What You Need To Know About Pest Control Before Buying A Home
Buying a home can be a fun and also stressful process. On the one hand, shopping for a new home is something many couples and families look forward to doing. On the other hand, there are so many things to consider, and so many things you wished you considered after the fact. One thing that many prospective homeowners don’t think about in advance is pest control.
How Do You Know If A Property Needs Termite Control?
The most egregious problem for new homeowners is existing termites. Termites cause terrible property damage that can become a danger to homeowners. Termites often destroy the structural integrity of a home over time, which is why they need to be dealt with quickly. Always request a WDO (wood destroying organism) inspection before signing on to a new home. A proper inspection from an unbiased third-party can ensure that your home is safe from pests. A WDO should only be handled by a licensed pest control professional. Short of ordering an inspection, you can always be on the lookout for visual signs of termites. Gnawed wood, discarded wings, termite feces, and hollow wood are all examples of a termite infestation.
Is Your Home Susceptible to Rodent Infestation?
Older homes are often plagued by rodent problems. Mice, rats, voles, and even squirrels can take up residence in your new home if there are unchecked entry points. Either a third party contractor or pest control specialist can check your property for entryways for rodents. These are easier to spot than the signs of a termite infestation. Of course, be on the lookout for obvious signs like mousetraps, fecal matter, and cracks/holes near the baseboards of the property.
Other Pest Concerns
Rodents and termites aren’t the only pest problem you should be on the lookout for before buying a new home. Make sure to do a visual inspection on the outside of your property for bee and wasp nests. Nests are often located in crevices and corners of roofing and windows. Check windowsills to make sure that there are no gaps for mosquitoes and other insects to crawl in through. This is especially important for kitchen windows. Check the basement and bathrooms for moisture. Excess moisture can become a breeding ground for many different insects.
Contact Absolut Pest Control
If you live in the Massachusetts area and are either looking to buy a new home or are already in your new home, hire a specialist from Absolut Pest Control to help get rid of pests and run inspections. Contact a member of our team today.
The Importance of Environmentally Friendly Bee Removal
It is officially spring, and as the saying goes April showers bring May flowers. And those flowers bring swarms of bees, and other insects as we enter into the warmer seasons. You probably have heard about the decreasing number of honey bees on the news and its negative impact on the environment. That said, bees still pose a very real threat to adults and children who have severe allergies to bee stings. That is why bee removal needs to be handled carefully.
How Bees Impact Our Ecosystem in Massachusetts
The common honey bee has a profound impact on our environment. Bees are almost as important to America’s food production as farmers are. As the main source of pollination, most of the fruits and vegetables that we eat is a direct result of the work on honey bees. Honey bees provide one of the most vital services for plant growth, which is why their numbers dwindling is a real concern for American agriculture and the American economy.
How Not To Remove of Bees
Although the bee population is dwindling, many pest control companies still use lethal methods for dealing with bees. Even most DIY pest control methods involving using harsh chemical sprays to kill or destroy bees and their hives. So far 1 out of every 4 wild bee species has been placed on the endangered species list, and that number is steadily growing. That is why it is important for us to find environmentally conscious ways to deal with bees and other insects.
Environmentally Friendly Ways To Remove Bees & Beehives
If you want to find DIY methods for bee removal there are a few worth trying. Although your safest bet is to work with a pest control company that is experienced in environmentally friendly bee removal. This is especially true if you are allergic. To remove bees in an environmentally conscious way you can try smoking the bees out by lighting paper underneath the hive. Constant smoke near the hive is enough for bees to relocate. However, they may relocate to somewhere nearby on the property.
Bee, Wasp, & Yellowjacket Control In Massachusetts
At Absolut Pest Control we do our best to preserve bee habitats while also getting them off your property. We have special tools and methods to move the hive without damaging it to a safer and more natural location. Although in some cases destroying the hive is necessary, we do our best to get rid of bees with the least amount of damage possible. If you have a bee problem, call us to have it handled professionally. We also offer other pest solutions for the Massachusetts area.
Winter Wasp Warning Signs
Although many people think of wasps as a warm weather problem, they can actually show-up inside your home during the winter months as well. A specific wasp species, called the paper wasp, is especially notorious for this. Female paper wasps are particularly good at entering attics and other warm, dark interior areas through even the tiniest openings to the outdoors. If you are afraid you currently have a winter wasp infestation or if you just want to prevent one in the coming years, the following tips should help you be prepared.
You Notice Wasp Nests
Paper wasps make open-comb nests that resemble upside-down umbrellas. If you begin seeing these anywhere in your house, such as the attic or a closet, you can be fairly certain that you’re dealing with a wintertime wasp infestation.
You See One or More Wasps
The most obvious sign that you are dealing with winter wasps is seeing at least one in your home. Paper wasps go into what is close to a hibernation state during the coldest months of the year, so they may appear to be dead. Because they are actually still alive, though, you should take care if you decide to touch them. Furthermore, if your area experiences a warm snap during the winter, the wasps may wake up and begin flying around your home.
At this point, you’re probably wondering what you can do to prevent wasps from infesting your house not only in the winter, but any other time of year! Fortunately, there are several steps you can take with the help of a professional pest control company. Some of the options that are likely to be presented to you are outlined below.
Preventative Action
The best way to get avoid wasps is to take preventative measures that will keep them from getting into your home in the first place. Qualified pest control experts like those at Absolut Pest Control will be able to take stock of your home and figure out where these insects are most likely to enter, then seal the holes appropriately. You may also want to hire the experts at Absolut Pest Control to address wasps periodically throughout the year.
Getting Rid of Existing Wasps
If you already have a wintertime wasp infestation, Absolute Control’s team of trained experts will know how to help you eliminate them as well. There are likely to be several options, including chemical sprays in your attic, that will eradicate any living paper wasps. If anyone in your household has allergies, you may want to stay in a hotel or at a relative’s home during the treatment.
Remember, winter wasps aren’t something you have to live with! Our skilled professionals will be able to help you get rid of these pests before they do any damage to your home or sting a member of your family. Wasp stings can be serious, particularly for people with allergies, so getting rid of these insects as quickly as possible is of the essence. Contact us today for more information about us and our available services!
Dangers of Bees Around Your Home
Bee Control
Bees are an important part of the world’s ecosystem but it can be considered dangerous to let a bee hive thrive near your home. Bees are generally less destructive than rats or termites, however, it’s still an inconvenience to have bees surrounding your home. They are usually more noticeable in the spring but still have a presence throughout the summer and into the fall.
The dangers of bees around your home:
- Bee Stings: When a bee stings a person, it can cause pain and swelling in the area of where the sting occurred.
- Bee Allergies: Bee stings are very dangerous for people who have a b
ee allergy. Symptoms of bee stings can result in pain and swelling, nausea and vomiting, and closing of the throat. - Bee Aggression: If bees feel their hive or colony is being threatened or in danger they will sting you. In warm weather, bees also tend to get more aggressive so make sure you keep your distance.
For safety purposes, the best way to take care of your bee problem is to contact a pest control expert. For more information on bee control, contact Absolut Pest Control at 978.388.4589 or fill out our contact form online!