Dave's Pest Control

Category: Pest Control

  • Bed Bugs: How to deal with them?

    Bed Bugs: How to deal with them?

    Bed bugs. The very thought of them makes us shudder. We’ve heard horror stories of infestations and want to do everything in our power to fight against these bed bugs.

    But what exactly are bed bugs? And how can you prevent them? And if you do have bed bugs, how do you deal with them?

    In this post, we’re going to break down the what, why, and how of bed bugs. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to do if you find yourself battling bed bugs.

    What Are Bed Bugs?

    First and foremost, what exactly are bed bugs? Obviously, they’re an insect that can bite you while you’re in bed. But it goes beyond that.

    Bed bugs are small, oval insects that are brownish in color and live on the blood of animals and humans. Before they feed, adult bed bugs are relatively flat and about the size of an apple seed. But once they feed, they swell with blood and take on a reddish hue.

    Do bed bugs fly?

    Thankfully not. However, they can move at a rapid pace over walls, floors, and even ceilings. Additionally, over the course of their lives, female bed bugs are able to lay hundreds of eggs, with each one only being about the size of a speck of dust. It is the relative smallness of bed bug eggs that can make them difficult to detect.

    Young bed bugs that have not yet reached maturity are called nymphs. These nymphs will shed their skins up to five times before they reach full maturity, and before they can shed their skins, they require a meal of blood.

    Bed bugs can reach full maturity in as little time as a month and produce up to three more generations of bed bugs in a single year. It’s no wonder that they can spread so rapidly.

    Thankfully, although they are a terrible pest, bed bugs aren’t known to spread diseases.

    It’s estimated that one-in-five Americans have dealt with bed bugs or know someone who has dealt with them at some point in their lives.

    What Are The Effects Of A Bed Bug Bite?

    How Can You Prevent Bed Bugs?

    Bed bugs have a tube-like proboscis which they use to puncture the skin of a human or animal. They use this proboscis to draw blood from their victims. Typically, bed bugs are most active when humans are asleep (night and early morning), explaining why so many bites happen in beds.

    Bed bugs aren’t particularly picky in terms of where they’ll bite a person, and bites can occur anywhere on the skin. Usually, the bites occur in areas where the skin is exposed, such as the neck, face, shoulders, arms, legs, or hands. Most people don’t feel the bite when it occurs.

    For most people, bed bug bites don’t produce serious symptoms, usually limited to a mark where the bite occurred and some irritation and inflammation around the bite. However, for some people, bed bug bites can cause painful burning sensations along with significant amounts of itching.

    The bites often look like a red bump with either a clear center or a dark center. If the center is dark, the surrounding area is often lighter and semi-swollen. Other times, they can look like small red bumps with little blisters surrounding them. The bumps can sometimes appear in a zig-zag line.

    Bites can also produce what are called “papular eruptions”, where areas of skin become inflamed.

    How Can You Determine If You Have Bed Bugs?

     

    If you even suspect that you have bed bugs, you’ll want to determine as quickly as possible if you actually do.

    Unfortunately, bed bugs can fit into even the smallest of places due to the flatness of their bodies. They can wedge their bodies into cracks as small as a credit card. Additionally, bed bugs don’t make nests but tend to live in groups.

    They like to hide in places like headboards, bed frames, box springs, and mattresses. This makes it much easier for them to bite humans at night.

    Because the bites look similar to mosquito bites, it’s easy to at first attribute a bed bug infestation to mosquitos. This means that you need to confirm that you have bed bugs by finding the bugs themselves.

    One way to tell that you might have bed bugs is if you begin to see small spots of blood on your sheets or mattress from where the bugs have bitten you and blood has seeped out. You may also begin to see reddish-brown dried stains on fabrics from due to bed bug droppings. Bed bugs also give off a detectable, musty odor from their scent glands.

    If you think that you may be dealing with bed bugs, start by removing all your bedding. Examine it carefully for any signs of the bugs, blood spots, excrement, or the shed shells of nymphs. Then remove the dust cover from the bottom of your box spring and inspect the wood framing and the seams. Peel back any fabric that is stapled to the wood frame and make a careful inspection for signs of bed bugs.

    After you’ve thoroughly inspected your bed, perform a thorough inspection of the area around your bed. Look inside books, telephones, radios, the edge of the carpet, and even your electrical outlets. Since bedbugs can also attach to clothing, you’ll want to check both your closet and your drawers.

    The most effective way to determine if you have a bed bug infestation is to call an exterminator.

    They can tell you quickly whether you’re dealing with bed bugs and begin making treatments immediately.

    How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?

    Bed bugs can be incredibly difficult to get rid of due to how fast they breed and how many eggs they can lay. The absolute MOST effective way to deal with bed bugs is to call an exterminator. This should be your first step if you think you may be dealing with a bed bug infestation.

