Building a new home is one of the most significant investments you will ever make, and you would never want to have it ruined by termites. Termite damage can go unseen until extensive damage results in costly repairs. However, homeowners need to consider pre-construction termite control in Polk County to deter termites.

Why is Pre-construction Termite Control Important?
Subterranean termites are one of the most common termite species that live within the soil, feeding on dead wood and decaying components. These silent invaders munch the wood for your construction unnoticed until it's too late. This may cause the termite infestation to grow past the destruction capacity of your building.

Since these termites can already be in the ground where you plan to build your house, it is essential to treat the soil before initiating the construction process. The treatment option enables you to have a long-term protection plan for your home, which will help you to cut repair and maintenance costs in the future.

The Treatment Process
The treatment process depends on your environment, budget, and the techniques of the company you hired. It works in two phases – the horizontal soil treatment and the post-construction perimeter treatment. You should ensure your contractor does both. Here are some of the steps that may take place during the termite control process:

The first step is to treat the foundation as it is the common habitation of the termites and the easiest entranceway during an invasion. A reputable pest control company such as our team at J.P.'s Termite & Pest Control Inc., will come in and spray termiticides on the wood and the foundation trench.

The second step is to treat the soil around the foundation and the entire space nearby the floor plan. The chemicals used will kill the termites to restrict them from penetrating your home from beneath. Experts will then use liquid termiticides to treat the plinth walls. This limits the termites from climbing through the structure.

Finally, the pest control personnel treats the soil surrounding every tube, which mites might use as an entryway. Additionally, there are other steps a pest control company can apply depending on your budget and needs. Ensure to work with a professional who will offer timely and strategic placement to protect you and your family from the risks of getting in contact with the chemicals.

Pre-construction Termite Treatment Cost
The type of treatment to be used is the key factor to consider when determining the cost of termite treatment. For chemical treatments, most pest control companies charge per square foot or meter.

The soil type is also a significant factor as some places may have compact soils, which may require more chemicals for better prevention. Another factor is the size of your home. Bigger homes will always have a higher pre-construction termite treatment cost.

At J.P.'s Termite & Pest Control Inc., we offer a free inspection. Contact us today, and we will be ready to guide and assist you.

How Long Does the Treatment Last?
If done appropriately, the pre-construction termite treatment can last up to five years. However, it is vital to conduct regular preventive measures to ensure no pests and mites have passed the barriers. Always keep your home clean of any potential food source and habitats of the termites, and work with a professional to offer the inspection and maintenance services you need.

Advantages of Pre-construction Termite Control
Pre-construction termite treatment is cost-efficient as it helps you avoid costly infestation treatment in the future. The process of treating your area before construction is efficient and time-conscious compared to controlling pests already eating up your wood.

It will be easier for the professional to apply the treatment as there will be no hindrances from construction during the process. Once the construction is over, the chances of having termite infestation in the future are minimal.

Conclusion
Prevention is better than cure. Investing in pre-construction pest control is one of the best decisions you will ever make to protect your home from future damage. Our experts at J.P.'s Termite & Pest Control Inc. have the right know-how to protect your home from termite damage if you are thinking about pre-construction termite control in Polk County. Contact us today! We will help you solve any pest problem.

Managing a pest infestation in your home in the Polk County or Lakeland area can be a frustrating experience. If you try to control the infestation on your own, it can take a lot of work and a lot of DIY solutions are not effective in the long-term. Due to this, it can make a lot more sense for someone to hire a pest control company.

When you are looking at pest control companies in Lakeland, you will find that there are a variety of options. There are a variety of dos and don'ts that should be followed when you are looking for a pest control company. This will ensure that you choose the best infestation for your situation.

Do Make Sure they are Licensed and Insured

When you are looking for a pest control service provider in the Polk County area, it is important that you ensure they are fully licensed and insured. A pest control service will be providing you with a very valuable service and you will be giving them a lot of trust. Due to this, it is important to confirm that they are licensed and certified to work in your area. This should include receiving a copy of their professional license and liability insurance policy.

Do Understand the Infestation

If you decide to hire a pest control service, the first thing they are going to do is inspect your home and provide you with a consultation. It is important that you walk around your home with them as much as possible. This will give you a better sense of what the infestation is, what is causing it and what the main problem areas are. During this walk-through, you can also get a sense of what you could do differently going forward to prevent the infestation from coming back in the future.

