spring pests Archives - Dugas Pest Control

Spring Season for Pests

Warm, sunny days, especially after rainfall, will bring out swarms of insects from their winter nests. These spring pests in Baton Rouge could be termites, wasps, bees, or ants – all of which can easily make their way into your home and yard. These swarms are unwelcome guests to an otherwise pleasant season. There are, how ever, ways to protect your home and yard from infestations

Common Spring Insects in Baton Rouge

Insects that come out in spring are foraging for food and seeking to mate. While this usually is taking place outdoors, keep in mind that they also could be seeking shelter and someplace to nest inside your home. Be on the lookout for:

WASPS – Wasps come in a variety of colors which include yellow, brown, red and metallic bluem and have a narrow waist and pointed abdomen. They nest in wood fibers that they have chewed into a pulp and formed a honeycombed umbrella shape.
BEES – Bees that aren’t your friendly honey making variety come yellow with black stripes. They tend to nest in piles of wood or other yard debris.
ANTS- One of the most common ants is the odorous house ant. This type of ant is ⅛ to 3/16 inch in length, known for the odor they make when crushed.
TERMITES – Termites come in shades of brown, white and black and range in sizes ⅛ of an inch to 1 inch. They have antennae and wings and can be mistaken for ants.

There are 3 types of termites known to the area:

Drywood termites. As their name implies they make their home in dry wood and need no contact with soil to live. They don’t go for moist, soft wood, instead they eat across the grain of dry, hard wood. This is very damaging and dangerous to structures. They are common to warmer, tropical climates with mild winters. Evidence of infestation includes discarded wings, feces or frass (piles of sawdust from feeding).

Eastern subterranean termites. These termites cause homeowners the most damage and also are the most common termite in North America. They are prone to swarm in late February or early March. They make mud tubes that are used as tunnels from the ground to their food source,

Formosan termites. This termite is known to be the most destructive of termites, but only found in certain locations. They usually swarm later in spring, around mid May.

Protecting your home and yard from invading pests

Below are just a few tips to discourage pests from taking up residence in your space.

Cleaning up after outdoor BBQ and other cooking as wasps and bees are looking for and are attracted to protein based foods. Leaking faucets or hoses provide a water source that attracts not only wasps and bees but termites and ants.

Patching cracks or crevices in walls, repairing broken panels or siding to discourage wasps from nesting in your walls. Keep your yard clean of heavy debris.

Ants such as odorous house ants, nest in walls and beneath carpeting. Keep organic debris such as leaves and piles of wood away from your foundation. Store leftovers in airtight containers and keep areas clean of food debris and dirty dishes. Ants are attracted to sweets as well as protein-based foods.

Springtime Pest Control with Dugas Pest Control

Even if you take all the proper preventative measures, you still may wind up with a pest infestation in your home or yard. When that happens, you can trust the team at Dugas Pest Control to give you the most reliable and comprehensive treatment in the Baton Rouge area. We’ve lived through [year] spring seasons, and in that period, we’ve mastered the art of eradicating the most common swarms and keeping more from taking their place. Want to know more? Contact us today to get started!

Dealing With Springtime Allergies? Pests Could be Making Them Worse

Are your allergy symptoms in full force right now? This time of year in the Baton Rouge area, blooming trees and springtime weather can bring an onset of spring allergies for many people. But what if it’s more than just the spring causing your allergies this time of year? With May being National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, the team here at Dugas Pest Control wants to shine light on the dangers of pest allergens in your home. There are several household pests that can trigger your allergy symptoms, and the key to preventing them is to prevent the pests themselves. Read on to learn our top tips for keeping your family safe from pest allergens this spring and all year long.

6 Steps to Remove Pest Allergens

To avoid the frustration of dealing with pest-related allergies, you need to learn how to keep pests out in the first place! Some of the best pest prevention tips that double as pest allergen prevention include:

Storing food in sealed containers and cleaning kitchens on a daily basis.
Disposing of garbage regularly and using a tight-fitting lid.
Sealing cracks and holes in homes, including entry points for utilities and pipes, screen doors, and windows.
Keeping your basements and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry!
Washing blankets, rugs, and bedding in hot water or getting them dry-cleaned.
Vacuuming and dusting your property on a regular basis.
Keeping pet food sealed in a tight container and washing food bowls.

What Pests Trigger Allergy Symptoms?

You may be wondering what types of pests cause allergies in the first place. A lot of research has proven that cockroach droppings, skins, saliva, and more contribute to allergies and asthma, particularly in children. A roach infestation is often known to exacerbate allergic reactions. In addition, stinging insects such as yellow jackets and fire ants can cause allergic reactions for certain individuals. These symptoms are often different than your typical seasonal allergies.

