With the coming of spring and summer months, the bugs aren’t the only things stirring. Home owners everywhere gear up for the garage sale season. Every Saturday it seems impossible to drive through a neighborhood without seeing the signs.While wheeling and dealing for those great prices on used furniture and clothing, make sure your not taking home more than you paid for. The saying Caveat emptor, “Buyer Beware” holds especially true when buying anything that was once in someone else’s home, (whether from a garage sale, thrift store or an Internet purchase). Couches, chairs, desks, dressers and even clothes can be harborage areas for all sorts of insects including brown recluse spiders and even bed bugs. Before you hand over that hard earned cash for anything, make sure you do a full inspection of what you’re buying. Check all cracks and crevices underneath and behind every drawer or door. Anything that looks questionable should be seriously reconsidered as a purchase, no matter how cheap it is. Preemptive examination of used goods is one of the small steps you can take to save yourself a potentially big problem. Once these pesky invaders get in, you may be paying for more than you bargained for to get them out. Stay tuned to Swat Pest for more tips and tricks on buying 2ND hand.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Garage Sale Blog - Part 1
Friday, June 4, 2010
Ticks Part 3 - Lyme Disease
- Chills
- Fever
- Headache
- Lethargy
- Muscle pain
There may be a "bulls eye" rash
-- a flat or slightly raised red spot at the site of the tick bite often with a clear area in the center. This spot can be larger than 1 - 3 inches wide.
Symptoms in people with the later stages of the disease include:
- Body-wide itching
- Joint inflammation
- Stiff neck
- Unusual or strange behavior
Note: Deer ticks can be so small that they are almost impossible to see. Many people with Lyme disease never even saw a tick.
Treatment
Everyone who has been bitten by a tick should be watched closely for at least 30 days. Most people who are bitten by a tick do NOT get Lyme disease. A single dose of antibiotics may be offered to someone soon after being bitten by a tick, if all of the following are true:
- The person has a tick that can carry Lyme disease attached to their body. This usually means that a nurse or physician has looked at and identified the tick.
- The tick is thought to have been attached to the person for at least 36 hours.
- The person can begin taking the antibiotics within 72 hours of removing the tick.
- The person is over 8 years old and is not pregnant or breastfeeding.
A full course of antibiotics is used to treat people who are proven to have Lyme disease. The specific antibiotic used depends on the stage of the disease and the symptoms.
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi). Certain ticks carry these bacteria. The ticks pick up the bacteria when they bite mice or deer that are infected with Lyme disease. You can get the disease if you are bitten by an infected tick. Lyme disease was first reported in the United States in the town of Old Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975. Cases have now been reported in most parts of the United States. Most of the cases occur in the Northeast, upper Midwest, and along the Pacific coast. Lyme disease is usually seen during the late spring, summer, and early fall.
There are three stages of Lyme disease. Stage 1 is called primary Lyme disease. Stage 2 is called secondary Lyme disease. Stage 3 is called tertiary Lyme disease. Risk factors for Lyme disease include:
- Having a pet that may carry ticks home
- Doing activities that increase tick exposure (for example, gardening, hunting, or hiking)
- Walking in high grasses
If diagnosed in the early stages, Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics. Without treatment, complications involving the joints, heart, and nervous system can occur. Rarely, a person will continue having symptoms that can interfere with daily life. Some people call this post-Lyme disease syndrome. There is no effective treatment yet for this syndrome.
When your out walking in the woods or hiking be sure to wear light colored clothing to make it easier to spot ticks, try to avoid walking through tall grasses, use an insect repellent over your skin and all clothing, if possible wear long sleeves and pants and tuck your pant legs into your socks or boots. When you return home remove all clothing and thoroughly inspect all skin area including your scalp.
If you have more questions or concerns regarding Lyme disease, please give us a call at 812-476-9708 or visit us at http://www.swatpest.com/.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Ticks Part 2 - Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Symptoms usually develop about 2 to 14 days after the tick bite. They may include:
- Chills
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Muscle pain
- Mental confusion
- Rash -- usually starts a few days after the fever; first appears on wrists and ankles as spots that are 1 - 5 mm in diameter, then spreads to most of the body. About one-third of infected people do not get a rash at all.
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
- Abnormal sensitivity to light
- Diarrhea
- Excessive thirst
- Hallucinations
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Treatment involves careful removal of the tick from the skin and antibiotics to eliminate the infection. Treatment usually cures the infection. Complications are rare but can include paralysis, hearing loss, nerve damage, and, rarely, death.
Prevention
When walking or hiking in tick-infested areas, tuck long pants into socks to protect the legs, and wear shoes and long-sleeved shirts. Ticks will show up on white or light colors better than dark colors, making them easier to see and remove from clothing.
Remove ticks immediately by using a tweezers, pulling carefully and steadily. Insect repellent may be helpful. Because less than 1% of ticks carry this infection, antibiotics are not usually given after a tick bite.
Call your health care provider if symptoms develop after exposure to ticks or known tick bite. The complications of untreated Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be life threatening.
Next week we will be finishing up our discussion on Ticks with information on the signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease. If you have any questions or concerns with Ticks or any other pest, please give us a call at 1-800-894-8024 and we will be happy to answer them for you.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Ticks
We've all done the great outdoors at some point with our families during the summer months. And consequently we know that while we love to be close to nature, sometimes nature has a way of being a little too close for comfort in some areas. Ticks and tick borne diseases are one of the many items that we humans have to be cautious of and use diligence to avoid for our own health. Within the Tri-State alone I know of many parks that are perfect breeding grounds for ticks, where there food supplies are great. In Indiana the following Ticks are most common:
The American Dog TickThe Lone Star Tick

