Preparing for the Buzz: Navigating the Emergence of the 200-Year Cicada in Missouri

Beware: Tick surge predicted in Missouri for 2024! Stay informed and protected against tick-borne diseases. Learn more about tick prevention and tick removal at www.BuckinghamPestControl.com

If you live in Missouri, you are no stranger to ants! From common black ants that invade backyard barbecues to wood burrowing ants that are sometimes mistaken for termites, Missouri ants are a common pest problem! Here is our guide to removing ants from your home and yard. 1. Identify the Type of Ant you are Dealing With Missouri ant species vary just as much as the ant control solutions to remove them. There are many ant specie guides available, but the best approach is to have an inspection by a trusted pest control company. 2. Find the Ant Colony or Nest Sometimes the easiest solution to removing your ant problem is to find and remove the nest. If you are dealing with carpenter ants, which can do significant damage to your home's structure, it is vital to wipe them out ASAP! Finding their nest may not be easy and could take some investigation. Carpenter ants prefer wet areas, so wood surfaces such as floors that are spongy under foot, or leaky roofs, are prime locations for their homes. Once you find the nest, you can typically move on to the next step. 0 3. Erase Ant Trails It's common knowledge that when you see one ant, there are likely to be more. That's because ants leave an invisible scent trail that other ants follow. Traditional cleaning methods such as sweeping and mopping are not enough to wipe out the trail completely. One solution is to mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water in a spray bottle for a safe way to get rid of ants in the home, then spray wherever you've seen ants in the past. This will stop outdoor nesting ants that entered the house to forage for food. It's important to note that vinegar does not remove indoor ants. For that, you will need ant bait or to get with a professional ant removal company. If you believe that you may have an ant problem in your home or business, call the ant removal specialists at Buckingham Pest Control in St. Charles, MO and Fenton, MO at 636-274-7400.

Winter in St. Charles, St. Louis, and Jefferson County, MO is here, and let's face it; as most Missourian's know, the weather can be unpredictable. From overnight snow, to ice, and springlike weather, all within the span of a week, Missouri weather can draw in a variety of pests. As some winter pests are hibernating, and others are moving away, there are still a few that become more active in the winter to protect themselves and maintain their food supply. As Missouri's trusted pest control solution for over a decade, we'd like to share some of our top most active pests this time of year. 1. Boxelder Bugs You’ve seen these guys around—oval black bodies with red or orange markings and long antennae. They don’t pose a physical threat, but they come in numbers into our homes and businesses and have no problem flying into your papers, your face, your hair, your food. Their feces is bright orange, and the insects smell bad when crushed. The best thing to do is to vacuum up the boxelders already in your space and then call Buckingham Pest Control. 2. Stink Bugs Stink bugs are a yearly nuisance in Missouri. Squat, gray-brown, and shaped like shields, they also arrive in numbers. They don’t bite or sting, but they buzz around, let off a terrible stink when crushed, and leave their corpses everywhere. Vacuum those up and call Buckingham Pest Control. 3. Cockroaches The awful classic. Cockroaches eat your food and spread diseases, parasites, and contaminants. They also reproduce rapidly, and by the time you see one roach, you can be sure that there are many more throughout your home. Although some home remidies can be effective, if used incorrectly, can become a danger to you and your family. First, seal up any food in air tight containers, then call us. 4. Carpenter Ants Carpenter ants look like an extra-large version of the common black ant. Carpenter ants will damage structures made out of wood and wood products, like walls, furniture, beams, and floors. Unlike termites, they do not eat your wood, but they do destroy it by making tunnels throughout your home's structure, weakening the wood over time. If you see a carpenter ant anywhere in your home, it is best to call for an immediate inspection and have them removed by Buckingham Pest Control as soon as possible. So, how to you prevent these common winter pests from making camp in your home or business? 1. Get regular inspections and preventative pest removal services. 2. Keep all food sealed when not eating. 3. Seal up all cracks and holes in your walls, foundations, windows, and roof to prevent entry. 4. Try to regularly maintain your HVAC system well to prevent debris build up which can attract pests. Lastly, call your local pest professionals at Buckingham Pest Control in Fenton, MO and St. Charles, MO at 636-274-7400 to discover the best pest control solution for you. We make setup and maintenance easy, and we only use products that are both effective and safe for you and your pets. Now offering contactless pest control solutions and payment plans. Call Now.