This is the season of the bug, specifically, the swarming insect. Insects are everywhere and contrary to popular belief, you can’t kill them all. Some of the first to show up are the swarming insects. Mainly the ants of the carpenter and fire variety and of course, termites. None should be taken for granted. As always it is better to be proactive than reactive. If left untreated, some swarming insects can cause damage to your home. Keep the gutters clean and replace any rotted wood on the house. This includes decaying wood from trees, shrubs, and yes, you should check the mulch.
Both ants and termites can be controlled, but you have to know which one you are dealing with. This means you have to identify the offending creature. Ants are best controlled with baits. For Carpenter Ants I use “Advance Ant Bait”. I use this outside in the corners of windowsills and in cleaned gutters. For fire ants, my weapon of choice is a bait called “Come and Get It” by Fertilome. I also recommend treating the weep holes. Weep holes are the gaps in the brick just above the foundation of a house. These holes help the house breath and should not be filled in. But they are an easy entry point for insects. You can treat them with either “Roach Ridd” or “Diatomaceous Earth” (DE). Roach Ridd is 99% boric acid and is an excellent killer. DE comes in “food grade” or with some type of insecticide added. The food grade DE works in this area but I have found it slower than Roach Ridd. Both DE and Roach Ridd can be used inside. As always read and follow the label directions.
Termites are another issue. Wells Brothers can help with some termite problems. But I normally tell folks to seek professional help. That may sound like I’m passing the buck but I’m not. Destructive critters like termites need to be fought by someone that has a license to kill. Seek out the help of a professional like the folks at “The Pest Shop”.
