Louisiana Pest Control
Solutions

Serving metro
New Orleans and
the NorthShore
since 1969

Archive for the ‘Post’ Category

« Older Entries

What should you do if you have a snake problem?

Friday, January 27th, 2012

There are probably very few people out there who like having snakes around them. At best, you don’t want to get closer to them than looking through a thick glass cage at the zoo.

Most humans naturally fear snakes and most urban residents can’t readily distinguish a poisonous snake from a non-poisonous snake. There are farmers and ranchers in rural areas who encourage certain non-poisonous snakes to take up residence in a barn, for example, to keep the rodent population down. But most people would prefer to get a cat instead!

As harmless as some snakes can be, most people don’t want them around and in that case they are a nuisance, and removing a snake from your property can be a dangerous proposition.

 

When you have a problem with snakes

The truth is that non-poisonous snakes are not a problem. Some handlers have been bit hundreds of times with no adverse effects. The harm done by a non-poisonous snake largely involves creating fear and maybe stress on the part of the victim; however, bacterial infections can occur at the site of the bite.

A bite from a poisonous snake is a different thing. It will cause swelling, turn tissue dark blue-black, and cause tingling and nausea. A pit viper bite, from copperheads, rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths like those that make their homes in southern Louisiana, show two fang marks. Poisonous snake bites can also cause death but that danger is probably exaggerated in the minds of most people; however, side effects can cause long term disability or possibly loss of limb.

How to keep snakes away

The best way to get rid of snakes is to take away their habitat. Outdoors this might mean removing shelter from wood piles or raised structures like patios and decks. Snakes can also reside in heavy vegetation so keep your gardens neat and trim if possible and the grass cut.

Snakes also like to get indoors when conditions are suitable, especially if they are attracted to rodents and insects which are the major sources of food for snakes. Snakes often like cool, dark, and damp areas associated with buildings.

You have to close off all entry points to keep a snake out of a house or building. That includes openings 1/4 inch and larger. Places to check are corners of doors and windows, and around water pipes and electrical service openings. Holes in masonry should be sealed with mortar, and holes in wooden buildings can be sealed with mesh, hardware cloth or sheet metal.

If none of these methods work, or you just don’t have the time or patience to manage this checklist, it is time to call a professional.

Safely removing snakes

If you are one of the many people that can’t tell a poisonous snake from a harmless one, do not attempt to deal with your own snake problem. However, if you are brave enough to try a “do it yourself method” there are several brands of snake traps and repellants on the market.

But ultimately the best way to deal with a snake problem is catch and removal, and this should always be done by a trained wildlife control professional . Dial One Franklynn Pest Control uses humane catch and remove wildlife control methods, and is also a state approved wildlife removal company.

 


Tags: , , , ,
Posted in pest control, pests, Post, rodents, snakes | No Comments »

What should you do if you have a raccoon problem?

Friday, January 13th, 2012

You probably know what a raccoon looks like. They are a common animal and most of us grew up thinking they were cute. With that bandit-like black mask across their eyes, they are distinctive and can’t be missed.

Raccoons have a wide range across America, and unfortunately, they have become used to living with and around humans. They do not fear us as a predator. Yet, we can certainly fear or, at least, be annoyed by their behavior when they’ve decided to take up residence nearby, sometimes even in our homes.

When you have a raccoon problem

You obviously do not want a raccoon problem. They can cause damage or just be a plain nuisance. When you note some unwanted to damage to your property or even a problem with a pet, you often can identify raccoons as your problem by their distinctive tracks.

While few New Orleans area residents keep poultry, raccoons can wreak havoc on them in more rural areas such as the NorthShore. They’ll kill young poultry and steal eggs from a nest, eating them on the spot.

Raccoons can also destroy the nests of your favorite song bird or even a wood duck nesting box. They’ll damage your vegetable garden or destroy your backyard watermelon patch. They’ll steal your pet’s food and scare and annoy that pet.

Worst of all, they may invade your home, the attic or even the chimney, and use the space for their new home. They’ll tear up your attic and it will be become their personal outhouse. It is not a situation that you can tolerate for very long. They’ll tear open the fascia to get into the attic. They’ll even tear up a screen door to get to that pet food.

