Why It’s Essential To Deal With Ticks Before You See One

Birds are chirping, flowers are flourishing, and the days are sparkling with the sun. Spring is almost here! Spring lets us enjoy the outdoors and all that it has to offer.

With the increase in temperature and sunshine, you aren’t the only one that wants to get out and relish in it. Many animals and bugs also look forward to exploring the warmth.

One of these creatures that love crawling in the woods and grass is ticks. These ticks love to latch on to you or your clothing and eventually suck your blood.

Because of their desire for your blood, it can come with certain risks. There are many things to be wary of when dealing with these organisms to ensure your Spring and Summer are safe.

Important things to consider when dealing with ticks are preventing bites, tick removal, and symptoms that come with a bite. Knowing this information will mean you get prepared for it all!

If you have troublesome pests bothering you or your family, it’s wise to meet with experts that can help you. Contact the professionals at Environmental Pest Management for any pest issues, including roaches, rodents, wasps, and more.

Preventing Tick Bites

The first step in fighting back against ticks is to prevent them from biting you entirely. While ticks can get found year-round, they are most prevalent during the warmer months.

Knowing where ticks love to crawl around is crucial when trying to avoid them. Ticks live in many grassy or wooded areas. Activities such as camping, gardening, or walking your dog outside will very likely expose you to potential ticks.

If you are choosing to travel in brushy areas, consider treating your clothing beforehand. Applying an insecticide such as permethrin to your clothes will repel any unwanted bugs. Be sure to follow instructions carefully and allow clothes to air out for safety.

When walking in wooded areas, it’s sensible to walk in the middle of trails or walkways. Doing so means your legs won’t scrape grass or brush where ticks love to gather.

Once you come inside, the next step is to check your clothing for any other bugs on you. If you see or suspect there are ticks on your clothing, you can toss them in a dryer on high heat to kill them.

Be sure to wash and dry clothes in a high-temperature setting. Cold or medium temperatures won’t kill them, and they’ll continue to bug you.

In addition to checking your clothes, you’ll want to investigate your gear and your pets, if you brought them. Ticks on your dog will be harder to spot due to their fur, so be thorough.

Last but not least, perform a full body check on yourself for any ticks. It would be best if you used a mirror to help you see your body better.

Some spots that can hide ticks will include around your ears, or in and around your hair. Additionally, examine under your arms and the back of your knees. Any nook or cranny could be a hiding spot for a tick.

Tick Removal

Tick bites are surprisingly common. If you do find a tick secured to your skin, the most important thing to do is to remain calm.

You’ll want to remove the tick immediately. While there are many tick removers on the market, a simple set of fine-tipped tweezers will be useful to use.

With the tweezers ready, grip the tick as close to your skin as possible. From here, you should pull directly upward with even force. If you jolt or yank the tick, the mouth-part likely latched onto you will break off.

If this happens, don’t panic! Use your tweezers and carefully remove the head from your skin.

Once the tick gets removed, the next step is to clean the bite area. The bite can get cleaned with a disinfectant such as rubbing alcohol, or just soap and water.

As soon as the tick gets removed, you’ll want to dispose of it correctly. Placing it into alcohol will ensure it gets killed, and you can put it in a sealed container as an extra measure.

Afterward, keep an eye on the bite area to observe any side effects. Should you develop a rash or fever, contact your doctor immediately.

Symptoms of Tick Bites

In most cases, a tick bite won’t have any effect on you whatsoever. The tick bite may be painless, and the tick will feed and fall off. Symptoms will come after the bite happens.

Symptoms for a tick bite vary from slightly annoying to severe complications. The most important thing you can do is spot the signs before it becomes dangerous.

Minor symptoms for a tick bite include itching, burning, and redness. These get easily identified as they happen and can let you know that something happened.

In rare cases, an individual may be sensitive or allergic to tick bites. These allergies can lead to a rash, shortness of breath, swelling, numbness, or even temporary paralysis.

More severe symptoms for a tick bite include fever, shortness of breath, headache, or vomiting. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Since ticks feed on your blood, they can introduce dangerous pathogens to you. Diseases can get transmitted from the tick feeding.

