The Ghost of Christmas Tree Past

The Ghost of Christmas Tree Past in Atlanta GA - Active Pest Control

Issues stemming from Christmas trees can come back to haunt you even after Christmas is long gone! It all has to do with the disposal of the tree.

If you celebrated a fun Christmas season with a live tree then you need to find something to do with it after the holidays. For many people that is finding a nice spot of land on their property to throw the tree out. However, this can lead to some pretty big issues.

If you are not proACTIVE in the care you use to dispose of your tree, then you may have some issues come spring. In the months following December, your Christmas tree will transform from a lush green attraction to a dry withered husk. By the time March rolls around you will have a dead tree that is holding moisture against the ground and providing shelter to newly emerging insects. If you leave the dead and decaying tree near your home, you could pay the price.

Dead Christmas trees provide the perfect location for newly emerging insects to harbor, mate, relax, and more! If left near or against your home the dead tree can promote pest insects to venture inside. Furthermore, trees are a cellulosic material, which is the favorite snack of wood destroying organisms. You surely don’t want to promote termites or wood destroying beetles to venture into your home!

In addition to pests, termites, and other wood destroying organisms, that dead tree could provide the perfect home for rodents. With the presence of insects, moisture, and shelter will come rodents. It is an all you can eat buffet, with plenty to drink, and a safe location to take a rest. Once they are done the next stop could be indoors…your doors!

To avoid promoting pest insects, wood destroying organisms, and rodents from coming for an unexpected visit in your home, make sure you properly dispose of your tree. Use the following link for more information on proper tree disposal: http://www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/disposing.php

Don’t fret if you are receiving this information late; Active Pest Control will be here to help any time you need. Our trained and certified technicians are ready to handle any job big or small!

If you are ACTIVEly seeking help call the office today: 770-373-4341

Author: G. Wyatt West –A University of Georgia Graduate of Entomology

Snakes in the Wall?

Snakes in the Wall in Atlanta GA - Active Pest Control

Hearing hissing in the wall might not be as uncommon as you think. Snakes that chase mice or rats into the home can often be heard slithering or hissing behind the drywall.

Snakes are not common invaders like rodents or insects, but that does not mean they will not find their way inside. Snakes are generally lured into homes due to conditions which would favor food sources, like rodents. Dampness, darkness, and rodent smells can be three factors that lure snakes inside.

Since snakes are skinny, they can fit into any cracks or crevices that any rodent can fit through. Dryer vents, improperly sealed doors or windows, open pipes sticking out of the home, cracks in brick or siding, gutters, and wire entries are just a few different methods snakes can use to gain entry into the home.

Snakes can be found in the attic or slithering through the walls in search of food. If you have a rodent issue in the home, your chance of seeing a snake inside will increase greatly. Not only can snakes be heard moving through the wall, they can also be heard hissing or making other unusual noises.

Sometimes, as homeowners, we can forget about areas like crawlspaces or unfinished basements. Be sure to keep a check on these areas to make sure you are not harboring any unwanted guests. If they can find their way under the home, they can find their way inside! Potted plants moved in from outdoors also need to be thoroughly checked for snakes and other unwanted visitors!

If you do happen to come across snakes in the home don’t try to handle them yourself. Call Active Pest Control at 770-609-2548 to get a certified wildlife professional right away! You can take certain precautions to deter snakes from coming indoors: seal entry points, make sure doors and windows have proper seals, keep the yard trimmed low, keep debris away from the home, cover vents with screen/mesh, and most importantly, if you have an issue with rodents make sure you get that issue handled. Eliminating the food source will often time eliminate the problem!

For more info on pricing and snake or rodent control visit activepestcontrol.com or call the office! Let us take away your pests today!

Author: G. Wyatt West –A University of Georgia Graduate of Entomology

Do You Have A Bug Allergy?

