Author: brewadmin

Everything to Know About Mosquitoes & How to Get Rid of Them

Posted on June 19, 2020 by brewadmin - Uncategorized

Mosquitoes…us Louisianians know a thing or two about these blood-sucking insects. According to National Geographic, there are now over 3,000 mosquito species worldwide. As the weather starts warming up, mosquitoes start to populate around your home. The annoyance of itchy mosquito bites is one of the few downfalls of playing outside in the summer. Not only are they annoying biting nuisances, but they are a public health concern across the world. A mosquito’s ability to spread fatal illnesses make them one of the most deadly animals in the world. It’s important for residents to understand the basic facts about the mosquito, the associated health concerns, and the best methods of controlling and preventing them.

Basic Facts About Mosquitoes

As you may have guessed already, mosquitoes prefer warmer and more humid climates. This is why Louisiana is a great home for them. The majority of the different species of mosquitoes can survive in temperatures between 50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Whenever Louisiana begins to reach these temperatures, mosquito eggs will begin to hatch.

Mosquito species have different breeding habits, but most want to lay their eggs near water, this could include dog bowls, birdbaths, tires, flowerpots, and gutters. Female mosquitoes can produce 100-200 eggs at one time, and the eggs can hatch into mosquito larvae within 48 hours. For about a week to 10 days, the larva will grow before changing into a pupa until finally emerging as an adult mosquito about two days later. After the mosquitoes are born, male mosquitoes live for about a week or two, feeding on nectar from flowers, and female mosquitos can live for over a month, feeding on humans and animals for blood to produce eggs.Believe it or not, your breath attracts mosquitoes to suck your blood. Carbon dioxide gives insects the signal that blood is nearby, and since we exhale CO2, we make it easy for these bloodsuckers to find us.

Health Concerns

Mosquitoes are in fact one the deadliest creatures on earth. They can carry dangerous diseases, and more deaths have been reported as a result of their bites than any other animal. According to The American Mosquito Control Association, mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism — over one million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Diseases that are spread to people by mosquitoes include West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, Zika virus, dengue, and malaria. It is important to learn about the different ways to prevent and control these pests before someone gets sick.

Controlling and Preventing

Just because mosquitoes are an inevitable part of summer activities doesn’t mean you’re left totally defenseless. Try these tips to prevent these pests from biting you:

Get rid of standing water
Wear long sleeves and pants
Avoid dusk and dawn hours
Clean gutters and downspouts
Wear repellent with DEET in it
Plant mosquito-repelling plants such as Citronella & Lemongrass

If you are still experiencing mosquitoes on your property, it’s a safe bet you should call a pest control professional. The mosquito treatment plan usually begins with a thorough property inspection and identifying the kind of mosquitoes that are causing problems. Once the inspection and identification are complete, your pest management professional will prepare a mosquito treatment plan best suited for your property, such as mosquito pots, misting systems, or yard fogging.

If you are concerned about a mosquito breeding site in or around your home, consider calling a pest management professional. The Bug Man provides three revolutionary mosquito treatments that don’t just repel mosquitoes, the unit kills them for good! Our newest mosquito program is a great, inexpensive alternative to yard fogging. We place mosquito pots around your yard that sterilize a female mosquito from laying eggs. For an effective mosquito solution, contact The Bug Man and ask about their mosquito services or give us a call at (225) 923-2847.

Learn About The Different Types of Termites

Posted on May 21, 2020 by brewadmin - Termites

Due to COVID-19, families living in Louisiana are at their homes more than ever. Not only should you be taking necessary health precautions, but you should also be looking out for persistent pests like termites! We are in the midst of termite season and it’s important to know if they are swarming your home at this time. Termites cause billions of dollars of damage every year, and they can infest any and all structures. Believe it or not, no home is safe from termites without the appropriate preventative measures.

Termite colonies are working 24 hours a day by feeding, eating and/or reproducing. One termite colony can have over 1 million members. A colony can travel over three football fields in length looking for a food source. Once a termite finds a food source, it leaves a pheromone trail to help other termites locate the source as well. Within each colony, termites perform different jobs according to their caste. There are five different members of the termite family: the Queen, King, Soldier, Worker and Alate aka “Swarmer”. Learning about the different types and how termites reproduce can help you learn what to look out for and how to control them so they don’t take over your home.

