Are Bed Bug Infestations Common in 2021?

Bed bug infestations in Bristol TN - Leo's Pest Control

If you’ve had a bed bug problem before, you were likely left wondering where they came from in the first place. Unfortunately, bed bug problems have been on the rise for homeowners and business owners alike for a couple of decades now—not just here in Tennessee but nationwide. Believe it or not, there was a span of nearly 60 years when bed bugs weren’t a problem for homeowners whatsoever. Nowadays, bed bug infestations are on the rise not only in homes and apartments but also in daycare centers, schools, hotels, and just about any other place where people live and work. In fact, bed bugs account for a good percentage of the calls that pest control companies receive. So what’s to blame for the resurgence of these pests? The experts at Leo’s Pest Control are here to share their insights.

The History of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs have been a problem for humans for a very long time. In the past, before modern technology and science got involved, bed bugs were just something people had to live with. But when pesticides such as DDT and Chlordane came along around the time of WW2, bed bugs and just about any other bug or spider finally met their match. These, and other similar pesticides, were extremely toxic and highly effective in controlling pests.

For a few decades, people got a break from all those biting, irritating little creatures but as these chemicals became more widespread, they also became the subject of a lot of research. Turns out that the very thing that made them great for killing bugs made them horrible for people’s health. By the early 70s, enough research had been done to prompt the United States to ban DDT in 1972 and eventually Chlordane in 1988. This was the beginning of a resurgence in pests of all kinds but it also led to safer, healthier pest control methods. Unfortunately, safe pesticides were no match for bed bugs.

The Spread of Bed Bugs

As pesticides became less toxic, and often less effective, travel both across the United States and abroad experienced a boom. Bed bugs like to travel by hitching a ride in pocketbooks, pant cuffs, suitcases, furniture, and just about anything else they could find to get them to their next destination. With travel becoming more common and people frequently sleeping in hotels, motels, and other places, bed bugs found an easy way to spread their numbers and are now found all over the world.

Bed bugs reproduce rapidly, easily move from one location to the next, and are elusive and nocturnal, making the problem of getting rid of them pretty complicated. It takes an experienced exterminator to completely get things under control and often means a range of treatments depending on the size of the infestation and the type of building or residence.

How to Stop Bed Bugs in Bristol TN

The fact of the matter is that bed bug problems are here to stay—for now. However, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer from an infestation. When you team up with a professional bed bug control company such as Leo’s Pest Control, you can rest assured our team will keep you safe from the dangers of bed bugs year-round. To learn more or get started, contact us today!

Where Do Ants Nest in My Home?

can quickly infest a home, making it important to know where they came from to begin with. Once ants have nested inside your property, it’s hard to get rid of them without professional help. There are many things in your home that will attract ants, making it important to know how to prevent them in the first place. At Leo’s Pest Control, we know how frustrating ant problems are in your Bristol TN home. For that reason, our ant control team is here to share all you need to know about preventing ants from nesting on your property in the first place. Read on to learn more!

What Causes Ants in the House?

It can be confusing to come to grips with why exactly you suddenly have ants. Two of the main things that draw ants into your home are food and water. If ants discover what they need inside your property, they will signal to the rest of their colony and before you know it, you could have a full-blown infestation. The most common areas in a home that are susceptible to ants include kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and more. This is due to the fact that these ant hotspots often fulfill a colony’s need for food or water. Keeping them out, then, requires making your property less attractive to ants in the first place!

Ant hotspots in Bristol TN homes - Leo's Pest Control

How to Keep Ants Out

If you want to avoid waking up to a sudden ant infestation in your property, there are a number of things you can do to prevent the pests. The top three ways to keep ants away are to:

  1. Eliminate excess moisture. Excess moisture from leaky pipes or plumbing issues can attract ants to your kitchen, bathroom, crawl space, or another area. Always fix leaks and other moisture problems as quickly as possible.
  2. Clean up crumbs and food spills. Ants love greasy, fatty, or sweet foods. Crumbs on your floor, even pet food, can be a huge draw for ants. To prevent ants, it’s important to regularly clean up spills and vacuum on a regular basis to deny them access to any of your food.
  3. Seal cracks and crevices. Ants will make use of the tiniest cracks or holes to get inside, especially at the base of your foundation. Annually, inspect your home for these tiny openings and consider sealing them with caulk.

