How To Get Rid Of Mosquito Larvae

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Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying and potentially dangerous types of pests. They can ruin picnics and other outdoor events while leaving you covered in itchy red bites that can easily get infected. Mosquitoes can also transmit a variety of different diseases that are dangerous to both humans and pets. At Amco Ranger Termite and Pest Solutions, we have been helping residents in our area eliminate mosquitoes for more than 50 years. The best time to go after them is when they are in their larval stage.  

What Are Mosquito Larvae?

St. Charles County warns that there are more than 50 different types of mosquitoes in Missouri. While they have a short life span ranging from a week to several months, they can do a lot of damage during this time. A female mosquito can lay up to 200 eggs per pregnancy. They typically hatch after several days into a larva. These live in shallow water, where they hang suspended right below the surface. They breathe air through a siphon tube, similar to a snorkel. 

Killing mosquito larvae can help to prevent large infestations, but you have to act quickly. They typically have a 4 to 14-day lifespan, which provides only a short window of opportunity. If you do not eliminate them during this time, they will molt and eventually become full-fledged mosquitoes, wreaking havoc in your yard and continuing to populate in large numbers. 

Where Are Mosquito Larvae Found?

Mosquito larvae require still, shallow water, which allows them to penetrate the surface for air. The University of Missouri advises that common breeding sites include flood-prone areas, slow-moving streams, ditches, marshes, and wetlands around lakes. Once they have made their way onto your property, places you are most likely to find mosquito larvae include: 

  • Birdbaths and ornamental ponds;
  • Wading pools;
  • Fishponds;
  • Water barrels;
  • Old watering cans and plant pots;
  • Clogged gutters and catch basins;
  • Hollow tree stumps;
  • Old tires and other debris that collects water on your property.

Anything that holds even a small amount of water could provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes and their larvae. While you can keep larvae from growing by eliminating yard debris and emptying birdbaths or water barrels regularly, ponds and more permanent water features require additional efforts. 

Ways To Eliminate Mosquito Larvae

The Missouri Department of Conservation warns that mosquitoes can be carriers of West Nile and the Zika virus, both of which have the potential to be life-threatening. They also can cause yellow fever and transmit the parasites responsible for malaria. In dogs, mosquito bites can result in heartworm, a fatal condition if left untreated. To protect yourself, your family, and your pets, eliminating mosquito larvae is a top priority. In addition to eliminating the potential places for mosquitoes to breed, natural ways to accomplish this on your own include: 

  • Applying a thin coat of cinnamon, eucalyptus, or other essentials oil to the water’s surface: Mosquito larvae require air to breathe. Applying a thin coat of essential oil to standing water makes it impossible for them to penetrate the surface, which cuts off their oxygen supply. 
  • Applying garlic juice: Yes, mosquitoes are bloodsuckers, but this remedy has nothing to do with vampire lore. Instead of biting humans, mosquito larvae rely on organisms in the water for nutrients. Garlic juice applied to standing, stagnant water acts in the same way as an essential oil in helping to suffocate the larvae. 
  • Applying an apple cider vinegar solution: Alongside oil, vinegar and water do not mix. As a result, it also blocks the surface and can be a natural and effective treatment to kill mosquito larvae. 
  • Bleach tablets or solution: The same as you use bleach tablets in your pool to kill various organisms, bleach acts as a poison for mosquito larvae. 

Reach Out To Us Today For Help

While all of the above methods may be somewhat effective in killing mosquito larvae in small areas around your home, none of them address the threat posed by ponds, creeks, lakes, or similar areas of standing water near your property. To ensure all mosquito larvae are eliminated and to prevent reinfestation, call in the professionals at Amco Ranger Termite and Pest Solutions. 

Providing the best customer service in the industry and a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee, you can trust us to keep mosquitoes from threatening you and your family. Call or contact our Missouri mosquito control experts online and request a free, no-obligation inspection today.

