Avoiding Uninvited Holiday Guests: Seasonal Pest Control

Nobody likes an uninvited guest, especially around the holidays. And I’m not talking about your good friends who have a standing invitation to just drop in anytime. I’m talking about the kind that just show up unannounced, eat your food, wreak havoc, and never want to leave. OK, I’m talking about pests — like the kind with six or eight legs.

As we get closer to winter, you might think you’re out of the woods with insect infestations, but you’d be wrong. All kinds of creepy crawlies would just love to join your holiday merry-making this season, so let’s talk seasonal pest control.

Here are some signs of party-crashing insects to look out for:

Fire Ant Tower

There are no insects that fill me with rage like fire ants. Except maybe wasps. Talk about a bug that is just mean-spirited. And these guys are literally building a tower to the weephole in order to get into this house. You know what’s worse than ants in your house? Fire ants in your house.

It’s a good idea to regularly check the exterior of your house for ant hills, especially near windows and other openings where ants can get inside. With the rain we’ve had and the weather turning colder, now is an excellent time to schedule your seasonal pest control.

Termite Tubes

“WE’VE GOT SOME ACTIVES!” Inspector Cody thought he was busting up an old termite tube, only to catch some live ones running through. This is also a really great example of what a termite tube looks like. Termites do remain active in the winter, so stay vigilant! If you see telltale signs of termites like these tubes, have your home treated by a professional, STAT.

Conducive Conditions For Wood-Destroying Insects

But first, don’t invite them in. If you put out an open invitation, don’t be surprised when the guests show up. These wood expansion joints, or formboards, that Inspector Brian is talking about are laid in sidewalks and driveways during construction and are — unfortunately — all too commonly left in place.

The most troublesome one is at the garage, right against the house, and acts like a lovely breadcrumb trail for termites. This particular builder did a beautiful job of filling the joint with elastomeric caulking. Bravo, Builder! Here’s a formboard that has been left in place:

Previous Termite Damage

What do you do if you have previous termite damage? If you’re moving into a home that has signs of previous damage, you should have it evaluated by pest control to make sure the infestation is gone, and then continue to treat so they don’t come back. If you’re concerned the damage might be extensive, you should consult a general contractor to see if the home will need repairs.

In this case, the way the home is set into the ground gives it some built-in conducive conditions for wood-destroying insects and easy access for things like ants, so the owners will need to stay current on pest control and make sure the property is sealed tight to prevent as much as possible.

With a little seasonal pest control, you can avoid ants in your sugar cookies and termites destroying your gingerbread houses this holiday! And if you have questions about that, seasonal home maintenance issues, or having a home inspection for a home you are purchasing, the inspectors at Green Scene are here to help!