I Have an Ant Problem—Now What?

If you’ve done all you can to prevent ants but still have found yourself with an infestation, it’s important to enlist the help of your local experts. At Leo’s Pest Control, we know that ants are a pain to deal with on your own. Our ant control experts can work with you to not only get rid of any active ant infestation you’re dealing with but also prevent future ant problems from forming. Contact us today to get started!

When Are Mosquitoes Most Active?

What mosquitoes look like in Bristol TN - Leo's Pest Control

Sometimes it feels like there’s nothing we can do to avoid mosquitoes in the summer here in Bristol TN. Our hot and humid summers create an ideal climate for mosquitoes to thrive in. So what can we do about the inevitable surge of mosquitoes every year?

Learning about what times mosquitoes exhibit the highest amounts of activity will allow you to avoid them much better this summer. Read on for our expert tips on mosquito activity and what you can do to prevent mosquito bites during the warmer months of the year.

When Are Mosquitoes Most Active?

Mosquitoes are most often out and looking for victims to feed on at dawn and dusk when the sunlight is low. Because they prefer to be active in moderate temperatures, mosquitoes don’t often bite during the middle of the day. They wait for the cooler hours of the early morning and evening and stay active for some periods of the night.

During dawn and dusk, watch out for mosquitoes in these areas:

  • Lakes and ponds
  • Yards with lots of trees and plants
  • Wooded areas
  • Pools, birdbaths, spas, and other sources of still water

If you live close to any of the aforementioned areas, you are likely to experience high numbers of mosquitoes on your property all summer.

Do Mosquitoes Fall Asleep?

After learning about when they are most active, you might be wondering, “when do mosquitoes sleep?” The truth is, we don’t know a whole lot about mosquito sleep patterns. Little research has been done into their habits of rest, but we do know a few things:

  1. Mosquitoes don’t necessarily “sleep” in the strictest sense of the word, but they do enter recurring states of dormancy, seemingly for hours at a time.
  2. They enter these states at a few different times during the day, usually during the middle of the day and at various points over the night.
  3. Mosquitoes like to rest in covered, shaded areas for ideal temperatures and the most protection.

How to Avoid Mosquitoes in Bristol TN

To avoid mosquitoes, you can try using EPA-approved insecticides, wearing long-sleeved clothes, and covering or pouring out any standing water on your property. However, if these strategies don’t work, you should reach out to your local pest control company. The mosquito control experts at Leo’s Pest Control will conduct a holistic inspection of your yard to figure out the best way to prevent a mosquito infestation on your property. Contact us today for a free quote!

How To Get Rid of Your Bed Bug Problem

What bed bugs look like in Bristol TN - Leo's Pest Control

Waking up with bed bug bites is something we all fear. It can be very difficult to tell that you have a bed bug problem in your home before they’ve already got to you. At this point, you’re probably wondering, “how did they get here, and how many of them are in my bed?”

The truth is, beyond your bed, they could be living in many other places in your house, too. If you don’t stomp out their entire population, in addition to the eggs they’ve laid, you could be dealing with bed bugs for much longer than you want to. If this sounds like your current situation, read on for Leo’s Pest Control’s top tips on getting rid of bed bugs.

What Are Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation?

There are a few different ways to tell if you have bed bugs. Look for these signs if you’re worried that you have bed bugs in your house:

  • Bites: The most common way that people find out about bed bugs is through their bites. They are small, red bumps that will be aligned in zig-zag patterns along exposed skin.
  • Leftover material: You might find little spots of bed bug excrement, hatched white eggshells, or reddish-brown smears where bed bugs have been.
  • Active bed bugs: Bed bugs are quite small; look out for bed bug activity around your mattress, in furniture, and along your baseboards.

