What Pests Come Out in Winter?

Most pests dread the coming of winter, and so they immediately go into hibernation, while some seek warmth and shelter in people’s homes. We’re talking about pests like mice, raccoons, rats, cockroaches, and spiders.

Unless you want them as co-owners or pets, you’ll need your A-game to keep them off your home this winter. Here are some of the pests that come out in winter you should know.

Ants

If you see ants, there are probably more, and they will make their way to your kitchen to get a bite of the crumbs. These nasty creatures are colonizers, and they could even inject you from your home if care isn't taken. When winter comes, they creep into your homes through tiny holes and cracks in search of food.

Ladybug

Though cute, they can sometimes seek shelter in your homes during the winter. They don’t come to any harm, but the foul smell they leave behind makes them unwelcome. If you have a garden, you’d have to take some necessary measures to keep ladybugs at bay.

Ticks

Some specific kinds of ticks are considered winter insects, and they make their way to your home without a need for an invitation. They bite, so keep an eye for them around the house, and make sure your pets didn’t come home with one after a walk.

Cockroaches

The most annoying thing about cockroaches is the awful smell they emit. Not to forget their frightening presence, especially when they begin to fly. Since they cannot survive in colder environments, they seek refuge in your home during the winter.

Spider

Spiders are year-round insects, and the least of your favorite visitors during the winter. During this time of the year, they are seeking a warm and dark place to hide, such as your basement and dark corners.

Beetles

During winter, they are searching for warmth from the cold, and they are likely to see your home as a suitable domain. You’ll find them near the water heater, or the clothes dryer due to the warmth they provide. Though they cause no harm, they can infest your home.

How to get rid of winter bug infestation

Once these nasty creatures discover a food source and heat, getting rid of them becomes World War III. Although they are numerous insecticides you can spray, they are often not suitable indoors.

To get rid of these pests, you have to get rid of food sources. Not acting fast can lead to an infestation, and that is the last thing you need. To get a better handle, you can let the professionals take care of it for you. Feel free to give us a call or fill the contact form.

Common Pest Rodents In NY

When it comes to rodents, there is no shortage of it in New York. We aren’t referring to cute little hamsters or bunnies, rather ones fond of infesting the home and causing all sorts of problems. We are talking about mice, rats, squirrels, Norway rats, roof rats, and even house mice.

Here are some pest rodents you’re most likely to find in New York.

Deer Mouse

This creature has a slender body that weighs 10 to 24 grams, with prominent whiskers and a little fur covering them. They are known to invade homes and businesses, causing immense damage. No thanks to their ever-growing incisors, they just would never stop chewing.

They will chew on your woods, insulation, plastic, electrical wires, and even your books. The most annoying, no doubt is their feces and urine which they usually litter around the home.

A Roof Rat

The roof rat also has a slender body - a little smaller than the Norway rat, measuring about 13 to 18 inches and weighing up to 9 ounces. They often build their nest in woodpiles and debris and sometimes get into attics and build their nest there.

Once they are in your home, they pose the same risk as other rodents in New York. They will chew through every wooden structure in your home till everything is destroyed. Wherever they go, they litter with feces and urine, spreading diseases and contaminating your food.

Squirrel

Squirrels are a common sight in New York, and they are less likely to make their way to your home compared to the house mice and roof rats. But when they do decide to make your home a place of residence, they can make quite a mess.

They will dig up the insulation, littering everywhere with urine and feces which inevitably attract mites, ticks, fleas, worms, or lice. If not taken care of immediately, they could make your home uncomfortable.

Norway Rat

This rodent originated in Asia and is commonly smaller compared to the roof rat. They are also referred to as brown rats, wharf rats, and sewer rats. They are quite sticky and can weigh about 1 pound. Unlike roof rats that live in roofs, Norway rats love close association with people.

You’re most likely to find them in cellars, stores, slaughterhouses, sewers, and warehouses. When they populate in your home, it becomes hard to get rid of them without professional help.

House Mouse

They are wild animals, but strangely enough, prefer to live exclusively with humans. It is the house mouse that has been domesticated into what is called a pet or fancy mouse. When you notice that your home has been invaded, the best you can do is call the right experts. Feel free to give us a call or perhaps fill our contact form.

What Do Mice Eat?

If you’ve ever thought about what mice eat, you’re not alone. These creatures are voracious when there is an opportunity to eat. They can eat a bunch of things from your home and will do anything to have it.

