Termite & Pest Control Blog

What to Do When You Have a Bed Bug Infestation

March 3, 2020

Bed bug infestations have been on the rise throughout the United States, including the mid-south areas of Mississippi and Tennessee. Although they are not thought to transmit diseases, bed bugs are most definitely a nuisance as they bite and thrive on human or animal blood. These pests are extremely difficult to remove from homes and businesses because they are good at hiding and reproduce rapidly. If you believe you have bed bugs, we highly recommend seeking professional help to get rid of them for good.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, flat insects roughly the size of an apple seed. They live on the blood of humans and animals, using body heat and other clues to find you. Female bed bugs will lay up to five eggs every day, amounting to hundreds of eggs over their lifetime (approximately 1 year). Under favorable conditions, these pests can grow from immature ‘nymphs’ to fully developed bugs in about one month, each one feeding around five times as they mature.

Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?

Bed bugs enter homes and businesses by hitching a ride on you, your belongings, or your pets. They creep into people’s luggage, clothing, used furniture (like beds), etc. from other places that were infested. Because their bodies are small and flat, they can easily fit into tiny spaces. Typically they hide in places like mattresses, box springs and headboards where they can easily access their human ‘meals.’ Then, once they’ve been in a home for some time, they spread to other areas, including closets, bathrooms, and other nearby rooms.

Signs Of Bed Bug Infestation

Bed bugs survive by consuming blood. Their presence in your home, therefore, does not signify a lack of cleanliness, which means even immaculate homes can be subject to infestation.

So how do you know when you have them? The first sign for most people is the bites themselves. Typically these are painless at first, but turn into itchy areas or even welts. Whereas flea bites are often found around the ankles, bedbug bites may be anywhere on the skin, and often form a straight line of 3 to 4 bites in a row. People sometimes initially attribute the itching to other bug bites, like mosquitoes, so you’ll need to confirm bed bugs are actually present. Other signs that you have bed bugs include the following:

Fecal stains on nightwear.
Bloodstains on pillows or sheets.
Dead bugs, shells or skins in the bed.
An offensive, sweet/musty smell

What To Do If You Have Bed Bugs?

If you suspect a bed bug infestation, immediately begin steps to get rid of them and prevent their return. Cleaning an infested area is helpful, but getting rid of them permanently generally requires chemical treatments. Hiring an experienced pest control professional is the safest and most effective way to rid your home or business of bedbugs. If you believe you have an infestation, schedule a consultation with Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions. The sooner we begin treatment, the more successful it will be.

Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions has served over 10,000 homeowners and businesses in the mid-south area of Mississippi and Tennessee near Olive Branch. We offer emergency services for all types of pests, including bed bugs, termites, wasps, rodents, and more. Rid All serves our customers with integrity, ongoing employee training, and safety awareness. Contact us today at 901-377-9915 for a free estimate or to schedule your pest control appointment. For more information, visit our website. Please also ‘like’ us on Facebook.

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/bedbugs-infestation

The Importance of Pest Inspection for Your New Home

October 4, 2019

Moving into a new home can be a grand adventure. The researching, the viewing, and the decision to put in an offer are exciting. When you finally find the perfect home, it’s always advised to get a home inspection to confirm that the structure is sound and there are no underlying electrical or HVAC issues.

However, it is highly recommended to get a pest inspection from a licensed professional before you move in. This is not only to ensure you don’t have unwanted housemates but also to protect your family and investment.

Here are reasons why you should schedule a pest inspection before you purchase your home:

Avoid Unwanted Guests

If you discover a pest infestation after you move in, the damage caused and expense to treat it falls on you, the new homeowner. Getting an inspection before the sale is finalized gives you leverage in the event there is an infestation. As the buyer, you can ask the seller to arrange a pest control visit to alleviate the issue or ask for the price to be lowered to compensate for future pest control expenses.

Discover Past Damage

By law, sellers are usually required to report any past infestation damage. When it comes to listing the details, this information might slip their minds, or more likely, they may not be aware of any damages as it’s not always visible to the naked eye. Getting a professional pest inspection will ensure there are no damages to wood, flooring, insulation, or any structural components.

Peace of Mind

When purchasing a home, there is already enough to worry about. Pests shouldn’t be one of them. Scheduling a pest inspection will uncover any destructive pests that are or have been in your home as well as expose any areas that may need pest protection in the future.

