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Tag: pest control

Southern Louisiana Wasp Identification Guide

Buzz Off! Know Your Local Wasps

Nothing ruins outdoor activities in Louisiana quite like encountering an aggressive wasp. Southern Louisiana is home to several wasp species, each with distinct characteristics and behaviors. This identification guide will help you recognize the five most common wasps in our region: yellow jackets, paper wasps, mud daubers, cicada killers, and bald-faced hornets.

If you’re seeing wasps or bees around your home or business, it’s time to take action. Learn more about our Residential Pest Control and Commercial Pest Control services to keep your property wasp-free.

Yellow Jackets

Where Are They Found And What Are They Looking For?

Yellow jackets (Vespula species) are highly aggressive social wasps that build underground nests, often in abandoned rodent burrows, or occasionally in wall voids and attics. In Southern Louisiana, they’re particularly active from late spring through fall. Yellow jackets are attracted to sweet foods, proteins, and garbage, making them unwelcome guests at outdoor gatherings.

Identifying Features

Yellow jackets measure about ½ inch long with distinctive bright yellow and black striped patterns. Their bodies are smooth and shiny, with clearly defined waists. Unlike bees, yellow jackets have very little hair and a more streamlined appearance. They typically fly with their legs held close to their bodies. Their nests are papery with a distinctive envelope covering and can house thousands of individuals.

Paper Wasps

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

Paper wasps (Polistes species) build open-comb paper nests that hang from a single stalk, typically under eaves, behind shutters, or in other sheltered locations. In Southern Louisiana’s warm climate, paper wasp colonies can persist longer than in northern regions. They feed primarily on caterpillars and other garden pests, making them beneficial for gardeners.

Identifying Features

Paper wasps are slender, measuring ¾ to 1-inch long, with long legs that dangle when flying. They display various colors, including reddish-brown, black, and yellow patterns. Their bodies are more elongated than yellow jackets with a very thin waist. Paper wasps are less aggressive than yellow jackets but will defend their nests if threatened.

Mud Daubers

Where Are They Found And What Are They Looking For?

Mud daubers (Sceliphron species) are solitary wasps that construct distinctive mud tube nests on walls, under eaves, in attics, and other protected areas. Common throughout Southern Louisiana, mud daubers hunt spiders, which they paralyze and store in their mud nests as food for their larvae.

Identifying Features

Mud daubers are slender wasps, typically ¾ to 1 inch long, with extremely thin, thread-like waists. The most common species in Louisiana is the black and yellow mud dauber, which has a black body with bright yellow markings on the legs and thorax. Blue mud daubers display a metallic blue-black color. Their mud nests are tube-like structures, often clustered together in protected locations.

Cicada Killers

Where Are They Found And What Are They Looking For?

Cicada killers (Sphecius speciosus) are large, solitary wasps that dig burrows in well-drained, light-textured soils in sunny locations. In Southern Louisiana, they’re most active during summer when cicadas emerge. Despite their intimidating size, they’re focused on hunting cicadas to provision their underground nests.

Identifying Features

Cicada killers are Louisiana’s largest wasps, measuring 1.5 to 2 inches in length. They have rusty red to black bodies with bold yellow markings on the abdomen. Their wings have a rusty tinge, and their massive size makes them easy to identify. Despite their fearsome appearance, male cicada killers cannot sting, and females rarely sting humans unless handled.

Do you have a different flying bug in your backyard?

Check out our Bees and other identification blogs.

If you suspect any of these wasps have established nests on your property, the safest and most effective solution is to call The Bug Man. Wasp stings can cause painful reactions and potentially dangerous allergic responses in sensitive individuals. Contact The Bug Man to eliminate wasps and their nests safely–we’ll handle the risky work so you don’t have to.

 

Ant Identification Guide: Know Your Tiny Neighbors

How to ruin a backyard barbecue? Stepping into an aggressive anthill. These industrious insects can quickly establish colonies in and around your living spaces. While some ants are merely a nuisance, others can cause structural damage or deliver painful bites. This guide will help you identify common ant species so you can take appropriate action.

