Do Natural Solutions for Ant Control Really Work?

A quick search of the internet provides hundreds of homemade solutions for natural ant control and a variety of pest control. But how do you know which of them work and which of them don’t? We went to the experts to see which natural ant control methods passed the test and which ones did not.

Green Pest Solutions tried the apple cider vinegar trick with a colony of ants found in the kitchen. Apple cider vinegar is popular because it’s food safe and not harmful for children or animals, here’s what they found:

Can You Kill Ants with Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar won’t kill the ants, but it could inhibit their hunt for food. Ants leave behind little scent trails that send signals to other members of the colony that there’s food nearby. (That’s why you see them marching in a line along your kitchen floor.) The smell of the vinegar can send them off track.

Here’s how to do it:

Mix one part apple cider vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle

Spray where you see ants most often, including walls, floors, and countertops

If you see a group of ants, spray them with the mixture (come back in an hour to clean them up!)

Unfortunately, apple cider vinegar likely won’t stop your ant infestation for good.

For more recipes, click over to the full article.

Lemon juice is another type of pest control that yields similar results to Apple Cider Vinegar (albeit smells better). Still, neither of these options will actually eliminate or stop the ants. PestWiki provides a few solutions that may have more promising results. This powdered sugar and baking soda is a bait and switch technique for ant control:

Effective Home Remedies for Getting Rid of Ants

Ant species that are attracted to sugar will ingest it with the baking soda. Ants have a naturally-occurring acidic substance in their bodies that will react with the baking soda and will die. This home remedy ant-killer is extremely effective because the ants will often carry this food source back to the colony to be consumed by the queen and other ants.

For more home remedies, read the complete article.

The application is fairly simple, PestWiki recommends mixing equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar in a container and simply placing it near the ants’ entry points in your home.

Many homeowners prefer natural remedies because they are safer to have around the home rather than spraying insecticides in the kitchen. Cinnamon oil made the number one spot from the Top 10 Home Remedies Team. They recently reported:

How to get rid of ants naturally

According to a 2014 study published in the International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, cinnamon essential oil yields positive results in both repellency and insecticidal activity.

Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cinnamon essential oil in a cup of water. Soak a cotton ball in this solution and wipe down the areas where ants may enter and dwell. Repeat once daily until all the ants are gone.You can also put ground cinnamon and whole cloves near entry points.

To read more about his natural remedy, check out the full article.

Cinnamon is an effective household ant repellent. Its smell discourages ants from entering your house and scrounging in your kitchen. In a variety of additional sources, peppermint oils have had similar effects, although cinnamon seems to be a more popular option.

Act Fast

Ant colonies can populate quickly and take over fast, so it’s best to practice effective ant control before they become an issue. Take action at the first sign, and notice all entry points to prevent more ants from joining the party.

A consultation from an ant removal technician can help you see what type of ants you’re dealing with and how they are getting inside so you can eliminate them more effectively.

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Natural Bee Removal Sweeping the Globe

If you’re not a fan of the buzzing of a bumblebee, you’re in luck. Insect populations are declining worldwide, and the bee family is one of the largest species affected. Like all living things, bees, bugs, and other insects have a natural life cycle. However, bigger issues are causing a worldwide decline in several insect populations across the globe.

Pest Control Technology recently reported on the released by the journal Biological Conservation and explains this phenomenon:

 Insect Populations are Declining Worldwide

A new study published in the journal Biological Conservation, reports that insect populations are declining precipitously worldwide due to “habitat loss and conversion to intensive agriculture and urbanization,” pollution, particularly from pesticides and fertilizers, as well as biological factors, such as “pathogens and introduced species” and climate change.

More than 40% of insect species could become extinct in the next few decades, according to the report, titled “Worldwide decline of the entomofauna: A review of its drivers”.

For more on this study, read the full publication.

The report was co-authored by scientists from the U.S., China and Australia who looked at dozens of existing reports as well as factors over the last 30 years. The study is being called the first global examination that’s ever been conducted.

Of course, while bee removal is critical to protecting homes and families, bees are an important part of our ecosystem. Removing them or other insect infestations completely could be catastrophic. Cats Eye Pest Control explains how both bees and wasps play important roles:

Wasps vs. Bees: What’s the Difference?

If all of the Earth’s bees were extinct, our diets would change drastically, as the variety of foods available would diminish without bee pollination. Coffee, specifically, would become expensive and rare, as the coffee flower is only open for pollination during a few-day window each year… As for wasps, while they’re not quite the pollinators that honeybees are, they still have their purpose. Acting more as natural pest control, wasps are predators who feed insects to their young. Preying on caterpillars, flies, and crickets, to name a few, these aggressive wasps help control the population of various crop-killing insects.

Want to read the full article? Read it in its entirety here.