Safety First

Some critters – stinging insects, bed bugs, poisonous spiders – carry diseases or pose a threat to your family. Knowing if the pests are around and learning how to rid of them effectively will make your home safer for years to come.

Home Value

Arranging a pest inspection prior to moving can only benefit the future value of your home. Unwanted pests will decrease your home’s value, especially if you plan to increase the value with renovations.

If you plan on buying a new home, scheduling a pest inspection with Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions will protect your investment and your family.

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://ridallbug.com/services/#inspection

https://www.sanjoaquinpestcontrol.com/blog/should-i-get-a-pest-inspection-on-my-new-home

https://www.aaipest.com/pest-control-blog/pest-inspections/

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

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.

Sources:

https://citybugs.tamu.edu

https://home.howstuffworks.com

https://www.washingtonpost.com

Preventing Pests in the Summer

July 5, 2019

The sun is out and summer is finally here! While you’re out enjoying the summer fun, the last thing you want to be concerned with is annoying mosquitoes or other pests. The hot summer weather means that pests will be trying to invade your nice air-conditioned home. Don’t let pests spoil the fun. Follow these simple tips for preventing pests to ensure a comfortable summer:

Seal off places of entry: The first thing to do is to consider how pests might enter your home and block it off. Check any window screens or screen doors for any holes that might have appeared over the winter. Check your windows for any new gaps and consider weather stripping. When you are entering or exiting your home, be mindful that pests stay out upon the door opening.

Remove areas of standing water: Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Even the smallest amount of water is all it takes. Check for bird baths, areas of drainage, garden ponds, rain spouts or anything that could hold water. Regularly walk around your property to check for any new developments.

Clean Kitchen: Nothing attracts pests like food. A small pile of crumbs on your kitchen floor can turn into a pile of ants really quickly. Wipe your counters, sweep floors and take out garbage to ensure that pests can’t find anything in your home. Consider investing in a garbage can with a lid. Immediately store food after eating and make use of Tupperware containers.

Maintain your yard: A great hiding place for pests is overgrown grass or untrimmed hedges as they often use them for their nests. Keep up with landscaping your yard to keep pests from settling near your home. A side benefit is a nice looking yard.

Don’t store wood near home: Storing firewood next to your home is like giving termites a one-way ticket inside your home. If you store firewood, make sure that it is away from your home, at least five feet away.

Pests will stop at nothing to enter your home. If you are experiencing pest issues, contact the professionals at Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions. Since 1997, we have served over 10,000 homeowners and businesses in the mid-south area near Olive Branch. If you have any pest control needs, visit our website or call us at 901-377-9915.

How to Prevent House Flies

June 3, 2019

Are you finding yourself constantly hitting flies with a fly swatter in your home? Before you reach for that fly swatter, you are better off finding out what is attracting them. Finding the root of the cause means you need to do an inspection, sanitation and fly pest control to stop them from returning. Hiring a professional like Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions will help you get rid of house flies the right way the first time so the flies don’t return.

House Fly Identification
Signs of Infestation of a House Fly
The one common sign of an infestation of a house fly is actually seeing the flies in your home. You may hear them flying around in your home or even larvae crawling out of where they are breeding as they pupate. If you hear them flying, you will hear a buzzing sound caused by their two wings beating together.

How House Flies Enter Your Home
Damaged screens or weather stripping of your home is the way house flies get inside. House flies are attracted to your home from air currents and different odors. They are attracted to warm air currents coming from your house on cooler days and cooler air currents on warmer days. They prefer temps around 83-degrees Fahrenheit.

House Fly Control
Getting Rid of House Flies
If you think your home has a fly infestation, it’s best you contact a pest control professional like Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions to conduct an inspection so they can look for places where eggs may have been deposited. If the breeding site is not cleaned properly or the eggs aren’t removed, the house flies will return.

Eliminating the adult house flies is the step after disposing of the breeding site. Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions will create a treatment plan based on the circumstances of the house fly infestation.

If you are looking to avoid an infestation in the first place, sanitation needs to be done. Remove trash, use sealed garbage bins, and pick up pet waste to prevent the attraction of house flies. If one of your window screens have a rip or tear in it, patch it or replace it to avoid house flies from entering your home.

For immediate help for your pest problem, contact Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions at 901-377-9915 or visit our website to see the extensive services we offer so you can get back to living your life without worrying about pests!

