Tag: baton rouge pest control

How Do I Get Rid Of Fire Ants In My Yard?

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Katie Bourg - Ants, Pest Control General, Pests Services

Here's how to get rid of fire ants in your yard.

As the scorching Louisiana sun beats down, life in the Bayou State becomes a battle against the elements. It’s not just us seeking refuge from the suffocating heat and arid conditions, though – fire ants and crazy ants are on the move too. To combat this, it’s crucial to get rid of fire ants as they adapt to the harsh environment by seeking shelter and moisture, much like us.

What are Fire Ants?

Fire ants build mounds in almost any type of soil, but prefer open, sunny areas such as meadows, pastures, parks, playgrounds, lawns, sports fields, and golf courses, as well as agricultural land and wilderness areas. Often, mounds are located in rotting logs and around stumps and trees. Colonies can also occur in or under buildings. To effectively manage these pests, it’s important to get rid of fire ants, as they will not create mounds when the weather is extremely hot or dry. During this time, they go deep underground during the day and come out at night to forage.

What are Crazy Ants?

Crazy ants are another breed of ants that have been on the rise in Louisiana over the last few years. While they don’t sting or bite, crazy ants can cause structural damage because they often nest in homes, electrical boxes, etc. and they thrive and multiply in moist, wooded areas, cracks, crevices–anywhere they can find shelter. While people have tried to end the pests’ existence, they often find they are fighting a losing battle.

A Raft of Ants

One of the craziest things about these ants is their ability to form rafts in response to heavy rainfall. These rafts allow the ants to float on water instead of drowning. They work together in harmony, with the lower ants acting as sacrificial lambs, forming a base that supports the rest of the colony. While some ants die at the bottom, the majority of the colony survives this ordeal and relocates once the waters recede. This collective effort shows the incredible resilience of these tiny creatures.

Can you be allergic to Ants?

Yes! Ants can be life-threatening if you have an allergy to them. The Bug Man has products to help you keep them out of your yard and your home. While crazy ants don’t sting or bite, fire ant stings are painful, characterized by a local burning sensation, which swells into a bump within hours. The bump may develop into a white pustule within 24–36 hours, which can become infected if scratched, but will spontaneously flatten within a few days if left alone.

The Bug Man has products to help you keep ants out of your yard and your home. From Fire Ants to Crazy Ants, we can solve any of your ant problems.

https://bugmanonline.com/specialized-services/ant-control/

What Should I Do If My Neighbor Has Termites?

Posted on April 1, 2022 by brewadmin - Pest Control General, Termites

A sighting of several termite control trucks appearing at your neighbor’s house could be cause for concern. But just because termites have decided to knock on the door of your friend’s home doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to pack your bags. However, it could mean that you are more at risk, which warrants precautionary measures to be taken. Here’s what you need to know before you map out a plan of action.

Termites can spread in multiple ways

Subterranean termites, which are prevalent in the Greater Baton Rouge area, generally travel through flying or swarming during the reproductive season. While swarming season occurs in the Spring, a colony can also spread through mud tubes and through exterior wood, like firewood or furniture, any time of year. So if you were to borrow a wooden bench from your neighbor that was unknowingly infested with termites, then you could have inadvertently offered them a new dwelling place in your home.

Termites like to expand to similar structures

If you live in a community where many of the homes were built around the same time and with the same materials, your soil moisture level is probably also similar. Since subterranean termites travel through the soil looking for new cellulose-based food sources, close proximity could make your property an easy target. Once they zero in on a new structure, there’s nothing stopping them from easily entering into your foundation without your knowledge.

Termites often pop up during new construction

Whether your home is the new one on the block, or new houses are going up in close vicinity to you, termites are often identified as a result of new construction projects. Because the land used for a new-build could already have a number of active termites hidden in its soil that become disrupted when the process begins, they are left with no choice but to find a new place to feed. This often happens when developers take out old termite-infested trees and bury them under the new soil of a neighborhood.

Professionals are required to properly stop the spread of termites

Termites can tunnel and swarm the length of a football field, making a verified infestation next door too close for comfort. The best way to protect yourself? Take preventative measures with a professional termite control company as soon as (or before) you move in so that you won’t have to worry about what happens at your neighbor’s house in the future. However, if you didn’t have preventative measures in place and your neighbor spots termites, a professional termite control company is the only failsafe way to have your home properly inspected and to begin any necessary treatment. As the greater Baton Rouge area’s leader in termite protection, The Bug Man has the expertise and innovative means to deliver the most cutting-edge inspection and treatment solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our termite control services.

Your Top Louisiana Termite Questions Answered

Posted on March 11, 2022 by brewadmin - Termites

While spring may signify flowers blooming, gorgeous weather and crawfish season in Louisiana, it also marks the start of termite swarming season. For creatures so small, termites sure do have quite the reputation… and for good reason. They can cause upwards of $5 billion in home damage each year. While the south may be known for its hospitality, no one welcomes termites with open arms. Here are answers to some of the most frequent questions we get regarding termites and how to keep them out.