How To Get Rid Of Ant Colonies In Yards

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Ants are one of the most common types of pests. In Missouri, they can wreak havoc in your yard and in other outdoor areas. If not addressed, they may eventually make their way into your home. At Amco Ranger Termite and Pest Solutions, we have been helping residents throughout our community deal with ant problems for more than 50 years. Find out where ants may be hiding in your yard, the damage they can cause, and how you can eliminate them permanently. 

Why Are Ants So Bad In My Yard?

The Missouri Department of Conservation warns that there are more than 700 different types of ants living in North America. While ants can be spotted in and around your home, common types of ants in Missouri likely come from colonies formed outdoors, in some cases as far as 100 yards away.  While ants can be good for aerating the soil and may even kill other insects, such as caterpillars, you do not want these pests inhabiting your yard. In addition to increasing your risks of a home invasion, other hazards ants pose in your yard include the following: 

  • They can invade picnics and barbecues, preventing you from enjoying outdoor areas;
  • Certain species can bite, leaving behind painful red welts;
  • They can damage plants, eating leaves and any fruit or vegetables growing;
  • They can interfere with your lawn, killing off the grass;
  • They cause unsightly mounds and anthills, which serve as a home for thousands of these pests.

How Do I Find Ant Colonies?

Ants are social creatures and live in large colonies. They are also hard workers and adhere to a rigid hierarchy. Ant colonies typically consist of a queen, who is responsible for laying eggs, males, whose primary job is mating, and worker ants. These take care of eggs while maintaining the nest and gathering food. One of the ways they do this is by burrowing tunnels to other areas. 

Following trails of worker ants are one of the ways you are most likely to find the colony. Knowing where they like to hide is half the battle. The University of Missouri identifies four common types of ants and the most likely places for them to build colonies: 

  • Odorous house ants: While often found in homes, colonies are generally located outside. Look under stones, old bark, or areas of shallow soil;
  • Pavement ants: As their name implies, these can be found near sidewalks or paving stones;
  • Larger yellow ants: These nest in soil along your home’s foundation;
  • Field ants: These include a variety of different species, including fire ants. They are easy to find due to their large mounds, which can measure up to one foot in diameter. 

Carpenter ants are another common type of ant and one of the most destructive. Rather than spending time underground, they are likely to build colonies in decaying wood around your property or in old railroad ties used for landscaping. 

Common Ways To Get Rid Of Ants

There are several do-it-yourself methods for eliminating ants in your yard. Gardening Know How warns to beware of harsh over-the-counter chemical sprays or baits, as children or animals may be playing nearby. Safer methods include: 

  • Use boiling water over the colony: This kills the ants and floods the colony. 
  • Sprinkle diatomaceous earth over it: A white powder containing skeletons of small sea creatures, diatomaceous earth acts as small shards of glass when ingested by acts, killing them from the inside.
  • Spray the colony with a solution of dish soap or borax and water: This acts as a poison for the ants while also causing them to dehydrate. 
  • Get rid of the hill: When dealing with mounding ants, flattening the hill can destroy the colony. 

Eliminate Ants In Your Yard Permanently With Amco Ranger Termite and Pest Solutions

Even if you are able to identify the nest and use one of the above treatments, there is no guarantee they will not return. Ants are industrious, quickly rebuilding and repopulating colonies. To get rid of them permanently, call in the experts at Amco Ranger Termite and Pest Solutions. 

We pride ourselves on providing the best service in the industry and back our work with a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee. Do not let ants ruin your yard or give them the opportunity to enter your home. Reach out and call or contact our Missouri ant control experts online today. Request a free, no-obligation ant inspection to locate colonies in your yard and to discover ways to eliminate them completely.   

Facts About the Misunderstood House Spider

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House spiders are not lost travelers in our homes, their homes are our homes. People tend to lump them in with insects, like roaches, ants, crickets, but they aren’t insects and they don’t want to invade our homes. If anything, house spiders are on our side. Their role is to kill the insects that do invade our home, the insects that we’re too scared to kill. So, before you pick up a shoe or magazine to squish a spider, take a closer look at them. We’ll be giving you a few interesting facts about the misunderstood house spiders.

