EnSec Pest & Lawn Blog

Mice and other rodents can be a problem year round, but in both Florida and Alabama, they tend to be more visible in the winter months. Mice move inside as the weather turns cooler looking for food and shelter. You may not be concerned the first time you spot one of these little creatures, but since they multiply rapidly, it is important to address a potential infestation as soon as possible. Not only are mice a nuisance, but they can carry disease as well. If you find a mouse in your house, it is important to take the following steps in order to address it. Target Their Nest Mice aren’t very creative. Once they establish a route to and from their nest, they normally stick to it. First, look for droppings. Place traps or bait stations in the areas where the droppings seem to be the most prolific. You can...

Often, when people think of pest control , they think of the pests inside the house; the ones found crawling across the kitchen counter. However, there is another aspect of pest control, equally important, yet less frequently considered, and that is the pest control of lawns and yards. Here are some reasons why taking care of pests is one of the most important ways to take care of your yard in general, as well as a few methods for keeping the pests in your yard at bay. How Pests Can Harm Your Lawn It’s important to keep pests off your lawn for the same reasons that it’s important to keep them out of your house: They spread diseases, destroy property and make life generally unpleasant. Pests like aphids, chinch bugs, grubs, mealybugs, and sod webworms, can make your lawn look burnt and unkempt. As the grass is the first thing...

As a homeowner, you sometimes have to spend money to help keep your house in its best shape. This is true for things like repairs and furnishings, and it’s also true for pest management. Unfortunately, many homeowners balk when it comes to spending money on pest control . While it only makes sense to treat an infestation as it ravages your home, it’s much harder to spend your hard-earned money on a problem that hasn’t happened yet. However, spending money on pest management is an investment that can pay off in spades in the long run. How is it an investment? Well, if an investment can be defined as “spending money for future gain,” there are several reasons why pest control is an excellent investment in your home’s future. Protect Against Future Damage If you think about pest management as a money-saving service, then it becomes easy to see why...

Ensec Pest and Lawn control knows that homeowners like to take an active role in preventing pests from infesting their home. While some jobs are best left to the professionals, we want to help our customers in the Southeast regions of Alabama and Florida by providing tips that can prevent an infestation from occurring. Steps to help prevent infestation It’s important to note that DIY pest control is more about preventing pests, rather than treating an active problem. Once established in your building, pests are small and can reach areas that the average homeowner can’t treat. Don’t neglect the yard. No one likes their grass to be unattended, but the problem goes deeper than just an unattractive yard. Tall grasses, weeds, fallen limbs and piles of leaves are the perfect hosts for a variety of pests, from termites to beetles and snakes. Help protect your home by maintaining the landscaping...

As you are cooking dinner in your apartment, you notice that you have some new roommates. There are ants crawling across your floor. It’s not like you can split the rent with them, so they need to be evicted. You need to take steps to give these little guys a reason to leave and stay away. If you take away their feeding ground, they will put in their change of address. There are several steps you can take to help get rid of these little pests . These steps can be simple things like cleaning up the kitchen right away or making sure the sink is dry. Cutting off the pests’ food and water supply will deter them from staying around. Curious as to why roaches infest your home? Take a look here: Why Do Roaches Infest Homes? Pests and Your Kitchen The kitchen is the biggest buffet for pests....

The idea of having a rodent in the house is enough to strike fear in the hearts of most homeowners. Not only do rats and mice cause damage and spoil food, but they can carry some particularly nasty diseases, too. Rodents also reproduce quickly, so it doesn’t take long for a relatively minor situation to get out of control. If you want to save yourself a lot of time and money, it is important to recognize the signs of a mice or rat infestation so that you can take steps to address it as soon as possible. Bite Marks Rodents typically gnaw on either the packaging of your food or the walls and baseboards of your home. You can figure out if a mark is fresh by the color; if it is lighter, it is newer and you likely have a current infestation. In addition, the bite marks help you...

Some people like insects, while others would be happy if they never saw any bugs at all. However, whether you like them or not, you probably don’t want them to invade your home. Roaches, ants, fleas and more cause problems for homeowners that can be frustrating and unsanitary. Still, keeping them out of your home is often easier said than done. The good news is that there are steps you can take to discourage bugs from taking up residence in your home. The sooner you get started, the easier it will be to get a handle on your situation. Deal With The Doors Examine your doors while they are closed. You don’t want to see light coming in anywhere; if you do see it peeking through, that means that bugs have a way to get into the house. In addition, you are letting air escape from the home as well,...

