Impact Pest Elimination Blog

You may have heard that mosquitoes breed in standing water. But there are some pretty surprising water sources you might not have thought about that attract these pests to your lawn. Keep your yard mosquito-free by banishing their favorite meeting spots from your property. Keep it Clean Keeping your lawn clutter-free goes a long way toward preventing mosquitoes. While you may always strive to maintain a neat yard, even the smallest items can allow water to gather and attract these pesky, biting invaders. From a stray bottle cap to your child's plastic toy shovel, water can accumulate in any concave surface and draw mosquitoes. Do a quick check at the end of the day to ensure no stragglers are hiding in the grass. Your gutters are another popular mosquito breeding ground, so clear out debris regularly to prevent standing water. Even Out Your Lawn Water can collect in larger outdoor items...

One reason why drywood termites are so destructive is that they generally leave few signs of their presence. When termites establish themselves in the woodwork of your home, they cover up the entry hole and do not re-emerge until the colony reaches a certain size and there is a swarm of young termites looking for a place to start a new colony. The nest provides the termites with everything that they need to survive except for space for the colony to grow. As the nest starts to fill up with the remnants of digested wood, the termites will clean the nest by pushing out the fecal matter, known as frass, through small holes in the wood. It is these small piles of frass appearing out of nowhere that often provide the first sign of a termite infestation. The Termite Digestive Process: Drywood termites get their nutrition from wood cellulose. The bacteria...

If you're constantly seeing a raccoon on your property, you wouldn't be wrong to assume that it's living with you. Some rodents and insects are a big threat because they can infest and damage your lovely property without drawing attention to themselves. Thankfully, in one way or another, all pests leave behind clues that expose their presence. Some clues, however, are rather ambiguous. That's why your limited knowledge won't suffice. To protect your family and your property from the adverse effects of an infestation, it may be in your best interest to hire a professional pest exterminator when you first notice the following signs. Unexplained Property Damage If you know that your well-behaved pet didn't create those gnaw marks on your window sills or furniture, the culprit might be termites. Termites crave cellulose, the substance inside wood and plants. Although these critters are small, there are hundreds of thousands of them...

The heat turns up a notch as spring arrives in the Sunshine State, waking up winter pests and getting them ready for the humid seasons ahead. Florida is home to many different pest insects, including several species of rodents. As residences expand into the surrounding environment, people encounter more insects and rodents in their homes. If you want to get a head-start on overcoming infestations, Impact has a few pests for you to keep an eye on this spring. 3 Spring Pests in Florida Termites Termites are some of the most destructive pests in the world. They feed on cellulose within wood fibers, which makes most any wooden structure a food source. They not only consume the wood; they also build their colonies within it. Therefore, as they feed on a wooden structure, they're continuing to build and to expand their colony. Roaches American cockroaches thrive in Florida thanks to the...

Even though bees are crucial for the ecosystem around your home, having a nest or two on your property can be dangerous. Wasps are even more dangerous than that, yet they are also beneficial to the environment. Still, anyone who finds a nest of any kind of stinging insect should consult with a professional to determine what to do. In some cases, nests of stinging insects can be relocated. In others, this is not possible. It is never a good idea either to decide if a nest can be moved or to try to move it yourself without the aid of a professional. These insects can exude a series of odors that are undetectable to human beings. These odors are called pheromones. Think of them as a secret code that transmits messages undetectable to us. One of these pheromones can cause an entire nest to attack what can be perceived as...

In most parts of the world, ants are more of an annoyance than a pest. Across the globe, there are more than 10,000 different ant species. Ants are clever creatures and durable. They are also fascinating. Here are a few surprising facts about ants. Ants are Incredibly Strong Ants are stronger than you might think. The bugs are able to carry much more than their own body weight. In fact, they have the strength to carry from 10 to 50 times their weight. The amount that they can carry is based on the species. For instance, if you run into an Asian weaver ant, it can lift about 100 times its own body mass. The small size of an ant is why the bugs are able to carry so much more than their body weight. They can also generate more force due to their muscles featuring a greater cross-section area compared...

Your lawn says a lot about your home. A clean, well-maintained lawn is the envy of the neighborhood and an inviting visual from the curbside. When brown patches and bald spots show up, your grass turns from inviting to drab and unappealing. It's important to treat the problem right away to prevent the damage from spreading throughout your property. 3 Things to Do When Treating Turf Pests Inspect the damage. Do you have patches of dead, brown grass? Is the grass completely gone in some spots, leaving only dirt behind? Are the grass blades yellowing or spotted? You'll have to inspect the damage thoroughly to understand what you're up against. Certain pests cause specific damage. If you're unsure how to identify the problem, it's a good idea to talk with a professional pest control technician for some advice. Identify the pests. Some pests attack your lawn from below the ground while...

