Blog

Florida is a terrific home for termites.  Although no one has ever been happy about having termites present in their home – they are quite common throughout South Florida. At Florida Pest Control Center our team of experienced pest control technicians know all too well about these damaging insects.  Here we take a look at 10 interesting facts about termites.  

• Termites do not actually sleep.  They are awake 24/7 eating, burrowing, and building nests.
• Termites take care of their young as a group, all staying together.
• Once termites have nested in their new home, they will shed their wings.
• Termites do not have functional eyes except for the king and queen termites.  Most termites are blind and communicate through vibrations and pheromones.
• Termites swarm in order to mate and start new colonies.
• The main predator for termites is ants. 
• Termite queens can lay up to 30,000 eggs a day.  That can be 11 million eggs in one year.
• The queen termite queen live longer than any other insect – up to 30 to 50 years.
• There are two main types of termites – subterranean termites and drywood termites. Each type requires a different method of extermination.
• Termites are expensive – causing approximately $5 billion in damages every year in the U.S. alone.

If you suspect any kind of termite infestation, contact our team of licensed pest control professionals to conduct an inspection and develop an effective action plan for removal.  Termite colonies can grow exponentially so it is vital that you act fast.

Terminate Termites with Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) is the termite terminator, the Florida expert in treating all types of termites.  FPCC professionals analyze and evaluate each infestation to determine the most effective treatment. 

Using the most advanced technologies to safely eliminate termites, FPCC pest control may recommend heat treatment, foam termicide through pumps, liquid treatment through soil rods and injections, ground barriers, or a combination of these.  

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) today.   Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed. 

Terminate your termites today!

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. 

Safe.  We use the safest treatments available.

Easy.  We make it as easy as we can on you and your family.

Effective.  Our treatments will effectively remove bed bugs from your home.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Local: 954-945-5050

Not getting a restful sleep?  Think you may have bed beds in your home?  Bed bugs can be easily seen with the naked eye but may be difficult to spot in a room.  They are tiny, brown or red parasitic insects that feed on your blood and invade your personal space. They hide in the beds, the mattress itself, box springs, bed frames, and headboards. If you think your home might be infested with bed bugs, then you need to seek professional bed bug treatment.

Bed Bugs Can Spread

South Florida is a travel destination and that means the bugs travel too.  Today, bed bugs have become more common issue in hotels and even five-star hotels are having problems with bed bugs.  Be sure to keep these pesky bugs out of your home after you have traveled or have had out of town guests visit your home.

Because bed bugs do not fly as they typically transport by crawling or being carried from one location to another. Bed bugs as well as their eggs often hitchhike in a traveler’s suitcase or clothing.

Common signs that you may have bed bugs include the following:

• Spotting blood on your bed
• Finding insect shells
• Seeing small, flat bugs

Controlling Bed Bugs in Your Home

The pest professional at Florida Pest Control Center offers bed bug services throughout South Florida that can remove bed bugs from your property.   We inspect the entire premises to ensure that you can remain free of the fear of bites from these pests.  Contact us today to schedule a free inspection to determine which pest control plan will work best on your infestation.

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. 

Safe.  We use the safest treatments available.

Easy.  We make it as easy as we can on you and your family.

Effective.  Our treatments will effectively remove bed bugs from your home.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Local: 954-945-5050

Bed bugs can be found worldwide and are not a reflection of the cleanliness of any type of property. For South Florida commercial property owners, they are just another pest to manage. These types of bugs can invade many different types of commercial properties, and they are also very common in apartment complexes with multiple units.  At Florida Pest Control Center, our experts can make sure your commercial property stays bed bug free.  We frequently treat the following types of properties:   

• Hotels
• Condos and Townhomes
• Group Homes
• Hospitals
• Medical Facilities
• Shelters
• Single Family Homes
• Damage, Dangers of Bed Bugs

If a building has cracks in the walls, the bed bugs may enter one of the units and spread to other parts of the facility. Bed bugs can also hitch a ride on people and then spread throughout a commercial property. This can compromise the health of the residents of the property. Many apartments are adjacent to commercial structures, and this is a common method the bed bugs use to enter the residential parts of the building. Bed bugs can also enter office buildings as well. They may cling to furniture and other items during a move from one place to another. Once inside the premises, they can easily move around and search for people to bite.

