Like everyone else, there are times when homeowner’s associations are responsible for dealing with pest control problems. Each HOA is different and has different responsibilities for pest control for their properties. If you serve on a homeowner’s association board, chances are at one point or another you’ll have to deal with pest control problems. In today’s blog at Dave’s Pest Control, we talk about some of the common pests that HOA’s have to deal with.
If your business or homeowner’s association is in need of professional and effective pest control services for your property, contact our team at Dave’s Pest Control today for help throughout Flagler and Volusia County.
Roaches
If you ask any group of people what their least favorite pest is, they will likely almost unanimously say “cockroaches.” Roaches are difficult to get rid of, carry diseases, and everyone has a sense of unease when they see one scuttling across the floor of their kitchen.
Termites
Termites are another common pest that Dave’s Pest Control helps homeowner’s associations with. In situations where you are dealing with termites, it’s crucial to act quickly. The longer you wait for pest control services for termites, the more damage they can do to your structures. If termites are left untreated long enough, they can even make the building they have set up shop in dangerous and unstable!
Wildlife Removal
Raccoons, snakes, skunks, squirrels, and other wildlife can sometimes find their way onto the property you manage. You may be tempted to handle these situations on your own, but we encourage you to work with a pest control professional for wildlife removal if it’s not a situation you can easily handle. For example, raccoons may look innocent and cute, but if they feel threatened or trapped, they can become aggressive and dangerous quickly.
Rodents
Rodents are one of the most common pests that we help HOA’s and commercial properties deal with. Rats and mice are often crafty and their infestations can quickly get out of hand. At Dave’s Pest Control, we have years of experience helping homeowner’s associations quickly, safely, and completely remove rodents from their properties. Give us a call today to get a quote and learn more about our pest control services for homeowner’s associations.
Bees
Bees, wasps, and hornets are another type of pest that Dave’s Pest Control often helps HOA’s with. This is because these insects often make a nest in public areas like pools, gyms, garage structures, and anywhere else they find suitable. As an HOA responsible for pest control in public areas, it is best to have bees and other similar insects taken care of right away in order to avoid your residents trying to take care of the issue themselves and getting hurt.
Commercial Pest Control for HOA’s and Dave’s Pest Control
At Dave’s Pest Control, we have years of experience working with all manner of pests. From raccoons to roaches, termites, and more, we can handle it all. If you are a homeowner’s association looking for pest control services you can rely on, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We operate in Southern and Central Florida.
A man builds a machine that can teleport him from one room to another. His molecular DNA is broken down in one pod, and reassembled in another. Upon entering the first pod, a fly has also entered the pod unnoticed. The DNA of the fly is now mixed with the mans DNA and a hybrid fly-man is born out of the second pod he teleported to.
This is the plot of the 80s movie The Fly. It is perhaps just science fiction, but outlines how a basic pest like the fly, can wreak havoc on sensitive science experiments and medical equipment. Truth is, flies, gnats and mosquitos are the biggest pests known to mankind. In the research and development of life saving vaccines and medicine, it is of utmost importance to have a sterile working environment. Great lengths are taken to isolate samples from ever coming into contact with the outside world. Without these precautions, life saving medicines would not ever be able to be produced. And as for our fictional fly-man, he meets his demise rather quickly, like many flies do.
The House Fly
The most common and annoying pest of man undoubtedly is the house fly. An adult fly can lay up to a thousand eggs. There are over 90 thousand different species of flies. Nothing can disrupt your zen of cooking a meal for your family more than the common house fly. Or perhaps you are at a fancy restaurant, hailed by foodies and bloggers for the best bacon wrapped rib-eye steak this side of the Mississippi. You see a fly buzzing and zipping past you, only to land on your steak. You try in vain to swat, slap and smash this uninvited pest. But alas your efforts are futile. Not to mention your dining experience was fouled by one little fly. You think to yourself, “If I see one more fly, I’m out of here”.
So-what exactly happens when a fly lands on your food? Why is it so bad? To get a better understanding, let’s look at some of our most loathed pests in more detail.
Beatior Quam Musca In Stercore
The house fly is a true insect. It belongs to the order of insects named Diptera. This name is from ancient Greece and means two wings. There are over 90 thousand different species of flies. The two wings on the house fly fold back and give it a triangular appearance and are transparent. Being a true insect, the common house fly has three body parts. The head, the thorax and the abdomen. Flies have a compound eye and are very large. They are divided into over 4000 individual facets or “lenses”. This mosaic vision gives the house fly incredible sight during day, and the night. In addition, between its compound eyes, flies have three simple eyes called oceli. Despite having this incredible vision, the house fly depends on its highly sensitive antenna for sensing odors it is attracted to.
Flies have feet called pulvilli which enables them to stick to almost any surface. They can climb walls and walk upside down. These specialized feet also are what enables flies to transmit bacteria, germs and disease.
Flies are attracted to rotting and decaying organic matter. This would include not only rotting food, but also decaying animals and excrement as well. Thousands of tiny hairs on the fly would pick up bacteria from these items and can transfer them to your food. If that is not bad enough, flies do not have mouth parts for biting and chewing. Instead, they vomit up enzymes which break down the food and they suck it back up with a tube like snout called a proboscis. A most disgusting way to eat indeed. This feeding organ can be extended and retracted almost completely into the head. Disease, germs and parasites can attach to the lips of this feeding organ and be deposited on other surfaces. They can travel up to 20 miles, which means it is very possible for a fly to land and feed on a dead animal in the road somewhere, and then land on your birthday cake at home.
