tamara.siklosi88, Author at Pest

Fleas might be very common but do you know what fleas look?

To properly deal with any pest infestation, it’s crucial to determine what is the insect that’s bugging you. While roaches are easily detected and confirmed, fleas and other tiny pests often leave just a few clues and endless itching bites.

If you want to find out what fleas and flea bites look like, as well as the best ways to get rid of fleas from your home keep on reading.

What Do Fleas Look Like?

Fleas are small and flat insects without any wings, but they move around quite easily using their strong hind legs. While fleas might be common and very annoying, they are very hard to spot considering their size of 1⁄16 to 1⁄8 inches.

Adult fleas are brown or reddish in color, and mostly live on furry animals such as dogs and cats, but they are also found on raccoons, squirrels, and rodents. Dog fleas and cat fleas can easily find human blood irresistible when they are hungry and you will have multiple bites when you encounter a flea infestation.

Fleas in the house are often brought by your pets, especially cats and dogs that pick them up outside, but you might pick up some fleas on the grass or in someone’s home. They are notoriously fast and persistent, and their small size allows them to hide very well. Most of the time people suspect they might have a flea infestation when they notice a few itchy bite marks.

What Does a Flea Infestation Look Like?

Even when the infestation is severe, it is difficult to confirm a flea infestation by seeing an adult flea hopping around. Most likely, you may detect itchy bite marks on your legs and ankles, as well as irritated pets.

So, even if you don’t see any fleas, it’s critical to act quickly and treat the infestation while it’s still manageable. Just because fleas are considered less hazardous than some other pests you shouldn’t leave this infestation unchecked.

What Do Flea Bites Look Like?

Flea bites usually appear right away and look like small, red bumps on the skin with a pinkish halo. They are notoriously itchy but not to be mistaken with bed bug bites that appear several days after the bugs bite you.

Flea bites depend on the location and the host, considering they are less likely to be found on furry pets than on human skin. Keep in mind that fleas usually bite “in rows” and leave a train of bites in the same area.

If your pets are scratching more than usual and you see pepper-like flakes on their skin under the fur you are most likely dealing with a flea infestation.

Best Way to Get Rid of Fleas

Fleas might be amazing jumpers and super fast in reproduction, but there are ways you can get rid of fleas efficiently. Let’s mention a few:

1. Use Flea Traps

A flea infestation might be terrifying to discover, but with a few cleverly placed flea traps you can lure and capture the pests from all the hiding places. Flea traps are easy to use and apply, and the strong glue in them will capture all the insects that might be crawling around your home.

The traps are perfectly safe for your family and pets, but they are deadly efficient on pests.

2. Use Specialized Sprays

There are many amazing and gentle flea sprays on the market that you can use on every surface in your home, including furniture, and pet beds and some are even safe for pet skin as well.

When dealing with any type of infestation, it’s critical to thoroughly clean and treat every part of your home where the bugs may be lurking. This will prevent unwanted re-infestation and keep your home bug-free for a longer period of time.

3. Treat Your Pets

Most of the time fleas either come from your pets or make their fur permanent habitat, because it’s dry and warm and there is plenty of food. This is why when dealing with fleas you should treat your pets with specialized shampoos that kill fleas and flea eggs.

The shampoos are also effective on ticks, so you will get rid of multiple pests at the same time and help your pet feel better quickly. Make sure you always choose reliable and safe brands and follow the directions to treat fleas faster.

4. Manage the Fleas in Your Yard

Once you clean your home it’s time to get rid of all the fleas that might be hiding in your yard, especially if you have trees, bushes, and grass surfaces.

With the help of strong and effective outside flea sprays, you can kill all the pests and ensure proper pest management and control.

5. Call Professionals

If the infestation is severe and you can’t seem to manage the pests on your own it’s a good idea to call professional exterminators and rely on their expertise. There are amazing teams in your area with the right tools and methods to help you deal with any infestation including fleas, roaches, bed bugs, and more.

