Hands Up! Arrest your Pest Before They Drive you Crazy

A flying cockroach or a stray cricket inside a house is capable of eliciting ear-splitting shrieks and turning your home into a war zone. If not removed swiftly, pests are capable of driving you to seek shelter inside your own house! A fire ant invasion or a cockroach infestation will have most of us running for the hills.

Everyone knows what a good source of protein ants are and how bees are capable of saving our dying planet. Surely, insects are very beneficial in a variety of ways, especially when they are outside where they actually belong, not inside our homes making us scream bloody murder.

According to the Entomological Society of America, there are approximately 10 quintillion insects on planet Earth, that’s 10, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 0000! (The most amount of zeroes you’ll see together in one place) So getting pests to stop coming over for lunch at your house may sometimes feel like a losing battle.

But don’t worry, there’s still a way you can keeps the buggers at bay! Sure, those annoying pests seem to possess otherworldly abilities (bugs can fly, cockroaches can supposedly survive the apocalypse) but pest-proofing your home is not as difficult as it may seem. With a few simple tips, you too can regain control of your house once again!

Seal All Entrances

If you want to make sure that insects stay where they belong (outside!) start securing all entrances inside the house. That means checking that the windows have screens and aren’t fully open and making sure that the doors don’t have cracks through which they can slip through. Seal other entrances such as vents, chimneys, pipes and roof shingles. Installing mesh screens on windows and doors are a good way of keeping your house ventilated and pest free.

Don’t Invite Pests Over for Dinner

Unless you want to be the host of a big bug buffet, it is advised that you don’t keep food out in the open for pests to feast on. Keep food sealed in containers or stored in the refrigerator. Make sure you don’t leave crumbs lying around for an ant picnic and also don’t have open water lying around. Don’t forget to seal your pet bowls as those pests won’t even leave your pet food in peace.

Yard Maintenance

Your yard is a veritable breeding ground for all kinds of insects. It’s like a social hotspot for all bugs to visit and meet up with their fellow pests. If you leave water to pool in your yard or if you have birdbaths or a swimming pool, beware; they are the perfect breeding spots for mosquitoes. So make sure to cover pools of water with dirt, clean your birdbaths twice a week, and keep your swimming pool well-chlorinated.

Also, be sure to clean up any heaps of leaf debris lying around as that’s the pest’s home base for when they’re preparing to attack your home!

Cleanliness is Key

Insects are generally a mess-loving species. They tend to gravitate towards dirt and an open trash can is like Christmas to them. Make sure to maintain cleanliness at all times, especially in the kitchen. One man’s trash is another bug’s treasure, so don’t leave any uncovered trash lying around. Always dispose of it hygienically and keep it sealed in lidded trash cans.

If you still feel as if those pesky pests just won’t give up then it’s time to call in the professionals. Hire a good pest control service such as Xterminator Pest Control to keep your house from becoming bug central. Remember, the house is yours, not the pests’!

Fall Invaders – Are You Ready?

Now that the warmth of summer is on its way out, fall is coming in with more than just cold breeze and colorful leaves! 

It’s time to prepare yourself from the war against the nasty critters making their way into the warmth of your home. Now that fall is on its way with full speed, pests tend to look for cozy homes to shelter themselves from incoming bitter cold. 

These pests are more than just mere annoyances; they bring with them the trouble of allergies, diseases, asthma etc. It’s no wonder so much emphasis is placed on not letting them in!

Gearing up for the fall

The biggest part about preparing for fall is to sealing up your home against the pests that is brings with it. To some people, the task seems like too much of a hassle, however, one Columbus pest control service, Xterminator Pest Control have recommended the following for home protection:

Tip #1: Inspect and seal

Pests doesn’t always mean insects; rats and mice are very much part of the category as well. That means no matter how big of small, you need to make sure you carefully inspect ever crevice of your home, especially the outside and apply silicone caulk into them. This seals up the opening and prevents any critter from entering your home. 

Pro tip: Pay special attention to entrances of utility pipes; this is the most common area where pests tend to enter from.

Tip #2: Filling up the inside

Next you move on to the internal structures of your home. Make sure you fill large gaps and holes with pieces of steel fiber so that pests, especially mice, are deterred from them. This is because it’s near to impossible to gnaw through steel.

Tip #3: Don’t forget the doors

Doors not only allow you to pass through but also pests. Make sure you install door sweeps and if your screen doors are damaged then get them fixed. Remember torn up screens and cracks under the doors make ideal entrance points for pests.

