Avoiding Roaches in the Spring: Tips for Homeowners

three dead roaches on the floor of a home

Spring is the season of rebirth and rejuvenation. This time of year is also when pests like cockroaches become more active. Cockroaches are a prevalent nuisance in many houses and can be particularly troublesome in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They are a significant danger to public health because they can spread infectious bacteria that can cause sickness.

The American Cockroach

This is the largest of the three most prevalent roach species found in Albuquerque homes. They are reddish-brown and can be two inches long. They frequently inhabit basements, baths, and other warm, moist areas. They are scavengers who consume nearly anything, including paper, clothing, and food scraps.

The German Cockroach

This is a small but troublesome pest common in many Albuquerque homes. They are light brown and can be 5/8 of an inch long. German cockroaches frequently inhabit bathrooms and kitchens because they love warm, humid conditions. They are also scavengers and will eat almost anything.

The Oriental Cockroach

This is the least common of the three most common species of cockroaches found in Albuquerque homes. They are dark brown or black and can grow to a length of 1 1/4 inches. Oriental cockroaches frequently inhabit basements, crawl areas, and other cool, wet environments. They are scavengers who will eat almost anything, including decaying organic matter.

Identifying a Roach Infestation

Identifying a cockroach infestation as soon as possible is crucial because they are notoriously difficult to eradicate. Common signs of a roach infestation include:

  • Spotting live cockroaches in the house.
  • Finding cockroach eggs and feces in your home.
  • Detecting an oily or musty smell in your home.

What Attracts Roaches to Your Home?

Several things in your house can attract roaches, such as:

  • Food: Since roaches will consume nearly anything, preserving your food in sealed containers and cleaning up spills and crumbs as soon as possible is crucial.
  • Water: You should fix any leaks or drips in your home since roaches require water to survive.
  • Shelter: Roaches like to hide in dark, secluded areas. So, declutter your home and seal up any cracks or crevices where they can hide.

How to Prevent a Roach Infestation

Taking precautions is the best approach to prevent a roach infestation. Here are some tips to keep roaches out of your home:

  • Keep your home clean.
  • Declutter your home.
  • Use roach bait in areas where roaches frequent but avoid using too much, as this can repel them.

Call a Professional Exterminator

It is crucial to contact a qualified exterminator if you have roaches in your house. They have the expertise and tools to eliminate roaches from your home safely and effectively. They can also offer suggestions on how to stop infestations from happening again.

If you identify a roach infestation in your Albuquerque home, do not hesitate to call Pest Defense Solutions Albuquerque. Our team of professional exterminators can identify the source of the problem and provide practical solutions to get rid of roaches for good. Contact us for a free assessment and assistance in securing your house against these troublesome pests.

Early Signs of Bed Bug Infestation

A crack in a bed frame with a bed bug infestation.

The warm weather of New Mexico makes it a haven for insects year-round. While there are steps you can take to stop pests from taking over outside your home, preventing bed bugs is a different matter. Bed bugs can spread rapidly and take over your home quickly.

Sometimes it isn’t easy to identify bed bugs or realize you have an infestation. Ultimately, keeping an eye out for signs of an infestation can help you identify the problem before it gets out of hand. Professional services provided by Pest Defense Solutions eliminate a bed bug infestation before they are able to take over your home!

How to Identify a Bed Bug

Bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped insects. They are reddish-brown in color and are about the size of an appleseed. Comparatively, they appear larger after feeding. Because they are nocturnal and feed at night while you are sleeping, you may not notice bites right away.

Bed bug bites can be easily mistaken as bites from another type of insect such as mosquitoes or chiggers. Although bed bugs don’t transmit any diseases through their bites the area can become itchy and swollen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends you contact a dermatologist if you have multiple bites, if they blister, are pus filled, or are showing other signs of infection or an allergic reaction.

Where to Check For Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can be found anywhere people reside. Since these pests are nocturnal, they feed at night and will most often hide where humans and mammals sleep. They are called bed bugs for a reason!

