Author: Wendy Holtz

While termites are active year-round—especially in Florida’s warm, humid climate—they’re an even bigger threat in the springtime. As temperatures begin to rise, so do termite populations. Termites can cause devastating structural damage to buildings, but by remaining vigilant against these troublesome pests, you can prevent a termite infestation from damaging your home. Here are the top five things Central Florida homeowners should know about termites and termite control.

1. Termite Season is Year-Round

Termites thrive in Florida’s unique climate. Throughout the year, they’re building their colonies, foraging for food, and multiplying at a rapid rate. So, why is spring commonly known as termite season—both in Florida and throughout the country?

Spring is the only time of year you’re likely to see these elusive yet damaging pests for yourself. Between February and April in Central Florida, the temperature and humidity are just right for termites to search for new territory. It’s not uncommon to see swarms of reproductive (winged) termites leaving their colonies to find a new home base. Spotting reproductive termites near your property is never good, so reach out to your local termite control experts before they enter your home.

LEARN MORE: At What Point Should I Call a Termite Control Professional?

2. There Are Two Troublesome Termite Species in Central Florida

In Central Florida, the subterranean and drywood termites are the most troublesome species of this harmful pest. The differences between the two species vary greatly, including behavior and appropriate treatment methods. Subterranean termites—especially the Formosan variety—are the most destructive. If you suspect an infestation, you need to work with termite control experts, like the ones at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Leesburg, to determine the species you’re dealing with and select the best treatment method.

3. Termite Damage Is Costly

While it may seem unbelievable, termite damage is more costly than fire, flood, and hurricane damage combined. Many estimates claim that termite damage costs over $5 billion annually, and that’s damage most insurance companies won’t cover in Florida.

4. Termites Can Affect Concrete Block Homes

Think you can avoid termites by living in a concrete block home? Think again! Termites can enter these homes through the tiniest cracks and openings. Once they’re inside, they feast on the walls and rafters of your home, eating through walls, windows, moldings, door frames, and more.

LEARN MORE: What Should I Do If I Think I Have Termites?

5. Subterranean Termite Infestations Can Be Prevented

The best way to deal with a subterranean termite problem is to prevent an infestation from the start. While you can reduce food sources like cellulose materials and reduce wood-to-ground contact at your home, a professional termite inspection is the most proactive way to protect your home against infestation.

Early Spring Is Termite Time

As spring approaches and temperatures rise, Central Florida homeowners should be on the lookout for termites. The best way to prevent an infestation—and the costly damage that comes with it—is by scheduling a professional termite inspection with the experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Leesburg. Call us today at (407) 880-6655 to schedule your inspection!

No matter what type of pest you’re dealing with—from ants to cockroaches, spiders to rodents—living with the infestation is stressful enough. Many homeowners think that preparing for a visit from a pest control technician adds another layer of stress to the situation, but it doesn’t have to. It’s easy to prepare your home for pest control treatment, just follow these simple steps:

1. Provide sufficient access.

Pests of all types love to hide below furniture, in tight corners, behind boxes, and in stored items. You should ensure your pest control professional has sufficient access to any of these areas as possible. Simply move items out, so your technician can reach the tightest corners and apply any pest control treatments accurately and effectively.

2. Prepare your kitchen.

You should clean your kitchen from top to bottom your first pest control treatment. Store all food items in the refrigerator or in airtight containers in cabinets. You should also stow or cover any cooking ware or small appliances you normally keep on countertops. If you’re dealing with a large infestation, it’s wise to pull out large appliances like the dishwasher, oven, and refrigerator to provide adequate access for the technician to apply treatment. In addition, it is also important that you empty your dishwasher prior to our technician’ visit.

3. Pull furniture away from walls.

Like moving all large appliances in the kitchen, you should also move large furniture items away from the walls in all rooms of the house. While this step isn’t necessary, it’s a big help to your pest control technician, especially in cases of large infestations. By giving your pest control a wider berth to inspect and treat pest activity, you’ll get the best results from the treatment.

4. Open closets, doorways, and drawers.

As mentioned above, pests love to hide in nooks and crannies. By opening closets, doors between rooms, and drawers, your pest control expert can better assess the extent of any pest activity in your home and make it easier to treat them.

5. Try to be at home when your pest control technician arrives.

When you schedule pest control treatment, try to make sure you or another member of the household will be present for the appointment so they can have access to any areas of the home that have pest activity. Being there to walk your technician through your property makes diagnosing and treating the problem much easier, and you’ll also get to ask any questions regarding steps you should take after treatment.

Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control

Dealing with a pest problem is never pleasant, but you can feel confident that you’re in the best of hands when you partner with Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Apopka for pest control. Our eco-friendly treatments are effective, affordable, and safe for families and pets. At the first sign of a pest problem, give us a call at (407) 880-6655 for a free inspection.

