Pests carry an undeniable “ick” factor that puts many people off immediately. But, few people take the time to consider how they affect our homes and well-being. The vast majority of pests are more than just unsightly nuisances. In many ways, these unwelcome guests can have a serious impact on your family’s health . Vector-Borne Diseases A disease vector is an organism that transmits pathogens from an animal or human to another human. Many of these vectors come in the form of blood-sucking pests we find in nature and the backyard. Some of the more well-known examples of vector pests and the diseases they carry include: Mosquitoes: Dengue fever, West Nile virus, malaria, Zika. Lice: Typhus. Ticks: Lyme disease, encephalitis. Keeping your yard clear of pests and taking steps to repel outdoor insects are key focus points for avoiding disease vectors. However, indoor pests such as mice and fleas can...

As the weather gets colder, pests like mice will find any way they can to get into your home for warmth. Not only can mice cause damage to your home, but they also spread diseases that can impact humans and pets. Here are some tips to help keep your home mice-free.  Seal Up Your Home Mice are notorious for sneaking into homes through small cracks, holes or crevices. To prevent an infestation, walk around the exterior of your house to check for any possible points of entry. Pay close attention to your foundation, basement, doors and windows. If you can, check your roof and attic for any potential holes. If you notice any cracks or holes, seal them with caulk, steel wool or weather striping. For larger holes, seal them with wire mesh or foam.  Keep Your Yard Clean A messy yard means more hiding places for mice. Overgrown trees...

Bed bugs are one of the most aggravating pests out there. Once they are in your home, it is difficult to get rid of them. To save yourself time and money, preventing bed bugs from getting into your home is the best way to stop an infestation. Here are some common ways bed bugs enter your home.  Bed Bugs Love to Travel No, it's not a joke! When you go on vacation, hotels and other accommodations are bed bug magnets due to the large number of people who visit them. People traveling from place to place gives these parasitic insects numerous possibilities to move from one place to another, just by entering a suitcase. Hotels are just as likely to have a bed bug problem as they are to spread it. Be Wary Second-Hand Furniture As with luggage, furniture also provides a vehicle for bed bugs to enter your home....

Cockroaches started roaming the earth about 350 million years ago . These pests pre-date the dinosaurs. While dinosaurs are now extinct, cockroaches learned how to survive even the roughest of environments. So, your home is a walk in the park for them. If you want to make sure you have none of these creatures in your house, check out these five signs of a cockroach infestation. Live or Dead Cockroaches The first and most obvious sign of a cockroach infestation is live or dead cockroaches around your house. These creatures can appear in any part of your home, but they prefer dark places that are close to food and water. Under sinks, behind refrigerators, near trash cans and inside pantries are common places to spot these nuisances. If you notice multiple cockroaches, either place traps or contact a pest control service right away.  Egg Shells Since cockroaches are insects, they...

Termites travel in large packs and can cause costly damages to your home if they are not taken care of right away. Termites feed on wood, more specifically rotting wood. They tend to swarm toward moist areas or dry wood stacks. These pests can only be completely eradicated by the professionals at  Germantown Pest Control & Termite . Perhaps you have been noticing a few termites in or around your home but have not really thought about the damages that termites can cause if left unresolved. Here are some signs that you may have an infestation and the costly damages that termites can inflict on your home. Signs Other than seeing what appears to be small little "white ants" roaming around your home, one of the most common signs of an infestation is the appearance of mud tubes or tunnels. These "termite highways" are used by these pests to travel...

Summer is the best season of the year to be outdoors. Backyard barbecues, long walks, yard work, days by the pool, and other outdoor activities are great summertime activities for families. Unfortunately, mosquitoes can turn an enjoyable summer experience into an absolute nightmare. If this happens to you  Germantown Pest Control and Termite  can provide help.   We understand that having your day or evening ruined by mosquitoes can easily and quickly turn a great day into a disaster. Thankfully, there are a few key ways you can keep mosquitoes out of your yard so you can enjoy being outdoors this season.  Get Rid of Stagnant Water Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. One of the best ways to keep mosquitoes out of your yard is to clear all stagnant water from your lawn or garden.  When you water your lawn or garden make sure the water is drained...

