What’s Attracting Termites to Your Home?

Firewood can attract termites to your property in El Paso Texas. Pest Defense Solutions.

Termites are the most damaging pests in the nation. A single infestation is known to cost homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs. For that reason alone, it’s important to know what may be attracting termites to your property in the first place. By limiting termite attractants in your property, you can possibly reduce the chances of getting a termite problem down the road. Here in the El Paso area, termites are a threat to homeowners. The team at Pest Defense Solutions is here to share information on what may be attracting termites to your home–read on to learn more.

These Things May be Attracting Termites

Every type of termite is attracted to wood, but each one has specific preferences that influence what structures they infest. It’s important to know what attracts termites to your house in order to prevent infestations:

  • Improper drainage or leaky pipes causing excess moisture near or in your home
  • Firewood or wood piles stored in or near your property
  • Wooden foundations in direct contact with soil
  • Airflow or ventilation issues causing excess humidity inside of a home
  • Mulch or landscaping too close to the foundation of the property

Ways to Prevent Termites

It’s important to know how to check for termites. There are a few things you can do to prevent termites. Always stay on top of home repairs: fix any damaged roofing, and seal any cracks or crevices in your property. Keep your garden neat, trim back trees and bushes away from the foundation of your home, and regularly inspect any outdoor furniture, porches, or decks. The best thing you can do to prevent termites is to get regular services and preventative treatments from a professional pest control company.

Keeping Termites Away in El Paso

Termites are one of the most destructive pests around. For that reason, it’s crucial to work with a professional termite exterminator who can protect you from these wood-boring insects all year round. The team at Pest Defense Solutions can be trusted to provide the industry’s best termite control services. Contact us today to learn more about how to keep termites away from your home.

The Threats of Murder Hornets

Murder hornets - Info from Pest Defense Solutions in El Paso Texas

Asian giant hornets, also known as “murder hornets” have certainly made their presence known in the past few months. After being sighted in the Pacific Northwest, this hornet has struck fear in the heart of many nationwide. As the largest hornet in the world, it’s easy to understand why! Their sting is known to be potentially fatal, but the true threat they pose is to the honeybee population. Thankfully, these Asian giant hornets have yet to be spotted in El Paso. Regardless, it’s important to stay aware of the threats they pose, and the team at Pest Defense Solutions is here to share the facts.

Are Murder Hornets as Dangerous as Everyone’s Saying?

Asian giant hornets are definitely the most threatening of their kind. The biggest concern scientists have is the fact that they are a big predator to honeybees and hives. A single murder hornet can kill dozens of honeybees in minutes, and a group of 30 hornets can devour a hive of nearly 30,0000 bees in hours. If these hornets were to have a bigger presence in the states, the honeybee population would be in severe danger.

But what about their stings? Like many stinging insects, the Asian giant hornet will not attack humans unless they feel provoked or threatened. Their stings contain neurotoxins and are extremely painful. If someone is stung multiple times, the neurotoxins can cause organ failure and eventual death.

What Does a Asian Giant Hornet Look Like?

If you came across one of these hornets, you’d know it wasn’t your ordinary stinging insect! Here’s how to tell them apart: 

  • Workers are 1 ½ – 2” in length while queens can exceed 2”
  • Light orange head with an orange, black, and brown striped body.
  • Large, prominent eyes
  • Distinctly sharp mandibles
  • Six legs and a set of antennae
  • ¼” (6 mm) length stinger

Should You Worry About Murder Hornets in Texas?

Right now, no. As mentioned earlier, there are no current sightings of these anywhere in America besides Washington state. Scientists are currently leading the way to find, trap, and eradicate this pest before it becomes more widespread. In any case, it’s always best to enlist the help of a licensed pest control company for any type of stinging insect.

