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Cockroaches are the most adaptable and resilient pests that may invade your home. We need to understand what attracts them to your home. In addition to carrying infections and spreading bacteria, roaches are known to induce allergies and asthma attacks as well as contaminate food. These annoying pests are incredibly unhealthy as well. They can be both summer and winter pests.

4,500 varieties of cockroaches exist, but only thirty are called pests. Four of those 30 individuals, though, stand out as particularly adept at creating a nuisance for themselves: Cockroaches of the German, American, Australian, and Oriental varieties

 Keeping cockroaches away requires determining what initially attracts them. Roaches will enter your home for one of four reasons: food supplies, water supplies, a source of warmth, and a place to shelter (or a combination of these). They are frequently attracted to the following:

How to Keep Cockroaches Away

Knowing what draws roaches to your home allows you to eliminate these sources of attraction and reduce the likelihood of a roach infestation. Some cockroach avoidance strategies that you can employ in your own house are listed below…

Sanitation

Keep it as clean as you can. The most effective method of preventing cockroaches is through good sanitation.

Clean Kitchens

Concentrate on the kitchen. Don’t leave food out overnight unless absolutely necessary. Dishes should be washed every day at least. Remove crumbs and spilt food from all surfaces, including cabinets and pantries. Every night, disinfect the kitchen counters with a disinfectant spray. Don’t forget about the kitchen appliances.

Cockroaches are drawn to oil and spilt food that collects on and in your equipment, such as your refrigerator, stove, dishwashing machine, microwave, toaster, and the area under your kitchen sink. Roaches are also drawn to the region beneath the kitchen sink for a variety of reasons.

Restrict Places You Eat

Places, where you eat should be limited. Food consumption should be limited to a single room. The result is that not only is cleaning easier for you, but it also limits the number of crumbs and spills that may go unnoticed in other rooms and serve as an additional food source for roaches.

Storing Food & Pet Food

All food should be kept in airtight containers. Roaches are small enough to fit through the gaps of the conventional cardboard packaging that food is delivered in. This holds true for pet food as well. In order to prevent roaches from entering the house, pet food must be stored in a tightly sealed container on the back porch, preferably. The same goes for pet food bowls and containers, which should be emptied every night.

Garbage

Maintain a tightly fitting lid on your garbage can, and empty the kitchen trash can at the close of each day. Make certain that your outside garbage cans are clean and that they are not too close to your home.

Clean Before Bedtime

Roaches come out at night. Vacuuming the kitchen floor on a nightly basis reduces the roaches’ food supply. Make a habit of vacuuming every 2 to 3 days for the rest of your house, as well. Raccoon excrement, body parts, and egg sacs can all be removed in this manner. Use Cockroach Repellent

Block Entry Points

Block off any possible entrance points. Utility pipes and crawl spaces should be sealed off. Check that your windows and doors are secure and that you have weatherstripping installed if necessary. Fill in all of the gaps and fissures.

Remove Places Where Cockroaches Can Hide

Get rid of anything that roaches can use as a makeshift shelter, such as cardboard and paper.

Smoky Brown Cockroaches and American cockroaches prefer to reside outside but will come inside in search of food or when there is a lot of rain or hot weather. They prefer warm, wet environments such as flowerbeds or under mulch. They are also frequently found in trees. They are also prevalent in the majority of American city sewer systems. They frequently infiltrate homes through windows, garages, and beneath doors. They will also infiltrate your home through drains and plumbing. When they invade homes, they usually end up in basements, laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. They are also prevalent in commercial structures such as restaurants, grocery stores, and warehouses.

Use Professional Help

Make an appointment with a pest control professional. If you believe that you have a roach problem, call a professional right away. Treatment approaches can differ depending on the type of roach you have infesting your property. A skilled pest control expert can do a complete review of your situation and develop a comprehensive treatment plan on your behalf.

