West Nile Virus In Louisiana Backyards! 2018 Update

Dugas Pest Control provides mosquito control service in New Orleans and Baton Rouge Louisiana

Summer is almost gone, but the mosquitoes are still here!   This summer (2018), East Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and St. John Parishes all have multiple confirmed cases of mosquitos testing positive for West Nile Virus.

Of course the The East Baton Rouge Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control is working hard to reduce the mosquito population via daytime larval treatments as well as nighttime mosquito spraying with trucks and airplanes.

But what can you do in the meantime?

What You Need to Know About West Nile Virus

The Center for Disease Control states that:

  • West Nile Virus is most commonly spread through the bites of infected mosquitos.
  • At present time there are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat the virus.
  • 80% of people infected will show ZERO symptoms.
  • 1 in 5 infected people develop a fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
  • Symptoms will usually occur between 3 and 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, if at all.

What Can I do to Protect Myself and My Loved Ones?

Because there are no vaccines or medicinal treatments available, prevention is key this summer. Here are a few ways the Center for Disease Control suggests you protect yourself:

  1. Use insect repellent: Specifically, look for repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 (ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate), oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), and/or 2-undecanone. (All of these have been proven effective and safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women).
  2. Wear long sleeved shirts & pants treated with Permethrin: This may seem counterintuitive with the heat and humidity, but covering your most vulnerable organ, the epidermis, is your best bet. Clothes treated with Permethrin can protect you after multiple washings and it can also be used on boots, socks, tents, etc.
  3. Take necessary steps to control mosquitoes inside and outside: Screen doors, mosquito nets, and constant vigilance is one of the most important steps in West Nile Virus prevention. Make sure you’re using screens on all your doors and windows, repair any holes immediately, use air conditioning, and once a week empty, clean or throw out any items that may contain stagnant water (i.e. buckets, old tires, toys, planters, etc.)
  4. Schedule an appointment! We offer Mosquito Suppression, Automated Misting, and Large Area Fogging Treatments that can reduce the amount of mosquitos in your yard by up to 90%!

Our certified, experienced technicians are the best and most convenient line in self-defense against pesky mosquitos and the potentially fatal West Nile Virus – don’t wait until it’s too late.

Keeping pests out has never been more affordable – Give us a call today!

Pest Control Is Better When You’re Part of a Team – Meet Pest Technician Mary

Pest Technician Mary providing extermination services in Baton Rouge and St. Francisville When’s the last time one of your customers offered you a breakfast taco? 🌮

It happened to our technician Mary Branch just a few days ago!

We think it’s safe to say our techs and our customers are members of a mutual admiration society!

We Have the Best Customers EVER 💗

Mary says that her favorite thing about working as a pest control technician is the amazing customers she helps every day. She loves working to solve their pest problems and they love having pest-free homes and businesses!

Satisfied customers motivate Mary to do her best every day while she’s out in the field eliminating pests.

Besides having wonderful clients, Mary – like many of our techs – loves the outdoors. She enjoys being out and about and says she would prefer spending time around a campfire to being inside (unless there’s a football game on!). 

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

The whole Dugas team is on Mary’s side when she’s addressing pest problems.

If she runs into an unusual situation, she calls on the rest of the team at Dugas to help her create a pest control solution based on the local knowledge our techs have been gathering for over 60 years.

So when you call a Dugas tech, you get the entire team’s expertise!

Mary previously worked with a corporate pest control company, and she says there’s no contest when it comes to the inclusive environment at a family- and woman-owned firm like Dugas. Her “work family” is supportive and helpful, and everyone learns from one another on a daily basis. Each call is a chance to improve her skills and knowledge, and she’s happy to return the favor when her fellow technicians need a hand.

“Calling or texting another experienced local technician is way better than a Google search,” Mary says. “They know the area and the local pests, so they can give great advice if you need it.”