The most associated disease with tick bites is Lyme disease. This disease will get received from ticks in the northeastern U.S., upper midwestern U.S, and along the Pacific coast.

Another disease transmitted by ticks is the Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Symptoms include a high fever that lasts weeks, muscle aches, vomiting, and fatigue.

A dangerous disease that can be carried by ticks is Tularemia. Luckily, with early treatment, complete recovery is possible. If left unchecked, Tularemia is life-threatening.

As you can see, ticks can range from mildly annoying to potentially threatening. It’s essential to know how to avoid ticks, how to remove them, and signs of symptoms.

Check out our tips for naturally keeping bugs away here.

If you suspect that you have a problem with annoying pests, don’t hesitate to contact Environmental Pest Management. No job is too big or too small!

March 13, 2020

Dealing with Mosquitoes Before They Bite

When the weather is warm, we all love spending time outdoors. What’s better than an afternoon barbecue with friends and family? The only thing that can ruin this idyllic scene would be everyone’s least favorite uninvited guests- mosquitoes.

If you are facing an unwanted horde of mosquitoes, contact Environmental Pest Management. We have the tools and expertise to squash your bug issues before they become big problems.

What do Mosquitoes look like?

Mosquitoes are small flying insects. They have a single pair of tiny wings. Typically, they have thin, long legs and a long probe extruding from the crown of their heads.

The bodies of mosquitoes are covered with minuscule scales. The fully-grown mosquito can range in size, but generally, they stay between 3 and 9 mm.

What do Mosquitoes eat?

Not all mosquitoes are bloodsuckers. In fact, it is typically only the adult females and only when they are working on generating their eggs. A mosquito’s principal source of food is actually nectar from flowers.

The larvae, on the other hand, spend all their time in stagnant water feeding on a variety of minerals, organic debris, and tiny aquatic organisms.

Some species of mosquito are predatory and have been known to be cannibalistic.

Mosquito Facts

Mosquitoes prefer hot and humid environments. They are most prevalent in tropical areas, but some species have been found in frozen locales, such as the Arctic Tundra.

The hairs found on a mosquito’s antenna help with their ability to hear. These hairs are different between the sexes. The male’s plumes are large and feathery, and the females have smoother antennae.

Typically, male mosquitoes are quite a bit smaller than female mosquitoes. They also don’t live as long, poor guys.

Interestingly, mosquitoes reproduce while airborne. When experts researched this behavior, they found that the frequency and sound of the mosquito’s wing beats is one of the main attractants for mates.

Mosquitoes can see through their compound eyes. These eyes are located on either side of the head. Each eye is made up of hundreds of small lenses called ommatidia.

This allows the mosquito to see and perceive stimuli from many directions at one time. The mosquitoes really on this broad field of vision to help them find their prey.

Sight is not the only thing mosquitoes use to find food. They can smell attractive gases from their host up to 170 feet away. They can also sense body heat when it is less than four feet away.

How do I get Mosquitoes?

Outdoors

Mosquitoes prefer to breed in standing water that is stagnant. If you live near a pond, marsh, or any depression that collects water, you are at a higher risk for mosquitoes.

After heavy rains, if water collects in your yard, you may have to worry about these pests. Most mosquitoes are more active at night. Most often they emerge right around dusk and are most active at night.

This means that as spring comes, prepare to see more and more of these pests.

Indoors

If any mosquitoes find themselves in your home, they will most likely seek out dark and hidden areas. They will then come out at night to search for food. Likely suspects for hiding places include the space under sinks, in closets, or laundry rooms.

Mosquitoes prefer to be outside, but they may accidentally find themselves inside through an open door or window.

What are the signs of a Mosquito infestation?

The two most telltale signs of a mosquito infestation are-

The buzzing of the females
The ensuing bites

If you believe you have a mosquito infestation, act fast. The bite of a mosquito is potentially very dangerous. They have been known to carry the Zika virus, the West Nile virus, and several types of encephalitis.

Mosquito bites are not only annoying and itchy, but the worst-case scenario is also a painful death.

How do I get rid of Mosquitoes?

