Author: webadmin

How to Get Rid of Lone Star Ticks in Your Cleveland Yard

Lone Star ticks  (Amblyomma americanum) are typically found in wooded areas with plenty of undergrowth and foliage, and especially near animal (i.e., deer, coyotes) resting spots. They can also make their way to your Cleveland, TX yard, and to your pets, and worse yet, to you and your family members. Lone Star ticks are not known to transmit Lyme disease specifically, but these unwelcome pests have a reputation for biting humans aggressively when opportunity presents itself. Lone Star tick larvae do not carry disease, but the nymphs and adults definitely do (e.g., Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and ‘STARI’ borreliosis). Can Lone Star Ticks Hurt Dogs? Adult Lone Star ticks are active from about April until late August, and are most commonly after large animals, such as coyotes, deer, cattle, dogs, and humans in tall, shady grassy areas as well as at the tips of low lying branches. Lone Star females feature a distinguishing single white dot in the center of their reddish-brown to brown bodies. They require a blood meal to reproduce, and after about a week or so, can lay up to 3,000 eggs. Males feature whitish spots or streaks around the outer edges of their body.    Lone star ticks can transmit infectious agents that cause a number of diseases harmful to dogs, such as Ehrlichiosis, a disease that causes vomiting, lethargy, enlarged glands, and bleeding. It can even kill your dog if serious enough a case.  Must Read: CONTROLLING MILLIPEDES IN YOUR CONROE YARD

Controlling Millipedes in Your Conroe Yard

There are over one thousand different species of millipedes in the United States, and many are found in Texas. Most of them vary in color from grey to light brown, and even to orange, and they are known to move very slowly. They all appear to have hundreds of “wavy” legs. Most millipede species take at least a year or two to be able to reproduce, and after that, they can live another 5 to 10 years. Millipedes are mainly outdoor creatures, but at times, may find their way into your home. Once inside, they will seek out damp, dark areas to hide out. They can also attract pests that hunt and feed on them, like ants and spiders. These arthropod pests love crawling around and living in damp soil, mulch, decomposing leaves, root systems, and rotting thatch. It’s their main source of nutrition, and they will stick around as long as there is a food supply to support their population, which can get into the hundreds in an average yard.  How to Prevent Millipede Invasions One good thing about millipedes is that they are virtually harmless; they don’t bite, sting, or transmit diseases. But they are a bit of a nuisance. Stopping millipede invasions takes some preventive steps, starting with identifying possible nesting sites. Knowing where they nest (it will usually be along one side of your home) helps you know where to minimize the damp, decomposing conditions in which millipedes thrive. Eliminating these will mean fewer of them will stick around your yard, and fewer will wander inside your home. The first step is to identify nest sights. This will allow you to minimize the conditions these pests need which in turn will lead to less getting inside. Look to see where they are invading. In most cases, you will find them along one side or wall of your home. Move mulch and firewood away from the side of your home, at least 20 feet, and clear grass clippings, compost piles, leaf debris, and other organic plant matter from your yard.  Keep thatch buildup raked from off of your lawn. Eliminating these conditions will keep millipedes and other pests away from your home. They will go elsewhere for food and shelter.  Also, don’t forget to seal up cracks, crevices, and other holes around your home’s foundation. Screen off utility/pipe entry points (or stuff gaps with steel wool).  Millipedes are not dangerous at all, but they can invade your home and create an unpleasant situation if they are allowed harborage for long enough. And remember they attract ants and spiders that feed on them. The faster you act to control them, the quicker you can rest easy. Save yourself plenty of time, money, and headaches by calling our Conroe, TX pest control experts. Call us today so we can get cracking on getting your yard free of millipedes and other invasive pests. Must Read:DEALING WITH BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS

