The Hill Country’s Insect Control Specialists
Effective Solutions to Keep Your Hill Country Space Safe and Pest-Free
Are you having a challenge eliminating insects from your space?
These pests can cause damage, transmit diseases, and create nuisances in our lives.
- Bees
- Wasps
- Hornets
- Mosquitos
- Ants
- Fleas
Should you encounter an insect infestation, the professional exterminators at Hill Country Pest Control offer pest management solutions in Kerrville, San Antonio and throughout the Texas Hill Country.
Contact Hill Country Pest Control to take care of your pests and give you peace of mind!
Bees, Wasps, and Hornet Treatments in the Texas Hill Country
If you notice an unusually large amount of bees, wasps, or hornets around your house or garden, there is probably a nest close by.
In the Texas Hill Country, this is common and can cause problems, such as stings.
Identifying whether the insect is a bee, wasp, or hornet can be challenging. Although they might look alike, their behaviors are distinctly different.
Bees
The Hill Country of Texas is home to a wide variety of bees, which offer tremendous benefits to our environment. Nonetheless, having a nest close to your residence can lead to property damage, physical injuries, and negatively impact these essential pollinators. Our bee control services can help if you have a bee problem on your property.
Wasps and Hornets
Wasps and hornets pose a greater risk than bees due to their aggressive behavior if provoked. Moreover, unlike bees, these insects can sting multiple times without dying. Our wasp control or hornet control services can help you out, if you keep running into wasps or hornets on your property.
Regardless of if its bees, wasps, hornets or something else, Hill Country Pest Control can help. If you think you might have a bee, wasp or hornet problem at your Kerrville, San Antonio, Bandera, or surrounding area property let us know. We can inspect the property and determine the correct approach. We offer bee control, wasp control and hornet control, so you know you are covered, not matter what we find.
First Step: Leave the vicinity
Second Step: Seek treatment
Immediate action is required:
1. Remove the stinger and apply a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.
2. If symptoms worsen, it’s crucial to immediately seek emergency medical help, due to the possibility of an allergic reaction.
Hill Country Pest Control offers thorough inspections of your property along with quick and efficient removal and treatment services for hornets, bees, and wasps.
Ant Control Services in San Antonio, Kerrville and the Texas Hill Country
Besides biting individuals and possibly triggering allergic reactions, ants can inflict damage on your property or destroy your lawn.
Hill Country Pest Control’s expert ant exterminators use specialized techniques to effectively manage different ant species. We offer fire ant control services, carpenter ant control service and any other species you may encounter in the Texas Hill Country.
Fire Ants
Fire ants, which are small and reddish-brown, turn highly aggressive if provoked. They have even been known to harm electrical devices.
They usually favor sunny spots for constructing their mounds. Beneath these mounds, a complex network of tunnels enables them to move and forage without being seen.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are large and are active throughout the year. This type of ant can be located both indoors and outdoors.
Typically, carpenter ants establish their nests outside, utilizing dead trees, telephone poles, porches, pillars, and roofs as their habitats. They tend to venture indoors in search of food and water.
Hill Country Pest Control’s carpenter ant control service employs a blend of chemical and non-chemical methods to eliminate carpenter ants at all stages, including workers, eggs, larvae, and the queen, for total carpenter ant remediation.
Given their aggressive behavior, the most effective approach to managing ant colonies on your San Antonio, Kerrville or Hill Country property is contact Hill Country Pest Control. One of our exterminators can create a tailored treatment strategy for your San Antonio, Kerrville or Hill Country property.
Mosquito Control Services in San Antonio, Kerrville, and the Texas Hill Country
Although mosquitoes are often considered merely a nuisance, they pose a significant health risk, making them one of the most dangerous pests.
Their ability to transmit diseases such as malaria, encephalitis, yellow fever, and dengue fever underscores the severity of their threat.
To reduce the mosquito population near your home, eliminating any standing water is crucial, as it creates an ideal breeding ground for them.
Common sources of standing water include rain gutters, buckets, birdbaths, and swimming pools.
Additionally, maintaining your yard by regularly mowing the lawn and removing weeds around fence lines can deter their presence.
When choosing a mosquito repellent, opt for products that are EPA approved for safety and effectiveness.
For a more lasting solution to mosquito issues, contact Hill Country Pest Control and ask about our mosquito control service. Our expert exterminators can provide specialized treatments to effectively manage mosquito populations.
Flea Control Services for San Antonio, Kerrville and the Texas Hill Country
In San Antonio, Kerrville, Bandera and the rest of the Texas Hill Country, fleas are causing significant trouble, proving to be a major irritant for both people and pets despite their tiny size.
These pests are capable of jumping considerable heights to reach and feed on the blood of humans, pets, and other animals.
The aftermath of their bites can lead to itching, the formation of swollen red bumps, skin irritation, and flea allergy dermatitis, not to mention the potential for disease transmission.
Pets may suffer from hair loss, further skin issues, and even tapeworms due to flea infestations.
The best strategy against fleas is prevention. Nevertheless, if an infestation occurs, there are effective methods to eliminate these pests.
The initial step involves removing adult fleas from affected humans or pets through the use of specialized shampoos and treatments. Following this, a comprehensive deep cleaning of your home is essential to eradicate flea eggs and larvae from bedding, linens, and other areas.
Addressing a flea problem can be overwhelming, but the professionals at Hill Country Pest Control are equipped with advanced flea control techniques to efficiently resolve the problem.
Whether you are looking to prevent or resolve flea infestations, Hill Country Pest Control has the solution.
