Advantage Termite & Pest Solutions Blog

From local park trails to your own backyard, the opportunities to pick up unwanted ticks are far-reaching and frequent. Finding one on yourself or on a family member, friend or pet is particularly alarming, as their capacity for spreading dangerous diseases is far greater than many other common pests. While it’s critical to find ticks on your body quickly to prevent serious infection, their small size and sneaky tendencies make them hard to spot, especially if you are unsure of what to look for and where to look. For your next outdoor excursion, use these helpful tips on where to check for ticks on you and your pets. Where to Check for Ticks on Your Body Ticks show up in any area with long grass, dense shrubs or wooded areas with extended limbs for them to hang out on. If you are coming back from hiking or just coming in from...

With winter fast around the corner, all sorts of critters from outside will be looking to make your warm home their home as well. Mice, rats, squirrels and other rodents are on the move to get themselves a cozy nest before it gets too cold, which means they will be trying to get inside your house! But do not worry, rodent infestations are preventable. Here’s how: Look Out for Holes Give your home a thorough examination. Check for cracks and holes in walls, roofing and foundations. Mice can squeeze through tiny holes less than an inch wide. They can also scale walls and jump over obstacles. Check around your windows and doors to make sure they are closing properly to offer protection from the elements. Any line that comes into your home - gas lines, power lines, phone lines and water lines - should be regularly examined as well. The original...

Ants have walked the earth longer than humans have, and they're still here. They get inside your home through unseen entry points and hunt for food in your pantry and cabinets. Advantage Termite and Pest Control understand the need to keep your home free of invasive ants and their damaging effects. 3 Ant Control Tips That Work Tip #1: Seal every crack and crevice Getting rid of ants starts with uncovering their entry points and sealing all the cracks and crevices. These areas include the gaps around doors and windows, dryer and attic vents, and all the cracks along the foundation. Don't forget about the openings around plumbing pipes. Ants can also get into your home from there. Tip #2: Try a few home tricks Sometimes you can use a few things in your cabinets to combat an ant infestation. Things like salt, vinegar and essential oils can repel ants from an...

While you are sleeping, bedbugs are hard at work. About the size of an apple seed, bedbugs feed off the blood of humans and animals. Although they have been around for thousands of years, bedbugs have recently become a problem for residents. Most people confuse bedbug bites for mosquito bites. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the signs of bedbugs to prevent an infestation.  Bedbugs Can Live Anywhere Hence their name, bedbugs can wreak havoc in bedrooms. You can check for bedbugs in the seams of your mattress or around the bed frame. However, the bedroom isn’t the only place where bedbugs like to hang out. You can find bedbugs in:  College dorms. Hospitals. Schools. Movie theaters. Retail stores. It is important to note that bedbugs depend on blood. Therefore, even the cleanest homes can be a target for bedbugs. Bedbug Bites are Painless The bedbug’s saliva acts as an anesthetic,...

Pests are typically a big concern for homeowners. They are gross, intrusive, and troublesome to deal with. They can even send a shiver down your spine if you find one in the wrong area. While not incredibly common, finding pests in your bed can be one of those nightmarish scenarios. Unfortunately, your pets can experience that same problem with critters in their sleeping quarters. Here are some of the pests you may encounter in your pet’s bed. Bed Bugs Bed bugs can be found where your pet sleeps, too. While not as commonly found as in human beds, they can still create problems. They will bite your pet just the same as they would bite you, so keep an eye out for them. Fleas Fleas are almost a guarantee to find in your pet’s bed at some point or another, especially if you own a dog. The problem with fleas is...