Jun 25, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Wildlife
South Florida Bird Control
As much as we enjoy the beauty of birds, they can start to become a nuisance when they destroy our property. These creatures will often leave behind their droppings, harming your home and posing a health threat. Learn more about the hazards birds can pose to your home and how you can deter them away.
Bird Droppings
Seeing bird droppings all throughout our property is never ideal, causing considerable damage. Their droppings can corrode and stain roofing, gutters, paints, shingles, and more. Other bird damage includes electrical equipment, causing costly repairs. While their droppings can be overall irritating to clean, they are also known to carry over 60 diseases including E. coli, salmonellosis, and cryptococcosis.
Bird Nesting
When birds create their nest in your home, the location can cause noise and further damage. Their nests will clog gutters, cause roof damage, block chimneys or air ducks, ruin insulation, and more. Birds nest may also carry various pests such as lice, mites, and other insects that could potentially invade your home.
Preventing Birds
There are some easy, do-it-yourself preventative measures that every homeowner can place around their property to help deter birds away including:
- Install a decoy bird in your yard such as owl, hawks, or falcon statues.
- Place wind chimes or ultrasonic noise machines throughout your property
- Clean any spilled grains or birdseed from feeders daily
- Block all openings in your home, including lofts, vents, and windowsills
- Consider contacting a professional pest control company in South Florida who can provide you with a customized inspection and treatment plan
South Florida Pest Control Locations Near You
Jun 23, 2022 | Pest Control
Spiders are considered year-round pests, but they seem to come out in full force during the summer months. Some common spiders you may encounter this summer include wolf spiders, orb weavers, garden spiders, house spiders, brown recluse spiders, and black widow spiders. While most of these are harmless, brown recluses and black widows can be dangerous to humans with their venomous bites.
The spiders you see in the summer most likely aren’t just now making their way into your home; there’s a good chance they’ve already been hiding out inside for a while. They will commonly emerge in large numbers in the summer for two main reasons:
- It’s mating season for male spiders
- It’s peak season for most of their food sources (mosquitoes, flies, ants)
Seeing a spider here and there inside your home is usually nothing to worry about; they can sneak in through open windows, doors, etc. Seeing them in large numbers, however, can indicate a much bigger problem. Spider infestations can be the result of:
- Weather. Summer weather is ideal for spiders with warm temperatures, adequate shelter, etc. If the weather gets too hot, spiders will seek relief, often inside your home. The same thing applies if the summer is overly dry or overly wet. Your home provides the perfect place to hide out until conditions outdoors improve.
- Food. If food sources outdoors become scarce (due to weather or consistent pest control around your home), spiders may make their way indoors on their search for nutrition. Conversely, if you have an infestation of other household pests that spiders like to eat, they will also come inside to take advantage of the all-you-can-eat buffet.
- Water. Spiders must have water to survive. If outdoor water sources dry up (due to drought, etc.), they will go in search of hydration indoors.
Having a spider infestation in your home can leave you with webs everywhere, the risk of spider bites that can be painful and potentially dangerous, and the possibility of other pest infestations, as well. You can keep spiders out by:
- Eliminating Entry Points. Spiders can access your home through the smallest cracks and crevices. Use weatherstripping around doors and windows and make sure it is kept in good repair. Caulk or seal any gaps, holes, and openings. Use screens on doors and windows and make sure they stay in good repair, as well.
- Eliminating Hiding Places. Spiders prefer dark, undisturbed places to hide out (corners, cabinets, closets, storage containers, piles of paper or cardboard, and cluttered areas). Declutter your home and get rid of any old papers, magazines, newspapers, and boxes. Shake out anything you haven’t used in a while before using it. Vacuum and dust regularly, especially rooms and areas that you don’t use often. Outside, trim overgrown bushes, hedges, and trees. Keep grass mowed short and mow regularly. Get rid of trash and debris in your yard that spiders can use for shelter. Store firewood and lumber away from your home.
- Eliminating Food Sources. Spiders eat other pests. Maintain routine pest control in and around your home with a professional pest control company. Eliminating other pests mean spiders will look for food elsewhere.
If you have a problem with spiders, contact your local pest control company for a thorough inspection and treatment plan.
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Summer Wildlife Removal: Common Home Invaders
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Jun 23, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Pest Control
South Florida Pest Control
Florida summers can bring fun activities like lounging by the pool, sitting by the beach, hiking new trails, or spending time in your yard. Unfortunately, with summer comes a host of pests ready to ruin your outdoor plans. Now is the perfect time to look for summer pest signs and start your prevention! Check out three signs that you have a summer pest infestation.
