EnSec Pest & Lawn Blog

Are storms a bad omen for pests ? Well, storms can have a huge impact on them, especially during extended periods of heavy rainfall. Their survival often depends on finding dry shelter, and your home may be the easiest solution. Many pests can drown during storms and are on the move for safe, new nesting sites such as your basement, attic, garage and kitchen. Some of the more common pests affected by storms include ants, cockroaches, spiders, mosquitoes and rodents. If you’re expecting heavy rainfall, here are some things to watch. Before a Storm If you spend much time in nature, you’ve probably noticed that birds, small animals and insects sense the storm’s arrival. As the barometric pressure drops, their behavior changes. An increase in insect activity outside is common as they make their storm preparations. Prior to a storm is when pests are most likely to move into your...

Bed bugs are prolific breeders, and they are able to easily travel from one location to the next. Because of this, they are quite difficult to get rid of once an infestation takes hold. Just the thought of having bed bugs in a home is enough to cause many people to have trouble sleeping at night. If you want to keep bed bugs away, there are a few steps that you can take to hopefully avoid this problem altogether. Get Them Out Of Hiding Bed bugs like to hide. Not only does keeping your room neat and tidy make it less attractive to these little pests, but an organized space also makes it more difficult for bed bugs to escape detection. As their name implies, bed bugs normally bite while you are sleeping, which means that your mattress may be host to quite a few of these tiny invaders. Putting...

Rodents like mice and rats are a huge problem for homeowners. Their ability to find their way into food containers and packaging is a health concern, as is the fact that they leave their droppings around wherever they go. However, you do not need to accept rodents as a fact of life. If you want to prevent them from sharing your home this winter, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep them out. Minimize The Mess Rodents are notoriously shy little creatures, and excess clutter gives them a means to scoot through the house undetected. Declutter as much as possible, so that your rooms don’t have many areas for rodents to hide. In particular, get rid of any cardboard or magazines, pick up toys, and generally be as minimalist as possible. Without a place to hide, mice and rats may not be as comfortable in your...

Ants are one of the most common and infuriating pests we encounter. Beyond just the summer picnic, ants can easily find their way into our homes at all times of year, including the quickly approaching Fall. As the outdoor barbecues transition to indoor casseroles and Thanksgiving, here’s how you can identify the different ants that may enter your home. Fire Ants Fire ants are almost universally loathed for their painful stings. While most people know them for their red color, in reality fire ants show red and brown, red and black, and sometimes even completely black coloration. You may have fire ants if the mound is near a tree or sidewalk, if it’s in a sunny area, and if there’s no visible center opening. Fire ants are also very fast compared to many other species, so keep an eye on them as you open and close doors and windows. Carpenter...

When it comes to getting bugs and rodents out of your home and away from your property, no one does the job better than a pest control company. Not only are they efficient, but they work hard to ensure that none of the products used are harmful to the members of your family. You can certainly try to eliminate pests yourself, through DIY methods, but you don’t get the peace of mind that comes from working with a professional. If you’ve been debating whether or not to hire an expert, here’s five reasons why you shouldn’t delay any longer. 1. They know what you are dealing with. There are so many pests out there that it can be hard to figure out what exactly is in your home. Identifying the bug is important because the species helps determine what type of bait or product to use. While you may not...

Termites can cause serious damage for homeowners, and the scariest part is that it is difficult to tell there is a problem until it is too late. Termites make their way through a home, causing structural damage, but they do it so quietly that most owners have no idea that they are living with these little pests. However, there is a lot you can do to keep termites at bay and avoid costly repairs. Most of these strategies won’t take a lot of time and don’t cost a lot of money. Get Rid Of Water You don’t want water around any part of your home, but it is particularly important to keep your foundation and roof dry. Also pay attention to the crawlspace and basement. If you notice an issue with a gutter or a pipe, get it corrected right away rather than letting the moisture remain. Water also attracts...

Finding a pest in your home is disturbing. What’s worse? Finding a full-on infestation of the buggers. They are tough to get rid of on top of being just plain creepy. To prepare for this, homeowners should know the most common places for an infestation. Kitchen Pests will always enjoy the kitchen. Food and water are very attractive to the bugs if left unattended. This includes crumbs left on the floor, dirty dishes, and more. Unsealed snacks and other food items in the pantry are also a haven. Make sure to thoroughly clean your kitchen floors, wipe down counters and securely store food to prevent an infestation. Attic The dark, isolated attics of many homes are appealing to pests and rodents . Different types of rodents, such as rats or mice, live up there for long periods. Pests will come in and feed off the excrement left behind. Attics are...

