dugaspc, Author at Dugas Pest Control - Pest Control and Exterminator Services

Hidden Costs of DIY Pest Control

Pest control is a $12 billion industry in the United States with customers running to their local home improvement stores for pest control supplies as if it is a regular item on their weekly shopping lists.

Even so, the industry grows and the pests remain. Sometimes it can seem nearly impossible to eradicate the pests, and your bank account is no better for it.

Treating the Symptoms, but Not the Root Problem

As consumers of these products, we are merely treating the symptoms of the bigger problem of infestation. We dutifully place our traps and bait stations around our homes, only to typically catch a few at a time.

At best, we eliminate the visible problem for a few weeks. At worst, we drive the nests of the pests further and deeper into our homes, making the infestations all the more difficult to treat.

Expensive Specialized Equipment

So you’re a DIY-er with ambition and research, we respect that. However, even with ambition and the proper tools, the costs may outweigh the benefits, literally.

In order to properly apply the insecticide, you will need special tools. For starters, an effective sprayer can cost you $15 to $200. Though $15 is a steal, it is only a tiny handheld pump that could possibly drive you mad before you ever finish the project.

On the high end is a $200 professional style pump that makes getting the job done much easier, but again only increases your costs without any guarantee of effectiveness.

Expensive Chemicals

In order to treat pests as invasive as termites, you will need hundreds of gallons of liquid pesticide that will then be placed into the ground alongside the infested structure.

One gallon of liquid pesticide may cost as little as $20, but to purchase the amount needed to effectively eradicate the infestation can land you in the thousands of dollars … and it may not even be effective if it’s not administered correctly!

Protective Suit

Considering the amount of pesticide (i.e. poison) needed, it is a good idea to wear a protective suit while spraying. You can cover yourself in more affordable options, such as a disposable suit for as low as $20, or invest in a more professional-grade suit for around $200.

This isn’t something to skimp on as you are dealing with professional-grade poison, and though it’s expensive, this is definitely a worthwhile investment.

Bait Gun

Though it would be nice to simply pour the insecticide wherever you see signs of pests, you will actually need a bait gun in order to safely and effectively administer the gel.

These can cost as low as $20, and the more effective ones run for as much as $150. Keep in mind that you will also need to invest in the appropriate gel to fit your gun, which can add to the costs.

Safety Kit

Just like with the protective suit, you will also need general protective gear. This insecticide is extremely poisonous and can damage your skin and eyes if contact is made, and it can certainly do some inner damage if ingested.

Gloves, a mask and goggles are strongly advised, and can be purchased for cheap—around $20—or you can invest in a professional kit, that often times includes a respirator mask, for around $100.

While DIY pest control can certainly be done, and we are all for our community being proactive and knowledgeable of the task at hand, we also understand that it is a huge investment.

Though you can do everything properly, and spend upwards of thousands of dollars for your DIY project, this still may not be completely effective with the pests only making a reappearance a few months down the road.

Dealing with pests can be a long and frustrating experience, and that is exactly why we are here: we are pest control experts and take the frustration out of the task by eliminating the pests at the source. Contact Dugas Pest Control today for peace of mind this winter.

Tips for Keeping Your Business Pest Free This Winter

The heat of summer is finally over and the pests seem to finally be at bay. The warm muggy nights no longer bring the bugs out and you can rest easier knowing that the worst of the bug season is over.\
Ironically, though the bugs are laying low for the winter, this is exactly the time that they will make their biggest appearance in your building. These pests, much like bears, are essentially hibernating right in your office.

Create a Barrier

Much like a fence provides the perfect deterrent to keep unwanted guests off your property, a mulch barrier can serve the same purpose toward pests. Mulch made of cedar and cypress repels many insects and will help discourage their lingering around your building, to begin with.

Screen Any Openings

If you have a space that a bug can fit through, then it will certainly make its way indoors. Cover any openings that you have with a fine mesh that doesn’t allow bugs through the holes, but still offers essential airflow.

Vacuum

One of the easiest ways to keep pests at bay, is to simply keep the area clean.

Vacuuming regularly can not only help keep the pests from being attracted to your space, but it can also clean up cobwebs, eggs and even the insects themselves.

Eliminating pests should include preventing the current ones from flourishing, as well. Be sure to clean out your vacuum filter every time to avoid an infestation inside your vacuum!

