Members’ Value Programs

PCOC’s Members’ Value Program provides members with access to high-quality products and services we use in the Pest Control industry. From discounts on vehicles through fleet management, uniform services, legal services, online traffic school and many others... read more

Most Common Diseases Transmitted by Rats

Rats can be one of the most annoying pests found in or around the home. Not only can they be difficult to eliminate, but they may also be dangerous as many of them carry and transmit diseases. If you notice these pests nearby, you should take action as they may have any of the following sicknesses.

1. Bubonic Plague

Rats are the primary carrier of this terrible disease and will often spread it to humans through fleas. If bitten by a flea infected by the plague, a human could die within days. This sickness can spread to large numbers of people quickly, but usually can be treated with antibiotics.

2. Salmonella

Both rats and mice are frequent carriers of salmonella. This can spread to humans through food that has been contaminated with droppings. If transmitted, salmonella can cause serious illness and sometimes death.

3. Tapeworms

Rats will often be the hosts of small tapeworms that can spread to humans when they consume food that has been contaminated with rat droppings. These parasites will hatch and continue to grow and produce once inside the body.

4. Rat-bite Fever

This disease is usually only spread through bites, but can be transmitted when food or skin wounds are contaminated with rat urine. If left untreated, it can be deadly.

Although these diseases are the most common types that are found in rats, there are many other dangerous illnesses that these pests could be carrying. If these vermin are spotted near the home, take precautions until they have been eliminated. To learn more about pest control in Carlsbad, visit this website.

Tiny Body, Strong Jaws

A trap jaw ant faces the viewer directly in this detailed macro. With the hair covering its body and jaws extending to both sides, it gives the impression of a large predatory insect.

What PCOC does for the industry

Pest Control Operators of California is a non-profit trade association that has served the business and educational needs of pest control operators for over 60 years... read more

3 Tips to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Whether found inside the home or out in nature, mosquitos can easily ruin a day of relaxation or an afternoon hike out in the woods. These insect bites can be painful and irritating, especially to those who experience allergic reactions. Luckily, there are a few ways that mosquito bites can be prevented.

1. Wear repellent

Although it may seem obvious, insect repellent can be very helpful in warding off mosquitos. There are many different kinds of repellant that vary in how long they last and how strong they are. In addition, consider spraying your clothes as well so that you don’t have to use as much on your skin.

2. Burn candles

Because mosquitos do not like smoke, burning a candle or any kind of fire can help keep them away. To make your fire even more effective, add some sage, lemon balm, citronella leaves, or cedar tree bark to further repel unwanted bugs.

3. Remove standing water

Mosquitos are naturally drawn to water, such as puddles, pools, or gutters. Walk around your home and eliminate any standing water that may attract these pests, especially after it rains. In addition, frequently change any water that needs to be kept, such as birdbaths or kiddie pools.

Although mosquitos can be annoying, hopefully after you follow these steps you’ll be able to enjoy a nice summer barbecue without worrying about those pesky insects. For more tips on mosquito control in El Cajon, please visit this website.

Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite

Once bedbugs have invaded your bedroom, it can be quite a chore to get rid of them. They are small, only active at night, and hide in crevices and cracks, so you have to make a real effort to clean every place they could be hiding... read more

How to Tell if There Are Raccoons in Your Attic

It is quite normal to occasionally spot raccoons around your property. While this is not a problem in itself, the problems begin to arise when these raccoon sightings increase in frequency. When raccoons become comfortable around your property, their behavior becomes quickly emboldened, and they are then highly likely to investigate the inside of your home as well. There are three signs that homeowners commonly discover in the event that a raccoon has taken up residence inside of their home: smell, noise, nesting.

Smell

Raccoons are wild animals and that comes with it’s own aroma. Raccoons, like many other animals, try to mark their territory with urine as a sign to other creatures. If you detect a scent in your attic that doesn’t quite seem right, you are probably onto something. Hopefully you are able to get rid of the creature before it dies, because that smell is far worse.

Noise

Homeowners who have had raccoon problems report that they could hear scratching and tapping coming from the attic. Try to listen carefully for any sort of movement, especially in the late evenings.

Nesting

If you are feeling brave, investigate the insulation in your attic. If you observe chunks being taken out, then you can assume that you have a critter nesting inside your home. Do this with caution though, as frightened and territorial animals will often attack.

If you have observed these signs and need raccoon relocation in Raleigh, visit this website for more information.

