As we enter the hot summer months, we welcome the return of insects, pollinators, and pests.
The most common paper wasp in the Northeast is the European paper wasp. They are more slender than yellow jackets, have some combination of black and yellow, brown and yellow, or black and brown striping, and have a smooth exoskeleton as opposed to a bee’s more fuzzy appearance. [Read more…]
One of the summer’s lazy pleasures is watching bees buzzing in your yard, going about their business. Not so pleasurable is finding out that some of these busy bees are busy damaging your home.
Carpenter bees are a common summertime sight on Eastern Long Island and sometimes a significant headache for homeowners. These destructive pests can do a shocking amount of damage to your home and other wood structures. [Read more…]
Squirrels are the most visible rodent on Long Island and arguably, the cutest. Or at least they’re cute until they get into your attic or walls. Still, there’s much more to these bushy-tailed rodents than you might think.
Yes, the Southern flying squirrel lives on Long Island, and it’s one of only two flying squirrel species native to North America. Asia has 40 native flying squirrel species, and there are only 43 species worldwide.
Despite the name, flying squirrels don’t fly as bees or birds do. Instead, they glide using a membrane between their limbs that can act as a parachute.
Squirrels flick their tails to send information to other squirrels. Twitching their tails in specific ways signals possible danger.
Squirrels can be difficult to remove, whether they’re in your attic or climbing in your chimney. Twin Forks Pest Control® has more than 20 years of experience resolving squirrel infestations. Our trained experts will rid your property of these unwanted pests. Get a free estimate by calling (631) 287-9020 if you’re in Southampton, (631) 324-9020 if you’re in Easthampton, or (631) 298-0500 if you’re in Southold.
Every spring, homeowners wonder, what is the best defense against pests? It can seem daunting, but the good news is that a few steps, which also provide additional benefits, will help prevent pests from infesting your home and property.
Ultimately, preventing pests boils down to a two-pronged approach. It would be best to have both outdoor pest control methods and indoor.
Proper grading ensures that water will flow away from the dwelling instead of pooling against the foundation, leading to cracks, wet basements, or insect infestations. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water, so get rid of any puddles or pools.
Gaps around these items can form or widen, allowing pests and vermin to enter your home, using the pipes as a sort of through-way. Use chalk to seal the gaps or pack with steel wool. Mice can’t chew through steel wool.
While doing your exterior inspection, check window and door screens for damage or holes. Check them from the inside for best results because small holes might only be visible through a closer look than you can get from the outside. A variety of insects can get through even the tiniest of tears.
After the inventory, start bagging any leaves that fell late in the season and any papers or trash. Collect broken branches and bundle them for garbage or as fireplace kindling.
Bushes and tree branches that touch the house can help insects find their way into your home. Check the species of your trees and bushes for when to cut them back but make sure to trim them all at least once a year.
Wood piles can attract termites and carpenter ants. If you have a fireplace, ensure the woodpile is at least 50 feet from the house, and the logs are stored off the ground.
The white light from typical outdoor bulbs attracts clouds of insects because of the light’s wavelength and temperature. Swap them for yellow “bug lights,” which use a less appealing part of the spectrum for insects. Motion sensor lights closest to the doors will further discourage insects from hanging around there and ducking inside when the door is open.
Backed-up rain gutters can lead to structural damage that pests can get inside. Mosquitoes can also lay eggs in water pooled in clogged gutters.
Pet doors don’t just let in your dog or cat; rodents and insects can also use the entry. Unless necessary, avoid feeding pets outside since the food will attract pests and vermin. If you have to feed pets outside, take in any leftovers as soon as they’re finished.
Remember that indoor/outdoor pets are more prone to picking up fleas, ticks, and mites. If you can’t switch them to indoor-only, consult with your veterinarian on the best options to protect your pets from such parasites.
Protecting your property from pests isn’t solely an outdoor endeavor. Steps you take indoors will also make a difference. You can do these on rainy days or when it’s still chilly instead of waiting for good weather.
