5 Home Maintenance Items to Tackle to Prevent Pests

As the fall season takes hold and the temperatures begin to cool off, bugs, rodents and other pests will be seeking refuge for the coming winter months. Will they find it in your home? By continuing to be proactive in your pest prevention and lawn maintenance, you can prevent these unwanted pests from making themselves cozy in your humble abode. Here are 5 home maintenance items to tackle to protect your home from a Fall invasion.

1. Secure Access Points
Pests are clever when it comes to finding their way into wherever they want to hide. If there's even the smallest of entry points to get into your home, they'll likely find it. We recommend checking all of your entry doors, windows and screens for any gaps or tears that could be an easy access point for pests. Caulking window frames, installing weather stripping and replacing torn screens can be a very quick and inexpensive fix to prevent pest infestations. If you're unsure of where pests are entering from, we recommend contacting a professional who can locate and fix any potential hazards. Don't forget to check your attic and crawl space as well!

2. Eliminate Temptation
Many times, the reason pests are attracted to your humble abode is because they've found an easy food source. Whether it be your kitchen pantry, bathroom soap scum buildup, left out pet food, or dishes in the sink, these are all things that can and likely will attract pests. An easy meal and a warm place to hide make for the perfect spot for rodents and bugs alike. Some simple tips to eliminate the temptation is to regularly clean out your pantry and check packaging for pest damage, keep your shower, sink and toilet area clean, don't leave your pet food bowls left out - pick them up and clean them once they're done eating. Simple housekeeping items like this will help prevent pests from finding a delicious meal in your home.

3. Remove Leaf Piles
Another way to prevent pests from entering your home is to keep leaf piles away from your home's foundation and entryways. Pests and rodents will hide out in leaf piles because it offers a dark, damp and safe place to hide. If that leaf pile is up against your home's foundation or near a doorway, it could create opportunity for them to make the run into your home's safety.

4. Have Your Insulation Checked
If pests DO get into your crawlspace or attic, chances are you may have some insulation damage that's causing energy loss. Poor insulation quality can really make those energy bills jump in the fall and winter months. At A B Pest Control & Insulation, we offer pesticide-infused insulation that helps to prevent pests from taking over. If you want to check on the health of your current insulation and get a quote to have it replaced with pesticide-infused insulation, give us a call. We'll provide you with all the information you need to make a decision.

5. Schedule Routine Pest Control
A sure-fire way to prevent pests is to get on our schedule for routine pest control treatments. Treating once or twice a year simply isn't enough to ensure a pest-free home. Typically a single treatment will last up to 30 days, and then begins to wear off. It's essential to have your home and lawn treated on a regular basis for the best preventive outcome. At A B Pest Control & Insulation, we offer flexible scheduling to work with your schedule and budget.

Don't Leave Your Pest Control to Amateurs
By tackling these 5 home maintenance items, you should be able to enjoy the fall season without the hassle of pests! 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 roaches and everything in between. Make sure pests don't invade your home 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

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Getting to Know the Bats of Missouri

Most people know a bat when they see one: It looks something like a mouse with wings. But besides what they look like, how much do you really know about bats, more specifically, the bats we're likely to encounter in Missouri? There are more than 1300 estimated species of bats in the world, making up one-fifth of Earth's total mammalian population, the second largest order after rodents. With that many species in the world, some people may just find it easier to classify them all as simply bats. But every species of bat is different and each offers their own kind of benefit to the world.

Missouri Bat Species
While Missouri has seen about 9 common species of bats within its state lines, only one family of bats predominates in Missouri: the evening bats. More than this have been spotted, but are not commonly seen in Missouri. This week, we at A B Pest Control & Insulation want to share with you a bit of information about all the different species common to Missouri.

Evening Bat
The evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis), the most common Missouri bat, is present during the spring, summer and early fall. It migrates south in winter. It roosts in buildings in summer. If you've encountered a bat in your attic, these (along with brown bats) are likely the culprits.

Little Brown Bat
The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) is a brown, mouse-sized bat that occurs throughout Missouri. It hibernates in small numbers in Ozark caves during winter. In summer, it sometimes takes up residence in attics and buildings, where it rarely causes damage.

Norther Long-eared Bat
The northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) is a small bat much like the little brown bat, except that the ears extend beyond the nose when flattened against the head. These bats are rarely seen. They usually roost in crevices of caves.

Big Brown Bat
The big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is a large bat, perhaps twice the size of the little brown bat, but still weighs only half an ounce. This species lives throughout Missouri and roosts by itself or in small groups in caves. Big brown bats commonly roost in buildings, where they sometimes hibernate.

