How To Identify & Prevent Mole Damage In Your Yard
Moles are small mammals that spend most of their lives underground, burrowing in tunnels 5-8 inches beneath the surface. Although they have a somewhat similar appearance to mice and rats, moles are not rodents. Moles have short, cylindrical bodies with velvety fur and indistinct eyes & ears. They also have large front paws that are used for digging tunnels. Here in New England, the most common mole species are star-nosed moles, eastern moles, and hairy-tailed moles. These moles commonly cause problems for people by damaging lawns, flower beds, and gardens. In this article, we’ll break down the signs of mole damage and offer tips on how you can get rid of them. Are you experiencing a mole problem on your property in Massachusetts or New Hampshire? Contact Absolut Pest Control today for affordable mole removal services!
Signs Of Mole Damage In Your Yard
Mole damage can look similar to the damage that other small animals like mice & voles can inflict on your lawn, but there are some key differences that can help you identify the star-nosed culprits. One of the easiest ways to identify mole damage is by looking for molehills. These molehills are small mounds of loose soil above the entrance to a mole’s tunnel and are typically around 6 feet apart from each other. Other animals that create holes and dirt mounds, like gophers, typically make their mounds closer together. Another telltale sign of mole damage is the presence of uncharacteristic patches of dead grass in your yard. When moles tunnel below the surface, they damage the root system of the grass above them and leave behind patches of dead grass.
How To Get Moles Out Of Your Lawn
Much like with other pests, the most effective way to solve a mole problem is to hire a professional. Professional pest control services will guarantee that each mole has been snuffed out, and they will not come back. If you’re looking for DIY solutions to a mole problem, there are a few things you can do. One way to prevent moles from ravaging your garden is to plant fragrant flowers along its border. Moles dislike the smell of flowers like daffodils and marigolds, so you can create a natural barrier by planting these on the outskirts of your garden. Applying a homemade repellent is one more way to get rid of the moles in your lawn. You can do this by mixing water, castor oil, and dish soap, then pouring this mixture into the mole tunnel entrances around your yard.
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you have any questions about mole control or believe that you have a mole problem on your Massachusetts or New Hampshire property, contact Absolut Pest Control! We provide various pest removal services at affordable prices throughout the region! Contact us today by giving us a call at (978) 388-4589 or by filling out the contact form on our website!
How To Tell The Difference Between Bees, Wasps, & Hornets Nests
While bees, wasps, and hornets are all essential parts of our ecosystem, they can become a threat when they build their nests in the vicinity of your home. Each one of these flying insects can deliver painful stings that can have dire consequences if the victim is allergic. Studies show that more than 500,000 people are sent to the emergency room annually due to insect stings! While many people can recognize their differences by looking at the insects themselves, identifying the differences between their nests can be a little more difficult. In this article, we’ll go over some key characteristics of each of these nests to help you identify and deal with them! If you are experiencing a bee, hornet, or wasp problem in Massachusetts or Southern New Hampshire, Absolut Pest Control is here to help! Contact us today at (978) 388-4589 or fill out the contact form on our website!
Identifying Wasps Nests
“Paper Wasps” or “Umbrella Wasps” get their name from the characteristics of their nests. These nests are built from a paper-like material and are often in a shape that resembles an umbrella. Their nests are often found in the area surrounding a home, hanging from trees, porch ceilings, decks, and more. One key identifier for these nests is that they sometimes contain open, uncovered cells where the insects lay their eggs. Paper wasps are known to sting people when their nests are disturbed or if they feel threatened.
Identifying Bees Nests
Honey bees gather pollen and nectar from flowers to feed their colonies. These bee’s nests, called hives, are often found in areas with an abundant supply of flowering plants. Honey bee hives can be identified by their signature hexagonal wax cells, a characteristic that is often pictured when people think of a stereotypical bee’s nest. You can keep a lookout for these bee hives in areas like tree limbs, tires, utility poles, mailboxes, flowerpots, and even bird houses. Much like with other stinging insects, honey bees are not violent by nature but will sting if they feel threatened.
Identifying Hornets Nests
European hornet’s nests are commonly found in sheds, attics, tree cavities, and other enclosed places. One key identifying factor for these nests is that they are typically built at least 6 feet above the ground. Many times, what people believe to be hornets are actually yellow jackets or ground wasps, both of which construct subterranean nests in old animal burrows or other small holes in the ground.
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you have any questions about stinging insects or believe there’s an infestation on your Massachusetts or New Hampshire property, contact Absolut Pest Control! We provide ethical bee removal services at affordable prices throughout the region! Contact us today by giving us a call at (978) 388-4589 or by filling out the contact form on our website!
Pest Control Tips For Spring 2022
Days are becoming warmer here in New England and April is almost here, meaning it’s a great time to start preparing your home for springtime pests! Being proactive about preventing pests now can save you tons of time and effort in a month or so when spring bugs and wildlife begin to infringe on your property. In this article, we’ll go over some things you can do around your home and yard to prevent pests before they have the chance to “bug” you!
