Cockroaches: The Ugly Truth

As the old adage goes, at least for those of us in the pest control industry, “There’s never just one cockroach.” And it is true. Cockroaches have been roaming the earth for millions of years and over that time they have adapted and changed to the conditions – no one really likes to have them around and they have responded by expediting their reproduction and battening their defenses. Cockroaches are known for carrying disease and for virtually taking over places where there is a benevolent environment. They like places that have a solid food source and can offer cracks and spaces to hide. Unfortunately, this may mean your kitchen. As we said before, you should take fast, proactive steps if you see one cockroach—because there is never just one, at least not for long. There are a number of home remedies that can be attempted with a cockroach infestation but to varying degrees of success. There are bait stations that you can put out, but this may not be a good solution if you have pets or children. There are spray poisons on the market that may work to some degree, but remember that cockroaches have something of an evolutionary advantage.

A Long Island cockroach exterminator will have more potent poisons than you can get at your local store, and they are knowledgeable about how to use them in order to keep a safe home for you and your family.

Once you get the problem resolved, you may want to investigate a little further to see why your home or business was selected by this pest. If you have sitting water somewhere or keep garbage nearby, that may hold the attraction. You’ll also want to be a little more cognizant of keeping food out on countertops and not letting dirty dishes sit for any length of time. As a final measure, you may want to take a peek around to see if there are any little cracks that may have presented as the proverbial front door for the cockroaches. But, a cockroach can slither in through the tiniest of spaces, so don’t get discouraged if you can’t find any openings.

The one thing to remember is that you should take action upon the first sight of this nasty pest. To learn more, visit The American Lung Association.

About DQ Pest Control:

DQ Pest Control is a family-owned and operated New York animal control and wildlife removal company serving the New York metropolitan area and Long Island. Specialist David Quinn is a New York exterminator with many years of experience in the family business.

Do You Have a Mouse in the House ?

Perhaps you turned on the kitchen light in the middle of the night and actually saw the little critter bounding for a retreat in a wall crevice. Then you know you have a mouse and can implement mouse control steps. But often, the signs can be much more subtle. If you notice any of these occurrences, you’ll have to take action quickly.

-Have you noticed any droppings? Mouse droppings are tiny brown balls and can be easily mistaken for seeds, dirt, or other common debris.

-Have you heard any scurrying-type sounds after you’ve turned in for the night? Mice are nocturnal and may become more active after hours.

-Have you noticed your pet clawing at the walls or floorboards? Pets can be much more sensitive to smells and sounds that the mouse may be making.

-Do you notice any “nesting?” It could be stuffing seeping out of a pillow or some shredded newspaper. This means that a mouse has likely found some material to make its bed.

There are some ways to remediate the problem yourself, such as setting traps. But this can be a little messy, a bit inaccurate, and clearly has a distinct “ick” factor. Mouse exterminating with a professional can mean that you never have to deal with the extermination aftermath and you can be more assured that the problem has been completely eradicated. DQ Pest Control employs Long Island rodent control experts.

A mouse exterminating professional can also tell you how to keep this from happening again. They can point out tiny crevices and openings that may have provided the portal and can show you how to get rid of mice and other pests this winter.

About DQ Pest Control:

DQ Pest Control is a family-owned and operated New York animal control and wildlife removal service, serving the New York metropolitan area and Long Island. Specialist David Quinn is a Nassau County exterminator with many years of experience in the family business.

Animals in the Attic Nassau County, Long Island, NY

Halloween is fast approaching and everyone is gearing up for a fun and fearless night.  The kids are getting their costumes prepared, families are carving pumpkins, and the night owls are gearing up for some scary festivities. Unfortunately, it’s also the time of year when some real scary sounds may be coming from your attic or crawlspace.

Every urban critter around will be looking for a good place to hole up for the winter. Squirrels, bats, opossums, raccoons, and others may find that your home suits them just perfectly. But these little trick-or-treaters can present big problems.

First and foremost, it’s just plain creepy to have a furry wild animal in your home.

Secondly, it can be quite dangerous. Not only can they damage your property, burrowing in the insulation or chewing on wood beams, but their droppings can harbor dangerous bacteria. Also, certain rodents and other critters may chew on wires, which is a fire hazard.

If you notice signs that you may have a house guest of the furry variety, you’ll need professional wildlife removal services to make sure you get rid of the problem and prevent it from happening again.

You will also want to contact a New York or Long Island exterminator that utilizes the most humane animal trapping techniques available—best for your family and for the animal. Bats are particularly found in attics and fireplace stacks and must be remediated by a professional bat control expert.

So have fun on Halloween, but if you hear more rattling in the attic, be sure to have a professional critter control technician take care of it.

