Is The Summer Heat Bringing Spiders Into Your Home?

Temperatures around Missouri are reaching nearly 100 degrees! Many people are staying indoors with the nice AC to stay cool. However, you may not be the only thing taking refuge inside your home. Many people around the Lake area are seeing an increase of spiders in their home this week, and it could be due to the high heat.

Summer Heat Driving Spiders Inside

This summer's extreme heat is bringing more spiders out of the yard and into homes. Whether you see them or not, almost every home has pests of some sort living inside. Just like us, these pests want to stay out of the heat, so with temperatures reaching nearly 100 degrees, these pests are seeking cooler places. Spiders, such as the brown recluse, like cool dark places, so they typically spend their time in the places like attics. Although with the extreme heat, attics are becoming hot and muggy, so they're starting to venture into places you don't want them to be. 

Brown Recluses Out & About

Brown recluses are not very big spiders, as they are about the size of a quarter. They're tan in color and have a dark spot in the shape of a violin on its body. Brown recluses act just like their name suggest - reclusive, so don't expect to see them roaming around during the day. They typically hide in dark corners of the home or in stored items like boxes and closets. Because these spiders like cool dark spaces, you may see them searching for new places to hide during the heat wave. 

Be Aware Of Brown Recluses

Brown recluses are not likely to go out of their way to bite people. They will only bite people when they feel threatened. With this extreme heat, it's best to take precaution to avoid these creepy crawlers. 

- Shake out clothing and shoes before dressing.

- Don't garden or handle firewood without gloves.

- Keep doors and windows shut.

- Minimize outdoor lights. Lights attract insects, which could attract spiders.

- Don't go out barefoot. 

- Shake out bedding before going to bed. 

- Eliminate as much clutter as possible in storage areas. 

- Frequently dust and vacuum around windows, corners of rooms and under furniture. 

Spider Bites

As previously stated, brown recluses are not likely to bite unless they feel threatened. People commonly get brown recluse bites in areas that the spiders have been hiding. It's common to get a brown recluse bite when changing clothes, putting your hands into a pocket or putting on shoes. Although a bite from a brown recluse is painless at first, within a few hours the bite site will become swollen, red and tender to the touch. In most cases, the irritation ends there and the bite will heal on its own. However, in some cases, the venom begins to break down the cells in the skin and progress into a necrotic lesion that will need immediate medical attention. It's best to get medical attention right away after being bitten to ensure you're aren't allergic. 

Get Rid Of Spiders

Brown recluses are one of the trickier pests to get rid of in the area, so it's best to call a professional Lake of the Ozarks pest control company. A B Pest Control & Insulation can help you control the spiders that are making their way into your home to escape the summer heat. Call us today at 573-964-1100 to learn more and to schedule your appointment.

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Protect Your Trees From Japanese Beetles & Emerald Ash Borer

The Missouri Department of Conservation is urging homeowners to be on the lookout for two species of beetles that are native to Asia that can wreak havoc on your yard - Japanese Beetles & Emerald Ash Borers. These two invasive insects are wreaking havoc on Missouri plants and trees. While these two insects may look similar, there are a few easy ways you can figure out which green pest is feeding on your plants.

Japanese Beetle

Japanese beetles were first discovered in the United States on the East Coast in 1916. While it's not exactly sure how they came to the United States it's believed they were brought over in potted Japanese Irises. They can now be found in states from the East Coast to the Midwest. They're found all throughout Missouri, with high populations in some areas.

Japanese beetles are "skeletonizers," which means they feed on the leaves leaving behind only the leaf veins. They are not picky eaters and can feed on more than 300 different types of plants. These beetles feed in groups and can defoliate an entire tree in just a few days. According to Robbie Doerhoff from Missouri Department of Conservation, "Good tree care, such as proper mulching and watering during dry spells, becomes very important in helping reduce stress to damaged trees."

If the infestation of Japanese Beetles are light and on small shrubs and trees, you can hand pick them and put them in soapy water. However, if the infestation is large or they're on big trees that are hard to reach, it may be best to call a Lake of the Ozarks pest control company.

Emerald Ash Borer

Just like Japanese Beetles, Emerald Ash Borer is native to Asia. It was first found in Missouri in 2008 at a campground near Lake Wappapello. Now, this invasive tree pest can be found in 37 counties throughout the state including Camden and Miller counties. The transportation of firewood is one way this pest has been able to spread quickly throughout the state.

This species is different in the fact it only feeds on ash trees and it doesn't congregate in large groups like the Japanese Beetle. It can be difficult to spot these pests, even in areas where the population is high, as they will be feeding and mating in a tree's canopy.

Emerald Ash Borers only attacks ash trees. Although adult beetles don't do much damage, it the larval stage that can cause trees to die. The larvae bore into the vascular layer of ash trees, creating distinct S-shaped galleries that slowly cut off the flow of water and nutrients the trees need. Unfortunately, they kill over 99 percent of ash trees they attack within 3 - 4 years of infestation. The best way to prevent your ash trees from being attacked is to call a pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks.

If you spot these invasive beetles in your yard, call A B Pest Control & Insulation at 573-964-1100. These beetles can cause massive damage to your yard and in some cases can even kill your trees. To learn more about treatment plans, call a Lake of the Ozarks pest technician today!

