Flower Mound Rodent Elimination

Thank you for the visiting the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control Blog about our Rodent Control and Rodent Exterminating Services in the Flower Mound Texas area. If you would like more information about a specific pest or service please choose the appropriate link below and you will be taken to the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control web site or you can call us directly at: (817) 727-8149

Rodent Control Flower Mound, Rat Control, Rodent Elimination Flower Mound

Flower Mound Rodent Control, Rodent Elimination Flower Mound, Rodent Control Flower Mound

 

Since Fall has officially arrived I felt we should give you the rodent run down since these critters are looking for a nice, warm space inside your home.

Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control treats 3 of the most common rodents: the Roof Rat, the Norway Rat and the House mouse. We have listed some interesting facts and tips below that can help you keep these pesky critters out of your home.

The House Mouse

Mice are found where food and shelter is plentiful and prefer nesting sites that are dark and in secluded places with an abundance of nesting materials, which include; paper products, cotton, packing materials, insulation, fabrics and etc.

Did you know?

• Mice are prolific breeders, producing six to ten litters continuously throughout the year
• The average mouse lives only 1-2 years.
• Mice are constant eaters - and will eat almost anything.
• Mouse tails have scales that help with climbing.
• Highly curious, mice explore their territory daily, paying special attention to new objects or physical changes. Unlike rats, mice show no dislike to new items.

The Roof Rat

Roof rats are well known for damaging and destroying material by gnawing and contaminating stored food. Its bite is also a risk to humans as they are a vector or carrier of diseases.

Did you know?

• The typical roof rat is between 13 to 18 inches long, including its tail.
• Is associated with having spread the plague or Black Death during the Middle Ages.
• Will feed on anything, from seeds, nuts, berries to shellfish and slugs.

The Norway Rat

Roof rats are well known for damaging and destroying material by gnawing and contaminating stored food. Its bite is also a risk to humans as they are a vector or carrier of diseases.

Did you know?

• The Norway Rat is also known as the "Sewer Rat" and the "Brown Rat".
• The Norway Rat prefers Fish and Meat.
• Norway Rats can carry the rabies virus.

Prevention

Prevention is the biggest part of keeping these critters away. We have provided you with a list of tips to help you deter rodents. Remember in the event of an infestation you will want to contact Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control

Our highly trained professionals can handle all of your rodent control needs, regardless if you have Roof Rats, Norway rats or even mice, Assassin is on the job!

Indoors Tips

Food areas and Storage

• Clean all areas where food may spill, including; under stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers cabinets.
• Keep your counter tops free of food.
• Store dry food, pet food and birdseed in sealed plastic containers/tubs.

Shelter

• Keep storage areas free of clutter
• Rodent-Proof hard-to-access areas that tend to be neglected
• Store supplies or materials off the floor  

Outdoors

• Properly maintain landscaping - trim any overgrown vegetation and shrubbery until ground underneath is visible.
• Remove any debris - rock piles, old equipment and such.
• Elevate lumber and firewood at least 18 inches.
• Store firewood away from the house.

Thank you for the visiting the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control Blog about Pest Control and Exterminating Services in the North Texas area. If you would like more information about a specific pest or service please choose the appropriate link below and you will be taken to the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control web site or you can call us directly at: (817) 727-8149

Squirrel Trapping & Removal Flower Mound

Flower Mound Squirrel Trapping & Removal

The most common complaint associated with squirrels is noise. Our squirrel control customers in Flower Mound, TX will hear noises within their homes, typically at sunrise. At first light, squirrels will begin to scurry around, looking for food. Occasionally, customers will find the entry point from the outside – the hole where the squirrels are getting into the home – but typically the first signs of a squirrel control situation are the irritating noises they make in the early hours of the morning.

When customers in Flower Mound, TX call us, we ask them a series of questions to help determine if and what type of squirrel control is necessary. It is important for customers to track what time of day they are hearing noises, how long they have been hearing noises and in what area of the home or building they are hearing noises.

Squirrels will enter buildings for shelter and nesting. Squirrels in Flower Mound, TX have litters of babies in the spring and in the fall, and commonly end up in the attics of buildings. If squirrel control is not implemented immediately when the squirrel situation is identified, the population of squirrels living in or around a building will continue to grow. Every time a new litter grows up and leaves the nest, they begin to look for places to build their own nests in other areas of the building. It is important to implement squirrel control in your Flower Mound, TX home or business in order to prevent large populations of squirrels.

