What Irvine Property Owners Need To Know About German Cockroaches
18 / Jun / 2021
German cockroaches are the most common invading cockroach species out of the sixty or so species found in the United States. Like others, this species can cause significant health concerns and are known to be extremely difficult to eliminate.
Cockroaches, in general, are prolific breeders that live in large groups. This is one reason why cockroach infestations can quickly become too overwhelming to handle alone. Please keep reading to find out what every Irvine, California resident needs to know about German cockroaches to keep homes and businesses safe.
Identifying German Cockroaches
German cockroaches are smaller than most other cockroach species, growing to about half an inch long. However, they share many similar traits with other species, such as their oval-shaped body, antennas, and six legs. They can be identified from other species by their coloration. Adults are light brown or tan with two black stripes. These stripes are horizontal and are located behind the head.
German cockroaches prefer to live in heated spaces, and more often than not, this means homes and businesses. They can usually be found in kitchens in secluded places. This includes, under the kitchen sink and cabinets and in the crevasse of appliances. They are attracted to heat, which makes under the refrigerator or dishwasher the perfect location for German cockroaches. Because they prefer kitchens, many dangerous implications come with a German cockroach infestation in an Irvine property.
Problems Caused By German Cockroaches
Cockroaches are not known for their cleanliness. The word cockroach is often associated with unpleasant and dirty. Because of this, there are many dangers and health concerns that come along with an infestation.
- Food contamination is one of the worst effects of a German cockroach infestation. They can spread an assortment of pathogens such as salmonella, E. coli, typhoid fever, and gastroenteritis. This can happen if they interact with food directly or utensils and appliances.
- Allergies are another cause for concern when it comes to a German cockroach infestation. Their feces, which looks pepper-like, shed skins, and dead bodies can trigger allergies, eczema, and asthma attacks.
- German cockroaches can damage furniture and a property’s structure. There is not much of a limit on what cockroaches will eat. This includes furniture glue, wallpaper, and books.
They are also known to produce a musty odor. - Another problem caused by German cockroaches is the difficulty of getting rid of them. They are considered the worst species due to their reproduction rate, ability to contaminate any space they enter, and the problem of locating the source of the infestation. Another factor is their nocturnal nature, which makes it challenging to find where they are hiding.
German Cockroach Prevention
Because German cockroaches are so difficult to eliminate, prevention is key to keeping your Irvine Property business safe from this pest. Prevention tips include:
- Empty trashcans frequently and keep bins clean.
- Clean up crumbs and spilled food.
- Sweep daily.
- Don’t leave dirty dishes and appliances out overnight.
- Clean under large appliances frequently.
- Fix any leaks such as underneath the kitchen sink.
- Keep your garbage disposal clean.
- Keep pet food and human food secure in air-tight containers.
- Inspect the structure for cracks that can be used as entry points.
When it comes to the elimination of German cockroaches, it is best to contact professionals.
German Cockroach Elimination
If your Irvine, California home or business is infested with German cockroaches, contact the professionals at Malang Pest Control for assistance. At Malang Pest Control, we offer both residential and commercial services to quickly and discreetly rid your property of German Cockroaches.
Long-held beliefs and old clichés warn that it’s unwise to assume things. The reason being that you could be wrong about whatever you’ve concluded. There can be major consequences for being incorrect about pests in Irvine. People sometimes think that an insect or creature is harmless, when in actuality, it’s quite dangerous. They might presume innocence because the critter is cute and furry, commonplace, or doesn’t have a particular feature. For instance, folks would naturally be uneasy about a venomous species.
Crickets are often thought to be inoffensive and without risk, but this isn’t true. The jumping bugs multiply very fast and can nest in spots that are hard to get to. Thus, they are rather challenging to get rid of. Learn what the hazards are with crickets and how you can prevent them in Irvine with Malang Pest Control.
How Do Crickets Operate? What Are the Dangers?
