FAQ

Yes, there are dangerous spiders that live in our region, but the truth is that most species we come into contact with are harmless. Examples of nuisance spiders are wolf spiders, house spiders, cellar spiders, and spiny-backed orb weavers. These spiders possess venom strong enough to paralyze their prey but not strong enough to harm people.

In the United States, a couple of different types of spiders are dangerous to people, and you should always avoid them. These are the brown recluse and the black widow. Being bitten by either means a necessary trip to a medical professional.

Spiders are attracted to our properties because they provide everything the spiders need, including food, water, and secluded shelter. Gardens, grass, trees, shrubs, gardens, the outside of homes, and outbuildings provide plenty of places for spiders to safely live and hunt insects. 

It is essential to understand that the more insect activity you have in and around your home, the more problems you will have with spiders. While spiders do prefer to live outside, they won’t hesitate to follow their insect prey indoors.

Spiders like to stay out of the limelight. These pests are naturally reclusive and want to stay away from places with a lot of activity. The dark, quiet corners of our yards and homes are places where spiders feel comfortable.

Familiar places for spiders to live in outdoor spaces include under railings, decks, steps, roof eaves, and woodpiles. They also like to gather in areas where their insect prey hangs out: around outdoor light fixtures, trashcans, grills, and compost piles. 

Inside houses, you will most likely discover a problem with California spiders in dark, quiet basements, attics, crawl spaces, and closets. The kitchen is also where spiders like to gather because although they aren’t eating the crumbs on your kitchen counter, their insect prey is!

Tired of seeing spiders in your home or business? You've come to the right place; The PEST Group specializes in keeping homes and businesses pest-free year-round. Call us today and let one of our trained and friendly PEST professionals create the best home pest control or commercial pest control treatment plan for you. Our professionals have the experience and dedication necessary to remove spiders from your property and keep them from returning. 

With over 250 years of combined leadership experience, The PEST Group is the best choice to rid spiders from your Orange County, CA home or business. Contact The PEST Group today and request your free inspection today!

After we've treated your home or business for spiders, use the following tips to prevent future spider infestations:

• Keep outdoor lights that attract insects to your home turned off whenever possible.

• Inspect the exterior of your house and seal up any openings you find.

• Place mesh covers over vents leading into your home.

• Replace torn or loose screens.

• Place weatherstripping around windows and doors.

• Dust frequently to remove spider webs from your house.

• Cut back overgrown grass and other vegetation away from your home’s foundation.

• Remove debris like fallen trees, leaf piles, rock piles, and excess wood piles from your yard.

For the best spider control near you, contact The PEST Group for exceptional spider solutions!

While silverfish are not known for biting humans or transmitting any serious diseases, they can still be fairly problematic when they invade your property. These insects are highly active at night and they are known for feeding on starchy things or high-protein items. If you have an infestation of silverfish around your property, they will emerge overnight to feed on items like clothing, books, stored food items, and fabrics. Over time, this can create costly damage and irreparable damage to your items.

Professional silverfish removal is the best way to avoid the damage that an infestation of these pests brings.

Silverfish are very attracted to warm and moist spaces, and you may find that you have a silverfish problem as a result of moisture issues around your property. These problems combined with gaps and cracks around your property’s foundation or windows and doors allow silverfish to invade your home and an infestation to begin.

Silverfish are most commonly found in dark, damp areas. You are most likely to encounter silverfish around basements, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, or anywhere else that provides lots of moisture and secluded space. Decluttering interior areas and utilizing dehumidifiers when necessary help to combat potential infestations of this pest.

Outdoors, silverfish tend to hide under piles of debris, near decaying matter, and around long grasses or damp areas such as porches, decks, and crawl spaces.

Getting rid of silverfish might seem like a difficult task at first, but you don’t need to tackle this process all alone. Our pest management professionals at The PEST Group are here to help you defeat infestations of these pests and reclaim your property from the troubles that silverfish bring. With our help, you can skip less-than-effective DIY remedies and ditch store-bought products; the best way to get rid of silverfish is through reliable professional home pest control and commercial pest control services.

Contact The PEST Group today for more information or to request a free inspection.

Prevent future infestations of silverfish by utilizing these expert tips once our pest management professionals have removed silverfish completely from your property:

• Reduce excess moisture around your property as much as possible to stop damp or humid conditions from attracting silverfish; utilize a dehumidifier indoors and fix leaks in interior areas.

• Keep outdoor areas clear of debris piles and decaying matter, clean gutters to prevent water buildups, and ensure outdoor spaces have proper drainage to prevent moisture from accumulating.

• Seal cracks around your property’s foundation, windows, and doors, and install weatherstripping and door sweeps to totally silverfish-proof interior areas.

