Fabric Damaging Pests

Fabric Damaging Pests - Florida Pest Control

It’s never fun to bring out your old winter sweaters from storage to find out that they’ve been torn through by bugs. We get the most calls about fabric-eating pests in the winter, but here in Florida where the insects run wild, we are liable to experience an infestation of these critters at any point during the year. If you’re noticing unprecedented holes in your clothing or seeing tiny bugs eating away at your carpet, read on. Our exterminators at Florida Pest Control can teach out all about fabric-consuming pests in Florida!

What Bugs Eat Clothing and Carpeting?

You might have noticed little beetles or tiny, caterpillar-like insects living in your closet or carpeting. What could they be? These are the two main culprits:

  1. Carpet beetles: Carpet beetles are small, winged beetles that have spotted backs featuring shades of brown, white, and black. They are similar in size to bed bugs, and given that they occasionally infest the same types of material, they are sometimes confused for each other. However, carpet beetles do not bite humans. They feed off of organic animal material like furs, feathers, skins, wool, hair, and the remains of other insects.
  2. Clothes moths: What you’re actually looking out for in this case is clothes moth larvae! At smaller than 1 cm in length and preferring to live in darkness, clothes moth larvae can be very difficult to find. They feed on the same things as carpet beetles, but as you can tell by their name, are more likely to be found in your closet where it’s dark.

Both of these insects leave jagged holes or scraped areas in fabrics or other items composed of natural fibers. Look around the area for skin casts, cocoons, or webbing—these tiny insects don’t travel far from their food source.

How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles and Clothes Moths

The best way to avoid a problem with carpet beetles and clothes moths is to be careful with your fabrics before they arrive. Before you store your sweaters away, launder them and seal them in plastic bags or tubs with lids. You should also vacuum regularly to reduce the amount of dust and hair that could attract them. Vacuuming could also help to get rid of infestations in their earlier stages! While you can apply common store-bought pest control products to get rid of clothes moths and carpet beetles, without finding the source of the infestation, you’ll never be able to get rid of them all. 

Pest Control for Fabric-Damaging Pests

If you can’t get rid of carpet beetles or clothes moth larvae on your own, reach out to your local pest control company. At Florida Pest Control, we train our technicians to find infestation sources in hard-to-reach areas and places that you wouldn’t think to look. With safe and environmentally-friendly solutions, we work hard to keep our customers happy and healthy in pest-free* homes. Call today for a free quote!

4 Most Common Florida Ants

Carpenter ants are a common ant in Florida - Florida Pest Control

If you live in Florida, you know ants are common visitors inside our homes. Even in the cleanest house, it’s not unusual to find a trail of these little six-legged creatures making their way along the floor, across a countertop, or up a wall. Outside, ants are even more prevalent. You can’t take more than a couple of steps in most yards without stepping over an ant pile.

Our state is home to nearly 20 different kinds of ants. At Florida Pest Control, we are dedicated to keeping you safe from each and every one! Our experts are here to share the most common ants you might see in or near your home year-round.

Carpenter Ant in Gainesville FL | florida pest control

1. Florida Carpenter Ants

Florida carpenter ants are fairly large by ant standards, up to 11mm (about .5”) long. Their orange and black bodies make them pretty easy to identify. Florida carpenter ants are just as comfortable building nests outdoors in decayed wood, trees, and shrubs as they are indoors in attics, ceilings, floors, and other secluded areas. They primarily forage for food at night and eat insect honeydew, plant juices, insects, or any kind of sweets they can find. They are known to bite when threatened.

Fire ant in Gainesville FL | florida pest control2. Red Imported Fire Ants

 

Red imported fire ants are more aggressive than most ant species and will gladly sting you if you mistakenly walk too near their mounds. They grab ahold of their prey (or sometimes your ankles) by biting and then sting using their abdomens to inject toxins. The location of the bite may be sore and/or itch for several days. For people who are hypersensitive, there can be even greater risks. While red imported fire ants feed mostly on young plants, they can attack and kill small animals. These ants have blackish to reddish bodies with copper-colored heads. Red imported fire ants prefer to nest under logs or rocks but often make dome-shaped mounds in fields or yards.