Rodents are sneaky by nature, coming out mostly at night to scrounge for food in the kitchen when you're fast asleep. These pests can hide in the most obvious and not so obvious places in your home. No matter where they're hiding, they should be found right away to prevent spreading diseases and fleas throughout your living areas. 4 Common Rodent Hiding Places Crawlspaces The area beneath your home serves as a shelter for many different pests, from insects to rodents. Mice and rats will build their nests in crawlspaces and use open spaces as small as 1.75 mm to enter your home in search of food. Once they get inside, they may relocate their nests to a warmer or cooler part of the indoors depending on the season. Attics An attic is a long way above the ground, but the distance doesn't stop opportunistic rodents from seeking these out-of-the-way spaces....

Termites are tiny enough to go unnoticed, but they are one of the biggest external threats that you'll have to face. These insects gained their notoriety by wreaking havoc on homes and businesses in an insidious fashion. Because they live and work together, they are able to destroy wooden structures rather quickly. The time frame can be as short as a couple of months. Therefore, whether it's a large or small termite infestation, it needs to be eliminated immediately. Here are two reasons you should take action now: Lowers Your Home Value Termites are very relentless and resourceful. When they move in with you and get comfortable, they will waste no time with building a new colony because their prime objective is to expand their size. Unfortunately, termites build colonies that will deface your home in one way or another. Drywood termites will hollow out just about any wooden structure to...

A wide variety of household pests can create chaos in homes across America each year. Finding the presence of these insects or other types of pests can be very troublesome. It's no big surprise that the majority of homeowners want to take care of these pests promptly. However, some types of bugs such as cockroaches may not be easy to detect due to their particular patterns of behavior. Why are cockroaches problematic and how can you recognize a possible infestation? We will address these questions in more detail below. Why are Cockroaches Problematic? While not all pests pose serious threats to humans, cockroaches are not well liked for several reasons. For starters, cockroaches tend to infiltrate the food supply of the homes that they infest. Since they are unclean insects, you would not want to consume any food that has been contaminated by cockroaches. This can lead to a great deal...

When you see a cockroach in the home, your first instinct will likely be to kill it so that there aren't other roaches inside. While they aren't all that pleasant to look at, there are some facts about roaches that are somewhat odd and interesting. If you kill a roach, make sure it's crushed completely. Roaches can live for about a week with the head missing. Roaches have small holes on the sides of their bodies that they breathe through. This means that they don't need a nose or mouth for them to breathe. The roach will die because it doesn't have a way to eat or drink. You've probably seen roaches scurry along the floor or other surfaces in the home at a high rate of speed. Most roaches can race along at three miles an hour. Since they run so fast, they can often spread bacteria and germs in...

Admittedly, the word "pests" doesn't connote benefits. However, certain insects have merits for us and our environment. In fact, scientists have identified 29 helpful bugs. 1* Here's a look at some critters and their life-giving attributes. Impressive Credentials If a beneficial bug were to write up its resume, here are some abilities it might profess: pollination decomposing matter ingesting bugs that harm food sources creating useful byproducts controlling insect populations increasing crop yields 2* Below are eight hardworking insects, including some that sustain our very lives. Spider This insect consumes several types of pesky bugs, including aphids, caterpillars, mosquitoes, mealybugs, roaches, flies, earwigs, fleas, mites, moths, centipedes, and whiteflies. Spiders spare farm crops from obliteration by other pests. In fact, if spiders became extinct, our lives would be endangered by famine. Ladybug This beetle feeds on aphids, mites, mealybugs, whiteflies, and Colorado potato beetles. Both adults and larvae have voracious appetites....

If you would like to treat your winter home for pests but don’t know how to get started, you are probably searching for answers that will point you down the right path. Insects, rodents and other invaders can get into your home and cause damage if you don’t take steps to stop them. They can contaminate your food and create other health issues that you will need to avoid. If rodents get into your walls without detection, they can chew on your wires and create a fire hazard, and some people won’t know about the problem until it’s too late to prevent it. Luckily, you can do many things when you want to safeguard your home, and the following information will help. Pest Prevention Learning how to prevent pests from taking over your home is the No. 1 way to keep yourself in the clear. When you are ready to begin,...

