Serving Athens to Atlanta

Serving Athens to Atlanta

Unfortunately, bed bug infestations can be found just about anywhere, including office spaces. No matter how clean any building is, there is always a chance that bed bugs can be found there. So while it may be surprising, your office building could be home to bed bugs. This problem should be dealt with as soon as possible in order to prevent further infestation. Thankfully, professional pest removal experts can help eliminate bed bugs in office spaces so employees can have peace of mind once again.                                                                                             

How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Office Spaces?                                               

Offices can make great environments for bed bugs. Once bed bugs have found their way in, there are numerous places for them to hide, including in office furniture, gaps, or cracks anywhere in the building. 

Additionally, office spaces are usually kept at reasonable temperatures with low humidity, just the right climate for bed bugs. And if no one frequents the office at night, then bed bugs can have the reign of the place. 

All of this can lead to one big bed bug problem. But how do bed bugs get in office spaces in the first place? All it takes is one person to carry in bed bugs on their clothing, briefcase, shoes, or jacket for a problem to begin. With so many employees and personnel in and out of office spaces, it’s no wonder bed bugs can find their way in easily.                                                                   

Noticing a Bed Bug Problem in Office Spaces

Recognizing a bed bug problem is the first step to getting the problem corrected. But how can you recognize signs of these small pests? Bites are often the first sign that something is amiss. If employees are noticing bites on their bodies, then it could be because of bed bugs. But bed bugs are nocturnal and may not come out in the day to bite employees. So it is also important to be on the lookout for other signs. For instance, bed bugs will leave behind small red or brown spots from fecal matter or leftover molted shells. If you notice any of these signs, then you could have a bed but a problem that needs to be addressed right away.                                            

How to Rid Your Office Space of Bed Bugs

The first thing an employee should do if they suspect the presence of bed bugs is to alert a manager or supervisor. A manager or supervisor will then be able to call a professional pest control company that can come in and deal with the bed bug infestation. At Pest Force, K9 dogs are brought in to sniff out infestations in order to deal with the source of the problem. Additionally, heat treatment is used most often to be sure to rid office space of bed bugs once and for all. Bed bugs can’t live beyond a certain heat temperature, so using heat in office spaces will ensure all bed bugs and their eggs don’t survive, causing more problems in the future. In the meantime, employees should be diligent in checking their clothes, shoes, and other personal belongings for bed bugs so they are not transported to and from the office.

If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your office, don’t hesitate to call in the experts. At Pest Force, our trained pest experts and proven treatment work to rid your office of bed bugs for good. Give us a call today!

Bed Bug FAQs

Do Bed Bugs Spread Disease?

Generally, bed bugs are not known to spread diseases. However, their bite marks can cause allergic reactions in some people and can be uncomfortable and painful. Itching bed bug bites too much may cause a secondary infection from the scratch rather than the bed bug itself.

Who Is At Risk of Having Bed Bug Infestations?

Everyone is at risk of having a bed bug infestation at any time. There is no environment where bed bugs won’t enter. If you have been exposed to bed bugs, then it can be easy for one to hitch a ride on your clothes or belongings. When you bring bed bugs home, an infestation can then easily begin in your home as well. Therefore, people who travel are more at risk of a bed bug infestation as they often stay in hotels or visit public places where bed bugs may be.

What Will Instantly Kill Bed Bugs?

Heat is the one thing known to kill bed bugs right away, including their eggs. It is the most effective way to be rid of bed bugs for good. It can be used in the form of steam to treat carpets, furniture, baseboards, or other affected parts of the home. Other forms of treatment can work but may not be as effective for getting rid of the entire infestation. If any bed bug or egg is left behind, another infestation may begin again, and you can be back to square one. For this reason, heat is the best method for treating bed bugs.

If you are a commercial property owner worried about bed bugs, whether you have bed bugs or are worried about an infestation, then you should be using a professional pest control company. Bed bugs can devastate a business. Businesses in the hospitality industry, especially, can have a hard time bouncing back from a bed bug infestation, most notably ones that have to take into account customer satisfaction. For your commercial business, consider these top reasons why you should rely on a pest control company to treat bed bugs.

Bed Bugs Can Affect Anyone

The myth tends to be that commercial properties kept clean won’t have a bed bug problem, and that is false. No matter how much a commercial business is cleaned, bed bugs can still find their way in as hitchhikers on the clothing or personal objects of employees or customers. And once in, bed bugs can quickly become a huge problem. Bed bugs are good at hiding. They can find their way into any space only to be transported to and from buildings or businesses.