If you’re seeing ant colonies around your home or business, it’s time to take action. Learn more about our Residential Pest Control and Commercial Pest Control services to keep your property pest-free. 

 

Common Household Ants

Red Imported Fire Ants

Identifying Features

Red imported fire ants are reddish-brown with darker abdomens and measure 2–6 mm in length, varying by caste. They have two nodes between the thorax and abdomen, and their antennae have 10 segments with a two-segmented club. Their most notorious feature isn’t visible—it’s their painful sting that produces a burning sensation followed by a pustule.

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

Fire ants prefer sunny, open areas like your lawn and build distinctive mound nests that can be up to 18 inches tall. They’re aggressive defenders of their nests and will swarm anything that disturbs their mound. They feed on a variety of foods, including other insects, seeds, and sweet substances like honeydew from aphids.

Carpenter Ants

Identifying Features

Carpenter ants are among the largest ants in North America, measuring 6–12 mm in length. They are typically black, red, or a combination of both colors. Their most distinctive feature is their heart-shaped head when viewed from the front and their thorax, which has an evenly rounded upper profile without spines. Worker ants have a single node between the thorax and abdomen.

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

Carpenter ants are found worldwide, primarily in wooded areas, trees, and wooden structures. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood but excavate it to build their nests. They’re particularly attracted to moist or damaged wood in homes, such as around leaky pipes, windows, doors, and roof eaves. When disturbed, they may emit a formic acid smell.

Crazy Ants

Identifying Features

Tawny crazy ants are invasive ants from South America. They have become a significant nuisance in the last few years here in Louisiana. They get their name from their erratic, unpredictable movement patterns. They are small (3 mm) with long legs and antennae. Their bodies are usually reddish-brown. These are easy to identify, often gathering in large groups to cover an area like a blanket! They’re difficult to control due to their large numbers, lack of centralized nests, multiple queens, and ability to detoxify common insecticides, but we have a proven remedy.

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

Crazy ants form colonies in both dry and moist environments, including soil, tree cavities, trash, under stones, and inside homes. They also do not build centralized nests, instead forming colonies under almost any object that retains moisture such as tree stumps, potted plants, rocks, soil, or even concrete. They’re omnivorous and are particularly attracted to sweet substances within plants or over-ripe fruit.

Odorous House Ants

Identifying Features

Odorous house ants are small (2.5–3.5 mm) and dark brown to black. Their most distinctive feature is the strong, rotten coconut-like smell they emit when crushed, giving them their name. They have a single node on their petiole that’s hidden by their abdomen when viewed from above.

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

These ants typically nest in wall voids, under floors, behind baseboards, and near heaters or water pipes. Outdoors, they nest in soil under stones, logs, and mulch. They’re highly attracted to sweet foods and will also consume proteins. Their colonies can contain thousands of workers with multiple queens.

Pavement Ants

Identifying Features

Pavement ants are small, measuring only 2.5–4 mm in length. They are dark brown to black in color with lighter-colored legs and antennae. Their most distinctive features are the parallel lines on their head and thorax and two small spines on the back of their thorax. They move slowly and will form trails to their food sources. 

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

As their name suggests, pavement ants typically nest under sidewalks, driveways, and building foundations. Inside homes, they may nest in walls, under floors, or in insulation. Pavement ants are omnivorous and will eat almost anything, including greasy foods, meats, sweets, fruits, and even other insects.

Pharaoh Ants

Identifying Features

Pharaoh ants are tiny (1.5–2 mm) and light yellow to reddish-brown with a darker abdomen. They have 12-segmented antennae with a three-segmented club and two nodes between their thorax and abdomen. Their small size and light coloration make them distinctive.

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

These ants thrive in warm, humid environments and are commonly found in hospitals, apartments, hotels, and grocery stores. They nest in hard-to-reach areas like wall voids, behind baseboards, and under floors. Pharaoh ants are omnivorous but show a preference for proteins and sweets. They’re notorious for their ability to spread diseases in healthcare settings.

Argentine Ants

Identifying Features

Argentine ants are small to medium-sized (2.5–3 mm) and light to dark brown. They have a single node between their thorax and abdomen and antennae with 12 segments. They don’t have stingers and don’t bite, but they do emit a musty odor when crushed.

