Black Friday Tips to Get You Prepared for the Chaos!

Thanksgiving is just a couple days away and this weekend will be packed full of turkey, family time and holiday shopping. A B Pest Control & Insulation is excited about the holiday season and we hope you are too! Following turkey day is one of the most competitive selling days of the year... BLACK FRIDAY! There are so many Black Friday deals, special sales hours and doorbusters that it can overwhelm even the most seasoned shoppers. So, this week, we're sharing some Black Friday tips to get you prepared for the chaos!

Create a Plan
In order to save time, dive into your local Thanksgiving Day newspapers and ads. They'll be stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey with ads, coupons, and circulars. Create a list of items you plan to buy, then map out the stores you want to shop at. When you’re creating your list, rank them in order of importance and distance to help avoid losing time and backtracking.

Stick to Your Budget
It's so easy to get wrapped up in the excitement and hype of Black Friday, that you may not realize you've tossed about 16 items into your cart that weren't on your list just because "that deal was too good to pass up!" Don’t let Black Friday put your bank account in the red. One of the worst things you can do in the weeks leading up to the holidays is purchase items blindly without a shopping list. This is true whether you shop online or in-store. By creating a shopping list with specific items, you avoid falling into the trap of buying unnecessary stuff.

Take a Team to Help You Shop
If you've got big plans to save tons on doorbuster deals this Black Friday, you better have a shopping team by your side to help. Be sure you choose your shopping team wisely, though. If someone is easily irritated and often gets cranky while shopping, leave them at home. Your best bet would be choosing someone who loves shopping and loves deals even more.

Check for Limited Sale Items
During Black Friday sales, many stores create a certain amount of tickets or give out a limited amount of wrist bands for certain limited sale items, such as that new XBox One X your kids have been not-so-subtly dropping hints about all month long. If you intend on purchasing any big-ticket items, check to make sure that they don’t require a ticket. If they do, figure out what you need to do to secure a ticket, and plan to be ready and in line EARLY!

Happy Thanksgiving & Have Fun Shopping!
We hope that this quick list of Black Friday shopping tips helps you to enjoy the benefits of snagging great deals, while also making fantastic memories! There’s a lot to be thankful for this year and A B Pest Control & Insulation is thankful for all of our amazing clients. If you need to prepare your home for the holiday season, give your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company a call. We hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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What Happens to Cockroaches in Winter?

Ever wonder where some of those pests that were taking over your lawn and home run to when winter pokes its cold dreary head out? While some pests and rodents migrate to warmer climates for the winter months, others may seek places to hide out from the cold or hibernate. Cockroaches are one of those iffy pests that can go either way. Because of their unrelenting ability to survive even the harshest conditions, regular pest control treatments during the colder months are essential for controlling cockroaches. Here's what you need to know about cockroaches in the winter months.

What Species are Common in Missouri?

American Cockroach
The American cockroach generally lives outdoors, but during winter will move indoors and seek refuge from the cold. Outdoors, they will winter in decaying trees and woodpiles to survive the season.

German Cockroach
German cockroaches are a severe pest problem in the United States and are found everywhere through the country in large numbers. They easily infiltrate human structures and make their homes there. Once inside, they are hard to eradicate. As long as the German cockroach can find food and a humid environment, it will survive the winter.

Oriental Cockroach
Oriental cockroaches are an indoor species, but will often venture outdoors in search of food. They must have water to survive and will usually take refuge from the winter inside basements, crawlspaces, and floor drains. Oriental cockroaches can tolerate lower temperatures than most other species of cockroaches and will often winter in rock walls and sites that offer protection and warmth. They use the winter months to reproduce.

Cockroaches During The Winter

Cockroaches are resilient creatures, surviving on earth for more than 300 million years and will likely continue that survival long after humans have disappeared. The winter months do pose a risk to cockroaches, which will often die when exposed to temperatures less than 15 degrees Fahrenheit. However, cockroaches can find plenty of ways to avoid that exposure and survive the cold months.

Why Continue Pest Control During Winter

It's important to continue pest control treatments inside and outside your home throughout the winter months to keep pests that are seeking warmth from gaining access. They do they tend to take up residence inside the walls, which could make it more difficult to find and treat.

