Pinpoint Pest Control Blog

Getting rid of a rodent infestation on your own can be tricky. Rodents are common pests and when they are attracted to a certain area, they tend to stay put. However, there are a few steps you can take to eliminate a rodent infestation. Here are some tips. 

Clean Up

Rodents are often attracted to an area because of food debris in that area. These furry nuisances are always looking for something to eat, and as long as they know food is available in your backyard, they will keep coming. The same goes for other waste, leaves and other yard debris. Rodents are always in search of shelter, so they will make a nest out of clumps of leaves or woodpiles in your yard. The most effective thing you can do is to clean the area thoroughly and get rid of any trash and debris. If your yard or home is shipshape, rodents are much less likely to stick around. 

Use Rodent Traps

If you constantly see rodents scuttering around, try using traps. Some people don’t like to use rodent traps because they usually kill the rodents, but it is certainly an effective means of mitigating the problem. You can also purchase humane traps that do just what they say: trap the unwanted guests without harming them, allowing you to release them into the wild.  

Mid-March to early July is considered the typical bee swarming season in the United States. During this season, bees begin collecting pollen to feed and store for the upcoming winter season.

At this point, the hive population is abundant because the queen bee ensures a workforce large enough to sustain the colony. Consequently, the hive can become overcrowded, causing the group to split into two separate colonies. This action puts many homeowners at risk of getting unwanted hives on their properties.

The group of bees that will leave will be in search of a suitable area to nest, which can sometimes be a home. Structures, buildings and other objects that provide shelter on a property can become new homes for bee colonies.

Termites nest in the subsoil, since there they find the humidity and temperature necessary for their survival. They are quiet and do a thorough job. They build galleries through which they reach the wood or cellulose they will use as food. They also do not like light, so they will always try to be hidden from view. This means that they may be attacking your property without you even knowing it.  

So, it is crucial that you periodically inspect your property in an effort to detect them as soon as possible. Here we show you the most common signs of the presence of termites in your home.

Four Major Signs to Know That You Have Termites in Your Home

• Tunnels or mud roads: Look for tunnels or mud paths on surfaces such as walls, ceilings, floors, beams, etc.
• A large amount of soil: Check if there is a large amount of soil accumulated inside the galleries of the affected wood.
• Winged termites: Look for dark-colored winged termites in spring. 
• Wood: When you lift wood that was in direct contact with the ground and find termites there, they are likely in your home, too. 

Other Signs That Indicate the Presence of This Pest

Here are some less common signs that you may have termites in your home: 

Despite popular belief, most spiders found in and around your home are harmless. In fact, many spiders actually help with natural pest control by preying on the garden and household insects that can potentially infest your home or yard. 

That being said, there are still several venomous spiders that have the potential to harm humans found in and around the San Diego area. How do you tell the difference? Here’s a handy guide to identifying harmful spiders that you may encounter near or around your home.

Black Widow Spider

Found across North America, adult female Black Widow Spiders have a venomous bite. Typical specimens are approximately half an inch long without including the reach of their legs. Their abdomen is a shiny black with a red hourglass figure standing out prominently on the underside. 

Ticks are a mysterious species of pests. They come in many different shapes and sizes and are common in North America. Despite their regularity, these little guys are troublesome regardless of species. They feed off the blood of mammals and can spread diseases. Some ticks are simply annoying to deal with, while others are a bit more dangerous. Here, we will take a look at some of the different types of ticks one may encounter.

Brown Dog Ticks 

Brown dogs ticks are the most common tick species found in North County. Typically found on pets or people, they are known for hanging near the yard of your home. Like most ticks, brown dog ticks run the risk of carrying diseases. If you are bitten by a brown dog tick you should get cleared by a medical professional to make sure you are not infected. 

Soft Ticks

If you have ever seen a bug crawling around that looks like a big brownish raisin, it was likely a Soft Tick. These are common across the western United States as well as parts of Canada. Fortunately, the bite from a soft tick is painless. Still, they are best to avoid and get rid of when found inside of the home. Despite a non-painful bite, Soft Ticks carry tick-borne relapsing fevers. Since the bite is painless, many people are unaware of when they are bitten. If you encounter one, briefly check yourself for signs of a bite.