Pest Control Experts Can More Easily Identify Bed Bug Infestations

Because bed bugs are so sneaky and so good at hiding, identifying an infestation for anyone without experience or proper knowledge can be difficult. But pest control experts are just that, experts in identifying signs of bed bugs right away to treat the problem as soon as possible. An exterminator will know just where to look for bed bugs in carpet, furniture, or along baseboards. To locate an infestation, be sure to rely on the experts.

A Bed Bug Problem Can Spread Rapidly

Once bed bugs have entered a commercial business, they will multiply rapidly, quickly leading to an infestation. Just one bed bug can lay up to 500 eggs in its lifetime, or 1 to 12 eggs a day. Multiply that by several bed bugs, and you can see how quickly the problem can spread. Additionally, bed bugs are resilient. They can survive in many climates and temperatures, from freezing cold temps to heat up to 122 degrees. They are difficult to kill. It is best left to the experts to take care of a bed bug problem first to be sure they don’t spread and then to be sure they are gone for good.

Protection of Property

Bed bugs aren’t just annoying; they can be destructive too. They can destroy anything from towels and sheets to mattresses, carpets, furniture, and everything in between. Replacing all of these items can add up, so it is the most cost-effective and better overall to address a bed bug problem right away before the dollar signs multiply.

Protect Your Reputation

Reputation is important in business, and you should protect yours at all costs. When word gets around of a bed bug infestation, it can do significant damage to a business’s reputation. For this reason, it is important to first have a professional pest professional inspect commercial businesses to catch any signs of bed bugs before they can become a problem or to have peace of mind that your property is free from bed bugs. Once a business has a reputation for having bed bugs, it can take time, possibly years, to restore your reputation once again. Keep your reputation intact by trusting your commercial business to the professionals. 

For more information about professional pest services for your commercial business, reach out to PestForce today. We are here to help your business remain bed bug-free once and for all. Don’t hesitate to call us today! The sooner you call, the sooner your bed bug problem can be addressed, and you can return to what really matters, running your business efficiently and effectively.

 

Bed Bug FAQs

What Is the Number One Cause of Bed Bugs?

Really, the number one cause of bed bugs is the transportation of them into one’s home or business. This can happen in a variety of ways, from customers or family members bringing them home on clothes or belongings to bed bugs finding their way inside books or any other personal property. Once inside, bed bugs can quickly become a problem. That is why it is so important to trust your home or business to the experts at Pest Force to ensure a bed bug problem is eliminated quickly.

What Are the Top Hiding Spots For Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are sneaky creatures that can hide anywhere. But they really love to hide in seams. This can be seams of mattresses, cushion covers, chairs, couches, or even curtain covers. Surprisingly, bed bugs can also hide in a variety of other places throughout rooms, such as in dresser joints, behind baseboards, in carpet, under wall hangings, or just about anywhere that would make a good hiding spot. Because we can’t know exactly where bed bugs love to hide, they can be difficult to locate. Professional pest experts know where to look and have techniques such as using canine dogs to sniff out bed bug hiding spots to ensure all bed bug infestations are found and removed.

What Attracts Bed Bugs?

While a popular myth states that bed bugs are attracted to dirt and grime, this simply isn’t true. Bed bugs are actually attracted to carbon dioxide, blood, and warmth, all things that people asleep in their beds can provide, which is one reason why bed bugs love beds so much. However, clutter around rooms can provide many hiding places for bed bugs and make them harder to locate, so decreasing clutter will help eliminate hiding spots for bed bugs, although it will not eliminate bed bugs altogether. For that, you will want to turn to a reliable exterminator. At Pest Force, our pes experts know just where to look for bed bugs and can locate them quickly to remove them from your home so you can have peace of mind once again that it is you and only you taking up space in your bed.

 

More and more, bed bugs are being found in unexpected places, such as commercial buildings, including offices and even retail stores. Unfortunately, bed bugs are no longer just pests that invade homes or hotels. Businesses like furniture stores with mattresses and many hiding places are also at risk. Finding bed bugs can not only be a problem because they are hard to get rid of, but they can also be detrimental to your business. When customers hear the words "bed bugs," it can cause them to run in the other direction, impacting the income for your store. For these reasons, it is imperative that you know what steps to take to prevent an infestation or address an infestation.  

