All posts by 3 Seasons Lawn & Landscape, Inc.

Pest Control

pest control: why you shouldn’t d.i.y.

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Nowadays there are many jobs around the home that can be handled without professional help, but pest control should not be among your D.I.Y. projects. Here’s why:

THERE’S A BIGGER PICTURE

Most homeowners will only treat what they can see, but the real infestation won’t be advertised. The worst problems tend to be inside walls or hidden underground. Pests like cockroaches , earwigs, and silverfish stay hidden for the most part. You may see one or two crawling around during the day, but they prefer to move in the dark and you may not see where their hiding spaces are.

SAFETY

Knowing which chemicals to use and how they should be applied takes more than a quick Google search. Pesticides are poisons that should be handled with care. Though some pesticides may say they are safe to use, they could still cause health problems when used in excess. Even chemicals that are safe for humans can be deadly for pets.

LESS EFFECTIVE

Pest control chemicals bought from the store won’t be as powerful as those used by exterminators. The most powerful pesticides used by professionals are not available to ordinary consumers. Most of these products require special training and a license to purchase them.

CALL THE EXPERTS

Don’t waste your time or money trying to perform pest control yourself. While there are many measurements that you can take to prevent pests, exterminating them takes a professional. Call 3 Seasons Pest control division for a free estimate on indoor pest control.

(727)847-1553

Spiders

SPIDERS IN THE HOUSE

While spiders may not cause as much damage as other pests will, they can still be a nuisance and sometimes even dangerous.  Some spiders, like the Brown Recluse or Black Widow, are venomous and can pose serious health threats. Others, like the American House Spider, may not be as harmful but that doesn’t mean they’re any more welcome to share your home!

HOW DO I KEEP SPIDERS OUT OF MY HOME?

A good way to prevent spiders from getting into your home is to make sure you don’t have an environment around your house that attracts spiders. Having plants, piles of leaves or wood, old tires, or buckets next to your house makes it more likely that a spider will find its way inside. Sealing holes or cracks in the foundation of your home and making sure doors and windows are closed tightly will also eliminate any entry points for these arachnids.

WILL THEY BITE ME?

Spiders do not feed on humans, they do not see us as prey. Spiders do however use their bite as a defense mechanism, and typically bites will occur due to accidental contact or trapping of the spider. Accidental or not, you don’t want the wrong spider to put his fangs in you so it’s best to keep them all out!

HOW DO I GET SPIDERS OUT OF MY HOME?

Spider elimination/prevention is more successful when done by a professional. Spider control can be tricky, but the first step would be to eliminate their food source. Spiders eat other insects, so having pest control for your home (ridding them of their food supply) makes your home less appealing to them. The good thing is, these pests are not social insects that live in big groups like ants or roaches. If you are spotting webs or spiders in your home, give 3 Seasons Pest Control division a call to set up your free estimate!

727-847-1553

Mosquitos

Mosquito

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Mosquito Season

Summertime is right around the corner and you know what that means: mosquitoes are too. Here’s what you need to know:

Mosquitoes & Water

It’s true that mosquitoes are more common where there is water, and this is due to their attraction to moisture. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs on the surface of any standing water. The eggs will hatch and live on top of the water until they grow to be adults.

The Ectoparasite

Ectoparasite is another name for a female mosquito. Female mosquitoes are the only ones with tube-like mouths that are capable of piercing the skin in order to extract blood. This is called a proboscis, which is so sharp and thin you may not feel when it is inserted. Many people believe it’s the initial “bite” that causes the itching, swelling, and pain but it actually comes from the mosquito’s saliva. Proteins in the saliva trigger a mild immune system reaction that results in the characteristic itching and bumps.

A Mosquitoes Prey

The host in which a mosquito feeds on varies from mammal, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and some fish. The female lands on the skin and inserts her proboscis to begin sucking the blood.  Female mosquitoes use the protein and iron found in blood to produce their eggs. They also feed on water and nectar, just like the male mosquitoes do.

The Dangers Of A Mosquito

Mosquitoes carry deadly diseases such as the Zika virus, Malaria, the West Nile virus, Yellow Fever, and more. These diseases are spread through mosquitoes when they feed on an infected person, and then transfer them to their next meal. They are also transferred when a parasite enters the mosquito’s abdomen and then exits through the proboscis during the next feeding.

Getting Rid of the Bloodsuckers

Treatment requires eliminating sources as well as chemical control products. Eliminating any standing water, keeping weeds trimmed and grass cut low, repellent spray and citronella oil are great ways to keep mosquitoes away on your own. Hiring a pest control company to inspect and identify the exact species of mosquito is highly recommended. Once the inspection and identification are complete, your pest management professional will prepare a mosquito treatment plan that provides recommendations and assistance for both source reduction and necessary chemical product use. Call 3 Seasons today to get an early start on mosquito control!

(727)847-1553

Ants, Common Pests

The Fire Ant Raft

Fire ants, which carry a dangerous sting, are survival experts that can adapt to most conditions and environments. Fire ants make their homes underground that consist of hundreds of passageways and chambers. During heavy rainfall or flooding, their homes are filled with water and the fire ants are forced to evacuate.

