Does Home Mosquito Control Work?

Mosquitoes swarming around and biting a person's legs.Warm weather is back here in Baton Rouge, which means longer days and more opportunities to get together with friends and enjoy the sunshine. At the same time, the moist and warm conditions of our spring and summer climate create the perfect breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes.

These blood-hungry pests can render your backyard virtually unusable. And any amount of research will bring up a variety of DIY mosquito traps and deterrents that you can implement on your own – but do they actually work? Which home mosquito treatments are worth money, and when is it better to call a professional?

DIY Mosquito Repellents that Don’t Work

Some mosquito repellents on the market aren’t nearly as effective as they would have you believe. Others work to an extent, but don’t address the root of the problem. Many say to remove standing water, which can limit opportunities for mosquitoes to lay eggs and reproduce. But this is difficult, as mosquitos can lay eggs in water droplets as small as a thimble. Other home mosquito repellents that may not work are: 

  • Mosquito repellent wristbands
  • Portable mosquito traps
  • Citronella candles
  • Wearable sonic devices

What You Can Do for Home Mosquito Control

Now that you know that many DIY mosquito control methods don’t live up to expectations, you may be wondering  – what can you do to combat mosquitos at home? The answer, in many cases, is easier than what you may expect.

An inexpensive box fan can keep you comfortable in hot weather, but it can do more than that. It can also circulate air on your porch or patio, creating a man-made wind current that mosquitoes naturally want to avoid. Mosquitoes are poor flyers and tend to stay away from areas with strong winds.

You can also enjoy the pleasant weather by planting a garden of herbs and flowers that mosquitoes naturally avoid, such as: 

  • Basil
  • Marigold
  • Peppermint
  • Geranium 
  • Lavender
  • Lemon Balm

Dugas Pest Control for Mosquito Extermination in Baton Rouge

You’ve planted your garden and left your fan spinning – you even removed all the bigger bodies of standing water around your property, and yet you are still overrun by mosquitos. That means it’s time for you to call the professionals. If you’re looking for a mosquito exterminator in Baton Rouge, you can get the best of the best in Dugas Pest Control. 

Since [founded], we’ve been combating mosquitos in properties across Baton Rouge. We believe our friends and neighbors should be able to enjoy the spring and summer in comfort. If that sounds good to you, contact us today to get started!

Why Is a Pest Control Company Installing Insulation?

ants at the base of a wall

What do you do to keep pests from getting into your home? There are many precautions you can take. Maybe it’s sealing off your trash bins and dry goods, denying easy access to potential food sources. You might incorporate repellent scents or traps, things you have to reapply every so often to maintain their effectiveness. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a form of pest control that protects your home without you having to do anything? And what if this product could also make your home more efficient and more comfortable? You can do all of that with the help of TAP® Insulation, which Dugas Pest Control is authorized to install.

If you haven’t heard of this before, you might be asking – why would a pest control company offer insulation? Let’s answer some common questions about it below.

TAP® Insulation Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is TAP® Insulation? 

A. TAP insulation is a loose-fill cellulose material that is blown into floors, attics, or wall voids. It’s made primarily from recycled materials and is able to kill many common insect pests on an ongoing basis.

Q. How does TAP® Insulation kill pests?

A. The cellulose in TAP is treated with Boric acid. This natural mineral is also found in some cleaning agents and medical supplies, but it has powerful pest-killing properties. Smaller insects get coated with the acid when they come into contact with it, and it gets into their system when they groom themselves. They’re unable to pass the chemical, and they ultimately die of dehydration or malnutrition. 

Q. What pests does TAP® Insulation kill? 

A. The Boric acid in TAP Insulation is not strong enough to harm rodents, pets, children or adults. It’s meant to target smaller insect pests, ranging from ants and Formosan termites to larger pests like slugs, cockroaches, and beetles.

Q. Where does TAP® rank as insulation?

A. TAP has proven its value as home insulation. The loose-fill cellulose slows the transfer of heat, to better regulate your home’s temperature throughout the year. It also has a good R-value, lower than spray foam, but higher than fiberglass batting. Overall, TAP Insulation will make your home quieter, as well as more comfortable and pest-free. It’s even fire-resistant!

