Pest Management News From PPM - September, 2014

Get a jump start on those pesky bugs of Spring!

Spring. The season of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth.

The warmth of spring also invites ants and other pests into our homes, businesses, and yards.

Which pests should you watch out for? Be on the lookout for some of the more common pests seen in spring months including spiders, aphids, wasps, ants, fleas, and ticks.

What can you do?

1. Keep soil away from wood and siding to reduce pest access. If there must be wood to soil contact (on a porch or deck) use pressure-treated wood or material that is insect resistant.
2. Eliminate damp conditions, increase ventilation and replace decayed wood to manage carpenter ant issues and help prevent future infestations. Focus especially on cellars, crawl spaces and under dirt-filled porches.
3. Add crushed rock around flower and shrubbery beds instead of mulch to eliminate food and habitats for woodlice, centipedes, millipedes and many other insects.
4. Keep gutters and roof lines in good repair and free of debris to reduce wood rot. This reduces breeding areas for wood destroying insects such as carpenter ants, termites, bees and beetles. Satellite carpenter ant colonies are usually in areas of moisture damaged wood.
5. Seal openings at plumbing, electrical, and telephone line entrances to reduce access for carpenter ants, bees and wasps, and other pests.
6. Reduce plant coverage around the foundation. Remove leaves and other debris under decks, in window wells, and behind bushes to eliminate decaying organic matter that may provide food and habitat for woodlice, centipedes and millipedes.
7. Ensure your pets’ anti-flea and tick treatments are up to date.

Of course if you think you need professional pest management services the best thing to do is to call PPM!