Venice Pest Blog

  Disease control is one of the most serious problems involving pests around garbage cans. If they get close to the home, they may attempt to enter it later. Even if they enter the home and leave without being detected, they can leave a residual trail on the surface of the counters, carpets and furniture. Children who touch these surfaces may place their hands into their mouth or rub their eyes. This can spread diseases from the pests to the inhabitants of any nearby house. Common pests found around residential garbage cans include: Raccoons Squirrels Maggots Other pests may also be attracted to the activities of these critters. If the infestation is not controlled soon enough, it could become unmanageable. Useful Tips to Prevent Infestations Garbage cans will attract pests when odors escape from the enclosed area. The best way for homeowners to prevent bugs and other pests from converging around...

Summer is meant to be filled with backyard barbecues and dinner in the open air. While you're enjoying the weather, good food and the company of friends, though, you want to be sure to keep out uninvited six-legged guests. Outdoor pests can quickly ruin a get-together by harassing your guests and contaminating your food. Fortunately, there are ways to keep these nuisances away from your gatherings.  In the summer, ants and mosquitoes are two of the most aggravating pests. Ants are attracted to the food and sweet beverages at picnics and barbecues. Mosquitoes come to feast on the blood of you and your friends. Both pests can leave you with itchy bug bites. Bees and wasps can also be attracted to sweet beverages, like lemonade, and stings can be painful or even deadly to people with allergies.  The easiest way to protect yourself from these unwanted visitors is to prevent them...

As summer approaches, a threat to the plans for these warm months lurks in the background. Bees and wasps often swarm during this time of year, and this behavior can be very alarming. They may set up their colonies in a variety of places. This eliminates the family’s ability to enjoy areas around these fences and trees. Allergic reactions to bee stings are common, and the associated symptoms are often caused by the venom within the insect. While most stings are confined to a local area of skin, certain people will experience an intense allergic reaction to the same bee sting. These cases can be severe, and hospitalization is sometimes required when the person starts to lose the ability to breathe.  This condition is called anaphylactic shock. Other reactions associated with this condition may include headache, dizziness, swelling and difficulty with breathing. These symptoms can be alarming, and they can happen...

All pet owners should learn about the common pests and parasites that are attracted to household pets. Dogs and cats are especially susceptible to an infection by these pests. Their hairy bodies make warm and friendly homes for many fleas, ticks and other parasites. These pests may latch onto their fur or jump down from trees when the animals are outdoors. There is no single method for avoiding pests in the summer, but there are steps you can take to keep them pest-free.  Certain pests carry diseases, and they can make the animal sick. This situation may require a trip to the veterinarian, which is not cheap. It is less expensive to take the appropriate precautions in the early months of summer than it is to wait until the situation gets out of control. By that time, the dog or cat may be interacting with kids and spreading the illness. You...

Ants are lecherous creatures that can quickly and efficiently enter any residence where a weakness has been found. Once inside, they will excrete chemicals so that other members of the colony can find their way into the building. Ants can enter structures through doors, windows, cracked pieces of drywall, pipes, drains and small holes in basements and attics. Most invasive ants are looking for food and water. Once found, hundreds of ants will make their way into the kitchen or living room. Without professional assistance, they can be exceedingly hard to eradicate. The damage and health risks associated with various ant species can vary. Some ant species build nests in baseboards and walls. These critters must be eliminated before they can cause damage to the fixtures of the home. If residents are dealing with ants that do not nest indoors, the insects can nevertheless invade kitchens and pantries and ruin huge...

Nothing can ruin a nice summer day as much as an army of swarming pests in your yard. It might come as a surprise to you, but even a tiny pool of standing water can be a very hospitable place for pests of all kinds, such as insects, molds and rodents. While stagnant puddles of water might seem harmless, the reality cannot be further from the truth. For homeowners, it is important to be aware of the potential harm that standing water can cause and take prompt measures to address the situation.  Water Can Be a Pest Magnet It is common for water to accumulate, after a heavy rainfall, in areas with uneven surfaces or poor drainage. Your lawn can only absorb so much water after a rainstorm. Moreover, outdoor water containers, such as birdbaths, fountains and buckets, can collect a substantial amount of water if not drained periodically. Ignoring a...

Termites can wreak havoc with Florida homes. There are many different types of termites, but perhaps the most damaging is the subterranean termite. They nest underground, and to build their nests, they must bore holes that make the ground weak where it is supposed to be supporting your house. Left untreated, they can create enough damage to cause a house to collapse. Termites typically swarm in the spring, but there can be smaller swarms during the summer months. The most common time for a swarm to occur is after a warm rain when the soil temperature is about 70 degrees. Termites swarm when searching for mates during breeding season. Only winged termites reproduce and can start new colonies. These are referred to as "swarmed" termites. The swarmers leave their colonies to start ones.  These termites are poor flyers and mainly drift on the prevailing winds. Light attracts them, so you can...

The chinch bug is a major pest that invades your lawn and literally sucks the life out of it. As these bugs infest your yard, they spend their time sinking their mouths into each blade of grass so that they can remove the juices. That’s bad enough, but they don’t stop there. They cause further damage by injecting dangerous chemicals into your grass that has the result of clogging the vascular system. You will know that this has happened if you notice yellowish areas around your lawn.  In the beginning, these yellowed patches are small, but they expand as these chinch bugs make their way around your lawn. Eventually, your entire yard is affected, and it decreases the entire value of your home. If you wanted to sell your house, it would be difficult with a chinch bug infestation because the first thing that people will see is your lawn. When...

Your plants and lawn need nutritious food to grow healthy throughout the year, but many homeowners struggle with finding the right time to fertilize. While most experts recommend fertilizing in the fall, opinions are mixed when it comes to the other half of the year. Some say late spring is the best time to prepare your vegetation for the heat of summer. This advice works well in many parts of the country, but Sarasota residents must be mindful of Florida's unique climate. In an area where winters are mild and spring heat comes early, some modifications must be made. Many plants and grasses awaken in the spring. Once this awakening occurs, the plants enter into a new growth cycle. During this cycle, they extend their roots and begin building up enormous energy reserves for the long, hot summer. In Florida, this summer is hotter and longer than in most places. This...