Spring Season for Pests

Warm, sunny days, especially after rainfall, will bring out swarms of insects from their winter nests. These spring pests in Baton Rouge could be termites, wasps, bees, or ants – all of which can easily make theirA swarm of mosquitoes outside in the day way into your home and yard. These swarms are unwelcome guests to an otherwise pleasant season. There are, how ever, ways to protect your home and yard from infestations 

Common Spring Insects in Baton Rouge

Insects that come out in spring are foraging for food and seeking to mate. While this usually is taking place outdoors, keep in mind that they also could be seeking shelter and someplace to nest inside your home. Be on the lookout for: 

  • WASPS – Wasps come in a variety of colors which include yellow, brown, red and metallic bluem and have a narrow waist and pointed abdomen. They nest in wood fibers that they have chewed into a pulp and formed a honeycombed umbrella shape. 
  • BEES – Bees that aren’t your friendly honey making variety come yellow with black stripes. They tend to nest in piles of wood or other yard debris. 
  • ANTS- One of the most common ants is the odorous house ant. This type of ant is ⅛ to 3/16 inch in length, known for the odor they make when crushed. 
  • TERMITES – Termites come in shades of brown, white and black and range in sizes ⅛ of an inch to 1 inch. They have antennae and wings and can be mistaken for ants. 

There are 3 types of termites known to the area: 

Drywood termites. As their name implies they make their home in dry wood and need no contact with soil to live. They don’t go for moist, soft wood, instead they eat across the grain of dry, hard wood. This is very damaging and dangerous to structures. They are common to warmer, tropical climates with mild winters. Evidence of infestation includes discarded wings, feces or frass (piles of sawdust from feeding). 

Eastern subterranean termites. These termites cause homeowners the most damage and also are the most common termite in North America. They are prone to swarm in late February or early March. They make mud tubes that are used as tunnels from the ground to their food source, 

Formosan termites. This termite is known to be the most destructive of termites, but only found in certain locations. They usually swarm later in spring, around mid May.

Protecting your home and yard from invading pests

Below are just a few tips to discourage pests from taking up residence in your space. 

Cleaning up after outdoor BBQ and other cooking as wasps and bees are looking for and are attracted to protein based foods. Leaking faucets or hoses provide a water source that attracts not only wasps and bees but termites and ants. 

Patching cracks or crevices in walls, repairing broken panels or siding to discourage wasps from nesting in your walls. Keep your yard clean of heavy debris. 

Ants such as odorous house ants, nest in walls and beneath carpeting. Keep organic debris such as leaves and piles of wood away from your foundation. Store leftovers in airtight containers and keep areas clean of food debris and dirty dishes. Ants are attracted to sweets as well as protein-based foods.

Springtime Pest Control with Dugas Pest Control

Even if you take all the proper preventative measures, you still may wind up with a pest infestation in your home or yard. When that happens, you can trust the team at Dugas Pest Control to give you the most reliable and comprehensive treatment in the Baton Rouge area. We’ve lived through [year] spring seasons, and in that period, we’ve mastered the art of eradicating the most common swarms and keeping more from taking their place. Want to know more? Contact us today to get started!

How Dangerous are Kissing Bugs?

A kissing bug rests on a red flower in Baton Rouge LA.Despite their name, kissing bugs are anything but romantic. These tiny pests are notorious for leaving tiny bites on people in the middle of the night – typically near the mouth, hence their nickname. While it’s unsettling enough to wake up covered in bites, are kissing bugs actually dangerous? The experts at Dugas Pest Control explain why the kissing bug is potentially dangerous and share tips that can help keep your home kissing bug-free.

What is a Kissing Bug?

Triatomine bugs – commonly called “kissing bugs”, “conenose bugs” or “vampire bugs” – are parasitic insects that feed on blood. They are oval-shaped, dark in color, and typically grow to around ½ to 1 inch in length. Though juveniles do not have wings, adults do and are capable of flying. Their most defining feature, however, is a long, prominent beak that they use for feeding. 

Since kissing bugs are nocturnal, they tend to hide near sleeping humans or animals. Most stay in small nooks or crannies such as cracks in floorboards, walls, or furniture. Adults are solitary and generally do not live in large groups, though females may leave eggs behind.

Are Kissing Bugs Dangerous?

As with any blood-feeding insect, kissing bugs are dangerous. While their bites are not particularly painful, they could lead to infections or serious diseases. Triatomine bugs are most known for spreading Chagas disease, which could have chronic effects lasting a decade or more after the initial transmission.

What’s Chagas Disease?

Chagas disease is the result of a parasite called Typanosoma cruzi, which is stored in the digestive tract of kissing bugs after they feed on an infected organism. The parasite doesn’t spread while the kissing bug is actively feeding; rather, it enters the wound of the bite through feces, which the insect typically leaves behind after feeding. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Chagas disease is potentially life-threatening. Early signs of the disease include:

  • Body aches
  • Fever and fatigue
  • Loss of appetite or nausea
  • Swelling of eyelids
  • Swelling around the bite
  • Recurring headaches
  • Swollen glands

If you suspect you’re suffering from Chagas disease or another illness, seek medical attention immediately. Other animals may also suffer from this disease, so contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has been bitten. 

