Jan 31, 2014 | Uncategorized
It’s cold and rainy, then it’s warm and sunny, cold and rainy, warm and sunny…and this is January!! The weather for the past couple of months has been a bit unpredictable. A couple of weeks ago we had temperatures in the 70′s…in December!! The very next day it was in the 30′s. All this crazy weather makes it difficult to dress when heading out the door and it makes it difficult on our homes trying to keep the temperature regulated.
One of the things that can help in regulating the temperature in your home is to install TAP Insulation in your attic. Properly insulating your attic can save on your energy bills and keep your home at a comfortable temperature year round. When a home is poorly insulated, your HVAC system has to work harder to heat and cool your home. This increases the amount of energy and the cost of your energy bills.
Insulation is measured using “r-value” or the insulation’s resistance to heat flow. Builders are required to put in insulation with a minimum r-value of 30 but the Department of Energy suggests having an r-value of 49 for optimal savings on energy and money. When TAP Insulation is installed, it can be added to your current insulation to add to it’s r-value.
Benefits of TAP Insulation:
- Immediate Return on Investment
- Year-Round Comfort
- Permanent Pest Protection
- Fire Safety
- Green Solution
Jan 31, 2014 | Uncategorized
According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), 45 % of rodent infestations occur in fall and winter. This is one of the reasons that many of our recent blogs have been about colder weather bringing rodents and wildlife into homes (Tips on Keeping Rodents Away After Removal).
Jan 31, 2014 | Uncategorized
Last week we saw cold weather and snow blanket much of the country. In cold conditions homeowners aren’t the only ones seeking shelter indoors. Northwest Exterminating warns that rodents and wildlife are also looking for a warm place, like our homes, to escape the winter chill. Unfortunately, these small pests can cause more than just a headache for homeowners if they gain entrance inside.
Rodents can contaminate food sources and serve as vectors of many diseases, such as salmonella and the potentially fatal Hantavirus. Moreover, mice and rats can cause serious structural damage by chewing through insulation, walls, wood, and electrical wiring.
It’s much easier to prevent an infestation than to get rid of pests after they’ve found a cozy retreat inside the home. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommends the following tips to keep homes rodent-free this winter:
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter, using caulk, steel wool or a combination of both.
- Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
- Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
- Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly.
- Inspect items such as boxes, grocery bags and other packages brought into the home.
Northwest Exterminating advises homeowners to also be on the lookout for signs of an infestation. If you find rodent feces or hear sounds of scurrying in the walls or attic, contact a licensed pest professional, like Northwest Exterminating, to inspect your home for rodents.
Jan 24, 2014 | Uncategorized
If you are hearing scratching in your attic at night there is a good chance that you could have a raccoon. If you search your attic in the daytime you will probably not find the raccoon. Raccoons are nocturnal creatures found throughout the US but are more common in wooded areas.
Raccoons do not hibernate but they do become inactive in the winter months by seeking shelter…hence why they are in your attic. Raccoons can cause damage to structures as they enter your attic or chimney. They can cause a huge mess by raiding garbage cans in search of food and will even destroy gardens by running through and/or eating crops. In addition to the property damage that they cause, they also carry rabies.
Raccoon Prevention:
To prevent raccoons from entering your home make sure that all possible entrances around the attic and roofline are sealed. Repair broken vent covers, loose siding or shingles, and install mesh covers or caps over chimneys to prevent raccoons from entering. Make sure that all outside trash is in an animal proof, tightly sealed garbage can.
If you believe that you may have raccoons in your attic, call Northwest Exterminating for raccoon removal.
Jan 22, 2014 | Uncategorized
Raccoons Invading Attics
If you are hearing scratching in your attic at night there is a good chance that you could have a raccoon (raccoons). If you search your attic in the daytime you will probably not find the raccoon. Raccoons are nocturnal creatures found throughout the US but are more common in wooded areas.
Raccoons do not hibernate but they do become inactive in the winter months by seeking shelter…hence why they are in your attic. Raccoons can cause damage to structures as they enter your attic or chimney. They can cause a huge mess by raiding garbage cans in search of food and will even destroy gardens by running through and/or eating crops. In addition to the property damage that they cause, they also carry rabies.
Raccoon Prevention:
To prevent raccoons from entering your home make sure that all possible entrances around the attic and roofline are sealed. Repair broken vent covers, loose siding or shingles, and install mesh covers or caps over chimneys to prevent raccoons from entering. Make sure that all outside trash is in an animal proof, tightly sealed garbage can.
If you believe that you may have raccoons in your attic, call Northwest Exterminating for raccoon removal.
