North Shore Pest Control

Products And Services

• Pest Control Services

  North Shore Pest Control has extensive knowledge about the wide variety of pests present in our Central Texas service area. Most of our customers have been with us for years. We keep it local so when you're having a pest issue, we are right down the road to help. We would truly like to thank our customers that we consider part of our extended family for the support over the past years.

  Link: Pest Control Services

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  Cockroaches

  Cockroaches: Cockroaches come in many sizes but we can all agree that they are creepy and disgusting. Unfortunately, they love us because we unknowingly provide them with a source of food, water, and shelter better than anything can in nature. Different types of roaches require different professional treatments. Cockroaches can be divided into two groups – indoor breeding and outdoor breeding types. The German Roach and the American Roach (sometimes referred to as Palmetto Bugs, Water Roaches and Flying Roaches) are the two most commonly found species of cockroaches in our central Texas homes. Both of these species breed very well inside of a home. The German Roach has adapted to survive in between walls, in closets and cabinets, and they multiply in large numbers very quickly. They often can be found in cluttered and dirty kitchens; however, even well-kept homes can harbor German Roaches due to the fact that they can be brought inside with grocery bags, shipped items, and from neighboring homes. The American cockroach is large and can fly. They primarily live and breed outdoors, but will also breed indoors if they can find a consistent source of water and humidity. Most often they find their way into homes through window and door openings, but also come in through our attics, or crawl spaces beneath the house. Two examples of outdoor breeding roaches are the Oriental Roach and the Smokey Brown roach. These cockroaches live and breed in mulch and under wood piles, rocks and sheds. Cold or hot weather will drive many of them into our homes as they seek water and shelter. They cannot survive for long in the low humid air produced by central AC equipment, and therefore these types of roaches are only a problem when their populations explode outdoors and become an unsightly nuisance around gardens and swimming pools. Serious infestations require multiple treatments over time. North Shore Pest Control offers customized solutions for cockroach elimination. Because we use the newer classes of insecticides for cockroach control, the pests are not chased from one area to the next. Instead, they are steadily killed where they eat and breed. Also used are insect growth hormones, baits and desiccant dusts which guarantee excellent control of cockroaches. North Shore Pest Control will treat every single room and closet, as well as the attic and outside perimeter of your home. We also treat your entire yard several times during the year which helps keep outside roach populations under control.

  Link: Cockroaches

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  Bed Bugs

  Bed Bugs: Bed bugs are flat, reddish-brown insects up to 5 mm long or the size of an apple seed. They feed on human blood and are nocturnal, biting you while you sleep. They are found in crevices and cracks. This includes sheets, mattress seams, behind baseboards, furniture and picture frames. Bed bugs are often found in hotels and can hitch a ride from place to place by way of luggage, purses, or other personal belongings. To effectively eradicate bed bugs, a professional is required. Once a problem is detected, the sooner you contact us, the less expensive the treatment will be. If you think you have a bed bug infestation, call us for a free inspection. If we determine that you do have bed bugs, we will consult with you on the best way to treat them. Normally we offer a chemical treatment, but if the infestation is bad enough, we do offer a heat treatment as well. If you are concerned that you may have bed bugs, call us and we will come out and give you our honest, expert opinion.

