B&B Exterminating Blog

Stinging insects like bees are a reality every homeowner will need to confront at some point in time. The chief difficulty though is determining if you have helpful, necessary “good” insects like honey bees on your property, or if you have an infestation of “bad” carpenter bees, yellow jackets, hornets or wasps. The good news is you can easily tell the "good bees" from the "bad bees" if you know their distinguishing characteristics. Here’s a quick rundown for you: “Good Bees”- Honey Bees Yellow-orange in color, honey bees are pollinators that keep entire plant ecosystems alive and thriving. If possible, a honey bee hive should be professionally removed and relocated to an apiary or bee farm by a professional bee keeper or pest control specialist. You can easily tell a honey bee from its “bad” cousins from their black and orange or gold bands along the largest part of their abdomen....

Most homes have insects living within its walls. Insects enjoy interior living quarters for the same reasons as people do: they are warm, and they have food. However, few people want insects as roommates, so here are some ways to drive unwanted pests out of your house and keep them out. How to Get Rid of Insects Since you can’t hunt down each individual fly or cockroach and personally show them the door, you’re going to need to strategize if you want to make your house as inhospitable to insects as possible. First, dry up any puddles, open water sources, or damp spots around your home: typically, around sinks, boiler rooms and bathtubs. Everything that's alive needs some form of moisture to survive, and insects are no different, therefore, if you cut any chance that they have of taking a drink, you’re bound to shorten their lifespans considerably. The same goes...

Trust us, at B&B Exterminating, we dislike rats around our homes as much as you do. The sad truth is, that with the mild climates in our mid-Florida and Georgia service areas, the environment that we live in is the perfect breeding ground for all types of rodents. Our knowledgeable technicians can not only protect your home, but they can also help you know what to look out for and when you need to call us back for a repeat treatment. Remember, we not only specialize in pest prevention, but we can also help you keep your lawn and garden areas spotless. Not only will this beautify your home, but it also does a lot of the work in preventing pests from entering your home by eliminating vegetation debris, which is a prime attractant to rodents. Read on to find out why rats and rodents are attracted to your home, how...

At B&B Exterminating, when we get a call about bed bugs, we know that we’re dealing with a serious issue. Our staff of fully-trained, professional technicians have everything they need to help you eliminate your bed bug problem, but we also know that the issue isn’t just getting rid of a pest. When our clients find that they have bed bugs, it’s often an emotional drain. The idea that these tiny parasites have infected your home and are now existing with your family can be hard to take. Many of our customers want to know exactly how they ended up with the little creatures, and they ask us for pointers on how to keep them from coming back. In all honesty, the only things that you can do to avoid bed bugs is to either purchase everything new or sterilize everything brought into the home and teach your children to not...

While most ants aren't a threat to human and pet life, they can be a nuisance as well as extremely difficult to get rid of by yourself. Allow us to show you how to prevent ant infestations from happening to you. Species of ants that can invade the home include the following: Carpenter Ants Pavement Ants Fire Ants Thief Ants Pharaoh Ants And more. If you are already experiencing a colony of ants inside your home, it would be wise to contact your local pest control service as your best option for getting rid of them. How to Prevent Ants from Entering the Home Ants can either nest outside or inside your home. If they nest outside, they can still find a way to get inside the home to forage. Ants are the most curious bugs when it comes to searching for possible holes and other entry points inside your home....

B&B Exterminating Co. is proud to provide customers in our service areas, which span through Florida and Georgia with the best possible termite control measures available. We use high-quality products and techniques to ensure that termites are eliminated from your home or business. One of the issues with termites is that many homeowners don’t know the signs that prove that termites are within their property until extensive damage has been done. Termites are small insects that tend to avoid highly public areas. There are two types of termites that live within the U.S.: subterranean and drywood. Subterranean termites will invade your home from the foundation up, while drywood termites enter your home and build colonies on the wood framing within your walls. We can develop a treatment plan that’s well-suited for your needs so that you can continue to enjoy your home again. Signs in Your Home’s Interior Hollow-sounding floors or...

We all love our furry friends. Having a cat or dog seems to help make every house a home. Our children love them, we appreciate their unconditional love and having our animal companions just makes life more enjoyable. What we don’t love, however, is that our friends can bring guests into our home that are unwanted and downright nasty. Whether its fleas picked up at the dog park or ticks from your last hike, there are steps that you can take to limit the potential that your home will become a hotel for unwanted guests. Prevention is Key For the best results, homeowners should take a two-part approach. First, make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss treatment and preventative options for your pet. There are multiple long-term options that will repel fleas, ticks and other pests from your pet, reducing the chance they have of bringing one inside. Your vet should...

