Your Go-To Pest Control Resource for Pest-Free Living in Gainesville

Gainesville, FL, is known for its vibrant community and sunny climate. However, this same climate attracts a wide variety of pests. If you’re looking for expert pest control in Gainesville, this guide will cover everything you need to know.

In this guide, we’ll share information about insects and creatures commonly found in the Sunshine State, the problems they cause for people, and effective pest control techniques that allow you to respond to these unwanted populations.

We’ll provide information on a wide range of topics, so if you’re wondering about a certain kind of pest, you can scroll down to the topic headline of interest. If you’re currently in need of pest control in Gainesville, FL, reach out online or call 888-680-2558.

Bed Bugs

“People who have suffered attacks keep silent for fear of the consequences, thus failing to alert neighbours to the danger and, in turn, allowing the bedbugs to advance undetected. And so the shiny creatures proceed, slowly, steadily, bloodsucking their way across the city and spreading misery in the form of itchy blotches and panic in their wake.” (The Guardian)

Over the decades, and even centuries, people have tried to kill off bed bugs via a variety of methods — from smoking them out to a strategy that led to human fatalities: using cyanide. Despite these attempts, these crafty critters have actually become more common in our country.

They enter Gainesville homes by riding in on the clothing people wear and the luggage brought inside. To help prevent these pests from getting inside, when you return from a trip, inspect suitcases carefully. Towels and linens should be removed from the luggage and washed in hot water. Also, examine second-hand items purchased from thrift stores and rummage sales: mattresses, furniture, and more.

Once bed bugs settle into your home, they’ll likely locate themselves in bed frames (thus, their name), furniture joints, behind loose wallpaper, in baseboards, and anywhere else their thin, flat bodies can slither into. Bed bugs do just fine in a wide range of temperatures and living conditions. Even keeping your home ultra-clean won’t keep them away.

Because bed bugs are only about the size of an apple seed, they can be hard to spot with the naked eye, and the eggs are even more minuscule. These reddish-brown bugs are easiest to see, by the way, when bloated after feeding. Instead of seeing them, you may instead spot these signs:

• A line, cluster, or zig-zag pattern of tiny bites in places where your skin comes in contact with a mattress or bed linens: located on your arms, legs, and back
• Brown or red spots on your sheets, perhaps dried blood from bites
• A musty odor on blankets or your mattress

Bed Bug Treatment in Gainesville

Bed bugs can go months before eating, and they can travel more than 100 feet during the night in their search for food (blood). They can also be very difficult to get rid of using DIY methods. So if you suspect you have an infestation, reach out for our bed bug extermination service. We provide cutting-edge Thermal Remediation® treatments as a safe, effective alternative to chemical fumigation.

Find more information about our Gainesville bed bug extermination service.

Mosquitoes

“[H]uman beings lived with, and died from, mosquito-borne diseases for thousands of years without understanding how they were reaching us ... [and] for much of military history, deaths caused by mosquitoes far outnumbered, and were more decisive than, deaths in battle.” (The New Yorker)

Fortunately, medicine and scientific understanding of disease transmission have significantly advanced. Mosquitoes, however, still carry malaria, West Nile fever, dengue fever, the Zika virus, and other serious diseases, with Florida hosting 80-plus species. So it makes good sense to reduce or eliminate standing water on your property to help prevent mosquitoes from breeding there. Also, manage stagnant water in bird baths, flower pots, old kiddie pools, watering cans, and more. Fix leaks, and flush toilets regularly.

Those are all great best practices to follow, but because of our weather in Gainesville, you may need to proactively do more to protect your property and your family and guests. This may be true all year but especially so from spring through fall. So seal up potential entry points, and place canopies over the beds of young children and baby cribs. Stay indoors, when possible, at dawn and dusk. When you do go out, use appropriate mosquito repellants, and wear pants and long-sleeved shirts.

