How To Get Rid Of Mice In The Attic, Car, and More

No one likes mice, and if you’re wondering how to get rid of mice in the attic, car, and more, we’ve got the ultimate guide. Mice aren’t just annoying, but they can damage your home by chewing wires, pipes, and messing with your insulation. Unfortunately, they also carry dangerous diseases that can harm your family. 

Whenever you find mice, it’s imperative to get rid of them as soon as possible. The longer they stick around, the more damage they can cause. Mice aren’t picky—they’ll use any warm spot as a place to rest. This means that they will happily infest your home’s attic, your walls, your car, garage, shop, and more. In the Carrollton, Dallas, and Plano areas, mice can run rampant. You need to get rid of them quickly! Whether you’re looking to do it yourself or hire someone, we break all the remedies down from Irish Spring soap to rat poison. 

However, if you decide that learning how to get rid of mice and implementing these tactics aren’t in your wheelhouse, we’d be happy to help you with rodent problems. Click here to see our mice control pricing.

What attracts mice?

Sometimes, you may think you have a house that is free from mouse bait, but that’s truly not the case. The problem with mice is that they are willing to do what it takes to get inside your home. Even the smallest of areas can become a comfortable home for these animals. Considering that they can squeeze through holes the size of a pencil, you have to be extremely careful about what’s in and what’s around your home. Here’s what attracts mice:

• Food: Mice love food, especially peanut butter, flour, sugar, and crumbs. If you don’t have your food properly sealed in airtight containers, mice are on the lookout and ready to chew through to get to your goods.
• Holes: If your home has holes around the foundation where mice can get to, you’re practically inviting them in. Holes need to be filled and repaired so that mice cannot squeeze through. Inspect your home for small holes that mice may be able to squeeze into.
• Cars: One thing that mice love to do is nest inside of a car that hasn’t moved in a while. They enjoy the warmth and shelter of a car, but they also like that they know it won’t be taken away from them! Idle cars truly are mice’s favorite place to be.
• Sitting brush: When your home has brush, leaves, or woodpiles around the home, mice are in heaven. These are the best places to hide in, but they also provide the warmth and comfort that they need to survive.
• Clutter: Mice are small, but they aren’t spider-in-your shoe small, so they like clutter that they can hide in. If they are able to hide underneath clothes, trash, or other clutter, they are as happy as can be.
• Garbage: If your garbage isn’t properly stored away and cleaned up, mice will gladly eat your old food. Make sure that your garbage is sealed tight and that mice cannot get inside of it.

Where do mice hide?

If you’re learning how to get rid of mice, chances are you’ve asked the question “where do mice hide?” We get it. No one wants to think about live animals in their homes. People wonder if mice can climb walls, and they can, so even if you’re on your second story and here footsteps, there’s a good chance it’s a mouse. If you think that you’ve heard that telltale scurry late at night, it’s time to start playing hide-and-seek with the mice. If you’re ready to find them, you need to look at their favorite hiding spots:

• Garage
• Attic
• Cardboard boxes
• Walls near heat
• Closets
• Under or behind appliances
• Inside your cabinets
• Inside your drawers

Where there’s one mouse, there are many more. Even if you find a mouse nest that is completely empty, there’s a good chance they are just out of the home and coming right back. Or, they heard you and decided to hide somewhere else. It’s important to know that mice are not going to leave on their own. You have to do something to get them to go!

Does Irish Spring soap keep mice away

One popular home remedy that many people try is using Irish Spring soap. It’s said that the smell repels mice and they will stay away from their home. Unfortunately, that myth has been busted. While it sure would be nice to have Irish Spring keep them out, it’s not legit. 

Do mothballs keep mice away?

Another remedy that many people use is mothballs. Mothballs have a chemical that will deter mice, but unfortunately, they are too small and the chemical is too little to deter mice. While it will deter moths, your mice will likely stick around.

Do ultrasonic pest repellers work on mice?

Perhaps the most enticing pest control option of all is the simple ultrasonic repellent. Many people believe that by emitting a sound that only mice can hear, they will be turned away from the home and sound. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been shown to be true. There is little data to back this up.

What gets rid of mice: home remedies

So, what will get rid of your mice problem? Thankfully, there are some home remedies that work to keep the rodents away. While they may not be as simple as opening up a bar of soap, they will be far more effective. 

Bait and traps

Obviously, the best way to get rid of mice is to bait and trap them. This can be tricky because you’ll want to use safe traps that pets and kids cannot get hurt in. Look for human traps that will let the mice in but not let them out. Once you capture them, you can let them out into the wild a mile away from your home, or you can call animal control for suggestions. While there are plenty of baits out there, we often get asked do mice like peanut butter and guess what? They do! Peanut butter is a great way to get the mice into the trap.

Clean up and repairs

We know, no one likes to be told repairs and clean up are in their future. However, this truly is the best way to keep mice away if you’re just learning how to get rid of mice and out of your home. Repairing holes and gaps with metal will keep the mice out for good. It hurts their teeth to chew through, and it will seal up the holes well. Some people use steel wool for an affordable option because mice can’t get through the mesh, and they can’t chew on the wires.

