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Many home owners are tempted to manage their pest control themselves, and for minor issues this can be the most cost-effective and method.  But there are plenty of good reasons why you should call a professional pest control service and let the experts handle your problem.

First, pest control services see hundreds—even thousands of homes each year.  They have a well-trained eye and lots of experience, which means they can spot trouble when it’s just starting.  It is always less expensive in the long run to take care of a pest problem before it gets out of hand, but the average person isn’t always sure what to look out for.  Most pest control services will offer a very cost-effective service where they regularly come out to treat and inspect your property as a way to prevent pests and let you know of any problems that might be on the horizon.

Another reason is that pest control services are so valuable is that they know how to handle the chemicals used in their work.  Many accidents happen around the house, and a lot of them involved the misuse and mishandling of common chemicals.  A pest control service will have knowledge and access to the most effective new pesticides on the market and will know how to use them without going overboard and putting your family and pet at risk.

Finally, a pest control service saves you time.  The vast majority of home owners work all week and the last thing they want to do is work on the house all weekend.  A professional pest control service will take care of your pest issues, help you protect your investment and do all the work so that you can enjoy the time you have off to yourself. 

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

If you’ve been considering a new career, you may want to look in to pest control services.  There are several positions that you can hold within the pest control industry—from administrative to customer service—but almost everyone who works in pest control must have some of the same characteristics.

The first thing you’ll need is people skills.  Knowing how to communicate with the client, listen to their concerns, and keep up a professional relationship with them is the bread and butter of pest control services.  Often the householder is busy and stressed out, and their pest problem is just one more thing they have to worry about.  If you can make them feel relaxed and confident that the problem is being handled, you are in the right business.

Another important trait to have in pest control is creative problem solving.  Each home is different, and each family is different.  There’s no cookie-cutter method for pest control.  Rather, you must be able to look at each unique circumstance and come up with a plan tailored to the family which takes into consideration all of their needs. 

Finally, anyone who works in pest control must be passionate about learning.  There is so much learning that can be used in your career in pest control and if you make it a point to be finding out something new all the time, you will stand out among your competitors.

Pest control services are an important part of modern society.  We help control the spread of disease and keep families healthy and safe.  It can be challenging but rewarding work.  If you’re considering a job in pest control, why not sit down with someone who already works in the industry and talk to them about their job.  Chances are good that they will be happy to share their views with you—and you’ll get a clear picture of what to expect.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection-or to find out about careers in pest control , give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

Scorpions are one of the most dangerous household pests. While most scorpions are not deadly, they can still cause a lot of pain to people and pets when they sting.   There are more than 90 species of scorpions that live in the U.S., most of which live in the western half of the country.  They are most prevalent in the southwestern states like Arizona and New Mexico.

The scorpion is an arachnid like the spider.  It has eight legs and an elongated body with a long tail which arches backwards over the top of the scorpion.  Colors range between reddish brown, blue, yellow and even black.  They average around 2 inches.

Scorpions are nocturnal and will come out to hunt at night.  They eat spiders and other insects, but the larger species will even go after small rodents, lizards or snakes.  The female scorpion will usually kill and eat the male after mating.  Once the female scorpion lays her eggs it can be up to a year before the 25-35 eggs hatch.  The average scorpion can live up to five years but certain species can live up to fifteen years.

Obviously you’d do well to prevent scorpions from getting inside, especially if you have pets and small children.  Be sure to keep the bushes and trees outside your home trimmed, and install weather stripping around your doors and windows.  Do not store firewood inside the house, and repair any cracks or openings to the fascia of your home.  You can also spray around the outside of your home to create a chemical barrier that scorpions will not cross.

The scorpion is a nasty critter who doesn’t want to go quietly.  He’ll put up a fight if you try to evict him from your cozy home.  Keep yourself and your family safe from scorpions by calling a professional pest control service to come about and get rid of your existing scorpions—as well as devise a plan to prevent them from coming back.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

You may have started to see traces of a rodent infestation on your property and you are considering the best way to manage it.  There is a lot of information out there on rodent pest control, but take care that you are getting your information from a trusted, professional source.  There are many myths about rodent infestations which you should know about before you decide on a course of action.

