All The Ways Bed Bugs Cost You

How Bed Bugs Effect You

When dealing with an infestation of bed bugs Professional Treatment is not the only way these pests can cost you. There are other ways you may not have thought of that bed bugs can effect you in other ways than just your wallet. I have put together a list of things that may not have occurred to you when having had or now have an infestation of bed bugs.

Bed Bugs live in bedding, mattresses and other furniture.

Bed Bug Bites

People with multiple bed bug bites should see a dermatologist for treatment. Let's hope your insurance covers bed bugs.

Loss of Sleep

After having had dealt with a bed bug infestation even though the bed bugs may be gone they can still sneak their way into the dreams of the home owner causing nightmares.

Home Remedies

While the DIY approach may seem cost efficient in the beginning, at home remedies tend to add up in the long run and professional treatment will ultimately be needed regardless.

Trashing Furniture

Disposing of your previously infested furniture is usually a good choice however the replacement of it can be costly.

Tearing Up Your Home

There are times in which the carpet needs to be pulled away as well as lifting the base boards to look for or treat bed bugs, labor and or replacement is not a cheap for a job like this.

Even though bed bugs may be tiny the price you may have to pay for them is not. If you are concerned that you may have an infestation of bed bugs call Black Knight Pest Control for a FREE QUOTE. A Licensed Professional can come to your home and answer any questions you may have, free of cost to you. In the long run your wallet will be thanking you. If you do decide that a bed bug treatment is the best choice for you ask about our HEAT TREATMENT.

Black Knight Termite and Pest Control is here for you.  

Top 5 Insect Pests and How to Get Rid of Them

Although no one wants to find themselves in need of pest control, Temecula residents face a number of possible infestations that could riddle their homes. Once things get to this point, homeowners may inevitably need to rely on chemicals to rid their homes of the unwanted pests. Sometimes there are simpler solutions that are worth trying, though, before calling in the professionals. Here are five of the most common insect pests that you may find in your Temecula are home, and a few simple solutions that you may be able to try before giving us a call.

1. Ants and Cockroaches

The best way to avoid ants and cockroaches is to keep a clean home, and be especially careful about food waste. But if you should spot a cockroach, or one of the more than twenty species of U.S. house ants infiltrating your home, see if baits or traps with boric acid work to get rid of them. If they keep coming back, then it’s time to call the professionals.

2. Fleas

Pet owners are at highest risk for flea infestations, and once you see them hopping about on your skin you’ll want to get rid of them fast. It’s important to focus on flea eggs in fabrics and carpets first, starting with washing all rugs, bedding, slip covers, and pillow covers in hot water. If your pet has been infested with fleas, they will need to be bathed with anti-flea shampoo and treated with an anti-flea medicine prescribed by a veterinarian. If the infestation has gotten too severe for these methods to work, though, you’ll need professional help.

3. House Flies

The housefly is the most common of all pests that infiltrate people’s homes, and there are many common ways to get rid of them such as sticky strips and fly swatters. There are sprays that you can use if the problem gets severe, but try all your other options first (including keeping doors closed and using screens) before taking that road.

4. Spiders

No one likes finding spiders in their home, and some of us are downright terrified of this scenario. Aside from highly venomous species such as the brown recluse and black widow, though, most spiders are harmless and can help get rid of flies and other insects that they eat for food. Only severe infestations require professional spider control. Temecula homeowners with just one or a few spiders in the home are better off capturing them with a cup and a piece of paper, then vacuuming up any webs and egg sacs. Just make sure to dump the vacuum canister outdoors and rinse out the removable hoses before bringing the vacuum back inside.

5. Termites

A termite infestation can cause serious damage to your home, as these creepy critters love to infest wood structures and eat them from the inside out. If you notice “termite tubes” or spot weak wood, or find termite wings or droppings around the wood in your home, there are unfortunately no homemade solutions for termite control. Temecula homeowners who spot the signs of termites will need an inspections as soon as possible, and if your suspicions are correct you’ll need professional termite control services.

If the simple solutions don’t seem to work, just remember you’re not alone. The professionals at Black Knight Termite & Pest Control are waiting to help you rid your home of unwanted insects and other uninvited critters.

Everything You Need to Know About Spiders and Spider Control

Although spiders might be the first thing you think of when you think about pest control, Murrieta residents across the city face serious situations with arachnids each year that require professional assistance. That’s why pest control service providers like Black Knight are here to provide much more than termite control. Murrieta homeowners and business owners may find infestations of spiders in their basements, crawl spaces, air vents, attics, and upper corners of rooms throughout their homes and places of business. And spiders are not only creepy and crawly, but they can be dangerous for kids and adults alike. If you’re facing an arachnid infestation then keep reading to learn more. What Distinguishes a Spider?

Unlike “daddy long legs” and other similar-looking creatures, spiders are distinguished by their eight legs, bodies with two segments, and 3-4 pairs of eyes. Most spiders do have very poor vision in spite of their multiple sets of eyes, but certain species such as jumping spiders are known for excellent vision. One of the creepiest facts about spiders is that their saliva has digestive enzymes that they use to break down their prey before eating it instead of chewing their food. They capture food in their well-known webs, which they spin into all sorts of shapes and sizes from the special silk they produce. This adhesive, durable, elastic, silk is also used to create egg sacs and dwellings, though some spiders also opt for dwelling in burrows, crevices, or simply out in the open range.

What Leads to Spider Infestations?