You’ll also need to clean up around your house. Make sure that there aren’t trees and bushes within four feet of your home. Mice love to climb and will often hide in these trees and bushes until they ambush your house. Then, make sure you clean up your debris, woodpiles, dead leaves, and anything else in the yard.

Properly seal your food

The last thing to keep mice out is to properly store all of your food. You need to make sure everything is in an airtight container that they can’t chew through. This also includes your garbage! Make sure you take precautions to seal up your trash so that they can’t get in.

How do you know when all the mice are gone? 

Once you think you have the mice under control, you need to take a few proactive steps to see whether or not they are really gone. The first thing that you’ll often notice after getting rid of mice is that you will no longer hear the scurrying, scratching, and gnawing noises that you heard before. You should also find that there are no more nests. Lastly, the mouse droppings should also be gone.

However, even if you have all three of these signs, there’s a good chance that mice can come back. It’s best to check for mice frequently and leave traps at the first sign that they may be back in your home.

Conclusion: How to get rid of mice

Whether you’re wondering how to keep mice out of the camper, how to get rid of mice in the attic, or how to keep mice out of the car, follow the tips above. Always remember to clean up and make sure that your vehicles are being driven at least once a week. You’ll need to bait and trap no matter where the animals are hiding. Just make sure the traps are ones that children and pets won’t get hurt from. 

However, if you find that you’re not up to the challenge of do-it-yourself mice extermination, give us a call at 972-855-8469 or fill out the form below. Here in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas, we service cities like Plano, Garland, Rowlett, Coppell, Farmers Branch, and more. We offer a service guarantee, and we’ll keep coming out until your mice are taken care of for good. Give us a call or fill out the form for a free quote today!

How to Get Rid of Roaches Without an Exterminator: A Step by Step Guide

Cockroaches. Even the word causes you to itch and shiver with disgust. We’ve been there, and we don’t like cockroaches any more than you do! But, if you’re not ready to call a pest control company, there are a few tips we can share with you. If you need to know how to get rid of roaches without an exterminator, we have the ultimate guide. There are a few things you can do to get rid of roaches. While roaches can be especially hard pests to get rid of, with a few tries, you can successfully get rid of them without calling out an exterminator. 

The best home remedies to get rid of roaches without an exterminator are boric acid, diatomaceous earth, and baking soda. Once you do these remedies, you need to clean your home and prevent the roaches from coming back and causing more problems for you and your family! Before we get into the instructions for applying these home remedies, let’s answer a few questions. But before we do that, if you live in the Dallas, TX, Charleston, or Greenville, SC areas, and you’d like to hire a pest control professional to get rid of your cockroaches, you can click here to see pricing or fill out the form at the bottom of the page. 

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What attracts roaches?

If you have cockroaches, you may think that your home is dirty. However, that isn’t the truth, especially if you live in Texas or South Carolina! Both states are full of cockroaches because they love the humidity. And, everything is humid in Texas and South Carolina. Cockroaches love the moisture. Whether it’s an annoying leaky pipe or a wet bathmat, it’s paradise as far as cockroaches are concerned. 

But, if you don’t have anything wet in your home, that doesn’t mean you’re immune to cockroaches. They love your trash, dirty dishes, food left on the counter, and crumbs. Have kids? That pretty much means you’re running a cockroach hotel! They love cleaning up after your children, but unlike your dog, they are vile and not welcome in the house. 

What do roaches eat?

To make matters worse, cockroaches aren’t picky with what they eat. They are omnivorous scavengers, which means they will pretty much eat anything and everything. While they’d prefer sugary sweets, they’ll even eat hair, books, or other items that are decaying. They’ll happily eat meat, sugar, and carbs. 

While this all sounds pretty discouraging, they aren’t immune. While these pests are fairly resilient, that doesn’t mean you have to live the rest of your life with them. These creepy pests can be killed.

How long can roaches live without food?

Cockroaches are a little like us. They can survive a lot longer without food than they can without water. That’s why they love moisture and water so much. However, it’s not very good news for you. Even if you’re determined to keep the food out of the way of cockroaches, vacuuming crumbs and putting all food and dishes away, it still may not be enough. Cockroaches can survive for up to a month without food, which means they can be hiding in your home without you realizing for much longer than you think!

Where do roaches hide?

Roaches love the dark. Because of this, they can be a little difficult to find sometimes. They will usually hide in places that are dark and moist. Common hiding spots for roaches include in cabinets, behind the fridge, sink, and stove, inside of your car or appliances, and anywhere else in the home that is usually dark and damp, like the laundry room.

Do roaches carry diseases?

The biggest concern with roaches is that they are dirty and carry diseases. Unfortunately, this is true. They can spread salmonella and gastroenteritis. Take it from us—you don’t want to end up on the opposite end of these diseases! They can be extremely damaging to your health and can even end in death. 

Beyond that, cockroaches also cause allergies. Many people are allergic and don’t know what they’re allergic to until they find the cockroaches in their home. They eat molds and bacteria, so it’s not that surprising that they can spread some pretty nasty stuff to you and your family. To keep yourselves safe, you should get rid of the cockroaches as soon as you see them. 

