Keeping Ants Away From Your Home This Summer

Keeping ants away from your home in Baton Rouge LA this summer - Dugas Pest ControlAnts are a common problem all year long, but they tend to spike in activity during the summer. These pests are drawn indoors in search of food and shelter and, once inside, they can spread and become a serious problem. As the number one nuisance pest not just in the Baton Rouge area but nationwide, it’s very important to learn about keeping ants away from your home. No one wants to deal with an ant infestation! Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can keep them out–for good. Keep reading for summertime ant prevention tips from the experts at Dugas Pest Control.

How to Keep Summertime Ants Away

It’s likely you’ve had ants before. If you have, you likely never want to deal with them again! There are a number of ways you can limit ants’ access into your property and make your home less attractive to them overall. Our top tips for keeping ants away from your home include:

  1. Cleaning your home regularly. Sweep your floors regularly to get rid of crumbs. Ants are attracted to sugary food sources and a few crumbs will keep them coming back for more.
  2. Storing all food items properly. Avoid leaving food out uncovered. Keep food in airtight containers or store them safely in cupboards and fridges.
  3. Sealing gaps, cracks, and entry holes. Ants can crawl through the tiniest of cracks. Inspect your property and use caulk to seal any gaps, holes, or potential entry ways.
  4. Avoiding excess moisture or water. Areas with standing water or leaks will attract ants quickly. Attend to broken pipes and clean up spills quickly.
  5. Trimming back trees and vegetation. Plants close to your home can grant ants easy access into your property. Make sure tree branches, shrubs, and bushes are trimmed away from the perimeter!

What Ants are Common During the Summer?

These types of ants can be around all year long, but they tend to be more active as they infest homes in the summertime. Because there are more than 700 species of ants throughout the nation, it’s important to know what type of ant you’re up against! A few of the most common types of ants you’ll likely encounter in our area are odorous house ants, carpenter ants, fire ants, and pavement ants. All of these pose different threats and exhibit different behaviors, but all likely need the assistance of a professional exterminator to control!

Long-Term Ant Prevention in Baton Rouge

Keeping ants away from your home can seem like an uphill battle at times. Even when you’ve done all you can to keep them away, ants may still squeeze their way inside your property. In that case, it’s always best to contact a professional ant exterminator. The team at Dugas has what it takes to control any current infestation and prevent future ones from forming!

The Downfalls of DIY Pest Control

Mouse traps are a common DIY pest control method in Baton Rouge LA. Learn more from Dugas Pest Control.One time or another, all of us have tried DIY pest control. Whether you’ve applied a vinegar solution to a trail of ants or went out to buy pesticides for roaches, there are many pest control products and methods that claim to be effective. But is that true? While DIY pest control may work to control small problems for a while, it never provides long-lasting relief from pests.

At Dugas Pest Control, we want to make sure our customers make informed decisions when it comes to keeping pests out of their homes. Read on to learn why DIY pest control is not a long-term solution!

Is DIY Pest Control Reliable?

Oftentimes, DIY pest control seems like the best choice. Although it may work for a small problem, it won’t control larger infestations. There are several disadvantages to DIY methods:

  1. Many store-bought products are filled with chemicals that can be dangerous for you, your family, and your pets. Reading the label doesn’t always guarantee the product will be applied perfectly and safely.
  2. Some types of pests, including bed bugs, rodents, termites, and carpenter ants are more dangerous and destructive. Getting rid of these infestations will be a challenge for any novice.
  3. DIY or store-bought products don’t come with a guarantee or warranty as often as professional services. This can lead to you having to buy more products down the line.

What About Professional Pest Control?

To get rid of pests quickly and effectively, a professional exterminator is always your best bet. This may be a bigger investment of your time and money, but it’s always worth it. A professional pest control company can develop a custom plan to keep pests out all year round. Exterminators have the knowledge required to understand the unique habits and behaviors of all types of pests. This better equips them to control infestations and keep pests from returning. Lastly, a pest control professional will always apply top-of-the-line pest control products in a way that is safe for your family!

How to Choose

Pest control is an essential part of keeping your home safe and healthy. A professional pest control expert is equipped to take care of the difficult treatments for you. DIY pest control is never a long-term plan to protect your property from pests. Contact the team at Dugas today to learn how we can help!

How to Tell the Difference Between Termites & Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are frequently mistaken for termites in Baton Rouge LA - Learn how to tell them apart with Dugas Pest Control's tips!Carpenter ants and termites are two wood-destroying insects that are often mistaken for one another. In the swarmer stages of their life cycles, they look very similar and swarm at the same time of the year. Although they both attack wood, one is infamous for being much more destructive than the other. So how do you tell the difference between termites and carpenter ants? Keep reading for info from the exterminators at Dugas Pest Control!

Main Difference Between Termites & Carpenter Ants

When it comes to telling the difference between carpenter ants and termites, it’s important to look at the size of their wings and bodies.

  1. Carpenter ant swarmers
    1. These are black in color, with some species having slightly red coloring.
    2. Carpenter ants measure 1/2″–5/8″ with antenna bent at a 45-degree angle. Carpenter ants are by far the biggest ant species in the nation.
    3. Their wings are translucent with a reddish brown hue, laying over the posterior of the ant.
  2. Termite swarmers
    1. Swarmers are dark brown to black, and measure 3/8″ long including the wings.
    2. Their wings are a translucent to slightly milky or smoky color.
    3. Their wings may overlap, and are typically as long as or slightly longer than the body. This feature is the best way to differentiate them from carpenter ants.

Winged ant vs. termite in Baton Rouge LA - Dugas Pest Control

The Damage Caused by Wood-Destroying Insects

Both carpenter ants and termites attack wood, but in different ways. Carpenter ants establish nests in wood that is already in decay, and later expand into sound wood, insulation, or wall voids. When you notice the damaged wood, the galleries they excavate appear to have been sanded. Although they destroy wood, the damage caused by carpenter ants does not amount to the potential damage of a termite infestation.

Termites find their way into a structure around basement windows, doorways, under siding, porches, or any structure in contact with the soil. Established colonies can range from 60,000 to over a million workers and can consume nearly 5 grams of wood per day. Bottom line, termites are significantly more dangerous than the carpenter ant!

How to Get Rid of Termites & Carpenter Ants

There’s no denying that these insects can both cause a lot of property damage with their wood-boring habits. If you notice the signs of either, it’s time to call the termite experts at Dugas Pest Control. Our exterminators will conduct a thorough inspection on your Baton Rouge LA property to determine whether you’re dealing with carpenter ants or termites. From there, we will work to exterminate these wood-boring insects with the most effective, fast-acting treatments.