Ticks And Your Pets
Ever seen a tick? Would you be able to identify a tick if you saw one crawling on your dog?
If you live in Florida and have pets, take a close look at this image and read on to learn how to protect your animals from ticks and the diseases they carry.
Did you know that ticks aren’t insects? They are arachnids and are related to spiders and scorpions. Ticks live in warm, wooded or grassy areas and feed on blood – often on the blood of animals that run through the grassy or wooded areas where they live.
Each year, thousands of dogs become infected with tick-transmitted diseases. You’ve probably heard of the dangerous Lyme Disease, but ticks can also spread other serious illnesses including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, anaplasmosis, babesia, tularemia, and Ehrlichia. 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.
Tick populations have been on the rise throughout the country. South 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.
One of the top recommendations that veterinarians give pet owners to keep pets healthy is to protect them from fleas and ticks. So, 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) 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, ticks, mosquitoes, termites, bed bugs, birds, rodents, and other pest infestations.
Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)
https://www.floridapestcontrolcenter.com/
Toll-Free:866-697‑3555
Local: 954-945-5050
Let’s Talk Birds and Bird Control
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, birds are “of a class of (Aves) of warm-blooded vertebrates distinguished by having the body more or less completely covered with feathers and the forelimbs modified as wings.”[1]
While the thought of these beautiful feathery creatures soaring above your backyard sounds nice, the reality is that if you’re a homeowner, you probably won’t want nuisance birds hanging around your property. Aside from pigeons, sparrows, doves, and starlings are often categorized as nuisance birds
Why should you avoid feeding birds on your property?
Birds often are hosts to ticks, mites and fleas. If birds are nesting nearby, guess what also can end up in your yard, on your pet, and near your family?
Nuisance birds also can be loud, waking up homeowners while they slumber. More importantly, birds can carry and transmit diseases, especially in their droppings. Bird droppings containing bacteria and parasites have a strong, unpleasant odor. In addition, the acidic droppings can ruin home and landscape aesthetics and cause serious illness in humans and pets. Bird droppings are highly corrosive and can damage plants, roofs, metal pipes, and other building materials. Large quantities of bird droppings can also clog drains, creating a problem during heavy rains in Florida. Finally, birds roosting in warehouses or commercial buildings can damage inventory and contaminate food products.
What can you do to avoid having birds roost on your property?
The first step is to remove the birds from your property, closely followed by step two which involves disinfecting the entire area where the birds were roosting. The third step is to implement a system of tactical deterrents designed to keep birds away.
Should you “try it at home?”
It’s probably not a great idea to “try it at home” unless you have significant experience working with birds. Birds can become aggressive, especially when you are near their nesting area. By going near the nest area, you are putting yourself at risk for transmission of parasitic and bacterial illness.
The best advice is to “let the professionals handle it.” Pest control technicians are well-versed in the remove of birds and nests.
Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) provides several safe and effective ways to control nuisance birds in Florida homes, neighborhoods, and commercial and industrial properties.
After inspecting your property, we can advise you on the best way to protect you, your family, and your pets from:
- the spread of bird and bird dropping-related diseases.
- potential fire hazards caused by bird nest locations in vents and other dangerous. Locations.
- further damage to plants, sidewalks, roofs, and other building materials.
Our highly trained experts work with you to design an effective treatment plan using humane techniques to:
- Safely remove birds.
- Properly disinfect the area.
- Put deterrents in place so birds won’t return.
How do we safely and humanely remove birds and their nests?
We use several safe, budget-friendly techniques including:
- Bird netting to prevent birds from nesting in certain locations.
- Visual and audio scare tactics designed to irritate, scare, and repel birds.
- Bird deterrents such as spikes to prevent birds from roosting.
- Harmless shocks to modify bird behavior.
- Bird birth control treatments to control large bird populations in urban areas.
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, birds, rodents, and other pest infestations.
Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)
https://www.floridapestcontrolcenter.com/
Toll-Free:866-697‑3555
Local: 954-945-5050
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird
Pigeon Control
Many species of birds are beautiful to watch as they fly in flocks, communicating via bird calls and songs. However, some species of birds in South Florida, most notably pigeons, can be a nuisance.
Pigeons often roost in buildings, attics, and roofs, their droppings are highly corrosive and frequently damage roofs, air conditioning units, metal pipes, gutters, and other building materials. The droppings can ruin vegetation, gardens, and vehicles parked nearby. Moreover, when parasites and bacteria found in pigeon droppings can cause a number of very serious illnesses. In addition, pigeon droppings are not only unsightly and produce a foul odor, but they also cause slip and fall accidents along sidewalks, driveways and parking lots near roosting areas.
Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) provides a variety of effective, safe, humane ways to control nuisance birds in Florida homes, neighborhoods, and commercial and industrial properties. Our highly trained experts work with you to design an effective treatment plan using one or multiple of our safe, humane, tools and techniques.
Pigeon netting is a very safe treatment option that allows our experts to force pigeons to leave your location in search of nesting and roosting sites. Bird netting system is an economical method that is ideal for commercial and industrial areas with high bird activity.
Another safe and effective product we use is harmless shock. Designed to modify pigeon behavior, our BirdShock Flex Track System provides an alert to the bird that the current location is highly undesirable. The birds quickly leave in search of a new location.
Since pigeons seek out flat surfaces to nest and roost, we encourage our clients to make it difficult for pigeons to find flat surfaces at their location. Bird deterrents such as bird spikes are a safe and effective way to prevent birds from finding flat areas to roost or nest. Spikes can be installed along roofs, gutters, girders, ledges, and any other potential nesting location.
We also utilize a bird birth control treatment known as OvoControl to contain flocks in very large areas. The OvoControl bait interferes with reproduction, causing the pigeon population to decline through attrition.
In addition to these treatment options, we work with our clients to create a plan that will make your location less desirable for birds. To begin, it’s essential that large areas such as public parks are cleaned up regularly to minimize food scraps and crumbs that attract pigeons and other nuisance animals.
In parks and neighborhoods, we urge our clients to educate individuals to avoid feeding pigeons. We recommend that they only feed birds in above-ground birdfeeders, cleaning up excess food that lands on the ground in order to avoid attracting nuisance animals.
Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) takes a humanitarian approach to bird control. Whether your problem is pigeons or any other type of bird, we will customize a solution to remove the birds without harming them.
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, birds, rodents, and other pest infestations.
Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)
https://www.floridapestcontrolcenter.com/
Toll-Free:866-697‑3555
Local: 954-945-5050
The Termite Terminator
Termites are one of the oldest insects, dating back over 200 million years. Over that time, 2600 species of termites have eaten their way through large concentrations of cellulose. Many termite species prefer warm weather and moist conditions, so it’s not surprising that termites are plentiful in South Florida.
Wondering if you have termites?
- Check your doorways, door frames, walls, and baseboards for termite wings by clicking here.
- Examine the ground near the house for tube-shaped mud tunnels.
- Inspect doors, baseboards and frames for tiny holes or bubbles.
- Determine if they are flying ants or termites by reading this.
What type of termites?
If you saw mud tubes in your home examination, you may have Subterranean or Formosan Termites. Both consume cellulose fiber and can damage insulation, paper, and wood structures. While there are other species of termites, the Formosan Termites are the most aggressive. Learn more here.
What if you’ve only seen a few wings?
If you’ve only seen a small clue that leads you to believe you may have a small number of termites, think again. Termites live in colonies ranging from hundreds to many thousands. If you see a few wings or a couple of tube-shaped mud tunnels, you can bet there are more – many more.
What are the best home treatments for termites?
Regrettably, home treatments using topical sprays don’t work. Why? They don’t reach far enough to effectively target the colonies deep in walls or wood structures.
