H & H Pest Control Blog

Almost everyone loves having a basement. It’s an additional space in the home, can be used for a variety of things and holds a lot of opportunity. If your home has a basement, one of the first things on your list should be waterproofing. Depending on the area you live in, it could save you a significant amount of money in the long run to the tune of about 30% return on investment.

Termites live underground in huge colonies, but given the right opportunity, they can — and will — get into your home. These pests love wooden structures, but they’re happy to find a meal in a variety of environments. How do termites invade your home, and what can you do to maximize termite control?

Your home may be the biggest investment you ever make. Basement waterproofing serves as an important method for helping to protect this valuable asset.

If you notice signs of termite damage, you need to check your home for termites. Signs include swarmer wings laying around, piles of mud or sawdust near the walls and windows and termite tubes of mud on the woodwork. A termite infestation is difficult to get rid of, so if you have a suspicion that you have termites, contact H&H Pest Control and Waterproofing to treat the infestation. If you notice the infestation in an old stump that is not close to your house, you can try some of the DIY baits and sprays to help keep them away from the house. If you notice that the DIY baits and sprays are not working, you may need to bring in the professionals, especially if the nest is close to your home or an outbuilding.

Termites can do a lot of damage to your property, including chewing through floor joists and rafters. You should always look for signs of termites throughout the year, but especially during the spring. As soon as you see the signs, you should implement termite control practices immediately, especially if they are chewing through the structural beams of your home.

Now that it’s termite season, you should be on the lookout for signs of a termite infestation, including discarded wings, swarmers, mud tubes, wood damage, paint blisters or uneven paint, and frass. Frass is drywood termite droppings. It looks like a pile of little pellets. As soon as you see signs, you already have an infestation of termites and you should implement termite control immediately.

Before you spray for mosquitoes, you need to rid your property of their breeding grounds. They love standing water, and many breeds lay their eggs in the standing water. Mosquito lifecycles are short and consist of four stages, so without getting rid of their breeding grounds, you’re just inviting more. Mosquito control is most effective if you get rid of these pests favorite spots, such as old tires and birdbaths. If you want birdbaths, you can change the water every day to prevent mosquitoes from being attracted to your yard.

Most people already know that mosquito bites are more than just itchy nuisances. While the majority of bumps will clear up in a few days and heal entirely on their own, some of these winged monsters carry dangerous — sometimes deadly — diseases. But that's no reason to stay inside when there's so much beauty to be found in the beautiful state of North Carolina. If you're searching for how to get rid of mosquito bites, over-the-counter treatments such as ice, topical corticosteroids, and antihistamines can bring down the mosquito bites swelling and control the inflammation. Taking these steps may help speed the healing process, so you can stop pausing to scratch every few minutes. Find out more about what's normal for a mosquito bite and how you can control these pests. 

As the weather starts to warm up, termites are ready to hit the ground running. And while they rarely emerge from the actual ground, that doesn't mean that you can't be on the look-out for their calling cards. These tiny pests eat all cellulose-based plants, and there are no homes immune from their wrath. Termites may appreciate wooden structures the most but that doesn't mean they can't thrive in all construction types. Their insidious nature is such that they can remain invisible until they start causing serious damage to your property. You don't want to take a chance with termites because the costs of ignoring them will always be higher than the costs of a preventative termite inspection or proactive treatment. 

Moisture in your home comes from many sources, including showering, cooking, using a humidifier and moisture that seeps in from your basement or crawlspace. While you do need some humidity in your home to be comfortable, too much encourages the growth of mold and mildew. In turn, the mold and mildew attract bugs, cause wood to decay, damages electronics and cause health problems. If you have excess moisture in your home, H&H Pest Control and Waterproofing’s waterproofing services help remove the excess moisture.