Thursday, May 27, 2010

Pest Control is Going to the Dogs!

I never would have guessed this one! The latest and greatest pest control tool (if you're in Tom's River, New Jersey) is a Labrador!

That's right. An innovative pest control company in New Jersey is successfully using dogs to detect beg bugs in customers' homes. According to a recent news article these dogs are 3 times more accurate that conventional detection methods! The pest company currently has 3 dogs on their team, each with 800 hours of training. In addition to being very accurate, bed bug detection using dogs is time efficient as well. While a conventional bed bug inspection can take hours, it only takes a dog a couple of minutes to search a room for this elusive pest.

Beg bugs are a surprisingly common and pesky pest. Contrary to popular belief, the presence of beg bugs has nothing to do with the cleanliness of a residence. They feed on humans, so they go where humans are. You are just as likely to find bed bugs in a Lake Oswego home as you are to find them on a homeless person in downtown PDX. If you think you may have bed bugs, don't hesitate to talk to your local pest control experts / exterminators about it. They may not have dogs on staff, but they will be able to help!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Demand for Wildlife Management Increases in Portland's Urban Jungle

One of the things we all love about Portland is it's beautiful location; the city sits amidst lush forests, rivers, and mountains. However, as much as we love it, wild animals love it more. Portland is home to all kinds of critters like deer, raccoons, opossums, coyotes, geese, owls, and squirrels.

Now that it's spring, animals are up and about. If you want to keep animals from visiting your home, there are certain precautions you can take to make your property less appealing.

Animal Control/Wildlife Management Tips:

Woodpeckers are protected and cannot be killed. Try using bird-scare reflecting tape tape to deter them. The tape reflects light, which will scare them away.

Rabbits can be kept out of your gardens with a wire fence that is 18 inches high and goes 3 inches deep into the ground. You can also mix 3 tbsp cayenne pepper, Tabasco sauce, and mild dish washing detergent in a spray bottle and spray that on the stems of your plants.

Read more pest control and wildlife management tips.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Do I Need an Annual Termite Inspection

This may be a questions that many homeowners ask themselves. I wish it wasn't, because the answer is a definitive YES!

Homeowners who forgo or forget an annual termite inspection are putting themselves at rick for a host of problems including a termite infested house and thousands of dollars in damage! Some think that it's easy to spot termites and that this eliminates the need to have an annual inspection. However, by the time that there are visible signs of termites the colony has likely been established for months! A professional pest control company knows where to look for the subtle and elusive signs of a growing termite problem. They then have the resources to completely exterminate the termite colony and minimize the damage.

Don't let termites pull a fast one on you. Get your home inspected annually for termites and you'll be making a wise investment. I heard an account the other day of a family who only realized they had termites when their young son's hand slipped through a wall because all that was left behind the paint was dust and shredded timber! Don't wait until it's too late. Find a local pest control expert or exterminator and inquire about getting an annual termite inspection.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Getting Rid of Raccoons

We've been getting a lot of raccoon related calls lately and it's no wonder. Raccoons are one of the most common and recognizable animal pests in the Pacific Northwest. Since these animals are omnivorous, they tend to be tempted by unsecured trash cans and even outdoor water sources like fountains and koi ponds (water and food in one!).

People who are trying to find ways to keep pesky animals away from their homes should know that trapping wild animals without a license is illegal in almost all states. You should definitely speak to a qualified professional before taking any action.

If you've noticed these nighttime nuisances around your home or business lately, be sure to read up on how to get rid of raccoons on our website, or contact us for a free pest control quote. You'll be happy you did!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Do You Have a Pest Problem?

Now that spring is coming, people are starting to notice that the pests are coming out. As the temperatures increase, bugs get happy! If you are starting to notice unwanted insects at this point, it will only get worse. Please contact us at Summit Pest Management for a FREE Pest Control Quote today and we can eliminate the problem before it gets worse!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Beg Bugs Threaten Portland Homeowners

Bed bugs are small, persistent pests but many people cannot identify them at first glance. Even people who have bed bugs identified often exclaim "I didn't even know they existed!". Well now you know! This year, reports of this not-so-uncommon pest are up 50%!

While there are many factors that cause increases in pest populations, pest control experts cite international travel as a big one for the current infestation. People traveling abroad can stay in a hotel overseas and bring them back in a suitcase!

The scary thing about a bed bug infestation is that once in they are in your home, it can be up to 3 months before you even realize you're infested. This is because they are adept at hiding in hard to see spaces, are only active between 1am - 5am, and release an anesthetic when they bite. You literally won't even know they're feeding on you!

What can you do?
While bed bugs don't need clutter and mess to thrive, keeping your home clean will certainly make it easier to get rid of them! To prevent getting them in the first place while traveling, try placing your suit case in the bath tub since they bugs cannot crawl over slick surfaces. If you already have bed bugs, it's a bit more complicated. Summit Pest Management can help you buy heat treating your home (bed bugs die if exposed to 140 degree temperatures for a couple minutes). We can then use insecticide to get rid of the eggs. If you have bed bugs or know someone who does, contact Summit for a free quote.