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

Originally from South America, Argentine ants have become invasive in many regions. They form massive super colonies with multiple queens and can displace native ant species. They typically nest in moist soil near buildings or under debris. Argentine ants are attracted to sweet foods and protect honeydew-producing insects like aphids.

Little Black Ants

Identifying Features

As their name suggests, little black ants are small (1.5–2 mm) and shiny black. They have two nodes between their thorax and abdomen and 12-segmented antennae with a club. Although common, they’re often confused with other small black ant species.

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

Little black ants nest outdoors in soil, under rocks, in rotting wood, and in masonry cracks. Indoors, they are often found in the kitchen and may nest in woodwork or wall voids. They feed on a variety of foods including sweets, oils, meats, fruits, and other insects. Their trails are often visible as they travel to and from food sources.

Acrobat Ants

Identifying Features 

Acrobat ants are named for their habit of raising their heart-shaped abdomen over their head when threatened, resembling an acrobatic pose. They’re 2.5–3 mm long and range from light brown to black. They have a pair of spines on their thorax and a two-segmented petiole.

Where are they found and what are they looking for? 

These ants commonly nest in dead or water-damaged wood, insulation, and wall voids. Outdoors, they inhabit tree cavities, stumps, and under stones. Acrobat ants feed on sweets and proteins, including honeydew from aphids and dead insects. They often follow electrical wires and plumbing lines to enter buildings.

Ghost Ants

Identifying Features

Ghost ants are tiny (1.5 mm) with dark heads and thoraxes contrasting with their pale, nearly translucent abdomens and legs. This coloration makes them difficult to see on light surfaces, hence their ghostly name. When crushed, they emit a rotten coconut-like odor similar to odorous house ants.

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

Ghost ants prefer warm, humid environments and are common in tropical and subtropical regions. They nest both indoors and outdoors, often in plant pots, between books, behind baseboards, and inside wall voids. They’re strongly attracted to sweets but will also consume proteins. Their colonies can contain multiple queens, allowing for rapid expansion.

The Bug Man Will Handle the Infestation 

If you suspect any ant infestation in your home, the most effective approach is to work with a professional pest control company. Different ant species require different treatment strategies, and misidentification can lead to ineffective control measures. Contact The Bug Man to eliminate ant problems today—so you can get back to enjoying your home.

Don’t let ants take over your property. Our expert Residential Pest Control and Commercial Pest Control services are designed to identify the specific ant species you’re dealing with and implement targeted treatment plans. Schedule your appointment today!

 

Bed Bug Identification Guide

Sleep Tight!

The last souvenir you want to bring home from your summer travels are bed bugs. These blood-sucking pests are commonly spread by us humans when we’re on-the-move. The two primary bed bugs that affect humans are Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus, also known as the common bed bug and the tropical bed bug, respectively.

If you’re seeing bed bugs in your home or business, it’s time to take action. Learn more about our Residential Pest Control and Commercial Pest Control services to keep your property pest-free. 

Did You Know?

The Bug Man offers bed bug training classes to housing facilities! This hour-long class will teach staff how to identify the insect and strategies for preventing the spread of bed bugs, including proper transport of bedding material throughout the facility. We also develop bed bug protocols for staff to follow in the event of an active issue. The course culminates in a short test showing completion of the training, which is a great tool for management to keep on file for any health inspections. Contact us to learn more.

Bed Bugs

Where Are They Found and What Are They Looking For?

The bed bug is found all over the world, primarily in hotels, hospitals, public transportation, and even planes. The only difference between the common and tropical bed bugs is that tropical bed bugs prefer more tropical climates. However, tropical bed bugs can still be found in temperate areas where the common bed bug is found.

Bed bugs usually hide within 1 to 2 meters of their hosts during the day and come out to feed at night. They prefer hiding in seams of mattresses, crevices in box springs, behind headboards, under loose wallpaper or baseboards, and even behind pictures. 

