For the individual awards, WellTech Pest Solutions’ Vice President of Account Management and Marketing is also a finalist. Matteson joined WellTech Pest Solutions in 2019 as a technician. He now has a portion of ownership of WellTech with founders Jay Wells (President) and John Wells (VP of Client Services).
WellTech is in good company with property managers and management companies whom are also in the running for the Gold Medallion Award.
WellTech, a proud member of BAAA, would like to thank those multifamily managers who nominated us for this prestigious award.
WellTech Pest Solutions, LLC exclusively serves property managers and leasing agents to management pest control, wildlife and special services at multifamily properties. WellTech uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to best serve each multifamily lifestyle. The Bay Area coverage for these services include multifamily housing in the Florida counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota.
Recent rainfall totals may have re-ignited new termite colonies
The phrase “When it rains, it pours” took on a new, more sinister meaning for Tampa Bay residents in 2024, as a series of devastating hurricanes—Debby, Helene, and Milton—brought not only historic flooding but also a creeping, silent threat: an unprecedented surge in termite activity. The combination of saturated soil and water-damaged homes created a perfect storm for these destructive pests, and their presence has continued to be a major concern well into 2025.
In the aftermath of these storms, flooded properties became like an open invitation to termites. The water-damaged structures, once solid and secure, were transformed into an all-you-can-eat buffet of soggy wood. Our technicians, performing inspections on these compromised properties, reported a significant increase in termite presence, with an early and alarming development of new colonies being observed as early as February 2025.
Although the early part of 2025 was a drier period, the recent shift in weather patterns has brought a renewed concern. The typical summer heat and humidity, combined with recent substantial rainfall from thunderstorms and tropical activity, are now stirring up the termites that had been less active over the past few months. These conditions are exactly what subterranean termites need to thrive and swarm.
Recent data highlights this renewed moisture threat. Just in the last 24 hours, significant rainfall has been recorded across the region in the RainDrop app and website (raindrop.farm):
Town and Country: 1.70 inches
Jasmine Estates: 1.78 inches
Greater Northdale: 2.03 inches
Whitfield: 2.06 inches
Wesley Chapel: 2.12 inches
Tallevast Road: 2.26 inches
Parrish: 2.39 inches
Land O’Lakes: 2.51 inches
South of Lake Parrish: 2.52 inches
Fruitville: 2.58 inches
Lutz: 2.91 inches
These rainfall totals, though seemingly small compared to the historic hurricanes of 2024, are more than enough to reactivate termite colonies and provide them with the necessary moisture to expand and seek out new food sources.
For multifamily property managers, the lesson from the 2024 hurricanes and the subsequent termite boom is clear: the threat doesn’t end when the floodwaters recede. The long-term effects of water damage and sustained moisture create a high-risk environment for termite infestations. As we move through the rest of 2025, vigilance is key. Regular inspections and prompt action are essential to protect properties from the hidden, but highly destructive, consequences of a season defined by water.
WellTech Pest Solutions offers termite inspections, termite bonds and termite service plans for multifamily properties. WellTech provides both pest control and wildlife management services, too. Find out why WellTech professionals are experts in multifamily by contacting WellTech Pest.
Florida is home to a diverse array of 13 bat species, each with unique characteristics and ecological roles. The Mexican free-tailed bat is perhaps the most well-known, often forming massive colonies and playing a significant role in controlling insect populations, including agricultural pests. Another important species is the evening bat, which is smaller and often roosts in trees, making it a key predator of moths, beetles, and other flying insects. The southeastern myotis is a water-loving bat, frequently found near caves and bodies of water where it forages for insects just above the surface. A particularly rare and critically endangered species is the Florida bonneted bat, the state’s largest bat, distinguished by its large ears and a powerful echolocation call that can be heard by humans. These bats are crucial for a healthy ecosystem, and their presence is a good indicator of environmental health.
Bat Removal and Bat Exclusion
When bats take up residence in apartments or multi-family properties, it’s crucial to handle the situation using humane and legal methods. Bat removal is not about extermination; it’s a specialized process called bat exclusion. The first step for a professional bat exclusion company is a thorough inspection to identify all potential entry points. These can be surprisingly small, as bats can squeeze through gaps as tiny as 3/8 of an inch, such as cracks in the fascia, gaps around vents, or openings where utilities enter the building.
Once entry points are identified, the core of the process begins. The company installs one-way exclusion devices. These simple yet effective devices, often a cone or tube, are strategically placed over the main entry and exit points. They are designed to let bats fly out of the roost at night to hunt but prevent them from re-entering. This method ensures that the entire colony, including any adults that may be temporarily outside, can leave the structure voluntarily.
After all bats have successfully exited, typically a few days later, all entry points are sealed permanently. This includes patching up all identified gaps and cracks to prevent bats from re-entering in the future. It’s a long-term solution that protects both the bats and the property. Critically, this work is legally prohibited during maternity season, which in Florida is from April to August. This is to avoid trapping flightless baby bats, called pups, inside the structure, where they would starve without their mothers.