What do roach eggs look like?

Cockroach eggs look like cylindrical brown spots. The red-brown of the eggs are glued down with a sticky substance that the cockroach forms before they lay them on the floor. Usually, cockroach eggs are in a small grouping of around 20 eggs. They are fairly small, and the problem is that they are only laid 24 hours before they hatch. That means they are incredibly hard to find! If you do find them, it’s a good sign that you have an infestation in your home. 

What do baby roaches look like?

Baby roaches can be a little misleading. Since they don’t look like adult cockroaches, they can be easily mistaken as something else. These baby cockroaches are white and gray, so they don’t look like cockroaches until they get a bit bigger. Unlike the adults, there are no wings on their body. They are also a bit smaller and wider than the long, skinny bodies of many roaches.

Can roaches bite?

Most people think that although cockroaches are creepy, they are harmless. Unfortunately, that’s not true! Cockroaches have actually been known to nibble on human flesh—both living and dead. While they may first take a bite of your nails or eyelashes, or possibly the dry skin on your hands and feet, they will still bite. Their bites can cause some pretty bad irritation and it can be hard to pinpoint whether a bite is a cockroach bite or not unless you see cockroaches around the house.

What do roach bites look like?

Cockroach bites actually look pretty similar to bed bug bites, but they won’t be in a group. If you find a bright red and round bite on you that is by itself, there is a chance it could be a cockroach bite. Your skin will swell up and get pretty itchy, and there may be a hard lump feeling within the bite.

How To Get Rid Of Roaches

How to get rid of cockroaches without an exterminator

Now that we’ve got you itching like crazy, it’s time to talk about how to use the three cockroach home remedies to kiss those cockroaches goodbye for good. Cockroaches can cause a multitude of problems, and we want to help you get rid of them. The three products you’ll need are boric acid, baking soda, and diatomaceous earth.

Whether you’re looking at how to get rid of roaches in a car or a home, these methods should help to kill and deter them. Of course, once the roaches are gone, you then have to continue the fourth method: prevention. While nothing is full-proof, these are three surefire ways to get rid of those nasty critters. That’s why this is the ultimate guide on how to get rid of roaches without an exterminator. 

Boric acid

The first method that most people start with is boric acid. Boric acid is often confused with borax. If you need to know how to get rid of roaches with borax, you can follow the same instructions as boric acid. While both borax and boric acid will work, boric acid is by far superior to borax. However, borax is safer for families with pets and children that have a chance of getting into the substance. Boric acid is a powder that will damage a cockroach’s exoskeleton. If they ingest boric acid, it will also affect their digestive system and cause their stomach to expand. 

The best course of action when applying boric acid is to apply it in a thin layer where the roaches are seen. If you apply the powder too thickly, the cockroaches won’t come near it. It should be just a fine dusting that they won’t be able to see. However, if you also want them to ingest it, the best thing to do is to mix boric acid and flour together with a little bit of honey to form a dough. Then, use small pieces of this dough as pieces of bait around your home. Remember, boric acid shouldn’t be ingested orally by humans or animals, so stick with this method if you don’t have kids or pets. 

Unfortunately, this is the best way to get rid of the cockroaches. So, for those with kids and pets, try to use boric acid in areas where they can’t access it (like behind the fridge and appliances) and then use one of the other home methods around the home. 

Baking soda

It seems like baking soda can be used for anything and everything, and that rings true when it comes to cockroaches as well. Baking soda is a great way to get rid of cockroaches while being completely safe to your family and furry loved ones. Unlike boric acid, this doesn’t need to be a fine dusting for cockroaches to eat it. In fact, all you have to do is mix some baking soda with sugar to get the perfect cockroach killer.

Mix baking soda with equal parts sugar and sprinkle it around where the cockroaches are most active. Some people like to put this mixture in a small lid, so it doesn’t get all over your floor. Either way, the cockroaches are going to come in and munch on the sugar, which also makes them ingest baking soda.

Baking soda works to kill cockroaches because it reacts with their stomach acids. This makes the stomach expand until it explodes, killing the cockroach. And since cockroaches usually eat the members of their community that die, this will help kill even the cockroaches that stay away from the sugar.

Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth may be the most unfamiliar substance on this list of home remedies, but it’s also one of the most effective ways to get rid of roaches without an exterminator. Diatomaceous earth is mined from lakes, rivers, and ocean sediment. This sediment contains very fine particles that are damaging to the exoskeletons of cockroaches. However, it is completely non-toxic to humans, so you don’t have to worry about your pets and little humans getting into it.

You may have to order diatomaceous earth online or find it in a specialty store, but it’s worth it. If you want to get rid of the cockroaches in your house or car, find where they are most active. Then, sprinkle the diatomaceous earth in a fine layer. It doesn’t need to be as fine as the boric acid, but it still shouldn’t be a thick layer. 

It’s best to reapply the diatomaceous earth every day until all the cockroaches are dead. This may take a few weeks, and some cockroaches are more resilient than others. Keep at it, and there should be a definite improvement.