Summer Pest Field Report

Tawny “crazy” ants have been spotted in Baton Rouge, St. Francisville, and even farther afield. These bizarre ants congregate in colonies that can number in the millions. They’re tiny, and their frantic movements have given them their nickname of Crazy Ants.

Unlike most ants, these pests are attracted to electrical wiring, which means they can be VERY destructive to your property.

Talk about crazy !

One of Mary’s customers had an infestation that destroyed their A/C unit, and they had to replace the whole thing! Stay vigilant, and look for trails of tiny ants around your home, A/C unit, electrical boxes, even your car. If you see them, you need to act ASAP, as their huge colonies can move fast to destroy your wiring.

If you have had crazy ants in the past, you still need to stay vigilant, since these aggressive pests will try to come back if they can.

Termites may not be swarming anymore, but now that they have settled down in their new colonies, signs of termite infestation are cropping up around Baton Rouge and across southern Louisiana.

A customer in Lafitte called on Mary for their termite problem when tunnels were discovered near their home. Another home that had been flooded provided a ripe environment for termites, as it has been unoccupied and hadn’t been inspected for months. So if you have property that’s vacant, termite inspections are a must.

Asian roaches are also showing up in yards and flower beds everywhere. Unlike common or German cockroaches, Asian roaches typically stay outside, where they love to live in mulch or pine straw. Their tendency to stay outside is definitely a plus, but these pests could easily overrun your yard and “bug” you when you’re trying to enjoy some time outdoors.

Call on Our Expert Technicians to Combat Pests in Your Home of Business

If you have pest problems, Mary or another one of our experienced and certified techs can help!

Give us a call at or request service online for pest control service in Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Covington, and Metro New Orleans.

What’s the Best Mosquito Prevention System for Louisiana Yards?

Dugas Pest Control provides mosquito control service in New Orleans and Baton Rouge LouisianaWhile the weather is still hot,  the abundance of annoying mosquitoes we experience in South Louisiana can leave you feeling drained!

These insects can carry several diseases – including the West Nile virus and Zika virus – both of which are spreading through the Southeast US, making them at best annoying and at worst, dangerous to your health.

Combating mosquitoes for over 60 years has inspired us to design the two BEST prevention systems for South Louisiana yards: what we in the industry call “barrier protection” and an automatic misting system from Coastal Mister.

But anytime you have two choices, you have to ask… which one is right for you?

What are your options? 

Option #1 – Barrier Misting System

Our team of professionals will come to spray your yard, creating a barrier around the property to ensure that no more mosquitoes venture into your yard.

  • A one-time spray treatment that usually lasts up to 21 days (dependent on the amount of rainfall)
  • Safe to be in the sprayed area just 30 minutes after treatment
  • Does NOT include chemicals that will negatively impact your grass, plants, pets, or people
  • Reduces the number of mosquitoes that you will see in your yard by up to 90%

With the barrier misting system there’s nothing for you to do except keep an eye on standing water, leaf piles, and other places mosquitoes tend to breed. Otherwise, you can enjoy your yard with minimal effort on your end. 

Option #2 – Coastal Mister System

The CoastalMister™ System is one of the most effective and reliable outdoor insect control alternatives for homes and businesses as it directly focuses on the areas where you spend the most time, immediately reducing your risk.

The natural Pyrethrum insecticide then sets to work to repel mosquitoes, flies, and gnats from the area over a prolonged length of time. It is a simple but effective process – remove the mosquito, remove the threat.

  • Kills and repels mosquitoes around pools, patios, porches
  • Automated technology sprays for mosquitoes at pre-set time during the day
  • Easy maintenance & professional support available
  • Each system is custom designed for your home

So, which is BEST for me? 

It really comes down to your specific needs and your preference as a property owner.

If you’re the type that likes to have the professionals show up regularly and make your yard is treated, than the barrier treatment is a no-brainer.

But, if you’re the type who prefers knowing your yard is being treated more frequently and you like the idea of having a “spot treatment” anytime you want, than a misting system might be a better fit.

