Baton Rouge Nuisance Wildlife 101

Dugas Pest Control provides humane wildlife trapping service in New Orleans and Baton Rouge LouisianaBaton Rouge is home to a wide assortment of wildlife and animals, many of which are able to coexist with people just fine. However, there are a number that can become pests, meaning they either damage your property or pose a serious risk to you and your family. Let’s take a look at three of the most common versions in Baton Rouge.

Raccoons

Raccoons are a common staple throughout Baton Rouge, whether you’re in the suburbs or the city. This is due in large part to the raccoon’s very non-discerning appetite. As an omnivore it may feed on fruits, acorns, insects, crayfish, fish, turtles, young rabbits, carrion, birds, and their eggs. However, raccoons will also go through your garbage to look for anything else it may feed on, which is quite the list.

Aside from their diets, raccoons can be real pests because of how well they survive alongside humans. Being nocturnal means most of us will never see them, even though they might find their way into our attics, garages, sheds, etc. This kind of fearlessness can be a real issue.

Worst of all, raccoons have a track record for carrying rabies. So waking up to find they got into your pet’s food is the least of your concerns. For this reason, never attempt to remove a raccoon from your property, rabies will make them hyper-aggressive and prone to attack. This can also represent a huge threat to your pets.

Opossums

Opossums can grow to be about half the size as raccoons, but their bodies tend to be gray or silver with bright white faces, pink noses and ears like a mouse. Their teeth are thin and sharp and they have paws that resemble human hands with their four fingers and opposable thumbs. Long rat-like tails are also extremely noticeable.

These pests are also like raccoons in that they are extremely versatile when it comes to their diets and where they’re willing to live. While just about any swamp in the area will feature an opossum, they also love the type of shelter available to them on your property.

Fortunately, one major difference is that opossums don’t get rabies like raccoons. They are also extremely docile and would rather play dead than put up a fight. Still, cornering one is never a wise move.

Despite their perceived meekness, opossums are still an issue you don’t want to deal with. They can make a mess of your garbage, pet food and even your chicken coop. Opossums can also carry with them a number of parasites and diseases.

Squirrels

Squirrels are so common in Baton Rouge, you may have a hard time believing anyone could seriously consider them pests. However, squirrels can definitely become a huge problem if they get into your home.

Generally, squirrels will take the opportunity to enter your home through the attic. This is especially common during the winter, when temperatures around Baton Rouge drop and squirrels look for additional shelter. Fortunately, while they may cause some damage to the inside of your house, barn, shed, etc., they are rarely seen as a threat to your well-being.

That being said, squirrels are not opposed to chewing through telephone lines and electrical cables. If you experience issues with either in your home, it could be because squirrels are tampering with them.

Although these three pests may not always look like the most imposing creatures, it’s important that you have opossums and raccoons removed from your property as soon as you notice them. Dugas Pest Control is experienced at dealing with both. While removing squirrels isn’t always necessary, keep an eye out for problems with your property that may mean they’ve overstayed their welcome. In that case, Dugas can help too.

Why the Brown Recluse Earns His Reputation as Dangerous

Being from South Louisiana, you’ve probably grown accustomed to sharing your space with a variety of insects and arachnids. Most of these don’t pose more of a threat than an itchy spot or a little sting that will go away in a couple of days. However, some of the creepy creatures you share a habitat with are not so innocuous, and some of them will not stay outdoors where they belong.

The brown recluse spider is one of the few poisonous spiders indigenous to the region, and some might tell you that you don’t have a lot to worry about from this shy little spider. However, the brown recluse has gotten a reputation for being dangerous to humans (and pets) with good reason.

The Severity of the Poison

Brown recluse spider bites are not normally fatal in adults, but they do cause a severe reaction. Symptoms of a bite from a brown recluse include nausea and vomiting, muscle pain, severe pain and/or itching at the site of the bite, and/or muscle pain.

If untreated, the skin, subcutaneous fat, and tissue around the bite will most likely die (skin necrosis). Necrotized flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and can result in gangrene and the need to amputate a limb or cut out a significant portion of flesh.

