How to Treat and Control Termites
Termites are some of the most common types of insects found in homes today. Though you may know that termites eat wood surfaces and components found in your home, you may not know that these insects also eat books, paper, and even the liners used in swimming pools. Pest control companies usually recommend that you use different methods to treat and control the termites living in your home.
Monitoring for Termite Activity
Pest control companies often use new types of computer software when monitoring your home for signs of termites. They can use these tools to get a good look at your home, find out where the termites live, and identify how those pests move through your home and around your property. This helps them decide whether baits will work, if your home needs to be tented, and where to place any baits they use.
Treating Termite Infestations
Two of the more common methods of treating termite infestations include baits and liquids. Baits are a type of trap that the exterminators place around the home. Termites are drawn to the baits, enter the traps, and then cannot leave. Exterminators may use a combination of baits and a liquid insecticide that kills any termites that touch the liquid. If you have a more serious infestation that baits and liquids will not treat, exterminators may need to tent your home and apply an insecticide throughout the house. Work with your exterminator to decide on the best treatment.
What to Expect When Treating Termites
Many homeowners are somewhat surprised when asked to prepare their property for termite treatment and shocked by what treatment involves. Before your pest control specialist arrives, you’ll need to iron out certain things.
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The Most Common Termite Treatment Options
The pest control specialist who comes to your home may choose from two generally accepted options: liquid treatments and baiting. Both methods have their merits.
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Why Bee Removal Is a Bad DIY Project
With so many sprays and other products promising quick and easy bee removal, it would seem that the average homeowner should be able to make simple work out of removing an unwanted bee infestation. This isn’t actually the case, however, and there are many reasons why trying to remove bees on your own is a bad idea.
Africanized Bees
Africanized bees are an extremely aggressive bee species developed by breeding African and European bees together. While only 10% of the bees in a European bee hive attack if the colony is threatened, all of the Africanized bees will attack if they are threatened. The result is an attack by thousands of bees that can sometimes be fatal due to the sheer number of stings involved. A professional has the right equipment to fend off such an attack.
The Bee Shortage
As honey bees die off at alarming rates, scientists are becoming increasingly concerned about the fate of the world’s food supply. Many fruits and vegetables won’t grow without bees to pollinate them, so exterminating bees by killing them with an insecticide isn’t a good idea. Pest control professionals may be able to remove and relocate the bees without killing them.
Property Damage
The pros also know how to access bees in hard to reach places, so they won’t damage your property when pursuing bees inside walls and other structures. Although a DIY mindset can solve many problems, if you have bees in or around your home, opt instead to protect your own safety by calling for help from professionals.
How to Tell Termites from Carpenter Ants
When checking for termites, you might see mud tubes (called “leads”) inside walls or along chimneys, which termites use to reach their food source. You might even see actual termite nests outdoors. However, signs like droppings, discarded wings, and damaged wood won’t be definitive proof of termites. Those signs could be the work of carpenter ants.
Controlling Ant Invasions: What Research Shows
Did you know that ant invasions are more likely to happen during rainy seasons or drought? This was a finding from a study by Stanford. The researchers found that in many cases, if you perform amateur ant pest control (through baits, bug sprays, and natural repellents), it won’t be effective if the ants are determined to stay away from the scorching heat, or to nest in semi-moist soil away from rainfall. Aside from being ineffective, using chemicals yourself can be hazardous.
Get to Know the German Cockroach
German cockroaches are commonly found throughout the United States. They are easily confused with the Asian cockroach because they look similar, the main difference being the German variety rarely flies (although they do have wings). German cockroaches are much smaller than most of their species, typically measuring between 0.51 to 0.63 inches in length. Their colors range from tan to dark brown.
Should You Really Be Afraid of Bees?
Everyone can thrive in close association with bees—even children. In fact, one elementary school in Oregon wanted to prove this point by cultivating a large bee population on school premises. However, the kids are taught to stay away from bees if they’re nesting nearby, just as they are taught to stay away from the road. Comparing the two dangers, you have actually more reason to be scared of roads than bees, considering that deaths by beestings are rare and road casualties are fairly common.
Spotting Termites Before They Do More Damage
Your home can be host to colonies of destructive termites, and you might not even be aware of it. This is because termites often live within the very wood they are eating, keeping them out of sight. Termites, however, are not completely invisible; if you know how to spot the symptoms of an infestation, you will be able to resolve your pest issues faster. Continue reading →
Habits that Encourage Cockroach Infestations
As the saying goes, “If you see one cockroach, you can be sure there are more lurking elsewhere”. The moment you see a cockroach scurrying across your floor, you’ll want to call an exterminator to come and get rid of these nasty pests—but what exactly called them to your home in the first place?
There are many habits we practice that actually encourage cockroaches to infest our homes. Once your exterminator has deemed your home roach-free, be sure to break the following habits or risk another infestation in the near future: Continue reading →
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