Q. What are some of the downsides of TAP® Insulation?

A. Since TAP is made of cellulose, it’s vulnerable to mold and water damage. That’s why, for homes that go forward with TAP Insulation, we stress the importance of maintaining moisture control throughout the house. This is the best for not only your insulation but also the structural integrity of your home.

Dugas Pest Control for TAP® Pest Control Insulation

While TAP® isn’t toxic to humans unless ingested in very large quantities, it should still be installed by a professional. When Dugas Pest Control sends our team of trained experts to install TAP, we do so with the skill and experience you need to enjoy its benefit for decades to come. If you want to know more, visit our TAP Insulation page.

New Year, New Me, NO PESTS!

Friends lighting sparklers at night on New Year's Eve

As we reach the end of the new year and the start of the next, it’s common to ask yourself what changes you’re going to make for 2023. Are you going to commit to a dietary change, a workout regimen or new artistic outlet? Whether your ambitions are grand or simple, there’s a promise we can all make toward maintaining a pest-free home. And you don’t necessarily need poisons or elaborate traps to make this happen. If you have a pest infestation, you can rely on Dugas Pest Control for residential or commercial extermination services. But if you work with intention and follow a few key resolutions, there’s a chance you won’t need to call us at all.

You can make these four New Year’s resolutions today to improve your odds of having a peaceful, pest-free start to the new year.

Resolution One: Clear Out Clutter!

Pests like to hide and nest in areas that are quiet, dark, and undisturbed. Do you treat your closets and attics as dumping grounds for whatever you no longer want to look at? If so, you’re inadvertently creating an ideal habitat for all kinds of pests. Roaches, mice, and bed bugs all love easy access to areas where they will be able to feed and reproduce without being bothered. Because of that, it’s important to be consistently vigilant in keeping your home organized at all times. Doing this won’t just deter pests, it’ll also leave you calmer and more aware of the space around you.

Resolution Two: Keep Your Kitchen Clean!

The two biggest attractants of pests are shelter and a source of food. Think about the state of your kitchen. Do you have bowls of food left open and unattended to on the counters? Are the dishes from last night’s dinner still in the sink? You probably already know tendencies like these are not desirable habits to maintain – but think about it from the perspective of a pest. Those food particles left on the surfaces of your kitchen that you’re too busy to clean are a feast for a mouse or ant. Keep your food stored and your kitchen clean, and you no longer advertise yourself to every bug and rodent in the neighborhood. It’s that simple.

Resolution Three: Eliminate Entry Points!

Pests don’t appear out of nowhere. They all got in through some kind of opening in the exterior of your home. So, take the time to find and seal any potential entry point in, around, and outside your home. Pay special attention to windows and doors, as well as your foundation, vents, and the holes around any electric conduits, gas lines, or water faucets. And you can install new door sweeps or weatherstripping on exterior doors to further secure your home against pests.

Resolution Four: Transport Your Tinder!

We all enjoy a nice fire when it’s cold out. At the same time, though, there are a variety of insects that hide in the kind of firewood you bring into your home. To avoid bringing spiders, ants, flies, and other pests into your home, it’s important to keep your firewood at least 20 feet away from your home. Only take what you plan on burning at the time, and always inspect the wood before you bring it inside. With that in mind, you’ll be able to stay warm without running the risk of pests.

Dugas Pest Control – Experienced Exterminators in Baton Rouge

Life is hard to predict. If you do all this and still wind up with a pest infestation sometime next year, Dugas Pest Control is here to help. We’ve been controlling pests around Baton Rouge for over 50 years, so we’re familiar with the pests that live here. You don’t have to waste any time worrying, stressing and scrambling for DIY solutions. Instead, let one of our technicians handle the infestation quickly and efficiently. When we’re done, you’ll be able to start the new year off right. Want to know more and get a free quote for your household? Contact us today!

Is DIY Pest Control a Realistic Option?

a man wonders if he should try to solve his cockroach problem with DIY pest control methods

Is Do-It-Yourself Pest Control a Realistic Option?

Do-It-Yourself pest control might seem like a good way to save money, time, and hassle. Pick up some pesticide from the local hardware store and you’re good to go. No need to shell out or wait around for professional exterminators. Right? Well, not so fast. DIY pest control isn’t easy, and it carries significant downsides. If you’re considering doing your own pest control, you need to understand the risks so you can take measures to safeguard yourself, your family, and your home.

