​Mosquitoes can ruin a lot of fun, making summer picnics, backyard barbecues, evening strolls, and other outdoor activities a biting frenzy. These pesky little creatures will silently torment you from dawn to dusk, making you reconsider going outdoors. Mosquitoes have been around for millions of years; so unfortunately, folks, they are here to stay. 
 
There are roughly 3,600 species of mosquitoes and over 50 of them can be found right here in sunny California. These insects are part of the gnat family and are known to be the deadliest in the world. They can carry and transmit several bloodborne diseases including malaria, West Nile, yellow fever, and Zika (just to name a few) which kill nearly a million people globally each year. They are also responsible for transmitting heartworms to our canine and feline friends. 
 
Did you know that only female mosquito’s bite? Blood provides a protein that is required to produce eggs. Once they are ready to lay their eggs, they will seek a water source, whether big or small, to lay 100-200 eggs each time. The eggs are resilient and can survive even in cold water throughout the winter season, hatching as warm weather approaches.
 
We may think these gnats seem quite pointless and annoying, but they do play a significant part in our ecosystem. They are a link in our food chain, providing food to fish, birds, bats, and amphibians. Some species are even important pollinators! “Say what?” I know, we still don’t like them either.
 
Although public mosquito vectors can monitor and treat areas such as waterways and canals, it is up to residents to proactively eliminate breeding sources around the home. Here are some suggestions on how to decrease the breeding sites around your yard and some control methods you can try to keep them away.
 
Look for stagnant water: this is especially important to do after a rain shower. Dump any standing water that may accumulate in pots and planters, old tires, tarps, toys, open containers, bird baths, fountains, small pools, ponds, and anything else that can potentially hold water. 
 
Inspect gutters: clogged gutters can increase the chance of stagnant water. Remove any built-up debris and inspect down spout extensions. 
 
Purchase mosquito repellent: such as candles that contain citronella, outdoor bug sprays, or foggers. You can find these items at most retailers; however, in most situations they only provide temporary relief, and some ingredients can be toxic if used incorrectly. 
 
Helpful Tip: most species prefer to stay close to their breeding sites but can travel 1-3 miles to feed. Although you cannot control the condition of your neighbor’s yard, you can use these tips to help reduce these pests around your property. Some pesticide treatments can also help to relieve infestations as well, targeting shady foliage areas where they are likely to rest. Still, the best thing you can do as a resident is to monitor your property for those areas of water that welcome mosquitoes in for a place to call home. 

One insect people dread most is the bloodsucking flea. These external parasites cause irritating bites and spread disease-carrying bacteria making them one of the most unpleasant insects to encounter. So how do fleas get around? They count on hitchhiking, or in other words, “itch-hiking”. Fleas thrive on consuming the blood of their hosts and can jump incredible distances making them one of the best jumpers second to the froghopper. They go through four lifecycle stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. As an adult, they can live 2-3 months on average. With over 2,500 species found around the world today, let’s talk about the three types of fleas that are likely to invade your home. 
 
The Cat Flea: The most common type of flea that lives on cats, dogs, and wildlife.
The Rat Flea: The host is mainly rodents and these fleas are responsible for the Bubonic Plague.
The Human Flea: Infests the hair of humans and are found hiding in vehicles and furniture.
 
How do you get rid of fleas? Let’s start from scratch!

Protect your furry friends: First step in an effective flea treatment is to treat your pet(s) with flea and tick medication, use special formulated flea shampoo, and groom with a flea comb. Make sure the flea medication is appropriate for your type of pet and its weight.  
 
Clean and treat your humble abode: This will go a long way in solving your flea problems. Vacuum high traffic areas often, wash bedding, and apply a chemical treatment around areas where fleas may hide. Read your chemical treatments carefully, especially if you have pets and children.  

Maintain and treat your yard: A well-maintained and treated yard can keep you from undoing all your hard work to get rid of fleas. Be sure to remove debris around your home, maintain a short and healthy lawn, and chemically treat damp areas, patios, and grass.
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Sanitation plays a vital role in the success of flea elimination. Vacuuming floors, laundering all bedding, maintaining a well-kept yard, and making sure your pets are medicated are all productive ways to manage a flea infestation. With a combination of Insect Growth Regulators (IGR) and knock-down insecticides you are well on your way to a flea-free home! For the safety application of professional-grade products, please contact a licensed professional.  

There are many bugs we encounter in our East Sacramento backyards; however, not all bugs are harmful. Although many may seem like pests, there are some benefits to keeping some around while others can wreak havoc on our food, plants, livestock and even our health. When it comes to pest control, it can seem like a country standoff of “good guys vs. bad guys.”

What are the benefits of keeping some bugs around? There is one famous backyard bug that immediately comes to people’s mind… the ladybug. The vibrant ladybug is a predatory bug that feeds on spider mites and aphids. They can eat up to 5,000 pests in their life span! Another great insect to keep around is the camouflaged praying mantis. They will also eat just about anything as well (including its own kind). And what about the creepy crawly millipede? These large creatures are scavengers and will eat decaying leaves and even garden slugs!

