Fleas and Ticks are tiny pests and because they’re so small, they can be hard to detect and even harder to get rid of. Fleas are built with a hard outer shell in order to withstand difficult conditions, so if you find you have a flea infestation, call our Phoenix Valley pest control experts immediately. We can inspect your home and determine what your next step should be.

Here are a few facts you may not know about fleas:

1. Fleas feed on the blood of humans, birds, reptiles, and animals, but they can live more than 100 days without a meal.

2. Flea eggs are usually laid directly on a host, but tend to fall off the host’s body. If the host is moving when this happens, it can spread the eggs around and result in an infestation.

3. A flea can jump up to 8 inches high and up to 13 inches long. If humans could do the same, we could leap over tall buildings and cover incredible distances.

4. If she has the supply, a female flea can consume 15 times her own body weight in blood on a daily basis.

5. Fleas can cause a form of serious skin irritation known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). This is essentially allergic reaction to flea saliva and can cause itching, redness, bumps and pus.

6. There are more than 2,000 known species of fleas, but just one flea species (the cat flea) is responsible for most of the dog and cat flea cases in the U.S.

7. If you find a flea or two on your cat or dog, they could be just one small part of a larger infestation. In reference to #2, there may be flea eggs in other areas.

8. Fleas are typically between 1/16 and 1/8 inch in length when they’re full grown. They don’t have wings, but 6 small legs to crawl and two large hind legs to jump.

9. Fleas have four different life cycles and a different elimination method is needed for each stage. That’s why it’s best to call our South Carolina pest control company if you find an infestation.

10. Once an adult flea emerges from its puparia, it has approximately 7 days to find a blood meal or it will die.

Don’t wait for a flea infestation to get worse – call us today.

We all know summer and spring are some of the most enjoyable times of the year which is why we want to keep them pest free. You can go outside without a jacket, lounge on your deck, enjoy sports and then fire up that barbecue for some tasty food. Aside from deciding on condiments and who’s vegetarian a big problem can be unwanted guests of the insect type. Why? Because they like the foods we eat as well and are constantly looking for it and have the mobility to get to us. And suddenly that important pollinating bee is sending guests in a panic, not to mention the all-out nastiness of flies.

Whenever food is placed outdoors, all kinds of insects will be drawn to the smell. You can expect to see insects such as ants, wasps and bees, mosquitos, and of course; flies.

Dangers Posed by Pests

1. Ants can contaminate food and flies are considered one of the filthiest pests
2. Pests around and are known to carry well over 100 different pathogens or disease carrying germs. Wasps can cause a panic by their presence and are capable of inflicting painful venomous stings.
3. As dusk rolls around mosquitoes start to show up, drawn by light and carbon dioxide given off by humans. Mosquitoes are not just a nuisance but can be vectors for diseases such as West Nile Virus, Dengue, Malaria and other illnesses. In addition, even without the disease aspect they can leave us with some pretty uncomfortable itchy red bites and welts.

Outdoor Prevention of Insects

While you cannot eliminate the presence of pests 100% there are some steps the good folks at Bug Guardian Pest Prevention recommend. Keep your area free of tall weeds and overgrown foliage where pests can find shelter. Don’t leave trash around and dispose of it immediately after a dinner or event.

To assist in keeping mosquitoes and other night flying pests away consider a proactive lighting strategy. White light attracts insects so consider alternatives such as yellow florescent or yellow LED lights. Don’t leave doors open or white light on inside as it may also attract them. While Citronella candles may work in concentrated areas they are of limited use in open areas. If mosquitoes are an issue consider the use of an approved mosquito repellent and follow the label.

Mosquitoes can also be reduced by eliminating any standing water even in small amounts like unused cups and over watered flower pots. If you are planning an event Bug Guardian Pest Prevention can treat your yard using natural plant oil based materials to reduce unwanted pest guests.

Summer is officially here and if you haven’t been bitten by a mosquito yet, you can bet one is coming soon. Not only are mosquito bites irritating, itchy, and annoying, they can also carry diseases like malaria, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and more. At our Lexington pest control office, we want to help you prevent mosquito bites this summer, so we’re offering some advice:

SPRAYS

These days, there are a variety of bug sprays that repel mosquitoes and help keep you safe. Sprays that contain DEET contain a chemical that is highly effective as a mosquito repellent, but if you don’t want to smell like chemicals, you can opt for a natural repellent like oil of lemon eucalyptus or catnip oil.

CANDLES

Citronella candles are an easy way to fend off mosquitoes without having to spray yourself down with repellent. Place a few candles around the area where you’re sitting and the smell will repel mosquitoes. You can also light regular candles – the smoke will keep mosquitoes away.

STANDING WATER

If you find that many mosquito bites happen in your back yard, look around for any standing water sources. Mosquitoes love to breed in standing water, so get rid of that terracotta pot filled with water, that bird bath, that kiddie pool, or any other object filled with water.

FOODS

Certain foods are rumored to keep the mosquitoes away; one of them is garlic. The odor of garlic on your breath and the garlic that seeps through your skin is said to ward off mosquitoes. Vitamin B-1 is also said to help change your human scent and reduce your attractiveness to mosquitoes. Some foods to avoid eating are ones that are high in salt or potassium, as these will cause you to emit lactic acid (and attract mosquitoes).

TIMING

You’ll find more mosquitoes out looking for a meal during dawn and dusk, so plan your outings accordingly. Heading out after the sunrise or sunset could reduce your chances of getting bit.

PERFUMES

Mosquitoes love the smell of flowers and love the smell of a flower’s nectar, so avoid wearing sweet and/or flowery perfumes that can attract them to you. Also avoid using strongly scented soaps or shampoos.