5 Tips For Controlling Spiders in Your House

Spider control tips for St Louis MO homes - Blue Chip Pest Services

Most spiders are harmless, yet arachnids are the most feared of all pests. Despite their reputation for being scary, most spiders want nothing to do with you whatsoever. Regardless, no one wants to deal with these pests crawling around your home. For that reason, it’s important to learn what you can do to keep spiders out of your St. Louis MO home in the first place. The spider control experts at Blue Chip Pest Services are here to share their top spider control and prevention tips—read on to learn more!

5 Best Spider Control Tips

1. Don’t Use Store-Bought Insecticides

Many store-bought spider repellents are just sprays that you can apply around your home. Spiders don’t drag their bodies when they move, so they can step over insecticide. And because they don’t have a circulatory system that will carry the chemical from their feet to their organs, and they don’t groom themselves as insects do, that method won’t be effective. When using this method, it’s important to focus your efforts around spider hotspots, such as on the surface of entry points to keep the pests out.

2. Get Rid of Other Insects

Spiders eat other insects in your home. So, by eliminating those other insects, you will in turn naturally cut down on the spider population. Preventing other insects in the home includes keeping a clean, tidy home free of clutter. Other insects are attracted to crumbs in your kitchen as well as water leaks or plumbing problems. Always address any repairs that need to be made in your home.

3. Caulk Cracks and Crevices

Spiders can crawl indoors through the tiniest of openings. Caulk is an easy way to seal the tiny cracks and crevices that spiders and other insects get inside your home through. Simply inspect your home for any obvious openings around your doors, windows, and garage before applying the caulk.

4. Adjust Your Light Sources

Because insects are attracted to light, and spiders eat insects, you’ll likely find webs and spiders near light sources that attract their prey. Some spiders jump, others run, others sit still in their web and let prey come to them. Regardless, it’s smart to keep an eye on your outdoor and indoor light sources to ensure spiders haven’t built webs.

5. Use Sticky Traps

Consider using sticky traps and glue boards in dark quiet places: closets, between pieces of furniture, and walls. In general, if you trap the spider’s prey, you’ll catch the spider, too. Sticky traps aren’t the most reliable control option, but they can provide at least a bit of relief from spider problems in your home.

Ready For Professional Spider Control?

DIY spider control methods sometimes simply aren’t enough. If you are noticing endless webs on your property or an increasing amount of spiders crawling around, it’s time to get professional help. At Blue Chip, our spider exterminators work to determine how spiders are getting indoors in the first place. From there, we will implement spider control and prevention methods to keep these creepy crawlers away from your home for good.

Why Are There Bugs in My Bathroom?

Spiders are a common bathroom bug in St. Louis - Blue Chip Pest Control

The last thing you want to see when you’re in the shower or brushing your teeth is a cockroach scuttling across the tiled floor nearby. Unfortunately, all sorts of bugs are attracted to bathrooms! Many types of pests are drawn to bathrooms for a variety of reasons: humidity, moisture, and—best of all—plenty of hiding spaces. To avoid the discovery of creepy, crawling insects in the comfort of your own bathroom, it’s important to know not only how to identify these common bugs, but also how to get rid of them for good. The experts at Blue Chip Pest Services are here to help—keep reading to learn all about common bathroom bugs in your St. Louis MO home.

Why Does My Bathroom Have Pests?

Bugs and pests of all kinds are drawn to bathrooms mostly due to the moisture. Many insects are drawn toward humid, moist environments—so what better place than a steamy bathroom? Leaky pipes, showers, and sinks provide precisely the environment many pests require to survive and reproduce. Your bathroom can also provide insects with plenty of food options. Humid, even moldy areas provide sustenance for some pests. Lastly, a dark bathroom can provide ample shelter for many insects and pests. Whether they’re dwelling in your cupboards or beneath your sink, there could be more bugs hiding in your bathroom than you’d think.

Common Bathroom Insects

No one wants to share their bathroom with insects. Unfortunately, your bathroom is likely a haven for insect problems! The most common pest problems in bathrooms include the following insects.

