Sign up for our Newsletter!
German Cockroach Prevention
May 22nd, 2013German Cockroach Prevention
Wondering how to get rid of German cockroaches? The best advice for German cockroach control is to practice good sanitation. Habitat reduction, along with vacuuming, surveillance, and baiting program, and some sealing of cracks can usually reduce or eliminate a cockroach problem. The reduction of moisture sources, such as leaking pipes, is also helpful.
The German cockroach is by far the most important and usually the most common of the cockroaches. In addition to being a nuisance, the German cockroach has been implicated in outbreaks of illness and allergic reactions in many people. This species has worldwide distribution.
German cockroaches can be found throughout structures but show a preference for warm and humid places. They are usually found in kitchens and secondarily in bathrooms, but infestations often occur in rooms where people eat and drink.
German cockroaches prefer to live in cracks and crevices near food sources and spend 75% of their time in such harborages. German cockroaches prefer to live close to sources of food and water, hence their affinity for residential and commercial kitchen environments.
Cockroaches have been reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms, and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. They can pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage and then carry these into food or onto food surfaces. Germs that cockroaches eat from decaying matter or sewage are protected while in their bodies and may remain infective for several weeks longer than if they had been exposed to cleaning agents, rinse water, or just sunlight and air. Medical studies have shown that cockroach allergens cause lots of allergic reactions, especially in children. They were even shown to cause asthma in children. These allergens build up in deposits of droppings, secretions, cast skins, and dead bodies of roaches. This makes German cockroach control incredibly vital.
Bug Busters urges pet owners to protect their four-legged friends
May 21st, 2013Bug Busters urges pet owners to protect their four-legged friends
Many pests can pose serious health threats to humans during the summer season, but there are also a handful of insects that can be problematic for family pets. Bug Busters USA, a pest management company servicing the Southeast, warns that dogs, cats and other animals are at an increased risk of encountering fleas and ticks during the warmer months.
“When the weather is nice, pets are likely to spend additional time outdoors enjoying long walks or playing in the yard. Unfortunately, this means they are more susceptible to attracting fleas and ticks,” said Court Parker, COO at Bug Busters USA. “Not only can these pests make your beloved pet sick, but they can lead to an unwanted infestation in the home.”
Blacklegged deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease to pets, while American dog ticks are known to spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever and in severe cases can cause tick paralysis, which occurs when a female tick attaches near a pet’s spinal cord.
Fleas cause itchy, red bumps that lead to excessive scratching, along with unpleasant conditions such as anemia, dermatitis and tapeworms. Additionally, fleas breed at lightning speed and can quickly grow into a large infestation in pet owners’ homes.
To keep your animals safe from pests, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property from household pests, recommends the following tips:
- Keep an eye on pets for excessive scratching or licking.
- Avoid walking pets in tall grass where pests often gather.
- Bathe pets after walks or playtime with other animal.
- Wash pet bedding, plush toys, and vacuum frequently.
- Talk to a veterinarian about treatment options to protect your pet, and seek medical advice if ticks or fleas are found on your pet.
“It’s important for pet owners to be on the lookout for fleas and ticks, checking their pets frequently throughout the summer months,” added Parker.
For more information on fleas and ticks, please visit www.bugbustersusa.com
Utilize your QR Code Reade to Write a Review of Bug Busters USA
May 20th, 2013Use your QR Code reader to leave us a review!
Just scan the QR code below to get started, we appreciate your feedback!
Dirty Jobs ~ Cricket Farm
May 17th, 2013Termites can help predict the impact of climate change
May 16th, 2013As it turns out termites, those pesky critters that can destroy your family’s home may actually help predict the ecological changes shaped by climate change. According to the study by the Carnegie Institution’s Department of Global Ecology termites are careful builders that locate their mounds in areas with the right balance of moisture and drainage and this intuitive understanding of geology and hydrology can help explain how a local ecosystem might evolve. “By understanding the patterns of the vegetation and termite mounds over different moisture zones, we can project how the landscape might change with climate change,” explains co-author Greg Asner.