Bed Bugs Are a Nuisance

What people hate most about bed bugs are usually the itchy, unpleasant bites they leave behind. Bed bugs search for carbon dioxide and heat from sleeping creatures, and then they prey on those people while they sleep, feeding on their blood. This can lead to red, raised welts that are not only itchy but can also be painful. But locating bed bugs and getting rid of them can be the difficult part. Bed bugs are very good at hiding in small crevices. 

However, they can be invisible to the naked eye. If you can't see them, though, they do leave signs of their presence, such as shed exoskeletons, translucent eggs, or brown spots of fecal matter. However, even if you can spot an infestation, getting rid of it is another story altogether. Bed bugs are resistant to pesticides. A skilled pest professional with experience using many methods to get rid of bed bugs is the way to go to be sure bed bugs are gone from your retail store and stay gone for good.

What To Do About Bed Bugs in Retail Stores

Bed bugs are finding their way into retail stores in many ways, most of the time coming in on the belongings of customers or employees, whether it be their shoes, clothes, or personal belongings. Once inside, bed bugs begin to lay eggs and can multiply quickly. So what can you do about it? The most important thing retail store owners can do is first be aware of the ever-growing problem of bed bugs. Be sure to recognize signs of bed bugs and act quickly if you suspect a problem. 

Taking action is crucial to preventing a large infestation from occurring. Other things retail stores can do to combat the bed bug problem are to educate employees about signs, regularly monitor fitting rooms or seating areas for these pests, have a plan in place for if bed bugs are found, and have a professional pest control company you can turn to handle any bed bug problems that may occur.

If you are worried about bed bugs in your retail store, it's important to be in contact with a trusted pest control professional. For more information about what we can do to ease your mind when it comes to bed bugs, contact PestForce today.

FAQs

How Can Bed Bugs Be Treated Effectively?

One of the easiest things retail employees can do to help address the bedbug problem is to vacuum regularly. Vacuum not only floors but also any furniture and crevices. But to really be sure bed bugs and their eggs are gone for good, it's best to use heat treatment. Bed bugs exposed to temperatures of 118 degrees or higher will die within a matter of minutes. At PestForce, we use heat treatment for extended periods of time to ensure a 100% mortality rate of bed bugs in any space.

Why Are Canines Used During Bed Bug Treatments?

It can be time-consuming for humans to search for bed bugs in a large space. Canines have an incredible sense of smell and can locate bed bugs within minutes of searching. For this reason, canines are used to sniff out bed bugs so that problem areas can be treated quickly and efficiently.

What Kind of Dog Can Detect Bed Bugs?

There are several types of breeds that are known for their noses. Beagles have a great sense of smell. Other types of breeds used for detecting bed bugs can include Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, or Belgian Shepherds. Each of these breeds has a strong sense of smell used for tracking bed bugs as well as other pests or wildlife.

It would be anyone’s worst nightmare to check in to a hotel only to find out there are bed bugs. Waking up to bed bug bites would be the most unsettling feeling. However, this is becoming more and more prevalent for many staying in hotels. Sadly, these pests can be difficult to get rid of. Once an infestation begins, the problems of trying to get rid of bed bugs in hotels begin. It is important to know how to recognize the problem of bed bugs, not only for those traveling, but also for hotel management to be able to address the problem as soon as possible.  

How Common Are Bed Bugs in Hotels?

The problem of bed bugs is a more common problem than you may think. Bed bugs are found in all 50 states and can be found in many places besides just hotels. They can be found in libraries, daycares, hospitals, apartment buildings, homes, and so many more places. In fact, in recent years, the problem of bed bugs has slowly been on the rise, raising concerns about the need to be able to combat infestations. While bed bugs come with the notion that hotels aren’t perhaps up to par in terms of cleanliness, that simply isn’t true. Bed bugs don’t discriminate and will find their way into any home, hotel, or building, no matter how clean.

Checking for Bed Bugs in Hotels

Because an infestation of bed bugs can occur so quickly, it is always a good idea to check hotel rooms for any signs of bed bugs. When checking into a hotel, be sure to first put your luggage away in luggage racks in the bathroom, somewhere away from the bed, while you check for bed bugs. 

Then, inspect the room. Look for signs of bed bugs by checking soft surfaces like beds and couches. Check cracks and seams in furniture, under bed sheets, around mattresses, and in flooring seams for signs of bed bugs. If you don’t spot a bed bug with the naked eye, you can check for signs of bed bugs, such as discarded exoskeletons or dark brown stains. If you see any issues, be sure to let the hotel staff know right away. 

