Ants vs. Humans: Understanding the Relationship Between Us

Ants and humans have always coexisted in the world since the beginning of time, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with them when you have an infestation in your home. This article explores the relationship of ants vs. humans so that you can take control of the situation and live safely and happily in an ant-free zone.

Why Ants Enter Our Homes

Ants, like all creatures on our planet, need food to eat and a comfortable place to live. Ants are no exception to this rule and often find their way into human homes in search of nourishment and habitat. They are resilient insects that can survive in a wide range of conditions. Yet ants will take the easy way out if given the opportunity, which means even a tiny amount of pet food left out or crumbs left behind can draw in hundreds of ants very quickly.

Out in the yard, ants are especially active around utility boxes, yard debris, and dirt mounds. They are most commonly seen during the summer months in New Jersey but stay in our environment all throughout the year, even when they become less active to conserve energy in the winter.

How Ants Affect Humans

Although ants are tiny, their effect on humans can be quite great. When ants get into our personal spaces, they can contaminate our food supply and make us need to throw away grocery items or risk getting sick. Some ants have been known to bite humans when they come into close contact, which can cause pain and discomfort even though the bites are not usually very severe.

Some people are allergic to the venom of ant stings, which can cause swelling, itchiness, and even difficulty breathing. Having an ant infestation can also affect people’s mental health by making them feel paranoid about bugs crawling on them or embarrassed about inviting guests over to the house.

Ants can cause damage to a home by creating nests in wood that is moist and in hollow areas inside and around a home. Carpenter ants, in particular, are skilled at tunning through wood and causing damage to household structures and furniture. Ants can also be a source of food for other insects, which means that by simply having ants around your home, you could be drawing in other pests as well to further complicate matters.

Dangers of an Ant Infestation

Something else to know about ants is that they can multiply quickly, so just a few ants in your home could turn into a full-blown infestation in no time at all. There are DIY methods that you can try to deal with an ant problem, such as powdered chalk, lemon peels, peppermint, and red pepper. But if these strategies aren’t getting the job done, it is time to call Precise Termite & Pest Control for professional help.

We have been keeping Northern New Jersey free of ants for over 30 years and know how to target the types of ants that are common to our region. We deliver prompt and affordable pest control solutions so that you can rest easy and go about your days without worrying about ants.

To ask any questions about our ant control processes or to schedule your free inspection, please contact us online or call us at 866-971-2847.

When Are Ants the Most Active in Our Area?

Here in Northern New Jersey, you’ve probably seen ants crawling around at pretty much all times of day and most times of the year as well. But for ant control purposes and to prevent ant infestations, you may have wondered when ants are out and about the most with regard to times of day and seasons of the year.

In this article, we answer common ant questions, such as “Are ants nocturnal?” and “When are ants most active?” so that you can feel confident in your pest control solutions.

Are Ants Nocturnal?

There is no simple answer to this question because some types of ants are more active during the day, some at night, and some at both day and night. When ants are most active largely depends upon the climate they live in, how readily available food sources are, and where their nests are located. Ants that live in cold climates are more likely during the day because it is warmer and more comfortable then. In hot climates, ants tend to come out more at night when the temperatures aren’t so scorching hot.

Certain species of ants are also more prone to night activity vs. day activity. Carpenter ants, which are common in New Jersey, are a nocturnal ant species that typically leave their nests while humans are sleeping to go gather food. Yet many other ants that we have in our area are considered to be diurnal and are frequently seen throughout the day collecting food and defending themselves from predators.

Places Where Ants Are Especially Active

The place where you live and where you look may also impact your perception of ant activity on your property. Ants build nests both indoors and outdoors, and they are very skilled at finding entry points to access food and shelter. Common places for outdoor ant activity are piles of firewood, dirt mounds in yards, underneath yard debris, and around utility boxes.

Something else to be aware of is that ants have circadian rhythms just like humans do. But unlike humans, ants’ sleep patterns are not typically regulated by how much daylight they are exposed to each day. It is very likely that ants do not see any light for days because they are living underground in their tunnels. This is where ants spend most of their time, so they are quite comfortable with dark environments – whether that is the hours between sunset and sunrise or in those dark cracks and crevices in the corners of your home.

