At Brody Brothers Pest Control, we celebrate Earth Day every year and National Pest Management Month every April. Both are the perfect opportunity to recognize the beauty of nature around us and the marvels that the environment is filled with. It’s also a great time to recognize the importance of an environmentally responsible approach to pest management. We practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to care for your home and the environment at the same time.

What Is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

Integrated Pest Management takes the most successful pest prevention techniques and combines them with an environmentally responsible approach to make a well-rounded and effective program. IPM covers every step of pest management, from identifying pest problems to prevention. Brody Brothers Pest Control utilizes IPM throughout the year, not just on Earth Day and during National Pest Management Month, to identify, monitor, manage and prevent pests. As with any pest management program, the primary goal of IPM is to keep pests out of every home and business that we visit.

How is IPM Different?

Unlike traditional methods of pest control that take a reactive approach by treating the problem after an infestation, IPM uses a proactive approach that centers around preventing infestations. Integrated Pest Management is a multi-layered solution that starts by identifying potential areas for pests to enter the home. We also monitor current pest populations to adjust treatment and preventative measures as necessary.

IPM prioritizes using the least toxic treatments first to address pest issues instead of starting with harsh and potentially hazardous methods. Traditional pest management methods are a temporary solution to ongoing problems. In contrast, IPM is an effective way to manage pest populations at your home or business in the long term.

Integrated Pest Management Makes Every Day Earth Day

By prioritizing proactive actions that remove the things that attract pests in the first place (water, food, material to build nests, etc.), it’s easy to radically reduce the chances of infestation without relying on harsh chemicals.

When you choose to rely on Brody Brothers Pest Control to keep your property pest-free while keeping IPM in mind, we don’t take the environmental responsibility you put on our shoulders lightly. It’s our mission to use the latest, most environmentally conscious methods to address pest problems of any size.

Happy Earth Day from Brody Brothers Pest Control!

Join the thousands of Maryland homeowners who trust Brody Brothers Pest Control to keep their properties safe and free from harmful insects, animals, and pests. Contact us today to learn more about our home pest control services and pest inspections

Brody Brothers Pest Control works with thousands of Maryland homeowners yearly to keep properties safe and free from harmful insects, animals, and pests. If you’re looking for home pest control in Maryland or if you have questions about pest inspections for your home (which we offer for no charge!), give us a call or contact us online.

Let’s work together to make every day Earth Day!

The post Happy Earth Day! Why Eco-Conscious Pest Control Matters appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

Ants are a common nuisance for many Maryland homeowners because they can sting people, contaminate food, and damage wood. Once they’ve entered your home, they’re extremely hard to get rid of without a residential pest control expert – that’s why prevention is key!

These persistent and highly adaptable creatures can be a real headache, but don’t let them bug you (pun intended!).

Take a look at these 5 common ants in Maryland, and we’ll teach you some steps you can take to prevent them from entering your home:

Meet the 5 Most Common Types of Ants in Maryland

Here’s a quick guide to identifying and preventing some of the most common ant types in Maryland:

1. Acrobat Ants

You can easily recognize an acrobat ant – its unique, heart-shaped abdomen is a dead giveaway. These ants are small and tend to enter homes through cracks in the foundation and the small gaps around windows and doors.

When they enter your home, you might be unpleasantly surprised to find them in your food, contaminating it so that it is inedible. They also sting when threatened, so keep that in mind if you spot one.

Here are some steps you can take to prevent acrobat ants from invading your home:

• Use caulk to seal any openings around windows, doors, pipes, and utility entrances.
• Seal any cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of your home.
• Avoid leaving food and/or dirty dishes out in your kitchen, and store pet food properly.

2. Carpenter Ants

If you’re trying to identify carpenter ants in or around your home, ask yourself these questions:

• Do the ants have wings?
• Do the ants have a constricted waist?
• Are the ants black, red, or a combination of those colors?
• Do the ants have a one-node waist?
• Did you find the ants near or inside of wood (especially water-damaged wood)?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, there is a good chance you’ve spotted carpenter ants. You may also have carpenter ants if you hear a rustling sound inside the wooden structures of your home or if you find wood shavings on your floor mixed in with dead ants.

These ants build their nests inside of wood, tunneling and removing the wood along the way. Once they enter your home, they can contaminate both human food and pet food.

Here are a few steps you can take to keep carpenter ants out of your home:

• Because carpenter ants need moisture to survive, you can keep them away by replacing water-damaged wood in or around your home. Also, check your gutters to make sure that they are properly draining water away from your home.
• If you have firewood, be sure to store it as far from your home as possible.
• Trim any trees and/or bushes so that they do not come into contact with the walls of your home.

