stow

proof. pest control in stow, ma

common pest issues we treat in stow

Boxelder bugs are common in wooded areas of Stow, and mice and rats are common throughout Stow (just like they are pretty much anywhere).

Common types of pests we treat in the area include:

• Rodents
• Mosquitoes
• Ticks
• Spiders
• Carpenter Ants
• Termites

stow, ma termite control

Costing billions of dollars’ worth of damage each year, termites are every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Since they are often hidden away within the structure of a home, they can be there for years before a homeowner finally discovers them. The three types of termites are subterranean, drywood, and dampwood. All in search of wood, termites have the potential to cause extensive, irreversible damage to your home.

Things that attract termites include:

• Excess foliage
• Piles of wood
• Dead or decaying trees
• Mulch
• Cellulose material
• Clogged gutters
• Warm, dark places
• Moist soil

If you notice winged ants, mud tubes, wings that have been shed, or structural damage to your home, you might be facing a termite infestation.

mosquito control in stow, ma

Stow experiences an influx of mosquitoes in the summer. These insects reproduce in standing water, so they are most common around water features like Crow Island or the Delaney Flood Control Site.

If you live near these spots or even if you have a pond or fountain on your property, your home may be more prone to mosquito activity. Mosquitoes tend to be most active in the summertime when the weather is hot and humid, especially in the evenings.

stow, ma carpenter ant control

New England is known for its stunning antique architecture, but older homes can be a haven for carpenter ants and other wood-loving bugs. These large, black ants tend to prefer old, damp wood, but they won’t pass by new construction. Though they don’t eat wood like termites do, they do chew on it to make their nests, weakening the structure over time.

In order to avoid structural damage to your home, there are a few things you can do to prevent carpenter ant infestations.

These include:

• Eliminate non-essential water sources in your yard and home
• Trim trees and shrubs to keep them away from the home
• Seal any cracks or openings around doors and windows
• Store piles of wood away from the home

Stow homes near areas with trees, such as the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge or Marble Hill Conservation Area, tend to be at the highest risk of carpenter ant infestations.

stow, ma tick removal

Since they are known to carry and transmit diseases, such as Lyme disease, ticks are the last thing you want to be dealing with. Ticks seek human and animal hosts to latch onto and feed off of in order to survive.

In order to avoid tick bites when you go on outdoor adventures, you should:

• Wear long sleeves, pants, thick socks, and closed-toed shoes
• Treat your clothing with permethrin to repel ticks
• Use insect repellent
• Walk only on clearly marked trails and paths
• Avoid high grass and brush areas

Whenever you return from a hike or other outdoor activity, you should put your clothes into the washer, hop into the shower, and carefully examine your body for ticks. If you are bitten by a tick, it needs to be safely removed right away.

spiders control in stow, ma

Venomous or not, spiders are one of the most feared pests commonly found in homes. From wolf spiders to hobo spiders to black widow spiders to brown recluse spiders to house spiders, these pests are never welcome guests.

Without professional pest control, keeping spiders out of your home is very difficult to do. These critters have no trouble finding openings into your house and making themselves feel right at home.

Spiders are drawn to houses that can provide:

• Shelter: Spiders escape extreme weather conditions by hiding away in dark corners, basements, crawlspaces, and attics.
• Mates: During mating season, males will enter your home in search of mates.
• Food: Other pests are spiders’ main source of food, so they will come into a home if they know there are plenty of other pests there.

mice removal in stow, ma

Mice can squeeze themselves through a hole the size of a pen, which means it is incredibly easy for them to make their way into a home. They typically enter homes in the winter months looking for a place that can provide shelter, food, and water. These tiny pests carry over 200 human pathogens, making them incredibly harmful. By leaving urine and droppings throughout a home, they can seriously endanger a family.

To keep mice out of your home, you should:

• Seal any holes along the foundation of your home
• Never leave food out
• Empty your kitchen trash cans often
• Keep your home clean and free of clutter
• Keep storage areas organized, clean, and dry