Diseases cause by rodent

Diseases cause by rodents

A focus on select infectious diseases

It's not uncommon, especially during the winter months, to have an unpleasant encounter with a rodent who has made its way into a home uninvited. What many people do not realize, however, is that these pests can be much more than a nuisance. Rodents, such as rats, mice, prairie dogs and rabbits, are associated with a number of health risks. In fact, rats and mice are known to spread more than 35 diseases. These diseases can be spread to humans directly, through handling of live or dead rodents, through contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, and through rodent bites. Diseases carried by rodents can also be spread to humans indirectly, through fleas, ticks, or mites that have fed on an infected rodent.

This is especially concerning as the weather cools and rodents start to look for snug warm places to overwinter - like our homes. The National Pest Management Association estimates that rodents invade about 21 million homes in the United States every winter, squeezing through spaces as small as a nickel.

Rodent droppings can trigger allergies and transmit food borne illness such as salmonella, and as mice are capable of dropping up to 25,000 fecal pellets each year, an estimated 70 times each day - prevention and prompt removal in case of an infestation is key.

Below is a summary of some of the most common diseases associated with rodents: Hantavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, tularemia, and plague.

HANTAVIRUS

The Sin Nombre Hantavirus was first recognized in 1993 in the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States, but is now found primarily in the western United States. This virus is carried by the deer and white-footed mouse and the cotton and rice rat.

People become infected with Hantavirus through several routes, but rodent infestation in and around the home remains the primary risk. The virus is mainly transmitted to people when fresh rodent urine, droppings, or nesting materials are stirred up, become airborne and are breathed in by people. In addition, if an infected rodent bites someone, the virus may be spread to that person. Researchers also suspect people can become sick if they eat food contaminated by urine, droppings, or saliva from an infected rodent.

Typically, symptoms of Hantavirus develop between one and five weeks after exposure to fresh urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents. Infection with Hantavirus can progress to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory disease which can be fatal. Early symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches in the thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders. The infected person may also experience headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal complaints, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Four to ten days after the initial phase of illness, the late symptoms of Hantavirus infection develop and HPS may appear. These include coughing and shortness of breath and progression to respiratory distress and failure. HPS has a mortality rate of 38 percent.

There is no specific treatment, cure, or vaccine for Hantavirus infection. However, if an infection is recognized early and the patient receives acute medical care in an intensive care unit, they may do better. In these care settings, patients may receive mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure and be given oxygen therapy to help them through the period of severe respiratory distress.

LYMPHOCYTIC CHORIOMENINGITIS (LCM)

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, or LCM, is a rodent-borne viral infectious disease caused by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). The primary host of LCMV is the common house mouse. It is estimated that 5 percent of house mice throughout the United States carry LCMV and are able to transmit the virus. Other rodents, such as hamsters, are not the natural carriers, but can become infected with LCMV from wild mice.  Some human infections have resulted from contact with pet rodents.

Transmission of LCMV infections can occur after exposure to fresh urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials from infected rodents. Infections are more common in the colder months when mice enter homes seeking warmer winter habitats. Transmission may also occur when these materials are directly introduced into broken skin, the nose, the eyes, or the mouth - or  presumably, via the bite of an infected rodent. Person-to-person transmission has not been reported, with the exception of vertical transmission from infected mother to fetus, and rarely, through organ transplantation.

An LCMV infection has two phases; the first phase has non-specific signs and symptoms such as fever, malaise, lack of appetite, muscle aches, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Less frequent symptoms include sore throat, cough, joint pain, chest pain, testicular pain, and salivary gland pain. The second phase of illness is dominated by neurologic disease. Symptoms may include meningitis (fever, headache, stiff neck, etc.), encephalitis (drowsiness, confusion, sensory disturbances, and/or motor abnormalities, such as paralysis), or meningoencephalitis (inflammation of both the brain and meninges).

Most patients who develop neurological disease due to LCMV survive. However, as in all infections of the central nervous system, particularly encephalitis, temporary or permanent neurological damage is possible.

Women who become infected with LCM during pregnancy may pass the infection on to the fetus. Infections occurring during the first trimester may result in fetal death and pregnancy termination. Infections in the second and third trimesters may result in serious and permanent birth defects, including vision problems, mental retardation, and hydrocephaly (water on the brain).

However, excluding fetal infection, LCM is usually not fatal with a reported mortality of less than 1 percent. Most cases are self-limited, but often meningitis, encephalitis, or meningoencephalitis require hospitalization and supportive treatment based on severity. Supportive and symptomatic care with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids, may be considered under specific circumstances.