3. Odorous House Ants

These ants are tiny, typically measuring anywhere from 2.4mm to 3.3mm in length. They can be most easily identified by their signature scent – crush one, and you’ll notice that it emits a rotten coconut smell.

Odorous house ants are often the small ants in the kitchen area – they have a sweet tooth, so don’t leave sugary food within their reach, or it’s likely that they will contaminate it. You can also find them around your pet’s food and in your bathroom.

Here are a few more tips for preventing an odorous house ant infestation in your home:

• Get rid of any standing water.
• These ants build nests in stacks of wood, so keep any firewood stored far from your home.
• Seal any cracks or openings near the bottom of your home’s foundation.
• Make sure that plants and tree branches are cut so that they don’t touch your home.

4. Pavement Ants

You guessed it – these ants typically build their nests in or under cracks in pavement! They can also be found inside the home in walls and under floors.

You might be surprised to learn that they aren’t common throughout the entire United States – they’re only present in the eastern half, so they’re definitely a problem here in Maryland.

To identify pavement ants, look for a light brown to black ant – it will have legs that are lighter in color than the rest of its body. They’re quite harmless and don’t bite, but they can still contaminate your food and the food preparation surfaces in your home.

Here’s how you can help prevent pavement ants from entering your home:

• Clean up quickly any time you spill your food, a beverage, or your pet’s food, and keep your kitchen as clean as possible.
• Keep all of your food stored in sealed containers.re
• Seal up your foundation and any cracks around windows/doors.

5. Thief Ants

You can identify these ants by their size and color. They’re one of the tiniest household ants in the world, usually measuring from 1.5mm to 2.2mm in length, and they range in color from yellowish to brown.

And yes – they really are thieves! In fact, they’re called thief ants because they steal larvae and pupae from neighboring ant colonies. They have another nasty habit too – they sometimes feed on dead rodents, meaning they’ll contaminate your food if they come into contact with it.

Here’s how to stop thief ants from invading your home:

• First, make sure you’ve correctly identified the ants. Thief ants look similar to Pharaoh ants, and if you can’t tell them apart, you should contact your favorite residential pest control provider for help.
• Keep your kitchen and home clean. Make sure you don’t let food scraps and dirty dishes sit out for long periods of time.
• Make sure that any vegetation is kept away from your home’s foundation.

What to Do When Ants Invade

As you can see, prevention steps for most types of ants include similar tactics, like sealing up cracks in your home’s foundation and keeping your kitchen area clean.

However, even following these steps, you could still experience an ant infestation. When that happens, you may feel the urge to reach for insect spray. While that may provide a temporary solution, you’ll be disappointed to find the ants returning again before long.

If you really want to prevent ants from returning to your home, get in touch with the ant control team at Brody Brothers Pest Control.

Not only do we provide preventative pest control services – we also have over 40 years of experience helping people get ants out of their homes, and we’d love to help you next!

If ants have already invaded your home, our professionals will destroy every member of the ant colony, providing you with a permanent solution. We only use the highest quality products and proven treatments, and our solutions are safe for your home.

Ready to get rid of your ant problem for good? We offer a free inspection to assess your situation and develop a customized plan that works for you. Contact us today and experience the Brody Brothers’ difference!

Remember, you’re not alone in the fight against ants! We’re here to help you enjoy a pest-free Maryland home.

The post 5 Common Types of Ants in Maryland and How to Keep Them Out of Your Home appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

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Ants are common insects that are found all throughout the United States, including here in Baltimore. Seeing a stray ant might make you wonder about a possible ant infestation. Although small, ants can cause a lot of damage to your home and property.

As a professional pest control company, we have seen our fair share of ant infestations in Baltimore. This is what you need to know and how to handle an infestation.

What Types of Ants Are in Maryland?

Did you know that there are more than 12,000 species of ants worldwide? Luckily, you won’t find all of these ants in Maryland.

There are 5 common types of ants in Maryland:

1. Acrobat ants: This is a heart-shaped ant that comes into your home through cracks. They can also enter through gaps around windows and doors. You might find them in your kitchen and will sting when threatened.
2. Carpenter ants: These are black and red ants with wings and found around wood. They seek out moist wood to chew through and build nests.
3. Odorous house ants: These are tiny and smell of rotten coconut when crushed. They love sugary food and will nest in stacks of firewood.
4. Pavement ants: These tiny ants are common in the eastern portion of the United States. They are light brown to black and don’t bite. They nest inside of pavement cracks or in your walls and floors.
5. Thief ants: These are one of the tiniest house ants in the world. They feed on dead rodents and will contaminate your food.

Now that you know the common ants of Maryland, let’s talk about the problems they cause.

What Problems Do Ants Cause?

