Venice Pest Blog

Whether you like colder or warmer weather, there is one thing that almost nobody likes about the colder months of the year: pests invading your home! The marvel of modern HVAC technology allows us to keep our homes at just the right temperature no matter the time of year. Unfortunately, pests found out about this, and they want in. Many types of critters that are sensitive to colder temperatures will seek shelter inside your home when it starts to cool down. And while you can’t really blame them, you can certainly be ready for them. Here are some of the top pests to look out for during colder weather.  Rats and Mice Rodents such as rats and mice are inclined to find ways into your home, no matter what the weather is like outside, in search of food and water. But cold weather gives them even more of a reason to...

Fall is approaching! It’s the perfect time to start controlling your weeds, fertilizing your lawn and improving the overall health and appearance of your yard. With a bit of dedicated yard work, you can have a rich green lawn for when spring hits. Here are 5 tips for your Fall lawn care.  4 Tips for Fall Lawn Care 1. Get Rid of Any Leaves Yes, with fall comes the colorful and beautiful leaves, but even though they may look nice and fun to play in, they’re no good for your grass. Unfortunately, they tend to block any sunlight that reaches the grass and trap in moisture, which isn’t great for the health of your grass.  When you see leaves falling from your trees, try to rake or blow them away as often as possible. Neglecting to do so will cause your grass to be wilted or dead by the time spring...

Are drain flies becoming a burden in your own home? There are a few things you could be doing that are causing them to appear in your house.  What Are Drain Flies? They’re winged gnats that appear dark and moth-like and are often referred to as moth, sewer or filter flies. These drain flies are covered in many hairs and leave a white, powdery mark once crushed. You’ll see that they thrive in a decomposing matter like sewage. Although they pose no immediate harm to inhabitants, they carry bacteria and even other microorganisms with negative health effects on people. They’re bound to transfer all of that bacteria from location to location. It’s crucial that they’re dealt with right away, for they are fast-breeding and will do just that.  3 Reasons You Have Drain Flies Standing Water Water is the number one thing drain flies are attracted to. In fact, they breed...

As the summer rolls in, your pets are going to want to get out and investigate the world around them. If you have a pet that is known for getting into trouble, then you may be concerned about what they bring home to you. Pets can come back covered in dirt, grass, weeds, ticks and unfortunately fleas. Because of the size of fleas, they can be hard to find. But, there are a few signs that you can see to know if your pet has fleas. Scratching If your pet has fleas, you will likely see it scratching because they are itchy. If your pet normally doesn’t scratch, then the sudden constant attack on their skin is alarming. Flea saliva can cause an allergic reaction in dogs. Even one bite can cause days of agony. If your dog is scratching a lot, check its skin for red bumps. The symptoms can...

As a homeowner, your home is one of your biggest investments. You don’t want it completely destroyed by something as small as a termite, especially when you could prevent it. To keep termites out, you must know what attracts them. Here are some things you may be doing that could attract termites.  Woodpiles Do you keep woodpiles stacked outside your home for easy access during the winter? You might also be giving termites easy access to your home.  Wood is termites’ main food source, and having woodpiles close to your home puts it in danger of an infestation. The NPMA recommends keeping firewood and woodpiles at least 20 feet away from your home. Otherwise, termites will migrate from the wood straight to your home.  Mulch Mulch is often used around the foundation of your home to enhance your landscaping. Mulch retains moisture for long periods of time, which is great for...

As summer approaches, people are preparing to keep pests from entering their homes. Though the home is most times the final destination, it is not the only at-risk area that you own. Some pests use your lawn for cover as they sneak their way inside. Other pests, aim for your lawn. Here are some pests that are a threat to your lawn. Big Critters to Watch out For There are big creatures that are the easiest to spot. Because of their size, the damage they cause to your yard is noticeable when you come out of your house. Big holes in the grass, flower beds ruined and trash littered everywhere are all signs of big threats. Gophers, raccoons and moles are the most common culprits depending on the area you live in. If you find holes in your lawn, there’s a good chance at least one of these animals is involved...

Rainy summer days are on the way, which also means a new swarm of buzzing, biting, crawling creatures are as well. Prepare your home against the tide of flies, ants, spiders and swarming stings with wings. While not strictly a summer pest, these steps will also help to protect against rat infestation.  Tidy Your Yard Remove junk and piles of yard waste to take away places for insects and rats to nest. Any space that offers protection from the elements and predators has the potential to hold a rats’ or hornets’ nest.  Keep your yard looking shipshape by trimming the grass, clipping hedges and generally preventing overgrowth. A well-maintained lawn will stave off ticks and spiders—two pests that like to lurk in tall grasses. Limit Their Food Supply Be sure to store all food in tightly closed containers both on the inside and outside of your home. Clean outdoor pet food...

