Everything You Need To Know About June Bugs
June bugs, also known as June beetles or May bugs, are scarab beetles that are commonly found on the east coast during the early to mid-summer, which is where they get their name from. June bugs are much larger than the average beetle found in New England, as they are typically ½” to 1” long. These beetles are reddish-brown with fat, oval shaped bodies and six legs. There are nearly 300 species of June bugs, but the most prevalent are the common June bug and the green June beetle.
Are June Bugs Harmful?
While June bugs do not bite and will very rarely infest homes, they can be harmful to the plants around your home and in your garden. While adult June bugs can damage plants by feeding on their leaves, they are most harmful when they are in their larvae stage. Adult June bugs lay their eggs in the soil, and the larvae that hatch out of these eggs are called white grubs. White grubs feed on the roots of grass and garden plants, which cuts off the plants ability to absorb nutrients, quickly killing them. To make matters worse, June bug larvae attract moles and other subterranean rodents, which can also eat crops and damage yards & gardens.
How Can I Prevent June Bugs?
There are a few different signs that can point to a June bug problem around your home:
- June bug sightings
- Patches of dead, brown grass around your lawn
- Ragged holes in plant leaves
- Noticing an influx in mole populations
- Small holes appearing in your lawn
If you notice any of these signs in May, June, or early July, there is a good chance that you have a June bug problem around your home! The good news is that there are a few different ways to prevent June bug infestations:
- Reduce fertilizer & chemical use on your plants, which will increase the number of natural predators that kill June bug larvae.
- Attract birds to your home with bird feeders and bird baths. These birds will eat adult June bugs, and some species will eat the white grubs out of the ground.
- Remove debris and dead grass from your lawn, which will help nutrients, air, and water reach the soil and can help reduce white grub populations.
- Hire a pest control professional to treat your lawn.
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you have any questions about June bugs or believe that you have a pest problem in or around your Massachusetts or New Hampshire home, 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!
Tips On Dealing With Horse Flies This Summer
As the warmer weather approaches here in New England, so do the pests that come with it, like mosquitoes, ticks, yellowjackets, hornets, ants, and perhaps the most annoying of all, horse flies. Horse flies are larger than average house flies, usually with lengths of around ½” to 1 ¼”. Female horse flies feed on human & animal blood, and they have blade-like mouthparts that tear the skin, and unlike mosquitos, horse flies do not release any anesthetic when they bite, making the bites extremely painful. Horse flies are relentless and will continue to attempt to bite you until they either do so or have been killed. Horse flies are not known to be vectors of disease, but their bites can cause allergic reactions, itchiness, and swelling.
How To Prevent Horse Flies From Frequenting Your Property
If you’ve noticed an influx of horse flies around your home, there are a few things you can do to try to get rid of them, or at least limit their numbers. Horse flies love to hang out around hot, damp areas like streams and ponds, but long grass and weedy areas can also produce enough humidity to attract them. For this reason, maintaining a well-kept yard by mowing and weeding regularly is a great way to limit the number of horse flies around your house. Horse flies, and most other fly species, are also attracted to garbage, so it’s important that your outdoor trash bins are well-sealed with a snug fitting lid. One more way to keep your outdoor space horse fly-free is to burn citronella candles or tiki torches. The smoke and smell that citronella oil produces repels horse flies, mosquitos, and other insects, making these candles and tiki torches great for backyard barbecues and other outdoor activities. If you are facing a serious problem with horse flies, your best bet is to consult a pest control specialist who can professionally treat your property with insect repellents!
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you have any questions about pest control this summer or believe that you have a pest problem at your Massachusetts or New Hampshire home, contact Absolut Pest Control! We provide various insect extermination and 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!
Tips For Fruit Fly Prevention & Extermination
Fruit flies are common household pests that are attracted to fruit and other sweet substances. These miniature flies are typically around 1/8th of an inch long with black or tan bodies and red eyes. Because of their appearance, fruit flies are sometimes confused for gnats. Fruit flies like to lay their eggs on rotting fruit or other organic materials, where the eggs will hatch about a day later and the larvae will continue to feed on the fruit or other fermenting material. While fruit flies do not sting or bite, they can be dangerous because they can spread bacteria and foodborne illnesses throughout your home or business. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how you can prevent and exterminate these miniature pests! If you are a Massachusetts resident that is having trouble dealing with fruit flies or other insects, Absolut Pest Control is here to help! Contact us today for a free estimate on our pest control services!
