Little Black Ants often invade Houston and Spring TX kitchens and bathrooms.

The Little Black Ant – A Big Houston Problem…

The little black ant  is a pesky Houston ant. These ants are commonly found in wooded areas with nests in trees, stumps, brick or debris/wood piles or around logs.

You will also find little black ant nests in the cracks in cement, in lawns, circling structures and in open areas. Little black ants can be black, jet black or dark brown in color.

It is easy to spot little black ants as they are frequently seen foraging in trails along the sides of foundation walls and on sidewalks. Their tiny size (1/32 -1/8 inch) allows them easy access through any crack or crevice in a structure.

The little black ant is a common household invader in Texas report pest control companies in Houston . Once indoors they are known to set up their colony inside of wall voids, in wooden items, or in the area between the carpet and the walls. Little Black Ants are often noticed indoors as they trail about kitchen or bathroom counter tops.

They have a hunger for a wide variety of food substances, but meat (insects – dead or alive) is a favorite food choice. Being omnivorous, these annoying pests will eat meat, bread, sweets, fruits, vegetables, grease, and often plant secretions especially honeydew on plants.

An indoor invasion of little black ants is very annoying as the ant colony typically contains about 2,000 ants that are active both day and night.

The little black ant colony can have two are more queens and the population ranges from moderate to large. These ants have unevenly rounded bodies with no spines. They have a stinger, but it is so tiny that it is mostly ineffective and they pose no threat as a stinging or biting ant.

At the onset of the mating season, both the queens and the males do have wings. After mating occurs, the females will shed their wings and the males will die off.

Because of their small size and nesting prowess, it is best to hire a Houston pest control  professional which can provide effective relief options for little black ant infestations as well as other pest problems.

For expert pest control services, Call Protex Pest Control today –

Houston-Kingwood Pest Control - 281-440-5355 

Pest Control Woodlands or Pest Control Spring TX - 281-370-4772

Visit www.protexpest.com for more pest info.

Houston Fire Ants -- You don't want these in your home or up your leg!

Why are fire ants called fire ants? Anyone ever experiencing fire ant stings can tell you stings feel like a mini injection of fire!

Where do fire ants come from? Like the hundreds of other invasive pests that have taken up residence in various parts America, fire ants are not native to the United States.

Pest control companies in Houston say that it is believed that these pests likely arrived in the US around the 1930’s via the port of Mobile, Alabama. Originating in South America, red and black fire ants have been spreading like wildfire since they hit America’s shoreline.

Red imported fire ants now infest more than the eastern two thirds of the state of Texas including Houston and some parts of the west.

Entomologists do not believe that full eradication throughout the state of these invasive pests is possible, but controlling them near your living environment is achievable.

Texas entomologists report being besieged with erroneous pest control advice about home remedies that supposedly kill fire ant colonies.

In an effort to find out if various proposed home treatments are effective or not, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service conducted their own non-chemical test studies according to a fire ant report published on March 7, 2011.

Here is a sampling of some of the studies that were suggested and completed…

• Pouring 2 cups of club soda down the center of a fire ant mound. Results: No ants died. But, there was “impressive bubbling action.”

• One cup of coffee grounds over the fire ant mound. Results: No ants died after 30 days of observation.

• One tablespoon of ground cinnamon sprinkled on the fire ant mound. Results: More fire ant activity in the 30 days of observation.

The overwhelming results from the test studies were that these home fire ant treatments have proven ineffective at killing these invasive pests.

The best way to control fire ant colonies is by carefully using commercial pesticides. Hiring an experienced Houston pest control  expert with proven experience in dealing with the invasive pest is your key to successfully eliminating them.

Protex Pest Control is able to accurately treat fire ant mounds and provide a protective barrier around your home so that foraging fire ants do not make their way indoors.

We can also apply a special fire ant control material  to your yard to help protect against new mounds for one full year! Guaranteed.

Help protect your family and pets from painful and dangerous fire ants – 

Call us today for details or to schedule service – 281-370-4772 or 281 440-5355.

Visit our site @ protexpest.com for more pest info.

Mosquitos in Houston are a big problem nearly year 'round.

Mosquitos Have Been A Houston Pest Control Problem For Decades –

Mosquito  troubles are not new to the Houston area, and in fact they have been an big ongoing problem for many years.

The Schenectady Gazette reported on August 27, 1964 that Houston residents were under serious attack by the bloodthirsty pests.

According to the report, “thousands of residents worked to eradicate female mosquitos blamed for 216 suspected cases of encephalitis – sleeping sickness- since May 12,” where 18 deaths from the disease had already occurred. At that time, other areas in Texas were not faring well against the pests either.