What Are the Risks of DIY Pest Control?

No matter what pests you’re dealing with, there are a few important things to remember. Always take pesticides seriously and use only according to instructions. Reading the instructions fully and understanding them is crucial, or your risks will greatly increase.

Negligence

Situations may exist where you can be held liable for your pest control practices. Pesticides are dangerous chemicals when misused. They can cause significant harm and create civil and even criminal liability for you. This is doubly true if you’re trying to eradicate a species of pest that’s protected by law.

Exposure to Pesticides

You should always wear protective clothing and gloves when handling pesticides and other chemicals. Also, PPE like a mask and eye goggles are recommended in areas where there might be pests or rodents. This will reduce the risk of getting bitten or stung. Read the instructions carefully and use only the amount that’s recommended for the job.

Haphazard exposure to pesticides can lead to health problems. Pregnant women and young children should avoid areas where pesticides have been used. Pesticides must be stored out of reach of children and pets so they don’t come into contact with them. Improper use of pesticides can lead to chemicals leaking into water supplies, vegetable gardens, and even the air inside your home. If using pesticides indoors, adequate ventilation is critical.

Unsatisfactory Results

Imagine doing all that work yourself, only for the problem to return in a few weeks or months. That’s another risk you face with DIY pest control. Dugas Pest Control’s team of experienced pest control experts know where to look in your home and how to root out infestations so they won’t return. That saves you time, stress and money in the long run.

Let Our Trained Specialists Handle It

Dugas Pest Control has provided effective, professional and affordable pest control solutions in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and surrounding areas since 1957. Our experienced exterminators are trained to identify and locate the source of your pest problems, and once the job is finished we’ll offer reasons why the pests were there and help you strategize methods for preventing future infestations. We can do the job faster, safer, more efficiently, and more completely than you ever could. When factoring all of this in, DIY pest control is simply not worth the risks to your health and peace of mind.

Let us handle your pest control so you can go back to living your life. Contact us today for a free quote!  

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Questions to Ask When Hiring a Pest Control Company

Pest control services in Baton Rogue LA - Dugas Pes ControlPest control is not an issue that you want to play around with. When you find that there’s been an infestation in your home, whether it be termites, ants, rats, cockroaches, or anything else, you want those critters gone as soon as they possibly can be.

So who do you call? A quick search for extermination services in your area will yield loads of results, but you’re the one that has to make the decision on who to call. Here are a couple of questions to keep in mind when you’re looking for the right pest control company.

Are your pest control treatments safe?

Some popular pesticides have been shown to contain chemicals that are harmful to plants, animals, and people that they aren’t intending to target. Ask your chosen pest control company if their products are:

  • EPA-approved
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Up to the latest standards of performance

At Dugas Pest Control, we take humane approaches to pest removal whenever possible, and never endanger our customers or the plants in their yard with toxic chemicals.

How do you decide your method of treatment?

Every home and every infestation is different. Ask a company that you’re considering what their method looks like when taking on a new client.

Our approach starts with a primary inspection, after which we develop a plan to make a return visit equipped with the right equipment and gameplan to remove the pests from your property and ensure that they don’t come back. Additionally, we will send a technician back to your home as many times as is necessary to rid your home of unwanted vermin.

Can I see reviews?

If a pest control company is truly professional, they should have nothing to hide. If you can’t find a link to their reviews on their website, ask to see what customers have said about them.

On the bottom right corner of all of our webpages, you’ll find a link to reviews that our customers have left us. We currently have a 4.9-star overall rating, spanning 662 different reviews! We have proudly and efficiently served customers all around the Baton Rouge area and are prepared to do the same for you.

Do you have licenses and insurance?

A trustworthy pest control company will be able to show that they have comparable licenses and insurance to the most established and reputable exterminators. It’s crucial that your trusted company has liability insurance to protect you against any further damage that is caused to your property during the extermination process.

Properly accredited companies should make the top of your list. Here at Dugas, we proudly present our certifications on our homepage, including our QualityPro certification and Better Business Bureau accreditation.

