Defensive End! BLITZ

Tag: bug proofing

The Super Easy Guide to Sealing Your Home Against Insect Pests
When it comes to pest control, the best offense is a great defense. You can apply all the sprays and traps you want, but if you don’t seal the entry points, new pests will just keep coming in.
Pests, from the tiniest ants to larger rodents, are masters at finding their way inside through the smallest cracks and openings.
By taking a proactive approach to sealing your home, you can create a strong, lasting barrier that makes it harder for unwanted guests to get in.
How to Block Out Unwanted Insect Pests
Why Pests Get Inside
Pests don’t invade your home just to annoy you; they’re looking for three things: food, water, and shelter. A small crack in your foundation or a gap around a pipe is the equivalent of a welcome mat. The most common entry points are often overlooked because they’re out of sight.
Common Entry Points:
- Foundation Cracks: As your home settles, tiny cracks can form in the foundation. Insects like ants and termites can enter through these.
- Gaps Around Pipes and Wires: Utility lines for water, gas, and electricity often leave small gaps where they enter the home. These are highways for mice, spiders, and roaches.
- Torn Window and Door Screens: Even a small tear is a gaping hole for flies and mosquitoes.
- Damaged Weather Stripping: Old or damaged weather stripping around doors and windows creates an easy access point.
- Vents and Chimneys: Unscreened vents and uncapped chimneys are open invitations for birds, squirrels, and wasps.
Step-by-Step Pest Preventing Sealing Techniques
Performing a thorough pest-proofing check of your home can be done with a few common tools and materials. Start with the exterior and work your way in.
1. Inspect and Seal the Foundation: Walk around the entire perimeter of your home. Look for any cracks or holes in the concrete. Use a high-quality sealant or mortar to fill any gaps you find. For larger holes, you may need a patch or coarse steel wool, which rodents can’t chew through.
2. Address Doors, Windows, and Siding: Check the weather stripping on all doors and windows, but don’t forget to insect-proof your siding (where applicable). If you can see light coming through any of the gaps, the stripping needs to be replaced. Use a good-quality caulk to seal any small gaps around the window and door frames. A door sweep on the bottom of all exterior doors is also a great idea.
3. Check Utilities and Vents: Look closely at where pipes, cables, and wires enter your home. Seal any gaps with a proper sealant or expanding foam, making sure to follow the product’s instructions for a secure fit. Ensure all vents leading outside have secure, fine mesh screens to prevent pests from entering.
4. Repair Screens and Chimneys: Patch any tears in window or door screens, or consider replacing them if the damage is widespread. Make sure your chimney has a cap with a secure screen to keep out birds, raccoons, and other pests.
5. Clean and Declutter: While not a sealing technique, keeping your home and yard clean and free of clutter removes a pest’s primary source of shelter. Remove piles of wood, leaves, and other debris from the area immediately surrounding your home’s foundation. Inside, store food in airtight containers and regularly clean up crumbs and spills.
The Power of Prevention
By taking the time to seal your home, you are doing more than just blocking pests. You are actively disrupting their ability to find safe harbor and resources. This proactive strategy reduces your reliance on chemical treatments and is the most effective long-term solution for a pest-free home.
While sealing your home is the first and most important step, a comprehensive bed bug treatment and prevention guide is essential if you suspect an infestation has already begun. For a contact killer spray that works great on bed bugs, ants, and other crawling nuisances, check out our proprietary BLITZ bed bug spray.
September 14, 2025
Summer Ants Are Upon Us: What to Watch For
This summer, many individuals will encounter a range of ant species, each with distinct characteristics and behaviors. The most common types include the carpenter ant, fire ant, and odorous house ant. Recognizing these species is the first step in preventing an invasion in your home or camp.
Unlike bed bugs, ants aren’t looking specifically to bite you, but bite you nonetheless they shall if the circumstances are right. Because they are fearless explorers, it doesn’t take much for a long line of ants to deem your body as an acceptable land bridge for getting to another destination.
Upon feeling the sensation and moving or squirming, you are bound to trigger the bites of several angry ants. This is why it’s best to avoid them to begin with. Let’s take a closer look.
Ants You Can Expect to See This Summer
Carpenter ants are notorious for their ability to cause structural damage to wooden structures. They build their nests in moist or decaying wood, which makes them a considerable concern for homeowners.
Fire ants, on the other hand, are aggressive and have a painful sting, making encounters with them particularly unpleasant. They usually live in mounds or nests that protrude from the ground.
Indoor house ants are small and often go unnoticed until they establish a significant presence. They may hide behind the walls or in the ground under your home, making it more difficult to determine their exact position.
Pavement ants are the typical small ants you find on the ground and around the house outside.
The Solution to Summer Ants
The best solution is prevention when it comes to unwelcome guests and aggravating ant infestations. If it’s just a few ants or a trail of ants in your home from time to time exploring for food, you can eliminate them relatively easily.
Big infestations, however, will often call for more drastic measures. Many people will involuntarily become experts themselves by the time they’ve finally learned how to get rid of invasive ants.
Video of Natural Bed Bug Spray Stopping Ants in a Garden
Here’s a few photos of Defensive End! BLITZ used on ants that were climbing and swarming the insect netting that covers a raised bed garden. 10 minutes later and the only thing they’re pushing up is daisies.
Different Ant Bites Are Different Too
Ants both bite and sting, believe it or not.
