Is There A Fly In Your Soup?

If there is a fly in your soup, be thankful you don’t have Grover helping you with your problem. In this classic scene from Sesame Street, a restaurant patron must rely on Grover–who can’t tell the difference between under, next to, on and in–to help him with a fly in his soup. After several failed attempts, Grover bursts out with a line that is probably one of the funniest in Sesame Street history. “You should have asked for a bowl of soup and said, ‘Hold the flies!'” The absurdity of this statement is only made more pronounced when Grover replaces the man’s fly-tainted soup with another: cream of mosquito.

Bugs may not be a big deal in Grover’s kitchen, but they can be bad news in yours. Flies aren’t only a frustrating pest, they are a known spreader of harmful bacteria. It’s not entirely their fault. They start their lives out as maggots and feed on rotted organic material in your trashcan and other unsavory places. It is only natural for them to continue to be drawn to filthy things for the rest of their lives. If you think it bugs you to see a fly land on your food, imagine if you could know where that fly’s feet have been. It would throw you right off the edge.

Flies are not an insect you should ever shrug off. They can’t be effectively controlled with a few strips of flypaper. This is a dirty insect that shouldn’t be in your soup, on your counters or in your kitchen. Here are a few ideas to make your kitchen a fly-free zone:

  • Make sure you screens are in good condition. Some flies will zip in through the front door when you open it, but a large number get in through poor screening and holes in window framing. Use fingernail polish to fix small holes, and invest in a tiny patch kit to get holes that are up to a quarter in size.
  • Don’t lure flies onto your property. Get trash cans that seal. Put compost several feet away from your exterior walls. And don’t provide any other food sources around your home.
  • Trash cans inside should be sealed as well. If a fly does get in, you don’t want to give it the perfect breeding site.
  • Soak dishes in soapy water rather than stacking them next to the sink. Flies can’t breed fast enough to use your dirty dishes as a breeding site, but they will definitely grab a bite and use the energy to find another more suitable site.
  • Commercial businesses use light traps to control flying insects. If a couple of flies get in, you might want to have a small light trap to take care of the problem.
  • Remember that the trash can in the kitchen isn’t the only trash in the house. If you have kids, there could be food in the bathroom trash as well.

It is no fun having flies in the kitchen. Use these tips and a year round pest control program from Active Pest Control to keep them out, for good.

Family Pets And Household Pests

Do you have a furry friend running around your Rome Georgia home? For some of us, it is impossible to imagine life without a pet. Their antics are a constant source of enjoyment. They bring us healing on those days when we have to stay home from work or school, and, they are a fluffy companion on this journey called life. That is why it is so important to have proper pest control in and around your home. Here are a few creatures found around your home that can hurt your furry family member.

  1. Fleas. It is no surprise to see this pest on the list. Fleas are a tormentor for dogs and cats. They are responsible for horrible dermatological issues that can cause your pet’s fur to fall out and scabbing to appear. They can spread tapeworms to your pets, especially dogs, when fleas that have tapeworm eggs are ingested. Fleas can carry diseases that cause fever, heart disease and even the plague. The solution to this problem is protective gear and medicinal treatment for your pet and a routine flea treatment for your lawn.
  2. Ticks. If you allow your dog or cat to spend any time in tall grass, you’re going to have ticks. Though they aren’t too much of a problem to remove, ticks can transmit diseases to your pet, like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, hepatozoonosis, cytauxzoonosis, ehrlichiosis, tick paralysis and others. There are a few things that you can do to prevent ticks; Keep your grass cut short and put a fence around your yard to keep wild animals from transporting ticks into your yard. Remove bird feeders so that birds do not deposit ticks near your home. Seal and secure all trash to avoid luring wild animals onto your property, and, get a routine pest treatment to kill ticks and tick eggs in your yard.
  3. Little red ants. If you have fire ants in your yard, your pet could get into some trouble. A single fire ant bite is only mildly irritating. But several ant bites over a long period of time can cause severe irritation of the skin, and vision loss. If you have fire ant mounds encroaching upon your property, it is important to have them removed by a professional. Do-it-yourself methods can cause fire ant populations to split and multiply. With this veracious pests, it is important to act quickly and aggressively to stop the spread.
  4. Stinging insects. Your pet is as susceptible to the dangers of stinging insects as you are. If you have a wasp, bee, hornet or yellow jacket nest on your property, your pet could be at risk. Yellow jackets can be especially troublesome because they build their nests in the ground where animals can get near them. They are also an aggressive swarming insect that can sting multiple times without losing its stinger. If you have a nest on your property have it removed immediately. Stinging insects grow their populations all summer long and in early fall they pose an even greater risk to your pets and your family. When you have no nests, you have less risk. It’s that simple.
  5. Wildlife. There are many creatures that carry rabies in their bodies. If your pet gets into a tangle with one of these, the results could be life threatening for your pet. If you believe a wild animal is living on your property, call a pest control company immediately.