Final Thoughts

Fleas may be little, but they are vicious biters who seek human and animal hosts. Because fleas may readily move from your pets to the rest of your home, it’s important to understand what fleas look like and how they behave.

When you are familiar with pests it’s easy to choose one of the solutions mentioned above or rely on pest control for the best results.

Bed bug interceptors are one of the most popular solutions when it comes to dealing with bed bugs but do bed bug interceptors really work?

A lot of people dealing with bed bugs are prepared to try any method they hear about, but they are not all effective. That’s why we’ll discover the unique and simple interceptor traps as well as their effect on the bed bug infestation.

Keep on reading to find out more and eliminate bed bugs from your home permanently.

What Is a Bed Bug Interceptor?

Bed bug interceptors are durable and effective plastic cups that go under each bed leg and capture all the bed bugs that climb in.

Bed bug interceptors might look simple but they are very the most reliable way to catch bed bugs that are trying to get to you. Considering bed bugs hide in different places in your room and wait for the night to fall to feed on your blood, there is a good reason why interceptor traps are a good solution.

When hungry bed bugs want to climb into your bed they are able to get into the interceptors but they are not able to come out. The smooth plastic on the inside of the interceptors is not an ideal climbing surface for poor climbers such as bed bugs.

Thus, they remain in the trap until you remove them.

Do Bed Bug Interceptors Work?

Yes, bed bug interceptors are one of the most effective tools you can use to detect, manage and eliminate bed bugs from your home. The interceptor traps are very easy to place under each bed leg and they are very durable considering they are made from high-quality plastic.

The design makes them the perfect companion when you are dealing with pests such as bed bugs, and with a few more glue traps you will be well on your way to managing the infestation.

You can use the bed bug interceptors to:

Confirm the bed bug infestation with a few captured adult specimens
Identify the bugs and ensure proper next steps
Reduce the number of bites you get each night
Monitor the infestation and the effectiveness of other tools you might be using such as glue traps, sprays, or heaters
Confirm that the infestation is done and there are no bed bugs left

How to Use Bed Bug Interceptors?

It is really simple to use the interceptor cups; just follow this full guide and you will see the effects very quickly.

Here is what you need to do:

Place the interceptor traps

Bed bug interceptor traps should be set beneath bed posts. Each post should be covered with a one-bed insect trap, however, the bed should not be resting against any walls or other furniture.

Furthermore, the sheets, bedding, and other bed accessories must be removed from the floor to prevent bed bugs from climbing.

Assess the infestation

Interceptor traps can show results in a few hours, but it’s always a good idea to leave them overnight and use the bed to maximize the effects. This way the hungry bed bugs will try to climb in to feed and get trapped in the interceptor instead.

The number of bugs in the interceptor can confirm the infestation and also the severity of such. If there are many bugs caught you are probably dealing with a large infestation and you should rely on professional pest control.

Clean the traps

One of the best features interceptor traps have are that they are reusable. You can clean and place the traps under your bed all over again and do so until the infestation is eliminated. Simply wash your interceptor cups with warm and soapy water and they are ready to be used again.

Manage the pest infestation

Now that you know the severity of the bed bug infestation you can deal with it in the best way possible.

Here are a couple of suggestions:

Add glue traps to catch even more bed bugs
Use Diatomaceous Earth powder and eco-friendly sprays to kill bed bugs
Clean your room and the entire home
Call the professional exterminators

So, Are Interceptor Traps Effective?

Yes, interceptor traps are one of the most effective yet simplest solutions you can use to manage bed bug infestations. The interceptor pitfalls are cleverly designed to allow the bed bugs to climb in but not out of the trap, making them one of the best tools on the market.

The interceptors will help you confirm and manage the infestation, but if there are many bed bugs each morning, you should consider contacting exterminators in your area and relying on professional help.

