How to Avoid the Swarming Pests of Spring

A swarm of mosquitos in Moore County NC in spring.

Ah, Spring in North Carolina! Warm weather, sunshine… and swarming insects. The warmth and humidity of spring in Moore County draws many species of insects out of their winter habitats to feed and breed. Many of these insects are merely a nuisance but some of them are potentially dangerous to people or harmful to property. Learn which insects to watch for, what you can do to protect yourself and your home, and how Aberdeen Exterminating can help if these precautions aren’t enough. 

Which Bugs Swarm in Spring?

Many bugs are known to swarm in spring but these are some of the most common or problematic swarming bugs in Moore County: 

Bees: If bees are swarming on your property, they’re likely seeking food and shelter. Watch for the construction of bees’ nests in trees or on the eaves of your home. Carpenter bees can be especially concerning. They’re large, solitary bees often seen hovering near wooden structures in spring. They are important pollinators but can cause damage to wooden structures. They drill holes in wood to make their nests, which is how they get their name. 

Ladybugs: Ladybugs are a type of beetle that is often seen in large numbers in spring. They are beneficial insects that help control aphids and other garden pests.

Lovebugs: Lovebugs are a type of fly known for their distinctive mating swarms. They are typically found in the southeastern United States, including North Carolina.

Moths: Several species of moths, including the white-lined sphinx moth and the eastern tent caterpillar, are known to swarm in spring in Moore County

Stinkbugs: Stinkbugs are a common insect in Moore County and can be seen swarming in spring. While they are not harmful to humans, they can be a nuisance in large numbers.

Termites: Termites begin swarming in the early spring months to establish new colonies. When termites are mating, you’ll typically find wings on the ground because termites shed their wings when they mate. If mating is happening on your property, then you are at risk of a termite infestation if you don’t already have one.

Wasps: In the warmer months, the queen will come out of hibernation and begin looking for food. If you see wasps flying low to the ground in your yard, they are likely looking for grubs, larvae, or insects for the queen or her brood. 

How to Keep Swarming Insects Away

Be careful with food and drink outside

When the weather heats up, so do our grills! Bees and especially wasps are attracted to protein-rich foods like the meat you or your neighbors will be cooking. They’re also attracted to sugary drinks. To keep bees and wasps from making an uninvited appearance at your picnic or BBQ, be sure to seal up leftovers promptly and keep any sugary drinks sealed or covered.

Clean up debris in your yard

To keep insects away, you’ll want to keep your yard clear of any kind of debris that could be a habitat for insects, including leaves, sticks and any fruit that may fall from fruit trees. Keeping your lawn mowed short can also help. Stack firewood, ideally off the ground, away from buildings, and covered by a tarp. 

Prevent water from collecting on your property

Many different types of pests are attracted to water, either for breeding or for drinking. There are many items in our yards that can easily fill with water given how stormy spring in Moore County can be. Whether it’s a birdbath, an empty bucket, a flower pot or a trash can lid, try to prevent water from accumulating in any objects on your property.

Expert Pest Control in Moore County

At Aberdeen Exterminating we provide comprehensive pest control services to help keep insects away from your home in the spring and all year round. Don’t suffer through another season of not being able to enjoy your outdoor space.  Contact us today for a free quote.

A Pest-Fighting Insulation?

A cockroach scurries down a hallway

As a homeowner in Moore County, you know the risks of pest infestations in and around your property. Aberdeen Exterminating has a team skilled in everything from removing bee nests to eradicating ant colonies. We even offer comprehensive, round-the-clock pest control services through our PestFree365+ plan. But what if we told you that there was a baseline of protection that can actively kill most insects without you having to lift a finger? And what if this solution also functioned to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer? All of this, and even more, is possible with the installation of TAP® Insulation.

What is TAP® Insulation?

TAP insulation is made from cellulose that is then blown into attics or wall voids. The cellulose is made from around 80% of recycled materials, and it’s treated with a special concentration of boric acid. The powder isn’t harmful to pets, children or adults unless ingested in large quantities. But when insects come in contact with it, the chemical coats their bodies and is then ingested when they groom themselves or each other. Once boric acid gets into an insect’s system, they are unable to pass it. Eventually, this causes the pests to die of dehydration or malnutrition, and – just like that – you’ve managed to stop a potential infestation, possibly without even realizing it.

What pests can TAP insulation stop? If you have rats or mice in your house, our insulation won’t do much to their systems. But TAP can effectively kill insects as small as ants or Formosan termites, or as big as cockroaches and most beetles. And once it settles it continues to be effective almost indefinitely, giving you a defense for your home that you can rely on for decades to come.

TAP® Insulation – Pros and Cons

What makes TAP Insulation so special to us is not just its pest-killing properties. It’s that when compared to the other materials commonly used in its place, it’s objectively a high-quality insulator. It can better cover a given surface area, which increases its overall effectiveness. TAP is flame retardant and mold resistant, and it’s able to slow the transfer of heat in a way that’ll take the strain off your HVAC systems and keep you comfortable all year long. You’ll save money on your energy bill, lower your carbon footprint, and prevent alternative insulating materials from winding up in the landfill.

However, TAP insulation, like any other home renovation technique, has its pros and cons. TAP is a cellulose insulator and can be vulnerable to moisture. While it can resist mold, it may rot with water damage. And, while it does have a higher R-value than fiberglass batting, it’s not quite as high as spray foam. Still, it’s a revolutionary product. If your home is under-insulated and prone to pest infestation, it’s a no-brainer. But make sure you choose the right company to install it. Our team at Aberdeen Exterminating strives to be the best TAP installer in the Moore County area.

