Protect Your Home From Brown Recluses and Black Widows

Missouri, especially the Lake of the Ozarks area, is home to two deadly spiders: brown recluses and black widows. These spiders are not known to be aggressive, but will attack when they feel threatened. Avoid spiders in your home by having A B Pest Control and Insulation spray for them. Keep reading to learn about the warning signs of these two spiders.  

Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown recluse spiders are typically dirt or sandy brown colored, with a dark brown marking in the center of its body in the shape of a violin. These types of spiders typically nest in undisturbed places such as storage areas, folded linens, inside of shoes and behind furniture. Although these spiders are typically nonaggressive, they will bite when disturbed or handled. Brown recluse spider bites are most dangerous to children and the elderly.

Warning Signs of Brown Recluse

Brown recluse spiders typically build their webs in hard to spot areas, in places that haven’t been recently disturbed. They seek out and prefer seclusion. Be sure to look for their loosely built, off-white or gray web.  Also, make sure to shake out any towels or other linens on your dock or in your boat. Open storage containers that have been left untouched during the winter months slowly and carefully.

Black Widow Spiders

Black widow spiders are typically brown or black colored, with a red or orange hourglass in the center of the body. These types of spiders are also reclusive and will often make their web in dark, protected areas, such as storage spaces, garages and dark corners. Black widows aren’t aggressive and will only bite when they feel threatened.

Warning Signs of Black Widow

Similar to the brown recluse, black widows will build their webs in places where they will not be disturbed. Their webs are irregular in shape, made of strong threads and will be about a foot long. Black widows rarely leave their webs and will hide and wait for prey, but they are nocturnal, so during the day is the best time to locate their existing webs.

Make Your Home Spider Free with A B Pest Control and Insulation.

Make sure your home is spider free by calling A B Pest Control and Insulation today at 573-964-1100! These two spiders are not the only ones you have to worry about this time of year. There are many other pests in the area. Your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company is here for all your pest and insulation needs.

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+

What You Need to Know About Gnats

Gnats are a very common pest problem. They are often seen around lakes, rivers and any form of standing water, which is why the Lake of the Ozarks area sees so many of them. A B Pest Control and Insulation is here to provide a deeper look at these pesky little pests.

What is a Gnat?

Gnats are tiny flies that are sometimes called blackflies or midges. It is in the diptera order, which includes flies and mosquitoes. They are often seen assembled in large mating swarms. They have long, hair-like antennae, which are more prominent in males.

Where Do Gnats Live?

Gnats are found anywhere rivers or lakes exist because they lay their eggs in watery places. They gather in swarms around bodies of water, but can be found indoors as well. They often congregate around dock and porch lights as well, which is why we often see spiders in these areas as midges are their main source of food.  

What Do Gnats Eat?

They feed off of warm-blooded animals to survive, but unlike mosquitoes, gnats usually don’t bite through clothing. They can crawl into hair or under clothing though to get to places such as the ankles and waist lines of pants.

Can Gnats Bite?

Yes, because the do feed off the blood of warm-blooded animals they can bite people. Often times, people who get bitten may not even know it at the time. The bite will eventually swell up a little and become very itchy and possibly painful. If you do get bit by a gnat, wash the bite with soap and water. It is always a good idea to put antiseptic on the bite because gnats can possibly pick up bacteria from other things they’ve landed on previously.

How to Prevent Gnats

Gnats are pesky little insects, especially when they have entered your home. There are several ways to prevent them from coming inside:

1. Get rid of their food supply. Make sure you clean the kitchen and/or dining room regularly. Do not leave left over food sitting out. Make sure you store your food in an air tight container.
2. Cover trash cans. Avoid keeping bags of trash overnight. Clean the indoor trashcan often. Wipe down the lids and sides with bleach – it will kill the gnats instantly.
3. Do not overwater house plants. If there is too much water in the house plants, gnats could lay their eggs in the soil. Make sure you keep an eye on the soil and make sure it is damp as opposed to wet.
4. Check for damp places. Check underneath the sink and other places that water could collect. Gnats love moist places.

If you have taken all preventative measures, but still have gnats hanging around, call your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company. A B Pest Control and Insulation is the Lake area’s most trusted pest control company. We offer flexible service schedules to meet your pest control and budget needs.