To make your home inhabitable to these creatures, you need to understand what they like and eat. Mice typically nest in warm places, often in the attic, kitchen, and around wall cavities. They need uninterrupted access to food and will do anything to have it.

What they eat

Just like you, the mice family have diverse tastes and cravings. They will eat just about anything you leave out in your home, like rice, meats, grains, oats, corn, fruits, cereal, and even seeds. But what about cheese? Most movies depict the mouse as a lover of cheese. But that is not true. Mice prefer foods loaded with carbs.

Their tiny body requires energy fast to aid in movement, hence going for peanut butter instead of cheese. Chances are, the mice in your home will give the cheese a hard pass over other sweet things like chocolate,

The Damages

The most fearful thing about the mice is their ever-growing teeth that can chew into anything. They aren't shy to munch on anything - your furniture, walls, and a variety of materials. They might also bite through your wires, causing a potential fire hazard.

Once mice get into your home, it becomes a nightmare. You might not know this, but your home is a mouse’s favorite buffet. When a female and male get into your home, rest assured you’ve got a co-house owner.

It is advised to seek a professional assistant immediately if you suspect there are rodents around your home. They can cause immense damage very quickly, and produce pretty quickly too.

Getting rid of mice

Immediately you suspect a mouse problem, the first thing you need to do is keep foods out of reach, coupled with traps. You can bait with peanut butter, as they love it so much, or other sweet things like chocolate.

If you waste time, you risk compounding the problem. Mice reproduce quickly, and a female mouse can deliver up to six babies every three weeks. They probably will throw you out of the house if you waste further time.

You don’t need to deal with this process alone. You’re the best at working with licensed and experienced pest and rodent control professionals. If you think you have a mouse problem, feel free to give us a call, or fill our contact form.

Buying a House? Why Your Termite Inspection Matters

If this is your first time buying a house, you must be thrilled with excitement. The process is giggly, but it soon becomes nightmares when you discover termites. Not only are these creatures wood destroyers, but they can also stress your mental health. That is why it is imperative to get a termite inspection before going for that deal.

Termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage every year, renowned as ‘silent destroyers. They can chew through the woods like a saw, silently, and before you say, Jack, it’s too late.

When buying a house, some of the areas to pay close attention to include the slab foundations, and areas prone to touch the dirt. If you’re not too sure, get across your real estate agent or lender to know if the house is the right fit.

Getting termite inspection

When you have a termite inspection, you can finalize the deal a lot quicker. This is because termites can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. Getting a house infested with termites is like buying a block of ice and watching it dissolve before your eyes.

Take note that termite inspection is not the same as a house inspection. You hire a termite inspector to inspect the house of any termite presence. During the inspection, the termite specialist will inspect the basement, to the attic, looking for signs of termite damage.

Although many shy away from termite inspection due to the additional cost, that cost often time, would have saved them from a bad decision. It typically takes an hour, after which the specialist will prepare a report and detailed analysis of any infestations found.

Treating a termite infestation

To treat a termite infestation, you will need to contact the pest control company. Your termite inspection will provide you with some insights, especially on the process of eradication. After the procedure has been completed, you can assess the damages and work with your contractor to fix them.

For future purposes, you need to practice a few things to avoid them, like keeping your house dry and directing water away from it. You can also keep woodpiles and mulch away from your house foundation.

Seeking a termite professional

Your termite inspection should be carried out by a licensed and experienced pest inspector. When in the face of a termite infestation, there is barely anything you can do without a professional. The ideal action is getting in touch with a pest control company, and that is why we are here. Give us a call, or perhaps fill our contact form to begin.

How to Keep Bugs Away While Camping

When it comes to camping, there’s nothing like the outdoors. Sometimes it’s an escape from the modern world, from the noises and buzzes. The outdoor, no doubt, is the perfect place to breathe again, and to reconnect with yourself, loved ones, and nature.

But…

Being in nature doesn't mean you're going to be alone. There are tons of creatures like yourself that enjoy the outdoor too. Wild and untamed, and quite unpleasant to behold - bugs.

For a fun camping trip, you might have to seek ways to keep these bad buggies away.

Below are methods you can use to keep bugs away while camping.

Homemade essential oil repellent

There is a lot of essential oil with bug repelling properties, and you can use it to keep bugs away while camping. Although the essential oil is commonly sprayed on the skin, it's advisable to spray on clothes to avoid irritating your skin, especially if you have a sensitive skin.