The most effective method of squirrel control is trapping them. Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control will set traps to catch the squirrels around your home or business. We then monitor every hole to ensure there are no squirrels still coming and going. Once we have removed all squirrels from the building, we will seal the entry points.

Thank you for the visiting the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control Blog about Pest Control and Exterminating Services in the North Texas area. If you would like more information about a specific pest or service please choose the appropriate link below and you will be taken to the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control web site or you can call us directly at: (817) 727-8149

Mouse Control Flower Mound, Mouse Elimination Flower Mound

Looking for Flower Mound Mouse Control or Flower mOUND Mice Elimination? Then look no further than Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control. We guarantee every Rodent Treatment with the best warranty in the business. Give us a call today to find out the difference when you "Always Hire A Professional".

The House Mouse (Mus musculus) is a small, slender rodent that has a slightly pointed nose; small, black, somewhat protruding eyes; large, scantily haired ears, and a nearly hairless tail with obvious scale rings. The adult Mouse weighs about 2/5 to 4/5 ounces. They are generally grayish-brown with a gray or buff belly. Similar Mice include the White-footed Mouse and Harvest Mice (which have grooved upper incisor teeth.)   The House Mouse has an overall gray color. The White-footed Mouse and Deer Mouse both have a white underside.

The House Mouse's tail has very little fur on it, the tails of the Deer Mouse and the White-footed Mouse are moderately to well furred and are light underneath and dark on top. Native to central Asia, this species arrived in North America along with settlers from Europe and other points of origin. A very adaptable species, the House Mouse often lives in close association with humans and therefore is termed one of the "commensal" rodents along with Norway and Roof Rats. Following their arrival on colonists’ ships, House Mice spread across North America and now are found in every state including coastal areas of Alaska, and in the southern parts of Canada.

Thank you for the visiting the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control Blog about Pest Control and Exterminating Services in the North Texas area. If you would like more information about a specific pest or service please choose the appropriate link below and you will be taken to the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control web site or you can call us directly at: (817) 727-8149

Signs You May Have Rodents Flower Mound, TX

Worried You Might Have Rodents?  Here are 8 Signs That You May Have an Infestation

Rat season is here again in Flower Mound, TX and populations of many species of rodents are moving into never-before infested areas.   Although your home may not have experienced problems with pests in the past, it is a good idea to keep an eye, an ear, and a nose out for signs that rodents have invaded your home.  Here are just some of the most common signs that you may have a rodent problem.

Rodent Droppings

This is one of the most obvious signs that you have a rodent problem. Droppings may be found in places where food is stored such as in kitchen cabinets and drawers. Given that mice like to move about in places that offer them protection from predators, you may find droppings in cupboards or under the sink, along walls, or on top of wall studs or beams. Additionally, mice will leave droppings near their nests, in storage areas such as sheds, barns, or cabins loaded with boxes, bags, old furniture, and other objects as they make an ideal home for rodents.   

Rodent Nests

Rodents prefer to build their nests out of materials that are soft, fuzzy, or warm. Common rodent nest materials may include shredded paper, bunches of dry grass or small twigs, fabric, and furniture stuffing and batting.  Rodents nest in quiet areas near food and water where they can find safety from predators. Inside buildings, ideal places to look are:

• Inside cabinets 
• Under or inside dresser
• In and among boxes
• Behind and inside machinery and appliances
• Inside upholstered furniture
• Inside double walls or the space between floors and ceilings

Food Containers or Food That Appears To Be Nibbled

Usually you will discover droppings near to a favorite rodent food source. Rodents can chew through plastic, so plastic bags and Tupperware -style containers do not protect food items.  It would definitely be advisable to carefully inspect all food and food storage items and areas if you suspect rodents have entered your home at all.

Evidence of Gnawing 

As previously mentioned, rodents will gnaw on almost anything that includes such things as wood, paper board, cloth sacks, and materials even harder than these.  Rodents' teeth grow continuously and they must gnaw to keep them short.  That may help to explain why table and chair legs or similar surfaces show gnawed spots or tooth marks in rodent-infested places.