Unfortunately, there is no test for brown recluse venom in the blood or tissue, and diagnosing a brown recluse spider bite is something best left up to medical professionals. If you’ve been bitten by an unknown insect or arachnid, and you experience any of the above symptoms, you should go to the emergency room immediately to avoid permanent damage.

Children who show signs of fever or nausea and have a red mark on their skin that looks like a bee sting or a minor burn should be taken to the hospital immediately, as children under 7 are especially susceptible to brown recluse venom.

Uninvited Guests

You might be thinking, “Well, I’ll just stay away from them.” Unfortunately, that’s not always possible. As summer turns to autumn, and the weather begins to turn cooler, brown recluse spiders start to look for warmer habitats. The brown recluse lives up to his name; he’s a shy little fella with a propensity for seeking out warm, dark places with a lot of little nooks and crannies where he can hide.

To a brown recluse spider, your attic, and the back of your closet are all prime real estate, especially come winter. So, though you may not be rolling around in the leaves or digging into his natural outside habitat, you might not be safe from a dangerous bite, even in your own home.

To prepare for winter and keep yourself and your family safe from a brown recluse bite, you might want to consider calling a pest control expert to come to your home and spray for spiders. Even if you aren’t comfortable with mild pesticides, you may want to ask a professional for advice on making your home less attractive to these pests.

Mistaken Identity

Finally, brown recluse spiders are dangerous because they’re so small and innocuous looking. We’ve all seen a house spider or a wolf spider running around at one point or another, and – while we might not have been happy about it – we certainly weren’t scared. Unfortunately, with bodies no bigger than 3/8ths of an inch in diameter and measuring smaller than a penny including their legs, brown recluse spiders can look to the untrained eye like a smaller wolf spider.

If you see an all-brown, small spider crawl out from under a box in your basement or out of one of your closets, you may have a brown recluse invasion. Call Dugas Pest Control immediately and avoid your home’s storage spaces until you have the place checked out for spiders.

 

Sources:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/spider_bite_brown_recluse_spider_bite/page3_em.htm#brown_recluse_spider_bite_symptoms

http://firstaid.about.com/od/Spider-Bites/ss/How-To-Tell-Its-Not-a-Brown-Recluse_5.htm#step-heading

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215121557.htm

http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2008/1215-houseman-brown-recluse.php

Be Careful of Black and Brown Widows in Baton Rouge

Dugas Pest Control provides spider extermination services to control spider infestations inside homes Summer is winding down, and cooler fall weather is right around the corner. As you get ready for sweater weather, bonfires, and corn mazes, you’re probably packing up the mosquito nets and repellant with a sigh of relief. However, if you live in South Louisiana, you should be aware that – though mosquito season is coming to an end – there are still pests around that can cause you real harm. In particular, you need to beware of the prevalence of black and brown widows in Baton Rouge and the surrounding area.

Poisonous Spiders Moving into Southern Louisiana

A local news piece on reported back in 2012 that brown widows were “on the move” following Hurricane Katrina. Cousin to the black widow, the brown widow was not always a problem for southern Louisiana residents, but after the devastating hurricane’s massive upheaval of natural habitats, the spiders began to migrate to more populated areas, and they continue to be present in and around Baton Rouge today.

Black widows, as you may already know, are indigenous to Louisiana and their presence is not news to most residents. Fortunately, neither spider is aggressive or particularly predatory. They prefer warm, dark places, and they will usually flee if given the chance, rather than standing their ground and attacking. However, if you accidentally trap one, and your hand or foot is in the way, it will not hesitate to bite you.

A Potentially Deadly Bite

Both black widow and brown widow bites have very potent neurotoxins in their bites. A bite from either a brown or black widow is not an automatic death sentence, but their poison will immediately begin rotting the flesh around the bitten area. Without immediate medical attention, you risk infection, gangrene, the need for amputation, and even death.

Children, senior citizens, and people with impaired immune systems are the most at risk for serious infection and/or death from a black or brown widow spider bite. So teach your kids how to identify these potentially dangerous arachnids, as well as how to avoid being bitten.