Don’t fret when you do find signs of bed bug activity. There are ways to solve your problem without throwing out everything you own!

How to Quickly Get Rid of Bed Bugs

The most effective way to get rid of bed bugs is to introduce them to high heat. If your bedding is infested, wash and dry your bedding on the highest heat settings possible. Also, be sure to scrub and vacuum any other pieces of furniture that you suspect to be hosting bed bugs.

If you think that these steps haven’t completely dealt with the infestation, you can purchase plastic furniture and mattress protectors to eliminate any remaining bed bugs and ensure that new bed bugs don’t have a place to hide. Lastly, inspect your home for cracks or gaps in molding, baseboards, power outlets, and door jambs.

Pest Control for Bed Bugs in Bristol TN

Some bed bug infestations reach a point where it is impossible to deal with on your own. When you hire a professional pest control company, your technician can conduct specialized heat treatments that create insufferable conditions for bed bugs without ruining any of your belongings. At Leo’s Pest Control, we train our bed bug exterminators with over 50 years of accumulated experience removing bed bugs from homes as safely and efficiently as possible. Reach out today for a free quote or more information on our services!

Professional vs. DIY Pest Control

DIY vs professional pest control in Bristol TN - Leo's Pest Control

If you have a pest problem, you may feel inclined to try to get rid of it on your own. Unfortunately, DIY pest control is not reliable. A professional pest control company offers highly trained staff to handle disease-carrying and dangerous critters, and will eliminate your home pest control problem the first time, saving you time and money. When it comes to pest control problems, it simply isn’t worthwhile to take on the critters yourself. For one thing, if you don’t eliminate your infestation the first time you waste time and money. Relying on an expert pest control company means peace of mind as the job is done right, with a guarantee. At Leo’s Pest Control, we know how important it is to provide you with pest-free* living. Keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of professional vs. DIY pest control.

Considerations for DIY vs. Professional Pest Control

At-home remedies for pest control are unreliable, timely, and can even be more expensive than you think. For quick, effective, and guaranteed results, it’s always best to use a professional exterminator such as Leo’s Pest Control. Read on for info on the pros and cons of DIY vs. professional pest control here in Bristol TN:

  1. Some pest control companies offer low-toxicity as well as organic options for home pest control. If you do opt for a chemical treatment to eliminate the pests in your home, it is much safer to leave the chemical application to the pros.
  2. For some types of pests or animals, the products prepared at the hardware store will not eliminate your problem. When you hire a professional pest control company, you will receive a recommended course of action and the expertise of someone highly trained to execute it with the right product to ensure your pests are gone for good.
  3. Did you know that some mice carry Hantavirus in their feces, and breathing it can be toxic to humans? Even if you don’t mind touching the creepy crawlers that might infest your home, there could be a risk involved when dealing with rodents, roaches, snakes, and more. In addition to disease, some pests are simply dangerous to approach and can cause harm by stinging, biting, or clawing.
  4. While you may be able to remove your pest control problems for a while, you may only be keeping the pests while the infestations keep on thriving. DIY pest control solutions are short-term solutions, which won’t work in the long run. A professional pest control company will search for the root cause and solve it.
  5. If your first, second, and third attempt to eliminate pests on your own fails, you have not only wasted money but precious time. An expert can deal with pests right away and save yourself the added frustration of time lost. Many people think professional pest control is expensive. But when you add up your own personal time, the money spent on different products, and the health and safety risks involved, most people find hiring a pro is the smartest option in the long run.

Professional Pest Control Services in Bristol TN

DIY pest control might sound like a good idea at the time, but it rarely delivers the results you need. To protect your property from pests all year long, a professional exterminator can make sure you never have to resort to DIY pest control methods again. For more information, contact the team at Leo’s Pest Control today!