• Store all leftover food properly and ensure that pantry items are kept in airtight containers to make it difficult for silverfish to scavenge these items.

• Declutter interior areas often, clean food and drink spills promptly, and dust frequently in addition to clearing pantries regularly to prevent silverfish from scavenging and hiding around interior areas.

And remember, reach out to The PEST Group today for a reliable silverfish exterminator near you.

Roof rats are one of the most dangerous pests to deal with due to the ability of these rodents to spread bacteria and pathogens throughout your property. Roof rats carry pathogens with them that can cause illnesses such as salmonellosis, tularemia, hantavirus, and leptospirosis, among many others, and they also transport parasitic pests like fleas, ticks, and mites to your property. As roof rats scavenge through food storage spaces, kitchens, and other areas of your property, rat droppings and urine are left behind, further creating hygienic and safety issues.

Additionally, infestations of roof rats can be quite destructive; rodents are characterized by their constantly growing front teeth, and they have a continual need to chew. As they invade your property, roof rats can chew through stored items, wood, brick, cinder block, and insulation, creating costly damage.

Instead of wondering how to get rid of rats once these pests invade your property, contact our team of experts at The PEST Group. We’ll conduct an inspection that helps us figure out where your major roof rat problem areas are occurring before taking steps to set down traps and eliminate potential roof rat entry points, protecting your property from these pests.

Contact us today to learn more about our residential or commercial pest control services in Orange County, CA, or to request a free inspection.

In addition to professional rat removal, follow these expert prevention tips to stop future roof rat problems:

• Seal cracks around your property’s foundation, windows, and doors to ensure rats are kept outside.

• Use outdoor trash cans with tight-fitting lids to prevent hungry rodents from scavenging.

• Make sure your roof is free of cracks or gaps that might let roof rats inside.

• Cut down long grasses outdoors and remove debris piles to reduce roof rat hiding spots.

• Always store leftover food properly and clean up food and drink spills immediately to stop the aroma from attracting roof rats.

Reach out to The PEST Group today if you have more questions or concerns about pest control services in Orange County, CA for roof rats.

Rodent infestations are dangerous due to the number of diseases that rats and mice carry. As these pests invade your property and scavenge across food storage and preparation areas, live between the walls, and infiltrate ventilation spaces, they bring with them bacteria and pathogens that may cause illnesses such as tularemia, listeriosis, and salmonellosis.

Additionally, all rodents have a pair of constantly growing front teeth that they use to gnaw items around your property. Over time, these gnawing activities result in major damage to your property and can interfere with utility or electrical lines, something that leads to safety issues. 

Rodent droppings and urine may also soil items around your home, leaving you with contamination issues and a loss of property.

Rodents are generally opportunistic, and if you find that a rodent problem is occurring on your property, these pests likely moved in as they pursued food, water, or shelter. Factors that attract rodents include open trash cans and compost piles, access to pet food, cracks around your property that let rodents inside, and moisture issues that create puddles of excess water. Removing these factors often helps to deter infestations.

Rodents prefer to hide in dark and secluded places, nesting around interior or exterior areas during the day and then scavenging for food at nighttime. Outdoors, you may find rodents around trash cans, compost piles, and debris or woodpiles. Indoors, rodents hide in the backs of cupboards, in pantry areas and kitchens, in basements, attics, or garages, or in ventilation areas and the space between walls.

Get rid of rodents in the safest and most effective way possible by contacting The PEST Group at the first signs of rats or mice on your property. Our team of pest management professionals is dedicated to identifying your major rodent problem areas and eliminating all traces of this pest from your property.

Contact us today for a free inspection or more information about our rodent control solutions.

Prevent rodents in the future by following our expert tips to deter infestations of this unhygienic pest:

• Keep outdoor trash cans covered with tight-fitting lids, and always dispose of trash promptly in tightly sealed bags to prevent rodent scavenging.

• Remove access to compost piles and outdoor pet food when not in use to stop hungry rodents from accessing these areas.

• Seal cracks around your property’s foundation, use window and door screens, and install weatherstripping to rodent-proof interior areas.

• Address moisture issues that might be creating puddles of water or humid conditions that attract rodents.

• Always store leftover food properly and clean out pantries often in addition to cleaning up food and drink spills quickly to stop the aroma from attracting rodents.

Reach out to The PEST Group today for more prevention advice or reliable rodent control near you.

Powderpost beetles don’t pose a direct threat to humans, but they do cause extensive damage to wooden structures and are as dangerous as any other type of wood-destroying insect. Over time, the powderpost larvae will feed on the inside of wood and leave via holes as they become adults. This leads to the infestation becoming widespread and serious structural damage to wood that is not only costly to repair, but also very dangerous and presents a risk of structural collapse.

