Termites? Three Questions You Must Ask The Pest Control Company

When you discover termites or termite damage on your property, the first reaction is often panic. It’s very easy to start imagining very expensive worst-case scenarios. You think of every termite infestation horror story you’ve ever heard. This is why it’s so important to take a moment, take a deep breath, and then take the time to do your research so you can make the best-informed decision possible. You’ll want to handle this situation in a way that will protect your property, your pocketbook and most importantly, your sanity.

The most sensible place to start is by calling trusted friends, family or colleagues to see if they’ve worked with someone they’d recommend. You’ll also want to consider looking at unbiased reviews for local companies on the Internet. Make sure you get at least a few estimates, and don’t necessarily choose the one with the lowest price. It may end up costing you money in the long run. Reputable companies will not be put off by knowing you’re gathering other estimates, and they shouldn’t attempt to pressure you into signing any contracts right away.

Keeping these things in mind, here are three very important questions you’ll want to ask each company you contact.

Are you licensed and insured?

This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are some disreputable termite companies who are operating without the proper licensing or insurance. They’re counting on your panic and concern over treatment costs to distract you from this fact. If they cannot show you current a current, active license and proof of insurance, run for the hills. Don’t take chances with what is likely your most valuable asset – your home.

How long have you been in business?

The best indicator of future success is past performance, and in the competitive termite and pest control business the length of time a company has been around is a good measure. If a company has been in the area for decades, chances are that they’ve established a good reputation and have an excellent track record. You’ll want to know that if you have any termite problems down the road, your exterminator is going to be around to help you handle it.

Do you guarantee your work?

The most reasonably priced termite treatment you can find won’t be worth a hill of beans if the company you’ve chosen doesn’t offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You need to make sure the pest control provider you sign a contract with stands by their work and is willing to make sure the job is done right.

If you suspect you have a termite infestation in your West Palm Beach, FL home and you’re in the process of choosing a pest control company, call Ambassador Pest Management. We’re licensed and insured, have been in business for over 25 years and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on our work. Call today for a free inspection and service estimate!  866-632-0088

Bugged by pests in your West Palm Beach garden?

If one of your favorite activities is working in your garden, then you’ve almost certainly been frustrated by our Florida pests. While there are some bugs that can be quite detrimental to the health of your plants, you’ll want to keep some of them around. But do you know which is which? Here are a few tips to help your garden grow!

Don’t let these bugs bug you

• Bumblebees – It’s no secret that every garden needs help if it is to grow and flourish. Bumblebees can be your garden’s best friend by fertilizing your plants and keeping them healthy. Bumblebees are not to be confused with the smaller honeybee, which are also essential to health of crops nationwide. The honeybee is a topic for a future post, however.
• Ladybugs – These familiar little creatures may be one of the first bugs we learn about as children. Aside from being downright cute, they are also important to your garden by acting as its personal bodyguard, preying on aphids and driving out mealybugs and garden mites.
• Dragonflies – With its large size and buzzing sound, the dragonfly can be startling if it comes up on you by surprise, but it’s actually one of your garden’s most welcome visitors. By hunting mosquitoes and aphids, they’ll help to make your time tending to your plants more enjoyable.
• Spiders – While not many folks appreciate seeing a spider creepy-crawling about, the garden spiders are a different matter altogether. You’ll probably find a variety of these guys hanging around, and they’re the best garden pest predators of the lot, killing more than the others combined! You can encourage them to make your garden their happy hunting ground by spreading mulch.

Unwelcome visitors to evict

• Aphids – Your beautiful plants are very attractive to aphids, who will feast on your hard work leaving a trail of damage in their wake. These very small pear shaped bugs like to belly up to the bar and go on a plant sap bender, damaging or even destroying your plant’s leaves. While washing your plants at regular intervals can help, the best natural control you can get is your friend, the ladybug!
• Whiteflies – These small, winged insects which typically feed on the underside of leaves with their needle-like mouthparts. Whiteflies can seriously injure host plants by sucking juices from them causing wilting, yellowing, stunting, leaf drop, or even death. If you identify their distinctive white spirals or a white, waxy substance on the underside of leaves? A telltale sooty black mold on your patio furniture or pool deck? These can all be signs of the spiraling whitefly.
• Cutworms – Although they’re technically caterpillars, cutworms are definitely something you do not want to find hanging around in your garden. These destructive pests chew through the bottom of plant stems, and even devour small plants, mostly going after transplanted plants in the early summer.

