Controlling Chinch Bugs In Florida St Augustine Lawns

Published by admin on Tagged Chinch Bugs, Florida Pest Control Orlando, Tampa Pest Control Companies

If you have a St Augustine lawn you know about chinch bugs? It doesn’t matter what neighborhood you live. If you live in Florida, have a St Augustine lawn you are going to battle chinch bugs, each and every summer.
It behooves every homeowner with St Augustine lawns to get a head start on chinch bugs. You will not eliminate chinch bugs without a prevention program

How Do You Know If Chinch Bugs Are In Your Lawn?

Look for small brown patches in an otherwise green healthy looking lawn. Chinch bugs literally suck the juice out of the grass and the healthier lawns are their favorites. This brown patch will expand rapidly as chinch bugs have voracious appetites. They are generally small pests but as your brown patches grow so do chinch bugs and you find them more easily, but at that point you are infested. If you must see them with your own eyes there is way. Cut off the ends of a small coffee can, plant it in the ground and fill with soapy water. You will seem them floating on top of the soapy water

Controlling Chinch Bugs

First off, don’t over fertilize. High nitrogen content in your lawn will attract chinch bugs in mass. Thick green, lush St Augustine grass is dinnertime for chinch bugs. For the do it yourself homeowner applying Durban at the end of a lawn sprayer helps control them. This process will need to be done through the summer months or when the weather is warm, which in Florida is about 8 months. Contacting professional pest control companies is an option as well.  Chinch bugs have become resistant to practically every type of St Augustine grass. Floratam St Augustine was produced as an answer to the chinch bug issue and in a few short years chinch bugs became resistant to it as well.

Conclusions

Chinch bugs have long been the nemesis of a nice healthy St. Augustine lawn. With a few preventative procedures you can control chinch bugs. Regular walks around your lawn will help you spot problem areas before they become more widespread.



Tampa Pest Contol Companies

Published by admin on Tagged Ants, Black Ants, Roaches, Tampa Pest Control Companies

Having lived in the Tampa area for 50 years , I have seen the city grow and change. I have also dealt with many Tampa Pest control companies over the years. As I have mentioned choosing a professional exterminator is not easy. Due diligence is a key factor in choosing a Tampa Pest Control Company. Most companies want to sign you on long term. It is common among pest control companies. I prefer checking them out in action first and if you can get a list of legitimate customers to ask question all the better. As with any contract, check the fine print and determine how you will break this agreement should the situation arise.  Ask things like what happens if you see bugs a week after your pest control professional has left. Many have re-spray guarantees.

My first experienced was with Cross Pest Control. They have served Tampa since 1968. You see I do go way back. Another company that I have heard great reviews on is Suncoast Pest Control .  Suncoast serves the entire bay area. For lawn pest control Tru Green and Orkin are the choices is the Tampa area.



Controlling Florida Termites Not An Easy Task

Published by admin on Tagged florida termites

So you think you saw something that looks like flying ants? You may have a termite problem and you may need professional help. Florida’s year-round tropical climate is ideal for subterranean termites like the Formosan, which were brought into Florida on Chinese ships about 25 years ago.  Florida is considered a very high risk of termite infestation.  The three principal types of termites in Florida are subterranean and nest in the soil, damp wood, infest damp wood, and dry wood termites, infest dry wood.  Eastern subterranean termites Formosan subterranean termites, Powderpost dry wood termites, Florida damp wood termites.  Termites destroy billions of dollars worth of wooden structures each year.

Control

Controlling termites, including the highly destructive Formosan termite now spreading through Florida and the Southeast, is becoming more problematic.  How can a professional pest control firm help?  When services of an experienced pest control operator are needed, contact at least two or three reputable firms in your area for inspections and estimates for treatment.  Termite control companies are required to provide written contracts before treating for termites and to clearly inform customers as to what type of termites their contract covers subterranean or dry wood, or both.  Pest control companies are legally obligated to abide by the terms of the contract.  The department regulates and licenses pest control companies and conducts regular inspections to ensure the businesses are adhering to the rules and regulations governing pesticides and pest control.  Control measures include reducing the potential infestation, preventing termite entry and applying chemicals for remedial treatment.

Subterranean

Subterranean termites are the most destructive and frequently encountered kind of termite found throughout the state.  Subterranean termites feed on wood or other items that contain cellulose, such as paper, fiberboard, and some fabrics derived from cotton or plant fibers.  Subterranean termite species, such as the Formosan termite, generally live underground.  Subterranean termites must have ground contact or a secondary moisture source in order to live above ground.  Subterranean termites are found in the earth and often move in a file like ants.

Baiting

Homeowners who are strongly opposed to the use of pesticides around their home are good candidates for baits.  Several different baiting systems are now being used by pest management professionals or are commercially available.  It is non-invasive (the baits are odorless and no liquid is involved so the soil remains pesticide-free).  Baits are applied below ground by enticing termites to feed on wooden stakes, cardboard, or some other cellulose-based material.  Baiting requires fewer disruptions than does conventional barrier treatment.  Regardless of which bait is used, the customer must be prepared and willing to accept the possibility of a lengthy baiting process.  Planning, patience, and persistence are requisites for successfully using below ground termite baits. It is best when you see termites swarm or think you may have a problem to call a pest control professinal to explain all the various options



Florida Pest Control Companies In Orlando

Published by admin on Tagged Black Ants, Florida Pest Control Orlando, Roaches

No matter where you live in Florida, pest control may eventually have to be turned over to a professional exterminator. Let’s take Orlando where the residents there have chosen to let a big eared rodent take up permanent residence. Our research recommends oddly enough, a company called Florida Pest Control. Additionally Pest Defense in Orlando can be an option. Make sure you know the details of your agreement before you sign a long term contract. Breaking one of these contracts can be a nightmare. An example, if your exterminator comes on Friday and you see roaches and ants on Sunday; a reputable company will come back at no charge and re-spray your home. If your home is infested will lots pesky insects it may take a few visits to getting things under control.

