Clark Pest Control's Blog

Five New Year’s Resolutions for a Pest-Free Home

Fred Speer — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 16:11:00 GMT

Now that the ball has dropped and the calendar has turned to 2016, it’s time to start living up to those well-intentioned New Years’ resolutions. And while resolving to dust off the running shoes and get in better shape is on the Clark Man’s list, I’m also hard at work on my biggest resolution: helping homeowners enjoy a pest-free living environment all year long.

Even with our extensive resources and deep pest know-how, keeping these resolutions is not a solo act. We need our customers to help us by taking measures to deny disease-carrying and potentially destructive pests access to their living spaces.

The Clark Man has come up with the top five New Years’ resolutions to help homeowners keep pests where they belong in 2016 – on the outside looking in.

Resolution # 1: Clean It – Keep food (both human and pet) in sealed containers, and do not leave food sitting out overnight. Clean up crumbs and food spills immediately., leaving no leftovers that can attract pests. Do not store firewood near your house, either, as it provides shelter for pests like rodents, cockroaches and spiders.

Resolution # 2: Inspect It – Give packages you bring home from the store or take out of storage (i.e., seasonal decorations, clothes or camping gear) a thorough inspection for such signs of pest activity as rodent droppings and chewed packaging. Carefully inspect your luggage when coming home from a trip, and check around your yard for signs of standing water – a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Resolution # 3: Have It Inspected – When was the last time your home had a professional termite inspection performed? It’s a good idea to have your biggest investment inspected annually for signs of termite activity or damage from these destructive pests.

Resolution # 4: Seal It – Make sure the caulk and seals around doors and windows, weatherstripping, and window screens are in good repair so that pests don’t have easy access to your home.

Resolution # 5: Be Proactive – It’s less expensive to have preventative pest management services performed in your home on a regular basis, rather than waiting to call only when pests are literally crawling across the floor. The Clark Man knows that it’s easier to keep pests out of a structure than remove them once they move in.

Remember, if an unwanted pest crosses your path, call or text (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Clark Pest Control Makes the Holiday Season a Little Brighter

Fred Speer — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 21:11:00 GMT

Every day, the highly trained professional men and women at Clark Pest Control partner with our residential and commercial pest management customers to solve their basic and not-so-basic pest problems – whether it’s performing a whole house fumigation to eliminate drywood termites, removing roof rats from a warehouse, or dozens of other pest management services.

Our commitment to providing top quality pest management services to our customers is only surpassed by our commitment to the communities we’ve served since Charles Clark opened the doors in 1950. We not only protect homes and businesses in cities and towns across California and northwestern Nevada. We also live and raise our families in those same communities.

Over the years, the Clark Man and his fellow pest professionals have consistently donated their time and treasure to support local charities. We want to take this opportunity to shine the spotlight on several of our colleagues who are out to make the holidays a little brighter this year for families in need.

Our Lodi corporate office launched a food drive to help the Emergency Food Bank of San Joaquin County – an organization that provides more than 275 households with food needs every day. At last report the collection bin was overflowing with much-needed food items.
The Clark Sacramento branch office – led by Chance Howell, Richard Drews and Gloria Morales – adopted three families through the Salvation Army and will provide them with food and gifts to place under the tree.

These are only a few examples of the many acts of kindness and community spirit Clark Pest Control’s team members perform throughout the year. It’s a legacy we’re proud of, and we plan to carry it on in the years ahead.

And as the calendar turns to 2016, it’s time for the Clark Man to make his New Years’ resolution. Here it is: We’ll work hard to maintain our uncompromising commitment to providing outstanding service and effective results for our customers, every time we visit their home or business.

Our final gift is one that has nothing to do with pests; it has everything to do with the Clark Man wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season and a healthy, prosperous New Year. We appreciate your business and we look forward to keeping your home pest free in 2016 and beyond.

If you think you have a problem with pests, call or text Clark Pest Control at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Unil next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home. Happy Holidays!

Tips for Keeping the Holidays Pest-Free

Fred Speer — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 22:03:00 GMT

Holiday decorating can enhance a home’s aesthetics, warming it up with festive lights and greenery. But could jovial decorations be inviting in more than just friends and family to stop by for a cup of holiday cheer? Did someone say pests? Say it isn’t so, Mr. Grinch!

Pests prefer to hide in out-of-the-way locations, where they are unlikely to be disturbed and can tend to their sometimes destructive ways. These locations include attics, closets, crawlspaces, storage sheds, and garages – all places where people store their holiday decorations 11 months out of the year.

Boxes of fabric decorations, artificial trees, and wreaths make ideal pest harborage locations, because they provide shelter and are easily accessible, unless they are stored in tightly sealed boxes.

To evade unwelcome houseguests such as rodents, spiders, moths, and more this season, the Clark Man encourages homeowners across California to examine holiday décor for signs of pests before decking the halls.

The Clark Man recommends you carefully inspect boxes before taking them out of storage. Look for signs of pest infestation, including rodent droppings and gnaw marks or spider egg sacs, and if you spot something that looks suspicious, take the box outside for further inspection before unpacking the decorations.

If you are bringing live greenery, including trees, wreathes and holiday plants into your home, give them a good shake outdoors before bringing them in. You don’t want a mouse or spider pulling a Trojan horse trick on you and sneaking inside your home.

To make your family’s holiday arrangements stress-free, the Clark Man offers these tips to keep pests from dulling the shine of this year’s décor:

Shake off trees and garlands. Carefully inspect them for pests or eggs that can hide in branches before bringing them indoors.
If copying a DIY natural decoration from Pinterest or other craft site, inspect all foliage outside the home before beginning projects.
Store firewood on raised structures located at least 20 feet away from the home. Inspect firewood for pests and brush it off before bringing it indoors.
After pulling decorations from storage, unpack them outdoors to check for pests like mice. Look inside boxes for droppings or gnaw marks. Examine string lights to ensure that wiring is fully intact.
When storing décor after the holidays, use durable, sealed containers that pests can't chew through instead of cardboard boxes or plastic bags.

Remember, if your home as a problem with pests during the holidays or any time during the year, call or text (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time, I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Putting Pest Allergies to Sleep This Winter

Fred Speer — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:06:00 GMT

The cooler temperatures that winter ushers in make allergy sufferers feel a little better, because pollen levels take a serious nosedive. Still, it doesn’t mean an end to all allergies. Indoor allergens, including cats, dogs, dust mites, mold, and cockroach droppings – yes, cockroach droppings – can present a threat to your family’s health.

What do pests have to do with allergies, you might ask? Plenty, as it turns out.

A study conducted by the National Pest Management Association and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America found that nearly nine out of 10 allergists surveyed believe a pest-free home is an important first step in preventing asthma and allergy symptoms.

The survey also revealed that 76 percent of allergists surveyed indicate that, aside from dust mites, cockroaches are the most problematic pest for patients who suffer from asthma and allergies.