For one thing, many people believe that rodents will go outside to die after they eat rat poison.  In fact, there is no guarantee this will happen.  Rat poison usually causes death in these creatures within two weeks of them consuming it, so you have no way of knowing where they will be when it finally hits them.  It is entirely possible that they will end up dying in their nests or in the passageways of your walls an attic.

Another common myth perpetuated by Saturday morning cartoons is that cheese is the best rodent bait.  Mice will actually prefer seeds, peanut butter, fruit and even meat.  You can even use nesting materials like cotton balls or tiny fabric scraps which will attract females who are preparing a nest.

Some people also believe that if they have pets like cats and dogs, these will take care of any rodent problems.  But mice and rats are far too intelligent for your pets—and they’ll simply travel inside the walls or in places that your pet can’t get at them.

Finally, many people think that having rodents is a sign of poor sanitation.  This is just not true.  Rodents will move in and make a home anywhere they find an opportunity. The only thing they need to make themselves at home is shelter with access to food and water.  That could be almost anywhere—even in your home.  Remember to keep your trash containers sealed closed and keep your food sealed up as well.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

Imagine–you come downstairs, flip on the light and your heart stops:  it’s a cockroach!  The first thing that goes through your mind is how to kill it.  But you may also feel a little ashamed of having a roach in your house.  Cockroaches are often associated with dirty areas, and you may take a lot of pride in the way you keep your home.  But the reality is that cockroaches can show up anywhere.

Roaches are one of the most invasive and hard to kill species on the face of the earth.  They may travel outward from their nest in search of food which can be anything they come across on the floor or countertops including your pet’s food.  That’s why one of the most important ways to prevent cockroaches is keeping all food and trash sealed in airtight.

Once they get in your home, cockroaches can be very difficult to get rid of.  They are fast and difficult to catch, and they are nocturnal which means you won’t see them once the lights come on.  They make their nests inside the walls of your home or in areas that may be impossible to reach.

Cockroaches can be killed with poison traps and prevented by spraying around the perimeter of your home and its entry ways.  These poisons can be hazardous so it can be well worth your effort to call a professional pest control service to come to your home.  These services are well trained to use only the correct amount of poison for your home’s square footage and your pest problem. 

Most importantly, you don’t want to pretend that you didn’t see that cockroach that just crawled across your floor.  You have absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about.  Cockroaches can move in and thrive even in the best homes.  The best way to make sure you get rid of them for good is to call a professional pest control service and take care of your problem once and for all.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

Pigeons are fun when they’re in the park but when they move on to your property they can become a serious nuisance.  They can be noisy, messy and can create structural damage to your home if they move in to the crooks and crannies of your roof or windows.  They are notorious for leaving dirty droppings all over the place and can also carry diseases which may spread to your family or pets.  If you notice a pigeon problem starting on your property, it’s best to nip it in the bud.

The very best way to control pigeons is to exclude them.  That means cleaning out the areas on your home where they have built nests or could potentially start to build them.  Once those areas are cleaned, you can place simple and inexpensive wire mesh or netting around them to prevent the birds from coming back.  The other important thing to remember about controlling pigeons is that if you feed them, they will come.  Make sure you don’t have ready sources of snacks for them around your home or getting rid of them will be an impossible task.

You can try to set up pigeon prevention in your home, or you can call a professional pest control service.  Professionals can take care of your home’s exterior quickly and efficiently with minimal cost simply because they have the experience.  They can also help you spot other problem areas and advise you about additional concerns that they spot while working on your property.

