With the arrival of cooler temperatures homeowner’s often think any pest problems are over until spring arrives. While some insects migrate to warmer climates, or overwinter in a type of hibernation, other insects remain active through the winter. For example, termites are active year round, and in southern regions, continue to lay eggs through the winter. However, in temperate areas, egg laying is suspended during cold weather. Termites are an example why year round  pest control in Fort Worth is required. Contact The Bug Dude today to schedule pest control services.

In its natural environment, termites metabolize cellulose into food, The cellulose  comes from the leaves and the wood dead fall from trees. Their waste products add nutrients to the soil forming a cycle in nature that benefits the environment.
Termite colonies contain workers, soldiers, a queen and her attendants. The queen can live for years and produces thousands of offspring in her lifetime. Texas termites are classified as either subterranean or dry wood. Subterranean termites live underground, where they excavate complex tunnels to food. Dry wood termites do not require contact with the soil. A king and queen termite can start a colony by slipping through a crack into an attic or wall.

Termites are not a pest to be ignored, as they eat the wood that comprises your home, including its frame structure. In addition, they will eat any form of cellulose, wood, paper, cotton, cardboard, and burlap. As termites require water, any leak or areas where rain can collect facilitates an infestation. Contacting a plumber for leak repair is an essential step in discouraging termite infestations of your home and/or surrounding structures.

Termites are responsible for billions of dollars in damage each year, and is the reason why professional pest control in Fort Worth is essential. Our professionals begin termite treatment by identifying the type of termite present in your home or property.

Next, we search and identify the location(s) of damage and infestation. A reliable warning sign of termites is mud tubes rising from the ground anywhere along the foundation. The recommended treatment depends on the type of termite found. Providing a custom treatment plan that is the most effective plan once the termite type is identified. Once the infestation is taken care of with pest control in Fort Worth, our professionals provide post-treatment with routine inspections of the treated structure to ensure that termites do not return.

Interrupting the cycle of termites is essential in preventing the growth of the colony and the area of damage. A termite colony requires approximately two to four years to mature. Once matured, the colony population is large enough to cause serious damage. If pest control in Fort Worth is not provided, the population continues to expand exponentially, along with the growth of damage.

Pest Prevention Tips
Make your home less inviting to termites with the following tips:
• Contact a plumber for leak repair indoors and out.
• Repair or replace leaky roofs.
• Maintain gutters to ensure water is diverted away from the home.
• Ensure ventilation pipes are functional and free of debris, and use screens on ventilation pipes that do not exhaust heat.
• Ensure foundation plantings are at least 12 inches from the foundation and the wall. In addition, do not use wood mulches.
• Seal potential entry points, such as cracks and crevices in the foundation or siding. In addition, replace door sweeps, caulking around windows and doors, and seal around pipes and utility lines that enter the home.
• Store firewood and lumber at least 20 ft. from your home. However, termites will travel as far as 130 ft. to a food source.
• Clean up brush piles and other sources of potential food for termites from around your home.
• Inspect wood fences, decks and posts routinely for termites. When termites are found, contact The Bug Dude for pest control in Fort Worth.

Swarms occur in the spring when the young termite nymphs molt. On leaving the colony, the sexually mature male and female termites swarm in the spring. The swarm is seeking new locations to form their own colony, in your home, garage or other structures. The satellite nests they form for new colonies multiply the potential for damage. However, this doesn’t mean damage only occurs during the warm months. Homes provide the essential needs of termites year round, and damage can occur throughout the year. Only professional pest control in Fort Worth can prevent termite damage.

Termite Signs
The following signs can indicate the presence of termites. If you see them contact The Bug Dude for pest control in Fort Worth.
• Buckling paint or small holes in the wood.
• Mud tubes on exterior walls, wood beams, on the foundation or in crawl spaces.
• Wood that sounds hollow.
• Discarded wings, occurs typically during a swarm.
• Swarming termites inside the home indicate an infestation.

Remember, termites are active even when they are not visible. Seeing termites or any of the given signs may indicate damage is already underway. Contact a professional for  pest control in Fort Worth.

Professional pest control in Fort Worth is the solution for protecting your home and other structures surrounding it. Contact The Bug Dude today for an inspection to ensure termites do not causing costly damage to your home.

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Winter Pest Control Tips

Homeowner’s often ask if continued pest control during the winter is even necessary. The answer is yes, it is wise to continue pest control throughout the colder winter season, especially in the warmer climates. During the winter months, insects and rodents want to find warmth and shelter, and this often means your warm home. While many pests will go dormant during the winter months, others will seek shelter or migrate south to warmer climates. This is the reason you may see more ants, roaches and other pests such as rodents during the winter season. With the right prevention, and professional pest control in Fort Worth you can protect your home from unwanted invaders.

Pest control in Fort Worth involves a two pronged approach. An effective pest control program involves steps for prevention and professional  pest control in Fort Worth.

Why Spring Infestations Occur

Spring is several months away, but the treatment you provide during fall and winter affects the pest population in your home come spring. The increased sightings of roaches, spiders and other insects in the spring are typically due to homeowner’s who have not maintained pest control during the winter months.  Many of the pests you see in the spring have wintered in the walls, attic, basement and crawlspace of your home.

