Bug Man Exterminating Blog

For a lot of people, rats and mice are interchangeable. After all, they’re both rodents that look similar, like to infest houses, and they often cause a lot of the same problems. However, while they are similar in many ways, you can’t try to exterminate them with the same tactics. For example, rats are much bigger than mice, and traditional mouse traps won’t be able to handle rats very efficiently. Here are why mouse traps won’t work on rats and what you can do instead. What will happen if you try to catch rats with mouse traps? The biggest difference between mice and rats is their size. Rats are significantly larger than mice. At about eight inches long, rats outgrow mice by a whole five inches. Not only that but a mouse weighs just a single ounce while a full-grown rat can weigh a whopping eighteen ounces. Therefore, while mouse...

At Bug Man Exterminating, we’re dedicated to helping our customers enjoy pest-free living from all types of infestations, but bed bugs are one of our most frequent calls. In the Roanoke, VA, area, bed bugs tend to get a foothold into buildings before people realize they are there, and once they’ve established a colony, these small insects are very difficult to remove. Often, our clients will attempt to treat their homes themselves when they notice bed bugs , and most are pretty successful in the initial stages. They remove all signs of living bed bugs, but just as they begin to relax and think they have resolved the issue, these pests start coming out of the woodwork again. Understandably, it’s frustrating. They’ve done everything right, so why are they unable to remove these pests? Are The Bed Bugs Back? While it might be tempting to think you’ve been re-invaded, the...

Spiders are pretty common pests to see around and inside your home, especially as we head toward the winter months. You may see an increase as the weather changes. This is something to monitor as there are both spiders that can cause issues and those that are relatively harmless. Spiders are something that many people have fears of, but there are also many things that you may not know. They are everywhere! If you have an issue with spiders, this may scare you, but they really are everywhere. On average, you are never more than 10 feet away from a spider, and the earth contains an average of 1 million spiders per acre of land. Most of the time, you won't see them because they are hiding away in a crevice somewhere. Different Types There are about 40,000 different species of spiders that are known, including 3,000 species in North...

Fleas need blood to survive. If they're inside your home , they'll be dining on your blood as well as the blood of your family members and pets. These minute bugs can't fly, but they sure can jump far. What's more, once they've infiltrated your residence, they'll find excellent hiding spots in curtains, carpets, furniture, and other places. You might notice a group of fleas somewhere in your home. These creatures have flat, brownish-red bodies, six legs, and no wings. Usually, they're about a tenth of an inch long. On the other hand, you might not notice the fleas themselves. If that's the case, there are still some giveaways that these insects are living with you. Telltale Substances There are two kinds of organic material that fleas leave behind. One is their waste, which resembles pepper in size and color. They also lay white eggs, which look like grains of...

Many different things can attract stink bugs to your Virginia home or the surrounding acreage. You might be able to keep them at bay if you relocate or conceal some of the most appealing items: Plants These insects devour an assortment of flowers and vegetables. They attack peppers, berries, soybeans, corn, peanuts and lima beans. Weeds may also draw bugs to your garden or yard. The color yellow appeals to this pest. Consequently, you might find it crawling on sunflowers, garlic, mustard or daisies. If you live in an area with a sizable stink bug population, avoid using yellow paint. Numerous fruit and nut trees attract these insects. They target peach, pear, apple and pecan trees. Stink bugs consume fruit as well as seeds. They often invade nearby buildings after the growing season ends. Insects The majority of stink bugs have herbivorous diets. However, certain species prefer to eat fellow...

No one looks forward to getting stung. The sudden pain causes some victims to scream in agony. Even worse, a small percentage of people are severely allergic to insect stings. Let’s take a look at the top five most common stinging insects in Virginia . Sweat Bees During the spring and summer, sweats bees become especially active. You’ll often spot them flying around flower gardens and meadows. Although sweat bees are not very hostile, they will sting in self-defense. For some reason, these tiny bees have a big attraction to perspiration. While you’re outdoors on a hot day, don’t be surprised to find sweat bees drinking the salty liquid from your skin. Red Imported Fire Ants Over the past decade, red imported fire ants have become a problem for local residents. If you happen to see any of these reddish-brown ants on your property, call a pest control professional as...

