The Big Chill

On September 15, 2015 / Blog

You might think it’s crazy to talk about a Winter vacation right now. It’s only mid-September and the temperatures are still quite warm. But before you know it, there will be a chill in the air. You will wake up to see frost covering the ground. Then the snow comes. Piles of it. You will look around and say, “Why didn’t I plan a warm weather getaway?”. Well, right now, there is an instinct inside bugs and insects that is telling them Winter is on it’s way and it is time to plan their warm weather hideaway.

While you may choose a destination like Mexico or the Bahamas as your escape, the pests are going to choose your house. That’s right – Your. House. Think about it. In the Winter you like to keep your home warm and cozy. Wind, sleet and snow is left behind as you enter the welcoming heat being kicked out by your furnace. For insects and other pests, it’s Summer all year round in your home! A Caribbean getaway! Add to it all the cooking, baking and goodies that come along with the holidays and it’s like a smorgasbord! Have you ever been on cruise? The food and drinks along with the great weather? Who wouldn’t love that? And that is exactly what the pests will get inside your home.

How do you stop it? There are some preventative measures that you can take to help keep your home pest free this Winter.

Inspect the exterior of your home. You want to make sure that there are no entry points for insects and rodents.
Get rid of their food source. Keep counters and stoves wiped clean. Put cereal, pasta, crackers and other types of grains in sealed glass or plastic containers.
Remove debris. Make sure that leaves, twigs, mulch, shrubs and the like are removed from around the foundation of the home.
Consider creating a barrier around your home. A professional pest control company can provide a treatment around the exterior perimeter that will help keep insects OUT.

Remember that we aren’t the only ones that want a warm place to escape to in the Winter. Insects and rodents are looking for the same thing. Protect your home and your family. If you would like information on an exterior Fall service to create a barrier against bugs, give Rapid Pest Solutions a call. We have the services you need with the guarantees you want.

Because Timing Is Everything!

The Last Hurrah

On August 31, 2015 / Blog

In my mind Labor Day always marks the end of summer. In just one week that final Summer fling will be upon us, although most of the kids have already gone back to school. However, the Summer weather seems to want to stick around for awhile. This coming holiday weekend could see us at the beach, having a cookout, doing some hiking and biking and other fun outdoor activities. Because of the hot weather and the few rain storms we have had it looks like the perfect conditions for Summer’s pest to join us for our Last Hurrah. The heat and rain make perfect conditions for a wave of mosquito activity so be sure to pack the insect repellent. Beware on your Labor Day picnics, the stinging insects have been out in full force all month! Don’t forget about the most common pest in our area – the ant. Prepare yourselves for these pests before you go out and you will have a more enjoyable time.

This a large Bald Faced Hornet’s Nest that we removed from a customer’s house last week.

Labor day isn’t the only holiday that takes place in September. There are some other dates that may be worth mentioning.

9/11 – 911 Remembrance Day / Forever etched in our minds, this day is to reflect upon those events and remember those that lost there lives.

9/13 – Grandparents Day / Be sure to honor your Grandparents, just as we do Mothers and Fathers.

9/16 – National Play Doh Day / Who doesn’t love Play Doh? Relive a moment from your childhood by playing with some today!

9/19 – Talk Like A Pirate Day / Just for fun, use all your pirate speak today. Garrr! Shiver Me Timbers!

9/28 – Good Neighbor Day / A big smile, a helping hand, a small gesture can go a long way in being a Good Neighbor.

If you find that pests are ruining your Last Hurrah – Labor Day or any of the other holidays coming up – give Rapid Pest Solutions a call. We have a solution to fit your needs.

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Stung

On August 7, 2015 / Blog

This is the time of year when stinging insects are most active. You may be seeing some wasps or bees around your home. While Honey Bees provide much needed pollination of flowers, plants and crops it might be hard to see the positive side of wasps, yellow jackets and hornets. Not only can they build nests in bushes, trees and the eaves of your home, there are also ground nesting bees and wasps. Making something as simple as walking in your yard a hazard.

