Ant Control in Stuart, FL

Controlling an ant problem in your home can be one of the most frustrating pest control projects you ever undertake in your Stuart, FL home. You might think you have the problem licked by spraying all the entrances, cracks, and windows, and maybe for a time they do disappear – and then they come back again.

One of the reasons for this is that some ant species will have both parent colonies and satellite colonies in the vicinity of the home. Parent colonies are often located outside the home, in a pile of rotting wood or in some other clump of wood that’s soaked and soft, while the satellite colonies are more likely to be inside, wherever moist, damaged wood can be found. Do-it-yourself methods will sometimes kill off most of a satellite colony, but leave the other dozen colonies undisturbed.

Identifying an ant infestation

The first step toward eliminating any ant problem is to identify which kind of ant you’re dealing with, and that will indicate what kind of pest control methods should be used. Here are some of the most common types of ants:

Carpenter ants. There are about 25 different species of carpenter ants found in homes, and 6 of them are capable of doing major structural damage. Many of these species have the parent-satellite pattern of home infestation described above, and can only be truly eliminated if all colonies are found and wiped out.

Fire ants. These kinds of ants are found mostly in the eastern U.S., from the New England states to Florida, and can vary from being minor pests in the yard, to very aggressive pests that invade the home. They can be very difficult to eliminate because even after eradication, they can still come from neighboring properties where other infestations have become entrenched.

Winged ants. These pests look very much like termites, and are difficult to distinguish from actual termites, other than their elbowed antennae. It is possible to eliminate many of these with pesticides and the sealing of all cracks, but if all of them aren’t killed, the survivors will replicate and re-appear in the home.

The most effective approach to pest control in Stuart, FL

The best way by far to be confident of eliminating an ant infestation is to contact a qualified pest control company in Stuart, FL. They will positively identify the type of pests infesting your home, and consult with you about a treatment program that will leave your home pest-free. Ambassador Pest Management will guarantee 100% satisfaction for their pest control and ant problem treatment services. Contact their Stuart, FL office at 772-229-0400 today.

Termite or Flying Ant? Can You Tell Them Apart?

If there’s one thing every homeowner dreads finding in or around their residence, it’s termites. Or is it a flying ant? Not sure which is which? You’re certainly not alone.

Both termites and carpenter ants fall under the terminology of “swarmer” by pest control professionals. Their primary purpose is the propagation of their colonies, and as such, most are females determined to mate and reproduce as quickly as possible.

Most laypeople will have difficulty telling the difference between the two types because of their very similar appearance.  When you’re just seeing black insects with wings, it’s important to distinguish what type of swarmer you’re dealing with, because the treatment for them can be very different. Here are a few ways to see which features will help you determine which is which.

Check out their antennae
One sign that you’re dealing with carpenter ants is if you their antennae have a bent appearance. If the insect you’ve got has straight antennae and are shorter in length, you’re very likely looking at the dreaded termites.

Body structure
Generally speaking, insects of all stripes have three different body sections – head, thorax, and abdomen. Keep in mind that these sections are not always apparent to the naked eye. In the case of termites, the body doesn’t appear to have separate regions and seem to have a uniform width. There is no mistaking the distinctive three sections of the carpenter ant.

Length of wings
​Swarmers of both types each sport two pairs of wings (for a total of four wings altogether), one pair in the front and the other in the back. The back wings of carpenter ants are quite noticeably shorter than the front wings. Their wings also have a brownish color. If you’re seeing no discernible difference in length and the color is more of a translucent white, you’ve probably got a termite.

Whether the swarmers you’re seeing in your house are termites or ants, you may have a serious problem. You can be sure that their nest isn’t very far away. Don’t wait to contact a pest control professional. Swarmers of any kind are very difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate with DIY products.

Still not exactly sure if you’re seeing termites or carpenter ants in your West Palm Beach home? Contact the highly experienced professionals at Ambassador Pest Management. One of our friendly technicians will come out and conduct a free, no-obligation inspection and estimate. With over 25 years serving our area, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call today!  866-632-0088

DIY Ant and Pest Control Mistakes in West Palm Beach, FL

If you've been a homeowner or property manager in West Palm Beach, Florida for any length of time, the chances are pretty good that you've had to deal with an ant problem. Ants are one of the most common pest control issues in our area. The odds are also good that you've tried to deal with an infestation on your own with any number of DIY solutions you've seen. There are some common pitfalls with Do-It-Yourself ant pest control treatments, and we'd like to help you avoid them if at all possible.

Probably the most reaction to finding ants in your home or business is to kill the visible pest as quickly as possible and hope against hope that you've solved the problem. Some folks will try to accomplish this with insecticides purchased at the grocery or home improvement store, but this could be wasting time as well as money if an infestation is at hand.

Keep in mind that the ants you're able to see out in the open may only be a tiny fraction of what may be hiding in their nest not far away. There could be hundreds or even thousands more, with at least one queen who is busily laying eggs that will only increase the size of your infestation. So while you're hoping to solve your problem by spraying at the few dozen you see on your counter, what you really need to be dealing with is eradicating the nest.

There are some species of ants that are notoriously hard to eliminate. Carpenter and odorous ants can be incredibly persistent and homeowners may find that store-bought chemicals are no match for these pests. If you're unable to get a handle on your infestation, it's time to call in certified pest control professionals. They have techniques and products that can't be employed by the average business or homeowner.