Tip #4: Watch your food

The only thing that matters is food. You leave food unattended and there will be a line of pests coming your way! Whether it’s your food or your pets’ food, remember to always keep it away and properly wash out the dishes. This is the best way to ensure pests and rodents don’t enter the premises of your home.

While these tips work perfectly, you still need a professional pest control to deal with any critters that manage their way into your home. Contact Xterminator Pest Control and trust them to make your home pest free!

Don’t Let Termites Intimidate You! Little Known Facts That Help With Termite Control

The average cost to repair termite damage is $3,000. You read that right!

That should be enough to send a chill down your spine and do what you can to prevent termite infestations in the first place.

When you do spot one in your home, don’t freak out.

Termite are highly dexterous and laborious insects and require a well-planned strategy to terminate.

Termites feed on cellulose, which is the primary component of plants. In fact, cellulose is the most abundant organic compound in the world. This means termites will chew through everything and anything, including but not limited to, all types of wooden structures, money, clothes, furniture, flooring etc.

Yes, that does sound scary. These tiny guys can do some serious harm. However, with proactive approach, you will not just be able to minimize damage but eliminate them from your home.

Remove All Access Routes

· The most common entry points for termites are gaps around gas and water pipelines. Seal them all.

· Moreover, any spot where wooden objects come into contact with the ground also serve as easy access points. Avoid leaving out wooden furniture in the yard or lawn and consider treating all wooden items with anti-termite coatings.

Cut Down Food Sources

No, that doesn’t necessarily mean you make the switch to metal beds or iron chairs. Here’s what to do:

· Get rid of all unnecessary wooden items in the crawlspace and basement. Also consider replace landscaping mulch with cellulose-free alternatives.

· Ensure all wooden sidings are a minimum six inches above the ground.

Reduce Moisture

· Ventilate basement appropriately if it has high moisture levels.

· Fix all leaks that may be pooling in around the foundation of your home.

· Fix all plumbing issues.

Lay Down Termite Barriers For Wooden Flooring

One of the easiest sources of food for termites are, of course, wooden floors.

· If you already have wooden floors, consider conducting routine inspection.

· Look for signs of even grinding around edges and corners. Also check for sawdust.

· If you are laying down the floor in a new home, ensure that a termite barrier is used.

Discuss with your pest control service and ask for more termite damage prevention tips. For termite inspections in Columbus, Ohio, get in touch with Xterminator. The company has years of experience and is recognized for its pest control in Lancaster and Columbus.

Basic Essential for Renovating Your New Office

For most commercial organizations, renovating the office means changing furniture, repainting walls, and expanding. But one thing most organizations don’t think about is pest infestation. While it may feel like something out a bedtime story, pest infestations are common in the business world.

This is because unlike homes, there are endless hiding options in buildings. Even if your office is located on the top floor, there is still a chance of an invasion. Pests like cockroaches and rodents are common in workplaces. Cockroaches lurk inside buildings, and crawl inside through elevators and drains. Rodents also sneak inside buildings through gaps and holes.

How Pest Infestation Affects Businesses

Most business owners deal with the problem by purchasing over-the-counter products. These can be in the form of sprays or liquids. However, the problem is that these products are dangerous for the health of employees. Furthermore, they are laden with chemicals that can damage surface areas.  Once used, they release harmful toxins.

Pests like rodents are dangerous and if the problem goes unaddressed, it can lead to damage. Rodents nibble on cables and wires. They can nibble on computer wires and not only cause loss of data; damaged cables can start fires.

If you have a food canteen on your site, a pest infestation can prove to be deadly. Cockroaches and other insects carry harmful bacteria in their bodies. Because cockroaches feed on human feces, they can contaminate food and water. Furthermore, since they are gutter-dwellers, they are exposed to all sorts of waste materials.

The other side of the problem is that they can lead to embarrassing situations with clients. Imagine an important client visiting your new office. They give you a compliment on the choice of interior. But once they sit down to have a cup of coffee, they are met with the sight of a pesky cockroach, crawling away blissfully.

Not only does this lead to a bad first impression, it can leading to an embarrassing situation. Word of mouth can spread about the unhygienic conditions of your office.

So, how do you prevent that from happening? The answer is simple: pest control services

How Pest Control Services Can Help

Pest control services hire experts who are well-trained and certified specialists. They specialize in removing annoying pests completely.

