Champion Pest Management
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Services
    • General Pest
    • Termite
    • Mosquitoes
    • BedBugs
    • Moisture Control
    • CL-100
    • Fire Ant Control
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Testimonials
  • Customer Portal
  • Resources
    • Between Pest Control Services
    • Bed Bug Prep Check List
    • Find Out More
  • Contact Us

Bed Bugs and Holiday Travels

12/8/2017

3 Comments

 
Picture
The holiday season is fast upon us, and that means that it's necessary to talk about bed bugs. 
I know, I know. 
I'm sure you're asking yourself, "What does the holiday season have to do with bed bugs?" 
I know they don't seem to go hand in hand, but in actuality, they couldn't be more connected. 
Travel is an essential part of the holidays, and well, your luggage is the most common and preferred method of transportation for bed bugs. Anywhere there may be people, there may be bed bugs. So what can you do about keeping bed bugs out of your luggage while you're on your holiday travels? ​Let's learn about some basic steps you can take to identify bed bugs as well as cut down your chances of carrying them home with you.
Picture
Steps you Should Take Before Unpacking
1. Keep the luggage off the bed. When you first enter your hotel room or guest room, do not head to the bed firs with your luggage. If there are bed bugs present, that is a really quick way of increasing your chances of bringing them home with you. Your best bet is to head to the bathroom first. Place your luggage in the bath tub while you prepare to check the room. No bathroom? See if there is a metal luggage rack you can rest your bags on before unpacking. Staying at a relative's home, and you have neither a bathroom or a luggage rack? Wrap your luggage in plastic. It's easy to find plastic luggage covers online. 
2. Know what you're looking for. Bed bugs are small, oval shaped bugs. They are brownish red in color. A very common description of a bed bug is that it is about the size and shape of an apple seed.  Unless, they have recently eaten, bed bugs are flat, and only become more swollen and more reddish after a meal. 
Picture
3. Begin a bed inspection. Go to the bed and pull back all of the covers all the way down to the mattress. It is really helpful to always pack a small flashlight in your luggage to use for your inspections. Take the flashlight and inspect the mattress--especially, around the seams. If you're using a flashlight, check for anything moving. The bugs don't like the light, and they will try to move away from it. If you see reddish brown spots on the mattress or clusters in the corners, you may have found signs of a bed bug presence. 
Picture
4. Move beyond the mattress. It is key to not only check the bed, but the headboard, the tables, and any furniture in the room. If you're able to move the furniture, do so. You'll need to check behind it. Look under the phone, alarm clock, and lamps. Be sure to use your flashlight in these areas too. 
5. Bag up any clothes that need to be laundered. Throughout your vacation and definitely before packing your suitcase, secure any clothes that have been worn into a sealed plastic bag. Bed bugs are drawn to your scent, and sealing up your clothes is a great way of preventing a ride home for these pests. 
6. Report any findings immediately. If you're staying in a hotel, be sure to immediately report what you have found to the staff. It is safe to stay in the hotel. Bed bugs found in one room does not mean that they are in all rooms, nor is it a testament to the cleanliness of the hotel. If you do to stay, be sure that your new room is not adjacent to the room with the bed bugs. One good rule is to try and go two floors up or down (if possible).
Picture
The important thing to remember during your holiday travels, is to keep a cool head. As long as  you know what you're looking for, you can prevent bringing home bed bugs. Remember, bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases to humans. However, they are a hugs nuisance. Keep a cool head, and know how to stay proactive. 
If you do find that you may have brought home some unwelcome visitors after your holiday travels, have no fear. Give us a call at Champion Pest Management. We will come to your home, complete an inspection and discuss the best options available for keeping your home bed bug free. 
Picture
843.860.4791
3 Comments

It's beginning to Look A Lot LIke...Mites and Aphids?

11/28/2017

2 Comments

 



​"O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree,

How lovely are thy branches"
Picture
Halloween is tucked away. 
​We've all slept off the turkey comas.
Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday have all come and gone. 

It's not quite December 1st, but maybe even for the Scroogiest of us all it's time to sit back and usher in the  Christmas holiday. With that, comes, for many, the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. Now, a Christmas tree entry isn't exactly what you'd expect from a pest control company blog, but believe me, the choices you make about your tree could greatly affect your need of an exterminator this Holiday season.

