Category: Blog

A cockroach infestation can grind a commercial business’ productivity to a halt and scare away return customers for good. Luckily, there’s a few commercial cockroach control tactics business owners can implement to prevent cockroaches from destroying the reputation of their commercial property.

Commercial Cockroach Control Methods

1. Keep Your Property Clean –Keeping the property clean is the most obvious step in preventing pests from taking hold of a business, but it’s the step most commercial property owners skip over. Cockroaches are drawn to messes, especially if crumbs and scraps of food are involved. It’s important to only eat in designated kitchen areas, properly dispose of any food waste, regularly remove trash from the premises, and engage in regular cleaning and upkeep of work areas. This includes cleaning behind desks and large appliances, which can often become dens of crumbs and cobwebs.
    
2. Secure Potential Entryways –It is important to be proactive by conducting a thorough inspection of your commercial property to find any cracks or gaps that could serve as red carpets for cockroaches to get inside. Seal any potential cockroach pathways with caulk to keep them out.
    
3. Consistently Monitor for Cockroaches –The best time to catch cockroaches is before they take a hold of your property. This means being on the lookout for them before you ever see one skitter across the floor. Cockroaches sometimes find their way into a business through shipments, so it’s important to inspect incoming boxes for insect eggs or droppings. You should also conduct frequent inspections of spaces employees or customers don’t often visit to ensure an infestation isn’t already growing under your nose.
    
4. Maintain Building Repairs –Cockroaches love dark and moist environments. While most commercial properties tend to be brightly lit, areas that have fallen into disrepair may serve as the perfect breeding ground for cockroaches. Fixing leaky pipes and replacing broken lights can help prevent roaches from considering your commercial space as a possible home.
    
5. Hire a Commercial Cockroach Control Service –Most people only call a commercial cockroach control service after the pests have already infested their property. However, most professional pest control companies offer inspection, extermination, and repair services that will help prevent future infestations from developing on your commercial property.

Professional Commercial Cockroach Control Services Near You

If your Central Florida commercial property is overrun with nuisance cockroaches, rely on the professional pest control experts at Critter Control® of Polk County. Whether you have an existing pest problem or want to prevent one from ever starting, you can count on us for safe and effective services. To schedule an inspection for your Polk County business and receive a free commercial cockroach control estimate, call us today at 863-204-2815.

Nothing is more frustrating than seeing your pristine lawn become overrun with a horde of troublesome pests. While many homeowners turn to DIY pest control methods to get rid of outdoor pest infestations, there are a few proactive steps you can take to prevent a pest problem from developing in the first place.

Pest Control Tips for a Pest-Free Yard

1. Remove Standing Water –Water fixtures like bird baths have become synonymous with the ideal backyard. However, they also serve as reservoirs for standing water that make the perfect breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes. It’s important to remove any sources of standing water to prevent a bug boom that only professional pest control services can handle.
    
2. Cut Off Food Sources –Pests of all sizes are always on the lookout for their next meal. The best way of keeping them out of your yard is to make sure there’s no food sources for them to snack on. This isn’t limited to packing up your birdfeeder. The garbage in your trash can is seen as a delicious meal to invading pests, so it’s important to keep the lids on your garbage cans tightly sealed. Also, remove pet food bowls at night as well as fallen produce from your garden that can attract hungry critters.
    
3. Keep a Trimmed and Clean Yard –Pests are also on prowl for a safe place to call home. This can often be found in long grass or piles of debris littered around your backyard. Keeping a nicely trimmed yard clear of leaf piles and other hiding spots is one of the easiest steps you can take to keep pests out of your yard.
    
4. Cultivate Pest Predators –Predators have always been nature’s best form of pest control. By making your yard friendlier to them, you make it much more hostile to the pests trying to plant their roots. Birds are perhaps the most common pest predator found in the average backyard, with birdfeeders and houses serving as natural lures to keep them around your property. Bats are another natural predator to pests. Much like birds, bat-houses can be installed along property lines to encourage bats to stick around your property. However, both bats and birds can become nuisance pests in their own right, so try not to make your property too inviting to them.
    
