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When Do Termites Become Most Active

When do termites become most active?

When do termites become most active?

  1. All-year-round
  2. During summer months
  3. During rainy months
  4. When trees start to bloom

Termites are dangerous critters that everyone should watch out for. They can destroy furniture, decor, and even the very foundation of houses and structures. That’s why early detection of termites is key. It can help reduce the cost of damages or repairs to your property. This includes knowing whether or not termites are seasonally active. But when do termites become most active? Keep reading to learn more!

All-Year Round

All-Year Round

Unfortunately, termites are pests that stick around all year round. However, their behavior varies depending on the kind of termite you’re dealing with, the weather, and the season. There are kinds of termites that prefer moist environments, while other termites are more active when the rain falls. Unfortunately, several types can also swarm to your property simultaneously despite the weather conditions.

During Summer Months

Of all the seasons in the year, summer is when termites thrive the most. During this time, there are no rain showers that pose problems to the colony. So, the working termites are in full swing to infest many areas. On top of that, the secondary queens in the colony are able to produce a lot of eggs, increasing the number of termites as the season progresses.

During the summer months, it’s best to conduct a pest inspection since the weather attracts many kinds of termites especially with the soil being warm and moist. At Topbest, our team of pest control experts can conduct a pest inspection to spot any termite infestations during the summer months.

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During Rainy Months

During Rainy Months

During the rainy months, termites thrive especially subterranean termites. They need water in order to survive, so the wood that they eat provides them with this. For subterranean termites, it’s especially important since they can’t go out in sunlight for more than a few minutes.

On top of that, the rainy season improves the way termites live. Water from the rain adds moisture to the wood making them soggy and better for termites.

To prevent termites from flocking your property during this season, wipe the wooden parts of your house that become damp from heavy rain. Also, try replacing any decaying wood wherever you find it in your home to prevent them from surging at your property.

Lastly, you have to make sure that there are no leaks in your house that might attract the termites to moisture.

When Trees Start to Bloom

Termite activity is also high when the trees start to boom their flowers. For instance, these pests swarm trees whose buds start to swell and the flowers begin to appear. Although they don’t eat leaves or flowers, termites invade and eat fruits. On top of that, they also like to attack live trees.

If you have trees in your backyard, you can be more prone to termite infestations during this season.

How To Prevent Active Termites

As luck would have it, there are termite prevention methods that could help you prevent active termites from damaging your property. It consists of a two-part process: preventing termites from accessing your home and treatment of termite colonies.

Here are a few steps you can take to help prevent termites while waiting for an expert to take an action on getting rid of active termites at your home:

  • Have a qualified expert conduct termite inspection every year.
  • Work with Topbest to address further conditions around your property where termite activity usually occurs.
  • Figure out which preventive termite control methods and treatments would be most functional based on your home’s construction.
  • Remove all access points such as seal gaps.
  • Discard the extra cellulose materials around your house and replace them with cellulose-free alternatives.
  • Address all the moisture problems in your house, especially in your basement, and reduce the excess moisture in your entire property.

What Time Of Year Is Best For Termite Control Treatment?

Since termites can invade your home despite the weather condition and time of the day, any time is the best for termite control treatment! So, if you notice any termite damage or simply wish to keep on top of possible termite invasions, we recommend getting a termite control service.

Key Takeaway

Now, you know the answer to the question, “when do termites become most active?”, you may be thinking about what you can do about it. That’s why we recommend getting in touch with a professional pest control service in Metro Manila.

Topbest has been helping plenty of Filipino homeowners and business owners with the best pest control services for years. With the latest technology in pest control and our eco-friendly products, we can effectively protect your property against termites and other insects such as cockroaches, bugs, rodents, and so on. Don’t hesitate to book a termite control service with Topbest today!

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What Attracts Cockroaches To A Clean House

What attracts cockroaches to a clean house?

What attracts cockroaches to a clean house?

  1. Location of your home
  2. Accessibility
  3. Food sources
  4. Moisture 
  5. Dark places & forgotten areas
  6. Forgotten areas

Cockroaches make the list of pests to avoid for many. When seeing this unwanted critter, many immediately think that the place is dirty or unkempt. However, cockroaches are still attracted to different things inside and outside your house as they search for food, water, and shelter. So, what attracts cockroaches to a clean house

This article explains these different factors and may help you get rid of the pests in the most pristine parts of your home. Keep reading to learn more!

Location of your home

Just like people, not all cockroaches are the same. There are some areas that attract other types of roaches. It boils down to knowing what kind of pest is present in your region. In the Philippines, the most common types of roaches seen here are American and German cockroaches.

German cockroaches thrive in the Philippines because of the humidity in the country. That’s why you can find them in kitchens and bathrooms — no matter how clean these places are.

On the other hand, American cockroaches are typically found outdoors. They’ll be camped out inside hollow trees and wood piles. However, you can also find them on rooftops hiding under the shingles because of the moisture. These pests only make their way indoors when escaping extreme weather conditions.