Alternative Housing

There are plenty of humane traps that you can purchase and set up throughout your business, or just outside on the property. If larger pests are a problem, it’d be best to hire a professional to collect them and take them away from your business to thrive somewhere else, away from you and your customers.

Keep Areas Dry

Insects tend to gravitate toward moist areas where there is ample opportunity for laying eggs and cozily growing a nest. Any amount of moisture can attract them to an indoor oasis, so check for leaky pipes, crevices that let in moisture from the outside, or even messy bathrooms and kitchens.

Keep everything dry and repair any parts that may provide a wet environment. If your business is in a particularly humid building then maybe invest in a dehumidifier, as well.

Seal Cracks and Crevices

If there is a crack or crevice then they will come. This includes gaps at the door but also around piping, gas lines, vents and even cables.

You can easily and effectively seal these cracks with caulking or spray foam. This will help block any potential entrances as well as help you with your efforts to keep your area warm and dry.

Keep Food Out of Sight

Just like us, bugs like food and water. Be sure to clean up any crumbs or food after eating so that there isn’t an incentive for the bugs to enter.

This also includes any spills, in general, that can leave an easy feeding ground for the insects, such as microwaves, coffee pots, and sinks where your employees take their dirty dishes. Post a note outlining a regular clean-out schedule for refrigerators as well so that mess is eliminated as much as possible.

Firewood

If you happen to use firewood to warm your business, then be sure to store it away from your building. Firewood is the perfect home for insects with its many crevices and generally humid habitat. If placed right against your building, then you can be sure that the insects will make their way inside, as well.

Weather Stripping

Check the weather stripping currently in place around your windows and doors to make sure that the seal is good and that it isn’t cracked. If you find that it is coming apart in certain places, then replace it entirely to last for the whole winter.

Proper Drainage

Be sure that your gutter system is working properly so that any rainwater can be pulled away from the building. Remember that insects thrive in humid environments, and if there is moisture trapped in or around your building, then you are inviting the insects in!

If you have taken all of your precautionary steps and the pests are still around—because we understand how determined those cockroaches can be—give us a call at Dugas Pest Control. We can help check your building and make recommendations, as needed. Let us do our best work so that you can focus on your best work!

Ultimate Guide to Louisiana Raccoons

In the United States, there are several animals that are known as pest species due to their very nature. For high incidence of contact with humans and being a nuisance, there are few animals that can outdo raccoons.

They can get trapped in our homes, they make a mess of the trash, and in the worst-case scenario, they could cause injury to people or pets.

All About Raccoons

Before we humans came bursting onto the scene, raccoons lived in the forest and along waterways foraging and finding food wherever they could. Now that we have developed our cities and neighborhoods in their original habitat, the raccoons no longer have quite as much natural space.

This has led to a situation where they live alongside humans; but for the most part, these clever little creatures have done an impressive job of adapting to our presence.

Raccoons primarily go out to find food during the night. This is the prime time for these animals because they have good vision and their coat provides them with cover in the dark.

Just like humans, raccoons are omnivores and they will essentially eat anything that they can digest. That is part of the reason that they love to go after our trash; any scrap of food that we throw away will make a valuable source of nutrition for a raccoon.

With humans moving into what was once their territory and the fact that many of us provide a good source of food for raccoons, it is no wonder that they want to live in our neighborhoods. This is why problems between us are so common.

Rise in Raccoons

Raccoons and humans residing in the same area is nothing new, but around the state of Louisiana, the number of raccoons in populated areas has been on the rise.

It doesn’t matter if you live in some of the more rural parts of the state or if you live in a bustling city like New Orleans or Baton Rouge – raccoons are there and they consider it their home too.

The reason for this uptick in pest populations is somewhat complex. As mentioned above, our garbage often makes a good source of food, and they find parts of our homes to be particularly good places to set up a nest.

However, the greater production of their natural food sources have also been on the rise and the rising of waterways have also pushed more of them into places where humans live.

Special Concerns about Raccoons and their Young

One of the trickiest problems that can occur with raccoons living around humans is when a mother raccoon decides to make a nest in a home. Trying to evict a mother raccoon that has young babies can be difficult and it almost always leads to the separation and imminent death of the young.

Most often, it is best to just wait for the young raccoons to reach an age where they can leave on their own; if waiting is not an option, then you will need to consult with a professional.

Prevent Raccoon Tenants

If you have had problems with raccoons in the past, then you should consider taking some measures to prevent new raccoons from coming to fill the spot left by the ones that were there.

