Just about every household has suffered through a pest problem of some description. In fact, many pests go unnoticed until they start to cause issues that can’t be ignored. But what if the pests in your home are putting you and your family at risk of disease? Young children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to viral and respiratory diseases that can be caused by exposure to bed bugs, flies, cockroaches, fleas and rodents.
The experienced pest technicians at A-Tex Pest Management list some of these diseases causing offenders and how to spot them before they become a problem to the health of you and your family.
Bed Bug Extermination
Bed bugs resemble small brown discs and enter homes on clothing, bags and other items. Bed bugs are most active at night and their bites are known to cause small red lumps that irritate the skin and cause a disturbance in sleep patterns. Bed bug feces are known to cause asthma and other breathing conditions.
Bed Bug Signs to Look for:
• Check around your neck, back, legs and arms for rows of red bites
• Dark spots on your bedding that resemble dots of ink
• Check the seams of your mattress for clusters of white eggs
• Tiny smears of blood on your sheets and night clothes
A-Tex Pest Management professionals use specialized equipment to completely remove bed bugs from your home including their eggs!
House Flies Infestations
Flies are attracted to food including food that is placed in trash cans within the home. All species of flies spread bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis and other stomach issues. While spotting them is the easy part, prevention can often be a challenge.
How to Prevent Flies:
• Cover all food
• Make sure that your trash can has a tight-fitting lid that is not damaged
• Regularly empty your trash can
• Make sure that your windows have fly screens that are properly maintained
• Remove animal feces left around the yard as soon as possible
Cockroach Control
Cockroaches have a lot in common with flies and will feed upon all nature of food scraps and other things including animal feces. Cockroaches contaminate food and surfaces as they pass, spreading bacterial diseases including gastroenteritis.
Cockroach Signs to Look for:
• Tiny black droppings
• A sickly-sweet odor
• Empty egg cases
How to Prevent Cockroaches:
• Use the same preventative techniques as you would for flies
• Fill any cracks around pipes, windows and baseboards
• Clean food storage areas on a regular basis to avoid a buildup of food particles and crumbs
Flea Control in Home & Yard
Fleas can be found outside and often hitchhike into your home on your pets, clothing and by jumping between warm-blooded animals, pet bedding, carpets, and upholstery furniture
Flea Signs to Look for:
• Pets that scratch or carry flea dander in their coats
• Bites appear as red spots and can contain a line of bites, typically around the ankles and legs.
How to Treat for Fleas
:
• Apply a veterinary-approved flea control product on a monthly basis
• Wash pet bedding regularly
• Dispose of leaves and grass clippings away from your home
• Contact an A-Tex Pest Management professional to safely and effectively take care of your fleas problems
Rat, Mice & Rodent Control
Both rats and mice live in attics, wall cavities and under floors but it is very rare to find both species inhabiting your home at the same time. Both rats and mice transmit diseases that can cause food poisoning.
Rodent Signs to look for:
• Droppings
• Holes in walls
• Dark greasy marks left on surfaces by the animal's fur
• Teeth marks from chewing and gnawing
• Scratching noises late at night
How to Treat for Rodents:
• Follow good hygiene practices
• Keep food in plastic containers with close-fitting lids
• Contact an A-Tex Pest Management professionals for rodent protection and prevention including barrier controls