Mosquitoes are one of the most common and irritating pests in Fort Lauderdale. Their buzzing sounds and itching bites can drive a person mad. However, there are a few steps homeowners can take to keep mosquitoes from breeding in their yards.

 

Prevent Mosquitoes Living in Your Yard

Bodies of water are a popular breeding ground for mosquitoes. Long-standing puddles or water in buckets, toys, unused pools, etc. can all harbor mosquito larvae. By emptying any containers of standing water, you are removing the preferred breeding ground for these pesky insects, and therefore cutting down their population. Upkeep of your yard can help too. But cutting long grass, you are removing the mosquitos’ hiding spot and driving them away.

 

Health Hazards That Mosquitoes Pose

Mosquitoes can do more than make people uncomfortable. They can carry a variety of diseases and infect a person with them through their bites. Diseases that are known to be transmitted by Florida mosquitoes include:

• West Nile virus
• Eastern equine encephalitis
• Saint Louis encephalitis
• Zika

The most recent arrival is the Zika virus. At the beginning of August 2016, 14 people in Florida had been infected with Zika. Florida is not expected to see a major outbreak of the virus, but people should take measures to repel mosquitoes and keep themselves safe.

Call the Mosquito Experts

If you have any questions or need help keeping your property free of mosquitoes, speak to the experts at Critter Control serving Fort Lauderdale. Our trained professionals can help you come up with a plan to eliminate those pesky insects from your home. Call us today at 954.467.6067 to take the first step in protecting your home and family from mosquitos.

 

Successful rat control methods require some effort, but they are very beneficial in preventing illnesses and deterring structural damage for Fort Lauderdale residents. Because of the potential dangers rats present for humans, Critter Control® recommends taking immediate action to rid your home or business of these varmints. We specialize in crafting the safest and most effective solution to fit your needs and have years of experience with of pests such as rats.

 

Non – Lethal Control Methods

The most effective method of rat control is prevention. Early implication will ensure the safety of both the humans and rats involved. Fort Lauderdale residents should:

• Store food and trash in tightly sealed containers
• Alter landscaping to eliminate rodent hiding places
• Use fumigants to force these creatures to leave on their own
• Keep home clutter free; especially from paper or cardboard
• Hire professionals to place rat traps in the most appropriate locations

Since rats sometimes change location, it is best to combine efforts with neighbors to be more effective.

Alternative Control Methods

At Critter Control® it is always our goal to safely trap and relocate creatures to a more appropriate habitat. However, that is not always practical. When rats are diseased, or when their population is so colossal that trapping is inadequate, we implement lethal extermination methods. Lethal traps are more effective at removing larger numbers and often take up less space.

Rats are creatures of habit. They travel the same route every time to get to their desired location. They are also very nimble and skeptical creatures. Their skepticism, agility, and excellent memory make it very difficult to catch them.

If you believe your home or business is infiltrated by rats, seek professional assistance. Call our expert team at Critter Control® serving Fort Lauderdale at 954-467-6067 to schedule your free consultation today. Ask about our three-year exclusion and lifetime warranty.

Rats in your home’s attic can cause a variety of problems. They can chew through wires, causing electrical issues and possible fire hazards. Their droppings and urine can spread diseases through a home’s air conditioning ducts, and they can chew through valuable or sentimental items stored in the attic.

How to Know if There Are Rats in the Attic

Homeowners who want to prevent rats from causing issues by creating nests in their attic should know the signs of a rat infestation. The most obvious sign of rats living in the attic include:
• Scratching sounds in the ceiling and walls
• Squeaks, thumps, and other unexplained sounds
• Holes in food bags or boxes
• Flickering lights

If homeowners investigate these sounds, they may find other obvious signs of the rat’s presence, such as rat droppings throughout the attic and trails in exposed insulation. Damage to stored objects, wiring, and structural beams may also be present.

Removing Attic Nests

Safely trapping or poisoning rats is a difficult task for a homeowner. Even if they manage to kill some of the rats, destroying the nest is almost impossible without a professional’s knowledge and tools. In addition, critter professionals can repair the damage made to your attic’s insulation, wiring, and structure if needed.

To ensure the extermination of the rats in your attic, call 954-467-6067 and talk to the pest control agents at Critter Control® serving Fort Lauderdale.

Hurricane season is upon us and with Florida’s hot weather Critter Control® serving Fort Lauderdale knows that these are great conditions for mosquito breeding. Florida has reported multiple confirmed Zika cases,  and some of those were from local mosquitoes. Local government is hard at work combatting the mosquito problem, but you can do your part by protecting your home and family.
Keep the mosquitoes away!
You may not be able to control the weather, but there are things you can do to prevent mosquitoes. With just a little effort, anyone can have a large impact on diminishing the mosquito population around their yard.
• Change birdbath water every week – mosquitoes breed in two weeks so changing the water often can prevent their development
• Remove standing water from roof gutters, pet dishes, unused pools, flower pots or anything else in your yard that will collect and store water.
• Plant naturally repelling plants like citronella or
With Fort Lauderdale’s weather, Critter Control® knows that it will be hard for residents to stay inside. In the event that you are outdoors, the tips below are sure to keep those pesky insects away!
• Avoid activities before dawn and after dusk if possible
• Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts
• Use mosquito repellents
How Critter Control® Can Help
If the presence of mosquitoes become too overwhelming, the experts at Critter Control® can help. Our highly trained professional team will assess your mosquito problem and compose a control plan that’s safe and effective for you. Give us a call at 954-467-6067 or visit our website to schedule an appointment today!

