Lessons from a Flea

July 11th, 2011

Hardly is there a pest that is so tiny, so persistent, so evasive and so difficult to eradicate as the lowly flea. They can make life miserable for both man and beast (and for women as well!).

Fleas – the Uninvited Guest
Fleas out of doors usually equate to fleas in your house. It’s nearly impossible to stop them from coming in. Even if you have no pets, fleas can be carried into your yard by other dogs or cats. You walk through the grass and they catch a ride on pant legs or footwear, and now this uninvited guest is a member of your household. If you have pets, obviously, they will come riding in on the pets. And because they can jump as high as 14 to 18 inches, they have no problem getting where they want to go.

Ignore Them at Your Peril
Keep in mind that only about 10% of all of the adult fleas live on Fido. Guess where the rest of the family is hiding? The eggs, larvae, and pupa have taken up residence in your carpet, the pet bedding, and other living areas. These are pests that cannot be ignored. The problem will only worsen.

The flea thrives in a warm moist environment and lives on the blood of the host. They mainly look for mammals, whether that is humans or animals. When the flea penetrates the skin of the host, it releases saliva which is both irritating and allergenic. This is what causes the itching.

What is the Solution?
Those who suffer from a flea infestation often ask what they can do to get rid of these freeloaders. The answer is: there is no one single solution for flea control. Because of the flea’s complex life cycle, it requires multiple steps to eradicate them.

Shortly after a female consumes a tasty blood dinner, it is capable of laying 50 eggs. The eggs are not sticky and so they roll right off into the pet’s bedding or your couch or carpeting.

The Patient Flea
During the larva stage the fleas creates its own cocoon in which to hibernate for a time where it transforms into a pupa. This pupa can live in its cocoon for two weeks, or two years! Is it any wonder fleas can be an ongoing problem in your home? They are extremely patient.

Good Housekeeping
Simple as it sounds, daily vacuuming is your first line of defense. The vacuum will suck up the adult fleas as well as the pupae and larvae. Placing a fresh flea collar in the bag of the vacuum will kill the ones you have vacuumed. Be sure to empty the bag often. Next, launder all pet bedding on a regular basis.

Products for Control
A wide variety of products are available for flea control – from aerosol bombs, to shampoos, to dips, and powders. Always use any such products strictly according to the directions. More is better is a myth that can cause a lot of trouble! Protect the health of your pet by using only one product on the pet at a time.

If you want to take a lesson from the flea, that lesson is persistence. Be persistent in keeping up all defenses against this pest and you will win out in the end.

Are fleas giving you fits? If so, contact a Connor’s representative. They’re trained to help!

Tags:
Posted in Fleas | No Comments »

Pest Protection for Business

July 8th, 2011

When someone enters into a commercial building, they expect a level of cleanliness which is far beyond that which they might experience in a home environment. This is particularly true for the restaurant and hotel industries. However, pest infestations can be a serious problem for any business, hurting the professional image of the company, worker productivity, and even worker morale.

Think about the last time you were in an office building. Do you remember seeing a rat? Chances are you were hard-pressed to find even a fly or spider within the walls of the business. This is because signs of infestation reflect poorly on the business. Any indications of an infestation present a picture of neglect to the customer, so every business benefits from a pest-free location.

A clean, pest-free office environment portrays the company as organized and professional, and can make the difference between making a sale and losing a customer. The truth is that a customer can feel uncomfortable in an infested building, as their attention might be divided between the conversation and worries about spider bites. A quality commercial pest control program will keep the pests from ever entering, putting your client’s mind at ease and potentially leading to improved sales.

Commercial pest control also helps your business by eliminating one distraction from your workplace. Having to deal with pests like mice, spiders, or roaches during the day will prevent workers from dealing with the issues of the company. Instead of working on a report or calling customers, a worker might be contemplating the fastest way to get rid of the spider on the wall behind their computer. Furthermore, the discomfort of being in a pest-infested environment can lower productivity in workers due to low worker morale.

If your business is suffering from a pest problem, let Connor’s be your commercial pest control professionals. We will inspect your place of business and customize our approach to remove pests and keep them away. Call today for a free on-site estimate to get started, and discover the benefits of a pest-free workplace.

