Pest Control Advice Centre

Most effective pest control products

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:04:49 +0000

Controlling pests can be very expensive and time consuming especially when the method used is not efficient enough. The traditional methods that were cost effective and efficient in the past may not work today. It is therefore necessary to find safe, efficient, reliable and cost effective pest control products that will be able to eliminate pests in good time. Pests like mice and rats are always known to be indoor pests, however, they are also capable of causing a lot of destructions to your vegetable patch as well.

Those who do not have children or pets may need to purchase rat poison or mouse baits to control rats and mouse. The bait is usually placed on the path of these pests or near the holes where they hide. Identifying the paths of these pests may not always be easy. However, a closer look may reveal the paths on the grass regularly followed by the pests. All weather rat block bait may also be effective in controlling rats outside. This works by poising and killing the rats. This is a single feed bait and very effective.

Another method of pest control is the use of traps, particularly when dealing with rodent pests. This also requires that an individual know the type of pest to be removed. This will help them identify the right type of trap that needs to be bought. The most commonly used type of trap is the snap trap. This utilizes a trigger to hold the bait and kill the pests by hitting the back of its head. Others also use glue to trap the rodent and is als known as the glue board. This would require the pest to try crossing the glue so it must be positioned accurately. The pest will then be stuck and the individual can remove the pest and dispose it. There are other traps available that are can catch several rodents at a time, these are known as rodent trap stations.

For commercial or agricultural use, field burning would be another effective way of controlling pests especially insects in high volume. This is one of the cheapest methods of pest control since it can kill most of the insects in a very wide area. Spraying poison by truck or even plane is another method that is commonly used to control insects. This may be a little bit expensive especially when planes are used.

After setting up traps inside the house, it may also be important to set some outdoors to trap those pests that may try to escape. Another effective way of humane pest control may be the use of repellents. Repellents are substance that are used to try and scare pests away. There are several types of repellents and those that are used to repel rats may not repel other pests like moles, insects or even moths. It is therefore important to know the type of the pest an individual would wish to repel before buying any type of repellents.

As a general rule, all the potential entry points into the house must always be secured immediately an individual starts the process of pest control. This is because some pests may escape and later return into the building after some time. Closing these entry points may also disrupt the pest's normal routine and make them wander around, making your positioning of the pest control solutions less sensitive and giving a more effective result.

Five common methods of dealing with a mouse infestation

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:01:40 +0000

Even the cleanest flats and houses can be invaded by rodents. Mice are mostly attracted by food and can chew through almost anything. These four-footed visitors will immediately make your home their home if they find an entry and there is food on the other side.

There are a few ways to deal with these non-paying guests but before we get to that, let's learn how to identify a mice infestation.

Mice are mostly active during the night. Scratches in the walls and odd noises in the kitchen are the first signs to look for. They also tend to chew through food boxes and cables. If any of these signs are present, most probably there is a mouse problem in the house. You don't even need to see them to know that they are present.

There are multiple ways to deal with these uninvited guests. Some of the methods are more humane than others. If hurting animals is a problem for you, there are humane mousetraps that act like a small prison. These traps do not hurt them but special attention is required after they are entrapped. They should be released as far away as possible from the invaded home otherwise they will find a way back.

Another humane method of dealing with them is the use of ultrasonic mouse devices. They emit such a powerful high frequency sound that mice just run away from the invaded home. The device is harmless to other animals as the sound is so high that not even dogs can hear them.

Using glue mats is another effective method of catching them. This method might be considered unnecessarily cruel as the mouse will be unable to move and might need to be killed in order to be disposed of.

Poison is probably the messiest method. The mouse will suffer a slow and painful death. After ingurgitating the poison, mice might start running around the house in plain daylight convulsing until they die. This can be a horrifying experience for people that are afraid of mice. However, this method is more effective than traps as it delivers the poison in the form of food, making it appealing to any mouse.

Last but not least, cats represent a good way to solve the pest problem when there are only a few uninvited guests to deal with. If the mice are too many, a single cat will not be able to keep the population under control. However, a cat can prevent future infestations.

The method which you choose to deal with a mice infestation is up to you. However, do not be tempted to seal all possible entry points. Mice will always find another way to enter your house or chew their way in. There is no way to prevent an infestation. The only effective course of action is extermination and the sooner you act the better. If you ignore the problem their population will increase, making the infestation harder to deal with.

Bedbug spray treatments in the home

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:01:50 +0000

Bed bugs are parasites that feed off the blood of other living organisms. Bedbugs are tiny brown bugs which normally attack when you are asleep. These nasty little creatures can invade your home and infect every nook and cranny of your bedroom. These unpleasant visitors are mostly found in bed mattresses, linen and carpets. Getting rid of these parasites is not easy as they very small and often escape detection, but you can do it with some effort and following certain proven steps. There are many ways such as removing clutter from your home or using bed bug sprays to eliminate these little creatures from your home.

Perform a thorough inspection to find bed bugs
The first step to kill bed bedbugs involves a thorough check for these nasty pests in your home. Search every corner and check all the things lying near to your bed. Once you have found their living areas, start reducing clutter in your home. Expose any and all cracks and crevices to help bring out the bugs from their hiding spaces. They can also be found in places such as under doors, behind skirting boards, light fixtures and any other place that is dark and isolated.

