5 Steps To Get Rid Of Fleas

Fleas will bite both animals and humans for blood. Flea bites typicaly appear as small red bumps that are itchy and uncomfortable more often than not. These bites usually appear in small groups on the skin. Not only are flea bites uncomfortable, fleas can transmit bacteria and viruses through their bites. If you get bitten by a flea, you should clean the bite with warm water and soap to reduce the risk of infection. Anti-itch creams are available as well. If you feel a flea bite is serious, seek the advie of a medical professional as soon as possible.

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INDOOR FLEA INFESTATION

An infestation of fleas can be very difficult to eliminate due to fleas having a complex life cycle. There are four stages to a flea's life; the egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages together make up what is known as a complete metamorphosis  The fleas life cycle can take anywhere from a couple weeks to several months, depending on the immediate environmentent to complete. This makes control methods difficult at times for most people. Some retail products marketed for flea control may only be formulated for one or two life cycles. It's often best to call a professional like Gladhill Services in order to rid your home of fleas once your pet is treated. 

Since pets go in and out of the house all the time it's almost impossible to treat fleas without treating both the inside and outside of your home. A treatment on the lawn will also need to be in order. Dense foliage from landscape plants may be in need of treatment too since fleas can thrive in areas of dense high growth or groundcover.
These are common areas to find fleas.

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Step One - Vacuuming

First you'll need to vacuum the entire house. Vacuum all carpeting and hard surfaces, paying close attention to where your pet sleeps and spends time resting. Be sure to get underneath all furniture, rugs, beds etc. You must vacuum (and treat if doing yourself) all furniture. Once this initial step is complete disregard your vacuum bag in in a sealed container and take it outside. This will prevent fleas from getting back out infesting your home again. Vacuuming, shampooing or even steam cleaning rugs and carpet will only kill some of the larvae  so a professional treatment will most likely remain necessary for the complete elimination.

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Step Two - Wash Linens

Wash all bed linens and pet bedding to kill possible fleas. Be sure to always wash and dry all bedding at the hottest temperature fabrics can tolerate or, if washing is not possible you must bag all linens and remove from the house during this step. These items must be washed at a later date but, cannot be brought back inside the house until washed and dried.

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Step Three - Keep Pets Out

To keep you and your pets safe we suggest your veterinarian treat your pet for fleas on the day Gladhill Services provides your service. This helps prevent your pet from re-introducing the pest into the treated environment. Make sure to remove your pet's food and water dishes. In fact, it's best to remove any pet-related items from your home during treatment. Please keep your pet out of treated areas until materials are dry. We suggest ventilateing the interior of your home during this time.

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Exterior Flea Prevention

In many parts of the country, freezing temperatures help control flea populations outside. But in warmer climates, flea populations thrive all year long. Fleas do prefer a cooler, shady place with a little moisture. During the warmer months, fleas hide in and around shrubs, within leaf litter, in mulch, and under structures that may fill your landscape. Since flease cannot tolerate the sun for too long do not thrive much in cut lawns as many believe. Here are a few steps that will help keep your yard less attractive to fleas.

Step Four - Clean Up Yard

Clean up and remove debris from your yard. Remove any refuse or garden debris like piles of wood,  bricks, or any type of discarded pots. These are the ideal breeding sites for fleas.  Use a broom to sweep off patios. Don’t forget to check out your cat or dog's favorite places to run and lay. This includes dog runs and kennels, areas underneath decks or porches, under shrubs, and along fence lines.

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Step Five - Mow & Prune

An easy way to reduce flea and tick populations in your yard is to keep the grass, trees, and shrubs trimmed. Mowing your lawn to the proper height exposes the soil to sunshine, keeping it dry, and removing the longer grass fleas and ticks prefer to hide in. Prune bushes and trim trees to increase the amount of sunshine in your yard. Both fleas and ticks prefer moist environments, so be sure to avoid overwatering.

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Eliminating fleas should always be left up to professionals like Gladhill Services. You shouldn't have to live in a home infested by fleas so give us a call 717-597-1040 or click here to get an inspection today.

