The Inland Empire’s landscape – spanning sunbaked valleys, lush hills, and urban gardens – depends on more than sun and soil to stay vibrant. Hidden in plain sight are bees: small yet mighty pollinators whose work underpins our local ecosystems and agriculture. While pest control may aim to manage threats, it’s equally important to spotlight and protect beneficial insects, like bees, that sustain environmental health and food production.

How Bees Support Biodiversity in Our Region

Bees are pivotal drivers of biodiversity. By transferring pollen from flower to flower, they enable reproduction in countless plant species, from wildflowers to edible crops, maintaining both ecological balance and species diversity. In Southern California, where native plants like sages, coastal sage scrub, and wildflowers rely on pollinators, this work keeps habitats functioning amid a fragile climate.

Moreover, bees act as ecosystem engineers. Their pollination not only supports plant reproduction but also ensures those plants provide shelter and food for birds, small mammals, and beneficial insects. Protecting bees means safeguarding entire food webs.

Bees and Food Production: A Local Perspective

Bees aren’t just pollinating wild species; they play a significant role in pollinating some of Southern California’s most economically valuable crops, such as almonds, avocados, and berries. Globally, roughly one-third of food crops depend on bees; without their services, yields would plummet.

Honey bees and native species like bumblebees and mason bees each have unique strengths. Honey bees excel at crops like almonds, while bumblebees may be better suited for tomatoes and other garden-grown produce. This variety of pollinators ensures stability across many different food sources.

Climate Resilience and Environmental Stability

In a region increasingly threatened by drought and rising temperatures, bees offer surprising support for ecosystem resilience. By encouraging diverse plant communities through pollination, they enhance soil health and preserve microhabitats that buffer against climate extremes.

Additionally, robust biodiversity—fueled by pollinators—helps ecosystems rebound from shocks like wildfire or heat waves, making landscapes more stable and regenerative.

The Threats Bees Face

Bees confront a myriad of challenges: habitat loss, pesticide use, urban development, and climate change all threaten their survival. Local extinction of bees would ripple across ecosystems leading to fewer plants, less wildlife, and diminished food production.

Loss of pollinators often triggers a cascade: plants fail to reproduce, animals lose food sources, and ecosystem services deteriorate. Some plants adapt via self-pollination, but that reduces genetic diversity, making them more vulnerable to disease and environmental stress.

What We Can Do Together

At Craig & Sons, our mission includes not only managing pest threats but nurturing healthy ecosystems. We will help you with bees on your property and make sure you and your family are properly protected. Here’s how our Inland Empire neighbors can help:

• Plant bee-friendly gardens with native, nectar-rich blooms that support diverse bee species.

• Opt for bee-safe pesticide alternatives or timed applications to avoid peak pollinator activity.

• Support local beekeepers and conservation efforts; from urban apiary programs to habitat restoration initiatives.

• Educate communities about the critical value of pollinators – a healthy ecosystem begins with awareness.

Your Role in the Solution

Protecting bees directly enhances human well-being. By preserving pollinators, we secure food sources, enrich biodiversity, and build landscapes more capable of withstanding environmental change. As a pest control provider rooted in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, we encourage our customers, homeowners, farmers, and business owners alike, to champion coexistence with beneficial species.

If you’d like guidance on establishing pollinator-friendly practices, choosing plants native to our region, or managing “pests” without harming pollinators, reach out to us at 909-335-1486.

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Boxelder bugs are a common nuisance pest, particularly in the autumn and winter in Southern California. While generally harmless to humans and property, their large numbers and tendency to congregate can make them a significant annoyance. They can be found throughout Redlands, CA. Understanding their life cycle, especially their winter hibernation habits, is key to preventing them from becoming unwelcome houseguests.

Identifying Boxelder Bugs

Boxelder bugs are easily recognizable insects. They are about ½ inch long with a black body and distinctive red or orange markings. These markings typically include three stripes behind the head and red outlines on their wings. Their nymphs (younger stages) are similar in shape but smaller and more brightly colored.

Boxelder Bug Habits and Diet

These insects are primarily plant feeders, with a strong preference for the seeds of female boxelder trees (hence their name). They also feed on maple and ash trees, but boxelders are their primary food source. Their feeding habits rarely cause significant damage to trees. During the spring and summer, boxelder bugs live and reproduce outdoors on these host trees.