• If pests are inside the walls of your home, they are not affected by the cold temperatures outside.
• In addition to roaches living in the walls, attics and basements also provide a great source of protection and warmth for them to survive the winter months. 
• If there are points of entry that are not sealed up, roaches can find their way into your home.
• When a professional pest control company treats your home, they will ensure there are no pest related issues or identify any conditions that could lead to the future pest problems.
• Continual treatment can prevent future infestations and can help to treat any nested eggs that have since hatched and not been affected by the initial treatment.

Get Rid of Roaches with A B Pest Control & Insulation!

This month we've seen some unusually warm temperatures, which may be causing some pests to come out of hiding. If you need pest control services this fall or winter, call A B Pest Control & Insulation at 573-964-1100. We can help you keep your home pest free this season!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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5 Tips for Making Sure Your Home is Holiday Ready

This is one of the most joyful times of the year but it can come along with some stress, especially if you are hosting a holiday party at your home. As you prepare for a house full of guests, it's time to gear up with your list of things to do! A B Pest Control & Insulation wants to help make it easier, as you prepare for the holiday season. Check out a few tips to prepare your space for the holidays.

1. Clean Up Your Space

Give your home a fresh look by removing some unsightly clutter this time of year. Encourage your entire family to get on board to help prepare your space for your guests. It can help to make your cleaning process less overwhelming if you take each room a day at a time and hone in on cleaning that specific space.

2. Stock Guest Rooms

Hosting is all about giving your guests the best experience as they stay in your home. Ensure all guest bathrooms are stocked with needed products. You don't want a guest to have to ask for more toilet paper right in the middle of your holiday gathering. If you have overnight guests, try to ensure the bedrooms are stocked, as well. This extra step can help make your guests feel even more comfortable in your space.

3. Get into the Festive Spirit

Decorate your space (this is the fun part of hosting)! Give your home a festive overhaul with fun fall decor during your Thanksgiving meal and get that Christmas spirit flowing with a stunning tree and other holiday decor. This can help your guests get into the holiday spirit even more. And don't forget to focus on the table centerpiece to tie it all together!

4. Buy Non-Perishables Ahead

Your shopping list can get a bit crazy this time of year. Try to buy non-perishable items ahead of time to cut down on the long list at the store. Paper products and dry foods can be purchased now to try to get those items out of the way. Also, making a thorough list of needed food and other household supplies can help ensure you aren't making a dash to the store right before guests arrive.

5. Rid Your Home of Pests

Nothing can ruin your holiday party quicker than pests. Have your entire home treated for those pesky critters as more and more try to enter your home this time of year. As the cold weather settles in mid-Missouri, now's the time to put up a defense against those unwelcome guests!

Our pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks knows this is both an exciting and stressful time of year. Help ease the anxiety of hosting by preparing your space for the holiday season. While we cannot prevent those annoying family members from bombarding your party, we CAN help keep the pests out of your home this holiday season!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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Firewood Pests: Are You Bringing them into Your Home?

There's nothing quite like the warmth of a toasty fire to get rid of a cold chill. If you’ve got a fireplace or a wood stove, you know just what we mean! However, when you bring in wood to keep your fire going, you could be inadvertently bringing pests into your home.

Every tree has the possibility of hosting a number of insects including spiders, mites and beetles. These insects could remain or have found their way on the cords of wood you’ve got stacked outside and could become active after being introduced to the warm temperatures inside your home. Your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company has all the information you need to know about firewood pests and how to prevent them from infesting your home.

Common Firewood Pests

Black Carpenter Ants
Black Carpenter Ants do bite and can spray formic acid, but they do not possess the ability to sting their prey. Most carpenter ant species establish their first nest in decayed wood and later expand or enlarge this into sound wood. Indoors, nests are located in wood (preferably softened by fungus rot or water damage) in insulation, and/or wall voids.

Powderpost Beetles
Powderpost beetles are another wood infesting pest that can cause damage. Signs of an infestation include small round exit holes and very fine piles of dust beneath the exit holes. These wood infesting insects are brought into structures in wood containing their eggs or larvae, such as oak, hickory, ash, and other native hardwoods.

