Do you know how to identify a cockroach problem? Do you know the risks cockroaches pose when they invade homes? Unfortunately, cockroaches in Jacksonville are a widespread pest, and all residents need to know the answers to these questions.

Luckily, our cockroach control experts at Mission Pest Solutions have all the information you need about cockroaches in the area, including how to prevent and remove them. Keep reading to get valuable tips on identifying a cockroach infestation and removing it from your house.

Clear Signs Of A Cockroach Infestation

Cockroaches are invasive, and since they have large colonies, you might think it would be easy to spot them right away. But, the truth is that they are also primarily nocturnal and relatively small, so you might not see the pests themselves until they’ve been in your house for a while.

However, there are some early signs of a cockroach infestation to look out for:

If you see any of these signs around your property, call our experts for an inspection. We will determine if you have roaches and then devise a plan to remove them.

The Dangers Roaches Bring Into The Home

You’ve likely heard that cockroaches are disgusting, but they are more than just gross. They are also one of the most dangerous pests in the area. They pick up pathogens on their bodies as they crawl around garbage, sewage, and dead animals. Then, they spread these germs to area homes and transmit specific illnesses such as salmonella, gastroenteritis, and dysentery. They also cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks in some people.

Because of the health concerns, you don’t want cockroaches around for even a short time.

Factors That Attract Cockroaches Into Homes

Sadly, many things attract roaches, and it’s not always possible to completely prevent them. Even if you try your best to keep a clean home, you could still have cockroaches. However, it’s helpful to know what draws them in and remove some of these factors.

Mainly, cockroaches love a lot of clutter and access to food and water. They aren’t picky about what they eat, as they’ll get into pantries, cupboards, garbage, and pet food. They often live in kitchens and bathrooms where the humidity is high and where they can consume a lot of organic materials.

You can help prevent cockroaches by cleaning up excess clutter, getting lids for your trash cans, and cleaning kitchens regularly.

Remember that cockroaches can come into your home on secondhand items, cardboard boxes, or from the outdoors. So, if you end up with an infection despite your best efforts, don’t feel bad.

The Best Method For Total Cockroach Control

Cockroaches might be hard to prevent, but they are even harder to eliminate. Once you start noticing signs of an infestation, you probably can’t remove them independently. DIY methods only get some roaches because they are now resistant to many pesticides.

Instead, the only way to remove them entirely is with Jacksonville pest control services. Our experts use strong products that remove the roaches but won’t harm you, your family, or your pets. We can then offer ongoing home pest control to deter further cockroach problems.

Call Mission Pest Solutions today to get started with our cockroach control options.

Mosquitoes are a common sight in Jacksonville during the summer months. They can often be seen hovering around people’s heads, looking for a blood meal. While most people know how to avoid getting bitten, not many people know the best way to keep mosquitoes away. Mission Pest Solutions knows the best methods of mosquito pest control in Jacksonville to keep you and your family safe from their bites.

How Mosquitoes Sniff Out Human Sweat To Find Us

Mosquitoes are attracted to human sweat. Only female mosquitoes bite humans, and they are able to detect our presence by detecting the carbon dioxide we exhale, as well as the humidity and heat that our bodies give off. Mosquitoes use their sense of smell to find us, so it’s important to keep covered up when outdoors during peak mosquito hours during dusk and dawn.

Some people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others. People who have a higher concentration of lactic acid in their sweat, as well as pregnant women and people who have recently been sick, are more likely to get bitten.

Mosquito Bite Symptoms And Treatment

Most mosquito bites are harmless and only cause minor irritation. However, some people can develop a more severe reaction to their bites. Symptoms of a mosquito bite include redness, swelling, itchiness, and pain. In rare cases, people can contract one of the serious diseases carried by mosquitoes such as West Nile virus or dengue after being bitten.

There are a few things you can do to relieve the symptoms of a mosquito bite. You can apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling and inflammation. You can also take an antihistamine or ibuprofen to help with the itchiness and pain. It’s important to seek medical attention if you notice that the bite is getting worse, or experience any of the following symptoms: fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, or vomiting.

The Best Way To Repel Mosquitoes In Jacksonville

There are a number of ways to repel mosquitoes safely and effectively. Here are some of the most popular methods:

If the mosquitoes in your yard are already out of hand, then your best course of action is to contact a professional pest control service for help.

Mission Pest Solutions: Mosquito Control Programs

Mission Pest Solutions offers a variety of mosquito control programs to suit the needs of our customers. We have a program for every budget, and we can work with you to find the best solution for your home or business.

