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Fire Ant Infestation Signs

In the 1930s, fire ants made their way to the United States. They first established themselves in Alabama, before spreading to at least 15 other states along the southern and western coasts of the US. Since then, the common fire ant infestation has become a growing problem. Not to be confused with the more docile native fire ants, the imported red fire ants are aggressive swarming insects that deliver a painful sting.

Fire Ant Territory

Fire ants typically prefer open, sunny areas like lawns and fields. As omnivores, they can find food sources almost anywhere. They are attracted to meats, and greasy and sweet materials, making campgrounds and picnic areas perfect areas for them to colonize. They may also be found under buildings and near standing water.

Spotting the Nest

Fire ant mounds are a familiar sight to many south-westerners. The nest is typically built above ground and may be two feet in diameter and up to 8-10 inches tall. The relatively low height may make mounds difficult to see from a distance, or when using equipment like a tractor, making it more likely that the nest could be disturbed by yard or fieldwork.

Colony Facts

A large colony can have up to 250,000 worker ants. The workers are aggressive and active, and will attack in swarms, delivering repeated stings to any intruder. It takes only 30 days for eggs to grow into adults, and workers live for up to 180 days, which means a colony can grow quickly. A queen lives between two and six years and may grow an enormous colony in her lifetime.

Preventing Fire Ant Infestation

Some steps that you can take to avoid a fire ant infestation include:

  • Removing standing water and other sources of moisture around the home
  • Keep trash cans and yard waste covered and sealed
  • Seal gaps around doors and windows
  • When eating outdoors, check for fire ant nests in the area, and keep food covered until you’re ready to eat.
  • Avoid wearing dark colors, floral prints, and loose-fitting garments, as well as floral or sweet-smelling perfumes or colognes.

Professional pest control companies like Exclusive Pest can offer you comprehensive plans for managing and preventing infestations, and for removing existing colonies from your property. The most important part of removing a colony is preventing the insects from entering the home, business, or other buildings on the property. In the case of large colonies, it’s best to engage a professional service to prevent injury.

Mosquito Control | Charleston, SC

One of the world’s most ancient and deadly threats is tinier than the nail on your little finger. Mosquitos are known to carry a variety of frightening diseases, including the Zika Virus, West Nile, and malaria. All mosquitos need to breed and thrive are mammals to feed upon, and small quantities of still water. Even a puddle left after a rainstorm can become a mosquito breeding ground. So, how do you keep mosquitos from threatening to spoil your outdoor summer fun? There are some steps you can take to for mosquito control on your property.

No Place to Hide

Mosquitos love damp, moist areas and heavy vegetation. They are most active at dusk and dawn but need someplace to escape the heat of the day. Shady, damp areas on your property may be a haven for mosquitos. A pest control expert can conduct a thorough survey of your property and point out places where mosquitos may be hiding and breeding during the day. By keeping vegetation cut back and utilizing mosquito control techniques, you can greatly reduce the buzzing, biting population.

Remove Standing Water

Any place that holds more than a few tablespoons of water may provide mosquitos a place to lay their eggs. To combat your bug problem, survey your property and search out any sources of standing water such as puddles, old tires, containers, or abandoned children’s pools. If you have a bird bath, be sure to wipe it out every few days- mosquito eggs can stick to the bottom and even survive a dry spell. Have a pool? Be sure it’s well maintained to prevent mosquitos from using it as their personal spa and breeding ground.

Call in the Pros – Mosquito Control in Charleston

If you notice that your family is battling the buzzing bloodsuckers, consider the services of a pro. There are a variety of chemical and non-chemical options for controlling mosquitos and other pests. Even if you have pets or small children, there’s a safe option for your home. Don’t let mosquitos ruin your summer fun. Contact Exclusive Pest Control for your evaluation today.

Bed Bug Prevention – Charleston, SC

Bed bugs are one of the most successful hitchhikers known to man. These nasty little parasites can travel in clothing, in cracks and crevices of furniture, and in boxes. They feast upon the blood of warm-blooded victims every five to ten days, but can go up to a year without feeding. If you do find signs of these pernicious little monsters, contact an expert immediately before they can get a colony established. In the meanwhile, below are some tips on bed bug prevention.

Regular Checks

Regular inspections of your bedding and furniture can help alert you to a bedbug infestation before they have a chance to get well established. Look for the bugs themselves in creases and seams of mattresses and cushions, and in cracks along baseboards and flooring. Check sheets and mattresses for spots of what look like dried blood- sign that bedbugs have been feeding. Look for eggs and shed exoskeletons. This is a one of the most important steps in bed bug prevention!

Protective Covers

Protective covers that encase the mattress and box springs reduce the places for bugs to hide. Be sure to get good quality encasements that can withstand the wear and tear of every day without tearing or wearing out, and check them regularly for holes. You can also place “climb-up blockers” to your bed and furniture legs, to prevent the bugs from feasting on you while you sleep.

Vigilance

When using shared laundry facilities, or purchasing second-hand furniture or other items, whether from individuals or a thrift shop, be sure to check carefully for any sign of hitchhikers. If you live in a multifamily unit, you can discourage migration from other units by installing door sweeps on the bottoms of doors, and sealing any cracks around the baseboards or wall sockets to keep them from migrating through wall voids.

Expert Intervention

If you do discover an infestation, call in an expert as soon as possible to help keep them from spreading. Bed bugs are incredibly difficult to remove, but a regular treatment program can destroy an infestation and prevent them from coming back. Be sure to call Exclusive Pest Control to help you actively pursue bed bug prevention tactics!

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