insect control Archives - IMEL PEST CONTROL
Fly Protection and Prevention for Homes in Highland IL
Flies are a nuisance and will not let you have your meals in peace. Other than that, studies reveal that they carry a plethora of bacteria that can cause illness ranging from respiratory diseases to food poisoning. Most often these tiny insects collect near trash cans, bins or entrances to homes and eateries or restaurants. They are also troublesome, especially when around food areas, and there is a need to control them. Below are the fly protection and prevention tips to keep these pests at bay in Highland, IL.
Protect your loved ones
Some people may have a strong immune system, but others are susceptible and may not respond fast to fighting off infections. Most often, you will find small kids and infants, have a weak immune system, and exposure to contaminated food can cause a health menace. Flies carry over 200 species of bacteria that you can avoid with proper fly prevention and protection. Well, that is a documented truth and who knows, as research is still being carried out, there could be tens of others! With this kind of figures, you surely do not want these insects anywhere around your home; just one fly is enough to contaminate your food.
Flies can spread germs from afar
Flies are mobile and move from place to place. Any pest control program should be a daily battle because you never know when or where they are going to strike. Experts believe that these small insects can even travel 10 miles. Quite thoughtful, and this means they can spread germs between places wide apart.
They like dirt
These insects feeding preference is a nuisance since they are attracted to trash, garbage, and waste. Therefore if you must have an insect control program, you need to destroy their preference places. When in contact with food material, they secrete saliva, which spreads pathogens or disease-causing organisms.
They can embarrass you
Imagine hosting visitors with flies all over. It can be quite embarrassing, and your guests may have a negative opinion of you in regards to maintaining a clean surrounding. However with amazing fly protection and prevention, and you will be in the clear.
It is critical that you keep your outdoors clean to keep off flies and the plethora of disease-causing organisms that come along with these insects. You should have a waste disposal system that locks in bad smell. You should also put in place hygienic methods of food, preparation, and storage. Protect your loved ones from harm resulting from flies coming into contact with food by having a reliable insect control program.
Ant Control in Your Home
With warmer weather comes the inevitable influx of uninvited creepy crawlers that most Granite City, IL, homeowners would prefer to never see again, including ants. Now the number one urban pest in the United States according to the University of Illinois, ants can become a big nuisance once they find their way inside the home.
When it comes to ant control, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; keeping them from invading the home is preferable to dealing with an ant infestation. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to prevent ants from gaining a foothold. Let’s review what homeowners to keep their homes from becoming havens for these pesky little boogers.
Eliminate Food Sources Helps With Ant Removal
Ant colonies send out scouts, which are lone ants whose only mission is to find food for their comrades. Watch for scout ants, and if you see one, be on alert because that number may increase exponentially in just a short while. Eliminate any potential food source for scouts to find by cleaning up dishes timely, vacuuming and sweeping regularly, and wiping down food or beverage residue from surfaces. When storing food, use sealed containers.
Seal Off Entry Points
Don’t make it easy for ants to get in. Think like a scout ant and search out areas where ants might gain entry into your home. Caulking around doors and windows and in any cracks in the home’s foundation can keep ants out and prevent ant problems from escalating.
Create Confusion
Ants leave behind chemical scent trails that their buddies use to find any discovered food sources. If you have waited too long and ants have already become an issue, then removing their scent trails can help to confuse them and keep out additional members of the ant colony. If you can locate where the ants are coming in, create a vinegar and water spray to apply along the ants’ trail, which removes the scent trail and forces them to find a new way in.
If All Else Fails
If removing potential food sources, exclusion and eliminating scent trails doesn’t work, it may be time to reach out to a Granite City, IL, pest control company. These professionals have several remedies for dealing with your ant infestation, including spray-on ant barriers that stave off scout ants and their buddies from the get-go.
Avoid Insects at your Barbecue
Nothing detracts from the fun of an outdoor summer barbecue like uninvited guests, especially if they are of the creepy, crawly, winged or slithering varieties. If your last Hardin, IL, get-together was soured by an invasion of flies, ants, gnats, mosquitoes, and other irritating critters, then there are several steps you can take to make your next outdoor event less hospitable to summer insects. Let’s run down some common ways to keep pest problems from putting a damper on your fun.
Eliminate Moisture Sources
Standing water in your backyard can draw insects—particularly mosquitoes, which choose watery areas as their breeding grounds—to the yard and cause a nuisance to you and your guests. Fill in or cover any areas where puddles may form. Look for hidden sources of moisture too, including drains and gutters that may back up with leaves and hold moisture that attracts bugs. Empty out any drip trays on outdoor planters at least weekly. If you have a birdbath, be sure to fill it with clean water on the party day.
Mow the Lawn to Avoid Insects
Adult mosquitoes are notorious for hiding in tall grass. Avoid an insect infestation by keeping your lawn cut short, being sure to mow the grass the day before your event if possible. Use a weed wacker to wack down weeds that might provide a safe harbor for mosquitoes.
Cover the Food
From watermelon to potato salad, bugs, like people, enjoy the same barbecue fare. Keep your food in lidded bowls and other containers when possible, returning the lid after each serving to eliminate the temptation by hovering insects.
Keep Trash in Check
Trash containers should have lids that fit tight; this keeps bugs out of the trash and also prevents water from getting in the container. Avoid using open-top trash cans during your barbecue, since trash from your meal provides an instant attractant to a host of different insects, including flies and ants.
Consider an Outdoor Fan
Make it hard for insects to fly near your eating area or picnic table with a good outdoor fan. As a bonus, this also helps keep guests cool while they nosh on burgers and brats.
Think About DIY Pest Control
There are several DIY pest control solutions for keeping insect chaos from ruining your barbecue. Make a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar to spray on areas where ants frolic. Use pest-repelling geraniums as table centerpieces, and deck out your party area with citronella candles or tiki torches filled with citronella.
