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Rats vs. Mice: Which Pest Is Invading Your Home?

. Posted by in , • Austin
rats vs mice

A rodent infestation is often a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Since rodents are sneaky creatures that stay out of sight, it can be difficult to identify exactly what kind of infestation you’re dealing with. 

If you’re dealing with a rodent situation, don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a professional pest control service. The expert can control the population and put prevention methods in place to help deter rats and mice from returning.

Rats Versus Mice: Which Pest Is Invading Your Home?

Do you have rodents in your home but can’t identify what kind? Rats and mice, pictured above, leave behind several of the same signs that they’ve taken up residence in your home, and it can become a guessing game until you actually see a rat or mouse.

However, both mice and rats are nocturnal creatures and are excellent at staying out of sight. It’s helpful for homeowners to learn how to distinguish between … Read Full Post »

Where Do Rats Live?

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a rat

Rats can quickly turn a comfortable home into a stressful situation. But the more you understand about their behavior, the easier it is to stop them in their tracks.

For the best results, work with a pest control specialist to control a rat infestation in your home and help deter them from returning. 

Where Do Rats Live?

Where rats live depends on their species. Some live in nests while others live in burrows. The most important thing for homeowners to remember is that rats will always choose to live near a reliable source of food and water.

For example, Norway rats, a common species, burrow into the ground to build their nests. They’re often spotted around crawl spaces, the foundation of a home, under concrete slabs or in basements. Outdoors, you may see them under decks, sheds, porches, near woodpiles or around compost heaps.

Rats that burrow are skilled at digging, and they build complex … Read Full Post »

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How Long Can Mosquitoes Live Without Food?

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
a mosquito on a person's hand

Mosquitoes are annoying pests that can make it hard to enjoy the outdoors. Some people think they can try to starve mosquitoes before spending time outside. This might sound like a good idea, but it doesn’t work when it comes to controlling mosquitoes.

How Long Can Mosquitoes Live Without Food?

Many homeowners wonder if they can get rid of mosquitoes by starving them out, especially in Texas during mosquito season. However, trying to starve out mosquitoes is not an effective pest control plan.

For one, there isn’t a clear-cut answer for how long mosquitoes can survive without food. Since male and female mosquitoes mainly survive on sugary foods like nectar from plants, fruit juices and other natural sugars, it would be nearly impossible to make sure the mosquitoes on your property aren’t getting food.

Many people don’t realize that only female mosquitoes bite people or animals. Female mosquitoes bite people because they need blood to … Read Full Post »

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Can Bed Bugs Live In Cold Temperatures?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a bed bug

Bed bugs are frustrating pests that can disrupt your sleep and quality of life. Unfortunately, they’re also resilient pests that can survive in harsh conditions.

Can Bed Bugs Live In Cold Temperatures?

It’s common knowledge that bed bugs can’t survive in extreme heat, but what happens to these pests in cold weather? Can bed bugs live in cold temperatures?

Bed bugs are resilient pests that can live in cold temperatures to a certain point. They can survive in cold weather as low as 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Adult bed bugs are particularly resilient and can survive in many conditions.

Bed bugs prefer to live indoors where they have shelter and access to a host for their blood meals, so the cold weather is not a massive threat to their survival. They are especially safe in heated homes when the weather is cold. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs do not hibernate but enter a state … Read Full Post »

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How to Add a Water Feature Without Attracting Mosquitoes

. Posted by in , • Austin
a thumbnail from the video featured in this blog

Ponds, fountains and other water features can transform your backyard into a tranquil oasis. If you live near a highway or in a noisy area, water features can drown out ambient noise and replace it with a soothing, natural sound. 

Adding a water feature can also enhance existing landscaping, often with little required maintenance. Lastly, providing a water feature in your yard can help you attract butterflies and hummingbirds. However, there is one creature you don’t want to attract when you add water to your landscape: mosquitoes. It’s important to control mosquitoes in your water features to maintain a pleasant backyard environment.

How To Keep Mosquitoes Out of Your Water Features

When designing a water feature, it’s essential to consider the potential for mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so incorporating features that prevent stagnant water from accumulating is crucial. Opt for a water feature with a depth of at … Read Full Post »

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Mosquito Bite On Foot: Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Ankles?

