What Is The Difference Between Carpenter Ants & Regular Ants?
Do you have ants crawling around your home? No matter what species of ant they are you probably want to get rid of them. If they are only a few ants, you may be able to use ant bait, but once a colony moves in your best bet is working with pest control. Depending on the ant infestation, the potential threat of the pests is very different. Normal ants, are a nuisance and may eat or spoil your food, but carpenter ants can actually destroy your home. That’s why knowing the difference between the two types of ants is so important.
What Are Carpenter Ants?
There are a variety of carpenter ant species, but they all share one thing in common; instead of making their home outdoors in the dirt, they make their homes inside wooden materials. That includes anything from trees to your walls and ceilings. This is what makes them a much worse threat compared to other groups of ant species. Carpenter ants are often compared to termites and even mistaken for termites because they consistently chew up wood and cause structural damage to buildings. Regular ants usually infest a home because they are looking for food, and their colony is usually located outside the home close to a gap in the siding or gutters or windows. But carpenter ants actually live inside your walls or floors and continually destroy more and more property.
How To Tell The Difference Between Carpenter Ants & Regular Ants
There are a few visual differences between carpenter ants and regular ants. The first is the difference in thorax shape. The thorax is the middle of an ant’s body between their head and their back. A regular ant will have an indented thorax, and a carpenter ant will have a fully round thorax. Although if you aren’t looking at individual ants under a magnifying glass it may be hard to tell. Another visual distinction is that carpenter ants are larger than their regular-sized counterparts. A full-grown carpenter ant is usually around half an inch, whereas most normal ants are about 0.2 inches in length. But most importantly, you can tell the difference based on signs around your home. If you notice small holes in wooden furniture, sawdust, wood shavings, and similar debris, it is likely you have carpenter ants.
How To Handle Carpenter Ants
If you think you have either carpenter ants or termites in your home, the best thing to do is get rid of them by hiring pest control. A licensed and professional pest control expert can quickly solve the problem. For homeowners and businesses in Massachusetts, Absolut Pest Control can help with termites, carpenter ants, and regular ants. Contact us for more information.
How To Prevent Ants From Entering Your Home
Spring is upon on us, and although we can all enjoy the warmer weather, the return of flowers, and the leaves growing on trees, spring also ushers in the return of many pests. Mosquitos, fleas, ticks, and ants are all common in spring. As pest control experts in the Greater Boston area, we often help our clients deal with these annoying insects. But one thing that sets us apart is aside from providing inspections, extermination, and pest removal services, we also provide pest prevention advice to stop returning pests in the future. Here are a few tips we give on how to prevent ants. And if you have an ant infestation, feel free to call us and set up an appointment.
Know The Signs of Ant Infestation
Groups of ants are known as colonies for a variety of reasons. First, they like to find a home to infest and build elaborate infrastructure in. Second, different ants have different roles. Scout ants have the specific job of scouting for a potential home for the colony. Usually, ants travel in large groups either in straight lines or even in swarms. But scout ants go off on their own looking for food to bring back to the anthill. If you notice a few ants in your kitchen, it is likely that a colony is nearby.
Keep Surfaces Clean
The first reason an ant colony will move into your home is if they have immediate and easy access to crumbs. Keep surfaces in your kitchen clean of crumbs and other food particles. Wherever you eat in your home; dining rooms, family rooms, bedrooms, etc. you should always keep these places regularly cleaned. Simply wiping down counter surfaces and not leaving out dishes can deter ants from moving in.
Proper Food Storage
After you have handled cleaning your kitchen, pay attention to how food is stored. Make sure that all pantry items are sealed tight. If ants can get inside bags of chips or into boxes of cereal, they are sure to come back on routine visits. Keeping food sealed is important in stopping ants from coming back.
What To Do When You Already Have Ants
If you notice scout ants walking around your home, there are a variety of things you may want to consider for preventing the colony from moving in. First, make sure to follow the above steps to potentially deter any chance of infestation. Afterwards, consider the following steps.
- Removing Ant Trails: When an ant walks across a surface they leave scent trails for other ants to follow. Wipe down surfaces with vinegar and water to remove these trails. It is important to do this wherever you see ants.
- Set Bait: You may want to strategically set some storebought ant bait on your countertops. Many ant baits are designed to kill scout ants and even potentially destroy nearby colonies as the bait is brought back to the colony.
- Destroy Colonies: It is likely that ants that enter your home actually live in colonies around your building. If you see mounds of dirt, you can apply an extermination product to the ant colony to destroy it.
- Hire Pest Control: If you are unable to get rid of your ant problem, you may want to contact a professional pest control expert.
Absolut Pest Control’s Ant Services in Greater Boston
Absolut Pest Control, based in Amesbury Massachusetts, provides ant control solutions for homeowners and businesses throughout Greater Boston. Learn more and contact us for an appointment by visiting our website.
