​As we continue through the Atlantic Hurricane Season in eastern North Carolina, Pestech of Greenville is sharing important information on preventing pests after a storm. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 of each year. During this time, the North Carolina’s coastal communities and even inland regions are known to experience heavy rain, wind, storm surge, and flooding. We recently posted a blog about how you can prepare your homes and properties ahead of a storm with pest prevention in mind. Just as you prepare for a potential severe weather event, we also have several suggestions after a storm and as you move through the recovery process to minimize bugs and rodent issues.

Hurricanes and storms are known to cause debris on property. Vegetative debris creates the perfect home for many insects and pests who are looking for shelter. This can include downed trees, broken limbs, and brush.

The North Carolina Emergency Management Department recommends separating debris into three different piles when you clean up your yard. 

• Limbs/brush/leaves
• Household trash
• Other materials

Vegetative: Dispose of these types separately and safely. Carefully check this type of debris for animals or insects living within the cracks and crevices. Then, place limbs, brush, and leaves at your curb for trash pickup. When doing so, be sure not to block roadways, fire hydrants and utility boxes. Local officials can provide information on removal procedures so be sure to check with your municipality. 

Household Trash: When it comes to household trash, you’ll want to dispose of it quickly to prevent pests from lingering. As we explained in our previous blog about preparation for a storm, if trash ends up in yards or on roads, insects like flies and rodents like rats, will be attracted to it. If you see trash on your property, it is important to pick it up immediately.If your power went out during the storm, you’ll also want to remove spoiled food from your refrigerator and/or freezer. Spoiled food and trash should quickly be taken to your local waste collection site.

Other Materials: If you have other materials or potentially hazardous waste to dispose, check with your city or town for guidelines and regulations.
 
If you choose to burn debris, state officials say to limit open burning and never burn trash, lumber, tires, plastics and other man-made materials. Click here to read the North Carolina Emergency Management Debris Removal Guide. 

After the storm, carefully check your home and property. You’ll want to inspect for roof, siding, window and door damage. If you notice cracks or holes, seal them immediately to prevent pests from entering. If you're missing flashing, gutters, or shingles, those will all need to be replaced as well. Be sure to take photos of damage and document the conditions so you can report a claim with your insurance company.

As you assess your property, be aware of any potential wildlife that may have entered your homes. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, animals like snakes, rats, squirrels, and various insects have been encountered in homes after hurricanes. Click here to learn more from the CDC about rodent control after a natural disaster.

Pestech of Greenville encourages homeowners and renters to remove standing water from their properties throughout the year. This is encouraged as a way to prevent breeding grounds for mosquitoes. However, after a hurricane, it is especially important to quickly remove standing water from various areas of your property. It doesn’t take a lot of water to become the perfect place for mosquitoes to breed and populate. After a hurricane, be sure to remove water from puddles, flower pots, buckets, rain barrels, bird baths, pet bowls, discarded tires, lids, tarps, and grill covers. 

Speaking of water, unfortunately, hurricanes can cause significant flooding in homes. Homeowners and renters insurance plans typically don’t cover flood damage. Without flood insurance, most residents have to pay out of pocket or take out loans to repair and replace damaged items. With flood insurance, you’re able to recover much faster. If you’d like to learn more about flood insurance and your flood risk, click here to visit North Carolina’s free property risk resource website.

Our fully licensed integrated pest control team at Pestech of Greenville can conduct a full interior and exterior survey of your house or other property. With a thorough inspection, our technicians can point out any problems or issues that need to be addressed after a hurricane or storm.

In the past, our specialists have pointed out structural damage, cracks that can allow pests to enter, and holes where moisture can seep in. Our team is also knowledgeable about identifying issues including ants, termites, and other wood destroying insects. No matter your pest problem or concern, Pestech of Greenville, Inc. is here to help. Our experts can assist in your various pest management needs. Give us a call at 252-353-4760 for a free estimate. Your East Coast pest management professionals are honored to serve you.

As we know in North Carolina, storms and hurricanes are known to cause significant damage to communities, properties, and homes. Ahead of any potential severe weather event, Pestech of Greenville encourages everyone to make sure they are prepared in various ways. The Eastern North Carolina region is prone to heavy rain, wind, storm surge, flooding, and much more during hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30 of each year.

​In addition to having an emergency kit ready and being knowledgeable about an evacuation route, property owners should also develop a plan for getting their homes and businesses ready. Our pest control experts say during severe weather events and natural disasters, it is common to see a rise in pest and rodent problems. There are many reasons why, including:

• Downed trees force pests from their homes
• Flooding and standing water force pests to seek higher ground
• Windy and soggy conditions force pests to find a drier environment

As a way to prevent pests from seeking shelter in your home, garage, shed, etc., here are three simple ways that you can protect your property before a storm:

​Our fully licensed integrated pest control team can conduct a full interior and exterior survey of your house or other property. With a thorough inspection, our technicians can point out any problems or issues that need to be addressed. In the past, our specialists have pointed out structural damage that could worsen with a storm, cracks that can allow pests to enter, and holes where moisture can seep in. Our team is also knowledgeable about identifying current pest issues including ants, termites, and other wood destroying insects. 