Accessibility

Unfortunately, cockroaches become unwelcome visitors to your house when they search for three things: food, water, and shelter. These pests also have the skill to use even the smallest holes or openings as their entryway into your house. Usually, they go through the gaps between walls and floors, exterior walls, and such. To limit their accessibility in your clean house, you may want to do a sweep of your home and seal any entry points you find.

Food Sources

Food Sources

Cockroaches always find ways to get food wherever they can find them. So, even if you make an effort to keep your kitchen spotless from stains or dirt, these pests will still do everything just to find anything to eat.

They thrive with remnants of food found in the most unusual places like cardboard, soap, grease stains, and even book bindings.

Moisture

Moisture

Cockroaches need moisture to be able to survive. That’s why they’re always in search of water that eventually brings them into even the cleanest homes. So if you have leaky faucets or pipes in your bathrooms, laundry, and kitchen rooms, you’ll often find them there. Aside from those, they will also hide under air conditioning units or refrigerators to enjoy their condensation. They can also make their way into your pets’ water bowls if left out overnight.

Dark Places & Forgotten Areas

We often see the shadows of cockroaches in the basement, in the dark corners of your cabinets, or underneath large appliances. That’s because these pests are fond of undisturbed, dark places. So if you’re switching off the lights in your home at night, chances are there will be cockroaches crawling in the quietest parts of your house.

Because cockroaches are common tenants in quiet, dark places, they also like to put themselves in the most forgotten areas of your house. They can get into your home through torn, rip, or damaged window screens. They can also stick themselves into trash cans that aren’t cleaned regularly, even the ones in your bathrooms and kitchens.

How to Keep Cockroaches From Penetrating A Clean House

Now that you know what attracts cockroaches to a clean house, the next step is to keep them away. Here are some tips to keep these unwanted pests away:

  • Seal cracks, even the smallest ones, around your home.
  • Repair all water leaks.
  • Remove all sources of standing water.
  • Avoid overwatering your indoor plants.
  • Clean your kitchen counter after every meal.
  • Avoid leaving your unwashed dishes in the sink overnight.
  • Clean your house daily.
  • Keep your house tidy.

If you’re looking for professionals who can handle these little pests inside your house, our team here at Topbest can gladly help you! We are experts in dealing with cockroaches and other house pests such as termites, rodents, mosquitoes, bugs, and more. By using our affordable pest control services in Manila, your home is safe from cockroaches and from the diseases they can carry to your family.

Key Takeaway

A lot of effort is put into keeping a house, office, and even a hotel clean. That’s why it gets frustrating to see cockroaches and other pests roaming about at night. Through this blog, we provided you with information about what attracts cockroaches to a clean house. From here, you can assess the next steps you need to take to keep these pests at bay.

If you’re considering looking for a professional pest control company in the Philippines, get in touch with Topbest today to request a free pest control inspection! We provide our clients with the best pest control services. Don’t risk these cockroaches getting out of hand by trying DIY cockroach removal techniques.

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6 Reasons Why Your Business Needs Mosquito Control

6 Reasons Why Your Business Needs Mosquito Control

What are the reasons why your business needs mosquito control?

  1. Mosquitos can put your business at risk
  2. Implement preventative programs to detect other issues
  3. Pest control services protect your business products
  4. Working with a mosquito control company reduces your task
  5. Preventing infestation before it happens
  6. Save time and money

 

If you lack the time or expertise needed to address these various accounting activities, it may be time to hire Acclime’s accounting and outsourcing services. Because when it comes to business growth, economies of scale and specialization are paramount. And when it comes to managing employee rights and ensuring that your business is compliant with local and national employment laws, you can visit HKM.com for help.

 

Establishing a business also requires maintaining a healthy environment for you, your employees, and your clients. It’s mandatory to have mosquito control solutions because first, it prevents nuisance biting. Second, it saves your company’s reputation by encouraging a healthy and clean environment.

 

Everyone also knows that mosquitoes are blood-feeding insects that have negative health impacts. Some of the most deadly diseases carried by mosquitoes include yellow fever, dengue, and malaria.

 

Want to know the top reasons why your business needs mosquito control? Continue reading on! 

 

Mosquitos can put your business at risk

Mosquitos can put your business at risk

Even a single mosquito can jeopardize your business. People are wary of mosquitos because they are aware of how dangerous they are to their health. Thanks to thanks to the rise of social media, customers can easily vent their frustrations to businesses that have mosquitoes or pests on their food As a business owner, you must implement a preventative program to ensure your customers’ safety.

 

Remember that a customer’s first negative experience with mosquitoes can ruin your business reputation if the problem spreads widely.

Implement preventative programs to detect other issues

Pest control services employ trained experts to suspicious activities and inspect for problems that could lead to mosquito pressure through preventative programs. In this regard, they may identify leaky pipes, development, or even employee behavior problems that may contribute to mosquito pests in your business.

