PEST CONTROL

Professional Pest Control Services

AAA Pest Control specializes in the prevention and extermination of ants, beetles, termites and other insects known to infest homes and businesses across South Florida. Insects covered under our extermination programs include the following:

Ants

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Ants

Ants are among the most prevalent pests in households. They are also found in restaurants, hospitals, offices, warehouses, and other buildings where they can find food and water. On outdoor (and sometimes indoor) plants, ants protect and care for honeydew-producing insects such as aphids, soft scales, whiteflies, and mealybugs, increasing damage from these pests.

Ants also perform many useful functions in the environment, such as feeding on other pests (e.g., fleas, caterpillars, termites), dead insects, and decomposing tissue from dead animals. Inside buildings, household ants feed on sugars, syrups, honey, fruit juice, fats, and meat. Long trails of thousands of ants may lead from nests to food sources, causing considerable concern among building occupants.

Ants build many different types of homes. Many ants build simple little mounds out of dirt or sand. Other ants use small sticks mixed with dirt and sand to make a stronger mound that offers protection from rain. Western Harvester ants make a small mound on top, but then tunnel as deeply as 15 feet straight down to hibernate during winter. Ant mounds consist of many chambers connected by tunnels. Different chambers are used for nurseries, food storage, and resting places for the worker ants. Some ants live in wood like termites. Army ants don’t make a home at all but travel in large groups searching for food.

There are over 12,000 species of ants throughout the world. In the United States there are about 200 species but fewer than a dozen are important to us as pests. One of the most common house/garden ants is the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). Other common ant pests include the pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis), the odorous house ant (Tapinoma sessile), the thief ant (Solenopsis molesta), and the southern fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni). The velvety tree ant (Liometopum occidentale) nests in old wood and is a common outdoor species in landscapes.

Of great importance is the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) which has recently seen a population increase throughout the southern United States. In some areas, its spread has been slowed by competition from the Argentine ant. Carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.) also invade buildings all over America. Although they do not eat wood like termites do, they hollow it out to nest and can cause considerable damage.

Asian Lady Beetle

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Large numbers of lady beetles infesting homes and buildings in the United States were first reported in the early 1990s. Ladybugs are normally considered beneficial because they live outdoors and feed on plant pests.

However, one species of lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) can be a nuisance as they fly to buildings in search of overwintering sites and end up indoors. Once inside they crawl about on windows and walls, often emitting a noxious odor and yellowish staining fluid before dying.

Where Did They Come From?

The Asian Lady Beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), is relatively new to this country. The beetle is native to Asia, where it dwells in trees and fields, preying on aphids and scale insects. The first field populations in the United States were found in Louisiana in 1988. Since then, the beetle has expanded its range to include much of the U.S. and parts of Canada. Earliest records in Kentucky date back to a few specimens collected in Hickman County in 1992.

Infestation Of Buildings

As autumn approaches, the adult beetles leave their summer feeding sites in yards, fields and forests for protected places to spend the winter. Unfortunately, homes and buildings are one such location. Swarms of lady beetles typically fly to buildings from September through November, depending on locale and weather conditions.

Lady beetles are attracted to sides of buildings receiving afternoon sun. Contrasting light-dark features are especially attractive. Studies have shown that Asian lady beetles are attracted to illuminated surfaces. They tend to congregate on the sunnier, southwest sides of buildings illuminated by afternoon sun. Homes or buildings shaded from afternoon sun are less likely to attract beetles. House color or type of construction (concrete, brick, wood/vinyl siding) is less of a factor for attraction than surface contrast.

Contrasting light-dark features tend to attract the beetles. Examples include dark shutters on a light background, light shutters on a dark background, windows edged with light-colored trim, gutters and downspouts on contrasting siding, etc. Dwellings near woods or fields are especially prone to infestation, although those in other locations can be infested as well.

Impact On Humans

Asian lady beetles generally do not injure humans and are mainly a nuisance. Unlike some household pests (e.g., fleas and cockroaches), they do not reproduce indoors—those appearing in late winter/early spring are the same individuals that entered the previous fall. Lady beetles do not attack wood, food or clothing. Nonetheless, some householders detest finding any insects indoors, and hygienic establishments such as hospitals have zero tolerance for contaminants of any kind.

