More Natural Ways to Get Rid of Fleas in Your House

It’s no secret that fleas are a nuisance. The itch from their bites is enough to drive any pet crazy. But fleas on dogs and cats can also cause real harm by potentially transmitting diseases. And once they’re in your home, getting rid of them is tricky.

You must eradicate fleas in your house before they become an extensive problem. Before calling a professional exterminator, consider trying more natural flea elimination methods. If your flea infestation is too intense for these treatments, bring in the pros for your peace of mind.

Effective Flea and Tick Treatments

Fleas and ticks present different challenges, but both species can harm pets. Most pets tend to pick up fleas or ticks through the summer and fall when it’s warm and they spend more time outside. During these seasons, you should watch for any signs of a pest issue.

Many pet treatments are dual-action, targeting fleas and ticks so your pets can stay healthy and pest-free. However, these products usually rely on chemicals — which may concern you as a pet parent.

Follow these eight tips to learn how to get rid of fleas more naturally.

1. Use a Flea Comb

A flea comb removes fleas of all sizes, including their eggs and larvae. These tools can be challenging to use because the teeth are very fine. Make sure your pet’s fur isn’t too tangled before you begin.

If you and your pet are patient, a flea comb can help you pick any pests off. Once you’ve removed fleas from your pet’s coat, dropping them in a cup of warm water and dish soap will keep them from hopping away until you can flush them.

2. Boost Your Pet’s Shampoo

Adding a flea-fighting mixture made of natural ingredients to your dog’s regular shampoo can deter fleas from making their pet their home and is an excellent additional step to take while using a flea comb. Here’s the recipe:

  • 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 cups of water
  • 1/2 cup of dog shampoo

Use this mixture to bathe your dog every week. Comb your dog’s fur before each bath to remove eggs before they hatch into new fleas. You can also use this method for cats, though they won’t be happy about getting wet.

3. Give Your Dog Apple Cider Vinegar

If lemon juice doesn’t do the trick, try apple cider vinegar instead. Instead of putting the vinegar on your dog’s fur, add a teaspoon to a quarter-liter of water for your dog to drink. This combination will make your dog’s skin slightly acidic, which won’t taste good to fleas.

Like the lemon juice treatment, you can also use this method to treat cats and kittens for fleas. Never feed straight vinegar to your pets — it’s too acidic and can upset their stomach. This natural treatment also repels ticks, since they don’t like the taste of vinegar either.

4. Clean With Vinegar

While dealing with fleas and ticks on your pet, you must also treat your home. A growing flea population may take shelter in your rugs, slippers and other fabric items left on the floor.

In a spray bottle, add a quarter-cup of distilled white vinegar to three-quarters of a cup of water. You can also add some dish soap for tackling dirt. Use this mixture to wipe down your counters and surfaces, and spray the solution on your fabrics once or twice a week.

5. Wash Your Pet’s Bedding

Wash your pet’s bedding with a strong detergent, and dry it on a high setting if the material allows — 15 to 20 minutes on high heat will kill adult fleas, larvae and eggs.

Don’t forget about your pet’s favorite hangouts. Does your dog always cuddle up on a blanket in the living room? Where does your cat sleep? Wash those fabrics, too.

6. Use Essential Oils as Repellent

Some essential oils are toxic to pets, so always do your homework before putting them on your cat or dog. Essential oils can be an effective natural flea and tick treatment when used correctly. For example, mixing two drops of lavender oil in a teaspoon of water makes a solution that keeps fleas away. Apply it around your dog’s collar or neckerchief. However, this is not a safe solution for cats — and you should never put high concentrations of essential oils on your dog’s skin.

7. Vacuum More Frequently

Keep your home vacuumed. If your pet carries fleas, those pests travel throughout your home all day. Staying on top of the vacuuming will get rid of any errant fleas.

Since fleas like humid, cool spots, focus on areas that don’t get much sunlight. To target flea eggs, work salt, baking soda or Borax into the carpet fibers with a broom. This recipe will dry out any flea eggs inside your carpet fibers. Keep your pet quarantined in another room during this time, as they could get sick from licking the Borax.

Once your vacuum bag is full, seal it and place it outside in a covered trash container.

8. Clean up the Outdoors

Remember, fleas love humidity and darkness — two conditions that are common outside if you don’t keep your bushes and shrubs trimmed. Clear weeds, trim your grass and keep your pets away from those dark, humid spots outdoors.

It’s also a good idea to keep pets inside after it rains — fleas and ticks may be more active after a rainstorm. If your area experiences a lot of rain, it can cause these pest populations to thrive and be more of a problem than usual.

When to Call Professional Flea Exterminators

While these methods can help keep fleas away, they aren’t foolproof. The surest way to get rid of these pests is to hire a professional exterminator to evaluate the situation and inspect your whole home.

Don’t wait until the pest problem is completely out of hand. If more natural methods aren’t working, contact a professional pest control service so you and your pets can enjoy your home again. If you have concerns about the chemicals an exterminator uses, ask lots of questions and ensure you’re comfortable before agreeing to a contract.

Contact Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control for Flea Protection

At Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control, we offer flea prevention, protection and extermination. We founded our company over 25 years ago to protect our families from pests while reducing chemical exposure.

We service Austin, Houston and San Antonio and would love to talk with you about whatever pest issue troubles you. Contact us online to request a free quote and find out more about our approach.

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8 Things to Consider When Hiring a Pest Control Company

Sometimes you just can’t handle the problem yourself. The bed bugs are too much, the mosquitoes are multiplying at an alarming rate, and if you see one more mouse dropping…

Fortunately, you don’t have to tackle a pest infestation alone. Hiring a pest control company will allow someone else to take care of the problem while you gain valuable peace of mind, knowing you aren’t sharing your home with several families of spiders.

