A-Academy Blog

Seeing a rodent in your home will probably make your skin crawl. Not only are rodents like mice and rats nuisances, but they also carry diseases that are harmful to you and your pets.  If untreated, a rodent infestation can cause electrical and structural damage to your home, as well as contaminate your pantry supplies. Luckily, we have created a helpful list to help prevent rodents. Here are some ways to keep rodents out of your home.  Keep Food Stored Securely Mice and rats usually enter your home in search of food and water, so keeping potential food sources hidden away is essential to preventing an infestation. Ensure dry goods like oats, bread, cereal and pet food is secured in airtight containers.  Do not leave dishes out for too long and wash your pet’s food bowl regularly. Rodents love crumbs, so make sure your floors and counters are cleaned regularly, too. ...

As pet owners know, their beloved creatures can’t just speak up whenever something is wrong. So, their owners must give them proper check-ups as needed. A trip to the vet every week isn’t realistic, so some DIY investigating must be done. One common problem among many pets is the presence of ticks. Fortunately, there are simple ways for owners to check their pets for ticks. Pre-Indoors Check Many pets like to spend time outdoors playing around, either with other animals or their owners. Of course, they often try to scurry off and get into places they aren’t supposed to. As a result, they are more likely to be exposed to ticks while outside. Run your fingers through your pet’s fur before letting your furry friend back inside. Small bumps could indicate the presence of a tick. There are several areas on an animal that owners should specifically check. Under the Collar...

Spiders are unwanted creatures in your home. Not only are some people terrified of them, but they can also pose a health risk if they are poisonous. In some cases, it can be hard to identify a poisonous spider from that of one that is non-venomous. Here at A-Academy Pest Control, we know the importance of not having spiders in your home, no matter whether or not they are poisonous. When we come out, we will help with identifying spiders in your home and let you know how we can treat the issue. Potential Spiders that Might be Lurking in your Home Our area is home to several different spiders. Most of them are of the non-venomous variety. Spiders like the common house spiders, and orb weavers are not poisonous to humans. The area is home to 3 different poisonous spiders. Black Widow The black widow spider is easily identified. This spider...

Having a pest-free home is essential to your health and the integrity of your living space. While it can be difficult to keep every insect out of your house, there are simple ways to prevent an infestation. Here are ten tips for a pest-free home.  Regular Cleaning and Maintenance Regularly cleaning your home is the best way to keep pests away. Pests will often enter your home in search of food, so regular cleaning will help eliminate crumbs and debris that can accumulate on floors and in cabinets. Regular cleaning also helps to prevent insects from nesting or making webs.  Garden Maintenance If your garden is overgrown, it may invite more pests to your yard and make it easier for them to get into your home. Trim back overgrown weeds and shrubs regularly to make it harder for pests to come in. Mulch can also attract pests, so consider using other...

Pantry pests like cockroaches, spiders, and beetles are hard to get rid of. They feed on common dry goods, like flour or rice, and can sneak into your home easily. While mostly harmless, pantry pests can contaminate food items and worsen allergy symptoms. They can also multiply quickly, making it even harder to eliminate them. Here are some ways to keep pantry pests out of your home. Pantry Cleanliness The first step in keeping pests out of your home is to keep your pantry and kitchen clean. If food items are left out or unsealed, pantry pests can start feeding on your grocery items. To reduce pests, empty your pantry and vacuum excess crumbs and spider webs every few months. Throw away expired food items and ensure dry goods are sealed. Check any unsealed or opened containers for bugs or droppings. Regularly cleaning countertops, floors and cabinets will also help reduce...

Summer is a time for fun and relaxation – until pests wreak havoc in your home and yard! Summer weather often creates pest problems that do not exist during colder months. Here are some ways that summer weather affects household pest problems. Some Pests Thrive in Warm Weather Many pests thrive in warm weather and come out of their nests and burrows to enjoy the hot sun. Many of these pests also use the summer months to eat, build their homes and get ready for the winter. Pests like wasps and bees come out of hibernation in the summer and can be a real nuisance to your home and backyard. They build new hives and are constantly flying around flowers and shrubbery. Rodents like squirrels, chipmunks and raccoons also come out of hibernation in the summer and make holes in your backyard to hide food and for shelter. Summer Flowers Attract...