Winter Hibernation and Home Invasions

As temperatures begin to drop in the fall, boxelder bugs begin seeking sheltered locations to survive the winter. This is when they often become a nuisance to homeowners. They are attracted to warm, sunny sides of buildings, particularly light-colored structures. They seek out cracks and crevices in foundations, siding, and around windows and doors to gain entry. Once inside, they may congregate in attics, wall voids, and other protected spaces.

Boxelder bugs do not reproduce indoors. They enter homes seeking shelter from the cold and remain relatively inactive throughout the winter. On warmer winter days or in early spring when temperatures begin to rise, they may become more active and emerge from their hiding places, often finding their way into living spaces. This is when homeowners typically notice their presence. Your home heating system can also trick the boxelder bug into thinking spring is arriving and may wake them up in your house.

Why Boxelder Bugs Become Pests

The primary reason boxelder bugs are considered pests is their sheer numbers. Large aggregations of these insects can be unsightly and create a nuisance. While they don’t sting or bite humans (except in extremely rare cases of accidental piercing of the skin), their droppings can stain fabrics and surfaces. Crushing them can also release an unpleasant odor.

Preventing Boxelder Bug Infestations

Preventing boxelder bugs from entering your home in the fall is the most effective control method. Here are some key strategies:

• Seal cracks and crevices in foundations, siding, and around windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping. This is the most important step in preventing entry.
• Install screens on windows and doors to prevent bugs from entering when windows are open.
• Remove leaf litter and debris from around the foundation of your home. This eliminates potential harborage sites.
• If you have boxelder trees on your property, consider removing female trees to reduce the source of food and attractants. This is a longer-term solution.
• Vacuum up any boxelder bugs that do manage to enter your home. This is a more effective method than crushing them, which can release an odor.

Professional Pest Control in Redlands, CA

In cases of severe infestations, professional pest control services can be helpful. We can focus on preventative measures or eliminate the bugs once they are already inside wall voids.

By understanding boxelder bug behavior and implementing these preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of these insects becoming a nuisance in your home during the winter months. If you have already seen them collecting in or outside your Redlands property, call us at 909-335-1486 or request a service visit.

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Mosquitoes are more than just a buzzing nuisance; their bites can be itchy, irritating, and even transmit diseases. In Southern California, the warm climate provides ideal breeding grounds for these pests, making effective mosquito control a year-round concern. If you’re wondering how to stop mosquitoes, this post outlines practical prevention strategies and control methods specific to our region.

Several mosquito species thrive in Southern California, each with its own habits and preferences. The Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever Mosquito) is an aggressive daytime biter known for its distinctive black and white markings and is a vector for diseases like Zika, dengue fever, and chikungunya. The Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger Mosquito), also an aggressive daytime biter, is similarly a vector for dengue fever and chikungunya. It’s adaptable and can breed in very small containers of water. Culex spp. mosquitoes are typically active at dusk and dawn and are vectors for West Nile virus and other diseases.

Stopping Mosquitos at the Source

The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to eliminate their breeding sites. Mosquitoes require standing water to complete their life cycle. This means regularly emptying any containers that hold water, such as flower pots, bird baths, pet water bowls, gutters, and discarded tires. Even small amounts of water can provide breeding grounds. Maintaining swimming pools and spas through proper chlorination and upkeep is crucial. If you have a pool cover, remove standing water from it regularly. Repairing leaky faucets or pipes that could create standing water is also essential. Finally, trimming vegetation around your property to reduce shaded areas where mosquitoes can rest and ensuring proper drainage to prevent water from pooling are important steps.

Preventing Mosquito Bites

While eliminating breeding sites is crucial, protecting yourself from bites is also important. Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone according to the product label. When outdoors, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks to minimize exposed skin. Mosquitoes are typically most active at dawn and dusk, so try to limit outdoor activities during these times. Ensure that windows and doors have tight-fitting screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.  

For persistent mosquito problems, professional pest control services are often the most effective solution. Professionals have access to specialized products and techniques not available to homeowners. They can identify breeding sites you might have missed and implement targeted treatments to eliminate mosquito populations. If you are struggling with a mosquito infestation, consider contacting Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control. Their expertise in local pest control makes them the best solution to kill mosquitos and ensure your property is protected.

Southern California’s climate presents unique challenges for mosquito control. The dry periods followed by occasional rainfall can create ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. It’s important to stay vigilant, especially after rain events, and eliminate any standing water promptly. The prevalence of swimming pools and spas in Southern California also requires extra attention. Proper maintenance and regular cleaning are crucial to prevent these features from becoming mosquito breeding grounds. When prevention isn’t enough and you need professional help, Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control can provide effective solutions tailored to the specific mosquito species in your area. They are the best solution to kill mosquitos and implement preventative measures to keep them away.

