Residential Pest Control

Residential Pest Control

It’s your home, your comfort zone, your castle. You want your fortress keeping the unwanted world out. Residential pest control is about your personal private space being free from annoying, ugly, scary creatures. Bugs are fine outside doing what they need to in the circle of life, but when they get inside those bugs become pests, and pest control for your home is where Bulwark can help. We want you to be bug free and feel safe in your home. It pains us when homeowners don’t feel comfortable in their own homes. You shouldn’t be losing sleep due to pests invading your bedroom. Your bathroom should be place of tranquility and relaxation. And if you’ve tried doing pest control yourself or with another company and have given up hope then its time to try Bulwark. We are 94% recommended by our 2019 customer survey results, and we are 100% Guaranteed. Find out how much better life feels when you are bug free and happy.

Introduction to Pest control

Pest control services protect a home and family from animal species deemed as pests. “Pests” are any invertebrates, vertebrates, or plants that are in a location where they are not wanted. Invertebrates (insects, arachnids, myriapods, and crustaceans) are most often the first group thought of as pests. (Note: these are the primary pests targeted by exterminators. Only a few vertebrates make the list of target pests. For humans deemed pests please seek out other professionals)
Why is pest control important? Apart of health risks and damage, pests can also threaten and destroy a home’s sense of safety and security. Instead of simply tolerating a pest, pest control is the act of preventing, eliminating, and removing these unwanted creatures through an integrated pest management plan and process. To properly address pest concerns and get a professional pest control quote, a home or facility evaluation should be conducted. A diagnosis of the pest problem and the severity of infestation can often be achieved over the phone or through SMS. For specialty pests (termites, bed bugs, rodents) an on-site inspection may be required for accurate quoting. Pest control will restore your peace of mind by protecting your personal space, and that is important.

Pest Control Services Today

A pest control service provides routine integrated pest control treatments to protect homes from damage and residents’ peace of mind. Professional exterminators should be properly trained and carry the required licenses to use professional pest control products. Products used during each treatment will vary based on target pests, property conditions, and surrounding pest pressures. Structural pest control is focused on ridding homes and offices of pests. Structural pest control also extends to protecting areas around the building. Some additional pest control licensing may be required for turf and ornamental pests. Structural pest control is categorized and often licensed separately in the following areas:
– Wood destroying organisms (WDO)
– Aquatic pests near buildings in standing or running water
– Weed control around structures, in lawns, or along right-of ways
– Trees and ornamental shrubs near homes or commercial properties
– Wildlife control
– General Structural Pest Control Services
Of the categories listed, general pest control service is the most common type of service provided. Most pest control practitioners will have a general pest control license. It covers the vast variety of pest not listed above. Within general pest control there are also the following unique service types:
– Mosquito Control
– Bedbugs
– Fleas and Ticks
– Bee Control
– German Roach Control
– Scorpion Home Seals

Outside of Structural Pest Control the greatest need for pest control is within Agriculture. Agricultural pest control is in a category all its own, but many of the advances found there are seen in residential pest control today.

What Do Termites Look Like?

Termites look similar to flying ants, which often causes misidentification. Both insects swarm around the same time of year. You’re most likely to see termites in the spring and late summer. Swarming termites vary in color. Dampwood termites are tan or pale yellow. Drywood termites are brown or red. Subterranean termites are dark brown or black.

The most noticeable physical differences between termites and ants are that termites have the following:

• A uniform body with a straight waist, rather than the cinched waist of an ant.
• Straight, beaded antennae as opposed to ants’ elbowed antennae.
• Wings that are equal in size, which differ from the ant’s larger forewings.

Termites discard their wings after their mating cycle. Ants do not discard their wings, so any wings that you find in or around your home are a strong indicator of termites.

Though swarming termites are the ones you’re most likely to see, there are other types of termites as well. Worker termites are the ones who actually gather food. They’re white to pale brown in color with soft wingless bodies. Worker termites can grow up to a centimeter in length.

Soldier termites have beige bodies and dark heads. They have large mandibles on their heads which give them a more imposing appearance. Soldiers can inflict painful bites. Their mandibles make it impossible for them to feed or clean themselves, so the worker termites take on these tasks for them while the soldiers focus exclusively on protecting the colony.

Where Do Termites Live?

In the United States, there are 50 species of termites. Those most commonly found in homes are subterranean termites, dampwood termites, and drywood termites. Termites can live in every state except Alaska but are most active in the southern part of the country where temperatures are warmer.

As the name suggests, subterranean termites build colonies in the ground. They create mud tubes in the soil and use these to access wood from the bottom, where it comes into contact with the dirt. Subterranean termites need a damp environment to thrive. They cannot live in dry habitats.

Drywood termites, however, are capable of living in dry climates. Their outer skeletons help them retain moisture. These termites like to take up residence in attics, doors, wood furniture, and wood framing. They will build their nests in healthy wood, causing serious destruction. Dampwood termites are less likely to damage your home because they prefer damp, decaying wood. They like logs that are perpetually wet, such as those in a ditch or near a downspout. If you have wood around your home that’s constantly damp, you should look out for termites in this area. Wood in or around your bathroom or kitchen that’s exposed to regular moisture can attract termites as well.

Problems With Termites

Unfortunately, termite problems can go undetected for a long period of time. This has given these pests the nickname “silent destroyers.” In the early stages of an infestation, it’s difficult to detect these small insects. The best way to identify problems with termites is to have regular inspections from a pest control professional. As termite colonies grow, they become easier to identify. Some signs of a termite infestation include:

• Blistering paint.
• Hollow sounds in the walls.
• Visible damage to wood trim or paneling.
• Pinholes in your walls.
• Piles of termite droppings, which may appear as a dark powdery substance.
• Warped doors and window frames.

Termite Control Solutions

By the time you detect termites in your home, the damage is often quite extensive. The best termite control solutions are usually those provided by a professional. An experienced exterminator can help you evaluate the full extent of the damage to your home. Liquid termite treatments are available which create a barrier around the building. Once termites come into contact with the liquid, they become disoriented and do not cause further damage to the building. The liquid is transferrable from one termite to another, so they can carry this substance back to the nest.

Termite baits serve as an attractive food source that termites will carry back to the nest. The most important part of any termite extermination is killing the queen to eradicate the entire termite colony. A professional exterminator can help you choose a well-rounded treatment approach that will tackle your termite problem in several efficient ways.

Termite Facts

There are more than 2,000 species of termites around the world. A termite colony can consume wood non-stop, 24 hours a day causing constant damage to your home. These insects never sleep. They live in a caste system where each creature has its own responsibilities. Termites communicate with each other using vibrations. Every year, termites are responsible for over $5 billion in property damage. Though fascinating in their productivity, these insects are something you want to keep far from your home.

If you suspect a termite infestation in your home, it’s important to get a professional inspection as soon as possible. The sooner you can identify a termite colony, the easier it will be to repair any damage that’s been done to your home.