Wasps, bees, spiders, and mice don’t have to be inside your house to be annoying. Even having them in your yard can be a problem. Whether they’re indoors or out, if you’re dealing with an excess of pests, it’s time to call the professionals, Garrie Pest Control. But, with so many pest control services in Middletown, NY, it can be difficult to find the right company. With these tips, you’ll not only find the right service, but you’ll also be pest-free in no time!

ASK FOR REFERRALS

Chances are your friends and family members have dealt with the same pest control problems that you are. Ask them who they’ve used in the past. Referrals are the best way to find a quality company without having to do the legwork. Those around you have already done it for you. Not only are you learning more about great companies in the area, but you’re also learning who to avoid. Compile a list of the recommendations from your friends and look into each one.

CHECK ONLINE REVIEWS

On top of asking those closest to you for recommendations, check online to see what past customers have to say about prospective pest control companies. Reviews give you a glimpse into how companies conduct their business. Along with the best and the worst experiences of their customers, you’ll also see if the company has responded and dealt with the reviews appropriately. Steer clear of any pest control company that has overwhelmingly negative reviews. If their reputation isn’t positive, find a different service.

VERIFY CREDENTIALS

The company that you work with should be licensed, insured, and experienced. Before hiring a pest control company, ask about business licenses. They should have a valid business license from the state and city where they’re located. It’s also important that they’re insured. This ensures that if there’s an issue while they’re servicing your home, you aren’t left holding the bill. An experienced company understands how important these documents are and will readily supply them upon request.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

While your pest control company should rid your home of any unwanted pests, they should also consider the safety of the environment. Be wary of any company that uses harmful chemicals or pesticides. Not only will these harm the environment, but they could pose a risk to your children and animals too. Instead, look for companies that utilize extermination methods that are safe and secure for your family and the earth. Garrie Pest Control offers environmental I.P.M. Programs.

TRANSPARENCY

A good pest control company is upfront about its practice, procedures, and pricing. Before they treat your home, they’ll spend time explaining the cost associated with the process. Once the final bill arrives, there won’t be any surprises. Avoid companies that attach hidden fees to their treatments. Instead, look for services that are open, honest, and willing to answer any questions that you may have.

With summer in full swing, pests are beginning to appear in droves. If you’re dealing with unwanted bugs or rodents, pest control in Middletown, NY can help. The extermination experts at Garrie Pest Control can help to restore your home to order safely and effectively. Whether you’re dealing with mice or ants, schedule a consultation with one of the friendly members of the Garrie Pest Control team today!

It’s hard to imagine that something as seemingly insignificant as a beetle could do such damage, but that is the case when it comes to wood-boring beetles. You may not know it, but beetles can seriously undermine the structure of your home by laying eggs in wood. When those eggs hatch, the resulting larvae emerge and bring their voracious appetites to bear, gnawing through wood and hurting its structural integrity. If you discover wood-boring beetles or their larvae around your home, it’s important that you take steps to remediate the infestation. That includes contacting a pest control company in Middletown, NY, to treat your property thoroughly.

While wood-boring beetles are a beneficial species in the woods, they aren’t nearly as helpful in a residential environment. In the wild, they help break down and remove dead trees and restore their nutrients to the soil. In your home, they can bore extensive mazes in the home’s structural components consisting of tunnels that will make the wood weak and accelerate its natural degradation. As destructive as wood-boring beetles are, there are effective methods of pest control in Middletown, NY, that can be used to free your home from its grip. Read on to learn more about wood-boring beetles, the damage they can do, and how you can rid your home of them.

WHAT ARE WOOD-BORING BEETLES?

Wood-boring beetles aren’t a single species of beetle. Instead, the category is made up of many species that possess a common characteristic. All wood-boring beetles lay eggs in tiny cracks in the surface of the wood. Some of the most common species of wood-boring beetles in buildings and structures are the powderpost beetle, the false powderpost beetle, and the old house borer beetle. Powderpost beetles prefer hardwoods that are extremely low in moisture content, such as oak, walnut, and mahogany. False powderpost beetles aren’t nearly as selective, as they’ll dine on both hardwoods and softwoods, such as pine. Old house borer beetles prefer softer, high-moisture coniferous wood.

WHAT DAMAGE CAN THEY DO?

When the wood-boring beetle eggs hatch, the resulting larvae, also known as woodworms, then bore down into the wood. As they grow, they consume the wood, carving out tunnels as they go. Over the course of several years, these networks of tunnels can severely undermine the structural stability of wood, leaving it prone to rot and breakage. Powderpost beetles are more likely to damage dry wood inside and outside of the home, including structural supports, such as studs, wood flooring, soffits, and decking. In homes that include pine or cypress, these same locations may be targeted by false powderpost beetles. Because of their appreciation for moist wood, old house borer beetles may be more likely to strike areas outside of the home that isn’t climate-controlled, such as workshops, decks, and sheds.

HOW DO YOU GET RID OF THEM?

Getting rid of wood-boring beetles can be difficult, but with the help of a company that offers pest control services, it is a straightforward task. First, check for infestations. Look for the telltale signs, such as the presence of exit holes in the external surfaces of wood or powdery sawdust-like frass left behind by the beetle larvae. If you see white powder clumped around wood, the infestation may still be active, and the wood must be removed or treated with a borate-based solution. If the powder is yellow and exit holes are present, the wood can remain but should be treated and sealed. Once the affected wood has been treated, the house should be treated with a pesticide to make sure no other adult beetles are lurking.

If you notice that you have a wood-boring beetle infestation, there are some immediate steps you should take to prevent damage to your property. If you think you may have wood-boring beetles, contact Garrie Pest Control or request an appointment online.