If you've noticed an increase in the amount of cockroach sightings in Northern California, you're not alone. The high temperatures of the summer months along with a series of mild winters, have resulted in a surge of Turkestan cockroaches in Yuba City and the surrounding region. Turkestan cockroaches are an invasive species, displacing other dominant species since they also reproduce at a faster rate.

​If you need cockroach control in Yuba City, don't worry. There are certain things you can do around your home to prevent an increase in Turkestan cockroaches. Additionally, you can connect with a qualified cockroach pest control company in the Yuba City area to help you get rid of an infestation. 

​Read on for more information on how to live a bug-free life.

Turkestan cockroaches were once a rare breed of pest, thought to have come to the United States hiding in military gear from the Middle East. They're now commonly found in the Southwestern region of the country, including California. 
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A Turkestan cockroach is rusty red in color and about 1.2 inches long. They have different looks depending upon whether they're female or male.

They're usually found outside in potted plants, leaf and compost piles, and underground water and sewage systems. The cockroaches will feed off of anything they can find. However, in the summer, they sometimes come indoors.

With the high temperatures the Yuba City area has seen this summer, it's no wonder we're having an increase of Turkestan cockroaches inside of people's homes. The high heat results in the cockroaches developing faster. That means they have to eat more in a short period of time. 

Turkestan cockroaches also develop much faster than other types of bugs, even without the high temperatures aiding their growth. The cockroaches also produce more eggs. There are about 15 eggs per sac. 

Like any other pest coming into your home from the outside, Turkestan cockroaches travel through bacteria, bringing it inside. They are also known to spread over 30 different kinds of bacteria.

Since they're more active in the nighttime, A common sign of a nearby infestation is seeing them walking around after sunset.

Don't despair if you believe you have an increase of Turkestan cockroaches at your home. There are different cockroach control tactics you can employ to help get a handle on any potential infestation.

There are a variety of natural cockroach control products that you can use to help battle against a Turkestan cockroach infestation. Don't hesitate to reach out to an experienced pest company to help you get a handle on your cockroach problem before it gets too out of hand.

Powdered Sugar and Borax

​A common household cleaning powder, borax, is found in locations where lakes have evaporated repeatedly, like in Death Valley. Borax is an organic way of getting rid of ant colonies when it's combined with a sweet bait material like honey or powdered sugar. 

Apply the borax and powdered sugar mixture along your baseboards, under cabinets, in cracks, under sinks, and in any other location you've seen Turkestan roaches. Continue to reapply until all of the cockroaches are gone. Another option is to put the mixture in small containers throughout your home instead of dusting it around. 

Another mixture to consider is boric acid and powdered sugar. Boric acid is more refined than borax and is more effective. Make up the mixture and apply it the same way as you would with borax and powdered sugar. 

With either option you choose, keep it away from food prep areas, children, and pets. It's non-carcinogenic, but it shouldn't be inhaled or ingested. Have a mask on anytime you work with borax or boric acid.

​Sugar and Baking Soda

Blending together baking soda and sugar is another effective roach-killing mixture. Apply the mixture wherever you've seen Turkestan cockroaches in your home or place small dishes of it out. It's not as fast as a borax mixture, but it'll be effective if used repeatedly. 

​Essential Oil Sprays
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Mixtures made from essential oils can be effective for killing roaches on contact. Use one of the following essential oils for a natural pesticide:

• ​Peppermint
• Cinnamon
• Lemongrass
• Palmarosa
• Rose

​Keep in mind that this method doesn't work the same as the concoctions above. You'll need to clean up any excess spray to avoid staining where you sprayed it. 

​Diatomaceous Earth

​Diatomaceous earth is effective at puncturing the hard exoskeleton of an insect, causing it to dry out and die. Like with an essential oil spray, it will need to be applied directly to an insect in order to work. It won't be effective if you simply sprinkle it on the ground. 

If you don't jump on a potential Turkestan cockroach infestation right away, it can exponentially grow and get out of hand, especially with the rate bugs are multiplying during the summer. Joel's Pest Control can help. All of our bi-monthly pest control service is affordable and pet-friendly. 

We handle Turkestan cockroaches with highly effective treatments to ensure we rid your home of pests. Our team specializes in delivering the safest treatment options available, so you and your family stay healthy during the process. 

Our trained exterminators will come to your home to determine if you have a Turkestan cockroach infestation or it's another type of pest. We'll provide you with a free quote for pest removal. 
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After we tackle the Turkestan cockroach infestation, we'll follow up every other month. This ensures we monitor the progress and refresh the treatments making sure the problem stays under control.

If you've recently searched for "cockroach control near me," look no further than Joel's Pest Control. We're the top choice for cockroach control in Yuba City. 
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Reach out to our office today for a free quote for your pest control needs.