Mosquito Control Services in Gainesville

Protect yourself with Turner’s comprehensive mosquito control that tackles these biting pests through every life cycle stage: from egg to adulthood. Our expert Gainesville exterminators will apply fast-acting, long-lasting, low-volume treatments through a mister to control the mosquito population on your property.

Here’s more about our mosquito control treatments in Gainesville.

Rodents

“Historically, the rat has been considered a scourge to mankind, for example, rats infected with the plague bacillus that caused the Black Death, which accounted for millions of deaths in Europe during the Middle Ages.” (Microbiology Spectrum)

More than 70 species of rats and mice live in North America, spreading more than 35 diseases. Besides the plague, these include rat-bite fever and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — while diseases indirectly spread from rats include Lyme disease, typhus, encephalitis, and Colorado tick fever.

Rats and mice also gnaw through wires in Gainesville homes, potentially triggering house fires, and through structural portions of the home, threatening its integrity. Signs of a rodent infestation include:

• Waste such as droppings in cabinets, pantries, and other places where food is stored or prepared
• Dry food packaging holes
• Sounds such as scurrying and squeaking, often after dark
• Greasy baseboard smears

Even small populations can rapidly grow into infestations, with one single female mouse able to reproduce at six weeks and have dozens of babies annually.

To keep rodents out of your home in the first place:

• Close off entry points as small as one-quarter of an inch.
• Trim back shrubs and tree branches near your home so they can’t be used as entry ramps to get inside.
• Reduce rodent opportunities by closing off utility entry points and those in your chimney, attic, and roof vents.
• Clean up crumbs and spills off your countertops and appliances.
• Keep dry food in airtight, chew-proof containers.
• Ensure pet bowls are empty after meals, wiping up spills.

Proceed with caution around rodent droppings. They can trigger allergies and asthma and carry disease-spreading pathogens. So when cleaning up urine and feces, wear a mask, gloves, and goggles.

Rodent Control Services in Gainesville

Our rodent control services can solve the problem, with our Gainesville exterminators will take care of the current population and focus on preventing future ones.

Reach out to learn more about our rodent control services or to schedule a free consultation.

Termites

“When a female termite hits breeding age, she may emerge from her colony and find a mate. The pair then creates a burrow in the ground, and the female (called a queen) begins to produce eggs ... around 30,000 eggs a day!” (National Geographic)

Although it’s not true that termites can eat through concrete, they can slip into tiny cracks as small as 1/32 of an inch, get inside homes via higher soil levels created by room additions and above-slab patios, and slide along plumbing entry points.

More than 20 species of this savvy creature live in Florida, with these three being common:

• Formosan termites are aggressive!
• Eastern subterranean termites are prevalent and destructive.
• Drywood termites need little moisture.

Termites cause billions of dollars in damage each year in the United States alone, eating around the clock. It just takes one large colony to threaten a home’s integrity.

Termite Control in Gainesville

Homeowners shouldn’t attempt DIY treatments but should instead rely upon professional termite treatment. We offer three tiers:

• Premise: our most economical option
• Termidor: our longer, more extended protection
• Altriset: our greenest termite treatment

Turner uses a preventive approach, using soil treatments instead of bait systems. These treatments allow us to destroy termites before they enter your home, a method that works 10 times more quickly than bait.

Find out what termite treatment tier is right for you.

Lawn Pests

People already intuitively know what the American Psychological Association says: that “green is good for you ... [for] mental functioning, social relationships, and even physical well-being.” Now here’s what can damage the green in your yard:

Fire Ants

This threatening invader first came into the United States in the late 1930s, spreading through Southern states, “inflicting painful stings, building large nests, and generally annoying human populations.” (University of California, Berkeley)

Fire ants clamp their jaws down on a person without cause, injecting them with venom — and Gainesville is a home of choice for them. Some people react badly to the venom, with problems being the most severe in the summer when these nasty pests have stored up venom. They can even sting multiple times, averaging three times per person. Now, do the math. One colony of fire ants can contain half a million members.

Fortunately, you can protect your family with an annual fire ant treatment. To save money, bundle this with your lawn pest control services.

