As the colder weather starts to move into Oklahoma, that means pests will start moving into your barn. The eight barns at State Fair Park are not exempt from this. Over the years we have developed an art to keeping our barns free from pests. Here are a few tricks that will help you keep your barn clean and pest free all year long. Manure Control This is one of the single most important steps a barn owner can take to eliminate pests. As you know, manure will attract flies to your barn which can cause major irritation to horses. This is not the only problem manure will cause in your barn. Excessive manure will affect the drainage of your barn, thereby creating an opportunity for insects and larva to grow. In turn, these insects can become a breeding ground for viruses such as the H1N1 and West Nile. Animals [...] Read more »
A Quick Overview Of Rodents And Rodent Control Methods
Introduction The crux of most pest control conversations is the eradication of the many different types of insects that can come into your home and make their presence known in many different and unpleasant ways. No matter how big the insect problem may be, there is another aspect of pest control that should be talked about in the same conversation, and that is the potential for rodents such as mice and rats to cause issues for the average home or business owner. Dangers of Rodent Infestations There are several things that set rodent infestations apart from the majority of insect problems. First and foremost among these are the potential that rodents have to carry and spread disease, which sets them apart from virtually all species of insect. Mice for instance, are known to be capable of spreading over 30 different types of bacteria and virus, many of which can be [...] Read more »
How to Deal with Bathroom Mold
Many people are discovering the dangers of mold in their home the hard way. Mold can cause health problems and for some is potentially deadly. Persons finding black mold growing in the home should deal with the problem immediately. While mold may grow in many places, homes with basements seem to have more problems with growth. Many basements tend to be both damp and dark, providing the ideal space for mold to grow. Homeowners, even homeowners who have never had to deal with a problem of mold need to understand this problem, know what they should look for and how they should treat any mold that is found. While you may think of 100 random questions that you might ask concerning mold, these are some of the most important. First, you should learn about bathroom mold removal. To locate mold in the bathroom begin at the lower level of the [...] Read more »
The Importance of Termite Pest Control
We all know the negative effects termite infestation can create on property. Nevertheless there is a tendency for some owners to take this for granted, thinking that such a problem has a remote chance of occurring. This may be true if wood treatment has been applied to protect the structure. If not, it would be prudent to take some time to know a bit more about these pests and how to manage them. Considered as social insects, termites are sometimes confused with ants due to its physical features. They thrive on wood and generally anything that has a cellulose component in its makeup such as paper, cotton, cloth, etc. This being said, and with wood being a common if not integral component of any structure, termites pose a grave threat to the sturdiness of an edifice. As with any form of infestation, termite control and management is more effective with [...] Read more »
Use Woodpecker Deterrents to Protect Your Home
If you live in a heavily wooded area in a rural setting, there is a decent chance that woodpeckers share the same habitat as you do. While woodpeckers usually tend to stay in trees, they have been known to attach themselves to the side of a house and pick away at the wood there. In fact, there have even been instances of woodpeckers poking holes in plastic siding as well. As a homeowner, you really don’t want this to happen since it usually translates into very high repair costs. In addition to the repairs, as anyone who has been near woodpeckers knows, they produce an ear popping loud noise which is almost impossible to sleep through. If you are in this situation, here are a few woodpeckers deterrent options that you can use to protect your house. If you do a little research about products available to control these birds, [...] Read more »
Using Flea Bombs in Your Home Prep and Clean-Up Tips
If your apartment, condo or house has been infested with fleas, there are many at-home pest control remedies consumers can use to rid their home from fleas. One of the easiest and most cost-effective methods is to use fast acting flea bomb. While most people read the instructions on each can prior to a flea bombs use, some are in such a hurry to rid their home from fleas, they often skip the necessary prep work required to protect their sensitive electronics and other valuable belongings. Flea bomb tips To begin, all children and pets most vacate the area. Food, food utensils, toothbrushes (if flea bombing the bathroom), bedding items and other frequently-used accessories must be completely covered or put away. This will ensure spray does not end up on items which could possibly be ingested or cause eye irritation. Using a painters drop cloth or an old sheet will [...] Read more »
How to Treat and Prevent Lawn Fungus
There are multitudes of variables that can affect the quality of a lawn. From crabgrass to clover, from insects to moles, it is simply only a matter of time before the beauty and health of a lawn is threatened. Lawn fungus is among these lawn ailments. Learning how to properly treat this problem will help resolve it quickly and help prevent it from occurring in the future. Most instances of fungi within turf is solely due to improper lawn maintenance. Firstly, watering a lawn during the evening hours causes excess water to sit on the blades of grass and soil rather than being absorbed back into the atmosphere. Essentially, the lawn becomes like a poorly ventilated shower and mold thrives. Choosing to water grass in the morning allows the water to reach the soil before it evaporates, but does not let the water sit so long that microorganisms can breed [...] Read more »
Sprinklers To Stop Pests
Many owners of gardens have a real problem with pests digging up the borders or eating growing plants. But there is a very cost effective and humane solution to this problem. Items like the Havahart 5265 which are known as a motion activated sprinkler systems are the best possible solution. We will find that almost straight away we will no longer get unwanted animals in the garden. They can be a real problem deciding that they have now got their own personal toilet or own supply of fresh food so we want to stop them, but in a natural and humane way. The scarecrow sprinkler systems work simply yet very effectively to ensure that these animals are never a problem again. At their most basic they are designed to spray water as soon as they detect any motion in a given area. Many of them cover an area of 100 [...] Read more »
When To Do A Black Mold Inspection
Mold and fungus are everywhere; the wrong kind of mold and fungus or a heavy concentration can create major health problems. There are many indications of a mold problem; the simplest is a mildewy or musky odor. A complete inspection will include crawlspaces, basements, attics, behind walls and anywhere there is a sign of mold or water infiltration. Some homeowners do this themselves; others call in a professional inspector to locate the problem, stop the moisture and remove the mold. Mold grows where is high humidity which can be caused by water infiltration through the roof or basement, pipe leaks, or flooding. Signs of a problem include damp basements or crawl spaces, discoloration on walls, peeling or cracking paint, wood that is warped, black growth in the bathroom and visible signs of mold. Mold will continue to grow as long as there is adequate moisture to feed it. A complete [...] Read more »
Molds: the House Pests You Should Never Ignore
Molds are those thick, slimy substances that soil almost every part of your home. Foul-smelling and awfully prevalent, these fungi can destroy house fixtures in such a short span of time. Aside from that, they could cause life-threatening diseases to whoever comes in contact with them. Given these harmful effects, it is important that you know more about these pests. By gaining some information, you can somehow inhibit the abundance of molds. Information on Molds Molds live on any organic matter. That could be paper, wood, or dead material. Also, molds help in the decomposition and recycling of certain substances to balance the ecosystem. While they are extremely beneficial organisms in our environment, their presence in household areas should be controlled and reduced. Black mold reproduces through the production of mold spores. These spores are distributed on different media, such as air and water. New mold from the spores will [...] Read more »