Usually, when we think of outdoor lights, we imagine mid-summer nights with pesky bugs crowding under them.  But did you know that the type of outdoor light you choose can determine whether or not you're attracting bugs? It's true. There are a few different types of outdoor lights that you can use to prevent pests from coming into or near your home.  To prevent pests, you want to think about the heat and brightness of the light emitted.  The less heat and brightness coming from your lights, the less likely bugs will be gathering around them. Bugs, in particular, love UV light. Consider these outdoor lights if you want to prevent pests. 1. Yellow Bug Bulbs Because yellow emits a longer wavelength, it's hard for insects to see.  That's why bug lights produce a yellow light, which doesn't attract bugs as much as other colors of light. If you're looking to...

Pests can be destructive in many ways. They can destroy crops, damage buildings and spread diseases. When it comes to buildings, the most destructive pests are carpenter ants, cockroaches, rodents (mice and rats) and termites. 1. Carpenter Ants. Carpenter ants are large, black ants that make their nests in dead or decaying trees, stumps, logs, branches and fence posts. They can also inhabit buildings if they have exposed wood. When carpenter ants enter a living tree to find food, they tunnel into the phloem layer or nutrient layer of the bark. Destroying the leaves on the inside layer of a tree can lead to its overall weakening and dying. When carpenter ants are in buildings, they can destroy structural timbers and electrical wiring. They are considered a nuisance pest because of the damage they cause to trees and buildings. Got a carpenter ant catastrophe on your hands? Call Orange Environmental Services...

As warm-blooded mammals, humans provide the ideal environment for many bugs to live in.  Our body temperature is around 98.6 degrees F (37 C), and when you factor in all our warmth combined with the moisture coming off of our skin, it's no wonder that pests find homes in buildings where people live.  Here are five reasons why pests will enter your home. 1. Your House Provides Them With Food. Pests need food to survive. Good news for them: they have a lot of options in your home. Bugs need to eat just like you and me, only their food of choice is different. Bugs aren't usually after people, but more likely your leftovers or even book bindings. Other bugs want plants from your garden or houseplants.  Yet some bugs, like fleas, will eat household pets. Pests are eating you right now...in the form of biting insects called mites! Mosquitoes, fleas...

No matter what your personal opinion on insects is, the last thing you want is for you or your family to be subjected to a harmful one.  Identifying the dangerous insects can be difficult unless you’re a professional or a very well-informed hobbyist. To help out those of you who aren’t either one of those, we’re here to help.  Orange Environmental Services has been helping the area since 1972, and with all that experience, we’ve come across more insects than most. So without further ado, here’s how to know if an insect poses a risk to you.  Harmful Insects There are a good amount of harmful insects that you should be aware of, and since they pose a threat to you, we’ll start listing them first. Bees & Wasps It shouldn’t be any surprise that these have made the list. They often find a comfortable place to build their home in...

With the holidays on the horizon, homeowners need to be mindful of potential pest infestations. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s can take a toll on your house and make it difficult to keep your space clean. Constant meals, parties and more can cause trash to accumulate rapidly. Luckily, we're here to help keep you informed and protected from all potential pest invasions. Keep reading to learn more about the do’s and don’ts of keeping your home pest-free this holiday season! Do’s The best way to prevent infestations is to prepare. Make sure you’re taking steps to clear out all trash and clutter from your home. Pick up any leaf piles in your yard or driveway and trim plants or vegetation that grows near the exterior of your home. Inspect your pipes for any leaks and get rid of any standing water inside your house. If you have pets, keep their food...

As the winter months approach, rodents will be looking for new places to nest down and outlast the cold. They need a place that will provide them with food, water, and shelter from the elements. Because they need these factors to survive, they’ll stop at nothing to find a good place to camp. Unfortunately, your home provides the perfect spot for them to live. As a homeowner, keeping your property safe is of the utmost importance. Preventing rodent infestations requires preparation and a thorough understanding of how to stop pest problems before they get out of hand. Keep reading to learn about how rodents get into your home and what you can do to stop them.  How Do Rodents Get Into Your Home? Mice and rats primarily enter houses by squeezing themselves through cracks in the walls, ceilings, and foundation of your home. Because of their size and flexibility, they have...

Lots of pests are highly active during warm months and then go into hiding during the fall. These pests do not die off but instead hibernate until next summer when they can return and begin feeding and populating again. Here are some examples of pests that hide during the fall. Ticks About twenty percent of ticks die off every fall when the weather gets cold. The rest of the ticks either burrow down into the ground and create their nests for the winter season, or they find hosts and live in or on them for the season. Ticks can live in the ground for months at a time, and the snow can actually help them stay warm, as it provides the ground with insulation. Ticks love deer and other warm-blooded animals, so lots of ticks will burrow into their fur to remain warm during the cold. Ticks are not very active...