  1. Silverfish. These nocturnal insects are typically found around sewers or drains, and prefer to feed on mildew and mold.
  2. Ants. A small ant problem can quickly turn into a large one if ants have found a source of food or water in your bathroom.
  3. Cockroaches. Roaches love filth and feed on sewer and drain sludge. They easily get into your bathroom through plumbing fixtures.
  4. Centipedes. These long, spindly insects feed on other small insects that are common in bathrooms, and love a humid environment.
  5. Drain Flies. True to name, drain flies are found around drains. They often appear when there is a plumbing problem in the main sewer line.
  6. Spiders. As predators, spiders like to prey on the smaller insects often found in your bathroom areas.

How to Get Rid of Bathroom Bugs

If you want to prevent bathroom pests, you need to ensure your bathroom is less suited for their dwelling! Always ensure you do not have any leaky pipes or plumbing issues that are contributing to the humid, moist environment. Consider using a dehumidifier from time to time to aid in this process. Lastly, clean your bathroom on a regular basis! Reduce any clutter in your drawers and cupboards, and make sure to prevent any mold or mildew.

If you’ve done all you can to prevent bathroom bugs but are still dealing with roaches, ants, or another pest, it’s time to call an expert. At Blue Chip, we can help get rid of bathroom bugs in your home for good. Contact us today to get started!

Tips to Keep Ticks Out

How to keep ticks out in St Louis MO - Blue Chip Pest Services

Ticks may be tiny, but they’re one of the biggest pest threats. In the spring and summertime in St Louis, ticks are one of the main pests you need to keep an eye out for. According to a study, tick populations are on the rise as the global climate continues to get warmer and warmer. These pests aren’t just a nuisance—they are considered very dangerous due to their ability to bite and transmit tick-borne illnesses. Ticks famously bite animals outdoors, but they can latch onto your skin as well. To prevent bringing them into your home, it’s crucial to learn how to keep ticks away by preventing their bites and making your yard less hospitable. The experts at Blue Chip Pest Services are here to help—read on to learn our best tips to keep ticks out for good.

Why Are Ticks in My Yard?

Ticks are typically found out in nature—so how do they get into our backyards or homes? These pests like to linger in tall grass and shrubbery. Two common instances that can lead to ticks on your property are when ticks latch onto you or an animal. Hiking in nearby trails, especially off the beaten path, can increase your risk (or your pet’s risk) of a tick bite. Once they bite, they can hitchhike all the way back home with you. Another common way ticks get onto your property is when infested rodents or nuisance wildlife carry them into your backyard or home.

8 Tips to Keep Ticks Out of Your Yard

With their tiny size, it can be hard to spot ticks outdoors. The best way to prevent them, then, is to make your property less hospitable to their activity in the first place. Here’s how to keep ticks out:

  1. Take care of your yard. Ticks love tall grass and unkempt shrubs. Maintain your backyard by regularly mowing the lawn, placing barriers around your property, and trimming back hedges or trees as needed.
  2. Keep wildlife and rodents out. These pests infamously carry and contribute to the spread of ticks. Wildlife exclusion tactics, such as installing secure fences or screen doors, can help prevent ticks in your yard.
  3. Learn how to identify ticks and tick bites. Your best defense against ticks is learning how to inspect for them. After being outdoors or after a hike, use a handheld mirror to look for tick bites on exposed parts of your body. Check under your pet’s fur for potential ticks as well. If you spot any, it’s smart to know how to remove a tick properly.
  4. Reduce the clutter in your yard. Not only will this prevent ticks, but also the animals that commonly carry them. Reducing the number of potential hiding spots for ticks can discourage them from sticking around.
  5. Install barriers. A barrier made out of gravel or wood chips that is at least 3 feet wide can deter ticks. This helps create a natural barrier between wooded or grassy areas and the recreational areas in your backyard.
  6. Check your clothing and shower. After being outdoors, inspect your clothing for ticks. Toss your clothing in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes, or wash them in hot water. A shower after being outdoors also decreases the chance of contracting a disease if you were bitten by a tick.

Need Help Getting Rid of Ticks?