Small Debris Piles 

If you happen upon a small pile of insect legs and peanut shells near a cabinet door, you may have found a rodent “feeding station.”  Feeding stations are somewhat hidden spots where rodents eat the food they have collected and discard their trash. In these areas, rodents may leave larger-than-normal amounts of droppings/urine, plus remnants of a variety of their “foods” such as nut shells, bits of plastic or paper, cockroach carcasses, and other indigestible items.

You Notice an Odd Musky Smell 

In closed-up rooms infested by rodents, you will commonly smell an unusual, musky odor.  This odor is the hallmark of the common house mouse and to the trained nose, the odor is unmistakable.

You Hear Strange Noises at Night

No, you aren’t losing your mind, but there may be someone wandering around in your attic at night.  As many rodent species are nocturnal, an infestation in an attic may be most obvious from the sounds coming from attic areas at night as mice and rats will run, climb, scratch and gnaw on beams and wiring while using insulation in these areas as an ideal nesting material. Depending on the size of the individual rodent, noises made in these areas can be quite loud and unsettling.

You See a Mouse in Your House

All species of rodents generally prefer to keep to themselves and avoid humans completely. If you have mice or rats, unless the infestation is large, you may never see one at all.  It is fair to assume that if you have seen a mouse in your house, the infestation is well underway at it is time to call a professional for help.

Prevention and Solutions

Obviously, prevention is the best solution to any pest problem. Infestations by rodents and the damage they cause are not only costly to repair, but also a serious health hazard here in Texas. Both hanta virus and the plague have been found in Arizona in the past year which makes vigilance even more important.  To avoid a potential rodent infestation, one must do everything they can to make certain that their home is “rodent proof.” If you have any of the signs mentioned here, you may want to take action immediately to solve your pest problem before it becomes worse by contacting Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control as soon as possible.

Thank you for the visiting the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control Blog about Pest Control and Exterminating Services in the North Texas area. If you would like more information about a specific pest or service please choose the appropriate link below and you will be taken to the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control web site or you can call us directly at: (817) 727-8149

Flower Mound Rat Elimination, Flower Mound Rodent Control

Flower Mound Rodent Control and Exterminating

Roof Rats are more aerial than Norway Rats in their habitat selection and often will live in trees or on vine covered fences. Landscaped residential or industrial areas provide good habitat, as does vegetation of riverbanks and streams. They will often move into sugarcane and citrus groves. Roof Rats are sometimes found living in or around poultry or other farm buildings as well as in industrial sites where food and shelter are available. Being agile climbers, Roof Rats frequently enter buildings from the roof or accesses near utility lines which they use to travel from area to area. They have been found in sewer systems, but this is not very common.

Feeding Habits:

The food habits of Roof Rats resemble those of tree squirrels, since they both like a wide variety of fruit and nuts. They also feed on a variety of ornamental and native plant materials. Like the Norway Rat, they are omnivorous and will feed on most anything if necessary. Roof Rats usually require water daily, though their local diet may provide an adequate amount if high in water content. 
Feeding Behavior:

Roof Rats usually begin searching for food shortly after sunset. If the food is in an exposed area and too large to be eaten quickly, yet not  too large to be moved, they will usually carry it to a hiding place before eating it. Many Rats will hoard considerable amounts of solid food, which they may or may not eat later. When necessary, Roof Rats will travel considerable distances for food. They can often be seen at night running along overhead utility lines. They may live in trees or attics and climb down to a food source. This is important from the standpoint of control, for traditional baiting or trapping on the ground or floor may intercept very few Roof Rats. Roof Rats have a strong tendency to avoid new objects in their environment and this can influence control efforts. These Rats may take several days before they will approach a bait station or trap. 
Reproduction and Development:

Born in a nest about 21 to 23 days after conception, the young Rats are naked and their eyes are closed. The 5 to 8 young in the litter develop rapidly, growing hair within a week. When they are 9 to 14 days old, their eyes open and they begin to explore for food and move about near their nest. In the third week they begin to take solid food. The number of litters depends on the area and varies with nearness to the limit of their climatic range, availability of nutritious food, density of the local Rat population and age of the Rat. The young may continue to nurse until 4 or 5 weeks old. Young Rats generally cannot be trapped until about 1 month old. At about 3 months of age they are completely independent of the mother and are reproductively mature. In tropical or semitropical regions, the breeding season may be nearly year-round. Usually the peaks in breeding occur in the spring and fall. 
Senses:

Rats see poorly, relying more on smell, taste, touch and hearing. They are considered to be colorblind, responding only to the degree of lightness and darkness of colors.  Roof Rats also have an excellent sense of balance. They use their tails for balance while traveling along overhead utility lines and are very agile climbers.