Common infestation signs include:

  1. Spots on Your Sheets: After feeding, bed bugs often leave behind small blood stains on bedding, mattresses, furniture, or even your pajamas. 
  2. Bed Bug Excrements: Yes, it is gross to think about! This pest leaves droppings that look like small dark spots the size of a period. These spots may be concentrated in one area or scattered across your sleeping area.
  3. Shed Skins: As a bed bug grows, they shed their skin. They often leave their skins and hide in seams and crevices of mattresses, bedding, carpet, or floorboards.This is a clear sign of an infestation.

How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Your Home

Considering bed bugs are small and hide themselves well, you can unknowingly bring them home with you. Any area frequented by the public are locations where bed bugs can occur. Some common places include: 

  • Traveling: These hitchhiking insects can easily latch onto your luggage, clothing, and other belongings when traveling. If you stay in a hotel or other lodging area that has bed bugs, you may accidentally bring them home with you.
  • Used Furniture: They love to hide in used furniture, especially mattresses and upholstered items. If you buy secondhand furniture without inspecting it thoroughly, you may carry bed bugs into your home!
  • Shared Spaces: Bed bugs can move between homes and apartments through openings like wall voids, floor cracks, and even the ventilation system.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

DIY remedies or treatments do little when it comes to eradicating a bed bug infestation from your home. At the first sign of bed bugs, call the extermination experts with Pest Defense Solutions. With over 15 years in the Albuquerque area, we are the leaders in bed bug extermination. We thoroughly inspect your home and formulate a plan that is suited to you and your family’s needs. The sooner you call a professional, the sooner you can take your home back. 

A Guide to Termite-Free Firewood

Round logs stacked in a woodpile - a common habitat for termites in winter

When winter hits in New Mexico, there’s nothing like a roaring fire to keep you warm. But the last thing you want is to welcome wood-boring pests in as you bring in your kindling. Termites can be a major problem for homeowners, both in your firewood and the wood of your home. Pest Defense Solutions specializes in termite control for homes around El Paso, but we’d like to keep problems from forming in the first place. That’s why we offer several steps you can take to protect your woodpile from termites and all manner of other pests.

Keep Your Firewood Dry

Termites thrive in moist environments, so it’s important to keep your firewood as dry as possible. Stack your firewood off the ground and away from any sources of moisture, such as gutters or sprinklers. You should also cover the top of the stack with a tarp to protect it from rain and snow. Doing this will not only help deter passing insects, but it’ll also make sure the wood burns as well as possible.

Store Firewood Smart

It comes as no surprise to say that termites are attracted to wood. So if you store your firewood next to the home, if termites get into it they’ll have easy access to spread to your property. That’s why we suggest that you keep your firewood at least 20 feet away from your house to reduce the risk of an infestation.

Use Treated Wood

Some types of firewood, such as pressure-treated lumber, are treated with chemicals that can repel or kill termites. While this type of wood may be more expensive, it can provide an extra layer of protection against termites.

Inspect Your Firewood Regularly

Regularly inspect your firewood pile for signs of termites, such as small holes in the wood or sawdust-like material. If you notice any of these signs, take action immediately to remove the infested wood and prevent the termites from spreading.

Pest Defense Solutions for the Best Termite Professionals

Termites are incredibly destructive, and they can spread at a prodigious rate. That’s why, if you suspect a termite infestation, it’s best to hire a professional exterminator to inspect your property and recommend a treatment plan. And if you live in Albuquerque or Santa Fe NM, Pest Defense Solutions has the knowledge, experience, and equipment to properly identify, locate and eliminate termites. We can put in the work you need to enjoy a cozy night in without the fear of termites or other pests. To learn more, contact us today!

Do Ticks Survive the Winter?

An American dog tick found in Albuquerque NM

Although the winter in El Paso comes with its own unique bunch of pest problems, some of the creatures we deal with in the summer can brave the weather to cause even more trouble. Some fair-weather critters deal with the winter by scrambling to set up shop inside our insulated structures; others brave the elements and hope for the best. Ticks fall into the latter category, and they happen to be more successful than most people realize. Although they thrive in the summer, ticks have the means and resilience to have successful winters in many cases. Read on to learn about how they do it and what you can do to avoid them with our tick control experts at Pest Defense Solutions.