If you are noticing an abundance of ticks or wildlife that could carry them, it’s best to contact your local tick control experts. At Blue Chip, we will thoroughly inspect your property and help put prevention measures in place to keep you and your family safe. Contact us today!

Where Are the Ants in My Home Coming From?

Ants in a kitchen in St Louis MO - Blue Chip Pest Services

Seemingly overnight, ants have appeared out of nowhere in your home—we’ve all been there. Discovering you suddenly have an ant problem can be one of the most frustrating problems as a homeowner. Not to mention trying to decipher where they came from in the first place. Being susceptible to ant infestations can be due to a number of factors, including how sound the structure of your home is as well as the region you live in. Here in St. Louis MO, ant infestations are one of the most common pest problems. To help our customers learn where the ants are coming from, as well as how to prevent them in the first place, the ant experts at Blue Chip Pest Services are here to help.

Ant Hotspots in the Home

To make sure ants don’t come inside in the first place, it’s important to learn where the ant hotspots in your home are. Ant infestations are common in kitchens, bathrooms, and in your garden. Ants will find their way into your home in search of food and water. If they find what they are looking for, ants will leave a pheromone trail for their colony to follow suit. Before you know it, a small ant problem can turn into a big infestation. An ant colony can nest in the walls of your home, and crawl into your various rooms through cracks and crevices. Once they’ve established themselves, it can be very difficult to get rid of the pests.

Ant hotspots in home infographic in St. Louis |  Bug Out

How to Stop Ants From Coming Inside

To avoid the discovery of ants suddenly taking over your home entirely, it’s important to learn how to make your property less attractive to them in the first place. Here’s how.

  1. Eliminate excess moisture. Especially in your bathrooms, crawl space, or bathrooms, excess moisture from leaky pipes or plumbing issues can attract ants. Always fix leaks and other moisture problems as quickly as possible.
  2. Avoid crumbs and food spills. Ants have a sweet tooth. Crumbs on your floor, even pet food, can be a huge draw for ants. To prevent ants, it’s important to regularly clean up spills and vacuum on a regular basis to deny them access to any of your food.
  3. Seal up cracks and crevices. Ants will make use of the tiniest cracks or holes to get inside, especially at the base of your foundation. Annually, inspect your home for these tiny openings and consider sealing them with caulk.

Are There Suddenly Ants in Your Home?

Once you have an ant problem, it can be a long and arduous process to get rid of them on your own. For that reason, it’s important to team up with a local ant exterminator you can trust. At Blue Chip Pest Services, our ant control specialists will work to determine where the ants are getting inside in the first place. Our goal is to keep your property impenetrable to ants, year-round. Contact us today to get started.

Termite vs Flying Ant

Termite vs flying ant in St Louis MO - Blue Chip Pest Services

Certain types of ants have wings that enable them to fly. Seeing a flying ant in your home could be bad news, as these species only tend to fly during mating season. But how do you know you’re seeing flying ants and not termites? Termites pose a significantly worse threat than flying ants, making it important to tell the difference between termites and flying ants—more specifically, between termite swarmers and flying ant swarmers. To better know what type of wood-destroying pest you may be dealing with in your St. Louis MO home or business, the experts at Blue Chip Pest Services are here to share their unique knowledge of these pests.

Termites vs Flying Ants: Appearance

Telling apart termites from carpenter ants can be tricky. In the swarmer stage, they both appear very similar save for a few key differences:

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

 

Are Termites or Flying Ants Dangerous?

While they both have wood destroying capabilities, termites are typically more dangerous than carpenter ants. The main behavioral differences between these two include:

  1. Termites make their way into a structure around basement windows, doorways, under siding, porches, or any structure in contact with the soil.
  2. Established termite colonies can range from 60,000 to over a million workers and can consume nearly 5 grams of wood per day.
  3. Carpenter ants establish nests in wood that is already in decay, and later expand into normal wood, insulation, or wall voids.
  4. Excavated termite galleries appear to have been sanded. Carpenter ants do not create the extensive damage termites do.

