You may not be familiar with diatomaceous earth, but it is a substance that is found in a lot of different items we throw away. There are also a number of diatomaceous earth hazards, which is why we should be conscious of it and make sure it does not compromise our health and well being.

What Is Diatomaceous Earth?

This is a very fine powder-like substance that is produced, hard-shelled algae which has been fossilized. This allows it to crumble into the power form. While the term might be foreign to most, this substance is actually used in a number of consumer products, including, but not limited to:

          – Pest control products

          – Fire resistance materials

          – Absorbents

          – Soil used in the hydroponic process

          – Toothpaste

          – Metal polish

Because diatomaceous earth is so prevalent, plenty of it makes its way into landfills, which can pose a problem. The substance contains an overwhelming amount of silica, which is a proven health hazard.

Diatomaceous Earth Hazards When Inhaled

This substance is especially dangerous when people breath it in. The powder can cause problems in the nose and throat areas. A person might instantly feel that their nose and throat have become dry and irritated. Over time, diatomaceous earth can also take its toll on men and women through the form of lung disease. In some cases, diatomaceous earth has caused lung cancer.

Why Nothing Is Done

When products contain known carcinogens, federal health agencies generally intervene to make sure they are disposed of properly. No government agency has addressed diatomaceous earth because silica is only a suspected carcinogen and not a known one. Sadly, this means that people are on their own when it comes to avoiding diatomaceous earth and the hazards that come with.

Safety Tips

If you are working around diatomaceous earth, make sure to wear a safety mask. You do not want to breath any of it in. If you already did, take deep breaths of fresh air and seek medical attention.

Using Diatomaceous Earth For Pest Control

Knowing that diatomaceous earth is in many pest control substances, you might want to rely on professionals to take care of these duties around your home. Professional exterminators have all the necessary safety equipment to get the job one.

TalkLocal can help you find local pest control expects. You will be amazed at how easy it is.

Bed bugs are more common than ever — especially for those who rent. Over 99 percent of exterminators report seeing bedbug infestations within the last year. Chances are, someone in your current complex (if you share housing) has them. Maybe you have already been bitten by them.

If you have them now, bedbugs will try their best to come with you on your furniture, in your books, electronics, clothes, and of course, your bed. Moving with bedbugs may seem impossible, but with a little knowledge and some diligent effort, it really is possible to leave them behind.

What You’ll Need:

– A powerful vacuum cleaner with a detachable hose (bagless is best)

– Isopropyl alcohol

– Cotton balls (do not cheap out on the synthetics, get cotton)

– Spray bottle

– Air tight bags

– Zip liners

– Diatomaceous Earth

Using Dryness

Moving with bedbugs is really about arriving without them. This means concentrating on giving bedbugs what they hate. They hate dryness, and will flee any area sprayed with strong rubbing alcohol. This is not a permanent solution though, even if you do it daily. Vacuuming, then spraying around, and under your bed and furniture will still keep bedbugs from spreading and may make your home uncomfortable enough that the bedbugs may decide to go elsewhere.

Heat

Bedbugs also hate heat. Wash every piece of clothing, bedding, towel, draperies, cushion covers — everything made of cloth that you own. Leave them in a hot dryer for a bit longer than usual. When they come out, immediately seal these clothes in a zip-top or space-type bag. Vacuuming the air out will save room. Once these items are sealed, do not open the bags until you arrive at the new place. If you have a laundromat nearby with a giant dryer, use this for large items like sleeping bags or comforters. Ideally, you should take these items directly to your new place after cleaning.

Check Unlikely Places

Bedbugs are crafty and annoying, and will hide in places you least suspect — such as your camera, modem, DVD player, or video game console. Take these items apart as much as you’re able and vacuum out the inside. Next, clean every part with alcohol. Seal these in bags once they’re clean, and/or remove them from the infested area.

Don’t Throw Your Stuff Away!

If you are moving with bedbugs and debating whether or not to throw out your mattress, we urge you not to.  They’re expensive, and in most cases, trashing the mattress is not necessary.  Entire mattresses and pillows can all be zipped up in impenetrable liners. Sprinkle in a bit of Diatomaceous Earth, as well. Diatomaceous Earth will kill any bedbugs that remain, as well as the eggs. Once you move, do not remove the liner for at least a year. Ideally though, you can leave them on forever. If you want to leave it to the experts to kill these pests, TalkLocal can help you find one. Our service is fast and free!

Much like most insects, ants are true pests, and often they will set up a home in your trees. If you notice large nests forming in the tree branches with ants congregating around it, your tree has been infiltrated by an ant nest. It’s important to get rid of ant nests in trees, but you must do it in such a way that you do not harm the tree.

