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!

5 Tips For a Pest-Free Garage

Plastic bins help prevent pests in garages in Albuquerque NM - Pest Defense Solutions

We all know pests love to make themselves at home inside your kitchen or in your attic, but what about the garage? Especially here in Albuquerque, garages are a hotspot for pest infestations. A garage oftentimes provides pests with ample food, shelter, and water, making it a prime spot year-round. Whether you keep your holiday decorations stored away in the garage or your gardening tools, you likely want to avoid dealing with pests every time you have to rifle through your garage. The experts at Pest Defense Solutions are here with their top tips for a pest-free garage all year long.

What Pests Infest Garages?

More than a few pests will likely find your garage to be a haven. Some of the most common ones we experience here in New Mexico include:

  • Mice & Rats. Particularly in the winter, rodents will seek shelter in garages. They can easily build nests in storage boxes and wall voids or even sneak into your car.
  • Spiders. Arachnids are known to spin webs in boxes and in rarely-accessed corners. You can be sure to come across spiders when pulling out holiday decorations from your garage every year.
  • Silverfish. These tiny insects are especially fond of garages and cardboard boxes. Once they are in your garage, they can feed on a number of items: paper, glue, clothing, flour, and more. While mostly harmless, silverfish are nonetheless a nuisance.
  • Flies. Especially in the hot summer months, flies can be a major nuisance. House flies can be found resting on nearly any surface including on walls, floors, window sills and other various objects found in the garage.

Best Tips For a Pest-Free Garage

Keeping pests out of your garage requires many of the same procedures you’d take to prevent them inside your home. This includes:

  1. Installing weather stripping and using silicone-based caulk to seal cracks and crevices.
  2. Promptly fixing moisture issues by repairing leaky pipes and using a dehumidifier.
  3. Storing all food, decorations, and other goods in plastic bins with tight-fitting lids instead of cardboard boxes.
  4. Keeping your garage clean and tidy by blowing it out once a month and sweeping when necessary.
  5. Storing all items up off of the ground when possible, and staying as organized as possible.

Pests in Albuquerque Garages

Dealing with pests anywhere inside or outside your property can be frustrating and even downright dangerous. If you are having trouble keeping pests out of your garage, the expert technicians at Pest Defense Solutions can help!

How to Prevent Dangerous Fall Spiders

The brown recluse spider is one of many dangerous spiders in Albuquerque NM - Pest Defense Solutions

In Albuquerque, spiders are one of the most common pests throughout the entire year. Spiders are usually harmless, but they can be a nuisance when they are in the home—or dangerous when you spot one of the more venomous species. Spider populations peak in the late summer and early fall, which is why you may be seeing more spiders indoors more than ever right now! Spiders get inside to escape the heat and to seek out shelter, food, and water. Although most house spiders aren’t going to be of harm, it’s important to learn how to identify the black widow and brown recluse spider. Keep reading for expert info from the spider pest control pros at Pest Defense Solutions.

Black Widow vs Brown Recluse Infographic - Pest Defense Solutions in Albuquerque NMSpiders in Albuquerque Homes

Like any other pest, spiders can get inside through the tiniest of cracks in your home. Broken screens or crevices in your doors and windows often let spiders in. An unkempt yard or lawn will also invite spiders to spin webs and take up residence on your property. You may also notice more spiders when you have other bugs and insects in your property. Spiders will be more drawn to properties that provide them with shelter and food (bugs) inside. Preventing spiders also means preventing the bugs and insects they’re drawn to.

What Spiders are More Dangerous?

The black widow and brown recluse spiders are dangerous any time of year, but are often seeing in or around your home in August and September. Both of these spiders will only bite when they feel threatened, but it’s still important to learn how to identify them:

  1. Brown recluse spiders. These spiders have a darker brown violin-shaped mark on their brown bodies. They build loose, dome-shaped webs for shelter. A brown recluse bite is known to be very painful.
  2. Black widows. These spiders have a characteristic red hourglass shape on its body. They build sticky, tangled cobwebs in garages, sheds, and near the ground. They can bite when they feel threatened.

Fall Spider Control

Seeing one or two spiders inside your home or business is normal. However, if you see spiders on the daily or if you spot more dangerous spiders, it’s best to enlist the expertise of a spider pest control company such as Pest Defense Solutions. Our team can help control any active infestation as well as prevent future spiders!

6 Important Pests of 2020

2020 pests to look out for in your Albuquerque NM 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.