Caught A Cold Or Mold?

Mold thrives everywhere in the environment but, do you know what happens if it enters our body during cold and flu season?

Mold thrives everywhere in the environment but, do you know what happens if it enters our body during cold and flu season?

Symptoms of Mold Sickness

As an irritant, symptoms from mold sickness are comparable to that of the common cold or even an allergy. Some of the symptoms experienced may be itchy or watery eyes, sneezing, itchy skin, and headache. If you notice these symptoms after entering a building repeatedly, the structure may have an issue with mold. Prolonged exposure to mold may cause symptoms to worsen. You may begin to experience constant headaches, weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting. More serious effects caused from mold might be chronic fatigue, bronchitis and sinus infections along with short-term memory loss. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your physician immediately.

Are you exposed to mold?

Mold is typically hidden deep inside walls or floors. Mold can be found in basements, HVAC ducts and behind cabinets. Mold results from moisture becoming trapped in these areas so it's best to get a professional inspection from Gladhill Services. 

f you want to know more about mold or our removal process click here

New Year Pest Resolutions

With 2018 upon us, many are trying to determine a so-called New Year’s resolution to keep. Some of us choose lifestyle or dietary changes while others take a class or try something new to enhance their lives but, Gladhill Services wants you to consider something different this year. When thinking about home repairs and other household duties for this new year why not begin thinking about pest prevention first. Every task performed (or not) can make or break a pest problem inside and around your home. 

IN THE PANTRY
There is nothing critters prefer more than crumbs on floors and shelving. No need to worry about ants and other pantry pests this year. Take proper preventative steps by putting a little time aside to clean up the pantry. Wipe the floor and shelves of your pantry this year and, make sure that all containers are properly sealed.

TEND YOUR FIREWOOD
A huge mistake us guys make is by stacking up the firewood right at or near to the house. Carpenter ants, spiders, earwigs, springtails, mites, borer insects, and termites flock to wood piles, where they are then carried right into the house. Start this year right by moving the woodpile away from the house and porch.

SEAl UP THE CRACKS
If you haven’t done this yet, make a resolution to do it now. As temperatures drop, rodents, in addition to  insects, seek out warmth, and, from the tiniest of places. Seal up any and all cracks and crevices around the foundation while checking to ensure the doors and windows are tightly sealed.

PRONE TO PESTS?
After taking the top three preventive steps, remember to inspect your home for any signs of pest activity monthly. Gladhill Services recommends checking your attic, basement and exterior foundation walls each month. Even if you see just three critters crawling in the same month, contact us right away at 717-597-1040 Both insects and rodents reproduce quickly. 

Is Treating Termites During Winter A Waste of Your Time and Money?

Winter is probably the best time to get a termite treatment! Why? Termite locations are more predictable as they overwinter together in fewer areas as they remain closer to their nest. In warmer months termites forage constantly spreading out in multiple directions and covering thousands of square feet. The closer termites are to their colony nest the quicker and more efficient products work in eliminating them from your home. 

It's important to note that there is no such thing as a termite season. Termite swarmers are typically seen in our region during early and mid spring however, during winter months inspections are faster and easier along with targeted treatments by professionals. If unsure look for these signs:

• Damaged or stained wood with sandy grit on it
• Small insect wings stuck in cobwebs or laying on window seals
• Flying insects near walls or windows

If you have any questions or would like a free termite inspection this winter give Gladhill Services a call. 717-597-1040

Getting Rid of Fleas

Fleas

Never Routine

Your dog or cat may be your best friend and considered a member of your family, but on occassion they can invite fleas in to your area rugs, carpeting, furniture, and flooring unintentionally causing a big household problem. Through no fault of their own, your pet may not be the only one getting bitten!

If discovered that your pet has fleas, stay calm and take it all one step at a time. The first thing you should do is consult your veterinarian and get your pet treated. The second thing you'll need to do is to clean your home on the inside. The third step in getting rid of fleas is to call a professional like Gladhill Services. This is due to the complex life cycle fleas go through. The final step in eliminating fleas is to clean up the outside of your home. 

An infestation of fleas can be very difficult to eliminate due to fleas having a complex life cycle. There are four stages to a flea's life; the egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages together make up what is known as a complete metamorphosis  The fleas life cycle can take anywhere from a couple weeks to several months, depending on the immediate environmentent to complete. This makes control methods difficult at times for most people. Some retail products marketed for flea control may only be formulated for one or two life cycles. It's often best to call a professional like Gladhill Services in order to rid your home of fleas once your pet is treated. 

Since pets go in and out of the house all the time it's almost impossible to treat fleas without treating both the inside and outside of your home. A treatment on the lawn will also need to be in order sometimes. Dense foliage from landscape plants may be in need of a treatment too since fleas can thrive in areas of dense high growth or groundcover.