Your home is one place where you should feel safe and secure. Walking into a room and spotting a wild animal making themselves comfortable among all your possessions is scary, and many people don’t know what to do. Even if you are comfortable around a variety of different animals, you probably don’t want to encounter them in your living space. But, what happens if you are dealing with a situation like the one described above? What steps should you take to resolve the problem? Stay Away The most important piece of advice is to maintain distance from the animal. Chances are that it is more scared of you than you are of it (even though that may not seem possible to you). Don’t yell at the animal. Don’t swing anything at the animal. Avoid quick movements and try to keep your head. You don’t want the animal to think that...

Pest invasions happen without much warning. Before you know it, your kitchen is crawling with ants or your garage is infested with roaches. Most people want to take care of the problem right away, but they are concerned about the cost associated with professional pest control services. It may be difficult to figure out if the price you are quoted is reasonable or not. That is why it is important to have a little background on what a typical pest control service costs. It is also crucial to gather information about the work that goes into performing such a service, in order to determine whether or not the price is fair. Mitigating Factors Many people are under the mistaken impression that they can call up a company and get a price for service right away. That is not always the case. This is because there are several mitigating factors that...

Each year there are 7,000 to 8,000 people who suffer from venomous snake bites with five people dying. You may be the lucky homeowner who only has non-venomous snakes around your property. Even if that is the case, I am sure you do not want these guys slithering around or inside your home. To avoid ever having to deal with snakes yourself, you should call a professional to manage your snake problems. The following are reasons why calling a professional would benefit you: Protect Yourself Homeowners often take care of snakes themselves, but this is a dangerous idea. It is unsafe because homeowners are not snake experts, so they can easily put themselves in harm’s way. There is the possibility that you may think a snake is non-venomous when it is not. Professionals, on the other hand, have extensive experience dealing with snakes and can catch warning signs if and...

Owning a home is expensive. It’s natural to want to save money in whatever way you can. Because many people deal with pests on a regular basis, engaging in “do it yourself” extermination techniques can be an appealing option. However, while there are some limited circumstances where it may be appropriate to handle pests on your own, the reality is that most need to be dealt with by a professional exterminator. Why should you leave the job to the experts? There are several factors to consider.  1. Pest Identification There are a lot of bugs in the world. If you want to effectively get rid of a pest, you have to know what you are dealing with. For example, American roaches are very different than German roaches; if you don’t understand the difference between the two, any treatment that you put down is likely to be ineffective. Pest control technicians...

Mice are shy, generally only coming out at night. If they hear or suspect that a human is nearby, they often hide so that you cannot see them. Because of this, many people have mice in their homes and do not realize it. Mice can contaminate food and generally wreak havoc in and around a property. As a result, it is important to get rid of a mouse infestation before the situation becomes too serious. But, how do you know if you have a problem with these little rodents? The following signs are a sure indication that mice are present in your home. Noise Mice are nocturnal, which means they typically explore when it is dark outside. Do you hear scratching in your walls? Are there noises that sound like they are coming from the attic? If you’ve been startled by unexpected sounds in your home, you may have a...

Mosquito season in Florida and Alabama is considered a year-round event. But the heat of the summer brings mosquitoes out in full force, and they can ruin your family BBQs. Aside from the nuisance factor, mosquitoes can carry serious diseases, such as the Zika and West Nile viruses. Here are five simple ways that you can prevent mosquito bites . Dump Standing Water- Mosquitoes easily breed in standing water. Inspect your property for places where water can collect, especially after rainstorms. Emptying flower pots, buckets and wheelbarrows are just a few things that can collect water. Check around your property and dump any water that could pose a problem. Reduce Your Attractiveness to Mosquitoes- This may sound silly, but there are certain activities that can make you more attractive to a mosquito. Human sweat is appealing to mosquitoes. Avoid exercising or other sweat-inducing activities outdoors as much as possible. Mosquitoes...

