Spring Allergies: Which Pests Trigger Them?

Seasonal allergies could be triggered by pests in the Des Moines IA area - Springer Professional Home Services

Here in Des Moines, allergies are a fact of life in the springtime. You or someone you know likely suffers from allergy symptoms ranging from a runny nose to itchy eyes each year. But are seasonal allergies only caused by the changing weather and blooming trees? Believe it or not, certain household pests are known to trigger allergic reactions, especially in children. If you have pests inside your home, pest allergens can exacerbate your already-bad springtime allergies! May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, and the team here at Springer Professional Home Services is committed to shining a light on the dangers of pest allergens in your home. Keep reading to learn how to prevent them!

Which Pests Trigger Allergy Symptoms?

As the weather warms up, it makes sense that many blame their allergies on the changing of the seasons. That said, pest allergens could be making your symptoms even worse. Dust mites in the home are a common cause of pest allergens. Cockroaches, however, are likely the biggest culprit of causing pest allergens. This happens when their droppings, saliva, or skins are in the environment. Stinging insects are another common trigger, as many people get allergic reactions to being stung.

Please note that it’s important to always call 911 or receive immediate medical attention if you have a severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the throat, wheezing, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

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6 Ways to Get Rid of Pest Allergens

Thankfully, you can avoid pest allergens by avoiding pests altogether. By knowing how to keep pests out, you can protect your family from pest-related allergies. Some of our top tips include:

  1. Seal cracks and holes in your property, including entry points for utilities and pipes, screen doors, and windows.
  2. Store food in sealed containers and clean kitchens on a daily basis.
  3. Dispose of garbage regularly and use a tight-fitting lid.
  4. Keep your basements and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry!
  5. Wash blankets, rugs, and bedding in hot water or get them dry-cleaned.
  6. Vacuum and dust your property frequently!

Seasonal Pest Prevention

If you keep pests out of your home, you can prevent pest allergens. That may sound easy, but pest problems are common and it can be difficult to know how to prevent them. For help preventing pests in your property, the team at Springer is here to help.

Ant Prevention Tips & Tricks

Pick up pet food to avoid ants in your Des Moines IA - Springer Professional Home Services

No homeowner wants to deal with ants at any time of the year. Unfortunately, warming temperatures in the spring bring ants out in full force! Especially after a wetter winter here in the Des Moines area, worker ants are starting to leave their nests in search of food and water. The bad news is that they can easily find these things in your home! Now is the time to ant-proof your home to avoid the onslaught of ants in the coming months. The team at Springer Professional Home Services is here with their best ant prevention tips and tricks to help you keep ants out for good. Keep reading to learn more!

Top Ant Prevention Tips

Once you have them, it can seem like a never-ending battle to keep ants out. This is why ant prevention is so important! Some of the ways you can effectively keep ants out are as follows. 

  1. Inspect the foundation of your home and seal any cracks or crevices using a silicone-based caulk.
  2. Keep any pet food bowls clean and always clean up after messes and spills. Pick pet bowls up off the floor after meal times.
  3. Make sure downspouts and gutters are all functioning properly so that water is flowing away from the foundation.
  4. Regularly check under sinks for excess moisture problems and repair leaky pipes promptly.
  5. Trim trees and shrubbery in your yard to be at least 6 inches away from the home.
  6. Wipe down any counter tops and sweep floors regularly to clean up spills and remove crumbs.
  7. Store food (including pet food) in airtight containers and refrigerate ripe fruit.
  8. Dispose of garbage on a regular basis and use trash cans with a tight-fitting lid.

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Ant Control Tips to Avoid

In general, all-natural and store-bought products will only get you so far when it comes to getting rid of ants. While some may work to prevent infestations, they certainly won’t work to control a full-blown infestation. Store-bought products are often a short-term solution, which is why it’s so important to always use a professional ant exterminator. A pest control company can get to the root of your ant problem and make sure you do not have to deal with ant problems in the future.

