Fire ants have the potential of being the most destructive pests on the face of earth. Though they might not cause typical structure damage like the carpenter ants do, they are still a valid cause of concern. If you live in a part of the United States you probably have no cause to worry, but warmer areas of the US is now combating them. The US is home to four fire ant species, out ants of which the red imported fire ants are the most visible species, generally found in southeastern US states.

There is an alarming rise in these ants and they are spreading out all over the southern & southeastern regions of United States. Moreover, these ants have spread their tentacles as far as north of Maryland and to the west in California. Besides their bites being extremely painful to people, they have the potential to destroy crops and livestock and the damages can be to the tune of over $1 billion dollars annually.

Fire ant bite venom can cause allergic reactions so people need to be cautious. If you happen to set foot on their mound, you may be attacked and get bitten. We all react to the bites in a different manner, but these ants are more dangerous and have the tendency to cause more pain and misery than the common odorous kind of house ants or carpenter ants.

Fire Ants are more aggressive than your typical ants,

if you find a mound in your back-yard, it is advisable to leave it alone if you are not sure what to do. You may need to call an experienced pest control professional to eliminate the infestation. People usually can’t differentiate fire ants from other ants. Therefore, it becomes important to know what kind of ant species you are dealing with. For instance, if you see an ant mound in your back yard, just take a branch and poke the mound with it.  Stick the branch in the mound and get away from it immediately.  You will observe that if they are traditional ants they will move around quickly to protect their queen, but in case of aggressive fire ants they will soon retaliate and climb the branch to attack you if they find that you are a threat for their colony.

It’s a fact that the fire ants are capable of eating small animals such as mice, snakes & turtles too.

They have the tendency to aggressively destroy and eat plants and other crops as well. Therefore, the moment you realize that they made your backyard their home, it’s time to take some quick action and get some professional help from the experts at Hartz Pest Control to solve your Houston fire ant problem.

Termites, Types in Houston, And How They Can Cost You Big!

Do you know what one of the biggest enemies of your home is? I’ll give you a clue. The answer isn’t burglars. It is in fact termites, and if you don’t keep an eye out, they can end up doing severe damage to your home and furniture. In recent years, the amount of termites living in America has shot up, and if you were aware of the damage that they are causing every single day you would be shocked. According to recent estimates by the National Pest Management Assoc, the amount of damage caused by termites every year, in America alone, is over five billion dollars.

What Do Termites Look Like?

As you are probably aware, termites are small white ants types which are often found in groups. Their main food is wood. There are two distinct species living in Houston at the moment, Subterranean Termites and Dry Wood Termites. Both of them can cause as much damage as one another, and either species residing in your home should be an immediate cause for concern. Termites often live in huge groups, which contribute to the amount of damage that they can cause. Once the small termites grow up, they will leave where they born and form a new colony, which means that the invasion of termites can get out of control pretty quickly.

 Termites Need Water

Termites also need to drink. They get the majority of their waster either from wet wood or in the soil. You should therefore keep an eye out for hollow mud tubes. This is a tell-tale sign that termites are in the area.  Another sign you should on the lookout for is painted furniture begin to flake and excrement around wooden furniture.  If you are noticing flaked paint on furniture or your doors then take a little look underneath, you may see that a whole family of termites has begun to make its presence known.

 Termite Swarms

The last sign you will notice is huge swarms of termites in your home, often on the walls or even on the ceiling. It could be quite a shocking sight for you, but it does indicate that something needs to be done sooner rather than later. Swarms of termites are one of the earliest signs that you may be subject to a termite infestation in your home.  You can spot swarms by looking out for tiny passages into wood or soil. They drill slowly into this and tighten themselves up. The wood will then become a source of food for the termite whilst they are in this small whole.

The spring or autumn is a highly active time for termites. During this time they will burrow into the wood in order to reproduce. During this time, the number of termites can soar drastically. Often you may be able to smell a mildew-type smell around the world, a sure sign that termites are at work.

Drywood Termites and Your New Home

It is important that if you are purchasing a new house that it has been completely inspected for termites, may even make their home in fencing or dead trees.  If any problems do arise then it is vital that you get in touch with a trained termite pest control technician as soon as possible to help you out. If you don’t, you run the risk of severe structural damage.

Hartz Pest Control – We Put Pests, Including Termites To Rest!

