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Educating yourself about pests is one of the best measures to protect yourself and your home from them. A perfect example is termites. Many people don’t think about them until it is too late. However, some simple knowledge and an annual inspection by your pest control professional is a good way to prevent major damage.

The holidays are the time that most of us travel at some point to see our family and friends. For many, that involves a night or more in a hotel. In order to make sure you don’t bring home any unwanted “gifts” from your trip, there are several easy things you can do to check your home away from home for bed bugs.

The first thing to realize is that bed bugs are not exclusive to a certain type of location. They have been found at hotels ranging from economy to upscale so spend a few minutes at the beginning of your stay doing a quick check of your room. The first place to check, and the most obvious, is the bed. You can pull back the comforter and sheets and check by the seams of the mattress. Bed bugs are flat, oval shaped and reddish brown in color. They are visible to the naked eye so if you see any insects matching this description, bring it to the hotel manager’s attention immediately.  Because bed bugs are small and like to hide, you should also look along the bed frame and the nearby baseboard and furniture.

Bed bugs are also nocturnal so it might be tough to catch them out during the day. If that is the case, then there are also other warning signs to look for. One thing to look out for is tiny spots of red blood or black excrement stains on the sheets, comforter or surrounding furniture. This can be a sure sign of infestation. Another thing you may notice is a sweet but unpleasant smell. The last warning sign is something you may realize after it is too late. When bed bugs bite, they often leave itchy welts on the skin. If this happens to you, then you should inform the hotel manager at once.

These few tips will help keep you happy and pest free during this busy holiday season. For any other pest control needs closer to home in the greater Los Angeles are, call the experts at Accuracy Plus at (888) 675-0258 for a free consultation today!

They are only five to seven inches long from the tip of their nose to the end of their tail, but they can cause major problems inside your home. The house mouse is small and slender but destructive. It can spread disease, contaminate food and also destroy property.

House mice are usually light gray and are difficult to keep out of the home because they are able to squeeze through holes the size of a dime. Because of this, it is best to seal all holes, cracks and gaps in the exterior of your home and garage that are larger than a quarter of an inch. Another tip is to install weather stripping at the bottom of all of your exterior doors. There are several other things you can do around the exterior of your home such as removing firewood or debris piles near the foundation and trimming any branches, plants or bushes that hang over your home.

Mice are normally found where water and food sources exist. The kitchen is a common area to see evidence of mice such as droppings. Normally, mice contaminate much more food than they actually consume. To try and avoid this situation, it is best to store all food in secure containers. Small tears and rips in boxes and bags can be a sure sign of a mouse infestation. You should also not let dirty dishes or cooking utensils pile up.

Mice have also been known to carry fleas into the home. Fleas spread various types of diseases such as Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) which causes symptoms such as a headache, fever, chills and muscle aches. It can cause serious infections in people with weakened immune systems and women who are pregnant.

Don’t let the house mouse cause a problem in your home. For a free consultation and estimate, contact your neighborhood Los Angeles pest control professionals at Accuracy Plus today at (888) 675-0258.