Do Evaluate Options

As you are looking for a pest control service, it is important to evaluate all of your options. Similar to when you are making any other important purchase, you need to make sure that you are covering all of your bases. This can include making sure that you get multiple opinions and quotes.

Do Not Take their Word for It

While it is important to speak with a pest control service to understand their plan, you should never take their word for their track record. You should do your own diligence to get a sense of the company’s service reputation. This can include doing an online search review and speaking with past customers. You should get a sense of how well the pest control company was able to identify the problem, stop the infestation and prevent it from coming back.

Do Not Feel Pressured

If there is an infestation in your home, it can be natural to feel panicked and believe that you need to have it taken care of as quickly as you can. In many situations, you may also feel that the pest control service is also making you feel this pressure. While it is important that you have this issue resolved, you still need to remain calm and have a clear head. This will make it easier for you to make a wise decision. You should never be pressured by a company to sign a contract before you have had a chance to evaluate all of your options.

When you are looking for pest control companies in Lakeland, a great option to consider is J.P.'s Termite & Pest Control Inc. When you reach out to and hire J.P.'s Termite & Pest Control Inc. you can be assured that your pest infestation and control needs will be properly managed. This will help to safely control and manage the infestation. The team will be able to complete an inspection of your home and work with you to develop a care plan that is right for your situation to ensure the infestation is removed and does not come back.

Dealing a pest or insect infestation in the Lakeland area is always a challenging situation. One insect that can be more difficult to manage is the German cockroach. This is a notorious insect that is well known for its size and color. When you have these cockroaches, the infestation can grow quickly, which poses a variety of risks. For those that are wondering how to get rid of German cockroaches, there are a variety of tips that can be followed to help get rid of the infestation.

Identify an Infestation

If you are going to stop an infestation, you first need to be able to identify it. While cockroaches can be good at hiding, there are normally signs that you do have an infestation. If you notice an odd or foul smell in a certain area of your home, it could be a sign of cockroaches. Also, if you notice dark and small black droplets, that are not explainable, it is often a sign of an infestation.

Keep Your Home Clean

One of the best ways that you can get rid of German cockroaches is by keeping your home clean. The cockroaches are naturally attracted to garbage, left over food and overall filth. Due to this, it is important that you keep your home as clean as possible. This can include making sure that you always clean up after you eat and do not delay washing floors and other accessible parts of your home.

Watch Your Pet

To control any infestation of this insect, you also need to be mindful of your pet. A pet can help cause an infestation many different ways. Similar to how cockroaches will be attracted to the food you eat, they could also be attracted to your pet’s food. Any leftover dog or cat food could attract them. Also, when your dog comes in from the outside, you should check it to make sure it is clean as a cockroach could attach itself to your pet and take a ride inside.

Close Off Entry Points

If you notice cockroaches in a certain area of your home, it is possible that they entered your home nearby. It is important that you seal off any entrance options that they have. They are often able to get into your property by going through small cracks in a wall or through holes in your vents or other pipes. If you notice an entryway, you should do your best to seal it as quickly as possible.

Baits and Traps

When you want to get rid of cockroaches, you can use a variety of different baits and traps that are meant for cockroaches. When you are going to use these baits and traps, it is important that you place them in a location where the cockroaches are more likely to reside. They are often found in dark and warm areas of a property, which can include in cabinets or under a sink in your kitchen. Another option would to use boric acid and other cleaning agents that are harmful to cockroaches and can help to slow or stop the infestation.

React Quickly

Whenever you do have any type of infestation, it is very important that you react quickly. An infestation of German cockroaches can grow very quickly if you are not careful as each can produce a large quantity of eggs. Due to this, you should make sure that you are reacting right away before it grows to a level that is harder for you to control.

Call a Professional

When you are wondering how to get rid of German cockroaches in the Lakeland area, you should consider calling in the professionals. Our team at J.P.'s Termite & Pest Control Inc. can help with all of your pest and insect infestation control. When you call J.P.'s Termite & Pest Control Inc., we will come and provide you with a full assessment of your home. Based on this assessment, we could provide a plan that will help to get rid of the current infestation and keep it from coming back. Give us a call at 863-581-2104 or submit our pricing request form online.

You've probably already heard about them. Two inches of winged death known as murder hornets (scientifically known as Vespa mandarinia), killing not just honeybees but human beings! Sounds like the start of a SyFy Channel movie, right? Well, it isn't.

But are they really cause for concern for folks in Polk County?

According to Any Vu, a University of Florida Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab Coordinator, there isn't. Vu says that these giant Asian insects, which were found in a small quantity in Washington in November 2019, are being monitored and have yet to be found elsewhere.