When is it time to call a pest control service?
If you suspect you may have termites or have any evidence that there are termites, it’s time to call in the professionals. Allow the pest control professionals at Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) to evaluate your home and provide a free estimate – so that you can terminate the termites before they destroy your home.
Do you treat termites with “Old School” Tenting?
Some pest control companies use old methods that involve tenting the home for several days, requiring that you, your family and your pets evacuate. The tenting method is invasive and costly, and we recommend against it.
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.
Heat Treatment
The one-service heat treatment strategy uses forced hot air technology to quickly eradicate termite colonies. Using specialized radiators and infrared sensors, we raise the ambient room temperature, remove moisture, and circulate heated air at specific temperatures. The heat kills the colonies, leaving no residue nor chemicals.
Liquid and Foam Treatment
Using the most advanced technologies to safely eliminate termites, FPCC pest control professionals treat infestations using a combination of liquid and foam termicides through pumps, injections, bait, and soil rods.
Ground Barriers
FPCC uses innovative technology to create a non-repellent barrier between your building and the ground, effectively preventing new termites from entering to the ground for the moisture they need to survive.
Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)
The variety of innovative treatments we use not only eliminate termites rapidly without the need for tenting, but they also create a barrier between your building and the ground, effectively preventing new termites from entering to the ground for the moisture they need to survive. Moreover, FPCC treatments won’t break the bank nor require you to evacuate for days at a time.
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)
https://www.floridapestcontrolcenter.com/
Toll-Free:866-697‑3555
Local: 954-945-5050
No-Tent Termite Treatment
The late spring termite swarming season has come to an end. The termite swarmers have found new locations for their colonies in structures where cellulose is plentiful. As new colonies grows, they will destroy the surrounding wood and fiber structures.
Do you have termites?
Check around your home, paying special attention to doorways, door frames, baseboards, walls and wood furniture in your home. Be on alert for classic termite wings, tube-shaped mud tunnels in the ground or near the house, portions of the wall hollowed out, tiny holes or a “bubbled” look on doors, frames or baseboards.
Professional Termite Treatment
Home treatment with topical sprays just aren’t effective since they don’t reach the colonies embedded in structures. While you wait for topical sprays to work, termites continue attacking the wood and fiber in their path.
Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) is the Florida expert in treating all species of termites, using the most advanced technologies to safely eliminate termites. Our knowledgeable staff will assess your termite situation and discuss the optimal treatment options for your termite infestation.
Innovative No-Tent Heat Treatment
Using the newest and safest treatments available, FPCC can effectively treat termites in a matter of hours – without the need for tenting your home. Our treatments utilize a combination of pumps, injections, bait, soil rods, and forced heat.
One of our most innovative and effective approaches to eradicate termite colonies is using heat treatment. This one-service treatment strategy uses forced hot air technology to quickly eradicate termite colonies. Specialized radiators raise the ambient room temperature and remove moisture while the heated air is recirculated using dedicated fans. Infrared sensors placed in strategic locations allow our technicians to monitor and control the environment, maintaining specific temperatures to eliminate termites. Property owners and managers rave about our heat treatment because:
• The heat treatment is very effective – it kills adult insects, their young, and their eggs.
• Heat treatment is a one-service treatment strategy.
• There is no residue or chemicals that can harm pets.
• Heat can reach tiny, often overlooked crevices where termites may hide.
• The treatment won’t damage your home or furniture.
“Old School” Tenting
Other pest control companies use older methods that involve tenting the home for several days, requiring that you, your family and your pets evacuate during this time and find a hotel or another place to stay. The tenting method is invasive, intrusive, and expensive.
Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)
The variety of innovative treatments we use not only eliminate termites rapidly without the need for tenting, but they also create a barrier between your building and the ground, effectively preventing new termites from entering to the ground for the moisture they need to survive. Moreover, FPCC treatments won’t break the bank nor require you to evacuate for days at a time.
