San Antonio Carpenter Ants Destructive

San Antonio Carpenter Ants Destructive

Those small, winged, insects that you’ve seen tunneling through wood on your San Antonio property may not be termite… It could be a Carpenter ant.

In San Antonio, the Carpenter ant most frequently comes in two varieties: The Black Carpenter ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus), and the regular or generic Carpenter ant (Camponotus vicinus). Both are equally destructive.

The Carpenter Ants of San Antonio

Of all the different species of ant, the largest grouping happens to be the Carpenter ant. While some ants like the Fire ant are known for their painful stings, the Carpenter ant is most well known for their destructive nesting behavior.

Carpenter ants make their nests by tunneling through wood, in which they do not eat; and it is because of this behavior many San Antonio homeowners confuse these ant pests for termites.

Both the Carpenter ant and the Black Carpenter ant measure ¼ to ½ inch in length. Carpenter ants have a black head, a black abdomen, but had a dark reddish colored thorax. The Black Carpenter ant has black legs, with dull black body. A circular ring of gold colored hairs that circle the Black Carpenter ant’s abdomen make it easy to distinguish from other ant pest.

Both the Carpenter ant and the Black Carpenter ant can also have wings.

Damage Caused By San Antonio Carpenter Ants

If your San Antonio home has wood that is easily accessible from outdoor areas; or if your property has wood piles, tree stumps, or unused or abandoned wood leftover from a construction project you may be susceptible for carpenter ants. Carpenter ants will nest in the wooden structures on your property, and even in your home. This can be very destructive. As their innate tunneling behavior kicks in, Carpenter ants chew through wood. Dead, rotten, decaying wood or logs seem to be the ant’s preferred nesting choice; but old, cracking furniture, trees, tree stumps, and home structures are also vulnerable.

Carpenter ant nesting behaviors devastate the reliability of anything made of wood, including your home or furniture. Like I mentioned, these vicious ants robustly gnaw through wood, building tunnels for their nests. If you see piles of sawdust near any wood on your property, it’s a solid indication that you are dealing with a pest problem… A problem that could be very serious. Carpenter ants should not be taken lightly. If you suspect an infestation, or are seeing sawdust piles, have your home inspected by a licensed ant control professional.

San Antonio Pest Control For Carpenter Ants

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Published by Bulwark

Tips For Tackling The Pest Control War

Most of us have had an experience with a nuisance we need to get rid of fast. Perhaps you need help getting rid of ants, cockroaches, or the little brother knocking down your door. Although I cannot help you with the latter, there are many approaches to getting rid of pests that like to make their habitation in our own living spaces. Unfortunately, pests can often mistake homes, offices, and sheds as their own homes. When ignored or unnoticed, the problem can worsen and become increasingly difficult to get rid of.

At first, cockroaches may only be a few in number, but with their rapid multiplication rates, they can increase to thousands in just months. Small rodents can leave minimal proof and go unnoticed, but they can spread disease and infection throughout an entire household. For all those living in a home, eating in public restaurants, or working in an office, proper skills are needed to combat these unpleasant foes. Ready to engage in the epic battle of human vs. pest? Take up your chemicals, poison, traps and get ready to fight!

Possible Pest Situations   

Pest can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, such as termites, wasps, bats, flies, cockroaches, or even raccoons. The first step to practical pest control is to be aware of your location’s history of pests. It’s as simple as this: If your neighbor has had a lot of problems with ants, don’t leave unsealed food out. Simply being aware of the presence of pests will help to avoid the infestation in the first place. On the other hand, pest infestations often come unexpectedly and unannounced, so it is important to have the right tools to deal with the task at hand. Depending on whether your pest is a snake, skunk, or an army of ants, the various prevention methods could look very different from each other. The process for exterminating ants involves sealing all open containers, setting poisonous traps, and cleaning with lemon citracide. However, when trying to rid the area of snakes or skunks, a much more extensive process must be used. For both animals, you should rid the area of its food sources and naturally occurring safe havens. If the animal or pests will not leave or the situation becomes dangerous, it is best to consult a professional pest control company in your area.

Knowledge is Power

Pest control can be a pain, but in the end, you have to do what you have to do. Taking all possible preventative measures is the best form of pest control; if you can keep them from getting inside in the first place, everything is going to be a lot easier. Certain areas have higher tendencies toward particular pest problems, so knowledge of the location’s history is highly beneficial. However, when you find yourself trapped in a grueling war of human vs. pest, you have to take up your ammo and get the job done. This might look like setting up traps, clearing your lawn, or calling the Swat Team to take out the flies. Tools for battle are easily accessible online or through word of mouth. Regardless of the ammo you choose, just remember one thing; you’re going to want to win this war.

