During the cooler weather, your lawn may begin screaming out to you, “There’s a fungus among us!” Mind you, a lawn can’t talk with words but it can tell you something is wrong in other ways – namely, by showing symptoms of the disease. One commonly seen disease this time of year is Large Patch fungus.

What is the Large Patch Fungus?

This fungus affects all warm-season turfgrasses. It’s active when nighttime temperatures range from 60-75 degrees and daytime temperatures don’t exceed 85-90 degrees. These temperatures are usually seen in the Spring and Fall, but can also occur during mild Winters. Like other fungi, Large Patch also requires adequate moisture in its environment to thrive, so be careful of your irrigation practices.

This disease affects the blades of the grass and will not kill the entire grass plant. It typically begins as small patches that turn yellow, then brown, as the grass blades die. Just like the blob seen in sci-fi movies, Large Patch starts out small but can spread to create large damaged areas if not controlled. An interesting display of Large Patch fungus in a lawn is the “donut effect” it may create. In diseased areas, you may see a ring of rotten grass with some green grass in its center; hence, looking somewhat like a large unsightly donut pattern in your lawn.

As ugly as Large Patch can look, it’s important to remember this disease does not kill the entire grass plant. Over time, the rotten grass left in the wake of Large Patch fungus will naturally decompose and new grass blades will grow. Mowing will also remove the dead grass blades. It must be mentioned, though, that active Large Patch fungus can be spread mechanically. In the event an area with an active Large Patch is mowed, recommendations are for those areas to be mowed last and mowing equipment rinsed to prevent further spread of the pathogen.

In order to stop the spread of Large Patch in your lawn, a fungicide application should be made. This will only stop the spread of the disease though; it will not cause the grass to grow faster or green-up. New grass will grow in eventually, but this can be a slow process in the Fall and Winter, as turfgrass is heading toward its dormant period.

Keep in mind, there may be other causes for brown patches in a lawn. Insect damage and improper lawn maintenance practices could also be a culprit, as well as many other variables. If you see discoloration in a lawn and aren’t sure what the cause is, contact us for a complimentary lawn inspection.

The holiday season is upon us! This is the time of year we gather with friends and family to give thanks for our blessings. Hopefully, we can all be thankful to have a pest-free home. Nothing is more unnerving than knowing you share your domicile with invaders (no, we are not talking about pesky family members). Here are some tips to keep your holiday celebrations pest-free:

• If you are traveling, be alert for bed bugs. These hitchhikers have been found in all modes of transportation, as well as hotels and restaurants. Check your luggage, purse, and other personal items to make sure you do not bring these pests back home with you.

• The best pest control method is prevention. Your warm home is not only inviting to guests, it’s also where many pests will try to seek refuge as temperatures drop. Take time to inspect the outside of your home for pest entry points. Check seals around windows and doors, including door sweeps. Look for areas where pipes, wiring, conduit, etc., enter the building. Any entry points you find should be sealed to prevent pests from easily entering your home.

• The fewer pests you have living around your home, the fewer you have trying to get into your home. Remove pest hiding places outside. Trim tall vegetation. Remove yard debris and fallen leaves. Make sure the gutters on your home are clean. Trim shrubs to create a gap between them and your home. Keep trash can lids on tight. Pretty much, you want to remove any food, water, and hiding places for pests from around your home.

• Sometimes, the pests sneak their way in, right under your nose. Christmas trees are notorious for helping their tenants crash your Christmas party. Dried food items (flour, pasta, rice, grits, cereal, etc.) can also be culprits for sudden pest sightings. Make sure you check any pantry items for small beetles, moths, webbing, or holes in the packaging. This is especially true if the items are not used frequently and have been sitting for some time.

• You may find yourself crashing a secret pest party in your own home. Be prepared to find pest activity in those cardboard boxes of holiday decorations and wrapping paper you had stowed in the attic or garage since last year. Pests such as silverfish, roaches, and even rats love to make their home in cardboard boxes, especially when those boxes have remained undisturbed for an extended period of time. Whenever possible, use plastic bins with tight-fitting lids to store items.

The previous tips should help you reduce the likelihood that your home will be invaded by creepy pests this holiday season. If you are concerned that pests may crash your festivities, contact us for help.  We want to keep you from having the “bah humbugs.”

