Bugs in Florida: A Complete Guide

There are more ants than people in the world - a lot more. About twenty quadrillion actually! There are all kinds of ants all over Florida, from tiny sugar ants to fire ants. Ants are a known nuisance bug in Florida. 

How to Get Rid of Ants in Florida

• Identify the ant species in your home: Learn about the most common ants in Florida so you can determine the best way to get rid of them. 
• Seal entry points with caulk: Holes or cracks in your foundation, torn screens and gaps in windows and doors are ideal entry points for ants.  
• Look for the ant nest: The ant nest is the source of your infestation. Seeing areas highly populated by ants means a nest is likely nearby. 
• Use non-repellent products: While the name may seem counterproductive, we use non-repellent ant sprays and granular baits. Repellents will just cause the colony to divide in conquer in a process called “budding”. Instead of being repelled away from your home, they’ll be repelled in your home, forming new colonies. With non-repellent sprays, the product will act slowly, not until every ant has been infected until it reaches the queen. Then, the entire colony will die. 

Mosquitoes can take the fun out of everything outdoors, especially in the rainy season. If you’re getting bitten by mosquitoes in your yard often and find yourself avoiding your yard because of mosquitoes, it’s a good opportunity to take action. 

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Florida

• Eliminate sources of standing water - this includes anything that pools water like pool toys, spare tires, potted plants, or buckets. 
• Keep your pool clean. Pool chemicals such as chlorine will keep mosquitoes from breeding. 
• Clear your gutters of leaves or any other yard debris.  

Beetles are pretty harmless, but certain species like grain weevils can get into your food, which is not so good for clear reason. Other types of beetles in Florida include ground beetles, longhorn beetles, scarab beetles, and stag beetles, which are typically found outside, and usually mind their own business. 

How to Get Rid of Beetles in Florida

To get rid of grain weevils, go after the source, which is likely your pantry. Clean out your pantry and go through each item inside. Weevils often like cereals, rice, and pasta. When you find the source, throw it out immediately and ensure everything else is sealed up. 

Termites are the most costly pest in Florida, and in the United States with $5 billion in damages every year. The two main termite species of termites are subterranean termites and drywood termites. 

How to Get Rid of Termites in Florida

The only way to get rid of a termite infestation is calling professional pest control. Colonies are nearly impossible to eliminate without an expert and treatment methods depend on the species, so it's important to get an inspection prior to treatment.  

Termite treatment methods include: 

• Tent fumigation
• No-tent termite treatments
• Termite bait stations
• Termite trenching

If you suspect you have termites in your home, don't delay. Reach out to Native Pest Management for your free termite inspection. 

Moths are typically, but not always, less colorful than butterflies. They're often "drab," earthy colors like shades of brown. However, some species of moths in Florida can be white, green, and even pink! Some stand-out moth species include the luna moth and the rosy maple moth.

How to Tell the Difference Between Moths and Butterflies

1. Moths hold their wings horizontally in a tent-like fashion while butterflies hold their wings vertically above their backs while resting.
2. Moths are sturdy and stocky, while butterflies are slender and agile.
3. Both moths and butterflies and cold blooded. Moths are nocturnal and generate heat by vibrating their wings, while butterflies stay in the sun and will shiver to stay warm as needed.
4. Moths form silk cocoons in the pupal stage (before becoming moths), while butterflies form smooth chrysalises that have a hard outer casing and while hang from some sort of structure such as a leaf or windowsill.

Bed bugs can feel like a nightmare, and not just because they're common where you sleep. If ignored, a bed bug infestation can spread like wildfire, until it reaches every room in your home. The common household bed bug is a small bug that grows up to about 5-7 millimeters, about the size of an apple seed.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

1. Small red dots on sheets or blankets
2. Brown or tan streaks of fecal matter
3. Discarded skins and egg casings