Dealing with Black Widow Spiders

Appearance How to Identify? Hourglass Marking: One way to identify a black widow is the underside of their abdomen. They have red hourglass markings they. These markings are always bright reds and it’s a way to wards off predators and attackers. Color: As their name implies, they are black but shiny. Size: The average size of a black widow is 3 to 10mm in size. Most of the females are larger than their male counterpart; thus, we can see female’s black widows as large as 13mm in body length. Latin Name Latrodectus spp. Characteristics They have certain characteristics that also set them apart from other spiders: Comb foot: Their comb feet set them apart from every other spider. This food can be found on the hind of pair of their legs and can be used to pitch silk around their capture prey. Shy: They love their own company. They only socialize to copulate and nothing else. Nocturnal: Black widows only spin webs during the daytime. They are mostly nocturnal. Hang Upside Down: They have the tendencies to hang upside down within their web. This way you can see their hourglass abdominal marking. Must Read:PREVENT BROWN PATCH IN LAWN   Why Do You See Black Widow Spiders in Your House? Ever wondered why you have black widows in your house or even around you, then these might be the reasons: Unkempt Yards: Black widow spiders are fond of yards that are not in good conditions. As you are aware that a good yard would generally all other insects. To start with, they are found under tall grasses, stacks of woods or even debris. They use these places as a place to store food, hide, and build webs. Vulnerable Places: When your home or yard has faced a lot of insect’s infestation or is currently facing one, there is a higher chance of battling another black widows at that same time. Black widow spiders find smaller insect succulents and would want to feed on them. They are likely to eat things ants, flies, and others pest. Thus, when your door or window has a crack big enough for them to enter, then these spiders would come into the house to hunt for these smaller insects.    Should You Be Afraid of Their Presence? While they are like a ‘present’ in the present moment, the female ones can be harmful to human. Their presence can help you get rid of those smaller insects. The attack can come in when the female ones are provoked.  In the United States, the black widow spiders have been known to deliver the most toxic bite ever seen in a spider. Their venom is mixed with neurotoxins and could be a potential danger to the nervous system.   Signs of a Black Widow One way to know you have a black widow in your home is to look at the pattern of their web. Their webs are located near the ground level but far enough like under a protected ledge, places like your lawn furniture or even woodpiles. Also, the iconic red hourglass marking is an indication of their presence.   Getting Rid of Black Widow Spiders Get trained professionals involved in managing the presence of these pests. They will take your home or yard into consideration before giving you a program to help in getting rid of these pests. The process of getting rid of spiders is split into three because you can never get rid of spiders once. Thus, the professionals would firstly: Assess: They will understand the situation and take note of the root cause. They will seek out other overlooked factors that might have brought the spiders to your home. If one of the cause is the presence of another type of pests, they will determine the reasons those pests are in your home. That way, their works will focus on their analysis. Implementation: After understanding the root causes of their presence, they will implement their proposed solutions. They will be drastic and thorough in ensuring your home is free from the infestation of these pests. They have the necessary pieces of equipment needed to keep your home or yard free from these pests. Monitoring: They will not only ensure your home is rid of these pests, they will also do regular check-ups to enable you to have a home free from these pests. They will schedule a time for a visit to ensure their work is permanent.   Black Widow Webs Black widows are known for spinning a large web. The strength of this large web is such that the females suspend cocoons of hundreds of eggs in them. Their webs are also instruments of capturing preys like flies, grasshoppers, beetles, and so many others. Must Read:8 FACTS ABOUT YELLOWJACKETS IN YOUR NEW CANEY YARD  

8 Facts About Yellowjackets in Your New Caney Yard

Yellow jackets are often mistaken for bees, being of similar size and coloring, but they actually belong to the wasp family. These stinging insects can terrorize yards, ball fields, and parks everywhere, including in New Caney, Texas. And nothing ruins a cookout or ballgame faster than being stung by yellow jackets! Here are 8 facts about these outdoor pests.  Facts About Yellowjackets Yellowjackets live in colonies made up of workers and a queen. Queens stay in the nest and lay eggs while the workers’ job is to build the nest, protect the queen and the eggs/young, and find food for the colony members. Yellowjacket colonies can grow over time up to about the size of a basketball and can house 4,000 to 5,000 occupants. Nests are usually occupied for one season, after which the yellowjacket workers die off. Unlike bees, yellowjacket stingers don’t detach when they sting you. They can sting you multiple times! If you get stung enough (or if you’re allergic to yellowjacket venom), you might need to seek medical attention. Try not to squash a yellowjacket. When squashed, they release a pheromone that attracts others from their colony, and incites them to attack you if you’re nearby. Unlike paper wasps, yellowjackets don’t build their nests underneath the eaves of your home’s roof. They either build their nests in the ground, or in protected areas like a hollowed out tree or in a crawlspace.   Yellowjackets eat sweet sap and nectar from fruits and plants, and sometimes eat other insects. At times they try to steal and eat the honey from nearby honeybee colonies. They also enjoy sweet foods and drinks that humans eat. Some insects try to imitate yellowjacket colors and patterns to ward off predators. Some yellowjacket nests have been recorded as holding as many as 100,000 stinging colony members. You should never swat at a yellowjacket, as this will only incite it to attack you. If you encounter one (or any other stinging insect), slowly back away from it and try not to make sudden motions. Yellowjackets and other stinging insects have a knack for ruining your outdoor fun. Even if you implement preventive measures, you might still get caught off guard by a hidden colony. The best landscapers can encounter them occasionally. Save yourself all sorts of stress, and time and money by calling our New Caney, TX pest control experts today! Let us help you enjoy the summer more with your family by helping get rid of those stinging pests.  Recommended Read : PREVENT BROWN PATCH IN LAWN  