When is Tick Season in El Paso?

When we imagine tick season, many of us think of finding ticks on our dogs or our own legs after spending time outside in the summer. Tall grass and humid heat is a recipe for tick problems. However, if the humidity remains consistent and they can find a source of warmth, ticks will survive through the winter.

Harsh cold and a lack of potential hosts will do significant damage to a tick population, but these pests have a few survival strategies that can help them deal with the tougher months of the year. These are their responses to a frigid winter:

  1. If ticks can find an oblivious host animal, they will latch onto them for a source of heat and nutrients that will last through the winter
  2. When they are unable to find a host, ticks can hide in leaf litter for warmth and protection
  3. Soft-shell ticks burrow underground during the winter to survive

How to Avoid Winter Ticks this Year

When temperatures drop below 45° consistently and the ground is wet or icy, take activity sees a significant decline. That said, even though tick problems are less likely to arise, these resilient pests can still cause problems for your family and your pets if you aren’t careful. We recommend you take our winter tick prevention advice to steer clear of these bugs:

  • Get rid of yard waste regularly. Ticks are often found hiding in leaf piles, so it’s best to get rid of them quickly.
  • Consistently check your pets. Dogs are some of ticks’ top targets, so be sure to check them for ticks whenever you get home from a walk, even in the winter, and especially if you walked through grass.
  • Set up a service with professional tick exterminators. Experienced pros can conduct a barrier treatment to prevent tick activity across your entire property.

How Can Tick Exterminators Help Me?

Even though they have been labeled as a traditional summer pest, it’s clear that ticks can cause problems for people and pets all year round. If you want to protect your family from ticks in El Paso this winter, your best bet is to team up with your local tick exterminators. At Pest Defense Solutions, we train our tick control team to conduct environmentally-friendly, safe, and effective barrier treatments, as well as assess properties for vulnerabilities that could lead to further tick infestations. We can protect you from ticks in every season. Contact us today to get started with a free quote!

What Makes Squirrels Dangerous to Humans?

a squirrel on a drain pipe getting ready to get trapped in someone's atticAre squirrels dangerous to humans? In general, squirrels are not a danger to humans, but they can be, and it’s important to be aware of the possibility. They can bite and scratch, and their urine and feces are unsanitary. Treat them with the respect you would give any other wild animal – because if you have squirrels in your house, it’s a situation that can get out of hand quickly.

Recent Cases of Squirrel Mayhem

In the last decade, there have been numerous surprising cases of squirrels that became aggressive and attacked people. This has happened in New York a few times. It has also happened in the UK, where a formerly docile squirrel snapped and injured eighteen people in a two-day biting and scratching frenzy.

The squirrels weren’t diseased, or rabid. Investigations turned up no apparent reasons why the squirrels did what they did. To this day, it remains a mystery. 

What Would Happen If a Squirrel Attacked You

No, we’re not saying you should be worried about the squirrels in your neighborhood. Even with squirrel attacks on the rise, it’s extremely unlikely that a squirrel will attack you. But what would happen if one did?

Once you got the squirrel off you, you would want to seek first aid for the bites and scratches. Infection is a concern with a squirrel bite. You’ll want to wash and sterilize the wound as soon as possible.

To be on the safe side, you may also want to seek attention from a medical professional. They can advise you whether there’s any reason to be concerned about disease transmission, and offer next steps. Squirrels do carry diseases, but human transmission is uncommon.

In the days following the attack if the wound does look like it’s becoming infected – lots of inflammation, high degree of pain that won’t go away, leaking pus – go immediately to an emergency room.

The most likely outcome from a squirrel attack is that you’ll be absolutely fine. Your scratches and scrapes will heal in a few days or weeks, and you’ll be no worse for the wear. 

Never Touch Squirrel Feces/Urine or Dead Squirrels

Getting bit or scratched might feel painful, but the real risk of catching a squirrel-borne disease comes from their feces and urine – or touching a dead squirrel.