The fire ant uses its mandibles to bite into and hold onto its target, then injects venom from a stinger located at the base of its abdomen. They’re so small you don’t notice usually unless the performance is viewed under a magnified lens.
Fire ant venom is unique among ants because its primary component is not a protein-based toxin but a class of alkaloids called solenopsins. This fundamental chemical difference is responsible for the distinct burning sensation and the characteristic pustule that forms after a sting.
The venom of most other ant species, such as the bullet ant, is primarily made of protein toxins and peptides. For example, the bullet ant’s venom contains a neurotoxin peptide called poneratoxin, which causes intense and long-lasting pain by acting on the nervous system. While other ants also contain some alkaloids, they are not the main component.
Effects on the Body
The difference in chemical makeup leads to very different reactions in a person who is bit or stung.
- Fire Ant Stings: The solenopsins cause immediate, localized pain and a “fiery” sensation. The venom’s cell-killing properties lead to the signature white pustule. In rare cases, some people can have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the trace amounts of protein allergens in the venom.
- Other Ant Stings: The protein-based venoms of other ants often cause intense, sharp, and sometimes long-lasting pain due to their neurotoxic effects. They typically do not cause the same type of pustule that fire ant stings do, though they can result in swelling and redness.
Effective Ant Prevention Strategies
The way in which you deal with ants may differ by location. For instance, you might have one approach for removing ants in your garden versus eliminating a few that sneak into your kitchen at night through your cupboard.
To prevent an ant invasion, it is crucial to maintain a clean living environment both indoors and outdoors. Here are several strategies to help you deter these pests:
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for cracks or openings in walls, foundations, and around windows or doors. Sealing these entry points will help keep ants from entering your living space.
- Eliminate Food Sources: Ants are attracted to food. Ensure all food items are stored in airtight containers, and promptly clean up any spills or crumbs.
- Manage Outdoor Conditions: Keep your outdoor spaces tidy. Trim back any vegetation near the home and manage moisture around foundations to discourage ants from nesting nearby.
- Utilize Natural Deterrents: Consider using natural repellents like diatomaceous earth, vinegar, or essential oils which may disrupt ant trails and discourage them from returning.
By taking these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of encountering unwelcome ant guests this summer. Awareness and proactive strategies will help you enjoy the great outdoors or the comforts of home without the worry of pest invasions.
Understanding common pests like fire ants and carpenter ants is a great way to protect your home. For a deep dive into another common home invader, read our ultimate guide to bed bug identification and treatment.
June 5, 2025
The Safety of Pyrethrins in Pest Control: A Balanced Perspective
Pyrethrins are natural insecticides derived from the flowers of the chrysanthemum plant. They are widely used in pest control due to their effectiveness against various insects, including mosquitoes, flies, and agricultural pests.
However, while pyrethrins are often praised for their rapid action and relatively low toxicity to humans and pets, it is vital to consider both their advantages and potential drawbacks. This blog post aims to provide a fair and balanced take on the safety of pyrethrins for pest control applications.
Uses and Benefits of Pyrethrins
One of the most significant benefits of pyrethrins is their fast-acting nature. When applied, they rapidly disrupt the nervous systems of insects, leading to quick paralysis and death. This makes them a favorable option for those seeking immediate results in controlling pest populations.
Moreover, due to their natural origins, pyrethrins are often favored in organic farming practices, aligning with the increasing consumer demand for environmentally friendly pest control solutions.
Another advantage is that pyrethrins typically have lower toxicity levels for humans and pets compared to synthetic insecticides. When used according to label directions, pyrethrins pose minimal risks to non-target organisms. Additionally, they break down quickly in the environment, reducing the likelihood of long-term ecological impact.
Risks and Negative Side Effects of Pyrethrin
Despite the numerous benefits, there are valid concerns regarding the use of pyrethrins. One significant issue is their potential impact on beneficial insects, such as pollinators. Although pyrethrins may target specific pests, they can inadvertently harm bees and other non-target species, disrupting ecosystems and agricultural productivity.
Furthermore, overreliance on pyrethrins can lead to resistance among pest populations. Insects adapted to survive pyrethrin exposure may proliferate more quickly, resulting in a cycle where higher concentrations are needed for effective control. This could ultimately lead pest control practitioners to revert to more harmful synthetic insecticides.
Additionally, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to pyrethrins when exposed to treated areas. Symptoms can range from skin irritations to respiratory issues, making it essential for applicators and bystanders to take appropriate precautions during treatment.
Symptoms of Pyrethrin Poisoning
On a side note, we purposefully avoided pyrethrin as an ingredient when formulating Defensive End! BLITZ for these reasons, especially the potential negative effect on pollinators and skin irritation with users.
Conclusion: A Balanced View on Pyrethrin Use
In conclusion, while pyrethrins offer several benefits as a natural insecticide, it is crucial to approach their use with careful consideration of potential pyrethrin risks. Their rapid effectiveness and lower toxicity make them appealing for pest control, but awareness of their impact on beneficial insects and the risk of pest resistance is necessary.
Ultimately, when implemented responsibly and judiciously, pyrethrins can be part of an effective integrated pest management strategy that balances human safety with environmental health.

May 15, 2025