Even though cockroaches are tiny insects that only live around a year, it's incredibly hard to get rid of them. Their ability to survive in difficult conditions makes them one of the most resilient creatures on Earth.  They can live without food or water for up to a month, and they can even survive being flushed down the toilet. Roaches also thrive in dirty environments, so they are often found in restaurants and other areas where there is food.  So, why are cockroaches hard to get rid of? Here are five reasons. 1. They Know How To Hide. One of the reasons cockroaches are so hard to get rid of is their ability to hide. They can fit into tiny spaces, and they often go unnoticed until too late. They also reproduce very quickly, so a small infestation can turn into a major problem very quickly. Roaches rummaging through your...

Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of animals. They are found not only in animals but also in humans. They can cause itching and illness if left untreated. Many homeowners do not realize they have a problem until it becomes obvious (through symptoms such as itching, bites and scratching) because fleas live off the host's blood for about three weeks before laying their eggs. Typically, people who own pets suffer from infestations of fleas either at home or where they go to work. There are several things you can do to avoid problems with these tiny creatures throughout the year. First, learn how to prevent fleas in your house before learning what steps you should take next. Before purchasing any product, find out what's safe for your pet and whether or not it's safe for children and adults who live in the house as well. The best way...

You receive a call from your child’s school, and they tell you that your child has lice. What do you do? Unfortunately, lice infestations are common, and they don’t always come from school.  As much as we want the lice to go away on their own, they most likely won’t.  So, we made this guide to show you what to do when the lice show up! Here’s step one : Understand How Bad It Is. Once you realize there are lice, you need to understand how significant the infestation is. You can do this by wetting the scalp and closely examining it. The eggs should appear around an inch from the scalp on hair strands.  After you’ve done that, move on to step two : Begin Treating the Scalp. You should start with an over-the-counter delousing shampoo. You can follow the instructions on the shampoo bottle or package. After the...

Your furry friends are more than simply pets, they’re a part of your family and as such, they deserve your protection. One of the things you should protect your pets from are the pests that can invade your property. To help you keep your furry friends safe from harm, we’ll go over some of the pests that you need to look out for and keep your pet away from.  Cockroaches Cockroaches won’t usually go around your pets, however, they do enjoy snacking on any pet food that they can get their hands on. While they’re snacking away, they’re also spreading dangerous bacteria or viral diseases. To avoid them from getting into your pet’s food, keep their food sealed and out of the way in a safe location.  Ants Ants don’t only bite people. Ants don’t care what kind of creature it is, they’ll bite the moment that they feel threatened. ...

Christmas is coming! With the holiday season just around the corner, homeowners need to prepare for hanging up lights, setting up their trees and getting the stockings hung by the chimney (with care, of course). But even amid such holiday cheer, homeowners must remain aware of potential pest threats and take the necessary precautions to keep the family safe this Christmas. Luckily, Germantown Pest Control is here to help. Keep reading to discover some helpful tips for keeping pests off your holiday decorations.  Clear Debris The first step to keeping your home clear of pests is to maintain cleanliness on your property. Pests will already be drawn to the warmth of your home, so it’s vital that you limit their incentives to come and pay you a visit. Keeping your space clean will ensure that pests do not attempt to get too close to your decorations, whether they’re on the...

No matter where you live, cockroaches can be a nuisance. These pests can live in both warm and cold temperatures and can be difficult to get rid of completely. Here are some reasons why you may have cockroaches in your home.  Cleanliness Cockroaches are attracted to food debris and waste, so if you have this in your yard or garage, this can attract cockroaches from miles away. This is how these pests make their way into your home – they become attracted to something they smell and begin seeking the source of the odor, eventually crawling around your property. They are very small critters, and they will find a way into your home through a crack or crevice. Once they are inside your home, they will begin to build their nests.  Weather Change  Cockroaches begin looking for shelter when weather gets either too hot or too cold. However, this is...

As we finish off summer and enter the colder months, we may wonder if we’ll see more, less or the same number of pests than now. Are pest infestations more common during the winter or summer? Continue reading to find out.  Are Pest Infestations More Common During the Winter or Summer?  There are many insects that can withstand cold temperatures, but as soon as the temperature warms up, the insects will start breeding. This will result in the new bugs starting to breed, making populations thrive the most in the summer. You’re probably seeing these pests in your home throughout the summer: Stinging insects.  Flies. Cockroaches. Ants. Mosquitoes. What Makes Summer the Most Common Season For Pests? Hot Temperatures Rising temperatures in the summer affect the development and behavior of most common pests. Pests with no place where they can avoid heat are the ones that will be seeking shelter...