Pests that were outdoors will move to your warm indoors if they have access, and when the insecticidal barrier provided by your professional pest control in Fort Worth becomes less effective. Providing a pre-winter inspection of your home for entry points, and scheduling The Bug Dude to apply insect barriers will help to keep your home pest free through the winter, and when spring arrives. 

Pre-Winter Pest Management Tips

Cleaning Up Outdoors

Fall leaves and rain result in a mulch buildup around your home, and also clogged gutters, drains, and other areas where debris can cause clogging. These areas are potential homes for pest populations that can enter your home. Removing the debris will reduce pest populations and also ensure proper drainage of gutters and downspouts, possibly preventing damage to your home and roof.

Pest Inspections

Schedule a visit from The Bug Dude now for pest inspection and professional pest control in Fort Worth before winter sets in. In addition, use the following tips to ensure pests sty outside your home: 

1. Replace worn or damaged door sweeps on exterior doors and repair or replace damaged window screens. 
2. Apply screen to plumbing vents and chimneys. Only use heat approved wire and/or screen for chimneys and vent pipes where the heat is exhausted, such as gas water heaters and furnaces.
3. Seal cracks and holes on the home’s exterior, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home, using expanding foam, caulk, steel wool or a combination.
4. Store non-perishable foods and pet food in airtight containers. 
5. Use a tightly sealing garbage can and dispose of garbage regularly.
6. Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces ventilated and dry. If water is a problem in your basement or crawlspace, consider installing a sump pump. In addition to attic ventilation, have those roof leaks repaired!
7. Repair loose mortar and seal cracked siding on the house and around the basement foundation. Inspect windows and replace loose, cracked or missing caulking. 
8. Eliminate all moisture sites, including repair for water leaks and leaking outdoor faucets, and drains. Moisture provides an ideal breeding ground for many pests.
9. Inspect boxes, grocery bags and other packages brought into the home for pests before bringing them in.
10. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and at least 12 inches off of the ground. Professional pest control in Fort Worth also eliminates outdoor pests.
11. Trim shrubbery back from the house, including tree limbs over the roof by at least 12 inches.
12. Monitor for signs of a rodent infestation, and act quickly if present by contacting The Bug Dude for pest control in Fort Worth. Rodents reproduce quickly, and will turn into a big issue if not treated. 

Signs of a Rodent Infestation 

1. Droppings in cabinets, on counters, along walls, on top of wall studs or beams, near nests, and in boxes, drawers and other objects are a common sign of mice. Pick them up wearing gloves and dispose of properly. Completely disinfect the area once cleared.
2. Listen for the scurrying, scratching sounds and gnawing sounds of rodents, especially at night.
3. Watch for signs of gnawing on wood and electrical wire. 
4. Inspect for rodent nests in seldom used areas that are dark and secluded. This includes garages where vehicles, motorcycles, ATV’s and lawn mowers are kept. Rodents can destroy wiring harnesses in no time.
5. Check for damaged food packages and dry pet foods. Don’t leave leftovers or food refuse out, dispose of it in the trash.
6. If you catch a whiff of a musty odor, it may be due to a rodent nest, a dead mouse or droppings. Watch your pet, if it seems intrigued by a certain location, inspect it thoroughly for signs of a rodent issue.
7. Sighting a mouse is a definite sign, and unfortunately, there may be more than one. Females give can give birth 10 times a year with 6 to 8 mice per liter. This is why you require prompt action for mice. Furthermore, it isn’t true that mice will leave in the spring. Your home is the ideal location for rodents with comfortable indoor temperatures and food. While more can come in during the winter if the home isn’t tight, mice in the winter typically means mice year round. The Bug Dude can take care of your rodent problem with pest control in Fort Worth.

Contact The Bug Dude for professional pest control in Fort Worth, our experts will provide the effective pest control you need.  We serve Fort Worth and the surrounding areas.

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Fall Tips

Controlling ants around our home’s and businesses is an endless battle during the warmer seasons. In the fall as food supplies dwindle, it isn’t uncommon for ants to target your indoor space for food. For many species of ants, the two main seasons of activity are spring and fall. Fall is a foraging season to prepare for winter and the indoor areas are often targeted. Treating fire ants in the fall with professional pest control in Fort Worth provides a distinct benefit that provides you with the upper hand come spring and the breeding season. 

For example, during the summer, fire ants dig deeper into the soil to escape the heat. By the time fall arrives, they are moving closer to the surface. With winter’s arrival, they will naturally dig deeper to escape the cold. Untreated fire ant colonies can rapidly escalate into a mass infestation come spring. Fall provides an ideal time for pest control in Fort Worth, as they are closer to the surface.  Furthermore,  with the arrival of spring, you will have fewer ants to deal with.

Fall is an ideal time for pest control in Fort Worth as they’re closer to the surface. Due to the foraging activity of the pests, fall is also an ideal time for placing ant baits out, when research indicates the bait is taken back to the nest within the first few hours of its placement. Not only does fall treatment kill and continue to kill for several weeks, it weakens the colony with a reduced population during the winter. Fall treatment and winter are your partners in fire ant control and the control of other ant species.