What do the different nests look like?

This is a Bald-Faced Hornets nest. Typically found in trees or bushes higher off the ground. The shape is somewhat round and about the size of a basketball.

A Yellow Jacket nest may have some of the same characteristics as a hornets nest. However, wasps are not as picky about where they will build. You can find these nests at ground level, in the eaves or built in connection to something else.

Paper Wasps build small nests with an open comb pattern. These nests tend to be smaller and are tucked away in closed areas – the corners of the roof or under a patio umbrella.

Cicada Killer Wasps build their nests in the ground. They are very large and will dig holes in the dirt around your home and driveway. Look for this tell-tale sign!

Mud Dauber’s build cylindrical nests. These unique looking wasps aren’t quite as common as yellow jackets but if you see this type of nest be warned.

By the way, this is a Mud Dauber.

If you find signs of these stinging insects around your property, give Rapid Pest Solutions a call. We are offering 20% off your service for stinging insects.

Because Timing Is Everything!

This not for those that are faint of heart – Check out the trailer for the movie Bite.

Don’t let a sting or ‘Bite’ get you down.

Call Rapid Pest Solutions!

Midsummer Night’s Dream (or Nightmare)

On July 21, 2015 / Blog

What are some of the weirdest insect stories you have heard? Or the strangest bugs you have seen? Here I have compiled some of the bizarre things I have come across on the web. If you have a strange and unusual insect picture, video or factoid, please share it with us!

*Please note this is for entertainment purposes only.

Butterfly Attack! LOL

Those ants weren’t messing around – They even took the bones!

Everyone loves kids and animals. How about kids and animals -vs- bugs?

These are the things nightmares are made of!

Let Rapid Pest Solutions take care of any pest problems that you have. We now offer Mosquito Control! Contact us for details.

Keep Ants Out!

On June 17, 2015 / Blog

As you are aware we have been having a very wet June. River levels are high and flooding is an issue. You may have also noticed that you are starting to see a few ants in your home. Maybe more than a few – maybe a lot! As the ground becomes more and more saturated the ants nests and tunnels are flooded. This leads them to search for a dry place to call home. Unfortunately, that place may actually be your home. Also, this rain and water may have you half wishing for a drought. Too bad that wouldn’t fix the ant problem. Dry weather is just as bad for ants moving in. During a drought they enter your home in search of water. I guess we just can’t win.

Here are some tips to keep your home free of ants during this deluge.

KEEP IT CLEAN – Ants might be coming in to find a dry place but they will also need food. Take away their food source! Depending on the type of ant they may like sweet, sugary things or they may prefer meats, fat, and oils. Safest bet? Keep food in the refrigerator or if in the cabinet make sure it is in well sealed containers. Wipe off the counters and keep the floor swept and mopped.

REMOVE THE MAP – You might see ants traveling in a line. This is because ants leave a chemical trail along their path. This is so they can find their way back to the food. It also acts as a map for other ants to follow. To help keep ants out, disable their GPS, so to speak. Be sure to clean up those trails. Warm water and an everyday detergent like Pine-Sol or Mr. Clean should do the trick.

CLOSE THE GAP – Ants can find their way into your home through small gaps and openings. The best bet to keep them out is to seal up these areas. Use caulk on windows, doors and noticeable cracks. They can get in through the tiniest of spots, so keep that in mind when caulking.

RAISE THE BARRIER – Another great way to keep ants out is to have an exterior perimeter treatment done on your home. This will create a barrier against ants and other ground crawling insects, helping to keep them out no matter what the weather.

Working as a team, these ants are carrying whole pieces of Apple Jacks cereal up a wall!

If you find ants in your home or if you would like an exterior perimeter treatment to give yourself a barrier, call Rapid Pest Solutions. We have a service that will fit your needs.

Because Timing Is Everything!

