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How to Manage Pests During Renovations and Construction

 

Pest infestations can constitute a nuisance to your property. Since most of them can transmit diseases, they are hazardous to the health of those who occupy the property. Certain pests can damage a house and destroy the structural integrity, for instance, termites. Common pests that are harmful to properties includeants, rodents, cockroaches, fleas, and house flies. Some levels of infestation can render a property unfit for habitation.

After constructing a new property or completing a renovation, the property may get infested by pests before you even move in or lease it to tenants. Such an unfortunate scenario is not uncommon if you ignore pest control during the project. You can attract pests into your structure if you fail to take the proper precautions during the construction or renovation.

LeenanHomes.com recommend shiring pest management professionals during, before, and after your renovation or construction. Doing so will prevent the occurrence of pest infestations on your property.

Below are some tips on how to manage pests during renovation and construction.

1. Precautions for construction projects

Before commencing the construction

Have a pest control plan ready before you commence any construction. Hire the services of a Safetech Pest Control experts and let the professional collaborate with your contractor to institute pest control measures into the project. They need to work together as a team if you want to achieve proper pest control. During this stage, your professional will do the following:

  • Inspect the raw materials to check for pests before they arriveat the job site. A repeat of this process will also be necessary before your contractor uses the materials.
  • Assess pest activity in the environment. Doing so will help your pest control experts establish measures to curb pest infestation during the construction work.
  • Help contractors prevent termite infestation by avoiding wood-to-ground contacts, using non-cellulose building materials during the project, and pre-treating for termite.

During the construction

 

This stage is where the actual process starts. That is because your property becomes more prone to pest infestation at this time. For this reason, you need to step up your preventive measures. We recommend that you perform the following:

  • Ensure that the job site is clean as a dirty work environment will attract pest infestation. It is vital to keep the site free of trash, wood debris, and food crumbs. Put up proper waste disposal measures. Every day after the close of work, inspect the area to ensure that it is clean. Your pest control expert will place traps or baits near building materials and around the exterior part of the property.
  • Grade the property such that it slopes away from the building. Doing this will make the water flow away from the house. As a result, there will be no stagnant water around the site to attract pests.

After completing the construction

At the end of the project, you need to put up extra precautions against pest invasion. It will involve doing the following:

  • Hire pest control experts to educate residents of the property or employees about sanitation guidelines to prevent pests. These professionals will also advise them on what to do if they notice pests on the property.
  • Ensure that you install airtight windows and doors. You can also utilize screens and weather stripping to keep pests out.
  • Install sodium vapor lights. Standard light bulbs attract flying insects. Installing them will make pests invade your property. But if you use sodium vapor lights, they will be less attractive to flying insects.
  • Use pest control precautions during landscaping. Plants should be at least three feet away from the property. Doing so will prevent pests from gaining access into the house through the plants. Avoid plants that are attractive to pests. For example ground-covering plants, ivy, fruit trees, and flowering shrubs

1. Precautions for renovation projects

 

There are specific measures you can take to avoid pests during renovation. They include:

  • Pre-treating the materials that you will use for repairs. It is essential to do so, especially when the renovation involves woodwork.
  • Hire the services of pest control experts. Sometimes you may discover the presence of pests during the renovation. In this case, it is advisable to hire experts to exterminate the pest. If you hire a professional company, they will help you clean the site during the project.
  • Replace all pest-infested furniture. Professionals will inspect all your furniture before the renovation and identify the ones that have pests. If they notice such furniture, it is better to replace them to prevent persistent pest infestation.

The bottom line

Whether you want to construct a new house or renovate an existing one, pest control management is essential at every stage. It is crucial to protect your investment and the health of the property’s occupants by proper management of pests.

 

 

 

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Flies

HOUSE FLIES AND OTHER FLYING INSECTS CAN BE AN EXTREME NUISANCE

 

What’s more they can introduce harmful pathogens to your business.  When you contact SAFETECH PEST CONTROL for fly control, your specialist will design a custom-tailored fly suppression program that includes:

  • Strategic, exterior preventative treatments
  • Compactor and dumpster baiting
  • Installation of Insect Light Traps (ILTs)

ILTs use ultraviolet light bulbs to draw flies to a non-toxic sticky board inside.  These discreet traps can be used, not only to trap pests, but also monitor and identify the source of flying pest activity.