If you currently have a raccoon living in your house, then you should definitely call a professional pest control service to remove it; our team will also let you know some of the best methods for preventing a reoccurrence.

If you are looking for a way to keep them out of your home on your own, then here are a few steps that may help. First, you are going to need to inspect the area where you think they live.

Make sure that there are no animals currently in the area and look for different ways that the raccoon may be gaining entry. Once you have found the possible points of entry, you should employ sturdy materials such as solid wood or metal hardware cloth to exclude the animal in the future.

If you have raccoons in your home, then you definitely want them removed as soon as possible. They can damage your property, make it unsanitary and they can present a threat for disease and injury.

That being said, using a humane approach to removal is the right thing to do. If the animal should expire in your home, at the very least you will be forced to handle it to remove it, and this will expose you and your home to disease.

Of course, it is possible to get the live raccoon out of the house yourself without putting the animal or you at risk, but this is not easily done.

The best solution to raccoon removal and exclusion is to contact a professional. Our wildlife experts will safely remove the animal, then go over the area with you to ensure they don’t return. When you call Dugas, you can be sure your property is protected for the future.

Everything You Need to Know About Southern Mice

Mice come in many different types and they can take on a variety of roles in regard to their relationship with humans.

People keep them as pets, they are some of the most important animals when it comes to scientific research, but most commonly they make themselves unwanted pests that live in and around our homes.

To remove mice from a home and prevent them from entering again, it requires an understanding of these creatures’ habits and weaknesses.

Find out what you need to know about these rodents in the following guide.

All About Mice

Mice come in a variety of different species and they all have their own unique characteristics and behaviors. However, for this guide, we are mostly going to be focused on the house mouse; those little brown critters that you may find living in your home or scurrying about in the yard.

Unless a mouse is eating or sleeping, it is very likely to be running. They try to get from place to place quickly to avoid predators or any other danger that may exist. Though running is their most common form of movement, they can also climb, swim and jump if the need should arise.

Just like humans, mice are omnivorous and they will eat from a variety of different food sources. If they are in a home or storeroom, they are very likely to get into food that is being kept or trash bins that have discarded edible material in them. In addition to being found around homes, the house mouse will also be found around agricultural land.

When they inhabit a location, the first order of business is to locate a concealed place to build their nest. Generally, in a nesting area there will be one dominant male with a few females and their young.

Mice in the New Orleans Area

If humans settle somewhere, it is almost certain that mice are going to try to take advantage of the situation. The structures that we build provide good opportunities for nesting and our presence usually means that there will be some form of food source available to them.

While rats and mice are common to just about every city, the unfortunate fact is that New Orleans has a particularly bad problem with rodents.

Surveys have shown that residents of New Orleans report a much higher rate of pest spottings than other cities and this includes animals such as the house mouse and the rat. There are many reasons for larger numbers, but our temperate climate and relatively high numbers of abandoned properties play a big part.

Signs of a Mouse Infestation

A human dwelling is an especially inviting place for rodents, and mice are very resourceful when it comes to finding ways into your house. In fact, it could be said that if a homeowner doesn’t currently have rodent squatters, without proper precautions he will soon!

Therefore, it is important for homeowners to know how to identify an infestation.

Seeing the mice is probably the easiest way to identify an infestation, but they do have a tendency to stay out of sight, so you need to look for other signs.

Firstly, an area where mice are nesting will have a distinct musky odor to it. Unfortunately, some people know this as simply ‘the way the attic smells.’

Additionally, you can look for signs like droppings, gnaw marks, and tracks under furniture and along walls. While you’re in the attic or shed retrieving lights, you should look around a bit to find any nests.

Prevention and Controlling Mice

For rodent control, there are a few approaches that you could take.

Using things like poisons and glue traps are not recommended, not only because it is incredibly easy to nab a creature you weren’t targeting, and it’s also a pretty cruel way to go, but most importantly it does nothing to prevent reoccurrence.

The most important factor is prevention!

Eliminate all food sources by keeping a clean kitchen and carefully storing food in a way that is difficult for rodents to access.

Use a trash can with a secure lid to prevent feasting on leftovers. Perhaps most importantly, you should work to identify the places where they gain entry and find a way to close it off.

Humane Removal Concerns

If mice are in your home, then finding a humane way to remove them is the best way to go. Even traps that are designed to kill instantly often end up merely injuring the animal and as a result, they die a slow and painful death.

