Harper Pest Control Blog

Learn from a certified pest expert is the best way to ensure your home is free from pests.
CALL USGET A QUOTE

How To Get Rid Of Wolf Spider Infestation

The wolf spider is a common house spider found in most regions of the United States. The wolf spider typically grows to be a little over an inch long, although they can reach 1.5 inches in length. They have very hairy legs, with some

Published:  
October 22, 2022
Written By:  
Thomas Harper
How To Get Rid Of Wolf Spider Infestation

Even the most courageous homeowner can be terrified by a wolf spider for a reason: It is a giant, hairy spider that resembles a tarantula and can sprint quite quickly. Here's everything you need to know to kill wolf spiders and stop them from getting inside your home. 

Despite their fearsome appearance, wolf spiders are less dangerous than black widow spiders and other kinds of spiders. Wolf spider species do bite, despite the low risk. The bite of baby wolf spiders resembles bee stings.

Are They Dangerous? 

Although wolf spiders may appear dangerous, they are not. When they are threatened, they will bite. While the bite stings and leaves a red mark, it is not a fatal or hazardous bite. 

The best treatment method for wolf spider bites is to apply an ice pack. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-itch ointments reduce swelling and irritation. Even though the bite may hurt immediately, it stops hurting after a short while. Although the bite may swell, it goes away in a day or two. But the itchy feeling last the longest.

What Attracts Wolf Spiders?

Wolf spiders are timid, lonely, and rare. They only bite if provoked. 

However, keep an eye out for them in their favorite spots: 

  • Wolf spiders favor dark locations like garages, basements, and attics where beetles reside. 
  • Look for wolf spiders in your lawn, garden, under leaves, or in log piles. 
  • They will infiltrate your home through cracks and gaps to find insects and other food.

How To Deal With Wolf Spiders

Discourage Them

Wolf spiders prefer calm, uninhabited areas, so they use a broom or vacuum to sweep up their selected hiding spots thoroughly. Do this frequently, preferably once every month.

Block Entrances

Seal up any openings they can use by using caulk, screening, and weather stripping. Keep an eye out for rips, tears, and doors, and replace or fix them immediately.

Build A Durable Barrier 

Wolf spiders tunnel in the area around dwellings before entering them. Applying pesticides, you got at the store can create a barrier to keep them away from your house. Spread the insecticides beyond your house's boundary. Ensure the barrier is 12 inches wide around your home's outside and four inches wide near the inside perimeter. Wolf spider entry into your home will be less likely, thanks to the barrier.

Clear Hiding Areas 

Wolf spiders prefer to build their nests in secluded areas where they may remain hidden. They hide in clutter amid stacks of clothing, old cartons, and newspapers. Clear the area of debris to prevent nesting. Remove any webs you observe. Spiders are resilient, so keep an eye out for new webs to appear elsewhere. Eliminate outdoor hiding places like leaf heaps and leaf debris.

Use Homemade Repellents

A substance that works exceptionally well to deter wolf spiders is boric acid. The material does not harm humans, but spiders are. Because the powdery acid is abrasive, it can kill spiders by scratching through their exoskeletons. They immediately perish if they consume it.

Contact a Professional

If you are unable to eradicate the wolf spider infestation yourself, contact a professional pest control company. Harper Pest Control has the experience and equipment necessary to ensure that all spiders in your home are eliminated. We will assess your property to determine what kind of spider is causing the problem and design a plan for removal. 

Get a Free Quote

CALL USGET A QUOTEOUR SERVICE

Can Pest Control Kill Bed Bugs

Bed bug control might be one of the most challenging aspects of pest management. It's not as simple as spraying pesticides on the contaminated region or removing items

Published:  
October 13, 2022
Written By:  
Thomas Harper
Can Pest Control Kill Bed Bugs

Bed bug control might be one of the most challenging aspects of pest management. It's not as simple as spraying pesticides on the contaminated region or removing items from the environment they use as a home. The wisest course of action will nearly always be to hire an expert.

How Do Bed Bugs Work Their Way Into Your Bed?

It is a common misconception that dirty places attract more bed bugs. The carbon dioxide given out by their hosts is a major attractant for these insects. Because of this, people are the primary way by which bed bugs spread.

In other words, they don't waste their entire existence on the prowl for a suitable host. They rarely eat more than once every week. Bed bugs only venture out of their hiding places when they are starving. It comes back soon after feeding or when exposed to bright light.

You can prevent this by being cautious about the state of the accommodation you're using while on the road. These indications mean you need to take action to eliminate those bothersome bedbugs in your home.

What Methods Do Pest Control Services Use to Kill Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs may be pretty annoying. These pests are difficult to discover and can harm a person's health if they live in their home.

You can locate Most bed bugs in beds, including the mattress, box spring, bed frame, pillows, and linen. However, they can also live in carpets, curtains, couches, and other furniture. They will clean out your entire home if you engage a professional to deal with a bed insect infestation.