PLAGUE

Plague is infamous for killing millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages. It is a disease that affects humans and other mammals and is caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Humans usually get plague after being bitten by an infected rodent flea or by handling an animal infected with plague. The last urban outbreak of rat-associated plague in the United States occurred in Los Angeles in 1924-1925. Presently, human plague infections continue to occur in rural and semi-rural areas in the western United States.

Plague bacteria are most often transmitted by the bite of an infected flea. If an infected rodent dies, hungry fleas will seek other sources of blood - including humans., although dogs and cats may also bring plague-infected fleas into the home. Flea bite exposure typically results in bubonic plague.  

Bubonic plague is characterized by the sudden onset of fever, headache, chills, and weakness and one or more swollen, tender and painful lymph nodes (called buboes). The buboes generally occur in the lymph nodes closest to where the bacteria entered the human body contain large quantities of multiplying bacteria.

Transmission of plague may also result from contact with contaminated fluid or tissue. For example, a hunter skinning a rabbit or other infected animal without using proper precautions could become infected. This form of exposure most commonly results in bubonic plague or septicemic plague.

Septicemic plague is characterized by life threatening septic shock withfever, chills, extreme weakness, abdominal pain, shock, and possibly bleeding into the skin and other organs. Septicemic plague can occur as the first symptom of plague, or may develop from untreated bubonic plague.

Pneumonic plague typically develops after a person breathes inbacteria-containing droplets. Patients develop fever, headache, weakness, and a rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough. The pneumonia may cause respiratory failure and shock. Pneumonic plague is the most serious form of the disease and is the only form of plague that can be spread from person to person

Plague is a very serious illness, but is treatable with commonly available antibiotics. However, without prompt treatment, the disease can cause serious illness or death. The earlier a patient seeks medical care and receives treatment that is appropriate for plague, the better his or her chances are for a full recovery. Close contacts of patients with pneumonic plague may need to be evaluated and possibly treated as well.

TULAREMIA

Tularemia is a disease of animals and humans caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Rabbits, hares, and other rodents are especially susceptible and often die in large numbers during outbreaks. Humans can become infected through several routes, including tick and deer fly bites; skin contact with infected animals; ingestion of contaminated water; and through laboratory exposure or inhalation of contaminated dusts or aerosols.

Tularemia is widely distributed and found in many parts of the United States. Naturally occurring infections have been reported from all states except Hawaii.

The signs and symptoms of tularemia vary depending on how the bacteria enters the body. All forms are accompanied by fever, which can be as high as 104 °F. Although tularemia can be life-threatening, most infections can be treated successfully with antibiotics.

The most common form of tularemia is ulceroglandular disease and usually occurs following a tick or deer fly bite or after handling an infected animal. A skin ulcer appears at the site where the organism entered the body and is accompanied by swelling of regional lymph glands, usually in the armpit or groin.

Glandular tularemia is similar to ulceroglandular tularemia but without an ulcer. It is also generally acquired through the bite of an infected tick or deer fly or from handling sick or dead animals.

Oculoglandular disease occurs when the bacteria enter through the eye. This can occur when a person is butchering an infected animal and touches or accidentally has some of the airborne particles enter their eyes. Symptoms include irritation and inflammation of eye and swelling of lymph glands in front of the ear.

Oropharyngeal infection results from eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Patients with orophyangeal tularemia may have sore throat, mouth ulcers, tonsillitis, and swelling of lymph glands in the neck.

The most serious form of tularemia is oneumonic infection. Symptoms include cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. This form results from breathing dusts or aerosols containing the organism. It can also occur when other forms of tularemia (e.g. ulceroglandular) are left untreated and the bacteria spread through the bloodstream to the lungs.

Winter is Here

You know about occasional unwanted pest — those outside perimeter pests like earwigs, pill bugs, millipedes and crickets — that occasionally find their way inside. There’s a subset of occasional invaders that can be called fall invaders. These are the pests that enter buildings in the fall as the weather cools, with the intent of finding a sheltered place to spend the winter.

Some of our most problematic overwintering fall invaders are the Asian lady beetle, brown marmorated stink bug, boxelder bug, elm leaf beetle, cluster fly and paper wasps.

These are also the pests that pest control companies get calls about in the spring when the intruders have suddenly reappeared indoors and are trying to sneak back outside. Unfortunately, the time to control those overwintering pests was the previous fall — it’s important for you and your customer to take steps this year before the pests begin to migrate indoors. So, we’re giving you plenty of advance warning. Now is the time to schedule those fall perimeter treatments and pest-proofing jobs.