It is doubtful that we need to tell you that bugs can cause allergic reactions. In fact, you probably already thought of bees and wasps when you read the title of this blog, didn’t you? Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that some people swell up when they are stung by bees or wasps. This can lead to anaphylactic shock for those who have a severe reaction. But, you may be surprised to learn that there is a wide range of bugs that can cause an allergic reaction. Some don’t even have to bite or sting you to create a threat.

Fire Ants

Like those bees and wasps, fire ants inject a venom when they sting. While this venom only causes a mild reaction for most people, some can have a severe or life-threatening reaction, especially if they are stung multiple times. There is an increased possibility of this for babies, elderly, and the infirm.

Mosquitoes

We all know that mosquitoes can spread Zika, West Nile, Malaria, and many other human pathogens, but do you know that you can also have an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite? It is rare, but for some, mosquito bites can be quite bad.

Lone Star Tick

When we talk about ticks, the deer tick usually gets most of the attention, due to its connection to the spread of Lyme disease, but we should not forget the Lone Star tick. For some, a bite from a Lone Star tick can lead to a life-long allergy that is triggered every time they eat meat.

Carpet Beetles

These bugs are often mistaken for bed bugs, even though they don’t bite. This is because carpet beetles cause some people to have an allergic reaction that produces red welts on the skin. It also doesn’t help that they climb into bed with us to eat natural fibers and dead skin.

Cockroaches

One of the worst allergy-causing bugs is the cockroach. These pests aren’t seasonal, like the bugs listed above. They live in our homes all year long. And, cockroaches are connected to an increase in asthma symptoms, as well as many cold symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, nasal drip, sore throat, and skin rash.

These are only a few of the many bugs that can present an allergic threat in and around your home. We can’t stress enough that pest control isn’t a quality of life service that rich people get. It is vital protection that every home should have. Connect with us and learn about the many ways the team here at Active Pest Control protects homes and families. You have enough sickness to contend with, without having to add pest-related illness to the list. Get your protection in place today.

Spring Cleaning Tips To Avoid Pests

It is spring here in Atlanta, and you know what that means; all of the bugs are becoming active again. Perhaps you’ve seen some of them. Here are a few tips that will help you guard against unwanted pests as you take care of your spring cleaning.

Tips For Reducing Spring Pest Threats

  • Rake up leaves, sticks, and other debris in your yard. This will prevent shade and moisture spots and reduce food options for pests that eat wood.
  • Clean up any clutter. If you have objects in your yard, rodents and bugs will use these to harbor in or get a drink from.
  • Consider storing construction materials, toys, tarps, and other miscellaneous objects in a storage area.
  • Inspect your gutters for clogs, and do some spring cleaning up there. Clear gutters not only prevent water damage to the wood of your home, they prevent conditions that lure pests in. While you’re working on those gutters, do an inspection for any leaks in outdoor spigots and get those fixed as well. Damp soil is an attractant for pests. It is always better to keep things dry.
  • Make sure all of your trash cans are sealed shut. The items in your trash are considered food by many pests. Some even lay their eggs in decaying matter. And, if you’ve dealt with raccoons in the past, you may even want to consider using bungee cords to keep those lids from being pried off.
  • While you’re taking care your spring cleaning pest control, keep any eye out for termite and carpenter ant swarmers. Spring is the time of year when mature nests send these winged reproductives out to start new nests. The last thing you need is a wood destroying pest creating a nest on your property.
  • If you really want to reduce pests this spring, there is no better way to do it than to start ongoing pest service with Active Pest Control. We protect Atlanta from all of the many household pests that invade our yards and squeeze into our homes. Our pest professionals are trained in the habits and habitats of bugs, with an emphasis on the accepted practices that work to keep them from having an adverse impact.

Pests eat wood, attack plants, damage lawns, spread harmful bacteria, carry diseases that can have lifelong implications for humans, stain furniture, eat holes in clothing, sting and bite, cause smells, create noises, and so much more. Get your Atlanta property ready for spring with a little help from Active Pest Control. When those pests are all gone, it’s Active Pest Control.

What Does QualityPro Certified Mean?

