Pest Library

What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown parasitic insects from the genus Cimex. These ectoparasites, which feed on human blood while you sleep, can be easily picked up in places like hotels, cinemas, and any area with cloth seats that provide a hiding place. Bed bugs are flat, oval-shaped, and about the size of an apple seed when fully grown. They hide in cracks and crevices near where people sit or sleep, making them a big problem in homes, hotels, offices, and other places where people stay for extended periods.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation
Although bed bugs do not transmit diseases, their bites can cause itching, discomfort, and allergic reactions in some people. One sign of an infestation is small blood spots on mattresses. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate because they reproduce quickly and can spread easily through luggage, clothing, and furniture.

How to Treat a Bed Bug Infestation
If you suspect a bed bug problem, contact the expert technicians at EcoPro Termite & Pest. Our team will help you regain control of your home with a thorough treatment process, which includes initial treatment and one or two follow-up visits.

Preparing for Treatment
To maximize the effectiveness of treatment, follow these steps:

• Remove unnecessary items from the infected rooms, such as clothes, stuffed animals, and floor mats. Pack these into plastic garbage bags to prevent spreading bed bugs to other areas.
• Launder all potentially infested garments, including sheets, blankets, and pillowcases. Wash thoroughly and dry on a high heat setting.
• Disassemble dressers and bed frames to clean cracks where bed bugs may be hiding.

The Brown Recluse Spider is a highly venomous spider often found in dark, undisturbed areas of homes, such as basements, attics, and closets.

These spiders are known for their violin-shaped marking on the top of their body, making them easy to identify. Brown Recluse spiders are reclusive by nature and typically avoid human contact, but they can pose a significant health risk if disturbed. Their bite can lead to serious medical conditions, including necrosis of the skin.

To minimize the risk of encountering Brown Recluse Spiders, it’s essential to keep storage areas organized and free of clutter, seal cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior, and regularly inspect and clean rarely-used spaces. If you suspect an infestation, contacting a professional pest control service like EcoPro Termite & Pest is the safest way to address the issue and protect your home and family.

What Are Carpenter Bees?
Carpenter bees are notorious for the damage they can cause to wood decks, siding, and trim on homes. They are easy to identify by the half-inch holes they create, often with sawdust below. The male carpenter bee drills a perfectly round hole into soft wood, creating a nest for the female to lay her eggs and raise their young. These bees are especially attracted to unpainted wood and cedar siding, and their tunnels can extend up to ten feet within the wood. Unlike other bees, carpenter bees have smooth stingers and can sting multiple times.

How to Address Carpenter Bee Problems
Our technicians at EcoPro are experts in handling stinging insects in the Dayton area. Equipped with everything from ladders to bee suits, we are prepared to tackle any stinging insect issue. If you suspect a carpenter bee problem, call us before it worsens.

What Are Clover Mites?
Clover mites are tiny red, green, or brown mites that occasionally invade homes and buildings by the thousands. While they are a nuisance, they do not bite or cause health-related issues. However, if smashed, they can leave a red stain. Clover mites are easily recognizable by their front legs, which are about twice as long as their other legs.

Why Do Clover Mites Enter Homes?
These mites typically enter homes when their outdoor food sources are removed or dry up. They are most active in the fall, seeking shelter in structures as colder weather approaches. Interestingly, all clover mites are female and can lay fertilized eggs without needing males!

No one wants to think about cockroaches invading their home, but unfortunately, these insects are equal-opportunity invaders. Cockroaches can infest any home in Dayton, OH, thriving in warm, humid environments with easy access to food, making our homes and businesses prime targets.

There are several types of cockroaches in our region, and they all share common traits: spreading bacteria, human pathogens, and parasites. Cockroaches also contaminate food, stain surfaces with excrement, and produce foul odors. They can enter your home through tiny openings or hitch a ride in storage boxes, secondhand items, or deliveries, making prevention a challenge.

Cockroaches pose a significant threat to both people and property. To help keep these pests out of your home, consider the following tips:

• Inspect your home’s exterior and seal any cracks or gaps.
• Eliminate moisture in and around your home.
• Check deliveries, storage boxes, and secondhand items for cockroaches before bringing them inside.
• Maintain a clean kitchen, store food properly, and regularly vacuum and mop your home.

For effective cockroach pest control service in Dayton, call us today!

The tiny insects with long bodies and big pincers, known as earwigs, are nocturnal creatures that feed on live sprouts, decaying vegetation, and other insects at night. Despite their intimidating appearance, they have no interest in your ear. Earwigs often find their way into homes accidentally through newspapers, boxes, bags, firewood, and potted plants or flowers. They are also attracted to light and may enter through open doors at night. The good news is that they are easily dealt with by a professional pest control service.

If you have an earwig issue, call us now and let the expert technicians at EcoPro Termite & Pest restore your home with our reliable pest control services.

Fleas are wingless, blood-feeding insects primarily attracted to dogs, cats, rodents, raccoons, skunks, and other wild animals. While they will bite and feed on human blood, their preferred hosts are animals. Fleas spend their adult lives on these hosts, traveling with them into our Ohio yards and homes.

Characteristics:

• Breeding: Fleas are prolific breeders, capable of creating large-scale infestations in both indoor and outdoor spaces rapidly.
• Infestation: They thrive in environments where they can easily transfer from their hosts, leading to widespread infestations.