Of all the wild animals you encounter, the raccoon is the most likely one to carry rabies, which is 100% fatal in humans if not treated.

 

How to prevent and control damage

The best method to prevent and control damage is to keep raccoons out when possible. Use tightly covered doors and windows on buildings when you want to keep them out. They are good climbers and are capable of bypassing many fences.

You also have to eliminate their food source, which means keeping your garbage cans equipped with tight fitting lids that will defeat the animal’s efforts to get in. Also if you have pets and store the food in the garage, make sure it’s stored within a metal container or one that’s difficult to open.

You can also cap and screen your chimney to prevent access to the attic, and you can remove overhanging limbs that enhance a raccoon’s access to your roof.

Trap and remove

Trapping is the preferred method for getting rid of raccoons but it’s not quite as easy as it sounds. Raccoons are crafty animals and very comfortable around humans. As such, they are often trap-shy and hard to catch. What’s worse if you could potentially trap the wrong type of animal such as the neighbor’s dog or cat! And even if you do capture the animal, you should bring it at least 10 miles away to release it – and be careful when you do!

If yourraccoon trapping efforts fail and you aren’t successful with trapping on your own, it’s time to call a professional. Dial One Franklynn Pest Control uses trap and remove nuisance wildlife control methods, and we are also a state approved wildlife removal company.

 

 

 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in nuisance wildlife control, pest control, pests, Post, raccoons, racoon trapping | No Comments »

What should you do if you have an opossum problem?

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

What’s that big “rat” you saw in the headlights last night on the way home from the LSU Game? It could well be an opossum if you live in south Louisiana.

Opossums are found throughout most of America, except the western plains states, and usually resemble big gray rats. They are mammals usually about the size of a house cat. They can and often are a nuisance animal in human areas. They have prominent canine teeth, which are just plain fangs.

Opossums can live in a variety of habitat, from wooded areas to open fields. They like to be near water. They take shelter in the burrows of other animals, tree cavities, brush piles and under other cover. They can become a nuisance near humans.

 

When you have an opossum problem

The biggest problem for humans is an opossum takes shelter in attics or garages. When they do so, they cause a horrible mess. Near humans, they’ll get into garbage, bird feeders, and pet food. They’ll destroy poultry, game birds and their nests.

And never try to corner or trap on opossum on your own as they can and will bite with their very sharp teeth!

How to prevent and control damage

The best method to control damage from armadillos  is to try and keep them away when possible. Step one is to remove the source of food, or contain it in a method that makes it difficult or impossible to get to for the animal. That may mean you have to store garbage cans with tight fitting lids that will defeat the animal’s efforts to get in.

Step two is to make it difficult for them to find shelter. A common hiding place in Louisiana homes is near a wood pile for firewood or underneath raised structures like decks or patios. It’s also a good idea to use tightly covered doors and windows on buildings when you want to keep them out. They are good climbers and are capable of bypassing many fences.

If possible, sometimes you can hot wire a fence with an electric charger and that increases the fence’s effectiveness.

Trap and remove

The good news is that opossums are not especially trap wary, and are relatively easy to trap and remove. You can avoid using kill-traps and you can also use bait that will appeal to opossums and not to cats or dogs, for example.

However, even if you catch one in a trap, releasing them is not easy as opossums can be dangerous when cornered as mentioned earlier. That is why we always recommend letting the professionals to set and remove traps for this large of an animal.

If exclusion efforts fail and if you can’t encourage them just to go someplace else, call Dial One Franklynn Pest Control. Dial One Franklynn uses trap and remove nuisance wildlife control  methods, and we are also a state approved wildlife removal company.

 

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in nuisance wildlife control, opossum, pest control, pests, Post, rats | No Comments »

What should you do if you have an armadillo problem?

Monday, December 12th, 2011

Once you’ve seen an armadillo, you can’t miss it the next time you see one.

Armadillos are fairly small, weighing about eight to seventeen pounds. It is about the size of an opossum. It can roll its protective armor, covering its head, body, and tail, up into a ball.

