Wildlife Pests Wreaking Havoc? Who You Gonna Call?

If any wildlife has intruded onto your property or broken into your home—whether in search of food, shelter, or a place to nest—then you’re going to want to contact our wildlife management services right away. You should never attempt to deal with wildlife yourself, no matter how innocent or small the pest may appear to be.

Our Wildlife Management Services

Attempting to capture wildlife on your own can be dangerous, especially since some types of wildlife will fight back and could injure you. In addition to causing bodily harm through bites or scratches, they could spread poison or disease.

Our wildlife management service will come to your property as quickly as possible to deal with the problem. Once you tell us what you know, we will locate, capture, and remove the pest from your property safely. Additionally, we will inspect your property to make sure that there are no additional wildlife pests or signs of pests and take precautionary efforts to prevent wildlife from invading your property in the future.

Types of Wildlife We Can Manage

The following are just a few of the types of wildlife that we can manage for you:

  • Rodents: Rodents are problematic because they will enter the house in search of food, water, shelter, and a place to nest. Rodents can spread all types of diseases through their urine, droppings, and saliva, making them especially dangerous to children and pets. Additionally, they can damage your home by chewing through furniture, insulation, and even electrical wires, which can result in a fire hazard.
  • Frogs: If you have a coqui frog problem on your property, let us take care of it. We will solve your problem and perform a thorough inspection to figure out the best preventative measures to take.
  • Bats: Bats feed on insects and typically don’t cause much damage, but if you have a bat infestation, they may be colonizing on your property. In addition, bats can carry rabies. We will identify if you have a bat problem and the extent of the problem. We will remove any bats before finding and sealing access points around your home.
  • Mongooses: The mongoose is known for feeding on small birds and mammals as well as fruits and plants, which means that they can destroying your garden. Mongooses are also known to carry a potentially deadly disease known as leptospirosis, a disease often misdiagnosed as malaria. It can cause fever, liver failure, meningitis, and even death.

If you have a problem with any of these types of wildlife—or any others—then be sure to contact us at Oliver Exterminating to schedule our wildlife management service today.

6 Pests You Should Expect to See This Year and How to Combat Them

No one likes the thought of having pests in their homes, no matter how tiny they may be. Having a home pest control service visit your home regularly is one of the best ways to keep pests in check and avoid an infestation that can be hazardous to both your family and the house itself. Here are a few of the most common pests we come across in Puerto Rico throughout the year and what you can do to protect yourself from them:

Termites

Termites are incredibly invasive and can cause serious damage to your home and furniture as they eat through the wood. They are notoriously difficult to get rid of and are found most often during the spring and summer months. The best way to combat these destructive creatures is to catch the infestation as early as possible. Watch for any damage to your walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture, including warping, sagging, or buckling, as these can be signs of termites burrowing underneath.

Moths

Like termites, moths feed on the wood found in and around your home and are most commonly found during the spring when the weather is humid. Just a few breeding moths can multiply into a colony of thousands, so aim to catch the problem as quickly as possible. The best way to get rid of a moth infestation is through tenting and fumigating your home to ensure that they are eradicated.

Mosquitoes

In addition to leaving itchy bites on your skin, mosquitoes can carry infectious diseases, like the Zika virus. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can protect yourself. Be sure to install screens on all of your windows, and keep doors closed except when entering or exiting your home. Eliminate any areas that have standing water, like underneath leaky faucets, in old trashcans, or in hanging tarps, as these areas tend to attract mosquitoes.

Rodents

Unfortunately for Puerto Rican homeowners, rodents can be a problem throughout the year. These creatures, including rats and mice, can get into the insulation of your home and gnaw on electrical wires, causing significant damage. Try not to leave out any food that might attract them, and listen at night for any sounds of rodents living in your walls or ceilings. Traps can often be your best option to capture and get rid of rodents humanely.

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks can be hazardous to your family and your pets. These pests can carry infectious diseases, which they can pass on to those they bite. Be sure to check your children and pets for ticks regularly so that you can remove them as quickly as possible. With fleas, watch for bites, particularly on the lower legs.

Bedbugs

Although bedbugs do not carry diseases like other biting insects, their bites can cause a severe reaction in many people, so it is best to get rid of them quickly. To protect yourself from these critters, be sure to thoroughly check your hotel rooms for them whenever you travel. If you have any doubts, request a different room or move to another hotel.

Home Pest Control Service When You Need It Most

Here at Oliver Exterminating, we are committed to providing home pest control service to families throughout Puerto Rico. We are experts in this area and can help you keep your home pest-free throughout the year. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you protect your family from pests.

Three Tips to Deal with Pests in Your Restaurant

No matter where your restaurant is—surrounded by trees or next to a big parking lot—pests are going to be a normal part of life. After all, people come to your restaurant to eat, and so will pests.

Food is food, no matter what type of creature you are, and pests of all kinds love to eat. If there is water present from spills, dripping faucets, or leaking plumbing, pests will thrive. Giving pests ample food scraps and water turns any restaurant into a five-star eatery—for them.

