Category Archives: Insect & Pest Control

Learn about the reasons for the reproduction of stray cats and dogs and how dangerous they are in our surroundings

The presence of large numbers of stray dogs and cats poses public health concerns. Dog bites, rabies, cat-scratch fever, cats carry a dangerous parasite associated with schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, memory loss, learning problems, and more are all risks to people who live in areas where stray animals are common. Their presence also creates noise pollution, especially at night, with dogs barking. Feral cats also represent a major threat to biodiversity and have caused the extinction of many species of mammals and birds as they feed on them. The movement of animals in the streets of the neighborhood helps to transmit parasitic and infectious diseases, especially to children because they usually come into contact with animals. Therefore, it is important to reduce the number of stray animals to control the spread of dangerous diseases.

Street dogs and stray cats are found in large numbers, especially in developing countries, for several reasons, including:

1. The presence of litter exposed and scattered in the streets is a source of attraction for stray animals in search of food, which contributes to their survival.

2. Stray animals multiply in abundance, which expands their presence in the surrounding environment.

3. It is located in the popular markets where leftovers, slaughterhouses and fish vendors.

How can stray animal populations be controlled effectively and humanely?

Many civil bodies deal with the issue of stray animals through the mass execution of dogs or cats, transferring them to other areas or poisoning them. These methods may have succeeded in the past, but they are absolutely inhuman. As for the displacement of stray animals, this may transfer epidemics to new areas.

Then what to do?

Animals play a huge role in our life and the environment. So, it is in our interest as human beings to help them wherever we can. By taking care of them, we can prevent the spread of diseases, such as rabies, which are a major threat to humans. This disease is so deadly to humans as well as to the animals that carry it, so that infected animals become very aggressive.

Shelters must be provided to deal with stray animals while providing them with the necessary food and presenting them to veterinarians to maintain their health and ensure that they are not carriers of diseases. With the advocacy of pet ownership, there are many pets in shelters today who like to live cozily away from homelessness. While making the animals sterile to prevent their reproduction.

Storm is a pest control and sterilization company. Aims to spread information about common insects and enriching Arabic content in the field of entomology; if you ever need our services, feel free to contact us.

What does a weevil look like?

There are many types of weevils that have different types and shapes; most of these species are slender or oval in shape; their length ranges from 3 mm to over 10 mm. Its color is dark brown and black. Weevils feed on plants so some of them can be extremely damaging to crops. There is a type of weevil called a grain weevil that infects grains.

How can weevils be transmitted to my home?

Weevils can infiltrate the house through holes and cracks in the walls, but usually weevils enter the house through canned foods and food products, and because their eggs are small and almost invisible, it is easy to buy infested goods without realizing it. Grain weevils infect starches and grains such as pasta, rice, flour, etc. And it may infest fruit trees in your garden.

How dangerous are weevils?

Weevils feed on the substances they infect, but the worst of this is the contamination of foods with their faeces and skins. Thus, the food that it has contaminated becomes unfit for human use. Weevils contaminate infected foods with their faeces and skin, causing more damage than they eat.

There are types of weevils that feed mainly on stored grains such as (cowpea weevil, grain weevil, rice weevil), which causes great damage.

How do I get rid and avoid the presence of weevils?

1. Check all beans upon purchase, production date and storage conditions.
2. Freeze the grain for at least a week to kill any eggs that may hatch and grow an adult mite.
3. Buy grain as needed and consume them within a short period of time. There’s no need to buy pounds of grain and stock up on it.
4. If you have to stock up on grains, consume the oldest first, then the newest.
5. Store grains and foodstuffs in airtight glass, metal, or plastic containers, not paper or plastic bags, because weevils easily penetrate the bags.
6. Seal cracks and openings in walls and clean shelves regularly.
7. Small black peppercorns can repel grain weevils.
8. Vacuuming is a quick way to remove weevils from walls and furniture. Make sure to empty the broom in a safe way so that the weevils do not spread elsewhere.
9. Get rid of the garbage bags in which the infested products were placed.
10. Inspect the crops for weevils, and as soon as they find them or find signs of them, be sure to get rid of them quickly before they multiply and cause disaster!

When the weevils infested, it can come in large numbers. Often homeowners in this situation need a dedicated team. In Storm, we can address the issue and eliminate it and any kind of insects or pests that bother you. We have a specialized team capable of solving all these problems. Just get in touch and let us do the rest.

What are whiteflies?

The whitefly is a type of small, soft-bodied winged insect. It has wings that enable it to fly. The adult length is 1/16 inch. Despite its name, whitefly is not a type of flies. You can find it on tree leaves, especially the lower part of the leaf.