Times of Year for Increased Activity

In general, ants are most commonly seen during the summer months in New Jersey. During our long and cold winters, many ants will go into somewhat of a “hibernation mode” to conserve energy and resources. During the winter, ants are not actually sleeping all day. But they slow down their activity levels and are less likely to be seen by humans.

Take Control Over Your Ant Situation

No matter what time of day it is or what season it is, Precise Termite & Pest Control can help with your ant problem. Ant control and removal in Bergen County is one of our top specialties and something that we help so many residents with each and every year.

We know all the best strategies for getting rid of ants and know the best times to target them for safe, efficient, and humane removal. To learn more about how we can help with your ant infestation and to schedule your free inspection, contact us at 866-971-2847.

How Threatening Is a Termite Infestation in Your Home?

If you have noticed termite damage around your house lately, you might be wondering just how big of a deal that really is and if it’s absolutely essential that you take action right away. After all, termites are just small insects and so common here in New Jersey, right?

Unfortunately, a termite infestation is a very serious matter and something that really requires prompt attention. Here is an explanation of why an active termite infestation is so problematic and what you can do to resolve the issue.

Home Damage Caused by Termites

Termites are incredibly destructive insects that survive by chewing through the wood of your home. They create significant structural damage by chewing through support beams and ceiling joints. Beyond just wood, termites will also chew through metal siding, insulation, and other materials that keep your house safe and inhabitable. Once the insects get inside your home, they will even chew through furniture that you love and have spent hard-earned money to decorate your home with.

Health Issues Termites Can Cause

Unlike many other pests, such as rodents, termites are not known to carry diseases that can be passed on to humans. However, your health could still be at risk if you have termites on your property.

It is possible to be bitten or stung by a termite, and although these injuries are not toxic, they can be painful and cause irritation for a couple days. Some people have allergies to termite saliva and droppings, and you just don’t know if such allergens affect you until you’re already suffering.

Termites can cause damage to heating and ventilation systems, which contribute to more dust and allergens in the air and trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions as well. Your mental health can also be affected by termites because of how unsettling it feels to have bugs in your home, which might affect how you sleep at night and make you feel insecure about inviting guests over to your home.

The Potential of Termites Spreading and Multiplying

Another big issue with termites is how quickly they can spread within a home and even between homes in the same neighborhood. These are social insects that live in groups and that reproduce at a fast rate.

Female queen termites can lay between six and 12 eggs just a few days after they mate. But over time, females will lay more and more eggs as they mature and as their abdomens enlarge to increase birthing capacity. It is common for termite queens to lay thousands of eggs per year and cause full-blown infestations in no time at all.

We Can Stop Your Termite Infestation

But before you start worrying that your termite infestation is out of control or a lost cause, contact Precise Termite & Pest Control for help. We have been keeping Northern New Jersey termite-free for over three decades and know exactly where to look for these insects, how to exterminate them safely and efficiently, and how to prevent them from coming back to your home.

However, time is of the essence when you notice the first signs of termite damage but the problem won’t fix itself on its own. We need you to let us know about the issue right away so we can take over and prevent property damage, health issues, and termites spreading quickly and in the best ways possible.

How to Get Rid of Ants Using Ordinary Household Items

Many DIY-savvy homeowners invest in numerous ant control products, such as sprays, traps, and baits, in an attempt to handle ant infestations themselves. But did you know that many common items that you already have in your cupboards and pantry are effective in fighting ants as well?

This article explores the various household ingredients that deter ants and what to do when these DIY approaches aren’t enough to handle an ant infestation.

Vinegar

A tip for how to kill ants in the kitchen is to mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and then spray it directly onto ants when you see them. Vinegar is also useful for deterring ants from areas where they typically come into a home, such as doorways and windowsills.

Chalk

Chalk is made from calcium carbonate, which ants strongly dislike. Ordinary sticks of chalk can be used around the bases of counters and tables so that ants don’t climb up from the ground onto higher surfaces. However, you will need to apply chalk regularly to get the ant-repellent effects since it wipes off easily with normal household activity.