It's also important to keep in mind that not all ants are your enemy. Many ants found out in your yard are beneficial to your plants and lawn by helping to control other pests, cleaning up plant debris and dead bugs.

Ambassador Pest Management are pest control experts who have been helping West Palm Beach and Stuart, Florida homeowners and businesses keep their properties safe and pest-free for over 25 years. Call us today for a free, no-obligation inspection by one of our certified and trained technicians. Your satisfaction is guaranteed 100%!  866-632-0088.

Avoid DIY Pest Control for These Three Types of Infestations

These days, most of us are looking for any opportunity to save money wherever we can, and that means taking on household projects ourselves.  Some things, like painting or replacing a leaky faucet, we might feel comfortable doing. Other projects we know are well beyond our skill level, like installing a new air conditioning unit or electrical rewiring. But when it comes to pest control, do you have a good idea of what you can handle on your own and what will require professional intervention?

The factors that can help you decide will generally come down to a few things:

• what type of pests you've got
• the size and scope of the infestation
• impact to the health of your family
• potential for damage to your home and property

Let's take a closer look at the first bullet point - the type of pest problem you're facing. It's a good idea to try not to tackle the following scenarios without a trained pest control professional.

Termites

These destructive and ravenous pests manage to cause an estimated five billion (that's billion with a "B"!) dollars in property damage each and every year.  Termites are on call 24/7, literally eating you out of house and home. It doesn't take long for an infestation to cause serious structural damage to your property. If you still think it might be worth a shot to try to get rid of them on your own, take a look at your homeowners ' insurance policy first. You'll likely find that you're not covered for termite damage. A professional has the knowledge, experience and equipment to deal with an infestation. The longer you delay calling one, the more expensive and dangerous your problem will become. The meter's running!

Bed Bugs

Getting rid of bed bugs is most assuredly not a good do-it-yourself project. They are very prolific and can be difficult to detect, hiding in hard-to-reach, hard-to-see areas like behind switchplates, deep in upholstery and even underneath wallpaper. Trying to control an infestation with DIY methods may only make matters worse, allowing their territory in your home to expand.  Improper use of chemicals can risk the health of your family members and pets, any may damage your home or furniture. You might also find what many others in this situation have already discovered: the amount of money and time spent on ineffective treatments exceeds what you'd spend to have it handled correctly the first time. A certified pest control expert knows their favorite hiding places and create an effective treatment plan.

Stinging Insect Nests

If you have an infestation of these pests, like yellow jackets, wasps, hornets or fire ants, don't even think about dealing with it on your own! A colony of these can have anywhere from several hundred up to tens of thousands of members, and if they feel you're a threat to the nest, they won't hesitate to attack. An estimated 500,000 people end up in an emergency room every year due to stinging insects. You needn't be allergic to be life threatening. If a swarm attacks, anyone is at risk!

Homeowners can find plenty of money-saving home treatments for common, benign pest problems around the home. The key is knowing when your best course of action is to call in the professionals. Ambassador Pest Management in West Palm Beach, Stuart and Jupiter, Florida has been fighting the good fight for home and business owners for over 25 years. If you've got a situation that requires professional help, call us today at 866-632-0800. Our trained and certified technicians will provide you with a free, no-obligation inspection. Your satisfaction is always 100% guaranteed!

Summer Pest Control in West Palm Beach, FL

Summers in West Palm Beach, FL are hot, sunny, and notoriously buggy. Although we all want to get out and enjoy the weather and all that South Florida has to offer, bugs always seem determined to take a bite out of our fun.

Pest control experts see them all. Here are a few of the worst offenders of the summertime killjoys.

Ants

There are many different types of ants we have to deal with in Florida, and none of them are any fun. They invade our homes and picnics in search of food. While some may bring mostly annoyance, others, like fire ants, bring pain!

Houseflies

Aside from the buzzing around your bedroom keeping you up at night, houseflies can also bring disease: typhoid, tuberculosis and dysentery, just to name a few. Unsightly fly strips and constant swatting can really take some of the wind out of your summer sails.

Spiders

Some of spiders are harmless, and can even be considered beneficial, making a meal of other household pests. Others (like widows or recluses) can be poisonous, and if you or your loved ones are allergic, even downright dangerous. No matter which type you can encounter, many people will agree they can be unwelcome.

Bed Bugs

One of the worst pest control problems out there, bed bugs are more active in the summer. They may have hitched a ride home in your suitcase after your last vacation or business trip or made their way in on that sofa you got on Craigslist. Once they're in, they're notoriously difficult to send packing. Bed bugs see you as their meal tickets, leaving their bite marks as painful evidence.

Wasps, Hornets and Yellow Jackets

Most of us have encountered one of these stinging pests, and if you've been stung, you're certainly anxious to avoid having it happen again. Although they generally sting as a self-defense mechanism, you can't be sure if you've inadvertently threatened one. People with allergies also fear the wrath of these pests, and for good reason. If you have allergies to them, carrying an epi-pen when you're enjoying the Florida outdoors in the summer is a good idea.

When the bugs mentioned above are around in small numbers, they're easier to take. If, however, you find yourself dealing with a population in or around your home that is growing unmanageable, it's time to call a pest control professional. Contact Ambassador Pest Management to come out and do a full inspection at no charge. We can assess your problem and give you a service estimate to get your problem back under control. Remember, we guarantee your satisfaction 100%!