Coby's Pest Control & Tentless Termite Podcast

Coby's Pest Control & Tentless Termite Podcast
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  • Home & Garden
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Tips for a pest free home in Palm Harbor, Clearwater and Tampa, FL with Coby McConnell

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Why Do Termites Come Back After Tenting?

    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 Coby's Tentless Termite & Pest Control.

  2. Oct 2

    What's the Actual Difference Between Drywood and Subterranean Termites?

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

  3. Sep 26

    What Do Termite Droppings Actually Look Like?

    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 Coby's Tentless Termite & Pest Control.

  4. Sep 13

    How Long Does Tentless Termite Treatment Last?

    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.

  5. Mar 18

    Keeping Your Furry Family Safe: What “Pet-Friendly” Really Means in Florida Pest Control

    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 Coby's Tentless Termite & Pest Control.

  6. Mar 7

    Hear Mice In Your Walls?, Here’s What To Do In Tampa & Clearwater

    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 Coby's Tentless Termite & Pest Control.

  7. Feb 26

    Want ‘Em Gone Fast? How We Knock Out Pests in Tampa and Clearwater

    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 Coby's Tentless Termite & Pest Control.

  8. Feb 18

    Why We’re the Only Call You Need to Make for Pest Control in Tampa and Clearwater

    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 Coby's Tentless Termite & Pest Control.

  9. Jan 26

    So, You’ve Got a “Florida Woodsman” in Your Kitchen: A Message from Coby

    Listen, I’m going to be straight with you—seeing a cockroach scuttle across your tile at 2:00 AM is enough to make anyone want to pack up and move back to Ohio. But before you start looking at real estate listings, take a breath. I’m Coby McConnell, and down here in Clearwater, dealing with roaches is practically a local pastime. In Florida, it’s not a matter of if you’ll see a bug; it’s a matter of what you do once the meeting happens. Here is my “No-Nonsense Guide” to reclaimed territory in your own home. 1. Identify the Enemy Not all roaches are created equal. In our neck of the woods, we usually deal with two main types: The “Palmetto Bug” (American Cockroach): These guys are big, they fly (usually right at your face), and they mostly come in from the outside looking for water. They’re scary, but they aren’t usually looking to move in permanently. The German Cockroach: These are the small, light brown ones with two dark stripes. If you see one of these, call me immediately. They breed faster than you can keep up with, and they love your kitchen cabinets. +1 2. Don’t Reach for the “Bug Bomb” I see it all the time. People go to the big-box store, buy a dozen foggers, and set them off. All that does is push the roaches deeper into your walls or behind your baseboards. It’s like trying to put out a campfire by throwing sand at the smoke—it doesn’t hit the source. 3. The “Coby Clean” Checklist Roaches are simple creatures. They want three things: food, water, and a place to hide. If you take those away, you make your home a lot less “vacation-friendly.” Dry it out: Fix that leaky pipe under the sink. Roaches can live a month without food, but they won’t last a week without water. Seal the snacks: Put your cereal, flour, and pet food in airtight plastic containers. Cardboard boxes are basically a roach buffet and a nursery all in one. +1 Mind the gaps: Grab a tube of caulk and hit the cracks around your plumbing and baseboards. 4. Know When to Call a Pro If you see a roach during the day, or if you find “pepper flakes” (roach droppings) in your drawers, you’ve likely got an infestation that a can of Raid isn’t going to fix. At Coby’s Tentless Termite and Pest Control, we don’t believe in making you move out of your house just to get rid of some unwanted guests. We use targeted treatments that get to the heart of the colony without the hassle of a circus tent over your roof. The Bottom Line: Don’t be embarrassed. We live in a swamp; bugs happen. The difference between a “one-off visitor” and a “full-blown roommate” is how fast you take action. Stay dry, stay vigilant, and keep your shoes handy. The post So, You’ve Got a “Florida Woodsman” in Your Kitchen: A Message from Coby first appeared on Coby's Tentless Termite & Pest Control.

  10. Jan 19

    Don’t Panic, But Don’t Wait: A Clearwater Homeowner’s Guide to Termites

    Listen, I get it. You’re sweeping the floors in your Clearwater home, you move a side table, and you see it: a little pile of what looks like sawdust, or maybe a few discarded insect wings on the windowsill. Your stomach drops. You start thinking about your mortgage, your equity, and the terrifying image of a giant striped tent draped over your house for three days. First things first: Take a deep breath. Finding signs of termites isn’t a death sentence for your home, but it is a call to action. In Florida, it isn’t a matter of if you’ll deal with termites, it’s a matter of when. If you think those “silent destroyers” are snacking on your studs, here is exactly what you need to do. 1. Identify the Evidence (And Leave It Alone!) Before you grab the vacuum or a can of DIY spray, stop. I need to see what you’re seeing. There are two main culprits in our neck of the woods: Drywood Termites: These guys live inside your wood. They kick out “frass”—tiny, sand-like pellets that are actually their droppings. Subterranean Termites: These come from the ground. They build “mud tubes” (little dirt tunnels) up your foundation to stay moist while they travel to their buffet. +1 Pro Tip: If you find wings or pellets, don’t clean them up yet! Put a piece of tape over the area or snap a clear photo. Knowing exactly where they emerged helps me track them down much faster. 2. Skip the “Big Box” Solutions I see it all the time. A homeowner goes to the hardware store, buys a spray bottle, and douses the area. Here’s the problem: you might kill the ten termites you see, but you’re just signaling the other 100,000 to move three feet over to a different wall. You haven’t solved the problem; you’ve just made them harder for a professional to find. 3. Ask the Big Question: “To Tent or Not to Tent?” This is where I usually come in. For years, the industry standard was “tenting”—pumping your house full of gas. It works, but it’s a massive headache. You have to move out, pack up your medicine and food, kill your plants, and leave your home vulnerable to burglars. At Coby’s, I’m a big believer in tentless treatments. We use modern, localized technology to kill the colony right where it lives. It’s safer for your family, easier on your schedule, and just as effective when done by someone who knows Florida construction inside and out. 4. Look for the Source While you wait for an inspection, take a walk around your perimeter. Is mulch piled up against your siding? Do you have leaky gutters keeping the soil soggy near the foundation? Is there scrap wood or firewood leaning against the house? Eliminating these “termite highways” is the first step in making sure they don’t come back once we’ve cleared them out. Why Clearwater Homes are “At Risk” Our humidity is basically a spa day for termites. Between the Subterranean termites in our sandy soil and the Drywoods that fly in during swarming season, your home is constantly under pressure. Coby’s Rule of Thumb: If you see something, say something. A $0 inspection is a lot cheaper than a $10,000 structural repair. If you’re seeing wings, pellets, or “bubbling” paint that looks like water damage but feels crunchy—give me a call. We’ll get it sorted out without making you move out of your own house. Stay vigilant, Clearwater! The post Don’t Panic, But Don’t Wait: A Clearwater Homeowner’s Guide to Termites first appeared on Coby's Tentless Termite & Pest Control.

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Tips for a pest free home in Palm Harbor, Clearwater and Tampa, FL with Coby McConnell

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