Dish Soap

Killing fire ants with dawn dish soap is a common at-home remedy for ant problems and works well with ingredients you likely already have at home. Mix one part dish soap with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray it directly onto ants to kill them. You may need to do this for several days in a row until the entire colony is dead.

Borax

Borax is commonly used in cleaning products and is lethal to ants. You can mix borax with water and confectioner’s sugar to create a paste that you put in containers near ant entry points. Worker ants will carry the sweet (yet toxic-to-them) substance back to their nests and be poisoned.

Citrus

Ants also hate citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits. You can put the juice of citrus fruits into a spray bottle to spray on door jams and window sills. Another idea is to puree orange peels with a bit of water and rub the mixture on these areas of a home to deter ants.

Coffee

Coffee grounds work well as an ant-repellant because ants don’t like the smell of coffee or the feeling of the grounds on their feet. Try sprinkling coffee grounds around your plants both inside and outside to keep pesky ants away.

When Household Items Aren’t Enough

While these natural, at-home remedies are certainly worth a try, they aren’t always the fastest, easiest, or most effective ways to get rid of ants. This is especially true if you have a widespread ant infestation that spans multiple areas of your home and property.

The best way to get ants out of your life is to call Precise Termite & Pest Control for a free and professional inspection. We know all of the best tips and tricks for exterminating ants and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our services. Residents of Bergen and Passaic counties trust us whenever they have ant problems of any type or size, so call us at 866-971-2847 or contact us online.

How Do Termites Spread Within and Between Homes?

Termites are social insects that live in colonies and work in groups. When you see one termite, it’s guaranteed that there are others nearby, which can lead to a full-blown infestation inside your house. Termites spread quickly and easily throughout a home and possibly even to other homes and buildings in the vicinity.

To help you stop termites before they get out of control, here’s a look at how termites spread and the warning signs of termite spreading.

Termites Spreading Between Walls and Furniture

As New Jersey pest control experts, we often get the question, “How easily do termites spread from walls to furniture?” The answer we typically give is “very easily,” because these insects can multiply to infestation levels within just a few days.

The spread occurs when winged, reproductive termites go out to mate and then come back to start new colonies. Termites also join existing infestations by building tunnels through walls as they hunt for food in a home.

Termites Spreading Between Neighbors

Not only can termites spread throughout your home, but they can also spread from one home to the next in your neighborhood. From the epicenter of an infestation, termites commonly spread out more than 100 feet in every direction. Other estimates put termite travel distances at around 230 feet from the epicenter. Therefore, it is very possible for termites to enter your home if you have a close neighbor who is battling a termite infestation.

Between houses, termites move through mud tubes in yards and then enter through cracks in the walls. Termites that have reproductive and flying capabilities move through the air to search for mating partners, an effort that may cause termites on a neighbor’s property to travel to your home.

Signs of Termites Spreading

One of the telltale signs of termites spreading in a home are droppings that look like wood-colored and rigid pellets that may fall from ceilings. You may also notice mud tunnels around the foundation of your home if subterranean termites are present. Damp stains on walls, chewing sounds behind the walls, soft floorboards, and dried mud accumulations around doors and windows are also signs of termite spreading.

If you don’t catch spreading termites quickly, the structural integrity of your home will be compromised and costly repair bills will be inevitable. Termite infestations don’t simply go away on their own, so you need to be proactive about stopping them and aware of how fast they spread from underground to the foundation, walls, furniture, other items in your home.

Stop Termites from Spreading Now

If you have termites in or around your home, you need Precise Termite & Pest Control on your side. We specialize in stopping termites from costing you thousands of dollars of property damage so that you can have peace of mind and save your hard-earned money. It is a smart idea to have your home regularly inspected for termites so that you can catch small termite populations early before they spread. If your neighbor has been having termite troubles, a free inspection by one of our professional exterminators can save you countless expenses and stresses in your own home.

Contact us today at 866-971-2847 to learn more about how we handle termite extermination and to schedule your free inspection.

Gnats vs. Fruit Flies: What’s the Difference?