Get Rid Of Mice & Rats

The first step to solving any rodent problem is to know if it's rats or mice you're up against. You need to be sure you have a mouse problem and not a rat infestation. Steps towards solving the problem will vary depending on which species has invaded your home or business.

Since both rats and mice are nocturnal creatures; it's unlikely you'll actually see either during the day Although, if seen in daylight, mice are easy to identify. Compared to rats mice are much smaller in size. Mice have longer, thinner tails covered in fur with small, round ears.

Knowing the difference between rats and mice will help save you time, money and heartache.

Rodent Identification

Both mice and rats are nocturnal creatures and are rarely seen in daylight. Rats and mice often forage for food over night, when most residents of the house are sleeping. Even if you do catch sight or sound of a rodent invader, it might only be for a second or two not leaving enough time to identify the species correctly.

Mice are smaller than rats and have larger ears. Mice will have gray or brown fur with white bellies. The head of a mouse is triangular with long whiskers. Mice have long tails with hair.

Rats are larger than mice and leave behind larger droppings. Rats may be black, gray or brown with white stomachs. The head a rat is more blunt in appearance when compared to a mouse Rats have tails that are pinkish, long, and hairless.

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Rodent Behavior

In general, both rats and mice are shy preferring to hide. Mice and rats are both nocturnal, only venturing away from their nests at night. Although rats and mice are known to walk around in dirty places, rats, tend to leave greasy marks on walls and along baseboards where they travel back and forth each night.

Mice and rats seek out warm, secluded places to nest, find food and birth their young. Mice and rats both give birth to several young therefore starting an infestation in a any type of structure quickly! Rats and mice seek out food around the property while chewing their way through storage containers, wood or drywall.

Mice and rats have sharp teeth that continually grow, so they gnaw and chew on things. Rats are well-known for chewing through electrical wires and small plumbing lines.

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Preventing Rodents

The most effective rat and mouse control begins with prevention. Trash should be disposed of properly, and in a sanitary manner. Sanitation practices must be maintained. Human as well as pet food must be kept in sealed containers. Standing water and moisture leaks should be repaired. Man-placed rodent shelters such as wood piles and overgrown weedy areas should be eliminated.

The most effective form control measure for rats and mice is to limit food, water, shelter, and access to structures. Rats and mice are both able to squeeze through holes that appear much too small for them. Preventing rodents begins by following steps outlined at the bottom of this page.

f you're frightened or unsure about mice invading your property, Gladhill Services offers the easiest and most reliable solutions for rodent problems.  We provide a quick, 100% guaranteed service to rid your home or business of rats and mice. 

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Rodent Proofing Tips

• Seal all entry points such as sewers, cracks, crevices, and air vents.
• Repair or replace damaged screens around the foundation and under eaves
• Install a tightly-fitted access panel or door for the crawl space.
• Seal all openings around pipes, cables, and wires that enter through walls or the foundation. 
• Be sure that windows are screened and that screens are in good condition.
• Cover rooftop plumbing vent pipes with screens.
• Make sure exterior doors are tightly fitted with weatherproofing at bottoms.

DIY Mosquito Control

The control of mosquitos can become very complicated for homeowners and professionals alike as the insect can adapt to changing conditions. Mosquitos can quickly fly away depositing eggs in another area close by. Pesticides may become displaced in heavy rains but there are options available. 

WHAT MOSQUITOS DO

Mosquitoes are one of the most significant concerns for disease. Mosquitoes have adapted to thrive in an urban environment. Mosquitos have also evolved into becoming a major nuisance in residential backyards from one year to the next.  According to the CDC, mosquitos are responsible for the transmission of West Nile virus, Zika virus and encephalitis.

Female mosquitoes feed on blood for egg development. The males do not feed on blood. Mosquitoes are extremely annoying to humans as they bite, posing a significant threat due to their ability to transmit diseases. As a food source for many creatures, mosquitos also play an important role in nature.

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MOSQUITO BITES

Usually, a mosquito bite appears like a small, inflamed, and itchy bump. Some people may react more intensely if they are allergic. While the mosquito bite itself is harmless, mosquitoes can transmit diseases like malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever, and Zika through the bite. Due to this risk, it's wise to use an insect repellant when outdoors to help prevent mosquitos from biting you. If you feel a mosquito bite is serious, seek medical help as soon as possible.