Identifying Features

Bed bugs are oval-shaped, flat, and approximately 5 mm long. They resemble unfed ticks or small roaches and are easily visible to the naked eye. Adults have a chestnut, reddish-brown color, while juvenile bed bugs are more of a light yellow color. The bugs possess a pyramid-shaped head and slender antennae. After feeding, they may increase in length by 30 to 50%. Adult bed bugs can live for 6 to 12 months and can survive without feeding for up to a year.

Bat Bugs

Did you know that bats also have a blood-sucking pest? It’s called a bat bug. While usually unknown to humans, if there is a bat infestation in your home, it’s worth the time to see if these pests are there too!

Identifying Features

Bat bugs are typically lighter and tend to be more of a light brown-beige color than their common bed bug cousins. When put under a microscope, they display hairs longer than the width of their eyes, and they have shallower curve in the pronotum, giving them the appearance of a rounder head. 

Where Are They Found and What Are They Looking For?

Attics, crawlspace under your house, or other places you might find bats. They feed on bats, mice, birds, and rodents. When bats leave their space, the bat bugs go for their next target: you! They will migrate from their previous bat-infested homes into your living space–occupying the same spaces as common bed bug or tropical bed bug.

Let us do the dirty work!

If you suspect any of the above bed bugs to be present in your home, the easiest, most effective way to get rid of them is with the help of a professional pest control company. Bed bugs cause painful bites, severe itching, significant sleep disruption, and reduced quality of life, so they should not be taken lightly. Contact us—we’ll do the dirty work so you don’t have to. 

Don’t let bed bugs take over your home. Our expert Residential Pest Control and Commercial Pest Control services are designed to eliminate infestations and keep them from coming back. Schedule your appointment today!

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

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/ 

 

 

Summer Flea Prevention Tips for Indoor and Outdoor Pets

Stay pest-free with these Summer Flea Prevention Tips!

Fleas are pesky insects that love warm weather, making them more active during the summer. They are tiny and hard to spot, but their itchy bites can be a real nuisance. Fleas often hitch a ride into your house on your pets or even on your clothes. Once inside, they multiply rapidly, infesting your carpets, furniture, and bedding. Our summer flea prevention tips can help you act quickly to stop fleas from multiplying and prevent a full-blown infestation.

Fleas in the House

Fleas are super stealthy in infiltrating your home. Once they hitch a ride into your home, you’ve got a full-blown flea circus. To get rid of these pesky acrobats, arm yourself with flea treatments for your furry pals and vacuum like there’s no tomorrow! Here are a few tips on how to get rid of fleas in the house:

Flea Prevention is Key
  1. Start by regularly grooming your dogs and cats and inspecting them for any signs of fleas and flea bites.
  2. Use a flea comb to catch them before they have a chance to multiply.
  3. Wash your pet’s bedding regularly in hot water and consider using flea prevention treatments recommended by your veterinarian.
  4. Keep your yard tidy by mowing the grass and removing any debris where fleas might hide.
  5. Vacuum your home frequently, paying extra attention to carpets, rugs, and furniture.
Get Help from a Pest Expert

Despite your best efforts, fleas can still find their way into your home. When faced with a full-blown infestation, it’s time to call in the experts. The Bug Man has the knowledge, experience, and tools to effectively get rid of fleas in your home. We can apply safe and targeted treatments that eradicate fleas at every life stage.

Fleas can be bothersome to you and your pets. And due to the sheer amount of eggs one flea can lay along with the long and repetitive life cycle, it is nearly impossible to get rid of them by yourself. Let The Bug Man treat your home to solve your flea infestation problem today!

Did you Know?

To see if a flea is biting you, put on white tube socks! If there are fleas, they’ll show up against the bright white socks.

What To Do If Your House Has Bed Bugs?

What to do if you have Bed Bugs
What are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. They are commonly found in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and other furniture near sleeping areas. These pests are known for their ability to cause skin irritation and discomfort, and they can quickly become a major nuisance for homeowners. 

How Do You Treat a Bed Bug Infestation?

If you suspect that you have a bed bug infestation in your home, it is important to take action as soon as possible to eliminate these pests and prevent them from spreading.