Bighead Ant in Gainesville FL | florida pest control3. Bigheaded Ants

Mounds of sand collecting along the edges of your driveway or between cracks in the sidewalk? It could be bigheaded ants. These ants love to cover their foraging trails with dirt and debris, so sometimes they are confused with subterranean termites which also create mud tubes as they forage. Inside the home, the dirt piles made by the bigheaded ant can be a nuisance. As their name implies, some of these ants have big heads compared to other members of their colony. They are referred to as major workers or soldiers, whereas the members with smaller heads are called minor workers. Bigheaded ants are omnivorous and will feed on sweets, other insects, and soil invertebrates.

Rover Ant in Gainesville FL | florida pest control4. Rover Ants

Rover ants are one of the smallest pest ants you may encounter. They only grow up to 1.5-2 mm (1/16-1/12”) long and are dark brown or black in color. They usually nest in mulch or under debris lying on the ground and, like many ant species, feed on the honeydew produced by sap-sucking insects. In the home, these ants are attracted to areas with moisture such as bathrooms or kitchens. They can also become a nuisance outside when large numbers of the winged swarmers end up accidentally in swimming pools.

Need Help Identifying Ants Near Your Home?

Ants are a fact of life in Florida, but you don’t have to let them take over your home or yard. The ant control experts at Florida Pest Control can help not just identify what type of ant you have but also apply treatment to get rid of them for good. Contact us today to get started!

Guide to Florida Hotel Bed Bug Inspections

Florida bed bug inspection in hotel - Florida Pest Control

Aside from residential properties, hotel rooms are the most common bed bug breeding grounds throughout the country. Though you may think bed bug infestations are confined to roadside motels or hotels, they are more widespread and commonly found than you think. Hotels as prestigious as the Ritz Carlton can suffer from bed bug infestations. Infestations have been on the rise for the past decade, and another surge is currently underway. Whether you work in a hotel or are planning to visit one soon, you need to remain vigilant.

Our team at Florida Pest Control understands how distressing it is to deal with bed bugs. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about inspecting hotel rooms for bed bugs.

Bed Bugs in Florida Hotels

According to PestWorld, hotels are amongst the three most common spots for bed bug infestations. But why are hotels vulnerable to these pests to begin with? Known as a “hitchhiking” pest, bed bugs can hide in mattresses, bed frames, and other parts of a room while waiting for a new host. With the level of tourism we have in Florida, pests like bed bugs are especially common in hotels. Bed bugs are rarely lacking access to a blood meal in a hotel room. Bottom line: it’s imperative to always be on the lookout for bed bugs when traveling.

5 Areas to Inspect For Bed Bugs

No matter whether you’re checking into a hotel as a guest or if you’re in charge of cleaning the rooms, everyone should take the same precautions to look for bed bugs. The following areas should be thoroughly checked for signs of bed bug activity:

  • Mattress, box spring & bed frame
  • Sofas, chairs, pillows, & other seating
  • Wardrobes, dressers, & baseboards
  • Nightstands and wall fixtures
  • Closet items

In-depth guide to hotel bed bug inspections >>

What to Do if You Discover Bed Bugs in Your Hotel

You should contact the hotel’s manager as soon as you suspect your room has bed bugs. By doing so, you can prevent bed bugs from spreading throughout the hotel. When you turn to a bed bug control professional like Florida Pest Control, you can be sure the most effective treatment will be used to eliminate these pests. To learn more, contact us now.

How to Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Home From Vacation

What bed bugs look like in Florida - Florida Pest Control

If you’re planning a vacation, you’ve probably considered what you’re going to pack or what your itinerary might look like, but have you thought about bed bugs? Many people we’ve serviced for bed bug infestations in Florida have told us that their troubles started soon after they returned home from a vacation. Bed bugs have the ability to sneak into the luggage and belongings that we bring to new locations, aiming to spread however they can to find shelter and food. To learn how to avoid bed bugs during your next vacation, read on for expert advice from the Florida Pest Control technicians.

How Do Bed Bug Infestations Start?

Bed bug infestations start when we leave our belongings accessible to them in a foreign location. Specialized to move discreetly, bed bugs wait until the nighttime to move in search of food or better places to take shelter. They are also able to change their schedules to be active whenever people are at rest—their whole existence depends on being able to feed off of us without us noticing.