Ants are tiny and appear harmless. However, there are some major potential issues you can find with an infestation.

• Nuisance: Imagine scrolling on your phone while sitting on your couch. You feel a tickle on your arm and look down. You find an ant crawling up your arm, and you instantly smack it away. This is one of the many annoying nuisances that ants bring inside the home.
• Food contamination: The probability of food contamination can vary depending on ant species. For example, odorous house ants will nest inside a pantry in your kitchen. These ants bring bacteria and can spread disease. Keep in mind that this species of ant feeds on dead insects and animals. The last thing you want is an odorous house ant near your food. 
• Property damage: Ants can also cause property damage that is costly to repair. Certain species of ants will chew their way through wood, such as old wood siding, decks, and fences. Unlike termites, they do not eat the wood but they use it to create nests and lay eggs. You’ll find signs of this if you discover a small and smooth hole inside the wood.

An ant infestation is quite a headache. But what exactly is considered an ant infestation?

What is Considered an Ant Infestation?

Finding one or two ants isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. However, it can be a hint that an ant infestation is happening in your yard or home.

When it comes to a full-blown ant infestation in Baltimore, you’ll find a large number of live ants within a small proximity. Unfortunately, the infestation can happen in the interior or exterior of your home.

If the ant infestation is outside of your home, you might locate it in areas that contain rotted wood. If someone dropped food outside and left it in the yard, ants can come in hoards.

For example, carpenter ants live in highly organized colonies. They have a queen and hundreds to thousands of worker ants. They love sweets, fats, and proteins. If you drop half an apple and leave it for squirrels, ants might come to feast on it instead.

If you discover an ant infestation, don’t panic. Professional pest control companies such as Brody Brothers can effectively remove the ants and their accompanying woes.

What Causes an Ant Infestation?

If you’re facing an ant infestation, it’s helpful to know the cause behind it.

In most cases, ants are attracted to a plentiful food source, such as:

• Sugary residues from spilled soda, fruit juice, or syrups
• Spilled food, food particles, or water/food residues
• Pet foods
• Open or insecure trash containers

To take advantage of the food source, the ants must first gain entry to your home. If your home isn’t completely sealed, it can lead to an infestation on the inside.

Remember that the food isn’t necessarily going to come from your kitchen. Ants can also find food that was left outside, leading to an infestation.

How to Handle an Ant Infestation

There are several approaches to handling ant infestations in Baltimore. However, know that controlling an ant infestation isn’t always a quick and simple fix.

• Sealing holes and cracks in the exterior: The entry can be done through small cracks in the foundation or siding, poorly-sealed doors, holes drilled for pipes, or any other small opening. Try caulking around gaps within the window and door frame.
• Removing leaves and debris from around the building: Neglecting that pile of old leaves and debris in your yard? It might be a nice and quiet nest for an ant colony.
• Cleaning the kitchen and dining room often: Make sure you sweep the floors often to ensure all crumbs are picked up. Wipe off the countertops each day for crumb removal. Furthermore, make sure your pantry is cleaned out and all food is sealed inside.
• Cleaning food spills quickly: If you spill food and drink, make sure you quickly clean it up. This is especially true for young children who are notorious for leaving food crumbs from snacks around the living room or kitchen.
• Keeping garbage and pet food containers sealed: Keep garbage containers tightly closed off. Consider removing pet food from its original container and put it in a large, air-tight Tupperware bin.

Taking these steps will eliminate the source of food for the ants, which can ultimately help control the infestation.

Make Your Own DIY Ant Repellent

Ants leave pheromone trails that attract other ants along with them. In the early stages of a possible infestation, you can make the following solution. This is best used when you find a small number of ants.

This is a very easy DIY ant repellent solution to make at home. All you need is dish soap, water, and a small spray bottle.

This solution kills the ants and cleans the surrounding area, which rids of the pheromones and scent trail. 

Antsy to Remove Those Ants? Call Brody Brothers

If you do discover an ant problem, it is not advisable to treat it yourself, as many consumer products can actually make the problem worse. If you have an ant problem in Baltimore or Montgomery County, Maryland or a surrounding area, contact the team at Brody Brothers today!

The post How to Get Rid of an Ant Infestation appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

It’s a valid question, but it’s a very difficult one to answer in a straight manner. Unfortunately, it all depends on the type of infestation you experienced and the severity of it to determine how long it will take for pest control to work.

You did the right thing by calling a trained and licensed exterminator to perform the pest control, though. This guarantees an effective and quick solution so you can take control of your home again without dangerous bugs or critters crawling around.

In this article, we’ll discuss what you can expect during a pest control treatment and how long it takes to work for the most common infestations in the Chevy Chase, MD area.