The best way to deal with mosquitoes is to prevent them access in the first place. Prevention is key. The best ways to prevent mosquito infestation are-

Insect repellent- Use only as directed
Oil of lemon
Oil of eucalyptus
Use window or door screens
Sleep under a mosquito bed net
Air conditioners or fans for high traffic points of entry

What are the most common Mosquito-borne viruses?

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is the most common mosquito-borne illness in the United States. The bite from a mosquito spreads it. Unsurprisingly, West Nile is most common during mosquito season- late summer through fall.

Unfortunately, there are no vaccines to prevent West Nile, nor are there any medications to treat it. Fortunately, though, most people who are infected do not contract any symptoms. In fact, only about 1 out of every 150 people develop a severe or fatal illness.

Reduce your risk by wearing insect repellant, long-sleeved shirts and pants, and avoiding mosquito bites.

Zika Virus

Many parts of the world still view the Zika Virus as a severe problem; some include US territories such as the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. If you are planning a trip to any area where Zika is a problem, be sure to take the proper precautions.

Zika is particularly insidious because it can cause severe congenital disabilities when a pregnant mother is infected. Expectant mothers should be particularly cautious when it comes to mosquito prevention.

Saint Louis Encephalitis

This disease is spread through mosquito bites. Most people who are infected see little to no symptoms. The unlucky few will experience fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and tiredness.

Occasionally, a person may experience severe swelling of the brain. This reaction is predominately found in older adults. In very rare cases, long-term disability or death may occur.

You can reduce your chances of contraction by wearing insect repellant and long layers.

Chikungunya

Over 2 million cases of Chikungunya have been reported since 2013. This disease can be found in over 45 countries and counting.

Fortunately, for those infected, the disease is rarely fatal. The side effects are still severe, though, often ranging from minor to debilitating joint pain, fever, headaches, muscle pain, and rashes.

If you believe you are suffering from an infestation, don’t wait until it is too late. Contact Environmental Pest Management today.

November 29, 2019February 28, 2022

Hide Your Acorns! Red Squirrel Facts

Curious red squirrel peeking behind the tree trunk

Red squirrels may seem cute, but they are not something you necessarily want around. You may have seen these furry little friends running along your fence or hopping through the trees. If you have seen a few too many, you have options.

If you are experiencing a red squirrel infestation, turn to the professionals at Environmental Pest Management. We are committed to the safe and humane removal of all pests.

Take back your home and yard today. Contact us for your free estimate.

What are Red Squirrels?

In terms of coloring, red squirrels are, you guessed it, red. More specifically, they are often rust-colored. Thiers tails are usually very bushy, and their bodies are typically thin and long.

Depending on the time of year, though, their coloring can change slightly. They can often be mistaken for other species of squirrel because they can appear brown or gray at various points throughout the seasons.

Red squirrels are curious. They appear to live exploring their surroundings and can seem quite playful. In addition to their curiosity, red squirrels are known to be fast. They are also easily startled and will quickly dart away when frightened.

What do they look like?

Red squirrels have long faces that end in a pointed nose. Because of their long ears, they have excellent hearing. As previously mentioned, they are typically rusty in color with white bellies.

They walk and run on all four legs, but they are able to stand on their hind legs alone. You will find them in this position when they need to hold something in their front paws.

Their long tails are used to help these nimble creatures steer their way through the trees. Most red squirrels weigh anywhere from 8 to 12 ounces and are 7 to 9 inches in length.

Where do they come from?

Red squirrels originated in the United Kingdom, and they have been around for over 10,000 years. They are a protected species in their native land.

The invasive species of gray squirrels have begun to take over locations previously populated by red squirrels. Gray and red squirrels cannot co-habitat, and the gray squirrels have slowly pushed the red squirrels to the point of endangerment.

Where do they typically live?

Because red squirrels are tree-living animals, you can generally find them nestling high in the treetops. Most of their time is spent in trees. Fortunately, red squirrels are excellent jumpers, so they can make their way from tree to tree with relative ease.

The largest red squirrel populations can be found in Great Britain and Ireland, but they are also often found in Scotland and Northern Asia.

In Northern American, red squirrels can be found in parts of Alaska and Canada. You can also find them in many of the Rocky Mountain states and some Eastern states, such as Virginia and Illinois.

