H & H Pest Control Blog

As the weather warms up and spring takes tentative steps behind winter’s chilly exit, you’ve probably seen leaves budding on trees, flowers blooming -  and termites swarming.

If you suspect you have a termite problem, you may be on the hunt for structural damage such as hollow or buckling wood. Often, however, a variety of other signs of termites appear long before they cause significant damage. The more observant you are — or the sooner you contact a pest control service — the more likely you are to get rid of termites quickly or prevent them altogether. 

Termites can cause massive damage, which, while possible to mitigate, can prompt its fair share of headaches. Hence, the value of preventative measures, which can save you a lot of time, effort, and mental energy in the long run. 

If you’ve started waking up with bug bites on your skin and you don’t know where they came from, it’s time to start searching your mattress, pillows, or the direct vicinity for bed bugs. Before we go any further, you may be asking, “What do bed bugs look like?” right? If you see bugs that are brown and shaped like an oval anywhere you sleep, take heed, because treating and getting rid of them may not be as easy as you think.

Controlling moisture levels in your home provides a myriad of benefits: 

The clues are subtle. You might see the telltale dark specks on your sheets and bed linens that indicate bed bug excrement. Or you may find bed bug encasements or shed skins in their hiding spots and then there’s that musty, moldy odor. Of course, when you get that itchy rash you know the terrible truth. You have bed bugs.

Identifying bed bugs is no enviable task, which is why it's sometimes easy to ignore a problem until it becomes a catastrophe. There's a lot of fear about bed bugs too, leading to plenty of confusion about what exactly they look like and what steps to take after you've confirmed an infestation. So if you're searching for "how to check for bed bugs", you're already two steps ahead. If you can summon the courage, there are all kinds of benefits when you pay attention to who's crawling around your home. We'll look at how to spot one of the most relentless pests. 

You know that having excess moisture in your house can cause mold and mildew, which is bad for your health. The question is, “How do you get rid of moisture in the house?” Washing dishes, breathing, bathing, cooking – all of these activities produce moisture, which is normal and usually doesn’t go over normal levels. However, when you have an issue with excess moisture in the basement or crawlspace, you end up running into problems that create mold and mildew.

Although cute, mice pose problems once they get in your house. It doesn’t matter if you live in the city or in the country – rodents want a warm, dry place to live during the winter. You can trap them to get rid of them, but more will come once you get rid of the batch you already have. And, just because you only see one, don’t get too happy that you trapped that one. Where there’s one, there’s more. You most likely have a rodent infestation.

Winter is just around the corner... and colder temperatures bring more than just cozy nights in front of the fire and holiday gatherings. As temperatures drop, rodents that live outside during the rest of the year start seeking warmer environments to call home. 

If you're noticing gnaw marks, scratches or droppings in your home, you may suspect you have a rodent infestation. But how do you know for sure?

Waterproofing your basement prevents mold and mildew that makes you sick, and it increases the value of your home because it keeps your basement dry. Instead of a damp, dark place you use for storage, you can turn a dry basement into extra living space with basement waterproofing, whether you use it for more bedrooms, an office, or a game room. And, you’ll keep your lungs free of the mold spores that thrive in damp places.

Once you get rid of rodents, you must use preventative rodent control to keep them from coming back into your home. Rodents look for a warm, dry place during the cooler months, and when the spring rains come. Rodents are a health nuisance, and they cause property damage. Removing them doesn’t keep new rodents from coming in. You have to seal your home, plus remove temptations such as food and water.

When you find a termite infestation in your home, or even on your property if it’s close to your home, you need to get rid of them as soon as possible. Termites do a lot of damage, and they can do it quickly. Though you should look for signs of termites throughout the year, you should pay close attention in the spring and summer months, especially if you have an dead tree or any stumps close to your house. If you implement termite control and follow other termite prevention tips throughout the year, you can keep them from damaging the structure of your home.

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.

If you have moisture or water running into your basement, the waterproofing either was not installed on the home or it has worn out. Basement waterproofing not only keeps water and moisture out of the basement, but it keeps excessive humidity out of your house. When you have too much moisture in your basement and in your house, you give mold and mildew the perfect environment to grow. Our waterproofing services at H&H Pest Control and Waterproofing stop the excess moisture that causes mold and mildew.

Moisture and mold can be silent killers in your home. Not only can moisture wear away at the foundation of your home and damage flooring, baseboards, furniture, and appliances, but it can also cause chronic, debilitating illness for those exposed. Perhaps even more alarming is the fact that many renters and homeowners don’t know there’s moisture because it hides in places that aren’t always visible or accessible.

