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