Excel Pest Management's Blog

For thousands of years, pests have been shrouded in mystery and superstition. Myths about pests are almost as common as species of pests themselves, and false information does not help anybody. Every myth about pest control can’t be debunked in one article, but here are a few of the most common ones that many people still believe. Only Dirty Houses Get Pests Pest infestations have been used as a weapon to critique other people’s housekeeping abilities for years. However, just because a house is clean, it doesn't mean it’s safe from pests. An unclean house with crumbs on the floor and drops of water on the counter may cause pests to stay longer, but a clean house won’t deter pests from coming inside in the first place. It’s just as important to make sure that all potential entrances into your home are sealed and airtight as to keep your house dirt-free....

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word “ticks” when discussing outdoor activities? Is it Lyme Disease? Is it parasites? The mere thought of a tick penetrating your skin is disturbing enough, so let’s talk about how you can protect you and your loved ones from tick bites. Reduce the Tick Population You need to create a hostile environment for the ticks, to prevent them from multiplying. First, remove leaf litter. Next, clear tall grasses and brush. Then, remove any trash from your yard where ticks may hide. A final option is to hire a pest management company to safely and effectively treat your yard. All of these options will help reduce the tick population around you. Protect Yourself from Exposure When you are near tall grasses, brush and trash outside, it’s best to wear light-colored clothing with long pants that are tucked into your socks....

If you are concerned that you have spiders living around your home, and you think there are too many to deal with, you can look for signs of spiders without having to see one up close and personal. Even though few species of spiders are harmful to humans, they can still pose health risks for you and your family. You would rather keep them away from your home, so you are living cleanly and comfortably. Here are several ways to tell if you have spiders lurking in the home: Spider Webs Spiders are widely known for making cobwebs in corners and ends of rooms, as well as walls inside and outside the home. Different spider species spin different types of webs. Spiders that spin geometric webs are considered safe spiders, while webs with no pattern in particular are usually from black widow spiders and are meant to trap prey. Underground Holes...

As the weather becomes warmer, it is common to find ants roaming around the inside and outside of your home. These pests can cause a lot of headaches, especially if there are several different species that eat wood and food debris. If your ant infestation is severe, consider hiring a professional to handle this issue as it will be very difficult to do it on your own. Keep reading for information on how hiring a professional can help you with an ant infestation. Identifying the Species As mentioned before, it is important to identify the species of ant in order to have the proper solution. Knowing the species will also help to determine what attracted the ants to your home in the first place. Locating the nest of the ants will help in eliminating the problem, and also be very telling in the type of species as well. Treating the Problem...

You likely do your best to keep your home safe by keeping doors and windows shut, but in case you aren’t aware, intruders can come in all sizes, including really small. Despite your efforts to keep pests away, they may not be enough, as even insects can squeeze through cracks and small holes with the greatest of ease. Where the Majority of Pests Come From Why do these pests get inside in the first place? It is actually a number of different factors, but they all share a common source: us. More specifically, human beings living in warm, dark, delicious abodes. Many pests have been around longer than humans have, so they have gradually picked up on what we enjoy, such as food and shelter. The majority of pests can quickly understand what homes are and what we do inside of them. What Draws Pests into The Home There are three...

The temperatures are starting to get warmer. But, the warmer temperatures also mean the onset of bug season as well. Bugs can be a huge nuisance, especially as the sun goes down. But, it does not have to be. Following these proactive steps can help keep the bugs at bay and allow you to enjoy pest-free spring and summer nights. Use Fans Whether you are having a party or trying to enjoy a quiet evening at home, having a few fans blowing can keep the bugs away. Flying insects like flies and mosquitoes do not like strong winds. So, having a fan circulating the air in your house is a sure-fire way to keep them away. Keep Your Gutters Clean Cleaning the gutters is not a chore anyone enjoys. But, making the effort will not only make sure the rain drains off of your roof properly, it will also help keep...

Ants live on every continent in the world, except for Antarctica. This guarantees you will encounter ants at some point in your life. While watching ants scurry along the sidewalk is an amusing diversion, no one wants to see them in their homes. Ants move in for the same reason that most pests do, food and shelter. Want to know how to get rid of ants in your kitchen? Take action with the following steps! Educate Yourself It’s tempting to just smash the ants you see with something and feel like you’re ridding yourself of the nuisance. However, this solves nothing. Every ant colony has a queen. The queen never leaves the colony, which is often in an underground or hidden location. Worker ants are sent out to gather food for the queen and the ants that are still too young to leave. In order to eliminate your ant problem, you...

It’s one thing finding a beehive or a colony of cockroaches around your house. It is often disturbing, however, as long as you call an exterminator promptly, there shouldn’t be any long-lasting repercussions. But what happens when you find an enormous rat crawling across the floor of your restaurant dining area or a horde of termites in the furniture of your office's waiting room? Aside from the hassle of getting them removed, they can seriously hurt your business if customers see pests in your building on a recurring basis. Thankfully, with some quick thinking, you can get ahead of whatever pest problems your business may experience before the damage they do becomes too severe. What to Look Out For? Ironically, while retail environments are one of the most important settings to keep pest free, they are also places which are especially susceptible to infestations. Therefore, you should always be on the...

