Oct 10, 2023 | Florida Termite Control
Termite Control Oakland Park
Once termites have infested your Florida home, it’s hard to stop their damage. Both drywood and subterranean termites can wreak havoc, often going undetected for long periods of time, with repairs costing thousands of dollars. The best way to avoid termite damage is investing in termite control. Check out some termite control options for your Oakland Park home.
Termite Treatment Options in Florida
Bait Stations
Bait stations, including the Sentricon Always Active Station, are installed by a pest professional and placed at the perimeter of your home to eliminate subterranean termites. The bait stations provide termites with a food source, which contains a slow-acting termiticide treatment that termites will take back to their colony, eventually eliminating it. A bait station is great to utilize where surface treatments cannot be used, including near foundation drains and areas covered by slabs or flooring. This option is a long-termite preventative solution to avoid termite infestations.
Liquid Termite Defense
Liquid termite treatments are a great way to combat subterranean termites and their colonies. This treatment option is a great way to prevent termites from invading your home. The treatment requires a pest control company to dig a trench around the perimeter of your foundation. Once the trench is dug, a termiticide is injected in the proper intervals. The treatment utilized isn’t instant to give enough time for termites to bring it back to the queen and ultimately eliminate the entire colony at hand.
No-Tent Termite Treatment
The no-tent termite treatment option is best used when drywood termites have infested your home. This option is a great alternative to tent fumigation when you’re not able to vacate the home for treatment. A no-tent termite solution utilizes a non-repellent product into drywood termite galleries to eliminate the termites found in your home. The treatment is slow acting to allow the termites who have come in contact with the product to take it back to the queen and colony to eliminate it.
Dealing with a termite infestation is less than ideal so it’s important to understand preventative measures that you can keep in mind and place throughout your home to avoid their infestation.
DIY termite control tips:
- Reduce openings that offer access to termites by filling cracks in cement foundations or around gaps where utilities enter the home with cement, caulk, or grout.
- Eliminate sources of water, including fixing leaks found inside or outside of your home immediately
- Repair and close any entry points that are leading into your home
- Keep your attic and crawlspace well-ventilated to help reduce moisture; consider utilizing a dehumidifier.
- Remove old trees, lumber, or tree stumps found throughout your property
- Contact your local pest control company to provide you with a thorough termite inspection and the best termite control plan based on your home’s needs.
Oct 9, 2023 | Good Deed Team
Driven by a heartfelt desire to make a difference during “National Hunger Action Month,” Northwest’s Homewood, Alabama team came together to collect food for the Community Foodbank of Central Alabama (CFB) throughout the month of September. Homewood teammate Christina G. brought the idea to the table due to her passion for helping those who need it most.
When Christina approached CFB with her plan of gathering donations, she was met with open arms and warm hearts. The CFB team assured the Homewood team that no donation was too small. The response from the Homewood team was extraordinary and they were able to collect over $200 worth of non-perishables.
CFB has been a constant in the Central Alabama area since 1982 and has worked side by side with United Way of Central Alabama and The Greater Birmingham Foundation to stay open. In their early years they focused on feeding those in need of emergency food, but in 2016 they took the bold step to address the root causes of hunger in the area. Since broadening their mission, they have been supplying millions of meals per year to over 230 partner agencies, like shelters, food pantries, and children’s programs in 12 counties across Central Alabama. Learn more about their programs here!
The turnout exceeded Homewood’s expectations and truly reflects the Servant’s Heart initiative we strive for here at Northwest Exterminating. We are so excited to see what Christina and her team do next!
Oct 9, 2023 | Good Deed Team
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and our Miami Service Center recently participated in the annual St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital walk/run hosted in Miami, Florida. The commitment to giving back not only reflects our team’s servant’s heart but also their unwavering dedication to good deeds in their community.
Since 2017, the Miami team has been part of the run/walk charity event, demonstrating their dedication to creating a positive impact. The event holds a special place in their hearts and allows them to contribute to the incredible work done by St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
We’re grateful for a team driven by a customer’s first and servant’s heart attitude, continuing to possess the desire to serve those in need. We can’t wait to see what the team accomplishes next!