Even if you love home maintenance challenges, you won’t always have the tools or training to solve every problem yourself — especially with something as overwhelming as an insect or rodent infestation.   

Fortunately, you don’t have to tackle the creepy-crawlies alone. When you hire a pest control company, you can relax while someone else takes care of the problem. Knowing you aren’t sharing your home with spiders, mice or other pests will give you invaluable peace of mind.

What to Look for When Hiring an Exterminator

But what should you look for in pest control companies, and how can you know when you’ve found your match? Not every exterminator holds the same qualifications to treat your home for pests. To find a good pest control company, look for an exterminator who:

  • Has excellent reviews
  • Communicates clearly and often
  • Follows through on promises
  • Listens and explains their process
  • Is upfront about pricing and contracts

You can determine whether an exterminator has these qualities with about a half-hour of research. If your family or friends have glowing reviews of a specific company, that’s an excellent starting point.

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Pest Control Company

Hiring an exterminator requires a combination of careful research and fast action so you can get pests out of your home quickly. We’ve compiled this list of eight questions for pest control companies to help you confidently narrow down your options.

If you’re wondering what to look for in a pest control company and how to gauge their trustworthiness, keep reading. 

1. Are They Professional?

It seems like a no-brainer, but you may not stop and check company credentials when stressed about a pest infestation. However, trustworthiness and certifications are crucial if you want those ants out of your pantry for good. Here are several questions you should consider: 

  • Is the company bonded and insured?
  • Does their website look professional?
  • Can you get a feel for their values, and do they seem to align with yours? 

Pest control companies don’t always have to have an insurance policy, but you would be wise to only look for insured and licensed service businesses. A company’s insurance coverage protects you if an accident happens on your property. 

2. Are They Experts?

Knowledge demonstrates competence. The more your exterminator knows about the pests they’re dealing with, the more effective their treatment methods will be. Here are some questions you can consider to determine a pest control company’s knowledge:

  • Does your technician understand common pest problems in your area? 
  • If you describe what the pest looks like, can the professional give you a confident answer of what you’re likely dealing with? 
  • Has the company successfully eradicated this specific pest from other homes in your area?

3. Do Other People Recommend Them?

Talk to your neighbors and friends about the pest control companies they’ve hired. When you’ve settled on a company you’d like to work with, search for them on the Better Business Bureau website and other popular review sites such as Google Business, Angi and Yelp. You can even ask the company for references.

Though this step may seem simple, it’s probably the most critical. Getting information from actual customers is the most reliable way to learn about a pest control company’s reputation. Previous customers quickly tell the world if they are unhappy about a service.

4. Does the Technician Thoroughly Investigate?

Your technician should listen to all your descriptions of the pest — what it looks like if you’ve seen it, where you have found droppings and what sounds you’ve heard. Then, they should carefully inspect your home to find evidence of the pests. 

After they’ve completed their inspection, they’ll have the information they need to create an effective treatment plan. When asked, they should justify their choices with easily understandable and convincing reasons. 

5. Does the Contract Check Out?

You might need recurring services to eradicate an infestation. Your technician may recommend monthly, biweekly or weekly visits until the pest problem is under control, eventually tapering off to more spaced-out intervals. 

If you need to become a long-term customer, ask questions about the contract to ensure you understand what you’re agreeing to before signing. Does the cost include follow-up appointments? What protections are in place for you if you still have a pest problem after the initial agreed-upon period?

6. How Do You Feel About Their Chemicals?

You should also ask questions about the chemicals a pest control company plans to use. Here are a few things to verify about treatments before you decide to work with a professional pest removal service: 

  • What effects do their chemicals have on pets and humans
  • Will you need to leave your home? 
  • Do they offer non-chemical options? 

Trained pest control technicians are familiar with every chemical they use and should feel comfortable discussing any concerns you have. If you’d like more information, you can ask for a Material Safety Data Sheet and specimen label for each chemical your specialist uses.

7. Do They Offer a Guarantee?

Sometimes, it takes several treatments to solve a pest infestation problem. Since companies can’t guarantee instant results, they build trust by offering service guarantees instead.

At a minimum, your pest control company should offer a service satisfaction guarantee to inspire confidence in their methods and work quality.

8. Does the Company Belong to a Professional Pest Control Association?

Professional pest control associations hold their members to specific standards and ethics. If a company is a member of one of these associations, it signifies their dedication to high-quality service. 

These organizations also keep their members informed of new processes and safety measures. A company that stays on top of industry knowledge and keeps learning cares about its customers and the service it offers.

Continue to Evaluate

Pest control is not “set it and forget it.” Keep looking for signs of bugs, mice and other unwanted houseguests even if you receive routine maintenance. A reliable pest control company will keep working with you throughout the process. 

Nobody likes to need a pest control company, but when you find the right one, you’ll worry a lot less, knowing you have the upper hand. That’s why it’s critical to vet companies carefully before you commit to working with one. 

Hire the Best Pest Control Company in Texas

At Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control, we value customer questions and enjoy helping our clients live happy, pest-free lives. We started our company over 25 years ago to eradicate mosquitoes from our yards without using too many pesticides. 

Since then, we’ve expanded to treat pests from rats to spiders, ticks and more. We cover the Austin, Houston and San Antonio areas. Call us at 512-400-2008 or request an estimate online and learn more about our services. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

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8 Reasons to Hire a Professional Pest Control Company

Spraying your home with store-bought bug spray may seem like an easy way to keep pests out of your home, but it can only do so much. You want the best prevention strategies for creepy-crawlies. Nobody wants to share their bed with bed bugs or spiders, and nothing can ruin a family gathering quicker than spotting a scurrying mouse — or worse, a rat.