Armadillos are burrowing animals and the damage they cause is related to the way they build their dens and look for food. They are used to humans and you often can find one living much too close. And unfortunately, they are becoming all too common near homes and businesses across southern Louisiana.

 


Armadillos may be cute, but they can cause problems

Just because armadillos appear cute and harmless does not mean you want them around your yard as they can not only be a nuisance, but they can also cause real damage to your property. They will root in your lawn, your vegetable garden and even your flower beds. They’ll dig up your yard looking for their favorite foods, grubs and earthworms.

Worse, they can undermine foundations, sidewalks, and driveways. Sometimes, they’ll even keep you awake at night, rubbing their shells against your house.

And never forget, armadillos may also carry bacteria that can cause leprosy. So no matter what you do, never try to handle or catch these animals yourself!

How to prevent and control damage

People usually turn to armadillo traps first to try and contain the problem. The traps must be large enough to allow the armadillo to enter as they may not be able to enter smaller traps with their large shells. However, successfully baiting these traps can be a problem as armadillos prefer worms which are not easy to keep in a conspicuous place.

The best method to prevent and control armadillo damage is exclusion, when possible. Armadillos can climb and burrow but you can use a fence to keep them out. You have to slant the fence outward to prevent climbing and you have to bury part of the fence to prevent burrowing. The cost of this type of exclusion can add up, and you may well not want to have an outward facing fence running all around your property line.

You can also discourage their residence close by with removing anything they can use for cover. They do not like having their burrows our in the open and will go someplace else to find cover.

Trap and remove

If exclusion efforts fail and if can’t encourage them just to go someplace else, it’s time to call a nuisance wildlife control professional. Dial One Franklynn Pest Control uses traps to humanely remove nuisance wildlife and relocate them to a more appropriate area. We are also a state approved wildlife removal company which means we have received special training and certifications in the safe and humane methods for dealing with animals such as armadillos when they get too close for comfort.

 

 

Tags: , ,
Posted in armadillo, pest control, pests, Post | No Comments »

How dangerous is a spider bite?

Monday, September 5th, 2011

Most people consider spiders to be unwanted guests in their home or place of business. In fact, spiders are often the cause when someone calls in looking for pest control, which is at least partially due to the fact that arachnophobia (fear of spiders) is among the most common fears people have. And let’s face it – many people thing spiders look terrifying, especially when you view a close up picture which makes them look like giants. But despite their appearance, are spiders actually dangerous, and what should you do if you think you have been bitten by a spider?

Spider Facts
All spiders have jaws. Some have large strong jaws; others have rather small unnoticeable jaws.
Every spider can bite, but only a few have the ability to cause serious health problems. The Brown Recluse and the Black Widow are the most notorious and should be taken very seriously. It is not recommended that an untrained individual identify these species for the purpose of control or medical treatment. Misidentification can lead to improper medical treatment and serious health complications.
Unsuccessful control of dangerous spiders is not acceptable!


Photo Credit: Flickr.com

Diagnosing spider bites

It is no surprise that many skin irritations are blamed on spiders. There is a vast misconception in the medical field of what constitutes a bite. Most diagnoses are made in the emergency room by over-worked doctors that have more pressing medical emergencies to handle.

Most physicians spend little academic time in the fields of entomology and parasitology. Therefore, a board certified dermatologist is best suited to make a proper insect or spider bite diagnosis. However, there are other multi-legged animals, especially in the South, that can inflict bites and stings that can be quite painful!

What should you do if you find spiders in your home or business?

If you think you have a spider infestation, call a pest control professional  to get a positive identification. If you receive a bite and suspect a dangerous spider may be responsible, get medical help and ask for a specialist.


Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in business, fear, health problems, pest control, Post, spiders | No Comments »

Dealing with fleas and ticks in New Orleans

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

New Orleans is home to our share of nasty pests. Perhaps mosquitoes and roaches get more attention in the local news, but fleas and ticks remain tough pests to deal with especially in our area.
Did you know that there are more than 2,000 flea species in the world? The bad news though is that it only takes one type of flea to cause you, your family or your pet more misery than you care to deal with. Ticks are often associated with fleas but can be their own problem, and are another one of those pests that you just don’t want to see on in your home or on your pet anytime!
Dial One Franklynn Pest Control can help solve those problems.

