Summer Ant Control Tips

We can all agree that ants are a real nuisance this time of year as the temperatures heat up and colonies underground start feelin' the burn. Many ants will turn to the comfort of your own home to seek out food and moisture. Aside from keeping your trusty pest control company on speed dial during these summer months, here are some big helpful tips to keep the those little pests away!

First and foremost, after a pest control visit, ant activity may seem to get worse before it gets better. This is because if bait was used, the ants need time to carry the 'food' back to their colony in order to share, and this will be much more effective when wiping out the entire colony preventing future visitors of this particular colony. While it may be *extremely* difficult to avoid intervening with the invasion during this time, (DO NOT use your own Raid or pesticide to wipe them up right away) you need to let the bait work it's magic. After allowing the bait to be carried back by the ants over-night, carefully wipe down the counter with Windex the next day, which will remove any and all pheromones that the ants left behind so they won't be able to return. By this point, the colony should be wiped out and you can give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back! 

As you already know, ants are serious scavengers. It always helps stay ahead of an ant invasion by keeping crumbs swept up and pet kibble stored securely. We always advise buying plastic containers to store pet kibble so ants aren't attracted to the dry food. (Fun Fact: This will also double in preventing a rodent problem as well!) If you feed your pets outdoors and leave a bowl of kibble for them to graze on through out the day, we advise placing the food dish within a shallow bowl of water. This creates a moat around the food dish, making it impossible for ants to access the dry food within. We suspect that your pet will encounter less unwelcome guests to his or her dining experience when this method is used. 

In closing, if you have regular pest control service, just know that you have unlimited call backs in between services for reasons like ant invasions. We understand that regardless of taking ALL the preventative measures out there to avoid unwelcome pests, they can and will pop up every now and again. Please know that you are NEVER bothering us by requesting a callback visit, because will do whatever it takes to make sure you are living in a comfortable, pest-controlled environment. 

Celebrating 20 Years

     We are so proud to announce that Black Knight Termite & Pest Control, Inc. celebrated our very own 20th anniversary last month! We have come a long ways since we first started, particularly growing our small family owned business to a slightly bigger family owned business! 

     Black Knight originally started 20 years ago with only 2 trucks and 2 employees. Since then, we have been so blessed by our community making it possible to expand our family to having 15 trucks and 18 employees! *gasp* We have broadened our areas of expertise significantly as well. We now offer a wide variety of pest services in addition to termite and general pest control, such as gopher control, rodent control, bird control as well as thermal heat treatment!

     Earlier this year, we also acquired a new pest control route taking Black Knight to Redlands, Riverside and Menifee for accounts ranging from commercial to residential. We have seen our greatest improvement in the amount of active pest control routes that we are continuously adding to. Overall, in our 20 years of business, Black Knight has had the pleasure of serving the Riverside, San Diego as well as San Bernardino counties respectfully. 

     We are very proud of where we come from and are looking forward to thriving in the New Year. In light of our 20 year anniversary, all of our trucks are fashioning the new decal posted above. Thanks for all your love and support as we continue doing what we love. Wishing you all a prosperous year

-BK 

Foam Treatment

A Foam Treatment is used to exterminate Termites in an infested area. The formulation is delivered as a foam that can be injected under pressure and forced to wet thoroughly and uniformly all areas. The Formulation is a combination of termiticide TIMBOR or TERMINDOR and a foam formulation. Black Knight Termite provides a Guarantee limited to the area treated for a period of one year.

Pump containing the Foam Treatment mixture.

I went on site to one of Temecula's popular wineries, Maurice Car'rie to take a look at exactly what goes on during a Foam Treatment with Black Knight Termite Control Technician Matt. He made the process seem so simple.

• First he showed me the pressure pump that is filled with the Foam Treatment mixture.
• Next he directed me to the infested area in the plywood located at a high part of the structure.
• Third he pokes small wholes just big enough to fit the nose of the pump into the wall.
• He then fills the wall with the Foam Treatment.
• Last the magic begins.

Matt seen here high atop the ladder getting to the source.

As the Foam works to destroy the Termite Colony, termites will not only be covered in the treatment but will also consume it. After some of the termites have died the others will feed on the expired corpses causing them to ingest the Foam as well if they have not already. This type of treatment option seems not only to be fairly simple when done by a Pest Control Professional but also effective.

Another satisfied Commercial Customer, Maurice Car'rie Winery.

If you haven't tried Maurice Car'rie's Pomegranate Champagne yet I suggest you do that fast and in a hurry! Tell them Black Knight Pest Control sent you.

Residential and Commercial

Pests cannot only take over your home but they can over run your Business as well and its safe to say no one wants that... Or I sure hope not...

Wither you own a small Restaurant or a large Winery, Black Knight Pest Control can tend to all your Pest Control needs. In Ownership of a business you must cover all your grounds, from customer satisfaction, to health and safety, with plenty of things on your plate to concern yourself with why not receive some assistance with the Pest Control end of it all?

Just as Black Knight offers different options in Residential Service we also offer many different options in Commercial Control, because not everyone has the same needs, basic or complex we have you covered. To decide what is right for you and your business schedule a Pest Control Quote with one of our Experts.

I took the morning to follow one of our experienced Service Technicians Roy on the job while he serviced two of our Commercial Winery Customers, Wilson Creek and Monte De Oro. These breath taking wineries located in Temecula Wine Country know the importance of Pest Control.

Monte De Oro

Grab a glass and take in the view of Temecula Wine Country at Monte De Oro.

Barrel room at Wilson Creek

Following Roy around these two Wineries I had the opportunity to see what goes on in Pest Control at a Commercial location, from the routine spray of the grounds to changing the fly paper.

Black Knight will install and keep up on the Vector System.

Black Knight carries Organic Treatment options.

I will be following Roy again soon on some more of his commercial locations as well as the Termite Inspectors to give an inside look as to what goes on. If you have any questions regarding Commercial Pest Control Service give Black Knight a call and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Tree Wraps for Rodent Control

Custom Tree Wraps by Black Knight Pest

Rodent Season is here as some of you may already know and Black Knight has just the thing to help keep the Rats out of your attics and away from your home. In addition to Black Knight's many Pest Control Services, one more has been added to the on going list, Custom Tree Wraps for your home. The Trees Wraps can be a necessary component in Rodent Control.

What are Tree Wraps?

Black Knight's Custom Tree Wraps are made from an Aluminum Sheet, that will not rust and does not effect the natural growth of the tree itself.  

What do they do?

The Aluminum Tree Wrap is placed 5 feet up the trunk of the tree, the placement of the wrap on the tree will prevent a Rodent from climbing up to the branches and making its way onto the roof of the home. Many do not realize that one of the main ways Rodents get into your home is through your roof and then getting into the Attic.

Next time instead of just looking down for the little critter you may want to look UP!

Black Knight's Custom Tree Wraps on a Customers Home.