Dangers In Raking Leaves

As kids, we jumped in piles of leaves that seemed larger than life. As adults, raking leaves into piles is a chore we would rather do without. Be it an autumn chore or natural fun - there may be dangers lurking in those piles. Most insects you find in leaf piles are harmless but, some may not be.

Spiders

Spiders prey on all types of insects - many of them get raked into piles of leaves. Most spiders are harmless but, brown recluse and black widow spiders may pose harm to you or the kids. Wear gloves when disposing of fallen leaves to avoid a potential bite. Black widows can typically be found near wood so it's natural for trees and fallen leaves to possibly harbor them. 

Snakes

When it comes to snakes most would quickly slither away from activity but, copperheads blend into the leaves well. In defense or mistakenly, copperheads may strike when disturbed so be cautious if piles of leaves have been left go overnight. It's best to dispose of leaves as you rake them into piles. 

Ticks

You may believe that as temperatures fall ticks wouldn't be of concern but, they are. Deer ticks transmit Lyme disease if they attach themselves to you and go undetected for some time. Leaf piles can become a refuge for these ticks and other types. Wear long sleeved and bright colored shirts, hoodies and pants to protect yourself. Ticks usually prefer taller grass and thick brush to hide in so keep your lawn trimmed and remove any dense foliage from plants. This will go a long way in helping to prevent ticks in your leaf piles.

Centipedes

Aggressive predators, centipedes love leaf litter and this means piles of leaves. Centipedes live and remain mostly at ground level making them the ultimate potential hazard in piles of leaves. Some species are venomous can can deliver a painful bite that may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Again, wear gloves to avoid harm.

It is best to rake leaves into piles then immediately bag them up and put out for removal. By removing fallen leaves this way you are taking the proper steps to avoid potentially harmful situations. Prevention of pests goes a long way. For further questions or concerns about pests problems this fall call us at 717-597-1040.

A Haunting Tale

We hear the dreadful stories of haunted happenings as the witching hour approaches. I have heard talk of mystery and murder in hundreds of homes throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. There is little doubt in my mind that many homes haven't held their share of mystery and fright over time. But, what if there was a logical explanation for those things considered haunted?

I spent countless hours watching Ghost Hunters, The Dead Files and other paranormal reality shows in hope of finding some evidence or proof that would better explain something I experienced in my old house. Today, I wish I did have an honest explanation for what I lived with for five years but I do not. I only have science to help separate fact from the supernatural fiction encompassing my mind. In other words, everything I saw on the shows was open to interpretation. I was skeptical about the recordings, readings and interpretations thereof until confronting something one day as I was climbing through an old 18th century attic. 

The lady spoke of haunting tales. She told me about whispers around her, areas of the house that would drop in temperature, clawing sounds, ghostly visions of a woman late in the evening and much more that sent chills up and down my spine. She also complained of scratching in the walls and a possible creature she saw the shadow of just two days earlier. As I went to the attic I felt a certain unsettled feeling thinking about the strange things she spoke of but, I went up anyway.

The attic smelled of death and there were claw marks on the walls inside. I could hear whispers in the dark. What the hell was I getting involved with, I thought. The sun was setting and the last thing I wanted to do was stay - I wanted out and I wanted out now but suddenly the whispering stopped. I began hearing what sounded like a foot dragging from the dark end of the attic towards me. My heart started racing and just as I was about to leap down from the attic I saw it. Right out of the dark and into my line of sight was the largest raccoon I ever met face to face. Yep... a raccoon and two babies following behind momma. They were just as frightened of me as I was of them. 

During my inspection, I found where they came in the house from - a large opening in the attic just above the wall void that was causing a rapid drop in temperature in the room below. The shadow the woman saw was in fact the mother raccoon bravely traveling in search of food and the claw marks were unmatched for the her babies making comfort in her attic. By the time chatter from the raccoons reached the airspace on the first level of the house it sounded like whispers to my customers ears. Easily misleading anyone not knowing better, the scratching in the walls were dozens of mice taking up a winter haven. And, the smell of death came from two dead crows near her attic entrance. Not easily found in the dark, I walked passed them on my initial entry. What of the ghostly vision of a woman? Well, that... I never could debunk. To this day, all my guys go to perform their regular pest control service in the morning. Our customer still reminds them of her haunting friend. So the next time you hear something go bump in the night relax. It may just be a mouse or small animal making their way inside for the winter or, maybe not. Perhaps mice are scratching inside the voids of your walls but, then again... maybe not. Maybe your house is in fact haunted. Let us know with your comment. In the least, give us a shot as we may be able to debunk your ghost. If we can't then, you're on your own.

If you have a haunting tale of pest control share with us. Contact us at operations@gladhillservices.com.

New Year Pest Resolutions

With 2018 upon us, many are trying to determine a so-called New Year’s resolution to keep. Some of us choose lifestyle or dietary changes while others take a class or try something new to enhance their lives but, Gladhill Services wants you to consider something different this year. When thinking about home repairs and other household duties for this new year why not begin thinking about pest prevention first. Every task performed (or not) can make or break a pest problem inside and around your home. 

IN THE PANTRY
There is nothing critters prefer more than crumbs on floors and shelving. No need to worry about ants and other pantry pests this year. Take proper preventative steps by putting a little time aside to clean up the pantry. Wipe the floor and shelves of your pantry this year and, make sure that all containers are properly sealed.

TEND YOUR FIREWOOD
A huge mistake us guys make is by stacking up the firewood right at or near to the house. Carpenter ants, spiders, earwigs, springtails, mites, borer insects, and termites flock to wood piles, where they are then carried right into the house. Start this year right by moving the woodpile away from the house and porch.

SEAl UP THE CRACKS
If you haven’t done this yet, make a resolution to do it now. As temperatures drop, rodents, in addition to  insects, seek out warmth, and, from the tiniest of places. Seal up any and all cracks and crevices around the foundation while checking to ensure the doors and windows are tightly sealed.

PRONE TO PESTS?
After taking the top three preventive steps, remember to inspect your home for any signs of pest activity monthly. Gladhill Services recommends checking your attic, basement and exterior foundation walls each month. Even if you see just three critters crawling in the same month, contact us right away at 717-597-1040 Both insects and rodents reproduce quickly. 

Getting Rid of Fleas

Fleas

Never Routine

Your dog or cat may be your best friend and considered a member of your family, but on occassion they can invite fleas in to your area rugs, carpeting, furniture, and flooring unintentionally causing a big household problem. Through no fault of their own, your pet may not be the only one getting bitten!

If discovered that your pet has fleas, stay calm and take it all one step at a time. The first thing you should do is consult your veterinarian and get your pet treated. The second thing you'll need to do is to clean your home on the inside. The third step in getting rid of fleas is to call a professional like Gladhill Services. This is due to the complex life cycle fleas go through. The final step in eliminating fleas is to clean up the outside of your home. 

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 sometimes. Dense foliage from landscape plants may be in need of a treatment too since fleas can thrive in areas of dense high growth or groundcover.