Prevent Brown Patch in Lawn

Identify and Prevent Brown Patch on Your New Caney Lawn   During the warm weather months, you like your lawn looking green, lush, and healthy. And inviting, to better enjoy grilling, pool parties, and Fourth of July celebrations. But the Texas heat can introduce unsavory fungal diseases into your New Caney lawn, including Brown patch.    When you wake up first thing in the morning, and hear the hum of air conditioners in the neighborhood because it’s already hot and humid, that is ideal Brown patch weather. If you’ve ever seen those indicative brown splotches or surefire signs of other lawn diseases on your lawn, read on for tips to control Brown patch and get your yard back.   Must Read:HOW TO GET RID OF ODOROUS HOUSE ANTS IN YOUR CONROE YARD AND HOME    What Is Brown Patch? Brown patch invades rapidly. You might come home for dinner, and walk through your familiar lush lawn. The next morning you may wake up to brown patchy areas around your yard, signs of Brown patch taking hold.  Brown patch is a summer fungal disease, that can overwinter in your Texas lawn’s thatch. It activates during dew periods longer than 10 hours, and when overnight temps get above 65⁰ Fahrenheit. These are perfect conditions for fungi like Brown patch to develop.  Those big brown patches in your lawn are signs the disease is spreading. The grass becomes brittle, brown, and unhealthy.    Cooler-season grasses like Tall Fescue, Bentgrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass typically start showing symptoms of Brown patch during the late spring. Warmer season species (e.g., St. Augustine grass, Centipede grass, Bermuda grass, and Zoysia grass) will usually manifest symptoms twice during the season: once in the early spring, and again in the late fall. Brown Patch Prevention 101 It goes without saying that regular, consistent, basic lawn care practices are the best way to help keep your lawn healthy. Try the following: Mow your lawn regularly. Mow to the appropriate height for your type of grass species. Cutting your lawn too short can help the fungus spread faster. Remove lawn clippings after mowing. Especially in warm to hot weather, you don’t want to help spread the fungus around your lawn.  Test your yard’s soil. Make adjustments as necessary. Any pH reading less than 6.0 is going to make fungal diseases worse. Irrigate your lawn only when necessary. Only irrigate with about one inch of water weekly, as more moisture helps the fungus spread faster.   Ensure proper drainage for your lawn. Make sure your lawn is draining properly (surface and subsurface areas), and aerate to help correct for soil compacting.  Don’t use too much nitrogen fertilizer! Keeping nitrogen levels optimal and avoiding fast-release forms of nitrogen fertilizer can help keep fungi from spreading to cause Brown patch and other turfgrass diseases.   You’re proud of your lawn. But wouldn’t you rather be spending more of your free time with friends and family? All the best preventive measures can help keep your lawn healthy, but sometimes you need to call in the professionals with the right tools and expertise. Call our New Caney, TX pest control experts today at 832-898-0190 or email us at info@fullscopepestcontrol.com, and we can help you manage your lawn, keep it healthy, while saving all sorts of money, stress, and time. With the time you save, you can spend more quality time grilling with your family and friends!    