Vinegar

Another way to keep the bugs away is to combine both white vinegar and apple cider vinegar to act as a bug repellent. Insects are not fond of the strong overpowering scent, so they quickly move away when they perceive this homemade repellent.

You can apply it directly to your skin or your cloth. As long as you're comfortable with the strong scent, you're good to go.

Bug repellent bracelets

If you can’t stand spraying things on your body or clothes, this could be a viable option to keep bugs away while camping. You can wear it on your wrist, or perhaps fasten it into your belt or anywhere else you prefer. If you have kids, it's also a good option.

Bug repellent diffusers and coils

Some well-known bug repellent brands now sell diffusers that can repel bugs while you're camping. These diffusers emit a pesticide known as metofluthrin, a component that scars bugs and mosquitoes away.

Some diffusers include a battery and could last as long as 12 hours while offering 80 -100 percent protection. Similar to diffusers, pyrethrum-infused coils are great repellents, and bugs will instantly hate you upon scenting these coils.

Foods that little buggies hate

You might not know this, but some foods are the least favorite of these bugs - like garlic, onions, citrus fruits like lemon, and oranges. Believe it or not, bugs can’t stand them. For them to work, you might need to eat a whole lot of them, while rubbing some on your skin.

It also doesn’t hurt to cook with these ingredients, as they could also be beneficial to your body while helping repel these nuisances as you enjoy your camping trip. If you believe you’ve been besieged by bugs, give us a call (718) 550-7483 asap and we’ll get in touch form.

Insect Marvels: The Cicadas – Are Cicadas Coming In 2021?

Are you prepared for another resemblance of the biblical locust plague? Well, it isn't a plague per se, but the sound of an emergence sends cold shivers down your spine still.

Cicadas are part of the superfamily, Cicadoidea. And are non-venomous, so you have absolutely nothing to worry about except from their ear-piercing buzz.

Some species of Cicadas emerge annually, while an exclusive species to North America, Magicicada, which spends most of its lifespan thriving underground as nymphs emerge every 13 to 17 years.

Periodic Cicadas emerge annually in a large swamp numbered in billions with a loud, buzzing sound. You may have noticed this occurrence in previous years, but everyone is talking about the Brood X Cicadas.

This species of cicadas' last emergence was in 2004, and if you have your numbers right then, it's about time we expect another emergence. That leads to the question: Are Cicadas Coming In 2021?

Before emergence, the periodical Cicadas spend most of their time in their underground abode sucking tree saps from roots before going above ground.

When will the Cicadas emerge?

Talking to the New York Times, Matt Kasson, a West Virginia University biologist, said, "They are ready but waiting for the soil to be warm enough. The ideal soil temperature for cicadas is about 64 degrees [Fahrenheit]. For the Mid-Atlantic region, that usually comes by about the third week of May, but it could be sooner. Usually, you have stragglers on either side.”

One thing is certain; this phenomenon can never go unnoticed as they will signal their arrival with loud mating calls once on sight.

What people are saying

With reports from citizen scientists showing the emergence of the Brood X Cicadas, reports come in from people who have sighted these supernatural creatures in their yards. And the most reports coming from Tennessee, Bethesda, Ohio, Washington DC, Maryland, etc. The emergence has already begun!

If you stay close to these areas and haven’t sighted these creatures yet, then you should very soon.

Should you be worried about the emergence?

Unlike locusts which feast on our crop fields, you have absolutely nothing to worry about as these creatures are harmless to humans and crop fields. However, they may be a little destructive to slender tree branches that they utilize as a nesting ground to lay their eggs.

The cicada's emergence will last over the next few months. In the coming months, you should expect billions of these creatures to cloud the woods and neighborhoods in most U.S states.

However, you can always find new reports on sightings and tips on handling the emergence with our 24/7 expert environmental services. You can go ahead and give us a call right away or better still, fill out our contact form.

Does alcohol kill bed bugs?

Noticed redness and itchiness on your skin as well as small, raised bumps? This could mean one of many things, or the most common, a bed bug infestation!

Being faced with a bed bug insurgence might seem obscure to the eyes as these little creatures can easily hide and thrive in upholstered furniture and belongings unnoticed.

How do you get rid of these nocturnal bloodsucking creatures?

Well, for starters, it will mean making use of pesticides, but how effective is this? Research has shown this creature to develop some kind of resistance to pesticides.

Speaking on this, the lead author and research assistant professor at the Purdue's Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management says, "The longer you use any product for the control of a particular pest, the more resistance issues you are going to have.”