To humans, raccoons are somewhat mysterious animals. We have always been told to stay away because they are aggressive and may be rabid. We know for sure that they don’t make the best house guests, but what do we know about raccoons? Many would answer not much. Below Critter Control® serving Fort Lauderdale have shared some interesting facts about raccoons that will help you understand a bit more about these furry bandits.

• Raccoons are nocturnal creatures which mean they are primarily active at night. Their activity increases during spring, summer, and fall, but winter is when they love to make your home their place of rest and solace.

 

• The latter part of winter is also when raccoons like to begin their reproduction cycle. Their gestation period is approximately 63 – 65 days so baby cubs can be expected in late April or early May. Unlike humans who stay with our parents for at least 18 years, baby raccoons are on their own after just one year. Most females are ready to reproduce by then. Male raccoons do not take part in raising the cubs

 

• Social Structure. Adult raccoons normally live in groups of four or five. This “community” atmosphere provides better protection as they are safer in numbers. Some of their natural predators include cougars, bobcats, alligators, foxes and great horned owls.

 

• Raccoons identify each other by sniffing their bottoms. They also have over 200 murmurs and screeches and 12 – 15 different calls that they use to communicate.

 

• Unique Attributes. Raccoons are great swimmers. Adults can swim up to a mile with no difficulty. Raccoons also have excellent dexterity which makes them avid climbers. This mastery also gives the ability to open doors, latches, and bottles.

 

Though these animal’s abilities are very impressive and their lifestyle is very interesting, you should still stay far. They are very protective animals, and their aggression heightens when cubs are present.

If you see a raccoon repeatedly around your premises, they probably have a gaze of other raccoons nearby. Call the experts at Critter Control® serving Fort Lauderdale at 954-467-6067 to assist with all your raccoon removal needs. Ask about our three-year exclusion and lifetime warranty.

Unless you’re familiar with bees and wasps, the sting you just felt when that yellow and black insect landed on your arm is not a great identifier. Trying to get close to a bee hive or a wasp nest to properly identify the culprit it never recommended. Believe it or not, bees and wasps have different appearances, behaviors and lifestyles. If noting their behaviors from afar isn’t enough to determine which insect stung you then call the experts at Critter Control® for assistance.

Appearance

Bees

• Hairy and oval shaped
• Thin opaque wings
• Black with yellow, orange, or brown stripes, or completely black in appearance.

Wasp

• Bodies are smooth and they have long dangling legs
• Long and thin, two pairs of wings, and a pinched waist
• Vary in color from solid black to black and yellow

Behavior

Bees

• Pollinators who feed on the nectar
• Less aggressive and don’t usually seek other insects as prey
• Die after stinging

Wasps

• Predatory wasps use their long legs to catch, kill and devour their prey
• Parasitic wasps use the bodies of insects as a place to lay their eggs
• Can sting multiple times

The habitats of these flying insects also vary. A wasps gray paper like home is made of chewed wood and saliva while a bees’ honeycomb home is made from the wax they secrete.

One bee or wasps is nothing to cause concern, but when they swarm in numbers, they can become deadly and cause damage to your home. Call the experts at Critter Control® serving Fort Lauderdale at 954-467-6067 today for your free inspection and consultation. Let us help your rid your home of wasps or bees before they cause too much harm.

You’ve seen a few squirrels in your backyard and they were the most adorable thing ever. A few months have passed, and now you see a few raccoons, a couple new bee hives, a lot more squirrels, two new snakes, and some bats. What is happening you ask yourself? It was acceptable at first, but now it’s becoming a nuisance. The new flowers you planted, and the open trash can you’ve now decided to keep outside may be contributing factors. Be mindful that if they are in your backyard, then they may also make their way into your home or attic and cause damage. Wildlife generally enters a home when looking for permanent shelter, a breeding spot, or an escape from the weather. Below are some of the reasons why the biodiversity in your yard may be attracting excessive wildlife, and how you can rid yourself of them:

Excessive Amounts of Flowers – Flowers provide pollen for bees and other insects that help with pollination. Cultivars that have been selectively bred with reduced amounts of nectar may be a good alternative

Excessive Amounts of Fruit Trees – While organic fruit is best, fruit trees provide food for critters like bats and squirrels. Too many fruit trees may make your yard wildlife haven.

Shrubs – Shrubs are a great hiding place and nesting site for snakes. If they have berries, they provide nectar and food for rodents, birds, bats, or raccoons. Keeping the ground free of shrubs will help to reduce your problem.

Water Source – bird baths, standing water, or pet water bowls provide water for all critters, and a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes. If they’re not needed, remove them!

Composting – Composting in the garden is great fertilizer for your yard, but also provides shelter for small snakes, worms or cockroaches who are attracted to the warmth. Composting in an airtight container will provide the needed fertilizer for your plants yet eliminate the critters.

Other food sources – Trash cans stored outside but not sealed tightly makes any raccoon happy. Your backyard wildlife may also be attracted by your pet’s food bowl, or bird feeders placed in the yard. Only put pet food bowls out when needed, and eliminate bird feeders unless absolutely necessary.

Following these tips will help to keep unwanted wildlife at bay, but it’s not guaranteed. If you have a wildlife infestation, call the experts at Critter Control serving Fort Lauderdale at 954-467-6067 today. Get a free consultation and find out how our industry experience, humane methods, and use of advanced technology makes us the best choice for eliminating your wildlife problems.