A-Z with A B Pest Control & Insulation: Encapsulation & Earwigs

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! This week, we'll be continuing our series by discussing two different sectors of our business with A-Z with A B Pest Control & Insulation: Encapsulation & Earwigs.

Encapsulation

When it comes to insulating your home, there are 3 primary spaces that you should focus on: the attic, the main living area, and the crawl space. For the purpose of this week's insulation talk, we're focusing on the crawl space. Since up to 50% of household air can flow up from your crawl space, it’s important to keep it as clean and dry as possible. Adding a crawl space vapor barrier and dehumidifier is a great way to improve indoor air quality and make energy improvements more efficient inside your home.

Encapsulating crawl spaces is a popular solution for avoiding indoor moisture issues. Encapsulation can be compared to the lining added to swimming pools to avoid leaks. A heavy-duty polyethylene barrier is added to completely cover your crawl space - usually the floors, foundation walls, and sometimes even ceiling.

Once your space is completely sealed, the final process of encapsulation is controlling the air to maintain a healthy humidity level. The most common way to do this is by adding a dehumidifier to regulate your crawl space’s moisture level. This barrier and dehumidifier combination protects the crawl space from excess moisture and all the problems that come along with it.

Here are some problems you could face by not having your crawl space properly encapsulated:

• Mold
• Mildew/musty smell in basement
• Soft or separating floors
• High cooling costs
• Wet insulation
• Condensation on windows
• Insect problems

If you'd like to learn more about crawl space encapsulation, or would like to schedule one of our techs to come out to see if yours has been properly encapsulated, give our office a call. 

Earwigs
A very common insect we get calls about are earwigs. Earwigs are medium-sized insects that have flat bodies and are usually black or brown. Some have stripes or reddish coloring on their heads and limbs. These bugs can be anywhere from one-fourth of an inch to one and one-fourth inches long, including the length of their pincers.

Earwigs are nocturnal feeders that dine on other insects, as well as vegetation like moss, fungi and lichens. Additionally, they do eat decaying organic material and may also feed on greasy food items that may be left out in the kitchen. So, while they may be a little startling to see in or around your home, these insects are actually super beneficial to the environment.

Earwigs prefer cool, moist, dark places. They hide under leaves, rocks, bark, stacked lumber, bundles of newspaper, and so on. When earwigs enter homes, they do not cause damage or pose threat to humans. But if you can't stand to see them indoors, caulk and seal cracks around your home, weatherstrip doors, keep decaying plant matter away from your house, clean up any clutter where they may hide, and reduce moisture in your basement. If you're still finding these little pincers in your home and want to get rid of them, give us a call.

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, insulation and budget needs. And of course, we couldn't do what we do without the awesome customers that trust us for their pest and insulation needs! So, we just want to give a quick shout out to our loyal customers who've kept us going all these years!

If you have unwanted pests around your house or would like a free estimate on your insulation needs, give your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company a call! 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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3 Tips for Checking Your Home's Insulation

Here at the Lake of the Ozarks, we're experiencing high temperatures and lots of humidity. If your home is poorly insulated, your AC could be working overtime. An insulation inspection with A B Pest Control and Insulation could help you determine if the quality of your home comfort could be improved, and even save money on your energy bills. But if you're not quite ready to call in the experts, your favorite Lake of the Ozarks pest control and insulation company has a few tips to use to determine if your home might need more insulation.

Check Your Walls
A quick way to determine if the walls in your home have enough insulation is to do the touch test. The interior ceilings, walls and floors in your home should feel warm and dry. When drywall and paneling inside a home feels damp or cold, there is not enough insulation. Alternatively, when touching an exterior wall, it should feel cold because insulation is keeping warm air inside a home.

For a more detailed check, you can check the insulation levels around the outlets. Make sure the electricity is turned off before you start your check. Remove the outlet cover and shine a flashlight into the crack around the outlet box. You should be able to see if there is insulation and how thick it is. Check outlets on all floors, even new parts of your home. Just because there is insulation in one wall, it doesn’t mean the whole home is insulated properly, especially if there are newer additions to your home.

