​Whether you own pets or not, there’s always a chance of an indoor pest problem in your home at any time of year. You might think that fleas are only an issue during the warmest months of the year, but especially in the South these parasites are a year-round problem. If you suspect you have a flea problem at home, you shouldn’t wait around and hope the situation resolves itself — you need to take quick action. Here’s a brief guide to exterminating fleas so you can get rid of these troublesome pests for good.

Detect the Presence of Fleas
Are you wondering if you have a flea problem at home? The first thing you should do is jump into detective mode. There are some obvious signs to look for, especially if you have pets. If your dog or cat is scratching like crazy and you hear them whining or groaning, they likely have fleas.

You may even see fleas on your short fiber carpets or hardwood floors. If you spot a single insect, there are likely many more, so you need to spring into action to prevent a full-blown infestation from occurring in your home. Don’t hesitate to call an exterminator immediately.

Check Your Pets Before Exterminating Fleas
If you have fleas on your pets, that means the bugs are inside your home, whether it’s the pests themselves or their eggs or larva. Grab a flea comb, a cup of soapy water and dry paper towels to physically check your pets for fleas. It’s best to use slow, gentle strokes to see if any bugs are getting caught in the comb’s teeth.

As you encounter fleas on your pets, drown them in the soapy water and keep combing. You should also invest in a veterinarian-approved flea and tick shampoo. It’s best to keep shampooing pets every week until you’ve eliminated every trace of the parasites from both your pets and your entire house.

Clean Your House
If you’ve found fleas on your pet or on yourself, they are probably inside your home, too. A deep cleaning can help. Take time to dust wood furniture and thoroughly wipe down all other surfaces. Wash all bedding, throws, curtains and other fabrics.

One of the best things you can do to remove fleas and flea eggs from your home is to run the vacuum over your floors, whether hardwood or carpet. Vacuum your floors several times and make sure to use the wand extension to get into cracks and corners where insects could be hiding. Be thorough and vacuum all sliding door tracks and windowsills.

Call an Expert at Exterminating FleasIf you detect fleas, whether in your home, on pets or even on your own body, you need to call an exterminator right away. The presence of one flea signals the presence of many more, so extermination is the only option for preventing a full-blown infestation.

When it comes to exterminating fleas, Bug Ninja is the name to call. If you want to get rid of pests in a hurry and make sure they don’t come back, contact us today.

​Drywood termites are found around the world throughout the tropics. They consume dry wood and are often found in residential roof materials and within the wooden wall supports of homes and other buildings. These termites can also infest any dead wood that you have lying around near your home.

Though termites are small, they can cause as much as $5 billion in property damage every year (in just the United States!) That’s a lot of damage. Unfortunately, since they’re so small, termites are often overlooked until they create a full-blown infestation and do a lot of hidden structural damage to your home or commercial building. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to spot signs of drywood termites in and around your property.

Look for These Signs of Drywood TermitesWhen you know how to recognize signs of a termite infestation, you can quickly take action to get rid of the problem before significant damage is caused by the little pests. If your area is prone to termite infestations, it’s important to inspect your home or commercial building regularly. Look for these seven common signs of drywood termites.

1. Flying Termites
One obvious sign of a termite infestation is the visible presence of flying termites. Winged termites can be both males and females, and they’re responsible for leaving their nests to establish new colonies. So if you see any flying termites on your property, watch out! They’re most likely looking for a new home, and you don’t want it to be yours!

2. Small Bugs That Look Like White Ants
Some people see drywood termites but think they are small, white ants. If you see white or cream-colored “ants” near your home or commercial building, you may have a termite infestation. Termites sometimes look transparent. They also have straight antennae instead of the curved antennae of ants. Termites are also much thicker through the waist area than ants. Finally, there are no species of white ants, so any white ant-like bug you see is likely a termite.

3. Termite Droppings
Drywood termites leave droppings (called frass) behind. This is one of the most common indications of a termite infestation. As the termites consume wood, they create fecal matter. To dispose of this fecal matter, they push it out of the tunnels they make in wood. The feces pile up outside the termite nests and can be easily spotted if you know what you’re looking at.