How Can You Prevent Kissing Bugs?

The last thing you want is to discover bite marks on your face first thing in the morning. Keeping triatomine bugs out of your home is the best way to protect yourself and your family from this pest. Here are some ways you can prevent kissing bugs (and other insects) from entering your home:

  • Seal any gaps, cracks or openings around doors, windows, or your foundation
  • Repair any ripped screens or broken weather stripping
  • Keep your landscaping tidy and remove any debris near your house or in your yard
  • Place landscape lights (if you have them) farther away from the base of your house
  • Let pets sleep indoors during the nighttime
  • Check sleeping areas in your home periodically for signs of bugs

What to Do if You Find One

It’s never pleasant to find a pest in your home – especially one as potentially dangerous as a kissing bug. While your initial instinct may be to squish the insect immediately, the CDC strongly recommends that you do not come into contact with the kissing bug. 

Rather than squishing it, place a clear container on top of it and then, contact a pest control professional.  They’ll be able to confirm the bug’s identity and inspect your home for signs of more insects.

Whether you’re worried you found a kissing bug in your home or just want to ensure your space is completely free from pests, Dugas Pest Control in Baton Rouge can help. We’ve been providing exceptional pest control services in Louisiana since 1957. Give us a call today for a free quote!

Ways to Naturally Repel Bees and Wasps

If you live inUp close, face to face with a bee the Baton Rouge area, bugs are a part of life, particularly in the summer. And despite the heat, there are still plenty of barbecues, festivals and picnics going on outside in the summer. These outdoor events can put stinging insects and people on a collision course. Fortunately, there are several techniques that can help keep bees and wasps away, naturally. Keep reading to learn more!

Plants That Attract Wasps and Bees

Bees and wasps are attracted to many types of flowers because they’re pollinators. Here are some flowers that bees and/or wasps particularly like: 

  • Black-eyed Susan
  • Honeysuckle
  • Lantana
  • Lilacs
  • Perennial Yarrow
  • Poppies
  • Pale Purple Coneflower
  • Sweet Fennel
  • Wisteria
  • Queen Anne’s Lace
  • Sedum
  • Snapdragon
  • Sunflowers

If you see a large number of bees and wasps flying around your home but you can’t find a nest, it may be because you have some of these plants on the property. If you have some of these plants near outdoor areas that you use often, like decks, patios or porches, consider relocating them.

Plants That Repel Wasps and Bees

Wasps and bees may be pollinators, but they’re not attracted to all plants. The scent of the following plants are strong natural repellents for bees and/or wasps:

  • Basil
  • Citronella
  • Geraniums
  • Marigolds
  • Peppermint
  • Spearmint
  • Thyme
  • Wormwood

Do you need to move any of the plants that bees and wasps are highly attracted to away from your outdoor spaces? If so, these would be excellent plants to replace them with. Even if you don’t need to replace any plants, potting a few of these near your outdoor spaces will still help keep stinging insects away. 

They’re Attracted to Your Food

Barbecues, picnics, ice cream cones – eating outside is an essential part of summer. But outdoor meals and treats also attract wasps and bees. To help reduce the risk that stinging insects will ruin your outdoor dining experience:

  • Clean up right away after your picnic or barbecue; throw out trash and pack up leftovers.
  • Speaking of trash, make sure after you use a trash can that the lid is closed tightly.
  • Unattended drinks should be closed or covered because wasps love sugary beverages.

Bees and wasps are attracted to many plants but dislike others. Well, it’s the same thing with food. They like many types of human food but some foods and ingredients repel them, including: 

  • Bay Leaves
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Garlic
  • Sliced Cucumber
  • Vinegar

Since these can be found in most grocery stores and are inexpensive (often less expensive than a store-bought insect spray), they make a practical all-natural pest repellent. Just pour, slice or sprinkle them into a container and keep it near you or your outdoor space.

Make a Natural Bug Repellent with Essential Oils

The previous methods are fine for keeping stinging insects away when you’re relaxing by a patio table. If you want a pest repellent that’s more portable and less passive, you can make one using essential oils. Stinging insects are repelled by these essential oils:

  • Citronella oil
  • Clove oil
  • Eucalyptus oil
  • Geranium oil
  • Peppermint oil
  • Rosemary oil

Just combine two drops of essential oil per ounce of water and pour into a spray bottle for a portable, all-natural pest repellent.

Top Bee and Wasp Exterminators in Baton Rouge LA

There are several natural, DIY ways to keep wasps and bees away. However, these techniques may not be enough. If you’re in Southern Louisiana and you need to get rid of persistent bees and wasps on your property, call us! Our approach helps get rid of stinging insects while still being eco-friendly. Contact us for a free estimate!

