The carpenter ant is an interesting insect.  It is large and often mistaken for a termite but it doesn’t eat wood. It can do a great deal of damage to a home, even without actually consuming wood. Their nests can hold up to 3,000 ants and have literally thousands of satellite nests.  Carpenter ants also have the rather upsetting habit of swarming in the spring, which is when many homeowners call a West Palm Beach ant control company such as Gulfstream Environmental Services.

The swarming behavior is often a homeowner’s first clue that he has a carpenter ant problem. Typically, these pests go unnoticed, burrowing away inside the wooden structure of a home. It’s in the spring that they take wing, looking for new nesting sites. Many people mistake these ants for another insect and starting calling for termite control treatments.

Carpenter ants don’t eat the wood in your home, but they will damage or even destroy it.  They are very aggressive and effective destroyers, too. They carve tunnels through the interior of the wood, leaving channels that the ants use as highways for travelling from one place to another.  The exterior of the wood, like a structural support post or a wall stud, looks solid at first glance. But any pressure will reveal the compromised interior as the weak and crumbling wood that the carpenter ants have left behind.

Prevention

• Preventative measures are one of the best ways to keep these ants under control.  One method is utilizing proper lawn care services.  West Palm Beach residents can cut back on carpenter ants by keeping their lawns healthy and pest-free.  Here are a few more ways to keep them from tunneling into your home’s wooden structures:
• Cut back on moisture.  This is what attracts carpenter ants the most.  Damp wood will bring them running.  Keep decks and foundations dry.
• Replace water damaged wood.  Check regularly anywhere that wood meets earth, like the support posts on a desk or pool surround.
• Store lumber and firewood in a dry place off the ground and away from the house and its foundations.
• Don’t leave stumps in the ground.  Have them professionally ground down or removed. Keep foundation plantings cut back from the home’s walls and don’t let them become overgrown.

Eradication
Spraying won’t do much for a carpenter ant infestation.  Only the visible workers will be killed, leaving the nest to produce more. Professional South Florida ant control help is needed to locate the primary nest, which is likely somewhere outdoors.  (It may not even be on your property.)  Destroying the nest and its satellites is the only way to keep the problem from recurring.  Once the nest is destroyed, your Gulfstream Environmental Services representative will set about getting rid of any remaining ants inside the home.

The news of them has hit nearly every major media source. Bed bugs are becoming a major fear of hotel chains, colleges, apartment buildings, and many private homes. So, where do bed bugs come from and why are we suddenly hearing so much about them?

Been There, Done That
This bug is not new on U.S. soil.  Up until about the time of World War II, they were a common nuisance, but the reinvented use of DDT nearly wiped them out completely.  This chemical substance was first created in the 1800s, but it wasn’t until just before the start of the Second World War that a man by the name of Muller found that it was an effective insecticide.  It didn’t just wipe out the insects that wreaked havoc on plants in this country, it also killed off several agricultural pests, such as earworms, budworms, and potato beetles.  It also exterminated a huge population of bed bugs. 

Perhaps more importantly, the medical community celebrated its ability to destroy the insects that carried disease.  However, the environmental impact was a big one and in the 1970’s the EPA stepped in to stop the use of DDT in this country.  However, its use continues in other countries where insects are a major source of diseases, such as malaria.  The discontinued use has forced West Palm Beach pest control companies, like Gulfstream Environmental Services to come up with other alternatives to rid properties of unwanted pests.

Why Have Numbers Increased?
Whether it is the result of the stopped DDT and similar chemicals, the increase in international travel, or because this insect has become so resistant to other common pesticides, there has been a massive resurgence of the bed bug population.  Without proper understanding of how they travel, people continue to inadvertently spread the population.  Many believe that it is the ‘green’ movement that is to blame and that this troublesome parasite is just a side effect of our eco-friendly behaviors. 

However, it is also very likely that the new growth in population is partly due to travel.  With international flights reaching record numbers in the 20th and 21st centuries, bed bugs had plenty of opportunity to hop a ride on the suitcases of businessmen and vacationers. This makes a lot of sense as the first reports of the parasites occurred in the late nineties at hotel chains.  Suddenly, there was a massive need for commercial pest management and the rest is history.

Pet mice are cute and squirrels are fun to watch – so long as they stay outside.  However, when wild rodents make their way into a home, they can pose a serious health risk to the human residents. Controlling and ridding your home of rodents is one of the many important services offered by Gulfstream Environmental Services.

Next to termite control, rodent control is at the top of most homeowners’ list of important household maintenance tasks.  Keeping a home free of these disease and bacteria-laden varmints is certainly no laughing matter.  Rats and mice are the obvious choices for least desirable house guest but squirrels and other rodents can be equally problematic.

