Are the chemicals used in Pest Control safe for my family?

Today’s pest control products are far superior than in years past, and are safer for people and the environment. Pesticides for household insects are designed to be applied at low concentrations and are usually designed for particular application methods and specific sites in the house. We also have an entire line of bait products that include baits for termites, ants and roaches. Additionally, pesticides are tested extensively for adverse effects on health. Before a product can be used, numerous studies are conducted by the manufacturer and independently evaluated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Based on the current body of knowledge, registered pesticides pose no significant hazard to humans, pets or the environment when applied according to label directions. Most of the newer liquid products have essentially no odor. However, no product is 100% safe; including many products used by homeowners in and around homes everyday. Despite the negligible health risk from a properly performed pesticide treatment by a certified professional, people with lingering health concerns should consult their physician. Homeowners who are still apprehensive may want to consider having their home treated with baits. For more information call our office at 1-877-506-3029

Where do insects go in the Winter?

In general, insects are able to survive cold temperatures easiest when the temperatures are stable, not fluctuating through alternate thaws and freezes. Many insects gain shelter and nourishment through the winter in a variety of micro-habitats, including harboring around, in, and under our homes. In these micro-habitats, it seldom gets below freezing. For instance, crawl spaces stay extremely comfortable throughout the winter, even on the coldest of days.
Additionally, insects use a variety of methods for surviving the extreme cold. They include migration, hibernating and overwintering as larvae, nymphs, eggs, pupae or adults. Other pest, like mice for instance thrive in the winter. Some insects produce a natural type of antifreeze called glycerol protecting them to temperatures of up to 100 below zero. Even after the harshness this winter, when temperatures got just a little warmer the very next week, ants were back on the move. Not surprisingly, insects are extremely resourceful and have evolved a number of strategies to deal with the rigors of winter temperatures.

Questions About Termite Letters

As the owner of Ameri Care Termite & Pest Control, I get asked a lot of questions. Here is a great example regarding termite letters and how long they are guaranteed or good for.

Q. My husband and I bought our house several years ago; we had a clear termite letter. How long is that good for, and when should it be checked again?


A. Every residential home for sale had a termite letter issued at the time of closing. This letter is good for 90 days from the date of the inspection. If there were no termite problems at the time of closing, you should have your home checked at least once per year. Most Pest Control companies offer this as a free service. If your home was treated prior to your purchasing your home, you should contact the Pest Control company that provided the treatment and ask if you can continue the annual coverage. What most people don’t realize is that in Tennessee, it’s not if you’ll get termites, it’s a matter of when. Homes between 4 and 12 years old are most at risk. Make sure to have your home checked annually.

Ameri Care on the Go !!

Mice Problems?

Here is a recent question from our "Ask an Expert" column in The Daily News Journal


Q. I recently found evidence of a mouse in my garage. I was able to catch one, is this something I should be worried about?

A. Beginning in the Fall and continuing through the Winter months is when mice begin foraging and finding places to nestle in for the winter. Garages and crawl spaces are likely entry points followed by the main living area and ultimately the attic. More than 35 diseases can be transferred from rodents to humans including the Hanta Virus and Pulmonary Disease, and a rodent infestation of well over 100 can occur in less than ninety days. Even the cleanest house is susceptible. Homeowners need to take preventative measures each year particularly in the fall. Mice can fit in openings no bigger than a quarter of an inch so caulk or use steel wool to seal cracks & holes on the outside including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home, screen vents and replace weather stripping. Remove any items that could serve as nesting materials and keep food enclosed in mouse proof containers.

However, if you see something dart across your living room floor during your favorite movie or you hear a scratching in the attic, you should call a professional. To find out more, give us a call or visit us at www.AmeriCareServices.com.

Ants.... Why so many this year

As part of an ongoing agreement with a local newspaper, we often are asked to publish answers to questions we get from our customers. We answer these questions in the "Ask an Expert" section of The Daily News Journal. Here's this weeks question

Q. Why does there seem to be more ants this year than in the past.

A. Good question. Summertime has always had an increase in ant activity, and ants have taken over as the number one pest issue in the USA. Summer temperatures cause ant populations to explode.

Ants, along with other insects, are seeking a suitable environment to escape the summer heat. Available food sources and a comfortable climate means that your home has now become a "preferred" environment to the outdoors. Homeowners have found it difficult to control ants on their own. Professionally there are a variety of methods to choose from including baits, gets, contact, and residual insecticides. Call us today at 615-893-7111 or Toll Free 1-866-506-3029 for more information on ants or answers to other pest questions.

You Might Have Termites if...

Look for Signs. You're more likely to discover you have a termite problem by discovering the evidence they leave behind rather than the actual termites themselves. If you encounter any of these telltale signs, there's a good chance termites are busy snacking on your home:

~Piles of small, delicate wings shed by reproductives
~Small piles of sawdust
~Mud tubes built by termites for above ground travel
~Damaged or hollow sounding wood
~Pinholes in drywall or wallpaper

Of course, it's quite possible to have a hidden termite problem even if you never notice any of these signs. The best way to be sure is to call Ameri Care Termite & Pest Control in Middle Tennessee. Peggy Layne will make sure one of our top notch inspectors is under your crawl in a day or so. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse it may get.

