Tag: rodent infestations

Bell Sensing Technologies: Keeping Your Premises Rodent-Free with Automation

In recent years, there has been an influx of rodents in residential and commercial buildings. Unfortunately, these infestations can cause significant damage to property as well as pose health risks. In order to protect their premises from these creatures, many people have turned to the Bell Sensing Technologies for trapping rodents.

Bell Sensing is a revolutionary technology developed by researchers at MIT that utilizes sensor-based analysis and real-time data to keep your premises rodent-free. Sensors are placed throughout your property, alerting The Bug Man via an app when a rodent has been caught. A Bug Man technician is sent out immediately to track where and how the rodent has been moving around. 

Suppose a building’s traps on the right side are triggered often; in that case, we can infer that rodents enter through that side. The app also enables technicians to record the gender and species of the captured rodent. This information is useful because capturing a male rodent means capturing a potential reproducer. Additionally, identifying whether the trapped rodents are mice or rats can help us improve our baiting strategies in the future.

Since the sensors are connected directly to your phone or computer, you can monitor your premises remotely at any time in case something needs attention immediately. Automating this process with Bell Sensing Technology can save precious time and resources while ensuring better safety for everyone on site. Bell Sensing is also a cost-saving to the customer because instead of us coming weekly or monthly, we only come when we receive a notification

Bell Sensing has made it much easier for businesses and homeowners alike to avoid potential problems related to rodents and maintain healthy premises using manual intervention by placing snap traps for rodent control on the sensors. With this amazing technology, people can now improve the condition of their homes or workplaces worry-free. So, if you’re interested in the Bell Sensing Technologies, call The Bug Man today. After all, we get them when you can’t. 

Avoid Unwanted Guests this Holiday Season

Tips for Getting Rid of Mice in Your House This Holiday Season

Ah, the holidays. A time for friends and family to gather. A time for loved ones to relish in each other’s company and reflect on the year. However, one or two unwanted guests usually want to make an appearance and ruin the most wonderful time of the year. Yep, you guessed it – Mice and other rodents. If you’re wondering how to go about getting rid of mice in your house, don’t worry. There are several effective ways to handle these tiny pests during the holiday season.

 

These unwanted guests want in from the cold and want to partake in your holiday feast. Unfortunately, they carry nearly a dozen diseases. But don’t panic if they show up and scurry around. There are multiple ways to manage these tiny disease carriers and prevent them from further contaminating your home.

 

Read on for our 5 tips for getting rid of mice in your house.

 

  1. Block all openings

 

Mice are sneaky as they come. They’ll find any way into your home. Walk around the exterior of your home and look for any openings or gaps. Spend the most time inspecting windows and the foundation. Remember, they’re unwanted guests. They’ll make their way to your celebration if there is an improperly sealed drain pipe or sewer line.

 

If you can’t correctly seal those openings, the next best thing is to use steel wool. You simply stuff it tightly into the opening. It’s impossible to chew through and not as tasty as your meal.

 

  1. Don’t use mice poison—set traps.

 

You may think that the easiest way to rid yourself of these unwanted guests is poison, but it doesn’t always take care of the problem. Poison can take some time and doesn’t always kill all the mice. And guess what? The ones that survive will reproduce and start the cycle all over. The ones that take the poison can run off, eventually die, and leave a disgusting odor. Finally, and perhaps most important – poison isn’t good to have around for family and pets.

 

We recommend traps because they are the safest and most effective. There are several types of mouse traps to choose from. Spring-loaded is excellent for trapping mice in the house. For a more humane way to trap, try glued mouse traps which allow you to release them outside. Finally, there’s your good old-fashioned homemade mousetrap, which is a cage or cardboard box you lure in and prevent it from escaping. Much like the glued trap, you can release it outside.

 

  1. Mouse repellents are a good option

 

Mouse repellent isn’t going to take care of the mice in your home completely, but it will help with more getting in. Mice hate essential oils, such as peppermint and clove and are great when you find a point of entry around your house. All you need to do is soak a rag or cotton ball and leave it at the entry point. Note: Natural mice repellents are not nearly as effective at getting rid of mice infestations.

 

  1. Meow meow

 

It may seem a little cliche, but it’s true; cats are natural-born hunters and can help with rodent infestations. This is considering no one in your house is allergic. Many don’t know this, but there are plenty of farms that are using cats to help with the problem.

 

  1. Call The Bug Man

 

You may be able to manage the mouse problem in your home effectively, but your best bet is to work with a professional who has the experience and professionalism to help with your problem. The Bug Man is reliable and knowledgeable and can give you peace of mind this holiday season. Although the Bug Man may not be able to help you with a crazy sibling or relative, they can surely help out with the other unwanted guests. 

 

From all of us at The Bug Man, we want to wish everyone a happy, healthy and pest-free holiday season. 

 

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

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

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.