Both leptospirosis and salmonellosis are easily transmitted through squirrel waste. Leptospirosis has a wide range of possible symptoms – from none for some people, to fever, headaches, jaundice, kidney failure, and death in severe cases. Salmonellosis is the bacteria that causes salmonella poisoning, which is a painful infection that can cause a wide variety of symptoms.

Tularemia is a disease that’s often transmitted when a person finds a dead squirrel outside and tries to move it. Also known as “rabbit fever,” tularemia presents symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, skin lesions, and sepsis. Tularemia requires antibiotic treatment, and if left untreated, can be fatal.

Rabies is another disease that squirrels can transmit, but rabid squirrels are fortunately rare. If you do get bit and have any reason at all to suspect the presence of rabies, you will need to seek medical attention to get a series of shots to prevent the disease. Rabies symptoms can take months or even a year or two to present, but the disease is 100% fatal in humans if they do.

Another way squirrels can harm people is property damage. Squirrels get trapped in attics and cause a lot of problems. They leave their urine and feces, and chew through materials to free themselves. Sometimes they’ll chew through wiring, which can spark a fire. Sometimes they’ll chew through pipes, which can trigger a plumbing crisis.

Those are just two of the ways that trapped squirrels can lead to significant property damage, and there are many more. That’s why it’s always a good idea to get a professional rodent exterminator to take care of the problem as soon as you know it’s there.

Don’t Hand Feed Squirrels

If there’s one thing you should learn from all of this it’s that squirrels are wild animals and they should be treated like it. Yes, they look cute, and they’re small, and they may live in your front and backyard, and most of the time they’re timid and run from humans. 

But there are thousands of years of evolution in a squirrel’s brain and we understand very little about it. So don’t try to approach squirrels and don’t try to feed them from your hand. When you do, you’re interfering with their natural instincts and that can lead to consequences.

Squirrel Removal Services

Got a squirrel in the attic? Call us today for a free quote!

DIY Pest Control: What are the risks?

Man doing DIY pest control sprays pine tree

It may seem like DIY pest control is a good way to save money, time, and unnecessary hassle: You don’t have to contact, pay or wait around for a professional exterminator. You can simply purchase some pesticide products at your local hardware store and you are ready to start your DIY adventure. However, DIY pest control carries significant downsides. If you’re considering this approach, you need to make sure you understand the downsides involved so you can take measures to minimize the risk to yourself, your family, and your home. 

DIY Pest Control Risks

Do-it-yourself pest control carries many risks, from overusing pesticides to killing beneficial insects and wasting money on pest control products that don’t work. There are also risks from pesticides if you misuse them. Misuse of pesticides is the most common cause of illness and injury from pest control. You could also be injured by pests themselves, like getting bitten or stung while applying the product. There’s also a risk of electrical shock if electrical equipment, such as a bug zapper, is installed and used improperly. Pesticides need to be treated with caution and it is important to always follow the guidelines on labels, as well as, read all of the instructions, to minimize the risk of injury.

Pesticide Exposure

Exposure to pesticides can have a range of adverse health effects, even when used correctly. Improper use of pesticides may lead to chemicals leaking into water supplies, vegetable gardens, and possibly the air inside your home. Many DIY pest control chemicals have the potential to contaminate the ground and air around your home if not used properly. It’s important to read the instructions carefully and use the right amount of pesticide as directed. 

For example, pesticides should be kept away from food and water supplies to avoid contaminating or poisoning people. When applying exterior treatments, often people forget that fish, frogs, and other animals may be living in or around their backyard ponds. If the product is applied too close to a water source, it can be harmful to all species that are using it. Another example, of misapplication that’s common with DIY pest control, is when homeowners forget to look for open windows while applying products on the exterior of the home, sometimes exposing those on the interior without knowing.  Pesticides should also be stored in a place that’s out of reach of children and pets so they don’t come into contact with them. If spraying pesticides inside a home, it’s crucial to ensure there is adequate ventilation to allow the chemicals to dissipate. 

