Lawn and Pest Control Blogs

Wingate Pest & Lawn specializes in comprehensive lawn care and pest control services tailored to meet your needs. From routine maintenance to specialty pest control, we've got you covered. Visit our lawn page and learn from our blogs for more lawn maintenance and pest identification tips. Contact our lawn and pest control professionals in Columbia, MO today for a free inspection and estimate.

5 Reasons Why DIY Pest Control Isn’t Recommended

May 1, 2025

Many people consider using do-it-yourself (DIY) methods to save money and effort when dealing with pests in your home. While DIY pest control might seem practical, several compelling reasons exist to reconsider this approach. Here are five key reasons why it's often best to leave pest control to the professionals. Safety Concerns One of the most significant issues with DIY pest control is safety. Many commercial pest control products contain toxic chemicals that can ...

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5 Simple Yet Effective Ways to Prevent Ant Infestations

April 13, 2025

Ants can be unwelcome in any home, often marching in line and searching for food or shelter. While they play important roles in the ecosystem, their presence indoors can be problematic. Fortunately, there are effective strategies to prevent ant infestations and keep your living space free from these pests. Here are five comprehensive ways to help safeguard your home against ants. Seal Entry Points One of the most effective preventative measures is to ensure that ...

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Choosing the Right Lawn Treatment for Your Home

March 3, 2025

Choosing the Right Lawn Treatment for Your Home A healthy lawn boosts curb appeal and creates a comfortable outdoor space, but keeping it green and thriving takes more than just watering and mowing. Using the right fertilizer and grass seed for lawns, along with proper weed control and soil management, helps ensure steady growth and resilience through seasonal changes. Read on to find the best lawn treatment for your home. Understanding Your Lawn’s Needs ...

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Why Subterranean Termites Are a Hidden Threat to Your Home

February 3, 2025

Your home should be a sanctuary, but subterranean termites can make it a financial nightmare. These tiny, silent invaders often go unnoticed until they’ve caused significant damage. Knowing how to spot, prevent, and treat these termites is essential. Regular termite inspections can help you protect your home from these destructive pests. This guide will walk you through the process. What Are Subterranean Termites? Subterranean termites are small but powerful wood-eating insects that live in ...

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Winter Lawn Care Tips To Keep Your Grass Healthy

January 3, 2025

Winter may seem like a time to forget about lawn care, but neglecting your lawn during the colder months can lead to issues like winter kill, snow mold, and pest infestations. Winter lawn care is essential for maintaining a healthy lawn. Properly preparing your lawn before the cold weather sets in can prevent issues and promote vibrant growth when spring arrives. Here's how to keep your lawn protected through the winter season: Mow Low ...

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The Role of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Commercial Spaces

December 6, 2024

Keeping a pest-free environment is essential for any commercial space. Outdated pest control methods rely heavily on chemical treatments, which can adversely affect human health and the environment. However, Wingate utilizes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods are an eco-friendly pest control approach focusing on prevention, monitoring, and targeted strategies. Unlike outdated methods, IPM creates environments that deter pests, reducing the need untargeted applications and promoting a healthier, more sustainable space. Critical Principles of IPM Inspection ...

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Brown Recluse Spider: Where They Hide

November 1, 2024

The brown recluse spider. The name alone is enough to make many people shudder. Known for their venomous bite and talent for blending into the background, these spiders are masters of disguise. Brown recluse spiders are extremely common and native to Missouri. Learn about them and where they tend to hide. Inside Your Home Brown recluse spiders thrive in homes. They're drawn to dark, undisturbed corners and forgotten spaces inside your home. Clutter City ...

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Rodent Control in the Fall: Prevention Tips and Solutions

October 2, 2024

As temperatures drop in the fall, rodents like mice and rats start seeking shelter, food, and warmth indoors. Without proper precautions, your home could become their haven. Taking the steps for rodent prevention is essential to keeping them out before they can cause damage or spread diseases. Here are some effective strategies for rodent control and how to maintain a pest-free home throughout the fall season. Inspect and Seal Entry Points Rodents are incredibly skilled ...

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Preparing for Seasonal Pest Control: Your Easy Checklist

September 2, 2024

As the seasons change, homeowners need a solid plan to keep their homes pest-free especially during mosquito season. While it can be troublesome, dealing with this issue can be straightforward with the proper preparation. Use this seasonal checklist to handle pest problems and ensure your home remains comfortable and pest-free all year.   Spring: Start Fresh Seal Cracks and Gaps: Inspect your home for any new cracks or gaps in the exterior and seal them with ...

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Managing Wasps and Hornets: What You Need to Do

September 2, 2024

Dealing with stinging insects like wasps and hornets can be daunting, especially if you need help identifying and managing these pests. With their aggressive nature and painful stings, it's crucial to know how to prevent them from nesting around your home and understand when to seek professional help. How To Identify Stinging Insects Wasps: Typically, wasps have slender bodies with a narrow waist. They are often bright yellow with black markings, though some species ...