About DQ Pest Control:

DQ Pest Control is a family-owned and operated Long Island animal control and wildlife removal company serving the New York metropolitan area and Long Island. Specialist David Quinn is a Nassau County exterminator with many years of experience in the family business.

Nassau County Pest Control Tips for the Fall

It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing, the weather starts turning cooler, and most people begin spending more time indoors. Unfortunately, little critters and insects may also begin seeking out warmer confines and more temperate climates. You will definitely want to have the place treated by a Nassau County pest control expert, but there are a few steps you can take to help deter these unwelcome guests from making your home their winter resort.

Take a peek around the perimeter of your house or apartment. Make sure there are no openings that present an open door for small rodents or insects.  Be sure to take a closer look at areas around doors and windows. Not only will correcting any of these issues help prevent pests, but it will also provide some weatherproofing that can cut heating costs.

You’ll also want to check any foliage that you have near your home. Brush any leaves or plants away from the exterior. Many rodents and pests will head to these areas for their meal, then decide to check-in at your place, since it’s so convenient.

Also, check for any moisture in the home. This is a key for preemptive rodent control. Spring and summer weather combined with weak areas in foundations and roofs are particularly conducive to harboring moisture. Basements and attics, then, can offer a nice, dark, quiet place that is quite appealing for a critter’s winter home.

Call a Nassau County exterminating expert to treat your home or apartment before the chill sets in and you’ll be all set to enjoy a pest-free winter. A professional rodent and pest control technician can also offer tips that are specific to your home to further deter any infestations over the coming months.

About DQ Pest Control:

DQ Pest Control is a family-owned and operated Long Island wildlife control and Long Island wildlife removal company serving the New York metropolitan area and Long Island. Specialist David Quinn is a New York exterminator with many years of experience in the family-owned Long Island pest control business.

Nassau County Pest Control Fights Bed Bugs with Dogs

As an experienced Nassau County exterminator, I’ve been fairly blessed in my professional endeavors over the years: first, blessed to have the opportunity to work in a family pursuit; second, I’m blessed to have fantastic tools with which to do my job.

Barney sits to indicate the presence of bed bugs.

Right now, I’m especially blessed to have Barney, my detection dog, to help me provide better service for bed bug control in New York. Barney can enter just about any home, hotel, hostel, or apartment and within moments, know whether bed bugs are present. With the utmost professionalism, he sniffs out the pest and calmly sits to indicate he’s found the offending insect’s lair.

I’m simultaneously proud and a little saddened to hold the distinct honor of having a partner with Barney’s talent. Despite their effectiveness, bed bug detection dogs are still relatively uncommon, with only about 100 pest control businesses using detection dogs to sniff out bed bugs. New York City and the nation is seeing an explosive bed bug comeback, and hopefully, that will mean a proportional explosion in the use of these amazing detection animals. Until then, Barney and I will get to as many of them as we can. If you wish to make a bed bug or other pest complaint to New York City government or would like additional information, NYC 311 is a terrific resource.

About DQ Pest Control:

DQ Pest Control is a family-owned and operated New York animal control and wildlife removal company serving the New York metropolitan area and Long Island. Specialist David Quinn is a New York exterminator with many years of experience in the family business.

New Challenges for Bedbug Control in Nassau County, New York

We’ve all heard or used the saying, “Good night/sleep tight – don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

Oh, but they’re biting and in many cases, they’re taking a big bite out of the bottom line for hotels and other entities that entertain overnight guests. In the United States, reported cases of bed bug infestation have risen more than 70 percent in less than a decade, cropping up often in hotels, motels, dormitories, and apartments where there may be a high turnover in occupancy. Bed bug control in New York is suffering an even more serious hit, with some agencies reporting an increase in bed bug complaints of nearly tenfold in the just the last four years.

A bed bug infestation isn’t indicative of the level of cleanliness of a hotel. Even upscale hotels in the U.S. that are known for spotless facilities are finding the pests in increasing numbers, thanks to the ability of these creatures to hitch a ride in the luggage of international travelers.

If you live in New York, pest control experts in the city are generally well-versed in dealing with these bothersome insects pretty thoroughly and on short notice. I’d also suggest reporting the infestation to NYC 311, which functions as a clearinghouse for city government services and resources. The agency also keeps records and issues reports on infestations such as bed bugs, rats, and other pervasive pests.

About DQ Pest Control:

DQ Pest Control is a family-owned and operated New York animal control and wildlife removal company serving the New York metropolitan area and Long Island. Specialist David Quinn is a Nassau County exterminator with many years of experience in the family business.

Nassau County Termite Inspection, the Canine way