How to Treat for Ants

If you have ants, it’s simply best to use a professional ant exterminator. At-home ant control methods are not reliable, and are rarely a long-lasting solution. At Springer, we know how frustrating ants are. We will work with you to keep ants out of your home–for good!

Pest Control Services: DIY vs Professional

Mouse traps are a common DIY pest control method in Des Moines IA. Learn more from Springer Professional Home Services.

Everyone has tried their hand at DIY pest control at one point or another. Perhaps you sprayed a vinegar solution on ants, placed rat traps, or bought a spray for roaches. Even if these solutions worked for a short amount of time, they rarely work when you’re dealing with a large-scale pest problem. Unfortunately, at-home remedies for pests are unreliable, timely, and can even be more expensive than you think. For quick, effective, and guaranteed results, it’s always best to use a professional exterminator such as Springer Professional Home Services. Read on for info on the pros and cons of DIY vs. professional pest control here in Des Moines IA!

DIY Pest Control Effectiveness

If you have just a few pests in your home or business, DIY or store-bought products will likely do the trick. However, if the pest problem persists or gets worse, these same methods will likely not do you any good. Doing your own pest control comes with a number of risks. First of all, do-it-yourself methods simply won’t work to control more dangerous pests such as termites, bed bugs, rodents, carpenter ants, and more. These pests are tricky to get rid of without the help of a professional.

In addition, a lot of store-bought products are laden with chemicals that can be dangerous for your family if applied incorrectly. These products also rarely come with a guarantee or warranty on their effectiveness. Bottom line, you can’t rely on DIY pest control in the long term.

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Why Hire a Professional Exterminator?

A professional pest control company might seem like something you don’t need…until you deal with your first major infestation! Some of the benefits of professional pest control are: 

  1. An experienced exterminator has the knowledge and experience to tackle any current infestation you have. In addition, they have an understanding of the behaviors and habits of pests, making it easier for them to control any problems quickly and efficiently.
  2. With a focus on IPM practices, they can also work to prevent future problems. As often as possible, a professional will use environmentally-responsible products that are always applied safely and effectively with little invasion or disruption to your daily life.
  3. If you choose to invest in regular pest control services, your exterminator will work with you to develop a customized pest control plan suited to the unique needs of your home in your region!

When to Call an Exterminator

DIY pest control might sound like a good idea at the time, but it rarely delivers the results you need. To protect your property from pests all year long, a professional exterminator can make sure you never have to resort to DIY pest control methods again. For more information, contact the team at Springer today!

Do Insects Transmit COVID-19?

Mosquito bites do not transmit coronavirus. Springer Professional Home Services in Des Moines IA

Here at Springer Professional Home Services, we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation as more information comes out every day. As always, our focus remains to be the health and safety of our communities here in central Iowa. That’s why we’re here to dispel a myth about how the coronavirus is spread. Although mosquitoes and ticks are infamous for spreading diseases worldwide, these pests do not transmit COVID-19. Mosquitoes and ticks are vectors for several deadly diseases, but these are vector-borne diseases while coronavirus is spread from person to person. Using information from the CDC, we’ve compiled facts on vector-borne diseases in this post. Read on to learn more!

Differences of Vector-Borne Diseases & Coronavirus

COVID-19 is not transmitted by vector pests, including mosquitoes and ticks. Coronavirus is a respiratory virus that is said to pass from person to person, which is why it is so contagious. People are exposed from droplets from saliva or nasal discharge, typically generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Research has shown that it can be spread through contaminated surfaces, and it is increasingly considered to be an airborne virus. Mosquito-borne and tick-borne diseases are of an entirely different nature than this current virus. The main difference is that vector-borne diseases do not pass from person to person! In addition, vector-borne diseases often involve parasites. It’s important to understand that mosquito bites will not transmit COVID-19.

