327 Lake Village Drive Madison, MS 39110

(601) 573-8404

Call us now

Mon - Sat: 24hrs / day

Closed Sunday

Businessman on blurred background holding hand drawn question marks

Synergy Answers Your Top Pest Control Questions Jackson MS

What are mayflies?  How do you get rid of mayflies?

Mayflies, also known as lake flies or shad flies, are a common swarming insect in the southern U.S. especially during the spring months of April through June.  Mayfly prevention is all but impossible.  Limiting Mayflies around the home can be accomplished by restricting exterior lighting that attracts them.

Similar to aquatic midges, mayfly hatches last up to 72 hours.  To prevent Mayflies from coming inside, keep doors and windows closed during mayfly hatches.

I saw lice eggs in my child’s hair.  What is the best lice treatment to get rid of lice?

There are a number of different lice with the most common being head lice.  Head lice is not a pest control problem and should be treated as a medical problem.  Head lice are tiny insects that are found on human scalps feeding on blood.  Signs of head lice including visible head lice and eggs as well as itching.

Head lice are treated with both over-the-counter and prescription medications, usually in the form of shampoos, lotions, and gels.

What are pill bugs?  How do you get rid of pill bugs?

Also commonly referred to as roly polies or sow bugs, pill bugs are considered to be garden pests that feed on rotting vegetation.  Pill bugs are also occasional invaders of homes.  Getting rid of pill bugs involves removing the vegetation, leaves and areas of moisture attracting them to the area.

Residual pyrethroid insecticides are effective controlling and getting rid of pill bugs.

What are nutria rats?

Nutria rats are rodents found near or in bodies of water.  Nutria rats are quite larger and can breed several times each year.  Nutria rats cause extensive damage to dams and wetlands because of their voracious eating of vegetation near lakes and streams.

Controlling Nutria rats can be difficult as the only way to get rid of Nutria rats is to trap and eradicate them.

What are no-see-ums and do they bite?

Also called punkies or biting gnats or midges, no-see-ums are tiny insects with a painful bite.  No-see-um bites are more painful than mosquito bites.  Like mosquitoes, no-see-ums are more prevalent during the hours of dusk to dawn.

No-see-um biting midges are best controlled with insecticides applied as a spray or a fog.  Wearing long pants, a hat, and long-sleeved shirts can also help prevent bites from no-see-ums.

What are the swarm of insects around lakes, midges?  Do midges bite?

Midges, also called non-biting gnats or chironomid, are a major problem in the southern United States, especially Mississippi.  Midges are not dangerous and do not bite humans or other animals.  Unfortunately, a midge hatch, can create major problems for homeowners living on or around bodies of water.

Midge prevention is not economically feasible as treating entire lacks would be quite expensive.  The best option to reduce midge pressure around the home is to reduce or eliminate exterior lighting.  Midge hatches can last from 48-72 hours.

What are drain flies and what do they look like?

Drain flies are similar in size to gnats and fruit flies.  Drain flies breed in areas of moisture and stagnant water.  To get rid of drain flies, correct the area of your home that is holding moisture.  

After removing the breeding sites, your drain fly problem will slowly resolve.

Liquid pyrethroid sprays, IGRs, and organic drain foams are also used to help manage drain fly infestations.

What are blow flies and bottle flies and how do you get rid of them?

Blow flies and Bottle flies look similar to house flies except they are larger and often have a green metallic look.  These flies breed in dead or decaying matter, including dead animals.  To get rid of blow flies or bottle flies, it is critical to identify and remove their breeding sites.

After sanitation has been completed, insecticide sprays and fly baits can be used to manage the remaining adult flies.

What are phorid flies and how do you get rid of them?

Phorid flies, also known as humpback flies or sewer flies prefer moist organic material for their breeding site. Phorid flies found indoors are likely breeding in an area of moisture such as broken water pipes.  Phorid flies around the home outdoors breed under soil or gravel that may be trapping moisture or holding water.

To get rid of phorid flies, first correct the source of moisture.  After the source of moisture as been corrected, phorid flies can be controlled just like house flies.

How do you get rid of house flies?

House flies are a serious pest in U.S. homes.  Capable of transmitting a number of diseases, house flies aren’t just pesky, they can be deadly.  House flies can be controlled through a number of methods including:

1.Sanitation

2.Liquid insecticides

3.Fly traps

4.Fly bait

I have a fly problem.  How long do flies live?

Depending on the type of fly, flies can live from 24 hours to months or more.  The most common type of flies and their lifespan:

-Houseflies live an average of 15-25 days

-Fruit flies can live up to 50 days

-Drain flies have much shorter lifespans at 14-16 days

-Fungus gnats have lifespans similar to houseflies at up to 20-30 days

The issue with a fly problem in your home can be much more serious than just the lifespan of the type of fly you are dealing with.  Flies have the ability to rapidly reproduce.  So while the adult flies are dying off, hundreds of new flies can be emerging from eggs.

I have bugs in my bedroom.  Are these bed bugs?

Bed bugs are common pests in the home and especially bedrooms.  You can find bed bugs on mattresses, carpet, and bedding. Bed bugs also like to hide during the day in furniture, mattress seams, and cracks and crevices.  One way to confirm whether you have bed bugs or not is the presence of fecal blood stains on your sheets or mattress.  Bed bugs typically get their blood meals from humans and the CO2 we exhale while sleeping as is the attractant.  

What are hornets and how do you get rid of hornets?

Most of the recent press around hornet involve “Murder Hornets”or Asian Giant hornets.  In addition to these, there are two commonly found hornets in the U.S. including European hornets and Bald-faced hornets.

Hornet nests around or in your home can be a serious problem.  Hornet stings are quite painful.  To get rid of hornets, you may need to consult a pest professional.  Removal of hornet nests can be difficult but necessary to prevent hornets from coming back.

What are Indian meal moths?

Indian Meal Moths are very common in the U.S. as a stored product pest.  Indian Meal Moths lay eggs in grains, flour, dog food, and cereals.  There are a variety of methods used to control Indian Meal moths including:

1.Heat and Freezing

2.Sanitation

3.Removal of infected products

What are sand flies and do they bite?