Fruit Fly Prevention Tips
The best way to deal with a fruit fly problem is to never get them in the first place! You can prevent fruit flies in your home or business with just a few simple steps:
- Eliminate Sources Of Attraction: Fruit flies are primarily attracted to ripe or rotting produce. Be sure that any ripe produce you have is either stored or discarded properly! Store your fruits & vegetables in air tight containers in the refrigerator, or if you’re throwing something away, make sure it goes into a sealed container with a trash can liner!
- Clean Thoroughly: The next way to prevent fruit flies is to clean up thoroughly after any food or drink spill. Not only are fruit flies attracted to produce, but they also feed on soda, juice, beer, wine, and garbage. Anytime a liquid spills on your floor or countertop, be sure to clean it up with kitchen spray to ensure that nothing is left for insects to feed on!
- Properly Deal With Cracked Or Damaged Fruits: If you have any cracked or damaged fruit, you should cut off the wounded portion because this is where fruit fly larvae may be present.
Fruit Fly Extermination Tips
Fruit flies breed extremely quickly, so it’s important to eradicate the infestation in your home or business before it can get out of hand. While the best way to handle a fruit fly problem is to hire a pest control specialist, there are a few home “remedies” that you can try to exterminate the fruit flies on your own:
- Throw away all fruit and other ripe or rotting substances
- Clean rooms where the fruit flies are present thoroughly
- Create a trap using a jar & paper funnel, with apple cider vinegar as bait
- Use an aerosol insecticide
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you have any questions about fruit flies or any other insects, contact our team at Absolut Pest Control today! We provide a wide variety of affordable pest control services for insects and many other pests in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire! Give us a call at (978) 388-4589 or fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
Four Tips On Termite-Proofing Your House
If you own a home, you probably are aware that termites are one of the worst pests to face a problem with. These wood-eating insects can cause tens of thousands of dollars in property damage when they burrow into the structure of your house to create a colony! In order to avoid termite damage, there are several things you can do to help prevent them from eating away at your home. In this article, we’ll give you four tips on how you can begin to termite-proof your home! If you are a Massachusetts homeowner who is concerned about the presence of termites at your house, Absolut Pest Control is here for you with our termite inspection and extermination services! Contact our team to learn more about how we can prevent or eliminate termite infestations in your home!
Fix Leaks & Remove Standing Water
Like with many other pests, termites are attracted to water. Standing water and moist areas of your home are the ideal environments for termites to thrive in, so it’s essential to eliminate these wet areas if you want to help prevent termites from colonizing your house. Be sure to check for leaks & standing water anywhere that water may be flowing in your house; under sinks, the kitchen, bathrooms, the basement, ceilings, the roof, walls, etc. Fixing water leaks and removing standing water can also help prevent other pests like cockroaches, mosquitoes, and more.
Store Wood Properly
Another great way to help protect against termites is to make sure that you are properly storing wood in and around your home. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, you probably keep a good sized pile of wood in or around your home, garage, or storage shed. Because termites eat wood, your wood pile attracts them and the firewood you bring inside can act as a vehicle for them to catch a ride into your home. For this reason, you should be sure that you are keeping an eye out for signs of termites in your firewood supply! Additionally, you should store your firewood at least 8-12 inches off the ground and ideally have the wood pile at least five feet from the foundation of your home.
Seal Holes & Cracks
The next way to help prevent termites from creating their colonies in your home is to prevent them from getting in in the first place. Holes, cracks, and other gaps around the foundation of your home can act as a doorway for these destructive insects to get inside your home, where they’ll then start eating away at the wooden structure of the house. Inspect the perimeter of your home for any holes or cracks, then use caulk or foam sealant to seal off these openings.
Get Regular Pest Inspections
The best way to prevent termites from ravaging the structural integrity of your home is to hire a pest control professional to perform regular termite inspections! Here at Absolut Pest Control, we perform termite inspections that will cover your home or building from top to bottom! We recommend that our clients get yearly inspections so we can catch pests or vulnerabilities in a property before damage is done!