 

 

Guide to Safely Removing Ticks

In the spring and summertime, ticks are not only one of the most common pests but also the most dangerous. Ticks are infamous for transmitting a number of diseases, namely Lyme disease. The good news is that this transmission is rare: only deer ticks can transmit it, and only some deer ticks are carriers of the disease. However, because there is a risk of tick-borne illness, it’s crucial to learn about safely removing ticks.

May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month. The experts at Leo’s Pest Control are here to share a guide to safely removing ticks from you,a pet, or a family member. Keep reading to learn more!

Lyme Disease & Ticks

Certain deer ticks, also known as blacklegged ticks, carry and spread Lyme disease. These tiny parasitic insects can and will attach to any part of the body but are often found in the groin, scalp, and armpits. Unfortunately, most people are infected through the bites of nymph ticks, who feed in the spring and summertime.

The good news is that when a tick is safely removed within the first 24 hours, the chances of contracting a tick-borne illness are low. It is only when an infected tick has been attached for 36–48 hours can the bacterium be transmitted. You can protect yourself from the potential dangers of a tick bite by learning how to remove and dispose of the tick.

Tick removal guide - Leo's Pest Control in Bristol TNTick Removal Guide

When it comes to removing a tick, tweezers are the best tool. In fact, the following method is backed by the CDC and the ASPCA. Safely removing ticks is best done by adhering to the following steps:

  1. Grab a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. Carefully pull back any hair from the skin surrounding the tick.
  2. Firmly grasp the head or mouth of the tick with tweezers, as close to the skin as possible. Avoid grasping the tick’s body to the best of your ability, as this could inject the tick’s blood into the skin.
  3. Firmly and steadily pull the tick outward in a straight motion. Try to not twist the tweezers, as this could dislodge the head, leaving it embedded in your skin.
  4. As soon as the tick is removed, carefully clean the area of the bite, as well as your hands, with soap and water.
  5. To safely dispose of the tick, place it in a sealed bag or jar with alcohol. Another option is to flush the tick down the toilet. Do not crush the tick.

If you begin to notice a rash developing or any other symptoms after removing a tick, get in touch with your doctor immediately.

Professional Tick Control in Bristol TN

Ticks may be tiny, but they are one of the most dangerous pest problems. Learning how to prevent ticks and how to safely remove them in a timely manner is the key to staying safe from tick-borne illnesses. The experts at Leo’s Pest Control are here to answer any questions you may have about ticks—contact us today!

Can I Get Stung by a Carpenter Bee?

Carpenter bees rarely sting people in Bristol TN - Leo's Pest Control

Stinging insects of any kind can be cause for concern. Many people confuse bees for wasps and vice versa, making it important to know which are more of a risk to be around. In general, carpenter bees are unlikely to sting anyone. These bees are busy nesting in wood, which is a whole other danger to be aware of with their presence.

While carpenter bee stings are rare, the experts at Leo’s Pest Control know how concerning insect stings of any kind can be for you and your family. Our bee control experts are here to share what you need to know about the dangers of carpenter bees in Bristol TN.

When Do Carpenter Bees Sting People?

Similar to most bees, carpenter bees will only sting when provoked or threatened. Here’s what to know about carpenter bee activity and what may motivate them to sting someone:

  1. Male carpenter bees don’t possess a stinger, making the chances of a sting even lower. Female carpenter bees possess a stinger.
  2. Typically, the females are hard at work excavating chambers for their brood. Male carpenter bees are territorial and tend to appear aggressive and dangerous, but this is just for show. The males spend a lot of time hovering near their nest to protect it. Their sole purpose is to mate and chase off predators, allowing females to safely rear offspring.
  3. The only time female carpenter bees will sting is when majorly threatened, handled, stepped on, swatted at, etc. For the most part, these bees are too busy to worry about stinging nearby people.

Do Carpenter Bees Damage Wood?

