There is a lot that goes into home ownership. Like anything else, some of those things are more enjoyable than others. Some of the responsibilities come naturally, while others can be forgotten, such as pest control. A lot of people don’t even think about pest control until they have a pest problem. Insects and rodents can spell trouble for your home and the people in it.

One insect that is common to homes here in Missouri is the annoying ant. Ants do not pose any known health risks to humans. However, carpenter ants can do some pretty serious structural damage to your home. No matter how you slice it, ants are a real pain. They usually make their way into Missouri homes looking for food.  You may feel like you squish one ant and a million more appear (okay, maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration). Here’s why you are experiencing this: when an ant that has been sent to “forage” does not return, the queen ant will just keep sending more ants. Unless the entire colony is destroyed, the ants will stick around. Something not a lot of people realize is over the counter products can actually make an ant problem worse, driving colonies apart rather than destroying them. That is why when it comes to getting rid of ants in Kansas, you should contact a professional like Schendel Pest Services. Between a detailed inspection, targeted treatment and quarterly follow ups, you’ll know ants won’t be bugging you anymore.

Another insect that is common to this area is the cockroach. This is one creepy, crawly insect no one wants to find in their kitchen. Missouri cockroaches can pose some pretty serious health risks to humans. Not only do they carry bacteria and viral pathogens, but they can also spread salmonella and trigger asthma attacks. They can easily contaminate food and surfaces. Once a cockroach is in your home, it can be extremely hard to eliminate them. If you think you have a problem with cockroaches, you should contact a professional exterminator asap. Getting rid of cockroaches is not a do-it-yourself thing. A lot of pesticides available in stores or on the internet can be dangerous if they are not used properly and often times are ineffective.

The best treatment for ants and cockroaches is to keep them from getting in to begin with. Hiring a pest control professional can be a great way to do that but there are some other steps you can take yourself to make your home a little less enticing to these insects.

• Make sure you do not leave any dirty dishes in the sink.

• Take the trash out regularly and keep it covered at all times.

• Wipe down counter tops and tabletops after use.

• Get rid of any standing water outside of your home.

• Seal up any cracks and make sure screens and doors seal tightly.

• Clean up crumbs.

While taking these steps will not guarantee you avoid an ant or cockroach problem, they can certainly help! If you have any questions or are wondering how to get rid of cockroaches or ants, don’t hesitate to contact our pest control professionals for advice!