If you slather on harmful pesticides, it could damage, or even kill, the tree. Or, just think if your tree grows fruit; these harmful chemicals could work their way into food that you and your family eat.

The following are some natural and safe ways to get rid of ant nests in trees.

Natural Pesticides Or Insecticidal Soap

Neither of these will harm your tree, but are potent enough to kill off the ants and get rid of the nest. Natural pesticides, as their namesake suggests, come from natural resources, and are available in some specialty stores. Insecticidal soap is similar — you’ll likely have to search for such a product before you find it. If you do not want to spend the time and money, you can dilute normal dish soap into water and spray that generously on the nest. Spraying the nest with only water will not do the trick, but the soap makes it effective.

Chalk

You probably didn’t know this, but ants want nothing to do with chalk. See for yourself — they will not cross a line of chalk. You can outline the base of your tree with chalk to stop ants from coming and going. Some stores even offer chalk laced with insecticide for additional help.

Boiling Water

If the ants have set up shop on the ground at the base of the tree, killing them off is as simple as pouring boiling water down into the ant hill.

Breaking It Does Not Work

Taking a blunt or sharp object and busting the ant nest open will achieve little. Unfortunately, you have to also get rid of the ants, otherwise, they will simply regroup and go to work constructing another nest.

Call Pest Control In To Get Rid Of Ant Nest In Trees

It never hurts to call in pest control experts to take care of pest issues. The only problem is that it is tough to find a reliable, cost-effective professional in your local area! Not anymore.

With TalkLocal, you can connect with companies in the pest control industry in a matter of minutes. No more leafing endlessly through the phone book!

Bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, mosquitoes, fire ants — these are among the most common insects that often trigger allergic reactions in those who fall victim to bites and stings. While most people who receive insect bites and stings experience a normal reaction (usually some swelling, redness, and soreness), some people may be highly allergic and endure serious side effects.  Having an allergic reaction to insect stings can be a serious risk to your health and safety.

What To Watch Out For

Generally, there are 3 levels of reactions when getting stung or bit by an insect. The first is a normal reaction, as described above. The second, called a localized reaction, may appear slightly more serious, such as having an entire limb swell up and turn red. While this may appear to be a severe reaction, usually it will rescind in a few hours or days, and it should be nothing to worry about. The last, most severe, is an allergic reaction. These reactions can range from hives to difficulty breathing, dizziness, rapid pulse, wheezing, or swelling of the throat, mouth, or face. If you think you are experiencing an allergic reaction, it is important to visit a doctor immediately for the right treatment.

Prevent Further Allergic Reactions

If you have experienced an allergic reaction to insect stings around your home or yard, you may want to consider contacting a pest control expert who can help prevent a presence of these insects near your house in the future. Try using TalkLocal to find one near you. Seva Call is a free service that will connect you with top-quality, reputable pest control services in your neighborhood, within minutes. Simply tell us your problem, location, and availability, and we will connect you with up to three professionals, who will then call YOU directly, ready to help.

If your precious trees have leaves that are turning brown, wilting, or even dying, you should look into how to get rid of tree mites. The spider mite is the most common type of mite that will kill or damage your trees. Needless to say, these, and other types of mites, are hard to get rid of, much like many other insects.

How To Get Rid Of Tree Mites

If you are going through exceptionally dry, dusty conditions, these mites can get even worse due to the fact that the climate is killing off their natural predators. Here are some steps you can take to get rid of tree mites.

– Using a high-pressure hose or hose attachment, spray the tree from bottom to top, taking care to get the underside of leaves. Then spray from top to bottom to get the top side of leaves. The water should help to knock off mites and eggs, and wash off dust that inhibits mite predators.

– Apply a miticide according to the directions posted on the package. Be sure not to get a generic pesticide as you will also kill off the natural spider mite predators, leaving the tree open for a re-infestation of spider mites after the pesticide wears off.

– Reapply the miticide after two weeks. This will kill off any mites that hatched after your application and should prevent them from laying more eggs.

– You can actually release predatory mites onto the tree. Check with a local nursery, greenhouse, or home and garden center to find the mites that will be best suited to your area.

– Spray down any open areas of dusty dirt or paths near the tree. Lay down mulch or straw on those patches to prevent the dust from blowing up to the tree once the dirt dries.

Looking For More Assistance?

Some trees are simply too large to reach all the way to the top. In these cases, it might be best to call a pest control expert, especially if you are pregnant. TalkLocal can find a professional in your area at absolutely no cost to you. Try our service today.