Check the Attic
To check the insulation in your attic, you need to inspect the condition of the insulation, and calculate the current level of insulation. Your attic should have a certain amount of insulation in it, and the recommended level of insulation for your attic is dependent on where you live. For Mid-Missouri, the recommended insulation level should be at 4.

Check to see if the insulation levels are at or below the attic floor joists. If so, you may need to add more insulation. If you cannot see any of the floor joist because the insulation is well above them, you probably have enough insulation and adding more will not be cost-effective. It is also important that the insulation is evenly distributed. Sometimes there is enough insulation in the middle, but the edges have very little. You can also measure the insulation levels. Either read the R-value printed on the batts of your existing insulation or use a measuring tape to measure the depth of the insulation.

Check Your Basement/Crawlspace
Many crawlspaces were designed with ventilation in order to prevent the buildup of moisture and, therefore, mold and mildew growth. This type of crawlspace foundation should be insulated with fiberglass. Insulation should be placed between the floor joists underneath the subfloor.

For crawlspace foundations that are not ventilated, the walls of the area should be completely insulated. This prevents pipes and ductwork from requiring their own insulation to improve energy efficiency or to prevent freezing since they will lie within the insulated crawlspace foundation area.

To determine whether your home's crawlspace has been properly insulated or not, take a peek underneath your home. If you see damp or loosely hanging insulation, this means the crawlspace insulation is either outdated or wasn’t installed properly in the first place.

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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www.abpest.net

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How Well Insulated is Your Home?

The days are becoming cooler as we transition into the fall season. While you're likely enjoying the savings you're probably 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 help 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.

How Insulation Works
In order to understand how insulation inside of your home works, it helps to understand heat flow. Heat flow involves three basic mechanisms – conduction, convection, and radiation.

Conduction – this is the way that heat moves through materials. For example: when you put a spoon into a cup of hot liquid. The temperature of the liquid heats up the spoon which is then transferred through the spoon handle to your hand.

Convection – this is the way that heat circulates through liquids and gases. It is why warmer air rises (it’s lighter) and cooler air sinks (it’s denser).

Radiant heat – this heat travels in a straight line and heats anything solid that absorbs its energy.

For the most part, most common insulation materials work by slowing conductive heat flow and convective heat flow. Regardless of the mechanism, heat flows from warmer to cooler until there is no longer a temperature difference. In order to maintain comfort, heat that is lost in the winter must be replaced by your heating system and the heat in the summer must be removed by your cooling system. By properly insulating your home, this heat flow will decrease by providing an effective resistance to the flow of heat.

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!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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www.abpest.net

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Benefits of Pesticide Infused Insulation

 A B Pest Control & Insulation knows that ensuring that your home is properly insulated can help reduce energy costs and give you peace of mind! Your pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks can also insulate your home with insulation that provides pest control as well. This week, we want to share with you the benefits of pesticide infused insulation.

Benefits of Pesticide Infused Insulation
Pesticide infused insulation from A B Pest Control will not only reduce your energy costs, but it also kills insects that hide in unreachable parts of your home! It provides effective long lasting control against cockroaches, termites and other pests, while preventing insect infestation in areas where it is applied (walls, attics and under floors). The entire list of insects that InCide® kills upon contact or ingestion are listed below:

• Drywood Termites
• Centipedes
• Silverfish
• Millipedes
• Ants
• Sowbugs
• Subterranean Termites
• Booklice
• Cockroaches
• Grain Weevils
• Crickets
• Earwigs

Built In Pest Control
Pesticide infused insulation never stops working. Pesticide infused insulation prevents insect infestation for the life of your home, killing insects on contact, or when the insect ingests minute amounts of the insulation. Yet, the active ingredients are safe to humans and pets. There are no irritating side effects related to the installation or inhalation of pesticide infused insulation. Odorless Insulation works behind the walls and in the attics where pests live and breed. Plus, pesticide infused insulation has superior energy saving, fire protection, and sound absorbing qualities.

Superior Energy Saving
Using pesticide infused insulation in a home will result in lower energy bills. This insulation seals air leaks to create a more controlled environment within the home. The insulation reduces the amount of heat that transfers through the wall and attic. Pesticide infused insulation is denser than traditional insulation so air does not move through it as well.

