Our Top 10 Spider Facts

Finding spiders in Albuquerque NM - Pest Defense Solutions

One thing about spiders is that, generally, the more you learn about them as a whole, the less you fear them! Here at Pest Defense Solutions, our team of spider exterminators share an intricate knowledge of the many species of spiders found around Albuquerque NM and beyond. We believe that passing on what we know to our customers will help them conquer their fear and learn how to get rid of spiders on their own if they need to. Read on to learn more about spiders!

10 Spider Facts You Should Know

  1. Most spiders aren’t dangerous: Every spider is venomous, but a very small number of spider species are equipped with enough venom to seriously injure a human.
  2. Spiders live everywhere: And we don’t just mean all over the world. Research suggests that, at any point, you’re probably less than 10 feet away from the nearest spider!
  3. There are thousands of different kinds: Spider experts have documented over 35,000 different species of spiders around the world and suspect that many more will show themselves in time.
  4. Spiders are gift-givers: During the mating process, some spider species’ males will capture insects and wrap them up in silk to give to a potential mate. Females spiders beware, though, because males have been known to package up leaves, dirt, or other random findings as a mock gift.
  5. Spiders can dance: Some male spiders will incorporate a dance routine into their courtship. This often involves back-and-forth scuttling paired with desperate arm-waving.
  6. Females eat their mates: Sometimes before they have even copulated! In the species that display this activity, the motive and timing varies across the board, but many mothers-to-be save the body of their mate to provide their offspring with nourishment.
  7. Spider silk is multi-purposed: While we often think of spider silk as the means to a web, some spiders also use their silk to build nests, tunnels, transportation lines, or even as a tool to float through the air with.
  8. It’s stronger than steel: Steel cut to the same dimensions as a spider web is actually 5 times weaker than spider silk!
  9. It’s a liquid: Spider silk sits as a liquid in the spider’s spinning gland before turning solid upon contact with outside air. This makes its strength all the more fascinating and impressive!
  10. Spider muscles can’t extend: They can only retract. This means that to push their legs back out again, spiders pump a special fluid through them; this fluid is also what allows for many spiders to jump so far and high.

Need Spider Exterminators in Albuquerque NM?

While there is a lot to love about spiders, we do understand that having a spider infestation can leave you uncomfortable in your own home. On top of this, there are a few spider species that you need to watch out for around Albuquerque, such as the brown recluse and the black widow. If you need spider extermination services for your property, reach out to our spider control team at Pest Defense Solutions today for a free quote!

6 Tips to Prevent Pests in Your Patio

Tips to stay pest-free in your Albuquerque NM backyard - Pest Defense Solutions

Whether you’ve had mosquitoes in your gutters or ants all over your barbeque, you know that pest problems can develop in a flash in your backyard. When the sun comes out for spring again, we all look to get out doors more often, but pests can quickly ruin your time spent outside. This is why it’s so important to learn how to make your property less attractive to pests in the first place. At Pest Defense Solutions, we know that pest problems riddle Albuquerque homes all year long. With our commitment to ensuring our customers are pest-free* both inside and outside their homes, we’re sharing our top tips to prevent pests in your patio.

Pests to Lookout For in Your Outdoor Living Space

If you have an outdoor living space, you can be sure pests are going to explore it! Many pests are a nuisance to deal with, but a few can be more dangerous for you and your family. The pests you’ll see in your yard are mosquitoes, stinging insects (bees, wasps, and hornets), ants, spiders, ticks, fleas, and flies. Ticks and mosquitoes are especially concerning for their ability to transmit dangerous diseases to humans. Because these pests in particular are quite difficult to get rid of without a barrier treatment, it’s important to consult a professional exterminator if you are seeing either of these parasitic pests daily.