5 Ways To Prevent Mosquitos This Spring
For Massachusetts residents, spring and summer are often a long-awaited time of the year. With our seasons, it is not strange how excited residents get to open up their back decks, de-winterize their pools, and start planning that beach trip. One issue that every homeowner feels though is the returns of bugs and pests. There are a variety of insects and bugs that bother homeowners, but on the top of that list are mosquitoes. Not only are mosquito bites annoying, but in some areas, mosquitoes can transfer deadly diseases. That is why it is important to prevent mosquitos from getting inside your home. Here are a few tips to prevent mosquitos.
Get Rid Of Standing Water
Mosquitos need still water for their eggs. In just 14 days mosquitos can breed and lay hundreds of eggs in still water. Because there is so much rainfall during the early spring months it is important to check around your property for standing water. Check for puddles, water around your gutters, and birdbaths to make sure you do not leave standing water available for mosquitoes.
Use Window & Door Screens
Wire screens are one of the most effective ways to stop mosquitoes from getting indoors. Every spring you should inspect any wire screens you have near your windows or doors. Make sure there are no large holes. If there are any tears you can either repair or replace your wiring. We also recommend making sure that the screen and window hang straight inside of the window’s cutout. Any small gaps can be potential entry points for small insects.
Stay Indoors At Night
We have all experienced it, bugs tend to get worse at night. That is because mosquitos are more likely to feed during the darker hours. If you are having a BBQ outdoors, we highly recommend taking it indoors after the sunsets.
Use Repellents
Even during the daylight, mosquitos can be a problem. That is why it is recommended to use repellents and bug spray. The most effective repellents use DEET. According to the CDC, DEET is safe to use but you should avoid spraying it near the eyes or mouth. If you are worried about synthetic chemical compounds, you can consider using a natural alternative. There are a variety of natural bug sprays that use eucalyptus to get rid of bugs.
Hire A Pest Control Service
Pest control services that specialize in insect removal can help you prevent mosquitos, wasps, bees, and yellowjackets. A pest control expert can go over your property and make recommendations to help prevent mosquitos from nesting and breeding near your property. If you live in Massachusetts and have a problem with mosquitoes or would like a pest control inspection, please give us a call.
4 DIY Ways To Deal With Ants
Ants are one of the more annoying insect pests. What can start as two or three ants on your countertops can quickly become a horde of bugs throughout your kitchen. Ants can be a gross pest and they can be hard to get rid of. Here are a few ways you can try when trying to get rid of ants in your home.
Lemon Juice
One of the best ways to deal with ants, if you are looking for natural remedies, is to use lemon juice. Lemon juice acts as a very strong deterrent for ants and can keep them from entering your home. Just a few drops of lemon juice on windowsills and doorways can keep new ants from entering your home.
Borax & Sugar
An effective ant poision that can be made at home is mixing water, sugar, and borax. The resulting paste-like compound is poisonous to ants. Generally borax in small doses is safe for pets and children, however, it is still harmful so make sure to be careful. By mixing the borax with either sugar or honey ants are more likely to take the poison back to their colony.
Cinnamon
Ants operate using scent trails. Cinnamon can override and remove these scent trails left by other ants. Sprinkling a small amount of cinnamon around the areas that you have found ants is an effective way to stop future ants from following the old scent trails.
Ant Sprays & Insecticides
The most effective way to deal with ants is to locate the nest. Many homeowners are quick to use sprays on ants in their kitchen, but that does not solve the problem long term. Killing worker ants will not prevent the next generation of ants from entering your home. Instead, using storebought insecticides including ant positions is a better method. Worker ants will take the poison back to the colony and will eventually poison their entire colony. If a colony is located, you can you spray on the source.
Hire A Pest Control Specialist
When DIY methods are not working, your best bet is to hire a pest control expert that specializes in insect removal. Pest control teams know how to safely kill ants by locating the colonies and destroying them. If you have an ant problem in Massachusetts, contact Absolut Pest Control through our online form, and a member of our team will help you deal with your infestation.
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.
2019 Guide on How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes
There are over three thousand different species of mosquitoes, and none of them are likable. As soon as spring begins, mosquito season starts. Aside from the annoying buzzing and the biting, mosquitoes can carry terrible diseases like West Nile virus and Zika. Massachusettes is expected to see a large increase in the mosquito population in 2019. And there are almost as many reasons to get rid of mosquitoes as there will be mosquitoes. That is why we have created this guide on dealing with mosquitoes.
