4 Pests That You Should NOT Ignore

On February 3, 2016 / Blog

Seeing one or two of these pests is most likely just the tip of the iceberg!

Don’t mistake a small sign as something insignificant. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean a larger problem doesn’t exist. Pest problems and infestations can occur behind the scenes. When you see one or two bugs that is very often just the tip of the iceberg! Once the problem becomes noticeable it is often already past the point of taking care of it yourself.

Tip of the Iceberg

There are four pests that you need to take very seriously if you see them or have evidence of them. They are mice, ants, roaches and bed bugs. Let’s take a look at them individually.

Mouse Infestation

MICE – If you see a mouse in your home or see droppings, it is very doubtful that you have just the one. Mice reproduce very quickly with a gestation period of only 19 to 21 days. Female mice reach sexual maturity at 6 weeks old and can have 5 to 10 litters a year. They will want to hide from you and will scurry out at night to forage for food. Seeing droppings means trouble.

Swarming Ant

ANTS – Ants live in colonies, so while there is a chance that a stray ant could wander into your home, it is more likely that you have a nest nearby. If an ant finds a food source in your house you can be assured they are going to bring all their friends to the party. Also, if you see swarmer ants, the flying ones, look out! Swarming ants only go out once a colony has reached its full size, which happens to be in the thousands! Seeing those flying ants most likely means that you have a full-size colony somewhere on your property or in your home.

Roaches

ROACHES – The German Cockroach is the most common roach found in U.S. homes. They are nocturnal and will come out at night to forage for food. During the day they like dark, humid, small places. They like pressure on all sides of their body. If you see a roach out in the middle of the day you need to be worried. Especially if they are in a room other than the kitchen. The main reason for roaches to be out in the middle of a room, during the day is because the infestation is so heavy that there are no suitable hiding spaces.

Bedbugs and their feces (the little black dots) on a mattress.

Bed Bug Infestation on a Mattress

BED BUGS – Bed Bugs are another type of pest that likes to hide and likes pressure on all sides. They will look for hiding spaces in and around areas where they have a food source. This means they are not limited to being in just the bed. They can and will hide in the headboard, dressers, closets, baseboards, outlets, behind pictures and more. If you have a bed bug infestation you may also find them in other living areas. Couches, love seats, recliners and other upholstered furniture. If you bring a bed bug home with you it can take only 2 to 3 months for the problem to be in the hundreds. Without treatment your bed bug populations could be in the thousands by 6 months.

If you see signs of any of these pests contact Rapid Pest Solutions today. We will do a full inspection and offer treatment options for your peace of mind. We can also help with any other pest problems or questions you may have. Let us know how Rapid can help you!

Why Pest Control?

On February 2, 2016 / Blog

WHY PEST CONTROL?

If you know me then you know that I cannot stand bugs. I am always asked the same question: How did you end up in this business? I’m very afraid of bugs and insects of all kinds. I have a great fear of cockroaches and spiders literally make me cry. On the other hand I don’t want to hurt anything needlessly. I’m the first one to take a roly-polie bug outside rather than kill it and I think those tiny pavement ants are cute. As for mice and wildlife, forget it. I want no part in trapping or hurting them. So how did I end up here? And why do I continue to work in this field?

The truth is my career in the pest control field happened completely accidentally. The previous place I worked had closed and I spent 10 months on the job hunt. I was picky because I knew that where ever I went I wanted that to be my final career. Let’s face it I’m not getting any younger! I found a position as a customer service rep for a local pest company. That sounded fairly harmless to me. Customer service, that’s answering the phone, scheduling appointments and posting payments, right? Wrong! I soon found that people would bring things in for me to look at. They wanted different types of bugs and insects identified. And for some reason, they always wanted to take the bug out of whatever container it was in so I could get a better look. Trust me, I can see just fine through that baggie/glass jar/plastic bowl, I promise. Because of this I had to learn about pests. I had to be able to tell the difference between different types of flies, roaches, beetles, etc. This meant I had to face my fears.

German Roaches of all ages

I remember being told that roaches had a ‘smell’ and I would always ask what they smelled like. I figured I should know in case I went into a restaurant or something. I wanted to know if I needed to turn around and leave. One of my technicians brought in a glue trap that was covered in roaches of all different sizes, in all different stages of development. He told me to smell the trap. “What?! I think not!”

Woolly Bear Caterpillar

But I needed to learn what the technicians meant when they would tell me they could smell the roaches. It took about 20 minutes, a few small screams and a tear or two, but I finally got my face close enough to smell them. And it’s true. They do smell, you will never forget what it’s like and there is no way to explain it. Everyone got a good laugh out of watching that. They also thought it was pretty funny when my manager wanted me to pet a Wooly Bear Caterpillar. That never happened.

Aside from the fun of learning about pests (I have become somewhat desensitized – although not completely) my current position offers me with new challenges. I work on the company web site, our social media sites, and other inbound marketing techniques. (this blog for instance)

The reason I’m in the pest control industry really comes down to two things:

I love learning.
I love a challenge.

I have learned more about pests than I ever thought I could handle. And I’m proud of how far I have come. I crave the challenge I get by maintaining our website and thinking of new ways to get Rapid Pest Solutions’ name out there. I am privileged to be able to work in a field I enjoy, at a job that I love. I have been lucky enough to work with amazing people and I have been trained by some of the best in the business. I have tackled my fear of pests head on and I am able to enjoy the work I do. That is how I ended up in this business. If you’re interested in a career in the pest control industry, let me know. I can give you the ins and outs so you can decide if it’s the right place for you.

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Some Bugs Don’t Care That It’s Cold

On January 6, 2015 / Blog

Just like that – Winter is here. The temperatures are well below freezing and with the windchill below zero! We just had our first substantial snowfall with more promised in the near future. Spring may seem very far away and not many of us are thinking about the types of bugs that come along with the warm weather. Still, there are some pests that will continue to be a nuisance even during the cold months. The best defense is a good offense. Here are two pests that are a problem no matter what the weather.

BED BUGS – It probably seems that we talk about bed bugs all the time. Well, we do. That’s because it is a real problem and it can affect anyone. The weather really has no bearing on bed bug activity. They will hitchhike on coats and bags and make themselves at home in whatever new spot they are introduced to. If you think you may have been in a place with a bed bug problem, put your clothes, coats, shoes, anything that you can, into a dryer on the highest heat setting for at least a half hour.
ROACHES – Roaches are another insect that doesn’t really care about the weather. They are very sturdy and can make themselves at home just about anywhere. A little water is really all they need since they will eat almost anything. (glue from the back of your wallpaper among other things) This is another pest that is usually brought in, often times on used appliances or furniture. Be very careful when buying second hand. Inspect all areas of your purchase. If there is any doubt – don’t bring it into your home.

JUST FOR FUN

Check out this video – we may not be too happy with the snow but these guys are loving it!

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If you suspect that you have bed bugs or roaches contact Rapid Pest Solutions. We’ve got a solution to fit your needs. Because Timing Is Everything!

Questions?