Blog

The sawtoothed grain beetle is one of the most famous grain pests. It has a brown, flat, slender body that measures about one-tenth to one-eighth of an inch in length. It owes its name to the peculiar structure of the thorax, which has six sawtooth-like projections running along the sides of the middle part of its body.

But as innocent as they look, if sawtoothed grain beetles get into your kitchen, they can cause a considerable amount of damage. Thus, it’s important to eliminate them as soon as you notice any signs of infestation.

Keep reading to learn some helpful facts about these common kitchen and pantry pests.

Where Do Sawtoothed Grain Beetles Come From?

It is believed the sawtoothed grain beetle originated in Suriname. They usually find their way into goods during production in warehouses, or when they are being transported to stores that sell the goods.

When there are beetles on the shelves of grocery stores, they continue to breed and infest the products. As the beetles are quite small, they might be overlooked when they’re crawling on the products that you purchase and take home. And you may not even realize the pests are there until you start to see the damage they are causing.

Also, if you live on or near a farm, you may have an abundance of sawtoothed grain beetles indoors. They are common in farming areas because the grain is an easy source of food for them. The sawtoothed grain beetles can get into your house through the smallest crevices and cracks.

What Do Sawtoothed Grain Beetles Eat?

The name of this pest means “rice-lover from Suriname.” In your kitchen, though, they will feed on more than rice. They will attack, both in their larval and adult stages, all foods of vegetable origin.

Besides all sorts of grains and such grain products as flours being their favorite, they can also eat sugar, breakfast foods, table and dried fruits, tobacco, dried meat, spices, pasta, yeast, nutmeat, pet food, bird seeds, fish food, popcorn, raisins, macaroni, stock and poultry feeds, copra, candies, and even chocolate. The best way to look at it is, if food is accessible to these beetles, they will probably eat it.

Boxed foods and foods in plastic bags are not safe from these pests either. They can chew their way through these packages to get into the contents. You can only keep food safe from the beetles by storing it in solid, airtight plastic or glass containers. Otherwise, your cabinets will be an ongoing source of food for the sawtoothed grain beetles, and they will continue to reproduce.

Are Sawtoothed Grain Beetles Harmful?

These pests do not cause direct harm to humans or pets, meaning, they do not sting or bite, and they do not transmit or carry harmful diseases.

The harm they cause is related to the food and its packaging that they destroy. They can get through paper, cardboard, plastic, cellophane, and even foil. You may find packages that have been ruined and the food inside is infested with sawtoothed grain beetles. This results in the inconvenience and expense of replacing food. Obviously, you should never eat food that has been infested with any type of pest.

A good rule of thumb is if you see one beetle, there are other beetles and their eggs that you do not see. If you notice any torn food packages in your cabinets, check to see if there are any beetles. As the eggs are nearly invisible, it is a better idea to consult with a pest control professional who can check thoroughly for a possible infestation.

Where And When Do Sawtoothed Grain Beetles Lay Eggs?

On average, sawtoothed grain beetles live between 6 and 10 months, although they can live much longer than that. During a beetle’s life span, the female can produce between 43 and 285 eggs.

Female beetles usually lay their eggs in April. While the eggs take 3 to 5 days to hatch, the larvae themselves are harmful. They move around freely and can feed on any food they find on their path. In fact, a larva can cause more damage than an adult beetle. The larvae are much smaller and harder to detect, and they spend more time inside food packages.

Sawtoothed grain beetles can lay eggs in small cracks, crevices, and holes. However, if you have an infestation in your kitchen, they can lay the eggs in your food! If you open a package, you may find the beetles have laid eggs inside it. This can mean individual eggs or batches of eggs in the food you were going to eat.

It can also mean an increasing number of beetles as they breed rapidly. When this occurs, they will spread to other packages and foods in that particular area.

Do Sawtoothed Grain Beetles Fly?

Unlike many pests that can take over your kitchen, sawtoothed grain beetles cannot fly. While they do have wings, their body structure prevents the beetles from flying. So you do not need to worry that when you open your kitchen cabinet, a beetle will suddenly fly out at you. It is the way they can destroy your food and food packages that should be your concern.

Sawtooth grain beetles can be a persistent and destructive pest once they’re established in your kitchen and pantry. To break their life cycle, you need to first remove contaminated food and then proceed with a treatment. If your sawtoothed grain beetle infestation has got out of control, it’s best to get in touch with an expert.

