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!

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!

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

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

Why do Mosquitoes Seem to Bite Only Certain People?

It has happened to all of us at one time or another. You’re outside, trying to enjoy a warm, summer day, and suddenly you notice something itchy on your arm.
Regardless of who you are, mosquitoes have probably feasted on you at one point or another. The problem of mosquitoes is an old one, but the reason behind it is one that has always been shrouded in mystery.

Why is it that some people seem to be devoured by the tiny bloodsuckers, while others are completely ignored?

Mosquitoes Do Have Preferences

As you may imagine, scientists have been working on this problem for a while. It’s the million dollar summertime question: is there something about you that makes you more delicious to a mosquito than your neighbor?

While there is no 100% definite answer, scientists are certain that at least a part of it relates to genetics. Namely, how your body handles certain chemicals, and how your skin responds to them.

High Levels of Steroids or Cholesterol on Skin

One of the bigger attracting factors for mosquitoes is the level of cholesterol on your skin. While some people might instantly think this means that the heavier you are, or the more you eat may make you a target, this is simply not the case.

It really has to do with how your body breaks down cholesterol, and how much of a residue is left on your skin afterwards. Uric acid content, cholesterol, and even the content of natural steroids produced by your skin can all be contributing factors.

These chemicals may be ignored by us, but they give off a certain chemical smell that mosquitoes go nuts for. In fact, the scent of these chemicals is so potent to mosquitoes that it has been proven they can react and be attracted at up to 50 meters.

High Quantities of Carbon Dioxide

Another attractive feature to mosquitoes is the level of carbon dioxide that you put out. Mosquitoes have been shown to be attracted to heat, movement, and CO2.

So, if you’re trudging through the park, sweating up a storm and breathing heavily, you are going to be a prime candidate for mosquito attention. This is why adults tend to have a greater problem with mosquitoes than children.

Also, if you’re pregnant, you may want to reconsider going out on a muggy day. Not only can mosquitoes detect the elevated levels of carbon dioxide in your breath, but they can smell the lactic acid on your skin.

Excess Amounts of Acid

Your body puts out all sorts of acids. While we don’t really tend to notice this, other creatures such as mosquitoes use those as markers to peg good candidates for a meal.

The more acid you’re putting out, the higher the chance that your blood contains what mosquitoes are after. After all, if you can smell your meal, you probably have a good idea of what’s in it.

Study Finds Answers

Plenty of studies have been done to see if there is something about how we look that attracts or repels mosquitoes. After all, this can be said of bees (they tend to react strongly to the colors red and black). In tests with identical twins, it was found that increased activity had everything to do with smell. The more chemicals you put out, the tastier you seem to be.

As science continues to study the endless problem of mosquito bites, one fact from the available research tends to stand out. The next time you’re outside, instead of exerting yourself, try to take it easy. Remember the old advice: never let them see, or in this case, smell you sweat.

You May Be Accidentally Feeding the Roaches

Do you have an extra guest at your dinner party?

Is he staying past his welcome and bringing friends along?

Your habits may be attracting roaches to your home. Unless you make some changes, they’re likely to stick around awhile and make themselves very comfortable.

Take advantage of our tips to get rid of those freeloading critters for good.

They Have a Sweet Tooth Too

Do you like the sweet stuff?
So do roaches.

The crumbs from your late-night snack are enough to bring roaches crawling out from their corners. They also go after greasy food, starches, and fats. Sounds like your regular junk food junkie, doesn’t it?

However, here’s the creepy part: they’re smart enough to distinguish sweet treats from sweet poison. In fact, German cockroaches have learned to associate the taste of glucose traps with danger. That’s all the more reason to bring in the experts.

But They’re Not Exactly Picky Either

Despite their preferences, roaches don’t limit themselves to a diet fit for a king. No, they’re content to eat just about everything including non-food items like soap, detergent, glue and wallpaper paste. Do you have old, bound books or a large stamp collection? These treasures are delicacies for roaches.

Unfortunately, their scavenger nature makes getting rid of them all the more difficult. Merely taking out your trash and washing the dishes regularly isn’t enough to combat roaches or prevent an infestation. You’ll need to begin with a sanitation plan.

Here are a few basic precautions:

Be sure to seal up every bag of trash and dispose of it as quickly as possible.
Likewise, close any gaps and cracks in your walls with silicone caulk to prevent more insects from entering.
Be sure to check for other spaces where they might be entering like beneath the doors or through cracked windows.
Don’t underestimate the power of these pests to find a way into your home.

Watch for wet spots which are also attractive. Leaky pipes and overflowing showers leave nice pools of water for roaches to splish and splash in. A dripping faucet is irresistible to just about any roach. Water can be even more attractive than leftover food. If you have a wet, dark place in your home, you have prime real estate for a roach motel. Keep these places as dry as possible to remove the ‘Welcome’ mat.