Check out the Study: Termites help predict impact of climate change
Bug Busters USA shares quick tips to keep common household pests outdoors
May 15th, 2013PEST-PROOFING IS KEY TO PROTECTING THE HOME FROM SUMMERTIME PESTS
Bug Busters USA shares quick tips to keep common household pests outdoors
The arrival of warmer weather also signals the arrival of the most active season for common pests such as wasps, mosquitoes, flies and ants. To prevent these pests from becoming unwanted home intruders during the summer months, Bug Busters USA, a pest management company servicing the Southeast, encourages homeowners to pest-proof around the property.
“As the warmer weather serves as a wake-up call to numerous pests, its important for homeowners to spend a few hours pest-proofing the inside and outside of their homes,” said Court Parker, COO at Bug Busters USA, “Even small tasks like keeping shrubbery well-trimmed and mending ripped screens can go a long way in preventing pests from finding entry points into the home.”
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA), a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property from household pests, recommends a number of methods to keep pests outside where they belong.
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home including entry points for utilities and pipes.
- Screen windows and seal potential entryways, repairing any rips or tears in screens.
- Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around basement foundation and windows.
- Cut tree branches and plants so that they do not reach too close to the house.
- Removing sources of moisture or standing water, including bird baths and in clogged gutters.
- Repair fascia and rotted roof shingles; some insects are drawn to deteriorating wood.
“If you find any signs of an infestation after a thorough inspection of your home, contact a pest professional who can help identify and treat the problem,” added Parker
For more information on common summer pests, please visit www.bugbustersusa.com.
Afraid of spiders?
May 14th, 2013Afraid of spiders?
Please write Bug Busters USA a review on Angie’s List!
May 13th, 2013Please write us a review on Angie’s List!
Please write us a review on Angie’s List if you would recommend our company to friends and family.
Georgia Ant Control Tips
May 10th, 2013There are more than 700 species of ants in the United States. Some of the most common include argentine, carpenter, odorous house, pavement and red imported fire ants.
All ants are social insects that live in colonies. They can be identified by their three distinct body regions: head, thorax, and abdomen. However, the biology and habits of each ant species is different and understanding these differences is necessary to effectively control an infestation.
WHERE AND WHEN ARE YOU MOST LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER ANTS?
It depends on the species, but ants are commonly attracted to the food in a kitchen, especially sweets and protein-containing substances. Ants are most often found on floors, countertops and in food items. Some species prefer to build nests in soil – such as landscaping – or cracks in concrete on your driveway, walkway or in your garage. Carpenter ants build nests in wood. Ants are typically found indoors the spring and summer months as they search for food.
SHOULD HOMEOWNERS/RESIDENTS BE CONCERNED IF THEY FIND ANTS IN THEIR HOME?
Most species of ants are considered ‘nuisance pests,’ meaning that they don’t pose a significant threat to health or property, but are an annoyance when found indoors. In fact, ants are the number one nuisance pest in the United States.
Some species of ants, however, can pose threats to health and property. Carpenter ants, for example, excavate wood in order to build their nests, which can cause extensive damage to a structure. Fire ants, on the other hand, sting when threatened, resulting in painful welts that can be dangerous to allergic persons. These species should always be handled by a professional.
Regardless of the species all ants can contaminate food sources and small infestations can grow quickly, so any sign of an infestation should be dealt with promptly.
WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE TYPE OF ANT TREATMENT AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
A trained and licensed pest professional is the best person to make a recommendation based on the proper identification of a particular ant species and the threats they could pose to health and property. Also, homeowners may have a preference as to which treatment is used, so it is important that they have a detailed conversation with their pest control company. The cost of the treatments can vary depending on the size of the infestation and the property being treated.
WHAT CAN A HOMEOWNER DO TO CONTROL ANT INFESTATIONS?
There are as many ways to control ants as there are species of ants! Different species eat different things – making it almost impossible to inspect a single area and control the ant population. The best strategy homeowners can employ when attempting to control ants is to clean, clean, clean. Wipe down counters, regularly remove garbage, clean up grease spills, rinse and remove empty soda cans or other recyclables and mop/sweep the floors. Homeowners should also keep food in sealed containers and keep pet food/water dishes clean. Outside the home, eliminate sources of moisture or standing water such as birdbaths or kiddie pools. Finally, seal cracks and holes around the home to close entry points.