The Black Legged TickThe Brown Dog Tick

There are eleven more species, but they are not usually encountered by the average family or pet. Both the American Dog Tick and the Lone Star Tick can harbor Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Most ticks can carry the most widely spread tick borne infection Lyme Disease. The risk for encountering Ticks and Tick Borne Infections can be lessened by taking several precautions while staying in the Great Outdoors this summer. The following are some guidelines that are practical and also may help your family avoid illness and infection.
Be aware of areas where ticks like to live. This most common idea is really simple, but sometimes with small children hard to avoid.
I know first hand you can tell your child "Don't go near that spot." and they will to a certain extent in order to test boundaries. Ticks like to live in grassy areas where there is lots of vegetation. This is also a place where they will lay their eggs. Ticks cannot fly like mosquitoes, or jump like fleas, there main course of transportation is finding a host and feeding while they travel.If you hike or have to travel in brushy areas or near the edges of the wood line here are some tips for lessening the chance of a tick choosing you for a host:
· Wear hats or scarves around your scalp.
· Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants and boots.
· Check yourself often and have others check your back and scalp for these travelers.
· Use Tick Spray, which can be purchased at most camping stores.
· Use insect repellent on your skin in case one does make its way through your clothes
· Stay on the marked path. There's a reason the rangers don't want you walking through the high grass or cutting through the brush of the forest.
· If you have access to a dryer, tumble dry your clothes on high heat at night.
· Check kids and any animal companions regularly.
The best medicine is to be cautious If you can catch the tick before he starts to feed you have lessened the risk greatly for Tick Borne Infection. I know we keep talking about this Tick Inspection and here are some areas to definitely check, remember a tick can and will latch on wherever it feels it can get a steady supply of food and not be seen.
· Check your scalp (prime location)
· Check your legs both in between and behind the knees.
· Check under your arms (armpits as well)
· Have someone in your party check your back thoroughly.
· Check Everywhere once more, ears, bellybutton you name it.
Next week we will be posting another part from Swat Pest's Tick series including signs & symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Saw Toothed Grain Beetle

