spring Archives | Inman-Murphy, Inc.

What Are the Most Common Spring Bugs and How Can I Keep Them Out?

Pests can cause big problems for your home interior. Especially in the Springtime, you may see more and more bugs and rodents appearing in every room.

By taking certain precautions and staying informed, you can get ahead of the problem and start to patch up any holes where that might be allowing them inside.

Keep reading to learn the best ways to keep spring bugs out of your home and property!

Pavement Ants and How to Keep Them Out

The most common spring insects are ants. Pavement ants are usually found outside of your home in soil. They will likely enter your home to find food and travel in big groups.

With these ants especially, you really can’t get rid of them without finding a treatment that works. Since they’re attracted to the food in your home, it’s important to make sure food is kept away and cleaned up.

You can also keep food sealed in your refrigerator using tight containers. Make sure when you clean up, you’re clearing away all food scraps from the floors and counters.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants will also appear in your home when it becomes warmer outside since they’re looking for food and new shelter. If you’re seeing them inside it’s possible that they’ve already created a colony in your walls. Carpenter ants might create tunnels in the wood and damage the structure.
Along with keeping your home clean from food, you can also check out the exterior of your home. Look for any cracks or crevices where ants enter the home.

If you find any, calling a professional that will take the proper steps to seal it up is your best bet for keeping them at bay for years to come.

Spiders in Springtime

You’ve likely seen a spider or two in your home before. These pests are typically found in garages, porches, basements, and other areas.

They’re looking for food and other insects. So finding spiders might mean that you have other home bugs. Keeping spiders around can actually benefit you since they prey on other insects. This can help prevent the infestation of other bugs.

But there are dangerous spiders, so understanding which are poisonous will keep you informed about which should be killed.

Houseflies

Houseflies are one of the most annoying pests to have in the home, especially if you have a regular problem with them. Once the weather starts warming up, especially in places like Memphis, you will probably see the common housefly gravitating to lights and food inside your home.

The best way to keep them out is to keep doors closed. But you can also deter them with oil diffusers and citronella candles. You may even try a horsefly trap to attract them and kill them.

Mice and Rats

Rodents are a problem year-year, but can often be found in the springtime. These are some of the worst pests to have in your home. Even the smallest mouse can leave droppings and chew through your items.

The most important thing for keeping rodents out of the home is to search for all their points of entry. Check for any roofing and pipe gaps, along with doors, vents, and radiators. However, it’s best to call a professional since sealing up every possible entry point is difficult.

It is also best to seal up any food any trash to not attract them. Consider also keeping piles of wood and anything similar on your property as far away from your home as possible.

Fleas

Any family with a dog knows that fleas are a common problem once the weather starts to get warmer. Giving your pet regular baths and flea treatments can prevent these pests from infesting your home.

Houses without dogs or pets can also get fleas since these bugs come from wildlife. Cleaning and sanitizing your home will help prevent and limit the outbreak of fleas.

Wasps and Bees

Wasps and bees are often some of the scariest pests for people who are worried about being stung, especially if you have an allergy. You might see a wasp or yellow jacket in your attic or basement.

These insects could be looking for a place to create a colony, so it’s best to treat any areas where they might be entering. Be careful while handling any bees and try to release them outside.

Check your property for any beehives or wasp nests, since you might find one in the springtime. Gutters, awnings, and corners are popular spots for these types of nests. Spraying them now can prevent you from having a swarm in your backyard later.

Common Rooms in Your House with Pests and How to Remove Them

If you haven’t seen any pests in your home so far, you may just be wondering how to keep them out. So what are the common rooms where pests might appear and how can you prevent them from entering? Keep reading to learn more.

Keeping Pests Out of the Kitchen

As mentioned above, ants are attracted to your home because of any food left out. This typically draws them to kitchen spaces. Ants will often be found climbing on countertops and kitchen floors, looking for any spills or crumbs that have been left out.

The best way to prevent ants from infesting your kitchen is by going through your pantries and refrigerator to find loose food.

Remove all the items from your pantry and discard anything that is expired and anything that hasn’t been sealed up. Make sure baking ingredients are put into plastic bags since this is a common attraction for bugs.

You should then vacuum behind your appliances, so pull your oven out from the wall. You will likely find a lot of dust and loose food particles.

Finally, you can clean your kitchen counters and floors. This should prevent common house pests from being attracted to your kitchen and food spaces.

Bugs Found in Bathrooms

Springtime pests are especially attracted to moisture. Insects like silverfish and cockroaches can often be found in bathrooms.

Since they cannot live without water, it’s important to eliminate the sources of water that they access in the bathroom. Plug your shower and sink with stoppers when they’re not in use. Also, clean the shower curtain and liner.

You may also want to do a deep clean of the bathroom, checking under the sink and around the tub. Keep an eye out for any moisture issues that might attract pests.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Basement

Although basements are not that common throughout Memphis, some areas of Midtown have homes with basements. In these homes, many of the common spring pests can be found in the basement, including spiders and rodents. These insects usually hide in dark corners and like cluttered spaces.

