Bed Bugs! For many of us the Bed Bug is still a memory from an early childhood euphemism. Remember, “Sleep tight…Don’t let the Bed Bugs bite.” Well, trust me when I tell you… that is changing and quickly. The Bed Bug invasion has been in full swing for the past few decades here in Metro Atlanta. Its not surprising really. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport brings millions of people into and thru our fine city every year. Some of these travelers come from parts of the world where Bed Bugs are quite prevalent. Importation of the Bed Bugs has been going on since international air travel became common, but that’s no longer the primary method of relocation. Bed Bugs are well established here in the US and how the vast majority of us will come into contact with them. We regularly see bed bugs in almost every setting…homes, hotels, daycare, retail, educational dormitories, government properties, and commercial facilities. In fact, anywhere with people is a target for a bed bug infestation.

Peachtree Pest Control is currently assisting an internationally based IT firm, with offices right here in Atlanta and Buckhead, face a serious infestation. Not only does the Bed Bug problem exist, it covers multiple floors, in multiple buildings, and has spread to many of the hundreds of employees homes. Truthfully, it is most likely the residence were the original source of the infestation. The population was imported by the employees and spread throughout the building(s). As true as that may be, it remains the responsibility of the property owners to address the issue, and fast. US Department of Labor requires every employer to provide a “Safe Working Environment”. Rightfully so. And…a major Bed Bug infestation, although posing no serious health threat, does violate the “Safe Working Environment” standard and therefore, must be addressed immediately. The customer has done just that. Their dedication to solving this issue has been real and prompt….albeit, more expensive than they would like. The time and attention needed to control Bed Bugs at such a large scale requires many highly skilled team members and many resources. This posses significant challenges and has taken nearly the past years to bring under control. The days of simply spraying some “Bug Juice” are over. Bed Bug control is complex, and an issue that is positively here to stay.

I expect the trend toward Bed Bug infestations in large commercial properties to continue. Multi-story office buildings may become a common place to find Bed Bugs. There are certainly optimal conditions inside the modern cubicle farm. Lots of people, seated closely together, inside a climate controlled environment with ample areas to hide. All it takes is one pregnant female bed bug to hitch a ride on a purse, jacket, etc… Before long a major problem is established.

There is good news however…we control Bed Bugs. We have the tools and experience to handle any problem, anywhere. Hopefully you never have to find that out first hand. But, if you do, we got you covered. Call me any time and I’ll be glad to help!

Corey Arnold
President
Peachtree Pest Control

Its a common sight in the wildlife control industry. Picture this…an average suburban home, well kept in every way. A nice landscape with a freshly manicured lawn, a new coat of paint, and a commuter car in the driveway. Sounds like most of the homes around Metro Atlanta. And, just like many homes around town, this particular home has a dirty secret hidden in the attic. RODENTS. Or squirrels, or raccoons, or bats… I think you get my point.This average Atlanta home has a wildlife problem. Turns out the real issue isn’t even the animals that are calling this house their home. The real problem is what these unwanted guests have done to the attic insulation. Now covered in animal scat and urine, the insulation has become a sanitary issue. The odor permeates the air and filters down into the living space below. Clearly removing the to soiled material is just as important as getting rid of the critters.

Fortunately, Peachtree Pest Control can solve any wildlife control problem and address your insulation needs. Our team of experts can quickly trap your nuisance animal, exclude your home from future re-infestation, and remove/replace your attic insulation. We use industrial insulation vacuums to remove the soiled material followed by a complete sanitizing of the affected areas. Then a fresh layer of new blown insulation is applied. The new insulation can be applied to any R-value you wish. It’s more than a necessary step in proper wildlife control, it is also a great way to update your home and save a little money on you power bills. There may even be energy credits available from your power company to help cover some of the costs.

So, the next time you think you have an unwanted guest in your attic call the pros at Peachtree Pest Control. We can address your wildlife and insulation issues all while providing value and respecting your home. I hope you’ll give us an opportunity!

Corey Arnold
President

Its COLD outside. I sure am glad to have this nice warm place to sit and write a blog. It makes me consider what happens to termites in this Atlanta cold. Well, its an interesting question with a pretty straight forward answer.