Drosophila Melanogaster
Drosophila Melanogaster is the common fruit fly. It can smell food from over a kilometer away (0.62 miles). Rotting fruit gives off a chemical smell that can be received by the flies attene fixed on the flies head. Acidic acids, decaying fungi and bacteria are picked up by the fly and once they hone in on the sent, it is nearly impossible to keep them at bay.
Fruit flies are about the size of a sesame seed. They can fit thru the smallest of gaps, cracks and screens in your home. The adult fruit fly has a stripped abdomen and large eyes. One female fruit fly can lay up to 100 eggs a day and hatch within 24 hours. The larval maggots tunnel under the fruit skin and feed off the microbes as the fruit rots. In a few days the hatch as fully grown fruit flies and start the cycle again. A home can go from zero fruit flies to a full blown infestation in 2 weeks.
Swatting fruit flies is impossible as they have 270 degree vision. They can see you coming from the front, the side, and the back (just about every angle possible). They can calculate your angle of attack and escape with ease. They do all this in as little as 100 milliseconds. Fruit flies can even change directions in .01 of a second and flap their wings over 200 times per second. Trying to kill fruit flies by swatting them is truly fruitless.
If fruit flies become a problem in your kitchen, you can create a simple trap by filling a jar with apple cider vinegar. Cover the jar with plastic wrap and poke holes in it. Fruit flies will be attracted to the acidic vinegar and get them selves stuck in the jar. They will find a way in, but will not be able to get back out.
Phoridae
The Phorid Fly
Phorid flies, also known as humpback flies, are a common problem in both commercial and residential kitchens. They have dark colored eyes and are often hovering over sinks and drains. About 1/8 of an inch long, they will feed and breed on decaying organic matter around moisture. The slime inside your your kitchen or bathroom plumbing is all they need. This is why they are most often seen hovering above kitchen and bathroom sinks. They are also found around floor drains, trash cans, potted plants and cat litter boxes. Plumbing lines should be checked regularly for leaks.
Practicing good sanitation and keeping your plumbing lines clean is the best way to keep these pests away. There are biological microbial grease degraders that come in liquids and foams that naturally eat away at the microbial film that builds up on all drains and garbage disposals over time. In addition to keeping your drains clean, do not let food spoil on counter tops. Take trash out frequently and clean litter boxes daily.
Psychodidae
Drain Flies
Drain Flies look like small fuzzy moths and breed in dirty garbage disposal units, water “P” traps in plumbing lines and any other location with decaying organic matter. They are often called sewer flies, sewer gnats, filth flies or sink flies.
The presence of drain flies could mean you have a plumbing leak or a moisture problem. Inspect for leaks regularly in kitchens and bathroom sinks. Homes built with a crawl space should be inspected for leaks also. A small drip every 10 minutes would build up over time potentially causing not only flies, but also many other insects into your home.
Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants
Commercial kitchens spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in controlling pests in kitchens. Flies are a constant issue in all food preparation and food serving establishments. These annoying pests are directly attracted to the protein nutrients, which is in abundant supply. They tend to live off small areas that are not often cleaned or noticed. They can spread diseases like Samonella, Tuberculosis and bacteria that causes Cholera and Typhoid fever.
When pest control professionals are dealing with flies in a residential or a commercial kitchen, they should know the difference between fruit flies, phorid flies and drain flies. Although they have similar breeding habits, their location could be vastly different meaning different treatment methods would be required.
Fruit flies have red eyes and have different feeding sight preferences compared to the dark-eyed phorid fly. For example, the red-eyed fruit fly prefers rotting produce while the dark-eyed fruit fly prefers the organic matter in drain lines, beer taps and soda stations. Good sanitation practices are needed in trying to control flies. Even the small areas on the bottom of chair legs could be a perfect breeding sight for small flies.
With a good understanding of the most common flying pests in our kitchens today, we can eliminate many of the food born bacteria and germs they can transmit. If you’re having a problem with flies in your home or business, give Dave’s Pest Control a call.
Rats and mice are commonly mistaken for one another. It’s easy to see why, too. They are both rodents, look practically the same, and act very similarly. Most people aren’t concerned with whether the critter in their home is a rat or a mouse, they just want them gone! But for those of you who are curious about the distinctions between the two, today’s blog at Dave’s Pest Control is for you. Keep reading to learn more about the difference between rats and mice and, if you are in need of pest control to remove them from your home, reach out to us right away.
Difference Between Rats and Mice
Lets explore how rats and mice are different from each other. From size to behavior, we will compare everything to make it easy for you to find the differences.
Size
One of the easiest ways to tell a rat from a mouse in the size of the rodent you’re seeing. Obviously, sizes will vary — it’s not unheard of to have a tiny rat or a goliath mouse. But in general, mice tend to be a little bit smaller. On average, mice are about 4 to 8 inches long and rats are generally between 6 and 15 inches long. The bottom line? If the pest is bigger, there is a good chance that it is a rat.
Head
Another great way to distinguish a mouse from a rat is the shape of their head. Mice have a more narrow, triangular-shaped head with long whiskers. Also, mice tend to have larger, floppier ears than their rat counterparts. Rat heads have a more blunt snout rather than a narrow and triangular snout. The ears of a rat are typically smaller than those of mice, too.
