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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www.abpest.net

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5 Pest Prevention Tips to Keep Your Home Pest Free Through the Summer

It's that time of year when bugs, rodents, reptiles and other pests have made their way back into our lives and are enjoying the benefits of summer in our homes. Don't let those pesky bugs and rodents ruin your summer. By following some very simple pest prevention tips, you can keep these unwanted pests from taking over your home and lawn. Here are 5 pest prevention tips to keep your home pest free through the summer.

1. Eliminate Entry Points
What should be your first step in pest control and prevention? Find and eliminate any entry points they may be sneaking in through. If you don't take care of the entry points that pests are entering your home from, your attempts at pest prevention may be a wasted effort. We always recommend you find where they're coming in at, secure any possible entry points, then give us a call to handle the rest! If you need a recommendation for repairing structures or entry points, you're welcome to call us and we'll be happy to provide a recommendation for a specialist who can help.

2. Be Proactive about Flea and Tick Prevention and Treatment
During the spring and summer months, it's important to be proactive about flea and tick prevention. Ticks are capable of causing many diseases in your pet including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Make sure your dogs and cats are protected by regularly administering flea and tick oral or topical medications. Your veterinarian can advise you about the best product for your animals. To further prevent flea and tick infestations, be sure to get your lawn and home treated regularly by a professional pest control company.

3. Eliminate Food Sources
Keeping your home clean and tidy can help discourage cockroaches, 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 pests. Finally, use a tightly sealing lid on trash cans and dispose of garbage regularly. Be sure your outside garbage can is pest-proof and won't easily be broken into by raccoons and other opportunistic wildlife.

4. Err on the Side of Caution and Call the Pros
With the warmer weather, we'll be seeing more and more bees and wasps flitting around and probably building nests near our homes. While not all wasps cause danger to humans, it's important to err on the side of caution, as any wasp will become territorial when they feel threatened. While some of them are scary to run into, others can be beneficial and keep other more frightening pests away. However, if you feel that pest removal and control is necessary to ensure the safety of you and your family, we highly recommend contacting a professional pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks to handle your wasp infestation.

5. Evaluate Your Home's Insulation
Did you know that in addition to pest control, we're also a full-service insulation company at the Lake of the Ozarks? Proper insulation in your home ensures that your home stays nice and cool when it's hot outside and nice and toasty warm when it's cold outside. Plus, we can install pesticide infused insulation throughout your home to act as an additional barrier against unwanted pests. A B Pest Control & Insulation can evaluate your home or business and make the proper recommendations for the best insulation to meet your needs.

Don't Leave Your Pest Control to Amateurs
By following these 5 pest prevention tips, you should be able to enjoy your summer 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 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

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Memorial Weekend at the Lake

Memorial Day Weekend is this weekend and there are many great ways to remember those who gave their lives fighting for our country. If you are planning on spending the long holiday weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks, there is no shortage of community events, from live music to fireworks displays. A B Pest Control & Insulation has the information for some of the events that will be happening over Memorial Day Weekend.

Memorial Day Weekend Events

Dr. Zhivegas Memorial Day Weekend

When: May 25th – May 27th, 2018

Where: Horny Toad Entertainment Complex at Camden on the Lake

2359 Bittersweet Rd.

Lake Ozark, Missouri, 65049

Dr. Zhivegas hits the outdoor stage all weekend to help kick off the summer.

Alabama Live in Concert

When: May 26th, 2018

Where: Ozarks Amphitheater

2629 N. Business Route 5

Camdenton, Missouri 65020

Doors for the concert open at 7:00 pm.

Kids Harbor Memorial Day Benefit 4 Person Scramble

When: May 28th, 2018

Where: The Oaks at Tan-Tar-A Resort

494 Tan Tar A Drive

Osage Beach, Missouri 65065

Lunch and registration will be at 12:00 pm. Shotgun start at 1:00 pm.

Fireworks at the Lake

Bear Bottom Resort

Saturday, May 26th

9:45 pm

View by water at the 38 MM

The Inn at Grand Glaize

Sunday, May 27th

Display begins at Dusk

View by water at the 1 MM of the Glaize Arm

Tan-Tar-A Resort

Sunday, May 27th

8:30 - 9:30 PM (Dusk)

View by water at the 26 Mile Marker

Tropic Island Cruises

Sunday, May 27th

Boarding begins at 7:30 pm

View the Tan-Tar-A Resort fireworks display from the water at the 26 MM aboard the Tropic Island Cruises yacht.

