FAQ
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Spiders
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A black widow spider is a species of spider that is known for the females’ tendency to eat their mates after reproduction. The female’s body is about one inch in length and is black with a red hourglass shape on its abdomen. Black widow spiders are found in temperate regions around the world and prefer to build their webs in dark, hidden places.
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One of the most common predators of spiders is the wasp. Wasps are attracted to spiders because they provide an easy meal for the wasp larvae. The wasp stings the spider and paralyzes it. Then, the wasp takes the spider back to its nest where the larvae eat the spider alive.
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The biggest spider ever found was the size of a dinner plate. It was found in South America and is called the Goliath Birdeater.
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Some spiders lay just a few eggs while others lay millions of eggs at one time! For example, the hobo spider might lay around 50-100 eggs while the black widow spider can lay up to 400-500 eggs.
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Fleas
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While fleas do not live on humans, they can bite humans. Just like a dog or a cat, humans can get flea bites from being around other animals that have them. For example, if you pet a dog that has fleas, you could end up with flea bites. If your pet brings fleas into your home, the fleas may become established in bedding, carpets, or drapes.
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Some common warning signs that your pet has fleas are if they excessively scratch, bite, or lick their fur. If you part your pet’s hair and see tiny black dots on their skin, these are also likely fleas. You may also see small black specks in your pet’s bedding.
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No, fleas are not poisonous. They can bite you and make you itch, but they won’t poison you.
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No, fleas will not go away on their own. Just like you have to take a bath every day to clean your body, you have to give your pet a bath to clean them and get rid of the fleas.
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Rodents
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The biggest rodent ever found is the Capybara. It is a giant rodent that is native to South America. It can grow to be up to four feet long and weigh over 100 pounds.
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Animals that are considered rodents typically have long front teeth that they use for gnawing and chewing. They also have short back legs, and their bodies are usually covered in fur. Some examples of rodents include mice, rats, squirrels, and beavers.
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Not all rodents are poisonous. Some people keep them as pets, like hamsters and gerbils. But there are other kinds of rodents that can carry diseases that can make people sick. For example, rats can carry a disease called the bubonic plague, which was responsible for a lot of deaths during the Middle Ages.
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Rats can have a lot of babies. Some rats can have up to 12 babies at a time. That’s a lot of little rats!
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Ants
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The most common ant in California is the Argentine ant. These ants are small, brown, and live in large colonies. Argentine ants were introduced to California from South America in the early 1900s and have since spread throughout the state.
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Some ants do have wings. However, ants don’t need to fly because they can walk and run very fast.
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No, ants cannot fly. Their wings are too small and they are not strong enough to lift their bodies into the air. Some ants can glide for short distances, but they cannot truly fly.
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There are many animals that eat ants, including birds, lizards, rats, and even other insects. Some ants are also eaten by plants, such as the pitcher plant.
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Termites
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There are many ways that termites can enter a home. They can come in through cracks in the foundation or holes in the wood. Sometimes termites will build their own tunnels to get into a house. They can also come in on firewood or other wood that is brought inside.
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Termites have many predators, including ants, owls, and lizards. These animals help to keep the termite population under control.
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Yes, termites can make noise. They do this by hitting their abdomen against the ground. This makes a drumming noise that is used to communicate with other termites.
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The biggest termite ever found was about the size of a human hand. It was found in Africa and was probably about 50 years old.
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One termite colony can have as many as 1,000,000 termites.
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Termites are wood-destroying insects. Their presence dates back to the dinosaurs. While they play an important role in nature, pest control experts estimate they cause $5 billion in property damage each year.
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There are three kinds of termites in the United States: dampwood termites, drywood termites, and subterranean termites. Dampwood termites usually live in heavily forested areas, as they prefer damp or wet wood, whereas drywood termites prefer extremely dry wood. Subterranean termites require moist environments and mainly live in the soil.
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Depending on where you live, termite swarms may be visible in the early spring. Termites are often confused with flying ants.
Common signs of termite infestation include softwood in the home, mud tubes on the exterior of your home (often near the foundation), and darkening or blistering of wood structures.
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Bay Area homeowners are most likely to notice termites when they swarm in the early spring. If you notice a termite swarm on or near your property, contact your local pest company immediately.
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There are many steps a homeowner can take to help prevent termite infestations. Most importantly, you should eliminate or reduce moisture in and around the home (termites need moisture to thrive). You can also reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation and trim vines, hedges, and other vegetation to prevent them from blocking vents. Also, try to maintain an 18-inch gap between soil and any wood portions of your home.
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Termites are not a pest that can be effectively treated by most homeowners.
Our licensed pest control technicians can recommend a termite control strategy depending on many factors, including the area of Northern California that you live in, the size of your infestation, the termite species present, and your home’s construction.
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The most effective type of treatment depends on the severity of the infestation, the species of termite, and the location and construction of the home or business.
Call us at (707) 743-3851 so we can assess each infestation individually and recommend the most effective treatment plan.
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We Care Pest Solutions has the training, expertise, and up-to-date technologies to properly exterminate termite infestations throughout the North Bay.
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Bed Bugs
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Bed bugs do not fly, but they can move undetected over floors, walls, ceilings, and your furniture. Additionally, female bed bugs can lay hundreds of eggs about the size of a speck of dust, meaning these little pests can multiply extremely fast.
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Recently, there has been an increase in bed bug infestations in Northern California and nationwide. In fact, one in five Americans has reported a bed bug infestation or know someone who has encountered bed bugs at home or in a hotel, according to a recent NPMA survey.
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These pests are not limited to any one specific type of dwelling. Local bed bug control companies, such as We Care Pest Solutions, have witnessed infestations everywhere, including in single-family homes, multi-family housing, apartments, hotels, hospitals, school campuses, office buildings, retail stores, and movie theaters.
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Bed bugs are very elusive, transient pests that are often found in other areas besides the bed. They can live for a year or more without eating and can withstand a wide range of temperatures from nearly freezing to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
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To prevent bed bug infestations, Bay Area communities should be vigilant in assessing their surroundings. When returning from a trip, check your luggage and clothing. If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, contact us immediately.
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Bed bug bites are small, red, and itchy. They may be in a line or cluster and cause sometimes-painful bites. Bed bugs usually bite people at night while they are sleeping.
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Bed bugs lay a lot of eggs. In fact, a female bed bug can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime! That’s a lot of baby bed bugs.
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Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are most active at night and are often found in mattresses, bedding, and furniture.
To prevent bed bugs, it is important to keep your home clean and free of clutter. Vacuum regularly and wash your bedding in hot water. Inspect your furniture for signs of bed bugs and call a pest control professional if you find them.
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Step 1: Look for signs of bed bugs. Check for rust-colored stains on sheets or mattresses, dark spots on walls, or small bugs crawling around.
Step 2: Vacuum the area where you found the bed bugs. Use a powerful vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to suck up the bugs and their eggs.
Step 3: Wash all of your bedding in hot water. This will kill any remaining bugs or eggs.
Step 4: If all else fails, contact a professional pest control company, like We Care Pest Solutions, for bed bug control.
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