Ensure Your Home Is Properly Insulated!

The days are becoming cooler as we get further into the fall season. While you're likely enjoying the savings you're likely experiencing by not having to run the A/C all day long, you're probably starting to wonder just how well insulated your home is as you wake to those cooler crisper temps. Soon enough, winter will be on its way, which typically means those higher energy bills will make their way back to your mailbox.

Fortunately, there's something you can do to help lessen the ache your wallet will feel when you kick on the furnace. A B Pest Control & Insulation knows that ensuring that your home is properly insulated can help save you money on heating and cooling costs. We can also keep your home comfortable with the proper insulation.

Lower Energy Costs
One of the most important reasons you should make sure that your home is properly insulated is so you don’t waste energy. Improperly insulated homes can waste both heating and cooling energy in your home by allowing heat transfer. Not only does it cost you more money, but it could also put a bigger strain on your system. There are many different types of insulation and A B Pest Control & Insulation can help you decide what types is best for your home or business.

Reduce Noise Pollution
Insulation has sound absorption qualities, so it can reduce unwanted noises that are created by appliances, electronic equipment, or even conversations. It can prevent sounds from being transmitted through the walls and even the floors of your home. Not only does the proper insulation keep unwanted noise at bay, but it also makes it easier for your furnace or air condition to keep the temperature constant without putting a strain on the system.

Ensure Your Home Is Properly Insulated with A B Pest Control and Insulation!
The easiest and most efficient way to ensure that your home has the proper insulation levels is to call a professional. A B Pest Control and Insulation can evaluate your home and make the proper recommendations for the best insulation to meet your needs. With proper insulation, your home can easily stay cool when it’s hot outside and warm when it’s cold out. Your Lake of the Ozarks insulation company has team members with many years of experience in the insulation business so you can trust that we will get the job done right at a fair price. Visit our website or give us a call to learn more!

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PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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3 Common Pest Control Myths Debunked

 With the internet being a huge information provider for us these days, sometimes things get lost in translation. Pest control is no exception to this rule. In the era of DIY and at-home projects, taking care of infestation at home has become normal. However, at A B Pest Control we want to make sure you have the right information so you and your family stay safe!

Yellowjackets are NOT the same as Bees or Hornets

 

A common mistake is to label all insects with black and yellow markings bees or hornets. However, yellow jackets are very common in this area of Missouri. To distinguish yellow jackets, you’ll notice that they’re shinier and brighter. They do not appear fuzzy or dull-colored.

 

Hornets, on the other hand, have a shade of brown throughout their stripes rather than just yellow and black. Because of this, they can appear duller. Plus, hornets are way larger than yellow jackets.

 

Bees are similar to hornets only in the fact that they have duller colors. However, bees are usually fatter, have wider legs, and appear to be fuzzy.

 

P.S. Try your best not to run away from these black and yellow insects because it can make the situation worse!

 

Clean Homes Don’t Have Bugs

 

Unfortunately, as much as we do to keep pests out of our homes by cleaning and reorganizing it, sometimes it’s not enough to keep them from wandering in. Although picking up crumbs and getting rid of clutter can help, it’s not always fool-proof and sometimes the professionals are necessary.

 

DIY Methods Kill Bed Bugs

 

Bed bugs are professionals at multiplying without us noticing. Although you can find DIY methods at home to get rid of bed bugs here and there, a lot of the times it’s not enough to get rid of all of them. They can hide and fit in tight spaces that we normally don’t check. It’s a good idea to contact your local pest control near mid-Missouri if you still notice the presence of bed bugs.

Although there are many myths floating amongst forums and blogs, we want to cover the most important that will change the game for you. If you ever have questions or concerns pertaining pests, give A B Pest Control a call and we’re more than happy to help service you.

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PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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Ways to Protect Your Lawn and Shrubs from Pests this Winter

 When it comes to a manicured lawn, wintertime maintenance is left on the back burner. Before winter sets in, it’s best to start preparing your lawn right now for the cold, snow, and pests by calling your local pest control company near mid-Missouri for an inspection. That way you can anticipate any pests from invading in or around your home.

 

During the fall months, nearing winter, most pests seek out warm shelter as temperatures drop. The easiest accessibility for these pests? Your home, your lawn, your shrubs, etc. If pests can find shelter somewhere in your lawn, they’re sure to either destroy it or head for your home. A B Pest Control has come up ways to best prevent this from occurring.

