Seasonal Spring Be aware of swarming termites in the Spring, that can be a sign of infestation by certain species of termites such as eastern subterranean termites. Read more about swarmers. Summer When the weather warms, insects move around more and work on building up bigger colonies. Some warm weather insects are just nuisances, such as the ants that join your picnic, or the gnats that swarm around you, but some pose a serious health threat. A sting from a bee or wasp can be fatal to an allergic person, while filth flies can pose a disease threat. Eliminate potential fly breeding sites. Be careful around flowers, especially if you are allergic to bee stings. Do not leave open soda cans around you while outside. Close up all garbage in sealed plastic bags and inside metal or plastic containers with lids. Do not wear strong flower-scented perfumes or colognes outdoors. Wear a good insect repellent when you go outside during the day time.

In General, Outside Trim all shrubs, bushes and other dense greenery away from the foundation of your home. Move mulch away from the foundation as well. Remove all lumber, tree stumps and other kinds of loose wood from the perimeter and crawl space of your home. Make sure attic vents, outside molding, and screens, are in good condition. Seal up any cracks and holes on the outside of your home including areas where utilities and pipes enter your home. Mice and other four-legged critters love to sneak into your home through these small openings and chew through your electrical wires. Be aware of standing water. Small pools of water in your gutters and around the outside of your home can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes -transmitters of the potentially deadly West Nile Virus. Store fire wood at least 20 feet away from the house and five inches off of the ground. Not only is it tasty to termites and other wood-destroying insects, it acts as a great hiding spot for them to use while they eat away at your home. Regularly inspect the exterior of your home for possible pest entranceways. Keep your eyes peeled for things like mud tubes created by termites and long branches that extend over your roofs and gutters. In General, Inside Keep basements, attics, and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry. Inspect boxes, grocery bags, and other packaging thoroughly to curb "hitchhiking" insects. Keep garbage areas clean and dispose if it regularly. Repair any leaky faucets and seal any cracks and gaps around the home's foundation. Ask us about our automatic crawl space vents.

Know your do-it-yourself limitations. Although there are clearly measures you can take yourself to safeguard your home against pests, there are limits to what you can accomplish on your own. Are you willing to crawl around your attic for signs of mice? Do you know the difference between an Argentine ant and a carpenter ant? And, it is a pretty safe bet that the typical homeowner does not have the tools or know-how to detect termites hidden deep within your walls.

A pest professional such as Arrow Exterminators has the training in pest biology and behavior that enables them to identify and responsibly treat all kinds of pest problems, using professional grade products, before they get out of control!