Tips for Preventing Pests Indoors

When pest control in Fort Worth and prevention are used together,  a higher degree of effectiveness can be achieved. It’s essential to add prevention techniques during the fall when insects are foraging to discourage them. The following tips will help to prevent pests of all kinds indoors, and may reduce the population outdoors come spring, by denying them access to food in your home:

• Trim back tree branches and shrubs that touch your home by 2 to 3 feet, to keep ants and other pests from entering. 
• Eliminate food sources inside your home. Clean up crumbs, and don’t leave food or food waste out. Place dirty dishes in the dishwasher, and prevent access to food by storing non-perishables in sealed containers. In addition, don’t leave pet food out overnight to avoid attracting pests, and store extra food in sealed containers.
• Never throw food outdoors.
• Clean up spills on kitchen counters, and rinse out recyclables before placing them in the bin.
• Use gravel or stones around the perimeter of the home’s foundation to discourage pests and ant beds. Avoid mulch and plants as they provide pests with an ideal nesting environment.
• Before bringing potted plants indoors in the fall, inspect them for ants and/or other pests. 
• Call your plumber for repair of leaky faucets (indoors and out), leaking sprinkler heads and water line leaks. You will save water and eliminate handy moisture for pests. In addition, roof leaks should be repaired. Leaks are beneficial to many insects, including carpenter ants and termites which can cause severe damage to your home. Eliminating leaks is the first step in ridding your home of these damaging pests. 
• Storing firewood as far from your home as possible can eliminate carpenter ants, termites, spiders and other insects. Furthermore, elevate the stack at least 12 inches off the ground to discourage pests.
• Caulk cracks and crevices around windows, and in the foundation and siding. In addition, replace worn door sweeps and worn weatherstripping around doors to keep pests out. 

Proper fall maintenance and professional pest control in Fort Worth is the most effective solution for ridding your home of ants and other pests, and for preventing them. Untreated fire ant colonies can rapidly escalate into a mass infestation come spring. Don’t miss the opportunity to reduce those numbers, call today to schedule fall treatment of the pests in your lawn and home with professional pest control in Fort Worth. The Bug Dude provides the professional pest control services you require in  Fort Worth and the surrounding areas with professional pest control services. 

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The flea typically encountered in homes are cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis). These pests are intermediate hosts of tapeworms, which can infect humans when accidentally ingested. In humans, a flea bite is itchy, and may result in swelling when the person is allergic to flea bites.

Furthermore, flea anemia can be a concern for host pets and may be fatal to very young pets. If you are experiencing a problem with fleas, indoors or out, contact The Bug Dude for professional pest control in Fort Worth. We can take care of your pest problems.

Fleas are small, wingless insects approximately 1/8 inch long when mature. Flea larvae are less than 1/4 inch long, and are more likely to be found in pet bedding. Fleas are brownish-black and have backward-pointing bristles that make them more difficult to remove by grooming. Adult cat fleas are about 1/8 inch long. The hind legs of the flea are long and well adapted for high, long jumping. They are capable of jumping to heights of up to 8 inches and at distances of 19 inches.

The cat flea feeds on the blood of cats, dogs, wildlife and though less common, people. A flea may feed on a blood meal as often as 15 times in a day. Fortunately, other types of fleas, such as the dog flea, human flea and rat flea are less common. The Bug Dude can take care of your flea problem with professional pest control in Fort Worth.

The Life Cycle

The life cycle of the flea goes through four stages-egg, larva, pupa and adult. Adult fleas will jump onto a passing host rather than travel long distances by jumping. Without a host, adult fleas will only live from a few days to two weeks.

Reproduction

The female flea lays eggs within two days of her first blood meal. Within four to nine days later she is producing approximately 27 eggs per day. She consumes 15 times her body weight each day in blood, with the majority excreted partially digested in feces. Flea feces is a fine, reddish-black dust seen in pet fur and bedding. The flea larvae feed on adult flea feces, and without it, they can’t survive. However, they also may feed on organic matter such as food particles, dead skin or feathers. Larvae develop in five to 11 days.

The pupa is the stage between the larva and adult. The pupa forms inside a cocoon, and in one to two weeks the pupa emerge as an adult. The adult flea can remain in the cocoon for up to five months, and is capable of emerging within seconds when a host passes by. Prompt treatment with pest control in Fort Worth when fleas are detected can prevent a heavy flea infestation.

Environment

Fleas survival is poorer in hot, sunny lawns, in relative humidity less than 50 percent, or when the soil temperature is above 95°F which kills flea larvae. Outdoors, fleas are most likely to be found in moist, shady areas near pet resting areas. Professional pest control in Fort Worth can identify potential flea breeding grounds and treat the area, ridding your lawn of fleas. Indoors, flea larvae are most likely to be found under furniture and in pet bedding.

Cat fleas don’t carry plague. However, fleas that feed on rodents can transmit diseases, including plague and Murine typhus. Avoiding close contact with wild rodents such as squirrels, rats and prairie dogs.

The difficulty in home treatment of fleas is that not all retail products address all stages of the life cycle. Treatment is most successful when rendered by professional pest control in Fort Worth.

Flea Control

People with flea problems often want to know how to prevent a flea infestation. A flea control program includes good sanitation and treatment of the pet and its environment. Changing pet bedding routinely and thorough vacuuming will assist in controlling fleas. Vacuuming removes up to 30% of flea larvae and as much as 60% of the flea eggs from carpet. In addition, it removes the dried blood the larvae require to survive.