The tails on mice are very long, thin, and hairy. The tails of rats are often hairless and have a scaly appearance. Rat tails are also thicker in appearance than mice’s are. This is partially due to the general size differences between the two rodents. But, even smaller rats don’t have the same thin, wispy size to them. It’s also worth noting that rat tails are usually a pinkish color whereas mice’s tails generally match their color.
Believe it or not, mice are usually quite a bit braver than rats are despite their smaller stature. Mice are much more susceptible to being caught in a mousetrap due to their curious nature. If you see a rodent and they stare at you rather than running away immediately, that bold fella is probably a mouse. Behavior of rats tend to be much more skittish and unwilling to investigate. Unfortunately, this makes them a little more difficult for pest control purposes since they aren’t as likely to fall for a trap.
Droppings
Even if you don’t see the creatures themselves, you can still distinguish whether it is a rat or a mouse from the droppings. Mice tend to have longer, more pointed droppings. Rat droppings are often larger in size and have more rounded ends.
Professional Rat Exterminators
Regardless of whether you are dealing with a rat or mouse, Dave’s Pest Control is the pest control team for the job. Contact us today for help with rodents, get a free estimate and schedule your appointment.
In our previous blog, Termites 101, Dave’s Pest Control gave some basic information about what termites are, termite treatment, and signs of termites. In today’s blog, we dive a little deeper into the signs you can look out for that suggest you may have termites. Keep reading for more in-depth information about termite signs and don’t hesitate to contact us at Dave’s Pest Control for pest control services in southern and central Florida!
Signs of Termites in your Home
These signs would make sure your home is infested by termites and you need urgent termite treatment to safe yourself from financial setback.
Hollow Wood
Termites eat the cellulose that can be found in wood. As the termite infestation continues, the more wood they will eat. One sign that you can keep an eye out for if you suspect you have termites is hollow wood. If you tap or knock on your walls, floors, and other wood surfaces and discover they are hollower than you remembered, you may be in need of termite treatment.
Termite Exit Holes
Termites are very tiny pests, but even tiny pests leave behind evidence — especially pests that are destructive as termites. In the infested wood, if you caught the termites early, you will see pinpoint exit holes about ⅛ of an inch or even smaller. However, it’s much more likely that you will see the exit holes after they have already been sealed. Exit holes are sealed by nymph termites and have a brown cement sort of appearance.
Have you noticed exit holes or hollowness in the wood around your home? Contact a pest control professional at Dave’s Pest Control today.
Droppings
Termites like to keep the areas they are working in free of debris like their own droppings. Because of this, they create small exit holes where they can evacuate their excrement. If you are near an area that you suspect is infested, look for small black mounds around the area. If you spot a small pile that looks like black sawdust or coffee grounds, you have likely stumbled upon termite droppings and are in need of termite treatment.
Wings
As terrifying as it may sound, termite swarms can actually fly. If you don’t actually see a swarm of termites flying around, you may stumble upon their wings. Termites discard their wings shortly after they land and find a new home. Finding termite wings on your property is a good indication that you may have a pest control problem.
Mud Tubes
Some termites are known as “subterranean” termites. This means that the termites are nesting underground and surface to eat. These underground nests serve as protection and help termites maintain the environment that best suits them. Mud tubes are roughly the diameter of a pencil and lead directly from their underground nest to their wooden food source. If you notice small tunnels leading to a shed, wooden patio furniture, or your home, you should reach out to a pest control service right away.
Termite Treatment at Dave’s Pest Control
At Dave’s Pest Control, we have years of experience identifying termite infestations and executing termite treatment. Our pest control team recommends that you do NOT try to deal with termites on your own. The risk associated with termites is too great to risk. If you notice hollowed wood, exit holes, droppings, wings, or mud tubes on your property, reach out to Dave’s Pest Control and get a free estimate right away. We are happy to provide termite control throughout Flagler, Volusia, and Brevard County.
Unfortunately, rodents excel at being stealthy and tough-to-detect. Their stealth and ability to go unnoticed is how they manage to survive. So when they find their way into your home, they can often go unnoticed if you aren’t keeping a vigilant eye out. Luckily, there are a few subtle signs of rodents in your home or business that you can keep an eye out for.
Signs of Rodents in your Home
Check out our top eight signs of rodents at Dave’s Pest Control. And don’t forget to give us a call if you notice any of these signs of rats or mice in your home. Our pest control team can safely and quickly remove and prevent any rodents in your home or business.
Droppings
Mice and rats may be sneaky about being seen, but they don’t seem to have a problem going when they have to go. As gross as this may be, it makes it a lot easier to identify if you have any rodents in your home or business. They leave droppings in cabinets, along walls, in drawers, or other areas that are relatively out of sight. If you suspect that you may have a rodent control problem, spend a little time searching for droppings as evidence. Or, if you stumble across droppings while going about your life, take this as a sign of a rodent problem and call pest control services right away.
Gnawed Food Containers
Rodents are notorious for chewing through cereal box containers, thin plastic bags, or other somewhat flimsy food containers to gain access to the tasty treats inside. If you notice chewed-through boxes and containers, this is another big sign that you may be sharing your home with rodents. Keep a sharp eye out for damaged cereal boxes and other thin food containers — especially the corners.
