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Many homeowners have had the unfortunate surprise of leaving their house in the morning only to find their garbage scattered across the lawn due to a midnight visitor. Even though this happens more in rural areas, this is a common enough cause in the suburbs and even in some urban neighborhoods that it’s important for homeowners no matter where they live to know how to prevent this from happening. Here are some tips and tricks that can help keep your garbage raccoon- and vermin-free. Get a Locking Trash Can Your best bet is to simply put your trash in a can that is secured and lockable. Many trash cans on the market come with the ability to lock down the lid. Metal cans work better than plastic cans for this -- over time, plastic can be chewed through, which sort of defeats the purpose of locking the garbage down in the...

You've spent time decorating the outside of your house for Halloween with pumpkins and other frightening displays. However, pests in the area might want to get a look at your decorations as well, making some of your decorations a meal instead of simply observing them. When you carve pumpkins, dispose of them as early as you can. Try to wait until a few days before Halloween to carve pumpkins so that they don't have a chance to rot and attract flies or other pests. Many types of flies and gnats will begin to make their homes inside the pumpkins you carve and will start to eat the inside. Avoid using decorations that might look like a nest to animals. Consider putting reflective decorations up outside because some pests don't like shiny objects and will avoid going near them. You can also spray the decorations and pumpkins with insect repellent to keep...

Termites are capable of causing structural damage to homes. They are small insects that can feed on the moist wood that is found in many attics, crawlspaces, basements and other dark areas of the home. They are breeders that can form large colonies in a short amount of time, and the young termites will require a lot of fresh wood for their early stages of life. This makes the termite infestation one of the most damaging types of pest infestations that exist. Termites can cause enough property damage that the value of the home will actually decrease. In some cases, the damage can’t be repaired without exceeding the value of the property. Because of the extreme nature of this threat, termite infestations should be taken seriously at all times. Termite Damage to the Home Termite damage can be severe, so early detection is one key to implementing a successful program of...

The best living environment for squirrels is a forested habitat because they like to chew the bark off of trees. They also like to eat seeds and tree cones. When they invade residential areas, they don't put their eating and chewing habits on pause. Because of that, squirrels can cause some serious damage to your home. Roofs and Siding If the branches of trees in your yard spread over your roof, squirrels can gain access to the roof too. They can chew holes into the eaves, fascia boards, soffits and vents. Then, the rodents can crawl through the holes and make your attic their home. Having squirrels in your attic can lead to health problems because they leave waste behind. Since some species are active at night, their noise may prevent you from sleeping too. You might also see claw marks on the siding of your home if squirrels try to...

Roof rats combine the unsavory traits of a rat with the climbing abilities of a squirrel. They can easily reach treetops, utility lines and other high places. When these rodents seek shelter, they often invade attics and build nests. Look for the following signs if you need to identify a possible infestation: 1. Excrement When you find long, pointy droppings in the attic or closets, roof rats may be present. This rodent's feces are much bigger than mouse excrement but significantly shorter than a Norway rat's droppings. Feces can transmit viruses and bacteria. 2. Detritus You may notice debris and small pieces of fur in rooms that roof rats have invaded. They might also create greasy streaks as they scamper along the baseboards. You'll probably detect an odor if rats infest a poorly ventilated room; some people describe it as musky. 3. Bygone Fruit Look under any fruit trees in the...

Early detection and prompt action are the best methods for halting a pest infestation. The activity of specific types of termites can tell the pest control professional about the activities of the colony. An example of this is the breeding season where the breeding termites may be busy constructing their nests. Catching the early part of this season can help you to eliminate them from your property before the colony grows. The general traits of these termites can tell you a lot about what is happening in the colony. General Characteristics Eastern subterranean termites have a general appearance that includes a segmented body with color gradations that intensify almost to the point of being solid near the head. The mid-section is bright yellow, and the tail area is honey-colored. There are ridges along the length of the body, and two antennae protrude from the head area. From a short distance, it...

At your Memorial Day barbeque, food, fun and guests should be the main attractions. Homeowners who fail to prepare their yards for a big party, however, may discover that mosquitoes have crashed the event. With a little preparation ahead of time, you can make your yard unfriendly to these annoying pests. Remove Water Sources Mosquitoes need plentiful water in order to survive and breed; most stages of their life cycle occur in water. An unkempt yard typically offers many sources of water for mosquitoes. In the weeks before your big barbeque, spend some time in your yard looking for places where bugs might congregate. For example, a bucket full of stagnant water is likely to be a popular watering hole for pests. Be careful about overwatering plants and the lawn; too much water will invite mosquitoes to check out your yard. Trim Back Hiding Spots Overgrown vegetation invites mosquitoes to hang...

Bed bugs are bad news for any homeowner. These blood-sucking parasites can make it virtually impossible for you to get a good night’s sleep. They can also cause a number of health issues for your family, including allergy and asthma flare-ups. While bed bugs are known for taking refuge underneath mattresses, it’s not uncommon to spot them in other areas of your home. Here are five surprising places you can find bed bugs. Inside Electrical Outlets Believe it or not, bed bugs will take cover inside of an electrical outlet. The tight space gives them a strong sense of security. Because the bed bugs are so well hidden, many homeowners fail to even notice them. Bedroom outlets are especially prone to housing bed bugs. These insects realize that a blood meal is only a few inches away. There's a good chance you could become their next victim. Library Books Although bed...