If you do remove all the mice successfully, exclusion is the key to keeping this from happening again. If you do not limit their access and eliminate the food sources, they will just keep coming back.

For expert help with trapping, removal and exclusion, contact our professionals at Dugas Pest Control. We have the necessary experience to humanely trap and release mice, and our team knows all of the ins and outs of exclusion and prevention.

Don’t let mice overwhelm you, let us help you end this nuisance once & for all!

What are Palm Rats?

There exists a social stigma about rodents, which is why you may not hear much about this subject at the block party. However, muster up the courage to ask around and you’re sure to hear more than you want to know from a surprising number of your neighbors!

Palm rats, also known as “roof rats” commonly nest in palm trees, which is where the common name comes from. Due to the fact that they are excellent climbers, they are also known as roof rats. They are the biggest rodent pests in Florida, and are of course also found in other tropical climates like our area.

What Kinds of Damage do Palm Rats Cause?

Palm rats cause damage primarily through gnawing, chewing or tearing with their teeth and paws. Indoors, these rodents can tear through insulation or gnaw on electrical wire, potentially short-circuiting electronic devices or even actually starting fires. Like other rodents, they will also eat any leftover food found in the kitchen.

Outdoors, palm rats can damage gardens by eating plants, fruits and vegetables. They will also climb into trash cans and feed on food debris. Further, they will chew on and wear down the sealant along roofs, which is often how they find their way into houses.

Signs of Roof Rats

How do you know if roof rats are present? Droppings, found around feeding areas, nesting sites or runways, are usually a telltale sign. Look out for signs of damage, such as teeth marks on food packaging, wooden structures, electrical wires or other household items.

Greasy smudging along your walls, beams, rafters and other fixtures could also be left by the oil and dirt on the bodies of rats as they move around the house and rub against surfaces. That’s not creepy or anything.

As most affected homeowners will tell you, the rodents’ noises are usually the biggest indicator; scraping, gnawing or squeaking can keep you up at night! You can hear the rats as they run around within the walls, ceilings or attics. Fun.

Other obvious signs include seeing runways and tracks. As rats repeatedly use the same path between their nest and food sources, they create tracks, which can appear as paths that are smooth and free of vegetation.

They will also leave footprints in the dust or mud. Rats can usually be easily spotted outdoors on trees, wires and fences.

How to Prevent Palm Rats (aka Roof Rats)

Have you decided you’d rather not host palm rats? Well, first things first: don’t feed them. Roof rats will feed on almost anything, including pet food and trash, in order to survive.

Make sure no pet food is left out overnight, including bird seed. Fill just enough for the day and clean up any excess before sunset. Store pet food in sealed, rat-proof containers.

Similarly, make sure any bulk foods are also sealed in this manner. Make sure trash cans are tightly covered. We’ve already established that rats are pretty gross, so you must pick up even dog feces immediately.

Palm Rat Removal

If dealing with palm rats hasn’t seemed like enough fun yet, here comes the best part. You must place snap traps and bait stations to eliminate rats that are already on your property, or to prevent more from entering.

It’s best to place a small amount of bait so that the rat will have to work at it to get it off, increasing the chances that the bait will trip successfully. Make sure the trap is set far away from pets and small children.

As rats are wary of new objects, leave the traps in the same location for at least a week before shifting its position. Alternatively, bait stations can be used as they allow you to place poison baits safely- without posing a hazard to non-target animals.

Bait stations provide a sheltered space for rats to feed. They can be placed in your yard, four feet or higher off the ground, near fruit trees, along rat paths, and close to wires that lead to house roofs and trees.

Of course, prior to this step you’ll want to seal your home properly so that a poisoned rat doesn’t die in your house, leaving a bad odor which is often difficult to remove.

Manicure landscape

Clean yards and gardens to ensure that there are fewer hiding places and feeding grounds for the rats, which deters them from entering your structures.

Rake fallen leaves from under trees and shrubbery, and prune fruit trees so that the ground under them is clear and visible. Store wood and lumber piles at least 18 inches above the ground and 12 inches away from walls.

Thick ground covers should be thinned. Keep palm trees trimmed, as rats love to nest in the skirts of old fronds, as well as in piles of debris and hollow trees.

Thin out bushes like oleanders and bougainvillea until you can see daylight through them. Oleanders are particularly attractive to these rats in the summer.

Harvest citrus and other fruit

Regularly harvest all fruit whether or not they are completely ripe. Trees that are in contact with other trees, houses, fences and power lines are especially prone to rat infestations. An idea for the extra produce during your infestation may be donating to local food banks.