Are Pest Control Services Worth It?

Families typically shy away from pest control services because they worry about potentially high bills or exposure to harmful chemicals. Both concerns are valid, but pest control is worth taking seriously. Do you want to rely on DIY methods if bugs or other small creatures threaten your family’s well-being?

Trained professionals know how to use chemicals safely and efficiently to remove pests from your home. Quick action can save you from expensive home repairs and reduce the time it takes to recover from rodents, bed bugs and other unwanted guests.

Why Hire a Pest Control Company?

Hiring a professional pest control company is the best way to rid your home of unwelcome pests and restore your peace of mind. Here are eight reasons you should use a professional pest control company instead of experimenting with unreliable DIY methods.

1. Pests Can Be Dangerous

In addition to being a nuisance, many pests carry diseases that can impact people or pets. For example, rats can carry hantavirus, salmonella and even the bubonic plague. Cockroaches can carry E. coli and salmonella, and mosquitoes can spread malaria — depending on whether it’s present where you live. 

Because pests can make you sick, it’s vital to take an infestation seriously. Keeping these pests away from your home can be hard to manage independently, but professional bug control companies work until they solve the problem.

2. DIY Pest Control Isn’t Exact

Pest control companies take the time to identify the pests you’re dealing with. They then use baits and chemical formulas to capture and eliminate the exact species that has invaded your property. That expert identification and treatment is far more trustworthy than searching Google or YouTube to figure it out yourself.

3. Pest Control Companies Know How to Handle Chemicals

Pest control products contain chemicals that can be hazardous if misused. It’s essential to keep pest treatment chemicals away from children and pets. Because of their potential danger, it can be stressful to apply these materials in and around your property.

However, pest control companies handle chemicals properly to avoid harming people, pets and properties. Talk to pest professionals and get the facts if you worry about toxic materials.

4. Pest Professionals Use More Effective Products

Professional-grade pest control products are more potent than what you can find on the shelf at your local grocery or hardware store. Some can even kill or repel pests within a few hours. The chemical formulas also last far longer than commercial products, keeping your home secure for longer.

Many DIY methods fail because they’re not comprehensive enough to rid your home of the entire pest population. Professionals have the experience and resources to quickly eradicate pests.

5. Pest Control Companies Eliminate the Source

Getting rid of a line of ants won’t eliminate all the ants in your home, and killing one mouse doesn’t mean you’ve solved your pest problem. You must identify the source, which can be challenging.

The best pest control companies take time and effort to pinpoint your infestation at its source, even in out-of-sight places like your walls.

6. Professional Help Reduces Damage to Your Home

Pests damage prized possessions — clothing, carpet, furniture, walls, your home’s foundation and more. Pest control companies work quickly and minimize further damage from bugs and rodents. If you’ve found evidence of a pest issue, immediately call your local pest control service to preserve your home. 

7. Pest Control Companies Offer Service Guarantees

Not every pest infestation follows the same pattern, sometimes necessitating a follow-up visit. Many professional pest control services offer guarantees, so homeowners don’t need to pay for repeat appointments to address the same issue.

8. A Quick Response Saves Money

You can save your hard-earned money by hiring professionals to solve your pest problem. Their prompt, efficient response will prevent property damage, helping you avoid repair bills and other costly services.

Request Your Estimate From Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control

Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control serves the Austin, Houston and San Antonio areas, working with clients to eliminate pests and improve their quality of life. We started this company with a simple goal — to reduce mosquitoes on our property without overusing pesticides. 

Over 25 years later, we’ve developed treatments that meet our strict standards and have expanded our services to tackle many other pests, including rodents, scorpions and ticks. Call us today at 512-400-2008 for all your pest control needs or request a free estimate online

 

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The 7 Most Common Home Pest Control Mistakes

Once you spot a pest problem in your home, it’s hard to get the image of those bugs and rodents out of your head. A home pest invitation can drive anyone crazy. To reduce the likelihood of a pest problem in your home, avoid these common pest control mistakes so you can rest easier, knowing your home is clear of pests.

1. Not Determining the Cause of the Pests

When you see a few spiders in your basement, you just want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. So, you spray an entire can of pesticide until you’re sure the spiders are no longer breathing, then run upstairs and huddle in the fetal position for a few hours. Even though it’s not your proudest moment, the problem is handled…right?

Probably not. You really need to find the source of those nasty spiders (and any other pests). Where are they coming from, and how are they getting into your home? Seal any gaps around your windows, doors, seams and foundation. Then, set out a trap specifically for the pest you’re trying to eliminate.

2. Not Identifying the Correct Pests

A bug is a bug is a bug, right? And any old trap will do when you want to catch a pest, right? Wrong. You need to correctly identify the nasty little pest you’re dealing with so you can purchase the right trap. If you can stomach it, get close enough to take a picture and then compare it to a Google search. If you’re still struggling, ask a reputable pest control company to help.

3. Spraying Ants and Calling It Good

There’s nothing worse than finding a trail of ants in your pantry. How many of them are there, and where are they coming from? You grab the spray and blast those critters, then sweep up their carcasses after the spray has dried.

Unfortunately, you may have just made the problem worse. Foraging ants represent only a small part of the colony, which means there are plenty more where they came from. New ants will be back in a matter of days. Use indoor baiting techniques instead, and the ants will bring the product back to the nest — which will eliminate the entire colony.

4. Keeping a Messy Home

Pests really love cluttered spaces. They also live for crumbs on your floors and counters. Keep a tidy kitchen, with crumbs swiftly swept away each day, trash removed and dishes done. Dust and vacuum regularly, and keep clutter to a minimum.