House crickets, as you might guess, are seen the most in human dwellings. The yellow-brown insects have a trio of bands along their heads. Lengthy antennas, wings, and big hind legs are among their features. When fully developed, they are 0.75 to 0.87 of an inch long. Their smaller young have all the same physical characteristics, except for wings. Extreme temperatures and being low on food sources are what inspire crickets to penetrate domiciles. They will slip through openings in windows, doors, and foundations. Most likely, you’ll find them in basements, kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces, and heaters. Those spaces provide the warmth and moisture they’re drawn to. Pet food, fruit, and vegetables are some of what they’ll munch on. Crickets also consume other bugs, so their activity implies a larger pest problem. Additionally, they’ll eat:
- Cotton
- Leather
- Silk
- Wool
- Upholstery
- Curtains
- Linens
The aforementioned items are bound to be stained with excrement if crickets get to them. Even worse, these bugs can taint meals and surfaces with their waste. They also have affecting bacteria on their skin. If the critters don’t ruin your belongings or make you sick, they’ll keep you from sleeping with their incessant chirping. Males make these noises to communicate with females for mating.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Crickets?
When crickets are outdoors, they’ll be feasting on organic matter and nestling under logs, mulch, and rocks. Don’t count on them staying in nature though. Being in the yard, they’ll be too close to the coziness of your abode to resist it and they can pass through gaps of any size. To keep them from being on your land at all, take these actions:
- Seal holes in foundations, windows, and doors
- Resolve all leaks, and fixture and moisture malfunctions
- Use a dehumidifier in the basement to control dampness
- Add covers to all exterior vents
- Place food and trash in canisters that are secure
- Routinely trim grass and greenery, and get debris off the lawn
- Set plants, flowers, and wood two feet away from your property
- Inspect packages, storage boxes, and outdoor furniture before bringing them indoors
- Install LED lights for outdoor illumination. Crickets will have difficulty seeing the warmer colors, like yellow and orange. Also, LED lights don’t generate as much heat.
How Will Malang Pest Control Exterminate Crickets?
Malang Pest Control has successfully been in business for over a decade because we’ve set our standards high. We provide budget-friendly services that are customized and designed to eradicate the critter in question. Our experienced technicians will use organic or botanical treatments to end cricket populations on your property. This ensures the desired results, while keeping humans, pets, and vegetation safe. Plus, it will be gentle on the environment. You’ll get a free inspection when you call Malang Pest Control today, so don’t think twice!
Fire ants are a problem no one wants to have, for a number of reasons. Between the pain of their stings, the potential danger those stings can carry, and the difficulty that comes with trying to treat a fire ant infestation, keeping fire ants at bay with fire ant control is a necessity for Irvine residents. Unfortunately, Irvine residents are no stranger to fire ant mounds covering their yards, especially in the warmer months of the year.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at fire ants, the dangers they pose to homes and yards they invade, and what Irvine residents with fire ants on their property need to do to keep themselves protected.
What Are Fire Ants?
Fire ants are named for two reasons: their fiery red coloration and the burning sensation their stings leave on those unfortunate enough to come into contact with them. They range from roughly ½ – ¼ inch in length, with reproductive castes growing slightly larger than their worker counterparts. Beyond their coloration, they can be differentiated from other ant species due to the two nodes on their thorax that aren’t found on other ants.
Fire ants are unique among ant species in that their primary method of defense is their powerful stingers. While they have biting mandibles like other ants, they primarily use them to hold their prey in place in order to sting them, rather than simply using their bite as the primary method of attack.
Most of the country sees fire ant mounds around the yard as spring arrives and the temperature starts rising. Unfortunately, the high heat and humidity that Irvine provides makes it the perfect breeding ground for fire ants for much of the year.
Dangers Fire Ants Pose
Because fire ants sting instead of biting, they carry a severe risk that is not present in other species of ants. Stings are more than just painful: in large numbers, the venom each sting transmits can be seriously dangerous to people – even fatal. If you accidentally step on a mound, you could find yourself in a harmful and dangerous situation.
The risk is especially great for people with allergies. People with allergies to fire ant venom can experience life-threatening reactions, specifically anaphylaxis, wherein the person will develop hives, swelling in the throat and tongue, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms. In severe cases, the rapid loss of blood pressure can send the victim into shock and cause them to lose consciousness.
