Are House Flies Dangerous?

Are House Flies Dangerous?

Dealing with house flies can certainly be annoying. Having them land on your food, your kitchen utensils, or your arms and legs is surely enough to frustrate a person. The constant buzzing and persistence is close to intolerable. When around these pests, it’s easy to realize the annoyance, but there’s another underlying problem that can easily slip people’s minds as they angrily swat them away. Are house flies actually dangerous? The answer to this is, yes, but we’ll get to the details of this later on.

The house fly is the most common fly to be found in a person’s home. They encompass 90% of all fly infestations, so it’s likely you’ve encountered these types of flies before. They’re about 6 to 7 mm long and gray in color with black lines on their backs. Their eyes are red and they have a set of wings. For more description, check out our pest guide page.

On top of being the most common fly to infest a home, they are also one of the top flies for spreading bacteria. While they do not bite, they can spread disease by flying from place to place. This is what makes house flies so dangerous. Think about how quickly these guys are as they buzz around you. One minute they’re in the dumpster, crawling over rotting food, and the next, they’re on the dinner you just prepared. Picking up the bacteria on their bodies allows them to spread it to the next place they land. Ultimately, this contaminates food or kitchen supplies, which can cause a person to become ill. House flies are capable of spreading at least 65 diseases, including salmonella, typhoid fever, cholera, and tuberculosis.

The hazards that house flies bring make them unwanted in homes and businesses. If you own a business, the threat is even greater as an infestation could spread illnesses to both employees and customers. This could lead to secondary problems such as lawsuits, bad reviews, loss of products and sales, loss of employees, etc. House flies may be small, but they have the potential to cause devastation.

To prevent the annoyance of flies, and the health risks they pose, prevention is extremely important. In order to prevent house flies follow these steps:

  • Take out trash frequently and keep garbage away from your home. Make sure the bins are well sealed or covered.
  • Store all food using airtight containers.
  • Clean up spills or crumbs. Flies are very talented at finding any source of food that’s around.
  • Replace damaged screens or perhaps screens in your doorways to keep these flies from entering.
  • Seal any cracks or holes that would allow house flies a way to get inside.
  • Dirty dishes and clogged drains can attract these flies as well.

Russell’s Pest Control can help you keep house flies away from your home or business. This time of year, you may notice an increase of flies moving indoors. Don’t let house flies ruin your fall or your health! Partner with Russell’s Pest Control and we’ll help keep your home or facility free of pests. Contact us today to find out more information.

Foolproof Pest-Proofing Tips To Keep Pests Out Of Your House This Fall

Foolproof Pest-Proofing Tips To Keep Pests Out Of Your House This Fall

It’s that time of year when nothing feels better than curling up in front of the fireplace on a chilly evening. If you have pets, you know they enjoy it too, so it should come as no surprise that other animals also love to cozy up in the comfort of a warm room.

When the temperatures begin to drop, rodents, cockroaches, and spiders are just some of the critters that will begin to make their way indoors in search of a warm place to stay. Russell’s Pest Control would like to remind you that fall is the perfect time to pest-proof your home to keep these unwelcome visitors out.

It’s no great surprise that these pests try to get in. When colder weather hits, they go into survival mode, searching for a place to call home for winter that not only provides warmth, but also food and water. They often end up in houses because inhabited homes are the most likely places that will provide for all these of their winter needs.

Once inside, these pests are bad news. Rodents, cockroaches, and other invaders contaminate food, spread disease, destroy property, and can even bring other unwelcome visitors into your home. In order to minimize your chances of allowing these pests into your house this fall, Russell’s recommends following the guidelines on fall pest-proofing set forth by the National Pest Management Association. By acting on these tips, you can protect your home and family from the threats that these pests bring.

  • Cap chimneys, screen vents, and cover any other openings to the outdoors, such as mail slots or pet doors.
  • Keep areas prone to moisture, such as basements and attics, well-ventilated and dry. Consider using a dehumidifier in these areas and repair any water-damaged spots immediately.
  • Keep food stored in airtight containers or in the refrigerator. Clean counters and remove trash from your home regularly. When trash is stored outside, keep it in tightly sealed bins away from your house.
  • Replace damaged tiles, shingles, and weather stripping around your home. Check for holes, cracks, and gaps, and fill any you find.
  • Inspect boxes, mail, and grocery bags for pest damage before bringing them into your home.
  • Do not leave pet food outside.
  • Contact a professional pest control service like Russell’s Pest Control when you suspect an infestation.

Remember pests can fit through the smallest of openings, so your best line of defense is to make sure your home is in tip-top shape and if it’s not to repair any damage you find. Try using caulk and steel wool in damaged areas to help keep pests out. They can work wonders.

