Sorenson Pest Control Blog

No matter what time of year it is, your home may be home to more than just your family. Each year, new types of pests are looking to be your secret roommate, rent-free. Although your house may be spotless, if you have a crawlspace, you can have a serious infestation that you do not know about. Why Your Crawlspace Invites Pests There are many reasons why your crawlspace is a pest’s dream home like the moisture, insufficient airflow, food and shelter from larger animals. The heat from the insulation makes it warm, and for smaller pests, it is easy to access. These pests can become a severe fire and safety hazard, including the possible diseases they may bring, like rabies, salmonella and other bacteria or viruses. Due to these issues, you need to know what you may have crawling in the dark under your feet. The Six Common Pests These are...

Pests can create health problems and structural damage to your house without anybody even knowing they are there. Without knowing what to look for, pests can live in your home for years before being caught. Learning that you have a pest infestation and what kind of pest infestation is the first step in exterminating them. Here are some things to look for around the house to make sure you don't have any unwelcome creatures living with you. Where to Look Some of the places you should search include the kitchen, around appliances and in the garage. The kitchen is a hot spot for pests, not only because of all the food that is stored in kitchens but also because of the many pipes extending to and from the kitchen which pest use to travel. Make sure to check around places with appliances as well, like laundry rooms, utility rooms, basements and...

Spooky spiders and creepy crawlers might be staples in scary movies, but no family wants these nasty pests to move in. Unfortunately, the hot-but-beautiful climate in California provides perfect conditions for spiders to thrive. Whether you live in the foothills or in an agricultural community with lots of wide open spaces, you're likely to run into spooky spiders from time to time. Here's what you need to know about the most venomous and destructive of these spiders. Which Creepy Spiders are Hiding Out in California? A wide variety of spiders live throughout the mountains and Central Valley areas of California. Grey house spiders, wolf spiders and orb weavers are among the most common and harmless spiders in the area. Of course, California natives and transplants alike generally know that the area is home to some more intimidating species too. Black Widows Black widows are found throughout the U.S., and California is...

Earwigs are fascinating insects belonging to the Dermaptera insect order. The insects are predominantly creatures of the night and are rarely viewed during daylight hours. Earwigs are typically brown, black, yellow or red and have long bodies. The insects prefer living in the woods. Yet some homeowners do find earwigs residing in their homes, especially in damper locations such as bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Earwigs do not bite people but prefer pinching or stinging them with their forceps. The sting may cause pain but does not present an emergency situation. Earwigs benefit humans in that they enjoy eating other insects. On the other hand, earwigs are pests in the common garden or commercial agricultural field because they also enjoy munching on plants including fruits, flowers and leaves. Here are a few fun facts about earwigs: 1. Female earwigs are devoted to their offspring. A female earwig is fiercely devoted to her...

Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is an important concept in the pest control industry. The public awareness of it can be improved, and our company takes the initiative to provide information about this system to the public. Once you understand the concept of IPM, you can make an informed decision about your pest control requirements. Homes and businesses can benefit from this approach to pest control because it evaluates each method in a way that makes practical sense. The end result is a customized approach to pest control that will allow you to maintain a pest-free environment all year long. About Integrated Pest Management This is an approach to pest control that is designed to reduce and suppress the pest population beneath a particular threshold. In other words, it is a method of pest control that uses many different techniques to prevent pests from breeding in your area. It also reduces...

If you are planning to host a Fourth of July barbecue with your friends and family, you are likely wondering how you can protect yourself and your guests from ants. These pests will get into and taint your food if you give them a chance, decreasing your guests' enjoyment and harming your event. Many people want to keep ants away but don't know where to start, and they feel hopeless when it comes to finding a solution. You won't need to worry about that problem when you follow the correct plan. Search for Anthills Killing one or two ants when you see them won't do much when your goal is to safeguard your event from unwanted guests. Instead of looking for individual ants, you will want to search for and find any anthills that are on your property. If you don't know how to spot them, they are small mounds of...

Pantry pests such as flour beetles and rice weevils invade homes and businesses on a regular basis. They seek the food inside pantries, such as wheat flour, rice and cereal. They infest food-storage areas and chew through boxed goods to reach the inner contents. These pests, including the Indian meal moth, will then lay their eggs in cracks and crevices of the pantry and increase their population. 3 Tips to Keep Pantry Pests Away Seal the Pantry Pests can easily get into your pantry through small cracks and crevices around the door. Attaching a rubber door bottom will prevent the pests from sneaking under the door and gaining access to the food in the pantry. You can also seal the cracks and other openings with silicone to create an impenetrable barrier. Remove Opened Goods Opened goods attract pantry pests by the dozens, including other pests such as roaches and rodents. If...