Help for your lawn, garden and ornamentals

Our exclusive service plan consists of seasonally specific applications of environmentally friendly insecticides and fertilizers. During each visit an Ambassador Pest Management technician will apply quality products designed to slowly release nutrients into the soil to provide a healthy and consistent feeding for your lawn. We also apply high quality insecticides designed to control insects, fungus and weeds and we offer all green products. No more worrying about the kids, pets, yourself or stinky pesticides. Call today for more information about getting a custom lawn and shrub program tailored to your needs. 866-632-0088

 

What to know before hiring a pest control service in West Palm Beach

It’s important to find the right company to provide your pest control services in West Palm Beach. There are a few items that should be considered.

• Check the company’s reputation and don’t worry too much about the price. You can do this with a Google search by typing in the name of the company with the word “reviews”.
• Be focused on how well the company can take care of your problem. A lot can be learned from the professionalism, conduct and confidence of the salesperson.
• Don’t buy from a high-pressure salesperson ever.
• Don’t hire a pest control company that does not come to your location to do an inspection. The only way they can know how to solve your problem and how much to charge you is by coming or business for an inspection.
• Avoid any company that will give you a price quote over the telephone.
• Follow the technician around when they do your inspection to make sure they cover everything and do a thorough job.
• Observe how your salesperson or technician is dressed. Do they have a uniform, are they dressed professionally and nicely?
• Is the truck or car lettered with the company brand, is it clean and well-maintained?
• Is the company licensed, insured and are the technicians well trained and certified?
• Are the chemicals and procedures used to eliminate your pest problem non-toxic, and safe for use around humans and pets?
• Are the chemicals and procedures environmentally safe?
• How long has the company been in business?
• Is the company local, privately owned and operated or is it a large national organization? Often you will get better service and quality from a locally owned and operated smaller business.
• Ask the salesperson or technician for list of references.
• Ask your inspector to be specific about the tests they have found and techniques that will be used to eliminate them. You should also ask how long it will take and if it will require regular treatments to keep pests away.
• It’s always a good idea to get two or three price quotes to be certain you’re getting a fair deal. But, don’t automatically hire the company with the lowest price. Hire the best company not the lowest price company. You will most likely get what you pay for.
• Once you hire a service make sure they are showing up on schedule and that your billing is accurate.
• Lastly, be sure you keep your technician informed of any new pest problems that develop or of any recurrence of the original problem.

If you have any questions or would like a free, no obligation inspection from Ambassador Pest Management, give us a call at 866-632-0088. We’ve been serving the West Palm Beach and surrounding areas for over 25 years, and your satisfaction is always 100% guaranteed!

Are Pests a Problem in Your West Palm Beach Home?

If you’ve noticed some peculiar scurrying, chattering or gnawing noises coming from your cupboard or your attic, or if some of your baseboards or door frames appear to be caving in, you just may have rodents or even termites in your home.  No one wants to think they’ve got pests in their residence because the damage they can inflict on your property and even the health of you and your family members.  When you’ve got an infestation that requires professional intervention in your West Palm Beach home, you’re going to need to find certified pest control specialists to handle this problem for you. They have proven, time-tested methods of eradicating these pests from your life professionally and safely.

Pest Control Experts in West Palm Beach

In addition to solving your current problem, Ambassador Pest Management technicians can also teach you prevention methods to help prevent pests from coming back. Knowledge and additional information on sanitary strategies will help keep homes clean and not conducive for pests. These measures go a long way to helping keep your family safe and free from diseases these pests carry.

Pests are known to carry bacteria that can compromise your health. Being aware of the signs and red flags that indicate the presence of pests and will help you and your pest control technician to know how to deal with them.

Why is Pest Control important?

• Flies carry a variety of diseases which can lead to food poisoning. They are seen flying around on ceilings and glass surfaces.
• Bedbugs feed on human blood, which can spread diseases. They are seen in crevices, cracks, and beneath carpets. They are not easily controlled.
• Rats can spread various diseases. You will notice their presence because of teeth marks biting on electric cables and other materials.
• Cockroaches are the most common pests in every home. They carry sicknesses and go for any food around. They are usually seen during the dark.

If you have any of these in your home, make sure that you call the experts at Ambassador Pest Management Services! They are certified Pest Control experts in the West Palm Beach and Stuart, FL area, and will provide you efficient and quality service! Call today at 866-632-0088 for a free, no obligation inspection. Our work is always 100% satisfaction guaranteed!