Eco Care Pest Control in Oregon explains how we can accomplish successful bee removal without eliminating them:

Honey Bee Treatment and Prevention

For both swarmers in the yard and for established hives that need removal, there are local beekeepers who will carefully relocate the colony. It is important to not attempt killing or removing the hive without proper training or protective equipment because of the risk of mass stings.

For more important information, read the full article.

Bee removal is essential for giving the bees their space while protecting our family and pets from painful bee stings and frustrating buzzers. All Good Services from Georgia gives 3 tips for preventing bee stings this summer:

Prevention Tips for a Sting-Free Summer

Avoid wearing sweet-smelling lotions.

Bee populations are more active in the spring and during the summer when the flowers bloom. If you’re wearing fragrant lotions and perfumes, you may attract these pests and increase the risk of stings. Keep the perfumes light when you venture outdoors to reduce the threat

Keep food and drinks covered.

Aggressive wasps, such as yellow jackets, enjoy sweets and carbohydrate foods and will pester you during a picnic. They may also get inside soda cans and give you a real surprise as you take a drink. Keeping your food covered or eating within an enclosed screen can help reduce the bee and wasp threat

Always wear shoes or sandals outdoors.

Though honeybees are beneficial to the environment, they deliver painful stings if you step on them as they fly from clover to clover. Always wear shoes when you’re walking in the grass to prevent a painful encounter with these flying insects.

For more tips, check out the complete list.

Leave it to the Professionals

If you have trouble with bees in your area, professional bee removal may be the best solution. If you notice a nest or hive near your home, it’s best to avoid them and call a professional as soon as possible with a trained technician.

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Lexington, KY 40511
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Zappers for Bug Control

If you’ve never used a bug zapper, you might be missing out on one of the easiest (and safest) forms of bug control. This simple invention is designed to both entice and eliminate common bugs from anywhere you are, leaving you undisturbed without using harsh chemicals.

Bug zappers are often underestimated as a solution to insect removal. They are a simple premise and have been on the market since 1934, but have been improved over the years. Pest Killed, an in-depth resource for pest prevention, pest treatment, and pest elimination recently reported on exactly how and why bug zappers work so well:

Bug Zapper – Top 5 Brands You Need To Know

A bug zapper is an electronic device whose purpose is to lure and kill bugs using electricity…

Fluorescent light bulbs are used to lure insects to the bug zapper. A bug zapper features a set of wire grids or meshes surrounding the fluorescent light. This grid is electrified and is the one responsible for killing the bugs.

For more information on bug zappers, read the whole article.

Bug zappers can be an effective form of bug control for moths, flies, and any other insect that is attracted to light. However, they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Science Daily explains why bug zappers won’t work for mosquito problems:

Snap! Crackle! Pop!

While the UV light in these bug zappers draws a wide range of insects, mosquitoes and other biting insects are more attracted to the carbon dioxide exhaled by people and pets. They’re also attracted to carbon dioxide that is passed through human skin. The main reason bug zappers don’t work is that mosquitoes are extremely sensitive to carbon dioxide.

They see the UV light in your yard, but once they pick up even the slightest trace of carbon dioxide from people, they change direction and zero in on the source of that odor. They are expert at detecting carbon dioxide at levels as low as 50 parts per million.

If you are curious about why some bug zappers don’t work well, read the complete article.

There are some companies now including carbon dioxide emitters and even pheromone lures with the lights on their bug zappers to attract more bugs to their demise.

If they don’t work for mosquitos, what’s the point? Well, the experts at gadgets-review maintain that bug zappers can be an effective form of bug control, especially when used inside:

Best 7 Bug Zappers in 2019

For outdoor bug zappers, experts with the University of California come up with an idea of adding chemical baits to make the unit more appealing to pests. Besides, locate any sticky surface beneath to catch those insects that managed to avoid the trap. Still, when choosing an item, bear in mind that indoor bug zappers provide better protection and kill more target insects than outdoors ones. When using indoors, place it in areas with high mosquito traffic.

Check out the full story to learn more about their effectiveness.

Now that summer is here, it’s time to gear up with as much defense as we can get. Pest Killed provides three ways to choose the best bug zapper for your home:

Bug Zappers

Indoor Use vs. Outdoor Use

The first thing you’ll have to determine is where you will place the bug zapper.  While both indoor and outdoor bug zappers are effective in killing bugs, each of them works best for the location it was designed for.

What Kind of Bugs are You Fighting?

Some types of bug zappers are not all-rounders. Some can’t get rid of bugs like mosquitoes. This is because mosquitoes are not attracted to light like most bug zappers. For these kinds of bugs, you will need to get a bug zapper with the right kind of bait to attract them.