Seal Cracks & Holes Around Your Home
After a long New England winter, small cracks and holes can appear around your home’s entryways and foundation, caused by ice & snow or just general wear & tear. These cracks can act like little doors into your home for not only insects, but also small rodents and other pests. For example, a mouse can fit through a hole that’s only the size of a dime and may enter your home in search of food, water, and shelter. You can easily seal these cracks & holes that lead into your home with caulk, making it a cost-effective way to prevent pests this spring.
Use Window Screens
Similar to the above tip, make sure to use window screens when the weather starts to get warmer and you want some fresh air in your house. Having an open window without a screen is like an open invite for insects and other flying creatures to enter your home! If you don’t have window screens, now is a great time to install them while the bugs of New England are at bay!
Get Rid Of Standing Water
If there’s one tip that you take away from this article, it should probably be this: remove any standing water from your property. Standing water, or water that isn’t constantly flowing, can quickly become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects, allowing them to quickly multiply on your property. Standing water is commonly found in gutters, wheelbarrows, buckets, and anywhere else rain can accumulate. Being proactive and moving these sources of potential standing water now can save you a serious headache when mosquito breeding season comes around!
Properly Store Food
One more tip to get you ready for springtime pests is to always properly store your food. This includes your trash, garden, and even the snacks in your pantry. Be sure to keep your garbage in barrels with lids, put a fence around your garden, and seal your food in air-tight containers. By storing your food correctly, you’ll prevent pests from venturing onto your property in search of food sources!
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you’re having a pest problem in Eastern Massachusetts or Southern New Hampshire, Absolut Pest Control is here to help! We provide the region with pest control & removal services for a wide variety of pests, including insects, rodents, bats, birds, termites, small mammals, and much more. Give us a call today at (978) 388-4589 or fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
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.
What Spiders In Your Home Tell You About Other Pests
How do you feel about spiders? This can be a bit of a divisive question. For some people spiders are pets or at the very least a group of bugs that do us a nice service by getting rid of flies, mosquitoes, and other more annoying insects. In a sense, a spider may even be seen as a pest control expert. But for others, especially those with arachnophobia (the fear of spiders), seeing any spiders in the home is not a welcome occurrence. If you are seeing an increasing number of 8-legged creatures in your home, it may be a sign you have a worse pest problem.
Why Do Spiders Make Webs In Your Home
There are two main reasons for spiders to show up at your house: shelter and food. As a pest control team in Massachusetts, we often remind our clients that they should be inspecting their homes for pests as soon as the ground freezes. Many rodents, insects, and even spiders are quick to move indoors for the winter because of the free heat. But the main reason you see an increase in spiders in your home is because they clearly have a food source. Ants are attracted to crumbs and food, termites are attracted to wooden features of your home, and spiders are attracted to the ants and termites that are already living in your house. If you notice an increase of spiderwebs and spiders at your property, it is likely that spiders aren’t the least of your pest problems. Spiders can actually be a helpful sign that you have another pest, and knowing what type of spider you have can help you understand what types of pests you have.
What Type Of Spider Is In Your Home
The most common type of spider you will see in Massachusetts home is the well-named “house spider”. House spiders are usually yellowish-brown and have stripes. they are usually a little smaller than a quarter of an inch, and often are responsible for the intricate web designs you will see in the corners of doorways. They feast mostly on smaller flying insects and their nets are usually higher up. An increase in house spiders will usually indicate an increase in flies, moths, and mosquitoes in your home (or other flying insects). If you have house spiders it is highly likely that you have flying insects. If you have larger spiders that you see crawling on the ground this could be a sign of ants, termites, or other non-flying insects.
What Should You Do If You Have A Spider Problem
If you notice an increase of spiders in your home, you should call a pest control provider. Although spiders make a good pest control providers, there is no replacement for an experienced professional pest control team. In Massachusetts, Absolut Pest Control helps homeowners with inspections, pest removal services, and with preventative pest control solutions where one of our team members will help make recommendations that can prevent future infestations. If you are interested in our pest control services please contact us.
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.
Pest Control Services During COVID19
With the recent COVID19 outbreak in America, non-essential businesses have closed throughout Massachusetts as per a recent message from Governor Charlie Baker. A large majority of the workforce is working from home. During this extended time at home, pest control services are an important consideration every homeowner and business owner should think about.
Pest Control For Closing Businesses
When a building is uninhabited for an extended duration of time (i.e. vacation or a seasonal business closing) there can be issues with pests. Both rodents and insects are more likely to infest an unoccupied building compared to an occupied one. If you are switching to a work from home schedule and will be leaving your office building unattended consider hiring a pest control service to make routine checks or to provide preventative maintenance tips. This is especially true for restaurants and other food services. With so many restaurants closing throughout Boston and Massachusetts, it is important to take time to secure all non-perishable foods and properly dispose of perishable foods. The team at Absolut Pest Control can help make recommendations to shore up your security while you are gone. We provide preventative pest control services where we will inspect a building for any potential weaknesses that may lead to pest problems in the future.