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MOSQUITO LIFESTYLE

Mosquito populations are typically concentrated near areas where standing water can be found. Due to reproduction, mosquito eggs need water in order to hatch and thrive. Some species of mosquito lay their eggs directly in the water, while other species deposit their eggs in moist soil, out of direct sunlight. When the soil becomes flooded with water the eggs then hatch. The "floodwater" species of mosquitos lay their eggs in autumn, remaining dormant throughout the winter then, hatch during spring when rains fill the areas. A female mosquito will produce up to 200 eggs at a time that will easily developes into an infestation anywhere.

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PREVENTING MOSQUITOS

STANDING WATER
Uncirculated water, ponds, fountains, retention ponds, birdbaths, and old tires.

MOIST CONDITIONS
Tree wells, tree holes, flowerbeds, plant containers, decorative pots, sprinklers.

RESTING AREAS
Any surface protected from wind and direct sunlight that retian higher levels of moisture. Take into consideration areas underneath decks and porches, the underside leaves, eaves, and gazebos.

One of the easiest ways to prevent mosquito populations from forming is to simply empty or throw out anything that could collect or retain standing water, like buckets, lids, old tires, etc. It is a well-known fact that mosquito infestations can start out of a single cap from a soda bottle. Another way to go about preventing mosquitos around your home is to use the traditional bug zappers. These are useful when hung or placed around porches and patios. Most insects are naturally attracted to light so it makes sense to attract them with bug zappers. When outdoors natural as well as conventional bug sprays will help knock down the total number of bites but understand most retail products are shy of long-term control. many of these retail products have a very low dose of active ingredients allowing their effectiveness to only last a few minutes to a few hours at best.  If a mosquito infestation seems out of your control, give Gladhill ervices a call. We can evaluate the situation for you, seek out the breeding sites and develop a solution to deal resolve your problem as quickly and as effectively as possible.

Sleeping With The Enemy?

Struggling to get rid of bed bugs?

Bed bugs are very good at hiding in the tiniest places, and most people have no idea they have them until they get bit. Gladhill Services listens to their customers concern, so we have put together a few easy do-it-yourself bed bug treatment options to help prevent and eliminate bed bugs from your home. Since bed bugs are active during the night and rarely seen by people, prevention is the best measure when dealing with these pests. However, if you do suspect bed bugs in your home, here are a few treatment options to help reduce bed bugs  until a professional arrives.

Quick Bed Bug Facts

• Bed bugs are blood-feeding pests that have made quite the resurgence in recent years.
• The more you know about bed bugs, the better your chances are of avoiding them.
• As their name warns, these pests live, feed and breed where you sleep.
• Bed bugs can go without food for more than six months.
• Bed bugs are difficult to eliminate without the help of a pest professional.

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USING HEAT AND WATER
If you notice insect bites on your arms, face, back, neck or other areas of your body upon waking in the morning continue reading. If you find dark reddish to black spots  on your mattress you should consider bed bugs in your home. If any of these signs are present do not wait another day! Wash all bedding including sheets, pillow cases, blankets, and throws immediately. Wash all items in hot water at a temperature of no less than 120 degrees. Bed bugs can't survive a dryer cycle on high heat, so be sure to dry all linens, after washing, on high heat for more than 30 minutes. Always check laundry instructions on your linens being mindful as not to damage them . An all important step in this process is to be sure that your bedding and linens are brought to and from the laundry room in a dedicated hamper or basket. This will help prevent bed bugs from spreading into other parts of the home.

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USING YOUR VACUUM AND ELBOW GREASE
Vacuum with a crack and crevice tip on your mattress, bed frame, along your baseboards and don't forget the headboard. Thoroughly vacuum any and all crevices where bed bugs, their eggs and young could hide during the day. This includes the insides of dresser drawers and night stands. Pull off wall hangings and be sure to vacuum the frames well. Discard the vacuum bag outside in the trash immediately following this process. Place your box springs and mattress in special bed bug encasements. If unsure about these then call Gladhill Services about mesh covers specifically designed to kill bed bugs for up to two years. These new covers not only prevent bed bugs from being able to hide in your mattress, they will continue to effectively eliminate them for up to two years. Finally, scrub down all hard surfaces like your headboard, bed frames, baseboards, floors and the inside and outsides of chests and drawers. Do this with a brush or disposable rag you can discard immediately after use. Soapy water, hydrogen peroxide mixed in water and tea tree oil diluted in water are safe and extremely effective in sanitizing surfaces. But, as with any cleaning solution always check the label as not to damage any surfaces. 