The coronavirus pandemic is still active around the world, and many people are fearful that they will catch this disease. While coronavirus can be spread from human to human, there is no evidence that this illness can be spread through pests. As summer is approaching, many people are concerned about having contact with pests and how that will affect their health. Continue reading to learn about pests and the other diseases they can carry. Insects Summer is always a time for insects to come out of hibernation and thrive. People across the world experience an insect increase during warm months, and there is a higher chance of getting bitten or stung by these pests. Many people are concerned about contracting a disease in this manner because mosquitoes have been found to carry malaria and the Zika virus, and ticks are known for carrying Lyme disease. However, there is absolutely no evidence...

Nothing is more disgusting than seeing scurrying bedbugs running across your sheets or mattresses. Once they make their appearance, they are extremely difficult to wipe out. What makes the battle even more challenging is that bedbugs are masters at disappearing and concealing themselves until they become thirsty for their next meal. Arm yourself with knowledge in your war against bedbugs. Learn their secret hiding places so you know how to plan your attack. Hiding Places of Bedbugs Edges of Mattresses Checking your mattresses periodically is a good practice of hygiene, even if you have not seen evidence of a bedbug invasion. Bedbugs almost always hide along the seams and edgings of mattresses. Take a flashlight and a fine-toothed comb and examine every seam for these tiny brownish creatures or dark smears that indicate their presence. Crevices of Beds Frames Once you have checked the mattresses and bedding themselves, move to the...

Rotting wood and termite infestation look similar and are both pretty serious causes of damage to any structure that is made out of wood. Although they share these similarities, they are quite different in the way you should treat them. In order to be sure that you aren’t wasting time and resources, read on to familiarize yourself with the difference so that you can be well equipped if any of these problems come along. Termite Activity Don’t be surprised if you find that you may have both an infestation and wood decay. Termite and carpenter ants are attracted to wood that has already been softened thanks to moisture. They’ll burrow into the wood itself, and when you knock on it, it will sound very hollow as they have eaten away at the wood. You could also notice a wavy pattern left behind by the termite activity. The termites weaken the structure...

Being some of the smaller relatives to bears, the raccoon enjoys living in wooded areas near water, but commonly found in urban areas looking for food at night. There are 7 different species of raccoon, with one being on the endangered species list. Raccoons may look incredibly cute from afar, but up close can be a whole different story, so it’s important to understand the danger and damage raccoons can have to yourself, others, and/or your community. What Is A Raccoon “Raccoons are a medium sized mammal from North America. They vary in size, but traditionally are between 7 to 20 pounds and have an average height of 10.5 inches.” Raccoons are sneaky and can have running speeds up to 15 mph! Seems crazy, right? These fast and furry friends can be found in any type of climate and are omnivores, so eating plants, small animals, and insects with their hands...

The options for flea control for your pets are numerous. You need to consider pet medications, natural remedies and protection for the yard. The end goal for each method is to eliminate the fleas on your pet and in your home and yard. Being proactive and using a combination of treatments is the best way to reduce the chances of fleas. Retail Flea Products When it comes to retail flea products, you can choose from liquids, sprays, shampoos and collars. Each of the different treatments has benefits. The protection time may vary depending on the product. So make sure to continuously apply the treatment timely. The liquid flea protection is drops. The application goes right on your pet’s skin from the head and down the back. The flea drops last 30 days and needs reapplied within a couple of days of the prior month’s application. Once the liquid is on, your...

The cold of winter is here, and many people prefer to stay indoors to keep warm. It’s nice to be able to snuggle up in a warm space when the biting winds are waiting for you just behind the door. While many people like to keep out of the cold, there are many winter pests that like to do the same. Your warm home is an inviting place for rodents, rats and mice during the cold winter months. However, there are ways you can winterize your home to keep the pests out while you stay in and get cozy. Inspect Your Home If you want to keep pests like rodents, rats and mice out of your home, you will need to make sure there is no entrance for them. Take the time to carefully inspect your home. Step outside to check the exterior of your home to see if there are...

The holiday season is one of the best times of the year. Seeing family and friends and spending time with them is something everyone enjoys. Unfortunately, time can also be spent with rodents and pests. Of course, the holidays fall in the cold, winter months leaving pest searching for a way into your home and finding warm shelter. They are annoying to see and oftentimes difficult to completely get rid of. Luckily, there are precautions you can take around your living space to limit or prevent a pest infestation. Cracks and Crevices Since pests are so small, they can fit through just about any opening they find throughout your house. That goes for both the interior and the exterior. Cracks in windows, ventilation, and crawl spaces will serve as entryways for pests looking to come inside. Patching these up with sealant, such as caulk, will limit how many pests come in....