Mosquito Exterminators

Mosquito control requires a multi-faceted approach, combining prevention strategies with personal protection measures. By eliminating breeding sites, protecting yourself from bites, and seeking professional help when necessary, you can effectively manage mosquito populations and enjoy the outdoors without the constant annoyance and health risks these pests present. Remember, for expert mosquito control in Southern California, Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control is the best solution to kill mosquitos and keep them away. Call 909-335-1486.

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Riverside and San Bernardino counties, with their warm, dry climate, provide ideal conditions for a variety of ant species. These tiny invaders can quickly become a nuisance, foraging for food and establishing colonies in and around homes and businesses. Understanding the common ant species in the Inland Empire, their behavior, diet, and potential dangers is crucial for effective prevention and control.

Common Ant Species in the Inland Empire

Several ant species are frequently encountered in Riverside and San Bernardino counties:

• Argentine Ants (Linepithema humile): These are perhaps the most pervasive ant species in the region. They are small (⅛ inch), light to dark brown, and form large, interconnected colonies. They are highly adaptable and can displace native ant species.
• Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile): These small (⅛ inch), dark brown or black ants emit a foul, musty odor when crushed. They are attracted to sweet foods and moisture and often nest in wall voids and under floors.
• Pavement Ants (Tetramorium caespitum): These small (⅛ inch), dark brown to black ants nest in cracks in pavement, sidewalks, and foundations. They are known for creating small mounds of excavated soil.
• Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta): While not as widespread as other species, fire ants are a significant concern due to their painful stings. They are reddish-brown and build characteristic mounds in open areas.

Ant Behavior and Diet

Ants are social insects that live in colonies with a complex social structure. They have distinct roles, with workers foraging for food, soldiers defending the colony, and a queen responsible for reproduction.

• Foraging Behavior: Ants are constantly searching for food and water. They leave scent trails to guide other workers to food sources. This explains why you often see long trails of ants marching through your home.
• Dietary Preferences: Different ant species have different dietary preferences. Argentine ants and odorous house ants are particularly attracted to sweets, while pavement ants prefer a more varied diet, including insects, seeds, and honeydew. Fire ants are omnivorous and will feed on insects, seeds, and even small animals.

Dangers to Pets and People

While most ants are primarily a nuisance, some species pose health risks:

• Contamination of Food: Ants can contaminate food with bacteria and pathogens they pick up while foraging. This can lead to food poisoning and other gastrointestinal illnesses.
• Allergic Reactions: Some people are allergic to ant bites or stings, which can cause localized swelling, itching, and redness. In rare cases, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can occur, requiring immediate medical attention.
• Fire Ant Stings: Fire ant stings are particularly painful and can cause pustules that can become infected. Multiple stings can be dangerous, especially for small children, the elderly, and people with allergies.
• Structural Damage (Indirect): While ants don’t directly cause significant structural damage like termites, some species, such as carpenter ants (less common in the Inland Empire but worth mentioning), can nest in wood, potentially weakening structures over time. However, this is less of a concern with the species listed above.

Preventing Ant Infestations

Preventing ant infestations requires eliminating their access to food, water, and shelter:

• Seal Entry Points: Caulk cracks and crevices in walls, foundations, windows, and doors.
• Maintain Cleanliness: Keep kitchens and dining areas clean, promptly clean up spills, and store food in airtight containers.
• Manage Moisture: Fix leaky pipes and faucets. Ensure proper drainage around the property.
• Proper Food Storage: Store pet food and other potential food sources in sealed containers.
• Landscaping Practices: Trim vegetation away from the house and remove debris that could provide harborage for ants.

If an ant infestation occurs on your residential or commercial property, contact us at 909-335-1486 or email us at info@craigandsons.com. By understanding the behavior and habits of common ants in the Inland Empire we can effectively remove these pests.

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Chirp, chirp, chirp… a sound that for some equals summer while for others equals annoyance. Ah, the song of the cricket. Crickets are common throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties.  The most common of the songs we hear on warm summer nights, or well any night really, is that of the male playing his song of courtship to the females. Or it can be a fighting chirp to repel other males from the females they are hoping to woo over. And the cricket is one of 2,400 species of leaping insects that are known for their chirping males! A. E. Dolber, a Tufts College professor, was the first to find the relationship between the temperature and rate of chirps. As temperatures rise the chirp rate becomes faster, and always at a consistent rate. So it make sense that chirps would increase in warmer temperature as the males are looking for courtship so their offspring will be created in the fall and hatch later when spring arrives. However, those lovely evening serenades can become hazardous to our gardens as egg laying can cause damage to plants as females lay eggs in plant stems and soil.

