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.
Jan 17, 2014 | Uncategorized
Winter Weather Forces Rodents and Other Pests Indoors
Raccoon
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.
For more information, visit https://www.callnorthwest.com/wildlife-control/.
Jan 15, 2014 | Uncategorized
America’s Rodent Problem
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) . Below is an informative infographic that gives more information into America’s Rodent Problem.
SOURCE: NPMA
Jan 8, 2014 | Uncategorized
Keeping Rodents Away
Squirrels, mice, rats, and raccoons are just some of the wildlife that are taking shelter in your home. It can be difficult to remove wildlife and rodents once they are in your home. So what do you do once you’ve successfully removed wildlife from your home? How do you keep rodents away?
As with all pest control, prevention is the key. Pest and rodents are in search of 3 basic needs: food, shelter, and water. By eliminating these sources you make your home less attractive to pests and rodents.
Eliminating food and water:
- Tightly seal all food in containers.
- Clean up spills immediately.
- Tightly seal trash in an outside trash bin.
- Make sure that pet food and water is not left sitting out.
- Remove sitting water from bird baths and other areas in your lawn.
Eliminating shelter:
- Properly seal areas around home. Even squirrels only need a baseball size hole to enter into a structure.
- Keep gutters clear of water and debris.
- Ensure that attic vents are screened.
- Replace screens on windows and doors.
Rodents can cause serious damage to a property and can be a concern to your health. Certain species like mice, reproduce at an extremely high rate so keeping them out of your home is extremely important to prevent a bigger issue. Eliminating their needs will make your home less attractive to rodents and will assist in keeping rodents away.
For more information on rodent removal or more information on keeping rodents away you can visit our website https://www.callnorthwest.com/wildlife-control/ or call us at 888-466-7849.
Jan 3, 2014 | Uncategorized
How to Save on Energy and Bills with TAP Insulation
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.
TAP Attic Insulation Before and After
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
To find out more about TAP Insulation and how it can benefit your home and the environment, click HERE.
Dec 31, 2013 | Uncategorized
New Article Suggests Bees May be Able to Sniff Out Cancer
A recent article that appeared on Smithsonian.com says that new research may prove that bees are able to detect cancer. Insects, including bees, have such a keen sense of smell that they are able to detect smells made up by only a few molecules.
According to the article “Can Bees Be Trained to Sniff Out Cancer?”
U.K.-based product designer Susana Soares has created a simple, elegant way of harnessing bees to screen for a number of diseases, including cancers, like tumors of the lung and ovaries. Her glass apparatus, called “Bee’s,” features a large chamber and a smaller connected chamber housed within it. After training the bees to associate a specific chemical odor with a food reward, such as sugar, the insects are released into the diagnostic device through an opening. Patients would simply blow into the smaller compartment and wait to see if a swarm gathers toward something alarming in the person’s breath.
Insects are great detectors due to their antennae. Bees have an accuracy rate of 98% and have been known to detect tuberculosis, diabetes, cancers, along with other diseases and illnesses.
Read the full article Can Bees Be Trained to Sniff Out Cancer?
Dec 18, 2013 | Uncategorized
Northwest Exterminating shares tips to prevent a stink bug infestation
As the seasons bring cooler weather, stink bugs are likely to make an appearance in homes throughout the United States. Northwest Exterminating encourages homeowners to take proactive measures to stink bug-proof the home, both inside and out, to help keep these smelly pests at bay in the coming months.
Stink bugs often enter homes and other structures this time of year to seek food, water, and shelter in preparation for the upcoming winter weather. Fortunately, stink bugs do not pose a safety or property risk to homeowners. However, they tend to invade homes in high numbers and can become a nuisance once inside.
Experts at the National Pest Management Association, a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food, and property from household pests, offers a few simple tips to ward off stink bugs before an infestation develops.
- Seal cracks around windows, doors, electrical outlets, ceiling fans, and light switches to prevent stink bugs from entering the home.
- Stink bugs are attracted to lights, so it’s recommended to keep outdoor lighting to a minimum.
- Repair damaged window screens and install door sweeps on exterior doors.
- Properly ventilate basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces to eliminate harborage points. Consider using a dehumidifier in these areas.
- Install screens over the chimney and attic vents.
- Keep branches and shrubbery well trimmed, and make sure to store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house.
If you find a stink bug in the home, you can use a vacuum to aid in its removal. However, a licensed pest professional can be contacted if a more serious infestation is suspected.
For more information on stink bugs, visit https://www.callnorthwest.com/learning-center/identify-your-pest/kudzu-bug-stink-bug/.
Dec 13, 2013 | Uncategorized
Noises in Your Attic? Could be a raccoon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Raccoons are one of the most charismatic species of animals found in North America. They are said to be very intelligent; they can remember the solution to tasks up to three years later.
- 16 to 28 inches in length
- Weighs 8 to 20 lbs
- Grayish in color with white and black facial markings
HABITS
- Superb ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
- Common residents in cities, towns, and suburbs.
- Will live in hollowed out trees, caves, or even an attic or garage if they find one available.
- Consume both animal and plant matter.
- Diet varies with locality, season, and availability.
THREATS
- Commonly raid gardens, garbage cans, bird feeders, fish-ponds, and even kitchen cabinets.
- Have been known to use door knobs which makes cabinet doors fair game.
- A pet door is an open invitation into a home.
PREVENTION
- Provide an exclusion barrier where needed.
- Live cages around garbage cans.
For more information on raccoons and other wildlife removal, call Northwest Exterminating.
Dec 11, 2013 | Uncategorized
When traveling this holiday season, be careful not to pick up the dreaded hitchhikers…bed bugs.
Bed bugs can be found in homes, hotels, trains, buses, anywhere that people are traveling. Bed bugs are nocturnal creatures that make their home in the seams of mattresses, cushions, pillows, and other linens. They spread from place to place by getting into purses, suitcases, or other belongings that people are traveling with.
There are ways to protect yourself from bed bugs:
(See bed bug ID)
Do not put any furniture on the floor, instead use luggage racks or the bathroom. It’s important to check mattress seams when you arrive at a home or hotel. You can do this easily by pulling back the sheets and mattress pad and checking along the seams for bed bug casings. Bed bugs are small, flat, and a reddish-brown color. Since they are nocturnal, you may not see actual bed bugs but you can see the casings or the rusty colored spots that they leave behind. If you do find signs of bed bugs, immediately notify the hotel or the homeowner so that different sleeping arrangements can be made.
Whether you’ve seen bed bugs or not, when returning home, make sure to inspect your luggage before bringing it into your home. You can do this by checking the seams of the bags and by placing all of your clothes and luggage in the dryer on the hottest setting. This will kill any bugs that may have found their way home with you.
Bed bug infestations can be difficult to treat. It is highly recommended that a trained professional who specializes in bed bugs perform bed bug removal treatments.