We begin each service by inspecting your yard. We then use a backpack fogger to spray, focusing on hot spots where mosquito activity has been detected. This is the best way to kill mosquitoes in your yard, as it ensures we target hotspots.

Mission Pest Solutions is here to help you take back your Jacksonville yard from the mosquitoes this summer. Contact us today to learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.

Have you ever been stung by a wasp? Most people fear wasps because of their painful stings, and if you’ve ever been stung, you’ll never forget the stinging, burning sensation.

No one wants to have wasps around their Jacksonville property, but you might not know where to start with wasp prevention. That’s why the Jacksonville pest control team at Mission Pest Solutions put together this guidebook. Read on to get helpful wasp prevention tips.

Habits And Behaviors Of Common Wasps

Wasps are flying insects that are closely related to bees and ants. They look and act similar to bees in some ways, but there are some vital differences between the species. Wasps also pollinate plants but tend to be more aggressive. They are more likely to sting, and no wasp species create honey. But, wasps do still play an essential role in the ecosystem.

There are also ways that bees and wasps differ in appearance. Wasps have sleek bodies without fur and look slim and streamlined. Bees, on the other hand, have round bodies covered in fuzz. Wasps can range in color but usually have dark brown or black bases and markings or stripes that are yellow, orange, or red. Most bees have black and yellow stripes.

The Problems Wasps Can Create In Your Yard

While wasps can pollinate the plants around your home, the risks of being stung outweigh the benefits. These are not the pests you want to encounter around your home.

Wasps have venom in their stingers and the ability to sting repeatedly. Many species also live in social nests and defend their colonies by stinging simultaneously. Even people who aren’t severely allergic to their venom can have severe side effects.

To reduce the risk of wasp stings, you can follow prevention steps to keep them away from your yard.

Six Eco-Friendly Wasp Prevention Tips For Around The Yard

The most effective way to deter wasps is by removing the factors that attract them. We suggest taking these six specific steps:

  1. Remove standing water from the yard and keep hot tubs and pools clean with cycled water. You should also place covers on these features.
  2. Cover your trash cans with tight-fitting lids as wasps are attracted to sweet smells, including produce or decaying trash.
  3. Remove entry points by repairing broken screens and installing weatherstripping.
  4. Store pet food inside the home and eliminate access to bird feeders.
  5. Reduce the number of flowering plants you have around your yard.
  6. Contact home pest control professionals for more tips on removing a current wasp infestation.

While you can reduce the chance of a wasp infestation on your own, the simplest way to keep wasps away is through the services of our professionals at Mission Pest Solutions.

The Most Effective Wasp Control Method In Jacksonville

Wasps are dangerous, and attempting to remove a nest should be left to the professionals. You’re most likely to be stung when trying to remove a nest, and most DIY removal options won’t accomplish nest removal and aren’t worth the cost.

Keep yourself and your family safe with the expert wasp removal and control services of Mission Pest Solutions. Call us to learn more about our wasp control options.

Did you know that termites can destroy a building in just eight years? While it sometimes takes ten or more, termites can do incredible damage despite being very tiny pests. Termites in Jacksonville are also tricky to detect and remove, so it is vital to think ahead and take steps to prevent them.

In this guide put together by the Jacksonville pest control team at Mission Pest Solutions, you’ll learn what you need to know about termites. This handbook includes information on how to spot signs of termites and prevent these pests, too.

Clear Signs Of A Termite Infestation On Your Property

The most obvious sign of termite activity is seeing a termite, but this isn’t as common as you’d think. Most termites never leave their colonies and don’t have wings. Only the termite swarmers, responsible for reproduction and occasionally leave the nest to reproduce. These swarmers have wings and look similar to flying ants, although their wings are longer and thinner.

But, there are other indicators of termites you can watch out for besides just seeing a termite. Here are some visual signs of an infestation:

Unfortunately, some signs of termites don’t appear until some damage has already accumulated. So, the best way to prevent termite damage is to have annual termite inspections.

The Extent Of Damage Termites Can Cause On Your Property

Subterranean termites are one of the most common termite species. These termites build their nests underground in the soil and then access the wooden structures of your home by creating mud tubes. Once they get inside a structure, they will consume wood 24/7.

As the infestation grows, termites can destroy flooring, walls, drywall, and more. The damage starts small but can quickly intensify. The other issue is that termites are often around for months or even years before people notice them.

Factors That Attract Termites To Your Property

Termites are mainly attracted to access to wood and high humidity. Termites often get into buildings by soil-to-wood contact, and the more moisture issues your home has, the easier it is for termites to destroy the wood.

