Midwestern Pest Blog

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......