B&B Exterminating Blog

What Are the Signs of a Tick Bite? Do you enjoy camping, hiking, or just lounging around in your own back yard? Whatever your pleasure, there's something enticing about the great outdoors. Unfortunately, these simple pleasures are also ones that can put you in contact with ticks, small parasites in the arachnid family capable of transmitting the serious disease to you and your pets. If you're concerned about ticks infiltrating your back yard or, worse, infesting your home, B & B Exterminating can offer a slew of solutions for pest control. How Do I Know I've Been Bitten By a Tick? According to the Centers for Disease and Control, ticks transmit a number of different diseases, but several of these diseases share common symptoms. These include red spots or rashes near the location of the bite, headache, fatigue, nausea, and pain in the muscles or joints. If you are experiencing any of these...

 Ants are fascinating creatures, but when they start to invade a person’s home, they really need to go. That’s where our pest control professionals at B & B Exterminating  come in. But outside the home in their own territories, ants are simply amazing. Here are some things to know about them: How Many Ant Species Are There? There are about 12,500 species of ant that people know of and 10,000 more that haven’t been classified yet. They’re members of the order Hymenoptera, which means they're cousins of bees and wasps, and they’re eusocial. This means they live in groups and live to support the success of their group, whether it’s about 100 or so ants living together or millions whose territories range over acres. These huge colonies are so organized that they sometimes act like one organism. Many ant colonies have castes made up of workers, soldiers, drones and at least one queen. Workers...

Bed bugs are one of the most irritating pests to deal with. While not infectious or harmful, they can cause skin irritation and are difficult to get rid of. Bed bugs feed off the blood of humans or animals and like to hide in bed sheets, pillows and mattresses.  Due to their flat shape, they can easily fit through small cracks in your wall or hitch a ride on your clothes or luggage. Here are seven signs that you may have bed bugs. Sign #1: Red Welts on the Skin Since bed bugs tend to hide in mattresses and sheets, they can easily bite you at night while you’re sleeping. If you wake up to find red welts on your skin, they may be bed bug bites. They can often be confused with mosquito bites, so they are often overlooked. Sign #2: Itchy Areas on the Skin In addition to the...

Gardening is a great way to display your creativity and get some exercise while enjoying time in nature. If you take great pride in your garden, then you are always on the lookout for dying or dead plants as well as unwanted pests. Keeping your garden beautiful is important. If you are consistently finding insects eating away at your garden, keep reading for tips on how to protect your garden from insects.  Keep Your Garden Clean One of the best ways to keep your garden healthy and flourishing is to keep it clean. This means that you regularly clear out all weeds and debris. Remove leaves and dying or dead plants. This will not only keep your garden looking beautiful, but will also prevent disease spreading to your plants. Unwanted insects will also have fewer places to hide.  Pick the Insects Out As you clean out your garden of unwanted weeds...

Termites are a pest that can be quite small yet incredibly destructive if left untreated or unnoticed. Over time, they can compromise the safety and security of the structure of your house. If you do suspect a termite problem, it isn’t too late, but you should act fast. If you’re a new homeowner, read on to learn about how to spot termite activity in your home or on your property. Solving and understanding the problem now is key to having continued peace of mind as a homeowner. Discoloration Look for discoloration in your drywall. Also, look for potential “droopiness” or sagging in your walls. This is a sign of a compromised structure. Peeling Wallpaper with No Water Damage Although it might look like water damage, termites can consume your drywall and wallpaper along with it. If there is no sign of any leaking or any moisture, then you may have a...

Finding a mouse problem is one of the more unsettling and frustrating discoveries for homeowners in the Jacksonville area. Mice are incredibly efficient at wreaking havoc on your home’s structure, destroying your food, and spreading disease as they travel across surfaces.  When managing mice, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Infestations are difficult to fully eliminate and professional intervention is often necessary once mice have set up their nest. Consider these common ways that you may be inviting an infestation so you know how to keep mice away from your home. Providing a Food Source for Mice Mice look for two basic necessities -- shelter and food. They are extremely efficient at finding and accessing food sources and can settle in comfortably if the supply is ample. Allowing garbage to accumulate or leaving it unsecured in the trash bin provides a buffet for mice to dig...

It is never fun dealing with an infestation of any kind of insect in your home or yard. They can cause severe damage to your property, with needed repairs potentially costing a lot of valuable time and money. It is especially important to know how to keep stinging insects away because they not only destroy property but can also hurt you! Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take that can help prevent these unwanted pests from settling in. Look for Nests There are common places to find nests in your yard, like trees and in the ground. Be on the lookout for nests around your house as well. Wasps and other stinging insects often set up on the foundation, walls or overhangs around your home. Spraying the nests can be effective for getting rid of them, provided you find them early enough. However, waiting too long can thwart your...

