When it comes to protecting homes in Florida from pest and wildlife issues, properly constructed patio screens,
periodic lanai screen repair, and well planned pool cage enclosures are an important part of the process.
Consequently, we offer extensive patio, pool and
lanai rescreening, maintenance and installation services - all of which go hand in hand with our integrated
services, but can also be applied
whether you have a wildlife problem - or not.
To help you understand lanai screens better, and their importance with respect to Florida homes, we have prepared
a FAQ and
an extensive amount of information on the topic, including the purpose behind screened in enclosures, how to make
the right choices for your specific home and how our services can help.
We can assist you with all of your pool enclosure, lanai rescreening and patio screen requirements -
repairs, installation, additional screening, and, of course, wildlife and pest proofing for your lanai.
We can also help you with general lanai and pool cage maintenance requirements,
including touch-up removal of hard to reach cobwebs,
spider webs, as well as, dusting and cleaning the enclosure.
We have 32' poles to get to those really tough areas without the use of tall
ladders and chemicals in most cases.
Our service costs much less than buying the materials yourself and cleaning your own lanai.
Our other wildlife prevention and exclusion methods can help you
keep pests and nuisance wildlife such as worms, lizards,
and squirrels out of your entire home, not just your lanai.
The Benefits Of Screen Enclosures
When a visitor comes to Florida for the first time, it is highly possible they will wonder why so many
homes in the area have screened in patios and/or big "cages" built around their pools.
Actually, there are some
very good reasons we recommend them, and why most Florida homeowners wouldn't have it any other way ...
Lanai screens help block the sun, and keep the patio and connecting home cooler.
Screens can be used to help protect gardens and nurseries.
Enclosures give homeowners an opportunity to open their
doors to the outside without being bothered by wildlife and flying insects.
Pool cages help keep dirt and blowing debris out of the pool.
Screened In Pool Cage Attached To A Home On A Cape Coral Canal
Screens act as a barrier against nuisance wildlife and other annoying intruders, such as frogs,
geckos and brown anoles -
keeping them out of the home and away from the pool.
A Cape Coral Brown Anole's Efforts Thwarted By Quality Lanai Screening
When properly planned and installed, screened in patios and pools can help protect
your property from most bugs and wildlife including
...
No-see-ums, also known as sandflies, punkies, or biting midges.
Mosquitos (there are currently over 80 species in Florida).
Palmetto bugs, roaches, flies, bees, worms, spiders and ants.
Lizards, iguanas, birds, squirrels, raccoons, rats and alligators.
No-see-um On Flower To Illustrate Small Size Screening Requirements
Lanai screens come with many benefits, but they are beneficial only as long as they are
kept in good condition.
Animals, insects, sun, wind, and the Florida environment in general can
put any screen to the test.
Bugs, lizards and other intruders will quickly take advantage of holes and
other areas where screens have become weak and vulnerable.
Lizard Taking Advantage Of A Hole In The Lanai Screen
In order to protect your home,
it is important to keep your lanai properly maintained,
including quickly completing any repairs, keeping the area clean and rescreening the enclosure as needed.
Tears will quickly become holes if not checked and repaired often.
We can help you inspect your screen for tears and vulnerabilities, and make whatever repairs may be necessary.
Screen Vulnerabilities
It can be a daunting task to keep lanai screens in "working order" -
clean, effective and free of holes and tears.
Florida's
intense sunshine, hail, tropical storm winds, and salty, humid, ocean air
can really play havoc with the expected life span of a screen. For instance,
aluminum screens, which can oxidize in an ocean environment,
will last much longer in Kansas, than they will in Florida.
Pets love to run into screens and will not hesitate to
scratch away to let their owners know they want inside (or out).
Before you know it your screen
has holes in it, that is if it has not been torn away from the frame already.
The destructive nature of wildlife can also take its toll on a screen. Squirrels can chew right through
many kinds of screens, bird waste will erode and weaken certain screen materials,
and animals such as raccoons can
tear them wide open.
With all these challenges in play, even under the best of circumstances, periodic rescreening of lanais
will be necessary. However,
proper selection, installation and maintenance,
will help extend the life of your screen in spite of the many challenges Florida has to throw at it.
The Wildlife Whisperer, Inc., can help you with every step along the way.
Choosing What Kinds Of Screens To Use
There are several options when it comes to what kind of
lanai screen materials or design to use for your particular enclosed area.
Some screens focus on the Florida climate and are designed to help stand up to the relentless heat, wind,
salt, humidity and sun that are characteristic to the region.
Many lanais in Florida have no-see-um screening around their enclosures to help keep the respective biting,
annoying gnat at bay.
Screen Designed To Keep Small Biting Insects Out Of The Lanai
Others screens focus mainly on being stronger or longer lasting than their competitors.
And some screens promote visibility and beauty as their assets.
For the most part, no screen "has it all", for instance, fiberglass screens are inexpensive and
easy to install, but they stretch and tear easily and can quickly become brittle. Aluminum is stronger but
more expensive and harder to install. It can also be quick to oxidize in Florida's challenging environment.
Solar screens help keep out the sun and reduce temperatures a bit, but they also distort visibility.
Specialty screens such as pet resistant screens, Florida glass, SuperScreen, BetterVue and scenic screens
featuring artwork are also options to add to the list.
As wildlife control professionals we are always looking for materials that will not only keep insects out,
but animals as well. This usually involves combining two screens, one to keep out the smallest of insects,
and another strong enough to keep out nuisance wildlife too.
Lizard Small Enough To Make It Thru One Screen But Not The Other
What materials can be used where, will depend on various construction styles and code limitations in your particular
community.
