Pest Control Insulation

A worker blowing pest control insulation into an open wall.

Many homeowners deal with pest control on a yearly basis. In the lower Michigan Peninsula, pests come around in the spring and summer time. During the winters months when pests are in hibernation, it is easy to forget how important year-round pest control is. TAP Insulation has you covered – it is an ongoing and long-term pest control solution that can prevent pests from even entering your home!

What Is TAP® Insulation?

TAP (Thermal, Acoustical, Pest Control) insulation is made mainly from recycled paper products that are destined for the landfill, such as ground up newspaper.  After being chopped into small pieces the paper is run through a disk mill which grinds it into “cotton-ball-like” fibers. TAP insulation works on three different fronts to ensure your home is warm, quiet, and pest-free year-round. 

  • Thermal: TAP Insulation uses the cotton like fibers to create air pockets. As heat rises, these air pockets help to slow down and trap rising air. As a result, this keeps your house warm in the colder months and cooler in the warm months. 
  • Acoustical: The plush texture of TAP insulation can help muffle noises from your home. The same features that help TAP insulation retain heat will be the ones keeping your home from sounding like a concert hall.
  • Pest Control: Through a patented process, the insulation is treated with a borate solution, which is a natural insecticide. As insects attempt to infiltrate your home they’ll be covered in borate. When the insects clean themselves, they are unable to pass the borate through their system and will ultimately die. Pests won’t be able to make it through the insulation before they pass away – keeping your home pest-free.

TAP Insulation Benefits

Insulation is important to any home, but TAP goes beyond just insulation. It is the only insulation that is registered by the EPA for its insecticide properties.. This special insulation offers a number of additional advantages:

  • Cost Effective: A one-time treatment lasts for years to come.
  • Safe and Non-Toxic: This insulation is generally made from recycled, natural materials that are non-toxic. This makes it safer for homes with children, people with sensitivities, and pets.
  • Improved Energy Efficiency: TAP insulation has earned an Energy Star because contains more than 80% recycled material. It will keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter
  • Eco-Friendly Pest Prevention: Treated insulation is environmentally friendly and does not contribute to pollution of the water, air, or soil, like conventional chemical pest prevention methods may.
  • Long-Lasting Protection: Unlike chemical pesticides, which need to be applied frequently, TAP insulation can provide long-lasting protection from your home from new and existing pests.

Why Go with Pest Control Insulation?

Many insulations on the market have been treated with pesticides so you may be asking why you would need TAP insulation. It’s important to note that pesticide-treated insulations simply protect the insulation itself. They do not prevent pests from entering your home. This leads to invading pests going through the insulation and straight into your home! 

In contrast, TAP insulation is designed to keep pests out long-term. Pests only need to come into contact with the insulation for it to work. With the insulation actually providing a barrier from inside of the house there’s no need for repeat visits from a pest control company to treat the perimeter of the house. Considering TAP Insulation is a pesticide, it needs to be installed by a licensed pest control company. Griffin Pest Solutions is certified and trained to apply TAP insulation and other pest control measures you need. Our trained technicians are certified and ready to provide you with this long-lasting solution!

Spring Cleaning – Prevent Pests Inside

A woman spring cleaning windows for pest prevention.

After a cold and snowy winter, all of Michigan celebrates the arrival of spring. Here in the lower peninsula of Michigan, springtime is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The Crocuses, Daffodils and Tulips are starting to peek up out of the earth, soon to show their brilliant colors. Along with routine spring cleaning, focus on the areas below to prevent pests from getting inside. Griffin Pest is committed to bringing our community prevention tips to keep pests away before they ever become a problem. For information on pests that are common in our area, look at our Pest Identification Library.

Pests Inside

  • Kitchen – Prevent ants and cockroaches by cleaning your kitchen surfaces regularly, as well as appliances such as toasters and grills. Clean out your pantries, an unkempt pantry is like a buffet line. Clean your fridge, and cabinets by removing expired and unwanted items. Scrub your drawers with bleach or kitchen cleaner, and afterward, sweep and mop your floor. Even random crumbs can be enough to create the need for pest control.
  • Bathroom – Moisture in your bathrooms can attract cockroaches and silverfish.  Regularly wash shower curtains, dry bathroom surfaces, and clean out drawers and cabinets. Pests may enter through window sills, and drains. Check screens and any gaps around window sills. Pour bleach down drains as pests may come up your drains. Check pipes under the sink for any leaks, as water attracts pests. 
  • Basement – In your basement insects thrive in the dark, and out of sight. The dark allows them to avoid predators when they search for food, which is often at night. They hide in crevices, which is why they are less likely to be seen until it’s too late – especially in an unfinished basement. 
  • Declutter – Remove clutter inside your home, basement, garage and sheds. Storage spaces are ideal for spiders, cockroaches and rodents as they are often dark and filled with lots of clutter. These conditions are perfect for breeding and hiding.

