Coby's Pest Control & Tentless Termite Podcast

Tiny, clear wings piled up by a lamp, a TV or a window sill are one of the clearest signs of drywood termites you’ll ever get. A lot of people sweep them up and never think about it again. I already did an episode on what termite droppings look like. This one goes a little deeper, into the wings. What termite wings look like They’re small, smaller than your pinky nail. They’re clear, almost see-through, and they’re not quite teardrop-shaped, but close to it. A termite’s four wings are all the same length, so a pile of them looks like the same little wing over and over. They’re so light that just walking past can stir them up. A lot of people first notice them while they’re cleaning, when all of a sudden these little things are floating in the air and the light is shining off of them. Why they end up by the lights Drywood termite swarmers fly to light, and they’ll go to whatever light is on in the house. If the only thing on is a computer screen, that’s where they go. I’ve seen them fly at a TV, the little light on a cable box, and the clock on a stove. Once they land, they drop their wings, pair off and go looking for a crack in some bare wood to start a new colony. That’s why you’ll find a pile of wings by the light, and a lot of times no termites at all. When you’ll see them, and what it means Around here, drywood termites swarm mostly from April through June, from dusk into the night. I’ve seen it run into the summer some years, and every so often a few show up in the fall. A drywood colony is about five years old before it sends out any swarmers at all. So if wings keep turning up inside, there’s a good chance a colony has been working in your wood for a while, in the house or close to it. Tracking down where takes some work, because they’ll fly a good distance to get to a light. Now, not every pile of wings is termites. Flying ants swarm too, and a lot of the calls we get about flying termites turn out to be ants. Here’s how to tell termite swarmers from flying ants, and what to do if they’re coming out of a wall. What to do if you find them Don’t vacuum them all up just yet. Save a few wings on a piece of clear tape or in a sandwich bag, and if you can, snap a close-up picture on your phone. Then text it to us at 727-458-7900 with your address in the first message. We’ll tell you what it is. If it looks like termites, Austin, our termite tech, comes out, looks at where they came from and tells you what it’ll take. There’s no charge to come look. For the other signs, the droppings and the soft or hollow wood, here’s how to tell if you’ve got termites. If you have a question about this or anything else, give us a call at 727-462-0400, or text us at 727-458-7900. As long as GOD keeps making them, we’ll keep killing them. You have a great day.The post What Do Termite Wings Look Like? first appeared on Cobys Tentless Termite and Pest Control.

People ask me this a lot, so let’s get right into it. Why do we do tentless termite treatment instead of fumigation? The short answer: fumigation has no residual. The moment you kill the termites and pull that tent off, there’s nothing left in the wood to stop the next colony from moving in. And with drywood termites, the next colony is coming. It’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of how old your neighborhood is. In my experience, a brand new neighborhood, with new trees, new fences and new homes, probably won’t see drywood termites for 30, 40, maybe even 50 years. It takes that long for them to get established in an area. Why an older neighborhood changes everything Once a neighborhood ages past that point, you’ve got older homes, older shrubs, older fence lines, woodpiles, all the things drywood termites live in. And every year, they swarm. Around here I see it run somewhere around 60 to 90 days, usually landing between mid-April and mid-August, depending on the year. Each colony swarms on its own schedule, not all on the same day. So for those 60 to 90 days, the real question is simple: did the wind blow toward your house, or away from it? In an old enough neighborhood, it’s virtually impossible for your home to never get hit again. That’s not because you did anything wrong. The whole point of a swarm is to pair off and start new colonies. Ask any old-timer in St. Pete, and they’ll tell you about sitting on the porch watching clouds of termites go by on certain days. Same treatment, same result Tent a house and leave nothing behind, and you’re signing up for that cycle over and over. You know the old line about doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Now, fumigation is sometimes the right call, and sometimes there’s no other option. When that’s the case, I’ll tell you plainly. But in most homes, we treat the wood itself with something that stays. The borate we use soaks into the wood, and its label says that once it’s in, it won’t move back out as long as it’s kept away from moving water, and it doesn’t break down. So it’s still there swarm after swarm. They fly in, take a bite, and that’s it for them. Want to see how this fits with everything else? Here’s every termite treatment option, explained straight, or read how we handle drywood termite treatment without a tent. If you have a question about this or anything else, give us a call at 727-462-0400, or text us at 727-458-7900. As long as GOD keeps making them, we’ll keep killing them. You have a great day.The post Why Do Termites Come Back After Tenting? first appeared on Cobys Tentless Termite and Pest Control.