Tips to get rid of ants in your West Palm Beach home

From a survival standpoint, ants are arguably some of the most successful creatures on the planet. They are highly adaptable and can survive in most climates. Although they have many positive attributes such as providing soil aeration, being a food source and keeping the environment healthy, from a pest control standpoint they can be a destructive nuisance in your home.  They can threaten the structural integrity of your home, carry disease and pose serious health risks to those allergic to the stings of certain species.  Here’s a little information you may find helpful in case you find yourself faced with an infestation.

Steps to ant control success

In order to gain control over your ant infestation, the following steps must be undertaken:

1. Identification of the species is essential to know how to successfully treat for them
2. Inspect in and around the home thoroughly
3. Identify the location of the colonies
4. Direct treatment of the colony is preferable
5. For those that cannot be treated directly, the use of baits is advisable

Finding the location of a colony (or colonies) isn’t always feasible, so the use of bait insecticides in the path of the ant trails you find is the most effective way to treat.

Time-Saving Ant Control Tips

Here are a few tips you can employ to find an infestation’s source:

• Check under items on the ground such as planters, paying close attention to things around your home’s foundation
• Check carefully around shrubs, bushes and other vegetation up against your home. Ants will forage for food and nest in areas that are out of sight.
• Mulch beds are a common home for ant colonies. Look for crazy ants and fire ants in your mulch, and don’t allow the mulch to rest up against your foundation.
• And speaking of your home’s foundation, look for ant trails along the exterior walls. They may indicate a colony in the soil nearby.
• Inside your home, look underneath carpet edges, near doors and by windows.  Seal any openings that they may use.

Save money, call a professional first!

Many people waste time and money with ant bait, traps and poisons that can be found at big-box hardware stores. Although it may seem like an economical choice at the time, they most frequently find that they’ve merely treated symptoms and not stopped it at the cause of the problem. The technicians at Ambassador Pest Management have the skills, experience and professional tools to eradicate ant infestations at their root – the colony!  Call today for a free, no obligation inspection and quote. Your satisfaction is always 100% guaranteed!  866-632-0088

Don’t Fall Down on the Job of Autumn Florida Pest Control

As we finally begin to cool down a bit from the extreme heat and humidity of summer in Martin County and Palm Beach County, Florida, we also need to start thinking about preparing our homes for the pest control problems that come up in the fall. We’ve had a ton of rainfall recently, and problems can crop up from that. Here are a few tips to get you thinking in the direction of protecting your property and being able to enjoy our beautiful weather as we head toward the end of the year.

Keep your yard free of standing water.

Pay special attention to places near your home where rainwater collects or the drainage is poor. These pools of standing water can quickly become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. They are likely to lay eggs in those puddles in the fall and come springtime, they’ll be hatching.

 Keep an eye out for larvae.

Watch for insects that find food and shelter in your grass, such as caterpillars and grubs. As the temperatures get cooler, be aware that these pests will shelter in as larvae, burrowing into your lawn and causing damage.

Get your pest prevention taken care of prior to the change of season.

The fall is the perfect time to clean up any debris that’s gathered around the outside of your home, fix leaking faucets, pipes and irrigation leaks and also make certain that cracks that may have formed in your home’s foundation are sealed. Also check the seal on your window and door moldings to prevent insects and pests from entering your house. As an added bonus, you may save a few bucks on your utility bill!

Just say no to insect squatters trying to winter in your yard.

Everything from stinkbugs to mice to spiders are looking for a comfortable, warm, safe space to spend the winter months. Make sure they don’t have access to your crawlspace or attic, because they’d love to become your roommates. Also be on the lookout for chinch bugs who leave the comfort of your summer grass to overwinter in local shelter like shrubs, bushes, tree bark or fence openings. You can count on them to move back to your yard at the first sign of spring.

Don’t spend these months with our beautiful Florida weather go to waste trying to handle an infestation on your own. Ambassador Pest Management has been helping residential and commercial customers get a handle on their pest control problems year-round for over 25 years.  Call us today for a free, no-obligation inspection of your West Palm Beach or Stuart-area property. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.  866-632-0088.