Life Cycle of the Hornet

We at J.P.'s Termite & Pest Control Inc. are, of course, ready to act if these little buggers make their way toward Polk County. What we do know about hornets is that their life cycles start in April. The queen first leaves her hibernation and begins to feed on the fruit and sap of plants. At this point, they are also on the lookout for underground spots that are ideal for constructing their nests.

It really is not until the late summer that you need to start worrying about hornets. That is when they come out in force, launching raids on honeybee nests. They will slaughter the adult bees and consume their pupae and larvae. Yes, we know, that is pretty brutal, especially since honeybees are essential for farmers to grow crops like blueberries, cherries, and apples. So hornets often pose a bigger threat to crops than to people.

One cool fact about murder hornets is that they are the only type of social wasp to mark its food source with its scent as a way to direct its colony toward the food.`While murder hornets are jerks, they're really smart jerks.

What Happens When They Sting You

We're not going to lie - hornet stings hurt. If you get stung by a murder hornet, you will feel like someone is stabbing you with a blistering hot needle. Oh, and the pain? That could last a few days. The area around the sting site will swell and be achy for up to two days. This happens with a normal hornet's sting, but murder hornet stings are even more intensely painful.

These hornets release a neurotoxin called mandaratoxin that is about 7 times more potent than the neurotoxin found in the honeybee. Medical officials in China have advised people to seek emergency medical treatment if stung more than 30 times by a murder hornet. Hornets will sting you in a flurry, so it is possible to get stung that many times.

Most people who have died from murder hornet stings have gone into cardiac arrest or anaphylactic shock. Some have experienced multiple organ failure, and all victims showed signs of necrosis and hemorrhaging of the skin.

How They Got to North America?

How exactly did these guys make it to North America anyway? They have only been found in a very small number in Washington State, and insects are known to travel great lengths. But from Japan and China to the US?! That sure is a long way to fly.

Right now, scientists are unsure as to how the murder hornet made it to Washington. In November 2019, beekeepers in the area found piles of dead honeybees with their heads ripped off. With the honeybee population on the decline, this was a truly alarming discovery.

One theory about how they got into the US is that they must have traveled via international cargo from somewhere in Japan or China and survived the trip.

For now, you are most likely safe from the wrath of a murder hornet, despite what Internet memes might tell you. If you do have any sort of hornet problems, just call on J.P.'s Termite & Pest Control Inc., and we will be there to help.

LAKELAND, FL (December 18, 2019):

​Florida Home Builders, Highland Homes have awarded J.P.'s Termite & Pest Control, Inc with Trade Partner of the Year to wrap up 2019. The two companies have been working along side each other for the last 10 years, servicing new homeowners throughout Polk County. 

J.P.'s Termite & Pest Control, Inc is a family-operated pest control company based out of Lakeland, FL that has upheld their mission to comfort their community by providing professional pest control services with the utmost honesty, integrity, and expertise for all of their residential and commercial clients for the last 20 years. They help clients with pest control maintenance plans, termite control, new construction pre-treatments, and termite and WDO inspections.

Highland Homes is one of Florida's greatest quality home builders. Since they established their company in 1996, they immediately started making an impact on Central Florida. Now, 23 years later, they have received many awards for their craftsmanship and service. This year, Builder's Magazine recognized them as #59 largest builder in the nation and Tampa Bay Business Journal named them the #3 Best Place to Work in 2019.

Click here to learn more about how J.P.'s Termite & Pest Control, Inc. can help protect your property from pests this season. Request pricing on an issue online or give them a call at 863-581-2104.

If you need to keep your home free and clear of pests during the holiday season, we can help. Here is a handy list of the most effective pest control tips that are guaranteed to keep your home safe from unwanted guests.

Be Careful About What You Choose to Bring Inside

The first thing you need to do is be extra careful about the items that you choose to bring inside during the holiday season. The Christmas tree, garland, and firewood that you bring in to decorate your home should be carefully checked to make sure that no pests are hiding inside of them.

Pests like spiders, ants, termites, and ticks can hide their eggs in the branches of trees and also deep within garland. It's a good idea to spray them thoroughly with insecticide and give them a good shaking to dislodge hidden before you bring them into your home.

Make Sure to Check All of Your Cardboard Boxes for Pests

Every year, you store up plenty of cardboard to use as gift boxes, decorative items, and places to store Christmas lights, tree ornaments, and other holiday knickknacks. Make sure that they don't just sit around in your closet space for years on end without being properly checked.

