Pest Control In Florida

Ants are a common problem for homeowners in Florida for various reasons. Ants are drawn to our homes as they offer a place to create shelter so they can hide from predators and build up their colony numbers. Ants also tend to like our homes as it can give them access to water sources or even food – yes, even human food. Closing gaps in your structure and tidying away food is essential to prevent an ant problem from getting any worse than it already is.

Ants can fit through the smallest gaps and holes in our properties, so it is extremely hard to fill every gap they might enter. Closing the obvious spots, though, is the first step to getting rid of an ant problem in Florida. With over 700 species of ant found in the USA alone, though, they are hard to determine without an inspection. Most ants, though, have a large posterior, a thin body, and then a large head. Most also have six legs, making them easy to tell apart from other pest problems.

Ants in Florida come in many forms, from the typical ghost ant to the bigheaded ant and the ‘crazy ants’ – both Caribbean and black forms are found in Florida. Florida carpenter ants and fire ants are the most dangerous; the former will damage your property as they, like termites, feast on structures, while the latter, the fire ant, can sting you multiple times and invoke painful allergic reactions.

Bed bugs are an annoyance in that they can bite you and leave you with painful bites on your body. These bites are the result of these parasites draining blood from your body. Bed bugs feed and survive on blood, so they love humans and have no problem biting us time and time again. To them, we are simply a source of food, as opposed to someone really annoying with their bites!

The problem with bed bugs in Florida is that they can be very hard to identify. Bed bugs can be easily identified by looking for something about the size of a grain of rice. Known by its official name, Cimex lectularius, the bed bug thrives by finding places to hide so it can then feed on those poor, unsuspecting sleeping humans.

Bed bugs impact around 1 in 5 people in Florida, making them among the most common pests on our list. To identify a bed bug, you are looking for something around the size of a grain of rice or an apple seed. They are wingless creatures that are usually quite oval-shaped. They are usually either translucent or a kind of rusty-red coloring. They are very flat in their body shape, too.

You can learn more about bed bugs by reading our comprehensive guide. If you have a bed bug problem in Florida, we are the best people to call. Our experts can be with you ASAP to remove the bed bugs as effectively as possible. With our team just one call away, you never need to worry about bed bugs infecting your home again – rest assured, we have you covered and the problem under control!

The humble bee is one of the more friendly pest problems you can have in Florida. Still, having a swarm of bees living in your home or around your property can be both noisy and a little risky. While bees are rarely an aggressive species, they can sting – and die – if they are threatened. Preventing bees from entering your home or business usually means getting rid of nests and filling up gaps.

Bees are a vital part of the natural world as they pollinate flowers and help to make nature work its magic. They can be easily spotted by their fuzzy bodies and their distinctive black and yellow stripes. Bees tend to look a little “fatter” than wasps (see below). While we do not recommend exterminating bees as they play a key role in the environment, a pest control expert can help you to reduce their numbers significantly.

Remember, though, that all major forms of bees found in Florida can sting if they feel like you are threatening them or their colony. If you hear anything buzzing around that is fuzzy-looking, black and yellow-striped, and flies around, then you likely have a bee problem. Honeybees are the most common form of bee found in Florida, including the Africanized honeybee.

Fleas are, in the grand scheme of things, a minor irritant for most people in Florida. However, ignoring a flea problem could become a serious issue for your family – especially for your pets. When allowed to fester, fleas can seriously impact the quality of life of our pets. They can irritate them, leading to significant scratching to try and ease the itching that comes from the presence of fleas. Fleas can infect more than just pets, though, so even those Floridians who do not have pets should be wary.

Fleas, like bed bugs, live on blood – either from humans or mammals. They can transmit dangerous illnesses if allowed to work their wicked way. They are usually around one-tenth of an inch in size, too, so good luck spotting one with the naked. Cycle through the fur of your pet, though, and you should see the fleas moving around. Reddish-brown in color, it is quite easy to mistake a flea for a bed bug due to their similar hue and size. Fleas, though, can jump large distances if allowed to move around.