Pest Control

One of the most effective ways to eliminate bed bugs from your home is to hire a professional pest control service. Pest control professionals are trained and equipped to handle bed bug infestations of any size, and they have access to specialized treatments and techniques that are not available to the average homeowner. 

Treatments

Pest control professionals use a variety of methods to eliminate bed bugs from homes, including heat treatments, insecticides, and fumigation. Heat treatments involve raising the temperature of the infested area to a level that is lethal to bed bugs, while insecticides and fumigation treatments target the pests directly with chemicals. Your pest control professional will work with you to determine the best treatment method based on the severity of the infestation and your specific needs.

Prevention

In addition to eliminating bed bugs from your home, a pest control service can also provide tips and recommendations for preventing future infestations. This may include advice on how to properly clean. store & transport bedding and other linens as well as provide information on how to identify early signs of a bed bug infestation. A preventative treatment service can also be applied to a property to be proactive against bed bugs. This product has a 90-day residual with no odor and is safe to use around sleeping areas in multi-family housing, senior living facilities, shelters, hotels, etc.

Did you know?

The Bug Man offers bed bug training classes to housing facilities! This hour-long class will teach staff how to identify the insect and strategies for preventing the spread of bed bugs, including proper transport of bedding material throughout the facility. We also develop bed bug protocols for staff to follow in the event of an active issue. The course culminates in a short test showing completion of the training, which is a great tool for management to keep on file for any health inspections!

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What keeps biting me?!

If you are being bitten but can’t find any insects, The Bug Man can test furniture in the sleeping and common areas for current and previous bed bug infestations. These test kits will show a positive result if bed bugs have been present or any treatment for bed bugs was performed in the last 90 days. We recommend calling The Bug Man and packing a few in your suitcase for your next hotel stay!  

If you are dealing with a bed bug infestation in your home, call The Bug Man. We can provide the expertise and tools needed to eliminate these pests and restore your home to a comfortable, pest-free environment.

 

 

Roach Roster: The Difference Between American, German & Smoky Brown Roaches

Roach Roster: The Difference Between American, German & Smoky Brown Roaches

We’ve all been there – you walk into your kitchen to grab a late-night snack and right as you reach for the oreos, you see a gigantic roach dart across your floor. How are you going to track it, kill it and stop others from following in its footsteps? A great starting place is identifying which type of cockroach it is. Did you know that there are actually thousands of species of them? We’re going to break down the top three that we typically come across in Louisiana to help you decipher your unwelcomed visitors.

If you’re seeing roaches in your home or business, it’s time to take action. Learn more about our Residential Pest Control and Commercial Pest Control services to keep your property pest-free.

American Cockoach

Sometimes known as the palmetto or water bug, American cockroaches are the biggest commonly-found species – often living outdoors, but making their way in for sustenance.

Identifying features:

  • Reddish brown in color with a yellow stripe behind the head
  • About 32-54 mm in length
  • Will fly sometimes
  • Will gather together in open spaces

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

  • American cockroaches are often found outside in warm, moist areas like flowerbeds and near trees, but they will go inside in search of food or water or in response to a climate change
  • They often enter through cracks under doors, in crawl spaces and garages
  • Inside, you can find them in places where crumbs, food particles and fermenting materials collect, like under appliances and in cabinets and pantries

German Cockroach

One of the smallest types of cockroaches, German roaches are one of the most well-known indoor roaches with the ability to easily travel via plumbing and through bags, boxes and furniture brought into the home.

Identifying features:

  • Light brown in color with two black stripes behind the head
  • About 13-16 mm in length
  • Fly infrequently, although they do have wings

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

  • German cockroaches prefer to live indoors and scavenge off of not only food droppings, but also things like garbage, books, hair and dog food
  • They gravitate toward dark, warm places, like around the wiring of electronics, under appliances and near trash cans

Smoky Brown Cockroach

A relative of the American cockroach, Smoky Brown cockroaches are large, nocturnal flying creatures that prefer the outdoors and non-dwelling places, but sometimes find their way indoors, often unnoticed.

Identifying features:

  • Dark mahogany or black in color with a shiny texture
  • About 33-38 mm in length
  • Often fly, with wings larger than their bodies

Where are they found and what are they looking for?

