I think I have cockroaches! Ugh! Now what?

It’s something many West Palm Beach residents have had to face at some point. It’s late in the evening, dinner was a few hours ago, and you can’t stop thinking about that carrot cake/ice cream/key lime pie in the kitchen. You get up, and when you turn on the kitchen light, you see a cockroach scurry under the fridge. You immediately remember the old adage that if you see one, you can be sure there are a bunch of them. They never come to the party alone, and once they’ve decided to turn your house into their personal playground, they’ll just keep multiplying.

So, you’ve seen that cockroach. You know in your gut that you probably are already facing having to deal with an infestation. Roaches are mostly only seen at night, running away from the light faster than prohibition partiers with cops at the door of their speakeasy. – they’ll scurry away from light sources. If you’re not sure that you saw what you think you saw, look for signs they may have left.

Signs that you have an infestation

If you spot what looks like spilled pepper, but you don’t never spilled any pepper, there’s a good chance that pepper is actually roach droppings. You’ll also want to take a look in dark places like under the sink or in the pantry. These sources of food and water are definite hangouts for these pests. Same with under the refrigerator. And check out under any throw rugs or mats and in small crevices. They can squeeze into places you wouldn’t think they could. Do you see any dead roaches? That’s also a bad sign, because his friends are probably holding  wake nearby. You might also notice a musty smell that won’t go away. They’re not known for emitting a fresh-as-a-daisy scent.

Do you have any (or all) of these signs? Then there’s a good chance you’ve already got an infestation on your hands. Taking on their eradication is not an easy DIY project. Even if you get rid of their food water sources, they may decide to stick around and wait for you to get careless or complacent. They can wait you out because it’s possible for them to go without food for up to a month.  Yikes!

What to do when you’ve got cockroaches

Although making sure you’re not leaving any standing water, fixing leaky plumbing, making sure food is put away quickly, crumbs are swept up and is stored in airtight containers is a great start, it won’t get rid of the problem. It’s an excellent measure for future prevention, though. You should definitely employ these techniques after getting rid of the infestation.

The best course of action to rid your home of cockroaches? Call Ambassador Pest Management today!  Our highly skilled and certified technician will come for a free inspection, treatment plan and estimate. Remember that we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for our pest control services! Don’t delay, call today!  866-632-0088

Winter Pest Control in West Palm Beach and Stuart, FL

With the winter season upon us many of us in West Palm Beach and Stuart will have friends or family coming to visit and enjoy the beautiful weather. It's great to have an open door for visitors, but make sure it's closed for winter pests! Here are a few tips that may help you stop a potential problem in its tracks so you can relax and enjoy your invited guests.

Unwanted guests? Rats!
Rats, mice and other rodents are on the lookout for a warm place to stay and raise a family. Don't let your home become theirs, too! They need only a very small opening to gain access to your residence, and they'll have no problem using a tree as a ladder into your attic! Keep branches and limbs trimmed and away from your house to help prevent access.

Since you may be heading into the attic to get out the decorations anyway, now is a great time to look for any signs of infestation.  If you see any small droppings, you have evidence that rodents have been there. You can call Ambassador Pest Management to come out for a free inspection and see if your visitors are still in residence.

Don't be bugged by bugs this winter!
Winter is the time Floridians may have to deal with more roaches, ticks and silverfish.  A favorite hiding place for roaches is just about any dark place with a ready food source. Ticks can be a risk if you bring in any outdoor plants for the season or before a frost. They'll catch a ride inside if you don't carefully examine them before the move.  Silverfish are fond of warm environments and will feed off of boxes, insulation and other materials.

Remember those boxes full of decorations you just brought down from the attic? It's the perfect to time inspect your storage containers and boxes for any signs of life. It's a great idea to invest in some containers that will seal tightly to provide fewer hiding places for pests.

Keeping your yard and home pest free
It's important to keep close tabs on any pest problems or potential trouble zones. Prevention is always best, but early treatment can save you time, hassle and money. Ambassador Pest Management provides free inspections with no obligation to you. Our experienced and skilled technicians will give your West Palm Beach or Stuart home and yard a thorough inspection, recommendations and, as always, our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call us today at 866-632-0088.

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

5 Natural Ways to Fend Off Florida’s Summer Pests

Florida summers may be hot and humid, but at least there are lots of bugs! Even if you don’t mind the first two things, you’re probably not a fan of the third. Unfortunately, insects and other pests are part of the tradeoff for living in a tropical paradise.  There are a few natural pest control tricks you can use that can help make your home a little more pleasant and bug-free without endangering the health of your family or pets!

Catch more flies with vinegarEveryone has probably heard that old saying “you’ll catch more flies with honey than vinegar,” but that may not be the case! Try filling a container with cider vinegar, and then cover the top with saran wrap. Secure it with string, tape or a rubber band, poke some holes in it, and then wait for nature to take its course. Fruit flies will be there shortly!

Get rid of the moth, manSome houseguests you definitely don’t want this summer are moths. Moths would love nothing more than to have a party in your pantry! They’ll turn your dry goods into a buffet and reproduce at an alarming rate! If you see any pods or larvae on your shelves or food packaging, discard what they’ve ruined, wipe your shelves clean and then place dry bay leaves in your cupboard. To avoid having them feast on your winter wools, store clean items with lavender sachets or cedar blocks to discourage moths from munching.

Garlic – it’s not just for repelling vampires anymore!When bugs are looking to suck the lifeblood out of your garden plants, try a little vampire repellent in the form of this garlic elixir! Pour boiling water over garlic cloves that you’ve peeled, smashed and placed in a mason jar. Let your aromatic brew develop overnight before straining it and placing the liquid into a spray bottle. Spray on the affected plants and watch the bugs beat a hasty retreat.

Try some homemade bug sprayAs long as you’re in the kitchen whipping up some pest control concoctions, try your hand at making your own non-toxic bug spray that can be used by the whole family. Nearly fill an 8-oz spray bottle with equal amounts of witch hazel and distilled water. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 25 to 30 drops of the essential oil of your choice (lavender, citronella and eucalyptus work great).  Shake well and spray on.

Don’t get ticked off by ticksDress for success! If you’re going to be doing some gardening, keep your skin covered as well as you can, tucking your pant legs into your socks and securing your gloves over your sleeves with tape. Wearing light colors will make ticks more obvious during a spot check after you’re done with your chores. You might also want to consider one more kitchen project, combining two parts water with one part tea tree oil in a spray bottle to use as a repellent.

While these are all great tips, there are some pest control problems that will put you in need of some expert help. That’s where Ambassador Pest Management can help salvage your summer. Whether you’re dealing with cockroaches, termites, bed bugs or even nuisance wildlife, we’ve got you covered. With over 25 years experience and our 100% satisfaction guarantee, your pest problem won’t have you bugged this season!  866-632-0088

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.