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Archive for September, 2009

How to Find Bedbugs in the Mattress

September 30th, 2009

If you suspect a bedbug infestation, do you know where you will most likely find them? As their name implies, bedbugs can be found in the sofa, couch, or mattress ” the usual places where you lie down.

Do you know what the first sign of a bedbug infestation is? The bite marks. Bedbug bites have certain characteristics that will help you identify them.

If your bite marks are raised or flat welts that are pinkish to red, you may suspect these to be caused by bedbugs. Also, it is very typical of bedbug bites to form a linear pattern. You may see 3 bites in a row. Whenever the host moves, the bedbug is disrupted and changes its feeding position. Bedbugs eat the blood of warm-blooded animals which include humans.

Although bedbug bites do not cause any disease, these can bring discomfort due to itching and burning. Treat the marks with topical corticosteroids to relieve the itching and burning.

Refrain from scratching the bedbug bites since this can only cause scars. Other drugs used are systemic corticosteroids and antihistamines. But these do nothing for the bite marks.

If you are sure that bedbugs are the culprits, check the mattress first. Inspect your mattress for any crack or crevice. Look for brown and red spots as well. The brown spots are from feces of the bedbugs. The red spots are from blood of crushed bedbugs.

The mattress is the usual habitat of bedbugs. To be sure of the extent of infestation, you must also check anything that is in close proximity to the mattress. Examples are the bed posts, floors, walls, picture frames, and others. If the mattress is the only furniture that is infested, you can spray bedbug insecticides to kill the insects.

Then use a mattress cover. This has a zipper that seals your mattress. This way, no bedbugs will come out of the mattress to bite you. They cannot feed. And in at least 6 months, the bedbugs will die.

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Renee Garcia Pest Control , , ,

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

September 28th, 2009

Bed bugs were not a problem many years ago when DDT was still in use. Nowadays, since many powerful insecticides have been banned, bed bugs are making a strong come back.

Also, frequent international travel has brought bed bugs into the U.S. from other countries. Hotels across the U.S. no matter whether it is a 1 star or a 5 star hotel, have infestations of bed bugs.

Bed bugs can hide anywhere. They can hide in your clothes, luggage, mattress, furniture, or in cracks and crevices in your home. Usually they will hide close to their food, which is you, so they stay in the mattress.

Bed bugs come out at night and drink your blood. They leave chemicals in the bite wound so that you will not feel pain. Once the bed bug leaves and the chemicals wear off, your skin will feel irritable.

If you want to kill all the bed bugs, then you will need to seek out all the places that they hide. They normally like to hide somewhere close to their food source. If you miss just one bed bug, they will quickly reproduce so it is imperative to get all of them.

If you suspect that bed bugs are hiding in your mattress, then may want to buy a mattress cover. These plastic covers kill bed bugs by closing them inside the cover. After 6 months or longer, the bed bugs will be starved to death.

Once you kill the bed bugs hiding in your mattress, you need to do a sweep of the surrounding areas. Since the bed bugs could hide anywhere, you have to do a thorough check.

If you feel that you cannot find all the places where bed bugs hide, you might want to call up a professional exterminator. They have the resources and knowledge to kill bed bugs.

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Alex Nardstrom Pest Control , , , , , , ,

Are You Sure You Know How To Do Termite Identification?

September 24th, 2009

Unless you know the difference between termites and ants, a less than honorable person could take advantage of you by selling you products and services you do not need. You could even pay for nonexistent repairs. You could end up spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars that you do not have to spend. That is why confusion over termites and ants and how to distinguish between them is no small matter. Perhaps you, like so many others, have mistaken one for the other.

Relax, it is not so difficult to do. That is why you need to know the difference between these two pests so that you can distinguish between them.

The starting point in being able to distinguish termites from ants is to learn the three biological features which they share in common but which are so different as to distinguish them apart. You need to learn what these features are and how they differ and then you will no longer need to worry about confusing one for the other. You are going to be surprised how really simple this task is going to be.

Both pests have antennae. The termite’s antennae is straight whereas the ant’s antennae is bent which makes it look like ants have elbows. Another feature is they both have two sets of wings. However, the ant’s wings are of different sizes and the termites’ wings are of uniformed size. Finally, the termite does not have a waist area but ants do which is constricted which gives ants the appearance of having a waist. You could say that one has a curve and the other is elongated.