Tips to Prevent Pests in Backyard Patios

Pests are always a nuisance, but as we know, they can be dangerous, too. Mosquitoes, ticks, and stinging insects are three of the most common pest problems in backyards in spring. To help pest-proof your property from these bugs and more, you can do the following:

  • Trim your lawn and shrubs. Overgrown vegetation provides mosquitoes and ticks with shelter.
  • Search for ant hills and wasp nests. Even the tiniest nest can contain thousands of stinging insects.
  • Examine wood structures. Termites and carpenter bees will damage wooden decks or porches.
  • Cover or pour out standing water. Mosquitoes only need a half inch of standing water to breed.
  • Use an insect repellent. Insect repellent containing DEET will help repel mosquitoes and ticks.
  • Clean your patio or space regularly. Crumbs or spilled liquids will attract ants and other insects.

How to Get Rid of Pests in Your Backyard

Whether you have spotted a nest forming on your deck, an ant hill near your garden, or mosquitoes swarming your yard, it’s best to contact your local exterminator for help getting rid of them. At Pest Defense Solutions, we are dedicated to providing you with pest-free* outdoor living. Contact us today to learn more and get a free quote!

10 Key German Cockroach Facts to Know

German cockroaches in Santa Fe NM - Pest Defense Solutions

Many property owners in Albuquerque NM are well-accustomed to cockroach infestations. In our area, if you’re dealing with roaches indoors, there’s a very good chance they are German cockroaches. This species causes the most problems for homes, multi-family units, restaurants, food processing facilities, and indoor spaces. In addition to simply having an unsettling presence, German cockroaches have a rapid reproductive cycle and are capable of carrying dangerous pathogens. To learn more about German cockroaches and what you can do to stop them read on. Our cockroach exterminators at Pest Defense Solutions have laid out some facts and prevention tips that you have to know!

10 German Cockroach Facts

German cockroaches may look somewhat similar to their American and brown-banded counterparts, but they’re quite different. Here are our top 10 facts to know about German cockroaches:

  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. This means they can spread throughout a building quickly.
  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 can endanger 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 Cockroach Infestation

As with all roaches, keeping German cockroaches out of your property requires regular maintenance and preventative efforts 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, as it can provide them with hiding places. Take these steps regularly to prevent a German cockroach infestation:

  • Take out your trash often and use sealable lids on your bins. 
  • Inspect the outside of your home for cracks leading in and the inside of your home for leaks.
  • Wipe up spills and sweep up crumbs promptly after they are spilled.
  • Store food in airtight containers and wash dishes as soon as you’re done eating.

Effective & Long-Lasting German Cockroach Control

Roaches prefer to stay hidden, so seeing them out during the day is a sign of a large infestation. As soon as you notice a single roach in your Santa Fe NM property, it’s time to call your local pest control company. Our roach exterminators at Pest Defense Solutions have years of experience providing residents and businesses alike with full-service German cockroach extermination. You can trust we will work to keep roaches out of your property all year long. Reach out today for a free quote!

What Happens to Bees in the Winter?

Honey bees in Albuquerque NM - Pest Defense Solutions

Many of us get through the winter by thinking about spring being on the way. With warming temperatures, new growth all around, and longer days, there are so many reasons to look forward to spring. However, springtime is riddled with insects here in Albuquerque NM. We often think of bees when we think about spring insects—they return to pollinate and thrive during the warmer months, then disappear again when it gets cold. So, where do bees go in the winter? The Pest Defense Solutions technicians have the answers!

Do Bees Hibernate During the Winter?

You’ve surely noticed that the number of bees around your home decreases significantly from the fall to the winter. After all, bees’ principal role in our ecosystem is to pollinate flowering plants, so what do bees do in the winter if they have nothing to pollinate? It actually depends on the species of bee—here are the ways that three common bees in Albuquerque NM handle the cold:

  • Carpenter bees: These solitary bees return to the nests that they emerged from in the spring to take shelter and attempt to survive the cold.
  • Honey bees: All of the male drone bees will die off when it gets too cold, but the female worker bees will stay together in the hive, surrounding the queen and vibrating for warmth.
  • Bumblebees: The sad truth is that almost every single bumblebee dies when winter rolls around. However, the queen will save herself, burrowing in the dirt or finding a premade shelter, like an empty bird’s nest, hollow log, or compost pile. She emerges again in the spring to repopulate.