Choose Your Style

As you will soon see, bug zappers come in different styles. From racquet type bug zappers that require you to swing and hit the bug to mounted ones to battery-operated bug zappers to USB rechargeable ones, the choice in style is endless. Pick the ones you are more comfortable with and the one you feel will be more effective in the situation you require a bug zapper.

For the rest of the tips on choosing the best zappers, read the full list.

Choose Wisely

Bug zappers aren’t a replacement for professional pest control services, but they can definitely help keep things under control between treatments. Find the best one for you and soon the sound of bug zapping will soon be music to your ears during those enjoyable summer nights.

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Pest Control Pros
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(859) 470-8132
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Lack of Flea Treatment leads to Outbreak

Fleas are more than just an annoying pest that makes our dogs a little itchy. A recent outbreak in L.A. shows the severity caused by fleas. Bacterial diseases in humans can reach epidemic levels when flea treatment is not taken seriously.

Buzzfeed first released the article in October 2018 regarding the flea problem among the homeless population of L.A.:

Flea-borne Typhus Outbreak Spreading Through Los Angeles

In 2018 alone there have already been 63 cases of typhus in the county, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Typhus refers to a group of infectious diseases, which can be spread to humans. Symptoms mimic the common flu, but usually start 2 weeks after exposure, making it difficult to diagnose. Buzzfeed continued to explain the severity of this condition:

There is currently no vaccine for Typhus and in extreme cases it can lead to more serious complications such as organ damage, pneumonia, or even death…The homeless population in parts of downtown Los Angeles, such as Skid Row, has been primarily affected in the outbreak. As a result, health officials approved an emergency plan to tackle flea-borne typhus that involves increased pest control and sanitation efforts, such as trash cleanups, in homeless camps.

For more information, read the full article.

Typically, there are approximately 60 cases of fleas per year, this number has more than doubled in recent months. The flea epidemic continues to affect the homeless population in L.A., spreading like wildfire.

By February, it was not just the homeless population that was affected. Elizabeth Greenwood, an employee at the City Hall building in L.A. contracted the disease from the rats, trash, and homeless encampment near her office.

CBS Los Angeles reported on her symptoms:

Typhus Outbreak At City Hall Had Attorney Believing ‘I Was Going To Die’

I had the worst headache I’ve ever had in my life. I couldn’t move my head. I lost my equilibrium. I had a 102-degree fever,’ Greenwood says.

[Herb] Wesson (City Council President) says his staff jumped into action by ripping out all the carpet and calling pest control. ‘Our paramount concern is for the safety of our staff and all of the visitors that we get in Los Angeles,’ he said. A city spokesperson told [the CBS Reporter] that they have been treating for pests and picking up trash more often in and around City Hall.

Read the entire story here.

Picking up trash and cleaning up is a good start, but according to All Good Pest Solutions in Georgia, it doesn’t take long for fleas to take over regardless of where you live.

As the weather gets warmer, effective flea treatment will only become more critical:

Summer Fleas in Georgia Making You Feel Anything But Fine

Most bugs and insects awaken in the summer when the temperatures rise and the humidity ramps up. The flea is no exception and thrives in the summertime. The females lay eggs every day during their adult lives and can survive both indoors and outdoors. A flea feeds on blood, attacking humans and animals like cats and dogs.

Read the rest of the story for more information.

Effective flea treatment is the best way to keep an outbreak at bay in your area. You can control your home from a flea invasion with a few simple home pest control tips from the National Pest Management Association:

Flea Pest Guide

Homeowners should clean and vacuum frequently to help remove flea populations and prevent the laying of eggs. It’s also necessary to keep the lawn groomed to avoid rodent habitation. Pet owners should practice active flea management by keeping dogs on a leash when outside, bathing and grooming pets regularly, visiting a veterinarian annually, and using flea treatments according to direction. If you suspect a flea infestation, it is important to hire a flea control professional to rid your home of rodents and fleas.

For more tips, read the complete guide.

Be Prepared

Fleas are difficult to control once they make their way inside. Within just a few weeks they can multiply and a small problem is now an major pest control problem. Professional flea treatment is often the best course of treatment for a proper inspection, elimination, and prevention.

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Bug Bombs as a Cockroach Exterminator? Think again

If you’re one of those people who stocks up on bug bombs and calls it pest control, you might want to think again.

New research suggests that bug bombs may not actually do anything to control cockroaches, one of the most common bug problems. Sure, they look impressive when they fill the room with powerful pesticides, but that might just be all for show.

Colonial Pest Control published a recent article on the cockroach exterminator problem.

 Research Says Stop Wasting Money on Bug Bombs

Bug bombs will kill some insects that are out in the open and get a good dose, but the bombs don’t do a good job of penetrating into insects’ hiding places: in cracks and crevices, inside cabinets, and underneath countertops. Insects that spend most of their time hiding, such as cockroaches and bed bugs, are practically immune to the effects of bug bombs. Those not already in hiding are repelled by the aerosol insecticide and head for the nearest crevice.