Many people know that cockroaches can contaminate and spoil food, but may wonder how these pests can cause asthma and allergy problems. The answer is that the allergens that cockroaches leave behind inside a home linger in the air or settle as dust.

Those allergens become airborne when the air is stirred up by movement, like children playing or running through the house, during home renovation projects, or even dusting furniture.

Determining if a person with persistent asthma is allergic to cockroaches can only be made by a skin test performed by a health care professional. They will scratch or prick the skin with cockroach extract, and if redness, an itchy rash, or swelling appear, then it’s likely the person is allergic to cockroaches.

How can homeowners protect themselves from pest-related asthma and allergies? The Clark Man recommends attacking the source of the problem itself – the cockroach.

The Clark Man has decades of experience preventing and eliminating cockroaches from inside customers’ homes, and has put together the following checklist to your home cockroach (and allergy) free:

The Clark Man’s Cockroach Prevention Checklist

Keep kitchen counters, sinks, tables, floors, cabinets, and pantries clean and free of clutter
Clean dishes, crumbs, and spills right away – cockroaches love grease and waste
Store food in airtight containers where cockroaches cannot access it
Seal cracks or openings around home foundations and inside cabinets
Eliminate excess moisture buildup (e.g., a leaky faucet)
Inspect packages, school backpacks, or laundry bins for signs of cockroaches and other pests. Don’t be afraid to give items a good shake!
Keep the landscape plants next to your house trimmed and don’t use too much mulch, as it provides an ideal harborage for cockroaches

Remember: If your home as a problem with cockroaches, call or text (800) 936-3339, or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Unpack Bed Bugs From Your Travel Plans This Holiday

Fred Speer — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 20:35:00 GMT

For Americans, the Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year’s holidays are among the busiest long-distance travel periods of the year.

The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the number of long-distance trips (to and from a destination 50 miles or more away) increases by 54 percent during the Thanksgiving holiday, and 23 percent during the Christmas/New Year’s holiday period.

All those trips to visit relatives and friends make for crowded roads, airport terminals and train stations, and a lot of packing and unpacking. The back and forth also puts holiday travelers at a greater risk of coming into contact with one of the most travel-savvy pests out there – bed bugs.

This most unwanted pest knows no boundaries when it comes to choosing a location to infest. Bed bugs will infest beds, furniture and drapes in hotel rooms, seats in train cars, taxis, buses and movie theaters, and the luggage, shopping bags and backpacks we carry around.

As you hit the road this year, the Clark Man reminds you to be aware of bed bugs and take the appropriate steps prevent these pests from spoiling your holiday travels:

Pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams, particularly at the corners, for telltale stains or spots. If you see anything suspect, notify the front desk and change rooms or hotels immediately.
Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking, including behind the headboard and in sofas and chairs. If any pests are spotted, change rooms or establishments immediately.
If you do need to change rooms, be sure that you do not move to a room adjacent and/or directly above or below the suspected infestation. Bed bugs can easily hitchhike via housekeeping carts, luggage and even through wall sockets.
Place your suitcase in a plastic trash bag or protective cover during the duration of your trip to ensure that bed bugs cannot take up residence there prior to departure.
Pack and store your clothes is sealable plastic bags to prevent bed bugs from infesting them.
Inspect your suitcases before bringing them into the house and vacuum your suitcase thoroughly before storing it away. Consider using a garment hand steamer to steam your luggage, which will kill any bed bugs or eggs that may have hitched a ride home.
Wash your clothes – even those that have not been worn – in hot water to ensure that any bed bugs that may have made it that far are not placed into your drawers or closet.

If you think you have a problem with bed bugs, call or text Clark Pest Control at (800) 936-3339 or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com. We will come out and properly identify whatever pest or pests we find, and then we’ll recommend a solution.

Until next time, I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

A Clark Pest Control Thanksgiving

Fred Speer — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 19:26:00 GMT

Thanksgiving is a holiday built around family. While families are defined many different ways, the core values of caring, trust and loyalty are there, no matter what. It’s what holds families together.

The Clark Man recognizes the value of family when it comes to providing expert pest management services to our residential and commercial customers across California and northwestern Nevada.

Our deep commitment to customers is a time-tested practice that has been part of the fabric of Clark Pest control since Charles Clark opened the doors in 1950.

Whenever you have a problem with pests in your home, we’ll be there with a solution and a guarantee that we will get the job done to your satisfaction. It’s important to us that you have peace of mind that we’ve got your back when it comes to pests.

We pride ourselves on the personal attention we pay to our customers, and we endeavor to understand your needs in order to deliver the best possible service and achieve the desired results. The Clark Man knows pests such as rodents, ants, spiders, flies and stinging insects are not part of your “family” tree, so we work hard to make sure they don’t become a problem for you and your family.

Protecting customers’ property from pests that spread disease, spoil food, damage structures or simply are a nuisance is an important job, so we handle each account like it’s our own home.

If you have a problem with pests in and around your home, call or text Clark Pest Control at (800) 936-3339 or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com. We will come out and properly identify whatever pests are bugging you, and we’ll recommend a solution.

Until next time, I’m the Clark Man. Thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

And from the entire family of Clark Pest Control experts, we wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!

This Is One Pest That’s a Bat Out of H#&&

Fred Speer — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 18:40:00 GMT

In last week’s blog, the Clark Man shared helpful tips on pest-proofing your home this winter. Keeping rodents, cockroaches and spiders on the outside looking in is important for homeowners, but so is preventing a certain pest of the flying variety: bats.

Like spiders, bats are beneficial to California’s environment, because they feed on insects that threaten vital agricultural crops. However, bats do have an unsavory side to them that can leave people unsettled by their presence.

Bats can be a nuisance with their noise, droppings and urine, which attracts insects. But some bats also carry harmful diseases, such as rabies, which can pose a threat to humans and other animals – including household pets.

Even though bites are rare, bats can transmit rabies, and care should be taken not to handle any bats you may encounter. It’s also a good idea to have your dog or cat vaccinated against rabies, should they encounter a bat.

Bats can enter homes through chimneys that lack protective grates or grills, open windows or doors, under eaves, and into loose siding boards, openings along the roofline or utility vents. Their presence can easily go undetected due to their nocturnal habits.

Dusk is the best time to observe bats exiting a structure, because they feed and are most active then. During the daytime, you can inspect for signs of holes or openings.

Bats also can gain access to a structure through holes that other animals, including squirrels or raccoons, have created. Fortunately, bats are not chewers, and they will not gnaw on electrical wiring like rodents do.

Homeowners can also identify potential bat access points by looking for stain marks left behind by the bat’s body oils, urine and droppings. Bat droppings, or guano, crush easily, are and will include shiny bits of undigested insects. Mouse droppings – called scat – lack those shiny bits. Also, bat droppings never are white or chalky like bird droppings.

