Advantage Termite & Pest Solutions Blog

When people think of pests, they often imagine black ants, wasps, mice, etc.; normal creatures you often find in North American homes. However, there are some pests which are truly unique and unusual that you may notice, often released into the United States from foreign locations. While these pests may be fascinating, if not taken care of they can cause a significant amount of harm to both your house and the ecosystem. Here are a few weird pests to look out for and the problems they may cause. Strange Pests and The Problems They Create Giant African Land Snail These massive snails have been imported into America for zoo exhibits. However, some of them have made their way into the wild and have integrated into the ecosystem. The giant African land snail can weigh about as much a grapefruit, and they are enthusiastic eaters, consuming over 500 species of plants. Not...

While the purpose of homeowner’s insurance coverage is to reduce the financial risk associated with unforeseen circumstances. Some things like termite damage can become excessive both in costs of repairs and treatment to remove the pests. A question that is often asked is, if you have termite damage can you file a claim with your insurance company to help relieve some of the costs of the repairs and removal of the pests? Unfortunately insurance companies generally deny the claims for termite damage. Insurance Coverage Claims Many insurance companies will not consider termite damage as an unforeseen circumstance and will not allow the claim. The reason is there are signs your home has termites. The most known signs include: Termite tunnels Wood damage and carvings in the wood Sagging or buckling in the floors Black flying insects that look like ants Because termite damage can continue to worsen for years, it is...

Wrong information about pests has been accepted as truth for a significant length of time. Instead of fading away, many of these myths seem to be getting stronger. It's time to set the record straight on five of these myths about pests which have gone uncorrected. Bed Bugs Are Attracted to Filth Many people believe that bed bugs only infest rooms filled with grime and clutter. However, bed bugs are no more likely to plague a dirty motel than a five-star resort. All that bed bugs are after is places where blood is in high supply. Therefore an infestation of bed bugs in a home or hotel does not signify poor sanitation or housekeeping, just bad luck. Mice Are Invertebrates The myth that mice do not have backbones come from the fact that mice can seemingly fit through any hole or crevice, no matter how small. Mice do have bones, spine...

If you live in Kansas, then you've probably seen a few spiders or other pests that look rather ordinary. However, there are a few bugs and pests that look spooky and almost look like they are designed for Halloween. Some of these pests are dangerous to humans and should be avoided while others are just looking for a meal. The Abbott's Sphinx Moth is a moth that doesn't look like the typical moth you might see flying around. They have a ragged appearance, and there is a white tail feather that looks out of place. Colors of dark green, brown, and purple adorn the moth. Fortunately, it's just like any other in the moth world and enjoys meals of insects. Another moth that has a spooky appearance is the webworm moth. It's orange, black, and white stripes make it look like a Halloween decoration. The legs appear to be larger than...

In the Kansas City metropolitan area, having a beautiful lawn requires year-round work. The region's hot, humid summers are followed by cool fall weather and harsh winter conditions. During the fall, the grasses in your yard are much weaker. Your lawn begins to prepare for winter when the temperatures begin falling. Winterizing your lawn during the fall is important to help the grasses become stronger and more tolerant. Aerating your lawn Aerating the soil in your lawn in the fall is important. This helps the ground from becoming too compact and assists with removing excessive thatch. Both of these actions can help more sunlight, air and fertilizer nutrients to penetrate into the ground so that the grass plant roots are nourished. Fertilizing your lawn As cooler weather begins, the grass plants start slowing their growth and storing sugars and other nutrients in preparation for the winter. This is the best time...

Once bed bugs get inside your home and establish a nest, catching them right away is vital if you don't want the problem to spread. Knowing the places the pests like to hide is a good step in the right direction, improving your odds of containing the threat. You probably believe bed bugs only hide in mattresses if you are like most people. The truth is that these pests can hide in many places in and around your bedroom, and learning about the other places you can find bed bugs is a powerful step in the right direction. Nightstands Looking in your nightstand for the red flags of bed bugs is a smart move you don't want to overlook. Located within 5 feet of your bed, nightstands offer shelter from detection and easy access to a host each night. You can use a flashlight to check inside your nightstand for bed...