Control Tips:

• Yard Maintenance: Keep your grass short and remove yard debris and clutter.
• Prevent Attraction: Avoid leaving trash cans, recycling bins, and bird feeders accessible to wild animals.

Ticks pose health risks to people and animals, so effective control and prevention is crucial. If you encounter issues with this pest, consider consulting a professional for comprehensive pest control solutions.

These annoying airborne pests can be removed; however, the fly is only a symptom of a larger issue. Flies are attracted to decaying food, dirty food prep areas, poor sanitation, or malfunctioning drains. Effective fly control measures depend on identifying and addressing the root cause of the infestation. If you’re struggling with a persistent fly problem that you’re having trouble managing on your own, it may be time to consult with the professionals at EcoPro Termite & Pest for expert pest control services.

For commercial food prep areas, we can install a Vector light that traps and kills flies.

Mosquitoes can turn your outdoor space into an unpleasant environment. Fortunately, EcoPro Termite & Pest offers solutions to help you reclaim your yard.

Mosquito Control Solutions:

• Identify Stagnant Water: Remove sources like gutters, birdbaths, pet water bowls, and containers that collect rainwater.
• Eco-Friendly Treatment: We use a garlic-based repellant that effectively reduces mosquito activity without harming beneficial insects.
• Address Habitats: Natural and artificial water sources, such as swamps, ditches, and flower vases, can serve as mosquito breeding grounds.

Preventive Measures:

1. Remove Standing Water:
   • Empty containers that collect rainwater.
   • Clean and cover birdbaths and water bowls.
2. Improve Drainage:
   • Ensure gutters are clean and properly draining.
   • Address areas with poor drainage around your property.
3. Use Larvicides:
   • Apply larvicides to water sources that cannot be emptied to prevent mosquito larvae from developing.

In Dayton, paper wasps often make their nests under eaves, on decks, in tree branches, or even in attics. These nests can range from small to as large as a suitcase. Paper wasps prefer sheltered locations with nearby water and nectar sources.

Paper Wasp Characteristics:

• Nesting: They build nests from a papery material created by chewing wood fibers mixed with saliva. Nests are typically found in sheltered spots.
• Behavior: Paper wasps are social insects living in colonies with a queen and worker wasps. They are less aggressive compared to yellow jackets and usually sting only when their nest is threatened.

Pest Control Solutions:

• Benefits vs. Risks: While they help control insect populations, paper wasps can sting if provoked.
• Professional Help: For safe and effective removal of paper wasps, consult a pest control professional.

Pharaoh ants are tiny but persistent pests that can quickly become a problem in your Dayton home. Known for forming large colonies, these ants are particularly challenging to control due to their ability to nest in various locations, including walls, cabinets, and even electrical outlets. Pharaoh ants are more than just a nuisance; they can transmit over 12 infectious organisms, posing a serious health risk. They are attracted to food and moisture, making kitchens and bathrooms common targets. Addressing a Pharaoh ant infestation requires a thorough approach to ensure all nests are eliminated. Our pest control services in Dayton are equipped to handle these resilient ants, keeping your home protected from their invasive presence.

Rodents: A Common Challenge
Rodents are a significant concern, making up 40% of all mammals. In Ohio, rats and mice have adapted to living close to people, often invading homes and businesses.

Why Rodents Invade:

• Warmth and Shelter: Rodents seek comfortable, warm environments.
• Food Sources: Trash cans, grill areas, and pet food attract them.
• Water Sources: Leaky pipes and overgrown landscaping provide hydration.

Signs of Infestation:

• Rodents moving in and out of your home.
• Nesting behaviors or sightings of rats and mice.

Effective Rodent Control:

1. Eliminate Food Sources:
   • Pick up pet food.
   • Secure trash cans.
   • Clean outdoor eating areas.
2. Address Water Sources:
   • Repair leaky fixtures.
   • Keep gutters clean and free of debris.
3. Reduce Nesting Sites:
   • Remove clutter from home and yard.
   • Store woodpiles and yard debris away from the house.

Need Help?
If rodents are causing problems in your home, professional pest control services are essential. Contact us to address the infestation and prevent future issues.

Termites are some of the most destructive pests that can invade your Dayton home. These tiny insects work silently and persistently, feeding on wood and other cellulose-based materials. Over time, a termite infestation can lead to significant structural damage that is costly to repair.

Ticks are blood-feeding arachnids that, like fleas, attach to various hosts including people, pets, and wild animals. They are primarily outdoor pests and seek out hosts by crawling to the top of blades of grass or vegetation. When a person or animal brushes past, ticks attach themselves, feed, and then drop to the ground to find a new host.

Characteristics:

• Feeding Behavior: Ticks attach to hosts to feed and drop off once full. They cannot complete their life cycle indoors and are mostly found in outdoor environments.
• Infestation: Unlike fleas, ticks generally remain outdoors, making them less likely to infest indoor spaces.

Control Tips:

• Yard Maintenance: Keep your yard free of excessive grass and debris, and regularly harvest gardens to minimize tick habitats.
• Prevent Attraction: Maintain cleanliness around your property to reduce the presence of wild animals that can carry ticks.

Ticks pose health risks to people and animals, so effective control and prevention is crucial. If you encounter issues with this pest, consider consulting a professional for comprehensive pest control solutions.