Midwestern Pest Blog

As a homeowner, you have many responsibilities. You want your home to stand the test of time and to last. This involves putting your best foot forward to avoid pests that can cause damage to you or your house. Termites are formidable foes when it comes to the integrity of your foundation, and the best course of action is really to avoid them altogether. Depending on where you live, this can be a difficult task. Termites can cause severe damage that is hard to repair. There are things that you can do to prevent these pests from taking up residence in your home. By implementing some key lifestyle changes, you can help keep your home safe from the damage done by termites. Types of Termite Problems Damage to structures:The biggest problem termites can cause is structural damage to your house, garage and other structures on your property. This can be extensive......

Summer is right around the corner, and with the warmer temperatures come the pests. Any homeowner can tell you that summer is a particularly difficult time when it comes to pest control. The warmer climate, coupled with rainy weather, makes most yards a breeding ground for all types of creepy-crawlies, and many of them will be very interested in getting inside your house. So, how can you keep them out? Here are some tips to keep your house free of pests this summer. Clean up the Yard Because pest infestations start from the outside, it only makes sense to pay attention to the yard. The summer months mean that everything outside is growing, and this can make it easy for pests to find places to live. In addition, summer thunderstorms can often leave standing pools of water in things like flower pots -- pools that insects like mosquitoes love to use......

While you may not see any bugs living in your home in your daily life, it doesn’t mean they aren’t hiding. Check the following places to find out for sure if you have uninvited guests. Basements It doesn’t matter if your underground level is finished or unfinished, bugs will treat it like home. These critters enjoy damp, dark and undisturbed places. They instinctively know it’s safe there. Check behind furniture and boxes to see if any unwelcome guests are around. Use a shop vac to get rid of any visible cobwebs or insects. Run a dehumidifier to keep that space dry, and plug any holes where bugs can enter. Keep the clutter to a minimum down there, as it will give bugs less space to hide. Attics Again, any place where clutter forms is a hotbed for bugs. Despite extreme cold and heat in your attic, bugs have all the shelter they ne......

Ants are a common household issue, and a persistent one at that. Thankfully, there are some fairly easy steps you can take to avoid ants trying to make your home theirs. Preventative Measures The first step in ant pest control is making sure your house isn’t an attraction to them. Ants look for warm spaces that have plentiful food sources, so you need to ensure they won’t find easy targets at your house. This includes common sense steps like not leaving uncovered food out and cleaning up food-related messes promptly. Store food in plastic and glass containers. Caulk and seal cracks in windows and doors that can act as entry points and keep these areas clean. Know Your Ants If you do see ants in or around your home, do your homework and determine what kind you have. First, make sure that you aren’t actually dealing with termites, as the two are s......

Midwestern Termite and Pest Control, with service areas in the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Franklin County, Illinois areas, knows that in our areas, ants are a big problem. While these small pests might seem like little more than an annoyance, they can really hamper your ability to enjoy your home both inside and out. To understand why ants are one of the hardest pests to remove from your property, you have to understand how an ant colony works. Unlike other pests, ants are highly social creatures and work together-even from colony to colony. That’s not to say that they aren’t territorial, because some ants have been documented to fight for space. The issue is their small size makes numerous ‘beds’ feasible for coexisting on one area of land, or home. The Social Structure of Ants Ants showcase a highly evolved social hierarchy. The queen of the colony stays hidden deep in the ......

No matter how secure your house is from burglars and natural disasters, the one thing that may still be able to break through its defenses is a tiny ant or mouse. You may be surprised to learn how many openings your seemingly airtight house may have for pests to sneak through, and once they’re inside, the problems they can make for you are innumerable. Fortunately, with just a little ingenuity, they are ways to make your house as pest-proof as possible. Here are some ways to seal your home off from pests. Getting Prepared Before you start, there are a few things you are going to need. First, get into some old clothes and put on gloves. Because you’re going to be crawling around in the dirt, around bushes and atop of ladders, old clothes (preferably long jeans and a long sleeve shirt) and gloves are going to be very useful. Als......

Ants are one of the most common insects you’ll have to battle in the home. They can be lured in by anything from easy access to food to just the availability of a pre-built shelter from the elements. Having replaced cockroaches as the #1 pest in the United States, ants can cause a variety of issues including biting pets and humans and causing damage to the home. In the St. Louis area, the most common types of ants are Carpenter and Pavement Ants. Carpenter Ants- Typically found in dead or hollow trees, carpenter ants make their homes by chewing up wood for nesting materials. If they wander into a house, they may decide to make a nest among the wood they find there because it is better protection from the weather. These ants can cause damage to the structure of a home. Pavement Ants- The most common ant in the Metro A......