Control Options. When fall invaders get inside, some of them will die fairly soon due to the drier indoor air. Others, though, will end up in the attic, behind baseboards, in wall voids, behind drapes (some of these pests can damage or stain fabrics)...almost anywhere. Because their hiding places are so scattered and so hidden, fall invaders are notoriously difficult to control once they are inside. In the spring, as the days get warmer (or sometimes on warm days during the winter), these pests become active again. They’ll leave their hiding places in large numbers, trying to find a way back outside. They’re often attracted to light coming from a window, or they may be seen crawling along baseboards or up walls.

An outside perimeter or barrier treatment is usually a pest control company’s first line of defense against fall invaders. The big selling point is that a perimeter treatment keeps the pests from getting inside in the first place so indoor control is not an issue. Plus, a perimeter treatment means no insecticide inside the home. Timing is critical. Treat too soon and the residual may be gone by the time the pests migrate. Too late, and they may have already begun their move inside. Schedule the treatment so that the residual lasts up to the first hard frost.

For those fall invaders that are plant feeders (elm leaf beetle, boxelder bug, stink bug), treating their host plants, or at least the trunks of trees, in late season can eliminate many potential migrators (be aware, though, that some states require a different license or certification category for this treatment).

Exclucion. Along with a perimeter treatment, sealing openings that pests use to enter provides double protection against fall invaders. Pest proof is usually the responsibility of the customer, but Pest Arrest offers this service as well.

Some pestproofing tips:

• Caulk cracks around doors and basement or ground floor windows.
• Make sure window and door screens fit securely and screen outside vents.
• Install thresholds, sweeps and weather stripping on ground-level doors, including garage doors.

Perimeter Cleanup. When fall invaders are looking for a place to spend the winter, they are attracted to anything that provides shelter and moisture. When they find these conditions around a building’s perimeter, they are more likely to accumulate there and may eventually find their way inside.

To reduce the number of fall invaders around a foundation, your customer needs to keep the area dry and free of thick plants and shrubs and other pest hiding places. Getting your customer to take these steps first will make your perimeter treatment much easier:

• Move wood piles, compost piles, piles of leaves or grass clippings, or stacked boards or stones away from the foundation.
• Pull mulch away from foundation walls.
• Remove grass, weeds and ground cover plants that touch foundation walls.
• Drain standing water around the foundation.
• Reduce outside lights, especially around doorways. Some fall invaders are attracted to lights.
• Ventilate basements and crawlspaces to reduce moisture levels.
• Trim any shrubs or tree branches that touch the roof or sides of the home/structure.

Winter Pest prevention tips

Winter pest prevention tips :

*Seal cracks and holes on the outside of your home to prevent rodents from getting inside. Be sure to check the areas where utilities and pipes enter the home .
*Replace loose mortar and weatherstripping around the foundation and windows.
*Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clock dreams .
*Install door sweeps and repair damage screens in windows.
*Keep crawl spaces and attics well ventilated and dry.
Call us today for more information on thesePrevention tips.
2813747770

Honey bees

Honey bees precisely control the temperature inside their hives to determine which job their young will perform in the colony when mature, new research has revealed.

The secret of honey bees' success has been discovered living deep inside their hives - a special type of bee which acts like a living radiator, warming the nest and controlling the colony's complex social structure.

The "heater bees" have been found to play a crucial, and previously unappreciated, role in the survival of honey bee colonies.

Using new technology that allows sceintists to see the temperature inside the bee hives, researchers have been able to see how heater bees use their own bodies to provide a unique form of central heating within a hive.

They have found that these specialised bees, whose body temperatures are considerably higher than other bees in the colony, not only keep the hive warm but also control the social make-up within a colony.

Bees, and other social insects such as ants, share jobs within a colony so each individual has specific role that benefits the colony as a whole.

Bats are the only true flying mammals, which have thin membranes that extend from the elongated forearm and fingers to the body’s hind limb. Their body is furry and their eyes are small with limited vision. They navigate by means of a sonar-like echolocation system, which enables them to avoid solid objects and detect flying insects in total darkness. A colony of bats can produce pounds of guano (bat droppings) that can stain through ceilings or even worse, break through and contaminate your living space. You may find guano next to your chimney within your attic, as the heated chimney provides comfort for overwintering. Large amounts of bat guano support the growth of a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. If the spores become airborne and are inhaled, a lung disease called histoplasmosis may develop. Bats can carry ectoparasites (“bat bugs”), which are blood-feeding insects similar to bed bugs and mites.