Prepare your home for bed bug treatment
Remove everything from the bedroom and other drawers and closets in the bedroom. Move your furniture from the wall. Take a vacuum cleaner and target their hideouts. Clean your house thoroughly as damp and dirty places are most likely to harbour bed bugs. Wash your bed linen, curtains, pillow covers in hot water and vacuum your mattresses, carpet edges, floor cracks and furniture.

Bed bug treatment
Once the infested room is de-cluttered and all the things are removed, thorough bed bug treatment should be done to eradicate the problem. This involves dusting the wall voids and using void applications such as Alpine Insecticidal dust and Delta dust. This kills the hidden bed bugs and creates a hostile environment for bugs to travel through voids. Use insecticidal dust to clean mattress box spring, furniture voids, cracks and crevice. Seal any holes in the mattresses and box springs with the help of tape.

Use bed bug spray for residual treatment. Read the label and directions before using bed bug spray. Care should be taken while using these insecticides as they contain harmful chemicals. Use the insecticide spray during the day so that it is completely dry before the room is used again for sleeping.

Once everything is put back, vacuum the house again to remove any dead bed bugs. You can encase mattresses to conceal the mattress and box spring. Be sure to use the zippered cover so as to avoid crawling of bed bugs.

Some people also use home remedies to remove bed bugs. Use lavender oil around the bed frame and the floor to kill bed bugs. Rubbing pure alcohol also kills the bed bugs on contact. But home remedies are not as effective as bed bug sprays. It is important that you re-inspect your house after one or two weeks of bed bug treatment. If still you find bed bugs in your home, go for professional help.

Pest control tips that work

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 08:08:17 +0000

Rats, mice, moth, insects and slugs have one thing in common, they make a good team in destroying things around the home. For that reason, a homeowner should know a wide range of effective pest control measures. In certain circumstances, the destructive nature of these creatures can weaken the foundation of the house, such as in the case of termites and ants. They eat the wood from the ground up before inhabiting the interior and destroying wooden furniture and beams. Further, rats, mice and moths eat clothes and food supplies.

However, the worst of these circumstances is the health problems resulting from these creatures. They can trigger allergic reactions in asthmatic people and even cause stomach upsets because of food contamination. A homeowner should engage pest control techniques upon seeing the first signs of an unwanted pest. This is because all these creatures multiply in large numbers very quickly,and within a short space of time the situation can develop into something very serious. For example, moth lays over 100 eggs meaning seeing one of them around is an indication that over 100 larvae is potentially within your house.

Another mistake most homeowners make is by using any free technique they hear about despite its ineffectiveness. This is in a bid to save money because some methods such as using commercial pest control products can cost not unreasonable sums of money. However, failing to spend money when needed means these destructive creatures go on undeterred.

Pest Control Tips That Work

To eradicate these harmful creatures first identify the types currently in your house. This is the only way to find a good technique that gets rid of them for good. The method used to remove rats is not the same with moths and picking a general method is just a waste of time.

Identify their habitat. In most cases, pests live in dark moist places such as in kitchen cabinets, basement, under sinks and bathtubs and crevices in the walls. Target the hideout so that they have no place to run. For instance, if you are dealing with insects like cockroaches, you can pour boric acid around the hideout so that it sticks on their legs and they take it back to the holes.

Lock up any food and water supplies in the house when eradicating pests. The poisonous substances in insecticides and pesticides can contaminate your food supplies. Pests run around looking for food and they carry the substances everywhere they go.

Clean the house and its environment. When eradicating rats and mice, clean the garden and surrounding areas first because these rodents run to hide and come back to the house later. In addition, these creatures find food supplies in the garden. Do not keep garbage, dirty dishes and clothes in the house.

Seek professional pest control products especially when dealing with a number of pests.

Pest control is the only way to rid your home of unsightly creatures because if you allow them to walk, eat and live in your house, be ready for medical bills and the gawky look from your guest when rats, cockroaches and mice crisscross your table at mealtime!

Deter cats from your garden and borders

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 18:29:00 +0000

Cats are good pets that can turn into obnoxious creatures the moment they start sneaking to your backyard. When cats start using your garden as their litter trays, they not only use it as their garden but also disturb you at night. Traditionally, people were keeping cats out of their gardens by acquiring a dog or their own cat pets. However, this trend is fast changing and more scientific and electronic strategies have been implemented to help keep cats off your borders.

The following are some alternative natural tips on how to deter cats from your garden and borders.

Citrus peels are natural cat repellers. All you need to do is peel off your lemons and limes and then place them in your garden. However, you need to replace them twice a week because they dry and thus become less effective.

You can also make some spikes using sticks and place them in your garden. Spikes keep cats from sitting on your garden. When they step on the spikes or try sitting, the spikes make the cats uncomfortable and thus keep them away.

Black pepper is also an effective cat repeller. This spice releases an irritant that chases the cats away and keeps them from using your garden as their litter tray. Spray it on the borders of your garden carefully, or on the spot where the cats frequent inside your garden. This repeller does not have any negative effects on their plants, but your cat can step on it and spread it everywhere on your couch. Avoid using black pepper if you have your own cat.