Prevention

Whether you’re currently dealing with cockroaches or you just finished your home remedies, you have to learn that prevention is the best way to stop a cockroach infestation. Cockroaches reproduce very quickly, so to stay ahead of the, don’t let them in! It can be easier said than done since many people feel as if cockroaches are impossible to get rid of. However, once it is done, you want it to stay that way. To prevent cockroaches from coming into your home, follow these tips:

• Store all food in tight containers and don’t leave any food out 
• Clean up in the kitchen
• Seal your trashcans
• Rinse your glass and plastic before recycling
• Remove old or decaying items, even if they are just paper or magazines
• Repair leaky pipes
• Seal up your house’s cracks, holes, and gaps
• Wipe countertops, cabinets, and appliances down on a weekly basis

Conclusion: How to get rid of roaches without an exterminator

To get rid of those pesky cockroaches, try one of the home remedies for a few weeks. You can combine the home remedies or use just one, but keep up with it and make sure that you are reapplying the bait or powder every day. 

However, if you don’t want to deal with getting rid of the cockroaches by yourself, Vinx Pest Control is here to help. In the Dallas – Fort Worth, areas, getting rid of these pests can prove to be quite a challenge, especially if you have an infestation. If you need help getting rid of the cockroaches, give us a call or fill out the form with your name and number. We’ll be happy to talk to you about what you’re seeing and how we can help you get rid of these dangerous pests for good. We service several counties in the Dallas and Fort-Worth areas, and we will make sure those cockroaches are out of your home!

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If you’re wondering how to identify bed bug bites, you’ve come to the right place. We get how frustrating it can be to look down at your skin and see bites. But, if we’re talking about bed bug bites, you don’t even need to look down—you can feel them because they itch like crazy! You’ve probably been googling like crazy, trying to figure out what is going on with your skin. Is it chickenpox? Mosquito bites? Flea bites? The list goes on and on. The deeper into Google you get, the more you begin to itch. You may even feel like there are bugs crawling on you as you read!

Believe us—we’ve been there. It’s the worst feeling in the world, and we don’t wish it upon our worst enemies. Because we like you, we’re going to help get you to the bottom of your bite problem. By the end, you’ll know whether or not it’s those pesky bed bugs you’re dealing with. But before we get into how to identify bed bug bites, if you read this and realize you’ve got bed bugs and live in the Dallas – Fort Worth area, fill out the form below or give us a call for to get a quote. 

What are bed bugs?

Even the name is gross: Bed bugs. It’s as if your literal nightmare was created in a small, oval bug. If you’re anything like us, your bed is your safe haven. As it should be! It’s the place where you rest and recharge. It’s where you dream big and cocoon yourself in endless warmth. It is not a place for bad things to happen to you.

If we could, we’d take the problem away from you. Oh, wait…we can! We’re bed bug experts, so let’s break it down:

• Small bugs that are parasitic
• Drink blood, like ticks and fleas
• Repopulate extremely fast
• Love dark places (like your fave pillow!)
• Infestations are very common by the time you find them

Did we scare you? We’re not trying to. Basically, bed bugs are no bueno. They’ll bite you and your loved ones, leaving itchy welts that can scar if you scratch them! If you’re noticing bed bug bites and you aren’t sleeping in a hotel or someone else’s home, there’s a good chance there are other signs of the bed bugs that you aren’t seeing. And because bites often mean you can have an infestation, let’s look at the signs that you may have a bed bug infestation.

Signs of a bed bug infestation

Everyone wishes they could have an infestation of money or free candy or something good! Instead, we’re stuck with the bothersome infestations of creepy crawlies that like to suck our blood. And unlike Bella and Edward, these creepers aren’t vampires but bed bugs. However, they will watch you while you sleep just like in Twilight.

So, if you’re not into that (we don’t blame you), let’s make sure you know what to be on the lookout for. The first thing you usually see with bedbugs are the bites. But, we’ll talk about that later. Here’s the thing: Bed bugs can live up for a year. In that year, they can lay up to 500 eggs. Now imagine those 500 eggs laying an additional 500 eggs each. We’re not going to make you do math, but it’s a lot of bed bugs! 

When there are that many bugs, there is usually a musty-like smell. So, if you’ve been sniffing something strange these past few months and blaming it on your husband or the dog, it’s probably not them. Or, at least they shouldn’t be completely to blame. That sweet, slightly musty, almost like your grandma’s house type of smell could be from bed bugs. They have these (not so) awesome smell glands that excrete this unappetizing smell all over their (your) home. It can be in your furniture, your sheets, your pillows, and even your clothes!

Beyond smelling like a wet or moldy home, there also may be strange rust-colored stains that pop up wherever bedbugs are. We hate to be the ones to break this to you, but it’s not rust. That would be the bed bug’s stool. You are what you eat, and since they eat blood—well, you get the picture.

Another thing that you may see around your house are bed bug sheds. And no, this isn’t where they hold all their extra gardening tools. Their sheds are their old skin that they molt out of as they grow. Remember, bed bugs are tiny. They are tinier than an apple seed! These sheds may not look like much to you. They may seem like little white bugs that look nothing like bed bugs. People often think they are small gnats or tiny beetles. But, alas, they are not. If you have seen any sort of white “bugs” dead around your house, it could be bed bug casings.