How to Get Rid of Odorous House Ants in Your Conroe Yard and Home

Odorous House ants are commonly found throughout kitchens and homes all over the United States. Most often after heavy rains, these ants are known to enter homes as they try to escape being flooded out of their shallow nests. Odorous house ants are very tiny, but also very quick, and they  frequently travel in lines, unless they are disturbed. When their straight lines are disturbed or startled, they will take off running around randomly, releasing an odor that will remind you of rotten coconuts, or even a rotten pine scent. They also emit this unpleasant odor when squished, hence getting them their common name.  Generally speaking, ants are among the most hearty, resilient, and adaptable insects around, and most species can be difficult to get rid of once they’re indoors. It’s a good idea to know what type of ants you’re dealing with to help you in managing them. Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile)  Odorous House ants can nest just about anywhere, including underneath stones, yard debris, mulch, and logs, as well as in the abandoned nests of birds or mamals. In your home, they will likely take up residence in wall voids, window frames, and even in insulation. Unlike other ants, these ants are very mobile, relocating their nests every three to four weeks. Considering a nest can have multiple colonies housing several thousand ants at a given time, this is a big deal.  Odorous House ants are only about 1/8″ of an inch in length, and dark brown to black in color. These ants particularly love sweets, including pastries and fruit juices of all sorts, but they can also consume a wide range of foods including greasy foods and meats.  How Do You Get Rid of Odorous House Ants? As with trying to prevent other ant and insect invader pest species, keeping your lawn well mowed and the interior of your home wiped down and clean is a major key to keeping Ghost ants out. No matter how clean your home is, keep in mind that ants can show up in even the cleanest of homes. Try the following tips to help you get rid of Odorous House ants in your home. Promptly wipe up food and beverage spills, keep your sink free of empty dishes, and sweep and mop regularly in your kitchen. Make sure all leaks indoors and outdoors are repaired. Seal up cracks and crevices in the baseboards, doors, and windows. Screen off pipe and utility entry points.  Keep firewood and mulch at least 20 feet away from your home, and clear your yard of debris.  Trim your shrubs and trees at least an inch or two away from the side of your home. Mow your lawn regularly and keep it clear of lawn clutter (logs, branches, stumps, leaf piles, etc.). Must Read:GET RID OF FIRE ANTS ON YOUR KINGWOOD PROPERTY As with other ant species, baiting is the most consistently reliable and long-term way to eliminate entire colonies instead of spraying with a conventional repellent residual spray. But you can spot treat for ants with a good spray, just don’t spray where you’ve put down bait, or the ants won’t come anywhere near the bait like you want them to. You can also spray your yard with a good yard bug spray. Be patient! Depending on the colony size, it could take from a few days to a few weeks to eliminate it entirely. Odorous House ants are part of living in Texas, and even with all the best preventive measures, you may still find yourself dealing with an infestation from time to time. Is that how you want to spend all your summer and fall months? Call our Conroe, TX pest control experts today at 832-898-0190 and we can help you save all sorts of money, stress, and time. Keep your weekends free for time grilling with family and friends in your backyard!

Get Rid of Fire Ants on Your Kingwood Property

Fire ants (or Red Imported Fire ants (RIFA), as they’re commonly known in the United States) are not known to bother people much, and they are not considered invasive. They pretty much keep to themselves in colonies outdoors, including on your Kingwood property. Doesn’t sound too bad, right?  Fire ants are not only nuisances, they are aggressive pests that will attack you and your family, and repeatedly sting if you disturb them. They are known for their large colony hills and for their painful sting, and are most prominent in the Southern, Southwestern, and Western United States, If you get bit enough times by enough of these ants, you will probably need to seek medical attention quickly.   Ants are among the most hearty, resilient, and adaptable insects around, and most species can be difficult to get rid of, so it’s a good idea to know what type of ants you’re dealing with to help you in managing them. Must Read:DEALING WITH BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS

How do You Get Rid of Cornfield Ants in Your New Caney Home and Yard?

Cornfield ants are a common ant species that are known to build their homes in grassy fields. Cornfield ants can also make themselves cozy in your New Caney lawn. These ants are similar to a species known as Field ants, and they are known for feeding on nectar, other insects (alive or dead), and honeydew produced by aphids.  Ants are among the most hearty, resilient, and adaptable insects around, and most species can be difficult to get rid of once they’re indoors, so it’s a good idea to know what type of ants you’re dealing with to help you in managing them. Cornfield Ants (Lasius americanus)  Cornfield ants aren’t known to often nest in homes (they prefer outdoors), but they will enter your house while foraging for sugary foods and water. Like other ant species, once inside, they can contaminate your stored food and track bacteria all over surfaces where they travel. If you are seeing Cornfield ant activity indoors, there’s a good chance you have leaks and/or issues with wet wood indoors that need to be addressed. One reason Cornfield ants are significant is that they are frequently mistaken for Carpenter ants. They are light to dark brown in color, and measure between 1/10″ to 1/5″ in length, though queens can measure up to 1/3″.  These ants aren’t as aggressive as Fire ants, but they will bite/sting if their nest is threatened. They also emit an acidic odor when squished. Outdoors you can find Cornfield ants nesting in the soil underneath sidewalks, bricks, landscaping stones, etc., as well as in and around rotting stumps, limbs, and logs.  How Do You Get Rid of Cornfield Ants? As with many other ant and insect invader pest species, keeping your lawn well kept and the interior of your home clean is a major key to keeping Cornfield ants out. No matter how clean your home is, keep in mind that ants can show up in even the cleanest of homes. Try the following tips to help you get rid of Cornfield ants in your home. Mow your lawn regularly. There’s nothing Cornfield ants hate more than a well-trimmed lawn.  Trim your shrubs and trees at least an inch or two away from the side of your home. Keep firewood and mulch at least 20 feet away from your home, and clear your yard of debris.  It is critical to ensure that all of your food products (including pet food) is well-sealed and stored. If they have difficulty finding food in your house, Cornfield ants will go elsewhere. Promptly wipe up food and beverage spills, keep your sink free of empty dishes, and sweep and mop regularly in your kitchen. Make sure all leaks indoors and outdoors are repaired. If you find ants entering your home through a crack in the baseboards, doors, or windows, seal it up with caulk or spackling. Screen off pipe and utility entry points. Do everything you can to keep Cornfield ants out. You can spot treat for ants indoors with a good home bug spray, and you can also treat around the outside of your home regularly with a yard bug spray. Spraying nests you find directly with pesticide is also effective. Must Read:HOW TO GET RID OF PAVEMENT ANTS IN YOUR CLEVELAND YARD AND HOME There’s a lot you can do yourself to prevent and get rid of Cornfield ants and other pests from your home and yard, but wouldn’t you rather be enjoying your downtime with family and friends? Despite your best efforts to manage them, sometimes Cornfield ants will still invade your home. Save yourself all sorts of stress, money, and time by calling our New Caney, TX pest control experts today. Let us help you get your yard and home ant and pest free so you can enjoy the good weather in your backyard while it lasts!  