To read the rest of the article from Colonial Pest Control, click here.

Cockroaches generally don’t spend their time out in the open, they hide in tiny cracks and crevices where bug bombs can’t penetrate. But that’s only the beginning. New research shows cockroaches may actually be outsmarting most common bug bombs.

Cockroaches Evolved To Avoid Baits

Plenty of insects evolve resistance to pesticides; they gain the ability to break down poisons without dying. German cockroaches, on the other hand, evolved what’s known as a behavioral resistance to baits. They simply stopped eating them… As a result, the roaches avoid the baits and thrive, to the frustration of homeowners everywhere.

Read the full article to discover more about this research.

Meanwhile, bug bombs spread unnecessary chemicals throughout the room. Within minutes, all of the kitchen surfaces, bedrooms, carpet, and window coverings are saturated with insecticides. The team at Pest Killed confirmed this sentiment in a recent article on the risks of bug bombs:

Do Cockroach Foggers or Bombs Work?

Setting off bombs can be harmful to people and to furniture, so it’s best to avoid that approach altogether in favor of more appropriate roach control. Roach bombers can also be flammable, so letting these off in your home can be a risk. Since the bombs don’t work that well anyway to kill roaches, it’s recommended to not use them at all.

Check out the full article to read more about these risks.

So what methods should be used instead of bug bombs? Bait tends to be the trending method of most homeowners. A study at North Carolina State University tested 30 homes infested with cockroaches. Twenty homes got bug bombs and 10 received bait treatment. The results were astounding:

Exposure Risk and Ineffectiveness of Total Release Foggers Used for Cockroach Control in Residential Settings

[Bug bombs] failed to reduce cockroach populations, whereas similarly priced gel baits caused significant declines in the cockroach populations. Use of [bug bombs] resulted in significant pesticide deposits throughout the kitchen. Across all products, pesticides, and horizontal kitchen surfaces, pesticide residues following [bug bomb] discharge were 603-times (SEM ±184) higher than baseline, with a median increase of 85 times.

Read the full study to learn more about these findings.

The high risks of pesticides combined with the ineffectiveness should be a warning to homeowners everywhere. Avoid the bug bombs and turn to bait products as an effective cockroach exterminator. Quality bait products, which are often similarly priced to bug bombs can be significantly more effective as an insect exterminator.

Of course, if you’re dealing with a significant pest problem, a professional cockroach exterminator is the best solution for lasting results. A cockroach exterminator has the skills and expertise to understand the type of cockroach your dealing with, as well as their living and breeding habits to outsmart and eliminate them before they take over.

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Pest Control Pros
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(859) 470-8132
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Pest Control Tips To Prevent Termite Infestation

Pest is one of the main problems homeowners need to deal with. These include cockroaches, rats, ants and spiders. And, one of the most common pest that homeowners find in their homes is termites. Surely, individuals can invest in products in the market. However, there are instances when these products are insufficient. Thus, before things get worse, it is important for homeowners to prevent termite infestation. Below are some pest control tips that can help homeowners.

Get rid of unnecessary moisture

One of the best ways homeowners can do to prevent termite infestation on their homes is to get rid of unnecessary moisture. Most pests especially termites are attracted by moist since this is the perfect temperature to breed on. Because of this, it is essential for homeowners to make sure that their homes are moist free. To ensure this, homeowners need to properly maintain pipes and home fixtures. Other than that, individuals must also check their A/C units and get rid of leaks.

Fill cracks and gaps

Another important task that homeowners need to do in order to prevent termite infestation is to fill cracks and gaps in homes. Apart from termites, pests like ants, bed bugs and cockroaches can enter your homes in these cracks and gaps. So, it is vital to fill cracks and gaps. Some of the most common areas individuals need to check for cracks and gaps are in utility lines and piping.

Secure vents
It is also imperative for homeowners to secure vents in their homes. Like cracks and gaps, termites can easily enter your homes using vents. Therefore, it is best to install screens on vents. In this way, you can reduce the chances of termites to invade your homes.

Avoid storing wood near homes

During weekends, most homeowners enjoy a wonderful meal under the moon. And, this activity can be more relaxing by creating bonfires from woods. With regard to this, it is best for homeowners to avoid storing wood near homes. Not to mention, it is also important to you dispose wooden debris on properties properly.

Maintain trees and shrubs on properties

Finally, homeowners must also maintain trees and shrubs on properties. Of course, these items can make properties appealing, but there are cases when trees and shrubs are the main reason termites breed on your properties. That is why, it is important to maintain trees and shrubs. By getting rid of dead branches and keeping it healthy.

Source: Pest Control Tips To Prevent Termite Infestation