Termites can ruin any new homeowner’s day. Buying a house here in Northeastern Florida is an expensive and important decision. So why wouldn’t you want to get it inspected for termites before buying? It's important to be sure that the home you purchase is healthy and in good shape before you hand over any cash. Termite infestations can cost you both mentally and financially if you are not careful.  A common question we get here at Orange Environmental Services is, “Should You Have a Termite Inspection Done Before Buying a House?” Our answer is always the same: YES! Let’s take a look at some reasons why your potential new home needs a termite inspection. Why Get a Termite Inspection Done Before Buying a House? To identify that a termite problem exists in the first place The homeowners of Florida usually consider termite inspections to be an afterthought in the buying process....

When you have a pest problem, you likely want to take care of it right away. Like a lot of people, you head down to your local store and purchase whatever you see on the shelf. Here at Orange Environmental Solutions , we get asked about pest control methods everyday. This article will explain which pest control methods work best for certain situations and which benefits you best. DIY Pest Control  DIY methods are effective in certain situations. But, using the wrong method will make the situation worse. Unfortunately, this happens more than we care to admit. For example, products that kill ants might not be effective against termites or wasps.  Professional Pest Control Credible pest control companies know which type of pest control measure to take for any situation they are presented with. They will have a plan to not only get rid of the current problem, but one to...

If you’re a resident of Florida, silverfish are probably a familiar sight. If you’re not familiar with silverfish, consider yourself lucky. Contrary to what you might think, silverfish aren’t actually fish. They’re an insect and one of the most common household pests here in Florida. Silverfish feed on a variety of home items from sugars and grains to fabric and fibers. They often inhabit your closet, drawers and kitchen.  Named after its silvery and light gray exterior, the silverfish is a small anthropoid that enters your home in search of food. They can be anywhere from half an inch to a full inch long. Silverfish are relatively harmless, but they can be annoying once they enter your home . Silverfish are also an indicator of how many small-sized entry points exist in your home. Set Traps  Placing silverfish traps around your home is one of the easiest ways to stem an...

First impressions begin before guests and prospective clients even meet you. The front of your business or home and your front lawn are what prospective eyes see and judge first. A well-maintained, manicured lawn speaks volumes about your pride in your home or business.  Orange Environmental Sevices offers a wide range of services to meet your needs—big and small. Even better, we follow the State of Florida Best Management Practices to help protect our precious water supply. Our list of services is highly customizable to suit whatever your needs may be. Aeration We offer lawn aeration to keep your soil loose so that your lawn grows thick and healthy. Our rainstorms here in Jacksonville can nourish lawns only if they have a pathway to the roots. Our lawn experts are versed in all types of grass grown in our area. They will find that Goldilocks amount of thatch that isn’t too...

We live in a virtual paradise that brings the world to our doorsteps. Our area not only attracts vacationers but also, unfortunately, bothersome pests during the hot, humid summer months . Today, we’ll take a closer look at the pests that are most common in our area in the summertime.  Chinch Bugs Though they are almost invisible, chinch bugs are a considerable irritant. They feed on wheat and cornfields that grow during the summer months as well as backyards. They have small black bodies and silver wings that measure about four millimeters. Chinch bugs often cause damage along driveways and sidewalks and to crops as well. A chinch bug invasion is likely to present if and when you see yellow or brown patches in fields or landscapes. Cockroaches Cockroaches are an enemy to any home due to their association with waste and many diseases. Roaches love heat and thrive in tropical,...

If you’re a property owner, there’s a good chance that the thought of termites fills you with dread. It’s difficult to say how quickly termites cause damage, but scientists estimate a mature colony can consume over ten pounds of wood in a month. Because many people don’t realize they have termites until the structural damage is apparent, that adds up quickly. To help identify termites before it’s too late, you need to know what they look like and where they live. Appearance There are 21 species of termites found in Florida , six of which are invasive. Some of the termite species found here aren’t pests, but others have the potential to cause a great deal of damage.  Luckily, most termite species look similar, so you don’t need to worry about the details when identifying them. Most termites are relatively small, between a quarter and a half of an inch long....

