Bugs in Florida: A Complete Guide

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. 

The Most Common Bugs in Florida 

• Ants
• Palmetto bugs
• Millipedes 
• Moths
• Beetles
• Silverfish
• Earwigs
• Termites
• Whiteflies
• Mosquitoes
• Bed bugs

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: Cracks in your foundation, tears in 
• Look for the ant nest: The ant nest is the source of your infestation. 
• 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. 

How to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs in Florida

• Get rid of food sources by cleaning and keeping trash away from your home. 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.
• 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 unsafe for pets).
• Reduce moisture in your home

Beetles in Florida

Beetles are pretty harmless, but certain species like grain weevils can get into your food. Other types of beetles in Florida include ground beetles, longhorn beetles, scarab beetles, and stag beetles, which are typically found outside. 

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. 

How to Get Rid of Silverfish in Florida

• Clear clutter: Silverfish love cluttered areas like cardboard boxes and newspaper. 
• Reduce humidity: Make sure the AC is running to keep the ventilation up. 
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth: Diatomaceous earth is a pet friendly pest control product you can easily purchase. Spread it in infested areas, in corners, and around drains. 

Termites in Florida

Termites are the most costly pest in Florida, and everywhere else. The two main termite species of termites are subterranean termites and drywood termites. 

How to Get Rid of Termites in Florida

To only way to get rid of a termite infestation is calling professional pest control. Colonies are nearly impossible to eliminate without an expert. treatment methods depend on the species, and include tenting, no-tent treatments, trenching, and baiting.

Whiteflies in Florida

Whiteflies are one of the most annoying lawn pests in Florida. Their infestations can be controllable, considering they breed so quickly. It’s also difficult 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. 

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!