The best way to find out if you have an infestation is to check. Take a flashlight and leave the room light off. Bed bugs love the dark, so it’s best to surprise them with your flashlight. Check your furniture, and especially your bed. You’ll want to lift up the cushions or mattresses and check the edges with the flashlight. You can see bed bugs with the naked eye, but you should also be able to see molt, eggs, or feces. You may even see blood spots from where your bites have bled.

If the thought of checking for bed bugs grosses you out, we get it! That’s why we have certified techs that know exactly what to look for. If you would rather an expert take a look, give us a call. We’d be happy to send someone out to help with your problem.

How to identify bed bug bites

If you’ve found bed bugs, there’s a good chance that you have bed bug bites. But if you didn’t pause reading to play bed bug Inspector Gadget, let’s get to the bites. You’ve got all these bites, you’re frustrated beyond belief, and you don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. We’re that light! We have ten ways for you to identify your bed bug bites for good.

1. Didn’t feel it

The first thing that helps you to identify a bug bite may be the strangest thing of all. It’s that you may not have felt it at all! The thing about bed bugs is that they inject an anesthetic that actually numbs the area that they are biting. So, you aren’t able to feel when a bed bug is attached to you. The creepiest part is that they stay attached to you from anywhere from three to ten minutes sucking your blood until they are full! That’s a long time!

2. Looks like a mosquito bite

Another way to identify whether you have bed bug bites is that they are going to look like mosquito bites. Obviously, if you haven’t been in an area with mosquitos, this will be extremely concerning. If these bites look and feel like a mosquito bite, there’s a good chance they are bed bug bites. You can expect for them to be swollen and itchy and especially red!

3. New bites when you wake up

If you haven’t guessed by now, bed bugs are eerily similar to vampires. They only come out at night! That means that you will have bites when you wake up. If you are waking up with bites that you didn’t have the night before, we’ve got some bad news. It’s probably not a spider but bed bugs that are biting you! This is one of the telltale signs that you are dealing with bed bugs and not something else.

4. Bites on anywhere skin is exposed

Bed bugs, unlike fleas, are not picky. Anywhere your skin is exposed, you can expect to see bites. If you were dealing with fleas, you would mostly see bites on your ankles. This is typical to see, but not with bed bugs. If you wear shorts, you could have bed bug bites all up your legs! If you wore nothing—well, let’s not go there. We’ll just say that the result will not be pleasant. If you’re dealing with bed bugs, cover up buttercup!

5. Clear or dark center

There are so many bug bites that it can be hard to determine one from the other. However, a really good way to determine this is what the center of the bug bite looks like. For many bug bites, you will find a hot red center. This is typical because the skin is swelling and reacting to what the toxin in the bug is. 

However, you won’t see a hot red center when it comes to bed bug bites. The most typical center you will see with bed bug bites is a clear center. Other times, there may be a darker center that then fades out to a lighter red color. Bed bugs have a sort of beak that they insert into your skin and drink your blood with. It’s this beak that can often cause these clear centers. 

6. Dried blood spots

Because these bugs leave a larger hole with their beak, you often continue to bleed after they say goodbye to you. If you wake up with dried blood spots on your skin where your bites are, there’s a good chance that this is a bed bug! The dried blood will be small and pinpoint-like, so it can often go unnoticed until the bites start itching severely.

There’s also the possibility that the blood will end up on your sheets rather than stick to you. So, always check your sheets when you wake up!

7. Bites in a line

Perhaps the most telling sign of bed bugs is when there are multiple bites. But, it’s also a known fact that bed bugs bite in a line. It can be zigzagged or straight, but bed bugs are going to bite multiple times in a line. Unlike other bugs, that may just bite once, you don’t usually have one or two bed bug bites. They are out for blood—literally—so if there are a line of bites, pick up your phone and give us a call!

8. Bites in threes

It’s true that bed bugs bite in a line, but, they also bite in threes. Many people refer to this as the bed bug triangle. Unlike the Bermuda triangle, there is no pleasant island point! This triangle is often from a group of bed bugs. Bed bugs are super cliquey, just like your least favorite high schoolers, and they travel around in threes. If you’ve noticed a grouping of bites that then continue into a line, go grab your flashlight—it’s time to check your sheets!

9. Swollen bites

Some bites swell a lot, others do not. If you have swollen bites, you know that something is irritating you. The problem with bed bugs is that everyone reacts differently. Some people’s bites won’t swell at all, but will instead look like flat, red dots across the skin. Other people’s bites will swell up like a mosquito bite and leave behind a large, raised bite.

Perhaps the scariest thing is that, although rare, bed bugs can cause some individuals to go into anaphylactic shock. This is when the airway passages swell shut. It can be life-threatening and happens very quickly. Always keep an eye on your family and how they react to bed bug bites. The last thing we want is for someone to get injured or die from bed bugs!

10. See bed bugs

Here’s a shocker—if you see bed bugs, your bites are probably from bed bugs! All kidding aside, the best way to determine if you’re dealing with bed bugs or not is to actually look and locate the bed bugs inside of your home. If you find them, you can talk to a pest control company about coming out and exterminating. Every day counts, so if you know that you have bed bugs, it’s time to call. Bed bugs are extremely resilient. If they are not treated with professional-grade tools and pesticide, your infestation will get worse.