Our team at American Pest Control in Georgia has all the experience needed to completely eliminate the infestation through our effective and affordable pest control services.

Pantry moths are deplorable home companions and a nightmare in the pantry. While these little guests come out of the blue uninvited, there are reasons why they’re persistently ubiquitous in most home pantries.

In essence, you get moths in your pantry because they are attracted to the food that is stored there. Moths fancy dried processed food, including cereals, grains, bread, pasta, and flours, and since the pantry is the perfect storage place, you’ll mostly find them around there.

Moths are most destructive during the larvae stage and they bore through food and thin plastic. However, it’s hard to find them exposed to light due to their nocturnal nature, and larvae will bury inside dried food granules, only coming out at night when it’s dark enough for an open feast.

What Do Pantry Moths Eat?

Regardless of their stage of growth, pantry moths munch on any dried, starchy food items in the pantry. They bore through thin plastic and paper during their larvae stage to access dried, processed food.

You’ll also be surprised to find them in tightly sealed containers with dried food, where they’ll render it inconsumable.

Adult pantry moths usually lay eggs in open containers, and even after eliminating them, they leave behind eggs that hatch inside the sealed food packages.

The biggest downside for an infestation of these tiny creatures is that, in addition to degrading food, they also carry viruses and bacteria that can affect the health of humans and their pets.

What Are The Typical Signs Of Pantry Moths?

When pantry moths show up, they leave a clear trail behind. Whether you do regular pantry inspections or you occasionally scan through, it’s easy to spot the signs of a pantry moth infestation from afar.

Since every creature that feeds, must defecate or secrete, these insects are not an exception. From a closer look, you’ll notice your food clamping together, mainly when dry. Moth secretions are sticky, and they glue dry food particles together, forming clamps of varied sizes.

Besides, an unpleasant odor will top up the mess, and the food would be almost vile to eat. Another significant tell-tale sign of a pantry moth infestation is a trail of webs along with the corners of your pantry and a few toppings on the food.

Are Pantry Moths Harmful?

In addition to degrading food and making it unfit for consumption, moth secretions are a suitable breeding ground for bacteria that cause many diseases in humans.

Pantry moths also carry viruses that contaminate food, making it unhealthy to consume.

But the moths themselves are not harmful to people or pets. However, since they are ideal carriers of viruses and bacteria, it classifies them as both destructive and harmful. Pantry moths also cause losses for degrading fresh food purposed for long-term storage. For this reason, they can be harmful to your budget as they will force you to replace it with a fresher stock.

How Long Do Pantry Moths Live?

It’s challenging to agree on the exact lifespans of these tiny insects. However, pantry moths live through phases and undergo a complete metamorphosis spanning 7 to 12 weeks on average.

An adult pantry moth lives between 5 to 25 days maximum and can survive without food for two weeks. Moths in the house will consistently reproduce in areas with sufficient food and enough closure, unlike in the wild where breeding is seasonal. Thus, don’t expect them to go away after the lapse of their lifespans.

Where Do Pantry Moths Hide During The Day?

Pantry moths are nocturnal and typically come out at night to feed and mate. You’ll also spot them on LCD screens with blue light at night since it appeals to them. It, therefore, begs the question why are pantry moths out of sight during the day and where do they hide in your house?

Since they are active only after dusk, they usually find refuge in darker and shaded places in your home. They will perch on higher walls and ceilings, under furniture, and inside cabinets. They also hide in the webs they form on corners of your pantry and wait until it’s all dark and safe to emerge.

How Many Moths Is An Infestation?

Conventionally, it’s not typical for pantry moths to create an infestation in a home when conditions don’t favor them. However, the proximity to food sources makes it ideal to set up camp in your house.

Typically, a pantry moth infestation comprises 5 to 9 pantry moths, and any higher numbers define a severe infestation. Even if the problem doesn’t seem widespread, you shouldn’t be blind to the threat of pantry moths in your home. To prevent their populations from spreading further, inspect your home – or precisely, your pantry – and eliminate them immediately by killing them or using repellents.

If you’re already dealing with a serious moth infestation, your best bet is to call in the pest control professionals.

Our exterminators are specially trained to find even the smallest entry ways and hiding places for various pests in your home. If you live in the Metro Atlanta area, contact our team at American Pest Control for help to eradicate your pantry moth infestation.

We’ve made it easy for you – it’s convenient to schedule your free inspection by either calling or emailing us, or filling out the contact form on our home page, and one of our friendly customer service representatives will be happy to assist you!

