PestBear's Blog

In Tampa, Florida, when it comes time to tackle invasive pests in your home, you usually find yourself with two options: buying some name brand product you know is only going to be a temporary measure or go with a professional you can trust to get the job done the first time using a combination of natural ingredients and effective pest control methods.  Believe us here at Pest Bear when we say we know what you are going through. While the first option may seem like the quicker solution, it may not be the smartest decision. The following article on 3 tips to keep your home pest-free will guide you through the process, no matter what you choose to do. Starve Out Your Pests Pests tend to feed on what they find readily available, and in the case of a particularly hungry bunch, they’ll focus their attention on the area where...

You love your lawn and do your best to take care of it. But, how healthy is your lawn? Every lawn sees its share of bugs, insects and other pests. But, a healthy lawn is more resistant to the pests that can patrol your lawn and take it over.  How Can You Detect Pests Problems on Your Lawn? A beautiful, green lawn is a sight to behold. It can be the most appealing feature of your home. When too many unwanted lawn pests get hold of it, they can take over your lawn and damage the grass. They can cause the grass to be brown and sickly due to pest invasion. Some of the signs to detect pest problems include: wilting blades, dead and dying grass patches, bite marks on grass, brown spots and insects laying all over the grass.  What Are Some Common Lawn Pests? Lawn pests come in different...

Summer brings all kinds of new life out and about. As you gear up to enjoy the summer weather, so do insects and other pests. Pests can turn a paradise into a nightmare overnight. So, follow these steps to keep your home and yard free of pests all summer long. Use Pesticides One of the best ways to keep pests completely away from your yard is to spray it with pesticides. These substances make your lawn uninhabitable for most insects while keeping your lawn healthy. Additionally, you can find pesticides that do not harm you or your loved ones and only hurt the pests. To keep bugs out of your home, consider using a perimeter spray. These sprays act as invisible barriers that keep bugs out for months after the initial application. Bugs love the safety and protection offered by homes just as much as your family does. A perimeter spray...

When should you remove a beehive? We’re often asked this question—especially as we near the warmest part of the year. Find the answer below.  Are They Swarming? Bees are an important environmental contributor and should generally be left alone by property owners. However, when they swarm outside (or even inside) your home or business, it’s important to keep your distance and monitor the situation. In many cases, the swarm will relocate after a while. If you think a hive or nest could be nearby and are worried about wasps or hornets, it’s best to call on the professionals.  What if They Are Near or in Your Home or Business? If you know that a hive or nest has been built in or near your home or business, keep in mind that, depending on where it’s situated, the hive could potentially be much larger than you might think. Unwanted hives and nests...

Finding one cockroach in your home can be a frightful sight, and it is something that you need to take seriously. Just because you’ve only spotted one doesn’t mean there aren’t more nearby. As they are most active overnight, it can be almost impossible to see these pests and to know how many you have in your home.  So, unfortunately, a single cockroach could (and likely does) mean you have an infestation. What steps should you take if you do, in fact, find a cockroach in your home? We’ll offer up some answers today.  Finding Their Hiding Places Cockroaches prefer to stay hidden and out of the sun. Whatever dark, damp space they’re able to locate—including difficult-to-reach places—is where they will hide. This is why, when you have an infestation, you will likely find them under your bathroom or kitchen sink.  A good rule of thumb is to first check the...

Termites do not have a specific season of presence. These common pests typically are most active during the warmer months but are active all year long, especially in warmer climates. Because of this, termites in Florida are active for nearly the entirety of the year. Though there are various subspecies, the three most common species in Florida are drywood termites, dampwood termites and subterranean termites. All three of these varieties are notoriously destructive to your home and property. Differences in Activity  Not surprisingly, the different species of termites differ in their activity levels. This characteristic can help you more easily identify which termite is invading your home:  Drywood termites live in what the name suggests, dry wood. Common locations of this variety are window seals, attics and other areas where there is brittle wood as a food source. The species is active all year, mainly because they are usually found in...

Bed bug bites are uncomfortable, unsanitary and unsettling. The idea of these pests crawling around while you sleep is enough to keep you awake at night. Perhaps the idea of fumigation also unsettles you because of the harmful chemicals or the cost that is involved. You may wonder if having an exterminator is necessary. Keep reading to find out if you can get rid of bed bugs without having to fumigate. Check for Signs of an Infestation You may not be able to see bed bugs at first, but you may feel them. If you wake up in the middle of the night with itchy red bites on your skin, then you may have a bed bug infestation. But, there are other signs to be aware of as well. Check along the seam of the mattress and the headboard for tiny black dots. These dots may appear to be dirt, but...

