To minimize the damage raccoons can cause at your home, we need to address the things they like most. This time, we’re going to talk about what every organic creature needs on the planet. Food. It’s a very good chance it’s a food source the raccoon that is setting up camp at your place is after. It might be your garbage, a compost heap,  the food you leave out for your cat (one you own or a stray, the raccoon doesn’t care!), the doggy door you leave open that lets the raccoon in to eat food in your house,  bird/squirrel feeders, or even a vegetable garden. If it provides sustenance and is left unguarded, it’s like leaving out a welcome sign for these guys.

You might be thinking about some sort of motion detector flood light placed in a strategic area to mitigate raccoon behavior. In most scenarios, this won’t work. The sensitivity would have to be turned up pretty high and would create a ton of false alarms or possible staying on all the time and failing to alert the home owner or startle the animal. That said, there are some interesting devices on the horizon coming out of IoT, also known as the internet of things. Your home’s wireless network can now use the power of cloud computing to capture photos and video of your home or business’s surroundings and through an upload of data, analyze what is being seen and create an appropriate action. Turn on a sprinkler zone? Yes! Fire an air-jet? Right on! Motion track a bright light? Absolutely! And all of this can be reported back to your smart phone. While this may sound like an escalation of the groundhog war waged in Caddyshack, it’s really about protecting your property and peace of mind. If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association, you might have to go into work late or be subject to fines if your garbage is strewn about your lawn, or heaven forbid, the lawns of your neighbors. One too many late days at work can cost you a raise or promotion. And to think, your CLE, or Career Limiting Event, was caused by a raccoon!

You’re probably getting mad just reading this article, wondering if it’s been a raccoon all along that has cost you in your career, forcing you to work extra years, maybe even into your retirement. Well, they’re clever, but not that clever! The truth is, we have some things we need to do to dissuade these creatures from having a house party at our expense and that takes some time and effort to put all these things into place. That said, it might just be easier to trap and relocate the nuisance raccoon and in the hands of a professional, I would agree. However, for the do-it-yourselfer, these crafty varmints can prove to be elusive and frustrating at best. While there’s no shortage of animal traps available to try and capture these bestial troublemakers, pulling it off successfully is another story entirely. Give it a go but don’t expect without a lot of trial and error, and maybe a good dose of luck, that you’ll be able to apprehend yourself a mask-faced prisoner. And that’s where we come in.

If a raccoon is still causing you trouble despite repeated attempts to secure your environment and capture and relocate them, please contact us right away. Trapping is hard work if you don’t have the experience. Let the problem be ours and you can go back to enjoying your yard, property, and maybe even the “game” on TV. We’re happy to take care of these issues for our customers in a humane way that benefits the homeowner and the animal. Contact Emergency Pest Patrol for raccoon removal service and ask us for pricing and schedule a service call ASAP. You’ll be glad you did.

The post Raccoon Prevention – How to Keep Raccoons Away appeared first on Tampa Pest Control Services.

#1 on our list is the ultra-destructive termite. Each year termites cause over $5 billion of damage to homes and property, according to the National Pest Management Association. Termite control is not something easily performed by laymen. In fact, just the process of identifying the termite can be difficult for the non-professional as they are often misidentified as ants or flying ants. A professional exterminator will help homeowners identify the particular variety you have encountered and will use a targeted method of control to eliminate the threat. The tools, technology, and methods for termite control have continued to improve over the years, especially in the hands of a seasoned professional improving your chances of mitigating any potential damage these awful insects can inflict upon you and your wallet. Subterranean termites eat 24/7, making them enormously and insatiably destructive. Furthermore, damage by termites is typically not covered by a regular homeowner’s insurance policy so contact a termite expert if you suspect that the damage or bugs you see might be this terrible pest.

#2 on our list is the carpenter ant. They build nests inside wood consisting of galleries chewed out with their strong muscled mandibles, preferably in dead, damp wood. Unlike termites, they do not consume the wood. Sometimes, carpenter ants hollow out sections of dead, weakened, or diseased trees, but they’re happy to work their way into a live healthy tree if the habitat suits them. Beyond trees, they commonly infest wooden buildings becoming a major cause of structural damage. They are content to live in hollowed out areas inside doors, behind insulation and even in soft styrofoam insulation. Even so, carpenter ants are only one colony expansion away from destroying your property and are known to show up on real estate transaction paperwork as a potential liability. In the United States, the black carpenter ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) is quite common out of a genus that includes over 1,000 species so consumers are bound to cross paths with them at some point.