Rodents are challenging pests to manage because they tend to hide in unusual places. Homeowners can sometimes spend days searching for rodents before finding nests in an unexpected area. If you have found rodents in your home, it is important to recognize that these pests are unlikely to leave on their own. Rodents can carry food to their nests, so you might not see them for several days while they wait for a safe opportunity to search for nourishment. Finding the rodents in your home is an important initial step toward returning to living free of pests.  Under Couches Couches are a favorite hiding spot for rodents looking to establish a nest. Most couches are made with soft materials that are ideal for burrowing. Rodents are also able to eat some of the materials that are used to build couches. Worst of all, many homeowners consume food while sitting on...

Most mosquito bites are just itchy and annoying. Sometimes, though, they can lead to illness. While there's no reason to panic, you should know that the list of diseases that mosquitoes carry includes the following. 1. Dengue Fever Four different viruses can bring about the infection known as dengue fever. Common in tropical regions, these viruses enter people's bodies through mosquito bites and reproduce rapidly. Eventually, an afflicted person will experience acute symptoms like back pain and an extreme fever. 2. Encephalitis Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. Patients who suffer from this disease may experience seizures, brain damage, high fevers, and other major problems. There are various types of encephalitis, including Western Equine and Eastern Equine. St. Louis encephalitis poses the greatest danger to residents of Florida and Alabama. 3. Malaria Malaria generally affects people who live in or travel to places near the equator. It attacks blood...

Integrated pest management, or IPM, helps home and business owners maintain pest-free homes. Keeping pests at bay is a must for your health and comfort. Rodents, as well as some spiders and insects, pose a variety of threats to the safety and well-being of both pets and people. Even harmless varieties cause psychological discomfort, making pest control and prevention essential. Ensec Pest & Lawn, serving communities in Alabama and Florida, explains why IPM is a smart option. What Is Integrated Pest Management? The main goal in using IPM is to reduce the amount of pesticide used. While pesticides are effective at preventing and eradicating most types of pests, it's beneficial to people, animals and the planet to use fewer of them. An IPM treatment plan begins with the following steps: Pest identification Monitoring pest populations and their behavior Setting thresholds for when action must be taken Once problem areas have...

Summer is in full swing--and so are the mosquito populations! Mosquitoes are all too common to our beautiful Gulf Coast area. They are called the deadliest animal on the planet because the 3,000-known species of mosquito transmits more diseases than any other animal on the planet. All mosquito species are capable of carrying disease. However, three in particular are known for being the deadliest: Anopheles, Culex, and Aedes. Between them, these three species can transmit malaria, filariasis (elephantiasis), encephalitis, West Nile, yellow fever, and dengue. Not every mosquito carries a deadly disease. But, their uncomfortable bite—in addition to the possibility of disease—is an important reason to take as many precautions as possible to keep them from you and your home. What dangerous diseases can mosquitoes carry? Learn more here: Common Diseases Mosquitoes Can Carry Tips for Keeping Mosquitoes Away from Your Body Keeping mosquitoes from biting you, especially if you...

Mosquitoes , bees, ants and other pests will jump at the chance to ruin your summer picnic if you give them the opportunity. Allowing pests to spoil the fun will ruin the experience of your guests, and they might not want to come back as a result. If you don't want to fall into that trap, you are likely searching for a way to have a pest-free picnic, which is not as hard as you might think. With the right tips near the top of your mind, you can have an unbeatable picnic without unwanted guests causing problems. Keep Your Yard Clean Having a clean yard that is free of clutter will work wonders for anyone who wants to keep pests away. You can start by mowing your lawn and trimming the shrubs around your yard, and you will be on track. Fleas and ticks love to sit in the...

No matter what you do or where you live, you will encounter pests when you go outside if you don't know how to avoid them. Most people understand the importance of protecting themselves from common invaders when they venture outdoors, but they often overlook the fact that pests can also bother their pets. You must take steps to safeguard your pets if you don't want mosquitoes , ants and other invaders to cause problems for them. Use a Mosquito Fogger Treating your yard for mosquitoes is a great place to start when your goal is to keep pests away from your pets. If you don't keep these flying parasites at bay, they can enter your yard and annoy your cats and dogs, but they can also spread harmful diseases. Take a trip to your local department store to pick up a mosquito fogger that will get the job done in...