Each year, termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage, and homeowners, in general, spend over two billion dollars to get rid of them. There are prevention methods out there, but termites may still find your home appetizing.

Even if you can't always prevent termites, you can learn how to spot them. Read on to discover five signs of termites in a house.

1. Mud Tubes

A certain kind of termites, subterranean termites, won't leave the ground until they reach wood in the home. To do this, they bring the ground with them by forming mud tubes.

You can identify these signs of termites in a house by searching for long, thin tunnels of mud or soil. The mud tubes may also contain termite waste and spit or partially digested wood.

Mud tubes are as wide as a pencil and can appear to be flat. They are also muddy, shocker!

Subterranean termites must stay constantly hydrated to stay alive even when chewing through dry wood. Mud tubes allow this to happen by giving them access to the moisture in the soil or mud. This moisture helps to keep them from drying out in the sun.

You may find mud tubes from the ground up to the exterior sections of the home. You can often spot them on outside concrete home foundations, in between cracks in the walls or floors, or any exposed surface.
Although mud tubes are easy to identify when you see them, they are not always in plain sight. For example, you may find them inside or outside of the home in hard-to-see areas like under flooring, siding, baseboards, or wood.

2. Discarded Wings

Winged termite swarms, called alates, may seek out a new area in the springtime as their colonies expand and reach capacity. They are the only caste of subterranean termites that have wings.

If you see these winged termites, it is best to call the professionals right away. Hundreds of termites could be living somewhere in your home without you realizing it. Alates are produced to continue reproducing and expanding.

The mating season for these critters is from February to April. Once they mate or the mating season passes, alates will lose their wings. Because of this, it is possible to find a large pile of discarded wings around wooden homes.

Even though the survival rate of these termites is low, finding the wings is an obvious sign of termite infestation.

These swarming termites are most attracted to warmth and light. You may find a pile of discarded wings around lights, windows, door frames, or vents.

Flying termites will only come out of their colonies if it is at least two years old. Spotting a flying termite in your home calls for immediate termite extermination.

3. Termite Droppings

Termite droppings can look similar to coffee grounds or sawdust. Often, spotting feces from a termite is how most homeowners become aware that they have an infestation problem.

As they tunnel around in the structure of your home, they keep their area clean by removing the droppings.

If you find droppings, it usually means you are close to the source of infestation. Dry wood termites will drop small bun-shaped excrement directly below infected areas.

4. Squeaky Floorboards

If you notice that your hardwood floors are squeakier than usual, you may be dealing with termite damage beneath your floors. This is not a problem you'll want to ignore just because you can't physically see the damage.

Termites can weaken floor supports, sub-floors, and floor surfaces. When the floors are weakened, they become more sensitive to movements which is why floorboards may seem excessively squeaky.
Another one of the signs of termites in a house with wood floors is a hollow sound. This happens because termites can consume wood and create cavities in the floors and even walls.

You can tap on the wood to check if there is a hollow sound compared to other areas in the home.

5. Swollen Floor or Wall Panels

If termite damage is severe, you may discover damages to your floors and walls before actually seeing the pests.

If the floorboards are raised or you notice bumps in the wall, consider it a red flag. Often, these problems can look like water damage but actually be termites eating through your home's structure.

If you notice swollen panels or paint bubbles, your first instinct may tell you it's water damage. It is still a good idea to rule water damage out to understand if termites are the culprit.

Every termite species will leave evidence, but it can be hard to notice without a professional inspection. Your home may be dealing with dry-wood termites or subterranean termites.

Dry-wood Termites
Dry-wood termites generally infest wall cavities, garages, attics, and other areas where wood is present. You'll often find signs of these termites in window frames, door frames, foundations, or other wood framing areas.

Subterranean Termites
These termites prefer soil over wood, but that won't stop them from invading your home. These are the more destructive kind of termites that create mud tubes and are joined with a colony.

Knowing the signs of termites in a house is not always obvious. If you suspect anything unusual with your home's structure or find physical termites, mud tubes, or discarded wings, call a specialist right away.

Termites can cause thousands of dollars in damages. Even worse, they can make your home a hazardous place to live.

Joel's Pest Control is a business to be trusted with your termite inspection and treatment needs. Contact us now to receive a free quote.

From fruit flies to sand flies, or from termites to scorpions, the last thing you want is a swarm of pests intruding upon your home and making it theirs.

You might consider doing research on the internet and getting rid of the pests on your own, but be careful. If you've run out of options and the pests are still on the offensive, the solution was out of your hands from the start.

If DIY solutions could eliminate most pests, pest control companies would be out of business. But take it from Joel's Pest Control. This business model is alive and well because bugs are tricky. But we are trickier!

If you're looking for the best pest control services in Yuba City, California, look no further.

