Keep Your Eyes Watchful: Proper Steps to Protect Your Home from Termites

Termites are also known as “silent destroyer” because they may be surreptitiously thriving in your home or yard without you even noticing it. They feed on cellulose-based plant materials and your home, regardless of its construction type, can be a good source of cellulose food for termite infestation.

The alarming fact is that a single termite colony can have tens – even hundreds – of thousands of individual termites within it. Particular species, like the Formosan termite can have 500,000 individual insects in a single colony. This is why it is considered as the most aggressive.

Your home is one of your largest investments. Thus, you need to protect it from the damaging termites. The following are measures that you can do to prevent or get rid of these silent destroyers.

Make your home less appealing to termites.  Seal cracks and holes in siding and always use screens in windows. You should also keep the firewood, lumber, mulch piles, and other woody stacks. Maintain a dry home as termites are attracted to moist habitats. Eliminate all stagnant water with the help of suction pump or by broom and keep both the outside and inside of your house dry and secured.

Trace signs of an infestation. One of the most perilous things about termites is their ability to hide. You might know that there is an infestation right in your home when it’s too late. It is difficult to see direct evidence of termite infestation, but that doesn't mean you should remain ignorant of it. Some signs of termite infestation include sagging floors, holes in woodwork and hollow parts of your foundation.

Use boric acid. Boric acid is an effective termite treatment in Florida. The nervous system of termites is shut down by boric acid causing it to dehydrate. You can use the combination of cardboard or any cellulose material with boric acid and apply it on the pest-ridden area.

Call a professional team for pest control. Universal Pest Control is one of the best termite control companies that offer the most effective termite control product available in the industry. It has technicians that are trained to not only deliver the maximum quality termite treatments, but to leave your property in a clean and shipshape fashion. This is part of the high quality service that Universal Pest Control gives its customers. 

Natural Control Methods For Pests That Bug You

Household pests are a common problem. Pests at home bring stress, some may cause itchy bite and worse, some could transmit diseases. A few, like termite infestation,  may even cause grave structural damage which can decrease the value of your home.

As an ideal solution to problems with unwanted pests, many perceive organic pest control methods as an ideal solution. They are less environmentally damaging compared to commercial pest control methods that may contain harmful ingredients that may harm human and the environment. Unfortunately, in our time-starved world, many people would go for the faster but more risky option, which can be the cause of all problems.

Opting for the natural ways to eliminate pest infestation is no doubt a smarter option. The logical way to take advantage of organic pest control is to create a balance of organisms in the yard and in the garden. In addition, the following are natural pest control methods that you should prefer.

INSECT TRAPS & LURES

Insect traps contain no pesticides! Instead, they contain pheromones (sexual attractants), visual lures (colors and shapes that are attractive to insects), or food in order to catch pests. The best way to get the fullest benefits of insect traps and lures is to monitor the population of pests by knowing when insects first emerge, their relative numbers and where they are coming from.

BARRIERS & REPELLENTS

With barriers and repellants, you can get the guarantee that you are doing no harm to your precious plants, your family and to your pets.

CITRUS ESSENTIAL OILS

Citrus essential oil can help solve your problem with those spiders in your home. Spiders do not like the taste of citrus like lemon, lime and orange.  Choose real essential oils and not the synthetic versions.

GET RID OF STANDING WATER SOURCES

In order to get rid of mosquitoes, eliminate all standing water sources. Birdbaths, wading pools and pet’s water bowl should be changed at least two times every week. You should also get rid of yard items that collect water.

SWEET BASIL

Did you know that flies hate the smell of sweet basil? Plant sweet basil next to the doors or in containers. Mosquitoes don’t like it either.

COCONUT OIL & VINEGARCombine coconut oil and white vinegar and that will make an effective spray for repelling spiders. These are affordable pest control that you can find in the convenience of your home. 