Fleas typically make their way into our homes by transporting themselves in on the fur of an animal. However, they can even enter your home by using other pests like rats or other rodents like squirrels. Fleas breed at ridiculous levels, with the female flea creating hundreds of eggs alone. A few fleas, then, can soon turn into thousands if the problem is left unchecked.

Before you know it, they infest your carpets, upholstery, and bedding. They can cause us to feel extremely itchy, and in some cases, they can even lead to flea bites that cause allergic reactions. In more serious cases, you can end up with conditions like tapeworm, parasitic infections, or even typhus. Fleas can be wiped out in your home by using various treatments that an expert can recommend. Most of the time, they will be wiped out using chemical treatments and preventative measures.

While mistaking flies for our most common enemy, the bed bug, is not easy, we still want you to understand how prevalent flies are in the country. Flies are a buzzing annoyance, and while they rarely pose a threat to our quality of life, they are highly irritating to have around. They can spread around pathogens and bacterial issues, and while transmission is rare, they can become more of a threat to your pets and people in your family who might have compromised immune systems.

While a fly does not have the same fear factor as, say, a mosquito, it is still something to pay attention to. Flies in Florida come in many forms, from the common fruit fly to the horse fly, green bottle fly,humpback fly, and drain fly. Most flies range from around 0.5mm to around 2mm in size and usually have a similar presence in that they are winged creatures that are usually dark in color and have quite thick bodies.

While rare, flies can spread everything from typhoid to cholera and hepatitis when left to their own devices. While flies are individually unlikely to cause infection, large groups of flies can do so. Given how fast flies can breed, too, it does not take long for them to breed significant volumes of their own. This can then pose the kind of environmental threat we have discussed. Flies can be easily removed from your premises with the help of a professional, though, so it should not be too hard to deal with.

Seasonal pest controls are the most common starting point, but many will look for treatments that can stop them from entering the property in the first place. Infestations should be prevented rather than dealt with once they arise; pest control professionals commonly provide seasonal preventions in Florida. Pesticides can be used to help stop flies from entering, creating a barrier to their unwanted entry. Rest assured, then, that a pest control expert can eliminate flies before they become a danger to you.

Mosquitos are a blight on our quality of life and can cause more than a few problems for you if allowed to thrive. In Florida, the mosquito problem only feels like it is getting worse. In fact, Florida ranks within the top nations in America for mosquito problems. The weather here is conducive to their ability to thrive. They are a major threat and are seen as one of the most dangerous species that you can have in your household or property due to the high number of humans they kill each year.

Mosquito bites are painful and can soon degenerate into something much worse if allowed. These slow, aerial pests can easily be spotted due to their large bodies, thick wings, and series of six legs – two on each side and two at the front. Most are found between March and October, and they tend to be most active during the months of the year when the weather is at its mildest or warmest.

If you see something flying around that looks like a really angry fly, then you have likely spotted a mosquito. Mosquitoes have large legs, a significant stinger-like mouth for feeding, and thick bodies. They are easy to spot and tend to move around in groups, so if you see one mosquito, it is likely that many more are not too far behind.

Why are mosquitoes so dangerous? They spread many dangerous illnesses. Conditions such as malaria, Dengue fever, the Zika virus, and West Nile virus are all commonly spread by mosquitos. While not every mosquito carries such illness, those that do can genuinely threaten your life. Hire an expert in mosquito extermination, and they can safely remove your mosquito population. Make sure that controls are put in place to limit their return, or at least how many of them come back later.

You only need to lay your eyes on a roach for a moment to realize just how utterly vile they are. Roaches come in many forms in Florida, from the German roach to the Asian roach and the Brown-banded roach, to name just a few. Roaches, from the typical cockroach to those listed above, are seen as harbingers of uncleanliness and grime. They are also a potential health concern for many people. They can spread diseases, heighten allergic reactions, and even cause you to have breathing issues!

Roaches vary in looks and style depending on their breed. Most, though, are brown or reddish-brown and half an inch to two inches in size. Roaches should be easily spotted by their number as opposed to their looks, though, as roaches almost always come in large groups. Indeed, it is expected that some breeds of roach can produce as many as 30,000 of their species in a single acre of land. So, you can imagine how quickly their numbers can spread.