Tiffany Olson lives, works, and plays in Northern California. By day she works at a small (but growing!) firm where her primary objective is to educate folks on a wide variety of topics including pest control in Union City. During her off time you will usually find her climbing trees or hanging out with good friends.

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5 Problems Fire Ants Cause Homeowners

One of the most problematic, destructive, and malicious, property pests that homeowners in the San Antonio, TX area battle; is the Red Imported Fire Ant. Here are five problems these ants cause:

1. Fire Ants Sting!

If you’ve ever been stung by an ant (not bitten), the culprit was a fire ant. They are the only stinging ant in Texas. These stings hurt. If you stumble across one of the fire ant’s notorious mounds, their bites may come in bunches. Once you experience the first bite, there may be dozens of other ants crawling up your legs—ready to sting!

After a victim has been stung by a fire ant, the sting site will feel like it’s on fire! The area will become red and eventually blister. An itchy rash may develop. If you have insect allergies you may begin to feel dizzy and vomit. If this is the case, seek medical attention.

2. Fire Ant Mounds Destroy Property

Fire Ants (Photo credit: NatalieMaynor)

One of the biggest problems fire ants impose on homeowners is the destruction of property. Fire ants build huge mounds that burrow almost eight feet deep. These mounds destroy trees and plants, not to mention they are an eyesore—reaching up to three feet in diameter.

3. Fire Ants Damage Electrical Equipment

One of the most interesting and unique fire ant characteristics also makes these ants a menace to homeowners. Fire ants are drawn to electrical equipment. They crawl into electrical wiring and air conditioning units, causing them to short out.

4. Fire Ants Injure Pets

Fire ants play no favorites as to who they’ll sting. If they feel threatened, or are disturbed in any way, they will defend themselves by stinging and biting. Your pets are no exception. In fact, fire ants are drawn to the moisture of your pet’s eyes, nose, and mouth. Fire ant stings around the eyes can cause your pet to go blind. Stings in the nose or mouth can cause them to swell shut, suffocating your pet. Worst case scenario, although rare, is that your pet may die from an allergic reaction to the ant’s venom.

5. Fire Ants Inhibit Outdoor Lifestyle

If you have a fire ant colony in your backyard, it affects your desire to go outside and enjoy your property. No more backyard barbecues or picnics. No more running barefoot through your yard. If you enjoy lying in the grass and watching the clouds go by, forget about it. You will be stung!

San Antonio Fire Ant Extermination

Fire ants can be very challenging to control. Trying to take the job on yourself can actually make the problem worse. Using an aerosol pesticide on a fire ant mound will accelerate the immature queen’s breeding; meaning they will become mature and start new colonies of their own. It will also cause the ants to spread out across your property as they wait for the insecticide to dissipate.

Do not try to take on these nasty pests yourself, and don’t risk a painful sting. Get help controlling the fire ants near your home or property. Get professional ant control!

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Published by Bulwark

A Word Of Valentine’s Day Advice

Love Letter Valentine Flowers (Photo credit: Teleflora)

Valentine’s Day will be here on Thursday, and if you haven’t started making plans yet… Start! If you don’t, she will make sure you regret it! Here are a few tips to get you started:

A Romantic Dinner Is A Must

Citrus or Las Canarias

For the most romantic Valentine’s dinner in San Antonio, look no further than Citrus or Las Canarias. Located close to the River Walk, they have very few tables to keep the dining experience intimate. Your date will look beautiful basking in the glow of the candles and oil lamps.

Catch A Romantic Chick Flick

Your date will appreciate the gesture of a romantic movie. Take her to see Safe Haven at Cinemark Movies 16 or AMC Rivercenter. If she’s not that into chick flicks, she’ll love It’s A Good Day To Die Hard.

Take Her Away From It All

For cozy, quaint and romantic, night away from it all, it doesn’t get much better than the Grey Moss Inn. The restaurant and patio are built under a canopy of huge Texas Oaks that beckons you to enjoy the night. Tables are candlelit and the native rock walls and pine-wood floor “creaks” of romance.

Get Cockroach Control

I can tell you that nothing screams I love you more than roach control! Haha! With all kidding aside, roaches can turn your Valentines Day into a day of misery. All your efforts will be for not if she finds a big roach waiting for her. See for yourself:

San Antonio Roach Control

P.S. Don’t forget the flowers!