Sand fly bites can be quite painful.  Sand flies, per their name, are usually found in sandy areas of the U.S. such as beaches, lakes, and wetland areas.  Sand flies are known to transmit serious diseases, especially a parasitic infection caused by Leishmaniasis.

What is the best bed bugs treatment?

Getting rid of bed bugs permanently may be best left to pest professionals.  Because of bed bugs ability to hide and their growing resistance to traditional insecticides, homeowners may find it very difficult to get rid of bed bugs on their own.

Bed bug treatments include insecticides, biopesticides such as Aprehend, heat treatments, and sanitation.  If you choose to use insecticides, be aware that bed bugs are starting to become resistant to some of the older insecticides sold at the big box stores.  Newer options such as Crossfire may help minimize bed bug resistance.

Bed bug heat treatments can be very expensive and are for professionals only.

What is the best way to get rid of fleas on dogs and cats?  Best flea treatment?

Getting rid of fleas on dogs and cats involves a multi-faceted approach to be 100% successful.

Flea treatments for your pet should be scheduled at the same time as flea treatments for your home and lawn.  Flea treatments at the vet can vary and may consist of oral meds, topical meds and baths.

Flea treatments at the home are divided into interior and exterior treatments.  Exterior treatments of your lawn and shrubs involves the use of granular or liquid insecticides with an IGR or insect growth regulator.  IGRs disrupt fleas ability to breed.  Interior treatments may include the use of liquid insecticides, insecticide dusts, and insecticide foams.

What do termites look like?  

There are two types of termites you are likely to encounter when they are above ground out of their nests.  The first and most recognizable are termite swarmers, or termites with wings.  These are the reproductive termites leaving the colony to establish a new colony.  The second is the worker/solider cast termite.  These termites are responsible for protecting and providing for the colony.  You may see them emerging from mud tubes or in damaged wood.

Termites have soft bodies and can grow up to 1/2 inch long.  They have thick waists and straight antennae, although they may look similar to ants.  Some termites are translucent while others are grey to brown in color.

What is the difference between a black widow spider and a brown widow spider?

Black widow spiders and Brown Widow spiders can look similar in size.  Female Black Widow spiders have a distinctive red or orange spot on their shiny black abdomen.  Brown Widows are more dull brown than shiny black.

Bites from both Black Widows and Brown Widows can be very serious.  While the Brown Widow bite may be less severe its venom is twice as potent as that of a Black Widow.  Fortunately Brown Widows do not possess as much venom as Black Widows.

Last spring I saw flying termites around my doors and windows.  Do I need a termite inspection or termite treatment?

Flying termites are called alates, or reproductives.  Their role in the termite colony is to leave the nest and establish a new colony.  Flying termites do not eat wood, but establish new colonies of termites that can then do harm to your house.

Flying termites and flying ants can look similar.  If there is a question about potential termite damage to your home, a pest professional specializing in termites can provide a thorough termite inspection.

Do daddy long legs bite and are they poisonous?

When referred to as “Daddy Long Legs” most people are talking about the Daddy Long Legs Harvestman.  Harvestman are arachnids, but are not spiders.  The spider that is often confused with Daddy Long Legs is called a cellar spider.

Daddy long legs use stink glands emitting an offensive odor as a defense mechanism.

What is the difference in a centipede and millipede?  Are millipedes poisonous?

Centipedes and millipedes belong to different classes but their body structures are similar(elongated bodies with multiple sets of legs).  Centipedes are fast-moving predators that bite their prey to inject venom.  This means Centipedes do bite humans and the bite of a centipede can be quite painful.

Millipedes feed on decaying matter and do not bite humans.  As a defense mechanism millipedes will curl into a ball and/or emit an offensive odor.

What are flying ants?  Are flying ants different than termites with wings?

Ants and termites are different; however the winged version of both can look very similar.  In termites, the winged termite is an elate or reproductive.  Winged termites are typically seen in spring and early summer as they emerge from the nest to establish new colonies.  

Winged ants are different from termites in the following ways:

1.Winged ants have a narrow waist, whereas termites have a broad waist

2.Winged ants have 2 different sized sets of wings whereas termites have 2 sets of the same sized wings.

3.Winged ants have elbowed antennae whereas termites have straight antennae

What do carpet beetles look like and how do you get rid of carpet beetles?

The most common carpet beetle is the varied carpet beetle.  Varied carpet beetles have a distinctive look with their multi-colored oval shape bodies.  Varied carpet beetles are destructive household pests because of their larvae.  The larvae feed on paper items, fabrics such as wool, and carpets.

To get rid of carpet beetles, a number of methods are effective including: boric acid, DE, insecticide sprays and insecticide dusts.

Where do fruit flies come from?

Fruit flies don’t always come from over-ripe or rotting fruit.  Fruit flies can be attracted to and breed in any area with high levels of organic matter and moisture.  The first step to getting rid of fruit flies quickly is sanitation.  Identify and correct what is attracting fruit flies to the area of your home.

Once proper sanitation has been completed, fruit fly populations will start to slowly decline and eventually go away.  To get rid of fruit flies more quickly, insecticide sprays, fruit fly traps, insect growth regulators, and organic drain cleaners can help.  

Do gnats bite?

Some types of gnats do not bite, while other gnats do bite, including some gnat bites that are very painful.  Types of flies and gnats that do bite include buffalo gnats, biting gnats, biting midges, and sand flies.  To get rid of biting gnats, insecticides applied as a mist or fog are very effective.

Examples of non-biting gnats are fungus gnats and non-biting midges.  Fungus gnats are attracted to and breed in moist conditions, including the soil of potted plants.  Sanitation and removal of the source of moisture will help control fungus gnats.

Are Wolf spiders poisonous and do Wolf spiders bite?

Wolf spiders do bite humans and a Wolf spider bite does contain venom.  The venom a Wolf spider carries is intended to paralyze small insects so its impact on humans is minimal.  Wolf spider bites can be very painful though.  

If you suspect you have been bitten by a Wolf spider there are several things to consider.  Reactions to Wolf spider bite may depend on whether a person is allergic.  One person may react to a Wolf spider bite whereas another may not.

Regardless of reaction to the bite, it may be a good idea to keep the site of the bite clean.  Also a physician may recommend you apply either ice or a cream/ointment to the site to relieve swelling and reduce the chance of infection.