Powderpost beetles also love starchy items, and they may be found feeding on books, furniture, picture frames, and other wooden things on your property, something that causes irreparable damage. 

Understanding how to get rid of beetles is essential to preventing these dangers; The PEST Group can help.

You may pick up a powderpost beetle problem by accidentally utilizing lumber around your property that contains eggs or larvae. Adult powderpost beetles may also slip inside your home as they pursue food and breeding areas, or you may purchase a secondhand piece of furniture that is infested with powderpost beetles. 

Checking for signs of powderpost beetles ahead of moving wooden items into your home is key to preventing infestations of this pest.

Powderpost beetles are most commonly found inside wooden structures, around lumber piles, or near books, furniture, and other wooden items. Adults will forage for food outside of wood, while eggs and larvae stay deep inside wooden items while they feed. Local beetle control helps you identify problem areas and remove hiding powderpost beetles.

The best way to get rid of powderpost beetles is to contact The PEST Group for home pest control and commercial pest control services. Our pest management professionals will identify your problem and provide you with tailored solutions that effectively eradicate all traces of these pests on your property.

Call us now to request a free inspection or to learn more about our valuable powderpost beetle treatment solutions.

Prevent powderpost beetles from invading your property in the future with our essential tips below:

• Make sure that any lumber purchased is free of these pests and ensure that you properly store all lumber or wood in elevated areas to prevent powderpost beetles from invading it.

• Double-check antiques and secondhand furniture for signs of powderpost beetles before moving these items onto your property.

• Paint or stain wood around your property, as this deters powderpost beetle infestation.

• Address moisture issues and use dehumidifiers when necessary to reduce damp and humid conditions that might attract this pest.

• Refrain from storing furniture or wood you want indoors in places like barns or sheds where powderpost beetles like to hide. 

For more advice on preventing this pest or for expert wood repair services, contact The PEST Group today.

Like any other type of rodent, Norway rats have continuously growing front incisors. To stop their teeth from overgrowing, rodents gnaw on objects they come across. When Norway rats find a way into our homes, their gnawing habits cause significant damage to drywall, wires, cables, pipes, flooring, furniture, and food containers. The root cause of short circuits, fires, and water leaks in your home can be a rat infestation. 

Though the damage Norway rats cause is problematic, the health concerns they pose are even more significant. As Norway rats travel throughout your home, they contaminate food, counters, and other surfaces with their saliva, excrement, and shed fur. Diseases spread by Norway rats that make people ill include hantavirus, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever.

Sharing your home with Norway rats for any period of time is dangerous. If Norway rats ever find their way into your house, immediately seek professional help to remove them. 

Norway rats are attracted to properties that give them access to their basic needs. Why would they spend their days searching for food when our backyards offer them a buffet of food from fruit trees, gardens, open trash cans, bird feeders, and pet food?

While Norway rats prefer to live outside, they will move into our homes to escape harsh weather or predators or because there is a lack of food. Some of their most common entry points include holes in the foundation, gaps under exterior doors, and crawl spaces. 

Norway rats are good swimmers but poor climbers. These rodents prefer to hang out at ground level. Places you are likely to find Norway rats burrowing or hiding include:

• Ground holes

• Under concrete slabs or foundations

• Low-growing vegetation

• Under wood or rock piles

Norway rats hang out at ground level inside structures and typically nest in crawl spaces, basements, and wall voids. 

Rats are nocturnal and are most active at night while we are sleeping. Unless a large rodent infestation is present, you aren’t likely to spot rats out and about during the day. You are more likely to see signs of rats than the actual rats. If rats are in your home, you are likely to notice the following: gnaw marks, holes in food packaging, dark black rat droppings, and scratching or running sounds behind walls. 

To prevent Norway rats from becoming a problem in and around your home, we suggest taking advantage of our helpful rodent prevention tips:

• Make sure exterior doors on your home and garage have tight-fitting door sweeps.

• Reduce clutter in and around your home they can hide within.

• Repair defects in your home’s foundation.

• Remove weeds and other overgrown vegetation from your yard.

• Make sure you place all trash bags in hard-sided trash cans with tight-fitting lids. 

• Store trash cans and wood piles away from the exterior of your home.

• Remove stored pantry items from their original packaging and place them in pest-proof containers.

• Never leave uneaten pet food out for long periods. 

For rodent control in Orange County, please call The PEST Group today. 

Mosquitoes are a very common pest, and many people may think this insect is nothing more than a nuisance, but they are actually fairly dangerous to host on your property. Mosquitoes have the potential for transmitting illnesses with their bites, and the diseases carried by mosquitoes include serious viruses such as Zika virus, malaria, yellow fever, and West Nile virus.