Identifying Black and Brown Widows

Most people know how to identify a black widow. They are about a half-inch long with a telltale hourglass-shaped red mark on the underside of their shiny black abdomens. A black widow will also sometimes have red spots on the top of its abdomen.

If you see a black, shiny spider that’s about a half-inch long with a round abdomen, don’t inspect closer; back away from it and warn others that you’ve potentially found a black widow nest. If it’s in your home or yard, call a pest control expert to have the problem dealt with.

Brown widows are slightly larger than their cousins and also have an hourglass on the undersides of their abdomens, though theirs is a lighter burnt orange color. Their legs are a very light brown with darker brown stripes at the joints, and their abdomens are a light, mottled brown. Brown widows can reach up to an inch and a half in length, and they tend to inhabit the same dark, warm environments that black widows do.

How to Avoid Them and What to Do if You’re Bitten

Try to avoid digging around or getting into dark, moist, warm places. Warn your kids about spider habitats and tell them to come to you immediately if they see a suspect spider. You can then evaluate the situation and call the professionals if need be.

If you or someone you love has been bitten, seek medical attention immediately. Keep the bitten limb elevated above the heart if possible, but do not apply a tourniquet, and do not try to cut or suck the poison out. Just get to the hospital or urgent care facility, and have a medical professional treat you as soon as possible.

If you’re concerned about dangerous spiders being in your home, contact Dugas Pest Control today for a free consultation.

Sources:

http://www.fox8live.com/story/17588159/brown-widow-spiders-on-the-mov

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74149.html

http://animals.howstuffworks.com/arachnids/how-to-identify-black-widow-spiders.htm

http://www.countynewscenter.com/news/brown-widows-what-you-need-know

Are You Storing Pests in Your Pantry?

Dugas Pest Control provides cockroach extermination service in New Orleans and Baton Rouge Louisiana We expect our homes to be reasonably pest free – the occasional incursion of ants or flies is to be expected, but we hope that these are the exceptions, rather than the rule. That goes double for some specific areas within our homes – our bedrooms, for instance. It also applies to the pantry, the food-storage center of the family. Pantries are more than just storage areas where you put up your canned goods, boxed cereals, bags of rice and more. They’re essential components of our families, and the go-to place for comfort.

Most of us don’t think much about pests in the pantry, particularly if there’s nothing in evidence when we open the door and light floods in. The problem is that most pests duck out of sight the instant humans appear – there’s a very good chance that not only are you storing pests in your pantry, but that they’re helping themselves to your edibles, as well.

The Dangers of Pests in the Pantry

Before we talk about the various pests that might be lurking behind sacks of potatoes and boxes of cereal, let’s talk a bit about the many dangers involved here. You’ll find that mice can spread everything from salmonella to Hantavirus. They also carry fleas, which harbor even more diseases. Roaches, ants and other insects carry other threats, all of which can affect you and your family through food contamination. Others are less obvious threats but just as dangerous – hairs from beetles can cause mouth, throat and stomach irritation.

Signs of Pantry Invasion

How do you tell if your pantry is home to pests? While there’s no surefire way to say yes or no short of a professional exterminator conducting an inspection, there are a few things homeowners can do to help determine if there are pests present. These include the following:

  • Look for mouse droppings, tracks and urine in your pantry
  • The presence of moths in your pantry is a sure sign you have an infestation
  • Beetle carapaces present in your pantry are another sign you have an infestation
  • Webbing might not be from spiders – it could be from Indianmeal moth larvae

How to Safeguard Your Pantry

Eradication of pantry pests often requires professional help. However, there are several things you as a homeowner can do to help prevent pests from thriving in your pantry in the first place. Follow these simple tips to help ensure that you’re not bringing any unwanted visitors home, and that if they do make it in, they’re not going to find a welcoming environment.

  • Inspect all items before storing them in your pantry. Check for live moths, beetles and other insects.
  • Inspect all packaging for signs of damage BEFORE placing it in your pantry.
  • Use airtight plastic, glass or metal storage containers rather than leaving open packaging in your pantry. This applies to everything from rice to cereal to dried vegetables and more.
  • Keep your pantry organized and clean it regularly. A disorganized pantry, or one that is rarely cleaned, is a haven for many pests.