Bed bugs are some of the most troublesome household pests. Not only can bed bugs ruin your sleep with their itchy bites, but they can also exacerbate allergy and asthma symptoms. If you decide to take an out-of-town vacation, be sure you don’t carry these insects back home. Here are some valuable traveling tips to remember. Keep Your Belongings in Plastic Bags Don’t make it easy for bed bugs to hitchhike inside your stuff. A plane’s cargo hold allows bed bugs to simply crawl from one bag to the next. Keeping your luggage wrapped in plastic bags will give you an extra layer of protection. This simply task will dramatically lower your risk of bringing home these pests. Inspect Your Hotel Room Contrary to common belief, even the nicest hotels can harbor bed bugs. Before you begin to unpack, the best approach is to err on the side of caution. Take...

Lawn irrigation is essential to maintaining the health of your lawn. The irrigation system can include several different watering components. The sprinkler system might be above or below ground, for example. It could be supplemented by other devices for distributing water throughout the lawn. The drip irrigation system is just one example. This device allows you to moderate the amount of water in any given area of your lawn. This is useful for protecting your plants from excessive watering, and it is also a great water conservation device. In addition to these considerations, many areas have a regulatory authority that sets out requirements for irrigation systems, and you will need to remain compliant. Irrigation Systems, Maintenance Irrigation systems may seem simple at first glance; however, problems may arise with your irrigation system. This is a normal part of having and maintaining a lawn, but you might not have the resources needed...

Whether you've got a sinking feeling after spotting a swarm of bugs or found damage to the wood in your residential or commercial building, you'll want to act immediately to deal with any infestation of wood-damaging insects before the destruction gets any worse. Although both carpenter ants and termites damage wood, getting rid of them requires different techniques, so proper identification is critical. How can you tell the difference between carpenter ants and termites? Look at the Insect's Appearance While carpenter ants and termites are similar in color and size, a closer look reveals distinct visual differences in the two species. A carpenter ant has a narrow waist and segmented antennae with clear bends. In contrast, a termite has a broad, boxy waist and straight antennae. Both species can be winged at certain points in their lifespan, and these wings also offer identification clues. Carpenter ants have larger fore wings and...

If you’re a local business owner, you must take the necessary steps to keep pests at bay. Rodent control should definitely be a top priority. Not only can the presence of rats and mice turn away customers, but these destructive critters can also cause extensive amounts of property damage. Here are some important tips for protecting your business against rodents. Inspect Buildings for Unsealed Openings Rodents are incredibly limber animals that can easily squeeze through tiny openings. If even a single mouse gets inside, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll be dealing with a serious infestation. The entire building needs to be inspected for potential entry points, including your ducts and piping. This is an inexpensive way to safeguard your business. Keep Your Workplace Clean It’s no secret that rodents are attracted to reliable food sources. Crumbs will surely cause these unsanitary pests to stick around. It’s also in...

If you want to keep your home in great shape and minimize you repair fees, you are likely wondering what you should do so that you can reach your goal. While many things can damage your home, termites are some of the worst. When they make their way into your home for the first time, you might not even know that they are there. They will consume your wooden floors and walls, and your home will experience structural damage if you don't do something to stop the pests. The good news is that keeping termites at bay is not as hard as you might think, and addressing the factors that make you susceptible will work wonders. Moisture If you have a lot of moisture around the foundation of your home, you will want to fix the problem because it can attract termites. Ensuring that you don't have any leaky pipes is...