5. Baiting for Pests Incorrectly

There are two factors you need to consider when baiting for insects and rodents: location and time.

Don’t put your trap in a place where you wouldn’t expect to see the pest you’re attempting to catch. The middle of the room typically isn’t where you’ll find rodents. Instead, put the traps in the pests’ regular traveling paths — along the walls, behind the refrigerator, in dark corners, etc. If you find mouse droppings somewhere, that’s an excellent place for your trap.

Also, keep the trap out for a few weeks after you think you’ve caught all insects and/or rodents. You may catch all the adults in a few days, but their young could be lingering nearby, waiting to grow up and have more babies to infest your home.

6. Not Treating Your Pet

Don’t leave your pet defenseless against fleas, ticks and other parasites. This leaves your home susceptible to pests, and, more importantly, your pet could suffer from health problems.

7. Waiting It Out

Thinking the pests will just move along when the weather turns cool is only allowing your pest problem to multiply to intolerable levels. Treat your home at the first sign of pest infestation, and if you cannot handle the problem on your own, seek out the help of a good local pest control service.

Pest Control Best Practices 

Now that you know what not to do, we figured we’d better let you know what you should do. Here are our suggestions.

Keep Food and Garbage Tightly Sealed

Most pests are looking for a few basic things: a warm place to nest and some food. So, it’s essential to keep your food tightly sealed in glass or plastic containers. You’ll also want to tightly cover garbage cans containing food scraps and take the trash out often to prevent curious bugs from coming close. 

Use Pesticides Wisely

If you use pesticides, follow these important safety tips from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

  • Read the directions thoroughly, and only use pesticides as directed.
  • Keep children and pets away from the area where you’ve used pesticides. 
  • Only apply pesticides to targeted areas, not entire rooms. 
  • Only use pesticides that have been approved for use inside the home. 
  • Choose ready-to-use pesticides when possible. 
  • Contact your county extension office if you have questions or want recommendations for low-risk pesticides. 

Rather than use pesticides yourself, you may want to delegate pesticide use to an experienced pest control company using products that are in accordance with EPA guidelines

Seal Gaps and Cracks

Pests are sneaky little things, often finding their way into your home via tiny gaps or cracks. Check for gaps in your foundation and weatherstripping, as well as in spots where pipes and electrical lines enter your home. You’ll want to seal these off to prevent critters like mice, ants and spiders from squeezing through. 

To seal these holes and gaps, you can fill them with steel wool and keep the wool in place with caulk. For larger holes, lath screens, lath metal, hardware cloth, metal sheeting or cement will work. If gaps in your foundation are proving to be the culprit, flashing could do the trick. 

Patch Screens

Door and window screens are welcome during the spring and summer when you want a nice breeze to flow through your home. However, if you’re dealing with a pest problem, make sure to check your screens. Even tiny holes are big enough for bugs to crawl through. 

Work With a Pest Control Company 

While you may be able to get rid of that one lone cockroach you see in your bathroom, what about the others that are likely creeping about? 

You may not be able to handle a pest control issue yourself, which is where professional services come in. A reliable pest control company delivers effective pest prevention services. They have the experience and the know-how to determine the real root of your pest problem and deal with it quickly and thoroughly. 

Avoid These Home Pest Control Mistakes…Contact Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control

Trust Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control to get your home back to being bug-free. Our effective pest prevention uses a more natural approach while reducing pesticide exposure, and our team is licensed and trained to eradicate common — and uncommon — household pests. 

Dealing with pests in the Austin, Houston or San Antonio areas? Contact Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control for a free quote today!

Contact Barefoot Today

 

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Why Mosquitoes Love to Bite Our Feet and Ankles

Mosquitoes seem to find a way to our skin no matter what we do. Covered in repellent and clothing? They’ll still find a tiny spot you didn’t catch, and they’ll attack it with glee. And with the rise of mosquito-transferred diseases like the Zika Virus, understanding the behavior of mosquitoes has never been more important. Mosquito protection is something we should be aware of all year long.

Have you ever noticed a mosquito bite on your foot after a summer barbecue? Or that your ankles and feet are covered with red, itchy welts while your arms and face are relatively untouched? Keep reading to learn why mosquitoes are so attracted to your feet and ankles.

Your Feet Stink

One big reason mosquitos bite your ankles and feet more than in other places is because of strong odors. Smelly feet can attract these pests — but that’s just one component.

Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide because its presence indicates that there is something living and breathing nearby. To a mosquito, living and breathing means a yummy blood lunch. So when mosquitoes smell the carbon dioxide you emit, they head in your direction — they can even sense it from more than 30 feet away.

Interestingly enough, the area emitting carbon dioxide isn’t the area where mosquitoes bite — how often have you been bitten on your mouth? Rather, they use the carbon dioxide to find you, and then they keep smelling to find the best place for their dinner.

Since our feet make higher numbers of stinky bacteria than other areas of our body, mosquitoes can quickly understand there’s a tasty treat not too far away. Additionally, mosquito bites on your feet tend to itch more because the skin there is more sensitive, and the bites might be aggravated by rubbing against our socks, clothing and shoes.

But Why Not the Armpit?

There are plenty of other places on the body that don’t always smell too lovely (armpits, for example). So why do mosquitoes single out stinky feet? One obvious explanation is that our feet are often uncovered and exposed, which makes them an easier target. This is especially true in the summer when we often go barefoot or wear sandals.

It’s also possible that mosquitoes have grown to realize that they are more at risk the closer they get to the face or arm — areas where you can easily swat them away. Feeding from the feet increases their chances of survival because you can’t reach them as easily.

Your feet might also be closer to the areas where mosquitoes frequent. For example, they love still water — a stroll by the pond presents the perfect opportunity for them.

