Common Pantry Pests in Florida Pantry pests, also known as stored product pests, are insects that infest dry food items like grains, cereals, flour, and dried fruits. These pests can quickly become a problem if left unchecked, leading to food waste and potential health risks. Here are some of the most common pantry pests found…
Pest Control for Hotels: Essential Practices to Ensure a Clean and Safe Environment Hotels are places of comfort and hospitality, where guests expect a clean and safe environment. However, the constant flow of people and goods can inadvertently introduce pests, making effective pest control crucial. Here’s why pest control is beneficial for hotels, the common…
Florida Ticks: How to Protect Your Home and Family from These Dangerous Pests Living in Florida’s warm climate means dealing with various pests, including ticks. These tiny, blood-sucking arachnids pose serious health risks, transmitting diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), and Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI). Knowing how to identify and…
What is an Oleander Caterpillar? Identification and Habitat The oleander caterpillar, scientifically known as Syntomeida epilais Walker, is a brightly colored caterpillar with distinctive tufts of long black hairs. According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), these caterpillars are native to the Caribbean and have spread across South America,…
What Makes Oleander Deadly? Toxic Components The plant contains two primary toxins: neriine and oleandrin. These compounds are highly potent and affect both the digestive system and the heart. The toxins are most concentrated in the sap, making any contact with the plant potentially hazardous. Mechanism of Toxicity Oleandrin, in particular, is known for its…
Maintaining a beautiful, healthy, and weed-free yard requires a combined effort of proper lawn care practices and pest control. While professionals can help keep your yard green and pest-free, it’s up to you as the homeowner to mow the grass properly. One common question we get at Problem Solved Pest is about the proper mower…
March Kicks Off Ants “Insect Reproduction Month”! Ants, roaches, silverfish, earwigs, spiders and many more creepy crawlies are building their nests preparing to begin their warm season foraging. Pest treatments are adjusted during this period in order to get the best results. Insect Growth Regulators, or IGR’s, play a vital role in today’s pest control industry.…
Florida has some very mild winters. If you are here from way up north you may even call this weather balmy all winter. Winter rodents love the Florida weather. The longer you live in Florida you start to find these cold winter days are colder than you remember. Same goes for the rodents here. When…
Florida is an amazing place to live if you love a variety of animals and insects. While many people complain about all the “pests”, many are quite remarkable, even worms on my citrus tree. If you have citrus trees in your yard sooner or later you are going to notice a few damaged leaves and…
Grub control starts with you stopping the grubs from eating? Southwest Florida grub season normally begins in September. Grubs are the larval stage of the beetle. You may not know that you have a grub infestation until it has decimated a portion of your lawn. During this stage of their development is when they do…
Bedbug myths can keep you awake at night. Most people don’t like creepy insects crawling around in their home, let alone their beds while they are sleeping! Worse yet is when you do a little searching online and you read stuff that just isn’t true. Do you remember as a kid saying lice could jump…
In the vibrant landscape of Florida, two notorious arachnid residents command both intrigue and trepidation: the black widow and the brown widow spiders. The brown widow (Latrodectus geometricus) has gained notoriety for its distinctive tan-to-brown coloration, accompanied by a telltale hourglass marking on its abdomen. Although less venomous than its infamous cousin, the black widow,…
We have 5 spider myths to share with you. Have you noticed how spiders are everywhere in Halloween festivities, from costumes and decorations, to scary movies? Many people possess a deep-rooted fear of these mostly harmless arachnids, known as Arachnophobia. Let’s examine spider myths and take a closer look at our eight-legged friends, and debunking…
One of the most common problems that people have in their Florida home is that they find cockroaches inside. The good news is that there are a lot of things that you can do to stop cockroaches from coming into your home. So here are 20 tips that you can use to make your home a place where cockroaches don’t want to be.