Crickets Throughout History

Crickets have played a large role in myth and superstition around the world. They are typically equated with good fortune and intelligence and harming a cricket is believed to cause misfortune. Yet, crickets will feed on plants, animals, clothes, and each other, which depending on your outlook they may be more of a pest than a bearer or good fortune.

Crickets as a Food Source

Worldwide crickets are consumed, especially in the tropics, through the practice of entomophagy – or the consumption of insects. Throughout the year they are available throughout the tropics and thus considered an abundant food source. In general crickets provide satisfactory amounts of energy and protein, while meeting amino acid requirements for human consumption. They are also high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as iron. In the Western world crickets are typically farmed as pet food rather than people food. While in nature crickets are prey for many animals and are a key part of the food chain.

What Attracts Crickets?

Three key factors contribute to the attraction of crickets to your yard or inside your home: food, shelter and light. Outside crickets typically live within the foliage of plants, under rocks, in lumber piles and under trash cans. They will also tend to congregate in areas with abundant light, such as porches with lights on, garden lighting, and street lights. When the temperature drops in autumn crickets will venture in doors to the warmer temperatures, where food and shelter can be found as well, such as in and around kitchens. Luckily should a cricket enter your home the damage they can cause is minor and unnoticeable, however should there be a population outbreak major damage can occur.

Have a cricket infestation?

Should crickets invade your Riverside homes or gardens we’re here to help. Contact us for an inspection and discussion of possible solutions for your cricket needs.

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Let’s quickly clear the air for this little insect. Earwigs do not derive their name because they enjoy burrowing into one’s ear, as some myths and legends may have you believe. Their name instead originates from the Old English eare wicga, meaning ear beetle. Entomologists believe that the name referenced the appearance of the hindwings which resemble human ears when unfolded. So never fear –  your ears are safe! However, plants and other insects in your garden may not be so safe.

Earwigs in the Garden

Earwigs are primarily nocturnal and will hide in moist, small crevices during the day. While active at night they feed on a variety of plants and insects. During the day they can be found in bark, fallen logs, wood chips, as well as within other living and dead plant and animal matter. Earwigs tend to live in areas where they can scavenge for food. The forceps at the end of their bodies allow for protection as well as holding prey. Common earwigs are omnivores and enjoy eating plants and ripe fruit as well as arthropods. Their common diet consists of plants such as clover, dahlias, zinnias, lettuce, cauliflower, strawberry, blackberry, sunflowers, celery, peaches, plums, grapes, potatoes, roses, beans, beats and grass shoots, and prey such as plant lice, bluebottle flies and aphids.

Earwigs in the Home

Have you come across one of these prehistoric looking insects in your home? Have no fear, they are looking for small, dark, moist places to hide. During the summer you may find them more often near sinks or in bathrooms. However, they tend to gather in shady cracks and openings as well as anywhere else that will conceal them from daylight.

Earwigs Everywhere, literally

Earwigs are abundant throughout the world. They may be believed to be a danger to humans, however their pincers can cause little to no harm to us. Earwigs have a love/hate relationship with farmers as they eat the insects that can damage the crops, but the earwigs themselves can also eat the foliage of the crops and cause damage as well, though it does take a large amount of earwigs to do substantial damage to a crop.

What to do about Earwigs

If you find that the earwigs are not damaging your plants and seem to be keeping other insects away, then the easy choice is to let them be in, and your garden will thank you for it. However, if you find they are damaging your plants and invading your homes, then it is time to take more serious actions. Give us a call or submit a service request online and we’ll be happy to schedule an appointment to rid your Corona, CA home and garden of any pesky earwigs you may find.

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Identifying Common Ants in Southern California

Property owners may not feel as uncomfortable with a few ants in the home or office as they would with a cockroach infestation or house centipedes crawling around, but it is advisable to try to remove them before their numbers grow.

Ants can arrive without warning and cause several problems both in and around your home. These pests are small, fast, and breed quickly, making them a challenge to locate and difficult to control.

Southern California is home to only a small percentage of the over 12,000 species of ants that exist around the world. Despite this, those that do live in our area can cause a lot of destruction and frustration for home and business owners.

