B&B Exterminating Blog

Rodents can wreak havoc on any home. They spread disease and cause millions in property damage each year. But how do we keep them away from our property? Here are our top three tips for rodent prevention.  Clear Your Yard Remove the places where rodents are likely to make their homes. Clear out debris from your yard. Relocate or dispose of piles of wood, garden clippings and old vehicles. Cleaning improves aesthetics and decreases infestation problems. Rodents nest just about anywhere.  The fewer places rodents can make nests, the more likely they are to settle somewhere else. Keep the Food Away Open food containers ring the dinner bell for rats and mice. Mother Nature designed them to root out food like miniature bloodhounds. Seal up pet food containers and place them in proper storage areas. Rodents also raid open garbage cans, recycling containers and compost bins. Secure their lids and mix...

Jacksonville, Florida, is a beautiful, sprawling city. It has a long history, stunning architecture, some incredible city parks, and, of course, the infamous Jaguars. The weather is warm and humid for most of the year, which is a major draw for visitors and long-time residents alike. Unfortunately, we’re not the only ones who appreciate mild climates. Jacksonville is home to a wide array of household pests. Keep reading to learn about some of the most distressing home invaders you’re likely to encounter in Jacksonville. Mosquitos Mosquitos are one of the most irritating pests out there. They bite and leave welts that itch and swell. Some people are allergic to them. Some mosquitos spread diseases like yellow fever, malaria, Zika, and West Nile virus. You’re already more familiar with mosquitos than you would like to be, but did you know they cause more human deaths than any other animal? They are not...

Now that the holiday season is behind us, winter is starting to settle in. The temperatures drop and the sun sets earlier. It is easy to feel somewhat depressed during this time of year. But keep in mind that spring is not too far behind and you can already start preparing for the next season. Keep reading for more information on how to prepare your lawn for this coming spring. Clean Up Your Lawn Even if you have cleared your yard of debris and leaves during the fall season, there will very likely be more debris that needs to be picked up after the winter season has passed. You may find yourself needing to rake more leaves, or use a leaf blower. Pick up any fallen twigs and branches. You may find other various items in your lawn that have been blown in by a winter storm. It is essential to...

Cockroaches vary in size and color, so it is difficult to know what type of cockroach you are dealing with. Identifying what kind of cockroach is in your home is the first step in determining the best treatment methods. The two most common cockroaches are German and American ones. Here are some differences between the two and some tips for getting rid of them.  What is a German Cockroach? German roaches are one of the most common pest nuisances in residential structures, especially common in multi-unit apartment homes. They thrive in filth but even the cleanest homes can be at risk. Where You Will Find Them German cockroaches are brown with two long stripes running down them. They typically range from a half-inch to one inch long. They are usually found in kitchens in secluded areas, like behind appliances and cabinets. They are attracted to warm areas around appliance motors. These...

If you are a pet owner, you care about their health and safety. you also do not want them spreading fleas throughout your home. Unfortunately, owning a pet comes with the risk of fleas infesting your sanctuary: causing irritation to you and your pets. Keep reading for some tips to prevent fleas from bothering you and your pets.  Treat Your Pets There are several different types of flea treatments for your pets. Flea collars, oral and topical medication, prescription medication and flea shampoos can be effective in keeping your pet flea-free. Another effective way to keep your pets flea-free is to groom them after they spend time outside and before they come inside. Combing their fur helps reduce the number of fleas brought into the home. Grooming is especially vital for long-haired pets, as it is easier for fleas to remain undetected. Keep Your Yard Tidy A great way to keep...

You want to do everything you can to make your home a safe space for you and your loved ones. Equip yourself for success by learning about the five ways you may attract termites into your home. Clogged Gutters Cleaning the gutters may be an easy maintenance chore to overlook when you have so many apparent tasks to address. Termites are attracted to leaf litter and twigs that collect within neglected gutters. They also love moisture. Pools of water inside clogged drains are breeding grounds for termites. Invest in the vital task of cleaning your gutters regularly. Also, avoid pooling water by diverting rainwater from the home’s foundation with splash blocks and extended downspouts.  Wood Piles Against Your House When you have any type of wood touching the home, you provide a bridge to termites into your residence. Once termites build colonies in any outside wood sources, including mulch and wood...

When winter weather hits, pests look for safety and warmth just like anyone else. They do not mind if you send them an invitation or not, they will let themselves in and get comfy if you allow it. The experts at B&B Exterminating have seen all creatures big and small, these are the winter pests you should be on the lookout for. Mice and Rats Mice and rats are different species with common looks and interests. Once inside a warm residence, they prefer to stay in the dark but are always looking for a meal. Rodents are considered highly dangerous because they carry diseases that are dangerous to humans. They leave their droppings everywhere and love to chew through electrical insulation and wiring, as well as food storage containers. Roaches If you see one roach in your residence, there are likely more you do not see. The World Health Organization describes...