Of the countless ways we attract pests into our homes, food preparation in the kitchen is arguably the most impactful. Poor food prep practices in the kitchen give critters big and small ample resources to survive and thrive in the home. Eliminating food and water sources is a top priority when trying to pest-proof the kitchen. Keep reading to learn about ways food preparation and disposal can help or hurt your pest control efforts. Food Debris and Spills Through the course of chopping vegetables, mixing ingredients, cooking meat and the myriad of other movements involved in mealtime preparation, food debris and spills will definitely accumulate. Mice, cockroaches and other common food pests snack on leftover crumbs as well as other minor essences of food found in small spills. Pests can identify and subsist on minute food waste that we often cannot see. Failing to thoroughly wipe down counters, floors and other...

Finding signs of an infestation in your home is nobody’s idea of a good time. While some might immediately reach for the phone to call a professional, others might reach for a can of bug spray instead, trying to take care of it on their own. While we fully support the DIY mindset, there comes a point when it is time to put the bug spray down and call in the professionals. Read on to find out when you should finally call a pest control company. DIY Methods Aren't Working  If you have been fighting an infestation for any real length of time, and they just won’t seem to go away, then it’s time to call in a professional. Quick invasions are easy to get rid of. However, long-term problems point to a much deeper infestation than you may be aware of. If you keep spraying, but they keep reappearing, then...

Florida residents, it’s time to get your lawn’s “winterize” on.  Your lawn might not need as much care during the winter, but you should not ignore it either. Even in the “Land of Sunshine” you need to protect your lawn to ensure a lush green yard come springtime. Check out these winter lawn care tips. Fertilize Before the Winter Months Come Ideally, you should do a final pre-winter fertilizing in September if you live in Northern Florida. In central Florida, get the fertilizer down by October. In South Florida, you will not need the fertilizer as much because the temperate climate allows the grass to stay greener there for much longer than the other regions. Get the Seed Down Seeding your lawn with ryegrass is a popular and affordable option for Florida lawns. Ryegrass is designed to grow quickly in colder temperatures and helps to reinforce your lawn’s natural grasses. After...

Seen a cockroach or another pest in your home lately? Don't ignore the problem. It may only get worse. Taking care of a pest control problem at the first sign of activity is the key to preventing an infestation. PestBear specializes in bug control and pest prevention and uses the latest tools, techniques and treatments to keep pests out of your home or business all year long. 3 Reasons to Exterminate Pests Right Away They may cause a lot of damage. Did you know that termites cause more damage to homes and businesses in a single year than all the storms combined? It's true. They consume the wood and can eat pounds of it each year. Before you know it, you'll have to pay thousands in repairs. Other pests also cause damage, such as carpenter ants boring into the wood and rodents chewing through walls and wires. If you don't take action now,...

Termites not only chew through the wood but also through your wallet. Termite damages can cost you thousands of dollars. To make matters worse, many homeowners do not know they have termites until it’s too late. Termites thrive in warm and humid temperatures, making Florida the perfect vacation spot for them. These vicious little creatures can silently feed on your home for many years. With the majority of homes in the U.S made of wood, any sign of termites is a total nightmare. Here are five telltale signs that PestBear has seen that means your home has a termite problem.  Damaged or Hollowed Wood Termites eat wood from the inside out, which creates holes in the structure. However, there are cases where the wood appears undamaged. Check for termite damage by knocking the wood. Hearing an empty, hollow sound is a sure sign of a termite infestation. Termite damage is similar to...

With the abundance of DIY instructional material available across the internet, homeowners are more equipped than ever to take control of home improvement projects. But with endless available resources comes discipline in knowing when to call in the professionals. Pest control is one project that can be deceptively difficult to perform effectively on your own. In the interest of saving you a lot of time, effort, and money, we’ll discuss a few reasons to have a professional pest inspection instead of trying it yourself. Correctly Identifying the Pest Infestation Stemming the growth of a pest problem usually entails a chemical application of some kind to target and kill the pests and prevent future infestations. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all pesticide that efficiently destroys every one of the limitless varieties of insects and their nests. Identifying the specific type of pest you are dealing with is critical to your ability to decide the...