Vacuum under furniture, cushions, chairs, beds and along walls as well as the carpet. Vacuum canisters should be emptied into a sealed bag and disposed of in the outdoor trash. Vacuum bags should be discarded. Contact The Bug Dude for flea treatment, with professional pest control in Fort Worth.

Pet Treatment

A pet’s defense against fleas is a flea comb and a good bath, and flea treatment with an effective product. The pet’s bedding and living areas should be treated at the same time the pet is treated. This kills immature and newly emerging fleas and prevents re-infestation of the pet. If a flea infestation is taking over your home, contact our reliable professionals for pest control in Fort Worth.

Fleas Without Pets

Occasionally, commercial buildings and homes’ can become infested with fleas without any pets being present. Other animals such as roof rats, squirrels, raccoon’s, opossums and cats commonly nest in structures and can be the source of a flea infestation. The openings through which wildlife may enter the home/building should be sealed after removal of the animals, and professional pest control in Fort Worth should be provided.

The Bug Dude can provide the professional pest control in Fort Worth you need for the treatment of fleas or other pest issues. Our highly trained professionals can
identify your pest problem and provide effective treatment. We serve Fort Worth and the surrounding areas.

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Mosquitos are a major concern due to the diseases they transmit, and the interruption of outdoor activities when they are present. The increased incidence of >mosquito caused disease is rising, with the Zika virus being the latest of many. While the potential diseases and long-term effects of diseases such as Zika are frightening, mosquitoes can be successfully managed through the efforts of property owners and pest control professionals. Contact The Bug Dude today to schedule >pest
control in Fort Worth.

Here’s the facts on these dangerous pests:

The Mosquito

Few people realize that plant nectar provides the nutrients adult mosquitoes need to survive. Female mosquitoes utilize the protein found in their victim’s blood to support the production of eggs. Male mosquitoes have no need for the protein and don’t bite.

Mosquito eggs are laid in standing water in order to develop, and hatch in just 1 to 3 days. Any item that is capable of retaining water for several days is a potential site for mosquitoes to develop and hatch. This can include rain barrels, potting saucers, and old tires as well as others. Our professionals can assist you in locating potential breeding sites when you contact us for >pest control in Fort Worth.

Diseases Transmitted By Mosquitoes

The experts often state that mosquitoes pose a greater threat to human health than any other animal worldwide. Although not all mosquito transmitted diseases occur in the US, the numbers are rising and outbreaks are expanding.

Some diseases that occur in the US because of mosquito bites include:

• West Nile Virus affected 30,000 people in the US in 2001 according to the CDC, 1,200 resulted in death.
• Zika Virus is a disease that can cause birth defects in pregnant women.
• Dengue fever causes flu like symptoms and in rare cases leads to death. It is primarily a disease of tropical locations, but has been reported in TX and FL.
• Yellow fever was once common in the US. Today, vaccination is available if an outbreak were to occur.
• Malaria is still considered a major concern in the U.S.although it is rare.
• Chikungunya virus is primarily found in Africa and Asia. However, in 2013 it occurred in the Western Hemisphere on islands in the Caribbean. Since then it has spread to 45 countries with approximately 2 million cases reported. Cases have been diagnosed in the U.S. but were contracted elsewhere. At this time, it hasn’t been identified as naturally occurring in the U.S., although Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have reported outbreaks.
• Encephalitis occurs in more than one type, with Eastern Equine Encephalitis being the most deadly form in the U.S. While man is a dead end host for the disease, 30% of those infected will die. Of those who survive, 50% are rendered with varying degrees of mental disability and/or paralysis.

Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites

Identifying areas where mosquitoes lay eggs is an essential first step in controlling them. Without treating or eliminating the source, mosquitoes will continue to be a threat and nuisance. Contact The Bug Dude for >pest control in Fort Worth.

Inspect the following sites for signs of mosquito larva and adult presence:

• Ornamental ponds and natural or manmade bodies of water
• Green pools
• Flower pots and discarded items that may be holding water
• Rain gutters and crawl spaces
• Old car tires
• Landscaping and irrigation systems
• Bird baths and fountains
• Holes in trees
• Buckets/tubs
• Wheel barrels and lawn wagons
• Any area where water puddles after a rain and remains for 7 days

Treatment

Mosquito treatment involves the two methods of larvacide mosquito dunks, and a standard barrier treatment. The Bug Dude can provide the >pest control in Fort Worth that you require.

Larvicide Mosquito Dunks

Larvacide mosquito dunks are an insecticide which is specifically targeted for the larval life stage of an insect. A tablet is introduced into the stagnant water where mosquito larvae are found. These mosquito dunks treat the ponds and/or other standing water sources, preventing mosquito larvae from growing into adults.

Barrier Treatment

Thick vegetation provides an ideal sites for adult mosquito. Mosquitoes roost on the underside of leaves, requiring mosquito fogging to be effective in treatment. In addition, the product will be transferred by adults to water sites when eggs are laid. This will kill off adult mosquitoes and help control the local population’s reproduction cycle. Contact The Bug Dude for professional pest control in Fort Worth.

Mosquito Control

Through diligent efforts from property owners and professional >pest control in Fort Worth, mosquitoes can be controlled with success.