Of course, this info will not go down well with people who depend heavily on these fighting agents to stop a teaming bed bug infestation. But do you know what works? Alcohol! Sounds easy, right?

Does alcohol kill bed bugs? To some extent, Yes! Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) has shown to be effective at killing bed bugs and their eggs but doesn’t stop an infestation.

How does it work?

According to research, the bed bugs' epidermal layer houses pesticide-resistant genes, which may be responsible for slowing or stopping altogether the toxins that pose a threat to these creatures.

So how then does alcohol kill these creatures with such defensive factions? It's simple, the alcohol eats up the layer, which is one way and then finally induces a drying out effect, which should be enough to kill bed bugs and their eggs. But utilizing alcohol to get rid of bed bug infestation isn’t a 100 percent strategy against killing these creatures.

Why people don’t depend on alcohol to kill bed bugs

You will have to apply alcohol directly on the bugs

Bed bugs are barely visible to our eyes, making applying alcohol directly on them more challenging. These creatures are “stealth” veterans and will hide in cracks and crevices, which makes the task of eliminating them more difficult, and in most cases, impossible.

Running alcohol isn't an all-round effective tool in killing bed bugs

Alcohol has shown some positive results in eliminating bed bugs but isn't overly effective at wiping out its entire population. Hiring a professional extermination service is the right measure to take against bed bug infestations.

A bed bug infestation is totally avoidable when you follow the right measures. If you ever feel like you’re under a bed bug siege, we’ve got you covered with our 100% effective bed bug elimination services. You can go ahead and give us a call or fill out our contact form.

How To Get Rid Of Summer Ants

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Ever wondered how many ants are on earth? Estimates put the number at about one quadrillion ants, proving these seemingly little creatures to be one of the most successful species on earth. But when they plague your home during the summer, what do you do?

Typically, they either come to have a share of your pie or perhaps looking for a nesting habitat where they can feel at home. But before the invasion, there were a couple of attractions that got their attention.

Getting rid of summer ants is easy if you know the type of ant you’re dealing with and what attracts them.

Five main types of ants are prone to invade your home, and they are:

Carpenter ants
Fire ants
Pavement ants
Little black ants and
Odorous house ants

Carpenter ants are renowned for their woodworking ability. If allowed to continue practicing their innate carpentry talent, your furniture will never be the same again. Fire ants derive joy in eating the roots of your plants in your garden, while the odorous house ant is renowned for the repulsive odor they emit when mashed.

When you identify the ant causing havoc in your home, you’re halfway through getting rid of those nasty pests. So, here are some secret ways you can use to get rid of summer ants.

Eliminate water sources in and around your home

A common attraction as long as ants are concerned is water. They need water to live, just as much as you do. But they have got to go, right? That means ensuring you remove any water source that might attract summer ants to your home.

Get rid of food sources

Ants are hardworking hungry creatures, and they are always on the lookout for foods, especially crumbs left behind on your countertops or outside your home. If you must get rid of summer ants from your home, make it a duty to regularly clean and remove any food source.

Eliminate breeding sites

If you don't want ants partying in your home, crash the party by eliminating potential breeding areas such as overgrown grasses around the house, yard debris, and even old landscape materials. If there is no breeding area in your home, ants will never invade your home cause it will be a futile effort.

Seal Access Points

To get rid of ants, ensure you seal all access points. When you seal all nooks and crannies in your home, you make it evident that they are unwanted.

When you take the appropriate precautions, you can get rid of summer ants from making your house a home. If you suspect you’re already under siege, call or get in contact with us as soon as possible.

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Get rid of mice in your home with natural mouse repellants

Mice can be a nuisance. Not only do they pee and poop around your house and in your walls, but they can contaminate your food, causing your family to become sick. The "new wave" in mouse control is the humane removal or annihilation of the little critters, causing them as little suffering as possible in the course of their removal.

They aren't easy to remove on your own, and sometimes the help of a professional is needed, but here are your best bets for DIY methods of mouse removal and prevention.

Keep your home clean

Mice enter the home not only looking for a warm place to sleep and breed, but a place where they can find food and water as well. By keeping your home clean and free of these things, you will reduce the chances of mice finding their way in.

Make sure to clean up spills and dropped food right away, not letting it linger over night or longer. When there is nothing for them to munch on, you'll find they're less likely to ever enter in the first place.

Keep your food sealed tight

A determined mouse is able to chew right through packaging to create a food source for themselves right in your pantry. This not only keeps them alive and well, but can become a health risk to you and your family if not noticed before consuming the food.

