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Have you seen a long, brown insect scrambling on the floor only to disappear behind the wall in a fraction of a second?  If so, you may be playing hide and seek with a roach.  Unbeknownst to you, you’re probably actually playing the game with more than one roach! 

While a few species of roaches are commonly found in South Florida, there are over 70 species in the U.S.  Roaches typically range in color from brown to black and have long, flat bodies, six legs, and antennae.  Roaches have long wings although many species don’t fly.  The roaches found in South Florida often live in or around wood, cardboard, and humid environments.  Some species of cockroaches have been linked to illnesses including cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever.

South Florida Cockroaches

The most common roach species found in South Florida are the German Cockroach, American Cockroach, Smokybrown Cockroach, and Asian Cockroach.

German Cockroaches find their way into homes and buildings by riding in bags, on furniture, or in suitcases or shipping boxes.  This species is relatively small and grows to .5 inch.   German Cockroaches are usually black as nymphs and become light brown as an adult.  German Cockroaches are commonly found indoors and around warm, humid, or tropical areas and they are quite active at night.  In fact, this species loves to be around warm appliances or water sources.  When you see one of these cockroaches, there are probably many more hiding nearby.  In fact, female cockroaches lay 30-40 eggs each of the 4-6 times they reproduce. 

The American Cockroach, often referred to as the palmetto bug, grows to 3 inches in length.  This species is reddish-brown and has black markings along with yellowish circles behind the head.  These cockroaches live in warm, humid climates, are often found around water sources, and are very active at night.  American Cockroaches are not only particularly large, but they can fly.

The Smokybrown Cockroach can grow to 1.5 inches and is dark mahogany in color.  Like the German Cockroach, these pests commonly live in humid, warm climates and are active at night. Smokybrown Cockroaches tend to eat decaying matter, especially wood. 

The Asian Cockroach is dark red, dark brown or black.  While the Asian Cockroach lives in warm, moist conditions, they are usually found outside.  This species is attracted to light and is found near lights, screens, and around gardens.

To avoid playing games with these four species of cockroaches, follow our rules:

• Clean up and fix any leaky faucets or pipes
• Dispose of any bags, newspapers, and boxes
• Seal cracks and gaps in the walls and around pipes
• Clean and vacuum regularly, especially around appliances
• Store pet food in sealed containers

If you’re tired of playing games with cockroaches, contact a reputable pest control company for quick and thorough cockroach removal.  For more information or for a free estimate, please visit us at Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)  or contact the Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) at 866-697-3555 today.   Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed. 

Better yet, if you want a pest-free home, consider a year-round pest control plan.  Prevention is the key to pest control.  Our experienced technicians know which pests to look for, where they may be hiding, and which signs indicate they are in your home.  Most importantly, our professionals know how to effectively control a few pests before they become infestations.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) employs comprehensive, state-of-the art technologies, chemical, and non-chemical treatments to eliminate pest problems in residential homes, businesses, hospitals, medical facilities, group homes, and apartment and condominium buildings.  Our highly trained professionals provide a fast, complete solution to your ants, mosquitoes, termites, bed bugs, rodents, and other pest infestations. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Toll-Free:866-697‑3555

Local: 954-945-5050

With warm weather and humidity, Florida is paradise for a variety of insects, rodents and other pests.  You can expect to find rats, possums, raccoons, mice, bats, birds, pigeons, snakes, fleas, ticks, beetles, ants, termites, spiders, mosquitoes, and myriad insects. 

You may recognize that pests are in your home because you hear them scurrying around, smell their odor, or see evidence that they’re making their home in your home. 

But other pests may be living in your home without your awareness, even in a spotlessly clean home. If living undetected in your home, pests such as termites can cause major structural damage to the wood in your home.  Other pests wreak havoc on clothing and other fabrics, or in foods in your pantry.

While some pests are simply loud or annoying, other pests such as ticks, mosquitoes, rats, and other rodents may carry diseases that can infect pets and humans.  Rats and mice may carry the dangerous Hantavirus while ticks may carry Lyme disease.  As we South Floridians know, mosquitoes can carry Zika virus.  Pests such as cockroaches and rats can get into boxes of food in your pantry, potentially leaving a trail of crumbs or contamination.

