Aug 19, 2022 | Florida Pest Control
Bonita Springs Pest Control: Spider Identification & Prevention
Creepy, crawly, and usually unwanted in our homes, spiders will often infest, looking for a nice place to inhabit. Most spiders that homeowners come across are harmless, but it’s always a good idea to stay on top of the spiders in your area to help prevent them. Check out our list of the top 3 common spiders you can find in Bonita Springs.
Black Widows
Black widows are one of the most venomous spiders in North America. These spiders are shiny black, with the female displaying a red hourglass-shaped mark on the underside of the abdomen. You can find black widow spiders outdoors under rocks, boards, or even in or around old buildings. These spiders tend to hunt by day and hide at night in their web. Luckily, they are not aggressive, and their bites only occur because of accidental contact. If bitten, common symptoms include redness, swelling at the site of the bite, nausea, and sometimes paralysis.
Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders are fairly large and hairy with a pattern of black, gray, and brown coloring. While they often frighten people with their looks, they are non-venomous and will only bite if provoked. These creatures do not spin webs to catch their prey but instead, hunt at night or wait to ambush while hiding under debris or burrowing. You can usually find these spiders on the ground, where they can camouflage their hairy bodies under leaf litter, rocks, and logs. If they find their way indoors, they like to stay close to the floor and are active in dim light.
Brown Widow
One of the main types of venomous spiders in Bonita Springs is the brown widow. These spiders are slightly smaller than the black widow, grey to brown in color, and have a yellow hourglass marking under the abdomen. Brown widows are often found under rocks and logs but can adapt to human environments too. If they find their way inside, you can often find them in empty containers, entryway corners, under eaves, in cluttered storage closets, or any area that has been undisturbed for a long period. These spiders bite in self-defense, causing symptoms including swelling, nausea, vomiting, and high blood pressure.
To avoid these spiders entering your home, implement the following spider prevention tips:
- Keep your storage areas, garages, and basements clutter-free
- Avoid leaving your clothes and shoes on the floor; spiders will often hide inside them
- Seal any open gaps or holes leading inside the home
- Call your local Bonita Springs pest control company to perform an inspection and provide you with a treatment and prevention plan
Aug 18, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Termite Control
Pompano Beach Pest Control: Types of Termite Treatments
Did you know that termites can cause extensive damage that can compromise the integrity of your home’s structure? Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by termites or other pests. It’s imperative to have a termite control system in place for your Pompano Beach home, ensuring you and your family don’t have to worry about future damage. Let’s go over the many different types of termite treatments that will keep your home safe from structural damage!
No Tent Termite Treatment
A no-tent termite treatment is an excellent alternative to tent fumigation and can make treating your home for drywood termites a much easier process. This service addresses the unique behaviors of South Florida’s drywood termite species. Drywood termites create colonies in wood, with no connection to the ground necessary. They also need very little moisture and are often found in attic trusses, fascia boards, and soffit areas.
The benefits of “no tent” treatments are:
- No need to move out of your home
- No removal of medications, uncanned food, or plants/flowers
- No risk of landscaping or roof damage
- No disconnecting of satellite dishes or antennas on the roof of your home
Termite Baiting System
This termite service is best used when subterranean termites are the problem. It is an environmentally-friendly solution that involves placing green bait stations along the exterior perimeter of your home. The bait system doesn’t allow termites to molt, grow, or develop correctly, resulting in the total elimination of a termite colony. This baiting system helps to control subterranean termites, including the Formosan and Asian subterranean termite species.
Benefits of termite bait systems include:
- Colony elimination
- Termites prefer bait over wood, deterring them away from your home
- Noninvasive: no floor drilling or exterior trenching required
- Environmentally responsible
Liquid Termite Defense
Another way to combat subterranean termites is with liquid defense. This solution has proven to work in the most challenging situations, climates, and environments to eliminate subterranean colonies. This effective treatment requires a trench to be dug around the foundation perimeter, and then a termiticide is injected in proper intervals. It doesn’t kill the termites immediately but gives them time to bring it all the way back to the queen, ultimately eliminating the entire colony.