If you require professional pest control in Fort Worth for a >mosquito problem or other pests, contact The Bug Dude today to schedule professional services. We serve Fort Worth and the surrounding areas.

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Spiders are one of the most dreaded and feared of pests that can occupy the home, and a common cause of the request for pest control in Fort Worth. The fear is not without reason. If a black widow or a brown recluse bites you, you can end up in the hospital. Controlling the spider’s food sources around your home is an essential component in preventing them in the home, along with routine pest control in Fort Worth.

Spiders eat other insects, and reducing other insects will reduce the food sources, and provides an environment less inviting for spiders. The Bug Dude can provide
professional pest control in Fort Worth for your home.

Not all spiders have the same habits. Numerous spiders will spend their lifetime on a web, and these can only be killed by direct contact with a pesticide, or your weapon of choice such as a rolled up magazine. Most web spiders let the prey come to them, and like to build webs near sources of light where flying insects are attracted.

Hunting spiders on the other hand will run their prey down. These too have a variety of members, such as the jumping spider with its short stubby legs.

Spiders with sturdy, long legs are the runners. This group includes the brown recluse spiders and the wolf spiders, for example. These spiders do not spin a web, and spraying the cracks and crevices they frequent will expose them to the chemical if its body contacts it. Contact The Bug Dude for pest control in Fort Worth.

Spiders are often stealthy little predators. Some hang out in quiet, dark areas, such as a closet or pantry, while others travel along walls, beside, or behind furniture, between a headboard and wall. These frequented areas are the location of choice for placing glue traps, but a heavy infestation will require professional pest control in Fort Worth.

Controlling Spiders in the Home

• Carefully inspect your home for cracks, crevices, and gaps where spiders or other pests can enter. Common sites are around windows, doors, poorly aligned outlet covers, cracks between the wall and ceiling, cracks in the basement wall and gaps around cables, and pipe entering through walls or the floor. Seal these areas with the appropriate caulking or expanding foam. Please note, sealing of heated exhaust pipes, such as a furnace, wood heater or gas water heater require specialized heat tolerant sealant.
• Remove piles of papers, boxes, bags, and other clutter in the home to reduce potential nesting areas.
• Frequent vacuuming and sweeping of corners, closets, basements and other undisturbed will assist in reducing spiders in the home. Ensure to remove egg sacs to prevent additional spiders.
• Our specialists can identify your pest problem, including spiders, and provide the appropriate pest control in Fort Worth.

Controlling Spiders Outdoors

• Spiders tend to spin their webs in quiet, undisturbed, and secluded areas.
• Keep firewood away from the home
• Clean up leaves, burn piles and remove other debris from around the yard
• Trim trees and shrubs away from the home with no less than a foot of clear space between
• If you haven’t already caulked and sealed cracks and gaps on the home’s structure do so now
• Ensure there are no tears or holes in screens, and replace poorly fitting doors or windows
• Place screens over plumbing air vent pipes
• Replacing standard outdoor mercury vapor lights with high-pressure sodium vapor, halogen, or LED lighting will reduce the amount of flying insects that attract spiders.
• Remove yard clutter, and routinely inspect under the hood and underneath riding lawn mowers. Black widow spiders and brown recluses love the riding mower, even
  those often used.

Contact The Bug Dude for professional pest control in Fort Worth.

Interesting Spider Facts

Though the black widow is the recognized arachnid for eating its mate after mating, most spider species share the same trait. Female spiders are typically larger than males of the same species, and when hungry, will eat any invertebrate including potential mates.

So risky is mating for the males, they often use courtship rituals to identify themselves as a potential mate rather than a meal. Web building spider males will approach the edge of the web and pluck a strand of silk to create an attention getting vibration. The male awaits a sign from the female that she is receptive before
approaching. Jumping spiders perform elaborate dances from a safe distance, and wait for a signal from the female.

The female Wolf spider carries her egg cocoon, holding it to her body. During the night, she leaves the sac in the tunnel while she hunts, and brings it into the sun during the day to warm the eggs. Once baby wolf spiders hatch, they cling to their mothers back after hatching until they are large enough to be on their own. There are approximately 200 types of wolf spiders in North America.

Little Known Black Widow Facts

The species Lactrodectus is commonly called the black widow spider. However, not all widows
are black. In the U.S., there is also a brown widow and a red widow.

While almost all black widow spiders have a bright red or orange hourglass shaped marking on the underside of their abdomens, the red widow Lactrodectus bishop, does not have the marking.

Black widow venom is 15 times more potent than a rattlesnake; luckily, the amount injected is small. Common symptoms associated with a bite by a widow include muscle
cramps, severe pain, hypertension, weakness, and sweating. If you are bitten by a black widow, medical attention is required.

Widows are a prolific species. During her lifetime, she may produce 15 egg sacs, with up to 900 eggs in each one. A black widow population in the home should be treated with pest control in Fort Worth.

Spider Identification

If you have spiders or other pests in your home, contact The Bug Dude for professional pest control in Fort Worth. The Bug Dude has the latest knowledge, tools, and equipment to safely deal with your home’s pest issues.

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Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds and occasionally reptiles and amphibians. Ticks vary in color depending on the species. Unfortunately, they are vectors of numerous diseases that can affect humans. Professional pest control in Fort Worth can significantly reduce your family’s risk of disease from ticks. Give The Bug Dude a call for effective treatment of pests.

