Serving The Mid South Since 1997 901-377-9915
6229 Hwy. 305 N. Suite J Olive Branch, MS 38654

Monthly Archives: August 2019

Harmful Effects of Spider Infestation

Harmful Effects of Spider Infestation

August 22, 2019

Just the thought of an in-home spider infestation is a nightmare for many, but it’s something that can be taken care of and eliminated. While not always physically threatening or dangerous, a spider infestation is often an indicator that other pest populations are present in the home. Spiders like to eat bugs. If your home has populations of roaches, ants, or crickets spiders will be happy to take roost there with an ample supply of food. Consequently, it makes sense to first address the underlying pest problem before tackling the spider issue. Black widows and brown recluse spiders, the most poisonous and dangerous in the US, are the two most significant dangers of spider infestation. A bite from one of these spiders can be deadly.

Signs of Spider Infestation

Spiders are usually found in dark, secluded areas of the home and garden. Here are some tips on finding spiders at home and detecting a spider infestation.

  • The sizes and shapes of spider webs vary by spider species. Some spider webs are funnel-shaped, while others are orb-shaped. One of the most distinct spider webs is the web of the black widow. These webs are not geometric, nor even organized into a pattern. Instead, they are woven as random, messy-looking web dens to trap outsmart and trap insects. This is very helpful in detecting whether or not you have black widows in your home.
  • Some species of spiders are attracted to moist environments like basements, sheds, walls, and the like.
  • There are other species of spiders that live in burrows or crevices instead of webs.
  • Where there are insects in your home, there are probably spiders. Spiders prey and feed on flies, insects, ants, woodlice, and even other spiders.
  • Some spider species hide out in attics, closets, wall junctions, and storage boxes.

The Dangerous Spiders

Black Widows are easy to spot for two different reasons – their bright red hourglass marking on the base of their bulging black abdomens, and the crazy haphazard webs that they weave. They also like warm, dark spaces and prey on flies and other insects. A small amount of black widow venom can be fatal, so call an exterminator immediately if you suspect there’s an infestation in your home. A black widow bite usually manifests in muscle cramps, weakness, tremors, and localized pain. More severe cases cause vomiting, nausea, and respiratory problems. 

Brown Recluse spiders, a cousin of the black widow, are the most dangerous spiders in the United States. Unfortunately, their appearance is not as distinct as the black widow, but rather has a similar shape and color to several other spiders with a brown, violin-shape.

Brown recluse bites are distinct and potentially fatal. The bite is usually painless and symptoms don’t develop until between 2-8 hours after the bite happens. A brown recluse bite creates severe itching and pain, blistering, and vomiting. In a more localized severe reaction, the bite can become discolored and necrotic, creating dead tissue. In very rare cases, the venom can have a secondary effect causing the body’s defenses like platelets and white blood cells to worsen the biter resulting in severe side effects like coma, renal failure, and death.

Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions is a family-owned and operated pest control company established in 1997. We lead the mid-south pest control industry through education, choice and affordability. We are more than happy to come to survey your home get any spider issue under control. We pride ourselves on excellent communication and top-notch service to our clients. Please call us at (901) 377-9915 or visit our website for more information.

 

Sources:

https://www.homepest.com

https://www.westernexterminator.com

Bed bugs

Prevent Bringing Bed Bugs Home with You

August 5, 2019

Waking nightmare – realizing in the morning of a hotel stay that you weren’t sleeping alone, but rather with an army of tiny creatures that have given you bed bug bites! What’s worse is to further the issue by bringing these little buggers home with you in your luggage! Unfortunately, hotel bed bugs have become more than a reality over the past several years. Bed bugs are masters at hiding out in cracks and crevices and creeping into luggage and other belongings. Here are several things you can do to protect yourself from any run-ins with these little beasts.

 

Know What You’re Looking For

Adult bed bugs are about a quarter-inch in length, flat, and reddish-brown like an apple seed. Younger bed bugs are smaller with a lighter, creamier color. Bed bugs are crawlers, so if you see a flying insect, it is not a bed bug. They can leave behind wings, black dots of feces, or brownish spots where they maybe were squished. Signs of bed bugs are little dark stains that could indicate a bed bug infestation. In a serious scenario, you could even see the bugs’ pearly white eggs or castaway shells. If you do find one of the critters, get it into a plastic bag or a glass so that you have proof for the hotel. 

 

Nip it in the Bud

The first thing to do to avoid bed bugs is to do your hotel room due diligence. Upon entering any hotel room, do a thorough scan of the bed, wooden headboard, and any other upholstered furniture. A thorough scan will include behind and under the bed, all layers of the bed including mattress (especially seams), linens, box spring,  pillows, dust ruffle, etc., all sides of night tables, any wall décor, drapes, carpeting, rugs, and all corners of walls, woodwork, and furniture. Avoid keeping your luggage on the floor.

 

Handling Infested Items at Home

Laundry. If you have been the victim of bed bugs it is imperative to treat all of your belongings when you get home. Rule number one – keep your luggage in the garage or on an outdoor porch. Put your clothing directly from the suitcase into a plastic bag to directly transfer it to the washing machine. Wash your clothing on a 30-minute cycle in hot water. Then place in the dryer on a “hot” setting for another 30 minutes. This will kill any bed bugs and their eggs. Be sure to tie-up and throw away the empty garbage bag immediately after emptying of clothes. Keep the bill for anything that you need to send to the dry cleaner in case you can get reimbursed.

 

Other Belongings. Any other items from your suitcase such as shoes, toiletries, shoes, and the actual suitcase should stay in the garage or outdoors until you can inspect them or treat them cold, heat, cold or insecticide. To treat with heat, place infested items into a plastic bag and place in a hot car where the inside temperature will rise to 120 degrees for an hour or more. If you are in a geographically cooler locale, you can treat with bed bugs with cold by placing the items into a chest freezer for a day or two for dis-infestation. If neither of these options is viable, items can be treated by a professional pest management company.

 

Established in 1997, family-owned and operated Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions has served over 10,000 businesses and homeowners in the mid-south area of Olive Branch, MS. Through community education, affordability, and top-notch customer service, we lead the mid-south pest control industry. We serve you best with integrity, ongoing employee training, and safety awareness. Visit our website for more information or call (901) 377-9915.

 

Sources:

https://citybugs.tamu.edu

https://home.howstuffworks.com 

https://www.washingtonpost.com

Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions
6229 Hwy. 305 N. Suite J
Olive Branch, MS 38654
901-377-9915 tiffany@ridallbug.com
  • row 1 col 1 start

  • row 1 col 1 end

  • row 1 col 2 start

  • row 1 col 2 end