Spooky Season: October Pest Control in DFW
Leave The Cobwebs For Halloween
After one of the hottest Septembers on record for DFW, October’s cooler weather is a relief. But the weather isn’t the only seasonal shift as we finally prepare for Halloween.
Although we are getting ready for spooky season, most people don’t actually want to be scared by bugs like spiders and roaches. And property damage from rodents and termites is scarier than you bargained for.
Thankfully, there are defences against the horrors of pest infestations. Roaches can be prevented through regularly scheduled pest treatments, and spiders can be directly treated as well as discouraged by eliminating their food sources. Termites need specialized treatment methods, but can be addressed through spot treatments or a preventative baiting system. And with pest-exclusion methods, you can stop rodents from treating themselves to your air conditioning.
So, leave the cobwebs for Halloween this year; use Eco-Safe Pest Control.
Super Spooky Spiders
Halloween is the season all about putting up fake skeletons as decor. Because of this trend, party stores end up with all sorts of nonsensical skeletons. This includes animals with bone ears, elephants with skeletal trunks, snail skeletons, octopus skeletons, rubber ducky skeletons, and even spider skeletons.
What these decoration companies don’t realize, though, is that spiders don’t have bones the way mammals do. Instead of having their bones on the inside, they ‘wear’ them in the form of an exoskeleton. Aside from supporting their body, the exoskeleton also serves as a layer of armor, protecting the spider’s squishy insides.
Even if you dislike spiders, it’s important to know your enemy. Understanding the way something works is the first step to defeating it. And people can spend years learning everything there is to know about a specific species of bug.
Luckily, it doesn’t take years of research to learn how to take care of pesky spiders and cobwebs in your home. Eco-Safe Pest Control is here to take on the task, protecting your home from spiders and other pests with over 300 years of combined experience.
We even test and develop our own products, leading to the creation of Spider-X, a spray that can not only kill but also repel spiders for on-demand spider control. Whether it’s a teeny tiny house spider, a black widow, or a massive huntsman spider, Eco-Safe is on your side.
Ladybug Impostors
Come October, many people experience what feels like an invasion of bugs inside their homes and businesses. Stink bugs, boxelder bugs, roaches, ants, and these strange-looking ladybugs all come indoors when the weather starts to cool.
But these strange ladybugs aren’t ladybugs at all- they’re Asian lady beetles, and there’s more to them than meets the eye. For example, despite looking very close to our native ladybug, they are actually invasive, and that has a lot to do with why they come inside.
These invasive Asian lady beetles aren’t adapted to the Texas climate, so they can’t survive the winter outdoors as they do in their native environment. Normally, they would tuck themselves inside warm, dry cracks in rocky cliffs and stones, but Texas doesn’t have the right type of hiding spots.
So Asian lady beetles instead find their way indoors, clustering together in cracks and crevices inside your home. Despite being pretty, these beetles can be smelly and will even bite, making for poor houseguests.
If your home seems to attract Asian lady beetles and other overwintering pests such as stink bugs, roaches, and ants, you likely need to seal up some entry points. Common entry points are damaged window screens, plumbing penetrations, missing or damaged weatherstripping along doors and windows, and gaps in your home’s siding.
If you’re concerned about these unwanted houseguests, consider calling Eco-Safe Pest Control for a free entry point inspection. Our highly trained technicians can figure out where the pests are coming inside from, and provide a quote for sealing all entry points.
Terrible Termite Damage
The front door opens to present an interior that wouldn’t look out of place in a haunted house. There’s furniture strewn about, even rotten food on the coffee table, like people left in a hurry. The creaking of the home’s old bones is enough to create shivers down anyone’s spine. The whole place feels unsteady.
Thankfully, the termite-busters from Eco-Safe’s termite division, Miss Phoebe’s, are here to help reclaim the space. Armed with foam sprays for spot treatments, liquid Termidor for active infestation sites, and an entire box full of bait stations to take care of any stragglers.
“The situation looks pretty bad,” says Pete, the lead termite technician. “But I am certain we can get things under control. Time to bust these termites!”
“Will do!” Says Dr. Eagon, the team entomologist. Everyone gets to work with expert care, peeling back ruined drywall to get easy access to the home’s wooden beams where the termites nest.
The termites won’t go without fighting back, though. As soon as the team gets close to the main nest, a swarm of termite alates fills the room, their flapping wings clouding visibility. Termite warriors cover the floor, biting exposed skin and ankles in an effort to protect the nest.
“Take cover!” shouts Stan, tossing his own invention- an anti-termite grenade- at the swarming insects. The grenade explodes, dousing the termites and their nest in termite-killer.
Zedd claps stan on the back. “Great job! With you on the team, we’ll be done in no time.”
“All in a day’s work for Eco-Safe,” exclaims Pete. “In Eco-Safe’s termite division, we don’t chase ghosts, but we definitely know how to take care of wood-destroying insects.”
Anyone Can Cook, But You Can’t Sue A Rat For Property Damage
Many shows and movies like Ratatouille, Pinky and the Brain, and Stuart Little feature anthropomorphic rodents. These characters have quickly become fan favorites for children and adults everywhere.