Aberdeen Exterminating for TAP® Pest Control Insulation

Why would a pest control company offer insulation services? We do it to protect your home from every foreseeable angle. We do it because, while we’re happy to treat any infestation in commercial or residential properties across the area, we’d much rather you not have an infestation to begin with. And it’s not just about convenience – it’s a matter of safety. It’s protecting the investment you make in your home, and the ability to live comfortably without the influence of pests. We can’t guarantee that TAP will completely eliminate any chance of a pest infestation. What we’re here to say is that we can help prepare against pests, building a barrier between them and yourself, and TAP Insulation can help make that happen. Contact us today to learn more!

Fall Pests in Your Home

Wasps and nest in attic: a fall pest infestation

Every year as the weather changes in the fall, many pests attempt to head somewhere warmer. Many of the insects that don’t die off in the fall take part in a phenomenon called overwintering. They find a habitable environment to wait out the cold winter months. Some insects will migrate to warmer clients, some find hiding spots outside under debris, while others try to get inside homes and buildings to stay warm. 

Unfortunately for homeowners, the pests that try to overwinter inside warm buildings frequently end up in our homes. Often these pests will end up in low-traffic areas of homes like behind the walls or in the attic. The most frequent pests to watch for in the fall and winter include rodents, termites, stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and wasps. Continue reading to learn more about these common fall pests and their efforts to get in your home.

Rodents

Many pests can get into your attic by climbing up onto the roof. Squirrels are the most well-known culprits, but roof rats and mice are jaso adept at climbing and making nests in the attic. How can you tell if you have rodents living in your home? The most common sign of a rodent infestation is scratching or gnawing sounds from above or from inside the walls; if you hear these sounds, it’s time to call an experienced rodent exterminator.

Termites

The cost of termite damage in the United States is estimated to be up to $30 billion annually – making them the most destructive pest in the country by dollar value. While termites are present all year, fall and winter can worsen an already-existing infestation. Like many insects, subterranean termites (the most destructive species) tend to burrow deeper into the ground to stay warm in the winter, when most of us spend less time outside. This combination means you’re less likely to discover a subterranean termite infestation until the spring. 

Once termites get in your home, they’ll consume wood (the structure of your home) and anything else that contains cellulose. Signs you may have termites in your home include blisters on painted falls, hollow-sounding wood, mud tunnels in your crawlspace, and unexplained pinhole-sized holes. 

Stink Bugs

Another common pest that often hides undetected during the winter, typically in attics, crawlspaces, or behind the walls, is the stink bug. Known for their shield-shaped backs and their mottled coloring of brown and gray, the most common species, the brown marmorated stink bug, ranges in size from about ¼” to ⅜”. As their name suggests, stink bugs release an unpleasant odor when they feel threatened or are squished. 

Asian lady beetles

Asian lady beetles look very similar to ladybugs, but with a few differences: they tend to be a bit larger, and though their coloration is similarly reddish orange, they don’t all have spots. These insects can be found in groups and communicate with each other using pheromones – so if one lady beetle finds its way into your home, you’re likely to have a large infestation on your hands. Asian lady beetles do not pose any direct threat to your home’s structure and don’t bite or sting, but their waste can stan as well as trigger allergic reactions and breathing problems for individuals with sensitivities.

Wasps

Generally speaking, wasps die off before each winter and the colonies do not overwinter. But to keep the colony thriving the following year, the fertilized queens will find a warm hiding spot to overwinter, often in stumps or hollow logs outdoors, or in protected structures like crawlspaces and attics. This can often lead to wasp infestations the following year when the queens restart their colonies.

Expert Exterminators

If you have any of the pests on this list in or around your home in the Moore County NC area, Aberdeen Exterminating can help. We’ve been providing quality pest control services to Moore County since 1960. We can get rid of pests trying to overwinter in your home, or provide preventative services to help keep them from ever getting in. Contact us for a free quote!

Identifying & Preventing Flying Termites

Flying termites in Moore County NC - Aberdeen Exterminating

Spring is nearly here, and with it, hoards of swarming insects. One of the most concerning pests we deal with here in North Carolina is the termite. While these destructive pests are active year-round, springtime is when they are known to begin swarming and infesting new areas. For that reason, it’s crucial to be on the lookout for flying termites this time of year and to know how to prevent them from getting indoors. At Aberdeen Exterminating, we know how distressing the thought of a termite infestation is. Our experts are here to share everything you need to know about flying termites, from identifying them to getting rid of them for good.

What to Know About Flying Termites

Seeing flying termites in or near your home is one of the biggest indicators of a potential infestation. This makes it imperative to always keep an eye out for these pests. Also known as “swarmers” or “alates”, flying termites 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.

Flying termites typically swarm in the spring and find their way into structures around basement windows, doorways, near porches, or any other area where wood comes into contact with soil. A mature colony can slowly devour your structure without you even noticing, which is why it’s important to have preventative measures in place.

How to Prevent Termite Swarms

Especially in the spring, it’s crucial to always be on the lookout for signs of flying termites. The good news is that there are several things you can do to make your property less penetrable to these wood-destroying insects. Some of the top tips to prevent flying termites in your North Carolina home include the following.

  1. Store all firewood away from the perimeter of your home.
  2. Repair issues with your plumbing to avoid any leaks or moisture that could attract termites.
  3. Clear your yard of any rotting wood, trees, etc. Ensure your porch or deck is maintained.
  4. Keep all mulch away from the foundation of your home.
  5. Work with a professional termite control expert to implement treatments that repel termites.

Worried About Termites in Your Home?

Whether you suspect an active termite infestation or noticed flying termites near your home, you’re going to need help to get rid of them! The best defense against a wood-destroying insect infestation is to get annual inspections from a professional pest control company such as Aberdeen Exterminating. Contact us today to learn more about preventing flying termites near your home year-round.