Additionally, some mosquito bites can trigger allergic reactions, and severe pain, itchiness, swelling, and even anaphylaxis might occur after a mosquito bite is received. It’s important to keep mosquitoes away from your property if you want to avoid these health risks.

Mosquitoes prefer to hide in shaded areas, near puddles of standing water, and in swampy areas. You are most likely to find mosquitoes hiding in long grasses, around fallen logs or piles of debris, or near puddles of standing water. If they do get inside, mosquitoes will be seen buzzing around near windows or trying to bite the people on your property.

If you want to get rid of mosquitoes the easy way, your best option is to contact The PEST Group for assistance. We pride ourselves on experienced, dedicated home pest control and commercial pest control services, and we will put our years of experience to work defeating mosquitoes around your property. When you trust us, you can rest assured that these buzzing pests will be eliminated in no time.

Reach out to The PEST Group today for a free inspection.

These prevention tips are the best ways to keep mosquitoes away after professional control services have been received:

• Cut back long grasses, trim trees and shrubs, and prune plants where necessary to stop overgrown and foliage-dense areas from attracting mosquitoes.

• Remove piles of debris from outdoor areas, store woodpiles in elevated areas, and clear fallen branches or trees off of your property to reduce mosquito hiding spots.

• Address moisture issues on your property and remove all puddles of standing water, as these are major mosquito breeding grounds.

• Treat any water features on your property with an animal-safe larvicide or install filters to keep water moving and deter mosquitoes from laying eggs.

• Utilize window and door screens around your property in addition to weatherstripping and door sweeps to keep mosquitoes outside.

• Choose plants that mosquitoes hate the smell of for outdoor landscaping such as marigolds, citronella grass, lavender, and rosemary.

For reliable and efficient mosquito treatment you can count on, contact The PEST Group today.

German cockroaches, like the majority of other cockroach species, are dangerous to encounter. A cockroach infestation is highly unhygienic, and cockroaches are known for spreading severe illnesses around properties such as cholera, dysentery, gastroenteritis, and salmonellosis. As cockroaches scavenge throughout your kitchens, food storage, and food preparation areas, they contaminate both surfaces and food, creating a health hazard.

Additionally, German cockroaches may trigger allergic reactions and respiratory issues in certain individuals. A protein in the shed skins, egg cases, saliva, and droppings of cockroaches causes these problems, and as an infestation becomes widespread, these health problems are more likely to occur.

German cockroaches are drawn to properties that provide easy access to food, water, and spaces to nest. If you have plenty of trash left out, improperly stored food, moisture issues, and overgrown areas outdoors, you might find that German cockroaches are attracted to your property. Additionally, cluttered spaces and collections of cardboard or plastic bags also attract German cockroaches looking to hide.

German cockroaches love dark, secluded, and warm spaces, especially if those spaces are near food sources. You will most likely find German cockroaches around kitchens, hiding under appliances, at the backs of cabinets and drawers, or even hiding in between walls. Outdoors, German cockroaches will be seen near trash cans, compost piles, outdoor pet food, overgrown foliage, and piles of decaying matter.

Get rid of cockroaches the easy way by skipping DIY control methods and contacting The PEST Group at the first signs of roaches invading. Our team will identify your biggest cockroach problem areas and work with you to develop treatment plans that are perfectly tailored to your property’s needs, effectively eliminating your German cockroach problem. With our help, you won’t need to tackle these pests alone and can rest assured knowing we’ll eliminate all traces of these insects.

Contact us today to learn more or to request a free inspection.

Prevent German cockroaches in the future by following our expert tips to deter these insects:

• Seal potential entry points around your property’s foundation, windows, and doors; install weatherstripping and door sweeps to keep roaches outside.

• Seal trash bags tightly and use trash cans with tight-fitting lids to keep roaches from scavenging in these areas.

• Always store leftover food properly and clean up food and drink spills immediately to stop the aroma from attracting roaches.

• Declutter interior areas and throw away piles of cardboard boxes or plastic bags so roaches aren’t drawn to hide in these places.

• Clear outdoor areas of long grasses and overgrown foliage or piles of decaying debris and plant matter to reduce German cockroach hiding spots.

• Address moisture issues such as leaks and use dehumidifiers indoors to prevent damp and humid conditions from occurring.

For more information or for local cockroach control you can count on, contact The PEST Group today.

Fly infestations can be dangerous due to the many diseases that flies are able to transmit. Serious illnesses that you may be exposed to as a result of a fly infestation include typhoid fever, dysentery, cholera, tuberculosis, and yaws, among many others. Flies tend to visit kitchens, food preparation areas, and food storage areas the most as they scavenge, and the contamination they cause often results in major food spoilage and increased disease risks.

