If I asked people in general to name the one one pest that afflicts their home, I think it would be roaches. So what is it about roaches that makes them a up close pest within our homes? Basically these roaches have adapted well to humans and they will eat anything we eat. Cockroaches are among the hardiest insects on the planet.

Cockroaches typically become established in homes after being introduced in grocery bags, with laundry or, in some cases, wandering in from outdoors. Once cockroaches become established they are prolific breeders capable of producing several thousand offspring in a year.

Cockroaches prefer to live where there is food, warmth & moisture. Since cockroaches flourish where food and moisture are readily available, sanitation is an important step in prevention and control. Empty soft drink bottles, cardboard boxes and paper bags should not be allowed to accumulate. Food containers should be sealed and any crumbs or spillage cleaned up, along with any grease that accumulates around the stove area.  I also suggest that you pull out the stove and refrigerator yearly and clean the area, including the fan motor. If you are going to store food items, I prefer to freeze them and then seal them in food containers.

If you notice one roach react quickly because they are breeding machines. Don’t just let it go because one roach may become several roaches quite quickly. The German cockroach produces more eggs and has more generations per year (three to four) than other roaches.

-Sheva

Mosquitoes carry west nile virus

Since 2000, 490 human cases and 37 deaths from West Nile Virus have been reported.

Mosquitoes usually are considered a nuisance pest, but occasionally they can transmit viruses to people and some animals. These viruses can cause illness and even death. While your chances of being infected with a disease through a mosquito bite are very small, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of being bitten.

There are no human vaccines for West Nile Virus. Prevention of mosquito bites is the most important way to reduce your risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Take the following steps to protect yourself:

Cover your skin as completely as possible when outside when mosquitoes are present and active. Wear long sleeves, pants and socks.
Use insect repellent on exposed skin and follow label directions.
Make sure there are screens in your home’s windows and doors. Make sure the screens are free of rips, tears and holes.
Eliminate all standing water on around your home and property where mosquitoes can breed.

Most peoples’ reaction to the affirmation that they have a termite infestation at their home or place of business is usually a sense of shock and fear. Rightfully so! Termites cause more damage to home than fires, hurricanes and floods combined. In Florida, colonies of termites are usually in-ground, with foraging done by way of mud tubes into structures or other wood sources. Colonies can have hundreds of thousands of termites and several separate colonies(satellite) may be near to feed on a single home. Swarming termites (alates) which consists of hundreds of alates are usually what the customer first notices as the true sign of an infestation. There are many different types of termites and many of them are found right here in Florida. Whether it is Subterranean Termites or Drywood Termites, at Knockout Pest Elimination we use the most up to date technology including termite detection systems to pinpoint a colony’s location and eradicate it. The field of termite elimination consists of a great amount of information and treatment options. Call us today to find out which is best suited for you.

Please keep in mind that a home’s value can fluctuate significantly depending on the curb appeal of the home. Nothing brings more home value than a beautiful healthy green lawn and well maintained landscaping. The biggest problem jeopardizing your home’s curb appeal is outdoor pest invasion. Pests can damage your lawn and landscape if left untreated. Fire ants, fleas, and ticks can be unsafe for your children and pets.

Knockout Pest can offer you nuisance pest control services like mosquito management programs, year around fire ant control and drought stress management services. We can also keep the inside of your home free of nuisance pests from the outside with our proven outdoor pest control methods. We are trained in exterior pest control solutions to deliver timely and effective outdoor pest treatments.

Contact us today at 904-739-2989 for more information.

Flies: These pests can walk upside down on ceilings and on glass surfaces. They may carry a wide range of diseases including food poisoning bacteria.

Ants: These pests often enter houses in search of food. Ant nests are often located on lawns, in warm, dry soil and under paving – look for finely powdered soil

Wasps: Wasps can be a real problem in your garden and they often enter houses through open windows. Wasp stings can be very dangerous. Large wasp nests can contain over 25,000 wasps and can be found in lofts: wall cavities, trees, bushes and underground.

Mice: These pests like to nest indoors in warm, tight spaces. They are prevalent in attics. Mice like to nibble on household objects and particularly enjoy cereals.

Rats: These pests prefer to live outdoors. Signs of infestation include teeth marks in electric and telephone cables, which may lead to a fire hazard. Rats can also spread diseases.

Spiders: These pests are harmless but nevertheless often feared. They can be beneficial as they eat flies and mosquitoes in the home.

Moths: Common Clothes Moths can be a real nuisance in the home. They lay sticky eggs on natural clothing. Their white caterpillar larvae do the damage by eating clothes, carpets and upholstery. They can be very destructive.

Woodlice: These pests are harmless but often seen as a nuisance. They eat leaves and rotting wood and may enter houses.

Bedbugs: These pests can be found in cracks, crevices and under carpets. They feed on human blood and are very difficult to control.

Cockroaches: These pests like to live in warm houses, kitchens and wall cavities. They often come out after dark, feeding on any type of food and they may carry diseases.