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...

Rats are tenacious little pests. If left unchecked, rats can contaminate your food, spread diseases around your house, eat tunnels through walls, and even chew through electrical wires, causing potential fire hazards in your home. However, with the right know-how, these aggravating pests can be eradicated from your house with relative ease in a short period of time. Defense Against Rats There are a couple of things to keep in mind when mounting a defense against rats . First, don’t be shy with the number of traps you place. You may be surprised by how many rats you had lurking around. Also, before you buy traps, make sure they are for rats and not mice as most mice traps are not big enough for rats. When laying down snap-traps, put them in high traffic locations such as dark corners, attics, under furniture, around appliances and near crawl spaces. Also, make sure...

When it comes to the health of your family, you want to take all the necessary precautions. You don't want to risk anyone getting sick. Do you realize that there may be things lurking in your home that can hurt you? This is especially true when you have pests, such as rats, coming into your home . A rat infestation is a huge problem and one that needs to be dealt with swiftly. There are a variety of ways that these infestations can make you and your family sick. How rats can affect your family's health They can carry a variety of diseases. Rats are a bigger problem than you may realize, and they are a dangerous carrier of diseases. All of the following can cause a lot of problems through food and water contamination, droppings and direct contact. They can also reproduce quickly which just makes the problem even worse...

If you think you have rodents in your home, it's essential you find ways to keep the problem under control so that it does not get any worse. Rodents can damage your property and spread diseases if you give them the chance. You can keep rodents at bay when you know the warning signs for which to look, but learning where they like to hide in your home also helps. The following guide allows you to detect and address rodents before they have time to cause any more issues, and you will achieve peace of mind. Basements Basements often contain clutter, moisture and stored food, making them the perfect place for rodents to hide. Basements offer plenty of food and materials for nests, and rodents can thrive in these environments for months before you notice them. To get inside, they usually enter through a small hole or opening in one of...

Pests are a problem that every property owner wants to avoid. You can keep pests out of your office or home by using proven prevention methods that stop pest issues from ever becoming a serious problem. The approaches to prevention that are available in today's world are effective for all properties, including properties that have a long history of pest problems. You should be sure to implement prevention measures if you have found pests on your premises in the past. Pest prevention can also be important for new properties that are vulnerable to invaders from the natural world. Preventing Pests from Entering Your Property In the initial stages of a pest prevention project, professionals usually start by identifying entry holes that pests could use. Aging properties often have holes around windows and doors that can be plugged with spacers or wall joint compound. If you are building a new home, you...

Enjoying the beautiful Florida weather throughout the year is one of the benefits of living in the state. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes can make it difficult to take advantage of the great outdoors. Some carry viruses, like Zika and West Nile. Even if you don’t get bitten, the incessant buzzing and swatting can be annoying. You can take measures to prevent these pesky mosquitoes from ruining your outdoor experience, though. Use A Fan If you’re close to an electrical outlet, use a fan to keep mosquitoes at bay. The circulating air will prevent them from hovering and make it harder for the bugs to bite you. Fans also disperse the carbon dioxide that you emit when you breathe, which can attract the pests. Spray Your Yard Many Floridians know that standing water creates the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. You might not have a birdbath or pond to worry about, but moist...

The scorching heat in Florida can make spending time outdoors unbearable on the worst days, and it can even present dangers for pets and elderly individuals. Extreme temperatures also change the way that grass grows on your lawn. The actual effect that heat has on your lawn varies based on the type of grass that you have and the quality of your soil. Taking the time to learn about the impact of heat will help you to apply the most effective maintenance approaches for keeping your yard healthy during the hottest months of the year. What Heat Does to Lawns High temperatures inhibit the growth of grass during the hottest hours of the day. Grass grows with the help of sunlight, so hot days will stunt turf growth regardless of how low temperatures get at night. The most common grasses used in Flordia, such as Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, will...

During the warmer months, many people love spending more time outdoors with their friends and family members. Summer is a time for picnics and barbecues. Unfortunately, the warmth also draws out many different types of pests, including ants, stinging insects, mosquitoes and others. Thankfully, it is possible to enjoy your barbecue without having to deal with annoying pests, allowing you to reclaim your yard. Use Repellant When you are planning a barbecue, make certain to liberally spray yourself and your loved ones with insect repellants that contain DEET. Have some extra repellant available for your guests to use. If your barbecue is planned during the evening hours, you should also plan to place citronella candles on the railing of your deck your citronella torches around your outdoor table. This can help to keep mosquitoes away so that you and your guests can enjoy socializing with each other in peace. Save the...