So, this means that we aren’t often going to catch bed bugs in the act of infesting our belongings. Instead, we have to learn how to take proper preventative measures against a potential infestation, especially when going on vacation or staying in a new location temporarily.

How to Avoid Bed Bugs on Vacation

Avoiding bed bugs on your getaway starts before your vacation and ends after you get home. Although it might seem like a lot of work, you will thank yourself later for being able to return to a clean home! Here are the three phases of vacation bed bug prevention:

  • Before you leave: Check the reviews of your hotel to see if they have had a recent bed bug infestation. You can also call your chosen destination to ask if they use mattress covers and box spring encasements.
  • During your stay: Look for evidence of bed bug activity, like dried blood spots on mattresses and furniture, shed bed bug skin, and, of course, live bed bugs. Inspect your room’s furniture, drawers, baseboards, closets, and any other places that could offer them shelter. Additionally, store your luggage above the ground or on a tile floor and keep your clothing inside your bags instead of unpacking.
  • When you return: Turn out your luggage to make sure there are no signs of bed bugs anywhere, especially around folds and zippers. You can wash all of your clothes in a hot water cycle to ensure that any bed bugs don’t make it out.

Professional Bed Bug Control in Florida

If you’re one of the unfortunate ones that couldn’t avoid a bed bug infestation, let your local pest control company know. At Florida Pest Control, our bed bug specialists are trained in multiple methods of bed bug control and have the experience to assess your property to determine the proper strategy to go forward with. For a free quote or to learn more about our bed bug control services, give us a call or fill out our contact form today!

How Quickly Can Mice Breed In Your Home?

A mouse found in Florida - Florida Pest Control

Even here in Florida, winter does eventually roll around. With the drop in temperatures comes an increase in rodent activity in residential areas and around businesses. Like us, mice are just trying to stay warm, and the colder weather outside does not permit them to breed as they wish. Mice look to our homes for shelter, warmth, and breeding sites to continue their rapid proliferation through the winter. If you’re looking to learn more about mouse breeding habits and what you can do to prevent them from taking over your home, read on for advice from the Florida Pest Control technicians!

How Quickly Can Mice Reproduce?

Rodents can turn around new generations much faster than many kinds of animals in Florida, and mice are perhaps the best example of this. We’ve laid out some information about mice breeding habits that should tell you something about how serious an infestation can become:

  • Female mice can produce up to 10 litters per year and up to 14 pups per litter. With these being extreme examples, the average amount of pups produced by one mother mouse in a year usually sits between 35 and 55.
  • Mother mice have a 25 day gestation period and can mate again right after delivering a litter.
  • Newborn mice are able to breed after just 4-6 weeks of life.

With a little math, you can see these numbers mean that a small mouse infestation can very quickly become an outbreak of hundreds.

How to Stop Mice from Breeding Indoors

It should come as no surprise that the best way to prevent mice from breeding inside your home is to keep them out in the first place. We know that this can be quite difficult, especially in the winter, so we asked our technicians for advice to give to people both who are looking to get preventative and who are already struggling with mouse problems. Here’s what they said:

  • Keeping mice outside: The best way to keep mice out is to look all around your home for entry points and close them off with a silicone-based caulk or steel wool. These could be gaps in walls, cracks in foundation, broken roof tiling, and more. You can also perform regular yard maintenance and seal your garbage bins to avoid attracting mice with hiding places and food.
  • Getting mice out: Spraying diluted apple cider vinegar or peppermint oil around infested areas has proven successful for some Florida residents. Kitty litter and fabric softener sheets have also worked for some, but we recommend that you consider these as supplemental treatments for use in specific hotspots. If you plan on using mousetraps, make sure you consult a local rodent exterminator for advice on the best trap for your home.

Expert Mice Extermination in Florida

If your DIY mouse control plans aren’t coming to fruition, ask your local pest control company for help. Our Florida Pest Control technicians are trained to look in the places you wouldn’t think to to locate mouse-attracting vulnerabilities, pest access points, droppings and nests, and more, using industry-leading technology and strategies to remove every last mouse from your home. For a free quote or to learn more, contact us today!