Bats are also a known vector of rabies, a viral disease that is fatal if not treated. As a preventative measure, please make sure your pets are vaccinated. Do not handle a bat if it shows weakness or paralysis. Bats that have impaired flying ability or are viewed flying during midday may be rabid. In the exclusion of bats, Pest Arrest uses no pesticides, poisons or traps and does not harm the bats in any way. Our methods involve finding and sealing all points of entry, excluding the bats with one-way doors, re-checking to be sure all are safely out of your home and then blocking entrance holes. Call for a FREE inspection 281-374-7770

Oh Rats! isn’t just an expression. You may be screaming it if you get unexpected guests. Most rodents have small, flexible bodies that make it easy to squeeze their way through openings in your walls and roof – some can make their way through a hole as small as a quarter. During cold times of year, they will search out warmth, which may include your house! Having them in your home can be stressful and unpleasant. Rats and mice can spread disease to humans through contact with their feces, urine, or saliva, or bites. This also includes indirect contact through ticks, mites or fleas that have fed on an infected rodent. Don’t let these rats invade your home call us for a Free inspection.

Why use Bed Bug Dogs

Bed Bug Dogs

Dogs have widely been used for their keen sense of smell to detect a variety of substances from drugs to mold. Specific species of canines can contain over three hundred million receptors in their noses compared to about thirty million for humans. This helps them to track scents through rain, mud, and snow while distinguishing between the slightest of differences.

Recently, several facilities have been training dogs to sniff out live bed bugs in residential communities, hotel rooms, and other types of buildings. This has become a highly lucrative business for pest exterminators and dog trainers alike due to the rising incidents serious infestations.

Using Specially Trained Dogs

While some individuals in the pest control industry are skeptical about the use of dogs for detection, these specially trained canines are boast a 97% accurate in finding live infestations. This is compared to only the 30% accuracy of humans with visual detection.

These bloodsucking insects go through five stages of development, and in most of these phases, they are no larger than the size of a sesame seed. The eggs and nymphs are off-white to yellowish, which makes them hard to see on light colored bed sheets and carpets. The adults are no longer than a quarter of an inch and are excellent at hiding.

All of these aspects camouflage the insect from being detected visually, which is why Pest Arrest rely's on the keen sense of smell that dogs possess to find these blood-sucking creatures.We at Pest Arrest have 3 highly trained k9"s that can help. Give us a call 281-374-7770 because "We Beat the Competition by a Nose".

Top ten places bed bugs hide out

You’ve heard all about bedbugs in hotels, but did you know they’re also hiding (and waiting to hitch a ride home with you) in these common public places? 

Public Libraries

Crawling into bed with a good book has taken on a whole new meaning if you’re borrowing books from the public library system. Before you head home with a stash of bestsellers, check the pages and spines for bedbugs circulating from one reader’s home to the next.

Retail Stores

From clothes to furniture, bedbugs are just waiting for moving day. In the summer of 2010, retail shops were closed for fumigation when bedbugs were found hiding out in the goods. Investigate any possible purchases for unusual stains and shake out clothing before bringing it into the house.

Movie Theaters

You may catch more than a matinee at your local cineplex. With cushy, upholstered seats and plenty of human hosts, the movie theater is prime real estate for bedbugs looking for a meal. Limit the personal belongings you bring with you to avoid bringing home your own critter horror show.

Planes, Trains and Buses

All kinds of people take public transportation, and bedbugs ride for free on planes, trains and buses. Bedbugs are small and hard to detect, so it’s unlikely you’ll see the pests getting cozy in your seat. However, you can take precautions when you return home -- don’t place your bags on your bed, and closely inspect your belongings when you unpack.

Daycares, Schools and Colleges

Stuffed animals, cubbies and dorms are incubators for all things gross, and bedbugs are spreading along with the rest of the germs among students and roommates. Kids in daycare share their cots and beloved toys from home. College kids bring home their laundry and bedbugs. Check in with the school director or resident advisor for reports of a bedbug invasion.

Places of Worship

Is nothing sacred? Clearly not for bedbugs who have been known to congregate in the holiest of places including temples, churches and religious meeting halls. Know how to spot a bedbug, and don’t let your guard down, even when offering up a prayer and gathering with like-minded worshippers.

Business Offices

The newest agenda item for many businesses is battling bedbugs that are just as likely to nestle into the carpet or furniture in the boardroom as they are in a bedroom. With clients and packages coming and going, bedbugs may move into an office space traveling on backpacks, briefcases, boxes, business suits or casual Friday clothing.

Laundry Facilities

If you’re sorting and folding in shared spaces, there’s more to worry about than mixing your lights and darks, as bedbugs invade even the cleanest spots in town. Bedbug victims are often instructed to wash and dry infected clothing and personal belongings using extremely high heat. Avoid cross contamination in the laundromat by keeping your dirty laundry to yourself, investigating tables and chairs, and using the hottest washing and drying temperatures possible.

Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Bedbugs don’t discriminate against the sick or the old, and to prove this point, hospitals around the country had to quarantine patient rooms and triage centers in late summer and fall 2010 to deal with bedbugs. You won’t likely have time to investigate beds and furniture if you get sick, but rest assured, bedbugs do not carry or spread disease.

Consignment, Thrift Shops and Yard Sales

Forgo the bargain-hunting and splurge on new goods to avoid bringing home bedbugs. If you just can’t pass up a sale, at least try to stay away from used mattresses, bed frames and headboards. You may save money, but professional treatment for a bedbug infestation can set you back thousands of dollars.

Bed Bug Inspection tips on what to look for while staying in a hotel room.

You’re packed for your trip, your boarding passes are downloaded… and then that little moment of terror hits. What if the hotel you’re going to stay in has bed bugs? It’s a real concern, but by being vigilant, you can reduce your chances of bringing home some unexpected souvenirs.

Here’s how Pest Arrest suggest you search for bed bugs when you arrive at a new hotel. We can’t promise this is foolproof, but its a start.

Tools you will need: A flashlight, or the flashlight feature of your phone. Use your phone to take photos of anything suspicious.

What you are looking for: Bedbugs hang out near their food source–you. After feeding, bed bugs poop, creating tell-tale brown stains of your clotted blood. You typically won’t see bugs — they are fairly tiny and can scurry quickly — but you will see these stains.  You can find many pictures on our web site www.pestarrest.net 

1. Put your luggage in the bathtub when you arrive. Luggage is a major way that bed bugs are moved from place to place. The bathroom has the fewest places for bed bugs to hide, and is the most vigorously cleaned part of a hotel room. If you actually find something suspicious in your search, you can grab your bags out of the tub and run away without risking contamination.

2. Tear the place up. Pull the bed away from the wall, if possible. Headboards fastened to the wall next to the bed are a great place for a flat little insect to stay. Shine your flashlight behind headboards and under beds. Strip the bed, right down to the mattress and bed springs to see what’s underneath the sheets and mattress pad. Lift the mattress and box springs up and look underneath.  If it’s a platform bed, inspect carefully under the springs and around the base. Pay special attention to the seams of mattresses and the box springs. These are spots the bugs like to hide in.

3. Check your sheets the next morning. When you get up the next morning, look for little blood stains or tiny rusty spots on your sheets. Reactions to bed bug bites vary widely, from no reaction at all to lots of swelling and redness.  You may be one of the people that doesn’t react with itching to the bed bug bites, so the presence of bites isn’t always a reliable check. Bed bugs sometimes bite in groups of three. Don’t use luggage racks, closet shelves, or drawers during your stay unless you feel confident that they are bed bug free. 

Sounds like alot of work but better there, then in your home and not to mention the cost of a bed bug treatment. 

Safe travels

PEST OF THE MONTH

December – COCKROACHES

Cockroaches are among the most common insects, with about 70 species being found in the United States alone. Their sizes and colors vary significantly on the type of species infesting.

Cockroaches are well known for moving to areas via “hitchhiking”. Because they prefer to hide in cracks and crevices in the daytime, they are frequently moved about in products or by people. Careful inspection of food products, furniture, decorations, clothing, or other goods coming into the home from stores or storage may expose Cockroaches in hiding.

The presence of Cockroaches is often detected by their damage of by the fecal matter, they deposit. Once cockroaches become established in a home they are prolific breeders and capable of producing several thousand offspring in a year. Cockroaches thrive where food and moisture are readily available, so sanitation is an important step in the prevention and control of these pests.

The presence of Cockroaches constitutes an important source of health-threatening allergens and diseases.

If you suspect a Cockroach infestation in your home or business call Pest Arrest today as they will get worse if ignored.
 

Thermal Heat to Kill Bed Bugs

 Spring and surrounding areas has seen its share of bed bug infestations. This is partly due to people being exposed to bed bugs during travel and inadvertently bringing the pests back home with them.

Bed bugs, tiny, biting insects, make a home near their food source: human blood. Unfortunately, the mattress, box spring and bedroom carpet are prime locations for bed bugs to begin an infestation. Left untreated, the infestation will quickly spread to other living spaces, including connecting apartments or hotel rooms.

Heavy and repeated chemical use on bedroom furniture and carpeting is not ideal for a number of reasons. Fortunately, heat treatment is an effective alternative to chemicals for getting rid of bed bugs.

