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3 Common Kitchen Pests To Watch Out For

3 Common Kitchen Pests To Watch Out For

What are the common kitchen pests to watch out for?

  1. Ants
  2. Cockroaches
  3. Rodents

The kitchen is the place where food is prepared. Where there is food around, there is the risk of pests attraction, especially if pests have easy access to your kitchen. Whether it’s a kitchen in your home, restaurant, office, or school, it’s important to know the common kitchen pests to watch out for. Take steps to prevent annoying, damaging, and costly pest infestions by implementing high standards of sanitation and hygiene. Keep on reading to learn more!

 

Ants

Ants

Ants are one of the most common household pests, and they can be commonly found in the kitchen. Ants are known for liking the sugar content of food, which is why you might find them near sweet foods, such as syrups! Since these pests need water, they might also be found near the sink. 

 

Here are some of the reasons why you might find them in your kitchen:

  • Having sugary and sticky food items
  • Excess moisture source
  • Improperly stored food
  • Uncovered garbage

 

Unfortunately, ants are capable of causing food contamination and spreading diseases like Salmonella, ​​E. coli, and Shigella. For this reason, you don’t want ants to come and go in your kitchen, especially if you have a food business.

 

Ants leave scent trails behind when they go through places as this allows them to follow each other. That’s why you will often see them walk in lines. You can follow the trail to find out where they’re coming from. You’ll need the help of a pest management team to find and get rid of the ant colony. 

 

Cockroaches

Cockroaches

Cockroaches can be found in poorly cleaned and sanitized kitchens, and can be a reason for your health code violation if you’re managing a restaurant. But how do they get into your kitchen? 

 

Here are some of the things that can attract cockroaches:

  • Food debris
  • Moisture
  • Clutter
  • Warmth and heat

 

Cockroaches can hitchhike in deliveries and also get inside holes that give them access to your kitchen. They look for a steady supply of food and water to survive. Cockroaches are problematic because they can spread disease-causing pathogens. Their droppings can leave dark stains and trigger asthma attacks, too. 

 

One of the most effective ways to prevent a cockroach infestation is to properly store food and practice proper cleaning. If you already have a cockroach problem, a pest management team can help you solve the problem effectively. 

 

Rodents

Rodents

Mice and rats are commonly found in kitchens since they’re also enticed by food and nesting options in this area! They can climb and squeeze themselves into small openings to get into your kitchen. Whether it’s through holes or gaps in walls, floors, or windows, they will find a way to get in for the following reasons:

 

  • Food and water source
  • Food debris
  • Nesting location

 

Some of the usual food sources of rodents in your kitchen include grains, rice, and cereal which can be found in your cupboards. However, they don’t have a preference of where they will get their food from, so garbage is just fine too. Rodents also attracted to dark and damp areas, so they might gather under the sink. 

 

Urine and feces from rodents can be a cause of food and water contamination. Rodents can also spread pathogens, such as leptospirosis and salmonella. Rodents also carry smaller pests with them, such as ticks, fleas, and mites. They like to gnaw and can cause damage to your kitchen. 

 

To get rid of rodents in your kitchen, store all food properly and get rid of nesting materials, such as cardboard, paper, fabric, or rugs. Seal entry points so they can’t come in. Pest control teams will help you remove rodents if you have an infestation. 

 

Key Takeaway

 

These common kitchen pests to watch out for may be small or look harmless, but they can cause many problems for you and others, such as contaminating food and water, spreading diseases, and causing damage to property! 

 

The three things that will attract them to your kitchen are food, water, and a place for nesting, so make sure to implement higher standards when it comes to hygiene and sanitation and seal all entry points!

 

If you presently have a pest infestation in your kitchen, call us here at Topbest, so we can help you! As an experienced pest control and management company, we only use safe and effective methods to get rid of pests for good. We also offer FREE pest consultation in the Philippines. 

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How Cockroaches Reproduce

How Cockroaches Reproduce

How do cockroaches reproduce?

  1. They release pheromones
  2. They lay dark brown capsules
  3. The nymphs hatch and grow
  4. They reproduce quickly

 

Cockroaches are a common pest in the Philippines, and they create plenty of problems for homeowners. Cockroaches carry a host of diseases, leave bacteria on everything they touch, and can even trigger asthma attacks in some people. The worst part of dealing with cockroaches in your home is that they can multiply with lightning speed — if you see one and leave them alone, you may be dealing with hundreds of them in just one year.

But how do cockroaches reproduce, and what can you do to stop them? In this article we go over the basics of their reproduction cycle, and what to look out for in your home. Read on!

 

Brief overview

There are many types of cockroaches, but in the Philippines, the most likely pests you would see in your home are the German cockroach and American cockroach species.

As with many other animals, cockroaches will typically reproduce using eggs from a female and sperm from a male cockroach. What happens after this stage varies from species to species. Typically, you can expect the cockroaches on your property to go through the following reproduction stages:

 

They release pheromones

They release pheromones

For cockroaches, it all starts with pheromones. Both males and females can produce pheromones, which signals all the other roaches within their vicinity that they are ready to mate.

