Pest control specialists say vinegar is a common household item and there is likely to be a bottle lying around your home somewhere, even if you didn’t know it was there. Most people buy vinegar for one specific purpose but don’t need a whole lot of it, thus creating a huge amount of leftover vinegar with no purpose. So, what can you do with all that leftover vinegar? Turns out, quite a bit according to Sarasota pest control experts!

Here are some great ways Sarasota pest control experts say you can utilize your extra vinegar and get some cleaning done at the same time!

Got the washing machine blues? Add two cups of white vinegar to a normal cycle set to warm. In order to get the full cleaning effect, make sure you do not have clothes in the washer. Pest control agents say this will get rid of any stale water smells and help eliminate the crud that has built up throughout many washes.

Looking for an all-natural way to clean your rusty, lime-crusted tea pots or stained coffee pots? Pull out that bottle of vinegar and pour a half a cup into the tea kettle or coffee pot along with a healthy dose of hot water. Pest control specialists say you should allow the mixture to do its magic for a half day then brush out any deposits that have come loose and rinse thoroughly with water.

If it’s good enough for your coffee pot, then surely vinegar is good enough to eliminate those tough stains in your bathtub, washbasin or sink. Add some cooking salt to the mixture and scrub onto the offending surface and watch stains disappear!

Next time you are looking for a more au natural method to do some basic house cleaning, Sarasota pest control technicians recommend just putting your trust in the tried and true method of vinegar!

The Sarasota pest control industry is fueled by the needs and desires of its customers. And as topics such as recycling, global warming and conservation become more prevalent, many Sarasota pest control companies are hearing from clients who are looking for the same quality of services without creating such a heavy carbon footprint.

Pest control companies are joining the band wagon and creating more environmentally friendly services. Even those clients who aren’t living “green” may find these services more preferable when they know their family or pets won’t be in danger when it comes to coming into contact with toxic chemicals.

Pest control treatments from mole baiting to bed bugs all have green remedies. For example, many Sarasota pest control companies now offer heat treatment to eliminate bed bugs. Instead of using a spray, heat is introduced into the environment to kill bed bugs no matter where they are hiding and in every stage of development. All without the use of chemicals.

Even if your Sarasota pest control company doesn’t offer all green services, they still may be able to offer natural remedies that aren’t official, but may work. But unfortunately, there are some Sarasota pest control issues that must be corrected with the use of chemicals. However, if you stress the importance of using non-toxic remedies, your Sarasota pest control agent may be able to help you find an alternative.

If you have any Sarasota pest issues and are looking for a plan of attack that won’t threaten the health of your family or pets, call your local Sarasota pest control company and ask for a consultation. Take this opportunity to discuss your concerns and find out if they offer “green” solutions to any of your Sarasota pest problems.

When you think of Sarasota pest control, you may not think of head lice, but they are certainly a Sarasota pest and they definitely need controlled if they find their way into your home. Lice are usually found on and in the hair and skin of a human. They bite the skin to drink blood and cause allergic reactions, including mild to severe itching.

These insects are the size of a sesame seed and lay their eggs in the hair of a human. Even though they are in your hair, you may not be aware of it immediately because it may take weeks for the itchy feeling to develop.

Bites are obvious if you’re looking closely enough and can be revealed by moving hair aside. Pest control specialists recommend using a comb to check through the hair of someone who is potentially infested, making sure to check around the nape of the neck and behind the ears.

Bites from lice are generally harmless, with the exception of causing an itching sensation. However, the incessant scratching can cause an infection and introduce germs into the small wound.

Lice are usually transferred by close contact with someone who already is infected. Despite the common association with sharing hats and pillows as a way louse is transferred, this is rarely true. In most cases, lice is transferred through head-to-head contact.

If you or your child should be unlucky enough to incur lice, your doctor or pharmacist can recommend a medicated shampoo to de-louse. Oftentimes the treatment will have to be re-applied because eggs are missed during the first treatment.

Leyland Cyprus trees are generally resilient to most insect infestations because they are coniferous trees. Many insects prefer to nest and feed off of deciduous trees, however not all of them. One such Sarasota pest is the spider mite. Pest control experts say spider mites are one of the top tree Sarasota pests that can have a serious and damaging effect on the Leyland Cyprus tree. Thankfully, with the help of professional Sarasota pest control specialists, you can protect your tree from the negative effects of this insect.