When a pest problem rears its ugly head, it can be scary. But not nearly as scary as hiring the wrong pest control company. Nowadays, it is even easier for a pest control company to have a professional look. All they need is a professional webpage. But that illusion of professionalism is quickly broken when they show up in a truck that has been made to look like a cockroach with wheels, or after you receive an inflated bill for services that leave you with no resolution to your problem. QualityPro helps customers find reputable pest control companies.

First of all, QualityPro isn’t something that pest control companies made up; it is an independent, 3rd-party auditing process administered by the National Pest Management Association. This program is offered by the NPMA to help potential customers easily connect with a reputable pest control company, and avoid being taken advantage of.

In order to be QualityPro certified, a company must:

  • Demonstrate a track record of trusted consumer relations.
  • Adhere to certified business practices and use clear communication methods when scheduling appointments and follow-ups.
  • Have expert employee training.
  • Prove they are good stewards of the environment.
  • Meet and exceed all federal and state requirements.
  • Have a drug-free workplace policy that not only prohibits illegal drugs in the workplace but requires that employees notify management if they are on prescribed medication that may impair their driving ability, judgment, work performance, or behavior.
  • Have done comprehensive DMV and criminal background checks on all employees.
  • Have a warranty/service agreement that clearly outlines the scope of services.
  • Do not run advertising that uses misleading terminology, or makes false promises.

QualityPro is a mark of excellent for a pest control company. Of all the pest control companies in the United States, only 3% are certified QualityPro. Active Pest Control is proud to be part of this program. We believe that this program, which includes random audits and strict adherence, keeps our team focused on the goal of providing the best service to our customers.

When you have a QualityPro-certified pest technician come to your home, you can expect that they will arrive in a clearly marked vehicle with a proper background check, the best training available, and that they will clearly outline what services are needed and what those services will cost. You’ll also know that your family and your pets will be completely safe from the many dangers that improper pest control can present. At the end of the day, that is what matters most.

Do you need a pest control company you can trust? Look for the blue, QualityPro logo. It is the mark of excellence in pest management.

Why Have Pest Control?

There are many things in life that require a proactive plan. If you don’t plan ahead, you’ll get taken by surprise. This kind of risk is usually protected by some kind of insurance plan. While it doesn’t make sense to pay money out for tiny risks, like whether or not your blender will be paid off in the event of your death, it is definitely a good idea to have home insurance or renter’s insurance in case of a total loss of property. People who don’t make a plan ahead of time find themselves stuck holding the bill. Pest control is a lot like this. And more.

There are some pests that can eat you out of house and home. No, we’re not talking about cockroaches. The pests were referring to are termites, powder post beetles, carpenter ants, and other wood-destroying organisms. When these bugs get into your home, they can damage it beyond repair. Ongoing pest control from the right pest control company will not only monitor and protect your home from the damage these pests can cause, it also comes with a warranty that is a lot like insurance. You never have to hear the words, “I’m sorry, your policy doesn’t cover insect damage.”

Some pests, like rodents and roaches, get into homes and cause health issues. When you have ongoing pest control service, it is a lot like having extra health coverage–only this is the kind of health plan that protects you “before” you get sick. Don’t you wish your health insurance could do that? Ongoing pest control seals pests out of your home so they aren’t crawling in your trash and then crawling on your dishes, counters, cutting boards, and silverware. It prevents insect parts from being left in air ducts and ventilation systems and becoming airborne allergens. It reduces the risk of serious pest-related diseases such as Lyme disease, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, OMSK, LCM, tularemia, cholera, typhoid fever, and many more.

Some pests don’t destroy your home but are more than capable of destroying your belongings, pests such as silverfish, lady bugs, box elder bugs, clothes moths, etc. Ongoing pest control stops these bugs before they get in and do damage.

Some pests come to torment you with bites and stings, pests such as fire ants, wasps, mosquitoes, and more. Controlling these invaders won’t just keep you from painful, itchy welts, it could protect you from the lifelong effects of an illness like Zika virus.