  Link: Bed Bugs

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  Ant Control

  Ants: There are many types of ants that inhabit central Texas. The most important step in treating them is identification by a seasoned professional. The type of ant determines what treatment is used. Fire ants are a huge nuisance here in central Texas and also a concern because they sting and when disturbed can cover a victim in seconds. When you use products that you can purchase at hardware or lawn and garden stores on the ant mounds, they simply move to another location in your yard. If you are sick and tired of battling ants, we offer a one-year guarantee on our fire ant treatments. Fire Ants: - Malicious Sting Fire ant stings can be more than just a short painful experience. Allergic reactions and secondary infection are all too common, especially on the tender skin of children. Fire Ants are equipped with a stinger on their back ends and they can use them multiple times. They also have powerful jaws that the ant uses to latch on to its victims while it raises and lowers its stinger – depositing inflammatory chemicals into the victim’s body. The resulting intense pain and itchiness will cause animals and humans to scratch their skin and expose themselves to microbial attack. A Better Solution While sprinkle-on bait products can eliminate individual fire ant colonies, new nests are quickly formed wherever a flying queen ant lands on the soil surface. You will see hundreds of these female winged ants swarming in the air soon after a warm, summer rain. Chasing fire ant mounds all around your lawn used to be our best defense against these pests. Now, the most effective solution homeowners have is to have the lawn professionally treated with new, professional grade chemical. As for safety, it is one of the lowest in toxicity of any chemical labeled for lawn use. Crazy Ants: Crazy ants are a new species of ants that have inhabited central Texas. Also known as “raspberry” ants, they were given this nickname in honor of the pest control professional in San Antonio, TX that discovered them. They are an imported species of ants from Argentina. They quickly multiply and can grow to colonies of hundreds of thousands of ants.

  Link: Ant Control

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  Scorpions

  Scorpions: Scorpions are a common problem for Lago Vista, Leander, and Liberty Hill with the most abundant species being the striped bark scorpion. They are easily recognized by the shape of their body and the characteristic stinger that curves above them. Nocturnal by nature, these arachnids are capable of stinging numerous times. Although the sting of the scorpion is painful, it is usually not dangerous unless an allergy occurs. If you suspect an allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately. In the home, scorpions are most often found hiding in undisturbed areas such as bedding, clothing, or closets. Once these pests are on your property, they will most likely end up in your home as they can squeeze through almost any opening. Elimination of scorpions requires professional help which we effectively provide. Scorpions sleep for long periods of time after eating, so it is hard to eliminate them with pesticides because they don’t encounter the chemical frequently. To treat these pests, we will put the pesticides in areas we know scorpions like, such as ceiling and floor corners, closets, fixtures, and even AC and heating units. Also treated are attics and crawl spaces with residual dusts, as well as outdoor drainpipes and foundation mulch. Effective control requires treating the entire yard to keep scorpions from getting into the home as well as reducing their food source which consists of insects.

  Link: Scorpions

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  Fleas and Ticks

  Fleas and Ticks: Fleas are common pests that are most often associated with animals. Although there are numerous household products on the market, these treatments do not last long enough to be effective. To effectively eradicate your flea problem, professional help is needed. We will apply a long-lasting treatment to kill the hatchlings and eggs. Fleas multiply quickly and can carry disease. It’s best to deal with an infestation as quickly as possible. Fleas, ticks, and bedbugs shelter in the crevices, nooks, and crannies found in homes. When you see the first insect in your central Texas home, call us to perform an effective and pet-friendly flea treatment. One of our team members will apply a combination of two long-residual pesticides and an insect growth hormone to cracks and crevices, carpets, areas where pets rest, and other places bugs like to hide, both inside your home and in your yard. Our treatment effectively kills the adult biting fleas and prevents eggs and pupa from developing into adults. We will discuss the customized treatment plan with you since your cooperation and assistance is needed to obtain successful extermination of these pests. Before and After Treatment Tips Vacuum rugs, carpets and furniture – especially between and under cushions. Then seal and dispose of the vacuum bag in an outside receptacle. Clean and clear all floors, even closet floors. Mop tile and vinyl floors. Sweep concrete floors. Remove decorative items, pillows, pet food, water dishes and children’s toys from under beds and furniture. Remove pets. Wash or dispose of pet bedding. If laundering, wash pet bedding separately from other linens. Mow your lawn and ensure everything on the ground outside has been removed. Show our pest control expert where your pets sleep, rest and eat. Resume normal vacuuming 24 hours after your home has been treated to give the insecticide time to work. It’s normal to see some adult fleas for up to three weeks after the treatment. Don’t be alarmed. Flea pupae are protected from insecticides by their cocoons, emerging as adults in one to three weeks. Once exposed to the insecticide residual, they will be eliminated. Continue vacuuming daily for two to three weeks.

