Search this site

Here's your Autumn Pest-Proofing checklist! Don't worry, this time we added some fall fun to the list!

Thank you to all who attended!

Nobody wants to wake up in the morning, take that first sip of coffee and then notice a tiny moving trail crossing the kitchen counter! Ants! Most homeowners have had to deal with these numerous “nuisance ants” at some point. Perhaps you’ve tried commercial sprays or ant traps to rid your kitchen of these relentless invaders, only to have them return a few weeks later? Learning what might be attracting them to your home and how to deter them may be the key to getting rid of them for good. What’s attracting ants to my kitchen? The answer is a simple one. It’s the same thing attracting us-food and drink! Ants can easily sniff out potential food sources by detecting odors from food sources. Some ants may be searching for water as well. Some common sources include: Crumbs on/under the kitchen table Spilled food or drinks (sugary substances, grains, meat, grease) Dirty plates stacked in the sink or left on the counter Poorly sealed food containers Dripping faucets or leaky pipes Dishwashers that don’t drain correctly or completely Access to garbage cans​ and/or garbage residue Pet food bowls What type of ant am I dealing with? In Wisconsin, the most common types of ants that may be invading your kitchen are pavement ants and odorous house ants. Fun Fact: Recently squished odorous house ants have an odor reminiscent of coconut, although some say rotting coconut or even blue cheese. If you are seeing large black ants in your kitchen, it’s likely that you are dealing with a carpenter ant infestation. Carpenter ants have different biology and behavior than the other ants mentioned. Why do these ants keep coming back? Contrary to what you are seeing, ants don’t usually live indoors. They create colonies around your property and they send out worker ants to find food and water to take back to the colony. Fun Fact: When you see a line of ants it’s because ants release a pheromone trail to alert the colony to follow them. Making your home less desirable to ants will make the colony is less likely to invade. How do I get rid of these tiny nuisances’? Many homeowners attempt to get rid of ants with DIY treatments such as poison, baits, and traps they can be found at the store, but these often fail to provide long-term protection. The best way to get rid of ants for the long-term is to let a professional handle it. With professional knowledge, equipment and treatment resolutions, the pest specialists at Safeway Pest Management can help you eradicate ant activity in your home for good.

It's Tick Awareness Week! Are you aware of the life cycle of a tick? Ticks have four life stages: egg, six-legged larva, eight-legged nymph and adult. In order to progress to successive life stages, ticks must successfully feed on a host (also known as having a blood meal). Tick eggs are often laid in the spring after female ticks complete their two to three-year life span. After the egg hatches, the tiny larva (sometimes called a “seed tick”) feeds on an appropriate host. Ticks do not hatch with any diseases or infections, however the smaller animals that they typically feed on at this stage of their life can carry disease-causing pathogens. The larva then develops (molts) into the larger nymph. The nymph feeds on a host , at this stage ticks may seek out larger hosts such as deer, raccoons and, yes, even humans. The tick then molts into an even larger adult. Ticks are still tiny and may be infected at this point. After feeding, nymphs will transition into adults. During this final stage of their life, they will again seek out a blood meal as females in particular prepare to reproduce. During the both the nymph and adult phases, ticks can seek out humans as their hosts and possibly transmit disease(s). Adult females who have mated will then lay thousands of eggs during the spring before dying soon after, as a new generation of ticks begin their life cycle. Check out the video below, both the video and info courtesy of the NPMA.

