Category Archives: Prevention tips

Cincinnati Pest Control, Flying Insects, Pest Control, Prevention tips, Recurring Service(s), Seasonal Pest Control

The Early Invasion of Stink Bugs in Cincinnati

Over the weekend while I was out doing some work around the house, I noticed what looked to be a couple of stink bugs trying to make their way in. It seems they have already started the search for a location to overwinter. If you’ve had issues with stink bugs in the past, now is the time to start preparing and pest-proofing your home before they make their way in.

As you’ve probably noticed the days have been getting shorter and shorter which is the trigger for many insects including stink bugs, ladybugs, and boxelder bugs to begin searching for areas to overwinter in Great Cincinnati. Like your home or business! While treatment will help to greatly reduce the number of these over winter pests that make it into your home the best way to deal with them is prevention: pest-proofing your home to keep them from making their way in.

In the Cincinnati area, we have a great number of insects that try to make your home their overwintering hotel including the brown marmorated stink bug, Asian lady beetle, boxelder bug, and cluster flies just to name a few. Brown marmorated stink bugs are usually the first to start searching followed by the Asian lady beetle a few weeks later. If your home has had issues in the past than you should expect the same problem again this year.

 

You may ask, what measures should I take to prevent these overwinter pests?

Pest control treatment is a great start. At Sure Thing, we can perform a fall application to your home to prevent a large majority of the stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and other pests from making their way in. While this is a great method for greatly reducing the chances of these pests from entering your home or business some exclusions measures should also be taken to have the best results.

Another great method for stopping them before they make it into your home is to properly pest-proof your home. Here are some tips that you can do at home to reduce problems with fall insect invasions:

  1. Seal cracks around doors, windows, and dry vents with caulk. Cracks as small as 1/8” will allow some insects to fit through.
  2. Replace torn or damaged window screens.
  3. Seal openings around pipes and wires in the foundation and siding with caulk. For larger openings use expandable foam or other suitable materials.
  4. Check the seal/ weather stripping under the doors. While lying on the floor, look to see if you can see light coming from under or around the door.
  5. Adding a chimney cap to exclude Stink bugs and also other wildlife. Make sure to leave your damper closed when not in use.
  6. *Cover attic and roof vents with hardware cloth. The cloth should be 1/6 inch or smaller to exclude stink bugs*
  7. Remove window AC units if possible.
  8. Apply a residual insecticide to the exterior of the home. Treating underneath and around doors, windows, utility openings, and where there is a change of material.

What To Do Once They’re Inside

Once overwinter pests have made it inside your Cincinnati home or business, you’ll generally them in various places. They are commonly seen around chimneys, closets, window air condition units, attics, on shelves, and around windows and doors.

Once Stink bugs have already made it into your home a chemical treatment is not recommended as they are going to be in wall voids and other areas that can’t be accessed so you may still continue to find insects. Besides prevention, the best way to remove overwintering pests is simply to suck them up with a vacuum. Another great control measure in dark areas such as attics and basements is to use some variation of a light-baited/ funnel trap and soapy water traps.

 

Got Questions? Need help? Don’t want the Stink Bugs to invade your home? Feel free to reach out! We’re here to help!

Cockroaches, Cockroaches, Pest Infestation, Prevention tips

How to Get Rid of a Cockroach Infestation

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.

How to Get Rid of a Cockroach Infestation

Cincinnati Pest Control, Pest Infestation, Prevention tips, Rodents, Treatment Options

How to Get Rid of a Rodent Infestation

Rodents are pests that can cause serious issues for homeowners. If rodents get into your home they can damage your property and impact the health of your family. In order to protect your home and family you need to get rid of these pests as quickly as possible. Catching up on home maintenance, tidying up, and bringing in professional help will all work together to rid your home of a rodent infestation.