In any case, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you suffer from an allergic reaction. Severe symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, swollen throat, and wheezing.

Year-Round Pest Allergen Prevention

Staying safe from pest allergens means staying away from pests in the first place! Basic pest prevention methods can greatly reduce the amount of pest allergens in your home. If you’ve done all you can to prevent pests and still have them in your home or business, the team at Dugas is here to help. Our experts are committed to keeping you and your family safe from the many dangers of pests, allergies included!

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6 Ant-Proofing Tips

Ants: we’ve all dealt with them at some point. As one of the most common household pest problems, and also the most frustrating, it’s important to learn what you can do to prevent ants. Unfortunately, with the weather warming up here in the Baton Rouge LA area, ants are about to be in full force. Especially after a wet winter, worker ants will be leaving their nests in search of food and water. The last thing you want is for them to take up residence in your home, which is why it’s important to know about ant prevention. In this blog post, the experts at Dugas Pest Control are sharing their top ant-proofing tips for homeowners.

6 Ant-Proofing Tips and Tricks

If you have had an ant infestation, you know that the problem can get worse before it gets better. To avoid having to deal with ants whatsoever, there are a few ways you can protect your home from them. Our top ant-proofing tips include:

Inspect the foundation of your home and seal any cracks or crevices using a silicone-based caulk.
Keep any pet food bowls clean and always clean up after messes and spills. Pick pet bowls up off the floor after meal times.
Make sure downspouts and gutters are all functioning properly so that water is flowing away from the foundation.
Regularly check under sinks for excess moisture problems and repair leaky pipes promptly.
Wipe down any countertops and sweep floors regularly to clean up spills and remove crumbs.
Keep all food (pet food included) sealed in airtight containers in a warm, dry place.

You Have Ants-What Now?

When people see their first trail of ants, many will rush to their store to pick up ant bait and traps. This is never a long-term solution to your ant problem. Ant colonies can grow in size exponentially, and more ants are often in your property than you want to believe. Ant control requires determining where each ant colony is, and using techniques that will prevent ants from coming back. This is best accomplished by an ant exterminator.

What to do When You Have an Ant Infestation

Ants can seem like a never-ending problem, but they don’t have to be! If you’ve done all you can to prevent ants in your property and are still dealing with a growing number of trails in your property, it’s time to call the team at Dugas. We will work with you to ensure you stay ant-free all year long.

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Spring is Here! How to Prevent Springtime Pests

It’s officially springtime in Baton Rouge! Many celebrate the return of warmer weather and blooming trees. Unfortunately, pests do as well. Now is the time to safeguard your home against the many types of pests that become more active this time of year. Whether you want to prevent ants in your kitchen or rodents in your garage, it’s smart to implement pest prevention into your spring cleaning routine. Read on for expert tips from the team at Dugas Pest Control.

How to Stay Pest-Free this Spring

If you want to avoid a pest infestation this spring, summer, or even fall, it’s important to know how to keep them out. There are several ways to lessen the risk of getting pests in your property, and you can start with these spring cleaning tips:

In general, deep-clean your home. Clean areas under furniture, wipe down surfaces, and inspect areas of your home that need some fixing up.
Clean your windows and doors thoroughly. If you find any cracks or crevices make sure to securely seal them.
Deep-clean your carpets and rugs. Vacuum, shampoo, or even steam cleaning works well.
Sanitize and clean your kitchen with a focus on your appliances. Crumbs and spilled liquids welcome all types of insects and pests.
Remove debris from your yard, and trim any shrubs or tree branches away from your home. Clear out your gutters and downspouts.

Common Spring Pests in Louisiana

There are many pests that are active year-round, but spring sees a peak in pest activity. The most common pests homeowners throughout the state deal with this time of year are:

Ants. With warmer weather comes hoards of ants in your home.
Termites. It’s swarming season. Termite infestations often start in the spring.
Rodents. Although they’re active year-round, rats and mice are a problem in the spring.
Stinging insects. Wasps and hornets are gearing up to build nests this time of year.
Stink bugs. After overwintering, people report a resurgence in stink bugs.

What to Do About Spring Pests

If you already have a pest problem in your home, it’s important to act quickly. Your best bet at stopping the infestation and preventing future problems is to work with a professional exterminator. At Dugas, we understand the unique pest problems faced by residents in the spring and will work with you to prevent them all year long.

ants rodents spring pests stinging insects stink bugs termites

How to Tell the Difference Between Termites & Carpenter Ants

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.

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.
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.

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.

ants carpenter ants spring pests termites