Your pet is a part of your family. Always be aware of where your cat or dog is playing, and keep those areas free of dangerous pests. Pet sickness can be costly, both financially and emotionally. Stay protected with help from the professionals here at Active Pest Control. Let us protect all of your loved ones, including your four-legged family members from pests with one of our home pest service plans. Contact us today!

 

Is Lyme Disease Really A Big Deal?

You’ve probably heard many times that you need to watch out for ticks because you’ll get Lyme disease. Is this really true? If so, how bad is it to get Lyme disease? Are my limbs going to fall off? Let’s take a look at the hysteria and controversy surrounding Lyme disease, and examine some practical ways you can protect yourself and your family.

The truth about Lyme disease.

First of all, not everyone who gets bitten by a tick develops Lyme disease. Though many ticks carry the harmful bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) that causes Lyme disease, they are not guaranteed to have it. So, if you find a tick on you, don’t panic.

Another misconception is that everyone who gets Lyme disease gets the chronic kind that can last for years–and even a lifetime. The truth is, each of us reacts to this bacteria in a different way. For some, there is no visible reaction. Others may experience a round bullseye rash, fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. But after three weeks of antibiotics, all symptoms go away.

There is, however, a percentage of people who experience stronger symptoms that can last for years, and even a lifetime. This is usually in people who do not receive antibiotic treatments. In fact, 60% of people not treated develop recurring attacks of arthritis. And, on average 15% of people not treated develop chronic arthritis. Lyme disease can also lead to neurological problems which manifest as numbness in the hands and feet, shooting pains, and short-term memory loss.

Who is at risk of Lyme disease?

  • People who spend a lot of time in high grass risk greater exposure to ticks.
  • People who hike in wooded areas.
  • Children and young adults are more likely to get Lyme disease.

Prevention

  • If you find a tick on you, use a tick removal kit, tweezers or pliers to get the entire tick out. It takes 24-48 hours for a Lyme disease producing amount of Borrelia burgdorferi to enter the body. Catching ticks early can prevent this disease.
  • Keeping the grass cut in your yard will reduce tick populations.
  • Regular tick treatments from a pest professional can fully eliminate ticks.
  • Wear insect repellent when traveling in the woods or tall grass. Put your pants inside your socks. Wear light clothing so ticks can be easily seen. And, wear a hat.

So, is Lyme disease a big deal? It can be, for some. But of all the tips mentioned here, it is important to note that you’re going to be mostly safe if you simply check for ticks and remove them early. There is no need for hysteria–well, not yet anyway. But it is a good idea to stay vigilant. It is also a good idea to protect what you can protect. Keep your yard safe and be cautious when visiting friends and family. If you do this, you should be fine.

Contact us for more information on ticks in Georgia and Active Pest Control‘ pest control services for ticks.

Get Your Chattanooga Home Ready For Sale

If you were considering the prospect of selling your home, it may be time. Last year, Chattanooga realtors saw the greatest number of home sales since the recession of 2006, and they are expecting 2015 to be an even bigger year. Not only that, median sale prices on homes in Chattanooga are up 5.9 percent from 2013, making the average home $147,900. And, the good news keeps coming, as last month Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reduced down payment requirements from 5 to 3 percent. It is finally time for millennials (ages 25-34) to get out there and buy their dream home. That home may be yours. Are you ready to sell?