Termites
Termites area another common wood infesting pest. While they primarily forage underground for cellulose, they can find their way into wood cords in an attempt to feed so they can return it to the colony to feed others. It's during these excursions that termites can unknowingly enter your home, possibly leaving a trail of pheromones for the colony to follow. And since many homes are insulated with cellulose (their primary source of nutrients), your home just became a welcoming humble abode for the colony!

Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees bore holes into decks or other wooden structures. Carpenter bees prefer weathered, unpainted wood, so treating or painting your wooden structures will provide some protection from them. However, that stack of firewood in the back yard could be free game! Once in or near your home, you could experience possible furnishing and deck damage from this hole-boring pest.

How to Prevent an Infestation
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help minimize the chances of bringing pests into your home through your firewood. Inspect it carefully. Look for signs of aphids, adelgids or small insects. Things to look for include light tan, walnut-size, frothy egg masses and small holes with sawdust trails.

Before bringing firewood into your home, it is a good idea to shake it vigorously to dislodge any insects and spiders. Check each log for egg cases and prune out any you may find. It is important to get rid of any egg sack, as your home is warm which could induce the eggs to hatch.

Enjoy the Warmth of Your Pest Free Fireplace!
If your pest infestation goes beyond the stack of firewood, it is best to call a professional pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks. From bed bugs to spiders, A B Pest Control & Insulation can make sure your home is pest free all year round. To schedule an appointment with a professional Lake of the Ozarks exterminator, contact us at 573-964-1100.

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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Get Ready to 'Fall Back' this Sunday!

Daylight Saving Time is this Sunday, which means clocks will “fall back” an hour. The clocks roll back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. The official time in the U.S. will be 1 a.m. This means that most of us will get an extra hour of sleep but darkness will come an hour early as well. This week, A B Pest Control & Insulation thought it would be fun to share some facts and history about Daylight Saving Time. 

Here are some facts about the twice-yearly time change:

• Sunday, March 10, 2019 – Daylight Saving Time began at 2 a.m. this year
• It is “Daylight Saving Time” (singular), not “Daylight Savings Time” (plural). We are “saving daylight” for the end of the day.
• Since 2007, Daylight Saving Time starts in the United States on the second Sunday in March, and ends on the first Sunday in November.

The timeline of how Daylight Saving Time (DST) came to be:

• 1784 – The idea of daylight saving is first conceived by Benjamin Franklin.
• 1914-1918 – Britain goes on DST during World War I.
• March 19, 1918 – The Standard Time Act establishes time zones and daylight saving. DST is repealed in 1919, but continues to be recognized in certain areas of the United States.
• 1945-1966 – There is no federal law regarding DST.
• 1966 – The Uniform Time Act of 1966 establishes the system of uniform DST throughout the United States. The dates are the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. States can exempt themselves from participation.
• 1974-1975 – Congress extends DST in order to save energy during the energy crisis.
• 1986-2006 – DST begins on the first Sunday in April and ends on the last Sunday in October.
• August 8, 2005 – President George W. Bush signs the Energy Policy Act of 2005 into law. Part of the act extends DST starting in 2007, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
• 2007 – Under the new laws, all of Indiana now observes DST, where only certain areas of the state did before.
• Exceptions in the United States: Hawaii and most of Arizona
• The US territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and American Samoa also do not observe DST.
• About 70 countries around the world observe DST. Japan and China do not.
• Many countries near the equator do not adjust their clocks for DST.

Regardless as to whether you feel that Daylight Saving Time is actually beneficial or not, hopefully we'll all be a little more rested when we wake up on Sunday, November 3. A B Pest Control & Insulation wants to remind you to set your clocks back Saturday night before heading to bed. With the time change, if you happen to find creepy crawlers in or around your home, give your pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call. We’ve got you covered!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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What’s Going on This Halloween?