When you leave, also be sure you aren’t bringing any bed bugs home with you. Bed bugs can travel home with you in your luggage or on your clothing. And once bed bugs make it into your home, an infestation may quickly follow.

Pest Control For Bed Bugs in Hotels

While bed bugs can seem like an overwhelming problem, especially in large spaces like hotels, expert pest control professionals can help. With many safe and efficient techniques, pest control experts will treat bed bug infestations so that you can say goodbye to bed bugs once and for all. Methods such as using K-9 dogs to sniff for bed bug infestations to locate problem areas and then using heat to be sure all bed bugs and their eggs are killed are some of the most foolproof ways to treat a bed bug problem. At Pest Force, we utilize these methods in our pest control treatment plans to ensure that hotels can be bed bug-free once again.  

For more information about pest control for bed bugs, be sure to reach out to the experts today at Pest Force. We fight bed bug problems head-on so you don’t have to.

FAQs

How Do Bed Bugs Get in Hotels?

Bed bugs are notorious for traveling from place to place. It only takes one time for someone to bring bed bugs from their house with them in their luggage or on their clothing into a hotel for a problem to occur. From there, the problem can only get worse. If hotel rooms are vacant for just a day or two, a bed bug problem can compound. Not only can bed bugs be brought into hotels by guests, but guests can also bring bed bugs home with them from hotels, and the problem just continues. That is why it is best to contact professional pest experts as soon as possible if you suspect a bed bug problem.

Do Bed Bugs Only Live in Dirty Places?

This is a myth. Bed bugs are not just attracted to dirt and grime. What they are attracted to is warmth and carbon dioxide, which can be found in any home or business. But clutter is something that offers more hiding spaces for bed bugs. To reduce the risk of bed bugs going unnoticed, be sure to keep spaces clutter-free.

How Quickly Can Bed Bugs Multiply?

After a single blood meal, a female bed bug can lay anywhere from 1 to 7 eggs every day for 10 days. Therefore, she can usually produce about 5 to 20 eggs from a single feeding before she has to feed again to lay more eggs. It can take 7 weeks for eggs to hatch and become adults. 

So once those eggs begin hatching, an infestation is more than likely going to take place, and one can assume that it began more than 7 weeks prior. If left untreated, the infestation can get out of control quickly as more and more eggs hatch and become adults.

Surprisingly, bed bugs can be found almost anywhere nowadays, even in public libraries. Books can come back from a home infested with bed bugs, and those bed bugs may have hitched a ride from the home, meaning the bed bugs have now found their way into the library. It can seem that no place is safe from bed bugs. Thankfully, with quality, professional pest control, there are tried and true ways to get rid of bed bugs for good.  

How Bed Bugs Find a Way into Libraries  

There are many ways that bed bugs can find their way from homes into libraries. One way is on the clothing or shoes of patrons frequenting the library. If bed bugs are on clothing as people come in, they may jump off and find their way into the library itself to begin breeding. Other ways bed bugs can enter a library is via the books that were checked out and returned. Bugs will hide in the binding of returned books, which can, in turn, lead to a bug infestation. Bed bugs have even been found in DVDs or near computers in libraries as well. If you aren’t careful, the next step is that patrons that visit the library can bring home bed bugs from the library, thus beginning an infestation in their home, and the cycle continues.

How To Spot a Bed Bug Infestation

Libraries and other public places are large spaces, which can make it hard to notice an infestation when it begins. In a library, the top spots to find bed bugs are in or around the seams of chairs, behind wall hangings, or on the floor, particularly near lights or lamps. Other signs of bed bugs may be brown droppings, tiny white eggs, or blood spots. If any patrons complain of itchy red bites, this is a sure sign there is a bed bug problem lurking in the library. Once an infestation has taken hold, it can be difficult to get rid of. Thankfully, there are ways with pest prevention to address bed bug infestations.

Pest Control for Bed Bugs

Once you notice a problem, it is important to reach out to the experts right away. No DIY method for getting rid of bed bugs in large public places is likely to work. Pest control experts are trained and equipped to deal with these situations with expertise. In Georgia, Pest Force offers proven bed bug control services such as K-9 detection and heat treatment. With K-9 detection, trained animals will smell out infestations and pinpoint problem areas. Then, libraries can be heat treated to get rid of bed bugs and their eggs once and for all, as they can’t survive in high temperatures.

