Like other communities in Baltimore County, Nottingham can be a frequent target for pests. So long as a home has cracks outside, and warmth and plenty of hiding spots inside, pests like bedbugs, termites, and rodents will get in no matter what.
Bed Bug Control
Bed bugs are blood-sucking insects that lurk in mattresses and anywhere else that provides a warm, snug hiding place. They like the dark and prefer to feed on us, among other mammals, because of the amount of carbon dioxide we produce.
Though their bites are obvious and usually come in clusters, these pests can go for weeks without feeding, meaning that they could be in your home without your knowing it. Though they don’t carry diseases, their bites can swell and turn into welts.
Besides the sight of a bed bug, obvious signs of their presence include their excrement, which will bleed into your sheets, and the skin they shed, which retain a bed bug shape to them.
Termite Control
Termites come in two forms, the drywood and the subterranean. The former will fly into your home and nest in pieces of dry wood, such as picture frames, upholstery, eaves, and cornices. As they eat through the wood, they’ll eject their pellet-like excrement through the tunnel. A pile of it outside of burrowed wood is a sure indication of drywood termites.
Subterranean termites do not nest in wood – they build their colonies underground – but will eat and hollow it out more quickly than drywood termites. You might find their tunnels in the soil around your home or in your basement; since they like wood that’s moist or decayed, they start with structures that have direct contact with the soil. Other signs might include the wings that swarmer termites shed after settling into a new area of your home.
Rodent Control
If you have holes or cracks in your basement or attic, be on your guard for a rodent infestation. Rats and mice will gnaw at your wood and even at the insulation around your wiring, creating the potential for a fire. They’ll take soft materials like fiberglass insulation to build their nests, and given enough time, they’ll bore holes into other parts of your home, such as your kitchen cabinets, to forage.
Rodents often harbor bacteria, fleas, and ticks. Contact with rodent urine, feces, or saliva can lead to conditions like salmonella and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. If rodents feel that they’re threatened, they’ll also bite.
These pests are easy to spot based on their shiny, dark, pellet-like droppings and their horrid urine smell. They can also leave footprints in the dust. In bed, you might hear them scuttling around your attic since they’re nocturnal creatures.
We’re Here for You
Atlantic Pest Control has a unique approach to removing each of these pests. We’ll eliminate subterranean termites with the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System, which consists of bait stations placed at strategic points around your property. Drywood termites will be fumigated, and rats can be removed usually after two extermination visits. Call us for a free estimate regarding any of these jobs.