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Mosquito-Borne Diseases

They may not transmit coronavirus, but ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are vectors for infectious diseases that have impacted nations worldwide. The following diseases are often tied back to vector pests:

  • Mosquitoes are infamous for transmitting malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and more.
  • Lyme disease, currently the most common vector-borne disease in the nation, is transmitted by ticks.
  • When vector pests feeds off a diseased host, they can transmit pathogens that may infect other hosts it subsequently bites. 

Pest Control Services During the Coronavirus Pandemic

In these uncertain times, it’s important to stay aware of the facts. Mosquitoes and ticks do not spread coronavirus. Regardless it’s important to take caution in the presence of pests and to always enlist the help of a professional exterminator to prevent dangerous insects. Here at Springer, our team is dedicated to providing you with essential pest control services during the pandemic and all year long.

With new information about COVID-19 coming out every hour, we want to encourage our customers to seek more up-to-date info and follow guidelines released by the WHO and the CDC, as well as your state and local public health agencies.

Look Out For These Spring Pests!

Prevent spring pests by spring cleaning your Des Moines IA home. Learn more from Springer Professional Home Services!

If you live or work in the Des Moines area, you know that pest problems can be a year-round reality. Most of us welcome the spring season with open arms, but with warmer weather comes the resurgence of pests! With pest season only just starting, now is the time to protect your property against pests. Thankfully, most of us already have spring cleaning plans in place, making it easy to implement pest prevention at the same time! Read on for expert tips from the exterminators here at Springer Professional Home Services.

Springtime Pest Infestations

Although some of the below pests are active all year long, spring is the beginning of their most active season. The pests to be on the lookout for this time of year include:

  • Ants. Warming temperatures encourage ants to start invading once more.
  • Termites. It’s officially swarming season! Termite infestations tend to start around spring.
  • Rodents. Although they’re active year-round, rats and mice are a problem in the spring.
  • Stinging insects. Wasps and hornets are gearing up to build nests this time of year.
  • Stink bugs. After overwintering, people report a resurgence in stink bugs.

Have a pest problem? We can help!

How Can You Prevent Spring Pests?

With spring here, now is the time to learn how to prevent pests in your property! One of the best ways to do so is to thoroughly clean your property. Our top tips for protecting your property include the following areas to focus on. Clean your windows and doors, and make sure there are no cracks or crevices. Deep-clean your carpets by vacuuming, shampooing, or steam-cleaning them. Thoroughly sanitize your kitchen with a focus on your floors and beneath your appliances. Crumbs and spilled liquids are a goldmine for bugs and other pests!

Outside, clean up debris from your yard, gutters, and overhangs. Make sure to trim back tree limbs and shrubs away from the foundation of your home to keep outdoor pests outdoors.

Preventing Pests in the Spring and All Year Long

Pest season is officially underway, making it important to stay aware of the ways you can prevent pests. Your best bet is always to team up with a professional pest control expert such as Springer. Our exterminators can work with you to customize a pest control plan suited to the unique needs of your home and property.

Termites vs. Flying Ants

Carpenter ants are frequently confused with termites in Des Moines IA - Learn how to tell them apart with expert info from Springer Professional Home Services!

Spring is right around the corner, meaning it’s nearly swarming season. Flying ants, also known as carpenter ants, are one of the biggest threats this time of year. They are second, though, to the dangers of termites! Both of these wood-destroying insects may be damaging, but termites are more of a threat to property owners throughout Des Moines. They are also often confused for each other, as they look quite similar as swarmers. It’s important to learn how to tell them apart. For more info on termites vs. flying ants, keep reading for expert tips from the termite exterminators at Springer Professional Home Services!

What do Termites vs. Flying Ants Look Like?

It can be easy to confuse these two wood-destroying insects, but there are a couple of key differences to make note of:

  1. Carpenter ant swarmers are black in color or occasionally red. Carpenter ants measure 1/2″–5/8″ with antenna bent at a 45-degree angle. Their wings are translucent with a reddish brown hue, laying over the posterior of the ant. Carpenter ant swarmers are bigger than termite swarmers!
  2. Termite swarmers are black to brown in color and measure 3/8″ long including the wings. Their wings are a translucent to slightly milky or smoky color. Their wings may overlap, and are typically as long as or slightly longer than the body; this is the best way to differentiate them from carpenter ants.

