These Pests May Be Triggering Your Seasonal Allergies

Cockroaches can trigger seasonal allergies in Henrico and Richmond VA - Loyal Termite & Pest ControlSpring in the Henrico and Richmond areas is something to look forward to each year. What most people don’t look forward to is the onslaught of seasonal allergies! Blooming trees and changing weather certainly plays a role in springtime allergies, but is there more to it? As strange as it seems, research has proven that certain pests can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms, particularly in children. With May being Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month, all of us here at Loyal Termite & Pest Control want to spread the word about pest allergens! Thankfully, you can prevent pest allergens by preventing pests in your home altogether. Keep reading to learn more on how you can protect your family against pest-triggered seasonal allergies.

How to Prevent Pest Problems & Allergens

The key to keeping pest allergens out of your home is keeping pests out in the first place! Basic pest prevention methods can go a long way to protect your home against the many dangers of pests. Our top tips are to:

  • Keep your basements and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry!
  • Wash blankets, rugs, and bedding in hot water or get them dry-cleaned.
  • Vacuum and dust your property on a regular basis.
  • Store food in sealed containers and clean kitchens on a daily basis.
  • Dispose of garbage regularly and use a tight-fitting lid.
  • Seal cracks and holes in homes, including entry points for utilities and pipes, screen doors, and windows.
  • Keep pet food sealed in a tight container and wash food bowls.

The Facts About Pest Allergens

A pest infestation can cause a lot of frustration. What people don’t know is that certain pests can trigger allergies, especially in children. The two main culprits are cockroaches and dust mites. Roach droppings, saliva, shed skins, and other parts contain allergy proteins. If you have a cockroach problem in your property, these pest allergens can be dangerous for your family. Other insects that infamously are tied to allergic reactions are of course stinging insects, including yellow jackets and wasps. Their sting can trigger an allergic reaction for some people. These symptoms are usually different than your typical seasonal allergy flare-up. In any case, it’s extremely important to seek medical attention should you experience more severe symptoms of an allergic response, from swelling and wheezing to dizziness or difficulty breathing.

How Loyal Can Help Prevent Pest Problems

Seasonal allergies are bad enough as is. A pest problem in your home, particularly with roaches, can make them even worse. If you’ve done all you can to keep pests out and are still dealing with infestations, contact the team at Loyal. Our experts are committed to protecting our customers from the dangers of pests–including allergies–all year long!

Mosquito Prevention 101

Remove standing water from bird baths to help prevent mosquitoes in Henrico and Richmond VA - Loyal Termite & Pest Control.It’s National Pest Month and officially the start of the pest season. In the coming months, homeowners are more vulnerable than ever to pest infestations. One of the worst pest problems this time of year in the Henrico and Richmond VA area is mosquitoes! As the weather warms up, mosquitoes will start to breed and infest yards. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do now to help limit the chance of getting a mosquito problem later on.

In honor of National Pest Management Month, the team here at Loyal Termite & Pest Prevention is sharing their top mosquito prevention tips for homeowners.

Best Mosquito Prevention Tips & Tricks

Everyone has dealt with mosquitoes before, and no one wants them ruining their backyard events! Mosquitoes are certainly a nuisance, but they can be dangerous, too. There are several things you can do to help protect you, your family, and your property from mosquitoes in the coming months:

  • Maintain your yard. Regularly maintain your garden and lawn to keep the grass short. Also trim back all plants and bushes to prevent mosquito resting spots
  • Remove all standing water. Get rid of any standing water in buckets, flower pots, bird baths, tarps, and more to eliminate mosquito breeding spots!
  • Install screens on your windows and doors. Doing this can save you the grief of getting mosquitoes inside every time you open a window or door.
  • Add fish to your ponds and agitate the water. Certain types of fish will feed on mosquito larvae. Also consider buying an agitator, which will stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in the water.
  • Install fans! Mosquitoes do not like the wind and are not strong fliers. Use fans to help force them away from your outdoor decks and patios.

