Experts recommend a combination of methods to control pests in and around homes, including sanitation, limiting access to food and water and keeping doors and windows closed. It’s also a good idea to check your pesticide applicator license.
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Ants
Fire ants are small black insects that build their nests in soil under logs, stones, landscape timbers, and in the holes of dead trees. They are a serious threat to newborn livestock and can cause painful stings in humans. They can be controlled by bait products containing indoxacarb, hydramethylnon, or spinosad that are applied at the mound or broadcast and reapplied as needed.
Ants are most active in spring and can enter homes through cracks around windows, doors, and foundations. They are omnivorous and feed on sweets as well as greasy or fatty foods. Professional ant control is more effective and long-lasting than DIY options like sprays or baits. A trained ant control technician can identify the type of ant, locate the ant colony, and treat it with an appropriate treatment plan.
Termites
Termites are wood-destroying pests that cause billions of dollars in damage each year. These silent tunneling pests can go undetected for months, even years and quietly devour the structure of your home. The most common species of termite found in Texas, subterranean, live in large colonies and search for cellulose, which is present in many items including cardboard, newspaper, and insulation.
Swarms of termites in the yard, discarded wings near window sills, and damaged flooring are all indicators that your home may be infested. A soil barrier, like sand, placed around the foundation can be effective, as can bait stations.
Regular visual inspections can catch termite problems early. Removing rotting and unused piles of wood and keeping the ground underneath free of vegetation can also help keep your property termite-free.
Cockroaches
Roaches are a problem because of their potential to spread diseases, bacteria, and parasites that can make you sick. Their shed skins and feces can trigger asthma attacks in people with sensitive respiratory systems.
The best way to prevent cockroach infestations is to keep your home clean. That means wiping down counters and sweeping floors often, sealing food in containers, and throwing away trash regularly. It’s also a good idea to recycle any unused cardboard because roaches love to hide inside it.
Another important measure is to address any areas of high humidity in your house. This can be accomplished by putting in ventilation or using a dehumidifier in basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. You can also seal cracks and crevices around windows and doors.
Mosquitos
Mosquitoes breed in damp environments, such as ornamental ponds, wading pools and drainage ditches. They also thrive in weedy areas and tall grasses where they find shelter and plant nectar (the main food for male mosquitoes).
Female mosquitoes feed on human blood, attracted by body heat and exhaled carbon dioxide. They carry and spread diseases such as chikungunya, dengue fever, malaria and West Nile virus.
Avoiding outdoor activities at dusk and dawn, wearing long pants and shirts, and using insect repellent is the best way to protect against mosquitoes. Eliminate breeding habitats by regularly emptying and turning over outside standing water, such as toys, kiddie pools, water barrels and cisterns; draining rain gutters; and screening all birdbaths and openings to house foundations. EPA-registered insect repellents are safe and effective for children and pregnant women when used as directed.
Stinging Insects
Stinging insects like bees, wasps, and yellow jackets can cause a major problem when their nests are in close proximity to homes. These pests usually build their nests outdoors, but they sometimes move indoors if the weather is too hot or cold to survive outside. Depending on the species, stinging insects may find secluded places to live and nest, including wall voids, chimneys, attics, woodpiles, and ground holes.
The painful stings of wasps, hornets, and bees are not only unwelcome in the backyard but can also be dangerous to people with sensitive skin or allergies. Professional stinging insect control eliminates these pesky pests and their nests, and prevents them from returning in the future.
Scorpions
Scorpions are dangerous pests that can give painful and potentially life-threatening stings. They can enter homes and other buildings seeking food, water, or shelter.
Scorpion control involves keeping your home and yard clean and tidy. It also means decluttering and reducing shelter spots, such as piles of laundry or boxes around the house. Using residual sprays such as Onslaught Fastcap can help prevent scorpions from entering your home.
Outdoors, scorpions hide in burrows, under stacked lumber or bricks, firewood piles, cellars, and crawl spaces. They can also enter homes through cracks in foundations, unsecured vents in attics, and broken or torn door and window screens. Scorpions feed on other insects, so managing insect populations can also help. Consult a Pest Control in Mckinney TX expert for assistance.
Carpet Beetles
Adult carpet beetles, which resemble black ladybugs, often nest on crape myrtles or in rodent and bird nests. They are approximately one-tenth of an inch long and have a pattern of white, brown or yellow scales on their wings that wear away as they get older.
The larvae of carpet beetles feed on natural-fiber fabrics and materials like wool, fur and silk. They may also attack items that contain natural oils like linseed oil, turpentine, and tar.
To avoid an infestation of carpet beetles, regularly vacuum carpets, rugs and draperies, especially along edges and in crevices. Thoroughly wash or dry clean clothing, blankets and vintage textiles before storing them for extended periods of time. Also, inspect and seal gaps and cracks where beetles might enter your home, including attics and crawl spaces.