Sound Absorption
Experienced builders use pesticide infused insulation in walls and ceilings because of its excellent sound reduction qualities. Since it's a denser insulation, it works great as a barrier for both room to room and outside noise, making it a great choice for new and existing construction.

Fire Protection
Traditional insulation can melt and create a chimney-like effect within the wall. Properly installed, pesticide infused insulation is so dense that it slows the spread of fire by blocking flames and hot gasses and restricts the availability of oxygen in insulated walls and ceilings, ultimately limiting the spread of fire.

Keep Your Home Sealed and Bug-Free with A B Pest Control & Insulation
Make sure your home is protected from the cold winter air and pests with A B Pest Control & Insulation's pesticide infused insulation! Visit our website at www.ABPest.net or call 573-964-1100 to request a FREE quote on your insulation needs. No job is too big or small, we insulate commercial or residential, new or existing. Our insulation team has many years of experience in the insulation business, so you can trust that we'll get the job done right.

Lake of the Ozarks

Pest Control Company

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Conserve Energy by Protecting Your Attic and Crawl Space

Most homeowners don't put much thought into their attic or crawl space. Since they're not commonly used or visited, it's one of the locations in the home that tends to go unnoticed when there are problems until it's too late and damage has been done. Crawl spaces and attics can hold moisture causing mold and mildew to thrive, and let air seep through causing poor energy efficiency. For optimal energy efficiency, your home should be properly insulated from the roof down to its foundation.

Protecting Your Attic
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.

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.

Protecting Your Crawl Space
Unfortunately, home efficiency and moisture issues in crawl spaces can easily go unnoticed, degrading home air quality, comfort, and energy efficiency. One of the most common problems with crawl spaces that do not have insulation is the high level of moisture. This could lead to mold growth. By having your crawlspace insulated, you can greatly reduce the moisture levels, which will prevent mold from growing and forming. Moisture that's trapped in the crawl space can also affect the temperature in the house. Insulation can help seal off the crawl space and keep your house at the temperature you desire. Proper insulation can also prevent pipes from freezing and bursting in colder weather.

Two Types Of Crawl Space Insulation

Vapor Barrier System
A crawl space vapor barrier system prevents ground moisture evaporation from entering the crawl space. It's designed to resist the flow of air. The vapor barrier system turns the crawl space into a semi-conditioned area by stopping the air movement and making the temperature close to the living spaces in your home above. When the temperature in the crawl space is similar to the temperature in the home's living areas, your floors will feel warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Foam Spray
Spray foam insulation can help seal things up for good and eliminate any worries you may have about your crawl space. Spray foam is highly dense, and a little bit goes a long ways. It's non-permeable so it can help seal up any air gaps to eliminate moisture and keep your space free of mold, mildew and rot. While the only guarantee of a rodent-free home is ongoing pest control service, spray foam makes it less likely you'll be invaded by rodents. Spray foam is hard and an unwelcoming substance for them, unlike fiberglass insulation.

Let A B Pest Control and Insulation Inspect Your Attic and Crawl Space
If you are looking to insulate your attic or have a vapor barrier installed in your crawl space, enlist the help of a professional crawl space insulation company at the Lake of the Ozarks. They can make sure your house is cleaner, more energy efficient and healthier for you and your family. A B Pest Control and Insulation can seal up your crawl space and attic, so that you can eliminate moisture, odors, and pests for good! Call us for a free no obligation quote at (573) 964-1100.

LAKE OF THE OZARKS
PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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www.abpest.net

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We Offer All Types of Insulation!

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. 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 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. For all of your residential and commercial insulation needs, give us a call!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

Visit Our Website:
www.abpest.net

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At A B Pest Control & Insulation We're Hanging Bats and Dropping Spiders!

A B Pest Control & Insulation will start it’s 19th year in business. We have been proud members of the community and have been excited to grow with the needs of the lake area. Back in 2011 we added the insulation part of our company because of the need to be licensed for the pest control cellulose applications. June of 2012 we became a full-fledged insulation company that offers all types of insulation services. We continue to grow and change with the lake area needs. Check out the many ways we're hanging bats and dropping spiders throughout the Lake area!