    If you don’t call an exterminator, you may have a difficult time completely ridding yourself of bed bugs.

    In addition to calling an exterminator, there are some steps you can take to help eliminate as many bed bugs as possible.

    First, clean all your bedding, linens, curtains, and clothing in hot water. After cleaning them, dry them on the highest setting. For items that can’t be washed (stuffed animals, shoes, etc.), dry them on the highest setting for at least 30 minutes.

    Second, vacuum your bed and the area around your bed frequently. This will help suck up the bed bugs and their eggs. As soon as you’re done vacuuming, put the vacuum bag into a plastic bag and then place it in an outdoor garbage can.

    Before you vacuum, brush the seams of your mattress with a stiff brush to remove bed bugs and their eggs.

    Third, if you have cracks in your plaster or peeling wallpaper, fix these as much as possible. Bed bugs can live in these cracks and it’s essential that you eliminate as many of their hiding places as possible.

    Fourth, get rid of as much clutter around your bed as possible. Bed bugs thrive in clutter and by removing as much as possible you destroy some of their habitat.

    Finally, if you think that your mattress is infested with bed bugs, you may simply need to throw it out and purchase a new one. However, before you purchase a new mattress, you’ll want to make sure you’ve eliminated as many of the bed bugs as possible so that they don’t simply come back to your new mattress.

    How Can You Prevent Bed Bugs?

    There are a number of steps you can take to prevent bed bugs from invading your house.

    First, consider covering your mattress and box springs in protective covers. These plastic covers are specifically designed to prevent bed bugs. If you do get bed bugs, these covers make it easier for you to deal with them and keep them from getting into your mattress and box springs.

    Second, vacuum your rugs and carpets on a regular basis. If you think you may have come into contact with bed bugs, vacuum daily until you’re sure that you’re clear of the problem. Once you’ve vacuumed, dispose of the bag immediately in an outdoor container.

    Third, keep your rooms free from clutter. As noted above, bed bugs love to hide in clutter. Eliminating as much clutter as possible gives them fewer places to make their home.

    Fourth, consider installing door sweeps or door jams if you live especially close to other houses or apartments. Installing door sweeps or door jams will seal off your home or apartment, making it more difficult for the bugs to get into your home.

    Fifth, if you’re traveling, try to stay in higher grade hotels (at least 3 stars and above). These hotels are the least likely to have bed bugs as they tend to change the mattresses much more often. When staying in a hotel, check the bed, nightstand, and furniture for any signs of bed bugs. This includes the headboard of the bed as well as any wooden furniture near the bed. When you return home from traveling, wash your clothes immediately to ensure that you didn’t bring any bed bugs home.

    Finally, if you purchase second hand furniture or clothing, always inspect them for signs of bed bugs. Look for reddish brown spots that indicate bed bug fecal matter. Additionally, look for any blood splotches that suggest bed bug bites. After purchasing second hand clothing, always wash it immediately to eliminate any possible bed bugs clinging to it.

    If you’re dealing with bed bugs, call Dave’s Pest Control today. We have years of experience eliminating this nasty insect and can help you eliminate your bed bugs quickly.

  • Natural Pest Control Methods: Pros and Cons

    Natural Pest Control Methods: Pros and Cons

    Creepy crawlies! Vermin! Bugs!

    Whatever you call them, it’s no secret that pests are everywhere, invading our homes, gardens, picnics, and stealing our peace and quiet. One minute you’re watching a quiet documentary about gardening, the next you’re dealing with an ant infestation.

    And there are times when, for whatever reason, you need to deal with pests naturally, without the use of chemicals.

    This presents a problem for most people. When it comes to dealing with pests, most people simply get some form of pesticide, which works quite effectively. But dealing with pests naturally isn’t quite so easy.

    That’s where we help you separate real natural pest control methods from myths.

    In this post, we’re going to discuss 12 methods for dealing with pests naturally, and the effectiveness of those methods based on the viewpoint of professional exterminators.

    By the end, you’ll have a clear strategy for creating a pleasant, as close to pest-free environment as possible.

    Ready? Let’s get started.

    Natural Pest Prevention Methods

    Lets dig into all natural pest control methods and see what pros and cons each method has!

    1- Create Natural Barriers

    Natural Barriers

    Pros:

    Hundreds of years ago, kings built great walls to keep invading enemies at bay. You can adopt a similar strategy in your battle against the creepy crawlies.

    Perhaps the most effective way of dealing with pests is to keep them out altogether. By creating barriers using natural ingredients, you keep pests where they belong and keep your home and garden pristine.

    Garlic works as an insecticide for a variety of insects, including everything from mosquitoes to Colorado potato beetles. Simply grind it up, mix it with water, and apply it anywhere that insects might enter your home. As a bonus, your house will consistently smell like crushed garlic.