Do whiteflies harm plants?

The whitefly is an annoying insect that damages plants so that it uses its piercing mouth to absorb plant sap; thus, it produces a sticky substance. It can cause fungal diseases such as mold that forms on leaves. It is also responsible for transmitting many plant viruses.

With dense whitefly feeding, plants will become very weak and may be unable to photosynthesize. At that time, the leaves wilted and yellow, growth will weaken, and this is enough to kill the plant.

How do whiteflies reproduce?

An adult female can produce up to 400 eggs and keep them for a month, then hatch within a week. The eggs are pale yellow when they are laid and brown when they hatch. Young larvae are oval without legs; they do not move and feed by absorbing plant juice.

Prevention and control

If you notice whiteflies on your farm, you should hurry up and solve the problem before it is too late; here are some tips for preventing and controlling this insect:

• One of the most important things very important for prevention is to check the plants, especially in the area under the leaves, first hand; early detection of whitefly avoids disaster.
• Use a hose or sprayer to spray the plantings; this will remove the insect and its eggs from the paper.
• Spraying plants with a specific insecticide, in the evening when the temperatures are lower. Taking into account its use after consulting with a specialist, because it may kill other beneficial insects.
• Use a vacuum cleaner, but cautiously, to remove eggs or larvae if you notice them, with the need for safe disposal of the waste.
• If you have dragonflies, this is excellent because they feed on small insects, including whiteflies.
• Deceive the whiteflies by laying out yellow cards covered with a mixture of Vaseline and dish soap; the yellow color resembles tree leaves, so whiteflies are attracted to it, lick the mixture, and die.
• The horticultural oils that work to suffocate insects, are very effective in all stages of this insect.

If you feel that your farm is full of this insect and you do not know how to get rid of it or deal with it. In this case, you need a professional team. In Storm, we can address the issue and find an appropriate solution to eliminate whiteflies of all kinds and any kind of insects or pests that bother you. We have a specialized team capable of solving all these problems. A competent team will come to you and conduct a comprehensive examination; they will develop a science-backed treatment plan that best meets your needs.

Wasps are distinguished from ants and bees by different behavioral and physical characteristics; especially her having a slender body and legs with relatively few hairs. Wasps are also generally predatory or parasitic and have stinging with little to no thorns that can be easily removed from their victims.

The larvae of the predatory species usually feed on insects, while the larvae of the parasitic species feed on their host.

Wasps fall into two groups: solitary wasps that live alone, and social wasps that live in colonies.

Social wasp colonies are pesky pests that often nest in man-made structures and humans may sting painfully if you get close to them. However, the ecosystem depends on these insects.

So what are the benefits of wasps?

Wasps are very important in maintaining ecosystem balance as they are natural pest control. Whereas without wasps the world could be filled with spiders and insects.

Wasps are hugely beneficial to our ecosystem due to the huge number of insects they capture. But their voracious appetites can cause problems if the species spread or are introduced to new areas and their numbers are not controlled.

Adult wasps do not eat the prey they kill but rather feed them to their young; social species capture insects, chop them and carry their parts to the nest. Adult wasps (both social and solitary) feed on sugars only. The sugars come from the nectar of the flowers. Wasp larvae produce a sugary liquid that adults can consume.

When wasps feed on flower nectar, they pick up pollen and transfer it to another plant. Their contribution to pollination may not be significant, but wasps still play an important role.

How to control and prevent spreading the wasps?

Never hit or crush a wasp, or it will release a pheromone (chemicals made of complex organic molecules that are used to transmit the signal from one animal to another) that attracts and invites more wasps into your home.

So how do I prevent the spread of wasps?

• Wasps enter and exit the doors or windows of your house. Cover food and liquids, especially sweet liquids.
• Any garbage that contains sugary materials, be sure to store it in an airtight bag and dispose of it as soon as possible.
• Cracks and openings in walls must be sealed and sealed; the wasps will try to make their nests there.
• Grow plants that repel wasps, such as mint or thyme.
• Use mint oil. Wasps hate the smell of mint.
• Create a wasp control trap by cutting off the top of a 2-liter bottle and inserting it into the bottom. Put in the bottle water dissolved in sugar to attract the wasps. Once the wasp inside, wasp won’t know how to escape, they will be trapped and die.

Removing wasp nests is extremely dangerous, so hiring an experienced professional is highly recommended to do the job. You discovered you had wasp nests and don’t know what to do? In Storm, we can address the issue and eliminate it and any kind of insects or pests that bother you. We have a specialized team capable of solving all these problems. Just get in touch and let us do the rest.