The droppings left by drywood termites are very fine. Many people mistake them for sawdust. But if you haven’t been sawing anything in your home or office building, there is no reason for there to be sawdust inside. If you see it unexpectedly, look around for telltale signs of termite burrows. These could be tiny holes in your wood paneling or any other wood structures. Often, there is a dark powdery substance left directly around the outside of termite holes.

4. Hollow Wood
Termites like to consume the inside portions of wood while leaving the outside portions somewhat intact. So if you’re trying to find out if you have drywood termites on your property, look for branches, logs and other pieces of wood that are hollow on the inside. Hollowed-out wood is very lightweight and may feel or look papery. Termites also use the same eating pattern to consume the inside portion of chair legs, bedposts and other types of wood furniture.

Some common horror stories involving termites include accidentally pressing a finger right through a termite-consumed door frame or lightly bumping a skirting board with a vacuum cleaner and breaking right through the board due to termite damage.

5. Fallen Termite Wings
Even if you don’t actually see termites flying around your house or building, you may notice fallen termite wings. Discarded wings are a sign of a serious infestation. Soon after finding a mate, swarmer termites lose their wings. So if you see fallen termite wings, it means there are termites on your property that are getting ready to start a new colony (if they haven’t started one already). This is the time to schedule pest control services without delay.

6. Clicking Noises in Your Walls
One of the most annoying signs of drywood termites is clicking sounds in your walls at night. These noises occur when the termites bang their heads against the wood to warn the colony of danger. Clicking noises can also be caused by termites simply shaking their bodies. And of course, the chewing sounds termites make as they consume the wood in your home or building can be quite loud when it’s multiplied by hundreds or thousands of little bodies.

If you hear unusual clicking sounds coming from your walls, press your ear against the wall and listen closely. You’ll soon be able to tell if the sounds are really coming from inside your walls or from somewhere else.

7. Doors That Are Hard To Open
As drywood termites eat through the wood of your doors, warping is a common result. Warped doors tend to become stiff when they’re closing or opening. Termites also create a lot of moisture within wood as they consume it. It’s easy to confuse this damage with damp weather, but take a closer look to rule out a termite infestation. You may also discover that your wood window frames are harder to open or close when you’re dealing with a termite infestation.

Schedule Your Pest Service for Drywood TermitesIf you have any of the above signs of drywood termites, it’s essential to do something about it as quickly as possible. Termites can multiply at an alarming rate. They are also voracious eaters and can quickly consume massive amounts of wood within your home or office building. Many homeowners discover (too late) how serious a “small” termite problem can quickly become.

To protect the structure of your home or building while also protecting your bank account, look for signs of termite problems regularly. If you are ever suspicious of termites, contact Bug Ninja at your earliest convenience. We’ll get you scheduled for our leading pest control services as soon as possible so you no longer have to worry about the damage drywood termites are causing to your property.

​Pests are a huge problem in homes and other types of buildings throughout the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, residents of 14.8 million housing units reported rodent sightings within the last 12 months. A typical home often has many different species of insects living in it, but homeowners may not always be aware of their presence. If you have ever dealt with insects or other pests, you may be able to make your home a less hospitable place for them to dwell. Insulation and pest control are more closely related than many homeowners realize. Here’s what you need to know about the two.

How Pests Get Into Your Home
Like criminals, pests often look for easy opportunities to get into your home. Homes with structural issues are more likely to become infested than those that are well-sealed and structurally sound. But even still, it’s possible for bugs and pests to get into your house when you let the dog out to go to the bathroom, when the kids run outside and forget to shut the door behind them, or when you unknowingly carry a spider inside on the back of your jacket.
Pests can also get into your home through exhaust fans and dryer vents, small cracks or holes in your siding, or through the tiniest access points in your exterior foundation. If you have a natural Christmas tree every year, you’re probably bringing a lot of little bugs into your house that are hidden away in the tree. Some homeowners are surprised to learn of the link between insulation and pest control. The right kind of insulation in the right amounts can deter pests from entering your home.