Cockroach Control in San Antonio, Kerrville, and the Rest of the Texas Hill Country
Similar to other insects, roaches invade homes in search of food, water, and shelter. They exploit pipes, drains, and cracks or gaps in the exterior to infiltrate their chosen environment.
Once inside, cockroach populations expand their nests until overcrowding drives them into the open, alerting homeowners to the issue.
Securing food in airtight containers and minimizing clutter are key strategies for preventing and managing roach infestations.
To address a cockroach problem, contact us and our technicians will effective treatment methods to help get your cockroach problem under control.
Contact Hill Country Pest Control for our Cockroach control service.
Reviews
Insect Control Service Areas:
Bandera
Castroville
Center Point
Comfort
Concan
Harper
Helotes
Hondo
Hunt
Ingram
Kerrville
Lakehills
Leakey
Medina
Mountain Home
Pipe Creek
Rio Frio
Rocksprings
San Antonio
Tarpley
Utopia
Vanderpool
Frequently Asked Questions
Bugs in General
In the big picture, several factors can cause pest infestations, including:
* Weather and Seasonal changes
* Loss of wild habitat or food and water shortages in the wild
* Non-native invasive species
Tropical storms and hurricanes can relocate pests to a nearby area while other bugs, like American cockroaches, will purposefully seek higher ground to avoid a rainy season. Homes are inviting to pests because they can supply food and water without many of the natural predators in the wild. Homes are also warm and provide shelter for pests against otherwise rough weather conditions. When these pests find a surplus of food and water in a non-threatening environment, this causes a population boom and results in an infestation.
Additionally, home and business construction can destroy wild habitats, forcing animals and bugs alike to seek a means of survival elsewhere. Not only this, but the loss of their natural habitat may leave them with a shrinking food supply in the wild.
For some pests, a home is a place to thrive. Standing water in clogged gutters, sand toys, baby pools, planters, birdbaths, and pet water bowls are ideal places for mosquitoes to breed. Termites literally eat your home as if you’re living in it. Drywood termites burrow deep into the wood and eat as they go. Subterranean termites form colonies outside the home and transport wood back to their underground colonies.
The good news is that there are things you can do to keep pests away from your home. Even mulch placed too close to your foundation can attract pests. Start by looking for clutter, unfinished wood projects, and low-light areas where bugs may be flourishing unchecked. Outside, check for dense or tall vegetation that needs trimming. Also, check for trees or bushes that are close to the home’s roof and walls. Lastly, the most important thing you can do to avoid pests is to seal cracks, holes, and crevices in your foundation.
Luckily, there is a lot you can do a lot to prevent pest infestations. If pests continue to bother you in your home professional help is always available. Sometimes, pests just don’t respond to DIY methods and professional expertise and tools are needed. Contact Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville today for more information.
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Preventing pest infestation is a lot easier than trying to get rid of pests once they’ve infested a home. However, sometimes it’s too late for prevention and the pests have already made their way into the home. Some DIY methods work, but more often than not, they don’t.
Professional pest control companies are experts at dealing with a variety of pests and specifically the kids of pests native to your region. Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville is a well-established business that can help you out with pest control in the Hill Country. We are trained professionals with licenses to use different equipment that might be the key to ridding your home of unwanted pests.
Professional pest control companies, such as Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville employ professionals who are trained and licensed to use a combination of the newest technology, trusted methods, and geographical knowledge to eliminate pests in your Kerr County home.
Additionally, we recommend the following steps to prevent pests in your home:
* Seal cracks or holes around doors entryways, floorboards, and windows
* Replace or repair the screens in windows and doors and vents
* Cut back tall vines, grass, shrubs, and trees
* Keep your lawn and ornamental plants well kept
* Declutter your yard
* Eliminate standing water
* Disinfect your countertops, surfaces, shelves, and floors regularly
* Keep sink drains and countertops free of food particles
* Clean garbage containers regularly and keep a lid on the garbage
If your home’s pest infestation needs professional attention, call Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville today.
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Pests can enter homes in many ways. Some pests hitchhike in bags or packages. The most common types of bugs that enter the home like this are fleas, beetles, and weevils. These bugs come from outside and lay eggs in the home to create new populations inside your home. Other garden bugs might be brought inside by bringing live plants into your home.
While some bugs hitchhike into the home, the majority of pests will enter your home through cracks, crevices, holes in the screen, or plumbing pipes. Sealing cracks and putting up screens is the best way to fight and prevent these infestations. Rodents can fit through holes as small as 1/4th inch. Rodents are especially harmful pests because they can bring additional harmful pests like ticks and fleas with them. Ants, flies, roaches, and other pests also commonly enter homes through crevices and cracks. Checking your floors, walls, windows, and doors, for small holes routinely will help prevent pest infestation.
Additionally, outdoor maintenance is just as important as indoor maintenance when it comes to infestation. Tree branches that touch houses can act as bridges for rodents and insects to enter homes. Overgrown grass can house ticks that may be brought inside by pets. Torn vents around the outside of the home can let in a multitude of pests. Some insects can live in sewers that connect to pipes in homes such as cockroaches. They can enter homes through drains in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
If your home is overcome with a single pest type or a combination of pests, look no further than Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville. Pests attract more pests. Get the help you need and start feeling comfortable again in your home.
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In the past, many companies recommended monthly services. With modern technology, research, and new products, visits aren’t needed as frequently. In most cases, treatment will be required every quarter but this depends on several factors. Each plan will be customized to the unique needs of your property.
At Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville we find the root cause of each pest and create pest control plans that control pest populations for years to come. For example, if pests have infested your lawn, we’ll also take a look at your watering and mowing habits. Sometimes, suboptimal habits can weaken lawns and make them more susceptible to recurrent disease and infestation. Likewise, in addition to removing rodents, we will also locate and seal entry points to prevent them from reentering the home. This method of treatment and prevention gives our customers the best results we can offer.