Types of Millipedes in Florida

A millipede crawling on a person's hand - keep pests away from your home with florida pest control

Almost like clockwork (depending on environmental conditions), millipedes migrate in large numbers and become quite a nuisance for many homeowners during this time of year. Some migrations in the past were so large that it became necessary to apply sand on slippery railroad tracks for traction of locomotive drive wheels due to the squished millipedes! These days, millipedes remain very active in Florida, where there are currently over 50 species in existence. Thankfully, only a few of these species migrate in large numbers. At Florida Pest Control, we know how distressing seeing a ton of millipedes can be. Our experts are here to share everything you need to know about the plight of millipedes here in Florida—read on to learn more!

Common Millipedes in the Southeast

The types of millipedes to be most concerned about include:

  1. Yellow-Banded Millipede (Anadenobolus monilicornis) is known to exist in numbers high enough to cause homeowners grief. Although the Yellow-Banded Millipede is not a naturally occurring species, populations have grown quite large over the years. They’re often seen crawling over patios, sidewalks, and up the sides of buildings.
  2. The Florida Ivory Millipede occasionally migrates but rarely in numbers that will cause any alarm. This millipede is often seen crossing roads and sidewalks. They occasionally invade patios but rarely in the high numbers we see other millipedes migrate at.
  3. There are two species of Flat-Backed Millipedes that migrate in extremely high numbers during the fall.  The first is known as the Greenhouse Millipede (Oxidus gracilis) and the second is sometimes called the Cyanide Millipede (Asiomorpha coarctata) because of its ability to secrete hydrogen cyanide. The two look very much alike and are almost indistinguishable. Flat-Backed Millipedes are much smaller, ranging from about ½” to 1” in length. The smaller size allows them to enter homes and businesses through cracks in thresholds, sliding glass doors, windows, etc. This migration usually takes place in late summer and fall (September through November).

How to Prevent Millipedes

Controlling millipedes can be a challenge due to their behavior and high populations. Knowing a little about their biology and habits will help considerably. A thorough treatment of the grounds, including ornamental beds, is necessary. However, in the case of millipede control, it is best that mulch is raked back to allow the control product to be applied where the millipedes are harboring. If the turf has heavy thatch build-up, aeration will help reduce the thatch, eliminating a major food source for the millipedes. By making sure you’re doing this on a normal rotation, you can successfully prevent millipedes

Need Help with Migrating Millipedes?

At Florida Pest Control, we understand why millipedes are such a concerning pest. Not only are they frightening to look at, but they can migrate in the hundreds! Our experts are happy to help with any millipede concerns you may have, whether it’s preventing them or getting rid of them.

Contact us today to get started!

Pests on the Rise in Florida This Winter

Norway rat in Florida - Florida Pest Control

Pests can run rampant year-round here in Florida. Unlike regions with seasonal weather that renders many pest infestations nonexistent in the wintertime, we are accustomed to dealing with certain pests even throughout the colder months. In partnership with PestWorld, the NPMA recently released their 2021 Fall & Winter Bug Barometer® predicting the pest trends we’re to expect in our region this winter. Unsurprisingly, rodents have been named the number one concern pest for Florida residents this winter. To keep your home or business safe from rats and mice this winter, the experts are here to share everything you need to know about preventing increased rodent activity—read on to learn more!

Winter Pests in Florida

Although many types of pests go away in the fall and winter, there are a few that stick around. With above-normal rainfall predicted, mosquitoes have lingered well into the fall months—which is much longer than usual. The most pressing pest pressures we face this time of year are those pests that look to get inside our homes to escape dropping temperatures outdoors.

In November, you may still be seeing some infamous fall pests inside your home. These include ants, stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and boxelder bugs, all of which look to overwinter until springtime right in the comfort of your property. The most concerning winter pest problem Florida residents face in 2021, however, is a rodent infestation.

NPMA Bug Barometer 2021

Why Rodent Infestations Are Dangerous

Rodents are an increasingly common pest problem for homeowners, especially this time of year. Both rats and mice can squeeze their way inside impossibly small holes to gain access to your basement, attic, or another area. Once indoors, they can wreak havoc. Some of the major dangers of mouse or rat infestations are:

  1. With their ever-growing incisor teeth, rodents are constantly chewing on a number of things in your home, electrical wires included.
  2. To build nests, rodents will tear through materials in your home, including your insulation and cardboard boxes.
  3. Rodents can directly or indirectly transmit some of the most dangerous diseases, from rat-bite fever to hantavirus.
  4. Rodent droppings can contaminate food and create a hazardous environment in your property.