The St. Louis area has some new residents. Unfortunately, these new residents are not wanted. The Emerald Ash Borer is not native to the St. Louis area. These little beetles are native to Asia and are wreaking havoc wherever they go. Just like their name, this little pest bores into the ash tree’s trunk, and over time, it kills the tree. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is metallic green in color and has also been called the “Green Menace.” After the female EAB lays her eggs in or on the ash tree, the larvae then feed off the tree by burrowing deep into the trunk, and after two years, they emerge as grown adults. Signs of the Invasive Pest EAB The possible signs that your ash tree contains the EAB bugs include: Yellow leaves Wilting and thin foliage Dead branches The increased presence of woodpeckers or pecking holes Exit holes in the s......

Pest prevention simply refers to all of the actions that you can take to keep pests from building nests or colonies on your property. There are many methods used in prevention, and they should all be considered carefully in order to keep the infestation from getting out of control. Insect and pest control begins with accurate information that you can use to take action. Preventing an Infestation Preventing pest infestations on your property will help you to save money and time. This is the first line of defense against a variety of pests, which may include insects, rodents, birds and wild animals. Once the infestation begins, it can quickly spread. This can potentially cause damage to your home or business, so you will need to take immediate action at the first sign of a pest infestation. There are many ways to prevent a pest infestation, and here are the top three:......

A pest inspection is a critical part of any comprehensive plan for controlling the many pests that can infest your home or business. Inspections are conducted by licensed professionals who understand the common signs of infestations, but there is much more involved. The inspection also lays the groundwork for forming a pest control plan of action. This will outline the steps needed to eliminate the pests from the property and prevent a recurring infestation in the future. The inspection should always be performed by a qualified professional for the best results. Pest Inspection Checklist To understand the value of a pest inspection, you should be aware of what is involved. There are many techniques that can be utilized by the pest inspector, but listing them will not help you understand what a pest inspection really involves. This requires a detailed analysis of the particular property and an intelligent application of the......

Most business owners are already aware of the fact that a rodent infestation will reflect poorly on their enterprise, but many are still unaware of the risks related to the legal codes. It is possible to lose a business license over a rodent infestation, for example. The business owner can not underestimate the potential amount of damage to personal finances as well as the ability to earn an income. In addition, there could be legal fines and fees that must be paid to the city. The total losses could be devastating, and this type of setback is not easily overcome. Understanding the nature of the risk can help the business owner to make a speedy decision about how to overcome the rodent infestation, and contacting a professional commercial pest control company is the right move. Preventing Rodent Infestations In the world of pest control, an ounce of prevention is worth much......

Carpenter ants and termites are similar in several ways. They can be about the same size and damage buildings because they burrow into wood. Both types of insects also swarm to mate during the spring. After taking a closer look, however, you can see that they differ significantly. Carpenter Ants As one of the largest types of ants in the United States, carpenter ants measure 0.13 to 0.5 inches long. Most species are black, while others can be red, yellow, light or dark brown, or orange. Some species are even black and red. The large mandibles that the workers have are another way to identify these insects. However, they're most identifiable by their cinched waist, bent antennae and longer front wings. Decayed wood is the preferred nesting material for all carpenter ants. Nests that remain active for years can cause severe damage. One colony can spread to satellite colonies nearby. Following......

Frass control is a critical part of any insect removal program. Understanding the properties of frass can help you to identify it and make decisions about your pest-control needs. Frass can be used as a source of food or even as construction materials. This means that you will need to eliminate this material from your home as a part of your long-term program for pest control. About Insect Frass Frass is a term that refers to insect fecal matter, which can have different appearances. Each type of pest will digest materials from their diet and leave the excrement behind. This becomes a sign of their presence, and it can be used to determine the kind of pest infestation you are experiencing. Frass can be composed entirely of fecal matter, but some insects will also excrete the parts of the wood that they consume as food. This can show up in the......

