Dec 7, 2012 | Uncategorized
Raccoons may look cute and cuddly but make no mistake about it…raccoons are one houseguest that you do not want. Raccoons are a common nuisance in the southeast. They can make a home in the attic of a structure and cause several thousands of dollars in damage. Many times raccoons will make a home in an attic to have their babies, called kits. They typically have 3-8 young in the late fall. They can be a nuisance by getting into trashcans found outside of homes or business looking for food.
Along with the damage they can do to your home, they can also be a health concern:
- Carry rabies in their saliva which can be transported by their bites.
- Carry parasites on their fur that can impact both humans and animals.
- Can transfer roundworms and fleas that they carry on their fur.
Common traits of raccoons:
- Female raccoons do not tend to be pack animals, however, males often form social groups to maintain their position against other males or predators.
- Raccoons become aggressive when protecting their young.
- Nocturnal.
- Adaptable creatures. Raccoons can easily adapt to their environments.
The feeding of raccoons by people has helped grow their population in urban areas. Some wildlife experts and public authorities warn against feeding wild animals such as raccoons to discourage them from becoming dependent on humans as a food source.
If you think you have a raccoon in your house call a professional animal control or professional animal removal company immediately to reduce health risks and damage to property.
Tip: Loud noises, flashing lights, and foul odors are said to drive away raccoons before they would typically leave the nest on their own.
Dec 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
The holiday season is a busy time for travel. People visiting family or taking holiday trips…it is a fun and exciting time. But there are precautions to take when traveling. Bed bugs have made a comeback in recent years and are a real concern for travelers. Not only are they a concern for while on a trip but bringing them home can cause thousands of dollars and loss of sleep.
But this shouldn’t discourage people from traveling. With knowledge and diligence, you can protect yourself and your home from bed bugs.
Tips for Avoiding Bed Bugs While Traveling:
- Research the hotel. If staying in a hotel do your research by reading reviews on the website and visiting The Bed Bug Registry. The Bed Bug Registry is a free, public database where people report bed bug infestations across the US and Canada.
- Keep luggage off of bed and floor. Place your luggage on a luggage rack, bathroom floor, or balcony when you enter the room. Placing it on the bed or carpet could give present bed bugs easy access to your luggage.
- Inspect your bed. Check the headboard, foot board, mattress, sheets, pillows, and comforter for little bugs or dark red or brown spots that mark a trail. Check seams and corners closely and the box springs. If you see scurrying, dead bugs, or dark colored trails, notify the hotel management immediately.
- Inspect your room. Check sofas and chairs, or other places that bed bugs could be found.
- If you find bed bugs after you’ve slept in the room, notify hotel management right away. They should launder all of your clothing and give you a new room immediately.
Preventing bed bugs from making their way home with you:
- Unpack your bag in the garage or on a hard, light colored surface. Do not unpack on the bed or carpet. This will allow you to see any bed bugs if they scurry out of your bag.
- Wash and dry all clothes as soon as possible on hot.
- Vacuum your suitcase.
- Although it’s unusual for bed bugs to travel on a person, shower before you sleep in your own bed.
If you suspect that bed bugs have made their way into your home, there is a solution. Northwest Exterminating has a dedicated team of experts that specialize in the treatment of bed bugs. Call the Mouse to get rid of bed bugs in your house.
Dec 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
Normally, an invitation from a friend to go out to lunch will be met with enthusiastic acceptance. However, if your friend tells you that bugs are on the menu, you’ll probably take a rain check. Here in the U.S. most people go great lengths to avoid creepy crawlers in the kitchen, but other countries around the world have a different view.
In some countries, dishes featuring insects are delicacies, so these meals are a rare and unusual treat, much like escargot and caviar. Grasshoppers are the favorite insect to eat, being included in the diets of some people from Latin America, Japan, Africa and the Middle East. Other insect treats include wasp larvae, silk moth pupae, and termites. Some brave students over at Princeton University decided to give it a try, though they described their silkworm treat as “surprisingly bland.”
One researcher states “insects have been a delicacy… not only because of their delicious flavor, but also because they provide a more complete protein… and are concentrated sources of calcium, magnesium, potassium and many other nutrients.” So not only do some people think they taste good, but some insects are also good for you – better than soy, meat, and fish! In addition, insect farming is ecologically less damaging than raising animals for human consumption. At Northwest Exterminating, we have a different type of recipe when it comes to insects. Our goal is also to reduce our impact on the environment while protecting your home from unwanted pests.
Sources:
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/2795548-insects-are-worldwide-delicacies
http://blogs.princeton.edu/paw/2010/11/bugging_out_stu.html
Melissa Brown
[email protected]
Nov 30, 2012 | Uncategorized
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean no yard work. In fact, fall and winter lawn maintenance is vital to a healthy green lawn in the warmer months. Here are some things to consider when caring for your lawn in the winter:
- Keep it clean. It’s important to keep your lawn clean of debris that could smother grass and promote the growth of weeds. Rake leaves, remove debris, and keep pine straw in the beds. This is also important in keeping unwanted bugs and other pests from finding a home in your lawn or even worse, your home.
- Mow, if necessary. – If your grass is long it can smother itself, cause damage from freezing conditions, or develop diseases. Beware not to cut the grass too short, you could scalp it and cause further damage.
- Fertilize. Choose a fertilizer that is high in phosphate and focuses on root development rather than lush lead development.
Your lawn is supposed to be enjoyed. So whether it’s having cook outs in the summer, raking leaves in the fall, or building snowmen in the winter…take care of your lawn. And for those of you who like to spend your time and effort elsewhere, call a professional lawn care service to take on the task for you. If you’re looking for lawn care in Atlanta call Northwest Lawn Care.
Nov 28, 2012 | Uncategorized
For many families, a live Christmas tree is part of the Christmas tradition in their household. Whether you are chopping down a Christmas tree yourself at a Christmas tree farm or buying one that has already been cut, Christmas trees can bring much more than holiday spirit and that infamous Christmas smell to your home.
Christmas trees can often serve as homes to insects and birds. Although this can be unnerving to think about, with careful inspection you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. The insects that make themselves at home in trees often can not survive in the warmth of your home. In this case, it is best to wait for the insects to die and vacuum them up.
Other insects that are overwintering in your tree may confuse the warmth of your home for spring time and begin to hatch or come out of hibernation. This is why it is so important to thoroughly inspect your tree when picking it out. Take a look at each branch for signs of insects. If you see insects, simply remove them. If you see a large amount of insects, it is probably best to choose another tree. Make sure to vigorously shake your tree before bringing it into your home. This will dislodge any insects that may be in your tree.
Most importantly, do not spray your tree with an insect repellant. These products are highly flammable and could be dangerous with the lights and decoration you put on your tree.
If you are concerned about insects brought into your home by your Christmas tree, call the experts at Northwest Exterminating.