Queen

The king and queen are the breeding types of termites. The alates emerge from an existing nest, spread their wings and fly to another place. Once there, the queen sheds her wings and she and the male burrow into the ground where they start to reproduce.

The Queen’s only job is to reproduce! A queen can lay an egg every 15 seconds for many years, sometimes thousands in a single day. They are the largest in size and weigh several times that of worker termites.

King

The King’s only job is to reproduce with the Queen to build a colony. The king termite lives next to the queen, creating a very close existence for the two of them. They are buried deep within the center of the surrounding termite nest, making them the hardest to find and see.

Soldier

A soldier’s job is to protect the colony at all costs by fighting off invaders such as ants. They fight off their predators with a front pair of mandibles in a pinching motion. They are considered the protectors of the colony. These unwanted guests can vary greatly in appearance from other members of the termite colony. They have been seen to have darker heads and larger mandibles than the workers.

Worker

The workers make up the majority of the colony and are responsible for damage to structures. They feed on structures to provide a food source for themselves as well as bring the food source back to the other colony members. In most colonies, workers are wingless and soft-bodied and are the largest single group in most termite colonies.

One thing that most people don’t know is that the workers take care of the eggs and immature termites (nymphs). They also take care of the building and maintenance of the colony structures.

Swarmer

These winged flying termites do not cause any termite damage. Their job is to swarm out, mate and return underground to start a new colony. They have a very short life span outside the colony, which is why you see many dead during swarm season.

Termite swarmers emerge from tubes built by worker termites. They range in color – from yellow to black – depending on the species. These insects are often noticed around exterior lighting and window sills.

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Termites are no joke and can destroy your residence before you know it! The Bug Man is happy to explain to you more about these insects and how or when you should proceed with treatment.

If swarming insects invade your home or you’ve noticed them in the soil around your property, contact The Bug Man today. You can also request a free estimate today or call us for all your pest control needs at (225) 923-2847.

What’s the Difference Between Swarming Ants and Swarming Termites?

Posted on March 25, 2020 by brewadmin - Uncategorized

Now that people living in Louisiana are at home more, you should be on the lookout for termites! With termite swarming season already underway, it’s more important than ever to be aware of these unwanted guests. Termites in their swarming phase can often cause confusion for homeowners experiencing this activity in or around their home. In this stage, termites are trying to mate and begin new colonies. The termite colony sizes can range from a few to thousands!

Many homeowners mistake termite swarming activity for swarming ants. Although these two pests may look alike, the treatment varies greatly. Not to mention, the damage they can cause! It’s crucial for you to know the difference between swarms of termites and winged ants in order to take the necessary prevention steps to protect your home. The Bug Man has created a guide for you to distinguish between swarming termites in swarming ants so you can seek the right treatment to eliminate them for good:

Termites

Something that a lot of our customers don’t know is that there are five different members of the termite family. The swarmers are just one of the five members. The other members of the colony include the Queen, King, Solider, Worker and Alate aka “swarmer”. The swarmer termites are the reproducers, measuring 4 mm long and are dark brown and/or black in color. Both termites and swarming ants have two pairs of wings that only appear when they’re swarming, however, they have differences. Termites have four wings of equal size and length that stack on top of each other when they are not flying. Their wings are easily broken, or shed after reproduction, often found around your home in the swarming phase.

The antennae of swarming termites are straight and beaded and have wide bodies with a broad waistline. Their main source of food is wood, paper, and other cellulose-based sources.

While termites and flying ants have similar reproductive cycles, mating and establishing new colonies in warmer months, their life cycles vary greatly. Male flying ants typically die after mating, and most worker ants live for only a few months, while both male and female termites live on long past reproduction, often able to survive several years.