What to Do If You Have an Infestation

So, what should you do if you find that you’ve already started harboring pests in your pantry? All is not lost. First, remove any food items that have been damaged by pests and dispose of them. Second, clean the pantry thoroughly. Sweep or wipe up any spilled foods. Clean all shelving and mop the pantry floor. Finally, contact an experienced exterminator to ensure that your pests are gone for good. Dugas Pest Control can help ensure that your food and family stay safe and sound. Call today for more information about our pest control treatment and prevention options.

How to Keep Fleas and Ticks OUT of Your Home This Summer

Once you have a flea or tick infestation in your home, it can be a real monster to deal with. There are bug bombs and chemicals you can spray. You can bathe the pets, your family, and yourself, but they always seem to come back. As summer gets going, flea and tick season is in full swing, so let’s go through a few ways to keep fleas and ticks from getting in your home in the first place by preventing an infestation.

Tend to Your Yard

If you have a lawn, you have a potential flea and tick infestation waiting to happen. That doesn’t mean you have to pave over your grass and chop down your trees and bushes. Rather, you can prevent ticks from latching on to you and your kids by regularly mowing the lawn and keeping the hedges pruned.

You also want to avoid over-watering your yard, as fleas and ticks love moist environments. So, while you love lush, green grass, make sure you’re not giving it too much water.

Don’t Let Them Come In With You or Your Pets

Whenever you come inside from doing yard work, check your clothing, including your shoes and socks, for any ticks that may have crawled onto you while you were in the yard. At the same time, it’s advisable to take your shoes and socks off at the door and immediately go to the shower. Once you’ve showered, grab your socks and the clothes you were wearing to work in the yard, and wash them immediately.

You’ll also want to make sure that your pets aren’t bringing fleas and ticks inside with them. Comb your pets regularly. Keep them up to date on flea medication, like Frontline, and make sure that you check them for fleas and ticks before you let them back in the house.

Protect Your House

In addition to limiting breeding grounds and places where fleas and ticks can jump onto you, your family, and your pets, you can ensure that they don’t find their way into your home by applying a pesticide spread around the foundation of your house. This creates a barrier that fleas and ticks won’t be able to cross to get inside.

If you aren’t a big fan of pesticides, you can spread cedar chips around your house instead. Cedar won’t kill fleas and ticks, but it’s very repellant to them. It’s also an attractive ground cover around the house and around trees and shrubbery.

 

Sources:

http://www.bayeradvanced.com/articles/10-easy-ways-to-rid-your-lawn-of-fleas-and-ticks

http://pets.webmd.com/features/stay-pest-free

http://www.homesessive.com/view/natural-ways-keep-fleas-ticks-and-mosquitos-away-summer

http://www.petag.com/get-rid-of-fleas-and-ticks/

Get the Facts on Tick-Borne Diseases

No one likes finding a tick crawling on their leg or arm or, worse yet, latched onto their skin. It would be bad enough if the little bloodsuckers were harmless, but they can carry a number of severe and even deadly diseases. The best way to protect yourself from these is to know the facts about the diseases ticks carry, how to avoid ticks, and how to remove one if it has latched on.

Tick-Born Diseases in the United States

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ticks in the United States carry a number of diseases, including:

  • Babesiosis
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • Tularemia
  • Q fever
  • Colorado tick fever
  • Anaplasmosis
  • Lyme disease
  • Powassan encephalitis
  • Ehrlichiosis
  • Tick-Borne relapsing fever
  • Southern tick-associated rash illness

You probably already knew that ticks could carry Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but you may not have been aware of some of the others. This list should be a pretty big eye-opener for anyone who’s ever thought that tick-borne diseases weren’t serious or thought, “They’re rare. It couldn’t happen to me.”