Tips for Proper Pesticide Application Video

How to Spot Bed Bugs in Your Home

Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of people while they sleep, and can live for months without a host. They are difficult to eliminate because they are small and can hide in tiny crevices in the mattress or the walls, and are only active at night. If you suspect bed bugs in your home, here are some common signs of their presence:

• Black spots or patches on the bedding or walls. This is bed bug feces and indicates they have been living in the room for some time.
• Exoskeletons on the sheets. Bed bugs shed their outer skins as they grow.
• Blood stains on the sheets. After a bed bug has fed, its abdomen is full of blood. If a person crushes one of these insects during sleep, the blood will appear on the bed.
• A sweet smell in the room. Bed bugs produce a sickly sweet aroma similar to almonds.
• Bed bugs are sometimes seen in the creases of the mattress.

If you or a family member is bitten by a bed bug, it can take up to 14 days for any symptoms to develop. For most people, several small red spots appear in a line wherever the skin was exposed during sleep. These marks last a few days. Some people show no symptoms at all, and others have a severe allergic reaction. To learn more about bed bug treatment in Durham and how to protect your family, visit this website.

Why Build a Bat House?

Bats love to have a comfortable living space and once they have moved into your bat house, they will eat thousands of mosquitoes around your home every night. Your family will enjoy watching these fascinating little creatures... read more

Three Reasons a Bat House Will Make Your Next BBQ Less Buggy

Bats eat large quantities of insects, and can be a big help in reducing pesky mosquitoes in your yard or garden. They eat in the night time and sleep during the day, so you won’t see much of them. If you build an appropriate bat house, typically it only takes a year at most for bats to decide to move in.

1. Bats Love Bugs

Bats can eat up to 1,000 insects in an hour, and the majority of bats that live in North America eat mosquitoes. Bats may prefer to eat mosquitoes instead of other insects because they don’t move fast or avoid pursuit by a predator.

2. Bats Are Immune to the West Nile Virus

This disease has become a big concern in recent years, and can be spread by mosquitoes. Bats that live
on your property can safely eat any infected mosquito without becoming a vector for the virus. In fact bats are very clean animals and rarely carry any disease of danger to humans.

3. Bats Are a Deterrent

Bats use a form of sonar to detect their prey when hunting. Insects can hear bats up to 100 feet away and will keep a safe distance. This is a natural way to limit an insect population without using pesticides which poison the environment.

Bats are a natural and fun way to diminish mosquito populations in your yard. To learn more about a pest control company in Raleigh, visit this website.

Possums Prefer the City

Possums are the only marsupials in North America and are about as large as a house cat. As opportunistic scavengers, they often encroach on people’s property to look for food. They also like to live under decks or in attics, and are more common in urban settings than in the rural wilderness... read more

The Benefits of Wildlife Removal

There comes a time (or multiple times) in every homeowner’s life that one is faced with an influx of nature. If you have recently realized that your home is experiencing a critter problem, you have a few different options to choose from. One of your main options is to look for companies that specialize in wildlife removal. This is a popular avenue because the method is: humane, effective, and specialists are well-equipped.

Humane

Wildlife removal is your most humane option because its goal is to both rid your home of the critter, but to also to return that critter it’s proper home. Relocation is the main objective. In some areas, traps legally need to be checked at least once every twenty-four hours. Wildlife removal specialists make it a priority to adhere to these standards. It is definitely possible for humans and animals to closely coexist in a positive manner.

Effective

Wildlife removal is highly effective. When choosing wildlife removal, you are choosing professionals who know a great deal about animal behaviors and therefore have a strong working knowledge of not only how to get rid of the current problem, but of how to prevent the problem from turning into a recurring one. These professionals will work quickly to remediate the problem.

Well-quipped

Ultimately, your family’s safety and the sanitation of your property is your biggest priority. Wildlife removal specialists are well-equipped to deal with dead animals. These animals can transmit diseases and odor-causing bacteria that will threaten the safety of your property. With wildlife removal, you can be assured that the problem will be handled according to regulations, with a thorough cleaning and sanitizing of the affected area.

If you are currently experiencing a problem with critters, visit this website for more information on humane animal removal in Raleigh.

Congratulations to The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance (TPSA) Award Recipients

The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance believes it is important to showcase outstanding efforts in pesticide stewardship and annually recognizes people, teams, organizations and businesses for excellence… read more