Las Vegas Pest Control Articles - Rentokil

How to Check for Signs of Bed Bugs

Where to Look for Bed Bugs in Your Home

The first step toward solving a problem is knowing you have one! Bed bugs aren’t lingering only around mattresses and under pillows, however–they can be found in a lot of different places!

Here are some common areas bed bugs can be found within a home:

Headboards
Mattress piping
Furniture
Pet beds and kennels
Baseboards
Electrical outlets
Windowsills

Some of these may surprise you. You might not think about bed bugs hanging around your windows, but the truth is this: bed bugs will hide anywhere, if it gives them access to blood: pet or human. This is why bed bug infestations can be so difficult to get rid of, and why it can take a team of experts to properly rid your home of these invasive pests.

Bed Bug Bites Aren’t Always Accurate

Although you might think bed bug bites would be the best indication of a bed bug problem: they aren’t! Unless you’re an expert in entomology–and even if you are!–bug bites can’t typically be identified by sight alone. There are a few common culprits of bite-like welts on the skin.

If you have a physical reaction that looks like bites over a large area, please see a doctor! A physician can help you determine whether it’s an allergic reaction to a bug bite or another environmental factor.

Check for These Signs of Bed Bugs

So you know where to look–but do you know what to look for? Bed bugs may be tiny, but they will leave visible indications! To see if these pests have been active overnight, check your mattress in the morning for these signs:

Reddish or rusty smears and stains. This occurs when bed bugs are squished.
Pale yellow eggshells or eggs. They are very tiny, but they can be seen with the naked eye.
Tiny dark spots in clumps. This is bed bug excrement.
Live bed bugs can sometimes be spotted as well.

Detect Bed Bugs While Traveling

Let’s say you’ve inspect your entire home from time to time, and you haven’t seen a bed bug yet. Great! But there is another aspect of bed bug infestation to consider: bugs picked up while traveling!

Bed bugs love to live in furniture, mattresses, and sometimes even clothing. They can travel with people to new destinations, and can even survive for up to five months without feeding. You could potentially pick up bed bugs in a hotel or even a friend’s guestroom, and not even know it. Here are some basic steps to prevent bed bugs from latching onto your vacation:

Keep suitcases off the floor and away from the walls.
Don’t leave clothing out on the floor or bed.
If you’re concerned about the room you’re staying in, go the extra mile. Keep your luggage in a plastic bag!
Inspect your suitcase when you get home. Make sure to check the lining, the zipper, all of the pockets, and any other tiny crevices.
Wash all laundry on hot, and tumble dry on a high temperature.

Professionals Can Confirm Signs of Bed Bugs

When you work with a professional bed bug exterminator, they are able to share their valuable expertise and experience, inspect your property, and make an accurate diagnosis. We don’t want anyone to worry over bed bugs, and we certainly want to lend a hand whenever we can! If you’re concerned about bed bugs, call Western Exterminator. We’ll be able to confirm any signs of bed bugs, and help you treat and protect your home!

10 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Sugar Ants

Tiny, black, and seemingly endless: sugar ants can pop up anywhere in the house, and anytime! But where do these tiny black menaces come from, and what species of ant are they, exactly?

Most instances of “sugar ants” are actually referring to odorous house ants. When squished or crushed, these ants let off an odor that some people describe as smelling of coconut. They are a common species throughout the US, and are notorious scavengers of sugar.

We know how difficult it can be to get rid of sugar ants, and we’re here to help! While we recommend professional services if the sugar ant infestation is serious, we also know that home remedies can be helpful to keep a small number of sugar ants away from your home. Here are our 10 favorite ways to get rid of sugar ants naturally!

Home Remedy Barriers to Keep Ants Away

These are a great way to prevent ant infestations, but they have to be used in the right concentrations, and they must be applied regularly to entry points in order to work.