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Ants Labeled As Top Nuisance Pest

Recent Survey Identifies Ants As Nation’s #1 Nuisance Pest

What do jaywalkers, noisy neighbors, and barking dogs have in common with ants? They are all considered nuisance’s we must deal with quite regularly.

Ants recently got the distinction of being labeled America’s top nuisance pest; beating out mosquitoes, house flies, and gnats for the dubious honor. Ants were given this top distinction after a nationwide survey was conducted by the National pest Management Association (NMPA). Pest Control Operators were polled, and 100 percent have treated ant infestations the past year; with nearly 55 percent saying that ant problems are on the rise.

Breaking Down The Nation’s #1 Nuisance

Why Ants Are More Than Just A Nuisance

While ants have always been thought of as a nuisance, they can bite or sting and also cause serious damage to your home or property.

• Carpenter ants will burrow through wood and nest inside homes, which can compromise a home’s structural integrity.
• Odorous House ants will infest you home, making their homes inside your walls, looking for sweets in your kitchen.
• Fire ants can create destructive mounds on your property; and a person can actually receive several hundred painful stings simultaneously when they attack.
• Argentine ants do not sting, but they will spread rapidly if left untreated.

Controlling These Ant Nuisances

San Antonio, TX is home to the nuisance ants listed above. While exterminating an entire colony is quite challenging, professional ant control will greatly inhibit the ant’s population and destructive tendencies. If you are seeing ants in your home, or around your San Antonio real estate, get pest control.

San Antonio Pest Control

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Published by Bulwark

Bulwark Exterminating-San Antonio Receives Honor

Angie’s List Super Service Award Given to Bulwark’s San Antonio Branch

This just in from Angie’s List:

Bulwark Pest Control’s San Antonio, TX branch has been awarded the Super Service Award 2012. This prestigious award is given every year to the top five percent of companies that demonstrate superior customer service; based on the customer reviews that are received on Angie’s List.

Angie’s List is a customer review site that allows the consumer to give feedback on the products and services they receive from companies in several different industries; including pest control and exterminating. Essentially, the Angie’s List Super Service Award is voted on by consumers, with their positive feedback on a particular company; in this case Bulwark Exterminating.

Bulwark Exterminating is honored to receive this prestigious award, as it recognizes continual efforts toward outstanding customer service.

Customer Reviews From Bulwark Pest Control San Antonio

Here are just a couple of the many excellent customer reviews Bulwark Exterminating receives:

I know that Bulwark Pest Control will be here every two months so that I don’t have any bugs. If for some reason I happen to get bugs inside the house all I do is call them and at no extra charge they’ll come. They are very professional and are in uniforms.

Overall Grade: A

- MaryAnn U.
San Antonio, TX

I have been with them for five years. I have not seen any bugs since they began our service. If you do see a bug, they will come back and take care of if, free of charge. The overall experience is excellent. I would use this provider again.

Overall Grade: A

- John S.
San Antonio, TX

We use Bulwark Pest Control every month. We have been using them for a year but when we lived here before we have used them as well for about a year or so. They are excellent. They are the best pest company we have ever had. My parents used them and they suggested them so we tried them. They are definitely the best pest control company we have ever used. They don’t charge you anything extra if you have a problem or if you need them to come out in between visits. We will continue to use them in the future.

Overall Grade: A

- Ginger R.
San Antonio, TX

They are a good company. I like the fact that they have been flexible. I am really not comfortable with leaving my gates open, I lock my gates because I have animals and I don’t leave my animals out. I don’t want them to run to the neighborhood so I just began to lock my gates all the time so they have been flexible when I have needed them to be here. They worked with me and I appreciated that. They charge around $40 to $45 per service. We have scorpions here and it is an ongoing problem; we are in an area where they are still developing and so every time companies come out and start digging and doing all the stuff but scorpions move and that becomes an issue. I guess I am expecting the absolute top of the line service every time because that is such a problem. Sometimes they do a good job, but sometimes I wish it had been a little bit more because that is such an alarming issue. When you have scorpions, falling out of your vets in your house it tends to make you really uneasy. It would definitely scare you and that makes you very hyperactive reactive to the need for treatments and stuff like that. Sometimes trying to set a service when I am available is a challenge. From what I am aware of with other companies, you don’t really have someone coming out to do services like that so that is a reasonable price. The quality of work is good. I certainly think that they are a company worth trying. They give me a window of when they are going to be there. They don’t say, “We will be there at two, they say, “We will be there between 12 and 6” or something like that. If they say they are going to be in that time frame, they are there.