Thank you for the visiting the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control Blog about Pest Control and Exterminating Services in the North Texas area. If you would like more information about a specific pest or service please choose the appropriate link below and you will be taken to the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control web site or you can call us directly at: (817) 727-8149

Top Rated Pest Control Companies in Flower Mound

Assassin Exterminating and Pest Control is proud to announce that we were recently named "Best Exterminators in Dallas Fort Worth". Thank you to everyone who has helped us achieve this recognition. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with our current and future customers while continuing to offer affordable Pest Control Services from friendly and knowledgeable staff. All of our treatments come with the best warranty in the business so give Assassin a call today and "Always Hire a Professional."

Best Exterminators in Fort Worth

By Ashley Berg /The Writers Network Posted on August 19th, 2011 

 

 

There are lots of home prevention and extermination options, but you always wonder if they are as safe and effective as you need them to be. Insects, bugs, and other vermin are a terrible disturbance to a home. They eat food, ruin clothes, and can spread bacteria and viruses. Finding an exterminator is the best way to handle an infestation of any size, and you can be assured through a contract or guarantee that the work will be a success. 

 

Finding an exterminator or pest control service in Fort Worth is a cinch. With all the critters running around the Lone Star state, there are plenty of professional, courteous, and knowledgeable people that can help you handle your creepy crawly issues. Trust the following businesses to be the best at what they do, and know you are in good hands.

 

Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control

 

With a name like Assassin you know this company means serious business. They will happily end the vicious bug onslaught you are experiencing with finality. The president started his career in extermination at the ripe young age of 16, so he has been dealing with pests long enough to be familiar with every type of situation, including yours. He chose the name Assassin for a reason; he believes it conveys the philosophy of the company. To be the best, most professional, highly skilled, highly trained, and adaptable bug killer company in business. You can count on them to quickly and effectively eliminate your pest problems for good.

Summer Pest Control Issues Flower Mound

DFW has five straight record highs, but at least bugs are gone!

Those searching for a silver lining to the nonstop burning heat need look no farther than the sky above or the ground below.

Mosquitoes are missing. Fire ants are hiding.

"There are no mosquitoes to speak of, and the fire ants are so deep underground they're not evident," said Rodney Beaman of Fort Worth Pest Control in Arlington.

Brent Russell, owner of Tarrant County Pest Control in Fort Worth, said he isn't getting any calls on webworms, either. That bug, a bane to pecan and hackberry tree owners, prefers wet weather.

"The year we had all the flooding on the Brazos was when the webworms were bad," Russell said.
Flooding, we don't have to worry about.

North Texas remains in a drought as temperatures hit triple digits for the 35th consecutive day. The high at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport was 107 on Friday, the fifth straight day of record highs.

Joe Harris, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth, said it could be mid-August before the highs dip below 100.

"It's just going to stay hot and dry for a while," he said.

And that's just no good for fire ants.

Mike Merchant, a professor and urban entomologist with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, said fire ants build mounds for two reasons: to get out of wet soil and to collect heat during cool weather.

"They don't have either of those reasons right now," he said. "They're foraging after midnight, then they go back underground."

Merchant agreed that mosquitoes aren't bad now but warned that they're still around -- especially the ones carrying the West Nile virus.

"They're stealthy biters," Merchant said.

Dry weather will bring out some bugs and not others. For instance, termites aren't swarming this summer, but ant swarms are fooling people, Russell said.

"They'll see the wings on the swarmers and think they're termites," he said. "My advice for anyone who thinks they're seeing termites is to call a professional."

Roaches also are a perennial problem. But their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a poorly kept home.