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To stop bugs from coming into your home you need to make your home unattractive to pests and make it difficult for them to maneuver around the home.
Outdoors, you can stop bugs from coming into your home by:
* Seal cracks or holes around doors entryways, floorboards, and windows
* Replace or repair the screens in windows and doors as well as vent screens around the house
* Eliminate plant bridges that pests can use to enter your home via tall vines, grass, shrubs, and trees
* Keep your lawn and ornamental plants well kept.
* Do not stack firewood on the side of the house, preferable stack it at least ten feet away
* Declutter your yard, removing piles of anything that pests can hide in
* Store kids’ toys and gardening containers and tools out of the elements where they won’t collect water that can attract pests
* Eliminate standing water. Change birdbaths, pet water bowls or kiddy play pools every day.
* Clean gutters and make sure your downspouts drain away from your house
Indoors you should sanitize and clean to keep pests away.
* Sweep or vacuum floors regularly or after any meal scraps fall on the floor
* Get tight-fitting lids for trash cans
* Wipe down all food prep and dining surfaces after each meal or snack
* Don’t leave dishes in the sink and clean food debris from the drain area of the sink
* Use hard plastic containers to store dry goods and pet food
* Repair or replace leaky faucets
* Declutter piles of toys, papers, clothes, or other areas that pests might hide
* Instead of cardboard boxes, use thick plastic totes or hard plastic boxes for attic and basement storage
* Make a habit of checking inside boxes and packages for pests
Pest prevention starts with daily habits you can pick up over time. Sealing entry points and maintaining the outside of your home as well as the inside is equally important. Despite your best efforts, sometimes bugs and animals still find their way inside. If you find yourself in this situation, call Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville.
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This can vary from company to company. A company will usually use a package treatment plan that is specific to their local county’s common pest requests and issues. Our plan at Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville is intended for the Hill Country region. This common program includes resistance against cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, and pill bugs.
From there, we also offer more specific add-ons to further personalize care. Certain pests, such as fleas and ticks, are most commonly a problem for customers who have pets. Instead of treating these in the basic package, we offer them as an as-needed add-on. Termites are another group of insects that requires specialized service and treatments. Regular pest control service, unfortunately, will do nothing to prevent termites. Lastly, mosquitoes also require a treatment service that is not included.
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Most people do not notice any strong odor if any at all. The chemicals we use are modern and approved for home use. Although not all treatments require you to leave the house, we recommend that sensitive people or pregnant women should leave the home while the services are performed. We can’t say for certain if you will or won’t need to leave the home because each service is different. For more information about each service, contact Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville today.
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Most bugs are most active Spring through Autumn. At around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, insects lose mobility. Many insects hibernate or have other means to survive the cold winters. Insects don’t become fully functional until temperatures reach 70 degrees. In April, when the weather is warm, bugs quickly multiply to replenish their populations. By summer and early fall, bug populations are at their peak.
Some pests seek refuge in homes during winter. These include roaches, ladybugs, stink bugs, and silverfish. Bugs are attracted to the shelter and warmth of a home. Especially in places where many bugs do not have winter routines, they might seek refuge in your home to survive the winter chill.
Pests can invade your home at any time of year. Our trained pest control experts at Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville are equipped to deal with any pest in any season. We not only treat the pests at hand, but we get to the source and survey your property to make adjustments that will prevent future infestations.
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Pests like kitchens because they contain the resources for survival. Just like humans, bugs are interested in food and water. Even small traces of food and water on countertops, dirty dishes, or on the floors can be attractive to bugs. To prevent bugs from infesting your kitchen, you need to make your kitchen uninteresting to pests.
The best method to keep the kitchen pest-free is to clean as you go. After each meal or snack, clean up and wipe down counter spaces. Although tedious, this process will keep your home fresh and clean. If pests persist, look for cracks, crevices, and holes in your foundation and around entry points that pests can enter through. Seal them to prevent pests from entering the kitchen.
Place all opened bags/boxes of food in airtight containers or your fridge. Secondly, clean the floors and behind appliances regularly. These often untouched corners where bits of leftovers pile up are highly attractive to bugs. If you have pets, do not leave food out for long periods. If possible, only leave out the amount of food needed per meal. Regularly clean your pet’s food and water bowls.
If you’re experiencing kitchen pests, consult a professional pest control service such as Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville to make your kitchen feel safe and clean again.
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Tiny black bugs could be several different types of bugs. Determining which type of bug is in your kitchen will help you get rid of the best.
# 1 Ant
Ants walk in lines that can easily be traced. They form these trails between food sources and their colonies. These creatures have six legs and segmented bodies that give them the illusion of a ‘waist’. They can be as small as ¼ inch or as large as a ½ inch. Most ants are black, brown, or red.
Fortunately, they pose no health threats and are not destructive. But they can be exceedingly difficult to get rid of. Baiting is the best system to eliminate ants. If you spray ants, you are only able to kill what you see which is likely a small fraction of the colony. However, when the ants take the bait, they bring it back to their entire colony, stopping it at the source.
# 2 Cockroaches
Despite the typical large roaches you might think of at first thought, there are immature roaches as well that can be tiny and black. These tiny black bugs do not have a recognizable head, thorax, or abdomen. They usually are oval-shaped and are anywhere from ½ inch to 3 inches in size. These are more threatening creatures than ants because they carry the diseases Salmonella and E. Coli. Sometimes, roaches can reach high population numbers without being noticed because they move in the darkness and scatter in the light. like It’s important to eliminate roaches in your kitchen as soon as possible before they grow into a full-blown infestation.