Can you prevent pests from returning?

A good exterminator stops a pest problem at its source. This means assessing the situation to find the reasons that it became an issue in the first place. As your local pest control companies what they do in terms of pest prevention. We at Dugas follow IPM (Integrated Pest Management) practices, meaning that we prioritize long-term prevention that coincides with the vitality of the ecosystem.

If you’re having a pest problem right now, contact us today. We will set up a plan to inspect your home, determine the safest and most effective method of extermination, and promptly send out our experts until the job is done.

How Do I Get Rid of These Roaches?

Dugas Pest Control provides cockroach extermination service in New Orleans and Baton Rouge Louisiana No one likes roaches, except maybe roaches themselves. When you find one in your home, you most likely have more making themselves right at home somewhere you can’t see them.

The hard part is that roaches hide during the day, so they can be difficult to find. Considering that roaches need three things to survive – food, shelter and water – you know that they must be living somewhere where these three sources are available. To confirm your suspicions, check for droppings, egg sacs and exoskeletons, and place sticky roach traps around the home.

First Steps – Making Life Difficult for Roaches

While you’re waiting for your results, be sure to do some tidying up. Clean up piled newspapers, cardboard boxes, paper bags and piles of laundry. Remove fresh fruits, veggies and breads from the counter, clean the stove and microwave, and keep all food in sealed containers. Vacuum, sweep and take out the trash regularly. A clean house is not a friend of the roach.

When you have determined where the roaches are hiding, or at least have a good idea, you can administer treatment most effectively. Since you have taken away the roaches’ sources of food, water and shelter by cleaning up the home, your next step is to move the roaches out of their nests. Let’s discuss the various methods for eradicating roaches.

Roach Baits and Boric Acid

Roach baits work by luring in cockroaches and then poisoning them when they come into contact with the chemical. They can be easily applied in cracks and crevices where roaches hide. Roach baits should only be used in areas that are out of reach of children and pets, and never in food preparation areas.

Boric acid can be purchased in its pure form and then lightly dusted in cracks, especially those openings that can’t be sealed with caulk. The advantage to boric acid is that it’s not highly toxic to humans and pets, so it’s a safer alternative to traditional pest control products. Still, boric acid can be toxic if ingested, so you must keep it out of reach of kids and pets.

Boric acid can be mixed with other ingredients such as flour (to make it stick), cocoa (to lure in the roaches) or sugar (lure). The mixture can be placed in the backs of drawers, cabinets or under appliances, and you may need several cycles to eliminate the problem. A fine sweep of boric acid is better than a scoop, so don’t feel that you need to apply generously to see results.

 

Pesticides

There are many pesticide products on the market, but the EPA recommends using them as a last resort. Pesticides can be purchased at most home improvement stores, but keep in mind that many do not solve roach problems forever. They work by keeping the problem controlled, but roaches often move to another part of the home. Also, read the bottle, because many products are “contact repellents” and must actually be sprayed onto the roach for them to work.

Pesticide products are much more toxic to the environment, children and pets, which is why they are not a first-choice option. Still, there are some pesticides that must be used to take hold of a bad situation. Here are a few of the individual products you can buy:

Desiccants – Used to dry out roaches and kill them.

Insect Growth Inhibitors – Used to inhibit the growth and reproduction of roaches.

Repellents – Premade sprays that repel roaches.

Foggers – Chemicals are released into the air to kill off the roach nests. You must evacuate the home prior to this treatment.

Emulsifiable Concentrates – These concentrated solutions have you add water to use them as insecticides. Good for covering large areas.

 

When DIY Fails

Despite your best efforts, you still may have roaches in your home or business.  After all, roaches can survive just about anything right?

When this happens, you can call in a professional exterminator who can get your home roach free. Still, it’s important that you have a multi-step approach, as not one solution will take care of the problem forever.

For instance, if you’ve successfully removed roaches from the home, you must also do your part by keeping piles of clothes or papers off the floor and sealing up food and fresh produce. Certain areas are more prone to roaches than others, but by keeping a clean home and using boric acid at the start of a problem, you can keep roach infestations under control.

