Tag: rodent infestations

How To Have a Pest-Free Home For The Holiday Season

Posted on October 20, 2020 by - Nuisance Animals, Rodents

Pest Free Home For The Holidays

The holiday season is already here – families across the country are getting into the spirit by decorating their homes, carving pumpkins and will soon be stringing holiday lights and wrapping presents. Although this is all fun and games, there are some unwanted guests that also want to join in on the fun and spoil your celebrations. These unwanted guests are pests, such as spiders, ants, cockroaches and even rodents! Although there are many holiday items that attract pests, there are ways you can avoid them. The Bug Man has provided some tips on how to keep your home pest-free this holiday season! 

Pumpkins

While carved pumpkins are the holiday symbol for October, they can be a breeding ground for pests. Whenever you are carving out the pumpkin, make sure you’re cleaning out all of its guts. (This also reduces the amount of mold growth.) The pulp inside the pumpkin is the most delicious part—both to rodents and bugs alike. Put simply: The less pulp, the fewer bugs there will be. 

Additionally, make sure you dispose of the pumpkin early. Leaving your pumpkin out for too long leaves room for the ultimate critter feast with the possibility of an invitation into your home.

Boxes

Another way that pests can enter our homes during the holiday season is through the boxes of decorations, which are often stored in attics, garages and basements. Your decorations give food, shelter, and warmth to many of these pests and they are often left undisturbed for many months. 

When homeowners unpack their holiday decorations, many may find live or dead pests inside. When it’s time to decorate for the holidays, unpack holiday items outside and inspect everything carefully for signs of pests, droppings or any other damage before bringing them inside your home. 

Pro Tip: The use of cardboard boxes to store decorations is a big mistake. Many critters feed on starches like cardboard. This is an open home invitation to pests! At The Man, we suggest using heavy plastic containers that seal. Make sure you are not overpacking, which will lead to the containers not being able to shut properly.

Christmas Trees & Wreaths

Christmas trees and wreaths are also one of the most common ways in which pests enter into homes. Spiders, termites and ants are usually found in the crevices of wood or deep in the branches of trees. Some bugs may even lay eggs. 

To avoid bringing insects into your home, make sure you properly inspect the trees before bringing them in the home. Deny critters this free entry by shaking the tree or wreath before bringing it indoors. A good shake will knock off the bugs clinging to branches. 

After the holidays are over, it might be tempting to put your tree in the backyard. However, you should not do this. If your tree contains invasive species, you are introducing them to the neighborhood. In many areas in Louisiana, Christmas trees are collected from the curbside during the first two weeks in January. Many communities now recycle Christmas trees and use them for mulch, hiking trails, soil erosion barriers, bird feeders and much more!

During this busy time of the year, it’s easy to overlook signs of pests in the thrill of the holiday season. If you or a loved one sees signs of pests or suspect an infestation, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect your home so you can enjoy the festivities in a pest-free home! For a customized solution for your household, contact The Bug Man or give us a call or text at (225) 923-2847.

Insulation in Your Attic and Why It’s Important

Posted on December 17, 2019 by - Rodents, Uncategorized

Insulation in Attic Blog

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.