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

So, you should just wear lots of perfume to mask the smell of your stinky feet, right?

perfume wont keep mosquitoes away

Wrong. Mosquitoes can smell a diversion. In fact, they can smell right through a diversion. Perfume won’t keep the mosquitoes away. You have to actually block their receptors, which is what the chemical DEET does. Using a repellent with DEET generally hides you from mosquitoes’ sniffers. Other repellants recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency include:

  • Picaridin
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus
  • Para-menthane-diol
  • IR3535
  • 2-undecanone

Remember, mosquitoes are a threat in all weather conditions, not just on rainy days — the best way to prevent bites is preparation. Make sure you’re not letting any mosquitoes into your house through holes in the screens or open doors. If you’re going camping, apply 0.5% permethrin to your tent, shoes and other equipment. Wear long sleeves, pants and close-toed shoes when outdoors, and avoid scented lotions or sprays.

Keep Mosquitoes Out of Your Yard

Nothing ruins an evening outdoors like a swarm of mosquitoes. Here are some tips to keep your yard free of these pests:

  • Remove standing water: It’s important to keep standing water out of your yard since that’s where mosquitoes breed. Empty or cover any receptacles that could hold moisture when not in use, like buckets, rain barrels, dog bowls and children’s swimming pools. Repair or fill holes in trees and septic tanks.
  • Install yellow lights: While they won’t repel mosquitoes, swapping your outdoor lights with yellow ones won’t attract as many pests to your yard.
  • Use barriers: Barriers like screens and nets are a great way to continue enjoying nature while providing a protective barrier against mosquitoes and other insects that may try to bite or infiltrate your space. Moving wind, such as outdoor fans, may also help.
  • Identify and kill larvae: Remove larvae as soon as you spot them. You might find them as eggs floating in rafts on top of stagnant water. If they’ve already hatched, expect to see a narrow neck and a segmented abdomen.
  • Plant proactive landscaping: Plants like citronella, peppermint, cedar, catnip, lemongrass and others could help keep mosquitos at bay. Plant them around your property, especially near areas of frequent infestation.

The Barefoot Method

For even better peace of mind (and lack of itch!), hire a mosquito control company for protection. Professionals can identify high-risk areas and implement the perfect combination of bait and repellent formulas to stop the problem at its core. Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control uses the most gentle and effective method for keeping mosquitoes out of your yard. Here’s what our process looks like:

  • Reduction: We’ll target mosquito populations on your property to kill large volumes of them with each treatment. Multiple treatments may be necessary, depending on the size of the area and extent of the infestation.
  • Barriers: We’ll implement strategies and treatments to reduce the risks of re-infestation for long-lasting results.
  • Inspection: Our team of experts will walk your property to identify potentially problematic areas and develop a plan for remedying them. This ensures the long-term success of the treatments applied and minimizes the chance of attracting additional pests.
  • Sterilization: Our biological sterilization pellets target mosquitoes at all stages of life to prevent growth and reproduction. They are permissible for use around pets and aquatic life.

We can work through a myriad of conditions, including before and after rainfall. You can even add additional services — like flea, chigger and tick prevention — for a small fee. Call today to discuss how we can create a wall-like barrier around your yard and eliminate potential mosquito breeding spots.

Say Goodbye to Mosquitoes With Help From Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control

If you’re ready to take back control of your outdoor living space, we’re here to assist with our professional mosquito control services. Call us today at:

You can also request a quote online, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

Get Your Free Quote

 

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12 Interesting Facts About Mosquitoes

It’s no secret: Mosquitoes are super annoying. They can also carry diseases, some of which are deadly.

Even though mosquitoes drive us crazy, we can’t help but be fascinated by some unique facts about these blood-sucking pests. Here is a list of 12 fun facts about mosquitoes.

1. Mosquitoes Are Attracted to Human Breath

Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, which we release when we exhale. That’s why we often notice mosquitoes buzzing around our heads. Mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide from 50 yards away, so it’s pretty hard to hide from them when we’re outdoors.

Mosquitoes are so good at sensing carbon dioxide that they are more likely to target pregnant women since they release more carbon dioxide. Pregnant women also have more blood and higher body temperatures, which draw mosquitoes to them even more.

2. Mosquitoes Also Like Your Stink

Mosquitoes are attracted to the mix of sweat and bacteria, which means body odor and dried sweat are especially tempting scents for the blood-thirsty insects. Mosquitoes carrying malaria are especially attracted to the scent of sweat.

They can also smell any bacteria on your feet, especially if they are sweaty or you haven’t washed them in a while. This is why we often get the most bites on our feet and ankles — smells from our feet tell mosquitoes they’ve discovered a prime meal location, so be sure to clean between your toes!

Several other things can also make you smell delicious to mosquitoes. Since they’re attracted to the smells of potassium and lactic acid, eating foods like bananas or using alpha hydroxy lotions can make you more appealing. They’re also drawn to specific blood types. People with type O are 83% more likely to be bitten.

3. Mosquitoes Are Confused by Certain Scents

Luckily, other smells deter mosquitoes or mask our enticing scents. Eating a lot of garlic can change the smell of your sweat to discourage mosquitoes. If you and your loved ones can handle it, rubbing vinegar or sliced onion on your skin can also keep mosquitoes away.

Some other, more pleasant scents, like vanilla and citrus, also make it more difficult for mosquitoes to sniff out carbon dioxide. Keeping mosquitoes away with vanilla? Yes, please.

4. Females Mosquitoes Are Aggressive

One of the most interesting mosquito facts is that the biters are all female. Because female mosquitoes need protein for their eggs, they’re the only ones that feed on blood. Male and non-reproducing female mosquitoes don’t worry about such things, so they feed on nectar from flowers.