5. Use Smoke As a Deterrent –Most insects, mosquitoes especially, are fended off by smoke. While it’s not advised to leave a fire unattended just to ward off pests, regular use of a fire pit can be a very useful and nonintrusive form of pest control. Tiki torches can also be used as a substitute, putting out smoke without the space and attention needed to maintain a fire pit.
    
6. Hire a Professional Pest Control Service –While there’s dozens of DIY pest control methods to keep pests from your yard, nothing is safer or more effective than hiring a licensed pest control service. The knowledge provided by trained and experienced experts allows them to resolve your pest control problem faster and safer than you can do on your own.

Affordable Pest Control Experts Near You

If your Central, Florida property is overrun with nuisance pests, then rely on the professional pest control experts at Critter Control® of Polk County. Whether you have an existing pest problem or want to prevent one from ever starting, you can count on us for safe and effective services. To schedule an inspection for your Polk County home or business and receive a free pest control estimate, call us today at 863-204-2815.

Homeowners are often quick to turn to DIY pest control methods the moment an insect is seen in their home. However, knowing what methods would be most effective is almost impossible without knowing what insect you’re trying to remove. Here is a comprehensive list of the most common insects and pests that regularly infest Central Florida properties and the pest control solution to effectively get rid of them.

Most Common Household Pests in Florida

1. Ants –Ants are some of the most distinct looking pests that can find their way into your home, having clearly segmented bodies broken up between their head, thorax, and abdomen. Ants can vary in size depending on their species, with the smallest species found in the typical home measuring at 0.03 inches and the biggest growing up to 1 inch. They also vary in color, able to be black, red, or brown.
   
2. Bed Bugs –Bed bugs are small, typically being around 5mm long, but they can be a big problem if left unchecked. These pests suck blood from their victims, leaving clusters of irritating bite marks on their victims. They have flat reddish-brown bodies that often remain swollen after feeding, making them easy to spot in the sheets they often call their home.
   
3. Bees –Bees are one of the most recognizable insects out there. They’re known for their distinctive black and yellow color scheme, small wings, and unique buzzing sounds. While bees are mostly harmless when left to their own devices, they can sting if they perceive you as a threat. Bees commonly make their nests outside of the home, but it may be useful to get a professional pest control inspection if they begin suddenly appearing throughout your property.
   
4. Cockroaches – Cockroaches are one of the most notorious pests that can be found in your home. These bugs are defined by their oval-shaped body and shiny brown exoskeletons. While their size may vary depending on their species, they typically range between 0.5 to 2 inches long. The pests are known to spread disease through their infestations and contaminate food supplies.
   
5. Fleas –Fleas often get confused with other common insects like bed bugs. Both are blood-sucking pests that are defined by their reddish-brown colors, flat body, and itchy bite marks. However, there are a few distinguishing features that break fleas away from the pack. For one, they’re larger than bedbugs, often being around 0.12 inches in length. They also have one of the most powerful jumps in the insect kingdom, making them easy to spot when they’re on the move.
   
6. Houseflies –Houseflies are another species that are abundantly familiar to those who deal with common insects on a regular basis. They have multiple recognizable features, including a pair of wings on their back and a set of large compound eyes. Houseflies are general feeders, meaning everything from your leftovers to your garbage can attract them into your home, so it’s best to keep an eye out for them early on to limit the chances of infestation.
    
7. Mosquitoes – Mosquitoes are a common sight in any outdoor area. These blood-sucking insects leave itchy bites and can spread diseases like malaria. The pests are defined by their spindly legs, segmented body, and long mouthpart used to pierce the skin of their prey. Mosquitoes commonly find their nests in stagnant water around your property, making keeping your home clean a top priority when it comes to pest control.
   
8. Spiders – Spiders are one of the most recognizable insects in the animal kingdom. These eight-legged pests are often attracted to a property based on the presence of other common insects that they consume. Their venomous bites can be dangerous, but the best defense against them is maintaining a high standard of pest control around your property.
    