Therefore, you can prevent termites by removing these factors. Our team at Mission Pest Solutions advises taking these steps:

Our highly trained Jacksonville termite control experts can assist you with preventing and removing termites.

Call The Professionals At The First Sign Of Termites On Your Property

Do you think you’ve seen termites around your house? Professional pest control plans are the easiest way to detect and eradicate Jacksonville termites.

At Mission Pest Solutions, we realize termites are distressing and destructive. We are happy to remove them before they destroy your beloved home. Give us a call today to find out more or book a quote.

Termites. You’ve probably heard of them before. You likely know they are very destructive and invasive, but you might underestimate how common, and complex they are if they get into your house. Unfortunately, termites are a widespread pest concern, and once they invade, they can damage wooden structures throughout your home. Over time, this damage adds up, and you could spend thousands of dollars fixing the things they ruin.

It’s helpful to be proactive about Jacksonville termite control. Our team at Mission Pest Solutions has the information you need on how to prevent and remove termites. All you have to do is keep reading.

The Life Cycle Of Common Termites

Knowing more about a termite life cycle helps you see why these pests are so destructive and how to deal with them.

There are multiple kinds of termites within the termite colony. Each caste of termites plays a different role. The worker termites build tunnels and care for larvae while the soldier termites defend the nest. Then, there are the termite swarmers who leave the nest to reproduce. When termites swarm, they leave their colonies in groups and fly around to expand into new areas. You’re more likely to see these swarmers than the other colony members. Termites usually swarm sometime between spring and fall.

How And Why Termites Damage Wood

There are many wood-destroying insects in Jacksonville, but what sets termites apart is how they damage the wood. Unlike most other pests that get into wooden structures, termites consume wood. They eat through it bit by bit as they digest the cellulose fibers.

Termites will eat constantly, and while the damage starts small, it can grow exponentially. You’ll begin seeing visual signs of termite activity in about a year. In as little as eight years, termites can destroy buildings.

Some signs of termites include seeing discarded wings or their droppings. Their fecal waste is called frass and looks like sawdust.

Natural Ways To Make Your Home Less Appealing To Termites

Termites are one of the most challenging pests to deter, but there are still steps you can take to make your property less appealing to them. You can remove the factors that help them thrive. The Jacksonville pest control team at Mission Pest Solutions suggests following these measures:

While prevention is helpful, you might be dealing with termites already. The easiest way to remove these invasive pests is with assistance from experts.

The Secret To Total Termite Control For Your Jacksonville Home

Termites are nearly impossible to remove on your own once they invade. Because they live in the soil and tunnel into wooden items, they’re tough to access. Most store-bought products aren’t going to remove the entire infestation.

The other issue with Jacksonville termites is that visual signs of their presence don’t show up until the damage is already happening behind the scenes. It’s best to have a termite inspection regularly to prevent this damage. Our trained technicians can assess your property for damage and work with you to devise a treatment plan.

Contact Mission Pest Solutions to get termite removal or exclusion services. You can also request a quote or book an inspection.

Have you ever had ants inside your Jacksonville home? If so, you’re not the only one. Ants are one of the most frequent pests in the area and worldwide. There are an estimated 1.6 million ants per human on the planet. So, while ants in Jacksonville are relatively tiny, they are also incredibly invasive and cause property damage or health risks, depending on the species.

Dealing with ant infestations is irritating, and removing these pests on your own rarely works. Luckily, professional ant control in Jacksonville is an effective and affordable way to remove these pesky pests and keep them from returning.

 

Signs Of An Ant Infestation In Your House

The most obvious sign of an ant problem is seeing ants crawling around your home or in your yard, but at first, you might not see any ants. Ants create their colonies underground or within the walls and structures of buildings, so they are sometimes hard to identify.

It’s helpful to know a few more signs of ants to watch out for first:

If you aren’t sure if you are experiencing an ant infestation, call the professional pest control experts to identify and implement steps to eliminate them.

All The Issues Ants Can Create In Your Home

There are some problems that all ants can cause when they invade. These include infesting food sources and invading in large numbers. All ants will get into pantries and search for food items to consume, and they aren’t picky about what they’ll eat. Ants also have extensive nests that can contain hundreds of thousands of individuals.

Then, there are the issues that are specific to certain ants. Carpenter ants, for example, destroy wooden structures as they tunnel through wood to create their nests. The pharaoh ant is dangerous as it can transmit pathogens such as salmonella.

Why DIY Ant Control Is A Waste Of Time And Money

Many people try to handle ant problems independently. It can seem like ants can be quickly remedied because they aren’t as scary as pests like spiders or as significant as pests like rodents. However, ants can spread rapidly, and the building and size of their colonies make removing them a challenge.