Every homeowner knows that having rodents in the house is something that you want to avoid. Not only can they cause damage to the walls, wiring and pipes of your home, but they can also impart an odor. B&B Exterminating Company has been working hard to keep our customers in the Jacksonville area rodent free since 1938. We have made protecting the health and safety of your home our mission, because the truth is, a rodent infestation can cause a lot more damage to your health and property than frayed wiring and bad smells. The Dangers of Infestation An active rodent infestation carries many hidden dangers. For example, most people don’t realize that rodents can carry and transmit salmonella. Unfortunately, anything a rodent in your house touches can then be contaminated. As rodents stay near the ground, it puts them in the direct path of potentially infecting the members of your...

For many homeowners, the problems that can affect your property include things like leaky pipes, aging infrastructure elements, and general maintenance and upkeep. However, if you live in Georgia or Florida, you should also know that pests are a frequent problem that can plague your home. Unfortunately, many homeowners are not aware of the extensiveness of their pest problem, so they don't take the necessary steps to prevent it from happening. At B&B Exterminators, we know what pests can do to your property, which is why we want you to understand the danger of letting them take over. Types of Pest Infestations If you want to know how pests can create massive damage to your home, let's look at the various critters and bugs that may take residence. Here are the most common ones we encounter. Rats According to recent data, about 21 million homes are infested by rats each year....

Living in the American South means that pests are a natural side effect of your environment. The hot and humid climate attracts bugs and vermin of all kinds, which is why it’s imperative that you rely on pest control to manage the impact of these pests. However, are you doing enough to make sure that your home doesn’t look appealing?All too often, homeowners will get rid of an infestation, only to have it resurface later on. Today we want to discuss several ways that you can make sure that your pests will be gone for good. Keep it Clean For the most part, bugs and vermin are attracted to food sources. Thus, if you have bits of food littering your house, then it looks like a suppertime buffet. Spills are especially dangerous because if it were something sweet (like tea), it would be like sending out a pest beacon around your...

If you grow pumpkins or simply use the fruit as a holiday decoration, remember to check for pests. Numerous insects and rodents like to feed on these delicious gourds as well as their leaves and vines. Bugs Slugs usually attack pumpkins before the plant has fully matured. The same goes for snails. When you try to protect the fruit, keep in mind that these slimy pests won't travel through sandy areas. Aphids damage a wide range of plants. A heavy infestation can cause the leaves to turn yellow. These parasites also transmit diseases from one plant to another and leave sticky droppings behind. Ladybugs eat aphids, but ants may protect them. Although they won't attack jack-o'-lanterns, vine borers can have a major impact on any pumpkin patch. These insects tunnel into vines before consuming the plant's juices. This causes the vines to dry out and prevents your pumpkins from growing. Squash...

Before rodents get inside your home, there are a few things that you can do to help ensure that they stay outside. Many of the ways to rodent-proof your home are humane options that are safe for your family and your pets. If you do happen to see rodents inside, you can contact a professional company, such as B&B Exterminating, to come to your home to get rid of the rodents and use treatments that can keep them away. Start on the outside of the home. Keep your yard clean and free of debris that rodents might want to use as a home, such as trash bags or logs. You should also minimize any bird seed that you use because small rodents enjoy eating the seed when it's on the ground. If you have a garage or a utility room attached to the home, keep the doors closed so that rodents...

The autumn season is usually accompanied by pleasant weather and a change in the color of the leaves on the trees. This creates a scenic atmosphere that is ideal for enjoying the weather just before the winter seasons begins. However, this season also attracts certain types of pests, which can ruin your ability to enjoy the fall season. To avoid these common pests in the fall, you should learn about the reason that they are attracted to the area in the first place. This information can help you to identify these pests and hopefully to avoid the discomfort that they can bring. When you know how to recognize the most common fall pests, you can protect your family and friends when you are enjoying your time outdoors. Common Autumn Pests The three most common pests will appear during the autumn months for a specific reason. When you understand the reason that...