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The Best Insulation For Your Crawl Space

The summer heat is upon us, and many people are focusing on keeping their homes nice and cool. If your home has an uninsulated crawl space, you could be at risk of transferring heat into your home, which can cause your air conditioning unit to work overtime to continually pump cold air into your home. At A B Pest Control & Insulation, we have a couple solutions to help keep your crawl space nice and cool this summer season (& warm in the winter too).

Benefits of Crawl Space Insulation

1. Prevents Mold & Odor

One of the most common problems with crawl spaces that do not have insulation is the high level of moisture. This could lead to mold growth, as spaces with the high level of moisture create the ideal environment for mold growth. By having your crawlspace insulated, you can greatly reduce the moisture levels, which will prevent mold from growing and forming.

2. Control Temperature In Rooms

Moisture that's trapped in the crawl space can affect the temperature in the house. It can make it too hot, too cold, too stuffy or too dry depending on the season. It happens because the moisture in the crawl space absorbs the warmth from the house or keeps it from escaping. Insulation can help seal off the crawl space and keep your house at the temperature you desire.

3. Helps With Energy Efficiency 

Because the moisture in the crawl space affects the temperature inside your home, having your crawl space insulated can act as a sealant to control the moisture levels, making your home more energy-efficient and help lower the energy costs. If the crawl space is not insulated, you will have to spend more money on heating and cooling costs to control the temperature in your home. Keep your energy costs down by insulating the crawl space.

4. Protect The Pipes

The crawl space in your home most likely houses a variety of pipes that supply the water and power to your home. Having the crawl space insulated can help prevent the pipes from bursting. If moisture comes into this area and gets to your pipes, it's likely they'll start rotting, which can lead them to burst or break. Insulation can help keep the pipes dry, which can lead to increasing their lifespan, which means fewer repair costs to have to worry about.

Two Types Of Crawl Space Insulation

Vapor Barrier System

A crawl space vapor barrier system prevents ground moisture evaporation from entering the crawl space. It's designed to resist the flow of air. The vapor barrier system turns the crawl space into a semi-conditioned area by stopping the air movement and making the temperature close to the living spaces in your home above. When the temperature in the crawl space is similar to the temperature in the home's living areas, your floors will feel warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Foam Spray

Spray foam insulation can help seal things up for good and eliminate any worries you may have about your crawl space. Spray foam is highly dense, and a little bit goes a long ways. It's non-permeable so it can help seal up any air gaps to eliminate moisture and keep your space free of mold, mildew and rot. While the only guarantee of a rodent-free home is ongoing pest control service, spray foam makes it less likely you'll be invaded by rodents. Spray foam is hard and an unwelcoming substance for them, unlike fiberglass insulation.

For more information on our insulation services at the Lake of the Ozarks, give us a call at 573-964-1100. If you're not sure if your home is properly insulated, you can even request a FREE quote. We can help keep your home comfortable no matter the season!

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The Busy Pest Control Season Is Here!

The summer season is in full swing, which means everyone has pest control on their minds. From mosquitoes and gnats to fleas and ticks, summer is full of pesky pests. People don't want these little guys ruining their summer fun, so they call a Lake of the Ozark pest control company. At A B Pest Control & Insulation, our phones have been ringing off the hooks! While we would love to get everyone in as soon as possible to make sure their homes are ready for summer fun, sometimes we have to ask them to be a little patient. Here are 3 reasons why our services are worth the wait.

Quality Products That Work

While DIY products may be cheaper than using a professional pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks, they may not work, and they certainly won't keep the bugs away forever. At A B Pest Control & Insulation, we stand behind our all our work, and we have trained professionals who know how to treat the pests that affect central Missouri. It's important to do your homework before hiring a pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks, as you want to make sure you're using a reputable company. 

Top Notch Customer Service

At A B Pest Control & Insulation, we pride ourselves on exemplary service, because we stand behind all our work. Summer is our busy time, and our technicians are hard at work making sure your home, yard and dock are pest free. While we may not be able to get you in right away, we will try our best to get you into our schedules. When it comes to pest control services at the Lake of the Ozarks, it's best to plan ahead. Holiday weekends are a busy time for everyone, so if you know you will need your home, yard and dock sprayed, just give us a call a few weeks (or more) out and we will make sure your pest free for the weekend. 

Technicians You Can Trust

When you decide it's time to call the professionals, there are a few things you should look for in a pest control company. The two biggest things to look for include proper license and proof of insurance. At A B Pest Control & Insulation, we carry seven licenses in addition to the core pest control license every pest control company is required to have. Our other licenses include ornamental & turf, aquatic pest control, right-of-way pest control, general structure pest control, termite pest control and public health pest control. In addition to the licenses we carry, we also have general liability insurance and workmen's compensation. We are bonded and we run criminal and background checks on all our employees, so you can trust our technicians when they come to your home to spray for pests. 

The best way to ensure your home is pest free this summer is to is to get on our monthly application schedule. When you sign up for our reoccurring pest control spray, our technicians will make sure to come to your home and spray for pests every month, so you will know that your home is pest free all summer long. To learn more about our services, call 573-964-1100 today!

Lake of the Ozarks
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