Chewed or Scratched Areas
Food containers are not the only thing that mice can scratch and claw their way into. Rodents can chew and scratch wood, drywall, baseboards, and other surfaces in your home to find a suitable hiding place. Mice and rats can fit into surprisingly small holes, so holes and scratch marks of any kind may be an indication of a rodent control issue. If you suspect you may have one or more rodents in your home, check around for gnawed wood, small holes, and scratched areas. Places to look include cabinets, along the walls, and other out-of-the-way areas in your home or business.
Nests
Rodents will find a spot that is hidden and out of the way to set up a home base. At this home base, you will find a nest made from paper, trash, fabric, or anything else they can find nearby. Even if you find a nest without a rodent in it, it likely means that there is a rodent creeping about nearby. If you find a rodent’s nest, contact pest control services like our team at Dave’s Pest Control to confirm you have found a rodent’s nest and help remove rodents or mice from your property.
Strange Pet Behavior
Sometimes pets notice there is a pest control problem before people do. Odd pet behavior is another sign that could point to there being rodents or other pests in your home. Cats and dogs may pick up on a subtle scent or even have a sighting or a rodent before we do. After all, they are home a lot more than we are. Cats will stay in one place staring for hours on end as they hunt down the rodent they have picked up on. Dogs can behave similarly, or they can whine, suddenly dart after something, or exhibit other unusual behavior if they have picked up on a rodent.
Sightings
When most people have a rodent sighting, it usually happens so fast they wonder if they even saw anything at all. Mice and rats are very quick. So if you do spot them, it will usually be very briefly out of the corner of your eye. They appear as a dark streak much of the time. Though they can sometimes be seen hiding or slowly making their way along a wall. Sightings are the clearest sign of all that there is a pest control problem. Unfortunately, if you spot one rodent, there is a high chance that there are many more you don’t see.
Things Going Bump in the Night
You may hear mice and rats in your walls and scuttering around at night before you ever see them. Keep an ear out for tiny scampering noises, the rustling of plastic or packaging, a rustling in the garbage, or scratching noises. Isolated incidents of these noises may not necessarily be a sign that you have a rodent control problem. But, if you regularly hear any of these noises, it may be time to call your local pest control professionals.
Urine Smells
Mice and rats themselves often come with a stale, musty odor. Additionally, their urine has a strong ammonia smell. Because it can be difficult to see if you have a rodent control problem, it’s important to trust your other senses as well like sound and smell. If you are noticing a new unpleasant urine smell, it could be a sign that you have a pest control issue.
Dave’s Pest Control
We hope that today’s blog post has armed you with the knowledge you need to identify the signs of a rodent infestation. Rodent control is far easier and more effective the sooner it is detected. The longer a pest control problem like mice and rats go unnoticed, the worse the infestation gets. Knowing the signs and what to look out for can help you prevent needing pest control services for rodents in the future!
No matter how clean and careful you are, though, rodents can sometimes make their way into your home or business. If this is the case for you, be sure to contact us at Dave’s Pest Control sooner and get a free estimate. We have extensive experience and regularly work in Southern and Central Florida.
In our last blog post at Dave’s Pest Control, we talked about great ways to prevent mice and other rodents from entering your home. You can check that helpful blog out here. Expanding on that idea, today’s blog post is all about tips for preventing mice in your business! As always, if you need help from our pest control services to remove and prevent mice or any other pests in your business, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We have years of experience in the pest control industry and work extensively throughout Flagler and Volusia county. If your business is in Port Orange, Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna, Deland, or any of the nearby cities, contact Dave’s Pest Control today.
It may seem obvious why you don’t want mice scampering around your business — especially if your business handles food. Mice make even some of the bravest souls a little squeamish. But beyond being uncomfortable to be around, there are countless other reasons why you really don’t want mice in your business. If customers see them, they give the impression that your establishment is unkempt, unhealthy, and frankly, gross. Not to mention the diseases that mice and rats can carry on them. That’s why restaurants are shut down if health inspectors find signs of significant rodent activity.
Tips To Prevent Rats and Mice In Your Business
Rodent control is necessary if you are a self-respecting business, but what can you do to prevent rodents from getting into your business? Keep reading for a few helpful pest control tips.
Keep Your Environment Clean
This pest control tip is probably the most obvious and arguably one of the most effective. Whether your business is an office or a restaurant, cleanliness is key. Mice and rats are scavengers. If there are crumbs of food, garbage with old food they can get into, or trash/mess that they can use for cover, they are going to be more prone to set up shop in your business. Make sure you regularly vacuum up crumbs, throw away garbage, prevent the trash from piling up, and just practice good housekeeping in general. This isn’t something that you have to do on your own, you can have everybody in the office do their part by setting some clear ground rules or hire an outside company to come in nightly for a thorough cleaning.
Minimize Desk Eating
This pest control tip mostly applies to office complexes, but it can be applied to nearly any business. We get it, there are deadlines, things to do, and no time to get it all done. This can make eating at your desk feel like the only option. And as long as you are cleaning up after yourself, this can be a non-issue. But, in general, it’s best to have everyone eat in one centralized location in an effort to contain any mess that comes from food. When everyone eats in an established kitchen or other location, cleaning services (whether that’s you or a company you hired) can take extra care to make sure this is sanitary and cleanly to prevent mice from calling your office home.