Today’s question: how do termite bait stations actually work, and what do we do with them? A bait station usually starts life as a monitoring station. You take a piece of wood, or any cellulose, put it in a small plastic tube, and bury it in the ground around the house. Here’s why that spot matters: termites do most of their foraging in the top foot or so of soil. Think about a tree falling in the woods. It lands on top of the ground, not buried underneath it, so that’s where termites go looking for wood. Can they go deeper? Sure. Do they normally? No, not unless it’s too cold up top. Once a station shows activity, the wood gets swapped out for actual termite bait. The termites keep feeding in that spot, carry the bait back, and it takes down the colony. One thing most people don’t know: bait stations are for subterranean termites, the ones that live in the ground. Drywood termites live inside the wood and never come down to the soil, so a station in the yard will never see them. Why we don’t stop at bait stations When termite baits first came out, I was thrilled. They worked so much better than the termiticides we had back then. But there was a real gap. Stations usually go in 10 to 20 feet apart around the house, and a colony can work the ground in between without ever finding one, doing real damage before it gets caught. So we do it a bit differently. We dig a small trench, four to six inches wide and deep, around the perimeter of the home, and put a liquid termiticide in before we backfill it. We use two different termiticides at once, to cover as much ground as possible and kill the whole colony. We still monitor We don’t skip the monitoring piece either. We still put stations in, sometimes with an active bait in them, and we come back every few months to check. If we find activity, we boost that specific area, because it tells us there’s more termite pressure there. That doesn’t mean termites are in your house. It means we caught it early enough to keep it that way. Is monitoring strictly necessary if nothing’s in the house? Probably not. But it’s how we catch pressure before it ever becomes a problem, instead of finding out the hard way. Want to see how this fits with everything else? Here’s every termite treatment option, explained straight. Or read about subterranean termite treatment in Clearwater, or what yearly termite protection actually costs. If you have a question about this or anything else, give us a call at 727-462-0400, or text us at 727-458-7900. As long as GOD keeps making them, we’ll keep killing them. You have a great day.The post How Do Termite Bait Stations Actually Work? first appeared on Cobys Tentless Termite and Pest Control.

Subterranean termites live in huge colonies in the ground and move fast. Drywood colonies start small, grow slow and multiply. Here's the difference.

Somebody finds a little pile of something under a window sill, sweeps it up, and it’s back two days later. That’s the question I get more than almost any other. Here’s what termite droppings really look like, why the color fools people, and the one sign that actually matters. If I just told you they’re small six-sided pellets you’d need a microscope to really see, that wouldn’t help you at all. So here’s the more useful version. Usually, you’ll notice a small pile of pellets that keeps getting bigger over time. It can look like coffee grounds, sawdust, sometimes even sand. Brush it away, and it comes back. Sometimes you can actually watch it happen in real time, a single pellet kicks out from wherever the termites are feeding, then another, then another. They’re doing that because they need more room. Once they’ve eaten the wood and pulled out whatever moisture they can, the leftover gets pushed out to make space. Some folks call these kickout holes, since that’s exactly what’s happening. Termite droppings, termite pellets, termite poop, all the same thing. Why color doesn’t tell you much Here’s something that surprised me over the years. I originally assumed the pellets would match the color of the wood being eaten. Makes sense on paper. But I’ve seen black pellets in a pine or fir frame home, which is a blonde wood, not dark at all. I’ve even seen purple pellets. The color can run salt-and-pepper, blonde, dark, black, purple, red, and it doesn’t reliably tell you whether the pellets are new or old, or even always which wood they came from. Sometimes it’s obvious. Often it’s not. What actually matters is simpler: if you clean it up and it comes back, that’s your sign. Give us a call, or if you’ve got any other question at all, we’re happy to help. Our number is 727-462-0400, or you can text us at 727-458-7900. And always remember, as long as GOD keeps making them, we’ll keep killing them. You have a great day. Want to see pictures of what to look for? Here’s our full page on termite droppings and signs.The post What Do Termite Droppings Actually Look Like? first appeared on Cobys Tentless Termite and Pest Control.