If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your local library, be sure to reach out to the experts. With the right tools and plan in place, Pest Force can take care of bed bug infestation so your library can be pest free.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bed Bugs 

When Do Bed Bugs Bite?

Bed bugs are mostly active at night and will bite while you are sleeping. Their long beaks will pierce your skin and take your blood. They come out when they sense the carbon dioxide being released during your rest. Most bed bugs feed anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes, or until they are full, and then they crawl away back into their small spaces where they are hard to see. After bed bugs have bitten you, you may notice a red, itchy spot on your skin.

Where Do Bed Bugs Lay Their Eggs?

Because bed bugs often feed on humans who are sleeping, most bed bugs will lay their eggs either on or near beds. They like to lay eggs on a mattress, either in seams or in joints. It can also be common to find bed bugs and eggs on the box spring or even behind headboards. Anywhere on or near the bed where a bed bug usually lives is where you can find their eggs.

How Can I Treat Bed Bug Bites?

The first step to treating bed bug bites is to wash them with soap and water. This will help reduce the itchiness and chance of infection. Then, you can apply a corticosteroid cream to help with the itch. Some calming lotions can also help. The best thing you can do is treat the itching sensation and wait for the spots to disappear on their own over time.

When the temperature begins to warm up, flowers bloom, the birds come out, and people begin to venture outdoors once again. But we are the only ones coming out for the spring. Unfortunately, Pests will also come out again in the springtime after a winter of hunkering down. The question is, what pests might you see in Georgia in springtime, and what can you do to keep them away from your home?

Springtime Pests

Some of the Pests you may see come out in spring could vary from ants and ant colonies to bees searching for fresh flowers and nectar to rodents like mice and rats. Whatever type of pest may make an appearance, there is no way you want it anywhere near your home causing problems such as damage to your home. Read on to find out more about Georgia pests and how to treat a pest problem. 

Ants

Ants are active year-round, but in the winter, they do tend to slow down. As springtime weather comes, their activity level increases. They will be on the search for food and shelter and may even find what they are searching for in the corners of your home. Although there are many varieties of ants, the carpenter ant is the one you want to watch out for. They can cause significant damage to the structure of your home if you don’t do something about them. At the first sign of carpenter ants, be sure to call local pest control before any damage can be done. Signs of carpenter ants can include sawdust near a small opening in a wall, sounds coming from within the wall, or piles and trails of dirt.

Termites

Like carpenter ants, termites can also cause significant damage to a home. When the warm weather returns, so does a termite’s feeding frenzy. Be on the lookout for termites in spring and look for crumbling drywall, holes in the walls, termite wings left behind from shedding, or a hollow sound when you tap on walls. Act quickly if you suspect a termite infestation. It can also be helpful to have a termite inspection every so often just to make sure you don’t have these pests lurking about causing expensive damage.

Bees and Wasps

When flowers bloom, bees and wasps are sure to come around. These insects can cause fear for young ones and even pets, especially if someone is allergic to bee or wasp stings. These bugs, while a nuisance, aren’t normally aggressive. They won’t sting unless they feel threatened. So if you can avoid them, they will avoid you. If bees swarm around your home, you may want to call a professional to help remove the swarm to a safe location. But otherwise, these creatures will, in general, leave you alone.

Spiders

While not an insect, these arachnids are definitely unwanted pests inside a home. Most spiders you see are harmless but do keep an eye out for brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders. If you notice signs of spiders in the home, like webs in corners or silky spider egg sacs, an expert pest control company has ways to deter spiders from wanting to come inside your home.

For more information about pest control services this spring to keep out those bugs, contact PestForce today. We can help keep your home pest free!

 

FAQs About Spring Pests

When Do Insects Come Out in Spring?

In general, insects can survive in temperatures that are consistently 45 degrees or higher. For this reason, the time of year that we usually see insects come out is between mid-March and early April, as the temperatures begin to warm. However, insects don’t become fully functional again until the weather reaches a solid 70 degrees.

Why Does It Seem Like There are So Many Bugs in Spring?

Spring is when insect eggs have favorable temperatures for hatching. As insects begin to stir once again during warmer weather, they will also begin to reproduce once again. In spring, they will lay eggs that will hatch. During the warmer months, pests can produce many generations of offspring, leading to an abundance of insects in spring.

How Can I Manage Insects in Spring?