Fortunately, the early symptoms of most tick-borne diseases are very similar. If you’ve been bitten by a tick, and you experience any of the following symptoms within the next two weeks, seek medical assistance immediately:

  • Stiff neck
  • Joint pain and/or muscle/body aches
  • Headaches or fever
  • Unusual fatigue
  • Rash (usually in the area of the bite)
  • Facial paralysis

Removing a Tick

If you notice that a tick has latched onto your skin, you should remove it as quickly as possible. The less exposure time you have, the less like you will be to contract any disease the tick may be carrying.

With a pair of sharp, thin tweezers, firmly grip the tick by the head, as close as you can get to the skin. Do not squeeze. Rather, pull straight up away from your skin. Try not to bend or twist to avoid breaking off part of the mouth. If the mouth does break off, remove it with clean tweezers. Don’t worry if you can’t get all of it; just clean the area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol after removing the tick.

Remember to dispose of the tick properly and without crushing it, as this can expose you to bacteria or viruses.

Old wives’ tales tell us to paint the tick or suffocate it so that it will detach. This actually leaves you exposed to potential disease longer than if you just quickly and cleanly remove it. If you do develop symptoms within two weeks after being bitten, seek medical help and be sure to tell your doctor that you were recently bitten.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/tick-borne/

http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html

Warm Weather Is Here – Welcome Back the Mosquitoes

Dugas Pest Control provides mosquito control service in New Orleans and Baton Rouge Louisiana The summer months are the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. People picnic in the park, go to the beach, jump in the swimming pool or just sit in a chair to work on their tan. There are so many different outdoor activities to take part in during the warm months, like biking, roller blading, hiking, camping, swimming, canoeing, tubing, and so much more.

There is something that can seriously stand in your way when enjoying the warm sunshine: mosquitoes. Those little buzzing insects aren’t just an annoyance. They can be a big problem. So, before you go outside, let’s spend a little time talking about the bugs and the problems they can cause you.

Health Conditions

Obviously, the biggest issue from mosquitoes would be illness. There are mosquito borne conditions that can affect humans and animals, and some of them have detrimental results. As far as animals go, the two main concerns would be, according to the National Center for Infectious Diseases:

  • Eastern equine encephalitis, which can affect horses
  • Canine heartworm disease, which can be fatal for dogs

However, it isn’t just animals who are affected by mosquito borne diseases. Human conditions include:

  • West Nile Virus – This condition can be transmitted to humans as well as birds and horses. This has been a common disease in the past few years.
  • Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis – This condition effects horses as well as humans and birds.
  • Malaria – Unfortunately, people don’t think of malaria as a threat anymore, but it has not been eradicated. It is still a threat in the United States.
  • Chikungunya – Up until recently, this virus was not found in the United States, but there have been outbreaks in southern states. It is transmitted directly from mosquito to human when a bite occurs.

In addition to the illnesses, mosquitoes cause other aggravations. Their bites can be very itchy and irritating. Many people are allergic or have an intolerance to the venom released in the bites and that results in more severe pain, itching, redness, and swelling.

Where Mosquitoes Breed

Mosquitoes are a bigger problem in certain areas of the world, especially places that have high humidity and warmer, more tropical conditions. States like Louisiana are especially prone to the bugs because there are plenty of places for mosquitoes to breed. These bugs like:

  • Warm environments
  • Wet environments
  • Bodies of standing water that have become stagnant

Any water that has been standing around, like swamps, empty pots, pet food bowls, ponds, ditches, and other areas will be the perfect breeding ground for the pests.

Eliminating the Mosquitoes in Your Yard

It can be a difficult battle to fight off mosquitoes, especially since you live in an area where so many of the bugs regularly breed and buzz around. Some of the things you can do include:

  • Make sure you do not have any free-standing, stagnant water on your property.
  • Use things like citronella candles when you will be outside to keep the bugs away.
  • Plant the right things in your garden, like mosquito plants that will actually help to drive the bugs away.

Of course, none of these things will eliminate the mosquitoes completely. If you have a very serious problem with the bugs and you are especially concerned with the issue, then you have another option. You can contact the professionals. There are devices and systems that will work very quickly and easily to ensure you can enjoy your property outdoors without having to constantly swat at mosquitoes.