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Why Lawn Aeration Is Important for Healthy Grass

August 3, 2024

Aerating your lawn is one of the best things you can do to maintain lush, green, thick grass year-round. Lawn aeration is an essential and frequently overlooked component of lawn care that is significant in influencing the health and look of your lawn. This blog can help you understand its importance to promote healthy grass growth and ensure a lush, vibrant yard. 1. Relieves Soil Compaction Over time, foot traffic from kids and pets, heavy ...

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Identifying and Treating Common Summer Pests

July 22, 2024

The warm weather often brings unwelcome guests—pesky insects and rodents that can damper summer backyard barbecues, pool parties, and relaxation. From tiny ants marching single-file across your countertops to disease-carrying mosquitos and ticks, dealing with summer pests seems inevitable. Understanding how to identify and treat these common pests is crucial for enjoying a pest-free summer. This article explores the most common summer insects and effective pest management strategies. 1. Mosquitoes Mosquitoes are notorious for ...

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Revive Your Patchy Lawn: A Guide to Lush, Healthy Grass

June 2, 2024

Has your lawn seen better days? Bare spots, weeds, and thin grass can make your yard look unkempt. But fear not, reviving a patchy lawn is a straightforward process. With this comprehensive lawn restoration guide, you can take control and nurse your grass back to a thick, green paradise.  Step 1: Diagnose the Causes of Lawn Damage Before making fixes, it’s important to understand what factors lead to your patchy lawn. Common causes include ...

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Controlling Common Lawn Weeds: Strategies for a Weed-Free Yard

May 7, 2024

Dealing with a weed-infested yard can be annoying. Those pesky dandelions, crabgrass, and clover can quickly mess up how your lawn looks and stays healthy. But don't worry! With careful lawn care and targeted removal methods, you can eliminate existing weeds and prevent new ones from sprouting.  The best approach is to grow thick and robust grass to keep weeds away. When your grass is dense, it crowds out the weeds and makes it ...

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Understanding Why Termites Swarm in Houses

April 2, 2024

Termites are social insects that live in large colonies. They have a complex life cycle, and swarming is a natural part of their reproductive process. An in-house termite swarm occurs when the reproductive members of the colony leave their nest to find a mate and establish new colonies. Termite swarms in your house can cause serious damage to wooden structures. In this blog post, we delve into the reasons behind termite swarms and their potential ...

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Common Ant Species and How to Control Them

March 1, 2024

Ants are a familiar nuisance in many households and gardens and often cause frustration when they infiltrate living spaces. Identifying ant species is crucial for effectively controlling pest infestations. This blog post will explore ant species identification and some preventive infestation tips. Now, let's take a closer look at some of the most prevalent ant species you might encounter: Carpenter Ants, Odorous House Ants, Pavements Ants, and Pharaoh Ants. Carpenter Ants Due to the ...

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Controlling Moths in Your Home: Prevention and Treatment

February 18, 2024

Moths may seem harmless, but an infestation can ruin your clothes, carpets, storage areas, and pantry foods. Knowing how to stop and deal with moth infestations is essential to keeping your living space clean and free of pests. Continue reading to learn some effective methods for preventing moth infestations at home. Identifying Moth Infestations Moths are attracted to dark and undisturbed areas, making your closets, storage spaces and food pantries ideal locations for them to ...

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Effective Pest Control Tips for a Healthy Garden

January 22, 2024

Keeping your garden free from invading pests is essential for healthy plants and abundant harvests. From natural remedies to preventive measures, we'll explore safe methods that are efficient and environmentally friendly. Discover how this blog can help you effectively manage pesky bugs in the garden with expert advice and safe pest control solutions. Safeguarding Beneficial Bugs Recognize that not all bugs in your garden are harmful. Some insects, like pollinators (bees and butterflies for ...

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The Hidden Dangers of DIY Pest Control

December 11, 2023

Managing home pests can be a bothersome and challenging task. It's tempting to try DIY pest control methods to save time and money, but it's essential to understand the hidden dangers associated with these DIY approaches. In this blog post, we will explore the risks of DIY pest control and why professional help is essential, with a particular focus on the dangers of DIY bed bug treatment. The Ineffectiveness of DIY Bed Bug ...

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Essential Steps on Preparing Your Lawn for Winter

November 14, 2023

As the chill of winter approaches, it's crucial to ensure that your yard is adequately prepared to withstand the harsh conditions. Proper fall lawn care sets the stage for a healthy and vibrant lawn come spring. Here are the essential steps for preparing yard for winter and maintaining its long-term health. Step 1: Mow Low  Start by mowing your grass to 1-1.5 inches before preparing for winter. This shorter length helps with aeration ...

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