There is so much to enjoy in the springtime, especially the warmer temperatures that allow us to spend more time outdoors. But, what we might not be happy about is the seasonal allergies that are triggered by pollen from trees and flowers. Those itchy eyes and congested noses have led to The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to name May as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. But, not all allergies are seasonal allergies, some are caused by pests. The main culprit of pest allergens? The cockroach! Cockroach droppings, shed skins, and saliva all contain allergy proteins which, when inhaled, can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms, particularly in children. Along with cockroaches, other pests that can cause allergic responses are dust mites, rodents, and stinging insects. Symptoms can range from itching and hives to more serious reactions. Preventing allergens means preventing pests. Overall, good sanitation is the key to preventing pest issues. Other prevention tips include: Seal cracks and holes around the the home, including entry points for utilities and pipes, screen doors, and windows. Dispose of garbage regularly and use a tight-fitting trash can lid. Keep kitchen surfaces clean daily, including counters, stove tops and sinks. Avoid piling dishes in the sink and clean up crumbs and spills right away. Pay extra attention to kitchens and bathrooms, especially under appliances and sinks as these areas are particularly vulnerable to cockroach infestations. Vacuum and dust often. Wash blankets, rugs, and bedding in hot water. If you have done all you can to prevent pests in the home and are still are still dealing with allergy-causing pests, then it May be time to call a professional. 262-679-4422

Some pests just rate higher on the hate meter! Here’s a list of some pests that we’ve chosen as the most detestable Wisconsin pests. What pests rank high on your list of loathed pests? 1. Bed Bugs: It’s pretty easy to feel negatively about a bug that multiplies in our cozy refuge and then has the audacity to bite us while we sleep. 2. Mosquitoes: We hate mosquitoes because they just love to ruin our happy summertime! They also always seem to bring their friends along to our outdoor outings! 3. Cockroaches: It’s pretty safe to say that any fast-moving creepy-crawly that can survive nuclear war, transmit salmonella, AND surprise someone when they flip a light switch to “on”, deserves to be on our loathe list! 4. Spiders: Whether it’s the number of their legs, or the bad rap they’ve been given in movies, spiders fall (pun and additional reason intended) as one of our most feared and detested pests. 5. Ticks: They crawl under our skin, literally and figuratively. Enough said. 6. Mice and Rats: Although some people find these rodents loveable to make them a family pet, most of us don’t like anything that plays hide, poop and squeak in our home without our permission first.

As winter sets in and temperatures drop, you may be thinking that ants have died off entirely, which may be true for some, but that is not the case for a majority of ant species. Most ant species are overwintering arthropods. They will lay low deep in the soil and brave the elements through a period of dormancy. During this time the metabolic rate of the ant decreases, which makes their natural movement lessen. It’s true that it’s not common to see ants walking around your home during winter as you may see during warmer seasons. However, if there is a colony within your home or business, it will remain active even during the colder months. Observing ants swarmers or foragers indoors during the cold weather months may be the indicator that an ant colony exists somewhere indoors, like in an inner house wall, in door or window frames, or other hiding places such as under, around or in or the structure’s slab. Ants can also be hiding under flooring, with a particular attraction to heated floors during the winter season. Ants may be attracted to the interior of your structure in search of warmth and edible substances that will provide them with a good energy source. Attractants include: Crumbs on floors & countertops Food in pet food dishes Food debris in cracks in the kitchen & appliances Food debris in family rooms Water sources in the bathroom/basement Whether you’re seeing ants during the winter, or wanting to plan in advance for problems that may arise in the spring, you can call us at 262-679-4422 to have one of our certified pest specialists come to inspect and assess the situation and work with you to put together a treatment plan.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Rodizio Grill in Milwaukee for our company holiday party on January 8th, 2022. Thank you to all who attended!

With the end of autumn quickly approaching, and pests preparing to find the warmth within your home, this is the best time to check off some chores from your fall pest-proofing checklist! Below are some preparations you can make to your home to prevent pests from invading your home this fall and winter. Inspect your home for any cracks and entry point holes, paying close attention to the sunny-sides of your home as those sides (the south and west sides) are more attracting to pests looking for warmth. Seal up any you holes you may find with caulk and/or steel wool. For an extra dose of protection, check around pipes and utility entry areas for entry points as well. Pests are attracted to moisture. Keep areas such as basements, attics and crawlspaces ventilated and moisture-free. The use of a dehumidifier will aid in keeping your basement dry. Clean up leaves and outdoor debris. Trim back any branches or shrubbery around the house. Branches can become insect roadways into your home. Check and repair any screen damage. Install door sweeps to eliminate an entry point for insects and moisture. Clean debris out of gutters. Seal out moisture, drafts and insects by replacing weather stripping around doors and windows. If you’re chopping up firewood for the winter, store it at least 20 feet away from your home.

