August In DFW: The Final Boss Of Pest Control
When Pest Activity Peaks
August is the peak month for pest issues in DFW, due to the intense heat and dryness. With the highs normally in the hundreds, you’re not the only one trying to escape in the AC: pests want inside, too! If you’re hot, they’re hot too! What’s better to a roach or a rat than easy access to water and temperatures at least 20 degrees cooler than outside.
Such is the struggle of August in DFW, trying to keep from sharing a home with every roach, fly, ant, and rodent in the neighborhood.
Thankfully, there’s an easy answer to this problem. Consistent quarterly pest control treatments are enough in most cases to prevent bugs from infesting the home. And for turning away pesky wildlife, exclusion services are the key to a pest-free home.
And Eco-Safe offers all of these services, as DFW’s only natural organic pest control company! From general pest control to wildlife control to mosquito control and more.
Our Beloved Jimothy
The world has fallen in love with a quirky raccoon from Seattle. His name is Jimothy, and he has his very own Google Doodle, is featured in Roku City, and has been added to Minecraft and Stardew Valley through game modifications. He even has his own merch.
But what makes Jimothy so special? And where does his name come from?
It all started with a single video posted online. A Seattle woman recorded an odd-looking raccoon in her yard, and named him Jimothy. “He just looked like a Jimothy to me,” was her reasoning.
Our quirky little Jimothy likely looks the way he does due to something called “short spine syndrome.” The bones of his spine failed to turn properly into bone while in utero, resulting in a compressed, shortened, or fused spine.
The internet’s obsession with our short-spined king, Jimothy, has led many to reconsider the way they handle wildlife around their homes. Obviously lethal methods like snap traps and poison are out of consideration: that curious raccoon could be Jimothy’s cousin!
Eco-Safe is here to save the day for DFW residents, specializing in humane wildlife removal and control. We can quickly and safely remove any nuisance wildlife on your property using ecologically safe practices. We also have experts in wildlife exclusions, sealing your home to prevent wildlife from coming inside.
Stinging Insects: The Schmidt Pain Index and Texas’s Worst Wasps
Most Texans anticipate and fear wasp activity during the summer months. These aggressive insects seemingly sting for no reason at all. And they sting randomly, not even caring if their target is a child.
Your average person runs away when faced with an angry stinging insect, but there is one man who goes against all expectations: Justin O. Schmidt, whom some might know from the Schmidt sting pain index. He made it his mission to receive stings from many different insects in order to categorize and rank the pain level of each sting.
The least painful started with the sweat bee, described as “light, ephemeral, almost fruity. A tiny spark has singed a single hair on your arm.”
One of the most painful stings belonged to the tarantula hawk wasp, an insect native to Texas. It was described as “blinding, fierce, shockingly electric… Lie down and scream.”
Now, most people don’t devote their lives to the advancement of science, and even those who do prefer not to be stung by the world’s most painful insects. And parents would prefer that stinging insects stay far away from their children.
Luckily, Eco-Safe Pest Control specializes in stinging insects. We provide wasp removal services for the residents of DFW, and can address wasp nests during quarterly services. Simply call 214-358-5201 for a free inspection and quote.
Fire Ants: The Hidden Landmines of August Heat
Fire ants become a hidden danger in the month of August, because colonies start to dig deeper underground to escape the heat. Their mounds might start to disappear, but the colony is still alive and well underground. What was once visible, is now a hidden landmine.
But fire ants aren’t a danger to just humans: as a non-native species, they cause chaos for local species of insects and even larger animals like reptiles, birds, and mammals. Fire ant colonies are even known to go after baby birds inside their nests, eating them before they get a chance to fly.
Because of their aggressive attitude and appetite, fire ants are considered to be one of the world’s worst invasive species.
Residents of DFW all fear the sting of fire ants. For those at risk- children, the elderly, those with weak immune systems, or an allergy to fire ants- an encounter with them can even be lethal. Even healthy individuals can die when covered in hundreds of fire ant stings.
When experiencing health problems because of fire ant stings, the smartest thing to do is seek medical attention. Though understandably, everyone wants to make sure medical help never becomes necessary.
The good news is, these invasive pests are preventable. Although normal pest control treatments might not be enough to stop them, there are many different specialty services to address the danger of fire ants. There’s even a treatment called Top Choice that can control imported fire ants for up to a full year!
Whether you are looking to do a natural, hybrid, or traditional pest control treatment for fire ants, Eco-Safe has you covered! To request a free quote and inspection, simply give us a call at 214-358-5201. Currently, we are offering $25 off your first fire ant treatment if you mention our new service gifts.
Grasshoppers: The Biblical Plague Eating Your DFW Lawn
Did you know that grasshoppers and locusts are one and the same? Yes, those little hoppy grass-munchers are the very insect from the plagues of the olden days.
Grasshoppers, when in large enough numbers, go through a transformation that makes them the ultimate eaters. They change color, swarm together, and grow bigger wing muscles to travel large distances and eat everything in their path.
Thankfully, locust plagues haven’t happened in Texas since the 1800s, but even plain old grasshoppers can eat 16 times their body weight in a day. That’s enough to ruin even the most well-cared-for garden or manicured lawn.