Spring cleaning tips for prepping your home.

When those potential buyers stop by, you want them to leave with the best impression possible. It has never been more important to do proper spring cleanup.

  • Lawn: Now that winter has passed, make sure all twigs, leaves and other debris is picked up off your lawn. Use an herbicide to get rid of weeds. And, check to make sure your inground sprinkler system is still working, if you have one.
  • Deck or Patio: Sweep, clean, stain and reseal your deck or patio.
  • Water build up: Make sure your gutters are in good working order and that water is being channeled away from your home. To avoid injury, hire a professional to clean your gutter and downspouts. It is well worth the $100 to $200.
  • Roof: Look for cracks or missing shingles and make sure your roofline is in good shape.
  • Exterior walls: Look for any rotted or chew holes where water and pests have eaten away at your wood. Look in hard-to-see areas because a home inspector is likely to check these areas for their client.
  • Chimney: Examine your chimney for efflorescence, a white calcium deposit that is a warning sign of water absorption.
  • Windows and screens: Replace any broken or damaged screens, weather stripping and door sweeps.
  • Leaks: Inspect your home for leaky faucets, spigots or pipes. If you find puddles or areas of moisture, have a plumber take care of these trouble spots.
  • Lights: Make sure all your lights work.
  • Clean: Spring clean everything and get rid of unnecessary clutter.
  • Pests: Make sure all trash cans have sealable lids and that they are in a place where they can’t be knocked over. Get rid of spider webs outside. And do an inspection of your attic for nests or dens. Hire a pest control professional to do an inspection and offer options to keep your home pest-free* during the sale process.

Hopefully, you will have a quick and profitable sale. But sometimes it can take a while. Maintain a pest treatment plan to avoid damage from wood chewing pests and to give your home a pest-free* feel every time buyers come to visit.

7 Ways To Prevent Pests This Spring

Are you looking for help with home pest control in Rome, GA? We are here to help you get started on protecting your home from pests this spring season. As the weather warms up, pests will begin to emerge, looking for food, water and possibly a new shelter. If they can find access into your home, then they have hit the jackpot. Your home provides a large, warm sheltered area to live and hide out in. There is plenty of food sources and water that is available, no matter what season. If pests find these items, food, warmth and water, then your home will become the new hot spot for pests. They will try their best to stay out of your sight, adapt quickly and start to multiply. This means that by the time you notice pests in your home, there could already be a full infestation in your walls, attic, basement or crawl space.

Here are seven helpful tips to keeping your home pest free this spring season:

  1. The first step to keeping pests out of your home is to not allow them access into your home. This means making sure to seal up any cracks on the exterior of your home. There may be cracks or gaps found around venting, window, doors, piping and wiring. You may also want to double check your foundation for any entry ways. These gaps do not have to be very big to let pests in.
  2. You are also going to want to make sure that all your food is sealed in airtight containers. If pests do get into your home, you are not going to want to give them access to any food sources. This also applies to pet food as well.
  3. Make sure that you also seal up trash containers inside and outside your home. Rodents, like raccoons, are notorious for getting into trash around homes.
  4. When you are landscaping this spring, make sure that shrubs, bushes and trees are well groomed and kept away from your home. These items can help make a bridge for pests to cross to get into your home. They also offer a good hiding place for pests while they forage around your home for food.
  5. Store any wood items at least 20 feet from your home. Wood piles attract pests, like termites and carpenter ants, to your home.
  6. Make sure that your home has proper venting in attics and crawl spaces so that there is no moisture build up. Also, make sure to fix any leaking pipes as soon as possible. Pests are attracted to moist areas in your home.
  7. If you would like help dealing with home pest control in Rome, you can contact a local professional pest exterminator to help you eliminate pests and setup a year-round pest control program to protect your home.

Rome pest control can be a daunting task. Take your time and call a professional, if you would like assistance dealing with pests. Don’t let pests put a damper on your spring, call the pest professionals at Active Pest Control today to learn more about spring pest prevention and control!

