Bug Blog

How Do Pests Get Into My Home?

Does it seems that no matter how hard you try to seal up holes and cracks around your home, insects still find their way in? Here are some common entry points for insects like ants and spiders:

Windows

Damaged screens or seemingly tiny gaps around screens insects entry into your home. Even when windows are closed, ants or rodents can create holes that lead into the walls of your home.

Doors

Doors aren’t always as well-sealed as you think. Door frames often have gaps that can allow entry for bugs. Weather stripping on doorways, especially sliding glass doors, can develop cracks and holes.

Garages

While your garage is open, many pests can make their way inside. Once in the garage it’s easier for them to invade the rest of your home.

Foundation

Home foundations have pipes and conduits that pass through. Gaps around them or chipped mortar can allow a way in.

Hitchhikers

Items like used furniture, antiques, plants, even Christmas trees can contain pests or insect eggs.

How to Keep Spiders Out of Your Home

Does it seem impossible to keep spiders out of your home? Spiders and their webs seem to regularly appear no matter how well your home is sealed and cleaned.

How Plants Affect Mosquitos

There are a wide variety of plants that both repel and attract mosquitoes. What are these plants, and how can they help you to keep mosquitoes away from your home and yard?

The Importance of Moisture Control

Most homeowners realize the best way to deter unwanted pests is to clean thoroughly and remove trash. But one often overlooked prevention measure is controlling moisture in and around your home.

Even in a dry climate, moisture can cause big problems in a short amount of time when it comes to inviting pests to take up residence in and around your property.

A relatively small amount of water or a leaking pipe provides sufficient water to attract bugs and rodents. It’s worthwhile to perform regular checks for moisture issues in and around the home, as well as other buildings on the property such as sheds and barns.

Spring is an optimal time of year to check. The weather is changing and spring showers provide more than enough moisture.

Here is a short checklist of items to check on your property:

• Check plumbing lines under home for even small leaks
• Insure exterior faucets seal tightly and do not drip
• Tall grassy areas can hide pools of water that might otherwise be visible. Walk the perimeter of your property.
• Downspouts and gutters can hold unwanted water if they are not regularly cleaned out.
• Look for places standing water can collect – lawn ornaments, bird baths, old tires, decaying woods and even pool covers.
• Check the ventilation for your attics and crawl spaces. These ventiations will help keep the area dry and have fresh air circulating.

Despite having a well maintained home, unwanted pests can still be a problem. If you notice any evidence of pests in or around your home, we recommend the issue to be looked at quickly before a larger issue arises. 

Should Texas Fear the Asian Giant Hornet?

The Asian giant hornet has generated a lot of fear in the U.S. in recent weeks since it was spotted in North America. It is the largest wasp in the world, up to 2 inches long, with a sting that has been described as hurting like a hot nail punched through the skin. There are also concerns about its effect on honey bees, since they attack honey bee nests and rapidly kill entire colonies.

The good news is that the Asian giant hornet has only been spotted in Washington state, and there have been less than 10 confirmed sightings. These hornets are only aggressive when their nests are disturbed, and their nests are usually found in wooded areas.

There are several species of Texas native hornets that are often mistook for the Asian giant hornet, such as the cicada killer wasp, which can grow as large as 1.5 inches. Cicada killers are solitary and rarely sting.

So there’s no need to fear Asian giant hornet in South Texas, now or likely ever. If you have problems with other hornets or pests, schedule a home inspection with one of our licensed professionals at Hitman Pest Control today!

Avoiding Flea Problems

If you’ve got pets, then you’ve probably encountered fleas in your home. The parasitic pests may start off by hopping a ride on your dog or cat, but they’re perfectly content to settle for human blood, too. And they’ll go after any warm body within reach.

First, keep your house cleaned and vacuumed regularly. If you find an adult flea, chances are it has already laid hundreds of eggs. This can remove existing flea populations and prevent egg laying.

