Pest Library

More than 2,000 species of rodents live worldwide, all with the one physical feature that identifies them from other mammals; their continuously growing front incisors. Rodents play an essential role in the ecosystem, acting as prey animals, helping with pollination, and dispersing seeds. Yet, however important rodents are to the ecosystem, when they decide to take over our yards and homes, they quickly become unwanted pests.

In our area of California, we have four rodents that regularly find their way to our properties; gophers, mice, rats, and squirrels. They invade and cause damage to our gardens, lawns, and the structures of our homes. Rodents also pose a significant health risk. As they travel over surfaces and forage for food, they contaminate both with their feces, urine, and any bacteria and parasites they are carrying on their bodies. Their small size, ability to breed quickly, and agility make keeping these pests out of our homes difficult.

The following tips will help you avoid problems with rodents.

• Seal any defects that develop in your home's exterior.
• Cut back overgrown vegetation and tree branches from your house.
• Don't leave uneaten pet food lying around for long periods.
• Always keep lids on trash cans and compost bins to stop food odors from attracting rodents to your home.

Routine pest control services are the best defense against these persistent pests! You can learn more about rodents in this blog "A Guide To Effective Rodent Control For Corona Property Owners".

Spiders are not insects; they are arachnids, which means they have eight legs, two body sections, and lack wings and antennae. Spiders do not have chewing mouthparts. They use digestive enzymes in their saliva to break down their food. Despite being unwanted in our homes, spiders are a beneficial species that feed on many insects and are a vital part of the ecosystem.

Most spiders that you come across are harmless and in gardens are helpful and reduce populations of destructive garden pests. However, black widow spiders live in our area and threaten people because they have potent enough venom to trigger health problems. Brown widow spiders are also common in our area, but unlike black widow spiders, they don't pose significant threats to people. If you are ever concerned about the spiders that you see on your property and whether they are dangerous or not, it is always best to consult with a professional.

The following tips will help you avoid problems with spiders.

• Reduce clutter from your yard that can act as harborage spots.
• Keep outdoor lights off when possible, put lids on trash cans, and remove standing water to reduce insect activity on your property.
• Make sure screens are secure, and weatherstripping is intact around windows and doors.
• Seal cracks and crevices in your foundation and exterior walls.

Contact Allied Pest Control for more information about our home pest control and commercial pest control options today!

What is one of the most common reasons homeowners feel uncomfortable going outside and spending time in their backyard? Because stinging insects have made themselves at home on their property! Having stinging insects nesting in your yard can put a real damper on the time you, your family, and your friends could be enjoying being outside.

Stinging insects all have stingers extending from their hind end, and if an individual or the nest feels threatened, most species won't hesitate to use them. Their stings are not only painful but can trigger severe allergic reactions. Bees and wasps are two species that regularly nest in California yards. If you ever see large swarms of stinging insects swarming around flowering plants, a nest, or things like trash cans, recycling bins, or outdoor eating areas, immediately reach out to us for assistance eliminating them and the dangers they pose.

The following tips will help you avoid problems with stinging insects.

• Always keep lids on trash cans and recycling bins to keep foraging stingings insects out.
• Cut back trees, shrubbery, and other vegetation from your home's exterior.
• Eliminate water sources by removing areas of standing water from your property.
• Limit flowering vegetation near your windows or doors.

Partnering with a professional is the best way to accurately identify and remove stinging insects from any California property.

Termites are destructive to wooden structures, but out in nature are a vital part of the ecosystem. They help to get rid of decaying wood and other organic materials. Termites and their feeding habits are a homeowner's worst nightmare. When they find their way into our California homes, the structural damage they cause is unmatched. Across the U.S., each year, termites cause more than five billion dollars in damage!

In our area, we need to guard our homes against two species of termites; the drywood termite and the subterranean termite. Drywood termites nest within the wood they feed on and prefer to feed on dry or sound pieces of wood. Subterranean termites nest underground, moving from the nest to a foraging site each day. Subterranean termites prefer to feed on decaying wood. The best way to determine termite activity on your property and identity the termites present is with the help of a professional. Call Allied Pest Control today if you are ready to begin guarding your California home against destructive termites!

The following tips will help you avoid problems with termites.

• Make sure your yard has good drainage.
• Remove excess wood debris from your yard.
• Remove decaying wooden structures from your property.
• Seal all cracks in your foundation, exterior walls, and roofline.

The best way to guard your California home against destructive termites is by partnering with a professional! You can also check out this blog for more information "How To Identify And Control Termites In Corona".

Many wild animals pose threats to people and our California properties. Some of the most common in our area are birds, opossums, skunks, and raccoons. Though wild animals can take care of themselves without the help of people, they will take full advantage of the food, water, and shelter that our properties provide.

Various things catch the eye of wildlife and attract them to our properties. Gardens, pet food, bird feeders, and food debris in outdoor eating areas regularly draw wild animals to properties. They will also use our yard's trees, outbuildings, and grassy areas as a place to burrow and nest. Wild animals taking over our outdoor spaces are problematic because they cause damage to the structure of our homes, our yards, and trees and can spread bacteria and diseases that make people ill.

The following tips will help you avoid problems with wildlife.

• Place fencing around vegetable gardens.
• Seal gaps around sheds, garages, and foundations that wildlife could burrow under.
• Remove bird feeders, and don't leave pet food out for long periods.
• Get rid of debris from your yard that wildlife could use as harborage spots.

If wild animals ever become a problem on your property, reach out for help to remove them and make changes to prevent them from returning.

If you are in Orange County, Riverside County, or San Bernardino County and would like help maintaining a pest-free property, reach out to the California pest control experts at Allied Pest Control. Learn what is attracting pests to your home and how to keep them at bay with help from our professionals. Call today to learn more!