Lion dung also releases a smell that is not friendly to cats. This cat repeller is usually sold online in a more hygienic pack and you can buy it from popular merchants who sell cat repeller.

Plants such as Coleus Canina, marigolds and geraniums release a smell that is foul to cats, thus keeping them away from your garden and borders.

There are also some ultrasonic devices that have been manufactured to help you scare cats and get them out of your garden. These devices are available in online cat repeller stores.

Even though the feces of cats can serve as manure to your rose flower plants, it emits a foul smell that you may not tolerate. However, you do not need to use poison to chase away the cats of your neighbours. The poison may end up affecting you or members of your family before it kills the cats. Remember that your cat also sneaks into the garden of your neighbour and refrain from harming the cats that frequent your garden. After all, cats like to go out at night, and there is no way you can keep them at home. Using natural and homemade repellers can save your health, your plants as well as conserve the environment. Learn how to deter cats from your garden and borders through natural inhalants or electronic cat deterrents and stay safe.

Dealing with mice problems

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:33:39 +0000

House mice are one of the most troublesome pests and they thrive under a variety of conditions at homes. House mice are grey or brown rodents with large ears and small eyes. Although mice generally feed on grains, they eat many kinds of food, including the food meant for human and pets. They contaminate the kitchen counter and surfaces with their feces which causes food poisoning. Mice have sharp senses of smell, touch, taste and hearing. They can slip through a crack, which is a little larger than a quarter of an inch in diameter, which will fit a pencil. The mice damage the property by constantly gnawing at things. You can recognize their infestation from their droppings and fresh gnawing. They have a musky odor which helps identify their presence and they can be seen occasionally during day time. The life span of a mouse is from 9-12 months and the young are born 19-21 days after mating.

Prevention and Control of Mice

Mouse infestations can be dealt by trapping or poisoning them. Mouse proof construction, sanitation and population reduction are the effective ways to control mice.

Mouse Poison

Poisons that are used to kill rodents are called Rodenticides and they can be bought from shops where pesticides are sold and even in hardware stores. Poison baits that are to be used indoors should be specifically labeled for interior use and as they are poisons handle them with care and follow the label instructions. Do not use unlabelled rodent baits bought from street vendors. Although some types of baits cause death after a single feeding, most of them cause death only after being eaten for a number of days. So be sure to keep fresh bait until the mice stop feeding. It might take up to three weeks to kill the mice using poison baits.

Mouse baits are available as grain baits in a meal or as pellets in plastic or cellophane packets. The sealed baits are fresh and can be placed easily on walls and burrows where the mice are living. The baits should be placed properly at several locations not farther than 10 feet apart. To safeguard pets and people use tamper resistant baits and fix them to a fixed object so that they are not moved. Place the mouse poison baits near areas where the mice are active.

Mouse Trapping

When the number of the mouse is less then trapping is the preferred control method. The advantages in using the trapping are there is no need to use hazardous poisons, you can be sure that the mouse has been killed and you can get rid of the mouse carcass. But when you use mouse poison you are not sure of the death of the mouse and you have to bear the odor of the dead mouse as you don't know where the carcass lies. The simple and inexpensive wooden trap can be bought from the grocery store or a hardware store. Place the traps on ledges or in locations where the mice are active. Mice seldom move far away from their shelter and from their food supply, so place the trap near the areas where the mice are active and place them no more than 10 feet apart. You must use enough traps to get rid of the rodents quickly.

Dead rodents must be disposed off properly in sealed plastic bags. Thoroughly wash your hands with a disinfectant and warm water. House mice are poisonous and they have to be cleared from the house for your peaceful living.

Commercial outdoor cat repellents to keep cats off gardens

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:40:07 +0000

Homeowners in the United Kingdom often try to make homemade repellents to prevent cats from using their garden as a litter tray. However, when these repellents do not work, then using modern commercial cat repellents becomes necessary.

For UK locals who themselves have cats, keeping other cats off their gardens becomes even more essential to prevent any unnecessary aggressive scuffles. Therefore UK residents who have tried using homemade and natural repellents but to no avail should consider using one of the following commercial repellents to keep cats off their gardens.

1.Electronic Automatic Outdoor Cat Repellent

This is quite an ingenious commercial repellent product to keep cats away. An ultrasonic noise at a pitch frequency that can only be heard by cats is utilized by this repellent device and it is activated by motion. This repellent device can be safely used outdoor in the garden and an additional state included too, so that it can be easily mounted in a garden. An 80 degree infrared sensing angle is covered by the device and any movement, whether of a cat or any unwanted animal, will be detected up to twenty feet away.

2. Cat Repellent Granules

The Jumpo Trainer is a quite a simple cat repellent device. Two hard plastic asymmetrical pieces are connected with a strong bungee cord. The pieces get locked together once the cord is stretched tight and the device can be placed in the garden or any other place where the cats need to be kept away. Homeowners can even place quite a few Jumpo Trainers in their garden if they have a big one. Even the slightest touch can set this repellent device causing the two pieces to jump into the air and noisily land together. This repellent device is meant to scare off cats and to warn them to stay off the garden, but the pieces can be covered with a towel in order to avoid accidentally injuring cats.

