Tips For Preventing Insects This Summer
Late winter and early spring is the best time to prevent summer pests. As you start looking forward to working on your yard, your garden, de-winterizing your pool, you should also start thinking about how to prevent pests. Mosquitoes, bees, wasps, and other annoying insects are looking for homes and breeding grounds in late winter. Here are a few tactics to deter insects from choosing your home.
Pests are looking for a variety of things when choosing where to make nests. One of those is easy access to food. In the wintertime and late fall, we recommend that homeowners avoid leaving out any food indoors as the combination of a shelter and easy access to crumbs is the perfect incentive for most pests to set up in your house. During the spring and summer, you want to decrease food waste inside and outside your home. Take out the trash promptly and do not leave garbage rotting in bins outside. This will attract ants, other insects, and even rodents. Always rinse out your cans and food containers before putting them in recycling bins. Anything you can do to decrease potential food for pests will help you in the long run.
Be On The Lookout For Hives
Unfortunately, bees, wasps, and yellowjackets can get by eating pollen from local flowers and plants. So unless you live in a city, it is impossible to remove the food source for these pests. That is why you need to be on the lookout for nests. Corners of homes are usually where bees will build nests because of the natural walls it provides them. Bees want to be efficient so they tend to build in the corners of porches and roofing, especially near a garden. The quicker they can zip to and from the nest the better. So be aware of where your flowers are and any nearby structures that would be prime real estate for their nests. Honeybees are an important part of our ecosystem but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Pest control professionals at Absolut Pest Control remove nests and relocate them to protect the bees.
Remove Standing Water
Aside from looking for food and shelter, many pests are looking for standing water. Mosquitoes breed and lay eggs in standing water, and usually can be found where ever it is humid and damp. If you have birdbath, or puddles that have developed on your lawn, you should consider finding ways to drain them. Additionally, if you have a pool, covering it when it is not in use can help prevent pests from breeding.
Pest Problem? Give Us A Call
For homes and businesses in Amesbury and Greater Boston the team at Absolut Pest Control is happy to help you prepare your property for the summer and handle any pest problems you are dealing with, contact us for more information about pest control.
When Should You Call Pest Control?
The mere presence of a single pest may make you uncomfortable or concerned, especially depending on the type of pest or the sort of damage it causes. Some pest issues you can handle on your own with a little know-how or an instructional guide on the web. Other cases require expert help to remedy the problem and give you some peace of mind. Often, homeowners and renters waste time and money on insufficient traps, baits, and other at-home solutions. In the long run, it could save you money on repairs needed to fix damages caused by nuisance pests. When should you actually call pest control? Here’s a look at when’s a good time to give your local pest control company a call.
Seeing Pests Around
Seeing isn’t believing, it’s knowing. Sightings of pests on your property are a clear sign that you have unwanted guests around. If you spot one rat, for example, likely, there are more around for you to deal with. Some pests like ants and termites create a colony which is an indication of an infestation. A single pest sighting should give you cause for concern and compel you to investigate further to know the extent of the pest infestation. You may need expert help and pest- control professionals can determine the kind of solution that you need. Many homeowners are dismayed that even after a storebought trap successfully catches one mouse, the sounds of mice in the walls or the sight of them scurrying across the floor doesn’t immediately go away.
Pest Droppings and Urine
Maybe you’ve come across what looks like urine and droppings in your attic or basement. You might not be able to identify what type of pest did it, but you know it’s a sign of trouble to come. Pest droppings are a health hazard for you and your family, especially those with allergies. Droppings contain plenty of bacteria and viruses that can spread illnesses, from salmonella to murine typhus. Pests are nuisances that you should never tolerate in your home and ignoring them can be perilous for you. For this reason, you want to get rid of pests at the first sign of their existence.
Damage to Your Property
Have you noticed gnawing marks on your walls or furniture? Maybe you’ve seen claw marks in your attic or holes chewed in your siding. Some pests can be destructive and cost you money in property damage. Squirrels, for example, are believed to be the source of 25% of house fires. Rodents are known to gnaw on wires that can lead to electrical fires and other pests, like termites can inflict damage to the structural integrity of your home. The last thing that you want is for your pest problem to get out of control.
Scratching and Rustling Noise
Does hearing scratches or rustling sounds while doing house chores cause you to pause? Trying to figure out what it could be? It’s not likely to be paranormal activity. What it may turn out to be could be much worse- a pest invasion. Scampering across your floors, for example, is usually a sign that mice are present. Get professionals to check it out if you can’t access the location the noise is coming from or are scared. If pests are around, it’s in your best interest to have them removed asap.
Contact Absolut Pest Control For Services in Amesbury
Absolut Pest Control is a great pest control company that can provide you with expert solutions. We are equipped to provide the first line of defense against the pesky invaders that want to take over your home. Call or send a message to our team to speak to our pest control expert and to get a quote today.
How To Identify & Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are a common pest throughout America. Like many of the worst insect pests, bed bugs drink blood which means the most common way of finding out you have them is by getting bit. Bed bugs usually enter our homes via clothing, furniture, or moving boxes. Once they find a home they can quickly infest it. A single female bed bug can lay thousands of eggs in her lifetime.
How To Identify Bed Bugs
Bedbugs are relatively small. Adults are about half a centimeter or the size of an eraser head on a pencil. They are oval-shaped and usually greyish in color. They cannot fly and most commonly live in upholstered furniture and textiles. Like fleas, bed bugs have to be introduced into a home. There are often horror stories of motels and hotels with large bed bug problems that then spread bed bugs to homes and apartments throughout the country.
How To Prevent Bed Bugs
The following tips can help you prevent bed bug infestation from your home.
- Check secondhand furniture and clothing. If you get any furniture from a yard sale, garage sale, or from goodwill, you should always check it for bed bugs and make sure to clean it.
- Be careful when using shared laundry rooms. If your building has a community laundry room or you are using a laundromat down the street make sure to inspect your clothes after they come out of the dryer for bed bugs. This is why folding your clothing at the laundromat or in the community laundry room is a great practice.
- Inspect your suitcase after traveling. The common horror story is homes getting infested after visiting the wrong hotel or motel. Make sure to check your suitcase for any hitchhiking bedbugs before your stow away your clothing.
- If you live in a larger building make sure to secure your living space. Multi-home buildings and apartment buildings can run the risk of spreading pests. Make sure to seal cracks in the flooring and baseboards around your unit (it can also help decrease noise pollution from your neighbors).
How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs
If you already have bed bugs you likely want to get rid of them. Of course, a pest control company may be the quickest and most effective way to get rid of a pest. And if you live in Massachusetts or Southern New Hampshire we would be happy to provide a quote. But there are a few ways homeowners and renters can deal with their bed bug problem on their own if needed. Make sure to do your research on the products that are available. Foggers can effectively get rid of pests but it is important to make sure to research how the product works and how to do it safely.
How To Treat Bed Bug Bites
Typically a bed bug bite is harmless like a mosquito bite or a bite from a flea. It may be very annoying and may cause extreme itchiness. Home remedies for itching include oatmeal baths for the affected area, but there are also topical creams that can help reduce the itchy sensation. Fortunately, bed bugs do not seem to spread illnesses like fleas, rodents, and ticks.
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.