All posts in “weep screens”

Weather cooler, watch out for rodents

Weather may bring in the rodents mice and rats and other critters may be trying to gain access into your home. Just like any warm blooded animal, rodents want to be snug as a bug in a warm environment and that could be your home or attic. So I suggest that you take a look at the areas around your home that may be inviting to a critter, that doesn’t have to be a rodent exclusively. Pigeons, bats and even cats may try to get into your attics or crawlspaces and set up a home, so what can you do?

  1. Check your home quarterly inside and out and repair:
    1. Check weep screens.
    2. Check those louvers that allow your attic or crawlspace to breath.
    3. Caulk all holes or cracks that may allow access – remember mice can enter holes that are about the size of a dime and rats the size of a quarter.
    4. Here’s a biggie – think like a rat, how would you get in? I had a family of rats once that were coming in on telephone wires.
  2. When you bring down that stuff in the attic, open boxes either outside or in the garage oh and wear gloves as well. You don’t want any surprises jumping out of the box inside your home.
  3. Trim trees of your home, don’t allow vines to grow and attach.
    1. I suggest not planting plants to close to the house.
    2. If the trees did touch, make sure you repair and check the tiles.
  4. Read up on the enemy and become familiar with their habits. Always better to know more than you need to know, especially if you own a home.
    1. http://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/rodents/
    2. Remember ProBest Pest Management is just a phone call away, 480-831-9328 check out our home seal page and specialized foam treatments..
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weather scorpion

Front door wreaths and the birds

2014-06-12 08.14.40I really thought thought this was cute, the bird thinking that the wreath was indeed nature decided to make it’s nest.

Lucky for the dove the owner decided to let nature takes its course.

Not all birds and or people are so forgiving, pigeons will roost and nest anywhere. Pigeons will lay eggs, poop and allow dead chicks to inhabit their old nesting. While this scene above may be cute, don’t allow birds to nest in attics. The amount of fecal material and the parasites may cause real issues within a home.

  1. Check entry point from outside, check those louvered vents.
  2. Check weep screens which allow attics to breath.
  3. If you have a/c on roof, enclose the bottom.
  4. Check chimney for screening.

Chagas disease and the Assassin Bug…

 

Neglected Tropical Diseases: An unfolding Tragedy of Chagas Disease in North America.” As many know this is my favorite looking bug, the one I think has the patterns and artistic shape that just looks cool for a bug. If you read the home seal you also know that this little bug is a biter and transmits a nasty little disease called Chagas.

The data shows that incidents in Mexico could be in the area of 1-6  million cases, USA 300,000 – 1 million and Canada less than 100,000.

 

Tips for keeping them out of your home:

  1. Repair screens and make sure they are in place.
  2. If your spending time outside, wear some type of repellent.
  3. If you live near horses or cattle, pay particular attention – they prefer these animals but given the chance will come after us.
  4. Close doors and install thresholds and door sweeps.
  5. Repair weep screens on attic rooflines.
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http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/

 

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