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.

When it comes to making your home green friendly, there’s a lot to take into consideration. As the cold weather of fall starts coming around, you’re not going to find a better time to start making upgrades around the house. But what can you do this Fall to make your home green-friendly? How can you go about setting a positive impression for your children while teaching them the importance of an energy efficient home? Take a look at the following three green upgrades you can put towards your home to make it more eco-friendly this Fall.

Green upgrades for your home this Fall

1) Blown-In Attic Insulation

If you’re looking to get an immediate ROI for your green-friendly upgrades this Fall, consider adding blown-in attic insulation. Doing so, you’ll reap the benefits with some tremendous savings. According to the Department of Energy, the average homeowner has experienced a savings of up to 50% on their monthly energy bill. That’s easily one of the best investments you can make for your home.

2) Upgrade to newer appliances

As appliances around your home get wear and tear from years of use, you may want to consider swapping them out this Fall. Upgrading to more modern appliances will be more efficient completing tasks they were built for. Not only this, but your water-based appliances will use considerably less energy considering the water lines aren’t clogged up by hard water elements. Not sure what the lifeline of your home appliances looks like? Schedule a whole home energy assessment of your house. A specialist will complete an inspection of your homes energy usage and let you know what areas of your home will give you the most return for your money. A whole home energy assessment will not ly be useful, but it’ll save you loads of money over the long-term.

3) Use green pest control

While traditional pest control methods are the most used on the market, organic pest control services are on the rise with homeowners. As the crisp Fall weather starts taking over your yard, insects and other common household pest are going to be looking for a new home to stay warm. You may want to consider hiring an organic pest control specialist. As a quality substitute to those harmful chemicals, it offers a great opportunity for you to remove common pests. Ants, roaches, and other creepy crawlies will no longer turn your home into their home. It’s safer for you, your family, and your pets. Plus you’ll rest easy knowing you’re doing your part to help the earth. Once you’ve had your home sprayed with an organic pest control solution, invest a little money into having a fresh flower and vegetable garden. This will attract good bugs to your home which eat other insects. As an added perk, you’ll have fresh vegetables for Thanksgiving dinner. Not to mention the kids will have fun watching the ladybugs and praying mantis explore your mini suburban jungle. Which of these three green friendly upgrades for your home will you be making around your house this Fall to conserve more energy and have a greener impact to your community?

Sleeping tight isn’t always enough to keep bed bugs at bay. Bed bugs are small parasites that feed on human blood. Typically, they leave red, itchy bites on their hosts, but sometimes they leave nothing behind. Without any marks, the only way to discover a bed bug infestation is to see them. Bed bugs are about the size of a grain of rice and can be found in the cracks and crevices of homes. If you think you have a bed bug problem, check out these four facts about bed bugs so you know what you’re dealing with.

Bed bugs are everywhere

It’s a popular misconception that bed bugs are only found in underdeveloped countries or unkempt places, when in reality they can be found almost anywhere. Bed bugs can crawl more than 100 feet per night, and they often sneak into luggage to travel even further. Bed bugs have been found in all 50 states, in both urban and rural regions.

Bed bugs are tough

Bed bugs are made to last. They drink nearly seven times their own weight in blood and can go several months in between feedings, which comes in handy when they’re on the go. While some things can’t stand the heat, bed bugs certainly can. They can survive in temperatures up to 122°F, meaning they’ll last through any hot summers. To make matters worse, scientists have come to realize bed bugs are building up resistance to some popular over-the-counter insecticides. If you have a bed bug infestation, call a local pest control company to remove them as quickly as possible.

Bed bugs don’t spread disease

According to the 2015 Bugs Without Borders survey, half of their respondents believed that bed bugs spread disease. Studies have shown that bed bugs are unable to carry disease from one host to another.

Bed bugs are up all hours

Bed bugs are most active at night, but they can be up all hours during the day as well. Bed bugs usually hide during the day to avoid being seen, but they will adjust their schedule based on your habits to take advantage of when you’re most vulnerable. Bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide we emit when we breathe, and feeding when we’re asleep makes getting their lunch much easier.   Bed bugs are a nuisance that feed on our blood when we are least expecting it. They are fairly common and can be found all over the world, in all kinds of conditions. You might be tempted to try to remove bed bugs by yourself, but they are hardy insects that have built up a resistance to popular over-the counter-treatments. To help prevent bed bugs from invading your home, check regularly for their presence in mattresses, luggage and folded clothes. If you need help with a bed bug infestation, call a professional pest control company so you can remove them before they can spread even further.