Pests Outside

  • Home Exterior –  Look for cracks and holes in the foundation or openings around windows. Ant problems can usually be traced to tiny fissures around windows. Remember, insects must enter your home before they can pose a real pest control problem. Ants are especially diligent about locating new entry points. Seal any cracks you find and repair or replace screens in windows. By eliminating any openings in your home’s periphery, you’re taking the first step in pest control. 
  • Trash Cans – Trash cans are an area that commonly hold food and will act as a magnet for pests. The trash can is a common weak point in pest prevention and control. Store your cans away from the house if possible. Ensure your trash cans have a tight-fitting lid and are lined with trash bags.
  • Firewood – Store firewood away from your home and off the ground, if possible. Piles of firewood are attractive to pests such as termites. A stack of firewood acts as both shelter and a food supply. To keep pulp-eating pests out of your home, move your firewood pile away from any buildings. 
  • Garden Maintenance – Try reducing pests from entering your home by placing plants away from your home’s structure. Many residential pests are fully capable of surviving in nature as well as inside your home. Maintaining a clear, plant-free zone around your home is an excellent habit for pest prevention and control.
  • Remove Water Sources – Removing water sources will have a great reward in the reduction of mosquito breeding. People often ask how they can get rid of the mosquitoes that are in their yards, patio, or area around their homes. The ideal approach for controlling mosquitoes is to never let the population explode in the first place. You can do this by making your entire yard less attractive to mosquitoes.
    • Be sure to eliminate (or treat) any of these breeding grounds in your yard. 
    • Lawn or yard ornaments with standing water features
    • Buckets that accumulate rainwater or runoff
    • Puddles
    • Landscape ponds
    • Bird baths
    • Ruts that hold standing water
    • Clogged gutters and downspouts
    • Plant bowls saucers
    • Other items that can collect rainwater or runoff – such as a wheelbarrow that is not turned upside down

Spring Pest Prevention and Control

If you have or suspect a pest problem or would like to know more about protecting your home and yards, call our team of experts at Griffin Pest Solutions. Our team is innovative, reliable, and ready to meet you and your property in whatever you might need. Above all, Griffin Pest Solutions has 90 years of experience. Call us today for your free quote!

How Climate Change is Affecting Pests in Michigan

A black-legged tick or deer tick lies in wait on a leaf in Kalamazoo MI.

The changing climate is having an impact on ecosystems all over the world, and the state of Michigan is no exception. One of the most noticeable effects of climate change in Michigan is the changing behavior of pests, which are becoming more abundant and more destructive than in the past. Let’s examine how climate change is affecting the behavior of pests in Michigan, and what this means for the state’s residents.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand what we mean by “pests.” Pests are insects, rodents, and other creatures that damage crops spread disease, and cause other problems for humans and other animals. Common pests in Michigan include mosquitoes, ticks, mice, and various species of beetle and caterpillar that can damage crops and trees.

Increased Reproduction

One of the ways that climate change is affecting pests in Michigan is by altering their behavior patterns. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more extreme, pests are adapting in ways that allow them to thrive. For example, warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons mean that some pests are reproducing more quickly and producing more offspring than in the past. This can lead to outbreaks of pests that can devastate crops and gardens.

Another way that climate change is affecting pest behavior is by altering their geographical range. As temperatures warm, some pests are moving northward into regions where they were previously unable to survive. This can lead to new infestations and new challenges for farmers and other landowners. Additionally, some pests that are already present in Michigan are becoming more abundant and more destructive, which can have significant economic and ecological consequences.

The Spread of Disease

Perhaps the most significant impact of climate change on pest behavior is the way it affects the spread of disease. As temperatures warm, some pests are able to survive in new areas where they previously could not. This can lead to the spread of diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease, which are transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, respectively. These diseases can be serious and even life-threatening, and they pose a major threat to the health and well-being of Michigan residents.

Lyme Disease

One example of a pest that is being impacted by climate change in Michigan is the black-legged tick (also known as deer tick), which is the primary vector for Lyme disease. Warmer temperatures are allowing black-legged ticks to expand their range further northward in Michigan, making Lyme Disease a risk where previously it wasn’t present. Additionally, warmer temperatures are allowing ticks to become active earlier in the year, leading to a longer tick season.

Mosquito-borne Disease

Climate change is also impacting the behavior of mosquitoes in Michigan. Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns, especially increased precipitation in many places, are leading to an increase in mosquito populations, which can transmit diseases like West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis.

Trusted Michigan Pest Control

No matter how pest behavior changes, you can count on Griffin Pest Services. We’ve been delivering quality pest control to Michigan residents since 1929. If you’re experiencing new pest issues, call us for a free quote.