Benefits of liquid termite defense:
- Fast acting product
- Protects your home from future termite invasions
If you notice termite damage in or around your home or property, it’s best to contact your local Pompano Beach pest control company. They will be able to professionally assist you with your needs and find the best termite solution for you and your home.
Aug 17, 2022 | Commercial, Florida Pest Control
Miami Gardens Pest Control: Commercial Pest Control for Businesses
Dealing with a pest infestation at your business is never ideal. Our Miami-Gardens area is known for its tourism, making your business vulnerable to a pest infestation. Whether you’re dealing with rats at your restaurant, birds at your retail store, or roaches in your apartment complex, a pest infestation can be devastating to your business. Check out our top three reasons why your business needs commercial pest control.
Pests Bring Health Risks
Every business owner wants to ensure that their team and customers are healthy and safe. Pests such as rats and roaches can carry many diseases and pathogens that can be transferred to food and food surfaces, leading to contamination. Whether you are a food-handling facility or not, pests can cause a health risk to your customers and team. When you invest in a recurring pest control plan, the risks of these pests visiting your business are reduced, giving you peace of mind that your customers and team are safe.
Pests Put Your Brand at Risk
If a customer sees a pest in your business, it can be detrimental to your brand reputation. With online reviews and social media, the news of an infestation at your business can spread fast. This can lead to bad reviews, fewer customers, and financial problems. Having a preventative pest plan in place can help ensure your brand keeps its reputation.
Pests Damage Property
Certain pests can cause damage to your property, equipment, products, and even the structure of your building. Birds are known to damage a building’s structural integrity by dislodging roof tiles, destroying insulation, and even chewing through packages in search of food. These problems can lead to larger problems with costly repairs. Having a plan in place to prevent these pests from entering your business property can help ensure your business is gaining money instead of losing it.
Dealing with a pest infestation is the last thing you want to deal with at your business. Investing in a customized commercial pest control plan can help avoid these pests and allow you to get back to what matters most, your business, team, and customers. Contact your local Miami Gardens pest control company for a pest control analysis.
Aug 16, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Mosquito
Naples Pest Control: Mosquito Season
Having effective mosquito control in Naples, Florida is imperative. Without year-round support from your local pest control company, you are bound to confront many mosquitoes around your property. With warm temperatures nearly year-round, your yard is the ideal environment for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. It’s important to have a mosquito service plan working all year long. Let’s talk about how mosquito control can better help you!
Mosquitoes pose many health risks for you and your family. They are known to carry diseases like Zika virus and West Nile virus, which are both very serious. It’s important to work with your pest control company to determine what treatment plan works best for you.
The first step in figuring out which plan is right for you is to obtain an inspection of your entire yard to identify breeding sites and resting places that mosquitoes are using. Once these areas have been identified, larvicide and adulticide applications are used to control the mosquito population on your property. After the application is completed, it’s best to remove any standing water on your property, which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The best part of the plan is that in between treatments a technician will come out for any issues that arise.
In addition to mosquito treatments, homeowners can also take steps to prevent mosquitoes around their homes by:
- Cutting away tall weeds around your property
- Removing any containers with standing water
- Making sure your property drains properly to avoid flooding and standing water
- Mowing your lawn regularly
If you think you have a problem with mosquitoes or any other pests, contact your local Naples pest control company to receive a free inspection!
Aug 15, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Mosquito
Miami Pest Control: Mosquito Prevention Tips
Miami is prone to heat and humidity, which can bring a host of pest problems. One pest known to arrive in droves during the warmer season is mosquitoes. While it’s inevitable to run into these pests this time of year, it is possible to reduce them around your home. Check out our list of DIY methods for mosquito control so you can get back to enjoying your home.
Eliminate Breeding Sites
Female mosquitoes only need a small amount of water to breed, producing even more of these nuisance pests in your yard. It’s important to eliminate any stagnant water throughout your property to avoid them. Check around your property for any objects that can hold water and remove them, such as outdoor pet bowls, tire swings, tarps, and more.
Maintain Your Yard
Tall grass, shrubbery, and even damp woodpiles are the perfect places for mosquitoes to hide in. It’s important to keep your yard well landscaped, mow your lawn often, and cut back your shrubs. If you have any wood piles in your yard, cover them and store them in containers with lids at least 20 feet from your home.
