Living in Florida is a dream come true for many people, you have to come to terms with a lot of things. One of those things is bugs. Even if you try your hardest, you can’t escape bugs in Florida. With humidity and high temperatures, Florida is a year-round safe haven for bugs. Read this guide to learn about all the common bugs you can find in Florida and how to best deal with them!
The Most Common Bugs in Florida
Ants in Florida
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.
Palmetto Bugs in Florida
The palmetto bug is another name for the American cockroach, which is the big bug you might find on the wall in the middle of the night occasionally. They are harmless and mainly live outside so you won’t find a huge, unmanageable infestation in your home; however, seeing one big cockroach in your home is enough to never want to see one again.
How to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs in Florida
Since palmetto bugs primarily live outside, if you see one in your home, it means they are drawn to something in your home; either food, water, or shelter. Get rid of food sources by cleaning and ensuring that food is stored properly in airtight containers. Take out the trash daily and avoid keeping the garbage right next to your house.
Mosquitoes in Florida
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.
Millipedes in Florida
Millipedes are similar to centipedes, except they have more legs. They have about 20 body segments with two pairs of legs per segment (centipedes have one pair of legs per segment). There are about 50 species of millipedes in Florida and about 12,000 worldwide. Unlike centipedes, millipedes don’t bite or sting, but they are definitely a nuisance.
How to Get Rid of Millipedes in Florida
- Spread diatomaceous earth in infested areas.
- Use boric acid (similar to diatomaceous earth but will harm pets if ingested).
- Reduce moisture in your home by keeping the AC and/or fans running.
Beetles in Florida
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.
Silverfish in Florida
Silverfish are small silver insects that move like fish. They’re nocturnal and very shy, so it’s rare to find them, even at night. Silverfish are similar to cockroaches - they don’t carry health risks, but they can aggravate allergies and they are pretty gross!
How to Get Rid of Silverfish in Florida
- Clear clutter. Silverfish love cluttered areas with materials like cardboard boxes and newspaper.
- Reduce humidity in your home.
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth. This is a pet friendly product that you can easily purchase. Spread it in infested areas and areas where they are common, such as in corners, around drains and any dark, hidden areas of your home.
Termites in Florida
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.
Whiteflies in Florida
Whiteflies are one of the most annoying lawn pests in Florida. Their infestations can be difficult to control, considering they breed so quickly. It can be tricky to spot their eggs since they’re laid on the undersides of leaves. If you don’t notice them, you may underestimate the infestation.
How to Get Rid of Whiteflies in Florida
- Spray with a solution of insecticidal soap and water, or just water.
- Vacuum up the bugs carefully from the leaves.
- Cover your yard with reflective mulch.
- Invite beneficial insects like ladybugs and green lacewings into your yard. These insects eat whiteflies and other lawn pests that often damage Florida plants, trees and shrubs.
Moths in Florida
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
- Moths hold their wings horizontally in a tent-like fashion while butterflies hold their wings vertically above their backs while resting.
- Moths are sturdy and stocky, while butterflies are slender and agile.
- 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.
- 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.
Earwigs in Florida
If you know one thing about earwigs, you probably know that they will crawl into your ear, and into your brain at night while you're sleeping - well, this is a myth. Earwigs are harmless and unlike most pests, it's much more common for only one earwig to crawl into your home than a family of earwigs.
How to Prevent Earwigs in Florida
- Trim trees away from your home
- Add beneficial predators like birds and toads to your backyard or garden
- Get rid of decayed plant matter like dead leaves, fallen fruit and dead branches.
Bed Bugs in Florida
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
- Small red dots on sheets or blankets
- Brown or tan streaks of fecal matter
- Discarded skins and egg casings
What to Do About Bugs in Florida
The best way to get rid of bugs in Florida is by calling pest control. Native Pest Management knows the in’s and out’s of Florida bugs, whether they’re inside your home or in your yard. With over 3,000 five-star Google reviews and branches in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, and Tallahassee, our technicians are the most reliable source for pet friendly, eco-friendly pest control. Request a free quote today to schedule your appointment!
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