Your yard can get a flea infestation, especially in the areas your pet loves visiting. But it could be challenging to figure out if and when there are fleas present in the yard. Pets, wild animals, and other pests like rats can infest the yard space with fleas.

So for example, if your pet keeps scratching themselves or is restless, they could have fleas that they might have acquired from the yard.

Here are some signs that indicate there could be a flea infestation in your yard. Keep reading to find out more!

Can Fleas Live In Your Yard And What Attracts Them There?

Fleas are parasites that are fully capable of surviving outside. They can thrive in the yard as they are attracted by the pets who love playing there. They would be looking for new hosts, and the animal’s fur is ideal for the fleas to take a ride on.

These insects may be also attracted to the wood and debris laying around in your lawn as it is a great breeding ground for them. Wood piles that are improperly stacked in the backyard can draw fleas as they create clutter that attracts them. Thus, it is wise to keep your lawn tidy and free from debris that might host fleas.

In addition, overwatering the lawn might attract the fleas as they thrive in a moist environment. The grass at the bottom might not be exposed to the sun, thus becoming a perfect breeding ground for fleas.

How Did Fleas Get In Your Yard?

Mostly the fleas could infest your garden because of the wildlife spreading them. If wild animals such as raccoons, porcupines, rats, and mice access your yard, they might bring the fleas and leave the eggs or mature insects on the grass.

Also, if your neighbor’s backyard has grass infested with fleas, these pests might climb over in search of new hosts. If your pet gets the fleas when they go out for a walk, they might also leave flea eggs in the house and yard.

Do Fleas Live In Grass, Dirt, Or Garden Soil?

The fleas live in the grass, especially in the lower areas that are close to the soil and not exposed to the sun. The flea eggs can get attached to the grass at the bottom and hatch into mature fleas.

Fleas love moisture and could do well in the garden soil that’s moist and warm as they wait for a new host. If the grass, dirt, and soil are located in the shade, these areas could harbor fleas as they fear too much sunlight. Thus, it is wise to let the sun into every corner of the yard to keep fleas at bay.

Where Do Fleas Like To Hide In The Yard?

When outdoors, these insects prefer to live in the shade rather than in the sun. Thus, the fleas will hide and can be commonly found in dark areas of the yard which are not lit by the sunlight as they thrive in darkness.

Also, if you don’t mow your grass often and it becomes too long, the lawn would host fleas as they could lay their eggs at the base of the grass leading to more infestation. The ideal grass height could also attract spiders and ants that prey on the fleas, which as a result can reduce the infestation.

Again, as already mentioned, fleas would hide in the warm and moist grass, soil, and dirt as they do well in a warm and moist environment, and they could also hide in the yard clutter that doesn’t have access to the sun.

If you are still not sure where to look for fleas in the yard, you can wear white long socks and walk around the yard, alternatively, hang white socks above the grass, especially in places where your pet loves to visit. The fleas will jump onto the white socks, thinking this is a new host. This way you will easily spot the fleas as they become visible on the white socks.

What Time Are Fleas Most Active?

During the day, fleas avoid the sun so they are most active at sunset and least active at sunrise. At dusk, the pests would lay more eggs, respire more, and move around in the yard more.

Although the fleas are not completely inactive at any time of the day, they have increased activity at dusk and night. However, they could still produce feces and eggs throughout the day but not as much as they do at night.

How Long Can Fleas Survive In Grass?

Fleas can live in the grass without a host and undisturbed for about two to three months, depending on the condition of your yard. However, the female fleas might not lay eggs without a host, but after finding a host, they could lay many eggs within 48 hours.

They are hard to get rid of as they can survive for such a long time in the yard and house, and the few you see on your pet could be the tip of the iceberg. Thus, a long-term and simultaneous flea elimination strategy may be necessary.

Fleas are not only irritating but are also a source of diseases, so if you suspect a flea infestation, it’s best to involve a professional flea exterminator to eliminate the problem in your yard.

Contact American Pest Control in Athens, GA, as our pest control exterminators are highly trained to deal with flea infestations. They can identify the source of the infestation, eradicate the fleas, and advise you on how to avoid such infestations in the future. They will use also products that are safe for humans and pets.

Cockroaches are notorious pests, infesting households and different businesses, and scavenging for whatever food products they can find. These resourceful insects have a high survival prowess that keeps them for long without eating. In general, they feed on anything digestible and can stick around your home even if there’s no food available.

