You’re on your way to the medicine cabinet because you can’t sleep, your allergies are keeping you up; then when you turn on the light, you see them. One of the worst surprises a homeowner can find in the middle of the night is cockroaches.

They infest quickly, are difficult to kill, and if that isn’t bad enough they also increase the level of allergens and disease in your home. If you suspect that your house has become the proverbial roach motel, the first and most annoying sign might just be your allergies. (more…)

When it comes to keeping your house safe from pests, there might be none more feared than the termite. Termites are known for the massive damage they can cause to homes and if left unchecked long enough, sometimes they can even do so much damage that the home itself is in danger of collapse.

The earlier termites are caught and exterminated, the better off you and your home will be. Read on to learn the five signs you should never ignore that could mean termites.

Sign # 1: What Does That Cracked and Bubbling Paint Mean?

There are many different reasons that paint can bubble, crack, and peel, so this isn’t necessarily a sign that you have termites, but it’s not something that should be ignored. Generally the root cause of cracking paint, and especially bubbling paint, is that moisture is getting in the spaces between the wood and the paint. This causes the damage that comes off as flaking paint. While it might just be minor moisture and water damage, you’ll still want to check it out.

Damage of any kind is never good, and there’s a chance that the moisture is getting in because of termites burrowing into the wood. Don’t just paint over it – get these problems checked out by a pest control specialist just to be on the safe side! (more…)

Spring is finally on its way, and that means it’s time to get prepared for the warmer weather. If you’re anything like most people, the warmer temperatures are always welcome, as is the excitement of planting and other outdoor activities. One thing you may not realize is that this is also the best time of year for termites to enter your home. Let’s dig a little deeper into this, shall we?

Springtime and Termites

Even though termites are generally active year round, like most other pests, spring is when they do a considerable amount of multiplying. This means that existing colonies will grow exponentially, and that leads to swarmers. Swarmers are male and female termites that are known as “reproductives”, and they are the only ones in the colony that have wings.

When the warmer temperatures of spring arrive, the swarmers leave the colony and look for a mate. When a male responds to the female pheromones, the pair breaks off their wings. This means that they are mates, and are now on the lookout for prime nesting location, and this is often in your home. (more…)

Subterranean termites are actually beneficial when in the soil, since they break down materials that contain cellulose, like dead trees. These insects live within the soil, needing moist soil or other sources of moisture to live. They only become problematic to homeowners when they begin to feed on parts of their house, through weakened areas.

How Do Termites Enter a House?

Termites maintain their moist environment and protect themselves by building earthen tubes that run from the moist ground into your structure. In many cases, they build the tubes on chimneys, porches, or inside walls, where they are not visible.

In a small number of situations, if wood and water can be obtained from a source that is not soil, a subterranean termite colony can be established without contact with the ground. This may occur in structures where the termites can get water from leaking roofs, pipes or condensation.

How Do Termites Live?

Termites are quite social, and they live in well-organized colonies. Their life stages include the egg, and an immature and then an adult stage, according to entomologists. Most adults are workers, and they can sometimes be found in wood that has been damaged. Workers are responsible for caring for the other termites in the colony, and for finding wood for food.

Soldier termites protect their colonies from ants and other attackers. They have also been found in damaged wood. Termites digest wood because they have microorganisms that live within their gut.

What Are Swarmers?

When colonies are large or old, they may produce adult termites known as swarmers. These have wings, and are the means by which termites start a new colony. These termites usually become active in the months of spring. Swarmers are more visible than other termites. They are sometimes confused with flying ants. (more…)

Read these practical tips to find out what you can do to help prevent the spread of Formosan termites.

Formosan termites are a form of subterranean termite, which are known worldwide for their destructive behaviors. These pests, which consume wood and cellulose extremely rapidly, are known for being a common problem throughout Mississippi and Louisiana. The best way to control Formosan termites is to make your area less attractive for their colonies in order to diminish their spread. Here are just a few ways that you can reduce the distribution of Formosan termites in your region.

Examine the Environment Around Your House

Like many other pests, Formosan termites are attracted to areas where they will find a large source of moisture and food. For these termites, this means damp wood. If your yard has wood littering the ground, this is a very appealing and appetizing invitation for the subterranean termites in your area.

When we mention wood on the ground around your home, this does not only mean piles of firewood or other substantial amounts of wooden material. This also refers to small pieces of wooden debris that could have fallen from trees on your property. You can reduce the risk of attracting termites if you keep these types of items cleared away from your home as frequently as possible. (more…)

Formosan termites are subterranean members of the termite family, known around the world for their destructive tendencies. Read on to learn the best ways to prevent their spreading.

On What Do Formosan Termites Live?

These termites consume cellulose and wood at a rapid rate, and they are commonly found in Louisiana and Mississippi. The most effective way to control them is by making the area in which you live or work less attractive for termite colonies. This will help in diminishing their spread.

Address Any Moisture Problems in Your Business or Home

Formosan termites are attracted to buildings with drainage or moisture problems. These cause the wood and other building materials to stay moist. If this moisture persists, brown rot may develop, producing brown rot fungi. This fungus is very attractive to Formosan termites, and having fungi of this type in your home or business facility can encourage these termites to spread.
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The best way to deal with a rodent infestation is as soon as possible. The faster you can have a professional exterminator come in and take care of the situation, the less likely the infestation is to get out of control and to become a huge problem that may take a very long time to address. Here are some of the signs that your home may be in the early stages of an infestation of rodents. (more…)

Bed bugs (scientific name Cimex lectularis) are one of the most troublesome parasites that have afflicted mankind. Although bed bugs are not considered serious disease-carrying pests in the same league as dangerous insects such as mosquitoes or houseflies, those of us who have had the ill-luck of sleeping in a bed bug-infested bed know that it’s next to impossible to sleep when these tiny bugs launch a biting assault on your body. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), as well as the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), are human health bodies that classify the bed bug as a public health pest. (more…)

Homeowners dread hearing the words “termite infestation,” but these are a reality and must be dealt with at the first signs of trouble. Unfortunately, it may often take an expert to easily recognize those first and earliest signs of a termite infestation. Fortunately, for those living in Acadiana area (from Houma to Marksville and Lake Charles to Baton Rouge), there is Sugarland Exterminating.

For more than 40 years, this firm has helped those in the area around New Iberia to combat pests of all kinds. Sugarland Exterminating deals with rodent infestations, termites, and all other similar pests. They should be considered the “go to” solutions for home or property owners in the region who suspect that they might be dealing with a termite issue. (more…)