Everyone loves living in sunny California. Unfortunately, “everyone” includes several devastating species of termites. Termites destroy not only structures but the financial security of our residents. Guarding yourself with knowledge of the most common types of termites starts with this article.  The Three Main Categories of Termites in Venice Three main categories in our area are: Subterranean termites. These tiny insects measure approximately one-eighth of an inch long. They are hard to detect until the problem is out of control. Subterranean termites draw moisture from the soil, then move in to eat and digest the cellulose found in wood.  An especially problematic variety of the Subterranean is the Formosan termite. This subspecies can support colonies within homes and does not require access to soil for survival. Dampwood termites. Just like the Formosan termites, dampwood termites do not have to obtain moisture through the soil. They feed on varieties of wood with...

Ants are a common household problem no matter where you live. These pests are attracted to food and moisture and will often find a way into your home through small cracks and crevices. They will most likely be attracted to your kitchen because they will be able to smell the food and waste that is in there. Thankfully, these pests are easy to avoid if you take a few precautions. Here are several ways to prevent ants from coming into your kitchen.  1. Clean Up After Yourself The key to avoiding an ant infestation is to maintain cleanliness. Clean up food and liquid spills promptly, before ants have a chance to discover them. Put food away or throw it away right after you are done eating it. Ants can smell food and will travel toward it if the scent lingers in the air. Keeping your kitchen and the rest of your...

  Florida’s mild weather makes pest control a year-round issue. As springtime approaches and you spend more time outdoors, the greater chances you have of bringing home a tick. Ticks not only latch onto their hosts and feed off their blood, but they also carry potentially life-threatening diseases like Lyme disease.  To protect yourself from ticks, it is essential to treat your yard to reduce your risk. When should you treat your yard for ticks? What are the best treatment options? We have the answers for you.  When to Treat Your Yard Deer ticks, the most common type found in the U.S., lay their eggs in March and April. The larvae hatch after a few weeks and eventually shed into nymphs, which are young adults. By late summer and early fall, the nymphs will be fully-grown adults who love to feed on humans and other large mammals.  Knowing this, the best...

 A year-round nuisance, cockroaches are as off-putting as they are persistent. Sometimes, our everyday habits attract cockroaches into the home, and applying simple changes can save tons of effort. Keeping certain areas in check can greatly reduce your potential for an infestation. Here are five common things that attract cockroaches to your house. Food in the Kitchen Leftover food on the counter is an obvious attractant for cockroaches, but even minor food waste can pique their interest. From the counter to the sink, food debris shows up all over. Wipe down food prep surfaces after every use and clean your sink thoroughly when food builds up. Thoroughly sweep the floor as needed, as food particles easily drift under appliances and accumulate quickly. Food in the Pantry and Garbage Stored food may seem safe but cockroaches can squeeze their slim frames through the most minor openings. Store food with airtight containers, whether...

Mouse infestations happen no matter where you live. These small rodents are always looking for somewhere warm and dry to live, and your home is at the top of their list. Here are some ways that you can prevent a rodent infestation in your home.  Keep Your Home Clean Keeping both the inside and outside of your home clean helps prevent a mouse infestation. Mice are attracted to food, so keeping your home free of crumbs and trash is a step in the right direction. For example, if mice are outside your home and they find food, they will try to find a way into your home to find more food. Eliminating food residue right from the start will aid in preventing mice from trying to get into your home.  Seal Cracks and Holes on the Outside of Your Home Seal off where pipes and utilities enter your home, using caulk,...

When you see a roach or a bug in your home, it is understandable that you want to use bug spray right away especially if you have a young child in your home. However, reliable and experienced pest control experts, like Venice Pest Control, will tell you that many of these sprays contain harmful ingredients. You may be successful in killing these pests, but you also may cause harm to you and your baby. How Pests Can Cause Harm to Your Family We all know that pests are unsanitary. Pests are also dangerous. Cockroaches and mouse droppings can trigger allergies and asthma by producing allergens. Mosquitos and flies carry diseases and germs as well. And so, of course, you will do everything possible in keeping your baby safe. The thing is, however, pesticides can be harmful in which children are more susceptible to become harmed by them. Pest Prevention When it...

