Earlier this year, termite colonies everywhere sent out winged termites in swarms, with a single goal in mind- finding a mate and starting new colonies. Many homeowners spotted these swarms and called pest control companies like Eco-Safe for help. However, even more homeowners didn’t notice the swarms. This means that across all of DFW, young termite colonies have found a place to nest undisturbed, and are slowly building their numbers.

Now that we are in the hottest part of summer, the termite threat is only continuing to worsen. The hot weather and humidity warms up these cold-blooded termites, making colonies work faster, eat faster, and grow faster.

You might ask, why do I care if termite colonies are growing faster? Well, if you were one of the thousands of homeowners who didn’t notice termites moving into your home (1 in every 12 houses in DFW has termites), then your home is at a massive risk for termite damage. And when termite colonies are left untreated, it leads to massive repair bills- up to $37,000 on the high end!

All isn’t lost, though. The sooner you catch a termite infestation, the less you will spend fixing the damage, and the cheaper it will be to get rid of the termites.

With Eco-Safe Pest Control’s termite division, Miss Phoebe’s, visual inspections are free, so you aren’t out any money to see if your home has a problem or not. If termites are discovered, Miss Phoebe’s is currently running a special for $50 off your first termite treatment.

After your free inspection, if you don’t end up having termites, you’re in luck! Termite prevention is much cheaper than a termite treatment and repair. With how quickly termites can spread, taking preventative measures like installing a termite baiting system is one of the best ways to protect your home.

Miss Phoebe’s is also offering all customers $100 off their first termite prevention system.

To schedule your free visual termite inspection, just give us a call at 214-357-7373. Our pest control technicians have a combined experience of over 300 years, and have been serving the community since 1962, so you know you’re in good hands.

Mosquitoes Are Still Out To Bite

We all know that mosquitoes are a danger to public health. They are responsible for over 600,000 deaths every year, and have the title of deadliest animal in the world- not because of their bite, but because of the diseases they carry.

Even in developed countries like the United States, people still die every year because of mosquitoes. According to the CDC, “West Nile is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the contiguous United States.”

A frightening fact is that Dallas is one of the 10 worst cities for mosquitoes. That means the risk mosquitoes pose to your loved ones is far greater than in the rest of the country.

The good news? As a family-owned business, Eco-Safe knows how important family is, which is why we offer multiple methods of mosquito protection, and at a competitive price, too!

Eco-Safe has three options for mosquito control, which can be used individually, or combined for maximum protection:

Mosquito Control Options

• Mosquito Sprays: Not only repels and discourage mosquitoes from living around your property, but also kills them. Our sprays actually reduce the number of mosquitoes around your property, not just pushing them into your neighbor’s yard. Just one yard spray can last up to an entire month!
• In2Care Buckets: These buckets use a special packet of fungus that affects only mosquitoes to interrupt their life cycle, killing the biting mosquitoes when they try and lay their eggs in the buckets. But, before dying, the female mosquitoes transfer the fungus to other bodies of water, killing any mosquitoes that try and lay their eggs there. Each bucket can cover up to 4,300 square feet!
• Misting Systems: We design and install the most powerful automated mosquito misting systems on the market. The spray is strong enough to eradicate even large swarms of mosquitoes, creating a zone of safety across your entire property. We’re even able to hide the spray nozzles and tubing in your existing landscaping for a seamless look.

Eco-Safe has developed our own special natural organic treatments for mosquitoes, which are proven to reduce mosquito populations by up to 98%. Compared to traditional, toxic sprays, our natural organic spray is safe around children and pets, using natural ingredients like garlic, thyme, and lemongrass.

Currently, Eco-Safe is running a special where you can get 10% off your first mosquito control program. To take advantage of this deal, make sure to mention the discount when you call 214-358-5201 to schedule your free inspection!

Awwww, Baby- Raccoons?!

Come the month of July, baby raccoons born in April and May start to explore on their own. And just like human babies, Raccoon babies go through a curious stage where they cause double the trouble. Just imagine the mess five baby raccoons can make when getting into your trash can! Not to mention the damage that they can do to your home.

The best way to discourage wildlife from making a mess in your yard is to make it unattractive. And this doesn’t mean choosing an ugly color scheme. To make your environment unattractive to wildlife means eliminating food and water sources like pet bowls, securing your trash cans, and getting rid of places to hide. Keep your yard neat and free of debris like log piles, leaves, and long grass.

