Seasonal Tips

Mice and Rats are only cute in Disney Movies

9/17/2015

We don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble, but the summer is coming to a close. Here at A & J Pest Control, we are getting ready to take on calls about rodents. Much like bees start acting crazy when the weather cools down, mice (and even grosser things) start looking for places to keep warm and find food. Unfortunately for us, they are not picky. Whether it’s a gorgeous new-build, a house with a bunch of active kids running around or a backyard shed, they only care about access to food and a warm place to hangout.

So, how do you keep from having to call us? You must think prevention. Here are a few tips that will help keep mice and other rodents from coming into your space:

Make sure all garbage is secured in a metal, secured trash cans. Even plastic cans can be gnawed through by these cheeky pests.
Secure and seal all holes and gaps that would provide an entryway into your space. Keep in mind that mice and rats are only held back by the size of their skulls. They are excellent squirmers and squeezers. If you have a hole that is bigger than a dime (mouse skull size) or a quarter (rat skull size), than chances are good you will have a problem.

Keep rodents out of your garden; once the food is gone there, your house becomes next. Many people use fake owls to prevent mice and rats from coming around.

This should go without saying, but do not leave food lying around, especially overnight. That’s like an invitation to dinner to rodents. This includes your pets’ food as well.

Some steps in pest prevention can go a long way. We hope these are some helpful tips to prepare for the change in season here in Northeast Ohio. As always, if you have a pest problem you cannot control on your own, we are here to help. We have fast and convenient appointment times just a call away 440-635-6564!

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A Bee or Not A Bee? That is the Question.

6/19/2015

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Summer brings a lot of buzz; vacation, swimming, gardening, camping and sporting events abound. We Ohioans get excited as schoolkids when the weather breaks and we know, without a doubt, it is summer in Cleveland! We soak up as much sun as possible by grilling out, sleeping out and laying out.

Guess who else loves the summer? Bees and Wasps! Once the sun starts shining again over Northeast Ohio, it seems like the bees and wasps are everywhere we want to be. They buzz around our food, they buzz around our heads and sometimes make themselves at home like unwanted house guests.

Our first reaction is usually to grab the fly swatter and go to battle. However, there are some instances when a situation like this could be potentially dangerous if you are unsure if you are swatting at a bee or a wasp. Here are a few tips on identifying what you are dealing with:

Bees have more hair on their bodies than Wasps
Bees can have all black or brown bodies with a bit of color throughout
Wasps have a distinct black and yellow pattern on their bodies
Wasps have a narrow "waist"
Bees are normally passive
Bees tend to stay busy working
Wasps are in and out of there nests often

Credit: Heather Holm

This difference is especially important if you believe you have a nest. Never try and eliminate a Wasps' nest yourself. Wasps are aggressive, and depending on the species, could sting more than once and swarm.

If you've identified Wasps as your pest, it is best to call a professional to address the issue rather than putting yourself and family in harm's way.

At A & J, we specialize in this type of removal and would be happy to come take a look. Call us at 440-635-6564.

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Mice and Rats are only cute in Disney Movies

A Bee or Not A Bee? That is the Question.

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