How long does a tentless termite treatment actually last? Coby McConnell explains why the honest answer might be "the world may never know," and why that's actually good news. The borate products used soak into the wood and stay there permanently, while transfer products have real field data showing 95-97% effectiveness over 15 years of testing. Plus, what the yearly warranty actually protects, and why "if the bugs come back, so do we" backs it all up.

Keeping Your Furry Family Safe: What “Pet-Friendly” Really Means in Florida Pest Control Howdy, folks! Coby McConnell here from Coby’s Tentless Termite and Pest Control. If you’ve lived in Tampa or Clearwater for more than five minutes, you know that Florida bugs aren’t just “pests”—they’re practically uninvited roommates. But when you’ve got four-legged family members running around, the last thing you want is to trade a roach problem for a safety problem. I get asked all the time: “Coby, is this stuff going to hurt my dog?” or “Do I have to board my cat just to get rid of these ants?” Listen, I’ve been in this business since 1986, and I’m a family man myself. I believe you shouldn’t have to choose between a bug-free home and a healthy pet. Here is what actually makes pest control “pet-friendly” in my book. The Power of “Tentless” The biggest game-changer for pet owners is tentless termite treatment. In the old days, we’d throw a giant striped bag over your house and pump it full of gas. You’d have to pack up your bags, find a pet-friendly hotel, and cross your fingers that your goldfish made it. With our tentless methods, we use targeted, localized treatments. We go right to where the “wood-chewing varmints” live. Your pets don’t have to leave, you don’t have to bag up your food, and there’s no poisonous cloud lingering in your upholstery. It’s safer, simpler, and a whole lot less stressful for your nervous labradoodle. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) We don’t just walk in and start “spraying and praying.” We practice Integrated Pest Management. This is a fancy way of saying we use our brains before our spray cans. Inspections first: We find out why the bugs are there. Mechanical fixes: Sometimes, sealing a gap the size of a #2 pencil does more than a gallon of chemical. Targeted application: We apply products in cracks, crevices, and wall voids—places your pets’ paws and tongues can’t reach. Smart Product Selection Science has come a long way since the 80s. We use modern products designed to be tough on a bug’s nervous system but have low mammalian toxicity. We also utilize: Bait Stations: For ants or rodents, we use tamper-resistant stations. These keep the “goodies” locked away so curious noses can’t get to them. Residual Barriers: We create a shield around the exterior of your home to stop the bugs before they ever meet your cat. Coby’s Pro-Tips for Pet Owners Even with the safest professional service, there are a few things you can do to help us out: The “Dry” Rule: If we do a liquid application, keep your pets out of the area until it is 100% dry (usually about an hour or two). Once it’s dry, it’s bound to the surface and won’t hitch a ride on their fur. Pick Up the Toys: Before your “Bugman” arrives, toss the chew toys and water bowls into a drawer or the sink. Seal the Buffet: Keep that kibble in airtight plastic containers. Roaches love a dog bowl left out overnight just as much as Fido does! My Promise to You At the end of the day, my motto is: As long as God keeps makin’ em, we keep killin’ em! But we’re going to do it in a way that keeps your home a sanctuary, not a hazard zone. If you aren’t 100% happy with how we treat your home and your pets, I’ll make it right or you don’t pay a penny. That’s the Coby guarantee. Got a question about a specific critter? Give me a call at 727-462-0400. I’m always happy to talk shop! The post Keeping Your Furry Family Safe: What “Pet-Friendly” Really Means in Florida Pest Control first appeared on Cobys Tentless Termite and Pest Control.