Don’t Fall For These Bed Bug Myths

Bed bug myths in El Paso Texas - Pest Defense Solutions

Bed bugs are a dreaded pest, and for good reason. Not only do they bite, they can spread easily and are notoriously difficult to get rid of without a pest control company in the El Paso area. Bed bugs were once a pest of the past, but saw a resurgence as the amount of international travel began to rise. Because they are such a feared pest, there is a lot of false information about them out there. This can be dangerous, making it important to learn how to separate fact from fiction. The team at Pest Defense Solutions is here to help. Read on to learn the truth about common bed bug myths.

Myths About Bed Bugs

  • Bed bugs are attracted to messy or dirty homes.
    • This is one of the most common myths about bed bugs. Bed bugs are attracted to warmth and blood, not how messy or clean your property is!
  • Bed bugs are nocturnal.
    • Bed bugs are active when their hosts are at rest. This obviously means they are active at night, but they can feed during the day if needed.
  • Bed bugs only infest beds and bedrooms.
    • Bed bugs gather near areas where people rest. This includes sofas, chairs, cracks in the wall, and even power outlets.
  • Bed bugs are too small to see on your own.
    • Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and can definitely be seen. Nymph bed bugs are much smaller and translucent, making them more difficult to spot.
  • Bed bugs are capable of jumping and flying.
    • Unlike fleas and ticks, bed bugs cannot jump or fly. They have underdeveloped wings, and move from one area to another by crawling.
  • Bed bugs latch onto or burrow inside your skin.
    • Unlike fleas and ticks, bed bugs will not latch onto your skin. After feeding, they will
  • Bed bug bites transmit dangerous diseases.
    • Bed bugs definitely bite, but they do not transmit diseases as mosquitoes do.
  • Bed bugs live for a year or more without a blood meal.
    • While they definitely can survive months without a meal, it is very unlikely for bed bugs to survive an entire year.

What to Do About Bed Bugs in El Paso

If you have bed bugs, it’s important to act quickly. The team at Pest Defense Solutions is here for you. Our bed bug treatment options are designed to get rid of your bed bug problem quickly and effectively. To learn more about how we can keep you safe, contact our team today!

Keep an Eye Out for These 3 Summertime Wasps

Learn about summertime wasps in El Paso Texas - Pest Defense Solutions

Summer is right around the corner here in El Paso, and many people are ramping up to enjoy the warm weather outdoors. Unfortunately, with the summer months comes the influx of pest problems. One of the most common pests in the summer is wasps! Especially during the late summer months, certain wasp species can get especially aggressive. When nests are built near your home or business, they can be dangerous for everyone involved. At Pest Defense Solutions, we want to provide our customers with the info they need to know about common summertime wasps and how to prevent them. Keep reading to learn more!

Yellow Jackets

These wasps are notoriously aggressive and very common, especially in the late summer. Some things to know about yellow jackets include:

  • Yellow jackets congregate in colonies of up to or more than 1,000 workers.
  • Their nests look globe-shaped and are built above ground, often near garages, sheds, and more.
  • Yellow jackets will not bother you unless they feel threatened, in which case they may sting repeatedly.
  • Yellow jackets can be best identified by the yellow and black horizontal stripes that run across their bodies.

Paper Wasps

Paper wasps aren’t as hostile as other wasps, but they are common this time of year. Here’s what to know about this summertime wasp:

  • They are similar in body shape to yellow jackets, but are mostly brown in color with yellow markings.
  • These wasps are known for the papery nests they build, which look like upside-down umbrellas.
  • Paper wasp nests often hang from tree branches and twigs, as well as porch ceilings and door railings. They typically contain up to 30 wasps.
  • Paper wasps aren’t as aggressive as yellow jackets, but they may sting to defend their nests. Their sting is known to be especially potent.

Common summertime wasps in El Paso Texas - Pest Defense Solutions

Mud Daubers

As their name implies, mud daubers are known for constructing their nests out of mud. Although they aren’t as aggressive as yellow jackets, it’s important to know how to identify them:

  • They are mostly black in appearance but may have light-colored markings. Mud daubers can be identified by their thin, thread-like waist.
  • Nests are usually located in covered areas such as porch ceilings, sheds, and attics.
  • These wasps are less social than other types, often preferring to be solitary.
  • Mud daubers aren’t as aggressive and will only sting when directly handled or threatened.