    Cayenne pepper, cinnamon, bone meal, talcum powder, and chalk also work as barriers to insects. You’ll need to experiment a bit to determine which substance works best to repel which insects, as different insects are averse to different substances.

    You can also use plants to create barriers around your home. Spearmint, peppermint, and pennyroyal are effective at repelling ants and aphids. Mint and basil planted around doorways and under windows will keep flies away and make your house smell like a delightful greenhouse.

    If you’ve got a snail problem, use sand, copper, lime, or even ashes to keep them away. And if you’ve got ants sneaking into your house via cracks and crevices, put a dash of lemon on them and send the ants running.

    Cons:

    All of the natural ingredients listed above do repel insects. However, they would only last a few days at best, requiring you to constantly reapply them. In other words, there is no residual with these products that keeps the bugs at bay for a long period of time.

    Plus repelling insects won’t get rid of them. It would be like treating the symptoms and not the disease. One MUST find the source of the problem and eliminate it at the source for true, long term insect elimination.

    2- Soapy Death

    Pros:

    Much like small children, most insects, such as mites, aphids, whiteflies, and beetles, don’t do well with soap. When covered in soapy water, they suffocate, dying a somewhat slow, but very clean death.

    To make an effective soap spray insecticide, mix 1.5 teaspoons of liquid soap with 1 quart of water and then spray directly on insects, as well as places where insects tend to collect. The spray can be applied as necessary, though it’s recommended that it primarily be used in the evenings or early morning, not in the heat of the day.

    Cons:

    Soapy water can kill many insects like fleas, aphids, etc. Unfortunately, the heat of the day will evaporate it in a matter of hours, making it ineffective in the long run against most issues.

    Like the ingredients used to create barriers, there is no residual to allow it to continue working. And though soapy water is an effective product to use against aphids, it’s not effective for clearing up most insects like fleas. Soap can suffocate and kill fleas, but will not effectively eliminate infestations inside a structure.

    3- Oily Death

    Pros:

    When applied to human skin, oil simply makes it greasy, much like a teenager’s hormonal skin. To insects, however, oil is a death blow. A hit of oil can quickly kill aphids, mites, thrips, and other insects that pester you.

    To create a simple oil insecticide, mix 1 cup of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of soap and then shake it thoroughly. Then add 2 teaspoons of the oil/water mix to 1 quart of water and spray directly on insects or on affected areas. Like soapy water, the oil coats their bodies in a suffocating sheen, causing them die relatively quickly.

    Cons:

    Oils work the same way that soaps work. But just like soap, you have to apply it directly to the insects to have any effectiveness. This is an effective method if you’re treating a small area for a minor issue.

    4- Citrus Attack

    Pros:

    Not a fan of oranges? Neither are spiders. In fact, they don’t like citrus of any kind. The sight of a lemon or grapefruit sends them scurrying back to their dark holes.

    To make a simple citrus spider repellant, simply mix water and unsweetened citrus juice. Then wipe down your countertops, walls, or any other place where spiders tend to appear.

    Cons:
    While it’s true that spiders don’t like citrus, it will only repel them to other areas of the home. Additionally, constantly wiping down countertops, walls, etc. involves a significant amount of time and effort. It would leave no residual and make everything sticky. In addition, you could cause an entirely new issue with insects that do like citrus.

    5- Kill The Queen

    Pros:

    Few things are worse than accidentally stepping into a fire ant hill and suddenly being attacked by a swarm of generally angry fire ants (you did step directly into their home after all). Thankfully, there is a way you can get rid of fire ants relatively easily: assassinate the queen.

    We know, it sounds dramatic, but it’s actually quite simple.

    Spread some grits on the fire ant hill. The worker ants, being loyal to their queen, will carry the grits back to her so that she can eat them. When it rains, the queen will drink the water and the grits inside her stomach will expand. When they expand, she’ll die, leaving the colony without a queen. Once she’s a distant memory, the remaining worker ants will die off, leaving that spot ant-free.

    Cons:

    When the ants take the grits to the colony, the queen will indeed digest the grit, then when she gets a drink, the grit will expand killing her.

    Having said that, grits are only effective if they don’t get wet from rain, morning dew, high humidity, or any other water source. If they get wet before they get to the queen, they will expand prematurely.

    Additionally, the grits could also have an unintended side-effect. You may attract other vermin and insects causing a whole new issue.

    The most effective way to eliminate ants is water-resistant granular ant bait.

    6- Roach Elimination

    Pros:

    Is there anything worse than roaches? They are the very definition of creepy, crawly, generally disgusting insects. But roaches have an unexpected Achilles heal — a weakness that is their ultimate undoing.

    They have a sweet tooth.