3. Outdoor Water Spray Cat Repellent

The repellent device responds by spraying a burst of water onto unwanted cats that are intruding and is equipped with a sprinkler system that is activated by motion. Using this repellent device, homeowners in the United Kingdom will not only be able to prevent stray cats from stepping food on their gardens, but will be able to keep their own cats from going outside too. The detection range of this device is up 105 degrees and squirt range is up to 35 feet.

4. Shake-Away Outdoors Cat Repellent

UK locals who want to make use of the strongest cat repellent device in order to keep cats off their lawn should definitely use the Shake-Away. Cats tend to stay off territories with scent of urine of predators. Thus, this device emanates the odor of coyote and fox urine, so placing it in the garden will deter cats and prevent them from coming anywhere near.

No doubt there are many natural repellents that can be used to keep cats off a lawn, however there is nothing more effective than commercial cat repellents.

Several different options when it comes to a mole deterrent

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:28:41 +0000

Finding a good mole deterrent can help you keep your lawn and garden in good shape. Moles are difficult to catch and the best way to solve a problem related to them is to get rid of them. You should make sure you actually have moles to begin with as ground squirrels can dig holes in your garden as well. A mole tunnel will end in a conical shape where the tunnel exits the ground. You can help keep moles away from your garden by getting rid of Japanese beetles which produce larvae that are irresistible to moles. This is not a deterrent but may help you keep moles out just as well.

You will find several different devices on the market that produce vibrations that cause moles to think a predator is digging into their tunnel system. This can be a highly effective deterrent that causes no harm to the mole. You can find these mole repellers in several styles and some are solar powered mole spikes meaning you just place them in the ground and they do the rest for you. You will find these devices to be quite effective in most situations and in extreme cases you may have to add another device or maybe combine use with another deterrent.

There are also a number of powders and sprays that are sold to act as mole deterrent products. You can also find home remedies that have been used for years to help keep moles at bay. Castor oil and peppermint oil are two of the home style remedies that are effective if applied to the garden soil or even poured directly in the tunnels. Mix about 4 teaspoons of castor oil or about 20 drops of peppermint oil to a gallon of water and spray away. Red pepper can be added to the castor oil for improved effectiveness.

You will also find pre made powders for the purpose of deterring moles and some of these use the scents of predators to help keep you garden mole free. You can use the internet to help you find a mole deterrent product that previous customers have found effective. Many products that deter these creatures will help keep other pests such as rodents from your garden as well. This is important in areas that have rabbits or other rodents who actually damage the plants as they feed.

There are other methods that work to deter moles from your property or a specific part of it. You can dig a pit about 10 inches wide and 2 feet deep that surrounds the area that needs protection. This can be filled with gravel to keep moles from tunneling through and although labor intensive it is very effective. Although moles don't damage plants and feed mainly on grubs their tunnels can be an eyesore and may even be dangerous if you step the wrong way in one. You may want to try several different mole deterrent ideas out but with some common sense you will find one that works for your yard.

The solution to ridding your garden of moles

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:07:00 +0000

Most people do not know where to turn to when looking for answers on how to get rid of moles. Moles destroy the overall lay out of our gardens by creating holes as they burrow. They feed on worms and grubs found in the soil.

One way to get rid of moles is by using pesticides. Pesticides will reduce the worms in the soil which will in turn result in their starvation. The moles will eventually move to a different site in search of food. This method isn't as effective because not all worms will die, and the grub worms will lay eggs after sometime!

Trap and kill them. Find a tunnel that you think is still in use by the moles and carefully dig out a section. Place a small can in the ground and hide your evidence by placing a thin layer of grass and soil. Once the mole comes out in search of food, it will fall directly into the tin and find it impossible to come out.

Other people don't find moles annoying but still prefer to keep them off their gardens. The best method in this case is setting barriers. This barrier can be anything a mole can't dig through. Though if placed shallow, the moles can dig under it and still get into your soil. The barrier should also surround your garden fully.

Keeping dogs as pets can turn out to be the best thing you ever did for your garden! Dogs are sensitive and can notice any little movement. Having one with in the right size can help you catch and scare away moles.

Repelling moles using natural odour repellents can make them disappear for a while. Moles can't stand this smell especially if it's in a small congested hole. Bone meal is an example of such an odour. These repellent have no side effects to humans or plants.

With modern technology, an ultrasonic mole repeller can be placed in mole tunnels to repel them. The device is said to produce a high pitched sound that only moles can hear and which they tend to dislike. This often works as a good deterrent for small areas. The moles try to move as far away as possible from the device which is hopefully as far away from your garden as possible!

Reduce water volumes in your garden as high levels helps raise their homes closer to the ground. Moles only cause disturbance and destruction when near to the surface, but with less water available they tend to remain deep in the soil.

Walking around your garden in the morning, at noon and after lunch helps scare the moles away since they feed at those hours. They fear movements as it shows that someone is around. This ensures that they will not get enough time to feed and will therefore move on to a more conducive environment.

Moles are small animals but the damage they can cause in your garden is unbelivable compared to their size. With the above listed tips, an effective solution on how to get rid of moles should be very easy.