9. Wasps – Often mistaken for bees due to their similar black and yellow colors, wasps are another common insect that can find their way into your home. Distinguished by their larger size and more aggressive behavior, wasps have a potent and painful sting that can be fatal to those with allergies.
    
10. Rats & Mice –  While not insects, rats and mice are some of the most common pests in the modern era. Both rats and mice are rodents with short fur and long tails. Mice are often small with coats in shades of brown, whereas rats are larger with fur in shades of black or gray. These rodents are reason enough to call pest control on their own, as they have a chance of carrying diseases and contaminating sources of food and water in the home. However, rats and mice can also create entry points into your home. The rodents have a habit of chewing holes in walls, which can give the other common insects a path directly into your property.

Your Effective Pest Control Solution for Common Infestations

The experienced pest control technicians at Critter Control® of Polk County are your best option for combatting unwanted pests. Our team of licensed and trained experts will quickly and safely remove nuisance pests and unwanted wildlife from your property and keep them from returning. To schedule your inspection and receive a free estimate for our effective pest control services, call Critter Control® of Polk County today at 863-204-2815.

Yards are the pride and joy of many homeowners, often fastidiously kept tidy with bushes, trees, and gardens abundant with fruits and vegetables. However, this also makes residential yards an oasis for hungry critters looking for their next meal. To keep unwanted wildlife out, many property owners are turning to the wildlife control method of fencing their yards and gardens. While fencing is certainly a humane way to go, there are a few factors you should consider before installing a fence.

Wildlife Control Tips for Fencing Your Property

• Use Wire Mesh

When building any sort of fencing, the first instinct of many homeowners is to use wood. While it looks nice and can be used as a suitable base, wood is also a fickle material that can easily be deteriorated by bad weather or scaled by determined wildlife. Such damage can lead to cracks and gaps forming in your wood fencing, allowing invasive wildlife to sneak their way in.

Wire mesh is the current standard for fencing used for wildlife control purposes. It’s a durable material with gaps small enough to keep most rodents and underground pests out. It’s also non-toxic, so it doesn’t do any long term damage to the environment, plants, or invading wildlife.

• Continue Your Fencing Into The Soil

While many assume that a fenced garden is protected because nothing can climb over it, that doesn’t mean critters can’t go underneath it. Underground rodents like chipmunks, vols, and moles are natural tunnelers that can easily dig under a shallow fence. To ensure your fencing keeps them out, bury your wire mesh fencing up to three feet deep beneath the soil line to keep burrowing pests from breaking through.

• Make The Fence Tall Enough For Your Problem

Just as many animals can dig, others have impressive jump heights. A simple four-foot fence isn’t going to hold up against a squirrel trying to get in your yard. In order to keep high jumping and flying critters out, fences are often constructed six to eight feet tall. However, your exact recommended fence height can vary depending on your location, HOA restrictions, and wildlife control needs, which can often force your fencing to be much shorter.

• Keep Up With Repairs

Fences are the poster child for “set it and forget it” wildlife control. However, they too need to be maintained, especially if animals are regularly trying to find their way into your yard. It’s important to inspect the perimeter of your fencing after any severe weather events as well as regularly throughout the year to repair any damaged areas or worn materials.

• Hire Professional Wildlife Control Services

Wildlife control services aren’t simply for getting rid of rodents once the pests are on your property. The professional wildlife control experts at Critter Control® of Polk County are fully licensed and trained in wildlife inspection, removal, and prevention to keep your yard pest-free and looking as good as new.

Rely on Central Florida’s Wildlife Control Experts

Whether you have an existing pest problem or want to prevent one from ever starting, you can count on Critter Control® of Polk County for safe and effective services. To schedule an inspection for your Polk County home or business and receive a free wildlife removal estimate, call us today at 863-204-2815.

Rat, mice, and squirrel infestations can be extremely destructive to your home, from transmitting highly infectious diseases to causing costly electrical and property damage. However, a rodent’s small stature and evasive nature allows many infestations to go unnoticed until it’s too late. Luckily, there are a few signs of a rodent infestation that you can look out for to tell when you need the help of a professional rodent removal service.