Make sure the company is accredited. Check their company reviews and their state license information. For instance, if you search, "pest control Yuba City" on Google, make sure the company is a member of a national, state, or local pest management association.

Some other areas to look out for include:

• What do your friends and neighbors think?
• Does the company have a history of providing value to customers?
• Research the pest problem. Make sure they know more than you!
• Check if the company has liability insurance
• Read the fine print. They might have to return if the problem persists.
  

If you're wondering, "Where can I find the best pest control near me?", take a good look at Joel's Pest Control. It should be one of the first sites that pop up when you look up, "Pest control Yuba City."

It depends on the service. The best pest control companies make it clear what they can and can't guarantee. They should be your top contenders. If they guarantee a particular service, they are liable to make sure that guarantee is met.

Always do your research on both the company and the pest control professionals to make sure your expectations are met.

Choosing the pest control prices with the lowest-priced service deals might look like a good idea at first, but the adage "You get what you pay for" rings true in the pest control world, too.

Cheap pest control companies looking to make a quick buck might scam you with confusing fine-print, quick and messy in-and-out service, and a team of unfriendly so-called professionals.

Sometimes you have to pay more than you'd like upfront to prevent a costly situation from becoming costlier.

You might think this question is best left to pest control professionals, but a good pest control pro will be willing to discuss with you the chemicals they intend to use.

Look out for:

• Non-chemical options
• The chemical's strength
• Container labels (Should be clear and concise)

Once the technician assesses the severity of the situation and the source of the problem, they should provide you a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). This will teach you everything you need to know about the chemicals being used.

Pest control services are numerous and abound, but the best ones have your back! Joel's Pest Control in Yuba City has been in the business for 15 delightful years. We believe our clients deserve to be treated with precision, care, and respect.

When you do business with us, you aren't just treated like another customer. You're treated like family!

Were you aware that termites can ruin a construction project?

Termites are some of the most troublesome pests to deal with because they can cause heavy damage to a structure. This damage can lead to a plethora of problems that make a structure dangerous to enter.

Many termites enter a building through soil and cracks in concrete. When inside, they'll attack wood, leaving gaps and reducing its strength. Fortunately, termite control services can use a variety of termite control products to prevent them from ever entering a construction zone.

In Yuba City, termite control is done using a variety of things. Read on to learn about five types of pre-construction termite control!

One of the most effective ways pest control services prevent fend off termites is by applying liquid treatments to the soil around the foundation. Whenever something like a house is being built, they'll also treat the soil around support piers.

Applying liquid treatments is highly effective because it prevents termites from ever reaching the wood in a building. You also don't have to worry about the entire soil getting treated. Only the soil surrounding the foundation where the building will be constructed.

Whenever larger buildings are being constructed that require slab foundations, the entire surface will be treated before the concrete is placed. Hiring termite control services is necessary for projects like this because many gallons of treatment are used, which can be difficult to apply alone. 

Soil treatment isn't done at one time. Instead, it's applied several times throughout the construction process. Whenever landscaping is done or the foundation is built, the treatment will be applied again to ensure everything is covered.

Using termite baits is a more traditional approach because it doesn't require any chemicals. In situations where liquid treatment isn't applicable, baiting systems will be used to catch termites as they approach the construction zone.

However, termite baits typically aren't placed until after construction is completed. Termite pest control services wait until afterward to prevent the baits from getting damaged during construction.

While applying liquid treatment to the soil is common, it can also be applied to wood. Applying liquid treatment to both soil and wood is optimal when constructing houses, which use a lot of wood. However, this treatment won't prevent termites from entering concrete slabs.

If a building has a concrete foundation, termite baits may also be used to prevent them from entering cracks that form over time (which are inevitable). When they enter a home through concrete, they'll try to attack untreated wood.

The wood treatment essentially prevents termites from ruining a building's structure, but it won't stop them from infesting it. If you see mud tubes on a wall, you can tell that termites have infested the building and termite pest control services should be hired.

While termite baits are effective and stopping termites from entering a building through its foundation, stainless steel mesh is another option. Steel mesh is one of the best termite treatment products because it's wrapped around the foundation, pipes, and more.

Termites are too large to enter the small holes in steel mesh and they're unable to break it. This is an effective option for anyone that's looking to substitute liquid treatments while constructing something. Like other types of treatment, it's best to use steel mesh while also using another method, such as termite baits.

Steel mesh is a type of barrier treatment, but a variety of things can be used as barriers to prevent termite invasion. Some of the other barrier treatments, such as sand and stone, are primarily used only in pre-construction. If someone wanted to treat existing buildings, they should use other methods.

Here's some more info about sand and stone barriers:

Sand
Unlike soil, sand is much smaller and impenetrable for termites. Soil often has a lot of gaps and can be broken up into tiny particles that termites can move. However, the particles in the sand are too large for termites and they don't leave gaps.