How to Prepare for Bees Before Spring

Some people like having bees around their home, but when you let bees nest near your house, you always put yourself at risk of being stung. Additionally, if you let their numbers grow in your yard, they might end up constructing a new nest inside your walls or under your eaves. Take these steps in the winter to prevent bee problems from developing in the spring:

  1. Trim your plants and mow your lawn often to prevent nesting in overgrowth
  2. Fill animal burrows in your yard that could create nesting sites for bees
  3. Repair any cracks in your foundation, walls, or roofing to keep bees out
  4. Consider gardening further away from your home than usual
  5. Cover your trash and recycling cans outside with lids that seal

Need Help Bee-Proofing Your Home this Winter?

If you’ve dealt with bee problems year after year in your home in Albuquerque, it’s time to have your local pest control company take a look. At Pest Defense Solutions, we offer both preventative inspections that identify vulnerabilities around your home as well as safe, humane, and non-toxic bee nest removal strategies. Contact us today to learn more about our bee control services and receive a free quote!

Do Ticks Bite in the Winter?

Tick in the winter in Albuquerque NM - Pest Defense Solutions

During the winter, pests and insects are scarce. Some populations go into a hibernation state known as diapause, but others disappear completely. However, there are some pests that can remain active even during the winter, ticks included. We all know these blood-sucking pests are common in the summer, but they can still cause trouble during the colder months. Although bites are rare from a tick this time of year, mild winters in Albuquerque can lead to more tick activity than you may expect. For this reason, it’s crucial to remain vigilant against ticks year-round. The experts at Pest Defense Solutions are here to share everything you know about seasonal tick activity. 

Tick Life Stages

A tick can live for two to three years. Throughout this period, they undergo four primary stages of development: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Each season plays an important role in their life cycle:

  1. Female ticks lay their eggs in the spring at the end of their lives. Each tick can lay thousands of translucent-looking eggs, which are found in clusters under leaves, bushes, and other places. When the tick eggs hatch, they become six-legged larvae.
  2. Nymph ticks are most active during the winter when the temperature exceeds 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Larvae seldom carry disease, and they become nymphs after feeding on their first host. During these cold months, the nymphs mostly rest under leaf litter.
  3. Nymphs become adult ticks after feeding on hosts for four to five days. During the spring, summer, and fall, these adult ticks will feed and mate before reaching the end of their lifespan.

Tick Bites in the Winter

Since winter ticks are usually dormant, or nymphs, bites are rare. As temperatures fall below 37 degrees Fahrenheit, adult ticks that can’t locate hosts retreat beneath leaf litter or other surface vegetation, becoming inactive. Ticks will resume looking for hosts in February or March unless it has been an unusually warm winter. If winter temperatures are mild, you could still be bitten by a tick. Even in the winter, it is possible to become infected by a tick, so it is crucial to avoid getting bitten year-round!

Need Help Getting Rid of Ticks?

Pest Defense Solutions knows ticks and the diseases they transmit are major concerns. Tick control experts are standing by to help you if you are concerned about ticks on your Albuquerque NM property. Contact us today to get started!

How to Stop the Quick Reproduction Rate of Rodents

Litter of mice in Albuquerque home - Pest Defense Solutions

One of the most concerning things about a rodent infestation—besides the germs and damage they can cause—is how quickly it can grow. This is because rodents have a rapid rate of reproduction. Seeing even one or two mice here can indicate that you already have a larger infestation. For this reason, it’s imperative to learn how to prevent mice from getting inside and turning your home into their own personal breeding grounds. This is best done by preventing rodents in your property altogether. To learn more, the experts at Pest Defense Solutions are here to share everything you need to know about stopping the reproduction rate of rodents in your home.

How Quickly do Rodents Multiply?