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Whether you have an upcoming trip to a lake or a camping getaway, it’s important to learn about mosquito prevention when you’re away from your home. There are several things you can do to lessen the risk of getting bitten by mosquitoes this summer:

  • Avoid going outdoors at dusk and dawn, which is when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Try to stay away from swampy areas or spots with standing water.
  • Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
  • Following the manufacturer’s instructions, apply an EPA-registered insect repellent.

Help With Mosquito Prevention

Mosquitoes are a big nuisance and can easily ruin any outdoor gathering. If you’ve done all you can to prevent mosquitoes in your yard but still are dealing with these pesky insects, it’s time to call your local mosquito exterminators. Here at Loyal, our team will work with you to develop a custom mosquito control plan suited to the unique needs of your property. Call us today to learn more!

Choosing Between Professional & DIY Pest Control

Sprays are a common DIY pest control method. Learn about the pros and cons of DIY pest control in Henrico VA from Loyal Termite & Pest ControlThe DIY movement is popular, but does it work for everything? When it comes to pest control, do-it-yourself methods can be a gamble. Everyone has tried them: vinegar sprays for ants, store-bought roach spray, rat traps, the list goes on. Unfortunately, these methods are unreliable and will rarely work to get to the root of a pest infestation. For quick, effective, and trustworthy pest control, a professional exterminator is always the way to go. Here at Loyal Termite & Pest Control, we want our customers to be informed when making choices about their pest control plan. Read on to learn how to choose between professional and DIY pest control services.

How DIY Pest Control Fails

A lot of people gravitate toward DIY pest control thinking it’ll save them money. However, in the long run, this can be false. Although store-bought pest control works to control small issues, it rarely works to control big infestations. There are several downfalls to DIY pest control: First of all, they simply won’t work to control more dangerous pests such as bed bugs, termites, rodents, carpenter ants, and more. Also, many store-bought products are laden with chemicals that can be dangerous for your family if applied incorrectly. These products also rarely come with a guarantee or warranty on their effectiveness. In sum, it’s always a guessing game when it comes to DIY pest control.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Exterminator

Yes, a professional pest control company is going to be more of a commitment. However, the investment will pay off in the long run when you are guaranteed with pest-free* living! Some of the benefits to professional pest control are: 

  1. An experienced exterminator has the knowledge and experience to tackle any current infestation you have. They are experts in the behaviors and habits of pests, making it easier for them to control any problems quickly and efficiently.
  2. With a focus on IPM practices, they can also work to prevent future problems. As often as possible, a professional will use environmentally-responsible products that are always applied safely and effectively with little invasion or disruption to your daily life.
  3. When you decide to have regular pest control services, your exterminator will work with you to develop a customized pest control plan suited to the unique needs of your home.

What Choice is Right For You?

DIY pest control may sound like an easier option, but more often than not, is fruitless. Serious pest infestations always need to be handled by a professional pest control company. For long-term protection against pests, the professional exterminators at Loyal can help!

Look Out for These 5 Pests This Spring!

Spring cleaning your Henrico VA home can help prevent springtime pests! Learn more from Loyal Termite & Pest Control.Pest problems are a fact of life in Virginia year-round, but springtime sees a flux in activity. You may be welcoming the warming weather, but unfortunately pests are too. With spring being only the start of the pest season ahead, now is the time to safeguard your home against them. In addition to working with a pest control expert, there are several ways you can implement springtime pest prevention methods into your spring cleaning routine this year. Read on for expert tips from the team at Loyal Termite & Pest Control!