713-461-4866

Bedbugs may have earned the title of bedbugs, but they are not solely found in your bed by any stretch of the imagination. Common places to find them include within your carpet, on your couches and sofas, along your baseboards, amongst clutter, and any other type of cloth covered furniture are all prime locations for this nasty little critter to flourish. It’s at night when these little beasties become active however, and they come out to feast on whatever creature they can get a hold of that has blood in it. In essence, we become a veritable all you can eat smorgasbord.

Some of the common signs that you might have a bedbug problem include waking up in the middle of the night, or in the morning with itchy spots or bruising on your skin. It’s not uncommon to have an infestation of these critters and not even be aware of it.

Bed bugs behave in a similar manner as do fleas in that they all quickly dig down into the fibers of your carpet or upholstered material. Another similar trait is the fact that if you find one, there is sure to be plenty more where that one came from. One of the really harsh things about a bedbug infestation is that a person can be bit as many as 500 times in one night from a single bug. It may seem strange that somebody wouldn’t wake up in the midst of all that, but the way they work is to first inject a little bit of anesthetic under your skin and then start drinking your blood while you can’t feel it. They’re very small so they’re not really easy to see, and wherever you have any type of fabric or cloth, they can find safe haven.

If you do have an infestation of bedbugs, it’s never a simple task to get rid of them all, but it’s essential that you do. They aren’t known for transferring any kinds of diseases, but when they bite you it typically hurts quite a bit afterwards and itches really bad. Bedbugs are brown in color, and they don’t have any type of wings, but they are one of nature’s best survivors. In fact, bedbugs have been known to be able to survive for a year or more and not require any type of sustenance.

If you are infested with bedbugs however, you don’t have to lose hope as it is an infestation that is controllable if you get professional help. We have a team of licensed exterminators ready to come into your home and use our state-of-the-art equipment and techniques in order to determine the severity of your bedbug problem and determine the best course of treatment.

As professionals in the business, we take our job very seriously and are fully committed to addressing your situation quickly and affordably. All of our treatment methods are effective and we make assurances of your family’s safety during the whole process of extermination.

If you know that you already have an existing bedbug problem, or if you’re just suspicious of it and want to make sure that you never have the problem, let us come out and evaluate your situation and make sure that you never have to go through the trials of being a living smorgasbord for unwanted guests.

The climate and landscapes that are found in Houston create the perfect environment for pests to thrive in.  Irrigation systems, plants and wooden structures all provide hospitable environments for common pests, including roaches, ants, termites, fleas and other insects.

Not only do pests create unsanitary conditions wherever they live, but they can pose a serious threat to homes and other buildings if not handled correctly.  To protect your indoor and outdoor structures, consider hiring an expert in pest control in Houston.  A pest control expert who understands the pest problems that are specific to this area can evaluate your property and identify any current infestations and areas where future infestations can occur.  Taking charge of the situation early is the best way to prevent damage from occurring.

Termites in Houston cause the most damage to homes and other buildings.  By the time an infestation is noticed, the population can reach well over a million.  Squeezing through small expansion joints, miniscule gaps and electrical service entries, termites can cause extensive damage by chewing through wood.  Many homeowners don’t realize that there is a problem until substantial damage has already occurred, making is impossible to remove the termites without having to rebuild some or all of the structure that they were found in.

For the most effective termite and other pest control, homes should be periodically inspected for signs of infestation or areas where infestation may easily occur to prevent expensive problems down the road.  A pest control expert can inspect your property and point out any areas of problems or potential problems.  For areas that may be susceptible to infestation, repairs and adjustments may be made to prevent pests from getting in.  This can include blocking any gaps in the walls or foundation, sealing off any open spaces near pipes or electrical outlets, and spraying outside of the home.  Areas of current infestation can be treated with traps, sprays and other types of pest control products.

Houston is a wonderful place to live in, however, all homeowners need to be prepared by having their home or other structure inspected regularly.  With proper preventative measures in place, you can protect your home and keep your family healthy and safe from pests.

The warm summer months in the Houston area may be nice for swimming and camping, but they can create a serious pest problem in your home and yard.  Spiders, ants, cockroaches, and other common creepy critters can quickly invade your home, resulting in a large infestation before you even know that a problem exists.  For summertime and beyond, it’s important to protect your surroundings from pests with an exterminator in Houston.

Houston pests range from large spiders and centipedes, to smaller pests like ants and cockroaches.  They cause unsanitary conditions in the home and can damage your structures and plants.  Exterminators in Houston can protect your entire home, inside and out.  Pest control experts often recommend spraying the perimeter of your home on a regular basis, including any trees and bushes, to prevent pests from inhabiting the area.  The spray acts as a deterrent and kills any existing pests.  Most companies provide regular maintenance plans for customers, where treatments are scheduled on a regular basis to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.  When combined with routine inspections, these methods can be very effective in preventing pests.

