How to Get Rid of Ticks

When dealing with pests, ticks are among the worst. Their small size and penchant for sucking blood, while posing a risk for spreading disease, makes them as repulsive as they are elusive. However, there are ways to prevent infestation while keeping your family and your pets safe from infection.

Insecticides/Pesticides

Many available products can easily prevent and dispose of ticks. Spray in areas such as doorways, cracks, crevices and windows where ticks may have access. Insect growth regulators will help prevent immature ticks from developing into breeding adults. Keep in mind that ticks are biologically inclined to climb. They will scale high grasses and foliage to hitch a ride on passing animals. For those who don’t like to use chemicals, cedar oil is claimed to be naturally effective against ticks. Cedar oil does little to no harm to more welcome insects such as butterflies and bees. In cases of a severe infestation, calling in an exterminator is the final option.

Pet Treatment

If there are pets in the home, multiple treatments can be used to ensure they don’t become infected and bring ticks into the home. Fur treatments that are applied externally once a month are quite useful. However, if coming into contact with them is a concern, monthly pills administered orally are another option. Shampoo and tick and flea collars are also helpful.

Clothing

Ensure that before entering the home from outside, particularly where ticks like to reside such as grassy fields, farm lands, or areas frequented by wildlife, shake out pants and socks, and check shoes for any unwanted hitchhikers. Regularly clean rugs and pet bedding to make sure ticks haven’t taken up refuge. It’s suggested to put articles in the dryer on a high setting prior to washing. In this way, the heat kills the ticks first.

Landscaping

Ticks love high grass and dense foliage. Keeping a lawn or property well maintained and preventing overgrowth will keep most ticks away. Leaf litter, and bird and animal nesting need to be cleared out of any areas where a person might go since ticks often feed on these animals and will frequent those spots. Also, be sure to wear long sleeves and pants, tucking pant leggings into socks so that a tick is unable to get underneath the garment to the skin.

If Bitten

If a tick is found embedded in the skin, don’t panic and hastily remove the tick. Since ticks may carry diseases and bacteria, decapitating it or puncturing its body may result in infection. Instead, take a pair of small tweezers and gently pinch the tick around the head, as close to the skin as possible. Slowly lift the tick out and place it in a sealed plastic bag before disposing of it in the trash outside the house. Do not attempt to smother the tick; this method is not effective for removal. Clean the bite area with soapy water and treat it with rubbing alcohol or iodine. If you’re concerned about infection or disease, retain the tick for identification purposes and consult a doctor.

If you want guaranteed pest control without having to figure out what you need, expend the energy to buy and apply it, as well as expose yourself to toxic chemicals, give us a call. Custom Weed and Pest Control will come right out and take care of your weed problem and we guarantee our work. Visit site: http://wekillweeds.com/

The Importance of Pre-Emergent Weed Spraying

What is a Pre-Emergent Weed Spray?

A pre-emergent is an herbicide that is sprayed or spread on lawns to eliminate weeds at the earliest stages of their growth. This includes crab grass and dandelions, among other invasive plants. Unlike a typical weed killer, a pre-emergent is meant to stop weeds from sprouting by being applied on early lawn growth to prevent the roots of weeds from taking hold in the soil.

Pre-emergent herbicides should not be used in areas where seeds of other plants are being sown. A pre-emergent does not distinguish between weed seeds and those of beneficial or desirable plants. It is best not to spray a pre-emergent where you want plants and flowers to grow.

Benefits of a Pre-Emergent

These herbicides are important weapons in a gardener’s lawn care arsenal. They will permanently eliminate weeds by not allowing them to germinate. They are activated at the top layer of the soil targeting young sprouts. A pre-emergent can break the cycle of new weed growth.

Pre-emergents are very easy to apply by spraying the herbicide through the use of water. The chemical is activated by the water, allowing it to soak into the soil. It can remain active for many weeks or even months discouraging new weed growth.

Successive seasonal treatments with a pre-emergent should lessen the need for it over time. Ideally, weeds will be completely eliminated requiring less lawn maintenance and resulting in a healthier, thicker, and stronger grass lawn with minimal weeds.

When to Apply a Pre-Emergent

Typically, an herbicidal pre-emergent is applied in early spring before the grass starts to come in. It can also be applied again in the fall when temperatures cool down and new types of weed growth occur. In essence, a pre-emergent can be applied throughout the growing season to prevent and control various types of new weed growth.

Basically, the timing for applying the herbicide will vary depending on the geographical location and climactic conditions. As soil warms up in the spring, the temperature of that soil will be the primary factor for when weeds and crab grass will start to sprout.

It makes good sense to seek the advice of your local State University Extension program or a credible landscaping professional for when and how to apply a pre-emergent.

Applying a Spray Pre-Emergent

There are different types of pre-emergent products. Some are granular and can be applied with a spreader. A liquid pre-emergent is generally applied by attaching the product container to a water hose and spraying the lawn area. Or, it can be applied by a tank sprayer that is carried like a backpack.

