Pest control in the Hemet and San Jacinto Valley

 

So you live in the city of Hemet or San Jacinto California and you need to hire a local exterminator for some professional pest control services?Ants, spiders, bees, termites, crickets, mice, rats, flies, moles, squirrels, mites, bed bugs, ticks, fleas, and on and on and on. The Hemet and San Jacinto area is full of sunshine year round and also makes a beautiful home for many pest. San Jacinto Pest Control option may vary from local experts such as AmeriGuard Pest Defense, at 951-652-0505, or a national chain. We at AmeriGuard feel it is the best interest to use a local service proder because we are more familiar with the local environment and the needs for a success for your Hemet - San Jacinto Pest Control issues.

Another Hemet and San Jacinto Pest Control issue that seems to be getting worse as of the last few years is the problem with gophers. Gophers can and will cause serious damage to your property if left alone without any treatment. AmeriGuard, your local San Jacinto Pest Control professionals, have a special AG. license which allows use to use professional grade restricted use products such as stychnine in order to rid your home of these unwanted critters.

So remember, regardless of the pest issues that you may be having at your home or place of business, AmeriGuard Pest Defense should be your first choice when choosing a local San Jacinto Pest Control organization. AmeriGuard is a veteran and locally owned business and ready to help you with your needs. Call us today at 951-652-0505

Feel free to read some of the reviews about us at http://www.yelp.com/biz/ameriguard-pest-defense-hemet

Or visit www.ameriguardpest.com

Spider Problems, Control and Safety

Spider Problems

There are over 35,000 species of spiders throughout the world, including 3,000 occurring in North America. 

The most common spider found indoors is the House or Domestic spider. This spider is a nuisance pest, mostly because of the webs it spins. It constructs webs in garages, corners, sheds, barns, etc. 

Common house or domestic spider.

Two species of spiders are of special importance and considered dangerous to humans, namely the widow and recluse spiders.

Black widows are easily recognized by the red hourglass shape found under the abdomen. Despite popular opinion, after mating female black widow spiders do not eat their mate. Black widows construct webs usually near ground level and in protected and undisturbed areas like boxes, wood piles and eaves. Black widows enter residences through transportation of boxes and wood to the interior of a structure. Black widows are dangerous to humans, especially the elderly and children, because of their venomous neurotoxin. A black widow spider bite can cause extreme pain.

This black widow was found hiding in a rodent bait feeding station

during a routine rodent control service.Our technician, Nic, snapped this great photo.

Black widow spider venom is a neurotoxin.

The below Female Black Widow Spider was found during an inspection for spider control.

Brown Recluse spiders are recognizable by the dark brown violin marking on the back. Their preferred habitat is outdoors in debris and wood piles. Brown recluse spiders do not instinctively want to bite humans, but will bite in defense. However, brown recluse spiders are not native to California and are not a threat in Southwest Riverside County. Brown recluse spiders live in the central Midwest. 

Brown recluse spiders do not live in California.

Spider Control

AmeriGuard’s Pest Defense Service begins with a licensed technician providing a full inspection of your residence and property. During the inspection, the licensed technician will identify potential problem areas around your home or office. After the source of your problem areas have been identified, your technician will point out other potential spider harborages and steps you can take to reduce future spider infestations. 

Spider Safety

Spider safety is important when it comes to black widows. Here are some tips of caution when it comes to spider safety.

• Inspect and shake out shoes, especially when they have been stored in a garage

• Minimize undisturbed spaces between storage boxes

• Use caution when moving stored firewood, rubble piles and cleaning sheds and barns

• Look carefully under eaves and stucco and other dark outdoo hiding areas

• Inspect dark corners and voids in dark places, such as garages and corners

• Use caution when dealing with stored vehicles that have been parked and unmoved

Spider Problem

Are spiders making themselves too comfortable in and around your home or business? Contact your local and licensed pest control professionals at AmeriGuard Pest Defense by calling (951) 652-0505 or submit an online request by clicking here. 

Green vs. Botanical vs. Organic Pest Control

Organic vs. Botanical vs Green Pest Control

In an ever-changing world more and more consumers are becoming earth conscious and environmentally friendly and AmeriGuard Pest Defense is proud to offer services geared toward our customers that prefer this alternative method of pest control.

Organic Pest Control

There is a growing organic movement and we often hear about organic cotton, organic produce and organic farming. However, the term "organic" means something different in the pest industry. Organic chemicals are chemicals that contain carbon and hydrogen as their basic structure (Source: University of California). It is important not to become confused by pest control companies advertising their services as safe, non-toxic and organic. In fact, in California, it is illegal to advertise pest control services that are "safe", "non-poisonous", "harmless", "non-toxic" or "EPA-approved". 