Halloween brings with it creepy-crawly, scary creatures! People decorate their homes with store-bought cobwebs, fake spiders, rubber snakes, and plastic cockroaches. Even these harmless substitutes can make the faint of heart squeamish, let alone the real thing! Why are some people so afraid of spiders, bugs, or snakes? Just as we stated that “bats aren’t all bad” in a previous article, these creepy crawlers aren’t all bad either.

First off, let’s talk about the fear of spiders – arachnophobia. For many, the idea of walking through a cobweb causes goosebumps to appear. Where there are cobwebs, there are spiders…and one could possibly be crawling on you after you walk through its web! Yikes! Spiders want no more to do with you than you do with them. If threatened, they may bite you in defense, but more often than that, they will try to escape to a protected place. There is a group of spiders that you should steer clear of in Florida – They are the Widows. If these spiders were to bite you, depending on your overall health and sensitivity to their venom, you could become significantly ill.  Most often, people think of the notorious Brown Recluse as a possible threat, but cases of this spider being an issue in Florida are usually due to people bringing recluse spiders back from out-of-state travel.

If spiders aren’t an issue with you, what about snakes? The fear of snakes is referred to as ophidiophobia (or ophiophobia). Maybe this fear is due to a snake’s beady eyes, its shiny scales, or flickering tongue? Although these characteristics don’t make the snake an ideal “snuggle buddy” like a cat or dog, we shouldn’t hold this against them. Snakes assist in insect, amphibian, reptile, bird, and rodent control. Without snakes, populations of rodents, for example, in an area could explode. There are even snakes, such as the Indigo and Kingsnake, that control other snakes (including the venomous ones).

Our last group for discussion is of the six-legged variety, the insects. The fear of insects, in general, is entomophobia. There are even names assigned for the fear of specific insects! For example, katsaridaphobia is the fear of cockroaches. There are a few species of cockroaches that can live in our climate-controlled homes and wreak havoc (the German cockroach is a good example), but most of the roaches we see would rather be outside. They don’t want to be in your home any more than you want them there. These outdoor roaches are beneficial in the wild as they help to break down organic material. Think of them as nature’s recyclers, rather than the creepy thing you find crawling on your bedroom wall at night. If spiders aren’t an issue with you, what about snakes? The fear of snakes is referred to as ophidiophobia (or ophiophobia). Maybe this fear is due to a snake’s beady eyes, its shiny scales, or flickering tongue? Although these characteristics don’t make the snake an ideal “snuggle buddy” like a cat or dog, we shouldn’t hold this against them. Snakes assist in insect, amphibian, reptile, bird, and rodent control. Without snakes, populations of rodents, for example, in an area could explode. There are even snakes, such as the Indigo and Kingsnake, that control other snakes (including the venomous ones).

Hopefully, if you suffered from arachnophobia, ophidiophobia, or entomophobia before reading this article, you feel a bit more at ease about these stereotyped bad guys. Sure, there are spiders, snakes, and insects you should avoid for health reasons, but they are the minority. The majority are beneficial in their natural environment and aren’t as spooky or creepy as people think.

When people hear the word bat, they either think of baseball or Dracula! Bats, the animals with leathery wings and tiny, sharp teeth, can strike fear into the hearts of many. This fear partly stems from the myth that all bats drink blood like the vampire bats in Dracula movies. In reality, only three species of bats in the world feed on blood, and they live in South America. These fascinating mammals help to support life on earth: protecting crops, pollinating flowers, and reducing the need for chemical treatments.

Natural Pest Control Experts

One of the main benefits of bats is their ability to eat large numbers of insects. Around 70% of the world’s 1,000+ bat species are insectivores, meaning they rely on insects for food. The remaining species may feed on nectar, fruit, lizards, birds, frogs, or fish. All 13 bat species found in Florida are insect-eaters, and a single bat can consume up to 3,000 bugs in one night. This includes moths, beetles, flies, and mosquitoes, which can damage crops or become a nuisance around homes.

Because bats feed at night, they go after insects that are active when other predators are not. With fewer pests around, there’s often less need for chemical pest control. This natural way of keeping insect numbers down helps protect your property and supports a more balanced ecosystem.

Special Pollinators

Besides being natural pest controllers, bats help to pollinate plants and spread fruit seeds (carried in their nutrient-rich guano). As the only mammals capable of actual flight, their wings, which are structured like hands with elongated fingers, allow them to move skillfully from flower to flower. As some species feed on nectar, they inadvertently carry pollen on their bodies, transferring it. This helps flowers and other plants reproduce, a process that’s vital for maintaining biodiversity. 