Season changes are a great time for the in-depth cleaning that’s often neglected when busy. It deters insects and helps you spot any that might have already made their way inside. Clutter clearing deprives them of places to hide, too.
Preventing pests means depriving them of food, water, and shelter. When swapping winter clothing for summer, make sure everything is clean before putting it away since that untreated food stain could attract bugs.
Dirty dishes are food magnets for pests, and soaking doesn’t change that. The only thing worse than dirty dishes in a sink for attracting pests is a big pile of dirty dishes sitting there for days.
Termites love Long Island’s sandy soil, so a yearly termite inspection and treatment is essential. Tick treatments are also necessary, especially for Suffolk County residents. If your property is near woods or grasslands or has deer visits, tick treatment is essential to avoid Lyme disease.
The Twin Forks Pest Control® team is the expert in pest removal methods and preventing the return of pests. We have provided pest control for homeowners across the Eastern Long Island area for more than 20 years. Request a free estimate or call (631) 287-9020 if you’re in the Southampton area, (631) 324-9020 if you’re in the East Hampton area, or (631) 298-0500 if you’re in the Southold area.
April showers may bring May flowers, but spring rains also bring unwanted visitors into our yards and homes. Insects can cause issues at any time of the year, but you may notice significantly more flying or crawling pests when it rains. Wet weather lures some predatory insects outside into fertile hunting grounds while compelling other bugs to take shelter by invading your home. [Read more…]
You hop into bed, pull up the covers, and turn out the lights, ready to fall asleep… and then you hear it: scratch, scratch, scratch coming from inside the wall.
So much for that safe, cozy, sleepy feeling you had just a moment ago. There’s something in your wall that doesn’t belong there. So much for getting a good night’s sleep.
If you hear scratching, skittering, scampering, or any other noise in your wall, you probably have rodents or other pests in there. It is incredibly common for pests – whether insects or rodents – to find their way into the dark, closed spaces of your home, especially when the weather changes or when it is their breeding season.
You may also hear squeaking or chirping noises, and – if they’re in the walls long enough – you will smell urine, feces and eventually decomposition.
If it creeps, crawls, claws, chews, or digs… almost any pest can find its way into the walls of your home, and it’s usually not alone. Where there’s one, there will likely be more.
Mice and rats are the most common wall-scratchers, followed by squirrels, raccoons, and bats. Sometimes termites and carpenter ants cause sounds in your walls; the topic of insects in your walls will be covered in a future blog post.
Yes, a variety of pests (including rats) can chew through walls. Mice, rats, squirrels, and raccoons are known for their ability to chew their way through wood, drywall, plaster, and other building materials.
Once they’re in the wall, they live, pass waste, breed, and die there, creating a health risk for humans and pets in the household. Even more dangerous… rats and mice often chew on electrical wires – which creates a serious fire risk.
Mice or rats can be lured out of the wall, into food-baited traps. Getting rid of larger pests usually requires cutting away a section of drywall and snaring the animals with a catchpole. This type of removal is best left to a wildlife removal professional since these animals may attack when disturbed.
It is particularly ill-advised to attempt to remove raccoons. Bats are also tricky to remove, and almost always require the services of a professional who will cut out a segment of drywall and use a net to capture the unwanted visitors.
When you’re certain all pests have been removed, you will need to find out where they got in, and close up their means of entry… or they will come back.
Twin Forks Pest Control® has been eliminating pests, including those that find their way into your walls, for more than 20 years. Our trained wildlife experts will rid your property of unwanted pests, and we offer year-round protection plans so that your home stays pest-free.
At the first sign of problems, contact us for a free estimate by calling (631) 287-9020 if you’re in the Southampton region, (631) 324-9020 if you’re in or around Easthampton, or (631) 298-0500 if you’re in or around Southold. We look forward to hearing from you.
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