Pest Control For Work From Home Families
As more and more workers adjust to work from home life, it becomes more important to make sure that you take proper pest control precautions. Spring is upon us, and like many seasonal changes, this brings unique pest problems. Beehives, wasps, yellow jackets, mosquitos, and other pests will become more prevalent. Many homeowners will also have to deal with nesting birds or rodents around their property. If you need pest control services, the team at Absolut Pest Control can help. Our team of licensed pest control professionals can provide you with pest solutions and help remove any hives or nests from the outside of your property. Just give us a call, and a member of our team can help.
Questions? Send us a message!
During this COVID19 outbreak, we are getting many questions from homeowners about our pest control services. If you have a question about any of our pest control solutions, send us a message. We would love to help you with any pest problem you are having on your property. We also offer general pest inspections for apartment buildings and office buildings that may need extra protection this season.
Winter Pest Control Tips
It is December in New England. We have a few snowfalls, families are getting ready for the holiday season, and if you have made it this far without turning your heat on you are a true New Englander. As it continues to get colder and colder outside of your home, pests and especially rodents will be looking for any home to make their own for the next few months. Compared to finding shelter in the wilderness, your home or commercial property is very preferred. There is heat, access to food, and cable. Although they probably don’t care about that last one. Regardless, you will want to do whatever you can to keep pests and rodents from entering your home and setting up camp.
Preventing Mice & Rats From Eating Your Food This Winter
The goal of preventing rodents from entering your home this winter is to make sure you do whatever you can to not make your home appealing to them in the first place. That doesn’t mean not having your heat on. Instead, you need to do whatever you can to keep food out of their hands. First off we recommend storing all of your food in airtight plastic containers. Trash should not be left uncovered and should be taken out frequently to avoid attracting rats, mice, or raccoons. And of course, you should periodically clean your kitchen and bedrooms with vacuum cleaners to collect food crumbs and debris.
Schedule A Winter Pest Control Inspection
Another important tactic for winter pest control is to have professionals survey your property. If you have had issues with rodents in the past, you should hire a pest control team to get to the bottom of how they are getting into your home. Pest Control experts know where to look and what to look for to find entry points. With some simple carpentry, you can limit the ease of entrance for pests coming into your home.
What To Do When You See Pests In Your Home
If there is a rodent in your home, do not rely on store-bought traps. Many of those traps can be ineffective and cleaning up after them can be a hassle. Instead, hire a pest control team to remove the rodents and find the issues that led to the infestation in the first place. Simply getting rid of one rodent at a time is not an effective way to deal with rodents longterm.
Contact Absolut Pest Control
For homes and businesses throughout Eastern Massachusetts, there is one name in Pest Control everyone trusts: Absolut Pest Control. Give us a call to discuss a pest control inspection or the removal of a rodent or other issue.
Tips For Dealing With Raccoons
At best raccoons can be an annoying nuisance: getting into the trash, destroying patio furniture, or harassing outdoor pets. At worst, a raccoon can get stuck in your home and nest, and attack members of your family and destroy parts of your home. Getting rid of raccoons can be a hassle and although there are DIY methods for raccoon control, it is always recommended that you contact a local pest control professional. But before you worry about raccoons, there are a few ways to prevent a raccoon problem in the first place.
Keep Raccoons Out Of The Home
When it comes to raccoons, it is preferred that they stay outdoors. Raccoons like to nest, especially in colder months. Because of that, it is important to limit the possibility of raccoons getting into your home. Luckily, raccoons are much larger than rodents or insects, This means it is unlikely that they will be able to enter your home through the same small holes that other pests do. Raccoons generally try to get into attics and basements. To avoid this make sure all windows and doorways are secure. Be aware of tree branches that can make it easy for raccoons to get to the roof. Generally, your tree branches should end five feet away from the home. Make sure your chimney has a cover and screen to protect it from raccoon invasion.
Do Not Provide Food To Raccoons
The most likely reason you have a raccoon problem is that you (or your neighbor) makes it easy for raccoons to get a meal on your property. Although it can be tempting to put your trash out the night before garbage day, waking up early to take the trash out can prevent raccoons from moving to your property. Limiting food options outdoors will decrease the chances of raccoons. That is why it is also important to make sure any outdoor eating areas on porches, decks, and patios, are properly cleaned after use.
Do Not Expect A Dog To Deter Raccoons
There is an unfortunate myth that having outdoor dogs will prevent raccoons. Although it is true that some breeds of dogs are able to protect your property better than others, raccoons will fight with dogs and you do not want your bet to get injured. Cats may be good options to get rid of mice, but that is because cats have distinct physically advantages, raccoons can terribly injure your pets.
Call Pest Control
If you see raccoons on your property, do not wait, call Absolut Pest Control. Our team has decades of experience removing rodents and other pests from properties. We can remove raccoons from your attics, basements, lawns, and other areas of your property. Give us a call today or contact us online.