Nothing ruins the value of your property and jeopardizes your family’s health and safety faster than pest infestation. But how do you find the best Pest Control in Dallas TX for your needs?
Aptive Environmental specializes in residential and commercial Pest Control in Dallas TX. Their year-round Four Seasons Protection Plan starts with an initial inspection and includes quarterly treatments.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are one of the most common pests found in homes and businesses across North America. They are capable of carrying and spreading many different diseases, and they can trigger asthma attacks and allergies in some people. This is because their shed skin, excrement, and urine contain allergens that can cause these symptoms in sensitive individuals.
These pests are omnivorous and can feed on nearly anything organic, which makes your home a perfect breeding ground for them. They are drawn to food crumbs and spills, poorly wrapped or disposed of leftovers, and even paper products such as book binding glue. They are also able to access water inside your house by consuming the water that is in leaky pipes, sinks, and drains.
When these pests get inside your home, it is important to call for cockroach control right away. This is because they are extremely prolific breeders, and one female cockroach can produce thousands of offspring in her short life. Moreover, cockroaches have very strong jaws and can chew through almost anything, including metal, plastic, glass, and wood.
A cockroach infestation can be difficult to spot because they are nocturnal and avoid light. Nonetheless, there are certain signs that can help you know when it is time to call for roach removal services. If you see cockroaches skittering around in broad daylight, it is an indication that the problem has reached the advanced stages. Additionally, you may notice a musty odor in the air and dark brown smears on the walls.
You should also pay attention to the size of the cockroaches you are seeing. The American cockroach can grow up to two inches long, while the German and brown-banded varieties are usually smaller. If you are unsure of the type of cockroach that you have, you can always ask your Pest Control in Dallas TX to inspect your property.
You can greatly reduce the risk of a cockroach infestation by cleaning your home regularly and keeping it clutter-free. This means getting rid of stacks of newspapers and magazines, taking out the trash daily, and vacuuming your floors frequently. You should also seal any gaps in your roofline and around the windows and doors.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying and dangerous pests in the DFW area. They can spread serious diseases that put you and your family at risk, including West Nile virus, dengue fever, encephalitis and malaria. They bite humans and animals day and night, and are particularly active during the warmest parts of the year.
They’re members of the flies family Culicidae. Superficially, they resemble crane flies (family Tipulidae) and chironomid flies (family Chironomidae). They have many different body types and habits. Some have long feather-like antennae, which help them detect carbon dioxide in your breath and the movement of air. Others have a proboscis, which pierces the skin and draws blood for food. Only female mosquitoes bite, as they need a blood meal to produce eggs. Female mosquitoes can spread disease by transferring viruses and parasites from their mouthparts into the bloodstream of their host.
Some mosquito species are very particular about the type of animal they feed on, preferring reptiles over mammals. Other mosquitoes are general feeders. They can pick up pathogens, such as the bacteria that cause cholera and the viruses that cause yellow fever, malaria and West Nile virus, from their blood meals. They then transfer these pathogens to the humans and other animals they bite.
Most mosquito-borne diseases occur in tropical areas, but mosquitoes in the United States can also transmit these viruses. State and local government agencies play a critical role in protecting public health by managing mosquito control programs that carry out prevention, education and vector population management.
To get rid of mosquitoes, drain any standing water around your home. This includes empty containers, cans, buckets, old tires and bird baths. You can also keep them at bay by regularly re-filling bird baths and refreshing the water in any other containers that collect rainwater or other sources of moisture.
Apply bug spray containing DEET to your clothing, arms and legs before you head outdoors. This helps repel mosquitoes, but it’s important to follow the label instructions and avoid putting too much on. Wearing long pants and sleeves and using mosquito nets can also be helpful. In addition, regular yard maintenance can greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes in your backyard.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are parasitic insects that thrive in densely populated, high-traffic areas where people gather to sleep, work, and relax. These tiny, oval-shaped pests are reddish-brown to mahogany in color and are equipped with piercing, sucking mouthparts for sucking blood from their victims at night as they sleep. They are wingless and slender in shape, and they are small enough to hide in tight cracks and crevices. Because of this, they often travel from one place to another clinging to clothing, luggage, books, bags, or other belongings. Once they find a new home they crawl into mattresses, bedding, or other furniture where they are hidden during the day and active at night.
A bed bug infestation can be very difficult to control because these resilient insects are so hardy and adaptable. They attack people while they are sleeping and can cause a barrage of itchy bites. Infestations of this kind can also lead to rashes and secondary infections that require medical attention.
The best way to prevent a bed bug infestation is to keep your home clean and clutter-free. Keep beds and other pieces of furniture free from debris and dust, and throw away soiled clothes or bedding immediately. It is also a good idea to vacuum frequently and to hand-vacuum upholstered furniture such as sofas, couches, or chairs.
If you have a problem with bed bugs, the first thing you should do is to call a local pest control company. A professional can apply a targeted treatment to the cracks and crevices where these pests tend to hide. This is a more targeted approach to controlling a problem than applying an entire house heat treatment, which can damage electronics and wiring.
As a Dallas-based bed bug exterminator, Don Brooks sees lots of these pests every week. He says he treats about 10 rideshare vehicles for the nuisance insects each week, and they are a major issue in many areas across the metro. He says he sees people getting rid of their vehicles because they have been bitten, are having trouble with the service or just want to take precautions in the future.
Rodents
Rodents are another pest that can infest your home and cause damage to your property. Like mosquitoes, cockroaches and bed bugs, rodents also carry harmful pathogens that can be transmitted to humans and pets.
Rodents invade homes for food, shelter and warmth. They can find these in crumbs and garbage, dry goods like cereals and grains, pet food containers, spoiled produce, bird seed bags and other items stored outdoors or in sheds. They can also enter homes through small openings or holes in the foundation or walls.
Some common signs of rodents include chewing marks on wires, wood or other materials. You may also hear scratching sounds at night, particularly between midnight and 4:00 am. You might also notice rodent droppings around your home and yard. If you find urine or feces, wear rubber gloves when handling them to avoid contamination.
There are many ways to prevent rodent invasions. Store foods and dry goods in sealed containers. Keep outdoor trash cans tightly closed and place them away from your house to reduce rodent entry points. Keep shrubs and trees cut back to reduce hiding spots. Keep birds off your property to avoid attracting them for their food.
Rodents are difficult to eradicate and can be extremely destructive. Their droppings contain a number of dangerous pathogens and allergens that can cause health problems in people and pets. The feces and urine of rodents can trigger asthma and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Rodents also spread diseases like hantavirus, leptospirosis, plague, salmonella and more. They can transmit these diseases through their fur, saliva, gnawing and other activities.
The best way to prevent a rodent infestation is to call a professional. An experienced rodent control expert can identify potential rodent point of entries and use humane methods to trap and remove them from your home.
If you decide to take care of rodent problems on your own, be sure that the poisons you use are safe for children and pets. Often, over-the-counter pesticides are not very effective and can be hazardous to your family. They can also be ingested by dogs and other pets that are not properly restrained or sedated.