What do they eat?

Most of the red squirrel’s diet consists of nuts, acorns, pinecones, and mushrooms. They are nothing if not opportunistic, though. They have been known to feed on the bark of trees and even some forms of fungi. They will also eat insects or small frogs if their natural food source is scarce.

Red squirrels are hoarders. When food is plentiful, they will store the excess in trees for later feedings. They are cautious and prepared for anything.

Red squirrels never put all their nuts in one basket, so to speak. They have many food storage caches spread out in several different locations. If one storage spot is taken by another animal or destroyed, they have other stores from which to pull.

How long do they live?

In the wild, red squirrels can live up to six or seven years. In captivity, though, they can live even longer. The steady diet and lack of predators allow these animals to live up to ten years.

What are their behaviors?

Red squirrels are most active during the day, especially in the spring and summer months. They are active in the evenings, but slightly less so. They begin gathering food for the following winter during the preceding fall months.

During these gathering months, red squirrels are at their most active. You will see them hard at work all day.

In the cold winter months, you will only see the red squirrel in the middle of the day, and only if it is warm enough for them to come out. They do not hibernate, but they do burrow and hide.

Are they social?

Red squirrels are very communicative with each other. They also use body language to communicate. Typical forms of this include foot-stamping and tail-jerking.

Each different sound or motion has a distinct meaning. The red squirrel could be a warning to other squirrels of danger or could be used to defend his territory.

Are they dangerous?

While not particularly dangerous to humans, red squirrels can be a nuisance. They can cause damage to your home and property. The destruction left in their wake can be avoided, though.

Keep trees and branches trimmed close to your house. A leeway of five feet would be ideal.
Inspect your home for holes or open seams. Seal up any potential entry points to prevent entry.
Squirrel repellents, in the form of irritants or the smell of predators, have some success.
Do not use poison; you don’t want to kill the animals.

We recommend calling a professional, though, as red squirrels are often protected and should be handled gently to ensure their continued survival.

What kind of damage can they do to my home?

Red squirrel infestations are marked by the animals creating nests inside your home. The problems come when the squirrels chew on wires or woodworks. The result can be short-circuiting of appliances or costly repairs.

Additionally, if they build their nests in your chimney, a fire hazard may result. Squirrels may try to get inside when the weather turns colder. See our tips for dealing squirrels inside in the winter here.

On a slightly less destructive note, the loud and often annoying noises they make can be quite a disturbance. You and your family will have much less peace and quiet when squirrels are around.

Call Environmental Pest Management Today

If you are experiencing these or any other problems with red squirrels, fear not. Environmental Pest Management is here to save the day. Contact us now for a free quote. Take back your home today.

October 7, 2019December 30, 2021

Wasp 101 and the Difference Between Wasps and Hornets

Even though we love our pollinators, we want them to stay outside where they belong. Pollinators often take the form of stinging insects, and some of them can set up shop in our houses if we’re not careful.

In this article, we’ll learn a little bit about wasps. We’ll also showcase the differences between hornets vs. wasps, as well as how you can prevent them from becoming pests in or around your home.

At Environmental Pest Management, we’re your partner for safe and effective pest removal. We keep out the unwelcome critters while making sure to protect all the “critters” that belong there. Call us today for a free estimate , and restore your home to a pest-free haven.

All About Wasps

If you’ve always avoided stinging insects at all costs, you may think they’re all the same. In fact, there are roughly 30,000 distinct wasp species in the world!

Around our homes and properties, the ones we see the most can be aggressive when disturbed, congregate in hives and are generally not fun to be around.

However, most wasps species are solitary and don’t sting. All wasps play an essential role in nature as predators. Wasps prey on other insects and help control their populations. (Who knew wasps could be effective mosquito control?)

Wasps come in every color of the rainbow, with the brighter, flashier varieties often paired with a stinger. Unlike bees that are generally rounder and sometimes fuzzy, wasps have a narrow waist and a pointed tail.

Every wasp species builds a nest. To do this, they work as a well-coordinated team. Individual wasps forage on trees, fences, barns, or other wood surfaces. They chew the wood fibers, scraping them with their strong jaws, and create a pulp which they use to build the papery walls of their hive.