NOW OFFERING MOSQUITO REDUCTION!

Thoughts That Will Keep You Up At Night

On June 4, 2015 / Blog

At night we lay down in our comfy beds and snuggle down under the blankets. Dreams enter and entertain us like mini movies in our minds. This is a time of peace and rest after a day in a hectic world. But wait…what was that? A small scuffle in the closet? Did I feel something on my arm? Here are some thoughts that just may keep you up at night.

Tiny Vampire

BED BUGS – Ooooohhhhhh! That’s right, I jumped right in with the worst one! Although bed bugs are not known to spread disease and are not related to sanitation, what makes them so creepy is that you are their food source. They use your blood as a meal, like tiny little vampires. Now some people may say, ‘So? Mosquitoes do the same thing.’ – True, but mosquitoes don’t stalk you in the dead of night in the one place that you should feel ultimate comfort and safety. Maybe it’s just me but thinking that bed bugs could be quietly living in my mattress, closet or bedside table is enough to give me nightmares. Literally – I have had nightmares involving bed bugs.

Scariest RIde Ever!

SPIDERS – If you know me or read my blog you certainly know that I have some major arachnophobia. The fact that I let a spider live quietly in the corner of my bathroom ceiling was shocking. But I figured if I could see him and he stayed far away I would leave him be. The problem now is that he is gone. Just overnight, poof, vanished. This does not make me a happy camper. Combine that with the fact that a spider came running at me as I was sitting on the couch and you can imagine the terror! At night when it’s quiet and I’m laying in the darkness of the bedroom, I think about those spiders that got away. Where are they now? Do they seek revenge? Is one of them lowering down from the ceiling directly above my face right now?! Ugh! No sleep tonight.

Cute Mouse

MICE – Personally I do not fear mice. I think that they are super cute and I feel bad when they get caught. That being said, I also know that you cannot have them in your home. They cause damage and are very unsanitary. Have you ever been laying quietly in your bed and heard a soft scratching somewhere? A little rustle in the closest maybe? If you have a mouse in your house that is exactly what might happen. Even though you know it is nothing big and it is not an intruder – at least not a human one – it can make your heart race and fill you with a feeling of fear. So as you drift off into dreamland don’t pay attention to those small noises.

I guess there are lots of things that can keep you up at night. Scary movies, your neighbors loud music, that work project due at the end of the week. Maybe the problem is that we let negative things into our mind. Perhaps if we thought pleasant thoughts when we laid in bed we would fall asleep faster and have a more restful night. I will leave you with some cute and positive things to think about tonight as you wait for the sandman.

Your dream vacation

The silly things your kids do

The silly things your pets do

Sunshine

Ice Cream

Laughing so hard it hurts

The Best Things In Life Are Free.

If you notice the soft scuffling noise in your closet, spiders in the corner of your bathroom or any other pest problem, give Rapid Pest Solutions a call. We will customize a service for you.

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Why Spiders Are Scarier Than Freddy Krueger

On May 19, 2015 / Blog

I love horror movies and the scarier the better. I will read ghost stories at night when I am home alone. There is something about that little thrill that you get that I actually like. One thing I don’t like – Spiders! Anyone that knows me is aware that seeing a spider can actually bring me to tears. Spiders are terrifying and that led me to write this blog – Why Spiders Are Scarier Than Freddy Krueger.

(and trust me, they are)

Seriously. That spider is way scarier!

FREDDY – Freddy Krueger haunts your dreams. If you fall asleep you become vulnerable to him. Unless you choose to pull him into the real world he is left behind when you wake up.

SPIDER – Spiders are not a nightmare at all, they are very much part of our waking lives. 24/7/365

SONY DSC

FREDDY – Armed with a glove of razor sharp knives you may think Freddy is scary than a spider. But think of it this way, you can see that big glove coming! That makes it easier to get out of the way.