Simple pest control advice for the home

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:22:45 +0000

As a home owner, one of the many responsibilities that you have when it comes to making sure that your home stays sound and sanitary is being able to keep it free of annoying pests and insects such as rats, mice, moles, spiders and other bugs. However, this is not always as easy and straight forward a task as one might think, especially during specific times of the year when insects are hatching and other pests are becoming more and more frequent. However, the good news is that there are some basic precautions and steps that you can take as a home owner to ensure that you do not have to deal with unwanted visitors in your home.

One of the first things that you will want to do, especially if you already know that your home is prone to certain pets, is to simply buy some effective pest control products to use in and around your home. For example, there are many different kinds of insect sprays that you can buy that have chemicals in them to form somewhat of a barrier around your home and ensure that none of them even try to get in. These insect repellents typically come in a can and require just one spray per season, so you can essentially have your whole home protected, depending on its size, with just one can. Not only is this a simple way to control and keep pests out of your home, but it is an affordable one as well.

Aside from this, if you already have a pest control problem, then you may want to consider buying some different traps that are out there to capture the ones that are in your home and keep more from coming back. For example, you can easily buy multiple rodent traps to set up around your home for pests such as mice and rats. And for smaller pests such as insects, there are also insect traps that you can set up to kill them quickly and keep them from coming back at the same time.

Aside from these basic pest control products, sometimes it is just best to call out a professional if they do not seem to be doing the trick. After all, for severe infestations, this can often be the home owner's best bet both financially and considering the urgency of the problem. Often times, a pest control specialist has access to extra strength products that are not sold in stores because they are authorized to use them and know how to do so safely. So for home owners with severe pest problems that they cannot seem to handle on their own, calling out a specialist to get the help of their special pest control products is always a good alternative option to consider.

Overall, there are many different types of pest control products out there that can be used to keep annoying moles, mice, slugs and other bugs out of the home. It just takes being proactive and a cautious home owner to do so!

Mouse traps that work

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:31:11 +0000

Mice have been a problem in people's homes for centuries. They are easily able to get into an opening as little as a quarter of an inch, meaning they can find their way into cracks and crevices in homes very easily. They can live in rurual, suburban, and urban areas just as well, and easily adapt to a new environment. While they are mostly nocturnal animals mice can be spotted at all hours of the day. They have the ability to eat 10-15% of their body weight every day, and can consume almost all types of food, though they prefer grains. But the main reason why mice can survive almost anywhere is because they need very little water, getting a majority of their water intake from the foods they consume.

Since mice require very little water and because they reach sexual maturity around 2 months of age, they can multiply rapidly and can quickly overrun a home. While they will not usually bother with people, they have capabilities of carrying many different kinds of diseases, as well as fleas which were responsible for the transmission of the Bubonic Plague several centuries ago. For this reason, it is imperative to deal with a mouse problem immediately. Mouse traps are an effective means of getting rid of mice in your home, and depending on the severity of the infestation can be the best method of alleviating a mouse problem in your home. There are dozens of different types of mouse traps available to consumers, and the kind you use will vary depending on the situation and what type of trap you prefer.

The most common type of mouse traps are the snap traps most of us are familiar with. These mouse traps use a spring and bait in order to lure a mouse into the trap. Once the mouse takes the bait, the trap will be sprung, and the mouse will die almost instantly. These traps are an effective means of eradicating a mouse problem, but they are not always ideal if there are children or pets in the home. These traps also need to be checked daily, and dead mice should be removed and disposed of in plastic bags while wearing gloves to prevent disease transmission.

There are also several types of glue traps made for indoor use. Glue mouse traps use a special type of adhesive on cardboard which traps the mouse to the trap. These types of mouse traps are good for places where pets or children may have access to the trap, as well as if there are suspected fleas or mites on the rodent. When the mouse is trapped, the mites or fleas will also become trapped on the glue. The downside to glue mousetraps is that it often doesn't kill the mouse quickly, if at all, and they must often be killed to be put out of their misery. These types of traps are not always the most humane, as mice will often gnaw off limbs to get free, or suffocate slowly if their faces get caught in the glue. Mice may also die of starvation or dehydration if the trap is not checked regularly.

For those who are aiming to rid a home of an infestation without killing the mice, there are humane mouse traps available. These traps are multi-use, and will lure a mouse into a cage. Once the mouse enters the cage, there is an electronic sensor which will snap the door shut and trap the mouse until you release it in a safe area outside of your home. These traps are a bit slower at eradicating the problem, but are the most humane means of getting rid of mice in your home.

Mice are notorious for nibbling, gnawing, and carrying diseases. A mouse infestation in the home needs to be dealt with in order to prevent damage to electrical wires, drywall, appliances, and furniture, not to mention for the health and safety of your family. There are countless ways to remove mice effectively from your home, and the method you choose is solely up to you.

Advantages of using a humane mouse trap

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:49:20 +0000

At one time or another virtually every homeowner is going to be faced with mouse problems in the home. A mouse can squeeze through a hole the size of a penny so finding access to any house is not a problem. Slipping under closed garage doors or finding an entrance through an air vent that you thought had a screen protecting it are just a couple of the ways that the typical house mouse will enter your home. It's safe to say that at some point in time all of us will need to invest in a mouse trap of some sort.