Herbs: There are several herbs that ants won’t go near, including pepper and bay leaves. Placing pepper in entry points or a bay leaf in a pantry can keep a lot of pests at bay.
Coffee Grounds: Sprinkle outside only, to avoid coffee stains on your flooring!
Cucumber Peels: Try placing cucumber peels or slices at entry points, but remember to change them when they dry out!
Essential Oils: Potent and pungent, essential oils can also help to keep pests away, especially cinnamon or peppermint oil. Placement and concentration of oils are crucial. We suggest adding 20 drops of essential oil per 8 ounces of water. Spray along doorways, windowsills, and any other place where ant activity is present!
Citrus: Used as fresh juice, dried peels, or oil, citrus is ant-repelling as well.

Get Rid of Sugar Ants with Home Remedy Cleaners

Odorous house ants communicate via complicated pathways of pheromones. They have a scent used for food resources, a scent for trails back to the nest, and a scent for danger. If you don’t remove these trails, their nest-mates will continue to come into your home!

Soapy Water: These easiest, foolproof way to clean ant trails. Soap can also deter ants from walking across walls and floors.

Vinegar: We swear by the power of vinegar to erase odors and make sure that ant trails are gone for good. Remember to dilute your vinegar in water! It’s easiest to apply in a spray bottle.

Home Remedies for Ant Extermination

If you can’t get rid of sugar ants with the above methods, it’s time to bring out the big guns. All three of these powders are known to kill ants via ingestion. Ants will also bring these powders back to the nest, effectively killing any other ants that ingest the same substance.

There are some points of caution when using the following products:

Cornstarch: While cornstarch is relatively safe, we always urge caution when using any substance around pets or children.

Diatomaceous Earth: Can cause irritation of mucus membranes and lungs, if inhaled. Can cause skin and eye irritation. If you’re not completely comfortable with this substance, we do not recommend using it.

Borax: Borax should never be used within reach of pets or children.

Pests that Hitch a Ride on Your Christmas Tree

If you’re worried about bugs hitching a ride on your Christmas tree this year, you’re not alone! According to Associate Professor Bjarte Jordal at the University Museum of Bergen, your Christmas tree could be home to over 25,000 tiny insects!

The key word here is: tiny. Although the idea of carrying creepy insects inside isn’t exactly a welcome thought, the research conducted by Jordal is also not as serious as it sounds. Read on to find out more about pests that hitch a ride on your Christmas tree!

Common Pests in Christmas Trees

Christmas trees (typically spruce, fir, or pine) are natural homes for many different species of insects, especially pests that feed off of softwood trees. Evergreen trees are also home to a lot of nesting insects during the winter. Here is a brief list of pests commonly found on Christmas trees:

Wood or bark beetles
Praying mantises
Spiders
Weevils
Aphids
Mites
Moths

A lot of these pests are microscopic, and will be invisible at first glance. If you find a lumpy, almost oblong brown sac, you’ve found a praying mantis sac. Be sure to remove the nest–praying mantis sacs have been known to hatch once warmed up inside! Praying mantises feed on insects that harm gardens and shrubs, so we recommend carefully placing the nest outside in another tree or bush.

Are Christmas Tree Bugs Dangerous?

None of these insects poses much of a threat to humans. Poisonous spiders don’t typically live in trees, and most of the other possible insects cannot (or will not) bite humans. One of the only possible dangers is mites: if the tree has an extreme population of mites, or someone has a very sensitive mite allergy, there might be an allergic reaction.

Don’t be alarmed by any wood-boring or bark beetles you find on your Christmas tree; beetles that eat softwood generally don’t go for furniture!

Preventing Bugs From Living in Your Christmas Tree

These pests might not be dangerous, but most people still don’t want them indoors! A really easy way to make sure the bugs don’t hitch a ride inside is to have your tree shaken before you take it home. Most pick-your-own Christmas tree lots have a shaker on the lot, and will shake your tree before netting it for transport.

If the lot doesn’t have a shaker, not to worry–simply put your tree on a white sheet, shake your tree vigorously, and vacuum up any bugs that fall out! It’s that easy.

