Pest Control & Anti-Termite Treatments

Pest and anti-termite control are important to any homeowner. Pests such as carpenter ants, rodents and cockroaches not only invade but can actually harm your home, and termites are the worst kind of invader. Orkin and Terminix offer solutions to any pest problem. There are also do-it-yourself remedies that help with smaller, less threatening invasions of pests and annoying critters.

Pests

• Cockroaches can creep into your home and not only spread germs but also aggravate allergies.

  Pests come in different forms and carry different threats. Some of the most common pests are carpenter ants, ticks, cockroaches, house crickets, and bedbugs. Carpenter ants, where colonies can reach 500,000, cut into the wood of your home and are often mistaken for termites. Ticks can carry diseases such as typhus, Lyme disease, and encephalitis. Cockroaches multiply quickly, spread germs and aggravate allergies. Crickets attack woolens, silk, paper, and fruits and vegetables. Bedbugs are about the size of apple seeds and do bite.

Termites

• According to Orkin, termites cause "more than $5 billion in home damage every year" and The Ohio State University Extension claims termites are the "most common and economically important wood destroying organism in the United States." Termites are whitish in color with black heads. Signs of termite invasion include the emergence of winged termites usually in the spring, the presence of mud tubes and signs of wood damage.

Termite or Ant

• Winged termites are often mistaken for winged ants. For the safety of your home, you should learn to recognize the difference. Susan Jones, PhD, assistant professor of entomology with the OSU Extension explains that winged termites "have straight, bead-like antennae; a thick waist; and two pair of long, equal-length wings that break off easily. Winged ants, have elbowed antennae, a constricted waist, and two pair of unequal-length wings (forewings are larger than hind wings) that are not easily detached. Ants also generally are harder-bodied than termites."

Pest Control

• Pest control is dependent on the pest invading your home. Professional pest management firms such as Orkin and Terminix will come out to your home, identify your problem and treat it accordingly. Both companies advertise non-chemical solutions such as sanitation for prevention, but they will use a chemical treatment if necessary. Both are trained to recognize and battle common pests including spiders, wasps, mosquitoes, silverfish, ticks, fleas, carpenter ants, and moths. They can also tackle mice.

Termite Control

• Entomologists from the OSU Extension suggest you call a "reputable, professional pest management firm" if you suspect termite activity in your home. Orkin and Terminix both have methods to tackle such infestations. Their treatments include liquid treatments, liquid wood treatments, baiting and monitoring.

DIY

• A mouse trap is a DIY method to solving a pest problem.

  Do-it-yourself pest and critter controls are available on the market via Internet purchases or through local stores. These include traps for wildlife such as squirrels, woodchucks and skunks. Mouse and rat traps are also available, as are vent covers to protect attics. Also available are foggers and sprayers.