A common fear with carpenter bees is their wood-boring abilities. Carpenter bees tunnel through wood to lay their eggs. However, carpenter bee damage is minuscule compared to that done by carpenter ants or termites. Only when there are dozens of carpenter bees working away for a long period of time would you begin to see the damage of their activity. This is often seen in window sills, porches, roofs, etc.

The beneficial qualities of carpenter bees far outweigh any dangers they pose. As pollinators, these bees sustain themselves on nectar and pollinate plants as they go.

How to Control Carpenter Bees

Whether you’ve noticed an uptick in carpenter bee activity or are suspicious of wood damage from their activity, contact your local bee control experts at Leo’s Pest Control. Our team will help determine any carpenter bee problems you may be having and work to keep you safe from their activity year-round. Get in touch with us today to learn more!

I Think I Have Bed Bugs! How Did This Happen?

A bed bug found in Bristol TN - Leo's Pest Control

One of the biggest issues with bed bugs is that they are difficult to detect. You could have a full-blown infestation in your mattress and not even know it until it’s too late! They might have found a way into your home on clothes, luggage, bags, or furniture, and will be happy to make a home in your bed, couch, or carpet.

So if you think you have bed bugs, what are you supposed to do to get rid of them? And how can you ensure that they don’t come back?

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to spot. Here are some qualities to look for to identify bed bugs:

  • Bed bugs are tiny insects, usually around 5 mm long, but can be as small as 1 mm, making them very elusive.
  • They are round and similar in shape to a beetle, but lack wings. 
  • Their color ranges from a light brown to a reddish-brown, getting darker as they progress towards their developed adult stage.

They might be called bed bugs, but these pests are happy to take refuge in a variety of soft, dense materials. Bed bugs can be found anywhere that people go – when we’re out in public, we may bring with us some undetected bed bugs from our homes, unintentionally passing them off to others.

Signs of Bed Bugs

These evasive pests might not make themselves known all too quickly. This makes it important to be educated on what a bed bug infestation looks like. Here are some places to look for signs that you have bed bugs in your home:

  1. Your skin. If you wake up in the morning with itchy patches on your skin and you see little red welts, these might be bed bug bites. The symptoms of these bites range from minor annoyance to serious allergic reactions.
  2. Your bedsheets. Noticing small, dark smears on your sheets might mean that there are bed bugs present. Look for spots that have a reddish-brown color, similar to dried blood. Bed bugs also shed their exoskeletons as they progress through their life cycle, so noticing groups of small black specks on your sheets could indicate that there are bed bugs lurking.
  3. Any other vulnerable places. Bed bugs are capable of living on your clothes, furniture, carpet, and other places with similar material consistencies. Keep an eye out when purchasing second-hand clothing and furniture.

Some people think that a bed bug infestation is a result of poor hygiene, but this is not the case. Anyone is susceptible, regardless of how well you maintain a clean home and healthy habits.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Getting rid of bed bugs is a difficult task. You can try running your infested materials through a washer and dryer on high heat settings, followed by a thorough combing for bed bugs, eggs, and discarded waste. Ultimately, though, this might not be enough to tackle more serious infestations. If you find that your mattress is overrun with bed bugs, ask your local pest control company for help. Our specialists at Leo’s Pest Control are equipped to handle even the most severe cases of bed bug outbreaks. Contact us today for a free quote!

Can My Brick Home Get Termites?

Can brick homes get termites in Bristol TN- Leo's Pest Control

A common myth surrounding termites is that they only infest wooden homes. However, homes made of brick, stone, or other materials remain vulnerable to infestations in Bristol TN for several reasons. There are multiple factors that can attract termites to a building, no matter what materials it’s composed of. This is because termites are attracted to cellulose, which can be found in materials other than wood.

For Termite Awareness Week 2021, the experts at Leo’s Pest Control are here to share all you need to know about what may be putting your home at risk for termite problems. Keep reading to learn more!

What Types of Homes Get Termites?