If you want to keep flies away and avoid the dangers an infestation can bring, contact The PEST Group at the first signs of these pests around your property.

Get rid of the fly infestation around your property by contacting The PEST Group the moment you encounter these buzzing nuisances. Our pest management professionals are knowledgeable in identifying different types of flies, and we’ll tailor home pest control and commercial pest control solutions to your property’s exact needs. 

Contact The PEST Group today to request a free inspection.

Prevent future fly problems by following our expert tips below to deter infestations from starting in the first place:

• Seal trash bags tightly and dispose of any waste promptly. You should also make sure that trash cans have tight-fitting lids and that compost piles are covered.

• Clean up pet waste in outdoor areas and clear outdoor areas of debris piles, long grasses, or overgrown foliage to make your property less attractive to pests.

• Seal cracks around your property’s structure and utilize window and door screens in addition to weatherstripping and door sweeps to keep flies outside.

• Consider using plants to get rid of flies by planting basil, rosemary, marigolds, lavender, or other plants that flies hate the smell of around your property.

• Store leftover food properly, clean up food and drink spills around your property right away, and refrain from leaving out dirty dishes or trash, as all of these items attract scavenging flies.

• Address moisture issues around your property to stop damp and humid conditions from occurring, as flies are attracted to these spaces.

Don’t hesitate to contact The PEST Group for more fly prevention advice or fly pest control you can count on.

Fleas and ticks are dangerous to host on your property due to the diseases that these pests may transmit to humans and animals. Fleas are known to transmit tapeworms, heartworms to pets, and illnesses such as murine typhus and plague, while tick bites may result in serious diseases such as Lyme diseases, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis.

If a flea and tick infestation is left untreated, they may cause serious health issues in pets on your property, resulting in anemia and even fatalities.

If you want to get rid of fleas and ticks the right way, you should contact The PEST Group at the first signs of these pests on your property. Our pest management professionals are ready to help inspect your property for flea and tick issues and provide you with tailored home pest control and commercial pest control services that protect you and those you care about from these parasitic pests.

Contact us today for a free inspection.

Prevent fleas and ticks in the future by following our expert tips below:

• Cut down long grasses outdoors and clear outdoor spaces of clutter like debris piles and woodpiles to reduce flea and tick hiding spots.

• Ensure pets that spend time outdoors are treated with a vet-approved flea and tick prevention medication.

• Brush pets often and give regular baths to catch any fleas or ticks that might have crawled onto your animal.

• Clean interior areas often and vacuum carpeting regularly to catch any traces of fleas or ticks that you may have accidentally picked up.

• Wear long-sleeved clothing and pants when moving around overgrown areas to deter tick bites.

Don’t hesitate to contact The PEST Group today for effective flea removal services or reliable tick control near you.

Even though earwigs look quite frightening and have a large pincer at their rear, they are not quite as dangerous as you would think. Earwigs don’t bite humans, nor do they transmit disease. The belief that earwigs will crawl into ears at night and lay eggs or bite is nothing but a myth, and earwigs are more likely to run away from humans than try to attack them.

If an earwig bite is received, it’s likely to be nothing more than a simple pinch from this insect’s pincers; it is unlikely that a pinch like this will break the skin. An earwig’s main danger is being frightening and causing annoyance around your property as they invade in large numbers.

Earwigs are opportunistic, and they will pursue easy access to food sources and favorable temperatures in addition to plenty of moisture. You may accidentally pick up an earwig problem by transporting wet plants, damp cardboard, or items like wet newspaper inside, or you may encourage earwigs in outdoor areas by leaving piles of damp leaves and organic debris around.

Some earwigs may slip inside cracks around your property in pursuit of moisture or dark, secluded areas inside, such as basements and garages.

Get rid of earwigs the right way by contacting The PEST Group as soon as you notice a problem on your property. Our pest management professionals are ready to help by identifying your major earwig problem areas and developing treatment solutions that are perfectly tailored to your property’s needs. With our help, you won’t need to worry about any DIY solutions; simply trust our professional home pest control and commercial pest control expertise to get this frightening pest off of your property.

Call us now to request a free inspection or to learn more.

If you want to prevent future earwig problems, follow these helpful expert tips:

• Address moisture issues around your property to prevent the damp or humid conditions that earwigs love from forming.

• Seal cracks around your property’s structure, windows, and doors to keep earwigs from slipping inside.

• Make sure window and door screens are intact and utilize weatherstripping and door sweeps to keep earwigs outside.

• Clear outdoor areas of debris piles and decaying leaf piles to reduce earwig hiding spots.

For more information, reach out to The PEST Group to speak with a knowledgeable earwig exterminator. 