People should avoid touching their eyes after handling the beetles, and should consult a physician if they suspect they are having an allergic reaction. When large numbers of beetles are flying in the fall, they often land on clothing and occasionally will bite or ‘pinch’ if in contact with skin. In nature, lady beetles eat other insects and have chewing mouthparts. The bite feels like a pinprick and is seldom serious.

Lady Beetle Management

People’s reaction to lady beetles varies widely from tolerance to revulsion. The following management tips are provided when the beetles become a serious nuisance within a dwelling.

Vacuuming

Once the beetles are indoors, the easiest way to remove them is with a vacuum cleaner. If you later wish to release the beetles outdoors, place a handkerchief between the vacuum hose and the dust collection bag to act as a trap.

Sealing Entry Points

Sealing cracks and openings is the most permanent way of preventing lady beetles from entering buildings. The time to do this is in late spring or summer, before the adults begin flying to buildings in search of overwintering sites. Cracks should be sealed around windows, doors, soffits, fascia boards, utility pipes and wires, etc. with caulk or other suitable sealant.

Larger holes can be plugged with cement, urethane foam or copper mesh. Repair damaged window screens and install screening behind attic vents, which are common entry points. Install tight-fitting door sweeps or thresholds at the base of all exterior entry doors. Gaps of 1/8″ or less will permit entry of lady beetles and other insects. Gaps under sliding glass doors can be sealed with foam weather stripping.

These practices will also help prevent entry of flies, wasps, crickets, spiders and other pests. Some householders may find it more practical to hire a pest control firm, building contractor or painter to perform these services.

Insecticides

Indoor Treatment

Insecticide foggers, “bug bombs” or sprays are generally not recommended for eliminating beetles indoors. Insecticides applied indoors for lady beetles tend to be ineffective and may stain or leave unwanted residues on walls, countertops and other surfaces. A vacuum is more sanitary and effective. Attempting to kill beetles hibernating in wall cavities and other protected locations is seldom effective. A better approach is to take preventive measures to reduce beetle entry in subsequent years.

Exterior Barrier Treatment

While sealing cracks and openings is a more permanent way to limit beetle entry, the approach is time-consuming and sometimes impractical. There can be countless cracks associated with eaves, siding, vents, etc. where insects can enter. On multi-story buildings, sealing becomes even more difficult. Fast-acting residual insecticides can be sprayed in a targeted band around windows, doors, eaves, soffits, attic vents, and other likely points of entry.

Some of the more effective insecticides used by professionals include Demand (lambda cyhalothrin), Suspend (deltamethrin), Talstar (bifenthrin) and Tempo (cyfluthrin). Effective over-the-counter versions of these products include Spectracide Triazicide, Bayer Advanced Powerforce Multi-Insect Killer, and Ortho Home Defense Max. Purchasing these products in concentrated (dilutable) form will allow larger volumes of material to be applied with a pump-up or hose-end sprayer.

To be effective, barrier treatments should be applied before the beetles enter buildings to overwinter. During late winter or early spring, barrier treatments are ineffective, as the beetles gained entry the previous autumn.

Bed Bugs

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Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed exclusively on blood! Professional evaluation and treatment is essential for those who even suspect they might have a bedbug infestation. The sooner, the better, so do NOT wait–call us today! AAA Pest Control has affordable bed bug solutions for customers throughout the South Florida area.

Bed bug infestation is becoming epidemic in the USA. Florida is the third highest-ranked state in bed bug population. A household pest for more than 3300 years, bed bugs date back to ancient Egypt and were first brought to the United States by early colonists. Though they thrived for many centuries, by the 1950s, they’d nearly been eradicated in the developed world.

New pest control products (such as DDT) and use of vacuums and washing machines kept bed bug populations down throughout much of the 20th century. Several factors led to their resurgence in the late 1990s, including increased international travel, more targeted pest control products and methods and a lack of public awareness about pest prevention methods.

Bed bugs are once again a huge problem in this country and there have been many reports of infestation in some of the best hotels and apartment buildings in New York City. Once again, Florida has also been under attack by these pests. Our humid climate offers a suitable condition for bed bugs that feed on human and animal blood. They like warmth and are active year-round.

Notoriously hard to detect, bed bugs hide in bed frames, mattresses and box springs, clothing, luggage, furniture, book bindings, behind baseboards, and under wallpaper. Check the seams of your bedding and other furniture. Check for red stains on your bedding or mattress. Look for dark fecal matter spots and brownish molted “skins” left behind.

Do You Feel Itchy When You Wake Up?

