Spring isn’t the only time of year you should clean and prepare your home. Fall is the perfect time to get your house ready for the dampness that comes with the change of seasons. Two of the most common ways to combat moisture is with sealants and waterproofing. Sealants are predominantly used in basements to help keep the moisture out. Waterproofing via different methods is mostly used on wood around your home.
More than half of US homes have an issue with moisture in their basements. Some common causes of moisture in the basement include condensation, runoff, and leaks. A good basement sealant is vital to protecting the contents of your home and your foundation from moisture. Most basement sealants are simple enough to be a DIY project for you. So what should you do?
Once you’ve identified any issues and fixed them, you can then apply your sealant. Sealants coat basement walls and floors for quick waterproofing that can also be decorated! You may need to apply more than 1 coat depending on the size and condition of your walls and floors.
Wood is the world’s oldest and most common building material. Without any protection, wood is subject to damage from moisture and high humidity leading to swelling, warping, and even rotting. Unprotected wood is also left exposed to pests like termites. Choosing the best method of waterproofing your wood depends on several factors including whether or not the wood is on the interior or exterior of your home and whether or not it is light or dark grained. So what options are out there?
Your home is probably the biggest investment that you will make in your lifetime. Not only is it a monetary investment but it’s a place where you want to feel safe, comfortable, and at peace when you are there. So what does termite control have to do with the value of your home?
Termites work 24/7 to find food. Unfortunately for us, and our homes, their choice of food is wood…as in the wood that is used to build our houses. So here we have these creatures that are eating wood around the clock…they are bound to cause damage.
Termite damage can be severe. Each year, termites cause over $2 billion of damage to homes in the US. In most cases, termite damage is not covered under homeowner’s insurance. So with all of that being said, it’s easy to see why termite protection is important to maintain the value of your home.
By maintaining the quality of your structure you are maintaining the value of your investment, your home.
Here in the South, mosquitoes and summer go together like peanut butter and jelly. In North America there is an estimated 170 different species of mosquito. Sometimes it feels like 169 of those species live right here in the south. Aside from being a nuisance, mosquitoes can be a threat to our health. West Nile virus is a disease that is carried by mosquitoes and has become a concern in the US in recent years.
Mosquito treatments can also be a great way to prevent mosquitoes. Northwest Exterminating offers a GREEN mosquito program that targets both mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes.
If you’re in Atlanta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, Decatur, Mableton, Marietta, Sandy Springs, Scottsdale, Shady Dale, or Smyrna then you are serviced by our Smyrna service center.
Our Smyrna service center offers Green pest control, Green termite control, wildlife control, Green mosquito control, bed bug control, ant control, lawn care, TAP Insulation, and Complete CrawlSpace.
Peter Schmidt
Pete is the best of the best and has been with Northwest for over 19 years. He exemplifies the “Customers for Life” attitude that we strive for at Northwest Exterminating.
The bottle fly is a common household fly. They are known for their metallic blue or green color and look like they are wearing aviator sunglasses. Some may enjoy their appearance but you won’t enjoy them if they’re in your home.
Bottle flies breed amongst unsanitary and filthy conditions. Like many other flies, they can spread diseases on the surfaces they land on including your food, kitchen counters, animal waste, and garbage. They are usually the first ones on the scene of a dead animal. Bottle flies lay their eggs in the carcass and the maggots will develop by eating the carcass. They develop from egg to adult in less than 3 weeks.
Finding bottle flies in your home is a good indication that you have either a dead animal located somewhere in your home or a sanitation issue. Either problem should be addressed immediately. Calling a pest control professional will allow them to identify the source of the problem and help to eliminate the original problem, as well as, the bottle flies.
Spring time is an ideal time to get out in the yard, work in your garden, dig in the dirt…all those enjoyable things we like to do in the warm weather. These are great ways to improve the aesthetics of your property and also enjoy the sunshine. Hold the shovel! Wait one second before you start digging in the dirt!
Digging around the foundation of your home could disturb your termite barrier system. Minor disturbances are nothing to worry about but a major disruption can put the effectiveness of the treatment in jeopardy…causing concern for your home.
Mulch is a great way to spruce up your yard. Mulch provides protection, warmth, and moisture to plants but can also provide those same things to termites. Not to mention that mulch is wood! TERMITES LOVE WOOD! Other pests, such as, roaches and earwigs also find comfort in mulch.
Don’t be discouraged. You can still use mulch around your home. Just make sure when using mulch that it is kept 1-2 feet away from the structure. Any wood that is in contact with soil and your foundation is considered a major risk for termites.
If you’re concerned about disturbing your termite treatment or suspect you may have termites, give us a call!