There are so many ways pests can get into your house that you should expect to see some occasionally. Depending on the type of pest you’re dealing with, you may be able to quickly kill it and be done with it. But chances are, if you see one pest, there are probably others hiding more successfully in your home.

Signs of a Pest Infestation
Seeing an occasional spider isn’t typically something to be alarmed about. But if you develop a pest infestation of any kind, it’s very important to schedule pest control services to come take care of the problem. An infestation isn’t likely to resolve on its own, and depending on the types of pests infesting your home, they could cause extensive damage. Insulation and pest control may help minimize the damage pests do in your home.
To figure out if you’re dealing with a pest infestation, look for these common signs:

• Visible pests crawling around inside or around your house
• Dead insects inside or around your house
• Evidence of a mouse nest
• Damaged plants
• Pest droppings
• Small dried blood spots
• Small openings around your home’s exterior

Additional indications of a pest infestation include tapping, scurrying or other strange noises (especially at night or when things are quiet). If these signs are very apparent, you’re likely dealing with a pest infestation that should be addressed before it becomes even worse. You may also want to look into insulation and pest control.
Most Common Home PestsThe most common types of home pests in Louisiana and other parts of the United States include:

• Mice
• Spiders
• Centipedes
• Cockroaches
• Millipedes
• Ants
• Wasps

Not all of these pests are capable of producing the same level of damage (for example, millipedes are unlikely to cause structural damage to your house but mice are capable of chewing through walls, wires and other important parts of your home). However, they are all an annoyance and don’t belong inside your home. Some can also cause a variety of health issues to you, your kids and your pets.

The Link Between Insulation and Pest Control
It may seem strange, but insulation can help combat pests in your home. Adding insulation won’t get rid of a current infestation (you’ll need to call a professional pest management service for that), but it can help you deter future pests from choosing your home as a living destination.

Spray foam insulation is a unique type of insulation that helps create air-tight reinforcements to the most vulnerable areas of your house (including around door and window sills). Some insulation is also commonly called pest control insulation because it is so effective at keeping pests out. Insulation and pest control are two great tactics you can use to keep your residence and the surrounding property free from unwanted pests such as rodents and insects.

Spray foam insulation can also improve the energy efficiency of your home by slowing down airflow. It is dense enough to keep air from flowing into and out of your house, which means your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to keep your home at your specified temperature. If saving money while simultaneously making it harder for pests to get inside sounds appealing to you, it may be time to learn more about pest control insulation.

Some types of pest control insulation also degrade more slowly than typical fiberglass insulation, which means it will last longer and you can go longer before you need to enhance or replace it. Ultimately, this means lower costs for you as a homeowner. Some types of pest control insulation even contain borates, which are present in nature and are poisonous to insects. Borates are safe for humans and can provide additional pest control to give you peace of mind in your own home.

Use Insulation and Pest Control to Combat Your Pest Problem
When combined, insulation and pest control can help you finally get rid of unwanted pests that are infesting your home and property. They can also help you take care of minor pest problems before they become bigger issues.

If you have any signs of pests, Bug Ninja Pest Control can help you get rid of them. Contact us today to learn more about our pest control services or to schedule your pest control appointment.

Do you have signs of pests in your house or on your property? Common indications of a pest problem include itchy bites on your skin after sleeping at home, chewed-through electrical wires, scratching sounds in your walls (especially at night), and visible droppings around your home or property. If you notice any of these issues, it’s important to locate an exterminator in Baton Rouge right away, before the problem gets worse.

Steps To Find a Good Exterminator in Baton Rouge
Pests can multiply at an impressive rate. What begins as a minor problem can quickly morph into a full-blown infestation if no action is taken in the early stages. Even though they are small, bugs and critters can cause a lot of damage to your home and property in a short amount of time. To keep your property safe from this type of damage, here are steps you should take to find a local exterminator in Baton Rouge.

Use the Right Search Terms
When you’re searching for a local exterminator online, use local search terms. Otherwise, you could get results for exterminators who are hours away from you. Be sure to include your city in your search query so that you will primarily get results for Baton Rouge.