    Mix equal parts powdered sugar and baking soda and you suddenly have an effective roach killer. Simply put the mix wherever you see roaches and watch them eat themselves to death.

    Another effective, natural way to eliminate roaches is to use boric acid. (Note: Boric acid should never be consumed by humans.) The roaches will ingest the acid, bringing about their demise.

    Cons:

    Roaches can develop “cross-resistance” which can eventually make them immune to your homemade bait and actually make them worse.

    Most pest professionals will use more than one type of bait with different active ingredients and different matrices of inert ingredients. Also, homemade baits can be very messy and ineffective if not properly mixed.

    After roaches eat a roach bait, they will go back to their nest and die at the nest. They are cannibalistic, so when the other roaches in the nest digest the dead one, it will transfer to the other roaches and kill them as well. You need enough time for the roach to make it back to the nest. If your bait is too strong or too weak, it won’t be as effective.

    7- Destroy The Scent With Vinegar

    Destroy The Scent With Vinegar

    Pros:

    Ants rely heavily on scent to communicate with each other. When they discover food (or any other item of interest), they release chemicals which create a scent trail. Often times, this scent trail leads directly from their nest to a location in your home, such as food on the floor.

    But you can fight fire with fire, creating a trail of your own that destroys the ant’s scent trail. Use a solution of half vinegar, half water to wipe down all surfaces where you see ants. This will wipe out the scent trail that the ants use to navigate, eventually forcing them out of your home.

    Cons:

    Eliminating the “scent” or pheromone trail can be achieved by these methods but again that is not taking care of the issue. That’s like putting up a road closed sign. They will just detour and start a new trail. You must find and eliminate the nest for true results.

    8- Cloves Over Mothballs

    Pros:

    Mothballs may be effective at repelling moths, but the simple fact is they stink. Literally. A much more effective repellant is cloves, which drives the moths away and creates a delightful aroma.

    Another effective way of dealing with moths is to fill a small basin with water and then hang some form of light over it. Moths are attracted to light like adrenaline junkies are attracted to bungee jumping. The moths will bump into the light, fall into the water, and drown. Put a dash of soap in the water to break the surface tension and ensure they actually down into the water as opposed to sitting on the top of it.

    Cons:

    Both cloves and mothballs are effective repellents for moths, but repelling them only moves them to a different area. Again, treating the source is the best solution and will get rid of the moths so there is no need for cloves or mothballs.

    9- Drive Away The Fleas With Rosemary

    Pros:

    Who’s a good boy? Your pet when they don’t have fleas. And they’re doubly good when they smell good and don’t have fleas. So how can you achieve this? Grind up some rosemary and sprinkle it onto both your pet and his bedding. You’ll send the fleas running and have a pet that smells absolutely delightful.

    Cons:

    Rosemary is a repellent that will move fleas but not take care of the source problem. If you drive the fleas away from your pet, they will find a blood meal elsewhere. This meal is usually the pets owners. We doubt this is a desirable alternative to save Muffy!

    10- Let Fruit flies Drink Themselves To Death

    Pros:

    Fruit flies can’t resist a good wine. If that wine happens to be a Chardonnay? Forget about it. They can’t stay away. To capture and kill fruit flies, fill a small container with Chardonnay and mix in a small drop of soap. This attracts the fruit files and then ultimately captures and drowns them.

    We have to admit, drowning in wine doesn’t seem like a bad way to go.

    Cons:

    Using wine to kill fruit flies will only take care of the adults. The most effective way to handle fruit flies is to find the source and eliminate the source. I know we sound like a broken record, but we know how to get rid of bugs for the long haul.

    11- Create Your Own Fly Traps

    Pros:

    If you want don’t want to use flypaper, you can create your own natural fly traps in several ways. First, put something sweet, such as mango peels, in the bottom of a bottle. Driven by their greed, the flies will go into the bottle. To their horror, they will find themselves unable to get out of the bottle.

    Another simple way to kill flies is to boil water, corn syrup, and sugar together. This will create an extremely sticky mixture. Spread the mixture of doom onto a paper and suddenly you have your own flypaper. The flies will land on the paper and find themselves stuck fast.

    Cons:

    Flytraps only take care of the adults and you need to find the source and attack them at the larval stage for true results. All maggots and flies will originate from decaying organic matter, and unless you find the source, the problems will persist in most situations.

    Final Thoughts

    What’s clear is that while many natural pest control methods work in one fashion or another, but to get rid of all types of pests commonly found in Florida, you need to employ a pest control professional.

    If you need help dealing with your pests, contact Dave’s Pest Control today.

  • Watch Our New Termite Control Commercial!

    We’re proud to announce that Dave’s Pest Control is now advertising on television. If you live in Port Orange, Daytona Beach, Holly Hill, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna, Deland or elsewhere in Flagler or Volusia Counties, you may start seeing our new television ads.