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you have any questions or concerns about termite infestations & prevention, contact our team at Absolut Pest Control today! We provide a wide variety of affordable pest control services in Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire! Give us a call at (978) 388-4589 or fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
Laws & Regulations For Bat Control In Massachusetts
Bats commonly make their homes in the attics of homes in Massachusetts because they are safe, dark places where these flying mammals can seek shelter. Bats can enter your attic through a hole, crack, or vent opening that is only about a half inch in diameter. The biggest problem with controlling the bat(s) in your home is that they are protected by Massachusetts law and can not be killed or captured, except under permit. Massachusetts has these laws & regulations regarding bat control because bats are beneficial to our ecosystem for several reasons. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into why bats are protected, what the laws & regulations are regarding bat control, and how you can safely & legally deal with them when they are in your home! If you have any questions about bat control or are looking for professional bat control solutions in Massachusetts, please contact our team at Absolut Pest Control today!
Why Are Bats Beneficial To The Ecosystem?
While bats are often thought of as creepy, vampire-like creatures, they are actually extremely important parts of our ecosystem for several reasons. One reason that bats are crucial to our ecosystem is that they are pollinators. Bats feed on the nectar inside flowers, and as they move between flowers, they pick up pollen and distribute it to other flowers. Without the pollination provided by bats, many different kinds of plant species would slowly die out. Bats are also crucial to our ecosystem because they eat mosquitos, beetles, moths, and many other insects. Due to the fact that they eat so many of these potentially harmful insects, bats reduce the need for chemical pesticides.
Massachusetts Laws & Regulations Regarding Bat Control
In accordance with the Massachusetts Homeowners Guide to Bats from Mass.gov, “Bats are protected by law in Massachusetts and may not be killed or captured, except under permit when they are creating a risk to public health or when they are damaging property.” This means that it is illegal to deal with bats in your home using lethal methods like traps. Instead, if you are dealing with a single bat, Mass.gov recommends opening a window or door so the bat can fly out of your home. If you discover a colony of bats (10 or more bats) in your attic or other area in your home, you should report the colony to Massachusetts and contact a pest control professional. According to Massachusetts law, bat colony evictions should be done using the installation of 1-way doors and can only be performed during the early spring or late summer. This is because bat colony evictions must be done before maternity season when mothers have their pups or after the pups have learned to fly and can leave the roost.
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you are dealing with a bat problem in your Massachusetts home, the best way to deal with it is to contact a pest control professional. Our team at Absolut Pest Control has years of experience dealing with a wide variety of pests, including bats, insects, rodents, birds, small mammals, and much more! Contact us today by giving us a call at (978) 388-4589 or by filling out the contact form on our website!
Frequently Asked Questions About Bed Bugs
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small insects (often about the size of an apple seed) that feed on the blood of people and animals. These parasites have flat, brown bodies when they haven’t eaten recently, and balloon-like, reddish-brown bodies when they have been fed. When bed bugs bite, they leave several small red bumps in a line or zig-zag pattern. Female bed bugs lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime (around 4 months to 1 year), so it’s important to deal with an infestation before it has the chance to get out of hand!
What Are The Signs Of A Bed Bug Infestation?
Bed bugs get their name from the fact that they are often found on beds and other furniture! Bed bugs are “hitchhikers”, meaning they often find their way into homes by catching a ride with pets, people, luggage, used furniture, and anything else that is brought into the house. Oftentimes, bed bug infestations are discovered after people notice that pattern of bed bug bites that are left on their bodies. Bed bugs also sometimes leave rust colored marks on mattresses, sheets, and carpets, which are the result of the insects’ feces. If you see the signs of a bed bug infestation in your home, you should contact a pest control professional right away before the infestation can get worse!
How Do You Treat A Bed Bug Infestation?
Although bed bugs typically do not present a serious threat to your health, it’s crucial to get rid of them as soon as they’re discovered. There are DIY methods that you can use to try to get rid of the bed bug infestation in your home, but they are typically not as effective as professional treatments. Some of these DIY treatments include:
- Washing clothes and bedding then drying them at a high heat
- Freezing clothes and bedding in a sealed bag for multiple days
- Using a steam cleaner to treat carpets, mattresses, and furniture
The best way to treat a bed bug infestation is to hire a professional. A professional pest control company will use a whole-room heat treatment using specially designed equipment that raises your home’s temperature above the limit that bed bugs & their eggs can survive (usually around 140 degrees). Using this professional heat treatment method is the only true way to get rid of every bed bug in your home!
