Midwestern Pest Blog

No matter the time of year, different kinds of pests are always present in the Midwest. However, a change in weather patterns has a major impact on the overall activity of pests and the risks they may pose to you and your home. Read about the behaviors you can expect to see in pests during each season of the year. Spring Spring is prime time for many insects. Warmer weather allows dormant pests to awaken, pollen brings bees and an abundance of rain may cause certain insects to seek food and shelter in our homes. Termites, in particular, are attracted to moisture and will happily build a nest in unwanted places after consistent rain.  In addition to the emergence of pests, springtime also means mating season. Pests will actively begin to seek a mate and reproduce, often rapidly. Although much of this reproduction occurs outdoors, some pests might seek to use......

Pest control ranks high on the list of priorities for homeowners, as unchecked infestations carry serious consequences. Experts find that homeowners should conduct annual pest inspections at least once every 12 months. Some say every six months and some say even more frequently than that! If you’ve been putting it off or just haven’t thought about it at all, here are our top five reasons to get a yearly pest inspection. 1. Protecting Your Investment Your home is often your greatest investment. It provides financial leverage and can build value as you maintain it. An infestation of pests can quickly ruin that investment. Whether you’re trying to sell your home or ensure that you can enjoy it for years to come, keeping the foundation clear of harmful pests is essential. Carpenter ants and termites can especially cause serious damage by boring into structural wood and destroying your home from the inside out. ......

Fire ants are appropriately named, as their stings can feel like you are being burned. Unfortunately, these pests can be found creating nests in your yard without your knowledge, causing potential harm to you and your family. The best way to know that you have a fire ant infestation is to find their nests. Keep reading to learn how to identify a fire ant mound. Flat or Dome-Shaped Mounds If a mound is visible above ground, it will usually stand only at a few inches tall. But, they can be built up to about two feet high in rare cases. Even though the mounds are made of soil, the way fire ants build their mounds makes it appear like they are created out of the sand. These mounds will be either flat or in the shape of a dome. But don’t be surprised if you can’t see a fire ant mound dur......

Whether you own or manage an office space, restaurant, apartment building, or a healthcare facility, you know that the upkeep is extremely important. You are depended upon to keep the property safe and up to code. Unfortunately, with many shared spaces and common areas, it can be difficult to keep up with everything- pest control in particular. If pests are discovered, it can cause many issues for you and your employees/tenants/clients. Here are some common pests to look out for on commercial properties. Rodents Mice and rats are common in private homes, as well as commercial properties. As it is easy for these critters to squeeze into tight spaces, it is likely that you will find rodents in your building at one time or another. This is why it is important to frequently inspect your property. Look for holes, gaps, or damaged areas as these are easy ways for rodents to......

The Midwest is known for many things, including many unsavory rodents and pests. Spiders can be incredibly scary, especially if you’re caught off guard by them, but they have a purpose in the overall ecosystem. Let’s talk about the 5 most common house spiders in the Midwest and what that means for you. Most Common House Spiders Depending on where you are located geographically, the most common house spiders may differ. The professionals at Midwestern Termite and Pest Control have the knowledge, experience, and expertise to ensure you and your loved ones are safe and secure. According to spiderid.com, the top five most common house spiders are as follows: wolf spider, brown recluse, common and giant house spider, hobo and widow house spiders. What’s even more important to know when seeing a house spider is whether or not it is venomous. As a general rule of thumb: if you see a spide......

If you have had trouble with pests historically around your home and lawn, there are a few things you can do to get ready for the pest season. Spring cleaning and spring prep is one of the best ways to keep your pests under control this season. Here are a few reasons why spring is the best time for pest control. 1) Pest Inspection Depending on your whereabouts, pests tend to get worse in the late spring and early summer. One of the best things you can do to prepare your home and lawn is to have a pest control expert to take a look at your home and lawn for two reasons: - Look for existing pest issues - Look for potential pest issues you could be facing in the future They will be able to check the nooks and crannies of your homes for the most common and likely......

Pest control is something that often falls off of the radar, until you have what appears to be a problem in your, or your loved ones, own home. Pest control maintenance is recommended on a routine basis, both monthly and quarterly. Midwestern Termite & Pest Control is one of the oldest, and most respected pest control companies in the business. Getting their start in 1962, Midwestern Termite & Pest Control has spent over 50 years delivering best in class products and services that keep their customers, not their critters, coming back for more. Why Quarterly Treatments Matter Prevention is incredibly important, especially if you are in it for the long haul. The sooner you get a pest control treatment plan in place, the more likely you will be to built this into your budget and your routine to do’s. In addition to monthly treatments, quarterly treatments provided an extra layer of p......

A lot of problems are seasonal. Flu season comes in the winter time. Allergies generally show up in the spring. But pests are a problem you have to deal with all year-long. Of course, many pests prefer some seasons over others, however, whether it’s termites, rodents, or wasps, there will always be creatures ready to infest your home and cause you trouble. Don’t worry though, year-round pest control can take care of your pest problems no matter when they strike. Here’s what year-round pest control is, and why you need it for your house. What is Year-Round Pest Control Year-Round pest control is a one-time annual purchase which gives you access to all of a pest control companies services for an entire year. This usually includes an initial inspection and preemptive treatment, with a number of follow ups for the next twelve months. And if you have an emergency infestation, you get t......

