Tips for Keeping Ants Away this Spring

As we get further into the spring season, we're seeing more and more pests make their way indoors. However, recently, we've seen a lot of rain in this region, making one certain pest particularly noticeable this time of year: Ants. Ants will typically come into houses to escape the extensive moisture in the ground until it dries out. While ants are not always dangerous, they can be a nuisance and they can also contaminate food. Your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company has a few tips to help you keep ants away this spring.

Eliminate Points of Entrance
Take the time to inspect your home to look for easy access points. Ants can gain entrance to your home through cracks and crevices around entry points such as the window sills, door frames, laundry vents, gaps around water pipes, A/C vents, tree branches and utility lines touching the house, and through the chimney. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from the home, as they can provide a roadway to your home. Seal any cracks and crevices on the outside of the home with silicon caulk.

Remove Attractants
Keep the kitchen counters clean, as well as the counter tops in the bathrooms. Store food in airtight containers or in the refrigerator. Additionally, make sure the lids are tight on all your trash cans, both inside and outside. Don’t leave anything to chance. Hose down the area around the trash cans at least once a week to wash away the pheromones ants leave behind.

 
Get Rid of Moisture
The reason you find ants in the bathroom is that they are always on the lookout for water. Once they find a good source of it, they will return and stay nearby.  Don’t let moisture sit on counters and other sources. Repair leaky pipes and routinely check under sinks for areas of moisture. If your home has a lot of moisture naturally, it may be wise to use a de-humidifier to help control the excess moisture. Take a look around the outside of your home and check that the downspouts and gutters are functioning properly so that the water flows away from your house.

Keep Pets Clean
Pets can unintentionally invite ants into our homes. Their food and water bowls are an attractant for pests, so be sure to keep pet bowls clean and clean up any spilled food or water promptly. It's a good idea to store dry pet food in a sealed container rather than the paper bag they often come in. If the food is left in the paper bag, it could be an easy access for ants and other pests getting into it. In addition, inspect dog/cat doors to ensure pests cannot get through. Ants can fit through even the tiniest of openings.

Call on A B Pest Control & Insulation
Battling ants can be an uphill battle. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to call in professionals. If you have a huge ant invasion, it can be hard to control them yourself.

A B Pest Control & Insulation can help you protect your home from all pests that affect Central Missouri from ants and spiders to termites and wasps and everything in between. Make sure pests don't ruin your springtime fun and contact a professional Lake of the Ozarks pest control company today. You can schedule an appointment with A B Pest Control & Insulation at 573-964-1100.

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PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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A-Z with A B Pest Control & Insulation: Attics & Ants

At A B Pest Control & Insulation, we offer multiple services for your convenience. From pest control to lawn maintenance and turf management to insulation services, we can handle all of these tasks for you! To showcase our experience in knowledge in all things pest and insulation relation, we've decided to start a new series to cover all the A-Zs of pest control and insulation that A B Pest Control & Insulation can help you with! This week, we'll be starting with A-Z with A B Pest Control & Insulation: Attics & Ants.

Protecting Your Attic

It's definitely starting to feel a lot like winter, and your heating bill is probably beginning to reflect the work your furnace is putting in. Air leaks in your attic increase heating and cooling bills by letting unconditioned air in and conditioned air out. Moisture can also enter through cracks, impacting home durability and indoor air quality. Sealing and installing a good quality insulation can protect the attic from moisture and improve your home's efficiency. Loose-fill or batt insulation is typically installed in an attic. Loose-fill insulation is usually less expensive to install than batt insulation, and provides better coverage when installed properly. Here are a few types of attic insulation we typically recommend.

Three Types Of Attic Insulation

Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation is great for insulating empty spaces, such as attics and crawl spaces. Cellulose insulation is thick, dense, and clumpy, with a consistency much like down feathers. The chief value of this shape and size is that the insulation can fit in enclosed areas (such as walls) and can conform around obstructions such as wires and ducts (found both in walls and in attics).

Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass is a type of fiber primarily composed of glass that is used as a residential and commercial thermal insulator. As an insulator, it slows the spread of heat, cold, and sound in structures. By trapping pockets of air, it keeps rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and thereby serves as a convenient method to increase energy efficiency. Commonly found in blanket form, called batts, it is available in standard pre-cut lengths and widths. Fiberglass insulation also comes as loose fill that can be blown into attic, wall and floor cavities.

Foam Spray
Spray foam insulation offers a dynamic option that is suitable for almost any attic. Attic spray foam insulation has a versatile application method, which gives it a significant advantage over traditional options. It can be applied in narrow areas, blocking gaps and cracks that allow heat transfer. While foam spray insulation is typically a more costly option, it is designed to last and typically requires less cost for repair over the years.