There are hundreds of thousands of different insects living around the world, yet most people are only familiar with a few varieties that they encounter on a regular basis. Two insects that we have here in Northern New Jersey are gnats and fruit flies, which have some similarities but are distinct species with unique qualities.

Here is a look at the differences between gnats vs. fruit flies to help you determine what type of small, flying insect you’re dealing with in your home.

All About Gnats

Gnats are usually black or dark gray in color and have long bodies with dangling legs. A common type of nuisance insect is the fungus gnat. In general, gnats have small eyes and often live in the soil of potted plants inside homes.

Gnats are found in various rooms throughout the home, not just the kitchen. They love finding mold, grime, warmth, and moisture in a home. This is one reason why you should not leave standing water around your house or delay fixing moisture damage. Rotting animal carcasses and sewage also attract gnats.

Understanding Fruit Flies

Meanwhile, fruit flies are tan or black in color and have big, red eyes. They have rounded bodies and live around ripe fruits and food scraps in trash cans. You’ll most commonly find fruit flies in your kitchen and gathering in groups.

They rarely go too far away from potential food sources, and the females lay eggs in fruit that is turning from peak ripeness to rotten. However, you may also find fruit flies inside produce that is growing in your garden, which is why it’s important to check fruits and vegetables that you harvest on your property before bringing them inside to wash and eat.

Similarities Between Gnats vs. Fruit Flies

Both gnats and fruit flies are tiny, flying insects that can be very annoying to have buzzing around you. They tend to be more of a nuisance than a serious health or safety concern.

Prevention strategies for both gnats and fruit flies involve making sure that window screens don’t have holes. For gnat prevention, use a yellow porch light instead of a white one to attract them less frequently. For fruit flies, take your garbage out frequently and make sure that trash cans have tight seals so that these insects don’t start lingering around.

Professional Help with Pesky Insects

Both fruit flies and gnats reproduce quickly, so if you notice a few in your house, chances are that you may have many more of them in the near future. Therefore, it’s a good idea to call a professional exterminator when you first notice a problem with either of these types of insects. A gnat issue that isn’t addressed may lead to damaged and unhealthy houseplants, while a fruit fly infestation can lead to the spread of disease through contaminated food.

After the long winter season, many pests start to become more active and cause big hassles and headaches for New Jersey homeowners. Precise Termite & Pest Control can help you get rid of many different kinds of insects and rodents so that your home is a clean and safe place that you enjoy spending time in.

For your free pest inspection or to learn more about how we can help with gnats or fruit flies, give us a call at 866-971-2847. Identifying the type of insect, such as gnats vs. fruit flies, is the first step to taking control of your pest situation and preventing them from coming back again anytime soon.

How to Get Rid of Mice Outdoors on Your Property

In the past, most of our blog articles about mice have been focused on how to get them out of your house. But what about mice that are living outside and haven’t yet found their way indoors just yet?

Here are some tips for how to get rid of mice outdoors so that you can have mice-free yard and garden areas.

Keep Your Yard Clean and Tidy

Mice love good hiding places in yards, so you can deter them from your outside area by making hiding places harder to find. Mow your grass, pull weeds, and keep compost materials far away from your house. Also, eliminate wood and brush piles in your yard to keep mice away.

Set Mouse Traps or Repellents

If you notice mice activity on your property, you can set some traps to catch them. It’s typically best to place traps along the perimeter of your property, but even this can be dangerous if you have kids or pets playing in the yard.

As an alternative, you can set humane DIY traps that won’t harm your little ones or plant natural mice repellents in your garden, such as lavender, sage, and basil. There are also devices that you can buy that make an audible sound that mice hate and that can serve as an effective deterrent without harming people or pets.

Eliminate Food Sources

To get rid of mice outdoors, you’ll also want to get rid of any exposed food that might entice mice to linger around. This includes bird food in bird feeders, pet food in outdoor kennels, and open trash cans. Instead, keep trash secure in cans with lockable lids, and take away leftover food that your pets don’t eat after meals.

Seal Up Potential Entry Points

The biggest risk of having mice outdoors is that they might find their way indoors and cause an infestation in your house. To take control of the situation, cover up any holes in the foundation of your home and seal up entry points, such as cracks in doors and windows.