 

SMALL FLY CONTROL

 

Some of the smallest flies can cause the biggest problems for businesses.

Fruit, Phorid, moth and other common “small fly” infestations can help lead to lost business, contamination or regulatory action. As with any successful pest management program, removing the conditions that attract flies is crucial to reducing the change of an infestation. Keeping your facility clean is an essential part of any fly control program, but sometimes it’s not enough. Witt takes a scientific approach to fly control that targets the elements flies need for survival. Our Bioremediation service, uses beneficial biological organisms to help remove debris and contaminants, and helps to minimize fly breeding sites and food sources.

 

We use natural soil bacteria that are tailored for waste digestion.

 

The bacteria eats the scum where flies breed and can be applied in hard to reach areas or through welded drain covers.

Bioremediation is an environmentally responsible, pesticide-free solution – using natural-occurring enzymes and beneficial bacteria to safely dissolve buildup.

 

Under our program, our technicians will treat all potential fly feeding and breeding sites with our specially formulate microbial product on a scheduled, routine basis. Such areas may include:

  • Underneath food service equipment, prep sinks, carts and kick plates
  • Counters, bars, soda lines, etc.
  • Along wall coving or grout lines at baseboards
  • Floor drains and plumbing lines
  • Any other areas identified by our technicianssa
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Mice

Rodent Control

Mice and rats are a problem when they find their way into your home. They like to be near humans so they have a ready supply of food. This has earned them the term “commensal rodents,” which means “to share one’s table.” If you’re experiencing a rodent problem, it’s time to hire pest control services. Contact us today!

ENTRY POINTS

Mice can climb right up the side of your home, enter through the soffit, and then climb down pipe chases to get to the basement or other areas of your house.

Any wire small enough to wrap their feet around, they can follow into your home.

They can even climb up the corner pieces of vinyl siding by using their feet and pressing their back against the opposite side!

 

SOLUTIONS: We can close openings around pipes and wires that enter your home from the exterior. Rodent removal is more than exterminating rats and mice.

 

CONTORTIONISTS

Mice can squeeze into a hole ½” or larger. Their ribs are hinged onto their spine, allowing the ribs to collapse. As long as they can get their head through an opening, the rest is easy!

Being low on the food chain, mice are attracted to any dark black opening, which means safety to them.

 

SOLUTIONS: Safetech will put steel wool around pipes under the sinks to keep mice out. Call us to look for likely entry points, such as the corners of garage doors.

 

 

DAMAGES

Rodents cause thousands of dollars in damages by chewing on wires. They damage computers, appliances, and often cause electrical fires.

DISEASES

Rodents can carry up to thirty-five diseases including hantavirus that humans are susceptible to, which is another reason to exterminate them as soon as possible. Cleaning up after a rodent infestation also requires a great deal of caution. This is necessary because of the possibility of fleas, which may transmit their own diseases to you, your children, and pets. There is also risk involved if you inadvertently stir up the dust of their nests; it can be hazardous to breathe in the bacteria contained within.

Safetech has the complete rodent control package for your rodent problems. Make your home a healthier environment. Call Safetech to get a free inspection for rodent control.

 

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Gopher

POCKET GOPHERS

 

Distinguishing characteristics of pocket gopher damage include:

  • Crescent or irregular shaped dirt mounds as seen in photo at right, and schematic diagram above right, often with dirt plug visible in center of mound.
  •  Plugged “feeder holes” with grass or other plants chewed or eaten around perimeter of hole.
  • Gophers will make open holes to the surface to feed on surface vegetation.  These holes will be plugged with soil after the gopher is done feeding at a location.
  • Gophers cause extensive damage to turf, landscape plants, and agricultural crops by eating roots and pulling plants down into their tunnels.
  • Gophers can live in moist to dry soil but avoid saturated areas, and most often invade from sunny wild lands or turf areas such as parks.