Insects and pests always look for a warm, safe and nutritious place. The place where these characteristics meets is our homes!

The insects we see change depending on the season we’re in. Some insects prefer warmer, climactic weather in the spring and summer, while others thrive in winter in search of warmth. It is important to be aware of the patterns and species of seasonal insects and to take appropriate precautions during each season. In the following article, we bring you the most common insects and pests for each season so that you can protect your home all year long and take action.

The spring

In the spring, temperatures increase, snow melts, and fields bloom. This warm and pleasant atmosphere prompts and stimulates insects to leave their winter homes in search of food and drink, which is a breeding season for many types of insects. Some insects will look for safe places like your home to build a nest. You should pay attention to these nests because insects will breed in them and from them invade your home. Here are some common spring pests to watch out for:

• Ants: In the spring, they leave their colonies in search of food and take refuge in high places to build their colonies.
• Termites: build new colonies in the spring.
• Mosquitoes: The humidity of the ground contributes to the reproduction of mosquitoes. And to prepare for the peak season, which is summer.
• Flies: Fly larvae mature in the spring, and once they mature, they will begin to search for food.
• Spiders: Spiders feed on other insects, and since the spring season is active in insects, this will be an incentive for spiders to leave their winter homes in search of food.
• Bees, wasps and locusts: Spring is the season for mating and building nests.

The summer

Some insects may build their homes in any opening or crevice in your home, or near the foundations of your home. Here are some common summer pests:

• Mosquitoes: It is the most dangerous, nuisance, and common in summer.
• Bees, wasps and locusts: They have ripened and increased in population.
• Flies: Summer is the peak season for flies. So that it will multiply and be attracted to garbage, food, dirt and waste.

The Fall

In fall temperatures start to drop, prompting insects to start searching for warmth and shelter in our homes. Among the most famous insects that appear in the fall:

• Cockroaches: They are the most popular in autumn, as they cannot stay outside in the low temperatures. So, they look for places to hide, usually in drains and sewage pipes.
• Spiders: Like cockroaches, they move indoors to avoid low temperatures, as well as searching for food as there will be no insects to feed on outside.
• Rats and mice: These pesky animals, that transmit diseases and damage many household items often appear in the fall.

The winter

Now the bitter cold season, many insects make their way into our homes in search of warmth. Among the most famous insects that appear in the winter:

• Rats and mice: They are most common in the winter.
• Cockroaches: Most types of cockroaches die in the winter, but some species remain in dark and damp areas.

Insects and pests of all kinds, shapes and times of their appearance cause you inconvenience and want not to find them in your home? In Storm, we can handle the issue and get rid of any kind of insects or pests that bother you. We have a specialized team capable of solving all these problems as well as providing prevention consultations; just get in touch and let us do the rest.

When we think of deadly animals, lions, sharks, crocodiles or snakes often come to mind. Contrary to expect, mosquitoes outnumber them all in terms of the number of people they kill each year. The mosquito is not just a small insect that annoys you with its buzzing sound and its bites! These small insects kill more than 725,000 people each year and account for 17% of the estimated global burden of infectious disease.

By comparing mosquitoes with other killer creatures, statistics say that mosquitoes kill at least 725,000 people every year, while snakes kill an estimated 50,000 people, elephants kill 100 people, crocodiles 1,000 people, snails that carry schistosomiasis 10,000 people, snakes 50 thousand people, dogs 25 thousand people, sharks 25 thousand people.

There are more than 2,500 mosquito species and they are found in every region of the world except Antarctica. Mosquitoes are able to adapt to new environments and these insects exhibit resistance to a variety of insecticides.

This insect does not perform the task alone, but what makes it so dangerous is its ability to transmit viruses or other parasites that cause very dangerous diseases, the most dangerous of which is malaria. For example, malaria alone, which is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito, kills 400,000 people (most of them children) and disables 200 million others for days. This disease leads to fever, chills, a headache and vomiting, and if left untreated, it may lead to death, especially as it spreads in poor areas. Dengue is another mosquito-borne disease that causes 50 to 100 million cases annually worldwide. Japanese encephalitis, which causes more than 10,000 deaths annually, most of them in Asia; lymphatic filariasis, known as elephantiasis, is a parasitic disease that is transmitted through mosquito bites and may lead to abnormal enlargement of body parts, and causes pain and severe disability. This disease affects more than 120 million people in 72 countries. Yellow fever is found in 34 African countries and 13 countries in South and Central America. And many other diseases.

