figuring out what you need done earlier rather than later can save you money and time. It’s much cheaper to fix wood than it is to fix wood and an infestation of carpenter ants!

Five Common Fall Pest Problems

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:28:16 GMT

Each season comes with its own pest problems, and fall is no different. The spring’s crickets, the summer’s bees, but what does fall have in store for your house? We’ll tell you about five common fall pests, along with how to look out for signs of infestation.

1) Rodents

Arguably one of the least enjoyable pests, rodents love to look for places during the cooling weather to make their own home. Good locations for them typically include places that have easy access to food and warmth. Keep an eye out for holes in places that could lead from the outside; easy access to a place will make it more likely that rodents will come back and shack up in between your walls. As well, rodents love to bite their way through materials and make their own holes. Gnawed wires, scampering noises in the attic, small droppings in odd places, unusual pet behavior, and chewed up holes in your walls could be a sign that a rat infestation is already upon you!

2) Spiders

These eight-legged pests can help make some fall-themed decorations around your house. The problem: they tend to overstay their welcome. Spiders love to live in the high corners of your ceiling, looking for any bugs to munch on. Spiders are significantly more active during the fall since it’s their mating season, so they’re constantly looking for new places to settle down and have babies. Turning off outdoor lights and removing webs as soon as you see them are surefire ways to make sure you’re not that place they settle down.

3) Bedbugs

With all the extra traveling around the holiday seasons, bed bugs are another fall pest to keep an eye on. While they’re known for clinging to cloth and fabrics, they can just as easily hide in floor cracks and creases. They’re a nuisance to remove once you’ve got a full infestation, so checking any places where they might be creeping and crawling would be a good idea, especially after you’ve travelled. They love travelling almost as much as you do, and they won’t be afraid to come home with you from Thanksgiving dinner or Hanukkah.

4) Stink Bugs

While they don’t immediately stink, these bugs will eventually become a loud and annoying pest. Their flying is noisy, and they have a nasty habit of being in the most unexpected of places. As well, when they feel threatened, they’ll release the worst smell imaginable, which is where they received their name. Stink bugs really enjoy finding easy spots to grab food, so make sure all of your food is sealed well and away from prying stink bug eyes. As well, when you see a stink bug, avoid squishing it. Otherwise, its scent will stay with you for a while!

5) Bees

As the temperatures cool, bees look for warm spots to shack up. They settle in places with minimal environmental exposure so that they are protected from the freezing winter elements that could be detrimental to their hive. Sometimes, that spot to shack up is inside your wall! Make sure that there aren’t any small holes that lead inside your walls for them to enter. Also pay attention to whether you’re seeing a lot of bee activity in a given area of your yard; that might be a sign that there’s a hive nearby, and it might be closer than you think.

Fall Pests Roundup

Each of these pests invades your home in different ways. Always be on the lookout for new ways these pests can come into your home! Prevention is the best way to help prevent an infestation, but if it gets too big for you, Complete Pest Control is always available to fit your schedule and your needs.