If you want to find the best ways to get rid of silverfish permanently, we have just the tools, tips, and tricks you need.

Silverfish are one of the most common pests in the United States along with roaches and bed bugs. The tiny crawlers are silent killers of anything containing cellulose so they can cause quite the damage if the silverfish infestation is left unchecked.

So, let’s find out more about this persistent pest and find out how you get rid of silverfish once and for all.

What Is a Silverfish?

A silverfish is a little, wingless, silvery, carrot-shaped insect that you may encounter in your house. They resemble scaly fish and have antennas on their backside, making them unsightly.

Because silverfish are nocturnal, they will feed and reproduce at night and hide in tight, damp locations during the day. They prefer to congregate in high-humidity areas such as restrooms, basements, and laundry rooms.

Silverfish may be little, but they are quick and persistent. They do not feed on human blood like bed bugs, but they will devour anything containing cellulose and protein, such as books, clothes, and furniture.

So, finding the correct instruments to combat infestation and responding quickly is critical.

Why Do You Have Silverfish in Your Home?

Silverfish are resourceful creatures and they find our homes comfortable enough to live there for a long time. Silverfish are not picky eaters and will eat even the glue that holds your wallpapers, so they will find something to sustain them. In addition, silverfish need high humidity air to survive, which conveniently a lot of bathrooms, basements, and attics have.

So, a silverfish bug might find your home to be the perfect spot if there is:

Enough starchy food including books, furniture, glue, and opened food containers
High levels of humidity
Tight places to hide

Silverfish are not a serious threat to your health, but your property and valuable items are at risk. It’s also not a pleasant sight to see something fast and shiny crawl through your home, so let’s find the best solution for this infestation.

How to Get Rid of Silverfish?

Now that you’re aware of silverfish behaviors and basic information, you may be asking how to deal with a silverfish infestation. Fortunately, even though silverfish are little and hide during the day, there are several excellent traps and solutions you can employ to eliminate an infestation.

Use a Dehumidifier

First things first, you need to get rid of moisture and humidity.

This can include repairing all the pipes and leaks but also investing in high-quality air dehumidifiers. These specialized machines will suck out the moisture from the air and make it less likely for silverfish to thrive and reproduce.

When the air is drier and you take the measures we recommend, the silverfish will flee your house in search of a better dwelling environment. Silverfish cannot survive in dry air, and you may even get rid of other pests that thrive in humidity, such as cockroaches.

Dust Diatomaceous Earth Powder

If you are looking for a way to get rid of silverfish naturally, the Diatomaceous Earth powder might be just the thing you need. This fine powder will dry out the exoskeleton of silverfish and other pests that come into contact with it, dehydrating them to death.

Make sure you apply the Diatomaceous Earth powder to all the nooks and crannies silverfish might hide in, and use long nozzle applicators to reach those places with ease.

Set up Traps

Using sturdy glue traps is one of the finest ways to control and completely eliminate silverfish from your house or apartment.

Silverfish traps that are eco-friendly and simple to deploy ensure that the pests are attracted to their demise. Glue traps’ strong and high-quality adhesive will cling to any insect that walks over it.

Set up many traps around your home, especially if you live in a high-humidity location. This way, you will be able to confirm the infestation and collect a large number of silverfish bugs that are hidden in various locations. Silverfish glue traps are also an excellent tool for evaluating the efficiency of other approaches such as sprays and powders since you should notice fewer bugs each time you put up a new trap.

Hire Professionals

If you think you are unable to tackle the infestation on your own, or just prefer to rely on experts, there are several teams in your region that you can call. Professional exterminators will promptly deal with the silverfish in your home using specialized equipment, tactics, and years of expertise.

Are you waking up with itchy bed bug bites every morning and looking for the most effective way to get rid of them? Don’t worry, you are not alone, millions of people struggle with bed bug infestations so we decided to list the best bed bug traps – that work!