Humans and Spiders Are Closer Than You Think

Seeing a spider in your space might feel like they’re invading your home, but spiders evolved close to 300 million years ago. In fact, they predate dinosaurs and humans. Good luck trying to get rid of house spiders from home, not only are stubborn, but a majority of house spiders have adapted to indoor conditions like indoor climates and limited access to food and water. Typically, they spend their entire lives in, on, under and around their native building, i.e. houses, bridges, and other types of human structures.

Kicking Spiders Out of Your Home

A lot of time a person’s first reaction to a spider in their home is to kill it. Then, there are also people who want to rescue the spider and take it outside back to their “habitat”. The thing is, a House Spider’s habitat is not outside, it’s your home. By putting the spider outside, it probably won’t survive outside of its habitat and will die.

But not all spiders you find in your home are house spiders. It can be hard to tell spiders apart, but if you do come across a spider that came into your home from the outside, take it back outside. Or, if these outdoor spiders pose more of a threat, call an Amco Ranger and we’ll take care of it.

The Unsung Hero

There are a lot of misconceptions about spiders that incite fear and give them a bad reputation. The last thing a house spider wants to do is bite you, they’d rather prey on insects because it’s a food source for them–you’re not. Spiders in general rarely bite people and if they do it’s because they’ve been provoked. Outdoor spiders are a defense against agricultural pests and indoor spiders offer very similar benefits, preying on pests that invade your home and if left alone, spiders will eat a majority of the insects in your home. Aside from them consuming pests, they’re great for disease control. Spiders help to limit the spread of diseases carried by insects like fleas, mosquitoes, and roaches.

If you come across house spiders no need to freak out, just let them be. House spiders won’t go away, their home is your home. You can do things to lessen the number of house spiders, like vacuuming along with window sills, behind furniture, and along the floorboards to suck up any spider webs you see. But, if you do come across spiders like Brown Recluses or outdoor spiders, give Amco Ranger a call, and we’ll assess the situation. Call today to schedule your FREE inspection at (636) 224-BUGS.

Squirrels In The Attic? How To Prevent Them

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There’s nothing more spooky than waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of scratching noises in your ceiling or walls. Those creepy noises are created by squirrels, and while squirrels might appear cute and harmless they can do a lot of damage to your attic. Their bodies are small, they can make their way into your home through tiny entry points, as well as a hideout in the hard-to-reach places of your attic and walls.

Not only is it important to learn how to safely remove squirrels from your home, but also how to keep them out of your home. In this article, we’ll give you a few effective steps that help to make your home squirrel free and keep them from coming back.

Look For The Entry Point

If you’re hearing the sounds of pests living in your walls and ceiling, that means those critters are getting into your home from an entry point. Go outside and walk around the perimeter of your home, look at the roof, and around the gutters to see where the entry point is. If you’re having a hard time finding it, go up in the attic with a flashlight and look for any entry points. But be careful when going up into the attic while squirrels are living there, they scare easily and can run into other parts of the attic or other parts of the house.

If you do find holes in the roof, gutters, etc, repair the holes with animal-resistant patches. Another great solution is to apply seals with caulk or plaster around electrical wiring and plumbing fixtures to prevent squirrels from entering.
Another point of entry for critters is the chimney. By placing a chimney cap on top of the chimney it keeps critters like squirrels from entering, and it allows the smoke to escape the chimney.

Give Squirrels A Reason To Leave

Squirrels are stubborn and may not leave on their own, especially if a mother squirrel just gave birth to a litter. If a squirrel is feeding its litter, it will leave and reenter bringing food to its litter, but if you cover up the entryway while the mother squirrel is away, you’re left with a litter of squirrels. If that’s the case, that’s when you call Amco Ranger and we’ll safely remove the litter of squirrels (dead or alive). To prevent that scenario, remove the squirrel as soon as it’s detected. A cheap and easy to run them out is to soak a rag in ammonia and then place it near the nesting site or entryway in the attic. The strong smell of ammonia will irritate the squirrels and they view the attic as a bad place to live, driving them to leave.

