Identification of a pest or pests is always the first step to effective pest control. Always try to save a sample of the pest that you would like to control. This allows us to make a positive identification and prescribe proper pest control treatment.
The majority of pests reside outside the home but sometimes infestation levels increase to the point that you are seeing pest on the inside of your home. The condition in and around your home and the landscape areas surrounding your home will be a factor in determining a treatment plan. Environmental and weather conditions also affect many pest outbreaks. The most effective treatment is done outside before pest populations infiltrate your home. Keeping these pests controlled and in low quantities will greatly help so that they do not become a pest indoors. Once pests have gotten into living areas, pest control treatments will be needed both indoors and outdoors. Only a few pests, like bed bugs and German Cockroaches, are strictly indoor pests.
The following pests are the most commonly found pests in the central Ohio region.
Small Ants (Pavement Ant, Acrobat Ant, Odorous House Ant)
Effective control for these types of ants begins with the proper identification of the ant species. Any of our trained Columbus Pest Control professional technicians are able to verify the species and provide appropriate pest control treatment. Your pest control will entail both interior and exterior treatments of baits and liquid sprays. Two annual treatments outside your home, just once in the spring and once in the fall, will control an ant infestation although this is dependent on the level of infestation.
Carpenter Ant
Large Ants (Carpenter Ant)
Carpenter ants are considered a wood destroying insect, however, they do not feed on wood and generally do not create a great deal of damage. Most wood damage is due to rotting and this environment attracts carpenter ants that are looking for weak wood in which to make a nest. Pest control treatment is necessary both inside and outside the home including the landscape and trees surrounding the structure.
Because this is a difficult pest with multiple nests, a visual inspection is recommended. It is also helpful to know any other treatments that have been attempted for pest control. Based on this evaluation, Columbus Pest Control would prescribe a progression of treatments that would begin with logical areas of infestation like moisture-prone areas, roofs, eaves and overhangs of your home. Follow-up treatments may be necessary to keep this pest population controlled.
Wolf Spiders
Spiders
In central Ohio, there is a wide variety of spiders although poisonous species are not common. For initial spider control treatments, we will make applications to the inside areas of the home, usually basements, crawl spaces, attached garages and other areas in which spiders have been seen. The most important areas to be treated are the outside perimeter of the structure and shrubs near the foundation. Seasonal outside treatment is highly recommended for ongoing control outside of spiders and preventing them from getting into the house.
Carpenter Bees
Easily confused with a bumble bee, Carpenter Bees are wood destroying insects attack bare or softwoods and are often found in the trim or overhang on a home or barn. They chew ½” holes on the exterior of the wood and excavate a large portion of wood in which to make their nest and lay their eggs. The Carpenter Bee can be effectively treated in early spring through early summer and usually require two separate treatments. A pest control treatment is applied to the holes where the Carpenter Bees are actively attacking. The best prevention against Carpenter Bees is a thorough coat of oil-based paint.
Cockroaches
In central Ohio, there are two basic species of cockroaches: the German cockroach and the Oriental Cockroach. Since the pest control treatment is very different, it is imperative that the cockroach is properly identified. The best way to do this is to capture a sample of the insect for a Columbus Pest Control specialist to examine.
German Cockroach
The German Cockroach is a small brown insect that is about ½” – ¾” in length. These pests are often brought into the home from grocery stores, storage facilities and occasionally books. It is always helpful to check the items you bring into your home for these pests. Once in the home, they usually live in kitchens and bathrooms. Columbus Pest Control uses a baiting system for the most effective and thorough type of pest control treatment for the German cockroach.
Oriental Cockroach
The Oriental Cockroach, also known as a water bug, is much larger sometimes ranging in size up to 1½” in length. Dark maroon to black in color, these pests hide bur can usually be found on pipes in basements, bathrooms and under sinks. During the summer, these cockroaches can also live outside in central Ohio. Oriental Cockroaches have an erratic feeding behavior and require a longer period of pest control treatment. Initially, an application of liquid spray or dust is used every 3-4 weeks. Monthly or quarterly treatments are recommended for continued pest control.
Occasional Invaders
The following pests are commonly found in an around the foundation and landscape areas around homes or other structures on your property. Occasionally, these pests may enter a home, especially if the infestation level is high.
House Centipede
Centipedes
Centipedes can be found in crawl spaces, foundation walls and in basements. The initial pest control treatment can include these areas but usually, treatment is applied to the exterior of the home and to mulch beds and other landscape areas. By removing ivy and other ground covers, centipede populations can be dramatically reduced. These pests are best controlled with liquid sprays that are applied to the perimeter of the house exterior as well as in the basement. Other pests like earwigs, millipedes, pill bugs, sow bugs, and ground beetles will also be effectively reduced with this treatment.
Asian Multicolored Ladybug
The Asian Multicolored Ladybug is drawn to structures like homes during the fall because they are looking for protection from the winter elements. Timing is critical for this pest as the objective is to never allow them to enter the structure. In fact, if you are seeing these pests in your home it is too late to effectively treat them from the exterior of the home. Early fall is the best time to apply pest control treatments for the Asian Multicolored Ladybug. If you decide to use our Columbus Pest Control service, you will need a customer agreement scheduled prior to the fall.
Yellow Jackets
The paper nests of the Yellow Jacket can be found on the exterior of any structure where there is a hole or overhang. They will occasionally also nest in the ground or in a tree. Many times the nest isn’t visible but the presence of abnormal quantities of Yellow Jackets often indicates that there is a nest nearby. Effective pest control treatment is applied directly to the nest opening while leaving the nest in place to kill elimination of the larvae. The treatment has residual effects and enables the yellow jackets to transmit and coat the nest with the pesticide.
Mice
Mouse populations have greatly increased in suburban areas because more people are feeding birds. Infestations commonly begin in attached garages or sheds where grass and bird seeds and pet foods are commonly stored. Initially, pest control is done inside the home with baits and traps. The second step to controlling this pest is to add tamper-resistant bait stations around the perimeter of the house as well as in garages and sheds on the property. External baiting is the best way to prevent mice from entering your home.