Water Your Lawn

 

Although it might seem like snow would keep your lawn hydrated, it has the opposite effect. Snow suffocates your lawn and shrubs from getting hydration. Watering and maintaining your lawn’s hydration before it snows will help with moisture throughout the rest of winter. This will also help combat any damage that pests might do to dry out your lawn.

 

 

Get Rid of Debris

 

Clearing your lawn free of not only trash, but also dead leaves is so helpful for pest control. Pests tend to find temporary homes until piles of leaves or branches, which also can kill your lawn from depriving it of water, sun, and air.

 

Cover Up Your Shrubs

 

This might sound counterproductive when earlier it was noted that snow dehydrates plants. However, covering up shrubs and plants can protect them from the cold temperatures. It’s best to use covers or plastic specifically made for plants because this will be the most effective. Additionally, it’s important to secure the plants completely by securing the cover to the ground. This will help not only keep the cold out, but also, the pests, too. Plant and shrub covers are a double whammy.

While nothing is completely fool proof, these are awesome precautions to take to minimize damage to your lawn especially from pests. If you still find issues with pests invading your space, reach out to A B Pest Control for consultation. We wish you a wonderful fall and hopes that no one “bugs” you too much! 

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PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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4 SIGNS YOU MIGHT HAVE BED BUGS

 

Whether you live alone or with your family, it’s never great to discover you have bed bugs. Obviously, we all want to protect ourselves and our families from infestation, but it can be a strenuous process without the right resources.

 

A B Pest Control wants to keep you and your family safe, too. That’s why we want to warn you of the early signs that you might have bed bugs. These things are crucial to look out for no matter where you live.

 

We do want to remind you that the most effective way to remove infestation from your home is to contact your local pest control company near mid-Missouri. It also tends to be safer when left to the professionals. The following signs are simply ways to identify a possible bed bug presence.

BUG BITES

 

Just like a lot of other insects, bed bugs like to bite human skin. If you start noticing bug bites in the morning, especially with three or four in a row, it could be a sign of bed bugs.

 

Everyone reacts differently to different insect bites, so be weary. Some might not have itchiness, whereas others could have more severe reactions. Just know that they don’t always show the same signs.

 

MUSTY SMELLING MATTRESS

 

Although there may be other causes, if you begin to notice a musty smell that specifically surrounds your mattress, it could be bed bugs. This is their pheromones that rubs off onto your mattress. Again, this is another instance where accounts vary. Some think the smell is rather sweet.

 

Smell could be a sign of infestation, however, it’s probably the least reliable sign of the five.

 

 

DARK/BLOOD SPOTS ON SHEETS

 

If your bed has been infested for a longer period, you will notice specks on your sheets or mattress that are a black, brown, or dark red color. These spots are usually from droppings.

 

Another reason for these spots could be bits of dried blood from them biting your skin or their blood from them being crushed. If you have darker sheets, it might be harder to tell, so if you’re unsure, switch to lighter ones or call professionals for consultation.

 

SPOTTING A BUG/CASING

 

The most obvious evidence of bed bugs is unfortunately finding a bed bug or one of its casings. These bugs go through several life stages in a shorter period and shed their exoskeletons.

 

Their casings are usually clear sometimes with a yellow tint. Actual bed bugs are brown and the size of a seed. Their shape is similar to an apple seed. See the photo below for reference.

The above five signs may not display immediately. In fact, sometimes these signs take up to months to be visible. Although, specific signs can display earlier. If you’re unsure, you can always call local professionals to look. At A B Pest Control, we hope you have sweet dreams and don’t let the bed bugs bite!

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PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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HOW TO STORE FOOD IN THE KITCHEN TO PREVENT BUGS

As fall and winter approach, we prepare for some of the biggest holidays of the year. With big holidays, comes a lot of food. Additionally, during these cold months, pests look for temporary homes to stay out of the cold. The combination of the two can lead to a lot of infestation.

 

A B Pest Control is pleased to give you the knowledge necessary to prevent infestation as much as possible. Prevention tactics aren’t always fool proof hence why it’s important to take as many preventative measures as possible.

 

In the case that infestation does occur, contact your local pest experts at Lake of the Ozarks for consultation.