This attracts other cockroaches who want to mate. Once they’ve paired up, cockroaches will engage in a courtship ritual — this ritual varies from species to species.

For the American cockroach, females begin with a dance. They raise their wings to expose the underlying membranes, while also expanding their genital chambers. They also release more pheromones to entice the male.

The male will approach the female, raising their wings to indicate their interest. The male will then back into her and connect to her genital chamber. He then deposits his spermatophore — a bundle of sperm in a special capsule — into the chamber.

 

They lay dark brown capsules

Cockroach-with-ootheca

image source: entomologytoday.org

Once fertilization has occurred, female cockroaches will form a protective protein casing called an ootheca. She will lay the fertilized eggs in this casing and will carry them on her abdomen.

American cockroaches will typically carry their ootheca for a few hours up to a few days while she finds the perfect spot. When she finds one, she will deposit and glue the ootheca to a surface with her saliva.

German cockroaches will carry their ootheca for nearly the entire time until they are ready to hatch. They then deposit their ootheca in what they deem a protected area and leave.

If you find something and wonder if it’s a cockroach egg, check its appearance. Most cockroach eggs will look purse-shaped, light to dark brown (almost black), and are quite small — around ¼ of an inch long. Sometimes, these will be attached to a surface and hidden in a dark and damp area.

 

The nymphs hatch and grow

The nymphs hatch and grow 2

After some time, newly hatched roaches will emerge from the ootheca. These are called nymphs, and they are usually very small, white, and pale, which is a result of their underdeveloped exoskeletons. Shortly after hatching, they start to turn light brown and resemble small and wingless adult cockroaches.

Cockroach nymphs will molt several times on the course to adulthood. The period between each mold is called an instar, and with every instar, they look more and more like adult cockroaches. For some species, like the American and German cockroaches, this molting process is short and lasts only a few weeks.

You can generally tell whether a cockroach is an adult or not by its appearance. Young cockroaches tend to be smaller and lighter in color — most notably, they lack wings.

 

They reproduce quickly

The nymphs hatch and grow

After their final molting stage and the growth of their wings, the cockroaches will be considered mature adults capable of reproduction. At this stage, German cockroaches will live from 150 up to 200 days, while American cockroaches can live up to 400 days after reaching adulthood.

At this time, cockroaches can reproduce multiple times a year. For most cockroach species, they can produce one nymph per egg — however, they can lay multiple eggs at once. These eggs are clustered together in their ootheca. American cockroaches will typically carry 14 to 16 eggs at a time. German cockroaches are more prolific, having up to 48 eggs at a time.

It also takes different amounts of time for different cockroach species to hatch. American cockroaches can take around 6 weeks to hatch, while German cockroaches can hatch after only 3 weeks.

 

Where do cockroaches lay their eggs?

Cockroaches will often hide their eggs in spaces like cracks, crevices, underneath furniture and appliances. They will prefer dark, warm, and humid spaces that are close to food and water sources.

They’re likely laying eggs in your kitchen and bathroom — but they can also be found in your bedroom. They will likely choose spaces like wardrobes and dressers to lay their eggs. These are likely hidden in the back corners where they are less likely to be found or disturbed.

 

Can cockroaches reproduce asexually?

The short answer is: yes. Female cockroaches don’t need a mate to lay viable eggs. If there is a lack of male cockroaches, they use a technique called parthenogenesis to develop eggs alone. This means their eggs will have less genetic diversity and are less likely to survive and hatch — but it’s still entirely possible for them to make more cockroaches even without sexual reproduction.

 

Key Takeaway

This article on how cockroaches reproduce shows just how alarming it can be to see one or two of them in your home. They can reproduce at an alarming rate and can quickly infest your home — creating serious health implications for you and your family.

If you find that your home has cockroaches, take immediate action to stop the situation from getting out of hand. Contact Topbest today for the best pest control services in the Philippines! We offer free online consultation to understand your unique pest situation. We then take all the appropriate measures to eradicate them from your home and prevent infestation.

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Where Do Cockroaches Live?

Where Do Cockroaches Live

Where do cockroaches live?

  1. Garbage cans
  2. Under sinks
  3. In appliances and furniture
  4. Closets and cabinets
  5. Basements
  6. Clutter

 

Cockroaches are one of the most adaptable and resourceful pests that you can have in your home. Due to their size and their ability to squeeze in through tiny gaps, they can live almost anywhere—as long as there is access to food and water. According to https://www.midamericapest.com/where-we-service/tulsa-ok-pest-control, that means these pests can live in your home without you knowing. If you’re finding their eggs everywhere, you might be confused about where they’re hiding. If you want to answer where do cockroaches live, keep on reading! If you need pest control in Salt Lake City, click here to get the best services.

Under Sinks

Cockroaches thrive in dark and hidden places. They can live for long periods without food but they need to drink water to survive. This is why they’re attracted to places that can give them a steady supply of water. One of these is found under your sink area—especially if you have leaky pipes. Aside from moisture, this place also allows them to hide undisturbed. Some species of cockroaches can also hold their breath for more than half an hour when submerged in water.

If you have broken pipes, have them fixed as soon as possible as they can attract cockroaches into your home. Remove water sources such as dishwashing sponges, brushes, and more.