Flying Ants

Flying ants are winged swarmers that can be seen nesting in damp or rotting wood, but may also be present in dry wood. Flying ants are omnivores that feed on seeds, nectar, and other insects and/or debris found in or around your home. The easiest way to distinguish a termite from an ant is to look at the body. Flying ants have pinched waistlines with three body parts: a head, abdomen, and thorax. They are black, brown, or reddish in color. The antennae of these pests are elbowed, unlike the termites.

Although termites and swarming ants are similar in having two pairs of wings, the ants have front wings that are noticeably larger than their hind wings. On termites, all four wings are the same size. Ants wings also are more resistant than termites and don’t break off as easily.

While flying ants live in large colonies similar to termites, and some (like carpenter ants) will even inhabit wood, they do not feed on wood, and therefore are much less likely to cause the structural damage that termites are known for.

Swarming termites are no joke and can destroy your home in the blink of an eye, costing you thousands. The Bug Man would be more than happy to explain to you more about these pests and what to do in the event of a termite swarm, and most importantly, how you should proceed with treatment.

If swarming insects invade your home or are you’ve noticed them in the soil around your property, contact The Bug Man today. You can also Request an in-home estimate today or call us for all your pest needs at (225) 923-2847.

How to Best Prepare For Termite Season

Posted on February 21, 2020 by brewadmin - Termites, Uncategorized

Believe it or not, termite season is already here! Termites love warm humid climates, meaning Louisiana truly is the perfect home for termites to establish their colonies. Since we have such a short winter season down here in the South, we typically have “termite season” practically year-round with swarming starting as early as February. Once a termite colony has settled comfortably into your home, they will continue to feast upon wood and other materials, not leaving until they’ve depleted their food source.

While you may be a little preoccupied with crawfish boils and Mardi Gras parades this time of year, you shouldn’t overlook termite prevention to keep these unwanted guests from destroying your home. Termites cause over $5 billion in damages each year, but luckily, there are some good preventative measures you can take to keep your home out of that statistic.

Early Detection of Termites

Depending on the species of the termite, there are many warning signs to look out for:

Mude tubes – Subterranean termites are known for digging mud tubes. They connect their colonies through a mud tube in the soil underground to their above-ground food sources. These mud tubes look like small, pencil-like dirt tunnels, which are located at the base of your home. They are made out of small pieces of soil and wood.
Very hollowed/damaged wood – One thing for sure: termites are very hungry. They will do just about anything to eat wood. Some people often see ‘sawdust’ by the base of their wood or gaps between the wood where they have been eating.
Droppings or Pellets – Like other pests, one of the easiest ways to discover an infestation is by finding droppings. Drywood termites usually leave behind small, wood-colored pellets.
Discarded wings – You may discover wings left behind near a closed window or door. After the termite’s swarm, they will shed their wings.

Pick up Loose Wood

Termites love wood, moisture, and soil. Make sure you are picking up loose pieces of wood which touch the ground. Leaving wood within snacking distance is a huge target for termites. Make sure to remove all wood, lumber, mulch, plants, paper, etc. from around your home’s foundation. If you have wood touching the ground and your home, you should try to create some distance by keeping them at least 20 feet from your home.

Reduce Moisture

Make sure you eliminate any water leaks or moisture buildup from your residence. Remember, termites love moisture. Try to fix leaking AC units, faucets, gutters, and water pipes. Also, try to keep all sprinkler heads pointed away from your home’s foundation. You don’t want any standing pools of water touching the exterior of your home.

Preventative maintenance can go a long way when it comes to termites. One of the best prevention methods for termites is receiving regular (typically annual) termite inspections from a qualified expert. The Bug Man offers two main termite removal and prevention services: a baiting system treatment called Sentricon as well as Termidor, a chemical barrier treatment. Both treatments are proven to defend and remove any type of termite.

Do you have any termites invading your home or are interested in a preventative maintenance plan? Request an in-home estimate today before it’s too late! Please contact The Bug Man for all your termite needs at (225) 923-2847 or visit our contact page.