Placing food in containers will keep mice away and prevent existing food from becoming contaminated. Mice like to go after cereals, fruit, grains, pasta, and seeds. Be sure to keep an extra tight eye on these areas.

Seal entry points

Here's a little lesson in mouse anatomy:

Their bodies are made of nothing but soft cartilage. They are able to bend and deform their shape to enter the tiniest gaps and spaces.

Take some time to check your house for any small gaps or openings. Gaps in the walls, roof tiles, and plumbing are all potential entry points for invaders.

You can seal up these spaces using caulk or other sealants you can find at your local hardware store. This will cut off their entry and make it far less likely.

Aside from that, you can use steel wool to block pipes while still letting water get through. Steel wool can't be chewed through and works well being mixed with caulk. Copper wool is a slightly more expensive option but will last longer because it doesn't rust.

Essential oils*

Essential oils are not just good for entering your moment of "zen."

You can also repel pests with them. Mice and most other pests (and animals) have a strong sense of smell. Certain essential oils like peppermint and citrus are especially good at repelling them.

***Be careful if you have pets!

This might not be a good option if you have cats and dogs or other pets around. They share that heightened sense of smell and won't enjoy the use of these oils.

Ultrasonic repellers*

Similar to the way a "silent whistle" works for training your dog, you can get an ultrasonic emitter that will drive mice away.

An ultrasonic repeller emits a sound so high pitch that it is inaudible to humans, but mice and other animals find unbearable.

***This is another product that you're probably best staying away from if you have animals.

Other household items*

There are a couple of things you might already have laying around your house that are good for repelling mice.

Dryer sheets are heavily scented and not attractive to mice and other rodents. Pop a few of them in spaces where you think mice might frequent - cabinets, closets, and trash cans are good places to start.

Ammonia is also a good tool for repelling mice. Fill a water bottle cap up with it and place it in corners of the room or places where you think mice might be entering. It will repel them.

***ammonia can be harmful to pets and children so make sure to use this method with extreme caution!

Mouse Traps

One of the first ever invented ways to get rid of mice, and now considered one of the MOST HUMANE!

A mouse trap is a simple and effective way of annihilating your little home invaders. They come in various different types, but the humane and quick way to go about it is the snap trap.

Glue traps are now known to cause too much suffering for our little furry friends.

Of course, the downside here is having to dispose of them later.

Get a house cat

You shouldn't adopt a pet just to become your personal killing machine, but if you're considering getting a pet, a cat might be a good move for you.

Cats will kill mice wandering around the home and keep new ones from entering at the same time very quickly.

Sometimes they'll even bring it to you as a gift!

Call a specialist

If you try some or all of these options to no avail, you can always call us.

Mice can cause disease and cost you money in contaminated food. They're not pests you can have hanging around with no side-effects.

Contact a certified pest control specialist like ours at Annihilator eX-Termination. Our staff is trained in pest prevention, detection, and elimination.

The Spotted Lanternfly could be coming to New York on our Christmas Trees to destroy NY Parks

Image result for Spotted Lanternfly, a Christmas tree superbug, could destroy New York parks — A group of spotted lantern fly on a tree trunk

The Spotted Lantern-fly is a species of insect that consumes leaves, leaving a Swiss cheese-like destruction behind, often destroying the trees and plants the leaves come from. They can be quite invasive and could be coming to New York City; hitching a ride on Christmas trees that come into the city from other states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The one-inch long Chinese native insect has infested parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, causing quite a few problems there and warranting a $17.5 million budget from the feds to fight the bugs off in PA.

They feed on plants, hopping from plant to plant over a period of time. Their eating pattern is harmful to the plants they feed on and can kill them or damage them beyond repair.

“We haven’t seen too many of them in New York, thank God, but if we do nothing, we will,” he said. “We are very worried that this pesky bug. The Spotted Lanterfly, if nothing is done, could do damage that would light up New York like a Christmas tree.”
US Sen. Chuck Schumer

As you can tell, the problems are pretty rare at the moment. NYC officials are aware and doing whatever is necessary to avoid these bugs turning into a real issue. Hopefully, there shouldn't be many problems with these insects arising in the Staten Island area.

If you do have infestation with lanternflies or any other kind of insect, though, you can call us. We are on call and ready to help you out with any problem you might be having with these flying, leaf munching pests.

Give your backyard foliage a quick look, especially if you had a real Christmas tree this year.