What You Should Know about Subterranean Termites in Louisiana

Dugas Pest Control provides termite treatment and extermination service in New Orleans and Baton Rouge Louisiana Subterranean termites are the most destructive pests in our country, and they cost homeowners and businesses billions of dollars each year. They are found in all states except for Alaska, and they are most common in the southern states. Louisiana is one of the top states for termites because of our warm, subtropical climate. Even though termites are known as pests to humans, they hold an important part in our ecosystem.

Termites are not pests by definition, as they break down cellulose into usable nutrients. The nutrients, otherwise known as biomass, are then recycled into the soil as humus. The problem is that when subterranean termites get into the home, they can attack the internal wooden structure. From sheds to warehouses to the frames of homes, termites can quickly eat away, causing severe, long-term damage.

It’s important for homeowners to know the signs of a termite infestation since these pests can live in the walls or baseboards of the home without anyone knowing until it’s too late. By understanding the appearance, life cycle and signs of an infestation, you can identify a problem earlier and minimize risk to your home.

What is a Subterranean Termite Colony Like?

Subterranean termites are social creatures that live in colonies underground. The colonies contain millions of termites, but they have a very specific working order. The social order includes reproductives, workers and soldiers. The reproductives are designed to reproduce and expand the colony, and they can be either winged or wingless.

The workers make up the bulk of the colony, and they are the ones that do all of the labor, as in chewing through the wood. The soldiers are the ones that defend the colony. They most commonly attack against ants and other termites, and although the soldiers are fierce, they rely on the workers to feed them.

How Can I Identify a Subterranean Termite?

Since you want to protect your Louisiana home to the greatest extent, it’s important to know what a subterranean termite looks like. There are various stages that these pests go through, including the following:

  • Egg
  • Larva
  • Wingless Workers
  • Nymph
  • Soldiers
  • Adult Swarmers

The reproductives can be either winged or wingless, and the colors vary from dark black to pale brown. If they do have the wings, the wings are a smoky gray or brown color. There is even a social order within the reproductives, as some females lay eggs while others serve as a backup for the queen in case she is injured or dies. These termites have a creamy white color instead and are considered secondary reproductives. The workers are white or cream-colored and wingless. Soldiers have a similar look, with the exception being that they have brown heads with strong jaws.

Subterranean termites are approximately ¼” to 3/8” long and live in colonies. So, chances are likely that you’ll identify signs of an infestation rather than seeing a termite crawling around the home. These pests don’t wander from their colonies like that, unless they are swarming.

Signs of an Infestation in Your Louisiana Home

Hollow sounding wood – Termites don’t feed on the surface of the wood; instead, they feed on the inside of it. If the wood in your home sounds hollow, it could be because termites are eating away at the inside.

Mud tubes on exterior walls – Subterranean termites in Louisiana build mud tubes on surfaces in order to bring the colony moisture while searching for food. Mud tubes are always a sign of termite activity.

Swarmers – These reproductives can look a bit like flying ants, and they come out in the spring to mate. Swarmers can be found on windowsills or flying around the home, and they indicate that a colony lives nearby.

Wings – Finding discarded wings is another sign of a termite infestation. Look for wings in cobwebs, windowsills or other entry points.

Louisiana’s great climate has many advantages, but it also makes it prone to more pests such as our subterranean termite friends. Although termite damage can be difficult to suspect, being proactive is key. If you notice any signs of a possible infestation or start to see damage to wood, contact a professional exterminator immediately.

Why do Formosan Termites Swarm?

Formosan Termites When you think of the word “swarm,” the image of a group of insects flying together may come to mind. Yet when it comes to swarms in the termite world, the word means something very different.

What is a Termite Swarm?

A Formosan termite swarm is not aggressive or tightly grouped together. Instead, a swarm occurs when the environment triggers a large number of winged termites to leave the colony. What these swarmers do is mate and find new places to look for food. When a female becomes impregnated, she burrows into the ground with her mate, laying eggs and starting a new colony.

Since swarmers have two things on their mind – reproducing and survival – you can expect that these pests know exactly what they’re doing. You can just imagine how many Formosan termite colonies would burrow into the ground and start eating away at wood if they all survived, but Mother Nature plays her role here. Many swarmers are eaten by predators like birds and bats. Others die from natural causes before they’re able to find a mate. Only the strong survive.

