Pest Control Services
Are you dealing with pests in your home or business? Drive-Bye Exterminators serves the Tampa Bay area. We specialize in pest inspection, control, and elimination and have more than 30 years of experience in dealing with a wide variety of pests throughout your home and business.
Regardless of your pest issues, we can solve your problem. Here is a description of some of the pests that may be visiting your home or business.
Roaches
Roach populations can grow out of control rapidly and are extremely dangerous to your property and can spread disease. Roaches can spread 33 kinds of bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella. They also carry six types of parasitic worms and seven types of human pathogens.
Roaches are known to take bits of food behind the walls. They leave dirt, food residue, and excrement in hard-to-reach places. When they die in large numbers behind the walls, this can create an odor and another source of attraction for other pests. Call a professional pest control company to eliminate a cockroach infestation. Usually, if you see a few roaches, there are many more nearby. The dangers of contamination and possible illness only grow each day.
Termites
Termites are very destructive pests and cause over $5 billion in damages in the U.S. each year. They are one of the most dangerous and feared insects to homeowners.
These are three common types of termites that you will find in Tampa Bay:
- Dry wood
- Formosan
- Subterranean
Dry wood termites usually enter buildings through doors or windows. These pests are known to attack wood beams, furniture, wallpaper, and textiles.
Formosan termites are a subterranean species of termite with three distinct castes: alates (or reproductive), soldiers and workers. Often referred to as “super termites,” they are the most voracious, aggressive and devious of over 2,000 termite species known to science, chewing through wood, flooring and even wallpaper undetected.
Subterranean termites build their colonies in raw land and nest in the ground and form huge termites. They dig tunnels between food and their nests. Termites require moist soil and darkness to survive. Subterranean termites are much more dangerous because they cause more significant damage than dry wood termites. Their colonies can develop up to 1 million strong. Subterranean termites have a soft white body with no eyes. They are typically no longer than a centimeter.
It is essential to protect the investment of your home by having regular pest inspections. Contact Drive-Bye Exterminators to help you make sure that your home or business is free from termites and other pests.
Ants
There are more than 12,000 ant species found in the United States and of those approximately twenty-five infest homes and businesses. When temperatures rise, ants come indoors for a consistent food and water source. Kitchens and bathrooms are particularly vulnerable to an ant infestation. Ants drawn to the crumbs and spills we leave behind, and the moisture in sinks.
Some of the main ants that we see are:
- Argentine Ants
- Carpenter Ants
- Crazy Ants
- Fire Ants
- Ghost Ants
- Odorous House Ants
- Pavement Ants
We recommend implementing these tips to keep those pesky ants away:
- Seal cracks and crevices around your home using a silicone-based caulk.
- Fix loose mortar around basement foundation and windows and make sure the weather stripping is in good condition.
- Ensure downspouts and gutters are functioning correctly so that water flows away from your home's foundation.
- Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed away from the home.
- Wipe down counter tops and sweep floors regularly to remove crumbs and residue from spills.
- Seal food in sealed containers and keep fruit in the refrigerator off counters.
- Regularly check under sinks for areas of moisture and repair any leaky pipes immediately.
- Dispose of garbage regularly.
- Seal dry pet food in plastic or glass containers.
Spiders
When spiders invade homes and workplaces, they can rob home occupants of their peace of mind or distract employees enough to lower their productivity. The best way to get rid of spiders is to eliminate what attracts them. Spiders are predatory and feed on insects. If ants, roaches, flies, or other pests are in the home, they must be eliminated to discourage spiders. Here are some additional tips for minimizing spider attractions:
- Do not leave piles of clothes on floors, beds or furniture.
- Trim bushes and trees that are touching the home or building.
- Be sure that all doors and windows are properly sealed.
- Make sure that there are no unsealed cracks in the foundation.
Our trained professionals know where spiders hide and how to remove their colonies. Give Drive-Bye Exterminators a call to eliminate any pests in your home or business.
Pests Control Seasons
SPRING
Warm weather brings a variety of pests from their winter homes, and reproduction increases along with insects search for new homes and food sources. Spring and summer months in Florida are the peak season for swarms of Termites.
SUMMER
Warm weather provides the perfect breeding ground for roaches, spiders, wasps, and ants. In the summer, pest activity peaks because of voracious eating and optimal living conditions.
AUTUMN
As the hot weather starts to cool down in Tampa Bay, pests start looking for places to live during the winter. Pests consistently invade the shelter of homes looking for a place to live and sources of food and water.
WINTER
On the occasional cooler days of winter in Tampa Bay, pests look for warm areas to live and lay eggs. Spiders, moths, and silverfish take up residence in your home.
Statistics on Pests
- Termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage a year that are not covered by homeowners’ insurance policies.
- 90 deaths each year from insect stings
- 500,000 people are annually admitted to hospitals from insect stings and bites.
- Source for both statistics above: [American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology stated that five hundred thousand people are annually admitted to hospitals from insect stings and bites. Moreover, insect stings also cause around 90 deaths each year.]
- 97% of allergists believe a pest-free home is an essential step in preventing asthma and allergy systems.
- Subterranean termites eat 24/7, making them the most destructive species of termite found in the U.S.
- Cockroaches are known to spread 33 kinds of bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella species, six types of parasitic worms and seven types of human pathogens.
- 99.6% of pest professionals have treated for bed bugs in the past year. That number – which has been consistent for the past few years – is significantly higher than 15 years ago, when only 25% of pest professionals reported treating for bed bugs.
- 1 in 5 Americans has had a bed bug infestation in his or her home or knows someone who has encountered bed bugs at home or in a hotel.
Statistics Sources
https://npmapestworld.org
https://www.pestworld.org
https://acaai.org