Tri-Colored Bat
The tri-colored bat, formerly known as the eastern pipistrelle bat, (Pipistrellus subflavus) is Missouri's smallest cave bat (only 3 inches long) and is a pale yellowish brown color. It is rarely found in buildings, but instead prefers caves and rock crevices.

Gray Bat
The gray bat (Myotis grisescens) is an endangered species. It is a medium-sized, grayish bat that is usually found in large, active clusters. Gray bats use caves as roost sites year-round. They roost in large numbers; roosting caves contain huge amounts of bat guano (manure). Typically, they use many caves during the summer and only a few during the winter.

Indiana Bat
The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) also is an endangered species. It is a small, pinkish brown bat. In Missouri, the Indiana bat spends the winter hibernating in caves in the Missouri Ozarks. Indiana bats form large, dense clusters during the winter but do not deposit piles of guano under these roosts. They disperse across the state during the summer.

Red Bat
The red bat (Lasiurus borealis) is smaller than the big brown bat. Its fur is rusty red, washed with white. It roosts among leaves of trees and is seen in abundance statewide, often foraging around large lights in towns. It is solitary. Many will migrate in winter. In southern Missouri, some red bats remain during the winter and may emerge from their roosts on warm winter days to catch insects.

Hoary Bat
The hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) is larger than a big brown bat and about twice the weight (one ounce). It is the largest bat in Missouri. Its color is a rich, dark brown, overcast with grayish white. It roosts among the leaves of trees, but is less common than the red bat. It is solitary and migrates.

Now that you know a little more about some of the common bats we'll see around Missouri, you can be better equipped to identify one roosting in your attic! Remember, bats in Missouri are protected and it is illegal to kill them unless they're causing damage to your property. Rarely are bats a nuisance, and can often be more of a benefit to have around than a pest as they feed on pesky insects. If you do happen to come across bats in your attic or outdoor building, contact A B Pest Control & Insulation. We'll come out and safely remove these nocturnal harmless creatures and relocate them where they can thrive and continue to benefit our ecosystem!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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Itchy Business: What do Bug Bites, Poison Ivy & Insulation have in Common?

All three of these situations cause uncomfortable itching, skin irritation, and sometimes infections. To prevent contact with these pesky issues, contact A B Pest Control to take care of you and your home! We can rid your home and lawn of pests and weeds, and we can also install your insulation with an added level of protection with pesticide infused insulation. Read on to learn more about how bug bites, poison ivy, and insulation cause itchy skin and irritation… and how we can help!

Bug Bites
Some of the most common biting bugs are fleas, mites, and chiggers.

• Fleas are small, visible brown/red bugs that are known for their jumping. They typically spread from dogs, cats, or rodents in the home. Their bites are most often concentrated around the ankles and cause small, red, very itchy bumps. 
• Mites appear as tiny, moving specks. They spread from the nests of birds and rats and burrow into skin around the waist, in the bends of knees and elbows, and in warm sensitive areas. 
• Chiggers are not visible to the naked eye. They often bite through clothes where they are tight to the skin. The bites can take about 1-2 days to appear and cause intense itching.

To remove pests from your home and yard, give us a call at A B Pest Control, the best pest control at the Lake of the Ozarks! We can get rid of the larger pests, like rats and mice, that are spreading biting bugs to your house. We can also spray your yard for bugs to help prevent any from hitching a ride on your family pet.

Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy causes skin irritation via an oil resin that is present in the leaves, stem, and even roots. The same oil is present in Poison Sumac and Poison Oak plants. Contact with skin causes redness, itching, swelling, and even blisters. The oil can also transfer to other people and objects if not washed off properly. Our team at A B Pest Control can help by improving the health of your lawn and getting rid of pesky weeds with turf management.

Insulation
Pink fiberglass insulation is made with very fine glass fibers. If the insulation comes in contact with your skin, it causes itchiness, irritation, and sometimes an allergic reaction. A B Pest Control can also assist with insulation services in Lake of the Ozarks and would be happy to handle your next project. We can do foam, cellulose, fiberglass, and pesticide infused insulation for additional pest protection in your home.

When you encounter any of these itchy situations, make sure to take care of yourself. Clean the affected area of skin, use soothing anti-itch products, and see a doctor if necessary. Call us at A B Pest Control to come out to your home for preventative care on all these issues. We can treat your home and lawn for pests, implement turf management, and handle your insulation installation for you. Let us take care of you!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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www.abpest.net

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