Still, there is a good number of swarmers that live on and are able to find a mate and a place to start a new colony. These Formosan termite colonies don’t just emerge overnight, however. In favorable conditions, it can take 4 years for a new colony to produce swarmers. If the conditions are not favorable, it will take longer. It’s true that to humans, Formosan termites are certainly nuisances and damaging pests, but they are actually quite delicate in the chain of life.

What Triggers a Termite Swarm?

In many cases, it’s something in the environment that triggers a large number of termites to leave the nest. Swarmers are most common in the spring months, following suit with the natural swarm cycles. However, there are other factors that can trigger a swarm beyond the traditional cycles. Surprisingly, one of these factors can be a pesticide that is being used on the home.

If a Formosan termite colony has a lack of food or water, a swarm may be triggered. These circumstances can be brought on by using certain types of pesticides, so in order for the termites to survive, the termites will leave the nest. When Formosan termites are stressed, either in the soil or inside wood, they will leave their colony and seek food and water somewhere else. These termites depend on moisture, so they can’t go long without some type of water.

Where do Swarms Occur?

Swarms are very common in Louisiana, primarily in the spring and fall. Formosan swarmers prefer to fly in the warm evenings of the spring and summer, and they especially enjoy the climate after a light rain. Swarmers are attracted to lights, so it’s not uncommon to see Formosan termites flying around the lights of Baton Rouge in the evenings. Flying times for these termites is sundown to midnight, whereas other species of termite swarmers prefer the daylight hours. No matter where you are – home, work or out shopping – swarmers flying around is a sign that a termite colony is nearby.

What Should I do to Protect my Louisiana Home?

The best step is prevention. Turn off lights around the home or business at night in order to avoid attracting Formosan swarmers to your area. Make sure that windows and doors are screened and sealed, and look for other cracks or gaps around the home’s exterior. Formosan swarmers are very small, so they look for open areas to get underneath the home to start a new colony.

If you notice swarmers around your home, call a professional exterminator. There may be a colony nearby, but that doesn’t mean your home is infested. Still, it’s important to be proactive, and if the exterminator does think you have a problem, a product like Sentricon can be offered for control and elimination of Formosan termites.

Getting a Handle on Fleas and Ticks

The spring and summer months are upon us, which means so is flea and tick season. For Baton Rouge residents, fleas and ticks never really go away because the winters are mild and the pests can still thrive. Still, spring and summer are when these pests are at their highest numbers, so you’ll need to work hard to keep your home and pets free of these nuisances. Fleas and ticks are persistent, but with the help of a professional exterminator and simple steps you can take at home, you can keep these blood suckers at bay.

Why Fleas and Ticks are Stubborn Pests 

Fleas have a complicated life cycle and can survive in the outdoors in temperatures as low as 30 degrees. As long as the flea finds a suitable host to feed off of, it will stay warm and healthy through the winter season. This host can be a wild animal or your beloved pet. When springtime rolls around and the temperatures climb into the 60s, the growth and reproduction of fleas is at an all time high. Interestingly, flea pupae can remain dormant for up to one year waiting for the temperatures to be ideal.

When the temperatures are warm, the pupae will emerge from their cocoons, resulting in a mass of fleas. They then swarm around the first host they find, which may be your pet. Since fleas can survive the Baton Rouge winter, they do linger in the area over the colder months and become more aggressive in the spring and summer. Only low humidity and temperatures lower than 30 degrees will impact their life cycle. This is what makes fleas stubborn pests.

Ticks are also able to survive cool winter temperatures, providing that they find a host to feed off of. They aren’t quite as hearty as fleas since they can be killed off when temperature reach 45 degrees. However, it’s still important to protect pets during the winter months because ticks will thrive under the right conditions.

Dealing with Fleas and Ticks around the Home 

While you can’t eradicate fleas and ticks completely, there are steps you can take to minimize the problem:

  • Practice year-round flea and tick control by using a veterinarian-recommended product for every pet in your household. Even indoor pets are at risk.
  • Remove brush debris from around the home. This prevent animals from building nests and bringing around ticks and fleas they may be carrying.
  • Avoid having old upholstered furniture outside your home where your pets like to lie. These are prime places where fleas build nests.
  • Keep your home well sealed. Place screens over attics and ensure that all screens over doors and windows are free of rips, tears or holes.
  • Plant rosemary, sage and garlic plants around the home to make the area smell good but keep fleas and ticks at bay.
  • Keep the home clean by vacuuming and dusting regularly.
  • Contact a professional exterminator like Dugas Pest Control to learn about the severity of your tick or flea problem.

