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A swarm of termites on rotten wood.
TERMITES

Termites. It’s incredible to witness the damage such a small creature can inflict. With an amenable climate for these pests, Texas is highly prone to termites and the infestations that can come with them. They can eat your home from the inside out, causing problems that can start as cosmetic and wind up as structural. Three species inhabit Texas, winged termites, subterranean termites, and dry termites being the most prolific. The best way to know if your home is safe is to get a professional inspection. We recommend having your home inspected by a professional once a year. We also offer pre-construction treatments that help ward off termites from day one. 855Bugs has been helping people in the Waco and Temple area manage termites for over 10 years! Schedule a FREE Inspection, we’d be happy to help ensure termites never threaten your home or livelihood.

 

A swarm of termites on rotten wood.
BED BUGS

Bed bugs are often the most dreaded bug infestation in the eyes of the general public. If you’re terrified of bed bugs entering your home, you’re not alone! Let’s take a look at bed bugs: their appearance, their behaviors, myths, prevention, and, the topic everyone wants to know about, bed bug treatment.

A swarm of termites on rotten wood.
RODENTS

Mice, rats, and other rodents are extremely resourceful and persistent creatures. Did you know a mouse can squeeze through an opening as small as ½ inch? And, don’t think you’re safe because that hole is only ¼ inch. They can easily chew through many surfaces to make that hole large enough to sneak through. Rats are excellent swimmers. While it certainly doesn’t happen often, rats can swim through sewer lines and wind up in your toilet bowl.

WHAT'S BUGGING YOU?

Click on a pest below and read what they’re about and what you can do yourself to prevent them from bugging you.

A swarm of termites on rotten wood.
TERMITES

Termites. It’s incredible to witness the damage such a small creature can inflict. With an amenable climate for these pests, Texas is highly prone to termites and the infestations that can come with them. They can eat your home from the inside out, causing problems that can start as cosmetic and wind up as structural. Three species inhabit Texas, winged termites, subterranean termites, and dry termites being the most prolific. The best way to know if your home is safe is to get a professional inspection. We recommend having your home inspected by a professional once a year. We also offer pre-construction treatments that help ward off termites from day one. 855Bugs has been helping people in the Waco and Temple area manage termites for over 10 years! Schedule a FREE Inspection, we’d be happy to help ensure termites never threaten your home or livelihood.

A swarm of termites on rotten wood.
BED BUGS

Bed bugs are often the most dreaded bug infestation in the eyes of the general public. If you’re terrified of bed bugs entering your home, you’re not alone! Let’s take a look at bed bugs: their appearance, their behaviors, myths, prevention, and, the topic everyone wants to know about, bed bug treatment.

A swarm of termites on rotten wood.
RODENTS

Mice, rats, and other rodents are extremely resourceful and persistent creatures. Did you know a mouse can squeeze through an opening as small as ½ inch? And, don’t think you’re safe because that hole is only ¼ inch. They can easily chew through many surfaces to make that hole large enough to sneak through. Rats are excellent swimmers. While it certainly doesn’t happen often, rats can swim through sewer lines and wind up in your toilet bowl.

WHAT'S BUGGING YOU?

Click on a pest below and read what they’re about and what you can do yourself to prevent them from bugging you.

MICE & RODENT CONTROL IN WACO, TEMPLE, BELTON, AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Have you ever been laying in bed at night and suddenly hear scurrying about in the walls or ceiling? While there’s little you can do about it at the moment, this is not something to be ignored. In addition to the diseases they spread, mice, rats, squirrels, and other critters can wreak havoc on your property.

These rodents will chew on almost anything that they find useful in building their nests. This includes wood, cloth, insulation, paper, fabric, drywall, and even the insulation around wiring. Gnawing on wood can lead to structural instability. Chewing on drywall leads to cosmetic damage. Exposed electrical wiring causes a very serious fire danger. Let’s not forget to mention the damage to that sentimental family heirloom that’s been passed down generation after generation or the destruction of important documents.

So, how are these pests getting in? Mice, rats, and other rodents are extremely resourceful and persistent creatures. Did you know mice can squeeze through an opening as small as ½ inch? And, don’t think you’re safe because that hole is only ¼ inch. They can easily chew through many surfaces to make that hole large enough to sneak through. Rats are excellent swimmers. While it certainly doesn’t happen often, rats can swim through sewer lines and wind up in your toilet bowl.

Check out what Eric, our branch manager, had to say about rodents and how they got in:

“The most unexpected place I’ve found rodents in a home was when there were squirrels under a customer’s toilet. They came in through the plumbing vent on the roof. I had to get them out, and then I sealed off the roof vent.” Eric went on to say, “we offer ‘Critter Quitter’ vent covers to protect vent openings from rodents and add additional protection from roof leaks.”

As you can see, they will find a way. So, what can you do as a homeowner or business owner to help protect your property? First and foremost, it’s important to seal up any crack, hole, or opening that may present an entry point for rodents. Use caulk, wire mesh, or “Critter Quitters” to help protect your property.

A squirrel eats from a package of rolls in front of a porch.From there, let’s look at what attracts these rodents. All creatures need a source of food. While mice, rats, and squirrels prefer nuts and fruits, they will also snack on plants, pet food, vegetables in the garden, amongst a variety of other things. Look for a food source that may attract rodents to your property. While it’s a daunting task, try your best to remove pecans that have fallen in your yard. Keep gutters cleaned out and free of tree droppings. Trim shrubbery away from your home. Cut tree limbs that overhang your roofline. And, keep pet food tightly sealed in containers.

While rodents get most of their water from the foods they eat, they will often look for other sources. Water sources can include bird baths, leaky pipes, water bowls for pets, irrigation systems, and air conditioning drip lines among many others. Do your best to eliminate any source of water.