The Christmas tree is probably one of the most iconic Christmas image, but it's definitely one that is not safe from debate:

Douglas or Fir.
Homemade ornaments or Elegant themes. 
Let the kids lend a hand or Move all the ornaments after they've gone to bed. 
White lights or Colorful lights.
One tree or Two. 
And of course.....
Real or Fake

With over 35 million trees harvested each year and only about 10 million artificial trees sold a year, it's not too soon to rule out the popularity of the live tree. I mean come on, it's an over 1 billion dollar industry!

​ Let's talk a little though about what you should know about those amazing live trees after you strap them to the top of your car and head home singing carols along the way. 

Christmas Tree
As with bringing anything involving nature into your home, when buying a live tree, you run the risk of opening your doors to a possible 25,000 unwelcome Christmas guests. Okay, Okay. I'm not saying all this to scare you, or to send you running to your local box store to purchase a pre-lit, artificial tree. Believe me, I'm not trying to ruin any traditions. You simply cannot replace that magical smell of a fresh cut tree. 
Present that is not a bug

In all reality, all trees are covered in tiny microscopic organisms that you can neither see with your naked eye, nor will these pests find their way into home to create an infestation; however, there are a few pests that you might want to keep an eye on. These guys could decide to stay past their welcome, and that is probably not the gift you expected to find under that tree on Christmas morning. ​
Aphids
​Aphids are typically darker, pear shaped, six-legged, pests with antennae. They are often mistaken for spiders or ticks, so please be sure to do a leg count before squashing that little guy. If you do happen to smash one, you run the risk of leaving a purple-red stain on your couch or carpet. 
Luckily, aphids are pretty picky about their food source, and unless your home is filled with evergreens, the likelihood of these guys using your house plants as a food source is really low. Now, these pests are not known to carry diseases; however, if you like to keep your tree up for a while, the probability of eggs hatching is higher, and an infestation can be quite daunting. 
Aphids Christmas tree
Aphids on a Christmas Tree
Mites
Picture
USDA Forest Service - Region 4 - Intermountain , USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
​With Spruce spider mites, you can identify these as they appear to be very small reddish-orange dots. You can look for them by shaking a limb over a white piece of paper. These pests feed on the tree and can lead to a premature drop of needles. Spider mites only feed on the tree, so if it's removed, they should die quickly. 
While aphids and mites are just a couple of pests possibly trimming your tree this year. You should be on the look out for other signs of bugs as well. Adelgids (these make your tree look as though they have a slight dusting of snow on it--festive right?), Bark Beetles, and even Praying Mantises are known to be found in evergreens.  A Christmas tree filled with pests may not quite be what's on your Christmas list, and the thought of bringing home a bounty of bugs may leave you a little Bah Humbug, but don't let these thoughts bring you down. Be sure to check your tree thoroughly before bringing it inside your home. a goof idea would be to place it in your garage for a few days on a white sheet, and shake it vigorously. Just think, there are always the stockings to hang by the chimney with care. 
Picture
Picture
No fear though. Champion Pest Management is here if you do happen to have a few extra visitors this holiday season. Don't be afraid to give us a call. 
Picture
843.860.4791
2 Comments

    About Us

    Champion Pest Management is a locally owned, family run, pest control company operating in Charleston, SC and the surrounding areas. 

    Archives

    June 2021
    March 2021
    March 2020
    February 2020
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016

    Categories

    All
    American Cockroach
    Ants
    Aphids
    Asian-cockroach
    Bed Bugs
    Best Of Charleston
    Brown-Banded Cockroach
    Charleston
    Christmas
    Cockroaches
    Customer Appreciation
    Disease
    DIY
    Fast Facts
    Fire Ant
    General Pest Control
    German Cockroach
    Health
    Large Event Mosquito
    Mites
    Mosquito
    Pest COntrol
    Pest Control Myths
    Pest Control Specials
    Pest Management Month
    Roaches
    SC
    Smoky Brown Cockroach
    Summer
    Termites
    Ticks
    Travel

    RSS Feed

Greater Charleston Pest Control Association
Termidor Certified Professional
Phone: 843- 860- 4791
Email: info@championpestmgmt.com
​Address: ​4329 Flynn Drive, North Charleston, SC 29405
Champion Pest Management Logo
Site Designed by Creative Consulting
​Site Powered by MadeSimply

| Home | Services | About Us | ​​Schedule An Appointment | Find Out More

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Services
    • General Pest
    • Termite
    • Mosquitoes
    • BedBugs
    • Moisture Control
    • CL-100
    • Fire Ant Control
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Testimonials
  • Customer Portal
  • Resources
    • Between Pest Control Services
    • Bed Bug Prep Check List
    • Find Out More
  • Contact Us