Bats also contribute to plant growth by spreading seeds through their guano (droppings), which is rich in nutrients. Bats help to bridge the gap where few other nighttime pollinators exist. Their work supports healthy ecosystems and helps native plants thrive in the areas they inhabit.

Beneficial Impact on the Environment and Economy

The combined efforts of bats to control bugs and support plant life bring both environmental and financial benefits. Their presence supports healthier crops, fewer pests, and stronger local economies. Because they eat so many insects, bats help lower costs for farmers and businesses. With fewer pests damaging crops, they may not need to apply as much synthetic fertilizer, which can save money and reduce the environmental impact of pesticides and insecticides. Moreover, other businesses that rely on clean, pest-controlled spaces, like restaurants with al fresco dining, may also benefit, as long as the bats stay outside and don’t roost on their premises!

Beyond helping businesses, bats play an important role in keeping insect populations under control around your yard and neighborhood. Without bats, insects could multiply and cause damage to plants in your garden or spread diseases that affect your family and pets. By protecting bats, you support a natural way to reduce pests. However they shouldn’t reside in your home.

If you find bats in your eaves or attic, Florida Pest Control can help to get rid of infestations, discreetly, humanely, and with sensitivity.

Do You Require Bat Control Services?

As you can see, bats aren’t the bad guys they’re made out to be. Nevertheless, they can become a nuisance when roosting indoors. While most bats prefer trees or caves, when these are not available, they will take up residence in buildings and you may need exclusion services to manage the problem.

If you’re dealing with bats, we can help. Our local technicians have extensive experience and use humane techniques to remove bats safely and carefully. We work to protect your space while also respecting local wildlife. Contact Florida Pest Control to learn more about how our bat exterminators can help.

The months of July and August are often referred to as the “Dog Days” of summer. This term comes from ancient times where it was believed that Sirius the Dog Star would make temperatures even hotter when they align with the Sun. Although the Dog Star doesn’t actually increase the temperature during its appearance in the summer, I think we can agree it is hot-hot-hot outside! While doing any outdoor activities, be careful of overheating and insect stings.

There are two heat-related illnesses we must be aware of: Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion.

Heat Stroke

This is life-threatening. Symptoms are Hot skin, elevated temperature, disorientation, bizarre behavior, convulsions, rapid breathing, and pulse.

What to do? Seek medical attention immediately.  Before help arrives, move the person to a cool place.  Cool the person the best way possible. Place ice packs or damp rags on the neck and armpits. Fan the person. Slightly elevate their head and shoulders.

Heat Exhaustion

This occurs when you sweat too much and don’t replace body fluids.  Symptoms are Heavy sweating, normal temperature, pale color, headache, dizziness, nausea, and weakness.

What to do?  Move the person to a cool place. Elevate the legs. Cool the person with cool wet rags. Give water or Gatorade. Fan the person. Call for medical help if the person doesn’t improve in 30 minutes.

An old rhyme will help you remember which treatment is needed:  “If the face is red, raise the head (heat stroke). If the face is pale, raise the tail/legs (heat exhaustion).”

Insect Stings

Each year several people die from Hymenoptera stings to the back of the throat.  Their throat swells shut and they suffocate.  If someone accidentally ingests a Hymenoptera and is stung in the back of the throat, the esophagus, or stomach, get immediate medical help!

Stay cool and be careful while enjoying the “Dog Days” of summer.

The beginning of a new school year presents certain problems we all have to deal with.  One common problem is head lice. Let’s talk about how they spread, and what you can do about them.

How Do Head Lice Spread?

Head Lice can be transferred from person to person through personal contact or by sharing certain items such as combs, brushes, caps, clothing, etc.  At school, children often play in close contact with each other and share many of these items.  Since Head Lice don’t fly or have strong jumping legs like fleas, close contact is the primary avenue of spreading from host to host.  It’s best that children are taught not to share personal belongings such as hats, brushes, and combs with other classmates.

When Are Head Lice Most Common?

August through November is normally the time when lice are transmitted.  By December and January, Head Lice infestations are vast.  Children should be inspected weekly for head lice during the early fall months of August through November.

On occasion, lice may fall off their host onto another surface; however, they cannot survive off a human for more than 24 hours.  Therefore, they do not live for very long in furniture, carpet, beds, vehicles, etc.  They want to remain on their host in order to survive.

How Do You Get Rid of Head Lice?