Damage

A typical gopher hole with a gopher peeking out.

An infestation of pocket gophers can be first recognized by fan shaped mounds of soil on the surface, pushed out as the gophers excavate their tunnels. These mounds are generally 30 cm high by 30 to 50 cm in diameter. It has been estimated that a single pocket gopher can excavate approximately a ton of earth producing 30 to 50 mounds in one year. These mounds smother vegetation and result in rough terrain causing equipment damage. Feeding by pocket gophers can cause substantial losses to turf, gardens and field crops, especially alfalfa.

Control

Attempting to control pocket gophers by gassing or drowning is generally ineffective. The most effective means of control is usually obtained by trapping or poisoning or a combination of both. For best results, trapping and poisoning should be conducted in the spring or fall when pocket gophers are most active, give Safetech Pest Control a call for quicker and fast results.

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Flea

Fleas are some of the most common and annoying pests found throughout the United States. These dark red-brown parasites have a set of long back legs which they use to quickly jump from host to host. Flat at first, fleas increase in size after feeding on blood, and can be 1/12” to 1/6” of an inch in length. While most commonly found on animals such as dogs and cats, fleas bite humans too, which can result in itchy and painful red bumps.

 

Fleas often migrate into the home on pant legs or pets and can carry diseases such as murine typhus and the bubonic plague, which they pick up from infected rats and other wild animals. Additionally, fleas can cause allergic reactions in both animals and humans. These pests are often the cause of tapeworms and anemia in household pets. To avoid high veterinary bills and painful bites, make sure you vacuum and clean your home often. Keep your pets clean, and walk them on a leash as often as possible.

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Pest Bird Control

SAFETECH Pest Control offers Bird Management and Deterrent solutions. We use expert knowledge and understanding of bird behavior to address your particular bird problem and solve it with the least invasive, most effective methods.

 

ENGINEERED TO PERFORM                                          ATTENTION TO AESTHETICS

LEAST RISK & LAW ABIDING                                        SERVICE WELL BEYOND SET-UP

 

WHY BIRDS ARE CONSIDERED PESTS

Like many other pests, birds are an important and desirable part of a healthy ecosystem. Plus, game birds, song birds and many other species add to the enjoyment of nature and outdoor recreation for millions of people in the U.S. and the world. Birds only become pests when they roost and nest in areas where their behavior and droppings pose a risk to human or animal health and damage property.

COMMON BIRD PESTS

The three birds that most often become pests in the United States are pigeons, starlings, and house sparrows. If you’ve ever tried to get rid of pigeons, you’re aware of just how difficult bird control and deterrent measures can be.  Other birds, from geese, to hawks, to swallows, may also cause unexpected problems and require control.

When blackbirds and crows roost in suburban areas they also can become pests. Woodpeckers sometimes peck holes into building siding. Seagulls often take up residence at food processing facilities where their droppings can quickly destroy human and animal food products. Pigeons love to roost and nest on commercial buildings. Birds could do all kinds of damage to your home or business, including:

 

  • Feeding on agricultural products
  • Roosting or nesting around human habitations
  • Destroying vegetation and contaminating foods
  • Making disruptive noise
  • Damaging property with droppings, odor and feathers
  • Destroying historical structures and artifacts
  • Exposing residents or employees to diseases or ectoparasites
  • Creating unpleasant or hazardous working conditions

ARE BIRDS PROTECTED BY LAW?

Many bird species are protected by law and the laws determine what measures can be taken to manage them. SAFETECH professionals know the regulations governing bird management and follow them to the letter.

WHAT KINDS OF PROBLEMS DO BIRDS CAUSE?

Birds roosting around your home or business can damage property, create unsanitary environments, and pose a health risk.

PROPERTY DAMAGE

Bird droppings are unsanitary and tend to be toxic. A flock of birds that make your rooftop, attic, or chimney their home could damage your building’s finish, strip away paint and varnish, and make your yard or roof unsanitary, unattractive, and bad-smelling.