Perform Regular Property Inspections

Mice reproduce very quickly and can easily take over a property if their presence goes unnoticed for too long. On a regular basis, walk around your yard and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity, such as gnawed wires, burrowed holes in the dirt, or fecal droppings left behind in outdoor areas.

Call Precise Termite & Pest Control

However, the best way to get rid of mice outdoors is to enlist the help of a professional who knows where to look for signs of mice activity and can quickly remedy the situation before it gets worse. It’s also a smart idea to have an exterminator perform an annual inspection as a preventative measure just be proactive if you live in an area where mice are common. Northern New Jersey is an area that is notorious for mice living both outdoors and indoors, and Precise Termite & Pest Control has been keeping our region mice-free for over three decades with effective, prompt, and affordable pest control.

For your free inspection or to learn more about the signs of outdoor mice activity, call us at 866-971-2847 or contact us online. This is a great time of the year to have an inspection done, so schedule yours today and enjoy peace of mind for the rest of the year.

How Do You Know When All the Mice Are Gone?

If you’ve ever dealt with a problem of mice in the house, you know the desperate feeling of wanting to get them out as quickly as possible. But after you’ve caught one or more mice, is there any way to tell if that’s it or if more are lingering behind?

This article answers the question of how to know when all the mice are gone and also make sure that they stay away for good.

Trust Your Sense of Smell

Mice leave a certain foul odor behind that comes from their urine. When you have a mice infestation, you may smell this odor throughout your house. But when all the mice are gone, the smell should dissipate as well.

Inspect for Mice Droppings

Mice droppings are a sure sign that you have mice in the house. But are these new droppings you are seeing or old ones that you never discovered until now?

If you found mouse droppings but no mouse in a frequently used part of your house, chances are that you still have mice in the house that need to be taken care of. Also, keep an eye out for newly gnawed food containers in your cupboards that weren’t chewed through the last time you checked.

Listen Closely for Sounds

Turn off your stereo and TV periodically to listen for continued sounds of mice activity. It is much more likely that you will hear mice than actually see them. This is because mice scurry behind walls, under floorboards, in attics, and in closets. Your home should be silent once the mice have officially left your property. Mice are more active at night than in the day, so listen especially closely in the evening hours.

Leave Out Some Bait

There are also some clever ways that you can test if mice are still living in your home or if you have finally accomplished a mice-free residence. One simple trick that you can try is to sprinkle some flour on the floor where mice would likely travel before you go to bed. If you see tiny footprints in the flour the next morning, mice are still living in your home.

You can also leave out a sweet treat, such as a cookie, to see if any lingering mice find it and gnaw away at the delicious surprise. Setting mice traps with peanut butter or cheese can have the same effect.

Call a Professional to Check for You

While all of these mice investigation techniques can be effective as an amateur, the only real way to see if you still have mice in the house is to enlist the help of a professional. Precise Termite & Pest Control’s expert exterminators know exactly where to look for mice still hiding in your home and get them out so that they stay away for good. We’ll help you figure out how mice are coming into your home in the first place and the type of mice you’re dealing with. Then we can take the best course of action to get the remaining mice out of your home quickly and effectively so that you no longer have to worry about germs, disease, or unsanitary conditions.

Do You Have Just One Mouse or a Full-Blown Mice Infestation?

Having any number of mice in your home is not a good thing, but there is a big difference between just one rodent resident versus an infestation with dozens of mice or even more. Obviously, getting control over just one mouse is easier than if you have many of them. But it can be very difficult to tell how many mice are in your house unless you are a trained professional and know what signs to look for.

From your local pest control experts, here are some tips for how to know if you have just one mouse or a mice infestation, and then how to deal with problem regardless of how big it is.

The Situation of Just One Mouse

Although it is rare, it is possible to have just a single mouse living in your house. A lone mouse could wander inside your home in search of food, shelter, and warmth while staying mostly hidden during the day. If you have a single mouse, you’ll likely only see a small trail of fecal droppings rather than many droppings in multiple locations.