Welltech Pest Solutions, LLC, Solves Occupancy of Bats at Multifamily Properties
Choosing a professional bat removal service for multifamily properties may require a bit more research unless WellTech Pest Solutions is contacted. First, there needs to be verification that the company performing work is compliant with state and federal laws. Second, the services should state that removal and exclusion services are conducted humanely. Third, the service company should have experience in the handling wildlife management within the sensitivity of the multifamily environment.
Contact WellTech Pest Solutions, LLC, for bat removal and bat exclusion through special services and wildlife management
WellTech is exclusively multi-family and exclusively Florida in its approach to pests, special services and wildlife management. WellTech Pest Solutions, LLC, maintains compliance with state and federal laws in bat removal and bat exclusion services. WellTech ensures that bats are removed and excluded humanely. Finally, WellTech has experience in bat removal and bat exclusion services within the multifamily industry.
For a free quote, please contact WellTech.
WellTech Pest Solutions are proud members of the following organizations:
WellTech begins Humane and Legal Bat Exclusions for Florida Multifamily Properties on August 15th
As of tomorrow in two weeks, Welltech Pest Solutions will commence bat exclusion work in Florida, adhering strictly to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) guidelines. This is a critical service for multifamily properties, where bats can become an unwelcome nuisance, posing potential health risks and causing structural damage. However, due to bats’ protected status in Florida and their vital ecological role, their removal must be handled with care, precision, and strict adherence to legal mandates.
Exclusion is a non-lethal method that allows bats to exit a structure and prevents their re-entry. It is illegal to conduct bat exclusion from April 16th to August 14th. This period is designated as bat maternity season, during which female bats give birth and raise their young, called pups. Excluding bats during this time would trap flightless young inside the structure, leading to their death, which is a violation of state law.
For multifamily properties, the process of successful and legal bat exclusion involves several key steps:
1. Thorough Inspection and Identification of Entry Points: The first and most crucial step is a comprehensive inspection of the entire building exterior. Bats can squeeze through incredibly small openings, as little as 3/8 of an inch, making it imperative to identify all potential entry and exit points. This often involves looking for tell-tale signs such as brown staining from their body oils around crevices, and scattered bat guano (droppings) on the ground below. Evening observations around sunset are highly effective, as bats emerge from their roosts to forage. For larger properties, multiple teams or consecutive nights of observation may be necessary to pinpoint all active points.
2. Sealing All Non-Active Openings: Once the active entry/exit points are identified, all other potential access points on the building’s exterior must be sealed. This pre-emptive measure prevents bats from simply relocating to another part of the building once the exclusion devices are in place. Materials like caulk, flashing, screening, or heavy-duty mesh should be used. It’s vital not to use expandable foam, which can trap bats and degrade over time. Interior openings that connect potential roosting areas (like attics) to living spaces should also be sealed to prevent bats from entering occupied units.
3. Installation of One-Way Exclusion Devices: This is the core of the exclusion process. One-way devices, typically in the form of tubes or netting, are installed over the identified active entry and exit points. These devices are designed to allow bats to fly out of the structure but prevent them from re-entering. The specific type of device may vary depending on the nature of the opening, but common solutions include PVC pipes or flexible plastic tubing. The devices must be securely fastened to prevent dislodging.
4. Allowing Sufficient Time for Exclusion: FWC regulations mandate that exclusion devices must be left in place for a minimum of four consecutive nights when the overnight temperature is forecast to be at least 50°F. This timeframe allows all bats, especially those that might be less active due to weather or individual behavior, to exit the roost. If the weather turns cold or rainy, the exclusion period must be extended, as bats tend not to forage in adverse conditions. Continuous monitoring ensures the devices remain effective and no bats are still exiting.
5. Permanent Sealing of Entry Points: Once all bats have successfully exited the property through the one-way devices, these devices are removed, and the openings are permanently sealed. This final step is critical to prevent future re-infestations. Durable, weather-resistant materials should be used for sealing.
6. Post-Exclusion Cleanup and Monitoring: After successful exclusion, a thorough cleanup of bat guano and urine is often necessary, especially in attics, as it can accumulate and create unsanitary conditions. Regular follow-up checks are also recommended to ensure no new entry points have developed and the exclusion remains effective.
By contacting WellTech Pest Solutions for their bat exclusions, multifamily property managers in Florida can ensure a humane and legal resolution to bat infestations.
WellTech Pest Solutions Encounter Aggressive Paper Wasps
Recently, we discovered a potentially critical situation at a Tampa multifamily property. This multifamily apartment building had a growing paper wasp nest on the exterior above the window. The sheer size of this nest was at a dangerous level with the number of paper wasps inside. These wasps are extremely aggressive when stirred.
In this video, Austin Matteson was on property to assist the crew on how best to approach this massive nest. Doug Bacon, our operations manager, voices this short video clip, describing the severity of this colony of paper wasps on a multifamily property. WellTech Pest Solutions successfully sprayed chemicals and removed the nest.
The Wildlife and Special Services department handles these stinging insect situations on multifamily properties. Find out more by clicking here. Each situation is different which is why we are WellTech Pest “Solutions”. This was an unusually large nest that required extra protection and safety.