5 Signs of a Rodent Infestation

1. Rodent Droppings. The most obvious sign of a rat infestation is the presence of rodent droppings in your home. Fresh rodent droppings are dark brown and moist, but will  shrivel over time into gray crumbles. These droppings are most often found near food sources, such as packaging and cupboards, and common rodent shelters, like underneath sinks and cupboards. If you find rodent droppings in your home, be sure to inspect the surrounding area for any nests.
2. Chewing and Bite Marks. Rodents often bite through walls and packaging in an attempt to find food. Inspecting cardboard boxes and drywall for signs of gnawing could reveal a hidden rodent infestation. If you’re curious whether you’re dealing with a rat or a mouse, the rule of thumb is “The bigger the bite, the bigger the rodent.”
3. Rat Runways and Tracks. While rodents are evasive, they’re not completely undetectable. Rats and mice tend to follow the same paths between their food sources and nests, often leaving behind small footprints and “runways.” Professional rodent removal technicians can spot rodent paths with the naked eye, but anyone can test for runways by sprinkling flour in suspected areas of egress and checking them for tracks the following day.
4. Stale Smells or Odors. Rodents are smelly critters. Not only do their droppings create a distinct odor, but their urine has a similar scent to ammonia. Dead decomposing rodents also leave an overwhelmingly foul smell that can linger in your home for up to several weeks. Rodents are also foraging animals, meaning the food they collect has the potential to spoil in or around their nests. If you smell any distinctly “off” odors in your home, it may be best to contact a rodent removal service.
5. Strange Pet Behavior. Sometimes your furry friends know your home even better than you do. A sudden change in behavior from your cat or dog can signal the presence of mice, rats, squirrels, or other small vermin. If your pet experiences abrupt bouts of barking or has a new interest in an area they hadn’t before, it may be best to contact a professional rodent removal service to inspect your home for intruders.

Effective Rodent Removal Services in Central Florida

If your Central Florida property is overrun with nuisance rodents, then rely on the professional animal removal experts at Critter Control® of Polk County. Whether you have an existing rodent problem or want to prevent one from ever starting, you can count on us for safe and effective services. To schedule an inspection for your Polk County home or business and receive a free rodent removal estimate, call us today at 863-204-2815.

The first thing you should do when unwanted wildlife takes root in your business is to take action by considering your commercial pest control options. However, in a world full of deceiving advertising and scams, it can be hard to tell the difference between a reliable pest control service and an ineffective one. If you’re searching for commercial pest control services for your business, here are a few factors you should consider.

Choosing a Reputable Commercial Pest Control Service

1. Search for Licensed Technicians. Certified pest control technicians are the lifeblood of any commercial pest control service. For whatever fancy branding a company has, the technicians are the ones who actually resolve whatever pest issues are being experienced. To make sure they’re able to meet your needs, be sure to check reviews from former customers and ask the company about any licensing, accreditation, or training courses their technicians had to complete.
2. Consider Their Location. Location isn’t just important in finding which service provider can get to you the fastest. Handling nuisance pests is a very specialized field, and what tactics work or fail can vary depending on where the service is being provided. When looking for reliable commercial pest control services, make sure the provider has technicians familiar with your area and experience handling its wide variety of local pests and wildlife.
3. Understand the Services They Offer. While the term “pest control” may seem like an all-encompassing umbrella, almost every commercial pest control provider has a different array of services that they offer. It’s important to know what types of pests are infesting your business and whether or not the pest control provider specializes in their removal from commercial properties.
4. Ensure Humane Removal Services. Many less scrupulous pest control providers use inhumane and harmful methods to remove unwanted pests. Certain tactics involve chemicals that have an adverse effect on the local environment or traps that can fatally wound the critters they’re removing. While there are no laws against these practices, many consumers prefer the use of safe, non-toxic, and eco-friendly methods on their property. 

When it comes to all the factors above, there’s no commercial pest control better for the job than Critter Control® of Polk County. Having served the Central Florida area since 1983, our technicians have the experience and expertise to resolve your commercial pest problem quickly, affordably, and permanently.