    It’s termite season in Florida, so it’s fitting that our first ad is dedicated to termite control and termite extermination. You can watch our termite TV commercial below

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3QajDyXl7k&feature=youtu.be
  • In2Care® Traps Will Get Rid of Your Mosquito Problem

    In2Care® Traps Will Get Rid of Your Mosquito Problem

    Dave’s Pest Control has exciting news for all homeowners and businesses. We are offering an effective, green method for control of our infamous state bird, the mosquito! If you live in Florida, you are more than aware that mosquitos are pests

    In2Care® Mosquito Traps are specialized traps placed near breeding sites to ingeniously contaminate mosquitos and their offspring. This product is only available to limited, trusted partners, including Dave’s Pest Control, who can support large-site trap deployment with the necessary maintenance and service. With high enough coverage, this product will reduce Aedes and Culex mosquito populations by killing them and their offspring in and around the traps. It is ideal for all homeowners and for those who enjoy the outdoors.
    The In2Care Mosquito Trap targets two life-stages of the mosquito, the adults and the larvae at the moment they pupate.  Mosquitoes are not actually trapped but are contaminated. Adult mosquitoes are lured to the trap where they deposit eggs in the water. Inside the trap, they sit on the floater gauze and become contaminated with a slow-killing biological fungus and a larvicide. The fungus infection takes a few days to kill the mosquito and can block Dengue virus replication. In the meantime, the infected mosquito will also spread larvicide to breeding sites around the trap.  Aedes mosquitoes lay eggs in multiple areas where standing water is present and will carry the larvicide on their legs and kill larvae in each water body they visit.

    In2Care® Mosquito Traps are all black and blend into their outdoor settings. Most importantly, the active ingredient is not toxic to pets or children. The In2Care® Mosquito Trap is intended to protect households and public places by reducing mosquito populations. When deployed properly in a large enough area, In2Care® Mosquito traps will effectively reduce the numbers of Aedes mosquitoes and the risk of catching Dengue, Chikungunya or Zika virus. Best impacts are achieved when removing as many other breeding sources as possible. It will take some time (2 weeks) before trap effects will be noticeable, which is when the next mosquito generation is affected.
    Your Dave’s Pest Control technician will place the trap where mosquitoes are likely to breed: in shaded, vegetated places near habitation and water sources. In higher risk areas, we recommend 1 trap per 4,300 square feet. Your technician will come out every 4-5 weeks to refill the reservoir and to refresh the gauze and odor lure using In2Care® Trap refill sachets. Enjoy the outdoors without the hassle of mosquito bites!

    https://youtu.be/2c7mzBDgc6c

  • Pest Control “Vectors” and What They Mean For You

    “Vector” is an important term in the pest control industry, but one that most people don’t know. More specifically, organisms are “vectors” if they can transmit diseases. Implicitly, these are some of the most threatening pests–pests that need to be addressed. Unfortunately, vectors in the pest control industry are arguably at an all time high.

    Bed bugs, fleas, ticks, mosquitos and even the mysterious conenose kissing bug; a killers row in our neighborhood may be closer than we think. News media is filled with examples of the hysteria these insects can create. Heightening our natural fears of biting, sucking insects is the fact that many of these bugs can transmit diseases. (That an organism is a vector means that it can transmit disease.)

    Often times, the effects from these diseases can be long lasting and debilitating. Federal health officials say diseases spread by mosquito, tick and flea bites have more than tripled from 2004 to 2017. The incidence of Lyme disease, Zika, West Nile virus and Chagas disease have all increased dramatically. Even the frequency of more exotic diseases have increased. Bugs that we thought only existed in third world countries or in nursery rhymes are arriving and thriving. Suburbs have pushed our backyards towards nature preserves and heavily wooded areas. We are in closer and more frequent contact with ticks, fleas, mosquitos and other menaces. Combined with above average rainfall and record breaking mean temperatures, insect populations are soaring. Compounding this situation is domestic and international travel risks. During the past ten years, bedbugs have hitchhiked their way into our luggage, homes and businesses. So far, they are not known to be vectors of human disease. Although in lab experiments bedbugs have been shown to transmit Chagas disease, which interestingly conenose kissing bugs do transmit. Recently, travelers from South America carrying the Zika virus have been introduced to Florida mosquito populations and thus human populations. Such a scare ensued that the nightly news had updates on the government response towards elimination of this threat. Another concern for families is how flea and tick medicines have become ineffective. Because of resistance newer medicines have been developed.