Adult ticks possess four pairs of legs after feeding and gaining their first molt. Ticks tend to dwell within the habitats of their preferred hosts. These habitats may be found diverse areas, such as forests, grasslands and homes. After hatching, all stages of a tick’s life cycle feed on blood.

Disease

Common ticks include the American dog tick, deer or blacklegged tick and lone star tick. Some of the diseases ticks can transmit to humans include:

• Colorado tick fever
• Lyme disease
• Mammalian Meat Allergy
• Meningoencephalitis
• Q fever
• Rickettsia
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Tularemia
• Habitat

While ticks are widely distributed, they tend to flourish in warm, humid climates. This is due to their requirement for a certain amount of moisture in the air to
survive. According to numerous studies, features such as sandy soil, hardwood trees, rivers, and the presence of deer are good predictors of dense tick populations.

Behavior, Diet and Habits

Ticks are often found near wooded and highly vegetated areas. However, they may enter the home on clothing, pets, or people. Therefore, it is advisable to inspect pets and children when they have been outdoors to ensure they aren’t carrying a tick, and to wash clothing that may contain ticks. Numerous studies have shown the density of population and distribution of deer ticks correlate with large deer populations. Contact The Bug Dude today to schedule pest control in Fort Worth.

Unfortunately, ticks may also enter the home through crevices or gaps, and also poorly fitting screens and doors. Careful sealing of these in the home’s foundation and walls can discourage ticks. In addition, frequent mowing of the lawn, and maintaining short grass may assist in controlling the population of ticks.

In tall grass and vegetation, ticks lie in wait for a host to brush past, enabling them to climb on a host. In addition, remove empty bird nests, and rodent nesting materials, as ticks readily infest these sources. The most effective means of tick control is through professional pest control in Fort Worth.

Ticks find their hosts by detecting animals’ breath and body odors, or by sensing body heat, moisture, and vibrations. Up to 3,000 eggs may be laid on the ground by a single adult female tick.

Pest Prevention Tips

When the inspection is complete, the Bug Dude may recommend modification of the ticks’ habitat. For example, trimming trees to allow sunlight to filter through into shaded areas may reduce tick populations. In addition, your technician may recommend removing thick leaf litter, thick ground cover and cleaning up debris piles, stacking firewood and rock piles. Cleaning and tidying up should target areas frequented by pets and family members, and clearing brush near the edge of the lawn.

Wildlife entering your yard can also bring ticks in. Constructing a fence will assist in keeping wildlife out. A tidy, well cut lawn and routine pest control in Fort Worth provides the best tick prevention.

Professional Treatment

If a tick infestation is especially heavy, it may be necessary to treat your pets, home, the lawn, and wooded areas. The Bug Dude can provide the professional pest control in Fort Worth that you need to get rid of ticks, and other pests. Professional pest control in Fort Worth is the most effective means available for preventing a tick infestation. We serve Fort Worth and the surrounding areas with professional pest control services.

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Red imported fire ants, receive their name due to their ability to inflict painful bites and stings. They are an invasive species found throughout the southern United States, introduced into the U.S. in a shipment of cargo from Argentina. The Bug Dude can provide professional pest control in Fort Worth to rid your home and lawn of fire ants.

Fire ants prefer warm, sunny conditions of dry fields and lawns. They typically avoid shady wooded locations. Colonies may contain several hundred thousand ants, and
one or more queens. Common signs of fire ant activity are the presence of fire ants, and their earthen mounds. It’s common for mounds to appear after recent rain. When fire ant mounds first appear, contact The Bug Dude for professional pest control in Fort Worth. Untreated fire ant mounds will rapidly escalate into a mass infestation.

Fire ants are omnivores, feeding on animal or vegetable sources of food. They are known to eat meats, greasy and sweet food sources, insects, earthworms, ticks, boll weevils, spiders, arthropod eggs, flea larvae, cockroach eggs, honeydew, and other sweets. Plant sources include seeds, including corn, sorghum, soybeans. Plants include, corn, potatoes, okra, and citrus fruit among others. Fire ants will also eat young and newborn vertebrate animals, including birds, rodents, and calves. In addition, fire ants readily consume carrion (dead animals). Contact the Bug Dude today to schedule effective pest control in Fort Worth.

The Sting

When fire ants attack, they use their mandibles to grip their prey, and inject venom through a stinger. Fire ant stings are painful and may be fatal to persons who are allergic to their sting. Fire ants are known to attack in large numbers, and considering a colony may contain 100,000 to 500,000 insects, the likelihood that multiple stings may occur can be high.

Professional pest control in Fort Worth can manage lawn infestations, and secure against indoor invasions of fire ants. They can nest about anywhere in and around your house, on lawns, in walls, stumps, and even under foundations. Without treatment, fire ants will not go away. A fire ant colony can live a relatively long lifetime, and do-it-yourself ant control can be ineffective due to the potential for high population numbers, and the number of colonies. Do-it-yourself treatment provides partial control only, whereas professional pest control in Fort Worth has the goal of eradication, and prevention of new colonies from entering your property from other sources.

Furthermore, the majority of home remedies doesn’t consider that different kinds of ant infestations require different treatments. Professional pest control in Fort Worth will identify the species of ant infestation(s), and provide the appropriate treatment.