  • Smoky Brown cockroaches prefer warm, humid areas outside like in tree crevices, mulch, woodpiles, gutters and greenhouses
  • Because they get dehydrated easily, they are often found close to sources of water and feed on decaying plant and organic matter
  • They usually enter homes through sewers or fly in through doors and windows to toward light to take refuge in areas like attics and crawl spaces

If you suspect any of the above cockroaches to be present on your property, the easiest, most effective way to get rid of them for good is with the help of a professional pest control company. Because cockroaches carry diseases and can be harmful to the health of your household, frequent sightings should not be taken lightly. Contact The Bug Man to clear cockroaches up today – we’ll do the dirty work so you don’t have to. 

Don’t let cockroaches take over your home or business. Our expert Residential Pest Control and Commercial Pest Control services are designed to eliminate infestations and keep them from coming back. Schedule your appointment today!

3 Shortcuts For Effective Pest & Rodent Control | The Bug Man

3 SHORTCUTS FOR EFFECTIVE PEST & RODENT CONTROL | The Bug Man

Keeping critters like raccoons, mice, squirrels, nutria, opossum, snakes and birds at bay in your home or office is easier than you might think.

Uncovering a pest or rodent infestation is just the beginning.

If you’ve ever heard, seen or smelled the traces of pointy claws, sharp teeth or sneaky slitherers in your home or business, you can certainly be left with an uneasy feeling. While you may be tempted to buckle down and attack the situation yourself, for your protection, it’s best to leave the dirty work to the professionals. With many different methods and resources available, our team is equipped with Louisiana Department of Agriculture-licensed trappers for safe and powerful pest, rodent and animal control and removal services.

Sometimes, even after an infestation is removed, a stench can linger behind.

After you’ve tackled your first battle (the actual pest or rodent) there may be another one that quickly surfaces – an extremely unpleasant smell. A smell that candles, air fresheners and essential oils simply can’t mask. The only completely long-lasting solution is a commercial-grade odor eliminator. We offer one that is safe, effective and can tackle up to 40,000 cubic feet at a time. Because it works without the use of harmful chemicals, you don’t even need to leave your home or business for it to start working its magic.

The most effective way to get rid of unwanted pests? Don’t let them in!

The best defense is always a good offense, even when it comes to pests and rodents. This means identifying, sealing and securing any potential entry points, including garbage chutes, drains, vents and foundation cracks around your house or business before unwanted guests can make themselves at home. If you want to be sure all of your bases are covered, we recommend enlisting the help of licensed professionals. Our exclusion services offer a preventative barrier to keep you safe, comfortable and nuisance-free year-round.

At The Bug Man, we get ‘em when you can’t. Contact us today to learn more about our pest-free guarantee. 

 

How The Seasons Affect Pest Behavior

Pest For Every Season

Pests are always looking for a nice warm, safe place to find shelter and food. And yes, that place is often our homes. Pests are affected by the seasons and the threats they bring vary as the weather changes. It’s essential to keep pests out of your home and protect it. Let’s take a look at the season pest patterns so you can take the proper precautions as seasons change.

SPRING – Insects Are Awakening And Mating Begins

The flowers are blooming and the temperatures are warming. Spring is a magical time of year. However, with this mix of warmth and moisture, pests emerge from their winter nesting area. Termites may swarm and bees and wasps are roused from their dormant state and with the spring rains, ants may try to find higher ground and look to get indoors. Most pests will move outdoors in spring to find mates.

SUMMER – Outdoor Fun And Backyard Pests

Everyone wants to get outside and enjoy all that summer has to offer, but pests may put a damper on that BBQ you were planning on. While we don’t see as many indoor pests during the summer, we see a larger amount of pests outdoors. Bees, wasps, and other stinging insects are more active and their nests are often found on or near our homes. And let’s not forget what the spring and summer rains bring – mosquitos. It takes a little effort to deter these nuisances, but putting in a bit of effort can undoubtedly increase the number of good times you can have outdoors.

