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Your home’s attic can be a safe haven for pests looking for shelter from the elements outside.  Even the smallest opening from your roof can let it any number of critters including squirrels, rats and mice, and birds.  Not only is it worrisome to have animals move in and start breeding in remote areas of your home but it can also be extremely aggravating as you try to fall asleep with the sound of scurrying above your head each night.

It’s important to regularly examine the perimeter of your home including the attic, all windows and vents, your chimney and any other area that looks like it could be an entry point.   Seal these locations up or repair them to ensure wild animals can’t get in.  You may also want to keep your tree limbs trimmed so animals don’t have a convenient way to get on to your rooftop.

If you do happen to get an unwelcome visitor in your attic, you’ll have to act before it starts breeding or damages the walls and ceiling.  These creatures are notoriously hard to catch, so it might be worth your while to call a pest control service that has experience with just these kinds of challenges.  Not only will a reputable service be able to track down and trap your pest, they will have excellent suggestions for future prevention as well.

The attic is a common hideout for pests of all kinds, and because few of us go up there on a regular basis, long periods of time can pass before you notice trouble.  We always recommend inspecting your entire property each season to keep alert to potential problems.

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

Your pet is not just some cute creature you let hang around the house—he or she is a part of your family.   You want to protect your pet from any harm that might befall them, including removing poisonous plants, dangerous wires, and choking hazards from their reach.  But what about pesticides?  Many people continue to use these chemicals without considering how they might affect Fido or Fluffy.

While some pesticides are developed specifically for use with your pets to control things like ticks and fleas, other formulations that are used for controlling ants, roaches or rodents may actually be dangerous to them.  How can you protect your pet from these chemicals?  Whether you are using a pesticide you’ve bought at the store or you’ve hired a pest control service, keep these tips in mind:

• Before you begin applying pesticides, remove your pets from the area until you are finished.  During the pesticide application, remove their toys, food, and bedding from the area.
• Read the directions on the label and follow them precisely.
• Bring your pets back into the area only after the pesticide is dry and the area has been ventilated.
• When using baited traps, make sure you place them in areas that your pet cannot reach.
• Avoid secondary poisoning:  a pet being poisoned by eating a pest that has previously been poisoned.
• Discuss your concerns with your pest control provider and find out what options you have that will best accommodate your pet and the rest of your family.

If by some chance you fear your pet has managed to get into some pesticides, do not hesitate to call your veterinarian’s office immediately.  These kinds of chemicals can be fatal to small animals, and even larger pets may sustain injury by ingesting them. 

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

The wet, rainy spring showers that we’re experiencing this spring may be a blessing for your garden, but they can also inspire pests to seek a dry haven in your home.  Rodents, beetles, hornets and bees, spiders, rickets, cockroaches and ants are all common outdoor vermin that will move in and get comfortable when the weather turns wet.  Additionally, the increase in moisture outside provides insects with flourishing food sources and the water they need to reproduce or expand their colonies. 

As the weather changes it’s a good idea to review your pest control procedures and preventions to make sure you are ready to meet the challenges of the coming season.  Make sure you have done a complete examination of the perimeter of your house and checked for entry points including grates, windows and other spots where wear and tear may have made it easy for curious critters to get inside your walls, floors and attic.  Look for anything that looks out of place such as scratch marks, droppings, or prints in the dirt.

You’ll also want to talk to a professional pest control service about setting traps or baits if you have a history of infestations.  Pest control professionals can sit down with you and give you a complete picture of what to look out for and which specific pests are in your area.  They can help you get rid of existing pests, and set up a system for pest prevention which changes with the seasons.

Prevention is always the best way to solve a pest problem.  Home owners can rely on companies like Accuracy Plus California to keep their property pest-free despite the changes throughout the year.   Their experience and specialized equipment will end up saving you money and time in the long run. For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

There are hundreds of different types of pests for which you may need to call a pest control service:  insects, rodents, snakes, spiders or anything else that moves into your home uninvited and takes over (although not necessarily your mother-in-law).  While pests are generally creepy and un-cuddly, the reason the homeowners are so keen to get rid of pests is the damages these critters can cause.

The first kind of damage pests can cause is financial.  The costs associated with pest damage to your property can end up in the thousands of dollars when it comes to termites.  Other pests may not affect the structural integrity of your home, but cause serious aesthetic damage that will affect the resale value.  In fact, every kind of pest does its own economic damage that far exceeds the costs of regular pest control. 

The second type of damage done by pests is medical, or damages to health.  At the very least they can make your living area unsanitary, but many pests also carry diseases some of which can result in serious, life-threatening illness.  As if medical problems were not enough, the sad truth is that this also results in economic damage because of the high costs associated with health care and lost work that can result when you are recovering from illness.