Wasps build their nests in any safe, covered refuge. The corner of your soffit or the eaves of your garage could be an ideal spot to build a sheltered home site.

New colonies get their start each spring with a queen who spent the winter in a warm place with her eggs. The queen builds a small nest, just enough to incubate her initial squad of workers.

Once the worker-females hatch, they get to work expanding the nest, and the queen can lay more eggs to grow the colony in the spring and summer. Wasp nests can accumulate up to 5000 hive members.

This nesting behavior is unique to social wasp species. Many wasps, as mentioned above, are solitary creatures.

Wasps, Friend or Foe?

Though wasps and hornets are essential to a healthy ecosystem, it’s right to give them a wide berth and discourage them from setting up house near you.

Wasps will swarm and sting when threatened, even if it’s an accidental step, stumble, or fall into a nest. Further, wasps can use their stingers more than once, so they can keep delivering a punch until the threat goes away.

Though we want to give wasps healthy distance from humans, they are often used as insect control for farmers with their crops. Obviously, wasps and humans should not directly mix, but helping wasps do their job in nature is vital to all of us.

Hornets vs Wasps: What’s the Difference?

Though we often use the terms “hornet” or “wasp” interchangeably in conversation, there are some distinct differences between the two insect types.

In the US, we have two common social wasp species: Yellowjackets and paper wasps.

Our common hornet species include the European hornet (a true hornet species)and the bald-faced hornet (which is actually still a wasp but was named colloquially as a hornet.)

Hornets are slightly larger than wasps, measuring in at 1.5 inches. Hornets also have a more subdued coloration in black, white, or brown tones.

Hornets build their nests above ground only, whereas wasps can attach a nest to an aerial location as well as nesting in the ground.

Hornet nests are also exclusively made of the familiar paper material, whereas wasp nests, when aerial, remain unprotected by a paper covering. Hornet nests also remain smaller than some wasp nests, topping out at around 700 insects per hive at the most.

Finally, hornets are predators through-and-through, targeting other insects near their nests for their food source. Wasps prey on other insects, but they also enjoy foraging on sweets and proteins.

Wasp and Hornet Similarities

Like hornets, yellowjackets can be aggressive stingers when threatened. However, paper wasps are typically more docile, and unless their home is truly under threat, they won’t generally come after passers-by.

Still, those stingers! It’s important to control wasps or hornets around your home. Getting stung can mean anything from a painful, but minor injury, to a severe allergic reaction with a possible visit to the ER.

Call EPM For Professional Help With Stinger-Patrol

Being proactive about pest discovery is the first step in ensuring a sting-free property. Have a look around your house, paying careful attention to cracks, creases, corners, or other potential areas where wasps and hornets may find a haven.

You may also want to carefully canvas your yard, keeping your eyes open for flying insects like hornets or wasps and taking note of their flight path. If you see one or several landing in your yard and then disappearing, you may have a ground nest with which to contend.

If you notice insect activity but cannot find a nest, it may be inside a wall, an opening in your siding, or a crevice in your attic. It’s important to secure any points of entry into your home as part of your pest control strategy.

Once your pests are trapped or evicted, you’ll want to make sure to keep any future “welcome mat” rolled-up tight.

The professionals at Environmental Pest Control will give a thorough home inspection when you notice pest activity. We’ll make a control recommendation that fits your home, family, and budget, as well as helping you repair common points of entry for future pest prevention.

At Environmental Pest Management, we understand the importance of stinging insects in nature just as much as we know the importance of keeping them out of your home. Contact us at the first sign of wasp or hornet activity, and we’ll get you back to enjoying your yard.

August 17, 2019November 6, 2019

All About Wolf Spiders

Seeing a wolf spider inside your house is terrifying. This unique-looking creature is beneficial to the environment, though that doesn’t mean you want them as a roommate. You likely want to make sure you protect your home from the invasion of this pest.

Here at Environmental Pest Management, we help you solve your problem and get rid of pests, especially wolf spiders, all around your house. Visit our website or call us at 952-432-2221 for professional help and tips you can apply on your own.