Winged ant vs. termite in Des Moines IA - Springer Professional Home Services

Wood-Destroying Insect Behavior

Carpenter ants establish nests in wood that is already in decay, and later expand into sound wood, insulation, or wall voids. Galleries excavated by carpenter ants appear to have been sanded down. For the most part, carpenter ant damage does not amount to the potential damage of a termite infestation.

On the other hand, termites make their way into a structure around basement windows, doorways, porches, or any other area of the property in contact with soil. Grown colonies can range from 60,000 to over a million workers and can consume nearly 5 grams of wood per day. Because their colonies can grow to such massive numbers, termites are considered much more dangerous than carpenter ants.

How to Get Rid of Termites & Carpenter Ants

If you’ve discovered the signs of termites or flying ants, it’s time to call a termite exterminator. The team at Springer knows how distressing these insects can be, and work to keep you, your family, and your home protected from them all year long. For more information on how we can keep you free of termites and carpenter ants, give our team a call!

Have a pest problem? We can help!

Rodents: The Disease & Damage They Cause

Rats chew through wires in Des Moines IA homes. THe mice exterminators at Springer Professional Home Services can prevent them!

Rodent infestations are feared for the damage they inflict and dangers they bring. These pests are much worse than simply a nuisance. Rats and mice have been tied back to a number of dangerous diseases, making it important to seek help from a rodent exterminator if you notice the signs of them in your home. These diseases are most commonly spread through their droppings, but can also be transmitted indirectly through fleas and mice. Read on to learn expert info on the dangers of rodents from the mice exterminators at Springer Professional Home Services.

Common Diseases Spread by Rats & Mice

The thing people fear most about rodents are the diseases they carry. These can be transmitted directly through human contact with droppings or bites, or indirectly through infested fleas and ticks. Although these diseases may be rare in Iowa, it’s still important to be aware of them: 

  1. Hantavirus. Most often found in the urine and feces of deer mice, hantavirus can cause symptoms from fever and chills to aches in pains.
  2. Salmonella. Rats and mice are infamous for contaminating food. The most common bacteria they spread is of course salmonella, known as food poisoning.
  3. Lyme Disease. This disease is transmitted by ticks, which are often carried by rats and mice. This disease is dangerous and can have long-term effects on health.
  4. Plague. Historically, the bubonic plague was caused by infected fleas that were carried by rats and mice. Even though this was centuries ago, the same disease can still be spread today.

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Property Damage Caused by Rodents

Rats and mice are one of the worst pest infestations because of the mess they can create inside your home or business. Nests can be made out of any material rats and mice get their paws on, meaning they’ll shred through a number of things in your property at will. Perhaps the most dangerous thing about rats is their tendency to chew. With incisors that never stop growing, rats never stop chewing! This can lead to damaged electrical wires, which can in turn cause a fire hazard. Bottom line: rodents create a hazardous environment inside your home, which is why it’s important to team up with a professional rodent exterminator

Effective Rodent Extermination in Des Moines

If you have a rodent infestation inside your home or business, you’re almost certainly going to need the help of a mice exterminator to get rid of them. The rodent control team at Springer Professional Home Services have the years of experience needed to implement the best rat and mice removal tactics. Our goal is to keep you, your family, and your property safe from the dangers of rodents all year long.

German Cockroaches: 10 Things You Need to Know

German cockroaches are one of the most dreaded roach problems in Des Moines IA - Springer Professional Home Services

If you’ve dealt with a cockroach infestation in your Iowa home or business, there’s a high probability it was a German roach infestation. Not only do these German roaches breed at a rapid rate, they carry potentially dangerous pathogens and contaminate any surface they walk across. This species is the most common roach problem for homes, multi-family units, restaurants, food processing facilities, and more.

In this blog post, the experts at Springer Professional Home Services share the top 10 things to know about German cockroaches.