Let Us 'Drop' those Creepy Crawlies!
When it comes to those creepy crawly critters lurking around your home, 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 “green” services with essential oils.

Our Insulation Team will Hang Batts in Your Walls!
No, we don't mean the flittering pests seeking shelter in your attic. We mean batts, or precut pieces of insulation that fit perfectly into cavities on standard 8 ft high walls! Make sure your home is protected from the cold and unwanted pests with A B Pest Control & Insulation's pesticide infused insulation! Visit our website at www.abpest.net or call 573-964-1100 to request a FREE quote on your insulation needs. No job is too big or small. We can insulate commercial or residential locations, new or existing. Our insulation team has many years of experience in the insulation business, so you can trust that we'll get the job done right.

We Can Keep Your Outdoor Nightmares at Bay!
Not only do we take care of your indoor pest and insulation needs, we also handle your outdoor nightmares all year round as well! A B Pest can treat your lawn and outdoor perimeter for pests that invade and damage your yard, plant beds, and gardens. But more than that, when dandelions and other weeds make their presence throughout your lawn, we can develop a turf management program tailored just for your lawn. Good turf management is the first step in an effective, environmentally sound weed control program.

Quality that Makes the Difference
Our motto the “Quality that makes the difference” still rings true today and we couldn’t do it without our awesome staff of technicians in the field and our office staff that helps get it all set-up. If you have any unwanted creepy crawly critters in your home or need assistance maintaining your lawn this Fall, call A B Pest Control & Insulation at 573-964-1100. By calling a professional, you can make sure these pests are removed and your home's premises is properly treated and maintained, you can be sure those pests don't come back. Please give us a call to see if we can assist you!

LAKE OF THE OZARKS
PEST CONTROL COMPANY

Visit Our Website:
www.abpest.net

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Ensure Your Home is Properly Sealed and Insulated with A B Pest Control & Insulation

September is here, which means we're beginning to feel the transition from summer to fall. With the upcoming cooler weather, pests will be seeking the warmth of your home. Cooler weather also means that people will be switching their thermostat from cool to heat soon. If your home isn't properly sealed and insulated, this could mean you're unknowingly inviting pests to take refuge in your home, and also paying more for energy costs than necessary. This is where we can step in to help. In addition to pest control services, A B Pest Control is also a full-service insulation company at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Regulate Temperature More Effectively
Our pesticide infused insulation works just the same as regular insulation. Proper insulation in your home ensures that the cool stays in when it's hot outside and that the heat stays in when it's cold outside. However, not only will you feel more comfortable in your home, you can also save money on your energy bill, as your HVAC system will not have to work as hard cooling or heating your home. Air that escapes through your home wastes a lot of energy. According to the Energy Star website, "most homes in the United States don't have enough insulation and have significant air leaks." It also states that if you add up all the leaks and gaps in a typical home, it would be like having a window open every day of the year.

Keep the Pests from Entering Your Home
The best part about our pesticide infused insulation is the fact that it keeps pests out. Regular insulation can keep pests at bay, but what makes our pesticide infused insulation special is that not only does it regulate the temperature in your home, it also kills common pests. No more having to worry about spiders finding their way inside your home. Our Pesticide Infused Insulation can keep out common insects, such as ants, spiders, centipedes, crickets, silverfish and termites.

The Best Time To Check Your Insulation Is Now!
Now is the best time to check your home's insulation levels. Over time, insulation settles and needs to be refilled. When insulation settles, it will not work as effectively to cool your home. With the summer coming to an end, make sure your home is prepared for the upcoming cooler season. Now is the time to check to make sure your home is properly insulated, so you do not have to worry about it when the temperatures drop.

Keep Your Home Sealed and Bug-Free with A B Pest Control & Insulation
With the fall season comes cooler air and pests seeking shelter. Make sure your home is protected from both with A B Pest Control & Insulation's pesticide infused insulation! Visit our website at www.abpest.net or call 573-964-1100 to request a FREE quote on your insulation needs. No job is too big or small, we insulate commercial or residential, new or existing. Our insulation team has many years of experience in the insulation business, so you can trust that we'll get the job done right.

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+