The two most dangerous spiders in North America are the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse. A third fear-inciting one is the tarantula, although its venom is not the cause of human fatalities. Here is an overview of the two most common North American poisonous spiders.

Brown Recluse

Most commonly found in Tennessee, the brown recluse spider is one of the most venomous in the world. The brown recluse has recognizable patterns of a violin or fiddle shape on its back (hence, the common nicknames such as Fiddleback Spider, Brown Fiddler, or Violin Spider). Brown recluses also have six pairs of eyes, instead of four pairs of eyes as in most other types of spiders, and this trait is the easiest way to tell it apart from other spiders.

Treat a brown recluse bite by applying ice packs to control the inflammation and aloe vera to soothe it. Seek medical care immediately and if possible bring the spider along to the hospital in a clear container for diagnosis. While most brown recluse bites do not cause death, a small number of bites have resulted in serious effects – flesh around the wound may die (necrosis), and in very rare cases the venom may cause red blood cells to die.

Brown recluses live in attics, storage boxes, sheds, garages, rock piles, and stacks of lumber, which are all easy to accumulate in and around the home. To get rid of brown recluse spiders you can vacuum up the spider, web and egg sacs and make sure you seal the vacuum bag before throwing it into the dumpster.

Black Widow

Black widow spiders (pictured above) are both poisonous (don’t touch it!) and venomous (don’t let it bite you). As such, it is one of the most dangerous spiders in the world. While only the females bite, the males are still poisonous to the touch. There are two types of black widows in North America – one type that lives in the north and another which lives in the south. You can recognize the northern black widow by the shiny red hourglass shape on its black, shiny back. The southern widow is characterized by a row of bright red, white, or yellow dots on the top and two perpendicular bars on its underside, with brown or red legs.

Only the female black widows bite (and eat their partners after mating), and their bites cause acute pain, which may be followed by muscle cramps in the area, abdominal pains, weakness, and tremors. Some severe cases may result in vomiting, nausea, faintness, dizziness, chest pain, and respiratory difficulties. However, these bites rarely result in death and are usually more severe in children and the elderly. It is difficult to treat the symptoms of the spider bite, and if it is life-threatening, it will be easy to tell early on. In the event of a black widow bite, you should contact emergency medical services immediately. Usually the pain can be treated at home with hot and cold compresses.

Black widows are nocturnal so watch out for them at night. They also prefer dark corners and live outdoors, in and around piles of junk, rocks, logs, or even in the bark of fallen trees. Be careful when reaching out into dark areas in garages and outhouses. You can use insecticide on them, or call an exterminator!

Get Rid of These Biters

If you believe you have poisonous spiders living in or around your home, it may be wise to call in an exterminator. TalkLocal will connect you with up to three pest control technicians in your area, who will be able to help you out. Use TalkLocal today, and be speaking with the right professionals in just minutes!

Hornets are among the most timid members of the bee family. They are only aggressive when the hive is threatened. Still, they are dangerous, especially for people who are allergic to hornet stings. Before you think about calling a pest control company, you may want to look into how to get rid of hornets yourself.

The Plan

1. Buy aerosol insecticide specific to hornets. Home improvement companies typically have the largest selection of insecticides. Find the insecticide with the widest spray range, so you can be farther away from the hornet nest when applying the spray.

2. Have some protective gear ready when applying the spray. Find some clothes that can cover your entire body. Exposed skin on the body can be at risk for hornet stings when applying the insecticide.

3. The application of insecticide should be at night. The hornets are the least active at night, so there is a lower risk of a counter-attack from the hornets.

Attack!

1. Begin to apply the insecticide as far from the hive as you can, getting closer and closer to the hive a few seconds after each application. The insecticide works instantly, so as you get to the hive most of the hornets should be dead.

2. The next day, remove the hive and dispose of it in a tie-off trash bag.

Protection against Future Hornets Nests

– Do not have any type of protein products exposed. A hornet’s diet includes meat. Keep meats, compost piles, and pet food out of the yard or in sealed containers.

– Seal  and clean all garage containers on a regular basis. Find a trash can with a tightly sealed lid to prevent pests from eating the trash.

Professional Help

If you are severely allergic to hornet stings or do not want to remove the hornets yourself, find a local pest control technician. TalkLocal will connect you with up to three professional pest control companies in just minutes!

Bed bugs are one of the most difficult pests to get rid of. Their size, high birth rate, and sense of chemical odor have made for a difficult bug to exterminate entirely. Here are some home remedies for bed bugs.

