Lenny’s Pest Control and The No-Nonsense Termite Company has been proudly assisting home owners for more than 15 years with pest problems and other issues.
Why pest control?
We lose billions of dollars each year through pest-related injuries and property damage. Rodents, roaches, birds and mites – which are your average household pests – carry diseases and bacteria that can lead to bronchitis, asthma, and other health issues.
At No-Nonsense Pest Control we provide six steps:
- Inspections
- Identification
- Removal
- Exclusion
- Chemical and non-chemical application
- Communication
Remember pest control is not expensive, it’s “PRICELESS”.
Ants — Bats — Bed Bugs — Bees — Cockroaches — Fleas — Mice — Possums — Rats — Spiders — Wasps
Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae, of worldwide distribution esp. residing in warm climates They have a large head with inner jaws for chewing and outer jaws for carrying and digging, and live in highly organized colonies. The ant species can definitely be a nuisance in homes in and around Southern California.
The most common ants in Southern California area:
• Argentine ants
• Pharaoh ants
• Odorous house ants
• Thief ant
• Southern fire ants
• Velvety tree ants
• Red imported fire ants which are a concern because they are rather aggressive and have the ability
to bite and sting.
• Carpenter ants which are not very common but can also pose a problem because they hollow out
wood for housing.
Like most insects, ants do serve a purpose in our environment, but that that doesn’t mean they belong inside your home or office. It would be an impossible task to try and eliminate ants completely. As it's estimated that they comprise about 30% of the bio mass here on earth. Although with a combination of efforts like proper sanitation practices, building maintenance, awareness of their cycles and habits and proper chemical applications they can be controlled.
Building maintenance is something that is often over looked when it relates to controlling pests. There are many points of entry around your home that may never have occurred to you but our technicians know them all and we’re prepared to check and correct them all. We will also explain the causes and seasons in which ants are most active so you can take a proactive stance on keeping them away once we’ve eliminated them. Our qualified staff has the proper training and knowledge necessary to determine the best course of action for your particular situation.
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Bats, while not an endangered species, you may rarely spot these creatures. However, there are twenty-four species of bats throughout the state of California, all of which are relatively small insect eating bats. Like many other wild animals, bats sometimes become displaced. Detouring bats is the best solution to keep them from roosting in populated areas. The bat population in North America has seen a sharp decline in recent years. Providing roost safe areas, public education and funding for projects like "bat-friendly" bridges, we are taking the right steps towards living in harmony with bats.
Visit http://www.batcon.org to learn more about bats.
Bed bugs, though not strictly nocturnal, are most active at night. Bed Bug reports seem to be increasing daily. There are things that you can do to help avoid them such as, check your room when you’re traveling. Check around the bed itself as they prefer to stay near a host. Behind the head board, pictures, or any cracks or crevasses near the bed are good spots to look. Signs to look for are the cast off skin from molting (Opaque and about the size of an apple seed.) or tiny red dots on sheets. Bed bugs aren't so fast that they can't be seen by an observant eye but they are quick. Keeping your clothing in sealed plastic bags is a good way to keep any from hitching a ride home too. Steam cleaning mattresses and any second hand furniture you purchase is also a good practice as most can't live over 99 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
It's known that Bed Bugs can carry a number of pathogens; Hepatitis B and HIV but it's yet to be determined if they can pass these from host to host. One common misconception is that they are thought to thrive in filthy conditions. This is not true. Bed Bugs are attracted by carbon dioxide and do not feed on scraps or crumbs. A Bed Bug can live up to 18 months without feeding and will migrate in search of a new host. Keeping debris away from your home as well as calking and sealing it will help prevent infestations as it does with many other pests. These are services that we offer along with chemical treatment to eliminate Bed Bugs and to help keep your home from being re-infested.
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. There are nearly 20,000 known species of bees in seven to nine recognized families, though many are not named and the actual number is probably higher.