Keep your yard groomed. Fleas feed on rodents and other small animals that find refuge and even food sources in overgrown bush. If the rodents are there, the fleas will be too. This may be hard for some pet owners to hear, but keeping them on a leash even in your own backyard can help avoid fleas.

Speaking of rodents, if you have a rodent problem, you may very well have a flea problem as well.

Bathe and groom your pets often, especially in summer. Flea treatments, as prescribed by your veterinarian, can help.

Possum Problems

Possums (or opossums) are a common sight in the evenings in south Texas. Although they prefer to live in wooded areas near streams or swamps, they will often den in attics and garages, or under mobile homes.

Problems can arise from their messy nests, and their tendency to tear insulation, wiring and ductwork. Their lifestyle makes them likely carriers of disease, fleas and ticks.

Possum problems can be avoided by removing sources of food and shelter from your property. Trash should be stored in sealed containers, and any pet food dishes should be brought in at night. Also, check for other sources of food or shelter, like fallen fruit from trees or piles of logs or brush.

To prevent home infestation, regularly inspect your home and other buildings for holes, cracks, broken access covers, etc. Tree branches hanging near the home should also be trimmed.

If you suspect a possum infestation in your home, schedule a home inspection with one of our licensed professionals at Hitman Pest Control today!

Texas Heat Means Increased Termite Activity

Termites are a problem that you never see coming. By the time you’ve found them the damage is often extensive. Especially as the weather warms up, termites can become a serious problem.

One potential problem can come from swarming termites. The good news is that the swarming termites that fly around in spring and summer do not bite, sting or even eat wood. Swarming termites’ job is to find a new home, to build a new colony.

The bad news is that the presence of these swarmers means that a colony is nearby, either already in your home or nearby, ready to expand into your area.

Don’t let your home become their base of operations this year. Schedule a home inspection with one of our licensed professionals at Hitman Pest Control today!

Swarming Carpenter Ants

An insect that you should look out for in and around your home this spring are carpenter ants. Similar to termites, carpenter ants can damage the wood in your walls, ceilings and foundation as they make paths throughout the structure.

The carpenter ants that we mostly deal with around our area are the red and black colored species.

One of the signs of infestation is swarming, which often occurs around this time of year. During swarming, some of the ants make a one-time flight and then die soon after. If you see large winged ants in or around your home, you likely have a colony nearby.

Most home ant infestations indicate the presence of a moisture problem, either plumbing or weather related. Problem areas often include areas around doors, windows, chimney flashing and so forth.

The good news is that we have very effective bait that has proven very effective. The local ants love it, sometimes carrying it back to the nest before we’re done.

Do you suspect the presence of these or similar pests? Schedule a home inspection with one of our licensed professionals at Hitman Pest Control today!

6 Easy Ways to Pest-Proof Your Home

By following a few easy steps, you can create a hostile environment for bugs and other pests, reducing bugs & infestations, avoiding damage to your property and saving money in the long run. 

1. Seal cracks, gaps & openings: Check walls, doors, windows and foundation for cracks and gaps. Check weather stripping on doors and windows, and repair holes in screens. Use sealing materials like caulk to close off any entry points. 
2. Maintain a clean kitchen: Pests are enticed by food sources, so regularly wiping down the kitchen and ensuring all food is stored in sealed containers is crucial to avoid drawing pests’ attention to the home. 
3. Give your pets a dining space:  Give your pet a dining area on a rubber mat. This makes spilled food easier to spot and clean up. If you’re having an ant problem with pet food left on the floor, put the food bowl into a larger bowl with water in it — the ants can’t cross the moat to get to the food. 
4. Store firewood properly: Woodpiles can be an attractive home to many pests and should therefore be stored at least 20 feet away from the home and thoroughly examined before bringing indoors. 
5. Be mindful of the home’s exterior: Remove any nearby debris or leaves that could serve as shelter for pests or create a source of standing water for pests to quench their thirst. 
6. Partner with a pest control professional: Regular pest control maintenance can help you avoid costly long-term problems and damage to your property from bugs and pests.