Mosquitoes are pests that tend to appear in droves in the summer months. While most mosquitoes are attracted to some scents more than others and some of the flying insects tend to migrate to certain areas throughout the year compared to other areas, there are a few myths that should be overlooked. You've probably heard that both males and females will bite you. The female is the only one that will bite. She needs the nutrients to support her offspring and to stay healthy while breeding. They also rely on the nutrients and the proteins in blood for egg production. Sometimes, people will say that mosquitoes like them because they have a certain scent while others will say that mosquitoes will stay away from them because the pests don't like that person's blood. Mosquitoes don't care what kind of blood you have. There could be bacteria on your skin that...

There are many different breeds of ants , and controlling them is often difficult if you do not understand the type of ant that is infesting your area. The different types of ants have their own unique behaviors, which includes reproductive and eating habits. When you know what kinds of foods attract ants, you can take the steps necessary to protect your home or business against an infestation. Our professional team is also available to answer any specific questions you may have about ant control procedures. This may include preventative techniques as well as maintenance throughout the year. Foods that Attract Ants Although many ants will eat a wide variety of foods, there are certain specific smells that may trigger an ant infestation. When you understand how to package and store your food properly, you can enjoy having these foods in the home without attracting a scout ant. Store your...

Like all pet owners, you care about your animals and strive to keep them out of harm's way at all times, but you might forget about some dangers that are just around the corner. Cats and dogs that go outside are at risk for getting fleas and ticks when you least expect them to face the problem. Since fleas and ticks can spread diseases, putting in the effort to keep your pets free of pests is a smart move. You will know your pets are safe, and you won't need to worry about them bringing pests into your home. Put Cedar Mulch in Your Yard The spots in which your animals like to rest when they are outside are also perfect environments for fleas and ticks. If you want your pets to enjoy their time outside without becoming the target of common invaders, spread cedar mulch around your yard. It...

Carpenter ants and termites have more in common than their ability to damage your home or business. There's a strong physical resemblance between these two insects, but a careful appraisal will allow you to tell them apart. Here's what you need to know about identifying carpenter ants and termites. If It's a Carpenter Ant There are certain physical features that can help you determine if the pest that's invaded your residential or commercial property is a carpenter ant. There are several species of these social insects, and the details of their appearance vary slightly, but they tend to be black, brown or reddish in color and measure anywhere from 3.4 millimeters to 13 millimeters in size. Like other kinds of ants, carpenter ants have pinched waists and bodies that are divided into three distinct segments. Their heads are topped by two antennae that are elbowed and segmented. While ants are...

Termites remain a serious threat to local homes and businesses. These destructive pests have the potential to cause an extensive amount of property damage. If you fail to take action in a timely manner, the total cost to repair your dwelling could be thousands of dollars. Here are some of the key facts that you should know about termite swarms.  What exactly are termite swarms? As the weather begins to warm up during the spring, termites often swarm looking for a new home. Their old colony may be suffering from a lack of food and water. Don’t be surprised to see these insects flying near your property. Although termite swarms are not dangerous, they are an indication of trouble to come. Often times, residents tend to find discarded wings piled up around their windows. After noticing these warning signs, you should contact an exterminator immediately. Once a new colony has...

Pest issues can result in a great deal of stress for homeowners across the country. In addition to the structural damage that some pests can cause to your home or office, there are also huge concerns regarding the transmission of various bacteria and diseases that can affect you and your loved ones. Therefore, handling pest infestations promptly is a very important part of the maintenance of a home or office. The following information will discuss green pest control and the benefits provided by this service.  What is Green Pest Control? More people than ever before are concerned about the impact their daily actions have on the environment. Ecologically friendly pest control services are in much greater demand as a result of this growing concern for the state of the earth today. In addition to environmental concerns, green pest control is sought after due to concerns about the possible health effects...