What types of termites are there in the Greater Baton Rouge area?

The two major types of termites in the Greater Baton Rouge area are the Formosan “super termites” and Native termites, which both fall into the Subterranean category. As the name suggests, Subterranean termites are attracted to moisture in both wood and soil, and you can often find them swarming when a really hot day follows a rainy day. Natives generally swarm beginning late in February or early March and Formosans will swarm around Mother’s Day weekend.

Are termites attracted to light?

Yes. Swarming termites, which fly in groups during reproduction, are attracted to outside lights at night. Once fertilized, these swarmers will bury into the ground, lose their wings and hunt for the perfect spot to start a new colony.

Do termites bite?

Yes, but good news for us – Their entrée of choice is wood. And they sometimes will eat other insects to protect their colonies. At the end of the day, if you suspect a termite infestation, you don’t need to worry about them hurting you; but you should definitely call a professional to treat the issue.

What are the signs of an infestation?

Common indicators of a termite infestation include wood that sounds hollow when tapped, cracked or bubbling paint, mud tubes on exterior walls, signs of droppings and/or a temporary swarm of winged insects in or around your home.

How do I get rid of termites?

We have an easy solution – Call The Bug Man. As the greater Baton Rouge area’s leader in termite protection, we have the expertise and innovative means to deliver the most cutting-edge treatment solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our termite control services.

Busting the Top 4 Mosquito Myths

Posted on September 14, 2021 by brewadmin - Mosquitos

While the mosquito is no stranger to Louisianans, how well do you know these all-too-familiar fun suckers? There’s a swarm of information available on what attracts them, how to prevent them and why they behave the way that they do. But how do you decipher an old wives’ tale from actual science? Let’s break down a few of the most commonly-circulated myths about the unofficial state bird of Louisiana…

Myth #1: “Mosquitoes are more attracted to sweet blood.”
No matter your sunny disposition or the amount of sugary treats you consume, tasting “sweet” isn’t really a thing. Mosquitoes are, however, drawn to certain odors your body emits, like heat from your movement, the carbon dioxide in your breath and the lactic acid your skin secretes. In fact, scientific studies show that people with Type O blood were twice as likely to be bitten than people with Type A blood because they expel more lactic acid than others.

Myth #2: “Mosquitoes rely on blood to survive.”

Male mosquitoes couldn’t care less about blood. Females feed on it out of natural primal instinct – they only need its nutrients to produce eggs. But for humans, because most mosquitos are continuously breeding, it feels as though the vicious blood-sucking never stops. While blood is a female-exclusive feast, both male and female mosquitoes run (or fly) on nectar to fuel their everyday activities.

Myth #3: “Eating certain foods can act as a natural mosquito repellent.”

While eating a large amount of garlic may cause your date to flee in the other direction, it doesn’t do much to deter mosquitoes. Research shows that while consuming foods like onions, beans, grapefruit or peppers can potentially help to mask the natural smells your body emits, it isn’t exactly fool-proof. Experts suggest using a bug spray that contains DEET (with a concentration of 50% or less) and wearing pants and long sleeves to best protect yourself from these mini vampires.

Myth #4: “You don’t have to worry about getting a disease from mosquitoes in the U.S.”

While the risk has been greatly reduced over the years, we’re not completely out of the woods. There are over 200 types of mosquitoes in the United States, and the CDC reports about 12 of them spread germs that can cause severe illnesses, like West Nile, Zika and more. If you have recently been bitten by mosquitoes and you are experiencing fever, a rash, joint and muscle pain, headache and nausea, please seek out medical treatment as soon as possible.

Now that you have a little more insight into how these little itch-inducing pests act, there’s no time like the present to learn about how you can safeguard your property from housing them in the first place. Contact The Bug Man at (225) 923-2847 today for a tailored treatment plan, specific to your site’s needs.

Growing for the Better

Posted on July 22, 2021 by brewadmin - Pests Services

Bringing our leading pest services to as many people as possible has been our goal for a long time. We feel nobody should be unprotected from pests, which is why we’re proud to announce that The Bug Man has recently acquired two additional pest control companies to service even more people.

Both newly acquired services have been incredible in what they’ve accomplished and they share a great deal in common with what we stand for at The Bug Man.

Customer service is a priority
Family-owned
Strong values

The two new acquisitions: Witt’s Pest Control in Baton Rouge and X-Pert Pest Control, likewise in Baton Rouge, will combine over 300 years of experience and expertise in protecting homes and businesses throughout the state.

As The Bug Man is growing and expanding its services, rest easy knowing that we are always ready to protect you, your family, and your business from unwanted pests. If you want to inquire about our services, expand your services or learn more, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 225-923-2847.