Pest Control – Controlling Ticks in South Florida

Ticks are an insect that feed on blood and are generally found in South Florida due to the warm, tropical climate.  Ticks latch on to their hosts by attaching themselves to the skin and inserting their cutting mandibles.

Ticks travel around South Florida by human contact which is their main method of transportation. These insects do not fly or jump, they drop from their perch and fall onto their host.  Some species stalk the host from ground level, emerging from cracks found in the woods or even inside a home or kennel. Weak or older dogs  and puppies are particularly endangered and can die from anemia from a sudden influx of seed ticks. Seed ticks also attack horses, cattle, moose, lions and other mammals, causing anemia, various diseases, paralysis and even death. Such infestations can be difficult to detect until thousands have attached themselves to an animal and eradication can be difficult.

Ticks can spread diseases and can be quite difficult to remove. Be sure to contact your local pest control company for more details.

A1 Superheroes specializes in the removal of ticks from your yard and home in:

• Coral Springs Florida
• Boynton Beach Florida
• Coconut Creek
• Delray Beach Florida
• Lake Worth, Florida
• Boca Raton Florida
• And more!

Pest Control in South Florida

South Florida Cockroach Pest Control

There are various types of cockroaches located in South Florida. One species, however, has wings. These cockroaches are called the “Asian Cockroach”. Their main habitat is outdoors in shaded mulched or composted areas, such as landscaping and gardens, where fresh plant litter accumulates. The South Florida population of the Asian Cockroach is 30,000 to as much as 250,000 per acre. These insects have been known to infest south Florida communities and gather in homes and other dwellings. If you spot an Asian cockroach in your home, be sure to contact your local South Florida Pest Control specialists

Cockroach Pest Control

South Florida Pest Control – Pesticides

A1 Superheroes features many pest control articles that will help the South Florida community learn and understand the pests that are located in Southern Florida. This particular article is geared toward people who use pesticides in or around their homes to remove pests such as insects and rodents. If your job involves pesticides or may result in pesticide exposure (for example, you harvest crops in a field where pesticides were used), please see the Worker Safety and Training page.

To determine if you are safely using a pesticide, you must first research the appropriate pesticide for the pest that you are trying to remove. After you have established the chemical, you then must be sure to use it properly. The label on the backside of the pesticide container provides instructions for use of the pesticide. It also includes warnings that are intended to let the user know how to prevent harmful exposures, such as by wearing protective clothing, keeping children and pets out of the treated area for certain periods, and so on. It is very important to Read the Label First before using a pesticide.

Pesticide Information

South Florida Pest Control – Snakes

Living in South Florida, you will find many insects and rodents. Among these pests are snakes – something that you really don’t want to involve yourself with. South Florida is home to over 45 species of snakes. 6 of which are venomous. If you find a snake in your yard or home, it is highly important to make sure that you cannot be harmed with lethal venom.

South Florida’s venomous snakes:

• Cottonmouth Snake
• Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake
• Eastern Coral Snake
• Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
• Southern Copperhead
• Timber Rattlesnake

Due to Florida’s tropical conditions – these snakes are attracted to dry woods as well as swamp lands. If you find a snake in your yard, call your South Florida Pest Control company to be sure that it is removed properly and safely!

Broward County Pest Control

Ficus Whitefly of Broward County, Florida

You may have wondered why many of your ficus trees are slowly declining in health. The culprit might be the Ficus Whitefly, South Florida’s latest pest. The Ficus Whitefly typically feeds on the undersides of the ficus leaves with their “needle-like” mouthparts. By sucking joices from the leaves, the Ficus Whiteflies cause wilting, yellowing, stunting, leaf drop and even death.

A to Z Environmental specializes in the prevention and removal of the Ficus Whitefly. If prevented properly, most ficus plants will regrow new leaves. If your plant has lost many leaves, it is quite important not to overwater. Without it’s leaves, the plants are less efficient at taking in the water and start to rot in the roots or lower trunk which may lead to plant death. If the twigs are still supple, the plant will produce new leaves in a few weeks. As soon as new growth is evident, a systemic insecticide applied to the soil may provide protection to the new growth.

A to Z Environmental Services:

• Fort Lauderdale
• Coral Springs
• Tamarac
• Lighthouse Point
• Deerfield Beach
• And more!

Ficus Whitefly Broward County

Spiders in Palm Beach County

If you’re taking your morning walk in South Florida, you may have noticed an increase in the amount of spiders and spider webs . These pesky creatures might also find their way into your homes, businesses and yards.

What exactly is a spider?

There are approximately over 40,000 spider species recorded as of 2009. These air-breathing arthropods have eight legs and “fangs” that can inject venom depending on the species. Spiders are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms. Spiders can be found on every continent except for Antarctica.

Spider Bites:

Spiders will generally only bite a human in self defense. Most of these bites will only produce a small infection, similar to a mosquito bite or bee-sting. Spiders such as the widow spiders and other extremely harmful spiders are shy and bite only when severely threatened.  Funnel web spiders’ defensive tactics are aggressive and their venom, although they rarely inject much, has resulted in 13 known human deaths. On the other hand the Brazilian wandering spider requires very little provocation.