Fire ants can also be dangerous to pets, particularly dogs. Dogs wandering around outside can easily stumble into fire ant hills, and dog food attracts them, so failure to monitor your furry friends while they’re playing outside could leave them covered in stings that could put their health at serious risk.
Why Fire Ants Are a Difficult Problem Pest
Fire ants are notoriously difficult to eliminate from yards they infest. In an infested yard covered with fire ant mounds, you can’t destroy one colony at a time and have any hope for success. Through a process known as “budding,” a threatened colony will split itself off into multiple colony groups that will disperse throughout the property and create their own new colonies, starting your problems all over again. This is also why untreated fire ant populations tend to double or triple every few months.
Why to Turn to Professional Pest Control for Fire Ants in Irvine
Due to the threat fire ants pose and the difficulty associated with getting rid of them, affected homeowners have only one realistic option to rid themselves of this problematic pest: call a professional for help.
Luckily, the pest control professionals at Malang Pest Control have got you covered. We have years of experience protecting homeowners in Irvine and across California from fire ants and numerous other pests. Contact us today and find out why a professional fire ant treatment from Malang is the perfect solution for any fire ant problem you’re facing.
It’s that time of year again! As summer comes to a close, ants can continue marching in for all that your Irvine home offers. Ants, arguably, have the easiest time entering the home as they can squeeze through the tiniest cracks. However, there’s no need to give up on the joys of California living. There are several ways to keep these ants at bay, and we can help!
Types of Irvine Ants
First, it’s important to understand the types of ants that are common in Irvine.
- Argentine ants can range from tan to black and tend to dominate space, pushing out other types of ants. In extreme conditions, Argentine ants move their outside nests near the exterior of buildings.
- Pharaoh ants are smaller and lighter, traveling far to search for food. They are more hazardous to human health, more apt to enter homes, and are generally eliminated by baiting.
- Crazy ants, dubbed “crazy” because of their erratic movements, are roughly the size of Argentine ants and are also black. They prefer to make their nests within buildings and feed on insects.
- Odorous ants are similar in size to Argentine and crazy ants and have a shiny black color. When smashed, they emit a strong rotten smell. These ants like sweet things and are commonly found in households.
- Fire ants can be yellow, red, or black, and prefer nests in the dirt, decayed wood, and below boards and pavement. Fire ants are on the US Department of Agriculture list of invading pests. They get their name from their aggressive nature and painful stings.
What Attracts Ants to the Home?
As ants come into homes looking for shelter, food, and water, it’s no surprise that they are common in kitchens and bathrooms. They prefer sweet foods, but even small spills or other fragrant substances are attractive to ants. Once an ant locates a food source it will mark the location with pheromones for other ants to follow. If possible, it’s a great idea to eliminate that initial unwanted house guest!
Repelling Household Ants
An essential first step in repelling ants in the home is to identify entry points. These can be torn or broken screens, door sweeps, windows, etc. Any crevice is an invitation for ants. Seal up any gaps, especially in windows and doors, to prevent entry. Caulking cracks in the foundation and walls is another great way to ensure that your home is adequately sealed.
Beyond limiting entry points, it is also important to limit factors that might attract ants in the first place. Be sure to regularly conduct a deep cleaning of household surfaces, especially in the kitchen and bathroom nooks and crannies. Wipe down surfaces around furniture and appliances. Clean floors. Seal up any access to food in the home in airtight containers, including pet food. Empty trash cans. Treat the war against ants as one of attrition by eliminating their food sources. This is crucial as ant colonies generate and spread quickly!
Aside from limiting food sources, there are a few other ways to repel ants. Ants are always searching for water. Clean any moist areas and take care of spills quickly. You can also invest in DIY ant repellant techniques and over the counter remedies at the first sign of ants on your property.
Call a Professional
Ants are invasive, and it’s often the case, especially when infestations are large, that they can get out of control! Not to worry! Malang Pest Control has you covered with our team of professionals. We can help you get rid of pesty ants quickly and easily with safe products, year-round treatments, and a service guarantee. Our professionals will help get you back to enjoying your home. Want to know more about our process? Check out our FAQs page!
Give us a call today at (949) 398-2525 or schedule an appointment online. Our goal is to provide the best pest control you’ve ever had!