How do fleas and ticks get in your home?

Most people know that fleas and ticks are generally associated with pets and that is the most common way they get into your home or business. However, just because you don’t have a pet doesn’t mean you will never deal with a flea or tick problem. It is possible to transport these pests into your home via clothing after touching a pet or walking outside. Fleas and ticks can also enter your house when the door is left open, or though a small enough crack or opening.

How pets get fleas and ticks

Pets are the most common carriers of fleas and ticks, but even if you keep your pet inside all the time, they can still get infected. Flea eggs can be brought into the house on the shoes of someone who walked through your yard. Usually, some animal infected with fleas walks through your yard or your neighborhood. The female flea is like a salt shaker, laying eggs throughout your yard or area. Those fleas hatch and jump onto your animal.
Usually, dogs get ticks from running around outside going through the woods or even high grass. Ticks will actually climb about 18 to 24 inches off the ground into scrubs or grass. They remain there waiting for animal to walk by where they wait in “ambush”. When an animal does walk by it shakes the tick loose and they take that opportunity to attack the animal. Believe it or not, a tick can go a year without feeding.

What about diseases from fleas and ticks?

Many animals are allergic to the salivary proteins that fleas inject into the skin of the animal as the flea feeds. The animal can then exhibit a skin disease called flea allergy dermatitis. The animal will bite and scratch and lose their hair. It does not take that many fleas to do the damage.

Fleas can actually cause anemia, especially in puppies, and that can actually kill the animal. Fleas are blood sucking, the cause of the animal’s anemia. Some fleas can also transmit tapeworms to pets.

Ticks can transmit up to fifteen or more diseases. These include Lyme disease, mountain spotted fever, among others.

Controlling fleas and ticks

If your pet is dealing with fleas and ticks, you should consult your veterinarian for the most effective treatment methods and remedies. However, your vet can’t help you control these pests if they have spread throughout your home or business.

Effective pest management efforts for fleas and ticks include the treating the buildings where pets live and the outdoor areas that pets frequent. A thorough treatment of all the places where animals frequent needs to be done to ensure adequate control. Inside and outside treatments may be necessary.

What about fleas in New Orleans?

The problems with ticks and fleas can change from one year to another. The major flea in America that predominates happens to enjoy climates like the New Orleans area. They are susceptible to drying out, so they are more apparent in wetter areas like south Louisiana.

To keep your pets safe from fleas and ticks in the New Orleans area, call Dial One Franklynn Pest Control for advice and service.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in help guides, pest control, pests, Post | No Comments »

Tips for controlling Louisiana termites

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

With all the different types of termites found in southern Louisiana, perhaps the most important piece of information to anyone who has a problem with these insects is how to control, contain, and eliminate a termite infestation. The best approach to termite control depends on which type of termite has infested a property.

Reticulitermes and Formosan termite control

These termites are dependent on moisture and contact with the ground in order to survive, so when you want to get rid of them, the best way to start is by cutting off access to these necessities. Accordingly, the steps that your pest control professional will take when he or she finds either of these types of termites include:

-          Eliminating any moisture sources in the building that may be sustaining the colony

-          Applying termiticites in trenches which are dug around the foundation to both kill any termites that are present and to prevent them from entering the building

-          Fumigation may be necessary if there are many secondary colonies

As these termites are able to sustain themselves on their food source alone, cutting off moisture and ground contact is an ineffective means of solving this problem. If the problem is very minor, you may be able to get away with only spot treatments on the affected areas. However, in most cases these termites are not discovered until the problem has become more widespread.

Accordingly, most drywood termite problems are treated with fumigation which involves injecting a lethal gas into a building that has been covered by a tent and allowing the gas to penetrate for 24 hours.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in help guides, pest control, pests, Post, Termite | No Comments »

A look inside a termite colony

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

Termites are a complex group of insect and termite colonies differ almost as much as termites themselves.  Each species has slightly different habits and appearances when compared to other species, and within each species there are three castes of individual termites with differing habits, appearances, and roles in the community. It follows, then, that there are several sizes and types of termite colonies.

