Safe Home Blog | Safe Home Pest Control

22 Jun

The Zika Forecast Summer 2017

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), last year local mosquitoes transferred 222 cases of Zika virus, 216 in Miami, FL alone! Federal Funds have been approved for defense and research, to the tune of $1.1 Billion dollars, and while particularly in South Florida this helps to get ahead of any potential concerns, it will not totally protect residents from this threat. Aedes Aegypti, the breed of mosquito known for transmitting the virus, can also be linked to West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, Chickungunya Fever, as well as Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Attached is an article from Pest […]

01 Mar

Best Management Practices For Turf Maintenance

Posted by Charles Toler Uncategorized

It’s already the First of March, which means Spring is right around the corner. For many it means trying to prepare their lawns for the rigors of the summer heat in the not too distant future. Experts at the University of Florida have devised an excellent guideline they refer to as Best Management Practices for Lawn Care, and it pertains exclusively to our great state. Attached to this post is vital information pertaining to Fertilization (Amount, Type, Timing, and Application Rates), Mowing schedules, and Irrigation schedules. We at Safe Home hope this information will be helpful in creating and maintaining […]

16 Oct

Bug Barometer Fall 2015

Posted by Nicole Freebold Fall, Pest Control, Termites, Tips

Florida Fall 2015 Forecast: Hot and humid Summer weather led to insects developing at a faster rate than normal. Due to this Termite activity may be ELEVATED in the Fall. Homeowners need to remain vigilant because these termites will not be visible until the Spring. Florida’s warm and humid climate allows for different species of termites to swarm throughout the year. Eastern subterranean termites tend to swarm during daylight hours between the months of October and February Neotermes castaneus swarm during dusk-nightfall between late Fall and early winter Western drywood termites swarm during daylight hours and swarms have been reported […]

04 Aug

Mosquito Information

Posted by Nicole Freebold Mosquitoes, Pest Control, Summer

One of the best-known summer pests, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water or soft soil. There are about 170 different kinds of mosquito species in North America alone. Habits Mosquitoes hunt for food by detecting body heat and the carbon dioxide humans exhale. However, only female mosquitoes suck our blood. Male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar. Habitat Mosquitoes can breed in any form of stagnant water, including ponds, marshes, floodwaters, storm drains, old tires and water in tree holes. Threats Mosquitoes are vectors of numerous diseases including malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, encephalitis and West Nile virus – a disease that […]

29 Jul

The Buggiest Cities

Posted by Nicole Freebold Mosquitoes, Pest Control, Summer, Tips

The summer months usher in warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine, however, the season also brings with it plenty of bugs. While pests are problematic across the country, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), compiled the list of the “Top 10 Buggiest Cities,” which will leave residents buying repellent in bulk and looking for ways to prevent infestations. According to traffic to NPMA’s website – www.pestworld.org – the “Top 10 Buggiest Cities” are: New York Los Angeles Chicago Washington, DC Philadelphia Atlanta Boston San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Dallas-Ft. Worth Houston “While these 10 cities may be the buggiest, pests are plentiful […]

09 Jul

5 Tips to Keep Pests from Crashing your Outdoor Party

Posted by Nicole Freebold Mosquitoes, Pest Control, Summer, Tips

Summer is a time for outdoor gatherings, picnics, and fun! Unfortunately it is also a time when there is an increase of bugs in South Florida; and as we all know, nothing ruins a good party more than pests! From our friends at Pest World, 5 Tips to Keep Pests from Crashing your Outdoor Party Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, so if planning a barbecue before sunset, be sure to have plenty of insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient like DEET or Picaridin available for you and your guests Yellow jackets and other stinging insects are attracted […]

19 May

Strategy to Promote the Health of Pollinators

Posted by Nicole Freebold Live Bee Removal, News, Save the Bees, Spring

Did you know that honey bee pollination adds over $15 billion in value to agricultural crops each year? Pollinators are crucial to the U.S economy, food security, and environmental health. They help to ensure that our diets include ample vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Pollinators include honey bees, native bees, birds, bats, and other insects. In 2014 beekeepers reported losing nearly 40% of their honey bee colonies. As the honey bee population continues to decline we are at risk of losing valuable agricultural services provided by these creatures. The Monarch butterfly population is also in jeopardy. Over the last 20 years […]

24 Apr

Don’t Mind Your Own Beeswax!

Posted by Nicole Freebold Live Bee Removal, Pest Control, Save the Bees, Spring, Tips

April showers bring May flowers and with May flowers come the bees! Although many people do not see what all the buzz is about, honey bees in particular are responsible for the majority of pollination for commercial crops and flowering plants. While there are countless others, such as butterflies, wasps, bats, and birds, honey bees take the cake for the most important plants. Unfortunately, there has been a decline in the European Bee population. The largest contributor to the decline is the Varroa mite. This mite parasitizes the bee and feeds on the hemolymph, which is insect blood. This weakens […]

14 Apr

3 Ways to Keep Out Subterranean Termites

Posted by Nicole Freebold News, Pest Control, Spring, Termites

There are many factors that go into buying a home along with a wide range of emotions. Are there enough bedrooms? Do you have enough to cover the mortgage? Will it slowly be eaten away by a pest I may not even know I have? No home owner wants to hear the word termite, and Subterranean Termites are just as unpopular as any other. They are found throughout every state in the US with the exception of Alaska. The Eastern Subterranean Termites thrive in the warm environments and thus are more common in the Southeastern US and subsequently, Florida. They […]

06 Feb

Risk vs Reward: The Controversy Surrounding GMO Mosquitoes

Posted by Nicole Freebold Mosquitoes, News, Pest Control

When thinking of the most deadly animal on earth, most would imagine a lion, bear or something equally as ferocious. An animal with such a high death toll under its belt most likely is equipped with fangs, teeth or even poison, right? How about piercing sucking mouthparts and heat vision; or Malaria? Mosquitoes claim more deaths than lions and bears combined, but not by shear force, by the transmission of diseases. They are a disease vector, and the worst of its kind. With the death toll buzzing in well over 500,000 annually it is no wonder State Legislatures are coming […]

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