 

Resealable Containers Are a MUST

 

After holiday parties and the leftovers are piled high, storing your food in a proper manner is important. Any non-air-tight containers will allow small bugs inside. Make sure you prepare to have several air-tight containers available.

 

Serving and Storing Food

 

Pests aren’t only looking for shelter when taking over your home. They also are looking for food to munch on. Leaving foods out throughout the kitchen during a party or dinner, causes a lot of crumbs and access for pests. Instead, utilize one specific area for foods. What’s easier is to serve food to guests right out of a storage container.

 

Make Use of the Refrigerator

 

Dry food staples that are normally placed in the pantry can be stored in the fridge, instead. This is usually impactful for food items that aren’t consumed quickly. For example, flour, baking powder, or cornmeal need to be in airtight packaging and then placed in the fridge to keep bugs out. Dry items like coffee and nuts can be stored in the freezer, instead.

With such simple changes to your normal food packaging routine, you can significantly cut down in the number of small insects and pests you see during the cold months. A B Pest Control wants to ensure seamless and pest-free holidays for you and your family.

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HOW TO EFFECTIVELY CLEAN YOUR GARAGE TO PREVENT INFESTATION

 

Garages for most of us are used as an extra place in the house to store things. Whether it be extra boxes being stored or sports equipment, clutter and extra items make a great home for pests to hide out.

 

Where there’s clutter there’s usually unnoticed scraps, such as, food, dried up liquid, or leaves. These types of extra debris lying around also attract different types of pests.

 

A B Pest and Insulation is excited to present ways to help prevent future infestations. However, sometimes prevention tactics aren’t enough to keep out the unwanted guests. Keep that in mind when taking preventative measures.

 

In the case that infestation ensues after these preventative actions are taken, that’s when it’s time to call a pest control specialist near Lake of the Ozarks

Declutter

 

First and foremost, before any deep cleaning can be done, the garage needs to be decluttered and reorganized. Whether that means collecting random items lying around or going through old sports equipment that isn’t being used anymore, extra items need to be stored in airtight containers or off the ground.

 

This declutter and extra space in the garage helps in a few ways. For one, it helps clear the way to deep clean the garage. It also helps eliminates places for pests to camp out.

 

Sweep

 

Grab your broom and start eliminating any debris on the ground. Although it’s not always your highest priority indoors, it is super helpful to regularly sweep the garage, so pests aren’t as attracted to the space.

 

Any food you do store in the garage, should be kept in airtight containers like dog food or keeping food in a refrigerator.

 

Use Deterrents

 

Now that the garage is looking tidy, it’s time to use deterrents that will help discourage pests from entering your garage. It puts out unpleasant odors for pests. Remember, different deterrents are most effective on different pests. 

Now that you know how to avoid attracting pests, you can focus on preparing for the school year. A B Pest and Insulation wishes you a healthy and safe schoolyear! 

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WHY YOU MIGHT BE DEALING WITH PEST INFESTATION

 

Homeowners usually don’t prepare for pest infestation until it happens to them for the first time. It’s not something most generally think about. Once you do deal with infestation, usually it’s a good wake up call to start preparing and preventing pest takeovers. However, we want to help you prepare to prevent the issue before it even happens.

Missouri especially attracts a lot of different types of pests due to the climate. That is why pest control near Lake of the Ozarks is a big deal and why the right type of pest solution provider is needed. At A B Pest Control and Insulation in Lake of the Ozarks, we pride ourselves in service flexibility and genuineness.

Before our pest experts need to step in, we want to look at a few reasons you might start attracting or have already attracted pests into your home.

SEASONAL CHANGES

When seasons change, animals have to adapt to their surroundings. Pests are not excluded from this rule. In fact, as the weather dries up or gets colder, pests start finding ways to adapt and survive in their environment. The easiest way for them to survive is by finding shelter. Homes are easily accessible, dry, usually have a great water supply, and have lots of food lying around most times.

 

YOUR HOME MAY BE CLUTTERED

Just like humans, pests need shelter especially in extreme weather conditions. When there are cluttered areas of the home that are harder or impossible to clean, pests find it easier to access. Further, when rodents are capable of getting in, so are all other pests because rodents usually attract insects.