There were about 100 reliably reported deaths from spider bites in the 20th century, but about 1,500 from jellyfish stings.Many alleged cases of spider bites may represent incorrect diagnoses, which would make it more difficult to check the effectiveness of treatments for genuine bites.

Palm Beach County Pest Control

Rotent Diseases – South Florida Pest Control

Hearing a rodent in your home is not a pleasant discovery. In fact, if you have spotted one rodent, chances are there are more. Before you take matters into your own hands, consider the dangers that you are putting your family in. Rodents carry diseases that can harm your family and pets – not something that you want to risk. Below are just a few samples of rodent diseases – enough to make you want to call your South Florida Pest Control experts now!

Pest Control South Florida

Disease	Agent	Rodent(s) Involved	How the Disease Spreads	Where the Disease Occurs	More Information
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome	Virus	Deer mouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus), cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus), rice rat (Oryzomys palustris), and white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)	Breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings	Throughout most of North and South America	Hantaviruses
			Direct contact with rodents or their urine and droppings
			Bite wounds, although this does not happen frequently
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome	Virus	Striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), the brown or Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), the bank vole (Clethrio-nomys glareolus), and the yellow-necked field mouse (Apodemus flavicollis)	Breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings	Primarily in eastern Asia, Russia, Korea, Scandinavia, western Europe, and the Balkans.	Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
			Direct contact with rodents or their urine and droppings
			Bite wounds, although this does not happen frequently
			The disease may spread through direct contact from person to person, but it is extremely rare.
Lassa fever	Virus	Multi-mammate rat (Mastomys natalensis species complex)	Breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings	West Africa	Lassa Fever

Controlling the Ficus Whitefly – A to Z Environmental Services

With the South Florida community realizing that the Ficus Whitefly is a huge problem, there are certain steps that A to Z Environmental Services recommends. Drench the soil around the base of the tree or hedge with a product that holds a neonicotinoid compound.  If applied appropriately, these products should provide sufficient control of the whitefly for 4-8 months (or perhaps longer) depending on the size of the tree or shrub. A to Z Environmental advises that you monitor your plants 3 months after application for the presence of live nymphs. Foliar sprays can also be applied to treat “hot spots” or get quick knockdown in addition to the soil applications. Products that can be considered for foliar applications are listed in the next section (Control in the Nursery), but it is important to only use those products that are allowed in the landscape. Also, the products (neonicotinoids) listed in the below table can used as a foliar spray but it is not recommended that you use them as both a foliar and soil application and it is the soil application that will provide the longest control.

The best way to ensure that your plants are safe is to hire the professional services of A to Z Environmental Services.

Ficus Whitefly Solutions

Residential Pest Control – The Facts

Residential Pest control is  the regulation or extermination of a species defined as a pest.  Usually, this is because it is believed to be important to a person’s health, the ecology or the economy. Residential Pest control is at least as old as agriculture, as there has always been a need to keep crops free from pests. In order to maximize food production, it is advantageous to protect crops from competing species of plants, as well as from herbivores competing with humans. The conventional approach was probably the first to be employed, since it is comparatively easy to destroy weeds by burning them or plowing them under, and to kill larger competing herbivores, such as crows and other birds eating seeds. Procedures and techniques such as crop rotation, companion planting (also known as intercropping or mixed cropping), and the selective breeding of pest-resistant cultivars have a long history. Many pests have only become a problem because of the direct actions of humans.

A to Z Environmental Services specializes in ridding your home from pests such as:

• Rats
• Ficus Whitefly
• Ants
• Roaches
• And more!

Residential Pest Control

Ticks in South Florida

Ticks are blood-feeding parasites that are often found in the south Florida tall grass and shrubs where they will wait to attach to a passing host. A tick will attach itself to its host by inserting its cutting mandibles and feeding tub into skin. 

Human contact is the primary method of transportation for ticks. Ticks cannot jump or fly, however they may drop from their perch and fall onto a host. Some species stalk the host from ground level, emerging from cracks found in the woods or even inside a home or kennel. Weak or older dogs  and puppies are particularly endangered and can die from anemia from a sudden influx of seed ticks. Seed ticks also attack horses, cattle, moose, lions and other mammals, causing anemia, various diseases, paralysis and even death. Such infestations can be difficult to detect until thousands have attached themselves to an animal and eradication can be difficult.

Mature ticks are easier to see and can be removed with care. Frequent grooming and chemicals for control may control the spread of seed ticks and adults.

Changes in temperature and day length are some of the factors that make a tick  locate a host. Ticks can feel heat or carbon dioxide emitted  from a nearby host. They will generally drop off the animal when full, but this may take several days. In some cases ticks will survive for some time on the blood of an animal. Ticks are more active outdoors in warm weather, but can attack a host at any time^.

Ensure safety with your family and pets with pest control in South Florida. A to Z Environmental Services specializes in ridding your home and yard from:

• Ticks
• Fleas
• Ficus Whitefly
• Rodents
• Ants
• And more!

Pest Control in South Florida