Hanes Exterminating, Inc.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are active during the spring and summer months.  They feed on sources of protien and sugar.  Carpenter ants do not eat wood but make their nests in moist wood.  They can travel up to 100 ft.  In order to prevent carpenter ants from invading your home some good suggestions would be to remove any excess wood away from your home.  Trim trees or bushes that overhang or touch your home.  Remove high moisture conditions or any moisture damaged wood. 

Bees

Bees are most active during the summer and early fall months.  They mainly feed on pollen and nectar which is beneficial for pollination.  Bee colonies can cause many problems and damage to your home.  Once a colony has been established in or on your home it can attract many other insect such as other bees, wasps, beetles and moths.  The best solution is to contact a local bee keeper to remove the nest, dust the nest or use pesticides that will kill the bees.  Once the bees have been killed, it is recommended to remove the nest to prevent the wax comb from melting and staining your walls.  The melted wax comb frees honey and will attract other insects.

 Wasps

Wasps are active during the summer and early fall months.  Wasps mainly feed on other insects.  During late summer some wasps will become more aggressive scavengers.  Some suggestions to reduce wasps around your home; don't leave food or beverages available to them, seal trash bags and trash cans.  Wasps will sting to defend themselves or their colonies.  They are less active at nighttime.  Be very cautious not to disturb an active nest.  If you do not feel comfortable taking care of a wasp problem yourself, call a certified pesticide applicator.         

Fleas

Fleas are mostly noticed in the months from July to October.  Once they have infested your home they could become a problem year round.  Fleas will feed on anything that is warm blooded.  They can not only be a problem for your pets but for your family as well.  One suggestion to prevent fleas from infesting your home is to treat your pets for flea control on a regular basis.  Vacuuming your home frequently is another way to reduce fleas in your home.  After vacuuming, remove the bag immediatley, seal it in a trash bag and remove it from your home.  When all else fails, an exterminator can be called to treat your home with a insect growth regulator.  

Spiders

Spiders are common outside during the summer and fall months.  They can be common year round once they are in your home.  Spiders can be very beneficial preditors because they eat other insects.  Most spiders are not harmful to humans with the exclusion of the black widow and brown recluse spider.  Some suggestions for preventing spiders in your home would be to tightly seal entry ways, seal cracks and crevices, seal windows and doorways.  Use lighting that is less attractive to other insects since spiders feed on insects.  Eliminating other insects from your home will eliminate a spiders food source.  Remove wood that is in or around your home.  Dust and remove webs and egg sacks.  Glueboards are also an effective way to remove spiders from your home.    

Roaches

Roaches can be found in the home at any time of the year.  They are very resilient and can survive freezing temperatures.  They can go one month without water and up to three months without food.  One female can reproduce 300-400 offspring in its lifetime.  Prevention is the best solution to keep roaches out of your home.  Here are some suggestions for preventing roaches:

• check your groceries right away
•  don't store paper bags in your home, discard them immediatley
• remove newspapers or cardboard boxes
• caulk or repair holes around  vents, pipes, baseboards, windows and doorways
• keep areas outside of your home clean from trash, wood or leaf piles
• use sealed containers to keep food stored, clean up crumbs immediately
• don't leave dirty dishes in the sink over night
• put up pets food at night
• remove trash regularly in sealed bags
• rinse food and beverage containers before recycling
• fix leaky faucets and drains

Sanitation is one of the best ways to keep roaches from infesting your home.  Once roaches have entered your home, chemical treatment is the only solution either by doing it yourself or calling an exterminator.

Termites

Subteranian termites are the most common termites in Michigan.  They come from the ground and feed on cellulose which is found in wood, mulch, paper, cardboard, etc.  Termites can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home.  Some suggestions to prevent termites from infesting and damaging your home is to remove any wood away from your home.  Do not store wood underneath porches in or around your home.  Avoid moisture around the foundation of your home.  Once termites have been found in your home, the only way to remove them is through a certified exterminator. 

Rodents

Mice and rats can be found at any time of the year.  You may begin to see them more often in the fall when temperatures drop and they are looking for warmer areas such as your home.  Mice and rats can carry diseases and damage your home or items within your home.  Rodents can reproduce very rapidly and will eat almost anything but prefer grains, seeds or sweet material.  Some suggestions for preventing rodents from entering your home would be to make sure you eliminate any access points.  Use steal wool to block any areas outside of your home that they could enter.  Seal any cracks that they could enter from.  Keep any stored food in rodent proof containers.   Gluetraps, mouse and rat baits are very useful in catching and eliminating them.  If rodent droppings are visible, clean up droppings and monitor for new sightings. 

Prep Sheet (Roaches, Fleas)

Bed Bug Prep Sheet

Risk/Benefit Information