What is an assassin bug and do assassin bugs bite?

Assassin bugs are great to have around the home as they prey on other unwanted insects.  Assassin bugs belong to the class of insects called wheel bugs.  A common assassin bug, the cone nosed or kissing bug, is considered to be parasitic on humans.

Unfortunately assassin bug bites can be very painful to humans.  If you are bitten by an assassin bug, oral analgesics and topic steroids may be the best course of therapy.

To control assassin bugs around the home, general insecticide applications in dust, granules, and liquid formulations are the best options.

Tired of Yellow Jacket stings.  How do I find Yellow Jacket nests?

Yellow jackets can be very aggressive when defending their nests.  Yellow jacket stings can be very painful.  To get rid of yellow jackets for good, first identify the location of all yellow jacket nests around your home.  Yellow jacket nests can be difficult to find since most are ground-based nests.  

Once all yellow jacket nests have been located, treatment of the nests is the next step.  Treating yellow jacket nests is difficult while the nest is active and the risk of stings of yellow jackets is quite high.  Treat yellow jackets in the evening at least an hour after sunset.  Liquid, aerosol, and dust insecticides are best to get rid of yellow jackets and yellow jacket nests.

How do you get rid of stink bugs?

Stink bugs inside of the home can be a major problem.  To get rid of stink bugs: 

-the first step is structural.  Identify areas of the home where stink bugs may be getting in including broken screens and cracks in siding and bricks. 

-the second step is to identify what may be attracting stink bugs to your home.  Exterior lighting is a common attractant for stink bugs

-the third step to getting rid of stink bugs is the manual removal of stink bugs from the home.  Care is needed as stink bugs emit a terrible odor when crushed.

-the fourth step to getting rid of stink bugs in your home is the application of interior and exterior insecticides in either liquid or dust formulations. 

What are silverfish and how do you get rid of silverfish?

Silverfish are strange looking insects covered in silver gray scales that move with a fish-like motion.  Silverfish are not dangerous and do not bite.  Silverfish eat household items that contain polysaccharides like dextrin.  Their diet also includes starches in adhesives.

Silverfish have been known to eat book bindings, clothing, wallpaper, plaster, glue, paint, and carpet.

There are three steps to get rid of silverfish:

-First, remove solve the moisture problem and/or install a dehumidifier

-Second, remove items(from list above) that attract silverfish. Frequent vacuuming can help too.

-Third, use insecticide dusts, boric acid, and pyrethrins to kill silverfish

What is a flying cockroach?

There are several types of cockroaches that do fly including the American cockroach, Wood cockroach, Asian cockroach and Smoky Brown cockroach.   Most of these flying cockroaches are considered to be outdoor, not indoor pests.

While they prefer living outdoors, flying cockroaches are attracted to lights at nighttime.  It is common for them to try to enter homes through open doors and windows.

Getting rid of flying cockroaches indoors may be as simple as manual removal of a single roach.  If a homeowner is experiencing multiple flying roaches inside their home, pest control with insecticides, insect growth regulators and cockroach-specific baits may be the best option.

What does a Brown Recluse spider and spider bite look like?

Brown recluse spiders are considered dangerous to humans because of their highly potent venom.  Many brown recluse spiders are identifiable based on the violin-shaped pattern on their backs. Brown recluse spiders are light brown to yellow in color with legs extending about 1 inch from their abdomens.

A brown recluse spider bite can be serious and may need to be diagnosed and treated by a healthcare professional.  A bite by a brown recluse spider may be painless.  The bite site can look similar to that of a bee sting.  After a few days the site may start to blister.  Infection from a brown recluse spider bite can lead to necrosis of tissues around the bite.

What does a Black Widow spider bite look like?  Is it poisonous?

Black widow spiders are probably the most feared spider in the United States.  Female black widow spiders are easily identified by their black shiny bodies and bright red marking on their abdomen. Male black widow spiders are smaller than females and can be translucent brown in color.

Black widow spiders are not aggressive but will bite if threatened.  Deaths from black widow spider bites are extremely rare.  These bites can be quite serious though.  Damage from black widow venom can be permanent.  Pain following a black widow spider bite can become progressively worse.  Medical attention following a black widow spider bite is highly recommended.  

What are the types of wasps and how do you get rid of wasp nests?

Stinging pests around the home can be a serious problem, especially for people pre-disposed to hypersensitivity reactions to stings.  The most common wasps in the US include the red paper wasp, yellow jacket wasp, velvet ants, ground digger wasp, mud wasps, and hornets.

To get rid of wasps, you need to remove wasp nests.  Red paper wasp nests are frequently found around eaves of houses and corners of garages.  Hornet nests may be located in the same areas or in trees around the home.  Yellow jacket nests and usually ground nests.

What scent will keep mice and rats away?  What is the best mice repellent?

Trying to repel mice and rats away from food and favorable conditions in your home can be extremely difficult.  There are a number of repellent options to try; however, many are not proven to work.  The best way to get rid of mice quickly in the home is to remove the source attracting them in the first place and then use traps to get rid of existing mice.

Natural scents and essential oils such as peppermint oil and mothballs are methods that have been used to try and repel mice.  Most are not proven to work but may be worth a try.  Electronic mice repellents are sold in most big box stores and online but none have been shown to be consistently effective in repelling mice and rats.

How do you kill bed bugs, especially baby bed bugs?

Spotting blood stains or small baby bugs that may be baby bed bugs can be alarming to a homeowner.  If there is a chance what you are seeing is bed bugs, quick action is needed.  Bed bugs are resilient and prolific breeders; meaning a small bed bug problem can quickly get out of control.

After confirming the bugs are bed bugs there are a number of steps to take:

1.Sanitation-Washing all clothing and bedding in hot water and vacuuming carpets and furniture.

2.Preparation-Preparing for a bed bug treatment is essential.  This includes removing all clutter from the room, taking pictures off of the wall, dis-assembling all furniture and bed frames.

3.Bed bug treatments involve the use of heat, liquid insecticides, insect growth regulators, dust insecticides and/or biopesticide such as Aprehend

Bed bug treatments can take several weeks to work and may need to be repeated to completely get rid of the bed bug infestation.