They usually find their way out in the complete absence of food, but such a situation would be highly unlikely because they can still survive on starchy substances around your home’s periphery. Besides, other survival techniques, including cannibalism, make them less prone to hunger and starvation.

The question of whether these pests leave your home when there’s no food in sight depends on whether there are any other sources available. Technically speaking, these insects feed on whatever they are able to digest. Things like human hair, cellulose-based paints, paper, cardboard, and wallpaper paints are their great food sources.

Can A Cockroach Survive Without Food And How Long Can It Live Without Food?

Cockroaches are one of the most invincible insects on the planet, if not the most. They can survive long enough without food but less without water.

When food is unavailable, they minimize their activities and use their body energy for basic survival functions. Since they are cold-blooded, the temperatures around them drive their body’s functions, and you’ll see them being active when the temperatures are high. Naturally, under these circumstances, they become more active while consuming less body energy. However, these insects hibernate during the cold weather to save their energy reserves, especially if food isn’t available.

Cockroaches can go for up to a month without eating. Therefore, don’t expect them to bid goodbye in a few weeks after you resolve to subject them to starvation.

This period can even be extended if they apply their survival techniques, including cannibalism. Females usually produce unfertilized eggs, which they feed on in case of starvation. Besides, they also feed on their nymphs, making them stay longer in a home even if food isn’t available.

However, one thing is for sure. They will eventually leave if their survival techniques reach a dead end, but don’t expect that anytime soon.

What Do Cockroaches Eat In Your Home And What’s Their Favorite Food?

Cockroaches feast on anything they find that is digestible and organic. This natural temperament makes them one of the most resourceful insects among the wider pool. While they consume every organic material, their most favorite meals include decaying food and waste.

Here’s a breakdown of what meals cockroaches can survive on in your home.

– Decaying food
As mentioned above, decaying food pieces found in garbage cans and kitchen corners are a cockroach’s favorite meal. It contains all the important nutrients they need for their body nourishment, including starch, protein, sugar, and even water-based fluids.

Cockroaches also explore areas outside a home to feed on decaying plant matter. This habit makes them more lethal as they only use a home for shelter if there’s no food inside.

– Cellulose-based paint and other starchy substances
Since cellulose-based paints are the new norm and most people are turning their attention towards them due to their sustainability and affordability, this increases the amount of food for the roaches.

In addition to these paints, cockroaches can feed on other starch-based substances, including paper, cardboard, paper bags, human hair, and glue.

– Feces
Pet potties or litter boxes at home are a cockroach’s food haven. Since they can’t differentiate between what’s disgusting and appalling and what’s not, they regard human and animal waste as excellent meals. Feces are organic substances that meet all their nutrient requirements and are great food sources for these insects.

– Human food
The dry and uncooked food items you store in cabinets and drawers provide meals for cockroaches. These pests can tear through plastic, paper, and foil to reach stored food.

However, water would need to be available as well since they can’t digest and process dry food alone. Water forms an essential part of their diet, and if not available, they won’t make it past a week or even days.

What Do Roaches Feed On If There’s No Food? Do Cockroaches Eat Their Dead?

In the absence of food, roaches usually turn to other organic sources for survival. As pointed out earlier, they’ll feed on anything digestible or starch-based, including paper, hair, feces, and decaying plant matter. However, if water is absent, these insects won’t survive longer than a week.

In cases of extreme starvation, cockroaches usually turn against themselves and feed on others of their type. They attack and kill the weakened ones to nourish their own bodies. Besides, females can lay up to 300 unfertilized eggs, which they largely use as meals. Adults also resolve to eat their nymphs in situations that prompt them to do so for survival.

Finding out that you have a cockroach infestation in your home or business can be very disturbing. These pests breed rapidly, and are difficult to locate, eliminate, and control without the help of a professional cockroach exterminator.

So if you suspect you have an infestation on your property, contact our local pest control experts at American Pest Control in Athens, GA, for a quote or to schedule a free inspection.

Mosquitoes are annoying bugs that can drain the blood out of you. If you live in an area with plenty of mosquitoes, you know all too well just how troublesome they can be. Spending time in the backyard can become a nightmare if have a mosquito infestation going on.

And when it rains, this infestation seems to get worse. But why is that the case? Today you will learn why mosquitoes seem to get worse after it rains and how to stop this problem.