Botanical Pest Control

Botanical pest control can also be misleading to consumers looking for alternatives to traditional pesticides. Did you know that the highly lethal strychnine is botanical? That's right - certain plants contain substances that are naturally poisonous to insects and other mammals. Chrysanthemum flowers produce pyrethrum and strychnine is produced from dried seeds from the strychnos tree in India. 

Just because something is labeled as organic or botanical does not mean that is what you intend to have used at your property to control your general household pests, such as ants, spiders, earwigs, crickets, beetles, fleas, etc.

AmeriGuard Green Defense

AmeriGuard offers a Green Defense program using low-impact botanical products with blends of naturally derived essential oils and pheromones specifically designed to take down target pests by blocking the insect's nervous system without impacting other animals. Examples of the botanical products used include wintergreen, rosemary among other essential oils.

As you can see, even products that come from nature and are botanical are not non-toxic or 100% "safe" and it is misleading to advertise as such. The best way to ensure that the pest populations are reduced at your home is to combine a reduced toxicity approach with Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Is the AmeriGuard Green Defense service right for you?

Reducing use of pesticides on your property is the first step. Great green service also relies on Integrated Pest Management (IPM). An IPM approach can be very effective at reducing pest populations at your property. Below are some strategies for minimizing pest habitats and reducing infestations within your home.

• Clean rain gutters 

• Keep tree branches trimmed back from roofs

• Store firewood away from the house to reduce rodent and spider harborage sites

• Keep trash in sealed containers

• Make sure windows are screened securely

• Seal window frames

• Seal any exterior cracks, crevices or holes

• Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed and back from the house 

Contact AmeriGuard Pest Defense by calling (951) 652-0505 to discuss your pest control concerns and schedule a botanical pest control service appointment today. We look forward to speaking with you about your pest issues and working toward minimizing pest outbreaks.

Preventing a Bed Bug Infestation

With bed bugs on the rise in the United States, including Southern California and Riverside County, it isn't any surprise that there is a concern of bringing bed bugs home and introducing a bed bug infestation into your residence. This article will discuss a few tips and important need-to-know facts when it comes to bed bug prevention.

How Bed Bugs Spread  

Bed bugs are considered "hitchhikers", much like other blood feeders, such as fleas and ticks. They crawl onto clothing, furniture, used carpets, inside belongings like luggage and backpacks and are instantly transported to a new location. 

Sources of Bed Bug Infestations

• Rental furniture
• Second-hand furniture
• Reconditioned mattresses
• Moving vans
• Hotels

Preventing a Bed Bug Infestation

The fear of bed bugs should not prevent you from purchasing used furniture from yard sales or taking trips and staying in hotels. Instead, you should arm yourself with the right tools and become educated about real threats. Below are some things you can do to insure that you do not inadvertently pick up a bed bug hitchhiker. 

Bed bugs hiding in mattress seam.

Bed bugs underneath a mattress box spring.

• Inspect seams and tufts of mattresses for bed bugs and bed bug evidence (blood spots), paying particular attention to the areas closer to the head of the bed.
• Keep luggage closed and sealed and away from the bed
• Launder items immediately upon returning home
• Inspect luggage for bed bugs (bed bugs are least likely to hide on hard cases compared to soft luggage cases)

Second-Hand Furniture

• Avoid rescuing discarded furniture from the roadside, especially mattresses and beds
• Be careful when purchasing used or refurbished furniture like headboards, nightstands, box springs and bed frames. Be sure to inspect them thoroughly before moving them into your home. 
• Launder any used fabrics, such as blankets and linens, immediately in hot water

By following the above tips and recommendations, you will feel more comfortable when traveling and purchasing used furniture. 

Flies and Fly Control - How to Reduce Fly Populations

Flies are a nuisance and spread disease where ever they land. The common non-biting house fly (Musca domestica) can transmit over 100 disease-causing organisms and are linked directly to typhoid, cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, pinworms, roundworms, whip worms, hookworms and tapeworms, among others. Disease-causing organisms are picked up by flies from garbage, sewage, rotting debris, dead animal carcasses, animal excrement, etc. and are directly transmitted to us by way of their mouthparts or through their vomit or feces to our food, food preparation surfaces, sanitary items and to almost anything else that we contact. The large number of farms, vineyards, dairies and citrus groves in Southwest Riverside County play a major part in the swarms we see throughout the year. Flies spend most of their time in the air, making flies one of the hardest pests to control.

Flies are vectors of disease.

Another potential challenge for eliminating flies is elimination of their larval developmental sites, which could extend beyond your yard and into a nearby farm or neighbor's residence. These developmental sites may be at some distance from the adult nuisances. 