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
The best way to solve a bed bug infestation is to hire a local pest control professional! Absolut Pest Control provides the Greater Boston region with pest control & removal services for a wide variety of pests, including bed bugs, other insects, mice, rats, 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!
How To Know When It’s Time To Contact A Pest Control Professional
While almost every homeowner has faced a pest problem at least once, only some have experienced an infestation that requires the help of a pest control professional to remedy. Many home and business owners will wait to call a pest control company until it is their last resort, but this can be a costly mistake. While it is possible for you to get rid of pests on your own, a pest control professional will cut the problem off at the source and get the job done right every single time! In this article, we’ll offer a few tips on how to know when the time is right to pick up the phone and call for pest control help!
DIY Methods Aren’t Working
If you have tried using store-bought traps and other do-it-yourself methods to solve your pest problem, but nothing seems to be working, it’s probably time to seek the help of a pest control professional. Large infestations from all kinds of pests, like ants, termites, bed bugs, bees, & cockroaches, can be almost impossible to solve on your own. These pests breed quickly, so infestations can get out of hand faster than you may think. A pest control company will use professional-grade control options to tackle your pest problem once and for all!
Health & Safety Risks
When a pest infestation poses a health or safety risk to you and your family, it’s in everyone’s best interest to leave it to a professional. Different pests can cause different health risks: insects can cause potentially life-threatening allergic reactions, rodents can spread serious diseases, and termites can cause structural damage to your home! If you have a pest problem in your home or building that is making you concerned about the health & safety of your family, you should always be cautious and call in a professional to solve the problem!
Termites
Termites are one of the most dangerous pests that homeowners can face a problem with. These pests feed on wood and can cause tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home. Termites work fast, multiply quickly, and are incredibly difficult and risky to try to get rid of on your own. You should always be extra cautious and contact a pest control professional at the first sign of a termite infestation! Some common signs of a termite infestation include seeing winged termites and spotting the pinhole-like damage that they cause.
Sounds & Smells
One more reason to contact a pest control professional (that we’ll highlight in this article) is the presence of smells and sounds caused by pests. Each different kind of pest can cause different smells and sounds. Rodents, for example, often make sounds when they are scurrying or scratching behind walls or in attics & crawl spaces. Some rodents also leave behind an ammonia-like smell. If you start to smell something that seems foreign to your home, there’s a good chance that there is a hidden infestation looming. When you contact a pest control professional, they’ll be able to find the source and solve the problem!
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you have any questions about professional pest control services or believe that you have a pest problem in your Massachusetts or New Hampshire home, 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!
Pest Control Tips For Fall ‘22
October is here, which means the cool fall weather is upon us, and winter is soon to come. In the pest control industry, the transition from warm to cold weather means that all kinds of pests will have behavioral changes, many of which surround the fact that creatures of all shapes and sizes will be looking for a warm place to wait out the winter. More often than not, this means that these pests will be looking to take up residence in your home or building, especially in climates like New England with harsh seasons. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how you can keep your home pest-free this autumn!
Pest-Proof Your Home
One of the most effective ways to keep unwanted pests out of your home in the fall is to pest-proof your house or building. A great way to get started is by installing screens in your attic vents, chimney openings, and other gaps that animals may be able to get through. For holes and cracks that are too small for screens, you can use caulk or steel wool to seal them up. Additionally, you should replace weather-stripping and loose mortar around your home’s foundation and windows. Pest-proofing your home in this way can help prevent mice, rats, squirrels, birds, bats, and other animals from entering your home as the weather starts to get colder.
Proper Food Storage
Another great way to prevent pest problems this fall is to store all your food properly. Be sure that all dry goods (like oatmeal, flour, grains, and any other food that might be stored in cabinets or pantries) are stored in air-tight containers. Other than the reason for escaping the cold weather, pests also enter homes in search of food and water that can satiate them while their other food sources are scarce.