What to Expect from a Pest Control Company

Once you have determined there is an unwanted infestation in your home, you may wonder what you can expect after calling an exterminator.

Typically, they will send a technician to your home to inspect the infestation and find the source of the problem. Sometimes they can treat the problem the same day.

However, if the infestation is larger than expected or there are obstacles to overcome, they may need to schedule another date to bring the right equipment and materials to perform the extermination.

Before your pest control expert begins the treatment, they should give a thorough explanation as to what they plan to do. You’ll want to choose a pest control company, like Brody Brothers Pest Control, that only uses safe and effective methods rather than harmful and risky chemicals. 

What Happens During Bug Extermination?

In some instances, you may have to leave your home completely for a few days if it needs to be fumigated. This is often a method of extermination used to get rid of termites that pose great dangers to the structure of your home.

There may be a situation where you have to block off a room for a day or two for the pest control treatment to work.

Some insects require a simple nest or hive removals, such as bees and wasps. Once the source of the infestation is removed, you can expect the insects to slowly disappear. 

When you choose Brody Brothers Pest Control as your exterminator, you can expect the utmost professionalism and safe pest control methods to protect you and your family.

When Will I See Pest Control Results?

So, how long does it take for pest control to work? As we mentioned before, it all depends on the insect and the infestation.

For example, a german cockroach infestation may take one to two weeks to completely exterminate. While the exterminator will set down the poison, it will take some time for the entire colony to disappear from your home.

However, if you’re dealing with bed bugs, it may take just a couple of hours to get rid of them if they are only affecting your mattress.

When the infestation is complicated and requires the extermination of many pests, it can take a couple of weeks to be fully effective.

What to Do After Pest Control Treatment

During the time that you’re waiting for the pest control treatment to take its full effect, it’s important to keep your home clean and free of clutter. Be conscious of crumbs left on the counter or papers and cardboard boxes piling up.

Also, be aware of sitting water, as this can reattract insects like mosquitoes. Check for leaking faucets and pipes and fix any issues that may arise.

Is It Worth Hiring a Professional Exterminator?

Absolutely!

If you’re tired of seeing unwanted, dirty pests roaming freely around your home or yard and want a fast and safe solution, a professional pest control company is your solution.

While you may consider DIY pest control methods, they are largely ineffective and do not get the root of the problem. They can also pose extreme dangers to your family and pets if not used properly.

Hiring a professional exterminator in Chevy Chase, MD, guarantees high-quality treatment with high-grade chemicals and methods along with safety measures and compliance to keep you and your family healthy and safe.

How to Prevent Future Infestations

The key to a great pest control company is the prevention methods they take to ensure your home is safe from infestations throughout the year.

As part of our Home Protection Plan, Brody Brothers Pest Control offers routine services to prevent potential infestations and exterminate any critters that may somehow bypass our prevention methods.

With four inspections per year and free extermination services, you can count on having a home free from unwanted pests and insects. We’ll scout for potential areas in your home where pests can crawl through and lay down treatments to keep them away.

With our permanent pest solution, you won’t ever have to worry about how long pest control takes to work again!

Protect Your Home and Family from Pests in Maryland

Bugs and rodents that enter your home can pose great health risks to you, your family, and your pets and could cause damage to the structure of your home.

If you suspect you have an infestation and require pest control, give Brody Brothers Pest Control a call for a free pest control inspection.

With over 30 years of experience serving Baltimore area residences and exterminating unwanted pests, we guarantee efficient, safe, and effective pest control services using the most recent extermination methods and technology.

Schedule your free consultation and begin protecting your home and family from pests today!

The post How Long Does Pest Control Take to Work? appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

Unfortunately, by the time you realize your home has been invaded by these unwanted and potentially dangerous guests, it might already be too late to avoid a pest infestation. 

What can you do to prevent rats, ants, flies, cockroaches, and other creepy crawlies from entering your home in the first place? 

The answer is quarterly pest control service in the Baltimore area from Brody Brothers Pest Control. 

Dangers of Pest Infestations

Aside from having to witness a monstrous insect or hairy rodent crawling through your home, infestations can cause danger to you, your family members, and your home’s structure.

For example, rats and mice can carry multiple harmful diseases that could have long-lasting health effects. Or, if there is a wasp nest on your property, you could potentially deal with a painful sting, or worse a swarm, while trying to enjoy the summer weather in your Baltimore area backyard.

In the case of termites, you’ll have to worry about the integrity of your home. These insects may be tiny, but they sure are mighty. Their little jaws can cause serious damage to the structure of your most valuable financial asset.

Common Pest Infestations in the Baltimore Area

Maryland’s landscape is a mixture of metropolitan cities, wooded forests, and large open fields. All three of these settings create perfect opportunities for critters to find their way into your Owings Mills home year-round.