 

Garbage Cans

Garbage Cans

Garbage cans are one of the places where cockroaches like to explore because it gives them direct access to food and water. As these pests like humidity and darkness, they might also live in these containers.

If you don’t want to attract cockroaches into your home, make sure to seal your garbage bins with a lid. Empty it often and clean any leftover spills and food scraps on the container. This is also applicable to trash cans outside your home.

 

In Appliances and Furniture

Because cockroaches like dark places, it’s also no surprise that they’re willing to live inside your appliances and furniture. As they can squeeze in tight gaps with no problem, you might find them underneath your couch or in crevices on your refrigerator.

Try to include your appliances in your cleaning regime. Vacuum your furniture to suck in any eggs that cockroaches might have laid. Be careful when purchasing pre-owned couches because these might also bring in pests to your home.

 

Closets and Cabinets

Closets and Cabinets

There’s a reason why your mother used to put mothballs into your clothing cabinets. Other than moths, these round objects contain scents that cockroaches don’t like. It is also often placed under the sink to keep off different types of bugs.

Cockroaches like to explore cabinets and closets, especially you don’t use them often. This is why you might find the remains of a cockroach egg if you decided to rummage through your storage for seasonal clothing. Clean your closets from time to time to prevent pests from making it their home. Or better yet, you could declutter clothes that you haven’t used in years.

 

Basements

If you’re like most people, then you probably don’t check your basement often. Instead, it’s left alone for a long time unless you need something. This is why it’s one of the top places where a cockroach infestation might develop. Other than being a dark place, basements are warm and cozy places for these pests too.

The best way to prevent cockroaches and other pests from invading your basement is to seal openings. If you can, lower the humidity in the area to deter these bugs. Make sure to keep it clean as these pests also love clutter.

 

Clutter

Clutter

Clutter serves as a place where cockroaches can hide. If you have a stack of cardboard, magazines, and papers, these pests can squeeze in and make these their breeding place. You might not notice it until you see their eggs while you’re browsing an old magazine.

It’s not their main source of food, but a cockroach can also feed on the glue used or the material of the cardboard itself. If it’s wet, it also provides them a source of hydration.

 

Key Takeaway

Due to their size, cockroaches can live hidden from your view. They can be found in dark, damp, and undisturbed places where they’re left to breed and cause an infestation.

If you’re still wondering where do cockroaches live in your home, you can call a pest control expert such as Topbest! We can help you find the root cause of an infestation and provide short and long-term solutions to fix the problem.

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4 Tips to Get Rid of Cockroaches Overnight

4 Tips to Get Rid of Cockroaches Overnight

What are some tips to get rid of cockroaches overnight?

  1. Do general cleaning
  2. Use store-bought traps
  3. Spray liquid solutions into cracks
  4. Make DIY boric acid dough baits

 

A cockroach infestation is arguably one of the most frustrating to deal with. These insects will persistently find ways to enter your home, feed on leftover food, and terrorize inhabitants with the diseases they carry. If you want to get rid of cockroaches overnight, you have to make sure that you’re conducting effective strategies to keep these pests from your home and create a safe and clean space for everyone.

Cockroach presence in the home can lead to not just annoying swarms, but also potentially life-threatening situations. Apart from their unsightly figure, these pests are also carriers of certain diseases transmitted due to their nomadic behavior. They don’t stay around in one place for long, which is why they’re often found in different buildings, garbage dumps, sewage systems, drains, gardens, and even septic tanks.

With this, they may be critical in the spread of certain diseases, like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and the like. This is why effective control measures to curb their spread and get rid of cockroaches altogether should be done in any household. Read on.

 

Do General Cleaning

Do General Cleaning

When you spot roaches in your home, there’s a good chance that they’re scouring for any food source they can find. In particular, they thrive better in humid climates and are drawn to tropical areas. This is why you’ll often find cockroaches lurking in filthy, grimy, and damp spaces.

With this in mind, the most effective way of keeping roaches out is by conducting general cleaning in different parts of your home. Target frequently-used or traversed areas like the bathroom, kitchen, dining room, outdoor garbage dump, and pantry.

In the kitchen, for example, make it a habit to sweep the floors, countertops, and tables for any leftover food crumbs from the last meal. Similarly, make sure that there are no dirty dishes left out in the sink overnight. Wash them immediately after use so that they don’t sit idly and serve as a potential breeding ground for cockroaches and other pests.

Other areas like the bathroom, bedroom, living room and outdoor locations should also be part of the general cleaning routine. Sweep, mop, vacuum, and wipe down surfaces as needed. Dust dry areas and try to keep them free from debris or unwanted objects.

 

Use Store-Bought Traps

Cockroach preventive measures are best complemented with one another. If general cleaning alone won’t be enough, another good remedy is to purchase cockroach baits and traps from the store.

Many cockroach baits and traps found in the market today are environmentally friendly and don’t pose risks to the human respiratory system. As much as possible, use baits that contain potent chemicals and ingredients like fipronil, boric acid, sulfuramid, or hydramethylnon. You’ll find these indicated on the product label along with instructions on the most effective areas to use them.

