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!

We all know ants are a nuisance, but what most people don’t realize is that ants are also a danger. They are capable of causing damage inside and outside of your home. Ants are a major cause of home damage, especially when they’re nesting inside your home without your knowledge. The ants will chew through electrical wires, insulation, and even drywall. They can even eat through your kitchen cabinets. If you spot one or two ants, there are likely many more to follow.

Ants have a nasty habit of leaving their nests in search of food, which means they can enter your home through many different places and quite easily. You can’t always tell whether ants are inside your home or outside. Ants may be inside your home because they’re nesting in your attic, under your kitchen sink, or in your bathroom. They may be outside because they’re living in your garden or on your porch. 

Here are a few ways ants can cause damage to your home:

1. They can chew through your wiring and insulation

Ants can chew through your wiring and insulation. They will chew through wires, insulation, and drywall. They will even eat through the metal in your attic. Ants will chew through the insulation, which is a fire hazard. If you notice ants in your attic, make sure to get them out of your home immediately.

2. They can eat through your kitchen cabinets

Ants are also capable of eating through your kitchen cabinets. Obviously, this is a problem if you have any food inside your cabinets. The ants will eat through the wood and eat their way through your cabinets to gain access to the food. This is more than likely something you will be able to spot before it gets too out of hand.

3. They can chew through your drywall

Ants are also capable of chewing through your drywall. If you suspect you have an ant colony inside of your drywall or that they have gained access to your drywall, it’s important to take the right steps to get rid of the ants, and introduce preventative measures so they don’t come back. Ants can also chew through your wood. This is a very dangerous problem if you have a lot of wood in your home. Ants can chew through the wood, causing it to rot and possibly fall apart.

4. Contaminate Food Sources

Ants are also capable of contaminating food sources. They can contaminate food sources such as your refrigerator, pantry, and food left on your counter or in the sink. It’s important to store food in sealed containers to avoid ants having access to it. For more information on how to get rid of ants in your home, view our blog post here.

These are the main ways that ants can cause damage to your home. If you suspect that you have ants, or can’t seem to get control on the infestation, contact Scout Pest Control today. We serve Huntsville, Madison, and surrounding areas and would love to earn your business.

You may not think of fleas and ticks as something scary, but these parasites are known to cause irritation and infection in humans and animals and can actually spread many types of life threatening diseases! Here are a few reasons from Scout Pest Control on why you should take preventative measures against these parasites and how to go about doing so.

Fleas and ticks are found all over the world. The risk of tick-borne diseases is increasing because of changes in the environment, including a rise in the number of tick species, and the ability of the ticks to adapt to new hosts. There are also more types of flea and tick born illnesses now than in times past. This includes Lyme disease, as well as many others – including one which makes you allergic to red meat! This is caused by what’s called Alpha-gal syndrome and is spread by the lone star tick, which is becoming common in Northern Alabama and the greater Huntsville area. 

Fleas and ticks are highly adaptable parasites that can survive in a variety of environments, and as a result, their presence can be very difficult to eradicate.

The Importance of Preventative Measures

Preventative measures are essential in protecting your dog and cat from fleas and ticks. There are several ways to do this. These include the use of a monthly flea and tick treatments to protect your pet. In addition, pest control services help to keep fleas and ticks out of your yard and can reduce potential exposure to ticks and fleas. If you live anywhere near wildlife or wooded areas, or areas where birds land or nest, you have a higher risk of having flea and tick problems. Since this includes most homes and yards, it’s very important to take preventative measures.

Fleas and ticks are blood-feeding parasites that can transmit disease. In humans, they can cause dermatitis and itchy rashes as well as more serious diseases like Lyme and Alpha-gal syndrome, but also can cause paralysis and even death. In dogs and cats, they can cause irritation, skin and eye disease, and like with humans, even paralysis as well as death.