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+

Everything You Need to Know about Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks are prevalent in the Lake of the Ozarks area because of the warm, humid climate. How do you know if you have a flea and tick infestation? If you find out you have an infestation, what can you do about it? A B Pest and Insulation is here to inform you about everything you need to know in regards to fleas and ticks.

What are Ticks?

Ticks are small blood-sucking parasites. They are considered parasites, not pests because they need a host, either you or your pet, to feed. Ticks have eight legs and come in various sizes and colors. There are nearly 850 different species of ticks. Ticks cannot fly, jump or drop, so if you find one on your head, it got there by attaching to your foot or leg and crawling up your body. If a tick bites you, it will remain attached, getting larger in size, and may even change color to grey/blue.

Tick Bites

If you find a tick on you, do not twist to pull it off. If you do, you may break the tick leaving the mouth still attached. If this happens, take tweezers to remove the remaining parts. If you are not able to remove everything, leave what remains and let the skin heal itself. A tick could stay attached for several days or weeks until it is fully engorged and falls off on its own. Ticks prefer warm moist areas on the body, such as armpits or the scalp. Tick bites are normally harmless and produce no symptoms, but some ticks carry diseases, which can be passed on when they bite. These diseases could cause a variety of symptoms that usually develop within the first few weeks after being bitten. They include:

• Red spot or rash near bite site 
• Stiffness of neck Headache or nausea
• Weakness
• Muscle or join pain 
• Fever or chills
• Swollen lymph nodes

If you experience any of these symptoms after being bitten by a tick, seek medical attention as soon as possible. In rare cases, ticks can transmit a disease to human hosts. These can be very serious. If you begin to experience usual symptoms, it is important that you seek medical attention.

What are Fleas?

Fleas are tiny bugs that grow to be about as big as a pen tip. They are visible to the naked eye, but because they are so small, they are hard to detect and especially difficult to eliminate from your home. Fleas are wingless, but are able to jump far distances, which is how they jump from the ground to their host. Fleas feed on blood, much like ticks, and female fleas feed on 15 times their body weight. Flea dirt is dried indigested blood that is excreted from fleas. This flea dirt feeds the larva and is one way to tell if you have an infestation. Fleas reproduce quickly, so if you see one, there are probably more.

Fleas like to live on pets, or even you. However, if the infestation gets worse, fleas can live in carpets, rugs, linens and yards. A bad infestation can be obvious. One way to see if you have an infestation is to walk on your carpets wearing white socks. If you see little black bugs, they are probably fleas.  

Flea Bites

Flea bites are very distinctive. Unlike mosquito bites, flea bites remain relatively small. They will usually stay around the ankles and legs, but may occur around armpits, waists, knees and elbows. Bites will be grouped in threes and fours, or in a straight line. They will appear as small, red bumps with a red halo around the bite area.

Flea bites will be very itchy and could potentially be very painful and become sore. A rash or hives could also appear. Excessive scratching could cause further damage of the skin and could potentially lead to a bacterial infection. Fleas are not known to pass on diseases to humans, but that is not the case for pets. If you find fleas on your pet, take them to the vet. Flea bites will heal on their own, but in order to stop getting bit, you will need to get rid of the fleas.

Get Rid of Fleas and Ticks with A B Pest and Insulation!

Just because you don’t have any pets doesn’t mean you can’t get a flea or tick infestation. Fleas and ticks are hard to get rid of due to their small size. The best way to get rid of fleas and ticks for good is to call A B Pest and Insulation. We are the Lake of the Ozarks’ most trusted pest control company!  

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+

Fun Facts About June Bugs

It wouldn’t be early summer in Lake of the Ozarks without June bugs flying around your porch light at night. June bugs, also known as May beetles, get their name from emerging in large quantities in June. These beetles are common throughout the state of Missouri, but how much do we know about these interesting creatures? A B Pest Control and Insulation is here to help you learn more about these beetles with a few fun facts:

What do June bugs look like?

June bugs are a blackish or mahogany-colored beetle. Although they are called a bug, they are not technically a bug, but actually part of a different insect order, a beetle. They are part of the scarab beetle family. Scarab beetles are a large family of heavy-bodied, oval beetles with about 30,000 species. The larvae are whitish with heads that are often brownish. They are C-shaped with three pairs of legs. They are typically between ½ - 1 inch as adults and between ¾ - 2 inches as larvae.

What stages do the June bug go through?

June bugs have four different stages of development: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Eggs are laid in the ground and can live for two to three years underground as a larva before surfacing to become an adult. Their total life span is up to four years.