The best control method for bats is to deny them access to your home in the first place. Fall is the best time of year to perform the necessary exclusion work on your home, since younger bats have grown enough to fly by then and will be searching for new roosting sites. It’s much easier to prevent a bat problem than it is to remove one after they have set up housekeeping in your attic.

Screens in windows and doors should also be replaced. if torn.

If you think you have a problem with bats around your home, call (800) 936-3339 or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com. We will come out and make a proper identification, then provide you with a treatment recommendation.

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Clark Pest Control’s Eight Winter Home Pest-proofing Tips

Fred Speer — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 22:33:00 GMT

As days get shorter and temperatures drop, the time you spend indoors begins to increase. Pests want to come indoors, too. The Clark Man reminds homeowners that rodents, cockroaches and spiders may try to find their way inside to escape the winter weather.

Besides simply being a nuisance and annoyance, these invading pests can also pose serious risks — rodents spread diseases such as Salmonella and E. coli, contaminate food, and damage drywall and electrical wires throughout a home. Cockroaches trigger allergies and asthma, especially in children. Some spiders may bite if their hiding spots are discovered.

Protecting your home from a visit by unwanted pests starts with a good dose of prevention – regardless of the season. One of the best ways to get your homes ready for winter is to conduct a simple check of potential pest routes inside and then perform any necessary maintenance.

Being proactive when it comes to pest-proofing your home this fall is an important step homeowners can take in preventing pests from coming indoors.

How do you keep pests out of your family’s living space? The Clark Man and his team of residential pest management experts service thousands of homes each month, and have collected a thick file folder (or notes on the iPad) of helpful, easy-to-follow tips you can follow to keep pests on the outside looking in.

The Clark Man’s list of Eight Helpful Winter Home Pest-proofing Tips includes:

Screen attic vents and openings to chimneys
Eliminate moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains, and repair broken irrigation systems
Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home using caulk and steel wool – pay close attention where utility pipes enter the structure.
Store food in airtight containers and regularly dispose of garbage in sealed receptacles
Replace loose mortar and weatherstripping around the basement foundation and windows
Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house; keep shrubbery well trimmed
Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens
Inspect items such as boxes of decorations and grocery bags before bringing them indoors

If these helpful tips do not keep pests out of your home, you may need an expert set of eyes and hands to help. Call or text Clark Pest Control at (800) 936-3339 or drop me an e-mail at clarkcares@clarkpest.com. We will come out and conduct a thorough inspection and make any necessary treatment recommendations.

Until next time, I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Clark Pest Control Says “Boo” to Pests This Halloween

Fred Speer — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 21:23:00 GMT

According to the National Retail Foundation, U.S. consumers are expected to spend $6.9 billion on candy, costumes and other treats this Halloween. Also, for the eleventh year in a row, the number-one adult Halloween costume is ”witch.”

While people enjoy Halloween, the Clark Man is busy with pests that are synonymous with the October 31 holiday – spiders. Typically, spiders are more active as they reach maturity during the fall months, when the season’s moister, cooler temperatures are more conducive to web building.

And while spiders are beneficial to our environment, because they hunt and eat other less-desirable insects and generally are not a threat to homeowners, they still rank high on most people’s “things I don’t want to see in my house” list.

The fear of spiders even inspired the 1990 cult classic movie Arachnophobia (the technical term for fear of spiders), but spiders commonly seen out in the open during the day are unlikely to bite people.

It is true that certain species of arachnids – black widows and scorpions – can present a threat to homeowners who unknowingly cross their paths. However, the black widow, for example, spends most of its time hiding under furniture or boxes, or in woodpiles, corners and crevices – locations not frequently visited.

To keep your close encounters with spiders to a minimum, the Clark Man suggests the following spider prevention tips:

Remove and reduce trash and rubbish from your home, such as woodpiles, boxes, plywood, tires and trash cans – especially if they are stored adjacent to the house
Seal cracks and crevices around doors, windows, and access holes for electrical conduits or plumbing; also, on the foundation
Remove clutter in closets, pantries and storage areas inside your home
If you leave clothes and shoes outside in the garage or porch, make sure you shake them well before putting them on
Apparel and equipment that is only worn occasionally (garden gloves, boots, athletic shoes, baseball mitts, camping gear, sleeping bags, etc.) should be sealed in tightly closed containers, especially in the garage or in other dark storage areas
When removing boxes and other items from the garage or storage areas, wear heavy gloves in case you encounter a black widow spider nesting there

Remember: If you have a problem with spiders around your home, call or text (800) 936-3339, or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com. We will come out and make a proper identification along with a treatment recommendation.

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Don’t Dust Off Drywood Termites

Fred Speer — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 21:09:00 GMT

The Clark Man has a long history of successfully treating and protecting homes from destructive termites – insects that cost American consumers nearly $5 billion annually in treatments and repairs.

When most consumers think of termites, it’s the subterranean species. But did you know there’s a termite that doesn’t like to get its antennae dirty?

The drywood termite – unlike its soil-dwelling cousin – prefers to live above ground in wood siding, roofing, and wood supports inside structures. Drywood termites will swarm by the hundreds around the exterior of a home in search of an access point to make entry.

Fall is prime drywood termite swarming season, and swarms occur most often on sunny days after a spike in the mercury follows cooler temperatures.

What parts of a home are at the greatest risk from drywood termites? The Clark Man has noticed the following areas to be the most vulnerable to drywood termite infestation:

Wood molding and framing around windows and doors
Eaves and overhangs
Protected joints or crevices in and around doors
Attics and above-ground crawlspaces
Wood siding and roofing – especially overhangs where shingles, paper under-sheeting, and wood meet

Drywood termites will excavate a small tunnel into the wood and then close it behind them, creating a chamber they will inhabit for a year or more. They can stay dormant for extended periods of time – more than a year – before re-emerging to resume their destructive activities.

Drywood termites are also creatures of habit, and have been known to re-infest the exact same place. This is why it’s important to have your home inspected regularly by a trained pest management professional who can identify the presence of drywood termites.

Here are some signs that drywood termites may be targeting your home:

Large numbers of flying insects on the exterior (and sometimes on the interior) of your home
Shed wings on windowsills
Hollow-sounding or visibly damaged wood that is honeycombed or carved out. If you can make a hole easily in the wood with a pocket knife or flat-blade screwdriver, you may be looking at termite damage
Unexplained piles of what look like coarse grains of sand (actually, termite fecal pellets pushed out by the termites)

Remember: If you suspect your home has a problem with drywood termites, call or text (800) 936-3339, or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com. Our highly trained, fully licensed termite professionals will inspect your home thoroughly. If treatment is required, they will recommend preventative and curative treatments that are backed by our guarantee of 100-percent satisfaction.