How bed bugs bite

Ready for the nitty-gritty in how bed bugs bite? These small bugs have a strange, elongated beak. However, they aren’t like birds! These beaks will pierce your skin. Once they do that, they will suck up your blood for three to ten minutes. Often times, you won’t notice that they are there. They will inject you with an anesthetic, so you won’t feel a thing! 

Do bed bugs bite in a triangle?

One of the most common questions we get is if bed bugs bite in a triangle. This is often talked about, and our answer is: Sometimes. It’s true that bed bugs bite in three. It’s also true that they tend to bite in a line or a zigzag pattern. However, they don’t always bite in a triangle. While their group’s bites can happen to be a triangle, it doesn’t always end that way. So, you shouldn’t look at your bites and assume they aren’t bed bugs since they aren’t in a triangle. 

That being said, you can expect for your bed bug bites to be heavily focused and in straight angles similar to triangles. We just don’t want anyone thinking that they need to pull out their rulers and protractors trying to measure whether or not the three bites are a triangle!

How to get rid of bed bug bites scars

Unfortunately, depending on how bad you react to the bed bugs, they could leave some scars behind. This is usually when you react to them pretty severely. Some people will itch and scratch at the bites as severely as they do chickenpox, so you can see how it would leave behind some nasty sores and scars! 

If you do find that you have bed bug scarring, there are a few things you can do. First, is wait it out. These small bite scars may prove to actually go away with time. Second, apply some skin oil, like Bio Oil, to the bites. This can help prevent the scars from sticking around. Third, talk to a dermatologist, who may be able to help you with prescription-strength scar cream.

Conclusion: How to identify bed bug bites

Bed bugs are the worst, and we understand that! When you’re wondering how to identify bed bug bites, there are just a few things you need to check. Look and see if the bites are small and red. Are they in a straight line? Do they zigzag? Is there more than one bite? If so, there’s a good chance it’s a bed bug bite. The problem is that until you find the actual bed bugs, it can be hard to know for sure.

You’ll need to check the crevices and spaces in between mattresses, pillows, and furniture. If this doesn’t seem like something you want to do—we get it. Bed bugs can make you feel like there are creepy crawlies all around you, which is never fun! Call us today and we’ll do the inspecting for you. Here at Vinx, we know everything there is to know about bed bugs. Whether you live in the Fort Worth or Dallas area, we’re here to help. Our technicians know everything there is to know about these pesky bugs. Give us a call today or fill out the form below for a free bed bug extermination quote! We can’t wait to hear from you.

Usually, when we talk about seasons, it’s with excitement. Nothing is better than the summer season, holiday season, fall TV season, pumpkin-spice latte season—you get it. But the one thing we all hate is termite swarming season. Didn’t know it was a season? Well, you do now. We hate to break it to you, but those pesky bugs that literally eat your house… They have a swarming season!

Termite swarmers are no joke, but the good news is that there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself, your home, and your investments. We’ve got everything you need to know to get rid of termites for good. So buckle up and get ready to read about these pesky bugs. Once you’re finished, we’ll even grant you with an honorary “swarmer termites badge of knowledge.” Okay, maybe not, but we can offer you a free quote for your termite treatment with a discount if you live in the Dallas – Fort Worth area.

When is termite season?

Termite season here in Dallas may not be a season you mark on your calendars, but it should be. Subterranean termites (which we’ll go into more depth about later) swarm in the spring and summer months. Just like you enjoy shacking up inside with the cool A/C, termites like hanging out in your home as well! They want to escape the heat, especially after a lot of rainfall. And you know where in Texas gets a lot of rainfall? Yep, Dallas County. That includes everywhere from Coppell and Southlake down to Rowlett and Forney. We love the rain, but the termites tend to swarm right after it!

Once you wind down after the summer and get ready to settle in for a long binge on all the new fall TV, and prepare for the holidays, things aren’t better. See, there are different types of termites, and drywood termites love the holidays. They’ll stick around your home for those summer and fall months, snuggling into your wood when things get cool.

You can expect to see termites throughout the spring, summer, and fall. If your house contracts termites (just like you contract chickenpox), you need some help or termites will stick around for winter too!

When do termites swarm?

Because the different types of termites vary so much, there are termites that swarm during the day and termites that swarm during the night. Because we have a warm climate year-round, there’s a good chance that termites will swarm all year round. While they may stick mostly to the swarming seasons, you can expect for there to be activity at all times.

One thing that termites really love is the wind. When there is a calm wind that makes it easy for them to travel, they’ll take advantage. So, whether it’s dawn or dusk may not matter to them as much as the warmth and wind.

Termite swarming season: how long do termite swarms last?

Up to this point, we’ve only talked about the swarms that happen outside as they travel into your home. Unfortunately, termites like to swarm indoors as well. Think of it like a termite house party. They have no shame! After they’ve made themselves comfortable in your walls, they make their worker termites literally do work. These little ones will eat, eat, eat like that boy from Matilda ate that chocolate cake, and leave holes in your baseboards, doorframes, and more. So, unless polka dot baseboards are suddenly a thing, that’s more damage that you’ll have to replace.