What to Know About German Cockroaches

Because German cockroaches so frequently infest homes and businesses throughout the year, it’s important to know their habits and behaviors in order to identify their presence. Some key German cockroach facts to remember include:

  1. German cockroaches can be identified by their pronotum (protective plate behind the head), which has two longitudinal dark stripes.
  2. These roaches are most commonly found in residential and commercial kitchens or bathrooms. German cockroaches typically prefer areas of high temperatures and high
  3. humidity.
  4. They live indoors primarily. They rarely can live outdoors in warm weather.
  5. German cockroaches have an extremely quick rate of reproduction. They can quickly spread throughout a building.
  6. The ootheca (egg case) of the German cockroach holds between 35–40 eggs, which take one month to hatch.
  7. German cockroaches can carry or transmit diseases and pathogens that may be dangerous to humans.
  8. German cockroach infestations have been tied back to causing severe asthmatic reactions in some people.
  9. These cockroaches can climb on smooth surfaces due to a sticky pad called an arolium on their feet.
  10. German cockroaches prefer to stay hidden in dark areas. They hide inside walls, behind cabinets, inside appliances, and other rarely accessed areas.

Preventing German Roaches in Your Des Moines Property

German cockroach infestations can be difficult to control. It’s important to learn how to prevent them in the first place. Roaches are attracted to filth and clutter. To keep them out, make sure to keep all food in sealed containers and secure your garbage cans securely. Most importantly, check on areas in your property that are dark or rarely disturbed for evidence of cockroach activity. By effectively maintaining a tidy property, you can lessen the risk of contributing to a German roach infestation.

How to Get Rid of German Cockroaches For Good

It’s time to call the exterminators at Springer Professional Home Services when you find a single cockroach in your home. We understand how distressing a roach problem can be, which is why we employ the most effective, fast-acting German cockroach removal methods to get rid of the infestation. You can trust we’ll keep your home free of German cockroaches all year long.

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5 Important Pests in 2020

Mosquitoes are one of the pests to look out for in your Des Moines IA home this upcoming year - Springer Professional Home Services

Hindsight may be 20/20, but when it comes to pests, Springer Home Professional Services is looking ahead to help homeowners proactively defend their homes against pest infestation.

At Springer Home Professional Services, we have utilized our field experiences, company data and examined trends, to determine the following six pest issues. Along with these predictions, we are offering homeowners preventative tips to help you keep your home pest-free* in 2020.

Mice

Mouse populations have exploded over the past several years. Blame warming winters for allowing more mice to survive and breed. As warmer temperatures are already being experienced this winter, mice will continue to surge. That’s bad news for homeowners because mice invade homes year-round looking for food and safe places to nest.

Homeowner Tips: Rodent-proof your home by sealing small cracks and crevices with a silicone-based caulk. Exterior gaps of ¼-inch or larger can be filled with copper mesh, hardware cloth or metal flashing. Since mice can squeeze through small openings, gaps under door frames, garage doors, windows, or pipes and cables that access your home are prime entry spots for mice.

Stinging Pests

Shifting climates can have a ripple effect throughout the pest world, and with warmer weather, experts are seeing more yellow jackets and hornet nests. Even in freezing temperatures, female yellow jackets and hornets can successfully overwinter in homes and structures. As soon as temperatures are warm enough in the spring, stinging insects will emerge from their hiding places, ready to start populations earlier in the year.

Homeowner Tips: As yellow jackets and hornets overwinter near homes and structures, they may be out and about at the first sign of warm weather. Keep your eyes open for stinging pests, utilizing a professional pest control service as soon as you spot activity.

Ticks

With the popularity of outdoor activities like hiking and camping on the rise, warming winters, and the geographic range of many ticks continue to expand, humans and their pets can expect to come into contact with ticks more frequently. Ticks of special concern include the American dog tick, the deer tick or black-legged tick, and the Lone Star tick. In 2018, there were nearly 50,000 cases of human tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever reported. Pets can also contract some of these diseases.