What Are the Signs of a Tick Bite? Do you enjoy camping, hiking, or just lounging around in your own back yard? Whatever your pleasure, there's something enticing about the great outdoors. Unfortunately, these simple pleasures are also ones that can put you in contact with ticks, small parasites in the arachnid family capable of transmitting the serious disease to you and your pets. If you're concerned about ticks infiltrating your back yard or, worse, infesting your home, B & B Exterminating can offer a slew of solutions for pest control. How Do I Know I've Been Bitten By a Tick? According to the Centers for Disease and Control, ticks transmit a number of different diseases, but several of these diseases share common symptoms. These include red spots or rashes near the location of the bite, headache, fatigue, nausea, and pain in the muscles or joints. If you are experiencing any of these...

 Ants are fascinating creatures, but when they start to invade a person’s home, they really need to go. That’s where our pest control professionals at B & B Exterminating  come in. But outside the home in their own territories, ants are simply amazing. Here are some things to know about them: How Many Ant Species Are There? There are about 12,500 species of ant that people know of and 10,000 more that haven’t been classified yet. They’re members of the order Hymenoptera, which means they're cousins of bees and wasps, and they’re eusocial. This means they live in groups and live to support the success of their group, whether it’s about 100 or so ants living together or millions whose territories range over acres. These huge colonies are so organized that they sometimes act like one organism. Many ant colonies have castes made up of workers, soldiers, drones and at least one queen. Workers...

Bed bugs are one of the most irritating pests to deal with. While not infectious or harmful, they can cause skin irritation and are difficult to get rid of. Bed bugs feed off the blood of humans or animals and like to hide in bed sheets, pillows and mattresses.  Due to their flat shape, they can easily fit through small cracks in your wall or hitch a ride on your clothes or luggage. Here are seven signs that you may have bed bugs. Sign #1: Red Welts on the Skin Since bed bugs tend to hide in mattresses and sheets, they can easily bite you at night while you’re sleeping. If you wake up to find red welts on your skin, they may be bed bug bites. They can often be confused with mosquito bites, so they are often overlooked. Sign #2: Itchy Areas on the Skin In addition to the...

Gardening is a great way to display your creativity and get some exercise while enjoying time in nature. If you take great pride in your garden, then you are always on the lookout for dying or dead plants as well as unwanted pests. Keeping your garden beautiful is important. If you are consistently finding insects eating away at your garden, keep reading for tips on how to protect your garden from insects.  Keep Your Garden Clean One of the best ways to keep your garden healthy and flourishing is to keep it clean. This means that you regularly clear out all weeds and debris. Remove leaves and dying or dead plants. This will not only keep your garden looking beautiful, but will also prevent disease spreading to your plants. Unwanted insects will also have fewer places to hide.  Pick the Insects Out As you clean out your garden of unwanted weeds...

Termites are a pest that can be quite small yet incredibly destructive if left untreated or unnoticed. Over time, they can compromise the safety and security of the structure of your house. If you do suspect a termite problem, it isn’t too late, but you should act fast. If you’re a new homeowner, read on to learn about how to spot termite activity in your home or on your property. Solving and understanding the problem now is key to having continued peace of mind as a homeowner. Discoloration Look for discoloration in your drywall. Also, look for potential “droopiness” or sagging in your walls. This is a sign of a compromised structure. Peeling Wallpaper with No Water Damage Although it might look like water damage, termites can consume your drywall and wallpaper along with it. If there is no sign of any leaking or any moisture, then you may have a...

Finding a mouse problem is one of the more unsettling and frustrating discoveries for homeowners in the Jacksonville area. Mice are incredibly efficient at wreaking havoc on your home’s structure, destroying your food, and spreading disease as they travel across surfaces.  When managing mice, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Infestations are difficult to fully eliminate and professional intervention is often necessary once mice have set up their nest. Consider these common ways that you may be inviting an infestation so you know how to keep mice away from your home. Providing a Food Source for Mice Mice look for two basic necessities -- shelter and food. They are extremely efficient at finding and accessing food sources and can settle in comfortably if the supply is ample. Allowing garbage to accumulate or leaving it unsecured in the trash bin provides a buffet for mice to dig...