Utilize Fans
Did you know that mosquitoes are attracted to our body heat? If you’ve been sweating, it’s likely the pests will seek you out for a blood meal. If you’re spending time on your deck or patio, utilize outdoor fans to help redirect the carbon dioxide and body heat you emit.
Consider Monthly Treatments
Sometimes the best option is to call a professional to help with mosquito control. There are several different mosquito treatment methods available, including green mosquito treatments and traditional ones. Professional mosquito services will include treatments that eliminate larvae and adult mosquitoes, source reduction techniques, and prevention methods. Your local Miami pest control company typically offers a monthly mosquito service during peak mosquito season.
Aug 10, 2022 | Florida Pest Control
Naples Pest Control: Silverfish Identification and Prevention
While some pests can cause more harm than others to humans, certain ones are more of a nuisance. Silverfish present a mild risk to humans and their property but are known to be an overall annoyance if they infest.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish are small, wingless insects, usually shiny grey or silver in color, ranging from 1/3 to ½ inches in length. Females lay eggs year-round and will produce up to 100 offspring in their lifetime. An adult female silverfish can live from 2 to 5 years, usually depending on the species and environment. When silverfish eggs hatch, they takes 3 to 24 months to develop into an adult. Their growth depends on the temperature and humidity.
What Are The Signs of a Silverfish Infestation?
Silverfish are known to infest human areas. You can often find them on the floor, under refrigerators, near a sink, or in a bathtub. If they find their way inside, they will eat grains and chew holes through clothing, furniture, or paper. If they infest in larger numbers, this damage can be more significant. They are also known to feed on book bindings, photos, sugar, dirt, and even glue.
How Can I Prevent Silverfish?
Silverfish are nocturnal and can move quickly throughout an area. While they can survive in most environments, they thrive in areas with high humidity. Humidity in Naples is usually present throughout the year. The best way to prevent an infestation is to control the humidity and moisture inside your home. Ensure that you don’t have any leaky pipes or drains, replace moldy or wet wood, remove books in moist areas, and consider enclosing your crawlspace to control humidity and moisture.
If you notice that your silverfish infestation has gotten out of hand or you want to stay on top of preventing them, consider reaching out to your local Naples pest control company which can provide you with a comprehensive treatment and prevention plan for your home.
Aug 9, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Pest Control
South Florida Fleas and Ticks: What’s the Difference?
Fleas and ticks can harm our family and pets, latching onto us for a blood meal. While these pests are small, they come with big health risks by transmitting diseases. As warmer weather continues outside, these pests will do the same, thriving in South Florida’s climate. Fleas and ticks often get confused with one another, so it’s helpful to understand the difference between the two so you can keep your family protected.
Fleas
Fleas are wingless with a reddish-brown, flattened body. Adult fleas will range up to 1/6 of an inch in length. These creatures have mouthparts that are adapted for sucking blood from a host. What is unique about fleas is that they have long, strong back legs that allow them to jump repeatedly from one host to another. A common indication that your pet has fleas is noticing them repeatedly scratching and grooming themselves. Likewise, for humans, fleas will leave behind itchy bite marks on the skin. Another sign is spotting flea feces, or flea dirt, throughout your home. Flea dirt looks like coarse ground black pepper and is typically found in areas where a pet rests.
Ticks
Depending on their species, ticks come in a variety of sizes and colors. There are two groups of ticks to look out for: hard ticks and soft ticks. The most common tick species in North America include the deer tick, lone star tick, brown dog tick, and American dog tick. While these ticks may look different, they are all seeking a blood meal and a humid place to habitat. They are often found in wooded or vegetated areas. When they find a host, they will typically latch onto the face, legs, armpits, belly, and even in-between toes!
