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Hurricane Prep From the Pest Side: 5 Things to Do Before
Family-run, licensed and insured pest control in South Florida.
$50 OFF your first service + FREE inspectionNew customers · No code needed · No expirationThe pest side of hurricane prep is five things you can do in the days before a storm. Secure the trash and pet food so the wind doesn't scatter a buffet across the yard. Empty or bring in anything that holds water. Check the shutter tracks for wasp nests before you close them. Close the gaps rats and roaches will look for when the water rises. And if you're due for service, get it in before the season, not when the storm is already on the way. After the storm, our post-flood, rodent and fire-ant pages take over. For the storm itself, follow your county's storm guidance.
1. Secure the trash and pet food
- Put lids on the trash cans and move the bins into the garage.
- Seal the pet food and bring it inside.
- Take down the bird feeders and bring in the seed.
Spilled trash and food after a storm feed rats and roaches for days.
2. Get rid of standing water
Bring in or empty buckets, plant saucers, kids' toys and folded tarps, anything that can catch rain. Every container left out can turn into a mosquito nursery once the rain stops. See mosquito breeding sites for the spots people miss.
3. Check the shutters for wasps
Check shutters before opening or closing them, especially at the start of hurricane season. Look at the tracks and at any panels stored outside or in the garage. If a nest is in the track, don't close the shutter on it. Call us; see wasp nest removal and the paper wasp. Honey bees are different: we don't remove them. Call a registered beekeeper; FDACS keeps a list of registered beekeepers and certified pest control operators who do honey bee removal or eradication. See who to call for wasps or honey bees. If someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or dizziness after a sting, call 911 right away.
4. Close the gaps pests use for hurricane prep
When water rises, rats and roaches move up and in. Before the season:
- Put sweeps on the doors and fix torn screens.
- Check the seal at the bottom of the garage door.
- Look for gaps where pipes and A/C lines go through the wall.
Rodent entry points, we seal ourselves with exclusion work. We don't do repairs: storm shutters, roofs and soffits are a job for your contractor. We'll tell you how many visits your home is likely to need.
5. Book a pre-season service before hurricane season
The season starts June 1, so book a regular visit in May. We can't promise a visit once a storm is on the way, so earlier is better. Wondering how to get ready? Read what to do before your first pest control visit. Keep kids and pets off treated areas until dry, and follow your technician's instructions.
Our general pest plan is $125 per quarter, about $42 a month, and monthly or custom schedules are quoted after the inspection. For plan customers: "If pests come back between visits, so do we, at no extra cost." There are no long-term contracts and no cancellation fees, just a simple service agreement. We're family-run and licensed, with 30+ years in the business, and hablamos español. See general pest control.
After the storm
- Water got in? Read pest control after a flood.
- Rats on the move? See rodents after a hurricane.
- Ants floating in the water? See floating fire ants.
- Mosquitoes after the rain? See rainy season mosquitoes.
Browse more guides.
Hurricane prep pest questions
What should I do about pests before a hurricane?
What are the tiny bugs that come out after rain?
What should I do before pest control comes?
Get your visit in before the season.
Get $50 OFF your first service plus a FREE inspection. No code, no expiration. Call or text anytime: 833-845-9284.
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