But a situation to be aware of the pregnant female mouse who comes inside alone to find a safe place to give birth but then produces up to 12 babies per litter in just a short amount of time. What starts out as just a simple mouse problem could quickly evolve into something much bigger without you even realizing what’s going on.

Signs of a Larger Mice Infestation

There are various kinds of mice that live in New Jersey and that tend to stick together and gather in households. You might have more than one mouse and a mice infestation if you see many droppings, hear loud scratching noises, or find large quantities of nesting materials.

Lots of items chewed through in your house could be a sign of an infestation as well, such as packaged food boxes and wires. Larger mice problems may cause your household pets to act strangely, especially in the evening hours when mice are more active.

What to Do with Mice in the Home

Whether you have just one mouse or many mice, it’s important to find where they are coming in from the outside world. It is common to see holes chewed through walls, smell urine, or notice greasy streaks on the walls in areas where multiple mice are getting inside.

Chimneys and holes in siding are other common places where mice enter a home. A professional exterminator can seal up mice entry points so that more mice don’t get inside and join the ones already living in your home.

Your Local Mice Infestation Experts

Being faced with a mice infestation is an unsettling experience because of the dangers mice pose, such as damaging electrical wiring and carrying diseases that make humans sick. Therefore, the best way to determine how many mice you have in your home is to call a professional to do a free inspection and assess the situation.

Precise Termite & Pest Control provides effective, prompt, and affordable mice control solutions to keep your home mice-free now and in the future. Contact us to schedule your inspection and take advantage of our discount on new annual contracts for mice control.

Is Pest Control Necessary in the Winter?

During the warm months of the year, New Jersey residents tend to see more insects and other pests in their homes and around their yard because they spend more time outside. However, pest control in winter is also very important because troublesome critters don’t just disappear when the weather gets cold.

Here is why winter pest control is necessary and how you can keep your home free from pests all season long.

Common Winter Pests

Here in Bergen and Passaic counties, there are lots of different pests that our customers need our help with during the winter. Mice and rats are rodents that invade homes during the winter months, while raccoons start to move into attics, garages, and sheds when the temperature drops. You’ll often see spiders in New Jersey homes in the winter, as well as moths in places filled with light and cockroaches and beetles if you leave crumbs behind after holiday parties.

Winter Habitats for Pests

In the winter, insects commonly move inside of homes where it is warm and a food supply is nearby. Some of the insects that move indoors in the winter are spiders, ants, ladybugs, cockroaches, stinkbugs, and termites.

Pests like to find firewood, cracks, holes, and moist areas of houses to live in. Basements and crawl spaces are typical areas to check for pest activity. Some types of houses are more prone to pest control winter issues, such as cabins in the forest and older houses that need structural repairs. Insects and rodents are more likely to cause you problems in the winter if you have dirty garbage cans or plumbing leaks that cause damp areas.

Pest Control Winter Tips for Prevention

One of the best things you can do to prevent a winter pest infestation is to inspect your home for damage and potential entry points. Area to check include the roof line, firewood storage area, vents, window screens, door cracks, and gutters.

Remove debris from around your property so that you don’t entice pests to come find shelter near you. Other preventative tips include installing door sweeps, fixing leaky pipes, replacing loose mortar, and adding screen vents to chimneys. The winter season is also an ideal time to call a professional exterminator to take a look at your property and identify pest-prone issues that you may be unaware of.

Professional Help for Winter Pest Control

As you can see, pest control in the winter is absolutely necessary as part of a year-around maintenance strategy for keeping your Northern New Jersey home free of pests. Even during the busy holiday season, it is important to make pest control a priority so that a small pest issue doesn’t turn into a full-blown infestation that puts your health at risk and that becomes costly to remedy.

Now is an excellent time to schedule a free pest control winter inspection with Precise Termite & Pest Control to make sure that there aren’t any unwanted guests living in your home. Four-season pest control is crucial in New Jersey because of the large pest populations that are native to our area. We offer 10 percent off on new annual contracts to help you start the year off right with a winter inspection and pest assessment.

Categories

Recent Posts

Archives

Contact Us Today!

Same Day Service

25 Years of Pest Control