Pinch your nose, it’s the season for the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB)! This invasive insect was first detected in Wisconsin in 2010, and has since established its home in Wisconsin. This news, of course, stinks for many farmers, gardeners, and really anyone that is just yucked-out by this foul insect. Initially the BMSB was attracted to apples and pumpkins, but the insect is overall attracted to a wide array of fruit, vegetable and grain crops and ornamental trees and bushes. The BMSB originated in Asia, it wasn’t seen in the United States at all until the mid to late 1990’s, when it was spotted in Pennsylvania. Infestations of these insects tend to follow a pattern. They will start off by multiplying in urban areas, and then increase and spread into cropland. Adult BMSBs are mottled grayish-brown in color and shield shaped. They are about ½-inch to ⅝-inch long. They emit a stinky defensive odor when disturbed or crushed. The BMSB invades homes in the fall looking for a place to overwinter. You can find them congregating on the sides of buildings during warm months. Although they do not carry disease or bite, they can cause allergies, they are a significant agricultural pest, and of course, they can be quite offensive to the nose. Prevention of stinkbugs includes: • Installing weather stripping under and around doors • Screening attic and chimney vents • Caulking and sealing cracks around windows and other entry points • Replace outdoor lighting with yellow bulbs, which are less attractive to the BMSB • Sweep the bugs into a bucket filled with soapy water, causing them to drown • Vacuuming up large numbers of bugs at once, but take note that the vacuum will need to be emptied and possibly tossed outside for a time, and be aware that the vacuum cleaner may retain the stinking odor for awhile

It gets to be late summer, and just when you begin to feel like you’ve grown accustomed to what the season brings, along comes some angry stinging insects to cause a commotion! Late summer and early autumn are a typical times to find stinging insects around your home and yard. While many stinging insects are important pollinators, they are also a serious health threat to humans. Millions of Americans are at risk for stings that will lead to an allergic reaction, especially from insects such as wasps and yellow jackets, which can sting multiple times. So why do stinging insects attack? Many of the hornet and yellow jacket species that sting us are social insects. Social insects live in colonies and social insects treat those colonies as humans do their families. In the spring a single solitary queen will emerge from winter dormancy and begin the task of starting the family. The workers mature over the summer and become very busy killing insects to feed the larvae in the nest. Until midsummer the most common reason for an attack is if an insect feels its nest is under attack (to protect the nest). Many species of stinging insects will build nests in the vicinity of humans, so even walking near a nest by your home could potentially pose a threat to a stinging insect. In fact, not only will an individual insect have an issue with your presence, but they will also release a pheromone and communicate to the rest of the nest inhabitants to take notice of you. Things change when the queen starts to lay her final brood, which the kings and queens will soon fly away to begin their own colonies. Once the kings and queens exit the nest in late summer, the workers are left behind have nothing left to guard. Their only tasks are to protect themselves and to eat whatever they want. This tends to be sugary foods, which humans have plenty of, which is why August and September are months that bring the most yellow jacket stings. Some helpful tips: Instead of swatting at a stinging insect, try gently blowing it away from a distance. If you are being attacked, stay calm and try not to flail your arms, but do run! It’s best to try and find some kind of barrier to distance yourself from the stinging insects, such as inside a car or building. Jumping into water is not advisable. Wear shoes when walking in a grassy area. Carefully inspect areas in your yard for nest activity before you do work in those areas. Remove crumbs and spills from an outdoor eating area immediately. If you notice a hive, it is always best to call a licensed professional to remove it safely!

Photos from our company family Milwaukee Brewers game on Friday July 9th, 2021.