Overall Grade: A

- David L.
San Antonio, TX

Please feel free to log in to Angie’s List and read all of Bulwark Pest Control reviews for their San Antonio location:

http://www.angieslist.com/companylist/us/tx/san-antonio/bulwark-exterminating-reviews-6385376.htm

San Antonio Exterminators

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Published by Bulwark

Top 3: Ways to Keep Bugs Away In Winter

During the cold months many bugs try to worm their way indoors to stay warm. Rather than spend the entire season living with unwanted intruders, you can keep those bugs at bay with a few simple tricks. These tips won’t take much time to enact, and they can do wonders to keeping your home bug free.

1. Don’t Leave Food Out

Bugs often come into your living space following the lure of food. Leaving food on the table, kitchen counter, and on the floor can be an open invitation to bugs. If you must keep food on the counter for easy access or to let it ripen, keep it in a sealed cloth or plastic bag. Also, make sure to keep the garbage cleaned regularly as bugs like to crawl in after leftover food particles.

On a side note, many bugs go crawling at night to get a drink of water. Whenever you come across a house spider in the bathroom at three in the morning, know that it’s just trying to sneak a drink from your water faucet.

2. Lay Down Diatomaceous Earth

As an option other than pest control, which will spray inside the house with insecticide, you can sprinkle diatomaceous earth along the wall and corners of the interior. You can also sprinkle this along window sills and in entryways. Diatomaceous earth is made up of microscopic fossils of ancient single celled and algae organisms. This earth is extremely sharp and will cut up any insects that crawl over it. However, it is so fine that it won’t cut a person. Be careful of inhaling this product by accident, as it can cause breathing difficulties. It’s safe to sprinkle on the ground in areas where you don’t tread very often. If you have a dog that likes to sniff around inside the house, you may also want to avoid using diatomaceous earth.

3. Use Essential Oils

Plants in nature create essential oils to help protect themselves from insects. We can use the same oils to keep them out of our homes. Create sachets soaked with these essential oils and place them in your closets, clothing drawers, or even cupboards in the kitchen. Some of these oils also smell quite nice, such as lavender and eucalyptus, which are both good for repelling insects. Clove oil can also help repel bugs for months at a time. Another good oil to consider is citronella, which is commonly used in candles to help repel mosquitoes when eating outdoors.

These tricks are easy ways to keep bugs from invading during the cold season. You can set up the diatomaceous earth and the essential oils within a few minutes and then forget about them for the rest of the season. It’s also easy enough to keep food from sitting out in the open to keep from drawing insects into your living space.

Image credit:Some rights reserved by Pig Monkey

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

How To Ensure Your Houseguests Have A Pest Free Christmas

San Antonio Christmas (Photo credit: Corey Leopold)

Christmas Pests

Christmas will be here in a matter of days. You have hung your Christmas lights, trimmed the tree, and ate a few too many Christmas cookies. You have made all the arrangements for your house-guests that will be staying with you for the holidays. Did you remember the pest control?

Christmas is a joyous day that can easily be sabotaged with unwanted visitors; and I’m not talking about your Uncle Mort. Pests like wolf spiders, house crickets, and silverfish can make your San Antonio Christmas a nightmare for you and your visiting house-guests. Fortunately, a San Antonio Exterminator can help.

San Antonio Pest Control

A pest control professional in San Antonio, TX can ensure you and your house-guests experience a pest free Christmas. While many pests have gone dormant for the winter months, San Antonio residents still experience problems with spiders and silverfish in particular. Pest control and Spider control treatment plans will ensure that the pests you do have will be eliminated; and that they will keep from ever returning. Guaranteed!

Sorry, we have no treatment options for unwanted house-guest pest like cousin Sal.

Merry Christmas From Pest Control San Antonio

All of us here at Pest Control San Antonio, and Bulwark Exterminating, would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year. May your joyous holiday be filled with family, friends, loved ones, good food, and thoughtful gifts. May your holiday be pest free!

Pest Control In San Antonio, TX

Bulwark Exterminating
118 Broadway Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 224-2706
bulwarkpestcontrol.com

San Antonio Chimney & Wildlife Control
333 West Olmos Drive #123
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 607-0347
texaschimneywildlife.com

Orkin Pest & Termite Control
4902 Center Park Boulevard
San Antonio, TX
(866) 713-9979
orkin.com

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What I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving will be here in a matter of days; can you believe it? This time of year it’s easy to get sucked into all the things that need to get done; thawing the turkey, shopping for last minute groceries, making arrangements for house guests, and don’t get me started on Black Friday.