Just a few of the most common pests Maryland residents must watch for include:

• Bees and Wasps
• Rodents
• Ants
• Mosquitos and Ticks
• Termites

From simply causing a disturbance to your routine to posing potentially harmful situations to you and your family, you don’t want these pests to invade your beloved home. 

Benefits of Quarterly Pest Control Services

Now that you’re thinking about the dangers and anxiety of having a pest control issue in your home, you’re probably wondering what the best solution is to prevent bug infestations from posing a health risk to your family. 

The Home Protection Plan from Brody Brothers Pest Control in Owings Mills, MD, is your worry-free and affordable year-round pest control solution. 

1. Prevention Methods

The first and most important benefit of quarterly pest control service from Brody Brothers Pest Control is to prevent infestations from happening in your home.

Our prevention methods include inspecting your home for potential entry points and resolving any issues that might encourage pests to enter your home. Our expert pest control technicians will closely inspect your property to identify any existing pest control problems and take care of them using powerful, effective, and environmentally-friendly methods. 

2. Catch Infestations Early

Those little critters can sometimes get by even the most advanced pest prevention methods. Fortunately, with quarterly pest control, we will catch these issues early – most likely before you even notice you have one.

When caught early, it takes much less time and effort to deal with any sort of bug or rodent problem. So, you can save yourself the headache of dealing with a full-blown infestation.

3. Year-Round Inspections

There are certain times of the year that specific insects and critters tend to invite themselves into residential homes in the Baltimore area. When you have a quarterly pest control service, you can rest assured that your home wards off even the most ambitious pests at that time of the year.

Our trained pest control technicians are aware of what pests are more likely to come into your home during specific seasons. Therefore, we already know the necessary precautions to take to prevent them from invading your living space.

4. Free Extermination Services

If on the rare occasion you do have an infestation problem despite our quarterly pest control services, you’ll have free extermination services to correct the problem.

Avoid DIY pest control at home and let the professionals handle it. Simply give us a call (410-653-2121) and schedule a time for us to solve the issue.

From ants to spiders to rodents to wasps, we will take care of any pests that may have slipped through our prevention methods. Using the latest technology and safest chemicals, you can say good riddance to these dangerous, unwanted guests.

5. Peace of Mind

Simply knowing that your home and family are being protected by a professional extermination company in Owings Mills, MD, with expert pest control technicians will give you peace of mind.

When it comes to protecting your family and your home, it’s important to get ahead of the problem. Once you notice critters and bugs in your home, it’s too late. The damage may already be done!

The last thing you want to think or worry about in your busy life is bug infestations in your home. With quarterly pest control services, it’s one less thing to think about.

Award-Winning Pest Control Services in Owings Mills, MD

Are you ready to get ahead of your infestation issues and work with Maryland’s top-rated and most trusted exterminators?

Brody Brothers Pest Control has served the area for over three decades and has helped hundreds of families exterminate harmful insects and critters. Our quarterly pest control service is one of the most popular and beneficial services that we offer.

You can have ultimate peace of mind knowing our professional pest control technicians are taking care of the problem before you even know it’s there. 

Learn more about our Home Protection Plan quarterly pest control service to see if it’s right for you.

The post 5 Awesome Benefits of Quarterly Pest Control in Owings Mills, MD appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

Now, your first thoughts are probably something along the lines of not wanting to spend too much money or wait around for a technician to show up. Fortunately, with Brody Brothers Pest Control, you don’t have to. We show up on time and offer great value and service to our customers. 

Before we get to your all-in-one solution to pest control in the Rockville, MD area, let’s take a deep dive into why you should avoid relying on DIY pest control solutions. 

Why DIY Pest Control Doesn’t Work

Before heading off to your local hardware store in search of DIY pest control products, it’s important to consider some important reasons why this isn’t always the best option.

1. You Likely Won’t Solve the Problem

Many of the retail sprays, poisons, and traps you can get at the store merely put a temporary bandage on a larger pest control problem. While they may get rid of the critters you see at the moment, it doesn’t guarantee they won’t come back in more significant numbers.

It’s no fun to repeatedly “fix” the same pest problem over and over. If you’re searching for a long-lasting solution, you’ll need more than DIY pest control products.

2. You’re Dealing with Hazardous Chemicals

If you aren’t setting traps (and then having to deal with the results yourself), you’re most likely spraying strong and hazardous chemicals around that will only temporarily get rid of pests in and around your home. This isn’t always safe for your family. 

The EPA published a study showing the impact of using pesticides on the air quality when used indoors. You could breathe in or ingest dangerous chemicals if you do not use the right substance or methods.