Professional Pest Services Year-Round

While a lot of pests look to come inside for the winter, the pests that typically live on Christmas trees will actually die inside. The dry and warm conditions of your home aren’t ideal for a lot of species. If you shake your tree and something–unusual–comes out of it, or if you’re concerned that you’ve picked up an infestation, give us a call! At Rentokil, we are committed to protecting our community, and we’d love to help you and your family stay pest-free year-round!

It’s Bark Scorpion Season – 5 Tips to Prevent Being Stung

Bark scorpions, also known as Arizona bark scorpions, are typically 3 inches in length or less, with a light brown body. They can be found in the southwest of the United States, including Las Vegas, and into northern Mexico. The venom of the bark scorpion is the most potent scorpion venom in North America. As the weather gets cooler, scorpions start to gather near homes on block walls, rocks, and near retaining walls.

Bark Scorpions and Dangerous Stings

A sting from the bark scorpion can cause symptoms for up to three days, including:

Severe pain
Numbness in the affected limb
Convulsions

Deaths have been known to occur after a sting, though usually only in the elderly, very young, or those with scorpion venom allergies. After a scorpion sting, medical attention must be sought immediately.

Bark Scorpion Behavior and Your Home

Bark scorpions don’t have nests or burrows, and prefer to roam, looking for food and shelter. They are nomadic, and will travel from home to home, looking for potential resources and invading any available space.

Most scorpions do not socialize or congregate, preferring to remain solitary. Bark scorpions are the exception: they will congregate in groups of 20-30 scorpions during the winter. Most scorpions that enter a home during the fall are doing so to escape the cold weather, and it’s vital to prevent them from moving inside.

5 Tips to Prevent Bark Scorpion Stings

Your home should be protected as thoroughly as possible against scorpions. Here are some basic prevention tips to “scorpion-proof” your house, and to prevent the stings themselves:

Check your clothing, and shake your shoes before putting them on.
Always check bedsheets and blankets before using them.
Homes should be kept clean.
- Clutter or other items that can serve as hiding places for scorpions should be eliminated.
- Never reach into a box, bag, or other container without checking for scorpions first.
- Thorough cleaning should also be completed to prevent other insects that bark scorpions like to eat, like ants and cockroaches.
Your backyard should remain tidy as well.
- Don’t allow standing water to accumulate.
- Fill all holes and burrows (Carefully!)
- Clean up any pet food
- Remove any brush or piles of vegetation
- Never go outside barefoot.
Cracks in walls and foundations should be sealed, ensuring that small scorpions cannot enter.

Professional Help for Bark Scorpions in Las Vegas

If you have experienced multiple bark scorpion sightings, or you find them frequently in your backyard, you need to get professional help as soon as possible. Bark scorpions are a major and dangerous problem, and they should never be allowed to remain anywhere near your property. If you’re not sure what species of scorpion you’re seeing, give Western Exterminator a call! We can inspect your property, identify the species of scorpion, seal your home against future problems, and treat any possible scorpion infestation.

The Creepy Noise in Your Attic Could be Roof Rats

The roof rat population in Las Vegas has slowly increased over the last decade, and it shows no signs of stopping. Roof rats, also known as black rats, are much more than ugly or scary nuisances–they can carry a variety of diseases and cause serious damage to a home. How can you protect yourself and your home from these rodents?

How Do Roof Rats Get Into Your Attic?

While roof rats prefer to live in trees, they can and will move from the trees in your yard to the roof of your home, and then into the rest of the structure. They can also travel from home to home via block wall fences and trees, making their way into any structure that presents itself.

Here are just a few locations that roof rats prefer to live in:

Trees
Sheds
Storage sheds
Attics

If rodents are in your yard or in one of your outbuildings, they will continue to make their way inside your house, where it’s warmer, safer, and where they have more access to food. While in your backyard, they will eat anything they have access to, including dog feces, pet food, bird food, and garbage. It’s crucial to limit rats’ access to these materials, to avoid giving them further reason to settle within your property.

Signs of a Roof Rat Problem

Like other rodents, roof rats gnaw on things, but because of their greater size, they can cause far more damage.