How to Stay Safe from Summertime Wasps

Bottom line: it’s important to avoid wasps when you see them. Some can be more aggressive than you realize, especially if their nest is nearby. To avoid getting stung, always be on the lookout for nests nearby. To keep wasps away from your property, make sure to cover foods and drinks that are outside and to seal your trash cans securely. If you need assistance with wasp prevention or removal, the team at Pest Defense Solutions is here to help.

Could Pests be Contributing to Your Springtime Allergies?

Pests could be triggering your springtime allergies in El Paso Texas - Pest Defense Solutions

It’s spring here in El Paso, and seasonal allergies are affecting millions of people! We’ve all had a runny nose or itchy eyes from springtime allergies, but is there something else contributing to flare ups this time of year? Believe it or not, household pests can be a big trigger for allergies and asthma, especially amongst children. From cockroaches to dust mites, it’s important to learn how to get rid of pest allergens in your home for the safety of you and your family.

The team at Pest Defense Solutions has gathered information provided by the NPMA on how to prevent pest allergens in your property–keep reading to learn more!

Pests & Allergies

It may seem crazy to think about, but pest infestations can often be dangerous for those who suffer from allergies. Cockroaches in particular are tied back to asthma and allergies. Their droppings, skins, saliva, and more can trigger allergic reactions and asthma, particularly in children. Dust mites are often linked to allergies, along with stinging insects such as yellow jackets and fire ants. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and an infestation in your home can exacerbate your already-bad springtime allergies. If you experience severe symptoms (wheezing, dizziness, shortness of breath, etc.) from an allergic reaction, it’s urgent to seek immediate medical attention.

How to Remove Pest Allergens From Your Home

To keep pest allergens away, it’s important to keep pests away in the first place! By implementing basic pest prevention tips, you can lessen the risk of having your allergies exacerbated by pests:

  • Seal cracks and holes in your property, including entry points for utilities and pipes, screen doors, and windows.
  • Store food in sealed containers and clean kitchens on a daily basis.
  • Dispose of garbage regularly and use a tight-fitting lid.
  • Keep your basements and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry. Moisture attracts pests.
  • Wash blankets, rugs, and bedding in hot water or get them dry-cleaned.
  • Vacuum and dust your property all the way through on a regular basis.

Getting Rid of Pest Allergens

As mentioned earlier, the best way to avoid pest allergens is to avoid pests altogether! By routinely implementing pest prevention tactics into your home maintenance routine, you can hopefully prevent pests. If you’re dealing with an infestation, it’s always best to call a professional exterminator. Our team is committed to keeping you and your family safe from pests and the dangers they can bring into your home–allergies included.

Is Coronavirus Transmitted by Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes and ticks do not spread coronavirus. Learn more from Pest Defense Solutions in El Paso Texas.

The team at Pest Defense Solutions understands how uncertain times are right now during the current pandemic. With a dedication to the health and safety of our communities here in El Paso, we are closely monitoring the information coming out each day about COVID-19. We understand there is a lot of misinformation spread about the nature of the virus, and we are here to set one of those myths straight. From what we know according to the CDC, coronavirus is not transmitted by mosquitoes or ticks. These two insects certainly play a role in the transmission of some of the world’s worst diseases, but COVID-19 is not one of them. Read on to learn what we know so far.

Do Mosquito Bites Cause Coronavirus?

As of now, there is no scientific evidence that mosquitoes or ticks transmit COVID-19. Coronavirus is a respiratory virus that is spread to pass from person to person. Droplets from saliva or nasal discharge are often the cause of transmission, often generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Studies show that it can be spread through contaminated surfaces, and it  is increasingly considered to be an airborne virus. From what we know, coronaviruses are best avoided by avoiding exposure with infected persons. Diseases that are caused and spread by mosquitoes and ticks are entirely different from this current virus.