Beyond the mess, there’s another reason to secure your trash: Raccoons are opportunistic eaters, which means they aren’t exactly picky about their diet. And when faced with the diet of the average American, this means they are eating a lot of sugary, calorie-dense food. What’s a bunch of berries on a bush compared to leftover hamburger and milkshake?

Because of this, urban raccoons actually have blood glucose levels more than double that of rural raccoons, and are getting diabetes!

Of course, once raccoons have already moved in, prevention alone won’t solve the problem. Many kind-hearted people hesitate to call a pest control company to help with their wildlife problem because they fear the animals might get hurt. But they also don’t want raccoons to suffer from eating too much trash.

There has to be a solution to this dilemma, right? Eco-Safe’s wildlife division can quickly and safely remove any nuisance or dangerous animals on your property, while using ecologically safe practices. Eco-Safe means humane, so we don’t use any leg-hold traps or other cruel devices like other companies might.

To schedule your free inspection and receive a quote, just give us a call at 214-358-5201.

Bat-Tastic Bug Eaters!

Many people might think that bats are just a Halloween decoration thing. However, these tiny mammals actually play an important role in pest control.

The majority of Texas bats are insectivores, eating nothing but bugs. During their active period of June through August, a single bat will eat thousands of bugs a night. These tiny powerhouses are a massive help, eating crop-destroying insects like beetles, moths, flies, and stink bugs.

Additionally, bats eat mosquitoes by the boatload, as they are both most active during dawn and dusk. This means fewer itchy bug bites for you and your loved ones.

If bats are so great, how do I attract them to my home?

According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, the easiest thing you can do to attract these beneficial bats is to install a bat house. These look similar to birdhouses, but with a slightly different entrance to allow bats to enter and roost. Bat houses should be mounted 10-20 feet away from the ground, in a sunny area to keep your tiny bat friends warm.

You might see bat houses installed around parks and greenbelts by your city. Notably, Farmers Branch has dozens of bat houses installed across the city for natural pest control.

Installing a bat house isn’t the last step to attracting bats to your home, though. The use of traditional chemical pesticides can hurt bats that eat contaminated bugs.

Luckily, Eco-Safe Pest Control is here to save your batty friends by providing natural organic pest control. We develop all of our own products in-house and design them to avoid harming important parts of the ecosystem like bats.

To schedule your free inspection today, give us a call or send us a text at 214-358-5201. Every service is customized to your specific needs. Whether you have a particular pest you want eliminated, or a beneficial friend you want protected, we are here to help!

FAQ

Still have questions? Here are a few of the most common questions DFW homeowners have.

1. How often should I get pest control service in DFW?

Answer: Most experts recommend starting with quarterly service- with treatments every 3 months. If your home has unusually high pest activity, then monthly service can be helpful for keeping pests under control.

2. What are the signs of termite damage in my home?

Answer: The most common signs of termite damage are mud tubes, grooves in wood, wood floor blisters, and piles of termite droppings. Every 1 in 12 DFW homes is infested with termites, so it’s important to have your home inspected regularly by a professional. Miss Phoebe’s is offering FREE visual termite inspections so you can rest easy knowing your home is safe.

3. Are bat houses safe to install near my home?

Answer: Bat houses aren’t just safe to install near your home, but are actually greatly beneficial. Insectivorous bats can eat up to 1,000 insects per night, ridding your home of gross beetles and pesky mosquitoes.

4. Why are mosquitoes more dangerous in summer?

Answer: Mosquitoes thrive in the summer heat, and breed like crazy in standing water. This creates swarms of biting, dangerous mosquitoes that can spread disease like West Nile Virus and Zika.

5. How do I keep raccoons out of my trash?

Answer: Secure trash can lids with bungee cords or locks, remove outdoor pet food and water bowls when not in use, and eliminate hiding spots like log piles and tall grass

6. What’s the difference between termite treatment and termite prevention?

Answer: Termite treatment eliminates active termite infestations and costs more due to damage repair. Prevention, like the baiting systems Miss Phoebe’s installs, stops termites before they can do damage to your home. Miss Phoebe’s offers $50 off treatments and $100 off prevention systems, plus free visual inspections.