Pest Library

Ticks

Ticks can be found year-round but are most prevalent in the warm summer months. They are parasites, and as a result, are on a continual quest for a host. If a host is not available, a tick can survive up to a year without feeding.

A female tick must have a blood meal before she can lay eggs. After feeding, she drops off her host and lays thousands of eggs. A female tick lays one batch of eggs, after which she dies. A male tick also dies after reproducing.

There are two established families of ticks: hard ticks and soft. A tick matures from egg to adult in stages. Depending on the family, some reach maturity in only a few stages of growth. Other varieties may take as many as eight stages to develop. The length of time to reach maturity also depends on factors as temperature, humidity and availability of food. With regard to physical characteristics, an immature tick has six legs; a full-grown adult has eight.

Ticks transmit a number of diseases as a result of feeding off both human and animal hosts. Examples include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease, Q Fever, Tularemia, Tick Paralysis and Meningoencephalitis.

Ticks often prefer certain hosts over others, resulting in names as Deer Tick, Cat Tick, American Dog Tick, Bat Tick, Bird Tick, etc. The family pet is a popular carrier of ticks, which unfortunately results in a tick entering a home. After feeding for a few days, a female tick will drop off of her host to lay eggs. Ticks seek out tiny crevices in which to store their eggs, which can result in a full-blown infestation of your home. Attempting to rid your home of the tick infestation can be difficult and frustrating, as eggs can hatch months later, long after you think you have the situation under control. For the best results in combating an tick infestation, contact a professional pest control company.

Wildlife

Many common wild animals have long been making themselves at home in our suburbs and cities. Some animals come and go among us. They discover food in abundance in our gardens, trash cans and pets’ food dishes. They learn easy routes in and out of our towns–through underbrush, along streams and railways, and even through sewers. But when these animals find their way into your home or garage and decide to stay, they quickly become a nuisance. Raccoons, opossums, rats, squirrels, bats, and many other animals cause millions of dollars in property damage every year. Some carry diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to you or your pets.

Wild animals are attracted to areas that have easy access to food sources such as vegetable gardens, bird feeders, or unprotected domestic animal feeds. They tend to look for areas that provide a warm shelter that will protect them from the elements such as attics, basements, walls and chimneys. If there are easy access points such as loose siding, broken windows or missing foundation vents, animals will be more likely to set up residence.

Ignoring the problem will not encourage it to go away. Most invading rodents settle in and decide to stay. Unfortunately, the longer an animal remains undisturbed in any particular area, the more difficult it will be to remove. The animal will build a nest, produce offspring and attract others to shelter in your home. Confronting a trespassing pest on your own is never a good idea. A wild animal is unpredictable and dangerous no matter how small or innocuous looking. Calling a professional exterminator is always recommended when dealing with nuisance wildlife. Professional wildlife control technicians have the equipment and knowledge necessary to safely remove the animal from your property without injuring it or themselves. They will then relocate the captured animal to a more appropriate location. Wildlife control technicians are also up to date on regulations involving species that may be protected by law and require special handling. A professional exterminator will also be able to assist with cleaning up the animal’s nest, droppings, and food remnants in order to prevent the spread of disease and bacteria.

The best thing you can do to protect your home from nuisance animals is to prevent them from setting up residence in the first place. But, if despite your best efforts to thwart a determined pest, you find that one has moved in, don’t hesitate to contact a wildlife exterminator. The sooner you get rid of your unwanted guest, the less chance it will have to cause extensive damage to your home or your health.