But despite the good press, rodents still pose a significant threat. Wild rats can carry and transmit serious diseases such as hantavirus, Salmonella, tularemia, plague, rat-bite fever, flea-borne typhus, and more.
Additionally, home and business owners have to worry about property damage. Rodents’ front teeth constantly grow, causing them to gnaw on just about anything to keep their teeth at the right length. This results in unsightly gnaw marks, structural damage, and worst of all, electrical fires from chewed wires.
When you or your child’s favorite show is Ratatouille, how do you resolve these problems without hurting our little furry friends? Poison is definitely out of the question, and so are snap traps. But doing nothing also isn’t an option. After all, anyone can cook, but you can’t hold a rat legally accountable for property damage.
Luckily, Eco-Safe understands the issue and offers humane rodent control methods for those who don’t want to hurt “Remy.” From rodent exclusions that keep rats and mice from getting inside, to nonlethal rodent baiting options that can decrease rodent populations, we create a rodent control program customized to your wants and needs.
To learn more or schedule an inspection, simply call 214-358-5201.
Our Nine-Banded Friends
Texas is home to a large number of unique creatures adapted to its harsh climates. The nine-banded armadillo is one of these animals, and they’re pretty cool!
Aside from being iconic, armadillos actually play an important role in the ecosystem. As they dig in search of tasty bugs, they aerate the soil. Their diet consists mostly of grubs, ants, termites, caterpillars, and other bugs- the majority being common lawn pests.
You would think that armadillos are a good thing around, seeing as they eat lawn pests. But armadillos are also considered pests. In search of tasty bugs, they oftentimes destroy garden beds and rip holes in perfect green turf. A single armadillo can tear up large sections of earth in just a single night, leaving behind dozens of unsightly holes.
When an armadillo is in town, you might as well say goodbye to your perfect landscaping. And when they have babies, it’s quadruple the trouble; armadillos give birth to identical quadruplets during the spring.
And if you think armadillos couldn’t get more chaotic, they also happen to be one of the few mammals capable of carrying leprosy. Yes, the same leprosy that historically has turned people into social outcasts to prevent the spread of disease. Thankfully, it’s curable with antibiotics nowadays, but it’s still not pleasant to have.
So, what are you supposed to do when an armadillo moves into your neighborhood? Most people don’t want to hurt such an iconic animal of Texas, but it’s also not a good idea to let them roam free around your yard.
The solution lies with Eco-Safe Pest Control. Our wildlife technicians specialize in humane methods of wildlife control so our nine-banded friends won’t suffer, but you don’t have to either.
FAQ
Still have questions? Here are a few of the most common questions DFW homeowners have.
- What Dallas- Fort Worth pests are most common during October?
DFW pests like rodents, cockroaches, and spiders are the most common pests during the month of October, but that doesn’t mean they are the only pests you will see. Ants are fairly common year-round, and warmer weather can even cause mosquito season to last until November.
- How can I keep spiders from coming inside my house?
Spiders will follow their food source, so eliminating other indoor pests is a surefire way to control spider populations. Additionally, sealing entry points like plumbing penetrations, door sweeps/seals, gaps and cracks around windows and doors, as well as cracks in your home’s facade, can help keep pests from entering your home.
- Why are there ladybugs inside my home?
Surprisingly, the ladybug-like insects you might see coming indoors in the fall and winter aren’t actually ladybugs. Instead, they are usually invasive Asian lady beetles, which prefer to spend the cooler months of the year hibernating indoors to escape the cold. If you’re worried about bugs getting indoors, a pest exclusion might be for you!
- How do I know if I have termites?
Termites are hard to notice since they spend most of their time hiding away from the light. Luckily, there are several clear signs of termite infestation- suspicious grooves in wood, mud tubes, and piles of droppings. If you notice any of these signs, call the professionals ASAP.
- What should I do if rodents are in and around my home?
Rodent infestations are extremely dangerous and can result in horrific house fires when rodents chew on electrical wires. If you suspect a rodent may be living in and around your home, you should call Eco-Safe Pest Control for help. Because when there’s one, there’s always more. Eco-Safe utilizes humane trapping, exclusion, and baiting methods to help keep your home rodent-free year-round!
- How do I stop armadillos from ruining my yard?
Armadillos are foragers, digging holes in search of tasty morsels and nutritious bugs. If you have an armadillo in your yard, it could be a sign of a deeper pest infestation like beetle grubs. The best plan of attack is to assess your yard for any current pest issues, while also using humane trapping methods to physically remove the armadillo from your yard.
- When and how do I schedule a pest inspection?
If you notice pest activity or have suspicion of a pest infestation, that means it’s time to schedule a pest inspection. Eco-Safe provides FREE pest inspections for people who call or text 214-358-5201.
Summary
Whether the threat you face is a spider, termites in your walls, rodents in your attic, or armadillos invading your yard, swift action is the best way to prevent a small pest issue from becoming a bigger problem. And Eco-Safe Pest Control is here to help you identify the right course of action for your unique situation. Call 214-358-5201 to schedule a free inspection and consultation.