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.
Aug 5, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Pest Control
Bonita Springs Pest Control: Keeping Household Pests Out
Whether it’s stinging pests invading your porch, rats inside your crawlspace, or mosquitoes taking over your yard, dealing with an infestation of household pests can be a major headache. With hot, humid weather present in the Bonita Springs area during most of the year, it seems as though pests never go away. Unfortunately, as humans, we can sometimes bring a pest infestation upon ourselves. Check out the top 5 reasons you’re attracting pests into your Bonita Springs home.
Trash
Pests such as roaches, rats, and ants are all looking for a food source. Our leftover trash is their dinnertime and, if access is gained, they can create an unwanted mess. If your outside trash can is not secured, these pests can easily get inside and keep coming back for more. Ensure that your trashcan lid is tightly sealed and trash bags are without rips or tears. Don’t forget your inside trash too, making sure that all trash cans have lids to avoid exposed food scraps.
Stagnant Water
Stagnant or standing water attracts a dreaded pest we’re all trying to avoid: mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes only need a small amount of water to breed, which can often be found throughout your yard without your knowledge. Toy buckets, pet bowls, tarps, old tires, and more are all items that can hold water and make a perfect breeding site for mosquitoes. To avoid this, remove these items from your yard, especially after a rainstorm. Additionally, look for any ditches or uneven spots in your yard that can pool and consider leveling them or filling the areas in.
Clutter
Clutter makes a great home and hiding place for pests and rodents. Decluttering and cleaning items out to eliminate these hiding places will help prevent pests in the long run. Remove old newspapers, utilize plastic containers instead of cardboard, and make sure that clothes aren’t piled on the floor.
Dirty Kitchen
If you leave dirty dishes in the sink, even for one night, it can attract pests like flies, ants, and cockroaches into your home. After each meal, wash and put your dishes away to help combat these pests. Likewise, it’s best to clean up any leftover crumbs or spilled liquids, especially if they contain sugar, as soon as possible. Don’t forget behind and under your kitchen appliances too. Pests like to hide behind stoves and refrigerators, waiting for their chance to consume an available food source.
Excessive Moisture
Most pests need water for survival and prefer a damp environment. Sometimes factors throughout our homes can give them a water source, leading to an infestation. Certain termites eat damp wood, causing significant structural damage and costly repairs. A leaky faucet can attract pests like mice, who are known to return to areas if they’ve found a food or water source. Check throughout your home for any leaky pipes, faucets, or even AC units and repair them as soon as possible. Also dry areas in your basement, utilizing a dehumidifier if needed. If you have a crawlspace, consider crawlspace enclosure to ensure no moisture is found.
If you notice an influx of pests throughout your home or want to stay on top of your pest prevention, consider contacting your local Bonita Springs pest control company to provide you with a comprehensive treatment and prevention plan.
Aug 5, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Termite Control
Naples Termite Control: The 411 on Termites
Whether you’re a new homeowner or have lived in your home for years, dealing with a termite infestation can be devastating for all. Unfortunately, termite damage can be costly to repair and not covered by homeowners’ insurance policies. Before termites have taken over your home, it’s important to know the basics of termite signs and treatments.
Signs of Termites
Termites are considered silent destroyers, infesting for long periods without homeowners knowing. However, several factors can indicate you have a termite infestation that you can be on the lookout for. Termites will create tunnels or tiny pin holes while feeding on wood. If you notice your home’s wood buckling or wall paint bubbling, termites are already feeding on your house.
A noticeable indication is finding discarded wings around your window and door frames. This is a sign that termites are already inside the home. Likewise, if you start seeing their droppings, also known as “frass”, you have termite activity. Seeing frass is an indication that the drywood termite species has infested. Frass is pellet-shaped and brown, sometimes it can get mistaken for wood dust or shavings.
Termite Treatment
There are several treatment and prevention options for termite control. Homeowners can choose from three common types of professional treatments offered.
- Wood Treatments: This method is used to treat existing wood structures. Wood treatments utilize either surface sprays/foams or injected sprays/foams. It is sprayed directly onto the wood where it will eliminate existing termites and provide preventative treatment for future ones.
- Liquid-Soil Treatments: This treatment is like a barrier around the outside of your home. A trench is dug around the perimeter and filled with liquid termiticide. When termites travel from your home back to their colony, they pass through the termiticide.
- Bait Stations: Installed outside of the home, bait stations provide a food source to termites where they take it back to their colonies, where it eliminates them. While this treatment takes longer, it does eliminate the entire colony once the termites find it. Bait stations are usually monitored and refilled when needed.
Consider contacting your local Naples pest control company, who can provide a comprehensive inspection and help determine the best plan for you, your family, and your home.
Aug 4, 2022 | Florida Pest Control
Ft. Lauderdale Stinging Pests: ID and Prevention
Summer is in full swing in Ft. Lauderdale and that should bring fun activities your way, such as relaxing outside on your patio or spending time with your kids in the backyard. Unfortunately, it can also bring summer pests! Most active in the summer are stinging pests, including yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets. There are several ways to prevent these pests from messing with your summer fun, so let’s break each one down!
Hornets
On the larger side of the stinging pests, hornets have brown and yellow abdominal stripes on their bodies. Their nests are often built-in hollow trees, and the walls of houses and attics. They are attracted to light and can fly to your windows at night if they see a light on. They are relatively non-aggressive near the nest, but there is potential for a stinging hazard if threatened.
Prevent hornets by:
- Keeping garbage cans covered, as leftover food can attract hornets
- Maintaining the outside of your home, ensuring screens, window, and doors are all in good condition
- Avoiding the use of strong fragrances when outdoors
Wasps
These pests will become aggressive if they feel threatened enough and are known to sting multiple times. Wasps are highly attracted to backyard events, resulting in an increase in your chances of being stung. Their nests are typically built in branches, porch ceilings, eaves, and attic rafters.
Prevent wasps by:
- Keeping doors and windows shut
- Covering any openings in your home’s exterior
- Keeping outdoor waste containers completely covered
Yellow Jackets
These social insects are usually anywhere humans are found. They have a non-fuzzy, black and yellow striped body. Attracted to sweets and proteins, they commonly invade outdoor events. Their nests can be found either high up or in the ground. Yellow jackets will sting multiple times if they feel threatened and can sometimes cause allergic reactions.
Prevent yellow jackets by:
- Avoiding sweet smelling perfume or cologne when outdoors as this will attract them
- Using plants that help deter yellow jackets, including spearmint, thyme, and lemon grass
If you have a stinging pest problem, reach out to your local Ft. Lauderdale pest control company for professional help in removing these pests from your property.
