Some of the “elves” in our Fenton office brought ALLLLL the cozy Christmas cheer to work today by declaring it Christmas PJ Day. Luckily for them, this is 100% Santa-approved!
Menu
Pest-Free Firewood
Fall and winter are the perfect times to cozy up to a blazing fire with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. Or maybe a glass of wine and someone you love. Or maybe with the kids & grandkids and a fun game. No matter what the occasion, any time spent by a crackling, wood-burning fireplace makes for an enjoyable occasion. Whether you chopped the wood yourself or picked up some at the store, make sure that you’re not inviting any pests to cozy up to your toasty fire as well! here’s some tips on how to keep your firewood pest-free:
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.
Colder temperatures may tempt you to keep your firewood close to your home or even inside your home. Don’t give in! Pests — like carpenter ants, roaches and termites — love to crawl inside and hang out in piles of firewood. Insects that hide in wood piles close to homes are more likely to find cracks, holes or other openings that allow them to sneak inside your home.
AVOID WET WOOD.
Insects are attracted to wet wood. And since wet wood doesn’t burn that well anyway, it’s doubly beneficial for you to keep your firewood covered by a tarp or some other type of cover. Keep firewood off the wet ground as well by placing it on a firewood holder. You can purchase these or one can easily be crafted out of a couple of cinder blocks and lumber. Making sure your firewood stays elevated off the ground helps maintain airflow beneath the pile which reduces moisture and, in turn, prevents pests.
ELIMINATE SURFACE PESTS.
Before you bring any firewood inside your house, inspect the logs. Quickly look them over, shake them and knock them together. This should get rid of any pests that are on the surface or just beginning to emerge.
No matter who you’re spending time with around the fireplace, following these easy suggestions will help ensure that nothing “bugs” you while you’re curled up by a fabulous fire on a chilly day or night!
Before You Deck Those Halls
That smell of freshly cut tree. Hot chocolate. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. (And with zero guilt, of course, because…well, ’tis the season!) And decorating. Lots and lots of decorating. Here are some tips to keep in mind while you deck those halls::
- Before bringing any live greenery indoors, give it all a good shake to force any potential pests to fall out.
- As you unpack boxes filled with lights, ornaments and other decorations, be on the lookout for any signs of potential pest infestations like gnaw marks or rodent droppings.
- Holiday plans usually involve some baking. Keep all baking supplies in airtight containers. Consider adding a bay leaf to canisters with dry goods — the smell will often keep the bugs away while not affecting the supplies.
Bugs vs Old Man Winter: Who Wins?
Who else saw the snow flurries yesterday morning? While it’s “technically” still fall, winter temperatures are already creeping in. When most people think about insects, spring & summer seasons may come to mind first; however, bugs don’t simply disappear in the winter. Here are some of our most frequently asked questions regarding pest control in the upcoming cold winter months.
Q: Do I really need pest control services in the winter? Don’t all the bugs die when it gets cold?
A: We treat your home year-round because insects don’t actually die off during the winter. Most simply go deeper in the soil to stay warm. Or, some pests, like ladybugs and stink bugs, even try to come inside to stay warm. Insects are actually smart enough to recognize the oncoming cold and build up supplies of food for the winter. We use different types of materials for your winter visits that penetrate deeper into the soil to target these clever pests. These materials are designed to hold up better in cold weather and are the best protection against pests from entering at the first warm spell.
Q: What can I expect on an exterior pest control visit during the winter?
A: During the winter, we concentrate on using residual dusts, baits and granular materials to prepare your house for spring. By treating early, we can help prevent the pests that appear at the first hint of spring. St. Louis winters are typically not as severe as winters in more northern climates so many species of insects are not only able to survive — but also to thrive — year round.
