First Florida Termite and Pest Control

Keeping Bugs Out Of Your Home

PaigeSalem — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:54:23 +0000

Prevention is key. You want to get them before they get you. Make sure to eliminate any standing water. Seal up any cracks or openings around windows, doors, A/C units or the bottom of your home. Store firewood or building materials away from your home. Cut back tree limbs from the roof, that is an access to the attic for bugs & rodents. Clean up leaves from your yard.

How To Tell If You Have Termites

PaigeSalem — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:16:07 +0000

It is termite season. Here are a few things to look for.

1) You will see a powder like substance that looks like coffee granulars or sawdust around doors, windows, or your garage.

2) You may find stray wings near your doors, windows, bathroom, or your garage.

3) There may be tiny holes on wood surfaces in or outside of your home.

4) You may find mud tunnels lining the foundation of your home.

5) And finally, you may see flying termites inside or outside of your home, usually near light sources.

Did you know that termites can cause more damage to your home than hurricanes, floods or fire combined? Insurance does not cover the damage that termites cause. So often, home owners discover too late that their home is destroyed or seriously damaged due to these silent, destructive insects. It is very important to have your home inspected every year by a professional for termites.

Don’t Wait until it is too late. Call for your free annual termite inspection today. Servicing Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee & Hillsborough counties

How To Keep Carpenter Ants Out of Your House

PaigeSalem — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:03:42 +0000

Controlling carpenter ants can be difficult. However, there are ways to prevent them. Here are some steps you can take to keep these ants from getting into your home:

To reduce nesting sites for these ants, remove all unnecessary wood, such as old logs or stumps. When removing trees, be sure to remove the roots, as they also provide the ants with shelter.

Keep fire wood and other lumber as far away from the house as possible, and elevated off the ground. Do not bring the wood into the house until you are ready to use it.

Pick fallen fruits and vegetables off the ground immediately to reduce their food sources. Be sure to keep your garden free from aphids or other honeydew making insects as well, as these also provide a food source for these ants.

Be sure to trim all trees so that the branches are not touching your home. Make sure the branches do not touch any wires leading into your home, as they can provide a pathway for ants to get in.

How To Keep Rodents Out Of Your Home

PaigeSalem — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:15:42 +0000

With the cooler weather we are having, rodents will be looking for a place to get warm, hide from preditors or a place they can have their babies. Unfortunately, this often means our homes. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to keep them out of your home. 1) Rodents do not like open areas (especially mice). It makes them vulnerable to predators such as a bird or your cat. They prefer to walk through debris, wood, or anything else it can find leading up to your home. Removing old boxes, piles of wood, old leaves, and any other debris around your house will make it more difficult for them to hide. 2) Trim back trees with branches near the roof to prevent them from jumping on your roof and getting into your attic. 3)Rodents only need a quarter of an inch opening to gain access into your home. If you were to inspect your house you would probably find many small cracks and openings that rats and mice can get into. You can easily close these openings by replacing old screens, patching small holes, using aerosol foam that comes in a can or close the holes with steel wool. 4) Keep an eye out for runways that they use to come in and out. You will be able to recognize the runways because they will most likely have droppings or smudges caused by the oil in their skin. Rodents are creatures of habit and will use these runways constantly. 5) Rodents, particularly the House Mouse, love nuts and grains (They’re actually not too fond of cheese), so be sure that any food made from these things is sealed in a plastic container. This includes dog food and garden seeds.

How To Keep Roaches Out

PaigeSalem — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:53:56 +0000

Prevention Is The Key. Don’t let pests get out of control. – One of the best ways to keep roaches out is to keep your home clean! Be sure to clean up any spills right away. Wash your dishes regularly and do not leave pet food out over night. Roaches will make a snack out of just about anything (even trash!) -Roaches love water! It is one of the key factors of their survival. Be sure to drain water out of the sink and tub, and wipe down any tables or counters that water has spilled on. Make sure to pick up any drinks that you may have on the table or in your bedroom because of the condensation from the drink will attract the roaches. Also make sure to fix any leaky faucets or drains. – Knowing where roaches like to hide is the best way to prevent them! Always check boxes and bags for roaches before bringing them inside. Throw away any stacks of cardboard boxes or papers. -Preventing cockroach infestations when moving is critical, especially if you are leaving an area that already has a current infestation. The last thing you want to do is bring cockroaches with you. Check all boxes that you pack for any signs of cockroaches, as well as furniture. If you see any cockroaches, spray them immediately. Spraying your new home or apartment before you move in is also a good idea. After you have unpacked make sure you throw out any cardboard boxes or papers , because that is where they like to hide & it is food for them. Finally, you should contact a professional to deal with any cockroach infestation that occurs. A pest control professional has access to pesticides that are stronger than what you can purchase over the counter. -For palmetto bugs, if there is any drain in your home that you are not using (dishwasher, shower, toilet, etc.) make sure you run water through them at least once every two months. Palmetto bugs will come in through any drain that doesn’t have water in it. If you are going to be away for awhile you might want to put caps on all drains & put plastic wrap over the toilets to make sure that the palmetto bugs can not get through your drains & into your home. That will also help keep rodents out as well.

How To Minimize Spiders

PaigeSalem — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:50:40 +0000

Cleaning is the best method of spider prevention, so go through your home vigorously sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming. Make sure to keep clothes off of the floor, that way they have less places to hide. Do this weekly for a couple of months to destroy existing nests, not giving spiders time to rebuild and lay eggs. Make sure to seal around the widows & doors so that the spiders can not get in.

Outdoors, use a broom to knock down their webs from eaves, garage, doorways & window frames. Repeat weekly or as necessary. Keep grass and weeds that grow near the house cut low, and likewise keep shrubs near the house small and neatly maintained.

If it persists please give us a call.

How To Tell If You Have Rodents

PaigeSalem — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:14:52 +0000

Noises-Rodents are usually most active at night. You may hear squeaks, whistles, climbing, or the patter of paws.

Smell-Rodent homes often give off an obvious, distinctive scent. There may be a foul odor of a dead carcass.

Droppings-Rodents typically produce droppings every ten minutes along the edges of your home or near where they eat.

Gnawing-Rodents gnaw constantly because their gums itch, which is nature’s way of keeping their teeth sharp. Next to termites, rodents are the second most destructive organisms in the country, causing billions of dollars in damage to your structure.

Reduce Mosquitoes

PaigeSalem — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:23:53 +0000

Mosquitoes are not only bothersome; they carry disease. Reducing them around your home should be a priority.
There are several things you should do to reduce their population.First check around your property for standing water in containers. Containers include: Trash cans, buckets, and empty planters. Water is required for the first stage (larva) of the mosquito’s life.If you have a boat; make sure the bow is higher than the stern so water will drain out.