Insulation in Your Attic and Why It’s Important

Posted on December 17, 2019 by brewadmin - Rodents, Uncategorized

By its very nature, the attic is a place to put the things you don’t want to worry about. Whether it’s holiday decorations, family keepsakes or seasonal clothes, when you put something in your attic, you expect it to stay there safe and sound. However, without proper inspection or installation of insulation, your valuables are much more likely to suffer damage from leaks, mold and, of course, invading animals. Without insulation, there’s a good chance that you’re losing some of your hard-earned holiday shopping money due to persistent drafts.

Now, along with our expertise in handling pest problems, The Bug Man offers insulation inspection and installation. Here are just a few reasons why it’s so important to keep your attic in top condition:

Temperature Control

While insulation is a natural solution to keeping out the cold, it’s also an excellent way to keep in the cool air during the summer. Well-installed, high-quality insulation reigns in your A/C systems from going overboard on heat and cooling production.

In the winter, your heater runs in a way that automatically fills any detected cold space with warm air. This means that, without attic insulation, cold air is constantly slipping in, which keeps your heater running and keeps increasing your utility bill. The same goes for the summertime, as your air-conditioner fights to keep the hot air outside.

Rodent Infestations

Have you recently been smelling an odor accumulating in your home? Or how about hearing things in your attic? You most likely have a rodent infestation. With an inspection and/or repairs, you can avoid dealing with the side effects of a poorly insulated attic. During and following the cold winter months, you may come across the presence or remains of a rodent colony that made a comfortable home in your attic. A good attic cleaning by a certified individual will remove any droppings or deceased rodents from your attic to protect your family against infectious viruses.

Holes or Cracks

Did you know that over time, the wood exposure in your attic can create holes or cracks? Although this may not sound like a big deal, these small openings can allow outside air to get into your attic and significantly increase your energy bill. The prevalence of holes and cracks can also be the entranceway of small bugs. A skilled insulator would be able to detect where the outside air is coming from and seal all of those areas.

Sticking to a thorough cleaning and air sealing of your attic insulation, your attic should be safe from any future threat. Proper attic insulation and restoration may be able to save you a lot of money in the long run. Contact The Bug Man today about an insulation inspection for your attic before a problem arises.

Commercial Pest Control: Why Your Business Needs It

Posted on November 21, 2019 by brewadmin - Commercial

When it comes to pest control, protecting your business is just as important as protecting your home. However, the risks associated with not properly protecting your business can be vastly different from those involved with at-home pest control. We treat our customers like family, and we know that you do the same for yours. From apartment complexes to government and educational institutions, here are just a few reasons why you shouldn’t leave pest control for your organization to anyone but the best.

Reason 1: Reputation

The internet spreading information faster than ever can result in several positive outcomes. However, this can spell trouble for any business. That one bug you or your employees might have missed can turn an easily-fixed issue into a permanent mark on your company’s reputation. It only takes a few seconds and a smartphone for somebody to wreak havoc on your company’s reputation with a bad review.

The Bug Man knows how important a thorough inspection is in order to prevent even the smallest pests from slipping through and turning into low-star reviews online.

Reason 2: Government Health Standards

Health clinics and childcare centers are required by the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Services to have pest control services. This is not only important to the legal future of your business but it also provides that extra peace-of-mind to your employees and clients.

Because of this, it’s key to have pest control professionals that can provide top-of-the-line service and make sure to leave you with proper documentation for when audits are done.

Reason 3: Timeliness

Without a certified pest control expert, even the most aggressive DIY extermination attempt is very likely to fail. What’s more, each failed attempt means both you and your employees waste even more time trying to rectify the situation.

With a professional team to watch your back, your pest issues are taken care of the first time, and preventative measures and check-ups keep it that way. This leaves you with more time to focus on what’s important – the future of your business.

Reason 4: Prevention

In every aspect of a business, there is always a need to prevent something before something bad happens. If a rodent enters your building and chews wires, they could easily shut down the office computer system. If rodents chew on water lines, they can cause a water leak. Additionally, if these pesky creatures find their way in a drop ceiling, they can find nesting to live, reproduce and in cave it in. Exclusion can keep them out and an exterior rodent service can keep them away.

After 40 years of growth and service to our community, we at The Bug Man know how important your business is to you. Our team of pest control experts wants nothing more than to take a bit of weight off of your shoulders by keeping your workplace free of bugs and other vermin.

