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Month: March 2018

How To Keep Ants Out Of Your Kitchen

Posted on by john

Getting rid of ants in the kitchen can be a real challenge. The tiny sugar ants are the most common invader when it comes to areas in which we store and prepare food. They invade in search of ready sources of food, shelter and water. If those things are not available, ants and other insect pests will usually move on. Once you have an ant infestation, however, it can be difficult to keep ants out of your home. Professional help may be required.

Clean up Spills To Keep Ants Out

Any food that is readily available will attract ants and other insect pests. Cleaning up spills immediately will help reduce the attractants. Don’t be fooled into thinking that sugar ants are only attracted to sweet things. Crumbs as well as spills and smears should be cleaned up as soon as possible. Try not to leave dirty dishes lying about or any other food sources. Seal food containers and wipe up any spills or crumbs immediately.

Take out the Trash

Trash sitting in containers is a prime attractant to insect pests. Take the trash out daily and sanitize the container often to avoid a buildup of residue that will attract insects. Be sure to keep any clutter or trash picked up and cleared away to avoid providing insects a home or sources of food. By keeping things clean, you deny ants a food supply.

Seal Up Cracks

Finally, insects seek out shelter and water. Seal small cracks in the foundation or around doors and windows. Use weather stripping if necessary, and caulk for small cracks. Check the areas where pipes and wires enter the home for spaces and gaps as well as for leaks. Any standing water or damp patches provide insects with a ready supply of water, so fix leaks right away. By making your home less friendly to insect invaders, you can keep them outdoors where they belong. If you suspect you have an insect infestation, call Exclusive Pest Control for a full evaluation and treatment plan.

How Weather Affects Insect Problems

Posted on by john

Changes in weather can bring surges or declines in insect populations. Unfortunately, weather affects insect problems, meaning that insects may seek shelters in human habitations as they seek to avoid extreme temperatures and search for ready sources of food and water. You can better control insect pests by understanding how weather changes affect the population.

Warming Weather

As the weather warms up in the spring and summer, insect populations tend to explode as the temperatures rise and allow for breeding and hatching of neonates. The newly-hatched bugs make their way indoors through crevices and cracks in the foundation and around screens and other gaps. It’s important to weatherize your home both in the spring and fall, not only to keep out extreme temperatures, but to control the influx of insect pests.

Throughout the Warm Season

In the warm temperatures, insects tend to seek out cooler areas, like basements and crawl spaces. Insects that were dormant in the winter are awake and thriving, seeking out food sources and making themselves quite at home in our homes. Changing weather affects insect problems, so to help control insect growth during the summers, keep the areas around your home well cleared of dead vegetation and standing water sources. Check for leaking pipes and puddles. Most importantly, reduce and remove clutter and any potential food sources. Clean up crumbs right away, keep food put away and in sealed containers, and try to reduce the hiding spaces insects find in piles of laundry or other clutter.

In the Fall and Winter

As fall moves in, the temperatures drop, driving insects to seek shelter. The fall weather affects insect problems by herding insects into homes. Seal cracks in the foundation and consider adding weather stripping around doors and windows. This is a good time to have a professional evaluation of your home and property and to develop a solid plan for dealing with potential infestations before they have a chance to take hold. If you suspect you have an insect problem in your home, call Exclusive Pest Control for a full evaluation and treatment plan.

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