How do I get rid of spiders and prevent cob webs on outside of my house?

Spiders around the outside of your home are very beneficial by helping to control unwanted insect pests. Unfortunately the types of spiders that build cob webs can create a terrible mess.  Cob webs can quickly take over the outside of the home along with spider droppings staining outdoor furniture and siding.

If spiders and their webs are causing a mess around your home, there are a number of things to try:

1.Reduce or eliminate exterior lighting.  Exterior lighting at night attracts insects, which then attracts spiders.

2.Manually remove spider webs with a cobweb brush to prevent new spiders from usually existing webs.

3.Consider using cobweb eliminator sprays that make it difficult for spiders to re-attach their webs to your home.

4.Insecticides will kill unwanted insects along with spiders.  Insecticide dusts are usually more effective than insecticide sprays at killing spiders since the dusts can attach to the spiders bodies.

What are the gnats flying around my drains?

Gnats flying around drains in your home are usually either fungus gnats or fruit flies.  Both fungus gnats and fruit flies need organic matter to live and breed.  Fungus gnats will breed in moist soil such as with indoor potted plants and moist organic matter in drains.  Fruit flies will breed in rotting or decaying organic matter like fruit or in organic matter in drains.

To get rid of fungus gnats or fruit flies, the critical first step is identifying what organic matter is attracting them in the first place.  Once the area is identified, corrective sanitation measures need to be taken.  Without organic matter, gnats and fruit flies will eventually go away as there are no longer favorable breeding conditions for them.

To more quickly get rid of fungus gnats and fruit flies, insecticides and IGR’s can be used in addition to sanitation measures.

What are black flies or buffalo gnats?

Black flies are also called buffalo gnats or turkey gnats.  The bite of a black fly can be quite painful to humans.  Additionally, they will fly into the nose or mouth creating an even more annoying situation.  Black flies prefer livestock but will bite humans.

To get rid of black flies or buffalo gnats, liquid insecticides applied in a mistblower to the affected area is effective, much like mosquito treatments.

What do Earwigs look like and how do you get rid of Earwigs?

Earwigs are strange looking insects with large pinchers; however, they earwigs do not use their pinchers aggressively towards humans.  Earwigs are mostly nocturnal though larger infestations of Earwigs may be visible during the day.

Earwigs prefer moist conditions.  To get rid of Earwigs, a best first step is to identify areas of moisture both inside and outside of the home and make corrective measures.   After that, applications of liquid, dust, and granular insecticides can help control Earwigs around the home.

How long does a fruit fly live and how do you get rid of fruit flies?

Fruit flies can live up to a month but the bigger issue is fruit fly breeding.  Fruit flies are prolific breeders.  Failure to get control of a fruit fly problem in your home can quickly get out of control.  To get rid of fruit flies quickly aggressive measures are needed.

Step 1: Fruit flies breed in organic matter and need organic matter to live.  Removing the organic matter, like garbage or rotting fruit, or getting control of organic matter in drains is the most critical step to getting rid of fruit flies.

Step 2: After removing the organic matter, dealing with adult fruit flies can be accomplished but a number of methods.  Fruit fly traps are readily available and can be effective.  Also, liquid insecticides that also include insect growth regulators can help kill adult fruit flies quickly.

I have biting ants around my house.  How do you get rid of ants?

The most common biting ant around our Mississippi homes are fire ants.  Fire ant stings are very painful and for those people at risk for hypersensitivity reactions to venom the outcome can be deadly.  Fire ants are both invasive and extremely aggressive when their nest is disturbed.

To get rid of fire ants, many homeowners first try to apply a liquid, dust, or granular insecticide to individual mounds.  Unfortunately in many cases this just causes the fire ants to move around the property and build new mounds.  Getting rid of fire ants for good usually takes time and the use of fire ant specific baits.  Fire ant baits work slowly by transfer from worker ants back to the mound, eventually killing the queen.

What is a Black Widow spider and what do you do about a Black Widow spider bite?

Most Black Widow spiders are easy to identify with their shiny black bodies and red hourglass pattern on their abdomens.  Black Widow spider venom is 15 times more intense than that of a rattlesnake.  Fortunately, Black Widow spiders are not aggressive and usually only bite when threatened.

Black widow spider bites can be serious and may need to be seen by a healthcare professional.  If a person has a history of allergy to venom, a visit to the doctor is a must following a Black Widow spider bite.  Their bites can be quite painful and care of the bite site is definitely recommended.  If there is any question of whether it was a Black widow spider that bite you, check the bite site for fang marks.

What are the best rat traps to get rid of rats quickly when rat poison is not working?

A rat infestation in your home is a serious situation and needs to be dealt with to get rid of the rats quickly.  Rats transmit a number of diseases that can be deadly to humans.  A rat infestation can quickly become out-of-control due to rats ability to rapidly reproduce.  Rat poisons are effective at getting rid of rats quickly but can be very dangerous unless used by licensed pest professionals.

Rat trap options include:

1.Rat snap traps

2.Rat glue traps

3.Rat live traps

4.Electronic rat traps

What are ants with wings or flying ants?  Are they different from termites?

Flying ants or ants with wings are often confused with termites.  It is critical to determine whether the infestation in or around your home is ants or termites.  Ants can be bothersome but termites represent a major threat to your home.  Termite destruction cost homeowners over $5 billion per year.

Flying ants have unequal sets of wings and a pinched waist compared to termites.  Also flying ants have bent antennae whereas termite antennae are straight.  Flying ants outside your home are normally not something to be concerned with.  However, if the ants with wings are carpenter ants, determining the location of the carpenter ant nest and eliminating it is essential.  Carpenter ants can also cause destruction of wood around and in your home.

How long do flies live on average and how do you get rid of flies?

To get rid of flies in and around your home, it is important to know how long flies live and how fast the reproduce.  The most common flies and gnats in Mississippi include house flies, fruit flies, fungus gnats, horse flies, midges, mosquitoes, drain flies, and black flies.  A good estimate of how long flies live(depending on the species) is 2-4 weeks.