For more information about fall pests and how to prevent them, give us a call today!

Are You Ready For Summer?

Are You Ready For Summer?

Summer pests are coming, are you ready? Perhaps you have already seen some pests around your home, but there are still more to come. Cockroaches, termites, mosquitoes, wasps, and hornets are on the way! So, what can you do to rid your home and yard of the most common and dangerous insect pests that are active in summer? Once the battle of dealing with summer pests is under control, you can get outside and enjoy the summertime to its fullest.

First, let’s examine the dangers of these pests:

Cockroaches are dangerous to both humans and pets. They walk through garbage and travel through sewers before they enter your home. During that time, their legs and bodies collect a variety of bacteria that they can then spread inside your home through contact with food and the surfaces inside your home, as well as through their feces. This bacteria can cause illnesses that can cause vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. Their shed skins and feces can also lead to asthma attacks in some people as well.

Termites are dangerous to structures. They live underground but eat and travel through the wood to gather cellulose to feed the members of their colonies. They stay very well hidden underground or inside the wood and work virtually silently as they hollow out wood where they may create a secondary or satellite nest. It can take months, or even years, to detect an infestation, and by that time your home may already have significant and costly termite damages.

Mosquitoes are now known to carry some dangerous diseases that they can transmit to humans and pets through their bites. These diseases include malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, West Nile virus, chikungunya, and Zika virus. West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne illness in the United States and can lead to confusion, weakness, high fevers, and can sometimes even put people in a coma.

Wasps and hornets can sting humans and pets. Their stingers are smooth and can sting their victims repeatedly. Hornets are just larger wasps; both will defend their nests aggressively if they feel threatened. Both wasp and hornet stings are painful. Some people can have a serious allergic reaction to these stings and may require medical attention.

Each of these pests are dangerous in one form or another, and it is important to eliminate them and the threats they cause, but trying to get rid of these pests without the help of a pest control professional can be dangerous. Russell’s Pest Control can help you control these summer pests and provide services to prevent them in the future.

Here are some helpful tips to help you to get ready for summer pests:

  • Keep vegetation trimmed back and away from your home
  • Make sure your chimney caps are tight fitting and vent covers are secure
  • Repair broken, damaged, or loose roof shingles and window screens
  • Seal any gaps, cracks, and holes in exterior walls, windows, and doors
  • Reduce moisture in and around your home
  • Fix leaky pipes and fixtures right away
  • Use a dehumidifier inside your home where moisture is a problem
  • Avoid wood to soil contact around your home
  • Keep your yard free from piles of wood and debris
  • Reduce standing water around your property
  • Take trash out on a regular basis
  • Store food inside airtight containers
  • Clean up food and drink spills right away
  • Keep counters clean and free of crumbs
  • Inspect bags, boxes, and packages for pests before bringing them inside

In the end, professional pest control is essential to eliminate these pests, control them, and keep them away. At Russell’s Pest Control, our motto is: “The Power to Prevent, Driven to Protect”. We are here to help in Eastern Tennessee and Knoxville. We offer four Power programs that protect your home against 30+ common household pests, and more! Our programs are Power, Power Gold, Power Plus+, and Power Platinum. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you get summer pests under control so that you can get out and enjoy your summer, stress-free from dangerous pests.

Most Likely Places Camel Crickets Will Be Found

Most Likely Places Camel Crickets Will Be Found

Likely you’ve never even heard of a camel cricket, but if you see one chances are you will never forget it! Camel crickets have a spider-like appearance and a humped back with large back legs. They do not have wings nor do they fly, but they sure look like they are flying when they leap at you and go soaring through the air. These brown little creatures are surely a pest you don’t want to share your space with. Camel crickets like to chew, and they can destroy your upholstery, fabrics, and clothing.  

Outside in nature, you will find them hiding out in rotting leaf piles, under decks, near drain spouts, and more. They will find sources of moisture to inhabit such as by leaky outdoor faucets or in clogged gutters. When it gets too hot or dry out, camel crickets will find their way into your home. They will often take up residence in dark damp basements, crawl spaces, and sometimes improperly sealed attics. They will settle anywhere they can find a cool, moist area.

The easiest way to avoid getting a camel cricket infestation is to remove sources of moisture. Rake up any leaf piles and remove rotting leaves from around your home. Make sure all outdoor faucets are not leaking and that gutters and drain spots are clear and functioning properly. Seal up cracks in foundations and windows that might allow water to enter. Run a dehumidifier in basements and attics to keep those areas dry.