Health and Safety Issues

There are several health and safety issues to be aware of when undertaking do-it-yourself pest control. For example, you should always wear protective clothing and gloves when handling pesticides and other chemicals. Pregnant women and young children should avoid entering areas where pesticides have been used. You should also wear protective equipment like a mask and eye goggles when you are working in areas where there might be pests or rodents. This will reduce the risk of getting bitten or stung. You should also clean up any mess that pests leave behind so they don’t attract more pests. Some pest droppings can contain harmful bacteria or roundworms that can make a human ill or cause death. Proper sanitation of areas should be done carefully and after sufficient research, if you’re unsure of the possible risks involved.   

Negligence

There are situations where you can be held negligent or liable for your pest control practices. If you spray pesticide in a stuffy room or trap pests in a building without proper safety precautions, you could cause significant harm to other people creating civil and possibly even criminal liability. This is doubly true if you’re trying to eradicate a species of pest that’s protected by law.

Some products require you to vacate the area after application and you need to ensure that nobody would come in contact with that product for the proper amount of time. 

Conclusion

While DIY pest control could save you money and time, it also comes with considerable risk. If you’re not careful, you could make things worse by harming yourself or others with pesticides or getting bitten or stung by the pests you’re trying to eliminate. Professional pest control specialists know how to find the pests that are invading, where they are coming from, how they got in, and how to stop them. Plus, they are trained to find the reasons why the pests are there and offer methods of preventing further infestations. 

Pests need three things, food, water, and shelter. Your pest control professional will help to show you how your home is providing these to the pests and then how to stop it. With the integrated pest management approach, your professional pest technician will also be looking for ways to improve your landscaping and other factors around the home that will lead to less pest activity over time. When factoring all of this in, hiring a professional exterminator is not that expensive, not that much of a hassle, and likely to be more effective than a DIY approach.

Professional Pest Control

For nearly 15 years, Pest Defense Solutions has been providing safe, effective, and affordable pest control services in the Albuquerque NM area. Contact us today for a free quote!  

Overwatering Your Lawn Can Attract Mosquitos

Mosquito hangs on stem

If you want a healthy lawn, it’s crucial to water the right amount. Too little watering and you’ll have yellow patches of dead grass. Too much watering can cause lawn diseases and attract mosquitoes, which would make it even harder to enjoy your lawn. Read on to find out how proper yard maintenance can help your lawn look better and keep mosquitoes at bay.

Mosquitoes Love Moisture

Do you know what your lawn and mosquitoes both love? Moisture. mosquitoes require abundant moisture to survive and reproduce, so a lawn where water is pooling can easily become a hotspot for these pests. An oversaturated lawn can also cause a thick layer of thatch to form, protecting mosquitoes and other insects from sunlight, predators, and even some pesticides. If you adequately maintain and irrigate your lawn, you’ll enjoy the time spent in your yard more. It will look better and you’ll reduce the risk of mosquitoes disturbing your outside time.

Signs That You’re Watering too Much

Overwatering your lawn can cause more problems than just mosquitoes. Too much water stunts root growth and makes your grass more susceptible to harmful diseases. 

Look for these signs that you’re watering too much:

Sinking in Soil 

A quick, easy way to see if your lawn is too damp is to perform what’s called “a step test”. Soil that’s overwatered will have a squishy or spongey consistency when you step on it. You can check the dampness of your soil by stepping on the lawn in multiple spots (wait a while if you just watered). If your lawn feels spongy in multiple different places, you’re probably overwatering.

Weeds & Fungus 

The amount you water your lawn can aid the growth of fungus and weeds, which may attract insects. In a well-watered yard, patches of mushrooms and weeds will be rare. If you do notice weeds sprouting in your yard, you’ll probably want to reduce your watering. The same goes for mushrooms since some species of mushrooms can be hazardous to pets and children.

Runoff 

Sometimes soil can be so saturated that it can’t absorb any more water. This creates runoff that strips the lawn of important nutrients and carries them to the sidewalk, drain, or street. This is common during heavy rains. It’s important to notice when this happens as your grass will be more susceptible to disease, insect invaders, fungi, and weeds.

How Can You Prevent Mosquitoes?

