Are There Squirrels in my Home? 5 Signs of an Infestation
Unlike some rodents, tree squirrels generally don’t hibernate in the winter. Instead, they’re likely to seek out warm areas to take shelter from the elements. Our houses, with their enclosed spaces, central heating, and potentially abundant food supplies, are a perfect target. Here are a few warning signs that may indicate squirrels have moved into your home: Physical Damage If you find holes in the outer walls of your house, or shingles missing from the roof, it could be a sign that squirrels (or another pest) have moved into your home. Whether or not the squirrels are responsible for causing the damage, any openings should be dealt with immediately to ...
What Makes Preferred Pest Control Great? Our Customers Share Their Stories
There are plenty of pest control specialists in Orange County, but not all are equal. At Preferred Pest Control, we think of “success” as more than just eliminating infestations. That’s important too, but going above and beyond the expectations of home and business owners is the mark of a real community-oriented company. That’s what we strive for! Take a peek at some of our Yelp reviews from this past year—each one tells the story of a job well done. While we strive to resolve pest issues as quickly as possible, some infestations are tougher than others. What’s most important is that we get the job done right, and sometimes that ...
3 Simple Tips to Ensure a Pest-Free Thanksgiving
Another Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and we here at Preferred Pest Control would like to wish a happy holiday weekend to you and your loved ones. With November comes colder weather, and that often drives outdoor pests—like ants, roaches, and mice—into your home to seek warmth and food. And when you’ve got a household of people feasting and warming up by the fire… well, it’s not hard to imagine why we see an uptick in infestations every winter! Here are a few easy tips you can follow to keep unwanted pests away this season: Identify Possible Points of Entry Most household pests have a fantastic sense of smell, and ...
Why Choose Preferred Pest Control?
Let’s face it, you’ve got choices when it comes to pest control services in Orange County. Warm weather and plenty of people means a lot of homes full of critters — and lots of competition for us. So what makes Preferred Pest Control of OC the preferred choice? Here are just a few reasons why our customers love Preferred Pest Control: We’re Safe and Eco-Friendly What is the best way to get rid of a pest infestation for good? If you ask some of our competitors, the answer would be “use the toughest chemicals you’ve got.” At Preferred Pest Control, we believe in approaching everything in a safe and eco-friendly manner. ...
3 Steps to Remove Unwanted Roaches in Orange County
German Roaches, American Roaches, Oriental Roaches Even with fall temperatures dropping, Orange County homeowners and residents should think twice before disposing of cockroach baits and insecticide. Cockroaches are no stranger to extreme change, having lived during (and long past!) the dinosaur age. Their hard-wired adaptability makes them so fascinating to study— and quite honestly, a hassle to exterminate. An OC Roach Extermination Lesson for All Cockroaches are very hard to get rid of. Manipulating their bodies to squeeze through pipes, cracks, and crevices, makes it nearly impossible to track down these pesky critters. Which is why we recommend homeowners take precaution to properly caulk their pipes. And that’s just one way ...
How to Avoid the Inevitable Gnats & Flies in Orange County
With one of the worst droughts in Orange County thankfully behind us, west coast residents and homeowners are now faced with a new annoyance – pesky fungus gnats and crane flies looming in and around their homes. Both are a nuisance but it’s fungus gnat larvae that cause real damage to plant roots. But that’s not all that Southern California homeowners need to be aware of. In recent years, a study confirmed California is the permanent new home to roughly 9 types of crop-destroying fruit flies. The Mediterranean fruit fly, a well-known annoyance to Orange County residents, is one of them. But residents don’t have to endure the persistent buzzing. ...
Bees and Wasps + Other Sting Insects
While spring is nearly gone, bees and wasps are here to stay—that is until the season for such sting insects tails off in late fall. What this means for Orange County residents and homeowners? Be on the lookout for buzzing in walls and around the house, as bees can (and have) nested in the home. In fact, one North Virginia building recently contained as much as 70,000 bees and 100 (whopping) tons of honey—fortunately, it was abandoned! However, a non-abandoned residential house in New Jersey was not as lucky; homeowners found 30,000 bees buzzing in their walls. While both situations happened on the east coast, it’s important to note that ...
Earwigs & Other Common Landscaping Pests to Look Out For
Earwigs – a Common Pest in Orange County We have a love-hate relationship when it comes to earwigs. Under normal population growth, they snack on slugs, snails, and plant decay, which helps garden ecology flourish. But, after the rainy season or in cases where gardens are located in a shady, wet area, these landscaping pests can quickly get out of control. With a bunch of bitten foliage and chewed vegetables adding more hours in the garden, how can homeowners manage an earwig infestation? What other landscaping pests are pertinent in Orange County? Read on to find out! What Are Earwigs and How to Manage Them With terrifying pinchers and a shiny ...
Drywood Termites Start of Drywood
Information about Drywood Termites There are several different types of termites. One of the less common is known as the drywood termite, which is most prevalent in Orange County and other coastal cities in the US. Unfortunately for many homeowners, drywood termite infestation and damage can wreak havoc on wooden furniture and exposed wood in the home. Where Drywood Termites Live (and How they Survive) Drywood termites thrive in humid climates, which make beach cities a prime target. So how did they get their name “drywood?” These pests can survive on just the humidity in the air, so unlike other creepy critters, they don’t live underground in the soil. Instead, they lay eggs and ...
Why Beetles Enter Your Home In Winter – And What To Do About It
In some ways, household pests are a lot like us. They need a steady source of food, which is often hard to find in the winter. And when cold weather rolls around, they scramble for any warm shelter they can find. As pest control professionals, we definitely notice an increase in infestations each winter, and it’s not hard to see why. That’s why we’ve put together some tips you can follow to keep beetles away from your house or apartment – and some next steps you can take if need be. Keeping Beetles Out of Your Home It’s not always easy to deal with infestations, especially for amateurs. Common household ...