Tips to Discourage Fire Ants in the Home

1. Clean up food crumbs, and drink spills. In addition, store non-refrigerated food in tightly sealed containers. Throwing leftovers on the lawn close to the home will attract foraging ants.
2. Fire ants can enter a home through poorly sealed windows, through gaps, and entrances of wiring, cables, ducts, and plumbing. Seal these entry points tightly with caulk or expanding foam, and contact The Bug Dude for pest control in Fort Worth.
3. Moisture from plumbing leaks (indoors or out), or a leaky roof can attract fire ants and other pests into your home.
4. Inspect the soil of potted plants for fire ants before bringing them into the.
5. Inspect other objects such as toys, before bringing them indoors. Fire ants will colonize the cavities of plastic toys, and other hollow objects. Check the toys before children play with them, and before bringing them inside.
6. Store open bags of pet food in tightly sealed containers. Do not leave pet food out to avoid providing a food source for fire ants.
7. Though mulch is beneficial for plants, it provides a convenient environment for fire ants. Talk to your pest control professional in Fort Worth about alternatives in your area.
8. Keep shrubbery and trees trimmed back at least 2-3 ft. from the home to prevent pests from entering the home.

 
Effective fire ant treatment requires professional pest control in Fort Worth. The Bug Dude can provide the services you need to rid your lawn and home of fire ants, with professional pest control in Fort Worth. We serve Fort Worth and the surrounding areas with professional pest control services.

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People tend to think of allergy triggers as occurring during the spring, summer, and fall. In addition, they tend to associate insect allergies with stinging insects such as wasps or yellow jackets. However, two of the most common causes of allergies and asthma are present year round, and are cockroaches and dust mites. The Bug Dude can take care of your pest problems with pest control in Fort Worth.

For those who suffer from allergies and asthma, cockroach saliva, droppings, and cast-off exoskeletons are known to trigger and worsen allergies, and asthma symptoms. Pest control in Fort Worth can rid your home of these and other pests.

Children are especially vulnerable for experiencing allergies and asthma when exposed to cockroach infestations. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, one in five children in the U. S. suffer a severe allergy to cockroaches.

In addition, cockroaches carry 33 types of bacteria including E. coli, salmonella, clostridium, staphylococcus, and streptococcus, parasitic worms, and other human pathogens. Diseases humans can contract from cockroaches include cholera, plague, polio, dysentery, typhoid, and gastroenteritis, to name a few. Contact The Bug Dude today to schedule professional pest control in Fort Worth.

Treating and preventing cockroach infestations can help keep your family healthy and safe. To assist in preventing cockroach infestations, use the following pest prevention tips to make your home less inviting, and consider professional pest control in Fort Worth:

• Seal cracks outside of the home along the foundation, around doors, windows, and dryer vents. In addition, use screen wire over plumbing vents on the rooftop. However, vents that exhaust heat from appliances, such as gas water heaters, gas furnaces, and chimneys require a specialized type of wire to withstand the heat.
• Routinely vacuum carpet, rugs, drapes, and upholstery to remove cockroach excrement.
• Keep counters and floors clean and free of food, drink, and crumbs.
• Periodically clean under kitchen appliances to remove food debris.
• Store non-perishable food in tightly sealed containers to keep pests out.
• Routinely empty garbage cans and dispose of the bags properly. Don’t leave garbage cans open, select tightly closing cans.
• Repair leaks in and around the home.
• Inspect all bags and plants brought into the home outside before you enter the home.
• Providing routine professional pest control in Fort Worth, coupled with a clean home is the best means of preventing a cockroach infestation.

Worldwide there are about 4,000 species of cockroaches, with as many as 70 species living in the U.S. Only a handful inhabits human dwellings. Three of these are commonly found in homes and other structures, and include the American cockroach, the German cockroach, and the brown-banded cockroach.

Cockroaches are typically nocturnal. While it’s an unsettling thought, the few cockroaches you see during the day may mean they were forced out by overcrowding. Daytime roaches may be a possible sign of a severe cockroach infestation, and the need for professional pest control in Fort Worth.

For example, the American cockroach prefers living in food storage areas such as cabinets, the pantry, and also basements, and sewers. They prefer foods such as beer, pet foods, cosmetics, paper, glue, baked goods, wallpaper paste, and typically enter a home on bags, and through sewer pipes. In addition, they often live in bakeries, grocery stores, and restaurants. In order to prevent an American cockroach infestation, it is essential to eliminate the sources of food and moisture that is attracting them.

Furthermore, providing leak repair, and ventilating basements and crawlspaces, along with cleaning up spills, crumbs, washing up dirty dishes, and taking out the trash daily can help prevent an infestation of these and other cockroach species.

The Australian cockroach has habits similar to the American cockroach. However, it doesn’t like sewers and prefers to feed on new plant shoots or starchy foods. They are commonly introduced into the home on newly purchased potted plants.

The brown-banded cockroach is widely distributed in the U.S. They require less moisture, and are likely to be throughout the home. They prefer temperatures of 80 degrees F and above, and are likely to be found in appliance motors, inside electronics, on ceilings, in attics and other warm locations. They are one of the smallest of the cockroach species.