#3 on our list is the formidable powderpost beetle. Belonging to the subfamily Lyctinae, they are part of a group of seventy species of woodboring beetles. While most woodborers have a large prothorax, the powderpost beetle does not, making its head more pronounced with antennae that appear as two-jointed clubs. These pests attack deciduous trees where, over time, they reduce the wood to a powdery dust. You might discover their larvae, which are white and C-shaped. A headache for homeowners, the powderpost beetle only attacks hardwood. This means that they will not destroy a home but will infest certain areas usually consisting of molding, flooring, cabinets, doors, hardwood furniture, and other hardwood items. An infestation can be found by the presence of very fine sawdust or by discovering small, 1/32 to 1/16 in diameter round, holes in hardwood items with sawdust leaking out. Sadly, most lyctid beetle infestations occur in newly built homes (1-5 y/o) that were assembled with already infested wood. Often, removing infested wood is the most economical solution to remedying this problem.

#4 is the wild honey bee, our next pest on the list. They are great for making honey but when they find their way onto your property, look out! They have no problem setting up shop within the confines of your home’s walls, becoming an expensive nuisance that is best handled by experienced professionals. A typical colony can consist of tens of thousands of bees and their hive may weigh up to several pounds within a few days of construction. If killed by insecticide without a proper extraction plan, the mass of wax, honey, and propolis from the hive will leak fermenting honey, melting wax (the bees work to keep wax from melting when they’re alive), and dead bees, all oozing out into your home or property in the form of a huge mess. Now you have a new problem along with the gooey remains: insect scavengers, moths, and rodents that feed off the dead hive. In some instances, it’s possible to extract the bees alive at a higher cost, but this isn’t always practical depending on the number of affected people nearby and the location of the nest. And to be clear, we’re referring to wild honey bees, not their domesticated cousins who have been endangered.

#5 is reserved for indoor ants. Finding them crawling through your food stores, up the walls, and across counters is unsettling at best. When they find their way into a drain pipe or electrical panel causing backups and burnouts, their true destructive potential becomes acute. Knowing what kind of ant you have is essential to controlling them through treatment. Some ants are only visitors, living mostly outside but stopping to forage, while others are very choosy when it comes to the bait they’re attracted to. Don’t waste your money or spray excessively with over the counter bug spray; not only can they smell bad and make some surfaces in your home unsafe to touch, they’re not nearly as effective as what an experienced professional from Emergency Pest Patrol can bring to bear. We can identify your ants and start the best treatment that will work for you in the most effective manner.

Contact Emergency Pest Patrol for mosquito control service and ask us for pricing and service call scheduling.

The post Pesky Pests That Can Damage Your Home, part #1 appeared first on Tampa Pest Control Services.

Many pests like mice or even termites can cause utter destruction of your home, and cost you tens of thousands of dollars if not more in structural damage and other inconveniences. While there are many effective measures to prepare, prevent, and treat home pest invasions sometimes it’s necessary to hire a professional, licensed, pest control expert. Not only can misuse of pesticides cause damage and harm to you and your home but can even be ineffective and a waste of money.

Don’t be Swayed by Gimmicks
If you believe or know that you have a pest problem it’s best that you do your research online or through local, approved, and licensed pest professional shops or businesses. Utilize resources like the BBB (Better Business Bureau), and ask for references from the pest control experts or business you’re interested in. If in doubt, contact the State Attorney General’s Office or look into the States Departments of Agriculture to verify both that they licensed, and have not had any complaints lodged again them.

“Pest control experts” that go door-to-door should likewise be avoided. While marketing and advertising this way is not illegal, it often can be a bad sign. Though a free estimate and quote for work are desirable, be mindful of who you trust to come into your home. If a “pest control expert” approaches you with “evidence” of pests without your permission, or indicates that your home is sure to be destroyed in the near future without their services it’s best to steer clear. Also, if your pest control professional or agency offers a “package” deal such as lawn mowing, painting, or any other unrelated service this is a bad sign, so avoid any “jack of all trades”.

Trusted Products and Businesses
Understand that not only a trusted and licensed pest control professional is most practical, but also that the professional you trust is using trusted, EPA chemicals and that they’re being applied correctly. Don’t be afraid to ask for the ingredients label, as this can help you to monitor and ensure they’re being used correctly.

A reputable, trustworthy business will also offer some level of guarantee with the services it renders. This is why it’s so important to create, review, and fully understand a contract before taking on a licensed, pest control expert. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for credentials, and contact your local respective government agency for licensing details to verify. Typically, a pest control agency or contractor will offer a 1 to 5-year guarantee.

It’s important that you understand the requirements, what’s involved, and how to properly prepare your home, any necessary follow-up treatment, and how to identify once chemicals have dried to safely return to your home.