3. Dangerous Accidents

Now that we’ve discussed the harmful chemicals that are found in these DIY pest control products, we have to talk about the reality of dangerous accidents.

When you are not sure how to use a product or handle insect extermination properly, you expose yourself to the risk of an accident or getting hurt.

It isn’t just the product you have to beware of, though. It’s the pests themselves, sometimes.

For example, if you’re trying to get rid of a wasp or yellow jacket nest on your own there’s a possibility you could get stung or chased by a swarm. If this is the case, we highly recommend you look at our article about what to do when a wasp chases you. 

4. Risk of Using the Wrong Product

If this is your first experience with an infestation, you may find yourself standing in a store aisle staring at shelves of different products, all claiming to do the same thing. You read the boxes and hold two products in your hands, comparing them.

Unfortunately, since you do not have the expertise and training of a professional exterminator, you aren’t sure what is truly the best product. You’re at the hands of a product’s advertising right now!

If you use the wrong product, you could risk harm to yourself or your family, or it may not be effective in solving the problem at all. Therefore, you’ll find yourself back at the store searching for yet another solution.

5. Leaving the Root Problem Untreated

The issue with using DIY pest control is the root of the problem is often left untreated. These products and methods will likely only take care of the pest problems you can see. Lingering issues can still be lurking in your walls, attic, or underneath your house.  

Professional pest control services can identify and get to the underlying causes of your pest control problem to fix the issue and prevent it from happening again. 

6. Spending More Time and Money

One of the most common reasons people don’t want to call a professional exterminator is because they are afraid to spend a lot of money. But what if we told you that DIY pest control could actually cost you more in the long run?

Imagine buying products every few months or so to temporarily solve your problem. Add in the time you spend driving back and forth to the store, researching products and solutions, and the time it takes to apply the pesticide (and hope it works) – it’s quite a lot of time, money, and energy spent.

7. Potential Harm to Family, Pets, and the Environment

We’ve discussed how DIY pest control products contain harmful chemicals and the possibility of personal injury, but there is a great risk of harming your family, pets, and the environment.

If the product is not administered correctly or stored properly, you could be putting your family in danger. Another study (referenced in the EPA study link above) by the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that 79,000 children were involved in common household pesticide poisonings or exposures.

Keep Your Family Safe With Brody Brothers Pest Control

To ensure the safety of yourself and your family and to get effective extermination, you’ll want to call Brody Brothers Pest Control. We’ve served Rockville, MD, and the surrounding area for almost three decades, keeping residents and their homes safe from pests. 

With our environmentally safe and effective pest control solutions, you can rest assured your family and home are protected. We also prioritize customer satisfaction, which is why our technicians are prompt and on time for appointments.

But why not prevent a pest control problem before it even starts? Learn more about our Home Protection Plan with routine inspections and seasonal pest control treatments.

The post 7 Reasons DIY Pest Control Can Be a Bad Idea and What to Do Instead appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

As the weather grows colder during Baltimore’s fall season, small critters and pests search for someplace warm – especially ladybugs and spiders. Your home, which is insulated and heated, is the perfect place for them to nestle in and survive the cold months.

This fall, be on the lookout for ladybugs and spiders invading your home. Don’t be alarmed, though. In this article, we’ll cover how to identify these bugs, the dangers they bring, and how to prevent them from coming into your house.

Ladybugs

Ladybugs – or ladybirds as they are called in Great Britain and other parts of the English-speaking world – are often seen as cute and harmless beetle bugs. This doesn’t mean they aren’t annoying when they infest your home, though.

These adorable little bugs were first introduced to the United States in 1916 from Asia. They were brought in to help kill bugs that were endangering our crops. Unfortunately, the ladybug population became too large, and they soon became seen as a common pest.

How to Identify Ladybugs

You probably already know what a ladybug looks like. They have round, hard bodies with black spots. But, did you know they come in different colors? Ladybugs can be black, brown, orange, or red with black spots.

They like to crawl on windows and walls, but you will see them flying around sometimes. They aren’t very fast creatures, so you can definitely catch on and even have it walk on your hand for a bit.

Dangers of Ladybugs

There is nothing to worry about when you see a ladybug in your Baltimore home. These bugs bring little to no danger to humans.

Scientists have found that some people can be allergic to ladybugs thanks to the two proteins they carry. Those allergic to them may experience congestion and sneezing.

Ladybugs may leave bites, but they are not something to worry about. It may leave a small mark and nothing more.

If pets, specifically dogs, eat ladybugs, they can experience digestion issues, changes in behavior, and drowsiness.

Why Ladybugs Invade Your Home

When the weather starts to get cooler, ladybugs begin their search for a warmer place to live. If your home contains light colors, has food such as fruit and grains, or flowers with pollen, ladybugs are more likely to invade.

