Best tips for termite prevention at my Waterloo, IL property
Termites can wreak havoc on a property, making holes in wood and causing drywall to crumble. Although many residents of Waterloo, IL struggle with these pests, a termite infestation is not inevitable. Here are some proactive steps you can take to protect your property from termites.
1. Reduce contact between wood & soil
The only parts of your home that should be in contact with the soil are the concrete foundations. If you have crawlspaces under your home, line it with a vapor barrier to help reduce moisture in the subfloor and floor joists. Do not leave wood or bags of mulch piled against the side of your home. For termites, these are tasty treats that encourage them to move in on your property.
2. Repair the roof
Broken roof tiles allow moisture to build up in your roof, which attracts termites. They also create breaks in the tile barrier, allowing termites to enter your home. Inspect your roof regularly. If you notice any broken tiles, have them replaced right away.
3. Close windows & doors
In Waterloo, IL, termites usually swarm during the spring. During swarming season, termites can fly, even though they are earth-bound during the rest of the year. In spring, try to keep your windows and doors closed to prevent termites flying into your home.
4. Move wooden furniture away from walls
If you have a termite infestation in your walls, the annoying little critters will make straight for any sources of wood they can find. That includes wooden antiques and furniture. Keep these precious items away from the walls to limit termites’ access to them.
5. Regularly inspect your home
The first signs of a termite infestation usually appear on wooden skirting boards or wooden siding. Check these parts of your home regularly for signs of a pest problem, which include small holes in the wood. If you spot the telltale signs, it’s time to call in the exterminators.
6. Contact a pest control company
The best way to put a foolproof termite prevention strategy in place is to work with a pest control company. Exterminators are not only experts on termite removal, but also on termite prevention. They can let you know what termite control steps to put in place to prevent a termite infestation.
For help preventing or dealing with a termite infestation in your home in Waterloo, IL, call Imel Pest Control today.
When Are Mosquitoes Most Active in O’Fallon, IL? How Can I Prevent Them?
Just as winter gives way to spring and O’Fallon, IL residents are ready to enjoy the sun, mosquitoes seem to get the same idea. Nothing interrupts a pleasant morning walk or a quiet evening lounging on your deck quite like mosquitoes, whose bites not only cause an unpleasant allergic reaction but can also carry a variety of dangerous illnesses. Here’s everything you need to know about mosquito season and what you can do to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.
What Time of Year Do Mosquitoes Come Out?
Mosquitoes don’t like being exposed to temperatures below about 50 degrees, so they are unlikely to be a problem in the earliest days of spring. However, as temperatures begin climbing, so does mosquito activity. O’Fallon IL residents can expect to begin experiencing problems with these pests starting in early April.
What Time of Day Are Mosquitoes Most Active?
The time of day that mosquitoes are the most active depends largely on their species. Some in the genus Aedes, which includes many mosquitoes that are the biggest nuisance to humans, are most active in the morning and late afternoon. Others, such as those in the genus Culex, are mostly active at night.
Mosquito Prevention
Fortunately, mosquitoes stay pretty close to their home; they don’t cruise for miles looking for someone to bite. This means that if you are being swarmed by mosquitoes every time you go outdoors, those mosquitoes most likely live right in your yard. If you can cut down on their population, you can significantly reduce your overall exposure to them.
First, take a look around your yard. If your lawn doesn’t drain correctly and you tend to have standing water in places, this will attract mosquitoes. Water features, especially those that don’t have moving water, can also provide breeding grounds for the pests. There are treatments available for ornamental ponds and pools that will make the water unattractive to female mosquitoes who are looking for a place to lay their eggs. Additionally, you should eliminate any standing water on your property, such as the water that collects in clogged gutters, in garbage cans, or underneath outdoor dripping faucets.
After you’ve taken care of the places that are most likely to draw mosquitoes, you can work on destroying the mosquitoes that are already residing on your property. At Imel Pest Control, we treat for a wide variety of pests, including mosquitoes. Contact us today to learn more about the services we provide or to schedule your consultation.
Pests that love summer heat in Edwardsville, IL
Whether you live or go to school in the Edwardsville, IL area, you know that summer means high temps, days at the pool and a litany of fun activities. However, it’s not all fun and games for Midwesterners as the season heats up. While this area can be great for float trips and all types of summer enjoyment, it’s also a time for many pests to play as well. However, how do you limit pests while maximizing the fun you have this year. Well, the first step is becoming familiar with the enemy. Here are the pests you should look out for as the weather heats up and what you can do to limit your exposure!
Mosquitoes
When it comes to summer pests, there are few more feared than the dreaded mosquito. Not only do mosquito bites cause itching, but they can also spread serious illnesses that will have you worrying about a whole other problem.
While your municipality likely treats for mosquitoes, you may still see them in numbers this season. To prevent mosquitoes, limit any standing water around your home, as this is a breeding ground for the insect. Additionally, store-bought bug sprays, fly paper or citronella candles may help protect you while enjoying time outside.
Stinging Insects
The summer brings an unending onslaught of stinging insects to worry about. Whether it’s carpenter bees that bore holes in your wood deck or wasps that build nests underneath ledges, limiting nesting areas will also limit untimely meetings right outside of your front door.
To limit stinging insects, you can pick up a few cans of wasp and hornet killer at many stores and inspect your home for nests. You may find nests in garages and sheds, in trees, underneath ledges, inside wood surfaces, etc. You can also call a professional to ensure your completely protected if the problem is severe.
Ants
Ants are extremely active in the summertime, and if you aren’t careful, you’ll be warding them offer all season long. Ants love to find their way inside your home looking for food and anything they can carry away to their nest.
However, it may be easier than you think you eliminate these pests. Take a walk around the perimeter of your home to spot any nests that are close to your foundation. Next, be sure to keep trash and food sealed at all times, so as not to attract any hungry ants into your home.
Flies
Flies are another unfortunate part of the summer months, and they come in all shapes and sizes. From the tiniest of fruit flies to the dreaded horsefly, you’ll want to be sure you keep doors and windows closed and a fly swatter handy.
Limiting flies can be trickier because it’s difficult to know where they’re coming from. However, the best thing you can do is keep your home clean. Fruit flies are attracted to decaying fruit while common houseflies feed on garbage and filth. Keep it clean to limit these guys.
Ticks
If you live near a wood area, you’ll no doubt have your run-ins with ticks this season. Ticks live in piles of dead leaves and other wood areas, waiting to hop onto their next victim. Many times this is in the form of a dog or pet or someone that’s hiking or working in the woods.
Ticks can cause serious illness, so it’s best to give yourself a thorough inspection anytime you’ve been in the woods are somewhere that ticks like to hide. Additionally, be sure to treat your dog with tick and flea control medicine to ensure unwanted visitors aren’t hitching a ride right into your home!
Termites
Last, but certainly not least is the termite. Also very active during the summer months, this is the time when termites are foraging for food and working to build up their colonies. This desire for progress leads them right to your home to snack on the studs in your walls.
With termites, you’ll want to limit anything close to the home that could serve as an access point such as piles of logs, brush or other detritus material. Additionally, it’s important to seek the help of a termite professional, as termite infestations can cost you thousands in structural repairs – prevention is certainly the better option here.