Bird droppings tend to be sticky and difficult to clean up. They can permanently stain concrete, wood, or shingled surfaces. When a flock of birds congregates in one place they can produce a lot of waste, which can be expensive to clean.

HEALTH RISKS

Many common bird species may also carry diseases, including histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis. Birds transmit diseases like these to humans through contact with feces, saliva, feathers, or skin or ingestion of food or water which came into contact with bird feces, saliva, feathers, or skin.

AGGRESSION

Pest birds, like geese, may become aggressive and lash out if they perceive a threat to their nests. Bird attacks rarely pose a serious threat, but they’re frightening and upsetting. Geese can be scary!

WHY DOES SAFETECH BIRD CONTROL PROGRAM WORK?

THE THEORY

Like every other pest, the reason why birds infest certain areas is that they can get something they want and need there. Birds want to roost in areas that offer food, water, and shelter. Gulls fly around fast food restaurants because they can eat discarded food. Hawks nest in city buildings so they can hunt mice and other small pests.

By depriving birds of the resources that attract them to your property in the first place, we’re treating the cause of the infestation, not just the symptoms. By eliminating access points and attractants and replacing them with bird deterrents, we make your property unappealing to pest birds.

If you a bird problem you want taken care of quickly, effectively, safely, and permanently, give SAFETECH a call today.

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12 Tips To Find Cockroaches During Treatment

  1. Out of reach … out of mind … out of control.The places hardest to reach harbor cockroaches, and for good reason. It is a safe haven for them. This means you have to work at reaching these areas and move boxes; climb ladders; and open wall voids, electrical plates and cardboard boxes. It is like turning the log to see what is under or in it.
  2. Wave your hands, put your nose closer to suspect areas. Cockroach fecal material and their secretions have a distinct odor. Seeking it out is similar to a deer or bear smelling to alert for predators.
  3. Look for lines and edges. Cockroaches use them to walk along. See where the lines reach a corner, particularly on ceilings. It could be the corner of a room or where center columns reach a suspended ceiling in a restaurant.
  4. Lift suspect tables and drop them with a bang.Some cockroaches pocketed underneath tables may drop out.
  5. Look for wooden items over stainless steel and smooth plastic. Cockroaches do better smearing their fecal material on these locations because they offer a better environment in which to harbor. Check soda cartons, a knife-holding wood block and wooden shelves.
  6. Ask the persons living or working in the facility, “Where do you see cockroaches?” When they answer “all over,” ask them wherethey saw most of them and where the last ones they saw were. It helps pinpoint what you need to know. In a restaurant, ask the first person who arrives in the morning and turns on the lights. If cockroaches are present, he or she will know it.
  7. Leave the light off when you enter a darkened basement or room. Scan the area with a flashlight. If you see any cockroaches, remember where. Now, turn the lights on and let the cockroaches scatter. They will retreat to their hidden harborages. They just let you know where to look; this is called working smarter, not harder.
  8. Search for warmer areas. Heat from motors, ovens and stoves attract cockroaches to harbor nearby, especially if rooms are air-conditioned.
  9. In suspect areas, use a small tack bar.Slightly lift or pull items away from walls. Cockroaches may be behind loose baseboards, for example.
  10. In dry areas, look into floor drains, near dripping pipes and faucets. The more difficult it is to reach these areas, the greater the chance you will hit pay dirt.
  11. Keep a record of where you first see any cockroaches. History can repeat itself, even years later.
  12. Use sticky traps. Hide them in different vulnerable zones. When you do find cockroaches — even one — let the adrenaline flow and start an intensive search in that area. They are somewhere close by.

Final thoughts

Remember to look for the unconventional. Cockroaches may harbor behind the loose gasket of a refrigerator door, in a telephone or inside a coffee maker. That is what makes them so successful. They adapt very rapidly to new items, but you can outthink them if you think like a cockroach.

 

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6 Reasons To Continue Pest Treatment This Winter

As winter approaches, you may be wondering just how necessary pest control is during the colder months. While cutting winter pest control might seem like a smart idea to save money in the short-term, you could end up regretting that decision later on. It turns out that cold weather won’t stop those pests from settling down and multiplying in your walls and the other corners of your home.

