Insulation to Treat Your Pests

a close up of a pair of hands holding a handful of TAP insulation

Insulation to Treat Your Pests

Treating pests in St. Louis can be a constant battle. Keeping track of everything you need to do and maintain in order to deter bugs and rodents from your property can be overwhelming – and even more frustrating when you consider that you can do everything right and still wind up with an infestation. 

You know that you can trust the team at Blue Chip Pest Services to treat any infestation that may strike your St. Louis home. But wouldn’t you rather not have to call for treatment in the first place? There are “treated” insulation options that claim to act as a replacement for traditional pesticides, but what exactly does that mean? Does pest-treated insulation really work?

What is Treated Insulation?

If you’ve been looking into insulation, you may already be familiar with insulation treated with EPA-registered pesticides. They say this additional chemical component works to kill and deter a variety of pests and “protect” the home. But does it really? 

The harsh reality of treated insulation is that, while they function as passable insulators, they can only protect the insulation itself from pest damage. If you want to keep infestations from affecting your home and the people that need it, you’ll need something far more comprehensive. 

What is TAP Insulation?®

TAP, or Thermal Acoustic Pest Control Insulation, is a loose-fill, blown-in insulation made up of primarily recycled cellulose. Unlike treated insulation, TAP is not infused with any sort of inorganic solution. Instead, the individual pieces of cellulose are coated with Borate. Many pests, when they come into contact with this mineral, ingest it and cannot pass it, resulting in an eventual death from malnutrition or dehydration. 

This pest-killing insulation kills many of the major insect pests in St. Louis, from creatures as small as Formosan termites to those as large as roaches and slugs. With TAP, you can effectively kill infestations before they even have a chance to form, all without you having to lift a finger.

Benefits of TAP Insulation

Killing pests is only one benefit of installing TAP Pest Control Insulation. When installed correctly, TAP can last and remain effective almost indefinitely. As long as you monitor the moisture in your household, you’ll never need to worry about replacing your insulation. And even speaking outside the scope of pest control, TAP still acts as a quality insulator. It has a taller R-value than fiberglass, and it’s mold and heat resistant. It can even dampen sound flow, leaving your home energy-efficient and far more comfortable.  

Only those with the right training and certification can install TAP Insulation, which gives it a higher bar of quality compared to competitors. And if you’re a homeowner in St. Louis looking for TAP Pest Control Insulation, the best provider in the area is the team at Blue Chip Pest Services. 

Blue Chip Pest Services For Pest Control Insulation

Since we first opened our doors in 1971, we’ve been working to build a team that values thorough and ongoing training. We work to be the most qualified in the area at the things we do best – not only TAP Insulation, but all manner of pest control for homes and businesses across St. Louis. We can make moves to drastically improve the quality of life for you and anyone with whom you share a home. You don’t have to choose between pest protection and quality insulation. Let Blue Chip Pest Services install TAP insulation today and leave you with tangible peace of mind. Contact us today to get started.

Pests that Swarm in Spring

Ant on a rainy twig - common springtime pest in St Louis

Warm, sunny days – especially after rainfall – will bring out swarms of insects from their winter nests. From ants and termites to wasps and bees, there’s a whole host of pests that swarm in spring. The last thing you want is to discover these unwanted guests in your home or yard. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can protect your property from infestations. The experts at Blue Chip Pest Services explain everything you need to know to keep your space pest-free all season long.

Common Spring Insects in St. Louis

As the weather warms up, insects have two main tasks on their mind: eating and breeding. While most pests stay outside, they may seek shelter indoors if your home has enough food and hiding places. Keeping an eye out for the common springtime insects will help you avoid a major infestation down the road. Here are the most common spring insects to be on the lookout for:

WASPS are stinging insects that come in a variety of colors, though they are usually yellowish, red, or brown. Their most defining feature is a narrow waist and angular body. Some species will build nests in sheltered areas along your home or yard, which can pose a safety risk to anybody nearby.

BEES may be stinging insects, but they are generally much less aggressive than wasps. These bugs are crucial pollinators that primarily focus on making honey. You can identify them by their black and yellow striped bodies. Bees tend to nest in piles of wood or other yard debris, but they can be a hazard if they settle down close to a human-populated area.

