Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful—at least the mice think so!

Rodents, such as mice and rats, don’t enjoy the cold weather, so they seek shelter inside your home. But you’re not an Airbnb for rodents, and you don’t have to leave your door open for Mickey and all his friends.

The reality is that living in Massachusetts means rodent removal is a part of life and the control methods for mice must be aggressive and integrated in order to be successful long term. Have no fear, here are the ways Ultra Safe Pest Management can help keep your home pest-free this winter.

Inspection

The first step is to thoroughly inspect the exterior of your home. We are looking for areas in your home that mice can enter, such as holes in the wall, vents, or gaps where pipes are installed. Keep in mind that mice can fit through very small spaces. It only takes a dime-sized crack for your house to be infested. We’ll also identify any food or water sources that might be tempting Jerry to find refuge inside your cupboards.

How to tell if there are mice in your house

If you hear scratching, gnawing, running, and rustling noises in your house, you may have mice in your house. House mice are predominantly nocturnal, so those noises are more likely to occur at night.

However, a silent night doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t around. Other signs of a mouse problem include:

• Droppings that look like chocolate sprinkles
• Nests made of materials such as shredded paper
• Mouse burrows and tunnels in insulation
• Items chewed up like boxes, plastic containers, clothing or wooden spoons
• Yellow staining on objects or urine smelling areas (especially if huge infestations are present)

Exclusion

After identifying potential access points, it’s time to deal with the issue. Exclusion of rodents, also known as rodent or “mouse proofing,” is the process of sealing openings through which rats and mice might enter a structure.

We’ll discuss a few options for plugging these holes and keeping rodents out. Generally, copper wire mesh will work. Rodents will find another place to hide if they can’t find shelter in your home; that’s how you keep them at bay!

Bait

Once your house is secure, we’ll make sure you don’t have mice already living inside. At Ultra Safe Pest Management, we develop effective, year-round solutions designed by our in-house Staff Entomologists and Home Pest Control Experts. We employ a Home IPM, which is a systematic approach to managing pest activity and site conditions that cause pest infestations.

Trapping

Setting trapping devices in your home’s living spaces is the last step. As a result of our years of experience, we know exactly where and how to place them to catch and eliminate pesky vermin.

At Ultra Safe Pest Management, we have a nearly 20-year proven track record of exterminating any mouse/rodent infestations. Schedule an expert rodent inspection today on our website or by calling 866-472-5858.

Ultra Safe Pest Management was given the prestigous title of “2021 Best Exterminator in Boston” by Boston Magazine. Ultra Safe President Victor Palermo shared his thoughts on the Best of Boston designation. “It was a great honor to be named Best Exterminator in Boston for 2021 by Boston Magazine. That publication has been providing valueable, local insight to Boston area residents for many years now. None of this would be possible without our amazing team and loyal customers. I cant thank you all enough!”

For 40 plus years, Boston Magazine has been publishing it’s annual “Best Of Boston issue to highlight the premium retail, service and dining establishments in the Greater Boston area. The criteria for selecting the best service providers in Boston involves identifying the true local experts from each industry. This is done by thoroughly examining the companies mission, reputation, responsiveness and customer reviews.

visit https://www.bostonmagazine.com/best-of-boston-archive/2021/ultra-safe-pest-management/ to learn more.

Perfect Storm For Mosquitoes

Get ready to hear a lot about Mosquito populations and control efforts on the Local News! Our data from past seasons, the current environmental conditions and recent feedback from the field, have our Mosquito Experts predicting a “perfect storm” of conditions fueling dangerous population levels of disease carrying Mosquitoes in Massachusetts.

Record July 2021 rainfall followed by warmer days and larger groups of people enjoying the outdoors following the Covid-19 Pandemic is definitely a recipe for increased mosquito related health concerns. Mosquitoes carrying EEE and West Nile Virus have already tested positive in several nearby cities and towns. The health risks are always a numbers game. Mosquito Populations x Animal populations x People exposed to mosquitoes = Relative Risk of Disease Transmission. 

The woods around Massachusetts became saturated in recent weeks creating large mosquito breeding pools throughout the state. 

Ramping Up Mosquito Control Efforts

In addition to state and municipal efforts, Ultra Safe will be ramping up Mosquito Control efforts in the coming weeks to help counter the coming onslaught! In addition to actively spraying, we use Insect Growth Regulators and Larvicides to treat nearby breeding sites. Our Mosquito Control Specialists will be working overtime to ensure timely treatments for our customers.

DIY Mosquito Control Tips for Homeowners & Property Managers:

Identify & Remove Localized Mosquito Breeding Sites

Ultimately, the success or failure of most Mosquito Control Programs comes down to source identification and reduction of breeding sites. Below are some tips for homeowners and property managers to help identify Mosquito Breeding Sites around the property:

Be sure to empty these sources on a regular basis following any rainfall

• Clogged Rain Gutters
• Plastic Containers
• Trash Barrels
• Old Tires
• Tree Cavities
• Wheelbarrows
• Outdoor Toys 
• Birdbaths 
• Any stagnant water

Minimize Exposure to Mosquito Bites

• Wear long-sleeves and pants when outdoors from dusk to dawn
• Apply a Deet-Based Mosquito Repellant when outdoors

Mosquitoes are Weak Flyers! Exploit that by creating airflow.