No one wants to see a roach in their home. Roaches are unsanitary, difficult to kill and can even transmit diseases. Unfortunately, it is not unusual to have a roach infestation in the southeast. They typically go into hibernation in the winter and then become active again in the spring, which is why you may see more activity now than you did a few months (or even weeks!) ago. It isn’t easy to eliminate roaches from your property once an infestation takes hold. That is why it is important to do everything in your power to stop the problem before it starts. There are a few steps you can take that will make a difference. Avoid Spray The best way to kill roaches is with baits. Not only are they easy to apply, but they are relatively safe as well. Using spray, on the other hand, is not a good...

Cockroaches are a homeowner's worst nightmare. In addition to the disgusting smell that roaches give off, these pests can also create health hazards for people with allergies or asthma. Roaches can hide in unusual places, such as under appliances, inside cabinets, or even behind floorboards. If you find roaches in your home , there are a wide variety of reasons why these pests may have found their way inside. In most cases, roaches will not go away on their own with common remedies, such as cleaning your house or moving pets. To understand how to address your roach problems, you must start by taking the time to study how roaches are getting inside your house. Why Roaches Infest Homes There are a wide variety of reasons why roaches can be attracted to a home, but food is the most common reason why roaches enter a property. Roaches have an extraordinary...

With summer right around the corner, it’s already time to start thinking about your summer pest control plan. Summers in the southeast are hot and humid, conditions that allow a wide variety of pest populations to flourish. Here are five bugs that may give you some trouble this year, along with strategies to help deal with them. Ants Ants are a problem all over the country, but their numbers are particularly prolific in the southeast. These little pests are looking for food and shelter, and once they are inside your home, they leave a pheromone trail so that other ants know where to go. Not only are ants a pain, but some species do damage as well. For example, carpenter ants affect the structure of your home, and fire ant bites can cause an allergic reaction. To cut down on the likelihood of an infestation, make sure your kitchen is...

Most people want to keep their homes free from pests and hate to see roaches, mice , ants, spiders and other pests inside. Finding evidence of these pests can be especially disturbing when they have been inside of your pantry. Pests are drawn to the different types of food sources that can be found in your pantry. When they feed on those food sources, they can contaminate your food and make both you and your family sick. Fortunately, it is possible for you to keep your pantry free from pests with a little work. 1. Seal All of Your Food Supplies Pests are able to get into your food through very tiny openings. Instead of storing your pantry items in the cardboard boxes or paper bags that they came in from the store, try storing them inside of airtight, plastic containers. This can help to keep bugs out of your...

No matter what you do or where you live, you will encounter pests when you go outside if you don't know how to avoid them. Most people understand the importance of protecting themselves from common invaders when they venture outdoors, but they often overlook the fact that pests can also bother their pets. You must take steps to safeguard your pets if you don't want mosquitoes, ants and other invaders to cause problems for them.  Here in our beautiful, warm region, the likelihood of pests causing problems to your pets can be even higher than cooler climates. Read on for some tips about how to keep your pets pest-free, happy, and healthy this Spring. Use a Mosquito Fogger Treating your yard for mosquitoes is a great place to start when your goal is to keep pests away from your pets. If you don't keep these flying parasites at bay, they...

Spring is an amazing time of year, and in the Florida panhandle, we are lucky enough to be able to get outside and enjoy the Spring sooner than residents in other parts of the country. However, just like we enjoy the warming weather, so do the pests that love to call our region home! In addition to seasonal allergy culprits in the air during the Springtime, such as pollen, there are also many pests that can pose health risks as well. To safeguard ourselves and our families against harmful pests and the dangers they can pose, it is important to be aware of the insects you can expect to see this Spring in our beautiful Panhandle region. The local pest control technicians of Ensec Pest Control are very knowledgeable about the various pests that plague our region. Contact Ensec today to find out more about how to receive a customized...

It’s hard to enjoy spending time outdoors when mosquitoes are swarming and their bites leave itchy red welts all over your body. While you may not see as many in the spring, now is the perfect time to starting preparing for these little pests. It is not unusual to have quite a bit of rainfall in March, April and May, and that moisture allows mosquitoes to breed and increase their numbers dramatically. By taking a few steps to control the population now, you’ll be able to reclaim your summer and enjoy spending time outside again. Why Is Spring Treatment Necessary? Just because you don’t see them in the winter doesn’t mean that all the mosquitoes have died. They essentially sleep during the cold weather, and they also lay a bunch of eggs in preparation for the months ahead. In the South, those eggs can even start hatching before spring officially...