Catch up on home maintenance tasks

Catching up on home maintenance tasks is an essential part of protecting your house from rodents. Rodents can squeeze into your home through relatively small openings. In order to stop more rodents from moving in you need to close up areas that provide them with access. Take a walk around the perimeter of your home and check for breaches. Examine the eaves of your home, the attic, and the crawl space for signs of openings big enough for rodents. Seal up any breaches immediately. The other element of home maintenance you need to look at is the availability of water for the rodents. Rodents need water to survive and leaking pipes can provide them with the water they need. Check the water sources inside and around your house for any signs of a problem. Dealing with home maintenance tasks like these will help you in your efforts to get rid of a rodent infestation by taking away their access to shelter and water.

Tidy up your home

Tidying up your home can help you get rid of a rodent infestation for a couple of reasons. Rodents prefer to stay hidden and can do that in houses that are cluttered. If your home is packed full of things or stays in a state of disarray you may be providing rodents with ideal conditions. Lots of stuff lying around means plenty of places for rodents to hide. Messy spaces are also more likely to provide rodents with easy access to food. Forgotten crumbs, unwashed dishes, and overflowing trash cans are elements of a messy space that can give rodents plenty to eat. Eliminating the mess and decluttering your home are important steps toward getting rid of a rodent infestation.

Get professional treatment

The quickest and most effective way to get rid of a rodent infestation is to bring in professional help. A pest control professional will be able to use their training, experience, and tools to eradicate your rodent problem. Options for rodent control include traps and poison and will be tailored to the needs of your situation. Oftentimes a combination of traps and poison is used to effectively get rid of rodents.

Once you have eradicated rodents from your home you need to start thinking about how you will keep them away in the future. Staying on top of your home maintenance and cleaning duties will minimize your risk for future rodent infestations. You can also set your home up on regularly scheduled pest control services. Having a pest control professional treat your home for pests on a regular basis can help prevent a new infestation from occurring.

Pest Control, Prevention tips, Termites, Termites in Cincinnati

Termite Treatment Options in Cincinnati

The most effective way to deal with termites is to bring in professional help. In Cincinnati, you have a number of options when it comes to getting professional termite treatment. Two of the most effective options available in the area for eradicating termites are the Advance® Termite Baiting System and liquid Termidor® termiticide/insecticide treatment. Both of the options are effective choices for killing off active termites and protecting your home going forward.

Advance® Termite Baiting System

The Advance® Termite Baiting System provides an intelligently designed and high-quality defense against termites. This treatment option is less invasive than the typical liquid treatment options. The first step in the process of having an Advance® Termite Baiting System installed is to get a professional termite inspection. Once the infestation status of the home is determined, baiting stations are placed in the soil around the house. The locations of the baiting stations are determined by current termite activity in an area and the potential for activity in a given area. The Advance® Termite Baiting System stations are then checked regularly for signs of termites. When termites are discovered they are placed into a bait cartridge where they are exposed to termite bait. The pests feed on the bait, return to the colony, and send other termites to the bait stations. This process reduces the size of the colony in the beginning and completely kills it off over time.

Liquid Termidor® termiticide

Liquid Termidor® is an excellent termite treatment option for the people of Cincinnati and anywhere else. It has been named the #1 termite defense in America. Termidor® is undetectable to termites because they cannot see, taste, or smell it. This liquid termiticide is applied along the foundation walls or exterior perimeter of your home. Termidor® binds tightly to the soil and kills termites that come in contact with or ingest it. If a termite comes in contact with Termidor® it becomes a carrier and transfers the termiticide to others in the colony. Since termites do not die immediately upon contact they have time to spread it to others. This makes Termidor® a very effective option for fully eradicating a termite infestation.

There are additional termite treatment options on the market but the two mentioned here have proven to be the best available. Now the question is, ‘Which treatment option is right for my home in Cincinnati?’ The answer to that question depends on a number of factors including the construction of your home, the type of infestation, and your risk for developing more termite issues in the future. You and the termite professional you choose will work together to determine the option that will best address your current infestation and protect your home going forward.  

Pest Control, Prevention tips, Termites

What Should I Do if I Find Out I Have Termites?

What Should I Do if I Find Out I Have Termites?