Large random roaches may appear in anyone's home as they search for moisture, Beaman said.
"I saw one in my house," he said, "and that's like a dentist having a cavity."

But roaches aren't the only problems; rodents, too, come into people's homes looking for water.
"All of the water that's usually around in creeks and other areas is dried up," Russell said.

Russell said that rodent calls have increased about 50 percent above normal, and most are about rats.
"Roof rats and Norwegian sewer rats are the most common in North Texas," he said.

Rats can exploit the tiniest gaps in a home's integrity with teeth that can gnaw through just about anything, Russell said.

"They chew on wood, pipes, wires," he said. "I've seen them chew through water pipes, even the hose from the washing machine to a wall, flooding the washroom."

Rocky Wien, with Orkin in North Richland Hills, said that most customers call because they've seen something around the house that worries them.

"Most insects are just like people, looking for food, water and shelter," Wien said.

Thank you for the visiting the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control Blog about Pest Control and Exterminating Services in the North Texas area. If you would like more information about a specific pest or service please choose the appropriate link below and you will be taken to the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control web site or you can call us directly at: (817) 727-8149

Pest Control Companies Flower Mound, TX|Exterminators in Flower Mound

Flower Mound Pest Control Companies|Residential Exterminators Flower Mound|Pest Control Service Flower Mound

Whether you own or rent your home, condo, or town home, we have residential services that are
tailored to your pest control needs. Assassin Exterminating has a staff of certified pest control
technicians ready to tackle any residential pest control problem that you may have.

Pests in your home are not just an annoyance, but can pose some serious healthproblems as well. The professionals at Assassin Exterminating are highly qualified to diagnose the exact pest control
situation that you may have and design a program to rid your home of the problem.

With over 13 years experience in pest control & exterminating, we have the knowledge and attention
to detail that it takes to get the job done right the first time. Our residential services vary depending on the home, environment, and many other factors. We custom tailor treatments to the individual pest control situation we're presented with. No two homes are the same and each requires its own treatment method.

We offer free inspections and estimates and will analyze your pest control issue at no charge. While
we're there, we'll identify the pest issue at hand and explain the process of how we can go about
eliminating your problem. We even provide service on weekends for yourconvenience at no additional charge!

During our initial visit and on an ongoing basis, we make note of conducive conditions that should be
addressed, and consult with you about the best available options to correct these problems.
Non-chemical measures are suggested whenever practical, and pesticides applied only as needed.
This green pest control approach maximizes effectiveness while minimizing the need for pesticide
applications.

Monthly Pest Control Programs

A monthly pest control program is the best way to ensure that your home is a "pest-free zone". A
regularly scheduled pest control service ensures that not only do the unwanted insects die but, as
their eggs hatch, the baby insects will die as well. There isn’t a safe spray on the market that will
currently kill the larvae or eggs of many household pests.

All insecticides on the market are designed to dissipate over time (usually between 4-8 weeks) which is a good thing. How clean you keep your home will determine how long a residual product is effective. If you’re the type of person who cleans the floors twice a week, expect to get about 4 weeks of protection. If you only spot clean once a week and do a full cleaning every two weeks or so, expect to get about 8 weeks of protection.

Monthly pest control programs allow a small build up of insecticide (microscopic) to form in all the
common areas that insects invade and will provide a barrier to prevent infestation. This approach is
seen as being more proactive than reactive. However, if cost is a concern to you and your family, you might be interested in a Quarterly Pest Management Program.

Quarterly Pest Control Programs

For some homeowners, quarterly pest control plans make the most sense. Each season brings its own set of pest problems, and quarterly service plans allows our pest control technicians to inspect for and address these potential pest problems along the natural, season cycle. Quarterly service also is more economical as it avoids the need for unnecessary service calls, and your home will still be warranted against infestations of covered pests that may arise between quarterly visits.

In addition, many homeowners now prefer to limit routine quarterly treatments to the exteriors of their
homes, and we encourage this practice. Routine exterior treatment provides an excellent level of
protection against the most common household pests, while eliminating unnecessary pesticide
applications inside the home. (Of course, if interior treatment is needed, it will be provided at no
additional charge.)