Different homes and homeowners have different needs and an accurate assessment by a professional can be the difference between you and being over run by black ants, roaches and other undesirables, even if you live in Orlando. Florida Pest Control companies in Orlando and other major cities are there to help and offer a wide range of pest control systems.



Getting Rid of Roaches Forever

Published by admin on Tagged Roaches

Lets face it. No one likes to talk about roaches. There is a certain stigma attached to them. Your house is dirty, you’re dirty , blah, blah, blah. However if you live in Florida, roaches can be a problem for anyone and any household. They are nasty, germ carriers and if your home is infested, you need to take action to get rids of these pests.

Determining if you have them should not be a problem for most people. They make themselves obvious, especially in numbers. Walk into your kitchen in the middle of the night and if you see them scatter as you turn on the light you’re infested.

Obviously, they are attracted to food stuffs , moisture and well, dirt. Try to determine where they are coming from . Sometimes its as easy as cracks in the wall or electrical receptacles. A good professional Florida pest control company will shoot boric acid powder in those spots to control the roaches’ infestation.

For those who don’t like to use chemicals, because of children and animals, there are many eco-friendly remedies available. Keep in mind one roach seen can turn into 1000’s in no time. Florida pest control companies cam alleviate the problem of roach infestation rather quickly, and save you the time and aggravation of the battle.

Remember, because you have roaches docent mean your dirty , it means you have roaches, Fight back



Florida Pest Control , Get Rid of Black Ants

Published by admin on Tagged Ants, Black Ants

Living in Florida means living with pests all year round. No matter how clean you think your home is black ants are bound to appear, seemingly form no where. Who hasn’t walked into the kitchen and seen jet black trails of these tiny ants climbing through a crack in a window sill. These rascals are relentless in their pursuit of a free meal and they don’t need much to be attracted. Like many Florida Pest, getting rid of black ants can be a challenge. Determine why they are entering your property and eliminate the food, water and/or housing that they need to survive. Bug sprays work but only temporarily and the dangers from the poison often pose risks for animals and children. It is best to create a boric acid barrier around the footer of your home to combat them. Florida Pest Control professionals can help you with these bad boys should you need assistance



Florida Pest Control Fire Ants

Published by admin on Tagged Ants

There is nothing quite as painful as a fire ant sting, and fire ants mounds in Florida are everywhere. Seemingly indestructible fire ant colonies can overwhelm even the most well kept yard. Fire ants, sometimes referred to as simply red ants, are stinging ants with over 280 species worldwide. The venom of a fire ant sting causes stinging and swells into a bump. This can cause much pain and irritation at times, especially when stung repeatedly by several at once. The bump often forms into a white pustule, which is at risk of becoming infected. The pustules are unattractive and uncomfortable while active and, if the bite sites become infected, can turn into scars. Fire ant actually only bite to grab hold and sting with their abdomen. The result is intense pain.

Getting rid of these little buggers can be a summer long project as most people simply kill off a large part of the colony only to have surviving fire ants start the process of rebuilding before you are back in the house. Florida Pest Control companies can help.

Extinguishing one mound will seems only to produce another in another part of your yard . These pests are relentless in survival instincts and are very resistant to may typical pesticides. The homeowner must attempt to kill the queen of the mound and she is often burrowed deep underground , hence the re-appearing of the mound a few days after you think you have killed it



Florida Pest Control A Pain In The Ants

Published by admin on Tagged Ants

Carpenter ants are black or brown and measure up to 1″ in length. They are often confused with termites. Unlike termites they have pinched waists and elbowed antennae. Just like termites, there is a winged version too. Carpenter ants are found throughout the country, but are most common in the cool, damp climates like those found in the northern half of the US. These critters can do significant structural damage, but are usually more a nuisance than a structural problem. Carpenter ants are one of the most common, but most difficult of the ants to control. When it comes to remediation, homeowners make the best detectives and should attempt to eliminate carpenter ants themselves.

Investigation

There are several ways to recognize a carpenter ant infestation:

Swarmers: Winged carpenter ants that swarm are often mistaken for termites. Remember ants have pairs of wings that are of unequal length and a pinched waist. If you see the winged form of ant in any number indoors, you have a problem.

Sawdust: If you see sawdust raining from your ceiling or from any indoor cracks, you have a problem.

Ants #1: If you see more than 10 ants a day in any room other than the kitchen, you have a problem.

Ants #2: If you see ants in your home and the ground outside is frozen, you have a problem.

Crunching Noise: If you hear munching, rustling or crunching noise coming from within a windowsill, wall or ceiling, you have a problem.

Galleries: Ants are fastidious. Looking at damaged wood you will find their tunnels are clean and the walls of the tunnels almost look as if they were sandpapered smooth, unlike the messy termite tunnels.