Preventing Fleas & Ticks
Taking precautions before you leave home with your family or pet can help reduce the chances of a flea or tick infestation. Here are a couple of preventative measures you can take to prevent fleas and ticks from biting you, your family, and your pets:
- Wear light-colored clothing and long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toed shoes before exploring wooded or grassy areas
- Utilize insect repellent containing DEET before you leave the house
- Utilize flea repellent treatment for your pets, making sure to consult your veterinarian on the right product for your pet
- After returning from the outdoors, check yourself, your family, and your pets for any ticks and fleas
- Vacuum your home frequently, especially in hard-to-reach spots such as baseboards, under furniture, under cushions, and where your pets sleep or rest
- Keep your lawn grass cut short to help reduce tick and flea populations on your property
- Contact your local South Florida pest control company to inspect, provide a treatment plan, and recommend prevention for the future.
Aug 9, 2022 | Florida Pest Control
Pompano Beach Pest Control: Roach Prevention Tips
Cockroaches are sneaky pests, infesting our kitchens, bathrooms, crawl spaces, and more! These household pests are highly adaptable and can live in a variety of conditions, but their populations swell and thrive in the summertime. In Pompano Beach, our temperatures are warm practically year-round, making it highly likely to see roaches roaming around looking for a food source. Check out our top do-it-yourself roach prevention tips to keep them from taking over your home.
Keep Your Kitchen Clean
The main reason roaches enter homes is to search for water and food. By eliminating these sources for them, you lessen the chance that you will come across these pests in your kitchen! After each meal, clean up your kitchen as much as possible. Don’t leave your dirty dishes in the sink overnight; instead, wash and put them away after each meal. If there are crumbs leftover, clean them from all surfaces and floors. Don’t forget to wipe grease from your stovetop and other appliances after cooking too. Take out your garbage before going to bed, placing it in cans with tight-fitting lids.
Seal Your Home
Roaches are small, fitting into the smallest hole or gap to access your home. If you can see daylight around a door or window, roaches can use it to enter. Make it a habit to check around your windows, doors, foundation, roof, attic, and even crawlspace vents for holes or gaps. Seal any openings you find with caulk or utilize steel wool or foam for larger holes.
Remove Moisture
Roaches need water to survive, seeking it out in our basements and bathrooms. Any leak or plumbing issue allows these pests to infest. Check the inside of your home for leaky faucets, sinks, refrigerators, or other appliances and repair them immediately. Crawlspaces are known to produce excessive moisture, attracting roaches, termites, and rodents. Consider enclosing your crawlspace to help reduce moisture and keep these pests away.
If you’ve exhausted your DIY roach prevention measures and are still seeing these pests, contact your local Pompano Beach pest control company for help. These professionals will provide you with a thorough inspection, identify points of entry, and provide the most up-to-date treatment and prevention options.
Aug 8, 2022 | Florida Pest Control
Ft. Myers Pest Control: Signs of an Ant Infestation
Ants are small, annoying, and can sometimes lead to health risks. Finding them infested in your home is always alarming! There are several ant species found in the Fort Myers area, including ghost ants, white-footed ants, and carpenter ants. Once these pests infest your home, it can be extremely difficult to get rid of them. Check out our top 3 signs you need ant control for your home.
Noticing Sawdust Trails
Carpenter ants are known to nest in damaged wood, especially wood that is damp from water. Their damage includes excavating wood to create their nests and creating holes. If you notice small trails of sawdust around, inside, or outside the home, it’s likely that you have ants.
Look for piles of sawdust near wooden beams, window ledges, skirting boards, and wood flooring. If you find sawdust or even the holes they create, it’s a sign that carpenter ants have infested.
Discarded Wings
Did you know that some ant types have wings for a short time? These ‘flying ants’ will usually swarm during the summer when a younger queen leaves the nest to start their own colony. If you notice discarded wings on the floors, windowsills, or doorsills, an ant colony could be inside the home.
Wooden Structures are Damaged
One of the more serious signs of an ant infestation is noticing that your home’s wood structures are crumbling when touched. This is a sign that the home structure is weakened, sometimes caused by ants. Often, the wood can look normal from just looking at it, but a tell-tale sign if ants have infested is finding hollow-sounding wood that is weak under pressure.
To prevent ants, utilize these preventative measures throughout your home,
- Seal any gaps or holes leading into the home.
- Trim back tree branches and shrubs away from the home to eliminate access points.
- Reach out to your local Ft. Myers pest control company to provide you with the best prevention and treatment options for ants.