FALL – A Little Home Maintenance And A Shelter

There’s a chill in the air and guess who’s looking for a place to prepare for winter? You guessed it – pests. Boxelders, ladybugs and spiders are coming into your home. They love cracks and crevices. What about more significant pests like mice and rats? They too are looking for food and shelter. Fall is the season to pull up your sleeves and do a little home maintenance. Make sure those cracks, crevices, holes and gaps in your siding, foundations, floors, attics, and garages are sealed to keep them out. 

WINTER – Hibernation And Survival

Winter is a time of hibernation and survival for pests. Now that it’s colder the weather triggers a need for pests to find shelter. Some seek refuge outdoors, but others will be looking to shelter indoors. Wasps and bees will look for places in logs, or the eaves of your home and ants will look to seek shelter in their nesting sites. Other pests like mice and rats are not tolerant of the winter months and often look for shelter in homes. The best time to prepare to keep these pests out and away from your home is in fall. 

Being prepared for seasonal insect patterns is important. It’s not always easy to completely control or deter insects and pests on your own; that’s why you have The Bug Man. To make sure all insect infestation signs or pest inhabitation are appropriately addressed, give us a call or text us at 225-923-2847

Facts & Frequently Asked Questions About Fleas

Frequently Asked Questions About Fleas

Even after a treatment, it is normal to see some adult fleas for up to three weeks. You can relax. It doesn’t mean you have a new infestation. It means that the flea pupae (offspring) are simply emerging from their cocoons. It’s far from a cause for alarm. A little known fact about these little pests is that flea pupae are protected from insecticides by their cocoons. They break free as adults for a period of one to three weeks. Once exposed to the insecticide residual, they will also be eliminated.  

When you hire The Bug Man to eliminate a flea problem in your home, you can rest assured knowing that you’re receiving the very best, most professional pest control service. However, there are little things homeowners can do to help get rid of fleas before and after a flea treatment.

How long do I have to be out of the home/yard as well as animals?

The Bug Man provides a comprehensive sweep of all flea problems within and around the home. It’s a process that takes time, but don’t worry. You will be able to return to your home rather quickly. After a flea treatment, customers and their household animals have to be out of the home and yard for roughly four hours, which means returning to your home should be easy (and flea-free).

What do I need to do to prepare for treatment?

Before The Bug Man shows up for treatment, we recommend that you remove all decorative items, pillows, pet food, water dishes and children’s toys from under beds and furniture. Once those objects are out of the way, sweep a vacuum across all rugs, carpets and furniture — especially between and under cushions. When your vacuuming is complete, seal and dispose of the vacuum bag in an outside receptacle.

What do I do if I have pets?

This is a common question for many homeowners. Remove all pets from your home, and wash or dispose of all pet bedding separately from your other linens. Before the treatment begins, it’s best to show your pest control technician where your pets sleep, rest and eat. When it comes to your fish or reptiles, fish bowls and aquariums may remain as long as they are properly covered and if the air pump is shut off during treatment. As with any pest treatment, we recommend that you ask your pest control technician for specific directions.

What do I need to do after treatment?

While it’s normal to return to your home about four hours after a flea treatment, it’s still best to follow the specific instructions of your pest control technician to find out when it’s clear and safe for you and your family to return home. We also suggest that you resume your normal vacuuming 24 hours after your home has been treated in order to give the insecticide time to work. Make sure to continue vacuuming daily for two to three weeks. The reason? Well, the mechanical pressure from the vacuum stimulates unhatched fleas to emerge from their protective pupae cases and be exposed to the insecticide.

A Final Pro-Tip

To see if you have a flea problem, walk around in white tube socks. They will cover you and are easily visible. Take it from pros like us, then talk to us about getting fleas far from your home.


If you are concerned about fleas and pest problems in or around your home, consider calling a pest management professional. The Bug Man provides many pest control services for fleas, rodents, roaches, mosquitoes, termites, bed bugs, and much more! For a customized solution for your household, contact The Bug Man or give us a call or text at (225) 923-2847.

Our expert Residential Pest Control and Commercial Pest Control services are designed to tackle flea infestations quickly and effectively. Schedule your appointment today and let us help you reclaim your space!