Choose Central Florida’s Reliable and Reputable Commercial Pest Control Experts

The licensed and trained commercial pest control technicians at Critter Control® of Polk County will safely remove nuisance pests from your property and keep them from returning. To schedule your inspection and receive a free estimate for our effective commercial pest control services, call Critter Control® of Polk County today at 863-204-2815.

Raccoons are one of the most common critters found in suburban populations. While raccoons are often thought of as rascally-but-cute critters, not everyone wants these furry neighbors digging through their garbage or harassing their pets. While you wait for professional raccoon removal services, you can try a few natural raccoon removal repellents to keep the mischievous mammals out of your backyard.

Natural Raccoon Removal Methods

• Odor Repellents

Raccoon removal is a tricky business given they’re some of the most persistent animals out there. The most effective way to keep them at bay is to make your property unappealing. This can be accomplished using various strong scents that turn raccoons away, such as:

• Ammonia
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Cinnamon
  • Coyote Urine
  • Epsom Salt
  • Peppermint Oil
  • Vinegar

While these smells can serve as an effective deterrent to raccoons, they can also be an equally potent repellant to humans. It’s best to carefully consider where you apply these scents, especially liquids like coyote urine that can disturb and alarm your domestic pets.

• Bright Lights

Raccoons are nocturnal animals, making them particularly sensitive to bright lights. However, most homeowners don’t have the time to sit outside with a flashlight past midnight to scare nuisance raccoons away. Simply installing motion activated lights with sensors attuned to the area being protected can keep the pesky critters at bay with little human intervention.

• Artificial Noise Machines

Raccoons also have very sensitive ears. One of the simplest solutions for raccoon removal is the use of ultrasonic deterrent devices that emit a continual high-pitched sound unable to be heard by human ears. While easy to install, these devices also come with several downsides, such as being a potential irritant to nearby pets like rats or guinea pigs. An effective repellent alternative could be to play a small radio which, while audible to humans, can also scare raccoons away. 

Hire a Professional Raccoon Removal Service.

Sometimes even the best natural home remedies can’t keep critters at bay. If raccoons take over your property, it’s best to hire a professional animal control service to remove them instead of trying to do it yourself.

The experienced raccoon removal technicians at Critter Control® of Polk County will quickly and safely remove nuisance wildlife from your property and keep them from returning. To schedule your inspection and receive a free estimate for our effective raccoon removal services, call Critter Control® of Polk County today at 863-204-2815.

Your Polk County property is the perfect place to have an outdoor garden. Whether you’re planting fruits, vegetables or herbs, it’s a great way to feel connected to your backyard. However, your garden may be appealing to more than just people; they can also be a great source of food for nuisance wildlife. Here’s how to create a wildlife-proof garden.

Wildlife-Proof Garden Tips

There are several ways to keep your garden thriving and pests out. Some common techniques include:

• Keep it clean: A clean garden free of debris is less appealing to small pests like moles and rodents. Make sure your area is properly weeded, and seal off any compost piles nearby. If you have a bird feeder, make sure to pick up any extra birdseed.
   
• Fence it in: Fences are an extra bit of decor that keep larger animals out. Your fence should be two to four feet high and at least 10 inches deep to prevent most animals from getting through.
   
• Use netting: Netting can protect fruits and berries from birds and small mammals while allowing your garden to get proper sunlight. Netting should be installed a few weeks before your produce ripens to ensure protection.
   
• Scare them off: Strong scents around your garden, such as essential oils or ammonia, will overwhelm pests’ noses and keep them from returning. Spraying hot sauce on vegetables can also deter animals from eating them without affecting their flavor. Motion-activated lights or sprinklers will scare off nocturnal critters looking for a midnight snack.

While these at-home methods may provide temporary pest relief, there’s a strong likelihood they will not be effective long term. Ultimately, the best way to ensure permanent wildlife removal from your Polk County garden is to call a wildlife removal professional. Fortunately, the experts at Critter Control® of Polk County have the proper tools and techniques to remove nuisance wildlife safely and humanely and keep them from returning.