After applying the pre-emergent, it is important that the lawn be irrigated so that the product will soak down into the soil, being careful not to over-water.

Summary

A pre-emergent spray is an herbicidal treatment that deters the growth of weeds and crabgrass. It is important to apply a pre-emergent early so that it has time to kill the weed sprouts and not allow the roots to take hold in the soil. Allow the pre-emergent to do its job before you broadcast new grass seed and you should end up with a full and vibrant lawn that is free of weeds.

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

How to Control Grass Growth

Many people suffer with grass in unwanted parts of their yards, but not everyone knows how to stop that grass from spreading. Before you saturate the edges of your garden in harmful chemicals, consider taking these natural steps to stopping the spread of grass.

Clear the Area

This method works best as a preventative measure: Before you start planting seeds in your garden, make sure you've completely removed any grass or weeds that have moved in. You'll want to do this in early spring, and if you're a gardener who enjoys tilling, that would be an excellent time to take out any developing sprouts.

It's important to do this before planting because once grass takes root, it can easily become entangled with your garden plants and will be impossible to remove without killing the rest of your garden. If your garden is entirely covered with grass, of course, this method may be too time-consuming to work effectively.

Hinder Growth with Mulch

Mulch can be a great tool to kill unwanted grass. If gardening is a new experience for you, mulch is essentially dead material like leaves that is applied to soil to provide it with extra nutrients and/or for insulation. With this trick, you'll be using mulch primarily for its utility as an insulator.

For this trick, you'll first want to de-grass your garden, then spread a layer of newspaper around whatever space you won't be planting. Ideally, this layer should be about ten sheets thick and covered with four inches of mulch. This is to stop grass from getting any sunlight or air, and can be an effective way to prevent annoying grass growth. As an added bonus, once the newspaper has degraded, your garden will get a nice boost of nutrients from the mulch.

Heat is Your Friend

Boiling water has a longstanding use as a weed-killer, but this strategy can be improved upon to also get rid of grass. Simply take one cup of boiling water, add a cup of vinegar, and spray it on the areas you're trying to de-grass. The heat and vinegar will sink down to the root and kill the grass at its core. Because this method requires some preparation in small quantities, it works best for small outbreaks of grass rather than large-scale growth.

One note: This method can be harmful to the pH level of your garden because of the vinegar, so be mindful of how much you're using and what you plan on growing before attempting this solution. Some plants can thrive in soil with a high pH, while others will be impossible to grow in the same conditions.

Be Resourceful

Unwanted grass can be a serious pain to deal with, but remember that you have options before you resort to spraying your entire garden with weed-killer. These natural solutions are excellent and time-tested methods of controlling the growth of grass in your lawn, so use them before resorting to more drastic methods of grass removal.

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

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

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

Watch for Signs of Mice in Your Home (Eeeeek!)

A home is one of the biggest investments a person will make in a lifetime. Keeping it safe, secure and free of pests are top priorities. Mice are a common invader. The following signs will alert you to their presence and the need to take action.

Droppings

Mice have irregular eating habits. They store their food and nibble on it throughout the day. This means they defecate in many different places. When mice infest a home, they leave their small, dark droppings all over. Most often in cupboards, or near their nests inside the walls, causing odors and health hazards.

Markings

Mice live in such a way that their hair becomes very oily. This oil leaves greasy marks on the places they travel through, namely holes or along walls. Homes with a heavy mouse infestation will also contain urine pillars. The pillars are composed of hair, oil, dirt and other substances they come in contact with.

Sounds

Odd sounds in the walls and other locations are often the first clue of a mice problem. This happens when droppings go unseen for an extended length of time. The most common noise is scratching during the night. This is when the mice are exploring and searching for food. In some cases, they can be heard running and scampering as well.

Nests

Mice move very fast to collect materials for their nests. Seeing one or more of them inside a home is a good indicator they are building a nest and settling in. While they can build nests anywhere, inside the walls, floors and ceilings are their favorite places. The bolder ones will nest in cupboards, on stove tops and underneath refrigerators. The materials used to build nests are cardboard, paper and cloth. All items that mimic their natural habitat.

Smells

The result of accumulated droppings and the urine buildup, a home overrun with mice will soon smell very bad. The odor is usually stronger near the nests. However, eventually it will take over the entire house. This aspect of a mice invasion is often the worst. Eliminating the odor is very difficult even after the extermination process is complete.

Visibility

If mice are seen inside or outside the home, it is safe to assume there is an infestation problem. They are nocturnal creatures, however. So, it is especially true if you see them during the day. Being in competition with another mouse colony and desperate for food is the only reason mice will only show themselves in the daylight.

Take Action

Even if only one mouse has been spotted, it should always be assumed there are more lurking nearby. That is the time to contact an experienced exterminator to eradicate them from the home. Once settled in, mice reproduce quickly and the higher the number, the more difficult it is to get rid of them.

By keeping an eye out for the most common signs of mice, a homeowner can avoid the smell, the health threats and the expense of having them removed.

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