Head Lice eggs are called nits.  They are very tiny, white, oval, and cylindrical in shape.  Nits are glued by the female to the hairs near the scalp normally behind the ears and along the back of the neck.  Nits must be removed by using a special fine-toothed louse comb.  This is done by combing from the root to the tip of the hair and repeating until the entire scalp has been combed several times.  A regular plastic comb will not remove nits.

One female louse will lay 6-7 eggs each day.  A child could have several dozen lice living on his/her head in just a few weeks.  You can see why weekly inspections during the school year are so important.

There are several over-the-counter products that can be applied to the scalp for the control of head lice.  However, it’s important to note that nit removal is the key. This is because up to 80% of nits survive control products applied to the scalp.

Head lice are a medical problem.  There’s no application that can be performed by a pest control company for the control of Head Lice.

Remember, children who are taught not to share personal belongings such as hats, brushes, and combs with other classmates and have weekly inspections performed are less likely to experience head lice during the school year.

Finding Termites in Your Home

You might not see them, but they could already be in your home. Termites are quiet invaders, working behind walls, under floors, and inside wooden beams. They can go undetected for some time, gradually chewing through the structure of your home. When you notice something’s wrong, the damage may already be done.

It’s more than likely you’ll have a termite infestation at some point in Florida. With our temperate climate, there is simply no avoiding termites. From swarming drywood termites to underground colonies of subterranean termites, these pests are always on the hunt for food sources like wood, paper, and even drywall.

If you’re concerned about finding termites in your house, knowing what to look for can be reassuring. This guide walks you through the signs, how fast an infestation can spread, and what to do if you suspect termites are in your home.

Signs of Termites

Although termites often stay hidden, they can leave visible clues. Small changes around your home, like strange marks on walls or unexplained wood damage, can signal that something is going on. We’ve created a useful summary to help you identify the signs of termite activity and how to spot them early.

What Are the Early Signs of a Termite Infestation?

Catching a termite infestation before it spreads can help limit the damage to your home and avoid expensive repairs to walls, vents, and foundations. Here are some of the most common early warning signs:

• Discarded wings near window sills, vents, or lights. Winged termites (swarmers) shed their wings after landing to start a new colony.
• Mud tubes along walls, foundations, or inside crawl spaces. Subterranean termites build these to move between the soil and wood above ground.
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Termites eat wood from the inside out, often leaving a thin shell behind.
• Frass (termite droppings) – Drywood termites push these out of small holes in wood. The pellets are tiny and often look like sawdust or coffee grounds.
• Swollen or warped wood – This may look like water damage, but it could be caused by termites tunneling inside.
• Hard-to-open doors or windows – Termite activity can cause wood to swell, making it harder to open or close fixtures.

These red flags might seem small, but they can indicate a growing colony inside your walls or furniture. Professional exterminators at Florida Pest Control use the latest pest control techniques, including termite baits, to tackle the active problem and head off future infestations.

How Fast Can a Termite Infestation Spread?

Termites don’t waste time. Once a colony finds reliable food sources, it’s hard to stop. Subterranean termites are especially aggressive and can forage hundreds of feet to find wood. The destruction can continue unchecked if the colony is hidden behind walls or under flooring.

Termite swarms also increase the risk to property. During the swarming season, thousands of termites may leave a mature colony to start new ones nearby. In Florida, this can happen several times a year. Once a new colony settles in, it doesn’t take long for it to grow and start causing significant damage.

Homes with moisture issues, such as leaks, poor drainage, or damp crawl spaces, are particularly at risk. These conditions allow termites to nest and multiply.

Removing an Infestation

With termites, an ounce of prevention is definitely worth more than a pound of cure. The easiest way to avoid a termite problem is to protect your home from termites before you have a problem with them. Contact Florida Pest Control today to schedule a termite inspection to safeguard your home against termites.

Request a Termite Inspection

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the early warning signs of a termite infestation in your home?

Look for discarded wings around windows or light fixtures; swarmers leave these behind as they start new colonies. You might also see mud tubes along walls, foundations, or inside crawl spaces, blistered wood, or notice sticky doors and windows. These are all signs of an active infestation.

What should you do if you discover a termite infestation?

Act quickly because termites won’t stop on their own. Avoid relying solely on DIY solutions as they may not reach the source of the problem. For long-term protection, contact a professional technician who can inspect your home, confirm the type of termite, and recommend an effective treatment plan.

How quickly can a termite infestation spread?

Termite colonies work nonstop and can grow rapidly once they find reliable food sources. These pests can cause terrible structural damage to buildings. Early detection and action are key to controlling the problem.