A Pest Control in Lubbock TX can help you decide whether they are the right choice for your home. You can look up reviews online or check for membership in professional organizations that set service standards.
Cockroaches can quickly become infestations, and they spread bacteria and disease. Mosquito bites are itchy, and they can also transmit disease-causing pathogens.
Termites
Termites are among the most destructive Pest Control in Lubbock TX. They consume cellulose plant-based materials including the wood found in homes and other structures. If left untreated, serious termite damage can cost thousands of dollars in repair costs.
There are two common species of termites in the Lubbock area. Drywood termites are attracted to stacked firewood and wood furniture, but can also nest in the wooden framing of new construction or old homes. Dampwood termites thrive in moist locations such as soffits and basements.
Worker termites, which look more like larvae, collect food for the colony and build structures such as mud tubes and nests. Alates are winged reproductive termites that swarm once or twice per year and can be mistaken for ants. Swarming termites shed their wings and leave behind small piles of wings which can be found near the home.
Termite treatment options include a variety of modern products that are applied to the soil around the structure. The most effective is the Sentricon system which uses the pests own nature against them. Workers find the bait in the Sentricon stations while foraging and share it with their colony. The product halts the molting process which ultimately affects the queen and reproduction.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are very difficult to get rid of once they have settled in. They live and breed in crevices on or near beds, but will also travel on clothes, furniture and other items into homes. Bed bug bites are painful, itchy and can cause a number of symptoms like fever and fatigue.
Bed bug infestations can be very difficult to detect since they are small and hide during the day, blending in with their surroundings. They are most active at night and can be spotted by the itchy, red, grouped bite marks they leave behind on exposed skin.
You should look for signs of bed bugs in the corners of rooms, in mattresses and box springs, around baseboards, in closets, behind wall decor and in electrical outlets where they can hide. You may also find dark brown fecal spots and shed skin that the bed bugs have left behind. If another party’s negligence leads to a bed bug infestation and results in bites, you should consult a Lubbock bed bug lawyer to review your options for compensation.
Mosquitoes
Throughout the world, mosquitoes (Order Diptera, Family Culicidae) breed in places that hold water and are often found near human habitations. There are over 3,500 different species of mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes can be considered a disease vector because they spread pathogens (germs) that make people sick. They spread viruses such as West Nile Virus and dengue fever, and parasites such as malaria and yellow fever.
When a mosquito bites, it sucks blood and secretes saliva into your bloodstream, where the virus or parasite is transmitted. This is called sip feeding.
To help control mosquitoes, drain standing water around your home. Empty and clean children’s wading pools regularly, empty wheelbarrows and trash containers that can hold rainwater or other liquids, and change the water in birdbaths weekly. Drill holes in the bottoms of outdoor recycling bins and trash cans so that they do not hold rainwater, and drain and clean fire pits where water collects. Keeping your yard properly landscaped will also reduce mosquitoes.
Boxelder Bugs
As winter approaches, boxelder bugs migrate in search of warm shelter. The insects often appear in large numbers on the sunny sides of homes and other buildings. They hide in crevices, cracks and gaps in the walls. They also enter houses and other buildings through window and door frames, air vents, switch boxes and electrical outlets.
These black bugs are about 1/2″ long and have red markings on their back. They have piercing sucking mouthparts, but they don’t bite people. They produce a bad odor when crushed and may stain white surfaces with their fecal material.
If you find a cluster of boxelder bugs indoors, you can spray them with a mixture of dish soap and water. The soap will trap the pests and drown them. It’s best to prevent these pests from getting into your home by sealing all cracks and crevices with caulk, repairing any broken window or door screens and installing door sweeps.
