How Can I Prevent Spiders From Entering My Birmingham, AL Home?

How Can I Prevent Spiders From Entering My Birmingham, AL Home?

Spiders usually make webs, and they are hard to see. Walking into them isn’t fun, especially since they’re so gummy and may have pests stuck to them. This is just one reason why people don’t like these pests. They have menacing appearances and features, with their bevy of beady eyes and sharp fangs. Worst of all, they have venom. One bite can have you in pain or hospitalized.

Typically, spiders in your Birmingham home are nothing to be alarmed about. Many species are tame. However, it’s also possible for a medically dangerous black widow or brown recluse to be around. They plague much of North America. Learn more about their perils and how you can deter them with help from Superior Pest Management.

What Spiders Are Common in Birmingham? What Are the Risks?

Black widow and brown recluse spiders are two of the species present in the region. Black widows are very shiny and 0.12 of an inch long. Males may be 0.39 of an inch at the largest. Females, on the other hand, can be 0.51 of an inch. On their stomachs is a red shape akin to an hourglass. Being outdoor bugs, they surround thick grass, wood, and organic debris. If they run low on food or the weather is uncomfortable, they’ll seek shelter in your home. Spaces that are dim and settled will be most attractive to them—for example, closets, garages, and basements. You’ll be exposed to neurotoxins if you’re bitten. Black widows consume fellow pests, so they’re a clue to a broader problem.

Brown recluses are as you imagine; brown or tan. They are generally 0.50 of an inch long. A light violin-like mark is on their abdomens. Look for this when trying to differentiate them from similar spiders. When they come out of piles of natural matter, they’ll go after critters to feed. In domiciles and establishments, they’ll be in dark and still places. Attics, sheds, cabinets, crawlspaces, and cellars are often rife with them. Should you see the bugs, they’re liable to scurry off in a hurry on their long and scrawny legs. They procreate quickly. You’ll have lesions, fever, and nausea following a bite.

Both of these spiders have these things in common:

• Medical attention is required with bites

• They are nocturnal pests

• Spotting one verifies an infestation

• Floor corners, firewood, and furniture are where you can find them

What Can Be Done to Prevent Birmingham Spiders?

To make sure spiders stay away, you’ll have to maintain rigorous cleaning practices. You’ll also have to pay more attention to your exteriors. This will keep the pests that they target out of your home. Take these steps:

• Patch up holes in windows, doors, and foundations.

• Ensure sweeps and screens are intact.

• Have leaks and moisture fractures repaired as soon as possible.

• Use a dehumidifier or turn on the air conditioner to regulate warmth.

• Put food and trash in canisters with secure lids.

• Get webs up with a broom.

• Sweep, vacuum, and dust on a routine basis.

• Reduce all clutter.

• Mow the lawn and trim the greenery regularly. Discard yard debris.

• Place wood and plants at least two feet away from the property.

• Scan storage items and logs before bringing them indoors.

• Contact Superior Pest Management if you have critters that spiders eat.

How Will Superior Pest Management Handle Birmingham Spiders?

Retail pesticides won’t do the trick for a spider infestation. Just single bugs here and there will expire. Shelf goods can be noxious as well. The expert technicians at Superior Pest Management will use safe industrial-grade solutions. Our treatments include interior and exterior avenues, perimeter barriers, de-webbing, de-nesting, and more. Call 205-462-7001 today for a free inspection!

What Everyone In Birmingham Should Know About Mosquito Bites

What Everyone In Birmingham Should Know About Mosquito Bites

Mosquitoes are somewhat small flying insects with a thin body, antennae, and three pairs of long legs. Both male and female mosquitoes ordinarily consume plant-derived materials and juices, as well as nectar. The females also will bite and pierce the skin to consume blood, which provides them the necessary protein for reproduction. Mosquitoes begin reproducing by laying eggs that live in pools of standing water. Mosquitoes are well-known for becoming a major nuisance among those who are engaging in outdoor activities, including hiking or having a picnic, and are also harmful carriers and spreaders of many diseases.

How Dangerous Are Mosquitoes?

Humans that are bitten by mosquitoes are exposed to their saliva, which contains the many pathogens they carry. While most humans experience a relatively minor skin condition that is itchy and rash-like, others may face much more dangerous consequences. These pests are known carriers of the West Nile virus, Zika virus, dengue fever, malaria, and a host of other problems.

Many people require medical attention following a mosquito bite, and these insects are believed to be responsible for thousands of fatalities throughout the world each year. Mosquitoes may bite their host several times, and although it is less likely, they can bite and pierce the skin through clothing. Many local communities now have a mosquito control program that involves using vehicles to circulate and spread an agent that limits the population.

Best Ways To Avoid And Deter Mosquitoes

• During the warmest summer months, limit outdoor activity during the hours near dusk and dawn when these pests are most active.

