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Tips on Finding a Pest Management Professional

. Posted by in • Austin

With so many companies offering pest control services in the Austin area, where do you start your search? Find out what questions you need to ask to narrow your options down fast and find the right fit for your home.

When you’re dealing with a pest infestation, every minute counts. From termites that make permanent marks in the home’s structure to blood-sucking bedbugs, common household pests can instantly lower your quality of life and eventually cause a big dent in your bank account. The sooner you contact a professional pest management company, the sooner you can get back to living life without fear. Below, we share all of the tips you need to know to find the best pest control company for your needs and budget.

• Get leads and information online. For a searchable register of pre-screened pest management companies in Austin and step-by-step pest identification guides, check out this comprehensive … Read Full Post »

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Can Pest Control Treat for Lice, Scabies and Dust Mites?

. Posted by in • Austin

You’ve probably heard of dust mites, lice and scabies. These three pests are smaller than other common household pests—in fact, they can be microscopic—and may not make their presence felt immediately. However, they each have a well-defined role to play in our homes and personal spaces. Learn more about these creatures and what can be done to manage their activities.

What Are Dust Mites, Lice and Scabies?

Lice, dust mites and scabies are ubiquitous. Whereas lice and scabies are generally regarded as “personal pests” for humans and animals, dust mites are largely harmless and may actually perform beneficial tasks for their human hosts.

Dust mites measure less than .5 millimeter in length and can congregate in colonies of many thousands. They can’t clearly be seen without the aid of a microscope. Meanwhile, head lice can grow up to three millimeters in length, and body lice can be even larger. Scabies mites are about … Read Full Post »

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The Perils of Poor-Quality Bed Bug Treatment

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station

Traditional pest control methods prove remarkably ineffective in the battle against bed bugs.The Perils of Poor-Quality Bed Bug Treatment

Many pests plague our corner of Texas, but bed bugs are notoriously difficult to exterminate through traditional treatment methods. As a result, misguided pest control techniques can become financially and emotionally draining. Proven treatment techniques are limited, but there is hope.

The Perils of Ineffective Bed Bug Treatment

At a global bed bug summit that was held in Denver in December 2013, one of the presenters shared some poll numbers about treating bed bugs. In both 2010 and 2013, 76% of the pest management professionals who were surveyed indicated that bed bugs are the most problematic pests to control.

One Vermont couple learned the hard truth about bed bug control. Neil and Patricia Whitney are highly praised foster parents, and one of their foster children came from a home infested with bed bugs. When an … Read Full Post »

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Cool Pest Science: Using Beetle Pheromones for Pest Control?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Over the years, modern science has come up with a stunning range of solutions to everyday pest problems. Many of these are conventional and even boring, but others capture the imagination of the public. We’re betting that you’re not familiar with an offbeat yet effective means of controlling structural pests and other unwanted insect visitors: beetle pheromones.

What Are Pheromones, Anyway?

Pheromones are biological compounds that animals excrete to attract mates, communicate or perform other important tasks. Human pheromones exist mainly to strengthen ties between mates and family members, but other animals use these chemicals for different purposes. Although some pheromones are associated with strong odors, many of these compounds are odorless and can’t be detected by the human sensory system.

Origins and Application

According to groundbreaking research, the female Asian longhorned beetle—an invasive species that has devastated structures and foliage across wide swathes of the United States—secretes a powerful sex pheromone that attracts … Read Full Post »

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New to Austin? Become Familiar with Our Most Common Pests

. Posted by in • Austin

The Austin area is among the country’s fastest-growing metro regions. Anyone who spends time here understands why: It’s a vibrant, economically diverse city with a unique local culture and plenty of natural amenities. Unfortunately, the area’s pests seem to like it just as much as its human residents. If you’re new to Austin, take some time to learn about the creepy, crawly and occasionally dangerous critters that also call the region home.

Wasps and Other Stinging Insects

Several species of wasp are endemic to the Austin area. The most visually stunning of these is the Cicada killer, a 1.5-inch beast that can kill a tarantula with its venom. The area also harbors several varieties of paper wasps. These smaller creatures aren’t as scary to look at, but their stings can be dangerous for children and those who have a sensitivity to venom. Meanwhile, fire ants like to create colonies near structures and … Read Full Post »

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Ants: They’re Mightier than You Think

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station

When you see a spider, you probably run or at least flounder helplessly in a corner until someone removes it. Cockroaches likely make your skin crawl and your hair stand on end. A scorpion might send you into convulsions, but an ant is probably lucky to inspire a raised eyebrow. Granted, the presence of one or two ants is no reason to sound an alarm. Unfortunately, when several hundred join forces, they can do a surprising amount of damage.