Our Monthly and Quarterly residential pest control plans protects your home against most common household pests, including:

• Ants (excluding for Carpenter and Fire Ants)
• Spiders
• Earwigs, silverfish, millipedes, centipedes, and other occasional invaders
• Cockroaches (excluding for German Cockroaches, which require monthly service)
• Most other common household pests

Whether it's Ants, Bees, or any other exterminating issue, Assassin Exterminating will treat your home as if it were our own. We understand that having pests in your home can be unsettling. That's why we take the time to listen.
 

Assassin Exterminating Provides Professional Pest Management Services The Way It's Supposed To Be. That’s the difference when you “Always Hire A Professional”.

Thank you for the visiting the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control Blog about Pest Control and Exterminating Services in the North Texas area. If you would like more information about a specific pest or service please choose the appropriate link below and you will be taken to the Assassin Exterminating & Pest Control web site or you can call us directly at: (817) 727-8149

Do-It-Yourself Pest Control Flower Mound, TX

Ants

 
The first line of defense is to remove the attractants: keep counters free ofcrumbs and sticky spots. Cover the sugar and put the honey jar in a plasticbaggie. Cut off water sources such as drips or dishes left soaking overnight.If the ant invaders persist, try these simple measures:  

• Keep a small spray bottle handy, and spray the ants with a bit of soapy water.
• Set out cucumber peels or slices in the kitchen or at the ants' point of entry. Many ants have a natural aversion to cucumber. Bitter cucumbers work best.
• Leave a few tea bags of mint tea near areas where the ants seem most active. Dry, crushed mint leaves or cloves also work as ant deterrents.
• Trace the ant column back to their point of entry. Set any of the following items at the entry area in a small line, which ants will not cross: cayenne pepper, citrus oil (can be soaked into a piece of string), lemon juice, cinnamon or coffee grounds.
• Mix one liter of water, one teaspoon of Borax and a cup of sugar. Soak cotton balls in the solution and place them in a small yogurt container with holes punched in the lids to allow ants access. Place container in a location where ants are present. Ants will carry the bait back to their colonies where it will eventually kill the colony. Important: use indoors only; must be kept away from pets and children.
• Leave a small, low wattage night light on for a few nights in the area of most ant activity. The change in light can disrupt and discourage their foraging patterns.
• Ants on the deck? Slip a few cut up cloves of garlic between the cracks.
• For long-term nontoxic control of ants, sprinkle diatomaceous earth where ants congregate.
• Clove oil-based commercial ant killers are available in two forms: AntEater organic ant killer, and BugShooter insect control spray.

Cockroaches

 
The best defense against cockroaches is a clean kitchen and bathroom. If roaches are a problem in your home or apartment, vacuum well and wash the areawith a strong soap. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag in a sealed container.   

• Diatomaceous earth is a safe alternative which can be sprinkled in areas where roaches congregate, especially hidden areas such a cabinet tops and behind appliances. Harmless to people, the tiny particles cut the waxy exoskeleton and kills the insect within 48 hours. For a week or so after the treatment, the dehydrating insects will search more actively for water. Therefore, do not be surprised if you see roaches more often after the treatment. Most roaches should be killed within two weeks of application.
• Catnip is a natural repellent to cockroaches. The active ingredient is nepetalactone, which is non-toxic to humans and pets. Small sachets of catnip can be left in areas of cockroach activity. Catnip can also be simmered in a small amount of water to make a "catnip tea" which can be used as a spray to apply around baseboards and behind counters. This natural repellent should only be used in homes without cats!
• Keep a spray bottle of soapy water on hand. Spraying roaches directly with soapy water will kill them.
• In an empty one pound coffee can, place 1 or 2 pieces of bread which have been soaked thoroughly with beer. Place in areas known to have roach infestations.
• It is a little known fact that roaches like high places. If you put boric acid on TOP of your kitchen cabinets (not inside), if space allows between ceiling and cabinets, the roaches will take the boric acid to their nests, killing all of them. Boric acid is toxic by mouth - keep away from children and pets.
• Leave bay leaves, cucumber slices or garlic in the affected area as deterrents.