Pest Control Tips for Your Dog

Ask anyone with a dog about their furry friend, and they’ll be happy to tell you how much joy they bring to their lives. They’re great companions, whether you’re into running or just curling up on the couch watching a movie. Inquire a bit deeper, and they’ll also tell you about the responsibilities involved in being charged with their care.  Providing quality food, regular exercise and grooming are obvious needs, but perhaps one of the most important tasks is safeguarding their health.

In addition to making sure their vaccines up-to-date, protecting your dog from pests such as fleas and ticks is an essential part of keeping them healthy. What follows are some steps you can take to keep your pet (and your home!) free from hungry, uninvited guests.

• Regular baths using insect-controlling shampoo are a great help.
• Long haired dogs should receive grooming in spring and summertime, the big flea and tick months. This helps them in three ways: fewer hiding spots for pests, it makes it easier to spot the ones that do latch on, and it will help your dog keep its cool in the hot weather.
• Make sure you’re keeping an eye out for hot spots on your dog: itchy red skin, bug bites and excessive licking and scratching are all good signs that they may be having a pest problem.
• If you and your dog go for a walk in the woods or tall grass, make sure to check his coat carefully for debris or bugs. Give him a good brushing afterward for good measure.
• Ask your veterinarian about any sort of preventative meds your pet should be taking, such as heartworm pills.
• Behavioral changes in your dog, such as lethargy or decreased appetite, can signify a potential health problem. The tick-borne Lyme disease has similar symptoms. A trip to the vet is in order, just to be on the safe side.
• If you find a tick on your dog, immediately remove it, making sure to completely extract the head and mouth parts completely.
• If you find your dog has fleas, give them a thorough flea bath and consult your vet.
• Keeping your living space clean and clutter-free will help lessen the risk of pest infestations, as well as making it easier to spot any pests that do make it inside. Keep floors and carpets vacuumed and bed linens clean.
• The same goes for your dog’s bedding, toys, food dishes, crate and sleeping areas. Keep them clean and washed.
• Keeping your yard and garden well maintained is key to preventing pests from becoming a breeding ground for pests. Tall grass and weeds are common hiding places for them.
• If you have reason to believe that you’ve got an infestation of ticks or fleas in your home, don’t delay. Call a pest control professional as soon as possible.

These tips should help to keep your dog and home happy and pest-free. If you’ve already got a problem and you need professional help, the pest control experts at Ambassador Pest Management have been helping residential and business customers in West Palm Beach, Stuart and Jupiter, Florida for over 25 years. Call today for a free, no-obligation inspection.  Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed! 866-632-0088.

The Three Most Common Pests in Florida

Florida is known for many things — our beautiful weather, tourism, theme parks, crazy news stories. One of the things most of us would rather not even think about is our pests. For as long as humans have lived in Florida, they’ve probably struggled with the same problem of dealing with unwanted critters in their space. Hearty and prolific, pest control in Florida will always present a challenge. Here is a rundown of the top three undesirable roommates for residents of our fair state.

Ants

If you become an unwilling landlord to a colony of ants, it won’t be long before you’ve got a big problem on your hands. An ant colony in your home can host hundreds, if not thousands, of these little creatures. The larger your infestation is, the greater your chances of having bacteria and germs proliferate your pantry, kitchen and other living areas. While not all ants are likely to be biting insects, some are known to be aggressive and do just that. To find out exactly what type you’re dealing with, it’s a good idea to call in a pest control expert  to identify your problem and help you eradicate it for good.

¡La Cucaracha! (Cockroaches)

Cockroaches are the bane of residential and commercial structures alike. Whether you’re trying to run a clean home or a pest-free restaurant, roaches can invade despite your best intentions. They can spread disease and bacteria as well as producing waste products that can act as a trigger for asthma or allergic reactions, most notably in children.  There are a number of different cockroaches that inhabit our area of Florida, and it’s a good idea to know what type you have infesting your territory before attempting to create a plan to get rid of them. A certified pest control technician can be your best friend in this instance, for both diagnosing and treating the problem.

Rats and Mice

Mickey and Minnie aren’t the only type of rodents living in Florida! Real-life rats and mice can live very quietly and out of view. They’ll certainly leave evidence behind, however, and that may be the first clue you have of an infestation.  Common indicators of these furry invaders include droppings (often found under sinks or in cabinets), or clumps of nesting materials like shredded cardboard tubes or paper.  You may also find yourself confronted by small holes in your baseboards, walls or floors if they’ve had the time and inclination to create unobstructed paths to food and water. Rodents can be a serious threat due to their ability to spread dozens of different types of diseases through both direct and indirect contact.

