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Fleas and ticks are parasitic insects that can be a major nuisance for both pets and humans. They are not only irritating but can also carry diseases that can be harmful to our health. While these pests are typically associated with outdoor spaces, they can also find their way inside your home. Here are a few prevention tips on how to keep fleas and ticks out of your homes:

Keep your home clean and vacuum regularly

Fleas and ticks thrive in dirty and cluttered environments. Regularly cleaning and vacuuming your home can go a long way in preventing these pests from settling in. Make sure to vacuum your carpets, furniture, and wash your pet’s bedding to remove any eggs or larvae that may be present.

Groom your pets 

Fleas and ticks often enter our homes through our pets. Regularly grooming your pets can help to prevent these pests from hitching a ride. Use a flea comb to remove any fleas or ticks that may be present on your pet’s fur. Also, consider using a flea and tick preventative product recommended by your veterinarian. 

Maintain your yard

Fleas and ticks are often found in tall grass and wooded areas. Keeping your lawn mowed and your yard tidy can help to prevent these pests from taking up residence in your yard. Remove any piles of leaves or debris where these pests can hide. If you suspect you have a flea infestation in your yard, hire a local pest control company such as Scout Pest Control to evaluate and assess the situation. 

Treat your home and yard with insecticides

If you have a severe flea or tick infestation, you may need to use insecticides to treat your home and yard. These products can be purchased at your local hardware or garden store, or hire a pest control company to ensure your home and yard is flea and tick free year round.

Use natural remedies

If you prefer to use natural remedies, there are several options available that can help to repel fleas and ticks. Essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, and citronella can be used as a natural flea and tick repellent. You can also create a natural flea and tick spray using apple cider vinegar and water.

Check yourself and your pets for fleas and ticks

After spending time outdoors, especially after hiking or being in a wooded/grassy area, it’s important to check yourself and your pets for fleas and ticks. These pests can attach themselves to your clothing or fur and be brought into your home.

Preventing fleas and ticks from entering your home requires a combination of regular cleaning, grooming your pets, maintaining your yard, using flea and tick repellent products, and checking yourself and your pets for pests. If you’re looking for a flea and tick exterminator in Huntsville or Madison, Contact Scout Pest Control today. 

Looking at one single termite might not seem very dangerous or possible to cause much harm, but a colony of termites is different. Serious structural damage to your home or other property can come from a colony of termites, and it happens faster than you might think. That’s why it’s important to treat termite colonies as soon as you suspect you might have a termite problem. Each year termites average $5 billion in structural damage. 

There are about 2,000 known species of termites in the world. In this guide, we’re going to talk about a few of these different types and how they differ from each other. 

Subterranean Termites

This type of termite is the most common type of termite in the United States and can be found in every state except for Alaska. This termite species typically live in underground colonies or moist secluded areas above ground. Their colonies can have up to 2 million members and they are by far the most destructive type of termite in the United States. Their distinctive mud tubes are a significant sign that you might be able to notice before anything else. 

Formosan Termites

This type of termite is the most aggressive and devious out of the 2,000 known species. They are most commonly found in the Southeastern part of the United States such as North and South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, etc. They organize huge colonies underground and build distinctive mud nests inside of walls. Since they are known for their aggressive nature, they are difficult to control once they begin to infest a structure. 

Dampwood Termites

Their name makes them pretty self explanatory. They are most present in pacific coastal and adjacent states or the desert. They most commonly infest wood with high moisture content. They are also larger in size than most other termite species. 

Drywood Termites

Unlike the Subterranean and Formosan termites, Drywood termites don’t require access or contact to soil. They prefer to infest wood that is dry and lower in moisture content. Roof materials, dead wood and wall supports are where they most often establish their nests. They don’t require as much moisture to survive as other types of termite species, and they can most commonly be found in Southern states such as the coastal area of the Carolinas and across The Gulf Coast. 