Say “Auld Lang Syne” to Pests This New Year!

friends holding sparklers outside under lights

As we cross the threshold from this year to the next, many of us have aspirations to fulfill in the new year. Now that we’re opening the first page of a brand-new calendar, what are you going to do differently? Maybe you’ll exercise more, be more frugal, or pick up a creative hobby. Whatever you do, prioritizing pest-fee habits in your household is a great addition to your New Year’s plans. Griffin Pest Solutions is ready to treat pest infestations of any variety for homes and businesses across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, but we’d rather you never get an infestation to begin with. And you can help make that happen with these three simple, pest-deterring resolutions!

Resolution One: Declutter Your Home!

Spring cleaning shouldn’t only be relegated to when the world outside is in bloom. You should be clearing clutter from around your home on a regular basis for many reasons. It’ll keep important things from being lost and improve the aesthetics of your home. More than that, avoiding a mess in your household will remove dark and secluded places where roaches and mice can nest and hide. So, this new year, take the time to clean from the core of your home to less-frequented areas like your pantry, closets, basement and other storage spaces. That way you’ll enjoy all the benefits of a neat and orderly home, while also knowing that pests have fewer places to hide.

Resolution Two: Clean Your Kitchen!

When pests make their way into the home, it’s because they’re looking for food, shelter and warmth. By clearing clutter you’re removing potential shelter, and by keeping your kitchen clean you’re limiting the percentage of available food supply. This can involve many things, like keeping your pantry goods in sealed containers and taking out the kitchen trash regularly throughout the week. Don’t let dirty dishes pile in the sink, and every time you cook you should make sure to clean crumbs and spills as soon as they happen. With all of that in mind, your kitchen will look better, run smoother, and be free of pests.

Resolution Three: Store Your Firewood Right!

We’re in the cold season in the Lower Peninsula, and many homeowners are getting through the weather huddled by the fire. But where are you keeping your firewood? Many pests, from spiders and ants to overwintering wasps, hide in logs. You bring the wood in, and without realizing it you invite the bugs in too. So what can you do? We suggest storing your firewood on an elevated surface at least twenty feet away from your home. Only take what you plan on burning at a time, and always inspect the wood before you bring it into the home. That’s the best way to make sure you don’t invite any unwelcome guests to warm up by the fire.

Griffin Pest Solutions for Pest Control in Michigan

Sometimes you can do everything right and still get pests. When that happens, you need a qualified team ready to help – that’s where Griffin Pest Solutions comes in. We have over ninety years of experience in pest control for homes and businesses. Our team is innovative, reliable, and ready to meet you and your property in whatever you might need. The New Year is a chance to do things better, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it on your own. If you need pest control, you can get the best in town with Griffin Pest Solutions. Contact us today to get started!

Can Ticks Survive Freezing Winter Weather?

It’s easy to assume that the onset of the winter means the absence of the summer pests that have been bothering us for months. All kinds of pests scramble to get inside our insulated structures once the weather turns for worse, and the ones that fail to see dramatic population decline. However, some pests are more resilient than others, and ticks are included in this category. Even though they are closely associated with the heat of the summer, it’s important to keep watch for ticks through the winter, too. Read on to learn more about ticks in winter and what you can do to stop them from our experts at Griffin Pest Solutions.

When is Tick Season?

Ticks are certainly most active in the summer; many of us associate tick problems with walking our dogs or going on hikes. It’s important to always conduct a tick check after being outside around tall grass in the heat. However, heat is just one crucial contributor to their health. Ticks also need humidity to survive. Because they don’t drink water, ticks seek out environments with high average humidity to remain hydrated and comfortable.

Although a harsh winter can kill off a significant portion of a tick population, these pests have a few survival strategies that can get them through the cold season. Here are some ways they respond:

  1. Ticks can find a host animal to latch onto that will provide them with body heat and essential nutrients through the winter
  2. If no hosts are available, ticks can find success hiding in leaf litter for protection and insulation
  3. Soft-shell ticks will burrow underground during the winter for increased protection

Avoiding Ticks in Michigan this Winter

Ticks are far less active when temperatures fall consistently below 45° in the ground is wet or icy. That said, even though you’re less likely to deal with them, they can still pop out to cause problems for you and your pets. Here are some ways to protect yourself from ticks this winter:

  • Regularly remove yard waste. We often find takes hiding in leaf piles, so it’s best to dispose of them sooner than later.
  • Check your pets often. Ticks love to latch onto dogs, so make sure to inspect them every time you return from a walk.
  • Have a professional tick inspection. Setting up a barrier treatment in your yard can shut down tick activity through the winter.

What Can Tick Exterminators Do for Me?

Deer ticks, which are infamous for their ability to induce Lyme disease in humans, live right here in Michigan. If you want to ensure that your family is safe from the dangers of ticks, reach out to your local tick exterminators today. Our expert technicians at Griffin Pest Solutions are highly-trained in the safest and most effective methods of tick control for our climate. We can ensure that your property stays tick-free through every season. Contact us today for a free quote!