Have you ever had someone correct you and say, “we don’t have roaches at our house, although there are some palmetto bugs that come in from outside.” So what is a Palmetto Bug and is it the same as a cockroach? Let’s look at some details in order to get that answer. Palmetto Bug This…
Why Are There Pests in My Business? Any sort of building can suffer from pests. From homes to grocery stores to retail, pests can make their way in and ruin your day. Customers aren’t fans of being swooped down on by a bird or seeing a roach or rat skitter across their path. Today’s article…
3 Types of Pest Control When it comes to protecting your space, one of the most important things to consider is pests. Little critters that get onto (or into) your property and wreak havoc. These pests can bring not only destruction but disease, as well. While pests are common, that doesn’t mean that you’re forced…
Get Your Mower Ready for Spring Is your mower ready for spring? Mowing the lawn may be a necessary evil for most people, but it can also be a source of pride for many homeowners. If you’ve got a yard to maintain, chances are that you’ve got at least one mower in your garage or…
How to Care for Bahia Grass If you need to care for Bahia grass, then this article is for you. If you’ve been looking for a nice grass to add to your Florida landscaping, then we have a potential candidate for you: Bahia grass. Originally from Brazil, this grass was meant for roadsides and pastures…
Argentine Bahia Look, we understand that finding the perfect grass for your lawn can be tough, especially in Florida! Between the warm seasons, the hurricanes, and the random cold snaps, you need a type of grass that can handle whatever comes its way and still leave your home looking beautiful. If this sounds like you,…
What is a Flower Pot Snake? Florida is known for many things: the sun, the weather, the theme parks…and the wildlife. Sometimes that wildlife sneaks up on you and gives you a scare. Today, we’re going to talk about one particular creature that may cause a fright but is actually of no danger to you.…
What are Mole Crickets? Your lawn is your pride and joy. You mow it, water it, weed it…but something out there is messing with it. It could be the nefarious mole cricket, a serious lawn pest that will terrorize your lawn and ruin all of your hard work. Today’s article will give you the information…
Do you think your house is free of bugs found in Florida? Chances are your Florida home has more than one of these common household insects roaming around. Many of the natural habitats Florida insects crave can be found in your home. Others find their way into you home by mistake. Some insects prefer to…
This time of year 80% of our pest requests are problems with rodents. Rats and mice love the comfort and warmth of your attic as the cold approaches. We have a very good preventative program for these little, destructive creatures. Bait boxes are weather proof plastic containers that have an attractive poison for the rats…
St. Augustine Grass Fungus or “Brown Patch” fungus is the cool season disease for our St. Augustine grasses. Over the summer months we deal with several different fungal diseases that most of our customers don’t even realize they have. Often the treatments are applied and damage never sets in. With Brown Patch fungus, we have…
Palm trees are a part of life here, in Florida. When we see them, we are reminded that we live in paradise. Even though you admire your palm trees daily, palm tree care may be as hard to grasp as a foreign language. In this four-part series on palm health, I’ll introduce you to several…
Do sharp mower blades make a difference? Yes, sharp mower blades absolutely do make a difference! It is very important that mower blades are inspected frequently to ensure there are no dents or damage to them and that they are adequately sharp. However, mower blades shouldn’t be too sharp because that comes with its…
Florida Black House Flies: How to Control, Prevent, and Deter Them As their name suggests, Black House Flies are a species of fly that is black in color. They are commonly found in the southern United States, particularly in Florida. Black House Flies are attracted to garbage and decaying matter, making them a nuisance in…
There Are 6 Venomous Snakes in Florida Venomous snakes are found in every state in the US, including Florida. In fact, Florida is home to six of the most venomous snakes in North America. The poison from a venomous snake’s bite can cause severe illness or even death. Let’s look at some of the venomous…
Florida lawn pests can create disappointment after all your hard work to keep your Florida lawn healthy and green. Even though we have a favorable environment for growing grass, there are several Florida lawn pests that you should be aware of if you want to keep your grass in the best possible condition. So, if…
Updated 4/2/2022 Over the decades of working to protect yards and trees we have come across some pretty interesting bugs. Identification is only the first step. We need to know their history, what they do and if they need controlled. The Palmetto Weevil (Rhynchophorus cruetatus) is one such pest. This pest was once considered to…
Updated 3/2/2022 If you have spent any extended time in Florida you are familiar with our seasonal lovebugs or Plecia Nearctica Or if you were unfortunate to visit in April/May or August/September. Twice a year we get to clean these bugs off our windshields and grills of our cars, motorcycles and boats. But what are…
You have a beautiful yard. But why your grass won’t grow in shade is annoying you! You have a great lawn care company, but it seems the grass under your growing trees keeps getting thinner. When last season and the season before your grass might have been really thick and green. Each season things change.…
If you ever had rats in or around your house you may be wondering how to clean rat poop. Let’s look at a few reasons and precautions you need to take before jumping in and cleaning this up. You need to be real careful, and here is why. First Make Sure Rats Are Gone You…
What do mice eat, and how can I keep them from coming into my house? Mice have always been an extremely common pest to find in the home, and that doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon. Unfortunately, though, mice can also carry diseases that are easily transmitted through their droppings, urine, and saliva. It’s…
The idea that your house has termites is the one pest no homeowner wants to see evidence of. Unlike other bugs, termites can cause extensive damage to a home’s major supports, resulting in repairs, treatments, and sometimes even extensive renovation to return your house to the way it was before. All of this can cost…
