Jul 1, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Mosquito
South Florida Mosquito Control
In South Florida, mosquito season can begin as early as March and end as late as October! Besides leaving behind itchy, red welts when they bite humans, they can also be dangerous as they pose serious health risks. One of the best and most effective ways to reduce mosquitoes in your property is investing in a recurring mosquito control program. There are several programs to choose from, but a popular eco-friendly choice is a green mosquito control option.
With a green mosquito control program, eco-friendly products are utilized when a monthly mosquito treatment is performed. These products are derived from flowers and botanicals, applied to areas where they are most needed instead of the entire property. The treatment solution is effective in reducing both larva and adult mosquitoes.
Mosquito Prevention Tips
While green mosquito control is effective in reducing mosquitoes, it’s equally important to eliminate factors that might be attracting them in the first place. Mosquitoes are attracted to any water as they lay their eggs in the smallest amount. Consider eliminating potential breeding sites by:
- Removing items that can hold water including pots, cans, bird baths, lids, toys, and planters
- Inspecting your gutters for any clogs, making sure they are cleaned out
- Repairing poor drainage sites in your yard as these can lead to standing water
- Cleaning up debris around your home; moisture can accumulate under piles of leaves, boards, rocks, and other outdoor items
If you notice more mosquitoes than usual, it could be time to call your local South Florida pest control company. These mosquito control experts will provide you with a thorough property inspection and provide green treatment options guaranteed to reduce mosquitoes and bites.
Jun 30, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Pest Control
South Florida Pest Control: Fig Whiteflies
While fig whiteflies are relatively new to the South Florida area, they have noticeably begun to create severe damage to the plants around us. While these whiteflies are not harmful to humans, they can destroy our favorite tropical plants in our yard. Learn more about the whitefly and how you can prevent them from destroying your plants!
What is a Fig Whitefly?
The Ficus whitefly their biology is still being studied by experts. What is certain about these pests is that they have an attraction to certain plants and their leaves. These pests will lay their eggs on the underside of leaves, hatching into a crawler stage. Once hatched, these crawlers will begin to feed on the leaves. As they feed, they emerge into adults and remain on the leaf. When these pests eat the leaves, they injure the host plant by drinking their juices, causing wilting, yellowing, and stunting. Whiteflies can affect a variety of plants such as Palm trees, mango trees, live oaks, Ficus trees, and more.
What Are the Signs of Fig Whiteflies?
Noticeable signs that whiteflies have infested are a buildup of white, waxy substance on the underside of leaves. This substance can weaken the plants and eventually turn into black mold. Another common sign of an infestation is noticing that the plant leaves are gone or have become yellow. You can also look underneath the infested leaves for small, silver, or white spots dotted throughout.
While these pests can affect plants, they can also clog pools and leave their excrement on cars and outdoor patio furniture.
How Can I Prevent Fig Whiteflies?
The best plan of action to prevent these pests is to closely monitor your plants for early signs of an infestation to get ahead of the damage. If you notice infested plants, trees, or hedges, look to trim them immediately. After trimming, bag the leaves to reduce the chance of spreading the whitefly.
If you feel whiteflies have taken over your property, consider reaching out to your local South Florida pest control provider, who can provide you with the best treatment plan to help prevent and eliminate these pests.
Jun 29, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Going Green, Pest Control
South Florida Pest Control
There are several methods that homeowners might choose to reduce and eliminate pests, including traditional pest control and green pest control. Whichever method you choose for your Florida home or property, it’s important to know the difference between each.
Traditional Pest Control
Traditional pest control can provide similar benefits as green pest control, but instead of utilizing natural elements, it tends to have synthetic chemicals to eliminate and control pests. While the chemicals are used sparingly, there is enough used to target a pest issue.
Green Pest Control
Green Pest Control is a great alternative to traditional pest control, utilizing more natural ingredients within their pest control efforts, such as flowers and plants, rather than harsh chemicals. Green pest control focuses on eliminating household pests while maintaining the lowest environmental impact possible.
Pests can bring health risks to your family and harm the structural integrity of your home. Whether you choose green or traditional pest control, it’s the right choice for your home and family. If you’re interested in either of these options, contact your local pest control company in South Florida for more details and a free pest control estimate!
Jun 28, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Termite Control
South Florida Termite Control
Termites cause serious and severe damage to homes, destroying the structure and integrity. The damage termites cause can be very expensive to repair, making it essential for every homeowner to recognize termite types and the prevention methods for each.
Types of Termites
There are two main termite species in the South Florida area that can pose a major threat to your home, subterranean and drywood termites. Subterranean termites typically swarm in the spring but have been known to swarm at any time of the year. These termites live in colonies underground but will go above ground to retrieve food by building tunnels called mud tubes. In order to survive, they need moisture. You can find these termites in baseboards, inside crawl spaces, wooden beams, and more.
Drywood termites are social insects that also live in colonies. However, they create their colonies in wood, with no needed connection to the ground. While subterranean termites need moisture, drywood termites do not. You can find these termites in furniture, banisters, hardwood floors, and more.
Preventing Termites
Taking the time to place do-it-yourself preventative measures throughout your home is a great way to get a head start on termite control. You can prevent termites by:
- Fixing any leaks throughout the home.
- Avoiding landscaping, such as mulch, too close to the foundation of the home.
- Placing firewood or wood debris at least 10 feet away from the home.
- Reducing all openings that allow termites access by filling gaps and cracks around the foundations.
- Getting an annual termite inspection from a South Florida exterminator.
If you suspect you have a termite problem or want to get ahead of termite control, contact our local office for termite control near you, who can provide you with a free termite inspection.
Jun 27, 2022 | Commercial, Florida Pest Control, Wildlife
Commercial Pest Control in South Florida: Restaurant Rodent Control
Florida continues to be a hot spot for food and dining. With popular tourist and local spots in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples, Miami, and many more, the restaurant industry continues to boom. As summer approaches, we can expect an uptick in restaurant reservations from those visiting. Now is the perfect time to ensure that your restaurant has placed proper preventative measures to avoid rodents.
Have a Garbage Routine
This one might be obvious, but it is one of the most crucial factors in avoiding rats and mice. Food scraps and leftovers that restaurants discard is a major attraction to these creatures. Look to remove all leftover food as soon as possible, emptying the trash cans several times a day. You will want to ensure that all trash cans and dumpsters have secure lids. Look to position the outside trash containers away from your restaurant building and entrances to help discourage rodents from entering.
Protect & Clean
In a restaurant, it’s impossible to remove all food and water that rodents are attracted to. However, you can protect and secure the food inside your restaurant. Look to cover all food until it is ready to be prepared and ensure that you’re dining, and kitchen areas are clean throughout the day. If any food spills occur, make sure you clean them up as soon as possible, remembering to check crumbs settled into crevices and along baseboards.
Keep Up Repairs
Keeping your restaurant up to date in repairs will help to prevent rodents from entering. Rats can enter buildings through gaps small as a size of a quarter, while mice only need an opening the size of a dime! To help prevent their entry, make sure that all exterior cracks and crevices are sealed, install door sweeps, repair torn window screens, and fix any water leaks.
A rodent infestation can be extremely harmful to any business, risking a negative reputation in the process. Consider investing in Commercial Wildlife Control for your South Florida restaurant, as these professionals will provide your business with a customized prevention and treatment plan.
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 | 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 | 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!