Due to Florida’s tropical climate, gardening can be possible all throughout the year. However, that also means pests can wreak havoc on your garden. Each insect has a unique way of destroying leaves, stems, and other plant parts. Most pests do their dirty work unseen, but the damage remains quite visible. Down below are the most common pests that are found in gardens. Aphids These pear-shaped insects use their mouths to pierce through plants and suck out their sap. Aphids attack almost every species of plants, making them every gardener’s worst nightmare. Plants affected by aphids tend to have brown, curled leaves. As aphids feed on plants, they can transmit viruses. Aphids secrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which promotes the growth of sooty mold. It doesn’t take long for an aphid infestation to occur, so taking immediate action is the best preventative measure. Cutworms Cutworms are moth larvae that spend...

Cockroaches can certainly send shivers down anyone’s spine. They are gross, annoying and just a nuisance to get rid of. Plus, if you see one, it probably means more will appear soon. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent cockroaches from being attracted to your home and making their way inside. Clean and Dispose of Food Properly Perhaps the biggest attraction for cockroaches is food residue. Whether it’s bread crumbs or fruit scraps, cockroaches will do just about anything to track down a meal. Thoroughly clean areas where leftover food can collect, such as in the kitchen. Check small crevices where food can collect if left unnoticed. Cockroaches can also use dirt and other grime as a food source, so keep up with general cleanliness around the house to help fend them off. Moisturization Like humans, cockroaches need water to survive. Only, they cannot just grab a glass out of the cupboard...

Bed bugs can be a difficult problem to deal with. They are small, hard to get rid of and give you awful, itchy bites. Bed bugs are primarily thought of an inside problem, especially because of their name. It is possible that they get out into your yard. This usually happens because they are thrown out with an old mattress or simply fall off their host. What you may not know is that they are capable of living outside for a period of time with the right conditions. Where can they live outside? While bed bugs prefer to live inside with their hosts and drink their blood, they are capable of living outside. Outdoor furniture Bed bugs won't live in your lawn, but be on the lookout in areas with outdoor furniture. They may hide in patio furniture or your pet's bed, but not in the grass itself. Other outdoor areas...

The weather affects pests more than you may realize. Different temperatures, seasons, and weather patterns can contribute to an increase in pests. Here are a few examples. Hot vs. Cold Seasons During the winter, some pests need to hibernate to stay alive. Others die because they simply cannot withstand such freezing temperatures. During the winter, you will not experience the same pest problems that you will during the spring and summer months. You may experience problems with pests who are looking for warmth, like squirrels, mice, chipmunks, and stray animals. Pests like flies, gnats, ants, and other bugs will not bother you in the winter. Hot weather will bring pests out from hibernation. A variety of insects and rodents thrive in warm weather. While we might not enjoy hot, humid temperatures, most pets love this kind of weather, and this will increase their population. Once they get into your yard, they...

Fertilization is a key step in having a beautiful and healthy lawn. But, you cannot simply fertilize your yard the first chance you have a free weekend. The timing is crucial for you to get the most benefits. The best time to fertilize your lawn is in the spring. Keep reading to learn why you should have your yard fertilized in spring. Get an Early Start By fertilizing your yard in the spring, you get an early start on the process of having an excellent lawn and set yourself up for having a successful growing season. Any areas of your yard that were adversely affected by the harsh winter will have extra time to heal and get back to normal. The best fertilizer to use is one that is high in nitrogen and potassium. Root Development The roots of the grass blades in your yard are just as vital as the...

Pests have been around for as long as we have, and we have been dealing with them in one way or another for thousands of years. However, in all that time, there are still a number of facts that people get wrong about pests and pest control. Pests may outnumber us, but we have one big advantage over them: Our minds, and in order to remain pest free, we need to use them. Here are some common pest control myths that should be corrected.   Cats can Handle Your Rodent Problems First, if you have a rodent problem, your solution cannot be found in the pet store. Some people believe that cats are efficient at taking out rodent infestations, and while they may occasionally kill a rat or mouse, they are far from being able to handle an entire colony. Plus, most of the cats that are kept as pets are...

Bees are wonderful insects that pollinate plants, but getting stung by one is a painful experience. Bees can be dangerous to humans, especially for young children and people that are allergic. The following are some effective ways to treat a bee sting. Traditional Methods for Treating a Bee Sting A bee sting causes a myriad of uncomfortable sensations such as sharp pain, swelling, redness, itching, and warmth at the site of the sting. If you’re allergic to bees or get stung multiple times the symptoms can be much worse, and even life threatening. Fortunately, there are several ways to relieve the pain associated with a bee sting. Use ice or a cold compress- Applying ice or a cold compress to the affected area will greatly reduce the pain and swelling. This is one of the simplest and most common ways to treat a bee sting. Take an anti-inflammatory- Motrin or Advil...