Scheduled Pest Control in West Palm Beach Florida is Worth The Money

Pest control trucks are one of the regular sights around Florida neighborhoods. The technicians come around like clockwork to spray the bushes and perimeter around the house. An odd thing about these visits is that when they’re doing their job well, their customers may begin to question why they need their services at all.

Get pest control before you need it

More than one homeowner has had the thought, “I don’t even have a bug problem! I could save a few bucks by cancelling this service.”  Inevitably, shortly after the cancellation, trouble begins popping up and the pests are back invading the now-unprotected house and yard. Now there’s an undeniable problem, and they’ll be starting from behind the eight ball.

The truth of the matter is that pest control in its most effective form begins before the pests even make their presence obvious. Once the pests have made themselves at and begin to spread, it’s an uphill battle to fight them. An ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure.

Keeping your landscaping looking great and nurturing the health of your yard while trying to eliminate a pest problem requires great care and the right tools for the job.

Trust the pest control professionals in West Palm Beach

Entrust your lawn and shrubs to Ambassador Pest and you’ll soon be experiencing the joys of being green, both botanically and environmentally. Our proven lawn and shrub service and highly trained professional technicians will have your yard looking great year-round. We perform regular applications of both insecticide and fertilizers to control fungus, weeds and insects. Our program is guaranteed to have your yard looking fantastic.

Our exclusive service plan consists of seasonally specific applications of environmentally friendly insecticides and fertilizers. During each visit, your Ambassador Pest lawn technician applies quality products that slowly release nutrients into the soil, providing healthy, consistent feeding for your lawn. We also employ high quality green products, so you won’t have to worry about the safety of your kids or pets, or deal with stinky, dangerous pesticides.

Don’t wait until pests and weeds have set up shop in your yard! Call Ambassador Pest Management today for a free inspection. Serving the West Palm Beach area for 25 years, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you have nothing to lose! Don’t delay, call 866-632-0088 today!

 

How to Choose a Pest Control Company in West Palm Beach FL

One of the “joys” of living in West Palm Beach, Florida is having to deal with occasional pest infestations. South Florida is famous for its gorgeous weather and beautiful beaches, but unfortunately we’re also known for our bugs. When you’re facing a pest control  issue, you can feel overwhelmed and want to act as quickly as possible – completely understandable. You should, however, take the time to investigate your options before selecting the best pest control company for you.

These tips will help you select an experienced, reputable and reliable company as your partner in the battle of the bugs! Consider the following attributes before making your decision.

Do They Have a Good Reputation in the Industry? 
A great place to start is to ask your coworkers, friends neighbors or family members if they have any recommendations for you. Inquire about their pest control company experiences – both good and bad.  Don’t rely on advertising alone – unbiased reviews on the Internet can be a helpful tool. You may also wish to check for complaints with the Better Business Bureau or with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for any violations.

How Much Experience Do They Have? 
Knowing how long the company has been in business can be a good indication of how they operate. If they’ve been around for decades, that’s a good sign. You can ask a company for references as well. Ask about their experience in dealing with the particular pest control issues that you’re having. You may also consider asking about the training they provide for their new service technicians.  How they answer these questions will teach you quite a bit about how the company operates.

What Are Their Qualifications? 
Inquire as to their licensing requirements for technicians and which ones they hold. Are all of the licenses current and in good standing? And are those licenses the appropriate classification for their job description and responsibilities? You can call the pesticide regulatory office to ensure the information you’ve been given is correct and truthful.

Ask if continuing training and education is provided for employees, and how they keep them up-to-date on current regulations, new products or current product safety concerns and new techniques available to them. Another good question is if they use Integrated Pest Management techniques.

Do They Offer a Good Value For Your Investment? 
Check with companies to see if they offer free, no-obligation written estimates. You may wish to get several estimates before making your final selection. Going with the lowest price isn’t necessarily the most cost-effective solution. Look into whether they require you to sign a long term contract, and if they do, what is the pricing structure? Do they guarantee their work and your satisfaction?

How Is Their Customer Service? 
Probably one of the most important considerations is how well their staff listens to and addresses any concerns you have, and treats you and your home with the respect and care you deserve. Are their technicians professional, timely, thorough in explaining and giving evidence of the extent your problem? Make sure they’re able to provide you with information about the treatment they recommend.

By asking these questions and spending a little extra time up front to do your homework, you can feel comfortable that you’re hiring the best pest control company for you and your home. Ambassador Pest Management has over 25 years experience, is completely licensed and GreenPro certified. Our technicians are professional and knowledgeable, and will be happy to come to your home or business to provide a free, no-obligation inspection and quote. Ambassador offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee – call us today at 866-632-0088!

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 Think I Have Bed Bugs, What Should I Do?