Do Mosquitoes Come Out In The Rain And Why?

So, you might be wondering if mosquitoes come out in the rain. The disturbing answer is yes, they do!

Most bugs hate the rain, but mosquitoes seem to love it, and for good reason. These biting bugs venture out into the rain because it is a great time for them to lay their eggs. When it clouds up outside, mosquitoes go into an egg-laying frenzy and won’t stop until they have completed their mission.

When it rains in your yard, puddles of rainwater will form. These pools of water can form in many places including flowerpots, children’s toys, buckets, old tires, and more.

Mosquitoes flock to standing water and lay thousands of eggs. If left undisturbed, these eggs can hatch and cause a mosquito infestation in your yard.

How Many Days After Rain Do Mosquitoes Hatch?

After it rains, mosquitoes can hatch at alarming rates. It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mosquitoes to hatch. Once these insects are fully developed, they can take flight and begin feeding on your blood, and this is not something you want to happen!

Thus, making sure that your yard is mosquito-free will make life easier, and your family and pets will be protected. Mosquitoes can carry many dangerous diseases that can make you very sick. Depending on which area of the world you live in, the mosquitoes around you could be carrying deadly diseases.

Can Mosquitoes Fly in The Rain?

Mosquitos are notorious for being weak at flying. So, one would think that flying in the rain is out of the question for these pests. But that is simply not the case.

These insects can navigate in the rain with ease and it doesn’t seem to bother them. When they do get hit by falling raindrops, they pick themselves up and move on. Because of their small size, the impact of falling raindrops won’t harm them. This is just one of the reasons mosquitoes don’t mind coming out in the rain.

Where Do Mosquitoes Go When It Rains?

If the rain gets particularly heavy, mosquitoes do seek shelter. They will often hide under the backside of leaves until the rain lets up.

They also search for dark places where they can be protected from falling rain. This shelters them and protects them from drowning during periods of heavy rain. If you have an outside patio that is not protected by a screen, you may notice mosquitoes hiding out under it during heavy rain.

Do Mosquitoes Bite In The Rain?

If the rain isn’t too heavy for the mosquitoes to fly, they will search for their next meal. That means they may bite you in the rain!

Therefore, it is important to wear insect repellent even if it is raining. Many people make the mistake of thinking they can’t be bitten by mosquitoes while it is raining. But when they do, they are often attacked and forced to retreat indoors.

What Can You Do To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes After Rain From Your Yard?

If you want to get rid of mosquitoes from your yard after it rains, you should start by eliminating standing water. Even a tiny pool of shallow water can create a resting and breeding site for mosquitoes.

After it stops raining, walk around your property and look for areas with standing water. Dump out any stagnant water you find. Doing so will destroy the mosquitoes breeding grounds and prevent their eggs from hatching.

The next thing you can do to ensure your yard is free of mosquitoes is to hire a professional pest exterminator.

An exterminator will be able to treat your yard with the right chemicals and has the appropriate tools to keep mosquitoes at bay. Several natural solutions are used by professional pest control companies to form an invisible protective barrier around your yard.

If you’re looking to prevent the reproduction of mosquitoes and reduce the adult mosquito population by creating a protective barrier around your yard, and ultimately enjoy staying in your outdoor living spaces, contact American Pest Control in Athens, GA, today!

Have you found dead cockroaches in your home? If so, you are not alone. Finding dead cockroaches around the house is a common occurrence that many people face. This can be an unpleasant situation, especially if you don’t know what is causing this problem.

Luckily there is an answer to this problem, and today you will learn all you need to know about eliminating dead roaches from your house.

Why Do You Only Find Dead Cockroaches In Your House?

When you find only dead roaches in your home, you may think that something is wrong with your indoor environment. The truth is there is nothing wrong with your home. Instead, what you are likely experiencing is a cockroach infestation.

Roaches are great at hiding, and when they are alive, you don’t often see them. However, when these roaches reach the end of their lifespan, you can find them laying around the house.

If you find a dead roach inside your home, you should know that there are likely many more alive ones hiding somewhere.

To determine if this is the case, you need to look in areas of the home that are dark. You should search by looking behind appliances, under sinks, and in closets. Inspecting these areas will help you find the root of your dead cockroach problem.

Do Dead Cockroaches Attract More Roaches?

This is a question that many of you are asking. Unfortunately, the answer is yes, dead roaches do attract more roaches.