When choosing what kind of screens to use, the first thing you will want to do
is look at everything you want to accomplish,
i.e., protection from the sun, protection from bugs, protection from wildlife.
Next, consider your budget, and adjust accordingly.
Third, factor in various code and
construction limitations, and adjust accordingly again if needed.
And last but not least, combine
everything together into just the right plan for your specific situation.
This might all seem a bit intimidating at first, but not to worry, our
rescreening professionals can fill you in on your options, present you with the
pros and cons of each, and help you with your choices every step along the way.
To help make the process easier for you, we have also prepared a Rescreening FAQ
with Ned Bruha providing
answers to many of the common questions he receives from prospective clients.
When making recommendations,
we look at the screening project from the wildlife and pests' point of view.
What would a squirrel most likely take
advantage of ... a lizard, a snake, etc.
We know wildlife, and that will give you one up when it comes to keeping pests and other intruders
out.
Our ability to install, screen and rescreen a lanai, entry or pool cage from this perspective as well,
is one of the things that
sets us apart from companies that do nothing but screens.
We know wildlife, we know screens, and we can help you with all of
your installation, repair and rescreening needs - from beginning to end.
Screening FAQ
Ned Bruha answers your questions about choosing screening materials, maintenance,
rescreening your lanai, and how our services can help.
I want to keep wildlife out of my,
lanai, what are my various options,
and what do you recommend?
Each situation is going to be different. There are barriers we can install
in front of the lanai to protect the screen without even touching the existing screen,
that in most cases, will protect your screening investment
Adding 1/2" mesh or Florida glass at the bottom and having
us eliminate other methods for wildlife to attack from above is another
method to stop animals from destroying lanai screens.
A low voltage line, or "hot wire" can also be placed in front of the screen, and can
be helpful in some cases - depending on the intruder in question.
Is there an affordable way to
screen my porch that will help
keep wildlife out ... including
raccoons, iguanas and lizards?
Yes. The long term, least expensive way to wildlife and insect proof a lanai screen is to utilize
1/2" mesh on the exterior of the smaller screen.
This will protect the screen on the exterior side from larger animals, as well as,
from flying debris that can damage the screen. If the screen is ripped from the interior,
simply replacing the screen is all that is needed.
Money is no object, what is
your top of the line plan?
If money was no object and you wanted to keep pests such as no-see-ums out and
keep wildlife from destroying your lanai screens, I suggest a plan that involves
installing something like a no-see-um screen to stop small biting insects, then outside that,
either Tiger Wire or 1/2"
mesh around the bottom, and last but not least, an outside pre-barrier
to catch the intruder before it even gets to touch the Tiger Wire or no-see-um screen on the inside.
You will also want to have us inspect the area in general to be certain that raccoons and
other animals cannot climb the trees, gutters or other exterior features around your home, where they can access the
roof and attack the screen from above.
Our Services Consider Wildlife's Ability To Enter From Above
My pet has been scratching and
tearing my screen, what can I
do to prevent that?
The stronger screens we use to help keep wildlife out, the screens with the 1/2" mesh and
associated framework, can also be used to discourage pets and the damage they can cause.
Some screens, such as Tiger Wire offer products built
specifically to stand up against the challenges presented by
pets and small critters.
Are brand names important when choosing a screen?
Quality and longevity are more important than brand names.
One homeowner may have had a great experience with a lower grade brand name of screen,
whereas when used for your specific needs, may be a total waste of your money.
Our rescreening professionals know which brands and products will be best for your situation in most cases.
Why should I choose you, The Wildlife Whisperer, Inc.
instead of a company that
specializes in screening?
Because our knowledge goes way beyond screening projects.
Screening companies take care of screens, but most know little about the
challenges pests and wildlife can present to those projects.
It's no surprise the Wildlife Whisperer, Inc.
makes a living off of screening companies, roofers,
builders, handymen and contractors who simply do
not take wildlife into consideration when going about their projects.
We know wildlife, we
get wildlife and pests out, and keep them out for a living - all day, every day.
And that is what makes us stand out from the rest. We know both and we'll repair or install
your screens accordingly.
We look at the building and your screening project from the wildlife and pests' point of view.
We have decades of experience behind us via thousands of commercial and residential properties
where animals and insects got into the living and working areas in places most people do
not even think to look. In other words, we look not only at your screening but the entire building and property.
Your screened in enclosure is a main artery allowing direct access into your home,
so protecting it from all angles is a must - and that is something we know how to do very well.
Can you help me with
preventative measures in
other areas around my house?
Having your lanai rescreened without the rest of your home being wildlife and pest proofed is false security,
similar to only closing your front door half way and expecting to keep everything out of your home.
If there is something attracting wildlife and pests, we can address that along with other building access points.
Proactive steps taken now can often save a lot of damage, expense and heartache later.
Do you charge to come out
and give me an estimate?
In many cases, we do not charge for rescreening project quotes. Other, more detailed
projects involving wildlife and pest proofing might have an inspection fee
that may be applied towards the fully accepted quote -
as long as the job is started within a set period of time.
Humane wildlife control, pest control and prevention, done right the 1st time.
Please help support our friends at
Wild Heart Ranch - a 501(c)(3)
wildlife rehabilitation facility. Even the smallest of donations
can help save an animal's life. You can donate above or visit
WildHeartRanch.org to learn more.
Cape Coral, Fort Myers & Pine Island
Sanibel Island, Captiva, Boca Grande and
surrounding areas in Southwest Florida
Mobile Response #: 239-900-6411 1242 SW Pine Island Rd., Suite 310 Cape Coral, Florida 33991-2126 help@totalwildlifecontrol.com
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