#757hamptonroads

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Your home should be filled with good times and laughter this summer, not termites. Give Universal Pest & Termite a call today for a free inspection! 757-502-0200 #757hamptonroads #termitecontrol #pestcontrol #summer (at Virginia Beach, Virginia)

[universalpest-blog]

American Cockroaches: Myth or Fact?

Let’s be honest, most homeowners do not think cockroaches are a hazard they need to be worrying about. They are just some fast, brown bug that can’t do much damage. Myth or fact? MYTH! Here is why:

The American cockroaches are an average length of 4 cm (1.6 in) to about 7 mm (0.28 in) tall. Their coloring is close to a reddish brown and they also have a yellowish margin on the body behind the head. Immature cockroaches appear the same as adults, but they are wingless.

They can travel quickly, often darting out of sight when you enter the area. They can surprisingly fit into small areas such as cracks and under doors given their size.

As any other invader, American cockroaches enter homes in search of food and water. Basement windows and garages are common entryways. After entering a home, cockroaches often go to bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms or basements.

Cockroaches secrete a chemical called an “aggregation pheromone.” The odor causes them to stay in groups. The smell is more commonly described as a “musty” smell.

Not only can they cause a foul smell, cockroaches can pick up disease-causing bacteria, such as Salmonella, on their legs and deposit them on foods while inhabiting kitchens. Dust in your home containing cockroach feces and body parts can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in some individuals.

Bottom line, the American Cockroach is a gross pest. They can spread disease, contaminate food and even cause allergies. Cockroaches can pick up germs on their legs and bodies as they crawl through contaminated matter, such as sewage, and then transfer these germs to food or onto food surfaces. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), they are assumed to be carriers of the organisms causing diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, leprosy, plague, typhoid fever, viral diseases, etc.

Now that you know the facts, do you want these pests in your home? I think not! It’s time to give the professionals a call. Universal Pest & Termite is here to help. All of our roach control services includes a full FREE-Return policy. If they come back, so do we at no charge. Allow our family to protect your from roaches. Call 757-502-0200 or click here for more details.

[universalpest-blog]

Tired of those ants in your kitchen? We understand. Give Universal Pest & Termite a call today! 757-502-0200 #pestcontrol #termitecontrol #757hamptonroads #757realestate (at Universal Pest & Termite)

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To all present and past U.S. servicemen and women, our family at Universal Pest would like to thank for your services. Happy Memorial Day everyone!!! #happymemorialday #thankyouforyourservice #757hamptonroads #pestcontrol #termitecontrol (at Universal Pest & Termite)

[universalpest-blog]

I’ve Got Ants In My Pants... I Mean In My House!!!: Week 10

The Argentine Ant

The Argentine worker ants are 0.06–0.11 inches long and can easily squeeze through cracks and holes as small as 0.04 inches in size. Queens are approximately 0.17–0.25 inches long,much smaller than other species of ants. These ants will set up in the ground, cracks in concrete walls, spaces between boards and timbers, etc. In natural areas, they generally nest shallow in leaf litter or beneath small stones, due to their poor ability to dig deeper nests.

They travel with well-defined trails between their web of nests and their food sources. Argentine ants are omnivorous, meaning that they can eat almost anything, but they prefer sweet foods. Argentine ants feed on sweets, honeydew and oily household foods.

Argentine ants are a common household pest, often entering structures in search of food or water, or to escape flooded nests during periods of heavy rainfall. When they invade a kitchen, it is not uncommon to see two or three queens foraging along with the workers. Eliminating a single queen does not stop the ability to breed.

The ants are ranked among the world's 100 worst animal invaders. In its introduced range, the Argentine ant often displaces most or all native ants. This can, in turn, imperil other species in the ecosystem, such as native plants that depend on native ants for seed dispersal.

Now that you know the common signs of what an ant infestation looks like, let Universal do the heavy lifting for you. Call 757-502-0200 to learn more. Or visit Universal Pest & Termite.

[universalpest-blog]

Can you tell pesky pests apart? Stay tuned for Monday's blog: Termites vs. Ants vs. Roaches... See how much info you really know! #pestcontrol #termitecontrol #757 #757hamptonroads #notinmyhouse (at Universal Pest & Termite)