After a good rain, have you ever noticed a brown patch floating in the flooded areas? Those are actually fire ants! The ants band together to create rafts that float upon the water until they can reach ground again. The rafts carry all members of a colony including eggs, larvae, queens, winged ants, and works.

Fire ants evolved in the Amazon River floodplains, so they were used to being pushed out their homes during the rainy season. Because of this, the fire ants have come up with a flood drill and it involves sticking together. One fire ant cannot survive on its own, they need each other and a queen to produce offspring for the community.

When the ant’s mounds flood, they escape to the surface and join arms with adjacent ants to float. Their ability to float comes from the “waterproof” wax on the ant’s body. The fire ants actually enjoy the floods, because this is how they get around to new areas.

Keep Your Distance!

These rafts can pose a serious threat to anyone that encounters them though. Once the floating fire ants come in contact with your skin, they immediately begin biting and stinging. These fire ants have become more aggressive due to the flood, so they have about 165% more venom than normal fire ants and can cause serious harm.

If you do ever come across one of these floating ant rafts, it is recommended to stay as far away as possible. If you are looking to destroy these rafts in order to prevent them from moving in close to your home, call your local pest control company to eliminate the problem.

(727)847-1553

Cockroaches, Spiders

Winter Pest Invasion

As many people know, summer is a prime pest season. But that doesn’t mean they go completely inactive during the winter. In fact, pests are more likely to invade your home in order to seek warmth and shelter. Pests are just trying to survive, and your home provides what they need in order to do so. Having an indoor pest control service is important year-round, no matter what the weather is like. Below is some information on the pests that remain active during the winter and what to do if you see them:

Cockroaches

Cockroaches have been around for millions of years and are one of the most adaptable creatures in the world. They can survive year-round if they have access to warm and moist environments. During winter they are not able to reproduce as much as during any other season, so this is a great time to really enforce pest control practices. There are many signs of roaches. Physically seeing one is a sure sign, but if you notice feces or an unpleasant odor in your home then you may have an infestation.

Spiders

Spiders can invade your home at any time of the year. There is no particular time in which they are more common. If you notice a spider or two scurrying around your home during the winter, they likely have been living with you longer than you think. Spiders tend to make homes in your wall voids, attic areas, and other quiet areas. During the winter, they become more sexually active and you may see them coming out of their hiding places in search of a mate.

Ladybugs

Ladybugs like to spend their winters in large groups hibernating in large groups somewhere warm. Often, that warm spot is inside your home. While lady bugs don’t cause any serious damage, they can create two problems. They release a bad-smelling chemical when disturbed or squished, as well as often release a yellow fluid (it’s actually their blood) that can stain walls, floors, and fabrics. Ladybugs are actually a natural pest control in your garden. They eat mealybugs, aphids and other destructive insects too. Living inside your home isn’t where they are the most beneficial, but they do need to hibernate…just not in your home.

Firewood Pests

Heating up your home during the winter is a must. Unfortunately for those of you with a fire place inside your home, bringing in firewood that’s been sitting outside risks bringing in other pests. Insects like termites, stink bugs, and boxelder bugs love to hang out in firewood and will likely hitch a ride in your home when you need to start a blaze.

Not all insects are interested in invading your home though. Some will over winter as eggs or pupa, some will survive beneath the surface of the water. But for those who do seek your home as their winter shelter, call 3 Seasons. We want to keep your home safe this winter from pests, so you can stay cozy and warm without the stress of unwanted guests.

Common Pests

Pantry Pests

What Are Pantry Pests?

If you haven’t encountered them before, pantry pests are critters such as beetles, moths, ants, and earwigs. Though they may not pose an extreme threat, they can still be a major nuisance due to their quick ability to infest an area.

How Do They Get In The Home?

Pantry pests are often brought in through the grocery store. Most likely these pests infested the food during the manufacturing process and were sealed in the packaging. While these packages sit on the shelf, they have time to develop and chew their ways out.

What About Food Contamination?

As mentioned above, most pantry pests do not pose any real threat. Some, however, can contaminate the food from the outside germs they carried in or from their excrement. Pantry pest damage can cause the food to smell and taste bad, and sometimes make people sick.

How Do I Prevent These Pests?

Following these simple food storage and cleaning tips will go a long way in helping prevent a pantry pest infestation in your home:

  1. Keep food in airtight storage.
  2. Avoid adding new food to old food, if old food is already contaminated it can quickly ruin the fresh food.
  3. Regularly clean your pantry shelves and cracks in the cupboard. Pantry pest can get into small cracks and breed, as well as food and crumbs can get down and provide food for these insects.
  4. Clean up any spills right away.
  5. Inspect your groceries. Be sure to check packaging of items -before purchasing- for signs of damage.

While these steps are great for preventing pantry pests, you may discover you already have an infestation on your hands. If this is the case, you may want to hire a professional pest control company such as 3 Seasons Lawn & Pest Control. We will be able to inspect and treat the problem in a timely and successful manor. Give 3 Seasons a call today for your FREE quote!

(727)847-1553