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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Because the Inland Empire has mild winters compared to other regions, pests are looking to invade your home or business year-round. In fact, many pests actively seek shelter from cooler temperatures, often finding refuge inside your properties. This makes winter pest control just as important as during other seasons. These are the five most common winter pests in Riverside and San Bernardino counties and why recurring pest control is the best option for protecting your property.

Top 5 Winter Pests in Southern California

1. Rodents (Rats and Mice): As temperatures drop, rodents seek warm, sheltered places to nest. They can enter homes through small cracks and crevices, bringing with them health risks and causing damage to insulation, wiring, and stored food.
2. Cockroaches: Cockroaches thrive in warm, humid environments. During winter, they seek refuge indoors, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, where they can find food and water.
3. Ants: While ant activity may slow down in winter, colonies don’t disappear. They often nest within walls and other protected areas, remaining active and foraging for food when conditions are favorable.
4. Spiders: Many spider species seek shelter indoors during the winter months. While most are harmless, some, like the black widow, can pose a health risk with their venomous bites.
5. Stored Product Pests: These pests, such as pantry moths and beetles, infest stored food items like grains, flour, and pet food. They can remain active throughout the winter, causing contamination and spoilage.

Why Recurring Pest Control is Essential

While one-time treatments can address immediate pest problems, recurring pest control offers several key advantages, especially during winter: preventative protection, targeted treatments, early detection, consistent monitoring, reduced pesticide use, and peace of mind. Recurring services establish a protective barrier around your property, preventing pests from entering in the first place. This is especially important during winter when pests are actively seeking shelter. Pest control professionals tailor treatments to specific pest pressures and seasonal changes. During winter, they focus on preventing rodent entry, addressing cockroach harborage areas, and targeting overwintering ant colonies. Regular inspections by trained professionals can detect early signs of pest activity before infestations become severe. This can save you time, money, and stress. Recurring services include ongoing monitoring to track pest activity and adjust treatment strategies as needed. This ensures continuous protection throughout the year. By focusing on prevention and early detection, recurring pest control minimizes the need for extensive pesticide applications. This is better for your family, pets, and the environment. Knowing that your property is protected by a professional pest control service provides peace of mind, especially during the winter months when pests are actively seeking shelter.

Protecting Your Property This Winter

Winter pest control is not just about eliminating existing pests; it’s about preventing future infestations. By investing in recurring pest control services, you can create a pest-free environment and protect your property from the damage and health risks associated with winter pests. A proactive approach is always more effective and less costly than dealing with a full-blown infestation. Don’t wait until you see signs of pests; contact a qualified pest control professional to schedule a preventative inspection and treatment. This will ensure your home or business remains pest-free throughout the winter and beyond.

Schedule your comprehensive inspection and first treatment by calling the Craig & Sons office at 909-335-1486 or emailing us at info@craigandsons.com.

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Keeping unwanted pests out of your home is a constant battle for many homeowners. While reactive measures like exterminators are necessary in some cases, a proactive approach to pest prevention is far more effective and less disruptive. This post explores practical pest prevention tips grounded in the science of pest control, explaining how different treatment methods work.

Understanding Pest Behavior: The Foundation of Prevention

Effective pest control isn’t just about killing existing pests; it’s about understanding their biology and behavior. Craig & Sons technicians are experts at both. Pests, like all living organisms, have basic needs: food, water, and shelter. By eliminating these resources, we can make our homes less attractive to invaders.

• Food Sources: Crumbs, open food containers, pet food left out, and even improperly stored garbage provide ample sustenance for pests like ants, roaches, and rodents.
• Water Sources: Leaky pipes, standing water in gutters or around the foundation, and even pet water bowls can attract pests like mosquitoes, roaches, and rodents.
• Shelter: Cracks and crevices in walls, gaps around windows and doors, cluttered storage areas, and overgrown vegetation provide ideal hiding and nesting places.

Practical Prevention Strategies:

Based on this understanding, here are key prevention strategies:

1. Seal Entry Points: This is the first line of defense. Inspect your home’s exterior for any cracks, gaps, or holes. Use caulk to seal cracks in foundations, walls, and around pipes. Install weather stripping around windows and doors. Replace damaged screens. This prevents pests from physically entering your home.
2. Maintain Cleanliness: Regular cleaning is crucial. Wipe down counters and tables after meals, sweep or vacuum floors frequently, and promptly clean up spills. Store food in airtight containers and take out the trash regularly. This removes potential food sources, making your home less appealing.
3. Manage Moisture: Fix leaky pipes and faucets immediately. Ensure proper drainage around your home’s foundation. Clean gutters regularly to prevent water buildup. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements or crawl spaces. This eliminates essential water sources for pests.
4. Landscaping Practices: Trim shrubs and trees away from your home’s foundation. Keep your lawn mowed and remove debris like fallen leaves and branches. Store firewood away from the house. This reduces potential harborage areas for pests.
5. Proper Storage: Store items in sealed plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes, especially in garages and attics. This protects belongings and prevents pests from using them as nesting sites.