Where can June bugs be found?

June bugs are native to North America and parts of Canada. During the day, they hide out in trees, and at night, they can be found flying clumsily around bright lights, or feeding from the leaves of trees or bushes. As larvae, also known as white grub, they bury underground.

What do June bugs eat?

The larvae live underground and feed on the roots of grasses and other plants. As an adult, they eat the leaves of deciduous trees, such as walnut and oak, and many other plants and bushes. These bugs, although harmless to humans, can damage your grass and trees.

How to get rid of June bugs.

June bugs are harmless to people, but can damage your garden or landscaping. June bugs can be treated as adults, but the best way to get rid of them are to kill June bugs as grubs. A B Pest Control and Insulation can help you avoid the hassle of dealing with June bug infestations. Call 573-964-1100 today or visit our website to request a free quote.

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+

Avoid a Spider Infestation on Your Dock

Summer is here and that means bug season is in full swing. A B Pest Control and Insulation can help with all your pest and insulation needs, including your dock. Spiders are the number one pest problem when it comes to docks. The lake area is in the midst of its rainy season, which brings out a variety of different spiders, such as the orb spider. As your #1 pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks, we can help you avoid and get rid of any infestation one may encounter with the orb spider.

Orb Spiders

Orb spiders, or commonly known as garden spiders, are named because of their web-spinning behavior. They make the classic, round "orb" web that most people associate with spiders. There are many species of spiders that fall under the orb spider family. The orb weaver family varies drastically in size and appearance, more so than any other spider family. Typically, the female orb weaver spider has a large golf ball like abdomen and a smaller head. Other common female shapes include long legs and bright colors. Male orb weavers are much smaller than their female counterparts and are not seen as often, as they do not spin webs. 

Warning Signs

Orb spiders typically stay anywhere with abundant prey and structure to support their web. Food for orb spiders vary but typically include small insects they catch in their webs. These can often be located near bodies of waters, which is why orb spiders are found on docks. Orb spiders will build their webs on supporting structures that protect them from the wind, like the beams on the cover of docks. Female orb weavers produce one or more egg sacs and each sac may contain up to several hundred eggs.

Orb spiders are nonaggressive and will only attack if they feel threatened. The best way to avoid orb spiders and prevent an infestation is to have a professional Lake of the Ozarks pest control company come spray your home and dock. A B Pest Control and Insulation is the most trusted pest control company in the Lake area. Call 573-964-1100 today to request a free quote. 

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+

Your Top Mosquito Questions Answered

Not only are mosquitoes annoying because of the itchy bites they leave, but they also pose a serious threat to humans. Often times, mosquitoes are described as one of the deadliest animals in the world due to the diseases that they transmit. However, many of the documented deaths resulting from mosquito bites are from travelers. The West Nile virus and dengue fever are of greatest concern in the United States. In any case, it is critical to keep yourself and your home protected from mosquitoes. A Lake of the Ozarks pest control company can evaluate your property for a mosquito problem. A B Pest Control and Insulation can offer a mosquito solution to eliminate them from your space. Below we answer some questions about these pesky insects:

Where Are Mosquitoes Found?

Mosquitoes are found throughout the United States, although some are more common in certain regions. Most mosquitoes feed only at dusk and dawn, but there are some species that feed during the day. Considering mosquitoes lay eggs in water, they are commonly found around marshes and lakes, but can breed in as little as a half inch of standing water. Therefore, it is important for homeowners to check their property for containers that could be collecting water and providing a safe harbor for mosquitoes to grow.

Are Mosquitoes Dangerous?

With mosquitoes' ability to transmit diseases to humans, they are considered dangerous.  In the U.S. mosquitoes are known to spread the West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, and dengue fever. Furthermore, these diseases do not have specific treatments. People can have varied reactions to each virus and each has been fatal in some cases. The best way to avoid mosquito-borne disease is to prevent mosquito bites.

How Can I Prevent Mosquito Bites?

Remove any areas of standing water at your home to eliminate places where mosquitoes can lay their eggs. Empty containers, old tires, guttering, flowerpots, pool covers, and baby pools after a rainstorm. Get rid of wet debris, such as leaves and mulch near the home.Water in bird baths should be changed regularly as well.

Should I Worry About the Zika Virus?