When dealing with a bed bug infestation, pest control experts undertake a specific procedure to reassure homeowners that their home is truly secure.

Assessment and Inspection

Most home visits require preparing a magnifying glass and light source to check for bed bugs. They would do extensive laboratory testing in a more commercial setting where the infestation may be widespread.

Professionals evaluate the extent of the infestation after an inspection. They might create a plan of action to address the bed insect issue.

Putting The Treatment Plan Into Action

The steps carried out in this treatment plan would require a few professional equipment and insecticides. The exterminators will use a particular High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Vacuum to remove any bed bugs, shells, droppings, and eggs on the folds and corners of your beds. They will also use the exact vacuuming, steam cleaning, and spraying techniques in areas around the bed. 

Bed Bugs: How Dangerous Are They?

We already know that bed bugs consume human blood to survive, but what are the effects, and how dangerous is this behavior to people? Bed bugs carry no pathogens. They cannot spread diseases by biting people, unlike mosquitoes. Even though a single bite doesn't cause any immediate harm, bed bug-related illnesses in the past have been rather alarming.

Any home can experience bed insect problems. You can avoid them with proper upkeep and care. It would be preferable to get in touch with Harper Pest Control to handle an infestation and eliminate the bugs from your house. We will evaluate the severity of the infestation and work with you to create a customized plan for eradicating bed bugs.

Get a Free Quote

CALL USGET A QUOTEOUR SERVICE

Does Pest Control Get Rid Of Bees?

Bees can be an annoying pest to deal with. But the good news is that pest control services do offer bee removal and prevention solutions.

Published:  
October 7, 2022
Written By:  
Thomas Harper
Does Pest Control Get Rid Of Bees?

When bees decide to build a hive on your property, it can be a major source of concern. They're extremely territorial and will fiercely defend their hive if they feel threatened by intruders. If you notice more bee activity than usual in your yard, it may be time to call in the pros before things get out of hand! Pest control can get rid of bees quickly, often using non-toxic chemicals that are safe for humans and pets. They will locate and remove the hive, then treat your property to ensure no more bees will return.

How Do Pest Control Services Deal With Bees?

Pest control companies will use various methods to remove bees from your property, all dependent on the extent and type of bee invasion. Because not all pest control companies specialize in bee control, you should hire a specialist who has dealt with these insects before. Among the methods employed are:

Smoke Method

Professionals will use a smoke canister to agitate the bees and force them to leave their hive in this method. The resulting smoke is non-toxic but scented with a pheromone similar to an attacking bee colony. If you want to eliminate bees without harming them, this is an effective method.

Scare Technique

Like the smoke agitation technique, the scare method employs bright lights and loud noises to scare away the bees rather than using a pheromone, a natural defense mechanism.

Spraying of Pesticides

If there is no effective way to remove bees from their hive or it is inaccessible, pesticide sprays are the next best option. These chemicals are sprayed directly onto bee nests and kill them instantly. Unfortunately, pesticides harm other insects, such as butterflies and ladybugs. As a result, this method should be used only as a last resort.

Using Fire to Dismantle

If the bees' hive or nest is inaccessible, pest control services will use fire to demolish it. Professionals with the right training and experience should be hired for this job, as they will know where to point the flames to extinguish the bees without harming the hive or setting anything else ablaze.

Bee Prevention Tips

Bees forage for food, which is usually pollen. Honey bees, for example, may travel several miles from the hive each day in search of food.

While pollen is their primary food source, bees are also drawn to sweet foods. This includes ice cream, soda, fruit, and juice.

Removing these food sources is one way to reduce their appearance near your home. This may imply taking out the trash more frequently, regularly cleaning trash cans, and limiting open food containers while outside.

Another option for carpenter bees is to ensure that all outdoor wood surfaces are painted or treated. Carpenter bees prefer unpainted wood and are less likely to burrow through other materials.

Contact Your Local Pest Control Experts!

Call Harper Pest Control immediately if bees are suspected to be living on your property. We have the experience, knowledge, & tools to safely remove bees from your home or property. We can help identify the type of bees you have and what steps need to be taken to remove them. Get in touch with us now!

Get a Free Quote

CALL USGET A QUOTEOUR SERVICE
A Review Of Harper Pest Control

Marie R.

5 Star Review for Harper Pest Control

We've been looking for a pest control company to get our pests under control and have been very happy with this company. Thomas was very responsive and came to our home and walked the property with me so I could tell him areas to focus on. I've noticed a big improvement already! Thank you Thomas and crew!

If you have a pest problem, I highly recommend calling Harper Pest Control.

Get a Free Estimate

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

By clicking "Get a Quote," I give my electronic signature and consent that Harper Pest Control may contact me with offers at the phone number above, including by text message, autodialer or prerecorded message. Consent not required for purchase. Message & data rates may apply. Promotion is subject to local service pricing, and may not apply to some services.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.