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...

Even though Florida is known for its beautiful temperatures, white sandy beaches, and flawless tans throughout the year, it is still important to make sure that residents and snowbirds alike, give your lawns as much time, attention, and TLC as the photo friendly scenery along the Florida coastline gets. Here are a few tips for Florida lawn care before, and during the winter months. Pre-Winter Lawn Prep Depending on where you are located in Florida, your winter lawn care plan may vary. There is one constant, that will ensure your beautifully landscaped lawn returns after the winter months, which is make sure to have your lawn fertilization treatments completed during the fall. The best time to take care of this pre-winter prep is during September through early October. This gives your lawn ample amount of time to develop healthy root systems and store enough food reserves to maintain strength during the...

How much moisture a house or apartment has often corresponds to how much it serves as a home to pests. In fact, keeping places like attics and basements relatively dry is one of the best ways to combat nearly every single type of pest. So with the Fall coming up, will that raise or lower your moisture levels? Here is how the chillier weather affects humidity and what you need to know about moisture to keep yourself pest free . How Does the Fall Affect the Humidity? In some ways, Fall weather can increase your humidity, and in other ways it does the reverse. For instance, the cold can dry up an area because when cold air from the outside hits warm air, it will try to reach equilibrium by sucking the water out of our lips and skin. That’s why we sometimes feel chapped in the cold. On the other...

As the temperatures start to drop in fall, rodents start seeking shelter inside people’s homes, and nothing can spoil a fantastic autumn season than having to contend with rodents that are running around the house. But, there are ways you can combat this issue by taking a few proactive steps. Do not Neglect the Outside of the House To truly keep rodents at bay, your first line of defense is the outside of your house. Start by sealing any cracks and holes on the exterior of your home. Pay particular attention to areas where utilities and pipes enter the house. Also, keep your firewood a safe distance from the house. Rodents like to hide in wood plies and if you have one too close to the house, it will be quite easy for one or more to make its way into the house. Seal Your Doors and Windows Rodents can sneak...

Nobody wants to have an infestation in their home. A quick stroll down the aisle in any home improvement store will find shelf after shelf of do-it-yourself remedies made to help keep your home pest-free -- and yet, they still manage to find a way in. But is it possible to keep pests out of your house? Yes, it is. With the right knowledge and precautions you can make your home pest-free and keep it that way. Here are four tips from the experts: Seal up the Cracks ... The first thing you need to do is make sure bugs and rodents can’t get in from the outside. Even the smallest openings are big enough to let critters in, so finding and sealing up holes and cracks that can let them in is the first and most important step. … Even on the Inside Once they find a way in, the...

Choosing the right pest control professional can be difficult. With so many companies basically all saying the same thing, it can be hard to weed through the rhetoric to find out what’s truly important about a company and how it does business. One thing that can make it easier, though, is knowing the right questions to ask. As you begin the process of looking for the perfect pest control service , here are five questions that you need to ask: Are They Licensed, Bonded and Insured? Any company that works with potentially dangerous chemicals needs to be licensed and insured to help protect clients against possible hazards. This process involves proper training to make sure exterminators know how to use these products safely. If a pest control company can’t produce documentation that its technicians have been trained and insured against unforeseen accidents, steer clear of them! Can You Get a Quote...

The Dangers of Mosquitoes Attracted to stagnant bodies of water, mosquitoes are tiny, flying insects that are most well-known for their buzzing and biting. Though only females bite people, there are still enough of them to be plenty irritating. Aside from the itchy bump that a bite can produce, are there any real dangers of mosquitoes? Typical Symptoms of Mosquito Bites Though the aforementioned bump is the most common sign of a bite, there are a few other symptoms that could arise: spots that resemble bruising, blisters or swelling or redness. Children or others with compromised immune systems can also experience hives, gland swell or a small fever. Generally, the body acclimates to bites and symptoms reduce to only the bump. In cases of allergy, bites may cause anaphylaxis. Severe Complications Mosquitoes are known to carry several severe diseases which can be transmitted to humans. Some of the most common include:...