Until next time, I’m the Clark Man. Thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Clark Pest Control clears bed bugs from Franco Center in Stockton

Fred Speer — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 18:10:00 GMT

Fumigating a 110-unit apartment complex to remove a massive bed bug infestation is a big undertaking, one that requires months of planning. The Stockton, CA branch of Clark Pest Control just completed such a fumigation job at downtown Stockton’s five-story Franco Center, which currently houses 99 residents, primarily low-income seniors.

It took 28 workers several hours on Tuesday, September 1 to assemble the 38 blue-and-yellow 45’x60’ tarps into an enclosure large enough to contain the Franco Center, its unwanted population of bed bugs and cockroaches, and the 1.6 million cubic feet of fumigant gas (sulfuryl fluoride) needed to kill them. Once the tenting was in place, the fumigant was introduced, and two days later, giant fans were turned on to air the building out (the fumigant Clark Pest Control uses to control pests is odorless and leaves no residue) and the tenting was removed.

By the weekend, residents – housed elsewhere at the expense of the building’s new owners, WNC Inc. and Community Preservation Partners – were able to move back in, and two weeks after the tents came down, service dogs, trained to sniff out bed bugs, inspected the Franco Center room by room, no bed bug activity was detected.

Fumigating any building takes pre-planning, and when it’s one as large as Franco Center, that planning will take several months. The work was subcontracted to Murrieta, CA-based Your Way Fumigation with Clark Stockton branch’s WDO Service Manager Larry Bragg supervising, but Clark Pest Control staffers handled the logistics, which included partnering with the Franco Center’s owners to make sure that every resident understood what was happening, and what those residents’ part was in making the fumigation a success along with how to keep bed bugs from being reintroduced to the building.

“A lot of the residents thanked Clark for what we did,” Bragg said, “and some were in tears, stating it’s the first time in a long time that they could get a good night’s rest.”

As Bragg and Clark Pest Control Corporate Technical Director Darren Van Steenwyk both stated later, it was a job with a lot of moving parts, one that required a lot of hands-on detail work and expertise. The residents had been complaining about bed bugs and cockroaches and were clamoring for relief for some time. When the Franco Center’s new owners took over the building, they knew who to call.

“Clark, We Need You” is more than an advertising tagline – it’s a call to take care of business with pests.

The Lodi Grape Festival and Clark Pest Control – An Unbeatable Duo

Fred Speer — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 17:29:00 GMT

What’s not to like about a festival that features some of the tastiest selection of wines and food in the state of California?

The annual Lodi Grape Festival, scheduled for this coming Thursday through Sunday, celebrates northern San Joaquin Country’s abundant agricultural offerings, including its prized zinfandel grapes. There will be plenty of good food, wine tastings, and entertainment, as well as exhibitors showing off their wine-themed wares to the more than 65,000 visitors expected to attend.

Clark Pest Control is a proud sponsor of this valley tradition, and invites customers and festival attendees to visit our booth, located in the Clark Eco-Venture Pavilion, during the event. The booth will feature the famous Clark Bug Zoo, which lets visitors get up close and personal with a range of fascinating arthropods that share our environment.

In addition to the Bug Zoo, members of the Clark team will be on hand to show off a restored 1950s-vintage Clark Pest Control service truck, and to answer any questions you might have about pests that may be bugging you and your family.

Other activities scheduled to take place in the Clark Eco-Venture Pavilion include sessions on how to build your own radio-controlled model airplane and the Lodi Serpentarium, which will feature false water cobras, Burmese pythons, rainbow boas, anacondas, monitor lizards, tortoises, geckos, and frogs!

The Clark Bug Zoo, a favorite of festival visitors and the Clark Man, will host shows on Thursday, September 17 (4-7 p.m.), Friday, September 18 (1-5 p.m.), and Saturday, September 19 (12-4 p.m.).

Clarks’ resident Bug Zookeeper Fred Speer tells the Clark Man that he will be bringing a wide selection of exotic and fascinating arthropods for visitors to view close up and hold if they wish.

From demonstrations featuring tarantulas and scorpions, to putting a Madagascar hissing cockroach in the palm of your hand, the Bug Zoo has something for everyone. Other arthropods scheduled to make an appearance at the festival include pseudo scorpions.

For more information on the Lodi Grape Festival, including how to purchase tickets, festival hours, and directions, visit www.grapefestival.com

If you have questions on how to protect your family from bed bugs, call 800-936-3337 or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time I’m the Clark Man. Thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

See you at the festival!

Clark Pest Control In The Community - Come Run With Us At The Micke Grove Zoo Zoom 5K

Fred Speer — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 16:32:00 GMT

The Clark Man takes great pride in protecting homes from unwanted and potentially dangerous pests but there is one activity he enjoys even more – giving back to the people and communities.

Clark Pest Control has long been a supporter of a wide array of civic and charitable groups across California. It is part of the company’s DNA to give back and make a difference in the communities we service and the people we interact with on a daily basis.

This Sunday, September 13, the Clark Man will be supporting the 5^th Annual Micke Grove Zoo Zoom 5K and Kids’ Fun Run at Micke Grove Park from 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. The Zoo Zoom features kids’ fun runs for children under the age of eight and a 5K walk/run for participants age nine and older. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Lodi will provide a pancake breakfast, and there will be games and crafts for kids.

The legendary Clark Pest Control Bug Zoo will also be on hand displaying and sharing information on some fascinating insects from around the globe. Attendees will be able to get up close and personal with an array of exotic pests including tarantulas, scorpions, pseudo scorpions, Vietnamese giant centipede and Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

Join us for a morning of fun and exercise for the whole family!

Event Information

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Micke Grove Park, 11793 N. Micke Grove Rd., Lodi, CA 95240

http://www.mgzoo.com/zoo/micke-grove/default.htm

If you have questions about pests in and around your home, call 800/WE-NEED-YOU or drop me an e-mail at clarkcares@clarkpest.com

Until next time, I’m the Clark Man and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Say Goodbye to the Mouse in Your House

Fred Speer — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:45:00 GMT

Cute, fuzzy, three to four inches in length and weighing roughly an ounce, mice don’t necessarily look threatening. Nevertheless, don’t underestimate the negative impact these unwanted critters can have on you and your family.

California’s dry, warm conditions are forcing pests, including rodents, to do more “window shopping” as we approach the fall season, seeking alternate water and food sources inside structures. While mice do not require as much water as their rat cousins, they still have the need to feed, and your home is a prime target.

Mice that seek food aggressively not only can spoil it with their droppings and urine, but can transmit dangerous bacteria, including salmonella, by crawling on countertops and food preparation areas, and can contaminate food by chewing through packaging.

In addition to spoiling food, mice also pose a significant threat to the structural integrity of your home. They can destroy insulation in attics and can chew through wallboards, cardboard, wood, and electrical or computer wiring. In fact, rodents cause up to 25 percent of house fires in the U.S. every year.

