Category: Pest Control

In the pest control business, it is our duty to prevent pests from entering and inhabiting the homes of our customers. The best way to achieve our objective is to perform proper and comprehensive pest inspections. It is important to thoroughly inspect the interior, perimeter, and the boundary of each customer’s home and communicate that information to both the customer and the route technician. It all starts with the initial inspecting technician and is continued by the service technician.

Inspectors are the liaison between the customer and the technician prior to the initial service. It is essential for the inspector to conduct an interview to establish the customer’s concerns as far as existing or potential pests and the expectations they have for our service. In order to protect the brand of Dave’s Pest Control, it is important for the inspector to inform the customer that we are in the business of pest control not pest elimination. They, the customers, will play a key role in this 50-50 relationship. Their part is to ensure that their home is not an inviting environment for pests. It is the technician’s duty to target specific pests in a responsible and effective manner. If either party does not uphold their end of the bargain, the program fails and the company brand suffers.

Upon the initial interior inspection, the focus should be on the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room. These areas offer food, water, and harborage; essentials for pests to thrive. The condition of the home should be noted. Poor sanitation and overabundance of clutter can offer an ideal habitat for roaches and rodents. The cabinetry, baseboards, and any molding as well as under sinks and appliances should be thoroughly inspected for signs of infestation. Any possible points of entry such as openings for pluming and/or cracks, crevices, and holes in walls or trim should be noted. Pictures are a great way of documenting all issues, existing or potential, and aid in communication to not only the customer but to the service technician. While the technician is providing each service and treating these areas, they should be inspecting and documenting as well. In addition to noting what pesticides are used each visit, the service tech should be noting whether conditions within the home are improving and if not what needs to be done. These service reports are kept on file as a reference for each and every account.

Next the perimeter should be inspected. These areas include garages, exterior walls, soffits/gutters, windows/doors, porches/outdoor cooking areas, pool/A/C areas, soil/foundation interface, landscape beds and attics/crawl spaces (when necessary). Points of entry are the focus. Any water damage to roof/soffits, possible termite damage, mud tubes and any other WDOs (wood destroying organisms) should be noted. Any signs of wasp/bee nests, ant trails, other crawling insects, and rodents should be documented as well. Photo documentation can be a great aid in the communication process between all parties involved in the pest prevention program. Again, the technician should be inspecting all these areas when treating the exterior of the home. Any conditions conducive to pest infiltration should be documented.

The boundary of the home extends from the perimeter zone to the property line or approximately 50 ft. out from the building. The boundary which includes sheds, carports, children’s play houses/areas, garbage cans/dumpsters, wood piles, and the lawn can be quickly scanned for potential signs of pest activity or sources of food and water. Leaking A/C units, soiled garbage canisters, bird seed/feeders and food/beverages left out by children can attract pests of all varieties. Fences and piles of wood can harbor ants and termites that can potentially make their way into the home. Any areas of concern should be noted. Now that all three zones have been inspected and the findings documented, the inspector can convey the information to the customer and inform them of the pest management plan that will be customized to fit their needs based off the findings during the inspection.

Without first giving a thorough inspection of the entire property it would be difficult to come up with a plan to provide service. Documentation of the inspection findings provides both the customer and the pest control technician with the information needed to combat a specific pest and to ensure that re infestation is unlikely. Continued inspections and documentation by the technician is important to ensure the program is being followed and that Dave’s Pest Control’s reputation for quality and honest work is protected.

Termites are incredibly interesting insects that show the intelligent design in our world. In a colony of termites, there are castes, which are different types of termites that each have a role in sustaining and building the colony.

A typical termite colony will have: eggs, larvae, workers, soldiers, and a king (male) and queen (female). A termite colony life cycle will start with eggs that hatch to larvae. Nymphs will turn to workers and soldiers, which feed on cellulose. Reproductive winged termites are called “Alates” which will spawn into a new king and queen that will lay eggs, starting the cycle again.

This whole process can take from 5 to 8 years. Overall swarming activity takes place in southeastern Florida between late February to late May and June.

Termites have a history that predates humans. The earliest termite fossil known in existence dates back to over 130 million years ago. Termites are closely related to cockroaches, under the order Isoptera (Greek for two pairs of straight wings).

For years, termites were called white ants until the use of microscopes helped distinguished different features between the two. Termites, like cockroaches, have survived millions of years due to their social characteristics, their size that allows them to go undetected by most predators, and their division of labor, which is much like ants, bees, and wasps.

However, the difference with termites as opposed to other social insects is that any cast can be male or female, furthering the probability of success for the entire colony. It is safe to say termites will be here for millions of more years! However, that doesn’t mean that termites are welcome in your home.

Call Dave’s Pest Control at 386-767-7451 or get a termite treatment estimate through our form, and we’ll send our expertly trained exterminators and technicians to exterminate your termite problem, and as importantly, prevent termites from doing damage to your most valuable asset.

What is the Story with Termites in Florida?

It is estimated 60% of homes in Florida have some evidence of termites. Subterranean termite colonies live underground and enter through plumbing pipes, cracks to your home’s foundation, and wood to ground contact, such as porch and deck supports and landscape mulch. They can also build mud tubes and tunnels to reach wood several feet above the ground.

Termites need food (cellulose, such as wood) and moisture to survive. Wood materials used to build our homes, from basements to crawl spaces to attics, can all provide an ideal environment for these wood destroying insects to thrive. Air conditioning units that have run-off moisture can provide enough water to sustain a large subterranean termite colony.

Typical sub termite colonies can contain between 60,000 to 1 million termites. Damage from these pests can be extensive. Subterranean termites cause more damage to homes in the U.S. than all storms and fires combined. Damaged wood can be so bad that a home’s structural integrity can be compromised. Damage can go unseen for years until the colony gets so large they swarm to form a new colony.

How Does a Termite Technician Prevent and Exterminate Termites?

Prevention of termites in your home can be achieved by keeping water from accumulating along your home’s foundation. It’s critical to fix plumbing leaks and replace wet, rotting wood. Trees on your property should also be inspected as well as old stumps are big attractions for termites. CSI bait stations can be used but can be slow acting. They only activate on a molt at the center of the colony. They are non repellent and accumulate in the colony before mortality occurs.

Bait stations kill the brood first and will eliminate the colony regardless of distance from baiting. Liquid Termiticides are fast acting and can kill up to 5 meters from treatment area. Liquid Termiticides can also kill by a secondary repellency and transfer of the chemical to other foragers. All though quicker than bait stations, full elimination of a large colony can take some time regardless of which method is performed by the termite technician.

Do Termites Do Anything Positive?

Termites are remarkable insects that inhabit almost every climate on earth. They are of great importance for the ecosystem by helping to decompose dead trees, which in turn create fertile soil for regrowth. They also aerate the soil to help nutrients grow for a healthy ecosystem. A few species of ants and woodpeckers do feed on termites, but for the most part, they will remain elusive insects surviving for millions of more years to come.