What seems like a straightforward solution is a constant problem where the ants repeatedly return. One of the most common DIY ant control solutions is using sprays purchased at the store, but these don’t work well as you often need to apply them extensively.

You can also purchase traps and baits, but these generally only remove some ants. Having the Jacksonville pest control experts at Mission Pest Solutions remove ants will save you a lot of time, money, and stress.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Ants In Your House And Keep Them Out

Are you already dealing with ants inside your house? Don’t worry; get in touch with Mission Pest Solutions. We will remove any infestations and then employ ongoing ant control to keep them from returning. Our plans are flexible, and we will work with you to keep problem ants away year-round.

Call Mission Pest Solutions today to request a quote or learn more about our home pest control plans.

Can we all agree that spiders are terrible? These eight-legged arachnids regularly invade homes here in Jacksonville, make annoying webs where people walk, and are sometimes extremely dangerous. If you hate spiders and want to keep them as far away from your home as possible, you are in the right place. Here is a convenient spider prevention guide for Jacksonville homeowners to help you combat these pests.

Characteristics Of Common Spiders

There are many common house spiders that live here in Jacksonville. Some species you may have heard of include the jumping spider, the crab spider, the spiny orb-weaver spider, the wolf spider, and the cellar spider. Two less common but incredibly dangerous species include the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. Some characteristics that change from spider to spider include the size of their thorax or abdomen, the thickness and length of their legs, and their color and markings. A wolf spider is furry, has a large, flat thorax and abdomen, and has wide legs. The cellar spider, on the other hand, has a tiny body and long thin legs. One thing you should know is that size doesn’t affect threat levels. Brown recluse spiders are tiny compared to black widows, yet their bites are equally harmful.

Why You Don’t Want Spiders Hanging Around Your House

There are many reasons to dislike spiders. They build webs across door frames and between trees, sometimes at face level. They crawl under our feet when we least expect them. Sometimes they bite us and cause us pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. Speaking of spider bites, both the brown recluse and the black widow spider have medically dangerous bites. If you are bitten by a spider and have a reaction that involves moderate to severe pain, nausea, breathing difficulties, swelling, abdominal cramping, headache, numbness, or necrosis around the wound, seek medical attention immediately. If you are not sure if the spiders inside your home are dangerous or not, type their characteristics into your web browser to cross-reference them and hopefully identify your risk.

Six Simple Yet Effective Spider Prevention Tips

In order to keep different types of spiders out of your home, you need to address entry points and attractants. Here are six simple yet effective ways to do these two things.

  1. Thoroughly examine your home’s exterior foundation for gaps, cracks, and other openings. Seal these potential entry points using a caulking gun or some liquid cement.
  2. Use a long broom to knock down webs in and around your home. Store this broom outdoors.
  3. Make sure your window and door screens are in good working condition.
  4. Turn off exterior lights at night to detract other pests that spiders invade to hunt.
  5. Install door sweeps under all doors leading out of your home.
  6. Hire a pest control professional to apply an extra level of protection around your home’s exterior.

How Professional Pest Control Keeps The Spiders Away

If you are looking for a way to get rid of spiders and keep these pests out for good, we have an option for you at Mission Pest Solutions. Specifically, our general home pest control plan covers a range of area pest problems. It involves a detailed inspection, elimination services, long-term treatments, and monitoring to keep invasive creatures out year-round. Our team will make sure you and your home are well taken care of and that pests like spiders have no opportunity to cause trouble.

Contact us to find out more about pest control in Jacksonville, or schedule your home for a services visit.

Have you ever had a never-ending ant problem? Like no matter what you do, these pests simply won’t leave your home alone. Even if things are spotless, they still send scouts in daily to make sure you haven’t slipped up. It’s maddening. If you cannot seem to stop ants from invading your home, we would like to share some things with you today. Here is everything you should know about the ants in Jacksonville and some tips and tricks to keep these bugs out of your Jacksonville home.

The Life Cycle Of Common Ants

All ants live inside social colonies that consist of dozens to thousands of members. Most species of ants have just one queen; however, some can have several. A queen’s job is to lay eggs and assign roles to future members. The three roles in each colony include female workers, male reproductives, and female queens. How long do ants live? The average life span of an ant varies from species to species. Some only live for about a few months; others live for several years or even decades.