How to Prevent a Rodent Infestation this Winter

With NPMA’s prediction of increased rodent activity this time of year, it’s more important than ever to team up with your local rodent control exterminators. At Florida Pest Control, our experts will work hard to implement the best rodent exclusion tactics to keep rats and mice away for good. Contact us today!

The Dangers of House Mice and Rats

Rat in Florida home - Florida Pest Control

Even if you love visiting Mickey and Minnie in Orlando, odds are you’re not too keen on the idea of mice or rats sharing your home. Many people have an inherent dislike or fear of mice and rats and, considering how dangerous they can be to humans, that’s understandable. A rat or mouse infestation isn’t only messy, it is hazardous. Rodents can chew on wires, cause a mess with their droppings, and even damage the structure of your business. With rodent infestations on the rise in 2021 and into the next year, it’s important to learn how to prevent these pests in your home. The experts at Florida Pest Control are here to help—read on to learn about the top threats that rodents pose.

Dangerous Rodents in Florida

Mice, rats, and the parasites that come with them can carry a number of diseases, some of which are potentially deadly to humans, like hantavirus, listeria, rat-bite fever, and salmonellosis, and even the bubonic plague. Admittedly, most of these diseases are more common in other parts of the world than they are in Florida, but it should help you understand why people and non-domesticated rodents should maintain separate residences.

Mice and rats can also play a large role in contributing to dangerous allergies. A national study detected mouse urine levels that could trigger allergies in 35% of homes. Trace amounts or higher were found in 82% of homes. Mouse droppings are also an allergy issue. There are as many people allergic to mouse droppings as there are to mold and dust. Exposure to mouse allergen is a known cause of asthma in children and adults.

Additionally, rodents eat just about anything—including items in your home. Their teeth can gnaw through insulation, wallboards, cardboard, even wood. Some are especially fond of electrical wiring and that can lead to real danger. Exposed wires resulting from mice are believed to cause 25% of U.S. house fires!

How to Keep House Mice & Rats Out

If you want to stay safe from the dangers of house mice and rats, it’s important to prevent them in the first place. Once they get indoors, rats and mice are likely to hide away in your attic, kitchen, garage, and other places where they can stay warm and have access to food. Exclusion is the key to getting rid of rat problems for good:

  1. Inspect your property to look for any openings rodents may have snuck through. By sealing these openings and closing up gaps around vents and soffits, you can effectively keep rodents out.
  2. Further rat-proof your property by repairing your roof and monitoring drains. By limiting their access points, you can get rid of the means by which rodents get inside of your property.
  3. Look into traps and baits. If you have just a couple of rodents in your property, you can effectively get rid of them using bait or traps. Keep in mind this is not a strong enough solution to get rid of an entire infestation.
  4. Get professional rodent control services. If you have a serious rodent problem, the best thing you can do is hire a pest control expert. A professional will know to safely and effectively get rid of the pests for good.

Get Rid of Dangerous Rodents For Good

Many people believe if they’ve never seen a mouse or rat in their home, they’re not there. That’s overly optimistic. Rodents can be quite secretive and live in your home for a long time without you noticing. Even if they’re not in your home yet, they soon could be.

Florida Pest Control offers rodent control and exclusion services. Our experts are trained to locate areas of rodent activity and potential rodent entry points. Contact Florida Pest Control today and we will perform a rodent control inspection to ensure you, your family, and your home are protected.

Noticing Silverfish In Your House?

Silverfish in Florida home - Florida Pest Control

Some insects could seemingly care less whether or not people see them. Others, like silverfish, make every effort to avoid the limelight. In fact, you might never know silverfish are secretly living inside your home. As nocturnal insects, silverfish are active while most people are sound asleep. They prefer dark, humid areas such as garages, attics, sheds, kitchens, and bathrooms, but won’t hesitate to scurry across a bedroom floor. The brown-gray to the bluish-silver appearance of their tapered bodies coupled with their wiggly walk earned them the silverfish name. They often lurk in cabinets or inside cardboard boxes and may also deem a pile of damp clothing a good nesting place.