SPIDER – Spiders fight with venom. There is a chance that you won’t even know you are in danger. Suddenly you notice a red lump on your arm or leg…the venom has already been injected!

FREDDY – Let’s face it, Freddy can’t hide just anywhere. I mean, he’s human size. This limits him on where he can go. Most likely in a closet or under a bed – and isn’t that the first place we would look for a boogie man?

SPIDER – These little devils are small! They can hide anywhere. Tucked into the corner of a room, behind your headboard, in the shower. (eek!) There are so many places that a spider could hide we could never check them all.

FREDDY – Freddy preys mainly on children. Now I’m not saying that’s a good thing, but as an adult you really don’t have much to worry about. I’m just throwing that out there.

SPIDER – A spider doesn’t care how old you are. They don’t care if you’re male or female, how much money you make or what your hobbies are. They are an equal opportunity frightener. Scurrying out from dark closets or dropping down from the ceiling, right in front of your face, they will get a scream every time.

I think I have made my point. If you find your home has spiders or any other scary pest, give Rapid a call. We have a treatment to fit your needs.

Because Timing Is Everything.

5 Things Lady Gaga Has In Common With Bugs

On May 12, 2015 / Blog

You might be thinking ‘What? That’s crazy!’ But it’s true. I have created a list of five things that the very talented Lady Gaga has in common with the bugs that Rapid Pest Solutions fights.

BEAUTIFUL MUSIC – Lady Gaga has been making chart topping music for years. I’m sure that you are familiar with at least a few of her songs. Some insects also make wonderful music. Cicadas and crickets make a gentle night music. Bugs also make music when they fly by producing unique wing beat frequencies. The houseflies wing beat is in the key of F.

MEAT DRESS – Surely you must have heard about the infamous Meat Dress that Lady Gaga wore to the 2010 VMA’s. Her dress, hat and shoes were made entirely out of raw meat. I would think that in order to wear raw meat for several hours as clothing means you must like beef. Well, some bugs like beef too. Raw beef, just like the dress. When yellow jackets are foraging they are attracted to raw meat and of course the blowfly likes raw meat too.

BORN THIS WAY – The Lady Gaga song ‘Born This Way’ speaks of self-acceptance. The idea being that there are no mistakes in the way you are made – you were born this way! Even though most of us don’t like bugs and consider them quite the nuisance they were just born this way. Insects can no more help their predisposed nature than us humans can.

AMERICAN HORROR STORY – Lady Gaga has confirmed that she will be joining the fifth season of American Horror Story. I love this show and I can’t wait to see what type of character she plays. I also consider insects to be part of my very own American Horror Story. Especially spiders, or as I like to call them, miniature nightmares. They are terrible!

ALEIODES GAGA – What is that you ask? Well, in 2012 Lady Gaga received the honor (?) of having a newly discovered parasitic wasp named after her. The Aleiodes Gaga was named by researchers at the University of Thailand. You can’t get more in common with a bug than that!

Is there another singer, actor or entertainer that you think has a lot in common with pests? We would love to hear your thoughts. If you find that you have an insect problem in your home or business contact Rapid Pest Solutions. We have the answer you need!

Questions?

Happy Mother’s Day

On May 8, 2015 / Blog

This Sunday is Mother’s Day – the day that we honor our moms or the mom-type figures in our lives. Who else would nurse us back from sickness, defend us to the death and love us unconditionally? Be sure to let the moms in your life know how special they are and how much you love them.

There are two insects that lead the race for best mother. The Earwig and the Wolf Spider. Earwig mothers will keep their eggs warm, clean them and protect them for predators. Once the eggs are ready to hatch she will help them out of their shell and then look after her babies for the next couple of months including feeding them. The Wolf Spider carries its eggs with her instead of leaving them in the web. Once the babies hatch she will continue to carry them with her until they are old enough to fend for themselves.

