Termite & Pest Control Blog

Importance of Keeping Your Business Pest Free

January 11, 2021

Imagine you’re out to eat at a restaurant and all of a sudden you feel a mouse run across your feet. Or, imagine you’re trying on clothes at a local store and in the corner of the changing room, you see a spider weaving a web. What would you do? You’d probably freak out, right?

After you freak out, what else are you likely to do? Probably leave and never come back, right? You might even tell your friends and family about your experience and tell them to never go there. You could even go as far as going online and writing a negative review for thousands of people to read.

As a business owner, this sounds like a nightmare doesn’t it? That’s why it is crucial to keep your business pest free.

On top of losing customers and having your business’s reputation ruined, having pests in your business can be a serious health and safety hazard.

When a lot of people think of pests, they think of filth and disease, and believe it or not, they’re not wrong. Pests are likely to track bacteria, disease, and viruses into places where people shop and eat.

Pests can also cause serious damage to your business’s property and products. Some pests eat away at your walls and boxes, while others make a mess that can be hard to clean up.

The best way to prevent any of this from happening is to have Rid All Termites & Pest Solutions come and take care of the problem. It’s important that you don’t shrug off a couple of cockroaches or a mouse that’s in your store. Get rid of these pests immediately.

A one-time elimination may initially help your problem, however, the key to keeping your business pest-free is to have a regular inspection and treatment. Depending on your landscaping and location, you may have recurring issues that require spraying every few months.

Lucky for you, Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions can take care of all your pest problems. For more information, visit our website or give us a call at 901-377-9915!

Keeping Your Home Pest-Free

December 21, 2020

Are you getting tired of pests invading your home? No matter what time of year, pests can be a huge problem for homeowners. Scheduling regular pest control services from Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions is the key to keeping your home pest-free in the long term. However, there are different things you can do to help prevent a serious pest infestation in your home right now. Follow these tips to help make sure your home stays pest-free.

Keep FireWood, Bricks, and Stones Away From House

Pests love it when you stack wood and bricks near your house. It gives them shelter and a place to hide. A good rule of thumb is to stack your wood and bricks at least 20 feet from your house.

Cover Trash and Keep in Tightly Closed Bins

Pests are always on the hunt for food, and once they find a trash can that they can get a meal out of every now and then, they will stay close to your house. To prevent this, keep your trash cans sealed and tightly closed. To help keep flies away, empty your trash can every week.

Watch for Water

Pest need two things to survive, food and water. Rodents will follow a water source and insects usually like damp cool places. To eliminate the risk of pests getting close to your house, eliminate the water source. Look for areas where water may pool up after a rain shower, and make sure you turn off your garden hose completely.

Keep Kitchen Clean

Your kitchen could be a hot-spot for pests. Pests can typically be found wherever there is a food source. If you want to keep your house pest-free, clean your kitchen. Don’t leave food out on the counters, seal all bags and containers, and sweep up your crumbs.

Keep the Rest of Your House Clean

Not only do you need to keep your kitchen clean, but you should also keep the rest of your house clean. Pests love dirty, unkempt areas like attics and basements. To avoid a pest infestation in your house, vacuum regularly and perform a deep clean at least once every two months.

Keep Up With Yard Work

Overgrown grass, bushes, and gardens draw in wild animals and give insects a place to thrive. If you want to keep pests away, take care of your yard. Mow your lawn weekly, trim your bushes, and rake up leaves and sticks.

No matter if it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter, pests can be a problem. Take the proper precautions to help ensure that your house stays pest-free.

If you are experiencing a pest problem or would like to schedule an inspection, call the professionals at Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions. For more information visit our website, or give us a call at 901-377-9915!

Wasp Infestation Tips & Tricks

November 25, 2020

Wasps are common pests in warm climates. They can be painful with their sting and a severe threat to those with allergies. An infestation is the last thing you want for your home or business. Learning precautionary tips can help you keep you, your family, and your business safe from wasp infestation. Read below to learn a few ways you can conquer and control these pests from taking over.