Through these exit holes, the larger swarmers will fly out and try to get to the light. Their goal is to spread their colony and make more baby termites. Can you say “yay” for more damage? A termite swarm in your house is literally no fun at all. If they end up succeeding, you could have more colonies mark your home as their territory. And if they don’t succeed, you’ll have wonderful little termites dead on your countertops or anywhere directly below your lights. Sounds fun, right?

Well, if this isn’t your idea of fun, we can’t blame you. The problem is that these termites with wings can travel quickly, and a lot of them can get out in a termite swarm. You can expect a termite swarm to last between thirty and forty minutes. When you see a swarm happening in your home, it can be scary and overwhelming. You may not even realize that termites do that!

What’s even scarier is that a home termite swarm is usually the first sign that homeowners get notifying them that they have termites. By the time a swarm happens, it could mean that there’s irreparable damage. First, let’s get into the different types of termites and what they look like.

Types of termites

Here in Texas, we get two types of termites. We’re practically the Australia of the United States, thanks to our creepy crawlies and other crazy animals! If there’s an annoying or dangerous bug in the United States, you can count on it being in the Dallas area. But, just because they are around doesn’t mean you have to live with them.

There are termites everywhere, but if you practice prevention, they don’t need to come into your home. The most common termite is the subterranean termite. They account for 95% of the termite damage reported in homes. Subterranean termites have both swarmers and soldiers. The soldiers do all the work and they are the swarmers’ number-one fans. They make the holes for swarmers to get out of the walls and fly away to multiply and replenish the termite population.

Subterranean termite swarmers

Subterranean termite swarmers have a smaller body and head, with thin wings. They are darker in color than drywood termites, and their wings are a pale-to-clear color. The swarmers are going to be out during the day and they live in mud tubes that are created by the soldiers. Because of this, they will die when they come out and swarm, but it’s still a good idea to try and keep them isolated.

The subterranean soldiers have a wider head and longer body. Another interesting thing is how their feeding patterns differ. These soldiers are a bit more picky with their wood. They are often found near the foundation of the home because they live in mud tubes. When they eat, you can often see the mud tubes. However, they eat with the grain of the wood. They like the softwood in between the grains. This differs a lot from the drywood termites.

Drywood termites

Drywood termites are not nearly as popular as the subterranean ones. However, they still exist here in Dallas! These are termites that only swarm during the night. And just like Katy Perry at the Met Gala, these termites shed one outfit for another. While drywood termite swarmers may start out with wings, they usually shed their wings within a few moments of landing. Like a bad criminal, they leave behind their mark. These wings are usually one of the only tell-tale signs you’ll find in your home. 

The swarmers have a wider body and are larger than subterranean termites. They have complex veins on their wings, whereas subterranean wings usually only have one thick vein on them. A lot of people mistake both drywood and subterranean termites for flying ants, but they’re a lot more of a pain.

The drywood termites also have soldiers. These soldiers have a thinner and longer head with a shorter body. Again, these soldiers are going to be the termites doing the real work. They will chew away at the wood and get the holes large enough for the swarmers to do their work. Drywood termite eating patterns are a lot more interesting. These bugs aren’t picky, so they aren’t going to stick to that softwood in between the grain. In fact, these termites seem to eat against the grain on purpose. So it’s often not too hard to tell what type of termites you may have.

Do swarming termites mean infestation?

So, you’ve experienced a termite swarm. Now what? We know that’s the last thing people want to think about, but we’re here to tell you it will be okay. Usually, swarming termites do mean that there is a termite infestation in the home. This is because a termite swarm only occurs when a colony becomes large enough to reproduce and spread their wings (no pun intended). 

It can be hard to know whether or not you have termites, so don’t beat yourself up. Chances are that the infestation isn’t so out of control that it can’t be stopped. It’s not like termites stroll up to your house, stay there for a few months, and the house falls to the ground. Termites are small just like ants. And while they can cause irreparable damage that no one wants to deal with, thankfully, termites can be eliminated before that happens. But, if you notice a termite swarm in your home, it’s time to get help immediately.

If you wait too long, it could be too late. Structural damage can occur from just one colony, so this isn’t something to play around with. You’ll want to contact a licensed pest control expert to help you get rid of the problem.

How to get rid of swarmer termites

We know that you’re wondering how to get rid of swarmer termites. We don’t blame you. As soon as you know that there are termites in the walls, you get a little itchy. Bugs crawling around in your house? Yuck! But, we’re here to stop those itchy sensations we all get whenever we think about bugs. If you’re ready to get rid of termites for good, here are the ten steps to do so:

1. Don’t panic

We get it—bugs are gross. That’s why we’re in the business of making sure that you don’t have to deal with them any longer. When people first see a termite in their home, the initial thought is sheer panic. We’ve all seen those cartoons where little termites come in and in five seconds, the house is a sitting pile of sawdust. 