In California, you will find drywood termites living successfully in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Drywood termites living outside near your home have the potential to find their way into your structure eventually. Common outdoor feeding and nesting sites for drywood termites include utility poles, wood fences, wood shingles, wood trim, and decks. 

When drywood termites are in our homes, we regularly discover them in wooden floorboards, furniture, trim, cabinets, and building materials. 

Because drywood termites live primarily out of our sight, termite identification can be tricky. Knowing signs of their presence is vital to eliminating an infestation as quickly as possible. Signs of a potential drywood termite infestation include:

• Noticing small holes that have developed in the exterior surface of trim, floorboards, and pieces of furniture.

• Discovering piles of “frass” (termite droppings) that look like sawdust forming under pieces of wood in or on your home.

• Noticing the surfaces of walls appear like they are blistered or splintered.

• Floorboards or stairs that feel spongy when you walk across them.

Identifying drywood termite activity can be tricky. The best way to identify and properly treat a drywood termite infestation is to partner with an expert. For termite control in Orange County, CA, call The PEST Group now!

With over 250 years of combined leadership experience, The PEST Group is the best way to get rid of termites from your Orange County, California home or business. We are North America’s largest fumigation company, dedicated to our customers and providing safe and effective termite solutions.

If you are looking for an experienced, dedicated professional to eliminate wood-eating termites from your property, contact The PEST Group and request your free inspection today!

In addition to our residential pest control and commercial pest control services, use the following tips to prevent termite infestations:

• Inspect furniture and other wood items for signs of termites.

• Ventilate crawlspaces.

• Repair roof damage.

• Repair damage to your home's foundation.

• Install weatherstripping around windows and doors to prevent drywood termites from easily getting inside.

• Protect wood inside and outside your home from drywood termites by painting or otherwise sealing its exterior.

For the professional help necessary to get rid of your drywood termite problem, contact The PEST Group. We offer effective termite control near you to solve your termite problems once and for all!

Cockroaches are more than a nuisance; they are dangerous and destructive. Having cockroaches in your home for even one day is one day too many! These scavengers live and travel through less than sanitary conditions like garbage dumps, trash cans, sewers, drains, carrion, and excrement. As they move around, they pick up bacteria, human pathogens, and parasites on their bodies and legs that contaminate food and surfaces inside our homes and businesses.

Cockroaches are known for spreading bacteria like salmonella, which causes fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Also, many people are allergic to their shed skin and feces, which trigger asthma attacks; this is particularly true in young children. 

These destructive pests also damage things like upholstered furniture, bedding, rugs, clothing, and curtains by staining them with excrement or chewing on them.

Cockroaches can find their way onto any property that offers them food. Like us, cockroaches are omnivores, and unfortunately, this means the proteins, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables found in our kitchens, pantries, trash cans, and gardens can sustain them. 

Trash, compost, pet food, and outdoor eating areas often draw cockroaches to a property. Once living near your structure, it is only a matter of time before they find their way inside, searching for more food and a damp, warm place to call home. 

Cockroaches also get into our homes by hitchhiking. People unintentionally bring these insects indoors inside boxes, packages, plants, firewood, or used furniture or appliances. Sometimes, cockroaches even find their way inside on the bottom of shoes.

Different types of cockroaches prefer different environments. Some, like the American cockroach and wood roach, prefer to live outside; others, like the German cockroach, prefer to live inside our structures. 

Outside, cockroaches live in flower beds, behind tree bark, under woodpiles, under mulch, around trash cans, and near sewers. Inside, they choose the areas of a home or business that are close to food sources and have higher humidity levels. Some of their favorite hideouts are secluded areas in kitchens, basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces. 

Unlike most cockroaches with high moisture needs, brown-banded cockroaches prefer dry, hot places, like the upper parts of cabinets and attic spaces.

If you ever discover that cockroaches have found their way into your Orange County, CA home, get rid of them with a professional's help. DIY cockroach control solutions can be dangerous if not used properly. DIY pest control also doesn't address the root of the cockroach infestation, allowing them to return quickly. 

With over 250 years of combined leadership experience, The PEST Group is the best choice to rid your Orange County, California, home or business of cockroaches. We are dedicated to our customers and providing safe and effective cockroach control solutions.

If you are looking for experienced, dedicated professionals to eliminate cockroaches from your property, contact The PEST Group and request your free inspection today!

In addition to our effective home pest control and commercial pest control services, use the following tips to prevent cockroach infestations:

• Make sure outdoor trash cans and compost bins have tight lids.

• Store all food in airtight containers or the refrigerator.

• Seal up any entry points leading into your home.

• Immediately clean up spills and crumbs.

• Wash dishes and remove trash from your home daily.

• Store trash containers away from the outside walls of your home.