Summer is right around the corner, which means more time outside with friends and family members. Summer is also a time of increased pest activity; bugs like fire ants and termites can turn even the best day into one that you might want to forget. What are the top five bugs to watch out for this year? Read on for more information on Florida’s most notorious pests.  Fire Ants Fire ants are more common in Florida than you would think. Typically, they don’t interact with humans at all. However, if they are worried that their nest is in jeopardy, they swarm and attack the perceived threat. Their bites hurt and are often itchy; you may be dealing with the effects of the bites for several days. If you see a fire ant mound, it is best to stay away. For best results, call in a pest control company to deal...

Termite damage is a major concern to homeowners. In fact, every state except Alaska has termites. Here in the south with our warm weather and humidity, we are even more prone to termite infestations . The Subterranean, Drywood and Dampwood termites are the three main types in the United States. Most geographical regions have one or more of these termites in the area. The different termites have both shared and particular preferences. So what are termites attracted to, and are there reasons your home might be more vulnerable? In general, termites are attracted to wood, moisture, wood in contact with foundations and cracks in foundations. Wood Termites eat constantly and need wood or other types of plant-based cellulose to survive. As a homeowner, you may be unknowingly attracting termites Keeping a firewood pile close to the house may be convenient, but is also a tempting meal for termites. Likewise, fallen...

Are fruit flies taking over your kitchen? These little pests reproduce rapidly and can get into your home in a variety of ways. It does not take long for them to reach maturity after hatching from their eggs, which means that a full blown infestation can occur in almost no time at all. Many people battle with fruit flies in the spring and summer, but there are several things you can do to control the problem and hopefully keep fruit flies from coming back. Clear The Counters Your counters and sinks should be as clean as possible; when you allow anything sticky to remain on the surface, or if there are fruit/vegetable drippings, fruit flies can flourish. In addition, it is a good idea to take out the trash whenever it becomes full, rather than allowing it to sit in the house. Be careful with the recycling as well. Get...

Unfortunately, ticks are a common occurrence during the spring and summer. They are ugly little creatures that gravitate toward pets; they are hard to take off, and the entire process of getting rid of them can be extremely frustrating. How can you protect your dog from ticks? There are a few different methods of success. Do A Check Each time you take your dog outside, particularly if they have been in the woods or in tall grass, make sure you look over your dog to see if any ticks are present. In particular, it is important to look between the toes, around the ears, on the neck and around the legs. Ticks can nestle down deep in the fur, so make sure you look through all the hair carefully. If you check diligently, you may be able to find and remove ticks before they are too firmly embedded in the...

A home is one of the more significant investments you will make in your lifetime. Knowing how to keep your home free of pests is the goal of every homeowner. So what happens when suddenly you are covered in bug bites you cannot identify? Chances are the culprit is closer than you think. Bed bugs are a nuisance pest that need to be eradicated from your home or else they will continue to breed and spread. Here are four signs that you may have a bed bug problem . What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like Most bug bites appear immediately however bed bug bites may take a few days to appear. This makes them easy to spread from one home to another because the person does not know that they may have inadvertently brought them into their residence. These tiny creatures feed on blood and while it can cause...

Snakes aren’t as bad as they seem. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem, because they help keep other pest populations under control. However, most people don’t want to see snakes in their yard. This is particularly true if poisonous snakes happen to be common in your area. Snakes don’t want to see humans, either. They make their way into your yard because they are looking for food and trying to explore. By thinking about what is attracting them to your space, and by taking simple measures to keep them at bay, you can encourage these pests to stay out of your yard this summer. 1. Take Care Of The Clutter Snakes like to stay out of sight. If there is anything in your yard that provides them with a “safe” spot to hide, like wood piles, toys, or debris, make sure to pick it up and find a...

There are a lot of fun things to do in the summer, and many of the best activities involve spending time outside. Unfortunately, the warmer weather also draws out a host of bugs, making it difficult to enjoy your yard regardless of how nice it is outside. If you want to avoid seeing pests this summer, the following tips will help. 1. Cut Your Grass There are several things about your yard that may be attracting bugs, and the grass is one of them. Tall foliage gives pests a place to hide. It also gives them the shade they are looking for when it gets hot outside. Therefore, make sure you keep the grass cut on a regular basis. Also, make sure you keep your yard tidy by removing leaves and other debris. This helps cut back on the number of places that bugs can seek shelter, and they are...