Cockroaches like warm, dark spaces to breed, such as under your fridge or sometimes in appliances like microwaves. Licensed technicians have the latest technology and specialty products to deal with a roach infestation. Keeping counter spaces sanitized and clear of food can help reduce the roaches’ attraction to the area. Also, store food and trash in airtight containers. The less access to clutter, food remnants, and trash, the better.
#3 Pantry Pests
Pantry pests are tiny black bugs that can be found in stored food products like cereal, flour, pasta, rice, spices, etc. Beetles and weevils make their way into the home through food boxes and find their way into other pantry items. These bugs prefer to lay their eggs in dark quiet places. Untouched items like baking flour only used on occasion or during the holidays are susceptible to these pests. To prevent this, store your baking ingredients, as well as cereals and other grains in air-tight glass, metal, or hard plastic containers. In addition, check the expiration dates of food and occasionally wipe down the corners and backs of cupboards.
#4 Fruit Flies
These flying little bugs are flies that buzz around and multiply quickly. As the name suggests, food left on countertops like fruit can attract them to your kitchen. Although gross, a fruit fly problem can be easily resolved through a solution of vinegar and water. This safe solution is effective and affordable.
Sometimes tiny back bugs can easily be resolved through DIY methods like fruit flies. In other cases, a pest control expert might be necessary. Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville is a family-owned company. We have been eliminating pests in our community for 83 years. If you can’t identify the type of black bug in your pantry, call Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville for a free consultation.
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Bugs are so creepy to some people for a few reasons. It might be due to the Hollywood horror industry scaring movie fans with swarms of killer bees, gigantic oversized spiders, scorpions, and so on. Sometimes on a psychological level, humans are creeped out by bugs because of the way they look. Their antennae, tiny eyes, multiple legs, and exoskeletons can make them particularly unattractive. Additionally, bugs are creepy because some are dangerous. Some do sting, bite and carry diseases that can be transmitted to people. Ticks for example are creepy because they feed on human blood. Not only this but they carry life-threatening diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Another blood-sucking insect is the mosquito that carries malaria, yellow fever, West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and other diseases. Although bed bugs don’t carry diseases that threaten humans, they are creepy because they feast on human blood while their victims sleep. Just the idea of bugs crawling on you while you’re asleep is creepy as well.
Many bugs are creepy because they can reproduce and multiply quickly. Sighting a single roach for example can cause concern that there is more hiding. Cockroaches can also be scary and even dangerous. Roaches running through pipes and sewers and then across the silverware of surfaces in your kitchen can contaminate your food. In some sensitive people, it can cause allergic reactions.
Some people think spiders are the creepiest insects of all. There are only a few species of spiders that are harmful to humans like black widows and brown recluse spiders. We might not understand why we react to different bugs differently, but these basic instincts have helped humans avoid dangerous things – like bugs throughout history. Creepy bugs are sometimes harmless and sometimes deadly through bites or the diseases they carry. Lots of people are creeped out by bugs and for a good reason!
If you are creeped out by bugs in your Hill Country home, give Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville a call. We’ll get your home or business pest-free. Contact us today to set up a free inspection in the Kerr County area.
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Scientists are still determining if bugs sense emotions like fear or pain. For most bugs, humans are seen as predators. This fear causes a trigger response for them to scatter, run or seek refuge. There are several studies on this subject such as one done in 2015 by the California Institute of Technology. Published in Science Daily, the study found that fruit flies could sense and respond to the threat of a simulated overhead predator. The flies either moved or froze until they sensed a safer environment. This research suggests that these experiments “provide objective evidence that visual stimuli designed to mimic an overhead predator can induce a persistent and scalable internal state of defensive arousal in flies, which can influence their subsequent behavior for minutes after the threat has passed.” It is important to note that this study doesn’t suggest these bugs are experiencing feelings, but they are triggering a reaction that mimics fear.
Although roaches seemingly run away when lights are turned on, these bugs aren’t afraid. They are responding to the stimuli of the lights turning on. Interestingly, bugs can’t sense human fear. They do not contain the neuro-transmitters to identify human fear. Some insects are even attracted to people like bed bugs, mosquitoes, and ticks because it is vital to their survival. For example, bed bugs are attracted to the Carbon Dioxide that humans exhale while sleeping. Ticks need a blood meal to transform into their next phase of life. These bugs are adapted to habits and patterns that help them survive, whether it be running from or gravitating toward humans.
Although bugs aren’t scared of humans, you might be scared of bugs. If this sounds like you, Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville is here to help. Contact us today to set up a free inspection in the Kerr County area.
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Bugs can seem gross because they have unsettling looks and behavior patterns. Bugs have evolved for survival which has given them unique features. The creepy-crawly feeling that people associate with an overwhelming number of insects has inspired horror films by tapping into that subconscious squirmy reaction.
Many people find spiders absolutely terrifying especially because they are associated with Halloween. Interestingly, most spiders are beneficial to you and only a small number are harmful. Most spiders help control the population of other pests that enter your home by eating them. Spider webs can also be beautifully designed. It is important to determine the looks of widow spiders, brown recluses, and Australia’s funnel-web spiders because these are among the most commonly occurring and deadly spiders. Widows and recluse spiders won’t chase you. They bite reactively. Avoid them by watching your step in brush areas, especially at night. Spiders look most unlike humans than most other creatures which may contribute to the gross feeling they give people. With multiple eyes, legs, and hard outer skeletons, it is no mystery why their bodies feel so unfamiliar and unsettling.