Tags: ,
Posted in Business, Pest Control | 1 Comment »

Mosquitoes and Kids

July 1st, 2011

The 4th of July is coming up! Outdoor grilling and watching fireworks on a picnic blanket or from lawn chairs are some old time favorites for most families celebrating Independence Day. But are you prepared for the mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are more than just pesky little critters that annoy us in the back yard on a summer evening. They can be downright dangerous. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) say that the bite from mosquitoes can cause such illnesses as West Nile Virus and Dengue fever. This is why during the summer months it’s important to take needed steps to keep kids safe from mosquito bites.

Check for Standing Water
Mosquitoes need water in which to lay their eggs. Check around your property to see if you are creating “mosquito breeding stations” by leaving standing water in outdoor toys, old tires, buckets or other containers. An inch of standing water is all that’s needed for the egg-laying process.

Laying over 300 eggs at one time, the female will lay eggs up to three different times during their short lifetime. That adds up to a lot of new little pests being hatched. Mosquito control can begin with these steps.

Time Outdoor Activities
Since mosquitoes are most active at dawn and right at dusk, it’s best to avoid being out of doors during those periods of time.

Use Repellants
Using an insect repellant such as DEET is another way to protect your children. Repellants come in several different forms:

  • Lotions
  • Creams
  • Pump Spray
  • Aerosol cans
  • Towelettes

    • Each form will have the concentration percentage listed on the label. For instance, a 5% concentration will remain effective for about 90 minutes, while a 10% concentration lasts for over three hours. This will allow the consumer to choose the right concentration for the activity (whether it’s a backyard cookout or an overnight campout).

    Apply Repellents Correctly
    An adult should spray their own hands and then rub the repellant on the child’s exposed skin. Don’t overlook the tops of the feet and behind the knees. Never spray the hands of a small child because they have a tendency to place their hands in their mouth. Also never spray directly on a child’s face and never use on infants.

    Summer is a special time when many hours are spent outdoors. By taking a few precautionary steps the mosquito problems can be minimized and safety can be maximized.

    If you have questions about mosquitoes – or any other pests – contact us at Connor’s.

    Tags:
    Posted in Mosquitoes | No Comments »

    Understanding Spiders

    June 30th, 2011

    Is there anyone who doesn’t shudder when they see a spider? Or scream? (Which is the reaction of many.) Even a photo of a spider is discomforting to say the least.

    While it’s nice to know that spiders do eat pests such as flies, mosquitoes, silverfish, and even cockroaches, still and yet, most people don’t want to share their home with these eight-legged creatures.

    There are hundreds of different species of spiders and most are not harmful. The two that pose the biggest danger to humans is the black widow and the brown recluse. It’s a good idea to be able to recognize both.

  • An adult female black widow is about 1/2” in length and has a spherical black abdomen with 2 reddish marks on its underside, resembling two triangles forming an hourglass.
  • An adult brown recluse has a 1/2 inch long body and its color can range from tan to dark brown. This spider is also called a fiddleback, due to its distinctive fiddle-shaped markings.

    • The black widow spider bite causes little local damage (around the bite itself), but may cause body weakness, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting. In the case of a small child, one who is already ill, or the elderly it can cause difficulty in breathing, heart palpitations, and even death.

    The bite of the brown recluse on the other hand causes skin loss and ulceration at the point of the bite. This ulceration, depending on how severe, can require many months to heal completely.

    A spider certainly isn’t an aggressive creature, and more often than not, they are in hiding and would prefer to run from than to bite a human. However, if you have been rummaging in the attic, or garage, or a seldom-used closet, a spider might be lurking there – ready to defend its territory.

    Why take a chance? Call Connor’s Pest Protection, and let the Connor’s professionals eliminate spiders from your home today.

    Tags:
    Posted in Spiders | No Comments »

    Some Tips from Connor’s on Bed Bug Control

    June 29th, 2011

    So you have thoroughly checked and rid your home of pesky bed bugs and everything looks good. You don’t notice anymore of those colorless bumps on your skin where they used to feed, your bedding is devoid of unseemly dark spots, and everything seems to be back to normal. Bed bugs are gone from your house forever. Right?

