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Mice in cage

What is an exterminator? According to dictionary.com, an exterminator is “a person or thing that exterminates.” Or, perhaps more accurately, “a person or business establishment specializing in the elimination of vermin, insects, etc., from a building, apartment, etc., especially by the controlled application of toxic chemicals. We’d like to add to that definition by including that a good exterminator works to create a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates both pest prevention and pest control to keep pests out of a residential or commercial property. What is an exterminator? If you’ve got unwanted vermin making themselves at home on your property, an exterminator may just be your best friend.

Exterminators help home and business owners determine the best practices for preventing pest intrusion. Then, they employ various strategies, including chemicals, natural remedies, and traps, to control infestations. If you’ve got mice, for instance, a rodent exterminator might use traps to catch any loose mice on the property, as well as sealing up entry points where the mice are entering the home. Does this mean you need to specifically look for a mouse exterminator if you’ve got a rodent problem? Not always.

A good exterminator can typically handle many different types of pest problems, so you don’t necessarily need an ant exterminator if you notice these intrepid little intruders marching across your kitchen counter or a flea exterminator when your dog starts scratching. In some cases, a specialist may be required. If you’ve got a particularly daunting rodent invasion, you will want to look for an exterminator with a proven track record in eradicating rodents. If you’ve got bees, you might not need a bee exterminator, but rather a pest control specialist who understands the importance of bees in our ecosystem and can help find a solution that relocates them to a more suitable environment than the inside of your home. This is true of creatures like spiders, snakes, and wasps as well; while they don’t belong in your home, they probably shouldn’t be completely eliminated from the surrounding environment. In these types of situations, removal may be a better option than extermination.

Of course, there are pests that absolutely require extermination, and this is often best carried out by a professional exterminator. Insects and rodents in your home can cause unhealthy conditions, spreading germs and diseases. Bugs can make your life miserable, biting you mercilessly, and in some cases those bites can be very dangerous. Mosquitoes, for instance, spread illnesses that include encephalitis, West Nile virus, Zika virus, dengue, Chikungunya virus, and malaria. They can also bite your pets and spread heartworms, which can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. Fleas can spread typhus or, worse, the plague, and ticks carry a host of diseases, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease. Roaches are disgusting, and it’s horrifying to see one in your home, but what you may not realize is that they carry a host of illnesses. Their saliva, droppings, and shed body parts can trigger asthma symptoms, particularly in young children and the elderly. Dead roaches and roach feces can carry bacterial and viral diseases, and these unpleasant insects can also transmit organisms that cause Salmonella, Dysentery, Typhoid Fever, Cholera, and diarrhea.

Rodents, too, can cause major issues in a house. They can bring serious health problems, like Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, and Rat Bite Fever, but that’s not the only issue that comes with a rodent infestation. Mice, moles, rats, and squirrels can severely damage a property by chewing through wood and wiring, as well as contaminating food.

It’s obvious that an insect or rodent infestation needs to be dealt with as efficiently as possible. If you notice signs of an infestation in your home, notify a professional exterminator immediately. An experienced pest control expert can remove pests from your home, but extermination is not all they do. They’ll also work with you to prevent future infestations, advising you on best practices for keeping pests away from your home. This includes landscaping tactics, cleaning strategies, keeping up with maintenance, and vigilantly looking for signs of infestation. Together with your exterminator, you can find a comprehensive plan that works to solve your pest management issues.

No matter what type of exterminator you need to handle your pest management problems, the professionals at All Star Pest Management can help. The exterminator Baltimore area residents have trusted for more than a decade, we’re a family-owned and operated business providing customized solutions to deal with any pest problem you’re facing. The team at All Star Pest Management respects the home of every client, and they’ll treat your infestation conveniently and effectively while treating your home or business as if it were their own. To make an appointment, call 410-772-0204 in Catonsville or 410-772-0204 in Columbia or request a free estimate through our website.