You notice the presence of a large number of mosquitoes in your surroundings that cause you inconvenience on a daily basis, especially at night, and you want to get rid of them and protect yourself from the dangerous diseases that they may cause. In Storm, we can address the issue and get rid of mosquitoes and any kind of insects or pests that bother you. We have a specialized team capable of solving all these problems; just get in touch and let us do the rest.

What does a dragonfly look like?

Dragonfly species have long bodies, two narrow pairs of membranous wings with complex veins that are generally transparent, and may have colored markings. Dragonflies have a stronger structure and are generally much stronger than flies. Dragonflies also have huge bulging eyes that occupy most of the head, making the field of view close to 360 degrees.

Compared to other insects it is quite large in size; some have wings up to 16 cm long; a dragonfly does not fold its wings when it lands. Its wings extend from their bodies even when they are resting. The smallest species are about 20 mm wide. Plus its extremely fast movement makes it among the fastest insects. The dragonfly’s 35 mph speed and agility contribute to it being one of the most effective aerial predators. Small flying insects are their regular food.

How does it reproduce?

Dragonflies begin their life in the water around mid-summer. Females hover over fresh water and dive. They lay eggs that hatch in about seven to eight days. These are called larvae. They remain in the water for up to three years. Aquatic insects chase mosquito larvae or small fish. They may even eat other dragonfly larvae.

Where are dragonflies found?

Dragonflies can be found around ponds, so you may find them in swimming pools. Dragonflies may accidentally get into an open window, but they will not live for long indoors.

How dangerous is it to humans?

Dragonflies are not harmful to humans. They may approach humans, except that they do not bite or sting. Dragonflies may also be beneficial, as immature dragonflies eliminate pesky pests like mosquito larvae.

How do I get rid of dragonflies?

Dragonflies are not dangerous, either to humans or to trees, but on the contrary, they are beneficial in that they feed on harmful insects and pests that cause harm to humans or plants. But people often do not like to be seen in their surroundings, follow these tips to get rid of them:

• Get rid of insects that dragonflies feed on, such as mosquitoes.
• Dragonflies love water, so if your garden has a pond, replenishing the water freshly may help keep it away. And get rid of stagnant water.
• Frogs are among the animals that eat dragonflies; use frogs to get rid of dragonflies in a natural and environmentally friendly way.
• Put chlorine in the pool in appropriate amounts to dislodge dragonflies.
• Apply the salt water solution for about 30 seconds on the plants to repel the dragonflies.
• Get rid of flat, light-colored rocks as they attract some species of dragonflies.

If you do not want dragonflies or any kind of insects in your home; at Storm, we can address the issue and find the appropriate solution to keep dragonflies in their place outside your home or business, and we can eliminate any kind of insects or pests that bother you. We have a specialized team capable of solving all these problems; just get in touch and let us do the rest.

Lice are tiny, wingless parasitic insects that feed on human blood. It can be found on people’s heads and bodies. And its types differ depending on the area that it affects.

There are three types of lice, depending on the area they infect:

• Head lice: found on the scalp between hair strands. Small, six-legged insects that stick to the scalp and neck and feed on human blood. Each louse is about the size of a sesame seed. Lice lay their eggs, called nits, on the hair near the scalp and they can be difficult to see.
• Body lice: These lice live in clothes and on bedding and move to your skin to feed on blood.
• Pubic lice: These lice infest the skin and hair of the pubic area. Coarse body hair, such as chest hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

The reasons for its spread:

Female lice produce a sticky substance that firmly attaches each egg to the base of the hair shaft. The eggs hatch in six to nine days.

Lice cannot jump or fly. But it is spread among people, especially children in schools and kindergartens, who share the tools of the infected person, such as clothes, towels, comb, or using any tool that the infected person used. Thus, it may spread to family members.

How to get rid and prevention of lice

It is difficult to prevent the spread of head lice among children in schools and kindergartens. Especially since children share their belongings among themselves, so lice spread easily. If one of your children is injured, this is not a failure on your part as a parent.

Head lice will not go away on their own. If you suspect your child has an infection and notice that he is scratching a lot and complaining about the feeling of something walking in his head, confirm this by:

• Inspect the child’s hair thoroughly, for the presence of lice or their eggs.
• Use a comb with close and thin teeth to comb the hair. This comb pulls the lice and their eggs out when combing.
• Notify your child’s nursery or school so that other students are screened.
• Check all other family members.
• If you discover that your child is infected, abide by the prevention standards for the rest of the individuals, so that the personal belongings of the injured person such as hats, coats, combs, hair accessories and headphones should not be shared among the rest of the family or schoolmates.
• Wash the clothes of anyone being treated for lice.
• Treat every infected person at the same time. By combing it well and washing it well, use a product to get rid of lice with the advice of a doctor. Read the instructions for use well and adhere to them.

