Any wood structures, whether they're part of a home or a business, can be at the mercy of carpenter ants. These insects could be considered the Incredible Hulk of the ant world - they can hollow out the toughest building supports and cause damage that no homeowners or business proprietors want to deal with.
One way to keep them at bay is to review the outdoor environment from which carpenter ants may enter a building. Carpenter ants are just as attracted to trees and bushes as they are to timber used in structures. Once they've attacked outdoor wood, they're going to look to buildings for more wood, which they can hollow out for nesting areas in places such as wood studs and beams.
Other ways to prevent carpenter ants from getting indoors is to cut back greenery, which limits their opportunity to enter your home or business. That should be followed up with filling foundation cracks and gaps where pipes and wires are attached to the building.
If a significant carpenter ant problem has already developed, it's best to call a commercial pest service. Experts like those at Abell Pest Control will do a thorough ant control inspection and carry out treatment that will eliminate an infestation of carpenter ants to prevent further damage. They can also consult with building owners to provide information on how to prevent future occurrences.
For instance, wherever there is greenery outside a home or commercial property, there's going to be dead wood. Regular maintenance to cull dead branches from trees and trim shrubs that have decayed will keep down the prospect of more carpenter ants on your premises. Dig out and haul away any old tree stumps that may shelter new nests of carpenter ants.
Don't store firewood directly on the ground. It should be elevated on bricks or concrete blocks. Also, examine firewood carefully before bringing it indoors.
If there's any lumber left on the ground following a construction project, clear it away because those pieces will also draw these destructive ants. Carpenter ants are drawn to moist areas so also repair roof and plumbing leaks, loose chimney flashing and clean out gutters to prevent nesting grounds.
Preventive tactics also include looking for signs that carpenter ants may have returned to your property. If you see piles of sawdust or trails of ants coming from piles of wood outdoors to the foundation of the nearest structure, that's an indication that a new influx has occurred.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
