[carol_piirto]

We just bought a new pre-owned house in the Villages. (Love it) Yuk, but when we wake at 6 and groggily walk into the guest room area, there are 1 to 2 beetles with evidence of a few more. We sprayed Ortho at the plumbing openings and the doors. We thought we'd taken care of it but today we saw 2 on the kitchen floor. They've moved. We've always tried to fix things ourselves and wonder if you have advice. Help! A few particulars:

1. We have a very thick coating of bark surrounding the bushes around front, back, sides of our house. Someone told us this is Palmeto heaven. Should we get rid of the bark?

2. If you had a bug company come in, where do they spray?

Thanks a ton!, Carol

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by carol_piirto

We just bought a new pre-owned house in the Villages. (Love it) Yuk, but when we wake at 6 and groggily walk into the guest room area, there are 1 to 2 beetles with evidence of a few more. We sprayed Ortho at the plumbing openings and the doors. We thought we'd taken care of it but today we saw 2 on the kitchen floor. They've moved. We've always tried to fix things ourselves and wonder if you have advice. Help! A few particulars:

1. We have a very thick coating of bark surrounding the bushes around front, back, sides of our house. Someone told us this is Palmeto heaven. Should we get rid of the bark?

2. If you had a bug company come in, where do they spray?

Thanks a ton!, Carol

Call Deans or Massey. Here in the semi tropics it is important to have bug protection.

[hedoman]

We had a similar problem with Pametto biugs aka Brazillian cockroaches. A real infestation. Massey got rid of them in one visit and now it is rare to see any around our pre-owned premier. They do a great job in making an inpenatrable barrier and return every 3 months or more if you call. Massey is the bomb! "bug bomb!

[alemorkam]

Originally Posted by hedoman

We had a similar problem with Pametto biugs aka Brazillian cockroaches. A real infestation. Massey got rid of them in one visit and now it is rare to see any around our pre-owned premier. They do a great job in making an inpenatrable barrier and return every 3 months or more if you call. Massey is the bomb! "bug bomb!

We have once=a=year and they are also great. my wife calls them everytime we see a bug and then come and spray the interior and parimeter for free as part of the contract. rarely see any of them giant roachs (water bugs) whatever, anymore.

[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Call Deans or Massey. Here in the semi tropics it is important to have bug protection.

We had an ant problem and Massey took care of it in one visit. They are super professional and I have no qualms about recommending them.

[NotGolfer]

If you live in Florida, you'll need an exterminator. Call any of the reputable ones mentioned and you'll be in fine shape. Exterminator's will come on a regular basis and spray outside areas for sure. They don't need to come as often inside.

[nitakk]

I have seen three palmetto bugs this week in my house - one dead, two not! Called Massey who does our pest control and they came out the same day to lay another barrier around the house. The Massey guy said it was the rain that drove them in the house. He said to block your sinks at night, including the shower (use a jar opener - they work great). He said they also come in through the exhaust fans in the bathrooms but you can't do anything about that. I hope this works because I have a severe phobia of bugs and these are particularly disgusting!

[jane032657]

Ugh. These are not helping me with my post blind mosquito recovery. Garcie, you understand, right? I better get some bug counseling before we arrive permanantly in October....

[KathieI]

Palmetto bugs are the only thing I haven't had yet. Maybe that's because I don't have any palm trees on my property.

I had Dean's & Massey and have let them go for 1 800 Pest Control... they are fantastic, I have contracts with them for inside, outside and shrub & trees spraying. They have been extremely responsive and reliable. I've been having them spray inside a few times this year and its covered under my contract and they come very quickly after I call for help. If I find a mound of red ants, they come the very next day and immediately take care of them.

Now,,, if I could only find someone for snakes???? This rain brought some of them up from the pond and I found 2 in my lanai. I am not a happy person right now. They are the long black snakes so they aren't dangerous but I don't want to kill them, just get rid of them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by KathieI

Now,,, if I could only find someone for snakes???? This rain brought some of them up from the pond and I found 2 in my lanai. I am not a happy person right now. They are the long black snakes so they aren't dangerous but I don't want to kill them, just get rid of them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Try giving them an eviction notice!

Seriously, how about a snake hook, bought or Homemade if you know someone who could make it for you! You could then just pick them up on the hook and show them the way home!

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by KathieI

Now,,, if I could only find someone for snakes???? This rain brought some of them up from the pond and I found 2 in my lanai. I am not a happy person right now. They are the long black snakes so they aren't dangerous but I don't want to kill them, just get rid of them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

But if they R hanging out, you know you don't have mice!

If they got in you have a hole, blocking all possible holes that might give any snake an opportunity to get in.

Also take turpentine on small rag 2"x2" outside in few spots, they don't like it.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

But if they R hanging out, you know you don't have mice!

If they got in you have a hole, blocking all possible holes that might give any snake an opportunity to get in.

Also take turpentine on small rag 2"x2" outside in few spots, they don't like it.

Come on Jimbo confess. You write the Heloise column in your spare time, right?

Maybe not, she says are not R.

[jimbo2012]

Cute, U R right as usual.

[anarick]

can someone please share what the average contract cost is.

[CMANN]

Originally Posted by carol_piirto

We just bought a new pre-owned house in the Villages. (Love it) Yuk, but when we wake at 6 and groggily walk into the guest room area, there are 1 to 2 beetles with evidence of a few more. We sprayed Ortho at the plumbing openings and the doors. We thought we'd taken care of it but today we saw 2 on the kitchen floor. They've moved. We've always tried to fix things ourselves and wonder if you have advice. Help! A few particulars:

1. We have a very thick coating of bark surrounding the bushes around front, back, sides of our house. Someone told us this is Palmeto heaven. Should we get rid of the bark?

2. If you had a bug company come in, where do they spray?

Thanks a ton!, Carol

Please take this advice: Florida is no place to try to be cheap in the battle against insects. You'll lose.

PS Start by bombing the whole house. Insect bombs are available at Home Depot.