Author: Wendy Holtz

Termites are a concern for homeowners throughout Florida, especially in the spring. As swarms of these wood-destroying insects emerge from colonies to mate and form new nests, they frequently target homes, feasting on wood and causing millions of dollars in damage each year. If you suspect termites have set up camp in your home or yard, here’s what to look for and what you can do to solve a termite infestation for good.

Stuck Windows or Doors

Are your doors and windows becoming harder to open or close? Surprisingly, stuck windows or doors are often an early warning sign of a termite problem in your home. Termites love to snack on the wood of windows and doorframes, where it’s often exposed and easy to access. As these nuisance pests eat through the wood, they can warp the frames, making it difficult to open or close windows and doors properly.

Learn More: 5 Things You Should Know About Termite Season

Damage to Walls

As termites snack on cardboard and wood paneling beneath the surface of your walls, they often leave behind tiny pinholes, or exit holes. Sometimes, industrious colonies can do this without disturbing the coat of paint or wallpaper on the surface of your walls, which is why termite infestations are often found during home renovations and repairs.

Check your walls for any unusual appearance. Some of the most common indicators to look for include:

• Buckling wood
• Bubbling paint
• Dented or sunken areas of wall
• Discolored or peeling wallpaper
• Small pinholes

Termite Swarmers

If you’re noticing swarms of termites in your yard or—worse yet—inside your home, it’s a telltale sign of an active termite infestation. Termite swarmers, or plates, are the reproductive members of a termite colony. They have two pairs of large wings which they shed after they leave the colony and find a mate. 

Termite swarmers are often spotted in spring when they emerge from their colonies and seek to establish new ones. Check inside and outside your home for swarmers, and if you spot any discarded wings, reach out to your termite control experts immediately, because an infestation is likely already happening.

Learn More: 3 Things You Need to Know About Termite Swarm Season

Mud Tubes

Termites use mud tubes to safely get from the ground to areas of your home with exposed wood. Look for thin, narrow tubes that look like veins on the sides of your home. You can confirm you’re dealing with an active infestation by breaking off a piece of any tubes you see and checking for live termites. If you don’t find any at first, return later to see if the tube has been repaired.

How Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control Helps Homeowners Tackle Termite Infestations–Once and for All!

If you suspect you have a termite infestation at your home, call the termite control experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control immediately. We use the leading termite control product on the market. Not only are our treatments family-friendly, but they’re incredibly effective with the unique ability to transfer throughout the entire termite colony at a faster rate than any other options on the market. In fact, we’re so confident in our termite control methods that we offer a 5-year guarantee. Your property will be fully protected from termites for a minimum of five years. 

Signs of Termites in Your House? Call Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control Right Away

If you’ve noticed any of the signs of a termite infestation described above, don’t hesitate to call the termite control experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Debary. The longer you wait to deal with a termite problem, the more damage these nuisance pests can do to your home. Call us today at (407) 880-6655 to schedule your free termite inspection!

Zoysiagrass is one of the most common types of grass you’ll find in Florida lawns, and for good reason—it grows dense, lush, and green in the state’s unique hot and humid climate. But is Zoysia the right grass type for your yard? Read on to discover the pros and cons of this grass species, so you can determine if it’s the best choice for your lawn.

Zoysiagrass Pros

There are many positive features and attributes of Zoysiagrass. Some of the unique strengths of this grass type include:

• Tactile Benefits. Zoysiagrass feels incredible underfoot—it’s one of the best “barefoot grasses” to walk on. If you’re looking for a soft, great-feeling lawn, you can’t go wrong with this grass species. 

• Less Weeding. Zoysiagrass is technically an invasive grass. It’s a true competitor, which means it will crowd out most other plants. When it comes to lawns, that’s a good thing–Zoysiagrass naturally crowds out most weeds on its own. That means you’ll spend less time weeding and more time enjoying lush, healthy grass.

• Sun-Tolerant. Florida’s hot, sunny climate is a great match for Zoysiagrass. While this species likes full sun, it can tolerate light shade. It’s also generally drought-tolerant. In times of severe drought, this grass type will go dormant and turn brown, but it will likely survive. 