Hear Mice In Your Walls?, Here’s What To Do In Tampa & Clearwater Hey there, folks! Coby McConnell here from Coby’s Pest Control. If you’re sitting in your living room in Tampa or Clearwater, trying to enjoy a quiet evening, and you start hearing scritch-scratch, scritch-scratch inside your walls… well, your stomach probably just did a backflip. I get it. It’s a creepy feeling. But before you go buying every trap at the hardware store, let’s talk about what’s actually happening and how we handle it down here in Florida. Identify the Sound (and the “Roommate”) Mice aren’t just noisy; they’re busy. If you hear scratching, clicking, or what sounds like tiny footsteps, you’ve likely got a visitor. Night Owls: Mice are nocturnal. If the noise starts right as the sun goes down, that’s a classic sign. The “Vibe”: If it sounds like a heavy dragging or a loud thumping, you might actually be looking at a squirrel or a raccoon. Mice are light and fast. Don’t Just Trap—Inspect The biggest mistake people make is putting a trap under the kitchen sink and calling it a day. A mouse in your wall is like a leak in your roof; you have to find out how they got in. Down here in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, our houses have plenty of “mouse highways.” I’m talking about: A/C Line Sets: That copper pipe going into your house? If the foam is gone, that’s a front door for a mouse. Weep Holes: Those little gaps in your brick are necessary for ventilation, but they’re also mouse-sized portals. Roof Lines: Mice are surprisingly good climbers. They’ll run up an oak tree and hop right onto your shingles. The “Coby” Strategy: Seal, Then Deal You can catch mice all day long, but if you don’t “build them out,” more will just follow the scent trail of the last guy. Exclusion is King: We use steel wool and professional-grade sealants. Mice can chew through plastic, wood, and even some thin metals, but they hate chewing on steel. Snap Traps vs. Bait: In the walls, we prefer a strategic approach. You don’t want a mouse dying deep in a wall void where you can’t get to it—that’s a smell you won’t forget for a month. We focus on trapping them where they come out to look for food. Why You Can’t Wait I’m not trying to scare you, but mice in Florida aren’t just a nuisance; they’re a hazard. They love to chew on electrical wiring. That’s a fire risk we don’t take lightly. Plus, they’re leaving “messages” (droppings and urine) everywhere they go, which can mess with your indoor air quality. Pro-Tip from Coby: If you see one mouse, there are likely five or six more you don’t see. They’re social creatures, and they breed faster than a Tampa summer humidifies. What should you do right now? Clear the perimeter: Move woodpiles or heavy brush away from your foundation. Clean the pantry: Put your cereals and snacks in hard plastic containers. If they can’t smell food, they’re less likely to stay. Give us a holler: We’ve been crawling under houses and in attics around here for years. We know exactly where these critters hide. If you’re tired of sharing your home with uninvited guests, just let me know. We’ll get them out and, more importantly, keep them out.The post Hear Mice In Your Walls?, Here’s What To Do In Tampa & Clearwater first appeared on Cobys Tentless Termite and Pest Control.