The Problems An Ant Infestation Can Create In Your House

It can be hard to tell what problems ants cause beyond stealing food. Are ants dangerous? Do they damage property? How serious of a problem are these pests? All these questions depend on which species invades your home. Acrobat ants are just annoying with how they steal food and crawl through living areas. Pharaoh ants spread harmful bacteria when they scavenge indoors. Two diseases you might contract from these pests include salmonellosis and staphylococcus. Fire ants build large nests in yards and threaten homeowners with painful bites and venomous stings. Fire ants are also one of the most difficult species to eliminate. Finally, there are carpenter ants. Carpenter ants build their nests into the structural wood of homes and cause extensive damage over time, costing thousands of dollars to repair.

Six Eco-Friendly And Effective Ant Prevention Tips

If you want to keep ants out of your Jacksonville home, you have to address factors that draw them in. To help you with this, here are six eco-friendly and effective ant prevention tips to try today.

  1. Inspect your home’s exterior. Look for damaged screens, cracks in foundational blocks, and gaps around windows and doors. Address these issues by repairing or replacing window or door screens, weatherstripping, door sweeps, and filling holes, gaps, and cracks with caulk.
  2. Address moisture issues in and around your home. This chore might involve fixing leaky pipes, cleaning out your gutters, and using a dehumidifier indoors.
  3. Make sure your trash cans have tight-fitting lids and are kept clean.
  4. Clean your home regularly by keeping your sink empty, washing down kitchen surfaces, and addressing food messes and drink spills as they occur.
  5. Repair or replace structural wood inside your home that is water-damaged, rotting, or in decay.
  6. Invest in a long-term ant control plan courtesy of Mission Pest Solutions.

Contact The Pros For The Most Effective Ant Control For Your Home

If you are looking for how to get rid of ants, you need quality ant pest control. At Mission Pest Solutions, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive ant control services. It all starts with a thorough pest inspection. This inspection allows our experts to assess where your problem is coming from and put together a quick working solution to get and keep ants out.

Contact us for more information about our services and learn why Mission Pest Solutions is your best option for home pest control in Jacksonville.

Why do cockroaches invade homes? Most often, these pests come indoors because they want to. Your home is not only a safe haven but provides roaches with lots of opportunities for moisture and food. If you want to make your living space less attractive to cockroaches and get these pests out for good, you are in the right place. Here are some habits, behaviors, and dangers of cockroaches and how to eliminate cockroaches in your Jacksonville home.

Habits & Behaviors Of Common Cockroaches

A cockroach’s main goal in life is to find food and avoid predators. These pests prefer to live in areas where their backs and bellies can touch surfaces at the same time. In other words, they like feeling squished. If a roach could spend its entire life under your refrigerator or behind your stove, it would. The thing that drives cockroaches to come out of hiding is a need for food and moisture. They cautiously look for these things at night. One thing you will notice with cockroaches is that if you catch them off guard by flicking on a light, they will move fast to find cover. German cockroaches are the most common types of cockroaches in our area and move at three miles an hour. That’s faster than some people walk!

The Dangerous Germs Roaches Are Capable Of Spreading

Cockroaches are not just scary to look at; they also get people very sick. Roaches do this by picking up and spreading harmful germs and other disease-causing organisms. German cockroaches can carry 33 different dangerous bacteria, 7 human pathogens, and 6 parasitic worms. They pick up these sickness vectors from the dirty things they eat and the places they live. Some common diseases cockroaches spread to humans include salmonellosis, giardia, leprosy, listeriosis, cholera, and campylobacteriosis. In addition to spreading disease, roaches also trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions with their dry fecal droppings and shed skins. Indoor ventilation picks up these harmful allergens and spreads them around like dust.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Cockroaches In Your House

If you are up against an infestation of cockroaches inside your Jacksonville home, there is only one reliable way to get these pests out. What you have to do is get a professional involved. At Mission Pest Solutions, we pride ourselves on our quick service times and advanced pest control treatments. With just one service visit, we will assess your problem, put in place a plan of action, and start the process to eliminate pesky roaches. Our team will work hard to ensure you are well taken care of and do the job right the first time.

Five No-Sweat Prevention Tips To Keep Roaches From Coming Back

When it comes to roach prevention, you have two options; put in place some natural prevention tips, or hire a professional to install a long-lasting, invisible treatment barrier around your home. If you have some time on your hands and want to try DIY, here are five no-sweat tips to try.

  1. Keep your living areas clean and tidy.
  2. Seal up holes and gaps and address other openings in your home’s exterior.
  3. Make sure all of your trash cans have tight-fitting lids.
  4. Store all leftovers and pantry items inside of airtight containers.
  5. Address moisture issues in and around your home.

Contact Mission Pest Solutions today to learn more about our cost-effective and comprehensive year-round cockroach control options and find out how great home pest control in Jacksonville can be.