Mud tubes left by termites

Hi there. I’m in The Villages Florida at one of our chiropractor’s offices and I want to kind of show you guys some things about IPM. IPM is integrated pest management. So what that means is when we’re going into a facility like a chiropractor’s office or something similar, we don’t want to be spraying all over the place just because of the nature of what the services they provide there. So when we go there, we use our eyes and different monitoring systems so we can look for the why of why any pests are getting in or get ahead of any kind of pests that might enter the building.

So, I’m going to turn the camera around and I’m going to kind of walk around with you for a second and show you a couple of things that we would look for. Okay, so first thing that I noticed when I come in is that we have a small gap under the door there. We have light getting through. So that means a pest are going to get through. So what we would do is we  would spot treat at those entrances like that and advise the owners to seal those up and like with some weather stripping or anything like that. And if we take a walk up to the front, stay with me, we can get to the front and we see that we also have the same gap up front. we have the light getting through and we would also advise them that this, you know, this is a shared building. So, we know that there are other buildings and other access points that we can’t control.

Expert Insight:

Written by a licensed pest control professional with hands-on experience serving residential and commercial properties in Citrus County Florida, supported by consistent positive customer reviews on Google.

If you are having trouble with ants or any other pests, call Turbo Pest Solutions at (352) 345-7572

German roaches are a pest people never want to find in their home, though can be said about almost every pest. It’s one of the most common kind of roach to see in homes (especially hot and humid areas like Florida).  What makes these pests different is German roaches are what some call a “domesticated pest”. A pest meant to live with humans. These roaches are almost bred to live in human conditions rather than outdoors. An infestation is not a sign that someone is dirty or even has a dirty home.

They spread almost like a common cold, going from one person to the next through things like bags, boxes and sometimes something as simple as an infested appliance being brought from one home to another. This has earned them the name “hitch-hiker pests” as well. When these pests find their way into your home they leave tale-tell signs of their intrusion.

If you’re having a pest problem, and need a solution, call Turbo Pest Solutions at (352)-345-7572

Signs to Look For

A sign to look out for is their droppings which tend to look like coffee grounds or black pepper. Longer established infestations tend to leave smear marks on walls and floors where they’ve been stepped on or walked through oils. Roaches tend to shed their skin as they grow. These skins are also big indicators that there is an infestation. They are found in tight spaces like drawers and under sinks where they thrive. They look for areas where its warm and wet, like behind stoves and dishwashers.

Another big sign of an infestation are dropped egg casings or “oothecas” which can contain around fifty eggs per capsule. These little grenades of roach babies can cause an infestation with a couple of them alone. Another important thing to watch out for is, obvious enough, dead roaches. Finding a lot of dead roaches in one place hidden, or especially more than a few dead out in the open can be reason to suspect an infestation. Roaches eat each other so lots of dead roaches is the equivalent of an open food source.

Other strong indicators of an already set in infestation are a musty odor, which is the pheromone that roaches let off. It’s not really comparable to another smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. Once you smell it you will know the smell for the rest of your days though. It’s best described as “musty” and almost greasy with a sickly sweet tang to it.

You’ll also see chew marks on food left out, books or even fabrics. The biggest indicator of an overcrowded infestation is seeing live roaches during the day considering they are nocturnal.

Prevention of Infestation

Roaches are commonly just doing what they can to stay alive, working purely on feral instinct. Once they’re in, it can be very difficult to get them out. Working before they are even there to keep them out can be a life saver if they ever do find their way in.

Making sure to repair holes in water pipes, baseboards, doors and windows is a huge help. Putting weather-strip and caulking any small cracks, holes and any areas they could use as highways through your home are very important. Putting screens over things like vents, windows and floor drains can prevent many pests from finding their way into your home, not just roaches.

Roaches tend to feed on anything they can get ahold of, so clearing your house of any un-needed cardboard, paper bags, newspaper, etc. can really help with not giving them a feast if they do find their way in. Keeping tidy, not leaving food out, and fixing leaky pipes are all very important. Remember though, a dirty or clean house are not the difference when it comes to an infestation. It’s the willingness to work at getting it fixed. Here at Turbo Pest Solutions we focus on eradicating the pest. Solving the problem and not just controlling it.

Expert Insight:

Written by a licensed pest control professional with hands-on experience serving residential and commercial properties in Citrus County Florida, supported by consistent positive customer reviews on Google.

If you are having trouble with ants or any other pests, call Turbo Pest Solutions at (352) 345-7572

 

Black Widows in Citrus County

Look at that red! This pretty girl was found in Citrus Springs FL! The most recognizable part of a black widow is their beautiful red hourglass that sticks out against their obsidian skin, but there are many misconceptions about these beauties!! For instance, I’m sure you’ve been advised to stay far away from this venomous spider, but did you know it’s only the females who have venom? You can tell the difference as females are that almost void black with the hourglass, and males which are more brown or gray with red spots.
Another fun fact, although they have eight eyes, they actually have really poor eyesight! They rely mostly on their webs and the vibrations to know what to do. Contrary to popular belief, black widows are not violent at all, the females actually only bite when they feel threatened or if they are protecting their eggs. Males are even less likely to bite and are rarely even seen considering they are often eaten after mating.
How fascinating!!

Expert Insight:

Written by a licensed pest control professional with hands-on experience serving residential and commercial properties in Citrus County Florida, supported by consistent positive customer reviews on Google.

If you are having trouble with ants or any other pests, call Turbo Pest Solutions at (352) 345-7572

If you’ve lived in Citrus County long enough, you know the ants here don’t mess around. They invade kitchens like tiny sugar-crazed soldiers, forming lines so organized they could teach traffic control. Naturally, most homeowners grab a quick DIY fix – like the classic “equal parts soap and vinegar” trick. It sounds good in theory: the soap suffocates, the vinegar repels, and you feel like a budget-friendly exterminator, but the ants keep coming back.

But here’s the problem, ants are smarter and tougher than they look. That soap-and-vinegar mix might kill a few on contact, but it won’t reach the nest. And as long as the queen is safe underground, she’ll keep sending out reinforcements like it’s her personal hobby. Before you know it, the same trail of ants is back, just a little angrier and more determined.

For real results, you need a solution that works at the source. Turbo Pest Control offers Monthly Pest Control Plans designed specifically for Florida homes. Their trained technicians don’t just spray and go – they find where ants are nesting, how they’re getting in, and eliminate them using pet- and family-friendly products. That means no harsh odors, no chemical residue, and most importantly, no more ant parade in your pantry.

Whether it’s fire ants in your yard or sugar ants in your kitchen, Turbo Pest Control tackles them fast and keeps them from coming back. Skip the frustration of DIY mixes and get long-term protection that actually works.

Stop treating symptoms – treat the source. Call Turbo Pest Control today and keep your home pest-free, safe, and comfortable all year long.

Expert Insight:

Written by a licensed pest control professional with hands-on experience serving residential and commercial properties in Citrus County Florida, supported by consistent positive customer reviews on Google.

If you are having trouble with ants or any other pests, call Turbo Pest Solutions at (352) 345-7572