Why are rodents such a health concern?
Deadly diseases like HPS (hantavirus pulmonary syndrome) made big headlines and placed blame squarely on rodents.  Rodent droppings and urine can cause life-threatening problems.  However, in most cases, the typical health hazards posed by rodents are less deadly but still quite serious.

Rodents will chew into food containers in your garage and pantry, spoiling the contents and leaving droppings behind.  The fleas and ticks carried by rodents can spread diseases by leaving their rodent hosts and biting humans.  Lime disease and malaria are often transmitted this way.  Rodents themselves will also bite are a particular risk to infants and the elderly.  No less than 35 diseases world-wide can be traced back to rodents either directly or indirectly.

How do I know if I have rodents?
The tell-tale traces of a rodent are sometime hard to spot but a Gulfstream Environmental Services pest control agent is trained to look for the subtle signs.  Droppings may look like black sprinkles and are often found along baseboards, behind appliances or inside the pantry.

Rodents are rarely quiet.  You may hear scratching or squeaking, particularly late at night, inside your walls or in the attic.  You may also notice chewed spots on baseboards or on food containers.  Watch your pets for signs of rodents as well.  Cats and dogs may act strange when rodents are around.  They’ve been known to sit and stare at places where they’ve seen rodents “disappear” like under the refrigerator or inside an air vent.

How do I get rid of rodents?
West Palm Beach pest control begins with prevention and rodent control is no different.  In most cases, a pest control agent will seek out points of entry, seal them off and then trap or kill the rodents remaining inside.  There are several methods available like traditional or glue-type traps, poisons or sonic treatments.  The choice depends largely on the type of rodent and the family situation.  (For instance, a home with small children and pets may not be the best venue for poisons.)

Call Gulfstream Environmental Services to talk to a West Palm Beach rodent control professional about what methods will work best in your home.

As if our white fly problem wasn’t serious enough, now have the brazilian white fly! This species(Paraleyrodes bondari) is refered as a “nesting” white fly. This white fly produces copious amounts of sooty mold, turning a stately ficus hedge an unsightly mess. This species is active year round even in winter.

What you Should Know About Bed Bugs
Getting rid of bed bugs is important for the health and safety of your family, but there are a few things that you should understand about the species. Bed bugs are very difficult to get rid of, which is why the vast majority of people will have to rely on the experts, like Gulfstream Environmental Services, to get rid of them.

The average bed bug lives just eighteen months, but in that time, a female can lay up to three hundred eggs. It takes less than two months for those three hundred new colony members to begin feeding on the blood of humans. However, if a food source is not immediately available, this critter can withstand near torment.  A bed bug can survive up to a year without food, which means general quarantine is not an option.  It is generally believed that bed bugs do not carry disease, though some sources do report that they have the potential to pass Hepatitis B and a tropical condition known as Chagas.  The bites can also result in an allergic reaction for some people.

How Do They Feed?
Nocturnal by nature, these pests will not be immediately noticeable during the day, as they will hide away in cracks and crevices of the mattress, behind the headboard, or in nearby drawers.  They seek out these dark spots, so they can hide away until the sun goes down. 

Just before dusk, they will begin feeding on the nearest source of food – generally a human being.  They make use of two tubes located at their mouth.  One injects a numbing agent (which is also the cause of allergic reaction), while the other sucks up the blood. This lasts just fifteen minutes or less, but can result in numerous bites all over a person’s body.

Being Careful Not to Spread the Colony
Bed bugs move from one location to another by hitching a ride with their hosts.  This can be in suit cases, backpacks, briefcases or even in a person’s clothing.  If you believe that you have an infestation, then it is important to make a phone call to a bed bug control company and check your luggage thoroughly before staying at the home of a friend or family member, or even a hotel.

Getting rid of the Bed Bugs
Getting rid of bed bugs can be a chore, but with patience, a professional bed bug pest control company can make it happen.  You can also help with this process.  This will require vacuuming mattresses, bed frames, carpets and furniture.  A special brush attachment can push the pests from hiding places.  As soon as the vacuuming is complete, the bag should be placed in a sealed bag and tossed in the trash. 

Bedding, curtains, towels, throw pillows, stuffed animals, and any other material will have to be washed to ensure that no eggs or bugs are allowed to stay.  Often mattresses will have to be thrown out and replaced to prevent the problem from returning.  Similarly, any cracks or crevices in the bedroom walls will have to be fixed and sealed, because once they are gone, you won’t want them back again.

Prevention First
When dealing with pests in commerical situations, the primary goal should not be extermination. A building or individual company should not wait for there to be a problem before making a phone call to a West Palm Beach commerical pest control company.  It is much better to avoid the issue all together and taking appropriate steps to prevent a pest invasion is the easiest way.  This includes keeping the property clean and free of standing water.  It should also mean patching cracks, crevices or holes that could invite in unwanted guests. 