Thankfully, as it turns out, that’s not true! Termites love wood, but they aren’t going to gnaw on the beams of your home and shave them down to nothing in a few minutes. Chances are, the termites you see have been there for a little while. And, chances are, they haven’t caused irreparable damage. There’s no reason to panic yet! Get help, but don’t panic yet.

2. Don’t seal the exit holes

If you’re in the middle of witnessing a termite swarm, people immediately think that the first thing they should do is seal up those exit holes. Surely, keeping the bugs in the walls will help, right? Well, wrong. Worker termites will create more holes, and since they will die once they hit the air within an hour or so, there’s no reason to seal the exit holes.

Tape, glue, or anything else you think of to seal the exit holes will only cause more damage in the long run. Again, they have to find soil to survive, so if these swarmers are in your home, they are going to die quickly anyway. As tempting as it is, don’t seal the holes!

3. Insect spray from the store won’t help

As humans, we’re pretty proactive. We see a bug and think that a can of insect spray is the answer we’ve been looking for. Unfortunately, this isn’t going to help. First of all, you’re just going to waste the insect spray that you purchase. These termites are going to die very quickly, so there’s no reason to waste your hard-earned money on insect spray for termites!

If you think that going after those exit holes with the can of insecticide is a good idea, we hate to burst your bubble, but that’s not going to help either. That’s because termites are strong. Imagine throwing a stick at Arnold Schwarzenegger. It’s not going to do much. And if we’re being honest, he’ll probably just get annoyed. That’s exactly what termites are like. These little bugs are extremely resilient. To actually kill them, you need a very in-depth, professional treatment for them to die off. Otherwise, they’ll be back.

4. Try to keep them in one area

Yes, we’ve told you a lot about what you shouldn’t do, so let’s move on to what you should do. When you see termites swarming, it’s time to try and keep them in one area. What you can do with the exit holes is tape a plastic bag over them so that the termite swarmers fly into the plastic bag. Not only will this contain them, but it can help you capture them to show to a pest control company.

5. Vacuum up the bugs

Once the swarm is over and there are bugs in whatever room it happened, you should get your vacuum. The vacuum will make it easy to suck them up, both dead or alive, and empty them out into a trash bag. When you do this, make sure to seal up the trash bag so that they are sure to die. You don’t want them alive when they reach the outdoors! Find a company that is experienced`with termites. If you’re in the Dallas area, from Rockwall County to Fort Worth, make sure to give us a call. We’re experienced with termite prevention and treatment, so we can make sure you’re covered.

You want to make sure that the termites are gone for good, so go with a company like Vinx that will offer a guarantee on the work. We know that you’re paying good money to get rid of these termites, so we want to make sure they are actually gone! Once we knock out that colony

6. Make sure to capture a few of the bugs

Perhaps the most important thing you can do is capture a few of the bugs to show a pest control company. It’s not like you have to put them in a glass jar and show them off to everyone who comes over, but it is smart to keep a few of the dead ones in a bag to show the licensed technician. 

This is because there are two different types of termites. And while you may be able to narrow it down based on when the swarm happens, it’s also important for the pest control company to be completely certain about the kind of termites they are dealing with. Each termite will need a different sort of treatment, so this should be your main priority when witnessing a swarm!

7. Call a reputable pest-control company

The most important thing you can do after witnessing a swarm is call a pest control company. You need the termites out of your house and that’s only possible with the help of a licensed technician. Termite treatments “soak” the home so that you get rid of the termites and prevent them from coming back. This product isn’t available to the general public, so it’s important to call a company.

If you live in the Dallas area, Vinx is here to help. We offer termite treatments and termite prevention with Sentricon. Our liquid treatment will take care of the termites currently residing in your walls or property, and Sentricon bait stations will alert us should the termites come back. It’s an important part of getting rid of termites!

8. Seal up your house

Once you call the pest control company and get rid of the termites you had, it’s time to seal up your home. This is when you’ll want to take care of those exit holes. You should also seal up any gaps in the windows, doors, and foundation of the home. Anytime there is a gap, you leave your home vulnerable to termites and other harmful pests.

9. Get rid of mulch

Another important thing to do is get rid of mulch. Most of us love having mulch in our yards, especially here in Texas because of how hard it is to keep grass green! But having mulch near the foundation of your home can be extremely harmful. This is practically termite bait. So when it’s within a few feet of your home, you’re practically inviting them in!

10. Keep moisture out

The last thing you’ll want to do is keep the moisture out of your home. Termites love the humidity and moisture that comes with the Dallas area. When there is a leaky roof, leaky pipes, or a lot of rainfall, termites are ready to do some damage. While we know you can’t control the weather, you can control the leaks around your house. Make sure that you’re doing home inspections yourself every month. Sometimes, there’s a leak that you don’t even know about! 

Conclusion: Surviving Termite Swarming Season

Termite swarming season is upon us, and it’s never fun. If you’ve just witnessed your first swarm, Vinx is here to help. Capture one of the bugs and give us a call or fill out the form below. While it may not mean that there’s irreparable damage to your home, it is a good sign that you have an infestation. The population is only going to grow, so don’t hesitate! Get rid of the itchy sensation that comes with knowing bugs are in your walls by having Vinx come out and treat your home. Click here to get a free price quote or fill out the form below.