According to Sarasota pest control authorities, spider mites have proven, along with bagworms, to be one of the most difficult insects to control. Since spider mites have been an irritant for Leyland Cyprus trees for so long, they have developed immunity to many of the different Sarasota pest control treatments that had been used to eliminate these destructive insects. Spider mites pierce the tree with their mouths and suck out the sap (which is essentially the life force of the tree), resulting in discolored needles. If spider mites are allowed to feed without interruption, the needles will ultimately turn brown, die and fall off.

Spider mites can be a death sentence to the Leyland Cyprus, so it is important to have qualified Sarasota pest control experts help you get populations under control as soon as possible. Pest control authorities do not favor the use of insecticides because other beneficial bugs will also be killed when the insecticide is applied. It is important to allow spider mite predators such as ladybugs to remain on the tree and create a natural Sarasota pest control solution. For this reason, miticides are the recommended solution to heavy spider mite infestations.

To learn more about keeping your Leyland Cyprus safe from unwanted Sarasota pests, call your local Sarasota pest control company.

Insect activity is a serious problem for Leyland Cyprus trees, according to Sarasota pest control experts. Because this tree is a conifer and not a deciduous tree, it makes it an uninviting host for most insects. However, it is not altogether out of harm’s way when it comes to insects. Bagworms and spider mites are two of the most menacing bugs. Their presence can cause discoloration, defoliation and sometimes even death if they are left untreated and allowed to continually feed and breed on and within the Leyland Cypruss.

Bagworms are a real problem because with each generation, the infestation becomes larger and larger. A female bagworm lays between 500 and 1,000 eggs before she dies. When the bagworm larvae emerge, they either remain on the host tree or they will spin a silken thread and “fly” to a nearby tree or plant. Because of their ability to transfer to other plants, bagworms not only pose a threat to the Leyland Cyprus, but to all nearby trees and shrubs. Unfortunately, only a few generations of bagworms can annihilate an entire landscape. While the larvae cocoon in the bags they create, they feed on the surface of the leaves, stripping the leaf of its epidermis, or the skin of the leaf.

As they develop into caterpillars, entire branches of the Leyland Cyprus can become completely defoliated. Pest control experts say it is easier to control bagworm infestations by manually removing the bags they form in the early spring or fall before the larvae have hatched. However, if the Leyland Cyprus is too large for this to take place, the tree can be sprayed with an effective insecticide to eliminate current populations. If the bagworms have already hatched, they are more difficult to control with sprays, which makes preventative care so important.

Call your local Sarasota pest control authority for more information on protecting the Leyland Cyprus from bagworms.

Ants can be a frustrating problem when it comes to them invading your home. Ants can smell food from many miles away, so if there are any crumbs, food left out or spills, ants will find a way into your home to clean up after you. You can always rely on baits, but if you have children or pets in the home, here are a few natural remedies that are effective but safe for the entire household.

Grits. Yep, that’s right. Use more food to get rid of ants by using quick grits. The end result for the ants isn’t pleasant, as the grits expand in their stomachs and cause the ants to die. You can sprinkle the grits in any area where you have notice ants and voila! They will be gone.

Boric acid. Boric acid can is effective, but pest control specialists warn that you should be careful not to inhale the fumes from the acid as it can cause breathing problems. The toxicity is low to humans, but if you have asthma or other breathing complications, you may want to try one of the other methods. Janitorial experts recommend mixing two parts of something sweet with one part boric acid.

Lemons. Make a concoction of half lemon juice and half water in a spray bottle. Spray around areas where ants frequent, and as well as areas where they may gain entrance to your home such as windows, doors, etc.

Spices. Pest control experts say there are a wide variety of spices that can be used to eliminate ants; however, you have to strategically make a line of the spice that will make it hard for the ants to travel around. Peppermint oil, black pepper, cayenne pepper and cinnamon can all be used to get rid of your ant problem.

Pest control authorities say all these remedies will be effective, but the best way to keep ants out is by cleaning up crumbs and spills as soon as possible and not leaving food out.

Anyone who is an animal owner probably knows that dogs and cats will eat the strangest things – including bugs. In fact, in my house, if there’s a fly, all I have to do is alert my cat to this fact (if he isn’t already on the job) and he will flit about the house until he catches that fly with his paw and quickly maneuver the insect into his mouth where he happily chews this buzzing treat. It’s gross, but honestly, I have no problem with it.

Letting our pets do our bug hunting for us is an all-too-easy task and you may not see any harm in the habit. In most cases, you both win – you get rid of the bug and the pet gets an apparently tasty snack. However, we may not consider that these insects could be hazardous to our furry friends.