Once the rats are under control or thoroughly eradicated you can enjoy your harvest, but you should still make it a habit to pick your fruit promptly and completely. Fortunately, it’s not usually necessary to remove the fruit trees from your property.

If you’re struggling with a palm rat infestation problem or even suspect you may have the beginnings of one, Dugas Pest Control can help! Our rodent control experts will eradicate the rodents safely and effectively from your property with as little disruption to your life as possible. Call us today for a rodent-free tomorrow!

Are You At Risk From Armadillos?

Most people are familiar with the clumsy-looking nocturnal quadrupeds, and we’ve surely all seen them smashed on the highway; however, these rather benign encounters don’t necessarily make us aware of the risks they could pose to our health.

On top of causing damage to yards due to their rooting and burrowing, recently armadillos have been accused of possibly being able to spread leprosy to humans! Find out more about armadillos to see if you are at risk, and learn how you can protect yourself.

About Armadillos

Armadillos have a distinctive shell of ‘horny’ material on their heads, bodies and tails. This shell, or armor, sports 9 movable rings, from the shoulder down to the hip. Their heads are small, with a pointed appearance, due to their long narrow snout.

Their tails are similarly shell-like, encased in 12 bony rings. Additionally, armadillos have 7 to 9 pig-like teeth on each side of their upper and lower jaw, three toes with sharp claws on each foot, and weigh between 8 to 17 pounds.

Found primarily in the Southern United States, they span the areas from South Texas, to the Southeastern tip of New Mexico, through Oklahoma, to the southeastern corner of Kansas, the southwestern corner of Missouri, across most of Arkansas, southwestern Mississippi, central Alabama, Georgia and most of Florida.

The armadillo’s habitat is usually dense, with shady cover such as brush, woodlands, forests and areas adjacent to creeks and rivers. These areas have sandy or loam soils that are loose and porous, as well as cracks, crevices and rocks.

Armadillos eat mostly insects and their larvae, as well as invertebrates like earthworms, scorpions and spiders. A minority of their diet is made up of fruit and vegetable matter, as well as vertebrates like lizards, small frogs and snakes, and the eggs of these animals.

The Link between Armadillos and Leprosy

Did you know that armadillos are the only species apart from humans that can be infected with leprosy? In July, nine people reported contracting the disease, and all of them claimed to have come into contact with an armadillo prior to infection.

The Bacterium

The bacterium causing Leprosy has an incubation period of three to seven years in humans before any symptoms start showing. While it was previously thought that leprosy could only be spread between humans, based on the genetic similarity of the leprosy bacteria examined from humans and armadillos, it is almost certain that leprosy can be spread from armadillos to humans.

Conclusion of the Florida Case

The number of people falling ill in the report isn’t far from the average number of people who contract leprosy ever year in Florida, which is ten. Still, all animals are able to spread some kind of infections to humans, so all precautions should still be taken with wild animals.

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Here are some tips to preventing armadillos from entering your property.

Exclusion

Keeping armadillos out with a fence or other barriers could be an effective method, especially if the fence can be slanted outward at a 40 degree angle, with a portion of it buried.

Cultural Methods

Removal of armadillo’s usual habitat, such as brush or bushes, is also an effective method.

Repellents and Toxicants

Despite what the repellant aisle of the local home center may have you believe, unfortunately none are known to be effective.

Fumigants

While some are known to be effective, not all are legal as regulations vary. You must check with your local authorities for information on pesticides that are legal in your area.

Trapping

Traps can also be set, with live or box traps, such as Havahart, Tomahawk, or homemade types. This should be done carefully, as traps must be set strategically along pathways to armadillo burrows and along fences or other barriers. It’s best to use traps that can be opened at both ends.

It can be difficult to ensure it only captures armadillos and no other animals, so we don’t recommend attempting this route unless you’re sure of the location of your prey, or you’re comfortable explaining to your neighbors why Mr. Fluffy got caught in your trap.

Lethal Force

Many rural residents will be familiar with the practice of setting up an evening watch with a .22 or other small caliber firearm to put an end to the nighttime excavating, but this isn’t a solution we necessarily endorse.

Given how closely people live to one another nowadays, you should definitely exercise good judgement and care with this method, and check the local laws and ordinances before proceeding.