Good sanitation practices are one key to keeping mice out of your home successfully. Keep counters clean, eliminate clutter, and make sure to collect and empty garbage, trash, and garden debris frequently. Also, be sure that all garbage receptacles have tight-fitting covers – indoors and out.

But the first and most important step to make sure your home remains rodent-free is by preventing them from gaining access in the first place. Mice (and most pests for that matter) are opportunists that spend most of their life looking for a way inside a structure in search of food, water, and shelter.

The Clark Man bases his rodent management programs on excluding mice (and rats) from homes and other structures. Here are the Clark Man’s Six Mice Prevention Tips for homeowners:

Seal cracks and holes on the outside of your home – pay special attention to areas where utilities and pipes enter the home, even those up high. Mice are willing climbers, and can jump up to 12 inches and squeeze through an opening the size of a dime.
Replace loose mortar around the basement foundation and windows.
Store firewood away from your home and above the ground so that you can see under it (to keep rodents from nesting there).
Trim shrubs and trees close to your home, cut the grass regularly, rake up leaves, and pick up debris piles in the yard where mice like to hide.
Check the weatherstripping on garage and entry doors and make sure it has no gaps.
Make sure the screens on dryer and utility vents do not have tears or openings.

If you are having a problem with mice in your home, call (800) 936-3339 or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Summer Heat Driving Up Flea Activity

Fred Speer — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 20:45:00 GMT

The severe drought California has endured the last three or four years has impacted homeowners on everything from food prices to when they can or can’t water their lawns. To top it off the extreme dry conditions and searing heat are now impacting pest activity and not for the better.

In previous posts the Clark Man shared how rodents, ants and other pests are more aggressively seeking food and water inside homes since the naturally produced sources they rely on are no longer available due to the drought. Another pest that is benefiting from the drought is the pesky flea that seeks to irritate both pets and homeowners.

The most commonly encountered flea specie threatening household pets in California is the cat flea.

Research veterinarians at the University of California Davis said this past winter’s mild temperatures and dry weather allowed the fleas to not just survive, but thrive because there were no cold temperatures or wet weather to eliminate fleas naturally.

Fleas can be a problem for homeowners even if they do not own a pet. Urban wildlife including feral cats, opossums, raccoons or rodents are well-known flea transporters and with wildlife populations on the rise the flea threat is greater.

These annoying, tiny insects – cat fleas only measure 1/8 inch in length – prefer living in areas frequented by pets and other animals while they are on the prowl for their next meal. Fleas are typically brownish-black in color but red when full of blood after feeding.

Fleas are also quite the little athlete possessing the ability to jump 6 inches straight up thus giving them the ability to leap from the ground on to an animal or even the pant leg or shoe of an unsuspecting human.

What can homeowners do to help prevent fleas from becoming an unwanted problem for their pets and family? The Clark Man offers the following suggestions:

Regularly clean all surfaces that your pet frequents and vacuum carpets (especially under furniture), upholstered furniture, under cushions and in crevices.
Seal vacuum bags in a plastic bag and discard it immediately after use.
Wash pet bedding and throw rugs regularly in warm water.

On the exterior of your home focus your efforts on areas when your pets spend time including lawns and shaded areas under landscape bushes. Keep your grass cut, and trim weeds and overgrown shrubbery that give fleas shelter.

Talk with your veterinarian or animal groomer for recommendations on on-animal prevention and treatment options.

If you have questions on how to protect your pet and family from fleas, call 800/WE-NEED-YOU or drop me an e-mail at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time, I’m the Clark Man and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

How Dry Is It? Dry Enough for Rodents to Target Your House

Fred Speer — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 20:47:00 GMT

The severe drought in California is making an impact on how homeowners maintain their lawns, plants, and gardens; how farmers tend to their crops; and now, rodent behavior. The dry, warm conditions are forcing rodents, especially Norway and roof rats, to seek water sources aggressively inside structures where water from a leaky faucet looks to them like an oasis in the desert.

Norway and roof rats both consume one to two ounces of water daily, which they find at dripping faucets, broken irrigation systems, bird baths, and water features (i.e., ponds). Pet water bowls, clogged gutters, and over-watered gardens are also prime sources of liquid sustenance for these most unwelcome visitors. The house mouse, however, requires less water and can go longer periods between filling up.

Rodents present multiple threats to homes and their occupants: they spoil food, transmit dangerous bacteria, and chew on electrical and computer wires that can start a fire – all good reasons why rodents must be denied access to your home.

Good sanitation practices are one key to keeping rodents out of your home successfully. Keep counters clean, eliminate clutter, and make sure to collect and empty garbage, trash, and garden debris frequently, and make sure all garbage receptacles have tight-fitting covers – indoors and out.

But the first and most important step to ensure that your home remains rodent-free is by preventing them from gaining access in the first place. Rodents (and most pests, for that matter) are opportunists that spend most of their lives looking for a way inside a structure in search of food, water, and shelter.

The Clark Man bases his rodent management programs on excluding them from homes and other structures. Here are the Clark Man’s Seven Helpful Rodent Exclusion Tips for homeowners:

Seal cracks and holes on the exterior of your home – pay special attention to areas where utilities and pipes enter the structure, even those up high – roof rats and mice are willing climbers, and can jump up to 12 inches and squeeze through an opening the size of a dime.
Since roof rats are adept climbers, trim shrubs and tree limbs close to your home to deny them access to your roof.
Cut the grass regularly, rake up leaves, and pick up debris piles in the yard where rodents like to hide.
Replace loose mortar around the basement foundation and windows.
Store firewood at least 20 feet from your home and five feet off the ground.
Check the weatherstripping on garage and entry doors and make sure it has no gaps.
Make sure the screens on screen doors and windows, along with dryer and utility vents, do not have holes in them.

Remember, if your home as a problem with rodents in your home, call 800-936-3339 or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Drop Bed Bugs From Your Summer Vacation Itinerary

Fred Speer — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 20:20:00 GMT

According to travel industry research, July is the most popular month for vacations in the United States, with nearly 46 percent of Americans indicating they will be scheduling time off to get away. August and June finished second and third, respectively.

Unfortunately, summer travel also means unwanted and uninvited guests looking to join in on the fun. Who are these interlopers? Bed bugs.

Bed bugs are highly mobile pests that can be found in a variety of vacation locations, including hotel rooms, buses, and airplanes, and they can be easily (and unknowingly) transported back home in backpacks and luggage.

A recent survey conducted by the National Pest Management Association and the University of Kentucky asked pest management professionals where they find bed bugs most often. Topping the list is apartments/condominiums (95 percent), single-family homes (93 percent) and hotels/motels (75 percent).

