Sorenson Pest Control Blog

What do deer mice, house mice, Norway rats and roof rats have in common? They are all excellent scavengers. Rodents have a keen sense of smell, and if your house has food they find appetizing, it can quite likely lure them right into your very home. In this article, we’ll talk about what rodents eat and how you can use that knowledge to prevent those pesky rodents from invading your property. What Do Rodents Eat? Believe it or not, rodents like to eat a variety of foods. Here are the most common food items you should stow away from rodents. Fruits  Fruits are rodents' favorite source of food. They especially love raspberries and blackberries as well as pears and apples. The more ripened your fruit is, the more likely they will smell it. So be sure to keep your fruit fresh and in a safe place that is difficult for rodents...

Pest control services can be a nightmare whether you need them or not. It's difficult to find good info on the subject that doesn't involve going into a room with poisonous gas and then climbing out of a window butt naked. That's why this article exists, both for your sake and ours. Here are three reasons why pest control works: Pest Control Technicians Get the Job Done Right. You have probably seen pest control commercials with giant cockroaches jumping from person to person in great big heaps. If they could do that, it means they are bigger than anyone who has ever lived.  In reality, when you hire a professional pest control service, you get a team of people devoted to one job: killing bugs. You won't see these people skipping work because they are hungover or they hate their co-workers (though they probably do hate some of them). Instead, you'll...

Okay, so you’ve found a mouse in your home, what are you going to do about it? Don’t worry, It’s alright to not have an idea. We have your back here. We’ll tell you exactly what comes after you’ve actually found the mice so you don’t have to stumble along finding a solution.  It’s important to do something quickly because rodents like these can spread health risks through your home and also do damage.  Assess the Situation After you’ve found a mouse or several, you need to find out if that was the extent of the problem. It’s difficult to discover how many you have in your house without more information, so do some looking around in some of their favorite places.  Good examples of where mice like to hide are spots like under refrigerators, under stoves and the bottom support of cabinets. Other areas to keep an eye on are...

As November approaches and we march towards winter, the weather outside means that we need to start thinking about rodents. Why? Well, just like how we don’t like to be outside in the cold temperatures and winter weather, warm-blooded creatures like rats and mice don’t want to be out there, either. As cozy and comfortable as your house feels to you, it feels exactly that way for the rodents trying to get in, as well. But what sort of uninvited guests can you expect? Here are some rodents you can expect to try to get in your house this November. Winter Rodents If you’re going to have an encounter with a rodent in your house this winter, then there’s a good chance you’ll encounter one of the typical rodents that you can find outside any time of the year. See, it’s not that different types of rodents come out at different...

As the weather changes, so do the type of pests that invade your home. This could be due to the inviting warmth of your home or just their natural tendency to roam. Either way, you may find more of or a bigger variety of pests as the colder weather greets us. Here are some tips on when you should begin preparing your home for winter pests. Types of Winter Pests Some common pests that you may find in your house during the colder months are:  Squirrels  Birds  Cockroaches  Fleas  Rats  Spiders  And more  To prevent an infestation of these animals in your living space, it is a good idea to prepare your home in advance. When You Should Start Preparing For Winter Pests A good time to begin preparations for these pests would be the end of summer, or when you notice that the weather starts to cool down. We suggest...

It doesn’t matter where you live – you have probably experienced an ant problem at some point in your life. Ants are everywhere and they will squeeze into the smallest cracks and crevices to get inside. If you have an ant problem in your kitchen specifically, there are a few things you can do to minimize this problem right away. Here are some tips.  Clean-Up All Food Ants are very attracted to food and food debris. If you have lots of crumbs on the floor of your kitchen, chances are that those crumbs are what attracted the ants to your home in the first place. To minimize this issue, make sure you clean your kitchen thoroughly and clean up after you eat.  Pay Attention to Where They are Coming From Your kitchen may not be the problem – the ants might be coming from a room that is close to your...

Earwigs, or pincher bugs, in your home can be a startling site thanks to the prominent pinchers on their tails. How did they get in, and where else could they be hiding? Moist Areas Earwigs prefer tight spaces with moisture, just like their natural habitats under low-growing plants, fallen vegetation and rocks. Look for them in places that provide either or both of those elements. Search under baseboards, piles of newspapers and in/under cabinets below the sink. Spilled water or a leak may lead to a wet carpet or rug, which provides just the kind of place earwigs would enjoy. Though they prefer the outdoors, they may find a place inside your home to call their own. Items From Outside We bring in items from outside, and sometimes hitchhiking earwigs find themselves inside the house by accident. Some typical vectors of this kind of infestation include potted plants or wet cardboard...