Never Underestimate the Ant

Ruining your picnic is child’s play for some ants. Here are a few ways various types of Texas ants can make your life miserable.

• Common household ants can contaminate your food stores in record time. They’re especially fond of sweets. They carry bacteria on their feet, so once an army of ants invades a food item, it’s theirs.

• Red imported fire ants typically nest outdoors. Their mounds can damage … Read Full Post »

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FAQ: Is My Dog, Cat, Bird, Fish, and Child Safe with a Pest Control Program?

. Posted by in • Austin

Austin-area homeowners have to deal with a wide range of rodent, insect and arachnid pests. To combat these critters, many turn to our powerful pest management programs. Of course, it’s natural to have concerns about our pest control solutions, and we’re more than happy to answer any questions that you might have. We offer answers to some commonly asked questions below.

What Types of Pest Control Do We Offer?

ABC Home & Commercial proudly administers a diverse array of pest control services. Some of our most popular services include:

• Wasp and flying insect control
• Termite and structural pest mitigation
• Bed bug control
• Rodent and wildlife services
• Mosquito control

Each service begins with a licensed inspector’s thorough examination of the affected property. We’ll identify problem areas and determine which pests are at fault. After looking for mitigating factors and sanitation issues, we customize a powerful, proactive pest control plan.

How Do We Minimize the Impact … Read Full Post »

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Nothing Eliminates Bed Bugs Better than a Heat Treat

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth

Do you wake up in the morning with unexplained sores on your trunk and legs? Are you plagued by itching and pain throughout the day?

Your home could be infested with bed bugs. While this might sound disgusting, it’s an increasingly common fact of life in the Metroplex. The good news is that it’s relatively easy and painless to dispatch bed bugs. Learn more about the effectiveness of heat treatments.

What Is Heat Remediation Treatment?

Heat remediation treatment is the practice of exposing bed bugs to lethal doses of heat. There are several means of applying said heat. For small or diffuse items like slippers or carpet, simply running a hair dryer across the affected space for several minutes should be enough to kill most bed bugs. For beds and bulkier pieces of furniture, heat chambers may be required.

How Does It Work?

Although some organisms are more tolerant of heat than others, all have … Read Full Post »

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FAQ: How Toxic Are the Pest Control Products Used by ABC Home & Commercial Services?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

If you have a pest problem in your home, you may be willing to try just about anything to dispel the threat. At the same time, you’re probably cognizant of the fact that some pest control products are toxic. We’re sensitive to these issues as well. In fact, we take pains to ensure that our approach to pest mitigation doesn’t jeopardize your family’s health and well-being. These commonly asked questions explain more about our services and philosophy.

What Specific Products Do We Use?

The products we use contain the following:

• Insect growth regulators
• Pyrethrins
• Pyrethroids
• Indoxycarb

Each of these materials acts on specific pests in certain ways. Although they may be harmful if ingested or under other circumstances of misuse, they lack the dangerous side effects that make certain other pest control products unacceptable for indoor use.

What Other Pest Control Methods Do We Employ?

Pest control products are only part of our pest control … Read Full Post »

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FAQ: What Pest Control Products/ Materials Are Used by ABC?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Modern pest control measures generally involve the application of products and solvents that kill or disrupt the rodents, arachnids and insects that make their way into our homes. As a homeowner, you have every right to wonder about the safety of these materials. We’re fully committed to ensuring your safety and well-being, so we’ve put together a list of questions that potential customers ask about our pest control program.

How Do You Maximize the Safety of Your Pest Control Measures?

At ABC, we like to approach a pest problem holistically through Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This approach involves identifying and eliminating the cause of the infestation, treating the current infestation, and incorporating preventative measures to keep the infestation from returning.

For the treatment aspect of the program, we select pest control products and materials that are known to have few effects on “non-targets.” Non-targets are “bystander” life forms that don’t act as pests … Read Full Post »

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