Now you should be able to tell the difference between termites and ants. You are now ready to do successfully termite identification. Keeping in mind the features you have learned in this article, you will be able to make the right identification and avoid making costly mistakes and being taken advantage of. See, it was not that hard.

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Don Rodriguiez Pest Control , , , ,

How to Treat Bedbugs

September 21st, 2009

Bedbug treatment can be done by a professional exterminator. If you do not want to do it yourself, you can always contact one. But if you believe that you can do it, there are many methods to choose from.

Extreme heat is an effective bedbug treatment. First, scrub and vacuum each surface of the infested mattress or furniture. Seal the vacuum bag in a plastic container. This will stop any transfer of bedbugs.

Now you can expose the furniture under the heat of the sun. Before bringing the furniture back inside the house, inspect it again for bedbugs.

Another effective way is by using diatomaceous soil. This is made up of single-celled algae. The jagged edges of the soil can kill bedbugs. You have nothing to worry because the soil particles are too small to cause any harm on you or your pets. Leave the soil on the infested area and furniture for some time. Then, vacuum the soil after a few days.

Steam cleaning is also a bedbug treatment. You can do this except for some surfaces that can be destroyed by steam cleaning.

And of course, bedbug insecticides are also effective. You can buy these in dust form or in sprays. There are even insecticides in the market today that are environment-friendly and less toxic. Just be sure that you purchase an insecticide for bedbugs. You must read the product label and instructions before applying the insecticide. Insecticides must also be handled with utmost care.

After inspection, if you found out that only the mattress is infested, you can use a mattress cover. This is also effective in killing bedbugs. Once you put the mattress inside a cover, the bedbugs will no longer reach you for food. And in 6 months, the bedbugs will die of starvation.

All these methods have been proven effective in killing bedbugs. Choose one to get rid of the bedbug infestation in your home.

About the Author:

Renee Garcia Pest Control , , ,

Be Careful What You Spray For!

September 18th, 2009

Some efficiency expert is always talking about “killing two birds with one stone.” I’d like to dispatch a couple of rabbits with one rock. Right now there is bountiful food for them everywhere, but they insist on nibbling at the geraniums.

Last season our neighbor found a nest of baby rabbits. They were so “cute.” That no one can deny. But the other evening I heard strong muttering about what all the pesky rabbits were doing. They talk about chickens coming home to roost, but this is a case of bunnies coming home to feed.

The grapes put out last year are going to have a small amount of fruit this fall. Had I been able to find time (always the perfect excuse) to get the trellis wire strung up last year when the plants were set, I think they would have done considerably better.

I tried to start some grapes several years ago. Maybe you can learn from my experience. In spraying for bind-weed (some call it wild sweet potato, wild morning glory, creeping Jenny, etc.) I found that grape leaves are VERY susceptible to weed killers, even when the spray doesn’t touch them.

Last summer I chose a perfectly calm day to spray the lawn. We fixed up a long boom on the sprayer, and put plastic around it for a curtain. In spite of this the tomatoes and watermelons at some distance from the spraying curled up. So did my neighbor’s squashes.

Our rainfall during the spring and early summer was reported as a bit above normal but after so many dry years it is almost impossible to visualize just what is “normal.” The season seemed awfully wet to us.

One problem it revived (one we had nearly forgotten) was that of keeping the roses properly protected with spray or dust. It seemed that it washed off as fast as it was put on.

Another problem we noticed was that on some newly set out flowering shrubs and trees, as well as on our plum trees, the aphids and mealybugs have a special liking for the tender tips. Regular fruit tree spraying didn’t seem to keep them in check completely. A few application of Neem oil did the trick in controlling mealybugs and aphids .

I picked a cool day last week to turn over the compost pile. In the process I put an end to several dozen grub worms which had chosen it for a home. My faith in compost always wavers when I see all the pests that like to live in it… but I still think the benefits out-weigh the disadvantages.

There is much more to explore on the subject of mealybugs. You’re only a click away – http://www.plant-care.com/mealy-bugs-life-cycle-and-insecticide.html.

Gary Antosh Pest Control , , , , ,

Before Hiring Termite Companies, Here Are Two Things You Should Do

September 17th, 2009

Thinking about hiring an exterminator to get rid of termites? Do you know whether the company you are considering is properly licensed? What about complaints pending against the firm? Are you aware if there are? You are about to take a very costly trip and you need to know if there are pot holes ahead. Here are two things you should definitely do before hiring termite companies.