If you don’t use moisture control practices in your home, you could have mold hiding under wallpaper, baseboards and other trim. You create humidity in your home by cooking, showering, doing dishes, using an unvented clothes dryer and using a humidifier. When water gets in through the basement or crawlspace because of poor drainage, the humidity increases, which could cause mold to form.

A basement or crawlspace built with blocks needs to be waterproofed. Cement and blocks are not waterproof, so water seeps through to the inside. Most builders put waterproofing on the blocks, but it does wear out after some years. When excess moisture gets through the waterproofing or the cement, if it wasn’t waterproofed, your house becomes damp, which encourages mold to grow. Putting in moisture control measures while you are building is less expensive than having to do it later.

French drain systems divert water from where it pools to a place where the water cannot hurt buildings or your landscaping. Often, people install a French drain and let it evacuate water to a part of the landscape that requires extra water. A deeper French drain, or a footing drain, moves a lot of water, while a shallow French drain, also known as a curtain drain, is uphill of the area you want to dry out. The curtain drain stops the water from flowing downhill and forces it away from the soggy spot. Footing drains are suitable for keeping water out of your basement. They are placed at the footing for the basement, so are easier to install while you are building your house, but we can install them after the build is finished.

Waterproofing your basement can go a long way toward making sure you don't have moisture and water problems in your home. But is basement waterproofing worth it? If you have moisture problems, waterproofing can be an excellent way to get your home back to normal dampness levels and reduce the chances of mold, mildew, and related concerns. Many pests are also attracted to damp or moist conditions, so drying out your home can help keep bugs and rodents away, too. Here's what you should know about your home's waterproofing, and when you should update it.

Whether you just bought a home or you're building one, every home needs waterproofing. Not having your basement or crawlspace properly waterproofed can mean not only water damage similar to flooding, but also moisture issues, mold, and insects. When you have proper basement waterproofing, though, you don't have to worry about those kinds of things anymore. You can just enjoy your home, and know that your investment is being properly protected. There are several different types of waterproofing, and you'll want to choose the right one. How do you do that? By working with a quality waterproofing company.

When it comes to making sure your basement is free from water and moisture, the best thing to do is choose waterproofing that will protect it for the long term. With the right basement waterproofing, you won't have to worry about any water or moisture problems. That can also help reduce insect issues, mold problems, and related concerns. Here's what to consider, when you're trying to decide on the waterproofing you want and need for your basement. Is basement waterproofing worth it? We'll help you find out.

Excess moisture can be a big problem for homeowners. But what does it mean to have too much moisture in your house? How much is too much? Those are fair questions, and if you're not familiar with home ownership, you might not know what constitutes a problem and what doesn't. If you're googling terms like excess moisture meaning and moisture in house, you're definitely not alone. A lot of people aren't sure whether they have too much moisture in their home, or whether they're worried over nothing. Here's what to look for, and how to make things better if too much moisture is present.

Depending on the application, you may need a waterproofing membrane or a vapor barrier. The two are distinctly different as they perform different jobs. A waterproofing membrane keeps water from seeping into the basement or crawlspace. A vapor barrier stops the moisture from penetrating the walls if the moisture is in a vapor state. A waterproofing barrier is a liquid that is usually “painted” onto the concrete. It hardens into a rubbery substance. Waterproofing barriers do slow vapor from getting into the home, but will not stop it completely. A vapor barrier or moisture-reducing barrier may be made from epoxy, a polymer-based substance or polyurethane. This material fills pores and stops moisture vapor from entering the home.

Part of homeownership is taking care of your home, including making sure crawlspaces and basements are waterproofed. When a home is built, the contractor should put waterproofing on the outside of the block or concrete for exterior basement waterproofing. However, depending on what the contractor uses and how much of the material is exposed to the sun, it could wear off over time. The waterproofing keeps water from seeping into basements and crawlspaces. If it is damp under your home, that could lead to mold problems inside. Waterproofing the basement or crawlspace before it gets out of hand will save you a lot of money in the long run. The waterproofing cost is based on the size of the home and the type of waterproofing that needs to be done. It could cost upwards of $5,000 to evaluate the site, repair any defects, waterproof the walls, install a sump pump or French drain, clean the window wells and gutters and epoxy injection.

When you have a new house built with a basement or a crawlspace that is enclosed with blocks, you need to waterproof the cement or block once the cement cures. A good waterproofing definition is making a permeable substance impervious with a barrier. You’ll find waterproofing materials on basements, crawlspaces, in bathrooms and kitchens, on decks, roofs and in swimming pools and water tanks. Building a house without waterproofing it allows water to seep in through the concrete, which then causes flooding and mold problems.