Every year, termites cause homeowners over 5 billion dollars. One in every five homes in your area is infested with termites. They can go months to years without being detected until it is too late, and you suffer severe damage to your home. If you know what you are looking for, you may be able to observe signs of an infestation before it gets to that point. To know what to look for, try to recognize these signs of a termite infestation: Damaged Wood Termites and wood go hand-in-hand. Wood is food for termites, and they love your flooring, walls and ceiling beams. There are a few things you can look for on your wood, such as dark discolorations, scars, holes, and blisters surrounded by sawdust. If there are no visible signs on your wood, then you can take a tool, such as a screwdriver or a hammer, and gently tap...

Any homeowner who has ever had a pest infestation in their house will tell you that it’s no easy task to get your clean again. No matter what tricks and methods you try, it seems like there’s always a few pesky bugs that survive -- and those few stragglers soon turn back into another full-blown insect-led assault on your house. So, why do so many homeowners fail when it comes to eradicating pests ? Here are some reasons: Not Addressing the Real Problem Many people fail to realize that an infestation is often a sign of bigger problems afoot. Sure, the bugs made it into your house, but why are they staying there? Most likely there’s a source of food or water that they have access to -- and you might not even be aware of it. Or, you might not be doing the best job of cleaning up after yourself....

Summer is arguably the best season of the year. Between the wonderful weather, kids being out of school and long days, there is little to not like about summer. The one blemish on this otherwise fantastic season is the onslaught of mosquitoes, as they have been known to put a damper on many wonderful summertime activities. But since, we must take the bad with the good, here is everything you need to know about mosquitoes this summer. Lifespan of Mosquitoes Mosquitoes only need a few inches of standing water in which to breed. Once they find a water source, they lay their eggs. Within three days, the eggs turn into adult mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can live as long as 10 weeks. How to Prevent Mosquito Bites Mosquitoes are hated because of their bites. Unfortunately, there are only four ways to prevent mosquitoes from biting you: Using products that contain DEET. Using products...

Pest can appear in the home unexpectedly. From cockroaches to ants to mice, pests come in all shapes, sizes and behaviors, but they all have common goals: food, warmth and shelter. Truth be told, pests are very dependent on human life, as humans provide the necessities they need to thrive. But here, we will show you fundamental techniques for how to prevent these pests from entering the home. Keep the House Clean Clean and vacuum your home regularly so that pests do not detect a lot of food. It is important that you leave no crumb left unswept. Keep the kitchen area clean, don’t leave dirty dishes out or snack bags open, and throw away drink bottles. As soon as pets like ants can sense food nearby, they will waste no time to settle in and around your home to start scavenging. Regularly cleaning the house should keep away most pests,...

Unless you live in Antarctica, most places on earth are going to have some types of pests that cause you trouble . However, environments that are especially hot  and humid are particularly prone to infestations. There are numerous species of pests in these climates that wreak havoc on our lives. Here are some to look out for if you find yourself in an area with a higher temperatures and humidity. Cockroaches Cockroaches are one of the world most common pests anywhere. However, considering how much they require warmth and moisture, you find them in droves in hot and humid environments. If they can’t find natural heat or humidity, they’ll improvise by sneaking around boiler rooms or under water heaters where they’ll be able to survive and reproduce. Either way, you can get the edge on them by drying up any puddles that build up in these areas and investing in a...

Other than termites, there is probably no home invader that is more feared or loathed then rats. This hatred isn’t without good reason. Just one single rat can cause massive amounts of damage to your home as it goes through and chews on your wires, your fabrics, your pipes and just about anything else -- all while spreading filth and disease that can affect your health and the health of your family for months to come. And, since rats breed quickly, not taking care of your rat problem soon can lead to a long-term battle that never really seems to end. This is why it’s important to know the signs of a rat infestation. If you can spot your invaders early, you run a much better chance of getting rid of them before they wreak havoc on your home and family. Here are the signs to watch out for: Rat Droppings...