You may be busy with work, school and everything else that your life has going on—but if you continue to put off dealing with your pigeon problem it will only get worse.  You don’t want to risk damage to your property or your family’s health and safety.  For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

Many people become obsessed with getting rid of every bug they come across on their property, but the reality is that there are many kinds of insects that can actually be beneficial to have around.  Granted, you may not want them in your house, but out in the garden they can help maintain the health of the flora and fauna.  The most common beneficial insects for your garden include:

• Lady Bugs – not only are they cute, but they eat aphids, mites, whiteflies and scale.  You can attract them to your garden if you plant yarrow or daisies.
• Lacewings – These flies eat aphids and their larva as well as other kinds of garden pests.  They can be attracted by planting flowers such as goldenrod, black-eyed susans, asters, and yarrow.  
• Praying Mantis – Praying mantis eggs can be purchased online and placed in your garden and will quickly grow to adulthood.  Mantis’ will eat all kinds of garden pests and make for gentle, interesting garden guests.
• Nematodes – Nematodes are microscopic creatures that are beneficial for controlling cutworms, beetles and root weevil larvae.  You can buy their eggs and apply them to the soil in your garden. 
• Hover Flies – Hover fliers also eat aphids, and they are attracted to the same types of plants that Lacewings are. 

All of these insects are completely safe for people and pets to be around.  You can either attempt to attract them naturally to your garden by growing plants they like, or you can buy them online (or through catalogues) and place them in your garden yourself.  You’ll find that your garden thrives when you use beneficial insects to control pests.  And you’ll also find that maintaining your garden can be a lot easier with the help of a few thousand little critters.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

Bedbugs went “underground” for several decades, disappearing from the average American household.  Only recently have they seen resurgence.  They are annoying little critters which make their home in your furniture, bedding, carpets, tapestries and other furnishings.  During the night while you sleep, they come out and feed on your blood.  One of the most common signs of bedbugs, then, is tiny blood spots on your bed linens.  You’ll also notice small, itchy bumps on your skin that are an allergic reaction to being bitten.

The best way to get rid of bed bugs is to not get them in the first place.  Bed bug prevention is fairly simple but you should be thorough:

• Inspect the items you bring into your house, especially if you like to buy second-hand or antique items.  Even if it looks clean, bed bugs survive by hanging out in cracks and crevices, so make sure you go through any new furnishings with a fine tooth comb before you bring it inside.
• There are specific bed bug protection covers made of plastic that you can buy, especially if you have regular guests or have other people house sitting for you on a regular basis.
• Even if you’ve had the same furnishings for years, it’s still a good idea to inspect it regularly (including wall hangings and art) to make sure no bed bugs have made themselves comfortable there.

If you find that your bed bug prevention has failed and you actually have bed bugs in your home, your best bet is to get a professional pest control service to come in and diagnose your problem.  They will be able to give you recommendations for managing your infestation and preventing further incidents.  Remember, having bed bugs is not a reflection of you or of your personal cleanliness.  Anyone can end up with bed bugs in their house, so don’t hesitate to call someone right away to help you get rid of them.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com

Bees and Hornets are extremely dangerous and treating them should be done with great care.  Remember that any time you attempt to engage with bees or hornets you run the risk of being attacked, so if you see a hive or nest on your property you should think long and hard about how you want to handle it before you do anything.

Even if you are only going to inspect the hive, try to do so at night when the insects are less likely to be active.  You should also wear protective clothing including light colored overalls, gloves with high sleeves, and a hat with a secure veil.   However, unless you have been specifically trained to handle bees or hornets, it is not wise to poke around much at all.

You have two options for removing them from your property.  First, find out if there is a local beekeeper who would be willing to come out and transfer the hive to their property.  There are many small honey producing beekeepers who may be interested in acquiring a new colony.  These individuals are experienced in handling bees and will have the equipment needed to remove them safely from your property.

The other option is to call a professional pest control service.  Obviously they will have to kill the bees, but if there is no other option for disposing of them, it is certainly a better option that putting your family at risk for serious injury.  A professional pest control service will also be trained in handling these creatures safely. 

Remember, if you have any known allergy to bee or hornet stings, or if you aren’t sure you are allergic do not risk going anywhere near a hive or colony.  Call for help immediately and stay safe!  For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com