We were promised a wet and cold winter. However, except for one week, Kansas City has had a little cold, but lots of wet. But remember that winter isn’t over yet and spring is still over a month and a half away! Also, it is so easy to believe that, because it is cold, no bugs are out and about. The ones inside don’t feel the cold.
In the last installment of our blog, I spoke of typical mid-winter pest problems. Remember that this is the time when carpet beetles may be multiplying and attacking your seasonal clothing which has been stored without proper cleaning or laundering. Cold-weather clothing - often made of animal products, such as fur, wool, and leather - is out and in current use, but some stored warm-weather clothing also contains products of animal origin, like silk. If you have had a carpet beetle problem that hasn’t been taken care of, you need to check things out!
Also, we all know how easy it is to let a pantry get out of control. Periodically check to see that any spillage has been thoroughly cleaned up. Remember - only vacuum, not just move it around with a brush or air pressure. This is not the time or place to use a can of pressurized keyboard cleaner!
With the relatively mild weather we've experienced so far, it may not be long before we begin to see fresh termite tube-building, or even swarming. Rains, rather than snows, could hasten this process. If you think that it’s too early for spring, I found daffodils just popping their heads above ground yesterday - February the first!
If you have any questions or need professional help for pests, just contact Augustine Services at (913) 398-3575.