Africanized Honey Bee, AKA Killer Bees, is a hybrid of African honey bees and the common European honey bee. African Honey Bees were first brought to the Americas in the 1950's by Brazilian scientists. Unfortunately, some managed to get loose and they have been mixing and thriving with the locals ever since. Because the African Queens gestation period is one day less than the Europeans Queen, they have just enough of an advantage to be the predominant bee and have retained most of their aggressive nature.
Though the Africanized Honey Bee reached the U.S. in 1990, there has been no significant increase in bee-related deaths. This is a tribute to our public awareness and our advanced technologies. While the lone forager is unlikely to sting, Africanized Honey Bees can and do kill people when they feel the hive is in danger.
While the European Honey Bee is of great importance to our ecosystem. It still doesn't mean you want a hive of them in your attic. Anything or anyone moving near its hive will likely be seen as a threat. Do not attempt to determine if a hive or swarm of bees is Africanized Honey Bees. These bees appear identical to European honey bees. Seek the aid of a professional to ensure your safety and the safety of your family.
Bumblebees are usually black and yellow. They populate the northern hemisphere and range farther north and higher in altitude than other bees. There are some fifty species of bumblebees in North America. They are sensitive to habitat disturbance and some species are believed to have become extinct in parts of Europe. They have nearly the same physical attributes as Carpenter bees.
Carpenter Bees nest in wood. The females are bluish black and the males are lighter in color ranging to golden hues. Though the individuals only produce one generation each year, they may live for two. Neither the Bumblebee nor the Carpenter bee pose any significant threat to humans, yet due to their size they might appear threatening. One might sting if it felt the need to protect its nest, but usually when encountered will go about their business with little more than a shoo.
Cockroaches carry diseases and live in almost every part of the world. The best way to get rid of them and to ensure they don't come back is to seek professional help. Our technicians are up to date on the latest technologies regarding these embarrassing creatures and will know the best approach to your specific needs. To prevent roaches make sure you keep your home clean. Wipe, sweep, vacuum and wash the dishes after each meal. Use trash cans with tightly sealed lids, store foods in containers that have tight seals, and make sure that pet food isn't left out. If your animal is a free feeder make sure that their food bowl is tall and cups outward.
Fleas are common little blood suckers that typically host on pets because they cannot host on humans. Though flees can’t live off of a human host, they do bite people when nothing else is available. Flee eggs hatch about every 2 weeks, which make them difficult to fully exterminate. If you've been over run and the cycles seem to just keep coming, then it may be time for a chemical treatment. Consult our professionals to determine what's right in your case. We're here to help.
Mice are known to carry a disease called Hantavirus and Arenavirus (sometimes called flesh-eating disease). This disease is passed through the excrements. Once dry, they can become airborne dust particles with deadly effect. The western U.S. has seen many people die from this in recent years. While they generally stay out of building, one should still use caution when cleaning out areas where mice may have been. Use a good quality dust mask and avoid stirring up dust as much as possible. Deer Mice appear a bit thinner than your average mouse and have a long hairy tail with a white stripe underneath. Regardless of the variety, you don't want them in your home. If you find evidence of an infestation, don't hesitate to give us a call. Our technicians can access your situation and get you back on track towards a healthier living area that's free of mice.
Possums or Opossums are slow moving creatures that don't pose any real physical threat as long as you keep your distance. While they do play dead (or possum) when injured or threatened, they have sharp teeth and have been known to hold their own against a cat or dog of similar size. Possums are known for things like destroying gardens, damaging attics, roofs and vents. If you suspect possums are damaging your property it is best to call in a professional. They will have the proper traps and handling skills needed to take care of the problem. One bit of good news is that due to the possum’s low body temperature, rabies is practically unheard of with possums.
Rats, like mice, can fit through very small openings when needed (spaces about the size of a quarter). When it comes to a path that they plan on using again though, they'll simply expand the opening by chewing. The chewing doesn't stop there, they'll chew on just about anything, and even people if they were to hold still long enough. Between the diseases that they're known to carry and the damage to property, of all kinds, no one wants rats on their property or in their structure. We know this and our trained professionals know what's necessary to make your home or business a pest free environment.
