Bugman Pest Control Blog

Birds and bats can pose numerous challenges. Both can carry harmful diseases and can host other pests like fleas, lice, ticks and mites. Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease caused by a fungus and is transmitted to humans by airborne fungus spores that grow on bird and bat droppings. Birds can also carry cryptococcus which is an infestation with yeast like fungus that can cause tumors in the lungs and can spread to the brain. They can also transmit psittacosis, another infectious disease that can result in death. Their droppings and nesting materials can also become unsightly and bird droppings can become a slipping hazard. Bats can also carry and transmit rabies. Even a bite or a scratch from a rabid bat can result in transmission of the virus. While it is extremely rare to be infected with rabies, it can happen. Symptoms develop anywhere from 3-12 weeks after exposure to an infected animal. If it gets to the central nervous… more »

With the school year coming to a close, you and your family might be planning some fun family vacations. However, this is the time of year where bed bugs become a major problem and can easily be picked up in hotel rooms, resorts, or even by visiting family or friends. Bed bugs are hitchhikers and will crawl into bags, purses, and on other linens, such as clothing. They are also very hard to detect and often most people don’t even know they are there until their home becomes infested. Bugman Pest Control of New Mexico will share some basic signs that your home is infested with bed bugs and how you can help control them. How to Tell if You Have Bed Bugs on Your Mattress & in Your Home Bed Bug Bites – Bed bug bites are somewhat easy to determine. Bed bugs will bite humans while they are sleeping and feed on their blood. When bed bugs bite… more »

Lawns and desert landscapes can be negatively impacted by some different weeds and invasive insects. These same problems can prove to be a challenge to control if left unchecked even for a short time frame. Attempting to remove the unwanted weeds around your prize cactus and in between the heavy rocks can be especially problematic. Some trees and insects can quickly infest and take over an entire garden or lawn, depriving it of the nutrients it needs and ultimately destroying it. With our Lawn Fertilization and Yard Insect Control services offered throughout all four seasons of the year, we can keep your lawn looking amazing. We at Bugman Pest Control would like further expound on the lawn fertilization and yard insect control services. Grass Fertilizer An important role of healthy grass in addition to proper watering, mowing, and pre-emergent, is adequate fertilizing. It is a common misconception that your turf needs fertilizing once a year, but really, a healthy, well… more »

The most common termite species found in New Mexico is the Eastern subterranean termite. An Eastern subterranean termite colony can consume five grams of wood each day. They will eat cellulose material like structural wood, wood fixtures, paper, books and cotton. They are most destructive to Douglas fir and other wood used in construction. They will destroy the inner sections of the wood, eating mainly the spring wood and leaving the harder summer wood behind. This will leave wood extremely weak and can destroy billions in property every year. Termites can greatly devalue a home with the damage they cause. Eastern Subterranean Termite Family Caste Subterranean termite colonies are slow to grow and can take years before signs of damage are seen. When a colony reaches maturity, it can number 20,000 to 5 million workers, with an average of about 300,000. The queen of the colony will add 5,000 to 10,000 eggs each year it is active. Colonies are typically… more »

Ants are the most common pest in households and are the pests that get more calls to professional pest control than any other pest. Ants are very successful social insects with colonies that can be small to large and the warm climate and desert landscape climate in New Mexico is ideal for them. Types of Ants in New Mexico Odorous House Ants– These ants are probably the most common infesting ants. They are small ants that have dark brown bodies that can look black. They get their name from the rotten coconut smell they release when they are crushed. They can be very hard to deal with as they will nest inside walls. Fire ants– Fire ants are red and can sting. They live in soil mounds around your home and like areas that are open and sunny. They can get as big as a quarter of an inch and their painful bite is the reason they have the reputation… more »

The deer mouse, Latin name Peromyscus maniculatus, is a relatively small rodent which can be found in many areas throughout the United States. These tiny rodents are known for their agility and speed along with their ability to jump. The deer mouse is considered a particularly dangerous species as it is known to carry several deadly diseases including Hantavirus and Lyme disease. Both of these diseases can infect individuals directly or indirectly through contact with saliva, urine and feces. According to the knowledgeable experts at Bugman Inc., the deer mouse is the main carrier of Sin Nombre virus, a Hantavirus strain found in New Mexico. While the deer mouse prefers agricultural areas, they can also be found in residential and commercial areas. Deer Mouse Identification The deer mouse is fairly small compared to other species of mice at barely four inches long. It can be easily identified with its two-toned colored body and large eyes, soft gray fur on the… more »

While most people think of medieval times when they hear about the plague, this horrible illness continues to be a problem today all over the United States. Just this summer, a man and woman were both diagnosed with the plague likely contracted by infected rodents including rats and mice. These plague victims account for two of the three cases found in New Mexico this year alone. Bugman Inc. is here to talk about the plague and its link to rodents including rats. The Plague or “Black Death” & Its Connection to Rats You may have seen scenes of the plague from long ago when doctors would be masked to protect themselves from “Black Death.” This illness was widespread from the fleas that reside on infected rats and then bit humans transmitting the disease. Although the plague isn’t referred to as “Black Death” anymore, it is still very serious and shouldn’t be taken lightly. The bubonic and septicemic plague are spread… more »