If you already have a camel cricket infestation, you may want to take a more dedicated and intensive approach. The professionals at Russell’s Pest Control are fully equipped to seek out the dark corners and creepy spaces that camel crickets will hide in. These nocturnal creatures are difficult for a homeowner to find. Russell’s Pest Control can come out and do a one-time treatment, or they can work with you to come up with a pest control plan that will not only eliminate the camel cricket problem but will help you avoid one again in the future.

We Know Fleas Are Annoying But Are They Dangerous?

We Know Fleas Are Annoying But Are They Dangerous?

As any pet owner can tell you, the flea is the bane of our favorite furry friend’s life. But, a lot of people have no real idea that a home without pets can also become infested with these easy to get, hard to get rid of pests. These little beasts can be deposited near our homes by stray animals as well as by wild animals that rest a bit too close. They can also be introduced by rodents who might have snuck in while the homeowner wasn’t looking. However they came to be, a flea problem is so much more than a biting annoyance hopping from the carpet to an unsuspecting leg in the living room.

The flea bite can leave a red, welted, itchy reminder that can last for days on both a human host and a beloved pet. Continual scratching can, of course, lead to an open wound and infection if it is not cared for. It is also not uncommon for people and pets to have allergic reactions to flea bites making the matter so much worse. The flea carries around the larvae of the tapeworm. If the flea is accidentally ingested either by the pet or by a person, they stand the chance of developing a tapeworm. And still worse news, the flea is also a carrier of several diseases that their bite can be attributed to. Cat scratch fever and even the plague have been proven to have been caused by flea bites.

It is important to do your part to make sure that fleas do not become an accidental part of your household. If you have pets, make sure that you are using the flea and tick prevention treatments your vet recommends on a regular basis; and make sure that you are taking the time to regularly vacuum pet bedding, carpets, and furniture thoroughly as well.

The flea is a tiny bug, looking more like a speck of dirt then a pest on first glance. But, the moment it bites or jumps when you try to brush it away, it becomes quite clear that it is a flea. Once you see one, you need to be very aware that there is not just one in the house. Fleas breed very quickly and are extraordinarily difficult to eliminate.

When you begin to see fleas is when it is time to call Russell’s Pest Control. Our licensed pest control team is well trained on how to deal with problem fleas in a home. Our methods remove not only the adult fleas but also the eggs which so many over the counter solutions will generally not touch. A call to Russell’s Pest Control will put you back in control of any problem pest in your home, including fleas.

Spring Cleaning Tips To Avoid Spring Pests

Spring Cleaning Tips To Avoid Spring Pests

Now that spring has sprung, if you’re like most folks, you’ll be turning your attention to doing a little spring cleaning. Raking up the yard, cleaning out the garage, and getting rid of the piles of accumulated stuff that has gathered in every corner of your home will give you a fresh start to the warm weather season ahead. So take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then, take a peek at the following list of to-do’s that will not only help you get your home spic and span, but help you keep all those household pests at bay as well.

Tips for the KITCHEN

One pest that loves to invade kitchens in spring is ants. They do this because kitchens are the most likely place they will find food. While you may think your kitchen is already clean, take note that there may be hidden sources of food for ants and other pests that are out of sight, out of mind.

  • Remove all items from your pantry and cabinets, and discard out-of-date or stale items. Things like spices and flours tend to attract pantry pests such as beetles, moths and ants.

  • Wipe down the inside of all of your cabinets and consider installing fresh shelf paper.

  • Pull out all appliances and vacuum behind them.

  • Scrub down your kitchen counters and the floor with a pail full of dish liquid and warm water.

Tips for the BATHROOM

Pests that love to invade bathrooms include silverfish and cockroaches. These insects love moisture, so eliminating sources of moisture in your bathroom will go a long way to making it a less inviting environment for these and other moisture-loving pests.

  • These pests can’t survive longer than a week without water. So make sure there are no wet areas around your bathroom fixtures. Fix any leaks you find, and use fans or dehumidifiers to dry out the air.

  • Thoroughly clean your shower curtain (or install a new one).

  • Take all items out of your medicine cabinet and wipe the shelves down.

Tips for the BASEMENT

Rodents and spiders are the pests that love to encroach upon basement spaces. The main reason for this is that basements tend to have dark corners and lots of clutter to hide behind or inside.

  • Sort through your belongings and discard, sell or donate unwanted items.

  • Replace paper or cardboard storage containers with hard plastic a tight fitting lids.

  • Seal up any gaps or cracks you find in your basement walls.

Tips for OUTSIDE

There are many steps you can take to make the outside of your home less inviting to spring pests.

  • Remove all lawn clutter and weeds.