If you see evidence of a pest, you may decide to stop by your local hardware store to pick up a special spray to rid your home of the pests.  Use caution as these sprays may be toxic to your pets or young children.  While the sprays may work initially on the surface, most pests will move, burrow, or find another comfortable place in your home. 

If you want a pest-free home, you may want to consider a year-round pest control plan.  Prevention is the key to pest control.  A year-round pest control plan provides comfort and peace of mind.  With a year-round pest control plan, our knowledgeable, professional staff members inspect your home, inside and outside, for all types of pests ranging from termites to rats.  Our experienced technicians know which pests to look for, where they may be hiding, and which signs indicate they are in your home.  Most importantly, our professionals know how to effectively control a few pests before they become infestations.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

For more information or for a free estimate, please visit us at Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)  or contact the Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) at 866-697-3555 today.   Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) employs comprehensive, state-of-the art technologies, chemical, and non-chemical treatments to eliminate pest problems in residential homes, businesses, hospitals, medical facilities, group homes, and apartment and condominium buildings.  Our highly trained professionals provide a fast, complete solution to your ants, mosquitoes, termites, bed bugs, rodents, and other pest infestations. 

Toll-Free:866-697‑3555

Local: 954-945-5050

For many of us, our pets are an extension of our family.  We enjoy their company and care for them each day.  Consequently, when our pets aren’t feeling well, we want to ascertain the cause and fix the problem. 

Most pets spend at least some time outside, running and playing in the grass and exploring the yard or park, dashing in and out of shrubs.  This time for play and exercise is well-spent!  However, spending time near bushes and in grass may also mean that pesky pests hitch a ride on your pet.  Pests typically found in the warm Florida weather that may be annoying your pet include fleas, ticks, fire ants, bees and wasps, and mosquitoes.

Most of the time your pet encounters any of these pests, it’s when they are outside.  So, there are a few things you can do to help your pets stay away from these pests!

• Check your pet daily for any signs of pests as noted above. 
• Make sure your pet is up to date with all vaccinations and is taking appropriate medication to prevent heartworm and other preventable ailments.
• Vacuum your home regularly, especially in areas where your pet likes to be Remove any fallen fruit, trash, pet food, or animal waste that may attracts insects and other pests.
• Eliminate any standing water to reduce mosquito populations.
• Keep your grass short and keep any bushes or hedges properly trimmed and maintained.

If you are noticing signs of pests bothering your pet, talk with your veterinarian to treat your pet, and then contact a reputable pest control company to treat your home or property for pests.  Contact  Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) to treat and remove pests.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

For more information or for a free estimate, please visit us at Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)  or contact the Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) at 866-697-3555 today.   Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) employs comprehensive, state-of-the art technologies, chemical, and non-chemical treatments to eliminate pest problems in residential homes, businesses, hospitals, medical facilities, group homes, and apartment and condominium buildings.  Our highly trained professionals provide a fast, complete solution to your ants, mosquitoes, termites, bed bugs, rodents, and other pest infestations. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Toll-Free:866-697‑3555

Local: 954-945-5050

Raccoons or “coons” are primarily nocturnal mammals found throughout the United States.  With a black “mask” of fur around their eyes and grey and white fur on their bodies, these animals typically make their homes in wooded areas.   Yet, raccoons are adaptable animals and can thrive in suburbs and cities as well.  

While they look cute and fluffy from afar, these intelligent animals can also be destructive – and sometimes dangerous.  Likewise, while other animals may run away from dogs or humans, intrepid raccoons will continue their search for food or shelter despite barking dogs.   

Raccoons are omnivores and will find food wherever they are – in gardens, in garbage cans, and in dumpsters.  Raccoons have well-developed “hands” that allow them to open garbage cans, tear off pieces of siding, and climb into sheds in search of food and shelter.  Female raccoons seek out warm and dry locations, such as attics. 

Trying to coax raccoons away can be a dangerous proposition:  raccoons are unafraid of humans and can become aggressive, especially if they think their young are threatened.  If you hear or see raccoons hanging out around your property or your home, we recommend that you contact a licensed pest removal company before they cause structural damage to your home or spread parasites. 

Raccoons are carriers of fleas as well as diseases including rabies and parasites or “worms.”   If you notice that a raccoon is foaming at the mouth, has watery eyes, or is dazed or confused, the animal may have rabies.  Stay away!