When wood in your home decays, termites are often the first thought that comes to mind. Termites can cause severe damage to wood in homes since they feed on timber in order to survive. In the natural environment, termites feed on fallen logs and trees that are starting to die. Wet logs are preferred by termites since they are easier to eat. Termites are, therefore, often assumed to be synonymous with rotten wood. In reality, termite infestations and rotten wood are separate issues that you should understand how to distinguish. Signs of Rotten Wood Although building codes try to establish rules that reduce the chances of wood rotting in modern homes, wood decomposition is still a possibility for homes of any age. It is unusual for wood to rot without exposure to a source of water. Rotten wood can start to appear after a flood or a plumbing leak. Mold often......

Ants exist all over the world, and these little critters are always on the lookout for their next meal. If you aren't careful, your pantry just might become their next target. Adopting a few good habits can help prevent these pests from overtaking your kitchen. Keep a Clean Kitchen If you maintain a clean kitchen, ants will have fewer places to hide and less food to eat. After every meal, make it a habit to clean dishes immediately and wipe down the countertops and the dining room table. In the event of a spill or other food-related mess, clean it up right away. Be sure to use your vacuum or sweep the floors regularly, including areas outside of the kitchen where people eat. Don't forget about storing pet food properly; ants will dine on dog and cat food as well. Protect Your Food Leaving food out on the countertop is a......

Termites thrive in a wide range of natural habitats by consuming dead wood. Opportunistic feeders, these wood-boring insects do not make a distinction between a dead tree in the woods and the lumber used to build your home. Termites are a constant threat because they can attack wood-based architectural features year-round. They devour wood weakening the structural integrity of your home. You should take proactive measures to protect your investment by including a pre-construction termite treatment in your building plans and budget. Why Is Pre-Construction Termite Treatments Important? These pests can cause considerable damage before an infestation is discovered because they establish their colonies in inaccessible locations. The cost of these types of repairs is not usually covered by standard homeowner insurance policies. Instead of reacting to an infestation after your home is built, you can prevent these destructive insects from reaching your property by arranging a pre-construction termite control treatment.......

You probably see ants every day when you step foot outside. With more than 3,000 species in the States, it's hard to avoid them. Most ants are nuisances as they invade your home looking for sweet foods to take back to their colonies. However, other ants cause property damage and bring down the value of your home. 3 Signs of Carpenter Ants You see them. Carpenter ant workers go out each day in search of food for the colony. It's not rare to find one inside your home or on your patio. Just because you see an ant or two doesn't mean that there's a nest somewhere nearby. However, you'll want to inspect your home as a precautionary measure. You see holes in wood. Although some ant species build nests in the ground, carpenter ants build their nests in wood. They gnaw away at the wood, creating burrows that lead deep......

Do you think that a rat family is living in your attic? The good news is that you don't have to climb in your attic to see if you're right. Rats and other pests make their presence known in a number of ways. When you come across any of the following signs, it's in your best interest to get assistance from your Franklin County, MO pest exterminator because your property is due for a pest inspection. Hear Noises Insects and rodents can cause a somewhat noisy disturbance as they move around behind walls and squeeze through tight spaces. Although the noises are typically faint, you'll be able to hear them if you stay alert. It just depends on which culprit you're dealing with. From rats to carpenter ants, most of these invaders are active at night. Gray squirrels and some insects can be seen and heard throughout the day, especially in......

When the thermometer begins to dip towards the freezing mark, various types of pests will be trying to take refuge. Your home provides all of the resources they need to survive the cold weather. Here are some of the most common winter pests that we typically see in the area.  Mice  Mice can be a problem throughout the year. However, they are especially problematic during the winter. The freezing outdoor temperatures and lack of available food cause these rodents to target your home. Because their bodies are so limber, mice can easily slip through tiny holes. Once mice have successfully gotten inside, prepare to have an uphill battle on your hands. Not only can mice cause serious sanitary issues, but they can also damage property.  Carpenter Ants Don’t be surprised to see carpenter ants lurking in your home this winter. Like a team of soldiers, carpenter ants work together to complete t......

Termites are small insects that can do a lot of damage to your home if they are not dealt with quickly. They usually have a small white body, and some of them have wings. The winged termites are usually seen in the spring when they begin mating and come out of their nests after the winter. They will usually lose their wings and die once they have mated or if they enter an environment that is not conducive to surviving. If you have termites in the home or near the home, there could be structural damage to an area that is made of wood. A common sign is a shelter tube. These are made of dirt and can usually be seen between bricks and concrete. These tubes offer protection for the termites from other animals while maintaining a dark and humid place to live. You could also see holes in trees where......