Carpenter Ants - Part 4

In this final installment on carpenter ants, I am going to address how to prevent carpenter ants in your home or place of business.

Carpenter ants can be destructive, and the damage they cause can be expensive to repair. The best way to treat this pest is to prevent them before they ever find a way into your home.

There are, fortunately, many things you can do to prevent carpenter ants. Carpenter ants need a constant water source to survive, so eliminating moisture or standing water on your property can help to deter them. Consider using a dehumidifier in crawl spaces, basements and attics that are prone to dampness.

You  may also want to trim tree branches and shrubs away from their home, as these often provide access inside for ants and other pests. In addition, fill any gaps or cracks on the outside of the home with silicone caulk.

Keep firewood and other wood building materials stored at least 20 feet from your home, and at least five inches off of the ground.

Most importantly, keep a close eye on your property for signs of carpenter ants. Inspect wood on your home for the appearance of small openings or sawdust. And if you suspect you have a carpenter ant infestation, give me a call right away. The sooner carpenter ants are treated, the less serious the damage is likely to be.

If you're concerned that you have carpenter ants in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Carpenter Ants - Part 3

In today's blog, I am going to talk about how to recognize and spot a carpenter ant infestation.

As detailed in an article by Dr. Jim Fredericks for PestWorld, carpenter ants are larger than most other ant species. They range in size from one-quarter inch for a worker ant to up to three-quarters of an inch.  They are black or red, or sometimes a combination of both colors.

Typically, carpenter ants act as “silent destroyers,” quietly tunneling through wood without any external signs of damage. In some cases, homeowners may notice wood fragments and sawdust that fall through cracks the ants have created. Badly damaged wood will have small openings, like little windows.

If you're concerned that you have carpenter ants in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Carpenter Ants - Part 2

Carpenter ants, aka "Silent Destroyers," are the number one nuisance pest in the country. In today's blog, I am going to talk about where carpenter ants are found.

As explained in an article by Dr. Jim Fredericks for PestWorld,  there are nine types of carpenter ants in the U.S. These pests are most commonly found in cool, damp climates in the northern regions of the country.

Carpenter ants build their nests in various wood sources, including tree stumps, fence posts, firewood or landscaping. They prefer to attack wood that has been wet or damaged as a result of leaks. Indoors, this means they are often found in damaged window and door frames, crawlspaces under roofs, chimneys, sinks and bathtubs. A mature carpenter ant colony can contain more than 10,000 workers. In large colonies, it is not uncommon to have multiple nests inside structures as well as outdoors.

These destructive, pesky creatures usually gain access to buildings through cracks around doors and windows, holes for wires, or straight through wet, damaged wood. They will also crawl along overhead wires, shrubs, or tree limbs that touch the building far above the ground.

Although carpenter ants first invade wet, decayed wood, they may eventually build paths through dry, undamaged wood, too.

If you're concerned that you have carpenter ants in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Carpenter Ants - Part 1

Carpenter ants are referred to in our business as "Silent Destroyers." Over the next few blogs, I am going to share vital information on the necessity to find and eliminate carpenter ants.

In an article by Dr. Jim Fredericks for PestWorld,  he stated that there are more than 700 species of ants in the United States. And in fact, ants are the number one nuisance pest in the country.

The most common ant species – like odorous house ants, pavement ants and Argentine ants – pose little threat beyond the annoyance of an infestation. Carpenter ants, however,  can and do pose serious threats.

Of all the ant species, carpenter ants are one of the most problematic, causing serious property damage to homes and other buildings. These destroyer ants get their name because they excavate wood in order to build their nests. Their excavation results in smooth tunnels inside the wood. Much like termites and other wood destroying insects, this excavation can compromise the structural soundness of the wood over time.

 If you're concerned that you have carpenter ants in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
 
www.davespestcontrol.net
Reference: www.pestworld.org

Dust Mites

House dust mites have received much attention recently. Although nearly impossible to see, the house dust mite is a live-in guest that won't go away primarily because their food source is unlimited.

House dust mites feed on dander or dead skin from humans and animals. They may also feed on protein based foodstuffs, preferring dried products over products with moisture. Females lay up to 80 eggs. Populations can explode during humid months as mites are excellent at absorbing moisture from the air.

The most common area for finding mites is in the bed due to abundance of dander. House dust mites may also be found in living areas especially carpet, furniture, and clothing. Several home test kits are available to test for dust mites.

People may be allergic to house dust mite cast skins and droppings. These reactions will not be a rash type of reaction but rather a respiratory constriction, a common symptom of asthma. Itchy, watery eyes may also be symptoms. Approximately 50-80% of asthmatics may have symptoms due to house dust mites.

If you're concerned dust mites in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net
Reference: www.pestworld.org

More Pest Facts

Did you know . . .

• More women than men say they are afraid of pests.
• About one-quarter (24%) of homeowners surveyed believe the risks associated with pest infestations have increased over the past few years.
• More than half of homeowners surveyed (52%) were concerned about pests causing illness and insect bites/stings to their family.

If you're concerned that you have carpet beetles in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Flea Control and Prevention

Looking to get rid of fleas in the home? Here are a few tips.

• Clean and vacuum frequently to help remove flea populations and prevent the laying of eggs. 
• Keep your lawn groomed to avoid rodent habitation. 
• Protect pets by practicing active flea management; keep them on a leash when outside, bathing and grooming pets regularly, visiting a veterinarian annually, and using flea treatments according to direction. 

It is important to hire a flea control professional to rid your home of rodents and fleas, so give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net