Springtime in Cincinnati doesn’t only mean the start to the baseball season, well not yet this year, but it’s also the time that we see overwintering pest reemerge. Check out our newsletter to find out what’s new with Sure Thing this spring but also what we’re expecting to see pest and termite wise in Cincinnati.
Click the picture above to see all pages of your Spring Pest Control newsletter.
Springtime in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky brings warming temperatures, blooming flowers, outdoor sports, and gardening! This is also the time that a lot of homeowners realize they have a termite infestation.
Why worry about Termites?
Termites in Cincinnati are a sneaky and destructive insect. They have been compared to a silent wrecking crew because of the amount of serious damage they can cause. Each year, termites cause about $5 billion worth of damage and treatment cost in the United States. This damage can add up to thousands and typically isn’t covered by homeowner’s insurance. Additionally, termites and termite damage can cause serious problems when you go to sell or purchase a home which we’ll discuss in a later blog post.
What are the warning signs of Termites?
The first obvious signs of a termite issue are mud tubes (shelter tubes). These tubes are about the width of a pencil but can be as wide as a sheet of paper. Termites in Cincinnati build shelter tubes because they don’t have a hard exoskeleton like ants so they need something to protect them from the elements when they leave the soil. Not seeing shelter tubes? See the 2nd picture below.
The next sign you want to look for our wings. When termites swarm (the next generation) they shed their wings and then try to go back into the soil to form their own new colony. If you have a swarm inside your home, you’ll typically find thousands of wings by a door or window as they’re going to the light to get back outdoors. See the 3rd picture below.
The last visual sign is mud on walls or the floor, termites don’t know which way is up, down, left or right so they’ll end up poking out of the wall or floor and then place some mud over this area to seal the hole. See the 1st picture below.
See any of the signs mentioned above or pictured below reach out to us at 513-247-0030 or sales@surethingpc.com to get your termite issues solved with the Sure Cure. Not seeing any of the signs mentioned above but still worried about termites don’t hesitate to reach out for a termite inspection.
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t start thinking about mosquitoes until your outside and you get a red itchy welt on your skin letting you know the mosquitoes are out. While mosquito season is usually associated with hot summer months, that’s typically the peak of the season. Mosquito season actually begins much earlier than the hot summer months and goes through fall.
So When does Mosquito Season Start?
There are a couple of different factors that go into mosquitoes emerging such as the species and temperature. 
Some mosquito species will hibernate during the winter months and re-emerge when the warmer weather begins, while other species will hatch in spring from eggs previously laid in the fall. Generally, mosquito activity will begin once we have a couple of days when the temperature reaches 50° F. As the temperatures continue to rise, the mosquito population will also increase. This is why in the peak of the hot summer months we see the most mosquito activity.
As you could expect the warmer the climate the earlier and longer the mosquito season. Luckily for us in the Midwest, we have a pretty mild mosquito unlike some other regions like Florida, Texas, and parts of California. Our mosquito season generally starts mid to late April but this can vary year to year depending on the environmental conditions.
Got questions about mosquitoes or the mosquito season? Reach out to us at Help@surethingpc.com or give us a call at 513-247-0030.
Sure Thing Pest Control will continue operating with normal business hours providing essential pest management in people’s homes and businesses in addition to major commercial operations such as healthcare facilities, food processing facilities and more.
Pest control professionals are responsible for protecting against rodents, insects, arachnids and other animals that can damage property and threaten people’s health through the spread of disease and bacteria, in addition to inflicting painful bites, allergic reactions, and even death.
Our number one priority is everyone’s health and safety. We are following CDC, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure our clients and employees remain healthy and safe. Our leadership team has implemented additional measures for our technicians and office staff to limit interactions, keeping a 6′ distance from other individuals, and added cleaning protocols throughout the day. Additionally, we are screening our employees and have encouraged our employees to stay home if they are not well.
We recognize the effect of the situation on our families, clients, and communities. Our thoughts are with all who are sick and we are grateful for the first responders and healthcare workers caring for those in need.
As things change we will continue to keep our clients updated with any additional information that pertains to our industry as it becomes available.
Please see our other blog posts for additional details about our service adjustments and other information pertaining to Covid-19.
If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via phone at 513-247-0030 or help@SureThingPC.com.
Please stay safe, wash your hands, practice good hygiene, and social distancing.
Thanks,
Glenn Scherzinger and Jerry Zapf
Dear Clients:
As an organization, we are taking additionals measures recommended by the CDC and our local government to ensure we are providing the best level of protection for both our clients and employees while still providing the quality of service you have come to expect for us.
We want you to know
We want you to know we are doing everything we can to protect your safety, health, and peace during this difficult unprecedented time. We don’t recommend canceling or postponing any service as insects and rodents can still enter into your home and business.
Something to keep in mind is that just because your business is unoccupied doesn’t mean that insects and rodents are going to postpone invading your building. If anything they’re more likely to do so without anyone there. If your business has any adjusted hours please let us know.