There are many things you can do to try to keep your bugs pest free in spring. One thing you can do is seal up entryways to keep pests out. You can also clean up the inside and outside of your home to deter insects from finding homes with clutter. When tidying up the outside, be sure to check the gutters and tidy up the lawn as well. Sweep up any food left out and get rid of standing water. Also, be sure to get rid of any nesting areas. But if all else fails, pest control experts are here to help. Call to schedule your appointment and leave it to the professionals to keep your home pest free this spring.

 

One of the many things residents of Georgia love is the milder winters. While the rest of the country can have freezing temperatures for many days at a time, Georgia experiences warmer winters because of its climate. While this is great for many other things, it’s not always so great when it comes to bugs. The freezing temperatures will kill off many pests like mosquitoes, but here in Georgia, temperatures rarely drop below the 50 degrees required to either put mosquitoes into hibernation or kill them off. Therefore, the trade-off for warmer temperatures is the presence of mosquitoes year-round.

About Mosquitoes and Cold

In the US, there are over 200 species of mosquitoes, but in Georgia, residents will see three main types of mosquitoes, the Aedes, the Culex, and the Anopheles. 

Unfortunately, no matter what type of mosquito it is, it will still carry diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, or West Nile virus. In temperatures that are below 50 degrees, mosquitoes may do something called overwintering, which is a form of hibernation. Mosquitoes will hibernate anywhere, such as in animal burrows, leaf debris, or along frozen water. Even when water freezes, mosquito eggs can still hatch when warmer temperatures return. So while it may seem like mosquitoes die off and are gone for good, that isn’t always the case.

Prevent Mosquitoes, Even in Winter

Because temperatures in Georgia rarely get below 50 degrees, mosquito activity may slow down but will not cease altogether. So if you think about sitting on your back patio during the milder winter weather mosquito free, you may be sorely disappointed. While not as numerous as in summer months, they are still around. With winter mosquito prevention, you can eliminate those bothersome mosquitoes during wintertime as well as other times during the year.

Methods of Mosquito Prevention

There are some things you, as a homeowner, can do to prevent mosquitoes from becoming a big problem at any time of the year. For instance, water is attractive to mosquitoes. Therefore, it is important to periodically remove or clean up any standing water. If you have a water feature in the year, it should be drained to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in the water. A mosquito only requires a small amount of water, as much as a teaspoon, to deposit her eggs. In addition to removing standing water, there are lights that can be installed that are designed to repel mosquitoes. Fans are also a mosquito deterrent. So, if you have a back patio and you can install a fan and specific yellow lights, that can go a long way in mosquito prevention.

Professional Pest Services

One of the best ways to ensure that mosquitoes stay away for good all year round is to rely on the experts. Pest control services can protect your home from pests of all varieties, from mosquitoes and mice to cockroaches and everything in between. To have your yard inspected and treated for bugs, contact PestForce professional exterminators. We guarantee your satisfaction with our services so that you can enjoy a mosquito-free yard any time of year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mosquitoes

How Do Mosquitoes Find You?

Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans or animals emit. They also use their vision to pick up on body heat, odor, or perspiration to find their next host. Mosquitoes are also known to be attracted to dark colors. So, the darker-colored clothing you wear, the more likely they are to find you.

When Do Mosquitoes Die?

Male mosquitoes will generally only live 6 or 7 days, and they feed mostly on the nectar of plants. Females, however, can live up to 5 months, although the average female life span is about six weeks, and they will take a blood meal whenever possible.

Why Do Mosquitoes Need Blood?

Only female mosquitoes will need a blood meal. This is because a blood meal is required to produce eggs. When full, the female mosquito will filter the red blood cells and eliminate the water for nutritious meals with a large protein content.

If you live in the southern US, like residents of Georgia, then you know that, unfortunately, the warmer weather means pests and insects are still active even in the winter time. While you may not see as many insects in winter, they are still there. Sometimes, insects will even more indoors to avoid the outside cold, which could be problematic for home or business owners. Here are three of the most common pests that still remain very active during the winter months.

Rodents

Common rodents like mice and rats do not hibernate in the winter like other pests may do. Therefore, rodent activity in winter will occur, maybe even increase, as these pests search for warm places to call home. Unfortunately, rodents will reproduce quickly, meaning that what is a small rodent problem can quickly become a big rodent problem in no time at all. 

