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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

This month is Lyme Disease Awareness Month.  Throughout the United States, organizations such as LimeDisease.org and the Global Lyme Alliance are working to increase awareness and educate the population about Lyme disease symptoms and treatments.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through infected black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks.  Once a person is infected, they may experience fever, headache, fatigue, and a skin rash.  If the disease isn’t treated promptly, the disease can spread to the nervous, musculoskeletal, neurovascular, and cardiovascular systems.

When people are bitten by a tick, they usually don’t even realize it because a tick is the size of a poppy seed and there is no pain associated with the bite.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 300,000 are diagnosed annually in the United States.  Since the disease mimics symptoms of other diseases, it is often misdiagnosed.  Because of this, experts think that the actual number of cases is significantly higher. 

It’s important to note that not all ticks are infected with Lyme.  If you’ve been bitten, follow these important steps to lower your risk of Lyme disease.

1. Use a tweezers to carefully grasp as much of the tick as possible.
2. Pull upward with consistent pressure.  Avoid jolting movements because this can cause the tick’s mouth to remain in your skin.  Remove the tick in one piece if possible.  If not, remove all parts.
3. Wash your hands and the entire affected area both with rubbing alcohol and soap and water.
4. Place the tick in alcohol in a sealed plastic bag so you can bring in for identification or flush it down the toilet. 
5. If you have a rash, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or pain within 30 days after removing the ticket, visit your physician and explain when and where you had the bite.  Your physician may opt for diagnostic testing to confirm if the presence of Lyme.  If the results are positive, you will likely require an antibiotic regimen.

Lyme disease is found throughout the United States.  But there are steps you can take to lower your risk of getting Lyme disease.  Follow the tips below to stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.

• Stay out of tick habitats such as grassy, woodsy areas
• Wear insect or tick repellant when outdoors in areas where deer ticks live
• Remove ticks quickly and thoroughly
• Use pesticides to keep bugs away from your living area

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) 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.  Our highly trained professionals are knowledgeable, discrete and thorough, providing a fast, complete solution to your pest issue.  Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed. 

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)

Toll-Free: 866-697‑3555

Local: 954-945-5050

How much do you know about bed bugs?  Test your knowledge with this quick quiz below:

True or False:

1. Bed bugs feed on human and animal blood.
2. Bed bugs don’t need to eat for several months.
3. Bed bugs are often confused with other insects, especially fleas. 
4. Bed bugs can transmit several diseases to both humans and animals.
5. Bed bugs can be found throughout each state in the U.S.
6. Bed bugs are generally active at night.
7. Bed bugs live in kitchens near sugary foods and pasta.
8. Bed bugs are easy to treat.
9. Bed bugs can lay up to 100 eggs each day.
10. After a bed bug eats, it changes from brown to a red or purplish color.

Before we get to the answers below, take a minute to learn a few additional facts about the life cycle of bed bugs.

Life Cycle of Bed Bugs

Female bed bugs mate and lay tiny white, oval-shaped eggs in small crevices.  Estimates vary, but females can lay up to 250-500 eggs in a lifetime.  After 6-10 days, the eggs hatch and small nymphs emerge.  They seek food blood from animals or humans.  Nymphs molt their exoskeleton five times during their growth.  The nymph typically stays in each of these five growth stages for a week or more.   While growing, nymphs can feed as little as once every few weeks or as often as every day.  Each feeding takes 5-10 minutes and is usually done at night when animals or humans are sleeping.  Older nymphs can survive several months without food.  Although estimates vary, the life span of adult bed bugs ranges from 4-12 months.

The image above is from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services depicts the life cycle:[1]

Now, let’s get back to the answers to our bed bug quiz. 

Answers:

1. Bed bugs feed on human and animal blood.  True
2. Bed bugs don’t need to eat for several months.  True
3. Bed bugs are often confused with other insects, especially fleas.  True
4. Bed bugs can transmit several diseases to both humans and animals.  False.  While bed bugs may seem gross for several reasons, they don’t actually transmit diseases.
5. Bed bugs are generally active at night.  True
6. Bed bugs can be found throughout each state in the U.S.  True
7. Bed bugs live in kitchens near sugary foods and pasta.  False.  Bed bugs live near people and animals, often in bedrooms.
8. Bed bugs are easy to treat.  False.  Bed bugs are very difficult to eliminate and usually require a professional pest removal service.
9. Bed bugs can lay up to 100 eggs each day.  False.  Thank goodness they only lay 1-5 eggs/day. 
10. After a bed bug eats, it changes from brown to a red or purplish color.  True

So, how did you score?  Are you a bed bug expert?  If not, are you ready to talk with one?  For information about how to determine if you have bed bugs and how to remove bed bug infestations, click here or contact the Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) at 866-697-3555

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) 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.  Our highly trained professionals are knowledgeable, discrete and thorough, providing a fast, complete solution to your pest issue.  Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed. 

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)

Toll-Free: 866-697‑3555

Local: 954-945-5050

[1] Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/bedbugs/biology.html