Create a ‘Mosquito-Safe Zone’ using outdoor fans to blow air away from patios or other areas where people congregate in the evening. Position the airflow as to create to create an invisible barrier that mosquitoes won’t be able to cross.

Call for an expert consultation today!

866-472-5858

Demand for Residential Mosquito Control Continues to Surge!

Residential Mosquito Control in Massachusetts has been on the rise for several years now. The covid-19 pandemic has fueled the demand even further as more and more people look to create a more healthy, comfortable and safe, “Stay-At-Home Environment”.

The “backyards” of most Massachusetts neighborhoods took center stage during the pandemic. Call Center data at Ultra Safe Pest Management showed a 35% increase in homeowner requests for Mosquito Control in Massachusetts in 2020. 

New Mosquito Treatment Technology.

New Mosquito Treatment Technology has proven successful in recent seasons and will continue into the 2021 Mosquito Season. Ultra Safe Staff Entomologists have tested reported on two new Mosquito devices during the 2020 Season that included the In-2-Care Mosquito System and the new Makita 4-Stroke Mist Blower. 

In-2-Care Mosquito Control System In Massachusetts

The In-2-Care Mosquito Control System utilizes a bucket device with an active Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) that treats egg-laying mosquitoes and prevents the eggs from developing. The system was created using grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and has shown a lot of promise when used as part of a comprehensive treatment program like Ultra Safe’s UltraGuard Mosquito Treatment Program.  

Expert Tips For Controlling Backyard Mosquitoes 

Eliminate Standing Water!

If there was no standing water there would be no mosquitoes, period! Standing water is the number one source of mosquitoes. Therefor successful Backyard Mosquito Control in Massachusetts requires these breeding sites be eliminated wherever possible. A clogged gutter for example can hold enough standing water to breed tens of thousands of mosquitoes in short time!

Hire an Expert!

There is a science to quality Mosquito Control. Hire a local Mosquito Expert that will know how to customize the best Mosquito Treatment Program for each individual property. Knowing when, where and what Mosquito control products to use is critical to successful mosquito control. 

Boston is one of many cities battling Rats and Mice during the pandemic. Eric Homan, a Rodent Specialist at Ultra Safe Pest Management, shares rodent prevention tips with NBC Boston’s Joy Lim Nakrin.

The report comes as a Boston City Council committee held a hearing on Tuesday to address rodent control and illegal dumping – which could be worsening the problem, as well.

“During the COVID crisis we have heard increased reports of the problems related to rat infestations in our neighborhoods,” one official said on Zoom.

An ISD spokesperson told the paper the agency has been distributing information brochures about rodent control in Allston, Brighton, East Boston and Chinatown.

Eric Homan of Ultra Safe Pest Management says the problem extends beyond Boston.

“We’re seeing a lot of increased activity in surrounding communities such as Somerville has had a massive influx, Winchester, Medford, Stoneham, even up on the North Shore,” he said. “More people being home means they’re consuming more food at home so inevitably more food is gonna be in the trash barrels.”

Homan offered this advice for anyone trying to protect themselves from the pests:

“Just being more conscious when you’re eating food inside the house, to not be eating in the bedroom. Try to confine it to the kitchen, cleaning up afterwards,” he shared.

Neighbors seem to need the guidance as they try any trick to rid their homes of rats.

“Look around the home for potential entry points typically around the foundation,” Homan said.

Pest management experts also say high vegetation and standing water can attract rats.

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year. The presence of EEE was confirmed today by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory in a mosquito sample collected on July 1 in the community of Orange in Franklin County. No human or animal case of EEE has been detected so far this year.  Today’s finding increases the risk level of EEE to moderate in the communities of Orange and Athol. 

“We have been preparing for EEE activity this year,’’ said Public Health  Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “It is early in the year for the first evidence of EEE, therefore, continued mosquito surveillance over the next several weeks will help us understand more about how quickly the virus might emerge this year.”

EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with six deaths. There were also nine cases in domestic animals.

“People have been spending time indoors due to COVID-19 and now, as we venture out, we want to remind people about the need to protect themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes,’’ said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. “We are also asking people to remain aware of the level of virus activity in areas where they live, work, and play. People can visit our new website for the most current information,” said Dr. Brown.

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient (DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Protect Animals & Pets

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR), Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to the Department of Public Health (DPH) by calling 617-983-6800.

More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information webpage at www.mass.gov/mosquitoesandticks or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800. A short video with State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown about EEE and what residents can do to protect themselves can be found here.