Mosquito Breeding Control Tips

The American Mosquito Control Association, www.mosquito.org, reports that there are over 2,500 different species of mosquitoes around the world. Out of all of these species, there is one thing that every mosquito has in common: they breed in wet areas. The best way to control mosquitoes is to eliminate their breeding sites.

Here are some breeding control tips:

• Do not allow water to accumulate anywhere in your yard for more than two days. Cans, buckets, pots, plastic swimming pools and tires are all containers that tend to collect and hold water. Removing these items will help control the number of mosquitoes that hatch in your yard.
• Keep your gutters clean. If leaves or other debris clog your gutters and prevent them from draining, water will accumulate in the gutter system, providing the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Do not over-water your lawn or garden. This may cause water to be left standing for more than one day.
• If your cistern, septic tank or cesspool seeps, fixing the problem will help control the number of mosquitoes that plague your yard.
• Filling swampy areas, ditches and drain puddles will eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. If filling is not possible, these areas may be treated with commercial mosquito control products.
• If you have a backyard pond, stock it with mosquito fish (minnows). These fish eat mosquitoes and their larvae.
• Change the water in your wading pool or birdbaths at least once per week. Stagnant water makes the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

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813.416.3692

Pest Control Tips : Shut down the ant buffet!

Shut down the ant buffet.

The reason ants are coming into your home is because it's a free-for-all. If you have a very dirty home environment ants will multiply. Make sure you clean daily; the cleaner you keep your house, the less they'll have to eat, and the more they'll look elsewhere for goodies.

• Wipe down all surfaces. Tables and counter tops should be regularly sprayed and cleaned with a mild bleach or vinegar solution. Stay on top of your regular cleaning regimen; mop and vacuum regularly.
• Put food in air-tight containers.
  
• Keep the sink clean: no dirty dishes, no standing water for ants to drink, and no food in the drain.
• Put pet food bowls in a slightly larger bowl and add some water to the larger bowl, creating a moat around the pet food that the ants can't easily cross.

Contact us today for more information about ant infestation elimination and other pest control services at http://tampabaypestmgmt.com or 813-416-3692

Preventing Roach Infestations

• Keep the kitchen clean. Clean up crumbs and spills promptly, and pay special attention to range tops, as cockroaches love grease.
• Put food away and don't even leave dirty dishes overnight.
• Empty trash regularly, and keep trash away from the house.
• Fix dripping faucets or leaks; cockroaches are attracted to water.
• Put naphthalene balls on corners; roaches hate their smell.
• Prevent bugs from coming up the drain. If you believe that the cockroaches are coming up your drains, pour regular, cheap bleach down the drains before leaving the house in the morning. For a stronger solution, mix 1 part borax with 3 parts bleach.
• Move logs and other debris away from the outside of the house. Cockroaches love piles of wood and other convenient hiding places, and as the weather turns colder, they'll migrate inside the house to keep warm.
• Seal cracks in exterior walls.
• Seal cracks everywhere you can inside your house. This takes time, but the payoff is great, because you eliminate most of their favorite hiding/breeding places. You'll need a lot of caulking, so use the big tubes with a caulking gun. Fill every crack inside every cabinet; fill the cracks on both sides of floor, door, and window moldings; fill all openings around pipes in bathrooms and kitchens. This makes a big difference and makes the whole house feel cleaner.

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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.

General Pest Control Tips

1. Read and follow label directions.
2. Protect yourself and others from contact with any pesticide.
3. Never eat, drink, or smoke while using any pesticide.
4. Do not allow food, trash, decaying wood, etc. to remain in or on your property.
5. Cover or seal trash tightly.
6. Do not accumulate trash or debris.
7. Cut back limbs, shrubs, and vines that touch or overhang your property.
8. Stack firewood off the ground.
9. "Weatherize" your home. Seal all possible pest entry points.
10. Close all gaps larger than 1.4 inch.
11. Check for and remove structural damage such as moisture-damaged wood. Water damage can cause weak spots in the roof. Animals may enter through the weakened area. Repair damaged windows and screens.
12. Look for holes where roofs overlap.
13. Keep gutters clean.
14. Shuffle stored items regularly and keep boxes tightly sealed in plastic bags.
15. Check storage areas for rodents.
16. Keep gutters clear.
17. Keep all areas where food is prepared, stored, and served clean and free of crumbs and grease. Garbage can lids should be kept closed and secured.
18. Before storing end-of-season clothes, make sure they are clean.
19. Drawer and cabinet liners, paper grocery bags, and even wallpaper can be a source of food to pests.
20. Carefully check for pests in furniture, boxes, paper, and other items brought into your home.
21. Chimneys are frequented by squirrels, raccoons, and birds and they represent the single largest opening in a typical home. Consider chimney caps or wire mesh to cover.
22. Areas where pipes, cables, and wires enter walls and soffits should be sealed completely.
23. Install 1/4-inch wire mesh (hardware cloth) over attic, roof, and crawl space vents in order to prevent entry of birds, bats, squirrels, rodents, and other wildlife. Be sure to wear gloves when cutting and installing hardware cloth, as the wire edges are razor sharp.