And to add fuel to the fire, these pesky rodents can cause all kinds of damage to your space. They love to chew and will chew up electrical wiring, drywall, wood, insulation, and anything they can get their teeth on. They can also bring with them bacteria and diseases, making them a health hazard. To keep rodents out, be sure to seal any areas rodents may try to enter, including cracks, holes, or attic spaces. But rats and mice can find ways to fit through even the smallest holes, so when you can't seem to keep them out, your trusted pest control company can come up with a plan to eliminate rodents.

Kudzu Bugs and Stink Bugs

Stink bugs can be found year-round, but in the winter, as they seek warmer places, they become even more of a problem. They can find their way into the smallest part of your home, cracks in the foundation, tears in the window screen, or even door openings. One of the best ways to keep these bugs out is to seal up any points of entry they may find, like cracks around doors and windows. But if you can't seem to get rid of these pests no matter what you do, pest control professionals are here to help.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are also pests that can be active in winter as they seek shelter indoors during the colder winter season. Because they cannot regulate their own body temperatures, they must find warmer areas, which could include your home or business. Like rodents, cockroaches can also carry disease and bacteria. They also love to find food that you have left out or open. So be sure to keep the kitchen clean and seal up all food to keep cockroaches away. 

Pest Control for Winter Nuisances

While there is a lot you can do to keep pests out of your area, it isn't always a guarantee. When you have done what you can, but it still isn't enough, there is help from pest control experts who know how to handle pest problems. Get rid of pests this winter and throughout the rest of the year with the experts at Pest Force. Call today to schedule your appointment.

FAQs About Winter Pests

Where Do Rodents Hide?

When choosing where to build their nests, rodents will often choose remote places where there isn't much traffic. Some places inside that meet rodents' needs and are fairly remote are attics, crawlspaces, garages, or inside walls. They sometimes also like to hide in pantries or kitchen cabinets with easy access to food sources.

What Makes Stink Bug Stink?

Stink bugs produce a stinky smell from special glands in their thorax. These glands are filled with chemicals that will release a mixture of odors. When a stink bug feels threatened, it will release these chemicals from its thorax onto its harder exoskeleton. Chemicals can also be released when these bugs are smashed, so when getting rid of stink bugs, it is best to vacuum them up instead of stepping on them.

How Fast Do Cockroaches Reproduce?

Cockroaches can get into any space fairly easily because of their small size. They can fit through even the tiniest gap in walls or windows or through doors. And if they can get into your home or business, they will spread quickly. Just two cockroaches can reproduce up to 400,000 offspring in only one year's time if the conditions are right. So be sure to address the problem quickly if you begin to notice these unwanted pests around your space.

Rodents are not only pests that you don't want to find anywhere near your property, but they can also be problematic. For one, rodents can cause significant damage to any space. They are chewers and will chew through wires, wood, or even belongings. This can lead to costly electrical or structural damage. If you see signs of rodents living in your space, such as rips, tears, or teeth marks on food boxes, or an odor or strange smears along baseboards, you may have a rodent problem. If this sounds daunting, it can be. Thankfully, with the help of pest control professionals in Georgia, you can be rid of pesky rodents.

The Dangers of Rodents

Not only do rodents cause damage to property, they are also dangerous because of health reasons. Rodents can spread a wide range of diseases, including salmonella, hantavirus, rat-bite fever, leptospirosis, and more. These diseases can make people very sick, not only through contact with rodents but also through contact with their waste, which can produce airborne contaminants. Moreover, rodents can also carry parasites that can come into your space and spread disease as well. The truth of it is you simply don't want rodents anywhere near you or your home.  

Tips to Keep Rodents Away

There are some things that can be done to keep rodents from wanting to make your home their home. Rodents like mice and rats are always on the lookout for food and water sources. Seal up any food in airtight containers. Keep dog food put away as well. Mice and rats also need somewhere to call home. To deter them from finding it where you live, seal up any cracks or openings around the exterior of the home to eliminate a way in. Also, remove any debris and trash around the yard that would make great nesting places. These tips can go a long way in keeping rodents from your home, but they still may find a way. In these instances, it is best to turn to professionals for help.

Professional Rodent Control

Do It Yourself Techniques can help to keep rodents away, but they aren't always foolproof. So what do you do when rodents become a problem? To get the job done right, be sure to contact professional rodent control experts at Pest Force. Our experts have the knowledge to get rid of rodent infestations quickly and safely. Because of our years of experience, our team understands how to tackle rodent problems in the best way and will deliver solutions that leave you with a pest-free environment. Let the professionals not only get rid of the persistent rodent problem but also keep rodents from returning. We can do that for you.