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USING YOUR MIND AND WIT
Like fleas and ticks, bed bugs do not live on their hosts. Bed bugs prefer feeding on humans, however, cats and dogs are susceptible hosts to bed bugs as well. At times, our pets may be responsible for bringing them into our homes. Pet bedding, stuffed animals, pet toys and cardboard boxes can harbor bed bugs even after professional treatments. If you are unable to discard these types of things then, you should treat them as you would the bedding, furniture and other personal items by laundering them. It's good to begin treating bed bugs like bacteria in one sense. While protecting you and your family, help protect the spread of bed bugs in your community by sealing any items you may discard in plastic or another suitable type of wrapping material. Thick trash bags work well when tied tightly and immediately thrown out into a dumpster or trash can. In accordance with the law in certain states, mattresses must be sealed when discarded. When you take these preventive measures be aware that there are species of bed bug that live in proximity to mammals and animals such as bats, swallows and owls. If you have a pest issue with birds nesting near your home, or bats in your attic, it's best to consider humane and professional options for the control of these animals too when eliminating and preventing bed bugs. 

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CALL A PROFESSIONAL
Even after you have done all this, bed bugs may still be present. Sometimes bed bugs continue entering your home on a regular basis simply due to a child, pet or friend. Your partner may travel for work so, understand you may have done your very best and still lost the battle in prevention but, never lose hope. Professionals deal with bed bugs everyday. They have special products, tips, and years of experience to help when your peace of mind has been lost. The easiest way to prevent and eliminate bed bugs is to contact a professional like Gladhill Services. A local pest professional will be able to assess your situation and begin eliminating bed bugs where they live and breed. A professional bed bug technician from Gladhill Services will give you peace of mind eliminating bed bugs in your home with as little disruption to your life as possible. Call us, and let us bring you some peace of mind. 

DIY Winter Pest Proofing

As the cold and bitter air of winter draws nearer and as the temperatures begin dropping, rodents like mice and rats head indoors in search of food and shelter. Other pests begin migrating inside as well as they too seek out warmth along with a peaceful place to overwinter. If you’re not careful, your home could easily end up becoming a natural resource for nature! The good news is you don’t have to stand helpless while rodents and other pests silently check in to your home for the winter.

STEP ONE:   MAINTAIN LAWN & LANDSCAPE

While you might be wondering just how maintaining your lawn and landscape is helpful towards pest-proofing your home for the winter, know that rodents and other household pests begin their life cycles outside. If your lawn is full of overgrown vegitation and debris pests will thrive in their natural environment before making their way inside your house for the winter. When pest-proofing your home for the winter, start in September by doing the following:

• Clear your lawn and landscape of leaves, clippings, and other debris
• Eliminate standing water and garden remnant
• Check for rodent burrows around your foundatio

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STEP TWO:   CLEAN YOUR KITCHEN & SECURE THE GARBAGE

The majority of household pests end up in the kitchen due to water and food being readily available. One of the best ways to keep pests out of your home and especially out of your kitchen is to make food less available to them. Sometimes a simple cleaning of cabinets and counter tops isn't enough... This means:

• Securely place food in airtight containers and store them in the fridge or cabinets.
• Don’t leave fresh foods and produce on your counters or tabletops over night.
• Clean out your pet’s bowls each nigh, and take them off the floor when they are near a door.

Pests and rodents will take any type of food they can get, even your leftovers from three days ago! To help reduce the number of pests in and around your home make sure you secure your garbage every day, and remove it from inside the home on a regular basis. If you leave a bag full of trash near the perimeter of your house you’re simply asking rodents and other pests to come inside for the winter - or, any other time of the year. If possible, raise your garbage containers off the ground to discourage rodents from easily climbing up and into them. 