All year long, our team can help protect your home from pests. In the winter time, there are some key steps you can take to safeguard your house. Read on for the best ideas on preventing bug problems in the winter. 1. Keep Your Home Clean Start in areas that attract bugs, such as the kitchen. The first thing to do is keep all dishes clean and food off all areas of the counters. Make it a point to clear all hard to reach areas regularly, including the floorboards. Store the pet food in airtight containers so bugs don’t get in. Also, take your garbage out regularly. These precautions will help you to have a home and kitchen clear of pests. 2. Protect Entry Points Seal entry points into the home, such as windows and doors. Caulk any potential holes or cracks where bugs can get in. Any space large enough t......

You’ve heard it many times—for every roach you see, there could be 100 you don’t see. How do you know whether you have just a few roaches or an infestation? Here are a few signs to look for. You are much more likely to see roaches at night if you have an infestation. Roaches are nocturnal, so if you turn on the light at night, they’ll scatter. Even worse, if you see a roach during the day, it is a good indication that you’ve had an infestation for quite some time and that it has grown to epic proportions that need professional services like a pest inspection. Roaches definitely prefer to stay in dark crevices, but overcrowding and a lack of food actually drive roaches out during the day. Furthermore, just because you see dead roaches, doesn’t mean your infestation is gone. In fact, dead roaches lying around likely means that you have an......

Travel the country and the pests you encounter change along with the scenery. If you live in the Midwest, a unique combination of crawlers threatens your home and gardens. Ants The hardworking ant proves to be persistent. Once this tiny creature discovers a food source, it comes back again and again — with friends. Destructive carpenter ants and less harmful black and brown ants become nuisances. They contaminate food and cause property damage. Biting Insects Ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and bed bugs love a living host. Your adventuring son, a traveling spouse or an active pet carry these pests inside your home. Small and mobile, biting insects threaten to cause disease in those you love. Stinging Insects Honey bees, yellow jackets, wasps and hornets disrupt outdoor activities. While labeled pests, bees and their compadres prove beneficial. They control other pest populations and boost the ecosystem. Still, hives hidden underground or in the w......

Summer is the perfect vacation time for your inside plants to soak up some sun. When fall hits, however, it becomes time to bring them back inside. Pests see this as prime time to hitch a ride inside. That’s why it is important to make a slow transition with an inspection so your plants are avoiding any issues. Debugging Plants Debugging household plants during the transition inside can prove to be tricky and laboring. To start, you have to ensure the pot you are using to debug the plants includes drainage holes. This is because you have to use soapy water. Only use a mild soap or a sensitive insecticide in which to soak the plants. The soapy water is used to kill pests hiding in the soil or on the plant itself. Once these are cleaned, it’s important to then meticulously clean the pot until all the water is gone. Aft......

Termites are a serious threat to homeowners. They reproduce quickly and eat round-the-clock. Within a short amount of time, they can do serious damage to your home, depending on the size of the colony. The Eastern subterranean termite is the most common species in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Many homeowners are unaware of some of the danger signs of a termite problem. An infestation can quickly occur, causing significant destruction to your dwelling. So how do you know if you have termites? Here are some of the things to expect when they are present. Wood Damage Termites eat wood from the inside out. In time, the wood is hollowed out. When you tap the wood, it will actually sound hollow. Check wood doors, doorframes and windows. Since you can’t see the termites, their destruction goes undetected. Termites target other wood in your home, including attic rafters, floor joists, flooring and t......

If you live in an apartment, then it might be difficult to know what to expect if a pest control issue comes up. Who is responsible for pest control? What happens if it’s not taken care of? How can you do your part to prevent an infestation? These are important questions that need to be asked, so you know your rights and obligations. Who is Responsible? Generally speaking, your landlord is responsible for most pest control. Of course, this is going to be different depending on the actual agreement that was signed. If you have a copy of your lease, you might want to go over it to make sure. Generally, there will be some sort of clause that lays out who is responsible and what those responsibilities will entail. If you notice an infestation, it’s important to make sure your landlord sticks to the agreement, as not taking care of the......

There are many different types of ants and some of the most common ones to invade your home are: sugar ants, black ants, brown ants and carpenter ants. Carpenter ants can be as destructive as termites as they destroy wood flooring, ceilings and cabinets. Their “excavation activities…[weaken wood] to the point where it can no longer bear weight.” When it comes to information on ants, Midwestern has you covered. After knowing what types of ants there are and the damage they can incur, I am sure you want to know how to prevent ants from invading your home. The main reasons why ants are drawn indoors is for: water, food and shelter. Water Just like all living things, ants need water to survive. Your bathroom or under the kitchen sink are perfect places for ants to make their home. Sinks and tile flooring usually hold more moisture. It is also important to cl......

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 ......