How to Avoid a Wasp Sting

Wasps hanging out at their nestWhile we sometimes wish we never had to deal with them, bees, wasps, and hornets aren’t leaving Baton Rouge any time soon. These insects are crucial contributors to our local ecosystems through pollination and insect regulation. As such, they’ve developed a bit of an attitude! If you disturb their business, bees and wasps, especially the latter, can dish out painful stings. Wasps in particular are capable of stinging over and over to defend their nests. Are you wondering what you can do to protect yourself from wasp stings this summer? Read on to learn from the wasp control experts at Dugas Pest Control!

Tips to Avoid Wasp Stings

If you want to successfully avoid wasp stings, the most important strategy is trying to keep them out of your yard in the first place. You can prevent wasps from showing up on your property by doing the following:

  • Be sure not to leave out sweet or protein-rich foods and drinks
  • Dispose of food in sealed bins, especially soda cans or sugary foods
  • Keep your lawn, plants, and trees trimmed to prevent opportunities to build hidden nests

If it’s too late and wasps have already set up shop in your yard, a different protocol becomes more important. Here are some ways to avoid stings from wasps that already live on your property:

  • Move slowly and cautiously around their nests to avoid drawing attention to yourself
  • Stay still if a wasp approaches you
  • Don’t try to bat the wasp away, because they will use pheromone signals to call for help
  • If you have to run away, do so in a straight line without waving your arms

Treating Wasp Stings

Wasps have been known to sting seemingly unprovoked. Sometimes, being in their way is enough of an offense for them to justify stinging you. If you’ve been stung, here are some ways to soothe your symptoms:

  1. Use an ice pack or a cool rag as a cold compress
  2. Take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen to deal with pain
  3. Take an antihistamine for swelling around the sting

If someone experiences nausea, faintness, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face and mouth shortly after a wasp sting, call an ambulance. These are signs of anaphylaxis, which is a serious form of allergic reaction.

Professional Wasp Nest Removal in Baton Rouge

It’s important to never try to get rid of wasp nests on your own. Wasp nests are notorious for hosting a deceptively large number of individuals, so damaging or disrupting a wasp nest can lead to dozens of stings. Call your local wasp removal experts if you need to get rid of a nest. Our technicians at Dugas Pest Control are trained in multiple types of safe, non-toxic wasp control practices. We can remove your nests and make sure no more are built. For a free quote, reach out today!

5 Signs It’s Time To Call a Professional Pest Control Company

Applying a pest control spray treatment in Baton Rouge LA - Dugas Pest ControlIf you find a few bugs in your home, it’s easy to assume that you can get rid of them and go on with your day. However, with many insects, the few that you find indicate that many more are going unnoticed. At Dugas Pest Control, we have been called out to assess many pest infestations that the homeowner thought could be quickly resolved. As it has turned out time and again, the problem was much deeper rooted than it would appear to the untrained eye.

If you’re worried about a pest problem developing in your home in Baton Rouge LA, the safest call is to reach out to your local pest control company as soon as you can. In some cases, this could save you from skyrocketing repair costs and uncontrollable pest outbreaks.

5 Signs That You Need Professional Pest Control

Licensed, certified pest control technicians can correct pest problems using safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible solutions. We have put together 5 major signs that you should reach out to your local pest control company:

  1. Termites: Termites cause billions of dollars of damage around the world annually! These prolific and powerful pests can hide in your walls unnoticed for years, gradually growing their numbers. Even finding one termite in your home warrants an immediate call for an inspection.
  2. Wood-boring insects: In addition to termites, carpenter ants and carpenter bees like to burrow through the wooden structures in our homes. So do powderpost beetles—if you allow generations of any of these insects to accumulate in your walls, you could be in for some serious structural damage.
  3. Bees, wasps, and hornets: All of these stinging insects are capable of building nests in our walls, hanging from our porches, or on outdoor structures. It is highly unsafe to remove them yourself, especially wasps and hornets’ nests. They are not scared of attacking in large numbers.
  4. Bed bugs: Because of their name, it’s easy to forget that bed bugs can actually infest your entire home. Professional heat treatments are the most effective method of eliminating growing bed bug populations. Some home treatments aren’t exhaustive and allow for the bed bugs to return.
  5. Recurring Problems: On that note, if you’ve noticed that you have a recurring pest issue, it likely means that you never dealt with the initial outbreak properly. The best way to prevent future pest problems is to identify the source of the first infestation.

Reliable Pest Control in Baton Rouge LA

If you’re worried that your pest problem could be spinning out of hand, wait no longer to take action. Your local pest control company in Baton Rouge LA will be able to conduct a comprehensive inspection of your home, discovering the source of your issue and the best way to go about solving it. Remember that the sooner you deal with your pest problem, the easier it will be to resolve. Whatever your needs, contact us today for a free estimate!