3 Ways you can help prevent termites in your Stuart FL home

Just the thought of having a termite infestation is enough to strike fear into any homeowner’s heart. You’ve heard about, or maybe have even seen, the damage these destructive pests can do. It’s hassle and expense everyone would like to avoid at all costs. These tips can help you keep your home termite-free.

Mulch and landscaping play a role

If you have mulch and soil that contains cellulose, know that it can retain moisture, and termites will go wild. Wet mulch makes for a bountiful buffet for termites, so keep your soil and mulch from being in contact with the house foundation and siding. If possible, leave six inches of clearance between the edge of your landscaping and your home. Likewise, flower beds should be about a foot away, too.

Don’t forget that your young plants will grow up

The baby seedlings and saplings you lovingly plant today will (hopefully) grow up to be healthy, mature trees. Mature trees that will be much, much larger than they are now, so you’ll need to make sure you’re planning ahead to have room for its root system. You don’t want to crowd your home’s foundation or make future places that will be hard to inspect for termite damage. Remember that those branches will eventually become insect superhighways to from the ground to your house if you’re not mindful now.

Don’t neglect your clothes dryer vents

If your dryer isn’t effectively vented to the great outdoors, that moist, warm air will turn into a cozy sauna for termites to have a party to unwind after a long day of destroying your home. It makes for the perfect environment for these pests to grow and flourish. This is why it is essential to keep your dryer vents in good repair, and from time to time, check to see that the connections are tight and secure.

While these tips might help you avoid a future termite infestation, realize that there’s truth to that old cliché:  There are two types of homes in Florida. Those that have termites and those that will get them. Even the best maintenance in the world may not be able to prevent them completely. If you have a termite problem in your Stuart FL home now or in the future, call at Ambassador Pest Management today. We’ll send an experienced technician to do a free on-site evaluation and service estimate. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee!  866-632-0088. 

Top Three Pests for West Palm Beach, Florida in January

Come January, residents of West Palm Beach enjoy getting a little break from oppressive heat and humidity of the summer. This change of season doesn’t come without its own set of pest control problems, however. Here are three pests that may want to bunk in with you for the winter.

Oriental roaches
Cockroaches are well known for their “ick factor” among Floridians.  They love inhabiting drainage areas, sewers, and other moist, dark places most of us want to avoid.  Unfortunately, these creatures will bring the filth and waste from these areas right into your home via your plumbing, cracks under doorways and poorly sealed openings.

With its dark brown to black coloring coloring, the Oriental roach is a water bug that sports wings, although they do not generally fly. Living on food scraps, garbage and other refuse, they’ll set up shop in damp places in your home like under your kitchen sink or in bathrooms, and in places with an abundant food source, like under your fridge or stove.  Although these pests don’t bite, they do carry a risk of introducing bacteria and disease into your home.

House crickets
There’s no mistaking it when you’ve got a house cricket in your home. The male crickets herald their presence with loud chirping as they seek to get the attention of females, and they’ll no doubt get your attention as well! Other than making an annoying noise that won’t seem to stop, they’re also know to make a meal of the fabrics in your home: synthetic fibers, wool, cotton, silk, you name it, they’ll eat it. They might also help themselves to some of your baked goods.

Around an inch long, these little noisemakers have a light brown color with dark stripes on their head. in appearance and have a few solid dark stripes on their head.

Wolf spiders
With their scary name and appearance, the wolf spider is probably a houseguest you’d rather avoid. They’ll do their best to get in through your garage, poorly sealed doorways or windows to keep warm and do some hunting out of the cold. Although they’re incredibly fast and aggressive toward their prey, they’re looking for bugs, not humans, so you won’t have much to fear from them. In fact, if you approach them, their instinct is to run, although they have been known to inject venom when they are provoked.

These creature can grow to over an inch long, are hairy and usually have brown, gray and black coloring. Their bodies comprise two segments with eight legs total, and have mouthparts that (no surprise) have a fanglike appearance.

Get professional winter pest control
West Palm Beach residents often have guests during our gorgeous Florida winters, but you don’t have to put up with pests! Ambassador Pest Management has been offering expert pest control for 25 years, and offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call us today for a free inspection and estimate from one of our highly trained and skilled technicians! 866-632-0088