Since most cockroaches are attracted to places with high humidity levels, reducing excess moisture in and around your home is essential. Keep basements and crawl spaces dry using dehumidifiers and ensuring they are adequately ventilated. It is also important to quickly repair leaky air conditioners, pipes, and fixtures. For local cockroach control near you, reach out to The PEST Group today.

Though described as nuisance pests, bed bugs are not pests anyone wants to share their home with. You can’t sleep soundly at night knowing you and your family are being used as a food source by biting bed bugs. 

Unlike other blood-feeding pests, when it comes to bed bugs, the spread of human pathogens by these pests is currently not a big concern in the United States. However, many people are allergic to a protein in their saliva; those allergic to bed bug bites develop raised, uncomfortable, itchy welts. Scratching the bites may lead to a secondary infection that requires medical attention.

Bed bugs do not have wings and can’t jump; their primary mode of transportation is hitchhiking on people or their things, including used mattresses, box springs, and newly purchased clothing. Bed bugs are equal opportunity creatures and will find their way into any home, no matter how clean or dirty. However, it is essential to note that households with more clutter provide bed bugs with more hiding spots.

Signs that bed bugs have found their way into your home can include:

• Discovering dark streaks or spots of blood on bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, or walls.

• Seeing piles of bed bug’s shed skins in places like under mattresses, clutter piles, or drawers.

• Noticing a sweet, musty odor has developed in a particular area of your home. This odor is caused by the pheromones bed bugs emit to communicate with each other. 

• You or your family members have raised red insect bites, typically clustered together in a line or zig-zag pattern on exposed skin. 

If you ever spot bed bug signs in your home, immediately contact The PEST Group.

Bed bugs are most active at night, right before dawn. At night, they emerge from their daytime hiding spots to feed on the blood of their sleeping victims. 

Common bed bug hiding spots include the following:

• Behind baseboards

• In the seams of upholstered furniture

• In electronics and keyboards

• Behind wall hangings, pictures, and clocks

• Inside wall voids located behind electrical outlets

• Under piles of dirty laundry

When bed bugs first enter a home, they stay close to sleeping areas in the seams of mattresses and box springs and in cracks in footboards and headboards. As the bed bug infestation grows, the insects will travel through walls and floors and infest many rooms.

Let's face it, bed bugs are unpleasant, biting pests. Just the thought of them can make your skin crawl. Sleep easy at night knowing your family’s beds are bed bug-free; give The PEST Group a call and let one of our trained, friendly experts identify and treat your bed bug problem today!

With over 250 years of combined leadership experience, The PEST Group is the best choice to rid your Orange County, CA home or business of bed bugs. We are North America’s largest fumigation company, dedicated to our customers and providing safe and effective bed bug solutions.

Partnering with an experienced, dedicated professional is the fastest and most efficient way to get rid of bed bugs from your property; reach out to The PEST Group and request your free inspection today!

In addition to our residential pest control and commercial pest control services, use the following tips to prevent bed bug infestations:

• Newly purchased clothing should immediately be washed and dried on a high-heat cycle.

• Place bed bug-proof covers on all mattresses and box springs in your home.

• Never place your luggage on the ground or beds of your hotel room.

• Keep your home and storage areas free of clutter.

• Regularly vacuum your floors.

• After traveling, wash and dry all clothing on high heat cycles.

• Do not buy used mattresses, box springs, and furniture for your home.

• Always inspect your hotel room for signs of bed bugs before bringing luggage inside.

• In public places or while at work or school, keep personal belongings away from other people’s belongings and off of the ground.

Despite trying to keep bed bugs out of your home, they can hitchhike into any structure. If you ever need exceptional bed bug services, reach out to the knowledgeable and friendly professionals at The PEST Group!

The majority of species of ants that we come across and that invade our structures are nuisance ants. Because of their small size, ants can become a problem in almost any structure. Keeping these pests from moving in and out of our homes is frustrating and, without the help of a professional, very time-consuming. 

In addition to how annoying they are, ants are unwanted because they are responsible for contaminating food, invading our properties in large numbers, and spreading bacteria; nuisance ants do not pose significant threats to people or our properties.

While most ants are harmless, there are some species of dangerous ants that we need to be aware of to protect ourselves. Some dangerous ants are aggressive and bite or sting; others create serious health risks. Ants can also cause damage to our property by chewing through structural wood and wires. Ant infestations have been the root cause of short circuits and fires. Examples of dangerous ants in Orange County, CA include carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, and fire ants.

Ant infestations are so common because our properties tend to provide ants with their basic needs. Food odors are what usually first attract ants to a property. Things like open trash containers, compost, outdoor eating areas, and gardens are places where ants forage for food. They also love to feast on leftover pet food, spills, and crumbs in outdoor eating areas.