If you have any questions or concerns about any pest issues or our Covid-19 protocol please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email at sales@surethingpc.com or phone at 513.247.0030.
We will all get through this time together!
Thanks,
The Sure Thing Team!
Dear Clients:
We would like to thank you for entrusting Sure Thing Pest Control with the health and wellbeing of your homes and businesses. As we work together as a community and nation to better understand and mitigate the spread of the novel Coronavirus, we are all being asked to adhere to new guidelines and to do our best to practice social distancing.
Please know that as protectors of public health, food, and property, we take our role in safeguarding your quality of life very seriously. Pest control professionals are responsible for protecting against rodents, insects, arachnids and other animals that can damage property and threaten people’s health through the spread of disease and bacteria, in addition to inflicting painful bites and allergic reactions. Our critical services extend into people’s homes and businesses, as well as major commercial operations such as healthcare facilities, food processing facilities and more.
We strongly encourage everyone to follow the advice set forth by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our government leaders. As an organization, we are taking additional measures recommended by the CDC and our organization to ensure we provide the best level of protection for both our clients and our employees.
This letter also serves to inform you that as of March 16, 2020, Sure Thing will be operating as normal but with limited interior services where we can to practice social distancing.
If you have questions about your routine service or are experiencing a pest control problem please call 513-247-0030 or help@SureThingPC.com. We will do our best to provide you with the level of service and satisfaction you’ve come to expect from Sure Thing Pest Control.
Thank you again for your continued trust and we wish you safety, health, and peace during this difficult and unprecedented time. We will all get through this together.
Sincerely,
Glenn Scherzinger and Jerry Zapf
Cockroaches are resilient and resourceful pests. They are skilled at getting into homes through very small breaches and generally spend their time out of sight. They are also capable of living in a variety of environments. If your home is one of the environments where cockroaches have set up residence then you are likely looking for a way to get rid of them. They can be difficult to eradicate but you can be successful by combining professional intervention with consistent cleaning and proper home maintenance.
Bring in professional help
There are a variety of DIY options out there for treating cockroaches. You can see an example of the options available by visiting the pest control section of your local hardware store. You can kill off some of the cockroaches in your home with these methods. But, it is extremely difficult to fully eradicate a cockroach infestation on your own. These pests can get into the deepest, darkest nooks and crannies of your house. Many DIY methods come up short when it comes to killing off all of the roaches. Bringing in professional help will allow you to fully eradicate the infestation. A pest control professional will have the tools and expertise to completely get rid of a cockroach infestation.
Keep things clean
As a part of the process of eradicating a cockroach infestation you need to look at the condition of your house. If you have clutter lying around it can give cockroaches easy places to hide and move around. Overflowing garbage, spills, and dishes sitting around can provide cockroaches with food to eat. Take an honest look at the condition of your home and determine if you need to tidy up. Getting things in order can help you ensure that the cockroaches are gone and aide in preventing a re-infestation.
Catch up on home maintenance
Catching up on your home maintenance tasks can help you with the process of eradicating cockroaches. Check for areas within your home that have leaking water. Cockroaches are attracted to damp areas so it is important to address any leaks and subsequent damage caused by water. Cockroaches can squeeze into your house through small breaches. Check the perimeter of your home for cracks, shrinking caulk, or damaged weather stripping that may allow cockroaches inside. Make repairs to these areas as a part of your eradication process.
You can get rid of a cockroach infestation quickly by bringing in professional help. A top notch pest control professional will be able to effectively eradicate the infestation and provide you with a guarantee. You can maximize your chances of eradicating cockroaches and keeping them away by taking care of your house inside and out. Cockroaches can be difficult to get rid of but not impossible-with the right help.
Spiders are common in Cincinnati and throughout Ohio. There are many different types of spiders that call Cincinnati home. The majority of the spiders you will find here are harmless to humans. But, you can find some types of spiders living in Cincinnati that pose a threat to people. It is good to know what types of spiders are common to this area so you can keep an eye out for the ones that can pose a threat to you and your family. Even if you only encounter harmless spiders you probably don’t want to share your house with them. Eradicating spiders from your home is a simple process that you can bundle with your other pest control efforts.
Types of spiders in Cincinnati
If you are concerned about dangerous spiders in Cincinnati two types you need to keep an eye out for are the brown recluse and the black widow. Both of these spiders can cause serious harm to humans with their bite. As suggested by their names, these two spiders have different coloring from one another. There are harmless spiders in Cincinnati that can be easy to confuse with these dangerous ones. Other examples of spiders you will find in Cincinnati include the grass spider, barn orb weaver, banded sac spider, wolf spider, and crab spider-to name a few. If you are interested in learning in more detail about the spiders you may find in Ohio, check out this field guide on the topic. You can spend some time learning the details about properly identifying these spiders to differentiate between which ones are harmless/harmful or you can take steps to keep all the spiders out of your home.