Most of us will probably get our Mom a card, some flowers and maybe some candy. Really lucky moms might get a champagne brunch or a spa day. These are all very nice things but remember that it’s not always all about the material things in life. Talk to your mom and tell her how you feel. Whatever it is that makes your mom special to you, let her know!

Rapid Pest Solutions wishes all the Moms out there a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Honeybees – What Happens Without Them?

On May 5, 2015 / Blog

Honeybee

Recently there was an article circulating about what your salad bar would look like without bees and other pollinators. The truth is, there wouldn’t be much left. There is talk about saving the Honey Bee and Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). So how worried should we be? There is a quote that is attributed to Einstein that says “If the bees disappeared off the face of the earth then man would only have four years left to live.” Wow! So, should we be stocking our underground bunkers now in preparation for the end? Calm down. There’s more to it than that.

First, there are many types of bees, more than 240 species actually. They all help with pollination. As do butterflies, hummingbirds and bats. Honeybees make up only about a fifth of the pollinators.
Second, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) only affects honeybees. All those other bees and pollinators are safe.

WORST CASE SCENARIO

Alright, let’s pretend that ALL pollen spreading insects die out. While this would be tragic and possibly lead to mass starvation it is doubtful that it would be the end of mankind. There are many plants that would survive. Corn, potatoes, carrots and leafy vegetables can be grown with out the help of insects.

Now this doesn’t mean that we should throw in the towel on trying to save the bees. It is still important to be aware of our environment. For instance, if you find a honeybee hive on your property don’t kill them. There are beekeepers that will come and move the entire hive for you, some at no charge.

If you have bees or any other type of pest, call Rapid Pest Solutions. We have the answers you need.

Because Timing Is Everything!

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Archive for the Blog Category

How do you stop it? There are some preventative measures that you can take to help keep your home pest free this Winter.

Because Timing Is Everything!

Labor day isn’t the only holiday that takes place in September. There are some other dates that may be worth mentioning.

If you find that pests are ruining your Last Hurrah – Labor Day or any of the other holidays coming up – give Rapid Pest Solutions a call. We have a solution to fit your needs.

What do the different nests look like?

If you find signs of these stinging insects around your property, give Rapid Pest Solutions a call. We are offering 20% off your service for stinging insects.

Because Timing Is Everything!

This not for those that are faint of heart – Check out the trailer for the movie Bite.

Don’t let a sting or ‘Bite’ get you down.

Call Rapid Pest Solutions!

What are some of the weirdest insect stories you have heard? Or the strangest bugs you have seen? Here I have compiled some of the bizarre things I have come across on the web. If you have a strange and unusual insect picture, video or factoid, please share it with us!

Let Rapid Pest Solutions take care of any pest problems that you have. We now offer Mosquito Control! Contact us for details.

If you find ants in your home or if you would like an exterior perimeter treatment to give yourself a barrier, call Rapid Pest Solutions. We have a service that will fit your needs.

Because Timing Is Everything!

NOW OFFERING MOSQUITO REDUCTION!

Your dream vacation

The silly things your kids do

The silly things your pets do

Sunshine

Ice Cream

Laughing so hard it hurts

(and trust me, they are)

I think I have made my point. If you find your home has spiders or any other scary pest, give Rapid a call. We have a treatment to fit your needs.

Because Timing Is Everything.

You might be thinking ‘What? That’s crazy!’ But it’s true. I have created a list of five things that the very talented Lady Gaga has in common with the bugs that Rapid Pest Solutions fights.

Is there another singer, actor or entertainer that you think has a lot in common with pests? We would love to hear your thoughts. If you find that you have an insect problem in your home or business contact Rapid Pest Solutions. We have the answer you need!

This Sunday is Mother’s Day – the day that we honor our moms or the mom-type figures in our lives. Who else would nurse us back from sickness, defend us to the death and love us unconditionally? Be sure to let the moms in your life know how special they are and how much you love them.

Rapid Pest Solutions wishes all the Moms out there a wonderful Mother’s Day!

WORST CASE SCENARIO

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