The importance of pest control in your Stuart, FL home

No homeowner really wants to surrender to pests in the house, but a lot of homeowners in Stuart, FL are in a mild stage of denial about having a pest control problem in their homes. This is somewhat understandable, because once you admit you really do have a pest problem, it means you are obliged to do something about it. Here are some reasons that pest problems should not be overlooked, and should instead be addressed at the earliest opportunity.

Foods can become contaminated
Rats and mice can chew through practically anything, including cereal boxes and bags of flour or sugar. They will come in contact with all content inside, and may even leave feces and urine behind. Cockroaches pick up bacteria from sewage and debris they crawl through, then transfer it to foods they find in the home.

Pests can cause structural damage to the home
Termites can cause unbelievable damage to the structure of a house, once they become entrenched. Posts, floor supports, ceiling supports, drywall, and more are all fair game to these ravenous vermin, and by the time you see the problem it has already become a major one. Only a professional will be able to eliminate the whole population of termites.

Pests carry and spread disease
Common houseflies are capable of carrying more than 100 pathogens like typhoid, tuberculosis, and polio, which can infect humans and animals and cause serious health issues. Ticks are also disease carriers, and are known to pass on typhus, Lyme disease, and encephalitis to household residents. Cockroaches can cause rashes in humans simply by crawling over the skin, but the 33 different kinds of bacteria carried by cockroaches can also cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma episodes in younger children.

Best course of action
This is only a partial listing of the catalog of diseases, health problems, and home damage that pests in the home can cause, and it’s easy to see that the most prudent course of action when home pests are suspected, is to immediately consult with a pest control professional. A home visit by Ambassador Pest Management in Stuart will identify which kinds of pests are involved, and that will indicate what the course of action should be to make your home pest-free.

When Should You Call a Termite Exterminator in Stuart, FL?

The sad fact about living in South Florida is that termites will present a threat to your home at some point or another. Another unfortunate truth is that most people will not even know when they have a termite problem. It's an excellent idea to make the time to inspect your home on a regular basis for any of the signs that you may need to call a termite exterminator.

Here are three things to look for that may indicate you're having a problem:

Signs of Damage to Your Home's Wood 
 This is a sign that may not be discovered right away, but it is a reliable one of a current problem or of one in the past.  Anywhere that soil, mulch or landscaping is coming into direct contact with wood, there is a risk of termite infestation. Using a hammer or screwdriver, tap at the wood in question and listen for a dull, hollow sound. Areas where moisture comes into contact with wood can be the cause of decay, and should be carefully examined.

Evidence of Mud Shelter Tubes 
 Although they can be difficult to see, blending in to the surrounding concrete or soil, mud tubes on your foundation or crawl space piers are a good indicator of a termite infestation.  Check carefully along slabs and foundation walls, paying special attention to the area where the soil meets the home, the corners, and in any cracks that may exist. You can use a sharp tool such as a screwdriver to chip these mud tubes open to look for any signs of live termites.

Swarmers Around Lights and Windowsills 
 One of the first signs a homeowner may have of an infestation is swarms of termites near lights or on windowsills, or evidence of wings in spider webs or cobwebs. If you find signs of them indoors, this is generally a pretty reliable indicator that you have a problem. Swarms of termites outside may also indicate that a structure nearby is suffering an infestation. It's important to know the difference between termites and winged ants, as they can commonly be mistaken for the other.

If you are seeing any of the above signs, it's time to call a professional pest control company. Engaging an experienced termite exterminator as quickly as possible is key to saving you time, money and heartache. Don't try to deal with a termite infestation on your own. Call Ambassador Pest Management in Stuart and West Palm Beach today for a free, no obligation inspection and service estimate. Your 100% satisfaction is guaranteed! 866-632-0088

Pest Control for the Health of Your Family and South Florida Business

Pests come in all shapes and sizes and can often be dangerous. Your family’s health is at risk if there is any chance of pests in your home or even on your lawn. They are so easy to bring in that they are often unnoticeable. You’re not the only one fighting this war on insects, as a matter of fact, there are over 600,000 insects in an average home without pest control.
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South Florida pest control
South Florida is particularly susceptible to insects and wild animals due to the climate and constant short-lasting rain showers. We love opening the windows and doors to take in the cool breeze in the fall and are often outside all day in the summer. Don’t let pests take control of your home, we can help.