Your Attic: A Favorite Hangout for the Big Guys

Roaches of all varieties prefer dark places. So, it makes sense you might find some in the attic. However, there’s a particular type that tends to infest these spaces. They’re simply called large roaches but may also be referred to as water bugs or palmetto bugs. As you might have imagined, they’re pretty monstrous looking.

They have to live somewhere so instead of paying rent, they often squat in your attic. This area is an excellent spot for an infestation thanks to the dark space and long periods of uninterrupted quiet time. Let them take over here and you’ll find them all over your home in no time at all.

This area can be particularly difficult to treat given the constraints of the space. Dugas Pest Control offers a free inspection to develop a roach control plan personalized to you and your needs. They also consider the environmental factors that affect homeowners in the Louisiana area.

If you’re dealing with a cockroach infestation or want to bug-proof your home, call Dugas Pest Control today. They have the knowledge and equipment to make your house a home again.

Are You Allergic to Roaches?

With the coming of spring’s pleasant weather, often comes the return of unpleasant allergy symptoms. Unfortunately, that persistent cough and chronically itchy feeling may not just be the result of seasonal changes.

If you thought cockroaches were merely unsanitary and unsightly, think again. Find out just how much havoc they can wreak on your health and discover how exactly to get rid of them for good.

The Creepy-Crawly Facts

According to WebMD, most sufferers of cockroach allergies can be found in cities. In fact, at least 78% of urban homes have cockroaches. These pests enjoy warmer climates most of all, making them a particular issue for southerners. Regardless, roaches can invade just about any space and their effects aren’t pretty.

Roaches love some of the most obvious places like trash cans and kitchens. However, you’ll still find them hiding out in places like your dog’s food bowl and under pipes.

If that’s not creepy enough, prepare yourself for the ickiest fact of all:

One cockroach sighting means at least 800 could be incognito somewhere else in your home or the surrounding area.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out For

By now you’ve realized that roaches can be a big problem just about anywhere. But how do they affect our health? Cockroach allergies typically present themselves like any other allergy, with a runny nose, scratchy cough, itchy and stinging eyes. They may also cause skin rashes. The actual allergens come from the saliva, body parts, and digestive enzymes of the insect.

Here’s a real problem besides the constant discomfort: asthma. Consistent exposure to roaches can provoke asthma attacks, leaving sufferers hospitalized or worse.

People with chronic bronchial asthma are at high risk as are children with asthma and allergies. Chest tightness and shortness of breath are the most alarming symptoms of all and should be treated by a trusted medical provider immediately.

Tips for Roach Prevention and Treatment

Your mom was right. Eating in your bedroom is a major no-no. Unfortunately, a quick afternoon snack can bring in the roaches fast. Making these spaces off-limits to eating is the first step to prevention.

Next, be sure to seal up and empty out trash cans regularly. Allowing leftover food to sit in the trash can overnight is all it takes to attract a few new house guests.

Be sure to wipe down baseboards, pantry shelves and spaces beneath the fridge and stove regularly. Close up any cracks and holes around the home with silicone caulk. Finally, be sure to fix any leaky pipes.

What if you’re already dealing with a roach problem? Baits and boric acid can help.

However, these types of treatments aren’t a long term solution for most households. They also pose challenges and often dangers for families with small children and pets.

If you’ve noticed cockroaches in your home, felt allergy symptoms or even seen roach feces, you may very well have an infestation on your hands. This situation requires expert attention and services.

Why Invest in Pest Control

Let’s face it. Getting rid of pests is a big task; it’s also something that most of us would like to endure only every so often. Instead of wasting money and time on short-term fixes, go for actually effective pest control. The National Pest Management Association recommends contacting a licensed pest professional in case of an infestation.

Dugas Pest Control offers a variety of services tailored toward Louisiana residents. Our Integrated Pest Management plan focuses on inspection, identification and treatment. This method works to create a plan that focuses on your individual needs and concerns.

Dugas Pest Control not only exterminates pests, we also work to prevent them. Our effective roach control plans limit the chance of re-infestation and offer you peace of mind.

Enjoy a life without cockroach allergens by scheduling a free consultation with Dugas Pest Control!

Dugas Pest Control Offers Expanded Northshore Service

If you live on the Northshore and you’ve been suffering from any type of pest problems, your worries are over! Dugas Pest Control is happy to announce that we’ve been able to expand our services to the communities in these areas. We are now able to offer services to Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, and Hammond.

No matter the pest problem that might be pestering you right now, we’ll be happy to help. We offer a wealth of different types of services for all manner of pests. Let’s take a look at some of our services and why they are so important for the health and safety of those in your home or business.

