Carpenter Ants, or winged termites

Spring is the time for the reproductive members of a colony to fly away from the main colony, mate and then scout out a place to create a new colony. This is true for termites as well as many kinds of ants. Step one for you is to be sure which you are dealing with. Here is a link that will tell you if you are looking at a flying ant or a termite http://www.catopestcontrol.com/content/Insectidentification
Once you're sure you are dealing with carpenter ants, you need to figure out if the nest is in fact in the home or outside of the home. If you are seeing the occasional ant indoors in the summer there is a good chance that the nest will be outdoors. Sorry to say that carpenter ants, especially the winged members found indoors during the winter or early spring can indicate the presence of an indoor nest. Carpenter ants are attracted to moist conditions such as those that are found Carpenter ants are attracted to excessive moisture conditions around windows, doors, showers, bathtubs, dishwashers, leaky pipes and drains, and under leaky roof shingles. They have also been found in dry areas such as hollow-core doors and false beams, and Blueboard foam insulation. Your best bet is to find the nest if you can and destroy it. if you can locate a new young colony you have better odds of complete elimination. If the colony is well established your best bet is to hire a knowledgeable professional. Pesticides that are available over the counter to the unlicensed novice are often seriously diluted versions of pesticides that require licencing to apply. Follow this link to read up on carpenter ants.http://www.catopestcontrol.com/content/carpenterbeescarpenterantspowderpostbeetles When looking for a quality pest control professional be sure you are well informed and don't hesitate to ask questions. If you need more info and you happen to be in South Jersey feel Free to call our pest control companyhttp://www.catopestcontrol.com

Welcome to What's the Buzz with Pest Control

This blog is mainly to offer interesting facts about bugs and critters, to tell you when and why they make news and to inform home and business owners on how to keep their property pest free. 

Cato Termite and Pest Control is a family owned and operated exterminating company that provides pest control services to Southern New Jersey. We believe in educating our customers on an integrated approach to pest management. 

There is so much that a home or business owner can do to lessen the odds of infestation. Prevention is worth a pound of pest control treatments! Simple habits can go a long way in helping to keep an environment pest free. It's surprising sometimes what people don't know. For example keeping mulch and plant material a few feet away from the home can help prevent bugs from entering the home. 

Sounds obvious doesn't it? Not so much, next time you're out riding around, take a look at some random houses. Notice how many bushes, trees and flowers are planted right up next to the structure. Bugs eat plants, drink from plants and live on plants. If the plants are set back from your home then the bugs will be set back from your home. 

Logical right? 

Sure, but not the first thing that most people think of when they are in the landscaping planning stages. Many gardens have been laid out by builders and often bushes and trees are already in place when a home is purchased. If this was the case for you. You might consider transplanting the smaller plants so that they are set back at least 18 inches from the structure.

If larger trees or bushes are the problem be sure to cut away any branches that grow in the direction of the building.Check back soon for more useful tips. In the meantime read more steps that you can take to keep your environment pest free on our website  Click Here