Fast forward to 2012 and add in the threat of West Nile Virus to the mix, and you can see why Houston residents have a potentially dangerous pest that is honing in on their flesh!

Here’s some tips to help eliminate mosquitos around your home:

• Make certain that all standing water is eliminated outdoors as it will provide a breeding ground for mosquito larvae. Make certain to empty all buckets, toys, old tires, watering cans, trash cans, wheel barrows, etc..

The water in bird baths, kiddie pools, pet water bowls, and the like should be emptied a couple of times per week to eliminate the possibility of mosquitos multiplying by laying eggs in the standing water.

• Keeping grass cut short will help eliminate places for mosquitos to hide.

• Keep gutters free of debris will eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.

• Fill ruts and holes in the yard that can gather water when it rains.

• Keep your yard free of leaves. Mosquitos will take advantage of the cup-like shape of leaves and will lay their eggs in the water that gathers in the leaves accordingly.

Experienced Pest control companies in Houston  will be able to help keep mosquitos at bay.

Having regular pest control treatments where the perimeter foilage of your property and other resting/breeding areas receives treatment is an important step in keeping mosquitos suppressed.

Take back your home and patio from hungry mosquitoes! Call today and get on our mosquito treatment plan to minimize biting mosquitos around your place.

Call now > 281-370-4772 or 281-440-5355 –

Or visit us at www.protexpest.com for more pest control info.

Termites damage your home from the inside out -- often leaving only a shell.

 Are termites playing hide and seek in your Houston home?

Termites  are sneaky little pests!

Right under your very nose they will grow their army of insects into the millions waiting for the perfect opportunity to make their way to your home. Termites can enter a structure through a crack or crevice as small as 1/64th of an inch.

Because of their elusive behavior and tiny size, termites will often be able to nibble away at any structure that contains wood (which means all types of structures) without anyone even noticing that they are present.

Pest control companies in Houston  say that by the time a homeowner detects the presence of a termite infestation; termites are typically well-established and have caused harm to the structure that they have infested.

The eastern subterranean termites can be found in the southern states including Houston, throughout the eastern parts of the United States, as well as the Midwest. These formidable pests build their massive nests underground with mud tunnels that connect to above ground food sources.

They are responsible for most of the insect damage to structures throughout Texas as well as most other areas in the nation. As the springtime approaches, Houston pest control experts advise homeowners to keep a watchful eye out for termite swarms and the presence of mud tubes around the home or business.

Houston pest control companies can help you avoid the wrath of these silent destroyers by providing annual inspections and providing preventive treatments to protect your home or business.

Our pest control technicians are well-versed in termite behavior and biology, and detecting termite entry points. They will be able to properly identify the signs of termite activity and will be able to devise a specific plan for prevention and control.

Don’t let your largest investment be damaged by termites! –

Contact Protex Pest Control today for a safety termite inspection. Call 281-370-4772 or 281-440-5355. www.protexpest.com

Silverfish are common in Houston's climate.

The Silverfish…Not A Fish After All!

Silverfish are also known as bristletails or firebrats –

They have scales and a name that contains the word “fish”, but they are definitely not something that you would consider eating! 

Typically soft bodied, adult silverfish  are silvery to brown in color and will grow up to ¾ of an inch long.  Houston pest control  experts say that silverfish cannot fly as they do not have wings, but they are fast running critters. 

They have a recognizable flattened top to bottom body and are oval shaped with their ends tapering off like a carrot.  Their two long antennae and three long tail projections help guide their way as they quickly run around your home.

Silverfish do not sting or bite humans or pets, but instead are considered to be a nuisance pest.  They prefer to dine on starch type foods, but will resort to wallpaper glue, books, or fabrics if they are hungry. 

You will often find silverfish hiding in bookcases, in closets, behind baseboards, or around doors and windows.  The presence of silverfish during the day is an indicator of a serious infestation problem within your home or business.

Houston pest professionals say that good sanitation procedures can help keep silverfish infestations down, but won’t fully eliminate these pesky creatures.  Here are a few helpful tips:

• Remove newspapers, old books, magazines and fabric or store these items in plastic bins.
• Clean closets on a regular basis to keep harborage areas down.
• Inspect items coming into your home, especially if they are used or have been in storage areas.
• Silverfish need moisture to thrive so keep humidity as low as possible.

Because of their small size, their tendency to hide during daytime hours, and their preference of eating paper, glue, and fabrics, often times silverfish infestations are large and very difficult to locate within a home or business. 