Controlling Bed Bugs

After they enter the building, they may build nests in dark, moist areas. After night falls, they may come out to feast on unaware humans. Some people will wake up with sores or rashes on their skin. These areas may itch severely, and some people will even have allergic reactions. Instead of guessing whether you have a pest infestation, you can always contact The Bed Bug Center, and let our experts take care of the rest. We are proud to offer out bed bug control services to Broward County, Ft. Lauderdale, Plantation, Dania Beach, and the surrounding cities and towns. Call us today for a free bed bug control quote.

We inspect the entire premises to ensure that you can remain free of the fear of bites from these pests.

Contact us today to schedule a free termite inspection to determine which termite control plan will work best on your infestation.

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. 

Safe.  We use the safest treatments available.

Easy.  We make it as easy as we can on you and your family.

Effective.  Our treatments will effectively remove bed bugs from your home.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Local: 954-945-5050

The most effective way to guarantee a complete eradication of Drywood termites from your home or business is termite tent fumigation. However, when most people think about fumigation they think inconvenience and interruption in their daily lives; which is why the expert exterminators at Florida Pest Control Services offer a wide range of termite control solutions.

However, sometime tent fumigation is the only solution for treating larger infestations to prevent further damage. The termite control experts at Florida Pest Control Center are continuously trained on the laws and procedures for safe and effective fumigation services for termites affecting the South Florida area.

Our team has extensive experience and have provided tent fumigation for homes, businesses, yachts, boats, hotels, condo buildings, apartment complexes and more. When it comes to termite tenting, we’ve seen it all and we can handle it all.

Benefits of Fumigation (Tenting)

• Treatment works its way into wall voids, baseboards, and other spaces where termites can hide.
• Coverage can be applied to an entire structure.
• A fast solution that does not require follow-up visits in most situations to ensure complete eradication of termites and other targeted pests within a structure.
• Effective for exterminating cockroaches, termites, bed bugs and other pests.

Contact us today to schedule a free termite inspection to determine which termite control plan will work best on your infestation.

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. 

Safe.  We use the safest treatments available.

Easy.  We make it as easy as we can on you and your family.

Effective.  Our treatments will effectively remove bed bugs from your home.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Local: 954-945-5050

The Fall season is upon us, and that means rodents are beginning to seek shelter inside accessible homes and properties looking for warmer areas and a food source.  It is very hard to miss a rather large rodent infestation, but they can begin small and that is the ideal time to act. At Florida Pest Control Center, we have the following recommendations to keep a lookout for and to prepare for these little critters:

Six Signs of a Rodent Infestation:

Droppings – these are the most common and easily seen signs of an infestation. Mice droppings are usually no more than ¼” in length and are small, dark brown, with pointed ends. Rat droppings can be anywhere between ¾” and ½” long and vary in shape depending on the type of rat. It is strongly recommended to use gloves and a mask when cleaning up rodent droppings.

Gnaw Marks – noticing small bite or chew marks on wood, cardboard, and other materials is another indicator of a rodent infestation as mice and rats of all sizes are known to gnaw on anything from baseboards to wires.

Track Marks – tiny footprints are another obvious sign of infestation. These typically appear up high where dust collects, and tracks would be identifiable.

Scratch Marks and Noises – marks and noises are often located inside walls and in attics and ceilings.

Nests – notice clusters of debris or garbage anywhere?  Rodents use materials such as shredded paper, fabric, or dried plant matter to make their nests. If nests are found and there are also other signs of current presence (droppings, gnawing or odor), there is a great chance it is an infestation.

Foul Odor – smell something odd?  Odors from a rodent will grow stronger as an infestation worsens – especially if a rodent dies inside a dwelling.  This is a time to let the professionals handle matters as they can be very hazardous.

If you do find the telltale rat or mouse droppings and you do not want to deal with the kill vs. trap-and-release dilemma —do not hesitate to call a professional. At Florida Pest Control Center we have specially trained and licensed pest control professionals that can provide the detection of the infestations, the treatment, as well as the prevention and extermination methods needed to eliminate these pests for good. The longer the rodents are in your house, the more droppings (that may carry disease), and the more damage they will likely do.

Let the professionals deal with the rodents for you.  Call us today at 954-945-5050

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. 

Safe.  We use the safest treatments available.

Easy.  We make it as easy as we can on you and your family.

Effective.  Our treatments will effectively remove bed bugs from your home.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Local: 954-945-5050

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) is a premier pest control company in South Florida that provides complete pest control services and is fully licensed and insured.