There has been buzz about the Zika virus in the media recently, which is disease spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no local mosquito-borne Zika virus cases have been reported in the United States, but there have been a few travel-associated cases. However, these imported cases could result in local spread of the virus in some areas of the United States. It is important to use an insect repellent if you spend a lot of time outdoors and to have your property treated for mosquitoes by a licensed pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Let A B Pest Control and Insulation Control Mosquitoes at Your Home   

A B Pest Control and Insulation provides effective mosquito control for your home. Our solutions for mosquitoes at the Lake of the Ozarks will keep your outdoor spaces comfortable and keep you safe from mosquito-borne disease. Do you have an outdoor event coming up?  A B Pest Control and Insulation has specialized equipment for treating lawns, bushes, trees, yards, even lakes and ponds. Contact us today at (573) 964-1100 and we can do an evaluation of your yard to recommend the best mosquito control solution for you.

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+

Reasons Why You Need Inspections Before You Purchase a New Home

When you put a contract on a new home you generally will need several types of inspections. Some of the most common inspections are:

• Septic
• Structural
• Electrical
• HVAC
• Roof
• Termite/WDO

A commonly missed one that should be performed is an insulation inspection. A B Pest Control and Insulation offers termite/WDO inspections and insulation inspections. An insulation inspection includes noting any inadequate insulation which results in energy loss, as well as improperly ventilated attics/crawlspaces. This can cause mold and moisture issues, which can lead to health issues.

Termites Can Be Found in Many Places Around Your Home

A Lake of the Ozarks pest control company will evaluate conditions that could lead to a new termite infestation or determine if there is an existing infestation. A common place termites are found in Lake of the Ozarks is scrap lumber left in crawlspaces. Firewood and other debris stored against the home, wood siding contact with the soil, and a grade that does not slope away from the foundation could result in a termite infestation. Other potential concerns can include mulch, landscaping timbers, and deteriorated wood near the home. The pest inspector will file a detailed report on the findings of the WDO, and if problems are found that need a remedy, a bid to situations will be listed on the report.

Termite Damage Can Be Very Costly

Termites cause billions of dollars in property damage each year, and are known as "silent destroyers" because of their ability to chew through wood and flooring. Unless a buyer knows what to look for, termites can be hard to find with the naked eye and therefore could take several years before signs of an infestation is apparent. To avoid getting stuck with extensive damage that is typically not covered by homeowners' insurance, buyers should always request a pest inspection before signing the purchase contract for a home.

Insulation Issues

With the importance of energy efficiency and the rising cost of energy, it is critical that an attic or crawlspace is properly insulated to control heating and cooling of your home without having to run the HVAC all of the time. This also aids in repairs to the HVAC, due to constant running, and will save money on your energy bills.

Issues that can arise from poor ventilation and improper insulation:

• A poorly vented attic can cause health issues due to mold, moisture which can cause wood rot on trusses and other exposed wood, and can lessen the life of the roof itself.
• A poorly insulated attic can cause energy loss and frozen pipes.
• A poorly vented crawlspace can create a haven for pest/termites, health issues due to mold/moisture
• A poorly insulated crawlspace can cause energy loss, frozen pipes, and the dreaded cold floors.

Homebuyers Can Renegotiate if Issues Are Found

In most cases, the result of an inspection report should not deter you from purchasing the home you have under contract. However, it should make you aware of any issues that can be fixed before the purchase of the home and lets you know the true value of the commercial or residential property you are purchasing. Buyers and sellers can further negotiate to remedy the situations found in inspection reports by either fixing the problems or discounting the price of the home for you to complete the repairs. In addition, A B Pest Control and Insulation can assist in correcting any areas that pose a threat of infestation or by addressing any insulation concerns.

A B Pest Control and Insulation Can Perform Your Inspection Before You Purchase a Home

Not all home inspectors can legally perform WDO inspections unless they are licensed in pest control at the Lake of the Ozarks. A B Pest Control and Insulation serves Lake Ozark, Osage Beach, Camdenton, Eldon, Sunrise Beach, Versailles, Gravois Mills, Jefferson City, Columbia, and Lebanon and we are qualified to perform your pest control inspection. Termite inspections and preventative termite treatments are available for new and existing homes and buildings. Ask about the most advanced termite bait systems available, or our liquid termite treatments with Termidor with a no hassle 10-year warranty that stays with the house, no matter who owns it. A B Pest Control and Insulation is a full insulation company that offers all types of insulation solutions to take care of your needs.

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+