5. It’s Her Spit That Makes You Itch

It’s clever, really. A mosquito needs a few minutes to fill up on your blood. How can she do that if your blood clots? Well, her spit acts as an anticoagulant, letting her have a nice, smooth flow of blood for her meal. It’s the saliva she leaves behind that makes you itch.

Additionally, her spit includes a local anesthetic, so you don’t feel her feeding. When do you typically feel her, then? When she’s pulling out, her belly already full of your delicious blood.

6. Mosquitoes Are Slow Flyers

Mosquitoes are one of the slowest flying insects. Although they can seem impossible to hit, they typically fly at only 1 to 1.5 miles per hour. Compare this speed to the honeybee, which can reach speeds of 15 miles per hour.

7. The Wings of Mosquitoes Make the Buzzing Sound

That buzzing sound in your ear? The one that drives you bananas? It’s a result of rapid wing beating. Despite its relatively slow flight speed, a mosquito beats its wings 300 to 600 times per second.

8. Wing Beats Are the Language of Love

When a male and female mosquito meet and decide to mate, their wing beats synchronize to the same speed. The sound of their flapping wings also creates a melody as they match speeds. Flapping their wings quickly enough to create these high-pitched sounds is an inefficient way to fly, meaning mosquitoes may sacrifice flying capability to find a suitable mate. How romantic.

9. Mosquitoes Are the Deadliest Animal in the World

Mosquitoes cause more deaths than any other animal on the planet. Mosquitoes spread many diseases, and because one mosquito can infect more than 100 people, their deadly reach is devastating. For most of these diseases, there is no vaccine or specific treatment. One mosquito is so closely tied to a particular illness that it shares the name — the yellow fever mosquito.

Some of the other dangerous diseases mosquitoes spread include:

  • Dengue fever: Dengue viruses infect up to 400,000 people annually, and a quarter of those get sick. Most people feel better in a week, but severe dengue can cause internal bleeding and death. People who have previously been infected are more likely to develop severe symptoms.
  • Encephalitis: Several mosquito-borne viruses cause encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Signs of encephalitis include flu-like symptoms, stiff neck, headache and disorientation. Severe cases can cause convulsions, coma and paralysis.
  • Malaria: Mosquitoes frequently transfer the parasite that causes malaria. Symptoms are flu-like, including fever and chills. In 2020, about 241 million people contracted malaria globally, and 627,000 died.
  • West Nile: This virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. About 20% of people who get infected also get sick, and some develop a severe or even fatal illness. West Nile is one of the viruses that can cause encephalitis.
  • Zika: In the continental United States, the Zika virus has not been reported since 2018. However, it’s a concern for international travelers since there’s no vaccine. Additionally, pregnant women who get infected can pass Zika to the fetus, causing congenital disorders.

Four-legged creatures aren’t exempt from the threat of mosquitoes either. Mosquitoes carry heartworm, which can seriously harm your pets’ health and even kill dogs.

10. Some Mosquitoes Don’t Bite Humans

We’re all extremely annoyed with mosquitoes, enough so that we sometimes feel like we’re the only snack they prefer, but did you know some mosquitoes leave us alone? That’s right. Some species only go after birds or amphibians and reptiles.

11. Adult Mosquitoes Can Live up to 6 Months

Assuming the mosquito doesn’t meet its demise by a hand slap, an adult can live up to six months, which is a pretty long time in the bug world.

12. Mosquitoes Require Water for Breeding

Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, but they only need a few inches. If you want to keep mosquitoes away from your home, be sure to remove any standing water on your property regularly. Common places for water to gather include puddles, marshy areas of your yard, flower planters, gutters, pet water bowls and even toys left out in the rain.

Say Goodbye to Mosquitoes!

Although facts about mosquitoes are pretty interesting to learn about, the fact of the matter is that no one likes having to deal with these little pests. They’re annoying, they hurt, and they spread diseases and sometimes even cause deaths. Get rid of mosquitoes in your home and yard with effective mosquito control from Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control.

Want to enjoy your backyard again? We can help. Come discover just how effective and affordable our mosquito control service is. If you live in Austin, Houston or San Antonio, reach out today to learn more about our services. You can also request a quote online!

 

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How to Prepare Your Home for Pest Control Services

Pest control technicians get to the bottom of an infestation quickly. When you have unwanted visitors like mosquitoes, bed bugs, termites or rodents, it helps to prepare your residential space for your appointment. The guide below explains common steps to follow before your pest control expert arrives.

1. Relocate Furniture and Belongings

You can make a pest control technician’s job easier by clearing out large objects where treatments will take place. Think about the items you have close to walls, entryways, windows or gutters.

Push things like beds, couches, entertainment systems, tables, dressers and desks aside before professionals arrive on your property.

2. Clean up Messes

Insects and rodents are always on the hunt for food. Make sure you clean up drink spills, sticky residues and crumbs inside or around your property before a pest control appointment. This task can keep pests confined to one area instead of spreading to new locations.

Messes may also include piles of laundry, kids’ toys or storage boxes on the floor. If your pest problem is outside, know that piles of leaves, mulch, wood and grass make excellent hiding places for bugs and mice.

keep your pets secure

3. Keep Your Pets Secure

It’s best to keep any pets you have indoors and away from treatment areas. Your technician will let you know how long to wait before you can let your dog or cat outside again. Ensuring pets are in a secure area also allows your technician to work without disruptions.

4. Open Garages, Doorways and Drawers

Insects look for dark spaces to hide. Before your pest control expert comes, open up everything from garages, sheds and entryways to drawers, closets and cabinets. That way, your technician can search for pest activity without having to ask permission to access different areas of your home.