To get rid of flies, first identify the type of fly infestation you are dealing with.  House flies respond well to fly bait and sanitation measures.  Fruit flies and fungus gnats are better managed first through sanitation, removing the organic matter attracting them.  Then an organic drain foam to prevent the problem from reoccurring may be best.  Outdoor flies are best managed with liquid insecticides applied with a backpack sprayer or mistblower.

What is a recluse spider?  I think I have Brown Recluse spiders in my house.

Brown Recluse spiders, along with Black Widow spiders, are among the most feared spiders in the US.  Brown Recluse spiders are about the size of a quarter and many are recognizable due to the violin-shaped pattern on their abdomens.  Brown Recluse spiders are also called fiddleback spiders.

Brown Recluse spider bites are quite rare because Brown Recluse spiders are not aggressive and only bite when threatened.  A Brown Recluse spider bite, though rare, can be very serious.  The initial bite may not be painful; however, a blister or pimple forms in the days after the bite.  Death of tissue, or tissue necrosis, as well as skin infections can occur after a Brown Recluse spider bite.

What is the best bed bugs treatment for bed bugs on mattresses?

Finding bugs on your mattress can be alarming.  Figuring out what type of bugs are infesting your mattress and bedroom is critical.  One of the worst pests in the bedroom are bed bugs.  Bed bugs can be extremely difficult to get rid of.  If its bed bugs on your mattress, immediate action is needed.

Bed bugs are excellent at hiding during the day waiting until they detect CO2 from a sleeping human to come out.  This makes killing bed bugs with contact spray insecticides difficult.  Additionally, bed bugs can rapidly reproduce.  What starts as a small bed bug problem can quickly become a serious bed bug infestation. 

To get rid of bed bugs the best option is to hire a pest control company that specializes in bed bug extermination.  The company can guide you through the critical first step of preparing your home and bedroom for a bed bug treatment.  Bed bug treatments can include heat, insect growth regulators, aerosol and spray insecticides, and dusts.

How do you get rid of bed bugs and other bugs in the bedroom?

Bugs in the bedroom are bad.  Bed bugs in the bedroom are really bad.  In addition to being very difficult to completely get rid of, bed bugs are prolific breeders.  A small bed bug infestation can quickly grow out of control into a large bed bug infestation.

Identifying the type of bug in your bedroom is critical.  For bedrooms this includes inspecting for signs of bed bugs on mattresses, mattress seams, furniture, carpet, picture frames and curtains.  Common signs of bed bugs include bed bugs themselves, bed bug fecal or blood stains, and shed skins of bed bugs.

To get rid of bed bugs quickly and for good, usually an exterminator specializing in bed bug treatments is the best option.

I have flying termites?  Do I need a termite inspection?

One of the first signs many homeowners recognize of a termite infestation of their home is flying termites.  Flying termites frequently show up in the spring and early summer around a home’s door frames and window frames.  Signs of fly termites also include shed termite wings.

Flying termites are alates, or reproductives of the termite colony.  Termite colonies are located below ground so finding signs of termites usually includes either termite damage or flying termites.  Flying termites are not destructive.  Their role is to leave the colony and establish new colonies around your home.

It is important to distinguish between flying termites and ants with wings.  Both can look similar, but the presence of flying termites is an issue that may need to be addressed quickly.

Scheduling a termite inspection with a company specializing in termite control is a great first step.

What is the difference between a false widow spider and a Black Widow spider?

Black widow spiders are among the most feared spiders in the world.  Easily identifiable with their shiny black bodies and distinctive red hourglass markings on the abdomen, Black Widow spiders are dangerous.  Fortunately, Black Widow spiders are not aggressive and tend to only bite when threatened. 

A similar spider to Black Widow spiders is the false widow spider.  False widow spiders may look similar to black widows; however, their bite is not nearly as dangerous.  A false widow spider bite may cause a little pain but that is about all.  Female false widow spiders have shiny abdomens but usually have white bands instead of the distinctive red hour glass markings.

What are jumping spiders?  Do jumping spiders bite?

Jumping spiders are a common pest around our Mississippi homes.  Like most other spiders, jumping spiders are beneficial to have around as they feed on other insect pests.  Jumping spiders can bite but are not aggressive and will only bite if threatened. 

Jumping spiders can be identified first but the obvious fact that they jump.  Most spiders do not have the ability to jump.  Jumping spiders are small and can be identified by the black and white colored bands on their bodies.  In the event a jumping spider makes it into your home through a crack or crevice, manually removing the spider is the best option.

What are the best termite treatments to control termites?

There are two types of termite treatments to control, prevent, or get rid of termites.  The first type of treatment is a pre-construction termite prevention treatment.  Required by law in most states it involves the application of liquid termiticides prior to pouring the slab.  This type of treatment can help prevent termites in your home for up to 12 years.

The second type of termite treatment is post-construction termite treatments.  These treatments can either be preventative or can occur following a termite infestation in your home.  The two most common post-construction termite treatments are liquid termiciticides and termite bait systems.

Liquid termiticide applications require digging a trench around the foundation of your home and filling that trench with termiticide.  These applications can provide protection of your home for 5-10 years.  Termite bait systems are the latest technology in cutting edge termite control.  Bait stations are placed around the perimeter of your home and baits are replaced annually.  Termite bait systems, unlike liquid applications, do not ever need to be re-installed or repeated.

How do in find the best pest control Madison MS? Best pest control companies near me?

Finding the best pest control company in Madison, MS can be a time-consuming task answering questions such as:

-Is a smaller and local family-owned pest control company in Madison, MS the best option?

-Which reviews do I trust from current customers?  Google, Yelp, Bing?

-Should I use a lead referral service such as HomeAdvisor or Porch?

To find the best pest control company in Madison, MS it is best to get the answers to all of those questions before deciding.  Google reviews are a great first step to determining the quality of pest services provided by a company.  Next, visit the company’s website for more information on the owners and pest services provided.  Finally, talk to friends and family to get their opinions on the best pest company that they use.

What do German cockroaches look like? How to get rid of German cockroaches?

German cockroaches are small, light brown roaches with two dark lines on the back of their heads.  German cockroaches rarely get much larger than 1/2 whereas American cockroaches can grow up to 2 inches.  German cockroaches are indoor pests, most frequently found in kitchens and bathrooms.

