Dustin Pest Control Blog

Traveling usually requires sleeping somewhere other than home, and if you ever need to do so, beware. There is a rise in reports of bed bugs all around the country, and hotels and motels are some of their favorite places to call home. Bed bugs can cause severe itching and welt-like bites. It’s also costly to get rid of them if they happen to hitch a ride back home with you. In order to stay bed bug-free, here are a couple of tips to take into consideration when having to sleep in your next hotel room. Continue reading

These five facts about German cockroaches will be sure to have you dialing your pest control terminator ASAP! Read the facts about them below and consider calling cockroach control if you’ve seen any around your home. Continue reading

Every wise landlord knows it’s in their best interests to keep a healthy relationship with their tenants. Infestations of all kinds are bound to happen in rental properties, which can upset the relationships between landlords and tenants – as well as damage the property. This is why landlords should invest in professional rental property pest control.    

Seasonal Pest Control to Attract Tenants

A great strategy for a landlord to prevent property damages and maintain a healthy relationship with their tenants is offering them free, seasonal pest control services. Pest control should be done regularly on any property if one wishes to maintain its value, regardless of the type of property that it is. However, adding free pest control services to rental properties is a huge bonus in a customer/tenant’s eyes. Nobody in their right mind enjoys bugs lingering around their home. Plus, tenants without roaches crawling in their bedrooms will be much happier to pay their bills! To top it off, tenants may leave reviews of the properties you’ve rented out. If the property was infested with cockroaches or other bugs, the odds are they’re going to talk about it. When people read reviews of properties with infestations, they will put their money elsewhere.    

Preventing Property Damages

Pest control prevents property damages. Termites and mice, in particular, can devastate the structure of a property. The damage will be a costly expense to repair. However, all can be prevented when a professional pest control company comes into action. The termites aren’t going to be eating at the value of your property anymore. The mice will no longer chew the structure of your property apart. Seriously, pests can do a ton of damage to property, so it’s important to prevent that damage by contacting a professional pest control company such as us, Dustin Pest Control.

As the seasons continue to change, your risk of a pest problem can actually increase while temperatures drop. Do not let this risk keep you from hosting a successful and pest-free holiday party. Be proactive and follow a few tips for not attracting bugs during the holiday.

• Keep lights low – Begin your pest control from the exterior of your house. No matter what the season, and even more so in the colder months, some bugs are drawn to light. There are a few different reasons why certain insects seem to be attracted to your firepits and patio lights. One of these reasons is the warmth that some bulbs/light/fire provide. To help avoid a gathering of moths from greeting your guests at the door, try replacing your bulbs with a warm-colored LED light.
• Vents and Candles – The same delicious smells of ham or turkey and fresh baked pies are just as appealing to unwanted pests. As enjoyable as it might be to have your home filled with holiday scents, it could make you a giant magnet for bugs also looking for a feast. Cracking windows and turning on fans is like putting an open sign on your door for bugs. Make use of your kitchen vents, and light some candles. Try to avoid using sweet smelling and food-scented candles. Instead turn to an air “freshening” scents.
• Keep things covered – During the process of cooking, it can be hard to keep everything constantly covered – but you should still try especially once everything is finished. Sometimes you do not necessarily want to clean up and put all the food away. Who knows how many, second, or third servings, might be taken? Instead try your best to keep your dinner covered whether it is with foil or airtight containers – anything will help to prevent contamination. This will also help with sealing the smells that could attract flies and other insects as well.
• Keep your space clean – During a holiday party, things are certain to get messy – whether it is during food prep, eating or just plain partying. Do your best to stay on top of that mess. Clean up spills quickly and have the materials to do so available to guest and easy to access. Throw trash as it is made and remove full bags. Also, if possible, use trash cans that have a lid on them to help keep the smells from spreading.This will help prevent certain things annoyances like rats, cockroaches or ants.
• Regular pest maintenance – The weather outside is frightful, and pests are not delightful. Just like us, pests are also seeking refuge from the elements outside. While it is cooler outside, your house is warm and inviting to insects and pests. Check your home for any cracks or small openings that could be entry points and seal them. Schedule regular pest maintenance to include an inspection and even a treatment every few months.

Pest control is not an easy accomplishment on your own. While preventing and preparing a possible infestation is the most effective way to combat pests, once you have an infestation there are many methods you can try. Seeking professional help from an expert might be the route if you are dealing with an extreme or unknown problem, but there is nothing wrong with trying to tackle the task on your own. Through all the sprays, powders and traps, there is bound to be something that can help you with your pest problem. But what if you feel like you have tried it all? Or what if you want to try something more environmentally friendly than buying the same old products? No matter what the reason, here are three untraditional ways you can try to help keep bugs out of your home.    

Essential oils and herbs

Insects and rodents react to different smells just like humans do. If they do not like the way something smells, they will stay away and avoid the area. Mint has been proven to be one of the scents that will drive ants, spiders and fleas away. Rosemary is often used to repel mosquitos and flies – whether applied directly to the skin, like a bug spray, or around the house. Lavender, basil and garlic can also help keep the bugs away and are easy herbs to keep around the house in small planters.

   

Homemade and natural pesticides

Along with the idea of scent, a citrus spray from lemons, oranges or limes can be an effective repellant. Spiders do not like citrus, so keeping peels or rubbing areas like floor boards and window seals with them can help provide a barrier. This spray can also be used on contact to get rid of smaller, pre-existing problems. Vinegar is a cheap and natural repellent that can be used on many different surfaces to prevent any bugs from getting in. Epsom salt can either be sprinkled outside of your home or dissolved and used as a spray inside to combat pests. Cornmeal has also proven to be effective with ant infestations, as their body cannot properly digest the grain.

   

Electronic pest repellent

While there is some speculation whether this method is as effective as advertised, there are some devices that promise to repel pests for you electronically. There are a few different options available, the top two being ultrasonic and electromagnetic. Ultrasonic devices are supposed to emit a high-frequency sound undetectable to humans and small animals. Electromagnetic devices claim to have an effect on the nervous system of pests. Together, these two are supposed to both repel and even kill existing problems.

If you are in need of a professional pest control service in the Fresno area contact Dustin Pest Control. For over 50 years the professionals at Dustin Pest Control have served Fresno and the surrounding area’s pest extermination, prevention and removal needs.