Now, because pests are a part of the restaurant business, they are always going to be around waiting for an opportunity to get in to your establishment and have a party. But there are some things you can do to deal with the pests in your restaurant, and by using these tips, you’ll greatly discourage pests from becoming unwanted dining guests.

#1 — Keep it Clean

Of course, you may already pride yourself on the cleanliness of your restaurant, and that’s a good thing. But cleaning has to be more than just wiping down the counters and sweeping the floor.

Sweeping little bits and pieces of food under a stove or refrigerator is an easy lunch, dinner, or snack for pests, so be careful to sweep everything away from appliances and get everything off the floor.

Mopping every night with a cleaner also reduces any food particles, and leaves a film of unappetizing cleaner behind. Use the same solution for counters, stove tops, cabinets, and anything else that may come into contact with food, and you’ll stay one step ahead of pests wanting in.

#2 — Keep It Dry

Water is the other reason pests want to get into your restaurant—because even if there is no food available, they’ll still stop by for a little drink.

Although water is as common as food in a restaurant, it’s harder to contain. Any little puddle that might be unnoticed by you will certainly get noticed by pests. Even water left behind after cleaning in sinks will allow pests to drink—and if they drink once, they will be back to drink again.

So, wipe up spills, take care of drips, make sure your plumbing is not leaking, and you will make sure those thirsty pests go somewhere else for a drink.

#3 — Keep Them Out

Think about this: All pests that have been getting into your restaurant are getting in from somewhere. If you can keep them out, you won’t have a pest problem or need an insect exterminator. Except, it just isn’t easy.

You’ll have to search inside and out for cracks, crevices, and separations in wood, bricks, stone, and other building materials. Gaps in door jambs are another entrance, and any cracks where a pipe comes in will let pests in, too.

The good news is that you can seal up these places where pests gain entry to your restaurant, and for the most part, this is a do-it-yourself job.

You can caulk gaps around pipes, windows, doors, and even cracks in the foundation of the building. Door jambs can be sealed with new thresholds, and holes can be patched with either plaster or quick-setting concrete.

The Big Three

If you take care of the big three—food, water, and fixing places where pests can get in—you’ll go a long way towards keeping them out. And for any pest problems or questions about how to keep your restaurant pest free, please contact Oliver Exterminating Services. We are a pest and insect exterminator that you can count on.

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DIY Pest Control Does Not Cut It: Four Reasons Why

Is DIY Pest Control a Good Idea?

If you have a pest infestation, you can choose to either handle it on your own or call in a pest control specialist operating in your region. Although you might be tempted to handle it on your own because it seems cheaper and more convenient, you should remember that pest control comes with its fair share of risks—meaning that you should entrust it to someone who knows exactly what they are doing. This way, you can count on excellent results without putting either you or those around you at risk in the process.

Here are four reasons why DIY pest control won’t cut it:

Effectiveness

Different pests need different pest control measures. For example, the chemicals used to repel mosquitoes will have next-to-no-impact on bed bugs, which are notorious for their resilience. Furthermore, it is important to note that different populations of same species can develop different resistances, meaning that what works with some of the pests might not work with the rest.

As a result, you will want to use a pest control specialist because they know the most effective pest control methods—which you will need if you want to get rid of your unwanted guests in an effective and efficient manner.

Thoroughness

Pests often inhabit concealed locations that can make it difficult for homeowners to implement pest control methods. For example, wasps have been known to build their nests within the walls of a building, while black rats have a preference for higher places that are often out-of-reach. This means that a 100 percent kill rate is important for ensuring successful pest control, because if even a small number of pests survive the process, they can repopulate with surprising speed. This is something that can force a building owner to implement pest control again and again, thus wasting more and more of their precious time, effort, and money.

Safety

A fair number of pesticides can pose a serious risk to human health. Sometimes, this is because unsafe use allows the chemicals to enter the human body through the nose, the mouth, or even the skin. Other times, this is because pesticides can linger for some time after their use, which can be a serious problem for people who have to use the treated spaces.

Whatever the case, pesticides are potentially dangerous enough that they should be handled by a professional rather than by people who are insufficiently informed about their proper use. With that said, it is important to note that there are also some pests that can pose a serious risk to human health, with examples ranging from rats that are known to carry infectious diseases to wasps known to swarm their enemies.

Cost

Considering all of the aforementioned factors, it is often the case that calling in a pest control specialist is actually the cheaper option compared to DIY pest control. After all, a pest control specialist can get the job done in an effective and efficient manner, thus saving the customer the need to buy their own tools and supplies, as well as run the risk of a pest resurgence.

Further Considerations

Summed up, it is clear that pest control is a serious matter that is best left to pest control specialists such as Oliver Exterminating Services—we provide our customers with reliable results when it comes to a wide range of pests in the timely fashion that they deserve. Contact us today to learn more!

Preventative Pest Control: Reasons Why Commercial Spaces Need to Take Action Now

Whether you operate a bakery in San Juan, a government office in Ponce, or a local manufacturing space in Mayagüez, keeping pests out of your space is crucial to the success of your operations. Organizations that have to deal with pests face a wide range of negative consequences, including damaged relationships, lost productivity, and even extensive physical damage to a property. Like any other type of commercial problem, prevention is the best way to approach infestations.

