Pest Control Columbia MO is known for its straightforward plan options and pricing. The brand offers three basic residential options with pricing that decreases as the frequency of visits increases.
Digital rodent control combines bait and traps with sensors and remote monitoring for a smarter approach to preventing rodent damage. It is especially helpful for businesses with intensive operating costs and multiple premises or a zero-tolerance policy for pest infestations.
Termite Control
Termites are highly destructive wood-eating insects that live in large, underground colonies. These insects hollow out wooden beams and supports in homes, causing structural damage that can lead to costly repairs. They also damage property value and marketability by leaving behind signs of infestation such as mud tubes, exit holes, and damaged wood.
Several factors contribute to the likelihood of a termite infestation, including soil conditions and the presence of other trees or shrubs that can attract these pests to a structure. Proper maintenance and treatment can help prevent termite infestations.
Traditional termite treatments include insecticides and physical barriers. Insecticides are effective against existing termite colonies and can be injected into the ground, beneath concrete slabs, or within foundation walls. A barrier of wood or metal can help keep termites out by creating an impenetrable shield around the structure.
Physical methods of termite control are primarily used as complements or replacements for pesticides and can include trenching and the installation of barrier systems. Trenching involves digging a protective trench around the perimeter of the home or building. This trench is then filled with a chemical agent, which is pumped into the soil to create an invisible barrier against termites. It takes a little longer than some other termite treatments, but it can be a very effective tool in the fight against these pests.
Other effective methods for termite control include the use of specialized baits and wood treatments. Baits contain cellulose-based ingredients that termites love to consume, and can be strategically placed near areas of the structure that are most susceptible to attack. Combined with other treatment methods, this type of treatment can result in faster and more complete control of an infestation.
Natural predators, such as ants, are another great way to limit the population of termites on your property. By establishing ant colonies that prey on these insects, the ants can keep the population of termites in check. This is a safe, environmentally friendly approach to termite control that can be used in combination with other treatment methods to provide the best results.
Bed Bug Control
Bed bugs are tiny parasites that seek out sleeping people and animals for a blood meal. They are attracted to carbon dioxide, body heat, and human scent. They inject saliva into the host, pierce the skin with needle-like mouthparts, and draw blood for three to five minutes before retreating to a hiding place. Bed bug control is complex, requiring a mix of prevention, monitoring, non-chemical treatment methods, and judicious use of pesticides.
A good bed bug management program starts with an inspection, identification, and monitoring plan. Inspect the mattress, box spring, and headboard for reddish-brown fecal spots and live bugs. Check cracks and crevices for bugs. Inspect the area around the bed for signs of infestation, including rusty or brown spots on the baseboards and walls. Vacuum and sanitize the floor and furniture. Repair cracks in plaster and glue down peeling wallpaper to remove places where bed bugs may hide.
Avoid throwing away items that could serve as a hiding place for bed bugs. This can be expensive and will spread the bugs to other areas of the home. Double bag items such as books, toys, papers, electronics, and clothing and set them aside until they can be carefully treated, cleaned, or inspected.
Physical barriers can be put in place to prevent the movement of bed bugs between bedding and other rooms. Climb-up interceptors placed under the legs of the bed trap bugs as they try to escape. These can be purchased online and at hardware stores.
Vacuuming is an effective physical control method, but care must be taken not to lose bed bugs or their eggs in the process. Special zippered covers that encase the mattress and box spring can help isolate beds from other areas of the house. Moat-style traps can also be used to trap bugs between their hiding places and the bed.
Pesticides can be applied as a targeted spray to known bed bug hiding places. This technique minimizes chemical exposure to humans and pets, reduces resistance development, and can be more effective than widespread spraying. Rotation of chemicals and application of combination treatments can also be an effective strategy. Follow label instructions and keep children and pets out of the room while applying insecticides.
Bird Control
Birds are adorable in the wild, but in facilities, they can create a mess, damage structures and transmit diseases. A pest bird control plan includes deterrents, traps, and other methods that help keep birds off of a building or facility.
Physical and chemical repellents are the first line of defense for a bird problem. They include products like netting and ledge treatments, which prevent perching. These products are often combined with visual and aural bird deterrents. Visual scare devices include flash tape, reflective bird deterrents, and predator decoys that look life-like and frighten birds away. Sonic bird deterrents play recordings of predator noises that warn birds to stay away. Drones that use a combination of sight and sound offer a high-tech, automated solution for a bird infestation.
Another effective method is bird exclusion, which entails blocking space from birds by creating obstacles. Products such as netting, vent guards, and vinyl strip doors prevent birds from accessing a specified area. They’re especially effective in areas where perching is a concern, such as ledges and rooftops on larger buildings.
Many products are designed to discourage nesting and roosting, including nesting deterrents, bird spikes, bird nets, and floatable barriers for bodies of water. They stop a pest bird from landing and swimming in a designated area while allowing sunlight to penetrate.
Other options include acoustic deterrents and bird traps. These include predator calls that mimic distress signals and repel birds, as well as baits that interfere with egg laying. These are often used in outdoor areas where a bird population is a nuisance, such as loading bays, pools, and parking lots.
For serious a problem, humane trapping is an option that allows an expert to catch the birds and relocate them far from a facility. However, this is a complex procedure that requires careful handling of the birds and must be done in compliance with local regulations. A pest management professional can recommend the best approach for your specific situation.
Mosquito Control
Mosquitoes are a nuisance pest that takes the fun out of enjoying outdoor activities and can also pose serious health risks by spreading diseases like West Nile, Chikungunya, and Zika virus. To reduce mosquito populations, professionals have long relied on chemical insecticides that target different life stages of the insects. While effective, this approach can create resistance issues and raise environmental concerns. By focusing on prevention and controlling larvae, PMPs can help customers reclaim their outdoor spaces without the use of harsh chemicals.
Source reduction is one of the most important steps to prevent mosquitoes, including eliminating standing water and reducing mosquito habitat. Emptying, scrubbing, and covering any containers that hold water like toys, bird baths, trash containers, planters, tires, cisterns, rain barrels, and flowerpot saucers can limit mosquito breeding and eliminate the need for chemical intervention.
Many homeowners can further limit mosquito breeding by mowing grass regularly and keeping brush and other vegetation trimmed away from homes. For areas that may be difficult to maintain, products can be used with mist blowers, power sprayers, and backpack sprayers to provide lasting coverage in dense vegetation growth where mosquitoes breed and find harborage. The product is EPA 25(b) exempt and can be applied around houses, shrubs, tall grasses, and other dense vegetation without damaging wildlife and beneficial plants.
Another option for professional pest control companies is to utilize mosquito trapping technology that targets adult mosquitoes. A variety of different trapping tools have been developed, each offering unique advantages for pest management companies and homeowners. For example, electric mosquito traps with remote controls allow technicians to treat large areas with fewer trips than traditional manual devices. They are also easy to clean and can be deployed for the duration of mosquito season.
Newer technologies include drones that can be used for mosquito control by PMPs to monitor and treat difficult-to-reach areas of outdoor spaces, including wooded terrain, ponds, and other bodies of water where mosquitoes may hide. Drones are battery-powered, eliminating the need for gas-powered motors and limiting disturbance to wildlife and sensitive plant habitats. By monitoring and applying targeted treatments from 200ft above such habitats, drones can offer a sustainable and efficient alternative to chemical applications for mosquito control.