Category: Bug Control

A bed bug infestation is every Ft. Lauderdale homeowner’s worst nightmare. Not only are these sneaky pests hard to find, but they’re also notoriously hard to treat. Luckily, there are some early warning signs to look for if you suspect you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation in your Ft. Lauderdale home. Inspect your home and if you see any of the following warning signs of bed bug activity, call your local bed bug control experts immediately.

1. Strange Odors

Noticing an unusual, musty odor and can’t find the source? It could be an early sign of a bed bug infestation. These nuisance pests not only feed on your blood as you sleep, but they also release smelly pheromones that are often compared to the scent of almonds, cilantro, or coriander. They release these pheromones whenever they’re alarmed or bothered. In severe infestations, the pheromones mix with the odor of dead bed bugs and bed bug feces, creating a rust-like smell that gets worse as the infestation spreads.

2. Itchy Bites

The most telltale sign of a bed bug infestation can be found on your body. If you’re seeing small, red, and itchy bumps on your arms, hands, or legs, it’s a good sign you have a bed bug problem in your home. These bites often appear as clusters in a line. Remember that every person reacts differently to bed bug bites—and some have no reaction at all. In short, don’t think that you’re in the clear of a bed bug problem if you don’t have visible or itchy bites.

3. Unexplained Bloodstains

Seeing unexplained red stains on your bedding or clothing? If you crush a bed bug in your sleep after they’ve fed on your blood, some of the blood will leak out and create noticeable stains on your sheets, pillowcases, pajamas, etc. If you see blood stains, check your body first for cuts or wounds. If there’s no other explanation, the stains may have been left behind by bed bugs.

4. Tiny Fecal Marks

If you see unexplained brown or black spots on your mattress or bedding, it’s a good sign bed bugs are nearby. Compared to the bloodstains described above, bed bug fecal marks are smaller and darker, resembling ink spots from a pen. Since bed bugs feed on human blood, their excrement contains iron that creates dark-colored droppings that have a faint rusty smell.

5. Tiny Shell Casings

If you’re dealing with a growing bed bug infestation, you’ll often see discarded shell casings. They’re often easier to find than the bugs themselves—they’re translucent, hollow husks that can be found in mattress seams, upholstered furniture, and crevices in wood furniture.

Worried about a Bed Bug Infestation in Your Home? Call the Ft. Lauderdale Bed Bug Control Experts!

Bed bugs are a nightmare to deal with. Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice sleep—and your peace of mind—if you call the bed bug control experts at Service Choice of Ft. Lauderdale. Contact us today at (954) 568-9955 to say goodbye to bed bugs for good!

Living with a bed bug infestation? These notorious pests are extremely difficult to remove. That’s why you need to hire expert bed bug exterminators to keep these biting pests from disrupting your sleep and your peace of mind. Here are the top four benefits of hiring bed bug experts to handle the infestation, rather than relying on ineffective DIY methods.

1. Fewer Pesticides

Bed bug removal is only effective when pesticides are used, and homeowners who take a DIY approach often douse their homes with much more pesticides than are actually needed. Plus, the average American doesn’t know how to work with pesticides safely—the results can harm you, your children, and even your pets. Professional bed bug experts understand the proper amount of pesticide to use to remove the infestation at your home, so you don’t have to deal with these chemicals yourself.

2. Less Cleaning

When it comes to removing a bed bug infestation, killing the bugs is just one part of the process. What do you do with all the dead bodies and droppings that are left behind? When you work with a bed bug expert, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of cleaning up. They have the training and experience necessary not only to kill these nuisance pests but also to remove any mess they’ve left behind.

3. More Affordable

While you might think that going the DIY route for bed bug control is cheaper than hiring an expert, the opposite is actually true. The products available at your local big box store won’t effectively kill all the bugs and their eggs. Bed bug infestations can spread rapidly, and you’re at risk for another round of infestation-if you miss even a few bed bug eggs. 

Bed bug experts, like the pros at Service Choice, have removed bed bugs from thousands of homes in the South Florida area. Our years of experience help us know exactly what to look for, so you can count on complete eradication once and for all. Rather than wasting money on products that won’t work, call the experts for a one-and-done solution.

4. Better Sleep

Want to deal with another sleepless night in your own bed as you worry about bed bugs? Of course, you don’t, which is why you should save time and effort by relying on the experts for bed bug removal you can depend on. Don’t undertake this project yourself and continue to live with an infestation—it’s so much simpler to call a bed bug expert.

Schedule Expert Bed Bug Removal in South Florida

Bed bugs are more than just a headache. They affect your sleep, and, in turn, your everyday life. For bed bug removal you can depend on, reach out to the experts at Service Choice of South Florida. Call us today at (954) 568-9955 to schedule your free consultation, and we’ll create a bed bug removal program that meets your needs and removes these nuisance pests once and for all.