Remember that some cockroach baits have to be placed away from household cleaners or detergents. If you’re placing one in the bathroom, for example, place the bait away from these cleaning materials as they can deter the cockroaches.

 

Spray Liquid Solutions into Cracks

Spray Liquid Solutions into Cracks

Aside from store-bought traps, you can also buy liquid spray solutions that can instantly kill cockroaches once applied. As much as possible, choose non-harmful and toxic-free products that can be sprayed into cracks and other openings in your home.

These liquid solutions or insecticides can also provide residual action once sprayed. This means that the product will retain its potency even after several days or weeks have passed. Using insecticides is also practical for other pests that may be housed in your property. Some examples include ants, silverfish beetles, spiders, stink bugs, and many more.

 

Make DIY Boric Acid Dough Baits

There are tons of homemade remedies for cockroach baits that you can also do at home. One of which is a boric acid dough bait-ball that you can spread around problem areas like the refrigerator, pantry, kitchen, and other rooms.

You’ll need the following ingredients for this homemade bait:

  • Boric acid powder or hydrogen borate
  • Brown or white sugar
  • White flour
  • Water

First, equal parts boric acid with equal parts of flour — around a 50:50 ratio. Using a spoon, sprinkle the powder mixture with around a quarter teaspoon (¼) of sugar. Gradually add water until you’re able to roll the combined ingredients together into a dough compound. Cut them into small pieces and scatter them around the corresponding areas.

 

Key Takeaway

If you’re struggling to contain a cockroach infestation in your home, then you may find these tips to get rid of cockroaches overnight useful. When dealing with any roach problem, see to it that you’re keeping your area clean so that they don’t get attracted to dirt. If this isn’t enough, use store-bought traps, insecticides, or even make DIY-anti-cockroach remedies that can get the job done.

Tired of dealing with a roach problem? Contact our team at Topbest now! With our professional pest control services, you can completely eliminate these pests from your home or building. Click here!

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Dangers of Pest Contamination in Food

Dangers of Pest Contamination in Food

What are the dangers of pest contamination in food?

  1. Transmission of pathogens
  2. Rapid bacteria multiplication
  3. Cross-contamination
  4. Exposure to parasites
  5. Stored food contamination

 

Pest contamination in food is not only well-known in the food manufacturing industry but in regular households as well. Luckily, some pest control services offer free pest inspections to help prevent these hazardous instances that can endanger the health of individuals from happening. Pest contamination is bad enough, but when it affects your food supply, then it will pose many health risks that you could’ve avoided altogether. Together with a pest control expert, you should push efforts to prevent the dangers of pest contamination in food below.

 

Transmission of Pathogens

It is common knowledge that pests can be the dirtiest and deadliest creatures in the world. They are responsible for many of the well-known diseases which have ultimately caused the demise of countless people. For instance, just a small amount of their droppings or urine can cause diseases and even damage your home. When pests are the culprit of food contamination, the frequency with which they can affect people in your home increases astoundingly!

The transmission of pathogens can happen through one of three ways: bacterial contamination, viral contamination, or parasite contamination. This can happen when the saliva, droppings, blood, or fecal matter of a pest is transferred into your food. The transmission of pathogens can cause hundreds or even thousands of cases of food poisoning worldwide which is why it is essential to maintain the best food-handling precautions as recommended by pest control services.

 

Rapid Bacteria Multiplication

Rapid Bacteria Multiplication

Bacteria can multiply very quickly, especially in a warm, damp environment like containers full of food. Pests tend to defecate even while eating food but make no mistake, they do this no matter the food that they are eating. Once consumed, these droppings can be responsible for dangerous and often fatal diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS),  Salmonella enterica infection, Listeriosis caused by Listeria monocytogenes, etc. Bacteria can spread pretty quickly, sometimes in a matter of minutes.

The velocity of their multiplication might seem exaggerated, but it really can multiply its size every 20 to 30 minutes. This is bad news especially if your food is constantly ridden by pests. The health risk that this poses for humans can be astounding because this multiplication will eventually lead to food poisoning. Pests can contaminate and destroy food worldwide that is enough to feed up to over 200 million people!

 

Cross-Contamination

Pests that contaminate food can be the cause of cross-contamination –  otherwise known as the passing of bacteria from a contaminated source to an uncontaminated one. This means that even if you are confident that your food was not exposed to the risk of contamination, it is still possible that you can contract diseases from it due to cross-contamination caused by pests.

Although there are cases where cross-contamination can be caused by improper food handling, pest contamination can also be the reason for this. An example of cross-contamination is when an uncontaminated piece of meat is placed in contact with a pest-contaminated one.

 

Exposure to Parasites

Exposure to Parasites

This type of hazard can be attributed to the presence of cockroaches and other insect pests. Cockroaches can spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria and 6 kinds of parasitic worms. When transferred to food, they can expose humans to diseases such as Escherichia coli and Shigellosis.

Pests can carry germs and bacteria which can easily be transferred to food, food surfaces, and other food processing equipment. Human pathogens such as Salmonella enterica, Vibrio cholerae, and Staphylococcus aureus are all harmful specimens carried by pests which causes dangerous diseases in humans.