The first sign of infestation will normally be droppings in the area that mice travel. There may also be the odor of urine. Because mice don't have a bladder they leave urine everywhere they go. If mice are present it will not take long to spot their droppings and smell their urine.

Dealing quickly with a mouse infestation is important for at least two reasons.

Firstly, mice reproduce very quickly. Ignoring signs of mice in the home will soon mean that you are hosting a sizable community of visitors that will be much more difficult to evict.

Secondly, there is a real health concern. Infected feces can carry Salmonella. Dermatitis can be transferred by mice bitten by mites that carry that disease. Carrying fleas, contaminating food and biting are other ways that mice can spread a variety of diseases.

Many homeowners prefer utilizing a humane mouse trap to eliminate an infestation as opposed to extermination by poison or spring loaded traps.

Advantages of the humane mouse trap include:

no poison in the house
highly effective
no danger to children or pets
reusable
favored by animal rights organizations

The typical humane mouse trap is a box shaped contraption that is left open and baited. When a mouse enters the trap and begins to feed, a spring mechanism will close the door leaving the mouse trapped inside. The mouse can then be released a suitable distance from the home.

There are a few techniques to be aware of that will make your use of the trap much more effective.

Almost any wheat-based food can serve as your bait. Crackers, bread, wheat germ or bird seed can be used. Mice are quite stealthy when feeding so mixing your bait with a little peanut butter to prevent easy theft of the bait is a good idea. Mice eat very little at any one feeding but they may return to the food source dozens of times over a single night. Having your bait firmly attached to the trap will increase success.

Placing the trap where the mice travel is important. Droppings will help in this regard. Also be aware that mice often move along walls and a corner can make a good trap location. If there is no success within a day or two then try another spot.

You will often have success quickly once you put out baited traps. Release any captured mice well away from your house or the same mouse will take up residence again. Check traps often so that any prisoners will not have time to chew their way out (a problem with plastic traps).

When you find that no new mice are being caught for a few days and the signs of their presence do not reappear, you will know that your humane mouse trap has done its job.

Handy mole removal tips

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:26:00 +0000

If you are wondering how to get rid of moles then the chances are you have been driven to distraction by them. The good news is that there are a number of humane ways in which they can be removed and some of these ideas are mentioned below. The cost of them will vary depending upon the one you go for, and do remember that there is no guarantee one will work, so it can often be a case of trial and error.

The first humane one you may want to try is called a sonic garden mole repellant which is a good method to not only chase them from an area but also continue to deter them from coming back. What this does is it emits a sonic pulse at regular intervals of twenty five seconds and this is something that the moles do not like with the result being it chases them away.

There are actually two options available with the sonic repellant as you can either buy one that is powered by batteries or there is a solar alternative that is slightly more expensive. Both work just as well as each other and are both waterproof so they can withstand the weather without being damaged.

Another option is to use special smoke that is chemical free and is put down the mole holes and which then works along the tunnels that they dig. This smoke is completely harmless to them but it has been proven to be effective in not only getting rid of them but also deterring the same mole from then returning later on.

Apart from smoke you may also be interested in special granules that can be put on the mole hill and down the hole and although they are chemically produced they are still harmless to their health. Some people will also scatter them across an area near to where mole activity has been observed before in order to deter them from causing damage. It should be added that these granules will also act as a fertilizer so you do not have to worry about them damaging your garden in any way.

With regards to trapping them then if you still want to go down the road of not harming them then there are a number of humane traps on the market. These traps can be placed on the mole runs and it can enter from either end however, once it does, it then becomes stuck inside meaning you can safely remove it from the area without causing it any harm whatsoever.

So those are some handy tips on how to get rid of moles in your garden, whilst still being humane, and they have all been a success for a number of people suffering this particular problem. They vary in price but generally do not break the bank and once they work and solve the problem it will certainly be money well spent if they continue to keep them away from your garden.

How to reclaim your garden and repel the invading cats

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 07:06:00 +0000

Many people experience problems with invading animals that claim their gardens as their personal litter boxes and playgrounds. Cats are probably the most annoying invaders a home owner will deal with. Not only do they make a lot of noise fighting and mating but they also have no problem leaving fertilizer in your borders.

If you're starting to feel that the battle is lost, don't lose your faith as there are some weapons you can use to fight back.

The easiest way to deal with these unwanted visitors is using bottles. Just place a few glass bottles filled with water and without a cap around the yard. During the daytime, because of the sunlight it can cause distorted reflections that will scare the cat away. Hanging some CDs can simulate the same effect. However, when the sun is down, this cat deterrent becomes useless. However, if they are placed strategically, the cats can brush against them causing the bottle to fall over and splash them with water. This will cause them to associate the garden with getting wet.

If you don't like the idea of placing bottles around your garden, try going for a more modern solution. Automatic water sprinkler deterrents triggered by motion sensors are extremely effective. Even if they can be more expensive, these sprinklers will deal with your invaders for you on their own. Once mounted, you might as well forget about your problem.