Throughout South Florida, there are thousands of pest control companies. This means that if you spotted unwanted guests in your home, there won’t be a lack of options for extermination. But not all pest control companies are alike. 

Here are the top things to look for when trying to select the best pest control company.

Years of Quality Service

It is difficult to stay in business for very long if the customer service is very poor.  The longer a local pest control company has been around, the better. You can check out customer reviews and the BBB to see if a business does indeed have a good reputation.  Not only do years of experience mean a greater chance of quality pest control service, but it also means things will go smoothly and time will not be wasted.

Wide Range of Services

A quality pest control company must know how to identify various pests and the right methods to exterminate them. If a business doesn’t have a wide range of services, you should consider using another company that can handle all the pest issues.  Full services such as tent fumigation, termite treatment, mosquito control, and more should be offered.

Free Inspections

It is best to get things checked before infestations arise.  A thorough inspection is needed to determine the extent of damage and the proper solution.

Performance

Any worthy pest control company will have enough confidence to stand behind the work they do.  Reputable pest control companies have your best interest at heart and make sure all pests are gone for good on the first go.

At Florida Pest Control Center, we have all the areas covered for you.  No need to look any further for your pest control services – give us a call today at (954) 945-5050

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 (954) 945-5050 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.

Did you know, there are over seventeen different ant species in Florida that are considered household pests, according to the University of Florida – Fort Lauderdale. Each of these ant species has its own food preference and behavior pattern, and they all require a different treatment method.

Carpenter Ants are among the largest of the ant species and one of the most seen in South Florida.  They infest both interior and exterior environments around homes and other structures and are mostly active at dawn and dusk. Their appearance consists of a single reddish or black body, with a single node between its abdomen and thorax.  They range in color: black, brown, and red, orange and are typically 1/4 – 3/4 inches long.  If spotted anywhere inside your home, it is time to be worried about carpenter ants.

Carpenter ants typically choose your walls to damage and that is a warning sign you should act on. These ants prefer to nest in wood, preferably dead and or moist wood, inside galleries they develop by chewing their way through the wood. This nesting process is what leads to costly repairs for South Florida homeowners.

How to Defend Your Home from Carpenter Ants

The best way to protect yourself, your property and your perimeter from these annoying pests is to:

• Remove old tree stumps and broken limps inside hedges.
• Replaced old or damaged wood and wood trim around the structure of the home.
• Eliminate damp conditions and poor drainage problems that can lead to wood damage.
• Trim tree branches and shrubs away from all permanent structures.
• Remove fallen leaves and compost piles near structures and mulch.
• Thoroughly clean areas where food is managed in a timely manner

(including food left over from dogs, cats, and other pets).

• Make sure all wall voids are covered and sealed and that no standing water is near structures. (Ants can fit through extremely small openings to gain access into a home or building.)

Your property is one of the largest investments you will make and protecting that investment from any type of pests, including carpenter ants and other wood-destroying organisms with the professionals should be top priority. 

Contact Florida Pest Control Center for a free quote on all ant pest control services. When ants get inside your home or business, our professional team has the knowledge and equipment to eliminate the problem. Let us inspect the area and determine the best strategy to eradicate the pests and protect your home or business from future infestations. Call us today at 954-945-5050.

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. 

Safe.  We use the safest treatments available.

Easy.  We make it as easy as we can on you and your family.

Effective.  Our treatments will effectively remove bed bugs from your home.

Can you tell the difference between drywood termites and subterranean termites?  These different species of termites have unique characteristics and may require distinct control methods.  The main difference between them is that drywood termites do not require contact with any soil and infest dry wood, while subterranean termites need contact with soil or water on order to survive and are much more dangerous as their colonies can develop up to 1 million strong.  If you have either in your home or on your property, it can lead to a disaster.

A Visual Difference

Subterranean termites – appear more like an ant as they have a soft body with no eyes and are typically no longer than a centimeter.  They contain a single thick, dark vein that runs parallel to the top of the wing.

Drywood termites  – contain wings and have a more complex system of veins, usually at least three or four in each wing.

Nesting Difference

Subterranean termites  – have a large society with a king and queen and subordinates – soldiers or workers. The soldiers guard the royal couple. The queen is up to 10 centimeters in length and the king slightly exceeds her size. Her lifespan is about fifteen years. A few millions of termites appear during their reign.

Drywood termites  – occur in small colonies in isolated wood pieces. Multiple colonies can infest a structure simultaneously. Late Spring and Summer months are the peak season for winged drywood termite swarming flights.