Do you have that sinking feeling that you may be sharing your bed with some very unwelcome visitors? The time to take action is now. Bed bugs have made a big comeback in recent years, and they’re notoriously difficult squatters to evict. Turning their eradication into a DIY project will usually result in wasted time, money and effort. Here are some tips that may help you develop your plan of attack.

Are these things bed bugs?

Before you panic, establish that what you have is actually bed bugs. If you’re judging by whether you have bites, you should be aware that many environmental irritants can produce skin reactions that masquerade as bed bug bites. Allergies and other bugs can cause symptoms that may be similar, and everyone’s body reacts differently to them. It’s important to check for other signs of an infestation.

Have you noticed the presence of bed bugs in your sleeping area? What do they look like? Some other bugs can be easily mistaken for them. A young carpet beetle, though not necessarily resembling bed bugs, can be the right size and found around your bed. It’s a great idea to capture one or two of the insects you find and keep them in a pill bottle or other crush-proof container to show to a pest control professional for their evaluation.

So you’ve got bed bugs. Now what?

It seems obvious, but one thing you definitely do not want to do is move your bed linens or pillows into another room to sleep. That’s just going to spread the infestation more quickly. You’ll want to wash and dry these items at the highest, hottest setting your washer and dryer has. Bed bugs will not be able to withstand the heat.

You may find articles on the Internet touting “foolproof” or “guaranteed” DIY solutions for getting rid of bed bugs. The old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” could not be more accurate in this situation. These pests are incredibly difficult to get rid of, and any advice involving the use of ammonia, bleach or even do-it-yourself heat treatments are ineffective and sometimes downright dangerous.

You may also read about using your vacuum to eradicate your problem. Although you can probably manage to get a lot of them sucked up, but you’re more than likely missing the eggs, and are putting other rooms at risk of infestation. The vacuum alone won’t kill them, and there may be some just waiting for the opportunity to jump out of the canister and into another room in your home.

Fully encasing your mattress in special cover is a great idea, but it won’t contain your entire problem.  You’re sure to miss a number of bed bugs who are hiding nearby, lying in wait.  An advantage to entombing a large portion of the bed bugs, a mattress cover is generally made with very few seams and are one solid color, making identifying leftover bugs easier.

Call a pest control professional for guaranteed results

Although there are a number of pest control projects you can attempt to do yourself with decent results, a bed bug infestation is not one of them. Ambassador Pest Management has over 25 years experience in the West Palm Beach area. Call today for a free, no obligation inspection. Your satisfaction is always guaranteed! 866-632-0088

Termites – Know Thy Enemy

Sure, you know about termites. But do you really know about termites? Maybe you don’t want to know about them, but arming yourself with some knowledge may save you money and rescue your house from extensive damage. Or, you might just pick up a gem that will help you win at Trivia Night! Here are some facts about these ravenous monsters from the American Pest Management Association.

Termites are EVERYWHERE (well, almost everywhere)…

Subterranean termites can be found in each of the United States, except one: Alaska. In some ways, it pays to live where your terrain is frozen.  Like many bugs and humans, they love warmer climates. Here in Florida, one of the most prevalent subterranean types is the Formosan termite. These guys may be one of the least popular imports from China ever – they’ve only been here in the US for around 50 years.

…and there are a LOT of them

For what they lack in human popularity, they more than make up for in population. A fully mature colony for the Formosan termite can house millions of them. Think we’re kidding? An enormous colony was found in the Algiers Regional Library in Louisiana weighing six hundred pounds and containing.. are you ready?… 70 MILLION termites.

How about this for a measure of how many termites there are in the world?  If you were to combine all of the known species on earth, 2,000 or so of them, their combined weight is more than all of the humans on the planet. About ten percent of the biomass in the animal world is made of termites.

Termites are very busy

If you think you snack too much, this might help you feel a bit more in control. Termites never stop eating. They’re at it 24/7, burrowing into the wood they consider their all-night buffet. They’ll feed on it until there is only an empty shell left.

Queens, depending on the species, may lay between 1,000 and 40,000 eggs per day. They’ve got a long time to do it, too. Although it’s not know for certain what the lifespan of queens may be, many have been ten years or longer, with some evidence of them living over years! Termites are assumed to have the longest adult reproductive lives of all insects.

They’re expensive houseguests

It is estimated that are responsible for about $5 billion in damage every year, with 20% of that being done by Formosan termites. The Formosan termite has gotten the reputation as a “super-species” due to its destructive nature, infesting at least 11 states as of this writing.  One colony of them is capable of consuming nearly 1,000 pounds of wood per year, as opposed to around seven pounds for native termites. That same colony could eat a home’s entire structure in two years time.

Out of all the household pests, termites are the most common reason for calling pest control professionals.  A fifth of surveyed homeowners responded that of their pest control concerns, termites were the largest worry. About three-quarters of households require calling in the big guns to get the problem under control.