Cats do not like intense odors. An intense smell can keep the cats away if placed properly. Common substances such as wine vinegar, crushed pepper, dry mustard or coffee grinds will make them avoid that area. There are also commercial cat deterrent substances that have the same effect. The only downside is the fact that the area needs to be "refreshed" from time to time, especially after a rain. If you don't mind making a habit out of spreading powders with intense smells around your yard, this solution might be the best for you.

The last solution you might want to try is planting Coleus Canina. Also knows as the "Pee-off plant", this particular plant has the amazing ability to keep cats away by releasing a stench. Cats just hate that smell and will cancel their visit to your garden. Luckily, the plant cannot be smelled by humans unless they are touched.

There are many ways to deal with invading cats. However do not approach this problem thinking that cat invasions can be treated like rodent invasions. Cats have a bad habit of moving in when the previous pack was taken away. Capturing them and getting them away from your yard will only cause other cats to come in and use it as their vanity litter box. There are many solutions out there and there is a cat deterrent for every budget.

As long as you do not give up on your garden, and keep persevering, cats will avoid you and bother an unprepared neighbour.

Steam cleaning as a method for bed bug treatment

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:09:39 +0000

When considering the best products or home made solutions for how to kill bed bugs, there are several options one can turn to in order to get rid of them, and clear the bed from these bugs. You will want to first prepare the bed and the area to be treated by reducing clutter (removing blankets, linens, getting rid of personal items, toys, etc). Once the area is clear of your personal items, it is time for the extermination process. You are going to want to consider the right chemicals and products which are certified to kill bed bugs, in order to ensure they are going to properly exterminate the bugs, and get your bed bug free. There are many products to consider when you are looking for the best answer on how to kill bed bugs, so considering and comparing all of them is something you must do.

Once you are ready for extermination, the first thing to do is steam clean your linens on high heat for a few hours. You may even want to consider washing them through twice, just to be sure. You should not wash anything else in the machine due to possible contamination. Once the sheets are cleaned, you are next going to want to deal with the mattress. With the proper steamer (there are steamers sold in order to clean and treat areas which have been infested with bed bugs), you will do a thorough steam clean with the proper chemical you choose (after researching all products that are sold to kill bed bugs). The steamer is going to kill the bugs on contact. At extremely high temperatures, this will steam away all bacteria, bugs, and mould, in order to ensure no further damage ensues down the road either. The steamer is also going to sanitise the area, and ensures the bugs are cleared upon first contact on your bed.

Once you have properly steam cleaned the bed, used any repellant, sprays, and other preventive products after a proper steaming and killing of the bugs, you should allow the bed to let these chemicals seep in for a few hours; you may also want to consider steaming the sheets you put on your bed (even though you have washed them), just to ensure you kill any debris or eggs which the wash did not take care of.

Although there are many products out on the market for those who are looking for the best options for how to kill bed bugs, the best option is to purchase a quality bed bug steamer. With the extremely high temperatures, you will find this will kill all bugs, debris, eggs, and other contaminants and bacteria in your bed, upon the first application.

Of course other preventive products like sprays, insecticides, kits, and mattress covers (which are specifically made for killing bed bugs), should also be used post steaming the bed, in order to ensure no further bugs make their way in to the mattress, and infest the place where you sleep.

How UK locals can prevent pests from getting into their homes

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:23:59 +0000

Insects, moles, moths, slugs, squirrels and rodents are some of the typical pests that commonly invade the houses in the United Kingdom at any time during the year. The residents of the United Kingdom frequently face pest problems, and once these pests get into their homes, it becomes difficult to get them out. Untold damage is caused to the health and sanity of UK locals because of pest infestations and invasions in their homes every year.

Some experts believe that often pest problems can occur out of the blue and are not an indication of how clean a home is or where it is located. However, there are several things that can be done by UK residents to keep these pests away from their property.

Some useful pest control tips that can be followed to prevent pests from getting into their homes.

1. Clutter tends to attract cockroaches, mice and rats.
Tidying up a house will not only prevent these pests from being attracted to a house, but will also prevent them from finding ideal breeding and hiding spaces. Dust mites are also common pests in UK households that live in dusty carpets and furnishings. You can succeed with preventory pest control by dusting and vacuuming the home regularly.

2. Gaps and holes can also be blocked up to obstruct any areas that can be used by pests to enter a house.
This means that the exterior of the house should be maintained, and any cracks or holes in pipes should be fixed or blocked. Wire meshing should be used to cover vents.

3. Another effective way to succeed at pest control is to avoid leaving food out.
Plastic containers can be used in the kitchen, and food should be put away or sealed properly, so that the aroma of food items does not attract pests.

4. Pests like insects, foxes and rodents love getting into rubbish bins.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to seal and store rubbish properly. This is not only a good way of preventing pests that enjoy scavenging through the rubbish, but will also help UK residents avoid the mess that is caused by them.

5. Pests like fleas and mites tend to multiply on a large scale in a damp and unventilated environment.
Ventilating a house is a good way of preventing the growth of these pests. Pests like silverfish are also attracted to dampness, especially to leaky plumbing in the kitchen or bathroom. Therefore, any fixed pipes in the bathroom, cellar and kitchen should be immediately fixed in order to prevent pests like silverfish to find an ideal breeding ground.