Not only does the clutter make it easier to house pests, but also, clutter makes it very difficult to exterminate them because those cluttered portions become inaccessible. Especially if you are thinking about bringing in a pest control company, such as, A B Pest and Insulation, we need all areas of the home cleared in order to start spraying. Additionally, it’s preferred the home be cleaned so pest control can clear out the pests afterwards.

 

NOT KEEPING UP ON YOUR HOME’S MAINTENANCE

Our adult lives get very hectic and busy. Things arise and we forget doctors’ appointments and maintenance on our cars and homes. However, a critical step in avoiding pests in your home is to keep up to date with the maintenance of your home. That means checking up on your roof, windows, AC/heating unit, and walls to make sure they are still sustainable to keep pests out. Crazy enough, termites are great at hiding in unchecked parts of your home and can hide for years before they become noticed. This can cause a lot of damage to your home.

Regardless of preventative actions, pest services are most times still necessary to maintain a pest-free environment. A B Pest wants to keep you and your household safe in whatever way we can even if it’s just to help you check the boxes for maintenance. Have a fun and pest-free rest of the summer!

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PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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A B Pest Control & Insulation Offers Many Services!

At A B Pest Control & Insulation, we understand that hiring multiple companies for home and commercial care needs can be a hassle. When you need multiple services addressed at your place of business or residence, it's always a great surprise and wonderful convenience when you can get those services handled by one company. That's why 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! Learn more about the services we offer right here.

Pest Control Services
When it comes to pest control, A B Pest Control & Insulation knows what it takes to get rid of those pesky creatures. We take pest control seriously and we want to make sure that your home is pest free. Because of this, your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company offers many services to fit the specific needs for each home. A B Pest Control offers a wide range of pest control services, including:

• General Pest Control, both Commercial & Residential
• Termite Inspections & Preventative Termite Treatments (available for new and existing homes and buildings)
• Advanced Termite Treatment (Termidor is your Termite Solution).
• Pesticide infused insulation to reduce your energy costs and kill insects that hide in unreachable areas of your home.
• Dock Service (spider control)
• Fly Service
• Rodent control (interior and exterior)
• Tree & Lawn Spraying
• Live Trapping (removal and repair)
• Infestations: fleas, roaches, & bed bugs
• Aquatic Pest Control (vegetation) & mosquitoes

Lawn Service and Turf Management
When dandelions and other weeds have engulfed your lawn and you've decided to fight back, it's time to call A B Pest Control. Because weeds are symptoms of more serious problems in your yard, we develop a turf management program tailored just for your lawn. Weeds do not produce unhealthy lawns; unhealthy lawns produce weeds... so we work to make your lawn healthy! Good turf management is the first step in an effective, environmentally sound weed control program. A B Pest also treats your lawn and outdoor perimeter for pests that invade and damage your yard, plant beds, and gardens.

Insulation Services
Did you know A B Pest Control is also a full-service insulation company at Lake of the Ozarks? Our insulation team has many years of experience in the insulation business, so you can trust that we'll get the job done right at a fair price.

Home insulation is an important part of any house. A B Pest Control & Insulation knows that ensuring that your home is properly insulated can help save you money on heating and cooling costs, it absorbs unwanted noises, and can even help reduce exposure to formaldehyde. A B Pest Control and Insulation can evaluate your home and make the proper recommendations for the best insulation to meet your needs.

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, we cover it all!

LAKE OF THE OZARKS
PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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Is Your Home Properly Insulated?

In the hot summer months, we expect our homes to provide comfort from the heat of the outdoors. And in the winter, we expect our homes to protect us from the cold. However, if you have old insulation or not enough insulation throughout your home, there’s a good chance that you're struggling with maintaining a consistent temperature for your family's comfort. But how can you tell if your home is poorly insulated? There are a few red flags that you can look for to determine whether or not you need to call on the experts at A B Pest Control & Insulation for your home insulation needs. Take a look.

1. Fluctuating Room Temperatures
As you walk from room to room throughout your home, the temperature should remain the same throughout each room. If different rooms have starkly different temperatures, that’s a pretty good indication that your home is poorly insulated. While your HVAC system with its return vents and ducts can play a big part in contributing to an even and comfortable environment, insulation is also important factor because without it, there's nothing to help prevent that cool air or heat from leaking out of your home through your walls.