For more information about this pest and many others, please visit our website at www.swatpestpro.com or give us a call at 1-800-894-8024.Thursday, December 31, 2009
Swat Pest 2009
To end our year at Swat Pest Tim and Stacey took all of us to the Log Inn in Warrington, IN for a family style feast. Everyone arrived all dressed up and ready for a wonderful evening. As you can see in the picture 2 of our guys decided to take the whole "dress up" thing a bit farther.
Every year awards are given out for outstanding achievements. This year our office staff received an award for taking major strides in the right direction. In this picture you have (R-L) Pest Manager - Ryan Denk, Office Assistant - Tonuya Roy, General Manager - Jimmy Schaefer,
Eric Davis (center) received the award for Rookie of the Year for Healthy Spaces. With him in the picture are Steve Phillips and Jimmy Schaefer.
Stephen Joseph (2nd from the left) was
Zach Nalley (2nd from the left)received an award for Most Improved Pest Technician
Our sales team consisting of Jim Schaefer, Damon Cheatham, Rick Hall(not pictured), and Dennis Nickins.
As you can see, we are blessed and would like to say a BIG thank you to everyone in our Swat family, to each of their families for allowing them to put in crazy hours and give so much back to their daily jobs, and to each one of our customers for making us the great company we are today. We love you all!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! WE LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT 2010 WITH ALL OF YOU!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wishing all of you a Blessed and Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Houes Mouse

In addition, they cause considerable damage to structures and property, and they can transmit pathogens that cause diseases such as solemnises, a form of food poisoningDroppings, fresh gnaw marks, and tracks indicate areas where mice are active. Mouse nests are made from fine shredded paper or other fibrous material, usually in sheltered locations. House mice have a characteristic musky odor that identifies their presence. Mice are active mostly at night, but they can be seen occasionally during daylight hours.

Although house mice usually prefer to eat cereal grains, they are “nibblers” and will sample many different foods. Mice have keen senses of taste, hearing, smell, and touch. They are excellent climbers and can run up any rough vertical surface. They will run horizontally along wire cables or ropes and can jump up to 12 inches from the floor onto a flat surface. Mice can squeeze through openings slightly larger than 1/4 inch across. House mice frequently find their way into homes in the fall of the year, when outdoor temperatures at night become colder.
In a single year, a female may have 5 to 10 litters of about 5 or 6 young. Young are born 19 to 21 days after mating, and they reach reproductive maturity in 6 to 10 weeks. The life span of a mouse is probably 9 to 12 months.
A key to successful long-term mouse control is the limitation of shelter and of food sources wherever possible. Trapping works well when mice are not numerous, or it can be used as a follow-up measure after a baiting program. When considering a baiting program, decide if the presence of dead mice will cause an odor or sanitation problem. If so, trapping may be the best approach. Removal of mice should be followed by taking steps to exclude them so that the problem does not recur.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Mold Preperation Work in Crawl Spaces

Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Good NIght - Sleep Tight...Don't let the BED BUGS Bite!
blood of animals. The common bed bug is the species most adapted to living with humans. They are sometimes mistaken for ticks or cockroaches. Bed bugs do not fly, but can move rapidly over floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces. Female bed bugs lay their eggs in secluded area, depositing 1, 2 or more eggs per day and hundreds during a lifetime. Newly hatched nymphs are straw-colored and no bigger than a pinhead. As they grow, they molt five times before reaching maturity. Bed bugs are resilient. Nymphs can survive months without feeding and the adults for more than a year.
Bed bugs are active mainly at night. During the daytime, they prefer to hide close to where people sleep. Their flattened bodies enable them to fit into tiny crevices - especially those associated with mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards. Be bugs congregate in habitual hiding places. Characteristically, these areas are marked by dark spotting and staining which is the dried excrement of the bugs. Another telltale though less frequent sign is rusty or reddish blood smears on bed sheets or mattresses from crushing an engorged bed bug.
However, if necessary, they will crawl several feet to obtain a blood meal. Bed bugs are challenging pests to control. They hide in many tiny places, so inspections and treatment must be very thorough. In most cases, it will be prudent to enlist the services of a professional pest management firm. Experienced companies know where to look for bed bugs, and have an assortment of management tools at their disposal. Friday, November 6, 2009
Karner blue butterfly
The Karner Blue Butterfly is an endangered species native to the Great Lakes region of the United States. It can be found in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in northwestern Indiana, and also occurs in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire and New York. It’s life history is dependent on the wild lupine plant, a wildflower whose preferred habitat is the dry soils of open pine and oak savanna that can be found in the Indiana Dunes National Lake shore.Reproductive Behavior: The life cycle of the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly is dependent on the wild lupine plant. Two generations of this butterfly occur each year.
The first hatch occurs in late April from eggs laid the previous year, and the second hatch from eggs laid early in the summer season.This small butterfly has a wingspan of about 1 inch. Viewed from above, males differ from females, but on the underside, both sexes show a continuous band of orange crescents along the edges of both wings and scattered black spots circled with white.