Sand barriers are often formed along the foundation of a building to prevent termites from ever reaching the concrete. It can also be mixed with soil to fill gaps.

When using a sand barrier, liquid treatment should also be used to ensure that termites don't find a way to get through the sand. However, they're effective when termite inspections are done often.

Stone
Stone barriers are similar to sand barriers in that they consist of small particles that termites can't get through. What makes a stone barrier different from a sand barrier is the size of the particles, which are too heavy for termites to move. They're also too hard for termites to dissolve.

These barriers are often placed around the foundation and beneath floors. When using stone barriers and liquid treatment, termites have virtually no way of getting into a building.

Now that you have a better understanding of some of the most common types of pre-construction termite control, you'll know exactly what to do when doing a new project. All you'll need to do is hire termite control services if you'd like to ensure that everything is done correctly.

While you can buy termite treatment and apply it yourself, we encourage people to hire services because of how much work is required. You can't get rid of termites in the same way that you can other insects. Whenever you start a construction project, hire termite control services to avoid long-term problems.

Anyone that wants pest control in Yuba City can contact us to learn more about how we can help you with termite control today!

When it comes to household pests, there's nothing quite as upsetting as discovering you have bed bugs in your home.

These tiny insects can leave painful bites behind, and they're notorious for multiplying at a rapid pace.

If you're concerned about these insects, read on for a list of five signs of bed bugs in pillows you need to know.

Bed bugs like to feed on a "host," and if they're in your home, that means they've likely chosen to attack you or your family members. Bed bug bites are one of the most common red flags that indicate they've infiltrated your house.

If you wake up with red bumps or swollen, itchy areas on your body, there's a possibility that you have bed bugs. These bites are also called papules or wheels, and they typically appear in a row on your arms, back, or legs.

Many people don't experience any reaction to bed bug bites, but others may experience itching or extreme redness. No matter what, if you notice the sudden appearance of bug bites, you should investigate your home immediately if you're concerned about the presence of bed bugs.

Bites that occur on your face, neck, or shoulders are major signs of bed bugs on pillows. Don't hesitate if you think this is the case and contact a professional bed bug extermination company immediately.

Even though they're tiny, you can still see bed bugs with the naked eye. Before you start to panic, examine your bedding, pillow, and areas in between your mattress to look for these pesky insects.

Bed bugs are approximately 1/4 to 1/3 inch long and can have a dark brown or reddish coloring. Most bed bugs are red if they've just had a meal, and they can double in size after a long feeding.

These pests tend to come out and feed at night, so you'll need to check everything thoroughly to find out where they're hiding during the daytime. Look in between furniture cushions, in rugs and carpeting, and even behind picture frames where they may be lurking in tiny crevices.

Whether your pillow is standard, made of memory foam, or filled with feathers, having bed bugs in your bedding can certainly be distressing. If you have a regular pillow, these insects tend to live in the actual pillowcase rather than the stuffing of the pillow. This makes it easier for them to move around without getting crushed. 

Memory foam pillows are much denser than a standard pillow, but that won't stop bed bugs from living between the pillow and your pillowcase. As you move around, the bed bugs may not get crushed by your head, so you won't see many other telltale signs, such as insect shells or bloodstains.

Bed bugs will even live in feather pillows, so it really doesn't matter which type of pillow you use. If you suspect there are bed bugs using your pillow as a feeding ground, your best bet is to dispose of the pillow and pillowcase immediately so they don't continue to torment you when you sleep.

Bed bugs love to lurk in your pillow because it's a perfect place for them to lay their eggs. Be on the lookout for very small oval-shaped eggs that are white in color. Check the pillow and look inside the pillowcase as well as on your mattress and sheets.

Another telltale sign is if you see small black spots on your pillow, which is an indication of bed bug feces. If you come in contact with these feces, it can cause redness, irritation, or even a possible allergic reaction.

If the bed bugs are feeding on you while you sleep, you may notice blood stains on your pillow. Another reason there could be blood stains is that you are crushing the bugs with your head while you sleep. Look for small blood-colored stains on your pillowcase when you wake up if you're concerned.

Any unusual coloring or lots of tiny white eggs is a good indication that you have bed bugs in your pillows. Don't wait until things get out of control - contact an exterminator as soon as you see any of these signs.

When you lay your head down to go to sleep, you might start to notice an unusual scent. If bed bugs infest furniture and bedding, they leave a nasty smell behind.

The scent of bed bugs is described as a little bit sweet and quite musty. Give your pillows a sniff to see if you notice a strong sweet and musty smell.

As you look at your pillows, linens, and mattress, look for dead bed bugs, too. They leave small, curled up shells behind that can also include unsightly stains if they were squashed while still digesting blood in their stomachs.