Florida's Hurricane Season brings plenty of summer bugs, humidity, precipitation, and with it...a breeding ground for all kinds of pests.
A breeding ground means a population increase in unwelcome bugs that can pose a danger to your home.
Hurricane Season starts June 1st, and you can take proactive steps to help reduce the risk of an infestation. We have made some suggestions below, but we highly recommend an inspection by an expert technician at Regal Pest Control. It can save you from thousands of dollars in damage to your property.
Contact us today to schedule an on-site evaluation!
STANDING WATER
This is the number one culprit for invasive breeding of mosquitoes, roaches, carpenter ants, and termites. Check your potted plants, bird baths, gutters, and garbage cans for standing water. Be careful not to over-water your lawn and plants. Keep kiddie pools dry and turned upside down when not in use. Foliage too close to the home can collect moisture also. Mosquitoes are known to carry diseases, and they love to lay their eggs wherever there is tepid water. Roaches will use water as a way to avoid direct sunlight and are avid survivors who will thrive in a favorable environment. Ants are drawn by water and wet wood. If you see them in small numbers, it is likely there are plenty more where those came from. Termite control is imperative! They take over when they can make a home out of gutters, downspouts, wet shingles, etc. The amount of damage ant or termite infestations cause can get into the thousands. It’s best to head them off at the pass in advance! Perform a thorough check of your home exterior, and eliminate areas that collect water. To eliminate standing water is to eliminate risk of bugs, potential damage to your home, and health risks to your family.
WEATHER STRIPPING
Check the weather stripping in your doors and windows. Bugs are like us; when the weather gets rough, they seek shelter indoors. Breaches in weather stripping are as good as an unlocked door and welcome sign for insects and spiders of all kinds. Weather stripping is readily available at your local hardware store, a relatively easy Do-It-Yourself fix, and it helps keep your home energy efficient. It’s always best to keep bugs from getting in than to scramble trying to run them out
SHINGLES & ROOFING
Check your roof for loose, missing, and damaged shingles. Shingles not properly secured can be a sign of damage underneath. Wet plywood under an improperly shingled area is an open invitation for termites and ants. Once they eat their way through, they will multiply voraciously and start doing significant damage to attics, crawlspaces, and framing. A properly maintained roof is important during Florida’s most rainy season.
CRACKS & LEAKS
Examine the exterior of your home to locate any cracks in the structure. Pay particular attention to the foundation, as roaches love damp, dark places.. Not only do cracks make an easy entryway for pests, they often lead to leaks, which cause excess moisture, and then the dreaded breeding area begins. Follow up and check the interior walls and ceilings for any discoloration that may be a result of water leaks. It could indicate a structural crack or problem with the roof. The torrential downpour which accompanies a hurricane will only exacerbate any existing problems that may seem minor now. Proactively addressing any issues in these areas will close off easy-access points for bugs on the run from mother nature.
PET FEEDERS & WATER BOWLS
Our furry, family friends need to have fresh water on hand constantly during the summer months. Hydration is important to dogs especially due to their inability to sweat. Keeping their water fresh daily will help reduce breeding areas. When feeding your pets outside, only feed them what they will eat in a sitting. Food left out for casual consumption becomes a tractor beam for hungry bugs and other critters. Cleaning out and replenishing the water bowls regularly not only avoids harvesting stagnant water and mosquito breeding, it also wards off toad invasions. BEWARE, toads have a particularly heavy presence during mating season. Toads emit a toxic milky spray as a defense mechanism which affects a dog’s nervous system instantly. What your dog might find to be a play date can be dangerous, even fatal. A healthy pet is a happy pet, and we think of them as family. We preach a no toad approach to pet ownership. Toads wreak havoc on a rotating fan when they take cover inside of your air conditioning unit. Routine HVAC maintenance and cleaning will help reduce the chance of AC failure at the most broiling time of the year. At night, toads gravitate to bright lighting. Install motion detectors on outdoor floodlights, so they only come on when you need them; darkness helps keep the toads away from your yard. Have toads? No problem! Regal Pest Control are the authority on killing the insects toads love to eat!
WHY DO I NEED PROFESSIONAL PEST CONTROL FOR HURRICANE SEASON?
If you are searching for an exterminator and exploring “pest control near me” options online in September, it’s because preventative measures were overlooked in May. Following our tips for self home inspection and preparation is a great place to start. Regal Pest Control knows exactly what to look for and where to look when it comes to preventative pest control measures before Hurricane Season. Once a problem is identified, a professional evaluation can be made, and a plan of preventative action can be taken to avoid costly headaches in the future. Ongoing education for our technicians makes us renowned in the Florida pest control service industry. Contact us today for a professional Pre-Hurricane Season inspection of your property, and you won’t find yourself bugging out during extreme weather conditions.
Regal Pest Control is a full-service pest elimination company offering outstanding, state-of-the-art pest control service that is guaranteed in Ocala, The Villages, Lady Lake, Leesburg, and all surrounding areas.
Our main office at Regal Pest Control is located in Ocala. You can depend on our trained professionals to efficiently eradicate pests and keep them away from your home or business. The reliable professionals at Regal can not only eliminate termites, roaches and other insects and rodents from your house and lawn, but can keep them away. We have more than 20 years of service.