Poison Hemlock has been spreading rapidly throughout the country. Cases of hospitalizations from Poison Hemlock have been rising as well. Leaving many people wondering what they need to know about this poisonous weed. How do you identify it? How bad is it actually? And why are people eating it in the first place? Identification Poison…
The Monarch butterfly is one of the most easily recognizable and well-known butterflies in North America. Their migrations are a spectacle that many people travel to witness year after year. However, the unknown reality is that the Monarchs are dying. Their population has decreased by 90% since the early 1990s. Even here in Florida, we’ve…
As spring approaches avid gardeners are getting ready to plant their favorite crops. However, garden pests are also preparing for the feast of their lifetime as an abundance of food will be presented to them in the form of our beloved plants. Flea beetles are one of these pests that can do a lot of…
Getting ready for hurricane season means stocking upon supplies and preparing your home to withstand the wind, rain, and flooding. As we go about making these preparations, we can often overlook another problem; the additional risk of pest infestation following the storm and the need for pest control for hurricane season. Hurricane Effects on Pest…
During late summer and early fall you’ll probably notice an increased number of spiders in and around your home. This can be concerning especially for those who don’t know what spiders to watch out for and which ones are harmless. Of course, in an ideal world we wouldn’t have any spiders in our home, but…
When rodents find their way into our homes, they can do more than destroy our food, spread disease, and be a nuisance. They also have a tendency to chew on everything, including electrical wires. This may seem like an odd habit as they get no nutrition or seemingly any benefit out of this act. So,…
Having to control rodents in your house is not a fun experience. However, hiring a company to help you take care of this problem can be a quick and efficient way to get life back to normal. No matter what kind of rodent you’re dealing with a pest control professional is the best way to…
Which is the best option for your home? Pests finding their way into our homes can be a very frustrating situation and typically we seek the fastest solution possible. Regardless of the type of pest you may be dealing with, the overall goal of both an exterminator and pest control professional are the same.…
What to Expect With Your Pest Control Service So, you started seeing too many pests wandering around your home and have decided to bite the bullet and call in the professionals. This is a good idea as where you see some pests there are always more hiding. By the time most people have called a…
During the warm summer months, we want our kids to play outside and enjoy the weather but with summer comes Fire Ants; at least for those in the South. These ants carry a powerful sting and can quickly damper any summer fun. So, before beginning the activities you have planned for your family, take some…
Get ready everyone! The next 6 weeks will be the cold weather with the lowest temperatures we will probably see this year! We have already begun to see evidence of cold stress in some lawns and on a few plants. Crabgrass and Bermuda grass have been affected the most. These 2 types of grass do…
Once again, November has brought out the brown patch fungus. During this time of year conditions are perfect for the development of one of Florida’s most damaging turf grass disease’s. Cooling temperatures and a few foggy mornings promote the resurgence of this pathogen that exists in the soil. The only good news is,…
Have you been noticing little bags made of leaves stuck to your home? Most of the time they are about a quarter of an inch in length. What are they? Most likely you are seeing Bagworm Moths. No doubt you find them annoying as they are stuck to the walls of your home. So what…
6 Rules of Termite Extermination No pest causes as much damage to a home as untreated termites. In fact each year billions of dollars of damage is cause to buildings all over the United States. This is one pest you don’t want to tackle on your own. Here are 6 Rules of Termite Extermination you…
You love a beautiful green lawn. You make sure your lawn is cut with sharp blades. You fertilize your yard and water on a regular schedule. Yet if you are not careful, something or rather, some insect might be working against you. It might even bring back thoughts of Caddyshack®. Problem is by the time…
There has been quite a bit of media attention this week on an usual hornet spotted here in the United States. They have been grabbing headlines be being dubbed “Murder Hornets” in a recent New York Times article. What exactly are these insects? Are they here in Charlotte County Florida? How can I protect myself…
Spider-Man® isn’t the most dangerous spider found in Florida. So an article on Florida’s most dangerous spider seemed like a good idea. We are always looking for articles that are interesting and people are curious to read. Month after month we find that one of the most searched topics here in Charlotte County are spiders.…
This time of year the days are shorter and everything is pumpkin spice. Many people enjoy spending time with the family. Some even set up a real live pine Christmas tree in their house. While there is special care in keeping your tree healthy for weeks, and keeping your family safe many people have questions.…
We have all been attacked by sand spurs and they are painful weeds. These little land mines seem to get you when you least expect it. They stick to your socks, shorts, shirts and even bare skin. Sand spurs are annoying should be eliminated from your yard. How can you do this? Let’s looks at…
Bed Bug Treatments The thought of having bed bugs terrifies most of us! Problem Solved Pest Control has been eradicating them for many years using a few different methods. The pest control industry has many different approaches to deal with these awful insects. Our treatments are extremely thorough, safe for our customers, cost effective and…
Pests of any kind inside your home is not good. Most people hate cockroaches and realize the dangers they carry. Some people call these cockroaches Palmetto Bugs, but thats just a broad term used for all types of cockroaches. Here in Southwest Florida there are 2 main types of cockroaches most people encounter, American Cockroaches…