The Clark Man wants to make sure you and your family enjoy your summer vacation and that no unwanted travelers join you along the way. To help prevent bed bugs from spoiling your vacation, the Clark Man offers the following tips:

Before You Leave Home

Check travel websites to see if your hotel has been reported as having bed bugs. You’ll have to filter and read through the lines on some reviews, but many websites (e.g., bedbugregistry.com, tripadvisor.com) can give you a heads up that maybe you want to make a reservation at a less “buggy” establishment.

Once you confirm your destination is not on anyone’s bed bug most-wanted list, pack your belongings inside sealable plastic bags and bring some extra-large plastic trash bags.

When You Arrive at Your Hotel

Upon arrival, inspect your room for dark fecal or dried blood spots on bedding, and closely examine the folds or creases of the mattress and box springs, upholstered chairs, drawers, and headboards.

If you discover signs of bed bugs, contact the management right away and insist that they move you to another room, one that is not next to or immediately adjacent to the infested room (including directly upstairs and downstairs).

Once you’ve determined that your room appears to bed bug-free, go ahead and settle in. But don’t unpack your suitcase. Only take the clothes out that you will be wearing, and don't leave your shoes on the floor - keep everything inside your sealable plastic bags.

Put the large plastic trash bags you brought from home around your luggage, and store the luggage in the bathtub or on a tile floor. These areas are the least likely places bed bugs will be residing.

If you find bed bugs in your suitcase or on your clothes before you depart for home, you might want to leave them there. That may sound odd, but trust me when I say you don’t want to take bed bugs home. It’s far cheaper to buy yourself a new suitcase and outfit than it is to pay for a bed bug treatment.

When You Return Home

Carefully inspect your possessions for any hitchhiking bed bugs, and make sure to check the clothing you are wearing thoroughly. You should unpack your bags outdoors or in the garage, and put everything that can be laundered into the washer. For items that can’t be washed, it is recommended you place them in the dryer at the highest temperature setting for at least 10 minutes.

If you think you might have bed bugs in your home, call 800-936-3339 or drop me an e-mail at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time, I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Tips for Keeping Your Fourth of July Pest Free

Fred Speer — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 19:14:00 GMT

Research has shown that 85 percent of consumers profess a fondness for picnics and cookouts during the summer, and the Fourth of July holiday is the apex of the summer season. The holiday lineup features a slew of outdoor activities that includes picnics, swimming, baseball games, fireworks, and good times with family and friends. Unfortunately, it also can include visits from unwanted ants, flies and stinging insects that show up to spoil your good times.

Ants, yellowjackets and flies are attracted to typical cookout and picnic fare. Not only can these pests become a nuisance for homeowners, but they also can pose significant health risks to you and your guests.

These pests are drawn to sweet and sugary foods, like the desserts, fruit and soft drinks that are a staple of holiday functions. They also like the greasy leftovers that can be found on grills and serving trays, and in garbage cans filled with post-party trash.

Ants can contaminate food, and house flies have been known to carry more than 100 different kinds of germs that cause disease. Stinging insects send more than a half-million people to the emergency room each year, and yellowjackets, in particular, pose a significant health threat, as they may sting repeatedly and can cause allergic reactions.

The Clark Man wants you, your family and friends to have a safe, and enjoyable Fourth of July, and offers the following Six Tips to Keep Your Fourth of July Pest Free to keep annoying pests from spoiling your holiday fun, and keeping them in mind can help avert food-borne illnesses, too.

Yellowjackets and other stinging insects are attracted to food and drink; provide clear plastic cups for your guests, as aluminum cans and plastic bottles make good hiding spots for stinging insects.
Keep all food and beverages in sealed coolers and containers.
Keep garbage containers sealed and away from guests.
Clean trash, spills and crumbs immediately from tables and other surfaces; bring utensils and dishware indoors shortly after the meal.
Rinse all beverage bottles and cans, and dispose of them in tightly closed garbage containers.
Plan to serve food and beverages indoors, and reserve outdoor spaces for eating and entertaining.

If you have questions on how to protect your outdoor activities from pests this summer, call 800-WE-NEED-YOU (800-736-3339) or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Making an Effort to Protect Beneficial Pollinators

Fred Speer — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 20:59:00 GMT

There have been many articles and stories in the media – along with talk from government officials and agencies, including the White House –about the health of honey bees and other pollinators. Some of those words have been accurate; others, less so.

Researchers have determined that numerous factors threaten honey bees and other pollinators, but one primary threat is the lack of available sources for nectar and pollen. Years of urban sprawl have eliminated many natural habitats of foraging pollinators, as well as their nutrition sources.

Why are honey bees and pollinators – including butterflies, birds, bats, and beetles – so important to our environment? Consider these facts:

Approximately 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices, and medicines need to be pollinated in order to produce those finished products
Foods produced with the help of pollinators are found on our dining table daily, including apples, strawberries, blueberries, chocolate, melons, peaches, figs, tomatoes, pumpkins, and almonds (notice that many of those crops are grown in abundance here in California)
Pollination by honey bees and other insects produces nearly $20 billion of products annually in the United States

The Clark Man, the National Pest Management Association, and the NPMA’s member companies across the United States have joined together to recognize National Pollinator Week to help focus attention on the health of pollinating organisms.

What can you do to promote pollinator health in your neighborhood or community? You can buy local honey and support community beekeepers, and you can plant flowers that are attractive to pollinators

By planting flowers, you’re playing a role in protecting the pollinators, and you’re also helping to support our nation’s food supply. Not only will bees and other pollinators benefit from this simple act of good will, but the colorful vegetation will make your home, yard, or patio more attractive and enjoyable.

Community and private gardens that contain flowers and plants attractive to pollinators can be extremely beneficial in providing new food sources. The Clark Man recommends planting flowering plants, herbs, and vegetables, including wildflowers, lavender, sunflowers, goldenrod, honeysuckle, chives, oregano, and thyme.

The Clark Man does want to issue a word of caution before you start planting your garden, though: Your garden should be a welcome oasis for bees raised by professional or hobby beekeepers, as these folks understand how to work safely with bees. Also, it’s a good idea to plant your gardens away from your house and outdoor seating areas.

If you do find a nest or hive in or around your home, call a licensed Clark pest management professional to identify the type of insect present – do not attempt to remove the colony yourself. Once proper identification is made, your Clark technician can remove the nest safely and address any threat, if needed.

If you have questions on pollinator health or stinging insects, call or text 800-936-3339, or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Enjoying a Pest-free Memorial Day

Fred Speer — Tue, 19 May 2015 15:15:00 GMT

Next Monday is Memorial Day, the official start of summer. While you enjoy the day off and take in a ballgame, parade, or partake in a backyard barbeque, the Clark Man wants to remind you that unwanted pests are more than eager to crash the proceedings.

How do you keep flies, cockroaches, stinging insects, and ants from becoming a nuisance and a potential health threat to your picnic basket? By following good food safety practices and a healthy dose of common sense before, during, and after an outdoor meal, you can help to protect yourself, your family, and your guests.