Each year there are millions of dollars of damages done by pests, affecting personal homes and businesses across America.  Even if you’re willing to put up with the nuisance, you must consider whether the damages to your property are worth forgoing pest control services.  After all, for a nominal fee you can have a professional pest control company customize a pest control program to treat current pest problems, and help protect your family and your property from future infestations.

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

Just because the snow is falling doesn’t mean you can give your pest control efforts a rest.  Pests can thrive in winter months simply because they find shelter in your home.  That means you have to be diligent year-round to be sure rodents and insects are not getting cozy alongside your family during the cold months.

Insects like cockroaches and ants cannot survive outside when it freezes.  So if you want to keep them out of your home, you need to make sure any entry points into your house are sealed.  A thorough inspection of your property—inside and out—will reveal cracks and crevices which can welcome tiny critters inside.  Fill all these holes or repair cracks with caulking or spackle.  You may need to consult with a handyman about the best way to make repairs, but in the long run it will save your property and your money.  Outside, make sure you keep your trees and bushes trimmed and woodpiles cleared.  Insects can use those as a pathway into your house.

You’ll also want to be sure that you keep your home interior clean and free from crumbs or other food lying on countertops or the floor.  Make sure your garbage is sealed and emptied regularly.  In your pantry, keep your food in containers with air-tight lids and make sure any open packages are clipped shut.

When it comes to rodents, you’ll also want to patch holes in the roof or attic to make sure squirrels, rats and mice don’t make it in.  Store any materials that could be used for “nesting” in airtight containers.  This can include yard clippings, pillows and furniture cushions in your garage.   If you are planning to go out of town for the holidays, make sure you have everything secured before you go.  

Protect your home from wintertime pests by making a seasonal routine of preparing your home before the cold weather hits.  Don’t hesitate to call a pest control service if you suspect you are have some uninvited guests.  Most professional pest services will help you eliminate your current pest problem and assist you in identifying problem areas for the future.  For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

If you are a restaurant owner, one of the most important parts of maintaining your space is ensuring that you remain pest-free.  Aside from sanitation issues, there is your reputation to consider.  Even a single rodent or cockroach can cause your patrons to think less of your establishment, and they will tell others about it, too.  The overall impact on your business can be devastating.

To keep your property free of pests, the first thing you need to do is have a regular self-inspection.  It’s also a good idea to make sure your staff knows what to look for and have them keep their eyes open for anything that could signify an infestation.  The earlier you can address a pest problem, the more likely you’ll be to eliminate it. 

Create a checklist that you and your managers can use to identify pests, droppings, tracks and other evidence–and keep a record of your findings.   Your checklist can even include a map of the facility where you can easily mark areas where you’ve found problems.  Be sure your staff has flashlights so that they can be thorough and look in cracks, pipes, or crevices where pests can remain hidden.

Once you’ve determined you have a pest problem, you don’t want to hesitate calling a professional pest control service.  Your restaurant’s reputation may be on the line, so find an experienced company as soon as possible and make sure they have other restaurant clients.  Be sure to take the time to interview with a representative and find out specifics about how often they visit and what exactly is covered under your contract. 

In addition to hiring someone to remove and control pests, you also want to consider making improvements in your facility which can help prevent future infestations.  If you are leasing your space, make a thorough list of the issues you find and bring it to the attention of your landlord.  If you own your space, be sure to have a maintenance schedule that includes making repairs, sealing openings in floors and ceilings, and keeping the food preparation areas clean and free of refuse.

Pest control is simply part of owning a restaurant, so don’t start to panic if you find you have a problem.  Rather, look for a way to take care of it quickly and think ahead to prevent future issues.  For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

Choosing a pest control service is an important decision.  The service you choose is going to be a partner with you in protecting your investment.  But deciding on a pest control service requires more than just opening the phone book and calling an ad that appears trustworthy.  Here is a list of things to consider when choosing your pest control service:

• Find out if the service you are considering is licensed by your state.  You can ask them for proof of their licensure as well as their insurance during your vetting process.
• Call the Better Business Bureau and your city’s Chamber of Commerce to find out if the company you are considering is a member of either, and to learn whether or not they have had any complaints lodged against them.
• Ask the service if they have any customer referrals or references that you can contact about their service.  If they provide you with a list, be sure to call and ask specific questions about their rates, dependability, and overall quality of work.
• Find out about the different types of services that are provided and what type of schedule they offer.  Find out if you can call for unscheduled visits if unexpected issues arise, and whether there is an additional charge for these visits.
• Consider how the company’s representative was when you met with him or her.  Did they dress and behave professionally?  Did they answer your questions thoroughly and were they willing to take the time to discuss your issues, or did they seem in a hurry?
• Is their contract clear, easy to understand, and fair?  Before you sign anything, be sure to read through the entire contract and ask questions if you think something doesn’t look right.  A professional service will not be impatient or brush off your concerns when it comes to the contract.

