Advantage Termite & Pest Solutions Blog

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...

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...