By hiring an extermination service, you will prevent employees from becoming sick. This will boost productivity, and prevent financial damage.

In addition, since most pests invade buildings and hide in hard-to-reach areas, it can be difficult locating the root of the problem. But exterminators have extensive experience dealing with such problems. They know exactly where pests hide, their behaviour and how they function.

Extermination services use safe, toxin-free products to tackle the problem. Furthermore, they have special tools to inspect places thoroughly. They also know which insects are immune to which products.

Xterminator Pest Control offers pest control services to both commercial and residential areas. If you’re looking for a pest extermination service in Ohio, visit their website for further information.

How Quarterly Treatment Plans Can Help Your Business Organization

Whether you’re the owner of a small business or a corporate empire, your customers and clients rely on you for quality goods. Quality doesn’t limit itself to state-of-the-art tools or products that cannot be found in the market. Sometimes, it’s the minor things that can make a big impact on your customers’ loyalty.

Some of these include a neat and clean environment, organized workplace and a factory that is free from the annoyance of pesky critters.

The Importance of a Neat and Clean Workplace

Imagine running a business where you interact with customers face-to-face. This can be a restaurant or even a small pharmacy. You have built a name for yourself in the local marketplace, known for utilizing high quality ingredients or for your customer services. But when a customer walks in, only to find Mickey Mouse running the kitchen or the medicine counter, all that you’ve worked hard for goes down the drain.

Not only does this put you in a bad spot, it also affects your business negatively. And it’s not just customers that will get affected; you will also be in a tight spot with your vendors and clients.

All is Not Lost

Before you panic and throw in the towel, it’s imperative to assess the situation. There is a solution to every problem and in this case, it’s best to seek professional help.

Professional extermination services help businesses take back control by inspecting the problem thoroughly. You will be surprised to know all the places insects build their nests.

If you’re struggling with roaches, termites and food mites, you need quarterly pest control treatments. These insects infest the most unlikely places, hiding behind counters, inside corners and hard-to-reach places. They’re most common during the summers because the heat in the earth’s surface makes it hard for them to survive. Therefore, their survival is based indoors.

They crawl through gaps and spaces between floorboards and door ways and hide in isolated areas. The problem does not manifest itself until it becomes major.

Pest control services hire exterminators that have special training and equipment to tackle the problem. They are well-aware of places bugs hide and have strong but safe products to eliminate the bugs.

Xterminator Pest Control specializes in all areas of pest control. Whether you need a termite inspection or a way to eliminate cockroaches, they offer quarterly treatment services to businesses in need. Visit their website or call (614) 935-3973 for further details. 

The Dramatic Psychological Effects of a Common Household Pest

The word ‘bugs’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of homeowners. Bug infestations have become so common over the past few years that health care officials warn against pest infestations.

This is because they carry all sorts of diseases and bacteria within their bodies. And the worst part is, these pesky little critters are unapologetic about invading your home.

But that’s not the only thing they’re good at. They’re the reason behind your sleepless nights, your inability to get out of bed—in fear that somewhere around the corner of your home, a pesky, little critter is watching your every move.

Worst, they have the audacity to invade your home and live there, rent-free, watching your TV and eating the food from your pantry. And when you try to address the problem, they laugh in your face and ask if you have more of that delicious insect repellant.

They also invite hundreds of their friends over an everyday party, occupying the corners of your home—especially your kitchen and bathroom. “What’s the big idea?” you want to ask but no matter what you do, the problem doesn’t go away.

The Social Consequences of a Bug Infestation

You’re well-aware of the heath complications but imagine bringing home your group of friends and the girl you have a crush on.

You’re having a great time catching up and decide to serve some drinks. As soon as you go into the kitchen, a loud scream is heard from the living room.

You run back in there, only to find a pesky roach trying to make small talk with your group of friends. It wants to tell them all about your embarrassing sleeping and eating habits.

Trying to make you look uncool in your own home, it crawls onto the couch to cozy up to the girl you like, sending her and your friends screaming and dashing out the door.

Don’t Let Bugs Bug You

We all have a finicky boss whom we hate. They remind us of a bug infestation. They’re like a stubborn roach that doesn’t give up, and they bite like a bed bug. But with an actual pest infestation, you don’t have to put up with the pestering.

Xterminator Pest Control is a Columbus-based extermination service that specializes in all areas of pest control. Their exterminators are professionals who are equipped with special tools to investigate and exterminate the peskiest of pests. Visit their website or call (614) 935-3973 for further details.