Experienced pest control companies in Houston  can find and eliminate silverfish infestations before they overtake your structure.

Give the pros at Protex Pest Control a call today!  We can help – guaranteed.

Some Ants Stings are Painful

All creatures in nature serve a purpose…with the exception of bed bugs! There doesn’t seem to be any real reason for the existence of those little vampires.

I digress…ants are important species in nature. They are nature’s scavengers. Depending on the species, they help break down dead trees, dead insects and dead animals. Outdoors, it won’t take long for food products to be discovered and devoured by a variety of different ant species.

They have amazing physical strength and an ability to work together with the greatest of ease for the good of the colony. These master engineers of the environment are respected when they keep their habits in the natural world. The trouble arises when they decide to invade and/or build their nests in human environments.

Ants invading your home or business can be an annoying occurrence for Texas residents. Many residents seek help from a Houston pest control professional after months of using do-it-yourself pesticides.

Once ants gain a stronghold on your home or business, they can be difficult to treat. Ants often have their nesting sites outdoors. Once nests become large, they will expand their nests by setting up sub-colonies.

Often time’s homeowners see ants on their driveway, walkway, decks, siding, in planters, etc. and use topical sprays in hopes of killing the ant nests. This strategy will kill the ants that you see on the surface, but it will not kill the ants that are in the nests nearby.

Those ants will often detect danger and split up to set up sub-colonies, thereby expanding their nests causing more of a problem. Sub-colonies can be in another location underground or within a nearby structure. Wall voids, roofing, sofits, gutters, under floors, behind cabinets and under concrete slabs are common places where you will find additional ant colonies.

Pest control companies in Houston report that unless you uncover the nesting site and kill the queen, any attempts at killing the ants will be futile.

Don’t make the mistake of trying to treat invading ants on your own. Proper identification of the invading ant species by a Houston pest control expert is required for full eradication of an ant colony.

We can help – give our ant control experts a call today.

Rat Control in Houston is considered essential. But no rat control in this Indian "Rat Temple" where rats are holy creatures - all 20,000+ of them!

For most people in the world, the thought of rats running amock is stomach turning.

Known to carry a variety of different diseases, pest control companies in Houston say that residents in the United States consider rats to be a real nightmare when they are in a home or business.

However, in some parts of the world the story is quite different. In a silver and gold decorated temple in India, 20,000+ rats have been allowed to roam the marble floors freely since the early 1900’s. These rats are considered to be holy animals.

Hindu visitors and curious tourists travel from around the world for a chance to see the free-wheeling rats. In a completely strange twist by Western standards, eating food or drinking water that has been sampled by one of the rats is considered to be a blessing.

Of course, in the United States,  most people do not have anything positive to say about rats, nor are they happy about them roaming around their home or business. Rats are one of the most detested rodents and serious structural pests.

And because of the dangers rats pose to humans, Protex Pest Control suggests that you contact a Houston pest control expert to quickly get any rat infestation under control.

Rats Are Hazardous to Your Health.

Throughout human history, rat infestations have been dangerous for a variety of reasons.

Rats and their fleas were responsible for spreading diseases like the Bubonic Plague which has spread several times over in the past few hundred years. Since its initial discovery, it is estimated that the Plague was responsible for killing over 200 million people around the world.

More commonly, rats may spread diseases such as leptorpirosis, rat bite fever, typhus, and Salmellosis by folks eating or drinking food or water contaminated by rat droppings or urine.

Rats Are Destructive.

Rats are destructive creatures to have in your home or business. Their razor sharp incisors are in constant need of trimming, so they gnaw on most anything in sight. Electrical wires often fall prey to rat infestations which can lead to fires from exposed wires.

Rats are willing to chew their way into most anything and destroy property in their search of a good tidbit of food. Rat damage may also occur as they gnaw their way into a structure simply to make new nesting sites.

Annually, businesses end up discarding millions of dollars worth of food and crops due to food contamination of rat urine and droppings.

Lack of Rat Control is Bad for Business.

Nationwide many business are cited or shut down by the health department due to evidence of rat activity. Some stories make it to the media and result in negative reviews and  publicity — and lost business.

How Do You Get Rid of Rats–Treatment and Prevention…

You can help prevent rat problems by:

• Minimizing any attractive nesting sites on your property such as yard debris and stored piles of lumber, bricks or other clutter.

• Aviod leaving cat and dog food and water outside overnight. Know that feeding birds can attract and encourage rats to nest on your property for the handy food source.

• Seal up openings 1/2 inch or larger around potential entry points around doors, soffits, roof line intersections and a/c and other utility lines to help exclude rats.