If you’ve stumbled on this blog because you’re already experiencing signs of rodents in your home, or if you’ve followed these steps and you are still seeing signs of mice, rats, squirrels, or other critters, it’s time to call 855Bugs! How do you know for sure if you’ve got an infestation? Check out some of the tell tale signs below:

  • Dirt and grease smudges are shown on white PVC pipe as evidence that rodents have been crawling around.Sounds – Because these creatures are most active at night, you may hear scurrying, gnawing, or scratching sounds in your walls or attic.
  • Droppings – While mouse droppings are typically small in size (1/8” – 1/4” or so), rat droppings can be much larger at three times the size.
  • Damage – Are you seeing small holes chewed through drywall or wood around the home? Did you come across chewed wires? This is a possible indication that rodents have taken up shop.
  • Smudges along baseboards – Dirt and grease on the bodies of mice & rats will often leave dirty smudge marks along walls and corners.
  • Odors – If a rodent has made its nest in your home, you are likely to start smelling urine odors in the area they are nesting.

If you’re experiencing any of these signs of rodents on your property, 855Bugs can help! We employ a variety of different methods to rid your home of these pests. From baiting to live trapping, from under toilets to rooftops, 855Bugs will help you remove all unwanted rodents!

Are you having a rodent problem in or around your home? Maybe you’ve noticed some of these signs and need help with rodent control.

  • Sounds – Because these creatures are most active at night, you may hear scurrying, gnawing, or scratching sounds in your walls or attic​.​
  • Droppings – While mouse droppings are typically small in size (1/8” – 1/4” or so), rat droppings can be much larger at three times the size.
  • Damage – Are you seeing small holes chewed through drywall or wood around the home? Did you come across chewed wires? This is a possible indication that rodents have taken up shop.
  • Smudges along baseboards – Dirt and grease on the bodies of mice & rats will often leave dirty smudge marks along walls and corners.
  • Odors – If a rodent has made its nest in your home, you are likely to start smelling urine odors in the area they are nesting.

855Bugs offers a variety of services to protect your home from rodents. After a free inspection, we work with you to tailor a rodent control plan to your specific situation. A few of the services we offer include:

Rodent Exclusion

Exclusion services occur after a full inspection is done on your home (inside/outside of the home, the roof, attic, and crawlspace). Our inspector identifies all the vulnerable areas and conducive conditions that make it possible for a rodent to get into your home. Just like us, they look for cool or warm places to live and nest! During a typical exclusion, we will seal up any holes, use hardware cloth to close up openings, and inform you of any repairs that would be needed that would require reconstruction

Rodent Bait Stations

Bait stations are devices in which we place a bait block. Mice and rats enter the bait station, nibble on the bait block, and then leave the bait station and return to their nest. Typically, mice and rats will die within a day or two. Bait stations are placed along the exterior of the home, and the bait is secured within the device to protect pets and children from accessing it.

Rodent Live Trapping

For rodents that have already found a way into your attic, walls, or crawlspace, our team of experts can safely trap and remove the rodent from your home. We relocate live trapped rodents to an appropriate location.

With a variety of methods, 855Bugs can tailor our rodent control services to your specific needs. To learn more about rodents, how they access your home, and what you can do as a homeowner to prevent them in the first place, click HERE.

 

Just for fun, let’s check out some fun facts about rodents!

 

Q: What is the largest rodent in the world?

A: The biggest rodent in the world is the capybara. Never heard of it? That’s okay! Thankfully, we don’t have any capybaras in Texas. Capybaras have the highest population in northern and central South America. However, a few have been spotted in Florida. Capybaras can grow up to four and a half feet long and weigh in at up to 143 pounds! That’s a BIG rodent!

 

Q: What is the largest rodent in Texas?

A: Beavers are the largest rodent in Texas. Beavers can grow up to 51 inches from head to tail, and they can weigh up to 77 pounds. Folks that own or have access to land may witness just how beavers can change the natural landscape with the dams they build in ponds, tanks, creeks, rivers, and lakes.

 

Q: Are rabbits rodents?

A: Despite what you may have been taught in school, rabbits are not rodents. Until 1912, rabbits were considered rodents! However, rabbits and hares are now considered lagomorphs. The biggest difference between lagomorphs and rodents is in the teeth. Lagomorphs have two sets of incisors, while rodents only have one.

 

Q: Are raccoons rodents?

A: Raccoons are not considered rodents. Raccoons belong to the Carnivora order, as opposed to the Rodentia order.

 

Even though some of these pesky creatures mentioned above are not considered rodents, 855Bugs uses many of the same methods to rid your home and property of these pests. If you are having problems with rodents or any other creatures, schedule your free inspection today, and let the experts at 855Bugs handle the rest.

YOUR #1 PEST CONTROL PROVIDER

855Bugs is the best pest control company in Waco and Temple as voted by Locals Love Us! Let us worry about pests, so you can focus on what’s most important to you! So, what are you waiting for? To get started with the Don’t Bug Me Plan, give 855Bugs a call. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have and get your initial treatment scheduled! We proudly serve Waco, Temple, Belton, Harker Heights, Killeen, Copperas Cove, Gatesville AND surrounding areas. When the stakes are high, trust 855Bugs!

Rodent Exterminators – Control – Removal in Waco TX

855 Bugs is a local Pest Control and Extermination company helping homeowners and businesses with pest issues across Central Texas

Serving Temple | Killeen | Belton | China Spring | Woodway | Hewitt | Lorena | McGregor | Gatesville

Bellmead | Robinson | Mart | Harker Heights | Copper Cove | Bosqueville | Whitney | Hillsboro