You may have noticed swarms of ladybugs invading your home. This is because when one ladybug finds a suitable place to live during the fall and winter, she will attract others.

How to Prevent a Ladybug Infestation

The best way to prevent ladybugs from infesting your home is to seal any cracks in your windows, doors, or foundation. They are tiny pests that will crawl through narrow spaces to get to a warmer environment.

It’s also a good idea to install screens on your windows, especially if you enjoy keeping them open during the fall months. These screens will prevent ladybugs from flying inside.

Spiders

At least one person you know, if not yourself, is afraid of spiders. They tense up and freeze when they see one, especially if it’s in the house. Unfortunately, spiders are another common fall invader for homes in Baltimore.

How to Identify Spiders

Most of us know what a spider looks like, but there are three important types of cold weather spiders to be aware of when we start to enter the autumnal weather in Maryland.

The first is a Yellow Sac spider. They can be about 1/4 of an inch in length, with their front legs longer than the rest. Their pale, yellowish color makes it difficult to notice them at first, but they are one of the most common spiders to invade homes during the fall.

Next, we have the Wolf spider. These tend to be a bit bigger, ranging from ½ of an inch to two inches. They are black with white or neutral-colored splotches on their bodies and have eight eyes, two of them larger than the rest.

Lastly, the Black Widow spider, which is native to Maryland, is another common spider you may find in your home. She can be between 1 1/2 inch to 1 3/8 inches long. Her body is an hourglass shape with a shiny black coat and an orange marking on her back.

Another way to identify if you have a spider infestation is by noticing webs around the house.

Dangers of Spiders

There are a variety of dangers when it comes to spiders and their bites. However, it all depends on the spider and where you are. For example, the only really poisonous spider you should look out for in Baltimore is a black widow.

The black widow’s venom is 15 times more poisonous than a rattlesnake’s venom. However, only about 5% of victims, usually children or the elderly, find these bites fatal. If a black widow spider does bite you, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Diaphragm paralysis

For the most part, you don’t have to worry too much about other spider bites unless you’re allergic to them. They will often be uncomfortable but hardly fatal.

Why Spiders Invade Your Home

Just like other pests, spiders simply search for the things they need to survive. In this case, it’s warmth, moisture, and food. If your home has ants, flies, or other insects spiders like to feast on, then it’s an open invitation for an infestation.

How to Prevent Spider Infestations

The most common way spiders enter your home is through cracks in the house. So, to prevent this from happening, seal any cracks in windows, doors, or the foundation with caulking. Also, add screens to windows.

You can also repel spiders naturally with vinegar, citrus, and mint. Simply keep these scents around the house or even spray them near entrances.

It’s also important to keep a clean house with minimal dust. Spiders are attracted to dust and other cobwebs if they’re present.

Get Rid of Ladybugs and Spiders This Fall with Brody Brothers Pest Control

You don’t have to live with these pests invading your Baltimore home this fall. If you notice spiders or ladybugs crawling around, Brody Brothers Pest Control can help you eliminate them once and for all.

With state-of-the-art methods and eco-friendly techniques, our professional team will make your home pest-free in no time at all.

Call us to schedule a consultation today!

The post It’s Fall… and That Means More Ladybugs and Spiders appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

When you think about fall, you probably picture pumpkins, changing leaves, bonfires, and Halloween. But there is one more thing that inevitably comes with the fall months in Fort Washington: stink bugs and boxelder bugs.

These smelly invaders crawl into your home each fall as the weather starts to get cooler. While they aren’t harmful towards humans, they can cause an assault on our sense of smell when they feel endangered, or they are killed.

In this article, we’ll discuss what stink bugs and boxelder bugs are, how to identify them and prevent them from invading your home as well as how to get rid of them if they have already found their way inside.

The Stink Bug

Stink bugs first showed up in the United States in 1998. Since then, their population has flourished in 43 states thanks to a lack of predators. Originally from Asia, the parasitic wasp controlled the population of stink bugs but it is not present in the US.

These little bugs don’t pose a threat to humans, but they are harmful to our crops. They especially like to munch on fruit trees, berries, corn, soybeans, and other foods.

How to Identify Stink Bugs

These smelly critters have the shape of a shield and are brown with speckles of black. Stink bugs are less than an inch in length and have six legs and two antennae.

They don’t move too quickly, so they’re easy to catch. However, they do fly which helps them invade your Fort Washington home during the fall.

Dangers of Stink Bugs

As we mentioned previously, stink bugs aren’t dangerous to people. They don’t bite or sting and do not carry diseases that can infect and endanger our health.

The only threat they pose is to our crops. You could argue that this is an indirect danger to humans as they could potentially limit our food supply. What we’re saying is that if you see a stink bug in your home, there is no need to panic because it won’t hurt you.