You might not think a couple of mice in your garage is a bad thing—but even a small problem can quickly turn into an infestation. All it takes is one female and one male mouse to kickstart what could be a serious infestation. This is because young mice reach breeding age at 4–6 weeks of age. One mouse can give birth to five or six babies after just a three-week gestation period. These female mice can mate immediately after giving birth, meaning mice can birth a second litter in as little as 25 days after the first. Even worse, they can produce up to 10 litters a year!

Rodent reproduction rate infographic - Pest Defense Solutions in Albuquerque

How to Stop Rodents From Reproducing

To prevent rodents from turning your property into their own personal breeding grounds, you need to learn how to keep mice out altogether. This is best done by making your home or business impenetrable and less attractive to the pests altogether. The top three things you can do to repel mice are:

  1. Block off any easy access points—this could mean fixing screens on windows and vents, applying weather stripping on doors, and filling cracks in your plumbing fixtures and roofing.
  2. Clean dishes and spills right away and store your food properly, sealed in airtight containers.
  3. Keep your grass cut short, clear out your yard waste often, and refrain from using mulch near the foundation of your home.

Preventing Rodent Infestations in Albuquerque

No one wants to let a rodent infestation grow worse inside their home or business. This makes it imperative to know how to recognize the early signs of rodents in your property, like droppings or gnaw marks, so you can stop an infestation before it begins. At Pest Defense Solutions, we know how difficult this can be, which is why our rodent exterminators are always happy to help. Contact us today!

5 Easy Tips to Prevent Pests in Your Kitchen

Ants are a common kitchen pest problem in Albuquerque NM homes - Pest Defense Solutions

From family gatherings and birthday parties to get-togethers with friends and holiday baking days, a kitchen is the hub of any home. No matter how often you use your kitchen, it’s imperative to keep your surroundings clean and sanitized. One of the biggest threats to the cleanliness of your home is a pest infestation. Unfortunately, kitchens are somewhat of a haven for pests with the endless access to food and water. To prevent pests in your kitchen, it’s important to be proactive about making sure your environment doesn’t attract bugs in the first place. The experts at Pest Defense Solutions are here to help with six easy tips for a pest-free* kitchen—read on to learn more!

What Pests Infest Kitchens?

Both residential and commercial kitchens can be prone to all types of pest problems. The most common pests we see infesting kitchens here in Albuquerque NM are:

  • Pantry pests. True to name, these moths, beetles, and bugs infest dried goods and foods in your pantry, which can be any baker’s worst nightmare.
  • Ants. A small ant problem can quickly turn into a large one if ants have found a source of food or water in your kitchen
  • Cockroaches. Roaches love filth and feed on sewer and drain sludge. Many species love to hide behind appliances and are especially troublesome in the food service industry.
  • Flies. From drain flies to fungus gnats, flies can be a true nuisance in the kitchen and can affect your business’ reputation.
  • Rodents. Attracted to warmth and food, small house mice can take shelter behind your appliances and are attracted to food crumbs and garbage.

Infographic on preventing kitchen pests in Albuquerque NM - Pest Defense Solutions

Tips to Keep Pests Out of Your Kitchen

Keeping a pest-free* kitchen requires knowledge of what attracts them in the first place. The best tips to prevent pests around your sink, pantry, or other appliances are:

  1. Maintain a clean kitchen. Always clean up after meals and avoid crumbs and spills. Clean your floors regularly and avoid clutter.
  2. Seal cracks and fix leaks. Inspect your kitchen for leaky pipes or crevices around your windows. Seal off or repair issues as necessary.
  3. Organize. It’s important to seal all dried goods and foods in airtight containers. Regularly go through your pantry and keep things organized.
  4. Check your groceries. When buying certain goods at the store, inspect food items for tears or signs of damage to avoid pantry pests.
  5. Clean up after your pet. All types of pests love pet food! Store in airtight containers and never leave food bowls out overnight.

Kitchen Pest Control Services in Albuquerque NM

An infestation in your kitchen isn’t just gross—it’s dangerous! Pests can contaminate food and transmit dangerous diseases, making it all the more important to have a clean, pest-free* kitchen. If you’ve done all you can and are still seeing pests around your appliances, it’s time to team up with the experts at Pest Defense Solutions. Contact us today to get started!