It’s always a good idea to use the traps listed below as soon as you notice early signs of bed bug infestation, but if you think the pests are out of control consider contacting professional exterminators.

But, let’s see first what you can do to eliminate as many bed bugs as possible and get the good night’s sleep you crave.

What Are Bed Bug Traps?

Depending on the trap and its function, bed bug traps are meant to attract, catch, and kill bed bugs.

Bed bug infestations can start with just a few minor bites or even a single female specimen and spread quickly. Because bed bugs reproduce quickly and are very good at hiding, it’s nearly impossible to determine whether you have any unwanted guests in your house.

Most people detect a few red spots and bites in the morning and generally ignore the condition until it becomes serious. So, if you don’t want to deal with harsh chemicals or spend money on expert exterminators, you may solve the problem with a few traps.

Traps will reduce the number of bites and allow you to assess the extent of the infestation.

Types of Bed Bug Traps

Depending on your residence and the intensity of the bed bug infestation, you may want to consider several types of bed bug traps. Each one is intended to reduce the number of bugs while also allowing you to evaluate the efficiency of other strategies you are employing.

Bed Bug Interceptor Traps

Interceptor traps are the best bed bug traps for bed legs and one of the best methods to keep bed bugs at bay.

The plastic pitfall trap is positioned beneath the bed legs, where bugs climb up to feed at night. Bed bugs can emerge from their hiding locations and crawl into the interceptor trap, but they are unable to exit because of the smooth interior walls of the trap.

Interceptor traps are an excellent alternative for those who wish to monitor the infestation and determine whether or not there are any bed bugs in the home. Because they are composed of high-quality plastic, the interceptor traps may be used repeatedly.

The interceptors are completely eco-friendly and contain no pesticides.

Bed Bug Glue Traps

Bed bugs are little, flat insects that can fit into every nook and crevice, including your bed, mattress, headboard, and linens. Bed bugs may be undetectable to the naked eye due to their size, but they are readily caught with sticky glue traps. All of the bugs lurking in your bed or other locations will ultimately emerge to feed, therefore the best method to catch them all is with strategically placed sticky traps.

For optimal success, place a few traps about your room, on the floor, and between the mattress and the bed frame.

DIY Traps

DIY traps may appear to be inexpensive and handy, but they are rarely effective.

People who use yeast and sugar to attract bugs must be especially cautious about the amounts. It may not be hazardous, but it may quickly get messy.

On the other hand, you may hear that simple tape may be used as glue traps, but this will not catch the bugs. Pests frequently dodge such traps or just flee since the adhesive is insufficiently strong.

When dealing with persistent and huge infestations, it is preferable to invest in high-quality, proven-effective solutions than manufacturing your own instruments. If you pick the appropriate methods from the start, you will save a lot of money and your health.

The Best Bed Bug Traps

Now that we’ve covered the most popular bed bug traps, we’ll look at the best selections on the market and why they’re so effective.

1. EcoPest Bed Bug Interceptors

Sturdy and reusable interceptor cups that are easy to install and even easier to clean. The EcoPest bed bug interceptors are by far the most popular and effective trap you can use to monitor and manage bed bug infestation.

2. ShieldFlex Interceptors

ShieldFlex bed bug interceptors are constructed with a thicker base plate than others on the market. This allows for them to accommodate heavier pieces of furniture without cracking. The ShieldFlex brand is one of the most highly-reviewed brands of bed bug traps.

3. SenSci ActivVolcano

The SenSci ActivVolcano is a simple, discrete, and highly popular bed bug attraction and capture device that can attract up to double the number of bed bugs and may be utilized in any environment.

4. CatchMaster - The Slider™

Unique design and creative solutions allow you to monitor and eliminate bed bugs from your bed and mattress. The slider is a great addition to your tools to fight against bed bugs and with the clear window on the trap, you can see all the pests captured right away.