Remove Standing Water
April showers may bring May flowers, but they also leave a lot of standing water on your property. Survey your land after a rainstorm to make sure there are no puddles of standing water. Check your gutters, check coiled hoses, buckets, tires, pool covers and even trenches in your yard. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Light landscaping work can help flatten your land to avoid pooling when it rains. The best time to deal with standing water is in April and May, but you will want to deal with standing water as often as possible throughout the summer. Once the ground has defrosted and temperatures are consistently hitting the 50s and 60s, mosquitoes will breed.
Invest in Mosquito Repellant & Outdoor Netting
No summer is complete without enjoying a few BBQ’s on the back deck or in your backyard. However, as any homeowner can attest, mosquitoes can become a real issue around sunset. There are many mosquito repellants on the market. There are even all natural and essential oil options in the market for families that prefer to avoid abrasive chemicals. Depending on where you live, you may even want to invest in bug netting around your backyard or back deck to protect yourself from the pests. Mosquito repellant candles and sprays can temporarily keep mosquitoes away, but for long term results, you should consider a stronger method.
Hire Pest Control
Pest control is not just for dealing with rodents & indoor insects. A pest control service can employ many different methods to destroy mosquito nests and keep your property clear. If you have an infestation near your home because your neighbors didn’t deal with standing water, or you live close to a pond, consider hiring a professional pest control service to use broadcast treatments like a mosquito fogger. Pest control services have access to heavy-duty insecticides that can deal with mosquitoes much more effectively than store brands.
If you live in Massachusettes and hate mosquitoes, call Absolut Pest Control to deal with them professionally. We had a very rainy season for the last six weeks, and there is an expectant surge for mosquito population coming this year. Contact us, and we will professionally deal with them on your property.
Spring Cleaning & Pest Control
With Spring just around the corner, many homeowners are probably thinking about spring cleaning. Whether you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen or just cleaning your carpets, one thing you might not be thinking is about is pests. Spring brings an onslaught of pest problems. When it comes to pests, the best solution to prevent them. Here are a few ways you can preemptively avoid pests this Spring.
Clean Loose Crumbs:
Early spring is the best time to break out the vacuum and do a clean sweep of your home. With the increase with the insect population, keeping a clean home discourage ants and termites from starting colonies in your home. Package all dry foods in airtight containers and make sure your furniture is properly vacuumed under and around to combat super bowl food messes.
Drain Standing Water:
Make sure to drain puddles around your property caused by melted snow. Warm pools of water in the spring and summer can become a breeding area for insects and pests. Clear out birdbaths, flip over tires, & check your trash bins for excess water. Clear your gutters. Snow can often carry debris that blocks gutters and stops them from draining properly.
Check Your Walls & Pipes:
Frozen damaged pipes can cause leaks in the spring. Not only is this bad for your utility bill, but puddles of water around leaking pipes also invite mosquitos, termites, & ants. Whether you are a DIY plumber or have a professional plumber make sure to look for leaks in early spring. Check your basement for puddles and attics for excess moisture.
Hire Professionally:
The best way to ensure that your home will be pest free is to have a professional periodically go over the premises. Consider hiring an exterminator to inspect your home for unsealed cracks/holes and give other recommendations. Professional home inspectors can check windows, door frames, and the perimeter of your home for hidden entry points that might be causing your pest problem. It is never too early to call pest control, if you see a small number of insects today, it could be an entire colony next week.
At Absolut Pest Control we specialize in ant control, bat control, & rodent control. We service Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with expert pest removal and extermination. If you have a pest problem or questions about pest prevention contact us at 978-388-4589.
How to Ward Off Mosquitoes this Summer
Mosquitoes can be a real nuisance once the warm weather rolls in. Regardless of whether you’re enjoying a family barbeque or kicking back on your deck, your time can go from pleasant to agonizing as you swat these buzzing buggers away. If you’d like to keep yourself from becoming a mosquito magnet this summer, follow a few of our tips.
Think Twice Before Exercising Outside
If you’re heading outdoors for some extraneous physical activity, you might want to reconsider. Mosquitoes are attracted to excess body heat and carbon dioxide. If you’re jumping around outside and getting your sweat on, mosquitoes will be more likely to bite you. While the summer months are a great excuse getting outdoors and getting active, be aware of peak mosquito hours to prevent you from becoming a tasty morsel.
Protect Yourself
One of the best ways to protect yourself while outside is to use a bug repellant. The CDC recommends using one that has been registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as those chosen repellants have been evaluated for product efficacy and effects on both the human body and the environment. Use the repellent on bare skin sparingly and keep an eye out for products containing DEET. Also, lemon eucalyptus, a plant oil, is as effective as low concentrations of DEET which makes it another viable option. Once you return indoors, do yourself a favor and wash the repellent off.
Check On the Status of Your Screens
This is an important one because protecting yourself inside is just as important as protecting yourself outside. Take a look around your house at all the screens on your windows and doors to ensure there aren’t any holes or tears where bugs can get through. There’s nothing worse than thinking you’re safe from mosquitoes indoors only to hear a buzzing in your ear or seeing one land on your arm. Keep mosquitoes outside where they belong by making sure your window and door screens are doing their job.