No matter your pest problem, Pestech of Greenville, Inc. is here to help. Our experts can assist in your various pest management needs. Give us a call at 252-353-4760 for a free estimate. Your East Coast pest management professionals are honored to serve you.

​Throughout the year, we encourage homeowners to conduct routine maintenance on their homes regularly. During hurricane season or ahead of a severe weather event, it turns into a necessity. Mosquitoes are known to breed in standing water, which means that they are extremely common after storms and wet weather. Be sure to dump and turn over items on your property like buckets, pots, lids, grill covers, water bowls, and birdbaths. In the event of an approaching hurricane or storm with strong winds, it’s a good idea to clear your entire yard. So rather than just dumping and turning those items, you’ll want to remove them and place them somewhere safe indoors. In addition, remember to clean your gutters. Be sure they are cleared of leaves and debris which may harbor insects.

​Along with routine home maintenance, residents should remove trash and garbage from the outside premise. Whether that means moving them to a safe spot in your garage or dumping them at a waste collection site, homeowners should have a plan. In the event of a storm that topples a trash can or trash bags outdoors, pests and rodents are likely to appear. Food remnants attract insects like flies and rodents like mice, rats, and raccoons. Once these pests discover a place to get their next meal, they won’t leave easily. 

After the storm, be sure to discard additional trash quickly. The same goes for potentially spoiled food in the event of a power outage. Typically, local public works employees prioritize trash removal after a severe weather event so be sure to get rid of it as soon as possible.  Click here to read our blog about preventing pests after a natural disaster.

If you’d like additional information about preparing your home, property, and family for hurricanes, click here to download the 2020 Hurricane Guide from the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management.

​Pestech of Greenville, Inc. is honored to have great community partners and friends like Pirate Radio 1250 & 930. The radio station's co-owner and host, Troy Dreyfus,  stopped by our location in Winterville. Kelvin Rawls, Pestech's Technical Manager, discussed the protocols our technicians and team members are taking while serving Eastern North Carolina during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

​As an essential business, we are dedicated to serving our community during times of need. While we've made adjustments to increase the safety of our team and your family, you can trust that we are still offering the same superior service with guaranteed results.

For all your pest control needs, call Pestech of Greenville, Inc., your East Coast exterminating professionals, at 252-353-4760. 

Pestech of Greenville, Inc. was founded over 20 years ago by a man who had ambition to make a living while serving his community and hometown. Chris Rhodes started the company in 1999 because of his passion to help others manage their homes and properties while keeping their families safe. Now, more than two decades later, his locally-founded company has grown to serve dozens of counties throughout North Carolina’s East Coast. Over the years, Rhodes and his team of highly trained professionals, have created the gold standard for integrated pest management in North Carolina.

Here are three benefits of doing business with Pestech of Greenville, Inc.:

1. The professionals at Pestech of Greenville, Inc are committed to taking care of clients’ properties the same way that they would take care of their own properties. In fact, customer satisfaction is so important to this team that they guarantee results for all services. Our team has made it their mission to provide Eastern North Carolina with pest management expertise and professionalism found nowhere else in the region. Our methods for protecting your family and property are fast, effective, and utilize proven technology. That’s why we guarantee results while keeping you, your family, your pets, and our environment safe.
   
   
2. Pestech of Greenville is fully licensed through several Federal and State agencies to ensure that the services provided and the products used meet all necessary guidelines and regulations. The experienced team prides itself on having the correct licensing. This means that customers have a highly-trained individual performing precision applications of Environmental Protection Agency registered pesticides in their homes and around customers and their families. Unfortunately, there are many unlicensed individuals servicing properties in Eastern North Carolina. These operators are a danger to all and plead ignorance as an excuse when they contaminate and endanger your loved ones and/or property. Improper usage and handling of insecticides can lead to long term health endangerment. They might even tell you that they have a business license, however; they aren’t mandated to have the liability insurance required by licensed individuals. Without this coverage, homeowners are left to fend for themselves when problems occur such as property damage, or even worse, extremely high medical bills from poisoning. Using these operators to save $50 can lead to thousands of dollars in financial hardship for your family. In addition, these individuals fail to solve your pest problems and generally hook unknowing and innocent customers in believing they need to call them back in much faster intervals in an effort to increase their revenue. 
   
   
3. As a locally-owned and operated company, Pestech of Greenville is proud to give back to its community. The revenue generated from services stays right here in Eastern North Carolina. We employ people who live in this region, love this area, and know the importance of community. Our team is passionate about helping neighbors through supporting local community initiatives and donating to nonprofit groups. From sponsoring a Little League baseball team to funding a project at the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina, we are honored to be able to serve as a community partner.
   
   

For the utmost quality, care, and experience when it comes to pest management, call Pestech of Greenville at 252-353-4760. Your East Coast exterminating professionals are honored to serve you.