A few of our prize winning palm trees have come under attack and the palms are dying. If you are lucky enough to own a Bismarck, Pineapple or Sylvester Palm this article is for you! The Bismarck Palm is native to Madagascar off the coast of Africa. It was introduced to Florida in the last 20 years and has…
As a termite protection provider it is our job to know, understand and be able to explain the many different options our customers have for dealing with these pests. Often times we are called to existing homes that are seeing evidence of termite activity. When we arrive the first step in our inspection is to…
Starting mid-June grubs will be stopped before they even get started It is that time of year again and grub prevention is on our mind……..so they don’t have to be on yours! During these mid summer months we have the ability to stop grubs prior to any damage to your lawns. Most of us are…
You want a healthy green lawn. As you stand in front of all the fertilizer options what do you choose? Whats the numbers mean? How much should I put down? There are so many questions where do you get started. We want take a few minutes to give you some info about fertilizer that may…
Palm Trees, Pink Flamingos and Florida seem to just go together. When you finally make that decision to move to Florida, you can’t wait to have some palm trees in your yard. If your property is already landscaped and you love the look, you’ll want to keep everything healthy, growing and looking great. If you…
As a local pest company with over 30 years of experience protecting families, you can imagine the insects and pests we have come across over the years. Wasps are one pest we come across often which many people are afraid of, and for good reason. First let’s identify which wasps you may have around your…
Do you think your house is free of spiders? Chances are these 8 house spiders commonly found in Florida homes are roaming around. Hopefully not in your house at the same time! Since its possible any of these spiders could be found in and around your house, we wanted to give you some helpful information.…
There are several factors that affect your plants during cold weather. Plants have a higher chance of frost survival under the following circumstance. While these are not guarantees, they might help to protect your investment. Plants with good nutrition at the start have higher endurance and are more likely to survive the cold Beds that…
Since the beginning of November, not only has the weather pattern changed but so have some of the bugs we have been seeing. Ghost ants seem to be out in droves! We have had a few service calls for them and most of our new customers were already tired of seeing them. We’ve noticed a…
Insects, bugs, rodents to name a few can be real pests! Here in Florida with the mild climate all year these pests can be much more of a problem than in other parts of the country. There are many pest control companies that will advertise on TV, send mail to your home and even call…
No doubt when visiting or moving to Florida you quickly notice the small brown lizards which are quite abundant here in south west Florida. So what are these lizards, should you worry about them? Let’s take a few minutes to learn about them. What You Should Know First let’s start off by saying these fascinating…
We all recognize that distinct summertime sound. Some of us love it others find it annoying. Anyway you look at them, Cicadas are part of our summers. Now if you grew up in the northeast US especially the cycles of Cicadas were interesting, 3, 7, 10, and even 17 years! Here in South Florida, our…
One of the best things about Florida is enjoying the outdoors – but if biting flies show up, they can quickly ruin an outing with their painful bites. Biting flies will bite humans and animals in order to obtain a blood meal. Not only are their bites irritating, they can sometimes cause injury or transmit…
Many of us played with them as kids, but many don’t actually know their name, or the facts about them, so we’ve assembled some of their basic info below. We called them roly poly or pill bugs. Are they just harmless insects or are they pests that need treated to keep them from our house?…
Most people learn that they have a bed bug problem when they realize they have been bitten. These little nocturnal pests feed on blood, and humans are one of their favorite food sources. It can be hard to sleep – and really creep you out – knowing you have bugs crawling around on you in…
CAN I DO MY OWN TERMITE CONTROL? DIY projects have become very popular, and that includes many home projects, even DIY pest control. There are many that you could easily do yourself, and with little instruction, but there are others you might want to consider leaving to the professionals – termite control is one of…
We’ve all admired a professional lawn, a perfectly manicured baseball field with its deep green, perfectly striped grass. How can you get your lawn to look as good as a major league field? You don’t need to be a professional groundskeeper to have a ‘field of dreams’ in your own yard. Here are 5 steps…
Most homes have unwanted pests. Insects and wildlife can do extensive damage your property, create messes and even contribute to allergies. Some pest control tasks are easy to do yourself, but if you have a serious infestation, you might want to get pest control help from the experts at Problem Solved Pest Control. For lasting,…
Florida Termites are unwanted house guests. Yes your cousin Timmy may have the tendency to overstay his welcome, but he doesn’t cause damage to your house. Southwest Florida is home to millions of sun-loving residents, unfortunately, it is also home to a large number of pests. One of the most destructive is the termite. Homeowners…
While Florida may not have blizzards or snowstorms like other parts of the country, we do have our own unique version, of the white stuff known as ‘Florida Snow’. It’s not cold, and you can’t make a snowman, or snow angels, but it does blanket the ground, and gives the appearance of a light dusting…
The Internet provides an ever-growing list of sites that provide advice and instructions on a variety of DIY home maintenance projects, including DIY pest control. Some DIY pest control ideas sound great, and promise to be affordable, easy to do on you own, some even offer natural remedies. People love the feeling of pride they…
Planning a Backyard Wedding? Having a backyard wedding can be a great choice. Maybe your parents have a beach house with a breathtaking view, or your grandparents have a lake house that would be an ideal location for your big day. Wherever you choose, you won’t regret saying your vows in a place that is special…
Even in Florida where winter temperatures are still mild, the change forces rodents to seek shelter in homes and businesses.