Now that you know we have some bugs on our side helping us out, lets discuss the bad bugs lurking in the shadows. These common pests can be found in almost every home at some point or another. These are the “Hateful Eight” of the pests we find in and around our homes throughout the year.
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The Black Widow Spider: These can be identified by their hourglass-shaped mark on the abdomen. They often like to stay in dark secluded spaces but are still to be taken seriously because of their venomous bite. Most people bitten do not suffer serious harm; however, it can be fatal to small children and the elderly.
The Cockroach: Fast breeding and fast moving, cockroaches can spread bacteria and other diseases such as salmonella and E. coli. Their molted skins and droppings can also cause allergens and have even been linked to childhood asthma.
The Flea: Fleabites can be itchy and painful. These annoying creatures can trigger allergic reactions and even transmit serious diseases such as tapeworms and typhus.
The Wasp: Unlike bees, wasps do not die after they sting someone. They can sting multiple times, and this can be deadly to anyone who is allergic.
The Mosquito: Causing more deaths to humans than any other insect in the world, their bites have infected people with some of the deadliest diseases such as the West Nile virus, malaria, and yellow fever. They can also cause heartworms in pets.
The Fly: House flies can carry some of the most dangerous germs resulting in the spread of bacillary, cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, and infantile diarrhea.
The Tick: Ticks do not jump or fly, they use other methods to find a host to latch onto. With their impressive sensory organs they can detect carbon dioxide you exhale and can also sense odors, vibrations, and heat. Their bite can be undetectable at times and they are carriers to various fevers and Lyme disease.
 
If you are encountering these unwanted pests, a pest professional can safely eliminate them from your home. The good guys are in town and they are here for you! 

It is easy to believe that just because you don’t see any bugs means that you don’t need a “bug guy.” Quite the contrary; there is a purpose for offering a recurring pest service and that reason is prevention, also known as integrated pest management, which is important in suppressing pest populations.

Prevention is one of the key factors in pest control practices. It’s like the saying goes, “Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there.” A lot of pest issues will go undetected for quite some time and can get to the point of a full-blown infestation which can be much more costly than a regular monthly pest treatment. The recurring service will not only keep costs down in the long run but will also help in minimizing the pests that take a while to eradicate such as spiders, fleas and roaches. It will also help control the seasonal pests that have different treatment methods depending on the type of pest and weather conditions.

Additionally, pest treatments go beyond helping customers with their peace of mind. We not only protect people’s health but we also protect their property and our food supply. Certain pests can be a serious health risk, carrying and spreading bacteria and disease without you even knowing it… rodents, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and fleas to name a few. The prevention and protection against these diseases also play a huge role in our food industry. Restaurants and agriculture are big targets for pests because they can be an “all you can eat” buffet! Let’s not forget the importance of protecting our investments either. Removing rodents, wasps, and wood destroying organisms can reduce the amount of destruction they can cause to your home or commercial building.
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If you live in East Sacramento, please give us a call to get onboard with protecting your home and family. There are great benefits to hiring a pest professional when home remedies are just not enough. Our technicians are licensed and trained to use products regulated by the State of California so that you know the job is being done safely.
 
“Operating in an industry built on trust.”
 

First and foremost, THANK YOU! 2020 has been an exceptionally unpredictable year which has required continuous change and resilience. As some of our customers may know, Peacemaker Pest Control started as a dream that flourished with the provision of our local community.

We value each customer and have been dedicated to providing East Sacramento’s neighborhoods with quality, eco-friendly pest control services for your families. You are the reason our small business has remained in operation and we are tremendously grateful for your support. Because of this, we encourage everyone to keep the small businesses thriving during these unparalleled times.

December is a magical time of year. It’s a month of joy, love and togetherness… It’s the warmth of the season and hope for a bright new year. So, from our family to yours, we wish you peace and joy through this holiday season. See you next year! ​
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Things are changing rapidly during the COVID-19 crisis and we are all having to adjust to these changes. As the community stays indoors and business owners temporarily close their doors to the public, we are not the only ones trying to adapt to all this change, pests are too! Rodents are being seen in broad daylight foraging for new food sources, home deliveries and accumulated trash are attracting unwanted pests such as cockroaches and ants, and let’s not forget summer is around the corner which is the season for mosquitoes, flies, and wasps to thrive. So what does this mean for the community? It means people are still at risk for the spread and cause of disease, viruses, allergens, and asthma through insect and rodent infestations.
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The professional pest control industry plays a vital role in protecting the public health and we continue to work hard to reduce the threat of pest-borne disease and other illnesses. Coronavirus regulations are being executed and employees trained on new procedures. Technicians are taking precautions and are provided all the proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) needed to do the job safely. As an essential service, we appreciate the support of the industry in continuing to protect your home or business as well as your loved ones while we all get through this together (because pests don’t care about social distancing). Stay safe and stay well!