Luckily we specialize in the control and containment of the following pests types: ants, Argentine ant, carpenter ant, fire ant, odorous house ant, pavement ant, pharaoh ant, thief ant, bed, bug, bees, cockroaches, brown-banded cockroach, German cockroach, oriental cockroach, carpet beetles, fur beetle, varied carpet, beetle, centipede, fire-brats, flea, flies, blue bottle fly, green bottle fly, house fly, fruit flies, hornet, house centipede, lice, meal worm beetle, red spiders, silverfish, spider beetle, woodlouse, termite, damp wood termite, subterranean termite, wasp, woolly bear, woodworms, death watch beetle, furniture beetle, weevil, rodents, mice, rats, chipmunks, gophers, beavers, shrew, moles, opossums, raccoon’s, hedgehogs, lizards, and snakes.

Free on-site inspection and estimate
Our certified inspectors come to your home and business for your free estimate. They find out where these pests are coming from, show you how they’re going to get rid of them and teach you how to maintain your home so pests will stay gone for good!

We have our friendly staff standing by to answer you questions and get you servicing started immediately. Call today to find out more! 866-632-0088

Do Pest Control Home Remedies Work?

Whether you've found a do-it-yourself pest control trick from a website or it was handed down through the generations, can you be sure there's any truth to it before investing the time in it? Some of the tips you've gotten may work like a charm, while others are comically wrong or even downright dangerous! Let's take a closer look at some of the old wives' tales of DIY pest control to see if they contain more fact or fiction.

Can bay leaves keep pests at bay?
Yes! Keeping your kitchen staples bug-free can benefit from having a bay leaf or two stored either in or near items like rice and flour in your pantry. If you'd rather not have the leaves in direct contact with your food, simply having them attached to the outside of the container can be enough to act as a deterrent. Keep in mind that one of the best things you can do to keep pests away is to make sure they have no reason to hang around. Clean up spills immediately and keep food in airtight packaging.

Does the mouse in my kitchen like cheese as much as they do in cartoons? 
 Nope, not nearly as much. Thanks to Speedy Gonzales and Tom & Jerry, many of us spent our childhoods believing that cheese in a mousetrap was the most effective lure for mice. Would you be surprised to learn that peanut butter is by far the preferred choice for rodents? That's a good thing to know whether you're baiting traps or just wanting to treat your pet mouse.

Can you catch more fruit flies with sugar than you can with vinegar? 
 Sort of.  The sugar that attracts fruit flies is the kind featured in rotting fruit. If you're looking to get rid of a fruit fly problem in your kitchen, start with getting rid of the old fruit or storing your fruit in the fridge. The next part is where the vinegar comes in: fill a cup with vinegar, cover it in plastic wrap and puncture the wrap to put a hole in it. Fruit flies hate the smell and will no longer make your kitchen their gathering place.

Will spraying peppermint oil sprayed on spider webs send the spiders packing? 
Maybe, but not in the way you'd hoped. Any liquids other than water sprayed on a spider's web will likely make them move out, but they probably won't go far. They'll get to work spinning themselves a new home nearby, which will leave you with more available housing options for other spiders. 

Remember that some pest control issues are best left to the professionals. When you're dealing with a termite, bed bug or cockroach infestation, time spent on trying old wives' tales will likely be time (and money) wasted!  Ambassador Pest Management has over 25 years experience in serving residential and business customers in West Palm Beach, Stuart and Jupiter, Florida. Call today for a free, no obligation inspection from one of our pest control professionals. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!

Bed bugs have favorite colors?

We’re not pulling your leg, although it may sound like it! Recently, there was a pest control-related story making the news rounds about a study reported in the Journal of Medical Entomology that suggested bed bugs are drawn to some colors while being repulsed by others. Sound crazy? Read on to learn more, and you may be considering some new luggage and sheets for your West Palm Beach home!