The one unpleasant feature of stink bugs is the strong odor they give off when they feel defensive or are crushed. The scent can linger for quite a while, especially if it comes in contact with clothing.

Why Stink Bugs Invade Your Home

Just like most creatures, stink bugs search for warm places when the weather starts to get colder. Since we turn on the heat in our homes during the fall and winter, stink bugs find them comfortable spaces to survive.

One reason you’ll find so many stink bugs in your home is that they attract each other. When one finds a place that meets its survival needs, it emits a scent to call the other stink bugs.

How to Prevent Stink Bug Infestations

There are quite a few ways to keep stink bugs away from your Fort Washington home during the fall.

• Trim branches away from windows
• Seal cracks and holes
• Fix holes in screens
• Use yellow outdoor lightbulbs

Stink bugs are attracted to white light, so switching your outdoor lightbulbs to a yellow color can help prevent them from coming into your home.

The Boxelder Bug

The boxelder bug gets its name from the boxelder tree, where they tend to live. However, they only live in the female boxelder tree. They also inhabit ash and maple trees.

These stinky bugs come out during the spring and enjoy the warm weather of summer, but when it starts to get cold, they’ll find their way into your home. Often found in garages, they are also called garage bugs.

The good news is boxelder bugs are simply a nuisance to homeowners and do not pose a threat to our health or crops.

How to Identify Boxelder Bugs

Boxelder bugs have elongated oval bodies that look flattened. They are black with a red or orange stripe along their backs. Of course, they have six legs and two antennae as well.

Their bodies are around half an inch in length too. Oh, and we can’t forget to mention that they do fly too.

Dangers of Boxelder Bugs

As we mentioned previously, boxelder bugs are harmless. They are just an annoyance during the winter when homeowners don’t want creepy crawly bugs in their precious homes.

While boxelder bugs aren’t likely to bite, there have been cases of bites. It’s nothing to worry about, though! The skin may become red and irritated, but there is no risk of disease transmission.

As with stink bugs, boxelder bugs give off a strong stench when they are crushed which will likely turn up your nose.

Why Boxelder Bugs Invade Your Home

The answer to this question is warmth. Boxelder bugs can’t survive the cold winters in Fort Washington and need to find a warm place to hide out until the weather gets better.

You’ll often see boxelder bugs gathered in large groups on the south side of buildings in sunny spots to stay warm.

How to Prevent Boxelder Bug Infestations

There are a few things you can do to prevent boxelder bugs from infesting your home this fall.

• Remove female boxelder trees
• Repair holes in screens
• Seal entrances and windows
• Fill in holes and cracks
• Remove woodpiles near the house

These methods will most certainly decrease your chance of a boxelder bug infestation.

Getting Rid of These Smelly Invaders

You may be wondering how you can get rid of stink bugs and boxelder bugs if they tend to give off a strong odor when they’re squished. You can’t simply smack your shoe against them to get rid of them unless you want some stink to stay around.

The best way to get rid of these bugs is with a vacuum cleaner. Simply suck them up and throw out the bag when it’s full. It’s a no-mess, no-stink solution to these fall invaders.

You can also get sticky traps to collect these bugs and dispose of them properly, but not many people want these traps hanging around their homes.

Fortunately, there is an even more effective solution to getting rid of stink bugs and boxelder bugs in your Fort Washington home.

Brody Brothers Pest Control Will Handle Your Smelly Bug Infestations This Fall

The best way to get rid of stink bugs and boxelder bugs this fall is to call in a professional exterminator. Brody Brothers Pest Control is the leading extermination service in the Fort Washington area, and they’re ready to handle your smelly problem!

Contact us today to discuss how we can help you get rid of your stink bug and boxelder bug infestation!

The post Common Fall Pests: How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs & Boxelder Bugs appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

Maryland Summer Activities

• State Fairs – Maryland is known for having some of the country’s best fairs and carnivals with rides, games, and of course, food.
• Food Festivals – There is some pretty fantastic cuisine in these parts, especially seafood, which can be enjoyed at the state’s famous food festivals.
• Music Festivals – Live music, numerous stages, dancing, and camping all in one event attract plenty of music-lovers to Maryland.
• Camping – Maryland has some of the most beautiful campsites, offering a great escape into nature.
• Hiking – Take a long stroll through Maryland’s gorgeous hiking trails, ranging from easy walking to full-on mountain climbing.
• Sports Games – There’s nothing like attending a good old Orioles game and munching on a hot dog during the summer.

Mosquitoes

Flies

Wasps, Bees & Yellow Jackets

Ticks

Ants

Pest Problems? Brody Brothers Pest Control Can Help

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