How big do colonies get?

The size of a colony generally refers to the number of termites inhabiting a single colony. Formosan termite colonies are the biggest colonies found in the southern part of the United States, often containing millions of termites in a single colony. In contrast, drywood termite colonies average around a few thousand termites per colony. Size is an important issue when it comes to termite control, as a larger colony means more termites eating away at your structure and/or belongings, doing a great deal more damage than a smaller colony.

Different types of colonies

The main determining factor in separating the types of colonies is whether or not the termites need moisture. Subterranean termites need the tunnels of their colony to remain very moist so that their bodies do not dry out. Although their tunnels can extend hundreds of feet, they must be sustained by a moisture source in order for the colony to thrive.

In contrast, drywood termites need neither moisture nor ground contact to survive and flourish. As these termites can survive on the moisture in the wood they consume alone, they simply seal the area of the wood where they are working to keep the moisture in. Occasionally, the seal is broken, either to expel fecal pellets or to allow swarmers to leave the colony.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in help guides, pest control, Post, Termite | No Comments »

Termite swarms frequently asked questions

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

Have you have never seen a swarm of termites flying around a bright light at night?  If you live in New Orleans, chances are the answer is yes. For many in southeastern Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, the mere mention of the phrase “termite swarm” is unsettling and can be downright stress-inducing. As pest control professionals, we field lots of questions from our customers about termite control in general.  And we are often asked questions specifically about termite swarm such as when do they occur and are they dangerous. Here are some of the common questions and answers that arise:

What is a termite swarm?

A termite swarm occurs when members of the reproductive caste leave their colony to start a new one. The “swarmers” are the only termites with wings, and while they are not the ones who will do the damage to your property, they are a sign for concern. Each termite you see is seeking out a mate to start a new colony who will devour their surroundings.

How big is a termite swarm?

The answer to this question depends on both the species of termite and how established their colony of origin is. It can be as small as a few termites or thousands at once.

When are swarms most likely to occur?

Again, this depends on the termite species. Some are more likely to swarm during daylight hours while others prefer darkness. Most swarm during spring, but some species swarm in the fall.

Am I safe if I don’t see flying insects?

Not if you see discarded wings. If you find discarded termite wings in your home, the swarmers have already arrived and may be starting their colony.

What should I do if a swarm is near my home?

If you see termites swarming around a nearby light post that doesn’t necessarily mean you have a termite infestation in your home or business.  However if you see this regularly, it is a good idea to call for a free termite inspection just to be sure you don’t have a problem.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in help guides, pest control, pests, Post, Termite | No Comments »

A closer look at termite lifecycles and castes

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

If you have been unfortunate enough to experience a termite infestation, you may have noticed that all termites do not look alike. Not only does each species of termites look distinct from other species, termites within the same species differ in appearance according to their role in the colony. Additionally, as a termite moves into a different role within the colony, their appearance may change to reflect that transition.

There are three castes of termites that each has a unique appearance:

-          Workers. Members of the worker caste have soft, white bodies and are the least developed of the three castes. They do the brunt of the labor in the colony including housekeeping, raising the young, feeding the colony, and locating food to bring back.

-          Soldiers. This group of termites has a soft body as well, but theirs are more yellow-brown in color. They also differ from workers physically because they have large mandibles and heads which they use to protect the rest of the colony from outside threats.

-          Reproductive caste, also known as swarmers. These termites have hard bodies that are dark in color. They originally have four wings which enable their flight from the colony in order to start a new colony. Once they have reached their location, the wings fall off and they mate, becoming queen and king of the new colony. In this role, these individuals are the only ones who reproduce in the new colony.  This process of reproduction and colony forming is referred to as “swarming,” giving rise to the other name for this group – swarmers.

Interestingly enough, despite these different castes, there is only one queen termite per colony.  In fact, there a specific ‘queen’ pheromone which prevents other individuals from turning into queens. The only time a new queen termite comes about is when the current queen is removed from the colony or dies.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in pest control, pests, Post, Termite | No Comments »

« Older Entries

Switch to our mobile site