Seasonal Pest Control

How to Keep Wildlife Out of Your Home This Winter

Wildlife control is the hardest during winter in Waldorf, MD. Many animals need a warm place to live during the coldest months of the year. In the frigid winter temperatures, your home looks extremely cozy. But, allowing wildlife to live in your Waldorf home can be very problematic. Wildlife can spread disease, cause damage, and make a mess.

Now is the time to take steps that will keep wildlife out of your home this winter. In this article, we explain the top things you can do now to ensure your home is wildlife-free during the cold part of the year.

Steps to keep wildlife out of your home this winter

Wildlife encompasses many animals. Technically any wild animal could be considered wildlife. When we mention wildlife, we are discussing bats, beavers, birds, foxes, gophers, groundhogs, moles, opossums, pigeons, raccoons, snakes, squirrels, and vultures specifically. Some wildlife is more likely to make your home their home in the winter. For example, squirrel invasions are a common occurrence in Waldorf, but vulture intrusions are not.

No matter what the pest is, the following steps will help you keep wildlife out of your home this winter.

1) Don’t feed the wildlife.

Feeding birds, and subsequently squirrels, is very common. Some people even enjoy leaving out food for raccoons and deer or other wildlife. The problem with this is that feeding wildlife trains them to view your home and yard as a good place. They are likely to lose their fear of humans and your property. Additionally, they are much more likely to remain in the area and become a nuisance this winter if you feed them.

2) Seal any potential entrance points.

Holes or gaps in your home’s foundation, crawlspace, and roof are great entry points for wildlife. Many of the smaller animals can fit through spaces under an inch. So, you may want to hire a professional company to ensure all entrance points are sealed properly.

3) Keep trash cans secured.

While you may not be actively feeding the wildlife, an unsecured trashcan could be luring them to the area. Trash is food for many types of wildlife, who are not picky about their meals. Raccoons, squirrels, foxes, and more all enjoy raiding trashcans, especially during winter when food is scarce. To keep these pests away from your home this winter, make sure you have a trashcan with a lockable lid.

4) Contact Barefoot Pest Control.

Residents of the Waldorf, MD area should contact Barefoot Pest Control. We provide the best wildlife control of any pest control company in the area. We also give a free and zero-obligation inspection and estimate. Our same-day, night, and weekend appointments are available at no extra cost. And, you can count on our expert technicians to locate and fix any problem areas in your home. If you want to ensure that wildlife stays out of your home this winter, you need to contact Barefoot Pest Control right away. Let us work for you now so that you don’t have a big problem later.

The Secret to a Pest-Free Summer

Summers in Waldorf, Maryland are an amazing time. You want to get the most out of the amazing weather as you can. Don’t let pests force you indoors during our warm summer days. Follow the tips in this article to keep your summer pest-free.

How to make your summer pest-free

No one wants pests in their yard or home. Pests can spread disease. They can contaminate food and just generally make you miserable.

When we talk about pests, we mean a variety of animals and insects. Spiders, mosquitoes, rodents, bats, ants, hornets, wasps, bees, and more can all be found in the summer in Waldorf. You can keep these pests, and all pests really, out of your Waldorf yard by following these tips. They are the secret you need for a pest-free summer.

1. Remove all standing water.

All living things need water to survive. This applies to pests as well. Some pests, like mosquitoes, even use water to breed. Standing water in your yard is a great way to invite pests to enter your yard and home.

One of the top ways to keep pests from bothering you this summer is to remove all standing water. This doesn’t mean ponds or rivers need to be drained. But, don’t allow water to pool in tires, toys, wheelbarrows, or more.

2. Plant bug-repellent plants.

Many plants will repel pests, especially insects. The good news is that those plants are typically attractive to humans. Popular plants like lavender, rosemary, citronella, and lemongrass are great at repelling pests. You can use these plants in lawn arrangements or planters. Putting a few of them on a patio is another great way to reap their benefits.

