Service Choice, Author at Service Choice

Our Guide to Florida Flea & Tick Prevention

It’s hard not to love living in Florida. With its warm weather and beautiful beaches, it’s no wonder that people flock to the Sunshine State for a relaxing getaway. But with all that sunshine comes some not-so-great things, like fleas and ticks. These pesky pests can infest your home and yard, making life miserable for both you and your pets. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help prevent flea and tick infestations in your Florida home.

Keep Your Yard Tidy

Fleas and ticks love to hide in tall grass and piles of leaves, so make sure to keep your yard well-maintained. Mow your lawn regularly and rake up any leaves or debris that have accumulated. If you have a woodpile, make sure to keep it elevated off the ground to discourage rodents from nesting underneath.

Use Flea and Tick Preventative Treatments

Prevention is key when it comes to flea and tick infestations. Treat your pets with monthly flea and tick preventative treatments and consider using sprays or powders in your yard to keep pests at bay. Always follow the instructions on the packaging and speak to your veterinarian if you have any questions.

Clean your Home

Fleas and ticks can easily hitch a ride into your home on clothing, shoes, and pets. Make sure to vacuum your floors and furniture regularly and wash your pet’s bedding in hot water. If you suspect a flea or tick infestation, consider calling in a professional exterminator to help.

Check Pets for Pests Regularly

It’s important to check your pets for fleas and ticks regularly, especially during peak season. Use a fine-toothed comb to search for pests in your pet’s fur and look for any signs of itching or scratching. If you do find a flea or tick on your pet, remove it immediately and dispose of it properly.

Seal Up Any Cracks or Crevices

Fleas and ticks can sneak into your home through even the tiniest openings. Seal up any cracks or crevices around your windows, doors, and foundation to prevent pests from getting in. Also, make sure to fix any leaks or moisture problems in your home, as fleas and ticks thrive in damp environments.

The Best Way to Prevent Fleas & Ticks Is by Partnering With Pest Control Experts

While there are plenty of over-the-counter remedies and DIY pest control solutions on the market, it’s best to rely on professional pest control services to ensure that your home and yard remain a flea and tick-free zone. With years of experience and specialized knowledge, the pest control experts at Service Choice of Oakland Park can thoroughly assess your property and create a customized treatment plan that effectively eliminates any existing infestations and prevents future outbreaks. Call us today at (954) 568-9955 to say goodbye to fleas and ticks for good!

Protect Your Pets From Fleas & Ticks by Taking Care of Your Lawn

As pet parents, we always strive to ensure our furry friends are living a happy and healthy life. One aspect that often gets neglected, though, is lawn care. Did you know that maintaining a healthy lawn can prevent fleas and ticks from harming your pets? That’s right, a well-kept yard can create a barrier and reduce the risk of infestations. Read on to discover some preventive measures you should take to keep your lawn pest-free and safeguard your pets from fleas and ticks.

Mow Your Lawn Regularly

Fleas and ticks love to hide in tall grass and shrubs, so keeping your lawn short is essential. Mow your lawn regularly and keep it at a height of around 3 inches—depending on your grass type. It’s always smart to discuss the right height for your grass with the lawn care experts at Service Choice who understand grass inside and out. Keeping your grass at an appropriate height makes it much more difficult for fleas and ticks to thrive in your yard.

Remove Debris and Clutter

Debris like old leaves, grass clippings, and fallen branches can provide a hiding place for fleas and ticks. Be sure to remove any debris from your lawn and keep it clutter-free to reduce the likelihood of these pests making their home in your yard.

Plant With Pest Control in Mind

One of the best ways to keep fleas and ticks out of your yard—along with many other nuisance pests—is to carefully consider what you plant in your garden. For example, it’s a great idea to plant flea-repelling plants like lavender, mint, and rosemary in your garden. These plants emit a scent that fleas and ticks dislike.

Treat Your Lawn With Nematodes or Beneficial Insects

Nematodes are highly effective at killing fleas and ticks in your lawn. These microscopic worms will burrow into the soil and release bacteria that kills the pests. You can also introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings into your garden. These insects will feed on the fleas and ticks, helping to keep their population under control.

Hire a Professional Pest Control Service

If you want to ensure that your lawn is pest-free, consider hiring the pest control experts at Service Choice. We have the expertise and equipment needed to keep your yard free of fleas and ticks. We’ll also recommend the best products and methods for keeping your pets safe from pests.

Protect Your Furry Friends by Caring for Your Lawn

By taking care of your lawn, you can protect your pets from fleas and ticks. Following the tips above will help reduce the risk of infestations and keep your yard pest-free. Remember, prevention is always the best form of protection, so be sure to reach out to the pest control experts at Service Choice of West Palm Beach to monitor, remove, and prevent pests in your yard. Call us today at (561) 734-9269 to schedule your free consultation!

Are Whiteflies Attracted to Hot/Humid Climates?

Living in Florida means dealing with a variety of pests that may sometimes make you wish for a cool winter day. One of the most common and damaging of these pests is whiteflies. You may have wondered if there’s a connection between their presence and the warm, humid weather that Florida is notorious for. Read on to learn about what attracts whiteflies, how to spot an infestation, and what you should do if you have one.