Most Common Springtime Pests

A lot of pests that are troublesome in the springtime are active throughout the entire year. However, they have a peak in activity during the spring, especially after being more dormant in the winter months. The most common pests you need to look out for in the springtime here in Virginia include:

  • Ants. With warmer weather comes hoards of ants in your home.
  • Termites. It’s officially swarming season, meaning many termite problems begin at this time.
  • Rodents. Although they’re active year-round, rats and mice are a problem in the spring.
  • Stinging insects. Wasps and hornets are gearing up to build nests this time of year.
  • Stink bugs. After overwintering, people report a resurgence in stink bugs.

Avoid Springtime Pests with These Tips

It can be hard to prevent pest problems that sometimes simply seem inevitable. With so many people spring cleaning their home this time of year, it’s smart to implement some simple pest prevention methods to lessen your chance of an infestation in the coming months. Some of these tips include:

  1. Thoroughly cleaning your windows and doors. Seal any cracks or crevices.
  2. Deep-cleaning your carpets and rugs. Vacuum, shampoo, or even steam-clean the surface.
  3. Sanitizing and cleaning your kitchen with a focus on your appliances. Crumbs and spilled liquids will welcome all sorts of bugs and pests.
  4. Removing debris from your yard, and trimming any shrubs or tree branches away from your home. Clear out your gutters and downspouts.
  5. Checking on plumbing and pipes. Quickly address any leaks or blockages.
  6. Keeping a tidy home at all times. Clean under furniture, wipe down surfaces, and inspect areas of your home that need some fixing up.

How to Control Pests Year-Round

If you’re dealing with pests despite your best efforts to prevent them this spring, it’s time to enlist the help of a pest expert. At Loyal, our exterminators will work with you to protect you, your family, and your home from pests not just in the spring but all year long.

Carpenter Ants vs. Termites – The Differences

Carpenter ants are confused for termites often in Henrico VA. Learn the differences from the experts at Loyal Termite & Pest ControlTermites and carpenter ants are responsible for some of the most destructive pest infestations across the nation. As wood-destroying insects, they are feared for their ability to tear through the very structure of homes and businesses. In the swarmer stage of their lives, they are commonly mistaken for each other. Although they are very similar in habit and appearance, it’s important to know the differences between the two. Keep reading for expert info on carpenter ants vs. termites from the professionals at Loyal Termite & Pest Control.

Telling Apart Carpenter Ants vs. Termites

As swarmers, it’s very easy to confuse carpenter ants for termites. Although they are similar in color and composition, there are a few key differences that can help tell them apart! Carpenter ant swarmers are typically black but can have some red coloring as well. Their wings are translucent with a reddish brown hue. The biggest difference is that carpenter ants measure 1/2″–5/8″, making them much bigger than termites.

Termite swarmers are dark brown to black in color and measure about 3/8″ long, including the wings. Their wings are a translucent to slightly milky or smoky color, may overlap, and are typically as long as or slightly longer than the body. This feature is the best way to tell them apart from carpenter ants.

Winged ant vs. termite in Henrico VA - Loyal Termite & Pest Control

Habits & Damage from Wood-Destroying Insects

Although they both have wood destroying capabilities, termites are typically more dangerous than carpenter ants. The main things to know about these two insects include:

  • Termites make their way into a structure around basement windows, doorways, under siding, porches, or any structure in contact with the soil.
  • Established termite colonies can range from 60,000 to over a million workers and can consume nearly 5 grams of wood per day.
  • Carpenter ants establish nests in wood that is already in decay, and later expand into normal wood, insulation, or wall voids.
  • Excavated termite galleries appear to have been sanded. Carpenter ants do not create the extensive damage termites do. 

Getting Rid of Termites & Carpenter Ants

Both of these wood-destroying insects can be somewhat of a nightmare for property owners across the nation. Termites alone are responsible for nearly 5 billion dollars in damages across the nation each year! Needless to say, it’s important to contact a pest control company as soon as you notice the signs of termites or carpenter ants. The Loyal termite exterminators will thoroughly inspect your Henrico or Richmond VA property to determine which species you are dealing with. You can trust our team will keep you wood-destroying insect-free all year long!