Eliminate the Threat with Pest Control Professionals

If you’re troubled by any of the pests mentioned above, Ambassador Pest Management in West Palm Beach and Stuart, FL can be your most powerful ally in the fight to regain control of your property. With over 25 years experience, our certified Pest Control Technicians can determine the extent of your problem, treat affected areas and set you up with a plan to keep your home pest-free. Call today for a free, no-obligation inspection. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!  866-632-0088

I need a permanent pest control solution for my ant problem in Stuart, FL

Controlling an ant problem in your home can be one of the most frustrating pest control projects you ever undertake in your Stuart, FL home. You might think you have the problem licked by spraying all the entrances, cracks, and windows, and maybe for a time they do disappear – and then they come back again.

One of the reasons for this is that some ant species will have both parent colonies and satellite colonies in the vicinity of the home. Parent colonies are often located outside the home, in a pile of rotting wood or in some other clump of wood that’s soaked and soft, while the satellite colonies are more likely to be inside, wherever moist, damaged wood can be found. Do-it-yourself methods will sometimes kill off most of a satellite colony, but leave the other dozen colonies undisturbed.

The first step toward eliminating any ant problem is to identify which kind of ant you’re dealing with, and that will indicate what kind of pest control methods should be used. Here are some of the most common types of ants:

• Carpenter ants. There are about 25 different species of carpenter ants found in homes, and 6 of them are capable of doing major structural damage. Many of these species have the parent-satellite pattern of home infestation described above, and can only be truly eliminated if all colonies are found and wiped out.
• Fire ants. These kinds of ants are found mostly in the eastern U.S., from the New England states to Florida, and can vary from being minor pests in the yard, to very aggressive pests that invade the home. They can be very difficult to eliminate because even after eradication, they can still come from neighboring properties where other infestations have become entrenched.
• Winged ants. These pests look very much like termites, and are difficult to distinguish from actual termites, other than their elbowed antennae. It is possible to eliminate many of these with pesticides and the sealing of all cracks, but if all of them aren’t killed, the survivors will replicate and re-appear in the home.

The most effective approach to pest control in Stuart, FL

The best way by far to be confident of eliminating an ant infestation is to contact a qualified pest control company in Stuart, FL. They will positively identify the type of pests infesting your home, and consult with you about a treatment program that will leave your home pest-free. Ambassador Pest Management will guarantee 100% satisfaction for their pest control and ant problem treatment services. Contact their Stuart, FL office at 772-229-0400 today.

Most effective pest control for getting rid of bed bugs in Stuart, FL

The pest control industry has seen an increase in the incidence of beg bugs across the United States, including here in Stuart, Florida. Bed bugs get their name from the fact that when living in peoples’ homes, they prefer to nest in warm, soft areas like sofas and beds. While human residences are not the only place they make their nests, homes are a preferred site because bed bugs live exclusively off the blood of warm-blooded animals.

They are visible to the naked eye, but you have to look closely to see them because even as adults they are only about the size of an apple seed. It is probably easier to detect them by observing the brown fecal discolorations, blood stains,  or molted skins they leave behind on sheets. They are extremely successful breeders, and can quickly produce a large colony in your home. While bites from bed bugs are not painful, they do leave a small puncture mark, and in homes where a sizable infestation has nested, there will be the potential for sustaining multiple bites. A serious pest control solution is a must.

Eliminating bed bugs in Stuart

Do-it-yourself pest control methods will generally have only a limited effect on trying to manage a bed bug infestation. They are small and very adept at hiding in dark cracks and crevices where they cannot be seen, especially when they feel threatened, so any attempt that involves visually locating them will probably not be very successful.

The pest control products which can be bought over the counter at a store generally are not intended for use specifically on bed bugs, but for insects in general, and these are also of limited usefulness. Even when a portion of the population is killed off, the rest will usually make a comeback because they are such prolific breeders and because they are situated in an environment which is ideal for them.

By far the best pest control method for complete elimination of bed bugs is to engage the services of a professional pest service. Professionals will first identify which kind of bugs are in your home, where they are nesting, and the size of the infestation. Then they will formulate a plan to eradicate the entire population with little or no disruption to your daily life.

Call Ambassador Pest Management to schedule a free inspection today. You can always count on getting a  highly qualified professional who is committed to providing exceptional, 100% guaranteed service  as well as superb customer care.