Pest questions from Fort Lauderdale homes, condos and rentals
Most questions fall into four groups: what to do when you first see the pest, how the Broward climate and building stock shape the job, what fumigation and inspection paperwork involves, and what an insurer will and will not pay. Calls are answered 24/7.
- Phones answered 24/7, every month of the year
- Drywood and Formosan termite treatment, WDO reports, tenting
- Whole-building coordination for condos and HOAs
- Price confirmed before treatment, written report after
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When you first see it
I saw a flying termite swarm. What now?
Note the date, collect a few wings and a sample if you can, and keep the insects in a sealed bag. Late April to May is the Formosan swarm season in Fort Lauderdale. Do not spray the swarm yourself; a technician needs to see where it came from.
Are the rats in my attic roof rats?
Probably. Roof rats are the rodent pest UF/IFAS calls the worst in Florida. They run along power and phone lines, palms and fences, and they gnaw wiring and rafters. Trapping may be needed, but the entry points are where the job begins.
Living with the Broward climate
Why do I get mosquitoes after every rainy afternoon?
The rainy season runs roughly from 15 May to 15 October, and Aedes mosquitoes breed in small standing water. Empty containers, clear gutters and check saucers. Broward County Mosquito Control handles larvae in public drainage areas.
Do I need to treat during hurricane season?
Storm-damaged yards and roofs attract rats and ants quickly. The post-storm service covers the cleanup and the first pest sweep; the hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November.
Fumigation and paperwork
Does a fumigation vacate the whole building?
For a multi-unit structure, the licensee has to vacate and test the whole structure if one unit is fumigated. A tented home has warning signs posted on the doors and the tent. The licensee must notify FDACS in writing at least 24 hours before a fumigation.
What is a WDO report for a house sale?
Florida form FDACS-13645 is the wood-destroying organism report used in real-estate transactions. It covers termites, wood-destroying beetles and decay fungi, and it reports only visible, accessible conditions. Carpenter ants and carpenter bees are not reportable on that form.
How do I check a pest company's licence?
Ask for its FDACS certified operator licence number, then look it up on FDACS. Check that the operator is certified for the category of work proposed, such as termite or fumigation, not just general pest control.
Insurance and complaints
Will my homeowners insurance pay for termite damage?
Often not. Termite and vermin damage is usually excluded from homeowners policies, and the policy decides. Read the exclusions and ask the insurer in writing.
Where do I complain about a pest company?
Start with the company in writing, then take an insurance problem or a consumer complaint to the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services. The Office of Insurance Regulation regulates the insurers themselves and is not the first stop for an individual complaint.
Question not answered here?
Call and ask. A technician will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that you do not need us.