We do our best to make sure our homes are attractive. However, you may find yourself drawing some unwanted visitors. Termites are invasive and can cost you a great deal of stress and money. While it may be obvious that termites love wood, there are other reasons why these critters are so attracted to your home. Keep reading to find out what makes your house the perfect getaway for termites.  Wood The most common building material in American homes is wood. Thus, the chance of a termite infestation occurring is significantly high. Wood is a source of food and shelter for termites . Unlike other pests, the bacteria in the termite’s stomach allows them to break down the cellulose found in wood. Tree stumps, firewood, and dead pieces of wood in your backyard are the perfect candidates for termites to start a colony. Termites will shift from the dead, rotting...

Flies can be a big problem once they find their way into your house. They are not only annoying, but notorious for carrying diseases. They transmit these diseases, such as salmonella and gastroenteritis, through both saliva and feces. To protect yourself and your family , there are certain things you can do to avoid and get rid of flies in your home. How to Prevent Flies in Your Home Many times flies will enter your home to eat. There are certain precautions you can take to keep them out: Take care with pet food. Wet pet food can be especially problematic because it presents an ideal breeding ground. Make sure to remove any uneaten food and clean out bowls as soon as your pet has finished eating. Keep your kitchen clean. Keeping things in your house clean will go a long way in avoiding flies. Make sure to wash dishes...

When it comes to pest control, it is better to call for help than taking matters into your own hands. Bug and rodent infestations put the health of you and your family at risk. They carry bacteria and viruses that are easily transferable. Some bugs can even damage the structure of your home. Damages can run up to thousands of dollars. The solution is hiring a professional pest control technician. Below are the types of pests that require a home inspection. Termites Termites may not pose a risk to you directly, but your home is a breeding ground for them. Small, relentless, and unforgiving, termites find their way into wooden walls and floors. Without a trained eye, homeowners are often unaware of the warning signs. You can learn more about termite damage here . Bed Bugs Bed bugs are parasites that feed on human blood. Exactly as the name says,...

The bathroom is our most personal room in the house. It’s where we expect to enjoy absolute privacy without fear of prying eyes. However, bathrooms are also one of the rooms in our homes most frequented by insects. Having a cockroach crawl around your sink when you're trying to brush your teeth can be a horrifying sight that no one wants to experience, so let's look at what attracts pests to your bathroom and how to keep them at bay. Why Pests Love Bathrooms There are three main reasons why pests are attracted to bathrooms. The first and biggest reason why bugs and insects love bathrooms is moisture. Bathrooms are filled with plumbing fixtures that use water, from the sink to the shower to the toilet. This creates tons of puddles all over the floor for pests to drink from, not to mention the standing water pooling up in the...

When placing items into your storage unit, you’re probably not planning on it becoming infested with rats. In fact, you’re probably too preoccupied with other details regarding your move or other tasks that you need to accomplish. Unfortunately, it’s possible that some of the items in your unit can attract rodents . Keep reading for ways to protect your storage unit from rats. Keep Items Sealed The best way to detract pests is to make sure that they are properly cleaned before being packed away. If items are free from crumbs and debris, there’s less of a chance of attracting critters. Also, be sure to place these cleaned items into airtight containers. Rather than using cardboard boxes, which have been known to attract rodents, buy plastic totes. Don’t Pack Food It may seem like an obvious solution to keeping away pests, but some people will place food items into their...

If you’ve ever experienced a bee sting, then you know that it can feel as though you have been stabbed by glass. It’s amazing how a small insect can cause such pain, or for some people, cause a serious allergic reaction. For most people though, a bee sting can be easily treated using items that you may already have on hand. Keep reading for home remedies to treat a bee sting. Baking Soda This is an easy effective way to ease the pain of a sting. Simply mix baking soda and water and apply a thick layer to the area. You should immediately begin to feel relief. Let it sit for about 15 minutes- it will harden. You may need to reapply a few times to help the swelling go down.   Honey Another easy way to treat a sting is to apply a small amount of honey to the...

Bed bugs are tiny, parasitic insects that feed and survive on human blood. Bed bugs are a fairly common nuisance, and can spread diseases with their bites. The following are some of the ways to identify a bed bug bite, and ways to deal with the pest problem. Identifying and Treating a Bed Bug Bite Bed bugs will bite anywhere on your body where there is skin, typically the exposed areas while you’re sleeping. Almost all bites from a bed bug will produce some degree of discomfort, such as irritation and itchiness. There are several symptoms associated with bed bug bites such as a burning sensation, raised itchy bumps, hives, blisters and inflammation. The pattern of the bites will often be in a line or zig-zag formation. You may also find spots of dried blood on your skin or sheets from the bites. There is also an increased risk of...