If you live in the Los Angeles area, call Accuracy Plus California at 888-675-0258 for a free pest inspection or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

While ridding your home of pests may be a priority, you never want to do so at the risk of harm to the people living there.  Pest control often relies on chemicals, poisons and traps which can be lethal if they are not managed properly.  To make sure your pest control efforts are not a danger to your family, remember the following tips:

1. Keep pesticides out of reach of children and pets
   It sounds like a no-brainer, but it bears repeating:  keep all chemicals and poisons out of reach of children and pets by putting them on a high shelf or locked in a cabinet. 
2. Make sure bottles and containers are stored properly
   Keep your pesticides sealed tightly and the bottles cleaned.  Store them out of sunlight to avoid any reactions. 
3. Use the right project for the job
   If you have a rodent problem, don’t just use a can of roach spray you have lying around.  These poisons are formulated to work with specific kinds of pets, and by not using the right product for the job you risk exacerbating your problem or inhumanely torturing the animals before you have a chance to exterminate them.
4. Use products as recommended
   Follow the instructions on your pesticides and traps to the letter.  Don’t use extra poison just because you think it’ll be a little more effective, or put chemicals in areas of your home that are not recommended by the manufacturer.  You can risk overexposure to these poisons or contaminating other parts of your home which may result in health issues for your family.
5. Go natural when possible
   There are many excellent natural, organic products on the market these days which can minimize the chemicals your family are exposed to when eliminating pests.  If you are using a pest control service, be sure to ask them about natural pest control and whether it is available in your area.
6. Call a professional
   After a certain point you may need to call in a professional.  If your best effort in treating your pests does not seem to be working, it will save you time and money in the long run.  A professional pest control service will be able to help you get rid of your problem using state of the art tools and the least amount of pesticides possible to maintain the overall safety of your family.

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

Bats have a bad reputation.  They have been accused of everything from attacking humans to turning into vampires.  In urban areas where their natural habitats are being destroyed, they often make their homes in man-made structures that can include bridges, attics and overhangs.  Because bats are so easily misunderstood, many people panic when they find them in their home.  While it is true you may not want to host a colony of bats on your property, the truth is that these are some of nature’s most beneficial creatures.  Ridding yourself of bats is simple, and can be done in a humane way.

The first thing to remember is that there is no poison that can be used to ethically remove bats from your property.  No reputable pest control service will offer to use any kind of chemical to solve your bat problem.  Rather, the bats should be physically removed and any opening where they can re-enter should be sealed up. 

Bats are absolutely vital to the ecosystem, and as one of the major predators of insects they help control the populations of mosquitoes and other bugs.  In fact, a single bat can eat up to 1,000 insects in one hour.  Without them, it would be miserable to step outside at night.  They are also responsible for pollinating plants, particularly in desert areas.  Take the time to educate yourself about these fascinating creatures and you’ll appreciate their valuable contribution in nature.  They do not, however, attack humans; nor are they aggressive.  If by some chance a bat finds its way inside your home, it is because it has become disoriented and accidentally flew in while trying to find its way.  Simply opening your doors and guiding it to the outside with a long-handled broom is the best way to ensure it is safely removed.

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

Last month the California Department of Food and Agriculture extended quarantine in Riverside Country and Coachella Valley in order to isolate pests which have attacked local citrus trees.  The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) is a pest which spreads the botanical disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB).  HLB first appeared in the U.S. in 2005 in the state of Florida.  Since then it has spread to each of the 30 states that produce citrus crops. 

The adult psyllids can be easily recognized feeding on leaves and mating.  Once they have mated the females will lay their eggs (between 800-1,000 per female) on new leaf buds.  Because of this the quarantine does not include the actual fruit, but any of the leaves or stems attached to the fruit must be removed before it can be shipped.

The ACP damages the plants in two ways.  1.  It feeds off the young plant growth; and 2. It passes on the Huanglongbing virus which destroys the plant’s ability to product fruit, and eventually kills the entire tree.  With California’s $1.2 billion citrus industry at stake, state officials are convinced that the quarantine is not a knee-jerk reaction. 

The CDFA has made every effort to contain the ACP, and is encouraging individuals to eat their own home-grown citrus produce and not to attempt to transport it outside the quarantined area.  Even though none of the ACP’s tested have been positive for Huanglongbing disease, CDFA officials are certain that it is a matter of time before it appears on the scene. 

If you suspect your personal citrus trees or other plants are infected with the Asian Citrus Psyllid, call the Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 760-482-4314 and report it. 

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