    Fortunately, there are many practical solutions to protect our families. Firstly, identify the problem. While it seems obvious there can be more than meets the eye. For instance, when travelling, take only what you need into the hotel or at least place luggage on a table and never near the bed or it’s vicinity. As a precaution, spray the luggage with deet or a permethrin basedpermethrin-based product, labeled for that purpose. Bag dirty laundry tightly. Ask for an inspection if there is suspicious blood spots or rust spots on linens or mattress seams. When arriving home, leave suspicious luggage in the garage until you can thoroughly inspect the contents.

    Closer to home: Ask your vet which flea and tick medications would be most effective and appropriate for your pet. Are there any areas around your home that are conducive for mosquitos, fleas and ticks to flourish. Such as flower pots, old tires, any thing where standing water can support mosquitos breeding? Is your yard full of overgrown bushes, hedges and trees where ticks can breed? Is there a sturdy fence or barrier to keep wild animals a safe distance from your home? Are there openings for which rats, raccoons and other critters can use to nest in and around your home?

    There are practical suggestions we can implement. Walk around your home. Pour out any standing water. Use mosquito tablets in fountains and ornamental ponds. Cut back the jungle. We know how quickly our Amazon-like plants can grow. Keep your lawn cut at the recommended height, which reduces the likelihood of ticks flagging unsuspecting legs. Fill in the bare spots on your lawn with seed or sod to keep sandy areas limited. Or maybe it’s time to hire a professional? At Dave’s Pest Control, our pest control experts are specially trained to identify and treat developing problems. We know what to do to control current and future invasions. A healthy, well maintained lawn and garden is one the best defenses against an invasion. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you’re unsure about access points for vectors coming into your home, contact Dave’s Pest Control.

  • Do You Have a Raccoon Problem?

    Hearing noises in your walls? Is something heavy walking above or below your home? Did you see a raccoon on your roof? These are all signs a raccoon has taken up residence in your home. They’re also indicators that you should have an inspection to know for sure and get your remove the raccoons and get them under control before things get worse.

    Raccoons don’t always live outside. All too often they are unwelcome tenants you never asked for and don’t want. It’s also stunning when you realize all the places raccoons can get into. Female raccoons will often choose crawl spaces, attics, or chimneys to birth their young.
    They may be cute, but they are terrible pests. Aside from being dangerous and spreading germs—and potentially rabid—they can cause much damage to your property.

    Signs of Raccoons

    • Droppings and urination stains
    • Tunnels Chewed insulation in attics and crawl spaces
    • Bite marks on pipes
    • Chewed electrical wiring
    • Scratching and animal signs—especially at night

    Raccoons are terrible tenants and house guests. Unfortunately, they’re very creative when it comes to where they hide.

    Places at home where raccoons could be living

    • Your attic
    • Crawl spaces under your house
    • Your garage
    • In between walls of your house
    • Inside pool houses or sheds on your property
    • Children’s play houses
    • Under patios and decks

    If you observe any of these things, there’s a chance–probably a good one–you have a raccoon problem on your hands. Sometimes people are able to catch raccoons on their own with traps, but it’s strongly advised to hire a raccoon removal expert. Raccoons don’t always fall for traps and they might not even leave their nest. Moreover, raccoon removal experts will determine how the raccoon entered your home and prevent future raccoon problems. Also, raccoon removal experts can guarantee the humane removal of your raccoons.

  • Exterminator Advice: Spraying For Spiders

    Exterminator Advice: Spraying For Spiders

    We spray. That’s what exterminators do. We spray all the time to exterminate all sorts of pests–ranging from spiders to bed bugs to termites, roaches and other unwelcome pests.

    Watch Mike, one of our certified pest control experts, explain how to most effectively spraying to exterminate pests–in this case spiders in Ormond Beach, Florida. While he’s spraying for spiders, he also explains how to treat for other pests, like roaches.

     

  • Keep Wildlife Out of Your Home through Wildlife Exclusion

    In this post, Dan Coffey, our Wildlife Lead Technician, shares a how-to-guide for wildlife exclusion.

    For starters, wildlife exclusion is the act of preventing something—typically pests, like raccoons, squirrels, rodents, and other critters–from enter into a place.

    Wildlife exclusion is a cornerstone of wildlife control and is the most cost effective way to keep wildlife out of our homes. It’s more cost effective to keep critters out than have to exterminate them after damage is done. Every home can benefit from wildlife exclusion. Small openings in our living spaces often go unnoticed until wildlife enters and make themselves at home—in your home. This can’t be reiterated enough. Wildlife can cause significant damage in a small amount of time. With a small amount of tools and materials, you can keep damaging and potentially harmful wildlife out of your home for good. Even better, hire the exterminators at Dave’s Pest Control, who are experts at trapping and removing wildlife and performing exclusion work.