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
why mosquitoes bite feet

Have you noticed that you get more mosquito bites on your feet and ankles than anywhere else on your body? This may not be not a coincidence.  According to Alan Brown, Board Certified Entomologist and Technical Director at ABC Home & Commercial Services, there may be many reasons why mosquitoes bite feet and ankles more than other areas, including:

  • The skin around your feet and ankles are exposed 
  • There’s less wind and airflow around your feet 
  • Certain bacterias found on feet can attract mosquitoes  

First, mosquitoes bite exposed skin, and when the weather warms up and mosquitoes come out, ankles and feet are often exposed. Your feet may also be exposed, depending on what kind of shoes you wear while outside. Unlike skin covered by clothing, exposed skin is easy for mosquitoes to access.

Next, mosquitoes are not great fliers, and staying low to the ground … Read Full Post »

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How Long Does It Take for Bed Bug Bites to Appear?

. Posted by in , • Austin
a bed bug

Bed bug bites often appear as unexplained bites on your skin. The time it takes them to appear after an infestation varies, so it’s important for homeowners to understand what bed bug bites look like.

The sooner you can catch a bed bug infestation, the easier it will be to kick these pests out of your home. Besides bites, there are other signs to watch for that can help you catch them early.

How Long Does It Take for Bed Bug Bites to Appear?

How long it takes for bed bug bites to appear varies from person to person. Every immune system responds differently to bed bug bites, and it’s likely that you won’t have an immediate reaction. Bed bug bite reactions can take up to 14 days to appear, while some people have no reaction to bed bug bites at all.

Noticing bites is typically the first sign of a bed bug infestation, … Read Full Post »

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Signs of Fleas in Your Bed and What to Do Next

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
a white bed

Are you worried about fleas around your bed? These pests feed on animal and human hosts. If there’s a flea infestation in your bedroom, you and your pets may wake up with itchy bites.

The first step to controlling fleas around your bed is to look out for the common signs of a flea infestation. Fleas are difficult to spot, but they leave behind several tell-tale signs of their presence.

There are also steps you can take to make your home less hospitable to fleas and keep fleas off you while you sleep. However, the only way to completely control flea bites is to work with a pest control professional.

Signs of Fleas in Your Bed and What to Do Next

Fleas are very small pests that are difficult to spot. A better way to identify a flea infestation is to look for the signs of fleas. Fortunately, fleas leave plenty of signs behind, … Read Full Post »

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How Long Does It Take for Termites to Do Damage?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
termites

Are you dealing with termites? If you’re noticing signs of wood damage around your home, you may have a termite infestation.

Termites can cause damage for months or years before homeowners notice them. In fact, most homeowners don’t identify a termite infestation until a year or two after the termites first arrived. The reason for this is that termites chew wood from the inside out and are stealthy pests that remain out of sight.

Because of their unseen activity, termites are hard pests to control. It’s important to work with a pest control specialist to control a termite population fully. Experts have the tools and experience to offer solutions for controlling termites.

How Long Does It Take for Termites to Do Damage?

How long does it take for termites to do damage? The length of time depends on several factors, such as the size of the termite colony, the type of termites, what they … Read Full Post »

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What You Need to Know About Black Carpet Beetles

. Posted by in • Austin
a black carpet beetle

As a homeowner, you might be worried about black carpet beetles, since their larvae can cause damage to your belongings. The black carpet beetle, or Attagenus unicolor, is a common household pest. Black carpet beetle larvae eat just about anything, from animal by-products (wool, hides and feathers) to natural fibers and plant products (vegetables, grains and cereals).

If you’re dealing with a black carpet beetle problem, your best option is to contact pest control professionals to handle these pests. You can also ask them questions like, “When do mosquitoes come out?”

What Do Black Carpet Beetles Look Like?

Adult black carpet beetles are small, oval-shaped insects, typically one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch long. They are dark brown or black, with a shiny, smooth appearance. Their larvae are light brown to black and covered in bristly hairs, growing up to a quarter inch long. The larvae have a long, elongated and carrot-shaped body … Read Full Post »

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