 

Stored Food Contamination

The pests involved in this occurrence can range from flour beetles, weevils, cockroaches, and sometimes even termites. Food contamination in this category happens when pests leave body parts and cast skins or wings within the food that is stored. Also, another major concern about these pest body parts is that they can be ground up along with food products like grains and cereals making them almost undetectable, but just as lethal to humans.

 

Key Takeaway

Making the effort to prevent pest contamination in food should be done as early as the first pest detection that you have experienced. With that, a free pest infection will be delivered to you by a reliable pest control provider near you so it would do you good to contact one today.

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Examples of Pests that Are Affected By Pest Control Services

Examples of Pests that Are Affected By Pest Control Services

What are some examples of pests that are affected by pest control?

  1. Rats and mice
  2. Cockroaches
  3. Termites
  4. Ants

 

When it comes to pest control services, you have to know what you are dealing with to ensure that you will get rid of them once and for all! No one likes having pests as unexpected visitors to their homes. This is why various pest control experts are always up for the task of eliminating them in your area. You might think that those little creatures are just harmless but the truth is, they can be hazardous not just for your health, but for your family’s as well.

 

Here are some common examples of pests affected by pest control. Hopefully, this list can help you when identifying a pest problem with the help of professional pest control teams.

 

Rats and Mice

 

Don’t you just get the most uncomfortable feeling when you see a mouse or a rat scampering around your house? Well, that feeling is certainly justified because rodents often carry diseases that will subject you to potential health risks.

 

Your kitchen is especially vulnerable to these pests because they can contaminate your food which will spell disaster for you. Mice can carry diseases like salmonella or meningitis and rats can infect you with leptospirosis as well as other precarious illnesses that can cause liver, kidney, and heart problems.

 

The presence of rodents such as mice and rats greatly affect humans which is why at the first sign of trouble concerning these pests, you should instantly call pest control professionals.

 

Cockroaches

Cockroaches

It seems unsightly to call these pesky little creatures disgusting, but they sure live up to their reputation! One look at a cockroach, it can get girls (and boys for that matter!) screaming at the highest pitch.

 

Cockroaches live and thrive in dirty places so it only makes sense that they carry the same qualities as well. Their droppings, urine, and decaying bodies can turn into airborne particles which can be harmful, especially if you are asthmatic or you have young children at home.

 

They are the worst pests to have in your home because no matter how much effort you exert in order to get rid of them, they never seem to go away because of how fast they multiply. This is the reason why you should call on the services of pest control experts as soon as possible in order to have a roach-free household!

 

Termites

 

Do not be fooled by the small stature of these pests because they have the ability to cause damage to many things in and around your home. Termites are perpetually hungry, and they can gnaw their way through anything and everything in your house.

 

If you do not deal with them before the situation gets worse, termites can be the cause of you losing large sums. There are many DIY treatments for termite infestation that you can look into such as orange oil and tea tree oil but the best way to eliminate termites is to call the local exterminator.

 

The many species of termites all share this common denominator; the only way they can be dealt with before they bring extensive damage to your house structure and possessions is through thorough and proper extermination.

 

Ants

Ants

You may not care about leaving crumbs all over the floor or failing to cover up food containers but once ants find this source of food, then you might have a hard time ahead of you.

 

Colonies of ants can invade your home to the point that it becomes more than just annoying. What stands out about them is their ability to travel in large groups which ultimately means bigger problems for you. The best way to get rid of them is to get rid of open food containers and ensure cleanliness, especially in the kitchen. Keep them out by making sure to properly manage your waste. Most of all, do not leave out food in open areas.

 

Key Takeaway

 

The list of common pests affected by pest control does not stop here. In fact, there may even be new species of insects and bugs that can plague your home. To make sure that your home is protected from these creepy-crawlies at all times, cleanliness and proper upkeep are key. In times when their presence gets becomes too much to handle, do not hesitate to request for the expertise of pest control specialists so your situation would not get too out of hand.

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Do’s and Don’ts of Pest Control

Do’s and Don’ts of Pest Control

What are the dos and don’ts of pest control?

Do’s

  • Properly identify your problem.
  • Keep your home clean and well-maintained.
  • Alert your neighbors of any infestation.

Don’ts

  • Mix up pest control products.
  • Leave traps and chemicals in children’s reach.
  • Try to do it all on your own.

 

When it comes to pest control, we either decide to do it our own or hire experts to get the job done for us. There are people that prefer the latter because it is the most effective solution to any pest problem. Experts have the right skills and knowledge to get rid of these pests permanently. The methods they use also do no harm to our environment and our family, which is an important yet often overlooked aspect of pest control.

Then again, not all of us has the means to hire experts – they do cost a significant amount of money. So we settle for store-bought pesticides and traps while those who care more for the environment opt to make their own products. Although our own methods and products are nothing but temporary solutions, we still go through with it. For many, it’s what we’ve grown accustomed to and so we continue with the practice.

Whichever route we decide to go with, it is important to note of the do’s and don’ts of pest control and follow them strictly for the safety of our health and the environment.