If you suspect you might have a termite infestation, contact Scout Pest Control here. Scout Pest Control is your local pest control company and exterminator in Huntsville, Madison, and Athens, Alabama. 

Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, during the winter months you might occasionally find some unwanted pests inside your home or commercial building. You are likely familiar with damage that rodents cause to structures and health issues they can pose if not taken care of quickly and efficiently. Scout Pest Control is your rodent control expert in and around Huntsville, Alabama. Here is everything you need to know about rodents that enter your home and your options for rodent pest control. 

Entry Points For Rodents

The first step in preventing rodents from entering your home or building, is to eliminate any entry points they may have. These entry points include overhanging trees or branches, holes or cracks in exterior walls, windows and doors, basements and crawl spaces and HVAC vents are just a few of the most common entry points. It’s important to do a thorough inspection around the edge of your home and inside the basement and attics to ensure there are no holes, cracks, or openings perfect for rodents to enter. If you do find anything, then quickly fixing the holes or cracks is your best bet for preventing rodents. 

Damage Rodents Can Cause If Not Treated

Rodents can cause damage to your property’s structure and pose a threat for bringing disease and bacteria into your home. They can contaminate food sources, leave droppings behind, and chew on wires, insulation, and wood inside your home. Costly repairs that you don’t want to have to make. If you suspect that you may have a rodent or multiple in your home, it is best to seek professional help immediately 

Signs That You May Have A Rodent Problem

For mice or rats, you will likely see droppings before you notice any other signs. Other signs include hearing scratching in your walls, seeing claw or bite marks on wood, or in worst circumstances, electrical damage and damage to wires. If you suspect your have a rodent, but aren’t sure where, or haven’t seen them physically, it’s best to seek a professional and take care of the problem quickly before further damage can be caused. 

How Scout Pest Control Can Help

At Scout Pest Control, we offer various methods for rodent control in Huntsville, Madison and Athens, Alabama. We have various traps depending on the size and type of rodent, and the severity of the problem. Other methods include baiting and organic baiting for customers that are concerned about secondary poisoning. Give us a call to discuss pricing and your options for rodent control. 

During the summertime we are used to dealing with spiders, bees, mosquitos etc. But the cold, winter months bring a different wave of pests that are on the hunt for a warm place to shelter from the cold, or in other words, your home. There are several ways you can prepare and try to prevent these infestations from occurring. Below are a few of the common pests that tend to stalk your house in the wintertime: 

House Mice

The most commonly encountered rodent in the United States is the house mouse. They tend to nest in dark areas of your home such as attics or basements, and can cause pricey damage to electrical work, drywall, foundation and more. They like to chew on insulation, wires, wood, and drywall. The house mouse can fit through holes that are as small as a dime, so it’s important to seal any possible entry points to keep these rodents out. Signs that you might have one of these rodents are droppings, a rodent smell, gnawing or claw marks, and damaged food. 

Cockroaches

These types of pests prefer to nest in damp areas that are close to food sources. The German Cockroach is the most common cockroach throughout the world, and it can carry harmful diseases and bacteria. Much like the house mouse, they want food and shelter, which makes your home the perfect environment. To prevent German roaches: deep clean regularly behind, under and around appliances; remove clutter and dispose of garbage quickly; keep food sources in sealed containers; and keep the kitchen free of crumbs or old food. 

Racoons and other wildlife

Racoons are most commonly found in wooded areas throughout the United States. They can enter your home around chimneys or attics, around package HVAC systems, into crawlspaces, and are most often looking for a den area. Raccoons are a frequent host of rabies, so it’s important to use caution if encountering them. Their feces also carry various types of parasites that can be extremely harmful. To prevent these rodents from entering your home or nesting around your home, ensure the trash cans are kept in an area that’s not easily accessible, or has animal proof lids. Sealing entry points that allow access to the attic and crawlspace is also a good idea for keeping them out. 

Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown Recluse spiders are dangerous to humans, and they tend to nest in attics, basements, windows, wall voids, sheds, garages, old boxes, or seldomly used clothing or shoes. A few tips for keeping these spiders away from your home this winter include cutting back any limbs or overgrowth that is hanging above and near your home. Also, storing clothing or sports equipment or shoes in sealed plastic containers when they aren’t being used, will help keep the spiders out of your clothing. Also, closely inspect any items you bring into your home from outside as they are potentially harboring a few of these spiders. One of the most common nesting sites for brown recluse is old wood piles. If you have a wood burning fireplace, there is a real chance you may be bringing some of these spiders inside as you bring in your wood to burn. 

If you’re looking for residential or commercial rodent pest control in Huntsville, Madison, or Athens, Alabama, contact Scout Pest Control today. 

Rodent infestations typically happen during the fall months for several different reasons. Most commonly, because the weather is getting colder and food is becoming sparse and they are looking for warm shelter and something to eat. They are in survival mode during the winter, and your home is usually the best option nearby to seek shelter with a regular food supply. During fall, it’s important to take preventative measures to stop infestations before they even start. 

Why Rodent Infestations Are A Problem

This might seem like common knowledge, but many people don’t understand the detriments that a rodent infestation can cause to your family, whether financially or for health reasons. Rodents such as rats and mice can carry several diseases such as salmonella, hantavirus, leptospirosis and more. This is a problem because rodents can camp out in your food, without you even knowing it. 

They also can cause costly damage to your home because they tend to chew holes in insulation, and chew on wood and wires. Electrical problems are not an easy fix, and you could be dealing with that if you let the infestation go on long enough without proper treatment.

Tips For Preventing An Infestation

Keep Food In Sealed Containers

Keeping your food and pet’s food in sealed containers is a great way to ensure the rodents stay out. Easy access to food sources is one of the main reasons for a rodent infestation in homes.

Seal Any Cracks Or Holes

Rodents are tricky when it comes to finding entryways into your home. Small rodents can fit into holes that are the size of a dime. Inspecting your home for any possible entry points and sealing them is important for preventing access. 

Inspect Packages and Boxes Before Bringing Them Inside

As it gets closer to the holidays, we find ourselves heading out to the garage or shed in search of boxes stored away with decorations inside. We’re also ordering more and more packages to our doors. Be sure to inspect all boxes and packages for any possible rodent nests before bringing them inside. You never know where they could be lurking and hiding.

If you’re looking for residential or commercial rodent pest control in Huntsville, Madison, or Athens, Alabama, contact Scout Pest Control today. 

With Fall right around the corner, you might think that means the flying insects and bugs disappear along with the warmer weather. While that’s true for some, wasps are the exception. You might start seeing more wasps and bees in your yard during the early fall months, and they could be more aggressive too. Let’s learn a little more about why wasps behave this way when cold weather starts to set in. 

Maximum Capacity

Wasp colony numbers are at the highest during the fall due to a wasp’s natural life cycle. During the spring, the Queen wasps emerge and begin laying eggs and building their colonies. During the summer the Queen’s job is to fertilize and lay eggs in order to grow their colony. That leads to higher colony numbers in the fall, sometimes hundreds or thousands of wasps can reside in one nest. More wasps, means a higher number searching for food, and probably in your yard. However, the food is dwindling too. 

Limited Food Sources

Since adult wasps spend their summers caring for its larvae and the colony, they eat a sweet substance that is produced by the larvae in return for being fed insects. When the fall months arrive, and the Queen has stopped laying eggs, the larvae no longer provide a food source for the adult wasps, so they often turn to sweets and carbohydrates instead. The lack of food makes for more aggressive and angry wasps, and they likely hang around your yard searching for sugary foods. 