Spring Bug Control In Chattanooga

Do you like it when bugs crawl all over everything? Of course not. No one does. But a surprising number of people put up with it every year. Make this the year that you say, “enough is enough, bugs!” Okay. You don’t have to actually say it. But you should look into partnering with your local pest management company.

When the temperature begin to warm up, those bugs that are living in your attic, wall voids, garage, and basement, are going to start looking for food. Going months without eating tends to make you a little hungry. That means the box elder bugs, cluster flies, stink bugs, lady bugs, wasps, and other overwintering pests are going to start coming out of the woodwork. They’ll be crawling on your kitchen walls, dying on your window sills, flying through your living room, and getting into everything.

Some of these pests are just a nuisance, but others can be a menace to your family. Cluster flies can spread illness and have you staying home from work with flu like symptoms. Wasps can have you running to the hospital with a screaming kid. And if you have the misfortune of running into a swarm of termites or carpenter ants, you’ll think the end of the world has finally come.

Prepping for the spring invasion is simpler than you think. Gingerly slip your hand into your pocket or pocket book, and gently slide out your phone. Now tap in the number for Active Pest Control. It’s 423-414-2736. Talk to the friendly person on the other side, and have them come and do an inspection. See? Easy. Hold on. Why are you looking at me that way? Are you worried about cost? Active Pest Control has packages starting at only $30. If you buy a coffee every day for an entire month, you’re going to spend around $45. Having a home with no bugs in it is way sweeter than a cup of coffee.

Stop and think about all the time this year you’ve dealt with pests. Did you have to deal with flies in the kitchen? Lady bugs all over your walls? Cockroaches in the pantry? Ants in the cabinet? Mice leaving droppings in your drawers? Pests can make you sick, eat your home, and bite and sting. When you have Active Pest Control protecting you, you can sleep easy–and not wake up with a hard shelled cricket crawling on your neck. Get your walls sealed, and keep those pests outside, where they belong. It’s just better that way.

Do Your Children Feed The Bugs?

Kids can be messy. Not your kids of course. I’m talking about other people’s kids. You know the ones. They make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich right on the counter and leave a gob of jelly for you to find later–usually because you put your forearm or hand on it. They leave a wake of half-eaten bread, candy and Pop Tarts on every surface in the house and surprise you with sticky morsels on the kitchen table, or unidentifiable crumbs in the cushions of the couch. It is one of the many joys of child rearing.

This propensity for uncleanness can often happen in a blink of an eye. I remember making hot dogs one day. I called my son in to get his. He was five years old and used to putting his own ketchup on his hotdog, so I paid him no mind. But something went wrong during the process and he managed to get a rather substantial amount of it on his hand. Before I could even form the words, “Don’t move,” he moved. With a speed that left my mind unable to fully comprehend what had happened he smeared the ketchup down the front of his shirt in one thick streak and looked up at me with surprise. Apparently, the ‘ol, “Wipe it off on the shirt trick didn’t quite work as well as he had planned.”

What I did not know back then as a young parent is that all those sticky spills, all those dobs of sugary foods, and all of those crumbs were the reason we had so many pests. It doesn’t take much to feed a bug, and my house was full of a veritable buffet of choice dishes.

If you have not painstakingly sealed your exterior walls, maintained your screens, and had your perimeter treated by a professional pest control company, bugs and rodents will visit your home. But what many people don’t think about is that these pests are looking for a food source. If you have open trash, food on the counters, dirty dishes stacked by the sink, and crumbs in your rug, pests will be motivated to stay. Without even realizing it, your kids are feeding those pests.

I’m not telling you to chase after your kids and wipe up every little spill, because that’s just crazy talk. I’ve raised two little piggies and it is hard work. I get it. But there is a solution. It lies in what I mentioned above. If you partner with a pest control company they will do all the hard work of sealing bugs and rodents out and you won’t have to work so hard at keeping everything clean. I’m not going to lie. You’ll still need to do a couple of things to make sure your home stays pest free, but there are easy things like making sure you don’t leave the door open as you bring groceries from the car to the house, and remembering to put fruit in the refrigerator instead of on the table where fruit flies can develop. Your pest technician will walk you through it.