Homeowner Tips: When spending time outdoors, wear long-sleeve shirts, pants and socks and an EPA-approved insect repellent. To avoid ticks, walk in the center of trails and avoid walking through tall bushes or other vegetation. During and after outdoor activity, check for ticks on yourself and any family members, including your pets.

Mosquitoes

If the mosquito season seemed awful this year, it wasn’t your imagination. Experts believe that the pattern could repeat in 2020. If we have a warm, wet winter and spring, the conditions will be ideal for mosquito populations to explode in some areas in late spring and early summer. Areas of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest are predicted to have above-average rainfall, while most of the U.S. is predicted to be warmer than average this winter.

Homeowner Tips: The risk of mosquito-borne diseases, such as the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) can increase with rising populations. To prevent mosquitoes from breeding on your property, dispose of standing water and always wear an EPA-approved insect repellent when spending time outside.

Termites

Termites are the most destructive pests in North America, causing $6 billion in property damage each year. According to experts, the two main weather factors that affect termite populations are temperature and rainfall. With warmer and wetter weather predicted for spring, the termite swarming season will be ramping up soon.

Homeowner Tips: To deter termites, eliminate earth to wood contact and avoid moisture accumulation near your home or structures’ foundation. Because termites can cause such extensive damage, raising homeowner awareness around the need for proactive protection for their homes is critical to prevent costly repairs.

The experts at Springer Home Professional Services agree that a proactive approach is the first step any homeowner can take to prevent pest issues. With these 2020 pest predictions in mind, take time to evaluate your current pest control plan and ensure that you have the protection you need to protect yourself and your family from pests in 2020.

Have a pest problem? We can help!

Setting the Best Mousetrap in 5 Steps

Mousetrap in Des Moines IA home - Springer Professional Home Services provides tips on properly setting a mousetrap

If you see a mouse in your property, it’s important to act quickly! Rodent problems can spread quickly, especially with how quickly mice reproduce. Mice can be a pain to deal with—they’re messy, can chew through wires, and leave foul smelling odors wherever they go! One of the most common ways to control an infestation is with a mousetrap. In order for them to work properly, it’s important to educate yourself on how to set the best mousetrap. Read on to learn top tips from the experts at Springer Professional Home Services!

Which Mousetrap Should You Use?

Electronic, glue, and catch-and-release mousetraps are some of the most common types. All of these have varying degrees of success as well as a number of advantages and disadvantages. The most common—and likely the most popular—trap is the spring-loaded mousetrap. These have been used for decades to get rid of mice, and it’s smart to know how to properly set one! There are several tips to keep in mind when setting a mousetrap in order for them to work in your favor!

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Top Tips for Setting a Successful Mousetrap

Many people make the mistake of setting a mousetrap improperly. The following list provides tips on setting the best mousetrap:

  1. Wear gloves. Mice can smell humans and will avoid traps if they catch onto your scent!
  2. Use the best bait and the correct amount. Not all mice like cheese. Only use a small amount of bait to encourage the mice to reach into the stand and trigger the mechanism.
  3. Start with an unloaded but baited trap. It may seem counterintuitive, but start with unloaded traps (baited but not activated)! This will lure mice into a false sense of security.
  4. Use more than one trap. Always set multiple traps two to three feet apart each. You will have a better chance at catching as many mice as possible at once.
  5. Set out mousetraps strategically. Always set mousetraps along walls and behind furniture, or wherever you suspect activity.
  6. Check the mousetraps regularly. Success won’t happen overnight, but don’t give up! Always check to make sure the traps are loaded correctly with bait, as some mice will grab bait without setting off the trap.

Need Help Setting the Best Mousetrap?

Mousetraps are certainly a popular and accessible way to get rid of rodents, but they don’t always work. Especially when you’re dealing with a serious infestation, it’s sometimes best to enlist the help of a professional rodent control company. At Springer Professional Home Services, our experts know how to get rid of mice quickly and safely. For more info on setting the best mousetrap or to learn about our extermination, give us a call!