Soil Insecticides

Finally, since most of the damage armadillos cause is a result of their rooting for insects and other invertebrates in the soil, soil insecticides may be used to remove this food source and make areas less attractive to armadillos.

Making sure you’re free and clear of the risks of armadillos takes time and expertise. Save time and hassle – Dugas Pest Control will help remove armadillos off specified areas with our safe and effective methods, with no angry neighbors involved!

Do Mosquito Magnets Really Work?

No one likes mosquitos. They pester us, ruin our summers, drink our blood, spread disease, and generally make our lives miserable when we’re outside. With all this in mind, it’s no wonder that Americans spend millions on different tools and sprays to keep mosquitos away.

It’s also no wonder with all of the products on the market, that some of them just simply do not work. One in particular that won’t get you results is the trap-plus-attractant apparatus commonly known as the mosquito magnet.

Low System Reliability

Most mosquito magnets try to play off the fact that mosquitos hunt by tracking heat and CO2 from their prey. To confuse the mosquito, a magnet will oftentimes be heated and have a CO2 release. This will (in theory) attract the bugs to the trap where they will be trapped and killed.

Unfortunately, this has proven to have a dubious-at-best effect on the local mosquito population when tested in the lab. Studies have shown that most mosquito magnets are no more effective than a bucket of insecticide, and that mosquitos are actually clever enough to distinguish between the CO2 put out by a living creature, versus that which comes from a machine.

High Costs

Many mosquito traps use propane to poison the mosquitos around them, but this can prove extremely expensive. You’re talking about using a consumable fuel to kill insects, when the costs for that fuel do nothing but climb.

On top of that, mosquito traps tend to be pretty costly in general, and really don’t do anything beyond what a body spray might do. Imagine paying $200 for something that a $3 can of spray could have mimicked, and you start to see why mosquito magnets tend to instill many people with buyer’s remorse once they’ve purchased them.

No Lighting Arrays

It’s been proven that bugs are attracted to light. This is why bug zappers tend to work so well. With that in mind, you would think that more mosquito magnets would take advantage of this fact. Perplexingly, most don’t. They instead rely on their smoke or gas systems to do the work for them.

Not only does this mean that the mosquitos have a low chance of actually being attracted by your trap, but also they might be distracted by nearby light sources and avoid your trap altogether. In fact, studies have shown that lit traps oftentimes work at a much higher rate of success than traditional gas traps, but that doesn’t stop people from shelling out hundreds of dollars each year on worthless ‘mosquito killers’.

Poor Usability

Because most mosquito magnets use gas, they can only operate within an extremely limited range. After all, you don’t want to make anyone around you sick, or put anyone at risk. While this is noble, it also means that the traps are so limited in what they can do, that there is little to no point to them.

Most systems require multiple units to cover an area properly and must be placed carefully considering downdrafts and blockages like structures and fences. So, unless the mosquito happens to be within a couple of feet of the trap, chances are, it won’t do much. When you consider that mosquitos can cruise at 25 feet to hunt for prey, you quickly see why traps like this just don’t work.

High Maintenance

Not only are mosquito magnets costly, but they’re high maintenance as well. You wouldn’t think something like a mosquito trap would have a lot of bugs to work out (see what we did there?), but they actually tend to break down often, and their return rate is rather high. So, if the only bugs you’re looking to kill are the moths in your wallet, feel free to invest in a mosquito magnet.

We get it; when you’re desperate, you’re willing to try anything. The truth of the matter is, Dugas Pest Control is the local expert on mosquito treatments that actually work. Let our local team evaluate your surroundings, figure out where the spawning pools for your infestation are, and deal with the problems at their source.

We’ve made it our business to know how to kill pests, and when you hire us, that is exactly what we’ll do. You shouldn’t be afraid to go outside for fear of being bitten, and you certainly shouldn’t waste money on treatments that just don’t work. So, the next time you have a bug problem, call the solution.

Automated System vs. Spraying: What’s the Advantage?

As you have probably unfortunately learned, when trying to fight an insect infestation you’ll find yourself resorting to any tools you can get your hands on. A popular method of getting rid of bugs outdoors is to use foggers, but what kind are best for removing pests? What about the new automatic foggers, are they any better than the traditional kind?

Automated Systems

Fogging is a proven method for getting rid of insects, but not necessarily a straightforward one. A small amount of pesticide is included in a smoke or fog mixture that can adhere to an insect’s wings and poison them, but the amount of insecticide used is so low or incorrectly applied that often times, an insect will only be stunned. Also, if you over fog a large area, it could make breathing difficult for people.