In large numbers, spiders, worms and other bugs can terrify people. Generally, humans fear things they don’t understand. Honey bees, for example, are misunderstood. Honey bees are important pollinators that are essential to the food we eat and the air we breathe. They help plants grow and repopulate. But a lot of people think all bees, wasps, and hornets are dangerous killer bees. Unless you have a severe bee allergy, most bees are harmless in the long term. But some of this fear of bees is justified. Bees are wired to protect their hive, even at the cost of their lives. When a bee feels threatened, it will sacrifice its life by stinging the invader. A large number of bee stings can be not only painful but in rare cases, deadly. Similarly, a fear of termites, ticks, mosquitoes, whiteflies, and roaches is also justified. These bugs threaten businesses and homes alike. There is nothing wrong with fearing bugs. It’s part of being human! Educating yourself on what types of bugs are harmful and how to avoid them can help you feel safer and reduce the gross feeling they give us.
It is normal to want to keep bugs out of your home, business, or lawn. We can do general sprays around the home and outdoor spaces to regularly maintain bug populations. If this interests you, Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville is available to help in the Hill Country area.
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The simple answer is – bug populations usually flourish in spring and summer and plummet in winter. They are often unable to function properly below 40 degrees. Some bugs die off in the winter, such as male mosquitoes. In some honey bee colonies, the worker bees stop pollinating and their job becomes to keep the queen warm and alive until spring. Flies hibernate in larval and pupal stages under manure and other organic matter. Most cockroaches, as resilient as they are, die at low temperatures. They often try to survive in warm homes near vents and heaters. Brown recluse spiders die at just 44 degrees Fahrenheit but black widow spiders can overwinter in a sheltered space. Some bugs will migrate to warmer climates, such as the Monarch butterfly.
Some bugs hibernate. For example, ants eat lots of food to prepare for winter and hibernate underground. Amazingly, some bugs can convert the water in their bodies to glycerol which acts as antifreeze to stay alive. However, the type of bugs you might find in your home during the winter depends on where you live. In parts of California, Texas, or Florida, the weather may allow such bugs to survive winter.
It is important to monitor for pest activity all year long. Although some bugs die during winter, many hibernate and resurface in the Spring.
Not sure who to call for professional pest control? In Hill Country, contact the experienced team at Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville. With over 83 years of serving local homes and businesses, Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville is your go-to pest control company for any bug population control needs.
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Cold weather does kill some bugs, but many hibernate. Especially bugs like queens hibernate during cold weather and reemerge at the first sign of warm weather to form new colonies. Yellow-jacket males, on the other hand, die during the winter because the queen will birth new yellow jackets for the spring. Even if they don’t die, many bugs are inactive during the winter months. Some bugs hibernate under the soil, such as ants. Other insects survive in a semi-hibernation state known as diapause, in hiding areas like trees or wood stumps. Some can even convert the water in their bodies to glycerol which becomes a sort of antifreeze to keep them alive. Nymphs and eggs often survive winter and hatch in summer-like those of dragonflies or stoneflies. They remain at the bottom of lakes or rivers that do not completely freeze in the chilly weather. Most cockroaches, as resilient as they are, can’t survive at low temperatures. They often try to survive indoors by seeking refuge near the vents and heaters of buildings. Monarch butterflies migrate to warmer places before chilly weather comes.
Random spells of warmth may kill bugs in the winter if the weather suddenly becomes cold again. Warm spells in the winter may result in killing bugs when temperatures drop again suddenly. Although bugs aren’t as common in the winter, many are living year-round.
If you have seasonal pest issues, we are here to help at Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville. With over 83 years of serving local homes and businesses, Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville is well equipped to help with any pest control needs.
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Bugs seemingly disappear in the winter because the cold weather makes them less active. While many bugs die off, others find unique ways to survive the winter weather. Some find a warm area to hide. Many bugs go into various dormant states like hibernation or diapause. And a small number of bugs, such as Monarch butterflies, do disappear because they migrate to warmer climates. Other bugs, such as honeybees, spend the winter in hollow areas of stumps or other holes converting stored honey into body heat. Instead of pollinating, the honeybee’s main job is to keep the queen warm and alive. Ants hibernate in the soil until warmer weather. Some bugs significantly reduce in population size and most die off like wasps, hornets, and yellowjackets. Only the fertilized queens live to the spring. Similarly, male mosquitoes die off in the winter. But, female mosquitoes change their diet and habits to survive the winter conditions.
Some bugs enter a state of diapause which is like a semi-hibernation. These bugs enter a dormant state. A key characteristic of diapause is these bugs regulate their body temperatures by turning the water in their bodies into glycerol. This chemical exchange works as an anti-freeze to keep their bodies from freezing entirely. Bugs become inactive during the wintertime because they can’t function properly in cold weather. However, in states like Florida, California, and Texas bugs can remain active year-round as the temperatures remain warm in some areas.
If you are experiencing winter pests, or want to prevent the spring bugs from entering your home, Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville has your back. With years of experience treating private and commercial properties across Kerr County, we are ready to help with any pest control issues at any time of the year.
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Fruit Flies
Just a few fruit flies can quickly turn into a nightmare of buzzing tiny black bugs. These creatures are attracted to the smell of fermenting fruit and vegetables. These bugs then lay their eggs inside of or on top of overripe and rotting fruits and vegetables. While they find their way inside from the outdoors. A single fly can quickly multiply. Each fruit fly can lay up to 500 eggs at one time!
Their life cycle is sustained because their larvae can feed on the rotting fruit before maturing. Then, just two days after becoming adults, they can mate and start over again.
Staying vigilant on sanitation is the best way to avoid and get rid of fruit flies. There are several measures you can take to control these populations and keep your kitchen bug free!