Call 573-348-8550 for reservations and details.

The Lodge of Four Seasons

Sunday, May 27th

Display begins at Dusk

View by water at the 13 MM

For more Lake of the Ozarks Memorial Day events, visit www.FunLake.com. 

Have a Great Memorial Weekend

If you're going to spend the long holiday weekend at your home at the Lake, give A B Pest Control & Insulation a call. We can help you get your home ready for your Memorial Day Weekend festivities. After your backyard BBQ fun, hop on your boat and enjoy some beautiful fireworks display out on the Lake of the Ozarks. However, make sure no pests crash the party and schedule an appointment with your pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks. 

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

Visit Our Website:
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Get Your Home Ready For Spring!

Now that we have set our clocks forward one hour, many homeowners have spring on their mind. This time of the year, we are cleaning out our homes and getting everything ready for the summer season. If you are spring cleaning this year, A B Pest Control & Insulation has a few things you should keep in mind to help keep your home pest free this year.

Inspect Your Home

With the change in season, it's important to do an inspection of your home. Look for any signs of an infestation, especially of stinging insects like wasps and bees. Don't forget to look in the attic and outbuildings like sheds, barns and garages. Be sure to carefully inspect places like rafters and vents, as theses are common areas for nests to be built. If you do spot a nest, call a professional Lake of the Ozarks pest control company, as these pests are too dangerous to remove yourself.

Seal Up Entry Points

While inspecting your home for nests, it's also a good idea to look for any entry points. Look for cracks along windows and doors and any holes in the window screens. Most pest infestations can be traced back to tiny fissures in windows or door frames. Ants are very diligent in looking for new ways to enter your home so you may have to examine your home several times a year. If you need help pinpointing points of entrance, contact a professional pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Keep Food In Air Tight Containers

The kitchen is basically a big magnet for pests. Lower your risk of a pest infestation by keeping it clean and tidy and by making sure all food is kept in an air tight container. If food isn't properly sealed, pests will be more than happy to indulge in it. Wipe down counters, clean out your pantry and make sure you keep the floors clean to help keep pests at bay in your kitchen.

Remove Standing Water

Bugs enjoy hanging out around water. In addition, water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. While inspecting your home this spring, ensure your home's drainage system is working properly. Clean out your gutters and remove the debris that has accumulated over the winter season. Ensure the drain spout is pointing away from your home's foundation and that the gutters are draining properly with no leakage.

Move Wood Away From Home & Trim Trees and Bushes

During the spring season, it is best to trim back trees and bushes and remove any dead branches. It's best to do this before the leaves have grown back so it's easier to spot what needs to be removed. Make sure pests don't have easy access to your home by making sure trees don't hang over your roof and that bushes are at least 5 feet from your house. Ants, spiders, termites and other pests like to hide out in firewood, so make sure it's stored as far away from your home as possible and is lifted off the ground by at least 18 inches.

Call A B Pest Control & Insulation

Ensure your home is pest free by calling A B Pest Control & Insulation at 573-964-1100. By having your home sprayed regularly by a pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks, you can stop pests in their path and lower your chances of having an infestation. Being proactive is the best way to make sure your home is pest free this season!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

Visit Our Website:

www.abpest.net

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Pests Invading The Pantry

While discovering bugs in your food may be disgusting, it isn't unusual. Many insects like to eat what we do, so the food in our pantry are often the first places they go to. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make sure you're not sharing your food. Your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company offers tips on how to get rid of and control pantry pests this spring.

What Are Pantry Pests?

Grain products and other foods stored in kitchen cabinets, pantries or other areas in the home may become infested with insects or other organisms. These invaders are commonly referred to as "pantry pests." The most common pests we see in the pantry are beetles, moths, mites or psocids. In Missouri, we can see the saw-toothed grain beetle, mealworms, Indian meal moth and spider beetles hiding in the cabinets. However, there are many more pests we could see crawling around our homes and enjoying our food.

What Do Pantry Pests Infest?