How to Avoid Wasp Infestations

A wasp sting can cause multiple reactions like swelling, irritation, soreness, hives, and life-threatening symptoms, such as not being able to breathe. Unfortunately, they can sting more than once, unlike bees. However, wasps usually won’t sting unless they’re provoked. All in all, we need wasps for the pollination process, so next time a wasp lands on you, gently blow on it instead of swatting or freaking out to avoid a sting. Avoiding a sting isn’t the same as preventing infestation. It only takes one wasp for a whole swarm to start taking over.

Where to Look: If you have your suspicions that there’s a wasp nest somewhere in your home, there are few places you should check first. Look in outdoor covered areas, like grilles, sheds, tree branches, porch ceilings, and under porch decks. Some indoor areas to check include attics, inside windows between the screens, and other crawl spaces in your home.
How to Avoid: An easy way to avoid wasps is to hide sugary foods. For example, if you’re cooking outside with some friends, try to avoid leaving out food or covering unattended food. Another dependable way to prevent a wasp infestation is to cover all holes that could lead inside your home. Whether it’s the screen door or a small hole in the attic, you don’t want an infestation inside your house.
Plant a Garden: As stated above, wasps pollinate too! Planting a garden far away from your home can attract them to a new source other than your garbage. Planting a garden is good for the environment and a great pest control tactic.
When to Call Pest Control: A giant wasp nest should not be taken on by one person, even if you’re not allergic. If wasps see their queen in danger, there will be a price to pay, and it will be painful with multiple stings. If you notice a nest anywhere near or in your home, call your pest control experts today!

At Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions, we offer a variety of general pest control services. This includes regular inspection and treatment. Depending on your landscaping and location, you may have recurring issues that require spraying every few months. We’re also available for emergency pest extermination. Our technicians are ready to clear out a termite nest or spray for mosquitoes 24/7. For more information, visit our website or give us a call at 901-377-9915!

Silverfish Infestation

October 23, 2020

Silverfish get their name from their silvery, metallic look, and fish-like look and movements. These bugs are typically 12-19mm in length and have three bristles on their rear. They have a flat body that is often compared to a teardrop or carrot.

These fish-like bugs can be found throughout homes in the U.S. They love dark, humid areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and attics. They especially like damp paper and clothing, and can often be found in boxes.

Silverfish are known for their destructive eating. They will destroy paper, clothing, and wallpapers. They love sugars and starches and can often be found eating away at cellulose, glue in books, shampoo, linen, silk, and other dead insects.

To know if you have a silverfish problem, keep an eye out for some of these signs. They typically leave feeding marks such as holes, notches along an edge, or surface etchings. You can also find yellow stains, scales, and/or tiny feces that look like black-pepper pellets. A lot of people notice that they have a silverfish problem when they come down on ceiling soffits or drop from skylights and canister light fixtures.

If you have a silverfish problem that is localized inside your house, you can assume that you brought them inside with you on food material, such as a box. If the infestation is widespread, you should start looking outside. If you have items stored against or near your house’s exterior, you should move or remove them immediately. Silverfish can easily climb up walls and get into your house through windows, door frames, utility pipes, and vents.

You could also try using a dehumidifier to fix the problem, repair leaky pipes and drains, and repair any moldy or wet wood. You should also try to avoid keeping old books and magazines in your basement, attic, or garage or leave flour and sugar in unsealed containers.

If you suspect or notice that you have a silverfish problem, it’s best to call a licensed pest control professional like Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions to properly inspect the home. Call us today at 901-377-9915 or visit our website to get the job done right.

Which Spiders You Should Know About

September 14, 2020

While finding the occasional spider or insect in your home may not be uncommon, safely removing those pests should never be a dangerous or life-threatening experience. That’s why it’s so important to know which spiders are harmless, and which ones are of concern to you.

Removing common spiders from your home is simple and easy to do in a safe manner, but the removal of dangerous spiders is best left to pest management professionals like Rid All Termite and Pest Solutions. We’ve compiled a list of the most dangerous spiders to you, so you know what to look for before you call a professional, and definitely before you try to remove it yourself:

Black Widow Spider. As the most poisonous spider in the U.S., this is one you want to avoid. Known for their black bodies and red hourglass icon on their abdomens, these spiders are typically found in dark, enclosed spaces like crawlspaces and cellars. It is important to know that females are the ones to look for, as males do not have the red hourglass marking. Bites from Black Widow Spiders are venomous and can result in reactions that range from mild muscle cramping and burning to severe cramping and shortness of breath. While bites are rarely fatal and do not often leave lasting damage, you should still seek a medical professional immediately if you suspect you have been bitten by a Black Widow Spider.