Once pests have entered your home, it’s important to have the area treated by an expert.  Pest control professionals utilize a variety of different products and methods to get rid of pests, depending on the type of infestation and the severity.  Some cases do well with spot treatments using chemicals and baits, while situations that are more extreme require tenting and fumigation of the whole home.  Fumigation is highly effective, however, it is not cheap.  Spotting infestations before they get too big or preventing them from occurring in the first place is always the best option.

Pests in Houston aren’t just creepy, they can cause serious damage if not handled correctly.  If you suspect you have a problem this summer, or if you want to make sure you are protected, contact a pest control expert today for an inspection and be sure to sign up for a maintenance plan.  Preventing a problem before it happens can save you time and money and can help to safeguard your home from damage.

Termites in Houston can cause devastating damage to homes, offices and other structures.  The key to preventing damage is to catch an infestation before it gets too large and causes extensive damage.  Unfortunately, by the time the average home owner has noticed that they have termites, the worst of the damage has already occurred.

There are a few tell-tale signs that experts in pest control in Houston look for when inspecting a building for termites and termite damage.  One typical sign of termites are areas where piles of small, lightly colored wings have gathered.  When termites are swarming outside, they fly around and shed their wings before entering your home.  If you find a large pile of wings, there is a good chance that you have an infestation and that the termites came from the outside.

A second sign to look for is a material on wooden surfaces that looks like mud.  Termites eat away at the interior wood of a structure, and when it breaks or a hole opens up to the outside, they will try and patch it up.  Termites use dirt and their own feces to create a substance that patches the hole.  This substance resembles mud and can be difficult to spot if you aren’t looking closely enough.

Termite tubes are also an indication of a nearby infestation.  Subterranean termites, which cause the most damage to homes, burrow underground like ants in order to get the moisture that they need to survive.  The termites build their colony next to a source of wood, and then go back and forth from the wood to the soil using small tubes of earth that run next to your home.  These tubes can be easily spotted on the wood next to your home and in crawlspaces.

Spotting termites themselves is always a good indication that you may have a problem.  If you spot any of these signs, be sure to contact a termite control company right away to schedule an inspection.  A termite expert can provide a full inspection and recommend treatment options for what they find.  They can also help to prevent future infestations by sealing up any cracks and holes and other problems that can encourage termites to enter.

Termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage in the US every year.  They feed primarily on wood, but also commonly damage paper, books, insulation and water filtration systems.  The pesky insects can also injure trees and shrubs.  According to termite control experts in Houston, termites can cause huge amounts of damage to a home, often before a homeowner even knows that they have a problem.

Spring and summer are typically prime time for winged termites, known as “swarmers” to emerge from homes.  This swarming activity causes termites to disperse and start new colonies.  Winged termites are drawn out by the warmer temperatures, triggering them to emerge from the colony and fly into the air.  Once outside, the swarmers hit the ground, drop their wings and pair off with a mate.  This results in the creation of a new colony.

Although swarmers themselves don’t damage wood and don’t survive for very long, they are usually an indication that an infestation is present in your home.  Experts in termite control in Houston always look for piles of wings or swarmers near windows, doors, the foundation and any adjoining porches or walls.  Exterminators also look out for the other common signs of infestation, including the presence of mud tubes (which termites use for transportation inside and outside of the home), tiny holes in plaster or drywall and sunken traces behind wall coverings.  These can all be strong indicators that a home is infested with termites.

Getting rid of termites is something that requires professional training and specific skills.  Termite removal experts know where to look in a building for problems, including critical areas that termites are most likely to enter.  These areas are often hidden and difficult to access unless you know what to look for.  Treatments typically include a large amount of a liquid pesticide, known as termiticide, which is injected throughout the structure, including alongside the foundation, beneath concrete slabs and within the walls of the foundation.

Although there are do-it-yourself options available for getting rid of termites, they usually aren’t effective enough to completely get rid of the problem.  Hiring a professional termite control company who can inspect and treat any problem areas is the only way to remove a termite infestation from your home.

Houston is a beautiful and exciting place to live in, however, the numerous pests that are common to the region can cause big problems for homeowners.  Damage from pests can cost thousands of dollars to repair.  Once an infestation has occurred, it can be difficult and expensive to remove, making prevention very difficult.  A professional exterminator in Houston can help you safeguard your home from pest invasions.