And of course, there’s the cost consideration. A misting system will cost more up-front but may cost less to operate in the long term. One of our technicians will be happy to show you the cost of each and help you compare. 

We’ve got you covered!

You deserve to live “itch free”. Whether you’re a Barrier or Coastal Misting System seeker, Dugas Pest Control can keep your yard and home pest free all year-round.

If you’re unsure which solution is best for you give us a call! Our knowledgeable customer service agents and experienced and certified termite exterminators will find the best solution for you.

Schedule a FREE consultation and start enjoying your yard again in no-time.

Jeremy Clark Named to National Pest Management Association Board

Employee Jeremy of Dugas Pest ControlCongratulations to our own Jeremy Clark, general manager of Dugas Pest Control!

He has been named to the board of directors of the National Pest Management Association. Jeremy will serve a two-year term as board member at large of this 7,000-member organization formed in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of the public health, food and property.

Clark is also president-elect of the Louisiana Pest Management Association. His mother, Laura Simpson, president of Dugas Pest Control, also served on the board of NPMA and was its president in 2005.

The Surprising Facts About DIY Pest Control

Surprising Facts About DIY Pest ControlPest control seems easy, right?

Just spray some insecticide and wait for the bugs to die.

But there’s more than meets the eye in professional pest control, so before you head to your local home improvement store, here’s what you need to know about DIY pest control.


Choosing the Right Product Isn’t Simple or Easy

Spraying your home or yard yourself might sound simple, but depending on your pest control goals, you may need to apply different treatments. Choosing the right product can get complicated, as ants, roaches, mosquitoes, flies, and other pests all respond differently to products and strategies.

Your head might start spinning just reading all those labels!

Indoor and outdoor treatments differ greatly as well, so you’ll probably need multiple types of pesticide to treat your entire home and yard.

If you’re thinking of tackling a termite problem on your own, treatment can take hundreds of gallons of insecticide to get the job done. That’s not cheap, and poor or incomplete application can fool you into thinking you’ve taken care of the problem when termites are still safe underground, just waiting to chew up your property.

Proper Equipment

Of course you’ll need insecticide to treat your home and yard.

But you’ll also need special equipment to spray with. A small sprayer can be inexpensive, starting at around $15, but it will be hand-pumped and might need many refills before your home and yard are completely covered. A more powerful unit can be $200 or up.

Safety equipment is also important – in fact it’s a must!

When handling chemicals, you need to make sure you’re safe, and that includes eye protection, gloves, a mask, and even a protective suit to ensure pesticides don’t affect you.

There’s a reason our pest control vehicles are fully stocked with different types of professional grade equipment! 

Know Your Pests

Do you know exactly what you’re dealing with?

Local Louisiana pests have unique habits, and professional pest technicians spend a lot of time learning about how they behave, what kinds of habitats attract them, and tips and tricks beyond pesticide that will keep them out of your home and yard.

Did you know that termites can tunnel underground for hundreds of feet? Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t under your house chewing away.

Did you know that roaches like to eat soap? Or that Crazy Ants are attracted to electrical wiring?

If you’re infested with pests, knowing their unique habits is important to make sure the population is eradicated and preventing them from coming back.

It’s Not Just About Spraying

Effective pest control is much more than just spraying chemicals where the pests are. A professional pest control service includes:

  • Locating where the pests are coming from and how they’re entering your property
  • Assessing the size & scope of the pest problem
  • Correctly identifying the pest
  • Putting together a treatment plan that involves environmental strategies as well as chemical application when necessary
  • Exclusion strategy to make sure that once pests are removed, they don’t come back in
  • Follow up inspections as needed.

So for successful DIY pest control, you need more than just some products of the shelf of a nearby box store!

If you aren’t ready to tackle your pest problems on your own, or if you have an infestation that DIY just won’t fix, call our experts for a free consultation!