Tips from CASTLE

The following is for you, the homeowner, to assist you in protecting your home. This advice is not meant to scare anyone. It's simply to inform you based on my experience throughout the years and in the situations I have encountered. Although I cannot guarantee you will never have a problem by following these steps, it is advice to help in the prevention of any wood destroying insect, rodent, wildlife or any other insect problems. 

Do you have high humidity levels in your home?

If so, I recommend you get a dehumidifier at your earliest convenience. High moisture can result in higher air conditioning costs, physical discomfort, and even worse, possible serious health issues! High humidity levels encourage mold, mildew and odors.  Common pests such as ants, silverfish and termites thrive in high humidity areas! Maintaining humidity below 50% prevents dust mite infestations, mold and mildew growth and inhibits the growth of bacteria. The use of dehumidifiers also creates a very unpleasant environment for silverfish, termites and other wood destroying insects.

After a rainfall, do you make sure there is no standing water around your property?

If not, then I recommend you do! Even small quantities of water create harborage for mosquito larvae - and you guessed it - more mosquitos in a matter of time! Make sure there is no standing water in flower pots, toys, old tires, gutters or anything else outside your home.  Not only are these insects annoying and their bites itch to no end, they can carry disease too!!!

Do you have a garage?

If so, I recommend you make sure it is closed tightly! Both rats and mice have extremely flexible skeletons and can squeeze through small gaps! Once inside your garage, they can live very happily as a non-paying tenant, or even worse, gain entry further into your home!!!

Do you have a crawlspace?

If so, it is imperitive that your crawlspace breathe in order to remain dry and pest free! Make sure nothing is blocking your crawlspace vents, like tall grass, etc.  Broken vent screens is simply another invitation for pests like rats, mice, snakes, etc. to enter your crawlspace and have parties without you even knowing it! If you do not have any screens at all - I therefore recommend you visit your local home improvement store at your earliest convenience to take care of it!! A racoon or other animal will fit right through that space!! (If you need help with this one - give me a call - this is also one of my many services).

Do you buy second hand furniture?

If so, I recommend you inspect the piece of furniture very carefully before taking it inside. If it has drawers, take out the drawers and look at every angle and crevice. One way Bed Bugs (and other insects) are introduced into a home is through second hand furniture that came from a Bed Bug or otherwise infested structure. I did a Bed Bug treatment on a home where the mom had recently purchased a used dresser.

Do you travel within the U.S. or abroad?

Because Bed Bugs are hitchhikers, I recommend you inspect your luggage, clothing & any bedding you took very carefully upon your return. I have done numerous treatments in homes where the family had recently returned from vacation (or that had visitors from abroad)! Please don't let this scare you. I might inspect my bed before I lay down, but I would travel in a heartbeat! To see a picture of a Bed Bug, please visit my "Bed Bug Facts".  

Do you leave a bowl of food outside for your cat or dog?

If so, I recommend you only give your furry family member enough food to eat for that meal. Leaving an excess of food, although heart warming, is a welcoming invitation for rats, mice and other unwanted pests or even wildlife that are hungry!!!

Do you store firewood outside your home?

If so, not only do I recommend you keep it away from your home, I recommend it be stored off the ground on concrete blocks or something similar in nature (NOT wood) and be covered from rain - in other words - kept dry. Please remember that firewood piles which do not get moved often provide harborage for rodents, termites, carpenter ants and bees! This could go on and on, with their population increasing, if the firewood is not used up each season!!!

Thank you for visiting! I sincerely hope my website helped you in your quest to protect your home. If you have any suggestions, or if I can be of further assistance, please feel free to call me on my cell phone at (240) 315-1572 or e-mail me at castletpc@yahoo.com.  Remember, I'm here to help!

Chuck                                                                    CASTLE Termite & Pest Control                                  Owner/State Certified Tech                                       Serving MD, VA, WV & PA