Pests – especially stinging insects and ants – are attracted to foods that contain sugar, including soft drinks, cake frosting, barbeque sauces, and marinades. Flies and cockroaches have less-discriminating palates and will feast on crumbs, oils, grease, garbage, and waste. For flies, the smellier the food is, the better, as they are attracted to foul odors.

Aside from spoiling a perfectly good burger or bowl of fruit, these pests can spread harmful bacteria, including salmonella or E. coli, by coming in contact with your food after they have visited other less-appetizing items such as rotting garbage, feces, or animal carcasses.

When planning your Memorial Day picnic, or any outdoor event that involves food, make sure to follow good sanitation and food preparation practices. Some of the things you can do include:

Pick up leftover bottles and wrappers and clean up crumbs and spills.
Empty garbage or recycle bins frequently to make your picnic or cookout less attractive to these hungry pests.
Keep food tightly covered in plastic containers or covered with foil or plastic wrap, before and after cooking.
Do not leave soda cans uncovered, as the sugary ingredients can attract ants or stinging insects.

Pest Activity on the Rise

As we move toward the holiday weekend, California residents are seeing increased insect pest activity in and around their homes. This is due, in part, to the severe drought the state is experiencing, which is forcing pests to seek alternate sources of food and water, and seek access inside homes more aggressively.

Clark Pest Control’s Technical Director Darren Van Steenwyk was interviewed recently by CBS13, the CBS network television affiliate in Sacramento. Van Steenwyk discussed the drought’s impact on pest behavior and how Clark Pest Control is dedicating more personnel to help homeowners maintain pest-free living areas.

To view the complete interview, visit http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2015/05/13/california-drought-has-more-insects-swarming-toward-homes/

In closing, as we prepare for the long holiday weekend, Clark Pest Control would like to take a moment and salute all of those who have served our great nation, especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. May we never take them for granted. If you see a veteran this weekend, please thank them for their service to our country.

If you’re experiencing a pest problem in your home, call 800-936-3339, or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com

Until next time, I’m the Clark Man, and thank you for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Three Tips to Keep Your Trees and Plants Healthy and Looking Good

Fred Speer — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 17:15:00 GMT

One of the greatest sources of pride for a homeowner is the landscape that surrounds his or her home. In addition to providing aesthetic qualities, a well-maintained landscape raises property values, and if the homeowner were to sell, it can help the home sell faster.

Whether its landscape beds full of blooming flowers or an outdoor patio surrounded by carefully trimmed ornamental plants, homeowners invest heavily in the exterior appearance of their homes.

Protecting that investment, especially when California is in the midst of severe drought conditions and watering restrictions, can be challenging – but not impossible.

The Clark Man, in addition to preventing and eliminating pests from gaining entry to your home, also can help protect your lawn, ornamental plants and trees from destructive insects and diseases.

The three items homeowners should be most aware of when protecting their ornamental plants and trees from harmful pests and disease are:

Proper fertilization
Insect control
Irrigation

Fertilize: It’s not just your lawn that needs regular fertilization; the shrubs and trees in your yard need to be fertilized to keep them healthy and make them less susceptible to disease and pests. There are two types of fertilization – deep root using a liquid, or surface using a granular – that will help promote a healthy shrub or tree.

Control insects: Aphids are a threat to ornamental plants and trees because they siphon off sap and deny proper nutrients. Plants will not bloom as strongly and their energy dissipates, making them more susceptible to disease and insects. The Clark Man recommends soil injections to treat for aphids in combination with regular fertilization.

Irrigate: Many homeowners shut off their irrigation systems over the winter and forget that plants and trees need to be irrigated. Tree and plant roots are buried beneath the surface and need to receive regular deep-watering sessions to maintain their health. With watering restrictions in place across California, the Clark Man recommends homeowners start conditioning their plants and trees to twice-a-week deep-watering sessions. This will help plants and trees acclimate to receiving less water, and help them better endure the blistering summer heat.

Signs of trouble: When a plant turns yellow from its normal green, it can be a sign it isn’t receiving proper nutrients. As mentioned earlier, aphids are a problem in California, and if you notice a sticky sap (called honeydew) coming from a tree, it indicates that aphids are present. The sweet and sticky honeydew is also a favorite food of ants, and homeowners can get hit with a double whammy – ants and aphids – when this happens.

The Clark Man can make recommendations on proper irrigation practices for your lawn, plants, and trees, and also can recommend a fertilization program that will meet your yard’s specific needs. If pests and disease are present, the Clark Man can offer you options to eliminate the threat for good.

Should you have questions on how to keep your lawn, shrubs, and trees looking good all year long, call (800) 936-3339 or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time, I’m the Clark Man – and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

National Pest Control Month

Fred Speer — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 18:25:00 GMT

We Aren’t Fooling: April Is National Pest Management Month

Yes, today is April Fools’ Day, but make no mistake – pests are nothing to fool with. Such pests as termites and rodents can cause structural damage to your home, and stinging insects, cockroaches and rodents are known transmitters of bacteria, including E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria.

What kind of damage and what threats do pests pose? Consider these eye-opening facts:

Termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage annually in the United States
Rodents gnawing on electrical wiring are one of the leading causes of house fires in the U.S.
Cockroach allergens are known triggers for allergic reactions and asthma attacks in children
Insect stings and bites send nearly 500,000 people to hospital emergency rooms or urgent care clinics with allergic reactions

This is why the Clark Man and his pest management peers across the country are observing National Pest Management Month in April. However, this time isn’t just an occasion for pest professionals to pat themselves on the back and say, “Aren’t we good!” It’s an opportunity to raise critical awareness of the threats that pests pose, and a reaffirming of the professional pest management industry’s commitment to protect the public from harmful pests that threaten food, homes, and families.

The Clark Man and his fellow pest experts at Clark Pest Control want share their knowledge on how people can protect their homes and families from unwanted and unhealthy pests.

The busiest portion of the pest season is right around the corner, and so to celebrate National Pest Management Month, the Clark Man would like to share some valuable tips on how to protect living spaces from an array of spring and summer pests – including ants, flies, stinging insects, fleas, termites, rodents, and mosquitoes.