Do you have a plan to protect you and your family from these threats? Get complete protection with Active Pest Control. We protect your home, your family, and your pets from the dangers of pest invasion. Reach out to us today to get your protection in place.

5 Pests That Affect Business

No two businesses are the same. So, no article about commercial pests could possibly cover the top 5 pests that affect every business. But, we’ve done our best to put together a list that covers the most significant commercial pests that frustrate the largest number of businesses, and we’ve organized them from “inside” to “outside” pest.

Inside Your Kitchen, Break Room, or Food Storage Area

If you run a business that has anything to do with food, you are aware that cockroaches are on the top of the list of dirty pests that can contaminate food and food prep surfaces. These insects are also extremely hard to keep out. Cockroaches climb walls, walk across ceilings, and compact their bodies to squeeze under doors and through cracks.

Inside Your Shipping Area

There are many pests that can plague a shipping area, especially if that shipping area ships containers of food. But more and more businesses that don’t deal with food are having to deal with bed bugs. These are hitchhiking pests that come in on employees and transfer to shipped goods. Nothing can ruin the reputation of a business faster than shipping something that has a bed bug in it.

Inside Your Walls

If you own the building your business is held in, then you are probably aware that a termite infestation can be costly to repair. This is definitely not an expense you want to be surprised by. That is why termite protection is a vital part of every budget.

Just outside Your Walls

There are pests that don’t even have to come into your business to ruin your reputation or taint food. When birds nest and roost on ledges and wires, they can cause an unsightly mess, corrode concrete with their feces, and leave droppings on the sidewalks. Birds are also a threat to outside food prep areas. It is important to have deterrents installed to let those birds know they are not welcome.

On Your Property

If you have customers walking around on your property, or dining in outside eating areas, mosquitoes can be an issue. There is a lot of fear right now about Zika and other mosquito-borne viruses. While it is impossible to control mosquitoes completely, it is possible to reduce them and resist them. Businesses that do this, and let their customers know they are taking measures to do this, benefit from the goodwill it brings and have better customer retention.

If you’re dealing with commercial pests in Georgia, let Active Pest Control offer you real solutions to protect your business from invasive pests.

Preparing For Fall Pests in Knoxville

Summer is coming to an end, and it won’t be long until the temperatures start to drop. It happens every year. But, when those temperatures drop, something else happens. Bugs and animals will start to hide from the cold. This process is called overwintering; but long before this happens, your home should be ready for the invasion.

There are many creatures, both big and small, that will try to make your house their winter home. Some repeat offenders include mice, rats, cockroaches, stinging insects, ants, and spiders. While the habits and habitats of these creatures vary considerably, they can all be deterred by the following preventive steps.

Fall Prevention Tips from the National Pest Management Association

  • Make sure all door and window screens are in good working condition and that no holes are present. Screens are your first line of defense against overwintering pests.
  • Make sure all door sweeps and weather stripping have a good seal. There are many pests that can squeeze through tiny holes. Look for damaged bristles and fix the damage.
  • Eliminate moisture sites. If you have leaking pipes or clogged drains, your home will be attractive to moisture-seeking pests, which include termites.
  • Apply screening to attic vents and openings to chimneys. You may also consider a chimney cap.
  • Be sure to get air tight containers for all outside trash cans. The smell of trash is an attractant for many overwintering pests; and if your trash lures flying insects in, those insects will lure in the spiders that feed on them.
  • Do a detailed inspection of exterior walls. Fill gaps, cracks, and holes with steel wool or seal them using a caulking gun. Pay particular attention to where utility pipes enter the home.
  • Put steel wool in downspouts to prevent rodents from crawling up and gaining access to your vulnerable roofline.
  • Replace loose mortar on basement foundations and around basement windows.
  • Store firewood at least 20 feet from your exterior walls.
  • Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed.

Winter isn’t quite here yet, but now is the perfect time to start preparing your home for the inevitable invasion that happens every year.

