A recent study conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the University of Kentucky found that bed bug infestations are on the rise in many types of dwellings, including college settings. In fact, 54 percent of pest professionals surveyed had treated bed bug infestations in college dorms in 2011.

“Bed bugs are known for their uncanny hitchhiking abilities, so students returning to school should inspect their belongings and living area thoroughly before they unpack,” said J.R. Feagles, a customer care representative at Lloyd Pest Control. “If anything suspicious is found, we recommend immediately contacting a university facility manager.”

Experts at the NPMA offer these additional tips to help prevent bed bugs from becoming an unwanted college roommate:

1. Fully inspect your suitcases prior to re-packing for a return to school, especially if you have traveled during the summer. Be sure that any clothes that may have been previously packed in the suitcases have been washed and dried in hot temperatures.

2. Before putting your sheets on your dormitory bed, inspect the mattress seams, particularly at the corners, for telltale stains or spots. Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking, including behind the headboard and in sofas/chairs.

3. If you are considering bringing “secondhand” furniture to campus, properly inspect it to insure that a pest problem, such as bed bugs, is not the reason for its “secondhand” status. If you see anything suspect, do not bring it to campus.

The post Prevent Bed Bugs from Going Back to School first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.

Most people associate stinging insects with the hot summer months, but as the cooler weather approaches, people still need to be aware of the dangers posed by yellow jackets, bees and wasps. If provoked, these pests can sting repeatedly, which increases the potential for skin irritation or a serious allergic reaction.”

Experts at the National Pest Management Association, a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property from household pests, recommend that homeowners inspect their properties frequently for signs of an infestation. Common stinging insect nesting sites include under eaves, on ceiling beams in attics, garages and sheds, and under porches.

Follow these tips to avoid being stung:

1. Wear shoes, especially in grassy areas.

2. Keep windows and doors properly screened.

3. When dining outside, keep food covered until ready to eat.

4. Remove garbage frequently and keep trashcans covered.

5. Overseed grassy areas to get better coverage, as this will deter ground-nesting insects.

6. Do not swat at a stinging insect as it increases the likelihood of an aggressive reaction.

7. Seek immediate medical attention if stung, as reactions can be severe.

Attempting to remove a nest or hive without the help of a professional can be extremely dangerous. It’s important to contact someone with proper training to rid the property of these pests.”

For more information on stinging insects, give us a call at 1-800-BAD-BUGS.

The post Stinging Insects Thrive in Autumn first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.

How to Identify Fire Ants:

• Fire ants vary in size ranging from 1/16^th of an inch to 1/5^th of an inch in length.
• Fire ants have a dark reddish-brown hue
• These insects build dirt mounds that can eclipse 12 inches in height and diameter, stretching up to 5 feet below the soil!

Behavior “The Telltale Signs”:

• Fire ants are very aggressive and territorial in regard to their colony
• One way to determine if a mound houses fire ants is by taking a long object and stirring the soil nearby with extreme caution. If they fervently climb or “attack” the object, they are most likely fire ants.

Are Fire Ants Harmful?

• Fire ants possess venom that causes your skin to swell into a bump
• Stings often bring a burning sensation, hence the name “fire ant”

How to Treat a Fire Ant Sting:

• When stung, elevate the affected area and keep it clean
• Do not scratch the irritated area because this may lead to infection.
• Some individuals are highly allergic to venom. If you are stung and experience chest pain, nausea, loss of breath, or other severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Why and Where are They in my Yard?

• Fire ants feed on sprouting seeds or plants, tiny or dead animals, as well as damaged plant life.
• They can often be found near moist areas, under boulders, brick piles, and woodpiles.

How to Prevent Fire Ants

Being a potentially harmful invader, these ants are a fire you don’t want to mess with. If you see a  mound on your property, contact your local ant control company to professionally eradicate these relentless colonial dwellers.

If you are a resident of Southern California and suspect a fire ant infestation in your yard, contact Lloyd Pest Control to recommend a course of treatment.

The post How to Prevent and Treat Fire Ants first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.

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Allow us to explain:

Today, responsible pest control operators view themselves as guardians of the environment. Nowadays, we seek ways to minimize applications of pesticides, instead opting for highly targeted products that avoid collateral damage to your living area and to our community. We seek to find each pest’s specific Kryptonite. We have learned that no matter how super the bug is, there exists a unique element that will take it down.

Sound like science fiction?

Think about chocolate. You like it, right? (If not, I fear this relationship won’t work out.) You eat it. It makes you smile. What happens if a dog eats it? No more dog.

Think about salt. You eat salt. But you wouldn’t feed it to your pet snail.

This is the mentality we apply to creating new pest control applications.

When we treat for ants, for example, we use the same chemical that pet owners across the nation apply directly to the necks of their dogs and cats to protect against fleas.

When we treat for roaches, we apply a dime-sized dab of our Next Gen roach gel baits. It looks like toothpaste. In fact, if you were to put the gel in your mouth it would actually be less toxic than the toothpaste you currently use every day (no brightening, though… sorry.). But to cockroaches, these gels mean lights-out.

Beyond physical products, our technicians are dedicated to precluding pests from entering your home. We determine why the pests are attracted, and we look for ways to seal off their access. Is there a leaky faucet causing ants to congregate there? Are there openings in and around your attic that serve as the perfect door for rodents?

Over the counter, do-it-yourself (DIY)   products like Black Flag and Raid can be so much worse for your family, your pets, and the environment. These types of products introduce airborne pesticides into your living space. And contrary to popular usage standards, the safe serving size is NOT the whole can!

The products and strategies that we apply to homes are the same ones that we use every single day in hospitals, day care centers, veterinarian offices – even the San Diego Zoo.

Want more history?

Pest control in 2011 is not your grandfather’s exterminatin’ of yesteryear.

A variety of ideals and evolving treatments options have converged to make pest control a truly safe option for people looking for ways to protect their homes from invading pests.

“But they were here first,” comes a familiar protest from people who think that preserving invasive species is best for the environment.

But no; and they weren’t here first. Humans brought them. Norwegian rats don’t belong here. German and Oriental cockroaches don’t belong here. Africanized honey bees don’t belong here. Argentine ants don’t belong here.

In fact, Argentine ants, the predominant species in Southern California, have been called an “ecological disaster,” by biologists and ecologists. The Argentine ant has displaced the native species and wreaked havoc on a scale previously unseen in our region.

So how do we get rid of these pests that have taken hold? In the old days, the answer was too often found in chemicals. And the more, the better. Now,  as responsible pest control operators, we use a targeted approach to pest control, making pest control safe for your family and pets.

If you ever have any specific concerns, we are always happy to share Manufacturer Safety Data Sheets (MSDS and labels) so that your vet or your doctor can vouch for the continued the safety and security of your environment.

The post Is pest control safe? first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.