While we’re all wrapped up in all the hoopla, let’s not forget all the things that are important and give thanks. Here are a few things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving:

What I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving

Family. I am thankful for my wife, who loves me unconditionally. She is always supportive of me and everything I do. I am thankful for my three year old daughter who reminds me what is really important in life. She can always put things in perspective, even when she crying and talking back.

Freedom. I’m thankful that I was born in the greatest country in the world. My liberties are protected by true heroes who are willing to give up everything to protect our precious freedoms.

Career. I’m grateful for my job here at Bulwark Exterminating. It’s pretty cool that I get to get up every morning to research and write about bugs.

Health. The older I get, the more I’m realizing how much of a blessing this is.

Customers. I am thankful for all our customers who trust and rely on us to provide them with excellent service. You are the reason Bulwark has been around for all of these years. If it wasn’t for the customers, I wouldn’t be here working today.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For of us here at Bulwark Pest Control in San Antonio, we would like to take a moment and wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving. Be safe in your travels, eat way too much food, and celebrate pest free.

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Published by Bulwark

Spider Bite Costs Woman $1 Million

Spiders are one of San Antonio’s most feared pests, and stories like the one I’m about to share don’t help in with their’ perception.

Jane Hefferan’s leg was twice bitten by a Brown Recluse spider as she slept. The law student was able to keep her leg after a four year long ordeal that consisted of 20 surgeries and several dozen blood transfusions. The result? A $1 Million hospital bill!

Brown Recluse Spider Bite Leaves Student With $1 Million Medical Bill 

Four years ago, in the summer of 2008, Jane Hefferan had just finished law school at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. While studying for the bar exam, she began to notice a swelling in her knee. Busy with her studies, Hefferan thought nothing of her swollen red knee. She actually passed it off as a running injury that had been plaguing her for quite awhile. Her leg began to get worse and so Hefferan took the advice of her physical therapist to get immediate medical attention. It was a good thing she did because doctors determined she was bitten by the very poisonous Brown Recluse Spider.

Hefferan was quickly rushed into surgery where surgeons removed all the necrotic tissue destroyed by the spider’s venom. Doctors had to cut down to the bone, removing all the dead tissue. She then needed skin grafts to cover the wound, but they just wouldn’t heal. A third graft was given, but it wouldn’t adhere. The graft kept opening up and bleeding. Doctors discovered the poor woman had an autoimmune disorder which kept her leg from properly healing.

After the first bit slowly began to heal, doctors made another gruesome discovery. The woman’s other leg had also been bitten by a Brown Recluse. This bite was much worse. Most of the tissue surrounding Hefferan’s leg began deteriorating leaving the woman with nothing more than exposed bone. After 20 different surgeries, and several blood transfusions, doctors were able to save both of her legs.

The total medical expenses for Hefferan’s recovery equaled almost $1 million. About one month in to the ordeal, Hefferan’s student health insurance ran out. Because her injuries from the spider were considered a “pre-existing condition,” Hefferan was only recently able to qualify for government insurance. She is grateful to friends in her home state of Michigan who helped raise funds to help her out with her medical bills.

Jane Hefferan is now doing well, and has become an advocate for spider bite awareness. Brown Recluse spiders are common in the Southern United states, including much of Texas.

Spider Bites 

Spiders and their bites should not be treated carelessly, and that’s the message Jane Hefferan would like the public to know. Watch out for spiders when you are outdoors, take precautions to keep them out of your homes; and most importantly, get help if you even think you might have been bitten by a poisonous spider.

Make sure you read my article about identifying and treating spider bites here.

San Antonio Spider Control 

This unfortunate story illustrates the importance and value of spider control. Pest control companies, like Bulwark Exterminating, have services geared to controlling spiders in your home and on your property. Bulwark’s one year service agreement, that treats your home every month, will cost around of $623 for the year. This price tag is significantly lower than a $1 Million price tag that could result from a spider bite. Don’t risk the pain of dealing with a spider bite, and don’t be stuck with a $1 Million hospital bill. Get San Antonio spider control!

Bulwark Exterminating
118 Broadway Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 224-2706
bulwarkpestcontrol.com  

San Antonio Chimney & Wildlife Control
333 West Olmos Drive #123
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 607-0347
texaschimneywildlife.com  

Orkin Pest & Termite Control
4902 Center Park Boulevard
San Antonio, TX
(866) 713-9979
orkin.com 

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Published by Bulwark