* Discard overripe fruit and vegetables
* Do not leave fruits and vegetables on countertops (until fruit flies are completely gone)*
* Scrub your countertops, surfaces, shelves, and floors
* Keep sink drains and countertops free of food particles
* Clean garbage containers regularly and keep a lid on the garbage
If fruit flies persist, some people suggest trapping the fruit flies. There are a few ways you can do this. First, fill a glass or a bowl with apple cider vinegar. Cover the top of the glass or bowl with plastic wrap and make small holes in the plastic film. Fruit flies fly into the container but won’t be able to escape. For maximum effectiveness, it is best to keep your countertop sanitized and put all food away. This will ensure that the fruit flies are attracted to the apple cider vinegar above all else. Other sources suggest adding dish soap. In theory, the apple cider will attract the fruit flies, while the dish soap will make it hard for the fruit flies to escape.
If this sounds too difficult or tedious to set up, you can also try placing an open bottle of old beer or wine near places where fruit flies have been spotted. The fruit flies will enter the top of the beverage bottles. Once inside the bottle, most fruit flies will remain trapped because the opening is smaller than the bottom space.
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Silverfish
Silverfish get their names from the silver, hard steel-like outer shell. Also, silverfish appear to move like a fish swims. These pests are not commonly thought of as destructive, but in high numbers, they are. They might not be as common as their destructive counterparts such as termites and carpenter ants, but they can do as much damage. Silverfish can eat through items like clothes, wood, papers, and books. Sentimental documents, pictures, and clothes stored in garages or attics are all susceptible to this bug. Also, furniture, frames, art, and wood beams might be eaten by these pests.
During winter, unlike other bugs, silverfish might become more active. They can easily sneak into homes and prefer to live in places like garages or attics where they can survive without being seen. This is true in many parts of the United States.
In very cold areas, these bugs can enter a state called diapause during the winter months. This is a dormant state where they convert the water in their bodies into glycerol, an antifreeze type of chemical that keeps them from freezing.
Keeping silverfish out of your home
Silverfish prevention measures do not differ much from season to season. You should do your best to remove the things that either help the silverfish get into your home or attract them to it. For example, avoid storing anything against the sides of your home such as trash cans, woodpiles, or storage cabinets. The silverfish can and will climb on these items to gain entrance to your home through vents or cracks. Also fixing leaky faucets and eliminating standing water will make your home less attractive to silverfish that need a water source to survive. On that note, run a dehumidifier in your home to dry out the things silverfish are feasting on and the silverfish themselves.
If possible, try to clear the clutter from your garage. At the least, store your important documents and clothing in air-tight containers. Sweep and wipe down surfaces in your garage regularly. Keeping floors and surfaces clear of food or water particles in your home will additionally deter silverfish as well as other pests.
Remember, silverfish are looking for a place to thrive. Eliminating water sources and storing belongings in airtight containers can deter them from your home. If the silverfish just won’t budge, reach out to Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville.
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Bees
In most cases, honey bees are not dangerous. They are generally peaceful creatures and help pollinate the planet. they will, however, react when they feel their hives are threatened. Honey bees only sting as a final resort to protect the hive from an intruder, unlike yellow jackets and wasps which can sting a victim multiple times. When honey bees sting, they must sacrifice their lives because they aren’t able to remove their barbed stingers after a sting without pulling some of their digestive tract, muscles, and nerves along with it.
Honey bee stings can cause a severe allergic reaction in some people, as severe as anaphylactic shock, and sometimes can be fatal. Victims of stings should seek medical attention immediately if symptoms of an allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock ensue.
While honey bees don’t usually bother other animals, farmers across the country have reported more aggressive behavior in recent years. While the United States has been home primarily to the European honey bee, a more reactive and protective honey bee, the Africanized honey bee has spread. Unlike the European honey bee, the Africanized honey bee exhibits behavior such as chasing and bumping into people or animals.
This behavior suggests to researchers that wild bees in America are becoming Africanized as hives mix and repopulate. The aggressive Africanized honey bees were sent to Brazil in the 1950s to increase honey production. They escaped captivity and have slowly but surely made their way up to and through North America. As temperatures get warmer, Africanized bees continue to move further north. As they spread, more people are raising concerns.
If you spot a honey bee hive near your home, do not attempt to remove it yourself. If the hive is particularly aggressive, keep your distance until a professional team can help. Contact your local pest control company such as Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville to discuss safe beehive removal in Kerr County. With over 83 years of pest control experience, we are prepared to help you with any pest control problems.
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Beehives thrive for much longer than the bees within them often live. In beehives, each bee has a specific role. The majority of bees are assigned to be worker bees. A large colony can contain nearly 60,000 worker bees to a single queen. Several factors determine how long bees in the hive live. Worker bees born in the spring and summer months live just 6 to 8 weeks. Worker bees born in the fall can live up to 4 or 6 months. This is because spring and summer are active seasons that require intense work for honey bees and the cooler months are less intense.
After staying in the hive for the first few weeks of their lives, warm weather worker bees must leave the hive to collect pollen and nectar to feed their members. While outside the hive, worker bees are more exposed to sickness and predators. Worker bees take care of the brood, as well. Job intensity is the main factor that determines the short span of life during the summer and spring months. Contrastingly, fall and winter worker bees usually remain inside the hive because their main job is to keep the queen warm. In the spring, the cycle continues and worker bees are sent back out from the hive to collect food.
Drone bees remain in the hive. They can’t sting and they have no duties other than to mate with the queen. With a life span of 3 weeks to 3 months, they live a shorter time than worker bees. Drones die after mating with the queen because their reproductive organs are ripped from their bodies during the mating process. Most drones will never have the chance to mate but they are kept around in ample supply in case the time comes In the spring, the winter drones can continue living in the hive, but at the beginning of winter, worker bees throw out the remaining drones to reduce the population size and conserve resources.