Unfortunately, even the best-kept offices can sometimes experience rodent control issues. In cases like these, it’s important to act fast by calling your local pest control professional, Dave’s Pest Control.
Find Possible Entry Points
Just like when you are preventing mice in your home, preventing mice in your business can be as easy as pinpointing the location where rodents are entering your building. Once you find out where they are getting in, it’s as simple as sealing the entrance so they no longer have easy access. Rodents can be crafty creatures, so make sure that you do your best to identify all of the access points they could be entering from. Businesses are typically larger than homes, so there may be multiple different locations they are entering from.
Store Food Properly
Proper food storage is paramount in the prevention of rodents in your business. Whether you are in an office space or a restaurant, ensure that any food being left at the office is stored in a sealed container. Plastic Tupperware works just fine in most cases. Additionally, food should be stored more than 6 inches off the ground. This makes it significantly more difficult for rodents to access your stored food and oftentimes prevents you from needing other pest control services too. Food should never be left out in the open for long periods of time and crumbs, dropped food, or other food messes should be cleaned up right away. This is not only great for rodent control prevention but also good housekeeping practices, in general, that will help keep your workplace a more clean environment.
Proper Handling of Trash
Making sure all of your waste makes it into the wastebasket at work is only half the battle. The other half is actually taking it out to the dumpster or whatever large sealed trash receptacle you have. Office trash cans can have all manner of food, drinks, and other things the rodents are attracted to. Rats and mice see this as an all-you-can-eat buffet just sitting there waiting for them to dig in. Our team at Dave’s Pest Control recommends taking out trash regularly and often. At the very least, all the trash in the office should be emptied nightly to prevent it from sitting overnight.
Pro Tip: Make sure the dumpster area is free of trash and other debris on the ground as well. You may think nothing of rodents being in your outside trash, but they can quickly push further into your business from the dumpster.
Early Detection
Like we mentioned earlier, rodents are crafty and tenacious creatures. Even if you follow all of these tips, there is still a chance that mice and rats can make their way into your business. While the chances are greatly reduced if you are following these pest control prevention tips, it is still possible. In cases like these, early detection is key. Keep an eye out for signs of rodents like droppings, chewed through food containers, gnaw marks, scampering noises, sightings of even one rodent, and nests. If you even suspect that a mouse or rat has made their way into your business, don’t risk it — reach out to us at Dave’s Pest Control right away. We can further investigate to identify if there is a rodent control problem and swiftly resolve the issue. Even if there isn’t an existing rodent infestation, we can help you fortify your business against rodents.
Call Dave’s Pest Control
Dave’s Pest Control has years of pest control experience and has built a respectable reputation throughout Florida for our quality service. Whether you suspect that a rodent may have made its way into your establishment or you stumble upon a large-scale rodent infestation, we are the pest control team you can trust to get the job done. Contact us today to learn more and to start your rodent control services.
At Dave’s Pest Control, it’s no surprise that we come across all manner of pests here in Florida. At least in the Port Orange area, it’s almost always warm and very humid — just what pests love! In today’s blog, our pest control team talks a little bit about the most common pests that we encounter on a day-to-day basis. To learn more about Dave’s Pest Control or to recruit our pest control services, feel free to reach out to us at any time. We operate out of Port Orange and provide pest control services all throughout Flagler County, Volusia County, and more!
Mosquito Control
If you live in Florida or have ever visited Florida for more than a few days, then you know just how bad the mosquito problems can be in some areas. That’s where our professional mosquito control team steps in. But rather than using harmful DEET that kills much more than mosquitos, we use the proven-effective In2Care® system. This method has proven itself to be a highly effective mosquito control technique that eliminates mosquitoes from your property and prevents them from coming back, without harming other life in the area.
Unfortunately, another pest that our team commonly comes across is the cockroach. Cockroach extermination can be tricky. This is especially true if the infestation has had time to develop further. Cockroaches are resilient and often go unnoticed until the infestation is practically out of control. If you have seen or suspect that you may have cockroaches in your home or commercial property, it is best to call a roach exterminator sooner rather than later. The sooner the infestation is addressed, the easier it will be to remove it. Some residents and business owners believe they can deal with cockroach extermination on their own, but we urge you to contact a pest control professional. It is simply not worth risking the safety of others on your property.
Palmetto Bug Extermination
Palmetto bugs should be treated the same as you would a cockroach infestation. This is because Palmetto bugs are, in fact, the species of cockroach — the American Cockroach. This subspecies of roach is common in the Port Orange and surrounding areas. Our team at Dave’s Pest Control has years of experience with Palmetto bug extermination. If your home or business has any sign of these pests, be sure to contact our pest control team right away.
Bed Bug Treatment
Another form of pest that we often see are bed bugs. Bed bugs, like many other pests, can get out of control very quickly if left untreated. Bed bugs leave their victims itchy and with little red bumps. Not to mention the psychological damage of knowing that there are tiny critters in your bed. Most commonly, bed bug treatment is done with powerful chemicals that exterminate the bed bugs and their eggs. In some extreme cases though, we have the option to bring in a fumigator to fumigate the entire property if need be.