Out in the wild, spiders are found everywhere from high in the trees to under the ground. But how do they get into your home? There are a few ways, but the two most common ways are through cracks or gaps in window frames or doors and through doors and windows with insufficient or damaged screens. If you bring in boxes from outside, or even boxes of produce, you may also be bringing arachnid “hitchhikers” straight into your home. They may be looking for prey or just a warm place to stay.

How Do You Deal With an Infestation?

It’s perfectly normal to see a spider or two in your home from time to time, but what do you do when it becomes a serious problem? To protect yourself, your loved ones, your pets, and your home, you will need to invest in professional spider control. Murrieta residents can rely on the professionals at Black Knight Termite & Pest Control to create a comprehensive spider control plan that will get rid of those creepy crawlers and make sure they don’t come back.

Flea Control Tips to Keep Your Home Pest Free

When it comes to pest control, Temecula Valley residents often share the same goals: to rid their house and pet of annoying and potentially dangerous fleas. A single flea carrying eggs can quickly turn into a monstrous infestation, and once that happens simply giving your pet a bath will not be nearly enough to alleviate the problem. If it gets that that point, Black Knight is here to protect your home and family from the fleas, but it’s always better to prevent the problem or keep it from coming back. Here are some important tips to help you keep your home and pet free from these tiny pests:

Start with Monthly Flea Treatments

A regular schedule of monthly flea treatments is the first step to preventative flea control. Temecula Valley pet-owners are encouraged to start a monthly flea treatment regimen as soon as possible, so ask your veterinarian which products they recommend for your pet and schedule the first treatment as soon as possible. There is a variety of shampoos and other topical products to choose from. Just make sure to use the highest quality product available and maintain the routine year-round.

Keep Your Temecula Valley Home Clean and Flea-Free

There are some bugs that are going to get into your home no matter what you do or how clean your home is, which we often see when customers inquire about termite control. Temecula Valley  homeowners can prevent many other pests from entering their homes, however, by keeping the environment as clean as possible. And this is something the whole family can and should get involved in. Your cleaning routine should include:

• regularly washing pet bedding,
• cleaning all areas where your pet(s) likes to hang out,
• vacuuming all carpets and cushioning on a regular basis,
• emptying the vacuum bag after each use, and
• treating any furniture that has come in contact with fleas to prevent further infestations.

Call the Professionals When Fleas Get Out of Control

If a flea infestation has grown to a severe level in your home, there is unfortunately no option besides professional pest control. Temecula Valley  pet-owners are fortunate to have an ally such as Black Knight Termite & Pest Control that offers a safe, effective, and comprehensive system for flea control. Residents can turn to Black Knight for advice and a no-obligation quote for services before agreeing to anything. If you decide a flea control service is necessary, our trained and certified technicians will provide advisory services, treat your entire compound with flea medication, and make sure the fleas won’t be coming back. Black Knight is known for much more than termite control;  residents also know this company for eradicating everything from fleas to spiders to rodents. Sometimes, a trusty professional like this is really the only solution.

Top 8 Tips for Spider Control

So you’re interested in learning more about spider control. Temecula, like many other warm and dry inland cities of Southern California, is quite a hospitable place for spiders. And if you’re like most people, you find spiders to be a bit creepy. Their webs, their many eyes, their fangs, the way they crawl, the way they catch their prey … for some it can be downright horrifying! There’s good reason to be scared of spiders, though. Some of them are so poisonous that a venomous bite can potentially be fatal, and others can at least send you to the doctor’s office. Here are eight simple tips to help keep these creepy crawlers out of your home:

1. Keep Entryways Covered

Chimneys, vents, and torn window screens are perfect entryways for spiders, even when the hole is extremely small! Covering up these potential entryways will deter many arachnids.

2. Seal Your Home

Sealing up your home is another excellent spider deterrent. Temecula homeowners are encouraged to patch up any cracks or holes in the structure and fill in sizeable gaps with caulk, including areas around cables, wires, and faucets that lead outside.

3. Clear Outside Vegetation

Clearing vegetation and debris such as stones and leaves from the home’s perimeter will help in your goals of outdoor spider control. Temecula homeowners that keep vegetation such as flowers, ivy, shrubs, and trees directly around the perimeter of their homes are giving spiders plenty of places to hide and seek out food sources. Soon enough, they’ll be in your home once they’ve scoped out the right cracks to sneak in through.

4. Don’t Light Their Way

If you keep outdoor lights on during the night, spiders will be able to find your home – and all its hidden entry points – much more easily. It’s not that spiders didn’t see your home before. You simply attract other bugs that spiders will want to eat when you leave the lights on. Like a moth to a flame, as the say.

5. Declutter Your Home

Clutter also gives spiders a place to hide. So get rid of the junk, clean those piles of dirty clothes, toss out those old newspapers, and get your house in order if you want to deter spiders.

6. Use Plastic Containers for Storage

Unlike cardboard boxes, which spiders can easily crawl into, plastic bins with sealable lids are pretty hard to infiltrate.

7. Clean Up After Yourself

Simply cleaning up after yourself and regularly sweeping/vacuuming will go a long way in your efforts of indoor spider control. Temecula residents are also encouraged to wipe down tables and counters after eating or preparing meals. Food crumbs might not attract spiders, but they will attract other insects that spiders want to eat.

8. Get Rid of Spiders on Sight

You might still catch some spiders in your home after you’ve already tried the above methods of natural spider control. Temecula residents should act fast if this happens, vacuum up the spider and all its webs and eggs, and then empty the bag outside.

If the infestation becomes severe, however, you will need professional assistance. Call Black Knight today if you need help with a spider problem that’s gotten out of control.