So, you’ve sent the kids off to prep school or college. You’ve taught them life skills like independence and how to get along with (and manage conflict with) all kinds of people in their dorm. But have you prepared them for the worst roommates of all?
Bed bugs are tiny insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals, leaving behind multiple itchy bites. Bed bugs spread rapidly and are notoriously difficult to eliminate. And they really seem to love campus life.
When it comes to common pests found in East End homes at this time of year, seeing a few house ants may seem like no big deal. They don’t bite and they won’t chew through your walls. They’re easy to dismiss or ignore. But are they really as harmless as they might seem?
The problem with ants is that where there are one or two, there are almost certainly dozens more – possibly hundreds – hidden from view. Odorous house ants are one of the species that you may encounter in late spring and early summer. Less than an eighth of an inch long, odorous house ants are black or brown, and have an oddly shaped mid-section. Their most noticeable trait is that, when crushed, they emit a highly unpleasant scent (often likened to that of rotting coconut) hence their name.
Purchasing a home is stressful enough. No one wants to find unpleasant surprises after closing the sale and taking possession of the keys.
That is why a home inspection – specifically a termite inspection by a pest control professional – is so crucial. Without a thorough inspection, termite damage may go unseen and cause serious problems with the appearance and structural integrity of your home.
It’s hard to believe that tiny termites can lead to such big problems, causing more than $5 billion in damage to property each year. Their cellulose-heavy diet includes wooden materials in unprotected homes. They can chew through your wood beams, decks, floors, trims, cabinets, furniture, and more, and cost you thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.
Bed bugs are a souvenir no one wants to bring home from a trip. Recent headlines from Paris have reignited fears of encountering these blood-sucking menaces while traveling.
You don’t have to let concerns about bed bugs ruin your travel plans. There are common sense precautions you can take to protect yourself when you’re on the road, and to protect your home when you return.
No one wants to discover a rodent in their house. Mice and rats are unwelcome pests that contaminate food, carry diseases, and cause property damage. If you see a single rodent, you may wonder if there are more nearby… and if you may be dealing with an infestation.
The best prevention of an infestation is the proverbial pound of cure, so it’s wise to prevent rodents from entering your home in the first place.
It’s commonly believed that cold weather kills off insects and, once temperatures dip below freezing, bugs are no longer a problem. While you may not see many insects on an icy winter day, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re gone.
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