Can you imagine spending time outdoors with your kids or pets without having to worry about mosquitoes? With the right steps, this can become a reality. Contact Dugas Pest Control today to learn more about our Mosquito Suppression Programs, including the CoastalMister System.

The #1 Way to Keep Mosquitoes Out of Your Yard

CoastalMister System Every time the summer rolls around, the mosquitoes seem to come out of hiding and wreak havoc for us all. If you have spent even one summer in Louisiana, then you know what it is like to live with mosquitoes. They cause very frustrating bites that itch, hurt, and turn red. If these are scratched too much they can even become infected. Mosquitoes are also responsible for a variety of different mosquito borne illnesses that can affect humans and their pets. The list of problems that come from these insects can go on and on.

There are different things you can try in order to rid your property of mosquitoes, like using bug spray, lighting citronella candles, and hanging up bug zappers. However, none of these things works very well. In fact, they don’t really do that much at all to completely eradicate the bugs. There is one solution, though, that will work.

The CoastalMister System

Have you ever heard of the CoastalMister System? This is a unique product that will actually work so that you can enjoy a mosquito free property. Here are some facts on how it can work for you:

  • This system is designed to use an insecticide that is completely natural. It is made from pyrethrum and it will kill mosquitoes on your property.
  • The system involves using tubes and nozzles to ensure the mosquito repellent is distributed evenly.
  • An electronic system on the unit allows you to control how often the system sprays, the length of time it sprays and how when it sprays. There are four different operational modes that allow you to customize the system so that it will work the most effectively in your situation. (Mosquito Control in Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
  • The four different operational modes include automatic, manual, remote, and timer.

The CoastalMister System is the #1 way to control mosquitoes on your property. It even includes a sensor that will pinpoint when the most ideal climates for mosquito breeding come up so that the system can kick in and start working for you right away.

Why It Works Better

Most outdoor insect controls just don’t work very well because they are spotty. They can only eliminate or deter mosquitoes in a very specific location. For example, citronella candles only work for a small radius around their flames. This means only parts of the outdoors will be mosquito free. If you wander outside a few feet, the insects will attack.

The CoastalMister System is different. Because it uses a series of nozzles all around your property, it will ensure the whole area is covered. That means every square inch can be mosquito free. That’s certainly a big difference from any other mosquito control option that you could choose.

It Doesn’t Just Repel Mosquitoes

Here is another benefit of the system. It does repel mosquitoes in a natural way, but that isn’t all. It can also repel flies and gnats, both of which can be big problems in Louisiana during the summer months.

If you have a problem with mosquitoes and you want to eliminate them, then you have good reason. Obviously, you don’t want to face the threat of illness and you definitely don’t want to deal with the itchy, irritating bites. That’s why you need the very best mosquito control device available. It certainly is better than other options and it will do a much better job. That means you and your family will be able to enjoy BBQ on the patio, playtime in the backyard, playing on the swing set, and more without ever having to worry about mosquitoes. For more information on the CoastalMister System, contact Dugas Pest Control today at (225) 238-1550.

Termite FAQ

The word “termite” is enough to put fear into the heart of even the most intrepid homeowners out there. While they can certainly be a larger problem, especially if you do not take care of them quickly, they do not have to be the end of the world or the downfall of your home. Dugas Pest Control can help take care of your termite problems. First, let’s go over some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding termites.

What Are Termites?

Termites are a type of insect that devours and destroys wood. Estimates show that termites cause more than $5 billion worth of property damage each year. You certainly do not want your home to add to that total, so make sure to contact pest control experts the minute you see a termite on your property.

What Types of Termites Exist?

The United States is home to three different types of termites – drywood, and dampwood. The dampwood termites, as the name suggests, prefer damp wood over dry. They live in the areas of the country that have heavy forests. The aptly named drywood termites are not as common as their dampwood brethren are, and they tend to prefer dry wood. Subterranean termites, the species most commonly found in Louisiana includes Native Subterranean and Formosan termites. They live in the soil and they are the species that tends to cause the most destruction to property.

When Do the Termites Appear?