Prevent Re-Entry

Yay, so you got rid of those squirrels living in your attic, now it’s time to protect your home from critters reentering. Take a look at your roof, and if you notice and tree branches that are hanging out next to your roof, cut them off. Squirrels will use tree branches as a bridge to your home, and that tree could be the squirrels main home and uses your attic as a space to nest and keep comfortable during the winter months and bad weather. Plus, having too much plant matter next to or on your home can give other pests like insects, mice, and mites easy access to your home.

Keep Critters Out With Insulation

You’re probably going to ask how insulation will keep squirrels out of the attic, but our InCide® Pest Control Insulation is infused with a powerful pesticide that kills pests once it’s been ingested. The active ingredients that are used to treat our insulation are safe to humans and pets, and there are no irritating side effects related to the insulation or inhalation of this EPA registered product.

The best way to deal with squirrels in attics, walls or around the home is to call a pest solutions group, like Amco Ranger. A professional from Amco Ranger not only knows how to get squirrels out of the attic (safely), but how to keep them out for good. Give us a call today, and we’ll put an end to the critters living in your space.

4 Ways To Get Rid Of Pantry Moths In The Kitchen

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You’ve probably seen these guys in your pantry or near your clothes. You may have dismissed them or did some light vacuuming as a result of their presence. While you might fear the common house spider and kill them, pantry moths do more damage and are an enemy of the home. If you spot one of these flying menaces in your pantry, it’s safe to say that there are plenty more moth eggs and larva around. Here are some tips and tricks on how to effectively handle a moth infestation.

1. Dispose of All Dry Goods

To effectively remove the moths and risk spreading the infestation, bag up all the dry goods in your pantry. While that might seem like an extreme move, if you find one moth in your oatmeal chances are there’s more; an adult female moth can lay up to 400 eggs. To be on the safe side, ditch the flour, sugar, rice, pasta, and other dry goods in your pantry. After you’ve bagged all the dry goods, be sure to take them out to the curb.

2. Deep Clean The Pantry

Once you’ve disposed of the infested dry goods, do a deep clean of the pantry, just because their food source is gone does not mean they are. Moths’ tiny bodies can hide out in the smallest of cracks and the crevices of containers, so be sure to bleach the food containers. Wipe down the pantry with a 50/50 vinegar and water solution, add some peppermint oil to the solution–moths hate the smell of peppermint. After cleaning and vacuuming, wait a week or so to restock the pantry to make sure the infestation is gone.

3. Set Out Moth Traps

Think twice before you grab the pesticides, as they don’t work well on moths and it’s not safe for the kitchen. Save the moth balls for other places in the house, since their scent is so strong the food in your pantry may end up smelling like moth balls. A great odorless and food-safe option are moth traps. The traps are sticky and release pheromones that attract male moths. The moth will get stuck inside and die; this type of trap puts a wrench in moths’ mating process, less males moths mean less eggs.

4. Prevention

How do moth infestations begin? A lot of times they get into your home by hitching a ride on food products that came from moth infested warehouses. When you’re at the store, double-check the cans and packaging of food items before putting them in your cart and when you get home give the can a rinse–just to be safe. Purchase airtight glass or plastic containers to store your dry goods in, as this will help decrease the chances of another infestation. Another trick is to put peppermint leaves, bay leaves, or cedar chips in a sachet and place it in the back of your pantry or cupboard, that will deter moths from making a home in your food.

If you tried the methods mentioned above and are still having with moths, give Amco Ranger a call and we’ll come out and assess the situation. Our goal is to deliver the highest quality service and answer any questions you may come across so you can live a pest-free lifestyle. We’ll happily come to your home and provide you with a FREE inspection.

Can Bed Bugs Make You Sick?