Winter takes its toll on houses across Virginia, creating problems such as leaky roofs and wet crawlspaces. If it snows, the situation gets much worse. When the snow melts, it seeps through cracks and crevices and infiltrates basements and crawlspaces, causing everything from mold and mildew to wood rot. 4 Ways to Keep Your Crawlspace Dry in the Winter Keep snow away from the foundation. When it snows, make sure to shovel it away from the foundation. The closer snow is to your home, the more likely it is to leak water into your home as it melts. You can avoid a majority of winter damage by keeping the snow as far away from the foundation as possible. Check your pipes regularly. Frozen pipes are never good in the winter since they can burst and leak water throughout your home. Take the time to inspect your plumbing during the winter,...

Mice, rats and other rodents will enter your home as soon as they get the chance, and you might have trouble getting rid of them once they have established a nest. Most people don’t know what to do about the problem and struggle to keep rodents at bay. If you can relate to their problem and want to take action, learning to prevent the pests from entering your home can make a difference.  Inspect Your Home's Foundation Taking a look at the foundation of your home is a smart step when your mission is to keep rats and other rodents out of your home and away from your property. If you don’t want to miss any spots, you can start at one side and slowly check every inch. Cracks and openings that are more than one-fourth of an inch wide will allow the pests to get inside, so you will...

Bug Man is a dedicated provider of comprehensive pest control solutions for all of our customers. We work diligently to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and quality. Our goal is to make your property free from pests and to offer additional services as needed to supplement these efforts. Many of our customers are unaware of the various other services that are now available through Bug Man. We decided to dedicate a special blog to these services. Our customers can now benefit from exceptional pest control while also learning about the other options now available throughout the entire year. Mold and Moisture Treatments Humidity and moist conditions can attract a variety of pests, so our team put together a complete package of treatments designed to reduce moisture and eliminate mold from your building. These conditions will invite pest infestations, so we created a full solution to address this specific problem....

When cockroaches invade their homes, most people react with disgust. These insects are known to carry bacteria that can cause a variety of illnesses, but even people who are unaware of the roach's status as a vector for diseases are repulsed to find cockroaches in or around their food and dishes. As a species, cockroaches are amazingly successful; they breed quickly and in great numbers, thrive in a wide range of environments, will eat virtually anything and are difficult to kill. In addition, they are highly secretive, preferring to conduct their feeding forays when humans are not around. During the day, they generally remain hidden from view. Given their nocturnal habits and their ability to fit into extremely tight spaces, a major infestation can be present before the first cockroach is seen. However, if you know the places where roaches commonly hide in homes, you have a better chance of...

Termites are a huge concern to homeowners all across this nation. This is for a very good reason, as termites are capable of inflicting a large amount of structural damage to a home in a relatively short amount of time. What are these pesky creatures and when is the best time to have a termite inspection performed? How can you be sure you a termite problem? Read on below to find the answers to these important questions. What are Termites? Similar to ants, termites are insects that also live in huge colonies usually made up of thousands of other termites. Perhaps the most feared insects by homeowners everywhere, termites are responsible for billions of dollars worth of damage to homes and other buildings every year. Termites are capable of eating their way through wood, siding, drywall, and many other structures making up modern homes today. What Types of Damage Can...

Summer travel plans can be exciting for you and your loved ones. However, especially during the hot summer months, it is also common for travelers to bring unexpected guests back home with them. For example, pests such as bed bugs commonly infest hotels and campgrounds. They can get onto your clothing or luggage and become unknown stowaways, leading to an infestation when you return home. If you have summer vacation plans, follow these helpful tips to prevent bringing bed bugs back home with you. Inspect Your Hotel When you first settle into your room, it's important to do a quick inspection to determine if there are any visible signs of a pest problem. In the case of bed bugs, they prefer to make their homes near mattresses and other bedding areas. It is prudent to check around the crevices of the mattress, along with the walls, and in the bathroom...