There is a misconception that only wooden homes can be infested by termites. Unfortunately, this is simply not true. Brick homes, concrete homes, stucco homes, and stone homes can all be infested by termites. Wood stored near your home, moisture issues, wooden decks, and more could all put you at risk for a termite problem. If you notice any of the below risk factors, you could be unknowingly making your home a haven for termites.

What Attracts Termites to My Home?

No matter what type of home you have, the following may make your home more attractive to termites.

  1. Cellulose. Termites may be infamous for infesting wood, but they’re actually after the cellulose contained within! This cellulose is the main component that can be found in wallpaper, plants, mulch, drywall, and more.
  2. Moisture. Leaky pipes, broken sprinklers, or clogged gutters can all lead to moisture problems in your home. In turn, this could attract subterranean termites (not to mention hoards of other pests) inside.
  3. Access to soil. Subterranean termites need contact with soil to live. Any wood items, whether it’s your home, porch, or firewood in the yard, in contact with soil is at risk for a termite problem.
  4. Warmth. Termite problems are generally more common in warmer, humid parts of the world. This puts our Southern state at a higher risk of termite activity year-round.
  5. Decaying wood. If you have logs, trees, or stumps that are rotten or in decay, you can be sure termites will seek them out.
  6. Landscape. Termites can infest mulch, making it important to keep it away from the perimeter of your home. Also, trim back tree branches that may be too close to your property.

Protect Your Home From Termites

No matter what type of home you live in, it’s wise to team up with your local termite control experts at Leo’s Pest Control. Our exterminators can pinpoint exactly where you may be vulnerable to termites after a thorough inspection. Contact us today to learn more!

5 Signs You May Have a Termite Infestation

Damaged wood is a top sign of termites in Bristol TN - Leo's Pest Control

Termites are one of the most dangerous pest problems, mainly due to the fact that they can cause a lot of damage on your property. Unfortunately, termites are difficult to detect until they’ve caused damage. To avoid a full-blown infestation, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the top signs you may have a termite problem. By discovering termites in the early stages, you can get help from a professional termite exterminator such as those with Leo’s Pest Control. Our team of termite experts is here to provide you with all you need to know about the signs of termites here in Bristol.

Most Common Signs of Termite Problems

Termites are pests that are rarely seen by homeowners. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t leave behind evidence of their activity. Here’s what to look for:

  1. Termite swarms
    • Every year, reproductive termites (also known as alates and swarmers) will leave their colony to mate and form new ones.
    • Swarmer termites are frequently mistaken for other flying insects, especially carpenter ants.
    • Seeing winged termites in the spring or summer months is a common sign of termites spreading.
  2. Piles of wings from swarmers
    • After they swarm, the reproductive termites no longer need their wings and will shed them.
    • Termite wings are all the same size and translucent in color.
    • After being shed, they can often appear in a pile together.
  3. Termite frass
    • As they tunnel through dry wood as well as when they swarm, drywood termites create kick-out holes in the wood.
    • This is when their droppings, also known as frass, can be found.
    • Termite frass most closely resembles sawdust or coffee grounds, and can appear in groups.
  4. Mud tubes
    • Subterranean termites nest underground but use mud tubes to travel.
    • These pencil-sized tubes protect the termites from outdoor elements.
    • Seeing mud tubes along the outside of your property is likely the number one sign of termites.
  5. Damage from termites
    • Seeing damage caused by termites is indicative of a serious infestation.
    • Damage most frequently appears in wood around the home. Common damage includes unexplained cracks on walls, beams, and rafters.
    • Termites can cause sagging wood in your floors, as well as hollow-sounding wood.
    • Sometimes wood damage can lead to weakened baseboards and floorboards.

Signs It’s Time to Call a Termite Control Company

If you think you’ve spotted any of the aforementioned signs of termites in or near your property, it’s best to call in your local termite exterminators. A thorough inspection from a trained technician can locate any termite problems in or around your home. To learn more about signs you may have a termite infestation, contact the experts at Leo’s today!