If you or your neighbors have your Sarasota lawn or landscape treated by a pest control company, there may be areas where you need to keep your family pet away from so he doesn’t come into contact with the chemicals. But what if insects that have had contact with the treated plants get into your home? They may have remnants of the pest control spray on them which could pose a serious threat to a cat or dog if ingested.

If your yard is being treated by a pest control company, you may want to ask about child- and pet-friendly applications. If those aren’t available, take steps to ensure your pet stays away from the area and for the time being, and dissuade them when possible from eating insects. This might mean you’ll actually have to do the bug-squashing yourself and your pup or kitty might get angry that you took away the hunt, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Fruit flies can be some of the most annoying pests you ever have the displeasure of dealing with in your home. They seem to be everywhere and have no qualms about flying right up into your face or into your food. So how can you stop these flying pests from taking up permanent residence in your home? Here are some effective pest control tips.

Go straight to the source. Fruit flies are attracted to moist organic material, especially material that is sweet or sweet-smelling. Don’t leave out fruit or other food. If you must leave food out, try covering it and keep the food contained.

Promptly wash dishes and remove food particles from countertops, stoves, sinks and drains. If you have food that has gone down the drain, follow it with a concoction of cider vinegar and hot water. Ice cubes have also been suggested by pest control specialists.

Don’t leave wash rags in the sink. Thoroughly wash them off and put them in the laundry.

Take food you want to dispose of outside to throw away. Do not leave it inside where it will certainly attract fruit flies.

Pest control experts cannot emphasize the importance of cleaning enough. Using bleach-infused products, always wipe down counters, the seals of your refrigerator, stove tops and underneath the stove, around and under your dishwasher and anywhere food is present. This should be done every day to ensure fruit flies have no reason to bombard your home.

Use a fan to keep fruit flies away from the kitchen area. Whether you use a ceiling fan on high speed or a smaller fan that is blowing in the direction of fruit, pest control specialists say fruit flies cannot fly in the cross direction of the wind, so this will keep them away.

The nomenclature of fruit flies isn’t ironic; if there is fruit or any sweet-smelling food around, fruit flies will be the first to come zipping into your home. Fruit and vegetable preparation isn’t something you can avoid, but Sarasota pest control experts say there are ways to prevent fruit flies from coming into your home, and other tips to make sure that if they do find a way into your home, they don’t stay for long.

Don’t use the plastic bags at the grocery store. If you are picking up fruits and veggies at your local market, bring your own bag instead of using theirs. Because these bags are often in close proximity to the fruits and vegetables, you risk inadvertently bringing these Sarasota pests home with you. As soon as you get home, remove the produce and wash it off thoroughly with soap and water then put them in another bag or in the fridge.

If you can, prepare vegetables outside of your home. Obviously this can only be done if the weather outside is conducive, but Sarasota pest control specialists recommend having an outdoor vegetable preparation station. Do not bring the old produce bags indoors; place the prepared produce in a new bag and place them in the refrigerator after cleaning them off again once inside.

Cover fruit bowls or store fruit in the refrigerator. If there are any pieces of fruit that are overripe, discard of them immediately. If you have fruit that needs to ripen, place them in a brown bag until it reaches the desired ripeness.

If you have followed all of these tips and are still having issues with fruit flies, call your local Sarasota pest control company to see what further action you can take to get rid of these annoying Sarasota pests.

Pest control professionals often find that when they’re called out to a job where the homeowner is complaining of excess bugs, the simple is actually quite simple: be mindful of your garbage can.

Even if your garbage can in under a sink or somewhere else that isn’t out in the open, bugs can find a way in because the odors are still being emitted. Pest control experts recommend never throwing any organic material into the waste bin. If you are not able to dispose of the material outside, place the food in a sealable plastic bag (such as a freezer bag) and then dispose of it. Even better, you can place these materials in a plastic bag and add them to your compost pile later on. If you choose this option, however, make sure your compost pile is far away from your home and cover the food scraps with leaves or dirt to prevent attracting unwanted animals.

Make sure you change your garbage bag often. Do not simply empty the contents and leave the bag inside the can. Replace the bag with a new one that will not have food particles on it that will further attract bugs.

Pest control experts also recommend cleaning out your garbage can with bleach from time to time. If the bag has leaked or a piece of food missed the bag and went down the side, the odors are still present and can send out an inviting signal to Sarasota pests.

Pest control against bugs can be as simple as making that extra effort to be choosy about what garbage goes into your garbage can.