Sunday, April 23, 2017

What to Expect in a Bed Bug Treatment

Each year, thousands of families are forced to deal with bed bugs. They can be contracted from various areas. Hotels, buses, movie theaters and even private homes. 

When bed bugs do infest a house, the homeowner should always tackle the problem immediately by calling an exterminator. These trained personnel will explain to the individual how to properly prepare the home as well as the extermination process.

Call a Pest Control Service That You Can Trust
Find a quality pest control service in your area. During the initial consultation, the individual will survey the house and establish a game plan for attacking the infestation. 

In many cases, the homeowner will notice bed bugs in a certain area, such as in a bedroom. However, these bugs travel fast and can quickly spread throughout the house. The individual should hire trained personnel who can determine the extent of the problem throughout the house.

Generally, there are two different types of procedures for exterminating bedbugs: using pesticides or a heating treatment. During the consultation period, the exterminator will explain the advantages and disadvantages of both procedures. 

Using pesticides can be cheaper, but many have found that heating is more successful because it can kill the live bed bugs as well as the eggs.

Handling Your Personal Items
Before starting the extermination process, the pest control service may advise the individual to discard certain items. He may suggest that the individual throw away the mattresses which can harbor bed bugs. In addition, the homeowner or renter should place all his or her clothing in properly sealed bags or containers.

The pest control company may suggest that the resident wash and dry all clothing. This will most likely kill any bed bugs. With furniture, many exterminators suggest that individuals place everything outdoors under the sun to kill any remaining bed bugs. In many cases, the resident does not have to throw away furniture. But it does need to be heated to kill the majority of the bed bugs.

After the treatment
After the bed bugs treatment, can pest control companies guarantee that the critters will not return? In most cases, they will not make that guarantee. Bed bugs travel quickly and can barricade themselves in tiny crevices throughout the house. However, if the homeowner hires a quality pest control company, then there will be a lesser chance that the bed bugs will return.

In certain instances, a home may need to undergo multiple treatments to eradicate all the bed bugs. In the following months, the resident should monitor and inspect all rooms to make sure they have not returned.

Bed bugs, which can feed on human blood, can pose a health risk for any family. The bites of these bugs can cause serious skin irritations as well as other discomforts. Once a resident sees a bed bug infestation, hiring a reputable exterminator should be the first action item.

Custom Weed & Pest Control has been in business since 1989, serving the greater Phoenix metro area for both residential and commercial. Visit site: http://wekillweeds.com

Friday, April 7, 2017

Effective Ways to Eliminate Weeds


There's nothing more frustrating for a homeowner than the battle against persistent weeds. They make your yard, sidewalks, and driveway look neglected. They also provide cover for pests including fleas, spiders and ticks. Here are several simple ways to get rid of weeds using common household items and ingredients.

Opaque Plastic
Stretch plastic out over the weeds and hold it in place with heavy rocks. This method blocks the sun and rain from any weedy area. It works much the same way that weed-barrier fabrics work underneath mulch. The weeds will wilt quickly. The length of time it takes the entire area to die out will vary. Also, unless you cut holes through the material, it will simultaneously kill any desirable plants. On the upside, you can use old shower curtains, tarps, or scraps of carpet or old welcome mats.

Newspaper
Lay down a few sheets of newspaper in any areas that have a dense covering of weeds. Avoid covering the leaves of plants you want to keep. Weight down the paper with some rocks to keep it in place. Two or three sheets will block the sun and kill the weeds. If it rains, you'll need to replace the old paper with fresh pages.

Vinegar
Fill a spray bottle with a few ounces of undiluted vinegar. White vinegar or apple cider vinegar; anything you have handy will work. Swish in about an ounce of dish washing detergent to make the solution work faster. Vinegar is very acidic. It draws the moisture out of leaves. Dish soap helps to penetrate the waxy coating on the stems and leaves of some resilient weeds. Be careful not to spritz the "good" plants.

Soak and Pull Method
This method requires patience. For deep-rooted stubborn weeds, such as dandelions, try soaking the area with a good deal of water--enough to thoroughly saturate and loosen the soil. Then take hold of the plant at the root and pull upwards very gently and slowly. If the soil is wet enough, you may be able to extract the entire plant down to the root. It works well on weeds with relatively small or straight root systems.

Hot Water
Heat some tap water up to boiling. Pour it into a container that you can handle easily. A metal pitcher or a heavy-duty bucket will work. Then just dump a little on each patch of weeds you'd like to get rid of. Weeds cannot resist this method. However, it may not kill the roots. Be prepared to repeat this treatment on stubborn plants.

Use these techniques on the weeds around your property. Remember that these are only general instructions. It may be necessary to experiment to find the most effective method(s) for your situation. If all else fails, or there are simply too many weeds, consult a professional. They'll be able to offer some labor- and time-saving solutions.

Custom Weed & Pest Control has been in business since 1989, serving the greater Phoenix metro area for both residential and commercial. Visit site: http://wekillweeds.com