RODENTS: Rats and mice successfully co-habit with humans, eating whatever food they find and they share our shelter within our buildings. Rodents contaminate food while they eat and this is how many diseases are transmitted. They can carry rabies or other infectious bacteria. They can live and breed in attics, basements, and roofing. Rats and mice leave droppings, and may also cause problems in your garden by digging up seeds and leaving a mess. We are very aware of the many procedures involved when dealing with these pests. We use extreme care for the safety and well being of our clients. When eliminating rodents we use a combination of sanitation, trapping, and rodent proofing entry points and at time baiting with poisons. Care should be taken when cleaning up after a rat or mouse has contaminated a building.
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COCKROACHES - There are over 50 species of roaches in America alone! They will eat food of any kind, and destroy fabrics, clothes, books, and rugs. Roaches feed in areas such as drains, sewers, and garbage areas bringing them in contact with disease organisms that they can transmit to humans. Disease organisms such as salmonella and other organisms that are associated with dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis and tuberculosis have been traced to roaches. Roaches are most active at night, during the day they hide in dark cracks and crevices. The female roach lays her eggs in brown purse shaped capsules. Once the young roaches hatch they scatter all over. The control of an infestation of roaches starts with a comprehensive inspection to identify the species and their habits. An elimination program is then put in place. Not only is it important to apply pesticides but also proper sanitation and sealing the harborage areas where roaches hide and enter structures. With the recent advent of baits, there is little chance of poisons coming into contact with humans. They work a little slower than the pesticide liquids, but they do a far better job of elimination of the pest. Most restaurants that we service no longer see the spray guy coming with all the cleanup afterward and all the advanced preparation. Now it's clean, neat and can be done anytime, even during open hours. No smell, no toxic chemicals to worry about no overspray. No customers wondering what's going on. Clean and neat.
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ANTS - We have many different types of ants. They usually nest in the ground, but create pathways through foundations, wall openings, and cracks to plunder kitchen and food storage areas. All of the ants have different characteristics that separate them. Some like sugars, some fats and others proteins. Some species can even strip all of a tree's leaves in just one night! Once your type of ant is identified a specific spray application, granular or bait can be applied. In the typical house the attic is treated, the plumbing under the kitchen and bathroom sinks, the baseboards and the perimeter around the outside of the house or building. It normally takes 7 to 14 days for control. You can also remove food that is favored by ants, and trim trees to discourage the entrance to your roof or window areas. Ants on the outside should be left alone if not interfering with humans. They do their job in cleaning up the trash left outside and other types help with the pollination of different types of trees, bushes and plants. They are also great soil mixers, turning over tons of dirt while building their nests.

FLEAS - Fleas are typically found on dogs and cats - they also bite humans. They can also be found in rugs, beds, and the fabric of furniture. There are over 2000 species of fleas. They are wingless creatures, with strongly developed legs, and hind legs that are especially adapted for jumping. The fleas' primary claim to fame is their ability to transmit diseases. They transmitted the bubonic plague during the Middle Ages. A flea population can build rapidly even when the pet is away. A many a time a family and pets come home from vacation to have a house completely infested with fleas. We recommend that all of the procedures of instructions be followed for elimination. Reinfestation can be eliminated with the proper pet treatment, washing or replacing the pets bedding or the vacuuming of the carpets and furniture at the proper intervals. Don't wait or use the store fogger without reading what they actually do. (Kill all "exposed" fleas). What about the ones under the sofa or the ones hatching tomorrow or later tonight? Call the professional and have the job done right without the added expense of home remedies that just don't work.