Call us to schedule an on-site inspection at 225-923-2847 or find us online to get an on-location estimate.

Your Worst Nightmare: Rodents in Your Attic

Posted on October 9, 2019 by brewadmin - Rodents

You’re on your couch, enjoying a spooky movie to get you in the Halloween spirit when you start to hear some suspicious noises. It only takes a moment to realize they’re not coming from your TV. Skittering and scratching echo throughout your home, and it can only come from one place: your attic.

Nervously, you climb the ladder through the attic door, the noises only growing louder as you do. Quickly as you can, you pull the string to the singular lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. You look out into the cramped space in horror, only to be met with not just one but many pairs of eyes staring back at you. No zombies, no vampires, not even masked face of Michael Myers could be as scary as this – an attic full of rodents.

Crucifixes and silver bullets won’t do anything to stop these little invaders from destroying your decorations, keepsakes and electrical wiring. However, The Bug Man has a few tips and a rodent story to share to keep the horror movie soundtracks and potential disease from rodent-dwelling parasites on-screen only.

If You Give a Mouse an Opening…

One of the more destructive pests is the common house mouse. While the name alone makes them sound quaint and harmless, these little rodents – along with their larger relatives, like rats – can breed quickly. For example, female mice can have between 5 and 11 litters each year, with each litter containing about five or six pups (or pinkies); in about a year, that can add up to hundreds of new mice to the little habitat brewing in your attic.

Like house mice, rats will wriggle through spaces you may not even notice and make themselves at home among your old photo albums, even using the paper and plastic to craft their nests. The damage won’t just be contained to your attic, however. These critters will nest in the gaps of your insulation and walls, likely near your plumbing lines in order to have access to water. They create little trails between their nests and the nearest food source – which is now your kitchen – in order to stay hidden while still eating their fill (and chewing up your linen, furniture and other decor in the process).

Ir-RAT-icate Their Chances

If your home is currently rodent-free, let us help you keep it that way! The Bug Man offers comprehensive exclusion work around your home to plug up the holes that act as doorways for mice and rats.

Keeping your home clean of food scraps and plumbing leaks is also key. Though both will eat just about anything, mice mainly prefer oats, cereals and vegetables. On the other hand, rats thrive on eating meat – including their mousy neighbors – as well.

If you know your problem is small and plan on setting a few traps, keep in mind that while mice are more curious, rats are cautious of any unnatural environmental changes. If a rat inspects a set trap and realizes that it’s dangerous, your chances of catching it will quickly diminish.

An Attic Nightmare Story

The Bug Man had a homeowner digging in boxes in their attic and heard some little squeaks in a corner. She quickly called The Bug Man to help come save the day. When our technician did an attic inspection, he found four baby raccoons in the insulation of the home. The mother had her babies in the attic but then went missing. The babies soon began to make a lot of noise because they were hungry. This was when the homeowner heard them squeaking.

We were able to remove all four raccoons before they got big enough to do any damage and reproduce in the attic. Raccoons, squirrels and rodents are very common in attics due to easy access from gaps in a roof and rafters. They will use tree limbs touching the roof to enter the structure as well as wiring on the side of the home to crawl up. This situation was a bit more difficult since the babies were buried under insulation so we had to follow their squeaks to get to them.

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Though they aren’t quite as creepy as Freddy Kruger, the potential damage caused by intrusive rodents is a real threat to your home and health. Don’t let these pesky rodents get the upper hand; call The Bug Man! Along with our exclusion work, we also offer a rodent program to deal with problems of any size. Like your own personal rodent Ghostbusters, our pest control professionals have the specialty tools and expertise to give you back your peace of mind.

Do you have any nuisance animals such as rats invading your home or just have questions about these unwanted guests? Request an in-home estimate today and we will help you solve all of your pest problems! Please contact The Bug Man for all your nuisance animal needs at (225)923-2847 or visit our Contact page.

