Do You Need Year Round Pest Control?
September 20, 2019
An Ounce Of Prevention - Year Round Pest Control
You might think that during the colder months our homes and businesses are safe from rodents and pests. This is a natural mistake – we may not see them as often, but they're still there. Where do they go when it gets cold outside? The same place you do – inside! Some pest problems even get worse in the colder months, so it's essential to keep your pest control plan active year-round. At Restoration Pest Management, we are experts at providing solutions to all sorts of pest problems in Columbus and the surrounding areas.
So what kind of issues can arise in the off months?
Rodents
One of the worst offenders in the rodent world is rats. Their teeth never stop growing, so they must constantly chew to keep them worn down. One of their favorite things to gnaw on is electrical wiring, so if they make their way into your charming, warm home or business during cold weather, you can have a real problem on your hands. Not only can this disrupt your electricity, in some instances it can even cause a fire. This devastation is easily preventable if you keep your regular pest control services throughout the year.
Another issue with all rodents, including common mice, is the parasites they can bring into your home. Fleas, ticks, and other travelers that can hitch a ride on these nuisances can cause all kinds of health concerns, some of which are even deadly. The Bubonic Plague, better known as the Black Death, was spread just like this, and it wiped out as many as 200 million people throughout the middle ages. Mice will seek out warm, soft things, like your insulation, during cold months to line their beds, so keep an eye out for even tiny holes in your property.
Even more disturbing, there are reports of increasing numbers of Coypu, otherwise known as Nutria, by local scientists. These rodents are extremely destructive and are most active in winter due to the scarcity of food. If one of these pests gets into your home or business – look out! They will destroy your lawn and garden in their search for food, they're hideous (think a giant rat, usually around 15-20 lbs but can get close to 40lbs), and can carry all the same germs and parasites as other rodents – plus they breed year-round, so don't think the cold will drive them away.
Cockroaches
Roaches are yet another pest that survives throughout the winter, and colder months drive them further into your property. While many cockroaches come from tropical climates and will die if it gets frigid, in our neck of the woods, it rarely gets to the lows needed to kill them off. Just one female cockroach can lay tens of thousands of eggs in their short lives, so taking care of roaches as soon as you see only one is imperative. Your home or business is a warm and cozy place for her to grow her family in the cold months and offers plenty of food and water for them, no matter how tidy you are.
Nesting Insects
One of the most common (and most tenacious) of the nesting insects are Argentine Ants. These hardy ants have a lot of queens that connect their colonies through tunnels. While it may seem like this would lead them to be more sedentary, they are quite mobile. They can hibernate, but they prefer to remain active and multiplying. They'll go to any lengths to escape the cold, and your property is just what they're looking for. Getting rid of Argentine Ants if very difficult for a novice. It requires expert knowledge and specialized skill, so making sure you are diligent about your pest control regimen throughout the off-season will save you a lot of time and money in the form of property repairs in the future.
It might make sense that colder weather might make pest numbers decline, but that's far from the truth for many of California's most common offenders. Making sure you protect your home and business, even through the off-season or colder months of the year is essential in having a comprehensive prevention plan for your property. Call us today for a free estimate.
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How To Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Removing ants from your home can be challenging, and if not executed properly, it may exacerbate the issue and allow the colony to spread throughout your residence. Numerous over-the-counter pesticides are marketed for ant control, but they often fail to address the root cause of the infestation. What Lures Carpenter Ants Ants invade your home because they discover an environment that offers favorable conditions along with food and water sources. Typically, ants are drawn to moisture issues, particularly Carpenter Ants. Over time, the barriers that prevent moisture from penetrating the wood in your home deteriorate. Windowsills and door frames begin to degrade, caulking cracks, and moisture seeps into these areas. When wood moisture levels rise, it creates an inviting environment for various wood-destroying pests, including ants. Carpenter Ants utilize their mandibles to excavate the wood, creating nesting cavities. While they do not consume wood like termites , they can still inflict damage, including structural harm to your home if not addressed promptly. Black Carpenter Ants Ants, in general, are social insects, each fulfilling specific roles within their colony. They collaborate and share resources throughout their community. To effectively eliminate ants, it is crucial not to disrupt their activities but rather to provide them with something they recognize as food or a substance they cannot detect, which will spread throughout the colony and eradicate the source of the infestation. Carpenter Ants, in particular, can have multiple satellite colonies away from the main colony, depending on their level of establishment. The primary colony can be located up to 300 feet from a satellite colony, often found in decaying trees, logs, or nearby woodpiles. How to Treat Carpenter Ants – Mount Gilead, Ohio Many homeowners prefer to tackle these annoying pests on their own to save some money. While this might seem like a cost-effective choice, it can sometimes worsen the issue by embedding the problem deeper into your home, causing the colony to spread and divide. Many over-the-counter solutions, such as chemicals, essential oils, and vinegar, are designed to repel insects quickly, providing a temporary fix. This approach may push the ants out of sight, but it creates a repellant barrier that can lead to the ants splitting into two groups, allowing them to infiltrate untreated areas of your home. Consequently, this method fails to eliminate the source colony from which the ants originate. Liquid Ant Bait For minor ant infestations, using an over-the-counter borax ant bait can be an effective first step in the elimination process until a pest control expert can evaluate and address the issue properly. Ant baits are specifically designed to attract ants, which perceive them as food, and they subsequently distribute it throughout the colony. Borax ant baits offer a low-risk option to help prevent a larger infestation from developing. Control Carpenter Ants – Columbus, Ohio In the end, having ants in your home can pose a more significant problem than just the few visible in your kitchen or bathroom. Engaging a pest control professional like Restoration Pest Management, who can accurately diagnose and treat the infestation, is the most effective solution for long-term success . While homeowners can perform localized and spot treatments, a pest control expert will ensure your whole home is safeguarded against ant invasions both now and in the future. Contact Restoration Pest Management today at 614-204-8630 for your complimentary quote.
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