• Try snap traps and/or glue boards if you want to try to deal with rats yourself.  Yet rats are highly suspicious and cautious by nature and may aviod the traps. Rat baits can be effective but can be potentially hazardous to pets and children if not handled and placed properly.

• Your best bet may be to hire a trained pro to prevent and eliminate rats in a safe and effective manner.

Don’t let a pair of rats turn into 20, 200 or beyond!

Our Houston pest control professionals will be able to get rid of your rats before they become a huge problem for your home or business.

For a free, no-obligation quote to eliminate or prevent rats, mice or rodent problems, call 281-440-5355 or 281-370-4772 today.

Or if you prefer, you can use the Free Quick Quote form to your right.

Fly in the Soup - Not a ideal protein source nor a good appetizer!

Fly control in Houston can be challenging as the source of the fly problem is often unclear.

So a question people often ask is, “Where are all these flies coming from?”

The answer depends on the type of fly. Here are some of the common places where different kinds of flies breed…

Overripe fruits — Fruit Flies:

Houston Fruit Flies always seem to get to my bannanas before I do!

Fruit flies (“vinegar flies”) are strongly attracted to rotting or fermenting scents. Overripe or rotting fruits and vegetables, drain pans under refrigerators, gunky mops, and unrinsed recyclable bottles and cans are common breeding places.

Drains — Drain Flies: Drain flies lay their eggs on the insides of slimy floor and sink drains and in similar situations. The larvae spend their entire lives feeding on the gunk there.

Animal droppings — House Fly:

Houston House Flies usually fly inside as you enter your home.

Pet poo – this is a common breeding place for filth flies (the house fly is one of these). Daily removal of pet droppings is key to eliminating or reducing and controlling house fly activity.

Damp soil — Fungus Gnats:

Houston Fungus gnats are tiny black flies that that often feed on the fungi in overwatered house plants. Picture credit: Univ. of MD.

Fungus gnats breed in the damp soil of potted plants, and in any other soil that is high in organic material and constantly moist.

Earthworms – Cluster Fly: Cluster fly larvae feed inside the bodies of earthworms. If there are large populations of earthworms nearby (for instance, a nearby park with large lawns), cluster flies sometimes enter buildings in early fall looking for a place to overwinter.

Dead animal carcasses — Blow Flies:

Blow Flies in Houston appear shortly after rodents or other animals have died.

Blow flies are attracted to dead bodies and are a common breeding place for these and certain other flies.

Garbage – Various Fly Species: Dumpsters, garbage cans, and trash compactors—Many kinds of flies breed in damp garbage (tight-fitting lids and at least weekly removal are key), as well as the crud that can accumulate in the bottom of these containers.

Fly Maggots Develop into Fly Cacoons (red-brown) before hatching into adult flies.

What’s the solution for fly control in Houston?

Fly swatters can help control flies - but you're likely to need more that just that.

The first step in effective fly control is to identify the kind of fly species you have a problem with. This will provide clues on where to look for the source of the fly breeding grounds.

Sanitation is critical in reducing and removing prime breeding sites.

Keeping flies out with screening, weatherstripping, caulking and other exclusion techniques is important for long term fly management and control.

In commercial settings especially in food handling establishments, additional measures must often be implemented. This may include using fly light traps, air doors, and insecticide applications.

No single technique will control all fly infestations. Good, effective fly management often requires an integrated approach of correct fly identification, inspecting for breeding sites and entry points, and sanitation and exclusion measures. And the judicious use of focused pesticide applications.

If you need help with pest control Houston fly problems or any Houston pest control problem, we can help. Phone us today at 281-370-4772 or 281-440-5355. Or fill in the Free Quick Quote form above.

American Cockroach Enjoying a Kitchen Snack.

Things You Might Not Know About Houston Cockroaches:

Houston pest control professionals say that cockroaches are one of the most hated pests in Texas as well as in other parts of the United States.

Although recent bed bug infestations are driving people batty in Texas,  cockroaches are still leading the charge overall as the creepiest of all insects!

→ Here are 13 interesting cockroach facts that help keep them alive and well in American society…

• Many species of cockroaches only mate one time but are then pregnant for life. Known for their prolific breeding, depending on the species and environment in which they live, cockroach egg capsules are created anywhere from 4 to 70 days.

Here in Houston cockroaches are especially prolific due to our humid, semi-tropical climate.

Egg capsules contain multiple cockroach babies anxious to join their relatives who can be hiding in your walls, cabinets, floorboards, and appliances. The constant breeding cycle translates into rapid and massive infestations for any home or business.

