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Post-Storm Pest Control Tips

Post-Storm Pest Control

Storms not only displace pests from their natural habitats but can also create refuge in downed trees, debris, and your home. What should you do about pests after a storm? 

1. Drain Standing Water

One of the most critical steps after a storm is to drain any standing water around your property. Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can quickly become a nuisance and a health hazard. Check common areas where water may collect, such as gutters, birdbaths, flower pots, and any low-lying areas in your yard. Using a pump or siphon can help remove large amounts of water efficiently. Ensuring proper drainage not only reduces the risk of mosquitoes but also prevents other pests like ants and rodents, which are attracted to moisture.

2. Get Rid of Tainted Food and Debris

Storms often lead to power outages, which can spoil food in your refrigerator and pantry. Dispose of any tainted food immediately to avoid attracting pests such as flies, roachesmice, and rats. Additionally, clear away any debris that the storm may have brought onto your property. Fallen branches, leaves, and other organic matter can harbor insects and provide shelter for pests. Regularly cleaning up debris helps maintain a pest-free environment and restores the appearance of your property. It’s also important to remember that when you are disposing of tainted food or any other garbage that might attract pests, to make sure that you put it in a properly sealed container.

3. Identify and Assess Water Damage at Rotting Wood Areas

Water damage is a common issue following storms, especially in wooden structures. Rotting wood is highly attractive to pests like termites, carpenter ants, and wood-boring beetles. Inspect your property for any signs of water damage, paying close attention to wooden decks, fences, window frames, and siding. If you detect rotting wood, it’s crucial to address the issue promptly. Replace or repair damaged wood to prevent pests from establishing colonies and causing further structural damage.

4. Check for New Openings Caused by Structural Damage

Storms can cause structural damage to homes, creating new entry points for pests. Examine your property for any cracks, gaps, or holes in the foundation, walls, roof, and around windows and doors. Even small openings can provide access for pests like rodents, spiders, and insects. Seal any new openings with appropriate materials such as caulk, weather stripping, or hardware cloth. Ensuring your home is well-sealed helps keep pests out and maintains a secure environment for your family.

5. Perform Routine Maintenance to Reduce Future Infestations

Regular maintenance is key to preventing pest problems after a storm. Clear your gutters and downspouts to ensure proper water flow and reduce the risk of water damage. Trim overgrown vegetation around your home to eliminate hiding spots for pests. Inspect and repair any damaged screens on windows and doors. Regularly check and maintain your home’s exterior to identify and address potential pest entry points before they become a problem.

By following these post-storm pest control tips, residents in the Carolinas can protect their homes and families from unwanted pests. For professional pest control services and expert advice contact Killingsworth Environmental. Our team is dedicated to providing effective solutions to keep your property pest-free year-round.

Post-Storm Pest Control Tips

Bedbug inspection

How to Know if Your Hotel Has Bedbugs

Upon entering a hotel room, do you typically reach for the tiny toiletries, take a leap onto the bed, or perhaps start by inspecting for bed bugs? Knowing what to look for is essential. Anticimex Carolinas Service Manager Christian Tweed has shared valuable insights on identifying bed bugs in your hotel room and preventing them from hitching a ride back home with you. And if bed bugs do become an unexpected part of your vacation, remember that Clark’s Pest Control is here to assist!



Q&A with a Pest Professional


How do bed bugs get inside hotels?


Bed bugs are primarily hitchhiking insects as opposed to foraging ones, meaning that they get carried around on people’s clothes and belongings. Someone with an active infestation in their home can easily bring bed bugs to their hotel, but they can also be picked up during travel (airplanes, taxis, and rideshare services) and brought to a hotel room.


What do people misunderstand about bed bugs in hotels?


From a probability standpoint, all hotels will deal with bed bugs at some point in time. If you think about a bed bug’s method of travel, there’s literally nothing a hotel can do to stop them from being carried in. What I have realized is that luxury hotels are more likely to have an aggressive response to dealing with a bed bug case once it’s identified as they tend to have a higher quality of service and a reputation to protect. While this isn’t always the case, it has been my experience more often than not.

Got bedbugs? Call Clark’s at 866-781-4991 today!

What do you recommend travelers do when they get to their room to check for bed bugs?


Most hotel headboards hang directly on the wall. I start my inspection here before even looking at the bed itself. I have found bed bugs, their exoskeletons, and the telltale black stains they leave behind around the edges of or in the crevices of headboards. If the headboard looks clean, move on to looking over the pillowcases and comforter for any signs or stains. You can dig into the bedding as deep as you want here, but I encourage people to look over the top layer of things at the very least.


What are some lesser-known signs of bed bugs in your hotel room?


The specifics of the black stains they leave behind, which as gross as it sounds, are just digested blood as that’s all that bed bugs feed on. If the stains are on a hard surface, they will be small dots as if left behind by an ink pen and will smear into a brownish gray when moisture is applied. If they’re on fabric, they will usually bleed along the fibers making a small diamond, square or X shape.


If there are bed bugs in your hotel room, can they travel home with you?


They absolutely can, however this is easy to prevent. While staying in a hotel, keep as much of your clothing and luggage off the beds as possible. Storing suitcases in the bathroom might sound odd, but it’s an effective method of prevention.

Don’t tackle bedbugs yourself, call Clark’s at 866-781-4991!

What should you do with your suitcase if you suspect your hotel has bed bugs?


When arriving home from a trip, leave your luggage in the garage or on a porch and bring your clothes in one load of laundry at a time. If the clothes are dirty, wash them like you normally would, if they’re clean then run them through the dryer for at least forty-five minutes. Once your suitcase is empty, vacuum over it meticulously (don’t forget to empty the vacuum when you’re done), or if you’re in the right climate, expose it to heat for a few days by placing it in your vehicle (parked in the sun) or for a few weeks in your attic.


The Clark’s Solution


If you brought bed bugs back to you home, Clark’s is here to help. Our Bedbug Control service is designed to eliminate bedbugs and create a safe, comfortable environment.


A Clark’s Pest Professional will do an inspection and recommend a plan of attack to get rid of bed bugs now and prevent them from hatching in the future. Call Clark’s at 866-781-4991 today for more information.



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