 

Do Properly Identify Your Problem

There are as many pest control methods and products as there are kinds of pests. In order to ensure a successful extermination, you first have to identify what you are dealing with. Rodents, cockroaches, and termites – these are the usual invaders, but they aren’t the only ones.

 

Even if you’re hiring pest control experts, it’s still best to have a rough idea of the problem so that they can conjure up a solution faster and easier.

 

Do Keep Your Home Clean and Well-Maintained

Do Keep Your Home Clean and Well-Maintained

Nothing attracts pests and insects like uncleaned dishes, food crumbs on the floor, overly filled trash bins, standing rainwater, and untrimmed, poorly kept gardens and lawns. These are things you need to remove from your home if you don’t want to share it with a few dozen kinds of pests.

It is also a necessary step in pest control because it keeps these creatures from ever coming back. You can also treat it as a preventive measure from having to hire pest control services or perform pest control on your own.

 

Do Alert Your Neighbors of Any Infestation

Whenever an infestation happens in your home – whether it’s termites, rodents, bed bugs, or cockroaches – it is your duty as a homeowner to inform your neighbors of the problem.

Speed is key to pest control. Once pest problems and infestations start, they can easily spread like wildfire and affect the whole neighborhood! When it gets to that point, it will be hard to completely rid of the problem and you don’t want fingers to be pointed at you for not immediately alerting people.

 

Don’t Mix Up Pest Control Products

Don’t Mix Up Pest Control Products

In every sense and meaning of the phrase, do not mix up pest control products. Don’t use products meant for outdoors inside your home. Don’t switch up contents and containers. Do not mix pesticides and insecticides in hopes of creating a more potent solution.

Doing any of these can easily lead to accidents that may severely affect you and your family’s health. The easiest way to avoid this is to carefully read the labels and instructions and do as the manufacturer says.

 

Don’t Leave Traps and Chemicals in Children’s Reach

Leaving pesticides, insecticides, and traps around is a huge hazard especially if you have children in the house. The little ones are filled with curiosity and they will grab, use, and taste everything they can.

No matter how carefully you watch them, you can’t really know for sure what will happen once you turn your back even for just a minute. So, the best way to avoid accidents like this is to simply keep these harmful products out of their reach. If you need to lay down rat traps, then make sure they’re in a place where a child won’t accidentally touch it or set it off.

 

Don’t Try to Do It All On Your Own

As said in the introduction, DIY pest control is nothing but a temporary and convenient solution to your pest problems. There is absolutely no way to permanently get rid of these creatures besides calling in the experts and having them pick the problem by its roots.

Moreover, products bought over the counter can cause harm to the people in the household when not used properly. There are also cases where they exacerbate the problem instead of solving it.

 

Key Takeaway

There are many pest control do’s and don’ts to keep in mind to avoid doing harm to your family and the environment and also to ensure that the problem gets solved permanently. If you stick by the things written above, you can guarantee that pests will never bother you again and live a happy life knowing that you will never have to call in the experts or do your own pest control!

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Don’t Let Cockroaches Live in Your Car with These Pest Control Tips

Don't Let Cockroaches Live in Your Car with These Tips

What are the best pest control tips to prevent cockroaches from living in your car?

  • Don’t eat in your car.
  • Clean your car regularly.
  • Avoid parking close to drains, sewers, and garbage bins.
  • Set up traps or spray insecticide inside your car.

 

Have you ever thought about just how powerful cockroaches are? How they can break the calmness and serenity of an otherwise quiet room by performing some aerial antics? And how they can scare the daylight of a person that’s behind the wheel and cause said person’s car to crash – yes, this has happened, and in multiple occasions, which is why you definitely have to up your pest control game.

Cockroaches wander off into cars for the same reason they enter a home which is to find shelter, food, and a place to lay eggs and build a colony. The worst part about cockroaches in your car is that they aren’t just harmless bugs like ants and spiders. They transmit more than 30 types of bacteria, which have serious health consequences.

Aside from this, if you’re scared or easily startled, they can cause you to lose control of your vehicle as they climb up your legs or fly by your face. In a sense, it’s actually more dangerous if they settled in your car than in your home – but, of course, you wouldn’t want either.

So, if you want to save yourself and your passengers from any surprises in the form of a flying cockroach, follow these effective tips that are guaranteed to keep them out of your vehicle for good!

 Don’t Eat in Your Car

(Source: topgear.com.ph)

Don’t Eat in Your Car

No matter how careful you are with eating in your car, small crumbs are bound to fall onto the floor and there is nothing in the world that attracts cockroaches more than food. They are food-lovers and seek it out naturally, so of course, they will crawl into your car if it is filled with food.

Admittedly, it’s tough to follow this tip because a lot of people eat in their car. Most do it on the way to work, some let their kids have snacks, while others just enjoy a drive through every now and then.

If it’s impossible to not eat in your car due to your busy schedule, then at the very least bring a box or container to eat in and catch all the crumbs and immediately throw trash away.

 

Clean Your Car Regularly

Another good tip for those who like to eat in their car is to clean it regularly. By clean, we mean run a vacuum through every nook and cranny including the carpets and the space between the seats and the sides of the door. And by regularly, we mean at least once or twice a week.