    Well, maybe, if you do not travel or have any visitors. Otherwise, bed bug control will be an ongoing process. However, in today’s global culture, we travel much more than we used to, giving bed bugs an easy way to hitch a ride back to your home via your luggage and even your clothing. When you travel, try the following tips to keep bed bugs out of your home:

    1. Check your hotel bed –When traveling, check the bedding for small dark spots. These spots are sure signs of bed bugs in the room. Check not only the sheets but the mattress itself for these spots.
    2. Keep luggage away from the bed – Even if there is no sign of bed bugs in the room, one of the best methods of bed bug control when traveling is to ensure that luggage is far from the bed. This will keep bed bugs from hitching a ride home with you on your luggage.
    3. Wash Everything – Take everything washable straight to the laundry when you return to your home in order to prevent any bed bugs which may have made it back from ever making it to your bed.

    While these tips will not guarantee bed bugs from making it back to your house, they will go a long way in bed bug control and preventing such an infestation. By being cautious when away from home, you can keep your home bed bug free much longer.

    Tags:
    Posted in Bed Bugs | 2 Comments »

    Look What Connor’s Has For You

    June 13th, 2011

    While thinking about the subject for my rambling here at Connor’s a couple of things came to mind. With spring approaching it’s time to be thinking about this year’s “bug of the season” Pest have their own life cycle and that includes times when they are out and about creating havoc. Spring not only welcomes warmer weather, an increase in sunshine, and a change in wardrobes it is also that time of the year when old friends return once again; friends like termites, ants, and stink bugs. You’ll be reading more about these old friends throughout this month, so I’d like to take a few minutes to take you on a tour of the Connor’s Pest Protection web site.

    Why? First, because you’re already here; you didn’t just come here because you like to look at pictures of bugs. You’re here because something is bugging you. The second reason is the more important one; the Connor’s Pest Protection website is the most information filled site of its kind that I know of. I refer to it as “pest from A to Z”.

    Here you have access to a virtual library specifically directed toward pests. I invite you to do what I’ve done; go through the site, page by page, exploring what’s available. One example is right where you are at. Here on the home page you’ll find sections with information about news, the Connor’s Twitter page and this blog; all updated and relevant.

    Way up there in the upper left part of this page you can select from among several areas addressing pests. One in particular worth a look is called the Connor’s Pest University. By selecting that area of the site you’ll find topics like Just For Kids, information on most of the common kinds of pest, and a handy reference for identifying what pest you just encountered. And there’s a lot more available to you right here. I hope you take a few minutes to check it out.

    Tags:
    Posted in Connor's | No Comments »

    Stink Bugs Uncommon Scents…

    May 12th, 2011

    When you encounter a stink bug, this much you can be sure of: there’s more to come. In case you are not sure what it is you are seeing, here are some tips on identifying the stink bug:

    • The stink bug has two sets of wings and vaguely resembles a beetle.
    • They usually are dull gray or brown, but some are such colors as black (often with red or orange markings), green, or blue.

    Stink bug invasions are most common in the late summer and early fall. They are attracted to light and will find their way into homes when porch and deck lights are on and doors are opened and closed. So how do you get rid of them? Many pest control companies will tell you that it is possible to eradicate infestations from your home completely. However, this is not true. Here at Connor’s, we provide real results in stink bug control through a process called exclusion.
    Here is the problem which makes stink bug eradication impossible: stink bugs do not reproduce inside your home. So the only way of ridding your home or business of their presence is to remove them and then exclude them to keep them out of your home or business.

    Exclusion means having tight fitting windows, doors, eaves, pipes, weep holes, vent and chimney screens and every other crack and crevice sealed shut. This approach is the only method that will work when trying to control stink bugs.

    Let Connor’s Be Your Virginia Stink Bug Control Solution
    If you are concerned about the presence of stink bugs, give your local Connor’s Pest Protection office a call. They will gladly provide you with information and estimates at no cost.