Fogging is typically done in the early evening, when the temperature has cooled and insects are just starting to become active. This is the perfect time to fog them and incapacitate them. However, if done too early or too late, the fog might not have the effect you’re looking for, and you may run into problems.

This is why having an automated system is especially helpful. When people attempt to fog on their own, they might unevenly distribute the fog, or release it at the wrong time. By having an automated system, you guarantee that the fog will be released when and where you want it to be.

Also, when using an automated system, you can actually save money. Typically when people use foggers, they don’t tend to pay attention to how much chemical they are spraying, and often times use far too much. With the Coastal Mister, this is never a problem. The systems carefully release an appropriate amount of fog to waylay insects and make the evening bearable again.

Spraying

Spraying insecticide can have its advantages, in that you are delivering a more concentrated dose of poison to your pests. The chemicals have a stronger chance of killing the insects in the area, but there are drawbacks to using a straight spray.

Sprays tend to cover a smaller area than fog, which means you have to use more of them. They can also prove more harmful to other wildlife, as you are laying down a concentrated dose of poison in areas where other creatures might live and eat. Depending on the formula, sprays also have a better chance (albeit a small one) of getting into the local groundwater, and are generally only effective soon after they are applied. As you can probably tell, they aren’t nearly as effective as other methods.

Many places that spray will do so at certain times of day, hoping to catch as many insects still on the ground as they can. This doesn’t do anything for insects that are underground, or that are missed by the initial spraying. It also doesn’t help with the airborne insects that fogging can catch. Sprays are great for their higher fatality rate, but the time involved with laying down a good coating of spray can be both costly and tedious.

Which is Better?

In short, spraying is an effective means of killing bugs, but it doesn’t have the range or the effectiveness of a fogging. It can be costlier, not as comprehensive, and not have the long-term effect throughout the evening that fogging can have. This may be the best choice for concentrated areas of insects, but is not the most effective repetitive means of outdoor pest control especially over large areas.

Fogging and spraying both have their advantages, but fogging wins for outdoor venues. Not only is it easier on the people using the facility, it’s easier on the pocketbook. When you incorporate an automatic fogging system, it can be even more beneficial, and will help to permanently keep the insect population in your area to a minimum.

You shouldn’t have to fear being eaten alive by bugs when you go for a walk at night. There are plenty of ways to protect yourself and your surroundings, and fogging ranks high on that list. With an automatic system for distributing fog, you’ll know that you are getting the best coverage for your efforts.

Rest assured that you won’t have to worry about timing, areas, or human error ever again. With an automatic fogging system like the Coastal Mister, you can finally take back the night. For more information about this or any of our services, contact the experts at Dugas today!

The Coastal Mister System: Your Mosquito Control Solution

If you ask a longtime resident what the state bird of Louisiana is, they’ll usually tell you that it’s the mosquito. In Louisiana and most other southern states, especially ones with a warm, humid climate and a lot of precipitation, like Louisiana and Florida, mosquitoes are as ubiquitous as they are annoying.

Prevention, and chiefly habitat destruction, is paramount to combating this nuisance. Of course you are residences vigilant around your property, but maybe the guy across the street who is running an unofficial junkyard thwarts your efforts. However, even if mosquitoes are everywhere, it doesn’t mean that they have to ruin your outdoor gatherings.

It can be confusing to distinguish between the hundreds of treatment solutions out there of all kinds for mosquitoes and other insects. One innovative, and particularly good, treatment we’ve found is called the Coastal Mister System, available from your local pest experts at Dugas Pest Control.

We get many questions from our clients about the Coastal Mister System – what makes it unique, how it works, and how effective it is at curbing the populations of mosquitoes in a wide area including New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette.

The Coastal Mister System

The Coastal Mister System takes a somewhat different approach to pest control than most mosquito treatments. Most treatments are focused on killing adult mosquitoes and then removing their breeding grounds. While effective, this is a more general approach.

The Coastal Mister System instead focuses on the areas where you spend the most time, preventing mosquitoes and other insects from reaching those and therefore reducing the majority of your contact with them. The system uses high-tech sensors and misting technology to repel mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and other pests from your home or place of business over a long period of time.

After the initial treatment, the Coastal Mister System uses a natural Pyrethrum insecticide that works to reduce their contact with you and your guests in the long run. Although it doesn’t treat breeding habitats that are distanced from your property, it doesn’t need to, because the protection is constant.