Homeowners will typically start seeing termites in the first part of spring, as this is when they become active. You may start to see mud tubes on your lawn that lead toward your house. These are tunnels that the termites are using to get to the precious wood in your home. If you notice these tunnels, or you see a swarm of termites, it’s time to get in touch with a professional pest control company.

Do Termites Attack New Buildings?

One of the myths around termites is that they will only attack and destroy older buildings that are run down. The truth is that they can be found in any home that has wood. They’ve even shown up in new construction homes. It pays to watch for termites no matter how new or old your home might be.

How Do People Get Rid of Termites

When you have an infestation, you can’t really treat it on your own simply because you will not have access to the tools or chemicals that the pest control company may need to use. Some companies use a variety of chemicals as a means to kill the termites, while other companies might use a technique called termite baiting. Different companies have different techniques and approaches they can use based on the homeowner’s unique termite problem.

Do I Need a Termite Inspection?

Even if your home does not have any outward signs of termite damage, and even if you haven’t seen any termites on your property, it does not necessarily mean your home is safe and termite free. You will want to make sure that you contact the pest control professionals for a termite inspection, just to make sure you have no need to worry. Since termites can do damage to a home so quickly, it could be a good idea to have an inspection every year or so, just to be on the safe side.

Who Should You Contact?

When you have a termite problem, you can’t wait to get help. You need professional pest control at your door right away, so they can take care of the problem before the termites destroy your home. Get in touch with Dugas Pest Control for high quality, professional termite care and control.

Take Care of Those Pesky Tawny Ants and Fire Ants

Ants are a major problem whether they are inside of your home or taking over the backyard, and they can do quite a bit more damage than just ruining your picnic. Some types of ants tend to be far more trouble than the others are, including fire ants and tawny ants, also called raspberry ants. They even have the potential to be dangerous if you do not take care of them immediately. It’s important to understand a bit more about these troublesome pests to see why you really do need to make sure they are not on your property.

What Are Tawny Ants?

tawny ant is a relatively new invasive species to the area, and it is already causing quite a bit of consternation among those who are finding them on their property. They have massive colonies numbering into the millions. They have bodies that are about an eighth of an inch long with a reddish brown appearance. Another term for these ants is “crazy ant” because they crawl in erratic patterns and very rapidly. These types of ants do not have the typical nest mound either. Instead, they have their colonies beneath debris, rocks, fallen trees, timber, and similar items.

The ants can bite humans and animals, and they have been known to kill small livestock via asphyxia. They have also attacked larger animals around the eyes and the nasal passages. The tawny ants, which tend to gather in large masses, can also cause short circuits in electrical equipment. They can also clog the switching mechanisms. These ants will also eat nearly anything since they are omnivorous, and this means that if you have a colony of tawny ants on your property, they will likely make their way into your home at some point.

The colonies grow in the spring, and by the middle of the summer, there may be millions of worker ants in the colony. The numbers remain high until late fall.

What Are Fire Ants?

Fire ants are a huge problem in the area, and if you have them on your property, you need to remove them as soon as possible. These red insects are able to sting and inject venom into your skin that is very painful. The sting can cause swelling, redness, pain and blisters filled with pus that can last for up to eight days. Some people may be allergic to the stings, and this can cause the throat to swell, difficulty breathing, and an elevated heart rate.

The ants build large colonies in the dirt, and they tend to place those colonies in grassy areas, which just might be your backyard. They do not have a typical mound though, which might make them difficult to spot. Similar to the tawny ants, they will try to start their colonies under rocks, logs, and similar items. If those items aren’t available, they will create a mound.

Once they have a foothold on your property, they tend to take over quickly. They can be harmful to both people and animals, as they tend to be far more aggressive than other ant species are.

Getting Rid of Your Ant Problem

Tawny ants and fire ants can be quite a menace, as you can see. You do not have to let them take over your property though. Be proactive and contact us the minute you see any sign of these ants so we can evaluate the problem and provide you with the help you need. When you use the experts from Dugas Pest Control for your problem, you can be sure your family, your pets, and your picnics will be ant free.