Check Out the Company’s Reviews
Once you locate an exterminator in Baton Rouge, it's a good idea to check out the company’s reviews. If you know anyone near you who has used the services of the exterminator you’re considering hiring, ask them how their experience went. Look online for reviews as well, but keep in mind that it’s more likely for someone to leave a review if they’re upset. Many satisfied customers across all industries fail to leave reviews even when they have a great experience.
Another great source for information about a particular exterminator is the Better Business Bureau. It’s important to note that not all businesses are listed with the BBB. For those that are, a rating is given based on the company’s overall product quality and customer service.

Make Sure All Licensing Is in Order
Just like other states, Louisiana has laws and regulations regarding pest control licensing and permits. It’s always a good idea to ask an exterminator in Baton Rouge if you can see the appropriate licensing or permits before you decide whether to use their services.

See if the Company Can Solve Your Pest Issue
When you’re looking for a local exterminator, make sure the company you’re interested in can handle your particular pest problem. Ask the company what services it offers and if its exterminators have experience successfully dealing with your issue, whether it's termites, ants, rodents, or other critters.  
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Contact Us When You Need an Exterminator in Baton Rouge
If you have bugs or other pests on your property, you deserve an exterminator in Baton Rouge who has the skills necessary to solve the problem. Contact Bug Ninja today to schedule your consultation and to learn more about the leading pest control services we offer.

Termites are small bugs that consume wood and can cause thousands of dollars in damage to homes if they are not exterminated by professionals. Though termites’ main diet is wood, they rarely bite humans as well. Here’s how to know if you have termite bites or if it’s some other bug that’s biting you.


What To Know About Termite Bites

If you have bites on your body, it’s unlikely that they’re termite bites. Termites keep pretty busy eating up all the wood they can find (at your home’s expense!). Most termites also have very tiny jaws, which makes it difficult for them to get a good hold on human skin. If you’re experiencing bug bites, they’re probably due to some other type of bug.
However, there are some types of termites that can bite anything they deem a threat. Soldier termites are one such type of termite. They possess larger heads and bulkier jaws than some other types of termites. However, even though they can bite humans, this doesn’t mean they choose to do so. Bites from soldier termites are still extremely rare.

How To Tell if It’s a Termite Bite

Most bug bites have fairly similar symptoms. They often cause skin irritation and bumps that may be:

• Itchy
• Painful
• Raised and inflamed
• Irritated
• Red in color

These symptoms describe many different types of bug bites, including termite bites. So how can you tell if you’re dealing with termite bites instead of some other type of bug bite? The best way is to try to rule out other types of bug bites. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to try to figure out what type of bug bite you have.

1. Where were you when you were bitten? Were you located in a wooded area? You may have been bitten by a tick, mosquito or spider. Were you indoors, playing with a pet? Those bites could be from fleas. Were you bitten while you were asleep? You’re likely dealing with bedbugs. If you were near a wall or furniture that is infested by termites, you may be dealing with termite bites.
2. Do you think you can locate the insect that bit you? If you noticed the pain from the bite right away, you may be able to locate the insect if you look carefully. If you’re in your house, you may need to remove clothing items to find the bug. Try to remove any clothing on a hard floor surface instead of a carpeted surface so you can easily see any bugs that fall out. If the bug in question looks like a small white ant, you have probably just been bitten by a termite.
3. What size are the bites? Termite bites have been described by affected individuals as small red bumps. If your bites are larger, discolored or extremely inflamed, you may be dealing with a bite from a poisonous insect (such as a black widow or brown recluse) or a bee sting.

Get Rid of Termite Bites for Good

No one should have to deal with the discomfort of termite bites. Fortunately, you can get rid of the bugs by contacting Bug Ninja Pest Control. We’ll come out and take care of all your pest issues so you can live in peace.

​Pest control is a service used by a wide variety of people. A variety of pesticides including fungi are used to help stop pests, but how do they work?

