Pest Library

Ants are insects that we constantly run into, whether in our yards, wooded areas, parks, fields, or, unfortunately, our homes. So, if these insects are so common, are they really something we need to worry about? The answer to that question is yes! Ants are more than just a nuisance; they will contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria. Some, like carpenter ants, cause structural damage. Others, like pavement ants, invade in large numbers and are difficult to prevent and control.

Ants are social insects which means that each colony works together as a group. They communicate by laying down pheromone trails to alert other colony members of food and water sources. Their pheromone trails are why you see long lines of ants move around; sometimes, ant trails lead in and out of our homes. Ants are most problematic on properties that are offering them their basic needs. Water from leaky pipes and spigots, food from open trash cans and gardens, and shelter in our yards and inside our homes are all things that will gain the attention of foraging ants.

Keeping ants away from our Yankton properties is difficult because they live in such large populations all around us. The biggest step you can take to reduce ant activity is to limit their access to food. Keep lids on trash cans, maintain gardens, keep eating areas free of leftover food, and store your food either in the fridge or inside airtight containers. Stop ants from entering your home by sealing openings you discover in the foundation, around windows and doors, and around utility pipes and wires entering your home. Eliminate water sources by repairing leaky pipes and spigots and fixing areas of poor drainage or ventilation. It is also important to remove tree stumps, fallen trees, and old woodpiles where ants can nest.

Bed bugs are difficult to control because they don’t enter our homes the way most pests do. They don’t wander inside from the outside; instead, we accidentally introduce them. While nobody intentionally causes a bed bug infestation, the fact remains that hitchhiking bed bugs are transported from place to place by people. Bed bugs live indoors and crawl onto our clothing or inside luggage, purses, or bags. They also move quite efficiently from place to place on secondhand items like furniture, rugs, and clothing.

The reason bed bugs are such a problem in our homes is that they feed solely on the blood of warm-blooded mammals, with people being their preferred hosts. They want to live with us because we provide them with a reliable food source. Bed bugs are nocturnal and, during the day, stay in tight, dark spaces that hide them from our view but still put them in close proximity to us. The seams of mattresses, spaces behind the cushions of upholstered furniture, cracks in headboard and footboards, and electrical outlets and walls voids are regular hiding spots. You should routinely inspect these common hiding areas for these biting, blood-feeding pests.

Bed bugs are difficult to control and can become a problem in any of our homes. To help avoid issues with bed bugs in Yankton, it is important to always inspect secondhand items before bringing them into your home. New clothing should always be immediately washed and dried on high heat cycles. When you're in public places, always keep your personal belongings up off the ground and away from other people’s things to avoid having bed bugs crawl onto them. Regularly vacuum your floors and upholstered furniture to remove stray bed bugs. Avoid having a lot of clutter in your home; clutter won’t attract bed bugs but will provide another hiding spot for these pests.

If you have spiders in your yard or home, know that you are not alone. Spiders are regular visitors to our houses and other manmade structures. Most people are fearful of spiders, but it is important to understand that while they may not be the most cuddly creatures, most of them cause people no harm. In fact, the spiders that you regularly run into, like wolf spiders and cellar spiders, are more worried about you than you are about them! Wolf spiders are large hairy ground-dwelling spiders with quick movements. Cellar spiders have round abdomens and long thin legs. They are also the spiders that will build and abandon webs throughout your home.

The reason most people fear spiders is because they are worried about being bitten. While spiders bites can be painful and cause some swelling around the bite site, most spiders have venom that won’t cause people major health consequences. So while it is comforting to know that most spiders aren’t dangerous, we mustn’t let these leggy pests take over our indoor or outdoor spaces. Discovering large populations of spiders on your property is an indicator of an overall pest problem. Spiders only invade areas that provide them easy access to their insect prey. Spider and insect infestations go hand in hand. The biggest reason that spiders are in your home is that they have followed their insect prey indoors.

One of the easiest ways to reduce spider populations on your Yankton property is to remove the things that attract insects. Cut back overgrown grass and vegetation, remove areas of standing water, keep lids on trash cans, and keep outdoor lights turned off as much as possible. To keep spiders from finding their way into your home, make sure to seal cracks and gaps that develop at the roofline, exterior walls, and foundation. Make certain that screens in windows and doors are intact and place mesh covers on drains and vents. To remove stray spiders from your home, regularly dust and vacuum your house to dislodge hiding spiders and remove their webs.