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…
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 lovebugs and…
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.…
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 10feet? Maybe someone told you that bedbugs fly,…
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…
Having a beautiful healthy and weed free yard take a combined effort. At Problem Solve Pest, we do our part in keeping your yard green and pest free. It’s up to you as the homeowner to mow the grass properly to maintain yard health. Often we get calls with people wondering where they should set…
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.…
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. If you have citrus trees in your yard sooner or later you are going to notice a few damaged leaves and maybe even some “worms” on your…
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. 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 established itself well. Its rapid growth rate…
As a termite service 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…
Venomous spider activity is on the rise…. Most of us are aware of the Black Widow spider. In Charlotte, Lee and Sarasota counties the more common venomous spider is the Brown Widow. For the last month or two, our technicians have been identifying more of these awful spiders at our customers homes. At Problem Solved Pest Control there…
Starting mid-June grubs will be stopped before they even get started It is that time of year again and grubs are 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 familiar…
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…
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 be a…
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 lets 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…
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 spiders and take a closer look at our eight-legged friends, and debunking some…
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…
Can you hear the grubs 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 all of their feeding.…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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.…
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…
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 will be perfect for the plants but the lawn…
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,…
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…
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…
“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 our work cut out for…
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 prevention is critical in protecting homes, businesses, schools and any other place where human beings 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. It’s very important to check your irrigation system for any shortfalls before dry, damaged areas begin to show. What time of the day should I water? It is best to water during the cool, early morning…
Get ready everyone! The next 6 weeks will be 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 not tolerate the cold…
Palm trees are priceless treasures. But weevils 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 begin to droop during…
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…
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…
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…
Rugose Spiraling Whitefly sure has made its mark on southwest Florida. Many of you either had your trees treated or have seen your neighbors trees turn a funny color blue. This method of treatment is a trunk spray which has been very successful and does not require drilling holes into the trees. We also are…
In 2007, Sarasota County adopted a new ordinance to restrict the use of Nitrogen (an element existing in most fertilizers) during the months of June thru September. In 2008, Charlotte County followed suit and in 2009 Lee County did the same. This new law (Ordinance #2007-062) was designed to reduced the amount of Nitrogen runoff…
Have you been seeing blue palm trees lately? If so, you’re living in a neighborhood that has been infected with Spiraling White Flies. Palm trees with blue trunks like you see in this picture have been treated recently and the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly infestation should be cured … in those trees. If your palm trees…
The Rugose Spiraling Whitefly has made its way into Lee & Charlotte counties. We have been on the lookout for it since January once the insects were properly identified in Naples. This is an amazing new breed of Whitefly that was first detected in the U.S. in 2009, right in our backyard of Miami- Dade…