Problems with pests in your yard can seem impossible to solve. Many homeowners reason that even if they remove pests from their own yard, pests will continue to come back from neighboring properties. In reality, there are effective solutions available for managing pests in outdoor environments . Even the most difficult pests, such as gofers and snakes, can be kept away from a property when the right treatment methods are applied. You should, therefore, learn to recognize the signs of pests damaging your lawn so that you can respond with an effective pest control solution. 1. Brown or Yellow Grass The most apparent sign of a pest infestation is dead grass. Since grass takes a significant amount of time to decompose, your grass will turn either brown or yellow when it is killed by pests. There can be a wide range of reasons for dead grass that emerges at unexpected times,...

Termites are small insects that have light bodies that are almost transparent. They have antennas and segmented bodies that are similar to some types of ants. Termites form large swarms, and they can cause significant damage to any building that is constructed from wood. Some types of termites are subterranean, which means that they can burrow into the earth beneath the home and damage the base of the building. Eliminating these pests from your property can save you money. Protect your home or commercial property from a termite infestation by learning what types of woods attract these pests. About Termites They belong to the family of insects called detritivores, which means that they require specific types of nutritional content to survive. Although termites are famous for their ability to consume large quantities of wood, they will also feed ravenously on other paper materials as well. It is important to understand that...

Pest infestations occur in homes across the country every year. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent them from happening. Although you can keep your house clean, maintain your lawn and cover the trash bins at all times, nothing beats the effectiveness of a professional pest control program. 3 Benefits of Professional Pest Control Say goodbye to annoying pests inside your home. It's frustrating when you have to swat at flies as you're enjoying dinner with your family. Whether it's fruit flies in the kitchen or silverfish in your bathroom, a pest control plan covers pests of all types and keeps them out of your living areas. You won't have to stomp another spider or to kill another earwig crawling in your home again. There's no worry about pest-related damages. Pests cause damage when they infiltrate your house. Roaches and pantry pests invade your food and contaminate it, costing you money when...

Take care of your lawn during the early part of the spring. This can save you money in the long run. Avoid the common problem that comes with waiting until later in the year. If you take care of your lawn during the spring, you can avoid the costs that come with neglecting these important tasks. Spring lawn care can also help you to prepare for the autumn chores, which are also important for the overall maintenance of the lawn. These tasks will prevent pest infestations and create a pleasant outdoor environment for family and friends to enjoy. Every household will face a slightly different set of problems, so it is important to select the lawn care tips that make the most sense for your situation. The following tips can help you to understand how important it is to maintain your lawn in the spring. Expert Tips The most simple tasks...

Rodents are nuisance pests and transmit diseases to people as they invade living spaces. They chew through wires and cause electrical fires up in the attic and behind the walls. They also raid pantries and cabinets, contaminating your food when they break through boxed and bagged goods. Taking preventative measures to stop an infestation will safeguard your family and home from rodents in the future. Use These 3 Methods to Prevent Rodents Clean up your yard. Clutter and debris lure rodents to your yard. Mice and rats like to build nests inside clutter such as car parts and woodpiles. They also breed while they occupy these spaces, causing a population explosion on your property. Cleaning up the debris and maintaining your lawn will make rodents look for shelter elsewhere. Block open entryways. You might have open entryways around your home that give rodents an easy way inside. Mice and rats can...

At Orange Environmental Services, we understand the significance of having a gorgeous, plush lawn to enjoy. Not only is thick green grass beautiful, but it also provides a safe place for your children to play and adds to the overall value of your home. Here we provide a few basic lawn maintenance tips designed to help you achieve a beautiful lawn you can be proud to show off. Replace Your Lawnmower Blade Before the start of the new mowing season, it's always a good idea to replace the blade on your lawnmower. Mowing with a fresh and sharp blade will allow you get a smooth cut that doesn't damage your grass. It will also allow you to mow with much more precision, as it's important to refrain from cutting your grass too short to protect the future health and growing process of your lawn. Last but not least, mowing with a...

Termites are one of the most dreaded challenges you might face as a property owner. Unfortunately, many people fail to notice the signs of infestations until they've reached an irreversible stage. How do termites hide their presence until it's too late, and how can you become more observant? As entomologists at Virginia Tech note, termites hide their activity underground and in other areas that people can't see. Fortunately, they also leave a few telltale signs in their wake. The Hallmarks of Termite Problems Damaged Wood Termites eat dead plant material, and in forests, they serve a vital role in the process of decomposition. Unfortunately, people also use wood and other organic substances to build many parts of their homes, making them an attractive meal for any termites in the area. When termites consume wood in your home, they might eat the inside sections of components like flooring, support beams and wall...