If left to rot, an infestation can lead to serious problems like bacterial infections, increased allergic reactions, and reputational damage. We recommend that you get rid of the roach problem as soon as you find it. A roach problem will not clear up on its own, at least not permanently.

One of the main problems with getting rid of roaches in Florida is that they are highly resistant to chemicals and insecticides, just like bed bugs. They can spread numbers quickly due to their rapid breeding habits and their ability to adapt to just about any kind of environment or condition. Given they can live for months without food, too, an infestation can feel like it vanishes before reappearing again.

Roaches need to be removed using various combined techniques to create the best conditions. A pest control expert with a specialist skill range for roaches can likely recommend the best ways to get rid of your roach problem. Rest assured, though, that working with a professional means that the roach problem can be dealt with in a timely manner. DIY roach removal rarely, if ever, works as hoped.

Rodents are not something that you will easily confuse with bed bugs in Florida, but they are still worth noting. Rodents come in many forms and can range from a rat or mouse to a squirrel or chipmunk. Forms of rodents vary from the typical black rat or cotton rat to the house mouse and deer mouse. The eastern woodrat and eastern gray squirrel are becoming more common, too. Each of these species has preferred solutions that professionals use to wipe them out.

Why should you not ignore rodents in Florida? There are many reasons. Rats and mice can be deadly problems, as they can contaminate food, ruin furniture and décor, and even spread illness. Indeed, diseases like Hantavirus are on the rise in Florida primarily because of the rise of rodents that have spread around the place. Property damage is a common issue, too, as they gnaw through wires, clothes, and even your structure.

Prevention of rodents in Florida often comes from working with a professional who can find ways to stop them from entertaining your property while killing off any of the rodents present. Since they breed at such rapid intervals, too, they can quickly elevate their numbers and turn one or two “did I just see something there…” moments into a full-on infestation. If you spot any kind of creatures like mice or rats – easily identified apart from bed bugs, as you can imagine – contact a rodent control expert ASAP!

Spiders in Florida, amplified by the heat that we get in this state, can be big. Add in their ability to climb up walls and ceilings, drop down from locations, hide in corners, and move quickly, and it is easy to see why arachnophobia is such a common issue in the USA. Most spiders can be dealt with by using a variety of treatment methods, from preventing their arrival to chemical treatments.

Spiders can also be scared off by using a variety of preventative solutions and remedies. They tend to hate certain smells, so placing these scents around parts of the building that seem to attract them can be a good place to start. The bad news is that spiders in Florida have a nasty habit of biting people, and some can be startlingly large—not quite Australia, but large enough not to ignore!

Identifying a spider is not as easy as it might first appear, though, since spiders come in so many different forms. Some are very specific in their look and have distinctive patterns. Others are hairy or have a hair-like appearance. The good news is that you can identify a spider simply by looking at their body shape. Do they have eight legs? Then it is almost certainly a spider!

The expert you hire to deal with your spider problem can point you in the right direction in terms of eradicating and removing your spider problem. Every species is different, though, so what works and what should be avoided will change depending on the kind of spider. The most common forms of spiders in Florida include wolf spiders, brown recluse spiders, banana spiders, spiny orb weavers, and southern black widows.

Termites are a typical pest found across Florida that is becoming one of our most common enemies. Termites might not feast on your blood like a bed bug does, but they spread their contagion in other ways. For one, termites are one of the most common causes of property damage and structural decay in Florida. Termites can cost you thousands of dollars in home repair, so you must be vigilant for any signs of these persistent and prominent pests. Once discovered, hire a pest control expert ASAP!

Termites are fed not on blood but on wood. So, they can begin to eat through your flooring and even your foundations. Many Floridians find that the source of their structural damage has been caused by termites eating through their foundations. Termites can be easily identified, but it is important to note the species you have. There are three main forms of termite in Florida: the Winged Termite, Soldier Termite, and Subterranean Termite. Subterranean are the most dangerous as they eat foundations.