It’s not just food sources you have to remove, you also have to throw away boxes, cups, containers, and other items that have no business being in your car. Cockroaches treat these storage containers as shelter, so unless you want to provide them with free lodging, it is best that you discard them.

If you need to store items in the trunk of your car, then we suggest you keep them in a hard plastic container that has a tight lid so the little bugs won’t be able to go inside.

 Avoid Parking by Drains, Sewers, and Garbage Bins

Avoid Parking by Drains, Sewers, and Garbage Bins

Avoid parking in these areas where cockroaches thrive. Leaving your car by these places is like an open invitation to these creatures. The minute they take interest in your car, they can easily climb in through the air conditioning vents or undercarriage.

Once they’re in, it won’t take long for them to find shelter and lay eggs. Before you know it, your car will be home to more than a dozen cockroaches.

 

Set Up Traps or Spray Insecticide Inside Your Car

If you suspect that cockroaches are already in your car or just want to be extra cautious, then there’s no harm in setting up traps and spraying insecticide inside your car.

The traps you can simply place underneath the seats or in the truck and leave overnight. The insecticide, however, must be used on a day that you won’t be using your car or at least a couple of hours prior. It’s not safe to do it right when you’re about to head out because even though inhaling a full bottle won’t kill you, it is still poisonous to the body.

 

Key Takeaway

Cockroaches are simultaneously scary, amazing, and utterly irritating. Even though you can easily call pest control when you find them inside your home, the situation isn’t that simple when they’re in your car. They may cause you to crash before you even notice they’re there and nobody wants that.

Truly, the best way to prevent jump scares and accidents caused by these flying creatures is to keep them out of your car with the tips given above. If there was an unfortunate accident that involved another car because of this pest, then the victims can talk to a criminal lawyer in orlando, fl.

Granted, some of them aren’t ideal like completely forgoing eating in your car, but the others are easily doable, so try to stick with them. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

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Pest Control 101: Common Black Bugs Found in the Kitchen and How to Dispose of Them

Pest Control 101: Common Black Bugs Found in the Kitchen and How to Dispose of Them

How to stop bugs from infecting your kitchen?

  1. Clean the area after using it.
  2. Place your food in air-tight containers.
  3. Seal all cracks and crevices that allow pests to enter your kitchen.
  4. Don’t leave food and water on your pet’s bowl.

 

For many homeowners, the kitchen is one of the areas of their house that should always be in pristine condition and free of germs. They would buy numerous cleaning agents, tools, and even organizers just to ensure the overall neatness and freshness of the space.

In addition to these sanitation measures are the different pest control methods from the pesky rodents and bugs that invade the kitchen.

Such preventive measures regarding the area’s sanitation are only normal and should not be considered as an exaggeration. This is because the kitchen is the area in the house where the food is prepared and stored, meaning it should have a low level of bacteria build-up.

In the Philippines, there are specific insects that are extremely drawn to the kitchen area of a house due to the flavorful meals prepared in it.

But before you call the local pest control in your community, you must first know what these critters are and how to prevent them from invading your kitchen.

Lucky for you, there’s no need to look any further because this article has everything that you need to know about these pesky kitchen invaders.

All there is left for you to do is to keep on reading.

Ants

Ants

Unfortunately, the ants found in the Philippines are present throughout the whole year, unlike in other countries where ants only come out every summer.

Even though these tiny critters commonly nest in the garden, they still travel to the inside of the house to hunt for food.

Despite their small size, ants can still cause harm to people by bringing them the discomfort that their bite could inflict. Apart from this, eating food pieces that are contaminated by ants can possibly result in food poisoning.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches

Even though cockroaches are not technically black in color, it is still a dark toned insect that often lives and breeds in warm areas like the kitchen.

Aside from the unpleasant odor that they emit which are often absorbed by food products and other items, cockroaches can also cause infectious diseases. Common diseases caused by cockroaches are salmonellosis, gastroenteritis, and typhoid.

What is even more alarming about cockroaches is their ability to breed quickly.

 Ways to Prevent Pests in the Kitchen

Ways to Prevent Pests in the Kitchen

They say that prevention is better than cure; the same thing could be said for maintaining a pest-free kitchen.

To help you out, here are some methods you can do to stop pests from being drawn to your kitchen:

Immediately Clean the Area

Since pests are drawn to the food stored and eaten in the kitchen, it is only normal to clean it after every use. A specific way of practicing this is by wiping right away all of the food crumbs and liquid spills on the dining table, cabinets, and even on the floor.

Leaving the dishes undone in the sink could still draw in pests which is why it is essential to clean the dishes right away and avoid letting it sit exposed for a period of time.

If there is any leftover food from the recent meal, position them right inside the refrigerator to prevent possible contamination.

Another aspect of the kitchen’s cleanliness is the trash bins because the leftover food pieces inside are very inviting to pests. In order to avoid such concerns, it is highly advisable to regularly take out the trash to avoid the wastes from accumulating in the area which could draw in pests.

Choose Your Food Products Based on Their Packaging

As much as possible, purchase food products that are packaged in jars or cans because these containers are extremely difficult for pests to contaminate.