This is why clearing out clutter and taking the time to go through the items stored in your basement can help with any pest problems you have.

Also, avoid using cardboard for storage, and instead opt for plastic containers. These typically have secure lids that will keep out any dust and bugs that try to get in. Also, search your basement for holes or cracks where the insects could be entering.

You can try to caulk the areas to keep out mice and bugs. Remember that they’re likely entering through even the smallest of cracks.

Checking Your Home’s Exterior

One of the best ways to keep bugs from entering your home is by checking the exterior. Take a look at the perimeter of your home and search for any cracks or damage that may have caused holes.

Check your roof for any missing shingles and deteriorating wood. You should also consider cleaning your gutters. Finally, repair anything that is meant to keep bugs out like ripped screens or unhinged doors.

It’s Important to Learn How to Keep Out Common Spring Bugs

Springtime lifts the spirit as the warm weather brings everyone outside. But while you’re enjoying the sun, you don’t want bugs to be entering your home.

By following the tips above, you can prevent these spring bugs from infesting your house. Be sure to keep any loose food out of your kitchen and other areas. Plus, prevent water in your bathroom from attracting insects. Finally, keep pests out of the basement by sealing any holes.

Our Top Mosquito Control and Prevention Tips

mosquito control prevention tips for memphis residents

Those hot and humid Memphis summers can be a time to relax outdoors, but they’re also the time of year when mosquitoes run rampant.

If you’re dealing with these annoying pests, there are natural ways to kill mosquitos that won’t harm the environment.

Read on to discover natural ways you can say goodbye to mosquitoes in Memphis for a pleasant, itch-free spring and summer.

Get Rid of Standing Water

Mosquitos breed in stagnant water, even if it’s not near a lake or other body of water. To get rid of these pests near your home, take a look around and check for any stagnant water that could be sitting near your property.

Overturned tires, buckets, and other items can fill with rainwater, making it the perfect breeding ground for these biting bugs. Remove anything that’s holding water, and make sure you either dispose of it or turn it upside down so it doesn’t till up again.

If you use outdoor storage for water, try to keep it covered and secure. Check around your outdoor air conditioning unit and try to keep that area as dry as possible so you don’t entice them to breed near your home.

Natural Ways to Kill Mosquitos with Herbs

Certain herbs and other plants have shown to be an effective mosquito repellant. Plant a few herbs like rosemary, lavender, and citronella in your garden.

You can also enjoy these beautiful herbs indoors to keep mosquitos at bay. Get creative and make a lovely indoor herb garden that will not only keep these pests away, but that will also add a nice touch of greenery to your kitchen.

Do a little bit of research to find out which types of herbs thrive in the Memphis area. Plant them in your garden, around the edge of your home, and indoors for the best results.

Set a Trap

Standard insecticides can be harmful to the environment and to your physical health. You can try this safe home remedy to trap these pesky bugs that can be used indoors and outside.

Place a dish full of soapy water on your porch whenever you entertain to keep mosquitos at bay. It’s best to use dish soap that will create a lot of bubbles for the most effective results.

Since mosquitos are attracted to water, they’ll be lured to the bowl. Once they hit the water, the soapy bubbles trap them and they cannot escape and eventually die. This effective trap also works indoors, too.

Prevent Mosquitos from Breeding Near Pools and Ponds

If you have a pool or a decorative pond outside, these features tend to attract mosquitos when the water is stagnant. To prevent a Memphis mosquito problem, use a pump to keep the water constantly moving.

Look for the best pump possible for your pool or pond that will ensure the water is always flowing rapidly. If the water stays in motion all day and night, most mosquitos will simply move on.

Another effective measure of protection is to treat your swimming pool with special chemicals designed to kill or repel mosquitos. Check your pond or pool on a regular basis to ensure that there’s no evidence of mosquitos breeding or hovering around.

Try Essential Oils

The ingredient DEET was used as an insect repellant for decades, but studies have shown it can be extremely harmful to health and the environment. Instead of store-bought mosquito killers and repellant, try essential oils instead.

Lemon eucalyptus oil is a highly effective mosquito repellant. The CDC has approved eucalyptus oil and states that it is an effective ingredient that works.

If you really want to kill those Memphis mosquitos, cinnamon oil is also extremely effective. This oil actually kills the eggs so that the pests cannot continue to breed and bite.

Of course, you can also use citronella to keep mosquitos and other pests away. This natural oil smells incredible and can be found as a raw oil and in candles that you can use outdoors to prevent mosquitos from attacking as you entertain.

Use Fans Strategically

If you place a few fans on your deck or porch in a strategic way, it can actually keep mosquitos and other insects away. Mosquitos are weak flyers, and they can’t handle heavy winds or strong streams of air.

With the right strength, fans can reduce the number of insects in your outdoor space by significant numbers. You may need to experiment with different fans, different levels of airflow, and in different places.

Once you find the sweet spot, you should notice a major drop in the number of mosquitos you’re dealing with. Fans break the flow of carbon dioxide, which can throw mosquitos off guard when they’re looking for food.