 

Fleas

Fleas usually gain entry to your home through your pet or visitors' pets. Forevery flea on your pet, there may be as many as 30 more in the pet'senvironment.Before reaching for pesticides, try these safer choices:  

• Bathe and comb your pet regularly. Use mild soap, not insecticides. If fleas are found on the comb, dip the comb in a glass of soapy water.
• Citrus is a natural flea deterrent. Pour a cup of boiling water over a sliced lemon. Include the lemon skin, scored to release more citrus oil. Let this mixture soak overnight, and sponge on your dog to kill fleas instantly. Do not use citrus oil on cats.
• Add brewer's yeast and garlic, or apple cider vinegar, to your pets' food. However, it is not advisable to use raw garlic as a food supplement for cats.
• Cedar shampoo, cedar oil and cedar-filled sleeping mats are commercially available. Cedar repels many insects including fleas.
• Fleas in the carpet? The carpet should be thoroughly vacuumed especially in low traffic areas, under furniture, etc. Put flea powder in the vacuum cleaner bag to kill any fleas that you vacuum up, and put the bag in an outdoor garbage bin.
• Trap fleas in your home using a wide, shallow pan half-filled with soapy water. Place it on the floor and shine a lamp over the water. Fleas will jump to the heat of the lamp and land in the water. The detergent breaks the surface tension, preventing the flea from bouncing out.
• In the yard or garden, plant fleabane (Fleabane Daisy Erigeron speciosus) to repel fleas. This is an annual growing 16-24" tall with violet, daisy like flowers.
• Nontoxic flea traps are available commercially. These traps are inexpensive and very effective.
• For long-term nontoxic control of fleas, sprinkle diatomaceous earth where fleas may occur. You can also rub diatomaceous earth into the fur of your cat or dog.

Mosquitos

The first line of defense against mosquitos is to seal their point of entry.Mosquitos are most active in the early morning and early evening. They seek areas of still air because they are hampered by breezes. Close windows and doors on the side of your house which are opposite the breeze. Then try:

• The most important measure you can take is to remove standing water sources. Change birdbaths, wading pools and pet's water bowl twice a week. Keep your eaves-troughs clean and well-draining. Remove yard items that collect water.
• Campers often report that the very best mosquito repellent is Herbal Armor, a nontoxic DEET-free repellent which is also recommended by National Geographic.
• If you're using the barbeque, throw a bit of sage or rosemary on the coals to repel mosquitos.
• An effective natural bug repellent, mix one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a small spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray lightly on exposed body parts for an effective repellent lasting up to 5 - 6 hours. Strips of cotton cloth can also be dipped in this mixture and hung in areas, such as patios, as a localized deterrent. Commercially available garlic based, all natural mosquito repellent and larvae killer will repel mosquitoes up to 4 weeks
• Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil extracted from the Neem tree in India. The leaves, seeds and seed oil of the Neem tree contain sallanin, a compound which has effective mosquito repelling properties. Neem oil is a natural product and is safe to use.
• Planting marigolds around your yard works as a natural bug repellent because the flowers give off a fragrance bugs and flying insects do not like.
• Safe, nontoxic pheromone-based mosquito traps are now commercially available.
• For outdoor mosquito control, bat houses are effective. Some bat species can eat 500 - 1000 mosquitoes each per might.
• For broad application outdoor mosquito control, electric mosquito traps are commercially available. These traps do not use chemicals or propane gas.
• If you're stung, Ditch the Itch is a nontoxic cream which takes the itch out of bites.  

Is DEET safe?

The active ingredient in most chemical-based mosquito repellents is DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), developed by the US military in the 1940s. This powerful chemical is absorbed readily into the skin, and should be used with caution.

Common side-effects to DEET-based products include rash, swelling, itching and eye-irritation. often due to over-application. For safer use, consider the following:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents used on children contain no more than 10% DEET. Parents should assist children in applying DEET-based products.
• Lotions can be applied more effectively than sprays. Only a thin layer should be used.
• Be careful to avoid areas near the eyes or mouth.
• Wash skin exposed to DEET after coming in from mosquito areas.
• Minimize exposed skin areas by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, if possible.

Recent research suggests that DEET products, used sparingly for brief periods, are relatively safe. Other research points to toxic encephalopathy associated with use of DEET insect repellents. Experts warn that DEET shouldn’t be used in combination with sun-screen because DEET shouldn’t be reapplied often. 

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