Those who spend time outside are no strangers to yellowjackets and their painful stings, and you are likely wondering what you can do to avoid these pests. When you don't understand yellowjacket behavior, you are much more likely to get stung, but taking a look at what motivates them will get you moving along the right path. You will go outside without stress when you understand their behavior. Although you can never eliminate the risk, you can decrease your odds of getting stung by following a few tips. Common Nesting Sites Since yellowjackets are social wasps and will defend their nest if they feel threatened, knowing where they like to build nests is a good move. yellowjackets conceal their nests for safety reasons, and you can spot them in attics, under porches and underground. These stinging insects can even craft nests near outdoor furniture and under picnic tables. If you plan...

If you have cats or dogs that you consider a part of the family, you will do your best to protect and keep them out of harm's way. Most pets will go outside on occasion and put themselves at risk for fleas, and you might not spot the signs of trouble from the start, preventing you from addressing the issue in the early stages. Fleas can carry and transmit a range of diseases to you and your pets, so you must strive to keep the pests at bay. Detection, elimination, and prevention are the steps you will need to take in order to keep your cats and dogs free from fleas. Detection Excessive scratching is the first red flag you will likely notice if your pets have fleas. Some pets will scratch so much that they will remove patches of fur, and moving fast will safeguard your animals from unneeded suffering....

Ants don't hold back their wrath. They terrorize home and business owners without thinking twice, so the following facts shouldn't be hard for you to believe. Ants Attack Their Own Kind Some species are called slave-making ants because they are as aggressive as an attack dog. They ruin other colonies by waylaying the ants and killing their queens. If you take this into account, you will better understand how important it is to protect your home. Ants are like humans in that they will do just about anything to feed and expand their own colonies. Your home and your business provide the ideal conditions that these critters need to survive. However, with regular pest control treatments, your properties will be less vulnerable to an ant invasion. Ants Recruit Their Neighbors to Carry Out Their Agenda Inside the nests of some ant species, fungus is cultivated. Scientists have always thought that these...

No matter where you live or what steps you take to safeguard yourself, you could encounter pests when you least expect it, and you might be wondering what you should do to get rid of them when they strike. If you are like many homeowners who want to save money, you are curious about at-home solutions that promise to get the job done. However, pest control products from the store won't always give you the results you had expected. Pest Control Solutions Are Not Universal Many pest control products promise to treat a range of pests, but no solution is universal. Buying the wrong pesticide or treating for the wrong pest will stop you from getting rid of the invaders. Many people repeat this mistake several times before realizing that their approach is not working. You Can Create Additional Risks You can find some pest control products that work if you...

Cockroaches are filthy pests that spread diseases and contaminate surfaces wherever they go. They invade everywhere from businesses to residences and can survive many over-the-counter products like sprays and bug bombs. They've thrived since the time of the dinosaurs and continue to be a nuisance to this very day. It pays to identify the pests right away to prevent an unhealthy infestation later. 4 Cockroach Signs to Look for in Your Home 1. You see the pests. Roaches prefer to hide during the day or to stay in dark areas away from people. If you haven't seen them during the day, wait until nightfall. Walk into a bathroom, and turn on the lights. The sudden change from dark to light will send them running. 2. You can smell them. Cockroaches emit a musty odor, but you might not smell them if there's no infestation. A large population produces a stronger odor,...

If you have spotted a beehive in your yard, you are likely wondering how you can avoid putting yourself and others in danger. Most homeowners are shocked when they see a hive near their home and don't know where to turn. Learning the proper steps will ensure that you don't place yourself or others in harm's way, and you will have peace of mind. The same guidelines apply when you find a beehive on public property and want to safeguard everyone involved. Don't Touch the Beehive People will often go online or read books to learn how to remove beehives without disturbing the bees, but doing so is not wise. If you make a mistake and startle the bees, they will sting you and anyone else in the area, resulting in pain and skin irritation. If someone is allergic to bees and a bee stings that person, you will have an...

Integrated pest management is an environmentally friendly method of eradicating and managing pests. Pests may include insects such as termites, ants, cockroaches, spiders, mosquitoes, fleas and bedbugs. Pests may also include rats, mice, squirrels and other rodents that become a nuisance to households and commercial establishments. Pests may also affect crop production or gardens. IPM uses techniques that remove the breeding places of pests, disrupt the breeding cycle and control re-infestation. Pesticides are used only when needed, and only the safest pesticides are used to get the job done. The result is a safer environment for you and your loved ones while eradicating unwanted critters from your property. Inspection If you think you have pests in your northern California home or business, the first step is to identify the exact pest. Treatment plans are tailored to the specific pest. A licensed pest removal professional such as Sorenson Pest Control should be...