Unfortunately, not all products available in the market are packaged in solid containers. For products like those, it is highly advised to store them in solid and air-tight containers because ants can still tear into plastic packets which food products are commonly stored in.

Check the Area for Possible Entrance   

Ants and cockroaches are small insects that can surely squeeze themselves through tiny cracks and openings.

While doing your regular kitchen clean-up, make sure to keep an eye out for small cracks on the walls where insects could enter. In the event that there is a possible entryway for pests, immediately mend the area.

Regularly Replace the Food and Water in the Pet’s Dish Bowl

Even dog foods are enticing to pests, which is why it is not ideal to let your pet’s food and water for a long time.

Not only will it draw in more pests, but also harm the health of your pet if they accidentally ingest bugs.

 

Key Takeaway

Ants and cockroaches often infest the kitchen due to the food supply stored within the area.

If you want to stop these pesky pests from contaminating your food, just follow the guidelines mentioned earlier and you’re all set to have an ant and cockroach-free kitchen.

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4 Most Commonly Found Cockroaches in the Philippines

4 Most Commonly Found Cockroaches in the Philippines

What are the most commonly found cockroaches in the Philippines?

  1. German Cockroach – it has two dark vertical stripes running the length of its head shield.
  2. American Cockroach – an adult American cockroach is reddish brown in color.
  3. Brown Banded Cockroach – it has light bands across its abdomen.
  4. Oriental Cockroach – it is darker than most cockroaches.

 

If you live in the Philippines, then you’re no stranger when it comes to cockroaches. More than that, you probably harbor a fervent aversion towards them, and that the very idea of cockroaches already makes you shudder in disgust. Plus, when they start flapping their wings and blindly soar through the air? That will certainly have anyone screaming.

Cockroaches top the list of pests that need to be controlled. Aside from the multitudes of measures that you need to take—such as rodent control—managing cockroaches can be a nerve-wracking yet satisfying venture. Nothing feels more gratifying than finally seeing your beloved home devoid of this pest.

However, contrary to what you might think, cockroaches don’t look alike, and there isn’t just a single type of cockroach prowling out there. There are, in fact, thousands of species out there. But this post will only tackle the 4 most commonly found cockroaches in the Philippines. Read on to know more about them!

 German Cockroach

Source: Wikipedia

German Cockroach

Its scientific name is Blatella germanica. This particular species is the reason why cockroaches have such a dreadful reputation.

The German cockroach is spread all over the globe, and they can’t subsist in areas that have no human activity. Their survival is also hampered by cold temperature, which is the primary reason why they’re so drawn to the Philippines and its scorching heat. This makes pest control—especially cockroach control—even more crucial.

An adult German cockroach is 10 to 15 millimeters in length. Its distinct characteristic is the two dark vertical stripes running the length of its pronotum (or head shield).

In order to distinguish the males from the females, there are features that you need to look out for. Males have a thin and slender body, and its back is not covered by tegmina (or is leathery outer wings). The male is also rendered in a light yellowish brown color.

On the other hand, a female German cockroach has a plump body, and its back is covered by tegmina.

A female generates 4-9 oothecae (egg case). Each ootheca contains 37-44 eggs. Lastly, the adult life cycle spans for more than 100 days.

 

American Cockroach

Its scientific name is Periplaneta americana. The American cockroach is the largest of the most common cockroaches, with an average of 4 cm in length.

An adult American cockroach is reddish brown in color, with a light brown or yellowish band around the rim of the pronotum. Males are much more substantial than females because their wings can extend from 4 to 8 mm beyond the abdomen.

A female produces one oothecae every 10 months, with around 16 eggs per ootheca. The adult life cycle lasts from 100 days to 3 years.

 Brown Banded Cockroach

Source: thefollisreport.com

Brown Banded Cockroach

Its scientific name is Supella longipalpa. This is a domestic cockroach, which means that its whole life is spent indoors. Yes, aside from rodents that you need to control, there’s also this particular cockroach that has a penchant for hiding in your home.

An adult brown banded cockroach resembles the German cockroach a bit, especially with their tiny size and body shape. But the two can be set apart by the absence of dark stripes on a brown banded cockroach. Instead, they have light bands across their abdomen.

The adult males are 13-14.5 mm in length, while adult females are 10-12 mm. Another distinct trait is that males fly when they are perturbed, while the females can’t fly. Lastly, a female brown banded cockroach has a considerably bigger abdomen than a male.

A female generates up to 13 oothecae, which comprises of around 16 eggs. An adult typically lives 90 to 115 days.

 

Oriental Cockroach

Its scientific name is Blatta orientalis. It’s approximately 1 inch long, and is darker than most cockroaches. Some of them, in fact, already veer to black.

Males have wings that envelope almost ¾ of their body. On the other hand, females have extremely short wings. Despite this, both of them cannot fly.

The life span of oriental cockroaches ranges from 1 to 6 months.

 

Key Takeaway

Aside from rodent control, you should also concern yourself with cockroaches; they definitely top the list of pests that you need to control.

There are thousands of species of cockroaches available in the Philippines, although these four are the most common. Regardless of the species, however, it’s your duty to ensure that your home or establishment is completely devoid of this horrifying pest.