 

When these issues are resolved, your company will run better as the infections are truly eliminated and the danger of dengue is significantly reduced. Your business can even be reviewed or recommended by your customers!

Pest control services protect your business products

Pest control services protect your business products

Mosquitoes can fly through your product packages or any water-containing equipment and breed, causing product damage and potentially losing your business revenue.

 

At Topbest, we have several effective mosquito prevention control solutions in the Philippines. We can ensure that your business establishment maintains a high level of cleanliness and quality maintenance to prevent mosquitoes from entering or breeding.

 

Working with a mosquito control company reduces your task

Pest management professionals are trained to effectively control pests such as mosquitoes in buildings. When you work with the best pest control company in the Philippines, you can reduce your pest control workload while also ensuring that your building is safe for your customers. 

 

DIY mosquito solutions are not always effective. It would be best to trust pest control experts. 

 

Preventing infestation before it happens

Choose the best mosquito control service. By doing so, you can take the initiative to avoid problems like an infestation that could harm your business. With the right pest control plan, you’ll be able to resolve the problem before it worsens, which could jeopardize your customers’ trust in your company. If you notice any signs of mosquitos in your place of business, contact a pest control company right away.

 

However, if you do not have a contract with a pest control company, now is the time to get one. Eliminating mosquitoes as soon as possible is the best way to avoid future infections that could harm your business’s production.

 

Save time and money

Pest control services can help business owners save money. Our mosquito control service can alleviate your concerns about mosquito infections that are costing you more money. 

 

Pests are harmful to one’s health. Many pests spread disease and pathogens that can be carried onto food and food surfaces. Even if your business is not in the food industry, there are still health risks to consider, and you must proceed with caution right away.

 

Key Takeaway

Now that you know the reasons why your business needs mosquito control, protect your business by partnering with us! As a reputable pest control service provider in the Philippines, our team at Topbest is your partner by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds from your business place. Mosquito prevention and control are the keys to avoiding mosquito-related diseases. 

 

You can book a free pest inspection with us here! With years of expertise providing pest control services to our clients, you can rely on us to keep your business place safe from mosquitoes!

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What Happens To Termites During Rainy Season

What Happens To Termites During Rainy Season

What happens to termites during the rainy season?

  1. Triggers swarms of flying termites
  2. Improves their habitats
  3. Attracts them to damp wood
  4. Hinders pest removal

Termites are one of the most dreaded pests that can infest your home. They eat through the wood around your home or building and can do so undetected for long periods.

The worst part is that certain factors make termites infestations more likely, one of them being inclement weather! So, now that we’re entering that time of the year, it’s important to know what happens to termites during the rainy season. Keeping this information in mind might just help you spot an infestation sooner rather than later.

Triggers swarms of flying termites

Triggers swarms of flying termites

During the rainy weather, swarms of winged termites emerge. While commonly mistaken for flying ants, these termites are called alates. They start gathering in large numbers. At times, their swarms may even look like a large brown-gray cloud — hence why they are called “swarms.” 

This phenomenon may be confusing for those who have never seen it. You might be thinking, “Aren’t all termites wingless?”. But termites, much like ants, can grow wings for certain purposes. For termites, this is to rise above the ground and search for a mate.

Alates can be both male and female flying termites that emerge from their existing colonies to begin their reproduction cycle. This happens during the rainy season because the humidity, moist soil, and relatively cooler temperatures are ideal for alates to emerge from their underground lairs. 

Not all flying termites you see will be able to successfully mate. Some easily die above ground due to predators, the weather, and other factors. But those that do will move onto the next stage of their reproduction cycle. They’ll go back underground, shed their wings, and burrow deep to start their own colonies.

And, because the ground is fairly soft and damp from the frequent rains, these termites can burrow deep. Think as deep as your home’s foundation! These new colonies can cause serious damage where they take up residence. 

Improves their habitats

We mentioned that termites need humidity, damp soil, and cool temperatures to begin their reproduction cycle. The same is true for their other functions — namely, for when they build their habitats.

Termites love moisture. They need it to improve their habitat. Their subterranean homes benefit immensely from the added soil moisture, as it keeps them cool and provides them with easy sources of food and water. 

These pests live in environments with moisture and shelter, so it’s no surprise that they begin to rapidly spread during and after rainfall. 

Attracts them to damp wood

Not only do termites love moisture and tend to create their homes in areas with high moisture levels, but they also enjoy what it does to their primary food source: wood. 

Moisture and humidity seep into the wood, making it decay much quicker. Thus, it’s easier for termites to eat away at wood and get the nutrients and material they need to thrive.

Damp soil, standing water, and consistent rain can attract many termites to homes. This is because these conditions are perfect for creating moist or decaying wood. Termites are drawn to these pieces of wood, especially after heavy rains. 

This is also why a termite problem is such a big deal for your home or building. Because water damage can exist deep into any structure, these possible infestation points are not always visible or noticeable to you. This means that a termite problem can often go undetected for a while, causing more damage to your property. 