ANTS are one of the most common springtime pests in St. Louis. Whether they’re swarming in your parking lot or crawling on your kitchen counter, these tricky insects can be difficult to get rid of once they establish a colony. Many homeowners encounter odorous house ants once the weather warms up, which typically measure between ⅛ to 3/16 of an inch and emit an unpleasant “rotten coconut” scent when crushed. 

TERMITES are notorious for causing extensive damage to wooden structures. Though they look incredibly similar to ants, these pests pose a much bigger risk to your home and are capable of causing thousands of dollars in damage. Most termites are brown or black in color and measure between ⅛ and 1 inch in size. If you notice any signs of termites, you should contact a professional right away.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home

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

  • Clean up after outdoor BBQ and other cooking. Food scraps can attract a wide range of pests to your property; bees and wasps in particular are attracted to sweets and protein-based foods. 
  • Patch cracks or crevices in walls and repair any broken panels or siding.  Maintaining your property will keep pests from nesting in your walls. Keeping your yard neat and tidy can also deter potential infestations.
  • Repair leaky faucets, pipes, or other sources of water. Termites are notorious for invading damp or damaged wood, and many other types of pests search for water to survive. Repairing moisture issues can help protect your property.
  • Keep leaves, wood, and piles of debris away from your home. Organic debris creates the perfect environment for pests to thrive, which could lead these unwanted guests right into your home. Maintaining a clean and tidy space is one of the most effective ways to prevent a variety of infestations.
  • Sore food in airtight containers. Nothing’s worse than leaving a treat out on the counter, just to discover it’s overrun with ants a day or two later. Properly storing your food will make it more difficult for pests to thrive in your space.
  • Store pet food inside and clean pet bowls regularly. Ants and other pests are attracted to sweets as well as protein-based foods, which makes your pet bowl the perfect fuel for an infestation.

Spring Pest Control Services

If you are tired of dealing with swarms of pests in or around your home, the experienced exterminators at Blue Chip Pest Services are here to help. Our licensed technicians have been serving the St. Louis area since 1971, so we are familiar with local pest behavior. We know how to create reliable solutions that protect your property in the long run. Whether you’re currently dealing with an infestation or you want to ensure your property is protected from common springtime pests, we’ve got you covered! Just give us a call today to get your free quote.

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!

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.

Carpenter Ants: 3 Warning Signs Your Home is Being Invaded

Carpenter ants invading St Louis Missouri home - Blue Chip Pest Services

The occasional ant crawling through your kitchen may not seem like cause for concern. You might think it’s a one-off—remove it and carry on. While this may work for small ant problems in the home, it won’t get rid of a serious infestation. You may have seen a single ant, but chances are you have hundreds lurking.

One of the most dangerous ants is carpenter ants. As wood-destroying insects, carpenter ants are often confused for termites. Blue Chip Pest Services is here to share all you need to know about identifying the warning signs your home is being invaded by carpenter ants.

Signs of Carpenter Ants in St. Louis

Most people’s first thought is that the pest they happen to catch came in through a crack or hole. It’s more likely that the pests are already making themselves comfortable inside your home. Chances are they even have a nest in your wall and have been living there for some time. Common signs of carpenter ants include:

  1. Line of black ants. Those seemingly harmless ants that come marching single file across your mudroom floor are a warning sign—take them seriously. Maybe your child dripped her juice or the dog food left out is attracting them. But in any case, don’t discount this obvious sign of a problem as a one-off.
  2. Sawdust in odd places. Where did that come from? Most homeowners may not even blink an eye at a little sawdust sprinkled in their storage area, but did you know that could be the work of some industrious—and destructive pests that are large in number? Carpenter ants will push sawdust out of holes.
  3. Winged insects. Similar to termites, carpenter ants will swarm in the springtime. Winged ants will leave an existing colony to mate and form new colonies. Swarmers are about 3/4″ in size. Seeing these winged insects indicates that carpenter ants have nested nearby.

How Do I Get Rid of Carpenter Ants?

Getting rid of carpenter ants is not a DIY project. These pests are a problem for homeowners, accounting for millions of dollars of property damage every year. Blue Chip Pest Services is a certified, qualified, experienced provider of pest control services that will free your home of lurking carpenter ants. Contact our ant exterminators today to get started!