Blog - A1 Exterminators

Pest Control Blog About Bugs and Rodents

Welcome to A1 Exterminators’ Uninvited Guests blog!

Here we talk about anything and everything bug related. Big and small, from ticks and bed bugs to roaches and termites; from bugs and insects to mice, rats, squirrels and rodents. Follow us to keep track of the new pests you should be worried about in your area. Get the latest news on pests, tips on how you can keep pests away from your home and business, and some other fun and interesting tidbits about bugs.

The German cockroach is the most common in US

Posted on January 3, 2020

German roaches are relatively small, rarely reaching more than half an inch in length. And they can’t fly, so are often introduced into new places by humans – catching a ride in your groceries, cardboard boxes, etc. But once they’re in, they can disperse rapidly. An infestation in one... more

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Bed Bug facts you probably didn’t want to know

Posted on January 2, 2020

Once engorged after a blood meal, nymphal bed bugs may take on a bright red color. However, individual bed bug color may vary. Immature bed bugs maintain their reddish color for as long as they have remnants of their blood meal within their gut. As the blood meal is digested over time, they... more

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Rat Facts 2020

Posted on January 1, 2020

Signs of a rat's presence are droppings, gnawing marks, tracks, runways, and burrows. Like mice, rats are nocturnal, have very poor eyesight, but have very strong senses of smell, taste, and hearing. Compared to mice, rats are much larger, have coarser fur, and have proportionately larger... more

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Rodent Tip Tuesday | Rat Movement

Posted on December 31, 2019

Rats can enter a building through a hole as small as 1/2 inch in diameter. They are strong swimmers, so, rats will live in sewers and can enter buildings through broken drains or toilets. A rat will climb to get to the food, water, or shelter. Rats follow regular routines and paths each day. If... more

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Flying Squirrel Can Cause Damage

Posted on December 30, 2019

Squirrels are non-aggressive however; they are capable of causing destruction. They dig up nuts and other items from the ground and they can leave huge holes in your yard. They can disrupt flowers and other vegetation and they can trample and eat out of your garden. If you have bird feeders,... more

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Physical Characteristics of Rats and Mice

Posted on December 28, 2019

There are over 70 species of mice and rats widely distributed across North America. The house mouse (Mus musculus), Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and roof rat (Rattus rattus) species are in the Muridae family, which is the largest family of rodents and mammals in the world. House mouse:... more

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Rodents in the US that Carry Hantavirus

Posted on December 27, 2019

The Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is a deceptively cute animal, with big eyes and ears. Its head and body measure approximately 2-3 inches (5cm – 7.5cm) in length, and the tail adds another 2 – 3 inches. In color, the deer mouse ranges from grey to reddish brown, depending on age. The... more

Tagged with: Rodents in the US that Carry Hantavirus, The Deer Mouse, The White-footed mouse

Interesting Bed Bug Information

Posted on December 26, 2019

Experts point out that, if necessary, bed bugs can get a blood meal from other bed bugs. While this may be a rare occurrence, it is possible, and it underscores the tenacity of this troublesome pest. Generally speaking, bed bugs can survive cold temperatures very well but succumb to heat... more

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Rodent Tip Tuesday | Rat Habitats and Breeding

Posted on December 24, 2019

Rats will eat nearly anything, but they prefer fresh grain and meat. Rats need 1/2 to one ounce of fluid each day. If rats do not get this in the food they eat, they have to find water. Unlike mice, which rarely burrow, rats will dig under buildings, along fences, and under plants and debris.... more

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Cockroach enemy?

Posted on December 23, 2019

Most people think cockroaches are disgusting. And if you’ve ever turned on a kitchen light, to find them skittering for dark corners, you probably agree (reference: my first apartment). But of the thousands of species out there, only a few can be considered pests. There are well over 4,000... more

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