Guide To Protecting Your Pet From Pests

When pests get into a home, they can cause all kinds of problems. They can eat away at the equity of your home, damage your belongings, leave bite wounds, spread diseases, and more. And, you, your spouse, and your kids aren’t the only ones that are affected by these invading bugs. Here are five pests that can also plague the furry family members.

FLEAS

We all know how maddening these tiny biters can be. Fleas are found in greater numbers in warmer areas where there is high humidity. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, just one flea can turn into 1,000 fleas inside a home in a brief 21 days. When infested, fleas cause pets to itch, twitch, scratch and dig. This can lead to hair loss, scabs and other dermatological issues. And a flea infestation can lead to a secondary pest problem like tapeworms.

TICKS

Ticks are becoming more and more of a threat as Lyme disease continues to rear its ugly head. And since pets tend to spend more time in the grass and forest areas than us, it is more of a threat to them. Ticks hang out in the choicest of places, just waiting for an unsuspecting warm-blooded creature to come along to attach to. Some of the more serious diseases that ticks can transmit to your pet include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and, as mentioned, Lyme.

MOSQUITOES

Even our indoor pets are at risk, as mosquitoes can get inside, or bite through screens if pets are resting against them. Mosquitoes not only cause itchy red bumps but there are also some life-threatening diseases that we should be aware of. Heartworm and roundworm that can infect both cats and dogs, is a silent killer. Fortunately, it can be easily treated if caught in time. There is also West Nile virus and Saint Louis encephalitis, which attacks the brain.

BOTFLY

Also called Cuterebra, this fly hangs out in the grass and latches onto animals (much like the tick). Symptoms of a botfly infection include aggression, seizures, blindness and warbles (or lumps) on the skin. In cats, the Cuterebra larva typically travels to the brain!

SARCOPTES SCABIEI MITE

This mite causes a condition in pets called scabies, or mange. Although more of a nuisance than a threat, if open wounds occur, the body will be open to bacterial invasion.

Protecting our pets from the harmful effects of household pests is part of their essential care. Consider year-round pest control from Active Pest Control. Not only will you be protecting your pets, but your home and your family members as well. Contact us for a FREE inspection today.

Knoxville Tick Protection

There is something exceedingly disturbing about a bug that bores into your skin, attaches itself for hours, and sucks your blood. No one likes finding a tick on them, whether it is attached or just crawling around. Ticks are creepy. But, sadly, that is not the end of it. Ticks are also responsible for causing dangerous illnesses like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, tularemia, STARI, RMSF, anaplasmosis, Colorado tick fever, rickettsiosis, and more. These are bugs that no one needs crawling around on them–or crawling around in their yard.

If you’ve found ticks in your yard, or ticks on your body, here are a few things you should know:

  • Routine checks for ticks are vital for health and safety. Catching ticks early can completely prevent illness or reduce the impact of illness. Always check yourself, your kids, and your pets when coming back into the house from any grassy areas.
  • Ticks don’t fall down from trees, fly, or jump. They sit on grass or foliage and cling on as a host creature passes by. Therefore, the best way to stop ticks is to take measures that address them in this way. Wear light-colored clothing so you can see them if they have gotten on to you and they are climbing up. And consider wearing an insect repellent that has picaridin in it.
  • Be cautious when removing ticks. There are tick removal kits available that will allow you to pinch them at the head and pull them off. Be careful not to pinch their abdomen. This could force unwanted bacterium into the bite wound, and increase your chances of illness.
  • Keeping pests out of your yard and out of your home will reduce your exposure to ticks. If you have passing deer, a fence will help to keep them out. If you have raccoons, skunks, and other animals that get into your trash, sealing and securing your trash will go a long way to keeping these pests away. If you have rodents in your home, consider having a pest control company resolve this issue.
  • Professional mosquito control programs also help to control ticks in your yard.

Ticks are a serious threat in Knoxville. If you need assistance protecting your family and your pets from all of the many illnesses these bugs are associated with, reach out to your local pest control company for advice or treatment.