Queens have one important task, to reproduce. Queen bees live from 3 to 5 years. As the queen ages, she begins to produce fewer eggs, and her pheromone levels decrease which weakens her control of the hive. Once the workers become aware of this, they kill the queen and begin the cycle of raising a new queen. A group of about 20 larvae are selected by the bees and fed a diet of royal jelly until a new queen is chosen from the group.
Honey bee hives can last for as long as the exterior conditions permit. As long as the bees can continue their seasonal cycles, a hive will remain.
If there is a beehive that needs to be removed around your home, contact an experienced pest control team such as Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville.
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When beehives are removed, not all of the bees are present. Some are still flying around the area. Worker bees might be pollinating plants nearby. These leftover bees after a hive removal service are called straggler bees. These straggler bees eventually return to the nest and look for their queen. They sometimes gather in a small group. Some bees who were separated from the original colony might search for a new queen to start another colony. But, straggler bees can only survive for a week or two without the hive, and often they are not successful in starting a new colony.
To avoid many straggler bees being left behind, we recommend removing the hive early in the morning or later in the evening. If completed very early in the morning, the worker bees will likely still be inside the hive and if done later in the afternoon, the worker bees will likely be back from their pollination duties. During mid-day, most bees will be out of the hive working and will become stragglers. Even if hives are removed during recommended hours, a high number of straggler bees may remain on the land. In those cases, the straggler bees can often be relocated with the help of a skilled beekeeper or a professional pest control service such as Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville.
Don’t hesitate to contact our team at Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville if you have concerns about removing a hive or questions about straggler bees after a hive removal. We are experienced in hive removal and can walk you through any questions about the process over a quick phone call.
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Avoiding bee stings is usually easy. The first step is to avoid aggravating bees. Honey bees. aren’t dangerous as long as you do not threaten their hive. In some cases, people are allergic to bee stings and these people may experience an allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. If the site of a sting swells significantly and/or moves to other parts of the body this is a common sign to seek help. Other signs include difficulty breathing, redness, tenderness, nausea, hives, or dizziness.
If the victim of a sting has no known allergy, it’s important to stay calm and focus on backing away from the area where they were stung. Some more aggressive bees, such as the Africanized honey bee, are known to chase intruders when threatened. Next, calmly and carefully remove the stinger by scraping across it with a fingernail or a hard edge like a credit card. We don’t recommend tweezers because the pulling and squeezing can release more venom as you try to pull it loose. Next, wash the area with fragrance-free soap and water. Then, apply a cold pack or ice to reduce potential swelling. Over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help relieve the pain. The skin and muscles affected may be sore for several days but it isn’t a striking pain.
If you think you have an active beehive on your property, contact the experts when it comes to bee and pest control. Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville offers beehive removal and many other services in the Kerr County area to keep you and your loved ones safe.
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Fleas
There are several household products like boric acid and diatomaceous earth that can be used to deter fleas. Along with thoroughly vacuuming flea-infested areas, this can be an effective solution to control flea populations. But often, Insect Growth Regulators (IGR) are the most effective chemicals to eliminate fleas for good. These chemicals can be safely used indoors and as surface treatments. The common chemicals used in IGRs are methoprene and pyriproxyfen.
Although safe, these chemicals need to be used carefully in indoor spaces or as spot treatments in flea-infested areas such as cracks and crevices. It is best to air out the home while using these sprays and stay outside if possible. In cases of severe indoor infestations, IGRs should be applied alongside residual sprays to give immediate results. The adult population will immediately be reduced by the residual spray. But, the larva stage will still be able to grow and develop. Therefore the IGRs prevent the larvae stage of fleas from maturing as it affects their bodies’ ability to develop. IGRs reduce flea populations because they prevent fleas from reaching the adult stages where they reproduce. This process may need to be repeated as untouched eggs hatch from their hiding places. IGRs may be applied again every two-four weeks to catch any remaining fleas as they mature from larvae.
Never apply these products directly to your pets. Pets should be kept out of infested areas, as they may become transportation for fleas between clean and infested areas. Pets should also be treated for fleas while the home and outdoor spaces are being treated.
For infested outdoor areas, a lawn spray treatment of insecticides should be applied to the greenery and landscaping. Treating the indoor and outdoor infested areas together will help eliminate the fleas from the home quickly and reduce the risk of reinfestation.
To ensure the safety of your pets please consult your veterinarian for more details about flea treatments. In the meantime, call Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville if you’re suspicious of a flea infestation in your home. We are professionals you can count on. With nearly 83 years of experience, we can help you get your home or business pest-free.
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Not always. The need for an exterminator depends on how severe your flea infestation is. You may be able to eliminate fleas yourself if there is a small area being infested such as a pet’s bed or a spot on the carpet.
However, it should be noted that if you take your pets to your veterinarian and treat them with the recommended oral or spot treatments, you also need to prepare the interior of the home for their arrival to avoid reinfestation. First, remove and replace or thoroughly launder all pet bedding on high heat. Second, vacuum all fabric surfaces and clean or vacuum all floors, decks, stoops, and porches. You can continue this process as many times as you’d like. But, if you’re still experiencing recurrent or a frustrating flea population, it is recommended to call for professional help such as Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville to exterminate the fleas in your home, on your pet, and in your yard.
Commercial products are very effective and equally safe. Each product is required to meet high standards of safety that do not harm humans, especially young children who might be accidentally exposed to these products.