If you are unsure how to prevent unwanted critters outside a commerical building, then call a lawn care service West Palm Beach or a pest control company that also does lawn care, such as Gulfstream Environmental Services.  Their professionals can scour your property for any signs of trouble and also point out small changes that can decrease the chances of infestation.  In the meantime, consider the following.

Clean Up Food
Owning a hotel can make it difficult to keep all rooms spick and span, but sending around a complimentary maid service daily can actually save you a great deal in the long run.  Similarly, other commercial properties should consider an equally sanitary approach to operation.  Keep food sources concealed and always be sure that trash cans have lids.  Any exposed food source – even fruit that has recently fallen from nearby trees – can be an open invitation to numerous pests.

Keep the Perimeter Clear
This is a major point that many businesses fail to address. This includes closing or sealing cracks, crevices and holes.  It also means checking ducts, vents, and other openings as potential entry points.  Stacking wood, storing construction supplies, or piling mulch near the edges of the building can also provide sanctuary for unwelcomed critters. It is the matters like this that can be easily overlooked by the untrained eye, making it worth a call to Gulfstream Environmental Services to have the property surveyed for weak points.  Though it may cost for the initial visit, it can save you a great deal of money and stress in the long run.

Solving the Problem the Eco-Friendly Way
Fortunately, today, with so much attention paid to the environment, there are many new and effective products for removing pests without polluting the ground, water or air.  Some of these products are slowly showing up on store shelves, but the best bet, especially when dealing with a pest problem on a commercial property, is to call in the pros and ask for green pest control.  Even on private properties, incorrect use of commonly sold chemicals could spell trouble for the world around us.

A bed bug is a member of the Hemiptera family, meaning that it has a mouth capable of piercing and sucking blood.  While some of their relatives will only feed off animals, bed bugs are not particular and consider humans fair game.  The number of bed bug infestations is growing at alarming rates worldwide.  The situation is no different in this country where bed bug pest control is becoming a primary job of many pest extermination companies.

When feeding, bed bug bites can inject substances into the skin, which result in a variety of reactions, depending on the person.  Those who are repeatedly bitten are likely to develop an allergic reaction.  The site of an individual bite also runs the risk of infection.  Though the bite, itself, is painless, the after effects can be far less tolerated.

Who will be bitten?  This is not always an easy answer, but, in truth, those in closest proximity are the most likely candidates.  Though some types of bed bug will feed on other mammals and even birds, others prefer humans almost exclusively.  They are attracted by the warmth and vibration of breathing.  Furthermore, odor is a major attractant.  That means that anyone – regardless of sex, age, or race – can be the target of a hungry bed bug.

Generally bed bugs will feed just before dawn and the whole meal lasts less than fifteen minutes.  It is commonly known that this species of insect can live for three months or longer without a meal.  In fact, some studies have suggested that they can live up to a year without food.  Given this factor, it is very difficult to get rid of bed bugs once they have moved in. 

For this reason, it is a good idea to rely on Gulfstream Environmental Services instead of trying extermination on your own.  Each female will lay approximately three hundred eggs over the eighteen month span of her life.  It takes just ten days for the egg to hatch and six weeks later the new member of the colony is ready to feed on humans.

Though the bites are generally harmless, causing little more than an allergic reaction in those who are most susceptible, there is risk of infection, as mentioned before, and it is also believed that bed bugs are possible carriers of diseases such as hepatitis B and Chagas disease.  Hepatitis B, known also to be a form of STD, is an infection of the liver.  It can cause a person to feel fatigued, run a fever, have headaches, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, skin rash, and jaundice.  This infection generally clears up in a relatively short time  and those with the chronic variety demonstrate few symptoms.  Chagas disease, on the other hand, is a parasitic disease and can be present for years, demonstrating the more severe symptoms related to the heart and digestive systems long after the initial onset.  In the worst case scenario, it can lead to congestive heart failure.

It is important to remember that severe complications from bed bug bites are very rare.  Nevertheless, it is vital to speak with a West Palm Beach pest control company such as Gulfstream Environmental Services as soon as you suspect infestation.

Though pests are an inevitable part of home ownership and commercial property management, there are things that one can do to prevent the onslaught of tiny feet and hungry bellies of the critters. A West Palm Beach pest control company such as Gulfstream Environmental Services highly suggests that you follow the steps below to reduce the risk of infestation. The time and energy put forth now can save a great deal of stress and financial burden in the future.

Outdoors This is where the problem originates, so stopping it here means that the issue never escalates within your home.  Keep trees and bushes well trimmed and away from the house as these provide shelter and easy access for critters of all kinds.  Also, attempt to prevent pools of water from forming around the home by removing old containers and keeping wheelbarrows, canoes and other similar objects covered or overturned.  Water that is allowed to sit, like that in backed up gutters, is a breeding ground for many varieties of insects and keeping stacks of fire wood far from the house, stacked tightly, and enclosed if possible can further eliminate potential shelters.