If you have outdoor plants that aren’t looking so great, you may be able to save them by mulching. Mulch can benefit plants in a variety of ways and will also make your landscaping look neat and beautiful. Here are some ways that mulching can save your plants. Weed Reduction Mulch can reduce weed growth instantly. Weeds thrive in sunlight, and mulch will block the sun from getting to them and dramatically reduce their growth. If you’re experiencing uncontrollable weeds that take over your plants, mulching can definitely fix the problem. Soil Protection Plants can suffer from unhealthy and eroded soil. Mulch will protect soil from harsh weather conditions, harsh sunlight, and too much moisture. If plants are growing in healthy soil, they will be more likely to thrive and grow. You can even purchase mulch with certain nutrients in it to target specific plant problems you may be having. Moisture...

Mosquitoes are pesky insects that thrive in hot weather. High temperatures speed up their life cycle, meaning an increase in egg-laying and hatching. With mosquito season reaching its peak during summer months, they can really put a damper on your outdoor plans. In order to take on mosquito season, many people take preventative measures. There are a lot of mosquito repellents out on the market, and many people opt for mosquito spray. But exactly how effective is mosquito spray? What is a Mosquito Repellent? Mosquito repellents are substances that are designed to keep mosquitoes away. There are many products such as creams, sticks, candles, and sprays available. The products contain ingredients that can help deter the insects from biting you. Mosquito repellents can protect you from the bothersome insects. However, it is not as simple as grabbing any repellent you see off the shelf. Each product’s percentage of active ingredients may...

Asian Giant Hornets, also called Murder Hornets, have recently hit the media. Even though these hornets are originally from Asia, they have recently been found in the United States. Since hearing of their entrance into the country, people have been afraid of these bees. How dangerous are the Asian Giant Hornets? Keep reading for more information. What do Asian Giant Hornets Look Like? These hornets are called “giant” because the queen bees can grow to be up to two inches long. They have a unique appearance, with tiger-like orange and black stripes and teardrop-shaped eyes. Although they are large, they have small, wispy wings. Their most menacing feature is the orange mandible with a black tooth that is used for digging.  Are They a Threat to Humans? These hornets can use their jaws to decapitate and kill an entire nest of honeybees. One hornet can kill up to 40 honeybees in...

Snakes are a common pest that can enter your yard and present danger for pets and children. There are certain factors that contribute to a snake choosing your yard as their new home. The following are the ways your yard is attracting snakes. Long Grass Snakes are far less likely to reside in areas where the grass is short because it leaves them vulnerable to predators such as hawks and owls. Keeping your lawn short will deter snakes from living in your yard, and make it easier to spot them if they do. Overwatered Lawn When your lawn becomes overwatered it will attract frogs, slugs, and worms. All of these prey species are a delicious meal for snakes. Openings and Cracks in Home Cracks and openings in your doorways or foundation provide a point of entry into your home for snakes. Make sure to properly seal any cracks or openings to...

When someone sees a bug inside their home or at the office, their first instinct is usually to kill it. Most of the time, this is a simple and correct response when spotting a bug. However, is it always the right thing to do? Morals aside, some bugs will attract more of their kind after they are killed. The stink bug is often associated with that trait, but should they be? Does killing a stink bug attract more to the area? No, It Does Not The simple answer to the previous question is no, killing one does not attract more. Per the National Pesticide Information Center, that myth is false. There is an odor left behind after they are dead. However, it is not a scent that draws additional stink bugs in. The leftover odor is not exactly pleasant though, so consider disposing of them with a method that does not...

Dogs are adorable, fluffy companions that fill our lives with joy. Ticks are painful parasites that feed on blood and transmit dangerous diseases. These two animals have almost nothing in common, yet at the same time, pets like dogs and cats are some of the most vulnerable animals to tick bites. And when ticks bite, they don’t let go. To protect your beloved pets from these harmful pests, here is how to check them for ticks and make sure they stay pest-free.   Checking Your Pets for Ticks   Ticks don’t fly or leap onto your pets like fleas. Ticks latch on to their legs, or any other body part that makes contact with the ground, and work their way upwards. To see if they have any ticks on their body, rub your fingers against their fur, feeling for any bumps. They will just think you are petting them. Make sure...