The primary group of fungi used to control pesticides is called hyphomycetes. Some hyphomycetes have the ability to be mass-produced. The large production process makes it possible for pesticides to be used in several ways. You chose to can use pesticides on larger or smaller scales due to the product's commercialized availability.
Fungi in the group Hyphomycetes usually reproduce rapidly when conditions are favorable. They can be found in soil and can infect many types of pests. Certain fungal strains in pesticides can attack aphids, caterpillars, grasshoppers, ants, weevils, and more. Other types of fungi used as pesticides may be harder to produce and use for commercial purposes which may lead to higher prices to treat your landscape.

There are several advantages to using fungi-based pest control products. As mentioned previously, some fungal pesticides can be made in massive amounts fairly easily. They also have similar prices to bacterial pesticides. Additionally, some fungal pesticides usually do not harm humans or animals.
Predominately, spray rigs are used to apply fungal pesticides because they usually are produced in the form of spores. These types of pesticides can also affect several types of pests with the same products.
While there are advantages, there are also disadvantages. Since fungi can eliminate a plethora of insects, it could also mean that they could potentially harm insects that help your landscape. There are also factors like sunlight that can limit the effectiveness of the product that you are using.​

One of the types of rats you could expierence in your life time is called a roof rat. They will find shelter in your home, most likely near your roof like their name implies. After they make a home in your home, they have the ability to spread disease and damage your home. 

Roof rats are usually found in the southern part of the united states. They are small that can be a variety of colors including white, black, brown, or grey. They can even be a mix of colors. They are usually around 7 inches in length and they have large ears. They usually do not have a long life span but can reproduce rapidly. Roof rats are usually nocturnal animals. They usually travel in groups when they go looking for food. They like to live in hidden and sheltered places like attics, bushes, and piles of debris. 

Roof rats are omnivores and they prefer to eat in well hidden places. Roof rats typically prefer seeds, berries, nuts, and fruits. They also eat slugs, snails, cockroaches, and other insects. They have the ability to eat fish and shellfish, which they will eat if they are near bodies of water. Additionally, they like to store as much food as possible.

There are several indicators that you could possibly have an infestation. Some signs of roof rats include: 

• Rat Droppings 
• Noises in the Walls 
• Indicators that food was eaten such as small bite marks 
• Seeing rats dead or alive 
• Bite marks around your home

Rat infestations can cause many problems. However, there are many ways that can help you fix the problems and the infestations themselves. 
For instance, if you have any holes or cracks then it is possibly to seal them with silicone caulk. Keeping trees and tree limbs can also help stop invasions from above. Having screened in doors and windows can help stop rats from entering your home. Other things you can do to help stop infestations is making sure food is sealed properly and your home is clean. 
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If the pest problem persists then it is always a good idea to call pest control to help you deal with the infestation. 

​Seeing cockroaches is never a pleasant sight. Some people will scream at the sight of them. They can hide in the smallest places, have the ability to cause several health problems, and irritate your peace of mind. 

Cockroaches are insects that can cause diseases such as dysentery, diarrhea, cholera, and fever. This is probably due to the fact that they carry bacteria with them. Because they carry bacteria they are able to spread the pathogens throughout your home. This is probably due to where they travel and what they eat. 

Like all living things, cockroaches desire to survive. In order to survive they must find sources of food. Cockroaches will eat almost anything. Alongside the food in your home they will eat feces and trash.
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Parasitic worms are present in cockroach larvae. Intestinal worms can cause diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea. Not only do they carry diseases, poop, and parasitic worms, but they can also cause allergens. 

Cockroaches are able to hide in places all over your home, but they do have a preferences. They are typically drawn to narrow places and crevices. You may also find them in dark places such as cabinets or drawers. It's not out of character for them either to hide under  kitchen appliances such as refrigerators and sinks.
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Because of their small nature they can enter your home through small holes and cracks. Since they can travel small places it makes sense that they can enter your home by crawling through openings around your doors and windows. They can travel into your home by hiding in bags, boxes, backpacks, luggage, or containers. Pipes are also a way that cockroaches can enter your home. ​ Another indicator that cockroaches might be in your home is feces, or dead skin they decided to shed. 