Keep Your Home Dry & Ventilated
One more tip for keeping pests away from your home this fall is to keep your basement, attic, and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry. Leaks and water buildup from rain and melted snow can attract all kinds of pests, so it’s essential to be vigilant about keeping these areas of your home in good condition. Additionally, you should repair or install new gutters to help draw water and moisture away from your home, which can further prevent leaks and moisture buildup.
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you have any questions about pest control this fall or believe that you have a pest problem in your Massachusetts or New Hampshire home, 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!
Tips On Keeping Rodents Away From Your Boston Area Home
If you’re having rat or other rodent problems at your Greater Boston area home or building, you’re not alone! According to WBUR, rat and rodent complaints are up 48% from 2019 to 2021, according to the city of Boston’s 311 data. For this reason, cities, towns, and homeowners are scrambling to find an effective solution for the rodent problems that are affecting their residents. In this article, we’ll go over some tips & tricks on how you can keep rodents away from your home this fall and winter!
Seal & Secure Your Garbage
One of the primary reasons that rats, mice, and other rodents will be on your property is that they have access to trash and food scraps. In order to prevent this, you should make sure that all your trash is stored in tightly sealed trash bins, whether it be on the curb or in your home. Additionally, you should be vigilant about eliminating other food sources that may attract rodents by storing food in air-tight containers, rodent-proofing your garden, picking up any fruit in your yard that has fallen from trees, and avoiding bird feeders.
Seal All Cracks Or Holes In Your Home
Did you know that rodents can squeeze through cracks and holes that are only the size of a dime? These minuscule holes & cracks are one of the primary ways that a rodent can enter your home. To prevent this, be sure to seal any cracks or holes in your home that are larger than a dime or gaps under doors that are greater than a quarter inch. Additionally, you should replace loose mortar, weather stripping, and damaged screens around the foundation of your home and windows. Sealing off your home to rodents is especially important during the fall & winter when rodents are looking for a warm place to shelter during the colder months!
Stay Clean & Organized
Mice, rats, and other rodents love a messy home! Be sure to clean surfaces regularly, especially in your kitchen and dining areas. Additionally, you should always store food in organized, sealed containers. Clutter in your home can allow rodents to move through your home undetected and may prevent you from noticing evidence of an infestation!
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
The best way to solve & prevent rodent infestations is to hire a local pest control professional! Absolut Pest Control provides the Greater Boston region with pest control & removal services for a wide variety of pests, including mice, rats, other rodents, insects, 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!
What Are Silverfish?
A silverfish is a small, silverish-brown insect that is typically around ¾ of an inch long. Silverfish differ from other common insects like ants, beetles, and flies because they are primitive insects, meaning they almost look like a fossil that has come to life. Silverfish can move extremely quickly, sometimes looking like they are swimming across the ground, hence their name. These insects have six legs with long antennae and three additional appendages that stem from the end of their bodies, but they do not have wings. Silverfish are known to feed on and cause damage to a wide variety of items that might be found in your home: books, clothes, wallpaper, flour, sugar, coffee, oats, and much more. These insects often thrive in dark yet humid environments, such as basements, attics, bathrooms, pantries, laundry rooms, and any other place in a home that may have those characteristics. While silverfish are not particularly dangerous, they are considered a nuisance pest that can cause damage to items in your home and trigger allergies.
Should I Be Concerned About A Silverfish Infestation In My Home?
As mentioned above, silverfish do not pose any serious concerns to you or the other people living in your home. However, this does not mean that you want these insects living in your home. Silverfish are known to breed rapidly, meaning an infestation could get out of control faster than you may think. Additionally, silverfish can get into paper products and dry food items, both of which they feed on. If you notice that a silverfish has gotten into a bag of flour, coffee, sugar, or any other type of food, you should dispose of it as they are unsanitary insects. One more reason that silverfish can be a concern is that some people may be allergic to their dropping and shed scales, leading to symptoms like sneezing, itching, coughing, and other common allergy symptoms. Signs of a silverfish infestation include:
- Seeing live silverfish
- Silverfish dropping & shed skin
- Silverfish damage
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you believe your Massachusetts home contains a silverfish infestation, the best way to deal with it is to contact a pest control professional. Our team at Absolut Pest Control has years of experience dealing with a wide variety of pests, including insects, rodents, birds, bats, small mammals, and much more! Contact us today by giving us a call at (978) 388-4589 or by filling out the contact form on our website!