Whiteflies Love Warm Weather

Are whiteflies really attracted to warm, humid climates? In short, yes—whiteflies are indeed attracted to these conditions. While scientists have yet to fully unravel the science behind this phenomenon, it is believed that warm temperatures increase the activity of whiteflies, allowing them to reproduce more rapidly. Additionally, the heat causes the release of certain chemicals in plants, which whiteflies use as signals to locate their hosts.

Whatever the reason may be for the whitefly’s attraction to hot temperatures, gardeners should be aware of the impact of warm weather on whitefly populations. It all starts with being vigilant when it comes to the presence of these damaging pests in your garden.

Signs of a Whitefly Infestation

Florida gardeners know the joy of maintaining a beautiful and healthy garden, but all your hard work can easily go to waste when whiteflies infest your garden. These pests may look small, but they can cause a significant amount of damage to your plants. Here are some of the common signs of a whitefly infestation in your Florida garden:

Sticky Substance on Plants: One of the first signs of a whitefly infestation in your garden is a sticky substance on your plants’ leaves. This is called ‘honeydew,’ which is a sugary substance excreted by whiteflies. Honeydew attracts ants and other pests to your garden and allows fungal growth on your plants. It also causes your plants’ leaves to turn black, which reduces their ability to photosynthesize, making the plant weaker and susceptible to diseases.
Black Fungus: When honeydew remains on a plant long enough, it attracts a black fungus called sooty mold. The fungus will coat your leaves and prevent them from getting proper sunlight, which will stunt your plant’s growth. You can notice this black mold developing on the top of the leaves, beneath the bottom, or even in the surrounding soil.
Whitefly Sightings: If you see tiny white insects flying around your plants’ leaves, it’s a clear sign that your garden is infested with whiteflies. You may see them in clusters underneath the leaves. These winged pests are about 1/16th inch long and usually fly up in a swarm when disturbed.
Yellowed Leaves: When whiteflies suck sap from your plants, it will cause your plants’ leaves to turn yellow and become dry and brittle. You may notice the leaves curling up or falling off, which makes your plants look sickly and unsightly. Whiteflies feed on the phloem, removing the plants’ nutrients that are essential for growth.

Call Service Choice at the First Sign of a Whitefly Infestation

Growing a lush and vibrant garden is a labor of love. It requires dedication and hard work. However, when whiteflies invade, all your efforts can go to waste in a snap. These tiny, yet destructive bugs can leave your plants looking sickly and stunted in no time. While DIY methods may seem like a quick fix, they often fall short in controlling whiteflies.

Ensure that your garden won’t be ruined by these pests by calling the experts in whitefly control at Service Choice of Ft. Lauderdale We have the experience and proven methods to eliminate whiteflies once and for all. Call us today at (954) 568-9955 to say goodbye to the pesky whitefly for good!

What Happens During Bed Bug Extermination?

Sick of sharing your bed with bed bugs? These pesky bloodsuckers are notoriously tough to get rid of—but you don’t have to deal with a bed bug infestation on your own. All it takes is one call to the bed bug control experts at Service Choice of South Florida, and you can say goodbye to these terrifying pests for good. Here’s what you can expect from the bed bug extermination process:

Initial Inspection

The first step in bed bug removal is a thorough inspection of your home. The professional bed bug exterminators at Service Choice will look for signs of bed bugs, such as fecal stains, eggshells, and live bugs. They’ll also search for places where bed bugs typically hide, such as mattresses, box springs, and bed frames. During the inspection, you’ll need to be prepared to answer questions about when you first noticed the problem, how severe it is, and any previous treatments that you’ve tried.

Liquid Treatment Application

The first step in Service Choice’s bed bug removal process is the application of liquid treatment. Our exterminators apply this treatment to all bed bug hot spots, including ceilings, cracks and crevices, headboards, under mattresses, and behind baseboards. This method is proven-effective in eliminating bed bugs from your home.

Optional Mattress Encasements

To ensure that bed bugs do not escape or bite while you sleep, Service Choice offers optional mattress encasements. These encasements are designed to trap bed bugs inside, eventually leading to their death. Though optional, we highly recommend them to guarantee a complete bed bug removal process.

Optional IDM Bed Bug Monitoring Devices

Service Choice offers optional IDM Bed Bug Monitoring Devices to help monitor the presence of bed bugs in your home. These devices are placed in your bedroom and alert you if any bed bugs are missed during the initial removal process. This way, our exterminators can come back and make sure that all the bed bugs are completely eradicated.

Follow-Up Treatments

Service Choice believes in providing a complete and thorough bed bug removal process. That’s why we include two 7-day follow-up treatments in our bed bug control program. This is to ensure that any surviving bed bugs from the initial treatment are eliminated and that the issue is resolved for good. This process provides homeowners with lasting peace of mind.

Don’t DIY—Leave Bed Bug Extermination to the Experts

Service Choice’s bed bug removal process is a complete and thorough solution to this pesky problem. Our treatments and optional add-ons work together to ensure that no bed bug is left behind. In addition, we include follow-up treatments to correct any issues that may occur. If you discover bed bugs in your home, contact Service Choice of South Florida at (954) 568-9955 for immediate assistance. Let us help you regain your peace of mind and take care of your bed bug problem for good.