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According to the mapping reports of bedbugs in the United States, Ohio is among the worst states for bed bugs. These bloodthirsty insects do not spread disease, but they can cause inconvenience due to itchiness and loss of sleep. In rare cases, they can also cause an allergic reaction. In this blog, we’ll provide five useful tips of ways to prevent bed bugs from entering a home and tell you how to get rid of the ones already made their way in the house. Continue reading

While both bees and wasps are capable of stinging people—painfully so—the circumstances under which they attack are vastly different.

Bees only sting when they’re provoked, while wasps attack without provocation. The two species are often confused for each other due to their distinctive yellow and black stripes. Continue reading

No matter how stringently you try to rid your house of cockroaches and other insects, they’ll always find their way back.

This is because bugs have a ton of hiding places to choose from. Luckily, professional pest control companies can draw bugs out of these spaces. Continue reading

Do-it-yourself solutions are all the rage these days. And while this might be great if you’re trying to add a case to your bookshelf or learning how to garden, DIY extermination projects aren’t good alternatives to professional pest control.

Here’s everything you need to know about bed bug infestations, including why you shouldn’t carry out exterminations yourself.

Bed bugs are adept at hiding

Bed bug bites can cause itching and even pain in the worst cases. There are probably times when you’ve felt a sting and turned on a light, only to see that there’s no bed bug there anymore. Moreover, any visible bed bugs are likely just a small part of the infestation.

Bed bugs can sense whether you’re asleep or not judging by the amount of carbon dioxide you let out while breathing. They stay under wraps until you’re sleeping, and go back to hiding as soon as they sense you’re awake.

There are a lot of hiding spaces for bed bugs

No matter what spot treatment you use, bed bugs are going to come back. This remains true even if you throw away your mattress and buy a new one. If you have a bed bug infestation, there are probably bed bugs in the spaces inside the headboard, on your nightstand, under the carpets, and even in the small areas inside electrical outlets. No matter how thorough you are, you won’t be able to deal with them all.

Chemical bed bug treatments are hazardous to your health

While some biochemicals and desiccants have been approved for use against bed bugs by the EPA, these can be hazardous for the health of the house’s inhabitants.

The chemical treatments approved by the EPA can kill bed bugs and draw them out of their hiding spaces, but they are best administered by professional pest control services.

Heat treatments can result in a fire hazard

Using heat to kill bed bugs without the use of chemicals poses its own set of risks. The room undergoing a bed bug infestation needs to be heated to a temperature of 120 to 135 °F and requires the use of gas or electrical heaters to accomplish this temperature.

If the heaters are kept close to any other objects, you could have a fire on your hands that’s far more difficult to control than a bed bug infestation.

Xterminator Pest Control located in Columbus, Ohio, and offers exterminator and pest control services. Our services in Columbus include bed bug treatment, termite inspection, and rodent control. Contact us today to schedule an extermination appointment for your house.

When it comes to loving your home, you’re not the only one—mice also think of your home as an ideal spot for habitation.

It keeps them warm during extreme winters and protects them from scorching heat of the sun during summers, along with offering shelter against rainstorms, winds, and other natural calamities. But they aren’t nice for your home at all. Continue reading

Gardening is therapeutic; it’s known to reduce stress and improve the immune system. If you’re a gardening enthusiast, we understand how much you love your flowering shrubs. The smell of your freshly grown fruits and vegetables must also make you feel proud. Continue reading

One out of every twenty-five US homes encounters a termite issue every year. In some instances, the damage is so severe that the structural integrity of the house is compromised within months.

Many homeowners ask us how they can prevent termite damage before it’s too late. What’s our expert recommendation?

Awareness and prevention.

Learn about the causes and symptoms of termite infestations and take preventative measures before the problem takes root.

To help you out, we’ve answered all your most frequently asked questions.

What are termites?

Termites are small insects that live in large colonies. They feed on cellulose, an organic compound found in dead vegetative matter such as trees. They prefer to live in dark, damp areas where they can reproduce and thrive undisturbed.

There are three common types of termites: drywood, dampwood and subterranean.

Where do termites come from?

Colonies form depending on the dietary needs of their members. These diets differ between dry, damp, and subterranean surroundings.

Drywood termites usually enter homes via nearby trees, firewood, or new furniture.

Dampwood termites infiltrate your home through small openings on the ground level—these include drainage pipes and pet doors. These termites are strongly attracted to light and damp wood.

Subterranean termites are usually underground, and make their way to houses by constructing underground foraging tunnels—which lead to the foundation of your home. If they see any cracks or openings in the foundation or slab, they start constructing mud tubes into your home.

What are the signs of an infestation?

The signs of an infestation include:

• Mud tubes: These are found underground or around your home near damp locations or in crawlspaces.
• Swarmers: These are winged termites in search of a mate that are attracted to light and damp wood. Once they find a mate, they settle down and build large colonies.
• Papery or hollow sounding walls: If knocking on timber walls produces a hollow sound, it means all the wood on the other side has been eaten away.
• Stiff doors and windows: If you have difficulty opening doors and windows, it could be a sign of termite infestations.
• Termite droppings: Small black marks or a powdery substance along the length of wood fiber could be an indication of termites.

How to prevent termites?

According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause over $5 billion worth of damages annually in the US. Taking preventative measures is the best way to avoid all the costs associated with termite damage. This includes:

• Fixing damaged roof tiles
• Filling in and sealing any gaps in the home’s foundation
• Fixing any pipes or faucets that leak
• Clearing any tree stumps or dead plants from the yard
• Termiticide spray

How to remove termites?

If a home has termites, it’s suggested that you call a professional immediately. Depending upon the extent of the infestation, a pest controller may advise you to do the following:

• Bait: Administering lethal poison to worker termites which then pass it on to the rest of the colony, such as our Sentricon Termite Elimination System.
• Chemical deterrents: Prevent termites from spreading and eventually slow them down to the point where they can’t survive.
• Fumigation: Blasting chemical spray in every area of the house to kill termites instantly.

If you’re looking to get a professional termite exterminator, Xterminator Pest Control offers thorough pest control services in Pickerington, Zanesville, and Columbus, Ohio.

Schedule an appointment today by calling at (614) 935-3973 or 1-800-948-7378.

Is Your Restaurant infested with pests? Hire our extermination services: xterminator Continue reading

According to a report published by the National Association of Realtors, millennials make up the largest share of homebuyers—at 38 percent. And when you look deeper into what kinds of homes they’re buying, it becomes evident that the group is willing to sacrifice home square footage to allow for outdoor space. Continue reading