How Scout Pest Control Can Help

If you are dealing with fleas and ticks inside or around your home, Scout Pest Control can perform a thorough and intense treatment to eliminate these parasites and prevent them from returning. Fleas can be very difficult to eliminate, and multiple treatments may be required depending on the extent of the infestation. Fleas and ticks also reproduce quickly and in large amounts, which is why it’s important to call a professional. Before you even know there is a problem, the fleas and ticks in your home or yard are reproducing on a large scale. 

Flea & Tick Target Areas

If you have pets, there are a few hot-spots in your home that fleas migrate to. These target areas include personal bedding and pet bedding, any area your pet regularly rests such as furniture, carpet or rugs, etc. Bedding should be washed thoroughly with hot water, carpet and rugs should be vacuumed regularly and thoroughly, and it’s important to give your pet flea and tick prevention so they don’t have anything to feed on. 

If you are in need of residential pest control services, Scout Pest Control can help with flea and tick control, mosquito control, rodent control, wasp/bee control, termite control, bed bug treatments and more. We also offer commercial pest control services for businesses such as restaurants, office buildings, schools, and more. Contact us today.

Unfortunately with the warmer weather just around the corner, comes certain pests such as fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. If your backyard seems like a popular mosquito breeding ground and you’re tired of not being able to enjoy your space without being bitten, here are a few tips from Scout Pest Control on how to control mosquitoes in your yard. 

Mosquito Control

Mosquitoes are the most common pest found in backyards during the spring and summer months and Scout Pest Control is here to help. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common mosquito problems in backyards and how to deal with them. Scout Pest Control can help you get rid of these pesky pests, while at the same time saving you money on insecticides. Learn more about our mosquito control here. 

Clean Up Your Yard

This might seem like a basic tip, but mosquitoes are known for breeding in standing water, dirty or clogged gutters, trash cans, flower pots, leaky pipes and more. It’s important to eliminate all possible sources of standing water in order to decrease the amount of mosquitoes in your yard. However, just because you are taking all possible measures to keep mosquitoes away, doesn’t mean your neighbors are doing the same. If you’re still struggling with mosquitoes, then contact an exterminator such as Scout Pest Control. 

Screened In Porch

If you live in the country or have a lot of land, then it may be harder to control mosquitoes. For households that live a bit off the grid, or close to tree lines, you may have a bigger than normal problem with mosquitoes in and around your yard. It could be beneficial to invest in a screened in porch or area where you can enjoy your space without having to worry about getting bit by mosquitoes all the time. 

Utilize Fans

Utilizing fans both indoors and outdoors is another tip for keeping mosquitoes away. Consumer Report did a study where they tested citronella candles, oscillating fans, and a battery-powered diffuser, and found that the fan reduced mosquito landings by 45-65% for people sitting nearby. 

Use Bug Repellent

When you’re outside in a public place such as parks, ball fields, restaurants, etc. be sure to use bug repellent to keep the mosquitoes off. Mosquito bites are not only itchy and painful, but they also can bring diseases such as the West Nile virus, the Zika virus, Malaria, and more. So when you don’t have control over the mosquito population, you should always prepare for extra protection. Bug repellents come in many different scents, and they even have some for sensitive skin without the harmful chemicals for children. Do your research and find the best repellent for you and your family to keep on hand when needed. 

Scout Pest Control is a pest control company and exterminator serving Athens, Huntsville, Madison and surrounding areas. If the mosquitoes are taking over your backyard, call us today to learn more about our mosquito control program and how it can help.

There are several clues that may indicate the presence of termites on your property. If you notice any of these signs below, it is important to call a pest control professional such as Scout Pest Control immediately.

Mud tubes

Termites build mud tubes – which are small structures on the sides or underneath buildings that are made up of soil and termite saliva. They serve as protection for the termite colony while traveling from their nests to food sources. It is also a useful indicator of where termites are located. These tubes may be found in crawlspaces, on walls, windows, door frames and other structures.