All Your Bed Bugs Questions Answered

Posted on September 12, 2019 by brewadmin - Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs… little creatures that infest your bed and feed on your blood while you are sleeping. If you watch the news, I’m sure you’ve seen all the attention bed bugs have been receiving recently. They are everywhere! The thought of bed bugs crawling on you while you sleep can cause many sleepless nights. But what are bed bugs and where do they come from? Here are some of your most common bed bug questions, answered.

Are bed bugs just located in your bed?

Nope! Bed bugs can commonly be found hiding in your bags, clothes and used furniture, not JUST your bedding. And don’t be self-conscious about your old mattress or furniture – even the nicest 5-star resorts and hotels can become infested with bed bugs. Although they tend to live in mattresses, they also live in chairs, couches, backboards and portable computers.

Where do bed bugs come from?

If you have a bed bug infestation, there is a good chance that you or somebody else brought them in. Bed bugs come from other infested areas or from used furniture. They often take a joy ride in purses, bookbags, or luggage. Fun fact: if one of your kids is home visiting from college, you have a higher chance of getting bed bugs. Or if you’ve recently returned from a vacation, you also have a higher risk of bed bugs. There is a website you can visit called the Bed Bug Registry where travelers and renters report where they have encountered bed bugs in the United States. You can easily search a hotel name to see if your hotel appears on the website.

Why are bed bugs called bed bugs?

You got it right folks – bed bugs get their name from their habit of feeding on humans while they sleep in their beds. They are found in nearly every place people gather, such as homes, schools, offices, hotels, public transportation and even grocery stores.

What do they look like?

Looking like tiny brown seeds, bed bugs are 6-legged creatures with antennae. The adults are about ¼ inch and the nymphs (baby bed bugs) range from 1.3 mm to 4-5 mm. The unfed bed bugs are mahogany to rusty brown in color and are flat and oval-shaped. Fed bed bugs are red-brown in color and are swollen and more elongated.

What do bed bugs eat?

Bed bugs feed on blood. They are unable to breed or even live without it. This is why these pests will find a home in rooms that have a bed. If you happen to find bites that are in a clump or row on your body that look similar to mosquito bites, this is a good sign of bed bugs.

Can bed bugs harm me?

Some people have a bad reaction to bed bug bites and some have no reaction at all. They usually feed at night on bare skin that is exposed. Bed bugs are human parasites, so our existence is critical to theirs. Many experts think that this may be one of the reasons bed bugs have not been known to transmit diseases to humans. Although bed bugs have not been proven to transmit diseases through feeding, there can still be some health risks associated with them. The most common health issue our customers complain about is itching that leads to red bumps or welts on their skin. Sometimes these bites can itch incessantly. Too much scratching is where the danger sets in – it can cause damage to the skin that leads to infection, which can be very dangerous. Please take care of those bites so they don’t lead to a nasty infection!

How long do they live?

The average lifespan of a bed bug is usually around 4-6 months. Just one female bed bug can lay 200-250 eggs in her lifetime!

How do you get rid of bed bugs?

To be honest, getting rid of bed bugs is difficult if done alone. First things first: household items such as clothes, bedding, shoes and stuffed animals should all be washed and dried on HIGH heat. Hiring a pest professional is the best option to get rid of bed bugs. By using a professional exterminator, you can be sure that all the bugs will be exterminated without spreading them all over your house or even to your neighbors. This will save time, effort and money. The amount of time it takes to get rid of bed bugs varies on a case-by-case basis. Some infestations can be persistent. The time to control these creatures depends on the severity of the problem, where they are hiding and the type of treatments performed.

After reading this article, we’re sure you’re slightly worried your home is infested with bed bugs. If you identify these creepy crawlers, contact a pest professional today before they start multiplying. Keep in mind that an overnight stay almost anywhere outside of your home can lead to bed bugs to relocate to your home. Remember to check your luggage or any other belongings to make sure you aren’t taking these creepy crawlers for a joy ride home. Click here to learn how you can keep bed bugs at bay.

Do you have a bed bug infestation in your home or just have questions about these unwanted guests? At The Bug Man, we will inspect your home, identify the species, and give you a recommendation of the type of bed bug treatment you should consider. Request an in-home estimate today and we will help you solve all of your pest problems! Please contact The Bug Man for all your pest control needs at (225)923-2847 or visit our Contact page.