5 Facts About Mice and Rats

Rat in Albuquerque NM home - Pest Defense Solutions

Here in New Mexico, rodents are a common pest problem all year long. However, rodents are even more common during the fall and winter months. This is because rodents look to get inside homes or businesses to hunker down throughout the winter. To properly prepare and prevent rodent issues in your Albuquerque property, it’s important to learn about common rodent behaviors this time of year. With Rodent Awareness Week in just a couple of weeks, the experts at Pest Defense Solutions are here to help. Read on to learn the top 5 facts about rats and mice that can help you learn how to keep rodents away for good!

Top Rodent Facts

In order to effectively prevent and get rid of rodents, it’s important to understand their unique behaviors and what makes them pests in the first place. The top things to know are:

  1. Rats and mice can get inside homes easily. Rodents are infamous for squeezing their way into homes. Some young mice can fit into holes that are just 5 mm wide, making any tiny crack or crevice a vulnerability.
  2. Rodents have a rapid rate of reproduction. Rats and mice are highly prolific breeders. Mice can have litters of 5 babies every three weeks, and rats can produce upward of 15 litters a year.
  3. Rodent teeth never stop growing. All types of rodents are identified by their ever-growing incisor teeth, which can grow up to 5 inches per year.
  4. Rodents are scavengers and some are omnivores. Rodents are infamous for devouring anything and everything. Most mice are vegetarians. However, many rats will feed on human or pet food, or anything else they come across!
  5. Rats and mice can carry and spread dangerous diseases. According to the CDC, rats and mice alike have been linked to the spread of over 35 different diseases.

Why Are Rats and Mice Considered Pests?

Rodent infestations are considered dangerous for a number of reasons. For one, wild rats and mice can carry and spread many germs and diseases that can lead to contamination and illness. When rodents infest your home, their population can quickly increase and they can create a real mess inside your home or business with their droppings and nesting. In addition to the mess, rodents can chew on electric wires, which can become a fire hazard. Moreover, a rodent problem can become a hazard in your home, making it important to enlist the help of a pest control expert.

Think You Have a Rodent Infestation?

Here at Pest Defense Solutions, we get a lot of calls about rodents this time of year. The key to rodent control is always prevention. Our rodent control experts will help by implementing rodent exclusion tactics throughout your property. To learn more, contact us today!

What Pests Are Attracted to Leaky Pipes?

Cockroaches are known to linger in pipes and plumbing in Albuquerque NM - Pest Defense Solutions

Discovering you have a plumbing issue or water leak in your home is one of the worst things a homeowner can experience. One of the other worst things? A pest infestation! Unfortunately, these two instances often go hand in hand. This is because insects and other pests are attracted to areas with excessive moisture. Needless to say, one broken water pipe or even a leak can quickly lead to pests coming out of the woodworks and into your home. For this reason, it’s important to always be on the lookout for leaky pipes or issues in your home if you want to prevent pest problems as well. The experts at Pest Defense Solutions are here to tell you everything you need to know about leaky pipes and pests in your Albuquerque home.

Pests Attracted to Water

Water is one of the main pest attractants. While most need water just for survival, many others are drawn to the environment caused by excess moisture. The four most common pests that are known to dwell in areas with excess moisture are as follows:

  1. Termites: If a broken pipe has caused water damage in the very structure of your home, you can be sure termites are to follow. Subterranean termites in particular are attracted to moist wood and soil. When there are unattended-to leaky pipes or plumbing issues, you could be leaving your home vulnerable to termites.
  2. Ants: These tiny pests will appear seemingly out of nowhere when excess moisture is abundant. Leaky faucets or spilled water from a pet’s bowl can bring ants out in the hundreds. In addition to your typical house ant, water can be a main attractant to the wood-destroying carpenter ant as well.
  3. Cockroaches: Roaches may be known for their resiliency, but they aren’t as strong as you’d think. Without water for a week, a roach will not survive. Cockroaches also love to linger inside of pipes and plumbing fixtures. An issue can quickly introduce roaches into other parts of the house.
  4. Rodents: Rats and mice alike are always looking for a water supply. Leaky pipes or broken faucets in your crawl space or laundry room can provide a haven for rodents. The last thing you want is rodents scurrying around when you have a plumbing issue, making it important to prevent them.