The Norway Rat, also known as “Sewer Rat, Ship Rat, Wharf Rat", is a great swimmer. They are often found around; waterfronts, onboard ships, storm/sewer drains and sometimes in r homes as well.
The Roof Rat, also known as the Tree Rat, Climbing Rat, or Gray-bellied Rat, is an excellent climber and has no problem going up or down; trees, sides of houses, power poles or the wires between them. They can often be found nesting in or around homes. They'll readily make their home in overgrown bushes, shrubs and trees to avoid detection; coming out at night to forage for food that is typically nearby with open paths created by chewing through whatever may obstruct their entrance or escape.
Spiders, although many are harmless, aren’t an intruder that you want taking over your home. There are two poisonous spiders in Southern California that you should know how to look out for and let us eliminate for you if you feel they may be in your home or garden.
Most of the over-the-counter pesticides do not kill spiders. You may have noticed this when using a product on a spider, watching its body shrivel up, and returning to clean it up and find it has mysteriously disappeared. Most spiders have a built in protection system to most toxins. When it senses the poison its body can almost instantly shut down and enter a state of hibernation, preventing the poison from being distributed throughout its body and vital organs. Fortunately, our professional technicians are trained and equipped with the latest tools and technology to handle your spider problem.
Brown Recluse Spider, also known as the Violin spider or Fiddle back spider frequently build their webs in woodpiles and sheds, closets, beds, garages, plenum, cellars and other places that are dry and generally undisturbed. They seem to favor cardboard when dwelling in human residences, possibly because it mimics the rotting tree bark which they inhabit naturally. They also have been encountered in shoes, inside dressers, in bed sheets of infrequently used beds, in stacks or piles of clothes, behind baseboards and pictures, and near sources of warmth when ambient temperatures are lower than usual. Human-recluse contact often is when such isolated spaces are disturbed and the spider feels threatened. Unlike most web weavers, they leave these webs at night to hunt. Males will move around more when hunting, while the female spiders tend to remain nearer to their webs. Although these spiders are not native to Southern California, sightings and bites have occurred.
Black Widow spiders are the most prominent and deadly in the U.S. Unlike the Brown Recluse, the Black Widow spider has killed over 200 people in the U.S. with one half of those occurring right here in California. The Black Widow is so deadly because her venom is a nerve toxin that can affect beyond the local bite. (Reactions to a Black Widow bite vary from person to person. For some it may be just like a bee sting but for those with allergies or are in poor health to begin with, the bite could be lethal. The female Black Widow typically stays in here web near her eggs. She prefers dark out of the way places that are not often disturbed. Caution should be used when retrieving items from garage shelves, outdoor sheds, woodpiles and just about any place that is dark and undisturbed for any period of time. Most bites are a last act of defense by a spider as it becomes trapped or crushed by a person. Avoid leaving clothing on the ground. Shake out clothing that has been stored before putting them on are some of the simplest ways to avoid bites. Also, wear gloves and long sleeves when cleaning or rummaging through your garage or shed.
Wasps in Southern California; include the Yellow Jacket and the Paper Wasp. Yellow jackets are the peskier of the two because not only are they more aggressive, when it comes to defending its nest, but if they chose a nesting area that doesn't have room for expansion. They'll try to expand it by moistening the surrounding area and then digging it out. When located under an eve or in an attic. This behavior can introduce them inside a home once they've excavated out enough drywall. A sign to watch for is the appearance of moisture damage stains on ceilings and walls. Particularly if it's the middle of summer and it hasn't rained in months. Their nests are built in the same fashion as Paper Wasps. The difference being that the Yellow jackets nest is enclosed with there being typically one entrance. Where-as the Paper Wasp's nest hangs open like an umbrella.