Heat treatment is considered to be the most effective method currently available for eliminating a bed bug infestation. Raising the interior temperature of a room and its walls to 125 °F or higher essentially kills bed bugs in any stage of the life cycle, including their eggs. The Greentech heater"s we use blow out hot air which thoroughly permeates the room, its contents and any crevices that could be harboring bed bugs. Since the units are portable, the entire household can be treated to ensure that the home will be free from bed bugs. Pest Arrest can generally take care of the infestation in one treatment. Similarly, this eco-friendly method does not require the use of toxins or other substances that may trigger allergic reactions or be otherwise harmful to young children and pets. Thus, it is the most effective, least destructive way to handle a bed bug infestation.

Infrared Camera used for bed bug heat treatments

Pest Arrest now uses the FLIR E4 camera during all bed bug treatments. This state-of-the-art thermal camera allows visual indication  temperatures reached sufficient levels to kill bed bugs during the treatment process. As of now, no other pest-control provider uses this equipment. A modern infrared thermal imaging solution,with On board 640x480 Images

 The Flir E4 unit can detect temperatures of up to 450˚F. It is sensitive enough to detect temperature variations of as little as 0.15˚F. Bed bugs heat treatment using FLIR E4 camera is visual proof the temperature went to where it was supposed to. No other pest control business is using this proven system for the bed bug heat treatment process.

 The FLIR E4 thermal camera addresses the primary means to eradicate bed bugs – high temperatures. Our technicians use it as visual confirmation to ensure the success of each treatment and service call.

In addition, Pest Arrest utilizes GreenTech heat treatment equipment suitable for killing bed bugs, cockroaches, termites, spiders, and ants. This equipment includes the eMaster heater and high-power air movers. Several different packages are available depending the size of the home, hotel or apartment.

Together, the equipment used, K9 detection  and thermal camera allow for the most reliable, effective bed bug treatment in the industry. Give us a call if you want it done right the first time.

BED BUG FACT SHEET
Bed Bugs are rapidly resurging and capturing the attention of many countries throughout the world. It
is essential that accurate knowledge of bed bugs, their habits, biology, reproduction, effective
treatments and prevention strategies will assist in reducing the incidence of bed bug infestations
worldwide.
There are several factors that accompany the resurgence of bed bugs in our modern day
society that have included:
 International travel
 Developing resistance to some commonly used pesticides
 People not recognizing signs of bed bug infestations or bites - [bed bugs are so great at hiding
that people tend not to look for them and a percentage of people are not affected by the bite of
a bed bug]
 A previous generation of professionals that had never encountered or seen a bed bug.
 Lack of society education
EDUCATE – BED BUG IDENTIFICATION AND NATURE - SINCE PEOPLE TEND TO MISTAKE
OTHER BUGS FOR BED BUGS, PROPER IDENTIFICATION IS IMPORTANT.
Bed bugs, scientifically known as Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)
are small insects that are flattened dorsally. Bed bugs have evolved as “nest”
parasites from inhabiting the roosts of bats and nests of bird’s centuries ago.
Since bed bugs feed upon warm blood, we as humans are perfect hosts. It is
very important to know what a bed bug looks like compared to similar insects
as the treatment options and costs are very different.
Adult bed bugs are reddish brown in color, have 6 legs and are
approximately ¼ inch in length. The adults can easily be seen with the naked
eye.
EGGS: A female bed bug can lay a few hundred eggs in her lifetime of many
months to around a year, but these are not deposited at one time and regular
feeding and mating are required. These eggs are attached to surfaces by a
sticky substance and can be difficult to see. Depending on temperature and
conditions, these eggs can hatch anywhere from three [3] to ten [10] days or
longer. When first hatched, the immature bed bug (nymph) is translucent,
pearl whitish in color and become slightly darker as they reach maturity.
Although the young nymph isn’t always easy to see, after a nymph feeds it
will become plump and red because the blood inside shows through their pale skin.

Rodents getting into your home? Here some tips how we can get rid of your problem.

How To Get Rid of Rodents

STEP 1) Find out how the mice are getting inside your house. There are holes outside, leading into the building. Vents, gaps in siding, areas where wires and pipes go into the house, roof lines, etc. Mice enter in these areas, then crawl up the walls and into the attic, which is an ideal nesting and hiding place. You will never get rid of all the mice permanently until you find out how they are getting inside.

STEP 2) Seal every last entry point shut - anything larger than 1/4 inch. Use steel mesh or metal flashing, because these little rodents can chew though lesser repairs, such as mere caulking.