Winter Pest Control

Mice and rats remain active during winter, but as it is cold outdoors they move inside and build nests in walls and roof space where they can spend a few months, often breeding. In Tennessee, there are several commonly found spiders including Wolf Spider, Brown Recluse Spider, and Black Widow Spider. A bite from the last two can be fatal as they are extremely venomous. Sometimes spiders are found inside your home, and it is a good idea to get rid of them.

Rats and Mice will usually come inside the house before the first cold days of winter, and start building their nests in a cavity, mice only need a small space, and rats are more likely to climb to the roof space where they have more opportunity to nest. The first sign of rats and mice is often scrapping or scratching at night, as they come and go to feed, alternatively, there may be mouse droppings in the kitchen.

1. Rats and Mice Carry Disease

Both rats and mice carry infectious diseases including Salmonella and Tularemia. A bite from a rat can cause Rat Bite Fever, and in the past, they were responsible for causing Bubonic Plague.

2. Mice Can Cause Cancer in Humans

This is emerging research that can’t be ignored even though it is horrible. Some mice carry a virus that may cause breast cancer. Called the Mouse Mammary Tumour Virus, which is highly transmissible to humans.

3. Vermin Damage Your Home

Rats and mice are highly destructive and can even chew through electrical wiring, and if left unchecked can gradually destroy an unoccupied house.

4. Spiders and Ladybugs

Spiders will come indoors in cold wet weather, and you don’t want venomous spiders in your house. Usually, spiders don’t remain indoors as they like to be outside. However, spiders are more likely to stay indoors during the winter. Asian ladybugs were introduced to the USA for aphid control but turned out to be aggressive insects. They will invade your house in the cold weather and hide in fabrics and walls. They release a nasty-smelling liquid and bite as well.

5. Spiders are Attracted by Warmth and Light

Keep leaf litter and junk away from your house, and if you have a woodpile, the spiders will probably live in there.

This is hard to do, but try to seal off all entrances to your home, including mesh screens within your vents.

Regular Pest Inspections

Pests are active all the year, but it is only when they enter our home that we really notice them. It may be as simple as cockroaches in warmer climates, or scuttling rats and mice. Any of these creatures have to be eliminated. There are now many nontoxic pesticides to completely get rid of spiders. If you have small children the use of pesticides is a concern, and the type of spray used will be discussed with you first.

When you have your twice-yearly pest inspection, it enables our experts to eliminate opportunities for pests to enter your home, and after a while, you won’t see a pest in your house.

Conclusion

As we have seen, pests are active all year-round and not just in winter, pest control should prevail. Spiders and ladybugs become more active during Spring and Summer, and may even enter your house at any time given the opportunity. So it is best to always be vigilant, and don’t let them in. Contact Honor Guard Pest Control today to keep spiders, ladybugs, mice, and rats out of your home during winter!

What are bed bugs?

 Bed Bugs are tiny insects, much like mosquitos, that like to feed off of human blood. Unlike mosquitos they do not fly but latch on to clothes, backpacks and clothing and can go wherever they are taken. When bed bugs get in a house they are not usually discovered until they mass produce. One of the biggest signs of bed bugs is if a person breaks out in a red rash or blisters. Once bed bugs have invaded a house it’s difficult to get rid of them. Females can lay up to seven eggs at one time and a single infestation could be in the thousands. Having bed bugs can be frustrating but there are easy ways to prevent them from entering a home.    

Identify an Invasion 

The thought of a bug infestation can be overwhelming for some people but it is good to know the signs in case of an invasion. One of the main signs bed bugs are present are bug bites appear like a rash and may contain blisters. Doctors cannot identify a bug bite by itself. The University of Tennessee suggests trying to collect one or more of its shedded skins in a Ziploc bag to bring along to the appointment. The University of Tennessee also offers additional information about bed bugs on their website. Another sign that will show up in a bed bug infestation are freckle spots in wood furniture. If the household has travelled recently, or any new furniture has entered the house from a questionable place these could also cause an infestation.

