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Category Archives: Pest Control

Categories Pest Control

Common Health Risks from Pests

Pests

Far too many people take an “out of sight, out of mind” approach when it comes to pests.

Be honest here — do you think about potential pests in your home or only when you hear your neighbor screaming about a mouse in the garage or a hornet’s nest appears on your door?

Pests can cause, and carry, many different health risks when inside your home, regardless of whether or not you notice them. Risks vary from allergies to infections, to dangerous bites.

Knowing what potential dangers common household pests bring will give you a better idea of how to prevent and protect yourself and your family.

Here we talk about pests and how they affect your health. To help ensure your home is a healthy one, we’re going to lay out the most common hazards:

 

Allergies

Most rodent and insect species have the ability to cause major allergies and even agitate asthma.

Actual contact is not necessary to onset allergic reaction, just the mere presence of the pests in the walls will be enough to do some damage.

 

  • Mice leave droppings and dander that cause allergies. You can inhale aerosolized particles, which trigger an immune response and related allergies.

 

  • Cockroaches also leave droppings; however, their saliva, and even decayed cadavers, can trigger allergies.

Cockroach infestations can have long-term effects, even after extermination, since decaying cockroaches in walls still produce allergens if not properly cleared out.

 

  • Dust mites absorb water from your home’s air. The resulting dryness and dust mite debris in a house can cause major allergic reactions.

 

  • Termites cause allergies by spreading dust in the air in your home. It’s possible to suffer from asthma attacks or sever allergies. Ventilation systems ensure this dust gets spread even further.

 

Infection

Rodents and insects carry many germs thanks to the long periods of time they typically spend in contaminated areas like pipes and sewers. As they move around your home they are spreading the various germs they’ve picked up during their “travels”.

While we don’t have to worry about the plague nowadays, rodents still carry many harmful bacteria. Airborne particles from mice transmit Hantavirus.

Rodents also carry salmonella, which can contaminate food, cookware, and kitchen surfaces.

Cockroaches pick up salmonella and E. coli bacteria as they climb around garbage.

Ticks and fleas carry a number of diseases, including Lyme disease and different types of viruses that cause fevers (depending on your location).

 

Bites and Stings

These pose an immediate danger because bites/stings from rodents and insects can carry disease or cause a serious allergic reaction.

Bed bugs, which normally nestle between sheets, can leave painful red bites. If found in your home, this bug problem needs to be addressed immediately.

Bees, hornets, and wasps can lead to allergic reaction or worse if they attack in swarms. Finally, depending on the species, spiders can also lead to painful and potentially dangerous bites.

 

Now that you know what to look out for, you can start making the best plans to keep these pests out of your home. If you haven’t had an inspection or you think you may have a pest problem, like termites, we can help!

EIG can help diagnose a termite issue (and other wood destroying insects). Book your inspection today!

 

We Can Help

 

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Home Inspection, Pest Control

9 Ways to Keep Termites Out of Your Home

Termites

The average termite repair costs a homeowner $3,000, that’s an amount that could easily damage a family’s savings and bring on unnecessary stress.

Termites are absolutely an issue you don’t want to (and can’t) ignore, we’ve talked about how to look for a potential termite problem, but today we are going to give you some ideas to prevent the problem from ever occurring.

The Scary Truth

Avoiding termites at all costs should be your goal, while getting an exterminator or buying poisons may seem like a simple solution dealing with termites is without a doubt a nightmare.

A single termite colony can be made up of between 300,000 to one million “workers.” In addition, one termite queen can lay thousands of eggs per day and live 30-50 years.

In just six months serious structural damage can occur, and in only two years a home can be destroyed by these pesky invaders.

If these numbers seem startling to you, that’s because they are! The best solution to a termite problem is never to have one.

What You Can Do

Once you’re sure you don’t already have an infestation, don’t waste time in termite proofing your home.

 

  1. Regular Check-Ups: Why skimp on something that can only benefit your biggest investment, your home? We do a full WDI (Wood-Destroying Insect) inspection and offer a 90 day warranty.

 

  1. Watch Your Roof: Repair broken tiles and check for damp areas which create moisture that may attract termites.

 

  1. Be Mindful of your A/C: Keep your air conditioning unit‘s moisture release away from your home’s foundation.

 

  1. Declutter: Cardboard boxes full of papers and old photos, especially in the attic, are a food source for termites. An easy fix is to swap your cardboard for plastic boxes. If you store things in your garage keep items away from the walls, otherwise termites now have a direct route into your home.

 

  1. Foolproof Floors: Place a termite barrier when building a new home if you have wooden floors and be sure to monitor any potential termite damage regularly.

 

  1. Furniture Placement: If you have wooden furniture, keep it away from walls and consider making the switch to another material, like metal.

 

  1. Shut the Front Door: For that matter, keep all doors and windows closed during swarming season. Swarming season occurs in the spring when termites with wings (swarmers) like to come out.

 

  1. Clear the Yard: Avoid burying waste lumber or letting decaying vegetation pile up, g., fallen branches, roots from plants, and scrap wood.

 

  1. Restrict Wood to Ground Contact: Use concrete supports to raise wooden beams, like those for decks, patios, fence posts, etc., off of the ground. Termite-resistant and treated fence posts are a possibility if you don’t want to use a material other than wood.

 

While these tips are an excellent strategy in preventing termites, regular check-ups will be necessary. If you’re serious about dodging this nightmare, then you must be proactive.

We Can Help

Call us today and let our team of pros put your mind at ease.

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Pest Control

Common Summer Pests and How to Fight Them

fight pests

Longer days and warmer weather are the makings for a fun summer, but unfortunately, this time of year also attracts some unwanted visitors into our homes – pests!