Cracks or holes in the foundation or siding are the routes in.  Fill, patch, or seal these to prevent entry.  Also, simple acts, like keeping the garage door shut, are vital when fighting pests.  Finally, there is the need to do away with possible food sources, by keeping trash bins in a safe location to prevent tipping and sealing the lid in place.  Clean up fallen fruit regularly.

Inside The key, indoors, is cleanliness.  Sticky spills, standing water, and easy food access are beacons for the unwanted visitors.  Keep garbage in sealed container.  This is also true of pet food supplies.  Any noticeable leaks in the home should be addressed immediately to prevent standing water and it is wise to do dishes and clean kitchen surfaces regularly.  Cleaning should also include vacuuming and returning used dishes to the kitchen as soon as the snack is finished.  As a final, but very important note, screens should be placed on all windows that are opened.

If, despite your efforts, your home is invaded by a pest of any kind, it is a good idea to call in the professionals.  A West Palm Beach pest control company can make quick work of getting insects, critters, and other unwanted guests out.  They can also teach you more tricks for keeping them away, so you can enjoy your home, infestation-free.

For people who are considering moving to the West Palm Beach area in Florida or perhaps buying a vacation home in the area, there is a lot to research. Most people will look into the weather patterns, the traffic, the amount of tourists, etc., but few will take the time to research what kind of West Palm Beach pest control problems exist. Like many cities in Florida, West Palm Beach has its fair share of pests, but a bit of education should alleviate some of the problems and make it a great place to live or visit.

Because of the warm, humid climate of West Palm Beach, termite control is one of the major issues. Obviously this can be a big problem if you are purchasing a home in West Palm Beach that could have termite damage or a current termite infestation. For that reason, it is a good idea to contact a West Palm Beach pest control company to do a pest inspection of your home prior to purchasing it or, at the very least, prior to moving in. You do not want to put your family in danger by having part of the home collapse because the termites have eaten away at the wood.

Another common pest in West Palm Beach is mosquitoes, who also like the warm, humid climate. They are most common in the summer and early fall and can be a great nuisance, especially if you are trying to enjoy your yard or lay in the sun.  Although there are do-it-yourself remedies, such a citronella candles, they do not go far enough to dealing with the problem because they do not work 24 hours a day. Instead, a preventative program by a company like Gulfstream Environmental Services is a better option because it can make your home a less attractive option for mosquitoes with a variety of solutions, such as removing areas of standing water or using larvicide to kill the mosquito larvae in the area.

Like most towns in America, West Palm Beach also deals with a variety of other pests, such as carpenter ants, cockroaches, and rodents. Although these things may not be as prevalent as mosquitoes and termites, they can cause problems for those homes that do have those types of infestations. Luckily there are West Palm Beach pest control companies that deal with a wide variety of pests so your needs will easily be met. Gulfstream Environmental Services is a smart solution for any pest needs, especially if you are looking for “greener” options when it comes to getting rid of the pests.

The thought of these various pests in your home should not prevent you from moving to or vacationing in the West Palm Beach area.  However, you should be aware of these problems so that you know what to expect and how to deal with them should they arise.  You want your time in Florida to be enjoyable without having to worry about all the problems that pests can bring.

Bed bugs were dormant for decades, leading many to believe that they were gone for good. However, recently there has been a resurgence, and bed bugs control companies are thriving, helping people eradicate these pests from their homes. Although many people believe that bed bugs are only found in major metropolitan areas like New York City, that could not be farther from the truth. Rather, bed bugs can be found just about anywhere in the country, due to their ability to travel. These pests can simply hitch a ride on a piece of clothing, luggage, or furniture, and the problem spreads to a new community.

If you think you might have bed bugs, you need to call bed bug extermination company immediately to deal with the issue. Signs of bed bugs can be as simple as waking up to itchy skin and bites of unknown origin. You may also see little red spots on your linens that the bed bugs leave behind. Often you will not be able to actually see the bed bugs, but it is possible in some cases.

Calling Gulfstream Environmental Services, a West Palm Beach pest control company, as soon as you suspect you have bugs in bed because it is important to stop the spread of pests, both within your home and to other homes. You want to contain the issue as quickly as possible, as it is the only way to try to keep the problem in West Palm Beach as minor as possible.  By ensuring they cannot thrive in your home, you may prevent the spread to a neighbor’s home or to the home of anyone you may visit.

The one benefit of having such a bed bug problem in West Palm Beach is that the bed bug control companies understand the required control methods. It is important not to have to get rid of all of your furniture to stop the bed bug problem, and this is something that a good bed bug control company will try to prevent.