Mosquitoes are small insects that have the ability to draw blood from humans and animals. They are only able to build large swarms under certain conditions, so it is important to understand what these conditions are if you live in one of these areas. Tropical areas and swamps are the most common regions where mosquitoes will build their nests. They will appear in places where the weather is humid and the water supply is stable. Although these pests are extremely adaptable, they tend to avoid areas that area extremely cold. They are able to survive in many different types of climates, but they prefer regions that have a high level of humidity and heat. Mosquito Species Certain species of mosquitoes are known for their odd preference of laying eggs around pools of polluted water. One example is the Culex pipiens, which is also called the northern house mosquito. This is one...

Rodents have a bad reputation for spreading diseases. Whether it's rat-bite fever or the hantavirus, wild mice and rats should never share living spaces with people. Not only do they transmit diseases, but they also damage your home. Even bushy-tailed rodents like squirrels can affect your home in negative ways. If you suspect that rodents have invaded your living spaces, take quick action to prevent unnecessary damage. 3 Ways Rats Can Damage Your Home They chew on everything. Rats have incisors and molars, which are perfect for chewing things. In fact, they have to gnaw on something every day; otherwise, their front incisors will continue growing and cause health problems as they mature. When rodents invade homes, they chew through walls and wires. They'll even gnaw on boxed goods, furniture and other miscellaneous items. They contaminate surfaces. Rats turn your home into a contaminated area as they scurry undetected during the...

There’s a lot to admire about bees. They’re fascinating, hardworking creatures, and we have them to thank for 30 percent of the world’s food crops. Apples, citrus fruits, berries, carrots and a host of other foods would cease to exist without bees. Have you ever wondered where bees go in the winter? That depends on the bee. Honeybees Honeybees hibernate through the winter. The closely knit colony retreats to the nest when temperatures drop. Inside, the ranks of bees gather in the innermost chamber of the hive and surround the queen to keep her warm. Worker bees continually stay in motion and flutter their wings to keep the hive warm. Workers have a remarkably organized and fair system of taking turns inside the center of the cluster so that no one freezes to death. The temperature inside the cluster reaches about 80 degrees. Honeybees rely on honey for the sustenance and...

Apartments, single-family homes and commercial properties are all vulnerable to pest infestations in different ways. Apartment complexes are designed to house multiple families, and this means that there are many opportunities for pests to find food and warm places to build their nests. They might obtain their food supply from exposed trash cans or from crumbs on the ground. It is very difficult to maintain the level of cleanliness necessary to prevent pest infestations in multi-family apartment complexes. Single-family homes offer pests a variety of entrance points, and commercial properties face business liability if an infestation is detected. 1. Residential apartments: Apartment tenants frequently have problems with a variety of pests. This is not always a consequence of cleanliness, but the stigma tends to stick. This causes embarrassment, which can delay action. In addition, the rate of turnover can also contribute to the presence of pests. As new tenants come into...

Insects and other pests are probably the last thing on your mind as you prepare for your Labor Day BBQ celebration. Although this is not a step that everyone always thinks about, pest control is an important part of a happy and successful holiday gathering. The last thing you want to be worried about as you fire up your BBQ grill is whether or not mosquitoes, ticks, or flies are going to be joining the party unannounced. By taking a few simple steps, you can reduce the odds of having problems with these pests during your holiday gatherings. Before Your Labor Day BBQ You don't have to wait until the problem begins to take steps to correct and prevent issues. Follow these tips in the days leading up to your celebration to reduce the risk of pests raining on your parade. Mow your lawn It is best to mow your grass...

Kansas residents who live in Kansas City, Topeka, Lawrence and the surrounding area are often surprised to discover that wildlife has invaded their property. Many homeowners enjoy seeing these animals, and some even leave out food and water in an attempt to keep them coming back. That's generally not a good idea because these are wild animals, and they may pose a health threat to humans and their pets and are capable of causing damage to your property. Kansas Wildlife Raccoons: You'll know this furry cutie by its black mask and human-like hands. These critters are attracted by your trash and any food and water that you leave out for your pets. If you find your pet's food bowls carried away or your trash dragged all over the yard, then you probably have been visited by raccoons. These animals have been known to carry rabies, and a dog that gets its...

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...