Tips For Pest Prevention:
A well sealed house is always the best way to keep pests out in
the first place. Make sure doors fit securely and tightly - especially at
the bottom. During the day when it is sunny out, close your door and look
at the bottom, if you can see light, bugs can get in. A door sweep is an
inexpensive way to correct this situation and can be bought at most any hardware
store. Also, make sure window screens are in place and do not have holes
or tears in them, and fit snugly in place.
Check soffit, attic, and foundation vents as well as where
conduits (electric, plumbing, etc.) enter your home. If there are holes or
gaps in any of these larger than ½ inch, they can allow insects and rodents to
enter your home or building and should be repaired or sealed. Also, cracks
in the foundation or exterior of your home should be caulked or otherwise
sealed.
Wood rot of any type should be repaired as soon as it is
noticed on wood siding, soffis, or fascias. Carpenter Ants, as well as
termites and other wood destroying insects are attracted to rotten wood and will
quickly take advantage of this opportunity.
If you have standard white or clear light bulbs on the exterior
of your home near doors or windows, consider replacing them with yellow “bug
lights” available at most any hardware store. This will reduce the
number of nocturnal insects drawn to the lights at night and also reduce the
population of spiders that feed on them.
Where trees and shrubbery are near your home, make sure to keep
limbs trimmed away from siding and roof areas to help keep ants and rodents out
of your home. Also be sure to keep shrubs, etc. pruned back from your
foundation or siding by at least 12 inches to allow proper air circulation and
to prevent moisture build up.
 Keep mulch levels no more than 1 inch deep in plant beds around
your house. Mulch over 1 inch deep is an excellent place for
insects, including Subterranean Termites, to live and breed. Contrary to
popular belief, mulch normally is not a major cause of termite infestations provided
that mulch is maintained at the proper level (as proven by a University of
Florida study). Where mulch is conducive to termite infestation is
when mulch is too deep or covers wood siding or stucco.
Always make sure to maintain 3 to 4 inches of clearance between
wood siding or stucco and soil, mulch, or any other ground covering. This
is by far how most Subterranean Termite infestation start. Not only
does this allow Subterranean Termites a direct route into your home, but also
makes detection of their presence very difficult if not impossible until they
have begun doing damage or they swarm. This situation will void most
any Subterranean Termite warranty (or “bond”) on your home. In
addition, for wood sided homes or buildings, this can also be a major factor for
wood rot and Carpenter Ant infestations.
 Never stack firewood or lumber next to your home. This
allows Subterranean Termites - as well as numerous other bugs - a pathway into
your home and will allow a “bridge” over any chemical barrier designed to
keep Subterranean Termites out of your home. This situation also will
void most any Subterranean Termite warranty (or “bond”) on your home.
In addition, for wood sided homes or buildings, this can also be a
contributing factor for wood rot and Carpenter Ant infestations.
If boxes are brought into your home that have been in storage,
it is a good idea to unpack them outside and bring the contents in separately.
Silverfish, roaches, and spiders can easily be brought into your home in boxes
that have been stored in warehouses and other such buildings. Also, if a
friend asks to keep some things in boxes, or items such as televisions or
computers, etc. at your house, be aware that if your friend has German Roaches
where these things were kept before, you will have them too if they are in the
items brought into your home - we have seen this exact situation many
times.
If you have an ant infestation or are starting to notice ants
in your home - DO NOT SPRAY THEM!!! Call us immediately so that we can
begin treatment as soon as possible. Many times, spraying ants with over
the counter pesticides will spread the ants and possibly split the colony
- which means that instead of having only one nest, you could quickly have 2 or
3 (or more), making it much more difficult and time consuming to get them under
control. The best way to get rid of ants quickly is to have them
treated by a professional as soon as they are noticed in the home.
Have your home inspected at least once a year by a professional
to make sure there is no visible evidence of termites or other wood destroying
insects. Professionals are trained to recognize signs that can very easily
be overlooked by even the most diligent homeowner.
Phone:
386.253.9600 • Fax:
386.253.0103
Email: bugmasterinc@bellsouth.net
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825 Gatepark
Drive, Suite 1
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
P.O Box
211299
Daytona Beach, FL 32121
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