But how is this possible? When cockroaches die, they release a chemical known as oleic acid. This chemical has a moldy smell that other living cockroaches are attracted to. The live roaches can smell this odor from a long distance. And when they detect the smell, they come looking for their dead counterpart.

Having dead roaches in the home is a surefire way to attract an additional cockroach infestation. So, getting rid of the dead roaches, and treating live ones, is the only way to rid your home of these gross insects.

Does One Dead Roach Mean There Are More And There Is An Infestation?

As we have already discussed, if you are finding dead roaches in the home, chances are there is an infestation underway. While one dead roach does not guarantee you have a house full of roaches, it is an alarming sign that you should pay attention to.

But if you do find a dead roach in the home, don’t panic. Instead, you should be proactive and have your home inspected and, if need be, professionally treated for bugs. This is the only way to be sure that you don’t have a thousand roaches hiding in the dark.

What To Do If You Find A Dead Cockroach?

As stated earlier, you need to take action if you find a dead roach in your home. The first thing you should do is grab a flashlight and check under and behind everything. You should also check your attic and any crawl spaces.

If you do find that your home is infested with roaches, you should contact a professional exterminator as soon as possible. They have all the proper chemicals and tools needed to get rid of your roach problem.

How Do You Get Rid Of Dead Roaches?

When you find dead roaches in the home, you should never touch them with your bare hands.

If possible, vacuum up the dead insects. Make sure to remember to empty your vacuum cleaner after collecting the bugs. If your cleaner is bagless, you will need to place the dead roaches in a trash bag and remove it from your home.

Remember, the longer you leave the dead pests in your home, the greater the chance other live cockroaches will come calling.

The only way to get rid of dead roaches is to stop the infestation in its tracks. As we have already mentioned, you should contact a professional exterminator like American Pest Control in Athens, GA, as soon as possible. A roach infestation can be a serious problem, and it can make you and your family sick.

Roaches can also damage your home and destroy your food supplies. They get into everything and can even trigger an allergic reaction in some people. These foul-smelling creatures can stink up your home, and they can spread diseases.

Just like any pest, you should get rid of them as soon as possible by calling in a professional exterminator who will implement an effective plan to eliminate the cockroaches from your home.

Our expert pest control team is always here to answer any questions you may have, so contact us today!

Early detection of bed bug activity in your bedroom is among the top priorities in order to protect yourself from these annoying critters. This is because the introduction of bed bugs can soon turn into a nightmare that is difficult and costly to get rid of.

To deal with the issue, we first need to know what time of day bed bugs are most active and where to look for them. So keep reading to find out!

What Time Of The Day Do Bed Bugs Come Out And Are Most Active?

Bed bugs are nocturnal pests, meaning they are most active at night between 2 am and 5 am. They like to feed on humans at night because that is the time when they can feed on a person without being detected.

During the day, there is sufficient light which makes it easy to detect them. Additionally, most people are usually active during the day and rest at night. As a result, these pests prefer to feed at night when the host is lying still.

However, that does not mean that bed bugs don’t feed during the day! In fact, most experts say that their feeding pattern is quite unpredictable. Most experts suggest that bed bugs feed when they are hungry and when the host is lying still on the bed.

As bed bugs are nocturnal insects, they typically come out at night. Their peak feeding time is between 2 am and 5 am. However, the fact that they are mostly active during the night does not mean that they won’t be moving around during the day as well.

If for some reason they did not feed at night, then they will come out during the day and they can show up at any time when they notice their host is lying still. Yet, they are most active when it’s dark outside.

Are Bedbugs More Active At Night?

In general, bed bugs are more active during the night because that is the time when that hosts are inactive, thus a perfect feeding time for them.

Between 2 am and 5 am is the time when humans are in deep sleep and cannot detect when bed bugs are biting them, thus it’s the perfect time for them to feed without drawing attention.

Feeding at night also buys them the much-needed time to hide, in case you detect their presence. By the time you realize that something is biting you and react, they will be long gone.

Do Bed Bugs Come Out During Daylight Or When The Lights Are On?

Yes, bed bugs can come during the day or when the lights are on to feed, especially if there were no humans host in the house for a while and they are hungry.

Even though their peak feeding time is at night, between 2 am and 5 am, it does not mean that you are off the hook when that feeding period passes. They will come to feed the moment you fall asleep, even if it is during the day, or when you’re lying motionless with the lights on!