Termites can usually be easily identified simply by looking for small creatures, usually black, brown, tan, or a kind of copperish-brown color. They tend to be around ¼” to ½” in size, so they are more easily seen than other pest species in Florida. Termites that grow wings are heading off to cause damage elsewhere, having fed on all the wood their colony can find. If you spot winged termites, then the bad news is that they have likely already carried out some major damage.

While termites cannot feast on our blood or harm us individually, they cause major pain to us by damaging our properties. If you find any termites, alive or dead, or you notice wood damage that you cannot explain, call a termite expert in Florida who can take a closer look at your situation.

Somewhat related to spiders, ticks are a form of arachnid that are known for their ability to transmit illnesses to people. Ticks come in many forms in Florida, from the American Dog Tick to the Deer Tick and Soft Tick. Lone Star Ticks are becoming more common, too. These tend to be small, round creatures that are around ¼” in size. Usually, they are a brown shade, ranging from a deep brown to a medium, kind of copper-like hue. They are easier to spot than other pests infecting your home.

How do ticks spread in Florida? It depends. They are residents of wooded areas and grassland, so finding ticks in your Florida garden is not beyond the question. At the same time, it is rare to find ticks in our homes indoors. If a tick bites on you or someone else, they could be brought into the home this way. Much like bed bugs, ticks survive by draining our blood – or the blood of animals. So, you could find that ticks have entered your Florida home by attaching themselves to your animals and pets.

They can latch onto a host for a few hours or days at a time, depending on how quickly they are spotted. They then feed, leave the host, lay some eggs, and then move on to find a new unfortunate. Ticks tend to spread disease that they pick up by ingesting the blood of another host, such as an animal, passing this on to us. Tick-related illnesses are common, with around 40,000 noted infections per year. This can lead to serious illnesses, such as Lyme disease, so do not dismiss ticks.

Ticks also spread other forms of contagion, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Heartland Virus. If you notice any rashes or feel symptoms like joint pain or a fever, we recommend you check for ticks. If you find ticks and have these symptoms, we recommend seeing a medical professional. As soon as you spot ticks in your area, contact a pest control professional. Check your pets regularly, too, as they might be carrying ticks and spreading them around your property.

While wasps have their uses in that they hunt things like cicadas, we do not recommend leaving them to their business. Wasps can be far more aggressive than bees and have a nasty habit of stinging people when they are allowed to roam around. They are also a much more dangerous species than bees, as they can repeatedly sting you, meaning anyone who suffers allergic reactions must be careful.

So, you should never take the presence of wasps as something to ignore; they can be quite dangerous when allowed.How do you spot a wasp? Generally, we recommend that you look out for anything that looks like a “thin” bee. Unlike bees, wasps do not generally have fur or anything of the sort. Instead, they look armed with chitin but usually have that same yellow and black striped pattern.

Wasps are generally easy to tell apart from bees as they lack that same “cute” look and tend to look more aggressive.

Removing wasps from your property should involve destroying their nests and exterminating their numbers as efficiently as possible. Your chosen wasp control expert will give you a rundown of how they can best remove the problem.

Generally, the most common forms of wasps that you are going to find here in Florida include the paper wasp, yellowjacket wasp, and the bald-faced hornet. All forms of wasp should be something to treat with relative to mild concern, so we recommend acting ASAP.

While we suspect it would be almost impossible to mistake one of Florida’s many wildlife pests for bed bugs, we want to make clear what other problems you might face. In Florida, it is common for home and business owners to have problems caused by many forms of wildlife. These could include raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and even bats. Wildlife specialists usually handle these.

Other regular problems can include creatures like foxes, badgers, raccoons, and even snakes. Armadillos and iguanas are common in certain parts of the country, too, so you need to keep a close eye on any of these species. Once they appear, you can usually find that a pest control expert who focuses on these wildlife species can find ways to remove the present pests and limit their chances of a return later down the line.

Wildlife comes in many forms and styles, so you need to be ready to take immediate action if you find any of the above creatures hanging around your turf. Rest assured, they will cause you problems. While some of them might appear harmless, they are likely to cause some form of disruption to you, your pets, or your property. The sooner you act, the quicker the problem can be dealt with. Wildlife control and removal services in Florida are common, so finding help should not be difficult.