Stink Bugs On Their Way

There are many types of insects that are unique and needed for our environment. Some we think are necessary and some that we think aren’t. Some that seem to do their jobs and carry on without being a bother, and some that are just plain stinkers. Some, such as the stink bug, have earned their name. These pests have a small gland located on their thorax that emits a smell when they are threatened or squashed as a defense mechanism. Some describe this smell as a very potent, spoiled cilantro smell, which is why you wouldn’t want these pests hanging around your house. Although these insects may not cause much damage to a home or business, they are considered to be nuisance pest.

These pests are regularly spotted in the summer, but you will begin to see more of them as the cooler fall nights come and they begin to look for a warm place to overwinter. A home or business is the perfect spot. Walls and quiet areas such as crawl spaces or attics are all places these bugs like to overwinter. On warmer days, adult stink bugs may be spotted feeding on a house plant, but they often stay hidden until spring. When spring time arrives, these bugs will begin to come into the living spaces of your home searching for a way outdoors. Their smell and size is enough to make any homeowner want them out.

Even though these pests may not do much damage to homes or businesses, the damage on landscaping and farms are much more extensive. Younger stink bugs may begin feeding on weeds and grass, but will then migrate to other areas as they grow to become adults. They enjoy feeding on fruits such as peaches and apples, but are certainly not limited to these. They pierce the skin of the fruit and transplant a small amount of saliva into it. The saliva is toxic to the fruit’s cells and causes the fruit to develop a scar that resembles the face of a cat, making the fruit unfit to sell. As for gardening, these pests eat the stem of the plant and can transmit different plant diseases. This makes it hard to keep your landscaping and gardens healthy and beautiful.

There are ways to reduce your chances of stink bugs invading your personal space such as: repairing any torn screens in windows, doors, attics, and crawl space vents and filling in any gaps under exterior doors; weather stripping can help as gap filler. However, the best way to prevent a stink bug infestation here in Atlanta is to partner with a trusted pest control specialist like Active Pest Control. We offer a free inspection and have trained professionals to help tackle this task. If you spot stink bugs in your Atlanta home, we can help get rid of your infestation safely and efficiently. Give us a call to discuss the details.

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.

Skunk Removal in Georgia. Is this a good idea to do on your own?

Skunks are no fun to have around. Period! And there is no shortage of skunk horror stories. Just do an internet search, or ask just about anyone. Most people have a skunk story, or two, or three to share. There is one such story of a family who came home from church one day to find their entire house filled with the smell of skunk. The funny thing was that there was no skunk smell anywhere outside the house. The mother of the family walked through the entire house following her nose until it was finally determined that the smell was coming from the basement, but only from the dryer! It turned out that a skunk had taken up residence under their back porch where the dryer vent came out. It was a cozy, warm spot so it made sense to that skunk. Now, in this case, the skunk moved on after a few days without any major incidents. But skunk stories don’t usually end this well.

Here are some other important reasons to not have skunks on your property.

  • Skunks carry a number of diseases that can be transmitted to people, pets, or other animals. They are the #2 carrier of rabies, accounting for over 29% of all reported cases. And, a rabies infection in a human, if not caught and treated properly, can cause death.
  • Skunks can also carry leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that is transmitted by a person or animal coming in contact with the animal’s infected urine through water, soil, or food.
  • Skunks can transmit distemper to other animals, especially dogs.
  • Skunks may take up residence under porches or houses.
  • Skunks will get into garbage if it is not secured inside cans with tightly fitted lids.
  • Skunks, if they can gain access, have been known to kill poultry and eat eggs.
  • If a skunk is not removed from your property and it ends up spraying a person or animal, the result can be excruciating, especially if the fresh spray is brought inside the house. Fresh skunk spray smells like burning rubber or chemicals, and can be irritating to the nose, throat, and eyes. And the smell, no matter what measures are taken to remove it, will remain for days, weeks, and even months. Often when this happens, the person living in the smell gets used to it and thinks it’s gone, but those who come into contact with them know otherwise.

Skunk removal from your Georgia property:

Attempting to remove wildlife from your property is never a good idea, especially when you are dealing with skunks. With Active Pest Control Wildlife Management, you can say goodbye to your skunk problem and rest easy. Upon arrival at your property, our skilled technicians will first find and trap or remove your skunk from where it has taken up residence. Then, they will seal up all entry points and transport the animal far away from residential areas to release it back into the wild.

Don’t take chances with your home, family, and pets. Contact us for your FREE inspection, and get help today from Active Pest Control.