Pests are everywhere and are drawn to a host of common problems, including structural damage and food contamination. Common problem signs include droppings that look like coffee grounds, gnaw marks, and foul odors.
Providing an environment that’s hostile to these pests is a great way to prevent them from finding their way inside your home. This includes keeping the kitchen clean, storing food in sealed containers, and regularly removing weeds and overgrown grass. Call Columbia MO Pest Control expert today!
Mice And Rats
Rodent pests cause a host of problems, including property damage by chewing and gnawing, which can destroy wires, wood, insulation, and other materials. They can also contaminate food, creating a health hazard for people and pets who eat it. Rodents can spread several diseases and are especially dangerous for children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems.
Rodent infestations are usually difficult to detect and, once established, can be very persistent. However, they do leave clues such as droppings, gnaw marks, and tracks. The first step in controlling mice and rats is removing the food sources that attract them to structures. Store food in sealed containers, close trash cans tightly, and remove garbage regularly. Keep shrubbery, trees, and other vegetation trimmed back to prevent nesting sites. Store bird feeders in rodent-proof containers and keep compost bins covered.
Mice and rats are very good at getting into buildings, through gaps and cracks, and even through screens and vents. The best way to control them is to stop them from coming inside in the first place. Wipe down surfaces, sweep and mop floors, and empty the garbage regularly. Do not store food in the attic or basement and make sure doors, windows, and screens are in good working condition.
In addition, use tamper-resistant bait stations and traps to keep mice and rats away from buildings. These should be placed at 30 to 50-foot intervals, depending on the severity of the infestation and the proximity of the building to water sources.
Mice and rats can become a problem in homes, libraries, schools, museums, and other public institutions because they contaminate food, damage buildings, and create fire hazards by chewing electrical wiring. They can also introduce pathogens that threaten human health and the integrity of building materials.
Spiders
Spiders are usually welcome in a garden, as they help keep other pests away from vegetables and flowers. But when they get inside a home, they are an unwelcome guest. A single spider in the house shouldn’t cause alarm, but if you see many of them or have found their egg sacs, you should take action to minimize the population.
Start by identifying the type of spiders you are dealing with. Doing so will allow you to take the appropriate steps to prevent or eliminate them. Look for their webs, droppings, and nests. You may also find gnaw marks on fruits, flowers, or other items. Then look for traces of other pests, such as rodents or roaches.
Vacuuming the entire interior of your home will remove spider egg sacs and prevent their hatching. Pay special attention to areas of the eaves, crevices, and corners, and along vents and utility lines that enter the side of your home. Check for rat drippings, droppings, and nesting material. If you find any of these, make sure to seal the area.
Another thing to do is to reduce the number of harborage areas near the house. Move firewood stacks and debris away from the foundation, as well as shrubs, vines, and tree limbs that touch the structure. And install tight-fitting door sweeps and window screens to prevent entry into the house.
Next, apply a residual insecticide outside to the areas where you have identified spider access points. Sprays should be placed on the edges of doors, where gaps can be found, as well as in cracks and crevices where spiders move. However, a residual spray will be of limited effectiveness in these areas, because spiders pass through them, rubbing the pesticide on their heads and mouthparts as they go.
To further protect yourself and your loved ones, consider a natural nontoxic repellant called diatomaceous earth (DE). DE is made from fossilized remains of algae that have been broken down into silica particles. The DE has a sharp taste that is unpleasant for most insects, including spiders, which avoid it like the plague.
Ants
There are several different ways to prevent or eliminate ants and other pests without using chemicals. One of the most effective approaches is to remove the source of food, water, and shelter. Store food in sealed containers, and don’t leave garbage sitting around. Regularly wipe down counters and other surfaces to remove food crumbs, and keep indoor garbage bins tightly closed. Fix leaky plumbing, and don’t allow water to accumulate in trays under house plants or in pet bowls.
A clean house can also deter ant infestations. Sweep up food crumbs, and wipe down counters, tables, chairs, and other surfaces. Keep pet bowls and litter boxes clean, and remove trash regularly. Make sure to use a closed-top trash can, and don’t let debris pile up in the outdoor cans or your garage.
Another simple strategy is to spray a solution of equal parts vinegar and water around the edges of your home, where you see ant activity. This will kill ants and repel them from entering. However, this method is not recommended for natural stone countertops because it can damage the surface. Vinegar is also too acidic for most granite, marble, quartz, and other natural stone countertops.
If you find an ant mound in your yard, it’s important to wipe out the entire colony, as well as its scent trail. This will not only prevent ants from entering your home, but it will also discourage them from building new colonies in your yard.
Outside the home, caulk cracks and crevices, and apply a bug spray around door and window frames, to block entry from ants and other crawling insects. Spread pest barrier along foundation cracks and where pipes and electrical wires enter the home, to keep ants and other insects away from your living areas.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are wingless insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. They have flat bodies that allow them to hide in tight, secluded places. Their size, ability to survive without a blood meal, and resistance to insecticides make them one of the most difficult pests to control. Bed bugs are commonly found in hotels, apartments, and other crowded housing. They can also be transported in clothing, luggage, and secondhand furniture. Bed bug infestations can easily spread from one apartment or house to another.
Preventing or eliminating bed bugs starts with maintaining high standards of housekeeping and hygiene. Thoroughly vacuuming rugs, floors, and upholstered furniture can help prevent infestations. If possible, wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in hot water and dry them in a clothes dryer set to the hottest setting. If a household does not have an in-home laundry service, it may be helpful to use mattress and box spring covers, which are zippered casings that enclose mattresses and box springs.
Other steps include removing clutter from the floor and storing personal items in sealed plastic bags until they can be washed, vacuumed, or treated. Organizing closets and shelving, cleaning behind pictures and mirrors, and putting a child-proof cover on electrical outlets can further reduce attractive hiding spots for bed bugs.
If an infestation is detected, it’s important to treat all areas affected by the pest. Using a steamer can help kill the bugs and their eggs and prevent their return. In addition, separating and treating each room in an apartment or house can also aid in eliminating pests.
After treating the area, use a surface spray labeled for bed bug control to coat the surfaces and cracks where the insects have been living. The product may be sprayed on the tufts, seams, and folds of mattresses and box springs, as well as on upholstered furniture where they’ve been hiding. It can also be applied to the edges of baseboards, around moldings, and underneath floor coverings. Only use a surface pesticide registered for the control of bed bugs, and apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.