  • Trim bushes and trees back away from your home.

  • Clear out gutters and downspouts.

  • Repair any damaged areas to the outside of your home.

While these steps will help you keep pests at bay, if you are finding that pests have already made their way inside, consider reaching out to a professional pest control company. Here at Russell’s Pest Control, we can take care of pest elimination and prevention for you, so you can sit back and enjoy your spring.

Centipede Or Millipede: Is It Really All In The Legs?

Centipede Or Millipede: Is It Really All In The Legs?

Perhaps two of the most misunderstood and misidentified pests in homes across America are the centipede and the millipede. While these two do have similarities including a long, exoskeletal, segmented body; the ability to grow new segments during molting; the ability to live several years; and their habit of laying eggs underground, they really are quite different and very easy to distinguish once you know the facts.

The centipede, for instance, has only one pair of legs per segment; each pair of legs is relatively long allowing them to move quickly from place to place. Their bodies appear flattened, and they have two long, segmented antenna used for feeling and smelling. The centipede is equipped with a pair of venomous legs on the first segment directly behind the head that they use for protection and for paralyzing prey. They are capable of biting humans with these appendages, and although the bite is painful, it rarely causes an issue. Centipedes also have a modified pair of legs on their last segment that they use for defending themselves and for mating. Centipedes can be yellow to dark brown and some have darker stripes or markings. They live in stony crevices, leaf piles, and rotting logs when outside, and will inhabit moist nooks and crannies of your home such as basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces. They will feed on insects, spiders, reptiles, and birds.

The millipede, on the other hand, has two pair of legs per segment; each pair of legs is short allowing them to more rather slowly. Their bodies are rounded, similar to that of a worm; and they have two short, segmented antenna that they use as sensory devices. The millipede does not have venomous legs anywhere on their bodies, but they are equipped with glands along their trunk that produces and squirts noxious chemicals that can irritate skin and cause a repulsive odor. They do not bite or sting. Millipedes can be red, orange, brown, or black; or they can be mottled. They typically live in decaying vegetation and move inside when conditions become too warm or too dry, and will inhabit moist areas such as basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces. Millipedes feed on decaying plant matter and seedlings.

It really doesn’t matter which insect you have invading your home, neither is one that you would want to live with. Fact is, if these pests have found a way past your defenses into your living areas, there is a pretty good chance that other, more harmful, pests have also.

The best way to prevent centipedes and millipedes from rooming in your home and to keep other more harmful insects away as well is with year-round pest control from Russell’s Pest Control. Our year-round pest control plans are some of the most comprehensive in the industry and work to protect your home from over 30 common pests including centipedes and millipedes.

Don’t share your home with unwanted pests; partner with the trusted professionals here at Russell’s Pest Control instead.

Why Do I Have Camel Crickets In My Basement?

Why Do I Have Camel Crickets In My Basement?

If your basement is dark and moist, that is all the incentive camel crickets need. They may have come into your home last fall when the temperatures outside dropped. Not wanting to die is a pretty big incentive for camel crickets. If you’ve come here looking for more of a, “how did camel crickets get into my basement?” sort of question, or a, “how do I get camel crickets out of my basement?” question, this article is for you.

If your “why” is more of a “how” the answer is simple. You have camel crickets in your basement because camel crickets have no real body structure underneath their hard exoskeleton. That means they can squeeze through some pretty tight gaps or cracks. If you want to keep these silent, spider-looking critters from leaping off your basement wall at you while you’re doing laundry, the first thing you need to do is seal up any cracks you have in your basement. Be sure to look closely around pipes, electrical conduits, and other objects that pass through your exterior walls.

You also want to make sure that all your windows have proper screens and a good seal around their frame. This is a good idea for keeping all sorts of bugs out, and also preventing moisture damage to your home.

It is extremely difficult to find and seal all the holes these creatures can squeeze in through, so another measure that is good to take is to reduce the conditions that bring camel crickets in close to your home. Don’t let any grass grow up next to your foundation wall and keep your lawn mowed. Keep your garbage cans sealed or put them somewhere away from your exterior walls. Do a routine cleaning of your gutter system to prevent clogs. Crickets are drawn to wet leaves and twigs.

You can also decrease how comfortable your basement is to camel crickets by installing a dehumidifier. Since these insects require moisture to live, removing the humidity from your basement and fixing weeping pipes can go a long way to telling those crickets that they are unwelcome.