Gnawed limbs or tree damage
Empty citrus fruit rinds with teeth marks
Smudge marks on the walls and exposed parts of your home’s interior
Well-worn runways (basically rat highways) through undergrowth and around your yard
Seeing the rats themselves in trees (usually after dark)
Moderately sized droppings (larger than mouse droppings)
Noise made running within the walls or ceiling of your home, as well as gnawing or scraping sounds

This last sign of a roof rat infestation is the worst sign, as it means they have made a home within your home! Professional rodent control and removal should be scheduled immediately.

What to Do If You Have Roof Rats in Las Vegas

If you’re hearing strange noises, or even if you only find evidence of their presence outside, it’s important to take action immediately. Roof rats are invasive, and they breed very quickly. There are few natural predators to keep their numbers down. If you need to remove roof rats from your backyard or home, call Western Exterminator today!

Do Cockroaches Really Spread Disease?

When it comes to household pests, cockroaches might be at the very top of the list. They can cause physical damage to your home, most people find them psychologically disturbing, and cockroaches can absolutely spread disease as they travel throughout your home. Cockroaches have also been linked to asthma and allergies, making these pests seriously harmful.

Cockroaches Can Spread Disease

Cockroaches are excellent carriers of disease, because they frequent the dirtiest parts of your home. They can spread e. Coli, salmonella, and other bacteria, carrying pathogens on their feet and bodies. Cockroaches love garbage, humidity, and dark places–and they will do anything and everything to gain access to these spaces. Once they’ve picked up bacteria or viruses, they will travel throughout your home, finding more dark hiding places and potential food sources. Roaches can also spread disease through their droppings, shed skins, and vomit, making them a formidable health threat.

Here are the cockroaches most commonly found in Las Vegas:

Cockroach Allergies and Asthma

Cockroach exoskeletons have been known to cause a range of respiratory conditions in humans. It has been proven that cockroaches can trigger allergies in both children and adults, which can then result in asthma attacks. Scientists believe that somewhere between 23% and 60% of urban-dwelling asthmatics are also sensitive to the allergens of cockroaches. Making matters worse, the cockroach population in urban areas grows bigger every year.

How Do Cockroaches Cause Allergies?

Cockroaches can trigger allergies just like any other common allergy source like pollen, dust, or other animals. Allergies are caused by the body’s overreaction to foreign objects it deems harmful. For example, when people who are allergic inhale pollen, their bodies go into emergency mode, producing extra mucus and other symptoms. For cockroaches, a human body reacts to the creature’s saliva, feces, and exoskeleton. Cockroaches can shed these allergens around the clock, throughout your home.

Cockroaches cause a specific type of allergic reaction in some people that can cause asthma. These acute attacks occur after the victim breathes in cockroach allergens, and they can continue for hours. Over the past 30 years, incidents of cockroach-related asthma attacks have skyrocketed.

Basic Prevention for Cockroaches

The best way to get rid of these vermin is through extermination and then preventative measures. Sanitation is essential to keeping your home roach-free after extermination.

Eliminate Food Sources for Cockroaches: Roaches are attracted to fruits, vegetables, crumbs, and garbage.
Sweep, Mop, and Clean to Prevent Cockroaches.
Eliminate Hiding Places: Spend some time cleaning up cluttered piles of newspapers, cardboard boxes, or old grocery bags.
Sprays or Chemicals: Boric acid and roach traps help with getting rid of a cockroach infestation, but prevention is the best policy.

Professional Cockroach Extermination

It is very difficult to treat cockroaches with DIY methods. More often than not, these methods do nothing more than push the cockroaches further into your home, or if you live in an apartment, into someone else’s home.

Western Exterminator specializes in cockroach extermination and infestation prevention. If you suspect you have cockroaches, or you’re at risk for asthma or allergy attacks, we recommend contacting us for an inspection right away. Cockroaches can multiply very rapidly throughout a home, and small problems can become massive in just a few short months.

Why are Yellow Jackets So Aggressive in Late Summer?

