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Mosquito Prevention: What You Can Do

A person scratching mosquito bites as more swarm around them. Springtime in Ashland is marked by the emergence of blooming trees and flowers. With this beauty also comes an unavoidable truth: the beginning of mosquito season. The increase in temperature and rainfall creates the perfect environment for these pests to begin breeding.

Mosquitoes are opportunistic and can lay their eggs in small amounts of water. It is important to start mosquito prevention early; personal measures and professional pest control together can help you be pest-free* this year!

The Dangers of Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are not only annoying pests that cause itchy bites, but they can also pose significant danger to humans. These pests are known to transmit several diseases through their bites. Considering mosquitoes feed on a variety of animals and humans the risk for exposure is heightened. Some diseases that mosquitoes can transmit are:

West Nile Virus
Zika Virus
Malaria
Dengue Fever

These diseases can range from mild to severe, and in some cases can even be life threatening. Mosquitoes can also cause allergic reactions, such as swelling, redness, and itching around the bite site. Overall, mosquitoes are considered to be one of the deadliest animals on the planet and are responsible for the death of nearly 725,000 people worldwide. Early mosquito prevention is paramount in protecting you and your loved ones from potential health risks!

Mosquito Prevention Measures: What Works

If you’ve ever tried to get rid of mosquitoes before, then you know that not all DIY techniques work… in fact, many of them don’t. Thankfully, however, there are a few measures that DO work:

Drain Standing Water: Mosquitoes breed in standing, stagnant water. They only need a half an inch of water to create a sufficient nursery. By removing standing water in your yard, you can prevent an infestation. Turn over any buckets, flowerpots, or other containers that can collect rainwater. Additionally, fix any leaky outdoor faucet or pipes.
Use Insect Repellent: If you are spending a lot of time outdoors, make sure to use an EPA-approved insect repellent that has at least 25% DEET or picaridin. These are effective repellents that can keep mosquitoes away from you and your family.
Mosquito Netting: Nothing ruins a relaxing breeze on a cool summer evening like a mosquito buzzing around your face. Placing mosquito netting on your doors, windows, or around your outside seating area can prevent mosquitoes and other insects from invading your space.

Mosquito Prevention: What Doesn’t Work

Unfortunately, not all of the ‘solutions’ on the Internet are actually valuable. A lot of online mosquito prevention techniques simply don’t work – or could even worsen your infestation by attracting new pests. Stay away from these less-than effective control methods:

Citronella Candles: While these candles can be effective if you are directly next to them, they are less than ideal for large areas. Citronella candles lose their potency quickly and need to be replaced often.
Essential Oils: These oils have gained in popularity over the years, but they do little to deter mosquitoes from biting you. There is a lack of standardization among essential oil products so the effectiveness is affected. Instead of trusting essential oils, stick with DEET-containing insect repellents.

Professional Mosquito Control

While there are many ways you can prevent mosquitoes from settling in your yard, the fastest and most effective method you can use is a professional extermination service. The experts with Loyal Termite & Pest Control have been providing superior customer service since 1960. Trust our expertise to provide you and your family with the most effective mosquito control solution for you. Contact us today to get a free quote and start living your life pest-free*!

Spring Clean the Pests Away!

As the gloom of winter fades many people begin to plan for their annual spring cleaning

marathon. Spring cleaning has many benefits such as decreasing stress, reducing clutter and improving your overall mental and physical health. Additionally, a spring clean is the best time to check for signs of pests in your home and take preventative measures to ensure your home is not attracting any unwanted guests.

How to Prevent Pests in your Home

While you are spring cleaning, it is important to make sure your home is as attractive to pests as possible. Here are a few steps to add to your cleaning routine that will help keep pests out of your home:

Thoroughly Clean Areas Where Pests are Common.

Kitchens can be one of the most attractive areas in your home for pests due to the availability of food and warm hiding spaces. When spring cleaning your kitchen it is important to clean areas where crumbs or spills are common. Clean under large appliances like your refrigerator and oven. Food often gets stuck in these hard to clean areas making it an ideal place for pests.

Spring is also the perfect time to clean out your cabinets and throw away expired or unwanted food. Pests such as rodents, cockroaches and ants are known to invade cluttered cabinets and get into food. Ensure open food products are stored in airtight containers and keep an eye out for any holes or cracks where pests could enter when organizing and cleaning the inside of your cabinets.

Bathrooms are another area where pests are common. They are often attracted to easily available sources of water and are able to enter your home through drains or windows. While cleaning window sills and cabinets, check for holes around your windows and leaking pipes or faucets. Some pests will enter through drain pipes, pouring bleach down your drain will help deter any pests from entering.

Reduce Clutter

Many pests such as spiders, rodents or ants will use clutter as a place to hide or build their nests. Other pests, like cockroaches, are known to eat paper and other materials that often make up clutter around your home. Reducing clutter within your home not only makes your house look cleaner and decreases stress but it will also make your home less hospitable to a variety of pests.

In addition to reducing clutter within your home, also clean any clutter around the outside of your home. Some pests will be attracted to piles of leaves or other piles of organic matter you may have in your yard. Other pests, like mosquitos, are attracted to standing water that can form in places like buckets, tarps and kids toys. Emptying and tidying any areas with standing water will help keep mosquitoes from swarming your yard in the summer.

Inspect the Exterior of Your Home

Pests often enter a home through even the smallest holes or cracks in the exterior therefore it is important to examine your foundation and walls for any possible entrance points before vegetation begins to grow in the spring and possibly hide any defects. If you find any holes or cracks, make sure to seal them with caulk or sealant.

During the fall and winter gutters can easily be clogged with leaves and organic matter. This debris can cause standing water which is a perfect breeding ground for pests like mosquitos and easy water sources for many other pests. Cleaning your gutters in spring will not only ensure they are effectively collecting water from your roof but also will keep pests away.

Call a Professional Pest Control Service

Spring is the best time of the year to do preventative pest maintenance to ensure pests do not become a larger problem in the spring or summer. If you are concerned about pests in your home, our team can help keep you cleaner and free of springtime bugs and rodents. With our help, we can create a plan to keep your home pest free all year long!

pest control pest prevention spring pests

These Pests May Be Triggering Your Seasonal Allergies

Spring 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!

cockroaches spring pests stinging insects

Mosquito Prevention 101

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!

mosquitoes spring pests

Look Out for These 5 Pests This Spring!

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:

Thoroughly cleaning your windows and doors. Seal any cracks or crevices.
Deep-cleaning your carpets and rugs. Vacuum, shampoo, or even steam-clean the surface.
Sanitizing and cleaning your kitchen with a focus on your appliances. Crumbs and spilled liquids will welcome all sorts of bugs and pests.
Removing debris from your yard, and trimming any shrubs or tree branches away from your home. Clear out your gutters and downspouts.
Checking on plumbing and pipes. Quickly address any leaks or blockages.
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.

ants rodents spring pests stinging insects stink bugs termites

Carpenter Ants vs. Termites – The Differences

Termites 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.

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!

ants carpenter ants spring pests termites