Eradicating spiders from your home
The spiders in your Cincinnati home are most likely harmless. But, that does not mean you should accept their presence inside your house. Spider webs in the corners and under furniture can make your home look unkempt. Seeing a spider scuttle across your floor or crawl on your counter top can cause stress and fear. If you want to get rid of spiders the quickest way to do it is with the help of a pest control professional. A pest control expert will know how to find the areas where spiders like to hang out and take the appropriate steps to eradicate them.
The sight of a spider in your house can be disturbing-even if you know that the spider is not dangerous. Spiders are common in Cincinnati which means the possibility of finding them in your home is very real. You can get and keep spiders out of your house with the help of a pest control professional. The pest control company you choose for regularly scheduled services can treat for spiders at the same time they come in and treat for other types of pests.
No homeowner wants to have a cockroach problem. These nasty pests can cause real issues. Cockroaches travel through all types of filth and waste picking up traces of it on their legs and bodies. They can then transfer the bacteria they carry around to the surfaces of your house-like your kitchen counters. In addition, cockroaches can get into your food supply and contaminate it. They can spread disease to you and your family in this way. Cockroaches can also cause trouble for people with breathing problems. Their excrement and carcasses can pollute the air and be problematic for certain people. Cockroaches have the potential to cause you harm which makes it important to watch closely for signs that you might have an infestation.
Seeing a cockroach
The most obvious sign of a cockroach infestation is actually seeing a cockroach. There are many different types of cockroaches in the world. They can differ in size and coloring. But, all cockroaches can be identified by their general shape and body features. Their body features include long antennae, chewing mouthparts, six legs, and a shield-shaped structure on the top of their bodies. If you see one it is almost always an indication that an infestation is present. Cockroaches prefer to remain unseen-hiding in the dark and behind clutter. When you see one it is highly likely that it has friends nearby in the shadows. If you see one or two cockroaches it might be tempting to convince yourself that there is not a bigger issue-especially if you caught and killed the cockroaches you encountered. Don’t be fooled, one cockroach sighting is almost always the clearest sign that you have a cockroach problem.
Finding evidence of cockroaches
Cockroaches leave behind evidence of their presence-even if you do not actually see one scurrying around. Seeing small droppings in drawers or the backs of cabinets can indicate a cockroach infestation. It can be difficult to differentiate between roach droppings and other types of pest droppings. You can take a little time and learn how to identify the different types of pest droppings or you can simply call in help when you find evidence of any type of pest. Roach carcasses are another sign that you may have an issue. A dead roach is definitely the only type you want to see in your house. But, roach carcasses in your house can be an indication that there is an active infestation.
Seeing a cockroach or discovering signs of their presence should prompt you to call a pest control professional. The threat that these pests pose to your health makes quick action essential. Do not risk having your food supply and surfaces in your home contaminated because of a cockroach problem.
Termite damage can be far reaching. These pests often eat away at the structural wood of your home. This can lead to structural issues that compromise the integrity of your house. If left unchecked, termite damage can leave you with extensive repairs that are expensive to address. You can minimize the treat of termite damage by learning how to spot the signs of activity. You can spot signs of termite activity and damage by looking for mud tubes, inspecting the wood around your home, and getting a professional termite inspection.
Look for mud tubes
Termites build mud tubes to travel back and forth between the colony and their food supply. The mud tubes serve to protect them so they can move around without encountering threats on the way. Another function of the mud tubes is to keep the termites in close contact with moisture. Subterranean termites tend to build their colonies in or near moisture rich soil. This provides them with the moisture they need to survive. The mud tubes are built as a highway of sorts between the moisture rich soil and the wood the termites eat on. This makes it easy for the termites to return quickly to the soil whenever they need to. You can look for mud tubes under your house or along the foundation perimeter.
Inspect the wood around your home
There are certain areas around your home that you can inspect for signs of termite damage. If you have access to a crawlspace under your house then you can take a look at some of the foundational wood. That is often the first place that you will see signs of termite activity. Wood that has been damaged by termites can have a wavy appearance, have spots that have clearly been eaten away, or sound hollow when tapped on. The other area of your house that you should inspect for termite damage is the framing around your windows and doors. These areas are almost always constructed of wood no matter what types of other materials are used for the home. Check each of these areas for the same type of damage you look for under your house.
Get a professional termite inspection
The most effective way to spot termite damage is to hire a professional to spot it for you. A professional termite inspection can provide you with a lot of information about the condition of your house. You will learn if there is a current infestation, signs of damage, and signs of previous treatment. All of this information is then used to determine the best course of treatment to eradicate the termites.
Spotting termite damage early can minimize the extent of the damage. If you see any signs of activity when you inspect the wood of your home, take quick action to eradicate the issue. Bring in professional help to have the best chance of catching termite activity in the early stages. If you do discover a termite infestation the most effective course of action is to bring in a pest control professional.