Everyone in Las Vegas has had at least one picnic ruined by yellow jackets. Whether they’re defending a nest or swarming over your backyard barbeque, most people can recognize this species instantly. Yellow jackets are a type of wasp, and their stings can be deadly. By understanding the behavior of yellow jackets, and wasps in general, you can minimize the risk of getting stung. Protect your yard, yourself, and your family from harm!

Late Summer Wasp Behavior in Las Vegas

Both yellow jackets and wasps hatch in spring, and by mid and late summer, their populations are beginning to outgrow the nest, and winter is coming. Because they’re close to the end of their lifecycle, they are more aggressive than ever. Yellow jackets also look for both sugar substances and protein, looking for extra resources to support themselves and the nest itself. The yellow jackets are forced to look even further for food because of their high numbers.

Here are some basic sources of wasp attraction:

Your picnic or backyard barbecue: yellow jackets will eat anything they can land on, and your hamburgers, soda, and watermelon are ideal food sources for wasps.
Clothing: bright colors look like fruit, and perfume can mimic flowers.
Eaves and holes: if you see a yellow jacket nest early in spring, and it’s still small, have it professionally removed. Wasps aren’t going anywhere unless you kick them out!
Your swimming pool: believe it or not, wasps love swimming pools. All wasps and bees need water, and they will use your pool to get it!
Hummingbird feeders: yellow jackets are desperate for food, and they will drink the sugar water in bird feeders.
Grubs in your lawn: this may be surprising, but because of their intense need for protein in late summer, wasps will also graze for grubs within your lawn.

Steps to Prevent Yellow Jackets

The following tips are excellent year-round, but they are especially important in late summer.

Keep food (and garbage) covered.
- If you’re having a cookout or backyard event, make sure food stays contained or covered. Any drinks should be covered at all times, because wasps will go inside a cup or can.
Don’t wear perfume if you’re going to be outdoors for a considerable amount of time, and keep bright colors to a minimum.
In spring, make sure you inspect any holes, burrows, eaves, and loose siding or stucco around your home.
- Seal any holes, loose siding, stucco voids, or other potentially attractive spaces for nests.
Hang a wasp-trap. Be sure to hang it away from any high-traffic areas, and away from the house.
- Don’t hang it near your hummingbird feeder, or consider placing your hummingbird feeder away from your house.
- If wasps are a serious problem, you may need to remove the hummingbird feeder entirely.
Don’t walk barefoot through the grass. Wasps and yellow jackets love hunting for grubs and other insects.
Eliminate sources of standing water, and cover your swimming pool.

Prevention is really the key here. If wasps can’t find shelter or food around your home, they won’t want to be there!

Professional Removal for Wasps and Yellow Jackets

Sometimes it’s not enough to prevent yellow jackets, and by late summer, you may have a serious problem. Call a professional pest control company! The trained technicians with Western Exterminator Pest Control can inspect your property and remove wasp nests safely. Because we focus on prevention instead of just treatment, we’ll be able to give you specific recommendations on how to prevent wasps in the future, protecting your home, your family, and your backyard!

Why Fall Pest Control is Important

When the long days of summer draw to a close and the cooler weather of fall approaches, so do fall invading pests. At Western Exterminator we realize that we all have some kind of bug that plagues us, and to understand why fall pest control is so important, you first have to look at the problem. And it’s not pretty.

Mice and rats can get into your walls, chew on wires, and nibble on sheet rock. So, besides being disease carriers that can run through your garage, pantry and food drawers, they can also create problems with your electric, phone, internet, and television wiring. Rodent control discourages and eliminates mice and rats from your home.

Fall invaders also bring viruses and disease. Cockroaches can passively transport microbes on their body surfaces including pathogens that are potentially dangerous to humans. Cockroaches have many negative consequences for human health because certain proteins (called allergens) found in cockroach feces, saliva and body parts can cause allergic reactions or trigger asthma symptoms, especially in children.

Cockroaches will eat almost any organic matter no matter how rancid. Once inside the home, they will seek out food scraps, unsealed food containers, sugar and grease deposits, pet food, rancid meat, glue and even bookbindings. If you see a clump of pepper-like specs in your kitchen cupboards, it is likely cockroach feces marking their courtship and nearby nesting territory. Cockroach control can rid your home of these disease producing pests.