Things You Can Do At Home to Reduce Fly Populations

• Keep all drains clean and clear. Grease pits should be cleaned at least monthly.
• Dispose of garbage in a timely manner, make sure your trash can lids are snug fitting.
• Keep trash cans far from windows or doors.
• Keep windows and doors screened, check windows and doors for gaps and holes where flies can squeeze through.
• Reduce rotting vegetation and fallen fruit if your yard has gardens or fruit trees.
• Pick up all animal waste on a regular basis
• Remove all dead animals.
• Keep exposed food covered.
• Do not over water houseplants.
• Do not let food buildup under tables or in other hard to reach areas.
• Mop or steam clean floor on a regular basis.

Fly Management Program

Flies are difficult to completely eliminate, however AmeriGuard’s Fly Management Program will help to reduce your current flies, as well as help control any future fly infestations. Most fly infestations originate outside.  To achieve optimum fly control, our licensed technician will apply a specially formulated fly bait product on the back wall of your property. This fly bait will draw flies to the treated area, eliminating them as they contact it. This treatment will not completely eliminate flies but is highly effective at dramatically reducing your fly problem. Future service treatments will be exterior-only, without requiring you to be home or having to worry about scheduling conflicts. AmeriGuard offers Monthly, Bi-Monthly and one time fly services with no contract required.

Fly Control

Are flies becoming a nuisance in your yard? Contact your local pest professionals at AmeriGuard Pest Defense by calling (951) 652-0505 for a free quote. You can also submit a request online by filling out this form and someone will contact you within 24 hours during normal business hours.

German Cockroaches - Habitat, Threats, Treatment and Prevention

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is the most common species of cockroach and is found worldwide. It does not take long for a German cockroach infestation to develop. In fact, all you need is a pregnant female cockroach with an egg sac to begin a cockroach problem, which can seemingly turn into a full blown infestation overnight. 

German Cockroach Habitat

German cockroaches have adapted to living with humans and have become quite difficult to control. The German Cockroach is the only species of cockroach in southern California that carries its egg sack on its back, protecting the eggs from predators and pest control treatments. The German cockroach is a social insect, establishing large colonies and then spreading via wall voids. German cockroaches prefer to live in tight cracks and crevices often near food and moisture sources, making residential and commercial kitchen environments prime habitats and harborages.

German cockroaches are found in many locations throughout a building, however, they prefer warm and humid places, including kitchens and bathrooms. Excellent hitchhikers, German cockroaches are easily transported via grocery bags, cardboard boxes, drink cartons and secondhand appliances. 

German cockroaches can feed on most anything, including grease, soaps, glue and toothpaste.

German Cockroach Kitchen Infestation

German Cockroach Threats

Not only are German cockroaches a bothersome pest, they have also been linked to outbreaks of illness and allergic reactions. It is estimated that cockroaches can spread at least 33 types of bacteria, 6 variations of parasitic worms and as many as 7 other types of human pathogens. Cockroaches shed their bodies as they mature and grow into a new skin leaving the vacated shape within wall voids. Medical reports show that cockroach allergens are to blame for allergic reactions in children and can worsen asthma attacks. 

German Cockroach Treatment

Ameriguard Pest Defense's German Cockroach Defense Service begins with a licensed technician providing a full inspection of your residence and property. During the inspection, your technician will identify potential problem areas around your home or office, paying extra attention to the kitchen, bathrooms and other sources of food and water. After the source of your problem areas have been identified, your technician will point out other potential cockroach harborages and steps you can take to reduce future German cockroach infestations.Your technician will create a customized German Cockroach treatment plan for year-round protection, using the most effective and environmentally-conscious control solutions.

German Cockroach Prevention

Once a German cockroach infestation is underway, it is very difficult if next to impossible to treat on your own, primarily because a single female German cockroach can breed at a rate of six generations per year. However, they are some prevention tips to insure that you do not unknowingly introduce a cockroach problem into your residence. These tips will also help if you have recently eradicated a cockroach infestation and want to avoid a re-invasion.

• Frequent vacuuming and disposing of garbage regularly
• Keep counter tops and kitchen surfaces and floors clean and free of crumbs and grease that can attract pests
• Pay close attention on kitchens and bathrooms, specifically under appliances and plumbing access lines that are prone to cockroach infestations
• Dispose of cardboard materials from warehouse and big box stores immediately after removing store contents and inspect any second hand appliances brought into your home

Preparation For Service

For your protection, AmeriGuard Pest Defense requires all German cockroach services to comply with our Client Preparation Checklist before the German cockroach treatment can begin. The Client Preparation Checklist can be reviewed on our website here. Upon arrival, your technician will verify completion of the preparation checklist. Failure to complete the steps listed in the preparation checklist may delay treatment and potentially void any guarantees on our cockroach service.

German Cockroach Infestation?