After becoming comfortable foraging for food in your yard, it is only a matter of time before they find small openings in your home’s exterior and move inside. Our houses, garages, and sheds offer ants an escape from harsh weather conditions, easy access to food, and safe nesting sites.

Ants usually prefer to build their large main nest outside but often create satellite nests indoors after being attracted inside by food odors or to escape harsh weather conditions. Inside homes, ants usually build their nest in locations that are out of sight, like behind wall voids, baseboards, cabinets, large appliances, and vents.

If ants have made themselves comfortable in or around your home, you are likely to notice the following signs:

• Long trails of ants crawling over surfaces in your home

• Dirt mounds in one or more locations in your yard

• Large numbers of ants moving throughout your yard, gardens, and over walkways

• Rustling sounds behind your home’s walls

At any notice of ants on your property, reach out to us. We are here to provide ant control in your home and yard.

Have you tried everything but are still having ant problems? Few things are more annoying than an ant infestation; it happens fast, and you want these pests gone ASAP. We are ant experts and would love to solve your ant problem. Let our team give your home or business the year-round protection it needs.

With over 250 years of combined leadership experience, The PEST Group is the best choice to get rid of ants from your Orange County, California, property. If you are looking for an experienced, dedicated professional to eliminate ant invaders from your property, contact The PEST Group and request your free inspection today!

Use the following prevention tips to prevent an ant infestation in your home:

• Trim tree branches and overgrown vegetation away from your home’s exterior walls and foundation.

• Keep gutters in good working order, directing water away from your home’s exterior.

• Leave a crushed rock barrier between any soil and your foundation.

• Place weatherstripping around windows.

• Immediately clean up spills and crumbs.

• Inside, store leftover food in the refrigerator, not on counters or tables.

• Inspect your house's foundation and exterior walls, sealing up any openings you find.

• Keep tight-fitting or locking lids on trash cans and compost bins. Store them off the ground and away from your house.

In conjunction with the above tips, partner with us and implement a year-round residential or commercial pest control service. For fast, active ant removal, call us now!

Like any other cockroach, American cockroaches are indeed dangerous because of the diseases they spread. These cockroaches carry dozens of different pathogens, and they can spread them all over your home, contaminating your food stores and infecting your living space with everything from bacteria to viruses to even parasites.

Some of the diseases American cockroaches spread include:

• Salmonellosis

• Gastroenteritis

• E. coli infections

• Dysentery

• Typhoid fever

• Cholera

Many of these are serious illnesses that can sometimes be life-threatening, which is why it's so vital to keep cockroaches out of your home. 

Cockroaches are attracted to moisture and are omnivorous scavengers. This sets them up to depend heavily on human habitations here in Southern California. Our dry conditions mean cockroaches will often seek out watered lawns and plumbing to fulfill their moisture needs, and they will find plenty of food in the garbage nearby. 

Of course, the dirtier a place is, the more likely it is to have cockroaches, but even if you are quite clean, it is still easy to unintentionally attract cockroaches if you are not properly storing your food or tightly covering your garbage. You may also have plumbing leaks or other moisture problems you don't know about. 

You will find American cockroaches in the same places you would find other species of cockroaches. They like to hide out in dark corners with low foot traffic and plenty of shelter. This means they seek confined spaces like the areas under appliances, inside cabinets, and underneath piles of clutter. 

You will also find them in places with lots of moisture, such as kitchens, basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms. The fact that they are so good at hiding is the main reason why you may have to look for other signs of cockroach infestation besides seeing live roaches. 

Because cockroaches breed so fast and are so notoriously tough, you typically need professional cockroach remedies in order to get rid of a cockroach infestation. The reality is that store bought cockroach control products, such as baits and sticky boards, may eliminate a portion of the cockroach population, but they will rarely get rid of the entire problem.

That's where The PEST Group comes in. We have all the tools and techniques necessary to eliminate entire cockroach populations from your home instead of just temporarily reducing their numbers. So if you are seeing things like dead roaches or roach egg capsules lying around, and especially if you have seen live American cockroaches, contact us as soon as possible. 

The best way to go about American cockroach control in Orange County on your own is to focus on prevention. It's almost impossible for homeowners to eliminate cockroach infestations on their own, but it is quite easy to prevent them. The best things you can do to make your home less attractive to cockroaches are to properly store your food and garbage and take care of moisture issues.

You’ll want to keep your pantry foods in airtight containers and cover your trash with tight-fitting lids. This goes for trash both inside and outside your home. You will also want to ensure you do not have any issues with leaky pipes, clogged drainage, or condensation. Taking these measures can encourage roaches to look for easier pickings, but if they won't take the hint even then, we can help! Contact us today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Orange County.