Want to protect yourself from mosquitoes this summer? Follow our tips! If you can’t seem to shake your mosquito woes no matter how hard you try, get in touch with us. You can reach us by filling out an online contact form or by calling us at 978-388-4589. We look forward to helping you.
Ward Off Pests with Some Spring Cleaning Tips
While spring has technically arrived, the weather is still quite wintery. But, the weather conditions will soon improve and that means we’re getting ever closer to the big spring clean up once winter makes its full exit. While some may roll their eyes or groan about spring cleaning, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s highly effective. After all, winter can be a brutal season, especially on the east coast. Taking stock of your home in the spring can help you spot areas in dire need of attention, areas that if left ignored could allow pests into your home. If you want to maintain a pest free home this spring, give the following areas of your home some love during spring clean-up
Bathroom
One should not have to worry about pests in their bathroom, period. But, if you have moisture issues in your bathroom, you may encounter silverfish or cockroaches, both spring pests, during your morning shower. Since both pests are attracted to moisture, be sure to eliminate open sources of water in the bathroom. Be sure to clean out your medicine cabinet, inspect the bathroom for any leaking moisture from pipes or faucets, and wash your shower curtain and liner.
Kitchen
Nicer weather brings the ants right on out. The first place they’re likely going to invade if they get into your home is your kitchen since it provides ample access to both food and water sources. They will crawl throughout your kitchen in search of crumbs, residue from liquid spills, and overripe fruit left sitting out on the counter. Keeping a consistently clean kitchen is tantamount to keeping pests at a minimum, but there are a few more things you can do to help. Clean out your cabinets and remove old food items, like spices and flour. Those ingredients can attract beetles and ants. Once you’ve cleaned out your cabinets, wipe down the insides for good measure. You can also pull out your appliances and clean behind them, as you’d be amazed at how much is actually back there. Giving your kitchen a good scrub down isn’t a bad idea, either.
Basement
Your basement can be a popular place for spiders and rodents to camp out in, especially because there are corners and clutter they can hide amongst. Going through items in your basement and getting rid of things you don’t need can negate this, as it will provide fewer hiding places. When storing items, don’t use cardboard boxes because they can wear down over time and allow pests access to their contents. Instead, use sturdy plastic bins with secure lids. If you happen to notice any cracks or crevices that give you pause, seal them up with caulk to provide pests with one less access area to your home. You’d be surprised at just how small an opening has to be for critters to get through.
Spring cleaning shouldn’t just be a quick clean up. Spring cleaning doesn’t only get your house ready for spring either, but for summer too. By giving your home a solid inspection, particularly in the areas listed above, you’ll be ensuring strong pest protection for months to come. If you begin experiencing a persistent issue, please get in touch with us. You can reach us at 978-388-4589 or by filling out an online contact form.
Dealing with Carpenter Ants in Your Siding
Typically, people encounter common ant problems in their kitchen. Even if you’re super clean, ants can sometimes find a way to your kitchen counters, particularly in the summer months. While most people expect to experience occasional ant problems inside of their home, it can be especially alarming when you notice ants going in, out, and around your home. Upon seeing this, you might begin to worry about the structural integrity of your house. After all, no one wants carpenter ants nesting in their siding.
First off, not all ant problems are carpenter ant problems. This is a good thing! So, when you notice ants around your home, do not jump to conclusions that they are destroying the bones of your abode. Noticing ants in high volume, however, could mean there is a nest of them nearby. If you begin noticing an influx of winged ants by your home, consider this a strong warning there is a serious ant problem taking place. If you’re concerned about carpenter ants, look around the perimeter of your home for wood shavings. Carpenter ants, unlike termites, do not actually eat wood. They do burrow into the wood to make their nests, though, which leaves behind telltale shavings.
Carpenter ants love to make their homes in decaying wood. Since decaying wood is often wet, they seek out structures that are damp. If your deck often stays wet for a time after a rain storm, it is a prime target for carpenter ants. Some other areas they target are eaves, underneath windows, and porches. Keep an eye on these areas throughout the spring and summer, especially if you notice ants around your home. The areas listed above are also portions of your home that often experience leaks, so watch out for those too.
If you’re trying to rid yourself of a carpenter ant infestation, the solution is to give them a poor environment to nest in. Do this by keeping your home as dry as possible, both indoors and outdoors. Check to see if water is properly draining from your deck or porch. Examine gutters for leaks, in addition to making sure your windows are properly installed and free of leaks as well. If you still find yourself with a persistent ant problem, call the professionals here at Absolut Pest Control! You can reach us at 978-388-4589, or by filling out our online contact form.