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STEP THREE:    REPAIR ENTRY POINTS IN YOUR HOME

The last professional tip, and most likely the best way to begin pest-proofing your home for the winter is to ensure pests are unable to find their way inside. When nighttime temperatures begin falling it's best to take some time checking the interior walls of your basement or crawl space, and around the exterior of your home looking for entry points. Entry points are considered tiny to large openings, such as a crack, in the foundation or base of a house that rodents and other pests can crawl into gaining access to the interior of structures. Specific areas to check when searching for entry points are as follows:

• Laundry vents
• Utility meters
• Foundation cracks
• Crawl spaces and attics

It's a good idea to install a floor sweep or other type of professional weather stripping for under doors. This will eliminate your doorways as an entry point while helping to keep warm air inside and the cool air out. 

Get Rid Of Mice Like A Boss

The successful elimination of a house mouse or mice begins with your choice of approach. Getting rid of a house mouse can be as simple as making a call to a pest professional but,  if you feel you have what it takes to confront what many fear then, keep reading. In general, mice are harmless alone but, they can bite, they can spread some disease, and, they can certainly make a mess of things inside the home with their urine and feces, especially when near foods you may have in the pantry. 

When it comes to mice invading your home, you have three choices. You can:
1) learn how to catch a mouse,
2) learn how to kill a mouse, or
3) learn how to prevent them from entering your house to begin with. 

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1. Rodent Proofing 101

Rodent-proofing your home is the most effective way to get rid of a house mouse or prevent the infestation of mice in your home. The easiest way to avoid mice in your home is by eliminating the areas they enter. Without a trained eye, this may prove to be difficult at times since mice have the ability to squeeze into tiny cracks no more than a quarter inch in size. In other words, if you can fit a pencil in it, a mouse can get through it. The majority of these entry points are found around the exterior of the home at or near ground level.

Sealing these small cracks in the foundation and block portions of your home will prevent mice from getting inside as the temperatures begin cooling. Openings in the ground level of your home, as well as basement walls are good areas to inspect, especially where utility pipes and ventilation are installed. Steel wool works very well in these areas. Simply take a screw driver and begin pushing pieces of the steel wool inside until the hole or crack is full. Unless you want the mice to come back, avoid using rubber, plastic, caulking, or even wood plugs because mice will chew their way right through. Install a weather strip on your doors and seal any window gaps to help. 

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2. Baiting 101

Now, if you feel that your home is sealed tightly yet, you still suspect a mouse or two inside there are other ways to go about the elimination process. Be it a single house mouse or multiple mice you can use some type of food product for bait. The traditional foods such as chocolate, peanut butter, bacon, or oatmeal works fine. When you're ready to begin baiting, you will need a standard snap trap. In order to be effective, you'll need to secure the bait to the trigger pad of the snap trap. This may be done with dental floss or even fishing line. If you do not secure the bait to the trigger pad of the trap chances are your mouse will get a free snack and run off into the night freely escaping the death that surely awaited it.

You can easily place peanut butter on the trigger pad as the mouse will need time to get it all in his or her belly - just enough time to get nailed by your trap. It's ok because most people feel the snap trap is humane as the mice never truly knew what hit them. Obviously, this is the general opinion of people. We haven't heard anything from the local mice to date. 

You can purchase sealed packets of pellets or granules of poison to place in areas of mouse activity. The mice find the bait, eat it then, die in the shadows more often than not. There are even weighted containers you can place bait in around the exterior of homes to eliminate mice and other rodent issues. These are typically left in the hands of professionals with experience and reserved for places routinely hit with rodent activity though. 

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3. Trapping Like A Champ

The best way to get rid of mice in an ongoing infestation is with traps. There are several types of traps sold on the market for this purpose - some work well while others are just not worth a dime. The best part of traps is that they are non-toxic, they kill the mouse instantly instead of poisoning, and once caught they are easily disposed of before they begin rotting and smell. The classic wooden snap traps work well, but keep in mind that most people do not like the mess they can make. Baiting the trigger pads can be difficult as well.

