You know how to recognize a carpenter ant infestation, and why they’re a problem in your home, but what exactly is a carpenter ant?

There are two distinct species of carpenter ants in Georgia: the black carpenter ant, which is more common in north and central Georgia, and the Florida carpenter ant, which you’ll generally find closer to the Florida border. Black carpenter ants are black, with yellowish hairs on their abdomens, and Florida carpenter ants have black abdomens but are otherwise dark red.

Al kinds of carpenter ants are most active at night, from late spring through early fall. That means we’re right in the middle of Carpenter Ant Season, and they are looking for spaces to nest! When they’re scoping out your house as a potential place to live, what are carpenter ants looking for?

While these pests can burrow through all kinds of wood, they tend to prefer wood that’s been softened by moisture, as it’s easier to tunnel through. Don’t make it easier for carpenter ants to move in! Keep your seals tight, repair leaks quickly, look out for existing water damage, and make sure to stay up-to-date with your residential services from Progressive Pest Control. Ants also look for ways to cross from existing nests to new sites, so if you have trees near your home, make sure their branches don’t hang on your roof!

Don’t try to fight a carpenter ant infestation on your own. If you’re worried your home is being overrun by these pests, contact Progressive Pest Control and let us handle it.

Bugs aren’t the only things that become more active in the Georgia summer. Snakes also come out of hiding when the weather warms up.

Common Snakes in Georgia

First of all, remember that of the 42 types of snakes in Georgia, only six are venomous: copperheads, water moccasins/cottonmouths, timber rattlesnakes, eastern coral snakes, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, and pigmy rattlesnakes. Most are quite shy and secretive, but it’s a good idea to learn to identify these snakes so you know if you have a problem.

Snake Prevention

The best way to prevent snakes on your property is to make your property uninviting to them. Contact Progressive Pest Control to prevent rodents and other critters from living in your space, thus depriving most snakes of their food. We can also put out snake repellent to keep your yard safe for your pets and family.

If You Encounter a Snake

Snakes are important predators in our environment and help to keep rodent populations in check. Even non-venomous snakes may bite if threatened, however, so if you encounter a snake, don’t bother it! Take a step back and let it go on its way. Most are just trying to get from point A to point B. Practice good snake etiquette: wear long sleeves, long pants, and good boots when walking in tall grass, and never put your hand into an area you can’t see.

Call Progressive Pest Control today to get your home and yard ready for a beautiful spring and summer full of outdoor fun!

You may not know that May is National BBQ Month, but you probably know why: Memorial Day is coming up on May 28th. If you’re like the millions of Americans planning a backyard bbq for this holiday, you’re probably wondering how best to make yourself and your guests comfortable in the heat and the humidity. That’s why Progressive Pest Control created this Backyard BBQ Prep Checklist.

• Mow the Grass. You wouldn’t have friends over without cleaning the bathroom, would you? Tidy up your backyard before you expect people to spend hours in it.
• Zap Pests. The only thing being eaten should be burgers. Your guests don’t want to be a feast for mosquitos and ticks and neither do you! Contact Progressive Pest Control to discuss your pest control needs and let’s discuss a plan to protect your yard, your friends, and your food.
• Keep Kids Happy. Set up a kid-safe zone with a kiddie pool, some fun lawn games, their own music, and maybe an older sibling to keep an eye on them. Consider offering the older sibling some monetary compensation so parents can relax.

• Keep Food Safe. With all that raw chicken and beef everywhere, make sure you pay attention to food temperatures and safe handling instructions.

A pest-free backyard will not only make your Memorial Day BBQ that much better. Think how much more you and your family will enjoy the coming summer months without any itching and scratching, or worrying about ticks! Don’t delay; call Progressive today.

“Spring cleaning” is such an old practice we don’t really know where it originated. What we do know is that when the weather warms up, people all over the world take time to clean their homes. It’s not just a good idea from a tidiness perspective–at Progressive Pest Control we know that a clean home helps prevent pest invasions! Here are our best spring cleaning tips for a tidier, pest-free home:

• First of all, don’t think you have to it all by yourself. Make a list of tasks and divvy them up between everyone who lives in the home. Even young kids can help sort out their toys or take folded clothing to the appropriate drawers.
• Declutter as you go. We all tend to collect a lot of things we don’t really need, use, or even want, especially after the winter holidays. Take some time to consider getting rid of clothes, toys, books, dishes, and tools you no longer need.
• Call Progressive Pest Control to schedule services before the bugs that are getting active outside come looking for space to hang out in your home.
• Don’t forget your home necessities: change air filters, check the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and have a look at your gutters.
• Finally, remember to take breaks! Try a 20/10 approach, and make sure to reward yourself and your family with treats when you’ve finished tasks.

A clean home is inviting for humans, but not for bugs. Remember, if you notice signs of an infestation while you’re cleaning, contact Progressive Pest Control!

You know how to recognize cockroaches, fire ants, and other pests, but those aren’t the only ones you need to worry about in your home. Carpenter ants make tunnels in wood and can cause severe damage to your house before you even know there’s a problem. Here are some ways to recognize a carpenter ant infestation in your home:

Seeing carpenter ants in your home may seem like clear sign that you have an infestation, but that’s not necessarily the case. After all, worker ants can forage quite a ways looking for food. However, if you’re seeing lots of winged ants emerging from crevices, ceilings, etc. you know you have a problem. Trust us, it’s hard to mistake the sight of hundreds of these pests pouring out of your wood! But if you’re at all uncertain, be sure to call Progressive. Our highly trained Registered Operators will make sure to determine whether you have foragers or an infestation.

Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood. Therefore, you may see piles of wood shavings underneath wooden items. If you get a chance to investigate the tunnels themselves, you’ll know that they’ve been made by carpenter ants, rather than termites, if they are clean and polished inside. If you have an infestation of carpenter ants, it’s likely a sign that you also have water damage, or even fungus in your wood, since they seek out wood that’s already softened.

Don’t panic if you notice carpenter ants in your home. Call Progressive Pest Control right away to deal with these pests! 

It is with deep sadness that we share with you that our friend and technician Richard passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2018. Ric was born in Mansfield, OH in 1957 and resided in the metro Atlanta area for the last 37 years. He loved his clients at Progressive Pest and spoke of them often. Ric was a member of Dacula United Methodist Church, a Veteran of the United States Army, an avid Buckeye fan, and bowler.

Ric is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jill Waddell; children, Brian Waddell and wife Star, and Amanda Enlow; grandchildren, Kylee Waddell, Beau Waddell, Ashlynne Enlow, and Elizabeth Enlow; sister, Betty Hollingsworth and husband Homer; and brother, Donald Waddell. Ric was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles Waddell and Rueben Waddell.

During this time, our thoughts and prayers are with Ric’s entire family and friends. There will be a memorial service held for Ric on April 8 at Dacula United Methodist Church at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family request, donations to the Dacula United Methodist Church Building Fund.

When most people think of pests, they think of mosquitoes, cockroaches, and maybe ants or termites. But don’t forget about spiders! While many spiders can be beneficial in your outdoor spaces, certain kinds can be very dangerous, especially if you have pets or young children. Most spiders are not inherently aggressive, but will bite if threatened or provoked. If you’re dealing with a non-venomous spider, that’s no big deal. But there are certain types of spiders whose bite can be harmful or even fatal to humans.

Keep an eye out for these dangerous spiders:

• Black Widow. And no, we’re not talking about the character from the Avengers. These distinctive spiders are glossy black, with a red marking on the underside of the bell that is often shaped like an hourglass.
• Brown Recluse. These kinds of spiders are brown and have violin-shaped markings. They also have only six eyes, whereas most spiders have eight. These spiders are shy and will often hide in dark spaces–even inside shoes. Their venom can easily be fatal if not treated promptly.
• Yellow Sac Spider. As the name might imply, these spiders have a yellowish or beige tinge. Since they are mostly nocturnal, it’s easy to get bitten by them without realizing it.Their bites can cause pain, swelling, and itching, or even more serious reactions.

If you see any of these spiders in your home, it’s best to call Progressive Pest Control right away! Our registered operators know how to deal with them to keep your family safe.

Is there anything like the love of a pet to warm our hearts and homes? When we take on the joy of pet ownership, we also take on a host of responsibilities. At Progressive Pest Control we care deeply about our pets, and about yours. Do you know what bugs you should watch out for to protect your pets?

Of course, everyone knows about fleas and ticks. Ticks can carry lyme disease and rocky mountain spotted fever, which can be passed to humans and cause tick paralysis in pets. Fleas are less dangerous unless your pets are allergic, but they’re terribly annoying and difficult to remove! Most people know to use appropriate products on your pets, check them for ticks after walking through wooded areas or tall grass, and remove ticks promptly. But there’s another very important component to keeping pests away from your pets: treating your yard!

Yard treatments won’t just protect you and your pets from fleas and ticks. You’ll also be safer from mosquitos, which can be a carrier of heartworm. Heartworm treatment is expensive and painful, and if untreated, it can kill a pet within just a few months. There’s also cockroaches, ants, wasps, spiders–don’t let your furry companions deal with these bugs on their own!

Exterior treatments are an important part of your pest control process because they expand the defensive barrier beyond your home. Don’t neglect this part! Contact Progressive Pest Control today to set up a service request and protect your whole family, including the four-legged members.

Pests are called pests for a reason–they’re sneaky and annoying! That’s especially true if you’re talking about rental properties. Most landlords don’t visit their properties every day, or even every month, and depend on their tenants to keep them up-to-date on maintenance issues since the tenants are more often on the property. But in the end, pest prevention is still the responsibility of the landlord. What steps can you take to keep your rental property free of pests?

• Keep Your Tenants Informed. Make sure that your renters know their responsibilities, your expectations, and your pest control plans, as well as how best to prevent infestations. Check in every so often (but make sure to give notice as required by law, your lease, and common courtesy) to make sure that everything is going well.

• Schedule Pest Control Services. Progressive Pest Control offers a variety of residential services that landlords can schedule with us directly. Don’t think you need to wait until your tenants have told you they see bugs, either. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

• Property Maintenance. Make sure that windows and doors are secure, vents are in good shape, and all windows have screens. It’s up to tenants to make sure doors and screens stay shut, kitchens get cleaned, and trash gets taken out.

A good partnership with your tenants will go a long way towards keeping a rental property free of pests, and so will Progressive Pest Control! Check out our testimonials and then contact us for more information on how you can keep your property secure.