Protect The Queen

The Queen wasp is likely the only one out of the colony that will survive winter conditions. Future colonies depend on the survival of the Queen, so when the weather begins to cool down, the preparation for the Queen begins. Any potential threat that a social wasp senses to their Queen, can be in danger of being swarmed or stung. Wasps can sting multiple times, and they also release a pheromone that attracts other wasps that may sting as well. This is just one other reason that wasps are much more aggressive and dangerous in the Fall. 

The Search For Warmth

Insects can’t survive during the winter months, so when the weather starts to drop, they begin searching for warmth. Queen wasps won’t spend the winter in the nests the colony is using throughout the spring and summer, instead they search for warmer spots. Your home, unfortunately, is the ideal spot. Walls, sheds, and attics are common places the Queen wasp might choose to shelter in, and if they do choose your home, you will likely see them when they emerge in the springtime. 

If you are dealing with aggressive or excessive wasps around your home, contact Scout Pest Control to learn more about our wasp control service. We service Huntsville, Madison and surrounding areas. 

Bed Bugs are a well known pest that has received a lot of attention over the last decade. You probably already know the common facts: they are hard to get rid of, they cause itchy red bumps, they feed off humans in their sleep, they are likely found in or around furniture. During the Summertime, we tend to see a spike in bed bug cases. We’ve decided to compile a few facts that you probably didn’t know about bed bugs. 

MisIdentified

84% of professional pest control companies were initially contacted about bed bugs before identifying them as a different bug completely. Bed bugs are hard to identify without knowing exactly what to look for and where to look. Therefore, they are often misidentified as bed bugs, when they are in fact a different bug, most likely fleas. 

Most Commonly Infested Buildings

Bed bugs can be found in a variety of different places, more than just your own home. Here are a list of the most commonly infested places:

• Single-Family Homes
• Apartments/Condos
• Hotels/Motels
• Nursing Homes
• Schools & Day Care Centers
• Office Buildings
• Dormitory
• Hospitals
• Public Transportation
• Movie Theaters

Bites Are More Noticeable Than The Bug

In most reported cases of bed bugs, the bites were the first sign of an infestation. More than likely, you won’t be able to spot a bed bug on your own, but you will notice red itchy bumps on your skin. If you have discovered mysterious red itchy bumps that you seem to get during your sleep, it could be a sign of a bed bug problem. Don’t bother trying DIY methods, as you could make the infestation worse, just contact Scout Pest Control. 

Most Unexpected Places To Find Bed Bugs

We’ve talked about the most common places that bed bugs are likely to be found, but now let’s talk about the unexpected places that bed bugs have been found. They are most typically in mattresses, headboards, coaches, bed frames, etc. But the most uncommon places include purses, wheelchairs, airplanes, school buses, hospitals, and even tableside lamps. 

Bed Bugs Are Tough

They don’t just say bed bugs are hard to get rid of for no reason, these pests can survive for months without a meal, and they can also survive temperatures from well below freezing up to as high as a hundred and fifteen or a hundred and twenty degrees! They are also resistant to most common insecticides and require special methods and products to eliminate them. This is why professional pest control help is the best way to treat bed bugs. 

If you’re searching for a residential or commercial pest control company in Huntsville, Madison, or surrounding areas, contact Scout Pest Control here. For more tips on how to defend your home against bed bugs, click here. 

With a crazy housing market and thousands of people moving to our area, north Alabama has had a frenzied few years when it comes to home ownership changes. With a tight existing inventory, home builders have scrambled to keep up with demand. However, new is nowhere near “pest proof.” Surprisingly to some, new houses can experience many types of pest issues. In fact, tearing up land and local ecology can unfortunately draw undue attention as the local wildlife re-enters the space it was removed from temporarily. They too are coming to get their share of real estate. 

Scout Pest Control has been delivering high quality residential pest control services to Huntsville, Madison, Athens and surrounding areas since 2013. No matter what your pest problem is, we can help control and eliminate it. Learn more below about a few of our most popular residential pest control services. 