Lastly, don’t forget, pesticides are extremely potent, and any valuables and living animals should be removed from the house before treatment begins – this includes fish tanks and air pumps. If you’re still unsure if you’ve found the right pest control professional share the quote and contract offer with a trusted friend, or, seek reviews online through a popular site like Yelp to protect your home, health, and money.

Image credit: www.emergencypestpatrol.com

The post How to Select a Pest Control Company appeared first on Tampa Pest Control Services.

With the weather warming up, the insects and arachnids will be busy establishing new ground and reclaiming old ground and unfortunately that may also mean your home as their battlefield. Each pest poses its own threat to your quality of life. Some of them can cause havoc with your food supplies, others can damage the infrastructure of your home, some can infest and damage furniture, and worst of all, they can look at you as a snack or a threat and put the bite on you.

In this situation, depending on your locale, preventative measures must be put into place. That can include anything from sealing up new cracks and holes caused by winter weather damage, to putting on new coats of paint or cement. Often just routine maintenance around the home or office is enough for a good foundation and then other measures can be applied. Make sure brush and debris are away from the home. Don’t give the critters anything to bridge on. Get rid of debris on the roof and any branches that could act like a bridge as well. Make sure that any outdoor furniture you uncover that has been subject to winter’s wrath are clean as well and don’t bring them inside without a thorough inspection. Some bugs hibernate on them where you can’t see and once you bring them inside a toasty warm, moist home, you’re in for trouble.

Make sure pets are cleaned and inspected as well. Just one romp outside and some bugs can attach themselves to fur. Inspect all shopping bags too as sometimes produce can carry eggs or bugs in them. Once you bring them into the home, they just might dig in and cause problems later.

If you do get an infestation, take a good look and then call in a professional. There’s no telling how bad the infestation is at a glance. Things could be horrible behind walls and between flooring. A professional at pest control will know just what to look for. They’ll make an assessment based on the exterior and interior of the home with tools that can locate bugs anywhere. Once they do, they’ll work out a battle plan and rid the home of the pests.

Pest control is a science. It calls for knowing hundreds if not thousands of species of pests from insects to rodents, and even birds. Professional pest control experts will sometimes have to break out a saw or drill or crowbar to get at the pests, so don’t be surprised if it looks like a bit of construction going on in your home.

The best bet is to be prepared. Plan ahead and listen to good advice. If every year you have to fight ants, then you should be ready to battle them. If you have to deal with several species of ants it can be a nightmare, however, a pest control pro will be able to deal with them.

So put your worries to rest. Pest control involves due diligence on your part and expert attention from a pest control expert. Work together and you’ll be just fine.

The post Spring Forward With Pest Control appeared first on Tampa Pest Control Services.

There are lots of pest control companies in every city and town but knowing what to look for regarding the best you can hire calls for being aware of not only what it takes to qualify, but also what that pest control company can do and has done.

When it comes to pest control, one has to first take into consideration that the experts may be using toxic materials and need to do some demolition on your property like removing flooring or sections of walls to get at the vermin. You don’t want just anyone into your home or office tearing it apart like in a Three Stooges movie. You want people who know exactly what they’re doing and the first thing is to look for certification. Is the company certified to do what they’re promoting? Is each member of the team certified and a qualified professional? If not, don’t even think of hiring them or you’ll end up in trouble along the way.

Are they recommended by others and for how long have they been in business? Pest control is one of those businesses where if it isn’t done right, the company won’t be in business for long. Check to see if they’ve a website featuring information about them. Also check the better business bureau to see what their standing is. People in your area will more than likely have posted about the company on social media sites that will show up in a search engine query. Some people won’t talk about having pest control done because they’re embarrassed so don’t be surprised if there’s some missing information.

Are they insured? That’s a big flashing A question. If they’re not insured they shouldn’t even be in business. The authorities can’t investigate everyone so you sometimes have companies that have skated, sometimes for years and the public Is left unaware until it’s too late. Check with the authorities first then ask the company. If things don’t match up, beat feet out of there. Without insurance if they screw up your property or injure someone or even a pet, you’ll be the one having to fork over the money for repairing the damage done.

Courtesy and customer service. You can tell a lot about a company just by how they answer the phone. It’s one of the most important indicators of whether the company prides itself in competence and courtesy. If you call the company and someone answers with sloppy dialogue, inconsistencies, and rudeness, then it’s better to just hang up and keep on searching. If they can’t hold a competent and amicable conversation from the start, you’ll only end up with worse down the line. Another factor is does the company answer your questions. Do they answer the tough questions regarding safety? Any hesitation on their part in this regard is a clear indicator that they’re hiding something or engaged in some kind of deception.