• Houston pest control professionals say that cockroaches can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes! This is why using store bought bug bombs are not effective at killing the majority of cockroaches that exist within a structure. Once cockroaches detect the poison in the air, they take a deep breath and run for cover for safe, cleaner air!

• Cockroaches can live for an entire week without their head! This creepy, yet intriguing bug, only dies because it can’t drink any water without it’s head!

• Cockroaches are typically nocturnal and rest for about 75% of the day. If you see them during the daytime hours, it’s a good indication that you have a serious infestation on your hands. Some people believe that for every one cockroach that you do see, there are hundreds of  cockroaches that you don’t see hiding in cabinets, walls, and other choice places.

• Many people believe that the American cockroach arrived in North America during the slave trading years. The giant American cockroach is also called a “water bug” but there is no clear evidence as to why it gained that name.

• Cockroaches  can easily survive without eating for a month, but deprive them of water for a week and they will be dead! But eliminating water access is impossible in homes and businesses as water is in every sink drain and comode.

• You can never sneak up on a cockroach. They have a nerve that runs from their head to their tail that will alert them of impending danger.

German Cockroaches - The most prolific cockroach in Houston and the U.S. Just one egg hatches to 40 new roaches in only one month!

• Cockroaches have reflexes that are faster than humans, which allow them to run like the dickens, and give them the ability to swim with great ease. They do have some difficulty coming up for air though because they breathe through their sides, not their noses. Weird!

• If you see a “white cockroach”, don’t be afraid…it’s not a ghost roach! It’s just a cockroach that has outgrown its external skeleton and has shed its skin. No worries, it will be back to its normal ugly color as the new shell hardens in about 8 hours — unless you whack it with a shoe first!

• Cockroaches do seem to have one useful purpose for humans…if you have a stinging wound, you can crush a cockroach and apply the bug to the wound to relieve the pain. Not many likely takers for that remedy though!

• If you have ever had a cockroach infestation and chased the buggers around your home trying to kill them with a shoe, you know how fast they can run. Good luck trying to catch the critters, they can scurry away at up to three miles per hour! Very fast for that size creature.

• This is totally wild, but cockroaches have been used in condiments, sauces and also as appetizers…not likely in the United States. In some parts of the world…people fry them up and eat them too!

• For centuries, many cultures have used cockroaches for medicinal reasons to cure inflammation, urinary tract infections, indigestions, and other physical disorders.

Cockroaches are very adaptable with their food choices. They will eat any crumb of food left behind by us humans, especially starchy and protein based food types.

• The lack of normal food sources is not a problem for the resourceful cockroach community as they will turn their feasting to glue, paper, leather, clothing, toothpaste, soap, hair, or even dead cockroaches or their own droppings.

No matter the type of cockroach species  that has invaded your home or business, you will require the help of a Houston pest control expert to fully eradicate the filthy pests.

For expert treatment, control and prevention of all types of cockroach species -  American cockoaches, German roaches, Smokey Brown cockroaches – contact Protex Pest Control today.

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Bed Bug Bites on Woman's Back and Buttocks

As a bed bug bites, it injects an anesthetic agent to prevent their bite victim from feeling any pain.

Their saliva contains an anticoagulant that allows the blood to flow with ease. The majority of people never feel the pinch of a bed bug bite, but some people do awake when the critters are crawling on them.

Bed bug bites can be tricky to pin-point because they can take as long as 10 days to appear, so it is not uncommon for the bites to be mistaken for another type of flea or mosquito bite wound.

In most instances, the more times a person have been bitten by a bed bug, the less time it takes for the bite marks to appear. Bed bug bite rashes can last for days or weeks depending upon the allergic reaction that a person is having.

At times, over the counter cortisone and antihistamine based products work to curtail the itching and burning symptoms, while at other times, people may experience serious allergic reactions that could require immediate medical care. The itching associated with bed bug bites can cause open wounds that lead to secondary infections.

A recent study by Canadian researchers was conducted whereas a small sampling of bed bugs was collected from patients at a hospital. The bed bugs were examined and found to have methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE).

Bed bug infestations have long since been thought to be a nuisance pest, not a serious health threat for humans. Researchers are concerned with their findings as both types of bacteria’s that were found on the collected bed bugs are drug resistant. Studies are ongoing in Canada and the United States.

Pest control companies in Houston recommend that you look for other signs of bed bugs in your home on a regular basis to avoid the reproduction and spreading of these creepy bloodsuckers throughout your home.

If you think you have bed bugs it’s important to immediately contact a licensed pest control professional for a bed bug inspection.