Storm is a pest control and sterilization company. Aims to spread information about common insects and enriching Arabic content in the field of entomology; if you ever need our services, feel free to contact us.

House spiders can bite but have no venom, and the vast majority of spiders avoid contact with humans. But whether or not they bite, most people are concerned about having spiders in their homes and they trying to get rid of them.

It’s normal to fear spiders, which have a lot of legs and almost all of them are venomous even though the majority of species have a toxin that is too weak to cause problems for humans. If you see a spider in the house, it probably won’t hurt you. So do not try to kill it because it is an important part of nature and our internal ecosystem; in addition, it feeds on other harmful pests such as mosquitoes and flies, all you have to do is place a container over it, pull it out and gently place it outside. However, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent spiders from invading your home.

How do I get rid of spiders inside my house?

Spiders may come indoors during the winter to escape the cold and during the summer to escape the high temperatures. Spiders get into the home through cracks around windows and doors.

Having spiders inside my house can cause fear and anxiety for family members; so here are the following tips for prevention and disposal:

• Regular and thorough home cleaning: It is the best way to eliminate spiders and discourage their return. A regular vacuum or broom removes spiders, grids, and egg sacs. Destroying the egg sacs is critical as they can each contain hundreds of tiny spiders.
• Get rid of spider food: Get rid of any dead flies or any small crawling insects that might bring spiders.
• Get rid of the garbage immediately to not bring in insects, which are a main source of food for spiders.
• Removing spider webs: The spider creates webs to help trap its prey; so periodically clean ceiling corners, hanging pictures, and antiques to make sure you remove spider webs.
• Reducing illumination: Insects are attracted to light; Flies and moths are perfect prey for spiders, so turn off any outdoor lights if you don’t want them.
• Put scents that spiders hate: Spiders do not like the smell of citrus fruits, such as lemon, orange, mint oil, garlic and vinegar, so try to spray places where spiders may be by spraying these ingredients.
• Crack sealing: Make sure to seal cracks and openings in walls, windows and doors.
• Make a household spider repellent from table salt and water; spray this mixture in the garden and around the home once a week.
• Clean gutters so that dams do not create gathering places for insects; which are prey for spiders.

You notice a large number of spiders infesting your home and feel that their shape and size is cause for concern; you were afraid to deal with it. Don’t worry in Storm we deal with the spiders and with any kind of insects or pests that bother you, we have a specialized team capable of solving all these problems; just get in touch and let us do the rest.

What do beetles look like?

Size: Beetles come in many shapes, sizes, and colors; some are long and slender while others have an oval or round shape. There are even beetles that look like spiders.

Characteristics: Beetles have well-developed antennae.

Wings: Beetles have front wings. These wings are often very stiff and look more like a solid shell than wings. The beetle folds the front wings so that it covers the back wings. And it acts as a protection against dehydration and water resistance.

From where beetles come?

Your home can attract beetles for many different reasons. Many species of beetles look for stored grains such as rice, wheat, and canned food. Others will feed on garden plants, wood or fabric. Beetles may enter our homes by purchasing infected products. Some of them take shelter in the winter to avoid the cold weather. They may enter the home through cracks in the walls or openings around door and window frames.

How do I get rid of beetles?

Beetles are a nuisance, there are beetles that invade the fabric, beetles that consume food products and crops, and beetles that destroy wood. Reducing their hiding places will prevent them from entering and breeding in your home.

Here are the following ways to get rid of it:

• Some beetles can be removed by simply using a vacuum cleaner or any other method to remove these insects.
• Make sure to check foodstuffs, fabrics and wood items before purchasing them and bringing them home.
• If you find infected food items, fabrics or wood get rid of them to prevent spread.
• Clean the sewage network and do not leave foodstuffs, especially legumes, for long periods of time in the store, and be sure to check them and consume the oldest.
• Get rid of clothes you no longer use, clean cabinets periodically and check clothes that may be infected with fabric beetles.
• Use anti-beetle products such as sprays.
• Cracks and openings in walls must be sealed and sealed; the beetles may try to get into your home through it.

If you don’t get rid of the beetles right away, they will breed and continue to spread throughout your home. You have cleaned and cleaned, but have been unable to find where they are and how they reproduce or are worried about dealing with such pests. In Storm, we can address the issue and eliminate it and any kind of insects or pests that bother you. We have a specialized team capable of solving all these problems. Just get in touch and let us do the rest.