As you may recall, the summer of 2010 brought a resurgence in bed bug infestations in major US cities. These obnoxious little pests invaded hotels, libraries, theatres and even department stores. Since their comeback, researchers have renewed attention on bed bugs and their behaviors, and potential ways to discourage them from moving into places we frequent.

An article found on livescience.com states that that for bed bugs, “the preference toward red and black was prevalent.  ‘We originally thought the bedbugs might prefer red because blood is red and that's what they feed on,’ Corraine McNeill, assistant professor of biology at Union College in Lincoln NE said. ‘However, after doing the study, the main reason we think they preferred red colors is because bedbugs themselves appear red, so they go to these harborages because they want to be with other bedbugs, as they are known to exist in aggregations.’

 For the study, the researched placed bed bugs in Petri dishes that had small, bug-sized tents made of papers of different colors. Considering that bed bugs spend the majority of their time hiding in cracks and crevices, it was no surprise that they immediately headed for the little paper shelters. The surprise was in their choice of the tents – they overwhelmingly chose the red and black papers over white, yellow and green shelters.

It is thought that their preference had to do their dark red colors, and they were seeking out a aggregation of other bed bugs. They tend to gather in groups, and they choose to go to colors where it appears where other bugs may already be.

While it may not be a 100% foolproof method of avoiding bed bugs in your home or suitcases, it may be worth trying lighter colored sheets and a bright yellow suitcase. Bonus: you’ll never have any trouble spotting your luggage on the baggage carousel again!

If you suspect you already have a problem with bed bugs in your home, don’t delay! Ambassador delivers state of the art methods in bed bugs treatment as well as preventative services to stop bed bugs before they start. Call us at 866-632-0088 for your Free On-Site Pest Inspection and Service Estimate.  100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed! We care about our pest control customers, and have been serving the West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, Stuart, Palm City and Wellington areas for over 25 years.

If there's one type of pest that strikes fear into the hearts of Florida homeowners, it's got to be termites. There's good reason for concern, too. Each year, over five and a half billion dollars is spent by Americans attempting to repair the damage created by these insidious pests. Scariest of all? Check your homeowner's insurance policy - you'll find that termite damage isn't covered. You'll end up having to pay for it out-of-pocket.

And be prepared for sticker shock because those costs will take a big bite out of your wallet. The average amount the typical homeowner will end up having to shell out is estimated to be between $3000 and $8000! Considering these figures and the old adage that there are two types of homes in Florida; those that have termites and those that will get termites, it can be very discouraging.

Just how big of a problem are termites? Here are some shocking statistics about the termite population in Florida:

• Approximately 13-14 termite colonies can be found per acre
• There can be as many as 2.6 million termites per colony
• The queens are capable of laying more than 5,000 eggs per day
• Over 30% of all termite damage occurs in our state
• Each year, termite damage exceeds the damage of all natural disasters combined
• At least 2 million homes  will require termite treatment this year

The amount of damage a colony can inflict depends on which type of termites you have, the size of their colony, what the type and condition if of the wood, if there are any other food sources are available, not to mention the weather and temperature. On average, termite colonies take over five years to grow to a size that can cause damage.

A Formosan termite colony can be a bigger problem as they're generally larger than other subterranean colonies and thus can destroy more wood faster. It's been estimated that under ideal climate conditions, a Formosan colony requires less than six months to cause severe damage to a home. If this sort of infestation goes undetected and therefore untreated in warm, damp surroundings, a house can sustain significant damage in only two years.

What can I do about termites in my home? A termite infestation is definitely not a DIY project, and homeowners shouldn't try to go it alone. Specialized equipment and training is required to fully treat a termite problem, and time and money spent on trying to tackle this problem yourself will likely end up costing you much more in the long run. 

Ambassador Pest Management has over 25 years of experience in treating termites and other pests in the West Palm Beach, Stuart and Jensen Beach, Florida area. Call today for a free, no-obligation inspection and one of our certified technicians will come out to assess the extent of your problem and discus treatment options. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.  866-632-0088

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