Apr 4, 2014 | Uncategorized
Northwest Exterminating encourages public awareness of termites during the spring season
Source – UGA entomology
As temperatures continue to increase across the country and the ground becomes warmer, winged termites will emerge in search of a suitable spot to create a new colony, often in residential settings. We want to take this opportunity to educate homeowners about the threat of termites and the possible signs of an infestation this spring.
Termites feed 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the cellulose found in wood and paper products. They are known as “silent destroyers” due to their ability to compromise the structure of a home without being noticed until it’s too late.
Termites are very destructive and the damage inflicted can be quite costly if left untreated. Each year, termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage, so it’s important for homeowners to be on the lookout for signs of these wood-destroying pests in and around their property.
Here are a few clues that termites may be present in a home:
- Mud tubes (used by termites to reach a food source) on the exterior of the home
- Soft wood in the home that sounds hollow when tapped
- Darkening or blistering of wood structures
- Cracked or bubbling paint
- Small piles of feces that resembles sawdust near a termite nest
- Discarded wings near doors or on windowsills, indicating swarmers have entered the home
- If homeowners notice any of these signs, they should contact a pest professional who can best determine the extent of the problem and recommend a proper treatment plan
For more information on termites, please visit https://www.callnorthwest.com/termite-control/.
Apr 2, 2014 | Uncategorized
It seems there’s a day/month of recognition for just about anything these days. January is Artichoke and Asparagus Month, June is International Surf Music Month, and we can’t forget about September being Be Kind to Editors & Writers Month. There really seems to be a month for everything. However, we may be partial, but we think that April is a very special month! It’s National Pest Management Month!
Source: NPMA
National Pest Management Month is a time to celebrate your pest professionals who protect homes and businesses from pest threats! According to Miss Henriksen, NPMA’s VP of public affairs, “During National Pest Management Month, we shine the light on the importance of professional pest management in consumers’ everyday lives.”
Joining NPMA on a media tour is renowned home improvement expert Bob Vila. NPMA and Bob Vila want to remind homeowners of the importance of keeping a pest free home and the ways you can thwart off pest invaders this spring and summer.
In recognition of National Pest Management Month, Bob Vila and NPMA offer the following tips to pest proof your home:
Exclusion
- Seal any cracks on the outside of the home with a silicone-based caulk, including entry points for utilities and pipes;
- Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around the foundation and windows.
Prevention
- Eliminate sources of standing water around the house, including birdbaths and in clogged gutters.
- Ensure basements, attics, and crawl spaces are well ventilated and dry.
- Clean out gutters and install gutter guards.
Elimination
So what are you waiting on…hug your pest professional today!! Or you can just say thank you!
Source
Feb 24, 2014 | Uncategorized
Getting Rid of Pests by Eliminating their Needs
Bugs are no different than humans in that we’re all in search of 3 basic needs: water, food, and shelter. It’s important when trying to obtain a pest-free home that we are eliminating pest’s basic needs. Limiting their access to these items will be a big step in prevention AND maintenance.
So what steps do you take to eliminate these sources?
Trim vegetation away from structure
How to Eliminate Pest’s Water Sources From Your Home:
- Check under cabinets and sinks for leaks
- Caulk around pipes
- Eliminate any areas in the yard where water pools
- Clean out gutters of debris so water can drain properly
- Don’t leave your pet’s water bowls sitting out
- Remove debris in the yard that gathers water
- Remove standing water from bird baths
How to Eliminate Pest’s Food Sources From Your Home:
- Clean up any food spills immediately
- Don’t leave your pet’s food sitting out
- Keep food (pet food included) in tightly sealed containers
- Take out trash on a regular basis
- Place trash in an outside garbage can with a tightly sealed lid
How to Eliminate Pest’s Access to Shelter From Your Home:
- Be cautious of what you bring in (old furniture, produce, boxes, all can contain bugs that you could potentially bring into your home)
- Caulk and/or seal any cracks or crevices located around windows, doors, pipes, vents, etc.
- Use low sodium vapor lighting on the outside of your home
- Point security lights away from your home
- Trim back vegetation at least 1 foot away from your home
- Remove clutter and debris from the interior and exterior of the home
- Keep doors and windows shut
- If you need to have doors or windows open use screens
If pests have already found their way into your home it’s best to call a professional exterminator. A pest professional can properly inspect your property, identify the pest, identify the sources, effectively treat the home for the targeted pest, and work with you to develop a customized action plan to maintain and prevent further issues from occurring. If you’re in need of a professional pest control company call Northwest Exterminating!
Aug 30, 2013 | Uncategorized
Yellow jackets have barbed like pointers on their stinger that cause the stinger to get lodged into the skin. The stinger is usually left behind, along with the venom sac. It is important to remove a stinger as quickly as possible because venom can continue to be released even if it’s not attached to the bee. The venom can cause an allergic reaction or a possible infection.
Symptoms of infection include:
- redness
- itchiness
- swelling
- continued pain in area of sting 3-5 afterwards
- fever
- chills
Consult your Doctor immediately if any of these symptoms occur.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
- swollen tongue and throat
- wheezing
- dizziness
- short of breath
- sudden drop in blood pressure
Consult your Doctor immediately at signs of an allergic reaction.
What to do if stung:
- immediately remove stinger
- wash the area with soap and water
- apply a cold compress
- apply a nonsteroidal anti-infammatory drug to reduce pain
- apply an antihistamine or hydrocortisone ointment to reduce swelling, redness, and itchiness
It’s very important to call a pest professional if you believe a yellow jacket nest is near your property. We DO NOT recommend you try to remove this on your own…this could result in being stung.
For yellow jacket removal, wasp removal, and hornet removal, call the professionals at Northwest Exterminating.
Other blogs: How to Treat a Yellow Jacket Sting
Source
Photo Source
May 29, 2013 | Uncategorized
The house spider is a common problem that we’re seeing in homes lately. We’ve had lots of calls and concerns about the tiny little pests hanging around. The most effective way of getting rid of spiders is to prevent them from ever coming into your home. Spiders, like most insects, come into your home in search of food. By ridding your home of other insects (regularly scheduled pest maintenance) your home will be useless to the spider.
Ways to Prevent Spiders from coming into your home:
- Seal cracks and crevices around the perimeter of your home that can be used as entry points into your home.
- Use screens on doors and windows.
- Use a vacuum to suck up spiders and their eggs (they often escape if a broom is used).
- Spider survival is low in homes with low humidity, few insects, higher garages, sheds, barns, warehouses, etc.
- Spider webs are often built in corners and angles of walls and windows so web brush often or ask your pest professional to do it while they are treating your home.
- Spiders build webs by trial and error which explains why there may be multiple vacant webs around your home.
- Keep your home clean. Clutter is good for spiders because it gives them a place to hide.
- Ensure that bushes and other plants are trimmed back from the outside wall of your home.
- Make sure mulch is kept a few inches back from the foundation of your home.
- Use plastic storage boxes instead of cardboard. Spiders love cardboard.
Again, regularly scheduled pest control from a professional pest management company will keep out the spiders and their food sources.