Rodents have received a bad reputation over the centuries. And all for good reason- as they have been carriers of deadly diseases and illnesses. The last thing that you want is to have these unsanitary critters in your home. But what if you already have discovered an infestation? Here are the top five reasons why rodents are in your home. 1-A Messy Home Keeping your home clean is one of the best ways to detract rodents. They are attracted to sticky spills, crumbs and uncovered food. They also like moist, mildew and mold. This is why it’s important to clean every area of your home. Check-in your bathroom for mildew and mold. Clean your kitchen thoroughly, including the inside of your cabinets.  2-Clutter Mice and rats love finding new places to nest, and your home can provide the perfect nesting materials. Dark, cluttered areas are prime real estate in the eyes...

Stinging insects are a common nuisance that can be dangerous to humans, especially if they’re in a swarm or if the person stung is allergic. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can prevent these pests from infesting your property. The following are some tips for avoiding stinging insects. Prevention Through Behavior There are several ways that you can change your behavior to have an increased chance of avoiding stinging insects. Always remain vigilant for bees or wasps in areas such as picnics, barbeques and concessions stands, because these are common places for them to gather. Never walk around with exposed feet, because this is an easy target for stinging insects. Keep a close eye on your beverages and always check inside before you take a drink. Using sealable bottles is also an effective way of preventing insects from entering your drink. Avoid wearing bright clothing and strong perfumes to reduce...

It’s incredibly important to take care of the trees that are in your yard and prevent their roots from becoming damaged. Damaged trees can be a hazard if they’re neglected, potentially causing serious injuries or damage to your property. The following are some of the most common ways that tree roots become damaged. Natural Causes There are several natural causes of tree root damage that are difficult to prevent. These will deteriorate the integrity of the tree and can create a hazard. Aging- Trees that have been aging for a long time are much more likely to fail than young trees, especially if they’re larger in size. Severe Weather- Extreme weather is a common cause of tree root damage. Wind, rain, snow, and ice can cause even the healthiest of trees to fail. Trees that are already damaged or weakened are at much greater risk during extreme weather events. Leaning and...

Ancient wisdom tells us that when a fortress is vacant, it is difficult to defend it against invasion. Few of us have fortresses to protect from attacking armies, but many of us have homes to protect from pests. And when we leave our houses empty during a short trip, it’s easier for pests to enter and spread. If you’re planning on travelling for a couple of days, you may be worrying about what creatures might come into your house in your absence. However, with just a few preparatory measures, you can make sure your house is safeguarded from pests while you’re gone. Here is how to protect your house from pests before you leave. Clean Your House Pests are primarily drawn to our homes by the food we eat, and they don’t discriminate between food on a plate, on the floor, or in the garbage. You should keep your home clean...

Mice may be cute to look at for some people, but they are an enormous nuisance when loose inside your home. Mice are not the cleanest of animals. Aside from leaving their waste all over everything, they carry a variety of diseases. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they damage structures and home contents with their incessant chewing. They can also create fire hazards when they start gnawing on your wiring. So how do you keep mice out of your home? Make Your Home Unattractive to Rodents If you know what mice are looking for in a nice, comfy home, then you can start to eliminate certain rodent amenities. Mice love areas that are warm, dark and have lots of access to food. Proper food storage goes a long way toward making your home unattractive to mice. Try to keep all food in airtight containers, even if it’s shelf-stable. Clean up...

It isn’t at all uncommon for homes and businesses to have an occasional fly or two. In fact, it’s almost expected if you live in areas where moisture and warm temperatures are the daily norm. Flies thrive in these environments and, unfortunately, aren't just prevalent during the warmer seasons throughout the year. Here’s what you need to know about flies during the winter season. It’s Winter, Why Do I Have Flies With over 100,000 types of flies, all of which respond to climatic changes , finding the right treatment will ensure your winged invaders will be gone in no time. But, to find the right treatment, you will need to locate them, and take action from there. Although flies have a very short lifespan once hatched, it's the stuff you can’t see that become the surprise culprits for winter infestations. You’ll likely find winter flies around sinks and drains, above, around,...

Lawn care has become what seems to be a status symbol these days. From the greenest of grass, to the most lavish landscaping, when it comes to lawn care; there is no expense to be spared. But, to the vast majority of the population, a well kept, seasonally prepared lawn, is everything we can hope and plan for. Here’s a few need to know items to keep your lawn prepared and kept during each and every season. Importance Of Seasonal Lawn Care There are a variety of factors when it comes to your caring for your lawn. From where you live, the seasons, water supply, and even the type of soil ca all can play an important role in lawn care. HGTV published a recent article that provided 15 lawn care tips for a healthy and happy year round landscape. By following these simple lawn care strategies, they will keep your...