5. ClimbUp Insect Interceptors

ClimbUp bed bug interceptors come in various shapes, sizes and colors. This brand carries a “discrete” model which is smaller than most and ideal for those not wanting to bring attention to a possible bed bug infestation.

In addition to the traps mentioned above, other well-known brands such as HotShot, BuggyBeds, and PF Harris manufacture bed bug glue traps.

Bed bugs are one of the most common pests in the United States, and while many people get a severe infestation sooner or later, some worry about the possible health risks. With so many itchy bites each morning it’s common to wonder if bed bugs are dangerous.

Luckily, we have all the information you need in one place. We’ll discover the possible health risks when it comes to bed bugs and some of the best ways to get rid of them completely.

Let’s go!

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are flat and brownish insects without wings. They might be one of your home’s most common and resilient pests, but people often confuse them with other bugs.

Bed bug infestations can become severe in a couple of weeks, so it’s crucial to manage the pests as soon as you notice any signs that bed bugs are present. This can include itchy bite marks, blood stains on the sheets, or even adult bed bugs and bed bug eggs.

In order to live, reproduce and thrive, bed bugs need blood, and they especially love human hosts. So, naturally the most common place you can find bed bugs are the rooms you reside in the most or better said – your bedroom.

Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?

Bed bugs are a persistent nuisance, but they are not considered a direct danger to your health. While most bed bug infestations begin with a few itchy bites, you will soon discover that their numbers rise exponentially if you don’t use the appropriate tools and traps to eliminate pests.

So, bed bugs are not dangerous, but they are quite annoying and unpleasant.

In addition, some people develop severe allergic reactions to the proteins in the saliva that bed bugs produce while biting and feeding. So, even though many will only have a few red bumps, some individuals can require medical attention.

Do Bed Bugs Spread Disease?

Bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases. Bed bugs may be bothersome because they cause itching and disrupt sleep. Itching can occasionally cause excessive scratching, which might raise the risk of subsequent skin infection.

So, unlike other crawlers such as roaches, you won’t get an infection directly, but you might have severe skin conditions that need to be treated.

How Do I Know If a Bed Bug Has Bitten Me?

It’s difficult to tell if an insect bite is from a bed bug or another bug.

Bed bugs are active at night and feast on your blood while you sleep. To consume, bed bugs employ a specific anesthetic and an anticoagulant in their saliva, which allows for improved blood flow. These substances block the pain receptors in our skin, and most individuals detect red and itchy bites the next morning or even a couple of days later.

Furthermore, some people have no sensitivity to bed bug bites, whilst others are more susceptible to the protein. This is one of the reasons you should use interceptor or glue traps to confirm the infestation before deciding on the best strategy to deal with the pests.

What Kills Bed Bugs Instantly?

There are many ways to eliminate bed bugs from your home and especially from your bedroom. Most of the time if the infestation is not severe you can use bed bug interceptors and glue traps to confirm, monitor, and eliminate many bed bugs at once.

If the infestation is becoming severe you have a couple of options:

1. Use heat

Bed bugs and the eggs they lay are very sensitive to high temperatures, so you can use tools to fight the infestation with heat. Bed bug heaters penetrate all the places in your room for optimal results and complete elimination of bed bugs.

Make sure to follow the instructions carefully and only use reliable heaters.

2. Use bed bug-killing sprays

Aside from heat, there are several bed bug-killing sprays on the market that quickly kill all bed bugs that come in touch with it. Avoid harsh chemicals and pesticides by choosing safe and environmentally friendly options.

3. Call pest control

If the infestation is serious and you don’t want to deal with the bugs on your own, calling professional pest control is always a smart choice. The exterminator crews are equipped with specialized gear and have the necessary skills to deal with the problem quickly and efficiently.

Conclusion

Bed bugs are not the most hazardous pests, but they are persistent, unpleasant, and can disrupt sleep and even trigger serious allergic reactions in certain individuals. That is why you must eliminate bed bugs as soon as possible in order to enjoy the pleasant night’s sleep you require.