Fleas are parasitic insects that commonly infest pets and their owners. In order to protect your pets and household from these invasive pests, it’s important to know how fleas invade. The Basics of Fleas If you have dogs or cats, you’re probably familiar with flea medication. You may have even experienced flea bites or noticed them on your pet. More likely, you will have seen your pet scratching at fleas. Fleas are tiny and can be hard to find. They don’t have wings but can famously jump from host to host. Equipped with a saw-like mouth, fleas bite into the skin of their animal or human host. They drink blood like mosquitos, and their bites are just as irritating.  Adult fleas can go without feeding for months at a time. You may encounter a flea infestation in a vacant home for this reason. After feeding, fleas lay eggs and continue their...

The idea of having spiders crawling around in your home may give you nightmares. Yet, not all spiders are harmful to humans and therefore are okay to have inside the home. Keep reading to learn about spiders that are okay to have in your home. American House Spider These spiders are about the same size as a nickel. Their abdomens are circular in shape and their coloring is grey with white markings. As most spiders do, the American house spider can be found hiding in dark areas that are hard to find. They enjoy hiding out in basements and garages. You may find their webs around window sills or door frames where they are likely to catch flies. This type of spider is harmless to humans and therefore safe to be in the home. Daddy Longlegs You may have heard the myth that daddy longlegs are poisonous to humans and animals....

Pest control is a serious business that shouldn't be taken lightly. It is also an industry that is growing rapidly, and for good reason.  While it may seem difficult, many people are unaware of the different types of pests that are out there. Here at Sorenson Pest Control of California, our state-licensed technicians are often asked, “Why do I need to hire a pest control company?” We tell them the advantages of our experience far outweigh any disadvantages. Check out these important reasons why you should hire a pest control company. Benefits of Hiring a Pest Control Company Here are the main benefits of hiring a pest control company: They have the knowledge to get rid of pests for good. They understand pests and what they need to live. They have the proper chemicals to cause the least amount of damage to your household or business. Any chemical used is friendly...

Female fleas can produce at a rate of 40-50 eggs per day for around 50 days. Once fleas have reached your pet’s fur, it's all suffering from there. To avoid this, use these steps to prevent your pet from getting fleas. Limit Your Pet’s Outside Time Pets love being active. They need time each day to run wild or roam freely outside. Although, too much time outdoors increases the risk of your pet getting fleas. Fleas will hitch a ride on any mammal they can. You don't want that mammal to be your pet. Instead of them spending too much time outside, create a fun and spacious environment for your pet inside. Spend time with them and use toys to entertain them.  Beware of Contact With Other Wild Animals One of the most common ways your pet picks up fleas is through exposure to other animals. Fleas can come from squirrels,...

Bees are a vital part of a healthy ecosystem, and they are essential for agriculture too. That does not mean you want them building a nest near your home. Bees and wasps can be territorial, and you may find yourself the victim of a bee sting despite your best efforts to avoid them. Here’s what to do if that happens.  Don’t Panic The most crucial thing to do after you are stung by a bee is to avoid panicking. That’s often easier said than done. Bee stings hurt, and they come as a surprise. However, staying calm means you can respond quickly and in the best way possible.  If you have accidentally disturbed a nest, it is best to swiftly but calmly remove yourself from the general area. Honey bees can only sting once before dying, but other types of bees and wasps can sting multiple times. Wasps will sometimes bite...

  No one wants to see is a mouse or rat scurrying around their home. As of 2017, it is estimated that 21 million U.S. households experience a rodent infestation each year. That is an astounding number. You may think that a stray rodent running around is no big deal, but they can cause a lot of damage. Not just to your home, but to your health too. Here are some dangers and damages of a rodent infestation.  Health Risks While one rodent is not a huge deal, they reproduce incredibly quickly. So, if you see one, there are probably more hiding in other places. As their population grows, so do the health risks. Rodents can easily spread viruses and bacteria through their feces. Common diseases carried by rodents include Hantavirus, Salmonella and the Bubonic Plague. Breathing in fumes from their feces can also exacerbate allergy and asthma symptoms. Rodents can...

Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It is the central hub for nourishing your family and entertaining your guests. The last thing you want is the presence of pests, such as a trail of ants roaming around your floors or countertops. How do you stop ants from invading your home?  Try these five effective methods for keeping your kitchen ant-free: Sweep and Mop Floors Regularly Ants are experts at finding crumbs and food residue, so they must be regularly stopped at their own game. Make it a habit to sweep at least twice a day, even if the floors appear to be clean. Ants also have a sneaky method of leaving behind pheromone trails to map out paths for finding foods. Mop with a white vinegar solution and an antibacterial cleaner to remove their tracks and confuse their plans. Use the Scent of Citrus Fortunately, the smell of citrus...

Roaches are probably the most common and most distressing pest there is. In addition to their appearance, roaches can be a health hazard. Roaches can carry and spread germs and diseases, presenting a special danger to infants and the elderly.  Roaches hide in the walls and dark spaces of a home, coming out in the dark to search for food when humans are asleep. Seeing one or more roaches is usually an indication of a much bigger problem. Find them and seal them off The first step in keeping roaches out of your home is cutting off their food sources. Keep food stored in sealed containers. Sweep up crumbs and wipe up spills immediately. The harder you make it to find food, the better chance you have of keeping roaches away. Look for signs of roaches in the obvious places, like under sinks and appliances and around openings to the outside. If...

It’s not a stretch to say that diseases caused by insects are some of the most virulent and deadly on earth. In 2018 alone, 405,000 people died from malaria, a disease transmitted by a mosquito. Other diseases caused by pests are too numerous to list here, but the professionals at Sorenson Pest Control are experts in controlling and eliminating many of the bugs and beasties that enter the home and spread disease. Here are some insects that cause health hazards: The Mosquito If diseases carried by all other contagious bugs in the world were wiped out, the list of those carried by mosquitoes would still be extensive. Only the females bite and pass on diseases, and she only bites because she needs a blood meal to lay her eggs. But at the same time she’s getting a meal, pathogens are being transferred into her victim through her saliva. These pathogens and parasites...

Spiders are usually found in isolated and dark areas inside or outside of your home. They prefer this setting so that their nests and feeding places won’t be bothered by larger predators. Sometimes a full-on spider infestation can be dangerous to tackle on your own. It can also be a scary endeavor depending on the type of spider. Read on to learn how to identify a spider infestation.  Webs  The most telling sign of a spider infestation is to look for webs in the corners of your rooms. For an exterior infestation problem, they can be up in nooks of your roof where it is likely they will trap other insects to feed on. If you get rid of the webs, you will get rid of their food supply.  Moist Environments  Like most pests, spiders prefer an environment that provides water. Be sure to check your basement or garage, as these...

If you conduct a search for any pest control service online, you’ll find a common term that may seem like just another buzzword: integrated pest management (IPM). Despite what you might think, this is actually a method of pest control that is defined and regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Pest control services have to adhere to strict guidelines and protocols to present themselves as an IPM provider. What does the term actually mean? Let’s break it down together: Defining IPM The EPA defines IPM as “an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.” In short, that means pest control services who use IPM reference current and comprehensive information regarding pest life cycles, environmental interactions and ecological impacts that pests create on the local environment. The cornerstone of any IPM system is eliminating or managing pest damage economically while minimizing...

Disinfecting after pest control is as important as wearing a big, yellow hazmat suit when entering a hazardous area. Both are meant to protect you from harmful chemicals. Because of the inherent dangers of insecticides used to remove pests from your home, it is important to disinfect your home after pest removal. Chemicals vs. People Abamectin. Cyfluthrin. Hydramethylnon. Pyrethrum. You might think you have just read an alien language but the truth is that each of those words is the name of a chemical used in pest control. According to the Pesticide Action Network UK, the rule of thumb is, unless otherwise labeled, anything used to kill pests will also be extremely harmful to humans and pets. The importance of cleaning your hard and soft surfaces after pest control cannot be overstated. Decontaminate In most cases, the level of disinfection required is based on the areas of the home treated for...

With the coronavirus continuing its spread across the country, many businesses have shut down to help flatten the curve. Businesses that remain open and active are considered essential and that includes pest control. This article will illustrate exactly why pest control services are vital for the community, and why we at Sorenson Pest Control are committed to serving our customers during this crisis. Pests Spread Disease Although COVID-19 does not show signs of animal-to-human transmission, the fact is that pests can still bring in a host of other diseases. Rats, roaches, ants and other critters can create significant health problems for homeowners and businesses. COVID-19 is dangerous because it can worsen the effects of other conditions. So, if you get sick because of rats or roaches in the home, the coronavirus can wreak havoc on your compromised immune system. Pest Problems Will Worsen Without Intervention As the country went into quarantine,...