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)
https://www.floridapestcontrolcenter.com/
Toll-Free:866-697‑3555
Local: 954-945-5050
Subterranean Termites Swarm in South Florida
It’s that time of year. School is coming to an end, summer plans are in gear, and subterranean termites are swarming.
Yes, these termites, commonly found in South Florida, swarm in the spring. And if you’re not familiar with swarming, stay tuned for a quick overview!
Swarming Season
Swarming is the process by which termites locate a new home near an available food source and begin a new colony. During swarming season in late spring, specific termites known as “swarmers” leave their colony in search of an ideal location for their next colony. The “swarmers” don’t cause damage to your home or other structures because they don’t have the ability to chew wood or fiber. But, they pave the way for their fellow termites to colonize and begin destruction of surrounding materials. Although disconcerting to humans, this is all part of the natural termite life cycle that allows termites to reproduce.
The subterranean termite typically colonizes underground, creating mud tubes that protect them from predators. Mud tubes may be evident on the side of buildings or wood structures. During swarming season, thousands of termites fly through mud tubes seeking out new homes, typically attracted by large concentrations of available cellulose. Subterranean termites also can cause damage to anything made of fiber as well as insulation, paper, and infiltration systems.
Formosan Termites
Known as “super termites”, the subterranean Formosan Termites are the most aggressive species of termites. Like other subterranean species including Eastern Subterranean Termites, Formosan Termites colonize underground and create mud tubes. But, these termites consume cellulose and fiber so quickly that a colony can destroy the structure of a building in months. Significant termite damage to a home after only a few months of an infestation may require repairs upwards of $50,000.
Flying Ants or Termites?
Swarming termites build a colony quickly! So, if you see something that resembles flying ants, you may have found the beginning of a termite colony. Wondering if they are indeed flying ants or termites?
Take a close look – if the antennae are straight, wings are the same length, and they have a relatively straight body, they’re probably termites. If you think you may have termites, you need to act fast and potentially stop an infestation. The faster you can control the activity, the less damage you will have.
Home Treatments
Unfortunately, home treatments with topical sprays just cannot reach the colonies that are typically embedded in the building structure. Consequently, these treatments will allow the termites to continue attacking the wood and fiber in their path.
Whether they are Formosa Termites, Eastern Subterranean Termites or any other termite species, if you find “ants with wings”, it’s time to call in the professionals before the termites destroy your home or building.
Professional Termite Elimination
Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) is the Florida expert in treating Formosan and Eastern Subterranean Termites, using the most advanced technologies to safely eliminate termites. The process of termite removal requires pest control professionals – technicians who are knowledgeable about termite behavior patterns, their food sources, breeding, and preferred habitats. Using this knowledge, we effectively treat the ground-based infestation using pumps, injections, bait, and soil rods. In addition, our newest subterranean termite truck is equipped with dual pumps and hoses to allow us to combine the strength of both liquid and foam termiticide treatments.
We also use innovative treatments to create a non-repellent barrier between your building and the ground, effectively preventing new termites from entering to the ground for the moisture they need to survive. Without blend of powerful treatments, termite infestations will be rapidly eradicated.
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.
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)
https://www.floridapestcontrolcenter.com/
Toll-Free:866-697‑3555
Local: 954-945-5050
Ant Removal
Finding ants in your kitchen, along the baseboards, and in the bathroom?
If you are finding even one ant in your bathroom, you can expect to find more. When ants move throughout your home, they leave tracks that are invisible to humans but ring loud and clear to their ant species.
Did you know that there are over 15 different ant species in Florida? Each of these species can be considered a household nuisance, but some ant species create more serious problems than others. Fire and red ants can deliver a painful sting to humans – and especially to young children playing outside in the yard. Carpenter ants are often found in decaying wood. These ants can wreak havoc in wood structures and even damage the structure of your home. It’s important to treat these ant colonies quickly before they compromise the integrity of wood structures.