Four Alarming Things That Pests Can Bring to Your Home

If you are experiencing serious allergies lately, you have to act now. You have to run to a doctor or dermatologist as fast as you can. And of course, you need to know the possible causes of the allergy. You may consider a complete home renovation or you can also think about having a general cleaning. If you think that the job is a difficult one, it does not have to be if you will get all the members of your family involved. You should also check to see if the infestation of roaches has become worse. Pests can seriously pose health threats so you should do the best that you can so you can get rid of these unwanted pests. Aside from the allergies that they can bring, the following are some of the worst things that irritating and dangerous pests can bring. 

1. Bacteria

Pests can carry bacteria in and around your home. You’ve got to analyze this. Cockroaches alone can carry 33 different kinds of bacteria picked up from contact with sewage and other decaying matter carried in on the spines of their legs and bodies. Can you imagine how much peril that can actually mean for your kids? Even rodents can pose a threat and carry diseases like Hantavirus which can cause headaches, fever, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

2. Contaminated food sources.

Pests can contaminate food sources within the home causing food borne illnesses. Flies, roaches, rats, mice and ants walk and feed on filthy items, carrying germs and bacteria on their feet and bodies and dropping them on food and utensils they come in contact with. Thus you need to make sure that you cover your food very well.

3. Asthma

Cockroach allergens can trigger asthma attacks. This is evident with studies that say prolonged exposure to cockroach allergens can heighten one’s sensitivity.Asthma is the leading chronic illness among children and adults and you need to get away from it. This means calling a professional pest control company to solve the problem brought by the presence of these unwanted pests in your home. Cockroaches are prolific, making them a difficult pest to totally eliminate but a specialized team can certainly find a good way. 

4. Allergies

Dust mites, cockroaches, fleas, wasps, bees and other stored product pests have all been known to cause allergies to sensitive individuals. 

Who Can Help You Against Pests?

Pest control is a way we preserve comfort within our home. But we just can't protect our place against pest with ordinary DIY pest treatment. Visit Universal Pest Control and learn of the newest and the best way to eliminate pests.

How to Find the Best Pest Control Company?

Pests are annoying and harmful. They could bring disease-causing germs to your homes. These small animals usually hide in your kitchen cabinets and sinks, or burrow themselves on the furniture cushions and mattresses. To keep your home pest free, you need to use the services of professionals. These people know the safest way to get rid of the vermin in your home. 

Finding the best pest control company is not easy. Here are some ways to ensure that you get the best service. 

First, conduct a research first. Discover the kind of pests that infest your home and the best and safest way to get rid of them. Sometimes, by making some changes in your landscape or cleaning your surroundings, you can get rid of the vermin. Studying how to deal with them will help you decide whether or not you need to hire the services of professionals.

Second, ask for the recommendation of some of your relatives, friends, or acquaintances. People who have experienced a company’s service would likely recommend it to others if it is good. The same is true with companies that provide pest control services. By asking around, you will be able to find the best company that could meet your needs. You will also be able to find one that will be the best solution to your problem based on your research.

Third, contact at least three companies. Compare the services that they offer, the price, the kind of treatments, and special privileges. If there are companies that use organic but effective treatments at almost the same price with the rest, the better. Environment-friendly treatments are safer for your health compared to conventional ones.

Fourth, after choosing a company, request for an ocular visit and ask for their solutions. Good companies would be able to describe clearly the procedures and the remedies that they will use. Ask intelligent questions to avoid problems in the future in case you decide to hire them.

Fifth, check the company background. If there are customer reviews, the better. Visiting the company website would be of great help.

Last, discuss contract with them. Ask for services covered by the price and what would require extra charges. Also, check if there is warranty. For example, if one-time treatment did not eliminate all the pests, you must have another treatment for free. This will reduce repeated expense on your part.

Of course, after finding the best solution to your pest problem, you must also do your part, especially procedures that the company recommends to ensure that you eliminate the pests in your home.