What's buggin' you?

Roaches

2012-02-15T10:10:00.000-08:00

There are many species of roaches in Mississippi but the two most common are the American roach and the German Cockroach. Both are problems in Mississippi.

The American roach is a large roach that normally lives outdoors but will do well indoors if conditions are right. They are more common than the German Roach and normally only seen in summer months.

Dead American Roach

The German roach is a small roach that is normally carried into building by people on items such as furniture, bags, purses or even grocery bags. The picture in this post was taken in a rental home in Madison County MS. Many people and inexperienced exterminators try to get rid of these roaches using only sprays or foggers which do not work well for German roaches. Baits made specifically for german roaches or small roaches works best for these pests.


German Cockroaches

ABC Termite and Pest Control has experience in controling these and other pests in homes, rental property, commercial kitchens and businesses.

Ants

2011-06-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

Ants are one of the most common pests that we come across. There are many species of ants that will enter a building looking for food, water, or shelter or all three. The number of ants in a colony can be tens of thousands so they can be difficult to get rid of. Also they can live in wall voids, attics, trees, under foundations and many other hard to access places.

These ants are attraced to a placement of bait placed on a home in Jackson, MS. There were only a few ants coming inside at a time but there were many more around the peremeter of the house.

Ants are more active in the warmer months, but in Mississippi's moderate climate, they can be active all year.

Termites

2011-03-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken at a home in Madison. These are termite mud tubes. They are built by termites as a pathway from the ground where the termite colony is located up the slab into the home. There were about 10 of these tubes along this section of the house.

It is termite swarm season but these swarmers are actually ants and not termites. They are coming from this untreated lumber in a garage where the homeowner does woodworking. If you look carefully you can see the bodies are visibly segmented.

Termite Damage

2011-03-08T17:02:00.000-08:00

Termites eat wood. This is common knowledge. What people often wonder however, is how do termites get into a home. They can enter a home many different ways.

If a foundation is raised or there is no wood contact with the soil, they will build mud tubes to bridge the gap from the soil to the home.


This picture taken in the crawl space of a home in Jackson. Termites have traveled three feet from the soil and then bridged the metal barrier that was intended to stop termites.


Termite damage under home in Jackson.

Termite damage to house frame in Madison.

The first several pictures were taken underneath homes in a crawl space. The final picture is of a home with a concrete slab. The wood in the picture had siding in front of it. This siding had contact with the soil allowing the termites easy access into the home and allowed them to avoid detection for some time.

Spiders

2011-03-03T13:36:00.000-08:00

Most people can identify the black widow spider. Very recognizable and very dangerous. These were taken at home in Madison County. While this is one of the few venomous spiders in our area, most of us dislike all spiders, even the ones that do not bite. Outdoor, spiders are beneficial, eating bugs like mosquitoes or others that we do not want around. When spiders come inside, they become a pest and need to be gotten rid of.

Spider control can be very difficult. They can hide in difficult to detect places and pesticide residual may not have any effect on them. What I tell my customers with spider problems is that I will get rid of most of the spiders and possibly all of them. If the problem is still there, I will retreat for no charge until the problem is gone.

Spiders are best controled by having regular pest prevention service. By regularly treating your home, especially the outside. We reduce the number of spiders outside thus making it virtually spider free inside.

This was taken at a home in Jackson. If you click to get a closer look you can see the baby spiders on the mothers back.

FAQ: Termites

2011-03-02T12:40:00.000-08:00

Termites control is very different from everyday pest control such as ants or roaches. Most pests are simply a nuisance, while termites can cause extensive damage. Termite also cost considerably more than pest control work. If you have any questions not covered here, please contact me and I'll be glad to answer.

How do I know if I should have my house treated?

If termites are active, you should have it treated immediately.

What is involved in a termite inspection?

We do what is known as a visual inspection. We are looking for signs of termites which could be mud tubes or termite damage. In almost all cases, once signs of termites are noticed, there is some degree of damage.

My home is brick, what would the termites eat?

Most brick homes are actually a brick veneer around a wood frame.  Termites can eat this would frame, as well as wood in the home like cabinets, trim, even the paper on the sheet rock.

Is it less expensive to treat before I have a termites?

Termite treatments are performed the same for prevention as well as for active infestations.  The way you save as the homeowner, is by stopping termites before they cause any damage.

I have a termite contract with another company. Can I switch to you?

A termite contract is an agreement between you and the company that treated your home in the past. It may have been treated when it was built or in the years following.  It is essentially an extended warranty on the work that that company performed so it can not be transfered. In order to get a contract with a company, that company must have treated your home. This is a rule set and enforced by the State of Mississippi Department of Agriculture.

FAQ: Pest Control

2011-03-02T12:05:00.000-08:00

Do I have to sign a contract?

Only for a termite treatment and termite warranty. Not so for pest control service. I only want you to use ABC Pest Control if you are happy with the service.

What areas do you serve?

Most of the Jackson MS area including all of Madison county and most of Hinds and Rankin Counties.

Will I need to leave the house and is there an odor from the treatment?

Most common pest problems can be treated with odorless products that are safe to use with you in the home.

Will you have to come more than once to get rid of a problem?

I can usually solve a problem with one treatment. If the problem is still present in a few days, a follow up treatment can be performed for no charge.
Flea, tick and bedbug treatments will in most, cases require an additional charge for follow up treatment.

Who will be performing the work?

Currently all work is done by either John Kirk (old guy on the right) or Matthew Kirk (intelligent looking one on left).

Do you take credit/debit cards?

Not currently. Old fashioned cash or checks

If anyone has any other questions feel free to call, email or post a reply.

Termites

2011-02-11T08:40:00.000-08:00

Termites are a concern to anyone who owns a home. In the southern states, especially Mississippi, termite activity is very high due to our warm humid weather. The Eastern Subterranean Termite is most common in the Jackson area so that is the Termite I will cover.

Termites live in the soil and when not feeding on our homes, are a very beneficial insect. Once they enter a building however they become a very significant pest. They can form very large colonies with numbers in the tens of thousands on into the millions. There are conditions that can make termites more likely to invade your home, but often it can just be attributed to bad luck.

ABC Pest Control only uses one product to fight termites. Termidor. This product is widely recognized as being the best in termite control for the last ten years. No matter who treats your home, I suggest you be sure they are using Termidor. Termidor is applied around the perimeter of your home as well as any place inside where termites are active. It will kill the entire colony and protect your home for years to come.