Advantage Termite & Pest Solutions Blog

If there's one time of year when the health of your lawn really matters, it's summer. A gorgeous lawn provides an inviting place to hang out and soak up the nice weather. Is your lawn ready? These tips from Advantage Termite & Pest Control are sure to help: Test Soil pH - Have the pH of your soil tested. Ideally, it should fall between 6.0 and 7.5. When pH is off, microorganisms and nutrients are negatively impacted. To raise pH, add lime; to lower it, add iron. Leave it Long - If you cut your grass as short as possible in the hopes of cutting it less frequently, stop. The grass still grows back just as quickly, and when it's cut short like that, it puts far too much stress on the grass. Aim to cut about the top one-third of growth each time. Do a Weekly Deep Watering - Rather...

What's a Fourth of July celebration without a backyard barbecue with the people you love? Whether you're getting together with a few friends or your entire family, nothing beats cooking out on the grill, spending time with everyone and ending the night with a fireworks show. Unfortunately, the fun may end early if fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes show up unannounced. Before you invite everyone over, you should do what it takes to keep out these unwanted invaders. Don't Let Fleas Gang Up On You Where there's one flea, there's usually a whole lot more. These blood-sucking pests end up in your yard due to wandering cats, dogs, and other animals. You may not notice any fleas right away, but you'll feel them bite your bare feet and legs once you step into an infested area. Fleas spread quickly and will end your barbecue in a hurry. Our team can inspect your...

Termites and other pests are common throughout the great Kansas City, Lawrence and Topeka areas. Unfortunately, that means infestations of homes and outbuildings are also common. If your home is infested by bothersome pests, you know that calling in the pest control professionals at Advantage Termite & Pest Control is a smart move. But what if you could prevent pests from infesting your home in the first place? That's exactly what an integrated pest management (IPM) plan can help you do. What is Integrated Pest Management? Termites, ants, cockroaches and other bothersome pests invade homes and outbuildings for a variety of reasons. An IPM plan aims to prevent or minimize infestations by identifying what pests love about your property and making proactive changes to discourage them from settling down in your home. IPM can include everything from strategies to keep your yard free of pest-harboring debris to regular pest treatments with...

Advantage Termite and Pest Control provides effective pest control solutions to customers in the Kansas City Metro, Lawrence, & Topeka areas. Our professional service team uses the latest technology and methods to effectively control any pest infestation. Our commitment to quality service includes educating our clients about actual steps they can take to prevent an infestation of termites from causing severe damage to your lawn and home. Our preventative services are effective because they address items around your home that might attract termites. Use these prevention tips to keep the termite swarms from getting out of control later in the year. Preventing Termite Swarms Our customers rely on our service professionals to deal with termites. However, we also advise taking three specific precautionary steps to avoid allowing these pests to gain easy access to vulnerable areas of your home. It is also important to remember that termites can cause extensive damage...

Although they seem to be the ultimate goal of any homeowner in the Kansas area, beautiful spring lawns do not simply appear overnight. The sooner you get started on some simple steps to get your lawn ready to be the pride of the neighborhood in the spring, the more you will enjoy the beautiful results. The preliminary step to take care of your lawn is to clear away all debris, including fallen tree branches and unwanted yard objects. Along with instantly improving the appearance of your lawn, removing debris will allow fertilizer and pesticides to be absorbed more efficiently by the lawn. To get ahead of crabgrass and other unruly weeds, it is best to apply fertilizer and weed killer as early in the apring as early as possible. It can be reapplied later in the season, but this is the most proactive way to make sure that you are not...

Unfortunately, homeowner’s insurance does not cover termite damage. Nevertheless, these tiny insects cause billions of dollars of destruction to homes every year. Having a clear sense of how to spot them, what attracts them and the damage that they do is the first step in protecting your home. The Five Signs Termites can be either subterranean termites or drywood termites. To spot the signs, look for: 1. Wood Damage. Long narrow grooves or tiny holes will be cut into the wood of floors, walls or other elements of your home that are made of wood. Only the surface may remain, with the body of the wood underneath hollowed out.2. Buckled or Cracked Paint. Damage underneath may leave paint or other surfaces buckled, cracked or bubbled.3. Mud Tubes and Tunnels. Regardless of season, look for signs of tunneling where your home meets the ground. Narrow mud tubes often extend from the nest...

The greater Kansas City area is home to plenty of animals. Some of them are beloved pets. Many are ones we see at the park or in other natural settings go about their lives in a non-disruptive manner. However, more and more of them force their way into our homes and settle down there, oftentimes causing structural damage, eating food and transmitting diseases. This situation is cause for concern and should be addressed as soon as they are known or suspected. What are some signs that you may have unwelcome guests? I See One! I See Many! Help This is the most obvious situation indicating that you have one or more animals in your house that you do not want there. However, don't rest assured that if you see one mouse and shooed it out the door that your problem is solved. For one thing, many other mice may be inside...

With the cold weather that's settled over Kansas City, Kansas, most folks are staying warm indoors with their furnaces and fireplaces blazing. These cozy conditions also appeal to a number of pests that have the power to disrupt your holiday celebrations. Rodents, bed bugs, fleas, ticks and spiders are a few pests to watch for this winter. Rodent Problems Rodent activity generally increases in the winter and peaks during cold snaps. Mice and rats will squeeze through any crack that they can find in search of warmth and shelter. They'll be happy to snack on crumbs and any goodies that are stored in your pantry. The most common warning signs include scurrying sounds above ceilings, gnaw marks around entry points and droppings in attics, basements and cupboards. Hidden Pests in Holiday Decorations If you're bringing Christmas trees, wreaths or greenery indoors, watch out for spiders, mites and insects. While most of...