Category Archives: News

Here’s How to Get Rid of Big Black Ants | Carpenter Ants

It is usually in spring when folks in Lancaster or York see big black ants. Carpenter ants, as they are referred to by professionals, are not something to fool around with. These black ants are known to destroy wood by chewing it and removing it to make larger nest areas.

Sometimes the “frass,” or shavings they produce, can be seen on the floor inside or on the ground outside where the worker ants are depositing their construction waste.  Sometimes these shavings can be visible in certain trees where carpenter ants have chosen to nest above in holes and are throwing out their trash onto the ground below.

That frass is a sign to get professional help.

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Lancaster and York: Get Rid of Small Ants in Your House

It’s that time of year when small ants emerge to find food sources and to start new colonies! Small ants, as most Lancaster and York residents refer to them, are usually Odorous House Ants, a more recent ant that has emerged in Pennsylvania.

Dominion Pest Control president Gregory Pettis says, “It wasn’t until 1995 that we saw this ant species emerge and become the dominant ant in Lancaster and York counties.”

So how can you get rid of them?

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termites destroying wood in Lancaster County

Pennsylvania, Get Rid of Termites with the Power of Bora-Care

Termites are nasty, wood-destroying beetles that are often mistaken for flying ants. They can do severe damage to ceilings, floors, furniture…wood surfaces in general. For Pennsylvania property, few insects are more dangerous than termites.

Dominion Pest Control technicians are trained experts in the application of reactionary liquid termite treatments and pretreating for termites and other wood destroying insects with borate treatments, specifically, the use of Bora-Care. This is an increasingly popular choice of termite control in Pennsylvania.

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two mice mean many

The Best Ways for Getting Rid of Mice

Cold temperatures outside can motivate mice and other critters to head indoors. It doesn’t take much to unwittingly invite a mouse or two into your home. But mice reproduce quickly.

Before you know it, those two little mice that entered your home at the start of temperatures dropping are an infestation. So what are the best ways to get rid of them?

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COVID disinfecting services in Lancaster and York Pennsylvania

Services For COVID-19: How the Pros Do It

Dominion Pest Control, mostly known for its expertise in pest and wildlife control, has played a crucial role in helping nonprofits, homeless shelters, and health clinics at higher risk for COVID-19 by providing support, products, and equipment.

Dominion continues to help these organizations while it also offers commercial disinfecting services to businesses throughout the Susquehanna Valley, helping to mitigate the risk of contagions and slow the spread of COVID-19.

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What are a Spotted Lanternfly’s Natural Enemies?

By now, you’ve likely learned about the threat that spotted lanternflies post to Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry. The state deemed the spotted lanternfly an invasive species because it feeds through tree bark, excreting a honeydew that’s harmful to trees and plants.  The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture issued an order that calls upon Pennsylvania residents to follow its guidelines to prevent the spread of spotted lanternflies.

At the onset of the infestation, it seemed as though the spotted lanternfly had no known enemies besides humans. We are seeing that play out differently now. Some natural enemies attack the spotted lanternfly and there do exist some natural lanternfly predators. Scientists continue to study possible biological control of the non-native, invasive spotted lanternfly.

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stages of spotted lantern flies

When and How to Kill Spotted Lanternflies: Fall Control is the Answer

The spotted lanternfly continues to invade Pennsylvania and negatively impact orchards, tree nurseries, forests, vineyards, and properties in general. The spotted lanternfly is a major threat to the state’s wine and beer industry, too.

SLFs feed on tree sap and excrete a tree-suffocating honeydew (partially digested tree sap) that causes damaging mold to form.

The Pennsylvania Agriculture Department recommends treating your property now, for double the impact. Here’s why:

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lanternfly and yellowjacket

Spotted Lanternflies Help Stinging Insects Thrive

No doubt about it. Stinging insects are some of the most common pests we’re asked to control. Increasingly, service calls to kill the Spotted Lanternfly are high on the chart too.

This year, we’ve gotten more calls than ever regarding both! There’s an abundance of bald face hornets, yellowjackets, wasps, and European hornets joining the swarms of spotted lanternflies. (European hornets look like Murder hornets, but they are not. The Asian Giant hornet is dubbed the “murder hornet.” Learn more.)

Service calls to control yellowjackets, wasps, and other stinging insects have increased dramatically this year and started earlier. Greg Pettis, Dominion’s president, recently went out into the field to help catch up on stinging insects calls. Scary!

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Caution! Birds Getting Stuck on Lanternfly Tree Tape

wren stuck to lanternfly tree tape

Dominion Pest Control continues its commitment to helping save Pennsylvania agriculture from the invasive, destructive spotted lanternfly. Those familiar with our local pest control company and blog are aware of our efforts to help alert everyone about the devastation these tree-destroying insects wreak on our state, as well as others.

The spotted lanternfly could cost the state’s economy at least $324 million annually, as reported by Penn State Extension on its dedicated spotted lanternfly page.

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