DIY treatments, although sometimes effective for small populations of fleas, often cannot produce the same results as a professional exterminator who is trained, licensed, and certified. Not only this, but a professional is most equipt to safely handle professional flea elimination products.
If crucial procedures are not followed, your infestation may even get worse. While you might think a professional exterminator is too expensive, you might end up spending a lot of money on ineffective products. And more importantly, waste a lot of time as the populations continue to multiply. Fleas can carry diseases and pathogens that can infect humans and pets. Although fleas do not live on people, people can still be bitten by fleas when passing through an infested area.
Hiring a professional pest control company to take care of a flea infestation is the safest and most effective way to handle fleas. A well-established pest control company like Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville in the Kerr County area are trained and experienced to handle any and any pest situation.
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If you decide to professionally treat your home and lawn for fleas, there are several preparations and aftercare tips to get the best results. Any reliable pest control company, such as Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville, knows that flea treatment is a three-part process: indoor, outdoor, and pet.
In the days leading up to the removal, pay attention to the spots your pets spend the most time in – both indoors and outdoors.
Remove all pets from the home including small animals like hamsters and cover fish tanks.
Arrange an alternative location for your family and pets to be until the home has been treated. Usually, about 4-5 hours.
Take pets to the vet to be checked and treated for fleas. Keep freshly treated pets out of infested areas until they are treated. Residual control materials remain active for up to four weeks and many IGRs can last for months. This is long enough to kill any fleas that emerge after treatment. Most importantly, do not allow flea-infested pets to re-enter treated areas for at least four hours after treatment.
Keeping other unwanted pests from your property like mice, rats, and squirrels will keep fleas out of your home and away from your pets. Check all entryways to your home to check that rodents who carry fleas are not able to pass through. Even holes as small as 1/4 inch can let in unwanted pests and spread disease-carrying insects like fleas.
Not sure who to call for professional flea control treatments? In Hill Country, contact the experienced team at Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville. With over 83 years of serving local homes and businesses, Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville is your go-to pest control company for all of your flea control needs.
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Your flea problem may persist for months or worsen with time if you choose the DIY route. This is because many over-the-counter products and advice don’t work. This doesn’t mean that hiring a professional flea control specialist will require no effort. If you decide to seek professional help for your persistent flea infestation, you will need to vacuum carpets every ten days after your professional flea extermination treatment. After every vacuuming, you need to put every vacuum bag into a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it immediately. Otherwise, you risk re-infestation.
There’s a good chance you will still find fleas for up to four weeks after treatment. At the time of your treatment, the fleas were at different life stages. Puma and larvae might have escaped the insecticide treatment and hatch into adults. Don’t be alarmed. Flea populations should entirely dissipate within a few weeks after treatment.
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Mosquitos
Mosquitoes are attracted to a multitude of things. While some people’s chemical compounds attract mosquitoes, other compounds may repel them. It depends on the person and their particular combination of factors. Things like bacteria, dirt, sweat, perfume, or blood type can all be factors. Some of the things that can attract mosquitoes include:
Sweat – Female mosquitoes are attracted to humid areas because they need water to reproduce. Sweat also enhances the naturally occurring chemicals on the skin. For people with attractive chemical compounds, this can increase the bug’s attraction to them.
Pregnant women – Mosquitoes, like other blood-sucking bugs, can detect the CO2 that we exhale as we breathe. Pregnant women exhale twice as much CO2 as other humans making them easier for mosquitoes to detect and target.
Consuming alcoholic beverages – It’s said that when humans drink alcohol, they produce chemicals that attract mosquitoes.
Dark clothing – Mosquitoes can see dark clothes better than light ones and can target accordingly.
Blood type – Research shows that type O blood people are 83% more likely to attract mosquitoes.
Body temp – Mosquitoes can detect body heat meaning that the hotter you are, the easier you are for mosquitoes to find.
Perfumes and fragrances – Male mosquitoes and some female mosquitoes feed on nectars so floral fragrances and perfumes attract them as well.
Potassium, salt, and lactic acid – It’s proven that these chemicals attract mosquitos so people who consume a lot of potassium, salt, and lactic acid are more likely to attract mosquitoes than those who don’t.
If mosquitoes are a recurring and frustrating issue, call Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville today for a free consultation. We offer several services and can find the best fit for you to lower the population quickly on your property.
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Cockroaches
Roaches are one of the most distressing and upsetting pests to find in your home. Not only are these resilient bugs creepy looking, but they also can carry diseases through your home.
Many companies advertise roach sprays and traps that can work to get rid of roaches but they don’t prevent them. Although many cockroaches can enter your home through boxes or packages, these are not as likely to repopulate. The real source of entry to your home or business starts with the cracks, crevices, and holes in your foundation.
Sealing these openings is the only true way to get rid of roaches. To prevent these creatures from entering your home, the doorways, foundation, windows, drainpipes, and other possible points of entry need to be sealed.
In addition to sealing the remaining entry points, all food and water sources need to be kept away and clean. Wipe down countertops to avoid excess food or water-attracting bugs. Do not leave food on countertops and store remaining food in hard airtight containers. This is important not only to keep roaches away but in the case that a roach makes its way into your home, air-tight hard plastic containers will ensure that your food is safe to eat and untouched. Trash should also be taken out regularly and sealed.
If nothing in the abovementioned paragraphs seems to work against a roach infestation, a crack may have formed in one of the sewers or drain pipes allowing bugs in and out of the home. If nothing seems to work, call Hill Country Pest Control Kerrville today! We are a family-owned business in the Hill Country area with years of experience in the pest industry. We want you to feel safe and clean in your home. Schedule a consultation today, it’s free!
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