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Nothing can disturb a good night’s sleep worse than an invasion of tiny, biting pests in your bed. Bed bugs are found in cities across the country, including towns throughout Missouri. While bed bugs are often mistakenly associated with poor hygiene and a lack of proper cleaning practices, the fact is even the tidiest home can be subject to a bed bug infestation. At Amco Ranger Termite and Pest Solutions, we work to quickly and effectively eliminate this problem, relying on products that are proven to work yet still environmentally friendly and safe for your pets. 

If you suspect bed bugs or have confirmed an infestation, you may be worried about the risks these pests carry in terms of spreading disease. While scientists thus far claim it is unlikely for bed bugs to transmit any type of virus, they can have a major impact on both your physical and mental health. 

The Problem With Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are flat, tiny creatures that are reddish-brown in color and feed on the blood of humans and animals. They often infest bedding and furniture and can be found on mattresses, sheets, curtains, or other fabrics throughout your home. 

Bed bugs are hitchhikers by nature and spread easily from one location to another. You can pick them up from traveling and staying in hotels to visiting other people’s homes. Even the fanciest places have them and outward cleanliness does not mean you are safe. Bed bugs often lurk in hiding and may attach themselves to your handbag, clothing, luggage, or other items. You can even pick them up from clothing purchased in thrift shops and through other items you bring into your home. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bed bugs do not pose a public health risk nor are they known to transmit any serious diseases, such as those carried by other pests such as cockroaches, flies, or mosquitoes. However, they do bite and can leave victims with lines of rash-like bumps spreading over their face, neck, back, or other parts of the body. These bites tend to itch and scratching could result in an infection. They can also result in serious allergic reactions. You should see your doctor if you suffer any of the following symptoms:  

  • Redness, pain, or oozing at the site of the bed bug bites;
  • Swelling at the site or in surrounding areas;
  • Bed bug bites that do not heal after several weeks;
  • Fever, dizziness, headaches, or other signs of possible infection. 

Bed Bugs and Known Health Risks

While bed bugs may not be classified as a public health risk, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims they are a public health pest. This is due to how fast they spread, the number of places infested with bed bugs, and how difficult they can be to eliminate. The EPA also warns that while the risk of transmitted disease is low with bed bugs, there are some major health impacts they can have beyond bite infections. These include: 

  • Secondary infections, such as impetigo, ecthyma, and lymphangitis, which are all bacterial infections that are difficult to treat and can wreak havoc with your health. 
  • Mental health issues, due to anxiety and lack of sleep caused by bed bug bites and worry over the problem. 
  • Anemia, in situations involving infants, pets, and cases where considerable blood loss occurs due to large scale and long term bed bug infestations.  

Addressing Your Bed Bug Problem

Aside from the telltale bite marks and itching, signs of a bed bug infestation include black or brown marks along the seams of bedding and mattresses. Both the EPA and CDC advise calling in professionals if you have any doubts or suspect an infestation. 

Bed bugs are nearly impossible to eliminate on your own. Let our Missouri bed bug control experts determine whether you have a problem and the steps needed to address it. Once you have received treatment, actions you can take to help keep bed bugs from returning include the following: 

  • Wash towels, bedding, curtains, and other fabrics in hot water;
  • Vacuum your bed, furniture, and carpets regularly;
  • Inspect all second-hand clothing or furniture before bringing it into your home;
  • When traveling, check the bedding and curtains in your room before settling in.  

We Can Help You Today

If you are struggling with a bed bug problem, Amco Ranger Termite and Pest Solutions is here to help. To schedule a free, no-obligation inspection, call or contact our Missouri bed bug control experts online today.  

Do Ants Hibernate?

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Ants are one of the most common pests. Depending on the type, they may originally invade your yard, garden, landscaping, or outdoor structures, such as porches and decks. Eventually, these persistent bugs will more than likely make their way into your home. At Amco Ranger Termite and Pest Solutions, we help businesses and residential property owners eliminate ants quickly and safely, using environmentally friendly products and methods designed to keep them from returning in the future. 