It is never fun dealing with an infestation of any kind of insect in your home or yard. They can cause severe damage to your property, with needed repairs potentially costing a lot of valuable time and money. It is especially important to know how to keep stinging insects away because they not only destroy property but can also hurt you! Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take that can help prevent these unwanted pests from settling in. Look for Nests There are common places to find nests in your yard, like trees and in the ground. Be on the lookout for nests around your house as well. Wasps and other stinging insects often set up on the foundation, walls or overhangs around your home. Spraying the nests can be effective for getting rid of them, provided you find them early enough. However, waiting too long can thwart your...

If you have outdoor plants that aren’t looking so great, you may be able to save them by mulching. Mulch can benefit plants in a variety of ways and will also make your landscaping look neat and beautiful. Here are some ways that mulching can save your plants. Weed Reduction Mulch can reduce weed growth instantly. Weeds thrive in sunlight, and mulch will block the sun from getting to them and dramatically reduce their growth. If you’re experiencing uncontrollable weeds that take over your plants, mulching can definitely fix the problem. Soil Protection Plants can suffer from unhealthy and eroded soil. Mulch will protect soil from harsh weather conditions, harsh sunlight, and too much moisture. If plants are growing in healthy soil, they will be more likely to thrive and grow. You can even purchase mulch with certain nutrients in it to target specific plant problems you may be having. Moisture...

Mosquitoes are pesky insects that thrive in hot weather. High temperatures speed up their life cycle, meaning an increase in egg-laying and hatching. With mosquito season reaching its peak during summer months, they can really put a damper on your outdoor plans. In order to take on mosquito season, many people take preventative measures. There are a lot of mosquito repellents out on the market, and many people opt for mosquito spray. But exactly how effective is mosquito spray? What is a Mosquito Repellent? Mosquito repellents are substances that are designed to keep mosquitoes away. There are many products such as creams, sticks, candles, and sprays available. The products contain ingredients that can help deter the insects from biting you. Mosquito repellents can protect you from the bothersome insects. However, it is not as simple as grabbing any repellent you see off the shelf. Each product’s percentage of active ingredients may...

Asian Giant Hornets, also called Murder Hornets, have recently hit the media. Even though these hornets are originally from Asia, they have recently been found in the United States. Since hearing of their entrance into the country, people have been afraid of these bees. How dangerous are the Asian Giant Hornets? Keep reading for more information. What do Asian Giant Hornets Look Like? These hornets are called “giant” because the queen bees can grow to be up to two inches long. They have a unique appearance, with tiger-like orange and black stripes and teardrop-shaped eyes. Although they are large, they have small, wispy wings. Their most menacing feature is the orange mandible with a black tooth that is used for digging.  Are They a Threat to Humans? These hornets can use their jaws to decapitate and kill an entire nest of honeybees. One hornet can kill up to 40 honeybees in...

Snakes are a common pest that can enter your yard and present danger for pets and children. There are certain factors that contribute to a snake choosing your yard as their new home. The following are the ways your yard is attracting snakes. Long Grass Snakes are far less likely to reside in areas where the grass is short because it leaves them vulnerable to predators such as hawks and owls. Keeping your lawn short will deter snakes from living in your yard, and make it easier to spot them if they do. Overwatered Lawn When your lawn becomes overwatered it will attract frogs, slugs, and worms. All of these prey species are a delicious meal for snakes. Openings and Cracks in Home Cracks and openings in your doorways or foundation provide a point of entry into your home for snakes. Make sure to properly seal any cracks or openings to...

When someone sees a bug inside their home or at the office, their first instinct is usually to kill it. Most of the time, this is a simple and correct response when spotting a bug. However, is it always the right thing to do? Morals aside, some bugs will attract more of their kind after they are killed. The stink bug is often associated with that trait, but should they be? Does killing a stink bug attract more to the area? No, It Does Not The simple answer to the previous question is no, killing one does not attract more. Per the National Pesticide Information Center, that myth is false. There is an odor left behind after they are dead. However, it is not a scent that draws additional stink bugs in. The leftover odor is not exactly pleasant though, so consider disposing of them with a method that does not...

Dogs are adorable, fluffy companions that fill our lives with joy. Ticks are painful parasites that feed on blood and transmit dangerous diseases. These two animals have almost nothing in common, yet at the same time, pets like dogs and cats are some of the most vulnerable animals to tick bites. And when ticks bite, they don’t let go. To protect your beloved pets from these harmful pests, here is how to check them for ticks and make sure they stay pest-free.   Checking Your Pets for Ticks   Ticks don’t fly or leap onto your pets like fleas. Ticks latch on to their legs, or any other body part that makes contact with the ground, and work their way upwards. To see if they have any ticks on their body, rub your fingers against their fur, feeling for any bumps. They will just think you are petting them. Make sure...