In fall, bugs and rodents are looking for a place to hibernate or overwinter and that’s why fall pest control is so important. A pest professional can treat your property and set up devices that watch for harmful insects, like cockroaches, scorpions and spiders. Monitoring insect activity can help to prevent many bugs from entering your home.

Fall Pest Prevention Tips:

Screen attic vents and openings to chimneys, and any other areas where homes may be open to the outdoors, like mail slots and animal doors.
Keep basements, attics and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry. Pests are attracted to areas of moisture, something they need to survive. Using dehumidifiers in basements and garages will help keep these areas dry.
Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home using caulk and steel wool. Pay close attention to where utility pipes enter the structure. Some rodents can fit through a hole the size of a dime.
Keep kitchen counters clean, store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles. Crumbs and a buildup of garbage are attractive to pests scrounging for food. It is recommended to clean up after each meal and to properly close garbage cans when they are stored in the home or garage.
Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around the foundation and windows. These are easy ways to keep not only pests, but also cold air out of the house.
Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery well trimmed. Removing areas where pests can hide near your home can reduce the chance of them finding a way inside.
Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens. Torn window screens and cracks under doors are an ideal entry point for household pests. When you open the window, you could be letting in more than just fresh air.
Inspect items such as boxes of decorations, package deliveries, and grocery bags before bringing them indoors. Pests can find creative ways to get inside a home. Shake out or inspect anything that has been left or stored outside.
Avoid leaving pets’ food dishes out for long periods of time. Pests don’t discriminate between people food and cat food. Pet dishes that have been left sitting out are enticing for all kinds of insects and rodents.
Have a proper outdoor drainage system. Installing gutters or repairing an existing system will help draw water and moisture away from your home, preventing any leaks or build up that might attract pests.

If you live in Las Vegas or Henderson, you don’t have to live in fear of bugs and rodents. Proper fall maintenance can keep your home and your family safe, and bug free. Don’t make the common mistake of stopping pest services during this time of year, a mistake that could easily lead to more serious pest problems. To learn more about protecting your home and family from pests year round, contact us today at 702-385-1269.

Preventing Bed Bugs in College Dorms

College is an exciting time. While your child is getting packed and ready for the next school year, it’s an ideal time to go over the risks and dangers of bed bugs. Bed bugs have made a comeback across the United States, and bed bug infestations are at an all-time high–especially in living situations with a high population and a typically lower level of hygiene. College dorms and apartments are the perfect environment for a bed bug infestation. Western Exterminator has put together our favorite tips and tricks for beating bed bugs.

Bed Bug Prevention Tips for Your Child

Inspect your college dorm room or apartment when you arrive: These tiny bugs can be very difficult to spot, but it is possible to find signs of their presence.

Before you settle into your room, take a moment to inspect the room for signs of bedbugs.
- Look around and between the mattress and box spring for any signs of eggs, feces, or skin that has been shed.
- When you look at the surface of the mattress, you might find tiny specks of blood, where the bugs have bitten before.
- Check any and all furniture within the apartment for signs of bed bugs.
Bring a mattress encasement with you: Look for one that will completely seal your mattress.
- Keep your sheets out of reach: Bed bugs can climb into your bed from the floor.
- In general, it’s good preventative practice to keep everything off the floor, including clothes, backpacks, suitcases, and pillows.
- Reduce clutter to prevent hiding places and unseen infestations.
Wash bed linens frequently in hot water and dry thoroughly on highest heat setting.
- Heat kills bed bugs.
Don’t bring any furniture or used belongings back to your dorm or apartment without inspecting them first.
Don’t leave your backpack on couches or other furniture pieces for long periods of time, especially in other people’s rooms.