None of these things will get rid of the crickets that are currently infesting your basement or wall voids. The reason we didn’t mention do-it-yourself cricket control measures is that they usually only lead to frustration and a prolonged infestation. If you’re feeling adventurous, you’re welcome to try sticky traps, soapy water, and all of the other strange ideas available on the web, but the effective exclusion of camel crickets requires an understanding of entomology and advanced pest control protocols. At Russell’s Pest Control, you’ll get both. When you’re ready to know that ALL the crickets in your home are gone–and gone for good–give us a call. We’d be happy to help.

What’s The Big Deal About Carpenter Ants?

What's The Big Deal About Carpenter Ants?

When you think of the term carpenter ant, what do you picture? Do you see a little ant, wearing his little yellow hard hat, sporting little steel-toed boots, and carrying a little toolbox with his tool belt around his waist? Wouldn’t it be nice if this were the case? Perhaps if you had a repair to be made around the house you could send a bunch of these little Mr. Fix-Its on their way to do your bidding; kind of like elves.

The problem is, these ants aren’t really builders or fixers of any kind. They are destroyers. In fact, they really ought to be renamed destructor ants. That would certainly be more appropriate since they burrow into wood and weaken the structure of your home. Yes, these are a pest we all need to take seriously, because if left to their own devices, they can do some pretty serious damage over time.

What do carpenter ants look like?

Carpenter ants are among the largest ants in the world, but the size of these ants within their colony varies. Adults are anywhere from 6 to 12 mm in length. Some males and winged swarmers can be as large as 18 mm, and the queens are around 20 mm. They are typically black but can have a reddish tint. And, the thorax of these ants is evenly rounded.

What do carpenter ants eat?

You may be tempted to think that carpenter ants eat wood like termites do, but this is not the case. These ants actually feed on sources of protein and sugar, such as dead insects, honeydew, meats and pet food. They do most of their foraging for food at night, between sunset and midnight during spring and summer. Sometimes worker ants travel up to 100 yards away from their nest in search of food. It is typical during this time when carpenter ants find their way into homes.

So what do carpenter ants have to do with wood?

Carpenter ants create tunnels and nests inside of wood. This can be either outside, such as in a log or tree stump, or inside, such as inside your walls or under roofing. And it’s most common for homeowners to find carpenter ants inside during the spring. If you find these ants in your home during late winter or early spring, this suggests that they are coming from a nest that is already inside your walls. And if you see piles of wood shavings underneath wooden items, then you should be appropriately concerned.

What can you do if you find these “destructor ants” or evidence of them, inside your home?

If you have seen these ants or evidence of them, it is a best to contact a professional pest control company as soon as possible. If left untreated, these little home wreckers can do quite a bit of damage both to outdoor wooden structures as well as the wood in your house. Here at Russell’s Pest Control, we have decades of experience dealing with carpenter ants, and a whole host of other household pests. And unlike those “carpenter” ants that do not live up to their name, our expert pest control technicians certainly will. You can count on it.

All You Need To Know About Wolf Spiders

All You Need To Know About Wolf Spiders

Perhaps the first word that comes to mind when discussing a wolf spider is that they are very intimidating. The wolf spider is quite large in comparison to other spiders, ranging upwards of an inch or more not counting the legs. The wolf spider will bite when feeling threatened; however, their venom is rather weak and not harmful to humans. The most you can expect to experience is usually no more than some redness and swelling, but nothing more serious than that has been reported.

The coloring of the wolf spider results in a rather camouflaged appearance of brown, grey, tan, and black with some darker markings. This helps them when hunting their prey as well as protecting them against predators. The wolf spider can be found in almost any corner of the world as long as there is a good supply of insects available for food.

Wolf spiders have incredible night vision and do most of their hunting in the dark. They do not spin webs for which to catch their prey but rather depend on their size and strength to overpower insects. The wolf spider burrows into the ground rather than nesting in a web. Even then, the female will carry her egg sac with her rather than leaving it unprotected.

Mating time is quite risky for the male as they are sometimes killed by the female after the mating has taken place. Those males who do survive will often mate again. The mated female will lay approximately 100 eggs which she will encase in a sac that she carries with her. When the eggs are developed and ready to hatch, the female wolf spider will rip the egg sac open and release her baby spiders. The spiderlings will then climb onto the female’s body and stay with her for a couple weeks until mature enough to be on their own.

With their reproductive ability, wolf spiders can populate a home rather quickly. Even though they have a tendency to burrow into the ground, they will come inside from time to time. Although their bite is not dangerous, it is recommended that professional help is called on for eradication. While there are prevention tips that will help prevent an invasion of wolf spiders, contacting Russell’s Pest Control is advisable for control of a wolf spider infestation. Our Power Programs, designed to prevent and protect, will protect you from wolf spiders plus 30 or more other household pests with guaranteed year round pest free protection.