Ant Control

Ants are not only annoying pests, but they can cause serious damage to your home if not taken care of. Ants can contaminate food, and take over a backyard quickly. Highly efficient, they are likely the first pests a new home owner may encounter.

If you’re struggling with ants either in your home, or in your yard, then Scout Pest Control can help. Learn more about our ant control service here. 

Rodent Control

Having rats or mice in your home can be very unsettling and unsanitary. They carry dangerous diseases and bacteria and can cause structural damage to your home. Not only can they contaminate food sources, but they can also chew through electrical wires and insulation, as well as drywall. They can be stowaways from your construction period or even get in weep holes, which home builders tend to leave completely open.

If you have a rodent problem, contact Scout Pest Control today to take care of it. Learn more about our rodent control service here. 

Termite Control

You probably already know how dangerous termites can be to the structure of your home. They can cause hundreds and possibly thousands dollars worth of damage to your property. If you think you have a termite problem, do not wait to take action against them. The longer you wait, the more damage they can cause. Termites can appear in swarms which can be easier for you to spot, in other cases they may be difficult to find with few signs.

One good thing about buying new is that you can be proactive. In both new and existing homes, termite stations can help prevent termites from being an issue! This pest is definitely better to prevent that to have to deal with after the infestation occurs. 

Learn more about our termite control here. 

Mosquito Control

If mosquitoes are taking over your backyard, it might be time to call the professionals. Mosquitoes can be difficult to ward off, and can make enjoying your outdoor space impossible. 

Many homebuilders might provide water amenities like a lake or a pool. Sometimes certain ditches in the construction areas pool water. All wet environments hold the potential for these point-nosed pests.

Scout Pest Control can help keep them at bay and reduce the mosquito population living in your yard. Learn more about our mosquito control service here. 

Bed Bug Control

Often considered a pest in apartments or low income areas, bed bugs are a problem that span all demographics and can be found in the nicest hotels, in office spaces, and are easily brought home.

If you are moving furniture via other companies and it gets stored for a period of time, bed bugs can move between storage units. If you are purchasing furniture used, these can carry the bugs. The best precaution is to inspect furniture, especially couches and beds, before bringing it in. Using a flashlight, carefully look for signs of infestation.

If you suspect you have a bed bug problem, it’s important to take action quickly. Bed bugs can reproduce rapidly, and are very difficult to get rid of without professional help. Don’t waste your time with DIY measures or home remedies, because you’ll end up wasting your money and you can even make the infestation worse. Contact Scout Pest Control if you’re looking for a bed bug exterminator in Huntsville, Madison, Athens or surrounding areas. 

Scout Pest Control is your trusted pest control company, new home or not. Contact us today to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services.  

You or someone you know has probably had a run in with bed bugs before. Whether it was in your own home, a hotel room, dorm room or maybe even an office. Your best bet to avoid bed bugs is to avoid bringing them into your home in the first place. The bad news is most people don’t even know they brought bed bugs home, until the infestation is out of control. So, how can you defend your home against these pests? Let’s take a closer look below. 

Inspect Your Hotel Room 

If you go on vacation or a business trip, it is also a good idea to inspect your hotel room for bed bugs before you bring your luggage into the sleeping part of the room, this way if you do find bed bugs, your luggage hasn’t been exposed. With a small flashlight you should pull back the bedding and inspect the head of the bed, the mattress seams and edges, and around the box springs. The headboard of a bed is a hotspot for bed bugs, you should check very thoroughly around that area. If you don’t find any bed bugs, or any signs such as fecal stains, then you should be in the clear. If you do find evidence of bed bugs, it is best to notify the hotel staff immediately and be placed in another room. 