STEP 3) Trap and remove the mice. Set snap traps, at least ten of them, wherever you see mouse trails or droppings. I usually do this in the attic, where mice have left ample evidence with trails and mouse poop in the insulation.

STEP 4) Clean the attic space, if necessary, to get rid of germs, pathogens, and mouse odor that attracts new mice. This also helps prevent the growth of mold, which can happen with mouse urine and feces.




Why do rodents like to live in the attic? It's warm and dry and safe, that's why! They breed up there, they build rodent nests in the insulation, they poop, they pee, they store food. They make little tunnels and runways in the insulation.

Most people seem to notice the noises in the attic or walls at night. If it's a light pitter-patter, it's likely rodents. Sometimes the noises seem loud, if the rodents are running directly on the drywall. Some people report to me hearing noises like rolling nuts in the attic.

rodent in the attic can cause damage by chewing on electrical wires. They also spread diseases and odor. They often crawl down from the attic and into the house and kitchen, where they chew on various things, and get into the pantry and contaminate food.

How To Get Rid Of rodents In The Attic - If you know that you have rodents in the attic, then you may be thinking that it is the worst place for rodents. Some of those worries are warranted because you can tell why a mouse would think that the attic is perfect; it is small, dark, and there seems to be infinity of places where a mouse can hide. The attic is also a place that does not have much human traffic because it is not every day that you need something from your attic. But just because it is dark, small and has those hiding places does not mean that it is difficult to catch mice there. If you are asking “how do you get rid of mice in the attic” you will be surprised at how simple the answer is. Use traps with bait that mice will find irresistible, and more importantly, set these traps in the proper location, after you have sealed all of the mice's entry holes leading into the attic shut permanently. You just need to place the traps in the attic and leave them. Soon you will notice that the traps begin to work. The mice may be hiding in the attic, but they eventually have to leave their hiding place in order to feed. Peanut butter will get them in the trap within hours. Seeing mice in the attic may be tough, but trapping them is not.

How To Get Rid Of rodents In The Ceiling - There are many that might find that you have rodents in your ceiling. You can hear them scampering about. So, the question for you is how to get rid of mice in the ceiling? You have come to the right place to learn how to get rid of them. You have to lure them out. When you are looking at how to get rid of mice in the ceiling, some have set up traps up there and have put out peanut butter or cheese. That would be one way you can do this. This won’t kill them unless they just die in the traps, but at least you can get rid of them to some extent. Another idea for others who are looking at how to get rid of mice in the ceiling when you don’t want to use traps would be poison. They will go to die up there so you will have to go up to get rid of the dead mice, but that is a way to handle them as well. You don’t want them in your ceiling as they can do damage if they start chewing on your ceiling. So, try these things when you find those rodents up there.

Getting Rid Of Roof Rats - There are many places in your home but the one that is a bit more complex to solve is the rodents on the roof. The reason why the roof presents problems is that it gives the rodents a way out as well as a way in. It is also not the easiest place for you to get to. So there are a few things that you will need if the objective is getting rid of roof mice. Because getting the rodents from your roof can be a bit dangerous you should be really careful if you are going to give it a try. The best way to get mice from your roof is by far to use some sort of rodent poison. The reason for that is that there really is no good place to put a trap when you are on the roof. You will need to use a ladder to get there and once on the roof place the poison in places where they would be accessible to rodents, but try to hide it from other wild life. If you can place the poison somewhere that it will not get wet that will make it more likely that the rodents will find it.


Call Pest Arrest 281-374-7770

Heavy rain means more fleas and ticks

It has been "raining cats and dogs" for most of the summer in our area and unfortunately this means bad news for our local cats and dogs.  All this wet weather combined with normal heat and humidity equals the perfect conditions for a surge in flea and tick infestations.  These insects reproduce very quickly and not only pose a serious health risk to your pets, but to your family as well. To help your protect all your loved ones this summer, we have put together a list of five steps you can take. 

1. Keep your outdoor play areas and lawns clear of brush, grass clippings, woodpiles and leaf debris.  These are ideal havens for mice and rats which are renowned carriers of fleas and ticks.
2. Bathe and groom your pets often and visit a veterinarian for professional flea and tick treatments.  Also, be sure to inspect them regularly, especially the front shoulders, back and ears.
3. Vacuum frequently this will help remove fleas and prevent them from laying eggs.  Get rid of the vacuum bag immediately after you finish because fleas are professional escape artists!
4. When outside, in areas where ticks are common, be sure to dress properly.  Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and if possible, wear light colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot. Also, use a tick repellant containing DEET or Permethrin and before you head back inside, inspect your clothing and skin thoroughly for ticks, especially the head and behind the ears.
5. If you suspect you have a flea or tick infestation, you should contact Pest Arrest immediately.