If you suspect you may have a mouse, rat, or other rodent problem, you don't have to put up with it any longer. Contact Pest Force to effectively keep rodents out of your home.  

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Rodents

Do Mice Like Cheese?

When you want to catch rodents running about your home, you may think about putting cheese out to draw them into a rodent trap. But the truth is, mice aren't really as fans of cheese like you may think. In fact, rodents actually prefer grains, vegetables, or sweet foods over cheese.

What is the Difference Between a Rat and a Mouse?

Rats and mice are both rodents and look similar, but they do have differences that can help tell them apart. Rats are larger and heavier than mice. They have shorter, thicker tails that are hairless. Mice, on the other hand, are smaller and more slender. Their tails are longer and covered in hair.

How Do Mice Get in the House?

Mice usually get into homes through cracks or holes that are around the home in walls, foundations, windows, or around doors. Because of their body shapes, they can often fit through holes that are smaller than you think. For instance, some can fit through holes as small as dimes. For this reason, not all homeowners recognize a mouse hole or other signs of infestation when they see it because the hole or damage is smaller than they think. To be safe, seal up all holes or cracks of any size when rodent-proofing your space.

Ants can be one of the most unpopular house guests. One day, you see a few of them crawling around; the next day, a whole hoard of ants have found their way into your home. An ant infestation can happen quickly. Thankfully, there are ways to notice an ant infestation and also to get rid of these unwanted pests.

The Problem With Ants

Ants may seem small and harmless, but the truth of the matter is these small pests can cause big problems. For one, ants can transmit bacteria or fungi that can get on your food or counters and spread around. Additionally, ants also can cause property damage, especially carpenter or acrobat ants, who love wood and will damage cabinets or other wood inside the home to build their nests. Homes with moisture issues are prime targets for these types of ants. Finally, ants will bite or sting when they feel threatened, which can be painful. It can also be especially harmful to those who have allergies or allergic reactions.

Ant Infestation Signs

To understand ant infestations, you must first understand how an ant colony works. In a colony, there are several different types of ants: the queen, the worker, and the scout. There is only one queen and a few scouts, and the rest of the ants are worker ants. Scout ants will search for food sources. Once they find a food source, they will then send signals and leave scents so the worker ants can find their way to the food source as well to bring it back to the colony. 

So, if you see just a few ants one day, this could actually be the scouts on the lookout for food. Then, as they send signals back to the worker ants, you will begin to notice more and more ants arrive throughout the next several days. Ants can be looking for crumbs left out or even wood, especially carpenter ants, as they use wood to build their nests. But no matter what the reason, once ants have found their way to your home, you will want to do everything you can to remove them for good.

How To Keep Ants Away

There are several steps you can take to keep ants away. First, clean up after yourself. Ants are on the lookout for food. If there’s any food left out on the countertop, on the floor, or anywhere in the kitchen, ants will find it. So be sure to seal up food, sweep floors, and wipe countertops. Next, ants can find their way into the tiniest spot in your home after a scout ant has left them a trail. Be sure to seal up any trouble spots around windows or doors or cracks anywhere in the home where ants could find their way in. Finally, sometimes it requires more than you can do. 

Contact professional pest experts to get rid of pesky ants once and for all. At Pest Force, we remove pests from the home and will ensure the job is done well every time. Call us today for more information or to set up an appointment.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do Ants Eat?

Ants are omnivorous. They eat anything, such as other dead insects, plants, fruits, and more. When they come into the home, they can be attracted to almost anything, such as sweets, animal meat, fats, and almost anything humans eat.

What Time of Year Are Ants Most Active?

Ants are the most active during the warmer spring and summer months. As the cold sets in, ants begin to seek shelter and will do so in trees, deep in the ground, or under rocks. During this time, you may not see many of them in or around your home. But as the temperature warms up, be on the lookout for these creatures.

How Can Ants Carry 50xs Their Weight?

Ants can carry anywhere from 10 to 15 times their weight, depending on the type of ant. This is an amazing number because ants are so tiny. Ants have a greater and thicker cross-sectional area, much larger than other animals compared to their size. Because ants are mostly muscle, this allows them to be able to carry heavier weight. They also have sticky pads across their feet that allow them to move smoothly across surfaces and even carry heavy weight upside down.

 

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