Remember that unattended cardboard boxes are the perfect place for pests to breed. Try to remember to look into them a few times per year so that they don't become a home for pests that are ready to infest your home. Take them outside and give them a good looking over. If they look infested, burn them or throw them away.

Clean Up Your Gift Wrappers and Boxes Right Away

After the Christmas gift giving ritual has ended, you may feel some temptation to simply relax and enjoy the warmth and togetherness of the season. That's all well and good but you need to think about cleanliness as well.

As soon as you have finished unwrapping and handing out all of the gifts, make sure to clean up the area. Gather up all of the empty gift boxes, ribbons, wrapping paper, and excess tape and throw it all away. This will reduce the chances of insects and mice finding a convenient hiding or resting place while your attention is elsewhere.

Remember to Clean Up After the Holiday Meal

After the holiday meal has ended, make sure you clean everything up. The last thing you want to do is leave excess food lying around for pests to make a holiday feast of their own. Put all of the food into storage containers, label everything so you know what's what, and then fasten a secure lid on each one.

As soon as all of the food has been put away, clean up the table and put all of the dishes into the dishwasher. The sooner you get rid of excess food, the sooner you can be sure that nothing is left behind to tempt pests out into the open with. You'll also decrease the amount of cleanup work that you will need to do later on.

Call Us Today for Pest Control in Central Florida

If you need expert level pest control company, we will provide you the benefit of our many years of knowledge, qualifications, and experience.

Contact us today to learn more about what we can do to make your holiday happy, healthy, and free of unwanted pests.

When it comes to choosing between a trick or a treat, we pick treat! So, in the spirit of Halloween, we’d like to treat you to some fictional pest stories that our team came up with. Which story would spook you the most? 

Eight Legs of Terror

Sam got into the shower one day and turned on the water. He wet his hair and put on some shampoo. After lathering up, he turned around to rinse the shampoo out of his hair. As soon as he turned, he saw a giant spider sitting on the wall a few inches in front of his face. His wife heard his scream from outside. She ran in and found him standing in the bedroom, dripping wet with shampoo in his hair. She checked the bathroom to see if the spider was still there.

The spider was nowhere to be seen. Was it a figment of the imagination or is that spider laying eggs in some secret location? 

Flying Rats

Betty had settled into bed one night. After a few minutes, she heard a high-pitched squealing noise somewhere close by. It didn't sound like her dog, and her daughter was at her ex's house for the weekend. She couldn't figure out what the noise was. But, it went away, and she went to sleep. Then, about 3:00 in the morning, she woke up to hear the squealing again. Except, this time it was louder. It sounded like there was more than one source. 

It wouldn't stop.

With some careful listening, she figured out it was coming from inside the wall behind her headboard. It was likely rats. She spent the rest of the night in the guest bedroom on the other side of the house. She called us out the next morning. A bit of investigation found it wasn't rats; it was bats. They had found a small hole up under the eave and had made themselves at home in a wall cavity. When the exterminator tapped the wall, they came crawling out and flew into a nearby tree before being able to capture any of them.

The question now is - will they return?

Grandma's Kitchen

A young man was visiting his grandmother's house in Lakeland over his summer break. She was getting up in years, and he noticed the house wasn't up to her usual standards of cleanliness and order. Since he was there for a few days, he wanted to help. 

He asked her if he could clean behind the fridge and stove. She was more than happy to have him do it. She hadn't been able to do that for a couple of years. 

The fridge wasn't a problem. It came out easy, then he gave the walls and floor a good scrub down before putting it back in place. Next was the stove.

He started pulling the stove out, when it happened. Hundreds, if not thousands, of German cockroaches started crawling out from behind the stove. They went up the walls and across the floor. 

After getting his grandmother out of the house, of course he gave us a call for pest control.

If you have a party scheduled this Halloween, it's time to deal with those pesky pests. Give us a call and let's get your home cleared and ready for a spooky good time.

You're aware of the common bug infestations, but there are a few pests that can invade homes and buildings you probably don't know about. Moreover, you're probably not aware of just how vulnerable you are to roaches, bed bugs, and even spiders!

Roaches

Roach infestations are nothing new, but did you know how common they are or how vulnerable you are to coming in contact with them? According to a study featured in a CNN article, "the south has the highest number of roach infestations with 41% of households in New Orleans reporting a roach infestation. Miami, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Phoenix, Arizona, and Raleigh, North Carolina, are close behind with 32-18% of households reporting roach infestations."

