Residential Pest Control Archives - Exclusive Pest Control

How to Keep Summer Bugs Out of Your Patio Space and Yard

Posted on June 15, 2021May 24, 2021 by john

It is now June and we will be outside more than ever before. Whether it’s at the pool with the kids, enjoying an iced cold drink, or grilling a meal outside, our backyards are going to be used more frequently for the next few months. Knowing how to keep summer bugs out of your patio and yard will allow you to take full advantage of all the summer activities. We don’t want your plans to be ruined by critters that need to be put into place. This blog is going to address how to keep summer bugs out of your patio space and yard this summer so you can enjoy all your space has to offer.

Add a Patio Fan

A great way to keep summer bugs out of your patio is by installing a ceiling fan. We are seeing more and more ceiling fans become more popular as a way to keep people cool while they are having fun on their patios and decks. Not only do fans provide a cooler space but they can keep pests away. For example, flies and mosquitoes can’t stand up well against strong winds.

Remove all Standing Water

If there is standing water in your backyard it is just calling critters, such as mosquitoes. Be sure to check old flower pots, wheelbarrows, and any brackets you’ve left in the yard regularly to see if there is any standing water near. This simple check will help keep summer bugs out of your patio and yard areas.

Keep a Tidy Yard

Another way to keep summer bugs out of your patio is getting into the habit of keeping your yard cut. When your grass becomes high it allows for ticks to get on you or your furry friends. Also, any bushes or tree limbs close to your home allow for easy access for pests to intrude your home.

Clean Gutters

Keeping your gutters clean does more than making sure they work properly. Clean gutters help keep summer bugs out of your patio and backyard. Dirty or full gutters allow for bugs, such as mosquitos, ants, and earwigs to come in to live, have a steady source of food, and water. When you keep your gutters clean you remove the option for pests to have accommodations in your gutters.

Avoid Mulch

Mulch can make your yard pretty and look put together, but it provides the best environment for a numerous amount of pests. If you prefer mulch in your yard be sure to keep it at least 12 inches away from the foundation. A few alternatives to mulch include, rock, gravel or pinestraw.

Avoid Certain Patio Plants

Plants on porches make them more appealing and add color; however, be sure to choose specific plants depending on the particular pest you are most concerned about getting in your space. A great plant to use in your outdoor place is chrysanthemums because they are said to keep ants, ticks, and bedbugs away.

Keep Your Patio Clean

During the summer months, the patio will be calling your name to have a nice meal outside with your family. Be sure to thoroughly clean the porch or patio after everyone finishes their meal because crumbs invite pests to come in and invade.

Contact Us

All of these tips are great to do but to be even more confident bugs will stay out of your patio space and yard schedule a consultation with Exclusive Pest. We guarantee highly trained and trustworthy technicians. We will customize a plan specifically for you and your family’s needs. Contact us today for more information on how to keep summer bugs out of your patio space or to book an appointment.

Knowing When And How to Spray for Bugs

Posted on October 10, 2019July 16, 2020 by john

Whether you’re on the lookout for ants, spiders, or flies or a devastating combination of all of them and more, there are some specific considerations you should take into account before deciding when you will spray for bugs. For example, should you spray in early spring, when temperatures are cooler, or closer to summer when it warms up?

There are general assumptions you can make about the best time to spray for bugs, both inside and outside your home. For instance, pests increase activity during the warmer months, either for breeding purposes or to wake up from dormancy. Therefore, spring is a common time of year for people to either spray for bugs themselves or hire professionals to do it for them.

More questions linger – how often should you spray for bugs? What can I do to keep them away all year? Here are some more guidelines for when you consider spraying for pests on your property.

When is the best time to spray?

The ideal time to have your home sprayed is early spring. One can spray during this to destroy colonies and nests while populations are low. By taking advantage of this natural decrease in numbers, the treatment requires less work, making it effective for longer. In this case, one treatment is normally enough. If you wait for infestation, however, treatments are less likely to solve your pest problem.

With that being said, it’s never too late to spray for household pests, even if the treatment doesn’t work to its optimum level. If it’s past spring and you notice an abundance of pests, you will still see results upon treatment. This is due to the advanced components, techniques, and equipment used by pest control specialists like Exclusive Pest Control.

How much is too much?

Ideally, your home should only need to be treated once a year, in the early spring. This will keep populations low and provide year-round enjoyment of indoor and outdoor spaces. A second treatment may be needed, but in the case of continued infestation, your pest management professionals may recommend a stronger treatment or fumigation requiring you to vacate for a day or two. You don’t want things to get to that point before you have a plan for managing your household pests.

What’s the next step?

Some home maintenance plans will cover pest control treatments, so consider looking into that first. Once that option is either discovered or ruled out, you can time your services from the professionals based on your budget.

Even if you’ve never seen an infestation of pests inside or outside your home, it’s never too early to seek a free consultation for pest control services, in case you ever need someone fast. This can give you peace of mind in many ways. You may find out that your pests don’t really pose a problem, or you may learn about pests you didn’t even know were lurking about.

Are you ready to know what your bug situation is really all about before next spring? Contact Exclusive Pest Control for consultations, appointments, and pricing.

When is it Time to Call a Professional Exterminator?

Posted on August 2, 2019July 16, 2020 by john

Dealing with ridding your home of a pesky spider or cockroach in your home is normal. Handling a small infestation on occasion is simple with retail remedies such as sprays and traps. However, what if you begin to notice an increase in roach sightings or notice small rashes or itchiness during the night as you sleep? When is it time to consider the aid of a professional exterminator? Here are three signs that it may be time to consider getting the help of a professional to protect your home from pests.

The Elderly, Children or Pets are Present in Your Home

Many do-it-yourself remedies and retail treatments for pests such as roaches can pose a danger to family pets, children and the elderly. Small children that crawl on carpeting and floors and pets that are constantly curious about smells are more prone to being exposed to dangerous chemicals. Elderly members of your family with lower immune systems may experience respiratory issues when certain pest control remedies are used in the home or not applied properly. In this case, the use of a professional roach exterminator is highly recommended.

You Notice Pests Other Than Roaches, Ants or Spiders

If you begin to notice small tears in shelved food products or droppings on the floor, this may be a sign of a rodent infestation. The general rule thumb where there is one, there are many, as these creatures can propagate in your home. This often leads to an uncontrollable infestation and exposure to disease and germs they commonly carry.

You Suspect Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are typically brought into a home undetected via a person’s clothing, luggage exposed to infested areas, or used items such as a sofa or comforter. Bed bugs commonly hide in tiny spaces such as the ribbing on a mattress or a headboard and crawl on floors, walls, and even ceilings. While these bugs are not known to carry disease, they are known to bite the skin of a human typically at night when a person is sleeping. The most common symptom of a bed bug bite is excessive itching and red marks on the skin reminiscent of flea bites. When this occurs, a professional bed bug exterminator is needed.

Why Choose Us?

The professionals at Exclusive Pest Control are highly trained to assess your home and create a pest control maintenance plan that can be scheduled to suit your needs. Contact us today for an appointment!