To learn more about how you can get involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the South Florida area, visit here.
Oct 6, 2023 | Florida Pest Control
If you’ve ever spotted a cockroach inside your home, you know how alarming it can be! Once these pests get inside the home, they can spread contamination and even trigger allergic reactions. The best way to deter roaches from your home is understanding the types of roach species invading and what preventative measures to place to avoid their infestation. Check out the 3 common roaches found in Florida and how you can prevent them.
Common Cockroaches Found in Florida
American Cockroach
These roaches are one of the largest roach species, getting up to 1.5 inches in length and even developing wings towards the end of their lifecycle! They have a reddish-brown body with a yellowish figure-eight pattern on the back of their head. You can often find them in basements, sewers, kitchens, and bathrooms looking for water and food to survive.
Brown-Banded Cockroach
These roaches got their name from the two light brown bands that appear across its wings. The brown-banded roach prefers to have warmer, drier, and higher locations to inhabit, often being found in cabinets and even behind pictures! A good indication these roaches are inside your home is finding their egg cases in or underneath furniture.
German Cockroach
Preferring warm, humid spaces, German cockroaches will often be found where humans eat, like kitchens. Often, you can find them around appliance motors, like refrigerators and dishwashers, for its heat. You can identify these roaches by their two dark brown stripes on their back and wings.
Preventing Roaches in Florida
The best way to prevent roaches from invading your home is by placing preventative measures. Here are some easy, do-it-yourself roach control tips:
- Ensure all openings in doors, windows, and foundations are sealed.
- Replace old weatherstripping and make sure there are no holes in your window screens.
- Clean up spills and crumbs immediately and take the trash out regularly to prevent roaches from wanting to stay inside your home.
- Limit moisture by repairing dripping faucets and leaky pipes.
- Dry up areas in your basement by utilizing a dehumidifier.
- Declutter your home and clean out old newspapers, utilize plastic containers for storage, and make sure your clothing isn’t piled on the floor.
If you’ve noticed these roaches inside your home, it’s best to call your local pest control company to eliminate them. Pest professionals will inspect your home, identify the type of roach, and provide you with the best treatment plan.
Oct 5, 2023 | Wildlife
Cooler weather is approaching, and this means that wildlife will soon begin searching for warmth and shelter. This could result in them entering your home and making it their sanctuary for the season. Let’s go over common wildlife in Georgia you might see this fall and how you can deter them away from your home!
Common Wildlife in Georgia
Snakes:
Snakes can be more common in the fall time, as they start to search for a place to begin their hibernation or brumation over the winter months. Snakes might also be more noticeable as certain snake species mate in the fall months. These creatures can go into hiding as late as December, so it’s important to keep an eye out for them until then. Sealing cracks in your foundation and making your property less appealing to them will help deter them from seeking shelter nearby.
Rodents:
Rats and mice will often seek shelter in your home as it provides them with a readily available food supply throughout the winter. You will begin to hear their activity in the walls and attic in the fall as they start storing food in their nests. Keep these rodents out of your home by sealing up holes inside and outside of your home and storing food in airtight containers.
Raccoons:
These nocturnal creatures will mostly be seen searching for food at nighttime throughout the fall. They begin searching for food in the fall to prepare for the winter months when food is scarce. Food scarcity will encourage them to be more active and creative in their search for food, which often leads them to your garbage cans. Some preventative ways to ensure raccoons don’t enter your home this fall include utilizing a lid on your garbage can and storing it outside. Likewise, seal any entry points on the exterior of your home.
Squirrels:
In the autumn months, squirrels have a habit of “bulking up” in preparation for the colder season. It’s common for them to seek refuge in attics, using these spaces to build their nests and stash their food supplies. However, their presence in homes can be particularly problematic since they tend to gnaw through wires and wood, potentially causing substantial damage to your residence. The best prevention tips for squirrels are to install chimney caps or screens and to take down bird feeders in the fall.
Wildlife control can be a difficult task due to some regulations for certain species. Give your local Georgia wildlife company a call today for a customized plan and a free inspection!