Rodent Control
When most people think pest control services, they think rats, mice, and other rodents. There isn’t a pest control team in the country that doesn’t commonly offer rodent control. This is because mice are so adaptable, can take root in a variety of environments, and are exceptional at going undetected for long periods of time. If there are few enough of them, you may not even notice they are there unless they are eating food items that you commonly use. There are some over-the-counter methods that work fairly well if your problem is fairly minor. However, if your rodent control problem gets out of hand, be sure to reach out to our professional rodent control team at Dave’s Pest Control out of Port Orange.
Dave’s Pest Control
And there you have it! Those are the five most common pests that our pest control team encounters in our work throughout Flagler and Volusia counties. If you have any questions about what pests we treat, where we operate, or anything else at all, feel free to contact our pest control team at Dave’s Pest Control directly!
When spiders are often seen , they induce sudden panic and fear. This picture is the common “wolf” spider. (Often incorrectly called huntsman or jumping spiders.) Considered high risk with a painful bite, these spiders however do not inject enough venom to kill a human.
These spiders do not spin webs and wait for prey to get stuck. They go out and hunt for food. They primarily consume cockroaches, small lizards , crickets , grasshoppers and other small invertebrate. The wolf spider and other “hunting” spiders have excellent sight, speed and agility. They hide behind bark, cracks and crevices in and around homes and landscapes. Waiting for prey, they pounce injecting venom, liquefying it into a meal.
Although these spiders are not poisonous, they can bite if cornered or feel threatened. The bite can cause mild to moderate pain with localized swelling. This is similar to a wasp or bee sting and can be painful.
Wolf spiders carry their eggs in a silk sac on their backs. If disturbed, the sac can rupture, and hundreds of babies will scatter everywhere. Therefore, it is not recommended to “hit” or “smash” a wolf spider.
Prevention is the best offense to reduce the chances of seeing one of these eight-eyed, giant monster arachnids. Seal windows and doors well. Regular pest control treatments will help reduce the insects they feed on. Products like *Bifen , when applied to soffits, may also help prevent these spiders from crawling upward into attics and keep them away from homes. Attic dusting is another option if these spiders are suspect to inhabit an attic or crawl space.
The wolf spider is most often confused with the brown recluse, however, the brown recluse has six eyes, and the wolf spider has eight. Additionally, the brown recluse has a violin shape pattern on its back. Poisonous spiders such as the brown recluse are hardly ever seen. (Thus the name recluse). They hide in dark, small areas which humans seldom go.
Mice and rats are amongst some of the most common pests that people find in their homes. They are experts in stealth and are surprisingly clever when it comes to being undetected. However, they can usually be detected from the clues they leave behind — clues meaning droppings, unfortunately. But, there are some steps that you can take to actively prevent rodents from entering your home in the first place.
Let’s see how can you prevent mice in your homes! these tips would surely help you keeping your homes safe and secure from rodents or mice.
Repair Damaged Screens
One of the most effective ways you can prevent rodents from entering your home is by limiting their entry points as best as you can. One way you can do this is by double-checking the screens in all of the windows in your home. This way you can confidently leave your windows open without having to worry about a critter sneaking in through small holes in your screen. Though it is worth noting that mice and rats can chew through screens. So, it might be a good idea to at least close your ground and basement-level windows at night time.
Seal Cracks and Holes
Much like the holes in your screens, rodents are skilled at finding any small holes or entrances to your home. One way you can prevent rodents from entering your home is by examining the outside of your property and making sure that any entrances are properly sealed. Even small holes that you don’t think a mouse could fit through should be sealed as well — rodents are tenacious buggers. We recommend using steel wool or caulking to seal small cracks and holes.
If you need help properly sealing and preventing mice from entering your home in Flager and Volusia counties, contact our pest control team at Dave’s Pest Control. Our rodent control specialists are happy to help!
Keep Food Stored Properly
Rodents, and many other pests, are attracted to places with easy access to food. If you have food unprotected and unsealed sitting in cabinets, on counters, or elsewhere in the home, it is a siren’s call for pests to enter your home. It can be easy to forget but make sure things like pet food, cereal, and other snacks are sealed in air-tight containers. This way, your food items are difficult to access for hungry critters, making your home a less appealing homestead. You can help prevent needing pest control services in the first place by taking proper precautions like sealing food in air-tight containers!
Adopt a Cat
Cats are certainly not for everyone. But, if you happen to have an affinity toward felines, having a cat around the house can act as a big deterrent for rodents looking to enter your home. Whether it’s an indoor or outdoor cat, the cat’s natural instincts are to hunt and exterminate mice and rats. However, it’s worth noting that not all cats catch mice. Some just watch them run by or are even afraid of them. For the most part, though, cats are pretty great at getting rid of mice in your home and can make excellent companions.
Place Screens in Chimneys
Chimneys are a convenient access point for mice and other rodents to make your way into your home. One of the easiest ways to prevent access through the chimney is through the use of a chimney screen. These allow for smoke and air to easily pass through, but keep any solids from coming in or out of your chimney.
Have mice and rats already made their way into your home through the chimney or through other means? Get a free estimate today for high-quality, efficient pest control services!
Invest in Gutter Guards
Having gutter guards installed on your gutters can be a great way to keep rodents and other pests out of your home. Gutters can sometimes act as a highway of sorts for mice to get cozy and access your home. Gutter guards allow for water to easily flow through your gutters but block out larger objects — like rodents and leaves. An additional bonus of gutter guards are that you won’t have to clear out leaves from your gutter nearly as often, if at all.