Want ‘Em Gone Fast? How We Knock Out Pests in Tampa and Clearwater Listen, I get it. Nobody wakes up in Clearwater or Tampa and thinks, “I’d love to share my morning coffee with a German cockroach.” When you see a pest, you don’t want a “phased transition plan”—you want them gone yesterday. At Coby’s Tentless Termite and Pest Control, we’ve seen it all. From subterranean termites trying to eat your investment to those big “Palmetto bugs” that think they own the place. If you’re looking to move fast, here is how we handle business down here in the Florida humidity. Stop the “All-You-Can-Eat” Buffet Florida pests are like tourists; they’re here for the snacks and the water. If you want them out fast, you have to cut off the supply line. Dry it up: Fix that leaky faucet under the sink. In our heat, a tiny drip is a watering hole for an entire colony. Seal the snacks: Don’t just fold over the cereal bag. Use airtight containers. If they can smell it, they’ll find it. The “No Vacancy” Approach (Exclusion) You can spray all day, but if there’s a “Welcome” sign in the form of a gap under your door or a tear in your window screen, they’ll just keep coming. Check your sweeps: If you can see daylight under your front door, a roach sees a highway. Seal the penetrations: Check where the pipes come through the walls under your sinks. A little bit of expanding foam or caulk goes a long way. Why “DIY” Usually Means “Do It Again” I see folks at the big-box stores loading up on bug bombs and generic sprays. Here’s the truth: most of those “bombs” just scatter the pests deeper into your walls. You might see a few dead ones on the floor, but the survivors are now hiding where you can’t reach them. To get rid of them fast and for good, you need a targeted strike, not a blind blast. The Coby’s Difference: The Tentless Advantage Most people think “fast” means “put a giant striped tent over my house and move out for three days.” Not with us. We specialize in tentless treatments. Why? Because it’s faster for your life. No moving out: You don’t have to pack up the kids, the pets, and the medicine cabinet. No roof damage: We aren’t walking all over your tiles or shingles. Precision: We put the treatment exactly where the bugs live and breed. The Bottom Line If you’ve got an infestation in Pinellas or Hillsborough County, don’t wait until it becomes a “family of five” situation. Speed comes from professional-grade products and the localized knowledge of how Florida bugs behave in our specific climate. Don’t live with ’em. Just call Coby’s.The post Want ‘Em Gone Fast? How We Knock Out Pests in Tampa and Clearwater first appeared on Cobys Tentless Termite and Pest Control.

Why We’re the Only Call You Need to Make for Pest Control in Tampa and Clearwater Listen, I get it. Nobody wants to call an exterminator. If you’re looking for one, it’s usually because something is crawling, biting, or chewing on your home—your biggest investment. You’re probably frustrated, maybe a little creeped out, and you just want the problem gone. If you need pest control in Clearwater, that’s what we do. I’m Coby McConnell, and I’ve spent my life figuring out how to protect Florida homes from the critters that think they own the place. People ask me all the time, “Coby, why should I go with you instead of one of those big national chains?” It’s simple: We live here, we work here, and we treat your home like it’s my own mama’s house. We Know the “Florida Factor” If you live in Tampa or Clearwater, you know we aren’t just dealing with a few ants. We’ve got subterranean termites that can eat you out of house and home, roaches the size of standard-issue sedans, and mosquitoes that act like they pay rent. The big guys use a “one-size-fits-all” approach they cooked up in an office in another state. At Coby’s Pest Control, we know the specific movements of pests in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. We know how the humidity affects treatments and exactly where those sugar ants like to hide when the summer rains start. Science Over Guesswork I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to the science of entomology. We don’t just come out and spray “death juice” everywhere and hope for the best. Targeted Treatments: We find the source. If you don’t kill the queen or find the nest, you’re just putting a band-aid on a bullet wound. Environmentally Minded: I’ve got kids and pets, and I bet you do too. We use the smartest, lowest-impact methods possible to get the job done without turning your living room into a hazmat zone. The “Coby Guarantee”: If the bugs come back, so do we. Period. No Contracts, No Gimmicks, Just Results I’ve heard the horror stories of folks getting locked into three-year contracts they can’t get out of. That’s not how I do business. I believe if I do a great job, you’ll want me back. I don’t need a legal document to keep your business; I just need to keep your kitchen ant-free.  The post Why We’re the Only Call You Need to Make for Pest Control in Tampa and Clearwater first appeared on Cobys Tentless Termite and Pest Control.