BEES - Most bees are beneficial to mankind. They pollinate our crops and flowers. They produce honey and pollens. Beekeepers take their hives to farms and fields to cross-pollinate the plants. At times the swarms from the bees take up residence in our attics, walls and fireplace chimneys. You can actually put your ear up to the wall and hear the buzzing of the colony existence. Bees can create a hive (sometimes as many as 50,000 bees) in a rafter, shed, tree, or bush. They have a caste system where the queen is surrounded and taken care of. Her whole existence in life is to produce eggs and offspring. Other individuals in the colony are protectors and other food gatherers. Normally, people are only stung from accidentally putting their finger, hand or body in the wrong place. Once a bee has stung you, it will die. Do not take tweezers to remove the stinger. This will inject more toxins inside your body. Scrape the stinger with a knife or other thin sharp object away from the injection. Some people are highly allergic to bee stings; one should be monitored closely for signs of shock. Stings can be deadly to infants, the elderly, and persons allergic to bee venom. The Africanized Honeybee (AHB) or better known as "Killer Bee" is being found all over in Southern California. They have been known to infiltrate docile beehives and take over. The colony is very sensitive to loud noises and intruders. They have been known to chase people over 100 yards from where they first encounter them. They have killed people and animals with the hundred of stings from individuals in the colony. Bees are not to be treated by the homeowner. If the swarm is in a tree or other outside area, call the fire department, beekeeper or your county agriculture department. Your city may have installed a AHB hotline. Check before you need it. If the swarm is entering your attic, wall or any other part of your structure. Call a AHB CERTIFIED TECHNICAN or your local Pest Control Professional.
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WASPS - Wasps and bees are usually thought of as beneficial insects. Wasps are scavengers and more of a nuisance. They annoy us at barbecues and picnics. They feed primarily on protein such as spiders and insects ( except at our BBQ's. They sometimes compete with us for our steak, hot dog or chicken).They make their nests in the eaves, attics and garage areas of our homes. They live in colonies, which number thousands. They can be threatening because they have adapted to living so close to us in our world. The nest should be treated by a professional and removed.

EARWIGS - Earwigs are active at night and hide during the daylight in dark , moist cracks and crevices. They are scavengers and at times feed on plants. Their environment is under boards, heaps of manure or grass clippings or decaying matter in your flowerbed. The adult can float in water for 24 hours and resume activities upon reaching dry ground. If disturbed they may emit a real foul odor. Their most attributable asset is that they attack and eat other insects. The first step in controlling these insects is the removal of decaying plant debris, mulch and wood from the yard areas around your house. Check the downspouts and irrigation systems for unusually moist areas that could be good nesting areas for the female earwig. The second is properly applied insecticide granules or liquids.
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BLACK WIDOWS AND OTHER SPIDERS - The black widow spider normally lives in the dark areas of your garage, attic or eaves where sunlight never enters. They, like all spiders, feed upon other insects. They wrap them up in their web material and suck all the juices out of them. The bite from a black widow spider is normally not fatal unless the person is elderly, young, or not in good health. All spider bites should be taken seriously and be checked by a physician. If a spider bites you, try to take the spider with you to the physician. This will help in the identification. Don't jeopardize yourself with the capture. If need be, use some hair spray to immobilize the spider before you try to capture it. Spraying hair spray or WD40 will kill most spiders. It covers the spiracles that help them breath and they die. The black widow spider is known to hang with its abdomen (stomach side) facing up. There will be a definite hourglass on its abdomen. If you have a black widow spider at your house, call the professionals. Have all the other areas they could be hiding in treated for family security and peace of mind.
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FABRIC PESTS - There are many types of fabric pests- Silverfish, clothes moths and carpet beetles to name a few. Except for the Silverfish, the main food of fabric pests is a protein called Keratin. This is present in fibers of animals such as wool from sheep. Other materials they thrive on are fur, woolens, leather, hair, or other organic matter. Silverfish prefer to eat substances of plant origin such as cottons. They also like to eat starch in wallpaper and bookbindings, and that found in laundered clothing. Silverfish live in walls that are wallpapered, dens and libraries, closets and storage areas. Fabric pests lay eggs in 100% wool carpets, and in garments stored in closets and attics, where larvae can feed on materials for up to one year. The control procedures and treatment of these pests vary, please call our office so that the pests are cleared to your satisfaction.

WOOD BORING BEETLES - In Southern California wood destroying beetles are not as common as termites, but they can infest and damage wood structures and furniture. Signs are sawdust to powder-like shavings and holes from 1/32" to 3/8". Fumigation or a HeatMaster treatment will control these pests.
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