Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Groundhogs – Protect Your Yard and Garden





These large rodent looking mammals are not just about telling you how soon the spring is coming.  They commonly become pests when they start destroying gardens and put building foundations at risk.

Groundhogs (also known as woodchucks and marmots) are hibernators - they sleep from October to March. But once grasses and forbs appear, the groundhogs start eating them. They also like to eat tree leaves, fruits and vegetables. Many home owners reported woodchucks eating unripe tomatoes and apples that fall on the ground.

Aside from eating plants, they like to gnaw (chew) on things and make holes in the ground. Even if plants are located really close to the house, it makes no difference. The crop is just too attractive to woodchucks and they will go after it.

Commonly, they are seen out in the open, but if not, you can detect their presence by the clues they leave behind: chewed wood and plants. Their tooth markings are similar to that of a rabbit, but slightly larger.


Cute or Aggressive?


Typically, groundhogs will not go out of their way to attack household pets if they are not threatened. However, they often stand their ground and sometimes attack by biting.

If you suspect a groundhog (or a family of them) is living in your yard, please give us a call. We will assess the situation and safely remove them if found.

Carpenter Ants Can Actually Destroy Your House…

Tuesday, July 8, 2014



What are these large black ants you see in your house? Are you seeing them in your kitchen and your bathroom... or by the front door? Most ants you see inside your home are small and brown. But the large ants, also known as carpenter ants, actually build above ground nests in cavities. Nest building and cavity expansion by these ants can cause damage if nests occur inside a house. Carpenter ants are very common. They live on every continent except for South Pole. They are one of the most aggressive wood destroyers. Similar to termites, they damage wood. But unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood. Carpenter ants they make holes inside the wood to establish and expand their nests. While they don't destroy homes nearly as much as termites, their nesting habits can do a lot of damage to the wood which is the main material used for building framing. What can you do as a homeowner to protect yourself from these insects? Prevention is the key. Eliminate sources of moisture. Carpenter ants love to establish their nests inside moist wood. Seal up their entry points. Inspect outside walls of your home. Pay specials attention to the areas near ground or foundation. Seal any holes, cracks or crevices with clear caulk. This will keep away not only ants, but other unwelcome insects, like spiders. Do not store wood near your house. Keep any firewood, yard waste, etc. away from your actual living areas. Is problem with carpenter ants getting out of control? Call us for help. As a professional pest control company, we have access to insecticides and bates that are not available to the general public and our experience allows us to locate and address ant infestations faster and easier than the average homeowner.