The first step for preventing mosquitoes is to water your lawn appropriately. Watering every day is probably unnecessary, even if you live in a hot, dry climate. The ideal amount of water your lawn should get each week is 1 – 1.5 inches. Experts recommend watering your lawn three days a week for 30 minutes each time to give your grass the appropriate amount of water.

Expert Mosquito Exterminators in Albuquerque NM

Even if you have mosquitoes even though your yard is immaculately maintained, we can help. The highly trained exterminators at Pest Defense Solutions have been helping people in the Albuquerque NM area eliminate mosquitoes for nearly 15 years. Contact us today for a free quote!

Natural Ways You Can Repel Bees and Wasps

Three bees on a yellow flower

Now that summer is here, many of us in the Albuquerque area will be spending more time outside. However, wasps and bees are also active in summer. Crossing paths with them can result in annoyance, stings and even serious allergic reactions. So, how can you keep bees and wasps from ruining your fun in the sun this summer naturally? Read on to find out.

Plants That Attract Bees & Wasps

Since bees and wasps are pollinators, naturally they’re attracted to plants. Here are plants that bees and/or wasps are especially fond of:

  • Black-eyed Susan
  • Honeysuckle
  • Lantana
  • Lilacs
  • Perennial Yarrow
  • Poppies
  • Pale Purple Coneflower
  • Sweet Fennel
  • Wisteria
  • Queen Anne’s Lace
  • Sedum
  • Snapdragon
  • Sunflowers

If you have any of these plants close to your home, consider moving them further away. Especially if they’re close to a patio or other heavily used outdoor space.

Plants That Repel Bees & Wasps

There are also several plants that repel bees and wasps, usually because they have a strong smell that bees and wasps dislike. These plants include:

  • Basil
  • Citronella
  • Geraniums
  • Marigolds
  • Peppermint
  • Spearmint
  • Thyme
  • Wormwood

If you’re looking to keep bees and wasps away and don’t mind the smell, consider adding some of these plants near the outdoor spaces of your home, such as a porch or patio.

Bees, Wasps and Food

Stinging insects, especially wasps, are also attracted to food. This can be a challenge because whether it’s barbecues, picnics or kids with ice cream, eating food outside is a part of summer. There are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of stinging insects interfering with your barbecue or picnic: 

  • If you’re eating or drinking outside, remember to promptly put away food and drinks. 
  • When you put food in your trash can, make sure it’s securely closed. 
  • Keep sugary drinks closed or covered to keep bees and wasps out.

However, as is the case with plants, there are some food items that bees and wasps don’t like, including: 

  • Bay Leaves
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Garlic
  • Sliced Cucumber
  • Vinegar

If you keep one or more of these close to you while you’re enjoying the outdoors, it could help keep bees and wasps away. For example, you could place cinnamon sticks or a glass of vinegar on a patio table. Or bring some sliced cucumber on a plate if you’re eating a meal outside.

 

How to Make an All-Natural Bug Repellent

Another way to keep stinging insects away naturally is to make an essential oil-based pest repellent spray. Wasps and bees are repelled by the smell of the essential oils below:

  • Citronella oil
  • Clove oil
  • Eucalyptus oil
  • Geranium oil
  • Peppermint oil
  • Rosemary oil

Simply combine two drops of essential oil per ounce of water to make a natural alternative to store bought insect repellent. 

 

Best Bee & Wasp Removal in Albuquerque NM 

If you have a serious infestation, these techniques may not be enough. You may need to hire a local pest control professional to get rid of the bees or wasps on your property. Pest Defense Solutions has been providing pest control services to the Albuquerque NM area since 2008. Contact us today to learn more and get a free quote!

Getting Rid of Ants in Your Bathroom

Ants in a bathroom in Albuquerque NM - Pest Defense Solutions

Many different kinds of ants are alive and thriving around Albuquerque NM. You can count on them to start attacking your home from every angle after a new rain or a dramatic temperature swing, jarred by new conditions and in search of food, water, and shelter.

When ants infest your home, they will likely find everything that they need to survive. But why is this, and what can you do about it? Read on to learn from the ant removal and extermination experts at Pest Defense Solutions!