Calling pest control is always a great option when you're looking to exterminate the pests in your home. Sticky traps, bait, and pesticides are great ways of prevention and extermination.
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There are additional things that you can do to help prevent a large infestation. Some things you can do is to keep food properly sealed, repair any pipe leaks, and look for any eggs. Another thing you can do is to male sure your windows and doors are properly sealed. 

Slithery, scaly, silky creatures with no legs; snakes are plentiful around the earth.  There are many types of snakes. However, it is important to know what type of snake you are dealing with. Several thousand Americans are bitten by snakes every year. Some snakes are venomous and some are not, but it makes you wonder how do you tell the difference? 

One of the first things you might notice about a snake is it's color. Color is helpful feature to help you determine whether a snake is dangerous or not. 

​In North America, there are four common types of snakes: the Rattlesnake, Copperhead, Coral Snake, and Cottonmouth Moccasin. Snakes usually blend in with their environments, and you need to be observant when you find a snake.  Knowing the difference in behavior can help you tell if the snake is poisonous or not. Rattlesnakes for instance, will shake their tails to ward off and warn possible predators. Other venomous snakes such as copperheads and cottonmouths usually live near bodies of water.

​Head shape and eye features is another detail that can help you tell if the snake is potentially dangerous or not. Non-venomous snakes usually have round heads and have round pupils. Poisonous snakes however usually have triangular heads and their eyes have a vertical thin black pupil. Additionally, sometimes poisonous snakes exhibit holes between their eyes and nostrils. Those holes are used for radiation detection to aid them in survival. 

The first thing you should do if you are bitten, is to seek medical assistance. If you know what type of snake you were bitten, this information can help you gauge the risks of the bite. Additionally, if it is venomous, you should call the police or have someone take you to the hospital as soon as possible. Do not try to suck out the venom or cut the wound, because it could get into your bloodstream. 

​When encountering a snake, you should always be cautious. Make sure to be extra careful especially if it is venomous. To get rid of a snake, you can gently push the snake outside with a broom or mop. Another way to get rid of a snake is to place a bucket, pot, or wastebasket over the snake with a weight on top, and call pest control. Keeping a snake in one room and blocking off exit points are also a good idea if you would rather wait for someone who can handle it. 

Carpenter ants break down your house rather than building it up. They will make their presence known at your house. At first, you might notice small wood shavings and tiny holes. If you don't catch them for a long time then your house might be victim to structural damages. It makes you wonder what they look like, how they do it, and what you can do to stop it.

Carpenter ants can be an array of colors. Some colors including yellow, brown, red, orange, and black. Most carpenter ants are black, but the color differs depending on what species you're looking at. In the United States, they are one of the largest ants that you can find.
​Additionally, carpenter ants can grow wings, which is unsettling but cool to think about. If you see a carpenter ant with wings, then that is an indicator that there is a large colony nearby.

Carpenter ants, unlike termites, do not destroy wood. They simply create tunnels, and those tunnels weaken wood. The more tunnels you have in your wood, the more unsound it becomes. If the colony grows or the wood continues to be damaged then the house's structure can be damaged.

Do you ever see wet, soggy, or broken-down wood? Damaged or moist wood is a perfect place for carpenter ants to build their nest. They could be located in damaged wood, debris, or on top of that overhanging limb that touches your roof.

​Carpenter Ants can live inside or outside. Those dying decaying tree stumps? They can live there. The doorway in your home and your windows? They can live there too. It is important to remember that moist or damaged wood is a part of their optimal living conditions. Those woodworkers also will search for food, make rustling noises as they walk through your house, and pull shavings from the dusty wood along with them.

​​They colonize in two different ways. They can be parent or satellite colonies. The parent colony is where workers and queens live. In satellite, colonies reside workers, larvae, and pupae. Satellite colonies exist because they need more space, food, or water.

Carpenter ants are capable of biting as well as releasing a chemical to protect themselves and their colony. Not only that but carpenter ants will fight other insects as well. For instance, they will fight termites. Termites and Carpenter Ants both use wood to live but in different ways. It only makes sense that they would eventually encounter each other. When they do encounter each other, carpenter ants would kill and sometimes eat enemy termites.