Pests love to hide in and around your home and can become a real nuisance. If you know their favorite hiding places, you will be able to watch out for them and hopefully get rid of them altogether. Here are some common hiding places for pests in Florida.  Dark Places Dark places such as attics, closets and basements are ideal hiding places for pests. Most pests are attracted to dark places because they know they will be away from people and noise. Also, attics and basements are particularly easy for some pests to get into as they often have small crevices that lead to the outside. If you have a pest problem and are looking for the root of it, check out your attic and basement. Chances are, pests are living in one of those places.  In Your Bedroom Bed bugs are common pests that love to hide in clothes, carpeting,...

Fleas are mainly associated with pets, and many feel that proper preventative treatments for their cat or dog are sufficient in stopping the problem. However, fleas are more indiscriminate about where they get their food than many people realize. They feed on blood and will attach to any bird or mammal — including humans — for sustenance. If given the proper conditions to infiltrate and infest a home, they can become a major irritation in just a few days. Although hiring an exterminator is the surest way to thoroughly rid your home of fleas, there are some methods of treatment homeowners can take when they see the first signs of an infestation. Here are a few effective ways to treat your home for fleas. Deep Clean to Prevent Flea Growth Fleas can lay dozens of eggs every day. Their small size allows them to build their nests in small crevices and...

Pests may be small but they can be a huge problem. You go to your garden only to find unruly pests gnawing away at your prized possessions. These little nuisances don’t stop there, they can also spread harmful diseases to plants. If left untreated, pests can do some serious even irreversible damage to your garden. Below are some common pests that can turn your garden into a barren wasteland. Aphids It doesn’t take a gardener to know how devastating these pests can be. Aphids have a pear shape and come in a variety of colors. They can be brown, red, green, or black. Aphids wreak havoc on your garden by sucking the sap out of plants, leaving them weak and brittle. It doesn’t take long for an aphid infestation to occur. You can check for leaves coated in a sticky residue, or look for sooty mold called Black fungus. Aphids can...

When it comes to caring for your lawn, fertilization is a crucial component. Proper fertilization can prevent the spread of unwanted insects in your yard and keep weed growth under control. However, it can be difficult to know the right time for you to fertilize. Lawn care in Florida often differs from the usual rules. A humid climate and year-round sunshine are factors to take into consideration. Read these tips to help you determine when to break out the fertilizer. Grass Type While it may seem straightforward, it’s important to make sure you know what kind of grass you are working with. There are two main categories: warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses. In southern regions of the United States, like Florida, it is safe to assume that you have a warm-season grass. These lawns are used to high heat and frequent rain. Growth Period Fertilizer should always be applied during the...

Now that the summer is here and the country is starting to open up again, it’s time to start thinking about one of our favorite past-times: spending a nice, relaxing day at the beach. Sand Flies If you’ve ever been at the beach and thought that you were being overrun by mosquitoes, chances are you were actually being attacked by sand flies. These tiny insects are similar to mosquitoes in many ways. Like their winged cousins, sand flies are attracted to warm-blooded hosts (like humans) and have a long proboscis designed to pierce the skin and give the sand fly access to the host’s blood. You can tell you’re dealing with sand flies instead of mosquitoes mainly in what they leave behind -- mosquito bites leave a red, irritated welt, while sandfly bites are small, painful, and typically appear clustered together. Mosquitos One of the reasons people get sand flies and...

As the summer months approach, many homeowners begin to prepare for a warm season of outdoor fun and adventure. Of course, that fun can start in someone’s backyard. But sometimes, there’s a problem. See, with the return of summer comes the return of an array of outdoor pests, including ticks. These little guys are quite the nuisance and pack a powerful bite. They are annoying to deal with and can make your yard a bit undesirable over time if ignored. However, you can see some real benefits around the yard once you begin treatment for ticks. No More Ticks First and foremost, treating your yard for ticks solves the very problem you wanted to get rid of in the first place. Once a tick bites you, they can leave behind a nasty mark that itches and can become painful. Ticks are not exactly the kind of critter that makes you say,...

Living in Florida means that you have to adapt to your surroundings. However, while things like heat and humidity, gators, and hurricane season are apparent challenges, one that you may overlook is snakes. Fifty species of snakes live in the Sunshine state, but the vast majority (44) of them are non-venomous. In this article, we want to share the six common snakes that are poisonous in Florida. This way, you can be better prepared if and when you encounter them. Fortunately, as long as you keep a cool head and leave them alone, snakes won’t be a problem. Southern Copperhead For the most part, copperhead snakes are found mostly in the Northeast, such as along the Appalachian Trail. In Florida, they can be located around Pensacola, as well as the Apalachicola River. These snakes are so named for their auburn heads, and they have slitted eyes and brown patterns along their...