Here are a few tips to prevent raccoons from making their home on your property:

• Keep pets including fish inside.  Raccoons are known to get into screened-in porches in search of food and shelter. 
• Make sure garbage lids fit properly and use a bungee cord to securely close the lids.
• Secure all pet food inside.
• Keep areas under decks and shelters closed off.  Fill any holes around your property;   seal any dog doors; ensure any vent openings have secure mesh closures to prevent animals from entering.
• Put fencing around gardens and pick up any fallen fruit from your trees.

Following these recommendations will help prevent raccoons and other wildlife from setting up a new home on your property.   If you need help ensuring that all potential home entry points are closed, give us a call.  Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) 954-945-5050

If you suspect raccoons are making their den in or near your home, it’s time for a licensed professional to humanely remove them.  Contact  Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) to remove raccoons and disinfect contaminated areas. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

For more information or for a free estimate, please visit us at Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)  or contact the Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) at 866-697-3555 today.   Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) employs comprehensive, state-of-the art technologies, chemical, and non-chemical treatments to eliminate pest problems in residential homes, businesses, hospitals, medical facilities, group homes, and apartment and condominium buildings.  Our highly trained professionals provide a fast, complete solution to your ants, mosquitoes, termites, bed bugs, rodents, and other pest infestations. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Toll-Free:866-697‑3555

Local: 954-945-5050

Which is it possum or an opossum?

That depends where you live.  If you live in Australia, you may have seen possums, nocturnal marsupials that live in trees in Papa New Guinea, China, Indonesia and Australia. 

In North America, we have opossums, which Americans often pronounce without the first “o”, so it sounds like the possums of Australia.  The opossums in the U.S. are also nocturnal marsupials that dwell in trees, but they are different animals than the possums found in Australia. 

Opossums are greyish-white animals that can grow to over three feet in length. They have small tails and pointy faces.  Like their kangaroo relatives, female opossums have pouches to hold their young.

These nocturnal animals eat everything from insects to pet food, fish to compost, and birds to fruit.  While many gardeners appreciate opossums for eating insects and other garden pests, most people dislike the fact that they also eat the plants in the garden may leave an unpleasant odor, especially when threatened. 

Opossums are great hurdlers and climbers and can easily get into holes or vents high on your roof.   You may find opossums dwelling near your home in a shed, outhouse, trash can, or other shelter. 

While opossums are seldomly aggressive, their loud hissing sounds and wide-open mouths help them appear mean, allowing them to frighten other animals and people.  Often, the hissing sound is mistaken for an animal with rabies but since opossums are colder-blooded marsupials, they don’t contract rabies.

Opossum Infestation Prevention

Here is what you need to do to prevent opossums from creating a den near you:

1. Make sure garbage lids fit properly and are completely closed each night.
2. Avoid leaving dog or other pet food outside as opossums may consider it a special treat.
3. Keep areas under decks and shelters closed off.
4. Fill any holes around your property. 
5. Ensure any vent openings have some type of closure to prevent animals from entering.
6. Pick up any fruit on your property or opossums will come running!
7. Put fencing around a garden to stave off hungry opossums.

Following these recommendations will help prevent opossums and other wildlife from setting up home on your property. 

If you suspect that an opossum or a family of opossums makes their den near your home, it is time to call a licensed professional to remove them.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

For more information or for a free estimate, please visit us at Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)  or contact the Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) at 866-697-3555 today.   Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) employs comprehensive, state-of-the art technologies, chemical, and non-chemical treatments to eliminate pest problems in residential homes, businesses, hospitals, medical facilities, group homes, and apartment and condominium buildings.  Our highly trained professionals provide a fast, complete solution to your ants, mosquitoes, termites, bed bugs, rodents, and other pest infestations. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Toll-Free:866-697‑3555

Local: 954-945-5050

For many of us, September signals the time to return to school.  We move from the more relaxed pace of summer to the quicker rhythm of classes, exams, clubs, extra-curricular activities, work, sports and more. 

While we are busy getting accustomed to our new schedules, some pests are getting more comfortable on or near our property, in our home, and more specifically, on our scalps.  September may be back-to-school for teachers, parents and students, but it’s also back-to-school for a special type of pest:  head lice (also known as nits.)