From Tennessee to Mississippi, you’ll find a wide variety of wildlife, some of which may happen to come across your property. Here is some wildlife that Tennessee and Mississippi homeowners may find on their property.  Skunks Skunks are very common in Tennessee and Mississippi and are well-known for their incredibly powerful spray. Their spray won’t kill you, nor seriously harm you, but it can cause difficulty breathing and extreme discomfort. Also, the smell of it can linger for days and even weeks. With that being said, you must prevent skunks from ever coming across your property.  They’re attracted to garbage, pet food left out at night and other low-hanging food. They’re also attracted to convenient denning sites like rock piles, wood and openings under porches. To prevent them, you may want to try removing attractants around your house by feeding your pets indoors, securing trash and covering window wells. Rattlesnakes...

Pests will always do their best to infiltrate your home if the conditions are right. Dorms and apartments present some limitations on what you can do because you’re a tenant. Read below for ways to defend your apartment or dorm against pests. Tip #1: Clean Up After Eating Ants, roaches and rodents seek places where food is easily accessible and readily available. You cannot control how well your neighbors clean, but you can control what you do. So, keep your home as clean as you can. Go beyond merely washing dishes and storing food in sealed containers. Vacuum all the crumbs and thoroughly clean your garbage can and recycling bins to remove food residue. Tip #2: Clean Up After Your Pets Keep your pets’ food area clean and store their food supply in sealed containers. Vacuum and/or mop areas where they snack so there are no food particles or residue...

Roof rats disturb your entire household. They’re not only a nuisance, but they also carry harmful diseases that are transferable to humans. So, when you have a sneaking suspicion that they are hiding under your roof, you immediately wonder how they got there in the first place. Rats are extraordinarily resourceful animals. They can often squeeze themselves into the smallest openings, cracks and crevices. Let’s talk about how these tiny critters manage to find themselves on your roof.  Rats Are Great Climbers Rats enjoy highly elevated areas. They have great balance and are exceptional climbers. Because of that, rats often climb fences and power lines. They also climb trees, using the branches as a bridge to your roof. And when branches don’t quite reach your roof, their incredible leaping ability comes in handy. Rats are known to jump as long as 36 inches and as high as 48 inches in...

People who live in Tennessee and Mississippi are well aware of the pest problems that can come from living in hot and humid areas. These pests come in all shapes and sizes, from the most annoying of ant species to the full-grown furry animals.  One of the most common questions we get here at Gibson Pest Control and Termite is “What are the most common pests in Tennessee and Mississippi?” Read on to learn the answer.  Ants Ants can be a nuisance to homes in Tennessee and Mississippi. They are typically attracted to moisture and food, but they don’t typically cause structural damage. Ants are nothing but trouble once they get into your home or business.  Bed Bugs Although bed bugs can be a real nuisance, they are not known to transmit diseases. Bed bugs are most commonly found in the seams and folds of mattresses, box springs and bed...

Spring’s warm sunshine makes it possible for pests and bugs to emerge from their winter sleep. Before you know it, you’ll have ants, bees and other pests taking over your home, yard and garden.  Some pests can be dangerous to your health and the health of your family. We service a lot of customers in the Tennessee and Northern Mississippi area. Our pest experts at Germantown Pest Control field a lot of questions about getting rid of pests at this time of the year. Read on to find out more about how to get rid of springtime pests in your home. Clear Your Home of Clutter Clutter is a haven for springtime pests like spiders, ants , mice and more. So, while you're clearing out old stuff and pet-related items, get rid of these pests at the same time. Spray a repellant like vinegar or lemon juice around your home...

Your yard is your personal space for relaxation and privacy. Time with your family and friends should not be interrupted by dangerous, disease-carrying mosquitoes. Getting rid of mosquitoes on your property must be done quickly and effectively. Keep reading to learn the dangers of a mosquito infestation and how you can eliminate them for good. Short Life Cycle of Mosquitoes One of the main problems with mosquitoes is their short life cycle. Once a female feeds on a host, she quickly looks for a place to lay her eggs. She will deposit eggs at any water source, including bird feeders, water bowls, garbage can lids and other seemingly innocent areas. Eggs hatch anywhere from a few days to months, depending on their submersion in water.  Once an egg hatches, the mosquito moves quickly through the lifecycle. Larvae develop into mature, biting adults within a week. Because they can fly several...

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...