With Florida’s hot and humid climate, it’s no wonder the state teems with wildlife. Over 700 terrestrial (land) animals and thousands of insects call the Sunshine State home.
As incredible as its wildlife is, some species become pests when they invade homes. While they can be beneficial in the wild (e.g., termites help with decomposition and return nutrients to the soil), they can wreak havoc on homes. Others, like mosquitoes and rodents, may even cause illnesses.
So, if any of those critters “bug” you at home, consider investing in a safe pest control service before they cause more harm. We’ve outlined what you need to know about these sustainable pest management strategies, so read on.
Proper Identification
Correct animal identification is crucial for safe and eco-friendly pest control. One reason is that species considered pests may resemble beneficial species.
Native ants are perfect examples; they’re beneficial in the garden. However, they may look like fire ants, which are invasive and some of Florida’s most common garden pests. Fire ants are particularly aggressive and have painful stings.
In any case, mistakes in identification can lead to the use of incorrect pest control methods. That would only waste time and money and may even promote pesticide resistance.
Pesticide resistance is a significant health risk since it can make controlling dangerous pests more challenging. For instance, if mosquitoes develop it, people would be at a higher risk of diseases like Zika, yellow fever, and malaria.
So before reaching out for that can of insecticide, correctly identify what’s bugging you first.
Preventive Measures
Preventive measures are sustainable pest management solutions requiring little to no special equipment. Their primary goal is to make your home less attractive to animals that may seek refuge and food in your home.
Here are some home pest prevention tactics that reliable green pest control services use.
Addressing Sources of Moisture and Food
Many pests, from mosquitoes to roaches and termites, thrive in moist environments. If your indoor space is just as or even more humid than Florida, it provides them with optimal living conditions.
So, one of the first steps that pest control pros will take is to check your home for unwanted sources of moisture. They’ll look for signs of plumbing and roofing leaks and check for standing water (e.g., in gutters, pot plants/saucers, etc.). They’ll then make appropriate recommendations (e.g., hiring a local plumber to fix leaks).
The experts will also locate typical food sources for pests, such as:
- Improperly stored human and pet food
- Clutter, like cardboard and old newspapers, which termites and roaches eat
- Exposed trash or waste, especially food debris
You can then expect the pest control pros to advise you on how to deal with those food sources. For example, they may tell you to use tightly sealed food containers and trash bins and eliminate clutter.
Find and Seal Openings
Next, the experts will find entry points, such as gaps and cracks, which pests can use to invade your home. They’ll also check your roof for access points where destructive roof rats can enter. They’ll then assist you in sealing these entryways.
Mechanical and Physical Controls
These non-chemical pest control strategies use equipment to block or capture pests. Some examples are:
- Sealing access points
- Using barriers
- Installing screens to keep animals out
Early detection bait stations without chemicals can also test for the presence of termites.
Cultural Control
This type of non-toxic pest control involves manipulating or modifying the garden environment. Its goal is to impede pests’ breeding, shelter, and feeding habits.
Some examples of cultural controls are:
- Sanitation, including removing weeds and plant debris that pests can feed on
- Choosing garden plants known for having built-in resistance to pests and diseases
- Crop rotation, which helps isolate pests from food sources or change the pests’ living and feeding conditions
Your local pest control company can help by teaching you about common garden pests and the plants they often favor. You can then use their advice to guide you during the plant selection process.
Biological Control
Biological control is another non-toxic strategy for preventing or reducing pest populations. It uses natural enemies, such as pests’ primary predators, to achieve these goals.
For example, your garden can already host many predators, such as ladybugs, spiders, and mealybug destroyers. These critters are helpful because they feed on pests like aphids and plant-destroying insects.
Those beneficial predators in your lawn are another excellent reason for proper insect identification. It helps prevent you from eliminating them alongside pests.
If you’re unsure which critters in your garden are beneficial or harmful, call a pest control expert for help. Their extensive knowledge of Florida pests allows them to identify and distinguish good bugs from bad ones.
Environmentally and Pet-Friendly Treatments
A safe pest control service uses integrated pest management (IPM) solutions. IPM combines physical, biological, cultural, and chemical controls. As a result, it avoids heavy reliance on chemical solutions, making it much safer and more environmentally friendly.
IPM still uses pest control chemicals but to a lesser extent. Moreover, the most reliable IPM service providers use pet-friendly solutions.
Pest control experts specializing in IPM design their plans to avoid harming non-target and beneficial organisms. The U.S. EPA also approves its use, saying it’s effective and environmentally sensitive.
As a bonus, IPM experts are highly confident in their work, so they back it up with impressive warranties. For instance, they’ll re-treat your home for free if the initial treatment didn’t produce satisfactory results.
Invest in Safe Pest Control Service Today
If you’d like to get rid of what’s bugging you at home without solely or heavily relying on pesticides, your best bet is to hire a safe pest control service. With their IPM solutions, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting rid of pests using eco-friendly pest control methods.
Prodigy Pest Solutions has specialized in safe, effective, and sustainable IPM solutions since 2018. We can handle your pet woes, whether they involve rodents, termites, or mosquitoes. We also provide a 100% guarantee on all our treatment plans, plus a repair warranty on our rodent and termite programs.
So, speak with us today if you’re ready to combat pests in your Florida home!