Long Island Ant Exterminator

 Steps to make your Nassau County, Long Island residence an ant-free home

 Prevention tips to get rid of ants - Ant Exterminator Long Island, NY

If you have never encountered ants in your Long Island home or place of business, count yourself among the fortunate few.  However, if you are like most Nassau County, Long Island homeowners, you have fought your fair share of battles against this troublesome pest – whether it is a colony of carpenter ants nesting in a wall or a procession of house ants walking across your kitchen counter.

Carpenter Ant Exterminating

In the United States, ants are the number one nuisance pest. With more than seven hundred species of ants occurring in the country and more than twenty types known to infest homes and other structures, it is not surprising that so many people report having issues with ants. However, there are some simple steps that Nassau County, Long Island homeowners can take to reduce the chances of accidentally inviting ants into their homes.

1. Ant hangouts

It is probably not shocking to hear that ants most often infest kitchens. Kitchens are full of food and water, which attract ants as well as other pests such as mice and cockroaches. Ants may also be found in garages, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, basements, inside walls, and in or around air conditioning and heating units.

2. Eliminating sources of water

Decreasing moisture levels and standing water around your Long Island residence can go a long way to help prevent ant infestations. Fix leaky pipes, and routinely check under kitchen and bathroom sinks for areas of moisture. Use dehumidifiers in damp basements, crawl spaces, and attics. Make sure that gutters and gutter leaders are working properly, so that water flows away from the home’s foundation.

3. Eliminating sources of food

Keeping the kitchen clean will help prevent ants from coming indoors. Wiping down counters and sweeping floors regularly will get rid of crumbs and residue from spills. Refrigerate ripe fruit and store food in airtight pest-proof containers. Sticky jars, particularly any containing honey, syrup, soda, or other sweets need to be wiped down. Lastly, use a lid on garbage cans and get rid of trash regularly.

4. Pet food

 Dogs, cats, and other pets can incidentally invite ants into your Nassau County home. Pet food and water bowls attract pests. Therefore, pets should be fed and then the food bowls should be removed from the floor. Store pet food in airtight sealed plastic containers rather than the paper bags they usually come in, which can be easily accessed by ants, mice, and other pests. Inspect doggie doors and cat doors to assure that pests can not enter your Long Island home through them. Keep in mind, that ants can enter through even the smallest openings.

5. Eliminate entry points

 Inspect the outside of your Nassau County, Long Island home for potential pest entry points. Trees and shrubs should be pruned away from your house, as branches can transport ants and other pests, including wildlife onto your home. Cracks and crevices on the outside of the home should be sealed with silicone caulk, paying special attention to areas where utility pipes and wires enter.

6. Do not do it alone

Without the proper training, pesticides, and pest control equipment, getting rid of ants in Nassau County can be an uphill battle. What's worse, an ant infestation can continue to grow if it is not properly exterminated. Some ant species, like carpenter ants, can cause serious property damage and others can pose health risks to your family. Even ant species that are considered nuisance pests, like odorous house ants can contaminate food. Pest control Long Island ant exterminating professionals from DQ Pest Control can resolve any ant control problem.

So if you do find ants in your Long Island home, contact a licensed Nassau County ant exterminator from DQ pest control. Our exterminating Nassau County team will be able to identify the ant species, ascertain likely entry points, and determine an effective pest control treatment plan.

New Challenges for Bedbug Control in Nassau County, New York

We’ve all heard or used the saying, “Good night/sleep tight – don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

Oh, but they’re biting and in many cases, they’re taking a big bite out of the bottom line for hotels and other entities that entertain overnight guests. In the United States, reported cases of bed bug infestation have risen more than 70 percent in less than a decade, cropping up often in hotels, motels, dormitories, and apartments where there may be a high turnover in occupancy. Bed bug control in New York is suffering an even more serious hit, with some agencies reporting an increase in bed bug complaints of nearly tenfold in the just the last four years.

A bed bug infestation isn’t indicative of the level of cleanliness of a hotel. Even upscale hotels in the U.S. that are known for spotless facilities are finding the pests in increasing numbers, thanks to the ability of these creatures to hitch a ride in the luggage of international travelers.

If you live in New York, pest control experts in the city are generally well-versed in dealing with these bothersome insects pretty thoroughly and on short notice. I’d also suggest reporting the infestation to NYC 311, which functions as a clearinghouse for city government services and resources. The agency also keeps records and issues reports on infestations such as bed bugs, rats, and other pervasive pests.

About DQ Pest Control:

DQ Pest Control is a family-owned and operated New York animal control and wildlife removal company serving the New York metropolitan area and Long Island. Specialist David Quinn is a Nassau County exterminator with many years of experience in the family business.

Nassau County Termite Inspection, the Canine way

My Best BUD Barney is a Rising Star in New York Termite Inspection

Barney the termite inspection dog and BOBO enjoy libations.

After years of experience in the family-owned Nassau County pest control business, I thought I'd learned most of the best tricks and gathered all the finest technologies necessary to stay at the top in my industry. When I met my buddy Barney, I almost felt like an amateur by comparison.

His reputation for loyalty and a strong work ethic preceded him. Even more impressive was his reputation for finding pests that other New York termite inspection experts – maybe even I – had missed. It was the kind of talent that was almost spooky, it was so uncanny. What could I expect from our first meeting?

Gregarious and demonstrative, Barney greeted me enthusiastically. He was shorter than I expected, but showed a forceful personality and held his own in the meeting. No hint of ego whatsoever, though, despite his superior talent. I have to say it was hard not to like the little guy, given his sunny disposition. OK, so he was easily distracted at first, but that's to be expected with a genius of this caliber.

Barney is a basset hound, a breed known for one of the sharpest noses in the canine world, second only to the bloodhound from which he descended. Having his talented snout on my side has been invaluable to my customers. I can't tell you how many times he has detected termites for a home buyer after they had been told by their home inspector that there was no termite activity. Within moments of entering an infested area, Barney homes right in on these destructive pests, placing his nose to the precise spot where they're nesting. Often, these are places where no evidence would be visible to the naked eye. Left untreated, these termites could have wreaked untold damage on the new owner's home.

Although termites are his specialty, Barney has also proven his worth in bedbug control in New York, helping to rat out pests from private homes, apartments, and hotels throughout the metropolitan area. Read my next blog to learn more about Barney's training through the Forensic & Scientific Investigations Canine Academy.

About DQ Pest Control:

DQ Pest Control is a family-owned and operated New York animal control and wildlife removal company serving the New York metropolitan area and Long Island. Specialist David Quinn is a New York exterminator with many years of experience in the Nassau County exterminating business.