So, after a few days of rain (or after a particularly heavy storm), it might be best for you to take a walk around your property to look for signs of water damage. 

Check areas where water is likely to pool around your home, and consider using a bucket or hose to drain these areas. Also, check places where you’ve had experience with water damage before. These might be places like your exterior walls, near your gutters, old leaks on your roof, around your garden and porch, or under your crawl spaces. 

Hinders pest removal

Hinders pest removal

If you’ve dealt with a termite problem in the past, your property likely has some kind of pest removal process done to it. If these were termiticides and chemical products, then unfortunately they’ll be less effective during the rainy season.

Any liquid treatment that has been placed on your property, such as a liquid soil treatment, can become diluted by heavy rainfall — and even washed away if flooding happens. This can hinder your pest removal measures to the point of being ineffective.

If you’re worried about this happening to you, it’s a good time to call a pest specialist, like Topbest! We know the best times, locations, and techniques to apply any anti-termite measures and treatments your property needs to do away with your pest problem. And, we make sure that these solutions can handle your termite infestation — regardless of the weather!

Key Takeaway

Knowing what happens to termites during the rainy season will give you a better idea of how these pests will act whenever there’s rain. With that in mind, you have a better chance of catching a termite problem before it becomes a serious infestation! 

If you think you have a termite problem, message Topbest today. We are the Philippines’ trusted pest exterminator, ready to help with termite control — rain or shine!

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What Attracts Bed Bugs?

What Attracts Bed Bugs?

What attracts bed bugs?

  1. Warmth 
  2. Carbon dioxide 
  3. Dark-colored sheets 

Bed bugs are small, oval, brownish types of pests that feed on human or animal blood. These pests are not known to spread any life-threatening diseases. But, dealing with a bed bug infestation can be extremely inconvenient and uncomfortable because their presence causes itching and loss of sleep. We all know that pest prevention is better than cure, but then it also begs the question: What attracts bed bugs in the first place? 

The most common kind of bed bug is the Cimex lectularius, which has been around for almost as long as humans have been sleeping on beds. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise that they have a preference for all things human-related. 

Before gettings into the facts, let’s bust a common myth. They say that having a dirty room or a dusty bed is directly responsible for having bed bugs. However, this is not the case. 

The common bed bug doesn’t really have any use for dirt or dust since all it feeds on is blood. However, it is equally important to keep your room and bed clean and free from dust in order to prevent nooks and crannies from being the next fortress of a shelter-seeking bed bug. Usually, rooms that are dirty and unkempt have bed bugs because they have more places to hide and all the mess makes them harder to spot. But be aware that even in the cleanest rooms and tidiest beds, there remains a possibility that you could see the naked truth once you flip the mattress.

So what are bed bugs attracted to then? Well, they might not be what you would expect. Read on! 

Warmth

You might be thinking, “Aren’t insects inherently cold-blooded?” Well, to answer that question, yes they are. But the morbidly interesting detail about bed bugs is that they have been alongside humans and other mammals for so long. Because of that, they have become smart enough to know how to figure out the source of their favorite food. Specifically, by detecting body heat. 

One of the most difficult things about bed bugs is that you don’t immediately see them, especially during the daytime when you’re not lying down on the bed yet. But as soon as you lay down on the bed and begin warming up the bed, it’s like the dinner bell ringing loudly and clearly announcing yet again the beginning of a feast for the bed bugs.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon Dioxide

There are two major things that you do when you sleep — dream and breathe. Unfortunately, bed bugs find your exhalation attractive. 

For bed bugs, carbon dioxide in the air is a good indicator that there’s a larger creature present in the area that is most likely filled with blood. Conveniently for the bed bugs, you’re a perfect target. So once you start sleeping and the carbon dioxide that you exhale goes around you, the bed bugs are attracted. 

Dark-Colored Sheets

Dark-Colored Sheets

In a 2016 study from the Journal of Medical Entomology, they discovered a correlation between bed bugs and the color of mattresses. They found that 23 percent of female bed bugs preferred to lay their eggs on red sheets, while 29 percent chose to make their nest on black sheets. Surprisingly, when it came to other colors, they found out that only 3 percent chose to nest on green-colored sheets, and 7 percent chose purple-colored sheets. 

So whether it’s a correlation or causation, it’s worth changing your sheet colors to prevent it from attracting bed bugs. But you have to keep in mind that this will not eliminate an existing bed bug infestation. This is only to deter them.

Key Takeaway

So what now? You might think that it seems impossible to purely avoid bed bugs even by just reading the first two points. After all, it’s impossible to be cold-blooded and stop exhaling, right? The main takeaway is that now, you know what attracts bed bugs. 

With this knowledge, you can also get one-up getting rid of bed bugs. If prevention fails, you can trust Topbest Pest Control Services to not only get rid of your existing bed bug infestation, but also to make sure that they will never rob a minute of comfortable sleep from your eyes ever again. Click here to contact Topbest today! We offer FREE pest control infestation. 

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How To Clean Mouse And Rat Droppings

How To Clean Mouse And Rat Droppings

How do you clean mouse and rat droppings?

  1. Know how rodent droppings look like
  2. Follow the safety precautions before cleaning
  3. Use the right disinfectant
  4. Pick up the droppings
  5. Disinfect the affected area
  6. Dispose of the droppings properly

Rats and mice are dangerous not just because they can cause structural damage but also because they can spread diseases just from their waste. Rodents such as rats and mice have droppings and urine that can carry viruses such as hantavirus, leptospirosis, salmonella, and more. For these reasons, it’s important to know how to clean mouse and rat droppings properly. Keep on reading!

Know How Rodent Droppings Look Like

Mouse droppings are approximately the size of a rice grain. Their droppings are usually about ⅛ to ¼ of an inch in length. These are usually found in food storage areas, bathroom cabinets, crawl spaces, air vents, and the like.

On the other hand, rat droppings are wider and larger than mouse droppings. These are usually about half of an inch in length, and sometimes even up to one inch. Rat droppings can be found almost anywhere, but are often seen in the basement, crawl spaces and the like. Rats like to spend time on a floor’s base level compared to mice.

Follow The Safety Precautions Before Cleaning

Follow The Safety Precautions Before Cleaning

Handling rodent contaminated items and surfaces can expose you to several illnesses, so it’s important to know the safety precautions before cleaning. Below are the basic rules to follow when dealing with rodent droppings:

  • Ventilate the area for 30 minutes before cleaning. This means opening the doors and windows. Stay out of the area while waiting.
  • Wear rubber gloves. Wash the gloves before removing them again. After cleaning, dispose of the gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.
  • Don’t touch the mouse droppings with bare hands. 
  • Don’t sweep and vacuum the droppings.
  • Disinfect the contaminated area afterward.

If dealing with a heavy rodent infestation, it’s a must to wear coveralls, boots, gloves, goggles, and respiratory devices to prevent exposure to pathogens.

Use The Right Disinfectant

A commercial disinfectant or bleach and water mixture are suitable for disinfecting the affected area. When making the bleach mixture, combine 1 part of bleach with 9 parts of water. Wet the droppings or urine with disinfectant and let soak for a few minutes. 

Pick Up The Droppings

After soaking the waste, the rodent droppings can be removed using paper towels, cleaning rags, or nonabsorbent gloves before being put into trash bags. Adhesive cardboard pads may also be used to remove droppings from carpets, hardwood floors, and clothing. 

It’s best not to sweep or vacuum the droppings because this can spread the disease particles in the area. By sweeping or vacuuming, you are creating virus-containing dust that can be inhaled.

Disinfect The Affected Area

Once the affected area is clean from rodent droppings, you can reapply the disinfectant on the area. Don’t forget the neighboring spots, which may also have been exposed to rodents. Remember to always wear rubber or latex gloves when handling contaminated items.  

Steam clean carpets and furniture upholstery. Make sure to use professional-grade steam cleaners and disinfectants. You can also machine wash bedsheets or clothes where the droppings have been. Spin dry the fabrics at a high temperature to kill any lingering viruses.

For items that can’t be disinfected with liquids, you can place them outdoors to expose them to the heat. This applies to documents, books, and other paper materials.               

Dispose Of The Droppings Properly

Dispose Of The Droppings Properly

The rodent droppings must be placed in a trash bag. Place this trash bag into another plastic bag before sealing. Make sure to dispose of the plastic bags in the right garbage bins. After that, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Key Takeaway

Rat and mice droppings are different from other dust and debris that you can easily sweep or vacuum just like normal. Their droppings can contain pathogens that can spread diseases in your home or office. That’s why there are special safety precautions that must be followed when dealing with rodent droppings. 

If you want to know how to clean mouse and rat droppings properly, you can contact us here at Topbest! One of the best ways to get rid of their waste is to get rid of the root of the problem — the mice and rats themselves. Here at Topbest, we have professional pest control teams that can handle the problem. If you’re interested in booking an inspection, click here.

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The Difference Between Pests and Parasites

The Difference Between Pests and Parasites

Both pests and parasites provide problems to humans, so it might be easy to confuse them both. But each will require different things to survive and cause different types of issues to humans, so the way you handle them will be different. To know the difference between pests and parasites, you can keep on reading. Below, more information on each one will be provided.

What Are Parasites?

What Are Parasites?

A parasite is a type of organism that lives on or in a host. It needs a host to live, grow, and reproduce. It can also spread diseases. There are three main types of parasites that affect humans:

  • Protozoa

Protozoa, which are single-celled organisms, can multiply in humans. Most are so tiny, that they can’t be seen by the naked eye. 

Protozoa can be transmitted through contaminated food or water or person-to-person contact. Other than that, protozoa that reside in a human’s blood can spread through mosquito or sandfly bites. 

  • Helminths

Compared to protozoa, helminths are multicellular organisms and visible to the naked eye once they reach their adult phase. But the adult form of helminths can’t multiply in humans. Example of this human parasite is flatworms and roundworms.

  • Ectoparasite

An ectoparasite is an organism that can live outside the body of the host for long periods. Examples of these are ticks, fleas, lice, and mites.

Since parasites can spread diseases, it’s important to find out what parasites are prevalent in the area you live in, or plan to travel to. Always prioritize hygiene and only consume well-cooked food and clean water. 

Parasitic infections can show various symptoms, including skin bumps, weight loss, increased appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and many more — so your doctor might run tests to diagnose if you have one. 

What Are Pests?

What Are Pests?

A pest is an organism that can cause destruction, spread a disease, or is considered a nuisance — living and growing in places they are not wanted. Pests are usually insects or small animals that can be a threat to crops, food supplies, or property. They are considered threats in agriculture, domestic life, and establishments.

There are different types of pests:

  • Vertebrae pests

Vertebrae pests are organisms that have a backbone. In homes, these are rats and mice. Outdoors and in agricultural settings, these are rabbits, birds, raccoons, and other animals that damage crops and property. Fortunately, pest control measures are available from professionals to help manage these troublesome creatures. 

  • Invertebrae pests

Invertebrae pests lack a backbone. In households, these are spiders, ticks, ants, termites, flies, bed bugs, cockroaches, and more. They can also be commonly be found in plants and crops — such as aphids and scales.

Other than these, weeds and plant diseases are also considered pests in agriculture. Weeds are plants that are growing out of place. If not managed properly, they can become a pest as they compete with crops for survival — because they also need water, nutrients, light, and space. Meanwhile, diseases can also damage crops. 

Pests can also spread diseases. For instance, rodents can cause leptospirosis and rat-bite fever. Cockroaches can spread allergen inside a home and trigger asthma. Houseflies can carry bacteria in their body and transmit it to food and humans.

Pests are nuisances that can cause a multitude of issues for homes and businesses, so it’s important to be proactive even before an infestation. This can be done by integrating prevention techniques such as improving cleanliness, prioritizing hygiene, and reducing access of pests to properties.

Difference Between Pests And Parasites

Difference Between Pests And Parasites

Pests and parasites have similarities because both cause problems for humans. Both can spread diseases too. Parasites will depend on their host for survival, just like how pests cause damage to human food, crops, and properties to get what they need. Prevention of both also requires cleanliness, focus on hygiene, and the like. 

With parasitic infections, treatment will involve medication and lifestyle changes. But with a pest infestation, you need to control the pest through various methods — whether it’s chemical, biological, electronic, or physical pest control.

Key Takeaway

Now that you know the difference between pests and parasites, you can prevent and handle them properly. If you have a problem with pests, you can contact us here at Topbest. From cockroaches, rodents, termites, and more — we can help you stop and prevent your infestation problems from happening again.

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Things to Consider When Choosing a Termite Control Company

Things to Consider When Choosing a Termite Control Company

What are the things to consider when choosing a termite control company?

  1. Certification
  2. Expertise
  3. Available treatment services
  4. Quality of customer service

 

Termite pest control is crucial for any type of building. For private homeowners, dealing with a pest infestation can be a challenge without the right tools and knowledge. The same is true for commercial establishments that want to comply with regulations and keep their staff and customers safe. With this in mind, hiring a termite control company is the best defense against destructive building pests.

With professional pest control services in the Philippines, however, any termite issue can be remediated. See to it that your pest control company has the proper certifications, expertise, wide treatment services, and excellent customer service. Having all of these qualities will ensure that the pest control service provider can provide you the best value for quality services. Read on to learn more.

 

Certification

Before choosing a company that can address all your pest and termite-related concerns, see to it that they have the proper credentials and certifications. These certifications increase the credibility of the pest control professional. More than just that, you can assure that you’re working with a business that has been permitted to carry out different types of pest control-related work.

Another reason to consider the certifications is that a certified termite control expert will ensure that your structures will stay intact even during treatment. Hiring a cheap, but non-licensed company might do you more harm than good and may even lead to damaged structures during the process.

 

Expertise

Expertise

A termite pest control company should not only have the services and products you’re looking for, but they should also be professional in how they conduct business with you. Unless you’ve encountered a termite problem in the past, you might not know the ins and outs of how these services work. However, working with a company that’s both capable and willing to answer all your questions and inquiries about termite control can help you gain valuable insights.

Termite pest control companies should be approachable and understand technicalities for different types of structures. For example, a residential space might not have the same needs as a corporate building when it comes to pest control. This is why a termite control professional should have the right expertise in communicating with the client, the right tools to use, and the proper treatment plans to implement.

 

Available Treatment Services

Termites aren’t the only pests that are present in your building. In fact, there are probably other pests that are lurking in your structure without you knowing. Although a termite pest control company specializes in termites, you should also find out if they offer other available pest treatment services. This offers you convenience because you don’t have to look for a separate pest control company to get the job done.

All-in-one pest control companies like Topbest Pest Services Inc. in particular, offer a range of other integrated pest management services aside from termite control. We can also exterminate other pests such as mosquitos, gamu-gamo or flying ants, rats, cockroaches, ants, bed bugs, lice, and many more.

With comprehensive pest control, your provider can identify not just termites, but also other pest-related issues during the initial inspection phase. They can inform you about these issues and recommend an action plan that you can take with them in order to rid your house of pesky pests.

 

Quality of Customer Service

Quality of Customer Service

Finally, you should consider the quality of your termite control company’s customer service before hiring them. Are they responsive to your queries? Do they call you back as soon as you get in touch with them?

Good customer service allows you to conduct transactions with your pest control provider in a smooth manner. Miscommunications won’t happen because they’re transparent enough to inform you about everything you need to know about the service they’re about to undertake for your building.

 

Key Takeaway

Some of the things to look out for before hiring a termite control company are the following: certification, available treatment services, quality of customer service, and expertise.

When left unaddressed, a termite problem can cause a number of issues to a building. To add to this, spotting termites is difficult because the havoc they wreak can go unnoticed for some time because they live and cultivate by forming tunnels inside wooden structures.

Don’t opt for cheap services that won’t actually help you out with your termite and pest problem. Sure, they can save you money initially, but they can be expensive in the long run especially when pest management has been done poorly. This is why it’s important to know which things to consider before investing in pest control services in the Philippines.

As the leading provider of professional and expert pest extermination services in the country, Topbest Pest Services Inc has the technical expertise, professionalism, and manpower that you expect from a pest company. Click here to get a free consultation from us! We’re more than happy to attend to all of your concerns.

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A Guide to Integrated Pest Management

two young pest control technicians screwing on the wall

What is integrated pest management?

  1. Biological control
  2. Mechanical control
  3. Cultural control
  4. Chemical control

 

Eradicating pests can be a difficult endeavor, especially if one is not equipped with the proper tools and acumen on these types of animals. The most common way of killing pests, such as bugs or insects, is through the application of some chemical-based agent. However, a more comprehensive and preventative measure exists called integrated pest management.

Generally, integrated pest management is the process by which pests are dealt with in a more environmentally-friendly and holistic manner. Unlike what is most commonly understood to be the most effective way of dealing with pets, which is by chemical agents, this method focuses more on preventive measures of tackling such animals.

Continue reading to learn more about a more effective and longer-lasting method of pest eradication.

 

Biological control

Controlling the proliferation and the growth of pests through biological means involves the introduction of several organisms that pose a threat to these pests. These organisms may be other types of parasites or predators which can help keep the population of pesky pests at a minimum.

This type of control is most commonly utilized in farm-level scales. Since pests are herbivores, they can halt the healthy growth of crops. For example, an apple or a grape farm would be in danger of attracting the following: insects, mites, weeds, or even algae. Instead of the farmer applying an insecticide to his crops, which can potentially damage them, he will simply have to introduce what is deemed as ‘natural enemies’ to control the growth of these unwanted pests.

Biological control requires only a minimal level of human intervention in the beginning, through either the introduction, preservation, or augmentation of these natural enemies.

 

Mechanical control

mouse and mousetrap

While the first type of pest control is largely applicable to agricultural environments, the next one is something that can be practiced in the household. Mechanical control simply refers to the type of measure by which physical or mechanical alterations are applied to the surroundings in order to facilitate the removal of the pests.

A familiar mechanical control would be that of rat traps. Typically, the purpose of these rat traps is to exterminate such types of vermin which can be difficult to capture. If your house has already been invaded by this type of pests, you would know how easily they can scurry off into a small corner where you might not be able to reach them. You can, however, identify the places where they are most commonly found.

Rats can typically be found in the kitchen, where they can feed off of food left on the dining table, for example. Once you have identified the location, you’ll now be able to place a highly adhesive rat trap and simply wait for the rodents to take the bait.

Other types of physical control exist for different types of pests. To properly deal with them, you should employ the most appropriate method.

 

Cultural control

Cultural control is perhaps one of the most difficult types of pest control to practice. Effective cultural control of pests not only requires a comprehensive understanding of the ecological surroundings, but it also requires one to understand the type of environment which might foster the population growth of the pests. Similar to the first method, this is a largely preventive measure that is conducted before further infestation.

In agricultural settings, cultural control can be employed in a number of different ways. Careful planning is required for this method to become successful, but the benefits are long-term. An example of a cultural control strategy involves making modifications to the crop to make it more susceptible to a particular pest. Another type would be to make the crop inaccessible to pests by understanding the factors which make the latter proliferate in number.

 

Chemical control

pest control technician

This last method of integrated pest management deals with the application of insecticides. While found to be the most convenient, insecticides have many negative consequences for crops grown in agricultural settings. This is precisely why proper pest integrated pest management considers insecticides only as a last resort.

Chemical-based pest removal agents are highly indiscriminate which makes them undesirable in farming activities. They might kill the crop as well as, pose harmful effects for humans. This method is typically employed in combination with either one or two methods of integrated pest management presented above. In this way, pesticide use is more targeted and done in a more selective manner.

 

Key Takeaway

A comprehensive way of dealing with pests long-term is needed in order to prevent their spread and growth. While individual curative methods have been proven to be effective, it would be to your advantage to look into integrated pest management. By relying on careful planning and more environmentally-friendly methods, these pests are more efficiently exterminated from the environment.

The guide above has hopefully made you consider practicing integrated pest management, the next time you have to deal with these creatures.

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Amazing Facts About Cockroaches

Amazing Facts About Cockroaches

What are the things you need to know about cockroaches?

  • Cockroaches can eat anything
  • Some cockroaches can grow as long as 3 Inches
  • Roaches can live up to a week without their head
  • Cockroaches can survive immense nuclear radiation

 

Cockroaches are among the nastiest pests that humans would ever encounter. Pest control in the Philippines is instantaneously called once the sign of an infestation is detected. Compared to the detection of termites, the sight of cockroaches doesn’t mean that your house will be at risk, but you definitely would not want them to go around spreading bacteria and potential viruses around your household.

Despite their revolting presence, these nasty creatures have some pretty amazing features. Here are some amazing facts about cockroaches:

 

Cockroaches Can Eat Anything

Cockroaches Can Eat Anything

This may come to no surprise for many as we have probably seen cockroaches munching down on any food that drops to the floor. You may even see them feasting on random leftovers and scouring through the trash just to grab something to bite. But did you know that they could even take their diet further?

You’ll be surprised to find out the range or the extent of their meals.
Cockroaches will eat just about any kind of organic matter, from dead insects, cloth, paper, wood, and even things such as soap, glue, hair, and poop. Cockroaches are also known to cannibalize when they need to control the growing population of their group.

Due to their cold-blooded nature, they can survive for up to a month without food. But they cannot live for weeks without water.

 

Some Cockroaches Can Grow as Long as 3 Inches

Cockroaches are among the creepy crawlies we wish would never grow in size. Luckily, the ones we find in our homes and consider pests never grow more than an inch and a half or so. But there are other cockroach species that we will never encounter in our homes that can reach sizes bigger than a whopping 3 inches.

We should be thankful that out of the 4500 species across the globe only 30 of these species are considered pests, and the large ones are fairly uncommon. A cockroach that’s native to South America, called the Megaloblatta longipennis is known to grow up to 3 inches long and 1.75 inches wide. What’s amazing (or frightening), is its 8-inch wingspan.

In Japan, a preserved female Megaloblatta longipennis from the collection of Akira Yokokura measures up to 3.8 inches in length, this is known to be the largest ever recorded cockroach.

 

Roaches Can Live Up to a Week Without Their Head

Cockroaches Can Live Up to a Week Without Their Head

Did you know that a decapitated cockroach can live for up to a week or two without their head? To grasp how we can understand how they can live headless for a week or two, we have to know about our own biology. Humans can’t live decapitated because we rely on important bodily functions in our head; and our brain is responsible for handling, controlling, and maintaining most of our biological functions.

Without it, the rest of our bodily systems would cease to work. Plus, decapitation would mean a tremendous drop in blood pressure and loss of blood. Cockroaches, on the other hand, don’t have their brain located in their head, because it’s spread out across their body.

They also breathe through special pores located along their body. When a cockroach gets decapitated, they won’t experience any uncontrolled bleeding; right after their head gets cut off, their neck would be seal by clotting. They can only survive without their head for a week or two because they will lose the ability to drink and die of thirst.

 

Cockroaches Can Survive Immense Nuclear Radiation

The theory or myth that cockroaches can survive a nuclear blast has been debunked. Though their threshold for radiation is still astounding. In the past, the theory that cockroaches are believed to survive the effects of a nuclear blast. They came up with that conclusion because they found a vast number of cockroaches roaming around the Hiroshima and Nagasaki after its bombing, and in Chernobyl, cockroaches were one of the few living organisms around.

Well, scientists have tested the radiation resistance of cockroaches and found out that direct exposure to radiation that is equivalent to a nuclear bomb would kill them. But they can certainly survive radiation levels that would kill a person in 10 minutes. In a recent study, scientists found out that they can withstand up to 10,000 rads. This is due to their simple bodies and slow cell cycles.

 

Key Takeaway

These are but a few amazing features of cockroaches. Though the sight of these creatures will lead us to contact our pest control in the Philippines. Just like termite detection, we wouldn’t want to keep cockroaches running around in our homes. Because we associate their presence with filth. But it’s good to know these cool facts about these pesky pests, right?