We hope these tips help keep you, your family and your pets flea and tick free.

Raccoon Removal

What to do about Nuisance Wildlife: Raccoon Removal

Raccoons will find any way to enter your home.

Raccoons are one of many wildlife pests that wreak havoc on personal property.  Not only do they cause damage, they also carry diseases and create messes.  If you are experiencing raccoon troubles, then Pest Arrest wildlife service that handles raccoon removal.

The Facts about Raccoons
With their dark mask and mischievous curiosity, raccoons always seem to be up to no good.  The raccoon is a nocturnal mammal, which means that it spends majority of its night scavenging for food.  As a result of this, many individuals wake up the next morning to find their trash scattered across their front yard.  Raccoons prefer wooded areas near a water source as this is their natural habit, however, they have adapted extremely well to the urban environment.  Instead of making their home in a tree, they often nestle in accessible areas in your home such as an attic or chimney, or underneath a deck, house or shed.  Because raccoons are nocturnal, it may take a long time to even know that you have a raccoon problem.  However, if a raccoon has made it into your home, it will not take long to hear them scurrying about over your head.  At this point it’s a good idea to call PEST ARREST.

Damage Caused by Raccoons
It may be hard to imagine how a raccoon can get into your attic but low hanging or adjacent branches to your house provide easy access.  Raccoons are relentless pests, so anything exposed or that can be detached, such as shingles, roof vents, chimneys, or fascia boards offer a potential entrance into your home.  Raccoons find attics to be a great environment to raise their young because of the warmth they provide and the abundance of materials that can be used to build a nest.  They will rip insulation off the attic walls and chew through electrical wires, as well as destroy air ducts. They will use your attic as a restroom; feces will begin to pile up and urine will seep down to your ceiling.  If given the opportunity raccoons will raise multiple litters in your attic, so early detection and raccoon removal is crucial.

Raccoons Carry Lethal Diseases and Parasites
Raccoon removal is necessary because of the diseases that they carry.  The most common disease is rabies.  Rabies is a deadly disease caused by the neurotropic rabies virus carried in saliva and transmitted by bites.  Raccoons also carry roundworms that can be found in their feces.  Roundworm eggs are resistant to disinfectants and can stick to all types of surfaces.  These eggs are extremely difficult to destroy, which is why hiring professional pest control is the best solution. Human exposure to diseases and parasites carried by raccoons needs proper medical attention.

Professional Raccoon Removal 
The damage created by raccoons can be extensive, but the hiring of Pest Arrest as soon as raccoons are suspected can make all the difference.  Some companies will provide raccoon removal and remediation or clean up services and repair the damages created by the pests.  Not only will the damages be fixed, but professional pest control companies work to prevent raccoons and other wildlife from entering your home in the future. We offer exclusion, remediation, trapping, damage repair and preventative techniques.

Raccoons are destructive animals, but all is not lost if you find one taking up residence in your home.  Pest Arrest offers wild life removal and can help make the raccoon removal process quick and easy for both the homeowner and pest. If you’re experiencing a raccoon issue, give us a call at 281-374-7770

Mosquito Alert

Mosquito alert



Recent heavy rains have caused area bayou water levels to increase, which coupled with the warmer springtime temperatures will increase our mosquito population. Here are some helpful Mosquito Control Tips for Your Home provided by a mosquito control district.
Personal protection
During peak biting times (dawn, dusk, and early evening) 
1. Try to stay inside.
2. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you go out. 
3. Loose clothing.
4. Light colored clothing. 
5. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 35% DEET.
6. DEET in high concentrations (greater than 35%) provides no additional protection. Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children.
7. When using repellents always read and follow directions for use as printed on the product. 
What you can do to help
1. Throw out old tires 
2. Throw out tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles, or any water holding containers.
3. Fill in or drain any low places (puddles, ruts) in yard.
4. Keep drains, ditches, and culverts clean of weeds and trash, so water will drain properly.
5. Cover trash containers to keep out rainwater, and drill holes in bottom of trash containers so any water can drain out.
6. Repair leaky pipes and outdoor faucets. 
7. Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week or store in a position that water will drain.
8. Make sure your backyard pool is maintained properly. 
9. Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water with sand or concrete.
10. Change water in bird baths and plant pots or drip trays at least once a week.
11. Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house, so adult mosquitoes will not hide there.
12. Keep gutters clean and free of debris and leaves.

You can also contact Pest Arrest for a mosquito treatment to reduce the population in your yard, these treatments start around $79 per application. Plus we can customize a mosquito system for your yard. Call us today 281-374-7770