If you’re worried about the damage grasshoppers can do to your yard, Eco-Safe is here with natural organic methods and our own original products to solve your pest problems! In addition to pest control, we also have a lawn and ornamental division that can create a personalized care plan for your yard. We can target pests, diseases, fungi, and other problems in and around your garden.
Spiders: Friend, Foe, or Just Misunderstood?
Arachnophobes, understandably, dislike spiders. Other people think spiders can be cute! Still more are on the fence about spiders- undecided on whether to love or hate these little arachnids.
It’s easy to hate on spiders for their eight legs, unpredictable movement, and their tendency to scurry. All of these things can make them kind of creepy, but it’s important to remember that they play an important role in the ecosystem.
If you hate bugs like mosquitoes, flies, and roaches, then spiders are actually on your side! Worldwide, spiders eat 400-800 million tons of insects every year. That’s more than the weight of humankind!
Some spiders can even be cute- like the jumping spider. They have two big puppy-like eyes, fuzzy bodies, and even show traits of curiosity. Jumping spiders will even tilt their head when looking at something, making their behaviour even more lovable. As the number of people who find spiders cute increases, even pet stores like PetSmart and Petco are selling jumping spiders and supplies to keep pet jumping spiders!
Importantly, there are still some spiders you want to avoid. Texas is home to two species of venomous spiders: black widows and brown recluses.
Even if you’re used to taking care of your own pest control, black widows and brown recluses are not to be messed with. Your health is important, so you should always call a professional when a venomous spider needs removal.
Eco-Safe Pest Control is an expert in natural organic pest control, but especially so for spider control. In addition to spider-specific pest control, we focus on the whole picture- and ask why the spiders are coming inside. The truth is, spiders will follow their food. If your home is full of bugs, then spiders will follow them inside. By addressing the true problem- the bugs- we address the spider issue.
Not All Worms Are Bad, But Webworms Sure Are
What does the word “worm” make you think of? An earthworm? Maybe a caterpillar, or even a mealworm? There are many things we call worms, and a good deal aren’t even truly worms.
Earthworms are true worms, and play an important role in the ecosystem. Gardeners praise them for improving soil health and creating fertilizer for plants. They eat decaying matter in the soil and convert its nutrients into forms usable by plants. You might even recognize their poop- piles of tiny dirt pellets called worm castings.
If you notice worm castings in your yard, you’re in luck! The presence of earthworms shows that you have healthy soil!
Webworms, however, are a common DFW pest. Despite the name, they are not true worms, but caterpillars! They create ugly nests of webbing that take over trees as they feed and grow. Luckily, webworms tend to show up during the hottest part of the season, so most trees have stopped growing and will have the energy to bounce back.
For those who take pride in a well-kept yard, though, webworms are an aesthetic nightmare. While they feed, the beige webs distract from the healthy foliage. And even after the worms have transformed into moths, leaf damage remains.
There’s a fine line to walk when you want to eliminate pest worms, but keep beneficial earthworms safe. Most traditional pesticides are indiscriminate, killing everything they touch. Eco-Safe Pest Control is different, though. Our natural organic methods can target pests, while leaving your beloved beneficials alone.
FAQ
Still have questions? Here are a few of the most common questions DFW homeowners have.
1. Why is August the worst month for pests in DFW?
Answer: August brings intense heat and dryness to North Texas, and temperatures are regularly in the hundreds. Pests like roaches, ants, and rodents look for water and cooler temperatures, and find it in your home.
2. Should I be worried about raccoons around my home?
Answer: Although raccoons like Jimothy can be cute, they can actually cause a lot of damage to your home. They can get into trash cans, break into attics, and can even cause damage to cars. Exclusion services and wildlife control can remove raccoons and prevent them from getting inside.
3. How can I tell if fire ants are in my yard?
Answer: The first sign of fire ants is either their dome-shaped mounds or fire ant stings. These mounds, when disturbed, bring swarms of angry fire ants that deliver painful stings. Fire ants are extremely common in DFW and often require professional treatment to eliminate completely.
4. How often should I get pest control service in DFW?
Answer: Pest control services for most homes should happen on a quarterly basis- every 3 months. This schedule maintains year-round protection for keeping pests out. For homes with high pest activity, sometimes a bimonthly or monthly schedule is recommended.
5. Will traditional pest control harm beneficial insects and earthworms?
Answer: Most traditional pesticides kill indiscriminately, not caring if a bug is harmful or beneficial. They kill butterflies just the same as cockroaches. Eco-Safe is different, though. Our goal is to use targeted natural organic methods to kill the bad bugs while protecting the good ones.
6. What should I do if I see a black widow spider in my home?
Answer: Black widows are venomous and should never be handled by non-professionals. This means you should never attempt to remove or relocate a black widow spider on your own. Luckily, Eco-Safe’s trained pest control technicians can remove black widows from your home, and prevent them from coming back with natural organic methods.
7. How do I schedule natural organic pest control in Dallas-Fort Worth?
Answer: Call Eco-Safe Pest Control at 214-358-5201. We start every service with a free inspection and quote customized to your specific needs and environment. As America’s Natural Pest Control, we provide DFW residents with services for ants, mosquitoes, bed bugs, rodents, general pests, roaches, spiders, stinging bugs, termites, fleas, ticks, wildlife, bees, monarch butterfly gardens, and odor control.