Preventing an Ant Invasion

Ants are one of the most common nuisances homeowners deal with when it comes to pests. While they're more prominent in the spring and summer months, occasionally they find their way into our homes in the fall and winter and make themselves quite comfortable. With the convenience of food and water sources so readily available to them, it's no wonder they're drawn to the indoors during the colder months. Here are some tips to prevent and control ants in your home.

Eliminate The Food Sources
Keeping your kitchen clean and tidy can help discourage ants and other food-loving pests. Wipe down counters and sweep the floors regularly to eliminate any crumbs or anything left behind from spills. Make sure to store leftover food in a tightly sealed container. In addition, if food is left out, it's a good idea to put it away or make sure it's covered to avoid a feast for ants. Finally, use a tightly sealing lid on trash cans and dispose of garbage regularly.

Keep Pet Bowls Clean
Pets can unintentionally invite ants into our homes. Their food and water bowls are an attractant for pests, so be sure to keep pet bowls clean and clean up any spilled food or water promptly. It's a good idea to store dry pet food in a sealed container rather than the paper bag they often come in. If the food is left in the paper bag, it could be an easy access for ants and other pests getting into it. In addition, inspect dog/cat doors to ensure pests cannot get through. Ants can fit through even the tiniest of openings.

Cover Points of Entrance
Take the time to inspect your home to look for easy access points. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from the home, as they can provide a roadway to your home. Seal any cracks and crevices on the outside of the home with silicone caulk.

Give A B Pest Control & Insulation a Call!
At A B Pest Control & Insulation, we pride ourselves on our exemplary service, because we stand behind all our work. We offer flexible service schedules to meet your pest control and budget needs. If you have unwanted pests around your house or require any of our other services, give your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company a call! We only use EPA approved, low-odor chemicals and we go through proper training to ensure that everyone is safe. From pest control to lawn maintenance and insulation services - A to Z, we cover it all!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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www.abpest.net

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Get Your Ant Problem Under Control

Spring time in the Midwest is known for pop up storms and flooding. Recently, the Lake of the Ozarks has been experiencing a lot of storms. Ants will typically come into houses to escape the extensive moisture in the ground until it dries out. While ants are not always dangerous, they can be a nuisance and they can also contaminate food. Your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company has a few tips to help you control the ants coming into your home this spring.

Eliminate The Food Sources
Keeping your kitchen clean and tidy can help discourage ants and other food-loving pests. Wipe down counters and sweep the floors regularly to eliminate any crumbs or anything left behind from spills. Make sure to store leftover food in a tightly sealed container. In addition, if food is left out, it's a good idea to put it away or make sure it's covered to avoid a feast for ants. Finally, use a tightly sealing lid on trash cans and dispose of garbage regularly.

Eliminate The Water Sources
Reducing moisture and standing water around your home can go a long way not only in helping to prevent ants but also other pests as well. Repair leaky pipes and routinely check under sinks for areas of moisture. If your home has a lot of moisture naturally, it may be wise to use a de-humidifier to help control the excess moisture. Take a look around the outside of your home and check that the downspouts and gutters are functioning properly so that the water flows away from your house.

Keep Pets Clean
Pets can unintentionally invite ants into our homes. Their food and water bowls are an attractant for pests, so be sure to keep pet bowls clean and clean up any spilled food or water promptly. It's a good idea to store dry pet food in a sealed container rather than the paper bag they often come in. If the food is left in the paper bag, it could be an easy access for ants and other pests getting into it. In addition, inspect dog/cat doors to ensure pests cannot get through. Ants can fit through even the tiniest of openings.

Know The Spots
Most ants are found in the kitchen, as they contain both things that they need to survive, which are food and water. However, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, basements, inside walls and HVAC systems are also known to attract ants. Ants typically come inside to search for food, so essentially no space is off-limits to them.

Cover Points of Entrance
Take the time to inspect your home to look for easy access points. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from the home, as they can provide a roadway to your home. Seal any cracks and crevices on the outside of the home with silicone caulk.

Call a Pest Control Professional
Battling ants can be an uphill battle. The best way to win is by using a professional pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks. If ants are not properly treated, they could continue to grow. Some ants, such as carpenter ants, can cause serious property damage. Make sure ants don't come into your home and call a professional.

A B Pest Control & Insulation can help you protect your home from all pests that affect Central Missouri from ants and spiders to termites and wasps and everything in between. Make sure pests don't ruin your summer fun and contact a professional Lake of the Ozarks pest control company today. You can schedule an appointment with A B Pest Control & Insulation at 573-964-1100.

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

Visit Our Website:

www.abpest.net

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
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Pantry Pests: Who's Feasting on Your Food?

If you've been noticing an alarming number of uninvited guests in and around your kitchen, it doesn't mean your home is dirty. Certain pests just simply find their way indoors and in your kitchen because it's where their food source is! These bugs may cause some alarm to you as they are usually found within cabinets or pantry food items but don’t worry, most of them won’t cause any harm to you, your family or your home. Here are a few pantry pests you may find feasting on your food.