Those kids are going to make some messes, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with the cockroaches, ants, flies, beetles, mice, rats, and everything else that wants to creep around your house and spread illness. Get your yard and exterior walls protected and get bug free for 2015.

Your Guide To Holiday Pest Control

Bugs are definitely worse in spring, but you can still have an infestation, especially around the holidays when you’re bringing things into your home that bugs love to hitchhike on. Here is a short guide to help you prevent an accidental infestation this season.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

Before you start roasting those chestnuts over an open fire, here are a few things you’ll want to know. Let’s start with a common theme. Any time you bring something from the cold into your home, you have a chance of bringing in dormant egg sacks that are waiting for spring so they can hatch. BioOne Online Journal recently did a study of purchased firewood and stated that nearly half the bundles purchased revealed dozens of species of insects, even as long as eighteen months after purchase. They connected this spread of insects to untreated wood taking long trips over state lines. They suggest to buy local and burn quickly. And if you store wood at your home, store it away from your exterior walls and keep it five feet off the ground. This will keep those pests from infesting your home.

Oh Christmas tree oh Christmas tree how lovely are your branches!

Insects love to lay their egg sacks in Christmas trees as well. If you bring a cold Christmas tree into you home, especially if it has traveled a long distance to get to your home, it could have eggs waiting to hatch. Though not as much of a threat as porous firewood, trees can have a variety of insects. Shake your tree thoroughly before bringing it into your home, and inspect with a flashlight for fuzzy web-like sacs tucked into boughs. This will save you from having hundreds of spiders crawling your walls for Christmas.

And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care…

Another way egg sacs get into your home is in decoration boxes stored in a shed, garage, or barn. This is also a way roaches, mice, and poisonous spiders enter the house. When storing decorations, try to use a sealed, hard plastic container. This will prevent unwanted intruders when the holidays come.

If you get an infestation, call a professional so it can be dealt with thoroughly and you can stay focused on what matters: being with family.

5 Tips For A Pest Free Holiday Season

In Georgia, we may not go walking in a winter wonderland, but we sure do love to deck those halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la. Though the weather outside isn’t frightful, it can sometimes be frightful inside. And nothing can ruin your holidays faster than bugs. Here are some tips to make your season bright.

Shake that tree!

There are a number of bugs that live on and nest in Christmas trees. If you don’t want a hundred spiders crawling up your walls this Christmas, consider inspecting your tree with a flashlight and shaking it real well before you bring it inside.

Don’t pick up hitchhikers!

There are dozens of species of insects that live in wood. Some stay dormant for nearly a month before rearing their ugly heads. These wood-eating insects will most likely be found in firewood that has crossed the border from one state to another. So buy local and burn your wood quickly to avoid unwanted insects hatching in or near your home.

Keep the food off the tree!

Rodents love those edible decorations. So if you don’t want a rat as an ornament, consider refraining from strings of popcorn and cranberry, or hanging baked goods. If you have hung food ornaments every year, ask yourself, “Do we have rodent problems more around Christmas than any other time of the year?”. Many people don’t make the connection, but it is true. Your food ornaments can lure rodents into your home or draw them down from their hiding place in the attic.

Don’t add bugs to your recipe!

“Bugs make a great baking ingredient!” said no chef, ever. The last thing you want to find when you grab the flour is a bunch of little black specks moving around in it. Always check your packages for tears, holes or chew marks before purchasing them. Pantry pests love to hitchhike home with you. Let’s keep them out this Christmas.

Don’t have a heart attack!

There is nothing worse than unpacking ornaments and finding cockroaches in the box. These nasty little buggers love cardboard boxes full of dusty tangled messes. If you store your boxes in the garage or shed, you could be bringing a roach infestation into your home. If you’re able to, store your holiday decorations in a hard plastic bin. Roaches can chew their way through cardboard. If you can’t afford hard plastic right now, refrain from storing food or sweets. Always check your boxes thoroughly before bringing them into the house. And check wreaths closely and shake them out.