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.
Carpenter Ants Vs Regular Ants
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.
How To Prevent Carpenter Ants
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 rainstorm, it is a prime target for carpenter ants. Some other areas they target are eaves, underneath windows, siding, 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. Managing leaks, emptying your gutter, and having your siding repaired when it cracks or breaks can prevent an ant infestation.
How To Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants in Siding
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. There are a variety of carpenter ant control products that are effective. Here are four ways to get rid of carpenter ants:
- Ant Bait: Indoors you should use an ant poison bait around cracks and crevices and anywhere you notice carpenter ants. A duster can make application easier. Ant bait can also work outdoors around any cracks in your siding.
- Aerosol Foam: There are a few foam pest control products that are effective in poisoning and sealing areas around the home. If you notice ants around your baseboard or in your siding this can be effective.
- Insecticidal Dust: Similar to ant bait, insecticidal dust can be sprayed into areas around laundry and kitchen appliances where you may notice ants.
- Outdoor Insecticides: There are also a few non-repellent insecticides that are beneficial for outdoor areas. It is recommended that you work with local pest control and have the perimeter of your home professionally sprayed down.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carpenter Ants
What Is the difference between Carpenter Ants & Regular Ants?
There are a few key differences between carpenter ants and regular ants. Carpenter ants are usually larger than regular ants and are consistently found around the wooden elements of your home like siding, decking, window sills, and flooring. Click here for more information.
How Do You Get Rid of Carpenter Ants?
There are a variety of ways to get rid of carpenter ants. We recommend using ant bait, outdoor insecticides, and aerosol foams to plug up and cracks or holes around your building.
Do Carpenter Ants Destroy Your Home?
Carpenter ants regularly nest in damp wood areas. They hollow out wood which can lead to structural issues. They are often found in window sills, decking, porches, wooden siding, and doorways. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood but simply nest in the wood. Similar to regular ants, carpenter ants make intricate nests with multiple complex tunnels which can greatly impact your home.
Contact Absolut Pest Control
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.
How To Protect Your Home From Termites
Termite Control
A termite is a small, pale soft-bodied insect that lives in large colonies with several different castes. Termites are known to feed on wood and can be very destructive to trees and timber. The main type of termites are subterranean, and they live in the ground. The subterranean termites invade wood or any types of material that have cellulose. You don’t want these type of insects invading your home and destroying it, it’s important to know how to properly protect your home.
Tips on How to Prevent Termite Access:
- Secure gaps around water and gas lines where termites could enter your home
- Eliminate excess moisture in your home in areas like the basement and crawlspace areas
- If you have firewood or spare construction materials, keep it raised and off the ground and away from your house
- Keep mulch away from the foundation of your home, mulch is a food and water source for termites.
- Another food source for a termite colony is dead wood, try to get rid of dead trees or stumps around your home
Call a pest control professional if you feel there is a termite problem invading your home. Contact Absolut Pest Control for termite and insect control at 978.388.4589 or fill out our contact form online!
Helpful Facts About Carpenter Ants
Identifying Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are among the largest types of ants living in the United States. These type of ants are usually 3.4 to 13mm and black, sometimes they have reddish-brown or yellow color to them. Carpenter ants can cause serious damage to your home, so it’s important you are able to identify them early on.
Facts About Carpenter Ants
The place that these ants call home is usually in moist, decaying conditions like hollow, rotted wood.A fact about carpenter ants is that they don’t eat wood, unlike other termites. Instead of eating the wood in your home, the carpenter ants simply remove the wood to make space for their nests. The reason they create these large galleries is to continue to grow and expand their colony.
Carpenter ants like to eat food that is sweet and has protein, like leftover food that you may have forgotten to clean up after your dinner. They also have been known to eat other insects so that could also add to the insect problem in your home. If you notice any wood dust and debris, it could mean that their nest is nearby.
If you believe you have a carpenter ant problem in your home, contact Absolut Pest Control at 978.388.4589 or fill out our contact form online!
Mosquitoes & West Nile in Massachusetts
Many towns throughout Massachusetts are under warming for traces of West Nile Virus being found in Mosquitoes. First it was only found in bird-biting mosquitoes but new news is out that West Nile, or EEE, is now being found in mammal-biting mosquitoes, posing a significant threat to humans. Many communities in Massachusetts are being sprayed to try to kill off the mosquitoes but you should still take measures to protect yourself by bombing your lawn and always carrying bug spray with you incase mosquitoes get bad. Make sure to look up the symptoms for West Nile and be as educated as possible while trying to keep you and your family safe!
Spring Insect Problems – Boston, MA – Amesbury
With Spring fast approaching, that means millions of bugs will be coming out of hibernation or will be born. This means that they will be looking for a nice warm place to setlle. Don’t let this be your home! Protect your home against insects before they appear. Call Absolut Pest Control to make sure your house is properly sealed off and ready for any of these emerging insects. 978-388-4589