  1. Your Home is Cozy
    The winter is a wonderful time to get warm by the fire. You know who else loves keeping warm during these chilly months? Insects! It turns out that many pests thrive at the same temperature we do. Even though the walls and floorboards of your home aren’t as warm as the living room, they’re a much better habitat for rodents and insects than the bleak outdoors. Don’t let your house become a safe haven for pests this winter.
  2. Rodents
    Rodents can be a huge problem in the winter months. Without a steady supply of food or warm places to sleep, many rodents look to our homes for shelter. You may think your house is sealed, but mice and rats will take advantage of even the smallest openings. Some rats can fit into holes the size of a quarter, while mice can squeeze under a gap no thicker than a pencil.

Once they gain access, rodents are incredibly hard to get rid of. Not only do they carry diseases, but they’ll also chew apart electrical wires, weaken your wooden beams, and nest in your insulation. Make sure you have adequate rodent control before winter comes in full force. This will save you from a headache later on.

  1. Wood Destroying Insects
    Insects such as carpenter ants and termites can cause serious, expensive, and unseen damage during the winter if you skip your pest control routine. They can easily go unnoticed until the next time you hire professional service — or until the damage is irreparable. These pests don’t pause during winter, and neither should you! Getting a professional to look at your home can save you time, money, and stress.
  2. Locate and Treat Any Dormant Pest Issues
    If you do decide to service your home with pest control on a quarterly basis, you can rest assured knowing you’ve caught any lurking pest issues before they get out of hand. It’s easy for many pests to go unnoticed in rarely used spaces like attics or basements and then invade your living spaces. Once they invade, they can run rampant and require the services of a professional.
  3. Prevent Future Problems
    Winter is the time to build your defenses and prevent future problems. When spring arrives you’ll feel safe and secure knowing that you took the winter pest control steps necessary to ensure a safe, pest-free home. Use the cold months as a time to check for any seals or entry points that need to be serviced. Furthermore, winter is the most important time to ensure there aren’t pests lying dormant in your home, ready to come out in force as the weather warms.
  4. Keep your family healthy, happy, and comfortable
    Winter is the time when pests are the most desperate for food and water. No one likes black widow spiders crawling on them or rats pillaging their cabinets and nesting in the oven insulation. In the search for food, these pests could end up biting someone or spreading disease to you and your family. Make sure you keep your family comfortable and safe with SAFETECH Pest Control this winter.

 

Winter and Pest Control

While you may think that pest control is limited to the warmer months, winter is the time you need to be most vigilant. Without timely pest treatment, any pest can turn into a serious, and potentially dangerous problem. Contacting a professional service like Safetech Pest Control makes it quick and easy to ensure your home is safe this winter. Give us a call today!

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5 Esay tips for winter pest control

A Pest-Free Winter: Our Top 5 Tips For Easy Winter Pest Control

We all look forward to the holidays, but let’s be honest: winter is a busy time of year. Between traveling, hosting family and friends, caring for children home for winter break, and more, the holidays are jam packed. The last thing you need is one more item on your to-do list.

We understand how you feel, and that’s why we’ve put together this list of 5 super easy tips. Controlling pests during the wintertime doesn’t have to be time consuming, complicated, or expensive. By following these quick and simple tips, you’ll keep your home pest free all winter long. Keep reading to learn more.