Disease Carriers for Humans and Pets 

Fleas and ticks are not just nuisances; they also spread disease and can infect animals with parasites. Some of the most common things they leave behind include tapeworm, dermatitis and allergies. Ticks are also known for spreading Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Pet owners often catch wind that their pet may be dealing with fleas or ticks when they started scratching, licking and chewing incessantly. Pets that spend a lot of time outdoors are at most risk, but even indoor pets need year-round protection.

Fleas and ticks must have a host to stay alive, but they also live much of their life cycle in the environment. This is perhaps what gives them added resilience; people think that if they can’t see them, they must be gone. However, they do a good job of lingering in the environment and then feeding off their hosts, which can be anything from a mouse to a human.

What is Sentricon and How Does it Work?

The Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System was introduced in 1995 as the first smart alternative to traditional liquid barriers. This baiting system has been proven to be effective at reducing and eliminating termite numbers and colonies, and it takes the unique biology and behavior of termites into consideration. Sentricon specifically looks at termite tunnels and cellulose food sources.

Understanding Termite Behavior

Termites build tunnels that are up to 350 feet long, and they work for food continuously. They are a well-organized team that consists of workers, soldiers and the queen. When a source of food has been identified, termites will leave behind a scent so that other termites in their colony can follow after. The worker termites chew and digest the cellulose food sources and then share them with the colony.

While termites may sound to be nothing more than food scavengers, we know that they feast on wood and can cause severe structural damage over time. That is why it’s essential that bait systems are fast, effective and efficient at eradicating termite colonies. This is where Sentricon comes into play.

A Closer Look at Sentricon 

The Sentricon bait system is based on the behavior of termites, and it works by getting the termites to ingest the bait when crawling through their long, underground tunnels.

Bait systems are placed around the perimeter of a home by a professional pest control company. They are typically arranged 10 to 20 feet apart, and when the termites come into contact with the bait station, they eat the cellulose material and inadvertently ingest an insect growth inhibitor. The termites go on to share this “food” with their colony members that also ingest the bait. As the growth inhibitor takes over and prevents the termites from being able to molt, they die off.

Sentricon is not only beneficial for immediate treatment but also for long-term pest prevention. When the bait stations are placed around the home, they continue to work by distributing bait to termites to kill off the workers, soldiers and queen. That means that termites will never reach your home, preventing structural damage and preserving your peace of mind. Bait stations do need to be re-baited over time, but your pest control company will offer a warranty that makes these visits to your home low cost.

Is Sentricon Effective?

Sentricon has been proven to work, and it has many benefits to traditional liquid barriers. It is the most environmentally responsible form of termite treatment because there are no chemicals involved. Also, no drilling needs to be done as with liquid barriers that need to be injected into the foundation. The bait systems are only used where there are termite colonies detected, and the cost of Sentricon, at least initially, is less expensive than other options.

There are some things to think about with Sentricon that may affect your end decision. While Sentricon is effective, it does have its drawbacks. Because the bait stations are placed in the ground, they often disrupt the termite tunnels, and then the termite workers and soldiers choose to build new tunnels. Also, weather conditions like rain and snow can cause the stations to be disrupted. The goal is to go undetected by the termites, and Sentricon sometimes lacks in this department.

Also, Sentricon does require regular maintenance. A certified professional from Dugas Pest Control will come out to the home at regular intervals to re-bait the stations. You’ll want to consider these costs in addition to the initial cost of the system. The good news is that the Sentricon system is affordable and will most likely fit into your budget better than a traditional liquid system.

The best part about Sentricon is that it is environmentally friendly. Providing long-term protection, you don’t have to worry about chemicals or pesticides making their way into your home. And, there is nothing better than knowing that your home is termite free and your family and pets are not exposed to chemicals. Contact Dugas Pest Control for more information.