Insect and pest activity will increase with warmer weather as many start to forage for food.

And you should take immediate action to prevent a real problem from taking over your time and your space. Although annoying, preventing an insect infestation doesn’t have to take over your time or your wallet!

We have some easy tips and DIY tricks that you can apply to keep your house pest free all summer long!

The National Pest Management Association cites the three most common summer pests as mosquitoes, ants and ticks. While there are certainly more annoying guests that can invade your home, we’ll focus our tips around these three.

1. Mosquitoes

For most Texans dealing with mosquitoes in the summer is nothing new, but particularly in North Texas, the problem can be really harmful.

While these pests don’t necessarily invade your home, they will interfere with your outdoor BBQ or relaxing deck time.

Some of the easiest ways to limit exposure to mosquitoes include:

  • Staying inside during peak mosquito times, usually dusk and dawn.
  • Drain standing water from birdbaths, gutters, ponds, etc.
  • Install yellow ¨bug lights¨ on outside deck areas that don’t tend to attract as many bugs as incandescent lights.
  • Invest in a large fan for your deck, as mosquitoes are generally weak fliers the strong wind will keep them away.
  • Regularly check windows, screens and doors for any issues to keep mosquitoes out of your home!

2. Ants

Possibly the most annoying home invader, ants can cause serious issues if they get in and remain undetected.

While not directly detrimental to your health, a growing ant colony can lead to lots of stress and potential structural damage to your home.

Check out these easy, inexpensive ways to keep these unwanted guests out of your home!

  • Clean, clean, clean. Keeping a clean home (especially areas around windows, sinks, and cracks). A great natural home cleaner is one part vinegar and three parts water.
  • Keep food stored and crumbs off the floor.
  • Seal cracks and small holes on the exterior of your home.
  • An excellent, inexpensive tool (and safe for homes with pets or children) is cornmeal. If you find the entry point of a colony of ants in your home, leave a plate with some cornmeal on it and wait. Ants can’t digest this, and it will slowly kill a colony.

Remember, if you have a total infestation then it’s time to call a professional.

3. Ticks

For those who spend a lot of time outside or have pets inside the home, you’re more susceptible to ticks.

Accumulated dust, hair and dirt in carpets or rugs in darker areas of the house that don’t get fresh air or sunlight are all factors that ticks thrive on.

  • If going out, use a product with at least 20% DEET, wear long pants/sleeves and a bandana if going into wooded areas. Be sure to check yourself and family members thoroughly upon returning home.
  • Mow your lawn regularly.
  • Remove leaf litter, like sticks, grass clippings, or leaves.
  • Create a barrier between your yard and wooded areas by adding wood chips or gravel, which make an uncomfortable obstacle for ticks to cross.

These tips should serve as a solid base of preventive measures to take in protecting your home and your loved ones from these pesky creatures all summer.

If you find yourself with more than the basic pest issue, don’t hesitate to seek professional services.

Let us know what measures you’re already taking to keep your home pest free!

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Pest Control

8 Signs You Might Have Termites

termites

When it comes to termites, no one is safe. Nationwide, termites inflict an estimated $5 billion in damages per year.

The trick is early detection and knowing what to look for. With the right eye, you can avoid costly damages to your home and property; minimizing or avoiding the problem will only incur higher costs and further damage.

The first thing to understand is termites are not limited to a particular time of year or season— they’re a year-round nuisance.

Termites are sneaky, secretive and can live in your home for years without detection; spotting them can be challenging, so it’s important to know what to look for.

1. Swarmers

During the spring, termite colonies are prone to producing “Swarmers.” The small flying insect can be seen flying near your windows and leaving behind their “discarded” wings.

Typically spotted during the day time, Swarmers are an unfriendly reminder termites are present.

2. Floor Damage

Don’t be fooled– termites can damage laminate floors, as well as they can wood. Check for excessive blistering or sagging spots in your floor.

If a particular area feels “spongy” or “springy,” remove the floorboard to investigate further.

3. Wall Damage

A termite favorite is the cellulose found in timber– making your walls an especially tasty snack.

Check your walls for odd or unexplained cracks, as it may be a sign of an unseen termite colony.

4. Ceiling Damage

Wooden structures in the ceilings, beams, rafters or attic are all fair game for termites. As with your walls, check for cracks in the ceiling, corners and molding.

5. Sticking Doors and Windows

Termites like to tunnel and eat their way through doors and frames. As a consequence, doors or windows may become hard open or begin to “stick,” as the structure becomes misshapen and irregular.

6. Garden Damage

Outdoor structures such as your porch, deck, swing set, fence, wooden posts or trees could be at risk, especially as they’re exposed to greater moisture.

Treat your outdoor space, the same as you would your home– check for cracks, “spongy” or “springy” texture and excessive signs of decay. If gone untreated, termites could lead to collapse.

7. Damaged Roof Tiles

Damaged or waterlogged roof tiles are a prime termite gateway into your home. Termites are easily able to maneuver their way through even the tiniest of cracks and make themselves at home.

To avoid, have your roof inspected and replace any damaged, cracked or waterlogged tiles, right away.

8. Frass

Also known as termite droppings, frass is a clear sign of a colony. While droppings cause no harm, they’re an obvious indicator of termite eating. Frass is powdery and light in appearance, very similar to sawdust.

We Can Help!

Already noticed one or a few signs of termite damage in your home? Schedule a professional Termite Inspection with our knowledgeable team.

We guarantee an inspection of your home within 48 hours of calling– AND we’re open 7 days a week!

Schedule your inspection now or give us a call at 469.818.5500.

Image attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/animal-insect-termite-1299394/

Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand