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Lady Bugs

Some things you did not know about the insects we call friends! - Lady Bugs

What to know about lady Bugs and Lady Bug ControlIt is ironic that some insects are viewed as cute and almost cuddly, like lady bug. Meanwhile other harmless beetle species, like ground beetles, most people would never consider handling. Why is this? Did the lady bug (actually it's proper name is Asian lady bird beetle) just have a better publicist? Well the answer is.. yes, maybe! Made popular over the years on everything from toys to lunch boxes lady bugs are embraced by pop culture and even associated with children. However, this pest has a dark side. In it's juvenile form it is a voracious killer. Looking nothing like the adult they become, the larval stage is more akin to an insect portrayed in a horror film than the cute spotted adult we are used to from our youth! As a juvenile they will devour approximately 400 aphids which are sweet (literally) insects that feed upon plants. They will pupate, much like a butterfly, into their more easily recognized adult form. As adults, lady bugs may consume approximately 5000 aphids over their lifetime! Actually, this voracious appetite is beneficial as it helps to keep aphids, which are a plant parasite, in check. Many homeowners will purposely purchase adults by the thousands in order to release them into their gardens as a natural form of pest control. Next time you see that cute child's toy that is adorned with spots, remember that this is a highly efficient killer. Think this is ironic? Don't even get me started on what firefly juveniles eat! It is amazing what a good publicist can do for you...

The 411 About Termite Swarms

Despite what you may think, termite swarms are fairly common. Termites will leave a nest that is inside the home and work to squeeze through cracks in the foundation or wall to reach the outdoor world. Termites in swarms are attracted to light, so they often are noticed around light fixtures or windows. In this article, we’ll look at why termites swarm and what termite control options are available.

Reasons for Swarming

Termites will begin to swarm when their colony reaches a certain number of bugs. This usually occurs about once a year. Hundreds or thousands of swarming termites have one simple purpose: to reproduce and expand the colony. These termites may be male or female and will vary in the amount based on how large the colony has become. The swarming termites stick around by the soil until it’s time to start looking for the outdoors.

Timing of Swarms

It’s hard to say when a particular termite colony is going to swarm. Drywood termites are most likely to swarm in late summer, while subterranean termites might swarm in the spring. No matter what type of termites you are dealing with, you can expect swarming to being shortly after a rain shower. Damp soil helps with nest building, and the added humidity helps with survival.

Swarm Types

When you have dry wood swarms, you can expect them to be a smaller number, often no more than 100. Because the swarm is smaller, it can be harder to notice them than other species. One thing that might cause pause is seeing termite wings at window sills. This is common following a swarm. Dampwood termites are less of a concern and often do not damage houses. Most of them nest outside. However, they can sometimes be found in utility poles or other wooden structures. For this type of termite, an expert in termite control can determine a plan to remove them.

Ending Termite Swarms

If you are worried you have a termite swarm on your hands, it is best to seek out a professional who can determine the best action to take. You will need to have your property, and home inspected to see how bad the infestation is and what can be done about it.

Expert Help Nearby

Here at Viking Pest, we offer residential and commercial pest services. If you are experiencing termites, get in touch with us at 888-481-8219 to set up a free evaluation.

Winter Month Bat Exclusion

Bats In The Belfry – Winter Month Bat Exclusion

Do you have unwanted bats at your home or office this winter? The two main bat species that use buildings are the Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus).  Little brown bats were almost all wiped out by White-nose Syndrome, while Big Brown Bat numbers are on the rise.  Bats are warm blooded animals and will hibernate in our homes, out buildings and similar structures. When days and nights get warmer, bats will emerge from hibernation and make their way back to their summer roosts.  Bats will also stay in place in homes and use attics, soffits and other protected areas to give birth.  Pregnant females will then gather into maternity colonies, where they’ll each give birth to one or two pups in May or early June.

When To Perform Bat Exclusion

Viking Pest Control follows New Jersey Fish and Wildlife’s “Safe Dates” for bat exclusion. Exclusion/eviction should NOT be done during the sensitive months of May-July, when flightless young bats could become trapped inside the building.  Limited bat proofing can be done in April and from August to October 15th, while complete proofing is done from October 16th through the end of March. For complete details on New Jersey’s “Safe Dates” for bat exclusion, check out this link!  NJ’s Guidelines and “Safe Dates” for bat exclusion. Exclusion/eviction should NOT be done during the sensitive months of May-July, when flightless young bats could become trapped inside the building.  We are ready to help with exclusion and are very interested in your bat sightings and emergence. Lethal control of bats in New Jersey is not legal.  Exclusion is the only option when bats inhabit our homes.      

Sealing Up Your Home from Rodents

Rodent Control New York When you see mice and other rodents in your home, your first thought is always about exclusion – that is, getting the rodents out! But there is a step past exclusion that many homeowners forget, and it's a key part of keeping your home pest-free. The final step beyond setting traps and getting rid of the visible pests, is sealing up your home so that new rodents don't run right in after you get rid of the first round. For complete rodents control in New Jersey, use this step-by-step guide for sealing up your home after you banish the pests: 1. Inspect Your Home Start by inspecting your home very well, looking for any tiny cracks or openings where rodents could get inside. Cracks in the foundation, cracks at the sides of windows or doors, and even broken siding can all be places where rodents can make their way inside. These must be fixed or sealed up. 2. Look for Pathways If there are trees or shrubs that touch your home, consider getting them pruned away. These act as pathways for rodents to reach your home. Trees, for example, give rodents access to the roof, where they may be able to get down chimneys or climb in through cracks around old shingles. 3. Speaking of Shingles, Inspect the Roof Next, it's time to inspect the roof. It may take some time, but checking around all the shingles for cracks, as well as checking for holes in roof ventilators or vent screens, will make a huge difference in how many rodents you see in your home. Anywhere where there are utilities entering your home, such as where the power line connects to and enters the house, you could have a place for a mouse to get inside. Rodent Control New York 4. Make Climbable Materials Less Friendly If your home is made out of brick or stone, which has natural grooves and nicks that mice can climb up, it is more attractive to pests and rodents. Control New Jersey pests by painting these materials with high-gloss paint, which makes them slick and fills in natural holes so that they are not as easily climbed. 5. Get Rid of Their Food Finally, remove any food and water sources. Pet food, bird feeders, and other similar features are very attractive to rodents. They make an easy food source that you are just setting out for them. To learn more about professional exclusion and pest control services, contact Viking Pets Control today.

Benefits of Gutter Cleaning

Important Benefits Of Gutter Cleaning

Rodent Control New York

Gutter cleaning is one of those tasks most homeowners dread each year, often to a point they neglect doing it altogether. Unfortunately, when you don’t keep your gutters clear where water can flow freely, you are likely to end up with a number of problems. Understanding the benefits will help you realize why you need to make sure this job is done every year.

Prevent Damage

When the gutters are clogged, the water has no place to run. Once it builds up, it is likely to spill over the tops of the gutters and into the eaves of your home. As this continues to happen, it’s more likely your home will develop mold and key areas will rot away, causing damage that will only grow worse over time. Regular gutter cleaning, at least once or twice a year, will help keep this damage to a minimum.

Eliminate Moisture Problems

Mold and mildew are among the biggest problems many homeowners have to deal with. This is caused by unnecessary moisture. When your gutters aren’t channeling the water away from your home, you are at an increased risk of developing mold problems that can be difficult to clean up once it begins.

Keep Pests at Bay

It’s a fact of nature water attracts pests. When you have standing water in your gutters because you failed to get gutter cleaning, Not only does this collection of water cause damage to your home, but it will also lead pests to your home, which can lead to an infestation. Some of the most common pests you may encounter include mosquitoes, rodents, termites, ants and even birds.

Keeping your home in good condition requires a number of tasks, many of which can be a real hassle. Gutter cleaning is one of them. However, if you don’t do it yourself or hire someone for the job, you will increase your chances of a pest infestation, along with a number of other issues.

If you need help with pests in your home, contact us to find out how we can help.

Mistakes to Avoid During Bed Bug Removal

Bed bugs are an unfortunate fact of life in New York, and can occur anywhere, even in the cleanest of homes and businesses. Fortunately, bed bug removal is a relatively straightforward and common process. Yet for bed bug removal to be effective, you need to know what to do before and after the procedure to make sure that the bed bug population has been totally eradicated.

Do Not wait

First, do not wait. As soon as you detect bed bugs, get your place inspected. This mistake is all too common among people who think that the problem will go away simply by wishing it away. Like any other pest, bed bugs propagate rapidly. What was once a small colony can become a household infestation.

Target all the areas/Rooms

Second, do not make the mistake of only focusing on one piece of furniture or even one room. If you call a bed bug specialist in New York like Viking, they will remind you that bed bugs can live in chairs, floors, and in closets. Effective bed bug removal does not just target the areas you know bed bugs are living, such as mattresses.

Locate Hidden Areas

A professional service should be offering you detection services that help locate hidden areas where the colonies are breeding. You could waste a lot of money by assuming that bed bugs are only living in the bed. Detection services done properly find problems and eradicate them efficiently and cost-effectively. Common detection services may include the use of dogs trained to smell the bed bugs.

Finally, use the bed bug problem as an opportunity to take action by getting rid of clutter and laundering or tossing out all the old fabrics and linens in your home. Avoid the mistakes most people in New York make by procrastinating on bed bugs and call a bed bug removal service now.

Restaurant Pest Control is a Necessity for Healthy Businesses

For any food service business, pests are more than just a nuisance or annoyance. They can destroy your business, and create health problems for your employees and customers. Pest problems also happen to be especially common in the restaurant business because just like humans, insects and rodents like to eat. Business need pest control services to maintain their reputation, preserve the integrity of their establishment and brand, and ensure the safety of their customers and employees.

Regular Maintenance & Targeted Interventions.

Restaurants need two things when it comes to pest control: regular maintenance and targeted interventions. The same company, like Viking, can provide both targeted interventions for sudden or acute outbreaks of pests, as well as regular maintenance for known issues. Even when your business uses a regular pest control service, that service needs to be dedicated to upgrading its materials and updating its tools and techniques. Otherwise, you will be using old methods on species that are highly adaptable. Remember to only use a pest control service that keeps up to date with the latest releases of pest control chemicals and instruments. Given that pests are a known reality in food services, restaurants need pest control to stay in business. Health inspectors know exactly what to look for when it comes to even the slightest sign of insects or rodents. Remember to train your employees about how to identify pests, so that any problem will be tackled before your customers or health inspectors notice it.

Emergency intervention to prevent Pest Problem

Sometimes, new and surprising pests may show up in your restaurant. You do not need to be alarmed when this happens if you work with a reliable pest control company like Viking. Simply alert the company about the issue as soon as it arises, and Viking can provide emergency interventions to prevent the pest problem from propagating. The sooner you notice the problem, the less likely it is to become an issue for health inspection. This is why restaurant owners should work with a pest control company that educates and informs its customers about how to identify new threats.

Residential Exterminators Keep Your Home Pest-Free

Rodents, ants, termites, roaches, and mosquitos are a few of the common household pests. Some pests can spread diseases or bite, making them more than just a nuisance. Others can cause structural damage to your home and cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. Residential exterminators in New York are dedicated to keeping homes pest-free.

Latest Techniques & Technologies

Using the latest and safest techniques and technologies, exterminators identify the problem and assess the risks before taking unnecessary action. Identification and assessment can also reveal problems the homeowner might not have noticed otherwise. Professional exterminators know the subtle signs or appearances of pests that are practically invisible to the naked eye.

Regular Preventative Pest Control

After the initial assessment, an exterminator in New York will engage in the least invasive course of action for the home. Depending on the type of pest(s), the extermination process can take a few hours or a few days. The reason why many homeowners opt for regular preventative pest control over targeted interventions is that prevention can be less traumatic and less costly in the long run. Preventing a problem is usually easier than treating it. Regular pest control also ensures that the products being used to exterminate pests are up-to-date, and are the least invasive materials possible.

Maintain Your Home & Yard

Unfortunately, many pest problems go undetected for months or even years. To keep your home pest-free, exterminators can teach you how to properly maintain your home and yard to eliminate risks and stop inviting pests back. Keeping your home pest-free involves vigilance and willingness to make some changes, such as being more diligent about avoiding the accumulation of junk or upgrading some of the structural elements of your home to make it less attractive to pests who want to share your space.

How to know if you need Carpenter Ant Control Service

Carpenter ants, like termites, can to tremendous and irreversible damage to buildings. Knowing what carpenter ants look like, and identifying the signs of their presence, can be the first step towards preventing an infestation. Some buildings may also be more prone to carpenter ant problems than others. Effective carpenter ant control in New York starts with identifying the problem, then controlling the population using pest control, and finally, preventing the problem from recurring.

How you will Identify them?

Identifying carpenter ants is relatively simple, as they are distinctive and large creatures. They also look different from termites. If you have any doubt about what creature you see, the best thing to do is to ask for a professional consultation from a pest control specialist in New York. Often the initial consultation is offered free of charge.

What They Eat?

Carpenter ants are large and usually black, but some species are reddish. When they have already started getting to work on your home, they will leave some telltale signs of burrowing into the wood. Piles of sawdust are a sign there might be carpenter ants. Although carpenter ants do not actually eat the wood as termites do, they still gnaw through it and therefore cause structural damage.

Where you will find them?

Because carpenter ants are drawn to wet or damp wood, certain buildings are more at risk than others. Likewise, when inspecting your home, pay close attention to potential problem areas like basements, the areas around pipes or water heaters, and the wood frames around windows. Entry points into the home include any wooded area compromised by water damage.

Professional pest control services

After calling professional pest control services to take care of the problem, it may be wise to invest in home repairs and upgrades that can prevent another infestation. Reinforcing problem areas, replacing damp wood, and removing all wood or mulch piles near the home can help reduce the likelihood of a subsequent carpenter ant infestation.

Keeping Your Facilities Pest Free While Focusing on Patient Safety!

Pest control for healthcare facilities requires a very delicate approach. Because healthcare facilities deal with organic and non-organic waste, have a large number of people coming in and out of the facilities, and often have a food service component, they create the kind of waste that it attractive to pests. Because the population in a healthcare facility is dealing with illnesses, they are often more vulnerable than the population, at large, making it critical to control pests, especially since pests can carry disease. However, because this population is often dealing with illnesses that can not only compromise their immune systems, but also impact their sensitivity to pesticides, a traditionally aggressive approach may be inappropriate. What that means is that a pest control company that services healthcare organizations needs to be able to strike the critical balance between effective care and safe pest control options.

How do you know what pest control approach you should use?

The answer to that question is far more complex than you might imagine. What size is your facility? What illnesses do you treat? Do you patients on an in-patient basis, an out-patient basis, or both? Is your facility currently experiencing a pest-problem, or are you seeking preventative pest control treatments? If you have pests, do you know what they are and whether they are confined to part of your facility? Is it possible to keep people out of certain locations for a time-period after pest-control products have been applied, or do all parts of your facility need to be accessible24/7? Obviously, the answers to these questions vary from facility to facility, but they are important questions that can help determine which pest care approach is right for your organization. Viking Pest Control is one of the most well-respected pest control for healthcare organizations in the Northeast. To learn more about how we can tailor a pest care approach for your facility, call Viking today and speak to a pest control expert.