If you find yourself facing a termite problem, don’t go it alone. Ambassador Pest  Management in West Palm Beach, FL has over 25 years experience helping people just like you get rid of the termites and get back your piece of mind. Contact Ambassador today for a free, no-obligation inspection. Remember, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Wild Animal Control: Don’t Run a B&B for Rocky Raccoon

One of the wonderful things about living in West Palm Beach and the southeast Florida area is the abundant and exotic wildlife around us. Starting your morning with a cup of coffee out on the porch while enjoying the colorful, chirping birds is truly a delight. Or at least it is until you notice where critters have been busy all night digging up your lawn. Arrgh! Raccoons and possums can be very destructive pests!

We’re encouraged by the NWF (National Wildlife Federation) to cultivate native plants in our yards in an effort to provide a habitat for butterflies, birds and other wildlife. What we want to avoid, however, is having said wildlife move into our homes! What follows are a few tips that will help you enjoy nature where it belongs – out in the yard.

Feed the Birds (but only the birds!)

It’s fine to feed our feathered friends in moderation. It’s important to note that the birds around us are actually very self-sufficient, feeding themselves on berries, insects and seeds in the area. Your backyard feeder is only supplementing their natural diets. When there is an abundant supply of food in your yard, you may notice that other wildlife will begin to avail itself of your stash.

This may become especially true if you feed your other pets outside. Dog food and cat food are tasty treats for scrounging pests. Raccoons, opossums, deer and bears may start becoming regulars around the feeding station. If this is the case, take the feeder down for a few weeks (remember, the birds won’t starve!), and only feed your pets inside.

Don’t be tempted to feed the furry visitors

As cute as some of them may be, feeding local wildlife like raccoons is a definite no-no. This goes double for bears, foxes, coyotes and alligators! These creatures are naturally afraid of humans, but if they begin to associate people with being a food source, that fear will dissipate. This is when situations can turn dangerous and end up on the evening news!

Don’t store food outside

This is probably a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless. Store your bird seed and pet food indoors whenever possible.  If, for some reason, you’re unable to do so, store the feed in heavy, secured metal containers.

Make sure the great outdoors can’t get inside

Take time to check out all the potential points of entry to your home. Be sure that you’ve sealed every possible place the critters might be able to get into your attic, crawlspace or basement if you have one. Check to ensure you have screens in your doors and windows, and that they’ve been installed securely.

Following these tips will help to keep the inside of your home critter-free. Sometimes, however, despite our best efforts, nuisance wildlife can interrupt your peace. When this is the case, give Ambassador Pest Management a call. We are wild animal control and pest control specialists in West Palm Beach, FL. If Rocky Raccoon has taken up residence in your rafters, if you have bats in your belfry, snakes, opossums… you name it, we can help! Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!

Bed Bug Prevention Tips from West Palm Beach Pest Control Experts

With bed bug infestations in the news more and more, we thought it might be a good idea to provide some tips for their prevention. As a pest control company in West Palm Beach, FL, we see bed bugs more often than we’d care to admit. They’re tenacious and difficult to get rid of, so preventing them from getting a foothold in your home is key!

“Go to the mattresses!”

Sonny had the right idea in The Godfather. If you’re certain that your mattress is bed bug-free, you can keep them that way by using bed bug proof encasements on it and on your box spring. This will keep the creepy critters from starting a turf war with you when you’re asleep.

Inspect all incoming furniture

This may be an unsettling thought, but it’s not just that recliner from the second-hand shop that could introduce these blood-suckers into your home. Even new furniture could potentially have picked up some riders while in the warehouse or during transport. Yikes! Make sure you have a close look at any furniture, under the cushions and in the seams, before it comes inside.

Watch out for hitchhikers

If you travel for business or pleasure, there’s always a chance that your suitcase will house some unwanted guests on the journey home. It’s a good idea to check online to see if where you’re staying has current complaints about bed bugs. Also, if you wake up with any bites on your person that you didn’t go to bed with, that’s a big red flag! If you weren’t already a little spooked by the places we’ve already mentioned, you should know that movie theaters and libraries have also been reported to have bed bug problems.

“Feed me, Seymour!”

Well, these aren’t really bed bug eating plants, but there are a couple of varieties of greenery that might help repel them. Black cohosh and leggera alata are among them, as well as herbal essential oils like lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus and thyme.

Once you have bed bugs, however, it’s time to call a professional. Even if you think you’ve managed to kill all the bugs yourself, the eggs can survive to hatch another day. Don’t waste time and money. Ambassador Pest Management has serious experience ridding homes and businesses in West Palm Beach of these pests forever. Our treatment and your satisfaction is always guaranteed 100%. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation inspection and service estimate.  866-632-0088.