Living together with a wolf spider may not be as invasive as having any other pests like ants and flies in your house, but it can be a nuisance and quite a scary sight to see when they multiply. Getting professional help, like the experts at Environmental Pest Management, will help rid your home of wolf spiders.

What Are Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are arachnids that are commonly spotted in brown, black or gray hues. They grow 35 millimeters in body length and have eight non-compound eyes that are organized in four small eyes that form one layer, another row for two more enormous eyes and an additional two small eyes on the topmost of the head.

Due to its size and color, it is not a question anymore why wolf spiders inspire fear to anyone who sees it. However, wolf spiders are not harmful and can be beneficial to your homes. You may not want to believe this, but wolf spiders are advantageous to have in your homes.

Good news! These hairy arachnids usually do not bite humans. They, most of the times, eat insects, worms, and any other living organisms that are tiny enough to catch and devour.

According to National Geographic, wolf spiders, also known as ground spiders, are the sprinters in the world of spiders. Unlike any other spiders, they do not spin webs and do not use silk to subdue prey. Instead, they stalk their target, move quickly, and aggressively just like wolves.

Wolf spiders protect themselves through camouflage, with dark brown and mute colors. If their prey is small enough, a wolf spider will crush it up before devouring it. If the prey is larger, a bite will inject the food with venom and prepare it for ingestion by liquefying it’s organs.

Lifespan of a Wolf Spider

Wolf spiders live quite a bit longer than you think. Sad to note but wolf spiders live for the entire two years! This means that you cannot ignore their existence in your household, for they will lay eggs when they find your home safe and comfortable.

Their life starts when the female wolf spider builds its egg pod of flimsy white silk, formed like a ball with a noticeable circular seam. It will then transport the egg sack around attached with strong silk to her spinnerets.

When the baby spiders hatch, they catch a ride on the mother’s back until they are ready to take on the world alone. Wolf spiders have an unusually low degree of parental care; they leave their young when they are ready to scatter.

Where do Wolf Spiders Live?

Wolf spiders are found everywhere; there’s likely one nearby you right now.

Due to the changes in the environment, wolf spiders found ways to adapt and live. While others live on some cold and rocky mountain peaks, a few also reside in volcanic lava tubes.

They thrive on to drylands like inland shrublands and deserts. They have also learned to survive in wetlands like forests along the coast and meadows on mountains.

Though wolf spider species are said to be found everywhere, their number is high in gardens in suburbs, dunes along the coast, mountain herb fields or along river beds. The habitat of this spider can span a vast region. Wolf spiderlings travel great distances.

Now, you might be wondering how wolf spiders get inside your house. Since wolf spiders do not make webs, they choose to live in burrows. Wolf spiders sometimes close off their burrows with silk. During wet periods, wolf spiders protect their burrows with small items, like pebbles, and even build canals to rebound floodwater. They also put twigs at the top of the hole.

Although wolf spiders are used to wet areas since they consider it as their habitat, they need a temporary place to stay in that is warm and dry. Unfortunately, in many cases, your house fits the bill.

When the fall season starts, wolf spiders pursue habitats that give warmth. They have been known to enter homes and are usually found in windows, walls, ceilings, and even in your cupboards.

Wolf Spider’s Diet

Wolf spiders search for food during the night. Typically, they prefer:

crickets
ants
worms
houseflies
moths
mealworms
mosquitoes
grasshoppers
other types of small invertebrates

Surprisingly, this type of spider does not only eat tiny insects. At times, large classes of wolf spiders can consume small lizards and frogs.

Are Wolf Spiders in My House?

All spiders, including wolf spiders, have the aptitude to get inside your home. They frequently scamper underneath the openings and cleavages below doors. Sometimes they are carried inside on you or a houseguest.

Detections of wolf spiders are the primary indication of their infestation. If you found wolf spiders attacking your structure, it is best to contact an expert. While they may seem scary, you are safe. Calling an expert will ensure your home is free of creepy, crawly pests, like wolf spiders.

Environmental Pest Management will cast away your fears as well as those wolf spiders. Reach us now for a free house consultation and start living a pest-free life!