How it works

The Coastal Mister System is installed by setting up misters at regular intervals around your designated ‘bug-free zone.’ These dispense natural Pyrethrum insecticide over the area through misting lines, which are a series of tubes, nozzles, and risers that allow the insecticide to be released almost as a vapor rather than a liquid. This insecticide not only kills mosquitoes and other bugs that might be in the air, but also leaves residue on plants that are close by.

This means that more bugs that will use those plants for shelter will be affected by the insecticide. The system mists at regular intervals, meaning that the protection from the system is constant.

Mosquitoes spend a lot of their time living and breeding on plants and other locations near their sources of food, which means that the Coastal Mister System does a great job of curbing their populations.

The misting nozzles can be set up almost everywhere that they can connect to the rest of the system, too, meaning that you can attach them to trees, the side of your home, perimeter fencing, or a lot of other things.

Features

A typical Coastal Mister System covers about 10,000 square feet of area around a home or workplace. A normal contract also includes inspection overviews and details for maintaining the low-mosquito populations that will be the result of installing the system.

The Coastal Mister System can be purchased in 6-12 month packaged deals, but it’s also available for a one-time-use such as a party or other gathering. Contact Dugas Pest Control to get rid of mosquitoes around your home today.

Chikungunya Virus: Coming to a Backyard Near You

It is impossible to deny that we live in a globalized society. A huge portion of the things we use every day, from clothes to coffee, and fruit to beer, are imported from all over the planet. Especially in the West, sitting at the center of a globalized economy means access to all kinds of products from around the world.

Unfortunately, there’s a dark side to this kind of connection with the rest of the world – diseases carried by bacteria, viruses, and fungi travel the same routes that consumer goods do. While modern medicine and sanitation practices generally prevents these foreign diseases from spreading, every once in a while, something slips through the cracks and ends up here.

One of these diseases is the Chikungunya virus, which through afflicted mosquitoes has recently arrived in Florida and is sporadically affecting communities throughout the Southern states. This article is an overview of the virus and how it can be combated.

What is Chikungunya?

Chikungunya is a virus with its origins in Africa. Its name is Mokande (the language of the Mokande people who are an ethnic group found in Tanzania and Mozambique) for “that which bends up,” referring to the joint pain that is a common symptom of the virus.

Chikungunya is primarily carried in animals such as monkeys, birds, cattle, and rodents, and is spread to humans (like many diseases are) through mosquito bites and intermingling blood.

The disease was spotted in the Caribbean last year, and then made landfall in Florida with its first reported case in the United States in late 2014.

Symptoms

The onset of Chikungunya is characterized by a fever lasting about two days. This is then followed by joint pain in the extremities from which the virus draws its name.

Other common symptoms include headaches, muscle pain, joint swelling, and a rash that is identified by its small red points.

Chikungunya has a mortality rate of 1 in 1000, but it can cause health complications in the elderly and people with existing medical conditions, particularly arthritis, which can be exacerbated by Chikungunya.

In very rare cases, chikungunya can last years, but chronic cases are largely the exception and most don’t last longer than a month.

Spread of vector

Like a lot of diseases, the Chikungunya virus is spread to humans by mosquitoes. In particular, two similar-looking species of mosquito are responsible: Aedes albopictus (also known as Asian Tiger Mosquito) and Aedes aegypti, which cheerfully is known as the yellow fever mosquito.

The greatest method of preventing Chikungunya, like malaria, yellow fever, and other diseases is mosquito prevention. Netting, spraying pesticides, and treating mosquito breeding habitats is the best way to avoid Chikungunya virus and other diseases also spread by mosquitoes.

Infection threat increases

Although it is unlikely that the Chikungunya virus will become an epidemic, there are still concerns about its spread in North and Central America.

Recently, the British government with the co-operation of the Panamanian government released genetically modified Aedes albopictus mosquitoes that were designed to reduce the population by spreading un-viable genes into the population. This was aimed to reduce the prevalence of these mosquitoes, which are the primary carriers of dengue fever.

However, one possible result of this is that Aedes aegypti, a very similar type of mosquito and a carrier for Chikungunya virus (but not dengue fever) will ecologically take the place of the waning Aedes albopictus population, and we will see a spike in Chikungunya infections as a result.

Whether this actually happens remains to be seen, but one thing remains as true as it’s ever been: getting rid of mosquitoes is a good idea.