Overall, use some common sense. Don’t rush in or panic because of the vermin, make sure you choose a pest control specialist that you can count on. Your due diligence will mean a thorough job is performed and you save money in the short and long term.

Image credit: Andriy Popov

The post Need A Pest Control Expert? Here Are Some Tips appeared first on Tampa Pest Control Services.

Wasps come in generally two categories. Singular or colony. Colony wasps build nests and engage in cultural engineering. The hive is run by a queen wasp and all the workers are female. When it’s time to start a new colony, unfertilized eggs will turn into males and then certain eggs will be fertilized that will grow into new queens and the cycle repeats itself.

Knowing which kind of wasp you’re dealing with calls for some study and expertise. A wasp control strategy follows a sound pest control strategy. The expert will study the type of wasp, it’s known behavior and breeding patterns and then work out a strategy to handle them. Wasps are dangerous to handle as they can sting repeatedly, not like most bees that will die after stinging the first time. Wasps can be very aggressive so it really takes know how in order to handle them.

Using thrift tools for ridding the home or structure is essential. It might not always call for a pesticide but that’s the expert’s job. When they show up to do the job, as a curious consumer, you should ask some questions. In addition the professional wasp control expert will discuss with you the best way to not only get rid of the creatures but a series of steps to prevent them from infesting your home or structure.

Keeping the home outside clean and plugging up any access ports to the home is a good start. Separated siding or paneling or holes in the roof are very inviting to a wasp to set up base camp. Once you’ve prevented them from entering your home or structure you’ll more than likely not have to deal with them.

In addition, you may have to modify certain configurations of your property so that the property won’t look so inviting to these creatures. You may have to remove an awning or a decoration or move some objects away from the structure.
That all comes with the brief education about wasps you’ll need to know if the critters frequent your area. The more you know about wasps, the less of a pain they’ll be.

Wasps also help in agriculture so if you have a garden or farm, they’ll wipe out some pests. This is why you need a wasp control and pest control expert to convert the experience in your favor.

Image credit: Richard Bartz

The post Wasp Control Via Pest Control appeared first on Tampa Pest Control Services.

Ticks are small about a centimeter and are difficult to detect. Once they’ve bitten into a person they begin drinking blood and become fat and engorged. Removing the menaces is tricky but should be done cautiously and immediately as they can carry an y number of debilitating or deadly diseases.

Ticks often frequent areas of vegetation. They’ll gain access to a home by latching onto a pet or even a person’s clothing or the person themselves. Once they become embedded in the home it may be tough to get them out which calls for professional pest control.

A professional pest control company will know exactly what to look for. It can be a tedious task but it’s better to have a pro do it than wandering around in the dark on your own. The pest control pro will look in places for ticks you might not realize they little buggers can hide in ad using their special tools, they can eradicate them.

Ticks are difficult to remove from the body. You’ll need tweezers or forceps to do so. Don’t ever swat a tick or crush the body or the fluids inside will rush through the head and into the body’s blood stream causing potential hazard. Gently cover the head and mouth of the tick and squeeze and pull outward making sure to get all the mouth parts removed from the skin. Put the tick in a plastic bag or jar to take to the doctor to find if it’s carrying any diseases. Clean the would thoroughly with an antiseptic and see your doctor immediately. The earlier you check for a tick bite, the better, as sometimes they’ll bite, fall off and one doesn’t even know they’ve been here. Some will usually leave a big read ring on the ski but if your skin doesn’t show such marks you may be unaware of the bite until it’s too late.

Diseases like Lyme Disease, ca be debilitating and fatal if unchecked. Its a disease that is just horrible. Early detection and treatment are the best courses of action and to delay could prove costly.

Prevention includes lots of steps. Keep your outside lawn cut short. Don’t give ticks a foothold this way. If you have foliage close to your home then think about either getting rid of it or keeping it trimmed and cared for. Always check pets especially if they’ve been outside for a good amount of time. Ticks just love to latch onto a dog or cat. Same goes for any livestock you have. Examine your livestock for ticks. Get rid of any rodent bedding or bird nests nearby. Check for ground dwelling animals like gopher s, moles, and woodchucks too. Rabbits especially. If you don’t see their burrows then you won’t see the ticks that may be lying about.

Overall, a good inspection of house and home will avoid the pitfalls of a tick infestation. Keeping a vigilant eye out is the best course here.

Image credit: Erik Karits

The post Ticks: A Royal Pain To Pest Control appeared first on Tampa Pest Control Services.