Have you ever noticed an insect and wondered what to do about it? You're not alone. Insects, bugs, and wild animals all have the ability to leave you scratching your head as to how you can defend your domain. Join us today as we look at common household pests in Durham, how to control pests in your home, and how to keep those unwanted guests out. We'll share smart, all-natural pest control methods that are surprisingly easy and effective. If you're in immediate need of a pest control company to handle a problem that has gotten out of control, remember that you're never alone. Contact The Eco Man Pest Solutions for industry-leading pest control in Durham. We offer one-time, bimonthly, monthly, and quarterly pest control service options. Let us help you find the right fit for your Durham pest control needs. With that said, let's turn our attention to general residential pests in our area, a few ways you can deal with them quickly, and how to track hidden problems.
Common Household Pests: A Guide To Recognizing The Culprits
We have quite a variety of insects, bugs, and critters that come into our yards. When you start to notice them, you may be witnessing the beginning of a pest problem. Early detection can help you guard against the issues associated with pests. In a moment, we'll discuss the hidden dangers pests present. First, let's look at some ways you'll notice trouble brewing.
- When you see wasps hovering around your porch, it is a good time to go looking for nests. As they're attempting to create tiny gray paper blobs on your porch, they'll also do the same in areas that aren't quite so obvious. It pays to walk around your home and search for starter nests.
- When you see a winged ant (or something that looks like an ant), you may be catching an infestation that is about to grow larger. Ant and termite colonies create winged reproductives after a nest matures, and these reproductives are made for the purpose of mating and establishing new nests. Get out the caulking gun and seal any gaps you can find in your exterior to make it harder for these pests to enter your home, and routinely check your foundation for termite shelter tubes or frass created by carpenter ants.
- When you open your trash and notice that your trash bags are torn to shreds, you might think that your kids are to blame. But, what you're seeing is evidence of a raccoon problem. A raccoon lifts the lid on your trash receptacle and uses its claws to shred your plastic trash bags as it searches for the food it smells. Secure the lid of your trash receptacle with a bungee cord or stone to keep raccoons out.
- When you see a tiny black fly zipping around inside your home, you're catching a glimpse of what is likely to soon become a swarm. Phorid flies, fungus gnats, and fruit flies hatch inside your home in large numbers. If you see one, eliminate it and go searching for potential breeding sites, such as pet waste, dirty bathrooms, uncovered trash, and fruit sitting in wastepaper baskets.
- When you find bites on your skin, you could have a biting pest inside your home. There are several pests that bite. If you analyze the bites, you may be able to determine which pest is biting you and zero in on the proper solution, such as using your vacuum to remove eggs, larvae, nymphs, or adult insects.
These are some common Durham pests and a few common solutions. Often, pests are easy to address when you catch them early. If more control is needed, contact The Eco Man Pest Solutions for help with pests in your Durham home. Our technical pest pros have the training, certifications, and experience to provide you with an appropriate treatment.
The Hidden Dangers Of Pest Invasions: Risks To Health And Home
There are many ways you can apply DIY home pest control to address pest issues. If you catch pests early, you may not need professional service, particularly if you apply pest-proofing after dealing with a problem on or near your exterior walls and foundation. But there are hidden dangers that can sneak up on you if your DIY attempts fail. Let's take another look at the common pests we already mentioned.
- Wasps: If you remove a tiny paper blob, you may have no more issues with the wasps that created it. But, more often, wasps are persistent. You need to routinely check for nests, especially during the summer months when wasps are most active. You also need to consider the potential for wasps to create nests in a structural cavity. If you fail to catch the warning signs or your DIY methods fall short, these stinging pests can sneak up on you.
- Ants And Termites: Your main weapon in the war against destructive carpenter ants and subterranean termites is ongoing inspections. Catching winged insects, shed wings, shelter tubes, frass, wood damage, and other warning signs can prevent extensive damage. But you should know that these signs are often limited and hidden. It is also critical to keep in mind that subterranean termites can work their way up through foundation cracks and access the wood of your home without creating shelter tubes. Both of these insects slowly damage your home over time, and they can do this right under your feet.
- Wildlife: The most obvious issue with wildlife is that they can get into things you don't want them to get into, like your trash. But wildlife can impact your health and damage your property in sneaky ways. All animals have the potential to bring ticks and fleas into your yard, even birds and bats. And, as you know, ticks and fleas are associated with human and pet diseases. There are also other issues that can arise from having pests, like birds, bats, or squirrels, get into your attic.
- Tiny Flies: In many cases, tiny flies aren't a serious threat to your health. But some flies are worse than others. Houseflies are linked to at least 65 diseases, and phorid flies are strongly attracted to fecal matter. It is best to control these flies quickly.
- Biting Pests: Many pests can bite you, and the wounds they leave are itchy and irritating, but biting pests may also transmit diseases, such as murine typhus, bartonellosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and many more. Often, illness is not linked to these pests until it is too late.
Keep these potential hazards in mind as you consider what to do about the pest activity you're seeing in or around your home. Now, let's look at how you can steadily apply specific, all-natural methods to reduce the health risks and keep pests away from your Durham home.
Eco-Friendly Pest Prevention: Naturally Effective Pest Prevention Tips
Pests are primarily driven by three factors. They are moisture, food, and harborage. If you address these factors in meaningful ways, you can deter pests. In some cases, you'll also reduce the health risks associated with pests. Here are the best suggestions from our on-staff pest management experts.
- Clean Your Home: Many pests are attracted to unsanitary conditions, and unsanitary conditions expose these pests to organisms associated with human and pet illness. The first step in an eco-friendly pest prevention plan is to consider a higher standard of sanitation.
- Protect Your Food: Some pests get into food packages. If you store items in sealed containers, you can keep these pests out.
- Address Exterior Light: Many insects are attracted to white light. If you have white light sources in your entryways, pests can fly right in through your door when you open it. Consider replacing exterior bulbs with motion-sensitive bulbs so your lights stay off when you're not actively using them.
- Patch Holes, Gaps, And Cracks: Use a caulking gun and expanding foam to seal entry points indoors and outdoors. Doing so will deter pests that don't chew through wood.
On top of the all-natural pest management methods, it is essential to also apply pest control materials for the best results possible. How often should you use pest control in your home? It depends on the products used. Organic materials don't last long and require frequent applications. If you intend to apply or purchase organic pest control for your home, keep this in mind. If you choose The Eco Man Pest Solutions, we'll walk you through the benefits, challenges, and costs of using organic materials over scientifically-derived products.
The Benefits Of Professional Pest Control: Keeping Your Home Pest-Free
There are many benefits when you get a residential pest control plan for your home. You can relax while we do the work. You'll know that we'll use products that are appropriate and apply them in a way that is effective. We apply continual pressure to keep pests out of your home, reduce pest activity near your home, and block entry points. We catch harmful and destructive pests early, track activity, and address them fully. You don't have to wonder if they're hiding inside your wall voids or in the wood of your home.
If you're in need of pest control in Durham, contact The Eco Man Pest Solutions. We'll help you find the right plan for your home and yard. Don't let pest problems sneak up on you. Get your protection in place and sleep easy, starting today. Reach out today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Durham.
Customer Reviews
Kevin and his team at Eco Man came in and treated my many rental properties for an affordable flat fee per unit. They did a great job and are now coming Quarterly. My Tenants love the smell of the essential oils. Thanks