Stinky bugs, as their name implies, are foul smelling creatures that wander into our homes in the winter months to escape the cold. They usually come in through very small openings, and once inside, are difficult to get rid of. As the temperature drops, many of us are going to have to deal with these insects very soon, so to help you get a head start on preventing them from invading your house , here are some tips for managing a stink bug infestation. Seal Entry Points The best way to handle pests is to keep them from getting into your house in the first place, so seal off any entry points that stink bugs could use to sneak in. This means repairing window screens, making sure your doors are airtight and sealing any cracks around sidings and utilities pipes with caulk. Turn off the Lights Even though this is...

No pests are liked very well and roaches may be the most despised of them all. Just the thought of these disgusting creatures crawling around your kitchen sink is enough to make one's skin crawl, so the question is: How do we get rid of these obnoxious pests? Let’s find out. Here is a three step program to eliminate cockroaches from your house once and for all. Clean and Declutter Your House The most important step you can take before, during, or after your cockroach infestation is to keep your home as neat as possible. This means cleaning away all loose food and water sources and organizing your belongs to reduce potential hiding spots. As to the first part, it’s vital that you remove any crumbs or puddles of water so that roaches won’t have anything to eat or drink, so vacuum the carpets regularly, disinfect floors and countertops, and...

Even the thought of head lice cause people to recoil in disgust and experience dreaded sensations of itching. The image of insects taking residence in your hair or on the heads of your family members truly is unnerving. For years, rumors of how lice invade a home have made these crawly creatures the objects of lore. But, in fact, lice are vermin with specific patterns and habits that can be safely and professionally eliminated like any other creature. Understand the common myths about lice, and arm yourself with knowledge for protection of yourself and your loved ones . Five Myths About Lice #1 Only Dirty Heads Attract Lice It is simply not true that lice infestation is a sign of lack of hygiene either in the individual or the home. This only shows that there has been direct contact with an infested person. Don’t feel ashamed if you find evidence...

Winter is coming, and that means that you’re going to be spending less and less time outdoors as the temperature drops. Unfortunately, this also bodes true for rodents such as raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, and, of course, rats and mice. Some people believe that rodents are less of a problem in the cold weather, thinking that they spend the season hibernating; however, they are, in fact, active all through the winter and eager to use your house as a shelter. Here are some facts about rodent behavior in the cold and what you can do to keep them out of your home. How Rats and Mice Handle the Cold Just like us, rodents are mammals, which means that just like us, they need to keep their internal body temperatures warm. They want to come inside our homes for the same reason that we do: The heat. Add to this the fact...

Whenever you read any information about pest control, it is usually centered around homeowners. Unfortunately, pests are an all-inclusive annoyance, regardless of if you own a home or rent an apartment. It can be stressful trying to figure out how to rid your home of pests if you don’t know the difference between house pest control and apartment pest control. How Apartment Pest Control and House Pest Control are different: In an apartment complex , multiple families live in one structure, with the possibility of pests spreading to multiple families, unlike a single-family home. This is why apartment complexes have different treatment processes, as shown below: Most apartment management includes a pest policy in your lease to discuss who is at fault for an infestation and how to treat the area. For both, it is important to keep your area clean. If you live in an apartment, you may have...

Do you see flies around your home? It’s a problem many people face in the spring, summer and fall. They don’t just appear out of nowhere, though. Read on to find out more about flies, including what attracts them and what you can do about it. Are Flies Really a Problem? In a word, yes. Flies may seem harmless, but they do pose a real danger. The species that fall under the category of “filth flies" are more than just a nuisance. They’re pests that can spread gastrointestinal diseases, ranging from food poisoning to dysentery. Flies lay eggs next to where they get their food. This can be close to your own food. A situation like this puts you at risk of getting sick. What Attracts Flies? As was mentioned before, flies go where there is food. As such, they’ll congregate with other flies, as they know that is where...

No one looks forward to the summer for the mosquitos . These insects certainly are a nuisance. Fortunately, we know more about them than we used to, including why they bite some of us, but not others. Read on to discover more about them! Your Genes Mosquitos know it’s what’s on the inside that counts. In this case, we’re talking about blood. But we’re also talking about what makes us, us. Scientists have discovered that genetics make up about 85 percent of the reason we get bitten by mosquitos. Our genes influence the way our bodies carry out certain processes, as well as our overall chemistry. As such, scientists have been able to identify what elements of that chemistry cause mosquitoes to swarm. For one, folks with a concentration of steroids or cholesterol on their skin are more likely to attract mosquitoes. Keep in mind that this is not the...