Moles

“Mole hills and tunnels can do significant damage to your lawn, creating tripping hazards and leaving grass roots exposed, which can kill the grass.” (HomeGuides)

Moles burrow at least 10 inches into the soil to seek food, leaving behind volcano-shaped hills and, in more shallow burrows, unsightly ridges. Unfortunately, you can’t stop them from showing up, but Turner can apply bait to their tracks after ensuring that we’re dealing with moles. Once we’ve confirmed the species, we can use our lawn pest control techniques to address the problem.

Armadillo

According to Science Daily, infected armadillos can spread the chronic disease of leprosy to people — and, in one study, 62% of nine-banded armadillos were infected. Moreover, these creatures dig up soil in yards as they create burrows. As part of our lawn pest control services, we can treat these burrows to get the animals to leave and stay away.

Lawn Pest Control Service in Gainesville

In each case — fire ant treatments and mole and armadillo removals — you can add these services to your lawn and outdoor programs.

In our year-round lawn beautification program, our experts provide comprehensive bimonthly visits in which they fertilize your yard and provide turf optimization and weed and fungus management. The program starts with an assessment of your lawn, the selection of appropriate techniques, and professional applications of them.

Reach out for our lawn pest control and yard beautification services.

Wildlife

Wild animals such as raccoons, squirrels, and bats can get into Gainesville homes, wreaking destruction and spreading diseases. Raccoons tear up roof shingles and soffits, destroy attic vents, and gnaw through insulation. They’re also one of the most common carriers of rabies. Squirrels also gnaw on wires and otherwise mimic the destructive habits of rodents while carrying and transmitting serious diseases. As for bats, they can spread diseases through their waste, which can damage ceilings and ruin insulation, settling in for the long haul once they get inside.

Wildlife Control in Gainesville

Because wild animals normally won’t leave on their own, it’s important that you work with wildlife removal experts to quickly, safely, and humanely remove wild animals. Turner’s technicians in Gainesville are vetted, trained, and have undergone stringent background checks. Contact us for wildlife removal services when the need arises.

Complete Pest Control in Gainesville, FL: Why Choose Us?

Our Gainesville pest control services are simple and flexible. We strategically prioritize responses, taking care of urgent challenges first and then strongly focusing on your Gainesville home.

We’re often asked if there are organic pest control options — and the answer is “yes.” However, organic doesn’t automatically mean safer, and although it doesn’t necessarily mean chemical-free, at Turner Pest Control, we provide organic pest control options that are effective and safe for the environment, people, and pets. If your preference is organic pest control, just say the word. We don’t charge more for eco-friendly options.

Another question we’re frequently asked is how often you need pest control services in Gainesville. This will depend upon the pest problem and species. With mosquito control, for example, we’ll apply monthly treatments during the seven-month peak season. With our bed bug extermination services, you could choose the one-and-done Thermal Remediation®, or with chemical treatments, you’d need an initial treatment and two follow-up ones. For ongoing preventive pest control in Gainesville, Florida, triannual treatments are recommended. For specifics for your home, our Gainesville exterminator will provide the information and answer your questions.

As far as the cost of our Gainesville pest control services, we provide customized quotes for your unique situation, basing services on the square footage of your home. This allows people with smaller homes to have more affordable plans.

You can also choose one of our TurnerGuard Bundles for a package that saves you money. Options include:

• TurnerGuard Complete Home Protection: With our ultimate package of premier services, you’ll have access to our most extensive set of Gainesville pest control services:
  • Triannual termite treatment and pest control
  • Monthly lawn and shrub service, including fertilizer and weed control
  • Annual lawn aeration as needed and soil pH testing
  • Monthly mosquito control treatment
• TurnerGuard Preferred Home Protection: Gain peace of mind as our experts support you with:
  • Triannual termite treatment and pest control
  • Lawn service every other month, including fertilizer and weed control
  • Annual soil pH testing
• TurnerGuard Essential Home Protection: Protect your biggest investment with less stress as you receive triannual termite and pest control services.