3 Bugs (Probably) Living in Your Home RIGHT NOW

We have bad news. You have a bug problem. Surprised? You shouldn’t be.

There are a few common household pests that are almost guaranteed to plague your home, particularly if you live in an area with a warm climate which, given the time of year, is about to comprise most of the continental US. But don’t worry – these three common household pests are relatively easy to get rid of with the assistance of a trained pest control professional in your area.

FRUIT FLIES

Fruit Flies are one of the most persistent bugs on the planet. The problem is the little critters only live about a week – great for killing them off quickly but terrible for teaching them to stay away. The average fruit fly can lay over 500 eggs in their lifetime, which again, is one week. Fruit flies multiply like crazy and once you’ve got them, they’re tough to get rid of. They breed and feed anywhere moist, organic material is found, primarily kitchens. As their name suggests, they prefer to feed on produce but they’re not too picky. Everything from coffee grounds to leftovers can attract an infestation. Home improvement stores sell fruit fly traps and baiting systems but without eliminating the source of the infestation it’s hard to get rid of all these tiny bugs.

SPIDERS

Spiders are pretty terrifying to most homeowner, yes, but they can sometimes do more harm than good. Most varieties eat other pesky insects and generally stay out of the way of humans. If you find yourself staring down a poisonous spider like a Black Widow or a Brown Recluse, however, you should immediately contact a pest professional. When you see one spider you can almost count on the fact that dozens more are lurking somewhere hidden.

ANTS

Did you know there are over ten varieties of ants commonly known to infest American homes? From carpenter ants to black ants, all come with an obnoxious sting and some can actually be poisonous to humans and pets. Ants are a tricky bug – if you see a small trail you can bet there are literally thousands more in places you can’t see, and the best effective treatment is boric acid, applied by a professional. Keeping ants out is nearly impossible but you can help by making sure food is off the ground and covered where it’s stored.

If you’ve noticed any of these three common household pests in your home, call a pest control expert today. Your home doesn’t have to be a breeding ground – take action now to eradicate a budding infestation.

Eating Insects: More than Just a Trend?

People have been eating bugs for centuries but in the last few decades the Western world has seen dining on pests as a novelty, something to squeal about at a dinner party. But on many parts of the globe people eat bugs for nutrition when they lack better options…everything from grasshoppers to roaches can be prepared to be edible by someone who knows what they’re doing.

Homeowners in America spend billions of dollars annually to keep their homes free from pests and there are hundreds of pest control companies across the country. Across the pond however, Britains are learning a thing or two about using pesky bugs to their advantage and noted chefs and home cooks alike are figuring out ways to make insects delicious. Continue reading

Beware of Carpenter Ants

carpenter ants

Carpenter ants feeding on a piece of wood. http://www.flickr.com/photos/taylar/3584257063/

We all know that ants are a very common pest in and around households.  We also know that termites are the greatly feared, wood-destroying pests that plague homes.  However, the carpenter ant is a bit of a hybrid (not biologically) of these two pests.  Carpenter ants can be found throughout the United States and, like the termite, can cause significant damage to wooden structures.  Though there are many different species of carpenter ants, the black carpenter ant is arguably the most common in this country.

These pests build their nests in wood, creating tunneled galleries through the structure in order to create a living space.  While termites consume wood, carpenter ants simply discard it, leaving behind sawdust like material known as frass.   Continue reading

What to do when the Ants go Marching in

ant

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanchom/4488333758/

Ants can be a problem anytime of the year, but as the temperature increases in late spring and summer, the heat sends them indoors by the masses.  Two of the most common ants that invade homes are little black ants and sugar ants. These pests come into your home in search of food, which usually sends them straight toward your pantry.  Last week I was at a friend’s house and went to get a box of cereal out of her pantry, and when I picked it up a trail of ants started crawling out of the box.  I looked around and realized several other boxes had these unwanted guests crawling along them as well.   Continue reading