How to Get Rid of Pavement Ants in Your Cleveland Yard and Home

Pavement ants are among the ant species that are considered to be “Sugar ants,” and are originally native to Europe. Today, you can find Pavement ants all over North America, though they aren’t quite as common in the southern United States as they are in other parts of the country. These ants get their common name from the way they prefer to nest underneath paved surfaces. You may also find them making their way into your Cleveland, TX home in search of food and water. They are noted for moving in small motions.

Little Black Ants on Your Porter Property

Little Black ants get their common name from their very tiny size and shiny, typically black coloring. Their colonies are medium to very sizeable, usually featuring many queens.     Generally speaking, ants are among the most hearty, resilient, and adaptable insects around, and most species can be difficult to get rid of once they’re indoors, so it’s a good idea to know what type of ants you’re dealing with to help you in managing them. Little Black Ants (Monomorium minimum)  Little Black ants only range in length from 3/10″ to 3/5″ in length (queens are about twice as large), and shiny black in color. These ants are known to increase activity between June and August, when they typically forage for food, and can be found along your Porter property’s sidewalks and driveway. They love feeding on proteins, oil, meats, as well as on fruits and vegetables. They will even feed on sweets, honeydew/plant secretions, other insects, and on stored food like corn meal. Little black ants are most commonly found in wooded areas. They tend to nest underneath landscaping rocks, decomposing logs in your yard, and underneath firewood, piles of bricks, and lumber. If they find their way into your home in search of food and water, they will occupy woodwork, wall voids, damp/rotting wood, and masonry.   Must Read:GET RID OF PHARAOH ANTS IN YOUR KINGWOOD HOME   How Do I Get Rid of Tiny Ants in My Kitchen? As with many other ant and insect invader pest species, keeping your lawn well kept and the interior of your home wiped down and clean is a major key to keeping Ghost ants out. No matter how clean your home is, keep in mind that ants can show up in even the cleanest of homes. Try the following tips to help you get rid of Ghost ants in your home. Keep firewood and mulch at least 20 feet away from your home, and clear your yard of debris.  Mow your lawn regularly and keep it clear of lawn clutter (logs, branches, stumps, leaf piles, etc.). Trim your shrubs and trees at least an inch or two away from the side of your home. Promptly wipe up food and beverage spills, keep your sink free of empty dishes, and sweep and mop regularly in your kitchen. Make sure all leaks indoors and outdoors are repaired. Seal up cracks and crevices in the baseboards, doors, and windows. Screen off pipe and utility entry points.  The location of the Little Black ant nest is important when considering treatment. These ants are difficult to notice with the naked eye, but if you can find a trail of them, you can follow it back to their nest.  As with other ant species, baiting is the most consistently reliable and long-term way to eliminate entire colonies instead of spraying with a conventional repellent residual spray. But you can spot treat for ants with a good spray, just don’t spray where you’ve put down bait, or the ants won’t come anywhere near the bait like you want them to. You can also spray your yard with a good yard bug spray. Be patient! Depending on the colony size, it could take from a few days to a few weeks to eliminate it entirely. No matter what you do to help prevent Little Black ants and other pests from establishing a home in your house or yard, there’s still a chance you may end up dealing with a serious infestation at some point. But what about all the good weather? Call our Porter, TX pest control experts today at 832-898-0190 to save yourself all sorts of time, headaches, and money, and to keep your weekends with friends and family free. Let us help you enjoy more of grilling season in your backyard!