There are a number of different insects that can plague homeowners around the Virginia Beach area. It is important to be aware of the different insects and the signs of an infestations so that you can identify any issues before they become too serious. Here are five different insects and signs that they may be an issue. Fire Ants There are fire ants in Virginia Beach. Fire ants are actually a growing problem in the area. They can cause issues because they have painful bites and will swarm and bite pets or children. You may first notice these when someone in your family is bitten, but you can also keep an eye out for their mounds. These will appear like sand and can be up to a foot high and eighteen inches across. Unlike other ant mounds, you will not see a hole in the top of the mound. Cockroaches Cockroaches can be an issue throughout the year. You may first notice that you have cockroaches if you see one scurry out of site when you flip on the light in your kitchen. Cockroaches are usually nocturnal, so you may not notice them until an infestation has set in. You may notice droppings which look similar to ground pepper flakes. You may also notice egg casings around your home. If the infestation is serious, you may also notice a distinct odor. Termites Termites are not dangerous to people. However, they can cause serious damage to your home. Termites tend to swarm in the spring to start new colonies. You may also notice piles of discarded wings at this time. Other signs of termites include seeing narrow tubes of mud along your foundation, hollow sounding wood and damage to the wood in your home. You will see long grooves in the wood. Mosquitoes Mosquitoes are an issue from the spring into the fall. They can spread a number of different illnesses. You will likely notice mosquitoes when you are outside and being bitten. The best way to deal with the mosquitoes is to address the standing water in your yard and schedule regular treatments. Wearing insect repellent can also help. Ticks Ticks are a problem throughout Virginia. They can make you quite sick by spreading Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These illnesses all need to be treated with antibiotics. You should check yourself and your pets for ticks on a regular basis.
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4/18/2018 0 Comments 5 Things That Attract RodentsNo one wants any to have to deal with a rodent infestation. Rodents carry a number of diseases and can quickly wreak havoc on your home causing damage and spreading germs and bacteria through your home. Understanding what attracts them can help you prevent rodents. Here are five things that can attract rodents to your home. Trash One thing that will attract rodents is strong smells, like those that are in your trash can. There are a few ways that you can address the trash in and around your home. The first is inside of your home. Keep the trash in your kitchen covered at all times. Be sure to take it out each evening. This will prevent the rodents from coming in. It is just as important to be sure that the trash outside is covered and sealed tightly. This will prevent rodents from hanging out around the home. Food Sealing your food will help with the smells that will attract rodents. Invest in airtight containers and put your food there instead of in the original packaging. This has the added benefit of protecting the food from other pests like cockroaches and ants that may be looking for easy access to the food. Water Rodents need easy access to water. Be sure that you do not have any leaks anywhere in your home. Additionally, leaks can weaken the structure of your home, and make it easier for the rodents to chew through the floor or surrounding wall to make an easy access point to your home. It is important to regularly check on these areas to make sure that you do not have issues. Easy Access It is also important to check other areas of your home that may be giving the rodents easy access into your home. Tree limbs that are hanging over your roof, or holes in the eaves of your attic or around your foundation. Any place where wires or pipes or vents enter or exit your home can serve as an easy access point for the rodents to come into your home. Be sure to check these areas on a regular basis. Past Infestations Past infestations can attract rodents to your home in a few different ways. The entry points and inside tunnels can make it easy for new rodents to find their way inside of your home. Another issue is that the smell that they leave behind with their urine and nests can attract other rodents to your home. It is important to clean up all areas that they may have been with bleach to protect yourself and your family from future infestations. Many people hear the word termites and immediately have their hearts sink. Termites are considered a pest in large part because of the extensive damage that they can do to a property in a short amount of time. The cost of repairs and treatments can add up quickly, but it is also important to remember that termites actually perform an important function in the ecosystem. Break Down Old Wood into Soil One of the biggest benefits that termites have on the environment is the ability to break down the dead wood into soil. As termites eat the wood, they break it back down into soil so that it can be used to help other plants to grow. The termites can not only deal with the wood that you see above the ground, but can also help to clear out the roots that are underground that you do not see. If they did not do this, then there would be issues with the amount of wood around the world. Aerate the Soil The tunnels that the subterranean termites build actually help with aerating the soil. This is important because it addresses soil compactness, which can make it easier for plants to take root and grow. Aeration makes it easier for water and nutrients to reach all parts of the soil which helps the plants to grow overall. Help with Drainage In dry areas, the termites that tunnel can also make it easier for water to drain when it rains instead of causing floods. It can also limit the amount of soil erosion in these areas because the water is able to drain properly. Protecting Your Home While termites have benefits for the environment, this does not mean that you want them on your property. You can combat this by making sure you that do things to protect your home. Understanding things that can attract termites can help you to stop termites from coming onto your property and possibly damaging your home. The biggest step that you can take is to remove dead wood from your property. Check for rotting or sick trees. Avoid using wood mulch around your property since termites like to feed on that. Clearing out leaf debris can also protect your home. Another thing you may want to do is to address your crawlspace to be sure that it is well ventilated and sealed completely so that it does not attract termites or other insects. 4/6/2018 0 Comments Termite FAQTermites are a common problem throughout the country. They can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home in just a few months, and can cause issues throughout your home. Termites are spread throughout the world and there are number of different types of termites. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about termites. Can I Stop Termite from Getting in My Home? There are steps that you can take to stop termites from getting into your home. The first is just to keep your home in good repair. If your home is well sealed and does not have any areas with moist wood, you make it harder for termites to come in. Check your roof and crawlspace for weak areas. Look at the vents in your home and be sure that a grate is installed to keep the termites out of your home. What Happens to My Property After I Get Termites? When you find out that you have termites, you may be panicked at what it does to your property value. Once you treat the home for termites, and make the repairs, then your home should return to its previous value. You will need to continue to monitor your home and possibly have continued treatments. There are a few more steps to preparing to sell your home after termites. You will need to keep copies of the receipts for treatment and repairs to show they buyer when you sell your home. How Many Types of Termites Are in the United States? There are three main types of termites, subterranean, dampwood and drywood. Within those types are subspecies of termites. In the United States there are about forty-five different subspecies of active termites. In the world there are more than 2,000 different subspecies that have been identified. Termites tend to be active in specific regions, and it is important to know the types in your area so you can watch for signs of them. How Can I Tell if Termites are on My Property? There are signs of termites that you may see around your property including dead wood that has signs of damage. Mud tubes on your foundation or termite mounds depending on where you live. There are monitoring systems that you can install that you can check regularly to see if you have any termite activity on your property. If you detect termites, you can begin treatment. Can I Treat Termites on My Own? There are termite treatments that are available at the stores, but because termites can just move to another section of your home if disturbed but not treated completely, it is best to have treatments done professionally. This way you can be sure that the termites are completely eliminated and that any damage that they may do to your home is stopped. |
AuthorEcoTek pest control blog manager Archives
April 2018
Rodent Control
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