sealing

  1. Can You Seal Out Bugs?

    Is it possible to "pest proof" a house? Exhibit A: New homes with everything still sealed up well are likely to get fewer bugs than an older pier-and-beam house that may have gaps and openings all over. Exhibit B: Most bugs can crawl through millimeter-sized openings. For example an American roach can squeeze through just 3mm — about the size of two stacked pennies. Scorpions reportedly can get …Read More

  2. Roof, Wall and Water Damage and Rodents

    We've all unfortunately experienced "Icepocalypse 2021" but what about its sequel ... Ratpocalypse? Eeek, hopefully not! However, with the amount of water damage, attic damage, holes and other terrible consequences coming out of the snow and ice events recently, Austin residents should be alert to rodent issues. Namely, new holes or entries which—if not patched up quickly—can result in mice, r…Read More

  3. Rodent Baiting Information

    We use Contrac Blox because it always works, unlike trapping, and is very inexpensive as compared to trapping. Trapping requires multiple visits and may not achieve 100% eradication, especially when large numbers of rodents are present. Contrac Blox has a low chance of secondary poisoning. Rodents do not have to eat much of the bait and then it is passed quickly through their system. The small amo…Read More

  4. House Geckos

    House geckos are often found in the yard or on the home. They are beneficial because they eat pests, including cockroaches. Most people don’t mind having them on the home but do not like it when they find one inside. The best way to keep them out is to seal cracks around windows/doors with caulk and handle other potential entry points. These reptiles lay eggs and lose their tail as a defense mec…Read More

  5. Tips To Help Keep Scorpions Out

    Scorpions can be difficult to deal with once they are inside the home. They can stay in an area for months without moving or eating so even with a very thorough pest service you can still see some. They tend to enter the home, go into the attic and come out through light fixtures/ceiling fans or simply gaps around doors. Here are some things that you can do to help keep them from entering in the f…Read More

  6. Signs of Rats in Your Attic

    Rodents and rats can be a problem around Austin and central Texas, so homeowner's should familiarize themselves with some indications of rats inside their home: Urine Odor. Rat urine has a musky odor. You can easily smell it with large infestations. Rub Marks. Oily rub marks are left in places where rat travel along walls. If rub marks smear, you know they are fresh. Runways. Rat pathways are gene…Read More

  7. Sealing and Exclusion-Keep Rodents Out of Your Home

    The best & longest-lasting form of rat & mice control in homes is sealing & exclusion. Rodents can get into entry points that are 1/4″ or larger so sealing cracks and openings in foundations and any openings for water pipes, electric wires, sewer pipes, drain spouts, and vents is a must. Make sure doors, windows, and screens fit tightly. Their edges can be covered with sheet metal if…Read More

  8. Hackberry Psyllids? (gnats on your window screens)

    Have you been finding lots of small, dark flying insects on your window screens or even inside on the window sill? If so,you may be seeing Hackberry Psyllids, sometimes called Hackberry Nipplegall Makers. These insects develop on the leaves of hackberry trees and in the fall when the weather becomes cooler they may try to enter homes to escape the lower temperatures. These small flies are small en…Read More

  9. Rodents!

    We use Contrac Blox because it always works, unlike trapping, and is very inexpensive compared to trapping. Trapping requires multiple visits and may not achieve 100% eradication, especially when large numbers of rodents are present. Contrac Blox has a low chance of primary & secondary poisoning. Rodents do not have to eat much of the bait and then it is passed quickly through their system. Th…Read More

  10. Earwigs

    Earwigs are harmless but the pincers on their rear end can cause fear in some. They are named after a myth that they would crawl into the ear and burrow into the brain. They do not infest homes but will become accidental invaders. You can vacuum or sweep them up. If there are large numbers of them a pest control service may be needed. General Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices can help kee…Read More