Termite Prevention

April 24, 2019

Also known as the silent killer, termites can ravage through your home without you even knowing they are there. Without any treatment, a termite could destroy your home in as few as three years. Termites, a wood eating pest, can live behind your walls and hollow out your home without you knowing it. In addition to causing structural damage, termites can bring allergies and other irritants into the house. The National Pest Management Association reports that Americans spend over five billion dollars each year on termite damage. Follow these tips to keep your family safe, and save you some money.

Signs of Termites

Termites are noisy. It is possible to hear them eating wood or banging their head on the wall.
Thin or hollow feeling walls
Holes in wood
Termite droppings also called frass, that look like wood shavings.
Cracks in the wood
Mold can sometimes be a sign of termites decomposing wood
Look for “mud tubes”, which are transportation tunnels termites use to transport food. They will normally exist around the foundation of a home.

How to prevent termite damage

Minimize moisture in the household as termites need it to survive. Keep a close eye on leaky faucets or pipes or small pools of water gathering near your home.
Avoid any wood-to-ground contact in your home as this will be the easiest way for termites to infest your home.
Inspecting lumber before adding it to your home.
Stack firewood and other lumber away from your house.
Trim overgrown hedges and bushes around your house.

Termites cannot be controlled with Do-it-Yourself measures. Termites can be wreaking havoc on your home, all without your knowledge. The best thing to do when you suspect termite damage is to consult a professional. The only way to fully protect your home is with regular inspections from an exterminator. Contact the professionals at Rid All Termite and Pest Solutions. Family owned and operated, Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions was established in 1997. Since then, we have served over 10,000 homeowners and businesses in the mid-south area near Olive Branch. Our mission is to lead the mid-south pest control industry by educating the general public on current events regarding the pest industry. Upon inspection, our skilled professionals will construct the best treatment plan for you. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Rid All Termite and Pest Solutions today for a free quote. Visit our website or call us at 901-377-9915.

Sources:

https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/termites-how-identify-and-control-them

The Harmful Effects of a Mice Infestation

March 18, 2019

According to PestWorld, mice infest an estimated 21-million homes each winter, with effects to not only our health but the health of our home as well. Mice and other rodents want to stay warm too, and for many, that means finding their way into our homes for shelter. Along with being carriers of numerous viruses, mice can also have a devastating effect on your home.

Risks to You and Your Family

Rodents such as rats or mice can pose a threat to the health of you and your family. These rodents reproduce very fast, so a few mice can turn into an infestation quicker than you might think. They can spread a number of viruses and diseases through their feces, which can be harmful when dried and breathed in, and they can also contaminate food and infect people that way. These viruses and diseases include hantavirus, the bubonic plague, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever. All of these can create serious health problems for those affected. You can find more information about the diseases transmitted by rodents here.

Risks to Your Home

Mice, rats, and other rodents can become a big problem in your home, causing costly repairs and extermination fees. Rodents like to burrow into anything they think will make a good nest for their babies, including old furniture cushions, insulation, and even old boxes of clothes. They will also chew anything they may find helpful in creating a nest, which could also mean they chew through insulation and wires to make way for their new home. Mice have also been known to make their nests in electrical appliances, which can pose a real threat of fire in your home. To help prevent rodents from infesting your home, take necessary precautions to help protect your home against them.

If you’re worried about a rodent and mice infestation in your home, right now or any time of the year, Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions is here to help. We’ve been the number one choice for pest control solutions in the mid-South since 1997, and continue to help residents keep their home rodent free. Give us a call today at 901-377-9915 to learn more about how we can help you come up with a solution to your pest problem, or visit our website to learn more about rodent infestations and how to identify the warning signs.

References

https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-health-hub/overview-of-the-real-health-risks-posed-by-mice-and-rat-infestations/

https://www.thespruce.com/damage-from-rats-and-mice-2656752

https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/prevent_infestations/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/diseases/direct.html

https://ridallbug.com/rodent-control-services/

How Do I Know if I Have Carpenter Ants?

May 12, 2017

What are carpenter ants?

Carpenter ants, like many insects, are social and live in large colonies. They measure ¼-½ inch inch long1 and tend to be black or red, or a combination of these two colors. Carpenter ants are also known as flying ants or winged ants. These ant colonies live both outdoors and indoors in moist, decaying or hollow wood. If they find your home as a suitable place to make a nest, they will bore holes into water damaged wood and then gnaw away the wood to make room for more members of the colony.

How do I know if I have carpenter ants?