Vacuuming

This can be as easy as owning a vacuum cleaner. Vacuuming up bed bugs can remove some bed bugs. If they are in one area and low in number, the remedy may temporarily remove the problem. Usually vacuuming is ineffective in removing all bed bugs and should only be used to control an infestation. Bed bugs and eggs are often burrowed deep into the furniture where the vacuum cannot reach.

Extreme Temperatures

Instead of removing furniture or clothes, which can be costly, these items can be put into extreme temperatures kill bed begs. Bed bugs are not adaptable to these environments and they die. There are three ways to exposes these bed bugs to extreme temperatures: washer and dryer, steamers, leaving items outside, or using your heating system.

1. Washer and dryer is the best for clothing items such as bedding and t-shirts. Wash and dry these items on the hottest setting.

2. Bed bugs in furniture can be removed with steamers or leaving them outside. Steamers can effectively kill bed bugs on contact but commercial steamers cannot penetrate deeply into the furniture.

3. In an area with extremely hot or cold temperatures, leave infested furniture outside. For effective results, furniture must be out for several weeks.

Natural Insecticides

There are also natural products that can be used as insecticide. The most effective natural insecticide for bed bugs is diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is an off-white powder which is fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton.  The powder is extremely sharp to bed bugs and cuts them up, but is safe to humans. Diatomaceous earth is actually in grain-based foods we eat to keep bugs from eating the grain. Canola oil and pyrethrin also attack their nervous system, killing the bed bugs.

Further Assistance

For complete extermination, home remedies may not be the best answer and professionals are needed. For pest control services, use TalkLocal. TalkLocal will connect you with up to three pest control professionals in just minutes!

Even though carpet beetles pose no real harm to humans, they can ravage your home and destroy your furniture, carpet, and any other fabric-like object. They can even feast on the fur of your pets!

What are Carpet Beetles?

Carpet beetles usually enter your home by attaching themselves to your clothing or flowers you bring indoors. They can also catch a ride into your home on your pet. When they are not using you or your pet as transportation, they sneak in through cracked windows or doors. Keep windows and doors tightly shut when they are not in use. Make sure your entire house is properly insulated. There are several safe ways to kill carpet beetles and rid them from your home.

Safe Ways to Kill Carpet Beetles

1. Carpet beetles do the most damage as larvae because they are on the hunt for food. You can destroy most larvae by vacuuming your house thoroughly.

2. If you believe you have an infestation, store your clothes and other fabrics inside cedar dressers. Carpet beetles are repelled by cedar wood and furniture.

3. Wash your bedding as well as your pet’s bedding. Throw out any clothes that you do not wear; you don’t want to give the beetles more of a reason to stay. You should also clean your curtains or any other area with a lot of fabric. Keep in mind that carpet beetles also feed on wool and leather.

4. After you have cleaned the inside of your home, inspect around your home for bird nests because they are a prime breeding spot for carpet beetles. Move any nests you find away from your home.

5. After a thorough cleaning, pick up an insect spray from your local home improvement store and spray down your house. Check the ingredients in the spray before using it in case someone in your house is allergic or will react badly. EcoSMART is a chemical-free insect spray that will alleviate your carpet beetle problem.

Additional Help

If you still have a carpet beetle problem after trying these methods, use TalkLocal to contact a local pest control service. We will connect you with up to three professionals in your area, so you can quickly rid yourself of these pests.

Fire ants can be aggravated easily and their bites can be painfully annoying. Just walking with 15 feet of a fire ant hill can aggravate them enough to swarm and attack you. Just in case you run into trouble with fire ants, here are some methods on how to treat fire ant bites.

How to Treat Fire Ant Bites

1. First of all, get rid of the fire ants, because once they start biting you, they won’t stop, even if they’re out of venom. Neither will their friends. So brush them off, and get away from the area that the attack occurred. Slapping them will only aggravate them more.

2. Wash the bites with cold water or put ice directly on the bites to numb the pain.

3. Next, cover the bites with alcohol to neutralize the poison. You can dab alcohol onto the bites with a washcloth or a cotton swab. You can also take aspirin instead of alcohol to dull the effects of the poison.

4. Put an anti-itch cream on the bites and make sure you don’t scratch them. Scratching them can re-aggravate them, and make them scar.

5. If the ice and cold water didn’t numb the pain enough, try soaking the bites in salt water. This will kill the pain for hours.

6. Use Neosporin or any antibiotic to keep the bites from getting infected. Fire ant bites are notorious for developing into infections.

Additional Help

If your fire ant bites become infected or will not subside with these methods, see a doctor immediately. If you have a fire ant infestation, talk to a pest control professional. TalkLocal will put you in contact with up to three pest control professionals in your area who will be able to rid your home of fire ants.