Stored food commonly infested with pests include flour, cereals, cracked grains, baking mixes and processed foods, crackers, macaroni, cured meats, powdered milk, dried fruits, nuts, popcorn and spices. Insects that feed on these products may also infest other grain-based items such as pet foods, birdseed, ornamental corn and even dried flower arrangements. Nearly all dry, stored human food products as well as dry pet food are susceptible.

Prevent Pantry Pests

Sometimes, pantry pests are brought into the home from the food items. Be sure to inspect dry goods before bringing them inside. However, be especially suspicious of birdseed and pet foods. Purchasing large quantities of these items and having them sit for long periods of time can be an invitation for trouble, so be sure they are stored in an air tight container. Remove spilled food products from storage areas and replace torn or damaged storage containers immediately. In addition, make sure your home is sealed well by caulking around windows and doorframes and sealing up gaps under exterior doors. Adequate ventilation in storage areas are also important to minimize mold and mildew growth that could attract pantry pests.

Get Rid of Pantry Pests

If pantry pests have invaded your kitchen, carefully examine all susceptible foods to determine the source of the infestation. Throw away items that are infested by putting them in tightly sealed bags and taking them outside of the storage area to a trash bin. Empty and clean the storage area and shelves thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner and hot, soapy water. However, the best way to ensure that the pantry pests are properly taken care of is by calling a professional pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks.

A B Pest Control & Insulation is here to help if you have pantry pests, or any other insect, invading your home. We offer pest control services at the Lake of the Ozarks and other surrounding towns. We are equipped with the knowledge to get rid of pests that affect Central Missouri. To schedule your pest control service, contact us today at 573-964-1100.

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

Visit Our Website:

www.abpest.net

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Here's To A Pest Free 2017!

It's the beginning of a new year and many people are thinking of ways they can make this year even better with New Year's resolutions. From losing weight to traveling more, there are lots of different New Year's resolutions out there. However, there is one thing that you may have missed on your resolutions list - pest control! Your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company has a few tips for you so you can have a pest free 2017! 

1. Seal Up

Sealing up your home can not only help keep your home insulated, it can also help keep out creepy crawlers. Check for leaks around your windows and doors and seal them up with caulk if needed. It doesn't take a huge opening for mice and other pests to get inside, so if there are any places that are exposed to the outside, make sure to get it sealed. A professional Lake of the Ozarks pest control company can help you identify any points of entry. 

2. Clean Up The Clutter

With the new year approaching, now is the perfect time to get rid of some things you might not need. Clutter attracts pests, so cleaning up can also help prevent pests from getting comfortable in your home. If you have an attic or basement, sometimes these areas become a place for storage, so if you have a lot of boxes in these areas, take some time to go through them and get rid of the things you no longer need. However, it is important to be cautious while doing so, as you may come across some reclusive pests. 

3. Keep It Clean

Kitchens get dirty quickly, and they are also a common source for pest infestations. After cooking, it's important to wipe down your work area to avoid ants and other insects from enjoying your meal as well. Cover any food that is left on the counter for an extended period of time tightly. If you are entertaining, don't leave any food out overnight, put it away in airtight containers. 

4. Maintain Your Yard

Pests come into your home from the yard. Keep them at bay by keeping the lawn cut, getting rid of debris and weeding often. It is also important to keep plants, bushes and tree limbs that overhang the roof trimmed. If you have a pile of wood, keep it as far away from your home as possible.

5. Get Organized

Keeping pests under control is all about taking preventative measures from keeping your home clean and tidy to maintaining your lawn. However, you can take your preventative measures one step further by having your home and yard regularly sprayed by a professional pest control company. A B Pest Control & Insulation can not only help you once you get an infestation, but we can also help prevent them!

Happy New Year From A B Pest Control & Insulation! 

A B Pest Control & Insulation wishes you a happy and healthy New Year! Hopefully, with these tips, you will have fewer pests making themselves comfortable in your home this upcoming year. However, if they do find their way inside, call A B Pest Control & Insulation. As a professional Lake of the Ozarks pest control company, we can safely and effectively get rid of pests and make sure they don't come back with regular preventative pest control spraying. To schedule an appointment to have your home and yard sprayed this new year, call 573-964-1100.  

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

Visit Our Website:
www.abpest.net

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