While ants in Missouri are most likely to wreak havoc with property owners during the warmer spring and summer months, ants do not hibernate. This means that if there is a nest or colony of ants nearby that was previously not dealt with properly, there is a good chance you will spot them over the winter months as well. 

Where Do Ants Go When the Weather Turns Cold?

Ants are common invaders at summer picnics and barbecues. In warm weather, they often get in through open windows or cracks in your siding. During this time, you are likely to notice them marching across countertops, walls, and floors in kitchen and pantry areas. 

The Missouri Department of Conservation advises that in some cases, they may be coming from colonies formed outdoors, sometimes from as far as 100 yards away. These are generally worker ants, who go off in search of food while the queen remains in the nest, mating and watching over any eggs or ant larvae that are hatched. This is characteristic of yellow ants, acrobat ants, and odorous house ants, all of which are common in Missouri. Other ants you may spot in your home over winter include: 

  • Pavement ants, which usually live outdoors and underground, mainly along sidewalks and in pavement cracks as their name implies.
  • Carpenter ants, one of the more destructive species, feed on wood both outdoors and inside your home. 
  • Pharaoh ants, which usually nest in void indoor spaces, such as behind walls and in electrical outlets. Colder weather draws them out, where they can be spotted crawling along your baseboards or heating vents. 

All of the above may become more visible in you  home during the winter months. Ants do not hibernate but their bodies do require warmer temperatures to survive. Even field ants and other outdoor types not commonly seen in homes will build deeper tunnels and trenches in order to escape the cold. 

Why Am I Still Seeing Ants In My House?

If you are still seeing ants in your home despite freezing outdoor temperatures, there is a strong chance they may have moved their nest inside. Either that, or your previous attempts at exterminating them failed. 

Many home and business owners attempt do-it-yourself methods to keep ants at bay. Unfortunately, in addition to being unsafe, these are generally ineffective for the following reasons: 

  • Over-the-counter insecticides are simply not strong enough to eradicate an ant colony, nor are they generally applied the right way. 
  • Simply spraying will not do the trick. The University of Missouri advises that different types of ants require different elimination methods. For example, to effectively eliminate acrobat ants, you must find and thoroughly spray the nest, whereas pharaoh ants require the use of baits. 
  • You have to eliminate the entire nest. Another common mistake made among DIYers is killing only the queen. While this does prevent her from hatching more eggs, it does not prevent other queens from taking her place.
  • Even once the queen and the nest is removed, you need to address nearby conditions that may have served to attract ants to your home. This means sealing up cracks at windows, doors, and the exteriors of your home, eliminating food sources, attending to areas in your yard where ants are likely to nest. 

Half measures and the wrong methods will not yield the desired results and you will likely continue to see ants over the winter months. 

Reach Out to Us Today for Help

If you are experiencing problems with ants in your home despite the cooler temperatures, Amco Ranger Pest Control Services provides the professional help you need. You can expect fast, effective, friendly service backed by our 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee. When dealing with pest control problems, it is important to remember that the longer you wait, the bigger your problem is likely to get. To eliminate ants permanently from your home or business, call or contact our Missouri ant control experts online and request a free, no-obligation inspection today.  

 

Can Bed Bugs Survive in the Cold?

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When homeowners learn that their house is infested with a pest as pervasive and invasive as bed bugs, they immediately start to think of ways to get rid of them. Of course, one of the best ways to do this is to determine what bed bugs like, and then apply the opposite treatment. Bed bugs, it is known, like warm bodies that they can feed off of. Although the bodies may not be able to be removed from the home, is it possible to remove the warmth? Many people will take bedding and other moveable items they believe are infested and place them in the freezer. So, can bed bugs survive the cold?

Optimal Temperature for Bed Bugs

Bed bugs often burrow themselves into small, warm places such as into the nooks and crannies of beds, couches, and other cozy places. They do this for many reasons. The first is that they are not easily found in these areas and so, they can continue to increase their population and come out only when it is time to feed. The second reason they like these places is because they are warm, usually about 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the ideal temperature for bed bugs.