If you are noticing these pests around your home, you may be wondering what you can do to get rid of them. The experts at Florida Pest Control are here to share everything you need to know about silverfish.

What Are Silverfish?

Silverfish have powerful appetites that translate to a lot of damage within our homes. Paper and photos make for ideal dining as do sugary or starchy substances like carpet glue, book bindings, wallpaper, plaster, and some paints. And those are just a few of the items on the silverfish menu. Most often, you’ll notice silverfish damage long before seeing an actual silverfish.

When people do encounter silverfish inside the home, it often happens in bathrooms. You may see them in the sink or bathtub or crawling along the floor, near a wall. They move fairly quickly and rush to find cover, often squeezing under baseboards as soon as the lights come on.

How to Get Rid of Silverfish

To discourage silverfish from entering your home in the first place, there are a few things you can do. To prevent silverfish, there are two crucial steps you can take:

  1. The most important thing you can do is control humidity inside the house. They prefer to live in areas with 75-95 percent relative humidity. That might sound high, but it’s not uncommon in Florida. For that reason, air conditioners and dehumidifiers are vital for making your home environment less attractive to silverfish. You can also take steps including fixing leaky pipes, caulking baseboards, and eliminating standing water.
  2. Whenever possible, store items in plastic bins with lids, rather than cardboard boxes. Cardboard boxes tend to be one of the silverfish’s most favorite places to hang out. Not only do silverfish like cardboard, but roaches also do too! The corrugation of the cardboard creates a nice place for them to call home.

Dealing With a Silverfish Infestation?

If you don’t stumble across a silverfish, however, how are you supposed to know they covertly live in your home? Well, you probably won’t know for sure without a professional inspection. If you have suspicions (most likely based on damage around the house), our household pest control service is a perfect option to eliminate these secretive insects.

Contact Florida Pest Control today to schedule an inspection!

Common Bathroom Bugs & How to Get Rid of Them

Spiders are a common bathroom bug in Florida - Florida Pest Control

Bugs in the bathroom are never a welcome sight. You want your bathroom to be your own sanctuary—and, preferably, a bug-free zone! Unfortunately, pests of all kinds love to dwell in bathrooms. This is because a bathroom provides shelter, water, and even food for insects to feast on. In order to avoid the discovery of bugs infiltrating your Florida home’s bathroom, it’s important to learn not only what bugs are drawn to that room, but also what you can do to get rid of them for good. The experts at Florida Pest Control are here to share everything you need to know. Read on to learn more!

Common Bathroom Bugs in Florida Homes

Out of all rooms in a home, bathrooms are one of the most susceptible to pest problems. After all, leaky pipes, showers, and sinks provide precisely the environment many pests require to survive and reproduce. The culprits behind most bathroom pest problems are as follows:

  • Cockroaches. Roaches love filth and feed on sewer and drain sludge. They easily get into your bathroom through plumbing fixtures.
  • Centipedes. These long, spindly insects feed on other small insects that are common in bathrooms and love a humid environment.
  • Drain Flies. Just as their name suggests, drain flies are found around drains. They often appear when there is a plumbing problem in the main sewer line.
  • Spiders. As predators, spiders like to prey on the smaller insects often found in your bathroom areas.
  • Silverfish. These nocturnal insects are typically found around sewers or drains, and prefer to feed on mildew and mold.
  • Ants. A small ant problem can quickly turn into a large one if ants have found a source of food or water in your bathroom.

How to Get Rid of Bugs in Your Bathroom

The key to bathroom bug control is prevention! By eliminating the things that attract bathroom pests in the first place, you can avoid dealing with a full-blown cockroach or ant infestation. First, it’s crucial to quickly address any leaky pipes or plumbing issues that are contributing to the humid, moist environment. Consider using a dehumidifier from time to time to aid in this process. Lastly, clean your bathroom on a regular basis! By reducing clutter and cleaning every square inch of your bathroom from top to bottom, you can keep an eye out for early signs of a pest problem.

Need Bathroom Bug Control?

No homeowner wants to encounter pests in their home, let alone their bathroom. If you are noticing endless pests in your bathroom, you may have an infestation on your hands. It’s always best to enlist the help of a professional pest control company that can not only get rid of bathroom bugs but keep them away for good. Contact us today to get started!