Sometimes you just need a few pest control tips to help you out around your yard and house. Pests can truly be a problem in your home. Whether they are as small as ants or they are as large as mice, it’s never pleasant to find a pest in your home. They can cause health problems…
Chinch Bugs Unfortunately Chinch bugs are the single largest destroyer of St. Augustine grass types. There are usually 7 generations of chinch each year with the initial hatch typically starting in May. Without treatment, a chinch bug infestation can wipe out an entire lawn in 70-80 days. Chinch bugs are small insects. Adult chinch are…
Palm Tree Envy A Palm tree is a staple in our Florida landscapes. For our shrub customers, we put a lot of effort into getting and keeping your palm trees healthy. Our current application is vital for maintaining strong healthy palms. We fertilize our palms 3 times per year and have some of the best…
Hello everyone. I just wanted to bring you up to speed on the watering, mowing and pruning needs we are dealing with this time of year and give you some DIY Tips. Every season, I could say….. both seasons, have specific requirements that will suit your landscape needs and bring about the best results possible.…
You may be wondering, “how are they safely killing insects without harming the environment?” Well, the truth is, we do this all year long. Here’s what we mean. This time of year, we slow down our insecticide use and utilize horticultural oils. Hort Oil, as we like to call it, has no insecticidal quality to…
Yard watering is important in keeping our yards healthy. Our technicians have been noting dry spots at most of their accounts. Typically, we have the sprinklers reduced to once per week starting in December but for now, we are still recommending yard watering twice per week. Unless you have new landscaping, 1 watering per week…
Just a quick update, this week marked the beginning of our full-strength weed control season in Southwest Florida. Now that the temperatures are consistently below 80, we added our weed control into our tanks and can aggressively treat any weeds that may be in your lawn. Definition of a Weed Weeds can be defined as…
When building a new house, it is important to recognize that although we have pressure treated wood and powerful insecticides, our homes are not always safe from pests. With time, the chemicals leach out of the wood, and insecticides wear off. It is important to have the ground around the home’s foundation treated during the construction phase.
Pests and rodents aren’t simply a nuisance – they can severely affect your health and the health of your family. This is why bug and insect pest prevention is critical in protecting homes, businesses, schools and any other place where people live, work or play from a pest infestation. Here are some general tips to…
We’ve had consistently warm weather for the last few weeks and the heat is taking its toll on lawns. Here are some watering tips to keep your yard looking good all year. It’s very important to check your irrigation system for any shortfalls before dry, damaged areas begin to show. A strong root system helps…
Palm trees are priceless treasures. But the red palm weevil will bore into these trees & kill them. Sometimes before you even know they’re there! Red Palm Weevil Damage: General, irreversible decline of young leaves as a result of a weevil infestation. With Canary Island Date Palms, and other similar palm species, the older leaves…
The royal palm bug feeds only on Royal Palms (Roystonea regia). Females deposit their eggs in the spring along the ribs of emerging leaflets (fronds). The eggs hatch and reach adulthood in about one month’s time. Royal Palm Bug As the royal palm bugs feed on freshly opened leaves, yellow streaks appear. The leaves turn…
Nutrient Deficiency in Palms As with you, your lawn and all your shrubs, proper nutrition is essential for palm trees. This post will give you the “bare-bones” information regarding palm tree nutrition. We’ve compiled the most common nutrient deficiencies found in palm trees in our area. I hope placing this knowledge in the hands of…