Glue boards are another non-toxic and environmentally friendly way to catch mice and other rodents. Glue boards are simply a small to large piece of cardboard with one side full of a thick gel-like glue. While many people feel this is not as humane as a snap trap, glue boards are easily placed, silent, do not make a mess of blood and other possible rodent fluids, and do allow for easy disposal of mice. Tin Cats are a metal box with a one-way door installed for mice to enter only. Once inside these traps, a mouse cannot get out. They do not require any kill or baiting at all. When you find a mouse in the trap you simply set it free outside as it will come back in later. So, you can see how effective they are at times. Again, experienced pest professionals know how to handle and eliminate mice caught in these types of traps. Not very advisable for the home owner who doesn't like killing small rodents. 

4. Think Like A Mouse

If you haven't decided to call a professional or begin excluding entry points in the home let us back up and understand that mice are a form of wildlife. When temperatures drop to freezing they seek out food and shelter just as any animal or person would do. It just happens that the heat, light and food you have inside your house appeals to them. Can you blame them? Their small size and natural abilities to adapt make them a popular pest especially during the winter months. Sealing any possible entry points is key to successfully eliminating, ridding or ending any type of rodent issue. Baiting with snap traps does end a mouse problem quickly if done correctly. If done wrong... well... the problem doesn't get any better and at times, may get worse with a female mouse inside. 

During the warmer months it's a good idea to keep your lawn and landscape maintained by removing debris and lawn refuse. Move your compost pile far away from the house and any piles of leaf or lawn clippings. Keep your weeds to a minimum and fill in any burrows that might be visible to your eye. This discourages rodents from coming back. Replacing your mulch with gravel also helps discourage mice from entering around the foundation when cooler temps follow. Try elevating your garbage containers off the ground. Some blogs say to wrap your garbage in tightly sealed plastic bags but remember that the teeth of rodents are very sharp and plastic is no match for them - they will chew right through it hence elevation. Raising your containers six inches off the ground is enough to keep mice and rats at bay. And finally, keep your house clean and free of crumbs littering the kitchen floor. 

Rid Your Home Of Roaches

A cockroach infestation requires immediate action by professionals to eliminate the problem and help minimize health risks associated with them. Cockroaches are attracted to food (especially rotting and decaying food matter). A cockroach will eat the same food you eat, along with paper products, packaging, fabrics, toothpaste and pet feces. It's easier to discover signs of a cockroach problem in your home or business than it is to actually see a live cockroach. Nocturnal creatures, cockroaches will hide out of your sight during the day becoming much more active at night.

Signs of a Cockroach Infestation

1. Cockroach feces - a cockroach will leave a trail of black droppings.
2. Cockroach smear - a cockroach will leave smear marks wherever they are active. 
3. Cockroach skin - A cockroach will shed skins 5-8 times as they mature to adults.
4. Cockroach odor - A cockroach infestation will produces an unpleasant smell. 

With multiple entry points, your home or commercial property could be a breeding ground for cockroaches.The easiest way to prevent cockroaches from entering your home or office is denying them access to food, water and shelter. German cockroaches favor kitchens but, may easily be prevented by keeping crumbs and other food particles from accumulating around countertops and cabinets. Regular cleaning with a general disinfectant helps deter cockroaches from nesting.

German cockroaches may be found in bathrooms and laundry rooms also as they seek out warmth and humidity. They are good climbers with the ability to move straight up glass.

Oriental cockroaches dwell in areas with cooler, damp conditions like basements and drains. Oriental roaches can survive outside in areas in and around dumpsters, landfills, as well as infest urban environments where water and food debris build up.

• Eliminate food sources - dry foods should be stored in sealed containers or plastic bags. Do not leave water in sinks or liquids in buckets.
• Clear waste food and spills - remove food debris from prep areas and remove food scraps daily keeping garbage and compost in sealed containers.
• Contain pet food - Empty pet drink, pet food, and litter trays for overnight.
• Rinse containers - Rinse bottles, cans and other containers before disposal.
• No Clutter - Do not (or throw out) newspaper and magazine piles, cardboard boxes and other clutter from all areas. 
• Seal points of entry- Fill gaps around pipes, drains and in walls shared with other buildings when dealing with German, Oriental and American cockroaches. Small cracks around electrical sockets should be plugged also.