The UNPLEASANT truth about STINK BUGS

Winter in St. Charles, St. Louis, and Jefferson County, MO is here, and let's face it; as most Missourian's know, the weather can be unpredictable. From overnight snow, to ice, and springlike weather, all within the span of a week, Missouri weather can draw in a variety of pests. As some winter pests are hibernating, and others are moving away, there are still a few that become more active in the winter to protect themselves and maintain their food supply. As Missouri's trusted pest control solution for over a decade, we'd like to share some of our top most active pests this time of year. 1. Boxelder Bugs You’ve seen these guys around—oval black bodies with red or orange markings and long antennae. They don’t pose a physical threat, but they come in numbers into our homes and businesses and have no problem flying into your papers, your face, your hair, your food. Their feces is bright orange, and the insects smell bad when crushed. The best thing to do is to vacuum up the boxelders already in your space and then call Buckingham Pest Control. 2. Stink Bugs Stink bugs are a yearly nuisance in Missouri. Squat, gray-brown, and shaped like shields, they also arrive in numbers. They don’t bite or sting, but they buzz around, let off a terrible stink when crushed, and leave their corpses everywhere. Vacuum those up and call Buckingham Pest Control. 3. Cockroaches The awful classic. Cockroaches eat your food and spread diseases, parasites, and contaminants. They also reproduce rapidly, and by the time you see one roach, you can be sure that there are many more throughout your home. Although some home remidies can be effective, if used incorrectly, can become a danger to you and your family. First, seal up any food in air tight containers, then call us. 4. Carpenter Ants Carpenter ants look like an extra-large version of the common black ant. Carpenter ants will damage structures made out of wood and wood products, like walls, furniture, beams, and floors. Unlike termites, they do not eat your wood, but they do destroy it by making tunnels throughout your home's structure, weakening the wood over time. If you see a carpenter ant anywhere in your home, it is best to call for an immediate inspection and have them removed by Buckingham Pest Control as soon as possible. So, how to you prevent these common winter pests from making camp in your home or business? 1. Get regular inspections and preventative pest removal services. 2. Keep all food sealed when not eating. 3. Seal up all cracks and holes in your walls, foundations, windows, and roof to prevent entry. 4. Try to regularly maintain your HVAC system well to prevent debris build up which can attract pests. Lastly, call your local pest professionals at Buckingham Pest Control in Fenton, MO and St. Charles, MO at 636-274-7400 to discover the best pest control solution for you. We make setup and maintenance easy, and we only use products that are both effective and safe for you and your pets. Now offering contactless pest control solutions and payment plans. Call Now.