This winter make sure you prepare your home so that you don’t get any uninvited guests. As the weather gets colder, cockroaches will definitely try to invade your home to find food and warmth. Roaches will find any nook and cranny to enter in, and they also seek out water sources. Additionally, these pests are master hitchhikers, often coming in via grocery packaging or boxes that are delivered to your doorstep. Indoor Remedies There are two common cockroach species found in homes – the smaller German cockroaches and the larger American cockroaches. They usually breed outdoors but will come indoors during cold weather. There are many things that you can do to keep these pests out during the cold winter season. Most importantly, be sure to store all food in sealed packages, and don’t leave crumbs or open cans of sugary drinks around. Regularly vacuum and sweep floors where food and...

Having a pest infestation in your home can cause much aggravation as you try to eliminate the problem. While there are many ways to exterminate pests, which have infested your house, it is pointless unless you make sure they don’t come back in. Here are some ways you can solve your next pest problem before it even starts. Home Defense The first thing you should do is make sure you seal off all openings around your house. This doesn’t just mean shutting doors and closing window screens (although you should do this too) but checking around crawl spaces and in your dryer vent as well. If you see a tear in your window screen or a hole in your drywall, make sure to repair them before any unwanted creatures come through. If you have a chimney, set up a chimney cap to bar pests and rodents from entering. You can seal...

Regular household and garden pests are a chore to deal with. Rodents, ants, bed bugs, hornets and wasps are all vermin that need extermination before they can dig in. An infestation by common pests is generally easy to deal with using over the counter pest control, but when your yard or home becomes infested with an invasive species, you’re in real trouble. Here’s why: No Natural Population Limiting Factors Invasive insect species, in particular, are notorious for boom and bust population growth. They reproduce rapidly and consume the food sources for other species in the local ecosystem, including other insects and plants that are necessary to sustain avian and mammal life. As the invasive population continues to grow unchecked, it eventually collapses, leaving the natural life cycle of plants and animals in your home and yard cut short. That’s just in the yard. Unchecked breeding in the walls and crawl spaces...

Although Southern California isn’t known for having harsh winters, local residents can still expect to experience their fair share of cold days. Like so many other pests in the area, rodents will be trying to stay warm. Here are some valuable tips for keeping away mice and rats. Seal Entry Points Because rodents have such limber bodies, they can easily squeeze into very tight spots. Even a tiny opening will enable a mouse to come inside. This is why it’s so important to seal up entry points. Before the winter arrives, take the time to inspect your home for cracks. Pay extra attention to gaps between walls and unsealed drainage pipes. Silicone caulking can be used to effectively plug holes. Eliminate Food Sources Rodents have a keen sense of smell. If you have any pets at home, be sure to store their food in a rodent-proof container. To prevent rats from...

As a restaurant owner, it’s especially important for you to seek roach control. Failing to take the necessary precautions can lead to big problems. Not only will these insects turn away customers, but they may also cause your establishment to receive a poor sanitation rating. A small issue can quickly become a full-fledged infestation. Here are some proven ways to keep roaches out of your restaurant. Keep the Business Clean Like so many other pests, roaches are drawn to food sources. Make it a point to keep the restaurant clean as possible. Sweeping up crumbs and disinfecting around tables will make a big difference. You should also develop a habit of taking out the trash on a regular basis. Leaving dishes in the sink overnight is an absolute no-no. Seal Openings Holes and cracks make it easy for roaches to come inside. Once these insects have established a colony, they’ll be...

If you run or manage a multiunit housing building, keeping your residents bed bug-free is vital. Doing so, though, is often much harder than it sounds, and you might not know what you should do or where you can turn for answers. This guide reveals the top tips you can use to keep bed bugs away from your housing unit. You and your residents can then have peace of mind, and you will know you have made a smart decision. Learn the Signs Learning the common signs of bed bug activity is vital when you want to prevent them from spreading throughout your property. Bed bugs are hard to spot in the early stages of an infestation because they prefer staying out of sight, but they leave some clues behind. Look for red stains and discarded bed bug shells on or near mattresses. Bed bugs usually leave small red marks on...

Bed bugs are able to transmit deadly diseases when they bite. If you believe this, you're misinformed. Thanks to all the myths that are circulating, these tiny pests leave most homeowners frustrated and confused. Myth One: Bed bugs are too small to identify. Fortunately, if your mattress is infested, you'll have no trouble with seeing the bugs. Adults, nymphs and even eggs can be spotted with the naked eye. Myth Two: Bed bugs rear their ugly heads in only unclean environments. This couldn't be further from the truth. The reality is that these bugs don't have a preference. They will take up residence in a high-end hotel or a run-down house. Furthermore, your living quarters can be spotlessly clean or ridiculously filthy. What bed bugs crave is warmth, and carbon dioxide draws them out of their hiding places. For food, they need your blood, so your home is beyond ideal for...