Ants May Start Outside…
Most ant colonies start outside, but are driven indoors by their attraction to sugar, water, proteins, oils, and fragrances. It’s not uncommon to find several ant species in bathrooms, the nursery, or wherever scented products are used. Odorous ants and sugar ants are typically found in the kitchen and bathrooms, searching for water or food. Additionally, some species of ants invade air conditioning units.
Summertime draws even more ants, and home infestations can be traced to growing colonies ranging from dozens to millions of ants, originating outside your home.
As you can probably imagine, homes, offices, hospitals, and other commercial buildings are not limited to only one species of ants. You could have multiple ant species enjoying a fiesta in the underlying structure and inside your home. Ants don’t just invade homes; they infest businesses and wreak havoc in restaurants, offices and hotels.
While sweeping, mopping, and cleaning will help reduce the number of ants in your home, once they’ve made their way into your home, there are plenty more that will continue coming back. Keeping your bushes trimmed and your doors and windows caulked helps, as does eliminating standing water near your home. However, when you feel that the ants have stayed past curfew, it’s time to contact a reputable pest control service to inspect and remove the ants.
Ant Removal Services
The process of ant control and ant removal requires pest control professionals – technicians who are knowledgeable about ant behavior patterns, their food sources, breeding, and preferred habitats. Once our ant infestation control professionals identify the ant species, they can locate their nesting area to treat the ants quickly and effectively. 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, bed bugs, rodents, and other pest infestations.
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)
https://www.floridapestcontrolcenter.com/
Toll-Free:866-697‑3555
Local: 954-945-5050
Pulling the Sheets Over Your Eyes? Where Bed Bugs Hide
Those small bed bugs are sneaky! Are they pulling the sheets over your eyes? Bed bugs typically are hidden during the day and come out in the early hours of the morning, often between 2am – 5am, to feed on human blood. Consequently, while you and your family members are comfortably sleeping, bed bugs will nourish themselves by consuming small amounts of your blood (or those of family members), and then quickly and quietly scurrying off to their living areas.
Bed bugs like to live within a few feet of their nutrition source (humans), so while that’s not far away, they can conceal themselves well. It’s common to find bed bugs living in the mattress or box spring, or in other nearby locations such as bedframes, chairs, sofas, dressers, walls, ceilings, and even in your clothing, bedding, luggage, rugs, closets and backpacks. In addition, they have been known to live in electrical outlets, dog beds, electronics, door hinges, and just about anywhere else you can think of!
As the number of bed bugs increases with an infestation, the bed bugs tend to spread out beyond the initial few feet of their nutrition source. And, they may be found not only near where you and family members sleep, but also near areas where you rest or lounge, such as the family room sofa or an office desk chair.
While there is a myriad of places bed bugs like to hide out, we usually don’t find them in kitchens, bathrooms, garages or infrequently-used guestrooms.
If you think you may have bed bugs, now is the time to contact a reputable pest removal service to assess the situation.
Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) provides knowledgeable pest control professionals who are thorough, efficient and discrete. Our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach begins with a systematic Multi–Room Inspection (MRI) by our certified technicians and includes proper detection and identification as well as green pest control treatments. Pest control treatments may also include vacuuming, traps, steam, high temperature heat treatments, low-toxicity residual pesticide application, as well as customer education.
Florida Pest Control Center pest removal experts, also known as “America’s bed bug whisperer” company, sets the standard for pest control service with residential, commercial and industrial customers. In fact, our non-exclusive access to the University of Florida’s urban pest management and modern pest control technology experts enables us to customize the most effective treatment plans for every situation.
We employ 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 pest issue.
For more information or for a free estimate, please visit us at Florida Pest Control Center or contact the Florida Pest Control Center at 954-945-5050 today.