Deadly Diseases from Mosquitoes and Ticks

Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are considered vectors for some pretty serious infectious diseases. Vector pests are organisms that transmit diseases to humans through bites. More-so than fleas, ticks and definitely mosquitoes are infamous for transmitting dangerous diseases:

  • Malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and more are just a few of the dangerous diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.
  • Lyme disease, which is currently the most common vector-borne disease in the nation, is spread by ticks.
  • If these vector pests feeds off a diseased host, they can transmit pathogens that can infect other hosts it subsequently bites. This is why so many people are exposed to the above diseases.

Pest Defense Solutions is Here to Help

Even though mosquitoes do not transmit coronavirus, they can still be dangerous. As always, it’s important to take caution in the presence of pests and to always enlist the help of a professional exterminator to prevent dangerous insects. We will provide essential pest control services to our communities during these times and all year long!

As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, we want to encourage our customers to seek more information and follow guidelines released by the WHO and the CDC.

10 Key German Cockroach Facts to Know

German cockroaches are one of the most common roach problems in the El Paso TX area - Pest Defense Solutions

Cockroaches are a common pest problem for anyone that owns a property in the El Paso TX area. Whether you’re dealing with roaches in your home or business, you’re likely dealing with German cockroaches. This species is the most common roach problem for homes, multi-family units, restaurants, food processing facilities, and more. In addition to simply being gross, German cockroaches breed rapidly and are capable of carrying dangerous pathogens.

In this blog post, the experts at Pest Defense Solutions share their 10 key German cockroach facts to learn in order to be able to identify this pesky roach.

Key German Cockroach Facts

German cockroaches may look somewhat similar to their American and brown-banded counterparts, but they’re quite different. Some key German cockroach facts to remember include:

  1. German cockroaches are best identified by their pronotum (protective plate behind the head), which has two longitudinal dark stripes.
  2. These roaches are most commonly found in residential and commercial kitchens or bathrooms.
  3. German cockroaches typically prefer areas of high temperatures and high humidity.
  4. German cockroaches only live indoors. While rare, they can live outside in warm weather.
  5. German cockroaches have an extremely quick rate of reproduction. They can quickly spread throughout a building.
  6. The ootheca (egg case) of the German cockroach contains between 35–40 eggs, which take one month to hatch.
  7. German cockroaches can carry or transmit diseases and pathogens that may be dangerous to humans.
  8. German cockroach infestations can cause severe asthmatic reactions in some people.
  9. They are able to climb on smooth surfaces because they have a sticky pad on their feet.
  10. German cockroaches prefer to spend their lives hidden in dark areas. They are known to hide inside walls, behind cabinets, inside appliances, and other rarely accessed areas.

How to Prevent a German Roach Infestation

As with all roaches, keeping German cockroaches out of your property requires some effort on your end. By keeping a clean, tidy property, you are effectively lessening the risk of an infestation. Roaches love filth and are attracted to clutter. To prevent a German roach infestation, make sure to keep all food in sealed containers and secure your garbage cans securely. Most importantly, check on areas in your property that are dark or rarely disturbed for evidence of cockroach activity.

Effective & Long-Lasting German Cockroach Control

As soon as you notice a single roach in your Texas property, it’s time to call the experts at Pest Defense Solutions. Our exterminators have years of experience providing residents and businesses alike with full-service German cockroach extermination. You can trust we will work to keep German roaches out of your property all year long.

6 Important Pests of 2020

2020 pests to look out for in your El Paso TX home this year - Pest Defense Solutions

Hindsight may be 20/20, but when it comes to protecting your family and home against pests this year, you can be proactive with the help of Pest Defense Solutions. We are helping homeowners prepare for the upcoming pest season by offering insight into anticipated pest activity.

At Pest Defense Solutions, we have examined trends, company data and our own field experiences to determine the following six pest predictions. Additionally, we have provided preventative tips to help keep your home pest-free* this year.

Mosquitoes

Disease-spreading mosquitoes, such as the yellow fever mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito, have recently surged in some Western states. These mosquitoes, as well as the common house mosquito, spread diseases such as the Zika virus, West Nile virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). A bite from a mosquito can also spread the parasite that causes heartworm in pets.