Not only are crickets a pest from a visual standpoint, it can be annoying to hear them infiltrating your home. Especially if they’re in your basement, that environment can foster even more crickets multiplying within your living space. Here are a few tips to keep those pesky critters out of your basement and your house in general. Vacuum This is a solid first step to deter any pests in general from setting up camp in your house. Make an emphasis on keeping clean floors and crevices that would be otherwise attractive to crickets. They could be feeding on your scraps and crumbs that have fallen on the floor. Vacuuming would also suck up any eggs laid and the smaller crickets who are living in small areas. Clean Up Crickets love trash and clutter. Be sure to clear your area so that you don’t attract pests that feed off of trash and...

Everything seems to slow down in the winter. We’re slower getting out of bed in the morning, it takes longer for our cars to start, and when it snows, it takes longer to complete our daily commutes. But what about pests? Do they slow down as well in colder weather? The answer is...some of them do. Here are a few types of pests that become dormant during the winter and what you can do about the ones that don’t. Pests that Become Dormant Mosquitoes Mosquitoes are one type of pest that become dormant during the winter months. Actually, it’s only the female mosquitoes. They store up fat and go into a hibernation-like state. The males just die. Moths Also, many species of moths are able to do something similar. In fact, the arctic woolly bear moth spends most of its life in this state, creating a sugar called alcohol glycerol to...

Once summer is over and the colder weather starts to move in, many different kinds of pests can try to move in, too! All sorts of pests, from rodents to insects, will be looking for a warm place to stay, and your home will be at risk. Here are a few simple things that you can do to keep these pests out of your home. 1. Seal Off Any Potential Pest Entries Places like gutters, windows, and attic spaces are perfect entryways for pests. Many people don't realize that their homes have lots of small open crevices in unseen places. Rooftops are common places for pests to get inside your home, so you should definitely make sure there are no openings in and around your roof. You can check it out yourself, if you feel comfortable doing so, or get the assistance of a professional roofer. You can also purchase gutter...

Many people aren’t familiar with the characteristics that differentiate bees from wasps. When encountering one, your gut reaction tells you to jump up, run away or swat at the insect flying around your head and buzzing in your ears. However, knowing the type of pest circling your head is extremely important in determining how you should react. The most important things to do are to remain calm and stay safe when you encounter a bee or wasp. Natural Characteristics Both honey bees and wasps are capable of stinging you, however wasps are naturally more aggressive. Honey bees tend to sting only when provoked. Honey bees also die after stinging their victim once, while wasps can sting you multiple times. You should not provoke any type of bee, particularly wasps. Another dangerous possibility that accompanies being stung is the potential of an allergic reaction. Stings can be life threatening, so you should...

Summer is a great time for hiking, camping, rock climbing, barbecuing and other outdoor activities. As you enjoy the beauties of nature with family and friends, be sure to do so safely by always checking for ticks. These little critters are most commonly in trees, underbrush, bushes and can even be in your grass. Ticks Transfer Diseases Ticks transfer several known diseases to humans. Lyme’s Disease, the most common tick transmitted disease, is caused by the bite of an infected tick. If you are bitten by a tick, there are several symptoms to watch out for such as: fever, fatigue, aching muscles, swelling in the joints and a rash. Lyme’s Disease is treated easily through antibiotics. Considerably lessen your risk for getting Lyme’s Disease by learning how to exterminate ticks around your yard. Could Harm Your Pets You need to check yourself for ticks after spending time outside for your own...

How to Get a Pest Free Healthy Home Your area may be prone to pests of all types from ants and termites to rodents and much more. Unfortunately, these creatures and critters can find and creep through even the smallest cracks and openings in your home. Before you know it, it can feel like you have been completely overrun. In terms of home pest control, we always recommend that you have long and short-term plans and initiatives in place for preventing future pest incidents. If that is not the case and pests have already invaded your home, here are a few ways that you can work with our pest control experts to eradicate your pest problem and keep them out in the future. 1) Take a Walk Around of your Home There is a lot that you can do on your own to get a good idea of where your pests...

By the end of winter, we are all dreaming of the warmth of summer, sitting out on the patio and watching the sunset. We envision outdoor barbecues and picnics. And we daydream about camping trips and evening walks. When summer finally arrives, we end up hiding inside to stay away from the dreaded mosquitoes. Take back your summer with these tips on how to avoid summer mosquitoes! Dump the Water Look for any place in your yard and outdoor space where water collects. Mosquitoes will set up a baby nursery in just a ¼ inch of standing water. If you have a decorative pond, add some bug-eating fish to the pond or a fountain to keep the water moving. Do a puddle check once a week to keep any eggs from hatching. Dress to Repel Adopt the styles of outdoor lovers by wearing light-colored, loose clothing. Your little flying enemy can...