Commercial Services

If you have a business, you know that any pests on the premises can cause a huge problem. Depending on the type of business you run, they could even cause the health inspectors to shut your business down. We’re proud to offer control services for office buildings, industrial facilities, strip malls, retail centers, hospitals and clinics, hotels and motels, restaurants, grocery stores, nursing homes, daycare centers, schools, and property management companies. No matter your type of business, we’ve got you covered when it comes to pest management.

Termites

Termites can wreak havoc on your home and cause expensive repairs. In some cases, the termite problem can actually become so bad that you have to abandon the home. We’re termites’ worst enemies, and we offer a number of options to deal with these little monsters. We offer pre and post construction treatment, baiting systems, Termidor service, and inspections so you can be sure your property is free from the insects.

Bedbugs

No one likes the idea of bedbugs, but these bloodthirsty vampires are still prevalent in many areas. You might even unwittingly bring them into your home after traveling. We excel at dealing with bedbugs and can offer the right treatments to ensure your home is free of the pests. Getting rid of bedbugs is not something you can do on your own easily. There are always cracks and crevices where they can hide. At Dugas, we understand how bedbugs operate, and we can rid them from your home or business.

Rodents

If you see one mouse or rat speeding across the floor, you can be sure that you have quite a few of these rodents hiding in your home. While some mouse traps and rat traps might get a few of them, you have no idea just how many of them are really in your walls or attic. These can be difficult pests to eliminate on your own, so you should let us help you take care of the problem.

We can provide you with a full inspection of your property to look for signs of rodents. Once we determine the extent of the problem, we’ll be able to eliminate this issue. We know the habits of these creatures, and we know the best ways to remove them from your home. We’ll set up the bait and traps and check them for you, and even give you some tips on how you can prevent other rodents from making themselves at home.

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks like to make their home on your pets, and once the pet comes into the house, they might just find that you can make a nice host as well. We have a comprehensive flea and tick service that will help to ensure your pet and your home are free from these annoying and disease carrying pests. Just contact us and we’ll get to work on making your property the pest free place it should be!

Termites Are Coming for Your House

The termite problem is serious and it is not going away anytime soon. As springtime gets into full swing, it tends to bring people out of their homes so they can enjoy the warm air. Of course, the warmer weather also means that the termites are going to be more active, and you can be sure they are hungry.

Unfortunately, your house is on the menu, and you need to take action against these pests.

Many Homes Make Great Termite Buffets

Termites are voracious creatures, and they can do a substantial amount of damage to your home before you realize the extent of the problem. Those homes that have received any type of moisture damage over the course of the winter quickly become a favorite termite delicacy.

Termites cause about $5 billion in property damage each year. Unfortunately, your homeowners insurance probably doesn’t cover this type of damage, and that means that you will be spending out of your own pocket to repair your home.

It’s much better to find and handle the termite problem as early as possible. Later in the article, we’ll cover some tips that you can implement. First, though, let’s look at what’s happening in Florida.

Florida Super Termites

Florida has quite a few nice things going for it. It is a favorite vacation spot for many in our area, & offers sunny weather, beaches, and some of the best amusement parks in the world. Unfortunately, it also offers up a lot of strangeness. One of the latest and most concerning things coming from the Sunshine state is the rumor of a hybrid termite that could pose a serious threat.

According to experts at the University of Florida, two separate species of termite – Asian and Formosan subterranean termites – have been breeding. While it is unknown if they can create fertile offspring, it doesn’t really matter. They can live together in massive colonies that can stay together and live for up to twenty years. The hybrid colonies have the potential to grow twice as fast, and that means that they can do much more damage.

Anyone who lives in the South and who has a wooden structure should be concerned. Getting a termite inspection for your property now, even if you don’t see signs of termites, is an excellent idea. Let us help you keep your property as safe as possible from these very expensive pests.

Some Tips for Keeping Termites Away from Your Home

It can be impossible to handle a termite infestation on your own, and if you suspect that termites might be on the property, getting an inspection should be your number one priority. However, there are some things you can to do help prevent the infestation from happening in the first place.

Make sure that any crawl spaces or attics in the home are dry and that they have proper ventilation. If there are any leaks in the home, be sure to repair them as soon as you can. In addition, look at the outside portion of your AC unit to see how much water it is emitting and make sure it’s not leaking. Make repairs to soffits and rotten roof shingles, and making sure the mortar around the foundation and doors are secure can prevent an intrusion from termites.

Store any firewood that you might have at least 20 feet away from the home, and make sure it is at least five inches off the ground. If you are using wood mulch for landscaping and gardening, you should try to keep it at least 15 inches from the foundation.

If you notice any issues, contact the professionals at Dugas Pest Control for some help. We’re ready to combat your termite problem.