Puerto Rico’s Unique Pest Control Problems

Due to Puerto Rico’s tropical climate and lush geography, bugs and small animals are everywhere. Businesses in the country face threats from mosquitoes, termites, birds, ants, and a wide range of other pests that are always at your doorstep. Because these pests are never more than a short distance from your property, you need to make sure your space is protected from infestation throughout the year. If pests show up in your shop or office while customers or clients are present, it’s already too late.

At Oliver Exterminating, we approach prevention through the principle of Integrated Pest Management. We know that the success of your business depends on a wide range of factors, and we account for all those factors when delivering our services. Your reputation in the community, the safety of your employees and customers, and the health of the local environment are all affected by our ability to deal with pests the right way.

Effective Prevention Techniques

Fumigation is an effective technique for pest mitigation because it eliminates a wide range of insect threats. If your business involves exporting or importing shipping containers, fumigation can prevent infestations locally and abroad. We use a broad range of fumigants to deal with the two most common pests that affect Puerto Rican businesses: the pine wood nematode and the Asian longhorned beetle. The pine wood nematode can cause the widespread death of pine trees, while the longhorned beetle is a threat to all of America’s hardwood trees.

Many clients associate pest control with chemicals, but some of the most effective ways to prevent pests involve equipment that requires no spraying or fumes. We help our commercial clients take advantage of:

  • Glue insect light traps
  • Rat and mouse traps
  • Advanced subterranean termite baiting systems
  • Electrocuting insect light traps

In Puerto Rico, we care a great deal about being friendly to the environment, so the equipment and services Oliver Extermination offers adhere to the strictest eco-friendly practices. Our pest control services are safe and effective for food processing plants, shopping centers, docks, universities, governmental agencies, and even airports.

Get in Touch with a Professional

Every pest control prevention technique or piece of equipment offered by a professional can be enhanced with proper education. When you request our service, we’ll work closely with you to make sure your organization is implementing strategies that effectively deal with all potential pest threats. Our goal is to be your partner in success in both the short and long term. Contact Oliver Exterminating today to begin your pest prevention program.

Keep Your Home Zika Free with 4 Tips to Prevent Mosquitoes

As you’re probably aware, the U.S. government has declared Puerto Rico a public health emergency site due to the current Zika epidemic. This allows the federal Department of Health and Human Services to divert extra emergency funds and health personnel to high-risk areas. However, that doesn’t mean citizens should wait for outside help.

The Zika virus may be more dangerous than many have been led to think. Scientists have confirmed that the people most at risk are pregnant women and women who are about to be pregnant due to the mounting evidence that the virus causes brain abnormalities in developing fetuses. However, newer research is showing that Zika may also affect certain adult brain cells and could lead to cognitive decline. As a result, people who contact Zika may be more likely to develop depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

This means that no matter your age or whether someone in your household is (or plans to be) pregnant, it is of utmost importance to start enacting mosquito control steps because mosquitos are the number one cause of the Zika spread. People in 77 of Puerto Rico’s 78 municipalities have tested positive for Zika. Use the following mosquito control tips to keep your home and property Zika free:

Install Outdoor Screens or Mosquito Netting

The best way to keep mosquitoes at bay is to put up physical barriers between yourself and them. But we know the important role outdoor spaces and open windows play in our climate. So, where possible, consider putting up mosquito netting over windows, outdoor patios, and other sitting areas. You can do this with more permanent outdoor screens or with temporary netting that can be taken down once the threat passes.

Drain Standing Water

Just one tablespoon of standing water can become a mosquito breeding ground for over 300 of the disease-carrying insects. Inspect your property, both inside and out, and eliminate all standing water. This includes flowerpots, trashcans, and bottles. If you have a boat on your property, make sure the bilge is dry and it is covered with a rainproof tarp. After every rainfall, inspect and drain areas again. If you have a pool, it’s likely to be safe as long as you maintain proper chlorine levels.

Use High-Potency Mosquito Repellent

When buying mosquito repellent, be sure to choose products with active ingredients of DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR 3535, or picaridin. Research from the Centers for Disease Control has shown these active ingredients to be most effective at repelling mosquitoes. Be sure to apply them after sunscreen, and do not apply them underneath your clothes. Mosquito repellent should be applied whenever you are going outside for extended periods of time to protect your body from these biting insects.

Call in Pest Control

While all the above steps will help mitigate most mosquito breeding and keep them away from your body, you should also consider calling in your local pest exterminators to apply high-grade mosquito control products around your property. These commercial products further eliminate the chances of mosquitoes coming to and breeding in and around your home to keep you and your family safe and Zika free.

For more information about mosquito control and how professional exterminating products can keep mosquitos and other pests from invading your house, contact us today at Oliver Exterminating Services. Since 1956, we have been helping Puerto Rican families like yours enjoy pest-free living for a healthier and happier home environment. Don’t risk exposing your loved ones to the Zika virus. Enjoy expert mosquito control today.