3. Keep things clean and neat.

Clutter and lots of debris in your yard will attract pests. Rodents, like mice and chipmunks, like to use debris as shelter. They are more likely to get close to your home if there is clutter near it. Pests living by your house increases the likelihood that they will eventually enter it.

Clean up your yard of toys and other objects when they are not in use. A mowed lawn and properly mulched plants can also help reduce the number of pests in your yard this summer.

4. Be careful with food.

Be especially careful with food handling and disposal during the summer. Just as pests need water, they also need food. By depriving them of food, you will make your yard much less appealing.

Keep trash cans stored well away from your home, and preferably in sealed containers. Do not leave food outside for long periods. You should also clean all outdoor cooking apparatuses, like grills, thoroughly.

5. Contact Barefoot Pest Control.

The best way to ensure you have a pest-free summer is to contact Barefoot Pest Control. Our experts specialize in eliminating all types of pests, both familiar or not, from your home and yard. Barefoot Pest Control should be your Waldorf go-to for the best summer pest control.

Top 3 Diseases that Mosquitoes Can Carry

There is a lot that is annoying about mosquitoes. These blood-sucking insects create an itchy bite that most people throughout the world have experienced at least once. The main problem with mosquitoes is the fact that they can carry many different diseases.

Mosquitoes can potentially carry a number of serious diseases. Viruses, parasites, and bacterial diseases can all be spread by mosquitoes. There are over 3500 species of mosquitoes in the world. The good news is that only certain species of mosquito carry each disease. The bad news is that most people can’t tell the species of mosquito apart without a microscope.

Proper mosquito control by a respected company like Barefoot Pest Control in Waldorf, MD, is the only way to ensure your home and yard remain mosquito-free.

Top three diseases that mosquitoes can carry

While mosquitoes can carry a lot of different diseases, only a few are common in the United States. The viruses West Nile, Zika, and Dengue can all be transmitted by mosquito species in the U.S. That is why it is so important to understand the symptoms and risk factors of these mosquito-borne diseases.

1. West Nile Virus

West Nile virus is the number one mosquito-borne disease in the United States. It causes fever in 1/5 of those infected. Most people who are infected with West Nile will have no symptoms at all. One out of every hundred and fifty people will develop a serious version of the virus that can be fatal.

2. Zika Virus

The Zika virus has gotten a lot of press over the last few years. It made headlines in 2015 and 2016 when an epidemic of the disease occurred in North and South America. We know that the Aedes species mosquito spreads this disease. There was no reported occurrence of the Zika virus in the United States in the 2018-2019 season.

Like West Nile virus, most people who are infected with the Zika virus have no symptoms. Deaths because of the Zika virus are very rare. There is a known link between the virus and birth defects, however. So, pregnant women need to be very careful when traveling to areas with known Zika outbreaks.

3. Dengue Virus

Dengue viruses are also spread by the Aedes mosquito species. There are four different strains of the Dengue virus (1, 2, 3, and 4). Dengue affects over 100 countries throughout the world. Hot and humid locations in the U.S. could have a Dengue outbreak; although, the virus is more common in Africa, the Middle East, the Pacific Islands, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

Approximately a quarter of the people who contract Dengue have symptoms. These symptoms include fever, aches, pains, and a rash. Most people will have a mild case of Dengue, but severe symptoms are life-threatening.

How to get rid of mosquitoes

Clearly, it is important to take precautions during mosquito season. In Waldorf, many of the viruses associated with mosquitos are very uncommon. But there may still be outbreaks of West Nile, Dengue, or even Zika. Wearing long clothes and using bug repellent are great ways to protect yourself from a mosquito bite.

The best way to keep safe is to remove as many mosquitoes as possible from your home and yard. That is where Barefoot Pest Control comes into the picture. Let out experts address your mosquito problems right away. We provide a great pest control experience and guarantee our mosquito-removal services.

Call us today and you will receive same-day service and an inspection and estimate for free.