I began my career working in termite research with the University of Georgia. Since that time I have spent nearly all of my professional career in the pest management industry. During these many years I’ve learned much about termite behavior and I can say that termites will often surprise you. Termites regulate much about their bodies by where they choose to live. Individually a termite can be quite fragile. They are extremely susceptible to changes in temperature and moisture and will quickly die if exposed to unsuitable conditions. Termites regulate these environmental factors by moving throughout the soil column. You see, here in the Southeast the soil never freezes. In fact, go a few inches below the soil surface and you’ll find a pretty consistent temperature…year round. This means Termites can regulate their body temp and moisture content by simply moving to the areas of the soil that are most conducive to their survival requirements.

Sometimes the best places for termites are in or near your home. As humans we like our comforts. We like a nice landscape with plenty of irrigation and mulch. This keeps the soil moist and warm around our foundations. We like cozy houses which maintain a slab temperature much higher than the soil surface outdoors.Crawlspaces are generally much milder that the outdoor temps during winter too. This can be an ideal place for a termite infestation to begin and continue year round.

Termites never stop. They don’t sleep, have weekends, or observe holidays. As far as I know there is no such thing as termite PTO (Personal Time Off). And…Termites are resourceful. Survival artists indeed. What’s the lesson here? When it comes to Termites in Atlanta cold, there is no off season. With this understanding I think its important to keep your home professionally protected…year round! Call me and I’ll be glad to tell you more.

Corey Arnold ~ President
Peachtree Pest Control

Its another rainy day here in Atlanta. It brings to mind a simple yet not commonly asked question; Where do bugs go when it rains? Well, that depends on the bug.

Each insect has a unique way of dealing with inclement weather. Obviously there is a different survival tactic between the ground nesting insects and those that can fly. Take for example the Fire Ant. Would you believe these industrious critters actually make floating rafts comprised of thousands of individual ants? Its true. In fact, a news crew in Coastal North Carolina reported on this very thing as floods followed the most recent tropical storm. If you ever run across a raft of floating fire ants, beware! The ant raft could break apart quickly and cover you in angry Fire Ants. This can be quite dangerous.

For the bugs that can fly they simply wait out the storm…when possible. A recent study conducted by Scientific American considered what happens when mosquitoes collide with rain drops. Surprisingly they are consumed by the droplet and, with the help of their water shedding hairs, actually escape the rain drop before it hits the ground. Fascinating.

Of course I couldn’t write a blog on this topic with out stating the obvious…your home is warm and dry. If a bug gets the opportunity to gain access its the perfect environment to wait out the storm. Pest proofing your home is a good idea for this very reason. Check exterior window screens, door sweeps, plumbing penetrations for a tight seal, trim back your landscaping, limit excessive layers of mulch and please clean your gutters. These are a few measures that will help reduce the pest friendly environments and make your home less likely to be a refuge for unwanted pests. If you still need a pro to get the bugs out….I know somebody.

Corey Arnold ~ President

Got Squirrels in your attic? Maybe you have a Gap? You know, a Builder’s Gap. Maybe you’ve heard it called a Construction Gap or even a Roof Gap. Whatever term you use they’re all referring to the same condition. You see, when the builder constructed the roof your home they started with plywood roof decking. This material should have extended all the way to the bottom ends of the rafter joists where the roof deck meets the fascia board…basically the area where the gutters are hung. Unfortunately in most homes, this is not the case. The roof decking is left slightly shorter than the rafter ends creating a gap between the roof and the gutter. Although covered by a layer of shingles this gap extends the full roof line of your home and is an ideal place for wildlife, specifically squirrels, to enter.

During an inspection for wildlife control it is critical this condition be identified. Generally this requires the use of a ladder. Although in some cases it is possible to identify from within the attic. As a longtime inspector myself I’ve often entered the attic, turned off the lights and looked for daylight around the gutter area. If there is a serious builders gap issue it’ll likely be obvious.

I’d like to point out that the described condition is not a faulty construction, does not effect the integrity of the home, and to my knowledge, does not violate any building code. Its simply common practice that years later may allow squirrels and other wildlife inside you home.

So Atlanta, let me ask you. Do you have a gap? If you’re not sure call me and lets find out together. Maybe we can figure this out before the squirrels do!

Many thanks and enjoy our beautiful fall weather Atlanta.

Corey Arnold, President

Termite Control is a big topic in Metro Atlanta. The southeast experiences some of the highest termite pressure levels than any other region. For this reason most folks in our area have witnessed a termite mating swarm. For those who have I’ll bet this was associated with the spring months. But spring not the only time termites can swarm. It can and does happen in the fall.