    Wildlife exclusion starts with a thorough inspection of the home to identify areas that need exclusion work. Most wildlife and other pests enter our homes looking for harborage (pest control technician lingo for “shelter”) or to give birth. Some of the most common entry points are chimneys, chimney flashing, roof vents, fascia, damaged roof shingles, construction gaps, roof valleys and gutters. Remember, it only takes an opening the size of your thumb for rats to get inside your home, so a good inspection is a thorough one. A good pest control expert will take his time and leave no place unexamined.

    Chimney openings are a frequent point of entry for wildlife. Tools do vary by job—since each job will be different—but often these openings can be fixed with a standard cap (exposed or single flue) nut driver, crown coat, wire brush, disposable paint brush and duct tape. A good pest control technician will note what needs to adjusted or repaired as well as what needs to be left alone.

    Gable vents, frequently slatted vents for attics and crawl spaces, are another likely wildlife entry point. They should always be custom screened from the outside. It is possible to have exterior screening that is aesthetically pleasing while providing excellent exclusion. We use 1/4 inch hardware cloth cut to fit over the inner lip of the gable vent. Self-tapping screws can be drilled into the wood to hold the hardware cloth in place. Make sure there are no gaps. Another expert trick to make our repairs more visually appealing is to paint the screws before installation to help blend finished repair. Roofing suppliers have touch-up metal paint to match most trim colors.

    Not all vents are created equal though. For example, dryer vents should never be screened/covered because of potential fire hazard while exhaust vents for bathrooms can be screened. In addition to fire risk, covered dryer vents often collect lint that shorten the life of appliances. That said, metal dryer vents can also be used, and they are insect, rodent and reptile resistant. There are some specialty guards out there. For example, HY/C Roof Vent Guards stop large wildlife entry and nesting, and Xclusion Pro roof vent guards will stop wildlife.

    When it comes to sealing gaps, take care. Do not use canned gap and crack filler to seal openings. Commercial foam and sealant products made for wildlife exclusion would be better suited since wildlife, including squirrels and rodents, will easily chew thru this material in minutes. You can also use a product like Pest-Blok or Xcluder instead. Pest Blok can be custom ordered to address long soffit runs. The entire ridge vent can be protected from entry/damage using Rat Guard. Our pest control experts have found that commercial foam and sealant products made for wildlife exclusion tend to be more effective than most readily available residential products.

    Another area to examine is weep holes, the intentional holes in the exteriors of buildings to ventilate and drain the cavity between internal and external walls. Weep holes are commonly entered by mice and reptiles. Part of the problem is that weep hole covers are often poorly installed by the builders. We’ve found better covers make a difference. For example, we think Xcluder is the best choice for weep holes due to the flexibility of the material. Note: you should always use heavy duty gloves when handling Xcluder and a face shield or eye protection if working overhead due to the small stainless steel fibers that can fall into your eyes or mouth.

    As stated earlier, exclusion is the most cost effective way to keep wildlife out of our homes. It’s also less expensive than having to find, catch, and remove pests from insects to mice to squirrels or raccoons after they’re already inside. As seen above, some wildlife exclusion can be done any diligent homeowner. That said, there’s a strong case for hiring pest control experts that are trained in trapping and removing wildlife and performing exclusion work. 

  • Venomous Snakes in Florida

    Florida has a lot of snakes. There are about 50 species of snakes in Florida but only 6 are venomous and pose a danger to humans. The other 44 species are harmless and have a beneficial role in nature.

    The six venomous snake species in Florida are:

    • The southern copper head
    • The Florida cottonmouth
    • The diamondback rattlesnake
    • The timber / canebrake rattlesnake
    • The dusky pygmy rattler
    • The eastern coral snake

    There are many non-venomous snakes in Florida. They include the garter or garden snake, rat/corn snakes, and southern black racers to name a few. Most snakes people encounter are non-venomous. They may produce toxins which affect prey but do not harm humans. Regardless, any bite from wildlife should be considered dangerous and seen by a medical professional, especially snake bites.

    One big misconception about “poisonous” snakes is that they are not actually poisonous. They are venomous, meaning they produce their own poison inside their bodies. This confusion is about nomenclature and arises because technically “poisonous” animals make poison and toxic substances from their own environment are considered poisonous.

    Different types of venom attack the body differently. Hematoxins, mostly found in Viperids, affect the blood, and destroy tissue, which is very painful. As red blood cells are destroyed, blood clotting is disrupted and tissue is damaged. Permanent damage and loss of an affected limb can happen even with swift treatment. Neurotoxins, mostly found in Elapids, affect neurotransmitters and is mostly neurological. Made up of mostly proteins, this type of venom has pharmaceutical properties as well. An example used in pharma would be stopping the blood flow to a tumor, and thus, preventing its growth.

    Most common snakes in Volusia and Flagler Counties, Florida
    As a Daytona Beach-area exterminator, we get to see a lot of snakes in the greater Daytona Beach/Port Orange, Ormond Beach, Debary, Edgewater, Palm Coast, and Titusville areas of Florida’s Atlantic Coast. We have a good feel for what’s most common in these parts of Florida.