Concerned about a chinch bug infestation in your South Florida lawn? You should be–these nuisance pests can cause significant damage to an otherwise healthy lawn. If you suspect you’re dealing with a chinch bug infestation in your lawn, here’s everything you need to know, including the signs and symptoms of a chinch bug problem, and whether you can expect your grass to grow back after an infestation. 

Chinch Bugs Can Do Serious Damage to Lawns

While browning, wilting grass can be caused by drought conditions, a chinch bug infestation can cause the same type of stress to your turf. At around 1/5-inch long, the tiny chinch bug pierces grass blades to ingest the nutritious fluids within.

Unfortunately, chinch bug saliva enters the grass and prevents moisture from moving throughout the blades’ internal vessels. As chinch bugs feast on your lawn, they do serious damage to the turf—and grass can only grow back if the infestation isn’t severe. 

The Consequences of a Light Chinch Bug Infestation

The best way to deal with a chinch bug infestation is to catch it early. Light infestations are characterized by less than 15 chinch bugs in a 1-square-foot area. Even a small infestation can cause visible damage, and you’ll likely notice dead patches of lawn that look like brown puddles in your green turf. 

After you work with Service Choice of Ft. Lauderdale to remove a light infestation, our lawn care technicians can typically restore damaged areas of turf. It may take several weeks to notice recovery as the chinch bugs’ toxic saliva works its way through the damaged grass.

Heavy Chinch Bug Infestations Cause Significant Damage

If you notice 20 to 25 chinch bugs in a 1-square-foot area, you’re dealing with a heavy chinch bug infestation in your lawn. Often, heavy infestations cause widespread yellowing or browning to the turf as it slowly dies. The turf usually can’t recover from this damage because the grass blades can’t produce energy as it’s dying. Without photosynthesis as a catalyst, no new growth is possible at both the root and blade level. 

Service Choice of Ft. Lauderdale can treat a heavy chinch bug infestation and provide solutions to create a lush lawn once again. From re-seeding to sodding, we’ll restore your lawn in the best way possible for your situation. 

Prevent Long-Term Damage to Your Lawn by Dealing With a Chinch Bug Infestation Right Away

If you notice areas of your lawn that look thin or discolored, it’s important to have a pest control professional inspect your lawn for chinch bugs. Early detection and treatment are key to protecting your lawn from serious damage.

The lawn care and pest control experts at Service Choice of Ft. Lauderdale are standing by to help. We’ll handle any chinch bug infestation you’re dealing with and provide effective strategies that restore your lawn to picture-perfect condition. Call us today at (954) 568-9955 for your free inspection and evaluation! 

Mealybugs are common throughout Florida, and while they may be small, they can do some serious damage to your lawn and garden if left unchecked. These insects are actually a collection of hundreds of species, and they thrive in Florida’s warm, humid weather. Read on to learn all about mealybugs and what causes them, as well as tips for preventing a mealybug infestation.

What Are Mealybugs?

Mealybugs can be quite a nuisance, particularly when it comes to citrus and other commercial crops. Unfortunately for home gardeners, mealybugs are attracted to and infest tropical species of indoor houseplants as well. To avoid a potential mealybug invasion in your own home, make sure not to over-fertilize or overwater your plants –nitrogen levels that are too high attract these troublesome pests. 

These small, oval, sap-sucking insects are closely related to scale insects. They’re common in warmer climates, and a heavy infestation in your lawn and garden often requires repeated treatments. Over time, mealybugs can cause the leaves of plants to yellow and die. In severe infestations, the waxy excretions (or honeydew) these insects leave behind encourage the development of sooty mold fungus. 

Mealybugs also live indoors on house plants. They often have a white, cottony appearance, so they’re easy to identify indoors or outdoors. Treating the problem is often a different story, and it can be difficult to rid your home or yard from these damaging pests.

How to Get Rid of Mealybugs

It’s often only possible to get rid of a very light mealybug infestation on your own. Some simple remedies include:

• Washing the Bugs Away. A steady stream of water can often dislodge mealybugs from plants. Keep in mind that some plants can’t tolerate this type of treatment, and it only works for very light infestations.
• Using Isopropyl Alcohol. Alcohol kills mealybugs instantly, but this technique is best for only small infestations on indoor houseplants. Soak a cotton ball in a solution of no more than 70% isopropyl alcohol and wipe it directly on mealybugs. It’s best to test on one leaf only to ensure the alcohol won’t burn the plant.
• Using neem oil. Neem oil is a great way to get rid of mealybugs naturally. When used as directed, neem oil not only hinders insect growth and development, but it also acts as a natural repellant. It’s safe to use on both ornamentals and edible plants.

Deal With Mealybugs and Other Nuisance Pests With the Help of Service Choice of West Palm Beach

Mealybugs can present a nuisance to those with houseplants and gardens; however, they don’t have to be an ongoing problem. Service Choice of West Palm Beach is standing by to help. After a free initial pest control inspection, we’ll provide a targeted treatment plan that eliminates mealybugs and any other nuisance pests that may be living in your home or garden. Call us today at (561) 734-9269 to schedule your free inspection!