Preparing for Spring Pests

With forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting a 75 percent chance of a near- or above-normal hurricane season in 2018, it is important for homeowners to ensure their homes are prepped for the damaging effects of these natural disasters. While reinforcing windows and bunkering down ahead of extreme weather are top priorities, other risks (in the form of pests) still lurk long after storms have passed. Downed trees and standing water force many species of insects to seek higher ground and safe shelter – oftentimes in our own homes. To fully prepare for and combat a probable spike in pest populations in the days and weeks after a hurricane, follow these six pest prevention tips. And, for those of you who live on the East Coast, take heed through November 30, which is the Atlantic hurricane season! 1. Amp Up Your Pre-Storm Pest Control Efforts Before reports of a potential hurricane start to roll in, you can help prevent hurricane season pests by conducting both interior and exterior inspections of your house to identify and address any structural issues that may be worsened by the impending storm. Cracks should be sealed with a silicone-based caulk, any existing water damage should be fixed, and the household property should be sloped so that water flows away from the foundation rather than towards it. Furthermore, potential pest breeding sites such as garbage cans and mulch should be placed relatively far from the house in order keep pests away. 2. Drain Standing Water to Prevent an Influx of Mosquitoes Though it may seem that the flooding and heavy rains associated with storms would effectively eradicate any existing mosquito populations, the standing water left behind serves as an ideal breeding ground for these biting pests. Mosquitoes need only a bottle cap full – half an inch – of water to breed. As a result, homeowners should assess and address sources of standing water if possible, which can be found in obvious places where flood waters collect, but also in birdbaths, clogged gutters, flowerpots, grill covers, garbage cans and lids. By draining and emptying these water receptacles, you can prevent the development of a mosquito population in your own backyard. 3. Get Rid of Tainted Food and Damaged Debris to Avoid Flies and Rodents Spoiled food caused by extended power outages during bad weather can invite flies into your home. Flies breed in rotting food, potentially exposing family members to disease. Deposit any spoiled food in a sealed trash bag outside of the house to avoid attracting flies. Food waste and clutter can also entice rodents that are displaced by the storms and seeking food and shelter. For this reason, ensuring that discarded food is picked up by sanitation workers in a timely manner is critical. These workers usually prioritize dealing with common garbage over construction debris in the aftermath of a natural disaster, so homeowners should separate these materials to ensure that trash is quickly picked up and organize debris piles away from the home. 4. Identify and Assess Any Water Damage to Stop Termite and Ant Infiltrations Rotting wood, caused by water damage, may attract troublesome termites – a pest that can silently chew through your home’s wood joists and flooring, etc., and inflict thousands of dollars in damage over time. Additionally, excessive moisture around your property can oversaturate soil and cause insects living underground, such as ants, to seek higher ground and shelter inside your house. To mitigate these threats, remove rotting debris that could harbor pests, fix any damaged pipes that could be leaking, and make sure your property slopes away from your home to prevent water from pooling around the foundation of the structure. 5. Check for Any Openings Caused by Structural Damage High winds, rain and hail caused by storms can damage houses, as well as displace surrounding wildlife. This unfortunate combination encourages larger pests such as rats, mice, raccoons and squirrels to seek shelter in homes. Damaged roofing, siding and soffits can serve as welcoming entry points for these and other small animals that are on the hunt for a refuge. Look for any signs of damage on the exterior of the home and fix it as soon as possible. Additionally, seal any openings around windows and doors with caulk and steel wool to further barricade against pests during hurricane season. 6. Contact a Pest Control Professional for a Home Inspection If you suspect or experience a pest infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest control professional to conduct an inspection and work with you to develop a treatment plan. A professional assessment can help identify any issues before they get out of control. When dealing with pests nothing less than Complete will work. Complete Pest Control Services is your family owned, Pittsburgh- based complete pest management company. We offer same day 24/7/365 service. Contact us at now at 412.318.4547

Ants are a familiar pest. They’re on sidewalks, pushing through blades of grass, crawling up stone walls in search of fresh food and new places to call home, and have even starred in movies . Because of this, they have a habit of being everywhere. And sometimes, that also includes places they’re not wanted, like your home. They can climb, burrow, and eat through most household items, and once they’ve created a colony within your house, it can be a pain to remove them completely. We’ll go over some preventative tips here, along with steps you can take to keep your house and belongings safe from an ant infestation. What Exactly Are Ants? While ants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, most ant species retain the same general look. They have six legs which allow them to crawl all over, as well as two antennae which help them “see” around their environment with the aid of two compound eyes. There are three kinds of ant in an ant colony: queen, worker, and male.  Queens are larger and fertile females; there is only one per colony. The queen’s role is to reproduce often to create a larger workforce. Workers are infertile females that build tunnels, tend to larvae, defend the nest, and scavenge for food. Males are winged are are primarily focused on reproduction with the queen. Ants create large colonies and scout the area around them for food. If they find places with better access to resources, they’ll eventually move or start a new colony at that improved site. Oftentimes, this ends up being someone’s home or apartment. This can become a problem both for the health and the state of anyone’s living space. Ant Infestation: First Signs There are some simple but effective signs of an active ant infestation in your living space. Live ants: One ant here or there typically isn’t what we’re talking about, although if you see a random ant roaming around, it can’t hurt to search the rest of your house. If you begin finding multiple ants that look the same roaming around, that’s a decent first sign of an ant colony in or near your home Ant mound: Most people have seen these mounds of dirt and sand in sidewalk cracks and in their lawns. Ants can bring the fun inside your home too by creating colonies anywhere they can. Different ant species’ colonies look different, too. Some use sand and dirt, while others will dig into wood. Ant pathways: Ants typically communicate through pheromones. If they find a consistent source of food, they’ll lay down a pheromone trail for other ants to follow. While you might not find dozens of ants at a time walking the same path, noticing ants consistently walking around the same path might be an indication that they’re finding something in your home that makes them want to keep coming back. Problems From Ant Infestations While an ant infestation might just seem annoying at first, they can create a lot of havoc that you’ll want to deal with as soon as possible. A few issues that can come about from ant infestations are: Food Contamination: Ants bring in a lot more than just their colony friends. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi from outside will end up contaminating anything they touch. And if they get into any food that you might have lying around or not properly contained, then all of those germs will end up growing on your food. This can lead up to anything from small bouts of food poisoning to mold, mildew, and chronic illness. Structural Damage: When colonies pop up in your home, there’s a good chance that there’s been some structural damage already done. Some ants, like carpenter ants , can actually form colonies inside the wood frame of your house, creating hollow spots that can more easily snap, rot, and ruin its structural integrity. They can even cause your home to become structurally unsound, if left long enough. Bits and Stings: Some ants are a bit more nosey than just rummaging through the snack drawer. Ants can bite or sting depending on the species, and each carry their own unique venom. While not nearly as deadly as some spider or snake bites, ant bites can still be irritating and sometimes require hospitalization. Some people are also hypersensitive or allergic to ant bites, which might cause someone to go into anaphylactic shock and possibly die if not treated immediately. Ant Prevention The best ant prevention is understanding your surroundings and your house’s vulnerabilities. A free inspection by Complete Pest Control Services can both reveal any possible current ant infestations while possibly highlighting any specific issues your house has that could leave you more prone to a future infestation. Keeping open food containers properly sealed, properly cleaning food spills, and doing checks of the foundation once a year can help prevent an ant infestation before it goes out of control. And if it does? Complete Pest Control Services can get your house back to normal.