Houston Residential Pest Control:
Identifying the Culprits and How John Moore Services Can Help
You may not be dealing with lions, tigers and bears, but “Oh my!” is a familiar expression when confronted with a pest control problem in your home. With Houston’s climate, area residents often find themselves waging a war over territory: you and your family versus the pests (in their various forms) and theirs for control over your home. John Moore Services, a professional home services company, has compiled a list of the most common pests, and tips on how you can prevent them.
Termites
Termites are a group of social insects that feed on cellulose, found primarily in wood products. These pests, sometimes referred to as “white ants” are especially detrimental, as they pose a threat to the structure of your home.
The presence of termites can be detected by the presence of mud tubes and wood damage around the home. Houston residents may notice this more frequently during the spring months when temperature and moisture conditions are favorable to their breeding.
Because they need moisture to survive it is important to avoid moisture accumulation near the foundation of your home. Diverting water from the foundation can best be done with properly functioning downspouts, gutters, and splash blocks. Minimizing the use of wood mulch and removing old tree stumps can also be helpful.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are among the most common pests in Texas. These insects can be identified by their reddish brown bodies, with a margin of light brown or yellow behind the thorax. Flattened bodies allow these typically, outdoors creatures access to homes by way of entry through cracks and crevices. Cockroaches also gain entry be means of infested boxes, grocery bags, beverage cartons, furniture and dried pet foods. They also enter around loose-fitting doors and windows, where electrical lines or water and steam pipes pass through walls, in seasoned firewood and through sewer lines. When outdoors, cockroaches live in wood piles, decaying trees and sewer systems.
While most are relatively harmless, they can contaminate food and kitchen utensils with excrement and salivary secretions.
Proper sanitation, both indoors and outdoors, effectively limits cockroach populations. This can be done by cleaning up all spills immediately, and frequently cleaning areas beneath and behind cabinets, furniture, sinks, stoves and refrigerators. Sealing cracks more than 1/8 of an inch from foundation and exterior walls, as well as immediately attending to leaky faucets can also help greatly in cockroach infestation prevention.
Fire Ants
Fire ants, or red ants as they are sometimes called, are stinging ants that are common to Texas and other states in the southern United States. These ants can best be identified by their copper heads and bodies, and darker abdomens.
These vicious pests bite to get a grip on their victims, and then inject them with alkaloid venom from their abdomens, leaving their victims with a burning sensation, much like that of those who have been burned by fire.
Typically, fire ants nest in soil, near moist areas. Their dome shaped nests are often hidden from view, namely underneath rocks and logs. If you notice numerous mounds of loose soil, resembling gopher diggings above the ground, more than likely you’ve discovered a nest.
If you must work in proximity to fire ants, the use of rubber boots and gloves powdered with talc can prevent contact. Other measures of control can be obtained by the use of broadcast and individual mound treatments.
John Moore Services has the solution to all of your pest control needs. Free termite inspections and pest control estimates can be arranged by calling 877-730-7711. Additional information regarding pest and termite control can be found on the John Moore Services website at www.johnmooreservices.com.
