Articles under General

Modern life is busy, and financial and family pressures tend to chip away at whatever little free time we have. It’s tough enough to steal a moment for yourself when dealing with life’s ordinary obligations. But throw in a sudden infestation of ants or cockroaches or some such pest, and your stress levels can spike. Just how long will it take to deal with those unwanted creepy crawlies? Will you need to leave your property during a treatment? And how quickly can an application eliminate your pest problem once and for all?  Read More about How Long Does Pest Control Take? »

Cockroaches and bedbugs. Mosquitoes and mice. Raccoons and rats. Dealing with pests is stressful enough on its own, but preparing for a visit from a pest-control technician? That can add yet another layer of strain. Don’t get too apprehensive about that upcoming visit from a Smithereen technician though. It shouldn’t cause the least bit of concern. Read on to learn all about the basics everyone should follow before pest control treatments take place in your home or business. Read More about How to Prepare for Pest Control Treatment »

We’re happy to announce that we’ve recently acquired Service Termite & Pest Control, which is based in Danville, Illinois. We’ve already been serving commercial and residential customers across seven states, and we’re excited to extend our reach to Danville, Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and Crawfordsville, Indiana, residents and businesses. Read More about Smithereen Pest Management Services Acquires Service Termite & Pest Control »

Just like single-family homes and businesses, apartments can develop pest problems — and sometimes they can prove challenging. The presence of multiple residents living in close proximity to one another can lead to the unwitting introduction of pests that tenants would prefer to keep far away. Fortunately, Smithereen knows not only how to deal with pest issues, but to do so in a way that minimally impacts tenants’ lives. Read More about What You Should Know About Pest Control for Apartments »

Rodent Infestations in residential or commercial settings are typically the result of one of four common mice or rat types. Regardless of the type of rodent, in most cases, once you’ve identified a problem inside or outside your building, its best to get in touch with a pest control expert to eradicate the mice or rat population quickly and effectively. By learning more about these three common rodents you can more easily identify their presence and help control environmental conditions to prevent entry and potential infestation issues. Read More about 3 Common Household Rodents »

Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle is a memoir about the author’s troubled childhood with a pair of parents more committed to their personal quirks than the well-being of their poverty-stricken children. In one particularly painful scene, a young Jeannette tells her mother about how a friend lives in a home that seems magically free of flies thanks to a No-Pest Strip. But her mother refuses to get one, saying, “If it kills the flies, it can’t be very good for us.” Read More about What to do after Pest Control Sprays »

Bedbug and flea bites are similar at first glance, so telling the difference can be rather difficult. You need to identify the problem so that you can properly treat it, as both insects can carry several diseases that can be passed to humans (and pets).

In general, flea bites can be felt almost immediately, are usually on the lower body, and typically don’t form patterns, appearing as random small groups across different areas. Bug bites won’t be felt until much later, tend to appear on the upper body, and can form patterns of lines or groups. Let’s break down the characteristics of each kind of bite and discuss how to better identify the insects that cause them. Read More about Bed Bug vs Flea Bites: How to Tell the Difference »

You are probably cringing right now, just thinking of bed bugs. These pests are among the most feared by homeowners and, unfortunately, they are on the rise in the US. How can you protect your family from these pests? We will help you understand the health problems that bed bugs cause and develop a plan of action to prevent bed bugs from invading your home. Read More about How Bed Bug Bites Can Impact Your Health & What You Should Do »

Just the thought of bed bugs is enough to send most of us into a cringe and unfortunately, they often find their way into the cleanest of homes. Most homeowners don’t even realize they have an infestation until the problem is advanced and they see active bugs, egg sacks, or nymphs. The best way to keep your home bed bug free is to inspect your beds and upholstery regularly and look for tell-tale signs that bed bugs may be nearby. Read More about Tell-Tale Signs that You Have a Bed Bug Infestation »