Cold Temperatures and Bed Bugs

Although bed bugs prefer temperatures that are fairly mild, they can survive cold temperatures for an extended period of time. To kill bed bugs below the freezing point, they usually must be exposed to the cold temperatures for approximately four days. An article in Yale University School of Public Health states that female bed bugs can better withstand cold temperatures than their male counterparts. 

Females will freeze at temperatures between -4 degrees Fahrenheit and -20 degrees Celsius. Female bed bugs will not die at this stage, but instead, freeze. Their egg production will also greatly slow down at any temperature under 50 degrees Fahrenheit, as well. This could mean that even though freezing temperatures will not kill bed bugs right away, they may prevent an infestation from quickly becoming worse.

To treat bed bugs with cold treatments, they must be exposed to below freezing temperatures of at least -30 degrees Celsius, which is -22 degrees Fahrenheit. Bed bugs must be exposed to these temperatures for a period of three or four days in order for this cold to affect them. Most home freezers do not reach these temperatures and so, when placing bedding and other materials inside of them to kill bed bugs, the length of time these items are left in the freezer will need to be extended.

Bed Bugs and Hibernation

Like all insects, people tend to wonder if bed bugs hibernate in the winter and then show up again in the spring. These pests do not hibernate the same way bears do. Instead, they freeze their body liquid and enter a dormant state known as diapause. This is partial hibernation. Going into this state allows bed bugs to remain dormant and go without food for several months. Bed bugs typically enter this state at temperatures of approximately 61 degrees Fahrenheit. They will remain in this state until temperatures improve and allow them to function normally again. However, even in this state, being exposed to extreme cold is enough to kill bed bugs.

Bed Bugs and Winter Colors

Flannel is big in Missouri during the winter months and it turns out that bed bugs are not only attracted to cozy surroundings, they are also attracted to cozy colors. Flannel is primarily made up of red and black colors, two hues that bed bugs happen to love. Flannel is used not only in clothing, but also in blankets, bedding, and home decor. No one really knows why bed bugs are attracted to flannel, although it is thought that they allow bed bugs to hide better.

Contact Our Missouri Pest Control Specialists for Help With Your Bed Bugs

Bed bugs do not have a season in Missouri. Although they thrive in warm temperatures, they can survive extremely cold temperatures, if only for a short period of time. Due to the fact that bed bugs are so hearty, and so resistant to different temperatures, it is best to call a St. Charles pest control specialist when you have an infestation. At Amco Ranger, we know the bed bug remedies that can eradicate your infestation and keep it out for a long time. Call us today at (636) 223-5703 to schedule a free inspection and to learn more about our bed bug control methods.

What do Baby Bed Bugs Look Like?

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Baby bed bugs are known as nymphs and if you see them, it means there is a very good chance that you have an infestation. Nymphs indicate that there is an infestation with females laying eggs. It also means that all of the adult bed bugs are feeding on human hosts, which is an annoyance and can make going to bed a little less comfortable. Due to this, it is crucial that all homeowners know how to identify nymphs that can indicate a much bigger problem.

The Appearance of Baby Bed Bugs

Nymphs are typically quite flat and no larger than a grain of rice. They are white and their shell is very soft, which makes them easy for homeowners to kill simply by pressing on them. Many people believe that baby bed bugs, or nymphs, are so small that they cannot be seen by the naked eye, but that is not true. However, because they are so small in appearance, they can be difficult to spot. Nymphs do not go through a metamorphosis like other insects and so, they look very similar to adult bed bugs. 

All bed bugs are flat, but there is an exception when they feed. After they eat, their abdomens expand because of the food they have just consumed. This, however, is not visible with the naked eye and requires a microscope to observe. As such, it is not a viable method of distinguishing nymphs from adult bed bugs.