With spring quickly approaching, it is time to start thinking about getting your lawn prepped for the season. Without proper maintenance, your lawn will suffer. Our experts here at Orange Environmental Services field a lot of calls about how to best take care of their lawns as warmer weather approaches. Read on to find out how to prepare your lawn for spring. Get Your Lawn Cleaned Up Making sure your lawn is clear of last year’s debris is essential. Clearing up any leaves, sticks and other materials ensures your lawn has a chance to breathe. Your grass will be able to absorb more sunlight and grow faster.  Mulch serves a dual purpose if you add it back to your lawn, as your grass can absorb additional nutrients from it. Add mulch around any plants or bushes that border your yard or home. Maintaining proper yard maintenance will keep your yard looking...

While domestic mice and rats may make excellent pets for some, the damage a rodent infestation can cause to a property is utterly jaw-dropping. So what is the difference between rats and mice? Are they the same? Rats are not giant mice, just as gorillas are not simply large chimpanzees. Quite a lot sets mice apart from rats. Droppings When trying to determine which of the two are giving you problems, one quick way to spot the difference is in their droppings. Mouse droppings are smaller with pointed ends, and mice leave their poop everywhere they visit. Rat droppings, on the other hand, are more banana-shaped, larger and found in a waste area designated by the animal(s). Both rodents’ droppings can contaminate the area and, when dried, may cause allergic reactions and irritation in asthma sufferers. Size Adult mice have bodies about three to four inches long (tail not included) and...

Due to Florida’s warm climate, many residents think that they do not have to winterize their lawns. This is false, as there is still lawn care that should be done to maintain a healthy yard. Temperatures still drop during the winter in Florida, which can be damaging to grass. Here are four Florida winter lawn care tips so you can maintain a healthy lawn .  1. Keep Grass Tall People in colder climates often mow their grass to an extremely short height to prepare for winter. In Florida’s warm climate, you should avoid this practice. Leaving your grass a little bit taller during the winter will protect the roots from the cold weather, in which case less grass will die during the season. If roots are protected, you will have more green grass in the spring when the cold months are over.  2. Do not Fertilize Lawn experts recommend that you...

The warm temperatures of Florida create the perfect climate for pests. Unlike places with a cooler climate, Florida is a place where pests can live year-round. You may have already seen the most common pests in Florida right in your own backyard. Here are a few of Florida’s pests that our experts at Orange Environmental commonly service.  Fire Ants  Fire ants are, as their name suggests, red, and quite aggressive once they infest an area. In Florida, these ants are usually found in open fields and lawns since they like to nest in dry, sunny locations. They create round nests that look like mounds in the ground, which can grow as tall as three feet high. Fire ant colonies can have up to 250,000 workers! These ants are known for stinging intruders that come to their nests. If you see fire ants anywhere near your home, call an exterminator right away. ...

In most cases, termites are the type of pest to show themselves at many different points in time before you have major damage issues. The key is knowing the signs of termites, where to look and what to look for based on how the pests behave and what their infestations look like or leave behind. A pest control professional is a great investment in your home, because services like those from  Orange Environmental Services  are able to perform regular pest checks and prevention services, including a termite inspection. These are some of the areas of your home or building to search for signs of termites based on where  termites  are known to infest. Cracks and Crevices  The most common way for a termite to enter your home is through cracks in the foundation or parts of your structure that is rotting. A termite infestation can be detrimental to your home structure...

Lawn care in Jacksonville is incredibly important. The humid climate and regular rain throughout the year can make it a hassle to keep up with your lawn care. If you don’t have the time to take care of your lawn on your own, here are our top 5 lawn care services that you should have.   1) Lawn Mowing, Edging, and Blowing Your lawn is often one of the first impressions you make with your home. With all of the rain that we get in this Floridian climate, grass can grow quickly. Don’t let your lawn get out of control and convey to your neighbors and visitors that you just don’t care what your lawn looks like. We offer a variety of lawn mowing services so that you can have the attractive lawn of your dreams. Whether you prefer to schedule one-time mowings when you need them or join our program...

Earwigs are a pest that can cause serious damage to the plants in your garden and home. They are quick, nocturnal insects that can be difficult to spot. The following are some ways to protect your plants from earwigs . Identifying an Earwig Infestation Earwigs are small, reddish-brown insects that have appendages at their tail-end. Their primary diet consists of dead plant material and decaying wood, but they will also eat live fruit, vegetables and plants. They lay eggs in underground tunnels, and can often be found hiding under pots. They may look intimidating due to their pincers, but they’re completely harmless to humans. If you notice holes in the leaves of your plants, this is a major sign of an earwig infestation. If left unchecked, they will cause significant damage to your garden. Protecting Your Plants There are several effective methods of protecting your plants from an earwig infestation. Avoid...