Unfortunately, German cockroaches can be the worst cockroaches to find in your home.  German roaches rapidly reproduce, with females producing 40 eggs at a time and up to seven sets of offspring.   To get rid of German roaches, professional exterminators specializing in cockroach removal may need to be called in.  

It usually takes a combination of methods to get rid of German cockroaches quickly and for good: sanitation, removal of sources of moisture, dust insecticides, liquid insecticides, insect growth regulators, and cockroach baits.

How do I find the best pest control Jackson MS?  Best pest control companies near me?

Finding the best pest control company in Jackson, MS can be a time-consuming task answering questions such as:

-Is a smaller and local family-owned pest control company the best option?

-Which reviews do I trust from current customers?  Google, Yelp, Bing?

-Should I use a lead referral service such as HomeAdvisor or Porch?

To find the best pest control company in Jackson, MS it is best to get the answers to all of those questions before deciding.  Google reviews are a great first step to determining the quality of pest services provided by a company.  Next, visit the company’s website for more information on the owners and pest services provided.  Finally, talk to friends and family to get their opinions on the best pest company that they use.

Wondering how to get rid of bats?  Especially to get rid of bats in attic?

Bats around the home are awesome as they feed on mosquitoes and other annoying insects.  Bats in the home are another story.  Bats inside your home or attic can become a problem that quickly grows out of control.  Not to mention the dangers of bat guano and histoplasmosis.

The only way to keep bats out of your home or attic is to make the structural repairs necessary to prevent them from coming in in the first place.  Bats can get through very small cracks and openings so structural repairs need to take that into account.  Before making structural repairs, it is critical to make sure all bats and possibly babies are out of your home.

Bat arms are an excellent choice to allow bats to leave your home safely and not return. Bats can fly out of the bat arms but can’t return as it is a one-way device.  After confirming that all bats are out of your home remove the bat arms and start structural repairs as quickly as possible.

I found squirrel poop in my attic?  How to trap squirrels?

Finding poop in your attic from an unknown animal can be alarming.  The first step to taking care of this rodent or squirrel problem is to identify what you are dealing with.  Squirrel poop and rat poop are two of the most common types of poop to find in your attic.  Rat poop is larger than squirrel poop up to 3/4 inch in length, dark in color with sharp ends.  Squirrel droppings or poop looks like pellets with rounded ends and are lighter in color.

To get rid of squirrels in the attic, first identify where the squirrels are getting in.  Structural repairs are a must after removing squirrels from the attic.  Trapping squirrels can be difficult and may take the skills of a pest company specializing in wildlife removal.  Squirrels can be trap-shy so using a variety of traps with baits including seeds, peanut butter, and/or nuts is a good idea.

What kind of bed bug treatments will kill baby bed bugs?

Finding blood fecal stains, shed skins, or live bugs in the bedroom and on your mattress can be alarming.  These are common bed bug signs and if small baby bed bugs are present, it means you have an urgent bed bug problem that could quickly grow out of control.  Do-it-yourself bed bug treatments are rarely effective.  Bed bugs have evolved and grown resistant to some of the most common insecticides.

The critical first step to getting rid of bed bugs permanently is bed bug preparation.  This can take hours to days to complete the right way.  After that bed bug treatments can be divided into three groups: biopesticide, insecticides, and heat treatments.  Sometimes, a combination of two or all three of these bed bug treatment methods is necessary.

What are the best poison baits for rats to get rid of rats quickly?

Rat poisons can be very effective at quickly eliminating a rat infestation of your home.  Though highly effective, rat poisons can also be extremely dangerous.  Accidental poisonings of non-target animals, pets, or even humans can occur.  Professional pest control companies specializing in rat extermination are often the best choice when resorting to rat poisons.

To reduce the risk of accidental poisonings, rat poisons should be contained in locked rat bait stations.  Effective rat poisons include Fastrac, Contrac, First Strike, Terad3, Ditrac, Talon, and Final.

How do you get rid of carpenter bees?

Carpenter bees can cause extensive damage to the exterior wood of your home.  Carpenter bees do not eat wood but chew wood creating tunnels to produce their young.  Carpenter bees are rarely aggressive.  The female carpenter bee does have the ability to sting with venom.

To get rid of carpenter bees, first identify all sites of carpenter bee damage.  Next use a liquid or dust insecticide applied around and in the tunnel sites.   It can take multiple applications of insecticides to get rid of carpenter bees.

How do I find the best pest control Brandon MS?  Best pest control companies near me?

Finding the best pest control company in Brandon, MS can be a time-consuming task answering questions such as:

-Is a smaller and local family-owned pest control company the best option?

-Which reviews do I trust from current customers?  Google, Yelp, Bing?

-Should I use a lead referral service such as HomeAdvisor or Porch?

To find the best pest control company in Brandon, MS it is best to get the answers to all of those questions before deciding.  Google reviews are a great first step to determining the quality of pest services provided by a company.  Next, visit the company’s website for more information on the owners and pest services provided.  Finally, talk to friends and family to get their opinions on the best pest company that they use.

Need advice on rat catching?  What are the best rat traps to get rid of rats quickly?

Rats in the home can be a serious problem and quickly grow out of control based on their ability to breed quickly.  Getting rid of rats permanently may take a professional exterminator specializing in rat and rodent control.  If you would like to get rid of rats on your own, traps instead of poison are usually the best DIY approach.  The most common rat traps include:

-Snap traps

-Glue traps

-Spring-loaded wood traps

-Electric box traps

What do fleas look like and how do you get rid of fleas on cats and dogs?

Fleas are tiny and can be difficult to see at around 3mm in size.  Sometimes it may be easier to identify flea eggs or flea larvae.  If you see tiny insects on your cat, dog, or furniture that appear to be jumping this may be a sign of a flea infestation.

To get rid of fleas, coordination of flea treatments is a must.  First, schedule a visit with your veterinarian for a flea treatment or flea both for your pet.  At the same time as your pet’s appointment at the vet, set up a flea infestation treatment with your local pest control company specializing in flea extermination.  Flea treatments for the home can include liquid insecticides, dust insecticides, and insect growth regulators.  For added protection and prevention of future flea infestations, apply a granular insecticide to your lawn and landscape.

How do you get rid of flies in Mississippi?