Do not take the company’s representative’s word for whether or not the company and its employees are properly licensed and trained. You can be shown an expired, suspended, or revoked license as well as outdated and expired training. Contact your local or state governing agency and verify this information for yourself. Most likely there is a pest control agency in your city or county. Take the time to make the necessary calls.

In California, you would contact the Structural Pest Control Board. Not only should you ask about the company, you should ask about the particular individuals who come out to do the work. You should ask the company for this information and insist that you receive it. This is because the company can be properly licensed but the worker may not be or s/he may not be properly trained to perform the intended service.

You should also contact your State Consumer Affairs Office, the local Better Business Bureau, and the State Pest Control Board to see if there have been any complaints filed against the company and whether those complaints were resolved. Some commentators say you ought to get references. The problem with references is that you never know if the people you are referred to are employees, owners, relatives, and friends of the company and or its employees.

Although you should keep in mind that there are always at least three sides to a story, you should do a Google search of the company and the employees who come out to see what Internet users are saying about them.

Don’t let termites ruin your house. Learn how to kill termites visit us at http://termites-treatment.com

Don Rodriguiez Pest Control , , , ,

How to Find Out If You Have a Bedbug Infestation

September 17th, 2009

How do bedbug infestations start? Many ways are possible in getting these insects into your home. One example is when you stay in a bedbug-infested hotel. If you do not know that there are bedbugs in the place, you will simply leave your luggage lying around on the floor or on the couch. Bedbugs can travel with you through your luggage.

Buying used furniture or clothing can also be another way of getting your house infested with bedbugs. There have also been instances wherein bedbugs were able to infest multi-unit apartments or condominiums. Even pets can transmit bedbugs from one place to another. Even your shoelaces can be used in the transmission of bedbugs.

How will you know if your house has bedbug infestation? The first manifestation that you have bedbugs is the bites. These can either be flat or raised, and pink to red. These usually form a linear pattern like 3 or more bites in a row.

A burning sensation and itchiness can be caused by the bedbug bites. To treat these, antihistamines or systemic corticosteroids are prescribed. And if you want the bedbug bites to disappear, topical corticosteroids are applied. It is advised not to scratch the lesions as this will cause scarring.

Once you have established that what you have are bedbug bites, finding the insects is the next step in determining bedbug infestation. You can begin with the mattress or sofa as these are the most preferred habitats of bedbugs.

You must inspect every hole and crack on the sofa, couch, or mattress. Red and brown spots on these furnitures will help you find the bedbugs. The red spots were formed by blood from bedbugs that were crushed while the brown spots are formed from fecal matter of bedbugs. These signs show definite infestation.

How do bedbugs look like? The adult forms of these insects are wingless and reddish-brown. Adult bedbugs have flat oval bodies with a banded look because of the microscopic hairs. On the other hand, nymphs are lighter in color and translucent.

You definitely have a bedbug infestation if you have the bites and the insects. Getting rid of them must be started as soon as possible. You can seek the help of a professional exterminator.

Don’t let the fear of bed bugs creep you out.. Learn how to get rid of bedbugs visit us at http://how-to-kill-bedbugs.com/

Renee Garcia Pest Control , , ,

Get Rid Of Skin Tags -Skin Tag Home Remedy

September 16th, 2009

Skin tags often develop in several places that are unsightly to observe, and they can cause a great deal of embarrassment. Whether you have one skin tag or suffer from multiple skin tags, first and foremost you need to understand what skin tags are and why they develop, so you can then decide whether you need to remove them|have them removed and the easiest method for skin tag removal.

The most usual place for skin tags to develop is around the eyelid area, the neck and shoulder area, under the armpits, beneath the breast folds, the genital and groin areas and wherever the skin folds over and frequent friction of skin on skin happens. A skin tag is really a small non-cancerous growth or tumor, and develops on perfectly healthy skin. A skin tag can be recognized by looking at it is attached to the skin on a small stem. Like a mole, skin tags can also be pigmented or even similar in color to the surrounding skin.

Even though skin tags are considered small tumors, and may develop without showing any other symptoms that you notice, they are harmless and benign unlike many other skin lesions that could be dangerous.

Some men and women are more prone to developing skin tags. These people include people who are overweight, females who are pregnant and those who are getting older. The one thing that all these people have in common is that they all have more skin flaps, and skin tags seem to grow when the skin creates friction by rubbing against itself. Recent studies also appear to suggest that skin tags might also be hereditary, so if other family members are victims of skin tags then you too are more prone to developing them.