    The southern black racer is often seen in yards, garages, sheds and homes. Juvenile black racers are gray or brownish in color and with dark spots running along their backs. Adults are shiny black with a white chin. They are considered endangered and eat a healthy diet of frogs, rodents, lizards and other snakes. They are more active during the day time, and are not afraid of humans. Although non-venomous, they can be very aggressive if handled, and if picked up, they can defecate a foul-smelling musk – yuck!

    Scarlet king snakes are another snake often seen in the yards of suburban homes. They look similar to the highly venomous coral snake, but are in fact harmless. The school yard rhyme “red touches black, you’re ok Jack” / “red touches yellow, you’re a dead fellow” helps distinguish between the two.

    Overall, we see lots of snakes in the broader Port Orange/Daytona Beach area. It’s understandable that people fear a snake is dangerous. Even though it probably isn’t, it’s still smart to contact and exterminator. Moreover, even if a snake isn’t venomous, it still doesn’t mean homeowners need to tolerate them.

  • Anticoagulant Rodenticides – Limiting Accidental Exposure

    Rats are a common problem in the pest control business. As exterminators, we implicitly know a lot about rodenticides, often known publicly to consumers as “rat poison.”

    Limiting accidental exposure

    The use of anticoagulant rodenticides is a widespread practice in the United States. These pesticides are highly lethal, causing internal bleeding that leads to certain death. Unfortunately, sometimes non target species are being exposed. even when primary and secondary exposure is unlikely.

    More research needs to be done in order to figure out how these unintended exposures are occurring. In the mean time it is imperative that not only the general population but licensed professionals ensure that while these pesticides are still in use they are being administered in the utmost responsible way possible. All factors need to be considered. It is our duty as an industry to keep our customers safe from pests while keeping our environment safe from our products.

    Second generation anticoagulant rodenticide explained

    Rodenticides are often introduced to a pest in the form of a feed block. First generation anticoagulant rodenticides require several feedings to kill the target. Second generation anticoagulant rodenticides such as difethialone, difenacoum, and brodifacoum are lethal poisons that require just one feeding to kill. Anticoagulants stop the liver from producing a special enzyme that allows vitamin K to be recycled. Vitamin K is used to make blood clotting agents that keep the body from bleeding too much. Once an anticoagulant enters the body, blood loses its ability to clot, causing internal bleeding and ultimately death.

    The use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides is widespread in the United States and has had some unfortunate and unintended consequences on wildlife. The target species for anticoagulant rodenticides are generally rats and mice. However, several non target species are being exposed to these rodenticides, such as domesticated and feral cats, birds, squirrels, coyotes, and mountain lions.

    Some of the accidental exposures in predatory animals can be explained. For example the coyote eats a rat that has been exposed to a toxin and gets secondary exposure. Even though bait boxes are designed to allow only target pests such as rats and mice to enter, there is video evidence of squirrels fitting through the openings. Rats have also been observed dragging loose bait out of boxes. Both of these occurrences can explain exposure to squirrels and birds. The focus is on the mountain lion because it is strictly carnivorous and is unlikely to eat loose bait.

    There are a few different things that we can do to stop unintended primary and secondary exposures. The first is to ensure that the pesticides are being administered responsibly. Some of these rodenticides are available for purchase on the internet both legally and illegally to unlicensed persons. Some of this accidental exposure can be chalked up to human error—usually from consumers than by licensed rodent exterminators.

    There is evidence that humans are the cause of at least some of the exposures to not target species by simply spreading the laced feed blocks out in the open without the use of a bait box or similar contraption.

    At Dave’s Pest Control, we train all our rodent exterminators how to follow intended guidelines for rodenticide. However, not all exterminators are high quality. It is unknown if every pest control technician is following proper guidelines when applying rodenticides. Are the boxes being used and properly secured with the lid fastened and the box anchored? The boxes themselves have been seen to not only allow non target pests to enter but to be chewed through by them as well. Perhaps the material used to make the boxes needs to be stronger. There are current studies being conducted to see if raising the boxes off the ground by pole or tree could reduce the number of unintended exposures. Finally perhaps there are alternative methods of controlling target pests in urban areas. All options should be explored.

    Even though we’re based in the Port Orange/Daytona Beach area of Florida’s Atlantic Coast, most of the data available is from studies done in the State of California. Other states have taken notice and are beginning to conduct studies of their own. However, until these studies are complete we’re stuck having to interpret Florida’s situation through the lense of California’s data. The problem is that many Florida species are not included in the study, since it mostly focuses on species found mostly in California and the Western United States. For example, non target species, such as the mountain lion in California, are somehow being exposed to these highly lethal pesticides.