Brown Widow Spiders. A cousin to the Black Widow Spider, these spiders have less of a presence than Black Widows and likely originated from South America. They are often found underneath toys and equipment. Though their venom is twice as powerful than the Black Widow’s, they pose less of a threat because they only eject about half as much venom, and are much less aggressive. Be careful, as they can sometimes be found hanging around Black Widow Spiders, too!

Brown Recluse Spider. These spiders like to hang out alone, as their name suggests. Because of their reclusive nature, it is possible to have an infestation in your home without ever knowing since they tend to hide in dark and secluded areas of your house. While Brown Recluses Spiders are known for their violin-shaped body marking, they are easily identifiable by their 3 eyes, instead of 4. These spider bites can cause a painful and itchy sore that heals slowly and can destroy your skin and tissue. Children and the elderly should be particularly careful of these spiders, as they pose the biggest risk to these demographics.

Rid All Termite and Pest Solutions has been serving a wide area and range of clients since 1997 with professional and affordable service. Whether you have a spider infestation, termite problems, or bed bugs, our experienced professionals can end any problem you may have without harming you, your loved ones, or your pets. To find a location near you, visit our website for our list of service areas, pricing, and services offered.

Take Control of your backyard with Mosquito Control

August 31, 2020

As the world grapples with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and establishments are either closed or have altered hours, it leaves a door wide-open to spending more time in the great outdoors. Exploring nature and fresh air comes with a myriad of benefits such as improved mood, heavy doses of Vitamin D, and much more. In fact, a new report reveals that exposure to greenspace reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood pressure.

There are so many reasons to head outdoors with those closest to you and so many options of things to do you’ll never run out of ideas. There is one thing, however, that may have you running indoors and miserable, pesky mosquitoes! These blood-thirsty insects can take any fun event and ruin it fast if your area is not treated. Luckily, if you treat your area with a mosquito barrier by a professional you can easily enjoy your time outdoors as long as possible. Before we discuss mosquito control, here are some common things these annoying pests are attracted to.

Sweat: Mosquitoes need water to reproduce, and they are naturally attracted to areas with higher humidity levels. This is why sweat is one of the top mosquito attractors.
Dark Clothing: Research shows that mosquitoes are most attracted to dark colors. They can see and use their vision to locate targets from a distance, and people wearing dark clothing are at higher risk.
People who eat a lot of potassium and salt: Mosquitoes are attracted to potassium, salt, and lactic acid released by your body, so it helps to avoid salty and potassium-rich foods like bananas, avocados, and dried fruit.
Perfume and Scented Lotions: Fragrances are known to attract mosquitoes. Floral scents are especially attractive.
Drinking Alcohol: Some experts believe drinking alcohol makes your skin give off a chemical that attracts mosquitoes. Alcohol also increases body temperature which is another huge mosquito attractor.

Blood type: According to a 2004 study, people with type O blood were a whole 83 percent more likely to attract mosquitoes than any other blood type.
Pregnant Woman: A 2000 study found that pregnant women attracted twice as many mosquitoes as non-pregnant women. This is because pregnant women exhale more carbon dioxide than other people, in addition to running higher body temperatures and having more blood circulating through her body than the average person.
Body temperature: The higher your body temperature is, the faster mosquitoes will find you. Once they get within a few yards, they can sense the heat and love to nest in the warm conditions.

Take back your yard

Are you ready to take back control of your yard? For optimal protection from mosquitoes, it’s best if you treat them early in the season. At Rid-All, our trained professionals can treat your property any time of day to ensure optimal protection from mosquitoes. Furthermore, our control methods are safe and effective every time so you can have peace of mind that your pets and children are safe. Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions has been dedicated to serving our Mississippi and Tennessee communities for over 20 years. Our experts are trained to identify and eliminate a wide assortment of pests so you can live and work comfortably.

Are you ready to eliminate mosquitoes for good and enjoy your time outdoors more than ever?

Rid All Termite and Pest Solutions prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your pest control needs and will do whatever it takes to earn your business and remain life-long clients. Rid All has been serving the mid-south since 1997. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability, yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call us at 901-377-9915 today. Like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on current events, tips, and specials.