How to Prevent Leaky Pipes

Preventing pests requires preventing the conditions that would attract them in the first place. Always be on the lookout for signs of excess moisture in your home. Regularly inspect to ensure your faucets aren’t dripping, your drains aren’t clogging, and there are no leaks from your fridge, washing machine, or dishwasher. If there are problems, get them fixed right away with professional help. Additionally, consider running a dehumidifier in areas of your home that are more prone to moisture!

Leaky Pipes & Pests in Albuquerque Homes

The last thing you want is a full-blown infestation, making it important to contact your local exterminator after noticing a pest problem. At Pest Defense Solutions, we will work hard to get rid of any pest problems and provide you with tips to prevent future ones.

Tips to Keep Ticks Away

Tips for preventing ticks in Albuquerque NM - Pest Defense Solutions

Summertime in Albuquerque brings with it a number of pest problems: mosquitoes, termites, wasps, and more. One of the most dangerous pests to keep an eye out in the summertime, however, is the tick. According to a study, tick populations are on the rise as the global climate continues to get warmer and warmer. These tiny parasitic pests are feared for a number of reasons, mainly their ability to transmit Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. While not every tick bite results in illness, it’s still crucial to learn how to keep an eye out for ticks. The best form of tick control is prevention. The experts at Pest Defense Solutions are here to help you learn how to keep ticks away from your property for good.

Ticks in Albuquerque Yards

Ticks are common in heavily wooded or tall grassy areas. So how do they end up in your backyard in the first place? Ticks love to hitchhike by latching onto clothes, people, and animals. They will also gladly take up residence in your yard if there are areas for them to hide. Hiking in nearby trails, especially off the beaten path, can increase your risk (or your pet’s risk) of a tick bite. Another common way ticks get onto your property is when infested rodents or nuisance wildlife carry them into your backyard or home.

Top Tips to Keep Ticks Away

Ticks may be tiny, but you can still put preventative measures in place to keep them out of your yard.

  1. Reduce the clutter in your yard. Not only will this prevent ticks, but also the animals that commonly carry them. Reducing the number of potential hiding spots for ticks can discourage them from sticking around.
  2. Install barriers. A barrier made out of gravel or wood chips that is at least 3 feet wide can deter ticks. This helps create a natural barrier between wooded or grassy areas and the recreational areas in your backyard.
  3. Check your clothing and shower. After being outdoors, inspect your clothing for ticks. Toss your clothing in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes, or wash them in hot water. A shower after being outdoors also decreases the chance of contracting a disease if you were bitten by a tick.
  4. Take care of your yard. Ticks love tall grass and unkempt shrubs. Maintain your backyard by regularly mowing the lawn, placing barriers around your property, and trimming back hedges or trees as needed.
  5. Keep wildlife and rodents out. These pests infamously carry and contribute to the spread of ticks. Wildlife exclusion tactics, such as installing secure fences or screen doors, can help prevent ticks in your yard.
  6. Learn how to identify ticks and tick bites. Your best defense against ticks is learning how to inspect for them. After being outdoors or after a hike, use a handheld mirror to look for tick bites on exposed parts of your body. Check under your pet’s fur for potential ticks as well. If you spot any, it’s smart to know how to remove a tick properly.

Need to Get Rid of Ticks?

If you’ve done all you can to prevent ticks and still notice them in or near your property, it’s best to team up with your local pest control experts. The team at Pest Defense Solutions will thoroughly inspect your yard and implement prevention tactics to keep ticks and the animals that carry them away for good. Contact us today to get started!