While you're away at school, you will probably have to sleep on a mattress provided in the dorm room. However, you can usually have your own sheets and other linens with you. Unfortunately, you don't always know who has been on the mattress before you and how well the mattress and the bed have been cleaned before moving into the dorm. When you get home, there could be bed bugs in your luggage, clothing, and linens. Fortunately, there are ways to check for them and get rid of them. One option is to contact B&B Exterminating, a company that can treat the entire home for bed bugs while using products to keep them away in the future. As soon as you get home, look through all of your bags to see if there are any bugs that are easily seen by the naked eye. They usually hide along crevices of suitcases,...

When autumn approaches, it's time to change your lawn care routine to maintain your lawn's good health and prepare for the winter ahead. Adding a few simple steps to your regular fall maintenance, including raking your leaves and replanting dead areas, will help your yard start off green and healthy when spring arrives. Keep Mowing Although your grass may not grow as quickly as it did in the spring and summer, you should still keep mowing your lawn throughout fall. If you don't keep up with your mowing, you may end up with clumps of grass that winter weather can damage. Don't mow the grass too short, however; if you cut it too short, the lawn will have a harder time surviving the winter weather. Plant New Grass An especially hot summer and drought conditions can damage your lawn, leaving plenty of bare spots. Fall is a good time to lay...

Mosquitoes don't care that we want them to stay out of our outdoor space. Their life's mission is to breed and feed on human blood. Thankfully, if you utilize the following prevention tips, these flying vampires won't be able to rear their ugly heads so easily. Make Your Outdoor Space Uninhabitable Mosquitoes will flock to any area that has standing water, and this is especially true if humans and pets are present. Therefore, it's time for you to do some maintenance to your yard. Any containers that are holding an ounce of water can support the eggs of mosquitoes, so get in the habit of emptying them on a regular basis. These insects are particularly drawn to the gutters, plant trays, pet bowls and yard fountains. Rain barrels need to be sealed tightly. Keep in mind that mosquitoes aren't really restricted when it comes to breeding grounds. As opportunistic pests, they...

Several pests eat wood or damage it other ways, such as boring through it to build nests. These pests are referred to as wood destroying organisms. They can cause significant destruction to homes and other buildings, but the damage isn't always obvious to the naked eye. Most of the time, it takes experts to identify and eradicate pest problems, and fumigation may be the best solution in serious cases. Common WDOs in Florida Florida is home to numerous WDOs, including termites, carpenter ants and beetles. There are several species of each, and they behave differently. The two main species of termites are subterranean and drywood, and wood is their primary source of food. They have straight antenna and two pairs of wings that are equal in length. The most damaging type of subterranean termite is the Formosan. They can grow into colonies with millions of termites, so they can destroy wood...

Getting stung by a bee or wasp causes enough trauma to ruin your day. Unfortunately, a sting may happen unexpectedly. For instance, you may inadvertently step on a bee that is comfortably resting on your living room floor. If you are not wearing shoes or slippers, the bee may sting your foot as a form of self-defense. Nevertheless, a bee or wasp sting is not the end of the world unless you are allergic to stings. Known as anaphylaxis, a small minority of people living in the United States die from stings each year, which is why it is important to know how to treat a sting once it happens. Bring salt, water, vinegar and a bottle of hand sanitizer with you whenever you are on a camping trip. Otherwise, you may not have any available method for treating the painful sting. First, you need to remove the stinger. If you...

Fire ants are different than other types of ants. These ants have a more aggressive appearance than other ants, and this includes the pincers at the area around their face, which they use to bite into flesh. They also have a body with an unusually red color. There is a visible stinger at the base of their last segment, and it is often black. These ants will usually appear during the warmest months of the year because they like sunny weather with little humidity. They will prefer wooded areas that are dry, and this is where they will build colonies. Signs of Fire Ant Infestations The early signs of fire ants can warn you about this danger. An infestation of fire ants can start with the appearance of a mound that can become as large as 18 cm in height. Watch for this major sign carefully so that you will be...

Common lawn pests will leave signs that they are infesting your yard. For example, brown spotted areas are a common sign, and these spots can provide a warning that you have a pest infestation. However, some people mistake these brown spots for a lawn disease, and this can cause confusion. There are several bugs that will eat the grassy areas of your lawn and leave patches or spots behind. Some of the most common lawn pests include: Japanese Beetles These pests form colonies in the garden of homes and even commercial properties. They might not eat the grass directly, but they will lay their eggs in the soil of your lawn. As the eggs begin to mature, small grubs will form that need to eat the grass and the roots of your lawn in order to survive. Grubs form during the larval stage, and they will later become mature Japanese beetles....