• Less Maintenance. In terms of fertilization and irrigation, Zoysiagrass is very easy to maintain compared to other grass types. It only requires minimal nitrogen during the growing season, but you should always fertilize in the fall to maintain a better color during the cooler seasons. Zoysia is also water-efficient, needing only about one-half-inch of water each week to thrive. 

Learn More: What’s the Best Type of Grass for Central Florida?

Cons of Zoysiagrass

While there are several advantages of Zoysiagrass—especially in Florida’s unique climate, this species has some drawbacks, too. They include:

• Hard to Establish. Zoysiagrass is a slow grower. Whether you’re starting a lawn from grass plugs or seed, it’s very slow to establish. Often, starting from sod is recommended. 

• Hard to Mow. Zoysiagrass is often hard to mow, thanks to the toughness of the stems and leaves and its sideways growing pattern. Many rotary mowers have been ruined when homeowners attempt to cut very tall Zoysiagrass too short. The grass works best with occasional vertical mowing, so it’s best to use a reel mower.

• Thatch Production. Zoysiagrass produces a lot of thatch. When these layers exceed 1 inch, you’ll need to perform vertical mowing along with core aeration. The best time to do this is in the summer, so air and water can fully permeate the soil. 

Learn More: Which Lawn Should I Choose for My Yard (Zoysia, Bahia, St. Augustine)

Is Zoysiagrass Right for Your Lawn?

Just like all other grass types, there are many pros and cons to choosing Zoysiagrass for your lawn. What’s the best way to determine whether this grass type is best for your yard? Reach out to the lawn care experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Apopka—we’ll help you determine whether Zoysia or another grass type is ideal for your yard, considering its specific soil, shade, and moisture conditions. Call us today at (407) 880-6655 to schedule your free consultation!

Worried you have an American roach problem in your home? Roaches are a year-round problem in Florida. If you spot one roach scurrying across your bathroom floor or your kitchen cabinets, there are likely many more nearby. As you check your property for roaches, here are the most common areas the American cockroach nests in homes, and what you need to do if you see one.

What Is a Cockroach Nest?

Unlike other insects like ants that build noticeable mounds, the American cockroach doesn’t build the type of nest you’ll immediately spot. A nest simply refers to any space where cockroaches congregate—often in dark, warm areas of buildings.

Roaches don’t nest for communal reasons; rather, they nest in spots that are most advantageous for each individual. Dark, warm spaces are as safe a place for one cockroach as it is for an entire group of them.

If you see a single cockroach in your home, it’s a good sign you have an infestation on your hands. Roaches often nest far from human contact, so they could be expanding their colony without your knowledge. Look for signs like discarded molts, droppings, and egg casings—they’re all telltale signs that a cockroach nest is nearby. 

Learn More: What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of American Roaches?

Common Areas of the Home Where the American Cockroach Nests

In general, roaches look for the warmest, darkest, and most humid areas of the home to nest—areas they know they won’t be disturbed. They often nest in spots that provide easy access to food and water sources. The most common areas you’ll find the American cockroach in your home include:

• In the kitchen. Roaches often congregate in the kitchen since food and water can be found nearby. Any dark, enclosed areas are perfect nesting spots for roaches. Check cabinets, kitchen drawers, and pantries. Be sure to pull out your refrigerator and stove. Since these areas are warm, dark, and rarely disturbed, they’re prime nesting areas for roaches.

• In the Bathroom. Roaches love living near a constant water source, and they love to make themselves at home in bathrooms near plumbing and drains. Bathroom cabinets and closets are typical hiding spots for roaches.

• In and Under Furniture. Even tiny crumbs left in your furniture can attract roaches. Also, cockroaches often find the areas below your furniture attractive if you don’t clean under couches or sofas regularly since crumbs and food sources can gather in these areas.

• Crawl Spaces. Homeowners rarely interact with their crawl spaces, so they are prime nesting grounds for roaches. If they haven’t already, roaches living in your crawl space find their way into your home to snack on available food sources. 

Learn More: How to Get Rid of Roaches in Your Home

Take Control of a Roach Infestation Right Away

If you think you have an infestation but can’t locate it–or if you’ve spotted signs of active infestation—don’t hesitate to call your trusted pest control experts immediately. The professional pest control technicians at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Leesburg know where roaches like to hide and can treat the problem, in the most effective, eco-friendly ways possible. Call us today at (407) 880-6655 to schedule your free pest control inspection!