Cockroaches will feed on organic matter, preferring starchy foods, but will feed on sweets, grease, meat products, cheese, beer, leather, glue, hair, book bindings, dried skin or any decaying plant and animal matter.

Homeowners often attempt pest control themselves. However, these treatments often fail due to the cockroach’s habit of spending 70% of their time in cracks in walls, floors and other locations where treatment never reaches. Furthermore, the pests will typically retreat to their safe location when these methods are used. While you may see dead insects, it highly likely many more have escaped the effects, only to return.

Pest control professionals are trained with the necessary knowledge and tools to resolve cockroach infestations successfully. Furthermore, licensed professionals in pest control in Fort Worth have access to the quickest and most effective methods of cockroach elimination.

The Bug Dude will provide the professional pest control in Fort Worth you need to eliminate cockroaches and other pests infesting your home or business. The pest control services you need are just a phone call away, so call today. Our pest control professionals serve Fort Worth, Dallas and the surrounding areas.

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Our homes provide the perfect environment for fleas, even during the winter months when fleas primarily hibernate. Furthermore, the fleas on your pet account for only 1% of the total population living in your home. The remaining 99% are predominately developing fleas. Outdoor fleas die when the temperature drops below 30 degrees and remains there for several days. However, indoor fleas will require professional pest control in Fort Worth to rid your home of these pests.

Due to the higher body temperature of cats and dogs, fleas prefer the animals. Fleas typically bite humans on the legs and ankles. Flea bites are itchy and generally small, red, and slightly raised. When fleas bite, they inject an anticoagulant chemical to prevent blood clotting.

In addition, flea bites may pose numerous threats to human health. Bites may become infected, flea allergy dermatitis may occur, along with the threat of tapeworms, anemia, plague, bubonic plague, pneumonic plague, and flea-borne typhus to name a few.

Habitat

Most of the adult and developing fleas are in your pet’s immediate environment, especially their favorite areas. Flea eggs and excrement are often called ‘Salt and Pepper’ due to their appearance. If your infested pet sleeps on your bed, the Salt and Pepper is likely to be concentrated on the floor around your bed. Itchy bites on your ankle can signal a flea infestation, give us a call for pest control in Fort Worth.

Control

The best means to achieve flea control is with professional pest control in Fort Worth, which includes inspection, home prep, treatment of the home, and pet treatment. Additional steps the homeowner can make are to seal gaps, holes, cracks, and crevices where other hosts of fleas, such as mice and rats, may enter the home. When a flea infestation is present, prompt treatment with professional pest control in Fort Worth is essential. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to get rid of fleas. Eggs will not be attached to your pet; they hatch in upholstery, carpet, rugs, bedding, and even cracks in the floor.

Tips to Aid in Flea Control

• A well-groomed lawn offers less hiding places and food sources for rodents, and other animals that fleas feed on. In addition, fleas can pick up deadly diseases from their hosts, potentially transmitting them to your pets and you. Contact The Bug Dude to rid your lawn and home of potential pests with professional pest control in Fort Worth.
• When taking your pets outside, use a leash to reduce their entry into potentially infested areas. Provide routine baths with a flea control shampoo and provide regular grooming with a flea comb for your pets. It is essential to use flea treatments as recommended by your veterinarian.
• Wash the pets bedding every week.
• Clean and vacuum your home frequently to help remove fleas. Immediately empty the canister or remove the vacuum bag and place in the trash outdoors to prevent fleas from hatching in the appliance.
• Consider routine treatment for your home to prevent future infestation of fleas in your home.

When you find adult fleas, there may be hundreds of eggs already in your home. Eggs take 7 to 14 days to hatch, and the breeding cycle for each female begins within 48 hours after feeding. Contact The Bug Dude for professional pest control in Fort Worth to rid your home of fleas at all stages of the lifecycle.

Preparing the Home

The home’s entire flooring will require vacuuming, including under furniture, appliances (including those permanently installed, such as the dishwasher), and inside HVAC ductwork as well as possible. Remove cushions from the furniture, and vacuum underneath, vacuuming the cracks and interior of furniture as thoroughly as you can.

Extra effort is essential to flea control, as the larvae will spin cocoons in as little as 5 to 20 days after hatching. The cocoon stage is the final developmental stage before the adult flea emerges. The adult flea does not emerge until a potential host is detected by vibration, rising levels of carbon dioxide and body heat associated with the host. A pet or people moving around in the house alert the flea to emerge from its cocoon to feed within 48 hours. Shortly after the first meal, adult fleas will mate and the female will begin laying eggs on her host within a few days. Female fleas require a blood meal before they are able to lay eggs. Break the cycle of fleas in your home by calling The Bug Dude today, to provide pest control in Fort Worth.

Signs of Fleas

A common indication is pets scratching and grooming themselves. People may experience flea bites which leave behind itchy bite marks, although there are numerous causes of irritated skin. Consult a doctor before assuming your home has a flea infestation. The presence of flea dirt and flea feces can indicate flea activity. Flea dirt looks similar to coarse ground black pepper, and may be seen where pets sleep and hang out.

Homeowner’s often mistakenly believe treating fleas on their pets will rid the home of fleas. Effective flea control involves both professional chemical treatment and physical methods in the home, such as vacuuming and treating your pet for fleas. Contact The Bug Dude for professional pest control in Fort Worth.

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