‘The Singing Bugman’ offers pest control advice
As the seasons change, warm homes seem an enticing refuge to pests from the cold winter ahead. Homes provide plenty of food and warmth, as well as the perfect conditions for nesting and breeding. These conditions allow them to remain active year round, but can cause health and property threats to homeowners. Homeowners should be proactive in preventing pests from coming indoors.
Kenny Herron, known locally as The Singing Bugman, is a local exterminator that subcontracts with Visa Pest-Free Exterminating. He is originally from Calhoun and has been in the pest control business for 12 years. He suggests homeowners be on the lookout for rodents, roaches and other bugs that will be trying to make their way into their homes as the weather gets cooler and rain becomes more frequent.
Ants and cockroaches seem to be a problem for homeowners in the fall, according to Herron. Cockroaches reproduce quickly and are typically nocturnal; seeing these pests during the day could be a sign of a severe infestation.
Cockroaches spread diseases in their droppings, skins, dead bodies and saliva. In addition to the risk of disease, they can cause irritation for those with allergies or asthma.
To aid in the prevention of bug infestations, Herron suggests ensuring that dishes and food remnants be cleaned and removed after each meal.
“Food left out is like an invitation to roaches,” said Herron.
He also suggests inspecting boxes when packing, unpacking or bringing home new items.
“Boxes often have roaches,” Herron said. “Roaches live inside boxes, even in the ridges. Even clean houses can get roaches by bringing in infested boxes.”
Spiders also become more noticeable as fall settles in. Their favorite nesting spots include corners, dark areas behind or underneath furniture, in cupboards, basements, garages and even in crevices on a home’s exterior, according to Orkin. com. Lights are also attractive for nesting because their glow attracts flying insects, food for the arachnids. Many spiders are harmless to humans, but some, such as the black widow or brown recluse, will bite if they feel threatened. These spiders inject venom that can cause allergic reactions, cramping, nausea and skin lesions that can take months to heal.
Often, these pests, as well as their webs and eggs, can be vacuumed and disposed of immediately; however, if they become a nuisance, an exterminator can be called.
To prevent these instances, Herron suggests that homes be sprayed inside and outside quarterly. He feels that unless you have a serious pest problem, a monthly spray can be excessive. Homeowners should also keep their hedges trimmed away from structures and keep high grass cut away from the edge of their homes.
“That’s just like a freeway up to the house for bugs,” said Herron.
Rodents, such as rats and mice, are also spotted more often in the fall. The rodents are also dangerous pests, as they not only carry diseases, bacteria and transmit viruses, but can also cause danger to the home. According to Orkin.com, the presence of mouse droppings is an early indication of an infestation and may be accompanied by the odor of urine in areas with less ventilation.
Foods that may have been contaminated by rodents are less obvious in domestic environments and may be consumed unknowingly. This may lead to the contraction of a number of mouse- borne diseases. The constant gnawing of rodents can often lead them to chew through wires, causing damage to electrical systems or even home fires.
According to Herron, mice eat through dryer vents, around drains located behind toilets or sinks and holes that are the size of a dime looking for warmth, food and water.
“God made them little magicians,” said Herron.
He again suggests keeping bagged garbage in your home or garage to a minimum, de-cluttering your garages or carports, limiting available hiding places for the rodents, and, again, ridding any food remnants after all snacks or meals.
Exterminators have many procedures for ridding homeowners of the nuisances, such as setting traps and poisons for the pests, as well as disposing of those that are caught.
“We have some poisons that mice eat and then go outside to find water that comes from the University of Georgia,” said Herron. “This helps keep them from dying inside your house.”
Termites are another pest that should remain on homeowners’ minds. Herron said that though termites come out in the spring, they continue to work in the fall.
“When termites are present in your home, they are as plentiful as fire ants are in the yard, you just don’t know it; most of their work is done underground,” Herron said.
He feels that the bait systems are the best for getting rid of termites. The workers find the bait and take the poison back to the mound with them, killing the whole colony. This works better than the previous methods, which required exterminators to dig ditches around the home and pour chemicals into it.
“Protection when you first build a home really only lasts about 10 years now,” he said. “You think you’re safe if your house is on a slab, but as soon as that slab cracks, and all concrete cracks, they can fit in cracks the width of a piece of paper to get into houses.”
Herron calls himself The Singing Bugman because of his love for singing. He travels each weekend to sing the tenor part in a gospel quartet. He says his most requested song is “Amazing Grace” but that he also does songs by artists such as Journey if requested.
“If I go in someone’s house and they want me to sing, I sing to them,” said Herron. “My motto is ‘ I kill pests and take requests’.”
Herron services most
all
of northwest Georgia, spending much of his time in Gordon County. A free termite inspection is offered. He can be contacted at 706- 218- 7688, emailed at kennyherron@ comcast. net or found on Facebook as Kenny Herron- The Singing Bug Man.