Head lice are tiny parasites that feed on human blood on or around the scalp area.  Head lice live for about one month and females lay 8 eggs daily. 

When these lice consume your blood, they release saliva to prevent clotting.  The saliva has a chemical that can cause itching on the scalp.  Scratching the skin can lead to infection.

Lice are common in pre-school and elementary age children.  Playgrounds, schools, and indoor play areas are easy areas for lice to find new hosts.  Although lice don’t fly or jump, they can move effortlessly between strands of hair.  Lice are easily spread among children and their families through contact during sports, sharing helmets or hats, towels, combs and brushes. 

If your child or another family member has lice, they will need to remove them through a scalp treatment.  There are many Over the Counter (OTC) treatments available to safely get rid of lice.

In addition to lice, ticks are plentiful in the fall as kids return to school.  In fact, South Florida’s weather allows ticks to thrive throughout the year. 

Ticks are tiny bloodsucking arthropods from the arachnid family that attach themselves to human or animal skin.  Ticks can carry a range of very serious diseases and can infect animals and humans. 

To keep you and your family safe, keep your yard and trees trimmed.  Declutter and remove debris on and near your property.  Keep animals away with fences and take extra precautions if you have pets that spend time outside by vacuuming frequently and washing pet beds regularly. 

If you find a tick on your pet or one of your family members, it’s time to contact Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) to treat your yard, bushes, trees, as well as hot spots on your home’s exterior. 

An FPCC consultation will include recommendations that will help prevent ticks from invading your property.  FPCC will conduct regular inspections and follow up treatments to ensure your property is protected from ticks, especially during the times they are most active.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

For more information or for a free estimate, please visit us at Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)  or contact the Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) at 866-697-3555 today.   Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) employs comprehensive, state-of-the art technologies, chemical, and non-chemical treatments to eliminate pest problems in residential homes, businesses, hospitals, medical facilities, group homes, and apartment and condominium buildings.  Our highly trained professionals provide a fast, complete solution to your ants, mosquitoes, termites, bed bugs, rodents, and other pest infestations. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Toll-Free:866-697‑3555

Local: 954-945-5050

If you are avoiding the Florida outdoors because of pesky mosquitoes, you’re not alone! 

Mosquitoes can put a damper on outdoor fun, pool time, and backyard barbeques. 

While we hate the itching that results from mosquito bites, mosquitoes can spread more than just annoying itching.

Mosquitoes bites can transmit several viruses to humans.  Over the last few years, the Zika virus, originally found in Uganda in the 1940’s, has spread to other parts of the world.  Known for causing birth defects in babies after pregnant women after transmission through mosquito bites, the Zika virus spread quickly in Brazil.  The mosquito-borne illness then made its way to South Florida, prompting action from local governments to contain the spread of the illness.

In addition to Zika virus, mosquitoes can carry several other mosquito-borne illnesses including Dengue fever, malaria, Zika virus, West Nile Virus, and Yellow Fever.  Symptoms from these diseases range from mild to very serious.

The best way to prevent these viruses is to avoid mosquito bites.   Here are some tips to help you steer clear of mosquito-borne illnesses:

• Since mosquitoes are more likely to bite at dawn and dusk, stay inside.
• When outside, wear long pants and long-sleeved clothing in light colors and use bug repellant.  There are several natural repellants, but the chemical DEET is known its effectiveness.
• Drain any standing water on your property to minimize ideal mosquito habitats.
• Cover doors and windows with screens and ensure there are no holes or tears.
• Stop mosquitoes from living in and around your property by putting a mosquito control solution in place.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) specializes in protecting your home and property from mosquitoes and other pests.  Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with corrective, preventative and green solutions. We endorse the use of sustainable bio-based pest management alternatives.  Using safe, easy and effective treatments for mosquito populations, we can help you take back your yard for play time, pool parties, and backyard barbeques!

For more information or for a free estimate, please visit us at Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)  or contact the Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) at 866-697-3555 today.   Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) employs comprehensive, state-of-the art technologies, chemical, and non-chemical treatments to eliminate pest problems in residential homes, businesses, hospitals, medical facilities, group homes, and apartment and condominium buildings.  Our highly trained professionals provide a fast, complete solution to your termites, ants, mosquitoes, termites, bed bugs, rodents, and other pest infestations. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Toll-Free:866-697‑3555

Local: 954-945-5050