The Clark Man’s Top 10 Pest Prevention List

Seal cracks and openings on the outside of the home with a silicone-based caulk, including entry points for utilities and pipes
Repair torn screens in windows and vents where insects can gain access
Replace weatherstripping and repair loose mortar around the foundation and windows
Keep tree branches and landscape plants well trimmed and away from the house
Repair fascia and rotted roof shingles
Don’t overdo it on the mulch; maintain a 15-inch barrier away from the foundation
Eliminate sources of standing water in your yard, including birdbaths, clogged drains, and gutters, to keep mosquitoes away; check irrigation systems and exterior faucets for leaking parts
Keep attics, crawl spaces, sheds, and other storage areas well ventilated and dry; remove clutter that attracts pests
Do a good spring cleaning and maintain good sanitation practices; store garbage and recycled materials in sealed containers and dispose of them regularly; wash out the recycling bin occasionally to get rid of excess sugars and oils that attract pests
Don’t leave pet food dishes out when they are not in use; pests, especially mice, love pet food

Remember: If you have questions on how to make your indoor and outdoor living spaces unattractive to pests, call (800) 936-3339 or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Spring Lawn Care Tips

Fred Speer — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 21:27:00 GMT

Four Easy Tips for Spring Lawn Care

Spring is in the air in California and northern Nevada, and that means warmer temperatures are here to stay. The official arrival of spring also means it’s time to get outdoors and pay attention to your lawn and yard.

From designing new patios to planting early season flowers, homeowners are starting to get their green thumb on. Spring is also a good time to look down and start taking care of the grass between your toes.

You may not know this, but the Clark Man not only protects your home from unwanted pests indoors, but he also can care for – and protect – your lawn, shrubs, and trees from destructive pests, weeds, and disease.

Mike Andrew, Director of Agriculture Services for Clark Pest Control, says there are four key spring lawn care tips that homeowners can follow to establish healthy, drought-resistant turf.

Cut your grass higher: Raise the cutting height of your mower to 2 ½-3 inches.
Mow your lawn on a regular basis: Cutting your lawn weekly is recommended.
Water on a consistent cycle: Preferably, you should water early in the morning. When you water midday or afternoon, it will evaporate, and evening watering can promote disease.
Check your irrigation system: Make sure your irrigation system and sprinkler heads are in good working order.

Andrew says that raising the cutting height gives turf the opportunity to grow longer and thicker, thus allowing moisture to be retained longer. This also will prevent invasive weeds and insects from taking root and ruining your lawn.

Mowing your lawn on a consistent basis, and at the appropriate height, prevents overgrowth that can prevent moisture and sunlight from gaining access to the roots.

With watering restrictions in place year-round for many California communities, it’s important to take advantage of the days you are allowed to water to satisfy your lawn’s thirst. Andrew recommends multiple-cycle watering to promote the growth of a deep, healthy root system that is better able to survive drought and heat stress.

The cycle should include several early morning watering periods on the days that you’re permitted to water. You shouldn’t water during the middle of the day or afternoon, because water will evaporate, and evening watering can promote disease.

A spring checkup of your yard’s irrigation system is also highly recommended by Andrew. Make sure sprinkler heads are working properly, that there are no leaks, there are no broken pipes or sprinkler heads, and that timers are set accordingly. A leaky sprinkler head can waste water, and too much moisture in the turf can lead to disease.

If you have questions on how to get your lawn in shape this spring and protect it from destructive pests, weeds, and disease, call (800) 936-3339 or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home and yard.

Termite Awareness Week

Fred Speer — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 16:25:00 GMT

Unearthing the Truth About Termites During National Termite Awareness Week

Because the National Pest Management Association has declared this week as National Termite Awareness Week, the Clark Man is lifting the veil of secrecy on these silent yet highly destructive pests that threaten your home.

Termites are aggressive, relentless pests that feed constantly, but often go undetected because they enter through the soil or attic of a home. These “silent” intruders can cause significant structural damage to your home in just a few short years if left to their own destructive ways.

Other interesting termite facts you ought to know:

Termites are found in every state of the union except Alaska.
Ten percent of the Earth’s mass of living organisms is composed of termites.
- The total weight of all termites in the world is more than the weight of all humans.
There are roughly 2,000 known species of termites in the world, and 23 different species are found in California, according to the University of California.
Termites eat nonstop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Highly destructive Formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus) – which have been found in California – can eat the entire wooden structure of a home within two years.
Worker termites will search for food up to 250 feet from their colony.
Termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage each year in the United States.

In California, there are three termite species that can threaten your biggest investment:

Subterranean termites (Reticulitermes hesperus) are found in many areas of the state where moist soil is present.
Drywood termites (Incisitermes minor) are prevalent in coastal regions, and also can be found in the Central Valley.
Dampwood termites (Zootermopsis angusticollis; Z. nevadensis) are found in the central and northern coastal regions and in the Sierra and Cascade ranges and foothills.

If you have or suspect that termites are targeting your home, the Clark Man recommends you contact Clark Pest Control for a thorough inspection and review of treatment options. Playing the do-it-yourself card with termites can lead to unwanted headaches and hassles, and may require a significant amount of money to correct.

Remember: If you have questions on how to protect your home from termites, call (800) 936-3339 or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Making a List to Help You Prevent Termites

Fred Speer — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 21:08:00 GMT

As an old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Regarding termites, that statement rings very true. Termites, like most structural pests you’ll encounter, are opportunists and will take advantage of any conducive conditions that provide them with food, water, and shelter.

To help keep termites from damaging your most valuable possession, your home, the Clark Man has put a list together that can help prevent termite infestations. Effective termite prevention means that it’s much less likely your home will need to be treated for a termite infestation. We recommend that homeowners follow these steps to help avoid these destructive and unwelcome house guests.

Avoid moisture accumulation around the interior and exterior of your home – termites are attracted to moisture.
When watering your lawn, don't sprinkle stucco or wood siding.
Routinely fill in any cracks in your foundation’s masonry or concrete, and caulk around door and window frames; make sure there are no easy entry points to your home.
Keep your gutters and downspouts in good repair and clean. Wet leaves provide moisture and harborage for termites and other pests.
Store firewood off the ground and away from your home.
Remove old tree stumps and roots around and beneath your home.
Eliminate any wood contact with the soil. – an 18-inch gap between the soil and wood is ideal.
Avoid planting trees and shrubs too close to the house. Trim trees and shrubs when necessary and keep them from touching your home’s roof or exterior walls, because they provide an easy pathway for termites.
Keep the exterior of your home well painted and in good repair. Bare wood is attractive to termites, and a good coat of paint can act as a barrier for drywood termites.

Another key element in protecting your home from termites is to have it inspected by a licensed termite inspector on a regular basis – every three years at the minimum, but annually if possible. An early diagnosis of a termite problem and taking corrective action sooner rather than later can help prevent more expensive treatments and repairs down the road.

During your inspection, Clark Pest Control’s highly trained inspectors will examine windows and plumbing along with the structural areas around them, and will inspect the attic, the basement, and any crawl spaces or voids. They will look anywhere termite colonies might be establishing a home base in and around your home.

If our inspector discovers evidence of termite damage, he or she will recommend a treatment method customized to meet your home’s specific needs, and also advise you on appropriate repairs for any damaged areas.

Remember, if your home has a problem with termites, call (800) WE NEED YOU (936-3339) or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com

Until next time, I’m the Clark Man. Thanks you for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.