Termites swarm as a means to continue their species. It is the act of mating and forming new colonies. This process requires a few basic things. Initially the colony must be mature. Generally this means it is at least 3 years old and is fully developed. The environmental conditions must also be correct. Termites prefer to swarm when ambient temperature reaches the mid 70’s with a high relative humidity. These ideal conditions happen every year in the spring. However, these conditions also occur during the fall.

So…keep an eye out this fall. You might be witness to one of mother natures spectacles, a termite swarm.  If you suspect you have a termite problem call the experts at Peachtree Pest Control. We look forward to hearing from you!

Corey Arnold, President

At some point we’ve all been there. That moment you realize there is a noise in the attic or wall. Unsettling to say the least. “What could it be”, you think. “It sounds huge whatever it is… Prolly has beady red eyes and sharp teeth. Maybe it’ll try to eat me in my sleep?”

As Atlanta Wildlife Control Professionals we receive many calls this time of year from very concerned homeowners regarding sounds from attics and walls. Most describe these noises as scratching, scurrying, thumping, or just plain loud. Some say the noise is most prevalent at night while others experience daytime activity.  Truthfully, in wildlife control the specifics of the noises such as time, intensity, location, and description are clues to help us identify the type of pest species we are controlling. With this information we will know where to begin our search for structural entry points, conducive conditions that may need to be changed, and how to best solve the problem. As you can see…a little noise can matter.  So here are a few guidelines regarding noise and what they may indicate.

Day vs. Night – Have you ever seen a Raccoon walking around the park at noon? No! But, I’ll bet you’ve seen many a squirrel. This is a great illustration regarding the timing of the noise. If the animal is typically active during the day it stands to reason you’ll hear them moving more. The same for nocturnal animals such as rats and flying squirrels. These animals will be primarily active at night.

Thumping vs. Scratching  – The way an animal moves has a lot to do with the noise they create. For example, a squirrel is likely to jump from rafter to rafter in your attic creating an intermittent thumping sound. Rats on the other hand tend to scurry and dig in insulation. This will create more of a scratching sound.  And of course there are those animals that make very little noise, such as bats. In this case sounds will not be physical movement but usually animal vocalizations. The squealing of bats congregating inside a wall is unmistakable and even unnerving.

Attic vs. Walls -Sounds coming from an attic usually indicate animals that prefer to climb. A good example is Roof Rats, Flying Squirrels, and Grey Squirrels. A thorough inspection of the roof line is advisable. WE need to find the points of access to the structure. On the other hand, if the sound is in the walls this may be associated with animal access from the foundation areas. This is most commonly mice, or even Norway Rats. Access to wall systems can be obtained from the attic as well so inspections to both areas is necessary.

These are a few simple tools we as Atlanta Wildlife Control experts use when addressing an animal problem. Although there are always exceptions to rules when dealing with wildlife we never forget the importance of listening to the homeowner. The information gathered about noise description, timing and location can be critical in a quick and permanent resolution.

If you think you may have a wildlife control problem give Peachtree Pest Control a call. We have the experience and know-how to address any Atlanta Wildlife Control issue you may have.

Looking forward to helping you!

Corey Arnold, President

Atlanta. Home of the Braves, Falcons, Hawks…and a growing population of Raccoon.  While many wildlife species decline as human development spreads, the opposite is true of the wily and intelligent Raccoon. Opportunistic by nature, these masked bandits thrive alongside human habitation. Our life style provides ample food, water, and shelter. Imagine the nightly routine of the urban Raccoon. It begins just after dark as they emerge from your home’s cozy attics and crawl spaces. Remember, these areas are great harborage sites and to a critter, seem very similar to the tree-hollow their country relatives inhabit. Then its time for food. The Raccoon begins by knocking over your trash can and feasting on leftovers from your dinner table. Then they are off to find your pets food on the back porch or beside the garage. Then its time for a little fun…a dip in your Koi pond and some fishing. Mmmmm…goldfish taste good! If you’re lucky, your neighborhood Racoon may even walk across your car leaving their tell-tale footprints behind. Finally, after a night of feasting and fun, the Racoon family returns home – to your attic.

As you can see, we have created the ideal habitat for the Raccoon. It should be no surprise these adaptive creatures have managed to thrive in the human environment. That’s great for the Racoon…but not so good for you. Don’t let wildlife make your home, their home. Call Peachtree Pest Control today for a free inspection. You may not realize you have a problem until scat and urine have destroyed your home’s insulation! 855-PEACHTREE

Corey Arnold ~President