Some of the most problematic ants include:

Argentine ants (Linepithema humile, formerly Iridomyrmex humilis) – The Argentine ant is an invader species originating in South America and introduced to the United States through human activity. These ants breed prolifically and due to this, have decimated and displaced some populations of native ant species in southern California, such as the once-common Odorous House Ant.

Argentine ants can squeeze through openings as small as 1 millimeter (0.04”) and invade homes and businesses during the hot, dry summer and fall seasons when water resources outside become low. They also will invade a structure when their nests are flooded during heavy rains, quickly over-running your home or place of business.

Another concern about Argentine ants is their cultivation of aphids to collect the honeydew and other sweet secretions from these and similar insects. With such aggressive protection from natural predators, the aphids continue to cause damage to vegetation in yards and gardens.

Argentine ants are counted among the world’s 100 worst animal invaders. Unlike most other ants, Argentine ants very rarely attack other Argentine ants or their nests, allowing for incredibly high levels of social organization and the rapid formation of new nests and colonies.

Carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.) – The black carpenter ant becomes a problem for Inland Empire homeowners when there is wet, decaying wood around their property. This can encourage an infestation of your home and eventually result in major damage to your home’s structure.

While these large, predatory ants don’t actually feed on wood as termites do, they make their nests in wooden structures and will carve long tunnels throughout, until the affected area is essentially hollow. These extensive tunnels affect the overall stability of the structure.

Like Argentine ants, carpenter ants also farm and protect aphids and other honeydew-producing insects such as tree hoppers, allowing them to further infest your garden and cause harm to plants.

Indoor colonies of carpenter ants always build their nests in areas with very high humidity, such as subfloors, decks or porches, around window and door frames, and under roof eaves.

You can identify the presence of black carpenter ants by the piles of frass (sawdust-like material) and body parts of insect prey near their nest sites.

Pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis) – Pharaoh ants are small ants (2mm) that prefer places where they can find an abundance of food. Sweets, fats, and proteins all appeal to this crawling nuisance. The pharaoh ant is as much a problem to commercial buildings as it is to residential homes.

The tiny, destructive pharaoh ant is considered a serious indoor pest and is notoriously difficult to eradicate completely.

Because they can transmit diseases such as salmonella and dysentery and bring contamination to sterile environments, Pharaoh ants are especially noisome in hospitals and medical facilities.

Pharaoh ants definitely have a sweet tooth! They are attracted to sweet treats and liquids, sugary protein sources such as peanut butter, greases, dead bugs and insects. While placing baits that contain sweet proteins and greases can attract these ants, baits typically have little effect on an established colony.

Because pharaoh ants are considered among the most difficult to eradicate, you’ll have better results by hiring an ant control specialist, rather than attempting to use baits and poison sprays that rarely work against these wee invaders.

Fire ants – There are two species of fire ant in the southern California area: the Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) and the Southern fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni).

The fire ant is a resilient and intimidating pest, with the Red Imported Fire Ant (or RIFA) of the most concern.

RIFAs are very aggressive, with stings that result in excruciating pain, development of fluid-filled pustules that can lead to infections and scarring, and in some cases, their stings can result in medical emergencies such as anaphylactic shock.

If disturbed, these tiny insects will pour from a nest by the thousands, biting and stinging anything in their path. Children, pets, and livestock are the most at risk. And, like other Inland Empire ants, fire ants carry parasites, pathogens, nematodes, and viruses.

The annual cost of fire ant damage in the US is in the billions and also includes significant impacts on native wildlife in southern California. Fire ants build nests under pavement and foundations, resulting in breakage and collapse. They also destroy infrastructure, machinery and equipment, and their large nests reduce property values.

In the realms of agriculture and animal husbandry, fire ants ravage crops and farm machinery, ruin stock pastures, and their large nest mounds can prevent harvest machinery from working properly.

Fire ants are dangerous and difficult to eradicate. Speak to your pest control technician about our fire ant eradication methods. We deliver specialized, legally compliant methods for treating all species of fire ants in the Inland Empire.

Effective Ant Prevention Tips

There are steps home and business owners can take to help reduce the likelihood of an ant infestation:

• Ants follow pheromone trails–destroy the trails by wiping with any glass cleaner that contains ammonia

• Repair water leaks from hoses or outside plumbing

• Ensure appropriate water drainage around the home

• Eliminate standing water sources around the home

• Seal up all cracks and apply caulk around doors and windows.

• Trim all vegetation so it does not touch the home and remove any yard debris.