Bed bug bites can resemble bites of other insects such as mosquitoes, fleas and spiders. A typical bed bug bite will appear as an itchy red welt on your body. These bites will often occur on your upper body, usually on your arms and shoulders. The bites are often in a straight line.

Some people have little reaction to these, which can make them hard to detect. Others are bothered by itching and allergic reactions. You usually do NOT wake up or feel the bite, because bed bugs inject their own anesthetic into the skin before they suck the blood!

Comprehensive Bed Pest Control Services

There is some good news: bed bugs do not carry serious diseases. The bad news: they are extremely hard to detect and treat yourself. If you suspect a bedbug infestation, you will NEED professional help – so call AAA Pest Control today! We offer full-service pest control and prevention services to residential and commercial clients throughout South Florida.

Our licensed, insured and experienced technicians will visit you for a totally free, no-obligation inspection and honest assessment. If needed, we can offer you all of the best treatment options to suit your needs and budget.

Bed Bug Prevention Tips

Use luggage racks and luggage mats, do not put luggage on the floor or under the bed.
Check bedding for signs of infestation when you travel.
Wash clothing and inspect luggage immediately after returning from a trip
Inspect used furniture for bed bugs before bringing it into your home.
Never bring discarded bed frames, mattresses, box springs, or upholstered furniture into your home.

Bed Bug Fast Facts

A bedbug can drink three times its weight in blood in a single feeding.
They can go days, weeks or even a year without feeding.
They live as long as 18 months and lay as many as 200 eggs across a lifetime — that’s why they’re so tough to exterminate.
Bed bugs can be found in every corner of the world.
Cleanliness has nothing to do with it--bed bugs are found in five-star hotels.
After a 60-year absence, bed bugs have made a comeback.
Bed bugs do not travel on their own or enter from outside – they are always “brought in” to an environment, most commonly on luggage, clothing, or used furniture.
Infestations can be found in homes, apartments, hotels, motels, bed and breakfast hotels, dormitories, rentals, patient care centers, cruise ships, theaters, clothing stores, personal/public vehicles, and elsewhere.
Over the last few years, bed bugs have seen a population increase of over 500% in the U.S alone.

Termites

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Termites pose a greater threat to your home than fires, floods or hurricanes. Is your home being attacked by termites, who could be eating through wood, flooring, and even wallpaper undetected? We say better safe than sorry. Call AAA Pest Control today for do-it-yourself termite treatment products and advice, or let us do it for you with our professional no-tent treatments.

Let the licensed, insured and experienced technicians at AAA Pest Control visit you for a totally FREE no-obligation inspection and honest assessment. We will offer you all of the best treatment options to suit your needs and budget. Termites cause over $7 billion in damage to homes across the United States every year. Florida alone accounts for close to a third of that damage.

Termites Thrive Year-Round In Florida

Although they are more “visible” during their Spring “Swarm Season,” the problem of termites is ongoing. They continue to destroy 24 hours per day, every day. The average American will suffer $9000 in damages to their home before they realize they have a problem. Whether your home is infested with Drywood or Subterranean termites, you will need service fast!

Signs of Termites

Mud Tubes: Subterranean termites build pencil-thick tunnels of mud and earth across exposed areas.
Visible Damage: Cracked or distorted paint on wood surfaces. Tiny holes in wood surfaces. Wood may have a hollow sound when tapped. Sunken or rippled wall coverings. Look for dirt in the wood, which indicates termite damage rather than mere water damage.
Discarded Wings: You may find small piles of wings in spider webs and on surfaces around your home’s foundation, like window sills.
Termite Droppings: After consuming wood, drywood termites often leave behind frass or droppings. These tiny fecal mounds often indicate a nearby termite infestation. Often mixed with sawdust from the wood. May have a musty odor.
Flying Ants: The appearance of a swarm of what you would call “flying ants,” especially near light sources. Most prevalent in Spring.

Termite Prevention Spot Treatments

Do-it-yourself termite control is difficult to accomplish because of the physical limitations of spot treatments. Localized spot treatments using pest control products serve as a remedial termite control method, but unlike no-tent treatments they offer no guarantee for drywood termite elimination.

This is because spot treatments can only be applied to accessible areas where drywood termite activity has been visibly detected. Therefore, spot treatments only affect the termites in the immediate area that is treated. DIY termite control can be tricky, since spot treatments suffer these limitations and damage can continue unseen.