Pest problems tend to be rather frustrating for the residents of the United Kingdom and despite their best efforts, the pests continue invading homes. Therefore, UK locals who are absolutely fed up of the pests that keep coming back should consider following the above mentioned pest control tips to prevent pests from entering their homes.

Effective professional bed bug treatments

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:11:13 +0000

Getting rid of bed bugs is not an easy task. Having bed bugs can happen to anyone and in a close living environment, like apartments or dormitories they spread very easily. If you find your home has bed bugs you should let everyone know because treatment to get rid of the bed bugs will only be successful if everyone is actively involved in the bed bug treatment.

Because of the ubiquitous nature of bed bugs, once they have had time to breed and multiply, it is usually necessary to hire the help of professional, well-trained professional bed bug exterminators to do the bed bugs treatment. this is why it is important when using household bed bug solutions that you take control of the pest problem sooner rather than later.

If you do decide to use a professional exterminator, you need to know that it takes special training to do effective bed bugs treatment. This means that there are many pest control companies without the training and expertise to do the job. For this reason, it is important you find a company by getting reliable referrals from your local health department. You should also be able to get information from your city, county or county business licensing department.

Make sure you pick the company you hire for elimination of bed bugs from at least three referred and vetted choices.

A company well trained and professional at eliminating bed bugs will do an inspection of possible infected areas before giving any estimate or price quote. They will not begin any application of pesticide before approval of that price quote and never ask for money up front for the work.

You will be provided a written report that outlines the plan for bed bugs treatment and elimination of the bed bugs. You will find that the least expensive quotes are often the least effective at total bed bug elimination.

Ninety percent of all bed bug infestations require the use of pesticides for successful elimination and control of the problem. Most cities have strict health rules and guidelines on who can apply these chemicals. Commercial foggers and bug bombs are rarely effective against bed bugs.

Regardless of who does the treatment, you should make sure that pesticides used are the least toxic of options labeled as effective in the control of bed bugs. It is vital for the health of yourself and your family that all instructions and warnings on chemical labels are followed completely. You need to know, before allowing the use of any chemicals, how long you must wait before returning into any treated area.

When chemicals are used, watch whoever does the application and make sure that no spraying is done on top of mattresses or sofas. If absolutely required allow only limited amounts of spray into seams only.

After initial bed bugs treatment, you can assist the professionals by being on alert for the continued presence of bed bugs. If you suspect bed bus are present in cracks or crevices, use a putty knife or playing card to force the bugs out into the open. Use sticky packing or duct tape to catch and crush them. Try to keep some stuck on the tape in an uncrushed condition for the professional exterminator to inspect. High heat from a hair drier will kill bed bugs only after a minimum of thirty seconds exposure.

Reduce locations for bed bugs to hide, live and breed. Remove clutter and put rarely used items in storage temporarily until the bed bug problem is solved. Inspect any items returning from storage before placing them back in your home.

Remove dead bed bugs, stains, eggs and bug droppings with hot soapy water that has 20 percent disinfectant. Wash in any clothes suspected of bed bug contamination in very hot water. Dry on the highest possible setting.

Follow all instructions from your professional bed bug exterminators to ensure the success of your bed bugs treatment and lasting removal of the bed bugs.

Natural mice repellants

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:37:00 +0000

Nothing is healthy about sharing your home with mice. These little rodents can carry disease and parasites into your home and fleas, mites and other unpleasant problems can enter your home with mice.

Mice enter your house through any little openings they can find access to. So the best way to start in mouse proofing your home is to check for any little openings and seal them up or stuff steel wool into them to repel the mice. Another great mouse repellant is peppermint oil. Just dip cotton balls into the fragrant oil and place the balls where ever you have seen signs of rodents or at any place near where they have entered the house. The strong scent will drive a mouse out of the house in no time. This method is safe for households that have children and pets. The one draw back is that it will dry up eventually and you will have to repeat the process until you are sure all the mice have moved on.

Moth balls are also used as a mouse repellant. This is an inexpensive way to evict mice from your home but it can be dangerous to kids or pets. If you aren't concerned with kids or pets, moth balls can be scattered around the areas where mice are known to be and near the point that they enter your home. This method has been used for generations to keep mice at bay.

Strong scented fabric softener sheets have also been effective in encouraging mice to leave a house.They, like peppermint oil soaked cotton balls are effective but must be replaced as they lose their scent.

Used cat litter placed in a small open container and placed in mouse activity areas will cause the mice to leave because the cat urine scent will tell them that a predator is around. Of course a cat in itself is a great mouse repellant. Having a good cat that hunts mice will be a definite help in keeping mice away.

Another mouse deterrent is really simple to apply. Just make sure there is no food source for the little critters and they will move else where. Clean up all areas where they may be crumbs and wash your counters so there will not be any food scents to attract the mice. Put all foods in sealed containers and this includes pet food also. Make sure you don't have any leaky pipes that are a water source for mice and about once a week or so, pour about a half of a cup of bleach followed by hot water down your drains to repel mice that may be getting their water from your pipes.

One last suggestion for a mouse repellant would be to add a tablespoon of tabasco sauce to a gallon of water and spray around the outside of the house to keep mice away.This is a very popular method in some areas and some people spray the soulution around their property line to keep rodents off of the property as well as out of the house.