Halloween is just around the corner and A B Pest Control & Insulation can’t wait! The Lake of the Ozarks has many fun, family-friendly activities to enjoy. From haunted trails to trick-or-treating events, there are many different ways to celebrate Halloween. Your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company has all the details you need for these exciting events.

Halloween Bash on the Strip
Oct 26, 2019
Bagnell Dam Strip
Bagnell Dam Blvd
Lake Ozark MO 65049

If you are looking for the one place that everyone in the family can find something to do, look no further than Bagnell Dam Strip. There will be Trick-or-Treating throughout many of the businesses on the strip & a Costume Contest!

Halloween Happenings @ Stark Caverns
Oct 26, 2019 - Oct 27, 2019
Stark Caverns
125 Cave Drive
Eldon MO 65026

Hours of Operation: Saturday @ 6-10pm | Sunday @ Noon-5pm

Enjoy a weekend full of frightfully good fun at Stark Caverns Halloween Happenings October 26 & 27. Share the scare when you take the #HauntedCaveTour during Stark Caverns Halloween Happenings! Saturday night only, teens & adults can experience a frightful adventure, filled with bats, ghosts and other scary surprises. On Sunday, bring the entire family to Stark Caverns for a fun-filled day of activities. Go on the self-guided Spooky Tour, try your hand at sluice mining, test your skills at pumpkin chunkin, and enjoy s'mores & hot cocoa. Plus, don't forget the Kids Zone - filled with free activities like pumpkin tic-tac-toe and spider racing.

Captain Ron's 13th Annual Kids Spooktacular

Oct 26, 2019

Captain Ron's

82 Aloha Ln

Sunrise Beach MO 65079

Hours of Operation: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Treasure pass will be filled with local vendors passing out candy for trick-or-treaters!

Captain Ron's 13th Annual Adult Halloween Party
Oct 26, 2019
Captain Ron's
82 Aloha Ln
Sunrise Beach MO 65079

Hours of Operation: 7:00 pm

Machine Gun Symphony is playing from 7-11. There will be prizes for best costume!

Eldon PTO Trunk or Treat

Oct 26, 2019

Eldon Elementary School

409 E 15th St

Eldon MO 65026

Hours of Operation: 6 pm - 8 pm

Come join the Eldon PTO for a FUN, FREE, FAMILY FRIENDLY, night of trick-or-treating. This year Trunk-or-Treat will again be held behind the Storm Safety Building between the South and Upper Elementary Schools. Anyone and everyone is invited to participate by attending or having a trunk of your own! All decorations and costumes please stay family appropriate. For Trunk-or-Treating, please enter through the gate located between the Upper Elementary School and Storm Shelter. Parking will be available at both Elementary schools.

Halloween Family Day at Haunted Holler

Oct 26, 2019

The Walking Dead at Haunted Holler/Fort 54 Paintball

651 Hiland Cr.

Osage Beach MO 65065

Hours of Operation: 12 pm

Pricing: Free - Paintballs $10 for 100

The Walking Dead at Haunted Holler/Fort 54 Paintball presents Halloween Family Day.

The fun starts at 12 pm. Free kids pumpkin coloring and costume contest at 3 pm. Free candy to kids in costumes. BBQ, Music and drink specials all day! All ages get to shoot zombie walkers. $10 for 100 paintballs.

Halloween Party at Fat Polly's

Oct 26, 2019 - Oct 27, 2019

Fat Polly's - The Lodge at Port Arrowhead

3080 Bagnell Dam Blvd

Lake Ozark MO 65049

Hours of Operation: 9 pm - 12 am

Costume Party Win a $250 Gift Card Contest starts at 10pm Entertainment DJ Bob Dodds.

Zombie Party: Night of the Living Dead

Oct 26, 2019 - Oct 27, 2019

H.Toad's Bar and Grill at Camden on the Lake

2359 Bittersweet Rd.

Lake Ozark MO 65049

Hours of Operation: 9 pm to 12 am

Run for your life…to the Horny Toad! Horny Toad Entertainment Complex presents Zombie Party: Night of the Living Dead. Dress up as whoever - or whatever! - you like, but come dressed to kill because the best contest wins on Saturday, October 26th. Live DJ, Halloween costume contest with prizes, and to-die-for drink specials all in a spooky setting. FREE to attend and enter the contest! Turn this Halloween into a night you won't forget at H. Toad's Bar & Grill.