The primary benefits of spot treatments for termite control are cost and convenience. Spot treatments are significantly less expensive than whole-structure heat treatment or fumigation and don’t require you to vacate the structure. The downside of spot treatments is that they are significantly less reliable in achieving total eradication.

The success of spot treatments is heavily dependent on the ability to locate all termite activity. This can be difficult to determine in areas that are inaccessible, such as behind walls. However, this method is often ideal if it is determined that the termite activity is isolated or confined to a specific detectable and accessible area.

Bees

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Beetles

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When it comes to removing beetles from properties, we have discovered that the most effective solution is to locate the infested materials and food sources. From there, our technicians can decide the best form of pest control to address the situation. At AAA Pest Control, we offer the following solutions for pest problems:

Biological pest control (natural repellents and predators)
Eliminate breeding grounds, food sources, etc.
Mechanical pest control (erecting physical barriers)
Chemical and natural pesticides

Cigarette Beetles

As their name implies, cigarette beetles generally consume stored tobacco. However, they have been known to feed off of a variety of other products. These insects are very small, growing only as long as 2-5 millimeters in length. They have oval shaped bodies with brown color and they generally prefer subdued light or cloudy days.

Identification

A way to know if you have cigarette beetles on your property is if you see tiny holes in any packaging or debris made by adult beetles or larvae. If the infestation is not located and removed quickly, their broad feeding habits will cause them to do significant harm to your property. Commercial businesses have been known to lose their whole stock of tobacco products because they did not remove the infestation in time.

Drugstore Beetles

Drugstore beetles are roughly the same size as cigarette beetles. These beetles have flat heads and narrow, oval-shaped bodies. They are attracted to a number of food products. While pet food is often their most common food source, other products like cereal, spices, flour, paper, leather, books, and herbs can also appear on the menu.

Identification

Drugstore beetles are willing to burrow through wood to reach their food sources. These insects are willing to chew paths through two-by-fours to reach their desired food source. Homes and buildings have been found to contain large infestations of these insects and they can be difficult to remove without the assistance of a professional pest control company.

How Do I Know If I Need Beetle Pest Control?

Some pest infestations are insignificant enough that over-the-counter means are completely sufficient for addressing the problem. Other times, the circumstances of the infestation are serious enough to require the attention of a professional pest control company. Here are some questions that can be asked to determine if professional pest control services are necessary for your beetle infestation:

Is the infestation widespread?
Does the infestation violate property policies?
Have previous attempts to eliminate the infestation been unsuccessful?
Are the beetles destroying property?
Are you unable to locate the source or extent of the infestation?

If ‘yes’ is your answer to any of these questions, then contacting AAA Pest Control is in your best interests. It’s time to remove these pesky insects from your property and see it restored to its original integrity.

BoxElder Bug

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Boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata) are named for their primary host, the boxelder tree. One of the less destructive agricultural pests, boxelder bugs do infrequent damage to apples, peaches, grapes, strawberries, plums and non-fruiting trees including maple and ash. A bigger nuisance to homeowners, they seek and enter houses in colonies of hundreds, even thousands of insects as cold weather approaches, congregating in walls and warm basements, making themselves at home all through winter and occasionally emerging into kitchens, living rooms, bed rooms and other human-inhabited spaces. There’s nothing like watching your toddler bring a stray, otherwise harmless boxelder bug that’s making its way across the carpet up to her mouth. It’s an experiment children won’t likely repeat. Boxelder bugs, though mostly scentless, give off a pungent odor when disturbed or crushed. Also offensive: the accumulation of excrement and dead bugs that fall from the colonies inside walls and other hard-to-access places.

Box elder bugs are sap suckers, penetrating plant tissue with their considerable proboscis and using secretions to make it consumable. They almost exclusively feed on the acer family of maple trees and vines that includes the boxelder and its spinning “helicopter” seed pods, but have also been known to feed on fruit during dry summers. Infestations on box elder trees may cause its leaves to yellow and curl or leave spots on stems and new growth. Most trees survive. Damage to grapes, peaches, and other soft fruits is mostly cosmetic, appearing as depressions, sometimes as bruises. While a nuisance, boxelder bugs do relatively little damage to fruit crops, preferring to feed and procreate in its namesake tree.