Professional Wildlife Removal Services in Polk County

Whether you have an existing pest problem on your Central Florida property or want to prevent one from starting, rely on the professional wildlife removal experts at Critter Control® of Polk County for safe and effective services. To schedule an inspection for your home or business and receive a free estimate, call us today at 863-204-2815.

No one wants pests in their house. Nuisance wildlife such as rodents, raccoons, snakes and insects can find their way inside and cause significant property damage in a small amount of time. Therefore, it is significantto take care of a pest problem as soon as possible. Here are some of the top pest control methods you can try to stop a growing pest infestation in its tracks, and the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Natural Pest Control

Sometimes, the most effective pest control method is taking care of your property. This includes sanitizing high-use areas, keeping your home clutter-free, and taking care of any necessary home repairs like sealing exterior cracks and crevices to prevent critters from entering. This method not only keeps your property clean but also helps prevent outdoor pests from becoming an indoor problem. However, natural pest control won’t be effective if you’re already dealing with a pest issue and home repairs can often be more costly than other pest control methods.

Traps and Barrier Pest Control

If you’re already dealing with a pest infestation, physical methods like traps and physical barriers may be an effective option. Such techniques are beneficial because they’re easy to purchase and install. Insect and rodent traps will catch most pests, and barriers like fencing or mesh screens will keep unwanted wildlife away. However, such methods may only provide short-term relief if your pest problem is a large one, as you’ll have to constantly replace used or triggered traps. Additionally, some of these techniques can pose a risk to household pets or children. 

Chemical Pest Control

One of the most common methods to end a pest infestation is chemical pest control, which includes pesticides for insects and rodenticides for rats and mice. These compounds usually incapacitate or kill the pests, getting rid of your problem quickly. Despite its efficiency, this method can cause serious harm to your natural environment and disrupt your local ecosystem if not handled professionally. Since these toxic chemicals are potent, they can also be harmful to you and your loved ones.

Professional Pest Control Services

Ultimately, the safest and most effective solution for permanent pest control is hiring a professional. The experts at Critter Control® of Polk County have access to eco-friendly and humane options that will permanently get rid of pests and keep them from returning. If you have a pest problem on your Polk County property, call 863-204-2815 today to schedule an inspection with one of our experienced technicians and receive a free estimate for our effective pest control services.

Noticing wildlife on your property is a common occurrence, especially if you are a Polk County, FL resident. However, noticing wild animal activity inside your property should be cause for alarm. While most critters avoid human contact, some may attempt to access your home for warmth or access to food. Once inside, invasive wildlife can cause a great deal of damage to your property, spreading contamination and disease in the process. To effectively get rid of the unwanted pests, you will need the help of wildlife removal professionals.

Here is when you should call in an expert to deal with wild animals on your property.

When to Call Wildlife Removal Professionals

The best time to call a professional for a wildlife intrusion is when you discover wild animals living in your home. Attics, basements, or even walls have spaces big enough for a critter to build a nest. Other areas on your property—such as outdoor sheds or the crawl spaces under your home or porch—are frequently targeted by invasive critters looking for shelter. It’s important to call wildlife removal professionals as soon as you see the animal. The longer they are allowed to stay, the more property damage and health risks they can cause.

Benefits of Calling a Wildlife Removal Professional

While you may be tempted to take care of the problem yourself, DIY wildlife removal can cause more problems than it solves. A wild animal will likely be as scared and can pose a risk to you and your loved ones if cornered or threatened, leading to additional health issues and property damage. Additionally, many at-home methods don’t prevent future intrusions. Without the implementation of proper preventative measures, other invasive critters can make their way into your home.

Wildlife removal professionals, like the expert team at Critter Control® of Polk County, have access to the necessary methods and equipment to safely remove wildlife and keep them out permanently.

Safe and Effective Wildlife Removal Services

If you’re dealing with a wildlife intrusion on your Central Florida property, rely on the experts at Critter Control® of Polk County for safe and effective services. Our four-step method utilizes eco-friendly and affordable best practices to remove wildlife and keep them from returning. To schedule an inspection for your Polk County home or business and receive a free wildlife removal estimate, call us today at 863-204-2815.