Inspections For Termites vs Flying Ants

The season of the year can also play a role in helping to identify your winged pest. Termite swarmers typically come out in the spring after our first few warm days. Flying ants are year-round. If you see one in your house in the summer, chances are high that it’s simply because one entered through an open door. It doesn’t necessarily signify a problem. Seeing one in the winter could lead to more of a concern because that could mean they’re nesting in your home. Either way, it’s important to always contact your local ant and termite control experts. At Blue Chip Pest Services, we will inspect your property to determine which pest you are dealing with and help to get rid of the problem.

How Far Do Bed Bugs Travel?

Bed bugs travel in St. Louis MO by latching onto items - Blue Chip Pest Services

Bed bug infestations are infamously linked to traveling. This is because people often unknowingly bring home bed bugs with them after a trip. Bed bugs will latch onto suitcases and make the long journey all the way home with travelers. Once inside, bed bugs can spread throughout your home without you even knowing! Bed bugs may be slow movers, but a single bug can lay up to 12 eggs in a single day—or up to 500 eggs in its lifetime. Needless to say, a small bed bug problem can quickly get out of hand. To stop this from happening, it’s important to know how to keep bed bugs from traveling in the first place. Read on for expert information from Blue Chip Pest Services!

How Do Bed Bugs Travel?

Because bed bugs bite people, it’s easy to assume people can spread bed bugs. However, this is not the case. Unlike fleas and ticks, bed bugs do not latch onto people. Instead, they will retreat after feeding. Bed bugs most commonly are spread when infested items are moved from one area to another. Typically, this happens when infested furniture or items are moved from one room to another. The spread of bed bugs can also be traced back to travelers and college kids bringing home infested luggage.

How to Keep Bed Bugs From Traveling

To stop bed bugs from spreading in your home, it’s important to learn how to inspect for bed bug activity. In addition, some of the best ways to prevent bed bugs are to:

  1. Be wary of purchasing second-hand furniture unless you’ve inspected it thoroughly for bed bugs.
  2. Place protective covers over the mattresses and box springs in your home.
  3. When traveling, use hard shell suitcases and thoroughly inspect your hotel room for bed bugs. Always store luggage up off the ground.
  4. When arriving home from traveling, steam clean your suitcase and wash all clothing before storing everything away.
  5. If you utilize shared laundry facilities or a laundromat, seal your clothes in a plastic bag to and from the facility, and always fold your clothes at home.

Have Bed Bugs After a Trip in St. Louis?

No one wants to worry about bed bugs while traveling or on vacation. But more often than not, infestations begin after a trip. If you find yourself with a bed bug problem in your St. Louis MO home, it’s time to call in the experts. At Blue Chip, our bed bug exterminators can get rid of bed bugs quickly and help you learn how to prevent them from traveling ever again.

Meet the Clover Mite

Clover mite in St. Louis MO - Blue Chip Pest Services

Despite their name, there is nothing lucky about clover mites. At only 80 mm in size, these reddish-brown pests are minuscule, even smaller than the size of a pinhead. They differ from most other pests because they actually prefer cooler weather. Their presence typically increases in the springtime when they have the opportunity to not only enjoy some cooler temperatures but also take advantage of snacking on clovers. However, these mites don’t simply stick to a diet of clovers. These pests target healthy lawns that get plenty of water & fertilizer as well as over 200 different types of plants, including many spring flowers that bloom this time of year. For this reason, it’s crucial to learn what you can do to prevent clover mites from feeding on your lawn. Keep reading for clover mite prevention tips in St. Louis MO with the experts at Blue Chip Pest Services.

WHAT ARE CLOVER MITES?

As mentioned before, clover mites are minuscule pests that can be a major nuisance for homes and businesses alike. Once the hotter weather starts arriving on the daily (around May), clover mites lay their eggs then basically become dormant until September arrives and the temperatures start to cool off. Then, they may be spotted off and on for a couple of months before laying more eggs in the cracks and crevices of a home’s exterior or even between walls. These eggs will hatch around May. Clover mite populations can get to very large numbers, which is why they are such a pain to deal with. The good news is that clover mites cannot bite and are of no harm to people or pets. The bad news is that clover mites can turn your healthy lawn into a mess, and quickly.