One of the things that you might enjoy about the fall season is a pumpkin on the front porch and the fond memories of carving your favorite jack o’ lantern. There are other things that like your pumpkins too, such as rats, squirrels and a variety of insects. Now that you have handpicked the perfect pumpkin, how do you protect it?  Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can keep these pests and others away from your pumpkins so that you can enjoy them longer than a few days. One way to keep pests from gnawing on your pumpkins and to keep them from rotting as quickly is to coat the outside with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. Hairspray or acrylic finish spray also works to keep pests from biting the outside of the pumpkin. Keep your pumpkin in a dry shaded area as sun and rain exposure will...

Like most creatures, rodents will be seeking refuge from the winter’s cold weather. Your home naturally becomes a major attraction for these annoying pests. The warmer indoor temperatures and abundance of food are simply too irresistible. Here are some tips to help deter rodents from invading your residence. Seal Points of Entry These critters can contort their body to fit into some extremely tiny openings. Even a dime-sized hole enables a mouse to quietly slip into your home. Once a rodent gets inside, it is only a matter of time before an infestation occurs. The best approach is to carefully inspect your home for cracks and gaps. You can use caulk or silicon to fill in the open spaces. Keep Food Covered Rodents are constantly on the prowl to find reliable food sources. Crumbs will certainly lure rodents to your kitchen and bedroom. Develop a habit of keeping your residence as...

Labor Day is the last big bang for summer celebrations, but the lazy days of summer also bring with them a full range of outdoor pests that you don't necessarily want to hang out with when you're grilling burgers and steaks with your family and friends. While eating outdoors will never be quite as comfortable as your contained kitchen table, you can take steps to keep bugs at bay at your barbecue. Flies One of the biggest nuisances at summer barbecues is flies. Before your outdoor event, look for areas that may already be attracting these pests. Empty garbage, clear debris and clean up after your animals. You will also want to manage both food and garbage carefully during the afternoon. Keep all garbage cans covered to avoid swarming, and keep lids on serving containers when you aren't handing out food. Finally, a slight breeze seems to keep flies at bay,...

If you're battling pests inside or around your home, you don't need another headache brought on by an unreliable exterminator. You need a dependable pest control company that will protect your family while eradicating every type of pest. Since 1985, we've earned loyal customers by offering professional, knowledgeable and thorough services to customers in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Pasco and surrounding areas. At Impact Pest Elimination, our licensed staff members offer the best solutions to pest infestations. Our services are effective, and they solve the problem quickly so that you can resume your life without worrying about insects and rodents or the effects of harsh treatments. We concentrate on achieving desirable results without negatively impacting your property or Florida's sensitive ecosystem. Our technicians use industry-leading pest control methods to achieve superior outcomes while reducing our environmental impact. Our business philosophy emphasizes the importance of responsible, EPA-compliant use of all products so that...

If you want to protect yourself and your home from carpenter ants, you are likely searching for answers so that you can reach your desired outcome. You will first need to learn about these insects, the things that attract them and what to do about the problem. Certain conditions increase the risk of carpenter ant activity, and you don't want to ignore the threat. The choices that you make now will play a role in your ability to combat the issue in the future, and you must never take shortcuts. You will soon have the knowledge that you need to choose the right path with confidence, giving you peace of mind. The Danger Even though learning about the dangers that carpenter ants present is a smart move for those who want to avoid unneeded risks, some people opt to ignore the threat. Instead of consuming it, the pests displace the wood...

If you enjoy hiking, jogging or any outdoor activity, you have likely encountered bees at some point. While most bees will not attack you unless you provoke them, killer bees take things to a new level. Their aggression has earned them the attention of various movies, and you will want to avoid these stinging insects at all costs. Since many myths surround these pests, a lot of people are left searching for answers, and you have come to the right place if you can relate to their quest. You are about to discover where they come from and how they behave. The History of Killer Bees In the 1950s, researchers created a hybrid between African and Western honey bees to increase pollination, but it did not turn out as they had hoped. The bees escaped from captivity and spread faster than anyone thought possible, making their way to the United States...

With summer on the horizon, it's time to start planning your vacation. Whether you're thinking about a week-long stay nearby on the coast or an out-of-state adventure, nothing beats taking some time off work and enjoying rest and relaxation with your family. Getting away from it all and spending a few nights in a hotel may seem like a dream, but it can turn into a nightmare when bed bugs strike. These blood-sucking pests have made a comeback and want to ruin your vacation. Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite The bed bug situation has gotten worse lately, prompting new laws for landlords in New York City. Travelers across the globe have encountered these pests in hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels and other lodgings. However, the problems don't stop once you leave an infested hotel room. Because bed bugs climb into luggage and cling to clothing, they hitchhike back home with...