Florida Pest Control Center services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed.
www.floridapestcontrolcenter.com
954-945-5050
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes on Your Property
Mosquitoes cause problems for everyone in their yards each year. They’re not only nuisances but also spreaders of various diseases such as the Zika virus. They silently land on both humans and animals, plunging their proboscis into the skin and draining enough blood to fill their bellies. If you’re the victim of a mosquito infestation, you can do a few things to stop them from taking over your yard.
4 Ways to Stop Mosquito Infestations
Remove any stagnant water from your yard.
Female mosquitoes are attracted to and lay their eggs in water. If you have water in a birdbath, a dog dish or a flowerpot, you’re increasing the risk of mosquito infestations. It’s best to drain any water from the objects in your yard to put an end to mosquito breeding sites.
Cut back the shrubs and weeds.
Mosquitoes hunt for food in the morning and evening. When they’re resting during the heat of the day, they spend their time on the leaves of shrubs and weeds. They may also rest on overgrown grasses in your yard. Maintaining your lawn will eliminate their resting spots and send them somewhere else.
Pick up the trash around your property.
Clutter and trash attract pests of all types, including mosquitoes. They can find water in old cans or crumpled plastic bags and use these sites to breed. You should remove any trash and clutter from your property to reduce the mosquito population.
Have a professional treat the yard.
Professional pest control technicians use the most effective treatments for mosquitoes. They know where to spray and how to treat infestations at the source. Professional technicians will also identify any troublesome spots in your yard and help you to keep mosquitoes away during the peak season.
Get Rid of Mosquitoes for Good
If mosquitoes continue to infiltrate your yard, seek assistance from the professionals. Florida Pest Control Center can help to kill mosquitoes on your property and to stop them from congregating on bushes, trees and the grass. Taking preventative steps and working with professional pest control technicians will give you a mosquito-free yard throughout the year.
5 Signs You Might Have a Bed Bug Infestation
Bedbugs are common pests that can get into anyone’s home regardless of how clean and careful you are. While there is no evidence to suggest that they transmit disease, they are still a source of stress and irritation.
If you are concerned that you might have a bedbug infestation, here are five common signs to look for.
1. Bite Marks
Bedbug bites can often be mistaken for other types of bug bites, especially in the warmer months when there are lots of biting insects around. However, bedbug bites do have their own distinct signs, so the next time you start scratching, take a closer look.
Most often, you will see and feel the following characteristics:
– Small, red and raised welts- Straight lines of identical, multiple bites- Burning and itching- Irritated rash around a bug bite
2. Physical Evidence
While they are not always easy to spot, you can often find physical evidence of their presence if you look closely.
The most common sign of a bedbug infestation is the telltale dark, period-sized marks on your mattress, bedding or pajamas. These are fecal stains from the bugs.
Another sign will be small blood stains on your bed sheets and clothing. Because bedbugs feed on blood, they always leave a bit of a mess behind.
3. Smell
Believe it or not, if the infestation is bad enough, you will actually be able to detect a distinct odor. If you notice an unusual, sickly sweet smell anywhere in your house, particularly in bedrooms, you should be on the lookout for bedbugs.
4. Live Bugs
Obviously, the easiest way to ascertain that you have a problem is by spotting the pests themselves. bedbugs are adept at hiding, and the young ones are small enough that they are difficult to spot with the naked eye. Adult bedbugs are rust-colored and fairly large, but they are able to fit almost anywhere.
5. Eggs and Exoskeletons
Bedbug eggs are extremely tiny and will appear glued to surfaces like mattress seams, upholstery, headboard joints, bed frame cracks and under loose wall hangings. You may also find exoskeletons, which are usually pale yellow.
If you are experiencing any of these signs of a bedbug infestation, you need to act quickly. While it is possible to treat an infestation on your own, it is usually best to call the professionals to ensure that they are completely eradicated.
Florida Pest Control Center has highly trained professionals who are able to use the latest pest control techniques to formulate a safe and effective treatment plan to rid your home of a bedbug infestation. Call or email us today for a consultation with one of our friendly, knowledgeable specialists.