If you see (or hear) the following signs, your home might be experiencing carpenter ant damage:

- Wood that sounds hollow if tapped upon

- The sound of faint rustling within in the walls, which means the ants are boring into the wood

- The presence of wood with wide, irregular ridges that are usually smooth-surfaced and free of debris

- Shed wings of carpenter ants near window sills, baseboards, and vents

- Trails of sawdust, a sign that carpenter ants have bored holes into the wood

Wood shavings near infested areas, which provide clues to nesting locations

These tips should help you determine whether or not you have an infestation of carpenter ants inside your home. Rest assured, carpenter ants are not harmful or a health hazard to humans, only the wood in the structure of your home.

How can I avoid a carpenter ant infestation?

- Do not store firewood against an outside wall of your home, as it is an invitation for pests. Store it as far away from your home as possible, preferably elevated on a firewood rack

- Cut down tree branches or limbs that either touch or hang over your home.

Seal holes or crevices in your home, specifically around window sills, baseboards, and vents

Carpenter ants can be difficult to evict from your home, and an infestation should not be taken lightly. If you’ve seen signs of these pests, your next step is to call Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions at 901.377.9915. We specialize in the diagnosis and removal of carpenter ant infestations in Olive Branch, Mississippi and surrounding areas.

The Silent and Stealthy Subterranean Termite

April 18, 2017

A stealthy and determined force of nature, termites are a cause of stress and worry for many homeowners throughout the United States, especially in the Gulf Coast region. Commonly referred to as “the silent destroyers,” termites will silently feed on the wood and other materials within homes 24 hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.

If left untreated, termites are capable of causing costly damage to the structural wood of your most valuable possession – your home. The National Pest Management Association estimates that termites are responsible for $5 billion in property damage every year in the U.S.2

Termites are small, ant-like insects. However, they differ from ants in that they generally feed off the cellulose in wood. Working largely undetected under the surface, they can tunnel through the wooden structure of buildings and completely destroy them. Wood that comes in contact with the soil, such as the exterior trim on your home, provides a perfect point of entry for a termite colony.

There are many types of termites, with the most common and dangerous ones being subterranean termites. Some common physical characteristics of the subterranean termites include wings, six legs and an antenna. They are between 1/8” to 1” in size, and generally long, oval or narrow in shape. Perhaps their most distinctive trait is their creamy brown color.

Subterranean termites (variations include Eastern subterranean, Western subterranean, Formosan termites, Desert subterranean) originate in the soil as it provides optimal temperatures and moisture for their survival. They may live in areas above the ground or completely underground, and are known to build tunnels to transport food. They grow quickly and build new colonies yearly.

In the spring, large numbers of winged termites, known as “swarmers,” typically emerge inside homes. Spring typically is when large numbers of winged termites, known as “swarmers,” emerge inside homes. Triggered by warmer temperatures and rainfall, the winged termites emerge from the colony and fly into the air, and then swarm to disperse and start new colonies. If Subterranean termites colonies get big enough (colonies as large as two million have been reported3), they will further disperse and create satellite colonies.

Unlike most termites that only feed on wood, these termites feed on almost everything including beams, sub-flooring, insulation, foundation and plastic plumbing pipes. Coupled with their non-stop eating habits and quick growth rate, the termite colonies can easily be blamed for destroying homes and commercial buildings. The subterranean termite destruction is not limited to structures; they damage to living shrubs and trees as they eat into them, eventually killing them.

Due to their dangerous and destructive nature, and the fact subterranean termites can be found everywhere in your house, it is important to take precautionary measures so that you can keep your property safe. Homeowners should get their house inspected semi-annually, especially if there are signs of pests or if it has been previously infested.

If you think you might have a termite infestation, it’s critical to seek help from a trusted exterminator. Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions specializes in the diagnosis and removal of termite infestations in Olive Branch, Mississippi and surrounding areas. If you think you might be experiencing termite or other pest issues, contact us at 901-377-9915.

Termite & Pest Control Blog

What to Do When You Have a Bed Bug Infestation

The Importance of Pest Inspection for Your New Home

Harmful Effects of Spider Infestation

Prevent Bringing Bed Bugs Home with You

Preventing Pests in the Summer

How to Prevent House Flies

Termite Prevention

The Harmful Effects of a Mice Infestation

How Do I Know if I Have Carpenter Ants?

The Silent and Stealthy Subterranean Termite

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