Rice or Grain Weevils
Weevils are small, reddish-brown beetles with an elongated snout and are often found in kitchen cupboards and pantries. Unlike many other types of grain pests, they do not feed on processed food products such as flour, corn meal, pasta, etc. Instead, weevils go for whole grains, beans or seeds. Keep these items stored in air-tight containers to avoid a weevil infestation.

Grain or Flour Beetles
There are a variety of beetles that can make their way into your home and pantry but the most common pantry beetles are saw-tooth grained beetles and flour beetles and grain weevils. Saw-tooth grain beetles prefer flour, pasta, and cereal whereas the flour beetles like to eat flour, cereals and meal. To prevent these little pests from getting into your foods, keep all of their favorites stored in an air-tight container and don't leave any bags left open.

Ants
Ants scout for food. Once a source is found, they go back to the colony to bring along help to carry the groceries. If an ant makes its way into your home and finds a pantry with open food boxes or crumbs, you better believe they've found gold. The best way to prevent ants from shopping in your kitchen is to keep things clean. Clean up spills as soon as they occur. Sweep often. Seal any cracks that could be potential entryways for these pesky little opportunists. And of course, a regular pest treatment will help to deter them as well.

Cockroaches
Roaches enter homes in search of shelter, food and water. And your kitchen offers all of that! This is one pest you DON'T want to see in your home for many reasons: they can multiply quickly, they're hard to get rid of, they can pose health threats, and they're just plain scary! Daily cleaning and proper food storage is the easiest way to prevent these nasty little bugs from infesting your home. But be sure to seal off any potential entryways, too! Regular pest treatments can help prevent them, as well.

Let A B Pest Control & Insulation Eradicate Your Pest Problem!
If you've got pantry pests running away with your food, give us a call! We'll be happy to come out and see what needs to be done to get rid of your pest problem as quickly and effectively as possible. Remember, the best way to keep pests away is preventive treatments. We can get you on the schedule for routine pest control treatments so you don't have to worry about pests taking over your kitchen in the future. Want to learn more about routine pest control? Give us a call today!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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www.abpest.net

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Steps To Controlling Your Ant Problem

With the warm weather comes pesky pests. Wasps, spiders, termites and ants are becoming more and more frequent the closer we get to the first day of summer. Summer in the Midwest is also the rainy season. Recently, the Lake of the Ozarks has been experiencing a lot of storms. Ants will typically come into houses to escape the extensive moisture in the ground until it dries out. While ants are not always dangerous, they can be a nuisance and they can also contaminate food. Your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company has a few tips to help you control the amount of ants coming into your home this summer.

1. Know The Spots

Most ants are found in the kitchen, as they contain both things that they need to survive, which are food and water. However, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, basements, inside walls and HVAC systems are also known to attract ants. Ants typically come inside to search for food, so essentially no space is off-limits to them.

2. Eliminate The Water Sources

Reducing moisture and standing water around your home can go a long way not only in helping to prevent ants but also other pests as well. Repair leaky pipes and routinely check under sinks for areas of moisture. If your home has a lot of moisture naturally, it may be wise to use a de-humidifier to help control the excess moisture. Take a look around the outside of your home and check that the downspouts and gutters are functioning properly so that the water flows away from your house.

3.Eliminate The Food Sources

Keeping your kitchen clean and tidy can help discourage ants and other food-loving pests. Wipe down counters and sweep the floors regularly to eliminate any crumbs or anything left behind from spills. Make sure to store leftover food in a tightly sealed container. In addition, if food is left out, it's a good idea to put it away or make sure it's covered to avoid a feast for ants. Finally, use a tightly sealing lid on trash cans and dispose of garbage regularly.

4. Keep Pets Clean

Pets can unintentionally invite ants into our homes. Their food and water bowls are an attractant for pests, so be sure to keep pet bowls clean and clean up any spilled food or water promptly. It's a good idea to store dry pet food in a sealed container rather than the paper bag they often come in. If the food is left in the paper bag, it could be an easy access for ants and other pests getting into it. In addition, inspect dog/cat doors to ensure pests cannot get through. Ants can fit through even the tiniest of openings.

5. Cover Points of Entrance

Take the time to inspect your home to look for easy access points. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from the home, as they can provide a roadway to your home. Seal any cracks and crevices on the outside of the home with silicon caulk.

6. Use A Professional

Battling ants can be an uphill battle. The best way to win is by using a professional pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks. If ants are not properly treated, they could continue to grow. Some ants, such as carpenter ants, can cause serious property damage. Make sure ants don't come into your home and call a professional.

A B Pest Control & Insulation can help you protect your home from all pests that affect Central Missouri from ants and spiders to termites and wasps and everything in between. Make sure pests don't ruin your summer fun and contact a professional Lake of the Ozarks pest control company today. You can schedule an appointment with A B Pest Control & Insulation at 573-964-1100.

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

Visit Our Website:

www.abpest.net

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on Google+