Bed bugs are opportunists and usually maximize every opportunity they get to get food. This means that if a great chance of feeding presents itself during the day or when the lights are on in your bedroom, they won’t hesitate to take it!

In short, it is very likely that bed bugs will come out to feed both during the day and at night whenever a good opportunity presents itself.

Do Bedbugs Bite Every Night?

It depends on how many bed bugs have infested your home. If they are too many of them, then they will bite you every night. However, if there are not too many, then chances are that they will not bite every night.

On average bed bugs feed once every 3 to 10 nights and spend the rest of the days resting and digesting their meals. If food is not available, they can remain stationary for a long period to save energy while waiting for the perfect moment to feed again.

The fact that they don’t feed every day means they probably won’t bite you every night if they feed well.

Where Do Bed Bugs Hide During The Day?

Bed bugs mostly hide during the day in the immediate vicinity of their host. Common areas where they usually hide during the day include small cracks and crevices around the bed, under mattress and pillows, under loose wall hangings and wallpaper, in drawer joints, in seams of couches and chairs, between cushions, in electrical appliances, and at the junction where the wall meets the ceiling.

Their small flattened bodies enable them to hide under these spots easily and stay undetected for days, sometimes even months.

If at any time you have reason to believe you are having a problem with bed bugs, it’s very important that you take action right away. Remember that minor infestations are fairly easy to treat if they are caught during the early stages of the infestation. Otherwise, they will be extremely difficult to control if not caught in time.

So contact the experts at American Pest Control in Athens, GA, for a free inspection. Our pest control technicians will be able to do a thorough inspection of your home and assess the situation and, if necessary, perform an effective bed bug treatment. Don’t delay! Get our expert help today!

There are about 200 types of ant species in the world, and fire ants are among them. Fire ants, also known as the red imported fire ants, are black and red in color, and have dark abdomens. This species is also much smaller as compared to other types of ants.

They nest in the soil in large colonies ranging from tens of thousands to over 200,000 individuals. Fire ants are known to be aggressive, especially near the nest. As their name suggests, these tiny insects can cause damage, inflict painful stings, and are generally dangerous.

Read on to learn more about fire ants and what damages they can cause to you and your house.

Are Fire Ants An Invasive Species?

Fire ants are an invasive species and they first appeared in the US in the early 20^th century. Here, they now crowd out native species of ants by directly competing for food.

They move in large numbers looking for food, and water on rare occasions, and will cause severe infestations if they invade your house and find sugar or food.

They are cold-blooded insects and thus increase their activities during the summertime. At this time, these insects are actively searching for food as they increase their population and they need to feed their big colonies.

Once they establish their colonies in your home, it can be difficult to eliminate them as the reproduction rate is high.

They like to make their nests inside the soil in a moist area around the house such as a watered lawn or any other damp place in your yard.

As a result, the large mound in the open area can be easily seen from a distance. At other times, they will build their nests beneath objects such as rocks, logs, or bricks that are lying on the ground. In that case, the nest is not going to be easily visible as it is formed in a sheltered place.

Besides, a colony builds a mound in several months, and only then it is large enough to be noticed in a typical yard lawn.

Are Fire Ants Destructive?

Fire ants can be very destructive, especially to plants, and in other cases, can cause death to small animals. In the US alone, it is estimated they cause $6.7 billion per year in damage to the environment and agriculture.

They feed on young plants and seeds, which leads to farm losses, and keep in mind that they forage a lot during the summer months due to their high rate of activity.

Fire ants will destroy your home’s utilities and be a serious hazard as they pose the risk of causing an electrical malfunction. If they invade your home, they can damage the electrical and communications equipment as they tend to chew on insulators, and worse still, they deposit soil to create a nest.

On residential properties, fire ants can infest and damage all sorts of electrical equipment, and the most common include air conditioners, electric pumps, circuit breakers, switch boxes, and transformer boxes. They will get into the phone wiring. This will make the equipment not work due to a short circuit caused by a great number of electrocuted ants.

When the electrical machinery starts to malfunction, you place yourself at a greater risk of fire hazards and financial losses.

Can Fire Ants Cause Structural Damage?

Fire ants can cause structural damage in buildings. A colony of fire ant workers builds tunnels by excavating the ground to create space to avoid being squeezed in one place.

These excavations can lead to structural damages if they are near the walls, driveways, and pathways. This might cause the structure to collapse. For instance, if they invade a tree near the house, the tree might fall and damage the nearby property.