Termites and Storm Damage

I recently received a question from a homeowner about their Termite Warranty and the recent Tornado Damage they had to their home.

Unfortunately, we made the National News on "Good Friday" when an EF 4 Tornado was on the ground for 23 miles, and ripped a path across Murfreesboro causing damage to more than a thousand homes. Here is the actual photo taken as it crossed NW Broad Street.

Q: After the tornado, we assessed our damage around our home. We were blessed; ours was not a total loss. However, we did sustain some damage to our home. We have had several people in and around our home poking, prodding, estimating, and we will soon begin to make our repairs. Will this have any effect on my termite warranty?

A. Excellent question, and very important. If the soil around your home’s foundation has been disturbed in any way, you should contact your termite warranty company. Soil disruption is the number one cause of termite re-infestation and could lead to termination of your termite policy. Additionally, any upgrades made to the exterior of the home or along the perimeter including decks, walkways, patios, and additions will also affect the termiticide barrier that was previously applied. If you have your termite warranty with Ameri Care, you’re covered. Just, give us a call, and we will come out and do an inspection and evaluate any needs you may have, including termite retreatment.

Ameri Care provides answers to questions from consumers in a weekly column of "Ask an Expert" http://www.dnj.com/ With all the damage form the Tornado, which is now estimated at more than 41 million dollars. The sad fact is termites still cause more damage to U.S homeowners than storms and fires combined.

We're Having Some Wicked Weather In MIddle Tennessee!

Luckily for us, our company is diversified enough and offers enough services that regardless of the season, we're going to be busy. It is finally spring, though, and that means we'll be very busy over the next six months. Right now it's termites primarily that we're getting calls about. But with all this rain, there will be a lot of general pest activity, so we're taking care of our quarterly customers every day.

We did have a tornado last Saturday that did some damage to our local Boys and Girls Club and some commercial businesses and a few homes, but luckily no one was injured. That's good news.

I find that this time of year I always wind up expanding our business a bit. There is so much to be done, and more and more people are recognizing the importance of employing a professional pest control company to help protect their family's safety and their home and business.

In our home county, Ameri Care Termite and Pest Control is the number one choice for homeowners, and we're fast becoming one of the top locally owned and operated Pest Control companies in Tennessee.

Interestingly enough, we do a good bit of moisture work in the Nashville and Davidson area. I'd say we're probably the top or second top choice in moisture management solutions in that area.

Pest Control and Termite Control and our Moisture Management services keep us busy year round here at Ameri Care.

Does the weather play a role? Absolutely, but pests are trouble year round. It's just that, depending on the season and the weather, it changes which ones are going to be the most bothersome.

So, we're keeping our business steady and we're seeing a little bit of growth. We are fortunate and blessed to have made some smart choices all along the way that help us to keep it lean and mean in challenging economic times.

But regardless of the storm, nature's or our economy's, Ameri Care is here for you and your family and your business. If you're already using us, great. Pass the word on to your family and friends, though. We rely on referrals to help us grow, too.

Have a great weekend!

It Makes Me Proud

Here at Ameri Care Services Termite and Pest Control in Tennessee, most of our employees are field reps. And that means they have their certification. However, some of our office personnel have taken it upon themselves to go the extra mile and earn their certification from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. It certainly is not a requirement, but it says a lot about the caliber of folks who work for our company.

I'm proud to announce that Deborah Swett has taken that step, studied and successfully passed the test and is now certified. She handles all of our human resources and financials, but she believed that it was important that she be able to not only "speak" but "understand" the language of our industry and our work in the field.

"I work with our technicians every day, and I just felt it was important for me to fully understand what they do and how they do it," she said.

Deborah, congratulations! We are all very proud of you. Uh, but if our customers start calling and requesting that you come out and do their treatments, we might have a problem. We need you here at the office, and I honestly cannot see you putting on our coveralls and going under a crawl space. Though, you have surprised me more than once before! LOL!

Housing construction up in February~Sharp gain in building apartments

Martin Crutsinger ASSOCIATED PRESS Wednesday, March 18, 2009Housing construction posted a surprisingly large increase in February, bolstered by strength in all parts of the country except the West.The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that construction of new homes and apartments jumped 22.2 percent in February compared with January, pushing total activity to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 583,000 units.While the surge in housing construction was far better than the continued decline economists had expected, specialists viewed the rebound as a temporary gain given all the problems the housing industry still faces. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/18/housing-construction-up-in-february/

Well that is certainly good news. Could it be that the economy is shifting a bit? We hope so. It's springtime in Tennessee and that means pests, pests, and more pests including termites. Our phones are ringing much more these days just ask our office staff members Laura Phillips, Jacqueline Kindness, Chasady Vela, Deona Strain and Peggy Layne. New customers, old customers all are calling seeking help in defending their home and property and their family's health against spring's bounty of bugs.