    Tags: ,
    Posted in Pest Control, Recent Post, Stink Bugs | No Comments »

    Connor’s Pest Protection is Growing in Richmond

    January 3rd, 2011

    We have good news for Richmond, Virginia residents this winter season.  Connor’s Pest Protection is expanding into the Richmond area!  That means people in Richmond can finally receive the services that our clients in other parts of Virginia have enjoyed for generations.  Best of all, it is for the long term. That means we’ll still be in Richmond long after the last Christmas tree comes down and the last bit of snow is shoveled off the driveway.

    We’d like to take a moment to introduce the people of Richmond to our services.  While you are probably familiar with basic pest control services most companies offer, few businesses offer the large number of services provided by Connor’s.  Because of that, you might be surprised to see everything you can get under one roof when you choose us.

    Services for Homeowners

    First, we have lots of residential services you can use.  Homeowners can contact us for:

    • Bed bug control
    • Termite control
    • Pest management
    • Home repairs
    • Crawl space solutions
    • Gutter protection products

    You can purchase these services individually or get protection plans for some pest control services.

    Commercial Services

    We also have a broad range of commercial pest control services available for our Richmond clients.  Commercial services include:

    • Bed bug control
    • Termite control
    • Pest management

    Our commercial services stand apart from those offered by other pest control companies in the industry.  Unlike many of the other companies, we have a range of treatment options that will allow you to continue working, even while we control the pests. No one likes to close down the office for the day, which is why Connor’s is the cost effective and smart choice.

    Why Connor’s?

    You might be thinking, “But I already have a pest control company that I use in Virginia.  Why should I use Connor’s?”  The answer is simple.  As a family owned and operated business, Connor’s Pest Protection offers a personalized touch.  We also have fair prices and use innovative products and techniques.

    We’re ready to take on the pests in Richmond, just as we have taken them on in other parts of Virginia. If you’re sick of dealing with pests at home or in the office, contact Connor’s today.

    Tags:
    Posted in Connor's | No Comments »

    Are Mosquitoes Scoping You Out?

    June 30th, 2010

    If you are like most people, you think mosquitoes have very simple life cycles. They are born and then they fly into your yard and bite you. Finally, their lives end with a splat. As soon as your hand meets their little bodies, you never have to think of them again.

    It’s a little more complicated than that, though. Mosquitoes actually scope out areas to lay eggs. Once they find some standing water, they lay their eggs, raise their little mosquito families, and send their children out to find you. Once the kids find you, they are not just tasked with getting a meal. They have another agenda as well, and that agenda is to spread diseases and viruses. You can catch a variety of things from mosquitoes, including West Nile Virus. How, then, do you stop these little critters from using your yard as a birthing station?

    There is one simple key to keeping your mosquito activity to a minimum-get rid of standing water. Dump over toys that have water in them, and fill in any holes. Also, cover your pool when it is not in use, and put a pump in the birdbath.

    Once the standing water is eliminated, the mom and dad mosquitoes will look for other families to bother. Then, you can go back to enjoy the warm weather-without those pesky mosquitoes.

    Tags:
    Posted in Mosquitoes, Pest Control | 3 Comments »

    Serve Household Pests an Eviction Notice

    June 23rd, 2010

    Pests love the warm weather. Just like people, they like to get out, stretch their legs and cause a little trouble. Just because they love the warm weather does not mean they want to be outdoors, though. Instead of frolicking in the sun, they like to come indoors. That means you might have some house guests you need to kick out.

    Since you can’t serve pests eviction notices, you will have to do a little work to keep them out of your home. The best way to keep pests outside where they belong is to do a little work around the house.
    Start by going around your home and sealing up any cracks and crevice you find. A crack doesn’t have to be big for a pest to squeeze through, so get out your caulk gun and go to town.

    Next, you need to look at your windows and screens. Are they going to hold up during the season? If not, you need to replace them. A small tear in a screen or a gap in a window is all a pest needs to come inside the house.

    Lastly, clean up your yard. If you have firewood by the house, move it so it is no longer close to your home. Trim your trees and bushes so branches and foliage are away from the home and get rid of any standing water in your yard.

    These minor repairs will serve as an eviction notice for your pests. It’s time to make the pests hit the road so you can have your home-and your peace of mind-back.

    Tags:
    Posted in Pest Control | No Comments »

    « Older Entries
    Newer Entries »