Set Traps
It may sound odd to put out mouse traps before you have a pest control problem, but setting traps can be a great preventative measure. You can prevent rodents from ever entering your home by setting well-placed traps around the outside of your home that may be attractive to these pests. It’s much easier to prevent a rodent infestation with traps than it is to actively remove rodents once they’ve set up shop. Just make sure that they are not somewhere where children or pets can easily stumble upon them. For help with rodent control, get your free pest control estimate at Dave’s Pest Control.
Utilize Smells Mice Hate
Strangely enough, there are some smells that mice hate that steer them clear of your home. Clean-smelling homes that have strong scents are often enough to turn mice away. Some specific examples of materials people like to use include mint, bay leaves, mothballs, and dryer sheets. These products emit a scent that mice simply aren’t fond of. You wouldn’t want to live in a house that wreaked of feet in the same way that mice don’t want to stay in a home that smells strongly of mint or dryer sheets. Please note that if you choose to use mothballs, they can be poisonous to children and dogs.
Keep Doors Closed
It’s obvious that you should keep your front doors and patio doors to your house closed to prevent pests from getting in. But, many people surprisingly forget to keep garage doors closed too. Once mice make their way into your garage door, they can sometimes more easily stumble upon a simple way to enter your home. A great way to prevent rodents from entering your home is to make it as difficult as possible for them. This means shutting the garage door, front door, back door, and any other doors to the home quickly after everyone is through them.
Contact Dave’s Pest Control
Our team at Dave’s Pest Control hopes these 10 tips will help keep your home rodent-free. If for some reason, they still manage to make their way into your home, you can count on us. Our pest control services make quick work of any rodent infestation. If you need help with rodent control in Flager or Volusia Counties, reach out to us at Dave’s Pest Control right away!
Mosquitoes – Ugh! We’ve all encountered these annoying tiny insects whose very sound causes us to cringe.
Then there’s the irritating itch, followed by red bumps. Both are the result of an allergic reaction to the saliva of mosquitoes when they land and bite.
It’s not really a bite – the female mosquito pierces your skin using her proboscis, a narrow part of the mouth, in an effort to find a blood vessel that provides an adequate blood supply to drink from. Your body recognizes the invasion and responds by creating histamine.
Mosquitos aren’t hungry for your blood, per se: mosquitos need to feed on protein-rich meals, like your blood, to produce eggs and propagate their species.
What are the main concerns about mosquito bites?
Far more concerning than temporary discomfort is the various diseases that can be transmitted via mosquito bites. The World Health Organization says mosquitos are the greatest carriers of disease in the animal kingdom, causing millions of deaths around the world each year.
Malaria, West Nile virus, Dengue virus, Zika virus – these lead to deadly or disabling effects for humans, but they also transmit parasites and disease to dogs and horses.
A two-fold approach is essential to ensure mosquito control:
Elimination of breeding areas
Techniques to avoid getting mosquito bites in the first place.
What is malaria?
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People who have malaria usually feel very sick, with a high fever and shaking chills. It’s treatable, but can be deadly.
What is West Nile virus?
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It’s most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat it in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
What is Dengue?
Dengue viruses are spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Dengue is common in more than 100 countries around the world. Forty percent of the world’s population, about 3 billion people, live in areas with a risk of dengue.
Dengue is a huge problem for Filipinos. They’ve come up with many novel ways to combat the mosquito population, including catching mosquitoes using dinner plates smeared with cooking oil (they get a free kilo of rice for every 200 dead mosquitoes they turn in), releasing frogs in areas where insects proliferate, and the discharge of the so-called “mosquito fish” in riverside communities and areas where stagnant water collect.
What is Zika Virus?
Zika is a virus that’s spread mostly by mosquitoes. Most adults who get it have mild symptoms. But the Zika mosquito can cause serious problems for pregnant women and their babies. Zika has only recently come to the Americas, Caribbean, and Pacific.
What are specific characteristics that make certain people a mosquito magnet?
You may get more than your fair share of attention from mosquitoes. It’s not your imagination.
“One in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes,” reports Jerry Butler, professor at the University of Florida. Mosquitoes need human blood to develop fertile eggs. And apparently, not just anyone’s will do.
Genetics account for much of the attraction. Elements of our body chemistry, when found in excess on the skin’s surface, make mosquitoes swarm closer.
“Any type of carbon dioxide is attractive, even over a long distance,” another researcher says. “Larger people give off more carbon dioxide, which is why mosquitoes typically prefer adults to small children. Pregnant women are at increased risk, as they produce a greater-than-normal amount of exhaled carbon dioxide. Movement and heat also attract mosquitoes.”
At outdoor gatherings, you may be better off relaxing than exerting yourself. Mosquitoes sense your movement and head toward you. When you pant, the smell of carbon dioxide from your heavy breathing brings them closer. Lactic acid from your sweat glands does also.
Effective ways to avoid getting sick from viruses spread by mosquitoes
It turns out that large-scale spraying or other public treatments may not be the most effective way to escape bites.
You reduce the risk of bites by wearing long-sleeved pants and shirts when outdoors. But mosquito repellents are essential, too.
“Using an insect repellent is one of the best ways you can protect yourself from Zika and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes,” says Harry Savage, chief of ecology and entomology activity at the CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases.
In addition, everyone should vigilant to remove breeding areas for mosquitoes. Any standing water is a potential nursery for these pests, even very small receptacles!