Termites are one of the most destructive pests on the planet. A colony will eat away at the wood in your home with their scissor-like jaws 24 hours per day. The damage they do is typically to the structural wood of your home and can lead to issues with a number of important elements of your house. The costs to repair the damage caused by termites can quickly add up. The potential for damage and the costs of repairs make quick action on your part essential. If you find out there are termites in your home start the process of dealing with them immediately. They will not stop causing damage until you take steps to stop them. The first thing you need to do if you find out you have termites is to get a professional inspection. Once you have the results of the inspection the next step is to have your home treated for termites by a professional. After the termites are eradicated from your home the final step is to protect it from a re-infestation.

Get a professional inspection

A professional termite inspection will do a number of things to help you deal with termites. The inspector will be able to confirm your suspicions of an infestation and identify the areas where the termites are active. In addition, the inspector will be able to determine the severity of the infestation and potential areas of damage. As a part of the inspection the pest control professional will provide you with information about the infestation and recommendations for treatment.

Have your home treated for termites by a professional

A termite infestation is one that requires the intervention of a professional. Termites often infest areas that are out of site and out of easy reach. In order to stop termite damage you must completely eradicate the infestation. This is difficult to do and requires the expertise, training, and tools of a professional.

Protect your home from re-infestation

Once your home has been treated for termites the next step is to protect it from re-infestation. A re-infestation can happen if you do not address the conditions that led to the infestation in the first place. Subterranean termites require moisture to survive and are attracted to areas of moisture around homes. If you have any type of moisture issues around your house you need to address those to prevent termites in the future. Make sure that all of your downspouts are working properly and directing water away from your house. You can also talk to your pest control professional about their suggestions for further protecting your home.

A termite infestation is a serious issue that requires professional intervention. Protect your home from the damage termites can do by bringing in professional help as soon as you discover a problem. You can learn more about termites, treatment options, and prevention here.

Pest Control, Prevention tips

The Dos and Don’ts of Handling a Pest Problem Yourself

If you are considering trying to handle a pest problem yourself, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind as you determine your plan of action.

Do try and determine the source of the problem or infestation.

All of your efforts to get rid of pests will fall short if you fail to fix the problem that allowed the pest to enter your home in the first place. There are a few key factors that may be attracting and allowing pests in your home.

Shrubbery, firewood, and other items up against your house

If you have items that are close to or touching your house those could be the source of your problem. Shrubbery that touches the house can hold in moisture and create an environment that attracts bugs. Cut back any shrubbery that is touching the house to insure that is not the source of the problems.

Wood and other items stored against the house can attract pests as well. Firewood stored against the house can attract carpenter ants that can transfer from the wood into your home. Remove any items that are against your house to a different storage location to keep from housing pests that can easily transfer into your home.

Improper soil levels against the house

When the soil level against the house is too high, it can lead to pest problems. An overabundance of soil against your house can hold in moisture and become a home to all sorts of bugs and pests. In addition, the moisture can cause decay on your home-especially if you have siding. The wrong soil levels can also lead to flooding and water damage on the inside of your home. This is an issue that needs to be addressed whether or not it is the source of your pest problem.

Gaps around windows, doors, and crawl spaces

Check all the seals around your house for gaps that may allow pests to get in. Windows and doors are a good first place to start. You should also check around your foundation, in the crawl space, and attic for any possible breeches. A little caulk may be all you need to seal up the breech and prevent another pest infestation.

Don’t take on more than you can handle.

There are some pest problems that require more than a once over with an insecticide you bought at the hardware store. Some pests can do major damage to your home if they are not dealt with properly. In these situations, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the steps required or simply miss an important step in the process. Sometimes the best way to handle a pest control problem is to call a professional. There are a few situations in which you should always seek the help of a pest control professional.

Termites

If you suspect termites, your best option is to call in professional help. Termites can cause major structural damage to your home. A professional will recognize the signs of termite damage and will have the knowledge to treat the infestation efficiently and properly.

Serious infestation

A serious infestation may require treatment with a higher potency insecticide that is not typically available at the local hardware store. In addition, it could end up requiring more than one treatment to completely eradicate the problem from the home. An experienced pest control company will have access to the products, tools, and knowledge necessary to handle even the most difficult pest control problems.

Commercial Pest Control Services in Cincinnati