Friday, October 30, 2009
Meet Our Office Staff
Now, you have Stacey, she is our resident social media guru. Stacey handles all of Swat's social media and SEO. At any given time you can find her blogging, answering phones, and educating herself on the most recent and up to date practices for social media and SEO. Stacey on the other hand never goofs off...so she says. But, if that were true,
The other lovely lady in our "family" is Ashley
We hope you enjoyed reading this little blurb into the lives of our office gals. I know they all enjoyed sharing with you. Stay tuned for more from Swat Pest. We look forward to serving you in the near future.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Black Widow Spider

Shiny black armor with an hourglass of red, she hangs before me seemingly weightless. Noise all around, she is unaware. Her only concern is the cricket disturbing her with its song. While she waits patiently and contemplates her attack on lunch, I watch with curiosity for what her next move will be. Then with the blink of an eye she jumps and suddenly... quiet. I want to be closer, but I know the price I would pay. To be bitten and injected with one of the most potent venom's secreted by an arachnid... I choose to watch this Black Widow Spider from the outside of her glass prison.
Black Widow Facts -
- THE BLACK WIDOW IS THE MOST VENOMOUS SPIDER IN THE U.S.
- PEOPLE RARELY DIE FROM BLACK WIDOW SPIDER BITES, SINCE THE AMOUNT OF VENOM INJECTED IS SO SMALL.
- THE ADULT FEMALE IS VENOMOUS. MALES AND JUVENILES ARE USUALLY HARMLESS.
- THE FEMALE BLACK WIDOW SPIDER IS SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS THE "HOURGLASS" SPIDER BECAUSE THE RED MARKING ON HER BELLY IS OFTEN IN THE SHAPE OF AN HOURGLASS. SOMETIMES IT MAY LOOK LIKE 2 TRIANGLES.
- THE ADULT FEMALE BLACK WIDOW SPIDER IS OFTEN EASY TO SEE SINCE SHE HANGS UPSIDE DOWN IN HER WEB, MAKING THE RED HOURGLASS MARKING VISIBLE.
- THE FEMALE BLACK WIDOW SOMETIMES EATS THE MALE SPIDER AFTER MATING. (NOT ALWAYS)
- THE BLACK WIDOW IS NOCTURNAL, AND WILL GENERALLY ONLY ATTACK WHEN DISTURBED OR TOUCHED.
For more information on this pest and many others visit our website at http://www.swatpest.com/, or give us a call at 1-800-894-8024. We look forward to serving you!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Increase the Health and Value of your home or business


Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Termite Control
Weather preventing termites in your new home or treating a termite problem in your existing home, Swat Pest offers three different [programs to fit any need or budget. Our termite technicians are experienced in the early detection and treatment for Subterranean termites. Our Termite manager was recently named a Termidore All-Star technician by BASF, a leading manufacturer of termite control products. Our termite staff truly is "The Science Behind Pest Control".
WHAT IS YOUR TERMITE CONTROL NEED?
PRE-CONSTRUCTION TREATMENT: This service provides termite control to your new home before you ever move in. This method of treatment is non-invasive and performed during the construction of your home. Once you move in you have less worry about termites damaging your beautiful new home for many years.
POST-CONSTRUCTION TREATMENT: There are two kinds of homes, those that have termites and those that WILL! Swat Pest will treat your home with Termidore the leading termite control product. The termites will be eliminated in 3 months or less...GUARANTEED!

SIGNATURE PLUS SERVICE: With this "peace of mind" program we will combine your pest management service with your termite service for easy billing process. The structure will be treated with Termidore, the leading termite control product, to eliminate any termite problem you may have. Monitoring stations will be placed on the exterior perimeter of the structure and the service technician will inspect these stations during your quarterly service. If a termite problem arises it will be detected quickly and taken care of quickly. GUARANTEED!
For more termite information, visit us at www.swatpest.com or give us a call at 812-476-9708