  Link: Fleas and Ticks

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  Wood Destroying Ants

  Carpenter Ants: These wood destroying insects inhabit your home and quickly cause a lot of damage. Carpenter ants are among the largest ants as they are up to 14 mm long. Carpenter ants live both indoors and outdoors in moist, decaying or hollowed-out wood. They cut pathways into the wood structures to create their nests and make routes for movement within each section of the nest, or “satellites”. This activity produces sawdust mixed with dead ants which gives clues to a carpenter ant infestation. A common myth is that carpenter ants eat wood, but this is not true. They actually feed off of food people eat and other insects. Acrobatic Ants: Acrobat ants get their name from their habit of acrobatically raising their abdomen above their head, especially when they are disturbed. Outdoors, acrobat ants nest near moisture such as under stones, in stumps, in rotting logs and under woodpiles. When they invade homes, acrobat ants often nest in damp areas. Acrobat ants often nest in wood that termites or carpenter ants have damaged. Acrobat ants normally eat insects and their waste. If acrobat ants invade a home, they usually prefer sweets and meat. The most visible sign of acrobat ants are the trails of ants as they look for resources. Another sign is the debris they leave as they excavate their nests. This often consists of foamy substance and dead ants near the nest. Preventing acrobat ants begins with a thorough inspection. Occasionally there is evidence to show where they made their nest. Ants that are moving in a trail can lead to their nest and their food supply. It is very often necessary to fix a moisture problem before it is possible to eliminate acrobat ants. Because the nest can be difficult to locate, it is preferable to let a pest control professional treat an acrobat ant infestation.

  Link: Wood Destroying Ants

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  Mosquito Control

  Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are one of the most difficult insects to control and often require a large area to be professionally treated. They can carry dangerous diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika virus which have been found in central Texas. We offer fogging for these pests and also install systems to control them long term. Leander, Lago Vista, Liberty Hill, and Georgetown are home to 70 species of mosquito. Perhaps the most dangerous are mosquitos in the Culex family, which carry the West Nile Virus. These mosquitoes feed from dusk until after dark, mostly on birds, but also attack humans. They roost during the night, high in the upper branches of trees and underneath leaves. This presents a problem when attempting to treat mosquitoes, since it is hard to reach the top of a tree’s foliage without causing significant chemical drift. Another common mosquito in our area is the Asian Tiger Mosquito. This species is large in number and potentially dangerous. The Asian Tiger Mosquito aggressively seeks human and pet blood, and its bite can spread some diseases, such as dengue fever, equine encephalitis and heartworms. They feed during both day and night. Anopheles mosquitoes can also be a danger to homeowners and pets in central Texas. They like water habitats, live for about two weeks, and feed on humans and cattle. They also carry the malaria parasite that kills more than 1 million people each year. Successful Mosquito Control Our mosquito control experience means we’ve developed some of the leading techniques for protecting central Texas families. The most common technique involves the application of insecticides and insect growth hormones to the hidden surfaces where the insects roost at night — the undersides of leaves. To accomplish this, a high velocity mist blower is used. The air turbulence turns the leaves over so the insecticide coats the under-surface, killing mosquitos living there. Chemical treatment in addition to eliminating any standing or trapped water reduces up to 95% of mosquito activity for a month.

  Link: Mosquito Control

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  Stinging Pest Control

  Flying Insects: Difficult to control, these pests can build nests all over properties wherever a hollow space is found. Once the nest is established, hundreds of pests can accumulate. Wasps and hornets are very aggressive if disturbed. For this reason, only professionals should be trusted to treat them as we have the proper equipment to handle them. Although honey bees are rarely aggressive, Georgetown, Liberty Hill, and Lago Vista have seen honey bee hives converting to Africanized hybrids. These hives contain bees that are highly defensive and will attack in great numbers if they perceive a threat.