HOW TO PREVENT CLOVER MITES

In order to avoid a clover mite infestation this spring and summer, it’s important to learn how to keep these pests away in the first place. By making some slight modifications to the exterior of your home, you can successfully lessen the risk of clover mites. Our top tips to prevent and control clover mites are as follows.

  1. Create a rock or mulch barrier between the foundation and the grass.
  2. Try not to water or over-fertilize plants around your home.
  3. Look for possible cracks around window frames and siding as these serve as entry points for clover mites. If any are found, take time to seal them to prevent clover mites from laying eggs there or using this to enter your home.
  4. While your gut instinct might be to smash or crush any clover mites found inside, keep in mind that they leave behind a red stain when crushed, especially on curtains, wallpaper, light-colored furniture, and rugs. A better method of removing clover mites from your home is to vacuum them up.

NEED HELP WITH CLOVER MITES IN MISSOURI?

These pests may be tiny, but they can cause huge problems when they start to feed on your healthy lawn. That’s where Blue Chip Pest Services can help. Our regular service programs will help maintain a barrier year-round to help keep these unwanted pests out. Contact our lawn care experts today to get started!

Tips For a Pest-Free Lawn This Summer

Maintaining a green, healthy lawn can be difficult when you have lawn insects actively trying to feed on your grass! Lawn pests are often the culprits behind dying grass and unhealthy lawn growth. Unfortunately, we deal with a number of lawn pests here in the St. Louis MO area. At Blue Chip Pest Services, our lawn care experts are committed to helping our customers achieve the lawn of their dreams without the worry of lawn insects. Read on to learn our top tips for a pest-free lawn this summer!

Common Lawn Pests in Missouri

Lawn insects most commonly live beneath the surface of your grass, which is why it’s hard to know their presence until you notice lawn damage. The most common lawn insects include:

  • Chinch bugs attack your lawn by sucking the liquid out of grass blades. In doing so, patches of grass on your lawn will dehydrate, turn yellow, then brown and die.
  • Mole crickets feed on and chew through the grassroots, causing your grass to die off. When dealing with mole crickets, your grass will feel spongy when stepped on and be covered with brown patches.
  • Grubs are beetle larvae that remain dormant through the winter. In the spring, they make their way toward the surface to feed on grass roots.
  • Sod webworms chew through small areas of grass. They create tunnels out of their silky web that will run under the grass. Signs to look for include raggedly-chewed grass and smaller brown spots- around the size of a baseball.
  • Armyworms are small caterpillars that grow into moths. The females lay up to a thousand eggs at once in patches of fresh grass. These can hatch as quickly as 2 days. To spot these guys, you’ll want to look on the outside of dead or damaged grass areas.

How to Keep a Pest-Free Lawn

Once you have a lawn insect problem, it can be hard to get rid of them and save the health of your lawn. For that reason, prevention is the key to lawn pest control. Pests are attracted to unhealthy conditions, making it crucial to maintain your lawn and yard to the best of your ability. To keep lawn insects away, follow these tips:

  1. Learn how to properly mow your lawn. Long grass that is never cut will attract all types of pests and weeds. Mowing your lawn in a timely manner will deprive lawn insects of food and shelter.
  2. Don’t over- or under-water your lawn. Pests of all kinds love moisture. If your lawn is soggy from overwatering, you are sure to create a haven for lawn pests. Learn how to properly irrigate your lawn depending on the season.
  3. Pull out weeds on a regular basis. Wild, unkempt weeds attract a number of insects and pests. Weeds also negatively affect the health of your grass, leading to a number of diseases and problems.
  4. Fertilize your lawn as needed. Similar to your irrigation system, failing to fertilize your lawn correctly can lead to a plethora of problems. A lawn made unhealthy due to over-fertilization can contribute to pest problems.

Pest-Free Lawns All Year Long

At Blue Chip Pest Services, we know how important it is to keep your lawn in good shape. If you are struggling with lawn insects this summer, give our experts a call. We will help you say goodbye to lawn insect problems for good!