  1. Keep your Space Clean
    The cleaner your home is, the lower the chances that you’ll end up with pest problems. This is true year round, but it’s especially important to keep in mind come wintertime. When there’s less food available for pests elsewhere, they’re more likely than ever to invade your home in search of something to eat. Tidy up your kitchen, ensure that food is stored in sealed containers, and be sure your trash stays covered.
  2. Seal Openings
    Winterizing your home can go a long way towards keeping out pests. Plus, you’ll cut down on your energy bill by eliminating points of entry for cold air. Take the time to go around the outside of your home and check for openings around windows and doors. Seal up any openings that are larger than a quarter of an inch, as pests can fit through very small spaces.
  3. Pay Attention to Moisture Levels
    Pests need water just like we do, which is why so many pests are drawn to wet areas. If your garage, basement, or attic is moist, you’re more likely to end up with wintertime pests there. Consider adding a dehumidifier to these areas if moisture is an issue. If there’s a leak of some kind that’s resulting in standing water, you’ll likely need to deal with the source of the problem.
  4. Store Firewood Away from Your Home
    Bugs and rodents love to make their homes in a pile of firewood. Although it’s common practice to stack firewood right up against the outside of your house, this isn’t a good idea: it’s a surefire way to invite pests into your home. Keep your firewood stored away from your home, and you’ll be far less likely to encounter pest problems.
  5. Shake It Off
    Do you store holiday decorations in your garage or an outdoor storage building? If so, it’s important to inspect them for pests before bringing them inside. Shake out bags and inspect containers for bugs before you carry them into your home.

 

When To Call The Professionals

These 5 tips can go a long way towards preventing wintertime pests. But what if you already have a pest issue on your hands? Don’t worry: Safetech Pest Control is here to help!

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TIPS TO KEEP MICE AWAY IN THE WINTER

No More Mice: Our Top 4 Tips for Keeping Mice Away During Winter

Here in the Regina / Saskatoon, we typically think of summer, and fall as the worst time for bugs. Summer is especially bad, of course, but we’ll often encounter ants, and all sorts of other pests during the spring and fall, too. When winter rolls around, though, we look forward to a break from biting insects. But does this mean that we don’t have to worry about home pests during the wintertime?

Far from it. In fact, mice and other rodents become the biggest threat during the cooler season. As the temperatures drop outdoors, mice begin to look for warm, safe places to build nests that are in close proximity to sources of food and water. Unfortunately, your attic, basement, and walls fit the bill as very attractive options.

The last thing you want is an infestation of mice. So, how do you keep mice out of your home during the winter time? Keep reading for our top 4 tips.

 

  1. Winterize Your House
    Winterizing your home is essential to keep out wintertime pests. But what exactly does it mean to winterize your house?

Essentially, winterizing involves checking the seals around windows, doors, and other points of entry to ensure that there aren’t any gaps that critters can enter through. This is a time consuming process, as you’ll need to check weather stripping, cracks, and other spots that are potentially open to the outside. If you find any openings larger than a quarter inch, be sure to seal them. Mice can fit through incredibly small spaces!

 

  1. Clean Up Your Kitchen
    Keeping your kitchen clean is important for preventing all sorts of pests, and mice are no exception. Be sure to sweep and mop your kitchen floors, wipe up counters after preparing meals, and clean up any bits of food in your sink. It’s also essential to ensure that your dried goods are stored in sealed containers. Be sure that your pet food is, too, as mice can be drawn to half-open bags of dog or cat food.

 

  1. Don’t Neglect Your Yard
    It’s easy to ignore yard work during the winter. No one wants to go outside and work in the yard on a cold, windy, rainy day. But keeping your yard free from clutter and debris is essential to cutting down on the rodent population.

Leaves or other plant debris piled up against your home will invite mice to burrow, leading them straight into your house. Low hanging branches can also invite mice into your attic. The tidier your yard is, the fewer mice there will be — and the less likely it will be that you’ll end up with mice in your home.

 

  1. Declutter!
    In the same vein as tidying up your yard, it’s important to declutter around the outside of your home as much as possible.

If you have firewood, excess landscaping bricks or paving stones, or other miscellaneous items near your home, ensure that you store them some distance from your foundation. Mice tend to hide under wood piles and the like. The further these items are from your house, the less likely mice are to make the transition from wood pile to basement (and on to your kitchen cupboards and drawers).

 

Already Have A Rodent Infestation?

Following these tips will help keep mice away all winter long. The sooner your act, the less likely you are to end up with a pest problem.

But what if you’re already dealing with a rodent infestation? If you’ve found signs of mice in and around your home, don’t go at it alone: call in the professionals. Safetech Pest Control has the knowledge and experience to take care of your mouse problem right away. Contact us today to learn more.