5. Remove Bed Covers and Sheets

This tip mostly applies when you suspect there are bed bugs living inside your residential space. Strip beds including pillows, sheets, skirting and covers so that your technician can look for the pesky insects.

It is recommended you wash everything in hot water and dry it using high heat. Refrain from placing bed covers and sheets back on mattresses until directed.

Choose Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control for Service in Parts of Texas

Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control serves customers in Austin, Houston and San Antonio. When you suspect insects or rodents are infiltrating your residential or commercial space, trust our team to perform an inspection and come up with a tailored treatment plan for you. Request an estimate for service today!

Termite Damage vs. Wood Root

Structural problems are a big concern for many homeowners and business owners. Wood damage can be especially worrying because you often don’t see it until it’s incredibly expensive and difficult to fix. Two notable sources of wood damage are termites and wood rot. Both can cause problems that range from minor cosmetic issues to significant structural repairs.

Although they have some similarities, termites and wood rot have distinct features that can help you tell them apart. We’ll make the task a little easier by going over the signs of termites and wood rot, how to tell them apart and what to do about them.

How Can I Tell If I Have Termites?

Determining whether you have termites usually relies on looking for clues rather than the bugs themselves. Termites feed on cellulose, a material in wood and plants, making the lumber in a building a neverending feast. To get to the feast, termites bore into the wood and create “shelves.” They build small tunnels or thin tiers going through the wood, both appearing as vertical lines. This unique pattern of wood damage is a classic sign of termites.

Other common signs of termite infestation include:

  • Mud tunnels: Mud tunnels are a sure giveaway. Termites use soil to create these tunnels and make a path to the wood. They spread out along walls, ceilings or foundations. They’re usually the color of soil and less than an inch in diameter.
  • Discarded wings, droppings or dead bugs: After mating, termites lose their wings and search for a place to nest. If you find these wings lying around, you likely have more termites out of sight. Finding dead termites or their droppings can also point toward an infestation.
  • Sagging, creaking or buckling: With enough time, the structural damage from termites can cause your floors or ceilings to sag, creak or swell. If you notice these problems, take action quickly.
  • A musty smell: Termite damage sometimes has a musty smell similar to mold. Wood rot can have a similar smell, so this characteristic isn’t too helpful in distinguishing between the two.
  • Clicking sounds: Termites often make clicking noises as they move through the walls.
  • Hollow-sounding wood: If you knock on a piece of wood where you suspect termites, you might hear a hollow sound due to the holes they’ve made.
  • Sticking doors and windows: Tunnels in door and window frames can cause the wood to lose its shape. Your doors and windows may start to stick.

Although you may not see them, it helps to know what termites look like. They often resemble carpenter ants — which can also damage wood — with a similar size and wings. Termites are usually around ¼- to ½-inch long with soft and cylindrical bodies, hard heads and straight antennae. Ants typically have a more defined waist and bent antennae. If you’re in our home state of Texas, you can find both subterranean and drywood termites. Both are light yellow to black.

What Does Wood Rot Look Like?

what does wood rot look like?

In buildings, wood rot usually occurs due to fungi. When the wood is exposed to continuous moisture, it becomes a great spot for fungi to grow. It can create a damp and musty smell and cause the wood to crack and soften.

This example reflects wet rot, but you can also have dry rot. Dry rot doesn’t show moisture on the outside, but it still involves sub-surface fungi. It causes the wood to shrink down into cubes, eventually creating a pattern like a giraffe’s skin.

Some common places you might find rot include:

  • Windowsills and window frames
  • Basements and attics
  • Door frames
  • Under sinks
  • Decks
  • Siding or paneling

To find wood rot, grab a flashlight and look around your home or building. Signs of wood rot include discolored patches, places where chunks are falling away, patches of inconsistent textures or wood that’s breaking into cube-shaped chunks. Sometimes, you can even see clear fungal growth. If you suspect rot, take a screwdriver and push it against the wood. You likely have wood rot if the screwdriver sinks in without any resistance.

Differences Between Termite Damage and Wood Rot

Both termites and rot cause wood damage that moves from the inside out, making them hard to spot until the problem is extensive. The ways they cause damage, however, are very different. When trying to determine whether you have a termite or rot problem, look at the following characteristics:

  • Damage pattern: Generally, damage from termites and wood rot don’t look the same. Termites create vertical tunnels that run mostly parallel to each other, while rot causes the wood to become soft and spongy. Also, wood rot can cause cube-like chunks. Wood with termite damage usually breaks apart in long, thin pieces.
  • Nearby signs: Wood rot only occurs with consistent exposure to moisture, so you would need to have a leak or another area that leads water to the wood. Termites usually show signs of being in a building, like the mud tubes and clicking sounds we discussed earlier.
  • Location: Although termites can show up anywhere, wood rot usually sticks to the seams of the building. You might find it on windows, doors or roofs.

Both problems can be hard to spot, so don’t hesitate to call in a professional. A pest control specialist can look for termites and other wood-damaging bugs like carpenter ants.

What to Do About Termite Damage or Wood Rot

Once you know what you’re working with, you can make a plan of action. Since fungus and termite infestations both spread quickly, working fast can help you prevent worsening damage. If you catch it in time, you might be able to take care of minor instances of rotted wood yourself. You can replace or repair certain structures with a special epoxy resin. More pervasive damage or problems with crucial structural elements will probably require the help of a carpenter or dry rot professional.

A termite problem almost always calls for expert services. These bugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of, but pest professionals address all angles of termite control. They employ the right technologies to eliminate them and prevent them from returning. If the damage is particularly severe, you may also need a dry rot professional to help repair or replace the wood.