The Size of Baby Bed Bugs

Although the term ‘nymphs’ refers to baby bed bugs that have just been born, all bed bugs go through five juvenile stages before they are adults. During the first two of these stages, baby bed bugs are considerably smaller than adults. Still, even during these stages, bed bugs will become bigger with each stage. They will be larger in the second stage than they were the first, and larger still in the third stage than they were in their second. During the third stage, a bed bug will be approximately half of the size it will be as an adult.

The Color of Baby Bed Bugs

When bed bugs first hatch, they are entirely white or off-white in color. Bed bug eggs are the same color, which is why some people confuse the two. Bed bug nymphs will remain this color until they begin to feed. 

After a bed bug feeds for the first time, it will have a round red spot in its abdomen. This is where they store the blood after they feed. Once they have digested this food, they will shed their skin and grow bigger. As nymphs begin to digest and grow, they will start to turn from white to brown. This is caused by the bed bugs using the nutrients from the blood that they eat from their host. As the bed bug babies grow into an adult bed bug, they will start to get browner and browner.

Adults are brown throughout their entire body. This is a result of feeding on a host on a regular basis. Once brown, bed bugs never return to their white color again.

Do Nymphs Crawl?

Anyone that has a bed bug infestation in their home may have seen them crawling around at some point. There is a good chance that when this happens, people are seeing adult bed bugs. 

Bed bugs in general, no matter their age, do not crawl very quickly. The first reason for this is that they simply do not need to crawl fast. Their main method of survival is to hide rather than run away. Bed bugs also do not have very long legs. Rather, they are quite short and stubby. As a result, bed bugs are unable to run very quickly. Bed bugs also rarely travel at full speed. They reserve this only for when they sense danger but even then, they cannot move very quickly. 

Baby bed bugs are even slower than adult bed bugs. Although they can crawl, they do not do so very often. Instead, they prefer to remain hidden rather than attempt to run away from a threat. They come out mainly at night, also to avoid running into any threats. 

Contact Our Missouri Bed Bug Specialists for Help with Your Infestation

It is important to be able to identify bed bugs during all stages of their life. This is the only way to determine if you have an infestation. If you believe your home is infested with bed bugs, call our St. Louis bed bug specialists at Amco Ranger. We will conduct a free inspection to determine the severity of the infestation and advise on the methods we use to get rid of it. Call us today at (636) 223-4804 and say good-bye to bed bugs tomorrow.

Benefits of Pest Control Insulation

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Whether you are replacing old insulation or insulating a brand new home, insect controlling insulation will allow you to save money on energy bills while protecting your home from insect infestations.

 

How does it work?

InCide® Pest Control Insulation is infused with an extremely effective pesticide – sodium polyborate. This ingredient prevents insect infestations by killing them on contact or when they ingest minute amounts of the insulation. Additional benefits include the following:

 

Save money
Because traditional fiberglass insulation tends to deteriorate over time, it can leave gaps for cold or hot air to sneak into your home, which leads to energy waste. Adding pest control insulation to your attic, crawlspace or other areas of your home can help you prevent this from happening, which saves you money.

 

Keeps your family safe
Though deadly to pests, our pest control insulation is safe for your family and pets. Also, there are no irritating side effects related to the insulation or inhalation of this EPA registered product.

 

Protects against mold

If left to grow, mold can cause serious health issues, such as nasal stuffiness, coughing or wheezing, throat irritation, eye irritation, and in some cases skin irritation. Pest control insulation helps inhibit the growth of mold.

 

Fire resistant

Pest control insulation also contains a fire retardant that makes homes safer in the event of a fire. The fire retardant will not hold a flame and ultimately limits the spread of fire.

 

We can help
No matter how intimidating or pervasive your pest problem, you can trust that Amco Ranger knows exactly how to handle it and make sure the pests don’t return. We are a local, family-owned business, and we’re ready to help you. Give us a call today if you need help getting rid of bugs in your attic in Lake St. Louis, Wentzville, O’Fallon, Cottleville, St. Peters, St. Charles, St. Louis, and surrounding communities.