2. Soaring Energy Bills
While this could just be an indication of poor use and planning, soaring energy bills can also be a clear indication that your HVAC system is having to work overtime to try to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. A big reason for this could be because your home isn't properly insulated and isn't able to hold in or block out energy. If you feel like your energy bill is higher than it should be, you can contact your electric company and ask for a usage history report to compare previous years usage. This can be a good way to tell if you've historically had issues with constantly battling high usage (potentially poor insulation) or are just using more energy than normal due to changes in your home life and habits.

3. Water Leaks in the Attic
Improper insulation can let water into your home, leading to leakage issues. Water tends to slip through the cracks in the attic insulation, causing water damage to your interior walls and ceiling. If you notice darkened spots on your ceiling that look like possible water pooling stains, do a touch test for moisture. Even if the spot is dry at the time, it's still a good idea to have a professional come out and check your attic for history of leaking and water damage. If you are experiencing water leaks, this could be an indication of poor insulation, as the insulation should act as a sort of barrier against water damage.

4. Visibly Inadequate Insulation
A really simple way to tell if your home is poorly insulated is to look in your attic. If you can look across your attic and see the floor joists, your attic is not properly insulated. A properly insulated attic should have between 13-18 inches of insulation evenly throughout for an attic to be properly insulated. If you cannot see any of the floor joist because the insulation is well above them, you probably have enough insulation. It is also important that the insulation is evenly distributed. Sometimes there is enough insulation in the middle, but the edges have very little.

Request a Free Quote from A B Pest Control
The easiest and most efficient way to ensure that your home has the proper insulation levels is to call a professional. A B Pest Control and Insulation can evaluate your home and make the proper recommendations for the best insulation to meet your needs. With proper insulation, your home can easily stay cool when it’s hot outside. Your Lake of the Ozarks insulation company has team members with many years of experience in the insulation business, so you can trust that we will get the job done right at a fair price.

LAKE OF THE OZARKS
PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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What Type of Insulation is Best for Your Needs?

Home insulation is an important part of any house. A B Pest Control & Insulation knows that ensuring that your home is properly insulated can help save you money on heating and cooling costs, it absorbs unwanted noises, and can even help reduce exposure to formaldehyde. A B Pest Control and Insulation can evaluate your home and make the proper recommendations for the best insulation to meet your needs.

We offer all types of insulation, including:

• foam insulation (closed & open)
• cellulose insulation
• fiberglass insulation (batt or blown-in)
• pesticide infused insulation
• vapor barrier
• thermal ignition barrier

Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is an air barrier system that effectively seals wall, floor, and ceiling cavities against air movement, including spaces around electrical outlets and light fixtures, at baseboards, and where walls meet windows and doors. It can be used under concrete slabs and on concrete walls to help insulate underground as well. Creating an air barrier with spray foam improves energy efficiency and helps heating and cooling systems keep pace with less work. It also reduces noise from outside sources and between rooms within the home.

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.

Pesticide Infused Insulation
Pesticide Infused insulation is installed by blowing the product into attics on top of existing insulation or into attics and wall voids of new construction. It will reduce heating & cooling costs, while also controlling common household pests that nest in attics and walls like roaches, ants, termites, and silverfish.

Vapor Barrier
A vapor barrier is used for damp proofing that resists diffusion of moisture through the wall, floor, ceiling, or roof assemblies of buildings to prevent condensation damage. This thin sheeting in the crawl space helps create a divide between water and your home. Spread uniformly across the soil and partway up onto the crawl space walls, it keeps water in the soil instead of in the crawl space.

Thermal & Ignition Barrier
All polyurethane spray foams require a code-approved thermal barrier—ordinarily a layer of ½” drywall—between the foam and the living space. The thermal barrier is designed to make it more difficult for a fire inside the living space to gain access to the fresh source of fuel in the spray foam, leaving the home’s occupants with more time to escape. Ignition barriers are required in foam-insulated attics, crawlspaces, and other areas with limited access that can’t be used as living space. They offer a lower order of protection, and are intended simply to prevent a possible flame source from making direct contact with the foam.

A B Pest Control is a full-service insulation company at Lake of the Ozarks. Our insulation team has many years of experience in the insulation business, so you can trust that we'll get the job done right at a fair price. For all of your residential and commercial insulation needs, give us a call!

LAKE OF THE OZARKS
PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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