• Always enclose food in sealed containers, empty garbage cans often

• Clean up dirty dishes and wipe food preparation surfaces

• Dispose of grease and food waste in appropriate containers

• Remove infested indoor plants

• Baits can be helpful, but professional help is needed for serious infestations

Have Ants Invaded Your Home or Business?

No matter the type of ant infestation, our licensed and bonded pest control team is ready to help you!

Contact us today for a complimentary inspection and quote on ant extermination services. Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control Inc serves the Riverside and San Bernardino county areas.

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Resources:

“Argentine Ant” by Pedro Moura Pinheiro is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 

“Carpenter Ant (Camponotus sp.)” by sankax is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 

“Makunda Insects-5128 – Monomorium pharaonis” by Vijay Anand Ismavel is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 

Profile view of ant Solenopsis xyloni specimen casent0005806 via AntWeb.org 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentine_ant 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaoh_ant 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_imported_fire_ant 

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Fleas may take up a tiny amount of space, but they can create massive problems for your entire household. These pests have the potential to spread dangerous diseases, breed in large numbers, deface your home, and make the humans and pets in your life miserable.

The more you know about fleas, the more effectively you can protect yourself and your loved ones against these parasites. Here are some essential steps to keep in mind in your ongoing fight against flea problems.

Understand the Enemy

A typical adult flea may extend only a fraction of an inch in length. Its tiny stature and ability to jump several inches at a time can make it difficult to spot, especially since this pest spends much of its time hidden. Fleas prefer long grass, piles of leaves, and the skin of animals, often going unnoticed beneath pet fur.

Fleas get their sustenance from the blood of host animals. Flea bites can transmit a number of diseases, including bubonic plague. They can also inject internal parasites, such as tapeworms, into an animal’s bloodstream, which results in secondary infestation and additional health issues.

Flea bites often cause an allergic skin reaction and produce itchy welts. If pets or humans scratch obsessively at these bites, bacteria may enter a wound in the skin, which leads to infection.

Fleas can reproduce at astonishing rates. Once an adult flea has fed, it may produce between 2,000 and 3,000 eggs per week. Larvae that hatch from the eggs transform into pupae and complete their growth in cocoons before they finally make their appearance as adults.

Identify an Infestation

You may find it easier to spot the leavings of a flea infestation than the actual fleas themselves. Flea feces usually resemble collections of tiny brown or red specks. Flea eggs present a similar pattern, but their white color makes them resemble grains of salt or sugar.

If you suspect a flea infestation, check your pet’s bed as well as couches, chairs, and carpets throughout the home for these telltale specks. At the same time, inspect your pet’s skin thoroughly and run a brush through its fur to see if any fleas, flea eggs, or flea feces emerge.

Consult the Professionals

You may have some success controlling a flea problem in progress when you vacuum flea eggs out of your upholstery, wash your sheets, have your pets treated for flea infestations, and apply spot treatments to surfaces. Bear in mind, however, that flea pupae nestled within cocoons can survive spot treatments.

Whole-room foggers or other do-it-yourself products to kill household fleas can prove messy, inefficient, and harmful to the home’s occupants. If you need to kill lots of fleas all at once, engage professional pest control services. Skilled pest control technicians know how to treat indoor and outdoor areas safely and effectively.

To prepare for your scheduled flea treatment, wash or remove bedding and vacuum your carpets and upholstery. Remove all family members and pets from the premises, and make plans not to return to the home for three to five hours (thus giving any flea treatment products sufficient time to dry).

Once you return to your treated home, resist the urge to clean or vacuum your carpets for at least two weeks. The flea treatment must have every opportunity to remain active throughout the life cycle of the fleas, from the larval stage to adulthood, to ensure complete success.

Prevent Future Problems

The easiest way to combat the flea population involves keeping fleas away from your property in the first place. Ask your veterinarian to place your pets on monthly medications that kill fleas before they can create large-scale infestations. Keep your lawn short and raked to deny fleas their preferred hiding and breeding grounds.

A regular indoor maintenance routine can provide additional protection against fleas. Vacuum pet bedding and other potential breeding grounds regularly. Always dispose of the vacuum bag promptly, using a fresh bag for every cleaning, to ensure that no fleas or flea eggs remain in your home.

If you need professional help for your flea problem, Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control, Inc. can provide it. Schedule service from us today.

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Bedbugs are one of the most common pests in America and, unfortunately, are also one of the hardest pests to completely eradicate from a home once an infestation develops. The two keys to preventing extreme home bedbug infestations are to keep the bugs from entering your home and to have an infestation properly treated at the first signs of an infestation.

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