Not only will an outdoor fan keep pests away, but it will also keep you and your guests nice and cool. Just make sure your fan is safe to use outside, and always unplug it when it’s not in use. The less sweat and body heat you produce, the less enticing you’ll be to those nasty biting mosquitos.

Give Oranges a Try

Oranges and orange oil can repel insects in a natural way. In fact, a lot of mass-produced repellants and bug sprays include this oil as an ingredient.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on expensive bug sprays. Instead, try your own at-home remedy with real oranges. If you have a plug-in insect repelling device, cut an orange peel to the same size as the refills and use it instead.

Another way to use oranges to your advantage is to simply cut them up and place them in bowls around your home. Not only will this help to keep mosquitos away, but it will also leave your home smelly citrusy and fresh. You also won’t need to worry about breathing in harsh chemicals with an orange.

Mosquito Coils

This unique product is popular throughout Asia and South America, but you can also find it in the USA. Mosquito coils are similar to incense and burn slowly using a coiled-up shape that can be placed on a dish to catch the ashes.

You can set your mosquito coil on the ground near where you and your guests sit outside. This unusual incense is all-natural and made from pyrethrum powder. The powder is made from dried heads of the Chrysanthemum flower.

When you light the mosquito coil, make sure it “catches” the flame so it continues to burn. You can find these unusual mosquito killers online and at many hardware stores. They have a pleasant scent, which makes them a wonderful alternative to chemical-laden sprays.

Mosquitos Hate Old Coffee Grounds

You might know it, but your used coffee grounds can actually work to repel mosquitos. This eco-friendly and natural alternative is a smart way to reuse those grounds that would normally go into a landfill.

Remove the coffee grounds from your coffee pot and sprinkle them around your deck and patio area. You can also sprinkle them in the garden and in hedges around the perimeter of your home. Coffee grounds are also a wonderful compost, so they’re great for the health of your plants, too.

This simple anti-mosquito hack should help to keep those pesky Memphis mosquitos away all summer long. If you plan to spend a lot of time outside, add some old coffee grinds to a bowl and place it near you for a quick repellant.

Wave Goodbye to Mosquitoes

Even though the warm months bring lots of pests to the Memphis area, you can try these natural ways to kill mosquitoes so you won’t worry about those itchy bites. From essential oils to coffee grinds and oranges, give some of these ideas a try.

When you’re ready to call in a professional mosquito exterminator—contact us for a free estimate!

Read More: Memphis Mosquito Control Guide

Spring Pest Control Advice for Memphis Homeowners

Finally, winter is nearly over and spring is here! While spring brings the budding of new life, cheery flowers, and warmer temperatures, it also brings spring pests.

Common springtime pests can cause infestations for Memphis homeowners if not taken care of early. The following are the top spring pests Memphis homeowners should avoid.

Bees & Yellow Jackets

Bees, and more specifically, yellow jackets, are common in the spring. They search for places to build their paper nests made of chewed up cellulose materials behind walls, in attics, chimneys, decks, and porches. You may find them swarming around outdoor events or garbage cans looking for sweets and proteins.

Yellow jackets are aggressive and territorial. They’re capable of stinging a person or animal multiple times. The safest way to get rid of yellow jacket nests is with professional pest removal.

Mosquitos

Mosquitos carry a host of diseases including Zika, West Nile, and dengue fever. Be sure to remove standing water from your property which can serve as a warm, moist environment for mosquito breeding grounds.

If you notice high volumes of mosquitos on your property, you may have a mosquito infestation. To enjoy spring days and evenings outside, call your local pest control experts for mosquito extermination.

Termites

Termites are especially active in the spring months as they search for food. They feed on cellulose found in wood, leaves, and soil. Termites can sneak through cracks in your foundation and travel behind walls or underneath flooring to feed on structural wood.

Even worse, termites can hide in your home for years without you knowing. At the first sign of termites, call the local pest control experts. DIY termite control is not recommended due to the difficult nature of exterminating these pests.

Ants

Common springtime ants include large carpenter ants and small sugar ants. Carpenter ants prefer moist environments in decaying wood and often sneak inside homes in search of food. While they don’t eat wood like termites, they tunnel through wood and can leave structural damage.

Sugar ants are small black ants which invade homes through tiny cracks in search of food. Prevent sugar ants from coming inside by cleaning up spilled food, sealing cracks, and trimming bushes and trees near the exterior of your home.

Ant infestations can be difficult to control. If DIY methods stopped working, contact pest control experts to locate ant nests and eliminate the source of the problem.

Ticks

Ticks are a big concern for outdoor enthusiasts because they carry Lyme disease. They are prevalent in the Northeast, Northern Midwest, and areas west of the Rockies.

Ticks may not invade your Memphis home, but they can be carried inside by humans or pets on exposed skin when hiking or running through wooded areas. Protect yourself with tick repellent and perform a whole body check on yourself and your pets within 36 hours of returning from an area where ticks are present.

If ticks, mosquitos, ants, termites, or bees are targeting your home or keeping you from enjoying a beautiful spring day, call Inman-Murphy Termite & Pest Control. We have the experience and eco-friendly solutions to ensure the safe removal of any pest.