How To Avoid Bringing Them Inside Your Home

If you suspect that you may have been exposed to bed bugs, it’s important to NOT bring them anywhere inside your house. Remove shoes and clothes outside and closely inspect them for any signs of bed bugs. Even if you don’t find any signs, it’s best to wash those clothing items immediately in hot water, or at least put them in the dryer, since these pests can’t survive in hot temperatures. These pests are also very hard to spot with the naked eye, so just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. 

What To Do If You Accidentally Brought Bed Bugs Into Your Home

It is very common for people to bring bed bugs into their homes without even knowing it until it’s too late and an infestation has started. Don’t worry, a reputable pest control company who handles bed bugs, such as Scout Pest Control, will inspect and customize a strategy to rid your home of these pests. Bed bug removal likely takes several different treatments before they are fully gone, and every situation is different. That’s why if you suspect you have bed bugs, you should contact Scout Pest Control for a free inspection. 

Why You Shouldn’t Try To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Yourself

There might be several different over the counter products to use for bed bug eradication, but you could be doing more harm than good. Not only could you cause the infestation to spread to other parts of your home, but these over the counter bed bug bombs and other products typically have a lot of harmful chemicals that you could be exposing yourself and your family to. Bug bombs and foggers more than likely will not solve the problem, and you will likely have to reach out to a specialist anyway. Not only that, bed bugs can build up a tolerance to over the counter products, making them more resistant to being killed. So before you waste your time and effort trying to fix the problem yourself, reach out to a professional pest control company and let them guide you through the next steps to having a pest free home again. 

If you are looking for a reliable pest control company in Athens, Huntsville, Madison or surrounding areas, contact Scout Pest Control. Learn more about our bed bug service here. 

Spiders are interesting creatures that most people are afraid of. Their bites can be painful, walking into their webs and nests can be annoying, and they are likely hard to spot. However, there are many facts about spiders that you might not be aware of. Here are 10 facts about spiders from Scout Pest Control that you might not know:

Spiders Eat More Insects Than Bats & Birds Combined

You may not know that spiders play a big role in controlling the insect population. Spiders are known to eat more insects than birds and bats combined. Unfortunately, they most often become prey instead of just predators. 

Antarctica Is The Only Continent Without Spiders

You think you can escape spiders living in The United States? Wrong! Antarctica is the only continent to have no spiders. Studies have been done that report you are never more than 10 feet away from a spider at all times, although one study showed as close as 3 feet. Either way, unless you plan on moving to Antarctica soon, spiders are just part of everyday life. 

Spider’s Silk is Stronger Than Steel

We have all walked through a spiderweb more than once in our lives, but have you ever considered how tough this material really is? Scientists discovered that thousands of smaller strands stick together to form the clingy web. If human size, they even say it could snag a jetliner. Read more about the study here. 

The Goliath Spider Is The Largest In The World

The Goliath Birdeater spider is the largest spider in the world and belongs to the Tarantula (Theraphosidae) family. Its fangs can grow up to 1 inch long, and its body can measure up to 11 inches wide. This spider is generally found in Northern South America. Considering its size, you may think this spider is terrifying, however, their venom is not toxic to humans, but can be lethal to small creatures.

Spiders Only Use Four Of Their Legs To Move

A widely known fact about spiders is that they have eight legs, but did you know when they move they have four legs on the ground, and four in the air the entire time? Tiny special hairs are at the end of spider’s legs which allow them to grip onto surfaces, horizontal or vertical. The fastest spider is believed to be the giant house spider, which can run approximately 34 times its body length every second. 

Spiders Have Hydraulic Legs

This may sound ridiculous, but it’s pretty much true! Spider muscles work in weird ways, drawing the legs inward, but their muscles can’t extend the leg outward again. Instead, they create a sort of hydraulic pressure in their midsection, which sends blood (hemolymph) flowing to the legs in order to extend them out again. Almost all other insects with limbs have both flexor and extensor muscles, but not spiders.

If you are searching for a reliable spider pest control company to take care of your spider problem in Huntsville, Madison or surrounding areas, give Scout Pest Control a call today!