Getting ready to host an outdoor event in the Orlando area? Whether you’re planning an outdoor wedding, a family reunion, a graduation party, or anything else, you’ll likely have to contend with one of the area’s most pesky pests—the mosquito. How can you keep these annoying little bloodsuckers from ruining your big event? Here’s how you can protect yourself and your guests from mosquitoes.

Citronella Candles

Looking to prevent mosquitoes and add some charming ambiance to your outdoor event? Citronella candles are inexpensive and effective when it comes to repelling mosquitoes, and they can set a great outdoor mood. These candles are like the ones you burn in the home, but they’re formulated with ingredients that naturally repel mosquitoes. Keep in mind, though, that they aren’t the perfect solution for covering a large outdoor area.

Mosquito Repellent Sprays

If you’re hosting an outdoor event, mosquito repellent is a must for all your guests. Children and the elderly should always use mosquito repellent before going outside since their immune systems are more fragile.

Coverall Mosquito Nets

Mosquito nets can stop these blood-sucking pests, as well as the myriad of other bugs that can annoy you and your guests in the evening. There are several styles of mosquito nets on the market, so you’ll have no trouble blending them in with your outdoor decorations. If you’re hosting an overnight event, mosquito nets add a romantic note to the overall look and feel of the occasion.

While nets are effective at preventing mosquitoes from attacking, they’re only efficient for small areas, and guests need to stay in that enclosed space. Guests will often be moving around at an outdoor event, going in and out of the netted areas and allowing mosquitoes to easily invade. Put simply, netting just isn’t practical for effective mosquito protection.

Mosquito Control Services

If you plan to host your event in your backyard, the best choice for preventing mosquitoes from ruining your event is to invest in mosquito control services. You can either invest in a la carte treatments that keep your yard mosquito-free for the duration of your event or ensure your yard stays mosquito-free year-round with recurring treatments.

Recurring treatments are the best option for homeowners since mosquitoes are more than just an annoyance—they can carry several diseases that can seriously jeopardize the health of your family and pets.

Professional Mosquito Control Treatments Ensure a Mosquito-Free Event

Mosquitoes make terrible guests. Not only are their bites itchy, but they can also transmit disease. If you’re hosting an outdoor event, keep your guests comfortable by ensuring that your yard is mosquito-free. Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Orlando offers eco-friendly mosquito control solutions that are affordable, effective, and safe. Call us today at (407) 880-6655 to schedule your free consultation!

In a place like Central Florida, keeping a home pest-free can be a major challenge. It takes much more than simple pesticide application to prevent ants, cockroaches, spiders, and other nuisance pests from infesting your home.

The safest—and most effective—method of pest control is Integrated Pest Management. Read on to learn all about the IPM approach, and how it keeps your home pest-free and your family safe.

What Is Integrated Pest Management?

Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is a technique that effectively manages pests in an eco-friendly way. Rather than using strong, harsh chemicals to treat pest problems, IMP relies on a combination of methods to control invasive pests without damaging animals and the ecosystem as a whole. By using environmentally friendly pest control products, IPM protects properties, families, and the earth.

LEARN MORE: Pests Every Central Florida Homeowner Should Recognize

A Natural Approach

It’s possible to reduce the pest population while protecting the environment thanks to IPM techniques. Pest control experts, like those at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control, use a variety of natural methods to fight pests, including introducing natural predators or modifying habitats. Your pest control expert understands how to find the right balance of natural and chemical methods to treat any pest control problem and prevent it in a way that keeps families, pets, and the environment safe.

Benefits of IPM

No one can argue that reducing reliance on chemicals and protecting the environment is a positive approach to pest control. IPM provides a full range of benefits for homeowners throughout Central Florida, including:

• Promoting a Balanced Environment. While many homeowners are tempted to completely wipe out an entire pest population, managing them is better for the health of the ecosystem rather than extermination. Pests are a delicate, necessary part of a healthy environment, and the overuse of chemicals can harm animal populations, too.
• Saving Money. IPM is the more cost-effective choice when compared to extermination. By managing pest populations and preventing infestations, rather than calling an exterminator every time the problem returns, you’ll enjoy significant cost savings in the long run.
• Keeping the Family Healthy. IPM never sacrifices the health of living organisms for results. That means it’s a family-friendly approach that’s safe for kids and pets. The IPM specialists at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Orlando understand the right combination of methods for every unique pest population you’re dealing with, without damaging the earth.

LEARN MORE: The Ultimate Seasonal Guide to Florida Pests

Enjoy a Pest-Free Home With the Help of Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Orlando

Ready to implement IPM practices at your property? Trust the IPM experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Orlando for effective pest control that protects your property, your family, and the surrounding environment. We’ll create a comprehensive pest control program that’s customized to your unique needs, so you can enjoy a safer, pest-free home. Call us today at (407) 880-6655 to schedule your free consultation!