The best way to avoid a roach infestation is to thoroughly check any used items before you bring them into the house and spray pet-safe insect killer inside the edges of your home and outside your home. If you suspect roaches, contact us immediately; they are extremely hard to get rid of.

Fleas

We love our animals, but they too can bring pests in the house. Fleas can easily live in the carpet and it's hard to get them out. You can avoid a flea infestation by treating your pets for fleas regularly. If you have fleas in your house, a carpet powder, vacuuming regularly, and possibly an exterminator can get rid of them.

Rats

According to CNN, "18% of all households in Philadelphia report they've had mice or rats in their home. 16.9% of Bostoners and 15.4% of New Yorkers have rats or mice in their homes."

What you probably weren't aware of is that rodents are extremely smart and can hide almost anywhere. If you live in the North East or have seen a rodent in your home, have a professional inspector investigate your home. Rodents carry diseases that can make you sick.

Ants

Ants are among the most industrious and hard-working insects in the natural world. You’ve probably heard about their fabled strength (an individual ant can reportedly lift up to 50 times its own body weight), and if you’ve ever seen an ant colony up close, you know that they reproduce quickly. Plus, for every ant you do see, there are hundreds or even thousands more you don’t see.

Therefore, although an ant infestation isn’t dangerous, it’s certainly a major nuisance. And once an ant problem has reached infestation level, it’s going to take a lot of hard work to get ride of them all.
​
Spiders

Most people want nothing to do with spiders, but it's good to have a few in your home because they eat roaches and other bugs. However, it's not good to have an infestation and a few species like black widows or recluses can cause horrible medical issues if they bite you. 

References:
​
These Cities Have the Worst Roach and Rodent Infestations. (2017). These Cities Have the Worst Roach and Rodent Infestations.

Mosquitoes seem to be everywhere this time of year. Because of this, you probably want to do everything you can to avoid getting bit. In order to keep mosquitoes at bay, you need to wear insect repellent. When applying it to kids, you need to take special precautions. Here’s how to correctly apply insect repellent to your child’s skin. ​​​

Don’t Apply Too Much

You may think that more is better when it comes to insect repellent, but this is simply not the case. You only need to apply a small amount to get the job done. Just make sure that you apply it evenly. Don’t skip any areas of the skin. You’d be surprised as to how easily mosquitoes can find these unprotected areas. Once you are finished applying insect repellent, inspect your child’s skin to ensure that you didn’t miss any areas. 

Go To A Well-ventilated Space

You don’t want your kids to inhale insect repellent. It can irritate allergies, and it isn’t healthy for the lungs. Try to apply it to your child when you are outdoors. If you must apply it inside, make sure you have a door or window open. If you are applying an aerosol insect repellent, you should spray it on your hand first. Then, rub it onto your child's skin. This will keep them from inhaling the mist.

Spray Clothing

Mosquitoes can still bite through clothing. This is why you need to spray your child’s clothes as well. Don’t spray under them because this won’t be as effective. Just make sure that you test a small area of their clothing to ensure that it won’t ruin the fabric. 

Take Your Time On Sensitive Area

Take your time when it applying insect repellent to areas that are particularly sensitive. You need to practice extra care for certain areas such as around the nose, ears and by the eyes. Avoid getting it into wounds or open cuts. This will just cause irritation. Don’t forget to apply it to your child’s feet, elbows and ankles. These areas are often overlooked.

Read The Label

Not all insect repellents are appropriate for children. Check the label to make sure that your child is old enough to wear it. Many insect repellents aren’t suitable for children under three years old. If you aren’t sure whether or not an insect repellent is safe for your child, consult with their pediatrician to find out. They can help you determine the right insect repellent for your child's needs.

Check For Allergic Reactions

Some children may have a reaction to certain insect repellents. Keep an eye out for any unusual rashes that seem to develop. In most instances, children can safely wear insect repellent without any issues.

Avoid Putting Insect Repellent On Hands

Some children put their hands in their mouth frequently. Because of this, you should avoid putting insect repellent on your child’s hands. This will keep them from getting the repellent into their mouths. If you do happen to get some of it on their hands, wash them with soap and water to thoroughly remove it. 

In conclusion, you can keep your child from getting mosquito bites by applying insect repellent to their skin. In order to do it correctly, make sure you utilize the above tips. By doing so, you will ensure that you provide your child with adequate protection, and you won’t be putting their health at risk.