North Dallas, TX Pest Control

Acrobat Ants In North Dallas: Identification, Facts, & Control

There are many ant species in the North Dallas area. Some are dangerous because of their aggressiveness, the diseases they spread, stings and bites they deliver, the damage they cause, and other dangers. At the same time, other species are nuisance pests because they do not cause harm or threaten people. Acrobat ants fall into the latter category of nuisance pests.

Although they are not dangerous, acrobat ants, or any other species, are not welcome in residential properties. Here is what you should know about acrobat ants:

Identification

Acrobat ants are about 1/8 inch long and are typically yellowish-brown to black, but can be multicolored. They have a heart-shaped abdomen, six legs, antennae, and a stinger.

Facts

• While they have a stinger, acrobat ants rarely sting people. However, they can sting, bite, and emit a foul odor when threatened.
• Their name comes from the acrobatic move they can perform by raising their abdomen over the thorax and head. This move usually only happens when they are bothered.
• Queen acrobat ants are larger than worker ants, growing to 3/8 inch long; worker ants grow to 1/8 inch.
• Although they prefer to be outside, acrobat ants can make their way inside as they forage for food.
• The preferred food source of acrobat ants is honeydew, a sugary liquid made by aphids, which are crop-damaging pests.

Control

For ants, correctly identifying the infesting species is essential to effective removal. Because of this, DIY pest control methods often do no work against acrobat ants and other species. Instead, using professional ant pest control services from All-Safe Pest & Termite will provide the results you need.

Ants are such a big problem during the summer months in Texas, so All-Safe Pest & Termite offers a targeted control process to eliminate and prevent this pest. Contact our team today to learn more about how we can assist with acrobat ants and other species.

A Handy Guide To American Cockroaches For North Dallas Homeowners

Cockroaches are a common home-invading pest. There are many species of cockroaches in our area, and identifying them is essential to performing the proper treatment methods. One of the types of cockroaches in North Dallas is the American cockroach. Here is a guide to everything you need to know about this pest:

Identification

American cockroaches are the largest home-invading species in North America, ranging between 1 1/4 to 2 1/8 inches long. They are a reddish-brown color and have a yellowish figure-eight pattern on the back of the head. Like other cockroaches, they have an oval-shaped body, six legs, and antennae. Although they have wings, American cockroaches can only fly short distances.

Dangers

As with other species, American cockroaches are capable of spreading many dangerous diseases, including, but not limited to salmonellosis, E. coli infection, typhoid fever, dysentery, and cholera. As they infest homes, cockroaches leave behind shed skin, carcasses, droppings, and saliva, which can cause contamination, trigger asthma, and irritate allergies. Although rare, American cockroaches can bite, causing irritation, swelling, and potentially leading to secondary infection.

Habitat

American cockroaches prefer warm, dark, and damp places. Outside, they live in sewers, near manhole covers, sump pumps, dumpsters, and landfills. This pest gravitates to crawl spaces, basements, bathrooms, and near drains when they make their way inside.

Behavior

In general, cockroaches are not picky eaters, consuming various things ranging from human food, leather, glue, decaying organic matter, and more. This kind of diet can lead to damage to furniture, floorings, personal belongings, and other items when American cockroaches infest. While they are voracious eaters, adult American cockroaches can survive for an extended time without eating.

Prevention

You can take four steps to help prevent the infestation of American cockroaches on your property.

1. Ensure there are no potential entryways by installing covers on drains, vents, and sewers; repairing damaged screens and weather stripping; sealing cracks in the foundation and other weaknesses in the home’s exterior, including along the roofline.
2. Keep the interior and exterior clear of food sources like crumbs, dirty dishes, pet food, garbage cans without lids, and fallen fruit.
3. Reduce moisture in your yard and home by removing organic debris, keeping gutters unclogged, repairing leaks, fixing poor ventilation, and using dehumidifiers.
4. Keep your home and yard decluttered and organized to eliminate harborage areas and make it easier to clean.

Control

Cockroaches are one of the most challenging pests to get rid of, and American cockroaches are no exception. The best way to handle an active infestation is by contacting All-Safe Pest & Termite. We offer specialty cockroach pest control services to eliminate this stubborn pest. Call today to learn more!

Are Black Widow Spiders In North Dallas Really Dangerous?

Most spider species are not considered dangerous to people. Although all spiders have fangs and venom, they are usually too small and not potent enough to affect the people they bite. However, two species in North America are known to be medically dangerous, one of them being the black widow spider.

While black widows are dangerous to people, a bite from one of these spiders is rarely fatal because of the availability of anti-venom and medical care. If a black widow bites you or someone else, you should seek medical attention and monitor your symptoms. Female black widows are the only dangerous ones, and they can be identified by their shiny black bodies and reddish-orange hourglass marking. But it is also essential to know what male black widows look like because there are sure to be females nearby. Males are noticeably smaller than females and have a dull black color and reddish-pink spots instead of an hourglass.

While not all spiders pose a threat, people can be allergic to their venom, and children are most affected by this pest. You should always keep an eye on any spider bite and get medical assistance if necessary.

Like other spiders, black widows are important because they help control other pest populations; however, they should not be allowed to live unchecked on any residential property. To deter black widows, address any pest pressures as pest prey can attract these spiders to homes.

To make your home less attractive to pest prey:

• Eliminate food sources such as crumbs, open food packaging, garbage, and untreated gardens.
• Reduce moisture by repairing leaks, clearing gutters of debris, and keeping your yard clear of leaves, grass clippings, and other organic matter. You can also utilize dehumidifiers in your home and make ventilation more efficient.
• Remove entry points by sealing cracks in the foundation, filling in holes around window and door frames, installing vent and drain covers, and repairing damaged screens.

Black widows are a spider species that prefer to be outside, but they can sometimes wander in or even hitchhike on potted plants or other items, so be sure to check before bringing anything inside. For more information about black widows and professional spider control, call All-Safe Pest & Termite.

The Trick To Getting Rid Of Carpet Beetles In North Dallas Homes

Carpet beetles are similar to ladybugs, with a protective covering made by the front wings for their back wings. They have six legs, a pair of antennae, and range between 1/16 and 1/8 inches long. Carpet beetles can have molted patterns of yellow, white, black, and red but can be other colors.

Adult carpet beetles feed on nectar and pollen, posing little to no threat to people or belongings found inside homes. Problems that are the product of a carpet beetle infestation are the work of larvae, which have bristle-like hairs covering their dark bodies. Touching larvae can cause a skin rash, but they do not pose other health concerns.

The big issue with carpet beetle larvae is the damage they cause. Females will find a reliable food source, anything made of animal products, and lay their eggs directly on the source, allowing the larvae to start feeding once they hatch and continue for up to a year before progressing to the next life stage. Some of the materials and items subject to damage by this pest are:

Carpet beetles can get into homes in several ways, including cracks in the foundation, gaps underneath doors, damaged screens, and hitchhiking on potted flowers and plants. While this pest can easily make its way inside, it is not so easy for people to get rid of them. Removing carpet beetles is challenging because females lay about 40 eggs, which mature into larvae in 10 to 20 days. Plus, without prior knowledge or proper training, it can be challenging to identify carpet beetle larvae, something that is essential to effective removal.

The trick to getting rid of carpet beetles in any North Dallas home is professional pest control. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we offer year-round protection from pests like carpet beetles through our customizable residential control plans. Attempting to eliminate carpet beetles on your own will only cause unnecessary stress and waste time and money. Let our experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite help with carpet beetles and any other pest you might be experiencing!