Travel

Latching onto clothes, backpacks, and suitcases are the easiest ways bed bugs can invade a house. Storing your suitcases and backpacks in a hotel room can be tricky sometimes especially when travelling with a family. Make sure luggage is not placed under the bed, on the floor, or near the bed. For clothes it is a good idea to store dirty clothes in a plastic bag and wash them as soon as possible. Drying them on high heat is recommended because it is more effective at killing bed bugs than washing them. Make sure to inspect all clothes, backpacks, and suitcases after travelling. 

Furniture 

Bed bugs can enter a house through clothes, backpacks, and suitcases but they can also travel on furniture. It is very important when picking up furniture on the side of the road or in another not very sanitary place to look for signs of bed bugs. Make sure to inspect tiny corners or crevices for the tiny bugs. If you see freckle spots on the wood this could be the bugs’ fecal matter. When moistened with water the bed bugs’ fecal matter should turn red or a rust color. Other places bed bugs can hide are in the seams of couch cushions, behind wall hangings, and in heads of screws. The EPA has pictures of infected furniture with bed bugs. It’s crucial to check every little corner of furniture because bed bugs are so small and easy to miss. 

At HonorGuard Pest Control we care about keeping bed bugs out of your house. We primarily serve Nashville, Knoxville, Atlanta as well as the surrounding areas – if you think your house could be infected don’t be afraid to contact us for information and schedule an evaluation. 

Autumn is the time when practically everything within the environment starts to change. The leaves begin to turn shades of yellow and orange, the wind cools, and certain critters prefer to be warm during this time. This really is the season which will get you ready for the next colder months. Despite the fact that the autumn brings along chilly wind, bugs seem unconcerned. Anyone will come across vermin throughout the fall, and you’ll need to know their tricks!

What You Are Up Against

There are a multitude of critters and pests you can encounter during the Fall season. These may vary depending on where you live but most common pests include cockroaches, mice, stink bugs, rats, and spiders. While the smaller insects like spiders and stink bugs aren’t the worst, they can quickly multiply and take over a certain area in your home without you being aware. Small rodents like mice and rats can carry diseases, ticks, and fleas, which you don’t want spreading to you or your pets. They will also find their way into your food, leaving it inedible and your pantry covered in droppings. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of ways to get ahead of those little creatures before they even make it into your home.

Block Their Entry

Cold weather pests are notorious for finding even the tiniest of gaps to squeeze through. Be sure that all of your windows, doors, and sliding glass doors have a rubber weather tight seal around the borders. This will not only keep pests out, but will also keep your house warmer. Along with those preparations, a simple way to prevent unwanted guests is to close all of your windows and doors when they aren’t in use. The garage is always a common place to come across mice, and many insects. Ensure that all the cracks and spaces are filled in and blocked off as well. 

Properly Storing Food

Food being stored poorly is one of the main reasons homeowners experience infestations of unwanted critters. Make sure that all food is sealed tightly and put away in a cupboard or pantry. Leaving fruits and bread out on the counter or center island is just asking for a trail of ants or a few mice to invite themselves in for a quick bite. It is also a good practice to check under your furniture and behind major appliances for any food that may have slipped out of your hand and fallen behind or under something. While leaving food out in the open where pests can clearly be seen is bad, having them feasting out of your sight is even worse when and if you realize they are there. Lastly, ensure that all the food being thrown into the trash can has a closed-top. This way, the scent of food won’t linger around your home, drawing those pests inside to see what’s on the menu. 

Stop Those Leaks

Excess moisture in your house can also lead to a swarm of bugs and mice. It is always a good idea to make note of any leaks in your plumbing. This could mean your sinks, toilet, shower, refrigerator, and especially your wash and dryer. Most common dryers vent to the outside, and if you have leaks and moisture near them, it can draw in all those vermin you’re trying to prevent. Patch up those leaks and make sure all the fittings are tightened. 

Don’t Panic

It’s common to get frightened by this information, but don’t panic!. Now is the perfect time to begin making steps towards keeping your house rid of all those creatures during autumn. Make sure you keep on the lookout for circumstances that might invite them inside.