During heavy rains, a colony of fire ants migrates to safety and may end up in homes, invading the ceiling and other wooden structures in the house. This might cause damages to the roof or floors if they are wooden.

What Damage And Problems Do Red Imported Fire Ants Cause?

Fire ants have venom to defend themselves against anything they feel is a threat to them. They bite by gripping onto their victim, and then inject the venom using their abdomen.

This venom can cause anaphylactic shock or mild eczema to human beings, especially in young children, older people, and people with disabilities. To some extent, the bites might require emergency treatments.

Pets, caged animals, and wild animals are also at risk of being bitten by these red imported fire ants. This can be dangerous as the venom might cause death or irreversible injuries to these animals.

Typically, fire ants like to live outside and have been known to build their nests inside the walls of buildings. The activity of fire ants can also lead to property and structural damages if they invade a house.

In addition, they damage crops, negatively affect agriculture and food production.

On A Final Note,

Fire ants can pose a really hazardous threat to you and your home, but you can prevent this!

When fire ants enter your property, there is no time to wait. By the time their mounds are visible, these intruders have been working hard for many months, overtaking your property from underneath. These pests have no respect for boundaries.

Thus, as soon as you spot fire ants in your yard, you need to address the problem immediately. Don’t delay as you’ll put yourself and your finances at risk because the damage they might cause can be very pricey.

For a thorough, free inspection and fire ant removal services, seek the help of a professional company like American Pest Control in Athens, GA. Our team of experts will treat your fire ant infestation, no matter how bad it has gotten.

As temperatures rise across the country, many will head outside to soak up the warm weather. But before doing so, it’s important to remember that ticks will also be out and about looking for their next host as well. According to the CDC, there are approximately 476,000 new cases of Lyme disease in the U.S. each year. This May 10-16, American Pest Control is working with the National Pest Management Association to help educate consumers about the health threats posed by ticks during the inaugural Tick Awareness Week, an observance recognized by Chase’s Calendar of Events.

To reduce the likelihood of a tick bite, American Pest Control, in partnership with the National Pest Management Association, recommends the following:

• Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes when outdoors, especially in wooded areas or tall grasses.
• Wear light-colored clothing to make spotting ticks easier.
• Apply insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET before heading outdoors.
• When hiking, stay in the center of trails and away from vegetation.
• Keep grass in your yard cut low and remove weeds, woodpiles and debris that can attract ticks and other pests.
• Inspect yourself, family members and pets carefully for ticks after being outdoors.
• Contact a licensed pest control professional to help reduce or eliminate ticks on your property.
  

If you’ve been bitten by a tick, it is important to stay calm and remove the tick immediately to reduce the chances of disease transmission. If you experience any adverse symptoms after being bitten by a tick, seek medical attention immediately.

 For more information about tick removal on your property, please visit www.ampest.com, call or text us at 706-546-1490

You’d never invite termites over to munch on your home, but you could be inadvertently hosting an open house for termite brunch.  American Pest Control and the National Pest Management Association are working to spread public awareness during Termite Awareness Week, March 7-13, 2021 about the extensive damage these pests can cause to homes. This annual observance is the time to highlight the estimated $5 billion in property damage termites cause in the U.S. each year—damage that is typically not covered by homeowners insurance.

To help prevent an infestation before it begins, we’re sharing some of the ways you could be attracting termites to your home and how to stop them before it’s too late.

You can keep your property protected from termites by doing your best to avoid:

1. Stacking firewood near the home. Firewood is especially attractive to termites, and having it too close to the home can attract them inside. Be sure to store firewood at least 20 feet from the home and five feet off of the ground.
2. Improper drainage. Termites love water and clogged gutters offer the perfect opportunity to collect moisture. Divert rainwater away from the foundation of your home using down-spout extenders and be sure to regularly clear your gutters of leaves and debris.
3. Excess mulch. Although mulch can provide a beautiful touch to your yard, it serves as a meal for termites and also retains water. Minimize the use of mulch and be sure to keep it at least 15 inches from the foundation of the home.
4. Trees growing near the home. Tree limbs and leaves can provide a pathway to your home for termites seeking a new colony location.
5. Excess wood throughout the yard. Any rotting wood material is an easy meal for termites, so be sure to remove any logs or tree stumps from your property.

Check out our post about termite swarmers to prepare for swarmer season in the South! For more information about termites, or to contact a licensed pest control professional, please visit www.ampest.com.