If you suspect a German cockroach infestation, contact your local and licensed pest professionals at AmeriGuard Pest Defense today by calling (951) 652-0505. You may also contact us on the web by sending us a message here.

Bed Bugs & Bed Bug Control

"Sleep tight! Don't let the bed bugs bite!" How many of us have heard this common phrase before bedtime? Up until World War II, bed bugs were a common household pest and this admonishment of avoiding bed bugs was playful though serious. It was not uncommon for previous generations to place shallow dishes beneath bedposts filled with kerosene to prevent bed bugs from climbing onto bed furniture.

Bed bugs require blood meals to survive.

Bed Bug History

Bed Bugs have been infesting and feeding upon humans since the beginning of time. Bed Bugs were a routine household pest in the early 1900s, but were mostly eradicated post World War II because of widespread use of synthetic pesticides, such as DDT and malathion, and improvements in hygience and sanitation. However, the late 1990s saw a resurgence of bed bugs and within a few short years, bed bugs had spread to all 50 states and are now a serious concern once again. Over the last 5 years, bed bug control has become a real problem in  Southwest Riverside County. 

Bed Bug Habitat

Bed bugs hide in small spaces during the day, usually near sleeping areas and are most active at night between midnight and dawn. Bed bugs congregate tightly together for protection usually in and underneath unfinished wood material, such as the underside of bedframes, nightstands and in the seams and tufts of mattresses and pillows.  Bed bugs are attracted by warmth and the presence of carbon dioxide. 

Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites can be painful and itchy to some while others may have no reaction at all. Each individual may react differently to a bed bug bite, depending on his or her level of sensitivity and allergy to the bed bug's saliva. One bed bug can leave several bites when feeding. At this time, bed bugs are not known to transfer any diseases.

Bed Bug Inspection

AmeriGuard’s Bed Bug Defense Service begins with a licensed technician providing a full inspection of your home. During the inspection, your technician will identify all bed bug problem areas as well as potential bed bug harborages. Your trained technician will create a customized bed bug treatment plan and ensure you are fully educated and prepared for your bed bug service.

Choosing a Bed Bug Control Company

Bed bug infestations can spread quickly and if not addressed efficiently can spread to the rest of the house. It is important to choose a company that is both licensed and insured and has substantial experience in bed bug control situations. AmeriGuard provides extensive employee training in bed bug biology, habitat and treatment. 

Bed Bug Control Services

If you suspect a bed bug infestation, AmeriGuard Pest Defense is available to schedule a convenient inspection time. Call (951) 652-0505 to schedule your inspection and speak with trained staff to help answer any bed bug related questions. For more information for bed bug service details, please review the Bed Bug Preparation Checklist.

Bird & Pigeon Control

Bird Problems

Birds can be a source of enjoyment and pleasure for some, while some birds, such as pigeons, can become a bothersome nuisance when they make themselves too comfortable on ledges, eaves and overhangs. Pigeons are an example of wildlife that poses a growing pest control problem and health concerns for homeowners and businesses.

Pigeons roost in roof voids and other protected areas and are adapted to living with humans, often depending on close contact with humans for food as well as roosting and nesting locations. 

Pigeon, also known as a Rock Dove

Pigeon Threats and Health Concerns

Pigeons are of medical concern because then can cause more than 50 diseases and ectoparasites, including the spread of cryptococcosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, food poisoning, among others. Pigeon droppings (guano) are unpleasant and can be hazardous, causing slips and falls as well as harbor the fungus histoplasmosis, which contributes to lung disease. Other pests thrive on birds, such as fleas, lice, mites, ticks and others. Pigeon droppings are acidic and can discolor buildings and deface surfaces and car finishes. 

Pigeons nest in undisturbed and protected voids.

 Pigeon Control and Exclusion

To prevent or eradicate pigeons, AmeriGuard Pest Defense's bird experts will make roosting and nesting areas inhospitable. At this time, AmeriGuard achieves bird control by mechanical methods to modify the structure, which may include: netting, metal wire, bird spikes and metal flashing. Filling in access to voids, sloping resting areas with metal flashing and preventing landing by using devices will help control an emerging or existing bird problem. All materials will be primed and painted to match existing structures and blend in as effectively as possible. 

Metal flashing is painted to match exterior structure.

Bird Sanitation

As mentioned above, bird droppings can contain disease that can affect humans. It is important to treat the contaminated areas and nesting sites with a sanitation service. AmeriGuard is able to provide this additional service for bird control situations.

Bird droppings should be sanitized and disinfected.

Pigeon Infestation in Riverside County? 

If you are concerned with an ongoing or emerging bird infestation that is causing unsightly droppings, potential health hazards and noise concerns, contact your local licensed bird experts at AmeriGuard Pest Defense today for a quote or to schedule an inspection by calling (951) 652-0505 or submitting an online request.