Homeowner Tips: West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases, can increase with rising populations. And, mosquitoes only need one tablespoon of water to lay their eggs! To protect yourself and your family, dispose of any standing water around your home and always wear an EPA-approved insect repellent when spending any time outdoors.

Rats

Rat populations have increased over the past several years, and this may be partly due to warmer than usual winters. We can expect to see that trend continue as rodent populations, especially in suburban areas, increase. Warmer winters, a booming construction pipeline, lack of sanitation control, and lack of affordable housing are all issues that have advanced the swell of recent rat activity.

Homeowner Tips: To prevent rodents from entering your home, utilize the following prevention tips: Keep shrubs and trees cut back from home, especially thick ground cover that can serve as hiding places for rats. Ensure that trees do not overhang, touching the roof of your home. Seal any exterior openings larger than a nickel with rodent-proof material such as hardware cloth or flashing. Finally, seal and tie trash bags, placing them into garbage cans with tight-fitting lids.

Termites

Termites are one of the most destructive pests, causing homeowners in the United States $6 billion in property damages each year. These wood-destroying pests are a constant challenge for homeowners in the Western U.S., and this year, termites could prove to be even more damaging. The experts at Pest Defense Solutions have seen an increase in activity from subterranean and dampwood termites in many areas this year.

Homeowner Tips: Earth-to-wood contact provides an avenue for termites to enter homes and structures. To deter termites, eliminate soil to wood contact and avoid moisture accumulations near your homes’ foundation. Termites can be present for years before homeowners ever see signs of their activity, causing considerable and costly damage. Avoid these costs by having a termite protection plan in place. Speak to your pest control provider about risk and protection options for your home.

Cockroaches

Cockroach populations have increased dramatically over the past several years, due in large part to warmer weather and increased rainfall. Cockroaches carry diseases, infest stored food, and then spread these diseases through their excrement. Cockroach removal is vital as infestations can be serious if not taken care of in a timely manner.

Homeowner Tips: To deter an infestation, cockroach-proof your home by sealing small cracks and crevices around windows and door frames with a silicone-based caulk. Keep a clean kitchen, sweeping, mopping and wiping up any spills. Check that door seals, including the one on your garage, are in place and intact. If you’re experiencing cockroach problems, speak with your pest control professional to determine the best solution for your home.

Flies

If you have noticed more flies this past year, you are not alone. Although they’re more active in the summer, house flies reproduce year-round. Filth flies – house flies, bottle flies, flesh flies – generally live and breed near human habitats and their numbers have increased in recent years. Increasing population density, waste management practices that haven’t kept pace with growth, and a general trend toward a warming climate for the fly pressure all contribute to increasing this disease-spreading insect.

Homeowner Tips: The house fly and other types of “filth flies” are not only nuisance pests; they also have the potential to spread the disease to humans and animals. To protect yourself and your family, repair any damaged screens on windows and doors. Keep trash stored away from your home and make sure that all trash cans have tight-fitting lids.

Spiders

Spiders are carnivores, eating other insects and thriving in wet environments. Increased moisture leads to an increase in the insects that spiders eat as a food resource. Heavy rain and warmer temperatures have created the perfect conditions for insects and spiders to flourish. Although beneficial for our ecosystem, most people prefer spiders to stay outside where they belong.

Homeowner Tips: To keep spiders out of your home, keep food put away in tightly sealed storage containers. This will help eliminate ants, roaches and other pests, which will leave spiders with no food source. If the thought of spiders lurking is alarming, try changing your white outdoor light bulbs to yellow light bulbs, which attract fewer insects that can serve as food for the spiders. There are a few species of spiders that can live indoors and need to be controlled by spider removal experts.

The experts at Pest Defense Solutions agree that a proactive approach can help eliminate pest issues before they appear. With these pest predictions in mind, take time to evaluate your current pest control plan and make sure that you have the protection you need to protect yourself and your family from pests this year.