Honeybees Are Our Friends, But…

Posted on August 22, 2019 by brewadmin - Bees

A swarm of bees invading your property can be scary, especially if they build a hive within your house, which can stain surrounding structures, damage support structures, and even attract other insects. Remember, the only way to get rid of a home of bees is to completely remove the hive.

Here at The Bug Man, bees are our friends! We have a team of trained professionals that can safely manage and remove a nest or swarm from your property, and each individual job requires a unique treatment method.

This summer, we encountered a massive hive in an oak tree (2 ft. wide going 6 ft. into the limb) Three workers used a chainsaw to carefully remove the honeycomb 2 feet at a time moving the comb and trimming the limb until it was completely gone–a demanding process that took several hours.

We then transported the combs to a pollinator garden and hung 6 racks of combs with larvae into the hive along with some honeycombs for food. We set the box full of bees on top and removed the trap door at the bottom, allowing the bees into the new boxes. Honey was dripping out the bottom and the bees started to come and go freely into the entrance.

We hope for our bee friends stay in their new home collecting the honey and repairing the combs that were inserted. We are proud to say that this was an overall successful bee removal and rehousing service.

Let the Bug Man treat and/or remove your bee problem before someone gets hurt or your property is damaged. Call the Bug Man at 225-923-2847 or request an estimate today!

Everything You Should Know About Bats In Your Home

Posted on August 15, 2019 by brewadmin - Bats

You hear something rattling and making noises in your home. Whenever you get closer to it, you hear that something is flying. Trying to remain calm, you check out the scene and stumble upon a bat! This is a creature most people are unfamiliar with. There are many questions and concerns many of our customers have regarding bats. Know that bats give birth in late spring and early summer because it is the best time of the year for nursing mothers to get the food they need. They thrive in places that are dark and warm. Sometimes a bat may accidentally find their way into your home. Please don’t be alarmed. Like any other wild animal, bats should never be handled if you are not a licensed trapper because you could get bit. Remain calm and under control, and follow along to find out more about these unfamiliar creatures in your home.

How Bats Fly

First things first – remain calm and keep pets and children away. The bat will tend to fly in a U-shaped path, flying higher near your walls and lower in the center of the room. In this case, try to keep near a wall to avoid physical contact. Make sure you close all interior doors and give the bat a way to get outside. A bat that has accidentally flown inside will likely fly in circles in search of an exit. Do not handle the bat if it lands to rest. If you have a bat colony living in your attic, you have a bigger problem. Often, bats will congregate somewhere dark and undisturbed with easy access to the outside, such as attics, roofs, and crawl spaces. Leave these bats alone and call a licensed trapper immediately.

Bat Myths

Bats are negatively looked at due to the fact that most people don’t have an understanding of them and the important role they play in controlling night-flying insects. They frequently eat moths, crickets, locusts, fruit flies, gnats, beetles, and mosquitoes. Each bat can eat between about 600 and 1,000 mosquitoes and other kinds of insects in only one hour. Additionally, Bats are not blind. As a matter of fact, bigger bats can see three times better than humans. Another myth is that all bats have rabies. This is not true either. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, only 5 to 6 percent test positive for rabies.

Bats Do Not Attack People

“I just got attacked by a bat!” This will almost never be true. Bats are not aggressive creatures and do not attack people. When people are outdoors at night, insects are attracted to us by heat and smell. The reason bats sometimes appear to be swooping towards us is due to the fact they are zoning in on the insects we attract.

The Bug Man understands that bats are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem, and our licensed and professionally trained wildlife technicians can humanely take care of any bat problem from start to finish. We are now providing removal and cleanout service for bat guano. The Bug Man offers a variety of Nuisance Animal Control services for just about any wild animal.

Do you have any nuisance animals such as bats invading your property or just have questions about these unwanted guests? Request an in-home estimate today and we will help you solve all of your pest problems! Please contact The Bug Man for all your nuisance animal needs at (225)923-2847 or visit our Contact page.