• Limit your skin’s exposure by wearing long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants, and apply insect repellant to other uncovered areas.

• Prevent mosquitoes from entering your home by properly maintaining window and door screens, and other possible entry points.

• Do not allow standing water to gather in flower pots, kiddie pools, old tires, and other items throughout the yard where mosquitoes are likely to lay eggs.

• Regularly change the water in bird baths, and use moderate amounts of water in gardens and flower beds.

• Properly maintain gutter systems to ensure they are allowing water to flow away from the home.

Do I Need A Licensed Professional Pest Controller?

Some local property owners find themselves misled into trying do-it-yourself home treatment options, such as aerosol sprays, granular concentrated formulas, and fogging systems that are sensationalized as being a quick and easy solution. Others will attempt to use far-fetched natural home remedies, including herbs, essential oils, and candles that claim to repel mosquitoes. The reality is that these products are generally ineffective, and will likely prolong your aggravation.

The best way of responding to pest intrusions is by making contact with a local professional that will conduct a thorough inspection of the premises, and develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Having the proper tools, equipment, and latest pest-control products is critical to achieving success. Also, we are committed to using treatment options that are safe for you, and the local environment.

Leading Pest Removal Company In Birmingham

Did you know that the team of experienced professionals at Superior Pest Management is certified in Alabama and Tennessee and has spent many years achieving results for customers? Our technicians are well-equipped for fully eradicating intrusions by wasps, bed bugs, termites, and many other undesirable and potentially dangerous invaders.

We have recently developed enhancements in our Mosquito Reduction Service program that ensures positive results. Contact our local office today at 205-462-7001 to schedule a full interior and exterior property inspection, and an estimate that involves no obligation.

The Best Termite Protection For Your Birmingham, AL Property

The Best Termite Protection For Your Birmingham, AL Property

One of the homeowners’ worst nightmares, termites have long been a source of quiet destruction for property owners the world over. Though they do have many environmental benefits and are a vital part of many ecosystems, that doesn’t mean you want to roll out the welcome mat and have these voracious six-legged devils devouring your walls. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to keep that from happening. Let’s take a look.

Benefits Of Termites

As we said above, termites are actually a vital part of the environment. One of the termites’ most important jobs is the decomposition of dead trees. Termites eat cellulose, so they make their homes either inside dead logs or the soil around them for easy access to food. When they digest wood, termites excrete nutritious waste that goes back into the soil, fertilizing it for future generations of trees.

Termites also provide nutritious food for many animals. Arthropods like centipedes, scorpions, and spiders, as well as vertebrates like lizards, frogs, toads, rodents, and birds all, consume termites. These animals, in turn, provide food for larger predators. That means termites are one of the building blocks of the food chain without which many species might not survive.

Dangers Of Termites

Despite all their benefits, termites are also destructive little denizens. Because they eat wood, they can and often do consume one of the most vital parts of your house: its support frame. Termites also can destroy other components of your home, such as door and window frames, decks, railing, stairs, and molding. If left unchecked, termite colonies will proliferate, creating multiple satellite nests near the site of the original and exponentially increasing the amount of damage the infestation does.

Signs Of Termite Infestation

One of the worst things about termites (besides the havoc they can wreak on your home, that is) is the fact that you might not ever see them. Termites rarely leave their nests for anything other than reproduction, so that means you can have an infestation for months or even years before you recognize there’s a problem. In that time, termites will often have quietly done a significant amount of damage. That means you need to be vigilant for signs of termites. These include:

• Wood rot that looks like water damage

• Visible tunnels in wood

• Rustling sounds inside walls

• Walls that sound hollow

• Pinholes in walls

• Carton/frass – a mix of termite droppings and sawdust

• Wood damage like warped floors/walls/ceilings or doors and windows that don’t fit their frames anymore

Another termite sign that could signal you have a major established infestation is a termite swarm. To make satellite nests, mature termite colonies send out winged reproductive males and females called alates. The job of the alates is to pair off, mate, and create new nests where they’ll produce the next generations of workers, soldiers, and alates.

To find a mate, alates will swarm by the hundreds or even thousands. If you see a swarm, it’ll be obvious because you’ll see large clusters of small, dark insects with long, white wings. If you miss the swarm, there will still be signs that it happened. Piles of discarded long, veiny wings indicate that a swarm recently took place.

What To Do About Termites

If you see any of the signs of termites, it’s important to contact a professional right away. Termites do so much damage that they’re not a pest you should risk trying to handle yourself. The good news is, we’ve got all the latest tools and techniques for termite termination right here at Superior Pest Management. We can help you get rid of any termite infestation, no matter its size, and ensure it stays gone for good. So give us a call at (205) 462-7001 or visit our contact page to schedule your service today!