  Link: Stinging Pest Control

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  Tick Treatment

  Fleas and Ticks: Fleas are common pests that are most often associated with animals. Although there are numerous household products on the market, these treatments do not last long enough to be effective. To effectively eradicate your flea problem, professional help is needed. We will apply a long-lasting treatment to kill the hatchlings and eggs. Fleas multiply quickly and can carry disease. It’s best to deal with an infestation as quickly as possible. Fleas, ticks, and bedbugs shelter in the crevices, nooks, and crannies found in homes. When you see the first insect in your central Texas home, call us to perform an effective and pet-friendly flea treatment. One of our team members will apply a combination of two long-residual pesticides and an insect growth hormone to cracks and crevices, carpets, areas where pets rest, and other places bugs like to hide, both inside your home and in your yard. Our treatment effectively kills the adult biting fleas and prevents eggs and pupa from developing into adults. We will discuss the customized treatment plan with you since your cooperation and assistance is needed to obtain successful extermination of these pests. Before and After Treatment Tips Vacuum rugs, carpets and furniture – especially between and under cushions. Then seal and dispose of the vacuum bag in an outside receptacle. Clean and clear all floors, even closet floors. Mop tile and vinyl floors. Sweep concrete floors. Remove decorative items, pillows, pet food, water dishes and children’s toys from under beds and furniture. Remove pets. Wash or dispose of pet bedding. If laundering, wash pet bedding separately from other linens. Mow your lawn and ensure everything on the ground outside has been removed. Show our pest control expert where your pets sleep, rest and eat. Resume normal vacuuming 24 hours after your home has been treated to give the insecticide time to work. It’s normal to see some adult fleas for up to three weeks after the treatment. Don’t be alarmed. Flea pupae are protected from insecticides by their cocoons, emerging as adults in one to three weeks. Once exposed to the insecticide residual, they will be eliminated. Continue vacuuming daily for two to three weeks.

  Link: Tick Treatment

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  Spider Treatment

  Spiders: There are hundreds of types of spiders in Leander, Lago Vista, Liberty Hill, and Georgetown, with the most dangerous being the brown recluse and black widow spiders. Spiders are usually thought of as desirable because they eat flies and mosquitoes. Nevertheless, fear of the arachnids and evidence of their presence, mainly cobwebs, warrant pest control treatment. They can be effectively treated with chemical treatments in both your home and yard. In the home, we place pesticide in areas that are dark and undisturbed. Such areas include garages, attics, closets, and under porches and stairs. This is an effective way to control spider populations. Our trusted team here at North Shore Pest Control has the expertise and experience in spider control and elimination. Our outside treatment for spiders ensures that the large, dangerous spiders are killed. This is important for the safety of children and pets that play in these areas. Treating your yard will kill spiders and help control their numbers by also eliminating their main food source; other insects. We also offer dock services for our customers that have properties on the lakes. This includes dock misting systems and maintenance on existing misting systems. Black widows and brown recluse spiders are venomous and we do need to watch out for their presence in central Texas. They are not typically aggressive and usually hide in dark and humid areas that are not disturbed. One important thing to note is that the brown recluse is nocturnal and hard to find without searching in undisturbed areas. We suggest that you protect yourself when cleaning out attics, garages or cluttered closets. This is best accomplished by wearing long gloves, a long sleeved shirt and shoes with socks. There is an often reported misbelief that spiders are not effectively eliminated with common pesticide treatments. The truth is that the newer micro-encapsulated chemicals and dusts we use are proven killers of the black widow and brown recluse spiders. Follow up treatments may be required to eliminate newly hatched eggs within a month or so. We also use sticky trap monitors to determine the success of the treatments.

  Link: Spider Treatment