Bed Bugs…is your home on their vacation list?

bed_bug_zoom_250The threat of bed bugs infesting homes is becoming more prominent and alarming on a daily basis.

Our concerns range from:
Can family members bring them to my home in their luggage?… to… If I buy used furniture can I bring them home as well?

And the answers to both questions is probably YES if either has encountered an infestation.

Take steps to canvas your home for signs of a possible bed bug infestation:

  • Inspect your furniture for bed bugs
  • Check for a strong, sweet smell in a room – this can be a sign of an infestation
  • Look for blood stains on bedding, mattresses, window treatments and walls that bed bugs may leave behind
  • Look for welts or rashes on family members as well as pets, which may be caused by bed bug bites

 

Take action:

  • Vacuuming often can help reduce the speed of spread or stop eggs from hatching..but it will not eliminate a bed bug infestation
  • Seal any openings in your walls and floors where pipes or wires pass through
  • Reducing clutter in your home will decrease the number of hiding places for bed bugs
  • Change and launder your bed sheets regularly in hot water with a temperature of at least 97 degrees F and place in dryer immediately on high heat
  • Protect your bed by using a mattress cover that is designed to ward off bed bugs

 

Visit our Bed Bug Page or contact us for a Bed Bug Inspection.

Termites work year round!

It will soon be that time of year when termites are in abundance but you may not be aware of this fact!

Older bags of mulch can contain a termite infestation as well as landscaping blocks or bricks when stored or have earth to brick contact.

So just because you don't see the "swarmers" that people typically identified termites by for so long now….doesn't mean that they aren't there.

As you begin working or weeding those flower beds adjacent to the house…take a few extra minutes to fluff the mulch or move a few bricks or borders to see what insects are possibly invading your home.

PermaTreat recommends that homes in our area should be checked for termites annually to avoid any damage that could occur over time and unseen.

While treatment is not always necessary after the inspection it might be justified for peace of mind by protecting your biggest investment.

Termite Treatments fall under 2 categories – Preventative and Remedial

Preventative Treatment – a treatment made to a structure that does not have a confirmed termite infestation. The purpose is to prevent future termite problems.

Remedial Treatment – a treatment that is done when termites are already infesting a structure. The purpose being to destroy or eliminate the active infestation.

Bottom line…with the cool weather that we've had this year, "swarmers" have not had the opportunity to appear…don't wait for the inevitable…Have your property inspected and ask for a treatment quote…we'll stand by our pricing for one year!

Spiders – Beware!

Don't let spiders invade your home

Black_Widow_11-06I’m about a half an inch in body length, shiny black with long black legs. I live in attics, garages, basements, and lots of other secluded places around your home and yard. I can inflict a nasty bite, which requires medical treatment in some cases. Contrary to popular belief I don’t eat my mate, and by the way I have a red hourglass on the underside of my abdomen, sometimes it is a red circle or square or even dots on the top of my body. Have you guessed what I am yet?

That’s right I’m a black widow spider and you would do well to know what I look like and avoid me. Because I can be rather aggressive at times especially after forming egg sacks, you know those silky sacs that are in the web. I’ll tell you something else about spiders, I’m not the only one that can be dangerous, the brown widow spider has been turning up in more places than ever before. Two more spiders to look out for are the brown recluse, and the hobo spider. Although they are not commonly found in the southeastern U.S. there are documented cases of people being treated in this area for bites from these spiders, Spiders like many other insects travel very well. Folks grab suitcases, boxes, bags, and clothes that have been tucked away for who knows how long, and these items get thrown into a truck, insects and all, and transported all over the country.

Yellow_sac_spiderA few more spiders worth mentioning are the sac spider, this spider is responsible for a majority of the indoor spider bites. Usually their bite results in localized redness and possibly burning, rarely does a necrotic ulcer occur as in the case of the brown recluse or hobo spider bite. Other annoying spiders include the wolf spider, the cellar spider, the grass spider and the house spider, many of which are capable of biting but not a venomous bite.

THE SOLUTION TO YOUR SPIDER WORRIES- Let the experts at PermaTreat perform a free inspection and let y ou know what needs to be done to control those dangerous pests, and from now on be extra careful when you handle those items that have been sitting around for a while, you never know who or what may have taken up residence in them.

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