The Science Behind Pest Control Methods:

When prevention isn’t enough, understanding how different treatment methods work is essential. At Craig & Sons, we employ an Integrated Pest Management strategy that combines many of the tactics described here:

• Insecticides: These chemicals target the nervous system of insects, disrupting their ability to function. Different insecticides have varying modes of action. Some work on contact, while others are ingested. Understanding the target pest is critical for choosing the right insecticide.
• Baits: These contain a food attractant mixed with a pesticide. Pests are drawn to the bait, consume it, and are subsequently eliminated. Baits are effective for controlling ants, roaches, and rodents.
• Traps: These physically capture pests. Snap traps are commonly used for rodents, while sticky traps can capture insects. Traps are useful for monitoring pest activity and eliminating small infestations.
• Boric Acid: This naturally occurring compound is toxic to insects when ingested. It’s often used in bait stations or as a dust in cracks and crevices.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): This comprehensive approach to pest control combines multiple strategies, including prevention, monitoring, and targeted treatments. IPM emphasizes minimizing pesticide use and prioritizing long-term solutions.

Working with Pest Control Professionals:

For severe infestations or difficult-to-control pests like termites, professional pest control services are often necessary. Our technicians have access to specialized equipment, training, and more potent treatments. They can also conduct thorough inspections to identify the source of the problem and develop a tailored treatment plan.

By understanding the basic needs and behaviors of pests and implementing proactive prevention strategies, Inland Empire homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of infestations. Combining these efforts with knowledge of different treatment methods empowers our experts to make informed decisions about pest control and maintain your healthy, pest-free home or business.

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Pests are one of the forces you’ll want to protect against during storage, whether you store your belongings in an attic or in a professional storage facility. Rodent, bird, or insect pests can do a lot of damage to unprotected items.

The choice of containers you use in a storage situation can make a big difference. Here are some common types of storage containers and how they compare for pest prevention.

Plastic Bins

A plastic bin is typically stiff and solid, making it water-resistant and chew-resistant. Some plastic storage boxes even have a seal around the edge that make them watertight and airtight. This feature doesn’t only protect your items from flooding or leaks, but it can also keep pests from invading.

Another upside of plastic is that an airtight plastic container allows you to use mothballs. That’s because mothballs should only be used in an enclosed, airtight space. If the fumes are too diluted, they don’t affect moths, and if they can escape, they can harm people and pets.

If you have items that you’d like to protect from moths, or even items that have suffered from moth damage already, the potential for mothball use can make plastic containers even more ideal.

Plastic Bags

Plastic bags come in all sizes and shapes. For instance, heavy-duty trash bags are a quick way to temporarily pack clothes. These bags do have the benefit that they can fit oddly shaped items easily and can seal out water and dampness, which could otherwise attract pests such as cockroaches, silverfish, or centipedes.

However, trash bags may also rip easily, allowing insect pests to enter. Some pests may be able to chew through plastic bags, depending on the bags’ strength and thickness. You can obtain more heavy-duty plastic bags such as those used for under-bed storage, but they’ll still be more vulnerable to pest damage than a solid plastic box.

Cardboard Boxes

Cardboard boxes are commonly considered to have environmental benefits when compared to plastic boxes. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best choice for long-term storage or for protecting your items from pests.

Cockroaches love cardboard boxes for a number of reasons. They can use the boxes as a home and also a source of food. So even if you’re careful not to store anything that attracts pests, the container itself could do so. This is one reason why cardboard boxes are more appropriate for short-term uses such as moving or shipping rather than storage.

Canvas and Fabric Bags

Canvas and other types of fabric can be susceptible to rodents. But fabric storage bags can still be useful for specific situations. For instance, if you’re just looking to protect something from moths and you have other protections against rodents (such as traps), hanging those garments in a storage bag made of fabric can be the best choice to allow air circulation.

Air circulation can be crucial for some specialty garments, antique clothing, and similar extra valuable items. Check over your cloth garment bags to ensure they zip tightly and don’t have any holes that could admit moths.

These common types of storage containers all have pros and cons when it comes to protecting your items from damage. As you can see, plastic bags and canvas garment bags have their uses in specific situations. But in most other situations and for most types of materials, a simple sturdy plastic tote is likely to serve you well in your quest to store belongings safely.

Call Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control, Inc., today for more information about protecting your belongings from pests or to discuss exterminating pests from your home.

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What to Do Before You Buy

Insects don’t always invade from the outside. While some pests do find their way into your home through open windows, doors, or cracks or holes in exterior walls, others come in with your grocery haul. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, pantry pests typically infest dried goods such as flour and cereal products.

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