Beyond the obvious pools of standing, stagnant water like wading pools or buckets, be sure to empty out saucers under outdoor plants, clean out birdbaths frequently, and unclog your rain gutters. Drying up areas of water will help kill mosquito eggs and larvae.
A Brazilian radio station’s unusual approach to repelling mosquitoes quickly grabbed a lot of attention, but sadly it turned out to be a bust.
One of the world’s top advertising awards went this year to a campaign in which a radio station broadcast ultrasound along with its programs to repel mosquitoes. But does it work? Definitely not, say scientists.
What are the most common mosquito repellents used?
Loads of different mosquito repellents are marketed each summer, but they’re not all created equal. Take a look at those that are chemical-based first, then we’ll consider repellents that are considered natural.
What are effective chemical-based repellents?
Effective mosquito repellents are often chemical-based. DEET, for example, has been around since 1957. It continues to be the chemical of choice used in repellents.
A researcher from Chapel Hill Dermatology reports that repellents with 23.8% DEET (most formulas contain between 10% and 30%) protect wearers for about five hours.
But how safe is it? It helps to know that “DEET has been in use for over 40 years and has a remarkable safety record. Only a few hospitalizations have been reported, mainly due to gross overuse,” a report on WebMD. “The American Academy of Pediatrics states that low concentrations of DEET (10% or less) are safe to use on infants over 2 months old.”
Picaridin is another repellent for mosquitoes, ticks, and flies. It’s a synthetic version of a repellent found in pepper plants. Maximum protection is provided in formulations with 20 percent picaridin. Spray versions protect for up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and ticks, and up to eight hours against flies; lotion formulations last for up to 14 hours against mosquitoes and ticks, and up to eight hours against flies.
You should also be aware of the differences between these two chemical formulations. Because they’re the most effective repellents, people often ask which is better. Here’s an expert’s comparison:
DEET: considered the gold standard in terms of its effectiveness. It’s been used and studied more than any other repellent in human history, though it must be handled carefully because it can damage plastics (think sunglasses, trekking pole grips, etc.)
Picaridin: Though it’s been around for fewer decades, its efficacy is considered comparable to DEET for mosquitoes and ticks, and it works better on flies. Picaridin also has minimal odor and no damaging effect on plastics and other synthetics.
What are some natural repellents?
Medical News Today suggests many natural repellents; here are 5 of the best:
1. Citronella – Dose for dose, citronella can be as effective as DEET initially. However, citronella oil evaporates quickly, meaning that it’s only effective for a short time. ( topical application of 100% citronella can provide complete protection against three types of mosquito for up to 120 minutes in a laboratory setting.) High concentrations of citronella can cause skin irritation. You can also purchase citronella candles
People traveling to areas where mosquitoes carry diseases may wish to use a more effective synthetic repellent than citronella.
2. Lemon eucalyptus – Lemon eucalyptus essential oil contains 85% citronella. It is a popular product in the cleaning and cosmetics industries due to its fresh scent.
The findings of both field and laboratory studies show that lemon eucalyptus oil can effectively protect against several species of malaria-carrying mosquito as well as the yellow fever mosquito.
One study found that a formula containing 32% lemon eucalyptus oil provided at least 95% protection from mosquitoes for 3 hours. However, it has a shorter protection time than DEET as it evaporates more quickly.
3. Clove – Aside from baking, cloves may also help prevent bothersome mosquito bites.
Researchers mixed clove essential oil with bases of olive and coconut oil, which volunteers then applied topically to their skin. The clove oil mixtures protected against yellow fever mosquitoes for up to 96 minutes.
Other research suggests that a component of cloves called methyl eugenol could be a carcinogen, but these claims require further research.
4. Peppermint – Peppermint may be another natural way to repel mosquitoes. The authors of a 2011 review concluded that high concentrations of peppermint essential oil are effective, but they could not find any research on lower concentrations.
A study in 2011 found that peppermint essential oil was effective against mosquito larvae and provided 100% protection against bites from adult yellow fever mosquitoes for up to 150 minutes.
5. Lemongrass – Lemongrass essential oil is another option for a natural mosquito repellent. In a 2015 study, researchers found that a combination of lemongrass essential oil and olive oil provided 98.8% protection against the southern house mosquito.
Other research found that topical application of lemongrass essential oil provided 74–95% protection for 2.5 hours against two types of mosquito during a field study.
Natural mosquito repellents that include the essential oils above are frequently available for sale. Researchers have found one commercial formula containing glycerin, lecithin, vanillin, coconut oil, geranium, and soybean oil has similar effects to DEET and can repel mosquitoes for up to 7 hours.
Repellents like these can be made at home by combining essential oils with water or carrier oils, such as coconut or soybean oil, to either use as a room spray or apply topically.
Some people find that their skin reacts to essential oils, and they can also make the skin prone to sun damage, so it is important to do a patch test on a small area of skin first.
As some essential oils are only effective for a short time, it is best to reapply these formulations regularly, particularly after going in the water or sweating.
Are there plants that naturally repel mosquitoes?
Yes, several plants help. Homeowners may want to look into filling pots or flowerbeds with plantings that repel mosquitoes, such as lavender, citronella grass, thyme, rosemary, catnip, basil, and peppermint. Bee balm is another appealing choice – it attracts good bugs like bees and butterflies, but its crushed leaves repel other insects.
