St. Louis County, MO Pest Control

If you live in the St. Louis, MO, area, you are probably no stranger to pests in your home or business. While winter is usually thought to be a time when residents get a break from dealing with household pests, that's not always the case.

Any insects that have survived the cold will be seeking out somewhere warm to burrow down, which means your toasty home is the perfect winter haven for bugs. On top of that, as winter shifts into spring, the world warms up, and all of the other pests around you begin to come out of hibernation.

It is best to stop these pest problems before they have a chance to start. The most common insects that you will come in contact with are ants, spiders, and termites. Because they are so common, this post will help you identify what you're dealing with and where you are most likely to find each of them.

Ants

Typically, the ants we see most often are odorous ants. They are a native species, so they are difficult to avoid. They are named for the distinct, pungent odor they emit when crushed and can be frustrating to get rid of once they have entered your home.

Odorous ants are dark brown and quite small, even when fully grown. You will often be able to recognize them after you have killed one or two, as they emit a sickly-sweet, rotten fruit odor when crushed.

The other common type of ant is the carpenter ant. These are much larger by comparison and are usually black, red or yellowish. They bore into wood to build nests, which means they can cause serious damage if left unchecked.

Spiders

Though they tend to look menacing, spiders are helpful for keeping other pest species in check. In spite of this, we understand that you don't want them roaming your house.

Spiders usually end up in your home accidentally and will seek out dark, secluded spaces to hide in, including cellars, closets, shoes and under furniture. Most spiders are not venomous enough to cause concern, but it's better to play it safe and call the professionals if you're noticing a lot of spiders in your home, especially if you have children or pets.

Termites

Termites may be tiny, but they can cause severe structural damage to your house if left to their own devices. Termites are social, which means they live in large colonies. Unlike carpenter ants that only bore through wood, termites actually eat wood. This means they will continue to cause damage as long as they are alive.

Termite workers are very small, so they are able to fit into tiny cracks while searching for food. They are responsible for keeping the rest of the colony fed, including the queen. Because the queen can live for upwards of three years, this is a problem that should be handled early.

Need Help?

If you have noticed any of these pests in or around your home recently, don't hesitate or try to treat the problem yourself. Most at-home treatment methods cannot get to the root of the problem, which means they are only a temporary fix.

Call or email Midwestern Termite & Pest Control today to schedule a free consultation and quote for all of your pest control service needs.