Prevent Bed Bugs from Returning to Your Home

While your child is away at college, you might think your house is safe from bed bugs. But what happens when they come home? Bed bugs can make their way into suitcases and backpacks, making the journey home for Thanksgiving or Christmas a nightmare. The following precautions can help reduce the risk of a bed bug infestation in your home:

Put any luggage into garbage bags before bringing it into the house.
Wash and dry all clothing in the hottest water the fabric can safely withstand and dry on high heat setting.
For dry clean clothes that are able to be placed in dryer, put in dryer on medium to high setting and run for at least 30 minutes.
Thoroughly vacuum or steam clean the suitcase. Pay careful attention to the lining and any pockets where the bugs could be hiding.

Treatment for Bed Bugs in Dorms

The worst has happened, and despite your best efforts–you found bed bugs! Don’t try to treat them by yourself; though there are ways to help rid your home or dorm room of bed bugs, it can also make matters worse. Often times the home remedies only push the bed bugs away from the treatment and further into your home.
If the bed bug infestation is within a dorm, contact the RA right away. The school has measures in place for bed bug infestations. If the bed bug infestation is in a college apartment, or at your home, call a professional bed bug exterminator right away. The faster the problem is taken care of, the less it can spread and infest other apartments or homes.

Defend Your Home Against Ants this Fall

Ants are known for being resourceful and persistent insects–they will eat almost anything, live almost anywhere, and need little to survive. In many locations, winter can keep ant populations at bay, but sometimes cold weather just drives them further inside! As the fall weather begins to cool down, prepare yourself against ants with these tips from Western Exterminator!

How to Prevent Ants

Ants are the number one nuisance pest in the United States. With more than 700 species occurring in the country, and more than 20 types known to infest homes and other structures, it’s not surprising that so many people report having issues with this pest. Argentine ants, also referred to as sugar ants by homeowners, are one of the most common ants in the Las Vegas valley. However, there are some simple elimination steps that homeowners can take to reduce the chances of unintentionally inviting ants into their home. You should aim to control or eliminate these problems before ants invade:

Sources of Water: Reducing moisture and standing water around the home can go a long way to help prevent ants.
Repair leaky pipes, and routinely check under sinks for areas of moisture.
Pet water bowls are an attractant for pests, so be sure to keep pet bowls clean and clean up any spilled food or water promptly.
Sources of Food: Keeping a tidy kitchen will help to discourage ants from coming indoors.
Wipe down counters and sweep floors regularly to eliminate crumbs and residue from spills.
Store food in sealed pest-proof containers, and keep ripe fruit in the refrigerator.
Wipe down sticky jars, especially any containing honey, syrup, sodas, or other sweets.
Use a lid on trash-cans, and dispose of garbage regularly.
Be sure to keep pet bowls clean, and clean up any spilled food promptly.
Store dry pet food in a sealed plastic container.
Sources of Entry: It’s probably not surprising to hear that ants most frequently infest kitchens. Here are a few other popular ant attractions around the home:
Bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, basements, inside walls, and in/around air conditioning and heating units are also known to attract ants, so make sure all entry points are sealed.
Inspect dog/cat doors to ensure that pests cannot get through. Remember that ants can fit through even the tiniest openings.

Remember, ants want three things: water, food, and shelter. Eliminate these three resources, and you significantly reduce a potential ant problem.

Preventing Ants from the Exterior

Sometimes the exterior can be even more important than the interior! Taking steps to protect your home from the outside is one of the best ways to prevent ants from coming in during the fall.

Look outside of your home for easy access points.
Trim trees and bushes away from the home, as branches can provide highways indoors for ants.
Seal any cracks and crevices on the outside of the home with silicone caulk, paying special attention to areas where utility pipes enter.

Professional Help to Prevent Ants

Battling ants doesn’t have to be an uphill battle, but it is important to ask for professional help if you see signs of an infestation. Some species of ants, like carpenter ants, can cause serious property damage. Other species, like fire ants, can pose health threats to your family. Even species that are considered nuisance pests, like argentine ants, can contaminate food.

If you need help sealing your home and preventing ants this fall, give Western Exterminator a call today! We’ll inspect your property, identifying problem areas and access points, and we’ll help you treat or prevent a serious ant problem.