Contact a Pro for Termite Control

Termites can wreak havoc on a building, so prevention and early detection go a long way. If you already have termites, professional services can help you get rid of them for good. Across east Texas, homeowners and business owners turn to Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control to keep termites at bay. We use minimal pesticides and offer recurring termite prevention plans to protect your space from termites and other wood-destroying creatures.

Still not sure if you have termites or wood rot? Give us a call, and we’ll get started on building an estimate and a plan to identify and eliminate any insects damaging your wood.

Identifying Mosquito vs. Spider Bites

So you found an itchy, red bump on your skin — is it from a spider or a mosquito? And should you be concerned? Fortunately, you probably don’t need to worry about either kind of bite unless you experience other symptoms. Both of these creatures create similar-looking bites, and knowing the difference between them can help prevent them in the future and get rid of any pests in your home or business.

Mosquito vs. Spider Bites

Both mosquito and spider bites are red, slightly raised bumps that typically itch. These similarities make it hard to tell where the bite came from. While mosquito bites are just itchy, spider bites may be painful and have one or two dark dots in the middle of the bite. These dots are fang marks, and since mosquitos don’t have fangs, they don’t leave these marks.

Your bite should go away on its own regardless of the source. If it’s swollen, try applying an ice pack in 10-minute intervals or using an over-the-counter anti-itch cream. A do-it-yourself option is to mix a tablespoon of baking soda with enough water to form a paste. Apply it to the bite for 10 minutes before washing it off.

mosquito vs spider bites

Identifying Mosquito Bites

Mosquitos don’t actually “bite” with teeth — they use a unique part of their mouth called a proboscis to pierce the skin and inject saliva. This injection is what causes redness and swelling. Your body treats the saliva as an allergen, causing the area to swell. It may be a puffy, reddish bump or a hard, itchy bump with a reddish-brown color.

Some people have worse reactions to mosquito bites. You may have a more serious allergy if you get hives. Mosquito bites can also get infected, which causes them to get redder, feel warm and develop a streak that spreads outward. See a doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms.

In addition to the bite itself, you may also be able to figure out what kind of bite you have based on the environment. You might find mosquitos hanging around in the following places:

  • Warm weather: Mosquitos hibernate or die in cold conditions, so they only emerge in warmer periods. They cannot function below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so if something bit you in the depths of winter, you likely aren’t dealing with a mosquito. If you live in a warm climate like ours here in Texas, you might be exposed to mosquitos all year long.
  • Near standing water: Mosquitos like shallow, stagnant water, like ponds, lakes and marshes. You’ll also find them near puddles, such as those in a birdbath or a forgotten kid’s pool.
  • In groups: Many mosquitos fly in large groups, so you might find yourself with multiple bites. Spiders, on the other hand, usually travel solo, resulting in one bite at a time.

Mosquitos don’t bite you just for fun or even as a normal food source. Only female mosquitos feed on blood, and they do it because they use the protein from blood to develop their eggs and reproduce. A mosquito might feed on you simply because you’re there.

Identifying Spider Bites

You might be relieved to know that spider bites are quite rare in the United States. Unlike mosquitos, spiders generally won’t bite you without provocation. Bites typically occur when the spider is surprised or threatened, such as when you stick your foot into the shoe they built their home in. Most spiders don’t even have fangs that can pierce skin or venom that’s toxic to humans. Around a dozen of about 40,000 species worldwide can cause harm to humans.

Two groups of spiders can cause harm in North America. These are the widow and recluse groups, which contain black widows and brown recluses, respectively. Even these bites are rare, and one study found that out of 182 suspected bites in Southern California, only 3.8% were actually spider bites. Most were actually infections.

Like mosquito bites, spider bites often look innocuous. Bites from dangerous species usually come with noticeable symptoms, including:

  • A lesion that expands or spreads
  • A bullseye rash
  • Tissue death, which starts as painful, purplish blisters
  • Headaches and muscle aches
  • Fever, with or without chills
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Joint paint
  • Tiredness
  • Sweating

If you have a bite and any of these symptoms, see your health care provider right away. Fortunately, these bites are rarely fatal, but medical attention is still crucial.

A spider’s habitat is a little harder to predict than a mosquito’s, especially with so many different species. Although you can find them inside and outdoors, spiders usually hang out on their own and in quiet, undisturbed areas. If you’ve been clearing out the basement or doing spring cleaning, you might be more likely to find one.

How to Prevent Mosquito and Spider Bites

Since mosquitos are usually found outside, you can often prevent bites by wearing long sleeves and pants, using mosquito repellant and keeping your yard free of standing water. Still, ongoing mosquito prevention can be difficult, especially if your yard has drainage issues or you have decorative water elements like ponds or birdbaths. Professional mosquito control services can eliminate mosquitos more thoroughly.

To keep spiders at bay, try to avoid clutter in your home and seal up potential entryways, such as large gaps under doors or cracks in the walls. You can also use home remedies like spraying vinegar or leaving chestnuts in problem areas.

If you see a lot of spiders, you may have another bug problem. Since spiders feed on other bugs, a large spider presence could indicate a prime dining spot with plenty of meals. This scenario typically calls for professional pest control services to remove both types of bugs.

Get Rid of Spiders and Mosquitos With Pest Control

Even if their bites are often harmless, spiders and mosquitos should never share a home or workplace with you. Professional pest control services can keep spiders and mosquitos out of your home, yard or place of business. If you’re in East Texas, the pros at Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control are ready to help.

We use more a more natural approach with minimal pesticides to get rid of pests and prevent them from returning. Our comprehensive approach looks at everything from food supplies and structural characteristics of the building to pest-specific repellent products and protective barriers. Whatever pests you find, our experienced team can help you get back to enjoying your space.

Contact us today to talk with an expert and start the first steps to a bug-free home or business.