Signs of Cockroach Infestation

August 5, 2020

Cockroaches are resilient creatures. They can make a home practically anywhere, and unfortunately, some may decide to call your home theirs. Here are some signs that you may have a cockroach infestation.

You see droppings: If you have a cockroach infestation you will be able to notice cockroach feces. The droppings of smaller cockroaches may look like coffee grounds or black pepper. The droppings of larger cockroaches may look like a grain of rice. For a good indication of how bad your cockroach infestation is, observe how much droppings there are.

You see cockroach eggs: Cockroach egg casings are long, hollow, and brown and can normally be found where you have a cockroach infestation. Each one of the egg casings holds between 20-50 eggs. If you spot an egg casing near leaky pipes, under your refrigerator, in cabinets, or behind furniture, immediately call Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions.

Unpleasant odor: If you have a cockroach infestation you may start to smell a strong oily or musty smell. The more cockroaches you have, the stronger the smell will become. The odor left by cockroaches is typically from the living ones, but dead ones can also trigger an odor while they decompose.

You see a cockroach: When you see one cockroach, chances are it’s not alone. Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures so you’ll more than likely see them at night. If you see a cockroach during the day, you might have a big problem. When you see a cockroach during the day it typically means that there is overcrowding going on and they were forced out. That means that you may have a lot of cockroaches to deal with.

Your neighbors have cockroaches: If the people next door to you mention that they have a cockroach problem, prepare yourself, you may be next. If that is the case, you’ll want to take steps to reduce the risk of infestation. Cockroaches are attracted to open containers in your garbage and the crumbs that you leave behind on your floor. To help prevent the risk of infestation, clean up your messes right away, use sealed garbage cans, and don’t leave outdoor trash cans close to your house.

When you have a cockroach problem, professional extermination is often your only recourse. Many insecticides will not work and you never know when you have a colony behind your walls. To get the job done right, contact the professionals at Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions. Call us today at 901-377-9915 or visit our website https://ridallbug.com/.

What are Carpenter Ants and how do they Damage your Home

July 2, 2020

Owning a home is often referred to as the ‘American Dream’ and there is no denying that it comes with a myriad of benefits, however, sometimes there are problems such as pest invasion that pose a threat to your home. Carpenter ants are just one pest that can wreak havoc to your home, if not taken care of by professionals.

What is a carpenter ant?

According to Pest World, Carpenter ants get their name from their nest building, where they will excavate the wood and form smooth tunnels inside of the wood. Carpenter ants do not eat wood, they only tunnel and chew through wood to create nests.

The western black carpenter ant colony, when mature, contains about 10-20,000 workers, with large colonies of more than 50,000 individuals. There is usually only one functional, wingless queen per colony. Swarmers are not produced until the colony is more than two years old. They are produced in the previous year and held over the winter in the nest for release the following year. Swarmers appear from May until August in the eastern United States and from February through June in the west.

Carpenter Ants Pest Control

Carpenter ants tend to be larger than normal ants. Most people feel as though a simple insecticide bait will get the job done. However, depending on the size of the colony that has set up shop in your abode, you may need something more serious. A professional will need to perform an inspection to make sure carpenter ants are all you have, and from there, the expert can develop a full treatment plan to help make your home livable.

If you suspect carpenter ants, Rid All Termites is happy to come to your business and provide a free estimate for our pest control services. If you need to schedule regular pest prevention appointments, or you have an immediate pest control need, call us today at 901-377-9915.

Keep your Home Safe with these Cleaning Tips from the CDC

May 26, 2020

At Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions we’ve always been the experts you call if you have unwanted creatures living in your home, but what about the invisible offenders? We are talking about germs, and more than ever it’s important to keep them at bay. The Coronavirus pandemic has taught us many new ways to adapt to our “new norm” when it comes to our everyday life and how we clean, luckily the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has made recommendations to keep you and your family safe at home when it comes to education, prevention, and cleaning rituals, read below for the most accurate up-tp-date tips.

Household members should educate themselves about COVID-19 symptoms in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in homes.

Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, phones, tablets, touch screens, remote controls, keyboards, handles, desks, toilets, sinks)
In the bedroom/bathroom dedicated for an ill person: consider reducing cleaning frequency to as-needed (e.g., soiled items and surfaces) to avoid unnecessary contact with the ill person.
As much as possible, an ill person should stay in a specific room and away from other people in their home, following home care guidance.
The caregiver can provide personal cleaning supplies for an ill person’s room and bathroom, unless the room is occupied by a child or another person for whom such supplies would not be appropriate. These supplies include tissues, paper towels, cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants (see examplesexternal icon).
If a separate bathroom is not available, the bathroom should be cleaned and disinfected after each use by an ill person. If this is not possible, the caregiver should wait as long as practical after use by an ill person to clean and disinfect the high-touch surfaces.
Household members should follow home care guidance when interacting with persons with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 and their isolation rooms/bathrooms.

How to clean and disinfect hard (Non-porous) surfaces

Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are used, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and disinfection products used. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
For disinfection, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.
A list of products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 is available hereexternal icon. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products for (concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
Additionally, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite) can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least 1 minute, and allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
Bleach solutions will be effective for disinfection up to 24 hours.

Soft (Porous) Surfaces

For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning:
Launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely.
Otherwise, use products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19external icon and that are suitable for porous surfaces.

Electronics

For electronics such as cell phones, tablets, touch screens, remote controls, and keyboards, remove visible contamination if present.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.
Consider the use of wipeable covers for electronics.
If no manufacturer guidance is available, consider the use of alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol to disinfect touch screens. Dry surfaces thoroughly to avoid pooling of liquids.

Linens, clothing, and other items that go in the laundry

Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from an ill person and then discard after each use. If using reusable gloves, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other household purposes. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
If no gloves are used when handling dirty laundry, be sure to wash hands afterwards.
If possible, do not shake dirty laundry. This will minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air.
Launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.
Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance above for surfaces. If possible, consider placing a bag liner that is either disposable (can be thrown away) or can be laundered.

Hand hygiene and other preventive measures

Household members should clean hands often, including immediately after removing gloves and after contact with an ill person, by washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol may be used. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.
Household members should follow normal preventive actions while at work and home including recommended hand hygiene and avoiding touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Additional key times to clean hands include:
After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
After using the restroom
Before eating or preparing food
After contact with animals or pets
Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g. a child)

Other considerations

The ill person should eat/be fed in their room if possible. Non-disposable food service items used should be handled with gloves and washed with hot water or in a dishwasher. Clean hands after handling used food service items.
If possible, dedicate a lined trash can for the ill person. Use gloves when removing garbage bags, handling, and disposing of trash. Wash hands after handling or disposing of trash.
Consider consulting with your local health department about trash disposal guidance if available.

Rid All Termites is happy to come to your business and provide a free estimate for our pest control services. If you need to schedule regular pest prevention appointments, or you have an immediate pest control need, call us today at 901-377-9915.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html

Commercial Pest Control Services

May 11, 2020

If you own your own business or own commercial properties, you know how important it is to keep your facilities pest-free. Not only do they damage your property, but they can turn customers away. Local businesses and commercial property owners across the Greater Memphis area have trusted Rid All Termites for two decades to handle their pest control and pest elimination services.

Whatever type of business you have, Rid All Termites can help get rid of your pests. We service locally owned to fast-food restaurants, retail shops, commercial properties, convenience stores, gas stations, and more.

To begin, it’s important that you know the signs that pests are getting into your building. Pests will come into your building looking for food, water, and shelter. Be on the lookout for pest feces. Many pests will leave a trail of urine or feces that will give off an unpleasant odor. Also, keep an eye out for any unusual or unexplained debris. A lot of times, pests and rodents will make nests using materials that they find laying around. Finally, if you notice any unusual damage to the building be aware that you might have a pest problem. All of these signs are distressing to see, but at least you know what they’re from and can call the professionals at Rid All Termite to take care of it for you.

The longer you wait to get pests removed, the more damage will be done. Not only do these pests damage and ruin your property, but some can be a serious health hazard for you, your employees, and customers. Get your pest problem taken care of today by Rid All Termites.

Sources

https://www.pestcontrolidaho.com/blog/signs-pests-are-a-problem-in-your-commercial-building

https://www.residencestyle.com/the-dangers-of-a-pest-infestation-in-business-and-residential-areas/