Swarmers

Swarmers, or alates, are another sign of termite infestation – they will emerge from existing mud tubes and swarm in large numbers on, in, or near the building. This happens during mating season, which occurs in spring and early summer. The swarming termites are dark-colored and have wings with brownish-yellow veins – many say they resemble flying ants.

Termite droppings

Termite droppings can also be a sign of infestation. These are dry, pellet-type feces.. You may see them in passageways or exit holes of termites of swarmer termites, which are typically very small.. These droppings are most often associated with dry wood termites and not found with subterranean termites which are what we have in Northern Alabama. 

Damaged wood

Termites damage wood by burrowing into it and feeding on cellulose – any visible structural damage to building components I’m an be a sign of termite activity. It can be difficult to detect wood damage inside walls before it becomes severe, which is why it’s so important to have your home treated to prevent problems and to have annual inspections done. 

Wood dust

Similar to sawdust or wood shavings, you may notice accumulations of fine particles that resemble pencil shavings are often confused as being from termites. This is often in fact damage caused by a different wood pest the Carpenter Ant. Another wood destroying pest that causes similar damage, but with a finer dust that more resembles powdered sugar is from a powder post beetle. 

If you suspect that you may have termites on your residential or commercial property, you should act fast because the longer they are there, the more damage they can cause and the more they reproduce.

A pest control company can help decide the best course of action which is generally a baiting technique or liquid termite treatments. These should be monitored on a regular basis to help detect signs of termite activity and treat the pests before they become too much of an issue. Each termite situation is different, and we take that into consideration before making suggesting a  method of treatment, whether that be baiting or liquid treatments.

Scout Pest Control serves Huntsville, Madison, Athens and surrounding areas. They specialize in both residential and commercial pest control services including mosquito control, rodents, ants, wasps/hornets, bed bugs, roaches, and more. Contact us today for a free inspection!

Pests and vermin are unfortunately a part of life. Some live in the environments around us, whether it be your backyard or local park, while others reside inside your house with you. It’s wise to learn how you can prevent these pests from entering your home because once they have made it inside, controlling them can become very difficult. Here are a few entryways that pests use to get inside your home.

Holes and cracks in the foundation and exterior walls

These holes can measure up to 1/4 of an inch in size, but smaller holes are also common. When inspecting possible entrances for pests it is helpful to have a bright light source and to enlist the help of a friend.

Trees and Branches

Trees with branches that come into contact with the house, leaving an opening for pests to use as entryways. Branches are probably one of the most common ways vermin have access to your home. If you have any trees touching your house it would be smart to trim them so they are at least 12 feet away from the house. This way it keeps pests further away, and decreases the chance of them entering your home through the roof or attic.

Drafts

Drafts, even those caused by temperature differences throughout your home. Pests are attracted to cozy sites where they can find shelter and warmth, especially during the winter months. Sealing up drafty areas or getting a professional exterminator to do it for you will help cut down on pest infestations in your home.

Basements and Crawl Spaces

Basements with poor drainage or that are exposed to ground water, also known as “water entry”. Sometimes having a sump pump with an alarm system is enough to prevent this type of infestation, but if the problem persists it may be best to discuss this with a professional pest control expert. Pests are attracted to any humid or damp areas, so make sure your basements are properly ventilated.

Window Screens and Doors

Insects crawl in through window screens, vents or open doors. Screens are an easy way for many types of pests and rodents to gain entry into your home. Taking the time every few months to check your screens and seal up any holes that you find will help keep them out. It is also important to make sure all windows and doors are closed before leaving your home.

HVAC vents 

These are another common entryway for pests looking to make your home their own. When it is time to change your air filter make sure to inspect the screen carefully. If you find any tears or holes in the screen, take some duct tape and seal them up, or replace the old one with a new one.

There are many different entryways for pests to enter your home that you probably aren’t even aware of. The best way to ensure that all of these entryways are sealed up, is to hire a pest control company like Scout Pest Control. They can inspect the interior and exterior of your home and address any problems or areas of concerns they come across.