Mississippi is great for a lot of things, but flies are not one of them.  Our warm humid climate is a magnet for flies.  Fly infestations can quickly grow out of control due to most flies’ ability to reproduce prolifically.  The first step to dealing with a fly infestation and getting rid of flies quickly is to identify the type of fly you are dealing with.

Some of the most common flies in Mississippi are house flies, fruit flies/gnats, horse flies, mosquitoes, black flies, and drain flies.  Flies around your home’s exterior can be treated with liquid insecticides applied through a mistblower.  Flies inside your home can be treated with liquid insecticides, dusts, and baits.  A critical first step in getting rid of flies is to identify and fix the source that is attracting flies to your home in the first place. 

How do you get rid of ants in the house or kitchen?

Ants in the house typically infest kitchens and bathrooms.  The attractants for ants to invade your home include a source of water and foods such as sweets, vegetables, and greasy or oily foods.  The most common types of ants that invade Mississippi homes include sugar ants, little black ants, odorous house ants, Argentine ants, and Pharaoh ants.

To get rid of ants in the house or kitchen, the most critical step is to remove the source of food or water that is attracting them in the first place.  After that, the use of liquid insecticides and ant baits can be very effective getting rid of ants for good.  Finally, inspect the outside areas of your home for ant nests near where the ants are getting in and treat those areas with liquid or granular insecticides and/or ant baits.

Is there a good spider repellent for Brown Recluse or Black Widow spiders?

Most spiders are great to have around the home(but not in the home!) as they help control undesirable insects.  Some spiders are feared more than others though, with the Brown Recluse and Black widow spiders at the top of the list.  Fortunately, both Brown Recluse and Black Widow spiders are not aggressive and will only bite when threatened.  

Data on the use of spider repellents is not conclusive as to whether they are effective.  Some of the commonly used repellents include: vinegar, citrus oil, cedar chips, peppermint oil, citronella, tea tree, and cinammon.

What is the best fruit fly diy or homemade trap?

Fruit fly traps can be effective managing fruit fly infestations in the home while you correct the sanitation issue attracting fruit flies in the first place.  Eliminating the food source or breeding site is the permanent solution to getting rid of fruit flies.  Fruit flies breed in organic matter such as rotting fruit, garbage, and drains.

Popular DIY or homemade fruit fly traps include jar traps or dish traps with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap.  Sticky traps are also effective managing fruit flies.  Fruit fly traps can also be purchased at local home improvement stores and include: Terro fruit fly traps, Vector fruit fly traps, and Advantage fly traps.

Insecticides with insect growth regulators to disrupt breeding can also be used in either dust or liquid formulations.

How do you get rid of mosquitoes? Kill mosquitoes quickly?

Mosquito bites and mosquito diseases are just two of the reasons to get rid of mosquitoes quickly around your home.  Mosquitoes have become more difficult to control as they adapt and become resistant to some of the older and more commonly used insecticides.

The critical first step to controlling mosquitoes around your home is to eliminate sources of mosquito breeding.  This includes cutting back overgrown shrubbery and removing areas of standing water.  Staying indoors during peak mosquito times(early morning and early evening) can also help.

After that, there are a number of options to control mosquitoes.  Applications of liquid insecticides to landscape and lawn areas can be effective if done every 3-4 weeks.  Mosquito dunks applied to areas of standing water can reduce mosquito breeding.  Finally, the use of DEET-containing mosquito repellent sprays can help prevent or reduce your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes.

What are earwigs or pincher bugs?

Earwigs are common pests in Mississippi both outdoors and indoors in kitchens and bathrooms.  Earwigs are dark brown insects with large pinchers on the rear of their bodies.  These pinchers are used for capturing prey and defending themselves.  

Earwigs are commonly found in damp environments.  To get rid of earwigs inside your home first eliminate the source of moisture.  After the moisture problem has been corrected, earwigs will be less attracted to the inside of your home.  Applications of liquid insecticides can also help control earwigs.

What to do about ticks on dogs?  How to remove ticks from dogs?

Tick season in Mississippi begins with warmer spring temps and runs through the summer.  Ticks can transmit a number of diseases so finding ticks on your pets or on yourself requires immediate action.  Removing the tick is your first priority.  The best method for removing ticks is using tweezers to grasp the head of the tick as close to the skin as possible.

Preventing ticks in your yard is fairly simple.  The regular application of granular insecticides to the lawn and landscape can help prevent future tick bites and tick infestations.  

What do termites look like and how do you get rid of termites?

Spring is termite swarmer season and may be the first indicator of active termites around your home.  Swarmers are the winged reproductives of the termite colony with the role of establishing new termite colonies.  Signs of swarmer termites include the termites themselves as well as shed wings around door frames and windows.

Termites subterranean and live underground most of their lives.  The best chance of seeing termites above ground are in the mud tubes they build to access wood in your home.  Termites grow up to 1/2 long and range in color from off-white to dark brown.  Unlike ants, termites had thick waists and straight antennae.

How do you get rid of carpet beetles and what are carpet beetles?

One of the most common pests of closets, bedrooms and offices in the home are varied carpet beetles.  Laying up to 100 eggs at a time, carpet beetle infestations can quickly grow out of control.  It is the carpet beetle larvae that damages household items by feeding on items such as wool and paper.  Carpet beetles are very small with oval, multi-colored bodies.

There are a number of options to get rid of carpet beetles. Removing items that carpet beetle larvae are feeding on is a great first step along with proper sanitation After that the application of liquid and dust insecticides, diatomaceous earth, and sticky traps can help control or get rid of carpet beetles.

What scent or repellent will keep mice and rats away?

The simple answer is if mice or rats are trying to get into your home for a reason, scents or repellents will not be very effective keeping them out.  Reasons for rodents invading homes include: need for water, need for food, and the need for shelter.  Eliminating food and moisture sources that attracts rodents to your home in the first place is a great first step.  Structural repairs to repair areas where rodents may be getting into your home is also important.

Scents or repellents that have been used attempting to keep mice and rats away include: peppermint oil, mothballs, and ultrasonic repellers.  The evidence doesn’t support effectiveness of any of these methods. Cats, on the other hand, can be very effective getting rid of mice.