Rodents pose a serious health threat to anyone who comes in contact with these critters. In addition to the unpleasant experience associated with a rodent infestation, these pests also carry a variety of diseases that can be transmitted to humans through even minor forms of contact. It is important to understand how these pests get into the home and where they build their nests. Rodent Infestations Getting rid of a rodent infestation can be difficult, but many people like to try common home remedies before calling a professional pest-control company for assistance. This list of the five best home remedies for rodent infestations is intended for informational purposes only, and it is not meant to replace the assistance of a qualified pest-control expert. 1. Prevention: Take precautions whenever possible to prevent rodents from being attracted to your living space. The steps are identical whether you reside in a home or in...

Fall is right around the corner as the crisp autumn wind makes its way into our area. Fall's arrival brings with it various insect pests and rodents, causing infestations in homes across the state. Taking action now can help prevent unwanted pests in your home through the winter season. Sorenson Pest Control wants to inform you of which pests to look out for and how to prevent them from infesting your home. Types of Fall Pests The fall climate in Northern California chills the air and causes pests of all types to seek warmth and shelter indoors. The usual suspects, such as roaches and carpenter ants, will always try to invade your home no matter the season. However, some pests decide to show up in greater numbers during the fall: Stinkbugs Ladybugs Rodents Boxelder bugs Crickets 4 Ways to Prep for Fall Pests Seal any openings around your home. Gaps around...

When a rodent scurries across your floor, determining whether it is a mouse or rat might not be your first concern. Getting rid of it is often the immediate priority. However, proper identification is important because it is a critical step in the pest control process. How do you tell the difference between a mouse and a rat? Appearances Although mice and rats appear similar at first, there are distinct differences. For starters, mice are smaller. They measure between 12 centimeters and 20 centimeters in length. White, gray or brown in color, they have large, floppy ears, triangular snouts, and tails that are long, thin and hairy. In contrast, rats can measure up to 40 centimeters in length. Their coats are white, gray, brown or black and greasy. Rats have a blunter snout than mice, and their long tails are scaly and hairless. Entrances Mice are excellent jumpers, swimmers, and climbers...

Like the rest of the country, residents in Northern California must protect themselves from summertime pests. The area’s Mediterranean climate is the perfect environment for certain insects. They will be constantly on the search for the new habitats. Here are a few common pests to keep an eye out for. Mosquitoes You definitely want to avoid the presence of mosquitoes. These bloodsuckers have always held a reputation for spreading disease. Even today, you must worry about sicknesses such as the West Nile Virus. Known for causing serious birth defects, the Zika virus has also recently become a serious threat. Fortunately, there are some effective ways to keep mosquitoes away. When hosting a cookout, be sure to keep citronella candles burning at all times. It is also a good idea to keep your windows tightly sealed and eliminate any standing water on your property. Western Black-Legged Ticks Ticks thrive in humid environments....

The emotional energy that creates a fear of spiders is probably a waste when it focuses on creatures that do not deserve it. The roughly 3,400 known species of spiders in North America provide free pest control by using venom to paralyze their insect prey or by spinning webs to trap them. Recognizing Insect Predator Spiders Most of California’s spiders wait for insect prey to enter their webs, but others take a more direct approach. None of these attack humans. Wolf With an appearance that vaguely resembles a tarantula, the wolf spider has no web. It's two large eyes that sit above a row of smaller ones help it attack other spiders and ground-dwelling insects usually at night. Common House As its name indicates, the house spider usually builds webs in the corners of homes, but it also weaves its characteristic three-dimensional cobweb outdoors. It feeds on insects, mosquitoes, and flies....

Memorial Day is set aside to remember the troops and everything that they have done for us, but for many people, it also marks the start of warm weather and sunny skies. No matter what you have planned for Memorial Day, you might want to take steps to keep unwelcome pests away from your event. When it comes to insects, you must avoid bees and wasps so that you won't need to worry about getting stung. The problem, however, is that bees and wasps are attracted to some of the foods that people like to enjoy at cookouts and other outdoor events. Even though bees, wasps and other stinging insects can be a problem, a little effort will help you to reduce the risk. Create Traps If you have a lot of bees or wasps near your home, getting rid of them can be tricky. Making mistakes along the way can...