Doctors won’t usually recommend surgical removal of skin tags, simply because they are benign and won’t present any physical health dangers. That being said, men and women who have many, many skin tags in visible places such as the neck or eyelids, can feel extremely self conscious about the way people see their skin tags and can suffer from low self esteem due to their skin tags.

If you have a great many skin tags around the neck and collar area, which many people do, then even wearing jewellery or clothing often causes the skin tags to catch and begin bleeding. This can not only stop you with engaging in many types of sporting activities, but could also become a problem in professions. In these cases there is a very obvious need to to remove these skin tags.

There are several methods to get rid of skin tags, several of which require a doctors appointment or dermatologist. These treatments entail medical procedures and may be a drawn-out enterprise if there are lots of skin tags to remove. There are several other effective procedures for skin tag removal which may be safely conducted privately at home.

At skin tag remover you’ll find lots of useful information about skin tags, including the descriptions of what skin tags look like. There’s also lots of pictures of skin tags and information on other medical conditions associated with skin tags.

Philip Ruiz Moles & Gophers , , , , , ,

Tips On Eliminating Pests From Your Home

September 16th, 2009

The attack of various domestic pests can be a major nuisance for any home. To resist the invasion of these creatures on your house, proper treatment and preventive pest control steps should be undertaken.

There are basically two ways to handle the situation. You can either go for expert services from a pest control company or you can take up the task yourself. Both options have their positives and negatives and it is wise to go for any one of them according to your specific situation. You should consider the amount of time and money available and the magnitude of the issue before deciding on the course of action.

If you take the job upon yourself then you need to first discover which pests infest your house and the spaces where they can be found. The next step is to get hold of the proper tools and chemicals to deal with the pests and work out a practical plan to combat the menace. One of the greatest sources of information on this aspect is the World Wide Web, which will be able to provide you with detailed tips on how to execute it. Although the methods change according to the kind of pests, chemical sprays and traps are two of the most extensively used techniques.

An excellent preventive method for avoiding a re-invasion by pests is keeping the house sanitized, and this often proves much more successful than chemical-based preventive techniques. Maintaining a perfectly sanitized environment with an effective refuse disposal system in place makes it difficult for pests to multiply in numbers.

You must never be indifferent when it comes to pest control as it is critical for the health and safety of people whom you love the most. Pests can transmit various infections by filling the house with germs through their presence. Thus, make sure that pest control is given immediate attention, whether it is you who performs the task or pest control professionals.

Find out more about the most effective methods of eradicating Pest such as Termite from your homes or offices. Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.

Cheska Miller Rats & Mice , , , , , , , , ,

Tips On Eliminating Bed Bugs

September 15th, 2009

A bed bug army can wake you up in the middle of night in addition to leaving scratchy rashes on your hands, legs and other exposed areas of the body. These small but pesky creatures thrive on human blood and stay inside mattresses, sofas or any other cushioned furniture in your house. Irrespective of being active for the entire day, they prefer to feed on their hosts when they are resting or sleeping at night and can not protect themselves.

For effective elimination of these pests, you need to first find out their exact location. This makes it easy to devise an elimination plan and stop them from re-invading your household. This can be performed either all by yourself or with the assistance of a competent pest control company.

To get rid of the bed bug problem you need to first carry out an extensive exercise of vacuum and steam cleaning of the furniture items and rugs in your house. It is also important to give a high temperature cleaning treatment to your bed linen and pillow covers in a good washing machine, which in turn will make sure that all the remaining bugs die the heat. Scrubbing off floors and other solid surfaces with a hard brush and a disinfectant solution helps in removing traces of bed bug eggs scattered here and there.

After you are done with the cleaning, take some additional precautionary measures like discarding the vacuum cleaner bag in the outdoor trash can, in a tightly sealed plastic bag to remove the beg bugs forever. Once you have got rid of the bugs, you must make sure that you block every gap in your home, particularly around sewage pipes and faucets.

You must also ensure that you are making use of natural and safe enough methods of pest control as the harmful chemicals used in many pesticides can contaminate your items of daily use and cause potential harm to you and other residents in your home. Regular cleaning and maintaining basic hygiene in your house can ensure complete freedom from bed bugs and a sound sleep for you.

Learn more about the most effective methods of eradicating Bed Bugs and Rats from your homes or offices. Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint.

Erick Walker Pest Control , , , , , ,