How do you kill horseflies and prevent horsefly bites?

Horse flies are aggressive and have a painful bite.  Only the female horsefly bites and the bites are painful because they tear the skin, instead of just piercing the skin.  Reactions to horsefly bites are typically seen as large red whelps.

The best method for getting rid of horseflies is the application of liquid insecticides through a mistblower to the exterior of your home, lawn, and landscaped areas.  

How do you kill rats quickly?  With rat poison or rat traps?

Rat poison is very effective getting rid of rats quickly; however, in most cases rat poison should be a last resort and left to pest management professionals.  Using rat poisons in and around the home creates significant risks for both humans and pets.  If used, rat poisons should always be contained in locked rat bait stations.

There are a number of rat traps that can help a homeowner get rid of rats in the home.  This include snap traps, glue traps, electric traps, and live catch traps.  After trapping all of the rats in your home, structural repairs to points of entry into the home are a must.                                                        

Do Daddy Long Legs bite and are Daddy Long Legs poisonous?

Long-bodied cellar spiders are often referred to as Daddy Long Legs even though they are different types of spiders.  The real Daddy Longs Legs is a Harvestman, which is an arachnid but not a spider.  Daddy long legs have thin bodies with long skinny legs.

Daddy Long Legs can bite and pierce skin but it is not likely to cause any type of adverse reaction.

Flea exterminator? Best flea treatment to get rid of fleas quickly?

Finding a local pest company that specializes in flea extermination is critical.  Effective control and extermination of fleas involves coordination of interior treatments, exterior treatments, and pet treatments.  If not all done at the same time, your flea problem can quickly grow out of control.

Exterior treatments are effective at both controlling flea infestations and preventing future flea infestations.  Interior treatments are often extensive and include liquid and spray applications of insecticides with insect growth regulators to the entire living area of your home.  This includes furniture and beds, as well as any other area your pet frequents.  Pet treatments are best done at the vet’s office.  

What is the difference between American and German cockroaches?  How do you get rid of cockroaches?

American and German cockroaches look very different.  American cockroaches are large, dark brown to black in color, that you typically see outdoors.  American cockroaches come inside our homes for either food or water.  German cockroaches are smaller, light brown to dark brown in color, and prefer to live inside the home.

American cockroaches can be controlled by treating both the interior and exterior of your home.  Liquid and dust insecticides along with boric acid and cockroach baits are effective at getting rid of American cockroaches.  To get rid of German cockroaches, sanitation is a must.  After that, cockroach baits with insect growth regulators are effective controlling German 

Best way to trap a possum or raccoon?

Killing possums or raccoons around your home is not recommended.  Trapping and relocating a nuisance animal is a much better option.  Both possums and raccoons are beneficial in a number of ways including keeping the insect population around your home down.   

Live catch traps are available at most local big box stores.  For possums, consider baiting the traps with fish or apples.  Smear the bait over the entire inside of the trap to help make capture for likely.  Baits effective for trapping raccoons include marshmallows, watermelon, bacon, fish, and cat food.

What to do about bee hive in wall or house?

Bee swarms are common in the spring and early summer as bees seek to establish new hives.  Bee swarms outdoors are usually temporary and do not pose much risk unless a person has an allergy to bee stings.  Bees indoors can create a significant hazard though.

A bee hive establish inside a home or its walls needs to be taken care of immediately.  Killing bees should be the last option and as honeybees are important pollinators for our environment.  Calling a beekeeper to relocate the hive is a great first option.  If the hive is not accessible, a pest control company specializing in bee hives and bee hive removal may be necessary.

Can Carpenter ants damage my house?  How do I get rid of carpenter ants?

Carpenter ants can cause extensive damage to a home with colonies ranging in size from 25,000 to up to 50,000 ants.  Carpenter ants don’t eat wood but burrow through it building tunnels to establish new nests. 

Once Carpenter ants have been identified, finding all of the nests around and in your home are critical.  Treating the nests with insecticides specific to carpenter ants can help eliminate them permanently.  After all Carpenter ants have been eliminated, structural repairs to insure they do not re-infest your home are recommended.

How do I get rid of squirrels in the attic?

Once squirrels decide to make your attic their home, it can be very difficult to get rid of squirrels for good.  It is common for squirrels, once removed from the attic, to try to re-enter by chewing through wood and siding.  Squirrels in the attic can also chew through electrical wiring causing a serious fire hazard.

Squirrels can be difficult to capture in live traps but this is often a good first step.  After that, consider wildlife-specific strobe lights(Evictor) that make the attic uncomfortable for the squirrels.  Once all of the squirrels have been removed, structural repairs must be made to prevent the squirrels from re-entering.

What are drain flies and how do you get rid of drain flies?

Drain flies look like tiny moths and are also sometimes called moth flies.  Less than 1/4 inch long, drain flies have a furry appearance due to tiny hairs on their bodies.  The most common areas in the home for a drain fly infestation are bathrooms and kitchens.  Any room of the home that holds moisture is a perfect breeding area for drain flies.

To get rid of drain flies, it is essential to first identify the cause of moisture and organic matter in your home.  Correcting a moisture and organic matter problem is the first step in getting rid of drain flies.  Drain cleaners and bleach may only be a temporary solution if they do not completely correct the problem.  Organic drain treatments can provide a more permanent solution.

If you’re looking for the right team to handle the issue for you, Synergy² is here to help. We provide trusted services throughout the area, so contact us for the best pest control services around.

Feel free to read more about us and decide if Synergy² is the right company for you.  We have over 270 Five-Star Google reviews for pest control service in the Jackson metro area (Jackson/Madison/Brandon/Ridgeland). Check out our newest location reviews for pest control service in Jackson, MS here at Synergy² Jackson Pest Control!

Barry Pitts, Synergy² Owner

Barry Pitts, Synergy² Owner

Pharmacist and Synergy² Pest owner, Barry Pitts, is a long-time Madison, MS resident with a passion for applying advanced scientific pest principles to pest control services in the Jackson metro area.  Combining exceptional customer service with cutting-edge pest control technology allows Synergy² to provide residents of the Jackson metro area with the highest levels of pest control available today.

Share this post

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on print
Share on email
Scroll to Top
Scroll to Top Call Now Button