Carpenter Ants?

Carpenter ants are usually slow to cause damage, so it's not uncommon for a homeowner to have seen them wandering around for years before they actually notice damage.

But don't wait until you notice carpenter ant damage to control these pests. If you see ants wandering about, you should control them right away, BEFORE they start causing major damage.

Carpenter ants are most active searching for food from midnight to 4 a.m., so if you see these pests during the day, you are seeing only a small fraction of what is happening at night. They love leaks or other moisture problems, blocked or leaking gutters, or a poorly ventilated attic or crawl space. Tree stumps, dead tree limbs, and firewood also can stimulate problems with carpenter ants, as can trees and shrubs that touch a home and keep walls more moist.

Call Tampa Bay Pest Management at 813-416-3692 if you see carpenter ants wandering in or outside your home. We're experts at controlling these difficult pests. We start by inspecting your home to find where they're coming from. If their nests are all outside your home, we'll take steps to ensure they stay out. If ants are starting to nest inside, they need to be stopped before they have time to do more damage, or set up other colonies.

Wasp Control 101

An experienced pest control service is the best option for wasp or bee control but you can use the following information to help to control them yourself because, although extermination and nest removal may be your end goal, it doesn’t hurt to know some basic do-it-yourself wasp control tips. If something as simple as wearing proper clothing or keeping your garbage sealed can help deter the pests then it is worth doing.

Here are some basic tips to help prevent wasps from finding their way into your home:

• Remove or seal food sources: Wasps are attracted to protein, which explains why they show up at family cookouts. Open garbage cans, pet food, or even scraps left on your grill can draw the pests to your lawn. Sweet foods, like rotting fruit, are also calling cards for wasps. If you have fruit trees on your property, you will need to be extra diligent about cleaning up the fallen produce.
  
  
• Avoid perfume or scented lotions: Sweetly scented lotions and floral perfumes smell like food to a hungry wasp; even scented shampoos can bring you their unwanted attention.
  
  
• Do not squash a wasp: As tempting as it may sound, squashing or stepping on a wasp is bad for wasp control. Once the pest is squashed it releases a scent that acts like a magnet, bringing in more wasps from nearby. These new wasps are likely to be agitated by the scent as well, and therefore more likely to be aggressive.
  
  
• Avoid bright clothing: Bees and wasps are attracted to brightly colored or patterned clothing. Red would be a particularly bad choice to wear at your next neighborhood picnic.
  
  

For professional wasp control services, contact us at 813-416-3692 or info@tampabaypestmgmt.com

How To Choose A Pest Control Service

• Make sure the company offers a guarantee. You need to understand the terms and conditions and how long the guarantee is offered.
  
  
• A good reputation in the market is a good indicator of good service. Check your local Better Business Bureau or Department of Agriculture to see if complaints have been filed against the company.
  
  
• Verify that the firm you select is a member of your state pest control association and the National Pest Control Association. Membership in the National, and state or local pest control associations is a good indicator that the company has access to modern technical information.
  
  
• In the area of termite control, their commitment to further education is important, particularly with the newer baits and baiting techniques on the market.
  
  
• Seek at least 3 different proposals.
  
  
• It is important to request the plan of work revealing sites of termite activity and treatment procedures. Ask for written information on chemical treatment procedures, bait station placements, repair of wood work, warranties, and copies of insecticide labels.
  
  
• Compare bids before making decisions. Ask about liability insurance.
  

We've been in the pest control industry in Tampa Bay for over 10 years. Contact us today for a free estimate.