Monthly Archives: January 2015

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Mosquito prevention is best done before the actual season begins. In the Greater Houston area we are already seeing mosquitos coming out of their hibernation areas and beginning to multiply at a rapid rate. Calls received from West University and The Heights this week are reporting a remarkable increase in the number of mosquitos they are seeing in just a few short days since the last cold snap. This is what inspired us to write about some preventative measures that you can take around your home in order to reduce the number of mosquitos you might see this season.

  1. Cut back all foliage around the home. This includes shrubs, bushes, hedges, high grass or vines . Make sure this foliage is kept to a minimum throughout the entire season to prevent breeding sites and resting areas for mosquitos.
  2. Keep child wading pools empty or drain when not in use.
  3. Walk your yard front and back dumping out anything that contains standing water like planter pots, buckets, old tires, paint cans etc.
  4. Clean roof gutters to prevent mosquitos from laying their larvae here. Any type of standing foliage is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitos.
  5. Fill in any pot holes around your home where water could potentially collect.
  6. Make sure to keep the property free of grass clippings, leaves, garage or any debris that would obstruct the flow of water after a rain storm that could create water build up around your home.
  7. Report vacant lots with overgrown foliage to city officials to prevent mosquitos setting a permanent residence next door.
  8. Ensure proper screening for windows and doors to make sure they cannot get access to the interior of your home.
  9. Consider monthly mosquito fogging or installing a mosquito misting system if your are in a heavily wooded area. This can be especially important during peak season when despite all efforts mosquito populations are almost impossible to control.

Hope these tips on helping to control mosquito populations around your home can help you and your family this mosquito season. Remember to tune into Google+ today for our Pest of The Week feature about Ladybugs. We will be re-posting this to our blog as well so don’t forget to check back in.  Have a great weekend Houston :-)!!!

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The Brown recluse is one of a few venomous spiders native to Houston.  Frequently known for the violin shape markings on their back, they are commonly found hiding in cool dark places like garages or sheds. Many people are bitten by a brown recluse when putting on clothing or blanket items that have gone unused for long periods of time i.e. gardening gloves, shoes, or even blankets. The bite of a brown recluse spider can cause severe pain and possible tissue damage. The severity of the reaction to a recluse bite varies between persons. Some individuals have reactions so severe that it requires hospitalization while others experience only a mild skin irritation. The best way to prevent an infestation of brown recluses in your Greater Houston home is with routine pest control as well as shaking out clothing items before putting them on your body.  This is especially the case with items that have not been worn or disturbed for several weeks at a time. De-webbing windows, ceilings, and attic spaces will also help decrease the number of spiders you see around your home. Spiders are very protective of their webs, once one is destroyed they tend to move their webs to safer locations away from people who might take them down. This de-webbing is a part of the service we provide to our customers when we come out to do quarterly or one time pest control. Check out the great video we found from a World's deadliest animals episode about Brown Recluse Spiders. Thanks for tuning in! Have a great week everyone!

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Sugar ants is a general term to describe several different sub species of ants that you typically find as an indoor pest. Named for their love of sweet foods, they are actually food opportunists that will eat whatever is readily available. Sugar ants vary in shapes, sizes and color depending on the species. They are seen typically in kitchen and bathrooms but could be found anywhere in the home where sweet treats or other food is stored. The best prevention for sugar ants is to keep all food/candy/cookies in sealed containers, sweep and mop floors frequently, as well as make sure no crumbs are left behind after preparing meals. Regular general pest control will help reduce ant activity if you are experiencing a current infestation. But even with regular pest service, if the action causing the ants (i.e. food crumbs) is not corrected, you will continue to have persistent ant problems in your home. Because there are several different types of sugar ants, it is best to contact a licensed pest professional. Different species respond better to treatment with specific pesticides, so making sure that the right products are being applied for that specific ant type is key to getting rid of these pesky food thieves. Below is a video with some self help tips on preventing and treating sugar ants that we thought you all might enjoy. Thanks for Stopping By :-) and  don't forget to tune in next week for another edition of pest of the week!!!

-Bulls-Eye Pest & Termite Control Team