Whether you find Drywood Termites, Eastern Subterranean Termites or any other termite species, it’s time to call in the professionals before the termites destroy your home or building.  Unfortunately, home treatment with topical sprays from the home supply stores don’t have the reach or strength to control infestations.

Terminate the Termites with Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) is the termite terminator, the Florida expert in treating all types of termites.  FPCC professionals analyze and evaluate each infestation to determine the most effective treatment. 

Using the most advanced technologies to safely eliminate termites, FPCC pest control may recommend heat treatment, foam termicide through pumps, liquid treatment through soil rods and injections, ground barriers, or a combination of these.  

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) 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)

Local: 954-945-5050

Summer is here and that means many days of heavy rain and thunderstorms ahead.  During this season, we typically get the following questions:

Does the rain wash away the pest treatment?

If the exterior of your property was treated and then it rains later that same day, chances are it will not affect the pest treatment for these two main reasons:

• Most homes have a form of guttering that overhangs the edges of the structure and will not affect the base of the property.
• When our team treats the exterior, we do not spray on existing wet surfaces as the pesticides need to “bind” with the area of which its being applied.

Can you spray pesticides in the rain?

If it has been raining heavily for hours on end before performing the treatment, then it would not be the optimal time to be treating.  In order to be affective, the pesticides need to bind with the surface it is being applied to.

Should my appointment be rescheduled due to the rain?

There are exceptions to the rule but for most cases, you do not need to reschedule the appointment. Treatments to the inside of the property can take place and depending on the situation, the outside treated as well.   

Many of the insecticides that our team uses are insoluble and will not wash away by rainfall, however if it has been raining heavily for consecutive days, and the weather is worse, then it might be a time to reschedule.

Additionally, when the ground is soft from all the rain, most pests, especially ants will actually come out from the ground because they need to escape the moisture. This can result in pest treatments being more effective because we can not only hit the pests directly but also because the pesticide granules dissolve and are absorbed into the ground, killing off more pests beneath the surface. In fact, some treatments require the product to be wet in order for the toxins to be released.

If you notice signs of pests contact  Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) for a free estimate and pest evaluation.

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. 

Safe.  We use the safest treatments available.

Easy.  We make it as easy as we can on you and your family.

Effective.  Our treatments will effectively remove bed bugs from your home.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Local: 954-945-5050

It’s almost Summer and that means Tick season. 

True Pest Control Fact:   Ticks are not insects – they are arachnids.  Related to the spider and scorpion family of pests.  For the most part, ticks mainly live in warm, wooded and or grassy areas and feed on blood from the animals that are in the area. 

Each year, thousands of dogs become infected with tick-transmitted diseases.  The most common and dangerous version is Lyme Disease.  However, there are many other serious illnesses that ticks can spread including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichia, anaplasmosis, babesia, and tularemia.  Early symptoms from these diseases are difficult to recognize, and dogs can suffer for weeks or months before the disease is detected.  Sometimes treatment works; sometimes it’s too late.

Florida’s year-round warmth allows ticks to thrive – in the grass, in shrubs and wooded areas, and on your pet.  Brown ticks and American dog ticks are common in South Florida, but Deer ticks and the Lone Star ticks can also be found in the state.  In addition to the monthly flea and tick treatment for your pet, you will want to ensure that your home, your property, and your family are free of ticks. 

To keep you and your family safe, follow these tips:

• Keep your yard, trees, and bushes trimmed. 
• Remove any debris or clutter around your yard and home. 
• Use fences to keep out other wild animals that may carry ticks. 
• When you go outside, use tick repellants and wear long, light colored clothing so that you can easily see ticks. 
• If you have a pet, vacuum frequently and dispose of the dust and dander in a sealed plastic bag. 
• Wash bedding regularly with hot water. 
• If you, your family, or your pets have been exposed to grassy and wooded areas, be sure to check for ticks!  Check around the ears, underarms, in hair, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and in the belly button. 
• If you find a tick, properly remove the tick with a fine-point tweezers, gently pulling it out and saving in a glass jar with a tight lid in case a disease develops.  Clean the bite area with a disinfectant. 

Contact Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) to treat your yard, bushes, trees, as well as hot spots on your home’s exterior.  We will also recommend changes 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.

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) 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, ticks, mosquitoes, termites, bed bugs, birds, rodents, and other pest infestations. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)

Local: 954-945-5050