Betts Pest Control Blog

wichitapestcontrol — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:42:36 +0000

Clovermites

wichitapestcontrol — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:19:07 +0000

In the spring time homeowners may start seeing pests such as “clover mites” that feed on new emergent grass outside, but can invade a home by the thousands. Ants that have been hibernating all winter may invade the home looking for food, that they have been deprived of during the long winter siesta. (see photo)

Clover mites are very tiny. See the arrow pointing to the clover mite in the photo, and the comparison of the clover mite next to the penny.

Controlling Fleas in Your Yard and Home

wichitapestcontrol — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:06:32 +0000

Fleas pose a serious health risk to animals and people. They feed on blood and are known for their ravenous bites. Many diseases are transmitted and spread through the bites of fleas. When fleas bite they mix germs and bacteria between both animal and humans, and this can have serious consequences. As viruses mutate between species, fleas have been pinpointed as the carrier of many pandemics. Here are some of the serious diseases that are, or have been, spread by fleas:

Bubonic Plague
Typhus
Cat Scratch Fever
Hypersensitivity from Fleabites

Protecting your pets from fleabites is the most important precaution that you can take. Since fleas favor your dog or cat first, it is a good practice to make sure that your pet is free from fleas and is frequently monitored for any flea infestation. Your new kitten or puppy is not immune to flea attacks either, so you should include flea care and prevention as part of your routine pet care as soon as you bring a new pet home. There are many flea collars, powders, shampoos, and bath dips on the market that will help eliminate fleas on your pet. Some pets may have dry or sensitive skin, which can make the use of shampoos and powders a source of irritation. For these pets, try using hypoallergenic formulas as well as natural essential oils. Some of the most recommended natural oils to use for flea repellants include:

Citronella
Cedarwood
Lemongrass
Eucalyptus
Lavender

Removing fleas from the indoor environment is also vitally important in your battle against fleas. Frequently vacuum your floors, and then empty the vacuum cleaner bag right away. Vacuuming is one of the most effective ways to eliminate fleas from your living environment. Using carpet foggers and sprays are also main ways to kill fleas directly. There are many over the counter products that you can purchase or you may hire the services of a professional exterminator if you feel the situation is too large to handle on your own.

Treating fleas in your outdoor environment is also critical to winning the war against fleas. Using Insect Growth Regulator products, you can stop the life cycle of fleas by leaving them unable to reproduce. These products are one of the fastest growing areas of insect and pest control giving power to the hands of those who want to eradicate these pests from their homes and yards.

Ants: The Most Common Household Pests

wichitapestcontrol — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:03:58 +0000

Ants are the most common household pests that afflict households worldwide. There are numerous types of ants and they range in size, feeding habits, and preferred pest control methods. No matter what type of ant you are dealing with, one thing is certain. You will want to rid your home of these annoying creatures as soon as you notice them. One fact about ants is that they live in colonies, and often times, if you see one, there are soon to be many more to follow. Ants begin by sending out “scouts” to search for food. When they find a good food source, they report back to the colony and come back with an army of ants. The best way to treat ants is through prevention and quick action when you first notice them.

There are a number of different ants and you may find that you have to deal with more than one species during your home ownership. Some of the most common ants include:

Fire Ants
Leafcutter Ants
Odorous House Ants
Pharaoh Ants
White Footed House Ants
Carpenter Ants

It is important to know the type of ant that is infesting your home before choosing a pest control remedy. There are different methods for treating different ants, so determining which ant you are dealing with is key to finding a successful treatment.

Using Ant traps is a valid way of removing ants, however, it is often possible that the use of the ant trap will alert other ants that there is a potential “food source” available. Ant traps often use a food source combined with a poison. When the ant scouts find the trap, if they are able to report to the other ants in the colony, the word can spread and other ants will come to the food source. If you notice ants, one of the most effective ways to treat them is by cleaning their line of entranceway. Using soapy water, continually wash their pathway and within several days to a week, they will give up and look for another source of food.