Many homeowners know the steps that they can take at home to prevent pests from getting in.  Keeping food items tightly sealed, properly drying and airing our damp areas, and sealing off crawlspaces are all good measures to take to protect yourself.  The biggest problems, however, often start with the outdoors.  Pests can easily take advantage of cracks in the foundation, small holes in the walls and other openings to gain entry into your home, causing damage and creating unhealthy living conditions.  Exterminators in Houston can assist you in providing additional preventative measures, including regular insecticide spraying, traps for rodents, and baits for ants and other insects.  They can also point out areas where pests may be able to gain easy access to your home and advise you on how to seal those areas off.

Most pest control companies offer maintenance plans, where customers can select from routine treatments and inspections.  Termite and pest inspections should occur every year, or every few months if a prior infestation was cleared out to ensure that it hasn’t returned.  Most preventative services are offered on a monthly, bi-monthly or seasonal schedule, providing effective spray treatments to keep spiders, bees and other dangerous insects out of the home.  If problem areas or other types of pests are found during a maintenance session, the exterminator can quickly treat the area to remove the problem.

When it comes to preventing pests from entering your home, prevention is always the best option.  Signing up for inspections and routine maintenance from a professional pest control company is the best way to protect your home by keeping it free from damaging pests.

Insects, rodents and other pests can create unsanitary conditions in a home or business.  When found in a business, pests on the premises can make even the most popular restaurant in town seem dirty or dangerous to eat in.  According to top exterminators in Houston, the key to preventing an infestation is to stop it from occurring in the first place.

Property owners can take some simple steps to prevent many types of pests from gaining access to the indoors.  Keeping doors closed, properly sealing doors and windows, and keeping the area free from food crumbs can help to deter pests.  All food products should be well sealed and trash should be removed daily and stored in a clean area.  Be sure to inspect all windows and door screens for holes, as these can make it easy for a hungry pest to get inside.  As an added safeguard, inspect the area under all sinks in the structure to verify that there aren’t any openings underneath.  Even the tiniest holes in these areas are enough room for pests to get in.

Every home or business should also include routine inspections and maintenance from a company who offers expert service in managing pests in Houston.  Professional exterminators know where to look and what to look for when it comes to possible infestations.  They can look for signs of pests and point out areas that should be repaired in order to prevent pests from getting in.  Routine spraying and other types of pest control treatments can also be applied on a regular basis, making pest prevention simple and affordable.

Taking the time now to have your property inspected and to repair any areas where pests can enter the building is the most effective way to prevent infestation, and can save you time and money down the road.  By taking a few simple steps yourself and letting experts handle the hard work, you can rest assured that your home or business will be pest free all year long.  Contact a local exterminator today to learn how routine maintenance and service from a professional can make a big difference in the future of your building.

Many homeowners think they are doing everything to keep their family safe.  Installing smoke detectors, using a home alarm system and creating an emergency plan are all important safety steps, but most people don’t realize that the most dangerous part of their home could be the pests that are hiding within the walls, carpets, and cupboards.

Common household pests and rodents like cockroaches, rats and flies can all be dangerous to your family’s health if not dealt with promptly by an exterminator in Houston.  Cockroaches are especially dangerous for those who have asthma or allergies.  The saliva, droppings and decomposing bodies of dead cockroaches contain allergen proteins that are known to trigger allergies and increase the severity of asthma symptoms.  Cockroaches also spread over 30 types of bacteria, including E coli, salmonella, parasitic worms and more.

Rats, flies and other pests also leave droppings and bacteria wherever they go, increasing the probability that those inside the house will suffer allergic reactions or get sick from bacteria.  Children are especially susceptible to allergy problems from pests.  For those who have asthma, the reactions that they have to dander, droppings and bacteria can even be deadly.

Exterminators in Houston can help keep your home safe and free from pests.  Most companies provide free inspections of your home to determine what kinds of pests are already there and what safeguards you should take to prevent additional pests from entering.  Pest control experts recommend treating any existing infestations, and maintaining the pest-free environment with routine preventative treatments.  This can include spraying around the perimeter or your home with pesticides, and regular inspections by a pest control expert.

Taking the time to protect your home to prevent an infestation is the best way to protect your family from allergens, asthma triggers and dangerous bacteria.  Have your home inspected on a regular basis by a licensed exterminator, and you can learn how to keep your home free from pests and safe for the entire family.