If you need help keeping the bugs and rodents out of your home, you can trust Active Pest Control. Our team knows the pests that invade homes in the area, and they know the protocols and products that will seal them out. Call for a free inspection and find out how easy it is to keep pests out when you have the knowledgeable pest professionals at Active Pest Control on your side.

Fleas Everywhere!

The terrible aggravation of having a house full of fleas is something every pet owner has experienced, or at least will experience, sometime during their time of owning a pet. No matter how careful you are, a dog or cat can bring fleas in with them at any given time. It could be fleas picked up out of the grass or fleas acquired during your morning walk with your dog. You may have exposed Fido to fleas when the neighbor’s dog came over to play. Regardless how it happens, fleas can quickly take over and spread throughout the house.

Although it may come as a surprise to some, fleas can become a problem even in homes of non-pet families. Fleas can be found on mice or any other hairy animal. They can also come in on your clothing if you have been in a rather heavily infested place. Fleas need a host for survival, but they do not deposit eggs on the host. They will lay eggs in the carpet, curtains, upholstery, or bedding. The hatched larva can then feed off the fecal matter of adult fleas for a period of time.

Fleas cannot fly but are capable of jumping long distances. They are small, wingless insects. While they prefer dogs, cats, mice, rats, rabbits or squirrels, they will bite humans especially in places an animal does not exist. The adult flea is rather easy to see, especially when arriving home after an extended absence. The hungry fleas will quickly begin jumping around to land on humans or pets in their need for a blood meal. The flea eggs and larvae are another situation altogether. They are not easily seen and usually in out-of-the-way places such as under furniture, burrowed in the carpet, and even inside cracks and grooves in flooring. The eggs will fall off the host as the pet or mouse moves through the house.

Your Veterinarian can instruct you with the type of flea treatment to use on your pet, but getting rid of fleas in the home can be very difficult. It is estimated that one flea can live 3 or 4 months and deposit as many as 400-500 eggs during that time frame. As you can see, just a few fleas brought into the home can quickly become a serious infestation.

At Active Pest Control, our technicians are knowledgeable, have the experience, and utilize state-of-the-art technology to safely treat the entire home and solve your flea problems. We will also instruct you, prior to treatment, on how to prepare for treatment, making the process much easier and successful. Contact us today and let us eliminate fleas from your home.

Lets Talk About Ticks

Have you ever wondered what a tick really looks like? Perhaps you already know that they are a parasite, meaning they need a host to survive. In all actuality, they will take you or another human or pet as a host and feed on your blood. But don’t let that fact cause you to envision a huge vampire attacking you. The truth is they are various sizes depending on the level of maturity.

Ticks vary in color and size due to the different life cycles but are still easy to recognize. The adult has 8 legs and is wingless. Normally they are brown to reddish brown in color but the color can change to more of a greenish blue immediately after a blood meal. An adult tick is flat and oval shaped and about the size of an apple seed. Again, the size and shape changes after feeding on its host and becomes more like a balloon from gorging on blood.

Ticks in nymph stage are only about one-half the size of an adult but this only means they are harder to see. They will still attach to a host just as quickly. Newly hatched larvae are about the size of a grain of sand and almost impossible to see them on your body. However, do not let their size fool you. A tick in any life stage can still infect you with various diseases including the dreaded Lyme disease.

A tick bite should never be ignored. While most bites do not result in the transmission of diseases, the ones that do pose serious problems. A few of the diseases that can be transmitted from a tick bite includes Lyme disease, Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

It is not possible to completely eradicate ticks from your property. This is because they usually arrive unannounced, riding on the body of wild animals or dogs that may be passing by. Yet there are some things you can do to reduce the probability of high infestations. Ticks like areas of high humidity and normally will migrate to areas of dense vegetation and tall grass. They are also found along the edge of wooded areas. It is recommended that you trim back the branches in wooded areas and keep weeds cut down and grass mowed short.

Treat your pets with tick preventatives obtained from your veterinarian. In addition to taking all precautionary measures, contact Active Pest Control for information on how we can limit the tick population on your property. With your preventive techniques and our expert treatment, you can still enjoy your outdoor activities!