Howl-O-Ween Festival

Oct 27, 2019

Dogwood Animal Shelter

1075 Runabout Dr

Osage Beach MO 65065

Hours of Operation: 11 am - 3 pm

One of the “fun-est” times of the year! Free to attend! Grab the kids and your furry friends and join Dogwood Animal Shelter for a fun time! There will be all kinds of contests for both two and four legged attendees, games for the kids, Best Costume Parade, quilt raffle tickets and so much more! 100% of the proceeds go to Dogwood Animal Shelter!

Haunted Holler Sunday Funday

Oct 27, 2019

Haunted Holler/Fort 54 Paintball

651 Hiland Cr.

Osage Beach MO 65065

Hours of Operation: 12 pm

Pricing: Free - $10 per 100 paintballs

The Walking Dead at Haunted Holler/Fort 54 Paintball hosts Sunday Funday.

The fun starts at 12 pm. The Walking Dead Trivia at 3 pm. BBQ, Music and drink specials all day! All ages get to shoot zombie walkers. $10 for 100 paintballs.

Halloween Spooktacular at Mid-County Fire

Oct 31, 2019

Mid-County Fire Protection District

184 N. Bus. Rt. 5

Camdenton MO 65020

Hours of Operation: 5 pm to 8:30 pm

Join the Mid-County Fire Protection District for the 3rd annual Halloween Spooktacular! Stop by the fire department and visit with the fire fighters, check out the fire trucks, and get some candy!

Halloween Trunk or Treat at Kent Memorial Church

Oct 31, 2019 - Nov 01, 2019

Kent Memorial Lutheran Church

184 Sunset Hill Drive

Sunrise Beach MO 65079

Hours of Operation: 5 pm to 7 pm

Come join the fun of our annual Halloween Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 31 from 5:00 -7:00 pm in our church parking lot. They will be handing out candy to area children. In the case of inclement weather, trick-or-treating will commence in the Fellowship Hall of the church.

Sunrise Beach Little Theatre Halloween Spook Night

Oct 31, 2019 - Nov 02, 2019

Sunrise Beach Little Theatre

15133 North Hwy 5

Sunrise Beach MO 65079

Hours of Operation: 5 pm - 7 pm

The Sunrise Beach Little Theatre will be hosting a HALLOWEEN SPOOK NIGHT on Thursday October 31 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. A FREE fun evening of Trick or Treat for the whole family by costumed characters inside the Sunrise Beach Community Center (15133 North Hwy 5 in Sunrise Beach).

HyVee Hallow Trick or Treat Maze

Oct 31, 2019

Hy-Vee Osage Beach

929 Highway D

Osage Beach MO 65065

Hours of Operation: 3 pm - 6 pm

Pricing: $2 admission

HyVee Hallow Trick or Treat Maze hosted by Wonderland Camp and Hy-Vee.

A safe and fun night of trick-or-treating for families from 3-6pm at the Hyvee parking lot from more than 40 booths. $2 admission. Lake area businesses, organizations, churches and other non profits are welcome to take part. Call Mike Clayton 573-280-5648 to get a booth. It's only $100 for a booth.

Decorate your booth, hand out coupons, flyers and more. Participants must provide candy for 2000 kids. Hyvee can provide candy! 100% of the proceeds will go to The Dream Factory and Wonderland Camp. Food will be available.

Arrowhead Senior Living - Community Trick or Treat Event

Oct 31, 2019 - Nov 01, 2019

Arrowhead Senior Living Community

6100 Arrowhead Dr

Osage Beach MO 65065

Hours of Operation: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Bring the kids to Arrowhead Senior Living for some indoor Trick or Treating! We will have candy, hot chocolate and giggles for all. This is a community event, all are welcome.

Happy Halloween from A B Pest Control & Insulation
A B Pest Control & Insulation wants to wish you a fun and safe Halloween. If you happen to find creepy crawlers in or around your home, give your pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call. We’ve got you covered!

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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