Why Are Ants Taking Over My Bathroom?

Ants can find all of the moisture and water that they need to hydrate themselves in your bathroom, as well as shelter in cabinets and walls. Pooling water on your floor, in your sink, or in your shower can afford ants an easily accessible water source close to their hiding place. Carpenter ants are notorious for infesting bathrooms because of the likelihood of finding water-damaged wood to tunnel through to get there. However, all kinds of ants find bathrooms to be suitable temporary shelters. They usually get inside our bathrooms in these ways:

  • Gaps around windows and doors
  • Holes near plumbing fixtures
  • Cracks in your walls and foundation
  • Ventilation system openings

The ants in your bathroom also could have come from another room in your house, so it’s important that you try to figure out where their trail is rooted.

Getting Rid of Bathroom Ants

Finding out where your ant trail is coming from is the most important part of ant control. This is because you will not be able to stop the flow of ants without eliminating the colony they’re coming from. The tricky part about figuring this out is that ants often travel through tiny cracks coming from walls and other inaccessible areas. This makes ant prevention a crucial measure. We recommend working to prevent ants in these ways:

  1. Closing all of your windows and doors, making sure they’re sealed
  2. Replacing wood that has been water damaged
  3. Moving mulch further away from your siding and keeping plants away from your home’s exterior
  4. Sealing cracks on the outside of your home with a silicone-based caulk
  5. Making sure your bathroom is well-ventilated

Best Ant Control in Albuquerque NM

If you’re already mid-infestation and need help getting rid of your ants, it’s time to call up your local pest control company. Our ant extermination team at Pest Defense Solutions is intimately familiar with the habits of all ant species living around Albuquerque NM. We can inspect your property to develop a plan that will have your bathroom and home free of ants in no time. Reach out today to learn more about our services and receive a free estimate!

Protecting Yourself from Ticks & Lyme Disease

A tick found in Albuquerque NM - Pest Defense Solutions

There’s not much more unsettling than the experience of finding a tick trying to lodge itself into your skin. What’s even more frightening about ticks, though, is that some of them have the ability to spread the bacterium that causes Lyme disease to humans. As is the case with all disease-spreading pests, it’s important to learn about the ways that they work so you can keep your distance from them and protect those around you from the potential consequences of their bites. Read on to learn more about Lyme disease and ticks in Albuquerque NM with Pest Defense Solutions!

Learn About Lyme Disease

Deer ticks, also called blacklegged ticks, are the ticks responsible for spreading Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Humans most often contract Lyme disease when they receive a bite from a nymph, an earlier stage in the tick’s life cycle that is tiny enough to go easily unnoticed. Tick bites don’t usually hurt because the tick injects an anesthetic fluid into the bite mark to block the pain.

Lyme disease’s initial symptoms are headache, tiredness, rashes, fever, and pain in the joints and muscles. If the condition goes untreated, though, Lyme disease can lead to arthritis and nerve damage. If you’re experiencing any of the initial symptoms and think they could be related to a recent tick bite, contact your doctor immediately.

Preventing Tick Bites

To protect yourself, your family, and your pets from Lyme disease, you have to do everything you can to avoid ticks. These pests love to hide in shaded, humid, densely vegetated areas, waiting for small animals to pass by. Here are some things to keep in mind to avoid ticks in Albuquerque NM:

  • When hiking, stay on the trail and keep any pets from wandering off
  • Wear pants and long socks when you plan to spend extended time outdoors
  • Perform a tick check on yourself and your pets when you come back inside
  • If you do find a tick lodging itself into the skin, don’t use your fingers to remove it. Use a pair of tweezers and pinch the tick as close as possible to the skin, pulling away gently.

Tick Control in Albuquerque NM

If you’re regularly finding ticks on your kids or your pets after letting them play outside for a while, you likely have a tick problem on your property. Let the tick control experts at Pest Defense Solutions handle it! Our team of expert exterminators can assess your yard to find all possible tick hot spots and hiding places. Based on our findings, we can plan and perform a unique barrier treatment, using professional products and a personalized strategy to keep your yard tick-free. Contact us today to learn more and receive a free quote!