Those Pesky Ants
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Those Pesky Ants

Growing up, I lived in a sprawling farmhouse in the country. This beautiful home was constantly filled with the sounds of laughter and the smells of delectable food being prepared in the kitchen. Unfortunately, our home was often invaded by some unwanted guests, ants. Pesky ants would welcome themselves into our living room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms. One night, I crawled into my bed only to discover I wasn’t alone. Ants had somehow climbed onto my bed! These destructive ants even ate holes in some of the clothing hanging in my closet. Is your home filled with unwanted, biting ants? On this blog, you will discover the latest methods pest control specialists use to rid homes of pesky ants.

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Those Pesky Ants

5 Things You Must Know About Termites

Logan Watson

Termites in the home can be devastating, as they can quickly cause major structural damage that is expensive to repair. There are some things you need to know about these pests so that you can better protect your home. 

1. Moisture Invites Termites

Termites need more than just wood fibers to survive — they also need moisture. Maintaining a dry environment around and beneath your home is a key technique in the battle against termites. Make sure crawlspaces are well ventilated and kept dry, for example, and avoid any moisture leaks from outdoor faucets or other water lines near the home. Gutters on the roof should be set up to route moisture as far from the foundation as possible.

2. Termites Eat More Than Wood

The pests aren't just drawn to the wooden components of your home. Termites will eat anything that contains cellulose, which is naturally found in wood but can also be present in other plants, as well as objects like old newspapers and wallboard. Keep garden and landscape plants well away from a home's foundation, and never store any type of paper or other cellulose-containing items near your home's foundation.

3. Any Wood Contact Is a Risk

An inspection zone must be maintained around the foundation of your home. This is an area free of wood items that can attract termites, as well as free from anything that could prevent a termite exterminator from closely inspecting the foundation for pests. Siding should not be in contact with the soil, for example. Thick layers of mulch mustn't rest against the foundation, and you don't want trellises or similar wooden items connecting the wall of the home to the soil below. 

4. Additions Can Pose a Risk

Any addition built onto the home can pose a termite risk, whether it is a wood deck or a whole new room. A termite barrier should be installed between wooden addition components and the walls of the main home. Further, termite soil drenches or similar prevention products should be installed around the addition as well as around the main home. 

5. Treatments Don't Last Forever

A termite treatment isn't a one-and-done proposition. One of the most common treatments is a soil drench, which is a chemical barrier that is trenched into the soil perimeter around your home. Over time, this barrier may need to be renewed. Digging and planting near the foundation can disturb the barrier, providing an entrance point for termites. Yard flooding can also flush out a soil drench barrier. For these reasons, it's important to schedule annual termite inspections and have your barrier checked. 

Contact a termite control service if you have more questions about these destructive pests.


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