Finding Entry Points
When looking for a pest infestation, the first thing a homeowner should check for is entry points leading into the home. Pests such as ants, cockroaches, house mice, spiders, and more can enter through these openings. Once these pests get inside the home, they can infest anywhere, making it difficult to find them. Check throughout the exterior of your home to find any entry points. If found, this is a good indication that pests have probably already infested. These entry points can include openings in the siding, gaps leading into the attic, or simply leaving your garage open throughout the day.
Hearing Unusual Sounds
Have you ever woken to scratches or taps coming from your walls? While terrifying, this is an indication of pests such as rats, mice, and even termites! Depending on the pest, the sound heard could vary. Rats or mice will usually scratch or scurry in the walls, while termites tend to make a tapping noise. You might even hear birds or bats flapping above you in the attic. Whichever sound you hear, it’s best to get your home inspected by your local South Florida pest control company as soon as possible.
Noticing Structural Changes
Unfortunately, sometimes pests can cause severe and lasting damage to our homes. Pests such as termites, carpenter ants, and carpenter bees can burrow deep into the wood of your home, creating holes and damage. Inspect the interior and exterior of the home for soft flooring, peeling paint, or holes. These pests can cause damage quickly, so it’s best to get rid of them as soon as possible.
If you notice these pest signs above, an exterminator can conduct an inspection to determine the type of pest, and entry points, remove active pests and provide a pest preventative treatment plan. Request a free inspection now, or click on a location near you below.
Jun 22, 2022 | Insulation
The summer months in the south bring bugs, humidity, and unbearable heat. When inside, you might feel inclined to touch the thermostat to create a cooler environment, but maybe it doesn’t seem to budge. If this is your case, it might be time for new or better insulation in your attic.
When the hot summer sun is beating down on your home, your attic is the first thing to see higher temperatures. The heat will absorb into the hard materials that make up your home and are likely to transfer downstairs into your living area, creating an uncomfortable living environment. An easy solution is to get the insulation checked in your attic.
Attic insulation creates air pockets that slow the heat from attempting to flow through your home. This will help uneven temperatures between the rooms in your house. Installing insulation can additionally help your HVAC system run more efficiently. This will keep you from wanting to turn down the thermostat and result in lower energy bills.
There are many benefits to getting your attic insulated, including:
- Lower utility bills: You can save an average of 15 percent on your utility bills by getting better insulation in your attic.
- Safer home structure: Insulation can help prevent gradual damage to your home caused by heat and moisture.
- Better indoor air quality: Poor insulation can allow dust, dirt, mold, and mildew to enter your home.
- Keep pests away: Some insulations are coated with borate, which can affect pests such as roaches, ants, and more by causing a disruption to their stomachs and can affect their nervous system. It isn’t harmful to pets or family.
If you believe you need to replace your attic’s insulation, consider reaching out to your local pest control company for a quote to experience a cooler and pest-free home for the summer.
Jun 22, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Mosquito
South Florida Mosquito Control
It’s inevitable not to encounter mosquitoes during Florida’s spring and summer seasons, as hot and humid weather is their peak season. Not just a nuisance, these pests can pose a health risk to humans, dogs, cats, and other animals. Every homeowner should look to place preventative measures throughout their property to help reduce mosquitoes.
Get Rid of Standing Water
Mosquitoes need stagnant water to breed, and they only need a small amount to do so. Identifying these areas throughout your property and eliminating them is your first step toward mosquito prevention. Start with items that can hold water such as toys, buckets, outdoor pet bowls, and tire swings. Make sure you remove them, especially after a thunderstorm when rainwater has collected. Look throughout your yard for any low-lying areas or hollow tree stumps prone to flooding or pooling and fill them in with dirt or mulch.
Keep Your Yard Maintained
Mosquitoes are known to hide in tall grass, damp woodpiles, and overgrown shrubbery. Look to maintain your grass and shrubs, keeping them both trimmed. If utilizing woodpiles, make sure they are covered or stored in containers with lids away from the home’s foundation. If a thunderstorm has passed by, your gutters may be clogged with debris, creating a perfect breeding site for mosquitoes. Carefully clear out your gutters frequently, especially after a bad storm.
Utilizing Mosquito-Repelling Plants
Sometimes mother nature can be the best mosquito repellent for us. Some certain flowers and plants can keep these pests away from your home. Marigold, a common flower, is a popular mosquito repellent. Citronella grass is easy to maintain and a great option to help fill large areas of your yard while it prevents mosquitoes. Lavender, rosemary, catnip, and peppermint are others to help you avoid these pests too.
Monthly Mosquito Service
Getting rid of mosquitoes can seem like a hopeless battle, but you don’t have to do it alone. There are several traditional and green mosquito control options you can invest in for your home. A local South Florida pest control company can provide you with mosquito reduction programs that target both adult and larvae mosquitoes. These professionals can provide you with the best treatment and prevention plans for your home.
If you need extra help with keeping the mosquitoes away, request a free mosquito estimate now!
