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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.