Indoors, the bugs can be a major problem. While they don’t normally cause structural damage to homes or contaminate food sources (individuals will occasionally show up in dried beans and flour if not stored in tightly sealed containers), they can be a source of filth, odor and displeasure due to their sheer numbers. Warm weather or an increase in home heating may convince individual boxelder bugs that spring has arrived and they will enter a family’s living space in search of a way outside. In late summer and autumn, they gather in groups much like swarms of bees on the sun-facing (preferably white) side of homes and garages where their sheer numbers will discolor the building’s side if allowed to stay.

Control

Indoor and outdoor boxelder control are interrelated. Destroying boxelder colonies outdoors means few bugs looking for a way into our home come fall. Denying places in your home for boxelders to overwinter means fewer numbers laying eggs in your trees next spring and summer.

Most outdoor boxelder damage is minor and, most years, won’t require treatment. Some years will produce more boxelder bugs than others. Dry years may encourage the bugs to seek out fruit. Wind plays a great role in the dispersal of flying boxelder bugs.

Chemical pesticides are a poor option for boxelder infestations. Their use indoors can pose a hazard. Dusting of colonies may kill thousands of bugs but will only encourage other insects and rodents who feed on the dead bodies. The common and troublesome carpet beetle is attracted to dead boxelder remains. There it feeds and lays eggs, guaranteeing another generation of increased numbers to damage in your home.

Boxelder Bug Prevention

In order to prevent boxelder bugs from invading homes, repair holes in window and door screens, seal cracks and crevices with a good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk and install door sweeps to all exterior entrances.

When attempting to get rid of boxelder bugs that have already entered a home or building, no attempt should be made to kill them in wall voids because dead insect bodies can attract dermestid beetles. Using a vacuum cleaner to remove them may provide temporary relief. The bag should be removed to prevent the bugs from escaping.

If a boxelder infestation is suspected, a licensed pest control operator should be called to evaluate and assess the problem.

Boxelder Bug Fast Facts

They are also known as the “Democrat bug,” the “zug” and the “maple bug.”
They feed mostly on maple or boxelder trees.
They can invade houses or other man-made buildings.
They hibernate inside of walls in the winter.
They are sometimes called “Democrats bugs,” because they swarm during October, which is right before people vote.
Adults are 1/2 inch long.
Adults also are black with orange or red markings.
They can not or do not bite people.
Their feces can stain walls and furniture.
They do not reproduce inside homes, only outside.

Hairy chinch bugs can be frequent pests of home lawns in Pennsylvania. They are often associated with open, sunny areas and may be as numerous as 150 to 200 insects per square foot. Chinch bug populations frequently go unnoticed because of their small size and coloration, which blends in with turfgrass and thatch. Chinch bug damage may be masked during periods of drought.

Description

An adult hairy chinch bug is about 1/6 inch long, has a gray-black body with fine hairs, white wings, and reddish legs. The outer margin of each forewing has a small, black, triangular spot. The wings of the adult are folded flat over their backs

Damage

Hairy chinch bugs prefer feeding on red fescues, perennial ryegrass, bentgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass. Chinch bug infestations frequently occur in turfgrass with thick thatch that is exposed to full sunlight during periods of hot, dry weather. Chinch bug damage is often less noticeable during the spring and early summer. Damage frequently appears from early July through late August when the insects are actively feeding. Chinch bug nymphs and adults cause significant feeding damage by removing plant fluids and by injecting a toxin that causes the grass to yellow, turn reddish brown, and eventually die. Chinch bug damaged areas often coalesce into large patches of dead, brown grass. The suggested economic threshold for chinch bug is 15 to 20 insects per square foot.

Visual inspection of healthy turfgrass bordering the dead turfgrass is one sampling method for chinch bugs. The fast-moving adults and nymphs can be seen scurrying about at the base of grass stems and aggregating in groups. However, these insects frequently blend in with the thatch and go unnoticed. On a sunny day, you will notice adults crawling across driveways, sidewalks, and/or over foundation block walls. Hairy chinch bugs can be detected by removing both ends of a one-gallon can, driving the can several inches into the soil, and filling it three-quarters full with water. Stir the duff at the bottom of the container to dislodge chinch bugs located in the thatch. The disturbed chinch bugs soon float to the surface. Count the number of adults and nymphs floating to the surface over a 10-minute period, but do not confuse them with the beneficial big-eyed bug. Refill the can if the water soaks into the ground before the end of the 10-minute sampling interval. Researchers suggest that 20 to 30 chinch bug life stages per square foot may warrant control, especially when chinch bugs are actively feeding during the summer months.