Call us anytime. All of our inspections are FREE. We come to your home at an appointed time for your convenience and we investigate and identify and recommend treatment. The choice is always yours, of course.

Lots of folks have been calling about termite swarmers, of course, but we've also been getting some calls about ants. Ants like to get moving when the weather warms up a bit. They're always looking for a new home and food, lots and lots of food. Naturally, they're going to head in doors if they don't have anything stopping them.

We can help. Ants, termites, roaches, bed bugs, spiders, whatever your pest problem is, you can count on Ameri Care Termite and Pest Control to help rid the problem safely and affordably. We generally save our customers anywhere from ten to fifty per cent off of most of our competitors. Shop around. Go to the BBB's web site and check us out. You'll discover why we're our home county's number once choice for pest control and why we're fast becoming one of the top choices for all of Middle Tennessee.

More About Termites....

As a leader in Pest Control in Tennessee, I get a lot of questions. Whether I'm dining out with Deborah at one of our favorite spots or whether I'm strolling through the grocery store; people have questions for me all the time.

One customer asked me "If termites have to build mud tubes in order to survive, couldn't I just knock them all down myself and spray some pesticide? I mean, what's the big deal?"

Far be it for me to discourage any home owner from doing everything they possibly can to protect their home and property, but it is important to understand that termites are very serious business. And even if you knock down the tubes yourself and spray some over the counter product, you will not be getting rid of them completely.

First, you'd have to go in your crawl space and find every single mud tube. Some can be small, but can be elaborate creations. Point is, knocking down mud tubes isn't a control measure.

At Ameri Care Termite & Pest Control we offer both liquid and bait systems. And we carry the most up to date products that have been tested and re-tested for effectiveness, specifically against Subterranean Termites. You cannot buy these products out right. You have to be a licensed company.

And application isn't easy, but everyone of our certified technicians has been trained and continually receives additional education about our industry and product application.

You know that TV show that always says, "Don't try this yourself at home..." Well, Termite Control is kind of like that. Best leave it to the professionals.

(Ameri Care employee Clay Walters installing a sump pump)

Q. I just moved from the Midwest to Middle Tennessee and have never had a crawl space home before. Our cable guy said there was a lot of mud and standing water under there. Should we be concerned?

A. It is quite common to find wet, damp, crawl spaces, some with standing water, under homes in Middle Tennessee, and it is cause for concern. The excess moisture can lead to mold and fungus which can cause damage to your home. Additionally, dark, moist, damp areas are what termites, as well as a host of other pests, need to survive. We inspect and repair wet crawl spaces, and if you’re concerned, the best thing to do is to have an inspection and assessment of the problem. Our inspections are free, and we can have a full report with lots of pictures and some recommendations in your hands pretty quickly. We offer a variety of solutions for homeowners to consider depending on the level of protection that they choose.
For more information or to schedule a free inspection with Ameri Care, give us a call or visit our web site at http://www.americareservices.com/. And check out the before and after pictures to the right.

Education Is An On Going Process

You know a lot of folks may not know this, but the Pest Control world is highly regulated and controlled by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the federal guys. They expect a lot from us, and we follow their rules and guidelines to the letter.

Each one of our technicians and inspectors are fully certified and licensed by the state. If you want to check us out, visit http://www.tennessee.gov/agriculture/regulatory/licenses.html. You'll find out more about our industry, the controls that govern us, and you can check us out. Every professional pest control company must be certified and licensed by the state, and it's an on going process.

In fact, today we're in Nashville taking some classes to earn our points. That's the other thing; every licensed, certified technician must continue to earn points each year. This keeps everyone up to date on the latest research, product developments, trends, application techniques and more so that we provide state of the art service and protection for your property, family and home.

Learning is part of our career. It never stops. And we want to make sure that Ameri Care Termite and Pest Control is always at the forefront of the latest in technology. It's as much a part of our job as anything else we do.

Bedbugs

Q. I think we have Bedbugs? How do I know for sure, and what can be done about it?

A. Because there are many different products that address the many different pest issues in a
home, the first thing you need to do is call a Pest Professional and schedule a free inspection.
Before you begin any type of treatment for pests, the pest must be identified. With Bedbugs, there are very specific products that can be used to eliminate the problem, but in order to completely rid your home of these biting and flesh eating pests, you will also have to take some steps yourself to insure that the treatment works. Bedbugs are very difficult but not impossible to get rid of. One misconception is that they live only on beds. They can be found in carpets, under wallpaper, behind baseboards and in small cracks and crevices throughout a room. Another misconception is that you will only get Bedbugs if your home is untidy and unsanitary. They are not attracted to dirt. Bedbugs need flesh to live. Someone or something probably brought them into your home from another location. If you’ve traveled, it’s quite possible that
they may have hitchhiked inside your luggage. But, identification is your first step, and most Pest Professionals do free inspections. For more information or to schedule a free inspection with Ameri Care, give us a call or visit our web site at http://www.americareservices.com/